Secrets to Success

The roles men and women take, in terms of control over household finances, are changing, a new study indicates.

According to research carried out by Egg, the proportion of males who make less money than their partners has doubled over the past five years. In 2002 about a tenth of men had a lower income than their loved ones, however this now stands at one in five. More than half (53 per cent) of females surveyed state they are happy to be the main earner in their home. Meanwhile, a fifth report that having a higher salary than their partner allows them to have a bigger say on what money is spent on. Consequently, women may be taking greater control of the household finances, whether relating to paying mortgages and utility bills or applying for a loan.

Meanwhile, men were indicated to be leading an increasingly laid-back lifestyle. Just under a third of males regularly meet up with their friends for lunch, while ten per cent often visit the gym. Meanwhile, some 43 per cent go clothes shopping at least once per week. Overall, 15 per cent of those surveyed state that they are not prepared to give up a life of luxury to rejoin the rat race.

However, findings by the Citi Group-owned online bank showed that some women are taking a negative view of the laid-back lifestyle that their male partners lead. Just over a fifth (21 per cent) of females reported that they would prefer it if their significant other was the top earner, while 27 per cent resent their position as being the household’s main breadwinner. The study also indicated that a further 25 per cent believe that their financial role, whether this relates to paying back credit cards, creating a budget or managing loan repayments, is “highly stressful”. Meanwhile, 14 per cent of women surveyed assert they would like to pursue a “life of leisure” similar to the one their male partners enjoy.

Commenting on the figures, Alison Wright, chief marketing officer for Egg, said: “It is encouraging seeing how many women are now financially savvy and taking control of the household’s finances. There really has been a change over the last five years with some of the old stereotypes of who earns the money and who pays the bills being broken down. Whereas men have now fully appreciated that their female counterparts are capable of being the main breadwinners and as a result they seem to be embracing a life of leisure – much to the annoyance of most partners.”

Those who find that they are beginning to struggle with their finances, whether they are the top earner in the household or not, may wish to apply for a personal loan to help get to grips with money management and meet essential demands on their spending. In research released earlier this year by Axa, 82 per cent of Britons who have helped a loved one out with their finances, whether this is due to difficulties in paying off loans, plastic cards or otherwise, have in turn suffered from a negative experience. Consequently, taking out a cheap personal loan may well be an advisable way for many people to get out of financial difficulties.

Real estate as an investment option entered in the Indian mindset a little bit late. This popularity started granulating after foreign majors showed their interest. Morgan Stanley, one of the best banks in the world has invested about $152 million in Mumbai real estate. It is the single biggest investment by any foreign player in the Indian construction and development market. Indian real estate market is improving in reality. The increased demand of residential and commercial sites among NRIs has pushed the price of real estate beyond actual limit. This trend, in turn, offers common platform for Indians and Foreigners to invest in Indian real estate for higher and definite returns.

The most credible factors in the prospects of the retail sector in India are the increase in the young working population and easy availability of home loans, hefty pay-packages, nuclear families in urban areas, along with increasing working-women population. The emerging opportunities in the services sector have simultaneously provoked banks to offer cheap loans.

The recent decision of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) not to cut interest rates has spooked real estate companies facing the brunt of a housing industry slowdown caused by the high cost of mortgage financing. RBI has recently decided to keep interest rates unchanged in its third-quarter monetary policy review. Real estate companies were expecting a cut, but RBI was in no mood.

The series of interest rates hikes last year put the brakes on home sales. Middle-class households put off purchases after observing prices breaking all records in most major metros. Lower rates will help the real estate industry by spurring consumers into buying houses. Realty majors like DLF, Puravankara Projects, India bulls Real Estate are in favors of a rate cut. The finance ministry and RBI should take this issue seriously.

Business, once the exclusive domain of men, has seen many women business owners coming onto the scene in recent years. Between 1992 and 1997 the growth of women-owned businesses was nearly three times the percentage of the increase of all other business enterprises. In 1997, the number of women-owned firms stood at a figure of 5.4 million. In another ten years when people are analyzing the first decade of the twenty-first century, this figure will most likely have grown.

Why Loans Are Needed
Home-based businesses run by women continue to increase, since many women prefer the convenience of looking after their children and homes in addition to running a business. Loans for running such businesses are essential as essential for women as for men. Many women have also proven they are adept at buying existing businesses and running them successfully. This necessitates loans for a variety of purposes, including buying and running a business, expansions, buying special equipment, maintaining sufficient inventory, and maintaining retail trade.

