The 4 Services of a Business Management Consultant

A business management consultant is an individual who
is trained in business consultation and who provides for the optimization of
managerial efficiency within the scope of a business. Oftentimes, business
management consultants are business professionals, as well as former business
owners and operators. In many cases, a business management consultant retains
business experience, acumen, and expertise that can be utilized to maximize
productivity in business development and business management.

Business Management Consultant Services

Business management consultants provide for a multitude of services that
run the gamut in a business setting, ranging from small businesses to large
corporations. The following are a number of services provided by business
management consultants:

1. Productivity Assessment

In the event that a business owner feels as though
their business is not operating on an optimal level, they may choose to employ
the services of a business management consultant. As a result of doing so, a
business management consultant can analyze the operations of that business,
ranging from employee productivity to operational management, and subsequently
create a plan of action that revamps outdated methodology and introduces new
and improved techniques.

In many cases, a business management consultant will
work closely with existing management staff, educating them in developmental
procedures that allow for employee productivity to improve. This can be done by
assessing job responsibility, improving employee/employer relations, and
analyzing the level of productivity.

2. Developing a Business Strategy

A business management consultant can provide for new
and improved directions, which can potentially heighten the overall
productivity of a business. By doing so, outdated and inefficient practices and
services can be eliminated while being replaced by customized solutions that
better suit the business in question. Upon improving operations through
strategy development, a business management consultant can revolutionize the
productivity, efficiency, and marketability.

3. Support and Accountability

A business management consultant can not only improve,
but define the protocols of support and strategy latent within a business. By
clearly delineating departmental responsibility, personnel job descriptions,
and a general level of accountability, the structural integrity of a business
can be improved through specified hierarchy and chain of command.

4. Eliminating Redundancies

Statistics resulting from the analysis of businesses
reflect that large amounts of money and time are wasted in not only repeating
tasks, but correcting errors. A business management consultant can formulate
knowledgeable analysis illustrating specific practices and procedures that lack
the optimal amount of efficiency. Furthermore, a business management consultant
can elucidate instances where management is lacking, which results in low employee
productivity.

Oftentimes, a business management consultant can
highlight instances in which a company’s time, money, and resources are not
being used to their fullest extent. This includes disorganization, flawed
organization, and faulty data management services.

Business Management Consultant Legality

Prior to signing any legal documentation or paperwork, individuals are
encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in business, finance,
employment, and contracts. As a result of the legal acumen provided by a
skilled attorney, a contract for the hiring of a business management consultant
will retain the optimal benefit for both parties involved in the agreement.

Protect Your Business Productivity Software!

Great Ideas for Protecting your Business Productivity Software

The key with any software program like business productivity software is that you need to protect your ideas. With so many different programs out there that deal with business productivity software, how do you determine that yours is unique and one that will make a difference? What is crucial in this respect is that you protect your software so that it is yours and cannot be copied by people that want to find a cheap way to make a few bucks.

Get a Trademark, Patent, or Copyright

When it comes to keeping your ideas and business productivity software safe, you need to get one of three things or a combination of them.

The biggest way you can protect yourself is through a patent. You will find that it will cost some big dollars to get a patent and you will want to hire a patent attorney that can get it done for you efficiently. Patents are only good in their country of issue, so you’ll potentially have to patent it a few times.

There are also trademarks which add a “TM” to the name. What this basically does is give you an ownership over a name, and you can add on the registered symbol. You may want to trademark multiple things and it is a relatively easy process. Make sure that you search the trademark database to make sure yours isn’t there already or that there isn’t one that is highly similar. Compared to a patent, the cost of obtaining a trademark is miniscule.

Your other option would be a copyright. With a copyright, you get a lot of protection for very little cost. The copyright will keep your business productivity software safe in the sense that it will protect the code, the software, and the documentation that you have. Your copyright kicks in the minute that you publish it. However, you should formally register it so that you are able to protect it even more.

Hire a Firm or an Attorney that Deals with These Laws

It can be difficult to stay on top of all of the laws and regulations that go along with a copyright, trademark, or patent. Therefore, it is important to find an attorney that specializes in this.

