If you are about to start off in business you will have no doubt heard these comments:

“So many businesses fail. Why are you doing this?”

“I hear that you need a large amount of money to get a business off the ground these days.”

“Why are you throwing away the security of your job?”

These, and more of the same, are typical of the barriers that so called friends and advisors, put in your way if you are thinking of starting a business. These barriers are built on the back of myths about the pitfalls and challenges which surround running your own business.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of these myths and reveal them to be exactly that … just myths! Don’t get me wrong, being an entrepreneur can be tough and there are hurdles to cross, but let’s bring some common sense into the debate!

You Don’t Have a Personal Life

Yes you will! It can be hard juggling the responsibilities of running your own business and spending time with the family, but at the end of the day, you are going to have far more flexibility with your personal life, than any employee will ever have. The real issue is, do you have the time management and planning skills to get things done, thereby allowing you time to spend with your family.

You Have To Be Cunning and Ruthless To Be a Successful Entrepreneur

Ok, it may help you in the short term but this is not a sound, long term strategy. To be a successful entrepreneur you need to build relationships with both customers and suppliers who will stick by you during the rough times. Being ruthless over pricing may get you one or two good deals but you are unlikely to build a lasting and profitable relationship. Your aim should be to strike a balance between what you want and what your customer or supplier wants.

You Won’t Have To Work As Hard

Your current job may be stressful and subject you to long hours. The idea of running your own business is appealing because you can slow down and take life at your own pace. To a degree this is true but there’s no getting away from the fact that it will be hard work. Most small businesses don’t achieve profitability until year 3 and so it’s a long slog. Remember, if was easy, everyone would be doing it!

What does make the difference though, is that you are finally doing something you love and so the hours and the struggles don’t seem like hard work at all. So perhaps this myth may be true after all!

You Have To Have an Original Idea

No you don’t. Most businesses are built around a central idea. The difference is usually how it’s delivered. The core products of all fast food places are the same, as are clothes shops, newsagents etc. You can make a decent living effectively copying someone else’s idea but done in a slightly different way. Don’t be put off by the doomsayers who will gleefully point out that “it’s been done before”. Your response should be, ‘Great! That shows the idea works!”

You Will Be Your Own Boss

No way! There’s only one boss in your new business … the customer. They are essential to your success. When you were working for that large, faceless Corporation, the loss of the odd client wasn’t that big a deal - plenty more where they came from.

In your new world you have to do whatever it takes to keep your customers and keep them happy. The customer is the one who calls the tunes. You have to listen and take note, before someone else does. However, at the end of the day, when all their demands are met, then perhaps you can have some time to yourself and enjoy the pleasures of being your own boss after all!

You Need A lot Of Money To Get a Business Off The Ground

Some businesses do need a fair bit of cash to get moving but there are many areas you can go into without the need to invest in a large amount of stock, machinery or equipment. The low-capital businesses involve the use of three very cheap commodities - your brain power, your knowledge and your time.

A business where you sell your expertise, not actual goods, to other people can be cheaply set up and carry high profit margins. All you may need is a PC, a desk and a telephone line. What’s stopping you?

You Only Have To Do What You Want To Do

Unfortunately this myth is wrong. We all have areas or skills in which we excel and it’s this expertise which usually forms the basis of your business. Your dedication to paperwork, bank statements and the VAT man may not be that high, but branching out on your own doesn’t mean you have the choice to avoid these terrible tasks.

Whilst you were able to do this when you were sitting in the big corporate office, you can no longer hide. These tasks have to be done otherwise the deck of cards can start to collapse.

If you do have serious misgivings on certain areas, marketing for example, then consider taking a course to improve your skills. If it’s something you seriously can’t do, then go and find someone to do it for you - don’t hope it will go away because it won’t.

You will have seen that some of the myths not being true is good news and others not so good news! Be sensible in considering the myths which are thrown at you. See it for what they are - comments from people who don’t know what they are talking about! In the next issue I’ll have some more myth-busting ideas for you.

Small Business Success is a resource dedicated to helping small business owners be more successful. If you are looking for a regular flow of ideas and tips then subscribe to Small Business Success a free newsletter, which provides you with quick tips, ideas and articles. Visit http://smallbusinesssuccess.biz

Tips on Beating the Odds!

There seems to be a thousand ways to gamble just as are there
are thousand ways and chances to lose. But let’s face it, for
most betters gambling is not about living the
“bet-and-leave-if-you-lose” attitude. They play to win!

