The Business Of Slow Travel

Slow down for your business travel?? Is there really such a thing as Slow Travel for business? Or are business people being targeted with make-believe "Slow Travel" business trip scenarios?

Now that is a serious question.

Is there a straight answer? Probably not. Simply because the answer is going to be a little of both. Yes and no.

Unfortunately we do live in a world where not all of the people possess hearts full of joy and compassion for their fellow man. We do live in the real world, and yes there are charlatans that walk amongst us.

But their business, is none of our business. Our business is to try and make our business trip one we can consider "Slow".

A real, SLOW business adventure.

Because, hold on to your hats boys and girls...... Yes indeed, Virginia there is a Santa Claus. The mythical is not so mythical. By that I mean there is such a thing as "Slow Business" travel. :-)

Depending upon your schedule (shockingly, slow business travelers will likely still have a schedule), your trip can be whatever you make of it even if you are on a fairly strict time constraint. Because Slow Travel is not always about the time itself. Often it's about how the time is spent. In fact, in my opinion much of the slow methodology is not so much time oriented in so far as tossing your watch into a river. To me it's focus targets the quality of a given period of time and my recognition thereof.

Whether it's 10 minutes, 10 hours, 10 days, or 10 weeks. Maximizing the quality of that time in your life is of the utmost importance. When I first began learning about What "Slow" was all about from Geir Berthelsen (founder of The World Institute Of Slowness- www.theworldinstituteofslowness.com ), it quickly became apparent to me that it had almost nothing to do with the time itself.

It's real value lies within my own personal happiness gained from the appropriate use of that same time.

In other words, an appreciation for what ever time frame you have allotted to you. Giving us the ability to truly utilize Slow Travel in the business world too. Because let's face it, there's not a business trip that any of us have been on where we couldn't take one single minute to stop and smell the roses. Not one conference where we could have gone out in our lunch on the grass, listening to the birds in the trees, instead of working the crowd in a lunch room.

The same holds true in traveling to our business destinations. On any given business trip, with a little thought, we could certainly be a little more creative a lot more fun planning how we're going to get there. There's no reason why instead of the subway we couldn't take a ferry or a boat if there happens to be water between us and our business destination. There's no reason why we couldn't take a train with a sleeping car the night before the big conference, instead of taking the 2 a.m. redye and showing up looking like we were mugged someone along the way.

Yes Slow Travel (www.slowtravel.org ) is about time. But it's not about the quantity of time. Rather, it's about your consciousness of its value and a specific effort to use it to the best of your ability, making it pleasant, calm, serene, and pleasurable. You can spend that exact same time racing, panting and stressing. Or, you can spend the moments making your life just a little better than it was before.

All on the company dime. SLOW is SWEET.

Learn more, visit www.slowtravel.com, www.slowtravel.org or www.theworldinstituteofslowness.com today. The true pioneers of the slow movement and the driving force behind the furtherance and education regarding a SLOW lifestyle overall.

Set Your Home Based Business FREE!

From the desk of: John Arrington
Monday 4:12 am

Why is it that some Internet Businesses are very Successful and others never get their heads above the water? I think most of the problems fall on the ones who are in charge of their own website. As owners of our own website we are in charge of our website’s success either we bound it or set it FREE. Yes, we are in charge of our own Success. If we bound our website it can’t produce what it could if it was set FREE. As owners of our website some don’t understand how to set their website FREE.

We are in complete control of our website’s Success. We either release it and set it Free or we bound it to struggle along. And we get frustrated and angry because our website is not producing profits for us yet. So we blame it on the website or products for the failure of our website’s Success. And the sad thing is all this is happening and we don’t realize it.

You would not believe all the excuses I’ve heard over the years from people telling me why their website was a flop. I hear these excuses; because of bad products or pour website design. They tell me that they had no money to promote their website. Or they tell me no money was coming in and they cancelled their subscription. And now they are looking for another program to join. This is just a few of the excuses I’ve heard over the years.

I almost feel sorry for these people. Why? Because they missed the main point. I guess they thought it was going to be a piece of cake. Maybe they believed the get rich scams lies. Who knows? It takes time to get a home based business up and running. But, I can say this much, if you stay with it long enough your website will start producing profits.

Most people quit just one step from reaching Success. That’s right most people are quitters by heart. They talk a lot, but don’t do enough to make things happen.

So, How do we set our website FREE? We bound our website’s poetical by not Advertising it enough. It’s very simple to make your website a Success. Our website is only as good as how much we advertise it. Just advertise the heck out of your website. Remember, the more links you have pointing back to your website the more money you will make. And this is a fact!

