http://www.whyamirich.com/ Articles at Free Website Content from Whyamirich.com en-us http://www.whyamirich.com/business/negotiation/be-cautious-of-these-real-estate-investing-programs.html http://www.whyamirich.com/business/negotiation/be-cautious-of-these-real-estate-investing-programs.html Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:49:47 -0600
They didn't teach me a darn thing about real estate investing, but they sure had me pumped up and excited to be a millionaire real estate investor. I barely flinched when I paid $2,000 to attend an upcoming weekend course. I could even bring someone at no additional cost! I could already taste financial freedom.

Well, at this one course, I learned a lot. But what I really learned was that I didn't really know much at all.

A few of the tricks I learned could be used right away, but they quickly explained how their other classes would further help me get the financial success I was after. So I took more courses and spent about $20,000 more dollars. I finished one assignment deal, which involved flipping a property, and purchased two more properties for no money down. Because I believed everything that they were teaching me, I invested in some really bad properties and made some other bad decisions that proved to be very expensive in the years to come. They had led me very far off track, and I allowed it to happen. It was an expensive lesson.

Despite everything I went through, I still believe that a real estate investing class is the best thing for beginners. However, I have some tips to get the most out of this type of class:

- Know your goals. Make your goals measurable if you can. You also need to know your tolerance for risk, and whether or not you have the 'right stuff' to be a landlord. (Being a landlord is more than just collecting rent, you have to fix things too- unless you have a property manager to do everything.) Once you put these goals on paper, you can commit to looking for a course that fits your needs.

- Know what to expect. If you search for real estate investing classes online, you have more choices than you know what to do with. So what you need to do is ask around both online and off-line. Has anyone taken a particular one? Which course do people recommend you take or don't take? Online forums are great for finding reviews for all types of courses.

- Research the company. You can most likely get information for the company offering the course by mail or on the Internet. Some of the most important information you'll get is the speaker's bio. The bio will tell you what makes this teacher qualified to teach the subject. Believe me, people like Robert Allen, Donald Trump, and Russ Whitney do not teach classes like this.

- Leave Your Visa At Home, or At Least Know Your Limits. Before you leave the house to go to the FREE course or the paid weekend on real estate investing, decide what is the maximum amount you will pay for the initial course or any subsequent courses and materials. It's important to do this BEFORE you attend the course. When you attend the FREE or the less expensive courses, the up-sell is going to be hard to resist, as you will be offered the rock bottom price, but "only if you sign up today". And every bone in your body might be absolutely convinced that you NEED this to achieve your greatest dreams. If you go in with a threshold of, for instance $3,000, then you can hopefully better control what you actually spend on a future course. Emotion plays a big role in your decision to spend more money, and the programs out there feed on this. Take the "impulse" decision out of the equation by knowing what your objectives are and how much you're willing to spend to achieve those objectives.

- Don't wait any longer! So, you've completed a course, had a great time, met some great people, and know some great tricks. Now there's only one thing stopping you from becoming a great real estate investor: YOU.

I've spoken with a few people at different classes who have taken 4 or 5 real estate investing classes and still have never bought a single piece of property. I can't think of a bigger waste of time and money than not using what you've learned. How will you meet your goals if you don't apply your knowledge?

Real estate investing courses can be valuable - but only if you use what you learn! ]]> http://www.whyamirich.com/business/negotiation/how-to-negotiate-a-salary-salary-negotiation-starter-guide.html http://www.whyamirich.com/business/negotiation/how-to-negotiate-a-salary-salary-negotiation-starter-guide.html Sat, 06 Dec 2008 19:12:21 -0700
Being excellent at salary negotiation takes extensive experience. I have been interviewed well over a hundred times and negotiated salary very successfully. I'd be happy to discuss what I view as a quick approach that can help you get ready for salary negotiation and achieve significant results.

What follows here is a great set of introductory strategies, however there are many approaches to salary negotiation. It is very important for those looking for a higher salary to have the full picture. You need to know all the relevant strategies for salary negotiation to be successful. You may be faced with objections and have negotiation hurdles to overcome.

While salary negotiating is a huge topic and I cannot provide all tactics in one article, I will give you a great outline to salary negotiation.

The following presents an overview of the must do's.

1) Job market research is crucial in finding out the value of the job you are going to fill. Check out these web sites: salary.com or monster.com or salaryexpert.com for valuable market data research.

2) List all the extras you do at the job which bring value or efficiency to the business. Concentrate on things that you do which are above and beyond the employer's expectations.

