Top 3 Texas Allied Petroleum Careers By Jayson Shawver

The best jobs for the future have absolutely nothing to do with the jobs our parents had, the best jobs 10 years ago or even the great careers of yesterday…We are in a NEW ECONOMY and the way we make a living has changed.

Unless you know what you’re doing there will be little to NO job security in the 21st century, our economy has changed on fundamental level and unless you want to find yourself caught in the recession it’s important to pay attention to the coming trends. More and more businesses are downsizing, more people are working from home, which is great for you and your family. Below I’ve laid out what I believe to be the top 3 careers that will make you a lot of money and be fun at the same time.

Top 3 Best Jobs For The Future:

1. Home Based Entrepreneur or Business Owner: That’s right if you examine any recession in history there is always 1 profession that is hands down the best and that is entrepreneurship. The good news for you is it’s never been easier to become one, the invention of the internet will allow many people to make 6 and 7 figure incomes from the comfort of their own home even during a recession.

2. Internet/Affiliate Marketer: Becoming an internet marketer used to be a mystery but not anymore. Some of the most valuable training on the planet has evolved because of this profession. The best part is you can get training for free, which is much cheaper than spending thousands and thousands of dollars on school.

3. Join a Direct Sales Organization: Direct selling is the absolute future of the New Economy and if you enjoy helping people this ones for you. $100-$250k per year incomes are easily attainable by joining the right team and organization. Full training is provided and this is truly one of the best jobs for the future.

One LAST thing….

The future is always uncertain but there is one thing you can be absolutely certain about. The old paradigm of going to school, getting a degree, and becoming a slave to the rat race is a thing of the past. I highly suggest you begin to study and hang around successful people. Remember we are in a NEW ECONOMY, take ACTION!

Strengthening Your Personal Branding

Personal Texas Allied Petroleum Branding author Sherri Thomas.

What is your personal brand saying to others? Getting bigger promotions, better clients, and a richer career depends largely on how you are perceived by senior managers, team members, peers, and potential clients or employers. So to maximize your career opportunities and get into a career that actually inspires you to get out of bed in the morning turning cartwheels, let’s start by polishing up your personal brand.

1. Understand your value

Having a powerful personal brand means that you consistently deliver what you say you’re going to deliver. In other words, it’s the skills, experience, and value that you provide to your employer or clients. Whether it’s bringing in new streams of revenue, managing highly valued projects, developing creatively outrageous marketing campaigns, or whatever, your career is fueled by the value that you consistently deliver to employers.

Your value is a unique blend of your strengths, professional accomplishments, and personal characteristics (such as being a good leader, risk taker, problem solver, strategic thinker, etc.). All of these things combined make up your “value package” which makes you truly unique from a crowd of colleagues, business associates, and even job applicants.

2. Get into a career where you can thrive (not just survive!)

Being in a passionless job is a career killer! If you’re walking around dull and listless (like the Clairol Herbal Essence girl before she shampoos her hair), then others are sure to see you that way. It’s impossible to have a powerful personal brand if you’re just going through the motions at work. You need to be in a career that challenges you, flexes your professional muscles, and excites you!

Think about yourself three years from now. Do you want to be working for the same company, or the same clients, doing the same kind of work that you’re doing today? If the answer is no, then think about what you want to be doing. Start by identifying the three key ingredients you need in the work itself to be happy and fulfilled such as leading teams, working on creative projects, developing new technologies, etc. Once you’ve defined the three key ingredients that you need to be excited in your job, then do whatever it takes to drive your career towards that vision.

3. Send the right messages

Everything you do and say sends messages to your manager, senior managers, clients, peers, and potential employers. Your words, actions, presentations, reports, work deliverables, and professional accomplishments, shape the perceptions others have about you and the value you provide.