So, start TODAY placing ads everywhere, Paid and FREE ads. Offline and online. Make some flyers, index cards and business cards. Start placing your flyers everywhere, be creative. Place your index cards on bulletin boards at laundry mats and Supermarkets. Give your business cards to your waitress, bank teller, and cashiers.

So, there you have it. The formula to: “How To Set Your Home Based Business FREE” Stay focused and start placing ads everywhere online and offline, everyday for one year. And see what happens. You’ll be absolutely amazed at the results you’ll get from your efforts. I know when I done this very thing I was very surprised at the results.


Who knows, you could become the next Success story. And you might be able to tell your 9-5 boss goodbye soon.

I hope this article helped.
To Your Success,
John Arrington


Copyright 2006 & beyond John Arrington.. Reprint rights granted to all so long as this article and by-lines are reprinted intact and all links made live..

Duh Idiot’s Guide to Starting a Home Business

“Starting a Home Business”…”Work from Home”…“Be a Work at Home Mom”…”Make Millions Working From Home” I CAN’T TAKE IT ANY MORE!!!!!

So why does everyone want to work from home?? I’ll tell you why, because working 9 to 5 SUCKS!!

Hey don’t listen to me, here are the stats: According to The MicroEnterprise Journal “In the last 25 years, self-employment has grown by almost 300%, fueled by waning employee loyalty and growing worker dissatisfaction.” And the US Census Bureau reports that “90% percent of all U.S. businesses employ between ZERO and FOUR workers, making this the fastest growing segment of the business community.” See I told you!

Everywhere you look on the Internet we’re bombarded with sites peddling “work at home” opportunities. The stats prove it, we’re all looking to get out of the 9 to 5 rat race. The biggest problem is that MOST of the so called “work-at-home” related websites are so bogged down with clutter, fluff and double talk that you’d have to be a friggin robot to find and process the information you need in order to understand what the heck to do.

So where can an Idiot like me get the information I need contained in a simple, concise format that’s easy to understand and follow? Well nowhere really. That’s why I wrote this article and condensed the whole process down into 5 Summarized Steps, so that maybe other Idiot’s like me will have a fighting chance in hell to get out of the “Rat Race”.

Idiot Step 1:

SELECTING a business – simple enough right…wrong. Questions to ask yourself: What do I like to do? What will make money? What is available? Can I make Money?

These are tough questions. These days, most people are scouring ways to make money on the Internet. If considering a TV or Internet program, do as much independent research as possible on the program you’re interested in and find something that fits your personality so that you will excel no matter what.

Whatever you do use common sense and don't allow desperation to influence your decisions.

Start-Up Nation - www.startupnation.com offers SOUND advice and has tons of RELIABLE resources for selecting a home business.

Idiot Step 2:

PLANNING your business. You will have to have some “form” of a business plan before you get started with a home business. Even if you are the only one that will ever read it, you should definitely put a plan together on paper.

An informal business plan should contain a start-up budget (money you need to get to the point of doing business) and an operating budget (money you need on a weekly basis just to keep doing business).

Be certain to include all overhead expenses and be sure to include a budget for advertising. Also you should note any significant milestones you hope to achieve and list your financial goals in a time-line fashion.


Idiot Step 3:

FUNDING your home business. Every business has start-up costs and your new home-based business will be no different. As the old saying goes “You need money to make money”. So where do you get the money you need to start?

The simplest way for home business owners to get the money they need is from the principal owner’s own pockets…that means YOU! Like myself, many work at home entrepreneurs simply use their own savings to fund their businesses, using money from personal resources such as…

· Savings
· Personal Investments
· Credit Card Advance
· Sale of Assets
· Second Mortgage Loan

…are all ways to finance a small business start-up using your own funds.

The alternative to funding it yourself is to apply for a small business loan. The biggest issue there is that unless you have sufficient collateral, or any related experience in your field of business, you may not qualify for this type of loan.

The Small Business Administration - www.sba.gov has a TON of information and resources for start-up businesses. It contains valuable info on locating financing and it contains several links to other business resources, planning tools and calculators.

Idiot Step 4:

STARTING your home business. Once you’ve chosen your great new home business, and have got your starting cash in reserve, it’s time to get you up and running. But before you do, you will have to do some preliminary work just to get to the point where you can actually start operating.

Two-thirds of all small business are solo operations. Therefore, when you’re a “one-man band”, you must wear different hats and assume several roles as the “head” of various departments.

You’re the CEO, sales manager, director of marketing, director of finance, the shipping clerk, receptionist, the janitor…you get the drift Fonzi?

Because of your heavy load, you need quality office equipment, supplies, software and business services to keep you, I mean your “departments”, running smoothly and at peak efficiency.

