The Impact of Organizations’ Strategic Plan - Including Succession Planning and Skills Inventory

Filed under:all — posted by Many on October 31, 2009 @ 11:00 am

There is need to understand what strategic plan is, in order to know how to deal with succession planning & skill inventory of an organization therefore will can defined strategic planning as a management tool, used for one purpose, that is to help on organization to do a better job - to focus its energy, to ensure that members of the organization are working towards, the same goals, to asses and adjust to organization’s direction in response to a change environment. In short strategic planning is a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide what an organization is, what it does and why it doe it with a focus on the future. This definition provides the key elements that underline the meaning and success of a strategic planning process, the process is strategic because it involve preparing the best way to respond to the circumstances of the organizations, being strategic then means being clear about the organization objective being a were of the organization resources and incorporating both into being consciously responsive to a dynamic environment.

http://www.pharma-alliance.com/images/P_systems.pngThe process is disciplined in that it calls for certain order and pattern to keep it focused and productive, the process raises a sequence of questions that helps to examine experience, test assumptions, gather and incorporate information about the present and anticipate the environment in which the organization will be operating in the future.

The three main steps are

- Formulation of the organizations future mission in light of changing external factors such as competition, technology, customers and regulation
- Development at a competitive strategy to achieve its mission
- Creation of an organizational structure which would deploy resources to successfully carry out its competitive strategy

Having understood what strategic plan is, we can define succession planning, In today’s highly competitive global environment, human capital in an organizations most important asset, it is ongoing effort to develop a strong and capable workforce and also to bridge the competency gap such that at the exit of a key player in an organization, a competent replacement is available to man such key position. Succession planning focuses on three main areas. First it addresses the needs of the organization as senior management ages. It is not unusual for a management top particularly CEO to spend years leading an organization, during that period business pratices and procedures become increasingly entrenched and daily issue take precedence, through succession planning there is a conscious effort to prepare somebody to assume the top position after the retirement of the founder or the CEO, failure to do this wreaks havoc in the organization secondly succession play helps on organization to prepare for an unexpected event, it is often difficult to plan for unimaginable yet the sudden illness or death of a key executive can reverberate throughout an organization, paralyzing both management and staff and impeding the organizations ability to execute its business plan, unfortunately, disease automobile accidents and other disasters are an ongoing reality. Although it is not feasible to plan for every possible scenario and particularly, the loss of several key leaders at the same time, it is realistic to map out a chain of command and understand who will assume control if and when a key executive is lost.

Finally, succession planning ensures that an organization has the right personnel to function at peak efficiency; many organizations strive to identify key objectives and business goals and shape a work force accordingly because there is need for specific skills and competencies throughout the organization. Not only does succession planning serve as a way to create an organizational hierarchy, but it also help organization manage change in a holistic ways.

Skill inventory also is a management its often refers to as manpower budgeting in some organizations and it is carried out in the light to know the strength of an organization in relation to employees, also breaking it down to what they do as their responsibility, the department where they function, qualification, entry date, when due for promotion or retirement any point in the life of the organization. Skills inventory to a large extent gives insight into the abilities, skills, training and experience of employees and these is need to know if the skills would match future demands and changes in mode of operation which we would arise because of technological changes due in the future.

Having understood the concepts discussed above, the impact of recruiting on the organizations strategic plan, including succession planning and skills inventory can be summarized taken into consideration many factors, firstly, there is an understanding that an organization with a strategic plan has a mission which has been clearly spelt out and to achieve this the human resources which would carry out the plan is a concern to the organization, here the issue of recruiting because important because the need to have the candidate with the necessary skill for the position, which would be vacant as a result of the exit of a key player in the organization, in order to bridge the competency gap that a vacancy could create, the organization already having this picture through skill inventory done would begin to make plans such as looking in ward by training the staff they have on ground to meet the required change and challenges that would arise a the future, the trend in the business world today do not see training as a tool that could be used for succession planning because employees being dynamic tends to move from one organization to another, this makes training become a wastefully investment to an organization, however recruiting is done with a clear picture in relation to the strategic plan, in that the interested suitable candidate is considered, does he have the capability to meet this challenging task, does he have the qualification, the experience, does he believe in the vision of the organization.

