Creating A Business Plan For A Successful Tanning Bed Salon

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When you decide to open a tanning bed salon, you have a lot of work to do before looking at a tanning bed for sale.If you want to make the transition as easy as you can and give yourself the highest possibility of success, you will need an extensive business plan.This will tell you what you will offer your customers, what you will need in terms of equipment, what you would like to achieve with this venue, and how much it will cost to have everything running smoothly.This will help to guide you through each of the decisions you need to make along the way and ensure that each step you take is in the right direction.

Services And Operating Decisions

Before making any other decisions, you need to decide what services and options you will provide your customers through your tanning bed salon.

This often depends on how you define your ideal customer base.You might want to offer spa treatments and massages along with your main services or you could add manicures, pedicures, and hairdressing.Other ideas that go well with a tan are things such as a fitness area or just different types of bronzing treatments.The options you decide on will give you a base to start with that can always be altered or expanded in the future.If you make this part of your future goals, you will always have a goal in sight.

Acquiring Equipment And Supplies

The next portion of your business plan should include a list of all the supplies, equipment, and maintenance items for the tanning bed salon.

You will want to look at the price of the right tanning bed for sale to get an idea of a total cost and repeat this for each of your business' needs.Don't forget common items, such as bookkeeping supplies, additional salon products, and anything else needed to use and maintain the equipment and the building.

Once you know how much of your budget is needed for the salon's necessities, you can decide on what you would like to have for luxuries, including decor, convenience items, and added comfort.This is also a great time to determine what kinds of incentives you would like to incorporate, such as prepaid services and membership cards, as well as discounts and free items to help build your clientele.Finally, determine what hours you would like to run and whether you will be hiring additional help.

Find The Business

By determining the types of services and what kind of equipment you will need, you know how much space your salon requires.

You can then find a location of suitable size that is easily accessible and frequented by your targeted customer base.When you find the right location, make sure to keep track of what it needs in terms of renovations or upgrading to bring it up to code and match your business plan.

Predetermined Costs And Income

A salon, like any other business, will have start up costs that include everything needed to get the business going as well as the money needed to carry it through the first few months of business until it becomes busy enough to turn a profit.

This means you will have to decide how you will get the money.

Some may already have a good portion of this money saved up, but many end up having to finance everything to get going.You will have to find out if you can receive financing for your salon as well as what this will cost.You may also be able to estimate how much business you need each day to turn a profit.

Once all of the basics of the business plan are in place, you can take time having fun finding a tanning bed for sale and the rest of your items without worrying about your choices.You will always be able to decide whether you are making the right decision and what steps you need to make next.
About the Author

Christine O'Kelly writes for the leading manufacturer and provider in the tanning bed industry, Tan America.

They have offered a tanning bed for sale to salons across the country for more than 20 years.

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Office Organization: Increase Your Productivity at Work

Is your office working for or against you?Does your mess prevent you
from getting your work done?This article is designed to provide you with
some useful information on how office organization can increase your
productivity at work.Specifics may vary from person to person; however,
the following information includes helpful and important guidelines from
which everyone can benefit.

Many people don't realize the impact of a disorganized office.Think
about it.When your office is a mess, you really don't get a lot of work
done.A disorganized office can cause a lot of frustration, and when
you're frustrated, the last thing you want to do is focus on whatever
project you're working on.You end up forcing yourself to work because
your project is due in 2 hours and the end result is usually poor
quality.The next day, you have to start over and you're even more
frustrated - and that lost productivity can mean staying late at
work.The fact of the matter is that a messy office makes it extremely
difficult to maintain a highly productive environment.

Some of us have stacks of papers and files, others have knick-knacks,
toys, photographs - you name it!That stuff that's making your office
look like a tornado just came through needs to have its own
place.Whether that place is up on a shelf, in a desktop organizer or in
the trash, you need to be able to actually use your desk for its true
purpose - work!!!