Choose the right office equipment and machines that will keep you operating at peek efficiency.

Idiot Step 5:

MARKETING your home business. Now that you’ve got your business funded and operational you will need to implement a marketing and advertising campaign so that you can start attracting customers and finally start making some money.

This isn’t “Field of Dreams”. If you build it, that doesn’t mean they will come.

In order to draw customers to your business, you MUST do some form of repeated advertising, and you should definitely have a plan in place so that you can budget it into your overall Business Plan when you first start.

A good place to start is by reading Jay Conrad Levinson’s series of Guerilla Marketing books. This is standard reading for any small business entrepreneur. You can learn some very useful and basic techniques that will help you form a great and inexpensive plan.

Everything contained here was condensed to fit into a short article format. Obviously there’s a bit more to it. But if this Idiot' can do it, so can you.

Just don't be intimidated. Start off really, really small, maybe just part-time to start. Take one step at a time. But whatever you do, just get off your keister and get started!

“U can do it…just dive into it”


Duh Idiot’s Home Biz Start-Up Guide™
© 2005 A Covert Operations, Ltd
www.starting-a-home-business.org

Is Your Storefront Business Missing Out On Your Easiest Customers? Fix The Problem Quickly And Easily:

You run a store front business. You're always on the lookout for simple and immediate ways to get more potential customers though your door - because more walk-ins gives you the best chance of more sales.

If you're advertising in the local paper, you're doing business the hard way - and you're probably spending $20-50 for each new customer. And most other forms of advertising are a serious and slow investment.

Store front businesses should first be targetting those walking or driving by their store - and in many cases this is literally thousands of people every day.

These people are a store front business' best chance for a quick rise in sales, because they've already made it to within a few paces of the door - and all you have to do is reach out and bring them just a few more steps.

Yet most shops do little more than put their business name above their door in the futile hope that this will attract customers. And, sadly, even displaying your goods in the front window does little to really motivate potential customers.

But a bright, attention grabbing banner across the front of your store can create huge interest - and draw in your best sales prospects.

For far less than 100 dollars.

And so a new website aims to make it quicker, cheaper and easier than ever before to woo these 'easiest all all' customers through the door of the astute managers' store front business.

www.custom-outdoor-banners.com has a simple 5-page guide to how you should design your outdoor banner to attract new customers - with links to websites on which to design your banner online, then order by credit card and have it shipped to your door.

The free, 5 page guide covers the basics of choosing your colours, writing your message, and putting it all together in an outdoor banner that really brings people in.

It's the guide to boosting business that every store front owner should read, and it may be the cheapest and most effective advertising that you'll do this year.

The Look of Modern Business Telephones

Modern business telephones have come a long way from where they started, both technologically and esthetically speaking. Looking at some of the previous offerings from days gone by, I am reminded that the business world is one of form over function. In other words, business phones are engineered to simply to work reliably and for long periods of time, not to look pretty. Still, there is very little charm, even from a nostalgic point of view, in older business telephone systems. Thankfully, the phones have changed over the last several years. Business phones are still designed to work and work well, but many manufacturers are beginning to understand that esthetics can be used as a selling point. The modern phones of today have a functionally "smart" look to them, as though they were destined to meet the futuristic expectations placed on them by movies and television shows from the seventies, such as "Star Trek" and "Star Wars". In fact, just about every business phone I've encountered lately seems to have had it's design parameters pulled directly off of Darth Vader's chest.

While these phones aren't exactly attractive, they also manage to stay out of the eyesore category, which is somewhat of an improvement. The biggest difference one encounters when comparing new to old business phones is the sheer heft and bulk that the old phones possess. Of course, technology has allowed modern manufacturers to produce phones that are miniscule by the standards of yesterday and the actual size and weight differences are astounding. It makes one wonder if quality was compromised in the loss of all that size and weight. It wouldn't surprise me. I know they don't make desks quite like they used to. I don't think my desk could hold one of the old style telephones without bowing, which is exactly what happened when I placed a CRT monitor in the middle of it. I suppose that phones, like all products, are susceptible to the old but true adage that they really don't make them like they used to, which reminds me of another popular saying.

Looks aren't everything.

Why you should write articles to promote your business

Writing articles can do all of these and more. You can vital get exposure for your web site, or the product / service you are promoting by writing articles.

This will not happen over night, but if you write one article a week the number of links you can build up for your site will grow steadily, and each one of those links helps you

become more visible on the internet, helping your potential customer base find you rather than your competitors.

