Automated Stock Trading Software - How to Choose the Best

Get the Information You Need to Evaluate Stock Trading Software

Automated Stock Trading Software - How to Choose the Best

Automated Stock Trading Software - How to Choose the Best

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Automated Stock Trading Software - How to Choose the Best

Automated Stock Trading Software - How to Choose the Best

In today's market, investors are wondering if they should even buy stocks and if they can make money. The answer to both is "yes." Stock market trading is a wonderful opportunity now, with prices lower and volatility higher than in many years. Stock trading online has never been more popular.

Automated trading platforms, robotic trading programs, online day trading systems-there are many terms used to describe the stock trading systems that can help you to make a stock investment and to grow your money. Review the criteria below and understand your own personal preferences by talking with other stock traders. Identify the facts you need to compare programs. You'll need a good understanding of the automated trading tools' features and costs before you make a decision.

Many types of companies offer stock trading advice and stock trading strategies. They run the gamut from educational programs that aim to teach you how to trade, to a list of recommended stocks to buy and sell at certain triggers, to brokerage firm proprietary software, all the way to fully automated robotic software. Prices can vary from thousands of dollars to less than a month for some auto trading software. With such a variety, how do you choose? This article will guide you through the features and benefits of the programs that are available for online stock trading. We will not discuss trading software for options or Forex trading. Many of the programs are geared towards "day traders," who technically open long positions (buy) or short positions (sell short) and close these positions the same day. Not everyone who uses these programs closes out their positions by the end of the trading day--sometimes they hold their positions for days, weeks or months. We'll call this "active trading." Sometimes this is also referred to as "swing trading."

The essential features of a stock trading program include a data feed for stock quotes and indicators, stock charts or charting capability of major indicators, current balance and positions and an order entry system. The order entry system should allow stop (loss) orders, stop limit orders and trailing stops. A trailing stop limit is similar to the stop (loss), except its loss will be measured from the stocks highest point achieved. The preferred method would be to keep the trigger prices in stealth mode, not viewable by the market makers, rather than as actual orders. Most automated trading software should include a Watch list of the stocks to potentially trade based on the parameters the stock trader has entered.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETF's) can be part of an efficient trading strategy. These are mutual funds that are traded intraday on the stock exchanges, unlike traditional mutual funds that are a basket of securities priced at the close of the market. Online stock trading systems should also include trading capabilities for ETF's.

Other features to look for include safety measures that stock traders may take, such as establishing a profit goal--the minimum price increase a trader would expect a stock to gain before closing their position. Also highly desirable is a form of profit protection for your investments, which is the reduced profit goal. After the stock reaches its profit goal and continues to rise, the stock trading software should wait and let the profit increase. If the stock price decreases or pulls back, the online trading program should close the position and lock the profit. This pullback value should not have any effect before the profit goal is reached and is intended to improve stock performance. More sophisticated auto trading programs will also offer the percentage gain from stock trader's entry price, and the trader can also specify a minimum amount in case the percentage gained is too low.

Check the Features and Ask Questions

Number of Technical Indicators - There are literally hundreds of indicators that stock traders can use to determine which stocks to buy and sell and when. The most robust programs will offer hundreds of indicators for technical analysis, such as Bollinger Bands, and some will even include indicators for Candlestick Chart formations. Robotic programs use these indicators to set conditions under which online investing will occur.

Automated Stock Trading Software - How to Choose the Best

Complexity - Automated stock trading programs vary greatly in ease of use. Some online stock trading systems do require actual programming expertise. Others are simply point and click. Check out the online demo to see that it fits your level of comfort before making a commitment. Talk to others who are currently using the auto trading websites and check out their online communities for more comments.

Number of Long and Short Strategies Per Account - Due to the size of the online trading platform, there may be a limit to the number of strategies that you can have loaded on each account. If you want to run, say two long trading strategies, then you may need two accounts. Also confirm if you have enough memory on your computer for two or more accounts. Experienced active traders may run two or more live long and short strategies, while having additional accounts for strategies that they are testing in a simulator mode.

Find Out How Advanced Your Software Can Be

Automated Stock Trading Software - How to Choose the Best

Recommended Additional Features - The best automated stock trading software will include additional features that active traders will find invaluable once they have begun automated trading.

Additional strategy and order entry features include the ability to add to a position as a stock goes up, or as the stock declines, as well as a minimum purchase interval that the stock price should drop before it begins purchasing additional shares. A maximum bid/ask range will also be helpful, as the size of the spread can directly impact a swing trader's ability to make profitable trades.

If there are hundreds of indicators, as is the case with robotic traders, see if the definitions of the indicators are readily available. The definition or formula for indicators may vary from one electronic trading platform to another, so be sure you understand them first.

Recommend you have a program that displays current Profit and Loss (P&L) on your open positions and the status of the rules on your Watch list. For example, if a stock on the Watch list hasn't traded, is there a feature where the trader can pull up the rules and indicators to see which one(s) is preventing the trade?

Some automated stock trading programs visually display the percentage of symbols up and down in each sector from the specified time frame to the current time so you can see how the market is turning. Does the platform include the ability to block certain symbols from trading? If you're running a long trading strategy, you won't want to be buying ETF's that short the market.

Day traders will want automated trading software that tracks and displays the number of day trades remaining. Day trading is regulated by the SEC, so it's important to understand if you will be day trading first.

Orders in Stealth Mode - A standard feature of many trading software programs is the ability to enter limit, stop and stop limit orders. While it is important to have an exit strategy from your positions, telegraphing it to the institutional traders in the form of publicly viewed limits is not. It's a little like poker--whoever can see all the hands has the advantage. Instead, newer programs allow the user to enter these price points in the auto trader system, but trigger a market order when the conditions are met. This is one advantage of a truly robotic stock trading program.

