Experienced People have just produced a great post offering 101 ideas to generate some extra income online. And we're not just talking about which affiliate companies to add to your blog.

No, most of these ideas are bona fide possibilities. Ranging from offering brand name companies your service to police wikipedia entries that may be detrimental to their reputation, mining sleeping DMOZ listed sites for relevant content, and starting your own country.

All seem a little far-fetched. Not at all. I've bookmarked this page for later reference as dealing with all 101 in a limited space of time would be missing the effort these guys have put into creating this great list.

Kudos guys.

Posted by Stuart at 6:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

If this is your first day here you might want to check out the introductory page and also [1-10], [11-20] , [21-30], [31-40], [41-50], [51-60], [61-70], [71-80] and [81-90].

Even though the Edwards book has as it's tagline "Profiles of 95 Top Businesses" there are only 92 that have been mentioned. Small sticking point, I know! So, I shall finish this series with their last two and add three that I think that will be winners of this recent decade and beyond.

91. Directory Publisher
A Directory Publisher is someone who organises data so that users will be able to source useful information with the least amount of effort.

Relevancy in the Noughties
Directories are important sources of information retrieval. However, publishing a directory can only be profitable if it is useful to the target audience intended to source it. There are many opportunities opening up for directory publishers (especially online) and these will continue to grow but need to be considered well.

Having said that, here's an example of an online blog directory that I started yesterday. It's extremely useful for garden bloggers more than any other blogger because gardener's are limited by their environments. And, in the ever increasing blogosphere finding one that discusses subjects that may be pertinent to your gardening climate is almost impossible.

This is the beauty of directory publishing: Finding a niche and then matching that niche to your users requirements.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely.

92. Manual Developer
A manual developer writes user-specific information for software publishers. These manuals can be accessed, either online or via some other multimedia medium or even in written form.

Relevancy in the Noughties
This is a growing home based business opportunity as many software developers need to get their products into the market as quickly as possible. Most of these publishers are unable to put their software into "normal" forms of communication, so finding people that can is a great option.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely

93. Virtual Office Assistant
A Virtual Office Assistant is just a glorified way of saying a 'Secretary'. Although, this secretary isn't just employed by one firm but contracts themselves out to many and works mainly online in their own homes.

Relevancy in the Noughties
This is a personal favourite business idea of mine as it allows many secretaries to become their own bosses plus they can enjoy some lifestyle without always heading for the city. This home business idea will continue to gain momentum.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely.

94. Babysitting Services
A babysitting service coordinates babysitters who are well scrutinized to mind children. Parents are able to arrange for a babysitter with minimal fuss and in the knowledge that their children are taken care of.

Relevancy in the Noughties
A demanding business service this is only good if you are a great organiser. Submitting to government regulations, demanding parents and casual workers can be extremely difficult. However, this is a growing industry and should continue for a long term.

Check out one babysitting service that's already doing well.

Expected Lifespan
Indefintely.

95. Personal Life Coach
I've mentioned business mentors and the like before but a personal life coach looks at the individual's whole life, not just their career.The personal life coach will keep their client focussed on areas such as career, family, recreation, diet, time management, spirituality and personal development.

Relevancy in the Noughties
These coaches are becoming more in demand as people strive to keep their lives in balance. A personal life coach may support many clients and can either work of their own home or visit them at work, at their home or in other neutral locations. This home business will continue to surge forward well throughout the noughties.

Expected Lifespan
Indefintely.

That concludes this series. I hope you found it helpful and also gave you a few ideas for home business ideas that may continue past your working lifetime.

Posted by Stuart at 7:07 AM | Permalink

If this is your first day here you might want to check out the introductory page and also [1-10], [11-20] , [21-30], [31-40], [41-50], [51-60], [61-70] and [71-80].

81. Sign Maker
Every retail business and also those wanting to have their brand made more prominent in the conscience of the public has signs made up.

