The Theory Behind Raffling

    Participating in a raffle is a fun and sociable way of gambling.  Non-profit organizations would conduct this style of wagering for fundraising events.  The idea is to give away a prize in exchange for buying a ticket.  The prize is usually worth more than the cost of the ticket.  Multiple people would enter in the contest awaiting their name or ticket number to be called as the winning entry.  The waiting time could be within the same day or to be announced later.  Whatever contributions are leftover can be spent on a good cause.  This can include money to improve their own administration or for resources put towards other efforts.  It is similar to the concept of donations which usually arrives in abundance for non-profits.  Donations are giving from the kindness of the heart of those that can afford to do so.  The reward is doing a good deed for another.  Raffling, however, provides a perceptible award or gift for the winning contestants in addition to helping the organization.  Since there is an added stipulation to the average donation, a higher level of involvement maybe generated for the length of time the game is available.  Both are very good ways of raising funds but raffling has the capability of providing a greater response.

    With the increased proceeds, organizations can cover the cost of the prize and work with the remainder of money to support other expenses.  This would be a suitable way to maximize ticket sales.  The raffle tickets present an added value of the experience.  For instance, to offer a hundred dollar reward for one ten dollar ticket crafts its own sort of appeal.  So partakers understand that they can essentially purchase something for a discount if they are fortunate enough to win.  As long as there are more than ten tickets sold, a profit is gained.  Aside from the money, you would provide people with information about a cause or organization to be aware of and support.  The best prizes are always going to be associated with the giver in some way.  Not only would it be an excellent bestowal but it would remind you where it came from and how you received it.  As long as the cause is commendable that would encourage current members and people close to the situation to chip in.  Having an attractive gift would excite the ancillary revenue from those who are new and primarily interested in just the competition.   Ticket sellers can be motivated by an internal incentive for who could spawn the most entries.  Whether is it to achieve a certain position or for monetary compensation, sellers could try to get out there and spread the word as much as possible to maximize the effect.   A subsidiary of that would be to bundle tickets for a lower price.  Using the previous example of the ten dollar ticket, one could then offer three for twenty or five for thirty-five to optimize the point of sale opportunity.  Letting someone know they can increase their chances for more total money for numerous tickets but less than the amount of each being bought individually.  

Businesses can derive promotional opportunities and customer loyalty from this type of marketing effort by giving existing patrons another reason to stop by the store.  There is another objective in visiting their favorite place of commerce other than the usual selection of products on sale.  Adding a raffling competition begins to produce a new wave of enthusiasm as earlier discussed.  A different version of demand is obtainable by recurring clients.  It creates more reasons to pay attention to the approaching deadline, existing deals and who will be named the victor.  Being a fun form of competition should not garner the kind of animosity that could jeopardize an existing consumer base.  The winner will definitely be grateful towards the store and the other participants should not harbor any ill will.  The owner could experience a fast rise in new faces with some loss of retention but that is balanced by the amount of first timers who are impressed by the inventory the store has to offer and plan a return.   The most loyal frequenters were there before, are there during and will be there after the contest is over.

Raffling can be beneficial to both the proprietor and the participant.  The proprietor can bring surplus attention and revenue to their place for a short period of time.  There is a faith placed in the event that retention can be created from the previously unknown for future investment.  Participants can donate to a cause with the bonus of having hope of beating the odds and becoming the one winner from a group of many.  Depending on the reason for the money, walking away with the prize may be secondary.  It is a positive occasion for the majority who get involved except for the few who really wanted to win and were not able to.  That is the chance you take as you play the game, however.

Legalization: What Has Marijuana Learned From Alcohol?

