BizWorld Jamaica

Reducing overheads is often the bestsolution for businesses looking to survive tough economic conditions.  One way of doing so is to switch fromoccupying premises to running a business from a virtual office - an option thatan increasing number of Jamaican companies are taking.

The concept, which offers fulloffice support, including reception, telephony and meeting facilities, is anaffordable and practical alternative to the traditional approach, which oftenproves prohibitive to an up-and-coming business.

Portmore entrepreneur, Andre’O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer of Interak, is one of the Jamaica’s marketleaders in Virtual Office Solutions.  Interakwas launched last year, and offers a host of services that Mr. O’Connorbelieves will level the playing field for small businesses, and give thefreedom to focus on their products or services, without the added burden ofhuge overheads.

This means that the small business entrepreneur,who wants to create a better company image, and successfully compete with thebigger boys, can have the trappings of a real professional office, at anegligible cost.

Employing your own receptionist cancost in the region of JA$50,000 per month, which can be a lot of money to a newbusiness.  Interak’s currentInternational Plan is incredibly affordable in comparison, as it will cost thesmall business only US$120.00 or approximately JA$10,500.00 per month.   

However, the Virtual Receptionist isonly one service offered under this plan. It also includes UNLIMITED international calls to the US, Canada and theUK, a International number (US, Canada or UK), a local business landline, twoextensions, fax to email, voicemail to email, a business address, meeting roomaccess, 24/7 automated attendant, three-page website, and conferencebridging.  Companies find these offeringsquite appealing, as it gives them a clear advantage over their counterparts whochoose to traditional physical office space.

“The service is much more than justphone answering. We have a real high-end reception service that isprofessional, and can drastically improve your company’s image.  It's just like having your own receptionist,but without the high cost”, Mr. O’Connor explained. 

In Jamaica, there are many personswho operate their businesses from home, but in our current climate, it is notvery prudent to allow the general public access to your home.  As such, it is always better for a newbusiness to have a proper business address. Interak makes this possible, without having to rent an office andcontend with the cost of all the furniture, utilities, stationery, toiletries,etc.

In addition to these virtualservices, there is still a need for meeting rooms, so Interak offers this inmost of their Plans, at no additional cost. You don't have to physically rentspace, just book rooms when you need them.

Companies that do not require areceptionist opt for other packages that range between US$40 to US$87.00.  These include the services of an automatedattendant that forward messages to their email, so they never miss a call.  These services are perfect for persons whohave their own businesses, but are still working in full time jobs. 

Larger businesses looking todownsize are also shifting to these virtual office services.  It significantly reduces the expense, whilstmaintaining professional quality.  It's asolution for companies needing to reduce overheads, and it offers strugglingbusinesses the option of tearing up their leases, if they determine that theydon't need the expensive physical space anymore.  So they choose the more cost-effectivevirtual office concept.

With a PC and a smart phone in hand,you are in business.  It is amazing howeasily a business can transform into a virtual office.

O’Connor said that the response totheir services has been tremendous, and envisions that this business model willexpand globally in the next couple of years as more people recognise its advantages.

Of course, this offers endless jobopportunities to Virtual Receptionists, who can operate from home and make agood income in the process.  This is a temptingalternative to an uncomfortable commute and stressful workplace.  All they need is to be certified and experienced in telephone handling/customer service, and have access to aPC/Laptop with high-speed internet connection.

For additional information contact:  www.interaknow.com, sales@interaknow.com,(876)614-3991.

If you’ve always wanted an outlet for your creativity, you may be interested in how to start an online magazine. This type of business will allow you to take advantage of creating a periodical without the printing and distribution headaches.

You will still need to create articles that will generate interest, layout the pages, sell advertising space, and attract readers. While you will be able to eliminate many of the expenses of a traditional magazine, attracting a customer base for an online magazine can be quite different.

After all, you won’t be able to take advantage of a captive audience of readers who like to browse the magazine racks for eye-catching headlines.

Where To Start

When deciding how to start an online magazine, one of your first decisions should be to choose a subject that you are passionate about. It would also help if you had expert knowledge in the topic.