Relevancy in the Noughties
While this is an economically driven opportunity (businesses will only add or update their signage while the economy is growing) there will always be demand for a sign maker. Technology has changed a few things about this home based business though as more and more signs are computer generated and printed and less and less are sign-written.

It is foreseeable that many sign makers will lose a lot of their business to those who have the equipment to produce the markets needs but overall this is a definite stayer.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely.

82. Travel Salesperson
A travel salesperson is someone who can offer a customer ideas and suggestions for planning their vacation and then administer all the logistics necessary to make it happen.

Relevancy in the Noughties
As a home based business this is ideal because most of the work can be done from home. However, its relevancy in the future is becoming more and more limited as people (especially younger generations) become more savvy with the internet and its use and can arrange and book their vacation online.

Expected Lifespan
< 10-15 years

83. Expense Reduction Service
Similar to the Bill Auditing concept but rather than just finding errors on invoices an expense reduction service looks for ways to save a business money via their purchases. While many utilities offer tips and suggestions for saving on their bills this service goes a step further and compares utilities with each other offering the client the best deal.

This is not necessarily restricted to utilities though and can encompass any business' major spending partners such as stationery, printing, maintenance services etc.

Relevancy in the Noughties
This home based business will continue to prosper for the short term as people try and find more efficient alternatives for spending their budget areas. It will be interesting to see how businesses react with their own comparisons in the future.

Expected Lifespan
10 years +

84. Property Tax Reduction Service
This home based business aims at businesses and individuals who are often confronted with property taxes that exceed the rate at which they should be paid. Property tax is usually related to property values and therefore the amount determined by a council on the value of a property will result in the amount charged.

The Property Tax reduction Service aids clients in appealing these taxes.

Relevancy in the Noughties
This will be a growing industry as economies continue to grow and real estate values soar. Many people will find themselves with huge tax bills to pay which may have been erroneously calculated. They won't be equipped enough to handle a successful appeal and will look to others who have some expertise in these matters.

Expected Lifespan
Indefintely.

Continue reading "95 Best Home Businesses of the 90's reviewed for the Noughties - [81-90]" »

Posted by Stuart at 5:18 AM | Permalink

If this is your first day here you might want to check out the introductory page and also [1-10], [11-20] , [21-30], [31-40], [41-50], [51-60] and [61-70].

71. Mediator
Mediators can be employed in many situations from dealing with employee/ employer disputes, marital disagreements and even quarrels between neighbours or business partners. A mediator is able to help facilitate conflict between warring parties and hopefully divert the ensuing journey into the legal system.

Relevancy in the Naughties
The courts are becoming more and more bogged down with cases such as these so a mediating service for many people becomes a much cheaper and less intrusive option. This home based business, which can easily be accommodated within your home, is definitely growing.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely and growing.

72. Mystery Shopping
Mystery shoppers are contracted by retail chains covering every type of sales area - hardware, fast food, clothing, grocery and departmental stores. Their purpose is to aid these businesses in assessing the shopper's experience and providing feedback on areas such as customer service, store layout, convenience etc.

Relevancy in the Naughties
Mystery shopping will continue to be a viable business as more shoppers become less communicative with these stores and vote with their feet rather than express feedback.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely.

73. Pet-Sitting
Pet-sitting for people who take holidays without their pets is fast becoming a growing home based business opportunity. Customers would rather have their pets cared for in a home environment rather than impound them in a kennel for a few weeks.

Relevancy in the Naughties
Lifestyle objectives are on the rise so more people are wanting to get away for weekends now that at any time in history. Thus, it leaves the problem of what to do with the cat, the dog or the goldfish. This is where the Pet-sitting home based business comes in and will continue to grow at least for the next decade or two.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinite and fast-growing.

74. Plant Care-giver
Plant care-givers are really troubleshooters for gardens. They can easily remedy a problem plant giving suggestions and advice to those who want to keep their gardens flourishing.

Relevancy in the Naughties
This is a very viable business from the perspective of opportunities. However, very few people are willing to pay much for this type of service especially if they only paid $6.99 for that Fuschia at the local nursery. The target market for this type of business is in an area where mature gardens abound or at least people have planted some exotic plants that are worth keeping healthy.