So you should take every opportunity to send a very clear message that you are a high quality and results-driven contributor. Talk about the successes of your projects and teams, and the benefit they’re providing to the company. Talk about the obstacles that your team overcame, and the lessons learned. This is where you are an asset to a company or client. When you send the message that you consistently deliver something of value to your employer or clients, you are not only creating a powerful personal brand but you are also developing an emotional connection in which they feel that they need you.

4. Network strategically

If you want bigger promotions, better clients, and a richer, more meaningful career you need to work with (and network with!) people who value and appreciate you. Otherwise, you’ll be living in a frustrating world, spending precious time and energy to accomplish things, yet receiving very little in return.

Focus on creating a strong support system of what I call, career influencers. These are people who can hire you, promote you, inspire you, teach you, and open doors to new opportunities. Identify those managers, clients and colleagues who know and appreciate your work and nurture your relationships with them. Keep them updated on your professional accomplishments. Ask about their career path and strategies for blasting through challenges and roadblocks. Seek out people who can give you the roadmap, guidance, and inspiration to advance your career.

5. Think of yourself on a stage

Think about how you want others to perceive you. Do you want to be recognized as being smart? Strategic? Having specific expertise? A great leader? Whatever it is, you should be striving to send that message loud and clear.

Every day you have opportunities to shape and manage your personal brand. In every presentation or update that you give, in every meeting you attend, in all your conversations with other professionals – think of yourself as being on a stage. It’s your opportunity to shine and get noticed.

Powerful personal branding dos not happen overnight. It takes time, focus, and commitment, but the payoff is huuuuuge. Imagine a world where you wake up and actually start turning cartwheels )

Texas Allied Petroleum Branding In Tough Economy By Helen S.

It is not surprising to see that more businesses are cutting back on their marketing expenses this year. The current economy situation leaves us thinking twice about where our marketing dollars are going to, and how we can save without compromising the overall outcome of our advertising efforts.

Unfortunately, the marketing (and branding) budgets are the ones to shrink first, and your job as a marketer is to make a decision on where and how to spend your money in order to get the highest return on investment.

Luckily, there have been definite positive changes in the branding department for those who are ready to take the risk and, more importantly for those who have a plan. As more companies are pulling out their branding efforts, you, if continuing on the right path can really stand out, as there would be less players to compete with. So, by not slowing down, and by gaining the momentum, you can really get ahead in the branding game. This is where your branded corporate clothing and accessories play their strongest parts.

Three easy steps to get it right in the tough economy:

1) Identify your audience and tailor your clothing for them. Narrow it down to hit the sweet spot. This will help you to decide what type of clothing you should go with. If your budget is tight, and you could go with only one piece of branded clothing; make sure it is the right one. For example if your target audience is into golf, do your research to see what is the hottest item for golfers this year, and go with it.

2) Clothing with a purpose. There are many options to choose from when it comes to branded corporate clothing. T-shirts, jackets, dress shirts, and when you are aiming to save, you want to choose one piece that would not only be worn often, but also could complement other pieces of your employee’s wardrobe. For example a simple, well-made raincoat or a waterproof jacket could be a good choice for the fall.

3) Branded Accessories. Umbrellas, baseball caps, luggage are always the winners when it comes to branded merchandise. Their longevity and durability have proven to be the best selling points for marketers when choosing a promotional material.

Better Texas Allied Petroleum Marketing By Michael Sieber.

A friend and I were talking the other day about the economy and how businesses can better market themselves during a slowdown. He told me a story that I think is relevant to businesses no matter what the economy is like.

A flower shop recently expanded and put a store in our little downtown area. My friend (an advertising sales rep) stopped in to chat and asked how the business had been going. The owner said that things were fair, but it wasn’t going as expected.

So my buddy asked her what kind of marketing she was doing. Well, she was doing everything she could. She ran an ad in the paper, but it didn’t get much response.

That’s it: one ad and no response.

My friend then asked her if she was planning any grass roots marketing. The shop owner had no clue what he meant by that, so he explained.