Decide if you would like to write all of the material yourself or if you would like to hire writers. If your material is interesting, you may be able to find writers that are willing to contribute articles just for a byline. You’ll also need to choose a domain name and find a reliable hosting service.

Unless you have graphic design and web development skills, you should plan on working with professional consultants in those areas.

You won’t need any special training or certification to learn how to start an online magazine. However, experience in the publishing area would be helpful. You should investigate any legal ramifications of an online magazine as well.

Some professional advice in the legal area could prove invaluable, but you should plan on addressing plagiarism issues, slander claims, and false information problems at a minimum. If your online magazine is considered a niche interest, you should join any professional organizations that are related to the subject.

For example, if you start an online gardening magazine, you should join several national gardening groups.

Keys To Success

To become successful when learning how to start an online magazine, be prepared to offer frequent information that is relevant, usable, and interesting. If your readers can depend on being entertained while learning something of personal value, they will be hooked.

To make it even more interesting, interact with your readers. Allow them to leave comments about articles, and require the authors to reply. An even more attractive feature would be to create a forum that will forge a sense of community among your readers.

You may find that your new magazine could develop a community that takes on a life of its own.

Finding Customers And Growing Your Business

Finding customers could be a challenge. Make sure that the professional organizations that you joined make the other members aware of your magazine. Use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to obtain a good page ranking in Google and other search engines so that interested web searchers can find your magazine site.

Join Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks to promote your new magazine. Find forums that are dedicated to your main topic and get to know the other members. Create a signature with a link to your magazine’s website and mention it when it fits casually into the conversation. Of course, if you’re charging a subscription fee, offer a special introductory rate or a free month’s access.

Once your online magazine is up and running, you may want to expand. You could always create another online magazine or venture into print publication. If your online community is extremely popular, you may want to sell additional advertising space within the thread pages. Other expansion opportunities could include eBooks, products related to your magazine topic, or training other people to start their own online magazine

If you accounting experience you can start a home based bookkeeping business, you will first need to get the basic office management skills, accounting software such as QuickBooks, and have some tax preparation skills.

This business requires little startup capital and can be almost immediately profitable once you have a few clients. Many small businesses and entrepreneur who do not have the time or bookkeeping skills to perform the task for their business.

Getting started

As a bookkeeper you will need a computer, accounting software, and office supplies.

You must have experiences in the following areas, to be able to run a successful business

• Ability to prepare monthly Financial Reports such Trading profit and loss account cash flow, and general ledger balancing.

• Income Tax Preparation

• Advance knowledge of QuickBooks or other accounting software services including bank balancing, credit card management, and daily transactions.

• Having proper backup Documentation of computer and financial files is vital for small businesses but few perform these tasks regularly on their own. This service will provide your client with piece of mind and is a high profit item.

After setting up your home based office, you need to get clients, this will take time. Word of mouth will be your best bet. Using social networking website, such as twitter and facebook will eventually help

Build a website and let client leave testimonials, these will prospective clients to gain your trust. Make business cards to promote your business, and this will help client see that you are very professional.

Good luck!!!

Starting your own business can be a headache, as there so many things that needs to be done. More and more people are losing their jobs, therefore people are now looking to start their own business. But what does it take to start your owns business, below are tips that will help you to start a successful home-based business

---------------------------------

 " Talent and Skills"

Everyone was borned with a talent, and how we use these talent is important. If you decide to start a busines that will utilize your talent, such as starting an accounting business, this will help your business to be more successful. Make sure that you are great at your skills, and very experience, this will help you to succeed. in other words you must be an expertise in your field. Therefore chose a service or product that you know about.

-----------------------------------

* Figure out competition*

Before you start any businee make sure you know if there is a market for your service or product. You hve to know if you can compete with exisiting competitor, in term of price, and other values. You have to know how will you differentiate yourself from your competition.

-----------------------------------

"List stuff you will need"

Even though your business will be out of your home, you have to treat your business in a professional manner. You will need an office space, with should be a fully functionally office, with telephone, fax machine, computers and inventory.

-----------------------------------

" Legal*

As a home business you will need to your know zoning laws before starting a business. Also you need to select and rgister your company name . You also need to know what kind of business you are going to start, such as a sole proprietorship, a limited liability company (LLC), an S corporation, a partnership, or a C corporation.