Expected Lifespan
Indefintely.

Continue reading "95 Best Home Businesses of the 90's reviewed for the Noughties - [71-80]" »

Posted by Stuart at 5:52 AM | Permalink

If this is your first day here you might want to check out the introductory page and also [1-10], [11-20] , [21-30], [31-40], [41-50] and [51-60].

61. Calendar Service
A calendar service keeps an updated diary of events that is distributed either to the public or just for business networks. Businesses pay either a subscription fee to include their events over the year or just per item.

Relevancy in the Naughties
Prior to the community side of the internet becoming so exploited this was a viable business however there are many online options that now offer these services for free. One great example is Simone's Event Calendar powered by Google's calendar service.

Expected Lifespan
Defunct.

62. Computer Bulletin Board Service
A bulletin board service, commonly referred to as forums, are a great business to allow users to interact with each other, ask questions and get answers to their queries.

Relevancy in the Naughties
There are very few forums that can successfully charge money for subscribers these days as forums and their associated software are appearing ad nauseum. However, there are still a few niches that can continue to make money from this service such as WebmasterWorld but they are not the norm. To make this business successful in the Noughties you would need to have found a niche that hasn't been exploited and users would be willing to pay to use.

Expected Lifespan
As a concept: Indefinitely. Making money from it: very hard.

63. Disc Jockey Service
A DJ is often employed at proms, parties and weddings providing entertainment playing canned music. The DJ will have all their own music and also their own equipment and be mobile enough to move around.

Relevancy in the Naughties
Even with the leaps in music technology it is still surprising how many DJ's are still making money from this service. However, now that mp3 players are becoming the norm and they can be shuffled through literally thousands of songs, most party organisers are providing their own.

Expected Lifespan
Very limited.

64. Duplicating Service
A duplicating service is one where CD's and DVD's are copied in bulk amounts.

Relevancy in the Naughties
This service has been fairly resilient to technological change having transitioned from audio tapes, video, Super 8 reels etc but I would assume with the digital era upon us it won't be able to transition through the stage of digital media. Most software producers are opting for online downloads and it won't be long before this is how we will also source our video entertainment. Music has already gone this way with the success of iTunes and other online mp3 stores.

Expected Lifespan
<2-3 years.

Continue reading "95 Best Home Businesses of the 90's reviewed for the Noughties - [61-70]" »

Posted by Stuart at 5:58 AM | Permalink

If this is your first day here you might want to check out the introductory page and also [1-10], [11-20] , [21-30], [31-40] and [41-50].

51. Scopist
Court hansards record notes word-for-word during court proceedings and produce transcripts for future records. A scopist then takes these notes and turns them into legible and grammatically correct notes that allow lawyers and judges to read.

Relevancy in the Naughties
Computer software is being used to perform some of this translation but it's early generation programming and still makes mistakes. However, it won't be long before this software can correctly interpret and collate these transcripts into legible reports and therefore usurp the need for human intervention.

Expected Lifespan
<5 years.

52. Security Consultant
Security consultants can be hired for many different reasons. They may be employed for advising a company on how to secure their premises adequately or even how to ensure that confidential information is not leaked through their processes and systems. A security consultant may even be hired by events managers needing to be consulted on their event security obligations.

Relevancy in the Naughties
Security is a growing industry that can only increase as populations grow and as things fear becomes more prevalent. Crime continues to grow thus requiring security to become a bigger issue. I can only see more and more opportunities opening up for this home based business.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely.

53. Specialty Consultant
Consulting is one of the biggest fields available to people wanting to work from home. While the world will continue to require management and computer consultants there are many niche opportunities to people wanting to consult on a range of specialty items.

For instance, here in Western Australia, the government has opted to go with an Outcomes Based Education (OBE) which has confused many people employed in the education industry. Opportunities are available for those that are willing to get a handle on specific items and therefore consult on them.

