Economics

In July the IRs raised it’s mileage reimbursement rate a second time for the year. The new rate of $.585 affects all business travel through the end of the year. They also reissued a warning that they will be very closely monitoring how people are recording and justifying these miles.

Their publication #463, How to Prove Expenses clearly states "You cannot deduct amounts that you approximate or estimate." An IRS compliant mileage log would include your destination, miles traveled, and business purpose. While paper logs are still being accepted, IRS Publication 463 also says, “If you prepare a record in a computer memory device with the aid of a logging program, it is considered an adequate record.”

The potential benefit of this change for any business or individuals who travel for business are huge. For those who travel the most taking full advanatage of the IRS mileage allowance could mean thousands of dollars back in their pockets.

The rub is making sure you log all of your business miles the way the IRS wants you to. If you forget to record the odometer readings and try to guesstimate or approximate it later, you could risk losing your mileage reimbursement for all the trips you did record correctly if you are audited. That leads many people to underreport their business miles and leave money on the table that should rightfully be theirs.

From a business management perspective, accurating logging business miles has implications that go far beyond correct accounting and payouts. If employees are left to figure their own mileage and you accept whatever documentation they provide, you could not just come up short if your business is targeted for an IRS audit. You could be paying thousands, or tens of thousands of dollars for "fudged" reports.

Fortunately there are some more reliable means of collecting and managing your business mileage logs including a completely automated mileage logger that you plug in to your vehicle’s cigarette lighter and forget about. It’s a portable GPS enabled device that logs every mile your vehicle travels and transmits it to a secure online account for you.

This mileage logger is just one of the gas mileage calculators you need to help you measure, so you can manage rising cost of fuel. You can find more information on it at www.GasMileageCalculators.com

Popularity: 1% [?]

Technorati Tags: irs mileage allowance, irs mileage reimbursement, mileage reimbursement

Tags: irs mileage allowance, irs mileage reimbursement, mileage reimbursement

If you want to secure your business assets you need to know who is working for you and who is working in key positions for your contractors. Large amounts of money, time and investments can often be at stake and you do not want someone to run off with your business ideas or money. Free Background Checks, both paid- and free criminal background checks, are rapidly turning more and more ordinary both by private persons but also for businesses. Business owners and employers have all used Paid- and Free Criminal Background Checks for years nowadays however, for private persons it is a quite new phenomenon.

For businesses, practising full Paid- and Free Criminal Background Checks on new staff in trusted positions is a strategic measure against potential tremendous potential loss of either funds or reputation. If it turns out that the leader of the local juvenile club is a convicted pedophile or the leader of a non-profit charity organization has been convicted several times for fraudulence that can potentionally make massive harms to the confide and position that organisation has in the market place.

The same fits for your own life. Would you like an intoxicated or drug addicted to be the manager of your house and minors while you are at work all day? Would you like your children to be driven to a school summer camp by some of the parents who is a known "drink’n'drive" individual? I know I would notand it frights me to see that when it comes to school trips etc people way too frequently let their minors take a ride with anyone. A paid or free background check should easily have informed you whether an individual is convicted for driving intoxicated or paid any speed tickes.

At this blog you can read more about the different kinds of Free and paid Criminal Background Checks and their pros- and cons. You may also head over now to http://www.smartbackgroundchecks.com for a free preliminary check on anyone living inside the US!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Technorati Tags: Free Criminal Background Checks

Tags: Free Criminal Background Checks

Viral marketing video has fast potential to practically change a blogs popularity over night sometimes. Today, we are actually seeing cameras specifically designed for the blogger in mind. Blogging is big business. Why else would be companies being taking the time in creating specific cameras for that purpose? The types of cameras available are plenty, and I’m sure we are just seeing the beginning of a very huge market for the camera companies.

Not so long ago, a marketing friend of mine won what is called a "Flip Mino" camera. These cameras are becoming wildly popular, expecially for the blogger. I seen my friends dusty old blog without much traffic at all turn into an instant success with his readers almost overnight. He started delivering his content mostly with his camera, with short introductions with the text. Next he’d started using a bunch of the many sites that you can upload your videos to. It didn’t take long and his winning personality brought him a whole slew of new readership. The question of "What is viral marketing video?" is a deeper question. There are many ways to make videos viral, but, as you can see just from my buddy Joe’s little experience with video, it didn’t take that much.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Technorati Tags: viral marketing video, What is viral marketing?

