tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67301110154838181212024-03-12T19:46:57.948-07:00Business and PoliticsPolitics to the business sceneTovrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06243958321354501825noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730111015483818121.post-54272865671021240692012-07-18T11:30:00.000-07:002012-07-18T11:30:14.309-07:00Political Environment: How Does It Affect Your Home Business?<div style="text-align: justify;">The political environment is a key component of the business environment that dictates greatly on the success of your home business. What happens in the politics of your country as well as that of other countries influences a lot your home business. Usually, the term political environment is used to refer to the nature of the political situation in the country where you are doing business or where you intend to do business. How aware are you of the political aspects that affect your home business?<br />
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If you haven't been paying any attention to those political aspects that have an effect on your business, it's therefore important for you to understand the political environment in which you are operating because it can present political risks to your business. For instance, your business is subject to political risks if a war erupts in any country where you do business. Likewise, changes in government policies may either affect you positively or negatively. The prevailing political environment in any country directly affects the economic environment or performance.<br />
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As a home business owner, you need to keep yourself aware of the political climate in which you operate. Political changes affect greatly small business owners and it's quite important for them to know whether the changes in the politics and government policies are supportive or unfavorable to their businesses.</div><a name='more'></a> This awareness enables you to run your business from an informed point of view so that you are not subjected to political risks.<br />
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What aspects of the political environment should you consider as you do business?<br />
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1. Stability of government<br />
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It's important to know how stable the national government is and how stable it's likely to be in future depending on prevailing political circumstances. Political instability makes it very difficult to do business. An abrupt change in a political regime may make businessmen lose their property and hard earned money. If you are operating business in such a country, the risk of losing business is high.<br />
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2. International relations<br />
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How does your government relate with other governments? Does your home government maintain good relations with other foreign governments? For instance, for people who run online home businesses, there are countries where it's pretty difficult for one to set up an online payment system just because services provided by, say, PayPal or Clickbank are not available in those countries. This makes it difficult to sell your products or services online. A good political environment makes it possible to establish good relations with other foreign governments, which in turn creates directly or indirectly an attractive environment for new investors.<br />
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3. Government bureaucracy<br />
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The political environment in which you do business may be slow to facilitate opening or conducting businesses in the country. Long processes may be required for investors or entrepreneurs, whereby they are subjected to fill in so many forms that actually discourage some of the potential entrepreneurs.<br />
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As I conclude, I would like to appeal to you to always follow closely the political environment in which you operate so that you can know what to do to guard yourself against any eventualities that may result from any changes in the politics of the countries where you do business. Political changes can also create great opportunities for you as a business person and such chances can come your way if you keep yourself knowledgeable about the political climate in which you do business.Tovrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06243958321354501825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730111015483818121.post-89823884227332957322012-07-01T08:32:00.002-07:002012-07-01T08:32:28.658-07:00Top 7 Similarities of Business and Politics<div style="text-align: justify;">Politics and Business are so similar in many ways. Sure politics is much dirtier and generally played by less ethical individuals and yet the similarities are often uncanny. Perhaps a brief point-by-point comment on this subject will open a new perspective on this subject. Below are a few similarities to help the thinking juices flow and allow some conceptual thoughts.<br />
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1.) In politics you must canvas the area using data about the voters; in business you use demographic software to gather information about the customer.<br />
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2.) In politics you must get the voter to make a decision to vote for your candidate; in business you must get the consumer to choose your product or service over your competitor.<br />
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3.) In politics you must employ multiple methods to reach the voter; In business any good marketing program uses multiple media, mediums and methods to reach the consumer.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
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4.) In politics you must show how your candidate is better and different; In business you must show how your brand is best.<br />
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5.) In politics you must get those people to the polls to vote; in business you must get those customers in the door of your business to buy something.<br />
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6.) In politics you must win or you are forgotten; In business you must beat your competition and the customer must buy from you or you go out of business.<br />
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7.) In politics the customer decides with his or her vote; in business your voter buys your product or service with his or her dollar.<br />
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I hope this philosophical discussion allows you to see business from a different perspective and if you are in business and considering politics, forget it. Business is a much better game than politics and as a politician might say; You Can Trust Me on This in 2006.Tovrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06243958321354501825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730111015483818121.post-66305173458546807712012-06-21T23:02:00.000-07:002012-07-01T08:33:39.467-07:00Separation of Business and Politics<div style="text-align: justify;">In the heat of the election season and as a life-long political junkie, I can't wait for election night. It is always one of the biggest nights of the year around my house. Glued to multiple TV's, tuned to every station (and now the Internet) I watch the returns roll in. Depending upon your investment in the campaign, the emotional highs and lows intensify. It's even better to be at a party. Some friends ask why I don't wait until the next morning to read the headlines. Would you turn off the TV before the end of the big game and find out the score tomorrow? This is an important political year full of excitement, so it's easy to be engaged. We're probably finding more people expressing their opinions about politics than ever before. But what about doing this at the workplace?<br />
