Freight brokers act as intermediaries by arranging for the transportation of cargo between shippers and motor carriers. The freight broker then receives a commission for his or her matchmaking skill. Freight brokers are also known as truck brokers, transportation brokers, property brokers and 3rd party intermediaries.

While the business concept in freight brokering is very simple, there are many details and procedures that need to be mastered. The broker needs to know what to do, when to do it, how to do it, why it’s being done and with whom to do it. Since this is a service-oriented business, it only makes sense to learn the multitude of demands and requirements. Especially in light of the fast-paced environment that becomes more and more common.

While actual “on the job” experience is the best teacher, formal training by qualified individuals helps pull everything into perspective for the beginning broker. As a result, the new broker strikes out on a note of confidence.

Having said this, let’s take a look at a typical day in the life of a freight broker.

After the freight broker has placed many prospecting phone calls and contacted as many current potential shippers as possible, he or she should have perhaps 20, 30, 40 or more shippers in their database. The initial information that each broker will collect will be general in nature: what type of cargo is the shipper shipping, where are the normal pick up and deliver points, what kind of truck is required and so on.

1. With this information on hand, the broker will want to start asking for the order by placing phone calls to shippers early in the morning – perhaps from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This is when most shippers are putting the final touches on their needs. Basically, the broker is asking if the shipper is looking for any trucks on that particular day.

If the answer is “No”, the broker goes on to the next and the next. At some point, the broker hits a “hot” one (or several) and that’s when the action begins.

After the broker has “proved” him or herself, the shipper will actually initiate calls to the broker instead of the broker always calling the shipper. And the shipper may want to work more proactively by looking for trucks 3-5 days out instead of just on a day-by-day basis.

2. The next step is to take the order from the shipper. The shipper will go into detail on what is required. Any uncertainties that the broker has should be cleared up immediately. It’s imperative that the broker communicates the correct information to each caller when they start calling in.

3. Then the broker will either work up an estimate of what rate is needed and they’ll get back with the shipper; or the broker will ask the shipper what they want to pay. After some calculations the freight broker will come up with an amount that they will offer to the truck. The ideal starting point is to get at least a 10% profit margin on each load.

4. The next step is to post these loads on the internet loading boards. There are numerous loading boards where loads are posted as well as searches for trucks that may be done.

5. After these loads have been posted, the broker will then go to his or her database of available trucks. The broker will then call each carrier to see if they have a truck available. In the meanwhile, the broker may be receiving incoming calls from individuals who are responding to the posts on the loading boards.

If you want to grow your business, expansion in the overseas market is very important. Geographical expansion extends the clientele and enables greater penetration into the markets. Hence, more and more businesses are looking at exploring avenues for exporting their products and services. One can consider various options in terms of exporting goods. Several trading options are enlisted below:

Trade Opportunities in European Union: Trading with the countries in the European Union (EU) has become extremely convenient, following the freeing up of trading opportunities between countries in the Union. All the 25 countries in the EU have huge market potential in terms of customers and suppliers. Moreover, the EU market is easy to access compared with other markets overseas, as most trading practices, rules, and norms are similar across various countries. Further, VAT accounting on exports and imports are simplified in EU, to encourage trade. If meet qualify trading in the U.K., you are most likely to be able to trade in EU.

Trade Opportunities in the U.S.: The U.S. market has huge potential for quality goods. Therefore, if you are offering sophisticated products or services, the U.S. is your market. It is the world’s largest economy and biggest trading partner of the U.K. Moreover, culture and languages spoken in the U.S. and the U.K. are similar, which provides the exporters an added advantage.

Since the U.S. market is very competitive, you need to demonstrate your ability to offer superior products or services, to establish a competitive edge over the peers. Since exporting is expensive, selling premium products is wise because it offers high margins that compensates for high export costs. To succeed in the U.S. market, stick to clear marketing messages and direct selling strategies.

Trade Opportunities in China: China is among the largest markets in the world and therefore offers enormous export advantages. Its population of 1.25 billion provides a ready consumer base for various products. Moreover, its economy is rapidly growing, encouraging exports. Hi-tech manufacturing and communication technologies are in a great demand in the Chinese markets.