Tags: viral marketing video, What is viral marketing?

One aspect of viral internet marketing that many people tend to overlook sometimes is that the more authoritative their blog becomes then it also becomes much more viral all on it’s own. This is easy enough to understand. Technically speaking viral internet marketing is based on the principles of "word of mouth" marketing which has been around for quite some time.

When we here of people with very popular blogs such as Darren Rowse of ProBlogger, or perhaps CopyBlogger, these guys’ blogs already have a viral marketing force working for them. Since their blogs have become so popular, when people are looking around for well known bloggers to learn from, you will find people always recommending their blogs in forum and other communities as place to go and learn. This is within itself a viral mechanism at work. It’s complete "word of mouth", just as in the old typical days of a simple recommendation.

 You might want to consider choosing a market carefully which has a strong future, and take the time to build it into an authority site. In due time, you can enjoy the viral marketing aspects as well.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Technorati Tags: viral blogs, viral internet marketing, viral marketing

Tags: viral blogs, viral internet marketing, viral marketing

What criteria will dictate a future into which some corporations will survive and prosper while others will wither and die? It will be how they create, distribute and utilize knowledge for business success.

Of course, what you know and how you use it is not a new paradigm. Man struggled with these questions since the dawn of time since the answers have either ensured his survival or guaranteed his demise. Now, in a universe of change at the speed of light and the geometric growth of new ideas and models, how companies deal with their intellectual assets is a primary driver of corporate survival.

This is why getting a handle on global trends affecting corporate knowledge is what will allow a company to make accurate market and financial predictions that will separate it from less able competitors. Right now there are three major global business trends affecting corporate knowledge and they are based on one idea-that business and technology are no longer separate areas, they are one and the same entity.

•Centralized and compartmentalized data storage of information with search and retrieval-

Up until now businesses relied on the brains of their key employees to store all of the key knowledge related to its operations. Thus, when these individuals left the company all of these precious intellectual resources went with them. Corporations then had to pay to rebuild this mental database all over again. Now there is a way to preserve this valuable information so that a foundation for corporate knowledge can be maintained, added to and built upon. More importantly such information can be transferred to new employees. Databases are set up containing all of the major work done by workers. This mental capital can then be kept as company property.

Then, for a relatively minimal cost, a private search engine can be purchased from Google which will allow any needed item in the database to be made available as needed. It works just like the major search engine provided by Google for the internet.

•The move from static data storage to interactive user interfaces-

Once you have installed the necessary data storage and retrieval systems described above, the next big move in business trends affecting corporate knowledge should be implemented, namely interactive software designed to allow the employee to think. This way, new and useful information gets created and distributed. This software works by means of thought provoking dialogues which help the user focus in on problem solving.

•The future is in global franchising

All of the corporate information gathered and analyzed has to be put out into the world in order that it may be tested, relied upon and built upon. The current global trend in this respect is what has come to be known as “open source-open content” information sharing. This means that while a central corporate entity develops important knowledge that can be used to create successful business models, it also means that sharing that information in the proper manner is essential to ultimate success. That information must be made available to others so that they can spread the message and its results.

This is where global franchising becomes the ultimate answer. Through global franchising the benefits of information sharing can be controlled by allowing for open source-open content to the various franchisees. They gain the benefit of getting a whole knowledge base which is already tried and tested and can be used worldwide. They have the benefit of a success winning trademark that symbolizes the businesses’ strength and integrity. Indeed these days one can even purchase a franchise in a consulting business that provides just the knowledge of how to be successful.

It is through tools of knowledge such as these that mans reach is indeed exceeding his grasp, and that’s the meaning of successful business. And remember, franchising is the best kept secret of the 21st Century!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Technorati Tags: business, coffee business, coffee shop, fast-food, Franchisee, Franchising, Franchisor, invest, investing

Tags: business, coffee business, coffee shop, fast-food, Franchisee, Franchising, Franchisor, invest, investing

America, land of opportunity! How many times have you heard that line? Well, it has never been more true than today. Dairy Queen Franchise opportunities keep the American dream alive. Have you ever considered owning a restaurant?

