Agility through logistics planning (bdc)

Whether you manage your logistics yourself, or you outsource part or all of the job to a third-party logistics provider, the goal is to improve your agility – the speed at which your business can respond to changes in consumers’ desires and in the business environment.

Industry Canada offers a toolkit for logistics and supply-chain management. The kit outlines some of the main cost categories of logistics and supply-chain management, and it provides data to help users benchmark their logistics performance for their particular industry.

You can begin to make your business more agile by examining the different aspects of logistics planning, and seeing where you can implement changes. Then you can use the principles of operational efficiency to reduce waste wherever possible. You may wish to hire an external consultant to review your business processes from a fresh perspective.

For the full article, click here.

Forecasters are sharpening their pencils (edc)

It is the forecaster’s prerogative to revise the outlook. And whether it’s the weather, a flight arrival or the economy, the closer we are to the event, the clearer the forecast becomes. Recent turmoil has prompted sizable changes to the near-term economic outlook. What are pundits now saying? See the full EDC article

Seven Power Steps to Making Money on the Internet

Here is a compliation of the 7 Power Steps for your online real estate empire:

• Power Step #1–Own a website that sells your products using the direct response principle.
• Power Step #2–Sell what the public WANTS and WILL pay for.
• Power Step #3–Own your product 100%.
• Power Step #4–Control the price of what you sell online.
• Power Step #5–Own a private list of subscribers who have asked to keep in contact with you.
• Power Step #6–Set up to instantly accept credit card orders online.
• Power Step #7–Promote the heck out of your products or you won’t be making any sales at all.

Leave a comment and we will reply with your full automated resource.

10 Commercial real estate terms you should know

Whether you own or rent your office space, property costs are one of the largest business overhead expenses. That’s why it’s important to comprehend the full ramifications of taking over the title to a property or entering into a lease agreement. Before you sign a lease, work with a commercial real estate broker with a proven track record, and consult with an attorney skilled in real estate law. You should also familiarize yourself with some common real estate terms (excerpt from www.allbusiness.com) … click this for more details.

StomperNet’s 30 Day Challenge

If you’re just starting out, you need to really focus on the basics of web development. Not because you aren’t smart or anything – we all needed to learn the basics at some point. You need a good foundation. No one ever learned to ride a bike without training wheels, right?

StomperNet Faculty member Ed Dale is starting his next 30 Day Challenge TONIGHT at 8PM Eastern.

If you’re wondering where to START your online business venture, this is probably as good a place – and more importantly, as good a TIME as you’ll ever get.

Tons of support. Tons of fellow participants. Tons of quality material to get you where you need to be FAST.

Five secrets to winning U.S. government contracts (EDC)

Five secrets to winning U.S. government contracts
Judy Bradt, Principal and CEO of Summit Insight, shares five little-known facts about U.S. government buyers – facts she says your competitors may not want you to know. Provided by BDC.
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Selling to Uncle Sam

The U.S. federal government is going to spend over $450 billion this year. In other words, the world’s biggest customer may want to buy something you have to sell. Up to the challenge? Download the latest CanadExport podcast to hear if Uncle Sam is for you. Click this for more info. (CanadExport)

Letter of Intent – Binding or Non-Binding (SBB)

The primary reason for a Letter of Intent (sometimes referred to as a “Letter or Understanding” or “Memorandum of Understanding” or “Agreement in Principal”), is to get the “ball rolling” and provides some measure of commitment between the parties. It is often used to state in writing the price, terms and understandings of the transaction.

A letter of intent is usually intended to be non-binding. However, a letter of intent may be determined to be binding under certain circumstances.

• If a letter of intent is non-binding, it must clearly state that it is “non-binding”.
• The letter of intent should be as brief as possible. It’s better to include just enough details to cover the basics.
• Verbiage such as, “agree to bargain”, “make every reasonable effort”, “proceed in good faith” may be determined to create a binding agreement.
• If the letter of intent includes a Confidentiality Clause/Agreement, it may be ruled as binding. A Confidentiality Agreement, separate from the Letter of Intent, should be executed between the parties.

For the full article from School of Business Brokerage, please click this.

Calculating Capital Gains on Real Estate

In the process of selling a business, a business broker may also be involved in the transfer of the real estate utilized by the business. As with a business transfer, there will be tax consequences involved in the transfer of real property. It is not the business broker’s role to advise his seller client on tax matters of any nature. However, a business broker should have a working knowledge of capital gain taxes and the potential impact on the transaction.(SBB)

Visit the School of Business Brokerage for the full article on how to calculate gain and after tax-proceeds.

A Powerful Way to Access Government Funding

By thinking outside the box, you can take advantage of government grant and loan programs you might never check out in a million years. It opens the funding possibilities wider than otherwise possible. Remember that program descriptions are written to satisfy various political mandates, which might seem to preclude you. For example, a program directed at rural communities might provide opportunities for a big city supplier who can help them reach the goals of the program. (SBFC) See more at the Small Business Funding Centre.

These businesses have received funding for business plans:
$2,583 for Picaroons Brewing Company Limited in Fredericton, New Brunswick
$8,688 for Ginette Houston in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
$3,375 for Aaron Brett Johnson of Wallaceburg, Ontario.
$7,500 for James Allen of Haines, Yukon.

For a complete list of thousands of grant and loan recipients, click here.