Online Billing: Needs and Requirements

It does not matter whether you own a small business or large, domestic or multinational or any other type possible, the bills are always the most important thing that plays a vital role in managing the flow of money of your company. However, it is just a piece of paper, but it helps to run the business smoothly by maintaining all the records of deals that a company undergoes. It helps you to manage and check the daily transactions. A bill helps to keep the record of seller agreements, products quantities and prices. We can never ignore the vitality of the bills. However, it is not so easy to make and manage bills in any business. For every business, it is a difficult yet essential task to keep up proper billing. Bills can also be an important factor to impress the customers. If your business has a simple and attractive billing method that provides correct and presentable bills then it helps to improve the customer satisfaction.

To support a simple billing procedure, the online billing methods are playing an important role. For businesses like medical care services and law firms, simplified billing methods are vital. Providing medical services can be more important for any physician than solving the complex calculation work of billing rules. In such a field, the wastage of time can cause fatal results. This is why for businesses like medical care services, it is very important to go with the technology that saves a fair amount time as well as resources.

Traditional billing methods can be very time-consuming and costlier as compared to electronic payment methods. The online billing technique or the E-commerce payment system can cut down the expenses by cutting down the costs of several items that are required in traditional billing methods. Online billing is the fastest method for generating bills. You can create bills within seconds no matter how long they are. The calculations done with the help of online billing methods are so precise that manual calculations cannot beat them. With the help of online bills, you can generate a number of copies without any wastage of time. With the help of an online billing system, you can send bills to any place in the world by clicking a few buttons. The e-mails help you to send your bills to distant people and places within seconds. Online billing methods can be very helpful in saving the details of several deals. You can keep a soft copy saved for years. All the data remains secure and no one can get access to this data without administrative permission.

There are a number of websites that are available on the internet that can give you the details about electronic payment methods. You can visit these websites to know the benefits of online billing for your business over the traditional billing methods. With the help of an online billing process, you can run your business in a more efficient way. Also, the effective work culture is obtained when billing methods are done properly. If you want to know more about online billing then you can visit practicemax.com which the official website of a leading medical care service provider company Practice Max.

The Best Taxi Service at the Airport

Be it business trips or leisure, there are plenty of times when we fly and have no one to pick us up from the airport. In such situations it would be necessary to hire the services of an airport taxi service.

However, when it comes to airport taxis, there are plenty to choose from and therefore it could be a hard decision if you’re looking for the best and an economical ride.

Tips to finding the best airport taxi service

As we all know, it’s not an easy job picking a taxi service especially if you know nothing about them. Therefore, in order to help you pick the best you could use the following tips:

Research surely helps a lot

You definitely know when you’re going to need to hire a taxi and therefore before you make the trip you should conduct some research online and find out about your options. Take a look at the quality of services that they offer as well as the price they charge you.

If you do this, there’s definitely no more that you would need to do as you already know who you’re hiring. But we don’t always do our research, especially not about a taxi service. So, in those cases the following tips should suffice.

Take a look around

Well now that you’ve landed at the airport and don’t know whom to hire, you shouldn’t just sit in one and ask them to take you to your destination as there’s a huge chance that you’re going to be cheated on!

So, if possible ask around and see what your options are and maybe if you could find some local people you would be able to ask them which service is the best and they would probably help you out.

Make sure that the drivers know where they’re going

Well, a license is one thing and having experience driving people around is another. GPS is surely going to help, but even with it there are cases of people getting lost. Therefore, before you get in a taxi make it a point to confirm that they know where they’re supposed to take you.

If they’re doubtful it would be best if you hire someone else as then the chances of you wasting hours on the road would be nil. Also, if they don’t use a metering service, make sure that you get a roundabout figure before you begin your journey.

GAAP Vs IFRS

The United States economy is increasingly globalizing numerous investment opportunities around the world, which has created a need for a singular set of accounting standards that all companies can practice and understand. However, a universal accounting system already exists that currently is not being used by the U.S. The necessity for globalization has resulted in U.S. companies and financial institutions preparing for the inevitable transition from Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS.) With over 100 countries already using IFRS, the American GAAP system is steadily growing outdated. This demand for internationally comparable information is why we need to prepare for the transition from GAAP to the already internationally established IFRS. Understanding what will change, as well as what will stay the same, will help prepare for the transition of systems and the move towards the goal of globalization.

