September 2013

Apple's new iOS 7 makes bold statement

NEW YORK: With consumers eagerly awaiting the release of two new iPhones this week, the more dramatic change may be in the software, not the hardware.

The new mobile operating system called iOS 7 became available Wednesday, providing users of iPhones and iPads a bolder look, which may be a shock for some, but which Apple hopes will keep its fans happy and draw new customers.

"It is a major upgrade," said Gerry Purdy, analyst and consultant with Compass Intelligence who follows mobile technology.

"This is the first big thing that (Apple chief executive) Tim Cook has implemented, which puts all the software and hardware design under one roof, to have a unified experience across products."

While the new iPhone 5S and 5C, set to be released Friday, have received a lukewarm response, some analysts say the bolder statement from Apple comes in the new operating system, designed to keep people in the Apple "ecosystem."

The new operating system "has a different look, a different feel," said Ramon Llamas, analyst with the research firm IDC.

"People are going to have to rethink how they do things with their phone, and Apple is asking people to make a leap of faith."

With Apple seeking to regain traction in a mobile market dominated by the Google Android system, Llamas said iOS 7 will be a key test for Apple, because the new iPhones have failed to wow consumers.

"The feedback I'm getting is that people say (the new iPhones) are nice but they will wait for next year's model."

A small number of journalists who were allowed to review the new iPhone and iOS 7 underscored the dramatic change in the operating system.

"If you're coming brand new to iOS 7 and have been ignoring the Internet for the past three months, you're going to be in for a visual shock," wrote Darrell Etherington of the tech news site TechCrunch.

"The look is bound to be controversial; Apple has opted for bright, bold colors with more clean lines and far fewer textures, shadows and gradients. There is still some depth to the OS, however, with transparency effects giving a sense of background and foreground elements."

David Pogue of The New York Times said even with the iPhone launch, "the bigger news is iOS 7."

"The look of iOS 7 is sparse, white -- almost plain in spots. No more fake leather, fake woodgrain, fake green felt, fake yellow note paper," Pogue writes.

"The complete absence of graphic embellishments makes it especially utilitarian -- in both senses of the word. That's good, because whatever button or function you need is easier to find; it's bad, because, well, it can look a little boring."

Walt Mossberg at AllThingsD called the new operating system "a big improvement," adding: "The icons have been redesigned to be flatter and simpler, but they appear to float over your wallpaper, giving the effect of depth."

Apple says the new system has more than 200 new features, including improved multitasking, sharing, new camera apps, male and female voices for its Siri software, and the much-anticipated iTunes Radio.

The new software has drawn considerable attention even as the iPhone launch appears to be less spectacular than those in the past: Apple has said little about sellouts or delivery delays, and few expect the kinds of queues typical of iPhone debuts.

Purdy said that Apple may inadvertently hurt new iPhone sales by releasing the software upgrade for older models.

"It allows people with the iPhone 4 or 5 to get all the benefits of the Apple environment from a software standpoint, and therefore reduces the absolute need to upgrade the physical device," he told AFP.

The free upgrade helps Apple solidify its user base, the analyst said, even for those unwilling to buy a new device.

"It makes it attractive to stay in the walled garden of Apple," Purdy said, even without a revolutionary hardware change.

"This allows Apple to keep its users, though it may not change the direction of the Android ecosystem," Purdy added.

"But Apple isn't out to win market share. They want to produce the best products in the market and they're doing a good job at that."

BlackBerry to cut 4,500 jobs amid losses

NEW YORK: BlackBerry on Friday said it would cut 4,500 jobs as the struggling Canadian smartphone maker retrenches in the face of hefty losses and weak sales of its new handsets.

BlackBerry said it expects a loss of US$950 to US$995 million in second quarter mostly due to writedowns linked to poor sales of its Z10 smartphone, the device aimed at reviving its fortunes in a market dominated by Android and Apple.

The company's highly-publicised launch of the BlackBerry 10 platform earlier this year failed to ignite sales. The company has said it is examining "strategic alternatives," including a possible sale of the company.

The job cuts constitute 40 per cent of the company's workforce and will take staffing down to 7,000.

The loss in the upcoming quarter includes a US$930 to US$960 million charge resulting "from the increasingly competitive business environment impacting BlackBerry smartphone volumes" and a US$72 million restructuring charge, the company said.