Automatically Executes Your Trading Strategy Even While You're Away From Your Computer - Very few stock market trading systems can actually do this. For those that do, it's done based on the trader selecting technical indicators, comparison operators and numerical inputs that will activate opening, adding to, or closing stock positions. Essentially, it's a rules driven software system. The trader can select from hundreds of historical indicators representing the stocks' previous conditions. The indicators should be updated daily using the latest data. Programs that can trade automatically are the cream of the online investing software crop. They take the emotion out of investing. Long time traders report that the simplest strategies, when left to run on their own for long periods perform best. The program should also have a manual override so the stock trader can manually place a trade as well. Specifically ask if the system has this capability. Many market themselves as "automated trading" but are not truly automated.

Ability to Simulate Strategies In Real Time Before Running Live - Most traders would agree that they'd like to "test drive" a system before using it. Some programs allow this through "back-testing," in which the program uses past data to execute the trades and show you what they would have been. This is not always accurate, as there is much data needed to perform a thorough back-test and it's nearly impossible to replicate all the circumstances with just the historical data. In addition, how the system performed in a market last month or last year does not indicate how it will perform in the here and now.

There are a few systems that allow the stock trader to simulate strategies, but this is done mostly with paper tickets, rather than through the software package. The best stock trading software will let you practice stock trading using a live real-time data feed during market hours. This is the preferred method, as it gives traders a very realistic view of how their trading strategy is performing and the ability to feel the highs and lows of daily trading without investing real money. If you can simulate trades, you won't need to open an actual brokerage account until you go "live" with real money. Ask if there is a limit on how long you can run in the simulation mode.

Shows You How to Create A Stock Trading Strategy - There should be a step by step walk through to show novice traders how to create a trading strategy. Are there off-the-shelf strategies that are available for your use? Are there any fees involved or are they offered for free? Can you modify the off the shelf strategies? Note that firms should not be guaranteeing you a certain return. The best firms will have long and short stock trading strategies available at no Charge and will allow the stock trader to create their own. Some firms will even allow you to copy strategies from a "friends" list. One size does not fit all. If the company doesn't tell you the details of the strategy or why they selected or recommend a certain stock, then it's not advisable to use it. You may overpaying for "proprietary" services and may be able to obtain free stock market tips and recommendations online that will perform comparably.

Tech Support and Customer Service - The best automated stock trading software firms have an extremely high "up-time" and are very rarely out of service. Check on the firm's record--how often have they had outages? The software should be easy to install and should work with a variety of operating systems (Windows XP, Windows Vista, etc.). If you have questions, is there a knowledgeable and helpful staff to provide service? How quickly do they respond, if by email?

Commissions - Trading commissions can eat into your profits if you are not careful about choosing a plan that fits your needs. Commissions can vary greatly from broker to broker, depending on the number of shares traded, whether the shares are in round lots of 100, price of the shares traded and the number of trades you place each month. Stock traders may even want to have more than one account if they have a trading strategy that normally trades 100 shares lots and another that trades 1000 share lots. It pays to read the fine print.

Number of Broker Choices - If you have a proprietary brokerage software product, then you'll only be able to trade through that firm. The best online trading includes the lowest commissions for the typical trades for each strategy that you use. There are other programs whose software has been integrated into the order placing functionality at a variety of brokerage firms. Commissions will be one consideration in choosing a firm. Another is the margin rates. If you choose to have a margin account and borrow against the value of your securities to open more positions, you will be Charged margin interest. Rates will vary by firm. Typically, firms with the lowest commissions won't pay you interest or offer a money market fund for your uninvested cash. This is how they keep their costs down. If you anticipate having extra cash that you won't use for trading, you may want to keep it in another account where it can earn more. You should also check if there is a minimum to open an account or a minimum number of trades required.

Check the Costs and Software Support

Initial Software Fee and Monthly Fees - Ask is there is an initial fee to buy the software package. Is it thousands of dollars? If so, find out what you are really getting. Much of what you can obtain from some of these programs can be found in inexpensive books or on the Internet for free. Is there also a monthly fee? If so, what does it cover? In reviewing online trading services, more expensive software is not necessarily better. Some active investing services are less expensive because they have more subscribers.

Data Feed Fee - Does the program include real time data feeds for stock quotes and indicators? Is there an extra fee for this or is it included in the basic monthly fee? This is the biggest component cost in developing automated stock trading programs. Or, is the data delayed by 20 minutes? Is it only the end of day data? If so, even in a simulation, old data is not good data. Many brokerage firms offer free Level II quotes to qualified active traders who trade a specified number of trades each month.

Stock Charts Fee - How will you review the major indicators that you're using to make trading decisions? Some programs include stock charts with their fee, others Charge a separate fee for it. Depending on the platform you choose, you may or may not need a charting package. Find out how much is it and how much you can customize the stock charts to track your favorite indicators.

Ongoing Support Fee - Ask is there are any other fees. Hidden fees will definitely each into a stock trader's profits. If you're not in the market to make money, then you shouldn't be in the market.

Long Term Contract - Is the fee you're paying upfront for a year's contract? If so, is it automatically renewed every year?

Training Fee - Find out if there is a separate training fee. For programs that market themselves as financial educators, there will be a fee, sometimes hundreds or thousands of dollars, as this is how they make their money. The best automated stock trading software programs provide free training.

Training Formats - Is the training in the form of a live seminar? Webinar? Are there extra materials such as DVD's that you must buy to find out all the information advertised? Or, is live training available in the company's office?

Minimum to Invest - Brokerage firms have their own minimums but there are also account minimum balances required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for what it calls "pattern day traders." A day trade occurs when a trader opens and closes the same position in a margin account on the same day. A pattern day trader is any person who executes 4 or more day trades within 5 business days in a margin account, provided the number of day trades is more than 6% of the total trades in the account during that period. All pattern day traders must maintain a minimum of ,000 in equity at all times.

System Requirements - The more robust the trading system, the greater the memory requirements. Check this before you sign up or purchase a new computer. If you sign up for more than one account, will your machine have enough RAM to run both or will you need to purchase an extra computer or more memory? If you have a Mac, ask if the software works on Mac, as not all do. You may want to have one computer dedicated only to your automated stock trading programs and not run other word processing or spreadsheet programs.

