How and Why People Agree to Things
This is a brief summary of some of the reasons we agree. Perhaps you want to become more persuasive or perhaps you want to discover why you are so easily persuaded. Let’s examine some reasons.

Reciprocity
We each try to repay, in kind, what another person has provided us. Favors have a tendency to produce a feeling of indebtedness. There is also a feeling of obligation to make a concession to someone who has first made a concession to us. If you are treated to lunch, what do you say? “I’ll buy next time.” Right? If someone says, “Okay, I’ll ride in the backseat.”, you may feel compelled to say, “Okay, we’ll listen to the station you wanted to hear.” It’s only fair, we feel.

A variation on this is “rejection-then-retreat”. This involved asking for a large request (“Would you donate $25 to my scout troop?”), getting turned down, then retreating to a smaller request (“That’s okay would you buy a candy bar for $2.00?”). The smaller request is much more likely to be approved.

All of this falls under the heading of reciprocity the tendency to feel obligated to repay in kind.

Commitment and Consistency
Once we make a choice or take a stand, we will feel pressure to behave consistently with that commitment. This is sometimes referred in sales as the “head bobbing dog in the rear window” approach. Starting with small (seemingly harmless) requests (“This is a great ride, isn’t it?”). Agreement can increase the chance that we will feel compelled to agree with the next larger request (“Would you like me to run up a few figures on that? It’s no problem.). As the head bobs up and down in agreement we feel a need to continue to agree or seem inconsistent.

An even stronger example of this can be seen if you can get someone to write out a belief or commitment. When we write things in our own hand, it seems very important that we support what we have written.

Social Proof
This is the “herd mentality” idea that the more we see others doing something, the more likely we will do it. An action seems more correct if others are doing it. The greater the number of people who find an idea correct, the more the idea will seem to be correct.

Liking
We have a tendency to be persuaded by those we like. Think about how the references of friends may persuade us. Liking can include physical attractiveness, similarity of background or interests, compliments, and long periods of contact with others.

Authority
Our need to conform to the dictates of authority figures may seem to have practical advantage. We are also susceptible to symbols of authority such as a title, clothing, the car someone drives, a uniform or other badge of office.

Scarcity
An opportunity seems more valuable to us when that opportunity is limited in availability. This is where we get things like “limited time offer”, “call within the next 10 minutes”, or “This is the last one in this color and size”.

This is one of the factors that has made e-bay successful I want this and there are not many of them.

So if you want to BE more influential work to see how you can incorporate these ideas into your life. If you want to be LESS swayed by others, examine yourself for your susceptibility to these ways of thinking.

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Hal Warfield is a speaker, teacher and coach. Contact him at warfield@midsouth.rr.com. Or read other self-development articles at http://www.halwarfield.com.

Online auction sites are set up in such a way that they can be very profitable both for you and for the auction house itself. But, what most people do not realize is that there is a world that is beyond that of Ebay! Yes, there are many other online auction sites for you to consider. Take a look at your options and see just what they offer you before you get started bidding on the web.

Let’s face it, Ebay is the largest online auction site. It has become so very successful because of its vast marketing plan and the ease of use it offers users. Everyone knows that if you can find something in the local retail area or you can find it online that you will likely find it right on the Ebay auction site.

So, how does it all work? Online auction sites are set up to allow for a meeting place of bidders and sellers. They do not sell products themselves but provide a meeting environment for you to find the people you are looking for. Of course to list a product to be sold, or in some cases to purchase a product on the web, you will be charged a fee. This is a necessary part of doing business on these websites but in cases like Ebay, it has become an excellent source of revenue as well

So, who else is out there? There are other online auction sites that you should take a good look at. These include the following:

• TradeMe
• Yahoo!
• EBid
• Internet Bargain Center
• Marktplaats
• Bidville as well as many more

There are many benefits to using these online auction sites include ease of connecting with prospective buyers, the use of 24/7 availability, and worldwide exposure to say the least. Many people find excellent reason to get into the online auction site as a business as well. There is no limit to what can be found on these websites. Taking a look at those that are less well known can be an excellent opportunity as well.

for more information please see http://www.online-auction-sites.co.uk

Making money as a property developer can be both lucrative and personally rewarding. However, to be successful, it is important to apply certain specific techniques. In this article we shall share some key tips to help you become a successful property developer.

The first step in any property development project should be to research the market. A good way to do this is to get in touch with local estate agents to get an idea of the type of property that is most popular in the area you are interested in and the average selling price.