Revenues are projected at US$1.6 billion, well below the US$3.06 billion expected by analysts.

BlackBerry will cut its portfolio from six devices to four and expects to reduce its operating expenses by approximately 50 per cent.

"We are implementing the difficult, but necessary operational changes announced today to address our position in a maturing and competitive industry, and to drive the company toward profitability," said chief executive Thorsten Heins.

BlackBerry shares, which were suspended ahead of the news, were off 15.6 per cent in late-afternoon trade.

Samsung says to unveil smartphone with curved display

SEOUL: Samsung said Wednesday it would unveil a smartphone with a curved display in October -- a technological innovation aimed at maintaining its lead in a lucrative but increasingly saturated market.

Curved displays are at a nascent stage in display technology which is shifting towards flexible panels that are bendable or can even be rolled or folded.

"We will introduce a smartphone with a curved display in October," Samsung mobile business head of strategic marketing D.J. Lee told reporters.

He declined to give more details.

Samsung -- the world's top maker of smartphones and TVs -- unveiled prototype products with a flexible screen in January.

But it still faces a major challenge in making other handset components -- such as batteries -- that can bend with the rest of the unit.

Curved displays are already commercially available in large-screen televisions offered by companies including Samsung and LG.

The displays are supposed to offer a more immersive viewing experience but are significantly more expensive than standard screens.

In another attempt to break new ground, Samsung unveiled earlier this month a smartwatch called Galaxy Gear, which can take photos and videos, make or take phone calls, or check e-mails.

Wearable computing, including Google's smart glasses, is considered the next frontier in consumer electronics following smartphones.

The watch received some scathing reviews, along with complaints that it only worked in conjunction with Samsung's latest oversized smartphone, the Galaxy Note III.

The Gear and the Galaxy Note III will hit stores in some 140 nations by the end of October, and Samsung executives said they were confident the critics could be won over.

"We received so much criticism when we first unveiled the Galaxy Note series...but it has created a whole new market segment for oversized smartphones," said Lee Young-Hee, executive vice president of Samsung's mobile unit.

D.J. Lee said the watch would be made connectable with other Samsung devices such as the flagship Galaxy S3 and S4 smartphones by the end of December.

NASA preparing to launch 3-D printer into space

MOFFETT FIELD: NASA is preparing to launch a 3-D printer into space next year, a toaster-sized game changer that greatly reduces the need for astronauts to load up with every tool, spare part or supply they might ever need.

The printers would serve as a flying factory of infinite designs, creating objects by extruding layer upon layer of plastic from long strands coiled around large spools.

Doctors use them to make replacement joints and artists use them to build exquisite jewelry.

In NASA labs, engineers are 3-D printing small satellites that could shoot out of the Space Station and transmit data to earth, as well as replacement parts and rocket pieces that can survive extreme temperatures.

‘Any time we realize we can 3-D print something in space, it's like Christmas,’ said inventor Andrew Filo, who is consulting with NASA on the project. ‘You can get rid of concepts like rationing, scarce or irreplaceable.’

The spools of plastic could eventually replace racks of extra instruments and hardware, although the upcoming mission is just a demonstration printing job.

‘If you want to be adaptable, you have to be able to design and manufacture on the fly, and that's where 3-D printing in space comes in,’ said Dave Korsmeyer, director of engineering at NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, about 35 miles south of San Francisco.

For the first 3-D printer in space test slated for fall 2014, NASA had more than a dozen machines to choose from, ranging from $300 desktop models to $500,000 warehouse builders.

All of them, however, were built for use on Earth, and space travel presented challenges, from the loads and vibrations of launch to the stresses of working in orbit, including microgravity, differing air pressures, limited power and variable temperatures.

As a result, NASA hired Silicon Valley startup Made In Space to build something entirely new.

‘Imagine an astronaut needing to make a life-or-death repair on the International Space Station,'' said Aaron Kemmer, CEO of Made in Space. ‘Rather than hoping that the necessary parts and tools are on the station already, what if the parts could be 3-D printed when they needed them?’

When staffing his start up in 2010, Kemmer and his partners warned engineers there would be ups and downs _ nauseating ones. In more than a dozen flights in NASA's ‘vomit comet’ reduced-gravity aircraft, Made In Space scientists tested printer after printer.

