New Top7Business Expert Articles:

Top 7 Engineering Practices for Scrum Teams by Laszlo Szalvay
[Management-Tips] Scrum is a lightweight project management framework that is taking over the software development industry. It has become the de facto management strategy for most IT organizations, dominating the discourse within the Project Management Office (PMO) in recent years. Although the founders of Scrum intentionally refrained from prescribing engineering practices, many Scrum teams have experienced success by pairing the framework with engineering practices from the eXtreme Programming movement (XP). Here are the top 7 engineering practices to consider when running a Scrum team. [November 10, 2009]

Top 7 Impediments when Implementing Scrum by Laszlo Szalvay
[Management-Tips] As agile project management methods have displaced traditional approaches in the past decade, Scrum, one method of agile project management, has emerged as the most popular. As more and more companies begin to consider it as a means to improve every aspect of their development efforts as well as the lives of their employees, partners and customers, there are several factors they should consider before embarking on an agile transformation with Scrum. Quite simply, there are conditions that will make Scrum adoption virtually impossible for some organizations. What follows is a list of impediments that commonly prevent companies from successfully implementing Scrum. [November 04, 2009]

Top 7 Marketing Strategies to Fill Your Workshops and Teleseminars by Adam Urbanski
[Marketing] When Cathy (one of Get Clients readers) emailed me asking how to fill her monthly workshops, I quickly sent her a list of top mistakes that cause low attendance in training and promotional programs and several tips to make her events more successful. Afterwards, I thought you too might find this kind of information helpful in your business. So here we go. The 4 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid If you currently promoting some sort of workshops or training programs and registrations are coming in slower than you would have like it, chances are you’re making one – or all – of these mistakes. Mistake #1 - Giving your promotions too little time to work
Mistake #2 - Putting your prospects to sleep with boring copy
Mistake #3 - Turning off even the most interested buyers with a complicated registration process and...
Mistake #4 - Giving up on your follow-up efforts too soon How did you do? Any of these sound familiar? If so, let me share with you a few quick and easy tips that will give your event marketing strategy a fighting chance. 7 Tips to Make Your Promos Generate “WOW” Results! [October 29, 2009]

Top 7 Reasons To Buy Residential Properties Now by Ed Craine
[Wealth-Building-Finances] The stock market is up, and the economy seems to be heading in the right direction, which means that now is the perfect time to purchase a residential property. Why now? Funny you should ask. Here are the top 7 reasons why it’s a fantastic time to purchase a home. [October 27, 2009]

Top 7 Keys to Sales Success by Robert Arzt
[Success-Tips] You’ve read all the books, listened to the tapes, and attended the seminars. You most likely already know what steps you have to take to ensure your success. Knowing the right steps is a good beginning, but it’s not enough. Sometimes, it just takes good old courage, to succeed. I once heard that courage is not the absence of fear, but instead, it is the conquest of fear. Do those things that others, who are less successful, just don’t, won’t, or can’t do. In W. Clement Stone’s book, The Success System That Never Fails, he used the phrase, “Little hinges swing big doors”. I can close my eyes and picture it, can’t you? It’s a powerful image, isn’t it? In other words, it is the little things that can and absolutely do make a very big difference. What follows isn’t anything new, but I hope that it will provide you with a B.G.O.-blinding glimpse of the obvious. Rate yourself on how you’re doing in area. Be critical, but not overly so. Then, write down one or two actions that you will take in each area to move closer to achieving the success you desire. Let’s take a closer look at how C.O.U.R.A.G.E. can help you to succeed. [October 24, 2009]

Top 7 Ways to Become a Grade-A Speaker by Bill Lampton, Ph.D.
[Presentation-Tips] You keep a checklist handy for many of your regular tasks--grocery shopping, scheduling your day and week, and creating a hyperlink, for example. Because your profession requires you to speak to groups frequently, you have often wished you could keep a speech preparation check-list handy, to remind you how to get ready to generate the results you want. You won't have to wait any longer. Here is your checklist for top-level speech preparation. [October 19, 2009]

Top 7 Behavioral Interviewing Strategies by Annette Estes
[Management-Tips] If you go online to find behavior interview questions, STOP! The questions are all good, but do they relate to the position you’re trying to fill? Stock behavior interview questions probably won't get the answers you need to get the right person for a particular job. You need customized questions that relate to that specific job. [October 13, 2009]

Top 7 Tips to Spot Termite Damage by Lena Chietenburger
[Success-Tips] The severity of termite damage can vary extensively depending on the size of the infestation. Therefore, fixing these damages can range from simply patching holes to replacing the entire wood framing of a house. In order to prevent such costly damages to your home you must tackle the infestation as soon as it starts and minimize further destruction. Here are some tips to spot termite damage in your home: [September 28, 2009]

