Last night a friend of mine referred me to a site
called ResourceCashmap.com.  She recommended that I
check it out as it offers a FREE summary of key online
resources.

I have to tell you – this package is unbelievable.  The
package consists of a set of process maps – called
Cashmaps – that show you the steps necessary to setting
up and growing an online business.

At each step, there are one or more online resources that
are referenced so that you can see exactly when and where
to use the resource.

Overall – this is a great product.  The only thing that it
seems to be missing is a write-up to help distinguish between
the resources.  There’s so many resources on here that it’s
sometimes a bit hard to decide which one to use!

I’d highly recommend that you check out cashmap.com

One way of making money online is to act as a mystery shopper.

Many firms use people to visit their shops and premises to see how well their business treat customers.  They may be looking for how well the shoipper is greeted, the knowledge of the staff, how they react to unusual requests, it could be any aspect of their customer facing operation.  For instance if you run a chain of restaurants how would your staff reat if a customer said that they were lactose intolerent?  Would they even know what that means?

The mystery shopper is then paid for doing the research and reporting back.  There are numerous stories of how much can be made by being a mystery shopper.  One often quoted story is that a woman in Ney York was making $7,000 a week as a mystery shopper.  If you search the back issues of the New York Times you find that story from the June 2003 archives.

It sounds wonderful, being paid to shop would seem like the ideal job to my patrner Jane, but is it all that it seems?

First. I would steer away from any company that requires you to pay a sign up fee.  There is no guarantee of work or earnings.  Do they make their money from putting you in touch with real opportunities or from the sign up fees?  Instead look at the Mystery Shopping Providers Association.  Follow the link for shoppers and look for assignments in all parts of the world.

Second. You have to understand that if you give a bad report of a shop it may affect the staff.  Ethical businesses use negative feedback as a trigger for improvements and training, some may not.  Be aware of possible consequences when choosing who to work for.

Third. The best opportunities will be in cities.  If you live in the highlands of Scotland (you lucky thing) then your mystery shopping opportunities are likely to be restricted……

Fourth. Do not underestimate the amount of time you will need to devote to this.  After visiting the shop you will have to fill in a detailed questionaire and there is likely to be a fair amount of work beforehand making sure you understand everything that you need to do and observe.

Having said that, if you want to go for it I would love to hear about your experiences.

I was searching for a new screen saver the other day, or rather a nice image to base one on.  I came across Alamy.com which is a stock photography site that sells images.  Unlike most of its competition it welcomes images from amateurs.

While I am no good at photography if you are this site would be well worth looking at if you want to make some extra money.  To me their commission of 35% seems high but in line with other similar sites.  On the other hand, I priced an image as if I wanted to use it on a brochure and the cost would have been £405.  Your earnings wold have been £265.  Not bad if you have an artistic talent, which I don’t.

I think the point here is that there are many ways to make money online.  If you have a talent, a skill, or expertise through a hobby there will be someone out there who will pay you.  The trick, there are 2 really, is to find the sites that can help you find people to employ you and to make sure that the ‘offer’ you receive is not part of some scam.

In the case of Alamy, it has a good reputation and is certainly legitimate.  Always do your research.  Another sure sign that something could be amiss is if you need to pay to register on the site.  If that is the case make sure that your research is very comprehensive.

You have the greatest research tool ever invented in front of you as you read this.  Use it!

Planning the Space

You have chosen the room or space that you are going to use.  You are thinking about buying a new or secondhand desk.  The next step is to buy the furniture and fit it into the space, right? 

I do not agree.  Go back and check what you need for your business.  Write it down and think about it.  Then I would look at the furniture options.  Secondhand or new furniture, is up to you but will it fit into your space?  I would go to SmartDraw (there is a free trial download that you can use).  Use that to plan your work space.  There is nothing more frustrating for me than moving furniture to find that it all fits, apart from the last and key piece.  Once you have a plan look at it while you are in your new office.  Does it feel right?  Can you visualise it? Yes?  Then start moving the furniture.

Guidelines for using the space for your home office.

