Students Of Success

Private equity firms have raised so much capital over the last 12 months that they are vigorously competing with one another for opportunities to put their money to work. Business owners, who previously would have had to go hat-in-hand to investors, instead find themselves inundated with unsolicited offers for their companies. Companies with solid balance sheets, good management and strong growth prospects are able to tailor deals to their liking, and get solid valuations.

According to Private Equity Analyst, a newsletter that covers the private equity and venture capital industry, private equity groups raised $53.9 billion in 2004, more than double the $26.4 billion raised in 2003.

“All this money out there means business owners might be able to get a better value for their company or sell less of it or both” says Patrick Haden, a partner with Riordan, Lewis & Haden, a private equity firm in Los Angeles. “And it allows owners to choose the firm they want to work with, the firm that can help them the most”.

Before the wave of private equity fund raising, strategic buyers would often be in a position to pay up to 25% more than private equity buyers because of the synergies and economies of scale that they brought to the table. But now, flush with cash, private equity groups are largely matching the offers of strategic buyers and sometimes exceeding them.

Because of the amount of capital chasing middle market companies, private equity groups are finding it increasingly difficult to pinpoint good deals. According to Troy Noard, a managing director at Frontenac, a private equity firm in Chicago, “during the last six months, private equity firms have gotten very proactive about contacting business owners directly rather than waiting for investment bankers to bring them deals.”

From the owner’s perspective this is both good and bad. It’s good because owners are now beginning to realize they have options. It’s bad because private equity groups are trying to by-pass the controlled auction process that investment bankers run so that they don’t have to compete against other buyers in order to win the deal. This doesn’t allow the business owner to maximize the value of this company through an auction and, because the owner is only talking with one buyer, it shifts the negotiating power to the private equity.

Having multiple suitors to choose from also allows business owners to negotiate from a position of strength, greatly influencing the price, terms, and structure of the final deal. If a prospective buyer isn’t able to meet the owner’s key terms, the owner can walk away confidently knowing that he or she will be able to find a viable alternative.

For business owners this “Seller’s Market” means that they can take their time to investigate which private equity firm would be the best fit for them and their company. Many private equity groups actually want the former owner to stay involved in the company and retain a meaningful stake so that he is invested in the company’s future performance. As long as the business is on the right track, they will often ask the business owner to stay on, if not as the CEO, then in whatever role the owner prefers, such as sales, operations, or as a consultant.

If you own a company with revenues of between $5 million and $150 million, this is a unique time to consider your options. Valuations are at a four year high, capital gains rates are at a 40 year low, and institutional buyers are aggressively looking to make acquisitions. That makes this a unique time to consider selling your business.

Author Bio: Rich Jackim, former Wall Street attorney and experienced investment banker has helped over 60 business owners successfully exit their companies and realize their personal goals. He is the author of the recenly published book, “The $10 Trillion Opportunity: Designing Successful Exit Strategies for Middle Market Business Owners.” Available at http://www.exit-planning-institute.org Rich is the president of The Christman Group LLC, a boutique investment bank that specializes in selling privately owned businesses.

Rich received his BA from Colgate University, his JD from Cornell Law School, and his MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. He is a sought after speaker and has either published articles or been quoted in Business Week, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Daily Herald, The Business Ledger, Bulk Transport, Plastics News, Indianapolis Business Journal, Nashville Business Journal, and other regional and national publications.

Want to move into the big time? Many creative small presses and self-publishers are discovering a practical path for penetrating bigger “establishment” trade houses. They bring out a quality book, market it successfully, then allow a trade publisher to buy the rights. While this sounds patently simple, it isn’t. But it does often work. How do you accomplish such a victory?

Your best ammunition is a good, well-focused book. By good we mean one that has been meticulously edited and attractively crafted. Is the cover striking and clear? Has the interior designer laid out the book so it is appealing to the eye and simple to use? A well-focused book meets a specific need and is distinguishable from similar titles in one or more distinct ways. Outflank the competition by making your book more complete, more useful, or more unique.

Now that you have a quality product, go on the offensive and sell the heck out of it! Tap into every possibility for free PRget reviews and author interviewscultivate that all-important word-of-mouth. Place ads in specially targeted media and, if your book retails for $25 or more, consider launching a consumer direct mail campaign. Seek every opportunity to develop momentum for your title.

What does it take to interest a large trade publisher or an aggressive mid-sized house? An impressive print package and a strong sales track record. When you have that delightful duo, you’re bargaining from a position of power. You’re offering a proven product; the risks have already been taken.