You’ve got the courthouse right across the street. There are handfuls of men who work there – men who are “too busy” to remember that Valentine’s day is coming up. Why aren’t you going over to the courthouse with coupons for 10% off a dozen roses? Or better yet, let the guys know that you can have a gift basket containing flowers, candy, teddy bear, and a card ready to take home to the wife or girlfriend when they get done with work on Friday.

The shop owner was blown away. That was a great idea! She’d never thought about that.

And therein lies the problem that many struggling businesses face. They think that marketing begins and ends with putting an ad in the paper or on the radio, and if that doesn’t work, they throw their hands up in frustration because…well..they’ve done everything they can do.

They neglect to see the opportunities that exist if they get out and put themselves in front of their potential customers rather than waiting for their customers to find them.

International Texas Allied Petroleum Business Pros By Terry McDermott.

The increasing globalization of business has created a demand for MBA graduates with a specialization in the international management of business. Many institutions, including several accredited universities, offer the opportunity to earn an international MBA online. Online International MBA programs are ideal if you are a working professional who may not have time to attend traditional, on-campus classes, or if you just prefer to have the flexibility to work when and where you want from the comfort of your own home or office.

An online international MBA program will offer a solid foundation in modern business principles and practices such as critical thinking, and decision-making, with a focus on the management of business internationally. You will learn about the financial and operational structures that enable business to operate in a global environment, and the perils and opportunities that arise from the conditions, intense competition and economic uncertainty that exist in a global market.

Online International MBA programs are designed to meet the needs of the working professional, and provide a quality graduate education for those who seek an alternative to traditional, on-campus study. By working toward your international MBA degree online, you can control when and where you attend class, and often how long it will take you to complete your degree. The globalization of business has increased the need for individuals with this kind of specialized knowledge to manage international business affairs effectively. An online international MBA, though no less demanding than a traditional on-campus education, can provide you with the knowledge and skills to be a future manager in international business while being able to stay committed to your current professional commitments and responsibilities.

Small Texas Allied Petroleum Jobs Stimulate the Economy By Debra Yergen.

A bad economy can provide a great opportunity to put a few “principles” on hold. First Lady Michelle Obama made news — and made a lot of mothers proud — when she announced that her daughters would still be making their own beds in the White House. Children should learn to participate in household chores, and those who don’t often grow up to be terrible spouses who seldom pick up their own socks much less make the bed or vacuum.

All good parents know that children need incremental responsibilities. But in this economy, there are a lot of adults who would welcome some extra hours a week working a side gig to bring in extra cash to keep their own families fed, clothed and taken care of. At the same time, there are a lot of nonprofit organizations in need of volunteers — even the tiniest volunteers willing to sit and talk to a patient, fold towels or stuff envelopes.

What if every family with full-time employment, and $25 or more extra dollars available a week, were to hire a family in need of some extra cash to help with cleaning, yard work, organizing or errands for a couple of months while they found steady employment? Could small jobs like this really stimulate the economy? Well, yes, actually any job that keeps money in motion stimulates the economy. [Be sure to check IRS guidelines. The cutoff for hiring household help is $660 per year before the employer needs to pay employment taxes on the person providing help.] You don’t want to find yourself fined for trying to help someone in need.

If you’re reading this and you need to make some extra money, do you have friends or family who could use your time, help or expertise? With the job landscape changing, many people are returning to trades. Experienced workers 55+ are perfectly suited to offer apprenticeships to younger workers who are looking to develop skills to fall back on.

And of course there’s the matter of discretionary income. The economy has given a one-two punch to service industry workers who rely on tips for a significant portion of their income. Instead of going out to eat twice a week, what if you were to go out only once but double your tip? If your bill for two people is $30.50 and you usually add $4.50 twice a week, what if you only went once but tipped $10? You’d save tremendously and your server would feel very appreciated.

Indeed, there are small things everyone can do every week to make a big difference. If you’re in a position to give a little extra help, you’ll make a real difference to a family in need. If you find yourself needing some extra income, you might be surprised who would be willing to help out right in your inner circle. And the biggest surprise of all — everyone wins. Because small jobs really do stimulate the economy.

