Work at Home Job Tips - Legitimate Work at Home Jobs

By Alison Doyle,

Jobs Vacancy, Job vacancies, Employment Jobs

Types of Legitimate Work From Jobs

There are companies that hire employees directly to work from their homes. Legitimate work from home jobs include customer service, recruiting, sales, scheduling, technical, writing, marketing, and telemarketing positions. A home based agent, for example, works from a home office gathering, entering and confirming customer information, answering customer questions, resolving issues, providing customer care, engaging in live chat, responding to email, and handling calls with customers.

Other work at home jobs that are for real include call center jobs, online tutor jobs, transcription jobs and virtual assistant jobs.

Finding Legitimate Work at Home Jobs
How can you find legitimate work from home job listings? Here are sites you can use to look for work at home job openings, but do be careful and research each and every company to make sure it and the job are legitimate.

• Work at Home Companies
• Work From Home Job Listings
• Work at Home Job Sites

Getting Paid
Some companies pay an hourly rate. In other cases, the jobs are part-time, commission-based, or pay a lump sum for a completed project.

Work at Home Job Search Tips
Tips for finding legitimate work at home jobs, finding companies to work for, and avoiding job and employment scams.

Job Scams
Information about job scams including how to check out job listings, how to avoid employment scams, how to report a scam, and where to find lists of scams.

Disclaimer:
You may see advertisements for work at home jobs on this page, because that's the topic of the article. Just because you see an ad here, that doesn't make it a legitimate company. Carefully investigate companies that you are interested in.

Business Letter Writing: Writing a Cover Letter when Applying for a Job

By Kenneth Beare

Jobs Vacancy, Job vacancies, Employment Jobs

The cover letter should always be included when sending your resume or CV for a possible job interview. This letter of application serves the purpose or introducing you and asking for an interview. Here is an outline to writing a successful cover letter. To the right of the letter, look for important notes concerning the layout of the letter signaled by a number.

Cover Letter Outline

2520 Vista Avenue - 1
Olympia, Washington 98501
April 19, 2001

Mr. Bob Trimm, Personnel Manager - 2
Ideas Inc.
587 Lilly Road

Dear Mr. Trimm: - 3

Opening paragraph - Use one of the following to bring yourself to the attention of the reader and make clear what job you are applying for:

1. Summarize the opening
2. Name the opening
3. Request an opening
4. Question the availability of an opening

Middle paragraph(s)- Use one of the following in each of your middle paragraphs to provide the reader with plenty of reasons to invite you to an interview:

1. Education
2. Work experience
3. Ability to work with others and/or alone
4. Interest in your field
5. Interest in the company
6. Responsibilities in previous positions

Closing paragraph - Use the closing paragraph to ensure action on the part of the reader

The last paragraph needs to help ensure that action is taken. You can ask for an interview appointment time, stating that you will be happy to come to the employer's office when convenient. Make it easy for the reader to follow-up by providing your telephone number and email address.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Beare - 4

Enclosure

Important Salutation Notes

1 - Begin your cover letter by placing your address first, followed by the address of the company you are writing to.

2 - Use complete title and address; don't abbreviate.

3 - Always make an effort to write directly to the person in charge of hiring.

4 -Always sign letters.

Example Cover Letters

Example Letter

1: Responding to Advertisement

Example Letter

2: Requesting an Opening

If business letter writing is important to your career, I'd consider purchasing 3,001 Business and Sales letters. This reasonably priced package provides templates of English business letters for just about any business situation imaginable. For more detailed help with standard business writing skills, I highly recommend these business English books.

Top 6 Rules for Using Cell Phones at Work

By Dawn Rosenberg McKay

Jobs Vacancy, Job vacancies, Employment Jobs

1. Turn Your Cell Phone Ringer Off

If you have your cell phone at work, it shouldn't ring. If you don't want to turn off your cell phone completely, at least set it to vibrate. The sounds of different ring tones going off all the time can be very annoying to others. In addition, you don't want your boss to know how often you get calls.

