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9 Recession Proof Businesses to Start in 2009
With economists continuing to revise their estimate of when the economy will recover, its time to review your future options to ensure you make it through the times of economic distress. I don't know many people who feel "secure" in their current job, though I know many people looking to launch their own business startup - a recession proof business! We'll explore some business ideas which are virtually recession proof and can get you moving forward toward your successful business - even in a recession. We've categorized these recession proof businesses to make it easier to find your next startup.
Entertainment Recession Proof Businesses
1. Video Games Sales
Americans purchased $21.33 billion worth of video game systems, software, and accessories in 2008 with hardware sales climbing in December to $1.88 billion. Despite a recession, Americans still enjoy their entertainment options - or perhaps we should say, because of the recession, Americans look toward more entertainment options. As a recession worsens, Americans like to "escape" from reality and find time to play. One recession proof business you can start is a video games sales store - either virtual (on the Internet) or physical (brick and mortar storefront). We recommend focusing on the used game sales market as buyers are still looking for a good deal in a recession-focused economic environment.
2. Movie Support Services
Hollywood has often lay claim to being one of the few recession-proof industries and they have often been proven right. In an economic downturn, people still seek entertainment and movies post excellent revenues despite a souring economy. Are you going to produce the next big ...
Read More on ExploreStartups.com >>
How to Launch a Successful User Generated Content Site - Step 1
I've decided to launch a new Web site. I know, I know, "who cares?" People launch new sites all the time. What makes this site any different?
First, I'm going to document the site launch on here. I'm going to tell you how I do it in a couple of easy steps. You will learn the secrets behind launching a (hopefully) large scale advertising-supported content-rich site. You will learn the steps necessary to create the site, where I get content, how the site design and build progresses, how I launch and market the site, and how I build the site quickly to tens of thousands of visitors.
First Steps - What Are We Here For?
The first step in launching a new Web site is to figure what niche are you going to serve and what is going to make your site different. I frequently meet with people who want to learn how to launch their own successful site and I always tell them to pick a niche. Do not go for the broad market as people will get lost in what you're offering and you won't be able to earn enough ad income to satisfy your needs. Of course, I frequently violate this very rule (Learnthat.com, MyTutorials) - but how is life any fun if you can't break your own rules. The flipside is this: if you want a big-monster-of-a-site, you really have to go broad. I have the patience to let it grow and I have an asset few others have.
Launching a New Site on Another Web Site
I'll admit it: I'm going to cheat when I launch this new site. It's going to be on
Read More on Jerm.com >>Start a Mobile Car Wash Business (Automobile Detailing Business)
Living in the south is great - the other day, in the middle of what is a white winter up north, a mobile car detailing service was in my parking lot washing and detailing cars. A mobile auto detailing service visits a workplace and washes, waxes, and cleans the interior of the car. Entrepreneur magazine estimates the average mobile auto cleaning service earns $100,000 per year in profit. A mobile car detailing service is one of the hottest businesses you can start!
Starting a Mobile Automobile Detailing Service Business
Many people do not have the time to find a car wash service and spend 20 minutes to go through it. By providing a mobile service, you can wash, wax, clean, and detail you customer's car at their workplace. Since you will provide a much more thorough car washing service, your client is willing to pay more for the personalized service.
Much of your business will come from repeat and referral customers at workplaces you visit. You can use business cards, flyers, and magnetic signs to market your auto car wash business.
You can also market your services to auto dealers without their own car wash. You can visit the lot on a regular basis and clean all of the cars for sale. This provides a lucrative opportunity for your auto detailing business.
Read More on ExploreStartups.com >>
As first reported on the That Network blog at Jerm.com, the CompTIA Network+ exam is getting a facelift.
The CompTIA Network+ certification has seen several changes over the last decade of its existence. The last revision was 2005 (with several minor updates in 2007), but CompTIA is currently preparing a major revision of the exam: the CompTIA Network+ 2008 certification. This revision will update the exam to include newer technologies and best practices, and will reorganize the exam and create added focus on Security. With new information about wireless and newer networking technologies including, the Network+ exam will test your current knowledge.
