It's same now that I'm out of corporate arena. Take my dream of being a writer. Changing careers after twenty-something years in management, I could have waited to write a column until I secured a writing contract for one. But, why would someone pay me to write without reading my words and knowing I can. Chicken and egg again.

What works for me has been consistent. When I do work first, rewards follow. I think of it like exercising. Doing it gives me better results than thinking about it. No one likes to be called a chicken, so ... be egg.

(c) 2004 Nan S. Russell. All rights reserved.

Sign up to receive Nan’s free eColumn,, Winning at Working, at http://www.winningatworking.com. Nan Russell has spent over twenty years in management, most recently with QVC as a Vice President. Currently working on her first book, Nan is a writer, columnist, small business owner, and instructor.

MSI is a solid business principle that should be at very foundation of your company. Whether you sell others’ products through affiliate programs or have a service-based business that you operate yourself, find multiple streams of income to back up your primary stream.

Don’t know where to look? Try these!

1. Add affiliate products to your site (or start a new site and offer them there).

2. Produce your own ebook, software product, or automated service that can be created once and sold over and over with little effort on your part.

3. Find others to partner with. Bring a combination of your products/services to market and give yourself twice as much income for half as much work.

The Same or Different?

Should you aim for adding MSI that are similar to your current offerings or different? There are pros and cons to each. You’ll need to examine both sides of story and make that decision for yourself.

While products/services that are similar can be added to your current marketing plan more quickly, those that are different allow your company to expand and reach more target groups. Similar products/services integrate easily into your current business strategy, but different products/services help you achieve more security. The "correct" decision is one you can make according to your situation.

Regardless of whether you decide to go with products or services that are similar or diverse, affiliate or your own, give some serious thought to shoring up your finances through multiple streams of income. When you do, you can be rest assured knowing your future is secure.

Diane C. Hughes * ProBizTips.com