| How to Prepare a Proposal for a Business Idea Posted: 23 Jan 2017 04:00 PM PST The old adage "one does not plan to fail - one fails to plan" is always true, and never more so when developing a new business idea. The relatively simple act of putting your business idea into written words is the first, but most important step required for making your business plan a reality. Regardless of whether you are looking for investors, convincing your bank manager, or just seeking supporters, a thorough, well-researched business proposal will start you off on the right foot. EditSample Business Proposal EditPreparing to Create Your Business Proposal - Determine whether you have the time, energy and resources required to implement your business idea. Implementing your business idea will be a long and time-consuming process. You should consider what financial resources, ie. cash and credit, that you can access to implement your business idea. Next consider whether you will need to make the implementation of your business idea a full-time job, a part-time endeavor, or whether others can implement the plan on your behalf.[1]
- Research similar products and services. If you have a good business idea, your first step should be to research whether other products or services exist that are similar to your business idea. Don't worry if you find similar business models, this could simply mean that there is a strong market that is worth entering. Furthermore, the presence of potential competitors can be used to identify the needs of consumers that are currently not being met by existing businesses.[2]
- Research customer feedback on the services and products provided by identified potential competitors. Once the limitations of your competitors are identified you can structure your business proposal in a manner that offers solutions to these limitations in order to create a unique offering to the public.
- If you are unable to locate similar services and products, this may be a sign that your business idea will be a great success because it will fulfill the needs of an underserved market.
- However, the absence of a market for your business product or service could indicate the difficulty of successfully implementing the business idea underlying your proposal.
- Consider potential marketing strategies. Take the time to brainstorm how you would market your goods, products or services to the public. Consider the successful marketing companies of your potential competitors. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of these campaigns in order to learn from the mistakes of others.[3] If you can't figure out a potential marketing strategy that will be successful, the idea should be a no go.
- Review competitor advertisements and other marketing tools used by competitors to attract potential customers.
- Determine the key elements of each competitor's marketing approach - low cost, high quality, superior service, and so on.
EditConsidering the Financial Aspects of Your Business Plan - Research potential costs associated with implementing your business plan. How much do you expect to get paid, if at all, during the development stage and beyond? How much start-up capital will you need to kick it off?[4] To figure this out, start with potential revenues, rather than costs. How many units will you sell at what price, based upon your market analysis? The price of a product is generally determined by the competitor's prices. Unless you have something special, you will not be able to charge more than competitor, most likely less. Once you project revenues and unit sales, develop your cost of goods based upon sales projections (variable costs) and administrative (fixed) costs. Project the full slate of financial statements.
- Contact vendors and other providers of relevant outputs in order to get price quotes on the goods and services required to implement your business plan.
- Estimate the costs related to hiring personnel, and purchasing the physical space and equipment required to implement your business idea.
- If you can't afford to pay yourself you will need to ask yourself if your business idea is worth pursuing. Remember, the business's money is not your money and failure to understand/consider this fact is how many business people end up in hot water.
- If applicable, consider business taxation and registration considerations. You may require some systems and processes to meet statutory obligations/legal requirements. Include business taxation and registration considerations in your business proposal in order to prevent unnecessary surprises.
- Check with your local or state business administration office in order to learn whether there any licenses, taxation or other requirements that you must comply with in order to implement your business plan.
- Estimate the amount of profit you would need in order to recoup implementation costs. This is quite important, since most businesses fail due to lack of adequate funding. Once you have determined the cost of implementation, you should next determine how much profit you would need to make in order to recover all costs associated with implementing your business proposal. This will allow you to determine how much you should charge for your product or service, and will allow you to begin to structure a timetable for when you will begin to recoup an actual profit.
- Use the total amount of estimated costs for implementation as the starting point for determining your profit forecast.
- Though the profits you make would ideally be greater than the costs of implementation, the reality is that most businesses fail before the first full year of operations. Thus breaking even over the first few years of operation would be a big success.
- A forecast for recouping implementation costs will strengthen your business proposal, especially when you are pursuing financing.
