Finding Archives - GUJRAT INDIA

Finding Houses For Sale in Lagos, Nigeria

In Lagos, Nigeria, there is a tourism boom about to be unleashed following development efforts and economic growth that promises many opportunities to investors. The result of this is a rapidly expanding real estate sector offering unlimited opportunities to reap bountiful harvests from. Take for instance 5 years ago undeveloped land in the Lekki axis of Lagos Nigeria and Ikoyi areas sold for less than half its current market value with developed properties selling in some cases for less than one third of the current market price. This is indicative of a real estate boom and unlike the stock market boom of 2004 – 2008 the real estate boom is an investor’s haven.

This brings us to some of the issues that will naturally be encountered as a result of people preferences and choices with buying houses. A number of problems are associated with buying and selling of houses in Lagos Nigeria and it is only proper I mention some of them before listing out places to find houses to buy or sell.

One of the major problems will be the omooniles (descendants of the land owners or original occupants of various communities in Lagos Nigeria). These are usually idle and Lazy people who want to lay claim to almost any major development taking place on Land they may have already sold to people. By extorting money and collecting illegal fees these omooniles make life difficult for home owners or people desiring to build their own houses. Be on the look out for them whenever you decide to buy a house in Lagos Nigeria. Your best protection against omooniles is to buy directly from reputable real estate companies or acquire land directly from the government and build as quickly as possible. Another problem you face would be real estate fraudsters who could go as far as faking contact details of some reputable real estate companies in order to hoodwink home seekers and other real estate investors. Many of these fraudsters make offers that are too good to be true or unrealistically attractive in order to get at your money. Always insist on patronizing reputable real estate agencies and companies and ensure that you visit their offices to verify their authenticity.

In 2009, and onwards there are many places to start your search for houses available for sale in Lagos Nigeria. Here is a compilation of a list of places to find houses for sale in Lagos Nigeria;

1. Online Classified Adverts

Classified online adverts such as those on nairalist.com, nairaland.com and several websites of real estate companies is a major channel for finding houses and other property for sale in Lagos Nigeria.

2. News papers and magazine publications

A number of newspapers run dedicated editions for advertising or informing the public about opportunities to buy and sell houses in Lagos Nigeria. The most recognized of these is the Guardian Newspaper which runs a Monday Edition dedicated to the real estate sector. Another well known publication for finding houses for sale in Lagos Nigeria is castles magazine. There is also Properties and Homes magazine among others. The draw back is that these publications can only be bought in Nigeria as they do not circulate globally hence people living abroad may not find this option convenient.

3. Recognized real estate companies and Agencies

There are a lot of real estate companies in Nigeria but a few well known include Jide Taiwo and co, Ubosi Eleh and Co, Diya Fatimilehin and co, UAC Properties Limited and Unions Homes among others. Contacting any of these companies is search of houses for sale is another way to go about it. This option covers you although not completely from the activities of omooniles.

4. Enquiries on on-going projects

You could also make enquiries about on going projects such as construction of housing estates and other similar projects directly through the contractors who could refer you to the real estate agency or company handling the project or possibly the owner in order to meet with and negotiate a deal if possible. However not all housing projects have options for selling houses as some of them might actually be tenement projects in which case the owners are only interested in letting out.

Conclusion

Be warned that not all adverts or information made available on channels for sale of houses in Lagos are credible and reliable, you are advised to still carryout some investigation into the claims because some real estate fraudsters are on the prowl looking to defraud unsuspecting buyers of houses in Lagos Nigeria. Also possible for locating houses for sale in Lagos Nigeria is the option of word of mouth from people within your social network although this is hardly as reliable as the other earlier options.

Finding Your Wealthy Place – Part 3

God has given us principles to follow in order to reach our wealthy place. He has made those principles known through His Word. For us to build wealth according to God’s plan, there has to be a proper foundation. A proper foundation for a tall building needs proper digging to ensure sustainability. The Lord has given us some commands in His Word for us to obey. One of those commands is to tithe according to Malachi.

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Mal. 3:10). And verse 9 of Malachi speaks of curses that come upon him who does not obey this command.

But there is a question and here it is, “Why do some believers who tithe remain broke?” They still have not entered into their wealthy place. This deserves an honest answer. This means the tithe does not bring the answer. But it is still very important. There are some adjustments to be made for us to enter our wealthy place. Once those adjustments have been made, you will enter the land of the rich.

“The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee” (Deuteronomy 28:8).

The Lord shall command the blessing. This must be serious with God. A storehouse refers to your bank account or your investments. The Lord commands a blessing and He does not stop there. He further commands a blessing on whatever you SET your hand on. That may be your business or your job. Do something that is of value to people. Do what benefits people and they will buy from you.