How Small Business Administration Helps
If women are unsuccessful in obtaining loans from conventional sources, the US Small Business Administration (SBA) guarantees small business loans on reasonable and convenient terms to women entrepreneurs. These loans can be used for any of the purposes mentioned above. If a lending institution does not feel confident about granting a small business loan to a particular applicant, the applicant can approach SBA for a loan guarantee, which means that if the loan recipient falters in repaying the loan the SBA will reimburse the lender.

The Criteria For Getting An SBA Loan Guarantee
Provide historical financial statements and projections to prove that the business can repay the loan. The ability to incur more debt should be exhibited. Some form of collateral should be provided, although it need not cover the full extent of the loan. A good personal credit report is essential and if it is tainted, there should be enough evidence that determined efforts were made to rectify the problem. The small business and its owner should fulfill all their tax obligations. There must be no attempt to get any loan from other sources at the same time. The loan request must demonstrate that the loan could not be obtained elsewhere and that the loan will benefit the business substantially. The business owners must prove that their personal resources are not adequate to cover the loan amount needed.

The tremendous growth of female owned firms is evident from the 1997 Economic Census, which stated that such firms constituted 26% of the nation’s 20.8 million non-farm businesses and employed 7% of the 103 million workers. The growth rate has increased considerably since then and it is expected to go up even further over the years to come. Keeping in view the high economic and employment potential, it is apparent that business loans for female small business owners are a necessity.

Additional Help
There is software that can help in the starting and the running of a business. This software is reasonably priced for small business owners and much of it is geared toward the operations of small business.

WOMEN in BUSINESS

The Greatest Day in History…

Today is the greatest day in the history of the world! That statement sounds optimistic because it sounds promising and it feels good to say it. That statement is often said in the context of today being the first day of the rest of your life and one is appreciative. Such appreciation should never go unattended, as it is real. However that statement is not a statement at all nor is it optimistic. “Today is the greatest day in the history of the world” is not a proclamation of promise. It’s a declaration of truth. The history of the world has been one of women’s suppression and struggle and though that still continues, today is better than any other day before. Today, women have power unlike never before and the power grows. Power is not something someone gives you; power is something one must take. Women have taken this power and by way of reasonable measures. Aristotle believed that at his best, man is the most noblest of all animals but separated from law and justice, he is the worst. Women can never be separated from the laws of nature because it’s their birthright and their gift. Women can never be separated from justice because justice begins with the woman. Women have been the victims of misguided laws and malicious injustice. Today, women have the power to impact the laws and levy justice where justice does not exist. In a civilized society, just laws must not only be prevalent, they must prevail. When women prevail in a society, all those in that society will profit and the society will prevail.

Oftentimes when the subject of women in business is discussed, comparisons with men are made as if men are the barometer for business. This is a false perception and false too is the language. Business is not an entity separated from life; it is an entity encompassed by life. The definitions of a business consists of a line of work, to work, a profession, a job, a trade, a position, a vocation, a field, a calling and a career. Before today, societies around the globe have claimed that women didn’t work and therefore couldn’t understand the parameters of “formal” business. This misconception rivals some the largest platitudes in history: the near-sighted earth is flat, the purposeful stork delivers babies and the perforated theory of evolution. The business world has presented itself to women as if it spoke a foreign language on an uncharted map. But the truth is that the language is fabricated and the world of business operates in a land not unknown to women. By definition, everything women do and have always done is in fact a business. Women have labored the child, harvested the crop, fed the hungry, nursed the needy and educated the willing. All of those are jobs, careers, trades, vocations and callings. Women aren’t new to business; they’re only new to the financial rewards.

