Benefits of Using TECHNOLOGY in BUSINESS

Despite the wide-spread of computing devices and the internet, many businesses still shy away from using technological tools and web-based services in their operation. One reason for this is the false perception that modernizing business processes is costly and difficult to adapt to. The truth is that the efficient use of technology can increase your business productivity, reduce your operational costs, and give your business leverage and competitive edge. Here are more reasons why your business should implement the use of technology as soon as possible:
Technology Automates Business Processes
A lot of software and technological tools are now able to perform tasks that used to require a human workforce to accomplish. The benefit of software is that it saves costs and reduces manual errors in business. For example, by using a software application such as Office 365, businesses no longer have to hire a bookkeeper to keep track of their profits and expenses. With other packages associated with this software, automating business processes does not cost much either.
Technology increases Speed and saves Time
Small businesses compete with large businesses by being more swift and agile. Additionally, a small business can respond to change faster than a large business. A hundred years ago, electronic mail did not exist, and the only way to communicate with someone else in another geographical location was by postal service–the farther away your client or supplier, the longer the communication took. Today, with the advent of information technology, information is shared at an astounding rate. This saves time, offering the ability to make decisions faster.
Technology Reduces Business Cost
Many businesses are wary of modernizing their business operations for fear that utilizing technological tools can cost them a lot of money. In fact, using technology will do the exact opposite. Does your company spend a lot on communication? You can use email to send messages to your business contacts. Sending emails is free and they arrive much faster than when you send your business correspondence via courier.
Your phone bills can add up if you frequently place long distance calls to customers and business partners. Businesses can actually make and receive ‘free’ long distance calls using services such as Skype. If your business still uses traditional phone and mail systems, you will end up spending more on communication in the short and long-term.

DECIDED ON A BUSINESS

IF YOU HAVE NOT DECIDED ON A BUSINESS, DO THIS:
On the top of a blank sheet of paper, write an activity you like to do (make this the heading). Do a separate page for each activity or interest you have.
On those same sheets list as many businesses you can think of that are related to that activity.
On the same sheets list all the products or services you can think of that are related to that activity. Use your imagination and think of every possible product or service you could do.
Make a list of businesses that do better in bad times (one may be appropriate for you). Some examples might be pawnshops, auto repairs and fabric stores.
EXAMPLE
Let's assume you end up with three potential businesses: towing service, selling used cars and auto repairs. You can now make a comparative evaluation using the following check-list (or better still your own checklist) with a 1-10 scoring system:

Objective	Towing Service	Selling Used Cars	Auto Repair
Can I do what I love to do?	6	3	10
Will I fill an expanding need?	8	5	10
Can I specialize?	7	8	10
Can I learn it and test it first?	9	8	9

This kind of analysis can help you gain objectivity in selecting your business.
How to Evaluate a Specific Business you have in mind.
Here are some questions to help clarify your thoughts:

• Is it something I will enjoy doing?
  My favorite activities are:
  I like to serve people by:
• Will it serve an expanding need for which there is no close substitute?
• Can I be so good at a specialized, targeted need that customers will think there is no close substitute?
• Can I handle the capital requirements?
• Can I learn the business by working for someone else first?
• Could I operate as a hollow corporation, without a factory and with a minimum number of employees? ("Hollow corporation" refers to a business where everything is "outsourced," meaning you would subcontract manufacturing and packaging to outside sources. )
• Is this a product or service that I can test first?
• Should I consider a partner who has complementary skills to mine or who could help finance the business?

Message to Small Business

 The future of Britain’s economy depends on Britain’s small businesses - on those with the courage to strike out and start their own thing, who work all hours to succeed, who through love, sweat and tears make their business grow.
These people are the embodiment of British pluck and enterprise, and we need you. We need you to keep on creating good private sector jobs, so that more people can earn a living for their families and have financial security for the future. We need you to help get Britain exporting more, because in this competitive world our success will lie in making things and selling them to the world. We need you to help rebalance our economy away from too much debt, borrowing and spending and towards private enterprise, dynamism, ideas and innovation.
That’s why I spoke today at the FSB’s first Policy Conference - and it’s why this government is pulling every lever possible to back small business.

BOOST MICROFINANCE IN NIGERIA

IFC SET TO BOOST MICROFINANCE IN NIGERIA

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has expressed willingness  to mobilise microfinance banks to boost financial services, to under-served SMEs in the country. The Country Manager of IFC Nigeria, Solomon Adegbie-Quaynor has said that the development unit of the IFC is going to finance market leaders and those who can set the right standard and have other microfinance institutions understand what it means to operate well.