-----------------------------------

*Start up cost*

I suggest that you do a business plan, this will be guide to use for your business, and it can be upgraded as you go along. Having a business plan will help your business succeed. When starting a business you need to know on what scale you will be doing your business. This will help to determine the capital you will need to start your business. This is why a business plan is important as it will help you to see how your initial capital will be used.

-------------------------------------

**Support**

As a home-based business you will need the support of your friends and family, both to help you market your product or serive, and also to help nature the business. word of mouth is of the best form of advertisement

------------------------------------

 *Advertise*

make sure you make business cards and flyers, and leave them at your local supermarket or restaurant. Put your logo on you car, in your yard if it is allowed. Build your website and market your product and service online y reachin thousand of potential client. Write a blog and join forum to talk about your product or service that you are offering. Word of mouth is the best form of advertisment, especially when it is a homee- based business

A newly "online business opportunity was recently launched in Jamaica. This concept is pretty much new to Jamaica, but it is becoming very catchy, it is called "Affiliate Marketing"

How do you make money?

You make money by :

• Earn money by clicking on website links
• For signing up for one of our sponsored sign-up programs
• Taking short survey's
• Reading short ads
• By building a downline

You are paid $.02 US per activity

Free to join:http://www.jamaicaadvertisingadvantage.com/index.php?refer=profitsmade4u&tp=signup

Referral: profitsmade4u

The cosmetic industry is a billion dollar one, and starting a business selling cosmetics is just about as straightforward as a new business venture can get.  There are many women and yes "men" too who are venturing in this business.

Companies such as Avon Cosmetic and Mary Kay are now available in Jamaica. You can open an online store or sell through catalogs. There are numerous ways to sell cosmetics and make a profit. Avon allows you to earn up to 50% commission on your sales.

Spend the $20 on: $10 signup fee, and $10 on brochures and a few samples.

For $20US dollars you can become your own Entrepreneur , $10 sign -up fee and and $10 on brochures and a few samples.  Grow your business  by building downline .

Market your products

You can start out by having makeup parties at your house and give away samples,  this is an effective way of getting clients,

You can promote your business with printed leaflets, buinsess cards, press releases or paid advertising in print and online.

.

With many moms going to work, there will eventually be a growing need for daycare providers. You could start a home day care and look after just a few children at a time. Or you could start a day care center and care for a larger group of children in an away-from-home setting, whatever you chose it can be a rewarding field.

How to Start Your Own Day Care

Outline Your Daycare

• Figure out what age groups, number of kids and staff  
• Part-time or drop-in daycare
• Location

Getting Your Business Started

• Creating a business plan , which should include, funding and start up cost, and ongoings
• Selecting a business name
• Setting your fees
• Daycare Licensing Requirements

Things/Areas Needed

• The Play Room
• The Quiet Room
• The Kitchen
• The Bathroom/Potty Area
• Storage Areas
• Office Areas
• Outdoor Areas

Equipment and Supplies

• Furniture (cribs, beds, high chairs, etc.)
• Play structures
• Toys and games
• Diapering/potty training
• Craft supplies
• Kitchen supplies
• Feeding

Establishing Policies and Procedures

• Writing a policy manual/parent handbook
• Health and illness policy
• Immunizations
• Outling Hours of operation and holidays
• Absentee notice
• Payment policy
• Part-time or drop-in policy
• Termination notice
• Pick-up and drop-off procedure
• Discipline (behavior management) philosophy
• Hygiene procedures
• Meal and menu information
• Administering medication
• What parents should supply
• Emergency procedures
• Field trip policy
• List of forms you will need

Staffing

• Determining Your staff requirements
• Child caregiver qualifications and training
• Types of positions you may require
• Covering sick days and holidays
• Typical rates of pay and benefits
• Volunteers

How to find staff

• Conducting Interviews
• Signs of a quality caregiver
• Background checks
• Training and managing your staff

Running Your Daycare

• Planning Daily Activities
• Sample daily schedule
• Large motor skills activities
• Fine motor skills activities
• Imagination-building activities
• Reading and Numbers activities
• Outdoor activities
• Special needs activity considerations
• Parties and special occasions
• Group gatherings with other daycare providers