Research to determine who publishes your kind of book. First, look in Literary Market Place under “Book Publishers.” There is an index at the end of the section telling who publishes in what genre. Writer’s Market also has a very useful subject cross index. Second, call and get the name and correct spelling of the appropriate current editor. Next, request their current catalog. (Many will have toll-free ordering numbers you can use.) Now study the catalogs. Look for books with similar subject matter. Often you can show how your book will complement another title on their list. Or perhaps you’ll detect an obvious void you title would fill.

Now go to a large bookstore and carefully explore your subject area. Again, tune into relevant titles. The reason we succeeded in selling our Big Marketing Ideas for Small Service Businesses to Dow Jones-Irwin was because we saw their Service America while doing homework at Denver’s Tattered Cover Bookstore. We suggested our book be positioned with it.

Now develop a proposal with pizzazz. Tell how the book meets a present need and why it is different. Give them your sales figures. Include copies of reviews, large purchase orders, and newspaper interviews. This is what we did to sell Writer’s Digest Books the rights to our Complete Guide to Self-Publishing.

When negotiating a contract, you may find it makes sense to bargain in person rather than just by mail, email, and phone. This allows you to “read” the other person better and more quickly consummate a deal. Otherwise, contracts usually go back and forth several times. Sometimes they even falter and collapse. We feel sure the five-figure advance we negotiated for one of our books would have been considerably smaller had we depended on a less personal form of communication.

The negotiation process should be a win/win proposition. Think about what you would like to haveand what you must have. But be willing to compromise. There is no way around it: Publishers Row has some sacred cows. They aren’t going to alter their position on certain issues for you or anyone else. Be reasonable in your expectations but firm in explaining what you must have.

The success stories using this springboard technique could go on and on. Last year Putnam came out with Breaking into the Boardroom, a book we helped a client privately publish in 1986 and for which St. Martins ultimately bought the paperback rights. What Color is Your Parachute, How to Avoid Probate, and The Elements of Style are other classic examples of self-published works that zoomed to stardom. So if you want to fatten your wallet, consider pursuing a trade publisher to pick up the rights to your proven product.

© Copyright 2005 Marilyn Ross

Marilyn and Tom Ross are the coauthors of 13 books including the best-selling Complete Guide to Self-Publishing and the award-winning Jump Start Your Book Sales. Through phone consultations and ongoing coaching/mentoring, Marilyn empowers authors and self-publishers to realize their dreams. She can be reached at 719-395-8659 or Marilyn@MarilynRoss.com.

Visit http://www.SelfPublishingResources.com for free meaty information on writing, self-publishing, and book marketing strategies.

Health insurance is offered in various forms today. Traditionally, health insurance plans were indemnity plans; the insured paid a premium, the physician provided health care services, the health insurance plan was billed, and the health insurance plan paid for covered services. As health care costs became astronomical, health insurance companies developed different plans that were aimed at providing quality health care at affordable prices. Managed health care became the buzzword for the health insurance industry, and health insurance plans became more complicated.

Health maintenance organizations, or HMOs, and preferred provider networks, or PPOs, have largely replaced the traditional indemnity health plan. HMOs and PPOs utilize strategies to contain health care costs. These health plans are similar in certain ways. Both HMO and PPO plans contract with health care providers to provide health care services at reduced rates for the health insurance plan members. Typically both plans require the the member have a primary care provider, or PCP, who serves as a “gateway” to coordinate care for the member, and all specialty services are accessed by referral from the PCP. Both HMOs and PPOs require that certain services and products, usually the more costly ones, be reviewed by the health insurance reviewers for prior approval or prior authorization before the service is rendered. The health care provider must submit justification for these services as “medically necessary”, and the reviewer determines whether the service is a covered service. The plans do make provision for emergency situations that cannot wait for prior approval/authorization, but still require an approval process.

HMOs and PPOs differ in significant ways, however. A PPO plan often covers services rendered by providers that are not in the plan network, though usually at a lower rate than given for network providers. HMOs usually offer no coverage for out-of-network health care providers.

Advantages of HMO/PPO plans typically include lower health insurance premiums than those of traditional health insurance plans. HMOs and PPOs often offer coverage for preventive and health maintenance care not covered by indemnity plans. The health plan member is usually not required to file claims for health care services; contract providers bill the health insurance plan directly.

Disadvantages of these managed health care plans include limiting coverage to providers in the health care plan. Plan members must change primary care providers if their provider is not in the health plan network. Many members do not want to change health care providers. Another disadvantage is that prior approval/authorization processes can be time-consuming and slow down the delivery of needed health care services. Specialty health care can only be accessed through referral from the PCP.

