To search for job, we present to you, herein, top 10 high-ranking global job boards. They are listed below according to their social, traffic and bookmark rankings. By job board, we mean websites where job opportunities are posted. As you search for job, though, spend more time on researching companies, organic networking, meeting people and looking for possibilities of making a career change. You should try out a couple of the job boards and determine which ones work best for you as regards your job category and preferences. You success in using these will depend on a lot of factors including, but not limited to, filter implementation, your job category and frequency of search. Remember that most times, getting a new job is not easy. Again, recruiters of some companies tend to be very ignorant and do not get it. They will not consider your application because you are not on social media or are not highly connected. Inasmuch as the social media are busy raking in money with the traffic they generate on their platforms, those recruiters have been made to believe that their recruits must be highly connected. Ignore them and work your way through. You will definitely get a job from one of the companies that know what they are doing. Click on each item on the list below to access the job board.

Good luck with your job search!

• Facebook
• Linkedin
• Dice
• Indeed
• Monster
• Idealist
• Glassdoor
• Linkup
• CareerBuilders
• Internship

How To Prepare To Land Your Dream Job

It is common knowledge in most countries of the world that labour supply greatly outweighs its demand. Competition is rife as professionals and non professionals compete for limited jobs in the market as they pursue their career progression. This situation has made most people to believe that getting a choice job is only a game of luck and chance. Others see it that the only sure way to land a dream job is through the “connection” one has. The truth is that luck, chance or connection might help a few people but not everybody. So the questions is – what can the average job seeker do to secure his or her dream job?

In order to increase your chances of securing your dream job, you need a strategic and structured approach while job hunting. A study of the career progression of some successful professionals revealed a trend resulting from implemented techniques and practices that led to their success. The techniques are listed below. If you apply them , you will greatly increase your chances of securing your dream job.

• Self Assessment– Do an assessment of your skills, potentials and capabilities. Understand what your core values are, your ideal work environment and career progression. Based on the education and training you received, you should determine which direction you are headed in your career. If you did not have a formal education or training, determine what you enjoy doing even if you are not going to be paid. Then list out the industries and sectors that need what you like doing and direct your job search toward it.

• Devote To Job Hunting– The importance of committing time to the job hunting process cannot be over emphasized. That dream job will only come with time and effort. You need to set out time from your present work or from other responsibilities and commit to job hunting. Extend your search across a number of platforms to further increase your chances.

• Apply ASAP– To increase your chances of securing an interview, you will have to apply for jobs as soon as they are advertised. This is because recruiters often receive hundreds of applications within a few hours of advertising and tend to process the applications on a first-come-first-served basis. A sure way of staying informed when your desired job is advertised is to set up job agents which will send you email alerts. This ensures you are duly informed once a job is posted and that you will be one of the early applicants to apply.

• Identify Jobs That Match Your Skill Set– Your success begins from being able to identify the job that requires your skill set. Be smart to identify the job that matches your skill level. This way, you will be appealing to the recruiter. We also recommend that you focus on those jobs that suit your education, qualification and skill set. Do this and you will increase your chances of securing an interview.

• Understand The Job Market– It is important that you understand the job market. What is the demand for the skill set you have? There is a proof that the more certain roles are advertised, the greater the demand for the roles companies and organizations. This knowledge will help you to have a workable strategy for job hunting and to make adjustments (in terms of career path) if necessary.

• Right Network– Networking with industry professionals will give you insight into existing opportunities before they are advertised or even if they are not advertised. Interaction with such high-profile individuals will greatly increase your chances of getting an attractive offer. These industry professionals could be family members, friends, mentors or former co-workers. Talk to them and keep in touch because these people interact with recruiting agencies and are often the first to be informed about job opportunities.

• Update Your Resume (CV)– Remember that your first contact with your future employer is your resume (CV). So make sure that it has all the necessary information with regard to your skills and experience. Usually, recruiters have hundreds of resumes to go through and therefore you must ensure that your resume is well prepared to have a competitive advantage. Ask somebody to review your resume. A standard resume should be two pages and should be tailored to suit the job you are applying for.

• Be Flexible To Options– Getting a job without experience can be quite challenging. As a fresher in the job market, you have to be flexible with your choices. This will give you the opportunity to develop the required skill and experience to launch you into getting your dream job.

• Do Not Be Motivated By Money– It is wrong to have money as the motivation for applying for a job whether you state it explicitly or implicitly. Focus on what you love doing and have skills for because it will enable you to build the character and discipline required to excel in your work. When you excel in doing the work, money will find you.

• Be Realistic In Your Expectations– Know that there is never a perfect job. Your “dream job” will come with challenges and unexpected twists that might bore you down. So train yourself to focus on the job at hand. Build good relationships and always be ready to give your best and get better.

See you at the top! Cheers!

How To Apply For Job

Getting Your Dream Job Is Possible!