Relevancy in the Naughties
The more complex society becomes and the more diversified and regulated we are will allow the creation of many opportunities in specialty areas. These areas may not always be ongoing and may have a limited lifespan but others will replace them.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely but dynamic.

54. Tax Preparation Service
Tax preparation doesn't require you to be an accountant or a CPA. It doesn't even demand that you have a bachelor degree in accounting. Tax preparation can quite literally be performed by almost anyone with knowledge in tax areas. However, it usually pays to know what you are doing and so learning how to prepare tax returns makes sound advice.

Relevancy in the Naughties
Taxes will always confuse the majority of the population and while many software programs have been written and will continue to do so they won't alleviate the fear that many people have of either preparing them incorrectly or missing out on a tax refund.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely.

Continue reading "95 Best Home Businesses of the 90's reviewed for the Noughties - [51-60]" »

Posted by Stuart at 6:17 AM | Permalink

If this is your first day here you might want to check out the introductory page and also [1-10], [11-20] , [21-30] and [31-40].

41. Medical Transcription Service
Many medical specialists record their patient notes on dictation equipment. This dictation then needs to be transcribed into written notes for access by insurance companies, government agencies and the medical centre or hospital. Medical Transcriptionists can access the digital dictation recordings via phone lines and then type them up at home.

Relevancy in the Naughties
While this home business has a very high demand and technology is making it much easier to become involved with, I think that technology will also be its downfall. Voice Recognition software is gaining momentum as a successful option to outsourcing this work and will possibly take this home business completely of the radar within the next 5 years.

Expected Lifespan
<5 years.

42. Meeting Planner
A meeting planner is hired by many businesses to organise and facilitate their meetings. Conferences, events, conventions etc are all created and overseen by the meeting planner.

Relevancy in the Naughties
Demand is growing for this business entrepreneur who can make light work of any event. Businesses are realising the expense of having unexperienced staff run their events and are more likely to outsource than waste precious resources.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely.

43. Multimedia Production
This home based business allows a person with interests in digital media to create, publish and even retail their multimedia productions. Children's CD learning activities and online multimedia experiences are some of the ways this business can be operated.

Relevancy in the Naughties
The demand for high quality multimedia productions continues to grow and will do so indefinitely. There are probably more ideas than there are people able to publish them so this home business will steadily grow.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely.

44. Newsletter Publisher
A newsletter publisher may either contract to a range of businesses designing and publishing their business newsletters or they may create their own offering advertising to generate a revenue stream.

Relevancy in the Naughties
While most newsletters in the 90's were printed on paper the Noughties has seen, and will continue to see, email newsletters become a greater vehicle for success. And, even as software becomes easier to use and more prevalent businesses will require people to compile and even distribute these newsletters well into the future.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely.

Continue reading "95 Best Home Businesses of the 90's reviewed for the Noughties - [41-50]" »

Posted by Stuart at 7:03 AM | Permalink

If this is your first day here you might want to check out the introductory page and also [1-10], [11-20] and [21-30].

31. Image Consultant
An image consultant is a someone who helps people achieve their image desires by advising them on wardrobe items, hairstyles, accessorising etc. This home business offers clients a range of skills that will cosmetically and aesthetically improve their image for reasons such as preparing for job interviews, corporate disposition and those that rely on their image to convey a pre-determined message.

Relevancy in the Naughties
If there was ever a business that carried over from the 90's into the Naughties and do well, this one is it. People are becoming more and more image conscious and with the availability of cosmetic surgery coming in line with more people's pockets customers are wanting to look good from the time they're teenagers until they're put in a box.

Image consultancy is growing and I think that more niches will even begin to open up for those venturing into this field.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinite until people realise that image is shallow (and that's never going to happen).

32. Indoor Environmental Tester
An indoor environmental tester analyses common pollutants found in clients homes and advises methods to reverse or remove them.

Relevancy in the Naughties
Health issues are always going to be high on people's mind so this home based business will continue to be in high demand.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely.

