The supply of used cars in the market has dwindled for many reasons. One of those reasons is the government’s recent Cash for Clunkers program. This was the program that was supposed to stimulate new car sales and thus our economy. Under that program, people were given vouchers of up to $4500 to use towards the purchase of a new more energy efficient car when they traded in their used less fuel efficient car that ran. About 700,000 cars were traded in under the Cash for Clunkers program. Since those vehicles were ones that ran, they would normally have gone straight into the used car market. Instead, under the rules of the program all of the Cash for Clunker cars were destroyed. The result was a 700,000 drain on the used car market.

Another reason for the shrinkage in the number of available used cars is that many motorists are choosing to keep their used cars rather than trading them in for a new or newer one. In addition, there is an extreme lack of cars entering the market from rental car agencies and companies that provide fleet cars to their employees. Those institutions normally trade their vehicles in for new ones every year or two. At this time, those companies are holding onto those vehicles longer due to our lackluster economy.

When the economy begins to sufficiently improve the sale of new cars will finally increase. When that happens, the supply of used cars will increase correspondently and the price of those used cars will start to come down. Until that time comes, the price of used cars will remain high.

Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the world’s mobile phone industry players and a foundation for women launched Thursday a program that aims to provide 150 million women in developing countries with handsets to empower them socio-economically.

Rob Conway, CEO of the GSMA, Cherie Blair, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s wife and founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer, and Clinton formally launched the GSMA mWomen Program at the U.S. State Department office. GSMA groups the world’s players in the mobile communications industry, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organizations.

The vision of the program is increasing access to mobile connectivity and services for women living on less than $2 per day so they will achieve a greater sense of security, independence, economic opportunity and connection with the world outside their homes. This in turn will lead to greater empowerment and control over their lives and those of their families.

“Helping more women access mobile technology means they can feel safer, improve their literacy, access vital health information and generate a better income,” Blair said at the launching of the program.

The program was prompted by a foundation-commissioned study that found 300 million women in developing nations do not own a mobile phone.

Mobile operators worldwide will also benefit from the program by earning $13 billion from supplying handsets to 150 million women.

View full post on Science And Technology Stories

View full post on Automobile Stories

Turkey (TML) – Iran has invited Turkey to jointly produce a car and cooperate in the development of Iran’s space program, the Iranian Labour News Agency is reporting.

Iranian car maker Iran Khodro plans to open a joint production plant for its ‘D8′ model with Turkish auto manufacturer Tofas. A delegation from Tofas is scheduled to leave for Teheran shortly to close the deal, and production is expected to start in two to three years

The car, D8, is the namesake of an economic cooperation organization made up of Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt and Nigeria. The D8 countries will be the car’s principal market.

The news comes as Iran has also invited Turkey to take part in its space program, which aims to have man in space by 2017, the Turkish newspaper Haberturk is reporting.

Iran’s space program is in its infancy, and to date has only test launched a satellite rocket. Turkey has not formally replied to the offer.

But while trade between Turkey and Iran has risen from $1.2billion in 2002 to $10 billion in 2010, analysts said the new car deal was less a sign of warming relations than sign of bad times for Iran’s fledging car industry.

“Iranian car manufacturer giant, Iran Khodro, is experiencing tough time, struggling with government debts and employees unpaid salaries,” Emad Honarparvar CEO of Iran’s Import-Export Business Directory told The Media Line.

“The problem with Iran Khodro is not the market… where you have to pay 110 percent or higher custom tax for imported cars,” he said. “What Iran Khodro suffers from is mismanagement of resources and high end costs of production for the factory, which makes their profit margin very low. They prices are so high because the government is subsidizing the industry.

“As an example, Hyundai can import cars in Iran, paying 100 percent or even more for luxury cars custom clearance tax,” Honarparvar continued, “while Iran Khodro sells cars with less than 20 percent tax. Yet they are still unprofitable!”

Iran Khodro Company was founded in 1962 under the name Iran National and its first model was the Paykan. Today Khodro controls 65 percent of the local car market.

Over the years the company has signed a number of deals with the French car giant Peugeot to produce several of its models under a different name. For example the Samand, sometimes referred to as the Iranian national car, is based on Peugeot’s midsize 405 model.

