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Computer systems have become ubiquitous. A firm understanding of the technology, as well as the opportunity it creates, is almost essential for the successful running of a business. It is now as important as the ability to prepare a business plan or deal with the VAT office. As recently as the late 1980s, computers were used only for simple business work – preparing letters, helping with accounts, invoicing, and sometimes creating promotional materials.

While they still perform these functions, they also offer unprepended challenges and opportunities, especially for small businesses. In terms of opportunities, the most exciting development for business is the arrival of e-commerce– electronic trading on the Internet. It is now possible for small companies to trade successfully in markets that were previously available only to large multinationals.

E-commerce offers the possibility of a company that runs an almost completely computerized business, trading at all hours of the day or night, 365 days a year, with minimal human intervention. The challenges come from the technology itself, which remains poorly designed and unreliable on more occasions that it should. Users are often forced to find ways around these limitations, and can waste time with poorly designed products that could easily be improved. A good example of this is the year 2000 (Y2K) problem, or millennium bug.

Finding a way to exploit the opportunities fully and avoid the pitfalls of technology requires a ready source of explanation and information. Sources of information are not as plentiful as they might be. Consultants are expensive, and many computer magazines seem obsessed with technology for its own sake, and unaware of the practical implications for business users. Computer dealers are often more interested in making a sale than explaining the technology that is most suitable for their customers' needs. This can result in, for example, the purchase of a new piece of software that simply will not work on an older machine. …

A construction business needs to be properly certified in order to operate legally and successfully. Without certification, an individual or corporation will have limited opportunities for succeeding in the construction industry. Many clients are particular about the way the companies they deal with conduct their operations. The certification will insure them that the business is adhering to the highest standards.

There are several certifications that a company can apply for. The first of which is the registered retail merchant certificate that it can obtain from the Department of Revenue. In New Jersey, this is called the Business Registration Certificate, which a contractor will need in order to do business with the state and other public agencies. In Florida, the state does not require all construction work to be certified. Construction works that do not need certification include flooring, paint, window treatments, and countertops, among others. Certification for major construction work can be obtained by passing a state examination. Other states will have their own sets of rules and regulations regarding certification to do business in the construction industry.

Aside from the legal requirement to do business, there are other certificates that a construction company can apply for. The Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification is one of them. A company with a LEED certification shows that its buildings have met the highest standards for sustainability. This is an advantage to the company especially when it deals with customers that are environmentally conscious. This shows the client that the construction firm adheres to the highest standards of promoting the environment's sustainability.

Finally, a construction business can be more successful with an ISO 9001 certificate. This certificate tells clients that the company follows internationally approved standards for resource planning and project management. Moreover, an ISO certification means that the company is not only efficient but also has a risk mitigation plan. …

Great concepts waste away because of no good funding. Dreams fade away due to misinformation on where and how to end this problem. Many entrepreneurs fall victim of this but with a good business plan and business loans, a great concept can later be a company's source of income. You as an entrepreneur stand a chance of owning a company, what you need are government business loans.

There is an authorized agency for this loan. The small business association (SBA) holds the sole right of providing funds to entrepreneurs who wants to establish a company of their own. People are given loans to develop their projects though with the help of the SBA. The association program gives opportunity to the smaller companies.

The government business loans are not given by all lenders. Many lenders run away from these responsibilities. Before you will get approval for this loan you are expected to meet up with some requirement.

To apply for the loan you need to put into consideration the necessary requirements available. These requirements changes depending on the area where the borrower resides before you will be considered loan worthy.

You must reach the standard size of the SBA. So it's very important to get familiar with the requirements in your region.

The SBA does not approve this loan for non profit organization. So if you are a non profit organizations stay away. So your organization must have been generating at least small income to be considered ready for the loan. So just get a load down of your company's income.

More Info? Use An Expert Service …

It was not long ago that Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) seemed doomed to failure. Kmart, its largest outlet for licensed household products, was in Chapter 11 and closing hundreds of stores. Its magazine was being challenged by the new upstart competitor by rival Rosie O’Donnell. Major television stations were canceling their daily show and critics were saying the show wouldn’t finish the season. Their company leader was ordered to resign by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Yet most devastating, Martha was headed to jail.

With plunging sales, vanishing profits, and stock prices falling, few gave the domestic diva’s business much chance of survival.

Fast forward to 2007. No longer do we see a company on the brink of eradication. The revamped daily television program is getting such respectable ratings and advertisers that it has been renewed through 2008. A second show, specializing in food, is seen on PBS and a radio program has been added debuted last week. Her single magazine has grown to six specialty magazines, each among the top in their genres. In addition to the continuing Kmart product line, MSLO has agreements to expand its product line to upscale retailer Macy’s and craft-marketer Michael’s. New ventures include furniture and flowers, and even Martha Stewart housing developments.

Most important of all, this now-admired company’s revenues are up more than 50%.

The turnaround

Ben Franklin once said, “What happens is not as important as how you react to what happens.” Despite the bevy of unfortunate events, Stewart continually looked at the future. She saw the company as a thriving entity with tremendous growth and maintained a public persona equal to her vision of success. Never pouting. Always smiling. Martha looked to the distant future overlooking what she saw a temporary inconveniences.

Things began to turn around for Martha while in prison. She learned Susan Lyne, head of then-slumping Disney/ABC Entertainment, had been fired by the ABC brass. Their chief complaint about her was that she had pinned the recovery of the network on two yet-to-be aired shows for which they had little hope: “Lost” and “Desperate Housewives”.

During a visit to Martha in her West Virginia prison, the two would immediately become friends. Martha admired Lyne’s 25 year work history and decided she was the right person to lead the company into the future. Lyne took over as MSLO president and soon would gain incredible recognition: Advertising Age would name her “Executive of the Year” and The Wall Street Journal would call her the “top woman to watch in corporate America.”

Five Essentials of Leadership

Top business leaders like Martha Stewart are known for five essential qualities:

1. Pursue your purpose with passion. Anyone that knows Martha knows MSLO is the very purpose of her life. No two breathes are taken without thoughts of her business.

2. Practice solid values. Not every aspect of a great leader is based on a solid value, however all great leaders have one or more solid values upon which they focus. For …