There are all kinds of different attorneys out there, but you want the one that specializes in patent law. The thing with patents is that they are expensive and the paperwork is tricky, so it is wise to hire an attorney to handle this process for you instead of trying to muddle through it yourself, which may end up costing you more in the end. Pay a professional to patent your business productivity software; it is well worth it.

Use an attorney for the trademarks and the copyrights too. There are a few tricks to registering these, so do yourself the favor of hiring an attorney. If you want to make sure that you get what you need for your business productivity software, do it the easy way. Sure, you’ll pay them a few dollars, but it is well worth the hassle it prevents.

Keep Your Business Firewall Software Safe!

Important Ways to Legally
Protecting your Business Firewall Software

There are
different ways that you can legally protect your business firewall
software. Understanding the different ways that you can protect your
business firewall software and ensure that your ideas are safe is crucial. You
want to keep your ideas and software programs to yourself and ensure that no
one else has the ability to take an idea that is too close in similarity to
yours and make money off of it.

Get a Patent

The best way to protect yourself is through a
patent. A patent is a legal protection for the inventor. With a patent, it
excludes others from making, using, importing, or selling the invention. This
makes an idea legally yours!

A patent is good for 20 years from the day it was filed so long as all fees and payments are made. The important thing to remember is that a U.S patent is only valid within the United States and does not carry any weight in another country.

For people
creating business firewall software, the good news is that can now patent the
product, whereas in the past they were not able to do so. To get a patent, it
generally costs between $5,000 and $20,000, so be prepared to pay for it. Do
yourself a favor and hire a patent attorney to make sure everything is done
correctly. It is a lot less stress on your part if you are able to have an
attorney help you through it.

Look at a Copyright

Copyrights are a great way to prevent a competitor
from duplicating the firewall business software that you’ve created. This
copyright will protect the structure, the code, the sequence, and the look and
feel of the firewall business software. The great thing with a copyright for
your firewall business software is that it is done automatically when you
publish it. However, you should also file for a formal copyright. The fee
for a copyright is generally very small, approximately $45, and is sent to the
Library of Congress.

Get a Trademark

Like a copyright, it is also easy to get a
trademark. This will basically serve as a mark so that people know that someone
owns it and cannot be used by someone else. It is one of the easier ownerships
to obtain.

You first
have to make sure that there is nothing else in the trademark database that
looks like that. Then you will apply online and pay a fee between $75 to $310
per month, depending on the company size and a few other factors.

Knowing the different ways that you can protect
your business firewall software is very important. You want to be sure
that you are protecting your hard work. Hiring an attorney that can help you
get a patent, trademark, or a copyright will be a huge help. With an attorney,
you will have the ability to get the information that you need and fight to
keep your business firewall software exclusive to just you.

The Business Opportunity Of Your Dreams

A business opportunity is classified as a prospective endeavor or engagement in the realm of a business setting in which an individual might choose to participate or invest. Business opportunities can be extremely profitable for those choosing to take advantage of them. However, in other cases, business opportunities can result in the loss of monies, assets, and possessions.

Prior to engaging in a business opportunity, individuals are encouraged to do ample amounts of research regarding a potential business opportunity. These types of investigative measures should always be conducted prior to signing any documentation, such as agreements or contracts.

Types of Business Opportunities

The number and availability of business opportunities mirror the number and availability of businesses that exist. That being said, many entrepreneurs and venture capitalists maintain that business opportunities exist in a perpetual state, crediting inventiveness, business savvy, instinct, and opportunity with much of their success. The following are some examples of the most popular business opportunities that have been birthed in the last decade:

Online business opportunities have increased in popularity due to the indispensability of the internet and electronic commerce (E-commerce). However, unless online business opportunities, or online businesses, are accredited, recognized as lawful, and officiated, individuals are encouraged to avoid engagement with any get rich quick schemes or scams.

Due to the fact that no definitive regulation of the internet exists, online companies have mastered a variety of methodologies that allow them to pose as reputable companies. Conversely, legitimate and valuable business opportunities exist on a large scale, as well.

Investment opportunities are a popular type of business opportunity which caters to individuals who regard themselves as venture capitalists and/or investors. An investment opportunity allows for the prospect of an individual to invest monies into an idea or preexisting company with the hopes that upon the success of their investment, the profit return will be substantial.