Last week at their headquarters on NASA's campus, Made In Space engineers in lab coats and hair nets tinkered with a sealed 3-D printer in a dust free cleanroom, preparing the models for further pre-launch tests.

As proof of its utility, the team revisited the notorious 1970 moon-bound Apollo 13 breakdown, when astronauts were forced to jerry-rig a lifesaving carbon dioxide filter holder with a plastic bag, a manual cover and duct tape. A 3-D printer could have solved the problem in minutes.

‘Safety has been one of our biggest concerns,'' said strategic officer Michael Chen.

Sparks, breakages and electric surges can have grave consequences in the space station. ‘But when we get it right, we believe these are the only way to manifest living in space,’ he said.

Space-bound printers will also, eventually, need to capture gasses emitted from the extruded plastics, be able to print their own parts for self-repairs and have some abilities to recycle printed products into new ones.

Scott Crump, who helped develop 3-D printing technology in 1988 by making a toy frog for his daughter with a glue gun in his kitchen, said he never conceived how pivotal it could be for space travel. But he said that until metal becomes commonly used in 3-D printers, the applications will be limited.

`The good news is that you don't have to have this huge amount of inventory in space, but the bad news is now you need materials, in this case filament, and a lot of power,' he said.

NASA and other international space agencies are pressing forward with 3-D printing. Mastering space manufacturing, along with finding and producing water and food on the moon or other planets, could lead to living on space.

Last month, the space agency awarded Bothell, Wash.-based Tethers Unlimited $500,000 toward a project to use 3-D printing and robots to build massive antennas and solar power generators in space by 2020. It replaces the expensive and cumbersome process of building foldable parts on Earth and assembling them in orbit.

For Made In Space's debut, when it's shuttled up to the space station aboard a spaceflight cargo resupply mission, the initial prints will be tests _ different small shapes to be studied for strength and accuracy. They're also discussing with NASA about what the first real piece that they should print will be.

Whatever it is, it will be a historic and symbolic item sure to end up in a museum someday.

‘It's not something we're discussing publicly right now,’ said CEO Kemmer. Then, Jason Dunn, the chief technology officer, beckoned, dropping his voice as he grinned.

‘We're going to build a Death Star,'' he joked softly, referring to the giant space station in the ``Star Wars'' movies that could blow up planets. ``Then it's all going to be over.'

Get the Galaxy Note 3 for these 2 Killer Features: Superfast Data Transfer & Express Charging Capability

The Galaxy Note 3 release date revealed tons of killer features for the third-gen phablet but beyond the monster quad-core processing chips and its massive Super AMOLED 5.7-inch display screen, two new functionalities deserve more than a second look.

One of the easily noticeable distinctions of the Note 3 from its Sammy cousin, the Galaxy S4, or any other handsets already out in the market is the large connectivity port located at the bottom of the device.

According to Droid Life, this port represents the new microUSB 3.0 technology and judging by its dual-port configuration, this is a major step up from previous builds not only of the Samsung phablet but also of other Androids.

One of the key gains is the ability to transfer files from a PC to the Note 3, that is when the gadget is hooked up using the compatible connecting cable, which is part of the accessories that Samsung has included in the Note 3's retail package.

This should mean that huge amount files can be transported from point A going into point B and vice versa. The Note 3 will chew in large pics, music, movies and any other digital with users enjoying the welcome benefit of swift transfer. And it is a two-way street, mind you.

Then another plus - the Note 3 will extract power juice when connected to a PC, at an output rate of 900mA, according to Droid Life, which obviously is much quicker than seen in gadgets still governed by older USB standard.

It was not specifically stated in the report but it should be safe to assume that PC charging the Note 3 could become at par with conventional charging, which is hooking up the device directly to a power outlet.

If indeed true, these new killer features promise of extra convenience and savings for future Note 3 buyers, especially those working in front of PCs for extended hours in a given day.

And again, it should be safe to assume that microUSB 3.0 will become a mainstay on future Samsung gadget lines, specifically the high-end class, which in 2014 would likely be the handset known for now as the Galaxy S5.

