3 Ways to Move Your Business Forward When Everything Else Falls in Your Path

With the economy in its tragic state, it is more important than ever to ensure we are constantly on the move, in the right direction to keep our businesses progressing. No matter what the size, to succeed you must get your business noticed by customers. You have the ability to control this task, but often this is forgotten due to the continual goal of earning money and life's daily requirements. Sure money is important, but it is just as important to ensure you choose a homebased business you will enjoy. When you do, your authentic being will shine through. Here are a few tips you can employ daily to keep your business on the right track.

Spend the time to continually improve your business: No matter how satisfied you are with your business, there is always room for improvement. Each customer has a different need that desires to be met. Businesses that never offer change, or variation in their products become stagnate over time. Always look for ways to give your business that extra boost. Set it apart from the others. Ex. if you run a desktop publishing business, think of new methods that will help your clients run their businesses more efficiently. Rave about these methods. If you believe it, and show it-your client will see it. Show them why you're their "go to person." Run a landscaping business? offer a discount, free consultation on flowers that can be easily planted while requiring limited maintenance. Think of a gimmick that will stop them in their tracks. Don't let them go through their day without thinking of your business.Be creative, wacky, and keep it fun.

Have something you hate to do, assume some customers or potential future customers may have the same dislike. Offer that service that people need, but hate to do or just may not have time to do.

A couple of years ago I read an interesting article on an individual that had started a very profitable homebased business in Portland, Oregon by offering to do something he hated doing himself. Scooping dog poo from the yard. He developed a business plan, offered weekly rates to scoop the droppings from neighborhood yards, bought a few inexpensive pieces of equipment and he was on his way. Amazingly! People jumped at the opportunity to have this daunting task eliminated from their agenda. Brainstorm, and see what ideas you can come up with. You might be surprised what your next business venture turns out to be.

Make your mantra FEAR WILL NOT STOP ME! Say it to yourself daily. It is amazing the number of individuals that fail to pursue lifelong dreams because of fear. We all have it, but the way it affects your life, is where you choose to place it in your life. So,starting today take a chance on doing something you have always dreamt of doing. Make a plan, decide to give it your best shot, and go for it. If it doesn't work out the way you envisioned, chances are you will be no worse off tomorrow. But, if you fail to even attempt to progress forward-you will be left with wondering what could have been. What is your business dream? Figure out how to make it happen.

Know what you need: Often we have a tendency to think I want this, or I need that. Perhaps you think I would be happy with my business if I could make this amount of money per month. Figure out your business needs and make a list. Now look at your wants. Often when we make lists, upon reviewing them we find that our desires aren't realistic. Perhaps it is unrealistic to think you are going to make $5000.00 monthly in this economy. But, is there anything wrong with making that a future goal? No, but like anything else you must nurture your business and give it attention and time. You cannot get what you want, if you cannot clearly define what you need. Take the time to figure it out. Once you have, remind yourself often of what those needs are and make sure you perform one activity daily that will take you in the right direction of reaching your long term goals.

Is Cash Crate Worth The Hype?

Well, I have been questioned about Cash Crate more than once as a means to supplement a household income. I had heard of it, but honestly hadn't had any personal experience with the company. So, I decided to give it a try for a month and see what my personal experiences were. Today, I will share these findings with you. First of all once I went to the www.cashcrate.com website I thought it was cute and appeared user friendly. I quickly signed up for FREE, completed the required information, filled out a password etc. and was on my way in about 45 seconds. I watched the available tutorial to see how things should proceed and felt everything appeared straightforward enough.

The premise is you earn income by completing surveys. On Cash Crate a list of available surveys is available on your left (once you Log in,) you click on it (your survey of choice,) complete the necessary information, and once completed you click the submit button. Once Cash Crate has verified that you have completed the necessary information your earnings will be logged and visible for you to see. Until verification has occurred your potentially earned monies remain in the pending column. Each survey states what you can earn for its completion (Ex. .30, .50, 1.00, $5.00.) Some surveys completed might require a credit card to be placed on file. You are able to sort surveys to show ones that are considered as FREE of charge. I participated in surveys that did not require a credit card, being uncertain of the company I wanted to avoid potential problems later. I live by the rule if it is a work at home opportunity, I shouldn't have to pay a fee. There are occasions when you join a freelance agency and there can be a small fee to join, but as a rule of thumb-if money is required MOVE ON. If you prefer to sign up for a survey that requires credit card registration watch your trial date carefully, otherwise your credit card may get charged for something you do not want.

After looking down the list I chose surveys that appeared interesting to me and did not focus on the monies to be earned (though I might add the amounts for the ones I chose paid a small amount.) The first few I completed were straight forward and I was able to complete them in about 60 seconds. This isn't too bad I thought as I proceeded on. I was prepared to work at it for 1.5 hours on the first day. But, I soon ran in to a problem with my surveys...

While working on the surveys after filling out one or two pages, I thought they were complete. I then had to click on another required location on the form, and it took me to another page and so on and so on. I felt like I was in a maze having to go around so many corners. I couldn't tell when or how close to being finished I was. Some portions of the forms I ended up completing had nothing to do with the initial Cash Crate offer that was posted. I found out too late. There were some surveys I gave up on because it got to the point where it was frustrating and annoying. I felt tricked.

After finding myself in this situation numerous times I called it a day. My neck was stiff, my back hurt, my eyes were blurry from staring at the computer, and I was just starting to feel like I had been at it for days. By the time I finished I had earned .90 and had 1.75 pending. After giving Cash Crate a shot for another few weeks here is my conclusion...remember these are my opinions, and my experiences. I am just going to give you the straight scoop and I in no way expect you to substitute your judgment or opinions for my own...

Can you earn money from completing surveys for Cash Crate? Absolutely! Is it going to be the type of money most of you are seeking? I don't think so. But, if you are looking to earn a few extra dollars to add to your monthly income, and you have the TIME needed to put in to all of the surveys, then you may want to give them a look.
Cash Crate also has a referral link, so if you have friends or family members that may want to come on board-then you can earn a percentage from those that sign up from your referral link.

I hope you have a separate email address because you will find yourself overwhelmed with spam in your in-box, and solicitors calling your home often. Many of the surveys asking for email addresses share this information with others. No sooner had I completed a survey than my phone started ringing from out of state companies with business offers. Fortunately I have another business line and can keep this separate and controlled. But, BEWARE and read the small print carefully.

So, you can earn money with this business opportunity but for most people unless you want to jump over some major hurdles, you may still find yourself ordering from the McDonald's Dollar Menu.