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Top 5 things to look for with a 0% balance transfer credit card

By: David Lynes - Loans4

Over the first couple of months of the year many people decide to shift their more expensive credit card balances from high interest cards to 0% balance transfer cards in order to save money on interest charges. However, although this can prove to be an effective moneysaving solution there are things that you need to look out for with 0% balance transfer cards.

By looking at different aspects of these credit cards you can make sure that you are selecting the right solution for your needs, and you can make sure that you are not paying over the odds. Some of the things to bear in mind when looking at 0% balance transfer credit cards include:

1. Check the interest free period: The interest free or 0% period offered by 0% balance transfer credit cards can vary in terms of length from one provider to another. In order to get the best deal and enjoy maximum flexibility you should check and compare the different 0% period offered by different cards and find one that offers a generous interest free period on transferred balanced.

2. Check the transfer fee charged: Most 0% balance transfer credit cards charge what is known as a transfer fee, and this is charged for the privilege of transferring your balances. The transfer fee is usually between 2-3% of the total amount of money being transferred, and can work out expensive. In some cases, depending on how much you are transferring, you may find that a consolidation loan could prove a better solution. You should check the transfer levels and work out how much you will be paying.

3. Avoid making purchases on the card: If you take out a 0% balance transfer credit card then use it for balance transfers only. Avoid the temptation to also spend on the card, as otherwise your purchase balance will get trapped behind the transferred balance, where it will sit and accrue interest whilst your repayments are applied to the interest free transferred balance.

4. Check the interest rate: The idea is that you repay your balance within the interest free period so that you are not charged interest, but it is still worth keeping an eye on the interest rate charged on these cards so that you know what rate of interest you may have to pay in the event that you do not clear your balance in time.

5. Check the small print: It is a good idea to check to small print with these credit cards so that you can see what sort of fees and charges are imposed, as well as check on any restrictions, exclusions, etc.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/business_and_finance/article_9680.shtml

The Sales Business Cycle - Part 1

By: Daryl Cowie

The basic philosophy behind the sales perspective is the more you sell the more money you make. This makes a lot of sense, so let?s take a look at business management from the perspective of a sales led organization.

The basic representation of business from a sales perspective consists of four main steps:

1. finding leads

2. converting those leads

3. closing the deal

4. delivering the product or service

The end goal, as always, is to provide a solution that the customer is happy with so you can collect payment.

In small organizations lead finding, conversion and closing may all be handled by the sales staff. In larger organizations these functions start to get split up and assigned to separate teams. The best way to split them up depends on the organization and the dynamics of the market you are selling to.

Lead Generation - Finding People To Help

Lead generation is all about getting potential customers to take a first look at you and your company. The objective is to make initial contact with people and determine if there is the potential for a mutually beneficial business relationship. You may not even have a specific product or service in mind during lead generation. Just an idea of your desired market and the type of people and businesses you want to serve is enough to launch lead generation campaigns.

It is important to recognize that the success of lead generation tactics is measured by the number of qualified leads generated by those tactics, not by the amount of sales. The money comes later. Some common examples of lead generation tactics are: broadcast advertising, direct mail, and networking at trade shows and other events.

Many people (myself included) believe the ideal business scenario is to first define your desired market. Then go get some leads and get to know them and the problems they are having. Only after gaining a deep knowledge of your chosen market?s biggest needs and wants are you in the right position to develop suitable solutions. You then get the added benefit of offering your solutions to a market that already knows and trusts you because you didn?t come in trying to get their money pushing whatever you happened to have before getting to know them.

Generating leads is where all new businesses start. Without leads you have no one to convince to buy. You can’t get any orders, you can’t deliver any solutions, and ultimately you can’t get paid. Without leads to follow up on no other part of the organization can even begin to function.

In part 2 we’ll look at converting those leads into customers.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/business_and_finance/article_9623.shtml