Having your cell phone at work can be useful but it can also be very disruptive. Your friends and family can reach you anytime, anywhere, which can be annoying.

When you're on your own time, the choice to turn off your cell phone is entirely yours. When it comes to using your cell phone at work, however, you have to be mindful of your co-workers and your boss, not to mention your own ability to get your job done. Here are some rules you should follow if you have your cell phone at work.

2. Use Your Cell Phone Only for Important Calls

If you have your cell phone at work, you should only use it for important calls. What should you classify as an important call? The school nurse calling to say your child is ill, your child calling to say he's arrived home from school safely, and family emergencies that you must deal with immediately are important. Your friend calling to chat, your child calling to say the dog had an accident, or your mom calling to tell you your cousin Tilly is engaged should not be considered important.

3. Let Your Cell Phone Calls Go to Voice Mail

While you are at work if you are in doubt about whether an incoming call is important, let voice mail pick it up. It will take much less time to check your messages than it will to answer the call and then tell the caller you can't talk.

4. Find a Private Place to Make Cell Phone Calls

While it's okay to use your cell phone at work for private calls during breaks, don't stay at your desk. Find somewhere else to talk, where your conversation can't be overheard, even if what you're discussing isn't personal. You may be on a break but your co-workers have a job to do.

5. Don't Bring Your Cell Phone Into the Restroom ... Ever

This rule should apply to using your cell phone at work or anywhere. Why? Well, if you must ask — you never know who's in there; the person on the other end of the line will hear bathroom sounds, e.g., toilets flushing; it is an invasion of your co-workers' privacy.

6. Don't Bring Your Cell Phone to Meetings

Even if you have your cell phone set to vibrate, if you receive a call you will be tempted to see who it's from. This is not only rude, it is a clear signal to your boss that your mind isn't 100 percent on your job. All calls can wait until your meeting is over or until there is a break. Remember, there was a time before we had cell phones.

Email Etiquette Tips for Professional Email

By Dawn Rosenberg McKay


Jobs Vacancy, Job vacancies, Employment Jobs

Ninety two percent of Internet users in the United States use email. That's a huge number since 73% of those living in the U.S. use the Internet (Information Please® Database, Pearson Education, Inc., 2008). Many people use email for business communications, which stresses the importance of knowing proper email etiquette. While a lot of people understand the importance of following certain rules when writing a business letter, they often forget these rules when composing an email message. Here's a refresher.

• Mind Your Manners: Think of the basic rules you learned growing up, like saying please and thank you. Address people you don't know as Mr., Mrs., or Dr. Only address someone by first name if they imply it's okay to do so.

• Watch Your Tone: Merriam-Webster defines tone as an "accent or inflection expressive of a mood or emotion." It is very difficult to express tone in writing. You want to come across as respectful, friendly, and approachable. You don't want to sound curt or demanding.

• Be Concise: Get to the point of your email as quickly as possible, but don't leave out important details that will help your recipient answer your query.

• Be Professional: This means, stay away from abbreviations and don't use emoticons (those little smiley faces). Don't use a cute or suggestive email address for business communications.

• Use Correct Spelling and Proper Grammar: Use a dictionary or a spell checker — whichever works better for you. While you can write in a conversational tone (contractions are okay), pay attention to basic rules of grammar.

• Ask Before You Send an Attachment: Because of computer viruses, many people won't open attachments unless they know the sender. Even that can be a mistake because many viruses come disguised in email messages from someone you know. Before sending an attachment, ask the recipient if you may do so.

• Wait to Fill in the "TO" Email Address: Career Planning Site visitor Larry Batchelor says, "I never fill in the 'TO' email address until I am completely through proofing my email and I am sure that it is exactly the way that I want it. This will keep you from accidentally sending an email prematurely. In the past, I have accidentally clicked on the send icon, when I really meant to click on the attachment icon."

Toward a More Civil Work Place Avoiding Offensive Behavior on the Job

By Dawn Rosenberg McKay

Jobs Vacancy, Job vacancies, Employment Jobs

Who Let the Dogs In?