Here we are going to give you a brief and effective guide as to how to apply for job. It is assumed that at this stage, you have searched out a job that interests you. If you have not, please read the posting above on ‘Search For Job’. Finding a job that interests you can be difficult sometimes especially when the job market is competitive. The economic law of demand and supply are usually effective. You will see some employers that seem not to understand what to look for. They will be looking for a carpenter, for example, that knows how to do everything – structural work, masonry, carpentry, sidewall, tiling, HVAC, decoration, cleaning, security, sales, jumping, singing, etc. And yet they say they are equal opportunity employers. Unbelievable! Keep searching and you will surely get a job that is of interest to you. After you find a job, applying means presenting yourself to the employer for consideration and possible hire. Ask yourself, ‘How do I market myself?’ The following steps will help you in the application process:

• Read the job description carefully to know the tasks, responsibilities, requirements and any other details.

• Keep a record of the job description for future use. This is very important when you will be following up on the application. The best way to keep record is to create a folder for every position you apply for. The folder will contain every information about the application – job description, resume, cover letter, login to online application, etc.

• From the job description, note how you are to apply. Some jobs will want you to apply online while others will state that you send your documents by email. Pay attention to what you are required to do.
• Tailor your resume/CV and cover letter (if they are required) to suit the job description.
• Make sure there are no grammatical and spelling errors

• If you are using old template for cover letter, please make sure to update accordingly. It is not a good thing if you send a recent application that is dated two months ago neither is it good if any information on the cover letter is intended for a different employer. There are so many grievous mistakes that can result from using old templates. Avoid such mistakes.

• As you prepare your documents, look at them from the perspective of the employer and see how impressive they appear to you. If you were an employer and somebody approached you with the documents, would you consider and or hire the person? This kind of subjectivity will help you put in your best to the application documents.

When everything is okay, apply for the job and attach/include all requested documents.

Congratulations! You have submitted your application. From experience, if you work full time, you will be able to send between one and five applications in a day. All depends on the details required of the application from the employer. Remember that quality matters a lot rather than quantity. Do not forget that record keeping in extremely important in everything you do during job application. For the above guidelines, we assume you know how to prepare application documents like resume and cover letter. If you do not know, we will be treating them in subsequent posts. Good luck!

What To Do After You Apply For Job

In order to get a job, you will most probably apply for positions with several employers depending on the condition of the job market. This means you could be looking at sending tens of applications before you are hired. Whatever happens, do not be discouraged until the deal is done. You will definitely get a job! Now, for what to do after you apply:

• Make sure to keep track of all the applications you have sent and their deadlines.

• Around the third week after the deadline for application submission, contact the employer to follow up unless it is stated that follow-up is not entertained. You will usually contact the employer through the HR (Human Resources). This is where the folders you created when you were applying for jobs become very useful.

• As you follow up, have a documentation of the dates of the follow-up and the responses you are getting from the employers. Add comments for next actions if necessary.

• At this time, you may start to receive the ‘Unfortunately …’ emails. Do not be discouraged by those and do not take them personal, either. Keep pushing ahead. When you go shopping, the thing you do not buy is highly needed by somebody else. This same principle applies in the job market. You will definitely meet the employer that needs you.

• Keep your eyes and ears on any good source of job. We want you to succeed and that is why we are telling you all this. Take the follow up exercise as serious as searching and applying for jobs. Organize everything well so that you know which positions have been filled and which ones are still open. As you do all this, you will be acquiring more experience on how best to package yourself and apply for subsequent job positions. Again, good luck with your job search!

How To Prepare For An Interview

Congratulations! You have crossed a big huddle to have got an interview. Rejoice for achieving this feat but keep the happiness within yourself since there is yet another bigger huddle. The main purpose of sending out applications is to get a job. Now you are much closer to realizing the purpose. Do everything possible; I mean everything possible to land yourself the job. It is yet another great opportunity to market yourself and stand out from other interviewees. Here we present you with 10 tips on how to prepare yourself and land the job. I am a staff of Bignedu and from my experience, the tips presented are have been tested and very effective. I have happened to attend interviews of various types where there were hundreds of interviewees and I came out successful. You do not need to know who I am in person to believe. What I said is true. If you apply the tips that we present here, you will come back to that us and we would be glad we are able to help you. Follow the tips below that have been tested and proven to yield great result:

• Contact your interviewer– See if you can get a little more information about what to expect from the interview session in terms of areas that interview questions will cover. You never know. You could get a great hint that will make you shine!
• List requirements– From the invitation for an interview, list all the things you are required to do and make sure you fulfill them.
• Prepare to attend– Get your clothes for the interview ready. Plan how to get to the venue in time no matter what. If possible, visit the venue secretly and be sure your plan will work out correctly.
• Review thoroughly your application documents– This review will include the job description. This is one of the reasons we told you earlier to keep a record of all applications you send. You remember?

• Research the employer’s website– Inform yourself about the business and operation of the company as much as you can. This will show that you are really interested in working in the company. Nobody expects you to know everything about the employer but you are expected to know something.

