I hear this all the time, small business owners who have not taken a paycheck in a year, two years. Today I heard 5 years. I ask a simple question, what’s the point?

There are a few acceptable reasons one works a small business and does not take a paycheck.

1. Temporary cash flow issues, it happens and sometimes the owner needs to forgo his check. Ok as long as it really is temporary, how long is temporary before it becomes a problem. That’s a personal decision, depends on the magnitude of the issue, how long and what the projections say. If it is truly a momentary speed bumps then not a problem…

2. You are a start up and in the ramping up period, another situation where it may be ok, but for how long I ask?

The point is, business is not a hobby. Business is a commitment to turn a profit and, thus, certainly everyone must get paid including the owner manager.

If you are not getting a weekly paycheck then I ask what the point is. If the answer is 1 or 2 above then ok, if anything else then check it out, your ego is in control and you are willing to sacrifice yourself and your family for no good reason.

Here are a few typical excuses:

1. My employees need the job.

2. I am committed and do not give up.

3. I have everything I have invested in this I have to make it work.

4. I have nothing else I can do.

5. I believe in it (whatever that means). I know it will work eventually.

6. I owe too much to stop now, I will never be able to pay the bank off and my house is at risk.

These are six excuses that make little sense.

Not taking a check appears to be a noble gesture, self sacrifice for the benefit of others; a demonstrated commitment. A never give up attitude, which has its place but not here.

In reality it demonstrates a business plan that is not working. Inadequate capitalization or an intervening influence has thrown you off course. For whatever reason it may be, it is only a business and is hardly worth sacrificing yourself and your family’s needs because your ego is controlling you and you do not want to give up. The problem here is that for the most part in a different situation you would be demonstrating high quality character. However in a small business environment, this is pointless ego-controlled self destruction. Ask your wife who is probably supporting you and your family while you waste your time fighting a war you cannot win and while not taking a paycheck and pretending all is ok.

All is not ok.

If you undercapitalized your start up, or miscalculated your acquisition, or if it is not working for whatever reason you may have, it is terminal in nature, kill it as soon as you are clear that you cannot succeed. One way to determine this is if you cannot take a paycheck, that s a sure fire indication the plan is deficient. Stop wasting your time and capital and move on.

You must know when to fold your cards, it s an important skill and requirement. You do not have to play out a losing hand.

Do the debt workout, say goodbye to the lost capital, and start again with a different plan, one that may work.

Stop punishing your family by not taking a paycheck under the guise that you are doing the right thing. You are not.

Donald Todrin is the CEO and Founder of Second Wind Consultants, Inc. who specializes in SBA Loan Workouts, business debt forgiveness and solving difficult business problems in general. Don has authored dozens of articles on SBA loan default and debt workouts.
Follow Don on Twitter and join his Facebook fan page.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/you-have-not-taken-a-paycheck-in-how-long-1723243.html

“The greatest fear of success is the possibility of it.” – Arthur Tugman 

It’s a brand new year and you’ve made some bold decisions on the direction you’d like your business to go, but something is definitely holding you back from putting your plans in motion. 

Is the fear of success holding you back? 

I know. Some of you may think that’s a totally backwards statement to make as everyone loves to be successful, but that’s not always the case. Let me explain. 

As I’m fond of saying, big risks require big actions, and those actions usually involve stepping way outside your comfort zone. Yes, you may know how to service your regional area, but how will you handle 3 regional areas if that’s one of your goals? And even more importantly, what happens if suddenly 30 companies are placing orders for your products or services? Are you equipped and ready to handle that increase in your business? 

That’s what I call the ‘fear of success’ principle. It’s that big, “What will I do if this idea flies?” question that often stops entrepreneurs dead in their tracks. Their heart says, “I’m so ready to be bigger and bolder in my business,” yet their brain starts arguing with them and responds, “Yeah, but what if I achieve that goal and I can’t handle the added pressure? What’s going to happen to my business then?” I’ll tell you what happens next. You end up sitting on the fence getting splinters in your behind for not making a decision to either move forward with your plans, or you stay in the same, safe place you’re used to being in. 

Ask yourself these 3 simple questions to determine whether you’re afraid of success or simply procrastinating: 

1. Am I equipped to handle the ‘best’ case scenario? Do you have systems in place to accommodate the increase in your business? Have you laid the proper groundwork to quickly and easily bring on board additional personnel if needed to satisfy the demands of your clients? If your answer is no to this one, then you’d better start the process of putting together a firm foundation upon which to grow your business before you implement new programs or growth strategies. 

