How to start your own photography business, with tips and a list.

So you want to start a photography business, but you have no idea where to begin. First let me say, great career choice. Being a photographer myself, I can honestly tell you that this is a career of magic, art, creativity, passion, and is definitely never boring. Good luck on your brand new journey.

If you do not have a name already picked out for your business, then create one. Remember, nothing to long or difficult, and keep it photography related. Create something simple, but catchy, this will make you hard for clients to forget. When you make a good impression, word of mouth is one of your best marketing strategies, and you do not want something that people will easily forget before they get home to write it down.

Now that you have a name for your new business or studio, you will most likely want to trademark or copyright it so no one else can steal your unique style. Information in doing this can be found through your local better business bureau, as well as your local state government web sites. These same places also provide you with information, depending on how you will run your new business, in case you will also need to purchase a vendors license.

Employees, are you planning on hiring any? Are you going to be sole proprietor, or are you going into business with a partner? These are just some of the questions you will need to answer for yourself, as well as the IRS. We don’t want to get into trouble with those pesky people now do we? Contact your local IRS office to let them know that you are planning on starting your own business. Let them know the answers to these and other questions that they may have for you so they can put you into the right tax category, and provide you with a tax ID number.

Small Business Association is also a great help. By contacting the SBA, they will usually send you a starting your own business information kit, complete with contacts for your area, as well as forms you may need and where to get them. SBA will also enclose a business planning kit. They will advise you to fill it out, and to get yourself a business advisor. Advisors can be helpful with your business, as well as personal goals, and pointing you in the right direction. Although advisors are suggested by the SBA, they are not mandatory.

What if I need help with funding? SBA is a great source for small business loan, and grant contacts. They will provide you with information on how, and where to apply for loans, and grants, depending on your business needs. Business advisors are also a great help in this area as well. But as I stated before, advisors are not mandatory, and you can always apply for a business loan through your local banks and credit unions.

Equipment. You only have some, or none at all? Don’t worry, there are a lot of great places to find equipment. Starting with your cameras. Check around at your local camera, or electronic stores for the best camera for you, as well as some really great deals. Props, backgrounds, lighting, and other miscellaneous equipment can be purchased from a photography wholesaler or warehouse catalog. I personally have found some good bargains through search engines on the web. Be sure to type in key words, for example, photography studio equipment. There are plenty of sites out there, if you know where to look.

That about covers it. So be creative, have fun, and good luck with your new business!

How to start a low cost but labor intensive painting business from your own home.

Every year, hundreds of would-be entrepreneurs get burned when they start their own business. Franchises make promises they may not keep. Big money schemes rarely help the average person earn a living.

One way to start a profitable home business is to look at your skills. That’s how Tom Sullivan started his own house painting business. He paints interiors and exteriors, and each year his income increases. The good news is that he started it with a little investment and has found that word of mouth from satisfied customers has given him a steady income.

Starting a painting business requires you to be in good health and able to lift, and carry, equipment and ladders. It’s a physical job that requires stamina, good customer service skills and integrity.

Start your home business by visiting your county offices and applying for a business license. Few residential areas have laws that prohibit a home-based business like this. You won’t have clients coming to you home, indeed your home will become your businesses storage facility and bookkeeping center.

After you have your business license, stop at the bank and open a checking account for your business. This will make it easier for you to keep track of business expenses when filing taxes. You might wish to apply for a business credit card for your start up needs.

If you paint interiors only, you’ll need the same supplies you’d need to paint your own living room – a ladder, brushes, rollers, extension polls, painting tape that is easily removed from windows and floors, paint buckets, drop cloths and painting clothes.

The difference is that you must not splatter paint on your customer’s furniture or carpeting. Careful application of paint is essential. But the most profitable skill you’ll learn is to tape windows and floors quickly! A painter who can tape around the area he’ll paint without pause, and quickly, will earn far more per hour than one who works at this task slowly.

Another necessary skill is being able to judge the amount of time needed to do a painting job. You don’t want to price your services too low by misjudging how long it will take to paint that dining room with the 10-foot high ceiling.

When adding exterior house painting to your business, you’ll need many more tarps to cover landscaping and shrubbery. You’ll also need a pressure-painter, one that sprays paint evenly and efficiently over the house’s outside walls. Be prepared to rent a cherry-picker or some other piece of equipment that hoists you high enough to paint three-story homes.