Together with these new offerings, the second Samsung flagship for 2013 is poised to fly off the shelves anew with the following mix of incredible upgrades from the Galaxy Note 2: a quad-core Snapdragon 800 chip (or Exynos Octa CPU for some selected markets), a 13MP shooter, Jelly Bean 4.3 and the new S-Pen that Samsung said has increased productivity potentials due to its incredible multi-tasking features.

Release date of the Galaxy Note 3 has already commenced in select markets this week while the full-blown rollout will start in October, targeting U.S. and other key destinations around the world.

The Importance Of Work Experience For Students

At first glance, unemployment statistics in the United States suggest that the country is beginning to experience a period of sustained economic growth. From a starting point of 7.9% in January of this year, the national rate of unemployment tumbled to 7.6% in June as a growing number of firms continued to hire steadily and without interruption. Even as unemployment benefit applications rose by 16,000 during the first week of June, this was consistent with the level of tentative growth that has continued through the second financial quarter.

Beyond the statistics, however, there are various reasons for the nation's politicians to be concerned. Not only is the current labor market recovery the weakest since World War II, but there remain several demographics that are unable to find work or achieve their desired career success. To put this into context, approximately 55% of the 175,000 jobs added to the U.S. economy during May were either low-paid or temporary assignments, while youth unemployment continues to soar and has now reached a staggering 16.2% across the U.S.

Chronic Student Underemployment
It is the current generation of graduates that is suffering the most considerable hardship, however, as minimal employment opportunities and spiraling debt continue to undermine future prospects. According to a recent online survey, more than 40% of U.S. college graduates are either underemployed or working in jobs that do not even require a college degree. Subsequently, cumulative student debt in the U.S. has soared beyond the $1 trillion mark, which in turn has created a demographic that is unable to repay the cost of their education or contribute toward the growth of a nation's economy.

So is this simply the result of a failing labor market, or are there steps that students and graduates can take to improve their suitability as candidates for work in 2013? Increasingly, recruiters are looking for candidates to display practical workplace skills and experience that can be applied directly to a specific industry or market niche. While this cannot be acquired at the expense of a required academic qualification or degree certification, the prevailing employer mindset does provide an opportunity for students to enhance their appeal in a competitive market. Consider the following steps toward gaining relevant and actionable experience:

Travel and Work Abroad During the Summer Months
As an aspiring graduate, you must never loose sight of your academic goals and what is required to achieve them. This is why sourcing work experience can be difficult when studying, especially for those pursuing qualifications in challenging subjects such as business and finance. That said, the summer months and the year immediately following graduation provide students with the ideal opportunity to seek out viable workplace experience, as they can focus on developing practical skills without having to carefully manage their time.

Depending on your long-term career goals, it may be worth spending some time abroad to acquire experience of the global job market, as this will afford you a unique edge over the majority of your contemporaries while also allowing you to develop maturity and a greater sense of cultural awareness. When you consider the increasingly flexible and global nature of the workplace, these attributes are likely to be in considerable demand during the next decade.

Volunteering and Vocational Work
While many experts have bemoaned the state of the labor market and the concept of underemployment, others would claim that this only facilitates the culture of entitlement that exists in developed economies. The truth remains that if graduates are driven to succeed in their long-term career goals, they should be willing to accept menial, vocational and volunteer opportunities that provide them with the necessary workplace skills and experience.

In fact, these types of job are extremely beneficial for students as, although they may be financially and intellectually unrewarding, they provide the ideal stepping stone for graduate jobs and future career moves. Experiences gained in the nonprofit sector or an entry level role that is related to your career of choice can significantly boost your appeal in the eyes of employers, primarily because they build your strength of character and reveal an innate desire to work.

Consider Offering a Service or Establishing an Independent Venture
If you aspire to secure a prosperous career upon graduation, it is absolutely imperative that you recognize the changing face of the workplace and labor force. This is especially true if you aspire to work in management or develop professional leadership skills, as there is a need to understand the contemporary employee mindset and most popular methods of working. With Intuit predicting that freelancers and self-employed workers could contribute toward 40% of the labor market by 2020, managing a team of staff will require a diverse and unusual range of practical skills.