In conclusion, succession planning & skill inventory are complex task that requires constant attention and ongoing resources, organization real devote considerable time and resources to mapping out skills and competencies, so that they can recruit and train appropriately and achieve a distinct competitive edge organization should view recruiting in line with succession planning & skill inventory as a ongoing process rather than an event that must be addressed every year or two. Recruiting must be done always giving consideration to the strategic plan which is the goal and objective of the organization, by having the manpower to meet the now needs and future and blocking all avenues which could give rise to gaps in talent and fill them more effectively and at the appropriate time and at all levels in the organization.

How Can I Be Successful Trading the Forex? - 7 Ways to Be Successful in Trading on Forex

Filed under:all — posted by Many on October 28, 2009 @ 9:45 pm

Some of the most successful day traders get on the world wide web and dabble in forex trading. Forex, or foreign exchange trading is the buying and selling of currency. You may wonder how this works. The principle behind currency trading is quite simple. It’s just like any ordinary business but what sets it apart is that there are no material assets used. What you trade is money.

1. Study the Market. This is the first essential step to learn forex trading. As with any other pursuit in life, studying is a key ingredient of success. Learning all you can about forex is vital as this is a very volatile market. The things to take note of are:

• Economic Factors - this is about the conditions revolving around a currency zone.

• Political Conditions - politics is a key moving factor in the forex market. Avoid unstable currencies and go for the more stable ones.

• Market Psychology - rash decision making because of a sudden move in the market may result to overbuying or overselling. That is why you have to watch the market movements.

2. Learn the Language. You should learn all that you can about the market. But in order to really understand, you should know the language. Familiarize yourself with terms like pips, spread, bid price and ask price, leverage, liquidity and trading rooms. This will give you a clearer picture of what you’re getting into.

3. Familiarize Yourself with the Trading Tools. There are hundreds of online forex trading software on the Internet right now. And some of these are freewares. You could even play online trading games that could give you an actual market scenarios. Use these kinds of software to practice.

4. Buy low and sell high. For example, you buy US dollars at .7402 Euros per dollar. When the market makes a movement, you sell at .7408. There is a difference of .0006. In forex, this is what is known as pips. Pip is the unit used to give you the spread. Spread is the difference between the buying and the asking price. In this case, you get 6 pips.

5. Take Calculated Risks. Once you have learned the ropes, you start taking risks. But, mind you, don’t take risks if you do not know the repercussions. For example, after you have studied the market movement of the Japanese Yen, you may now start trading the currency. Do not go for unstable currencies. Sometimes these can produce the highest returns, but most of the time, they cause losses. The most important lesson mistakes teach us is not to repeat them.

6. Hire a Broker. This is a good step if you do not have the time and patience to study the market. Brokers are market specialists that handle your investments for you. Just make sure that you choose a reputable firm. You can search the web for brokerage firms who are known to have good records. Looking for the right broker is just a few clicks of the mouse away.

7. Update Yourself Daily. Since forex trading is a form of day trading, you should be updated daily about any changes or movements. Keep yourself abreast with the latest developments. In this way, you will know where you stand and you can develop and refine your strategies over time.

Forex trading is a lucrative business if you are willing to learn. It could be the best investment you will make.

Do you want to make accurate buy or sell decisions when it comes to forex trading? See how you can potentially multiply your earnings with this powerful online forex trading software.

Learn to Make Money Online With These Key Tips

Filed under:all — posted by Many on October 26, 2009 @ 6:49 pm

There are many ways to learn to make money online. However, finding the right opportunity can be difficult. It’s important to find a home business where they teach people to make money online with their business. This means having access to training websites and webinars that not only teach people to learn to make money but also to motivate so they can enjoy their life.

A legitimate home based business opportunity will have certain elements in place for you to learn to make money online:

1. Team training websites and webinars. These are designed for you to utilize the training and mentoring of industry giants to create an incredible lifestyle. This is done through cutting edge advanced marketing systems and methods that allows anyone to create massive success without being a marketing guru. If they don’t have it, avoid it.