Taking on an employee or a partner will allow you to take on more jobs.

When you’re starting, how do you find work? Plan months ahead for the seasons based on where you live. If summer starts full force in May, start advertising in March. Advertise by printing up flyers and slipping them into the doors of homes that look like it’s time for an update. Tell everyone you know that you are starting a painting business. Everyone! Your quiet mother may tell her chatty neighbor who will spread the word. Homeowners are protective of their property, and like to feel they “know” the people who work on their homes. By knowing the friend of a cousin of your neighbor, your customers will, believe it or not, feel better hiring you.

Buy ads in small newspapers, or run a classified notice in a pennysaver paper, but keep it cheap. Word of mouth is your number one way to success at your painting business. Another free way to get customers is to go to your neighborhood hardware stores and talk to the owner, explaining that you are opening your doors, so to speak, to your own business. Leave business cards (you can make your own on a home computer, or order them from a printer ) or ask to have you name added to a list of local home improvement businesses.

Next, go to related businesses and let them know you are in business. Visit wallpaper stores, interior designers, home construction firms, and real estate agents, dropping off cards and spending five minutes, at least, talking to each prospective “walking advertisement” so they will remember you.

Once you start painting, ask each customer if they can be used as a referral. That way you can offer prospective clients a local, satisfied customer to speak with. And remember the customer is always right, especially in a service business like painting. You can offer to repaint a room or promise to give a discount on another room if you want, but it’s always best to get everything in writing – the color of the paint, the room, the work you will do in preparing the room and putting it back together when you are done, as well as the cost of the work.

Since you will be working in people’s homes, look into insurance for you, and into becoming bonded. This means that the insurance company will pay for any damage you do, or property you steal. While you may feel this is unnecessary, your customers will be impressed by this extra step you’ve taken to ensure their home and belongings are safe with you around.

If you don’t think you’re able to compete with the skills you already have, take free workshops at a home improvement store, study up online, practice by painting your minister’s house (talk about a great reference), or apprentice with another painter.

Opening a painting business, and running it from your home requires little to no investment to start up, and will bring you repeat business, and customer recommendations, as long as you are in business.

How to start your own catering business, with start up tips, advice and planning help.

Everyone needs to eat and, with busy work schedules and over-committed lives, most people don’t have time to worry about day-to-day menu planning, let alone preparing food for a party. More and more working women are calling on caterers to plan and execute birthday parties, family gatherings, holiday events and other special occasions. Catering companies, both large and small, are a growing part of the economy and this business is one that can be started up from home.

A good caterer must be able not just to prepare food, but also to fully execute the party planning from start to finish. This includes pricing, budgeting, staffing, purchasing supplies, setting up and decorating and cleaning up post-party. Organization is definitely the key to success in the catering business.

Most people who start their own catering business have either already worked in the field or have been cooking for family and friends. Either way, it is important to have some contacts initially and to be willing to do a few parties at cost just to get your name out there. The best advertising in this business is word of mouth and one successful party can yield numerous new inquiries. Every party is an audition for future work.

Getting Started

Startup costs depend on the scope of your business. To keep expenses to a minimum, start off working from your home. You will need adequate space to do prep work and a place to store supplies. Most facilities have kitchens where you can do most of the cooking and sometimes even the prep work. For smaller house parties, you may need to do the prep work at home and finish cooking onsite.

Use your own equipment and rent specialty items that you may need for a particular party. Add equipment as needed and as your finances allow. For smaller parties, the customers will most likely want to use their own china, silver and crystal. Many facilities such as churches and clubs have dinnerware available that you will be able to use. Look to buy large serving utensils, large bowls and stainless steel chafers early on. There are many online restaurant supply outlets and you should also check eBay for some of these items. Invest in some business cards to leave at events. You will also need reliable transportation that will enable you to carry equipment, food and personnel to an event.

Get the Word Out

As a newcomer, you need to let people know that you are available for parties. The best advertising is a satisfied customer who can refer others to you. Guests at parties are also good prospects. But getting that first job is crucial. Talk to your family and friends. Family anniversaries, graduations, small weddings, baby and wedding showers and birthdays are all possibilities. Friends may be involved in planning a corporate event as well. Offer to do a job at cost and then work through the process. Once you get the job, it’s time to get down to business.

