3 Secrets to Understanding the Truth Behind Venture Capitalist Pitches

Venture capital is all about placing your faith in an entrepreneur with a strong business plan, and a great idea. Investors place their money and support behind something new, and different, hoping that it becomes the next big thing, or that at least builds to the point of profitability.

Unfortunately, a capitalist can get caught up in the excitement or emotion behind a business venture, and end up placing their money in a concept that will never get off the ground. In a buyer-beware environment, it is essential that every investor understand the truth behind venture capitalist pitches, and throw their funding and support behind something that is more likely to thrive.

1) The Story

Every pitch contains a personal story of investment. This is the part of the pitch where investors find out exactly what the product is, and what successes the entrepreneur has had in marketing up to that point. It is the section of the pitch designed to get capitalists excited and onboard with the venture. Unfortunately, the story can put the investor at risk. It is essential that the investor try to stay detached from the story, and remain emotionally neutral. Getting emotionally involved in the entrepreneur's story can lead to rash, emotion-based decision making, rather than a fact-based investment. Draw important facts from the story, but ignore any emotional pleas. If the story proves to be all emotion, and no fact, dismiss the investment.

2) Company Positioning

The pitch will try to position the company within your known holdings. Pay attention to any misrepresentation that occurs during the positioning portion of the pitch. A good investment does not have to align with an investor's other investments, if there is a sound business plan in place. If the entrepreneur seems to go out on a limb, or skew their business plan to make it fit more completely with your current portfolio, then they are not giving you an honest view of the company. Ignore any element of the pitch that specifically targets how this project fits in with your other venture capital investments. Instead, try to view the investment as a stand alone proposition, regardless of your other holdings. It should be strong enough to stand alone if it is a sound investment.

3) Overlooking Less Obvious Investments

The final element in the pitch is designed to convince investors that this product, and business plan, is far superior to its competitors. It works to make this venture look like the obvious choice. Take the time to look or less obvious choice. Many venture capitalists have missed out on a fortune because they took the larger, more obvious investment opportunity, and let what looked like a small-time entrepreneurial venture get away. Truly analyze what makes each project unique. Look for what qualities set a product or service apart from its competitors, and go with the pitch that offers the most unique and well thought out plan, regardless of size, or salesmanship.

Kevin Aldrige is a business consultant. His articles have been posted on a number of business and finance blogs. Click to visit CSS Partners for capital growth info.

Various Types of Binary Options

Binary options are meant for investors throughout the globe for trading. This is because only binary options trading can provide high return. Also binary trading involves low risk, with easy concepts and can be done easily, and hence attract more attention. Not only are the new traders, even the experienced traders too interested in binary trading.

The only thing that any trader taking up binary option trading should take care of is the expiry time. No matter whether the trader has opted for long term or short-term trade, this is the best thing to do. The expiry time vary from few minutes to many days. Also there are various assets available and these assets are stocks, currency pairs, commodities and indices.

The binary options which are known as digital options are excellent for those who want to earn dual benefits both by manual as well as internet trading. It is not at all tough to earn money through binary trading. The only thing the traders have to do is to do the estimation about the movement of the option and then take a decision. If the decision is correct then the trader earns good returns. However, a wrong decision would not give any financial benefit though the loss would be insignificant. There are two types of possibilities in binary trading options, one is “in the money” where the trader earns good amount of money and the other one is “out of the money” where the trader gets no financial rewards.

Here are the types of binary options available in the market. These are:

• Above/Below: This option is also known as High/Low and it is the most popular among the binary options. In this type of binary trading, the trader has to provide the estimation of the rise and fall of the value of an asset. There are two options ready for purchase in this type of binary trade. The call option is for those traders, who estimate that the price of the asset would be higher than the strike price. The ‘put’ option is for those traders who estimate the value of the assets to be lower than the strike price.
• Boundary or Range option: In this option the trader has to estimate whether the price of a particular asset would be within a specified range when the expiry time approaches. There are various types of values that are given and the traders have to estimate whether the price of the assets are within that range. If the trader choose the “In” option, that means that the trader would estimate that the price of the asset would be within the range of upper and lower value specified. If the trader chooses the “Out” option, it will mean that the asset price would be outside the specified value range.
• Touch: In this binary option, if the trader chooses the “Touch” option, then that means that the trader is estimating that the price of the asset will reach the strike price by the expiry day. If the “No Touch” option is selected, then the price of the asset would not reach the strike price according to the estimation of the trader.