2. Has a powerful automated system already in place to produce a substantial income. This is also important for connecting and following up with your prospects.

3. Live calls that teach you how to create leverage for yourself to increase your profits and give you incredible freedom.

4. How to attract the right people to your business. This is known as your target audience. Finding a highly marketable product that everyone loves and craves is a great way to get started.

5. Ongoing support with your upline and sponsor. This will help you to develop entrepreneurial skills that enable you to be self- sufficient and can then duplicate the system with your own business associates. Too often there is little or no support, which leaves you out in the cold to fend for yourself. This is why most newbie online marketers fail or jump ship.

Any legitimate business will inform you of these elements ahead of time before you make a commitment. If they have these things in place for you to learn to make money online then you should seriously consider getting on board with the opportunity.

Also consider the following when looking for a home business to learn to make money:

1. A strong binary compensation plan that leverages the power of network marketing, will provide a true residual income and longevity of your business.

2. Allows enough entrepreneurial independence to be a true traditional business.

So if you want to learn to make money online, make sure the necessary training models and support are in place. Without them you will surely fail.

Sean Hagon is a successful Internet marketer who works with top income earners from around the globe. He is dedicated to his team and works hard to ensure their success. Sean is now apart of the fastest growing team in the home business arena.

To Learn More You Can View His Wealth Building Newsletter.

Benefits of Online Loan Application

Filed under:all — posted by Many on October 24, 2009 @ 6:12 pm

Online Home Loan helps you raise easy finance to build your dream house. Be it a tenant or a homeowner, you get home loans for all. Bad credits, ccj, bankruptcy or arrears, picture your dreams of home perfectly and live it. Online loan application offers you, the most required funds at the shortest span of time.

There are basically three good reasons to consider secured Online Home Loan UK:

• Borrow a larger amount
• Avail lower Annual Percentage Rate
• Get tax exemption
• Flexible loan repayment
• Home loan refinance online bad credit mortgage refinance
• Apply Equity Home Loan Mortgage Online
• No hidden charges

Your income would give a picture of how sound you are financially and if you are in a position to pay back on time. Debts give an idea of how good you are at repaying back your loans. If you have had no loan defaults, you would obviously win better loan rates. Credit history reflects the credit score and the equity value if high wins a lower rate of interest on secured loans.

You can opt for home loan online owner to meet any of your financial requirements at the earliest with the help of an online loan application. There’s no restriction on how you are going to use it. Revamp your home, purchase a car or simply consolidate your old debts against your home laid as security.

Getting a loan is not too daunting. Quick cash for your immediate needs. The online loan process has simplified the whole process to such an extent, that getting approved online and applying for a quick loan, is child’s play. Many loan lenders have relaxed the stringent loan procedure and eased it out for you.

Do away with your loan hassles and get your loan approved in minutes, without any credit check. Choose the online mode of applying for loans to get loans the easiest way. Online options give you the opportunity of comparing loans from different lenders and avail low rates on loans. Avoid the lengthy process other wise involved in credit check, and get an instant loan.

Pay back in smaller installments; you can use your loan for a quick financial need. Such loans get quickly deposited in your account and you can use it any time you need. Meet your unforeseen cash requirements at ease. Enjoy your online loans without any restrictions on its usage. Breathe a sigh of relief!

Kirthy Shetty, expert author of finance domains, Platinum status

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Basics of lingerie styles

Filed under:all — posted by Many on October 23, 2009 @ 2:25 am

With so many lingerie styles to choose from, it’s no wonder you might get lost. So, before going out to shop your next garment, be sure to understand the different types and fabrics used to make them. Below you will find some tips to help you get started on your quest to sexiness.
Babydoll: usually is a sleeveless, short and loose fitting gown made of sheer or translucent fabric like nylon or chiffon or silk. To enhance its visual appeal, it is often adorned with beads, lace, ruffles, bow and ribbons, among other types of trimmings. Its hemline is usually above the knee, making panties visible. Thus, this type of garment is sold with matching panties (generally g-strings) to ensure a complete look. Lately, we are seeing babydolls that completely expose the breast, called “cupless”. They come in a wide variety of fabrics (from sheers to silk), colors and sizes (also available in “plus” sizes), making it a necessary piece of lingerie for every woman.