Office organization is extremely important if you want to increase your
productivity at work.It can be difficult to keep up with your project if
everything is piled on top of your desk - especially if those piles are
unmanageable.One way to avoid becoming disorganized is to file your
documents immediately so that you don't lose them or let them stack
up.You can also use the tops of filing cabinets to store things like
binders and catalogs so they don't take up any room on your desk.Shelves
are another great place for storing items that shouldn't be on your desk
- like phone books, knick-knacks, magazines, family photos, CDs, books,
etc.

Maybe one of the most difficult things that happen on a frequent basis
is when you leave your desk.It only takes a few minutes to come back and
find a stack of papers (left by your boss and co-workers) on your
chair.This can be extremely frustrating as it was unexpected (or maybe
not) and your time is already short.Instead of tossing those papers to
the side, find a drop spot.Perhaps a basket designed to hang on your
wall or some other kind of receptacle (like an inbox) to temporarily
drop memos, notes and other small papers.Keep those kinds of
easy-to-lose documents off your desk until you have time to look at
them.

Office organizers, such as file sorters with different compartments, and
plastic bins that can hold almost anything, are ideal for storing a wide
array of office materials that might instead accumulate on your desk.Use
these accessories for things such as folders, letters, and documents.

Make office organization a priority so that you can increase your
productivity, decrease your frustration and get your projects done on
time!
About the Author
Jennifer Bunker is President of OfficeOrganizationShop.
com, one of the world's premier distributors of office supplies and
office products that simplify lives in homes, offices and schools.Get
the tools you need for office organization so you can increase your
productivity at work - visit our website.

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Warren Buffetts Investment in Goldman Sachs

Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, continues to use his firms enormous cash reserves to make purchases into some of the most valued, but down trodden, American companies.Buffett declared another deal this week, the first week of October, 2008: Hes purchasing 5 billion worth of perpetual preferred stock in Goldman Sachs NYSE:GS, plus an option to buy at a greatly discounted rate for the next 5 years..Buffett will get a 10 dividend and the stock is callable after three years at a 10 premium.

As arguably the worlds greatest living investor, Buffetts investment moves are always watched by the public and news media.When Buffett invests in a firm, like Goldman Sachs, its a very valuable endorsement.This time its an endorsement of not only this company but the free market system.

To determine why Buffett found this a good investment, I looked at many criteria as found in the book Buffettology, written by Buffetts former daughter-in-law, Mary Buffett and the website validea.Given Buffetts new investment in Goldman Sachs, I thought it would be worthwhile to look in detail at the common stock.

GS earns high marks based on my Buffett strategy, earning a score of 79 out of 100.Lets look at what the Buffett strategy likes about Goldman Sachs to shed some insight into one way Buffett may have looked at this investment.First off, Goldman Sachs is a large global bank holding company that engages in investment banking, securities and investment management.Goldman Sachs was founded in 1868, and is headquartered in the Lower Manhattan area of New York City at 85 Broad Street.1 Goldman Sachs has offices in most major world financial centers.

The firm acts as a financial advisor and money manager for corporations, governments, and wealthy families around the world.Goldman offers its clients mergers & acquisitions advice, underwriting services, asset management, and engages in proprietary trading, and private equity deals.It is a primary dealer in the U.S.Treasury securities market.In short, it has a "big moat", a Buffett criteria.

Thats the qualitative side of it.Now lets look at the quantitative side, which is where my Buffett model comes into play.GS has the steady, reliable earnings history that Buffett likes to see.Buffett likes companies to have solid, stable earnings that are continually expanding.This allows him to accurately predict future earnings.Annual earnings per share from earliest to most recent were 5.67, 5.57, 6.00, 4.26, 4.03, 5.87, 8.92, 11.21, 19.69, 24.73.Buffett would consider GSs earnings predictable, although earnings have declined 3 times in the past seven years, with the most recent decline 6 years ago.The dips have totaled 36.2.GSs long term historical EPS growth rate is 14.4, based on the 10 year average EPS growth rate.