Age-Specific Activity Ideas

• For infants
• For toddlers
• For preschoolers
• For older children

Meal Time

• Organizing meal time
• Allergies and special diets
• Choking hazards
• Infants (breast milk, formula, nursing mothers, solid foods)
• Feeding toddlers
• Feeding preschoolers

Hygiene

• Hand washing
• Diapering
• Toilet use
• Food, dishes, eating
• Toy and equipment cleaning
• Communicable diseases

Common Behavioral Problems

• Hitting, biting, crying, not napping, etc.
• Ways to respectfully discipline
• Ways to positively manage behavior

Accidents and Emergencies

• Your first-aid kit
• When to call an ambulance
• The accident/injury report
• Evacuation procedures
• Scheduling fire drills

Marketing Your Daycare

• What parents are really looking for
• Evaluating the need in your community
• Advertising
• Hosting an open house
• Free media publicity

Misc Stuff

Sign-in/attendance form

Daily update form

Staff attendance/timesheet

Field trip permission form

Starting  Your Own  Commerical Cleaning Company

Starting a commercial cleaning company is less cost effective.  You can provide cleaning services  for office buildings, retail properties, medical facilities, schools and more.  If you business becomes successful you can start offering it as a Franchise.

The start up cost for such a business can run you between $300,000 - $2,000,000. With this business you get

• Unlimited income potential
• Be your own boss
• Get paid everyday

Thinking about making a change in your career?  Tired of spending so much money on daycare and leaving your children?  Mothers all over the world may be thinking about making a major change to their life and are contemplating working from home.  The following are the top 5 Internet jobs at home and each one has the potential for a good income:

1. Multi Level Marketing: At the top of the list of Internet jobs at home is multi level marketing.  This involves the sale of products or services and the sale of the opportunity itself.  Commissions are earned on the products and services you sell, along with the products and services sold by your recruits.  The potential for a high income and owning their own business is the reason so many people choose this route.

2. Affiliate Marketing: The daily routine of someone in affiliate marketing is simply choosing products to sell from the affiliate program joined and marketing those products.  The ability to earn a decent income is there, but it can often take many months to earn what can be considered a fulltime income.

3. Data Entry: As an independent contractor, the individual who does data entry at home can work for a variety of companies.  Whether it is a one time job or a recurring job, the work must be done with quickness and accuracy.  Those who work in this area often find the flexibility and variety is what keeps them interested.

4. Customer Service: Many businesses are now hiring at home workers to work in their customer service departments.  Answering the call over the computer, the worker is responsible for a variety of tasks, including answering questions and resolving customer complaints.  The pay will range anywhere from $8 ($730 Ja)per hour to as much as $14($1,260 JA)  per hour.

5. Freelance Writing:  Of all the Internet jobs at home, this one does require you to have both good writing skills and a lot of creativity.  As the need for good web content is constant, those interested in this area of work will find a wide variety of jobs and topics in which to write about.

Google Adsense is one of the many ways a lot of websites and blogs generate a passive monthly income. Adsense allows you to place ads on your website or blog and each time someone clicks on one of those ads you make some money. Some people design multiple sites using Adsense Website Builder. You can easily design your website in minutes. The free trial program is designed to help you build your website and use Adsense to make your site a profitable one.

You can upload list of keywords without any limitations. When these keywords are placed on your site, it makes it easier for people to find. Keywords are tracked by all major search engines and the more strategically you use them, the more traffic you will generate. When it comes to using the Adsense Website Builder, the goal is to generate traffic. The more traffic your website gets, the more people will click on your ads, and therefore the more money you will make.

When it comes to creating websites for profit, advertising is key, but you can have a page full of ads and it won’t do you any good if you don’t have any traffic. The program also comes complete with a RSS pinger. An RSS ping is a signal that is sent out to all of the major websites anytime you publish new content on your site. This is included with the Adsense website builder, along with many other tools to help you grow and build your website.

Whether your plan is to design one site or several, you can go wrong with a program that’s easy to use and designed to help you sell! Download your free trial of the Adsense Website Builder and before you know it you could be generating a lucrative passive income.