• Prepare for common questions– There are common questions during interviews that you should prepare for. Such question include ‘Tell me about yourself’, ‘What are your strengths?’, ‘What are your weaknesses?’ and ‘Where do you see yourself in five or ten years time?’. From other clues you got about the nature of the interview, prepare as much and as possible as you can. You target is to make an ‘A’ grade from the assessment.

• Prepare questions for the interviewer– During interviews, never say you have no questions if asked if you have any questions. Make sure to ask at least one question – any question. Asking right questions will be a credit to you. Therefore take time at home to prepare questions that you will ask and recite the questions so that on the interview day, you can easily remember the questions without referencing anywhere. One question is okay, two questions are perfect and three questions are maximum.

• Get ready documents– Prepare copies of resume and cover letter (if this was also submitted). You will also get ready your list of references (two or three) even if it is not stated in interview invitation. You will go with these stated documents just in case. Make sure to choose correct and trusted references. Inform them that you will be submitting their names and make sure that their contact information is correct.

• Be optimistic– Tell yourself, I should not miss this job. I have to go and get it. This will help you to motivate yourself and do everything possible to market yourself.

• Have good rest– On the eve of the interview, make sure to sleep very well and have enough rest. Be composed and focused. Do not put yourself in a tight situation where you will be in a rush to meet up with time. Give room (time) for any eventuality. This is a good time management principle.

How To Answer Interview Questions

Today is the D-day! You are now prepared for the interview. Make sure to be at the venue at least 15 minutes before the time for the interview. This is very important. It will not be good for the interviewer to call you on phone and ask if you are still coming for the interview. Be sure to dress appropriately. If you are in doubt as to how to dress, visit career section of the employer’s website or contact the interviewer and inquire. Here we present you with 5 tips on how to comport yourself and answer interview questions:

• Free your mind– It is true you are looking for a job but remember that you are not going to die if you are not offered the job. When one door is closed, many more is open! This mindset will grant you psychological freedom and you will be able to bring out your best. When you are engulfed by fear and uncertainty, you will be unable to perform.

• Be bold, cheerful and professional– Do not let anything intimidate you.
• Make exploits– Such interview questions like ‘Tell me about yourself’ and ‘What are your strengths’ are opportunities for you to shine. Make maximum use of them to market yourself.
• Be optimistic– Believe in your abilities and speak with assertion. You are you. The interview is not going to make you lose your name. Why then will you be afraid or panicky?
• Loop in– Show a smiling face and try always, after answering some questions (not every question), to bring the interviewer into your loop by asking, ‘I do not know if I answered your question?’ or ‘Did that answer your question?’

With these tips, as short and as simple as they are, you will receive a follow-up letter offering you the job. Please remember Bignedu!

Please find time to browse through the other pages on our website. The information in them might interest and help you. Feel free to share with family members and friends anything you find interesting on the website by using the social media icons at the footer area. Thank you for visiting.

The post Search For Job first appeared on Bignedu.

4 Basic Keys To Financial Freedom

Hard work pays; anything else may help!

Before we dive into the basic keys, let us clear some ground. Please, follow us along. You are probably here because you are searching for information on how to gain financial freedom. The freedom can only be achieved when you know how to make more money. One way to make more money is to get information. It is our desire to support you as you work toward financial freedom by providing you with helpful information. When you make more money, you walk towards financial freedom. Now, let us try and answer a question. What is financial freedom? Of the truth, the question is relative. From economics point of view, human being has many wants but has limited resources. If we go by this assertion from economics, nobody is financially free. So, by our own definition, financial freedom means having enough money to enjoy the necessities of life which include – house, food, clothing, giving aid, mobility and entertainment. Going to the moon, or anything like that, is not a necessity of life. You need to establish a boundary before you can be financially free. Having all the money on earth is not financial freedom. If you have all the money on earth but do not have a boundary, you will never be financially free – when money increases, commitment increases. Haven said these, you have to have money to be financially free. Do not be confused. Try to understand the explanation.

As we present to you the basic keys to financial freedom, we will expose you to many ways to make more money. If you want to make more money, ask yourself – what do I know how to do? Do not say you do not know how to do anything. Okay? Everybody is made to know how to do something. It is possible you know how to do many things. I guess you know that you can make great wealth from virtually anything, I said anything, you know how to do. The global market accessible through the internet guarantees this. If you know how to do many things, concentrate on those that you know how to do best. Then make up your mind to give the time it takes. Every dream requires a time period to materialize. The time period could be one day, one week or even a couple of years. If you are on the right track, it should not be more than a couple of years. This is where patience comes in. There is this saying that Rome was not built in a day. Making more money is not different! The problem is that most times, we spend a lot of time on things that will not bring us close to making more money. If we begin to use our time well and pay attention to the things we know how to do, for sure, more money will come. We must stress that it is not enough to know how to do something and give the time it takes. It is even more important that you make good name in the thing you know how to do. Good name, they say, is better than money! If you go about cursing and hurting people as you do the things you know how to do, in a short while, everybody will back out and you will be on your own. You should train yourself to have good manners and right conduct.