Barbara quit her job last week. She just couldn't take it anymore. What made her quit? Was it a difficult boss? Was she bored with her work? Did she just feel it was time to move on? No, no, and no. None of the above. Barbara's boss insisted on bringing his dogs to work. Barbara, who had always been afraid of dogs, found out that she was also allergic to them. Her boss refused to leave the dogs at home so Barbara found another job. As if the allergies weren't enough, her boss's disrespect for her pushed Barbara over the edge.

Unfortunately, disrespect for one's co-workers (or subordinates) isn't that uncommon. And it often causes people to leave their jobs. For employers this means losing good people, and then having to hire and train new ones. For co-workers it means having to get used to working with new people, and picking up the slack until new employees can be found. The saddest part of the lack of respect in the workplace is that many people don't realize they are being disrespectful. They aren't trying to hurt someone's feelings. They just aren't trying to not do that. Barbara's boss, for example, was doing what he felt was best for his pets. He thought leaving them at home was cruel. He may have even felt that his employees would enjoy having the dogs there. He didn't consider the negative effect the dogs might have on someone.

The Actions to Avoid

How can we avoid offending the people we work with? It seems as if it should be blatently obvious. But if it were I wouldn't even be writing this article. Let's take a look now at actions that may offend your co-workers (in no particular order).

• Having loud telephone conversations

• Not cleaning up after yourself in the staff kitchen

• Showing up late for meetings

• Looking at a co-worker's computer screen over his or her shoulder

• Taking supplies from a co-worker's desk

• Neglecting to say please and thank you

• Wearing too much perfume

• Chewing gum loudly

• Taking the last of something without replacing it

• Talking behind someone's back

• Asking someone to lie for you

• Blaming someone else when you are at fault

• Taking credit for someone else's work

• Asking a subordinate to do something unrelated to work, i.e. run errands

• Trying to convert others to your political or religious beliefs

• Opening someone else's mail

• Sending unwanted email

• Telling offensive jokes

• Smoking in common areas

• Not pulling your own weight

• Complaining about the company, boss, and co-workers

• Having a condescending attitude toward others

Writing a Career Action Plan Part 3: Goals and Barriers

By Dawn Rosenberg McKay


Jobs Vacancy, Job vacancies, Employment Jobs

Short Term and Long Term Career Plan/Occupational Goals

You should break your career plan down into goals you can reach in a year or less and goals you want to reach in five years or less. You can use increments of one or two years in this five year plan as well. This breakdown will make your plan easier for you to follow.

There's also a place to include your goals for education and training. Your occupational goals and your educational goals should correspond to one another, since reaching your occupational goals will usually be dependent upon reaching your educational goals.

If your long term occupational goal is to be a lawyer, here's what your short and long term plans might look like:

• Year One: Complete my bachelor's degree (12 credits left to go), apply to law school, get accepted to law school (a positive attitude is a good thing)
• Year Two through Year Four: Enter law school, study hard and earn good grades, graduate from law school with many job offers
• Year Five: Begin working in a law firm

Barriers to Reaching Goals

As you try to reach your goals you may face some barriers. If you want to pursue your goals, you will have to get around these barriers. In this section of your action plan you can list all the obstacles, or barriers, that may get in the way of being able to reach your goals. Then list the ways you can deal with them. For example you may be the primary caregiver for your children or elderly parents. This may interfere with your ability to complete your degree. You can deal with this barrier by enlisting the help of your spouse or another relative. Perhaps you can arrange for child or adult daycare.

You're On Your Way

A well-thought-out career action plan will prove to be a very useful tool. You've gone through the career planning process carefully choosing a suitable occupation. Setting goals and planning what you need to do to realize them will insure that you reach your career destination.

Writing a Career Action Plan Part II : What is It and How Can It Help Me?