33. Information Broker
An Information Broker is a fancy name for a researcher. This broker is usually contracted by businesses wanting to research information on a particular topic to help them better understand how they might pursue or deal with it.

Relevancy in the Naughties
On the surface, this home business seems like it will be superseded due to the ease of which to get information. However, the information overload of this generation is the reason why these brokers are required. As the amount of data becomes more and more accessible, brokers will be needed to disseminate and find helpful information.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely.

34. Mailing List Service
This home based business is by far one of the easiest to set up and run, although it is probably more highly disregarded than politicians. Sourcing, compiling, managing and brokering are all parts of list distribution and in some cases this service may even be required to post the bulk mail for businesses.

Relevancy in the Naughties
The direct mail of the 90's is dying a slow death and at the very list is becoming less and less successful. However, businesses are still seeking mailing lists in which to target a specific audience. So, while the form of this home business may change over the next decade or two it will still be required and the demand will steadily increase.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely and growing slowly.

Continue reading "95 Best Home Businesses of the 90's reviewed for the Noughties - [31-40]" »

Posted by Stuart at 6:45 AM | Permalink

If this is your first day here you might want to check out the introductory page and also [1-10] and [11-20].

21. Employee Trainer
While technically you can run this business from home most of the training will be done at other locations. Many businesses are turning to contracted trainers for their staff to learn many skills predominantly in the areas of time management, people skills, leadership and team management and other personal skills.

Relevancy in the Naughties
There are many tools that are now popping up online which can aid employers train their staff but I think the biggest threat towards this home business is the use of DVD and video conferencing. These are a threat because they will reduce the market to a mere handful of operators rather than allow location based entrepeneurs to start up.

Expected Lifespan
In its present form no more than 5-10 years.

22. Errand Service
Not to be confused with a Courier service this type of home based business offers customers a service that will pick up shopping, last minute gifts, drycleaning, and even post office runs. Basically whatever errand a customer requires can be offered.

Relevancy in the Naughties
People's lives are becoming more and more hurried and our lifestyle continues to gain pace so I only see that this type of home business will continue to grow.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely.

23. Executive Search
Commonly known as 'head-hunting" this type of business seeks out high class professionals for vacant executive roles. This home business doesn't deal with the run-of-the-mill employment searches that are now being replaced by many online employment boards. It is seeking only for the top echelons of the employment world and requires good networks to make this a successful proposition.

Relevancy in the Naughties
It is still a very relevant home business but one must wonder whether it will be usurped by online entrepreneurs in years to come.

Expected Lifespan
Unsure but it should still be around within the next decade.

24. Expert Services Broker
An Expert Services Broker is someone who brokers deals with companies looking for a temporary specialist. This home based business works much like a temp agency but only deals with consultants or key personnel who have specialist knowledge.

Relevancy in the Naughties
This is a growing home business opportunity as businesses continue to operate with minimum staffing and like to contract out much of their specialist work. Having a business that can broker temporary expert help is extremely desirable for many companies who are unable to source individual expert help themselves.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely and growing.

Continue reading "95 Best Home Businesses of the 90's reviewed for the Noughties - [21-30]" »

Posted by Stuart at 6:08 AM | Permalink

If this is your first day here you might want to check out the introductory page and also the first ten.

11. Cleaning Service
Many home based businesses are popping up offering some form of cleaning service. Whether it be carpet cleaning, regular home cleaning, window cleaning or home sale preparation cleaning there seems to be a plethora of opportunities for those wanting to enter the Cleaning Service business.

Relevancy in the Naughties
Cleaning will always be a required service and even though technology will try and automate many products to aid in personal home cleaning there will always be jobs that homeowners just won't want to do or have time to do.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely

12. Collection Agency
A collection agency offers businesses a service in helping them collect revenues owed to them. They chase up debtors on the businesses behalf and arrange for payment to be made.

Relevancy in the Naughties
This is a growing industry and as the economic slow down kicks in will become even more in demand. As a home based business the success of it is largely dictated by the economy. When the economic outlook is good demand for this service may be down; yet when it's bad the service may be quite high.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely.

