Honing New Skills
Friday, February 25, 2005
Well, while I'm not a big fan of phoning people I don't know to try and sell something I don't a lot about, it's good practice I guess for when (or if) I become a financial planner. I don't think we expected we'd be this busy with the Travel business, but ever since we stumbled stumbled upon the ultimate, automatic lead generating machine we will have our hands full for bookings this summer and beyond. It makes me both happy and sad.
I think it will be a lot of work, for very little rewards...Its becoming clear that I think Travel Only takes an overly large chunk out of the business we do. You have to earn about $5000 in commissions to reach the next level. Well 5000 in commissions is a heck of a lot of work nowadays in the travel business. Well at least we have set targets that we want to reach. After that, I think we can pretty well set her on auto pilot and just deal with family and friends.
The ultimate goal for me, is to be full time working at home beginning in January 2006. I hope its the same as Andrew's. Instead of doing the travel for a year,we could have a our little businesses nad then travel one week every month.
posted by aforward @ 12:04 PM,
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First and Only Attempt at Finding the Fugitive
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Andrew and I made our first attempt at finding the fugitive this morning. We thought he might be at the Strathcona park near our house, so it wasn't too much out of the way.
We asked two dog walkers and were asked once (quite wrong) I may add, on our way to the park.
Oh well, it was worth a shot as our money stars were good this "month". We've now made a total of 3 investments in franchises, totalling $53,500. Hopefully that is it for at least a little while.
posted by aforward @ 3:07 PM,
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Better than Blackjack?
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
So there is a little game making its way into the casinos in the next few months. Its a newer, possibly better version of blackjack. Called Easy as 1-2-3, its inventors hope to replace a few of the 17,000 black jack tables in casinos right now.
I feel a little intimidated at Black jack tables because...I' don't know the rules or statistics, but with this game I had fun and it was really easy to learn.
The jyst of the game is that you get 3 hands instead of one and you get to play which one you think will win:
"Betting after you see the cards, your hand, is very sweet. Imagine playing Blackjack, dealing all the hands to each player and then they give you the choice of betting on the best hand of them all? Why would you ever play regular Blackjack again and keep getting those miserable stiff hands? Hard 14, hard 16. That sucks."
As Easy As 1-2-3 is a very happy game. Players smile, laugh, and high five each other all the time.
Lets just say I have a vested interest in its success, so if ever in Nevada ask the dealer if they have its as easy as 1-2-3. http://www.aseasyas123.org/play_the_game.htm
posted by aforward @ 4:11 PM,
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Cranium Record upped to 2-0
Monday, February 21, 2005
I've just won my second match in a row of Cranium. It was one of the more popular items on our gift registry and was put to good use last night.
I think me favourite line of Cranium matches is: THAT IS NOT HUMMING!
So getting excited about our cruise next week. Should be loads of fun!
posted by aforward @ 2:10 PM,
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Investor's Group Marketing Plan
Friday, February 18, 2005
So I would have to put together a marketing plan, in order to reach the next level of The Investors Group Process. And I came up with something on the way home from work.
My target group would be entrpreneurs/small business owners. I would focus more on lending and insurance products than say mutual funds. I would approach the small business help centres and offer free consulattion services for there clientele.
Just have to get some of those bills paid.
posted by aforward @ 10:01 AM,
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40% Off at the Keg
Thursday, February 17, 2005
The Keg changed its employee discount policy so that staff and their guests (max 4 total) can now receive 40% off their food items.
This works out well if your husband is on staff!
Offer is only available Sunday thru Thursday.
posted by aforward @ 1:52 PM,
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The Tipping Point
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
I haven't read Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point, but I can understand the importance of a tipping point in business. It's the one deal, or venture that turns into a major break through. For some finding thier tipping point is easy, for others it never comes. The concepts of "never give up, have faith and have the desire to succeed are all factors that influence your chances of reaching a tipping point in your business.