Understand child of God that there is an enemy, the devil. As you move towards your wealthy place the enemy will not just roll over and play dead. He will try hard to stop you without giving up. The reason is that he knows what that means to him. Now let us look at how to lay the proper found for your wealth:

1) Use proven weapons- the Word of God to fight your battles

When Goliath was mocking the Israelites, David came. He knew the covenant he had with God and that Goliath did not have it. He decided to face him. King Saul tried to give him his armor but David had not proven it so he did not use it.

“And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.

And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.

And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:38-40).

There is a battle going on in the financial world. You therefore need proven weapons as there is no time for unproven ones now. The Word of God has been proven to be working now and again. Jesus proved it when He was tempted by the devil. But the question is, “have you proven it yourself?” David had proven his weapon. That is why he talked about killing a lion and a bear. Now, it is time for you to put the Word of God into a test. Prove it yourself in your own life. Is the Word of God real to you? Is it stored within you? Child of God, it is time. Rise up and start believing in the Word. Use it. Prove it.

2) Do not be high-minded

What is that? It is a charge to the rich. This will help you put the proper foundation on your way to your wealthy place. Do not think of yourself more highly than you should.

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high- minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves A GOOD FOUNDATION against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1Timothy 6:17-19).

The Lord has given richly all things to be enjoyed. REMEMBER to enjoy every MOMENT of your life? Be willing to distribute, support towards good works. Remember to support the Kingdom of God. By so doing, you are laying a good foundation for yourself.

If you follow God, He will make you rich. Never make earthly riches your number one priority. How can you see if money is priority number one in your life? If it is difficult for you to part with money and support the work of God, you have made money a god. God is ready to give you the kind of house you want, the kind of car you want, and the kind of clothes you want. But you need to prove to Him you are not going to get taken with pride and arrogance and conceit.

“All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers.

And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, TO HUMBLE THEE, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.” (Deuteronomy 8:1-3).

Note that the word “Humble” is the opposite of high-minded. Do not wait for God to humble you. Humble yourself. God wants to take you into your wealthy place. The Apostle Peter also talks about this issue of being humble before God.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6).

3) Don’t Put Your Trust in Uncertain Riches

Why are riches of this world referred to as “uncertain riches?” It is because they are temporal. They can be lost anytime. Finances are an earthly institution. No one can go with it to heaven. When you die you go naked. It does not matter how much wealth you had accumulated. So we are encouraged to trust in the living God.

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high- minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.”(1 Timothy 6:17). After Paul admonished the rich on the issue of avoiding being high-minded, he cautioned us about trusting on uncertain riches.

The Old Testament has something to say about trusting in uncertain riches.

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:5). Our eyes need to be set on God. Then we will receive an anointing to prosper. That will catch money because money has a tendency of developing wings to fly away.

May I conclude that knowing that there is a wealthy place for you is the first step. As we have highlighted, there are necessary foundations to be put in place. Those foundations will enable you to enjoy your wealth in a sustainable way. Follow the principles of success that God has put in place. That will help protect you from the enemy who always seeks way of hindering and destroying you.

Blessings in Jesus Name!

Finding An Affordable Web Design Company – What To Look For

It is to be appreciated that E-commerce is one of the most important technologies that have emerged from the Internet. It allows individuals to exchange items and services right away, without barriers of time or location. Online shopping allows consumers to go on the internet and purchase or sell practically anything they want at any time of the day or night. Your website must therefore be tailored and designed to take the above into consideration.

When you initially consider what you require from your website design company, the most important fact is that you need a website that ‘works’ as per the below requirements;

It ought to load quickly in all internet browsers, and all the web links ought to function.
Visitors need to have the ability to easily find you in the main online search engines, whilst browsing quickly to the web pages and information they want.
It is also essential that your website mirrors the style of your business.

Your pictures and other graphics is of paramount importance in this networked globe, as it lends an identity to both your website and your business. Your website is basically a home window whereby the world sees your company. This can significantly influence their decision as to whether to do business with you, depending on what they see. You have only have a couple of seconds to thrill your website site visitor with your firm’s professionalism and integrity.

The competent website designer of today should understand search engine optimization, graphic arts, scripting and a host of other variables. Without this required expertise, the web presence of your organisation may drop by the wayside.

You must therefore seek a firm with an excellent record. Such a company will boldly and proudly presents a profile of past jobs on its website. A recognized firm is additionally, normally a member of a specialist grouping or chamber of business. Look at the logo designs on their website, and see where else on the Internet it pops up.