Texas Allied Petroleum Raising Capital By Lee Traupel.

We’ve helped a number of clients develop business plans and raise capital from “angel” investors, corporate entities and venture capitalists during the last 6-8 years. It’s always a daunting process that can be full of pitfalls and require a tremendous amount of work – but it can be done! Here is some perspective gleaned from years of experience.

The most important rule for raising capital to consider is: it’s never easy to raise capital when you need to! Meaning, investors are inherently risk aversive, can be very picky (a real understatement!) and they are looking for the best deal with the greatest upside and minimal risk.

Rule number two – don’t raise capital! Self fund your company (called bootstrapping in entrepreneur-speak) by finding customers that will purchase your products and services. This enables you to involve your most important business asset in your business from day one – customers!

Rule number three – use the “FAF” or “VMC” methods. Raise seed (early stage) money from your friends and family and/or if you are really committed, pull some cash from a Visa or MasterCard. These methods can and do work for many entrepreneurs – be aware it can be very painful on the back end if your company does not make it!

Angel investors can add so much to your company – they can bring “intelligent capital” to the business. Not only do they invest capital but will very often take an interest in helping you grow the company by taking a Board of Directors seat and/or temporarily assuming a senior management role.

In my experience finding and recruiting a blue chip management team with advanced degrees and a strong corporate pedigree can sometimes kill a startup as quickly as no cash or revenue – yes, they look great in your business plan and venture capitalists love a “strong team.” But, you need “fly by the seat of their pants” manager/leaders who don’t need to grind five sets of scenarios (analysis paralysis) before they can take action – hire entrepreneurial types who’ve excelled in small companies.

Dealing with venture capitalists can be a significant challenge that is fraught with risk and no upside! Remember, they are highly skilled at the entire process, in most cases they’ve done it hundreds of times before. So, your on their turf when you step into this arena and you better do your homework properly (market size, revenue projections, cost of sales, marketing plan) and/or consult with a consultant, attorney or “angel investor” who has been through the process before to give you guidance.

Round two in dealing with venture capitalists (assuming you are one of the 1% that submitted a business plan and/or were referred to them by another “VC approved” entity) can also be fraught with risk – know how to value your company (equity for capital), look at comparable deals in the marketplace and be prepared to negotiate hard and to give up more now than in the last 2-4 years.

Round three in dealing with venture capitalists or corporate investors. Don’t (never!) be so desperate for capital that you agree to turn over the reins of the company if you don’t meet specific performance milestones based on a first or second round of funding. There are too many variables in the marketplace for you too control and you’re taking too much risk for not enough upside. If this is the only way you can raise money from this venture firm or corporate investor then walk away, in the end you will be better off.

Here are some “cliff notes” on how to write a business plan – there is no set formula other than covering the basics about your company; i.e. technology, market analysis, marketing/business development, competitive analysis, management team and a five year set of (detailed by month from startup to year three) financials. The Executive Summary (first 3-5 pages) is the most important, as it is a summary of the entire plan and most investors read this carefully and scan the rest of the business plan.

Don’t get caught in the trap of endless rewrites based on investor feedback – put your plan through one or two reviews by your BOD members and or seasoned execs that will give you honest feedback. Once the plan has been reviewed and approved then go to market with this iteration and stick to it – investors should be investing in you ultimately, not an artificial business plan that more often than not is out of date by the time you get to market.

Texas Allied Petroleum Virtual Economy By Yvonne McCoy.

As gas prices continue to spiral upwards, many employees are counting the cost of getting to and from work. For some who commute long distances, it could almost seem like an employment tax. They have no choice but to drive to get to their jobs, and yet they have seen gas prices double since 2002. Sure public transport is an option, but not for everybody. Even car pooling is not an option when you live out in some of the more rural areas and have to commute in to the city.