It’s All in the Planning

Set up a meeting with your customer. Prior to this meeting, go online and search for “catering menus.” You can get some ideas from other caterers to use as suggestions or as the foundation for your own menu. This will give you a professional edge. You should also create a checklist that will include key points that you will want to discuss during the meeting such as:

• Date and time of the event
• Number of guests
• Style of the party (buffet, sit-down dinner, picnic, etc.)
• Approximate budget (per person or total cost)
• Nature of the facility (does it have a kitchen, availability of dinnerware, serving dishes, silverware, etc.)
• Will they want linen?
• Will there be a social hour prior to the dinner and will they need a bartender
• Will they want Hors D’Oeuvres? Dessert? Coffee?
• Consideration for vegetarian guests and children

When you meet with the customer, use this checklist as well as the sample menu that you have prepared but don’t limit yourself to only those options. “Interview” the customer and determine how they want this party to look and feel. Give them lots of options and choices.

Once you have sketched out the parameters of the party and determined a tentative menu, the question will invariably turn to money. DO NOT quote the customer on the spot. You must take the information that you have gathered and do some research. Tell them that you would like to work up a proposal for them and get back to them in a day or so. Then take the information home and get to work!

Use the checklist to come up with an action plan. Using the menu that you developed, make a list of necessary ingredients and quantities. Figure a little bit on the high end since you never, ever want to run out of food. Take the list and get some prices. A large wholesale club will be the best place to shop but for a smaller party, a regular grocery store should be fine for pricing purposes. Write down the pricing and calculate total food costs. From the list, determine what, if anything you are going to need to rent and get prices from the rental store. Are you going to need help doing this party? If so, figure out the number of hours times the number of people and then times the hourly rate that is prevalent in your area.

Add up all your costs and divide by the number of guests. Compare this figure to that which your customer indicated was her budget and what kind of profit does this allow you. If you are over her figure, you will need to cut way back on certain items. Keep a list of the items you eliminate so that you can tell the customer where the cost overruns were. She can always add them back in, knowing that they will cost extra. If you are significantly below the budgeted figure, you will be able to present a cost savings to the customer and still make money. Remember, you are paying yourself with the profits and investing in the business as well. And, don’t forget a line about gratuities.

Write this up as a formal proposal, stating all the information and including a space for the customer’s signature. This will then become your contract.

You Got the Job!

Congratulations. You just got your first catering job. Now the real work begins. Set up a timetable for work that needs to be done and stick with it. A lot of the prep can be done in advance and food frozen. Make all your arrangements with the rental company, linens, staff, etc. as far in advance as possible and check this a week prior to the party. Order specialty items in advance as well.

The week before the party, confirm all your arrangements with the customer and buy non-perishables. Also call your staff, if any, just as a reminder. Pick up perishables two days prior and begin prep work. The day before, pull all the equipment that you are bringing and make sure it is serviceable and clean. Stage these items so that you will not overlook anything. “stage” all your equipment. Get all prep work done and wrapped, and prepare the bill. Put the bill in your vehicle so that you won’t forget it!

On the day of the party, arrive two to three hours in advance and begin cooking. Get the areas set up; tables set, bar stocked and serving area arranged. Keep an eye on the time and be flexible. There may be late guests or other unforeseen circumstances that impact the schedule.

Once the party is underway, your job is to supervise and keep the food flowing. Try to “clean as you go” too. This will shorten clean-up time later. Instruct your staff to pick up dirty dishes immediately and constantly tidy up. Try to keep the kitchen as neat as possible since guests may wander in. Above all, remain calm and professional NO MATTER WHAT!

Once the party is over and you have finished cleaning up, present your customer with the bill. You should be paid on the spot. You will want to pay your wait staff on-site as well and divide up the tip according to hours worked. People will be happy to work with you if you are fair.

When you get home, make notes about how things went for future reference and then get some rest! You can do your unpacking in the morning!

Follow-up

Always follow-up with your customer a few days after the party to make sure that they were satisfied with the party. Ask if they are planning any future events and don’t be afraid to ask them to give others your name for their events. This is a courtesy that is often overlooked but is appreciated by the customer.

Starting a home-based catering business is as simple as getting a job and doing it. Once you have worked through the “kinks,” you will find that it gets easier each time. Aim for quality work and good customer service. This will certainly guarantee you success.

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Why public relations is important, and how to use them to your advantage.