Why go the all the trouble of writing and submitting an article, well these are some of the benefits of submitting articles

Increased number of back-links to your website

You can targeting different keywords and key phrases

Ge links back to your site from your article content

Authoritative back-links - establish yourself as an authority on your product or service

Increase traffic to your website

Increase your search engine position

Why we need to Write and Submit Articles?

1. Free advertising

Promoting your web site by writing and submitting articles is the best way of creating more visibility for your website, product or service. It is free to do and all it takes is your time to write the article. How often do you get the chance to advertise your business free of charge and at such length?

2. It isn't hard to write an article about something you know as well as your own business

Writing an article about your business is not that hard, after all you talk to your customers about every time you have a conversation with them, so why not make a few notes about the these conversations and then turn it into an article.

3. Increase the links to your website

Once you have published your article you will immediately gain incoming links to your site making it more visible on the web and in search engines, an article about painting equipment from an artist would be considered to be highly relevant by the search engines.

4. Establish yourself as an expert

Giving your opinion and views, especially when backed up by facts and figures set you up as an expert in your field.

5. Articles last longer than adverts

Article you have published in directories will be around for a long time, so an article you wrote two years ago comparing the qualities of different oil paints will still be driving traffic to your website today.

6. Multiple links from one article

Articles also encourage others to promote you and your website by using your article, including the link to your site, on their web site, or blog, another way to increase traffic to your site

And did I mention that it's free!

Doing What Comes Naturally In Your Home Business

No, this is not going to be a racy article, but it is a valid comparison of the topic at hand. For those who are native English speakers, that phrase in my title usually has to do with reproduction. That’s a topic I want to discuss with you in your home business.

When I got started thinking about my home business, I came from a technical background. I got to thinking about all the complex ways I would leverage my skills and setup a marketing system for my home business that would be ….well in my opinion, genius.

I got to figuring out all of how I was going to put this system together, and then it dawned on me as I was listening to a trainer in the home business area. This trainer was making the point that when attracting people to your home business, they have to see at least two things right from the beginning: The first is abbreviated like a radio station – WIIFM – or What’s in it for Me?

The second thing people want to see is that they can do it too! It hit me at that point that if I was working on some great marketing system that took a lot of the skills I have been blessed with, then it would require someone with at least as much technical skill as me to reproduce what I had done.

That’s why I picked the title. Reproduction is vital to many home businesses that are leveraged or networked. Whatever system you use for your home business, if you want others to join in and have success, then they have to be able to reproduce what you have done.

Whatever system you have for marketing your business opportunity has to be reproducible. Not only is it not a good idea to use some very complex technical system, it is also a bad idea to invest some huge amount of money into marketing, and then expect to attract people into your home business that want to be able to do it with little money.

If you haven’t yet joined a home business opportunity, be aware of the process you go through when you learn about one and decide if it is for you. Look for one that has a very reproducible system for growing your home business. If you can find that, then you have more of a mass appeal to many people from all walks of life and economic statuses.

No matter how good a product is, or how great a compensation plan offered, make sure every part of this home business opportunity is reproducible by the type of people you are looking to as your market. From marketing to enrolling to training – the best system is easy to use, and won’t scare people away or discourage them. Keep looking, there are many reproducible businesses out there!

Picking The Perfect Franchise Business Opportunity

For many people across the country who wish to be their own bosses on a daily basis, the idea of the franchise business opportunity has proven to be very beneficial. A franchise business opportunity gives an entrepreneur a chance to try starting up his or her own business while still remaining in the safety net of an established business model. Benefits of a franchise business opportunity can include a more flexible work schedule, the opportunity to work for one’s self, and a proven framework with which to run a successful business.

As with any business venture, however, the franchise business opportunity also poses a few risks. This is why it is important to research and become familiar with the franchise company of interest before making any final decisions. Anyone interested in starting up some type of franchise business opportunity should first fully understand what is involved in making the business work. Being armed with a good amount of practical knowledge at the beginning of such a venture largely increases the odds of success with any franchise business opportunity.

When choosing which type of franchise business opportunity to pursue, it is always important to begin with the question of what one enjoys. Any self-run business, including a franchise business opportunity, will take a significant amount of time and effort. It is important to choose something that will be enjoyable and interesting.

Another important thing to keep in mind is the timing of a business startup. When one is first attempting to secure a franchise business opportunity, there will most likely be a lot of extra time devoted to this pursuit. It is important for the potential owner of a franchise business opportunity to begin at a time that works well in his or her personal and family schedule. Another good idea is to check with other franchisees and see what kind of business hours they put into work with their franchise business opportunity. This would probably be a very good indicator of which franchise business opportunity is right for a specific individual.

