Thursday, July 3, 2014

Trade Show Wars: Making an Unbelievably Effective Booth for Cheap

When it’s time to take your product out into the wide open world of trade shows, you have many things to consider in order to be successful. A lot of people focus exclusively on the product itself and, while absolutely essential, it is not by any stretch of the imagination all that you need to consider when getting your ducks in a row for having a successful trade show. You need your product to be great, but you also need your marketing and your image to be honed and expert. Don’t let your product fall by the way side to inferior competitors simply because you didn’t know to spend time and effort and even money on presentation. Presentation is so key, so take some of these tips before heading to the trade show.

First of all, you do not want to scrimp and save on the marketing materials and the booth’s appearance itself. That said, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to look presentable and professional. For example, there is a trade show pop up display available at The Display Outlet that is not only affordable, but high quality and professional. These displays are also extremely easy to port around, and are reusable. So this one time cost is going to pay for itself for many months, years, and trade shows to come. The importance of a pop up display cannot be underestimated. You appear like you know what you’re doing, and the appearance of confidence and savvy is more important than actual confidence and savvy. In fact, that’s all confidence is: appearing confident, whether you are in your brain or not! 

Another seemingly no brainer type idea that many over look and has to do with presentation is taking care to find the right person to be behind the booth. It’s too bad, we can argue about that if we want, but having an attractive female behind the booth simply works. Men and women alike will be more inclined to approach a both of an attractive and smiling woman is there ready to talk to. Men will of course feel the carnal draw, and women will feel the safety of talking to another woman instead of a man who feels that carnal draw. Of course she has to be knowledgeable about the product as well, so hiring someone like this to be a part of your team is a crucial idea. Sure, it’s too bad that this is still the case in 2014, but to be stubborn and think that we are in different times so this shouldn’t be so is only going to hurt your business. Don’t let your personal wishes about how society should be affect your bottom line.

You also would be wise to have something small that customers can take away with them. Something more than a business card is idea. A little bottle opener or a light for the key chain, emblazoned with your company logo and website is all you need. Some little souvenir of visiting your booth and reminding them later about you is crucial. If you want to get more creative and make some more off the beaten path type of giveaway, go for it. The more creative, the better.



Tuesday, July 1, 2014

These Five Tips Could Save Seniors Big Money on Car Insurance

We’ve written in the past about strategies that people over the age of 50 can use to save money when insuring a vehicle. In this article, we’ll expand on that with a few extra tips that seniors can take advantage of when purchasing coverage for an automobile. 

Tip #1: Ask for a Senior Discount.


Each insurer is going to have different policies in place, but if you are over the age of 50 and own one or more vehicles, it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask for a senior discount. Generally speaking, seniors are some of the safest drivers on the road. They drive defensively and are less likely to drive over the speed limit or take risks. Insurers are well aware of this, and some offer discounts as a result.

In some places, there may be incentives in place for taking a course on defensive driving. Even if you believe that you already incorporate all of the safe driving tactics, it never hurts to brush up on your skills. And even if you don’t learn anything new, the discount you receive is enough to justify enrollment-. 

Tip #2: Know Your Expected Mileage.


As drivers get on in age, they tend to spend less time behind the wheel. This is especially likely after retirement, when the daily commute is cut out of the picture. Lower mileage will most likely qualify you for a more affordable plan, so keep track of your odometer over the course of a standard month and see how this projects over the course of a year. Ring your insurer and ask them about discounts for low mileage. They will be able to advise you about the availability of cheaper plans with mileage caps. 

Tip #3: Choose the Appropriate Coverage.


These days, you’ll find as many policies and coverage types as there are vehicle types to carry them. Many people over the age of 50 have vintage hobby cars that they plan to work on in retirement and take out for the occasional leisure tour. In this case, you are going to be much better off with classic car insurance. Policies like this are often more affordable than standing coverage, because insurers know that hobbyists take excellent care of their vehicles. Their vintage vehicle is their pride and joy, and that means that the owner is not going to take any unnecessary risks. On the contrary, they’ll pamper their vehicle and treat it with the utmost care.

Note: It may be possible to insure multiple vintage vehicles on a single policy.

Tip #4: Purchase a Vehicle that Suits Your Lifestyle.


Hot rods and sports cars are for the young and reckless. Mature drivers are happier in vehicles with higher safety ratings. As it turns out, insurers prefer these vehicles as well. Flash, high-performance vehicles may turn heads, but they also have a knack for being involved in accidents.

Each year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety releases a list of the safest cars on the road. You’ll find a range of vehicle types on the list, one of which is sure to catch your eye. Cross-reference this list with that of your insurer’s and see if a low-risk policy applies. There’s a good chance that you could save some money by driving one of these cars. 

Tip #5: Be Mindful of Your Driving Ability.


This is one of the toughest tips for mature drivers. While those who are over the age of 50 are classed as some of the lowest-risk drivers on the road, it’s worth noting that there’s a limit. At some point, ageing drivers become a higher risk due to a range of factors such as deteriorating vision, delayed reaction time and the onset of dementia.

Remain mindful of your driving record, and be advised that a series of scuffs and bang-ups will eventually lead to higher premiums. Put a priority on your safety—as well as that of those with whom you share the road. Likewise, if family members and loved ones are becoming increasingly concerned with your driving ability, take note. Giving up your position behind wheel can be tough, and it may feel like you’re giving up independence—but don’t let that get you down. This is simply a milestone of ageing.


