If you are looking to increase your business and income (and chances are that your trying just that), joining associations and professional groups in your industry can help you accomplish just that. These organizations are set up to help members of the industry and by becoming a leader of an organization like that, you can increase your reputation, prove your expertise, generate publicity and free advertising for you and your business and increase your income all at the same time.

No matter what industry you are in, chances are that there is an industry association that you can join and work with. In the vast majority of cases, there are several. Mortgage brokers can join the National Mortgage Brokers Association and other professional can join similar organizations. These associations can help you advertise your services, decrease your costs and show your expertise to the community.

If you are a salesperson, you most likely introduce yourself to potential customers in a variety of different ways, but using your position in an industry association to show your expertise can help you in whatever way you introduce yourself. If you write a letter to a potential customer, you can include your position and the association or associations that you belong to. If you meet people in person, you can include a short list of organizations that you belong to on your business card.

By showing that you are a member or even a leader of an industry association, you are showing customers that your job is more than just a job. You are showing them that it is a vital part of your life, which it needs to be if you want to achieve unparalleled success. By joining industry associations, you can easily prove your expertise, save money through cooperative agreements, increase free advertising and publicity for you and your business all while increasing your income and improving your social standing. These are all things that you need if you want success, and something that you should do today.

Ask Yourself three simple questions that affect your strategy planning...

* What direction is my business going in?
* How do I create my business strategy so that I can position myself as a leader in my industry?
* Where do I go to find out information about business strategy planning?

Have you found yourself asking these questions about your business? Well this article is written just for you. Learning what drives your industry will help you understand how to create a successful business strategy plan. The plan will help you stay on target with your yearly goals.

For the New Year, I wanted to share a few business strategy tips with you that will help you understand more about "Strategy Planning Made Easy".

Top Ten Business Strategy Planning Tools for Small Business Owners

1. Build partnerships with other businesses so that you can build a resource network.
2. Take the time to learn about your industry trends and how they affect your business.
3. Join online & offline networking groups that cater to your business and your personal interest.
4. Gain understanding about the business strategy plans of your resource network business partners.
5. Manage your business information before it manages you, don't let it overwhelm you.
6. Keep a positive attitude regardless of how the outlook of a business situation may seem.
7. Plan rest periods for you and your business, it will keep both of you fresh and alive.
8. Don't try to do everything yourself, hire a support team that will work to make you successful.
9. Make sure that your support team, your business, and you are a good fit.
10. Keep your plans in front of you and visualize your success.

Many government regulators believe that no industry can police itself and yet having been involved in a franchising industry I see that the industry itself due to its very nature and structure causes cooperation between franchisees who are the investors, and the Franchisors who want to expand their brand name.

Many regulators will say they encourage us to clear our minds and consider that Franchisor is like any business will push the envelope on regulations in order to make higher profits. And for those folks I say to you; I am completely clear, and yet cannot forget all my experiences, observations and listening to franchisees, lawyers, government regulators telling me what I was seeing was not real and therefore I am very slow to judge a franchisor.

You see, if a franchisor screws up then outlets fail and they go out of business. With fewer laws they have a better chance of making it and if they don't then they go out of business faster with nothing to hide behind, free-markets solve problems and bureaucracy makes them. And on the other hand I think I have seen my share problems in franchising such as the Decorating Den, Krispy Kremes, Boston Market, Schlotzky's Deli BK, Jiffy Lube crumble, 7-11 sold to Toyko Master franchise, etc.

Still, many of the companies, which had pushed the envelope on ethics and it up in last place in the franchising community and in their competitive industries. Where as those corporations and Franchisor's which were more ethical and it up on top in the long run. There is an inherent good in franchising, which promotes honesty and integrity like no other industry. Unfortunately the government regulators do not understand this fact and this is what causes increased and unnecessary over regulation in the franchising industry. Please consider this in 2006.

The increased use of computers and e-commerce are changing business operations. This is mainly true within the travel industry. The travel industry encompasses several different businesses. These include travel agencies and franchises, online travel agent franchises and cruise franchises.

In the cruise travel market, cruise lines are launching expansion ventures to new places. This makes it very difficult to operate numerous centers simultaneously. Cruise travel business opportunities are comprised of a variety of concepts that prove to be feasible and profitable business opportunities for many. Advertisements are placed in newspapers, the yellow pages and on the Internet. They include vending offerings, home-based opportunities, cruise franchises and other travel business services.

It is very profitable to be a cruise travel agent. People can earn money by working from home or from their present place of business. Many home-based travel agents offer the same perks and benefits as store- front travel agencies. There are a number of companies who offer training seminars on cruise ships and vacation resorts all over the world, at reasonable costs. It is also possible for people to obtain training online. The companies provide comprehensive programs with the know-how, training and the tools that are required by a potential agent to succeed in the industry. Parent cruise companies offer first hand training, to uphold an already established business pattern and maintain uniformity in various smaller centers.

Cruise travel business opportunities offer the means to earn without managing any stock or personal selling. They do not involve learning complicated technical information and require a small upfront investment. Regardless of whether individuals are looking for a way to increase their income on a part-time basis, or hoping for a full-time business opportunity, cruise travel helps individuals to build an independent business under the guidance of the parent cruise travel group.