By Dawn Rosenberg McKay

Jobs Vacancy, Job vacancies, Employment Jobs

Employment History/Educational Background

This part is straightforward. List any jobs you've had in reverse chronological order -- most recent to least recent. Include the location of the company, your job title, and the dates you worked at that job. When you put together your resume, having organized this information will prove very helpful. That goes for the next part as well -- Education and Training. List the schools you've attended, the dates you've attended them, and the credits, certificates, or degrees you've earned. Also list additional training and any professional licenses you hold. Next, list volunteer or other unpaid experience. You may find that several of these activities are relevant to your occupational goals. By volunteering you may have developed skills that will play an important role in your future career. Again, this information can be used on your resume. It can also be used in job interviews, or when applying to college or graduate school.

Self Assessment Results

If during the career planning process you met with a career development professional who used self assessment tools to help you gather information about yourself, this is where you can write down the results of those assessments. You can then list the occupations that were suggested to you during that phase. You may even want to attach the information you gathered when you explored those occupations in case you want to refer to your notes later on. Out of all the occupations you explored, at some point in the process you narrowed your choices down to one occupation. That is the one you plan to pursue. You may even have two occupations -- one to pursue in the short term and one to pursue in the long term. They should be related, the second being one that is a step up from the first. For example, you can say you want to first become a nurse's aid, and then after you get some experience you will pursue a career as a registered nurse.

Writing a Career Action Plan Part 1: What is It and How Can It Help Me?

By Dawn Rosenberg McKay

Jobs Vacancy, Job vacancies, Employment Jobs

An action plan can be considered a road map that will get you from point A -- choosing an occupation -- to Point B -- becoming employed in that occupation. It even helps you get past Point B, to Points C through Z, as you grow in that career. It is also referred to as an Individualized (or Individual) Career Plan or an Individualized (or Individual) Career Development Plan.

According to Individualized Career Plan Models - Eric Digest No. 71(ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult Career and Vocational Education), “Personal plans of action -- individualized career development plans -- are becoming important instruments that counselors and others are using to help their students and/or clients (both youth and adults) meet their changing goals, interests and needs in this fast-paced, rapidly changing society.” Though the ERIC Digest talks about individualized career plans being used by counselors and other professionals, you can develop a plan yourself. Even if you do work with a counselor, you will need to do some of the work yourself. For example, a counselor can't set your goals for you. He or she will just help you clarify your goals and help you find strategies to reach them. In addition, an action plan should be amended over time as your goals change, your priorities change, and your career grows. Let's begin now to take a look at how to develop a career action plan step-by-step.

What the Recruiter Never Told You

By Rod Powers


Jobs Vacancy, Job vacancies, Employment Jobs

The vast majority of U.S. Military recruiters are honest, hard-working professionals, completely dedicated to the core values of their service. In fact, few military personnel put in more hours of work per week than recruiters.

The recruiter's job is to find enough qualified volunteers to fill projected vacancies for the fiscal year, for their particular branch of service. While a majority of military recruiters are hard-working, honest, and dedicated, there are some (and I emphasize some) recruiters who are tempted to bend the truth, and/or downright lie, and/or blatantly cheat in order to sign up a recruit. It happens often enough where we've all heard "horror stories" about military recruiters.

So, why do some recruiters do this?

It's because of the way the recruiting system is set up. It's a numbers game, pure and simple. Recruiters are judged by their superiors primarily upon the number of recruits they get to sign up. Sign up large numbers, and you're judged to be a good recruiter. Fail to sign up the minimum number assigned to you (known as "making mission"), and you can find your career at a dead-end. This policy pressures some recruiters to adopt unethical practices in order to "make mission."

So, you ask, "why don't the services put a stop to this?" Easier said, than done. Each of the services have recruiting regulations which make it a crime for recruiters to lie, cheat, or knowingly process applicants that they know are ineligible for enlistment. Recruiters are punished when they are caught violating the standards. However, the key phrase is "when they are caught." Not that easy to do, as there are usually no witnesses. It becomes a "he said/he said" type of deal.

I should also mention here that, in many cases, "lies" told by a recruiter are actually cases of selected listening by recruits. A recruiter may say, "Many of our bases now have single rooms for most people," and the applicant may hear, "You are definitely not going to have a roommate."