On top of that, a high quality company will provide a totally free assessment and reasonable quote so that you can have a clear idea of your expenses upfront. Then after paying due attention to your requirements, they’ll start the job. An essential gauge of professionalism and competence, is when they give you screen shots and mock-ups that show precisely how your site will look. They will then listen to your feedback and make any changes you call for. In other words, they’ll deal with you until you obtain what you require as a final product.

Picking the best website design business is an essential action for your business. Get it right and you will also have the confidence you require to develop your company. In turn, your consumers and website visitors will have the enhanced self-confidence to do business with you.

The speed at which technology moves dictates that web design companies must additionally provide web and multimedia growth services to its client base. At every phase of the development process, rom theoretical layout to product release, the service provider must ensure that the highest quality standards are maintained.

What Is an AGO Oil Product or Automatic Gas Oil? Finding Authentic AGO Petroleum Supply/Supplier

A recent survey conducted by this writer on the Internet for a quick, snap shot sense of the subject matter, immediately revealed that there’s a state of relatively scanty knowledge of, or information about, this particular refined petroleum product called the AGO, among international oil dealers and suppliers. In deed, in one rather remarkable instance involving a popular ‘Ask for Answers’ online discussion portal, one reader expressly posited the question, soliciting information from the readers as to what is/was ‘the meaning’ of the petroleum term AGO, among three other refined petroleum products, which he went on to list – DPK, PMS, JET A1. There was just one response – a response that has stood the same for 5 years since. Oddly enough, however, of the 4 oil products that the answerer named, the answerer was exactly accurate in the definition he proffered on three of those. But, on ONLY one of them, the AGO product, the answer given by the answerer was somewhat slightly off, as he gave the definition of the product as meaning ‘Automotive Gas & Oils.’

So, first, we start with this basic question: What is AGO Oil Product, or the Automotive Gas Oil?

What the AGO Oil Product Is

The term AGO, which specifically stands for the Automotive Gas Oil, is the name given to the fuel type that’s used by road vehicles (cars, trucks, buses, vans, and the like) that are powered by DIESEL engines. That is, in a word, it is the diesel vehicle engine fuel. In terms of how the fuel gets to be produced or manufactured, the fuel is the type that, in the distillation and processing of crude oil work, is obtained in the mid-boiling range of that process. Related fuels which are used for non-road applications including off-road diesel engines, such as the Industrial Gas Oils (IGOs), are obtained from the same ‘fraction’ of the crude oil barrel.

Technically speaking, the term Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) is the technical name used by the oil industry in describing this particular fuel. However, in terms of the ordinary consumers in the market, the term ‘automotive diesel fuel,’ or just plain ‘diesel,’ is the more commonly used and more widespread name that the ordinary consumer uses in describing this fuel. Petroleum products are usually grouped into THREE categories: the ‘light distillates’ (LPG, gasoline, naphtha), the ‘middle’ distillates (kerosene, diesel), and the ‘heavy’ distillates and residuum (heavy fuel oil, lubricating oils, wax, asphalt). This classification is based primarily on the way crude oil is distilled and separated into fractions (called distillates and residuum). Within the oil industry, the generic oil industry name that’s used to describe gasoils – which include both AGO and IGO – fall under the ‘Middle Distillates’ category, meaning those kinds of refined oil products whose ‘boiling range’ fall in the MIDDLE, that is, between those whose range fall in the higher levels or in the lower levels. (See the Chart below). As you can readily see in the Chart below, at a Boiling Range of between 520 to 650, the AGO falls right in the middle range of most categories of the refined oil products.

The Market & Primary Uses of the AGO oil Product Among Its Customers

AGO is used in two main types of vehicles: 1) the heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks and buses, and 2) the light-duty vehicles, such as vans and passenger cars. In most countries, including the USA as well as the developing countries, the heavy-duty vehicles make up the bulk of the market for AGO. In a country such as Japan, there is a significant light-duty vehicle sector, but it is in Europe that the demand for AGO from this sector is highest, with more than one-third coming from the passenger cars and other light vehicles. Customer requirements between the two types of fuel usage differ to some extent. Diesel engines are widely used in heavy-duty vehicles. Such vehicles are frequently operated in fleets and are re-fuelled centrally with the fuel delivered directly from the supplier. In the light-duty vehicle sector, recent advances in engine design now also allow light-duty diesel engines to compete with gasoline engines in terms of the performance standards. Light-duty vehicles are generally re-fuelled through retail outlets. In any case, whether it is in the light-duty sector or in the heavy-duty sector, in both sectors the customer will generally be looking for the fuel that provides economy, power, reliability and environmental acceptability.

