Success tips for the beginning entrepreneur

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Success in any entrepreneurship venture does not happen overnight.  Starting a business comes with various challenges, much focus, and hard work.  In most cases, the beginning entrepreneur may feel overwhelmed; it’s therefore a must to be familiar with the following management tips to keep things under control and for the business to flourish.

It all begins with having a sound business plan.  You cannot just go into a business endeavor without a solid plan that templates and itemizes your skills, strengths, the uniqueness of your offering, forecasts of growth, and even your startup’s weaknesses. 

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You’ve to be both practical, frugal, and mentally prepared for expected financial challenges.  Maintaining a smooth cash flow is a common issue among beginning businesses, so be fully wary of maintaining low overheads and thinking twice about potential add-on services from the get-go.  Most importantly, be very careful about acquiring debt that you’re not yet sure can be paid back quickly.

It’s perfectly fine to ask for help, especially that of a trusted mentor.  Business ventures require a degree of risk, but it doesn’t mean going it alone.  Don’t hesitate to get advice from neighboring businesses, your bank manager, businessmen friends, and even online startup community groups like those on social media sites.  Moreover, having an experienced mentor whom you fully trust will allay your fears and push your business successfully forward. Businessman 

George Ammar likes to stay fit and active by engaging in different workouts. He is a huge sports fan, particularly of Cleveland’s professional teams. For more on George and his interests, go to this link.

Precious real-life lessons from 'Rudy'

People go to the movies mainly for entertainment, but it doesn’t hurt to get practical tips on how to live life and deal with the challenges that knock one down along the way.  The 1993 film "Rudy," for one, tells the story of real-life Notre Dame football player Daniel “Rudy’ Ruettiger, who’s a short young man who builds his life around the dream of playing for the popular Fighting Irish.  Here are some lessons from this film.

Fight for your dream

There will be plenty of naysayers along the way, but that’s okay.  Rudy wasn’t supposed to play football if his own family were to decide, and he didn’t have the built of an athlete or the natural skills linked to sports. All he had was drive, but that sufficed.  Mockery from his family or teammates weren’t enough to block his way to winning and overcoming.

Build on your strengths

It’s important to know your strengths and work to get better at them.  Be a better teammate while at it: look for the strengths of others (not their weaknesses), offer constructive criticism, and hone that leadership ability.

Don’t stop at goal setting – work toward them

Rudy had realistic dreams all right: to wear the uniform, get on the field for a play during regular seasons, and “get his name in the tiniest print in the school archives,” according to the late film critic Roger Ebert.  It wasn’t about going to be a starting member of the team, but instead, suit up for a single game and get on that field just once.

But one practical, attainable dream doesn’t mean being half-assed about it: work hard, go through the often punishing process, and beat the odds. 

George Ammar subscribes to a healthy lifestyle by prioritizing fitness. As for movies, he is a fan of sports films such as "Rudy" and the "Rocky" series. For similar reads, visit this page.

Will LeBron take the Lakers to the Finals in just his first year?

LeBron’s departure from Cleveland was, for many, almost an inevitability. It’s no wonder Cavs fans are not as bitter as they were when James left for Miami. After all, LeBron has delivered on his promise to bring another championship to the state.

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The offseason focus and speculations have now shifted to LeBron’s arrival in Los Angeles, and to whether he can quickly bring another NBA ring to the storied Lakers franchise or not. Indeed, the player movements surrounding James’ are indications of such a move: Magic Johnson has managed to acquire veterans Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee, and Michael Beasley to play alongside King James this coming season. 

The lineup is certainly not patterned after Golden State’s. But it’s in the contrary philosophy that this move truly shines. No NBA team in the past three years has been successful in beating the Warriors in their own high-offense game. Perhaps the trick is in going against that grain and working on a more defense-oriented backbone powered by veteran smarts. After all, James will provide the offense. And the Lakers has kept its promising bunch of rookies in Kuzma, Ingram, and Ball. 

This early, the Lakers lineup is truly enviable for its sheer depth and the presence of reliable players in every position. People forget, too, that James is not getting any younger; despite his stellar showing in recent seasons, the 2019 season is still a step forward to his eventual retirement. With more teams in the league becoming solid contenders themselves, there’s no question that this Lakers strategy is clearly packaged to pay immediate dividends. 

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George Ammar is a businessman who’s also very much into sports and fitness. He supports various sports franchises including the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the University of Notre Dame's football and basketball teams. For related posts, visit this link.

