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Home  Small Biz Advice
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We entrepreneurs are no different from other people in that we all make mistakes. The difference is that when an entrepreneur makes a mistake, their business suffers. The good news is, many of these mistakes can easily be avoided. Let’s take a look at the five most common mistakes that stifle entrepreneurial success and how to avoid them.
Common mistake #1: Operating without a plan or not working ON your business.
Planning and having a business plan are your primary roles as an entrepreneur. In fact, business experts recommend you spend at least 25% of your time as a business owner planning. I call this "Working On Your Business." To begin a business without a plan, and to continue without analyzing and changing your plan as you grow, is a sure way to struggle to succeed. It’s like heading out for a drive and not knowing how to get where you’re going.
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Spyware is a problem for anyone who uses their computer to download anything from the Internet. These programs infiltrate your computer system through other programs and can steal your personal information without you knowing it. Some are so sneaky that some anti-spyware doesn’t detect it. Here are some examples of spyware programs that you need to be aware of.
Spyware is potentially damaging to your files and your computer. Whenever a computer system begins to run slowly, check to see if spyware is the problem. Some spyware programs can even change your homepage. By the time it gets to that point, your entire computer system could be compromised. One spyware program can open the door for others to come in and infect your system.
1. Bonzi Buddy – This spyware program is listed on many sites that warn of spyware. This one brings with it a host of unwanted pop-ups. You’ll notice that pop-ups seem to pop up even when you are not actively online and they are hard to get rid of. Bonzi Buddy also slows down your computer to a barely usable crawl. Some of your files and other computer programs could be corrupted.
2. Gator – This spyware program operates in ways similar to Bonzi Buddy. Your computer will slow down and you’ll see various pop-ups that continue to come back even when you click to close them. Gator is one of several spyware programs that are hard to uninstall on your computer once it is downloaded.
3. CoolWebSearch – This site is a browser hijacker. Browser hijackers can create pages that look just like your browser page. Unless you look closely, you won’t notice that it is not your browser page. Also these browser hijackers redirect you to pages that they want you to go to and not the page you requested to go to. You could be entering personal information and passwords on pages that are fraudulent. Uninstalling them could ruin your computer.
4. Bogus security pages – These pages are the ones that will warn you that your computer is infected with viruses. They ask you to click on the message to be sent an anti-spyware program to fix the problem. The real problem is that the virus count is falsified and so is the anti-spyware program they want you to buy. They are after your personal information. An example is Performance Optimizer and XP AntiVirus 2008.
5. Xupiter Toolbar – Downloading toolbars with other applications can be dangerous. This toolbar connects you with the Xupiter site. It hijacks your browser, changing your settings. Once loaded on, it is difficult to restore your settings. You will also be overwhelmed with pop-ups.
Spyware programs are everywhere. Be aware that everything may not be as it seems when downloading programs to your computer.
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When you turn on your computer, you expect that everything will run smoothly. Sometimes it doesn’t work that way. Computers do have problems and one common problem is spyware.
We’ve all heard of spyware, but what is it? It sounds so ominous and scary. The truth is that spyware is scary and dangerous for your computer and anything that you've saved on your hard drive.
You access the Internet via your computer. If you see a program that you like, you download it. Many people don’t pay attention to the messages that pop up before a download begins. They warn about site certificates and verifications. Not paying attention could create a pathway for spyware to sneak in.
Spyware and viruses slow down the functioning of a computer. One day your laptop is running smoothly and the next day it takes half an hour to open a Word document. That is a telltale sign that something has gotten into the works and is fooling around.
Spyware is so named because it gains access to your computer without your knowledge. These are programs that work behind the scenes within programs that you download. Spyware can hide anywhere. Free and paid downloads can contain spyware, although more freeware is affected.
If the owner of the program doesn’t tell you that there are other programs or add-ons that will also be downloaded, then they are being negligent. Spyware that can steal your personal information makes them criminally negligent if that information is used to commit crimes such as identity theft.
Read the fine print before agreeing to download anything. That means the terms of use. Even if you read it the owner could use fancy jargon to disguise their spyware attachments. It is unscrupulous even if the purpose of using the spyware is to track customers for the owner's business. The customer has the right to choose.
Just because something is on the Internet doesn’t make it safe. We can be too trusting at times and take for granted the fact that all websites do not have our best interests at heart. Some are set up with the express purpose of gaining access to your computer and messing things up.
Spyware can operate independently of the program it hides in. Even if you uninstall the offending program, the spyware can be left behind and you won’t even know it. Most of us are basic computer literate individuals. Searching for spyware on our computer is beyond our forte.