The estate agents will be able to tell you what type of person goes for what type of property and what current trends in the area are. This information will enable you to ensure that the property you develop meets the needs of the market you are targeting.

You will also be able to get useful data by speaking to local planning authorities. They will give you an insight into the local economy which will indicate whether or not the area is up and coming.

The next step is to choose the right property to develop. Bear in mind that your aim as a property developer is to buy at a low price and sell at a high one. A good buy will reduce the risk involved and hopefully enable you to secure the profit margin you are aspiring to.

The other aspect is to consider how much you will need to spend on a property to achieve your desired selling price. Do remember that a general decorative overhaul can significantly increase a property’s value without you needing to spend a lot of money on planners and architects’ fees.

It is also essential to have a good understanding of the practicalities involved in property development. Before buying, ensure that you understand the building regulations that will affect how you develop the property.

In conclusion; if you have researched the market thoroughly and are tapping into your target customers’ requirements, if you buy well and if you manage your costs carefully you could make a lot of money as a property developer.

Trowbridge Building Supplies is an independent builders merchant based in Ashton Mill in Wiltshire.

Rewards cards have become the latest rage in the credit card industry. In the past, consumers shopped for credit cards that offered the lowest interest rate. Next came cards with low interest rates and no annual fees. Today, consumers can shop for cards based on what type of “reward” they can earn for using a specific issuer’s card.

How does a reward program work? Typically, the program awards points, “dollars” or a cash value based on the amount you charge. The rate at which you collect points varies depending on what you charge or where you charge it. Some programs offer extra points for using their card at a specific place such as a supermarket or fast food restaurant or for certain items.

Some programs offer a variety of rewards. Consumers can earn meals, tickets to sporting events, airline tickets, electronics, or even create their own reward program.

The goal is to get you the consumer to use your credit card as much as possible. Why? FEES! The credit card issuer makes money from two sources each time you use their card. First, from the merchant who pays the issuer a merchant transaction fee and secondly, from you through finance charges and late fees.

A recent survey found that nearly half of U.S. cardholders enrolled in a credit card rewards program have never redeemed their points. However, 60% of consumers said rewards program influences their decision when deciding which credit card to use for a purchase.

When considering an offer for a card that offers rewards, be sure to read the fine print. Find out what you have to do to earn points. Look carefully for any restrictions as to when you can redeem them. Also check to see if your points carry over from one year to the next.

Reward programs most benefit those who pay off their balances monthly. For those who carry a balance or even pay late, the resulting higher balances and fees aren’t really much of a reward, are they?

© 2004, http://www.yourfreecreditreportnow.com

About The Author

James H. Dimmitt

Discover more money-saving tips and articles in “To Your Credit” by visiting http://tinyurl.com/bgo9

Subscribe today and receive FREE bonuses!

jimdim815@aol.com

A grassy field, two nets, a soccer ball and some playful youth is the ideal setting for a little league soccer game. You may have recalled yourself of a time when you observed these little league events. You enter a spacious field of green, housing numerous miniature soccer fields all lined up next to each other, and young athletes running after a ball. You may have been more overwhelmed by the abundance of children playing, rather than the actual soccer game itself. But what you can appreciate from this is the sight of children utilizing their endless energy and their parents and relatives rooting for them from the sidelines.

I attended my young nephew’s soccer game and was amused by the organization of the event. The parents of both teams were the main figures of managing the game as being the referees, coaches, and fans. His teammates were not just boys, but girls, all of whom were the same age. The young athletes played a first-time role of being on a team and practicing the basic fundamentals of soccer; getting the ball into the opposing team’s net. Sporting the same color jerseys, his teammates were easily identified as those he should ally. The view of the game included a hoard of young athletes following the ball back and forth, their fans cheering closely from the sidelines, and coaches rotating players in and out of the game. When the game was over, the players showed sportsmanship by slapping hands with the other team. No matter who won or lost, the young athletes seemed more interested in seeing what treats they would get afterwards. Overall, this condensed version of a game was more than just a scene of young children exhibiting their soccer skills. It demonstrated their experience of learning team development.

I’ve been to many sporting events and observed the common procedures for games, but watching these children play soccer was interesting. Little leagues develop more than just growing children and their interests; they build a foundation for team development. The little league organization provides a chance for children to develop athleticism and surround themselves among their peers. While sports teams at the higher level (high school, college, professional) focus more on winning, little leagues seem to focus more at fostering team development by giving youth the opportunity to participate in teams.