Use As Car Fuel

Diesel-powered vehicles, such as AGO-powered vehicles, generally have a better fuel economy than equivalent gasoline engines and produce less greenhouse gas emission. Their greater economy is due to the higher energy per-liter content of diesel fuel and the intrinsic efficiency of the diesel engine. True, petrodiesel’s higher density results in higher greenhouse gas emissions per liter compared to gasoline. However, the modern diesel-engine automobiles have a 20-40% better fuel economy, and this well offsets the higher per-liter emissions of greenhouse gases, while a diesel-powered vehicle emits 10-20 percent less greenhouse gas than comparable gasoline vehicles. Biodiesel-powered diesel engines offer substantially improved emission reductions compared to petrodiesel or gasoline-powered engines, while retaining most of the fuel economy advantages over conventional gasoline-powered automobiles.

How Crude Oil Fractions Are Processed Into Refined Oil Products, Including AGO and Other Products

How do we get to have refined petroleum products, of which a product like AGO is one? Put simply, it is out of the refinery processing (i.e., out of the ‘refining’) of crude oil that many other usable products – products that we generally refer to as refined or finished petroleum products – are produced. Meaning products such as gasoil, gasoline, kerosene, AGO, etc. The process of oil ‘refining’ or processing is a very complex one, and involves both chemical reactions and physical separations. The substance that’s called Crude Oil is composed of thousands of different ‘molecules,’ and according to chemical engineers and molecular experts, it would be nearly impossible to isolate every molecule that exists in crude oil and thereby make finished products from each molecule.

Consequently, the way chemists and engineers deal with this problem, is simply by them isolating the mixtures (also called ‘fractions’) of molecules according to what is known as the mixture’s “boiling point range.” For example, molecules for the gasoline product might boil within the ‘range’ of from 90 to 400 oF. While the range at which the home heating oil product’s molecular mixes could boil might be from 500 to 650 oF, and so on. For purposes of convenience and simplification, each mixture or fraction is assigned a specific name to identify it.

The following chart illustrates the ‘boiling range’ and name of the petroleum fractions.

Fraction

Boiling Range,oF.

Butanes and lighter

<90

Light straight run gasoline (LSR)

or light naphtha (LN)

90-190

Naphtha or heavy naphtha (HN)

190-380

Kerosene

380-520

Distillate or atmospheric gas oil (AGO)

520-650

Residua

650 +

Vacuum gas oil (VGO)

650-1000

Vacuum Residua

1000 +

In sum, refined products are products that are produced by isolating the mixtures or fractions of molecules that come from the raw crude oil, and combining them, along with those from various refinery processing units. These fractions are ‘blended’ or mixed to satisfy specific properties that are important in allowing the refined product to perform in accordance with the specifications or requirements that are designed by or in an engine, in terms of ease in handling, reducing the undesirable emissions produced when the product is burned, etc

FINDING OR OBTAINING A SUPPLY OF THE AGO

Simply stated, the KEY term and task here is finding an authentic AGO oil product supply or supplier. Or an AGO buyer, as the case may be. Why? This is simply because, today, in the international refined oil products trading market, specially in the so-called “secondary” market, probably the single most fundamental and most difficult common problem which legitimate dealers who seek to find reliable suppliers have, is often NOT so much finding a party who will claim heaven and earth that he/she has the AGO oil product to sell and can supply you the product. Or that he can buy one from you, as the case may be. BUT finding such a party who is actually AUTHENTIC & LEGITIMATE, and can actually DELIVER on the product.

MOST PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY’RE SUPPLIERS OF PRODUCT PROVIDE NO VERIFIED OR VERIFIABLE PROOFS OR SOURCES

A well-established reality and a given today, is that in world oil deals involving trading in the crude oil and refined petroleum products, specially in the so-called international “secondary” market, probably the single most fundamental and most difficult common problem which legitimate buyers frequently confront today, is the problem of the genuineness and authenticity of the supplier of product and his ability to deliver on the sales offer he presents. Refined petroleum products, such as AGO, D2, Mazut, Jet fuel, etc., are certainly not immune or exempt from such endemic problem that seems to plague the entire secondary market oil trade industry, but rather are, in deed, right in the middle of it.

It’s a problem whose central source can simply be summed up in one word – namely, that not unlike most persons or entities who claim via the Internet to be oil or petroleum products suppliers or “sellers,” most who claim to be suppliers of AGO, as well (or of similar refined oil products, such as the diesel gasoil or Russian D2, Mazut, Jet fuels, and the like), either provide NO proofs or evidence at all of that, or provide proofs or evidence that are often absolutely meaningless because they’re unverified and unverifiable. That is, for the serious or credible Internet petroleum buyer involved in the world oil deals and seriously intent on finding duly verifiable authentic AGO oil product supply or supplier, there are generally just NO such supply or suppliers of the product in the so-called “secondary” market.