Anyway, enough "recruiter-bashing." As I've said, most recruiters are honest. The purpose of this series is not to run down military recruiters, but rather inform potential recruits the truth about joining the military; the benefits and disadvantages of joining the military, whether for a four-year enlistment, or a 30-year military career. The subject matter of this series necessitates that the "tone" be somewhat critical, or negative. I don't mean it that way. I spent 23 years in the Air Force and enjoyed every minute of it. My primary profession today is to manage this web site and research/write about the United States Military. Both of my daughters are happily serving in the Air Force (one on active duty, one in the Air National Guard). I love the military and every aspect of it.

However, the military is not for everyone. Fully 40 percent of recruits who enlist in the military today will not complete their full term of service. While many discharges will be for reasons beyond the recruit's control, such as medical problems that develop after joining the military, as a First Sergeant for 11 years, I found that a significant number of the involuntary discharges we imposed on first-term recruits was because they simply stopped trying -- they discovered that the military wasn't what they thought it was going to be. Many of them told me that the military wasn't even close to what their recruiters told them it was going to be (either the recruiter lied to them, or they were guilty of "selective listening.") When this happens, everyone loses.

This series is intended to "save" some of that 40 percent by letting potential recruits know up front, just what they are signing up for. Let's get on with the show!

Are You Motivated ?

By Marc Peron


Jobs Vacancy, Job vacancies, Employment Jobs

The sad truth is, very high percentage of people who start an online business will never finish it. Will never be successful at it. Yes I know. You see so many programs out there. So many magical pieces of software, secrets, methods, tricks and many other shiny, new, attention grabbing opportunities. You would think there must be a huge number of successful online Entrepreneurs out there making the big bucks. Well there are quite a few. But by far the largest group are those who buy what the big guys are selling and then do little or nothing with them.

That's right. There is a well known and tested psychology called the 80/20 rule. This means that at the most about 20% of the people will buy a product and that would be a very conversion rate, and 80% won't buy. It also means that of the people that do buy, 80% will do nothing and 20% will do something. Out of this remaining 20% of %20 a small percentage will succeed.

Doesn't sound like real good news does it? Well, that depends on how you see yourself and how you look at the market.. Do you see yourself as a habitual failure or a huge success waiting to happen. Keeping in mind the current state of the economy and the fact that more people now are paying down their debt and beginning to save money, the size of the market for home base online business's is ballooning.

So there you go. There is a huge market just waiting out there for you. Now here is a little tough love.

So, you think that online business is hard. Whoa buddy. Dealing with a terminal illness is hard. Cutting an arrowhead out of your own shoulder with a knife is hard. Holding your favorite dog in your arms as it passes away is hard. Watching a good friend disappear in the thunder, dust and shrapnel of an IED is hard or having to endure the unbelievable pain of one of your own children passing away before you do, is hard. Come on, get this into perspective.

Online business is not hard. But, it does require a certain level of desire, commitment and planning.

A Burning Desire

You must have a burning desire. There must be something in your life that is more frightening than failing at an online business. Your must have a desire so strong as to have thinking about it everyday. Remember your first girlfriend or boyfriend may back in high school? Do you remember how you just could not stop thinking about them.

Commitment

You must have a commitment to your online business that could not be stopped by a pissed off Texas Long Horn Bull. "I will get this done no matter what!" Make that a part of your mantra. Last but not least, desire is what powers, what drives commitment. Without desire, there will be no commitment.

Planning

Planning is the nuts and bolts of any business. You must plan. You must set goals.
Make up a business plan. You can find many on the internet that you can use as examples. Your business plan lays out a path that you want to follow. It will include goals and a time line to match those goals.

Goals

You must set goals. A goal is like this. Without a goal you really don't know what you are shooting at. Like you were standing in a thick fog with a bow and arrow and you can't see the target. You can shot at it but the chance of hitting the target is very small. However if you use a goal to remove the fog, then your chances are much better.

Goals should be set down in writing early and as often as they may change. Yes they will change. Life happens and when it does you may have to change your goals. Makes your goals big enough so they look like a stretch.