Laying a financial foundation is the hardest part of managing money. You have to start from somewhere! You have to be doing something in order to make an income. Otherwise, you will never achieve financial freedom. It is like counting 1, 2, 3. As long as you are no longer a toddler, you must count 1 before you count 2. If you are a student or an apprentice, you are already doing something and that is a good starting point. Now somewhere, it is easier to be on course and make right decisions. When you are on course and in the right direction, if you keep doing the right thing, you will be working toward financial stability and freedom. Prepare to land your dream job if you are looking for job. When you start to make income, set goals and create savings to realize those goals. There are many ways to make more money. For the most part, what makes someone rich is how much they are able to save and or invest but not generally how much income they make. You might have heard that some people who won jackpot later became poor. Did that surprise you? It should not! It happened and happens. If you can assimilate what has been said so far, you are more than 60% closer to achieving financial freedom.

Achieving financial freedom is based on the following 4 basic keys:

Monitor Expenses

How much do you worth? Let your expenses depend on your income. There is this old saying that one should cut ones coat according to ones size. The saying has not expired; it is valid forever. Take a critical look at your expenses and cut off those that are not really required. You can cut off the expenses one after the other. You are a different person and should not have the same spending style as your friends or as another person, by the way.

Make Savings

When you succeed in cutting off some expenses, the end result will be savings. Map out a bulk amount of money and save in a certain type of account. It does not matter how much it is; it can be 500, 1000 or more bucks. You want to embark on a disciplinary journey of making savings. Set a time period for yourself, say weekly or monthly, and make sure you keep putting a certain amount of money in the account. If you have a spouse, you must have had a discussion together and agreed on your financial goals. What is of utmost importance is steadiness in making the savings and not the amount you put in each time period.

Clear Any Debts

If there is an outstanding debt, your priority will be to clear it. No one is free until they pay off their debt. Map out a plan to clear your debt as quickly as possible. Otherwise, your wallet will be swelled up like the proverbial big balloon that goes up into the air at the slightest wind. Why defer or delay? If you owe, you owe. You cannot run away from it. If you could have run away, you should have started from avoiding the debt. But once you owe, it helps greatly to clear it as quickly as possible. To clear the debt, start from the smallest amount and proceed to the biggest. Do not over burden yourself trying to pay all debts at the same time. But if you can pay all at the same time without risking begging for food or other basic necessities, go ahead and pay all.

Maintain The Dignity Of Human Existence

The target is to achieve financial freedom so that you can live sustainably and with fulfillment. The question will be at what expense is it reasonable to achieve that? You should not look for financial freedom at the expense of your freedom of existence. It would not be good to trample on everybody around you either, just because you want to achieve financial freedom. There is no dignity in that! There are uncountable number of genuine ways to make money and still maintain your dignity. You only have to put your knowledge and brain to task. Many people have done it. You can do it. Yes, you can!

Bignedu

How To Prepare To Land Your Dream Job: 10 Tips That Really Work!

It is common knowledge in most countries of the world that labour supply greatly outweighs its demand. Competition is rife as professionals and non professionals compete for limited jobs in the market as they pursue their career progression. This situation has made most people to believe that getting a choice job is only a game of luck and chance. Others see it that the only sure way to land a dream job is through the “connection” one has. The truth is that luck, chance or connection might help a few people but not everybody. So the questions is – what can the average job seeker do to secure his or her dream job?

In order to increase your chances of securing your dream job, you need a strategic and structured approach while job hunting. A study of the career progression of some successful professionals revealed a trend resulting from implemented techniques and practices that led to their success. The techniques are listed below. If you apply them , you will greatly increase your chances of securing your dream job.