In any endeavor, it’s essential to know the rules of the game in
order to play it better and stay on the winning edge. Keeping
simple advises in mind and mastering several gaming strategies
before jumping into any gambling activity will help you increase
your chances of beating the bookies and eventually overpower
them.

While it’s true that this article aims to develop your winning
potential, one mustn’t forget that gambling is not all about
winning. We gamble for fun while keeping a system which helps us
defeat the percentage of losing.

I have gathered a couple of tips which you can apply when
engaging in any gambling activity. It is also important to keep
in mind that these systems are not perfect but following them
offers you a great deal of certainty in winning.

* Keep It Small - Going small time won’t hurt and is good to
your pocket. Big time better is perfect if you are sure that
your chance of winning is always 100%. You may lose your money
in the end but you may have enjoyed the activity for a long time.

* Bet With Lucky Pals - There are hands and there are hands for
gambling. Bet with lucky gamblers of the day. No matter how you
master the system operating on every game, if the day does not
favor your side then live with it. Joseph Conrad once said that,
“It is the mark of an inexperienced man not to believe in luck.”

* Eye on the Pattern - Go with the flow. Bet on the
numbers/players which gets the most wins. Predict its chances by
keeping history of their wins and loses. This helps you
formulate a decision when risking your stake for them.

* Avoid the favorites! - Good betting is impeded by unhealthy
judgment about favorite players, numbers, etc. Improve your
judgment by weighing the odds while looking at other prospects
that get the possibility of winning.

* Unleash Your Psychic powers - Confucius implied that the first
thing that comes in your mind is usually the best answer to a
question. Playing on your inner psychic power pays!

* Stop Ahead - Be in control of your winnings. Take over
gambling more than it takes over you.

* Gamble for fun - While it’s true that some people gamble to
win, we must also consider that it was originally created to
provide fun and entertainment. Investing on gambling isn’t
always good.

You should consider investing in bonds for both income and stability. In any given year equity markets could appreciate in value by 30 to 40 percent or decline in value by the same amount. Bonds fluctuate far less. Bonds also pay interest on a regular basis and thus investors will receive a cheque each month or quarter.

As with any investment, it is easy to get lost in the minutiae and with bonds the details come from some of the arithmetical calculations that determine the yields, returns, and risk of a bond. Here are the basics. Bonds offer a fixed amount of interest (the coupon rate), until a fixed period of time (the maturity date) at which point the denomination, also called the face value, is repaid and the interest payments stop. Bonds are issued by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments, and by a wide variety of corporations.

In general, corporations have to offer higher coupon rates to sell their bonds. Maturity dates range from 1 year to more than 30 years, with higher coupon rates being associated with longer periods to maturity, to compensate for increased risk. Long-term bonds tend to rise and fall in price more dramatically than do short term bonds; these bonds are more susceptible to movements in interest rates. In addition, bonds that provide higher coupon payments will fluctuate less than bonds that pay lower coupon payments. Staggering the maturity dates of bonds, which mixes bonds with short, medium, and longer periods to maturity, as well as mixing the institutions issuing those bonds (to include governments and some corporate bonds) will allow you to build a diversified bond portfolio).

Bond trading is done between dealers, which means that you won’t be able to view a complete auction market and its available quotes via the internet or even the newspaper. These same dealers will be able to supply accurate calculations of bond yields and the current price. Investors who invest in bonds directly as opposed to investing in bonds through a mutual fund will save on fee; saving 1/2 of one percent can make a big difference to your net worth. Investors who want diversification and active management could consider a bond mutual fund.

About the author: Tony Reed is the author of " Investment Basics: Don’t forget about bonds", please visit his website Bonds trading for more information.

This article is free for republishing as long as you leave the article title, author name, body and resource box intact (means NO changes) with the links made active.

Satellite phones have come of age and are being used by many people worldwide. Whether you are in Iraq or Afghanistan, indoor or outdoor, satellite phones can be used to communicate. Though the call rates are high, you can communicate and stay in touch. Whether you are in the hilly mountains of Himalayas or on a cruise liner, you can definitely get your calls and stay in touch always. This is one of the main factors of satellite phones. The size of satellite phones is an issue as they are a little heavier and big in size compared to mobile phones. Satellite phones are a great mode of communication in various terrains such as mountains, deserts and in sea.