Reports - The best automated stock trading software will include a reports function, that allows the stock trader to pull up trades by time frame, security, long vs short, open vs. closed and P&L. For truly active traders, this information is an easy way to track trading for tax purposes.

Trading Strategy Statistics- In addition to Reports, another great feature is strategy statistics. They will tell the serious stock trader the number of trades executed and break them down by profitable vs. unprofitable over various intervals. Reviewing the strategy accuracy increases the odds that a stock trader will be profitable.

Online Trading Community - Trading platform developers who are truly proud of their work welcome comments and questions from users. Take some time to read their stock trading forum and see what other stock traders are saying. There are even a few automated stock trading programs that will take requests for additional indicators from their users.

Take the Right Steps as You Choose Stock Trading Software

Be wary of those who tell you that you must follow their stock trading system using only their tools. This is about you having control over your financial future. There are as many successful stock trading strategies as there are active traders. Experiment, talk to others and do research. You will find what works best for you.

Use caution when signing up for anything long-term, even if a 30-day free trial is offered. Some firms may request a large down payment or full payment in advance and pressure you on the spot, promising a discount if you sign up immediately. Some consumers have reported difficulty in obtaining refunds even when they have followed the procedures exactly.

Happy trading!

© Copyright - Regina Guinn. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Automated Stock Trading Software - How to Choose the Best

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Automated Stock Trading Software - How to Choose the Best 

Proposal Writing - How to Win the Assignment

What a proposal is and what a proposal does
There are two fundamental considerations for every proposal: what goes into it and how it's presented.

Every project proposal contains at least some of these elements, though not necessarily in this order: cover letter, title page, table of contents, credentials and qualifications, statement of the problem and rationale for undertaking the job, goal(s) and supporting objectives, plan of operation, work or product measurement and evaluation, summary, cost, and appendices. How you organize, write, and deliver your proposal is essential to its success.

A proposal is nothing more than a tool that you use to get an assignment. It should not be a blueprint for doing the job. After all, you certainly don't want to give away everything you know in your proposal so that your potential client or supervisor can simply pick it up and hand it over to someone else to implement. There is often a fine line between telling what you plan to do and telling how you plan to do it. The most effective proposals march boldly up to that line...and stop.

Summarize up front
Begin your proposal with an executive summary, preferably one that's no more than one page in length. Obviously, it's much easier to write the summary after the proposal is complete; doing so at the outset generally means extra work making revisions later on. In all likelihood your direction will change somewhat as you construct the document's various parts.

The summary is not a substitute for the proposal itself. Rather, it is a quick and concise reference to what the proposal contains. Sometimes called an abstract, outline, or précis, the summary is a condensed statement of what the full proposal contains. During a personal presentation, it is useful both as an introduction and a wrap-up. Later on if it becomes necessary to return to the proposal for clarification of certain points, the summary serves as a convenient memory jogger. For these reasons you might consider using bulleted points when formatting your summary.

A word about organizing
Before actually starting to write any part of your proposal, think about what you want to put into it-and what you prefer to leave out. A logical, sequential construction becomes an outline that enables you to Move through your oral presentation smoothly and thoroughly, developing both your narrative and your qualifications for the job as you go.

As you organize your thoughts, make notes of what you need to include and then sort them into the order in which you intend to address each one during the presentation meeting with your client or supervisor. It's best to sort like with like. That is, don't mix company and departmental backgrounds or personal biographies, credentials, and references with your plan of action. Place such support and historical material-evidence of your capabilities-after the plan that you are suggesting.

Cover letter
Because it tells your understanding of the project and states that you are the right person, department, or company to do the job, the cover letter is the most important element of the proposal; it is also the very last item to prepare before you make your presentation. Keep it short, no more than one page. State the problem in a sentence or two and tell what you intend to do about it. Don't forget to express your appreciation for the opportunity to submit your proposal.

Do not bind your letter into the proposal itself. It's all right to clip it to the cover or insert it into an inside pocket of a folder, but it should be loose so that as you begin your presentation, the recipient can hold it in his or her hand.

Print the letter on letterhead, preferably a heavy sheet that has a good feel. Address it to your primary contact, the person with whom you will work and to whom you will report. Always sign the letter. You may use your first or full name; it depends upon how personally close you are to the addressee. Don't be presumptuous in making that decision, however; it's safer to err on the side of formality than to presume a familiarity that isn't really there.

The problem and the plan
The primary section of the proposal describes the problem or project as you see it. That bears repeating: State your understanding of the need and circumstances that prompted your submitting the proposal. Explain the rationale for action. That is, tell your audience what their problem is and why they need your expertise and assistance. Don't assume they know. Define the scope of the undertaking and the solutions and goals you intend to achieve, describing each in terms of discrete objectives.

Take care to avoid inadvertently implying commitments for actions other than those specifically stated within your plan. Don't, for example, allow an inference to be drawn that you will Supply certain materials, personnel, documentation, training, or ongoing support if you do not intend to do so. Likewise, be cautious during your presentation about committing to oral agreements that are not contained in the written proposal. It is perfectly acceptable-even advisable-to outline both your obligations and those of the individual or company to whom you are submitting your proposal. Better to discuss and agree upon such items at the time of the proposal presentation than to face misunderstandings down the road.

Because the plan portion represents the meat of your proposal, it should summarize your strategy clearly and include time lines, opportunities for feedback, and provisions both for periodic evaluations and measurement of the end result. Two-way communications are extremely important to the success of most projects and, for that reason, should be built into each procedure and objective. Routine reports and approvals, explicitly provided for within your proposal, will help keep communications open and allay possible concerns during the course of the project. If your project must conform to regulatory standards, tell exactly how tests and verifications will occur. And if time or other constraints are prescribed by outside parties, describe the process you will use to satisfy those requirements.

As you lay out your plan, try to keep in mind a couple of questions that your audience may not ask but will certainly be thinking: "What can we expect as a minimum outcome of your work?" and "What steps will you follow, and how will we know you (and we) are on target?"

