Asset Manager Software
Thursday, January 27, 2005
So Andrew and I have decided to start building a piece of software that takes an inventory of a person's major assets... for insurance and estate purposes. The user would take digital photos of their major assets; ie: cars, electronics, computers, jewelry, furs etc. They would then drag and drop the pictures into the software which allows them to catalogue and print the assets in an easy to read fashion. The printout can then be given to their lawyer, estate trustee, banker or safety deposit box.
The software would also be able to securely keep all banking and financial information.
Another feature would be walletsafe: Keep all of your driver's license and credit card information separate from your wallet incase it is stolen.
Still thinking of a name: Andrew likes "MyStuff". I like Micasa, HomeSafe...well I really haven't thought that much about a name yet. Anyways, Andrew says he can't work on it until we have a name, he needs inspiration I guess.
The key is building software that you can use.
posted by aforward @ 10:55 AM,
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The Power of Content
Monday, January 24, 2005
I have another little rambling on how to get people to visit your web site and it could pay major dividends for my travel company and my not-for-profit fundraising company.
1. First, a lesson I've learned from Andrew's book What Clients Love. Your small business needs a "purpose" not a "mission statement". I think after being so overwhelmed by the competitive forces of the travel industry Andrew and I have had to re-think our original plan. I think our "Purpose Statement" should read more like this: To earn $20,000 per year in commissions from our business, to make travel expenses in our lives tax deductible, to make everyday expenses in our lives tax deductible, to find other revenue sources aside from bookings. $20,000 is a 125% return on our investment and it gives us the necessary credentials to earn our IATA cards which means even more significant savings on travel. It also takes a lot of pressure off of us. Once we (especially me) can learn the value of "it is ok to lose a customer, it happens in any business, because another one will come along." I am confident we could earn $20,000 per year on our personal networks alone. In addition I do think we should pursue the family and TESL teacher markets.
2. Content pays dividends. One thing that I have been ignoring in SEO is the power of writing articles. It makes so much sense...web sites everywhere are looking for content...google loves content. So you write an article, submit to a number of places where webmasters and ezine publishers go to look for content. You get a relative back link to your site, and hopefully some people clicking to find out more about you.
3. The power of large numbers: "You would much rather have a thousand people sending you two visitors a day than depend on two sources to each send you a thousand visitors a day!"
posted by aforward @ 1:40 PM,
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Group Trips
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
So we have two little group bookings in the works. How exciting is that!
We should start throwing some feelers for marketing out there. TESL schools and seminars, the parent/kid show, message boards etc.
The site is almost done. I just have to finish up the honeymoon pages. A little more search engine optimizing and we can start submitting it. I'd love to jump on the google adsense program and the big day honeymoon registry affiliate program and make a little side money out of that.
posted by aforward @ 4:17 PM,
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Lunch Note
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Lunch Note to hubby: Hope you have an incredible day. Will be waiting up for you tonight.
posted by aforward @ 1:19 PM,
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Rich Dad, Poor Dad
Monday, January 17, 2005
Time for a little book review. I'm nearly finished Rich Dad, Poor Dad. I always avoided the book in the book store because of its ugly cover but since Ryan had it in is house I borrowed it. I have a lot of likes and dislikes about this book.
I like how it downplays the importance of a career, I don't like how repetitive it is.
I like how it encourages people to look for investment opportunites, I don't like how repetitive it is. He could get the jyst of his book across in probably 50 pages.
I like how he is contrarian in saying the rich don't say "I can't afford it" or "I live within my means" he says "how can I afford it."
I like how he challenges you to generate income from assets instead of "gainful" employment".
Well looks like Andrew and I are on the right track, we have a corporation which shelters our little side businesses, we are looking into some real estate investments, I think our current residence will become a rental property in 4-5 years when we start and family and look to upsize.
posted by aforward @ 3:25 PM,
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Starting a Jazz Collection
Thursday, January 13, 2005
So as I embark on my journey into the world of jazz collecting. I have found this great little article on how to start a jazz collection. http://ca.encarta.msn.com/guide_allwhatjazz/All_What_Jazz_Encarta
So I'm headed off tonight for a CFP information session. I call it "a first step." I'm concerned about not having any practical experience yet. I guess a normal course of action would be to already be working in the field and then get your designation. For me I have the commerce degree and the Canadian Securities Course. At the end of the day the knowledge gained would be invaluable but I would like to be able to use it in an employment situation.
"Always look for opportunities", this is what I'm gathering from the first few chapters of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad". I want to get to a point where I'm making money while I'm sleeping. Dividend income, interest income, small business income and rental income...that's the way to do it. Just as the book says, none of the above involves being an employee.
posted by aforward @ 10:50 AM,
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Email Tips
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Earlier I blogged about leaving phone messages and now I have a few tips for writing emails.