Bodystocking: similar to a catsuit, often has long legs but can have long, short or no sleeves. It is usually made of sheer fabric or from fishnet material, and crotchless, making it a highly erotic garment. It is becoming a very popular item, and can be found in a variety of styles, colors and sizes.
Camisoles: loose-fitting sleeveless woman’s undergarment which covers the top part of the body but is shorter than a chemise. Mainly made out of light materials like cotton (used as an everyday piece) or more sophisticated materials like satin or silk to make it a sexy choice. Can be paired with a bikini or boyshort to complete the look.
Corsets: the main use for corsets is shaping the body, usually by slimming the waist and emphasizing the bust and hips. In its origins it was worn under dresses, but now, thanks to its new lingerie status, it can be found in all colors, fabrics and sizes. They are also found in leather, giving its wearer a dominant look. They are divided in two categories; an ‘overbust corset’ encloses the torso, extending from just under the arms to the hips, while an underbust corset begins just under the breasts and extends down to the hips.

Teddies: think of a camisole and panty in just one piece. However, this garment has greatly evolved to be a very sexy and suggestive piece, coming in bold colors and leather/vinyl combinations. They can be adorned with chains, shining beads and combined with platform heels for a more daring style, or made out of sheer materials and somewhat looser than a bodysuit for a more conservative look.

Broadband Deals - Guide

Filed under:all — posted by Many on October 20, 2009 @ 5:42 pm

If you need an internet connection and find it confusing to understand what all the internet companies are pitching to sell you, here we are sharing some basic knowledge about the various internet technologies in place, understanding these would help you find the deals that fit your needs

What is Dialup, Broadband, DSL and Cable Internet?

Dialup Internet Connections;
are the most basic forms of internet connections available today, gives you a quick access to the internet but operate on a very limited speed, just enough to check emails and light graphical websites.

DSL;
stands for (Digital Subscriber Line) which is superior form of dial-up internet and provides a faster speed and the considered far more reliable.

Broadband Internet Connections;
are high speed internet connections, independent from capable to handle large amounts of data, suitable to access movies, video contents, music and all kinds of multimedia downloads.

Cable Internet;
According to wikipedia “The term cable Internet access refers to the delivery of Internet service over this infrastructure. The proliferation of cable modems, along with DSL technology, has enabled broadband Internet access in many” countries.

How To Choose The Best Broadband Deals
In this section we would like to discuss some basic factors for choosing a broadband deal. You might find yourself in a difficult position while selecting a broadband deal. You might come across strong marketing messages like “Cheapest Broadband Deal” or “Fastest Broadband Deal” or “Free Broadband Deal”, most of the time its not what it appears to be.

Monthly Cost
Never tempt yourself to signing up a deal without checking the details of the monthly costs. Always remember to check if there is a “Trial Period Discount” involved which may become void after a few months.

Contract Duration
Just like all digital products, Broadband prices fall from time to time, its advisable to compare “Broadband Deals” in terms of cost and contract duration to get a real understanding

Switching a Broadband Contract
If you want to switch your Broadband Provider, you should always check the duration remaining in your contract, you may be required to pay a fee in case of early cancellation.

Hardware Costs
Avoid paying hardware costs for Modems, DSL and Routers etc. All good “Broadband Providers also provide the equipment for free.

Download & Usage Limitations
Some broadband providers impose a limit on usage or download and upon reaching the limit your connection becomes inactive or you might get an additional charge for usage outside the set quota.

Cheap Laptop Deals

How to create a natural eye using 3 colours

Filed under:all — posted by Many on October 13, 2009 @ 12:53 pm

Have you ever wanted to apply eyeshadow but don’t know how? I would recommend you start with an eyeshadow trio or an eyeshadow quad. Most brands that sell trio or quad eyeshadows have already taken the guesswork out of which colours will work together.