Creative Ways to Make Money Online

Internets = srs.biz. Parody motivator. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We’re unfortunately living in a time when people are struggling to make ends meet, selling off their luxury items and doing away with family holidays abroad in order to pay for the everyday essentials. Flash cars, Caribbean cruises, even things like gym memberships are now a thing of the past, and we now look for more economical or cost-effective investments instead, allowing us to pay our bills and have enough left over for some fun at least!

To make these investments easier and to help pay some of the essential bills – rent, course fees, fuel and food shopping for example – people are looking for alternative sources of income. While their salaries and pensions go someway to covering the costs, they often don’t bring home as much as you’d like – especially once the taxman gets involved!

Utilizing the Internet has become a popular option, opening doors to audiences that might be interested in what they have to offer, and presenting them with the chance to make a bit of cash here and there.

Some of the most popular online sources of cash at present include:

Online Auctions

Selling any unwanted items on auction sites like eBay is a great way of making some extra cash with relative ease. Take a few pictures of the item you want to sell – like a polo shirt that is the wrong size for example – and create a description of the product listing why you’re selling it, the colour, the brand and any other essential details, and then create a starting price that you want the bidding to start at. Then, set a deadline and let the auction commence! In a few days, not only have you managed to get rid of the items you don’t want or need – making extra space at home – you’ve got some extra cash in your pocket too!

Freelance Writing

A lot of people are very creative with their writing, sitting down with a pen and paper and either writing their own books, maybe doing some drawings, while others type articles for the local paper or magazine. What they could be missing out on is the chance to make money for their writing, offering their services to media agencies for a small fee - $10 per article for example – making some easy money for the chance to do something they enjoy

Playing Games

The Internet presents a huge opportunity to make a bit of money just by playing games! Similarly to playing the lottery or putting a bet on a horse, you can play some of your favourite games and win either cash or prizes. To give you an example, sites like www.meccabingo.com/new-bingo/ let users play traditional bingo – over the Internet – with the chance to win some money. Online bingo and other games on the net have become very popular in recent years thanks to the recent developments in technology meaning you can play anything, anywhere, anytime.

Sell your Creations

Many people make their own posessions – clothes, croquery, art, that kind of thing – and could get the chance to make more by selling the items online. Offering your services again as freelance, or just creating and selling in the online marketplaces can bring in money while you get to get creative!

This article was written by Matt Rawlings, a UK-based writer specializing in the latest technology, trends and developments.

10 Products to Cut From Your Household to Save Money

When people are looking to cut their budget, they try to find clever ways to save money. Some will reduce services such as cutting the cable bill, or the cell phone bill, and others will start clipping coupons to save on their family's needs. However, another source of saving is to simply stop buying things your family doesn't actually need. Below you will find ten items that are easy to cut from your family's household to save money. 

#1 Shower Gels

Using a shower gel while showering can feel quite nice. However, you don't need to buy expensive shower gels to do the job right. In fact, bar soap is much less expensive than shower gels, and it accomplishes exactly the same purpose. If you can't live without the exfoliation benefits that come in many shower gels, you can accomplish the same task with a little sugar and a cheap dollar store loofah. In addition to lasting longer and being cheaper, bar soap is less likely than shower gel to be wasted. This is especially true if you have young children in the house. Many bar soaps are also scented like your favorite shower gel, so you don't have to give up any delicious scents to save money either.

#2 Aftershave

Many men buy aftershave, but how many actually use it. The truth is aftershave is a truly unnecessary expense. Instead of buying aftershave, use a shaving cream that features a good moisturizer. If you or the man in your life like to use aftershave because of its scent, it is vital to note that scented aftershave doesn't last near as long as cologne. Even layered with cologne, aftershave adds remarkably little to the lasting scent of cologne.

#3 Gym Membership

Gym memberships are a splendid idea in theory. However, for many people the memberships are simply unnecessary and a waste of money. To make this matter even more expensive, many gyms require a yearly contract when you sign-up. This means if you lose interest or simply don't have the time to use your gym membership, you still have to pay for it. When considering a gym membership, be honest with yourself about your intentions. Another alternative is to find local classes that allow you to pay by the class instead of making you sign a contract. If you pay by the class, you are only paying for the time you spend working out, and not time you thought you would spend in a gym.

#4 Washing Machine Cleaner

Washing machines are just like any other major appliance in your home, which means from time to time, you must clean it. Failure to clean your washing machine properly can result in clothes that aren't thoroughly clean, and a funky odor coming from your machine. While cleaning your washing machine is necessary, wasting money on expensive washing machine cleaners is not. Instead, take a look in your cleaning supplies, and you will likely find everything you need to get your washing machine sparkly and odor free. The best homemade washing machine cleaner includes adding vinegar or lemon juice to your machine and running a full cycle. If you are worried about odors, run the machine on its hottest cycle to get rid of any smell in the machine. To avoid the musty smell that invades many washing machines, make sure to leave the lid open after you empty a load of laundry into the dryer. For best results, you should leave the lid open until the machine is totally dry on the inside.