Most such serious or genuine AGO buyers (or suppliers, as well, as the case may be) seeking to find equally genuine AGO suppliers (or sellers seeking buyers, when applicable) in the international secondary market, find that the problem is particularly acute and compounded by the fact that almost all “sellers” (or suppliers), or their brokers or intermediaries, that one meets on the Internet, are essentially unknown, unestablished dealers who lack any name, reputation or identity, or any known location on the planet, and lack any record or history of past performance in doing the business. In consequence, a serious AGO buyer, for example, is often being asked – and actually being realistically expected – to, in effect, merely take “the word” of some dubious, anonymous, unidentified and apparently unidentifiable, phantom “seller” or “supplier” for it, with no credible supporting evidence provided, and no verification or authentication whatsoever of the Internet seller’s offer or claims.

In sum, he’s being asked – and actually being expected – to risk, or, rather, to gamble away, his hard-earned mini-fortune of some hundreds of millions of dollars merely on such a “word.”! This, it should be added, is being expected of the buyer in a business environment and climate that is patently awash in fraud and a network of notorious scammers worldwide!

WHERE TO BUY AGO OIL PRODUCT, HOW DO YOU FIND THE SUPPLIERS?

Clearly, then, if you are a real buyer of product seriously intent on finding authentic diesel AGO oil product supply or suppliers (or those of any similar refined oil products, such as the diesel gasoil or Russian D2, Mazut, Jet fuels, and the like) – meaning one that is duly verified and verifiable – probably the most critical, vital, even life-or-death task for you, is that you had better be sure to develop, in some way or manner, a skilled and effective strategy for finding, vetting, selecting out and authenticated suppliers that can provide you reliable steady supply of the product, and which will be scam-free, assured, and long-lasting.

How?

Quite oddly enough, the answer to that question is actually not that complicated or complex. For our limited purposes here, suffice it simply to just say, that there is, in fact, such a methodology, tool and strategy for doing just that long in practical use in the industry. Long in practical use by knowledgeable, experienced and trained eyes and experts, and the successful traders, in the business. If you are, yourself, in fact a provable legitimate trader or authentic practitioner of the petroleum trade (assuming you are actually one) operating in the secondary market, and are truly serious about finding and securing authentic and reliable AGO oil product supply or supplier, or about finding and securing a buyer of equivalent caliber for the product, as the case may be, that’s actually readily within your reach. There’s just really one crucial proviso, only – namely, PROVIDING that you’re equipped with the requisite knowledge, skill, training, tool, methodology and practical experience, by which to undertake the whole process of doing so.

To be sure, true, in today’s world oil deals of the international secondary market, including sourcing for AGO product, which is largely an Internet-dominated world, and is for the most part prevalently awash in fake dealers and scammers, finding duly verified authentic petroleum or automotive gas oil product supply, suppliers and sellers of such caliber (or buyers, just as well), is not ordinary or commonplace. Nor is it at all an easy task to attain. It is, however, by no means impracticable, nor are such suppliers non-existent. Far, far from it! Quite to the contrary, such suppliers abound. It’s only that you just have to search around for such suppliers (or the legitimate buyers, as well, as the case may be) more diligently and skillfully and in the right places from the right sources, and know precisely how and where. That requires, unavoidably, supreme industry knowledge, skills set, training, know-how, connections, precious time expenditure, and experience.

FOR A FOLLOW UP

YOU WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON HOW TO FIND AUTHENTIC AGO OIL PRODUCT SUPPLY OR SUPPLIERS, OR EVEN BUYERS, THAT ARE ALREADY VERIFIED, CONFIRMED AND VERIFIABLE AND SCAM-FREE? Please see the link provided in the author’s Resource Box below.

Finding Your Wealthy Place

How is your life today? Does it reflect that you are a child of God? Does it reflect the wealth of your heavenly Father? God said in Deuteronomy 28:3, “Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.”

There is what is called a wealthy place. God wants to bring you into your own wealthy place. Once you are in such a place you will not ask yourself if you have found it. You will experience it when you are in the city and when you are in the field. It works everywhere. It works in the city and in the field. In other words, whether you are a doctor, lawyer, school teacher, minister, business person, or you have some other vocation.