The first relates to the project's overall goal. If you are clear in your written and oral presentations, your audience will know precisely what accomplishments they can expect to see upon completion of the project. The second question is a little more difficult to answer because you may wish to state incremental and final results without fully revealing your methodology and procedures. Your client or supervisor needs to know what to expect of course. But describing each and every step of your performance may be overkill and, in some cases, could actually jeopardize your winning the contract or assignment.

The rest of the story
Graphs, charts, line drawings, time lines, and other illustrations help convey information quickly and logically. Include them in your proposal in ways you think they would best clarify and complement the text, being careful not to separate them physically from the material to which they relate. That is, don't place illustrative items in the appendix because that encourages flipping pages back and forth as you are trying to present your case.

If the proposal is more than 10 pages long, include a page-specific table of contents as a guide for the reader.

After describing the problem and plan that are the bases for your proposal, follow those portions with references; biographies of the principals who will be involved in the task; a client and project list; credentials, licenses, and certifications; perhaps a glossary of terms; a list of illustrations; and any other supporting information.

What's all this going to cost?
More often than not, when you hand a group of people a printed proposal to follow as you make your presentation, someone is bound to turn immediately to the last page to check your cost estimate. Don't put it there.

Because cost is only one element of any proposal-along with time, quality of work and materials, and benefits to be derived from the project-present it as such and put it into your plan where it most logically fits. If you choose to indicate individual item costs throughout the proposal, don't forget to include a recap page with complete tallies.

Express costs in terms of value rather than simply stating them as prices. That is, mention that a particular component or service may seem expensive, but you have included it because it is the most cost effective course to take and will save money in the long run. By raising the issue yourself, you indicate your expertise and professionalism while deflating potential resistance.

Similarly, if you encounter strong objections to the total cost, ask which parts of the proposal your audience thinks may be beyond its budget. Be prepared for some on-the-spot negotiations that will enable you to eliminate or make substitutions for items that are not deemed essential by your client or supervisor. Going into a proposal presentation without knowledge of alternatives is extremely disadvantageous for you and makes you appear unprepared.

Watch your language
Nothing kills proposals faster than poor or careless writing. No matter how impressive your technical knowledge, familiarity with the field, or track record, a sloppily prepared proposal can doom your chances for success. Thoughtless and incomplete preparation or an untidy printed proposal reflects negatively on your ability to do the job, suggesting that you may be equally neglectful in your work.

Try to avoid using jargon, acronyms, and insider terms. Instead of making you sound more intelligent and knowledgeable, they can obstruct the communications process and produce a contrary effect. For example, although you feel sure your audience knows what you're talking about, there is always the chance that one member of the group reviewing your proposal may misunderstand an expression. Or perhaps he or she may simply never have heard a particular term and is reluctant to ask for clarification. Unbeknownst to you, that person may be someone who ultimately has a strong influence over whether your proposal is accepted or rejected.

Write conversationally. Brief but complete should be your goal. Even if your subject is highly technical, imagine that the person to whom you are writing is sitting across the table from you as you write and you are speaking directly to him or her. We're all a little more careful-more formal-when we write than when we speak, but it serves no good purpose to use flowery language and unnecessarily obscure or pretentious terminology. If there is any doubt whatsoever in your mind that a word or phrase might be misunderstood or foreign to your audience, define it. Those persons who are already familiar with the term will not be offended. Write in complete sentences as much as possible, even when listing numbered or bulleted points.

Be aware that there may be a hidden audience whom you never see or even know about who reads your proposal after you have made your presentation; the CFO or comptroller who ultimately approves all invoices might be an example. Will that person(s) understand every point it contains without hearing you explain, "What that really means is this..."? Also remember that portions of the text may be read aloud. If a member of your audience asks, "What is our duty here where it says...," he or she should be able to read the passage smoothly without stumbling over a series of stilted phrases or hard-to-pronounce words or sounds.

Keep your writing professional in tone without being stuffy. Although your reading audience may consist entirely of close associates, that doesn't mean your proposal can be dashed off like a personal note, full of slang and familiarities. Remember as well that English may not be the first language of everyone who listens to your presentation or reads your proposal. If the circumstance is important enough to call for a formal proposal, it requires a professional level of attention.

Some proposal writers know their field forward, backward, and sideways but are unable to express themselves well in print. If that's your situation, ask for help in writing your proposal. It's always better to collaborate with a competent writer than to risk losing the assignment.

Every word processing system includes a spell checker; it's there to be used. But don't depend upon it exclusively; proofread your work before submitting it. The best way to do that is to allow the proposal to sit for a day or two and then to read it aloud. You might also want to ask an associate to go over it before you make your presentation.

Unplating the boiler
Many proposal writers pick up previously written standard wording-often called boilerplate-for portions of their proposals. There's certainly nothing wrong with such a practice. It saves time and eliminates errors...or does it?

Unless every proposal that goes out of your office is carefully read before it leaves, there is the danger that gremlins will find their way into your document. Boilerplate that contains spaces for different insertions to be filled in as each new proposal is written is particularly accident prone. Failure to change just one ABC Widget Company before submitting a proposal to the XYZ Widget Company can destroy your entire presentation. Not only is it an embarrassing mark of carelessness, but it also may reveal far more about your business than you care to have known.

Boilerplate has a limited shelf life. It grows stale and out of date before you realize it. Absolutely no less often than every six months you should review each one of the sections that you routinely include with your proposals. Don't rely upon an assistant to do this job for you because he or she may not have sufficiently current knowledge. Also, it's you who are going to make the presentation to your client or supervisor, and, therefore, it's you who will need to explain erroneous, incomplete, or perhaps even confidential information that somehow crept into your proposal.

Requests for proposals (RFP)
Although your firm or department over the years may have developed a format for preparation of bids and proposals, it is sometimes necessary that you adapt your design. Requests for proposals (RFP) issued by large corporations or governmental agencies often require that each proposal conform to their very specific formats.

