Business and Finance Reviews

Like many entrepreneurs, the people behind the online billing-Chargify start-ups often fantasize about generating buzz on some sites of the world’s most popular technology. One day in early October, about a year after the launch of the company, they got their wish.

“I’m sure you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank, but not with my money,” posted on forum news customer Chargify Hacker technology online. “Today you’ve turned around and told us all that we are not important to you,” grousing. Others are more directly: “Wow what a kick in the nuts …”

That morning, Chargify, which makes web-based system that used a small company to manage billing, has announced that it changed the model designation of the price. In particular, it removes the free service was offered to entice customers to sign up. The idea behind the Freemium model called is that the user is free to be in time to the upgrade version which costs $ 49 to $ 2,500 per month. Problem: After 12 months in business, less than 1 percent of the clients who pay a dime.

Siamak Taghaddos, founder of Chargify that David Hauser and know that no one will appreciate the changes. But pushback proved stronger than anticipated. In addition to the negative comments on Hacker News and blog TechCrunch, a Needham, Massachusetts-based company was flooded with angry e-mails. Whether or not the price change is a good idea, obviously companies have bombarded the communication.

Taghaddos and Hauser Chargify launched in September 2009. This is the first in-house business incubated during the locust Group, makes a suite of products for small business owners, including Grasshopper phone system. Billing-software market is a crowded one, and trying to stand out Chargify partly by his approach to pricing. Users with 50 or fewer subscribers can use it for free, like Chargify companies grow and acquire more customers, they will switch to options premiums. What’s more, unlike some rivals, the company does not collect fees for each transaction or ask for a percentage of total billing.

Before the launch, it seems like a perfectly sound idea. Given the experience with Taghaddos and Hauser Grasshoppers, they thought that 15 percent of customers who don’t pay Chargify will grow into people who pay within three months to six months to register, which will provide enough income to build a sustainable business.

But six months after the launch of Chargify, it is clear that the model was not working. “We are attracting fans too much – that is, with few exceptions, are never going to succeed,” said Hauser.

The company’s executive team agreed that to lure more fast-growing businesses as customers, needed a new pricing structure that will get rid of the hobbyists. The team agreed to eliminate free choice and raise prices for companies with up to 500 customers from $ 49 per month for $ 99 per month. The price was justified, the company believes, because of Chargify is adding new features, such as round-the-clock telephone support and service credit card security compliance. This is a bold move-Chargify now will have the highest entry level price in the market.

Calculate Your costs
Before You set the price for the services your company provides, You need to understand the cost of providing these services to Your customers. The U.S. Small Business Administration suggested that the production cost of any service consists of three parts:

Material cost. This is the cost of goods you use in providing services. A business will need to clean the cost factor paper towels, cleaning solutions, rubber gloves, etc. A car repair business will count to the cost of supplies, such as spark plugs, brake pads or is being installed by the service. You may want to enter a list of materials with Your estimate in bidding the job.
Labor costs. This is the direct labor cost you hire to provide services. This will be the hourly wage clean-up crews and/or a portion of Your salary and benefits of mechanized while they provide services to your customers. SBA recommend using time cards and time to keep tabs on the number of hours of work involved in providing any service to customers.
Overhead costs. This is the indirect costs to your business in providing service to customers. Examples include labor for others who run the company, whether an Administrative Assistant or human resources personnel. Other overhead costs including your monthly rent, taxes, depreciation, insurance, advertising, Office supplies, utilities, mileage, etc. show that the number of SBA’s reasonable of overhead costs should be charged for any service performed, both in hourly rate or a percentage. One important thing to note: don’t just depend on the figures from last year to determine Your overhead. You need to put a customer includes the cost of the fare You at this time, including large salary to employees, inflation, etc.

The reason You got into the business of selling services to customers is to make a profit. If You provide your services for less than the cost, or just breaking even, You will be operating business non-profit-business that tends to fail or. There are many different components that factor into whether or not the business profitable, including location, leadership, market demand, competition, and so on. But one of the most important decisions you need to make in order to determine whether you are making a profit or not is how to price your services.

