Do Business Well

One of the most traumatic experiences for any worker is to get dismissed. No matter how gently the news might be given, losing one’s job is still a major loss experience. If your work has not been satisfactory and you have had at least one warning meeting with your boss, then the dismissal message might not be a surprise. However, the news is seldom cheerfully received.

The immediate emotional response to being dismissed might be any of the following: anger; numbness; denial; or perhaps even apathy. Whatever your response, you will want to summon your practical senses. Continue Reading »

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Retirement is a joy to some and a misery to others. The reaction for the latter group can be so extreme that retirement can almost be seen as a death sentence. Without getting too moribund, let me say that retirement is a concern which all too often is put on the shelf until the retirement period arrives. If not sufficient forethought has been given to this important period of one’s life, the retired individual can sit perplexed and despondent, wondering how to occupy each day.

The ideal preparation for retirement is performed during the working years when the vigour is there to establish hobbies and interests and make productive plans. Continue Reading »

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9. Strategic divisionalising of the policy

Your pricing policies are first and foremost intended to result in a profit for your company. There are several instances where an adjustment in price can achieve a particular objective, such as:

• the maintenance of present activity levels;
• to dispose of slow moving stock;
• to introduce a new product to the market;
• to deter the competition;
• to increase the sales of other products by the use of loss leaders.

You should always proceed with utmost caution and remember that the main objective is to achieve a profit for each and every item you sell. Continue Reading »

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Companies can increase profit either by cost reduction or by margin improvements. Margin improvement or improvement in the gross profit can be achieved either by increasing unit selling prices or by increasing sales volume (this includes the possibility of reducing unit selling prices in order to be more competitive and increase sales volume).

Selling prices are affected by supply, demand and cost conditions. All companies need to ensure that their pricing policy gives the best opportunity for maximising sales and profits.

1. Keep pace with inflation

The inflation rate is the percentage rate per period that prices are increasing and should provide a guideline to the level of price increases generally. Continue Reading »

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Overcoming our fears means that any dilemmas that may arise in our lives disappear, as situations are perceived differently. Once again, however, what in truth is simple is often difficult to accept. The situations that each of us creates by our fears should be viewed as blessings, each with a role to play. All bring us the same opportunity to learn to release our fears and allow love to emerge in their place.

Each time you confront and conquer your fears you are allowing your true conscience to grow in influence. In doing so you avoid failures and, indeed, view any setbacks as valuable lessons when encountered. People with high self-esteem and no fears about their own worth are excellent people to work for and with. Continue Reading »

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What greeted you when you arrived in your office this morning? Those reports, notes, letters and memos that I just have been discussing. By the time you have waded through it all, it’s nearly lunch break.

Did you know that the average person spends 45 minutes a day aimlessly searching for something lost on a desk? Moreover, an untidy desk may well cost you a contract, a new client or a project missed because you fail to react soon enough.

How did you fare? Did you find that you’re losing the battle? If so, you will need to implement all the ideas below to get on top of things. Continue Reading »

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• Plan your letter in rough. Note down, in logical sequence, all the points you want to cover.
• Use the correct name, title and address of the recipient. Check the spelling of names and quote the reference if you are replying to a letter.
• Write simply, clearly and concisely. Leave no room for any doubt as to what you mean. Give all details. Answer all questions.
• Divide the letter into paragraphs, each dealing with one point only.
• Make sure that your tone is appropriate for both the situation and the recipient. Be courteous at all costs. Don’t accuse, nag, talk down, preach or brag.
• Read your letter aloud to yourself. Does it sound polite? Should you cut, prune or rewrite sections?

Continue Reading »

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The best way to learn to write a report is to consider the circumstances under which it will be read. Whom are you writing to? Busy people have reams of written correspondence to wade through daily. They want access to the essence of the report at a glance and then quickly refer to specific points and relevant information in the report. So follow the next six stages.

1. Jot down your ideas

What are you writing about? Gather all fife necessary information and documentation, such as minutes of meetings, statistics and correspondence.

Ask colleagues to submit their own reports and data timeously so that you are not delayed when you want to start writing. Continue Reading »

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Write efficient memos

Want to get information up, down or across your organisation? Send a memo.

Memos are the ideal way to transmit your ideas and suggestions for approval, pin down decisions that were made orally, keep all the members of your team informed of developments or offer or seek instructions or advice. A memo is an efficient way to request help or co-operation from colleagues in another department. Management uses memos to introduce new procedures or policies throughout the organisation.

Most organisations have preprinted forms for memos. If you have none at hand, use a word processor to create a basic format and keep it on the word processor for duplication. Here are practical guidelines for efficient memo writing: Continue Reading »

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Have you ever postponed a pressing written communication — a letter, memo or report — until the very last moment? I have. Talk, which comes so effortlessly, is so much harder to commit to paper.

Even writing the briefest thank-you note is often a painful and time- consuming process. The result is that you keep postponing the arduous task.

Yet written communication, together with interpersonal and public communication, is an essential part of organisational life. Writing a report at the end of a project, drawing up a proposal tendering goods or services or writing an appraisal of a colleague’s work may be your most important task today. Continue Reading »

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