The CompTIA Network+ 2005 exam had four major domains:
- Media and Topologies (20%)
- Protocols and Standards (20%)
- Network Implementation (25%)
- Network Support (35%)
CompTIA is expanding these domains to a total of six domains with the 2008 release (final specs not yet released):
- Network Technologies
- Network Media and Topologies
- Network Devices
- Network Management
- Network Tools
- Network Security
One of the benefits we see for individuals pursuing the 2008 version of the Network+ is the enhanced focus on the hands-on aspect of network troubleshooting. By breaking out Network Tools and Network Security, CompTIA chose to increase focus and exposure on these two critical areas.
As with the 2005 version of the certification, the 2008 Network+ certification is for networking technicians with 9-12 months of experience who have achieved an A+ certification. Those individuals who ...
Read More on CertificationWatch.com >>
The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)
The PMBOK, a formalized set of knowledge about project management, is published by the Project Management Institute (also the folks behind the PMP certification). The PMBOK is a process based approach to managing projects. The processes PMI documents in the PMBOK are:
- Initiating: defines and authorizes the project (i.e. create project charter).
- Planning: shapes the outcomes/goals for the project by knowledge area.
- Executing: carries out project plans.
- Controlling and Monitoring: assesses actual project outcomes to planned targets and makes corrective actions when necessary.
- Closing: obtains a formal acceptance of the product/service by stakeholders and tapers out project activities in a planned, organized fashion.
The PMBOK defines nine knowledge areas, organized by their role in a project. The knowledge areas are separated into three groups: core knowledge areas, facilitating knowledge areas, and the coordination knowledge area. The knowledge areas are:
- Core Knowledge Areas
- Scope Management
- Time Management
- Cost Management
- Quality Management
- Facilitating Knowledge Areas
- Communications Management
- Human Resources Management
- Risk Management
- Procurement Management
- Coordination Knowledge Area
- Integration Management
If any one of the core knowledge areas is changed in a project, ...
Read More on PlanThat.com >>
Server+ Update Planned for 2009 - Server+ 2009
The CompTIA Server+ exam is a popular option for server administrators to demonstrate their skills. Last updated in 2005, the CompTIA Server+ exam is designed for server administrators with 18-24 months of experience.
CompTIA is going through a series of updates to their exams, with the Security+ being the next update, then the Network+, and finally, as CertificationWatch recently learned, the Server+ exam.
No release date has been set for the new Server+ exam, but based on the timeline of other exam updates, we do not expect it to be released until 2009.
CompTIA is currently collecting names of subject matter experts (SMEs) to review and rewrite the exam objectives. After the rewrite period is over, CompTIA will survey industry leaders and more SMEs to determine if the composition of the Server+ 2009 objectives adequately addresses the skillset of a server administrator with 18-24 months experience. Simultaneously, CompTIA will engage SMEs to write questions and answers for the exam. Once these processes are over, CompTIA will begin alpha testing the exam, then a public beta testing process will be undertaken. Finally, the exam will be released to start officially certifying individuals.
We expect the new exam will include more experiential questions and test newer technologies released since the last update. We expect the Server+ 2009 to be released mid-2009.
As with the other CompTIA certifications, current certified Network+ administrators do not need to retake the exam to retain their credentials.
Read More on CertificationWatch.com >>
Managing a Virtual Team
The Internet has enabled companies to reduce cost and assemble teams of employees from all over the globe. Communication tools get more advanced each day and make it possible for virtual teams to operate seemlessly. As a manager in a multinational organization, you are likely to be called upon to manage employees globally. If you are used to a hands-on management style with employees in the same building with you, the methods you have used in the past may not be as effective in the future with your virtual team.
There are many benefits to virtual teams including diversity of perspectives, large member selection pool, extended hours of productivity, reduced transportation costs, and reduced office location costs. However, new challenges arise with virtual teams including difficulty in performance monitoring, team member isolation, technology issues and interruptions, and a lack of socialization among team members. Global virtual teams also must deal with geographic, cultural, and timezone issues.
Managing a Virtual Team
Understanding how to take advantage of the benefits of a virtual team and minimizing the difficulties will be a considerable portion of your job managing a virtual team. Your first goal is to create a team environment and teamwork without having a team physically located near one another.
A Common Goal
The first step in creating the team environment is to establish a common goal for the team. Studies have shown that when individuals share a common goal, they will bond more quickly than if they are just working together on tasks. The common goal should be a long term one which will consist of many short term goals to achieve. The short term goals are important to let the team members feel successful as they are ...
Read More on ThatManager.com >>