Ask for help, ask questions, you never know when that joint venture will fall in your lap. Yes a tipping point can happen, simply by sending an email...asking a question.
Timing is another influence on your tipping point. That email might just land in the right person's hands at the right time. And if you never send that e-mail you will never know.
At that, I think I now have another great SEO tip. "ABU" Always be updating! Quite simply put....one of googles 2 bots is only searching for fresh content. Add 2,3, or 4 new pages to your site everyday.
posted by aforward @ 2:47 PM,
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TerrorMom meet Jack Bauer
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
In yet another sintilating episode of "24" we see the dynamic between Dina and Jack as they try to "up" one another jockeying for position. (Jack is trying to save the world from a nuclear meltdown, while Dina is trying to save her son)
Both are in quite a feeble predicament and the concept of "leverage" is a little lacking in their negotiations.
And then there's our little Tony, as polite as ever "We'll find your son Mrs. Araz".
It was nice to see the two actors finally cross paths, very cool.
I quit on the bachelorette this week, it's pretty dumb. Rumour has it, that Andrew Firestone will be on the "Men Tell All" Ha! how funny is that.
posted by aforward @ 3:02 PM,
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Fundsport Revisited
Monday, February 14, 2005
Yeah!
Our little not-for profit company is making a comeback. After being put on hiatus for a year and half, I think we are back!
The business model is improved, the web site is improved, and the focus is more targeted.
We're going to be offereing a free fundraising course, where teams and organizations will learn step by step how to set up a web site spefically designed as an automatic fundraising machine.
A little under the weather today, as my tummy took a beating this weekend.
Happy Valentines Day kiki!
posted by aforward @ 8:52 AM,
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Rafer the Drama Queen
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Why is Rafer Alston such a Drama Queen? It seems everytime the Raptors are in the news it's because Rafer is sulking or crying or leaving the bench or not showing up to practice. What is with this guy? If I didn't know better...that Mo-Pete is Mole..then I would have for sure labeled him the Rafer-mole.
Just found www.problogger.net online today and looks like a great site. He shows you how to make money with your blog.
So I still have lots of reading and research still to do but hopefully I'm on my way with the other stuff.
posted by aforward @ 3:23 PM,
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When Bad Websites Happen To Good Ideas
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
One of the worst things to see online are badly formatted websites, full of adverstisements and banners before any content or great design with little content. People want information not products. They want to read not click. The want to learn not be sold.
So I have some baby ideas I am working on that I think will be successful. Still have lots more research and ideas to read, but I think I am on the right track.
I'm going to start using my blog to brainstorm. Great headlines for articles, new ideas, etc.
posted by aforward @ 3:02 PM,
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Marino Named to hall of Fame
Monday, February 07, 2005
Yeah for Dan. Although he never won a Superbowl, he still made it to the big game which is all that matters.
Congrats to the New England Patriots on their 3rd Superbowl in 4 years. Wow did the Eagles really blow it though. Do up your chin straps Donovan. Hey didn't the Dolphins beat the Patriots early this season?
Since the TravelOnly Ottawa site is almost ready for submitting. I'm excited to announce that Fundsport may be revisted shortly. How's this for a tag line "Innovation in Fundraising". It'll give me the chance to experiment with a few monetization ideas.
I'm in full research mode right now...lots of reading to do in the next month or so.
posted by aforward @ 2:40 PM,
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Groundhog Day
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
I'm not sure why but I was really excited today when I found out it was groundhog day. It's nice to be surprised every so often with life's little intricacies.
Did I mention Tony's back on 24, whoopeee!
So PC financial came out with a secret deal. 0% interest on cash advance transfers for 3 months. Now that's what I call an RRSP loan.
Yes it's RRSP season and it's a "no-brainer" to maximize your RRSP contributions every year. If you don't, quite simply, you are probably not going to retire early or rich. And the cost of borrowing on an RRSP is loan is already covered by the tax benefit you receive, so that too is a no-brainer.
posted by aforward @ 1:28 PM,
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