For many people, the answer has been to give up the long commute times and associated fuel costs and look at work from home opportunities. Some have successfully persuaded employers that their role can be carried out at least as well from their own home offices. Still others have not only given up the commute, but also corporate life as they pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and start their own home based businesses.

As more and more home based businesses are starting up, so is the need to staff them. Business owners who can not or do not wish to directly hire people can now have their business staffed by outside contractors who work virtually from their own home offices. They can contract a graphic designer to design their logo, a web designer to build their website, a book keeper to keep their accounts in order, and even a Virtual Assistant to take care of their administrative and marketing needs.

Web designers, computer programmers, graphic designers, and book keepers, are just a few of the occupations leading this trend towards working virtually from their own home offices. One of the fastest growing groups of seasoned professionals who have left the corporate world to become entrepreneurs is Virtual Assistants. “Before becoming a Virtual Assistant, I used to commute 90 miles a day to and from work” says Yvonne McCoy, owner of Swift Office Services LLC. “When I consider how much that would cost me in gas now, and factor in child care costs, it really starts to look like a very small return for a lot of time away from home. Since starting my own business, I feel as though I have got my life back and am no longer having to pay for the privilege of going to work”.

As this trend towards entrepreneurialism and home-working continues, it is likely Virtual Assistants like McCoy will become highly sought after. They are undoubtedly a great solution for the small business owner who can not afford to directly hire an assistant and provide them with a desk, computer and all the paraphernalia that goes with an employee. It really is a win win situation. The business owner gets the services of a top notch personal assistant, while she gets to stay at home and complete projects while balancing work and family. The business owner pays only for time on task – the Virtual Assistant buys all her own equipment, and sets up her own office.

Texas Allied Petroleum Window on the World Economy By Scott Pearson.

Expectations drive the market. Every stock price is driven by what people expect the company to do. That’s why all the talk about a strong or weak economy has such an impact.
But those aren’t the only expectations moving us. We’ve seen the impact of war and terrorism worries on markets and the impact of SARS concerns on Asian markets.

Markets move on a combination of expectations and reality, and every reality leads us to new expectations. Great earnings? I expect the company will earn more. A sales slump? I expect the company to struggle next year too. The question is: if all decisions are made on expectations (and they are), how can things turn around? If our expectations are so colored by past events, we’ll expect the future to be as grim as the past, and nothing can ever change, can it? Ah, but we have long memories. Ask yourself: what would it take for you to change your outlook? What would it take for all of us to change our outlook? The answer to that last question effectively tells us when the market will turn, because when everyone is upbeat and buying, the market will fly.

Consistently rising earnings will change expectations, but how much positive news is necessary before the turn begins? Will some companies turn before the market? Consider Constellation Brands or Fortune Brands, two of our recommendations that haven’t seen any drops, and in fact are defying estimates of weakness. Should we expect those shares to rise based upon their own positive trends, or will the market turn first?

The answers aren’t simple or uniform. There’s no answer, only conjecture. We can make estimations. In the past, we’ve seen market turnarounds led by small stocks or led by big stocks, led by technology, or led by consumer goods. So, as we near the turn, you’ll likely hear all kinds of suggestions for where the upturn will begin. Preserve your sanity with a little skepticism. I suspect the first to turn will be the ones that have had the best results for a long time. That’s precisely why we’re so aggressive in our recommendations of companies like Fortune and Constellation. If they are successful in maintaining their records, this type of firm will rise sooner than the rest.

It doesn’t matter whether the companies are big or small, techie or traditional. The best companies will start the upward move. Without support from a strengthening economy and a rising market, even these success stories can’t rise far. That’s why expectations of the broader economy are important. That’s where we’ll have to wait and see. Expectations should rise now with the ending war (with stock prices and consumer spending following). Expect some good news for a while. Surprises from companies like McDonald’s will also provide a boost. Surprises shake people out of expectation ruts. When we’ve become too negative (or too positive), a shock can wake us up to the change.