However, although legitimate opportunities exist, fraudulent operations are quite common both online and in live business settings. Playing upon the humanity of many individuals, fraudulent scams are constructed with the hopes of catering to the desire to “get rich quick”. In many cases, these schemes and scams disappear with money invested, leaving the investor(s) with a financial loss.

A franchise is a popular business opportunity that allows individuals to involve themselves with a company or business that has prior notoriety and an established reputation, such as a restaurant chain or retail store. Franchises allow for an individual to profit from preexisting success upon paying to essentially borrow the name of the business they wish to franchise. However, upon franchising a business, the individual will be required to uphold the standards and regulations that have been established by the parent company and/or business. This agreement is established and conclusive within a franchising agreement.

Business Opportunity Legal Assistance

As previously mentioned, individuals are encouraged to consult with attorneys specializing in business, commercial, contract, and finance law prior to signing any documentation. An attorney will provide assistance in exploring all liability, loss, responsibility, and finances latent within a prospective business opportunity.

A Guide to the Better Business Bureau

Are You Ready for Business Cards?

Business
cards are documentation that display details of a business in a card form.
Although there does not exist a specific stipulation or standard for
information listed on business cards, many business cards contain information
expressing the following details: name of the business, address of the
business, the name of the employee, and the contact information for the
business.

The Purpose of Business Cards

Business cards are used as information tools
that heighten awareness of a business. They have been known to be exemplary
marketing, networking, and informational resources for business owners and
employees alike. Since business cards are small and portable, they can be
passed along upon meeting new people, at networking events, or in casual
meetings.

Depending on the desired effect, business card
design varies. The first incarnation of business cards was simple print on
white card stock. These business cards shared the dimensions of a wallet or card
holder, which allowed for their safe, easy, and convenient storage.

Due to the
fact that information can be misplaced and/or forgotten, a business card
provides for physical and tangible information regarding the business listed on
the specific business card. Once passed along, the recipient of a business card
can place the business card in a wallet or card holder for future reference.

Business Card Dimensions

A traditional business card varies depending
on the nation in which the business exists, but the dimensions do vary in
accordance with that country’s standard. In the United States, a traditional
business card measures 3.5 inches by 2 inches.

Where to Get Business Cards

Business cards can be printed at home or by a
company specializing in business card production. Traditionally, business cards
are printed on cardstock, which is a more dense and durable paper. This allows
for less chance of the card being wrinkled, bent, or damaged. In many cases,
the print on business cards is slightly raised, giving it an enhanced
appearance.

Although
some business cards simply possess writing that displays contact information,
certain business cards possess graphics, designs, and other eye-catching
images. Many print shops will provide business card production, as well as
business card design. Normally, single prints of business cards are rare; in
the event that a printing house agrees to print a single business card, the
cost may be larger than bulk printing. Due to the fact that business cards are
valuable marketing tools, they are traditionally produced in bulk allowing for
their maximum dissemination.

How to Get Business Cards

Decide on a design for the business card. Explore
the usage of graphics, images, colors, types of lettering, font, and size desired.

Decide on the volume of cards desired. Individuals
involved in networking groups and meetings are encouraged to print a larger
volume of business cards. Furthermore, bulk printing rates allow for the price
of production to decrease in tandem with a larger number of cards printed.

In the event that an individual does not
possess professional graphic design training or professional printing
facilities, shop around for the most affordable and reputable designing and
printing house to produce the optimal business card.

Protecting Cards with a Business Card Holder

A business
card holder can be classified as two separate entities: portable business card
holders and desktop business card holders. Business card holders are used to
store, hold, and protect business cards prior and during their eventual
dissemination.

Why Use a Business Card Holder?

Despite the fact that business cards are
printed on heavier grade paper, such as card cardstock, which gives them added
durability and protection from damage and wear, business cards can still be
subject to scratching, bending, and wrinkling. An individual receiving a
damaged or bent business card might be wary of the individual or business
listed on the business card due to the condition of the business card received.
Furthermore, in the event that an individual or business has spent money
producing high-grade, high-quality business cards, it is in their best interest
to protect the business cards from premature wear.