Yusuf Kanli, former chief columnist of the Turkey Daily News and an expert on Turkish politics, said the new deal should not be seen as Turkey turning its back on Europe.

“I don’t think Turkey will be leaning away from the west any time soon,” Kanli told The Media Line. “It’s about business.”

Iran has been facing increased sanctions from the United Nations over the nature of its nuclear program, which according to Kanli is affecting Turkey as well.

“Any sanctions against Iran will hurt Turkey equally,” he said.

View full post on Science And Technology Stories

Turkey (TML) – Iran has invited Turkey to jointly produce a car and cooperate in the development of Iran’s space program, the Iranian Labour News Agency is reporting.

Iranian car maker Iran Khodro plans to open a joint production plant for its ‘D8′ model with Turkish auto manufacturer Tofas. A delegation from Tofas is scheduled to leave for Teheran shortly to close the deal, and production is expected to start in two to three years

The car, D8, is the namesake of an economic cooperation organization made up of Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt and Nigeria. The D8 countries will be the car’s principal market.

The news comes as Iran has also invited Turkey to take part in its space program, which aims to have man in space by 2017, the Turkish newspaper Haberturk is reporting.

Iran’s space program is in its infancy, and to date has only test launched a satellite rocket. Turkey has not formally replied to the offer.

But while trade between Turkey and Iran has risen from $1.2billion in 2002 to $10 billion in 2010, analysts said the new car deal was less a sign of warming relations than sign of bad times for Iran’s fledging car industry.

“Iranian car manufacturer giant, Iran Khodro, is experiencing tough time, struggling with government debts and employees unpaid salaries,” Emad Honarparvar CEO of Iran’s Import-Export Business Directory told The Media Line.

“The problem with Iran Khodro is not the market… where you have to pay 110 percent or higher custom tax for imported cars,” he said. “What Iran Khodro suffers from is mismanagement of resources and high end costs of production for the factory, which makes their profit margin very low. They prices are so high because the government is subsidizing the industry.

“As an example, Hyundai can import cars in Iran, paying 100 percent or even more for luxury cars custom clearance tax,” Honarparvar continued, “while Iran Khodro sells cars with less than 20 percent tax. Yet they are still unprofitable!”

Iran Khodro Company was founded in 1962 under the name Iran National and its first model was the Paykan. Today Khodro controls 65 percent of the local car market.

Over the years the company has signed a number of deals with the French car giant Peugeot to produce several of its models under a different name. For example the Samand, sometimes referred to as the Iranian national car, is based on Peugeot’s midsize 405 model.

Yusuf Kanli, former chief columnist of the Turkey Daily News and an expert on Turkish politics, said the new deal should not be seen as Turkey turning its back on Europe.

“I don’t think Turkey will be leaning away from the west any time soon,” Kanli told The Media Line. “It’s about business.”

Iran has been facing increased sanctions from the United Nations over the nature of its nuclear program, which according to Kanli is affecting Turkey as well.

“Any sanctions against Iran will hurt Turkey equally,” he said.

View full post on Science And Technology Stories

This is a truly “first class analysis”. I can guess that roughly 2%-5% of the network marketers out there are “first-class”. This is can be “code of honor” of any mlm team.
Mlm is far more risky than either the stock market or the job market. It even makes gambling look like a safe investment by comparison. Very few recruits will sell enough to generate residual income. Standard jobs are not rewarded fairly. In mlm, you can set your own standard for earnings. Fair? most mlm compensation plans are weighted heavily towards those who got in early or who frantically scrambled to the top of a pyramid of participants. If not legal, the program would have been shut down long ago. Mlm’s have survived legal challenges. The fact that they are still around tells you they are legitimate.
Mlm is not mlm itself, but. Of the people it attracts. Network marketing is. Just a business model. , and it really amounts to “micro-franchising”. Its upside is that it has a very low cost of entry, with the potential for exceptional revenue, and there are those who achieve that. But those same things that make it attractive make it attractive to many who are not really qualified or prepared to become business owners. The salient characteristics of mlm make it attractive to people who:. Have not done well in their business or profession and have little money saved up to invest. Have no previous experience owning or running a business. Have no previous experience in sales. Have little or no experience developing business relationships other than that of employer/employee/co-worker. Are not satisfied with their current level of income. Have unrealistic expectations of the amount of work involved compared to the revenue realized. Don’t get me wrong?i’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with any of these things, or that this describes even a majority of network marketers?only that it describes a disproportionate number of network marketers, and that many of them never do anything about it.
Mlm is the process organizations use to get their product into the marketplace. Rather than hiring a sales force and all the stuff that goes with it.