Monday, June 30, 2014

6 People Who Went Bankrupt Early In Life and Later Retired Comfortably

Portrait of Henry Ford (ca. 1919)
Portrait of Henry Ford (ca. 1919) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Filing bankruptcy doesn't only affect finances. People who file bankruptcy often take a hit to their self-esteem. Fortunately, bankruptcy doesn't mean an end to success and financial stability. According to Abakhan & Associates Inc. from Kelowna, British Columbia, bankruptcy may provide the clean slate needed to start over and become even more successful than before. Several well-known people had to file for bankruptcy before they found success.

Cyndi Lauper


Before she was an 80s music icon, Cyndi Lauper's band Blue Angel had a record that flopped. Their manager sued them for a hefty $80,000 and forced Lauper into bankruptcy. She went out on her own and her hit song “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” helped make her one of the most popular singers of the 80s. With her bankruptcy behind her, she created a better financial future for herself.

PT Barnum


Before he created the “Barnum and Bailey Circus”, PT Barnum owned a museum that showcased natural oddities and invested in the development of East Bridgeport, Connecticut. Both business investment failed to work out, and subsequently PT Barnum was forced into bankruptcy. Four years later, at the age of 61, he found success in the circus business.

Walt Disney


Walt Disney's first animation firm, Laugh O Gram Studio was opened in 1920 in New York. The company saw some success, but ended up suddenly broke. It was this first attempt that created the iconic mouse, Mikey and also forced Walt Disney into bankruptcy. Disney earned the money to travel to Hollywood where he started his business over and named it after himself. He earned millions of dollars and remains one of the most well-known names in the industry.

Henry Ford


Today, the Ford Motor Company is a household name. The founder, Henry Ford wasn't always successful, though. As an engineer at The Edison Illuminating Company, he created his first automobile called the “Quadricycle”. The design was a success, but his marketing efforts failed, and the vehicle didn't catch on with the public. He left the company and filed for bankruptcy shortly after. A year later, he created the Ford Motor Company. His newly developed automobile was record breaking. In 1908, he released the Model-T and became one of the most famous names in the car industry.

Milton Hershey


Milton Hershey is the father of Hershey’s chocolate. This brand is ubiquitous and is recognized internationally as a quality candy company. However the beginning wasn’t easy for Milton. In fact his first couple of attempts at starting a confectionary company failed and resulted in bankruptcy. The family eventually came to view him as an irresponsible vagrant. He finally found his success after learning some confection secrets from a company in Denver, and bringing those secrets to Lancaster Michigan.

H.J. Heinz


Love your ketchup? Thank H.J. Heinz for having the persistence to push through difficulty. At 25 he started a company that produced horseradish. According to legend, there were 57 varieties of his horseradish. After an economic slump in 1875, Heinz’s enterprises were forced into bankruptcy. That didn’t stop Heinz: the very next year, Heinz partnered with family members to start producing the world’s most popular condiment: ketchup. In Pittsburg, the business took off and gained massive popularity. Today the legacy lives on as Heinz Co. rakes in billions of dollars in revenue per year.

Bankruptcy isn't a reason to feel bad, and it doesn't mean giving up on a better future. When filed wisely, bankruptcy can be a good way to protect against debt, start over with a clean slate and work toward building a better, more stable financial future.

4 Ways Hiring a Cleaning Service Can Save Your Household Money this Summer



Some people are hesitant to hire a cleaning service because they believe they cannot afford it. To them, hiring a company to clean their home seems like an extra expense that can be avoided by simply performing the cleaning themselves. However, you may be surprised to learn that hiring a cleaning service can actually save your household money

Here are four reasons why this is the case. 

It Will Save You Time


Hiring a cleaning service means that you don't have to devote part of your day to tidy up your home. 
Apartment cleaning Chicago gives you the extra time and extra chance to be more productive with other home improvement projects, taking care of your kids, going to the gym, or whatever might be pressing on your agenda that you might need or want to accomplish. 

Besides, the cleaning service personnel will likely be able to finish the job faster than you would have if you had done it yourself. This is especially true if you work at home. You can use that saved time to complete a project faster and find more work. The increase in business can more than compensate for the cost of hiring an affordable cleaning service. 

It Will Improve Your Health and Energy Level


Businesses lose countless dollars each year when employees are unable to work due to illness, and the employees themselves often suffer lost wages. They are also forced to spend extra money on medicines and doctor visits. 




Hiring a cleaning service can lead to extra rest and relaxation. You will be spared from the strenuous work of keeping each room in your house clean. This will significantly reduce the odds of becoming sick and missing work. 

Making Items Easier To Find


The clutter of a messy home often leads to difficulties finding items. Many people simply give up and rush to the store to buy the product that they think that they have lost, only to find the original item later. The same people also have problems finding important documents like bills or they have trouble finding other important items like their checkbook. 


With a clean and well-organized home you will have no trouble finding the things that are most important that allow your daily life to function. Therefore, a well-organized house, it will be much easier to find things, saving you money on replacements, hassle, and stress. 

It Inspires You


Having a clean home gives many people an emotional boost. Many of us take great pride in having a beautiful home. It reduces stress and helps them become more productive. This can translate to increased productivity and extra income. For example, if you are a writer or an artist by hobby or profession, a clean and well-organized home will allow you to be inspired with new and improved ideas. 


This might even allow you to come up with your own personal masterpiece. Perhaps that masterpiece you came up with will cause a change in the world around you. Just keep in mind that the most successful and brightest people out there have one thing in common, they all have a well-organized, clean home or environment around them.

Conclusion


Make sure to do diligent research before hiring a cleaning company. You should check out each company's website to see what they have to offer. Make sure to contact them for more information about their services and hourly rates. However, above all else, make sure the hiring a cleaning service right for you and make sure you hire the right cleaning service for your needs.

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