If possible, another good idea is to talk to the franchisers themselves, so that one can get an accurate idea of what is involved in the startup process as well as the actual day to day responsibilities of the franchise business opportunity. It is important to get a feel for the franchise company to see if it would be a good fit for the individual who is planning to become involved. A franchise business opportunity will be much more successful if the franchisee feels familiar and comfortable with the franchisers and has a good handle on what kind of commitment it will require.

It is also important to determine which type of franchise business opportunity would work best with one’s schedule and personal preferences for work environment. One type of franchise business opportunity that works well for many people is something that can easily be run from the comfort of one’s home. Others may prefer a franchise business opportunity that is operated from outside the home so they can interact with more people on a regular basis. These are all things to keep in mind when considering which type of franchise business opportunity would work best for the individual.

Overall, there are many options when pursuing a franchise business opportunity. If effort is taken to make choices that fit well with the personal goals of the franchisee, many people will find that a franchise business opportunity opens up a world of exciting possibilities.

7 Secrets To Starting A Home Based Business

So, you've decided to start a home based business. Congratulations, and welcome to the high energy world of entrepreneurship. I have owned and operated my own home based business since 1994. While is takes some time to learn, one of the fastest ways is to role model someone who is achieving their goals. I learned fast that having a success coach or mentor will help you succeed at much faster pace. One of the biggest thrills of owning your own business is the flexibility of your work time, deciding when to work, go to the beach or spend time with your family. The financial rewards can be numerous. The nice thing about owning your own business is you get paid what you are worth.

Now that you've decided to start your own business, you might be thinking "How can I become successful, what does it take and what do I have to do?" These seven secrets will help:

1) set up a separate working area in your home. All you need is an area that you can maintain your focus in and get your work done. I remember a person whose home based business was doing 7 figures a year say to me,” Ron when I work I work, but when it’s time for family time it’s time for family time, you have to separate the two.”

2) Set Goals that you want to achieve in the coming year. Make your goals crystal clear, put them up on the wall, and set annual, quarterly and monthly goals. The clearer your goals are the better chance you have of achieving them. Put up a Vision Board in your home office, look at it everyday and see yourself accomplishing your goal.

3) Your third step is marketing. Decide who your target market is, what is the best way to reach them. Determine the best way to attract your target market. Who is your ideal client? Invest at least a week and go to your local library and read some books on marketing to see what the experts are doing. I myself invest in one marketing book at month to keep up to date on current marketing trends.

4) Time management is crucial to the success of your home based business. We all have 24 hours in a day but how you invest them will determine your success at the end of the year. A good thought is to work on your top priorities when you are the freshest, so you accomplish the most towards your goal.

5) Network with other like minded people. One of the fastest ways to grow any business is to promote Joint ventures with people who can introduce you to your best clients. I’ll never forget one of my first joint ventures that resulted in a 6 figure income in 90 days, the feeling and financial rewards are what make owning your own business exciting.

6) Look the part. If you want to be treated professionally, act like a professional. Set up a separate bank account for your business. Have a dedicated phone line and fax line for business. Outsource the creation of your marketing materials so your business has that high tech look.

7) Automation is the key. Learn how to become a prospecting machine. The number one things most successful home based business has are good high quality leads. Have automatic systems in place to help you identify and attract your ideal client. Target marketing is where your profits are at. Focus on adding value to the life of your clients and you will be reward handsomely.

These seven secrets will jump start your home based business in a hurry.

The Market for Used Business Phone System Equipment

Business phone systems and the companies who sell them exist in a world all their own. The competition is stiff, with several different retailers and wholesalers carrying the same brands. The competition for used and refurbished business phones and business phone systems is even fiercer, as many companies are searching for equipment that can be used to expand their current system. Often, phone and phone system manufacturers engineer their products so that they aren't universal and will not work with a variety of other products.

This can be a poor selling point for buyers of new business phone systems, but if a company already has a system such as this in place and wants to expand, they have little choice but to use the same equipment. This is the reason why there is such a market for used business phone equipment. It is always much cheaper to hunt down a handset that is compatible with your system than it is to replace the entire system every time you need to add a few phone lines.

Additionally, so many businesses are ill prepared for purchasing the right phone system for their particular needs that they often end up replacing the system in a relatively short time. The old equipment can then be sold or refurbished and sold. Often, wholesalers and retailers will give discounts for new systems if they are able to take the system it is replacing as a "trade in". New and even used terminals, KTX add-ons and PBX equipment can be a major expense.

It is often necessary to find out how much it will cost to expand the type of system you have, when possible. In many instances, purchasing a slightly larger system than you what you currently need can save you money as down the road, even used equipment may cost more than what you would have been able to pay for brand new.