Differences in the Types of Auctions That Take Place Around the World

Auctions are those events where properties or goods are sold to the highest bidder. Auctions are mostly public events, where bidders make a series of bids and purchase a particular item for a high price. During auctions, bidders decide the price of an item rather than the seller. It depends on bidders to decide the amount they would want to pay for a specific item. During an auction, a bid is a proof of a legal binding. Bidders agree to pay the amount that they have bid. In a high profile auction, bidders may have to pay a deposit in escrow accounts or give a proof that they can pay for those items.

Types of Auctions:

Different types of auctions take place around the world. Below mentioned are some types of auctions:

1. English auction:
This is a basic type of auction. In this type, people can see the item and then start bidding. Bidders slowly raise the value of their bid until everyone gives up. The highest bidder is the winner. An auctioneer manages an auction, keeps records of the on going bid and decides the winner. Sometimes, the seller will quote a minimum amount for an item to the auctioneer, below which the auctioneer cannot sell that item.

2. Dutch auction:
In this type, the auctioneer sets a particular price and then gradually lowers the price. People in public will start bidding and later decide which prices are suitable for the item. A seller may use this type of auction to sell large quantities of same products to the public. For instance, a seller may want to sell a large amount of hay and will thus, decide to sell this hay to people for the same amount, once a reasonable price is decided.

3. Silent auction:
In this type, the bidders in public will present their bids in a sealed format. These sealed bids open at the same time and bidder with the highest bid wins. There could be a modification in this type of auction. The bidders are allotted a specific period to bid. They can roam in a room displaying the items, and write their bids on an associated sheet of paper. The bidders are allowed to see bids of other bidders and can choose a higher price for an item. At the end of the allotted time, bidder with the highest bid is the winner.

Examples of Auctions:

Auctions can be of two types either public or private. Sellers may trade any kind of items in both types of auctions. Some areas where auctions take place are:

1. Antique auction: An antique auction consists of a trade opportunity as well as provides entertainment.

2. Collectable auction: In a collectable auction, the seller may put up collectables like coins, vintage cars, luxury, stamps, real estate, and luxury for sale.

3. Wine auction: In wine auction, bidders can bid for rare wine, which may not be available in retail wine shops.

4. Horse auction: Bidders can bid for young horses of the best breed.

5. Livestock auction: In livestock auction, bidders can buy pigs, sheep, cattle, and other livestock.

The other examples of auctions may not be public. These auctions are for bidders from corporate levels. Some examples of private auctions are:

1. Timber auction
2. Spectrum auction
3. Electricity auction
4. Debit auction
5. Environmental auction
6. Auto auction
7. Electronic market auction
8. Sales of business auction

Bidders in an auction need to examine the items displayed and decide an appropriate price for an item. Thus, auctions help buyers in getting the best deals and in gaining better profits for sellers.

Home Based Business Mistakes to Avoid

Starting a home based business in Australia can offer you a very good alternative source of income. But just like all businesses, there will surely be a lot of ups and downs along the way. The disappointing times in a business should not be seen in a negative way but rather as a great tool in knowing what to do or to avoid in the future. By learning from past mistakes, a future of great success may be in store for you as an Internet home based business owner. Here are some of the common causes of problems to avoid.Lack of CommitmentThe main winning ingredient of any traditional or home based business opportunity is full commitment. Without this, failure is already a certainty. Different businesses have different needs but the only thing that’s constant is commitment. The degree of success to be achieved will be proportionate to the amount of commitment dedicated to a home based business.Wrong Product and CompanyWhen choosing a product to sell, make sure that it is something that can sell itself. Cheap products may be tempting to consider especially if promised to sell by the volumes because of its low price. But make sure there is plenty of demand for the product, as you will need lots of sales to make the project viable.It is also highly recommended to look deep into the company you are investing in before taking the plunge. A good network marketing company with a solid background can support its members well. Any person joining a reliable company stands the chance of a good and long successful business partnership.Joining The Wrong CrowdAnother sure way of achieving success is to be with the right crowd. Always remember that misery loves company. Avoid being with negative people as they will bring you down. Be with positive people that will and can help you grow with your business.Poor Communication SkillsBeing in the network marketing home based business requires good communication skills. Talking to clients, the people you are working with etc., will happen on a daily basis. Having poor communication skills can be a critical deterrent of success in this business.Absence of PlanningWorking from home has many positive aspects but there are some negatives, too. One of which is how easy it is to forget to plan ahead. Planning is important as it helps you understand what you need to do, and will give you clarity about your goals and how to reach them. Without planning, time and money may be wasted from wrong moves and lost opportunities for the business.No Dependable AdviserIn multi level marketing businesses, it is important to have someone guide you along the way. As much as having your own business gives you freedom to ‘run your own show’, it is still advisable to have somebody to rely on for guidance. Especially someone who has already seen the good and the bad in the business.Taking Short-cutsAnother common mistake in having a home based business is that some people take short cuts regarding crucial decisions. It is important to base all decisions on facts and to think and re-think them over and over to cover all bases. It may seem tedious to do so, but it is much easier to work on it from the beginning than doing troubleshooting at the end because of poor decision making.Short FuseHaving a home based business entails hard work and long patience. Success does not happen overnight; sometimes not even for weeks or months. If you have no patience, you may easily be discourage by the slow development of your business, especially in the early years. Patience will give a home based business owner the ability to wait until success comes.