Top 7 Tips for Writing Your Post-Interview Letter by Bill Lampton, Ph.D.
[Career-Employment] You feel relieved, and even quite confident. Your job interview went well. As you replay it mentally, you cannot think of much you would change. Your extensive preparation enabled you to answer the interviewer’s questions with poise and credibility. What you do next could separate you from the rest of the applicants, if you do it well. I’m referring to writing your post-interview letter. Here are the top 7 tips to keep in mind. [September 10, 2009]

Top 7 Reasons To Overturn or Revise HVCC by Ed Craine
[Wealth-Building-Finances] On May 1 of this year the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) was implemented, presenting yet another obstacle for consumers to overcome when buying or selling their home in this already depressed real estate market. Essentially this administrative change, which was negotiated by the Attorney General of New York Andrew Cuomo with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and several lenders, prevents the traditional method by which mortgage brokers and lenders ordered appraisals for homes. Instead of simply ordering the appraisal from a trusted, reputable appraiser, each lender now must work with an Appraisal Management Company to arrange for a home to be appraised. Even though the intentions of this change may have been good, the results are anything but. Here are the top 7 reasons that the HVCC needs to be overturned or revised. [August 31, 2009]

Top 7 Tips To Consider When Hiring a Professional Pest Control Service by Daniel Meisenhower
[Success-Tips] Some pest problems can be difficult to tackle by yourself. In these situations people often resort to a professional pest control service. However, hiring the “right” professional pest control service may be difficult and stressful. Here are some tips to consider when it comes to hiring the “right” pest control service. [August 28, 2009]

Top 7 Tips When Buying Pest Control Products by Lena Chietenburger
[Success-Tips] Do-It-Yourself pest controls may be beneficial in situations where the infestation is small. In situations like these you not only can easily get rid of pests with products purchased from your local store but you can also save money. It is true that these over-the-counter pesticides have improved over time. Yet, they still may not be as efficient as the ones that the professionals use. Here are a few tips for selecting DIY pest control products: [August 26, 2009]

Top 7 Ways To Prepare Yourself For A Mentoring Role by Shamelle Perera
[Leadership] Every mentoring relationship is as unique as the individuals involved in it. However, no matter who the individuals or what shape the relationship takes, completing some groundwork can help create a stronger and more productive relationship. So, before agreeing to undertake the role of mentor it is important that you carry out some personal preparation. [August 26, 2009]

Top 7 Strategies To Earn What You're Worth by Belinda Meyer
[Pricing-Strategies] Advice for Beauty Salon and Spa owners who are undercharging for the benefits and results they deliver. [August 18, 2009]

Top 7 Strategies Towards an Environmentally Friendly & Profitable Business by Christian Arno
[Marketing] For new businesses that are still finding their feet in a highly competitive marketplace, the size of their profit margin may be more of a concern than the size of their carbon footprint. So how can budding businesses ensure they stay in the green and out of the red? Well, the advent of the internet era has enabled businesses to cut costs whilst also building an environmentally friendly philosophy across the organisation, whilst traditional energy-saving methods shouldn’t be ignored either. [August 14, 2009]

Top 7 Deadly Sins of a Business Sale by Colin Fell
[Management-Tips] Greed, pride, and an array of other human weaknesses can get in the way of a good exit. We speak to entrepreneurs about their triumphs and regrets in selling their businesses. ‘Entrepreneurs often believe that if they started a business and own it, they are skilled enough to sell it. That often isn’t the case.’ One CEO who has participated in three exits believes that selling a company requires skills and knowledge that will put most business owners ‘outside their comfort zone’. Successful business owners have all got egos - its part of their make-up. But it’s also true that they don’t know what they don’t know. It’s not until the exit that this becomes clear. Here, entrepreneurs who have earned their exit stripes offer a guide to making your exit a heavenly, as opposed to hellish, experience… [July 31, 2009]

Top 7 Principles To Apply In Your Business Pages by Joanna Rivera
[Management-Tips] It is quite easy to make web pages that are pleasing, clear and which we expect all the promises of the world. But the only promise that you really expect is to close the sale. Let's review all 7 principles that allow you to maximize your sales and profits. [July 30, 2009]

Top 7 Effective Leadership Skills to Manage Your Time by Anthony P.
[Leadership] Do you always manage your time and properly hit your targets, goals, and deadlines? Effective leadership skills are gleaned through various practices, including learning how to manage your time. [July 13, 2009]