EditCreating Your Business Proposal - Create a completed draft of your business proposal. A good business proposal should provide a succinct/detailed explanation of what your business idea is, your market research, potential marketing strategies, the cost of implementing the proposal and a pricing strategy. Divide your business plan into the following separate sections:[5]
- An executive summary that concisely outlines your business plan. Communicate the ultimate purpose of your business proposal.
- Market analysis for the industry your proposal is geared towards. Provide reasons for why your business proposal should be successful given both unique and specific market considerations.
- Strategy and implementation plans for executing your business proposal.
- Financial plans and projections regarding the cost of implementing the business proposal, as well as possible profit projections if the business plan is a success.
- Consider your reader, and never assume they have relevant previous knowledge. Many good business ideas fail to gain support because the person reading the proposal didn't understand what they were reading. Explain everything in your proposal as if you were presenting it to someone with no previous knowledge in the field.
- Make sure your business proposal is purposefully presented. Useful graphs, illustrations of promotions, prototypes, etc., as well as a good, easy-to-read document layout will all make a good impression and look more professional. Consider getting your proposal professionally bound, and always print in color if you have charts and diagrams. Be prepared to give verbal presentations in support of your proposal.[6]
- Have the draft proposal independently reviewed. A fresh set of eyes will often pick up errors and omissions that a writer misses. Ask a business professional you trust to review your business plan for anything that they themselves would have included in the plan. After this review consider which suggestions such be integrated into your business proposal draft.[7]
- Having a trusted business professional look at your business proposal draft could also lead to additional business mentoring/guidance and maybe even financial assistance for implementing your business plan.
- Consider doing some business training. There are lots of short courses at local polytechnics, business incubators, chambers of commerce etc., which could help you compile proposals, funding applications, as well as teach you about the regulations and compliance requirements that may apply to your business idea.
- Talk to people in the know. There are lots of places to get free and/or money saving business planning advice. Talk to others working in related businesses, check out small business support start up services, even local colleges and government departments. You will be surprised at how much business planning information and advice you can get if you go looking for it!
- Believe in your idea! At the end of the day, armed with a well-researched and well-written proposal, it is often the commitment and enthusiasm of the presenter that kicks it over the line!
- Get a good accountant and consider consulting a business mentor.
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| How to Play Fetch With Your Cat Posted: 23 Jan 2017 08:00 AM PST Every cat is unique, with different temperaments, behaviors and personalities. Some cats will take to playing fetch right away and will require very little training to retrieve their favorite toy or ball. Other cats may take more time to understand the rules of fetch and execute this playful game properly. Playing fetch is a great way to keep your cat physically and mentally stimulated, and to have some fun running around with her owner. EditPreparing to Play Fetch - Choose a small, contained area. Keep your cat focused on the play session by limiting any distractions or obstacles. Start in a small, empty area and, as your cat gets more comfortable with fetch, move to a larger space.[1]
- Use your cat's favorite toy or object. If your cat already has a toy she favors that is small and easy to throw, use this for fetch. Some cats enjoy fetching with crumpled paper or a toy that makes a sound.[2]
- Always use the same toy or object, when playing fetch. This will get your cat used to fetching with the same toy and signal to your cat it is time for fetch, when you take out that toy.
- Play fetch right before a meal. Time your play session so your cat is awake and alert. Doing it right before lunch or dinner will ensure your cat is ready to run around and work up an appetite.[3]
EditTraining Your Cat to Fetch - Keep you cat focused on the fetch object. Use cat treats to motivate your cat to pay attention to the toy or object you are using for fetch.[4] You can also use a training clicker to instruct your cat to play fetch. You can purchase a clicker for under $10 at your local pet store.[5]
- Show your cat the toy and hold it about six inches from her face. Let your cat sniff or touch the toy with her nose. Then, press the clicker and offer her a treat. Repeat this step until your cat looks at the toy once she is done eating the treat and touches it without instruction.
- Allow her to get used to holding the object in her mouth. Once your cat gets used to touching the toy every time you show it to her, you need to get her to understand she has to hold the toy in her mouth.[6]
- Let your cat touch the toy, but do not click or give her a treat when she does this.
