It’s a fact that everyone has utility bills: Electric, gas, cell phone, TV, Internet, and the list goes on.  And no matter how financially challenged or wealthy someone may be, these essential services are needed and can never be paid off; everyone will have to pay for them for the rest of their lives out of necessity.

So when a global communications company that is open in 23 countries worldwide and endorsed by one of the wealthiest people in the world, who featured this company on his hit primetime reality TV show, says you should find out more, would you want to hear more about it?

What if this same company said they’d pay you generously for helping others get paid when they pay their monthly bills, would you want to know even more?

Shane Douglas did, and it’s paid off in an incredible way for him. It’s been seven years since this Idaho native, coming from a town of 1,500 people, started his home-based business helping people match and surpass their current monthly income, plus get paid every time they pay their own monthly bills.

“I was tired of all the promises from other companies that say you can become wealthy overnight only to find out you have to sell and teach others how to sell products that are either over- priced or only appeal to a small percentage of the population,” says Shane.

“Our company is different: We only offer services that people pay on monthly basis like gas, electricity, TV, internet, cell phones, home security and more. And I don’t sell anything; I just simply show people how to get paid every month for services they were going to use anyway and teach others to do the same.”

Shane explains that recent deregulation of Energy providers around the country has opened up a significant opportunity for more people to choose who they get their service with. “People like to know they have a choice,” Shane says. “This, in turn, creates more opportunity for entrepreneurs to grow their business with our company.”

“In this declining economy, home-based businesses are on the rise. People want to supplement their income and possibly replace their incomes while working from home. So the opportunity to get paid every single month when someone turns on their lights, heats their home, uses their cellphone watches TV, logs onto the Internet or arms their security system is a no-brainer,” he says.

The way Shane has grown to be one of the top income earners and trainers in this business is by following the system the company offers all of its independent business owners (IBOs). He says that he tells people they can get the same services from the same major service providers and get paid. Then, according to Shane, all he does is direct them to his online store, which is included in the company’s start-up business package.

“Our system is 100% automated for you,” he explains. “Simply direct potential customers to your online store that the company sets up for you, and they can sign up for any of these services with many of the major companies that are available in their area. When they sign up on your online store, you receive a residual commission every month when they pay their bills. It’s that simple.”

The key to his success, he says, is that he doesn’t complicate his business; he just goes out and shares the company’s program and his personal story.

“It might not be sexy—it’s utilities after all—but it is simple to share the story. Everyone can relate, because everyone has to pay these bills,” he says.

“I’ve been fortunate to have had major success with this company by taking action and so has my team. We’ve grown to over 200,000 IBOs in our group in the last seven years all by doing the same thing: keeping it simple. There are a lot of proven leaders here ready to help the next new IBOs become successful too.” ♦

To see more information about this company go to www.bthe1.com. Shane and his proven leadership, who started out just like you, are here to answer your questions and help you get started.

Luckily, there are lots of simple strategies to spread the word about your business and start earning an income. There more people know about your business, the more likely they are to contact or refer you to a friend who needs your services.

Get a Website

The most important element for any successful business in today’s marketplace is a website. When people go looking for things—whether it be a product, a service, or an income opportunity—the Internet is the place they start their search. It’s also where they go to find recommendations and reviews before making their decisions. In a nutshell, it’s where you need to be if you want to be found.

There are lots of web-hosting sites out there that let you build your own simple website. You can also hire a professional web designer who will customize your site to your needs and industry. But that doesn’t mean your website has to be expensive or complex. Even a single, tasteful webpage online will help people find and learn about your business.

Tell Your Neighbors

The people in your family and community may be some of the best contacts you’ll ever make. Though they may not do business with you directly, personal recommendations are the most impactful marketing tool out there. By letting the people around you know about your business, you’re potentially connecting with everyone in their social and business circles, too.

But don’t limit yourself to those you already know. Join a business or networking group in your area to meet other business owners, make connections, and see what’s working—and isn’t—for others. It’s also a great idea to get involved in organizations that interest you personally. You may be joining that book club because you love to read, but you’ll also make great connections with even more people who want to see you succeed.

Take Advantage of Online Marketing

Just as in real life, your online friends are the best marketing tools you can get—as long as they know about your business. Luckily, this is a group that can be easily accessed from the comfort of home. In addition to your personal social networking, think about creating a business page on Facebook or sending out biz-related messages via Twitter. This will show people that you are serious about your business, and will allow you to contact them easily about new promotions or business services.

Be Knowledgeable

If you are deciding to start a business, there’s a good chance you know something—about something. Figure what your special area of knowledge is, even if it doesn’t directly pertain to your business, and make yourself available for sharing that information with others. This will allow you to both showcase your strengths and become a recognizable name to a larger group of people.