To trade smoothly in China, you however need to have local presence to some extent. You can trade in the Chinese markets through a local agent or distributor after establishing your company’s representative office locally. To establish such an office you will have to seek relevant permissions from the Chinese government.

Trade Opportunities in India: India being a developing market and economy provides tremendous export opportunities. Recently, trade between Europe and India has increased significantly and India has become the UK’s second largest partner in trading. To succeed in the Indian markets, you need to demonstrate your value offerings because there are many product categories available within a range.

Emerging markets can be most appropriately related to the inherent volatility. Their precarious nature, unpredictability and obviously the present promising outlook make sure that every one has an opinion about them. It is the talk of the town and people are full of suggestions as to how to operate in such emerging scenario. However, the imperative issue that demands close attention at this hour is a diligent estimation of the associated success factors or potential threats that could pose as huge issues in times to come especially in case of small businesses, which are even more fragile.

Smaller companies typically comprise of those set of companies, which though have invested smaller amounts but eventually have a larger proportion of wealth at stake. This single most important factor makes them even more careful and apprehensive about every move including the decisions surrounding operability in emerging market. The implied risk factor is less assuring. Moreover, such markets usually demand even higher investment (at least initially), with no experience or case studies to guide through. All that then comes to mind is how to run a small business in emerging markets?

There is no hard-core guidebook entailing the top ten mantras to operate in such environment but then few guidelines and suggestions if kept in mind can certainly help you deal with this strenuous situation.

Consider Scenarios: Look out for similar situation world wide, by means of extensive research in case materials and online resources. They might seem extremely different but a close analysis could yield important results. A completely different segment in a far off country could guide you through by posing as a replica.

Watch the Government Carefully: Businesses have since long been closely associated by the government policies and changing mind frames. The rule is simple: “to stay ahead stay abreast”. Do not think that your small kingdom is not impacted by government. Even a minor shift like introduction of a new tax might change the profit ratios drastically.

Open Outlook: Do not make the mistake of perceiving every risky environment as threat. Risks backed by ample research and careful analysis (a pinch of intuition) can yield phenomenal results. The idea is to have an open mind and instead of shying away from every opportunity because of inherent risk, think hard and decide.

Hire the Best Asset i.e. People: Be careful while choosing your managers. They are crucial and can be an important player in managing the risk entailed. If possible, pick from the same or related field with apt experience.

You probably think that getting wholesale xbox 360 games on the Internet is pretty easy. Heck, there are thousands of websites advertising every kind of distributor list imaginable with the sole purpose of getting you to spend your hard earned money on them to jump start your dream of owning your own online business.

Many of this sites promise that you can earn $100,000 a year- some even propose guarantee you can earn over $500,000 a year in offline and online income profits with the hopes you never ask for the promised 365 days money back guarantee with a loss of memory for the long run- by simply purchasing their so-called magic pill formula for wholesale or retail success.

Do never ever pray for these scams. The only way to get wholesale distributors who specialize in wholesale xbox 360 games is through an expert that has been in the business of wholesale, for years. With the economy getting worse and more and more families struggling with their finances, there will be far too many people trying to take advantage of your situation by selling you worthless information online and false hopes for the sole purpose of making a buck out of your hard earned money. It happens, it is how the world survives for many.

Indeed, honest entrepreneurs have bought from scams artist like these, as well as checked on the majority of the website and auction owners that carry the so-called keys to financial freedom by purchasing from their sources just to see what garbage was being made available, so later on wholesale entrepreneurs can warn people just like you.

Many of us have found hundreds of outdated or otherwise worthless contacts, rather than finding reliable, trustworthy and profitable wholesalers and distributor list that might deliver you both the lowest possible prices online with the best return of investment. You could go to Google or Yahoo and check the ads, where you may see lots of promotions from people selling wholesale. Sadly, the results for most of them are basically the same- bogus and outdated information.

The fact of the matter is that if you are in the gaming business, you need an up-to-date wholesale distributor that will get you the greatest wholesale prices for consoles, games and accessories. Whether you are a serious businessman or just a video game addict, you need reliable wholesale sources that will get the job done when it comes to savings or being profitable.