A natural look is obtained by subtle blending of 3 eyeshadow shades.

* For a natural makeup, use a light shade of eye shadow. Apply the lightest shade as a base on the whole eye lid area up to the brow bone. Even the shadow out with a firm applicator.
* Next apply a medium shade to the eyelid area only. Blend the 2 shades.
* With another applicator, use a medium to darker eyeshadow shade. Apply along the base of the eyelashes, shading it off upwards at the outer corner of the eye.

* If you feel like trying something a little different or you want to experiment with colour, use an iridescent shade of eyeshadow and apply it to the centre of the eye lid. If you want to add colour, pop a bright onto your lid or frame your eye with blue eyeliner. This will intensify the makeup.
* Add mascara and voila, you have the perfect, natural, contoured eye.

For a darker smokey eye look, apply darker shades or more of your day colour to deepen the tone.

I have provided below some tips based on your eye colour.

BROWN EYES:
Brown, Ivory and natural tones will always work for you. Shades of green and pink will make your eyes pop and blue will contrast with your brown eyes. With blue eyeshadow, my general rule is to use a hint of blue along the lash line and top it up with eyeliner. Blue shaded eyes seem to be hot on the catwalk right now.

BLUE EYES:
Try earth tones, brown, taupe, ivory and greys. Plums and Purples are great for blue eyes.

GREEN AND HAZEL EYES:
Purple eye shadow makes green and hazel eyes pop. Purple is great for a more dramatic look and it will make your eyes look even greener. Browns, gold, taupe and ivory work really well with dark purple tones.

The Art of Problem Solving: 5 Steps to Success

Filed under:all — posted by Many on @ 12:31 pm

Legendary problem solver Albert Einstein was onto something hot when he said “No problem is solved from the same consciousness that created it”. He knew about the art of problem solving and if he’d written about it, he may have broken it down into these 5 easy to follow problem solving steps.

1. Flexible mind, flexible solutions
“Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it is the only one you have”. Now I’d like to claim that for myself, but a good lady called Emile Chartier said it before me. Beware when you only have one solution to a problem. It either means you don’t understand the problem or you’ve not taken the time to figure out more creative, more likely to succeed, solutions.

2. It’s all in the mind
Your mental state is inextricably linked to your physical state, so if you’ve reached mental gridlock, take a physical break to get the thought traffic moving again. Go for a walk, listen to music, tidy up your desk or do whatever it takes to free your mind and open up your mind to creating new, innovative solutions to your problem.

3. Why oh why oh why?
Ask yourself, why is this a problem? And ask again. And again. Like a stuck record, repeatedly asking why, allows you to pin point with much more precision and accuracy why the problem is a problem. And it busts myths and assumptions until all you’re left with are a few lonely, useful facts.

4. Rose coloured glasses
Describe your problem to your mum. Then describe it to your 6 year old nephew. And do another version for your boss. Bet the problem was different each time you talked about it. Taking a different perspective on a problem can lead you to a solution (particularly 6 year olds, as they are some of the most straight-talking magical thinkers around!). If you want to get fancy, you can call this problem solving step “re-framing”.

5. Dream a little dream
You probably wrote fantastical stories as a child that ended “and then I woke up!” You crossed rivers, fought dangerous fights and saved the day. In dream-land there are no limits, no boundaries or limits on resources. If there were a magic wand that would solve your problem, what would that be like? Describe in great detail what you see, hear and feel about this problem free state. It’s an engaging and powerful mental game to play, and increases your chance of solving the problem many times over.

Okay so these aren’t steps in an ABC, logical sequence sense, so sorry for misleading you. There are no hard and fast rules for problem solving, that’s why it’s an art. These 5 problem solving steps are pieces of the problem solving puzzle, and will help guide you to successful solutions to problems.

Forex Trading Education - The 7 Point Checklist For Using Trendlines

Filed under:all — posted by Many on October 10, 2009 @ 10:35 am

Forex trading education naturally falls into two parts. First the easy part, learning technical indicators, how to use a trading platform, the terminology, etc.