1. Self Assessment – Do an assessment of your skills, potentials and capabilities. Understand what your core values are, your ideal work environment and career progression. Based on the education and training you received, you should determine which direction you are headed in your career. If you did not have a formal education or training, determine what you enjoy doing even if you are not going to be paid. Then list out the industries and sectors that need what you like doing and direct your job search toward it.
2. Devote To Job Hunting – The importance of committing time to the job hunting process cannot be over emphasized. That dream job will only come with time and effort. You need to set out time from your present work or from other responsibilities and commit to job hunting. Extend your search across a number of platforms to further increase your chances.
3. Apply ASAP – To increase your chances of securing an interview, you will have to apply for jobs as soon as they are advertised. This is because recruiters often receive hundreds of applications within a few hours of advertising and tend to process the applications on a first-come-first-served basis. A sure way of staying informed when your desired job is advertised is to set up job agents which will send you email alerts. This ensures you are duly informed once a job is posted and that you will be one of the early applicants to apply.
4. Identify Jobs That Match Your Skill Set – Your success begins from being able to identify the job that requires your skill set. Be smart to identify the job that matches your skill level. This way, you will be appealing to the recruiter. We also recommend that you focus on those jobs that suit your education, qualification and skill set. Do this and you will increase your chances of securing an interview.
5. Understand The Job Market – It is important that you understand the job market. What is the demand for the skill set you have? There is a proof that the more certain roles are advertised, the greater the demand for the roles companies and organizations. This knowledge will help you to have a workable strategy for job hunting and to make adjustments (in terms of career path) if necessary.
6. Right Network – Networking with industry professionals will give you insight into existing opportunities before they are advertised or even if they are not advertised. Interaction with such high-profile individuals will greatly increase your chances of getting an attractive offer. These industry professionals could be family members, friends, mentors or former co-workers. Talk to them and keep in touch because these people interact with recruiting agencies and are often the first to be informed about job opportunities.
7. Update Your Resume (CV) – Remember that your first contact with your future employer is your resume (CV). So make sure that it has all the necessary information with regard to your skills and experience. Usually, recruiters have hundreds of resumes to go through and therefore you must ensure that your resume is well prepared to have a competitive advantage. Ask somebody to review your resume. A standard resume should be two pages and should be tailored to suit the job you are applying for.
8. Be Flexible To Options – Getting a job without experience can be quite challenging. As a fresher in the job market, you have to be flexible with your choices. This will give you the opportunity to develop the required skill and experience to launch you into getting your dream job.
9. Do Not Be Motivated By Money – It is wrong to have money as the motivation for applying for a job whether you state it explicitly or implicitly. Focus on what you love doing and have skills for because it will enable you to build the character and discipline required to excel in your work. When you excel in doing the work, money will find you.
10. Be Realistic In Your Expectations – Know that there is never a perfect job. Your “dream job” will come with challenges and unexpected twists that might bore you down. So train yourself to focus on the job at hand. Build good relationships and always be ready to give your best and get better.

Cheers! See you at the top!

The post 4 Basic Keys To Financial Freedom first appeared on Bignedu.

Agriculture is a sure sustainable source of wealth. This is because it attends to the basic needs of all living things: man, animal and plant. It also sees to how the last two serve the first, man. Human’s need of agro produce is continuous and persistent. We all are abreast of the recent increase in population growth and decrease in food production. This makes investment in agriculture not just a safety measure but also a pathway to wealth. Most of the other sectors of world economy like oil, have failed to satisfy man’s need. Such sectors as education and power rather consume more than they yield. Much of the source of sustenance for these other sectors is agriculture, and even alternatives to oil are agro-based. Hence the opportunities for investment in the sector abound. We have taken time to look at the various levels in the agricultural sector to find out promising investment opportunities therein. Some of them are as follow:

Production

One potential investment opportunity is in firms that plant, grow and harvest crops. Some crops have limited supply in relation to their demand. Crops like this may give one unexpected return when one invests in farming to produce it. One may not necessarily own a farm, but can enter into a contract with farmers who will appreciate one’s investment in terms of provision of seedlings, fertilizer, land, man power/machinery with a share of the bounty in the percentage agreed. Some of the crops that are in high demand for household and industrial usages include; cassava, soy bean, sorghum, sesame, peanut etc. Spices like curry, thyme, scent leave, nutmeg are also in high demand. You can cultivate these spices, dry and package them for sell.

Jatropha is a crop that is cultivated for bio- diesel. It is also a promising agro-production business to venture into. The cultivators can easily cultivate Jatropha as a source of raw material for producing bio-diesel.

Fodder is another agro-production one can enjoy its outcome. Most livestock farmers especially those that rear pigs, cattle, sheep, and goats have a need for the daily supply of fodders. Fodders are mostly grasses like clover, alfalfa, grass and wheat. With the innovative approach to animal rearing called ranching, animal farmers depend on fodder producers to feed their animals. Again, the population increase in the world, and the attending industrialization and urbanization are a threat to land availability as a source of fodder. You can therefore grow these plants in commercial measure and sell to livestock farmers for a small fee.

Seedling Production is another opening in agro-business for investment. You can start a farm nursery dedicated to producing high quality seeds which you can sell to crop farmers. One may specialize just in this, and invest a large sum of money to be able to produce a commercial quantity of seedling for farmers. Sunflower seeds, soya bean seeds, sesame seeds etc. are currently in high demand.

Sunflower farming is another agribusiness one can invest in. Sunflower is a highly aesthetic and decorative plant which can be used to beautify homes and offices.

Additionally, you can choose to have an agro brand as a publicly-traded crop production firm, such as Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. (FDP), Adecoagro S.A. (AGRO) and Cresud (CRESY).

Rearing of livestock for meat, egg, hide and skin and other things can also be a profitable business.

Storage

Fruit drying as a way of storing fruits can also be a source of income. The process of solar drying of fruits helps in preserving the nutritional value of the fruits. It is also used to make seasonal fruits available all year round.