For any business, public relations is key. A business is not a business if it doesn’t have customers, and it will not have any if public relations did not exist. There are several ways to further your connections and strengthen your public relations.

First, it’s all in who you know. When you’re getting started with a small business, get to know other similar business owners in town. Stop into their businesses and introduce yourself. Suggest lunch sometime. Talk to them and get to know their secrets. If they know your name, chances are they’ll recommend you if they can’t get what a client needs, and believe you could.

As you get to know these business owners, figure out who the “power players” are in your community. Get to know them. They are also likely to recommend your business to people if they like it – and you. For example, if you are a musician who is running your own studio, knowing other musicians in the community will be to your benefit. Perhaps their specialty is different than yours (brass teacher vs. woodwind teacher), and they’ll be willing to cooperate and send potential woodwind players over to you – provided you send potential brass players over to them.

Work out some informal agreements like this – other business owners can recommend you for your specialty, and you can recommend them for theirs. Especially if they are already well known, this will work to your advantage. Power players are very important – the more “important” or respected people know your name, the better you’re liable to look, and the better your business is likely to do.

When dealing with clients or potential clients, always be in business mode. Smile even if you’re not happy, and have your things together. Look and act professional and people will treat you that way – and clients will be more likely to hire you, or buy from you. A professional operation with friendly people makes clients more likely to buy.

Make yourself seen and known within the business circle you’re trying to get into. If you’re a music teacher, get to know the town’s orchestra, band, and choral directors – they can send you private students (as they have access to hundreds each day!). Take a list of the classes your studio offers (or a list of the instruments you teach) and hand them out to daycare centers or elementary schools. Get into contact with local home-schooling parents. Go to musical functions in your town – school concerts, musicals, whatever is available. Join a local band, orchestra, or choir. Establish that you are a musician, and you are interested in music in the community you live in – it will give you credibility, and people will be more likely to hire you if they know you.

Think about registering yourself with the Better Business Bureau. Many people like to check out your company’s statistics before they hire you. Being a member increases the chances that you’ll keep your word and deliver a good product or service. It also gives you more ties to the community, and maybe even a little free advertising.

All in all, public relations is very important. When you present yourself a professional, competent, community-minded individual, people are much more likely to buy from you. Keep your interactions professional and friendly, and make sure you keep up with your clients. They will bring you more business than any advertising possibly could, especially in a small business within a particular community. That’s one of the best reasons why public relations is so important.

Listening is an integral part of the negotiation process. This article describes some listening strategies.

You may have stumbled onto the situation by accident, or it may have been a well-orchestrated plan, but here you are, sitting across the negotiating table from your customer/vendor/boss/employee/parent/child/fill-in-the-blank…and he opens his mouth to speak. What do you do?

You listen, of course.

And in the act of listening, you continue to exercise your negotiating skills, albeit with mouth firmly closed, because listening happens to be an integral part of the negotiation process.

When you listen, you set the tone and direction of the rest of the negotiation. Your counterpart across the table will interpret this as a sign of respect and maturity. He will suppress his urge to be defensive, knowing that you won’t suddenly interrupt him. He will avoid being redundant and tutorial, seeing that you have a look of patient understanding in your eyes. When he has spoken his peace and presented his case, he will afford you the same courtesy and, hopefully, an equal measure of silence.

You, in turn, will then be able to speak with a minimum of redundancy, except to concur with the points with which you agree (commonalties) and take exception to those you do not (differences). Recognizing that a well-formed argument reads like an oral treatise, with a beginning (opening argument), middle (supporting data) and end (conclusion or summarization), you can begin with your adversary’s closing statement and steer the conversation out of any potential negotiating quagmire and back to a safe middle ground or somewhere closer to where you need it to be to help strengthen your position.

Certainly, the art of negotiation is not simply a series of one-sided dissertations akin to Senate filibustering. But at least initially, a foundation should be built on both sides, like the anchor points of a bridge that rise and arch over a precipice to join midway.

So there you are, listening intently to the other side’s point of view. As suggested above, this negotiation could be about anything from a salary increase to a volume discount to a later curfew. Conceptually they’re all the same. You as the listener are guiding the conversation closer to the middle by the very act of letting the other person speak. At the same time, you need to be gathering facts and fallacies from what you hear in order to better present your case when your turn comes.

