Image is EVERYTHING (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

What do you want people to think about when they see your image? When they see your logo, business card, brochure or website, what will they think? Cheap? Expensive? Professional? Successful? Expert? Amateur? Failure?

Your Identity Speaks Loudly...What Are You Saying? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

How do you want your business to be recognized? What image do you want to call forth in people's minds? You may choose an identity that is fun and wacky if you run a family fun center, or calm and serious if you operate a funeral home. The mistake many businesses make is to not think about it at all. Your company has a corporate identity whether you intentionally developed one or not. It can be difficult to turn an unplanned image around. And chances are, it doesn't convey the image you need to boost sales.

Id Buy That: Getting A Brand Mindset (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

I don't know about you; but for some reason this time of year lowers my normal customer resistance to retail and turns up my desire to buy, buy, buy. And not just anything. Products I've come to know have reliable value to me. You too?

I Hate My Logo! What You Should Get For Your Money and Why (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

experienced designer can help you through a project whose outcome you will need to live with for years. Learn how greatly the symbolic significance of your corporate identity can impact your business. To say anyone can design a logo is to say anyone can design a 53 story high rise. Here are some key lessons that will tell you if you're choosing the right architect for your corporate identity!

Hummer is an Excellent Brand (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

www.microracers.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=H1-YD&Category_Code=COM

Or you can buy a Die Cast Model 1:18 scale Hummer for a toy or novelty gift.

Hiring the Right Graphic Designer for Your Small Business (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

In a highly competitive marketplace, hiring an expert graphic designer can mean the difference in whether your product or service stands out and gets noticed or in having it lost in the fanfare generated by your business rivals.

Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

In February 1862, Prince Albert, husband to England's Queen Victoria, was dead. During the queen's time of grief, only mourning clothes and black-accented jewelry were acceptable apparel at the royal court. Meanwhile, jewelry accented with black jet or enamel and carved with floral, vine or scroll designs became the fashion trend in England. These pieces came in the forms of rings, broaches, pendants and bracelets.

How a Great Tagline can Help your Business (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Please don't squeeze the Charmin. (since 1964)

A diamond is forever. (since 1948)

Great Brands Depend On Attention To The Brand Architecture (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Thinking in terms of architecture, a building that looks great and catches your attention is probably designed so that each component looks perfect and enhances the overall effect of the building.

Good Logos Make Great Sales Tools (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

A logo is a unique visual image that represents a company or its products. It aims to create a positive and memorable impression in the minds of the people who see it. In addition, a good logo can make a sale by saying something about the company to customers when there is no sales person present.

A good logo vs. a FABULOUS logo (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

There are lots of reasons why we settle for a normal-looking or good looking logo apart from price. One, it's easy to change. Two, it's uncomplicated. Three, the logo is simple enough. But let me tell you something about logos. You need a FABULOUS logo?.an OUT OF THIS WORLD logo, not just any logo, ok?

Go Ask Alice (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

"If you don't care where you are going, it doesn't make a difference which path you take."

For businesses bent upon success, it does matter which path you take. A positioning statement helps you chart your path to success because it lets all your audiences - internal and external - know where your organization stands in the battle for your consumers' minds.

Getting Started in the Mail Order Business. How Much Does It Cost? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

To get any business started successfully takes many ingredients. All requirements fall into one of the following four key categories: 1. Desire, 2. Knowledge, 3. Time, and 4. Available funds. This report deals only with the financial requirements of starting a mail order business. Hopefully it will help the reader to evaluate whether he is financially able to embark upon a business venture that will bring about success. It is generally true that it takes substantially less money to get started in many mail order businesses than in a variety of other businesses.

FTC Reviews The Franchise Rule (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Let me explain this philosophical thought for a moment. Recently Mr. Allen Greenspan before the Senate was asked about rules in the securities industries, stock exchanges, broker dealers to curb potential future fraud. He then correctly indicated that once you make a rule, the temptation to make additional rules to close gaps is just too great. Now then are we not sure we are headed down a slippery slope with regards to the litigious nature of the franchising industry, in that the trend in the industry currently is for franchisors to exit the market place.

Franchisor Policies for Unlicensed or Sold Territories (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

"Unlicensed Areas"

"If you are called into an unlicensed territory for service, you may service that particular client. You will obviously pick up additional clients in those areas from referrals, leads and people who see the truck. It's ok to service these customers. However, you must:

Franchising is Virtually Fraud Free (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Some of the cases the Federal Trade Commission had brought since 1970, which fell within their franchising rule jurisdiction were doctored up claims against smaller franchising companies, involving false declarations, secret Federal Trade Commission court filings and Federal Trade Commission runaway case worker investigations to prove themselves right once the target was sighted. I know this because our company was filed against in such a way. These tactics and thought process of course is part of the flawed human behavior to prove ones self right. The FTC's behavior in case filings is not too different from a student Thesis at University Level, Politicians justifying actions, policemen lying in paperwork and religious cults. We will not comment on the serious nature of the Federal Trade Commission, starting a case and working hard to prove guilt of the target to justify their existence or next years budget.

My First Year In Cyber Space (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

(1) Be careful who you register your domain with.Some domain name registrars make it very difficult tochange your web host.

Fast Forwarding Your Business (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

WHAT IS A BRAND?

Your brand is more than just the logo on your letterhead and business cards or your business name. It is your corporate identity. An effective brand tells the world who you are, what you do and how you do it, while at the same time establishing your relevance to and credibility with your prospective customers.

The Face of Your Business, Part I (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

We did that by becoming "promiscuous networkers". We attended and joined any and every association we could afford. This was GREAT for meeting people. After a few months, we could walk into a room and just about everyone would recognize us. They knew us as the Johnsons, that young couple in business.

Eye On The Pie: Branding From an Investors P.O.V. (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

For many entrepreneurs who are just starting out or are flying solo for any amount of years, it's often inconceivable that anyone would want a piece of their business in the future when they are struggling to grow now. For those who find themselves in this implausible thought or for those who believe in the 'brass ring' of going public there are four things you should consider now that will enable that kind of big future.