Add to that the fact that all you need to start is a PC and an internet connection, and you can completely understand why I say that you have to (and can allow yourself to) start thinking about simplicity, flexibility and profitability.

Learn effective ways to start a profitable business with little or no money now at: http://www.CoastalHomebaseBusiness.com
Dale Dupree

2009

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/franchise-articles/network-marketing-is-honest-and-a-legitimate-way-to-make-a-living-1532194.html

Now buying a franchise is buying a business, so capital is going to be involved. I want to take you through a checklist of questions you must answer before buying a business franchise. So you won’t bite your finger in regret.

Some business franchises are  very good. They treat both the franchisor and the franchisee well. Others are one sided. But most of them are total rip offs because they make you pay ten to fifty times the actual value of the business idea, equipment, or whatever it is they are trying to get you to buy.

Before buying a business franchise, you should examine everything carefully, from the documents and paper work to the product. Infact, scrutinize everything. To help you out, i have prepared a list of questions you should ask and answer satisfactorily before buying a business franchise.

1.  Has your attorney examined the business franchise contract, discussed it with you, and do you both approve it without any hesitation?

2.  Does the business franchise require you to do anything or take any step that is illegal, questionable or risky in your city, state or country?

3.  Does the business franchise give you an undivided territory for the duration of the franchise period, or can the franchisor sell a second franchise in your territory?

4.  Is the your franchisor linked in any way with any other franchise company operating related products or services?

5.  If your answer to the above question is yes, what is your guard against the second franchising company?

6.  Under what conditions can you end the franchise contract, and at what cost will it be to you?

7.  If you sell your franchise, will you be compensated for your helpfulness or will it be a loss to you?

8.  How many years has the company offering you the business franchise been in operation?

9.  Does the company offering you this business franchise have a status for honesty and fair dealing among its franchisees?

10.  Has the franchisor shown any confirmed figures indicating exact profit of one or more of its members, and have you personally checked the figures with these franchisees?

11.  Will the franchisor provide you with a management training program, an employee training program, public relations and advertising program, credit facilities and merchandising ideas?

12. If needed, will the franchisor help you in finding a fitting location?

13. Is the franchising company strongly financed so that it can carry out its stipulated plans?

14. Does the franchisor have experienced management?

15. What can the franchisor do for you that you cannot do for yourself?

These are 15 crucial questions you must answer before buying a franchise business. Let me share 3 more franchising tips with you as bonus.

16.  Has the franchisor scrutinized you carefully enough to be certain that you can successfully operate a business and generate profit for both of you?

17.  Does your state have a law regulating the sale of franchises.

18.  If yes, has the franchisor complied with that law to your satisfaction?

19.  How much equity capital will you need to purchase the franchise and operate it until your income equals your expenses?

If you can answer these questions satisfactorily, then you are on your way to buying a good business franchise. But if you are in doubt with any of these points, be sure to check it out and know the answers before you invest or sign anything.

Buying a business franchise can give you a degree of security, and in some cases, sure-fire profits. Business analysis surveys show that less than 20 percent of all franchised businesses fail. This is in contrast with a 60 to 80 percent failure rate for all new businesses started each year.

Information regarding specific franchising ideas can be found in the franchising directories, which are generally available at the local library. Often there will be a notice posted in franchise outlets themselves.

You can also purchase business books and guides that will help and give you more insight in buying and building a successful business franchise.

If you can afford the capital involved in buying a business franchise, statistics are on your side. You are now armed with some CAUTION and STOP and GO signs!