Buying a list from everyone you can find advertising, should not do it, unless you have plenty of faith and lots of luck in the biggest industry that needs facts and reliability. You should spend some time researching about the seller and sending some emails. But do not boil yourself in hot waters just for the fun of it with supposed experts, especially with wholesale xbox 360 games distributors.

We all know what profit is: the surplus left over from revenue after covering expenses. Profitability is the measure of profit generated on an ongoing basis. Profit is generally measured in dollar terms; profitability is measured as a percentage of sales. You need to focus on both. For many small businesses, profit equals the owner’s paycheck. If your profitability from operations doesn’t generate enough cash flow, you don’t get paid. The first step is to figure out how much you need to pay yourself—to cover your basic needs and desired lifestyle, savings and retirement, and to pay your taxes. Then, figure out how much money your business needs to bring in to cover its expenses and pay you this amount. This is an eye-opening experience for business owners. Your initial reaction may be dismay: “How can I ever bring in that much revenue? Am I doomed to just scrape by?” But, given your financial goals, you can begin looking seriously at how to restructure your business to give you what you need financially—or else get out of it and go on to something else. Profit is more than your pay Even if you are a sole proprietor, learn to view “profit” as separate from what you pay yourself. Pretend that your company is a corporation, where you earn a regular salary, and that makes a profit beyond that. You get paid to work there, and as owner, you expect a profit dividend. Profit is more than money Here’s how small businesses should look at profitability:

• Profit is ROI—return on investment. You (and perhaps others) put capital into your business and you expect to get it back someday with a suitable rate of return. For an established yet vulnerable small business, a suitable ROI can be from 20% to 30% per annum.
• Profit is ROE—return on effort. Many people start their businesses largely with sweat equity, putting in thousands of hours of their own time—unpaid—to get the business up and running. Can you ever recoup the value of your time?
A business run by the owner should look at profit as the financial return per unit of your effort. For example, suppose you work 2,000 hours in a year, and your company’s profit is $250,000. For that year, you could say that you had a return of $125 for each hour you put in. If you want to operate with greater ease, make sure you don’t increase profit by dint of harder work and longer hours. More on this in chapter 11 of my book “How to Grow Your Business without Driving Yourself Crazy” in the section on “Leverage Your Effort.”
• Profit is a tuning fork. It tells you how well tuned your business instrument is. When you are doing things right—working productively and cost-effectively, selling the right things to the right people, serving your customers well, treating your own people well—profit is the measure that amply demonstrates that.
The opposite is also true. When your business is not tuned properly, it sounds the discordant notes of low productivity, unhappy employees, dwindling customer base, and mounting losses. Profit is acknowledgement that the business is tuned properly.
• Profit is flow. Profit provides the surplus that helps you weather the lean times. Profit allows you to be generous.
• Profit is energy. Many small business owners say they are more interested in achieving their vision than in making a big profit. But without adequate profitability, you get worn down, burnt-out and discouraged.
An unprofitable business fails unless outside money is continually pumped in. You cannot make the contribution you want without bringing in a good profit.

Small businesses need a coach to help with getting away from fire fighting endless problems within the business and instead to concentrate on the important issues like systematizing the business so it can work without the business owner.

This situation would place great value onto the business as it could be sold. The new owners of the business would value proven processes and operations that can be easily replicated and implemented. A business where it is not just reliant on the business owner to survive and that owner can be replaced means the working model is very easily repeatable. This is often shown in the franchise model.

The franchise model works on the basis that operations and systems are sold to new owners in the knowledge that provided the model is professionally run as instructed it will be successful. Statistics show franchises have a much higher level of continuity than a new start business. In fact the figures for new start ups are very poor and concerning, most new businesses will fail within five years.

A classic example of a great franchise is MacDonald's, the most successful franchise in the world. It's worth is not in selling hamburgers but in a prove system that produce repeatable, profitable businesses that work time and time again.

So a coach will look at first evaluating the business and taking an in depth fact find of the business. This will help the business coach to firstly get a good understanding of the business it is trying to help and also to aid the business owner to understand their business more fully.

From the business evaluation strengths and weakness within the business will be identified. From this list it can be then decided in priority which issues need to be dealt with. It is often the case that the owner will have to grasp the fact that they must start dedicating more regular time to working on their business, time management is often addressed to organise what is important.