- Your cat will look at you and realize she needs to do something else to get a click and a reward. She will likely try to open her mouth and put the toy in her mouth.
- Once she puts the toy in her mouth, press the clicker and give her a treat. Continue this process, giving her a click and a treat every time she grabs the toy from your hand with her mouth.
- Some pet owners stop the training session here to give your cat a break and let her go do something else for a time. You can then pick up the training session the following day.
- Instruct your cat to retrieve the object from the ground. Now that your cat is comfortable with taking the toy from your hand, you need her to get used to retrieving the object from the ground once it is thrown.[7]
- Place the toy on the ground in front of you. Your cat should approach the toy and try to put it in her mouth. Once she does this, click and give her a treat.
- As your cat eats her treat, move the toy away from her to another spot on the floor. Let your cat approach the toy again on the floor and when she touches it or puts it in her mouth, click and give her another treat.
- Continue this process, moving the toy around the room so your cat has to touch it or put it in her mouth each time she approaches it. If she starts to lose interest or doesn't want to move to the toy in a different spot, ease off the training. Resume regular play and try the training again the following day. Start from the previous step, with your cat getting used to holding the toy in her mouth, and then shift to your cat holding to toy from the ground.
- Get your cat to pick up the toy and bring it to you. Start by placing the toy on the ground in front of your cat. Let your cat put her mouth on the toy and pick it up for five to ten seconds. Then, click and give her a treat.[8]
- Place the toy behind your cat. Your cat should then turn, pick up the toy, and turn around with the toy in her mouth. Click and give her a treat. Repeat this process again, moving the toy farther away from you and your cat.
- Reinforce a successful fetch with a treat. Once your cat understands she is picking up the toy and bringing it back to you, practice a simple fetch where you throw the toy somewhere within her line of sight and wait for her to bring it back. Reward a successful fetch with a click and a treat.[9] Only play fetch three to five minutes at a time to keep your cat engaged in the game.[10]
- If your cat fetches the toy but will not drop it in front of you, show her the treat. She will likely drop the toy in favor of the treat.[11]
- Alternatively, you may need to teach her to "drop" it by scattering high value treats, and clicking when she drops the toy to get the treat whilst you give the cue word "drop".
- Keep the fetch object in a special place. Rather than put the fetch toy in with the other cat toys, keep it in a drawer or a cupboard to show your cat it has value. Your cat will then understand the toy is for fetch only and when the fetch toy comes out, it's time for a fetch session.[12]
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| How to Stop Slouching Posted: 23 Jan 2017 12:00 AM PST Modern comforts and busy schedules have made it all too easy to slouch. Slouching can cause major health problems over time, including headaches, pulled muscles, and back pain. Prolonged slouching also leads to musculoskeletal stress on both your vertebrae and the discs between the vertebrae.[1] To avoid these kinds of issues, you can follow a few simple steps to learn to stop slouching. EditIdentifying Good Posture - Keep good form while sitting. Your body has natural curves in it, and good posture helps promote that. To have good posture while you sit, you need to keep your shoulders back, your chest open, and your back straight and tall. To keep your shoulders back, you need to move your shoulders back and push your chest out more. You should feel your head move back as well. This should open up your chest and tuck in your abdomen muscles.
- Your back should straighten naturally as you push your shoulders back and open your chest[2]
- Make sure you keep your shoulders straight and relaxed. They should not be elevated, rounded, or pulled too far backward.[3]
- Stand up straight. Now that you have your shoulders and chest aligned, it is time to learn to stand and walk with better posture. Start with your shoulders pulled back and relaxed and your abdomen pulled in. Keep your feet hip distance apart and balance your weight easily on both feet. Relax your knees and hand your arms to the side.
- You should feel like there is a string from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head, keeping your body aligned and balanced.[4]
- Check your posture. To check your posture, you need to stand against the wall. Your head, shoulder blades, and buttocks should touch the wall and your heels should be 2-4 inches away from the wall. Take your arm and run the palm of your hand along the wall along the space at your lower back. If you are standing with correct posture, your hand should just fit in the area.
- If there is more than a hand's width worth of space, you are pushing your stomach and hips out too much. You should contract your abs and pull your back toward the wall more.