Types of Business Card Holders

Desktop business card holders are
manufactured to sit atop desks or other surfaces in which they can be
accessible to visitors and clients. A business card holder should provide ample
protection and accessibility for the business cards housed within them. Desktop
business card holders should allow for an individual to seamlessly and easily obtain
a business card from them.

In many
cases, individuals who use business card holders choose to utilize them in
order to avoid physically passing a business card during a formal or informal meeting
setting. Furthermore, business card holders can be utilized to match the design
and décor of the office, as well as display a creative or eye-catching design.

Desktop
business card holders can range from plastic to metal. In addition, the
available capacity of business card holders can vary. While some business card holders
carry hundreds of business cards at a time, some desktop business card holders
simply display a single business card.

Portable business card holders protect the
integrity and physical state of a business card, which is at times the sole
emissary of a new or unfamiliar business. In networking settings, individuals
with damaged or low-grade business cards may be prematurely judged in
accordance with the condition of their business cards. Business cards held in
business held in business card holders display an air that the individual not
only wishes to project a reputable and accessible image, but also is in the
habit of distributing many business cards. Many feel that this shows the
prospect of careful, meticulous, and responsible character traits on the part
of that individual.

Where to Get Business Card Holders

Business card holders can be obtained at a
variety of locations, ranging from office supply stores to custom manufacturing
facilities. A business card holder can project an air of professionalism, seriousness,
and attention to detail. Due to the fact that an innumerable number of business
cards are exchanged on a daily basis, a desire to maintain the pristine
condition of a business card can add value and reputability to those that
possess them.

How to Start an Online Business?

What is an Internet Company?

An Internet company is an online business that is run through the Internet. The business models can be varied. An online business may include outsourcing of services, retailing, reselling items to other companies, supplying information, etc.

An internet company is a business that initiates and conducts its business model through the use of the Internet. Typically these companies are referred to as “dot-com companies” and are available through accessing a website that uses the top-level domain “.com”, which is means for “commercial use”.

Through the advancement of computer technologies the Internet has offered various companies with the ability to reach a maximum consumer base through the investment of a minimal cost. Although Internet companies typically provide a tangible good or service, the platform, or their mechanism to reach their intended demographic is primarily conducted through cyber space.

How to Start an Online Business

Establishing an online business is a lucrative means to sell, market, and advertise a particular good or service. Before you start an online business, however, you must follow the basic rules of starting a business.

Before you create your online business you must construct a business model that specifically states the focus of your intended business. If you would like to monetize your site, understand the various advertising and marketing strategies that are present in the Internet community.

The first step to starting an online business is registering a domain name. A domain name is the web address of the online business. It is the tangible website where consumers or clients go to access your particular products or services.

Choosing and registering your domain name is the first step to establishing your online marketplace. To do this, you must choose a name that is aligned with your product or service and conduct a search to observe if that particular name is available for purchase. After you have chosen your desired web address, you must access a certified registering authority to purchase the domain name.

It is essential to understand the laws associated with domain names. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is the non-profit corporation that presides over the Internet protocol address space allocation. In addition, this corporation regulates the protocol parameter assignment, the domain name system management procedures, and the root server system management functions.

When choosing a domain name, be sure to avoid trademarked names. As is common with traditional businesses, trademark laws will apply to businesses and their respective domain names. Using a domain name that is trademarked or similar to an established company or existing product is referred to as “cybersquatting” and carries significant legal implications.

Once you have established your online business, you should hire a web developer to assist in the physical creation of the website.

Warnings

Be sure to watch out for website building services and hosting services that do not handhold you through the process of constructing your online business.

The Internet is regulated by law. Privacy laws and trademark issues must be understood in order to run a legal online business.

Property Management Companies

What do Property Management Companies Do?

Property management refers to the operation of commercial, residential, or industrial real estate. The role of a property management company is akin to the role of management in most forms of business. In addition to the aforementioned industries or sectors, property management also refers to the active management of personal property, equipment, and physical capital assets that are used to construct, repair, and maintain deliverable goods.

Property management companies will deliver the processes, manpower, and systematically-based means to manage the life cycle of all property that is acquired, controlled, utilized, or maintained by a corporation or entity.

