http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/how-to-sell-affiliate-products-and-make-a-profit.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/how-to-sell-affiliate-products-and-make-a-profit.html Sun, 25 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500
It is one of the best known and widely used models. The reason for its popularity is that it provides a simple but powerful framework for navigating a route through a coaching session. It also provides a means of finding your way when you are lost. Lots of coaches have used it and it is described in number of life coaching manuals and books. GROW stands for Goal, current Reality, Options and Will. These are the four elements of a coaching session. The GROW model can be applied to individual sessions, group sessions, a part of a session or to series of sessions. Whatever type of session you apply it to the principle remains the same. This is how it works.

Any life coach knows that a goal is necessary for a person to work for. Similarly, each session must have a goal or an outcome to be reached or achieved. Make this goal as specific as possible. It should be such that it should be easy for a person to make out whether the goal has been achieved or not. Once the goal is identified, you can ask questions like “How will you know that you have achieved the goal?”

Setting the goal is good but how can you set a goal without being aware of your current reality. It is important to know where you are going but it is equally important to know where you are right now. You have to know your starting point to reach your finishing point. This is a key part of any life coaching session. By clearly seeing the situation you are in you can make the resolving of the issues that much easier.

Now you know your starting point (current reality) and your finishing point (goal), you have to next know how to get from the starting point to the finishing point. So, you have to explore the options to get from the starting point to finishing point. Using the GROW model is like using the map. Once you know where you are going and from where you are going then you can explore the possible routes. Then, you can decide which is the best possible route (option) to reach the goal.

But, knowing the starting point (current reality), finishing point (goal), and route (options) is not enough to make the journey. You should have the means to make the journey. How can you do it? By having the will to make the journey. If there is a will there is a way. So, if you have the will you can start from your current reality and reach your goal through the best option possible.

Having described the GROW model, it would seem as if it is a sequential process. But in reality it is not so. In practice each process has to be revisited a number of times before the final outcome. The best thing about this model is that it is easily understood, straightforward to apply and very thorough. In addition, once you have an understanding of how it works, it is possible to apply it to an amazing variety of issues in a very effective way. The GROW model will stop you struggling, or making so many mistakes. It will help you recoup quickly should you fall. GROW can get you going again when you pause. With GROW you can create a support framework to motivate you and encourage you. GROW can make success easier, faster and more fun than you think possible.


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Sean McPheat provides life coaching and training for people all around the globe. He is the owner of the Life Coaching Studio and he designs and delivers life coach, programmers and mentoring across the UK, Europe, US and the Middle East.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/internet/affiliate-programs/how-to-sell-affiliate-products-and-make-a-profit.html http://www.articletrader.com/internet/affiliate-programs/how-to-sell-affiliate-products-and-make-a-profit.html Sun, 25 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500
If you have some products and want to start an affiliate network, then, let me put a word of caution, it is going to take a long time before you can make a profit. The reason is you have to have many number of affiliates – in thousands, before you can think of making a profit. So, the best approach would be to join an existing network if you want more immediate profits. If you are willing to wait then you can start your own network and obviously your profit is going to be higher but, if you are not then join an existing one.
Joining an existing one is not difficult. There are hundreds of affiliate networks out there. Do not join just anyone blindly. Do a thorough research. There have been many cases of fraud on the net so, be very careful before you join on the net. Never join a network which needs some sort of deposit from you. A genuine affiliate network will not ask for money upfront. They will be interested in a percentage of the profits.

Once you have joined an affiliate network you need your own set of affiliates. Before that you need to have the affiliate software in place. Keeping manual records of referrals is not an option. Next you have to start recruiting your affiliates. It will be tempting to allow anyone and everyone to your group but it will be best if you screen the applicant before you accept them. Some of the screening tips are

• People should have an active site. If they don’t have one chances are that they are spammers
• The content of the site should be relevant to your product
• The content of the site should not be made up of ads. Exceptions can be if these sites are very popular with visitors
• Nor porn or gambling related advertisement on the website.
• The content handed over to them should not be misused
• Your products should not be misrepresented on their websites

It is not enough if you have affiliates, you have to be constantly in touch with them. Unless you are in touch with them they are likely to forget you and your products. This is especially true for high performers. These people are likely to be a part of many other affiliate networks as well. So, it is up to you to keep them happy and make them feel appreciated. Don’t wait for them to contact you. This is not the place to let your ego come in your way.

