Knockout Entrepreneur by George Foreman with Ken Abraham

I didn't know much about George Foreman before I read this book, other than that he is a retired boxer, the person behind the George Foreman Grill, and has several sons all named George. After reading the Knockout Entrepreneur, I've decided he's someone I'd like to meet.

The book gives insight into Foreman the man by sharing details of his boxing career (he was the only boxer to become the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion for the second time at 45) as well as his experiences in business (not only did he create the George Foreman Grill, but he has a line of Casual Male clothing, a line of green cleaners, and he's been involved in many other business ventures) and that aspect of the book alone is worth the read. But there's much more!

Knockout Entrepreneur is filled with practical advice, encouragement, business insights and more to help entrepreneurs develop a winning mindset while maintaining integrity in all their business dealings.

The style is quick and easy to read. Ken Abraham who collaborated on the book, is a professional in his own right, having worked on ten New York Times best sellers.

Personally, I'd give Knockout Entrepreneur five stars and definitely recommend it.

Preview this book.
Purchase the Knockout Entrepreneur.

Escaping “Little Box” Mentality

NOTE: Enjoy this guest post by Krista Dunk, Co-Founder of Koinonia Business Women, twitterer and blogger.

As Christian business owners, we need to both mature, personally, and gain business skills based on the wisdom of God. That process certainly has had its ups and downs, victories and lessons! It will require gaining and escaping certain things, such as traits and mind-sets. One mind-set that holds many business owners and managers back is “little box” mentality. Most of us have a little box where we think all our resources live – all of our skills, abilities, knowledge, finances, opportunities, personality traits, future prospects, talents, etc. Although the little box can hold us back, it is comfortable and familiar. Sometimes we just can’t see beyond its boundaries.

Think about this:

• What limits have you (or others) placed on yourself?
• What limitations do you associate with yourself?
• Which part of who God says that you are, don’t you believe yet?
• Can you set goals without having every detail perfected first?
• Can you visualize an abundant future no matter what your present looks like?
• Can you brainstorm business ideas without limitation?
• Do you recognize resources that are not under your complete control?

Be conscious of whether or not you are placing limits on yourself. What you think you can do (skill sets, knowledge, success potential) is often rooted in your past. People tend to pull from their own ideas and experience about what is possible. How about tapping into what God says is possible!

I’m not assuming to say that you can go out and perform brain surgery today, design a 10-page website or write the next #1 hit worship song. It’s true that no one is good at everything, nor are we supposed to be. Each of us has different talents, skills, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses to work with and that is exactly how God designed us.

Let’s move the box out even a bit further with this next thought...

As a Christian, you are part of the Body of Christ. Romans 12:4-5 says, “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

The Body of believers makes up God’s “church," not a building with four walls. Since you are a part of the Body that is working together, what strengths can you draw upon from the other “members”? You have power to rely on from the rest of the Body!

Let your mind explore that thought for a while and understand the resources available within the Body.

Other people have knowledge when you need ideas. Others have strength when you feel week. Others have found a way out of your same situation before when you are feeling stuck. Others have services and businesses that can assist yours. Others will offer referrals and networking when you have a dry spell. You don’t need to pull from your own ideas (your little box) about what is possible! God doesn’t have any box. In fact, His Word says that “with God, all things are possible”. Take the limits off and bust through that little box mentality! You have Kingdom resources available to you today!

Why Should Your Church Have a Website?

• To let people know you exist.
• To show you've moved into the 21st century.
• To find new prospects.
• To share the plan of salvation with those who may never enter a church.
• To share sermons, devotionals, Christian articles, etc.
• To keep the community informed of upcoming events.
• To encourage Bible reading.
• To accept and share prayer requests.
• To let people know more about your pastor(s).
• To provide fun, weekly interaction among members.
• To ofer free games, puzzles, crafts, etc. to your children and teens.
• To provide directions on how to contact you or locate the church for services.

I offer a three page church website design for only $50. At that price, why wouldn't your church have a website?

Contact me to order yours today!

What's Your Website Worth?

If you're thinking of selling a website, or would just like to know what your site might be worth, there is a free tool at http://directory.sootle.com/website-worth/ that lets you enter your URL and it evaluates the number of links you have, etc. and comes back with a dollar amount of what your website is worth. My Sensible Site Solutions came in at over $16,000! Bishop's Corner, which is a much newer site, valued at over $4,000.

Don't know that you'd be able to sell it for what they say, but it's a good starting place to give you an idea of how to price a website. I've used it in the past and got close to what they projected as my value for a site. So, what's your site worth?

Successful Promotion Using Flyers

Thinking of using flyers to promote your business? Good thinking! Flyers are a GREAT marketing idea that cost little and give lots of exposure.

Some simple tips to make your promotion successful:

• Make sure your design is clean and uncluttered.

• Proofread!

• Add a simple photo or graphic... not mandatory, but adds visual interest.

• Copy on colored paper, if you like, but opt for pastels rather than brights - they're easier to read.