Team development influences. Children are easily influenced. When parents put their children in little leagues or other organizations where it involves being with their peers, they are educating them to become good team members. Perhaps it is evident that parents put their children into sports when they are young. By the time they are older and in their prospective sports, they will have the experience.

If you reflect back upon your own childhood, were you ever on a little league team? Can you recall your team’s name, or remember the color of your jerseys or all of your teammates’ names? You probably cannot recall those little things and it’s irrelevant now. What might have been a lasting lesson of your little league stint would be the experiences you have gained of the importance of team development.

Stephanie Tuia specializes in internet marketing for CMOE.

For more information about CMOE’s Team Development inside organizations, contact one of their Regional Managers at (801) 569-3444.

Several respected publishers; jl scott of iCop in the WHISTLE BLOWER mailto:WhistleBlower-on@mail-list.com Boogie Jack in Almost A Newsletter http://www.boogiejack.com and Armando in F.B.C.N. http://www.emailexchange.org/ — have all mentioned these gruesome visitor stealing technologies, this week and quite rightly, ranted about the injustices.

I view this as copyright theft, as well as a downright underhand attempt to take food right out of our mouths.

But you can do something about it. This isn’t 100% foolproof, but should make an impact — who knows, if you do it, pass it on and so forth, it could end up being enough of a boycott to make these people think again?

First, visit the link below, which will give you some more background information on what this is about — will show you how serious it is — and for details on how to combat most Smart Tags. You will need to make a one line edit to all your site’s pages, but it is well worth it.

How to Protect Your Site from Smart Tag Visitor Poaching by Mark Joyner http://www.roibot.com/r_ktj081901.cgi?IM8301_081901nosub

Now for crushing TOPtext, jl scott kindly sent me the following information, normally reserved for iCop members and has given me permission to pass it on to you so we can get it to as many people as possible.

If you read THE iCop WHISTLE BLOWER! on Monday, you know about TOPtext and how it’s invading your web sites. And you’ve probably heard about Microsoft’s “Smart Tags.”

iCop Founding Member, Bob Massa of SearchKing, put his people to work and they’ve come up with a code that will stop TOPtext from working on your web pages. You can get it at: http://www.searchking.com/ezulakiller

The second one goes in the body of your document, so those of you using SSI can probably insert it once in your header or footer and it’s job done. Employ both and you’ll keep most of these sharks at bay – for the time being, at least.

You’ve been there and done it. You’ve got the tee-shirt and your experiences mean that you can cut so many corners. So you do. It’s easier. You respond to all the requests, questions, challenges and mistakes of your people. By fixing them.

And after a while two things happen.

Firstly – You get exhausted, because everything revolves around you – every piddling decision, people wait for you.

Secondly – Remarkably, your people start to leave – or give poor service – or get grumpy. Or all these, and more! How ungrateful, you’ve done everything for them…

You see, fixing things, when they aren’t working right, is a very natural instinct to use in business, when we’re the boss.

This could be a team leader, a manager, a small business owner, or even a senior leader in a bigger organization. Too ‘hands-on’ happens all over the place.

It’s human nature to help people who ask us for help. It makes us feel good on a number of levels. We feel needed. We like to have a purpose for being. We like to go home each night feeling we have succeeded. And feeling fulfilled.

The easy way is to fix things.

But fixing things, especially as our businesses get bigger, means we are stretched really thinly. There is just one small layer that creates solutions and then, not only the best ones, because there is an opinion of only one.

So it gets harder, without getting much better.

The longer it goes on, the more others depend on us and even if we do listen, they know in the end, we will have the only answer that counts.

They do less, depend on us more. They get fed up with a lack of involvement (fulfilment of their own), we get exhausted by doing everything.

What to do about this? Well, it’s time to stop yourself doing things.

Take these circumstances into account and deal with them:-

1. Physically stop yourself providing answers to problems. It gets boring with the old ‘answer a question with a question’, but you can delve a little deeper. So…

2. When faced with one of your people bringing a problem to be solved, try the following:-

a. Ask for more information
b. Follow-up the information with more requests for information following what you’ve heard
c. Ask for ideas
d. Ask for thoughts that they might have discarded
e. Ask about what they’ve already tried
f. Find out what’s getting in the way of them finding a solution
g. Check-out what worked for them in the past and can it apply here?

3. Respond to ideas they might have with encouragement – if you really feel they’re barking up a wrong tree, just ask if it’s going to work and how – but nicely!