2. Can I live with the added stress that business growth usually brings? If you’re already eating a bottle of antacids a day due to your already stressful life, then you seriously need to find ways to increase your coping mechanisms. Everyday life is stressful enough without taking into consideration what the additional requests for your time/resources will bring into the mix. Carefully look at what it will take to remove some of the stressors from your life now before the increase in your business happens. Being in peak physical and mental condition is key to surviving both the pitfalls and periods of growth in your company’s operations and personal life as well. 

3. Am I managing my commitments or are they managing me? Yes, you heard right… commitments. Why? You can’t manage your commitments without know how to manage your time. No matter how you slice or dice it, there are only 24 hours in every day, 365 days a year, (and 366 on a Leap Year). If you’re constantly running late for client appointments, or rescheduling your calendar to try and fit in time to have dinner with your family, you definitely need to reassess where you’re spending your time. Trying to maintain an even work/life balance is hard enough when your days are running along fairly smoothly let alone when your business suddenly takes a big upswing in demand. 

Failure is something that most all of us have experienced in one form or another, but handling success is a whole different ball game. Make sure you’re primed and ready to cope with all the downsides of success as well as the upsides of achieving those lofty goals before you set them in motion!

Cookie Tuminello, also known as ‘THE Team Builder of the South,’ has been empowering CEO’s, managers, business owners, and team members and igniting productivity since 1999. To find out more about this sassy, savvy and successful coach, get her FREE Report “50 Ways To Go From Overwhelmed To Empowered” and receive FREE weekly success tips, visit www.cookietuminello.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/is-the-fear-of-succeeding-holding-you-back-1717058.html

Punching your documents before you bind them can take a lot of time, especially when you’re working with especially long booklets or a large number of them. In a situation like that, it’s beneficial to have a heavy-duty device that can take care of this task for you. One machine that can do that is the James Burn Lhermite DocuPunch. This product has an astronomical punching capacity and it can produce a number of different hole patterns, so this machine really is the solution to your mid-volume punching needs. Here’s some details about this phenomenal device.

1. Unbelievable punching capacity. The main selling point for the DocuPunch is definitely this feature. It can process approximately 30,000 sheets of paper…in an hour. That’s the equivalent of 60 reams of paper. Plus, it’s simple to operate and features an ergonomically friendly design. Everything you need to control the device is located on the front of the unit.
2. Pick your hole pattern. This device uses die sets (sold separately) to create different hole patterns. Many of the hole patterns needed to do the most popular forms of binding (i.e. spiral coil, VeloBind, plastic comb, Double-O Wire) all have their own die sets. There are also dies available so you can punch paper to store in a three-ring binder. The dies only take seconds to change and the DocuPunch even has a storage space for your collection of dies.
3. Terrific paper-handling capability. One advantage to using this machine is that is will handle many different sizes and types of paper. (The smallest size it can handle is 5″ x 5″. The largest is 13″ x 12″.) Whether you working with regular 20 lb. bond paper or something thicker, the DocuPunch will deal with it. This device can even process tabbed paper, so if you have a document with tabs in it, you don’t need to take them out. Just put the document in the machine and it will take care of it.
4. Integrated, convenient functions. The Docupunch has a number of built-in features for added convenience. For easy operation, there’s an LED display at the front of the unit and an automatic page feeder ensures that your paper will be processed correctly. There’s even a paper jogger so that your sheets are flush.

One thing you should know about the DocuPunch is that it is strictly a machine for putting holes in paper. It will not print your documents nor will it bind them. You will need additional equipment for those tasks.

Overall, the James Burn Lhermite DocuPunch is great for companies and organizations that need a machine that can put holes in a lot of documents in no time at all. The device has a lot of great features and it’s compatible with many of the binding systems today’s companies are using. So if you run a mid to high-volume operation and have a need for a device that can punches thousands of sheets of paper in a small amount of time, this is one product that will no doubt be a welcome addition to your arsenal of office machines.

If you’re interested in buying the James Burn Lhermite DocuPunch, you should really visit MyBinding.com. They have this great product as well as a wonderful selection of other Automated Binding Systems, and they’re all available at low prices. Plus, they offer free shipping on all orders over $75.00. Check it out for yourself now!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/the-james-burn-lhermite-docupunch-the-ultimate-punching-machine-1712064.html

Now they have replaced CDs as the main way to burn up and support media, documents and more. They are also the medium for movie to be advertised and disseminated all around the globe.