The success of any affiliate program depends on the referrals that you get. Whenever you want a referral from someone don’t beat about the bush – come straight to the point. Don’t generalize. Specify as to what kind of referrals you are looking for. If you have support materials with you it is a good idea to use them. All those leaflets and brochures are not for safekeeping. They have to be used. When describing your business break it down to small pieces. This will make it much easier for people to understand your business.

There are many resources available on the internet if you are interested in affiliate marketing. But before you jump into the fray to start one or join one, make it a point to do your research.


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Sean McPheat provides royalty free information products and services. Visit http://www.royaltyfreeproducts.com for some free samples.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/communication/a-great-manager-is-a-great-communicator.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/communication/a-great-manager-is-a-great-communicator.html Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Management training programs and management training courses will point out that good communication skills are of paramount importance to a manager. A manager has to be a great communicator if he wants to become a great manager. A great manager is one who has a vision. But, this vision will stay just that unless you communicate it properly. Communicating a vision doesn’t mean you have large message boards with your vision written on them placed at strategic locations. It might be effective to catch attention but to retain that attention you are going to have to do something else. You have to make sure that your team understands your vision and shares your vision with you. Apart from articulating your vision good communication is essential to conducting business on a day to day basis.

Most management training programs and management training courses will focus on the communication skill. It is important to understand that conversation is not communication. A good communication through conversation takes place when


• You ensure that your message is understood

• You must receive and understand the message sent to you

• You have some control over the flow of the conversation.


So, communication skill is not just about speaking but listening as well. Good communication should avoid ambiguity. If there is a chance that a message might be misunderstood then it should be clarified. Remember, that words often have different meanings in different context and cultures. For instance dry country can mean without water or without alcohol; suspenders can keep up pants as well as stockings. So, it depends on the context and the culture. How can you avoid this? Here are some tips to do that


• Repeat the message for confirmation

• If necessary write back the message

• Give proper background before speaking. This will make people aware as to which context you are going to speak about.

• Similarly, ask others about the context in which they are speaking


If you have attended management training classes then you would have had a session on management training. Here you would have been told that just like any other activity you have to plan and prepare for your conversation. State clearly and firmly; whatever it is that you are going to say. Do not lose your temper if someone else does. Be assertive. When asking question assess the situation carefully and depending on the kind of information that you want ask either open ended or close ended questions. If all you need is confirmation, then close ended questions are enough. But, if you need more information then you have to go in for open ended questions.

Communication is a two way street. And this is something that all management gurus agree on. Check on any management training manual or book any you will see that this point is being made. So, just like others listen to what you say, you have to listen to what others say. Also, nothing is more intimidating than silence. People become nervous of silence and try to fill it up with information. So, this is a great way of gathering information. At the end of any conversation summarize what has been said. Also, emphasize the outcome of the meeting.

Management meetings are an integral part of a manager’s life. The meeting can be with your superiors or subordinates. For each type of meeting your preparation and presentation has to be different. Meetings can be formal or informal. Whatever type of meeting, you have to be prepared if you want the meeting to be effective.

All management training programs or management courses specify that communication skills are one of the most important skills of a manager. So, if you want to be a great manager, then be a great communicator


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Sean McPheat provides management training to small, medium and large businesses. Sean designs and delivers bespokemanagement training courses across the UK, Europe, US and the Middle East. For a full list of our courses please visit www.m-t-d.co.uk/examples.htm

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/management/differences-between-management-and-leadership.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/management/differences-between-management-and-leadership.html Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500
A leader is a person who leads whereas a manager is one who manages. This is not funny, but we have to start somewhere and what better than the basic definitions. The biggest difference as perceived by others is the way in which they motivate people. In life nothing is black or white, everything is a different shade of grey. Similarly a manager can be a leader and vice versa. So, we can have a combination of both.

Management training manuals will tell you that managers have subordinates. Managers are given some powers by the company and the subordinates have to do as they are told. The incentive for a subordinate to do what the manager says is the reward that is given. So, if the subordinate does as he/she is told they are going to get their pay. They are not blind robots but the incentive makes them behave like that. In contrast leaders have followers. And following is a voluntary activity. Leaders do not tell people what has to be done, instead they show them the way by taking initiative and doing things first. Leaders show them that if they follow the leader they are going to fulfill their heart’s desire.

What is the chief focus for a manager? Management training programs and management training courses will tell you that the chief focus for a manager should be a manager. They are paid to get things done. After all they are themselves subordinate to some other manager. They often have deadlines looming ahead so they cannot afford focusing on anything else. Leaders on the other hand focus on people. They have a way with people; they give credit to others and take blame themselves. This creates a loyal base of followers around them. This doesn’t mean that they are very friendly with their followers. On the contrary most of them maintain a sort of aloofness to maintain their mystique.