It is to your distinct advantage to follow all the instructions that are available, especially if you must submit your proposal by mail and will not have the opportunity to make a personal presentation. Standard form RFPs enable reviewers to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges. If a reader must hunt through your document in order to find a critical point, he or she may instead prefer to toss the document aside. After all, the reviewer may think, if this person can't even follow our directions, how can we expect a satisfactory outcome from the project?

When responding to an RFP, read the guidelines carefully and highLight each qualifying instruction. Make a list of the requirements and check off each one as you complete it. Don't include more information than is requested unless it is absolutely vital to your submission and you have included a full explanation in your cover letter. Likewise, if you are unable to complete all sections of the RFP, include a full explanation of why certain parts are missing. Submit your proposal in its complete and finished form; piecemeal submissions create bad impressions.

Show and tell
Resist, even to the point of seeming obstreperous, all requests to "just mail it to us." Anything short of a face-to-face meeting will inevitably detract from your proposal. After all, your proposal is meant to sell more than your services; it also sells you.

When the day arrives for your presentation, make sure that all the decision makers will be in attendance. Call ahead the day before and ask whether anyone will not be present. If you know their names, read the list to your primary contact. Because missing persons might later receive the actual attendees' interpretation of the meeting in place of your carefully planned presentation, it is best to have everyone in the same room at the same time. If that doesn't seem to be feasible, ask to reschedule the presentation date until all concerned can attend. Ten o'clock in the morning is usually the most opportune time for an hour-and-a-half to two-hour meeting; Friday afternoon is the least favorable.

Because we live in an imperfect world, there will indeed be times when you won't reach every decision maker simultaneously. You may have to re-present your proposal to those persons who were unable to be present the first time around, or you may have to rely upon secondhand presentations from those to whom you spoke originally.

In the first case, try to vary your presentation style somewhat from the initial meeting. Some of the previous group may be present, and if you run through your proposal the same way you did the first time, you may sound canned and flat. A fresh approach is much more likely to hold the interest of everyone in the room.

If your presentation is going to be relayed to other persons by a member of the initial audience, make certain that person thoroughly understands every word you say. Ask if he or she would like any additional information to help with the later retelling of your plan.

Where do I start?
After initial pleasantries are out of the way, start your presentation with your cover letter. It's your personal introduction to your audience, evidence that you understand the need for the project you are describing, and your statement that you are the right person or company to do the job. Call attention to the letter, physically take it from the proposal-remember, it should not be bound into the proposal itself-and hold it in both hands in front of you. That's the cue for everyone else in the room to do likewise. They'll do it if you do it.

Without reading the letter aloud, invite your audience to follow the text as you paraphrase and recap what the letter says. Ask for comments and either respond briefly to them or say that you will discuss their questions later as you reach those points in your presentation. Quickly jot down a note so that you don't forget to do so.

After determining that you have the attention of everyone present and there are no obstructions to proceeding, lead the group into the summary of your plan. Again, recap the points you intend to cover and ask for questions, responding in the same way as above.

Keeping the group together is sometimes difficult but always necessary. Just one person who insists upon leafing through the pages and making off-the-point comments and observations can quickly disrupt the flow of your presentation. You might ask him or her to make notes of items for clarification so that you can address each one at the conclusion of your presentation.

As you Move through your presentation, speak conversationally to those around you. Remember that you are not lecturing to a university class or speaking to a Rotary Club. Your presentation is a business process-even though you may be demonstrating your technical know-how-and you are endeavoring to win a contract or an assignment. It won't be possible for you to perform as an expert-the person or company right for this job-unless you receive the go-ahead from your audience. Much more depends at this point upon your ability to express how you intend to apply your expertise than what that expertise actually is.

Lead, don't read. Do not read to your listeners what they have before them on the printed page and are perfectly capable of reading themselves. Instead, rephrase, paraphrase, and elaborate as you describe the text in terms of concepts, procedures, and strategy. Before beginning your presentation, mark up a copy of your proposal with comments and amplifications of important points. Be cautious, however, about expanding on a topic in such a way that you commit yourself to actions outside the scope of your proposal.

If you choose to use a flip chart, PowerPoint, overhead or slide projector, VCR, computer screen, or some other demonstration aid, practice ahead of time so that your presentation proceeds smoothly. And, of course, check your equipment before the meeting to see that it is functioning properly. In the event you run into trouble with your display tools, don't take more than a minute or so trying to make corrections or you'll lose your audience. Instead, be prepared to proceed without Audio/visual assistance.

Obstructions and distractions
It's not unusual for differing opinions and disagreements-sometimes even confrontations-to surface during proposal presentations. Known or unknown to you may be someone in your audience who previously presented or sponsored a similar proposal that was rejected. There may be congenital naysayers who distrust innovation or change of any kind. There may be one or two persons who adopt a show-me! attitude and refuse to believe that an idea worth listening to could ever come from (pick one) an insider, outsider, field representative, corporate staff person, woman, man, engineer, marketing specialist, or...fill in the blank.

All is not lost, however. Obstructionists can be very useful during your presentation because they raise issues and objections that you can effectively respond to and neutralize-especially when you're prepared to do so. Without overplaying or pandering to a troublesome member of your audience, accept criticism appreciatively and graciously and build upon it, emphasizing the positive points you are presenting.

Watch your audience as you speak. Is there someone who frequently seems on the verge of posing a question but then withdraws? Does one person repeatedly challenge your statements? Is there anyone who seems detached and uninterested while another vigorously nods each time you introduce a new detail? Are you boring them or engaging them? Adjust your pace and speaking style accordingly and direct some of your comments to specific individuals, referring to them by name. Later quote their responses back to the group as part of your presentation.

The importance of packaging
Contrary to what we might like to believe, people do buy books by their covers. Neatness and eye appeal count. A proposal that is hard to handle or is not professional in appearance detracts from the presenter, his or her firm or department, and the overall plan. A few extra hours spent on making the written proposal look good can mean the difference between acceptance and rejection.