CDs, DVDs, and currently Blu Ray have become the customary forms of media on the global market. These days, an extensive range of organizations are using customized cd jackets in order to promote their marketing campaigns including media hypes, fashion industries, sports industries, music icons, bookstores, DVDs stores and the list goes on. Here the most important factor is that these companies are utilizing full color cd jackets printing just to attract the targeted market. Today we are going to reveal four important perspectives of cd jackets printing. Read below:

Firstly they have unique contents and eye catching concepts themselves. The contents are usually written and produced by professional web content writers. While the concepts involve various types of events i.e. marketing, business promotion, charity campaign, etc. When it comes to cd jacket printing designs, these will be created by highly skillful and competent designers. Most importantly, these designers would use various designing techniques during full color cd jackets designing including graphics, texts, images, color schemes, pictures, lines, shades, boarders and so on.

Next the prints of cd jackets are very unique and also very versatile. These involve cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Thus all these components would play a critical role in your custom size cd jackets printing. Now you can gain plentiful advantages from cd jackets printing including prompt marketing, increased sales volumes, revenue generation, and business identity development. All you have to do is to never overlook the worth of customized cd jackets printing.

Online printing company is providing cheap cd jackets printing service to its valued customers worldwide in a cost effective manner. Besides we are offering free online design support, free lamination, and free shipment to our loving clients all around the globe. Also we are making available cheap sticker printing service to our valued customers with custom size folder printing. Therefore if you need any assistance regarding your printing products, please feel free to contact us! We would provide you the best cd jackets printing service for your long-term business identity development.

Full color cd jackets have made their worth renowned due to their four general perspectives i.e. contents, concepts, designs, and prints. Therefore they can provide you more than enough benefits beyond your imagination. Online cd jackets printing company provides cheap cd jacket printing service to its valued customers all over the world.

Sara Criss works for PrintingBlue that has been serving the printing needs of customers since 1995 in and USA, Canada and UK, more topics on cd jacket printing and other related printing services can be found at sticker printing

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/what-are-the-components-of-cd-jackets-1702187.html

The Formax FD 8702CC is a remarkable shredder that can handle not only paper documents but can destroy all sorts of digital media including CDs and ZIP discs. With these capabilities, the FD 8702CC makes a great choice for a busy modern office. Here are a few reasons you should check out the FD 8702CC today.

1. Incomparable Abilities. These days, confidential information comes in myriad forms, and the FD 8702CC is equipped to handle just about all of them. Along with its superior document shredding abilities, the FD8702CC has a dedicated feed opening in which you can place CDs, DVDs, ZIP and floppy discs, credit cards, and digital video tapes. The paper feed opening also easily handles staples and paper clips with ease, making the FD 8702CC one of the most versatile shredders on the market, and a great choice for your modern busy office. The dedicated opening for digital media has its own waste compartment as well, so you can rest assured that your paper waste material will still be recyclable.
2. High Capacity. Along with its versatility, the FD 8702CC offers you a remarkably high capacity. The powerful AC geared motor churns cutting blades that are constructed of heavy duty heat treated steel, and the end result is a capacity of up to 40 sheets of paper at a time. The FD8702CC’s feed opening of 9.4 inches is large enough to accommodate all of the most commonly used paper sizes. Formax obviously has a lot of faith in this machine, considering that the aforementioned cutting heads carry a lifetime warranty.
3. High Security. The FD 8702CC offers your business a cross cut machine that shreds documents at a security level of 3, which means that it complies with the federal FACTA laws mandating the destruction of sensitive information which, in the wrong hands, could lead to consumer fraud and/or identity theft. The FD8702CC is a great way to protect the information of your business, your employees, and your customers, and also helps to shield you and your business from the possibilities of steep fines and/or civil litigation.
4. Ease of Use. The well lit, soft button LED control panel makes operation of the FD 8702CC a simple task even for the uninitiated. The optical sensors make for easy auto on/off operation, and there is also a manual function for lighter items (such as film) that the sensors can’t detect. There is a lighted indicator that will let you know if you are overfeeding the shredder, and the motor will instantly switch to an automatic reverse mode if there is ever a paper jam.
5. Easy to Maintain. The FD 8702CC features an auto cleaning mode, and will also let you know when the cutting heads need to be oiled (an optional oiling system makes this a simple task as well). The FD 8702CC also records usage statistics and can display them to service personnel if there is ever the need for a repair call.
6. Safety. Along with the auto reverse function, the motor stops automatically if the cabinet door is opened and/or when the waste bin is full. The FD 8702CC also has its own circuit breaker, and thermal overload protection keeps the motor from overheating.

If you are interested in more information about the Formax 8702CC Multimedia Shredder, you might want to visit MyBinding.com. They offer a great price on this machine and they even offer Free Shipping. Plus, they carry the full line of Formax Paper Shredders, shredder bags and shredder oil. Check it out today!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/six-reasons-to-check-out-the-formax-fd-8702cc-crosscut-multimedia-office-shredder-1697240.html