Consistent profitability is not enough.In addition, Buffett likes to see a high return on equity ROE.Over the past 10 years, GS has an average annual ROE of 19.3.Thats plenty good for meeting this models 15 minimum requirement.The ROE for the last 10 years, from earliest to latest, is 37.7, 24.3, 17.5, 11.1, 10.0, 12.8, 17.1, 17.5, 22.7, 22.6, and the average ROE over the last 3 years is 20.9, thus passing this criterion.GSs management has proved it can earn shareholders 21.4 return on the earnings they kept.This return is more than acceptable to Buffett.Essentially, management is doing a great job putting the retained earnings to work.

Share buybacks are also important and GSs total shares outstanding have fallen over the last five years, although the half-billion share secondary offering on Thursday will no doubt alter that trend.

So, for the most part, the firm gets high scores on a fundamental basis, but there are two measures where it falls short.One is the Capital expenditures and another is return on assets.Both are likely to improve and Buffett has required key management to hold their shares during the time Buffett remains invested.

After the business analysis is done, he then moves onto the question, "Is the price right" Consider this: GSs stock is currently at 128, down from a high of 225 a year ago.We know that Buffett wants to invest when others are most "fearful" and at a price that gives him a reasonably good chance at making a profit over the long run.

Buffett gets a great deal with these preferred shares, but I think long-term investors may be presented with a wonderful buying opportunity here in the common shares as well.While this is a favorable piece on GS, it is more about providing you with insight into how to evaluate stocks for your own investment success.
About the Author

Dr Barry Lycka is founder of

Provide Effective Crowd Control Barriers Made Of Steel

Crowd control barriers are available in a variety of styles, materials and sizes. The need for this equipment spans many industries, including construction, law enforcement and highway and bridge authorities. They are also an important and highly effective addition to the safety and security measures necessary in areas that have been affected by natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tornados. Barriers are often required and extremely beneficial at various sporting and political events as well. Any circumstance that requires the delineation of a particular area to properly guide and protect motorists, pedestrians and onsite inventory can be accommodated by one of the many types of barriers that are available from reputable barrier manufacturers and distributors.

Steel barriers are just one of the many types of equipment from which to choose. Typically available in an assortment of styles and lengths, high quality products provide the necessary boundaries as well as the safety and security necessary at high profile events world wide. Such events include Olympic Games, political conventions, high attendance public celebrations and major sporting events. They are also often found to be extremely beneficial at seasonal recreation parks and marinas.

Manufacturers that specialize in high volume production of steel barriers are more capable of providing fast delivery as well as lower prices for high quality products to their customers. However, it is also very important to purchase your equipment from a company that not only specializes in the high volume production. The supplier you choose should also be able to provide verifiable records of customer satisfaction and individually customized solutions. Leaders in the industry employ a competent and responsive customer service team and sales and design personnel that possess the experience and skills necessary to ensure the products you purchase will completely satisfy your individual and specific needs, your timeframe and your budget. A reputable supplier will have knowledgeable and experienced personnel that will guide you in the right direction as you select your equipment and services in order to create a crowd control solution that will satisfy all of your requirements, provide the safety and security you need and provide you with the highest quality products and best overall value.

There are a few features that are specific to high quality steel barriers that will work towards ensuring easier to transport and implement boundaries that offer the greatest amount of security, safety and longevity. Individual ones with interlocking hooks manufactured with a thirty degree bend and securely welded to the frame prevent the chances of separation and disengagement between individual units. It is recommended that the frame be constructed of sixteen gauge tubing to increase the strength and useful life span. The horizontal or vertical tubes in the center should be firmly inserted and securely welded to the frame to reduce the chances of disengagement and to increase the overall stability.