Managers seem to seek comfortable lives. They are planners and so avoid taking risks. They avoid situations which will lead to conflict and prefer to have cordial relationship with others. Leaders on the other hand, seem to seek risk. It is not that they are looking for thrills. The thing is that leaders have a vision and so, are ready to face any problems that they encounter in order to make that vision a reality.

There is a difference in the perspective of both. Whilst managers think incrementally, leaders think radically. You have all heard of the phrase “Managers do things right whereas leaders do the right thing.” So, while managers tend to do think by the book, leaders tend to go more by their intuition. A manager is pragmatic whereas a leader is more emotional. That is why we tend to follow leaders because they reach us at an emotional level. Management usually consists of people who are experienced in their field. They are people who know how the whole system works. A leader on the other hand can be a new employee with new ideas and vision, but without the necessary experience and wisdom to make it work.

So, will the twain never meet? They will and they do. As any management training expert will declare a great manager is one who is also a good leader. But, for a manager to be effective he cannot just be a leader. He needs the formal authority of management to be really effective. Similarly a leader needs to have some managerial skills if he has to realize his vision. We can go on about the differences between management and leadership. Understanding the differences is necessary so as to make the workplace more productive. And this what all management training programs and management training courses say.


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Sean McPheat provides management training to small, medium and large businesses. Sean designs and delivers bespoke management training courses across the UK, Europe, US and the Middle East. For a free email management course please visit www.management-training-development.com/freeecourse.htm

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/sales/top-5-tips-of-the-most-successful-sales-people.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/sales/top-5-tips-of-the-most-successful-sales-people.html Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Tip#1- Focus on Clients

True, you are representing your company, but, your focus should be on the client. It is the client who is going to make sure you stay on the job. Try and get to know the clients as much as possible. They have to taken care of, monitored and pampered. Ask them questions related to your service. Also, ask them suggestions as to how you can improve your service. Implement their suggestions if you feel it is going to make your service better. Show them, that you are implementing their suggestions. You will be rewarded by their loyalty. They will come back to you even if you shift jobs. Clients will remain loyal to you if they know that you care.

Tip#2- The Right Attitude

Don’t enter this field unless you enjoy doing it. Unless you enjoy what you do it is hard to be productive. Love your work and you will find ways to be creative. If you are passionate about your work it will show. Excitement for your work will have an impact on your clients as well. Enthusiasm is infectious. If you are enthusiastic about your product, the client will feel that you are not just making a sales talk but, that there is really something worthwhile in your product. You should show the same attitude when attending sales training and sales coaching classes.

Tip#3- Set a Goal

Sales training is all about setting a goal or target and achieving. Most often than not companies will set a target for you which you will have to achieve in some period. It might be a year, a month or a week. Whatever they set is important but more important is your goal. So, if they set a target you can set a higher target for yourself. If they give you monthly targets split it into weeks and days. So, you know what your goal is for the week. Set full throttle and speed ahead towards the goal. But, one thing is clear, setting your own goal is very important. There is something very exciting about achieving a goal one has set for oneself.

Tip#4 – Select your Clients Carefully

A long term two way relationship with a client is always better than a one way street. Your relationship with your client should be mutually beneficial to you and your client. So, select clients who will stay with you for a long time. The advantage of having such clients is that they will refer your business to others. So, with referrals along your way you can increase your business. Now, convert these referrals to the same sort of relationship that you have with your other clients. Sometimes the opposite can also happen. You can meet prospective clients who can turn out to be just that – prospective. Asking the right questions can make you understand whether they want to buy or your products or they are just fishing around. Sales coaching and sales training courses also emphasize on this.

Tip#5 – Follow Up

All too often sales people forget about their customers once they have the order in their hand. It is important to keep customers happy for long term benefits. Follow up is very important. If you have a follow up offer, even better. Make it related to the original offer. It might sound difficult, after making one sale is not easy and then a follow up. But, it can be done and should be done. If you have done your research properly then you will know your clients tastes, hobbies, favorite sport etc. So, it is up to you to come up with special offers for your clients depending on their individual tastes.