What better restaurant to own than Dairy Queen? It has some of America’s favorite food, and don’t forget about the DQ treats that has ball players of all ages heading to the closest Dairy Queen after every game to celebrate.

Dairy Queen Franchise opportunities are available for those who want to own a popular and exciting restaurant that continues to grow every year since the first store opened in 1940. For the serious franchise hopeful Dairy Queen offers three programs to choose from, depending on whether you want to own a single store or multiple units.

Standard Program
Do you have experience operating a restaurant or retail store? If you have the financial resources to invest in your own business and want to be responsible for the day-to-day operation of a restaurant business, this program is for you.

Multi-unit Developer
If you are serious about owning multiple restaurants and looking to add to your portfolio, you need to check with Dairy Queen concerning this program. There are plenty of areas available for new and existing, multiple unit development.

Investor Program
If you are serious about owning a restaurant but don’t plan on being active in the everyday operation, this program could be for you. You can invest in the Dairy Queen name and appoint your own manager (who must have a vested interest in the restaurant) to be responsible for the operation of the store.

Dairy Queen has one of the most outstanding support services available in the restaurant business. Every restaurant manager knows that location is critical to the success of his business. That’s why Dairy Queen appoints a Real Estate Manager to work with you in reviewing site criteria and market trade areas. If you would prefer to invest in a DQ Orange Julius Treat Center, Dairy Queen will assign a Lease Manager to review potential sites and negotiate a lease with mall developers. Dairy Queen is committed to helping you succeed. They will train you and your managers to prepare you for success, as well as provide you with continued field support.

Financial Requirements
A DQ Grill & Chill restaurant requires a net worth of $750,000 with liquid assets of $400,000 with $300,000 available as cash equity. For the less hardy investor, a DQ Orange Julius Treat Center may be more suited to your wallet. That requires a net worth of $200,000 with liquid assets of $175,000 of which $125,000 is available for cash equity.

It’s not too late to call about Dairy Queen Franchise opportunities. With today’s economy, you could not find a better investment or a more fun environment to be part of. You can be sure of one thing, you’ll be glad you did.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Technorati Tags: chemicals, cleaning, dry cleaning, Franchisee, Franchises, Franchising, Franchisor, Free, invest, investing, solvents

Tags: chemicals, cleaning, dry cleaning, Franchisee, Franchises, Franchising, Franchisor, Free, invest, investing, solvents

When opening a bar for the first time there are some things that you should think about before investing any money into it. You will need to figure in all the cost for startup, along with the cost to continue to stay open for a few months. Here is a list of how much money it cost to open a bar.

College-$2k- $4k
You will need to take a few college courses before you even begin the process of getting a loan and opening a bar. You should first take a class on bartending. This will teach you the proper way to make drinks and all the tricks of the trade. Then you will need to take a few different business courses. You should be very knowledgeable about your business and this is the best way to get there. Once you have finished this, you can then move onto how much money it will cost to open a bar.

Structure- $80k-$120k
You will need to either find an empty building or purchase a rundown bar to start with. Either way you choose, you will need to gut the entire place and start from scratch. Have the inside and outside completely redone. The walls, floors, roof if needed, bathrooms, kitchen area and anything else that you may want.

Equipment- $40k-$60k
You can always start off with the cheaper versions, and upgrade as your business grows. Anyone starting from scratch does this. To get going you will need your basic bar equipment such as glasses, cocktail shakers, blenders, plates, sanitary items and everything else in this area. Along with that, you will need bar stools, tables, counters, bar sets and items of this nature.

First 2 months of liquor $10k-$20k
You should purchase at least two months worth of soda, liquor and beer. This is because you have no clue how well you will do in the beginning. These things all have long expiring dates, so it’s better to have more of something then telling your new costumers you have ran out.

Electronics $2k-$10k
You will need some sort of music for your bar. It can be your own karaoke center or maybe you would like a jukebox. You will need to purchase the main source of music and then you will need speakers throughout the bar. Again, you can start off cheaper and upgrade as time progresses.