Many businesses, organizations and industries that use this equipment as part of their crowd control solution should also have access to accessories that add to the fundamental functionality. Options include pre-drilled holes for advertising products and services signage, or for signs that communicate important information pertaining to the event such as policies, rules or directions to designated areas. Some manufacturers include this option as standard feature for their products at no additional charge. One of the most popular and potentially profitable choices amongst the options includes steel barrier jackets. Unlike banners that can flap and fold over with the slightest breeze, barrier jackets are custom fitted and remain attractive and continuously convey a clear message to attendees, which projects a much more professional image.
About the Author

The Tamis Corporation provides a wide range of crowd, security, traffic and other

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Business Planning: Questions about Forecasting

Do you have plans for your business? Do they include forecasting for sales or closing current prospects? This article will provide you information about business planning and ask you a series of questions about forecasting. Whether you're an executive, a manager or a team leader, the following information will be beneficial to you.

Let's assume that your forecast consists of sales into existing and new accounts, sales you hope you will make from beating the bushes for suspects and sales already in process to some extent or other. In this strategy, we will look at new business sales; later, we'll come back to reality, checking sales that have already made it from your suspect to your prospect list. Let's begin a four-question reality check of your new business forecast.

Question 1: What Are Your Projected Sales? Look at the total figure you are projecting in sales from these yet-to-be customers. Now, consider what mix of products/services you project you'll sell into each of these accounts, and for what margin. Be conservative - don't project every new sale at the levels of the largest new sale you've ever made. Once you have worked this out, divide the value of your average new sale into your total target to get the number of new customers you're going to need to come in to finish on forecast.
Great - now you have a clear picture of your targets for new customers, product mix and revenue/margin figures. Hold those thoughts. Before asking Question 2, look at your sales cycle.

For the purpose of this discussion, assume you get your business from quotations or proposals. These quotations/proposals come about as a result of one or a series of one-on-one meetings and/or presentations. Your one-on-ones are a result of initial appointments from lead-generation activity, and your primary source of lead generation is either cold or warm calls. If your deal cycle is different, then simply apply the thinking we're going to explore to the milestones that characterize your typical sale. From Question 1 you know the number of new deals you need to close to hit the new business figure for this year. What are you doing about closing them? If you're not investing in enough focused activity, then, regardless of how desirable or possible the result you've projected, you just won't hit your numbers. But how can you tell if you're involved in enough of the right activity to assure your success? That's the focus of Question 2.

Question 2: What's Your Proposal Hit Rate? Before you can determine the likely effectiveness of your activity plan, you need to do some research. Look into past experience of your typical sales cycle to fine-tune your forecast. The first thing you'll need to estimate is how many proposals (based on your experience) you'll have to produce to hit the number of deals you've forecast. If you don't have useful previous performance figures, then estimate conservatively. Err on the side of more rather than fewer proposals. Let's say you get a 1-in-3 hit rate with your proposals. Then, to close 10 deals, you'll need requests for 30 proposals.

Question 3: How Many Meetings to Get to Proposal? These proposals resulted from one or a series of meetings/presentations and selling activity. What does your previous performance tell you about the number of prospects you need to engage in one or a series of one-on-ones to get one prospect to the proposal stage? How many brand-new suspects do you have to meet before you find one that has an identifiable need for what you offer, the budget, wherewithal and willingness to get a proposal from you? Again, conservative realism is key. If 1 of 2 contacts you meet results in a request for proposal, then your target of 30 proposals demands that you meet at least 60 new people.

Question 4: How Many Calls to Get a Meeting? We assumed that you won these meetings from targeted cold or warm calls to suspects identified from your research. How many calls will you need to make? Let's say you have a 1-in-4 hit rate converting calls to appointments. To get 60 appointments, you'll need to speak with 240 new prospects. Finally, let's say it takes an average of four calls to get each of your target suspects on the telephone after you've mailed them. You have 960 calls to make this year!

In our example, your modest target of 10 new deals demands that you
- make 960 calls to speak with 240 new people!
- to get meetings with 60!
- to get to the proposal stage with 30 to close 10.