Business consulting services can range from a sole proprietorship and medium-sized businesses with several hundred employees, some of which go to the customer and perform anything from clearing house to provide expertise in information technology to large corporations. Get Your pricing strategy for this service and You will make one of your problems cannot be overcome. Do it correctly and You will dramatically increase your chances of creating a business that persevere and care from You financially.

“It can only destroy You if you don’t do it right,” said Charles Toftoy, a professor at George Washington University School of business and Public Management. Toftoy have helped advisors 1,500 small business along with his graduate students. “It doesn’t matter if You put a novel has been written or provides a service through the company’s pest control or you are a vet’s point is that the price is very important …”

The following pages will give you a guide to how to price your services, benefits and risks of the particular pricing structure, and how to monitor and change the price for your services without alienating customers.

Pricing Your Services

The good news is You have a lot of flexibility in how you set your price. The bad news is there is no definite formula-based approach, You can pull off the shelf and apply in your business. Price of services is more difficult than the price of the product because You can often determine the cost of making a physical product but more subjective to calculate the value of your advice, expertise of your staff, and the value of your time. You can, however, using some of the guidelines at the same price of the underlying to determine costs and operating costs plus profit target You in setting prices for your services.

A small business insurance quote is only as far away as your computer. Using the online quote form provided, within minutes you will be able to know what rates are available to you at this time. Even better, this form offers options that will allow you to check the rates on different policy types. Most businesses today need much more than just employer insurance. Fortunately, the cost of additional policies tends to be quite reasonable.

At a base level, a quote simply allows you to see pricing so that you can make a purchasing decision that fits within your budget. There is no cost associated with obtaining a quote, and there is no obligation to make a purchase. This shopping tool is most frequently used to do price comparisons. Do keep in mind the quality of the company, as a cut rate policy may not always be the best option.

Your small business insurance quote will be informative, but should not be the final action that you take if you have any questions. Many business owners may need additional guidance in selecting to appropriate policy sizes and types. Insurance professionals are available to answer questions via email or by phone. The small business is often subject to problems that will require the help of strong insurance policies. Select and purchase the protection that you need today.

The impact of the global economic crisis for Indonesia has the potential felt by the end of 2009. To be safe, market participants need to be aware of what sedasyat impact on investment. Furthermore, what a safe investment in times of crisis.

Before determining the type of investment, Financial Planning Aidil Akbar Madjid predict, the economic crisis which caused the United States (U.S.) is likely to improve after the U.S. presidential election.

But at that time, conditions in the country Indonesia will last general election (election) so that a new crisis could be eased in the second half of 2008. “The elections in the country also need to be considered for investment,” he said.

Well, to deal with uncertain situations, Aidil advised fund owners to invest in gold bullion or residential property (landed house).

Aidil revealed, long-term-oriented investors who can collect the gold bars. These investments are relatively safe because its movement is not dependent on the domestic fundamentals.

Meanwhile, investment in the property sector is a fairly safe residential properties such as residential and home store (shop) or a landed house. Investing in apartments is less effective because the investor only has the right to build.

Even so, he reminded the investment in the property sector needs to consider a rate hike. Because the property is currently the majority of payments made with credit system. In fact, higher interest rates will lower the levels of credit and ultimately slow the growth and development of real sector.

However, he warned rising interest rates are now quite alarming. The impact will occur in offices and apartments because it is excess supply (over supply). So, people also need to consider the price of apartments is very high now.

Even so, Aidil add stocks and mutual funds also still be an attractive investment. It was triggered by a decline in stock prices that memeri opportunities for investors.

Crime in the banking industry re-bloom this month. After the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate Jakarta Police arrested an employee of the account officer of PT Bank International Indonesia Tbk (BII) Ekajaya Branch, Mangga Dua Raya, West Jakarta, yesterday, Headquarters Police also arrested a Citibank employee initials MD.

BII employee was arrested on suspicion of embezzlement credits worth Rp3, 6 billion. Meanwhile, the detention MD allegedly embezzling customer funds totaling more than Rp17 billion.

Mode MD is a crime committed transactions and the recording does not obscure the true against some of the slip transfer withdrawal of funds on the customer’s account. After that, move some funds belonging to clients without permission into several accounts controlled by the MD.