- If your hand cannot fit, you are hunched too far forward and you need to push your shoulders back.[5]
EditChanging Your Everyday Life - Have better posture at work. Many people have jobs where they work at a desk. This is one of the main places where slouching can be at its worst. As you work throughout the day, you lean toward your computer or over your desk as you work on documents. If you sit too far forward, you put pressure on your pubic bone. If you sit too far back, you put pressure on your tailbone. In order to stop this trend, you should lean back in your chair, keeping your back flush with the chair's support.
- If you feel too far away from your desk or computer, pull your chair closer or move your monitor closer to you on the desk.[6]
- If you find yourself still slouching, try setting an alarm on your phone to remind you every hour to sit up straighter. This will help you get into the habit and you'll eventually not need the reminder.[7]
- Sit in a better position. In all aspects of your life, you should sit properly to avoid muscle and back problems. You need to find a comfortable middle range where everything is aligned naturally. Sit with your feet flat on the floor and center your weight between your buttocks and pubic bone.
- This goes for every place you sit. For example, make sure you are comfortable and sit straight in the car, especially if you have a long commute. Use a pillow or adjust your seat to get your back and spine aligned and centered while you drive.[8]
- Check yourself in the mirror. To assess how your posture normally is, you need to evaluate how you stand. Turn facing a mirror and stand like you normally do. If your palms face your thighs with your thumbs pointing ahead of you, you have good posture. If your hands rest ahead of your thighs or behind your thighs, or if your palms back backwards, then your posture is wrong.
- If you find that your posture is off, pull back your head and pull your shoulders down and back. This will realign your spine and get your posture toward the right angle.
- If you feel like your chest is popping out, you are standing correctly.[9]
- Stretch when you get up. Whenever you are stuck in one position too long, you should stretch. This can be at your desk at work, in your car, or on the couch while you're watching movies. Your muscles become fatigued, even when you are sitting still. To stretch your back and spine out, put your hands on your lower back once you stand up, fingers facing down. Lean back as far as you can and hold for a few seconds. Repeat a few times to get the kinks out of your back.
- If you are at home, you can also lie flat on the floor with your weight on your elbows. Push your chest up, stretching out your lower back and spine.
- Only do these exercises to the extent that your muscles are comfortable. Do not overextend your muscles because you don't want to cause injury.[10]
- Check your sleep posture. When you sleep, you can have poor posture that reflects in your normal, waking posture. If you sleep on your side, try putting a pillow between your knees to help lessen the pull on your lower back. If you sleep on your back, you can put a pillow underneath your knees to help release the tension placed on your lower back while you sleep.
- You should not sleep on your stomach. This position places too much strain on your neck as you sleep.[11]
- Balance the weight you carry. There are times when you might have to carry a large load, such as a large purse, a backpack, or luggage. When you have to deal with these kinds of loads, you should try to balance the weight around as much as possible to keep strain off of your muscles and joints. If the weight is balanced, you will also be able to keep your normal, straight posture while you walk.
- To help balance your loads, you should use bags that distribute the weight evenly, such as backpacks or rolling luggage.[12]
- Make a lower back pad. When you are at work, at home, or in the car, you can sit for too long and start to feel pain in your lower back. To help prevent this, you can make yourself a pad to place along your lower back to help keep your posture straighter. Take a towel and fold it in half and then in half again. From the long rectangle, roll it into a cylinder, making a cushy pillow to put in your chair.
- If a bath towel is too big, you can try a hand towel instead. Just fold it in half once and roll it into a small pillow for your back.[13]
EditDoing Stretches and Exercises - Strengthen your core. The muscles in your core stretch from the area around your rib cage to around mid-thigh. These muscles work together to help you stand tall and regulate your posture. You should do exercises that strengthen these muscles in order to improve your posture and overall health.
- Try exercises that work all of the muscles in this group. For example, lie flat on the ground with your legs bent above you, as if your feet were flat against the wall. Engage your abs and extend one leg down almost to the floor, straightening it as you go. Hold for a second just above the floor before you bring it back up. Repeat on the other leg. Do 20 sets of this exercises.[14]
- Increase your neck flexibility. A lack of flexibility causes muscle imbalance and poor body alignment. You should increase stretches that help with the flexibility of your back, arms, and core. You should also incorporate this into your daily routine at work, where you stretch periodically throughout the day to increase your muscle flexibility even while stationary.