In order to acquire these skills, you may consider establishing a part-time venture that delivers a service to fellow students or a wider consumer base. If established during the summer, this will enable you to gain first-hand experience of managing a professional project and selling a marketable service, without compromising on your academic studies. With the opportunity to also employ staff and learn the fundamental basics of workplace leadership, your independent venture could make a considerable difference in the eyes of demanding employees.

The Bottom Line
While labor market growth remains tentative and has been undermined by the creation of low paid, temporary work, the issues facing unemployed graduates stretch far beyond an ailing economy. A failure to appreciate the importance of workplace experience and its benefits is a significant cause for concern, while some graduates may also be carrying a sense of entitlement that is preventing them from being proactive in their search for work. With vision, desire and a long-term career plan, however, it is possible to gain valuable workplace experience and succeed even as the job market falters.

Top 4 Financial Jobs You Can Do From Home

For many people, being able to work at home gives them the best of both worlds; they have the job security and income of a regular full-time job, without the time, expense and hassle of going to an office. The financial industry has seen an increasing number of jobs in this sector moving to become available for telecommuters. These jobs range from full-time corporate positions, to opportunities for entrepreneurs and independent contractors. In this article, we'll provide a breakdown, in no particular order, of the four highest-paying positions available in this sector.

Tutorial: Starting a Small Business

Day Trader
A day trader holds positions in stocks for a very short period of time, often from minutes to hours, and makes numerous trades each day. In most cases, all open trades are closed before the end of the day.

While this "job" does not offer a guaranteed salary or other benefits, it does provide those who are successful at it with potentially huge returns on capital. Some traders can post returns of 300% or more in a year, while others will see much less. Being a successful day trader requires more than a lucky guess; day trading requires specific skills and tools, available capital and emotional stamina. In order to achieve success, day traders must have:

A long-term trading strategy and access to up-to-the-minute market information, including real-time quotes.
The ability to correctly interpret the short-term movements of the markets.
Continuous access to multiple live news sources, such as CNBC.
Analytical software, which allows day traders to discover trading patterns much faster and reduce trade execution times.

This life is not for everyone. Traders must have the stomach, and the cash reserves, to weather heavy, short-term losses and be able to keep going. Some traders focus chiefly on equities, while others speculate in derivatives or foreign currencies. While successful day traders can become quite wealthy, it is virtually impossible to quantify any kind of average compensation to them, as even the best traders will see substantial fluctuations in their respective returns, from one year to the next. If you need to know you'll have a constant and steady income, this is not the career for you. (For more on day trading, Day Trading Strategies For Beginners.)

Financial Writer
While this position is perhaps one of the least publicized in the industry, talented and experienced writers are constantly in demand. There has been an explosion of financial news, literature and websites over the last several years, as well as an increased demand for professional financial education and training.

This job is perhaps one of the easiest to do from home, as all written material is easily deliverable electronically via email and web servers. There is rarely a shortage of work for a competent writer, especially one who can produce good copy under a tight deadline. Good financial writers and editors can command up to several hundred dollars per article, and there are even some jobs that can pay salaries in the range of $70,000 to $90,000 per year.

To achieve the top salary as a financial writer, you'll usually need a master's degree in management, finance, economics or journalism. Professional experience in the financial industry will set an individual apart from the competition. However, some writers have become successful just by having the ability to write professional-level copy consistently, about financial topics that are well-researched and financially sound. (To find out more profiting from your pen, see Becoming A Financial Writer.)

Independent Financial Planner
Although not common, it is possible for independent financial planners and advisors to base their offices out of their homes, as long as their homes provide a sufficiently professional backdrop for their practices. Obviously, a client would be more interested in seeing a financial planner in a larger house, in a more affluent neighborhood with a dedicated area for the home business, than a poorly maintained apartment in a neglected area of town. In addition, some business licenses will only allow one client to be at your home at one time, so if this creates a legal issue for you, having clients come to your home may not be the best option.

There are also positional issues to consider, such as parking, access for persons with handicaps, restrooms and so forth. Furthermore, a key factor in deciding whether to take this approach will be whether the advisor's family is willing to share the house with a business.

At the same time, advisors who are able to make this arrangement work for them and their clients, can substantially reduce their overhead expenses as well as eliminate their commuting costs. The compensation range for successful advisors who work at home will likely mirror the compensation received by advisors with similar practices, who work anywhere else, without the high overhead expenses. (To keep reading on this subject, check out Is A Career In Financial Planning In Your Future?)