13. Computer Consultant
Computer consultants can be required in many different situations from offering options to personal PC users to consulting on business network needs. Computer consultants may even be employed for their knowledge on implementing and training users with different types of software.

Relevancy in the Naughties
While almost all businesses are now using computing technology of some description there will always be the need to keep up to date. The areas in which computer consultants operate may change over the years but this home business will continue to be needed well into the future.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely

14. Computer Programmer
Technology and computer programming will always be required while we base so much effort on computers themselves. Programming technology is always changing and the needs of businesses to be tech savvy is ever increasing.

If you think back over the last decade using the internet as an example; HTML was the wonder tag program which was then supplemented with Javascript, PERL, PHP, and now AJAX. There are no signs that this home based businesses is not going to be required well into the future.

Relevancy in the Naughties
See Computer Consultant

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely.

Continue reading "95 Best Home Businesses of the 90's reviewed for the Noughties - [11-20]" »

Posted by Stuart at 6:42 AM | Permalink

If this is your first day here you might want to check out the introductory page first.

1. Abstracting Service
The main task of this home based business is to read articles from journals and other periodicals and condense them into a brief synopsis for computer storage and data retrieval. An abstracter will produce lists of relevant keywords that make it easy to find information.

Relevancy in the Naughties
Here is a classic example of technology superseding a profession. RSS (Rich Site Summary) feeds are now allowing every online magazine, blog and journal to be indexed automatically. As more and more publishers move their magazines and newspapers online this service will become redundant.

Expected Lifespan
5 years max.

2. Advertising Agency
This home based business allows people with skills in both marketing and computer design to offer a service to companies both big and small. Not dissimilar from the major industry players, a home business in advertising can search out and compete comfortably in well-fitting niches.

Relevancy in the Naughties
An industry that was once controlled by major players is now breaking down into smaller competitive niches. This allows smaller players such as home business operators to respond quickly to change whereas a big company would struggle. As online advertising gains momentum (it's only a baby industry at the moment) more and more opportunities will exist for this type of home business.

Expected Lifespan
Easily >10 years.

3. Association Management Service
An association management service offers small volunteer organisations administerial skills. When these small organisations grow beyond the willingness of volunteers to actively participate, or they just become too complex, this service can aid them to keep a handle on their regulatory obligations. This home based business may offer clerical help, updating membership lists, preparing meeting agendas and reporting to regulatory bodies.

Relevancy in the Naughties
As legislation continues to grow on the upkeep and transparency of any organisation, this home business will grow with it. Volunteers are less willing to actively participate in these areas because they can't keep up with the ongoing changes and aren't prepared to carry the possibility of being sued for negligence. Therefore, this business opportunity can only increase.

Expected Lifespan
Easily >10 years.

4. Bed & Breakfast Inn
Many small businesses are now popping up offering tourists an alternative to larger motel and hotel chains. Bed & Breakfast Inns allow a couple the opportunity to offer their home as an accommodation option. It requires the couple to host, serve and maintain the facilities to a level where guests feel they are treated well.

Relevancy in the Naughties
This is not a new industry and shall probably continue indefinitely. However, if the market share continues to grow larger hotel chains will find ways to enter it and will have larger advertising budgets to compete well. This may become harder to make successful.

Expected Lifespan
Indefinitely but becoming less attractive.

Continue reading "95 Best Home Businesses of the 90's reviewed for the Noughties - [1-10]" »

Posted by Stuart at 6:13 AM | Permalink

The Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century

If you were a farrier, blacksmith or coach builder at the turn of the 20th century knocking back work contracts would be a daily pastime. 100 years later you would be lucky to find one and certainly there are few training institutes educating the next generation in preparation for a skills shortage in one of these professions.

Paul and Sarah Edwards, authors of the bestseller "The Best Home Businesses for the 90's" profiled 95 top home businesses. Their subsequent book The Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century(aff.) is now on the shelves and although I haven't read it I wanted to do my own review on their list of 95 best home businesses to see the relevance of each in this decade.