Negotiations come in two distinct flavors: distributive and integrative. The metaphor is intentional, for one or the other flavor is apt to leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Distributive negotiation is the negotiation of necessary compromise. You don’t want to give any concessions, but you need to so that your adversary concedes something as well. In a successful distributive negotiation, each side will have relinquished an equitable portion of “the pie” to the other, and it is likely that neither will feel they have achieved a win, yet neither will feel the have lost to the other.

Integrative negotiation is the negotiation of mutual benefit. Unlike distributive negotiation, there is not one “pie” that must be divvied up (or distributed) among the parties. Instead, both sides work toward a win-win solution. While this is generally the more desirable form of negotiation, there are always those situations where such an ideal scenario is either unlikely or impossible. Consider, for example, a criminal who is plea bargaining. There is no win-win situation, only a minor reduction in sentence in return for some information. The end result to the criminal is never a “get out of jail free” card. It is just less time spent somewhere he would rather not be at all.

As part of your listening, then, you must be aware of the type of negotiation method your adversary is employing. This will help you determine if his objectives are to get his fair share or to get as much as he can. Knowing that, you can silently weigh your own options and either go head-to-head for “all of the marbles” or alter the course of negotiations such that you can convince him that a win-win situation is not only possible, but in his best interests as well.

In the most ideal situation, the person with whom you are negotiating will actually be looking for your guidance to arrive at an equitable solution. Often this is clear when he states his objectives with candor, confesses to his own lack of solution, and asks for your advice. But in doing so, he is asking you to suggest the very best outcome for him, not for you. His very lack of solution may be indicative of ignorance of the subject matter or even of his own true objectives. Therefore, your approach needs to be integrative, and with clear demonstration of the benefit to him. You also need to be open about the benefits to yourself and not give the impression that you are making a sacrifice. He may be ignorant, but he’s not stupid.

The listening aspect of negotiation is your opportunity to think. That’s something you may not bother to do when you’re talking. Your thoughts must play the negotiation like a chess game, anticipating moves, recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, always looking for a way to either achieve your objective (capture the king), or manipulate the board to force a compromise that both parties are willing to concede to (stalemate).

If this sounds a bit conspiratory, it is only because you cannot rely on the other person to act fairly or to negotiate integratively. That doesn’t mean that you need to always “go for the throat”. It just means that you need to be aware of what is going on and exert influence to move things in the right direction…always. In the worst case, as in a losing chess game, the best way to end a failed negotiating session is with a handshake and a new start from square one.

Projects benefit from a well thought-out team selection process. This article helps simplify that process by analyzing typical team member roles.

Large-scale projects benefit from the care that is taken in building effective project teams. The mix of team members can easily make or break a project. As in any team sport, if the members are vague as to their roles, there is a greater likelihood of miscommunication, colliding headlong with each other and dropping the ball.

A project will generally start with a project director. This person is responsible for the selection of a project manager and for communicating to her the goals of the project. Together, they should choose the team members based on required skills, budget and availability.

The project director may also be the project sponsor. The project sponsor is ultimately responsible for the project’s success or failure. This person controls the funding and makes any decisions that alter the project goals or cause a variance in its budget.

The project plan details the project’s activities, timeline and budget. The completed plan is critical in the project team selection process. Therefore, it is normal for the project manager to assemble the team only after she has completed at least an initial pass of the plan.

Once the project plan is created, the project team is selected from a pool of candidates who are subject matter experts in either the problem or the solution or both. You can expect that pool to be reduced by the number of people who will not be available, based on the project timeline. Expect it to be further reduced by the number of people whose hourly rates exceed the budgeted cost of project team resources. From the remaining candidates, a team of no more than five members should be chosen.

“Five” as the magic number for a project team bears no special significance except to consciously limit the team size and compel members to delegate individual tasks to persons outside of the team. This enables the team to stay focused on the higher levels of the project (i.e., the phases and activities).

Of the five project team members, one should take the role of project coordinator. This person reports directly to the project manager. His role is to keep the project on schedule and on task, on a day-to-day basis. Some of the ways he might do this are through regular communication meetings (who’s doing what?), productivity and quality measurement (are we doing it well?), timecards (how much has been done so far?) and milestone assessment (are we there yet?).

With the coordinator keeping an inward focus towards the team activities, the project manager can spend more time working on the external influences that can work against the forward momentum of the team. These include conflicting activities, changing goals and priorities, resistance to change, and any other roadblocks the team may encounter.