Secondly Forex trading education must include information on the mindset of a successful trader and the disciplines that need to be learned in order to handle the emotional and mental demands of trading in the market place.

Here we provide a list of 7 guidelines for using trendlines as part of your Forex trading education using technical indicators.

Trendlines may be regarded by some as one of the weaker indicators although still valuable. They can be powerful when used in combination with other factors. That’s why an effective Forex trading education doesn’t rest on a single magic formula but rather involves an investment of time and energy as the new trader learns to combine the input from a number of tools to reach a clear decision.

When using trendlines to identify an optimum entry point for a high probability trade keep the following points in mind:

1. Trendlines on lower time frames such as 5 minute, 15 minute, or 30 minute, do not have much significance by themselves. Take more note of price reaction around trendlines on the higher time frames, specifically the 60 minute, 4 hour, and daily chart.

2. Trendlines on a daily chart carry a high significance as this is the chart many traders of large institutions use. They do not participate in intra day trading but rather look for position trades as they commit large sums of money to a transaction. The daily chart is often their point of reference.

3. Draw general trendlines across the significant lows in an uptrend or the significant highs in a downtrend and use them as a point of reference to show where support or resistance is likely to be found.

4. If you want to get more specific, use the Tom DeMark method of drawing trendlines. This technical advisor recommends using the current swing high or swing low, depending on the trend, and then connecting that to the previous swing high or low (to the left on a candlestick chart). The line is then extended out into the future. These trendlines can be constantly updated as new highs and lows are reached.

5. For trendlines to be effective indicators, they must be used in conjunction with other technical indicators. So if a trendline is crossed by a support/resistance line, or a pivot point, or a Fibonacci retracement or extension level, you now have a combination of factors indicating this could be a suitable entry point.

6. Add these two trendline methods to your Forex trading education:

  • When price has an upward or downward momentum (as opposed to moving within a consolidation channel), look for times when price will come back to bounce the trendline before resuming the momentum.
  • When price breaks a trendline, rather than enter a trade at that point, choose a more optimal entry point by waiting for price to return and test the back side of the trendline that has just been broken. This will not always happen and you risk missing being taken in. That’s trading! But more often than not this will happen and you get an excellent entry point.

7. Do not use trendline breaks or bounces as an entry signal by themselves. They do not provide a strong enough signal. If you add this crucial piece of information to your Forex trading education you will minimize the number of trades you regret entering.

As part of your Forex trading education, use your demo account to experiment using trendlines.

Remember they have limitations. In themselves they can give a false signal. Used in combination with other technical indicators however, they form a more complete picture, giving you a clearly defined graphical representation of where price is and where it is likely to go.

Keeping the seven point checklist above in mind should help keep you out of troublesome trades when using trendlines!

See how to use trendlines to get an optimum trade entry point:

http://www.vitalstop.com/Forex/trendline.html

Do you know the important lesson Mohammed Ali teaches us about Forex trading? Read it here:

http://www.vitalstop.com/Forex/Advisor/forex-online-trading-mohammed-ali.htm

For the best free economic calendars plus a free pivot point calculator and Fibonacci calculator click here:

http://www.vitalstop.com/Forex/tools.html

“How to Buy a Car” Like a Pro! From a Pro!

Filed under:all — posted by Many on @ 10:13 am

I’m a car salesperson. I know the first question is why would a salesperson be teaching us how to buy a car. My purpose is to help as many people as I can to get a good deal. It seems like everyone is telling others how to get a low price but it is a rarity to find someone teaching others how to get a good deal and I mean for real. In the next few series I’ll uncover the truth about getting the right deal.

Let me give you my quick definition of that “good deal”. It’s simply buying a vehicle that you like, at a price that fits in your budget (whether cash or payment), and a dealership with a salesperson that will take care of you after the sale.