He added that the non-performing loans and high interest loans provided by Nigerian financial institutions have created credit scarcity in the economy which is strongly impeding the growth of small businesses, the largest employer of labour in the oil-rich country.

TRADE BOOST IN NIGERIA

TRADE BOOST IN NIGERIA

The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Michael Arrion, has announced that the EU is giving Nigeria an additional N4.2 billion grant, in order to boost trade and improve productive capacity in Nigeria. The EU recently launched a programme, the Nigerian Competitiveness Support Programme (NCSP) which is aimed at improving the competitiveness of the Nigerian economy in the non-oil related sectors. This will thereby, create jobs and reduce poverty through trade support institutions and improved business and investment environment.

According to the Minister for Industry, Trade and Development, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, the programme targets three components of trade policy, investment climate and the issues of standard and metrology. The Minister noted that the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has made some progress in the last two years as the level of certified products have improved from 10 to 40 per cent, while the substandard product level has fallen from 80 to 45 per cent. The EU Ambassador noted that the EU attached a great importance to its relations with Nigeria as an important political and economic force in West Africa and a key player in the African continent.

Join me on DealDey and save 30% - 90%http://www.dealdey.com/?ref=WOSDRVSFTJ

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Our Web Site is of the best and most reliable way to send bulk messages to GSM and CDMA cell phones locally in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and globally with the rest of the world. Daily Cash Bulk SMS has come to stay and we are here to give you the best.

Five Apps for entrepreneurs

 With so many apps available and created every day, how do you know which ones are the best for your purposes?
We asked five entrepreneurs to tell us which apps they can’t live without and why.
There are some that were common – nearly everyone listed Dropbox – and others a little more for the times when they aren’t working.
Are there any other apps you can’t live without?

Mark McDonald – co-founder and managing director of app developer Appster

EverNote – The perfect app for capturing ideas and concepts between meetings and while travelling. I love that it syncs up to my Macbook Pro as well, so wherever I am I can find important ideas.
ZombieRun – Staying fit sucks. But when you are running from zombies it's more fun, I really love how this app gamified the process of jogging.
Things 2 – I'm a workaholic but also have the attention span of a small child, that's why using Things 2 as a way to manage my daily activities, projects and responsibilities in a really simple interface has doubled my productivity.

Mechanic awarded $1.4 million

A Canberra engine repair business has been ordered by the court to pay an injured mechanic $1,399,341 in damages, because it didn’t provide a safe system of work for lifting heavy items.
Stephen Roberts suffered an injury to his back while he was employed as a mechanic by DRB Equipment Repairs.
He was helping two men to manually lift a 105-kilogram pressure cleaner into the side door of a delivery van outside the DRB workshop when the load became snagged on a step inside the vehicle, causing it to roll, on its wheels, backwards towards him.
Roberts took the weight of the load which triggered pain in the lower left hand side of his back and a ‘burning sensation’. He went home and was referred for physiotherapy.

How To Fully Recover Your Wasted Years

TIPS FOR MOVING FORWARD AND RISING ABOVE YOUR CHALLENGES You need to study all the points listed here and implement them faithfully to get what you want. Individually, they are mere elements but when you use them collectively, you have a system that delivers excellent results. That's the meaning of synergy (the value of the whole is greater than the sum of the parts): 1. Commit to commercial awareness and appreciating situations and developments both within and outside the country. 2. Monitor public media. So don’t allow the evils they do prevent you from seeing those opportunities they create. 3. Invest in developing a rich network. – Get to know people you meet everyday in terms of what they do and where they do it. Join a class that focuses on how to mine your contacts. 4. Be willing to use other people’s resources provided you don’t step out of legitimate routes. 5. Commit to honouring your obligations and keeping your promises. Even those who cheat and don't mean what they say still prefer to deal with those who mean what they say and can be trusted. In the long run, men and women of integrity win and are celebrated. Don't be discouraged by the patience required to wait for the gains of integrity. Do a painstaking research of people into advanced fee fraud (419) and the result will confirm that their joys don't last. They tend to cry in the midst of plenty that seldom lasts. Prefer to move from grass to grace and achieve a life of significance and legacy that makes a world of difference. Learn entrepreneurship that will make the journey easy. 6. Go after the opportunities in the internet especially via LinkedIn and websites relevant to your organisation both within and outside the country 7. Determine an aspect of your profession that you want to be known for, acquire specialist knowledge in the area and promote yourself accordingly. 8. Be careful about how you manage your relationships including the ones in the office, your community, your family and your friends. 9. Recognise that you have a right to do things differently from what currently applies to most people in the society provided you are not violating any law and you are not offending godliness. You can actually campaign for the abrogation of a law that is standing in your way to success. If your motives are noble, you will be amazed to discover that most people in society including the law makers will line up behind you. They were waiting for somebody to start the process. 10. Commit to life-long learning-Making sure that you seek opportunities to study something of interest in an institution outside your continent. Books have an amazing power to liberate people from the poor thinking that prevents wealth accumulation. When you use them in combination with Public Relations skills that enable you to make your contacts count, life suddenly becomes interesting and you can effectively occupy the driver's seat, get out of debt, and be in control of your time.for more.click on the pics