Consider leading a workshop or seminar on your area of expertise at the library or with your local chamber of commerce. You can also look into opportunities to teach at small colleges or other academic institutions in your area. If you’re more comfortable behind the scenes or at the computer, starting a blog with short articles about your topic is also a great marketing tool.  The important thing is to present yourself as a valuable, honest authority on whichever topic you choose.

1. Don’t apologize.

On the days my son, Cole (age four) is with me, there are times he talks or is noisy when I’m on a business call. I used to say, “I’m sorry, my son is here…” But thankfully, I’ve changed. I’m grateful to Ponn Sabra, author of Empowering Women to Power Network, for setting me straight. She told me to be proud my son is with me. And she is right. Now when I proudly state, “My son is with me today,” I find callers are gracious. Most reply with, “Oh, that’s wonderful! Enjoy your time with him.”

2. Be prepared for the unexpected.

As a mom, you wear many hats. When on the phone, always smile and project a good attitude. But be prepared to deal with unexpected situations. If children are disruptive during a call, remain calm. This is the time to have a sense of humor and make light of the situation. If the caller hears the background cries and you’re unable to quickly control the situation, offer to call back at a later time. “Would ten minutes or a half hour be better for you?”

3. Give “silent” hellos or goodbyes.

Laurie Hurley of Home Tutoring Business developed a “silent hello” (or goodbye) she uses when on the phone and her girls walk in or out. Laurie wears a headset to free her hands for a big hug and a quiet kiss. Her girls are trained to be quiet and they understand she can’t hang up just because they’ve arrived. The girls compete to see who can be the quietest, and Laurie doesn’t have to hang up on a client!

4. Leave your children “reminders”.

Melody Spier of Ballyhoo Virtual Services purchased a small Stop sign for her office door. It serves as a visual reminder for her kids to stop and listen so they don’t burst in during a business call. Below the sign, she posted three questions for them to ask themselves before interrupting.

1. Is someone hurt?

2. Does it concern schoolwork?

3. Would you pay $5 for the answer? (Five dollars equals the 15 minutes it takes to work through the question and get refocused.)

This technique cut the interruptions down to almost zero after about a week.

Whatever techniques you choose, remember that at-home business success is achievable, even when you’re dividing your time between being an entrepreneur and being a mom.

If you’re considering the launch of a home-based business, below are three essential tips that will help you incorporate a new business into your busy lifestyle:

1. DEFINE YOUR HOURS: Take a look at your schedule and pinpoint the hours of the day that you’re able to devote to your business. If you’re a “morning person”, plan to wake up one hour earlier to work. If you prefer to work in the evenings, go to your home office after dinner or after your kids have gone to bed. Need to schedule work hours around a full time or part time job? Call forward your business line to a cell phone and return calls during your commute to and from work or during your lunch hour.

2. USE THE INTERNET: The Internet is a phenomenal tool for a home-based business operator. It allows you to promote your business 24 hours a day and communicate with clients even when you’re out of your office.

For example, if you launch a website for your business set up a form with an auto-responder message so that potential clients can contact you at any time and receive an immediate acknowledgement via e-mail. And, if you collect names and e-mail addresses of visitors to your site you can follow up with a monthly or quarterly e-newsletter which is easier and more affordable to send than postal mail.

3. WORK EFFICIENTLY: No matter how many hours you have to devote to your business, use your time well. If you’re only able to work 1 or 2 hours per day, focus your energy on the money-making aspects of your business and outsource other business responsibilities that require a particular area of expertise such as web design, copywriting, accounting, etc.

Finally, if you feel that your time is too limited and you’re not able to accomplish everything you need to do for your business, consider launching your business with a partner and divide business responsibilities based on your individual talents.

The Companies:

a.  Mary Kay Cosmetics

b.  Walt Disney

c.  Ford

d.  WalMart

e.  Coca-Cola

f.   3M

The Mission Statements:

1. We are a global family with a proud heritage, passionately committed to providing personal mobility for people around the world. We anticipate consumer need and deliver outstanding products and services that improve people’s lives.

2. To solve unsolved problems innovatively.

3. To give unlimited opportunity to women.

4. The basic proposition of our company is simple, solid, and timeless. When we bring refreshment, value, joy, and fun to our stakeholders, then we successfully nurture and protect our brands, particularly _____.
That is key to fulfilling our ultimate obligation to provide consistently attractive returns to the owners of our business.

5. To give ordinary folk the chance to buy the same thing as rich people.

6. To make people happy.

Answers:

Mary Kay Cosmetics (3)      Ford (1)      WalMart (5)      Coca-Cola (4)      3M (2)      Walt Disney (6)

Does your home business have a mission statement? Read Why your home business needs a Mission Statement and get started on yours today!