In essence, property management companies are middle-men. They act as the liaison between individual consumers, governments, and commercial developers to streamline the acquisition and maintenance of property and capital goods.

Roles of Property Management Companies

There are a number of facets that comprise the property management industry. The most fundamental of which is the liaison between a landlord or property owner and the management firm operating on the tenant’s behalf. In this relationship, the property management company will accept rent, respond and address maintenance issues that arise, and provide a buffer for the landlord in regards to tenant constituencies.

Property management companies will also manage the accounts and finances of real estate properties, as well as participate in the litigation with tenants, insurance companies, and contractors.

The roles of property management companies, although varied, all focus on streamlining the relationship between property owner or developer and renter or builder. Through the delivery of resources and human capital, a property management company will ensure the acquisition of a maintained property.

Licensing Requirements

The licensing requirements for property management workers are regulated through state interpretation. In the United States, the majority of states require property management companies to be licensed as real estate brokers, although this licensing requirement is widely based on the assumption that the worker would be responsible for collecting rent or listing properties for negotiated transactions.

A property manager may or may not be a licensed real estate salesperson, but in general, all property managers must be working under a licensed real estate broker. Maine and Idaho are two examples of states that do not require property managers to obtain a real estate license.

If licensed, a property manager can lease apartments, evict tenants, collect rent, garnish wages, and manage multiple properties at once. As stated before, the requirements to acquire a property manager’s license will vary from state to state. With that in mind, to obtain a property manager’s license an individual must determine their specific state’s requirements for a property license.

Once you have observed your specific state’s requirements for a property manager’s license, you must complete a State-approved property management course. Following the completion of this course, you will be required to submit two forms of identification and fingerprint cards which will be used for a background check.

You must complete coursework that is aligned to your prospective role. For example, buying practices, listing practices, and developing ethical practices is a fundamental course load for a property manager. Upon completion, you must pass the real estate property management exam to obtain a property manager’s license. In addition, depending on the state in which you are operating, you may be required to obtain a broker’s license.

Trucking Companies and Their Licensing Requirements

What is a Trucking Company?

A trucking company is, in essence, a middle man. Trucking companies deliver goods, raw materials, or possessions by truck to various locations or hubs for redistribution. Trucking companies connect the domestic markets by shipping goods and possessions to individuals in a timely manner. The United States’ infrastructure enables trucking companies to ship products to various locations within the United States in a timely and cost effective manner.

Trucking companies are composed of two essential components: the corporate side, which sets up deals to manufacture and purchase trucks, and the truck drivers, who are the individuals who physically drive the trucks, and thus, ship the possessions or goods from one location to another. Truck drivers provide a crucial service to industrial societies by transporting raw materials or finished products to their intended locations.

Trucking companies will take a finished product or a bundle of raw materials from a manufacturing plant and deliver them to distribution or retail centers for sale. Without the inclusion of a trucking company, or more specifically a truck driver, retail centers would fail in receiving their goods for distribution.

License Requirements

According to transportation law in the United States, all truck drivers must meet specific regulations and pass a series of examinations to obtain a trucking license. The United States employs a classification system, where truck drivers are mandated to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License in order to operate a commercial motor vehicle. These licenses must be acquired for all operations using vehicles in excess of 26,000 pounds.

To obtain a Commercial Vehicle License an individual must demonstrate a particular skill set. The applicant must pass a pre-trip inspection, a driving test, and a written test which covers the unique handling of a truck and the mechanical systems required to operate a vehicle of such size. The applicant must be at least 18 years of age, but the majority of trucking companies will only hire individuals who are over the age of 23 and have operated a truck for at least one year.

The testing requirements are stringent because the job is a solitary effort. Truck drivers are alone on the road and required to operate as well as maintain the vehicle without any direct assistance.

The United States Department of Transportation

The United States Department of Transportation is the Government agency responsible for instituting the requirements and tests needed to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License. The Department of Transportation organizes the licenses through the creation of a classification system:

Class A: The license for any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, but not in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Class B: The license required for all single vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds.

Class C: The license required for any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that fails to meet the definition of a Class A or Class B vehicle. Typically this license is needed to operate any vehicle that carries hazardous materials.