Remember that yesterday we talked about leaving all for Jesus? You started coming out of the practices that God does not like. Why? God wants to take you into that place. You cannot win the world and win God’s Kingdom at the same time. One must drop. Genesis 12:1 says, “The LORD said to Abram: Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you.” You are expected by God to leave certain practices in life. That will be your expression of faith in Him. That is what Abraham did. So forsaking certain things as you obey God will lead you to the place God destined for you.

“Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: But thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.” (Psalms 66:12).

You might have gone through the fire or water, but finally the Lord is bringing you into this wonderful place in Jesus Name. That is the place of plenty. It is God’s will that you come out of the tight spot financially. We do not serve a careless God. He does not take you out of Egypt and throw you into a wilderness and then leave you there to die. The wilderness is just a pathway to your wealthy place. So do not worry about what is happening in your life now. You are just passing through. Never think the wilderness is your destiny. Never think you should die there. No, No! Fix your eyes into your wealthy place. See God taking you through. Listen to Him. Obey Him.

I believe the following verse in Psalms is a prophetic word to the Body of Christ for this hour concerning finances.

Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. (Psalm 102:13). Note that Zion refers to the Church. God favors those who believe Him.

When is the time to arise? The time is now. Do not stay in the wilderness till you die. If you have not yet found your wealthy place, arise now! Ask God to show you where or what is your wealthy place. He is a faithful God. He is always true to His Word. Therefore believe Him and act according to His instructions. He will speak to you in Jesus Name!

Blessings!

Finding the Best Online Business

The best online businesses are run by people who have a very high degree of self control. They also have long term goals and know what they need to know how to run a business with sometimes several employees. They also have to have a good sense of financial knowledge so they can continuously keep the company profitable and fund new projects.

Some of the best online businesses are run by people with degrees in business. They may have gone to school knowing they wanted to pursue business or they might have had another career field in mind that required a business background. However, many internet businesses have been started by people with no business background at all, which gives the general public a good chance of starting their own successful business online.

You can learn many lessons from the creators of these online businesses. By studying how they started their business and the steps they took to increase traffic to their websites we all can benefit, and use the knowledge to grow our own online businesses.

Some examples of successful businesses include Google, MySpace, and Youtube. Each of these websites was made with the idea of servicing people. Google provides millions of users worldwide the ability to find what they are looking for on the internet. Google has grown with the times since it started as well and has increased its user experience by constantly updating the agorithm of search and finding new sites. Additionally they have offered users other options for their internet needs such as Gmail, Google Docs, Gtalk, and Google News.

By watching Google grow they show a perfect example of constantly expanding to increase the happiness of their audience, with this of course comes more people who love to use Google and become loyal to it, this shows us why it is the biggest search engine available, with the best sense of growth.

MySpace was started by one person who wanted to network with friends and family and share their life online with them. By that one person sharing their idea and website with people his own idea he has been able to inspire millions to share their lives online as well. Everyone seems to be connected in their extended network, and people can share as much or as little of themselves with their friends and family online. From pictures to videos to their favorite songs, Myspace gives people individuality in the online world.

Another one of the best online businesses is Youtube. The founders created this site so that people all over the world could share their favorite videos. People could easily make a video and upload it to share with millions. You could show some of your individuality, you could teach others, or even promote your website. Many people all around the world loved the idea of being able to make and share their own videos. You can find entertaining videos, music videos, news videos and documentaries created by users on YouTube.

Everyone of these sites had a long term plan and invested time and money into their business to become successful. By studying their business styles and the time and money they invested we can all learn a bit more about starting our own business online.

Producing Good Catfish is Important, But Finding Good Buyers is Imperative!

As I have said on my Cost-Saving Ideas Farm Business Support mini site, and also in many of my previous write ups, I have gained unique insight into the business of catfish farming as it is done here in Nigeria. I have moved around quite a lot within Lagos especially, visiting various farms in places like Iyana Ipaja, Egbeda, Ojo, Gbagada, and outside Lagos, more recently,in Akute – Ogun State.

During my interactions with the farm owners, I typically ask the same questions about operational practices being used, farm output achieved, expenses incurred etc. My objective is always to establish how efficient and profitable the individual operations are. Time and time again, I have found that most of these farm owners are simply focussed on doing what they do in the same mechanical manner they have always been doing them. Little or no effort is made to spend some time THINKING about how to operate more efficiently – especially in order to reduce the time, effort, money and labour needed to produce – and sell – the same output within a production cycle.

But times are hard. Business is tough. Costs have risen. To continue to profit, it has become even more imperative today, for EVERY business to explore ways of LOWERING operating costs, even as they maintain or possibly INCREASE output. That is why IDEAS – NEW IDEAS – about how to better run the business MUST be routinely solicited, and explored practically, with a view to improving the way we work, so that the business can perform better.