- Try easy neck and back flexibility stretches. Stand or sit straight up. Pull your head back and center it over your spine. Pull your shoulders back and down and bend your arms, moving them down as if you are trying to put your elbows in your back pockets. Push your palms outward and hold for at least 6 seconds.
- Repeat a few times during the day to increase flexibility.[15]
- Try the superman stretch. To keep up your posture, you need to exercise the muscles in your back. To do the superman stretch, lie face down on the floor and extend both your arms over your head. Turn your thumbs toward the ceiling. Squeeze your glutes, contract your core, and lift your arms, head, and legs about 4 inches off the ground. Hold this position for 2 seconds, then lower your limbs back down to the floor.
- You should repeat this move 15 times to help strengthen your shoulders and activate the muscles that strengthen your spine.[16]
- Try the T and W exercises. One great way to improve your posture is to increase the strength in your back. To do the T exercise, lie face down on the floor and extend your arms to the side, make a large T with your body. Turn your thumbs to the ceiling as you contract your abs and glutes. Pull your shoulder blades together and lift your arms toward the ceiling as far as you can comfortably go. Hold this position for 2 seconds, and then lower your arms. Repeat 15 times.
- To do the W exercise, lie face down with your upper arms straight across at the shoulder. Bend your arms so that your forearms are parallel to your neck, turning your thumbs toward the ceiling and making a W. Contract your abs and glutes, pulling your shoulder blades together and lift your arms toward the ceilings. Hold this position for 2 seconds. Repeat 15 times.
- These exercises work the muscles that connect your shoulder blades to your spine, strengthening you spine alignment and improving your posture.[17]
- Do a chest stretch. Your chest muscles can aid in your posture. To stretch them out, find a corner and face it. Bring your bent arms up, placing your forearms on the wall with your palms placed slightly below shoulder height. Slowly squeeze your shoulder blades together, leaning into the corner.
- Hold this stretch for 3 seconds. Repeat 12 times.[18]
- Perform the doorway stretch. The looseness and strength of your chest plays a role in how much you slouch. To build flexibility and strength in these muscles, stand in a doorway and hold your arm at your side at a 90 degree angle. Hold your elbow even with your shoulder and place your arm on the door jamb. Slowly lean forward, pushing out from the doorway and pulling your arm back against the jamb. Hold for 30 seconds and release.
- Repeat with the opposite arm. You can also repeat this exercise multiple times a day.
- To stretch your upper and lower chest muscles, repeat this exercise with your arm lower on the door jamb and higher as well.[19]
- Try shoulder dislocations. Although this exercise might sounds dangerous, it does not cause shoulder dislocations. It helps make your shoulders more flexible, which will help you keep your chest up and back straight. To perform this exercise, you need a broomstick or PVC pipe that is about 5 feet long. Hold the stick in front of you with both hands, resting against your thighs. Slowly lift the stick off of your thighs, lifting your arms over your head, down around your body, until it rests on the back of your legs. Next, slowly bring your arms back around.
- Do 3 sets of 10 reps, where one rep is a complete rotation of your arms.
- You should start wide and bring your arms closer together if it feels like you can. The closer your hands are to each other on the stick, the deeper the stretch.
- Make sure you do this slowly. You do not want to injure yourself by doing it too quickly.[20]
- Attempt thoracic extensions. The thoracic spine is middle section of your spine. You need to keep it loose so it doesn't become hunched and immobile. For this exercise, you need a foam roller. Place the foam roller under your upper back with your feet and bottom on the floor. Place your hands behind your head and your elbows as close to your ears as possible. Let your head drop back, curling your back around the foam roller. Hold for a 15 seconds and come back up.
- You can stretch out your whole back as well. When you are leaned back, use your feet to roll yourself up and down the foam roller. If you feel a particularly tense spot, stop and pull your head up, leaning back into the roller.[21]
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