Corporate Financial Careers
This last category of work-at-home jobs encompasses several different areas, including financial analysts, certified public accountants, tax researchers, computer programmers and many others. An increasing number of these jobs are being farmed out to independent contractors. Many computer-based jobs can now be done from anywhere, therefore, employers can be reluctant to justify using expensive office space to house additional employees. In fact, existing employees are often allowed to work at home, at least part time. Many corporate jobs now only require employees to come into the office once or twice a week, for meetings or presentations, and allow them to do their remaining work at home.

The Bottom Line
As with other sectors of the economy, laptop computers and mobile phones are allowing the financial industry workforce to become increasingly mobile. More and more work is leaving the office to be done at home or out in the field, and this trend is likely to continue far into the future. Employees in the financial industry who are tired of the office routine, now have several highly compensated home-based alternatives from which to choose.

Top 5 Business Alternatives To Facebook

With accusations flying that Facebook is gaming its own algorithms so that users have to pay for ads to reach followers who used to see their stories automatically, many companies are looking at alternatives for online marketing. The situation isn't that simple, and Facebook will likely remain an effective marketing tool in the future, but it may be worth diversifying a company's marketing strategies now while the opportunity presents itself. There are plenty of alternatives out there, and some of which may even prove more effective for marketing than Facebook.

PinterestPinterest, the next social media giant, is a visually-oriented social networking site where users can post, share and organize images. Even smaller companies have found success connecting with large numbers of followers on the site, provided that they have beautiful photos to share. It takes very different strategies to be successful on Pinterest than on Facebook, but it's an excellent platform for promoting home decor, food and other easily photographed products.

PathFor a smaller, but higher quality audience, Path may be a good fit. With Path, users can only share with 150 people, which means that each connection is far more likely to see content and pay attention to it. For businesses offering exclusive products or services, a more select audience could prove beneficial. Just by distributing content exclusive to those 150 contacts, a business may be able create a much deeper tie than on other sites. Path also offers the opportunity to connect closely with other members of an industry or high-level contacts.

Google+As Google+ is evolving, it's becoming a better fit for businesses of all sizes. Small businesses looking to build a marketing plan may want to seriously consider getting onto this platform. Some features include individual pages, which act almost identically to personal accounts and are easy to set up quickly. As an added bonus, Google+ is integrated with many other Google tools. Google+ Local and Google Maps can draw on a business' Google+ page to display better and more accurate information about that company when someone searches for it. In addition to sharing updates and photos on the network, Google+ users can also hold Hangouts, video conferencing sessions, send event invitations to each other's calendar and more.

TumblrTumblr is a 'microblogging' tool where users can post updates, much like they would to Facebook. Followers can subscribe to a specific account. However, there isn't quite the flexibility in communication on the site that some other social networks offer. In addition to being a fast way to share content with users interested in a particular topic, Tumblr also has the added benefit of helping improve search engine rankings for those companies that invest time in creating content that links back to their main site effectively.

NextdoorFor companies/individuals looking to connect with extremely local audiences, rather than the entire Internet, a local network like Nextdoor may prove far more effective. While it isn't available in every community yet, the site is slowly creating hyperlocal networks that facilitate the residents of different neighborhoods getting to know their own areas better. Businesses can't become members, at least at this point, but individuals can, which may help in building a personal brand online and in local markets. Locals can also recommend favorite businesses in the area and companies can buy advertising on the site.

The Bottom LineThere are hundreds of social networks out there. While no business can be on all of them, it may be worth considering a few of the smaller options, as well as the big alternatives to Facebook, to reach audiences that few other companies are focused on. A company may find that it can reach the exact audience it needs by moving to a more targeted network. There are plenty of opportunities for marketing a business without relying on Facebook.

Are You An Entrepreneur?

Many people dream of starting their own businesses, but not everyone is cut out for this line of work. Being employed by someone else offers a slew of advantages, from health insurance and matching retirement contributions to a regular schedule and the company of coworkers.