With all that has been said about the leadership within the project, it may be expected that the team members each have a very specific role. Actually, the opposite is often the case. Team membership needs to come from a cross section of the company. Each member should represent the interests of some segment of the population that either can benefit from the project, or can be part of the ongoing support of the implemented solution. They need not be hands-on resources, but they must have a working knowledge of the areas in which they will be participating. They will need to be able to delegate tasks to others outside of the project or, at the very least, be able to designate the appropriate “go-to” people for information, action or guidance.

Within the team boundaries, members maintain peer-to-peer relationships. That is, one team member cannot pull rank on another simply because he holds a higher position within the corporation. The best team member is the one who keeps her team goals in focus and recognizes the extent to which she can contribute to the solution.

The longer the project, the more likely that team members will drop off or be added to the project as the core team moves along the project timeline. This is because different phases of the project may require different areas of expertise and involve different business units. In this case, it is imperative that the baton is passed smoothly from exiting team members to entering ones and that there is sufficient overlap to allow the incoming members to transition seamlessly into the activities in progress.

Many companies rotate employees onto project teams as part of an overall career development strategy. This is an effective, economical way of providing on-the-job training for process improvement skills, so long as there are enough project-savvy members on the team to assist the newcomers in protocol and expectations. Without this assistance, shuffling people on and off project teams becomes a frustrating exercise that reduces the effectiveness of the team and jeopardizes the project’s outcome.

Every project manager has her ideal team in mind. Drafting the right members is like drafting new players onto a basketball team. You may not ever have the luxury of first pick, nor will your rookies always meet expectations. But whomever you wind up with, your goal is not only to communicate the rules of the game, but also to impart a clear understanding of the boundaries and responsibilities of each player’s role. Then it’s just a matter of calling the plays and letting the team members run with the ball.

Learn effective ways of enhancing non-verbal communication to make a better impression on the job with clients, co-workers, and supervisors.

Many professional employees feel that once they have learned good verbal communication skills, they will make a positive impression on those they work with on the job, including clients, co-workers, and supervisors. But that is not necessarily true.

While it’s true that our pronunciation and grammar play a role in the public image we project and the way that others perceive us, non-verbal communication can play a vital role in presenting a polished, confident personality.

Sometimes called “metacommunication” or “paracommunication,” non-verbal communication includes facial expressions, gestures, stance, movement, and eye contact. Hunched shoulders, for example, may suggest someone who feels tense or defeated. A direct, locking gaze can imply a challenge or flirtation.

Everyone uses physical movements to express an attitude or emotion: a thumb’s up, a sideways shake of the head, and a frown suggest connotations that are almost universal–for Americans, at least. But gestures like these can carry other meanings in different cultures. So be sure to check a culture guide before traveling abroad to avoid inadvertently causing offense.

In the U.S. business world where emphasis is placed on the written word, non-verbals play a small but significant role. The list that follows explains several common expressions that generally mean the same thing to most people. However, since 25% of the U.S. population is expected to be non-Caucasian by the year 2020, meanings may change. Until then, the following are general indicators of unspoken communication:

1.  Facial expressions. Frowns and smiles are universal. But what about bunched eyebrows? That may suggest a nervous or harried demeanor. Half-closed eyes could signal a daydreamer or someone who is carefully pondering an idea. An averted face (one that is partially turned away from the speaker(s), could be the sign of a person who lacks self-confidence or who is uninvested in the conversation, perhaps focused on other pressing matters. A tight mouth or compressed lips often hints at anger, irritation, or disbelief. Sometimes pain may be the cause. Eyes that do not meet another person’s for long or at all may reveal boredom, shiftiness, or shyness.
2.  Stance. Someone who slouches may be tired, ill, bored, unprofessional, or trying to become inconspicuous. A person who stands semi-turned from the speaker(s) may be hurried, uninvolved, or distracted. Sitting or standing with a straight back, facing forward, with little bodily movement could reflect a rigid attitude, extreme attentiveness, or fear. Facing forward, legs parted slightly and evenly, arms relaxed implies someone who is confident and relaxed.
3.  Incidental movements. Buttoning and unbuttoning a piece of clothing may show nervousness or flirtatiousness, as is also suggested in a woman’s twirling a strand of hair or a man straightening his tie or cuffs. Twisting back and forth projects anxiety or a casual attitude.
4.  Gestures like a pill-rolling motion of the thumb and forefinger is symptomatic of a neurological disorder in some patients taking certain medications or experiencing a specific condition. Saluting may be an official greeting or a scornful parody of one. Kneading the hands, shifting from one foot to the other, or looking over one’s shoulder could represent nervousness, anxiety, or guilt–depending on circumstances, of course.
5.  Personal space. Standing within a foot of someone may invade that person’s personal space. Many people will step back to avoid this type of intimacy. A 1-3′ space may be open to close friends and family members, while 4′ or more should be entered by casual acquaintances or co-workers. These numbers are variable, of course, but they tend to be fairly consistent, even across some cultures.