Ajaero Tony Martins is an entrepreneur and investor. If you find this article informative and you want to learn more, please feel free to visit my blog at www.strategicbusinessteam.com and http://mybusinessgrowthstrategy.blogspot.com
This article may be freely reprinted or distributed unedited in any Ezine,newsletter,blog, or website. The author’s name,bio and website links must remain intact and be included with every reproduction.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/franchise-articles/15-crucial-questions-you-must-answer-before-buying-a-business-franchise-1322148.html

Franchise legal documents

in order to sell franchises it is necessary to first have a Franchise Disclosure Document and Franchise Agreement. These are parallel documents that mirror one another. The FDD explains, in everyday language, the main points of the franchise program, while the Franchise Agreement is drafted in legal wording, and is what essentially ties the franchisee to the program. The FDD must be written in an exceedingly specific format, in a prescribed order, and must contain the precise disclosures as needed by the federal Trade Commission.

There are’do-it-yourself’ packages for the preparation of these documents, but in our perspective, this is a poor way to develop franchise documents. Preparation of the franchise documents involves properly establishing many program variables, the discovery of much detail, which comes from several hours of interplay with the person preparing them. You do not wish to make a howler with your franchise documents. New franchisors need advice, direction, consulting, and assistance from someone who has in depth experience in the preparation of franchise documents. This may be a franchise advisor or a franchise attorney.

The Operations Manual

Franchisors are needed to provide training to their franchisees, and are required to give an Operations Manual to the franchisees, routinely at the time that training begins. The Operations Manual should be written to the’least experienced’ franchisee, and should contain, at a minimum, sections about the franchisee’s relationship with the franchisor, opening the business, operating the business, the procedures categorical to the industry, recommendations and direction for hiring workers, and a series of operational and franchise forms for the daily function of the business. The Operations Manual is typically prepared by a franchise expert.

Marketing Program

you’ll need both electronic and printed reply materials. There are certain successful norms that have been settled in the franchise industry for the sort of materials used. You can get some samples from franchisors, decide on your own approach, and then hire a photographer and graphic designer to prepare materials for you. It’s not necessary to spend a large amount of cash on this part of the program, but the materials should look professional and should convey your message.

Advertising the Franchise Offering

There are many ways to advertise a franchise program. In the past, newspapers and print media were the most important way to generate leads, but these vehicles have become less effective. Over half of franchise inquiries now come from the Net. The issue is that there are tons of Internet sites offering franchises, and franchisors receive many casual investigations from folks who simply’check a lot of boxes’ on a number of sites, indicating interest in numerous different franchises.

We suggest that you establish a budget, maybe about a thousand bucks a month, depending on your development plans, select a few web sites, and then be prepared to receive lots of’chaff’ in which there will be some qualified leads. It’s been calculated that one net investigation in 60 actually buys a franchise. However [*COMMA] you cannot forget the web when selling franchises.

Selling Franchises

It is fascinating to sell franchises yourself, if you can. If you want assistance, there are many franchise brokers in the industry to help you. Many of them only generate qualified leads, while others basically become involved in the sale process. Use caution not to pay too high of a share of the franchise fee as a commission. If the commission paid is too high you’ll have inadequate cash remaining to adequately train and support the new franchisee during their startup period.

Managing and Supporting the Program

Good franchisors do everything possible to help their franchisees become successful. Each franchisee needs access to a franchise expert, who represents or works for the franchisor, to help them with daily Problems and questions. At the beginning the franchise owner or existing staff may serve in this roll. As more franchises are sold, it will be critical to hire someone. Your staff does not have to be massive and just some people can support many dozen franchises.

Your Next Step

Profran Consultants can teach you how to become a franchisor. Contact Ken Hollowell for a 60 minutes FREE consultation.

Ken Hollowell, President/CEO of Profran Consultants has over 30 years been consulting with companies wanting to become a franchisor and develop a franchise system. Ken Hollowell has developed over 800 franchise business throughout the world. He is one of the most sought after franchise consultants in the USA. In addition to the franchise development work, Ken prepares private placement offering for companies needing to raise funds for their projects or companies. Ken can be contacted at www.pro

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/franchise-articles/managing-your-franchise-1330821.html