When you work out your own forecast, it will uncover the reality of the work before you. If this were your forecast, assuming an even spread of activity over a 250-day business year, you'd need to make about 20 calls to new people per week; meet a new suspect very four days; dispatch a proposal about every eight business days; and close a deal every five weeks. These hard measures are the only objective means to determine the reality of your forecast. Given where you are right now, how are you doing? Are you hitting your call, meeting, proposal and close targets so far this year? Be honest - if you are not meeting those targets, then it's back to the drawing board.

An in-depth look at your forecast will sometimes tell you that you simply don't have the time or resources to undertake the necessary activity. If the activity level required to hit your numbers is simply impossible, given other commitments like existing account selling, implementation, servicing or any other responsibilities you might have, then you cannot hit your forecast numbers without making changes. Do what needs to be done to hit the key milestones, and do it now!

If it's obvious you won't be able to hit your originally forecast numbers, do something about any mis-projection now. You will never have more of your year left than you do today! The message is simple. Take a hard look at your forecast for new business, and reduce it using a set of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timebound) activity/result milestones that allow you to determine whether you are on or off target. Make your forecast a living tool that ensures your success by comparing your actual progress against each of these milestones on a daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly basis, and adjust your course if you start to slide off target. Success or failure in sales does not happen by accident. The future is entirely in your hands.
About the Author

Jim Sirbasku is co-founder and CEO of Profiles International, a leading provider of human resource management solutions and employment assessments for businesses worldwide. For more information about analyzing your workforce and planning your business, visit our website.

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Why You Want Bird Dogs Finding You Deals

Whether youre a novice real estate investor or youve been at it for years, real estate investing is an endless series of challenges. First, you have to locate motivated sellers. Then you have to buy it right, manage it even better, and still find a way to turn a profit. To top it off, you have to try to do all these things while simultaneously juggling the myriad other details of your life while laying the groundwork to become a full-time investor.

There just isnt enough time in the day, is there

Wouldnt it be nice if profitable deals would almost magically come to you

Actually, they can.

By putting Bird Dogs to work for you theres more time for you to concentrate your energies on more profitable activities: negotiating with sellers, putting together winning proposals, and moving on to the next deal.

In case youre not familiar with what a bird dog is, or what a bird dog does, they are basically scouts that sniff out deals for you. Their sole job is to locate properties that have motivated sellers and lay the groundwork for you to move in and close the deal. This saves you time for the really profitable aspects of real estate investing.

Without motivated sellers you cant put together real estate deals. The problem you have is there are only so many hours in the day for you to do everything that needs to be done. If you still have a full-time job working for someone else you have even less time available for your marketing and prospecting efforts. If you assume that marketing, of which locating motivated sellers is a critical part, takes 20-25 of your time, you can easily see how little time that leaves for the other activities you need to be doing on an on-going basis to reach your goals.

By having a bird dog or bird dogs doing these things for you it allows you to better utilize the time resources you have at your disposal. A good bird dog isnt born: theyre made. Its going to take a little effort on your part to help your bird dogs help you. The best way for you to do this is by clearly articulating to them what you need.

The good news is that there are plenty of people willing to be bird dogs. They could be friends, family members, or others you come in contact with. You can also work with novice real estate investors through your local REIA to locate properties for you. Its also relatively easy to put together larger teams of bird dogs by utilizing message boards, Craigs List, and other online resources. If all else fails you can run a newspaper ad of your own. The main point here is that bird dogs will free up more of your time so you can do those things that have a greater probability of earning you money.

Bird dogs can be the path to your real estate investing goals. The finders fees youll pay your bird dogs for bringing deals to you are more than offset by the value, and the wealth, theyll generate for you. Take the time to learn how to work with bird dogs in reaching your investing dreams. As you get better at working with bird dogs youll find that you have more time and money for other pursuits, like deciding what to tell your boss when you quit your full-time job and take the plunge into full-time real estate investing.
About the Author

Although one can make quite a bit of money in this business, if not done correctly, one can lose it all also. To learn the secrets from a real pro in the game go to

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