The next time you come into close physical contact with someone, take note of the way in which that person stands, sits, looks, and moves. Despite silence or even neutral conversation, it may be that non-verbal communication is speaking loudly and clearly. What does yours say about you?

Adopt a teamwork oriented approach in business to resolve conflicts.

In the business world, conflict is inevitable. Whether it’s haggling over prices or determining a timeline, people are bound to disagree.

That’s why companies value employees who are team players. In fact, teamwork is one of the top three qualities, after knowledge of the job and communications skills, sought in new hires by major U.S. corporations. A fence made of steel links is strong, as is a cord of three strands. When trouble hits in the form of dissension, tension, or conflicts, teamwork can help to save the day.

How does a company build teamwork?

1.  When a conflict arises, illustrate how the problem affects everyone in the department—and even the company—not just an individual or small group. For example, when production slows down due to excessive absenteeism, profits dwindle, affecting overall company performance and stakeholders’ benefits, especially if there are bonuses or other financial incentives. Use graphics, charts, or simple instructions to show how all company processes are linked.
2.  Next, explain how important it is for employees to work together. If one person refuses to cooperate with another, use a flow chart to demonstrate the impact of conflict on other employees and areas. When Joe, resenting Sarah’s authority, drags his feet in getting the data she has asked for, he may feel he’s “getting back” at her on a one-to-one basis. In reality, his lack of cooperation means that Sarah is unable to complete the report her boss needs to inform management that the assembly line is not moving effectively and requires two more people to be hired. Two additional employees would ease Joe’s workload and the strain that increases tension when Sarah asks him to do something. A simple handout or a more complex PowerPoint can make this clear.
3.  Emphasize the value of collaboration. “Two heads are better than one,” the old saying goes. Organize status meetings for major projects or for routine department updates, and encourage everyone to have their say. Solicit agenda items ahead of time so that conflicts can be brought forward for discussion in meaningful ways. At each meeting, encourage everyone to speak up without belittling or dismissing a view that does not seem helpful. Invite feedback to suggestions by others, and provide additional time for additional recommendations or alterations. In group settings, interpersonal conflict is less obvious, and can be downplayed by healthy interaction among many team members.
4.  Utilize conflicts productively. When two employees disagree, set a time limit like two weeks and ask them to work together to resolve it and report back to the group. Suggest if they cannot come to an agreement, both should return with one idea each for further team discussion.
5.  Suggest compromise by urging a win-win approach. In other words, what piece of their perspective is each person willing to surrender in order to “win” the main point? Let’s say Department A wants the company to use this year’s budget to buy an entire computer system, but Department B wants to use part of the budget for new office furniture. Department A might be willing to settle for a software upgrade, which leaves part of the budget free for Department B’s furniture items.

The bottom line is that when employees work together to solve problems, everyone can benefit. Try these five steps for a more productive, conflict-free work environment.

Becoming a business leader can happen spontaneously. A company employee seems to have a lot of good ideas or is someone that others trust to help them do their job. At other times companies hire leaders, or managers, by recruiting from a pool of highly educated individuals or those with significant job experience in a needed area of expertise.