A critical difference between both systems is how each defines basic financial elements. Under GAAP, assets are defined as “probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by a particular entity as a result of past transactions or events” (Shamrock). IFRS defines assets as “a resource controlled by the entity as a result of past events and from which future economic benefits are expected to flow to the entity” (Shamrock). The main difference between these two definitions is that IFRS is relatively lenient when recognizing something as an asset, whereas the U.S. GAAP system has much stricter protocols. Another discrepancy can be found in the IFRS system’s use of the word “expected” when referring to liabilities. Additionally, a commonality between the two systems is their definition of equity as “the residual interest in the assets of the entity after deducting all its liabilities” (Shamrock). Understanding how each financial element is defined under each system is critical before beginning to try and compare other more complicated differences.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) creates and maintains U.S. GAAP codification, and the International Accounting Standards Board (ISAB) does the same for IFRS. Both are overseen by a group of trustees (Shamrock). This similarity is an important common factor between the two systems. When it is time, the transition process will be made easier by the consistency of regulations between each system. Nonetheless, a major difference between GAAP and IFRS lies in the fact that one is more “rule-based” while the other is “principle based.” When using the U.S. rule-based system, accountants must follow a specific set of rules outlined by GAAP; there are clear criteria that outline exactly how to prepare financial statements. However, “under IFRS and using principle-based accounting, general principles are put forward and companies must ensure that their financial statements fairly and accurately represent the principles” (Ventureline.com). Therefore, principle-based accounting has much more room for individual interpretation of what is expected on financial statements.

A final, but important, note of interest is the difference in presentation of financial statements between GAAP and IFRS. “Under both frameworks, the components of a complete set of financial statements include: balance sheet, income statement, other comprehensive income, cash flows, and notes to the financial statements. Both US GAAP and IFRS also require that the financial statements be prepared on the accrual basis of accounting” (Ernst & Young). Although the overall financial statement requirements are the same between the two systems, there are many smaller differences in what is required on these statements. An example of this can be seen when dealing with inventory: under GAAP, allowable methods of recording inventory include First In First Out (FIFO), average cost, and Last In First Out (LIFO). While GAAP allows all three methods, LIFO costing is prohibited under IFRS (Mirza).

The current economy is globalizing at a rapid rate, and the United States must prepare to switch accounting systems in order to stay competitive with the rest of the world; the differences between the GAAP system and IFRS are creating barriers in international business. With over 100 countries already using the IFRS and generating internationally comparable financial statements, it is certain that the US will transition in the near future. By understanding the discrepancies between the two systems and preparing for an inevitable switch in accounting systems, the US is moving toward the goal of globalization.

References:

“US GAAP versus IFRS: The Basics.” Review. Ernst and Young LLP, Dec. 2011. Web

Mirza, Abbas Ali., and Nandakumar Ankarath. International Trends in Financial Reporting under IFRS: Including Comparisons with US GAAP, China GAAP, and India Accounting Standards. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2013. Print.

Shamrock, Steven E. IRS and US GAAP: A Comprehensive Comparison. Hoboken: Wiley, 2012. Print.

“RULES-BASED ACCOUNTING Definition.” RULES-BASED ACCOUNTING DEFINITION. Ventureline. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.

Why Heat Exchangers Are Crucial In UHT And HTST Processing

The heat exchanger is one of the integral parts of processing through UHT and HTST. Due to the wide use of pasteurization, especially the HTST process, when it comes to food and beverages, it’s important to know how each step of the process adds to the value of what is being pasteurized. There are different parts and layers when it comes to a system.

Before anything else, it’s important to understand what pasteurization is and how important it is as a part of food consumption.

Pasteurization of Food

When you think of pasteurization, you think of a method that’s used to preserve something to ensure that it has a prolonged shelf life. Although that’s one of the many benefits included when food is pasteurized, it’s not the only thing that food manufacturers and storers focus on. Pasteurization also ensures that you’re destroying pathogenic organisms before packing food.

Pathogenic organisms such as viruses, bacteria, molds, and yeats need to be reduced in order to ensure the longevity of what’s going to be packed. When you reduce the amount of these organisms, you’re also reducing the risk of shipping out contaminated food to consumers which could, in turn, poison them.

What’s the use of a plate heat exchanger?