But there is something even more compelling: SELLING. This is the ultimate objective of a business entreprise, which if NOT actively pursued could lead to its eventual demise. Until you get PAID CASH for your product or service, you have NOT done business profitably! And that applies to ANY business. I had to say this at the risk of stating the obvious, because it seems so many business owners often forget this important FACT.

In fact many people seem to go about their businesses focussing more on DOING the technical, production related aspects, and sparing minimal thought for the SELLING part. Yet, if you do not have customers READY and WILLING to part with CASH to get your product or service, ALL your technical, production related know how and skills amount to nothing! Your bank account would be empty!!

This is a message that needs to be drummed into the heads of many Catfish Farm (and other business) owners out here. I have been repeatedly contacted by people who seemed more interested in TESTING my knowledge of how to “inject” catfish or “strip” them of eggs, than they were in hearing my practically tested ideas, for instance, about how they can rear daphnia in glass tanks to feed their catfish fries instead of wasting time/labour scouting for dirty pools of water on different streets, to harvest wild daphnia from – or worse, feeding their catfish fries exclusively with expensive Artemia.

I often wonder if it ever occurs to them that today, almost ANYONE – even the unschooled – can be taught to independently carry out virtually all aspects of breeding and rearing of catfish for commercial production. Is it not obvious from the rate at which seminars, manuals and VCDs teaching the subject now abound in various locations (with adverts appearing in mass media like newspapers, etc)?

The truth is we have a lot of people engaged in producing catfish in different ways, at various scales of operation out here today. The PROBLEM however, is that very few, if at all any, are doing it by following any tested or proven standard operating procedure that guarantees consistent output of quality product. Worse however, and which is the POINT of this writeup, is the near TOTAL lack of attention to developing reliable strategies for FINDING GOOD buyers for the ready-to-sell catfish, be it fingerlings, juveniles or table sized ones.

This latter point explains why in my discussions with many owners, they typically complained of being frustrated by the very exploitative offers made by market women who come to buy their harvested fish. The tales of woe they have told me, about how these greedy traders take advantage of the farmers’ need to get the “ready” fish out of the ponds, to buy them at very low prices (and later sell at maximum profit) are heart rending.

Each time I have been told about this problem, I have responded by telling the farmers to take personal ACTION to find BETTER buyers, so that such traders would NO LONGER feel farmers have no alternative. This is where farmers need to employ CRITICAL THINKING skills. The farmer needs to think of ways to find other people who will want his fish produce, and who will be prepared to pay what they are worth!

In case you are wondering how the farmer will achieve this, I offer some ideas based on my personal experiences and observations.

For table size, ready to sell catfish: The farmer will need to look for beer parlours, restaurants and bars, hotels, motels, entertainment venues, event organisers etc who may need regular or periodic supply of catfish in bulk quantities at good prices. Such buyers are more likely to offer rewarding prices, compared to the market women. Actually they WILL offer better prices – I say this because I am aware of the prices some of them buy from the farmers that supply them.

The challenge is for YOU, as the farmer, to invest reasonable time and effort into locating and approaching them with an attractive offer. The resulting relationship would be mutually beneficial: they get bulk purchase of good quality catfish at AFFORDABLE prices. You get reliable, TIMELY and regular sales outlet for your catfish at PROFITABLE prices that enable you STAY in business for the long term.

Similar thinking will allow you find better sales outlets for fingerlings, if you choose to do so.

You would ask yourself questions like this: Who else would need or can use this catfish product, apart from those I am already dealing with? The answer will lead you towards securing more potentially rewarding sales outlets for your business.

You see, if you do not GO OUT and actively recruit potential bulk buying customers for your harvested catfish, to the extent that you are always able to sell off whatever you produce, at a profitable price, your business will suffer. I have seen farms with impressive looking LIVE catfish produce, but with no idea how to get enough buyers for them. And the owners just sat there – complaining lamely!

Quite often, these owners attend the training and learn how to rear the fish successfully. But their trainers (asuming they knew!) would have “forgotten” to advise them on how to get their produce sold!! The enthusiastic startups would thus launch out assuming buyers would come down in large enough numbers to empty out the ponds, at harvest time. When this does not happen, they are forced to continue spending money feeding the mature fish – inevitably increasing their cost of production.

My argument is that these farmers should have started looking for – and notifying – possible buyers some months BEFORE the fish became due for harvest. That way, they could even have gotten some intending buyers to book for the fish in advance.