#5 Cord Organizers

No one wants to have a pile of messy cords hanging or piled on the floor. However, it also isn't necessary to buy cord organizers to handle this type of mess. Instead, use bread ties or garbage ties to neatly and safely nestle cords together. You will accomplish the same look, and won't have to spend an extra dime to achieve this. After all, you are probably buying bread or garbage bags anyways, so why throw away the ties?

#6 Fabric Softener

Fabric softeners are recognized for keeping close fluffy, reducing wrinkles, eliminating static cling, and for being a bit pricey. To avoid spending money on fabric softener, you can use a tennis ball in the dryer to fluff clothes and help reduce wrinkles. A simple way to eliminate static cling without using fabric softener is to crumple a small ball of aluminum foil and toss it in the dryer.

#7 Excessive Auto Insurance

Many people buy car insurance and never take a look at the policy again unless they need to file a claim. Instead of just burying the policy in your file cabinet, you should go over the policy at least once a year. In some cases, you could be paying for excessive auto insurance that you just don't need. This is especially crucial if your lifestyle changes, you pay off a car listed on the policy or you move. Looking over the policy every year and reducing the coverage that you simply don't need can help you save a great deal of money.

#8 Tax Preparation

In life, people can count on two things; death and taxes. In fact, taxes have to be filed every single year. If you pay to have your taxes done, you could be wasting a ton of money. Instead of paying a tax preparation company or an accountant to do your taxes, you can file the return yourself. Many tax filers actually qualify to file their taxes for absolutely no cost. To learn more about do-it-yourself tax filing, you can visit www.irs.gov.

#9 Stain Remover

No matter how careful or neat you are, everyone probably experiences a stain or two in their life. Whether it is on your carpet, your upholstery or your wardrobe, stains can happen anywhere. A trip to any drug store will leave you with tons of expensive options to obliterate the stain that you incurred. However, you can remove many stains with ease, and with items you already own in your home. Popular stain removing items that you probably have in your cupboard include vinegar, shaving cream and dish detergent. So, the next time you are tempted to run out and buy expensive stain remover, think about the items you already own, and see if you can remove the stain without spending any money.

#10 Drain Unclogger

A clogged drain or a clogged toilet can be an incredible nuisance. When this occurs many people go to the store and purchase do-it-yourself drain uncloggers. While these products usually do the trick, it also comes with a hefty price tag. Fortunately, you don't need these type of products to handle many simple pipe clogs. In fact, a combination of baking soda and vinegar will often unclog the toughest clogs imaginable. Better yet, this homemade drain unclogger is also a healthier option for the environment and your family.

Using any of the tips above will help you spend less. It is important to remember that just because you have always paid for something, doesn't necessarily mean you have to. The next time you think you need to buy a certain product to meet a particular need, take the time to consider if you truly need to buy it, and whether you can get the same results with something you already have in your home.

Kevin Beene is a financial consultant who enjoys sharing his tips on saving money. His articles appear on a number of lifestyle and personal finance blogs. Visit CheapAutoInsurance.org for quotes and more information.


Reference:
http://lifehacker.com/5832853/top-10 -- products-you-dont-need-to-buy-because-you-already-have-them-in-your-home http://frugalliving.about.com/od/homemaintenancerepair/ht/Clean_Washing_Machine.htm 

The Booming Commercial Sector of the Estate World

English: Commercial property in Carnotstr., Berlin. Deutsch: Gewerbeimmobilie der DB Immobilien GmbH in der Carnotstraße 4-6, Berlin. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We are all aware of the power that the estate world holds on the global economy. Spanning through the world are its creations of multiplexes, shopping malls that sweep through acres of land and buildings and offices that put the best of the natural wonders to shame. The estate world has bestowed upon man the right to create man made wonders from the ores of iron and steel.  It has shaped the way the world looks and how each piece of construction speaks out its own story. The estate market is also essentially responsible for the allocation of the growing populace on the planet, for the dispensing of the work population into new work areas and for the impressive grandeur that it has added to everyday living.

From our history we can study the way we have evolved in putting across homes and centres of refuge. The estate sector has changed the whole phenomenon of living by introducing new modes and lifestyles. It has made possible the infusion of luxury in everyday homing and has brought together the elements of comfort and class that seek to make a house something close to a site of art. It has fuelled the global economy by its boost and is solely responsible for the spread of industrialization to otherwise rural areas. It is also responsible for getting underdeveloped countries a strong economic backbone in the global financial scenario by being their star asset.