However it comes about, most companies look for proven leadership qualities. Here are some of the most common:

1.  Knowledge of the organization and its objectives. Understanding how the corporation works and where it is headed is an important part of becoming a leader. Some call this “vision.” Leaders must have a sense of direction that rises above day-to-day operations to pick out future directions. Staff members need to see a capable driver at the wheel.
2.  Self-confidence and employee trust. Leaders must rely on their judgment to make decisions that will not please everyone. Timing, budget, and resistance are some of the potential obstacles that must be cleared by a leader who knows where the company is headed. His or her sense of direction should be supported by employee trust. Rather than mandated, respect must be earned. Effective leaders want their staff’s support rather than demanding it, and they will go to great lengths to prove themselves trustworthy by not cutting deals behind closed doors or changing the terms of an agreement without mutual consent.
3.  Teamwork. Throughout history, leaders have established reliable teams to carry out the mission of great enterprises. Alexander the Great won the affection of the people he conquered by respecting their societies and preserving their cultures. Julius Caesar’s strategy was to divide and conquer through the aid of officers under his command, which is true of most military undertakings. Great leaders do not insist on being solo heroes or receiving the majority of glory for work that is well done. Instead, they delegate tasks to project team members, receive reports, coordinate efforts, and evaluate results. The company benefits as a whole in a climate like this. Good leaders admit they can’t do it all themselves; rather, they acknowledge and need and seek the help of coordinates and subordinates.
4.  Risk-taking. Living things grow or shrink; they don’t remain static. The same holds true with dynamic organizations. If they’re not growing, they eventually will wither. Strong leaders plan ahead for the “lean years” by reserving stores or developing skills or setting goals. Sometimes these involve risk-taking by setting aside part of the profits or developing a growth model that may face potential obstacles.
5.  Leading by example. Effective leaders know that employees look to them for guidance and inspiration. They understand that with higher levels of responsibility comes greater accountability. Leaders are the most visible members of a company’s staff. Taking advantage of that fact compels many leaders to set good examples personally and professionally, at work and on the golf course. Language, attitude, relationships, and values play important roles in determining a leader’s influence.

To paraphrase a famous quote, some are born to greatness while others achieve it by chance or merit. Today’s inconspicuous unknown may be destined to become tomorrow’s sensational leader. Professionalism dictates that to move up the ladder of success one should look and act like someone on the rung above. Practicing qualities like those listed above may prepare you for unexpected leadership opportunities.

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So you want to open a family day care? Then you must love children and want to be a part of their educational development. Sometimes the care, nutrition and love that you will be providing are the one thing that those children will always remember. Your breakfast and lunch may be the only hot meal that they receive.

You will be able to help the parents to understand their child’s growth and development. You will be responsible for involving the children in varied experiences that will increase their understanding of the world. By providing the children an opportunity to go on field trips, you will be improving and expanding the children’s mental processes.

The first thing that you will want to do is contact your local child care resource or city hall. There may be more steps need depending on where you are located but the basic steps are as follows:

1. You need to attend an orientation that the Community Care Licensing Division provides.
2. Complete a 15 hour course in Child Care Health & Safety (which includes first aid and CPR)
3. Complete all the forms handed to you including the fingerprint cards, TB tests and criminal clearances for everyone over 18 years of age who lives in the house
4. Have a visit from the licensed evaluator

Normally, there are a set of three orientation meetings you have to attend and then you have to fill out a very long and detailed application that includes the forms mentioned above. Then there is the inspection of your home by the evaluator.

Some of the basic licensing requirements for the site are:

1. 35 square feet of usable indoor space per child
2. 75 square feet of usable outdoor space per child
3. One toilet and sink for every 15 children separate from the adult
4. The director of the center must have a minimum of 12 ECE units,

3 units of preschool administration, 4 years of supervised experience

(Less experience is required if the director has more educational units.)

All the above is subject to chance depending on the qualifications of your state. It may also be necessary to contact the fire department to check out the safety of the site. Also a business license and zoning regulations have to be followed. As a precaution, plan on at least six months from the beginning to opening day if it all goes smoothly.

Being a childcare provider is a great and rewarding thing. Watching children grow, learn and gain new skills can be very rewarding. Preschool teachers and childcare workers often improve their own communication, learning and other personal skills by working with children. The work is far from routine. New activities and challenges mark each day. However, child daycare can be physically and emotionally taxing, as workers are constantly standing, walking, bending, stooping and lifting to attend to each child’s interest and problems. You must be constantly alert, anticipate and prevent trouble, deal effectively with disruptive children and provide fair but firm discipline.

The hours of a daycare operation vary. Most are open at least 12 hours a day from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. They open early to accommodate the parents work hours and remain open until the last child is picked up.

Since the economy is so distressed becoming your own employer is a most beneficial and smart thing to do. You decide the hours, fulltime, part time or even 24 hour care. You get the opportunity to hire and fire employees and you decide when to be opened or closed for holidays and spring and summer break.

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