In summary, HMOs and PPOs offer lower premiums and increased coverage, but limit members to their network of providers. Indemnity plans allow the member to see the health care provider of their choice, and to access specialty care when they want, but usually pay higher premiums for health insurance coverage. Ultimately the health plan member must decide whether choice of physician and access to specialty care are worth the higher premiums. Whatever plan is chosen, it is vital for members to know their health insurance plan, including what services are covered and what providers are in network.

Kay Lowe holds a Master’d degree in health care ahd has 30+ years in the health care field. She is also webmaster for Health-Infosource.com, a website dedicated to disseminating health information.

Brick fundraising is an easy way to raise money for schools,
hospitals, religious institutions, non-profits, government
buildings, or any worthwhile project.

It’s easy to start a brick fundraising project -

First decide the price of a personalized brick. People will
donate that amount to participate in a fundraising campaign that
contributes to a meaningful cause and enables them to
participate in a brick project that will last for years. Decades
from now, their children or grandchildren can point to that
brick and say “there’s my family brick, there’s my Grandfather
or Grandmother”.

Participating in a brick fundraising project allows donors to
participate in a cause bigger than themselves, and to
permanently establish themselves as part of that group.

Many brick fundraising projects were started to raise funds,
then the group found lasting intangible benefits from the
enhanced commitment donors feel when they see a name on a brick
fundraising project. Memorials leave a moving tribute to those
whose names are inscribed.

As a high school principal pointed out regarding a 1992 brick
fundraising wall, people lose their annuals but the wall is
still there as a tangible reminder that they are part of the
community and were part of the school.

Brick fundraising projects can go on almost anywhere - on inside
or outside walls, sidewalks, entryways, corridors, foyers,
fountains, plazas, or raised earth surfaces. They leave a
moving, often functional memorial.

Since 1988, Brick Sculpture by Cannon has helped many brick
fundraising projects. Larry Cannon is a brick artist, who often
engraves 6 foot brick sculptures as centerpieces for brick
fundraising projects - providing moving public art that raises
needed funds.

Sitting opposite a doctor and trying to listen as you are handed a Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis is a life defining moment.

Even if your physical symptoms:

• Tremor/shaking

• Unsteadiness/problems with balance

• Uncoordinated movements/clumsiness

• Impaired walking ability

• Muscle rigidity

had aroused suspicions within you, it is still shocking to hear the words spoken out loud. Shock causes a kind of mental paralysis that can prevent you hearing and processing the words being spoken and you leave the consultation in confusion and distress.

Parkinson’s Disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose, especially in the early stages and mis-diagnosis is not uncommon. The important thing is to learn as much as you can about the syndrome; the causes, the risks, the treatments and the things you can do for yourself. Having full information can reduce stress levels and this is important as high stress levels have been shown to increase the severity of the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.

New treatments for Parkinson’s Disease are at the cutting edge of current research with experiments being conducted with stem cells and gene therapy. However, in the first instance you should not be surprised if no treatment is offered when you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Some doctors are reluctant to start medication for mild symptoms as the effectiveness of current prescription drugs has been shown to reduce over time and some also have associated side-effects. It is often the case that medication is not commenced until the symptoms begin to severely impact daily life.

It is true that, at the moment, there is no cure for Parkinson’s Disease but this is not a cause for despair. There is an enormous amount individuals can do for themselves to supplement drug treatments by making adjustments to diet and lifestyle; symptoms can be minimised and controlled for many years and research is uncovering more possibilities on an almost daily basis.

Darcy Harris is dedicated to encouraging wellness for life in all domains of life. She is the author of Everything you Need to Know About Parkinson’s Disease found at http://wflparkinsonsdisease.com and an expert contributor to http://wellnessforlife.info To contact the author please email articles@wellnessforlife.info

Switzerland is a country with amazing scenery. A tourist who visits Switzerland can expect to see some amazing nature, as well as interesting city sites. There are all kinds of options for a vacation in Switzerland, but some people choose to see the country by camping Switzerland. In comparison to some places in the world, Switzerland is a pleasant place to camp. The typical Swiss campsite is clean and well equipped. Most are open throughout the year except the ones at extremely high altitudes in the mountains. Almost every town or city has a campsite or two of some sort.

One problem with camping Switzerland is that it is often just as expensive as staying in a hostel. Most people camp to be economical while they are traveling abroad. But in Switzerland most of the campsites are located far enough outside the city that it will be an added expense for you each time you return to your campsite. In addition, the sites charge for tents and for parking your car. When you add all these fees together, it may save you time and effort to simply crash at a hostel. However, if you want to camp out in the mountain wilderness of Switzerland, that may be well worth the effort.