Employees- $4k- $7k
You will need to have a few months of money set aside to pay your employees. Its rule to have 5-6 months of pay set aside. Just hire enough to get things going, as you can always add more people later. Having a few months money set aside for their paychecks is a smart thing to do. If you can’t pay your employees, they won’t stay and work for free, there for your business will be closed very fast.

License $11k-$15k
You will need to purchase a business license along with a liquor license for your first time. Both of these will need to be renewed each year as well. Along with that you will need to have high paying insurance.

As you can see there is a lot of time and money involved in opening a bar for the first time. So how much money does it cost to open a bar? You should have around $150k to $240k just to get you going for your first few months.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Technorati Tags: cleaning, dry cleani, Franchisee, Franchises, Franchising, Franchisor, Free, invest, investing

Tags: cleaning, dry cleani, Franchisee, Franchises, Franchising, Franchisor, Free, invest, investing

The “Cleaning Authority” franchise is one of the most successful business ventures that any entrepreneur should seriously consider. The business is backed by over 30 years of solid experience in the cleaning industry.

Since its inception, the popularity of the business has exploded. In 19 years the cleaning authority has set its mark on every corner of the United States. Still, it is not just another business. It is different because each partner gets prime protected territories which ensure that the new business owners get enough opportunity to market and expand.

The Best Marketing Plan!
When it comes to locality, a cleaning authority business ensures that its partners get the best available choice. The marketing strategies and initial advertisement support provided by the company are second to none. The company has set up a direct mail program that allows the new business operators to get the marketing done for them. The cleaning authority markets its products in the business area by mail, to the targeted customer. The business owner focuses on serving the customers as the marketing is primarily handled by the company. The new business owners will just have to take the phone inquiries and schedule an appointment, for a cost estimate. Apart from the marketing plan, cleaning authority also helps its business in various other promotional campaigns.

Your Own Manager!
The cleaning authority business is at the fore-front of the technology. It has created one of its kind detail clean rotation system software that is directly handled by the management of the business and the cleaning authority, itself. The software acts as the manager and helps the new business owners by telling the cleaners what should they do in a particular situation, what are the needs of that customer and how to handle the task? The software helps save time delivers a quality customer service and is user-friendly.

Training Program!
The training program at the cleaning authority for its business exceeds the commercial cleaning standards. The training itself is very intensive but rewarding. Business owners are guided through every step of the cleaning process. They are provided an estimate of the labor force and any costs associated with starting such a business. During the program, the new owner gets an overview of the business in their area of operations. They get practical hands-on experience from cleaning to the management of the computer systems to hiring of the staff.

Organization!
Every business is provided a dedicated software program that not only helps them schedule appointments but also keeps track of their daily tasks and the cleaning teams. The software helps maintain a check and balance on the needs of the business. It acts as a payroll center for all the employees. Cleaners can check in and out through the integrated attendance system. It also allows them to track their cleaning teams. When the owners are away, the in-house call center provides additional help. The automated software provides multiple options for the callers and can answer most inquiries.

Whatever your choice, rest assured that a cleaning authority franchise may just be the ultimate business opportunity that you always dreamed off. What set it apart from its competitors are dedicated human support and a far superior technological framework.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Technorati Tags: chemicals, cleaning, dry cleaning, Franchisee, Franchises, Franchising, Franchisor, Free, invest, investing, solvents

Tags: chemicals, cleaning, dry cleaning, Franchisee, Franchises, Franchising, Franchisor, Free, invest, investing, solvents

Social media mixed with viral marketing has been taking a few twists and turns lately. Many people using social media in their marketing trends have discovered some very great ways in using viral marketing with thier social media activities. Social media and all of the social sites are great places in which you can take advantage of for trying to find your exact type of demographic. There are now some sites that are actually realizing that they can take viral marketing and social networking a couple of steps further.