One can also invest in the manufacturing, lease and sales of storage facilities. Additionally, provision of these facilities like cold room for the use of people can also fetch one returns.

Processing

Food processing is also one of the good agribusiness ideas. Processing of agricultural products apart from bringing crop produce to varied choice forms such as groundnut into peanut oil, snack nuts (peanut), sauce, flour, cake, animal feed, peanut butter and cookies, is generally accepted as the efficient method of maintaining the shelf-life of produce. This is a one of the very good agribusiness to invest in.

Investment in commercial roasting of groundnut is very lucrative. Especially using advanced machineries for the processing. There are De-shelling machine, Roasting machine, Red skin peeling machine, Packaging machine, Corking machine, SEALING MACHINE (for nylon packaging) etc. just as there are mechanized machines for groundnut processing into peanut snacks, there also are machines for processing of other crops for ease of work and improved productivity.

Shea Butter Extraction and Refinery stand out lucrative agro venture to invest in. A large market exists for Shea butter world-wide, particularly as it is organically produced. Shea butter is in high demand and is a wonderful product. It has high prospect and sells well in the international market. Opportunities exist in its production value chain producing on a small, medium and on a larger scale to meet the growing demand. There is a growing interest in butter for use as ingredients in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and confectionery industries, yet the commodity is in limited supply as much of it is processed by local women through crude and labor intensive means. Investment in the processing of the butter in large volume will be very profitable.

Fruits like strawberry, orange, grapes etc. can also be processed and turned into items like jam and jelly. This process is not so complex and it can be started on a small scale with little capital.

You could start feed production and supply feeds to all the poultry farms around you. Feeds is a major money spinner in poultry business because for chicken to grow they need to eat, a lot. This may require some technical know-how but you can do that with other interested persons who may have the know-how but not the capital. It takes usually processed crop produce to make feed. Kernel, corn, peanut and blood are common constituents of feeds. Again, learning from people who are already in the business may place you on safer side against failure.

Distribution

Agro Inputs Sales and Distribution can be the focus of a business venture. Such inputs as Seedling, Agro chemicals, Feeds, Vaccines, Fertilizers etc. need to get down to its users. Apart from producing/ manufacturing feeds, fertilizers and chemicals, one can invest in the sales and distribution of these inputs. The farmers may have no direct access to the manufacturers of these products while in need of it. so, one can make money from selling and getting those inputs to places where they are needed.

Equipment

Machinery manufacturing is a good opportunity for investment. There are many types of machinery that serve in the cultivation, harvesting, storing, processing and transportation of agricultural produce. These machines may be needed in large quantity depending on the area and engagement of the people. While thinking of already existing machines, one can also come up with some new machines that can serve agro activities from crop and animal production to distribution. Development and fabrication of appropriate small-scale mechanized technologies for on- farm processing and secondary processing of agricultural produce will be appreciated by agricultural personnel, especially farmers. It therefore promises some returns.

Agro Equipment Leasing and Sales also serve as an investment opportunity. Farmers who need these pieces of equipment/machineries may not have the financial capacity to procure them but can hire them for use within a specific period of time. These farmers can also buy such equipment when they can.

Innovative Alternatives

Production of botanical pesticide is another profitable agribusiness idea. Botanical insecticides are naturally occurring chemicals (toxins) extracted or derived from plants or minerals. It is a very necessary item used in organic farming. The need for this type of product is increasing at a rapid pace due to declining use of chemical pesticide because of their adverse side effects. You can consider investing in it. While you can undergo some training to be able to produce it, you  can as well employ hands with the technical know-how.

Land availability as I have pointed out earlier is on a speedy decline which supposes decrease in food production and high demand for the same. An alternative farming mechanizing is a good investment opening. One of such alternatives is Hydroponic farming. Hydroponics is a technology for growing plants in nutrient solutions (water containing fertilizers) with or without the use of an artificial medium (sand, gravel, vermiculite, rockwool, perlite, peatmoss. coir, or sawdust) to provide mechanical support. Hydroponics makes it possible to grow vegetables in the cities and urban areas of the world. As such, you can engage in awareness creation for the use of this alternative while making sales of the required infrastructure. You too can produce crops through this medium for commercial purposes in areas with land scarcity.

Extension Services

Agro-Export and Processing Agency is a profitable business in the sector. There is need to bridge the network gap between food processors/ exporters and farmers. This bridge can be an investment opportunity for the agent. The agents procure agriculture commodities from farmers and make them available to processors and exporters. These agents know where the farmers are and the process for exportation.

You can create an Agro-Based E-Commerce Site to meet the needs of farmers, investors, processors, manufacturers, exporters and even consumers. Farmers can display their products for sale on the platform. Many farmers complain that agents rip them off their hard-earned profits. So an agro-based E-commerce site will bridge that gap and remove the middle man. It will connect farmers directly with buyers. Again, other agro advisory agencies can utilize the platform to reach out to farmers who would in turn enjoy their services for improved productivity.