3) Determine where you stand in relation to other personnel in the business. This may take a bit of effort on your part. Ask your friends. It seems more socially acceptable these days to discuss your salary. Be careful how you approach this subject.

4) Plant the thought in your supervisors mind. Approach them at a stategic time when they are not too budy. Avoid times when they are rushed out the door or off to their next staff meeting.

5) Determine if the boss feels it is a good time for a meeting, and then approach them with your request. Be confident in your approach because you know you've contributed a lot, and you've build your supporting foundation for the raise request.

6) Make sure you've conscientiously rehearsed through some objections and have thought out your responses to the objections. There is always a way to keep the salary negotiation on a win-win path.

7) Avoid getting discouraged, and maintain your level of self confidence. Never us an ultimatum in the salary negotiation. You may find yourself looking further for that next job..

There is a considerable list of approaches for each salary negotiation strategy and there are a number of things to look out for. When going into negotiations it is really easy for a salary seeker to encounter problems and landmines. Sometimes they are traps set by the hiring manager. Sometimes they are just out there for the job hunter to step into. Make sure you don't find yourself stepping on your own feet in salary negotiation.

A very common strategy is to wait for the employer to address the topic of salary first. They may reveal their acceptable salary range, or they will outright ask you what your preferred range is. It is best to leave this as late in the process as you can.

When you receive an offer that you're not happy you can always ask the employer the question, is that the best possible offer you can make me at this time? When you follow up with silence, the boss will be scrambling to say something. If the answer to the question is yes, you need to discuss why you cannot accept it, and that you have reasons to believe you are worth more. If the response is no then ask them if it is possible for them to give your top salary request.

Whatever tactics and strategies you use, make sure you're prepared with a well supported case for your increase. Know your script well. Be prepared for their objections, and know how to deal with unplanned or unusual situations. Always leave the door open for further negotiation, until you get the close that you are happy with.

To your total negotiating success. ]]> http://www.whyamirich.com/business/negotiation/negotiating-your-salary-during-recessionary-times.html http://www.whyamirich.com/business/negotiation/negotiating-your-salary-during-recessionary-times.html Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:21:46 -0600
This is important to be aware of, and you ought to know your strategy to approaching salary negotiation at this difficult economic time.

Don't be intimidated about negotiating salary if it is the right time for you. Just because many companies are slowing down or cutting back on staff, there are other companies and employers that are in need of talented human resources. Bear this in mind. There is plenty of opportunity to discuss salary with your boss, or negotiating a salary offer with new company.

By negotiating salary, you are standing up for your rights and standing up for what your believe in. By standing up for yourself you are asserting the value of your skills and setting expectations in the employer that the market will support your salary request. Make sure you've done your market research homework in order to support this.

Be tactful in the salary negotiation approach you use. Employers will respect the fact that you've approached them with a less intensive approach. It is not the time to play the tough guy when it comes to salary negotiation, unless you are one of the few elite staff that can achieve top dollar increases in this challenging economic time.

Nonetheless, salary negotiating is still an option. Not just that, but also if you find yourself in between jobs, an unfortunate circumstance indeed, salary negotiation strategies and tactics are of absolute importance.

Just remember that salary negotiation is still an option and not to be dismissed because the economy is in a downturn. Contrarily you should look for the best approach, do your job market research, and build your supporting case for your salary increment request.

To your total salary negotiation success! ]]> http://www.whyamirich.com/business/negotiation/debt-counselors-say-goodbye-to-those-collection-related-nagging-phone-calls.html http://www.whyamirich.com/business/negotiation/debt-counselors-say-goodbye-to-those-collection-related-nagging-phone-calls.html Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:44:30 -0600
Unless you have major, irreversible debt there is no reason why a debt counselor won't be able to help you recover without filing for bankruptcy or taking out a high interest loan. In each case your credit may be affected and you may have to part with personal property such as a house or other assets.

Secondly, although many people apply for and obtain a consolidation loans to successfully payoff their creditors, the truth of the matter is that the debt still exists and that the spending habits that got the individual into debt in the first place are not addressed.

Also, in order to get a consolidation loan you first need to have enough equity somewhere else to guarantee the loan. If this happens to be your house and you are unable to fulfill the terms of the loan then you could end up losing your house in the process.

By using a professional debt counselor you can address your spending and budgeting issues to create a reasonable plan that you can follow to prevent your situation from occurring again. The counselor will be able to secure you a low interest loan that will require little or no guarantee of equity, or they can negotiate repayment terms with your creditors so you don't have to worry about answering the phone. Best of all they can identify what you need to do to get yourself on track and out of debt forever. ]]>