Reasons Why You’re Not Rich

Reasons Why You’re Not Rich
Many people assume they aren’t rich because they don’t earn enough money. If I only earned a little more, I could save and invest better, they say.
The problem with that theory is they were probably making exactly the same argument before their last several raises. Becoming a millionaire has less to do wi

th how much you make, it’s how you treat money in your daily life.
The list of reasons you may not be rich doesn’t end at 10. Caring what your neighbours think, not being patient, having bad habits, not having goals, not being prepared, trying to make a quick buck, relying on others to handle your money, investing in things you don’t understand, being financially afraid and ignoring your finances.

signs MOU with CIBN

 http://www.lbs.edu.ng/news/lbs-signs-mou-with-cibn/305

 

 

Lagos Business School recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chartered Institute of Bankers Nigeria (Centre for Financial Studies) to provide customised solutions in the finance and banking sector.  The MOU was signed, on December 18, 2013 by the Dean of LBS, Dr Enase Okonedo and the CIBN President, Dr Segun Aina, at the Bankers House Lagos. 

In his opening remarks, Dr Aina commended LBS’ achievements of setting the pace and leading executive education in Nigeria for over 20 years. He also expressed his anticipation of the impending undergraduate degree in Finance scheduled to begin in 2015.

Six ways to Start a Home Business

 How to Start a Home Business

How do you start a successful home-based business? What needs to be in your consideration?

Below is a 6-step guide:

Introduction:

A creative person could build a business from scratch, purchase an existing business, start a franchise store  or become a distributors for one of the major brands. Whichever  the case may be. I'm about to show you necessary steps on how to figure it out. Below is a 6-step guide.

1.   Assess your skills and knowledge

You need to know what you are good at and what you are not so good at. Identify your strong points and your weaknesses. This can help you gauge if you are suitable for embark on a home business. As a home business owner, you will need to run a lot of tasks on your own, from planning, business management to the field work. Make sure you can carry out the tasks needed.

2.Generate business ideas

Start brainstorming from your interest and passion. Get your family to involve as you will be using part of their space for your business.

3.Access your Personality. Are you a peoples person, do you like to work alone? Do you love working for others, or what age group do you enjoying serving. You can build business around that.

4.Test the market

Shortlist your ideas so that it contains only those ideas that can work for a home business. Be practical. Think whether people will want to spend money on the kind of products or services that you can offer, how much and whether this will generate sufficient income proportional to your effort.  If no, get back to Step 2 for more ideas. Being persistent is important at this stage because many people gave up after facing the obstacles.

Bringing business back to the UK

  
We have set out a long-term economic plan to secure our country’s economic future and our economy is growing. Just this week, the IMF upgraded its growth forecasts for Britain by more than any other G7 country and we have also seen the largest quarterly increase in employment since records began.

The key challenge for politicians and business leaders in Europe is how we make a success of globalisation. For years the West has been written off. People say that we are facing some sort of inevitable decline. They say we can’t make anything anymore.

I don’t believe it has to be this way.

Of course, we cannot be starry eyed about globalisation – it presents huge challenges as our economies and societies try to adapt. But neither should we take this pessimistic view.

Indeed if we make the right decisions, we may also see more of what has been a small but discernible trend where some jobs that were once offshored are coming back from East to West.

In recent years there has been a practice of offshoring where companies move production facilities to low cost countries. But there is now an opportunity for some of those jobs to come back.

Raising your Self-Esteem

1. Raise the self-esteem of others. Be supportive, give them the benefit of the doubt; never ridicule or belittle anyone. 2. Push outside your comfort zone. Help others even when you feel like quitting.Listen patiently to things that are important to someone else, whether or not they’re important to you. 3. Don’t like the decision? Do your best to make it work. Try others’ ideas when you disagree with them, just as you would want them to try yours. 4. Ask for help. Don’t be a victim and expect people to feel sorry for you. And learn to ask instead of demand. 5. Promptly, sincerely thank someone who has helped you. It’s only common - See more at: http://silverbirdtv.com/blog#sthash.hqKt5l9H.dpuf

1. Raise the self-esteem of others. Be supportive, give them the benefit of the doubt; never ridicule or belittle anyone. 2. Push outside your comfort zone. Help others even when you feel like quitting.Listen patiently to things that are important to someone else, whether or not they’re important to you. 3. Don’t like the decision? Do your best to make it work. Try others’ ideas when you disagree with them, just as you would want them to try yours. 4. Ask for help. Don’t be a victim and expect people to feel sorry for you. And learn to ask instead of demand. 5. Promptly, sincerely thank someone who has helped you. It’s only common.