Keep it simple. Use good quality paper stock-something with a high rag content has the best feel-and avoid colored papers. Rather than highLight, they tend to distract. Stick to 8½" x 11" size and fold flow charts, schematics, organizational charts, graphs, and other illustrations within the proposal itself. Larger sheets are difficult to file and quickly become dog-eared, a tattered appearance that will make your entire proposal look bad. If you are using large plans and drawings, list them as coded illustrations within the text of your proposal and submit them as separate exhibits.

Laser print your document using an easy-to-read typeface. Serif type is much more readable than sans serif. Ten-point is probably a large enough type size unless you know that one or more reviewers has difficulty reading small print-then go up to 11- or 12-point. Don't justify (align) the right-hand margin of your text. True, it looks neater, but it is much harder to read, especially if your Printer leaves gaping spaces between words.

Stay away from artsy typefaces and fonts and complicated page layouts. More often than not they only confuse the reader. Many proposal writers nowadays use formatting or desktop publishing programs for page design. Unless you are familiar with page makeup techniques, though, it's best to leave that kind of design to the professionals. And exercise some restraint in using charts and graphs to illustrate every individual item you describe. Sometimes a clearly written explanation works better than a graphic that you had to strain to create.

Break up gray pages of solid type with bullets and lists that draw the reader's eye to important points. Keep margins fairly wide (1½" is sufficient) to enable your audience to make notes. Number the pages so that you can easily direct your listeners to particular information.

Your proposal is a business document. Don't stick it into a drugstore folder that makes it look like a term paper. Stapling a half dozen or fewer pages together is all right; if the whole document runs longer than that, place it in an appropriately sized three-ring notebook or add stiff front and back covers and bind it. Three-ring, spiral, and plastic comb bindings are inexpensive and allow the book to lie flat when opened.

"One for you, and one for you..."
When you step into the meeting at which you are scheduled to make your presentation to a five-person group and find seven people waiting for you, don't panic because you only brought along five copies of your proposal. Instead, anticipate the problem and take extra copies.

"You don't mind that I've asked Chris and Martie to sit in with us, do you?" shouldn't rattle you if you're prepared. Of course you mind. But there isn't much you can do about it. Run off a few additional copies of your proposal and take them with you. Asking two or more persons to share a copy is counterproductive.

The purpose of the proposal
Your proposal is a sales tool and should be used as such. It is a declaration of what you plan to do for your client or your supervisor as well as confirmation that you are the right person, department, or company to undertake the project. It should be well thought out, clearly written, adequately illustrated, and professionally presented. Anything less diminishes your chances of obtaining the job. No matter how competent you are and capable of doing the work, the simple truth is that you may not get the opportunity to demonstrate your skills if you prepare and present a proposal that fails to speak well of you.

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Modern Sofa Bed - The Modern Space Saver Furniture

The demand for a modern sofa bed is increasing as being a component of modern living rooms. The rise of condominiums these days makes it a very practical furniture to display inside the condo where it can serve as a modern sofa during the day and you can pull it over to become a bed when you want to sleep. This furniture satisfies the needs of middle-income earners where they want to save space for furniture space in their modest home.

Convertible sofa as what other calls them, the modern sofa style bed allows you to enjoy the use of a space saving furniture inside your home. They are very convenient as they can serve as a sofa and a bed in one. This modern technology of a living room sofa allows many to save their budget as instead of buying two pieces of furniture - sofa and bed - they can now have them both in just one furniture item. These modern beds are available in designs that are great for both a sofa and a bed.

This modern piece of furniture is most beneficial if you intend to save space and money. The sofa bed has a convertible pull over portion at the back, which you can lay on the floor to become a bed. Some of this furniture has a storage space below them where you can keep beddings under without being noticeable when it is converted into a sofa. The sofa bed does serve different purposes that can serve to the best advantage of its buyers.

When purchasing a modern sofa style bed, you should consider the space of the room where you intend to place the furniture. The sofa bed is available in different sizes and you should select the one that will best fit the room to place it. Amazingly, the modern designs of modern sofa beds are quite elegant that it can be comparable to expensive and elegantly designed modern living room sets. The sofa cannot be mistaken as a bed sometimes because of their special designs.

You can find different kinds of convertible living room sofa in the forms of beds, modern loveseat beds, and modern armchair beds that are made from fabric or leather materials. There are also removable covers available in the market that you can order and they are washable so you could change and clean the sofa bed covers without much difficulty. The modern sofa bed offers great practical alternative for an elegant but space conserving furniture to own at homes.

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How To Choose Your Motorcycle GPS System

A GPS system for your motorcycle can turn your journeys, into adventures. Opening up a whole new experience, you can find amazing places to explore by planning your trips at home, and downloading your routes to your GPS device. New landscapes, destinations, and road trips await; with the security and confidence of never getting lost again.

A GPS system for your motorcycle can also help to make your journeys as comfortable, and stress-free as possible. If you fancy a break, or you're running out of petrol, your GPS can help. More importantly, your GPS unit can guide you back to safety when you get lost, or accidentally take the wrong turning. With voice guided directions, and software brimming with points of interest (POI), such as petrol stations, restaurants, service stations, and hotels; your GPS can guarantee you a journey of uninterrupted enjoyment.

Sound like the perfect Toy? Well, with GPS systems becoming mainstream, and new features and models endlessly hitting the shelves, it can be a hard task deciphering which GPS device best suits your needs.

To help you out, it's worth considering the following points before you go ahead and purchase your first GPS for your motorcycle.

What Type of GPS Do You Need For Your Motorcycle?

Are Its Reception Capabilities Suitable For Your Needs?

Does the Battery Life Of Your GPS Suit Your Needs?

How Resistant Is Your GPS To Vibration & Hard Ware?

Do You Want 2-Way-Communication?

How Easy Is Your GPS To Update?

How Easy Is Your GPS To Update?

What Price Is Suitable?

What Type of GPS Do You Need For Your Motorcycle?

There are 3 types of GPS units for motorbikes; portable outdoor units, GPS units designed specifically for your motorcycle/ scooter, and GPS/PDA hybrids.