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Political expression comes in a lot of forms. I have to admit I got a little uneasy when I pulled into my office parking lot and saw a bumper sticker that said something derogatory about meat-eaters. Now, I don't have anything against my vegetarian friends, yet I do like a nice steak now and then. What might people think about the opinions displayed at work? Might they be offended?<br />
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What about expressing strong political opinions in a small office environment to co-workers and clients? Unless you're working in the campaign office or at the legislature, this might have its limits. I did a little research on how well the workplace tolerates political discussions.</div><a name='more'></a> We know that public employees (and many who work for private companies) have to adhere to specific guidelines. Those rules may include personal use of company computers and the wearing or distribution of political materials. In general, private, at-will employers have a great deal of latitude in how they manage their workplaces and what political tone they choose to set.<br />
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Even if the flexibility exists for employers, politics in the workplace can bring about workplace politics. There is some basic etiquette one can use to keep tensions down. How you handle yourself may depend if you're in management or not. There appears to be a tolerance for conversations among co-workers, but managers are held to a different standard. A national survey conducted in May and June 2007 by Harris Interactive, found that nearly one out of four U.S. workers says they are uncomfortable when their top managers openly express their political preferences at work. More than a quarter of those polled said they don't fit in with their company's culture in terms of politics. The survey found generational differences between younger and older workers regarding talking politics at work. Seventy-six percent of younger employees (age 18-34) would share their political views, compared to 64% of those age 50+. Eight-four percent of younger employees were comfortable telling their boss which candidates they support. This is compared to 68% of older workers who would do the same.Tovrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06243958321354501825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730111015483818121.post-5892272225128559162012-06-07T04:39:00.000-07:002012-07-01T08:35:55.063-07:00What is the Wisest Thing to Do in Times of Serious Financial Distress and Political Confusion?<div style="text-align: justify;">In times of distress it is good and wise and sensible to call on the Lord God and know that He hears and answers. The Psalmist is in distress and I writing from the first Song of Ascent in Psalm 120. Do turn to it as there is wisdom and insight and discernment in these sentences.<br />
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Now, do not write this off as being totally irrelevant. Over these next weeks and months we are going to need this help and advice.<br />
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This calls for a special quality of leadership and such leadership is scarce in these present times.<br />
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But, and we need to know and keep remembering this, when we think of Jesus weeping over the city, and His cries at the foot of the mount of Olives in the Garden of Gethsemane, these significant spiritual incidents did not mean that the burden was lifted. Jesus wept and prayed and went on to face the Cross.<br />
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If God does not remove the burden, we know that He will give us the strength to carry that burden. Jesus was so often confronted with the unknown in His Humanity and no more so that when He rides down the Mount of Olives.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
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The Psalmist here has something very specific in mind as he refers to lying lips and deceitful tongues. Jesus had to face both these when He underwent that inquisition.<br />
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This man has obviously been the victim of lying and deceit. We can identify with that. It is always good to get away from that type of thing and that type of person.<br />
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He is in emotional pain and expresses it. He releases it and he does not bottle it up. He does not pretend that he did not have these feelings. He is a victim of all this. Jesus frequently expressed His feelings.<br />
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The writer turns away from the lies he has heard and approaches God and His truth. The more disillusioned we become with the world the more motivated we will be to pursue the Christian way.<br />
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Lies and deceit are commonplace. That is a painful fact we have to accept. That is not being negative. It is just being realistic. There are times when we have to have sufficient courage to face sin and even the consequences of sin and deal with the situation as it really is and not as we would like it to be!<br />
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But God has sharp arrows which he aims at those who persist in lying and deceitfulness. The Psalmist renounces all that and walks away from it, and that would be sensible practical advice for any man.<br />
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People's words can be like sharp arrows piercing our hearts, and there are times when God's sharp arrows, His judgments, touch those who touch and hurt us. I have seen this happen!<br />
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The people of Meshech lived between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, and the people of Kedar were nomadic Arabs. The picture is that of a barbarian society which was strange and hostile, and not what God intended man to be.<br />
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People were warring against the Psalmist, and he knew he was a man of peace, and he is looking to see God at work in things present. This leader was different from everyone else!<br />
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His pain and upset is leading him from placing too much confidence in people to confidence in God. When leaders place their confidence in Almighty God they will be equipped to lead people in ways that many people really want to be led.Tovrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06243958321354501825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730111015483818121.post-58560476087501273352012-05-25T03:52:00.000-07:002012-07-01T08:37:03.521-07:00Understanding Economic and Political Systems Across Borders<div style="text-align: justify;">Your business investment is affected by the type of political system in the country you wish to invest or explore. Before you decide in which country to do business with, you first need to examine the type of economic and political system it operates in. The three major political systems are (1) Capitalism, (2) Communism, and (3) Socialism. Work operations and habits are affected by each system, and your investment will also be affected in several ways that you may or may not like. Therefore, to be sure that you are going to do business in a potential country with acceptable environment without regret, you need to arm yourself with information to guide you through your investment period.<br />