If you're thinking about striking out on your own, consider carefully whether you have what it takes to be successful.
Entrepreneurs: Nature or Nurture?Are good leaders made or are they born? No one knows for sure, but successful entrepreneurs tend to share these traits:

DisciplineTo be successfully self-employed, you'll need to have the discipline to set work hours, meet deadlines, pursue new clients and avoid tempting distractions like your TV.

FrugalityTo prevent yourself from going broke when your business is new or times are slow, you must be willing to cut back, sometimes way back, on your spending. Remaining self-employed has to be a top priority above buying new clothes or other niceties. It's a good idea to be frugal not just in slow months, but in the good ones as well to give yourself a well-padded savings account that can tide you over when your business isn't generating income.
Self-ConfidenceIn order to successfully sell yourself to others, you have to be your own biggest fan. If you don't believe you're one of the best at what you do, no one else will either. Business will rarely just fall into your lap, so you'll need to be willing to promote yourself and ask for work whenever and wherever possible.

Good Communication Skills Clients won't always make their expectations crystal clear. Rather than guessing what they want, you must not be afraid to ask lots of questions. It's also a good idea to ask for feedback during and after assignments to make sure you're meeting your clients' expectations.

HumilityFew clients will expect you to be perfect, but if you can't fess up and apologize when you make a mistake, you'll get crossed off their lists.
Honesty and Integrity When you're self employed, your reputation is crucial. You don't have the image of a company to fall back on or make up for the occasional bad employee. You are the company and you are the employee. Everything you do needs to reflect well on your business.

Superb Record-Keeping Skills It's very important to know when you sent out invoices, when you were paid, who still owes you money, how much money your business has, how much you have made and how much you need to make. Detailed, accurate records are critical to the financial health of your business and are indispensable for tax purposes.
Motivation
You won't become a successful business person by watching TV all day. Even when you think you have a day to relax, don't put your assignments off until the last minute. It's better to get as much done as you can when things appear to be slow because you never know what the next day will bring. Also, forget about turning all your work in on the due date and plan to turn some work in early instead. The faster you complete an assignment, the faster you can move on to the next one, which means more money in your pocket. Beating the occasional deadline also instills confidence in your clients that you can be relied upon. It probably goes without saying that missing a deadline is not acceptable except in the most extreme circumstances.

FlexibilitySome times will be busier than others, and assignments will arise unexpectedly. You have to be willing to rearrange both your business and work schedule to accommodate your clients' requests.

Ability to Set BoundariesWhile it is a good idea to maintain some degree of flexibility, you also must set boundaries and realistic expectations with your clients. These things don't need to be done explicitly, but rather will become the norm as you teach people how to treat you. Don't answer your phone or email after business hours, don't accept unreasonable deadlines or insurmountable workloads and don't let clients negotiate your invoices down or refuse to pay after the work is done.

Good Health Self-employment does not offer paid sick days, so you'll have to work when you're sick, make up the hours later or accept the lost pay. You also must be able to afford your own health insurance, which may include providing health insurance for your spouse and kids, too.
Ability to Create Balance For workaholic types, working at home means it's difficult to know when to stop and take a break. For those who are better at relaxing, it's equally challenging to get out of lounge mode and start working. Regardless of which category you fall into, when you work for yourself, you'll have to push yourself outside of your comfort zone to keep your work life and personal life in balance.

Optimism You won't always have a lot of work and you won't get all the assignments or clients you want. You have to keep pursuing work, maintain a positive mindset and not take the rejections personally or you'll soon find yourself in a cubicle filling out a W4.

The Bottom LinePersonal characteristics will have a major influence on your potential to succeed as an entrepreneur. Before taking a financial and career risk, make sure to assess whether your personality will contribute to or hinder your prosperity.

Source: investopedia.com

Famous Advice From Successful Entrepreneurs

An entrepreneur is a person who organizes, manages and assumes the risk of a business venture or idea for the sake of profits. Entrepreneurs have awareness to spot opportunities, the creativity to innovate, the confidence to take risks and the tenacity to turn concepts into successful businesses. Entrepreneurs represent every field imaginable, and many of their ideas have helped shaped industries and the world we live in. While the list of inspirational quotes is like the universe, vast and constantly expanding, here are six seeds of wisdom from successful entrepreneurs.

Mary Kay AshFounder of Mary Kay Inc.
"We must have a theme, a goal, a purpose in our lives. If you don't know where you are aiming, you don't have a goal."