Businesses process data at an astounding rate, generating huge quantities of documents that require proper documenting systems that suit the business needs. The advantages of automated documenting systems are numerous and it has become imperative that businesses have a good automated documenting system to ensure that a business functions efficiently.

Automated documenting systems ensure that all data generated by an enterprise is properly classified, categorized, and stored in the repository and made available when needed by the users. The system has to be selected with care taking into consideration the needs of the business, the type of data generated, how it will be stored, and how it will be published or displayed and in what formats.

Advantages of Automated Documenting Systems:

* They are easy to use. They are user friendly and the navigation is very easy.

* They help in organizing and managing documents effectively. As the data is stored in a highly organized manner, accessing necessary data is very easy.

* It helps save time, as people are able to access data needed in real time helping them form informed decisions.

* When accurate, current, and reliable data is provided, the data can be analyzed correctly and plans made and implemented at astounding speed due to proper automated documenting systems.

* They are installed to improve internal efficiency of the organization.

* They increase security and protect the data from being misused.

* They are extremely useful, especially during disaster recovery, as paper documents can be lost, causing a business millions of dollars in losses.

* Automated documenting systems help enterprises in their compliance strategies.

* Using automated systems will ensure that the business operates by the plan and greatly eliminates the chances of errors as well as aid in reducing human errors.

* It helps to reduce the risks that companies face when key employees who are responsible for the documenting process resign. Since the process is automated, the work goes on unaffected by any such changes.

* This kind of system is especially useful for businesses that have branches all over the world, when certain users need access to data stored in another part of the world.

* It facilitates multiple users with proper security rights to view documents simultaneously.

* Security is strict as these systems have a user log to show who accessed specific data and what changes they made to the data. Features like the preservation of the original document are added advantages.

* These systems are flexible, scalable, and easily integrated with existing operating systems. These are just a few of the advantages of automated documenting systems. The appropriate selection of an automated documenting system ensures successful management of the data generated by the enterprise.

Filing cabinets have helped to keep us organized for over 100 years. The filing cabinet is also one of the most common pieces of office furniture found in over 95% of all business places around the globe. File cabinets come in many sizes and varieties to accommodate just about every office need imaginable.

The credit for the invention the filing cabinet is to Edwin Seibel. It brought him fame, but no fortune. He invented a vertical filing system in 1898 that revolutionized record-keeping. Businesses then kept papers in envelopes that were placed into rows of small pigeonholes often lining a wall from floor to ceiling. Finding and opening envelopes and unfolding papers was troublesome and inefficient. Seibels reasoned that folding was not necessary; papers could be kept in large envelopes standing on end vertically in a drawer; Hence the invention of the filing cabinet.

There are many different forms of filing cabinets, forms to fulfill almost any perceived need. For example there are fire proof filing cabinets that many consumers don’t know even exist. These filing cabinets are a great way to keep your assets protected. Fires are catastrophes that can often paralyze a business by the damage they wreak. What are you doing to protect documents and files that are of utmost importance to your operation? Have you thought about the consequences of losing important documents and media? How would it affect you and your enterprise? How do you ensure total protection of these things?

Fireproof lateral file storage or fireproof safes could be the document and storage protection many people need. It is a great idea to protect your valuables, whether they are documents, computer files, or jewelry. Like buying fire insurance, you’ll be assured that your documents and possessions are safe. The biggest difference is that you’ll pay less and you won’t have to replace lost assets! You’ll never again have to worry about their safety.

Some of the latest filing cabinet inventions include more secure cabinets with biometric controls such as fingerprint scanners. Advanced biometric fingerprint technology frees you from keys, codes and passwords. Now you can leave your office with peace of mind, knowing your files are safe from unauthorized entry. Safeguard your vital records and confidential documents by allowing access with a touch of a finger. Contemporary design and durable baked enamel finish complements any home or office environment. It is the easiest, most affordable and secure access available. This sort of technology features a quick and effortless enrollment process (programs up to 10 users’ prints). A foolproof identification process authenticates within a second in almost any position. Smooth, rugged suspension systems create quiet, graceful drawer action. These innovations will only improve storage opportunities and capabilities.

As businesses continue to grow and technology inevitably improves we will see more business converting necessary files to online storage facilities. But the filing cabinet will forever fulfill a use. We will never see a day when no one has to store anything of physical presence in their offices.