All good companies have—or should have—a mission statement. Even if you are an independent consultant, it is beneficial to take the time to write your own personal or team mission statement.

You could adopt the mission statement of the company you’re representing as your own. However, if you are working in direct sales, the company’s mission may only touch upon your personal goals for the business. Creating your own mission statement will help you develop a focus and sense of purpose to what you are doing.

What is a Mission Statement?

A good mission statement needs to represent who you (and your company) are. You don’t want to write a book, just one to three sentences on the purpose of your business.

If you are with a direct sales company, you may find it hard to get past the need for one. If your company permits it, break away and create your own business name. This name can then be incorporated into a team name. Share your mission statement with your team and adopt it as a team culture.

Creating a Mission Statement

When creating your own mission statement, take a look at the bigger picture. Ask yourself:

• What do you want to accomplish 10 years from now?

• What is your main reason for getting involved in your business?

• How do you hope to help others?

Your mission statement can create a culture for yourself and your team. By defining your purpose, everyone involved with your business will understand its goals and how best to achieve them.

Here are some examples of mission statements:

• Our team will help other women grow through income opportunities and weekly training meetings. By the end of 2008, we will be in the top 10 teams for our parent company.

• To help other women become financially independent by promoting our members within their first year on our team.

• Our mission is to promote literacy while offering parents and schools a way to get free books.

Now that you have a mission statement, publish it online or post it in your home or office so you are reminded of what you are striving for every day.

Are files taking over your home office?

Take some time to evaluate the type of information coming through your home office. Decide what you will need to keep or not keep, and aggressively toss anything that can be accessed online. Make a written plan for what you will file, how you will file it, and where you will file it. If you plan to store most things in your computer, then invest in a good back up system and a high speed scanner. Spend as much time setting up a filing system on your computer as you would a file drawer. If computer storage won’t work for you, then plan a paper filing system. Take the time to create a written plan, and clearly label your files. If you can’t find it when you need it, then you probably shouldn’t bother keeping it.

In need of office supplies? When you’re in a hurry it’s tempting to skip making a list and simply run to the office superstore.  You tell yourself you’ll know it when you see it. Unfortunately that method wastes time and money, two things that every new business owner should conserve. First, consider your storage space and assign a value to that space. You may save money on a box of 500 file folders, but if you add up the cost of storing that box for the next 10 years, it suddenly doesn’t seem like such a savings. Office superstores cater to large companies who stock up on supplies: If you don’t plan to use it in the next 30-60 days, then don’t buy it.

I know it sounds crazy, but think about it. There is a good reason the media is filled with stories about getting and staying organized, it really does make a difference. Few people can work at their maximum potential when surrounded by chaos. Studies have proven that color can affect your mood and performance.  With a little planning, you can have a home office that not only reflects your personal style, but enables you to make the most of your work day.

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Here are some things to consider as you plan your home office.

Location is everything.

Choose a location free of distraction.  For some a desk under the window inspires creativity, for others it’s one more distraction. Get to know yourself and pick a spot that works for you.

Comfort counts.

I place considerable importance on décor, but even I won’t work at an uncomfortable desk. I once purchased a vintage office chair.  It looked great, but within days I was at the chiropractor getting my neck adjusted. I ended up working at the kitchen table and running back and forth to retrieve supplies from my real desk.  Make sure your desk is at a comfortable height and invest in a comfortable chair. Consider how you spend your day, if it’s in front of the computer then position the monitor directly in front of you. If you spend your days on the phone place the phone near you and invest in a head set.

How do you do?

The most important step in managing tasks is self-awareness. Are you visual?  Buy a few bulletin boards to organize your “to do’s” visually. Label each board by urgency (today, tomorrow, whenever) or by the nature of the task (to do, to pay, to file). Do you prefer to use a computerized list? Then create 1-10 files in your drawer. When you add an item to your task list, give it a number and put the associated paper work in the corresponding folder. If your tasks involve a lot of paperwork, like a decorator for example, then use baskets. Are you a stacker? Invest in clear poly envelopes to contain paperwork associated with each task. You can stack them yet easily flip through to find the right envelope when you need it.

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Working from home can save on office rent, commuting costs, and it’s better for the environment, but it can be challenging at times. Fortunately, with a little preparation, you can make your home office an enjoyable and productive place.

Organize!

Make your files easy to find by organizing them on your computer. When it comes time to choosing the files you will need to back up, it will be easier knowing your all information is where it needs to be.

Save your Discs.

File-backup services may not save your computer applications such as MSWord, Adobe, or iPhoto. Be sure to save all the discs that come with your new computer and computer software programs.

Related Article:  Are Your Files Secure?