After being passed up for a promotion after 25 years in the direct selling business, Mary Kay Ash took her $5,000 in savings and created Beauty by Mary Kay. The company was founded on the belief that women could foster their talents and realize unlimited success. Today, Mary Kay Inc. has more than 2 million Independent Beauty Consultants worldwide. In addition to founding Mary Kay Inc., Ash authored three books which all became best sellers. In 2004, she was named one of the 25 Most Influential Business Leaders of the Last 25 Years by PBS and the Wharton School of Business.

Ash's quote emphasizes the importance of identifying one's ambitions. Without defining goals, it is impossible to reach them. Ash envisioned a company in which any woman could become just as successful as she wanted to be.

Sara BlakelyFounder of Spanx Shapewear
"Failure is not the outcome. Failure is not trying."

As a young girl, Sara Blakely's father would ask: "What did you fail at today?" Growing up, failure was viewed as a good thing. If Sara didn't fail at something that day, her father would be duly disappointed. This enthusiasm towards trying new things, regardless of the outcome, helped Blakely avoid the paralyzing fear of failure that prevents many people from reaching beyond their comfort zones. In her 20s, and frustrated by the lack of undergarments to wear with white pants, Sara Blakely's idea for Spanx was born when she cut the feet off a pair of pantyhose. In 2012, she was the youngest self-made women to join the Forbes' billionaire list.

According to Blakely, the only real failure is to not try at all.

Yvon ChouinardFounder of Patagonia
"How you climb a mountain is more important than reaching the top."

As a member of the Southern California Falconry Club where he rappelled down cliffs to falcon aeries, a teenaged Yvon Chouinard laid down the roots of what would become a legendary climbing career. Dissatisfied with the climbing equipment that was available, Chouinard decided to make his own. He purchased a coal-fired forge, an anvil, tongs and hammers. He set up shop in his parents' backyard. By 1970, Chouinard Equipment became the largest climbing hardware supplier in the United States.

Since founding Patagonia, one of the world's most successful outdoor clothing and gear companies, Chouinard has been a pioneer in mixing environmentalism with sound business practices. How we play the game, whether in business or in life, can matter more than how we finish.

Thomas EdisonInventor
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

Thomas Edison developed the phonograph, commercially practical light bulbs and the motion picture camera. He was a pioneer in applying mass production to the process of invention, and he was known for his systematic approach to research and development. He is credited with creating the first industrial research lab.

As holder of more than 1,000 U.S. patents, Thomas Edison was one of the most productive inventors in history. Edison accepted the progression that is inherent to success. He demonstrated that each step in the process is vital to meeting the goal.

Albert EinsteinPhysicist
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Albert Einstein was a theoretical physicist who developed what is known as the world's most famous equation: E=mc². His contributions to physics include his work on special relativity, general relativity, mass-energy equivalence and the Theory of Brownian Motion. He was awarded the Noble Prize for Physics in 1921.

Able to identify the problems of physics and develop organized strategies to solve them, Einstein expressed the need to learn from both mistakes and successes through his well-known definition of insanity. Making the same mistake over and over again will result in the same failures. Conversely, even when something does work, such as a business model, it may not continue to produce the desired results over time. Adaptation is key.

William RosenbergFounder of Dunkin' Donuts
"Show me a person who never made a mistake, and I will show you a person who never did anything."

In the 1940s, William Rosenberg founded Industrial Luncheon Services using $1,500 in war bonds and $1,000 in borrowed seed capital. Following its success, and noticing that a significant percentage of revenues came from coffee and doughnuts, Rosenberg founded the Dunkin' Donuts franchise in 1950. Dunkin' Donuts is now represented in 32 countries with more than 10,000 locations. In 1959, Rosenberg and a group of entrepreneurs met to discuss the future of franchising and founded the International Franchise Association.

In business and in life, it is impossible to avoid all mistakes. Successes are due in part to failures, and mistakes are an inevitable part of the learning process.

The Bottom LineFor thousands of years, entrepreneurs have discovered, invented, created, developed, improved and theorized. Their quotes help explain their modi operandi and the reasons they believe they have become successful. Their words of wisdom may also motivate others to set goals, embrace failure and learn from their mistakes.

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