A plate heat exchanger or any heat exchanger, in general, is used for a wide variety of tasks concerning industrial processes. From air conditioning components to being integral parts of cooling and heating system, they’ve become must-haves in order to efficiently control the temperature of most machinery.

Heat exchangers can be designed in a manner that lets the user reach a specific temperature and maintain it without damaging any of the other parts of a device. This means that it’s incredibly useful for usage with a multitude of what would be generic devices such as fans, belts, coolants, tubes, linings and condensers.

What is the HTST pasteurization method?

HTST, which stands for High Temperature/Short Time, is a pasteurization method that is utilized by many manufacturers today. It’s widely used by food companies to ensure the longevity of the food and beverages that they produce. It utilizes a heat exchange unit that is able to transfer the thermal energy from the foodstuff and maintain the temperature.

As long as the temperature is maintained at a designated high level, most pathogenic organisms which could be classified as harmful contents when consumed are reduced greatly. This process is incredibly efficient and has proven to save costs on energy and is one of the best ways to guarantee that the environmental concerns are minimal.

What is the UHT pasteurization method?

The Ultra-High Temperature method of pasteurization is used by companies that want a faster process that can still ensure a longer shelf life for food products. The main difference between HTST and UHT is you’d have to ensure that you package all of the foodstuff contents into sterile containers. This also means that you have to maintain a sterile environment

How You Stand To Benefit From Parcel Lockers As A Retailer

Modern living can be very hectic with consumers having very little time to spare to go to retail stores to get the goods that they need. It is not a wonder therefore that online shopping has become very popular among consumers because it eases the process for them. With a click of a button, you can add as many items as you want in your cart and make the purchase and even have the items delivered to a most convenient place for you.

The introduction of parcel lockers has made the process even simpler for both consumers and retailers. They make it easy to deliver and collect parcels thus greatly improving the delivery fulfillment process. More and more retailers are opting for the postal kiosks to smoothen purchasing journey of their customers giving them a more pleasant experience. The good thing about the smart lockers is that they can be placed in different locations near customers so the parcel collections are made easy. They can be situated near schools, business centers and even neighborhoods so the delivery and collection of parcels is made convenient for you the retailer and your customers. Aside from this, as a retailer, you can also:

· Enjoy brand strength and customer loyalty because of the flexibility that comes with self-collection and customers’ convenience.

· Offer fuss free deliveries and returns because the lockers are easy to use by the customers. Online purchases do not always go as expected and when this happens, customers can easily return the items to you using a stress free process using the smart lockers.

· Offer your customer security and discretion with their packages because they use the personal access code sent to them during the product purchase process. Smart lockers are digitized to improve security and privacy of the customers and this will be an added advantage to you as a business.

· Increase in-store traffic by getting your online shoppers to pick their packages at the store, but you can also make it more convenient for them by placing the lockers where it is most convenient for them.

· Reduce your time and labor because when you have the lockers in place you will need fewer resources to manage and distribute the parcels. It is much easier and affordable to have segmented collection points compared to making door to door deliveries.

· Use the parcel locker to popularize your brand because you can have it branded. Such locker branding exposes you to other potential customers in the localities you are extending your parcel services to and you stand to greatly benefit from the convenience you have to offer them.

When getting a parcel locker for your customers, you should select a smart locker that offers enhanced security, but at the same time is easy to use by the consumers. The good news is that most lockers are easy to use and manage hence both you and your customers will enjoy a pleasant experience with the delivery and picking of purchased items.

Ebb and Flow Is Natural and Beneficial to Your Business

Over the past few weeks I’ve been enjoying going to the ocean and playing at the beach. Every 2 years pink salmon spawn going from the ocean back to the same river they were born. (I know, nature is just so darn perfect isn’t it?) Very predictable, they KNOW their path.

I’m right in the midst of putting together a year long program that is very INTENSE, so if I had my way I would work all day and night, but my husband has been saving me! Almost every other night we have been going to fish, since the “humpy” season will end here soon. The salt air, the sea and time away from creation gives my brain a rest and I feel completely relaxed and refreshed by the time I leave.

During these little trips I’ve been pretty much fishing with the boys, I’ve never seen so many boys (grown men) so focused on one thing before. It really is quite cute!