Will each home business stand the test of time or will they be replaced or superseded as our previous examples have been?

Each day we'll take a look at 10 in the list with the last day finishing off with the final 5 (for those who were struggling with how 10 went into 95!). I'll review whether their perceived longevity is growing or reducing and whether the profit levels are as as good.

Stay tuned as we start the series tomorrow.

Posted by Stuart at 9:16 AM | Permalink

Combine the success of the party plan model for companies like Tupperware, Nutrimetics and Emma Page with the most procrastinated task in life and you have a recipe for the Will-Signing Party Plan.

Is this a recipe for disaster or a cocktail of marketing success? It seems Attorney James Haroutunian considers its merits far greater than waiting for people to get their financial acts together.

The party plan model works like this;
1. Party hosts receive a free basic family estate plan when they refer five couples and host a Will-Signing Party.
2. Guest couples are interviewed directly by Attorney Haroutunian over the telephone or via email prior to the Will-Signing Party.
3. Documents are prepared and reviewed by the clients in advance, to ensure their needs are fully addressed.
4. At the Will-Signing Party, couples sign and receive their original estate plans.

It sounds like you could count a successful night as one where people at least smiled. It's hardly oozing the 'party' in the party plan concept but couples may find it a real benefit. However, the repeat customer idea of party plan is not going to be utilised to its full potential either.

It certainly sounds like a great way for the legal profession to interact with their target audience but I'm not convinced that it will ever change the public's perception of them - they are lawyers!

Posted by Stuart at 8:44 AM | Permalink

Markus Frind, creator of Plenty Of Fish has thrown his hat into the ecommerce ring. Frind currently runs a very lucrative online dating service financed predominantly through Google's Adsense program.

In a post on his Wordpress blog, Frind claims that opportunities exist in monetizing whole online communities. While his methods may seem new and exciting commenters have already pointed out several existing programs.

I, like some of the other commenters, would say to Frind that it's no use just talking about it and slamming those who diss you. Entrepreneurs, real entrepreneurs, don't cry on shoulders but find ways to make their dreams happen. There is always more than one way to skin the proverbial cat and a entrepreneur the size of Frind should have no trouble trying to make these possibilities into a reality.

Less talk - more action Markus.

Posted by Stuart at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

How often have you been frustrated by the lack of a properly working product and said, "One day I'm going to create a better ...?" only to leave it in the ideas department.

Well here's one woman who got so frustrated withher toddlers shoes that kept falling off that she took it from the ideas department and created a multi-million dollar company. $30.5 million to be exact. That's the reported figure from the sale of Robeez Footwear Ltd, a business that generates nearly $15 million in annual turnover and employs 400 staff.

Oh...if only...

Posted by Stuart at 7:50 AM | Permalink

A US study has lifted the lid on how home-based businesses are driving the uptake of new technologies, particularly in the realm of Web calls or VoIP – Voice over Internet Protocol.

Authored by IDC, the study found homeowners who are ‘income-generating’ and have a home-based office are twice more likely to adopt a VoIP system than a normal householder.

Today, almost 40 per cent of corporate home offices and almost a quarter of home-based businesses are interested in or using VoIP.

However among households that are not income-generating and have no office within bricks and mortar the awareness rate of VoIP drops to just 10 per cent.

Although the study focused on US householders, the uniform design of the leading VoIP software indicates the results will be relevant to users outside the States, such as in the UK.

For example, it found that office households are reluctant to rely exclusively on VoIP and tend to add it as a second method of communication, serving as a compliment to the primary landline.

Home-based professionals, whether self-employed or remote employees, cited savings on long distance calls as the key reason they initially turned to VoIP systems in the home, the researchers said.

But Chris Hazelton, senior analyst at IDC said:” Although cost savings are important, features such as convergence with mobile phones will be increasingly important to home offices in the long run."

Her comments come as IDC says VoIP services specifically aimed at businesses are being “primed for mainstream adoption” across Western Europe.