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Sean McPheat provides sales coaching, sales training courses and sales consulting to a number of businesses around the globe. To learn more about MTD please click on the following link MTD Sales Training

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/the-basics-of-drywall.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/the-basics-of-drywall.html Thu, 15 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Also known as plasterboard, drywall is made of pre-dried plaster panels: plaster or wood pulp or other materials. Used primarily to form the interior walls of houses, your contractor may erect drywall as part of building a home addition, garage, or even as part of refinishing your basement.

While you're patiently waiting for your contractor to build your private masterpiece, you'll appreciate how well things start to come together and look almost complete once drywall is erected.

Drywall Is Fast!

Drywall comes as sheets of plasterboard of various sizes. Depending upon the use of a room, your contractor may choose thicker plasterboard especially in a room for young children and bouncing toys. Thinner plasterboard is appropriate for areas of the house used less frequently. Using these panels, your contractor will essentially line them up against the studs of the wall's structure and hammer the sides of them into the wood. The process is repeated when applying drywall to the ceiling as well.

Although measurements and secure nailing is important, the artistry of drywall begins during the taping stage. Taping is the process of concealing the joints between drywall panels. It isn't hard to imagine that placing drywall panels next to each other creates unsightly lines or gaps. These gaps are called joints and taping conceals them. But this isn't ordinary tape that we're talking about.

Signs Of A Good Drywall Job

Contractors tape drywall by first covering its joints with cement, then with a paper strip, and then with more cement. After using a few smoothing techniques, it's hard to distinguish where a drywall panel starts and ends. In a good drywall job, it's also almost impossible to find where the panels were nailed into the studs behind them.

And a good dry Waller knows how to patch holes as well. In the past, we were told that repairing a hole by stuffing it with newspaper and patching it with material like Spackle is just fine. Professional contractors will tell you however, that although this method works, it leaves weak spots and there's a better method that requires the expertise of a professional dry Waller.

Two Signs of A Good Drywall Contractor

Good drywall contractors follow up their initial nailing with a set of second long nails or screws. The second set of nails acts as reinforcement - ensuring that your walls won't fall down during an important family event or while sleeping! They're also careful to mix up a batch of cement that doesn't form air bubbles in the wall's seams upon drying.

These are just a couple of strategies that your drywall contractor will use to create a surrounding just as secure as the foundation that it sits on.


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Author Paul White represents FloridaHomeBuild.com. A site designed to help home owners from Florida locate local home contractors with their home improvement projects.
Visit Our Site: http://www.FloridaHomeBuild.com


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/finding-a-good-carpet-cleaner.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/finding-a-good-carpet-cleaner.html Thu, 15 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500
1. Get referrals through friends.

2. Ask the company for references.

3. Find a company who's been in business for several years.

4. Choose a company that's licensed and bonded.

5. Ask if the company belongs to any trade groups.

6. Make sure the individual technician coming to your home has formal training.

7. Avoid companies that contact you. Instead, seek out a company when you need one.

8. Pay by the square foot if possible. As of November 1999, the Florida average is 20 cents per square foot.

9. You get what you pay for. Truck- mounted equipment is more expensive, but it's also 30 times more powerful.


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Author Paul White represents FloridaHomeBuild.com. A site designed to help home owners from Florida locate local home contractors with their home improvement projects.
Visit Our Site: http://www.FloridaHomeBuild.com


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/florida-home-additions-plan.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/florida-home-additions-plan.html Thu, 15 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500
But the Temple, Texas, couple had at least one good reason why they couldn't consider a major kitchen renovation. 'With all our other financial obligations,' Lynne explains, 'a new kitchen had to be put on hold for a few more years.'

So they put off the total remodel and family room addition they had blueprints for. Instead, they brightened the existing kitchen and made it work better with what they call an interim face-lift - freshly painted cabinets as well as new counters, flooring and appliances. Each change was tied into their future plans to add more cabinets, an island and a family room.

The Wildes' 'new' kitchen cost just $6,153 (a major remodel typically costs close to $20,000). 'Going this route bought us time and made the entire house more cheerful and livable without getting us deeply into debt,' Lynne says.


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Author Paul White represents FloridaHomeBuild.com. A site designed to help home owners from Florida locate local home contractors with their home improvement projects.
Visit Our Site: http://www.FloridaHomeBuild.com


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/hardwood-flooring-style-and-timber-lead-to-creative-results.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/hardwood-flooring-style-and-timber-lead-to-creative-results.html Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Why Choose Hardwood Flooring?

Properly installed, hardwood flooring not only complements an existing decor, it provides a secure and solid support for anyone with a family - small or large! Large families can especially appreciate these oak favorites because they have such a reputation for withstanding the demands of growing children, heavy furniture, rolling pianos, and anything else that would mar or dent any other type of floor.