Book ‘Em Right: Accounting Tips

If a business were to be divided into several parts, finances would comprise a sizable third of it. Funds are the lifeblood of a company. Without funding, a business wouldn’t exist. This is why it’s critical that financial matters be kept straight and proper at all times. Here are a number of important accounting measures to know if you’re a business owner.

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Always stay updated with tax laws.

Staying updated doesn’t just refer to the entries in the books, although they are important. Staying updated also means that the business accountant should know, at all times, the tax laws of the state in which the business is operating. Laws are amended all the time, and it’s only prudent to stay on top of them.

Treat the books as sacred.

This means that all the information accountants hold have to be entered in the correct manner at the proper time. There can be no room for error when entering information in the books. Books are always reviewed, and a wrong entry can have severe ramifications.

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Learn to be tech-savvy.

A lot of software have been developed for managing business finances. Newer accounting programs have taken the place of old-school methods simply because they are more time-efficient. This is a huge advantage, especially during circumstances wherein numbers have to be checked and re-checked.

George Ammar is into health and fitness, as well as business and finance. When not knee-deep in business dealings, he watches the games of Cleveland’s professional sports teams. For related reads, visit this blog.

The General Roles Of a CFO

For any business to be profitable or sustainable in the long run, it should have a strong financial foundation. One of the pillars of this foundation, no matter the size of the organization, is the Chief Financial Officer. 

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The CFO’s role may vary from company to company, but the tasks or duties they are generally responsible for are the following: 

Internal controls

Good financial decisions, forecasting, and strategies can only be made if pertinent, historical information is made reported and communicated properly, which is one of the duties of the CFO. They are responsible for ensuring that all financial data are accurate and updated through the supervision of staff and implementation of needed policies and procedures. 

External relationships with financial institutions 

Businesses need good working relationships with outside financial institutions, such as banks and investors. The CFO has the primary responsibility of creating a healthy communication line with these external parties to finance the business’s operations.

Compliance

The CFO ensures that his or her company is compliant with federal and state requirements. For example, filing and paying of taxes fall under the accountability of the CFO. Another responsibility is ensuring that obligations to shareholders are met, including issuing dividends and prevention of fraud or disclosure of financial information. 

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George Ammar is a well-rounded individual with a variety of interests. Read more articles on finding success in the business world by subscribing to this blog.

In His 15th Year, Lebron James Is Playing His Best Nba Basketball

LeBron James’ performance in the 2018 playoffs has been, for lack of a better word, phenomenal. Especially since he has been playing for almost the entire 48 minutes in recent games. He actually did so in Cleveland’s deciding Game 7 match with Boston that got them back to the NBA Finals.

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LeBron has almost singlehandedly carried his team these playoffs. Given the fact that his teammates are all playing inconsistently, LeBron had to elevate his game even further. And he has done so, highlighted by two buzzer-beater shots in Cleveland’s sweep of Toronto and an average of about 40 points throughout the three series leading to the Finals.

In King James 15th year in the league, he has not been this dominant. Probably because he simply had to remind the world that he is still the best player on the planet. Or because he knows he has to carry his ragtag team on his shoulder. Or simply to remind NBA pundits that the constant GOAT comparison with Michael Jordan is truly deserved.

LeBron has been caught on video reading Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist,” which might be corny, but seems to work for his current, Zen-like approach to games. And if reading a book during lulls is what fuels his competitive fire, then so be it. Fans just hope that, after all that is said and done in this season of revelation, LeBron James will think twice about taking his talents somewhere else.

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George Ammar is a sports and fitness enthusiast. He is also into movies, particularly sports-themed ones like 'Rocky' and 'Rudy.' He is a big fan of Cavaliers basketball. More on George and his interests here.

Top Beaches To Visit In Sunny Florida

Florida boasts about 1,200 miles of coastline, making it a year-round favorite for travelers with a flair for sun, sand, and beach. Here are some beaches to explore in the Sunshine State, whether one’s on a honeymoon, holiday with the family, or bonding trip with friends.

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Destin: This used to be a sleepy fishing town until a bridge linked the peninsula with Florida’s mainland. The “world’s luckiest fishing village” has draws that include bright white shores and a family-friendly appeal that draws those from the Midwest and South alike.

South Beach: Miami’s all about the flash, the beautiful people, and Art Deco architecture on this 2.2-mile stretch of golden sand. Expect it to be busy and tourist-heavy, but this isn’t to say one cannot find quiet patches.