Clarity of Voice: The clarity at the receiver’s end depends upon the weather and other conditions such as being indoors or outdoors. The signal sometimes may be in low frequency and the quality of calls may not be that good. Though there has been improvement in the transmission, still there are many limitations while using satellite phones. If the signal is good then the clarity of voice is also very good. Satellite phones are portable and can be carried in your briefcase etc.

Paul has been providing answers to lots of queries through his website on a wide variety of subjects ranging from satellite phones to acne. To learn more visit http://www.askaquery.com

Years ago I remember reading a book or article by Zig Ziglar, on the eight universal needs of all mankind. Incorporating that information into my own life’s journey, has been a guiding principal in my writing, teaching and interactions with others. He said and I agree, that everyone, no matter their position, income level, and gender, place of employment or birth desires these things to come to pass in their lives:

To be happy

To have friends
To be healthy

To have peace of mind
To be reasonably prosperous

To have good relationships
To be secure

To have hope in the future

In order to fulfill these eight universal needs, we will have to put forth the effort to set and accomplish goals.

We all achieve in different ways. Hope, luck, being in the right place at the right time or taking advantage of opportunities presented to us are just some of the ways we find ourselves standing where we want to stand. Those are outside forces that happen by chance, not design. And just as those forces can bring great joy, they can also bring great disappointment and sorrow. If we truly want to design our own path, then we must chart an action plan that will bring us closer to our own clearly defined and sought after personal goals.

After you have determined what you don’t want in life and then turned it around to look closely at what you do want, you are ready to begin the journey at how best to achieve it. The following SMART keys will help you to cement the goal in your mind, spirit and body and allow the doors and windows of the universe to open and spill great blessings on you. Focus on abundance, not lack.

Specific: Can you see it clearly in your mind? If you can’t visualize it, with a clear picture you won’t achieve it. So don’t say “I’m going to lose weight,” say “I’m going to be in a size 10 Wrangler boot cut, faded blue jeans.”

Measurable: Not every goal is measurable, but you should be able to see a marked improvement. For instance if your goal is to listen more carefully to your children, by the end of two weeks you should be able to see that you are being more mindful in conversations. You are interrupting only twice a day!

Action Oriented: Break the big goal down into a number of smaller, easily achievable tasks. You do not want to be overwhelmed nor do you want it to be so easy that you are not stretching. Think of it as a long road trip and you will stop at a number of gas stations along the way to refuel and check the oil. You may decide to take an alternative route along the way, but at least you will be moving in the right direction.

Realistic: Make sure your goals are ones that are grounded by natural law. You may set a goal to play ladies basketball on a college level, but if you are not a woman, in college, talented in basketball and willing to put forth supreme effort, the chances are that you will not reach that goal. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t decide to learn as much about women’s basketball as you possibly cans so that you will enjoy following the sport and perhaps write a book about it.

Timely: The most successful goals are those that are reached within a reasonable time frame, so that one does not get discouraged along the way. Set daily, weekly and monthly goals when you are beginning, in order to see rapid improvement, or reevaluate where you are headed. When you have a time frame to work within, you are more encouraged to finish. Putting an end date on your goal gives you a clear target to shoot for.

You are a SMART person and I know that you will achieve your goals and aspirations .Don’t star in someone else’s parade. Dream big!

I believe in you and you deserve the very best life has to offer.

© Judy H. Wright, http://www.ArtichokePress.com

This article has been written for your use by Judy H. Wright, parent educator, author and international speaker. For more articles, books and workshops go to http://www.ArtichokePress.com If you would like a more abundant and rich life please check out the website at http://www.WelcomeAbundance.com

Recipient of widespread critical acclaim and much audience adulation, All In The Family remained the top rated TV program throughout the early 1970s. Following the life of the loudmouth and often crass Archie Bunker (Carrol O’Connor), the show centered around Archie’s constant conflict with his daughter and son-in-law and their very liberal belief system. Archie also periodically clashed with his wife Edith, an often subserviant and ditzy traditional housewife. Tackling some of the more taboo issues of its time such as sexism, racism, bigotry, xenophobia, and death, All In The Family was a truly groundbreaking industry production…