There are a number of important factors to consider when setting up your office.

1. The space should not be small or feel claustrophobic, you could be spending 12 hours day there, you do not want it to feel like a cell.
2. It needs to be well lit,  it has to be warm in winter and cool in summer.
3. There has to be room for expansion or (as in my case) room for a movement into another market.
4. There has to be power and and access to the internet.
5. It needs to be comfortable.  In my case that means that there has to be a stereo (I could not live without music) and a radio.  You might want to have a coffee table where you can get away from the PC, a clear desk where you can write or read.

The single most important thing about the space you are going to work in is…

THERE HAS TO BE A DOOR.

This will be the space where you will work, it not somewhere where your partner or kids can drop by to chat.  You need to be able to shut the door to everyday distractions.  You also need to be ale to shut the door when you stop working so that you can spend the time outside of the office on the other important thing in your life, your family and friends.

One of the killers for any business is cash flow.  If there is no cash flow, if all your profit is tied up in slow moving stock, your business is dead.  Many people think that the only way out of this sort of situation is to increase the income of the business.  However, an equally effective way of countering the problem of slow turnover could be to reduce costs.

Before spending anything ask whether you really need to buy it.  As an example I use a firm called Viking Direct for all my stationery, packing, and printer needs.  I know that they are reliable and they will deliver the after I place an order.  This means that instead of stocking up on any of my consumables I can wait until I need them to buy them.  This releases some pressure on my cash flow.  It is called ‘just in time’ replenishment.

Other ways to relieve pressure on your cash flow include;

1.                  Barter.  You will have many contacts from your business if it has been running for any length of time.  Can you barter with them for anything you need?  If you do not have any physical goods you may be able to use your knowledge as a barter item.  You could share your lists and leads with others to increase both of your businesses without increasing your marketing costs.

2.                  Free Stuff.  I know that it is nice to have a brand new software program that is all bells and whistles but do you need it?  Look at the functionality you need, chances are that there is freeware out there that will do the job.

3.                  Buying.  You probably sell on eBay why not buy on eBay?  I am always amazed that people will spend loads on new office furniture and ignore some of the bargains on eBay.

4.                  Negotiate.  “If you don’t ask you won’t be given” as my father used to say. Everything is negotiable, and if it isn’t go somewhere where it is.

5.                  Search.  I like Viking Direct.  They give me good service and the prices are a lot better than most places.  However, if I find someone with the same level of service and lower prices will I stay with Viking Direct?  What do you think?

Most importantly, plan ahead.  The last thing you need is to run out of something and have to go to the high street to replace it.  Just in time is a great philosophy but if you plan ahead are anticipating future needs and come across a good bargain then you are well placed to make savings.  Just remember, that however cheap something is if it is going to be on your shelf for any length of time it is reducing your cash flow. 

Be aware of the issue of cash flow before it becomes a problem and take steps to prevent it ever being a problem.

Well, the office still has not moved, we are debating what colour the walls of the new office should be.  Believe me I do not care, however, Jane seems to think it important……

Anyway, back to business.  When setting up your office what do you need to consider?  The first thing is space.  How much space do you need?  In my case, as I said last time, the move of offices has been prompted by my spacial needs to hold my growing stock of books.  I could store the books in the attic and keep the office in the present room, but is that practical?  Running up and down stairs to find books so that I can take them back to the office to weigh them so that I can package them, the space needed to wrap them etc.  It is the practicalities that you need to consider.  For me I need to move my office.

For many a good option for the office and inventory storage is the garage (if the house has one) or a shed in the garden.  If that works for you then fine.  Again think about the practicalities.  Is there electricity?  Is the shed or garage sound and dry?  Is it secure?  How easy will it be for you to make a cup of tea or coffee (do not underestimate the need to drink coffee while you work….)?

Do you need space for a workshop if you are repairing musical instruments, making garden ornaments or whatever.  What special needs does the nature of the business present?  There is an adage that says ‘measure twice, cut once’.  It as true of running and starting a business as it is when woodworking.