If you also enjoy outdoor activities such as mountain biking, rambling, or even camping; a portable GPS that can be taken anywhere with you would be ideal. As well as navigating your off-road persuits, versatile Sat Nav's, like the Garmin Quest 2, operate in any vehicle. As well as motorcycling, you can take it in your car, on your boat, or even on a plane with you.

GPS devices designed exclusively for motorcycles can offer you some very impressive features. Especially designed with you, the motorcyclist, in mind, units like the TomTom RIDER have tough, weather-proof casing, touch-screen options for gloves, and anti-glare screens. One of the latest features introduced by TomTom for effective communication, is a system which transmits your spoken instructions via a built-in Bluetooth Audio system, using a headset that sits inside your helmet.

The final type of GPS device that may appeal to you is the PDA/GPS hybrid. Although these devices have been designed primarily with portability in mind, most come with the added bonus of having a large screen. So, like the hand-held outdoor GPS units, this type of GPS would be ideal for those of you who enjoy a range of outdoor activities. With an integrated PDA on top of this, GPS/ PDA devices, like the Mio A201 for example, can be handy for work and play. With features like Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, you will be able to catch up on work anytime, anyplace. If you prefer to listen to music on the Move, play games, or store digital photos, a GPS device like this one is an ideal choice

Does the Reception Capabilities of Your Motorcycle GPS Meet Your Needs?

When selecting a GPS for your motorcycle, it is worth thinking about how accurate you want your satellite signals to be, in pinpointing your position.

A lot of GPS units available today have an accuracy of approximately 6-8 meters. However, many of the newer GPS models are designed with a WaaS (Wide Area Augmentation System) capability, resulting in accuracies of 3-4 meters 95% of the time. The Garmin Quest 2 for example, has a flip up external antenna equipped with a 12-channel WaaS GPS receiver; Supplying position accuracy of up to 9 feet.

If you enjoy riding in dense woodlands and urban areas, it is worth noting that GPS devices incorporating the new SiRF Star III Chip Set, are units to look out for. This high performance, low Power consumption chipset has superior sensitivity in high foliage surroundings. It is also worth noting that GPS units with external powered antennas are great in maintaining a signal in deep woodlands.

Does the Battery Life of Your Motorcycle GPS Suit Your Needs?

With the freedom to ride just about anywhere with a GPS; Battery life is an important component to consider. Most GPS units use 2, 4, or 6 'aa' Batteries, which can last up to 6 hours. GPS units with integrated reChargeable Batteries are the ideal choice if you occasionally lose track of time. With GPS systems like the TomTom RIDER, you can Charge your Battery at home, while planning your next route, or continuously keep topped up with power, by Charging your GPS directly from your bikes battery.

How Resistant Is Your Motorcycle GPS To Vibration & Hard Ware?

With the freedom to ride just about anywhere and not get lost, it is guaranteed your GPS will get a great deal of use (and reverberation). So, it is important to consider how durable your GPS is, in withstanding such conditions.

GPS devices designed exclusively for Motorcycles, like the TomTom RIDER have been designed with this in mind. Not only weather proof, its tough outer case and rugged shock proof mount has been designed to absorb any external friction.

Although most GPS devices come with a mount, it is an absolute must that you use a vibration isolated mount if your GPS will be used regularly on your motorcycle. The RAM mount by NPI, which is fast becoming the industry standard, manufacture anti-vibration ball and socket mounting systems allowing you to mount practically anything, anywhere with vibration protection and durability. This would be an ideal addition to the Garmin Quest 2 GPS if you were purchasing this portable GPS for a lot of use on your motorcycle.

Do You Want Your Motorcycle GPS To Have 2-Way Communication?

Some of the most recent GPS systems to be launched for motorcycles have taken 2-way communication to a whole new level.

If you own a GPRS Bluetooth enabled mobile phone, it is worth knowing that many Sat Nav's, like the TomTom RIDER, have incorporated a Bluetooth receiver, amongst their many features. With the ability to connect your phone via Bluetooth, and receive incoming phone calls through your GPS and Bluetooth headset, you need never have to take your gloves and helmet off to answer your phone again.

You could even use your Bluetooth enabled phones' Wireless Internet, and with certain models of GPS, receive real time information on traffic conditions.

Enjoy riding in groups? It is worth knowing there are some recent hand held units that can offer built in Radios that will not only allow you to communicate with other members of your group, but will also display everyone's location on your screen.

How Easy Is Your Motorcycle GPS To Update?

With Roads constantly changing, the ability to update your device easily, and at a reasonable cost, are very important factors to consider when selecting your GPS.

It is important to realize that each type of GPS will be updated in a different way, and so you need to choose which process is better for you.

Those which are attached to a PDA, like the Mio A201 for example, are usually updated via a PC, whereas dedicated in-vehicle units tend to be updated via a CD. These have to be purchased from the road map data supplier.

Some specific software vendors have solutions for preparing maps which can be downloaded to your GPS unit. Most notably, TomTom operate the TomTom PLUS service.

The Choice: Budget Considerations

In essence, your choice can be reasonably simple: Buy the most expensive GPS that you can afford, that suits your needs.

It is important, using my pointers above, to decide which features are most important to you. If you want an up-to-the-minute GPS for your motorcycle; with features like real-time, on demand traffic information, hands-free calling, turn by turn voice instructions via bluetooth headsets, alerts for speed camera locations, plus thousands of useful points of interest, GPS sytems like the TomTom RIDER start from approximately £550 inc. VAT.

If, however, you are looking for more of a Toy to play with, and a GPS that will simply get you from A to B, then a hand held device could be a better choice. With a range of features, like simple voice guidance, compass mode, MP3 player, and essentially portability, GPS devices like the Mio 268 and the Garmin Quest 2 are ideal for motorcycles, and a range of outdoor activities. The Mio 268, and hand held GPS units with similar features, start from approximately £250 inc. VAT.

To browse a variety of discount GPS Sytems For Your Motorcycle, or Accessories & Software For Your Motorcycle GPS Systems, visit http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk.

