Applying Business Skills To Your Non Profit To Lift Performance

Running a business and a non profit has more similarities than you might expect. While the end goal of a business and non profit are both materially different, the ways of reaching the differing goals can often be the same. This article explores ways that you can apply sound business skills to your non profit to turbo-charge performance.

Raise Finance

It's unusual for a non profit to raise finance. However, there's no reason why this should be. If a business finds that it can increase performance through raising finance, then why can't a non profit further their pursuit towards their goals through doing that too? Raising finance may allow your non profit to spend money on marketing and PR, which could in turn allow you to generate more income in the form of donations or sales. And through increasing your income you should be able to spend more money furthering your cause or strengthening your balance sheet in the long run.

Political parties, for example, are non profits that will often borrow money. While they will receive donations from supporters, they will receive loans from them too. Think about how you could apply this same thinking in your non profit.

Spend Money To Make Money

While it's well known that a business must spend money to earn money, this is a mantra that is often lacking in the non profit sector. While non profits are usually happy to incur costs of sales, they are usually less happy to incur less direct expenses. Over the last decade more executives from industry have gained positions within the non profit sector, and as a result this line of thinking is becoming gradually outdated. Charities in the UK are now spending more money on advertising, and even paying the wages of staff to make collections in the street. One reason for this could be that that non profits have to be more careful about their margins that other organizations. A charity, for example, will be asked to demonstrate the percentage of donations that is spent on worthy causes.

Thinking Brand

While business owners will spend millions to develop their brand, non profits often fail to put adequate thought into how their brand is perceived. That's why it can often be worthwhile to appoint qualified marketing executives, or to work with an agency with the appropriate in-house resources.

Every interaction that a person has with your non profit brand has an impact on how well your organisation is perceived. You could have a PR person drum up mentions of your organisation when you could offer a relevant quote; you could your marketing agency improve your website's rankings for search terms that are relevant to what you do.

This should help you further the goals of your non profit. If someone is looking to buy from you, or donate to you, wouldn't they rather do it with a brand they know and trust? This way of thinking has worked for business entities for centuries, and works for non profit organisations too.

Sales on eBay - How to Profit on eBay in Hard Times

If you want to make sales on eBay, even in tough economic times like these. take heart. In any economy, even the Great Depression of the 1930s, there are people spending money. And fortunately, eBay has a reputation as a bargain site which makes it even easier to profit on eBay.

The real estate market is in big trouble and it's clear that it will not be recovering any time soon. Yes, that's bad news ... but it does offer an opportunity for those who can see clearly. The real estate crisis means that most people can't sell their homes and buy new ones so they will chose to stay put. But for eBay sellers, this is an opportunity:

* Just like people, homes need tender loving care. Next week I'm having trees trimmed back, the paint pressure washed and the windows reglazed. Many, though, are doing this kind of repair work themselves, folks who in the past would have called a home repair service. They need tools, 'how to' instructions and supplies for this kind of work. Home repair and maintenance is currently my company's biggest money maker on eBay, Amazon & Google.

* Our neighbors are having upgrades done to their homes. Since they can't sell (at least, not profitably) they are painting, adding space and generally fixing up their current home. Many are buying new furniture and accessories, as well.

Let's look at a few sites on the more "decorative" side of this business.

1. Furniture: Eddy West

Eddy West has a large collection of furniture available at wholesale prices. In a typical wholesale site, the casual looker cannot see prices and Eddy West is no exception. They have a wide selection, though, and will dropship any furniture to the buyer. This means that if you sold their furniture, you would:

+ Not have to pay for it in advance, but would order it after your buyer has paid you. Therefore, you have no financial risk.

+ You would not be responsible for shipping whatever is sold. Instead, Eddy West would handle that for you.

2. Home Accessories: Just Got To Have It

Just Got To Have It represents a long list of designers and retailers. They have "uniquely designed gadgets and accessories for the home and office", but just like above, you cannot see prices unless you are an authorized reseller.

3. Bath Accessories: Commonwealth Soap & Toiletries

Commonwealth, in Fall River, MA., offers the kind of 'luxury spa' goodies made popular on HGTV and in high end magazines. Anything "spa" is definitely popular these days.

4. Infant and juvenile furniture and decorative accessories: Green Frog Art

Green Frog has artwork, bedding, changing tables, cradles, cribs, gifts & accents, lighting, step stools, tables & chairs and very popular 'green' items - meaning environmentally friendly. One of their descriptions reads "... green Earth cradle bedding is made from 100% certified organic cotton fabric grown, harvested, finished and dyed without harmful chemicals or pesticides. Our rich colors and beautiful prints are achieved with natural and low-impact pigments. Production is in conformance to the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS). Each cradle bedding set is packaged in a reusable and recyclable tote bag."

Note the website heading that says, "For The Trade". This is typical on many retail sites and it means that they have both a 'public' site, with the prices you see pictured - and a 'private' area, where the prices are considerably less and unavailable to those who don't have the proper credentials.

How Can I See The Wholesale Areas Of These Sites?

What you will need to become a wholesaler, who has access to any and all sites, is a reseller tax ID. These can be obtained from your state. Most of them are free or cost a very small fee. Don't be the least bit intimidated by this requirement - it's simple. It's just a matter of filling out a form. If in doubt, contact a site you're interested in and ask them about their requirements.

Sales on eBay aren't hard - IF you're careful and pay attention to what's selling in our current economy. If you want to profit on eBay, keep up with the news and buying trends because what's selling today might be a dud tomorrow. Fortunately, one of the huge advantages of being a home-based entrepreneur and eBay seller is our flexibility. We can shift direction in a day, unlike larger companies which are slow to change. Lucky us!