Julie Wall, research analyst at the firm’s European VoIP Services, recently said the gains for business VoIP coincide with a decline in the number of traditional fixed voice connections for enterprise.

“Service providers offering hosted VoIP services to enterprise have the potential opportunity to transform the business voice market,” she said.

Her comments were made as a forecast for how hosted and managed VoIP services will develop until the end of the decade.

Source: Freelance UK

Posted by Stuart at 8:17 AM | Permalink

I always worry when my wife gets invited to a home party plan. How much can the credit card bear? Will we have room for all the new [insert product here]? And, don't we already have enough of [insert product here]? are questions that quickly flood the mind.

But the biggest question, and fear, is only answered when she walks through the door and confidently tells me "I've booked a party here next Tuesday." Oh, brother! What makes it even scarier is the night before you held her in your arms as she wept openly about her lack of significance in this world. Like party plan is going to help you become significant?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not against party plan sales per se. I don't mind at all if other women want to spend their evenings out, making endless phone calls to a woman called "Wilma" (who's a Pearl direct and drives her own [insert product here] car) or buy [insert product here] ad nauseum. So long as it's not MY wife!

I can hear all the women libbers getting stirred up now but it's not an issue of equal opportunity - I wouldn't want to do party plan either. There are copious opportunities available for stay-at-home mums. I've even mentioned a few on this blog. So why party plan?

Continue reading "Party Plan stole my wife" »

Posted by Stuart at 7:01 AM | Permalink

NEWS -- A new website has just started at Business Review World aiming to educate would-be home business operators about legitimate home based businesses opportunities. The site reviews many current business opportunities and exposes the scams that this industry is fraught with.

As I get many people asking which home based businesses ideas are good ones this is one site that reviews them all.

Source: PRWeb

Posted by Stuart at 7:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Babysitting is in serious growth mode at present and I'm not talking about your average teenager who's come to mind the children while you and your spouse head off to a party for the evening. It's in far more demand than that and becoming more and more specialised as it panders to an increasingly sophisticated market.

The days when you could just leave your kids for the neighbour to babysit are long gone. Police clearances, referees and exacting personal habits are highly sought after and have become the benchmark for an industry that is on the up and up.

Why is it such a booming industry? As many parents are now required to have a double income just to secure and maintain a mortgage they're looking for childcare that will work in with their lifestyles. Before and after school care, babysitting during the evenings and weekends and even extended periods of care are becoming accepted, and demanded.

This industry has it all; growing customer needs, safety concerns for their children and helpful convenience are creating a demand where prices are at a premium and profits can easily be generated.

Delia Timms, the founder of Find a Babysitter, an online babysitting referral service commented at a recent TV interview
that her service broke even within the first six months and has produced ongoing profits since.

Continue reading "Babysitting is a growing home based business opportunity" »

Posted by Stuart at 7:02 AM | Permalink

It's always a sad story when you hear that a company that you've been part of has gone down the gurgler.

The reason for its demise?

Mr Rocke said the business was struggling with sales slumping to $12-$15 million per annum because in boom times members were less inclined to supplement their incomes by selling Omegatrend products.

This is certainly an interesting way to fail. Who would have thought it were even possible that as the economy increased your business prospects decreased?

Certainly in the '90's after the sharemarket crash of 1987 in a world of spiraling interest rates and businesses were going bankrupt at a great rate of knots, finding a way to bring in some extra dollars was almost a God-send. Omegatrend's founder, Mr Loren Watts, set about to create his own "Amway" and found increasing success for the first decade. Many mum's and dad's joined the business hoping to achieve some of their 'dreams' that could only be achieved through a sales system that was Omegatrend - at least that's what they told us.

As administrators were appointed there was still a salesforce of 13,000 but only 1500 were active. The business still owed creditors A$2m and 70 employees were laid off.

Look on the bright side. At least there's one less phone call we'll receive from an overzealous friend looking to build his empire.

Posted by Stuart at 7:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)