Of course the “girly-girl” comes out in me where I get bored from fishing and start looking for sea glass, cool rocks and the ultimate, perfect sea-shell. I enjoy making jewelry out of these little treasures during the winter time, and this winter will be perfect for that since Seattle lives up to the rainy-days it’s known for. I love all of the treasures that the sea has to offer. Even drift wood! I decorate with it too! Last weekend I made little drift wood sail boats, they are adorable!

NEEDLESS TO SAY, that I can’t wait for our vacation that we’ve decided to spend travelling up and down the coast of Washington, Oregon and California.

I know you are thinking to yourself, okay this is all wonderful and all, it’s lovely catching up on Deb’s downtime, but what does this have to do with my business? Everything!

Tide tables are very predictable and determined by the moon. This ebb and flow of the sea can be determined to the MINUTE. Think about that for a moment, it’s pretty miraculous.

My questions for you are these:

Wouldn’t it be much better for YOU to determine the ebb and flow within your business versus being surprised and reactive when things are crazy busy, or your cash flow is slow?

And, what if you looked at the slower times, or down times, in your business as a gift, versus a negative?

What if taking “a break” could increase your creativity and cash flow?

When I’m at the beach and its high tide, the water comes all the way up to logs. I can barely even see the beach, so it’s not so good for discovering seashells but, when the tide goes out I discover all of these pretty little treasures that I couldn’t see before.

So why don’t we do the same thing in your business?

Plan and leverage your personal ebb and flow – up and downs within your business. Be predictable, know your path. Be proactive instead of reactive. KNOW your own “tide table” within your business.

All of my customers and I plan for the upcoming year’s calendar in November the year prior. There are just natural times of the year that you really want to amp up your business promote and market launches, and other times you just know that are going to be pretty slow.

January and August are pretty slow for us in the coaching biz. BUT, instead of taking off during that time I usually am busting my buns to create new products and services. As soon as everyone else comes back from vacation and are busy getting their kids in school, is when we actually go on vacation.

The reason I do this, is because ONE I know there won’t be as many people wherever we go on vacation and TWO when I come back from vacation I know that most of my stuff will be complete and I will be able to use my new found energy from my time off to connect with my clients on a whole new level.

When I go on vacation, I don’t worry about a thing. NOTHING! I don’t check my emails and barely use my phone. I am totally immersed into our vacation, spending time with my hubby enjoying the sites and adventures we are on.

During this time something magical happens, it’s like when the tide goes out and I discover all those pretty little sea treasures at the beach, the same thing happens in my business. All of a sudden, my creative juices start flowing and my energy is re-ignited. Some of my best ideas come from when I am on vacation. My ideas ARE my sea treasures!

I teach my clients how to take off 145 days a year. You can start leading towards this by working Mon-Thurs and taking 2, 10 day vacations, plus a few long weekends off a year.

Downtime is needed in your business, just as much as busy and abundant times.

So here are a couple tips for you.

Decide which times are slow in your business. Use this time to create, get ahead, re-organize or to take some time off and just relax.

Plan your days off ahead of time: YES, even if you don’t know what you are going to do during that time, mark your calendar for time off in advance. (WAY in advance – YES, November in 2013 is a good time to plan your entire calendar year for 2014!)

During these downtimes, plan to repurpose or re-launch items you already have done and totally automate it so you can bring in money while you are resting.

Be predictable! Know your path by having your business system set for the year.

Create your own time table for your business and for YOU!

I used to work so much that I would go to bed at 10pm sleep for 2 hours and then get up in the middle of the night and work all night long, go back to sleep for an hour and then get up at 6am and start my work day. I can’t even think of working that way anymore. I like my 8 hours of sleep!

Working your business this way is NOT healthy. Not spending time to take care of you or your family because of your business is not healthy either. When you take time off you show up more fully, more energized to give your clients what they need. Holding the empowered space for your customers to step into takes a lot of energy.

If you are not making the money that you desire, but you are crazy busy all the time it means to me some pure focus, systems and a TEAM need to be implemented.

This is a tough concept to swallow when you are just at that breaking point of making a profit, or just starting, but there are ways to implement all of these in some small way today. You don’t have to wait until you make gobs of money in order to start thinking and acting like a millionaire. Systems and planning, equal freedom… financial freedom, not to mention a piece of mind.

REMEMBER, YOU need a break, your clients need breaks and even your TEAM needs a break.

I challenge you to take a break and recharge, update outdated systems in your business, or even go into a creation, hibernation mode for a couple of weeks.

Learn to find the treasures within your business when your “business tide” ebbs.