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Techniques to Fix Cell Phone Dropped in Water

It happens in a second, you make a hasty Move such as shuffling for something in your pocket or grabbing an item off the shelf and in just a few seconds your cell phone can drop from your pocket or a shelf into the sink or toilet. Although most people quickly grab their phones out of water, unless it's a toilet in which case there may be some hesitation before they yank it out, the end result is usually that the phone no longer works or if it does turn on does not have all of the same functional features that it did before.

Before you start to panic however if the same situation has occurred for you, there are a few tips that can help you fix a cell phone dropped in water so long as you act quick and perform the steps in the proper order. This is especially important because making a mistake such as trying to turn your cell phone back on to soon after it is dropped in the water can cause it to short out which will lead to even more problems.

It also can lead to the cell phone's circuits frying which means that you will never be able to fix it so if there is one thing that you remember it should be never to turn a cell phone back on after you have dropped it in water. Instead, you need to quickly reMove the Battery from the device. Regardless of what type of plan you have for removing the water from your cell phone you need to get the Battery out of the cell phone if there is any hope that it will survive its traumatic ordeal.

After this step there are several things that you can do. One of the most popular techniques is to fill a large bag with dry rice and seal it tight. Leave the cell phone in the rice bag overnight and the rice will pull out the moisture and water from the phone allowing it to dry out quicker. Since it also pulls it from the air you can rest assured that in the morning when you open the bag your phone will be completely dried out. Although there is no guarantee that the phone will turn back on when you put the Battery back in, there is a much higher chance than if you just cross your fingers and wait.

A similar method that is along the same lines is using a sealed container in conjunction with a Dri-Z-Air component which can be found at a hardware store. These machines essentially work just like the rice to pull the moisture out of the air and your cell phone although they may work a lot faster since they have adjustable settings on them that allow you to control how fast the air is reMoved.

No matter which technique you end up choosing to use to fix a cell phone plunged in water, keep in mind that if there is any doubt you should always walk on the side of caution and let your phone dry out for a longer period of time. Since turning a mobile phone on while it is still wet is a guarantee that you will ruin it, be patient and wait the full length of time. In the end you will end up saving more than just a few hours in exchange for your patience.

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5 High Tech Concrete Alternatives Are Eco-Friendly

The times they are a-changing. "Green" is in. Consumers want environmentally friendly products, homes and buildings. The government wants to encourage sustainability. Green buildings, not yet common, command a premium price. The result is that the building industry is developing and using more earth-friendly products than ever. Architects and engineers are designing green buildings and specifying green building materials more often than ever.

Concrete is an amazing material. It's long lasting, high strength and easily produced. It's one of the most common building materials used around the world. Cement, a major component of concrete however, is environmentally "dirty." One ton of carbon dioxide is produced for every ton of cement created. There has been a lot of work done recently to improve concrete by developing high-tech and green alternatives.

During recent years a number of companies have put intense effort into

Calera, a California company, developed an innovative method to produce both cement and aggregate, another component of concrete. Their method of production however, is unique. During production of every ton of cement, their methods actually reMove 1/2 ton of CO2 from the air.

Another California company, iCrete, developed a "mix design technology" to create high performance concrete that is notably superior to traditional concrete, yet more economical with lower gas emissions. According to iCrete the use of this product can reduce the carbon footprint of a typical construction project by 40 percent.

A New Jersey company, Hycrete, has developed a method to permanently waterproof concrete. This method eliminates the need and expense of using petroleum based membranes to protect underground concrete from moisture in the soil. The process also speeds up construction, helps building last longer and reduces use of petroleum-based products.

Scientists at MIT have been studying the structure of concrete at the sub-microscopic level. They've been trying to determine why concrete ages and deteriorates over time. Their findings indicate that eventually they will be able to increase the longevity of concrete, and buildings, from about one hundred years to many thousands of years requiring less concrete to be made in the first place.

The University of Michigan has developed a self-healing concrete that can withstand much more sever strain than ordinary concrete. When concrete is severely stressed, microscopic cracks form.

These cracks expose dry cement in which reacts with CO2 and moisture to form calcium carbonate 'scars' which quickly heal the concrete. By delaying or even reversing the typical deterioration process, the concrete help structures last longer and reduce environmental impacts.

Concrete is one of the most useful and widely used building materials on Earth. That won't change anytime soon. Concrete has properties that make it extremely useful engineers and architects in a wide variety of applications. Innovations over the past decade promise to make concrete even more useful, while at the same time making it more durable, more economical and reducing environmental impacts.

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Start a Surplus, Liquidation and Closeout Business

Surplus inventory business opportunity is so large it could be almost anything. Husband and wife team could even sell different surplus or liquidation merchandise. We can point you in the right direction but the one thing we can not do is give you the desire and motivation. It is critical for that reason to pick an area to specialize in that is interesting to you. Start small part time selling on eBay and grow at your own pace. Do not quit your job. eBay solves the number one reason for business failure lack of customers or sales.

When you are ready to make tour first purchase visit the facility and personally inspect the merchandise before purchasing anything. Also start with no larger than a pallet on your first purchase. NEVER purchase a truck load on your first several purchases. Salvage is another name for junk you will not be in business long if you do not inspect your loads prior to buying. Always ask what percentage of the load is throw away. Do Not buy blind purchases

Start buy taking merchandise to flea markets to keep the inventory turning and cash flow moving it will also help pay the bills when first starting out. Inventory that couldn't be sold should be taken to local auctions for disposition, merchandise sitting on shelves is taking up valuable space that could be better used on new inventory that will sell.

Stay extremely focused don't get side tracked into non money making time consuming projects, keep it simple. Finding liquidation merchandise is the easy part. Developing buyers for the merchandise will consume most of your time.

So who are the primary buyers of surplus, liquidation and closeout merchandise? They are independent retail stores with fewer than 5 locations. They will need small minimum order requirements that large manufacturers will not want to deal with. Never forget this is your niche market focus on it.

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