A business that is NOT making sales will DIE. Producing (or retailing) good products and services is good, BUT of much GREATER importance, is the effort you put into finding the RIGHT type of buyers for them, who will pay you profitably. In essence, I am asking you NOT to stop at priding yourself on the fact that you know how to make a good product or deliver a great service. Spend MORE QUALITY TIME THINKING of how to find people who WILL PAY YOU WELL to get YOUR good product or great service. If you fail to do at least that, you risk FAILING financially, in that business of yours!

Note that the approach I have described above is what I have used successfully for years now, to boost sales of my own products and services. It is based on my experience based understanding, that ONE good paying client is better than ten (10) miserly and/or exploitative ones. It can be applied to ANY business, with equally effective impact. Call me on 234-803-302-1263 if you want to learn more about how you can use this approach or strategy to find BETTER paying customers for your business.

Tips Finding Effective Free Recruitment Software

Free recruitment software is a cost-effective and efficient way to find the most qualified candidates for positions easily. When you are looking for the best programs to accomplish your goal to find employees that will be a good fit with your business and meet the requirements of the position, there are some important features that should be included in the program.

This type of software uses a database structure that maintains and provides information, reports, and forms that you will need when you are recruiting. However, finding a program that is user-friendly and offers the technical and customer support you need, when you need it, will be very important. The program should include training modules and navigation systems that can be easily understood and modified if needed.

In selecting a program your selection should centralize all applications for recruiting in a single location. Creating branded job ads and posting to major job boards and social networks will be easy. In addition, it should provide the templates you need to send personalized communications such as on-click rejections, invitations and offer letters.

The database must contain all of the applicant information that you will require to select the most qualified candidates and allows you to easily optimize outsourcing by providing pre-programmed search defaults to sort by specific skills in a few simple steps. An excellent program will also give you the ability to attach widgets in various online locations such as blogs and product pages.

Most free programs offer basic services that will allow you to test the software to see if it will meet all of your needs and requirements. In most cases, full access to all of the functions and features of the program will require a one-time fee or subscription service that may include regular updates, greater functionality, and expanded features.

It is important that you check the history and reputation of the provider offering the free recruitment software to make sure that the program you select is EEO compliant and meets the unique needs and requirements of your industry. The ability to streamline your recruiting efforts will save you time and money as well as give you a greater field of candidates from which to choose.

Finding Right SBA Loan For Your Business

Whether you are thinking of starting a business or you are already running one, money is your lifeline. Small businesses have financing as a major factor in keeping their businesses afloat and sometime getting funding for the same proves to be most beneficial for them. Small Business Administration, SBA, helps piece it together for the small businesses. It offers them the funding that they need to operate the businesses and even grow them.

This is a federal government agency that has come through for many small businesses. Instead of lending the money directly to the businesses, it sets and uses guidelines for the loans through partners like credit unions, micro-lending institutions, banks and community development organizations. SBA eliminates lender risks by guaranteeing repayment of portions of loans granted. It can be termed as a win-win situation because the business people get the funding they need and the lenders get assured that the loans will be repaid making the agency very beneficial. The loans simply offer access to capital at lowest costs without the requirement to give up equity.

The loan programs

Important to note is that SBA loan programs are specifically structured for small businesses that do not have access to other kinds of financing. As a small business person, you should be familiar with the loan programs so you are able to apply for the right one for your business.

7 (a) loan program – It is the primary program meant to assist startups as well as existing small businesses that need financing. The loans are basic and the money can be for general business purposes like equipment, machinery, working capital leasehold improvements, fixtures and furniture and other business needs. You can basically take care of business acquisitions, consolidating unsecured debts into a new loan, large inventory purchase and business expansion.

CDC/504 loan program – This loan program under SBA offers long term financing purchase of large assets. The assets can include commercial real estate, buildings and land or even equipment. The loans usually cover 40% of total project cost, participating lender covers 50% and the borrower puts up the last 10%. Loans under this program are never used for inventory or capital.

Disaster loans – Businesses can be affected by disasters and this can be devastating for any business. SBA extends the disaster loans to businesses that are affected by disasters that have been declared. The low interest loans are structured to assist in replacing or repairing damaged machinery, personal property, business assets, inventory and equipment. You will basically manage to get back on your feet after disaster strikes at very low interests using this loan program.

Microloan program – The loan program gives very small loans to business startups, growing businesses or newly established ones. They usually have designated intermediary lenders by the SBA most of which are nonprofit organization with some experience in technical and lending assistance. Even though the small loans cannot be used for the payment of existing debts or real estate purchases, they still come in handy for purchase of fixtures, equipment, machinery, supplies and inventory or used as working capital.