With the rise in digital technology, farmers in remote places can now easily get access to the internet in order to receive farming advice and knowledge. You can start a blog or website that is a center for agribusiness related information. One of such sites is Agronews.com.

You can become a landscape expert who has professional knowledge regarding landscape architecture which includes land planning, storm water management, construction specification and other such things. You can as well offer professional advice on choice of crop breeds, soil management, and also do researches and forecast crop needs of humanity vis a vis atmospheric conditions.

Other Areas

Investing in farming-focused Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is another opportunity for investor can have to gain from agro production without actually a farm. What these REITs do is to purchase land masses of land and lease then to farmers who use them for crop and animal production. Some of them include Farmland Partners Inc. (FPI) and Gladstone Land Corporation (LAND). Farmland REITs offer many benefits. When one engages in REIT, one stands the chance of owing many lands with other people, and their gains form these diversified sources. Unlike the danger in owning a single farmland alone, the dangers that affect one farm is attended to by many and the other farms still provide them with the usual benefits. One can as well choose to sell the share of REITs on stock exchange. This shows that it offers greater liquidity in comparison with owing a physical farmland. Whereas one may not have the financial strength to procure a farmland alone, REIT is an easy route to own a farm without exorbitant financial commitment.

Investors can also just buy shares in a variety of industries that support agricultural production. These companies are commonly found among fertilizer and seeds production and sales, farm equipment manufacturing and crop processing and distribution. Some of the publicly-traded companies selling fertilizer and/or seeds are the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (POT ), Monsanto ( MON ), The Mosaic Co. ( MOS) and Agrium Inc. ( AGU). For companies with focus on the manufacturing of farm equipment, consider Deere & Co. (DE) and AGCO Corp. (AGCO). Many companies provide the infrastructure that moves crops from the farm to the local grocery store. Among those that transport, process and distribute crops are Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) and Bunge Limited (BG). Look out for more companies and buy their shares when available.

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) are a good opening for investment in the agriculture sector, while getting diversified exposure therein. The Market Vectors Agribusiness ETF (MOO) and PowerShares Global Agriculture ETF (PAGG) are examples of such companies that get about 50% of their income from agro-related activities. Consider therefore, terms and conditions of investing in them and choose the one most suitable for you.

Mutual Funds also offer opportunity for investment in agriculture. Although some mutual funds extend their compass to other sectors, most of them are dominantly agro-based. There is however no danger in having to invest in other sectors as well. Depending on your choice, you can as well find mutual funds that are specifically into farming and other agro-allied ventures. The fees available and past performances of a potential mutual fund are necessarily issues to consider before investing. Mutual funds with great interest in agricultural firms and produce include but not limited to the Fidelity Global Commodity Stock Fund (FFGCX), the CI Global Infrastructure, Timber, and Agribusiness (INNAX), etc.

With the above, we have put you in the know of some of the opportunities waiting for your investment in the agro sector. Remember to put in your best as your commitment in whatever you do marks success of it. Good luck as you take the bold step into investment.

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The post Investment Opportunities In Agriculture first appeared on Bignedu.

Most service oriented businesses as well as goods-supplying ones necessarily need business proposals to thrive. A business proposal is a written document that offers a particular product or service to a potential buyer or client. Businesses are meant to serve customers. It is the business proposal that introduces a service provider or product supplier and their suitability to people that need their product/services. A business proposal is clearly different from business plan, and should not be understood as interchangeable. In fact, a business plan may include business proposal (s) as the case may be.

Business proposals are generally of two types:

1. Solicited Business Proposals are those written and submitted on request by potential clients in need of such services/ products.
2. Unsolicited Proposals are written and submitted to potential clients or customers without their request. It is given out as a result of perceived need of the potential client and the readiness of the proposing service/product provider to solve the problem.

Business proposals can be submitted to or requested by government agencies, companies, religious groups (churches and mosques), clubs, organizations, families, individuals. These people can be in need of your products/ services.

Although writing a business proposal may be tasking, it is necessary. Below is a guide to doing it yourself. Otherwise, for additional time savings, and faster turnaround time on your proposals, software like Bidsketch goes a long way to help. Other more focused tools like Docsketch (an electronic signature app) help close deals faster. There are also firms that assist companies in preparing business proposals but not without pay. You can prepare one yourself.

Parts And Constituents Of A Business Proposal

Title Page

This should precede every other thing on the proposal. It should bear basic pieces of information, such as your company’s name and contact information, your company logo, your potential client’s name and contact information, the date, and a title. It tells how organized you are in your business dealings, and makes your proposal come off appealing and pleasant.

Cover Letter

You need a cover letter to introduce yourself, your company and your intention in the proposal. In a friendly tone, acquaint the potential client with brief background info about how your company came to be, and a short overview of what makes your company better than the rest. Encourage them to refer their questions to you. Sign it off after a salutary closure. You can shape your cover letter to have a visible and impressive mark of what you provide. You may as a graphic designer give the client a glimpse of your handiwork on the cover letter.