Meanwhile, credit embezzlement involving employees in the bank and borrower credit DCB initials, the initials HA. “Borrowers credit we still pursue and search the list of people,” said Director of the Special Criminal Jakarta Police, Police Commissioner Yan-Fitr, the beginning of March.

According to the Bureau of Public Relations Head of Bank Indonesia (BI), Difi A Johansyah, still the presence of the crimes committed employee of a bank, not necessarily due to the wrong system. Could be, because the nature of the culprit. “Therefore, the current banking system is sophisticated and well,” he said when contacted VIVAnews.com Difi in Jakarta, Tuesday, March 29, 2011.

For that, he gives some tips for banks in preventing crimes committed employees. Include the following:

1. Banks should conduct due diligence and propriety (fit and proper test) for the officials or employees of the bank.
2. Place or select employees who have a high dedication to the company.
3. Do not get bored or complacent to conduct the audit.
4. Prioritize and re check.
5. Verification of customer data.

“So, when the teller would transferring or withdrawing money transactions the customer must notify or seek approval from their superiors first

Full Guarantee, What’s in It?

Full management of PT Bank Century Tbk, which fell into the hands of the government making demands of a full guarantee of customer funds in national banks grew louder.

Businessmen, economists, bankers and board members, even the Bank Indonesia rate imposed by the government guarantee is still half-hearted. Why? Limitation of the maximum guarantee of Rp 2 billion per customer at one bank is still considered risky. Because only accommodates 98 percent of its customers.

Though there are still two percent of clients with total funds estimated at about Rp 600 trillion, which is not guaranteed. Data from Bank Indonesia as of September 2008 deposits in national banks reached Rp 1603 trillion. That number means more than a third of third party funds.

Research Director of Infobank Eko B Supriyanto said if not immediately anticipated, funding hundreds of trillions that can move wildly. Information he gets, the owner of the funds above the current $ 2 billion already contacted the banks in Singapore to run their funds into lion country.

The customer is considered a potential running his own funds to countries that provide 100 percent guarantees. In the region, some countries are already doing that. Call it Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Hong Kong. Australia also chose a similar move.

The government itself still survive with the amount of customer funds in accordance Perpu guarantee issued some time ago. Government fears will lead to a full guarantee of moral hazard.

So what’s in customer funds guaranteed? Bank Mandiri president director Agus Martowardojo some time ago said, the full underwriting will make the customer comfortable.

According to him, full collateral should have been done at this time. So that the customer is more comfortable, should funds be guaranteed not only dollars, but also foreign currency deposits.

Another senior banker, Sigit Pramono also requires a full warranty. Full underwriting profits, said Sigit, can improve the security of customer funds in a bank, thus reducing anxiety due to the crisis.

Another advantage if done full collateral, according to economist Tony Prasetiantono, high interest rates could be lowered gradually. Higher interest rates lead to war interbank interest rates.

Full collateral, says Toni, also effectively halt the migration of funds from small banks to large banks due to issues clearing, holding capital outflow and strengthen the rupiah.

If rates fall, Kadin chairman MS Hidayat said the beneficiaries are entrepreneurs. Because the source of funds in the country will be cheaper. Conditions that will greatly assist employers since last October because many exporters who are not getting orders again due to the weakening economies in Europe and the United States.

As a result, employers shrinking sales turnover so inevitably they cut their production capacity, which means it will reduce the number of employees. This occurs in the absence of new markets for Indonesian products.

Indeed, LPS has issued the stance if the funds are not guaranteed. The trick, easy. Owner of the funds above USD 2 billion live spread their funds in banks. But the demand that the customer funds was nevertheless fully guaranteed low tide. Now all parties expect the government to soften his stance.

The global crisis makes market participants, either money or stock market ups and downs, not to mention the domestic market. Even in mid-October, panic peaked. Portfolio investors dumped due to a number of issues that ultimately makes mensuspensi Indonesia Stock Exchange trading.

Chief Research Officer of Capital Price Roy Sembel to Viva news some time ago revealed, in fact Indonesia’s economic fundamentals are relatively better than when the crisis 10 years ago. Capital market conditions in recent years caused more by panic.