Set up a schedule of things you must do everyday, every week, every month and so on. This will keep you moving forward in the right direction.

So there you go. Al lot of people try online business. Very few succeed. Success depends on four basic things that you must have in yourself:

A burning Desire
Commitment
Proper Planning
Goals

I'll see you later, in a richer place.

Office Options

By Allison Way


Jobs Vacancy, Job vacancies, Employment Jobs

You've finally begun to develop your business, and now you realize that you need to find the right space to build a successful company. Office space is an important factor in the productivity of your business. An office space needs to be stimulating, comfortable, and have a business-like atmosphere in order for you and your employees to remain productive throughout the workday. In addition, your office space must be able to uphold the right equipment and supplies (this may include electronics, technologies, mailboxes, storage rooms, supply rooms, desks, etc.). So where will your business operate? What should you think about before leasing or buying a space? We're here to help.

Questions to Ask: Is This the Right Space for My Business?

Here are a few questions that you might want to ask yourself before leasing or buying your office space.

1. Is the office location beneficial?

By looking where your competition is located, you may develop a good feel for a beneficial office location. You need a space that is easy for your employees to get to, with convenient access to suppliers, vendors, and restaurants, accessibility by public transport, and adequate parking. The area in which your office is located should also be located in a growing area with surrounding buildings "in good shape". The area should also be safe for employees and clients that decide to walk to and from the office.

2. Is the space the right size?

In order to help you narrow down what size of office you may need, we have provided a small table. Keep in mind that for more offices, employees need about 175-200 square feet each.

Room/Office

Square Feet

Presidential Offices

150-400 per person

Secretarial/Administrative Office

60-110 per person

Conference Rooms

25-30 per person

Waiting Room/Reception Area

25-35 per person

Filing Cabinets

7 per cabinet

Break Rooms/Libraries

15 per person

3. Are clients going to visit the office?

You may need a reception area, adequate parking, prominent display areas, conference, rooms and audio/visual rooms.

4. Will your business conduct project meetings?

If so, you will need numerous meeting rooms, white boards (also may want to invest in electronic white boards), computer hook-ups, overhead projectors, and countertop space or shelving for supplies.

5. Will you need a break room?

You may want to think about lunch room space, kitchen appliances, games and activities, as well as they type of dcor you want in a break room space (do you want an energetic feel or a peaceful feel?).

6. Will your office provide special accommodations?

Think of your clients as well as your employees. You may need to provide special accommodations for those with sight/hearing impairments or physical challenges. Your office may require a first floor location, ramps, elevator access, etc.

7. Will you need space for creative thinking and teamwork?

You may want to incorporate separate areas for collaborative efforts in your office. These areas should be visually stimulating to help the creative juices flow.

8. Will you need some quiet areas?

Your office may need private offices, sound-proof meeting rooms, break rooms, product development areas and manufacturing areas.

9. Will you need a loading and shipping dock?

10. Will your employees travel often?

You may want to provide central workstations that have mail access and voicemail. You may also want to invest in video conferencing rooms and equipment.

The Options

Now that you've answered these pertinent questions about what your potential office space may need, it is time to explore the many options you have.

Tenant Space

Tenant space is a rented office that is only used for specific projects for a short period of time. Businesses can rent out a tenant space anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months.

Telecenter

A telecenter is a business center that rents out space to businesses. They provide clerical assistance, email, voicemail, fax services and a receptionist. A telecenter is a good option for companies that require a lot of travel.

Hotelling

Hotelling is when a company buys or leases a smaller space that they would not otherwise need. Much like telecenters, this process is good for businesses with employees that travel most of the time. Facilitated by a "concierge", hotelling allows employees to reserve workspaces for specific blocks of time. Employees keep everything that they may need on a laptop.

Virtual Office

If you don't need an office at all, don't waste your money on one! One of the most popular types of office spaces today is the virtual office. If your business doesn't need commercial or industrial space or face-to-face employee contact, a virtual office may be perfect for you. Not only does it save money, but it also allows your business to take advantage of new technologies.