- Make the subject of your email as specific as possible.
- Never include a PS line in an email PS is for snail mail only.
- It's impossible to tell the cadence of your delivery in an email, so don't be sarcastic and if there is a slight possiblity your tone may be misconstrued throw in a happy note.
- Don't use fancy fonts, italics or funky colours they are irritating
posted by aforward @ 1:31 PM,
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Monday Night is TV Night
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Too many shows on at the same time on Monday for me. And I only have one VCR. We have 24, The Bachelorette and Las Vegas all on at 9:00 on Mondays.
24 is moving a little slow and I don't like any of the new characters except scary/terror mom, but she is also a oscar nominated actress so that says a lot. I'm interested to see where they go with Driscoll, I mean up until this point she has been shown as incompetent, I'm intrigued to see what her competencies are are when we will get to see them. The Curtis/Aisha history is a little crass and all the office backstabbing is a little grade school for a counter terrorist division. By only bringing in 3 or 4 new characters last year (not including the villains) we were able to at least care enough to form an opinion about them and we liked most of them Chloe, Chase, Adam and Wayne. Now there are too many newbies, they should have kept a few more well-liked staples ie: Tony and Michelle.
As for the bachelorette, I think it will be School teacher Ryan and Jerry in the end. I loved when Ryan said "I'm no Andrew Firestone, I'm just a school teacher." Jerry is by far the best looking but he's bit over the top Hollywood if that makes any sense. Jerry is definately a favourite as they played the background music when he and Jen had their little talk. The beginning of the show reminded of why I hate when three girls are in the same room together hugging and screaching like teenagers. So Jerry is the Kirstin/ Charlie clone (everyone will know he is the front runner and hate him for being the favourite) while our little darkhorse teacher Ryan will be (the Jen/Ryan S) upset winner.
posted by aforward @ 1:25 PM,
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NFL Play-offs Kick off
Monday, January 10, 2005
So looks like we'll be seeing a lot more of Peyton Manning in these play-offs. It is ridiculous what the Colts offense can do. I think the only team that stands a chance is the the Steelers. I think the Pats will face the same fate as the Broncos. I think the Steelers match up well agains the Colts because they can hold the ball for so long and with the best defense in the league they can at the very least slow down Peyton and Co. if they can get past the Jets.
I'm not abig fan of the NFC, especially since a team that is 8-8 can make it to the second round of the play-offs. I will say that I don't think the Vikes clubbing the Packers is an upset. My props to Culpepper, I was never impressed by him until yesterday.
Season 4 of "24" also just kicked off yesterday. I will say that I am missing Tony but hopefully he'll be back for a few episodes. It will be very strange to watch 24 in this format (week-to-week). It plays better on DVD because you can watch 4-6 episodes at a time. I may have to purchase season one and two for nostalgia sake.
posted by aforward @ 1:10 PM,
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J-Lo is smoking, Ashlee is choking
Friday, January 07, 2005
Well I must say I'm alittle bit happy for Jennifer Lopez. I feel bad for her and all the grief she takes from hollywood about all of her marriages, her bad movies and crappy remixes. Well she's back and has done it in agreat fashion, kudos to her PR people. She's looking fantastic in her new video...which is a plus cause I'm not sure if the song is any good... but who cares she looks so classy and the video is put together so well you don't really pay attention to the song .
On the other hand we have the embarrassing Ashlee Simpson still in the spotlight. As if lip-syncing on Saturday night live wasn't enough. She got her ass booed off-stage at the half-time show of the orange bowl. Don't worry Ashlee, I'm sure Daddy is right and the fans were booing Oklahoma's poor play. Can someone please stop this acid reflux ailed girl from singing any further. "I don't want to be like my sister" she vividly claims, but "a TV show about my life sounds like a good idea."
posted by aforward @ 9:32 AM,
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Happy New Year's
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Well just a little note to say I hope 2005 is a great year. I'm not sure what could top getting married and starting a new business but we shall see.
Had a fun time shopping yesterday, some pretty cool sales. Mental note that the 99 is much faster to Bayshore than the 85. What could beat door to door service! I think it was my first time on a bus that went on the Queensway.
Resolutions: Find a new hobby and exercise more. I think my new hobby will be jazz related. I'm thinking of starting to collect old jazz albums and learning more about the history of jazz. I guess that means I will need a phonograph as well. As for exercise, I'd like to take up badminton again.
posted by aforward @ 10:25 AM,
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