Referring to the economic condition of Indonesia 10 years ago, when stock markets fell by 50 percent, there are similarities with Roy assess the current conditions. But the difference, then the condition of Indonesia’s economic fundamentals devastating because the center of the ‘earthquake’ was in Indonesia. While the epicenter of this crisis in America 2008.

In 1998, Indonesia’s economic growth minus dozens of percent, inflation to grow tens of percent, non-performing loans reached 40-50 percent, and foreign exchange reserves was only U.S. $ 20 billion. While currently a relatively good economic growth in the range of 6 percent, 11-12 percent inflation, non-performing loans of less than 10 percent and foreign reserves are still above U.S. $ 50 billion.

Sticking to the fundamentals at this time, said Roy, who happened on the stock market over the sheer panic that resulted in high pressure selling. But for the astute investor, this time they actually see a lot happening in the market discount. “This cycle of 10 years. So I recommend for long-term investors, this is the time hunting big discounts,” he said.

But for investors who want to play in the short term, Roy suggests they do not enter the market first. Because stocks can still be down 10-20 percent more. “But what’s a 70-90 percent reduction, if 7-8 years from now the price jumped to 7-fold or more,” he said.

He believes another 2-3 years of rising prices. “So this is an opportunity to enter the market for a big sale. But if you can go in stages, not all at once because there are still opportunities decline again, though not great

Foreign exchange derivative transaction losses suffered by banks have increased in January 2009 amounting to Rp 5.4 trillion or an increase when compared to January 2008 amounting to Rp 3.6 trillion. Foreign banks suffered most losses of derivative transactions.

BI statistics show most foreign banks contribute to the derivative transactions. For losses, foreign banks accounted for more than half the total losses of derivative transactions.

Derivative transactions are transactions whose value is derived from underlying instruments such as interest rates, exchange rates, commodities, equities, and indices, both followed by movement and without movement of funds / instruments.

According to BI data, the number of losses from derivative transactions of foreign banks in January 2009 amounted to Rp 2.8 trillion. After that followed a national private banks, foreign exchange amounting to Rp 1.5 trillion. The rest comes from a mixture of the bank amounted to Rp 850 billion and small banks most exposed red plates derivative transaction losses of Rp 255 billion.

During 2008, the derivative transaction losses soared to Rp 20.1 trillion from Rp 11 trillion in 2007. As for the benefits of this transaction also increased Rp26, 742 billion compared to 2007 amounting to Rp 13.1 trillion.

Derivative transactions lately more often heard as some banks and customers suffered losses due to exchange rate agitation. Some banks even have to add permanganate such as Bank Danamon reserves the Rp800 billion, and Bank CIMB Niaga the reserve 400 billion for derivative transactions.

This transaction also raises the bank disputes with customers such as those experienced with PT Bank Danamon Tbk PT Elnusa, and Esa PT Nusantara Paper. Disputes are also experienced by Citibank and PT Jewels Green Palm.

When you visit a website / web sales, refer to the subject matter covered in the e book bisnet. Have your wishes in accordance with the criteria or not?

• Find lots of information on the Internet through search engines like goggle. About the responses of people about the quality of the product / e book. With so much information is obtained calculate the percentage. So the logic of the many responses, what percentage that say good and not. If 70% of all e-books claim it is beneficial for their business clients or a really good quality and in line with expectations. It seems reasonable for you to try / buy.
• Product Owner / Builder E book.   looking for as much info! but my advice is better to buy e-books business with people who had long been concerned with the internet marketing world and has been successful before, so the risk can be minimized to be fooled. Although it did not rule can still be fooled. . (again speaking of logic .. no effort to survive long if not correct / trick.)
• Community / Member. exactly how this kind of personal approach I recommend to you before purchasing a business e book. Suppose one of them has a blog / site, you can approach the admin blog by sending an email or better to ask directly via YM. Find someone who can be invited to discussing and you think proper. Keep more than two people as a comparison.
• Service. If the 3-5 has been applied also note their service services, how services once a member, whether satisfactory and true? whether it can really guide you. Because as long as there are still some I have heard complaints from members about the service given dissatisfaction. In a sense after making payment / transaction business ebook, then you are told to walk on his own alias ignored.