4. Notice when people are uncertain about their own solutions and offer them a touching-base point for further discussion

5. Be prepared to prevaricate. This is a really good tactic. By asking for some time (try overnight) to ‘think about things’, you will be surprised to find out how often solutions turn up for them

6. Give away input. Create permission at certain levels for people to make decisions which you need not know about. Tell people what level a decision/solution is on and get on with it! Like this:-

- I decide on solutions
– You suggest solutions to me
– You tell me your solution and act
– You find a solution and act without telling me

7. Provide an environment of ‘no wrongs’. People need to feel that it’s OK to make some mistakes, before they can risk getting it wrong a little. There’s a famous story of a Ford executive who made a big ($40M) mistake. When he came up for promotion and some criticised his candidacy, his boss said, ‘What, and miss out on the guy who’s had the most expensive training experience!’

8. Use better people than you for making decisions at your weak point. If you aren’t a detail person, get help from someone who is, when it comes to making critical detail decisions

9. Recognise successes in your people’s decision making and solution finding – stretch them to make more and bigger ones. Develop them on your succession plan – they are the people you need – by taking the weight off you. Shift their decision-making level as described in 6 above

10. Finally. Chill! Focus on where you can take your own role and stop worrying about how many pencils one of your team is ordering. With good decision-making parameters and your trust, you won’t be getting the truck load you fear

Your people will thrill to being given some responsibility; they will truly thrive and expand their capabilities.

You will relax a little, safe in the knowledge that not everything is down to you. You are building good people, as well as a great business.

© 2005-6 Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach. He works worldwide, mainly by phone, with small business owners, managers and corporate leaders. He has hundreds of hints, tips and ideas at his website, http://www.coaching-businesses-to-success.com.

Strategic planning is vital while starting a new business or expansion of an business or planning to boost the performance of an existing business. But it requires detailed strategic planning and controlled deployment activities. Strategic planning is used to delivers its value proposition and achieve its mission.

The main difference between Strategic planning and long term planning is long term planning is developed based on the current scenario but in strategic planning we anticipate future changes.

These are the fundamentals of strategic planning.

Business Mission

The mission statement identifies purpose of the business and the reason for its existence. The mission statement, the organization prospect, ensures realiability and clarity of purpose throughout the organization. The business mission definitions shoule not be confusing, if the perspectives are confusing which leads to incorrect decision making.

Strategic Research

A Strategic research and understanding of your marketplace, your financial perspective and capabilities forms the foundation for the strategy development process. From the analysis, applying creativity, developing a strategy map will produce a number of options and opportunities that can be used to build and implement a solid strategic plan for new or existing markets.

Strategic Procedure

In this segment we should concentrate on where the organization should be going rather than how it should get there. The vital issues facing the organization are, to achieve its mission should be basis for this segment.

Tracking key strategic thrusts

This step produces the inventory of key strategic thrusts that are emphasized to address the vital issues.

Accomplishment

A evaluation with the current strategy should be carryout at this segment. An assessment of the structure and operations of the business must be carried out to ensure whether it is jelling with the new business objectives. These are the list of department has to be examined

Resource distribution has to be checked. Whether enough resources are available for next financial year. Organization formation has to be appropriate. Whether the jobs are defined propely. There are proper committee are there to deal with the stage. Proper communication systems. Whether the organization communication management is effective?. People accountable is to there. wherether people identified as “in charge” of each objective. Clear incentive systems. How will people be recognized or receive incentive for achieving results?

Ramki is with Axsellit Technologies Business Software. Axsellit Software delivers professional, benefit-enriched business solutions with an unbeatable performance-to-price ratio. Axsellit Technologies provides Strategic Planning and Balanced Scorecard Software.

Often people think others are arrogant when they will not hear their advice or point of view. Yet in a way that is an arrogant thought in itself. You see if you believe that your advice is so important that the other person MUST listen to you then are you being arrogant that your advice is above any other persons advice?

Now then in the process of calling someone else arrogant who will not hear your advice are you not being arrogant yourself? Hello Mirror! And isn’t it a slap in the face to someone of knowledge when some of little knowledge tries to give advice to them.

For instance a good friend of mine has been in the business as a Financial Planner 37 years and her clientele often call her to tell her something or give her advice on something she knows quite a bit about and has for 30 years. After all why are they hiring her as a consultant to manage their money if they do not trust her knowledge?

And yet if she acts in a way and says; "Yes I know that of course" then the other person might say; “Well how conceited?” or “You are quite arrogant!” or worse not say anything but think it and thus she might lose a client you see? In reality those of ignorance will often see what they think of as conceit and arrogance when they are actually the one’s who need to work thru their own arrogance. You see what I mean? Consider all this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/