3 P’s Drive Small Business Success in 2010

What a year! For many, 2009 is a year they would like to forget. Between over-leveraged mortgages, banks that failed or were too big to fail, and a restructuring of the auto industry, many individuals and businesses alike are ready to ring in 2010 with a more hopeful outlook.In the coming months, the healthcare debate, business incentives and changes to the tax code will be at the forefront of local and national debates. Though important, these are issues in which the individual small business owner has minimal say. Instead of focusing on these larger issues, entrepreneurs should focus their efforts on enhancing small business productivity, prudence, and profit as we move into 2010.ProductivityIn the last few years, many companies learned to do more with less as cuts in spending and employment left many small businesses demanding more out of their employees. In 2010, small business productivity will remain vital as employees continue to carry a heavy workload. For companies to succeed, they need to arm their employees with the right small business productivity tools.By identifying and implementing the right small business solutions, entrepreneurs can get more out of their employees and save money. Increased productivity among full-time employees can result in more sales, the development of better products and services, faster completion of tasks, and improved customer service.Regardless of the industry, many companies will turn to small business communication solutions that can improve productivity. For example, a doctor’s office may select an Interactive Voice Response system (IVR) to more efficiently handle and direct calls during and after business hours. Companies with hourly employees, like field service repair companies, may use location-based services to track field technicians and redirect them based on cost drivers like fuel consumption. Or, many companies may look to deploy BlackBerrys to their staff to help them stay connected anytime, anywhere helping fuel better small business productivity. Finding small business solutions that improve productivity will greatly impact a bottom line.PrudenceWhile the economic freefall has halted and the economy even had some bright spots in 2009, most companies are not popping celebratory champagne. And as much as we’d all like to see 2010 herald a recovery of small business productivity, many economists and so-called “financial experts” are predicting only a slightly stronger economy in 2010. Next year, prudence will be the name of the game when it comes to small business solutions.With a sharp eye on spending, small businesses will need to be prudent in their decision making and ensure they are making the right investments. Finding employees that have the right skill set, investing in developing or marketing your best product, and selecting small business solutions that will help your company grow will all demand prudence.But this careful decision making will not only focus on spending, but on all aspects of small business productivity. Many companies may reexamine their niche market or how they “have always done things” to find new and better small business solutions. Just as Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “…a little rebellion now and then is a good thing,” a shake-up of how your small business operates may be in order.ProfitOne consequence of the downturn is that many companies unfortunately closed their doors. As a result, those who survived the recession now have fewer competitors vying for customers. As the economy stabilizes, banks begin to loan more money and businesses are more comfortable with spending money, the small businesses that positioned themselves correctly will have a stronger opportunity for market penetration than they’ve likely seen in recent years. By making prudent decisions and focusing on driving small business productivity, companies will be well-positioned to profit in 2010 and beyond.If the past 12 months have taught us anything, it’s that no amount of economic forecasting is completely precise. But, let’s all look forward to 2010 with a focus on productivity, prudence, and profit, as well as the promise of what a new year will bring to small businesses.