I can’t wait to hear what you implement in your schedule to take a break and how you plan in advance for slow times. We’d love to hear about all the ways you automate income while you are on vacation, too!

Six Must Do Tech Tips Before You Take a Business Trip

If you are traveling for business, you will probably be traveling with and dependent upon at least a smartphone and a laptop to get all of your work done and stay connected with your colleagues and family. That means these devices will need to operate at peak performance while minimizing the risk of a failure that could leave you in the lurch or forced to use an expensive business center at your hotel or serviced apartment.

With that in mind, here are six must do tech tips to do before you leave on your next business trip to ensure you stay productive and connected:

1. Download Any Computer or Software Updates. Before you leave on a business trip, be sure to download and run any and all operating system and software updates (e.g. Windows, Internet browser, Adobe etc.) as such updates can not only take time to download (a real pain if you are in a location with slow Internet), they might even crash your computer after they install. If you use Windows, you can update your operating system by going to the Tools menu and selecting Microsoft Update while Apple Mac users should be able to click on the apple in the top left hand corner of the computer screen and select Software Update.

2. Update and Run the Virus Scan. Make sure the virus definitions for your antivirus software are all up-to-date and do comprehensive virus scans before you leave just in case your antivirus discovers something big that cannot be quarantined while you are away.

3. Reschedule Scans and Download Updates. Both Windows and antivirus software scans and updates that need to be downloaded can not only take awhile to download, they can slow down your laptop’s performance or your ability to use the Internet considerably while they download. That means it might be a good idea to reschedule any weekly scans or updates to take place after you return home from your business trip.

4. Run Disk Cleanup. Windows is rather notorious for cluttering up a hard drive with junk or orphaned files that can slow your computer’s performance or even cause it to crash. Running the Disk Cleanup wizard and using its advanced settings to delete shadow copies of Windows backups before you leave on your business trip will likely improve your laptop’s performance while you travel.

5. Clean-out Your Email and SMS Inbox. If you get tons of email or SMS and/or are carrying around multiple devices to access various types of messages, be aware that the storage space on those devices can quickly fill up if messages aren’t being kept on your corporate server. Be especially careful about email downloaded to or sent from your laptop’s Windows Mail or Microsoft Outlook programs as these programs are notorious space hogs on your hard drive – which can cause it to fill up and then fail at the worst possible moment when you are on a business trip.

6. Drop Copies of Important Files into the Cloud and Get Synced. Cloud storage services like Dropbox should mean that you will never need to make a frantic call to your secretary asking for a large and important file to be emailed over in a hurry. So before you leave on a business trip, make sure you are carrying the latest and most up-to-date copies of any files you might need by simply dropping them into a cloud storage service. Likewise, make sure that all of the devices you use are synced so that you aren’t also calling your secretary for an important phone number, email message or address.

Getting the Deductions You Qualify for With Business Taxes

There are plenty of deductions the average business can qualify for. Yet they aren’t realised by those entities because they don’t know they can count them. As a result, they pay more for taxes than they really need to. If you don’t take advantage of such deductions, you will lose that money that could be in place for your business needs. With tax services, you can avoid it.

On the other side of the equation, you don’t want to take deductions you think your business qualifies for but it really doesn’t. As a result, you may raise some red flags that result in an audit. You may have to pay a fine and extra money once the audit is completed and your taxes are corrected. It is best to have a provider of tax services to help you do it right the first time.

Best Tax Solutions

Experts in this field can help you navigate the best tax solutions available. There may be more than one way for your business to file. The tax services provider can help you to decide the pros and cons of them to find the one that is right for you. They can also help you with evaluating what you can do in the future to cut your tax liability.

This can include more donations to your community which can be tax deductible. At the same time, such efforts can help you to get your business name recognised in a positive light. In turn, this can help to generate more business from new customer as well as help you to create loyal customers.

File with Confidence

You will be able to file your tax return with confidence when you have someone offering tax services on your side. They can ask you questions, look at your documents, and help you to get everything completed. You may feel overwhelmed by the process and their help can put your mind at ease. They can help you to navigate through the complex issues too relating to taxes.

Make sure you give all documents requested and you give answers to all questions. That is the only way for them to help you get results. Never omit information or try change things because it can come back and haunt you later on. You need to know if you get audited it has all been done correctly.