Today, more than ever, women are in the workplace and now own the workplace. Women have always been established in business but now they are in business for profit by way of monetary means. Today over 10 million businesses are owned or controlled by women and those businesses account for over two (2) trillion dollars in sales. That’s an astounding number and a resounding accomplishment when all considerations are factored. This doesn’t come as a result of women learning anything new. This is a manifestation of who women already are: industrious, innovative, instinctive and intelligent. The traits of women are not to be compared with that of men, just shared in composition of a more productive and progressive society. Every household around the world that houses women, women manage and most commonly manage well. The interactive and intuitive management style of women is a prerequisite to a thriving business and a productive workplace environment. Women-owned businesses employ almost 20 million people and steadily rising. No matter the financial compensations, people want to work in a place where they are wanted and needed. People want to feel like they’re doing something that matters and their input is valuable. This is the difference between the cold walls of a house structure and the warmth of a fruitful home. Business isn’t cold but people in business can be and therefore the stigma attaches. Inanimate objects and entities have no control over the animate. That’s an abdication of responsibility and excuse for not executing the social graces where civility and industry must meet. And in the world of accountability, there can be no room for excuses.

There was a time not long ago when any man in a three-piece suit could qualify for a business loan. Those times are no more, as much money was lost and many laws were circumvented. The measures applied in today’s market are far more reasonable and more accessible to female entrepreneurs. Commercial lenders and Venture Capitalists want to see that the company has done its research in that respective field. It’s important for them to know that you have experience in this area of expertise. Another major factor will be how you intend to market the product and what the infrastructure of the company is. As you design your company, research successful companies already in that industry, introduce yourselves to other women in business and network to assist each other. Those around you that make claims of what you can’t do must be excluded from your conversations, so that you may focus on the task at hand. Whether you are single, a single mother or married, taking advantage of free enterprise is the way to independence and interdependence. The success in business that any male has experienced is not because males possess some superior trait over women; it’s because men have been the only players. Women can compete in any and every business. It’s just a matter of choice and now that choice is yours.

There are many mechanics that will need to be considered but every business is unique and few guidelines are universal. Business plans that include collateral will always have a greater chance for success. If you can include real estate in your proposal, then do so. If your credit or assets are not substantial, then you may design a plan that provides for security such as inventory and a schedule that may include factoring. There are options available such as equipment leasing and accounts receivables that will keep your company flexible with capital reserves. Each business plan must be specifically designed to suit your needs and the company’s industry and location. No one can make these determinations but you and no one can adequately assist you without full disclosure. Explore your options and enlist the services of someone who understands you and your needs.

In business, the blueprint for success has zero to do with gender and everything to do with characteristics. The number one reason most people don’t start a business is not because of a lack of money but a conceptual fear. For one to operate a successful business, they must first define what success is in their own terms. The sole reason why the numbers of women-owned businesses aren’t more reflective of the population is because they haven’t been encouraged to do and supported when doing so. It’s been a blight on the world community and a recessive gene to societal growth. Today we see women straightening that crooked path and every society will become a more powerful force because of it. Yesterday, we gorged the bitterness of bigotry. Today, we taste the fruits of unity and diversity. Today, we plant the untainted seeds of effortless innovation and boundless meritocracy. Today, little girls and little boys will witness the ubiquitous talents of women in power and exalt their leadership. Young women will know they have they have a reasonable option before them and no law will disallow their choices. It’s paramount that not only young women see their defined roles as unrestrained but that young men do and work in concert as we brave a new world. It’s true: Today is the greatest day in the history of the world and tomorrow will be even

better.

J. R. Parler

JRParler@yahoo.com

Commercial Real Estate & Finance

Justice isn’t blind

She sees perfectly clear

There are government grants which are specifically for senior women and if you have retired from your job, and don’t want to do another, you can apply for it. You will have to fill the needed paperwork and qualify for the senior women’s grant. Government feels that businesses started by senior individuals can improve the economy in their particular area. Even if you are a senior homemaker you can apply for it. You need a good business plan for applying to the senior women’s grant. To get the government money for business you need to do a few things like: • Fill all requirements • Apply • Do the required paperwork If you qualify for the senior women’s grant there are some things which are needed which include: • Get yourself organized • Get your ID • Get a business plan • Get documents to prove your experience as well as requirement You can file a good business plan with the help of several institutions like: • Small business administration • Economic development Association • Others institutions Make sure that some qualified person has seen your business plan before you make an application for a government award, funds or loan for senior women in business. The government likes to help people who have got knowledge with the experiences in life. If you have wanted a business and are a senior woman, retired or semi retired, you can improve your future with this money. A homemaker also has a lot of life experience which the government considers important and you can also get a senior grant for women. You can get money in form of awards, funds, loans, and the low interest financing for senior women in business. The most important thing for applying for this money is your business plan. Lastly if you would like to receive free government grant money then please click the link below: Free Government Grant Money Tips