Executive Suite

Businesses can lease executive suites for as little as $100 a month. These suites provide a receptionist, voicemail, email, access to private offices, reception areas, and meeting rooms. Most executive suites are managed by a management firm.

Ultimate Home Office

The ultimate home office is the perfect combination of work and home, right at your fingertips. Live-Work Condominiums provide office space that is only used 8-10 hours out of the day. The rest of the day, the condo is used as a housing environment. Additionally, entrepreneurs may want consider working from home as another option for their business.

Business Incubator

Finally, one of the fastest-growing office spaces in popularity is the business incubator. Business incubators, such as bizperc, are used by entrepreneurs and business startups. Incubators vary in the way they deliver their services (such as management and financial assistance), in their organizational structure, and in the types of clients they serve. Successful completion of a business incubation program increases the likelihood that a start-up company will stay in business for the long term.

So, When Can I Move In?

Selecting the perfect office space is not a fast process. In fact, finding and leasing an office usually takes about seven months.

• It takes anywhere from three days to two weeks to determine your needs.
• Allow one to four weeks to conduct your search.
• Walking the spaces and narrowing your choices also takes one to four weeks.
• Leasing, including negotiation and legal work takes anywhere from two to four weeks.
• Finally, modifying the space can take anywhere from four to five weeks (for simple construction) to six to twelve weeks (for major construction).

It is important to take all of these vital steps when selecting your new office space. Not only must you ask yourself the ten important questions listed above, but you also must determine the type of office you may need and allow an adequate amount of move-in time. Once you find your perfect office space, you'll be happy that you did.

Entrepreneurial Team

By Justin Timory

Jobs Vacancy, Job vacancies, Employment Jobs

Being a lone entrepreneur has its advantage. You have sole ownership of the company. You get all the profits. You exercise all the power. But along with this is the disadvantage of inheriting all the expenses and problems. Establishing an entrepreneurial team that is composed of at least three members simplifies and makes running a business more affordable.

Entrepreneurial teams are the current trend among start up entrepreneurs who want to penetrate a demanding market. Given that they have to dish out more capital and manage bigger operations, entrepreneurs find that they can be more effective as a group. Collaborative decision making by teams have proved to be more advantageous as biases are countered when making business decisions.

But then, the creation of a strong and successful entrepreneurial team can be tricky. Some entrepreneurs are less lucky at finding the most suitable partners and end up disheartened. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur looking to get associates, don't be afraid. Like most endeavors, there are ways to go about it so that you get the best results.

1. Recognize what talent/skill you need. Skill will lead you to the right person.
In business, you should not pair up with someone just because they are your family or your friends. This will give you little benefit and even loyalty is not ensured. Know what your needs are for the business you'd like to establish and base your partnership criteria on these. For example, if you want to put up a restaurant, you will need someone who cooks, someone you knows hotel and restaurant management and someone who can track finances. If you are the one who is familiar with accounting, then you have to partner up with a chef and with an HRM graduate that has accumulated extensive experience in his/her field. This is basic and should always be the first thing you consider for partnership.

2. Assess commitment.
When you have found the right person, find out to what level is his/her commitment to the business. There are working partners and absentee partners - I guess I don't have to explain which is more preferable to team with. Ultimately, teaming up requires people to work together in order to achieve a goal. If one member of the group does not participate, and is not willing to participate, then it's no use to have him/her as part of it.

3. Define responsibilities and profits.
As partners, all of you will share the responsibilities towards the business. To avoid overstepping or burdening each other, it's best to establish which responsibilities are carried out by who and which partner will take over in case the one responsible is absent. This will make your team more dynamic and more productive, as well as less vulnerable to power struggles. In addition, determine the shares that each member of the team gets from the income before the onset of the business.

These are just starters to building an entrepreneurial team. The rest of the steps are discovered along the way. Certain flexibilities and sacrifices may be required as the team matures. But if it is founded upon these three, it's hardly a possibility that the team will break.