Audit Help

The risk of an audit is scary, but with tax services in your corner, they can help you with that process too. If you are contacted that you will be audited, they can represent you so you don’t have to go through it alone. If there are mistakes due to their efforts, they can be held liable for the and not your business. This can give you an added layer of protection and comfort.

Talking with an auditor can be stressful because you don’t know what they are looking for or why they are closely looking over things. With the help of the provider who did your taxes, the information makes sense to them and they can convey it to you in common terms. They can also make sure the audit is conducted legally and in the least amount of time.

Business Lifestyle: Business Travel

Over the years, I’ve read a lot of business travel articles. Most of the advice I tried at one time or another. What worked, I kept. What flopped, I didn’t try again.

So based on my hard-learned experience, I’ve compiled some great business travel tips in this section that I hope will make being on the road for work a little less of a pain, and if not fun… at least a little more enjoyable.

In fact, I wish I’d had these business travel articles / tips when I first started travelling for business a million years ago. Because at first, it was kind of fun. Hotels with clean sheets on a bed everyday that I didn’t have to make up. Meals delivered to my door that I didn’t have to cook.

But after a few of them, it just didn’t seem so much fun anymore. Getting from here to there just became too much of a hassle. That’s why I hope this will be different from many of the other business travel articles in that it gives you practical advice that will be real help to you. Some can help save you money. Others will help save you time. Still others will save you stress (these are my favorites!).

1. Don’t check your bags at the airport.

Seriously. Just don’t do it. What’s going to happen if you show up at your destination, but your bags don’t? How are you going to make that all-important presentation in your jeans and t-shirt? Pack lightly and use the kind of luggage that has wheels.

And while we’re on the subject of bags, consider keeping one packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice. I read about this tip years ago in one of those business travel articles. I started keeping small bag with cosmetics, toiletries, and a change of clothing in my car so that whether I have to jump in the car and go somewhere, or head to the airport, I’m ready at a moment’s notice.

If you need an extra bag (or a new set of luggage), I’d like to recommend you try eBags.com. They have high-quality bags at great prices. Click the link below to check them out.

2. Stay healthy.

When you’re traveling, it’s easy to get run down, tired, and sick. So it’s important that you continue to eat right and exercise to keep your health quotient up and your stress level down.

Stay in hotels that have a pool and/or gym. If that’s not possible, consider going for a run or a walk in the morning or at night (instead of renting the in-room movie!)

Additionally, be cognizant of what you’re putting in your mouth. Business travel is no excuse to indulge or get off your regular routine. Don’t overeat and avoid foods that you wouldn’t normally eat. (Trust me, late-night room service desserts can be killer!) Consider carrying your own healthy, portable snacks for those times when the late-night munchies hit you.

One more thing… wash your hands often. In a strange town, surrounded by strangers and strange germs. – it’s no wonder so many people wind up getting sick when they travel. You might also consider carrying alcohol wipes or hand sanitizer in your briefcase or purse.

And while you’re at it, be sure carry a small bag with over-the-counter medications with you so you don’t have to run out to get some if you should fall ill while you’re traveling. Include pain reliever/fever reducer, antacid, vitamins, and any other OTC drugs you use often like sinus tabs, etc.

3. Bypass big airports and hubs.

I have traveled through some of the largest airports in the world, and there is absolutely nothing cool or glamorous about it. Oh sure, they have lots of flight choices, and cool restaurants and stores – but if you’ve seen Chili’s, you’ve seen them all. Big airports have lots of congestion… people and planes. Check-in and security lines are a nightmare.

Instead, book the smaller or regional airports whenever you can. For instance, fly into or out of Newark instead of JFK. You may (or may not) have to drive a little further, but you will save so much time and brain damage.

4. Take advantage of frequent flier and loyalty programs.

Why wait in line if you don’t have to? If you can, try to use the same airline all the time and sign up for their frequent flier program. (Like American’s “Aadvantage” program or Delta’s “SykMiles.”) Each program has its own benefits, but some include getting to board sooner, notification of specials, air miles which can be traded for a ticket or upgrade.