Some of the most recent sites who are basically new onto the scene that I know about are Viral Networks and also Web 2.0 Upgrade. Both of these sites use different methods to help their users with viral marketing, but, both seem very promising for internet marketers from all reaches of the internet. I’m quite sure that newer sites might have a look and see what these two different types of sites are up to, and perhaps try and copycat them. But, what else is new? Most things end up be a copycat of something another person had already thought up many times over on the net. Social Media being used with viral marketing probably won’t be any different.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Technorati Tags: social media and viral marketing, viral marketing, viral networks

Tags: social media and viral marketing, viral marketing, viral networks

There are well over 100 best franchises. A franchise consists of two basic parts: the franchisor and the franchisee. The franchisor is a business where the idea has already been successful.

The franchisee is an individual or small business that enters into a continuing business relationship with the franchisor; whereby they operate using the franchisors products, and pay the franchisor fee(s) for operating under their name and guidance.

Successful franchises that can be found throughout the world are plentiful, especially in North America, Europe, and Asia. Some companies that start off as a corporate owned business also have branches that are franchised. Many of the companies that we pass by and enter every day are franchises included in the 100 best franchises at this moment.

The 100 Best Franchises are as follows:
1. 7/Eleven
2. Aamco Transmissions
3. All Tune Transmissions
4. ASI
5. American Business Registries
6. ArchaDeck - Decks & Gazebos
7. ATL Motor Mate
8. Best of Mediterranean
9. Billboard Connections
10. Blimpies Subs & Salads
11. Build Your Own American Dream Home
12. Burger King Corporation
13. Business Alliance
14. Carpet Network
15. Charley’s Grilled Subs
16. Chem-Dry
17. Color Your Carpet
18. Colors on Parade
19. Cottman Transmissions, Inc.
20. Coverall Cleaning Concepts
21. CruiseOne, Inc.
22. Denny’s Inc.
23. Dollar Discount Stores
24. Dollar Store Services
25. El Pollo Loco
26. EmbroiderMe
27. GNC - General Nutrition Centers
28. Grease Monkey International
29. Home Helpers
30. Home Instead Senior Care
31. Hometown Threads
32. Instant Imprints
33. INTERIORS by Decorating Den
34. Jachson Hewitt Tax Services
35. Jiffy Lube International
36. Jimmy John’s Sandwich Shop
37. Junk Removal Service - 1-800-Got-Junk?
38. Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)
39. Ladies Workout Express
40. Lady of America
41. Liberty Fitness for Women
42. Liberty Tax Service
43. The Little Gym
44. McDonalds Corporation
45. Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios
46. Merry Maid
47. Midas Inc.
48. Minuteman Press International
49. Music Go Round
50. New Horizons Computer Learning Centers
51. Once Upon A Child
52. Padgett Business Services USA Inc.
53. Pak Mail Centers of America
54. Plan Ahead Events
55. Planet Beach Contempo Spa
56. Plato’s Closet
57. Play It Again Sports
58. Popeye’s Chicken and Buscuits
59. Postal Connections
60. Precision Tune Auto Care
61. Quizno’s Classic Subs
62. Rainbow Intl. Carpet Care & Restoration
63. Servicemaster
64. Sign-A-Rama
65. Signs By Tomorrow
66. Signs Now Corporation
67. Sonic Drive-In Restaurant
68. Speedee Oil Change & Tuneup
69. Stanely Steemer International, Inc.
70. The Steak Escape
71. Steak-Out Franchising
72. Subway Sandwiches & Salads
73. The Business Alliance
74. The Cravery
75. The Senior’s Choice
76. UBuildIt
77. ValPak
78. Weatherby Guild
79. Wienerschnitzel
80. WSI Internet
81. Meineke
82. Spanish Fun
83. AlphaGraphics
84. Sandler Sales Institute
85. AIM Mail Centers
86. ATM Business
87. Candy King
88. Cash Plus
89. Dr. Vinyl
90. eAuctions Depot
91. FranNet
92. Fuddruckers, Inc.
93. Housemaster
94. Molly Maid
95. Pay-N-Go
96. PosiGrip
97. PostalAnnex
98. Terminex
99. Wingstop
100. Smoothie King

Popularity: 2% [?]

Technorati Tags: chemicals, cleaning, dry cleaning, Franchisee, Franchises, Franchising, Franchisor, Free, invest, investing, solvents

Tags: chemicals, cleaning, dry cleaning, Franchisee, Franchises, Franchising, Franchisor, Free, invest, investing, solvents