If your are just starting a business venture then the following tips will provide you with a solid foundation for growing your new company and if you have been in business for a while you can use these tips as a supplement to your existing marketing strategies.

The results of the following tips may vary based upon your dedication to applying these tips on a daily basis.

1. Sign-up to win web site awards. When you win, some award sites publish your web site link, name and description on their site.

2. Join online business associations or clubs. If you join, they will usually list all their members on their web site. It will give your business extra exposure.

3. Utilize a simple form of viral marketing. Write or have someone else write a small report with your ad included on it and allow others to give it away.

4. Improve your business by promoting customer feedback. Tell them you want their honest opinions about your business, good or bad.

5. Design your packaging so it sells your products. Utilize colors and lettering that make your product more attractive to your prospects.

6. Compare your product’s guarantee to your main competitors. Find a niche were your can design your guarantee to be more powerful.

7. Try not to assume your audience understands everything in your ad copy. If you have words they may not know the meaning to, define them.

8. Build alliances with other online businesses. You could trade links or ads, create joint venture deals; cross promote your products, etc.

9. Design your web site to be a valuable resource for people. Include original content, links to other interesting web sites, ebooks, software, etc.

10. Compete with the highly branded businesses by practicing good
customers service, strong product quality and speedy service.

Make a commitment to apply at lease one of these tips each day and you will be amazed by the results.

Bueford Copeland is a Technology Consultant with 10 years experience in Internet and Computer Technologies. For more tips and resources please visit www.about-business.net and www.aboutmarketing.net

Submitted with Article Distributor.

How about a Tax Tip?

As we all know Taxes are a necessary evil. While none of us like paying taxes there are many strategists out there that can make your life a lot easier when that dreaded day arrives.

Recently I received a “Tax Tip” that saved me a ton of money and allowed me to reinvest some of that money back into my business.

I met a man names Drew Miles. Drew is a tax and asset protection expert and to me he is a modern day “hero”.
This simple strategy he gave me will probably save me 175,000 dollars over the next 2-3 years and who knows how much after that.

Without going into to much detail about the tip due to time constraints just know there are over 100 deductions that most business owners don’t realize and this can bring down your net income greatly while allowing you to spend pre-tax dollars on those ventures.

There are many great people in this field. People like Sandy Botkin and Diane Kennedy are all great as well as a host of many others. YOu can do a Google search for Tax Strategists and find many others.

If taxes are going to burden us lets at least use some of these secret tips that the government doesn’t tell us about to our advantage. I call these tax tips.

Don’t fear tax strategists and asset protection strategists they are there to help you and to teach you how to save money in this ever changing world.

Charles Light - Author, Speaker Entreprenuer.

In my attempts to find the love of my life, I knew that they
were not going to be found in the town where I lived, so I took
to the Internet. My first experience was the result of a
television commercial. They looked so darn happy, you couldn’t
help but wonder if this could also work for you, so I tried it.
Put it this way, finding my “Mr. Right” may have ended up
costing me a small fortune!

Then one day I was working on my computer and along came an
annoying pop-up. Normally, I delete them as fast as they pop-up,
but this one caught my eye. It was for another dating site. Once
inside the site, I was amazed at all of the handsome black men
and a few white ones too, who were looking for the perfect black
woman.

Because of how I am, my desire for monogamy, this is who I was
looking for, someone who had the same desire as me. What I
quickly found out, on my first night on the site is that most
men don’t even bother to read your profile they just look at
your picture and click! Thanks for the compliment, I think?
However, when a man takes the time to read your profile, he is
going a little deeper than just the physical attraction and
actually learns a little about you before sending you a message.

At that time my profile was a little friendlier, more inviting.
What I found was that I spent more time eliminating those who
did not fit the bill until I thought I had found the one.
However I have a hard time giving all of my attention and
affection to someone who is not returning the favor. And because
of who I am, it is not in my nature to be intimate with more
than one person at a time. To me, intimacy definitely includes
more than just sex. It involves allowing a person to really get
to know who you are, what your likes and dislikes are, what your
loves and fears are, trusting to the point of vulnerability. So
because I was not getting what I needed in return for what I was
giving, I said audios!