In addition to American’s “Aadvantage” program, I also have a membership to their Admiral’s Club. If you’re not familiar with this, it’s a place inside major airports where members can go between flights to make use of their facilities. Some of them are pretty posh. Most have restrooms, restaurants/bars, comfy chairs, free beverages and snacks, internet and computers, soothing environment. These types of clubs are really geared to the business traveler. Believe me, the quiet alone (compared to the chaos outside) is worth the $400 yearly membership fee to me. I almost don’t mind layovers! If you must fly major airports, seriously consider checking into your carrier’s internal club. Before you pay the membership fee, though, check with your credit card company. Some (mostly platinum cards) offer complimentary entrance into these areas.

Rental car companies have their own “frequent flier” program, called “loyalty” programs. Members usually have their own area to check in and drop off, saving you lots of time waiting in line.

5. Have iPhone, will travel.

I discovered this a few months ago when my family and I were traveling in Los Angeles. Desperate for directions, I grabbed my iPhone to check Mapquest on the internet, and discovered I actually had a map icon on my screen. Cool! Didn’t know that was there! All I had to do was type in my location and destination and it gave me step-by-step visual and written directions! A cool little portable GPS/phone/web browser! And I thought it was just for calling and playing my videos! With this, I thought, I can go anywhere and actually get there!

Since then, I’ve learned that other types of phones have this feature as well, so be sure and check your owners manual and operating instructions to make sure you don’t discover yours by mistake, too. If it doesn’t carry this feature, consider buying a phone that does when it’s time to replace your old one.

6. Try to fly direct.

This seems like a no-brainer, but in our efforts to save money, we often end up with one, sometime two or three layovers in a roundtrip. Direct flights may cost more, but think about what you’ll save in time and frustration! Let your travel agent know that you would prefer direct flights over layovers whenever possible.

But if you’re someone who books his/her own flights, and you’re interested in saving money, one of the best booking sites I’ve found is Cheapoair.com. Check them out by clicking on the banner below:

7. Just don’t go.

This is the biggest money-saving tip from any of the business travel articles you’ve ever read! When you can, opt for having a conference call or video conference instead of hopping a plane. While it may not be appropriate for all business situations, use it whenever a face-to-face isn’t a necessity.

8. Give your business to business-friendly hotels.

Make sure the hotel you book caters to business travelers. Late check-in policies, free in-room internet, soundproof rooms, conference rooms, complimentary newspaper, gym… these are all amenities that can make your travel a lot more comfortable.

Types of Vehicle Advertising

Nowadays there are a variety of different, creative ways to advertise your business rather than the traditional flyers, newspaper ads, or billboards. One advertising trend that has really taken off in recent years is vehicle advertising. This involves putting your business information in some form on your car so that potential customers can see it on the go. We’re here to cover the most popular forms so you can choose which is best for you and your company.

Car wraps:

This is probably the most extreme version of vehicle advertising. I’m sure you’ve driven down the street and noticed a car COVERED in some bright colored graphic advertising their business, these are called car wraps. The wraps are made from a vinyl material that has your advertisement printed on it. These wraps also tend to be the most expensive option, mostly due to the fact that they are so large and must be designed to fit your car. However, they are a great way to grab the attention of your fellow drivers and will be well worth the money in the long run.

Vehicle Lettering:

This is a more toned down version of car wraps. Most landscaping companies or contractors have a version of vehicle lettering on their company cars. Vehicle lettering is die cut vinyl that you place over the cars paint with your company information on it similar to a sticker. You’re not just limited to lettering though, most companies can do printed graphics which feature your logo or other images as well. The only difference with this and car wraps is that they do not cover the entire surface of your vehicle or large portions of it, they are essentially made to enhance the look of your vehicle, giving it a professional appearance all the while letting people know who you are.

See Thru Graphics:

See through graphics are very popular with realtors, contractors, and the like. These graphics are images printed on vinyl that have tiny perforations cut into them so that you can SEE THRU them while they are placed on your windows. From the outside they appear to be a solid image and are a great way to get your face out there without taking over the entire car.

Magnets:

If your personal car doubles as your work car and you don’t want to constantly be “on the job” this might be the option for you. Car magnets can be printed very large and act as an oversized business card you can attach to your vehicle. The best part is you can remove them when you they aren’t in use. They do require some work however, if you want to keep the magnet in good working condition. It’s best to place on a vehicle in a clean area and flat storage is a must! Many people place them on refrigerators or filing cabinets when they aren’t on the car.

Hopefully now you have a better idea of the type of vehicle advertising available to you. Consider these options and you’ll be bringing in the customers in no time!

1 … 3 4 5 6 7 … 10