Keep spyware from being a scary problem for you with a good anti-spyware program for all of your computers. Carefully screen all of your downloads so that you can protect your personal information from being stolen. |
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Activity does not equal accomplishment... Sometimes we get bogged down in the day to day "details" or tasks that we need to accomplish to operate our business. We're always swamped with too much to do and sometimes at the end of the day it appears that we now have more work to do than we started with in the morning. How did that happen? Well if you are talented and are always generating new business then you will always be increasing your workload. That's a good thing right? I often have said that if I had more time I could generate more income and make all of the money I wanted to. Well it's true... but we have a limited amount of time available to us and we have to live within these constraints. (Unless you want to get into quantum physics and then this wouldn't necessarily be true... but that's a different conversation for a different time.) You need to become more efficient with your use of outsourcing, your choice and use of tools, and your use of your available time....again that's YOUR use of YOUR available time. If you have employees you need to work on more efficient use of delegating some of your less important tasks to your employees. Most small business owners are control freaks and we want to do it all ourselves. I know, I've been there myself. It's scientifically and physically impossible to do it all yourself... unless you have very little business and no growth and if that is the case than you should just go get a job working for someone else. Notice I put outsourcing first, tools second and time last. If you learn to outsource properly you'll instantly reduce your workload and you will have more time. If you acquire and use the proper tools you will become more efficient and you will have more time. Outsourcing
I offer many articles about outsourcing for small businesses on this Web site. What you might outsource is very dependent upon your capabilities, which of those capabilities you are best at, and what tasks you really like and dislike. Make it easy on yourself and outsource the things you don't like to do and aren't good at. You work on the things that you like and are very good at. Just do what you love and you will love what you do. ToolsI've got tons of business tools at my disposal. Some are paper tools, IE: charts, forms, work sheets that I have created along the way to make my life easier for accomplishing many of my repetitive tasks. Some are computer programs. Most of these are specific to audio and video production, graphic design and Web development. Some are Web based. I personally am trying to use as many Web based tools as possible and am slowly converting my non-Web based tools to the Web as I find them. Time
While the "details" are important, many times getting all of the details out of the way doesn't leave room in the day for the important tasks that will actually make us money. To make the most of your day you have to focus and incorporate limits on the "details" that will leave you time to "get stuff done." Focusing is tough. It's not easy to do it all of the time and it seems that something always comes up to get in your way. Practice these steps and it will become easier and easier to focus and to get some real work done as you progress through your day, your week, and your life. These steps can be applied to accomplish more during your work day, to further your career, to achieve personal financial goals and to achieve your goals in your personal life. To get stuff done follow these rules: - Focus on the Wildly important
- Create a compelling scoreboard
- Translate lofty goals into specific actions
- If there is more than one of you working together: Hold each other accountable - All of the time
- If you are working alone: Hold yourself accountable - All of the time
In closing, if you are not passionate about what you are doing then you won't do it well. You may think you are doing it well but I'll bet you won't do it as well as someone who truly loves doing it.
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It is easier than you would think for your computer to get infected with spyware. It could be as simple as downloading a program with spyware attached. From there, the scenario gets worse. To protect your information and your computer system, check out some popular anti-spyware programs that can help you out.
Before choosing an anti-spyware program, investigate what they are all about. Google their names and check forums for complaints and/or praises. These programs are constantly changing along with the Spyware they "chase" to keep up with the demands of users and the different operatiing systems. Some can be downloaded for free from the Internet but have limited functions on your computer. Once you buy the full paid version, you are extended more features to keep your computer safe from viruses, malware and spyware. It may give you more peace of mind to buy a full version outright so you can keep your computer safe from the beginning. Here are some examples:
1. CA Anti-Virus Plus Anti-Spyware 2008 – this program protects your computer from viruses and spyware. Installation is quick and easy. You can scan certain areas of your computer or do a full scan of everything. Alerts let you know when your computer is threatened and threats are reported and dealt with according to your specifications. The program scans email attachments as well. Find out more at http://shop.ca.com.
2. STOPzilla – This anti-spyware program is less than ten dollars for a yearly membership. It removes spyware and adware. STOPzilla blocks pop-ups and warns of potentially dangerous sites so they can be avoided. The download comes with excellent customer support if you have any problems. Even Trojans don’t have a chance of getting through. Go to www.stopzilla.com for more information.
3. AVG Anti-Spyware – A free version can be downloaded from the site that will alert you of spyware. It has limited features unless you buy the full version online. Their anti-spyware programs get rid of viruses, spyware and Trojans with the highest security around. Go to www.avg.com for more details.
4. Trend Micro Anti-spyware – This anti-spyware program can be set up to automatically run on a schedule to protect your computer. Any viruses, spyware, and other nasty bugs are found and then you delete them from your system. You are also alerted to dangerous websites in your search results online. It offers yearly subscriptions and more products at http://us.trendmicro.com.
5. SpySweeper anti-spyware software by Webroot – This anti-spyware program is rated high among programs of its type. It protects your computer from malware, spyware and other threats all in real time. It is compatible with Microsoft Vista. Look up its features at www.webroot.com.
6. Spyware Doctor – This program keeps your computer healthy and devoid of dangerous spyware, malware, Trojans, viruses and dangerous websites. Designed for Vista users, the anti-spyware program offers free customer support and a free trial before you buy. Find it at www.pctools.com.
Anti-spyware protects your computer and your sensitive information from prying eyes. Invest in an antispyware program today. |
Identity theft has cost companies and victims hundreds of thousands of dollars. For major companies the cost could be in the millions. One way that
identities can be stolen is through the use of spyware.
Spyware are programs that can come bundled with other programs but operate on your computer out of view. The user has no idea that the spyware was
downloaded with their program. In many cases, even if the naughty program is uninstalled, the spyware can remain.
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For those considering outsourcing in their online business, the goal is to create a more profitable company while streamlining the owner’s work. Taking the time to avoid common outsourcing mistakes will make the process go much smoother and avoid the feeling that you are spinning your wheels and getting nowhere. As with any part of business, outsourcing has its good and bad points, however if you are aware of the potential problems before hand, you increase your chances of an enjoyable experience. Here are 5 potential outsourcing mistakes every online business owner should be aware of, in order to avoid making them... |
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