I decided to give this site another go. This time I spelled out
exactly what I expected in my profile. It was probably more
intimidating to some. I think that they could tell that I was
very serious about what I am saying and if they are all about
the game, they don’t even bother to click. That’s good! As I
say, that way I don’t have to bother cutting away the fat to get
to the meat. Or as one gentleman said, “the apples at the top of
the tree are more appealing but the ones on the ground are
easier to get.” I am still the same person, but this time I am
realizing that it’s really all about the game. The object of the
game is to talk with whomever you want, as many as you want, as
much as you want, as intimately as you want, all at the same
time, and finally, if you choose to do so, you can select the
one who has won you over from all of your many admirers.
However, don’t forget that while you are being pursued by him,
he is being pursued by others and he is also pursuing others at
the same time he is pursuing you. It’s like one big orgy!

For this very reason, I don’t think that online dating is right
for me. But let’s turn that around. Online dating is what you
make it. You can play by your own rules. As for me, I really
don’t care what the others do; I will stick to my molasses
method of one person at a time. The problem is finding that one
who would be willing to give up the buffet to see what the steak
taste like. I’m sure that it will take me longer this way to
find the one who is right for me, but after all when I do, it
will have been well worth the timefor both of us!

Copyright 2006 Christopher Green

Throughout your life, you have formed a set of values and meanings to make sense of the world you live in. These values and meanings constitute your beliefs and your beliefs are what you hold to be true about life. Your beliefs are at the core of your existence and you wouldn’t be the person you are now without them.

Beliefs are very important. The only reason you act and behave the way you do is because of your beliefs. For example, people who believe in God will act in a way conducive with their belief - praying or going to church for example. If you don’t believe in a God, it is very unlikely you’ll pray to one.

This pattern follows in most areas of our lives and here are three very powerful beliefs that can hurt you and spoil your quality of life. They are beliefs common to stress, anxiety and depression and they underpin these illnesses. Do you hold any or all of the following beliefs:

1. I’m helpless and hopeless. I can’t do anything, things are totally beyond my control and there’s no point in trying to do anything about it because nothing I do ever works. This is a very powerful and limiting belief. If you believe that you are helpless, then you will act accordingly because you won’t take action to change things. Why would you if you strongly believe it is a hopeless cause? Helplessness is learned and it is also flawed. Many people are blind to the power they possess and a belief in helplessness keeps them in the dark. But just as helplessness is learned, it can be unlearned.

2. Nobody loves me. I’m an effort to be with, I bore people and I never have anything interesting to say. It’s much better if I stay alone and don’t inflict myself on others and spoil their happiness. OK, it was very hard for me to write the last few lines because they’re exactly what someone I loved dearly said to me on many occasions when we were due to socialize with friends. Hearing such words cuts you to ribbons, my word it is such a destructive belief. If you believe this, you will act accordingly by isolating yourself from others. You’ll find excuses so you don’t have to go out and when you do, you will sit in silence and try to melt into the background. And as you won’t be engaging with others, this belief will be re-enforced. Another aspect: people who believe this will put themselves down when others question them. So, someone says “you’re quiet tonight, are you OK?” Will get a “well, that’s me, I haven’t really got anything interesting to say so I’ll keep quiet and not bore anyone.” Honestly, I’ve seen this happen many times. Even when they’ve been loved, even when they’ve had family and friends who loved them and enjoyed their company, this belief blinded them to all of it. Can you see how the belief comes first no matter what is happening in reality? In other words, it is THE BELIEF causing the harm, not others. Not family, not friends, but the belief and if you strongly believe this, nothing will convince you otherwise until you start to question and test this belief.

3. Finally, perhaps the most limiting belief of all. Be honest with me here when I ask: Do you believe it is wrong to be blissfully happy? The obvious immediate reaction is “yes, of course!”. But stop for a second because this is important. Very few people truly believe this. They see others struggle in life and believe that it is wrong to be happy while others suffer. Feeling happy makes them feel guilty. Also, you may hold a deep-seated belief that there has to be suffering in life, that somehow, suffering brings enlightenment. If you are happy, then you’re selfish and this is wrong because the happiness of others comes before yours and you must sacrifice your happiness for the greater good. But you have a right enjoy a happy life. There is no value in suffering and there is nothing to feel guilty about in being happy. Believing otherwise will mean you will act in a way that spoils happiness and continually robs it from you.

Please examine the beliefs you hold. Question their validity and if they’re making you stressed, anxious or depressed, then please understand they can be unlearned and replaced with better ones.

Until next time.

Former anxiety sufferer Chris Green is the author of “Conquering Stress”, the internationally acclaimed program which will help you to permanently conquer stress, depression and anxiety without taking powerful drugs. For a free mini course, please click here => www.conqueringstress.com