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Capitalism:<br />
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Capitalism is an economic system that leads to creation of wealth in most of the world. Most of the factors of production [land, labor, capital, entrepreneurship, and knowledge] are privately owned and used as pleased to produce goods and services. In a free market, what to produce and the quantity to produce is dictated by the market. In this market, buyers and sellers negotiate prices for goods and services. In capitalistic countries, consumers directly or indirectly inform producers on; what they want, how many they want, in what form they want it, how they are going to take possession of it, and so on. In such countries, while business owners make decisions on what to produce, how much to charge for products, how much to pay workers, where to produce goods and services, government often interjects to set the minimum wage, and also set standard for environmental safety reasons. Capitalism is what promotes the wealth of developed countries and responsible for their economic stability.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
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Communism:<br />
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Communism is the political system in which the government owns almost 100% of the factors of production, makes all economic decisions, and also encroaches in the life of its citizens. In this type of system, you are restricted on where you should live, when you should travel, whether to change jobs, and what religion to practice. You can now see how far your investment can go in such a system with no freedom. Majority of the time governments do not know what to produce, or how much to produce because the prices are not reflective of demand and supply. Most countries under this system face starvation due to economic depression, and few prefer to build their military instead of creating wealth.<br />
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Socialism:<br />
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Socialism is an economic system with the premise that most businesses should be under the ownership of the government and that the profits should be distributed evenly among the citizens. Smaller businesses are owned by entrepreneurs, and those business owners are taxed heavily in order to pay for social programs. This system believes in social equality, and that the government should be an agent to distribute the wealth evenly to its citizens. It also believes that wealthier people should pay more through taxation, and that the tax revenue should be redistributed to the poorer people in form of social programs. Some of those social programs are free health care, free education, free food, free child care, and so on. Workers in this system have many employee benefits, receive sick leave, work fewer hours per week, and take longer vacations. There is no motivation to come to work early, work hard, or stay late. A major setback is that most professionals in socialist countries are migrating to capitalistic countries due to high taxation and other non-incentive issues.Tovrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06243958321354501825noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6730111015483818121.post-75998620834116296712012-05-11T21:17:00.000-07:002012-07-01T08:38:29.387-07:00How to Start a Home Based Business and How to Earn Thousands of Dollars<div style="text-align: justify;">If you're like many people, you are looking to start a home business today--an online business. But with so many business opportunities like those out there, how do you select the right one? As exciting and glorious as these businesses sound, at least 97% of the people who start their own businesses fail. So, it's very important that you carefully choose the way in which you get into an online business.<br />
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The first rule about getting involved in a home business is to understand why you want to do so. Are you looking for supplemental income from a part-time online business that you can do from home, or would you rather be growing it into your new career, a career of greater freedom and control in which you can make thousands of dollars per month or even more? Knowing what your goals are helps you sift through the many offers you will find out there.<br />
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Once you know why you want one, the next rule for starting your home business is to find one that you will really enjoy and find interesting. If you aren't going to enjoy it or it doesn't hold your interest, your online business won't get very far. You won't have the needed motivation and you won't understand the products that you need to sell.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
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Many, many people who start a home business fail because they think that they are now free or soon will be. In other words, they are not focused on their business but on lazing around and not having to do a job anymore. Or, they think that their online business will just automatically grow itself. Clearly, these things are not true. You will need to have an intense and very serious focus on your business to get it going, and you can expect to take up to one full year to really get it fired up.<br />
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One of the reasons that anyone wants to start a home based business is to avoid getting burned out by a job. They are trying to get away from the commutes, the bosses, having to work according to somebody else's schedule, the office politics, and all that stuff. So--don't burn yourself out on your own business. Yes, you'll have to put the hours in, but why would you want to simply move your job office into your house? Set the schedule that you want. Reward yourself when you make a lot of sales. Don't over-work. Burn out is another key reason for home business failure.<br />
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A lot of people who start an online business fail because they are too easily distracted. They try to work in surfing the Internet, watching TV, and things like in with their business. This just does not work. You cannot be distracted. When you are working your focus must be intense. The goal is to work intensely, but less often and at something you love, so that when you do have time for personal pleasures you can enjoy then with greater quality and peace of mind knowing that you have taken care of business.<br />
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One of the best ways to start up your own business is to get involved with affiliate marketing. With this approach, there's barely any overhead or start-up cost.<br />
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Above all, remember that an online business is serious work. But if done successfully, it's also a labor of love, more freedom, and greater prosperity.Tovrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06243958321354501825noreply@blogger.com0