Promising campaigns, high budgeted introductory programs, enchanting outlooks typically depict the start up of a new company. The newspaper have nothing else to talk about than such startups for few days, however within a few months or an year in most of the cases, the newspapers are even more thrilled with the abrupt failures of such start ups. Statistics run vague and ever other research company has a figure to quote and a theory to state however there has been no straight reasoning behind such disastrous failure of new companies. However this article attempts to present a close analysis and the basic reasons behind failure of start- up companies, based upon extensive research on such failures and of course a study of the few popular theories.

Well the top one among the contenders in the list is the lack of planning at the core. This reason is further characteristic of smaller companies, which tend to move with the flow and are not clear about their own vision. As for the larger ones, lack of planning often implies over or under assumptions. They plan but are usually misguided or misled by the new situations, over optimism and lack of experience. The difference is that of between theory and practical. What seems right on paper falters in practical. The goals are either too deviated or have little in common with the resources.

The second in the list and indeed fallout of improper planning is the drained cash flow. Lack of substantial cash to manage dealings gives a chance to creditors to impose bankruptcy or insolvency. To avoid such adverse situations, it is best advised to have a reserve and make sure that the required funds for maintaining a comfortable cash flow are in place, even if that requires an extensive budgeting or thinning the entire structure.

Among others that follow, an important determinant is the company’s logistic and inventory planner vis-à-vis the marketing strategy. A hasty marketing strategy accompanied by over production can easily lead to a situation when your gods are lying idle in the ware houses and you of course have no idea of how to deal with them.

Over delegation or extremely centralized operations also fall in the lead among other reasons for failure. Many aspiring owners, have little clue as to when should they leave a particular decision for their managers to decide. It is important to sleep over few things and let the experts decide rather than being over involved at every step.

The absence of a devil’s advocate among the management team i.e. someone who has the sense and power to negate the wrong also acts as an important contributor of the failure. Many bosses are too weak to accept the fall-outs and therefore do not leave a spot for devil’s statement in the board which leaves little scope for success.

Businesses are difficult to start but are even more difficult to manage. The growth and eventual success largely depends upon your working style and the implied planning, which if paid due attention could help curb the ever increasing failure statistics.

This era is categorically marked for technology professionals who have the liberty to experiment and opt for various career choices available. They can either choose to work for a multinational firm at a good position with a huge package to take back home or can alternatively try hands on starting up their own business. This might mean more pain and larger initial investment; however, the kind of growth and independence offered by this stream cannot be matched by other options.

Your business is your domain and you can decide how to operate it. The working style, choice of product, the people you intend to work with and all other such decision are completely left to you if you plan to start up your own technology businesses. Here it is essential to remember that the most crucial component is precise knowledge of the field you intend to specialize in. The finances can be taken care off through the various loan schemes introduced by the states especially in the specified sector, provided if the plan is promising. Small-scale businesses are even more preferred in the domain of financial assistance.

The Plan: The most essential ingredient for any businesses is a strong base plan. The concept in a more realistic form i.e. supported by numbers and figures refers to a plan. Before starting up a new technology business, one must work out the key factors entailed. For instance, many professionals make the mistake to introducing an excellent product to a wrong target segment or the product is not positioned among the target segment to grab the deserved part of attention, which invariably leads to failure. Therefore, before starting up the actual operations sit and plan comprehensively. Think specific answers to all the following questions:

• Which is the target segment?
• What would the costing layout be?
• What should the price range be?
• Can my target customers afford it?
• How to reach out?
• Is the product user friendly?
• What is the competitive scenario?
• Have others tried operating in this domain before, if yes then what was the outcome and if no, then why?
• Which loan scheme to apply for?
• How many and what caliber professionals are required to assist?
• Is the sustained cash flow planning in place?
• What are the specific legal requirements?
• Insurance factors to be considered?

Well, the list goes on and as you answer each one of them you would be confronted with many more sub divisions. And eventually it will all boil down to if I need a professional to consult me through the starting stages. In fact this is a viable option and there are extremely qualified consultants and software programs to guide you through various requirements and procedures of starting up a new technology based business. They can be consulted but of course your basic research is the starting point.