The All In The Family (Season 4) DVD features a number of hilarious episodes including the season premiere “We’re Having a Heat Wave” in which Archie and Henry Jefferson (both for different reasons) try to prevent the Lorenzos, a Hispanic family, from moving into the house next door which just went up for sale… Other notable episodes from Season 4 include “Archie and the Kiss” in which Gloria brings home a Rodin-inspired centerpiece much to Archie’s chagrin, and “Edith’s Conversation” in which Archie fears that Irene Lorenzo is attempting to convert Edith to Catholicism…

Below is a list of episodes included on the All In The Family (Season 4) DVD:

Episode 62 (We’re Having a Heat Wave) Air Date: 09-15-1973
Episode 63 (We’re Still Having a Heat Wave) Air Date: 09-22-1973
Episode 64 (Edith Finds an Old Man) Air Date: 09-29-1973
Episode 65 (Archie and the Kiss) Air Date: 10-06-1973
Episode 66 (Archie, the Gambler) Air Date: 10-13-1973
Episode 67 (Henry’s Farewell) Air Date: 10-20-1973
Episode 68 (Archie and the Computer) Air Date: 10-27-1973
Episode 69 (The Games Bunkers Play) Air Date: 11-03-1973
Episode 70 (Edith’s Conversation) Air Date: 11-10-1973
Episode 71 (Archie in the Cellar) Air Date: 11-17-1973
Episode 72 (Black is the Color of My True Love’s Whig) Air Date: 11-24-1973
Episode 73 (Second Honeymoon) Air Date: 12-01-1973
Episode 74 (The Taxi Caper) Air Date: 12-08-1973
Episode 75 (Archie is Cursed) Air Date: 12-15-1973
Episode 76 (Edith’s Christmas Story) Air Date: 12-22-1973
Episode 77 (Mike and Gloria Mix It Up) Air Date: 01-05-1974
Episode 78 (Archie Feels Left Out) Air Date: 01-12-1974
Episode 79 (Et Tu, Archie?) Air Date: 01-26-1974
Episode 80 (Gloria’s Boyfriend) Air Date: 02-02-1974
Episode 81 (Lionel’s Engagement) Air Date: 02-09-1974
Episode 82 (Archie Eats and Runs) Air Date: 02-16-1974
Episode 83 (Gloria Sings the Blues) Air Date: 03-02-1974
Episode 84 (Pay the Twenty Dollars) Air Date: 03-09-1974
Episode 85 (Mike’s Graduation) Air Date: 03-16-1974

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a blog where you can find more reviews like this one of the All In The Family (Season 4) DVD.

A large range of minerals are vital for a healthy body and
recommended daily allowances of these mineral have been
published to address these health concerns. Just by consuming
the recommended daily allowance in minerals is not the answer to
the problem of mineral deficiency, the problem in mineral
deficiency is the absorption of minerals.

Absorption is the process in which nutrients are passed into the
bloodstream. The absorption of minerals by the body is affected
by many factors. Different minerals have different absorption
rates, mineral absorption rate is affected by an unhealthy diet,
diet can also affect absorption level by influencing the
elimination rate, the condition of the intestine can affect
absorption levels, choosing the right mineral balance and form
of mineral will also affect absorption. These are a few of the
problems associated with mineral absorption.

Diet is a major factor in our mineral absorption. Due to soil
depletion and demineralisation many of the foods we eat today
are lacking in minerals. Processed foods, excess protein and
refined sugars need extra minerals that are stored in our bodies
to digest and remove them. This removal process requires enzymes
which in tern need minerals such as zinc, chromium and copper to
work. This cycle promotes mineral deficiency. To add to the
problem, milk, alcohol, dairy products, drugs and a high fibre
diet all inhibit the absorption of minerals. The western diet of
processed foods contributes to the formation of mucoid plaque
onto the lining of the colon. This plaque prevents water and
minerals from being reabsorbed by the body.

A phenomenon known as secondary deficiency is another cause of
poor mineral absorption. This is when an excess of one mineral
causes a deficiency in another. This is because minerals will
compete with each other for absorption and the same binding
sites. Iron, copper and zinc are competitive in this way. Copper
is needed for the conversion of iron to haemoglobin, but if
there is too much zinc then less iron will be available for
conversion. This in tern may cause a secondary deficiency in
iron (anemia), all due to too much zinc. Mineral supplements are
a main factor in secondary deficiency.

The over use of prescription drugs also helps in the deficiency
of minerals. Antibiotics, Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, and aspirin
all inhibit the absorption of minerals especially zinc, chromium
and calcium. Moreover, the bodies own store of minerals are
depleted when the body draws on them when it tries to metabolise
theses drugs. The most common drug culprits for this are
laxatives, diuretics, chemotherapy drugs, and NSAIDs.