Once you've designed and printed your flyers, leave them EVERYWHERE!

• Under doors
• On counters at neighborhood stores
• Stapled or taped to utility poles (if your city or county allows this!)
• On community bulletin boards
• At schools and colleges
• Enlist your kids to go door-to-door
• Swap distribution with others who have flyers, too - you hand out theirs and they hand out yours
• On car windshields
• ANYWHERE else you can think of!

Flyers are a proven, low-cost marketing method that truly works to get your business name known in your community. Make the most of them and watch your business grow!

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Darlene "Dee" Bishop is a writer and creative designer with decades on online experience and the owner of Bishop's Corner, an online/catalog shop offering hundreds of quality gifts, home decor items, toys, housewares, furniture and more with nearly 1,000 products under $20. Visit her today at http://BishopsTN.com

Ways to Get Articles Without Writing Them

Need original website content? Fresh articles for your ezines? Bylined writing that you can submit to other publishers? Don't we all! And while you may think the only way to acquire quality content you can use is to write it yourself, there are several other ways to produce articles without having to write them.

Using a ghostwriter is one way, using private label rights articles you have bought is another option and doing an expert interview is yet a third way to generate quality articles for your ezine or website.

Summarizing another article is yet another way to provide content for readers. Give the original author credit within the body of your article and quote the article, or several articles, to create something new and unique.

This is a can't lose situation for everyone. You don't need to actually write an article, the writer who wrote the original article gets free publicity, and the reader gets fresh information they want or need. Everybody wins.

Using public domain articles related to your subject is one more option. Permission from the author to use their work isn't necessary, but letting your reader know where the content originated will keep their trust. Don't try to pass the words off as your own.

Use survey results from a self-conducted survey as an article. This means you'll have to write a little, but compiling the results and turning it into a fast article is easy and is not very time-consuming. You can create surveys through Survey Monkey at http://www.surveymonkey.com.

Use government provided information. Articles written by United States Government authors are automatically in the public domain. The government is a prolific writer on a wide variety of topics. Visit any United States Government website and you will be greatly surprised with the amount of information that is free for the taking.

As you can see, providing quality articles without writing a single word, or with just a bit of writing is possible. The information and means is there. Use them to your profit and success.

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Darlene "Dee" Bishop is a writer and creative designer with decades on online experience and the owner of Bishop's Corner, an online/catalog shop offering hundreds of quality gifts, home decor items, toys, housewares, furniture and more with nearly 1,000 products under $20. Visit her today at http://BishopsTN.com

Business Articles for Reprint

I've been working so hard lately to build my World of Products business online to help supplement our income. As such, you'll find a variety of articles on Christian Daily that - while not specifically Christian - offer tips to help Christians, and non-Christians alike, build their own businesses and supplement their own incomes. I'd love your feedback and comments... and as long as you include my resource box with each article, feel free to reprint the articles on your own site or in your newsletter.

Have a topic you'd like to see covered? Let me know and I'll see what I can do.

Create and Use a Sig File

Create and use a signature file, commonly called a sig file, in all your email. Many people will click on the link in your sig file just to see who you are and what you're all about. Who knows where that may lead?

To create your own sig file, Write a snazzy little blurb about your business - about 6-7 lines - and include it in every email message you send... even forwards and replies.

Here's mine:

Bishop's Corner
Nearly 1,000 Items $19.95 or Less!
http://bishopscornerweb.com/store/

Outlook and Outlook Express will manage this for you automatically.

In Outlook, go to Tools, Options, Mail Format, Signature Picker, New and insert your information.

In Outlook Express, go to Tools, Options, Signatures, New and insert your information.

You may find it easier to create your sig file in a text editor and then just paste it into the email program. But whatever you do, create a simple file, include your URL, and start today to use it in every email message you send.

For pastors, Christian business owners and others, a sig file can add a tremendous amount of traffic and exposure to your website. Worth the time and effort, don't you think?

Christian Business

Since being a Christian is who I am, and - along with pastoring - owning a business is what I do - I can safely call myself a Christian in business, or a Christian business owner. As such, there will be many posts on Christian Daily that address business issues. Today's the first of many.

I went to a business leads sharing/networking group today. It's a small group here in Crossville, TN. I enjoyed it (and got a free lunch out of the deal). They're modeled after Business Networking International(BNI), but much less expensive ($120 per year compared to $450 which is the last I heard on BNI). I'm considering joining.

As the owner of Bishop's Corner, where I offer catalog and online shopping with over 3,400 products (nearly 850 of them priced $19.95 or less!), I've been working hard to find new customers and grow the business - like everyone else, I guess. Ideally, working with other business owners seems like a good fit. I can offer discounted pricing for store decor and customer or client gifts. Along with the personalized service and guaranteed returns, it's a goof fit for other businesses as well. I'd like to think this networking group could help me make some profitable connections, while allowing me to help other business owners by directing business their way.

What do you think? Do you belong to a similar group? I'd love to hear your thoughts as I struggle with my decision.