6. Online/Offline Auctions You can find lower prices on business supplies and equipment at online and offline auctions. I'm not saying all time, but before you go pay retail for these items try bidding on them first.

7. Plan Ahead Make a list of business supplies or equipment you'll need in future. Keep an eye out for stores that have big sales. Purchase supplies when they go on sale before you need them.

8. Used Stuff If your business equipment and supplies don't need to be new, buy them used. You can find used items at yard and garage sales, used stores, used stuff for sale message boards and newsgroups etc.

9. Negotiate You should always try negotiate a lower price for any business equipment or supplies. It doesn't hurt to try. Pretend you are talking to a salesman at a car lot.

10. Search You can always be searching for new suppliers for your business supplies and equipment. Look for suppliers with lower prices and better quality. Don't just be satisfied with a few.

Qualities of an Effective Leader

• Leaders are purposeful; they have a clear view of their objectives and avoid digressions into irrelevancy.

• Leaders know their stuff; they have a thorough grasp of their subjects, when possible, backed up with hands-on experience.

• Leaders are prepared. No matter how well you know what you’re talking about, choose appropriate ways of getting your message across. Avoid shortcuts.

• Leaders are enthusiastic, but season their enthusiasm with intelligence and appropriate humor.

• Leaders understand use of drama. Dull is boring, so cultivate a sense of staging, especially when addressing a group.

• Leaders are confident and easy-going. Regardless of their management style, they speak clearly, projecting their voices and looking people in eye. Distinct speech is a sign of distinct ideas; self-assurance catches on.

• Leaders maintain a positive attitude. They never speak ill of their organizations or of individuals under their management. The glass is always half full, never half empty.

• Leaders demonstrate contagion of example. It’s not enough to talk talk; leaders must walk walk.

• Leaders support their subordinates, giving them widest possible authority and discretion, while keeping responsibility centralized with themselves.

• Leaders live U.S. Army’s motto: Adapt, Improvise and Overcome.

Leadership Makes Businesses Work

If management ability keeps systems operating efficiently, leadership identifies management needs and seeks systems to address them. If management skills are required to administer existing programs and systems, it takes leadership to create a vision of success, and get people excited about attaining it.

In short, leadership—provided by agency heads, sales managers and other members of management team—makes businesses work. It enables them develop to limits of their potential, then helps them break those limits.

Want More? Send comments and questions to w.willard3@knology.net

Sources: Management Online – A “Do-While-Learning”™ Program, The Diversified Group The Marine Officer’s Guide, Naval Institute Press