http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html ###RSS_LANGUAGE Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:06:31 +0000 mm_forum powered by TYPO3 60 http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=132 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:32:23 +0000 Successful entrepreneurs are knows to be very focussed, persistant, determined and single-minded. Some of the character traits are not easy to live with. What is your experience? What do you need to have to make a business partnership work? Finding a business partner gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=131 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:29:07 +0000 Did it just happen? Did you actively "recruit" a business partner? Has a partner, family member or friend become your business partner? Finding a business partner gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=130 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:24:09 +0000 which training have you found useful to help you running your business? How do you decide which training to attend? How do you select providers? Training gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=129 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:23:28 +0000 do you have a training budget for your staff? Is everybody offered an opportunity to attend training? Do you have a set of criteria that training needs need to meet? Have you recognised benefits for your business as a result of staff attending training courses? Do you help staff to make the changes that their training suggested? Training gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=128 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:22:46 +0000 how easy is it to get subsidies for training and what are the sources for funding training? Training gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=127 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:21:49 +0000 which alternative software solutions do you use in your business? Using Opensource in business gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=126 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:21:18 +0000 there are no licence fees for opersource software. However, installation, business process integration and maintenance is not free. Is it still worthwhile to choose alternative solutions? Using Opensource in business gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=125 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:20:35 +0000 Are you using them for critical operations such as accounting, order processing, stock management, etc? Do your chosen solutions keep up with technological developments? How quick do you get support when you need and how good is it? Using Opensource in business gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=124 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:20:03 +0000 what criteria should you use before you decide whether or not to use alternative software solutions? Should you use a specialist or do it yourself? Using Opensource in business gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=123 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:18:41 +0000 how do you evaluate the effectiveness of marketing? Marketing on a shoestring gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=122 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:17:47 +0000 facing a reduced budget, what have you found to be very cost effective ways to do marketing? Marketing on a shoestring gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=121 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:16:35 +0000 Is there such a thing as "free marketing"? Marketing on a shoestring gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=120 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:14:37 +0000 have you had any experience bartering with your own goods and service in exchange for marketing? Marketing on a shoestring gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=119 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:13:56 +0000 how important is it? How do you network? Marketing on a shoestring gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=118 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:13:05 +0000 which areas are the first you have cut down costs in or what areas are most affected? Cost cutting gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=117 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:12:19 +0000 how can you cut costs without affecting critical business operations such as communication? Cost cutting gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=116 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:11:10 +0000 for some businesses, the recession opened up new opportunities. However, banks turned from taking too much risk prior to the crisis to stop lending to each other and to businesses. A new phrase was born: credit crunch. Although the government promised credit guarantees, the lack of funding has remained a major stumbling block for prospering and expanding businesses. How has this affected you? Growing pains in a Credit Crunch gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=115 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:10:15 +0000 not only new funding was affected but also overdraft facilities were withdrawn. Even profitable businesses can fail when there are persisting cash-flow problems. What can you do to ensure that there is always enough money to pay your bills? Growing pains in a Credit Crunch gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=114 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:09:43 +0000 apart from banks, what other capital sources have you successfully accessed? How did you do it? What do potential investors and/or lenders look out for in a business? Growing pains in a Credit Crunch gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=113 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:09:09 +0000 many businesses manage varying demand in a recession by outsourcing or hiring freelancers. If you have experiences with this, please share them with us. Growing pains in a Credit Crunch gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=112 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:07:00 +0000 demands on leadership skills in times of crisis is enormous. If you are a manager, director or business owner, what helped you to cope with the increased stress? Coping in a recession gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=111 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:06:18 +0000 some businesses used free capacities to develop new products, lower prices to take over other businesses, property and equipment. Were you fighting to stay in business or able to make your business more productive? Coping in a recession gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=110 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:05:37 +0000 how have you kept your business going? Coping in a recession gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=109 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:04:39 +0000 How do you get a business idea? How do you test/research whether there is demand for your product/service? How do you forecast demand for a product/service which does not exist yet? Starting a Business gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=108 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:04:02 +0000 many successful businesses were started to respond to a specific need just at the right time. Others “created” their demand by selling a product/service which people wanted or even needed. Share and discuss whether timing the introduction of a new product/service is/was important for your business. Starting a Business gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=107 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:03:26 +0000 what skills, motivation and attitude do you deem important to get a business successfully off the ground? Starting a Business gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=106 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:02:11 +0000 access to resources (physical, capital and staff) is important for most businesses. Easy access (even online!) and close proximity to your customers are in many cases important too. Starting the business from home is in many cases cheaper but comes with some disadvantages too. However, a good location can be very (in many cases ) expensive. Contribute your experiences and discuss your location options here. Starting a Business gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=105 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:01:37 +0000 how do you get banks and investor excited to give you money? Which sources of funding are available for various business purposes (research & development, patenting, equipment & machinery, purchase of franchises, etc.)? Starting a Business gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=104 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:00:55 +0000 sole proprietor, partnerships, limited company are a few types of company ownerships, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. What type of ownership have you chosen and what were your reasons for this? Would you do it again? Starting a Business gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk http://richerme.com/Challenges.126.0.html?&tx_mmforum_pi1[action]=list_post&tx_mmforum_pi1[pid]=103 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:00:15 +0000 why not buy a business which is already successful or a business that has a proven recipe? Have you had any experiences in this regard? Would you recommend this to others? Starting a Business gunda.b@thuthuka-ltd.co.uk