Genevieve Nnaji a star to watch

Nnaji was born in Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria but grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. She is the fourth of eight children and was brought up in a middle class environment. Her father worked as an engineer and her mother as a nursery teacher.
She attended Methodist Girls College Yaba, Lagos before transferring into the University of Lagos. While at the university, Genevieve began auditioning for acting jobs amongst the many Nollywood projects.
Nnaji started her acting career as a child actress in the then popular television soap opera Ripples at the age of 8.
In 1998 at the age of 19 she was introduced into the growing Nigerian film industry with the movie “Most Wanted”. Her subsequent movies include Last Party, Mark of the Beast and Ijele. In 2010 she starred in the award winning film Ijé: The Journey.
Nnaji has starred in over 80 Nollywood movies. She is also considered to be one of the best paid actresses in Nollywood.
In 2004 she signed a recording contract with EKB Records, a Ghanaian record label, and released her debut album One Logologo Line, a mix of R&B, Hip-Hop and Urban music.
Nnaji has featured in several commercials some of which include Pronto beverage and Omo detergent. In 2004 she became the "Face of Lux" in Nigeria in a highly lucrative sponsorship deal. 2008 saw Nnaji launching a clothing line, "St. Genevieve", which donates its proceeds to charity.
In May 2010 Nnaji was appointed to be the official "Face of MUD" in Nigeria. In June 2012, she was unveiled as the brand ambassador of Range Rover Evogue.
Nnaji has received several awards and nominations for her work, including the Best Actress of the year award at the 2001 City People Awards and the Best Actress in a Leading Role award at the 2005 African Movie Academy Awards.
- See more at: http://silverbirdtv.com/personality-week/personality-week-genevieve-nnaji#sthash.lmkQvMfH.dpuf

Nnaji was born in Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria but grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. She is the fourth of eight children and was brought up in a middle class environment. Her father worked as an engineer and her mother as a nursery teacher.
She attended Methodist Girls College Yaba, Lagos before transferring into the University of Lagos. While at the university, Genevieve began auditioning for acting jobs amongst the many Nollywood projects.
Nnaji started her acting career as a child actress in the then popular television soap opera Ripples at the age of 8.
In 1998 at the age of 19 she was introduced into the growing Nigerian film industry with the movie “Most Wanted”. Her subsequent movies include Last Party, Mark of the Beast and Ijele. In 2010 she starred in the award winning film Ijé: The Journey.
Nnaji has starred in over 80 Nollywood movies. She is also considered to be one of the best paid actresses in Nollywood.
In 2004 she signed a recording contract with EKB Records, a Ghanaian record label, and released her debut album One Logologo Line, a mix of R&B, Hip-Hop and Urban music.
Nnaji has featured in several commercials some of which include Pronto beverage and Omo detergent. In 2004 she became the "Face of Lux" in Nigeria in a highly lucrative sponsorship deal. 2008 saw Nnaji launching a clothing line, "St. Genevieve", which donates its proceeds to charity.
In May 2010 Nnaji was appointed to be the official "Face of MUD" in Nigeria. In June 2012, she was unveiled as the brand ambassador of Range Rover Evogue.
Nnaji has received several awards and nominations for her work, including the Best Actress of the year award at the 2001 City People Awards and the Best Actress in a Leading Role award at the 2005 African Movie Academy Awards.
- See more at: http://silverbirdtv.com/personality-week/personality-week-genevieve-nnaji#sthash.lmkQvMfH.dpuf

Nnaji was born in Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria but grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. She is the fourth of eight children and was brought up in a middle class environment. Her father worked as an engineer and her mother as a nursery teacher. 

She attended Methodist Girls College Yaba, Lagos before transferring into the University of Lagos. While at the university, Genevieve began auditioning for acting jobs amongst the many Nollywood projects.

Nnaji started her acting career as a child actress in the then popular television soap opera Ripples at the age of 8. 

In 1998 at the age of 19 she was introduced into the growing Nigerian film industry with the movie “Most Wanted”. Her subsequent movies include Last Party, Mark of the Beast and Ijele. In 2010 she starred in the award winning film Ijé: The Journey. 

Nnaji has starred in over 80 Nollywood movies. She is also considered to be one of the best paid actresses in Nollywood.