About Us

It is good to be modest, but there is need for you to sell yourself and your company. This is where you show off what makes your company the best and why you should be preferred to other ones. Flaunt the personnel and technical strength of your company. If your company or a member of your company has won any award, make it known: it will boost the brand of your company and trust will be cultivated. It means that the world knows about your company. Make it feel like your potential client is getting to know your organization by including brief bios and photos of the people they’ll be working with. Include information about your past successes and the compliments from former clients. You can talk about prior experience in general terms.

Table Of Contents

You may need to include a table of content before the main body of the proposal. This is for ease of location of certain parts of the proposal. The client may wish to skip some parts or rush to a particular one. The table will guide them. It also helps the reader to know what to expect in the document. If sent in soft copy, you can make the table of content clickable in such a way that a click on any of the subtitles can lead one to the part it is contained in the document, thereby navigating automatically through many pages. However, the table may be unnecessary if the entire business proposal is brief.

Executive Summary

Here you give a summary of the entire content of the proposal; starting from the first page to the last. Let the reader get to know what each part or subtitle contains. This should be done in a very terse way and avoid details which should be found in the appropriate part.

Problem Statement                                                                                                        

One of the things that will make the client seek your services is your demonstration of knowledge and understanding of the problem the organization is facing. You cannot claim to be a solution to a problem you know nothing about.  If it is a solicited proposal, do well to study it closely to find out the entailment of the problem or need of the organization. Be sure that it is something you can solve. Because you have done further research on them and the nature of their facilities, make it evident at this point. Let them understand that you have put yourself in their shoes and have taken the problem as yours. Show a good knowledge of and understanding of their problem, including how you got to know.

Solution And Methodology

In this section, show the client your proposed solution to their problem. Let them know the anticipated result of the project if your services are sort. Specify the requirements of the project, where each thing can be got and how you intend to do the work. If there are hands you will employ, let them know as well as the credibility of those hands. Give them a time frame. This will make you a master of your job.

Pricing

This is a very important part of a business proposal. The client would need to know what the entire project will cost by your standard. Make your financial requirements as detailed and clear as possible.

You may use a table to make it easy to understand. Include in your pricing the following:

Start-up costs or initial set-up, labour costs, supply costs, ongoing monthly charges and maintenance costs. Give the various qualities and quantities and their financial requirements. This is to allow the client decide from various options. Don’t hesitate to give professional advice on this decision.

Include in this section, contract terms. Tell your client how much is paid on signing, out of the entire cost. Show also penalties or interests assessed for late payment. Share at this point cancellation policies. This is important in case of a breach of contract. Give the specifications and the involved penalties if any.

Anticipated Challenges

As a master in the field, discuss any anticipated opposition. There is no project that does not encounter difficulties. From the vast of your experience, share with the client the possible dangers awaiting the project. Some business proposals might face opposition. For example, if your business proposal is to help a business by identifying which employees they could fire, then you can expect opposition to arise. Also, if you propose to help the company rebrand, then others in the company might object. You need to identify and then counter any anticipated opposition. Also show how you intend to tackle those oppositions. Let them know that you will handle the challenges satisfactorily and succeed in executing the project.

Conclusion

In the conclusion, reemphasize the gains in choosing you for the job. You might also want to include a deadline for the prospective client to respond and hire you.  This is no longer in vogue anyway. So use your discretion in including such a deadline. But if you will truly be engaged from a certain time or will be taking up another job from a particular period if theirs is not forth coming, let them know about it. It will announce the integrity of your business and your regard for delivery as agreed. Also remember to encourage the client to contact you with questions and to visit your website if they would like to see more information about your business. This means you should be present on the internet already. Start with LinkedIn at least.

References

If you made any reference to some books or publications, acknowledge them duly by documenting them before the appendix.  Make your business proposal original and genuine by referencing your sources. Including a list of sources also allows the client to easily find what you are referring to and confirm the accuracy of the information. Format the references in a choosing style and be consistent with it. You can use APA or MLA documentation style.

Appendix

You may wish to append/attach samples of your previous works as well as former client’s comments. These things may serve as motivating factors to the potential customer. Seeing they say is believing. When they see what you have done and possibly where you did it, they may get more courage to opt for you. A photographer can add some appealing shots taken either at events or just of nature. Remember you are not the only person that needs the job.

After The Draft

Go through your work again. Do not be in a hurry to send out the document the moment you finished the draft. After a day or two, go back to it. Look out for typographical errors and other lapses. Read again and again from the beginning to the end. Ensure that the figures you wrote especially in pricing are correct. Count the number of zeros and redo the calculations for accuracy. Go back to the document that bears the need of the potential client and see how much your proposal answers the worry there. Make sure your business proposal does not miss anything on the need. If possible, make the proposal short, not without the required details anyway. Try to consider your reader’s time. A business proposal read in less than ten minutes will grab the attention of the client.

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