Caladesi Island State Park: Those who truly want to get away can find paradise in its cerulean water and white sand, coupled with beautiful seashells. It’s accessible only by ferry from neighboring Honeymoon Island State Park – it’s an untouched 3.5 mile-long haven that feels like a massive sandbar intended to be enjoyed by a lucky few.

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St. Petersburg: This city provides a unique mix of traditional beach and urban delight, from white sandy beaches to waterfront parks that attract people of all ages and intentions. One can hike, camp, kayak, soak in some culture at the museums, and join exciting events for entertainment and recreation year round.

George Ammar considers Florida his favorite hideaway for its numerous beaches and attractions that serve as the perfect getaways. More on George and his interests here.

Cavaliers Watch: Can Cleveland Return To The Nba Finals This Season?

Every true-blue NBA fan knows that the biggest threat in the Eastern Conference is not the rising Raptors nor the Kyrie-led Celtics. As long as Lebron James is leading the campaign, the Cavaliers continues to be the team to beat.

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Things have not been a walk in the park this season, though. Just a few weeks back, Cleveland underwent a massive overhaul that had a bunch of its starters shipped to other teams for younger talents. Among others, the Cavs managed to snag Larry Nance Jr., Rodney Hood, and George Hill. 

The lineup change initially led to a bunch of wins over top-seeded teams in both conferences. But the issue of the team’s faulty defensive schemes still showed, coupled with an injury to Kevin Love. As of this writing, Cleveland has already clinched a playoffs berth. But while it’s hanging onto third spot, there’s a big chance that the fledging Sixers can overtake the team. 

Still, it shouldn’t be a problem getting to the conference finals. The real question is, when they get there, can the Cavs beat the top-seeded Raptors or Celtics and move on to the finals anew? The answer remains to be seen, as even though the current roster is relatively healthy, the Cavs and Lebron might have to dig deeper. 

By then, Irving should be back to provide offense that matches the Celtics’ gritty defense. The same is true of Toronto, which seems to have all the pieces now to take down the Cavs. More than anything, Cleveland needs to thoroughly work on its defense if it’s to overcome the homecourt advantage of its Eastern Conference rivals. 

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George Ammar is a huge fan of the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the University of Notre Dame’s basketball and football teams. For more on George’s hobbies and interests, visit this Facebook page.

Functional Fitness And The Exercises Of Tomorrow

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Over the past decade, the fitness industry has experienced a boom. Many gyms have grown into chains that spread throughout the country and the world. While a huge number of gym goers still opt for the isolation exercises with the goal of bodybuilding, more and more people have subscribed to a non-traditional way of working out called functional fitness.

The focus of functional fitness is more practical than bodybuilding. Functional fitness aims to make everyday movements easier for a person through compound movements and routines that mimic actions that a person normally does. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that functional fitness targets multiple muscle groups at the same time. Movements such as getting out of bed, going up and down the stairs, picking up groceries, and the like are mimicked in routines.

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However, very few people know that functional fitness routines started out as a way to help people recover from physical injury. Today, people are taking advantage of functional fitness classes in gyms everywhere. The practice of functional fitness has become more prevalent in athletic and military training and has given the physical capabilities of sportsmen and soldiers a huge boost.

Everyone is encouraged to give functional fitness a try since the benefits are just too amazing to ignore.

George Ammar is passionate about health and fitness. For more tips on healthy living, check out this blog.

The Four Main Exercises For Fitness

While many exercises help people achieve peak fitness, there are only a handful of routines that work the entire body in one go; and fewer still that incorporate the most basic of human movements. In fact, fitness trainers all know that the top four exercises for overall health are some of the simplest known to man.

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First, there are the squats. Although squats primarily target the lower body, from the quads to the glutes, to the hamstrings, done correctly, they also fortify the core. These are two of the most important muscle groups when it comes to strength training.

Deadlifts are half-squats where one keeps a straight back while lifting weights from the ground. Not only is this an excellent exercise for the legs, back, and core, many fitness buffs swear that it is the greatest workout for overall strength. It also teaches proper posture of the back.

Push-ups work the chest, arms, and core primarily. This is one of the best bodyweight exercises known to man, and hundreds of variations have been created for it.

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Pull-ups are the last of these main exercises. While not everyone can manage a pull-up, it’s highly recommended that people try via assistance at first. Pull-ups build upper-body strength, unlike any other exercise.

George Ammar is into healthy living. Get updates on his interests from this blog.