Before we tackle the car lot lets see what is going for us. The first thing we must do is evaluate our credit. Everyone needs to order their free credit report offered once a year. The three credit reports most widely used is Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. It’s important to look at your reports periodically. They may contain inaccurate information that you may not be aware of . For anyone thinking of financing anything, keeping your credit reports accurate could save you more money than you may realize. As far as credit scores they are figured very differently. For example, credit cards are never a good idea but if you do have one try to keep the balance under 30% of the credit limit. Let’s look at that, say you have a credit limit of $2,000.00 you want to keep your balance under $600.00. You probably wouldn’t have thought having your credit cards to the limit could affect your score but they do. The best scores range from 720-850 a good score will be from 680-719, an average score ranges from 620-679, less than marginal credit scores are 619-560, and scores less than 559 are considered high risk. Knowing your credit before you walk into a dealership will take away any surprises from the time when someone pulls your credit.

The next step is doing some research. What we are going to do is take the definition of a “good deal” from an idea to real life. We will start from the most important variable in the equation is finding a dealership with a salesperson that will take care of you after the sale. Since finding the dealership is easier to find than a salesperson (or you can just call me) we’ll start looking at how long area dealerships have been in business. We will do this because a well established dealership has more credibility than one that’s changed ownership the last few years or run by some huge corporate company that is interested in the bottom line rather than the well being of the customer. There are dealerships that give back to the community and no I’m not talking about those that say their are giving back to the community and the leadership of the company displays something else. Another thing that we are looking for is what do they do for their customers. For instance, will the dealership allow you to have a vehicle to drive while yours is in the service department and not charge you for it yes even without an extended warranty. Another perk to look for is the body shop having something worked out with your insurance company as a “select” dealer. This will allow you to get your vehicle fixed in a more efficient way. You might also inquire about a part in the parts department to test the dealership’s way of taking care of you in the parts department.

It’s time for us to figure the budget. When I say budget I’m not talking about that bad word used to stop you from getting what you want. I’m talking about getting an idea on what how much you want to spend per month or even in one lump sum. A few tips to not allow your payments to get out of line is to try to keep your payments within 18%-20% of your gross income. If your gross income is $4,000.00 it would be a good idea to keep your monthly payments no higher than about $800.00. Another area to look at is figuring out if a down payment is an option. One thing to remember is the more you put towards your new vehicle the less likely you are to owe more on the vehicle than it’s worth if you decide to get something newer late. Keep in mind statistics show the average trade cycle is 33 - 39 months. Speaking about trade cycle another rule of thumb is, if you are more likely to trade in 3 years try to arrange the term of the loan to about 60 months. I realize that extended terms are becoming more common not only when people ask for the longer term but also in advertisements among dealers and manufacturers. Another way to finance a vehicle is through leasing. That used to have bad connotations when open-end leases entered the world. Some might remember those “bad” leases where all the stories of getting hit with over mileage, scratches, and just an overall bad experience. A lease is probably the best way to buy a vehicle. An option for someone paying cash could save a lot using a prepaid lease and only pay for about half of the vehicle instead of writing a check for the full amount. A lease set up right can work very well. All it takes to set up your lease right is to take an average of the miles you use per year. The current national average is about 15,000 miles per year. Another area to look at is the possibility of trading your current vehicle. A few good websites to look at to get an idea of your current market value is KBB.com, and Edmunds.com. You also need to know how much you owe on your vehicle if you have a lien. Remember all this research up front allows you to be prepared to speak with a salesperson with confidence and also allows you to have some direction. The worst thing for you to do is to go into a dealership without getting some of the basic idea of what your current financial situation is.

This is the fun part. We know where we are going to go to begin looking for are new vehicle. We also have done some fact finding of where we are at. Now we need to begin looking for are new vehicle. Few things to explore is knowing how we are going to use this vehicle whether it’s a second vehicle, one for commuting, or one for hauling and towing. Here we can look at crash test sites and compare a few vehicles in the class you are looking at. With all this information we can go into a dealership to find a vehicle that we like. We also have the confidence to walk to a dealership and have a very good idea on all the factors involved in negotiating a fair deal, getting a vehicle you like, and knowing the dealership will take care of you after the sale.

David Gomez
http://www.davidsnewsletter.com


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