Top 7 Free Ways to Market Your New Company by Kevin O'Reilly
[Marketing] Kevin O'Reilly is the owner of Heather Planet which is an internet based company that focuses on self defense poducts such as Tasers, peppers spray, stun guns, and hidden cameras. You can find out more at heatherplanet.com [July 08, 2009]

Top 7 Strategies to Increase Customer Satisfaction & Loyalty by Bambang Haryanto
[Customer-Service] Many businesses have evolved over the last decade into a more web-based industry. The result of this transition is that consumers seeking to buy something now have more options than ever before. In turn, businesses are experiencing the challenge of increased competition and, in some cases, less business. Certainly with repeat business and referrals being the bread and butter for many businesses – and undoubtedly essential to anyone in business – being able to satisfy clients becomes ever more important. Naturally, the more satisfied a client is, the more loyal that person will feel for years to come. It doesn’t take expensive gifts to make a client happy either. Here are seven ways to help you increase your customer satisfaction and create client loyalty. [July 02, 2009]

Top 7 Tips to Make Women Comfortable with Letting You into Their Home by Delia Passi
[Customer-Service] One of the things that women give priority to when choosing to do business, especially repeat business, with an in-home service provider is whether or not they are comfortable letting the service person or salesperson into their home. Letting someone into their home requires a level of faith in that person’s trustworthiness. Once a high level of trust is established, the customer will be more willing to have that person or provider back again because their concerns have been reduced, resulting in repeat business and more referrals. Here are seven things you can do to increase a woman customer’s level of comfort and trust: [July 01, 2009]

Top 7 Reasons Not To Pay Points On Your Mortgage by Ed Craine
[Pricing-Strategies] Nearly any time you apply for a mortgage loan, you’ll be presented with a loan where you have an option to pay points, and an option to decline to pay points. Incidentally, one point on a loan equates to 1% of the loan amount. The benefits to paying points are many, including reducing your interest rate, paying down your loan faster in the early years, qualifying for a larger loan amount and so on. But while there are plenty of reasons why you might decide to pay points on your loan, there are many of reasons why you wouldn’t want to choose this option. Here are the top 7 reasons not to pay points on your mortgage loan. [June 30, 2009]

Top 7 Reasons to Live in Beaufort, South Carolina by Todd Covington
[Public-Relations] Beaufort, SC has so many great qualities, it is often hard to narrow a list of things most like about the area. While hard, we have compiled list of the 10 things real estate client were reasons for moving to Beaufort. [June 26, 2009]

Top 7 Resume Mistakes to Avoid for College Graduates by Marilyn Vojta
[Career-Employment] With today's tight job market and positions for college graduates the lowest in 20 years, differentiating you from others applying for the same position will be critical. Writing an exceptional resume will differentiate you from others. Your resume is the greatest major asset in your career management inventory and job search. Its job is to provide the evidence that you are a candidate that should be seen. There is no one right way to write a resume. The important point is to keep it relevant and interesting and avoid key pitfalls. [June 23, 2009]

Top 7 Secrets to Get More for Your Money in the New Economy by Bambang Haryanto
[Wealth-Building-Finances] How many people do you know that have large salaries, big houses, fancy cars, yet are up to their ears in debt, have no idea how to save, nor do they know how to shop? I bet it’s quite a lot. The average person has no real idea how to manage their money. It goes in one hand and out the other before they have a chance to save it. This is the major problem facing consumers today. If they could only look back on all the money they have wasted over the years and had invested it, they would have had a large nest egg that could have provided the means for a better retirement, schooling for their children, and/or money for a down payment on a house. In the new economy, there are now seven ways that you need to understand in order to get more out of your money. [June 21, 2009]

Top 7 Mistakes that Prevent People from Achieving by Bambang Haryanto
[Success-Tips] There are many people who try to achieve what they desire in life. Unfortunately, many people don’t accomplish what they set out to do. Here are some of the top mistakes that people make, and ways in which these can be avoided. [June 13, 2009]

Top 7 Ways To Save Time And Hit Your Numbers Faster by Alik Levin
[Self-Help] Time is the scarcest resource. The say Time is Money. I say Time is Budget. Investing your time in stuff that matters will help you achieve more with less. It will help you complete your daily tasks on time, you will be able to work 40 hours workweek, spend more time with family, play your favorite video game few times a week, and live more fulfilling life. Allocating strict time boxes for stuff that matters helped me to do it all and some more. It surely can help you too. Here is the plan. [June 11, 2009]

Top 7 Ways to Make a Great Showing Impression by Joshua Ferris
[Success-Tips] There's a slew of things you can do before you show your home to a potential buyer. Some of what you will do can have a major impact on the quality of the buyer's experience while touring your home and can mean the difference between six months on the market and sold in the first week. [June 10, 2009]