For these reasons alone, the cost of installing hardwood flooring is well out-weighed by both its aesthetic and resale value. Research has proven a home filled with this type of service sells higher on the market than most others.

Have we caught your interest? Good - let's talk about the different styles available today. You can install hardwood flooring that's based off of four basic styles. We say, 'based off of' because knowing these basic styles, your installation can deviate from any one of them into something exotic, creative, and uniquely beautiful.

Available Styles

The most common style of hardwood flooring is known as 'strip flooring,' and it's probably the style that you've repeatedly seen over the years. Strip flooring lays strips of hardwood (in various lengths and thicknesses) onto the floor.

Plank flooring on the other hand, lays planks (up to nine inches wide) onto the floor with beveled edges - an attempt to emulate an older appearance.

Parquet flooring consists of hardwood that is cut in identical widths and lengths, but laid in a unique pattern to create a design.

Block flooring is similar to parquet flooring however it's the grain of the wood that's used to create a pattern. You might have seen this look - where the grains of the wood point in different directions.

Types of Wood

Oak has almost always been the hardwood flooring preference, however today, more and more homeowners like are you exploring other options like pecan, maple, birch, or beech. The exciting thing about these different options is that they present a wider range of colors. Each of these timbers presents their own unique collection of hues and tints that help to bring out the existing beauty of your home.

With a little creative forethought, you can combine the distinctive properties of wood types with one of the above mentioned style types to build a floor that will become the center of attention in your home!

Communication is Key

Your success of course, depends on how well you communicate your ideas with your hardware flooring contractor. Take the time to draw up a plan that specifies the style you want (see above) in addition to the kind of wood you want installed. Present your plan to your contractor so that the both of you can work together and create the home improvement masterpiece that's not only possible, but also that you've imagined for all these years.


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Author Paul White represents FloridaHomeBuild.com. A site designed to help home owners from Florida locate local home contractors with their home improvement projects.
Visit Our Site: http://www.FloridaHomeBuild.com


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/a-brief-introduction-to-brick-and-tile.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/a-brief-introduction-to-brick-and-tile.html Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Brick and Tile Have A History

Brick has a history that's at least six thousand years old. Made of clay, bricks are made by burning them in a kiln for a specific length of time. The end result is a collection of 2 1/4 × 3 3/4 × 8-inch blocks of heat resistant, strong, and hard block of building material. Their simple production is what lends to this material's historical and cultural expansion.

Tiles of the past were made of clay as well. Only recently have we begun tile production with synthetic plastic. Historically, facing tile is the most common and you've surely seen this style of tile as a flat glazed square. Another style that you might be familiar with is terra cotta - hard-unglazed brownish-red earthenware. Terra cotta is usually applied to brick or plaster.

Brick Types

Different types of brick serve different purposes. The most widely recognized brick is a reddish clay and sand combination that might have a hole in the middle of it. This kind of brick is known as a Kiln Brick. Facing brick is kiln-burned also; however it has a smoother and more attractive surface. As a result, facing brick is used on visible parts of buildings where kiln bricks are reserved for non-visible parts - just like the common brick. You will typically find the common brick along sidewalls. As decoration, brick veneer is thinner (shallow) than the others and is used (with mortar) to surface interior walls.

Brick veneer isn't the only type of brick that's used for aesthetic purposes however. You can create an interesting atmosphere within your home with tapestry brick, which is impressed with a design, or with molded brick, which is shaped into interesting forms (curves, arches, etc.).

Tile Types

Interestingly, you'll find a lot more different kinds of tile than you'll find of brick. We've already introduced terra cotta, but we haven't touched on facing tile (otherwise known as flooring or wall tile). Like facing brick, facing tile is meant for visible areas.

Italian Faience tile is known for it's opaque glazes whereas Spanish Majolica tile is known for its bright surfaces. Dutch Delft tile shows off an oriental appearance with white or blue hues.

You Have A Wide Assortment to Work From

As you can see, you have a wide selection of both tile and brick to pick and choose from when you're thinking about laying out a new floor or wall or even counter top. You're limited only by your imagination and your contractor can help you decide which type of tile or brick is suitable for your climate, lifestyle, or creative goals!


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Author Paul White represents FloridaHomeBuild.com. A site designed to help home owners from Florida locate local home contractors with their home improvement projects.
Visit Our Site: http://www.FloridaHomeBuild.com


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>