The current baby of the estate market is the branch of commercial property. In developing nations like India and China and other nations in Asia, industrialization is picking up speed. It is spreading its roots further in these places and they have come to be the biggest investment sites for residential and commercial property. The reason being, that some of the top industrial names want to set up their base in these nations since these places are the future of industrialization and capitalization marking them as the most lucrative sites for investment in property.   These nations are budding industrial spots where the power of urbanization is just starting to appear and this is where the future expansion of the estate sector lies.

Also, these developing countries boast of many multinational firms and businesses that require commercial space to set up and grow their trade. As a result there has been a rave of upcoming commercial property ranges in the major business capitals of these nations, some of the namely, Mumbai (office buildings in BKC, the town’s new industrial centre), Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc. These nations now cater to a work culture very different from the traditional 9 to 5 work hours one. These multinationals collaborate with local firms within the country to provide an international base for trade across the nation and thus enhances the overall growth of business within the country. These firms require work spaces that cater to the changing work culture and are a part of the growing industrial realm throughout the world. They are built with the top most of technology along with the floor space wide enough for the employees to roam about and think and to exchange ideas and thoughts.

Since it is now a collective work culture and no longer an individualistic one, the properties in construction are spaces that try and accommodate the changing demands of the industrial market. The estate world is constantly on the go to incorporate the changing trends and expressions of the human life that surrounds it and to produce and sell properties that cater to every taste and need.

Bio: Sumer Lobo is a real estate property dealer and he deals with commercial properties all around India and the Indian subcontinent. He wishes to expand his vision to the residential section of the property market as well. He thinks that the upcoming range of office buildings in BKC, Mumbai are the best sites for commercial property investment. Also he writes for http://www.thecapitalbkc.com/

Forex Trading: The Trade of Today

Forex-sm (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The foreign exchange market decides the flow and ebb of the global economy. It is here that the currency ratings decide the nature of trade for the day and the pace of business is set daily, anew. It is not run buy a group of people or an organization of banks, but is rather a communication portal between buyers and sellers that decide the game according to the simply policy of demand and supply. This determines which currency stands the most in demand and fulfills the charts of utility for the consumer to the maximum.

The forex trade not only determines the economic status of the globe but it also forges the way finance and trade could shape up in the near future. Therefore, a career in this field is one of the surest ways to make money. But like every business, the forex biz has its own clauses of risks and responsibilities and therefore a lot of new traders are advised to follow the necessary guidelines before they fully throw themselves in the trade.

The Forex trading companies lend a helping hand to the new bee in the business. They provide with a certain amount of guidelines necessary to consider while getting involved in the trade. First of all, it is necessary to treat forex trading as a form of business and trade and not as a form of gambling or an evening spent at a casino. It requires vision and planning at every step of the way and sheer commitment and determination to stick by certain principles which allow healthy trade and encompass the sound tactics of dealing with the ever changing nature of the market.

Next, it is important to consider all the pros and cons of the trade. It is a business like any other and therefore requires the readiness and preparation to deal with the associated possibilities of loss and profit. These possibilities can be further clarified if the trader knows his game well and plays his cards wisely. Knowing the simple policy of pricing action an entrepreneur can ensure a string of good deals since he is thoroughly aware of all the aspects of the dealings he consults and invests in those where he is pretty much guaranteed a good amount of money in return.

Knowing your skills is as important as planning your way through the current market scene. Your present actions will set the base for your future in the field and hence as a new trader it is wise to know everything about the trade before you start betting on appealing deals to invest in. It is advised that knowing the policy of pricing action enables a trader to see both sides of a deal thoroughly and therefore, provides him with a judgment that is not biased only towards the positives or the negatives. This ensures that all the aspects of the dealing are a clear picture laid out in front of the trader with his judgment as the final call.

Another aspect when it comes to forex trade is the cautious step of not over trading. Over trading is one of the major flaws that most of the professionals in the field succumb to. It is either caused by a streak of overconfidence due to a line of great dealings in the present or as an outcome of rage or depression due to a string of bad losses in the trade. Every new trader is therefore advised to be aware of this side of the business and to apply the stratagem of planning and executing so as to avoid this pitfall of over trading.

Bio: Huan Che is a forex trainer from China and has a group of intern traders under his care. He believes that every new trader in the field should have some prior training which will serve as an efficient groundwork when he steps into the trade all on his own.  Also he loves to write for http://www.admiralmarkets.in/