Bioavailability is the main issue that really counts with
minerals. Minerals must be in a form that can make it to the
cells. Minerals that are not bioavailable just get passed
straight through the body. Bioavailability has a precursor which
is absorption. To do any good minerals must be absorbed through
the intestine walls into the blood stream. Getting enough
minerals through food is difficult due to modern farming
practices, supplements are a good way but come in many different
forms - elemental, ionic, colloidal and chelated. But which is
the best form for absorption?

Elemental minerals are the cheapest to produce which makes them
the most common form of supplement in shops. The problem is that
only 1% to 8% of the mineral supplement is absorbed by the body
which makes it an inefficient way of absorbing the correct
amount of minerals. Also a lot of the excipients used to bind
these cheaper supplements can act as blockers in absorption.

Ionic mineral are the next step up. Ionic means in the form of
ions. An ion is an incomplete unstable molecule that wants to
bind with another molecule. Ions are absorbed through the gut by
becoming attached or chelated with special carrier proteins in
the intestine wall. To do this energy is needed. Ionic minerals
are a good source of nutrient for the body but they require an
acidic environment to be absorbed. The first few centimetres of
the small intestine are the best acidic environment for ionic
minerals to be absorbed. For the body to absorb an ionic mineral
right condition and timing needs to be in place - proper pH and
the right area of the intestine.

Colloidal minerals are minerals that are suspended in a
solution. The theory with colloidal minerals is that they are
easier to absorb because the mineral particles are suspended in
a liquid solution. The research into this theory has not even
been carried out and proven.

Chelate is from the Greek word meaning ‘claw’, a chelate is a
when a mineral is bound up with or attached with a carrier
molecule. Certain pairs of amino acids (dipeptides) are the
easiest of all chelates to be absorbed. Dipeptide chelates are
absorbed faster than ionic minerals because the chelated mineral
is bonded tighter keeping its integrity which allows it to be
absorbed easier, faster and requiring less metabolic energy.
Research has shown the best bioavailable minerals are amino acid
chelated minerals.

Other chelated agents in the diet such as fibre which contains
phytates, tea which contains tannins and rhurbarb which contains
oxalates are known as bad chelates. This is because phytates,
tannins and oxalates bind the minerals in the body to themselves
in the same way that amino acids do, this results in the
minerals not being absorbed by the body but excreted instead.

So in summary factors that help mineral absorption include the
form of the mineral ingested, small particle size, solubility,
ascorbic acid, and a good intestinal state. Factors that slow
down absorption are oxalic acid, phytic acid, fiber, sodium,
tannins, caffeine, protein, fat, antacids, rapid transit time,
malabsorption syndromes, precipitation by alkalinization, other
minerals, hormones and nutritional status.

In conclusion there are many problems with mineral absorption
and if an individual needs mineral supplements to compliment
their diet then it is best to take the supplements in a chelated
form. This offers many benefits which includes better more
natural absorption and less irritation to the digestive system
which reduces the ‘competition’ for absorption between minerals.

In a city like Mumbai where space is at a premium and all available open spaces are gobbled up by the Greedy Builders in collusion with the Politicians, the latest encroachments on the Mountains which form part of the Western Ghats are increasingly been inhabited by the illegal shanties often with the blessings of the slumlords who are in cahoots with the Politicians.

The recent tragedy at Saki Naka, Andheri(E) where a part of the hillock came crashing down due to heavy rains resulted in no. of lives been lost. But has someone realised who are the people responsible for this? The people residing on these hills are themselves to blame, they are the ones who are illegally occupying the space.

The general apathy is that not only the persons responsible for the lives lost have gone scot free, they have even managed to get them compensation from the hard earned tax payers money. Why should the law abiding citizens who work hard and pay their taxes have their hard earned money go to these illegal matters.

When will the government sit up and take notice of this illegal encroachments of the mountains by these slums which result in the huge garbage and thrash covering the mountains instead of the green shrubs and plants.

And then we sit down and cry when disastor strikes like the 26/7 deluge which hit Mumbai. Its high time the authorities took some notice of the impending doom that is going to strike the city if we go on destroying the eco-balance.

Mr. Dolphy Mendonsa is a Freelance writer with thoughts for improving the life of the people by observing discipline laid down by nature.