When considering the legalization of products previously said to be dangerous, I think positive and negative lessons can be learned from the Prohibition era of alcohol. Marijuana is the primary drug to compare to alcohol for this topic as it reaches the repeal stage of its life cycle. There is a slow progression towards it becoming legal to use after several years, decades even, of resources being dedicated to stop its proliferation. Oregon, Washington and the District of Columbia have already authorized recreational use. The process began with medical use similar to how wine was allowed for religious use. There may not be a religious reason to use marijuana but the health benefits to patients suffering from pain, difficult radiology treatments and improper nervous systems are well documented. Marijuana has been found to help patients through their most difficult times both physically and psychologically. Alcohol is also taught to have health benefits. Some say a glass of wine, periodically, is good for the heart. It is possible that some substances in moderation are actually good for us and it is excess at which they can become destructive. So reflecting on the situation today, we can see that some form of regulation is always necessary but absolute restriction may not be fair to society as a whole.
          During the time of prohibition, alcohol was controlled by organized crime units who opposed the law. The legislation created to remove public access to alcohol did not mean the demand to have it diminished entirely. Bootlegging and the black market began and grew at a similar pace, if not faster than law enforcement. Marijuana distribution is a known service across the United States. Even with it being illegal, some of our favorite musicians, movie stars and athletes kept the drug in the public’s eye and popular. People would sell in their local communities as if it were as common as tobacco. Sometimes prosecutors and police officers would punish violators to the fullest extent and other times users would simply get warnings. The variations of discipline are subjective to say the least. It seems that eventually a democratic government will always respond to the population it serves. Meaning what the people clamor for will be given to them in due time. It just takes time to assess the actual benefits versus the dangers and study the long-term effects for the betterment of all involved.
          Now we can move away from the criminal element and consider how these decisions affect the omnipresent topic of our economy. As illegal substances are still pursued, any money spent on those efforts is not taxable. In the case of alcohol there was production, bottling, transportation and the direct sell to the user who knew that this was against the law. The makers of the beverage knew it was against the law. Every intermediary in that process knew it was against the law. There was still a market for it and therefore a way to make money. No one in the course of that transaction worked for free. Marijuana has a process it goes through today. Somewhere it is grown, harvested, bundled, transported, packaged and distributed. Again, with all parties involved aware of the risks being taken. Why is it so important to have the after-effect of its usage that one willingly ignores the consequences of breaking the law? These were potential billion dollar industries that the government could not lay any claim to without making an adjustment. In fact, they spent money for training and equipping a workforce to combat it in both eras. With acceptance of the demand and legalization, there is a huge growth of a taxable product market. As users no longer have to hide and be mysterious, purchasing will go up. Alcohol experienced an increase of the average user after the government endorsement.
          More importantly, with government regulation people may actually have access to a safer and more natural product. One could never be sure that the product you purchase through illegal means is actually good for you. How could you? The purity of the substance as well as its condition prior to your possession is always in question. The government can step in and be sure that if its voters want something then they can provide it a better way. Is the problem prevention from use or it is public safety? Those that want it will get it by whatever means they have available to them. So legality is not the concern of a constant user. I assume sustainability would also be enhanced with government intervention. Once a product is approved, does a new sector develop to try the once illicit item? This is usually the case with alcohol, as scores of young adults begin to drink at age 21. Those habits continue as long as they never have a really bad experience. There are some people who do not decide to start however. I cannot be sure of how marijuana will be received but it may be similar. There could be an age limit and tolerance level established to what is rational from a governing body. 
          In conclusion with the legalization of marijuana almost inevitable, I think there are reasons to prevent it and reasons to accept it. The main cause of prevention would be to continue to discourage the use of a dangerous substance. Even now, alcohol usage is a leading contributor to deaths and physical ailments of all kinds. To promote responsible consumption is not a concrete deterrent. This leads to the reasons to accept it. As stated earlier, the product whether legal or illegal will be sold and purchased. The least we could do is allow it to be retailed and distribute those resources to other causes. Think of the results of lower income taxes, better roads, improved schools and emergency personnel that are less busy all from the money that states could use from lawful marijuana profits. Usage may be at an all-time high, I cannot help the pun there, but will it have the same trend as alcohol. Already there are less cigarette advertisements. We have learned the lessons from smoking and what it can lead to. So maybe marijuana will not be as popular. Maybe people will try it and discover it is not for them. Maybe those who really need it will be helped by this latest advancement. All I know is that we can never be sure until we take the time to find out.

Small Businesses

Small businesses have become an integral part of America. When we think of “Mom & Pop” corner store, the local carry-out diner, small-time gas stations or “insert name here” hardware and tools we are thinking about this concept. We can see these in every state and city across the country. They usually offer a suitable substitute to some of the larger named stores. They could or could not be seen as competition due to the relevant size but are thought of as a fair alternative for its consumers and employees. We are helped by them without question. And to watch them continue to grow in number would only mean the persistence of our economy to be able to thrive.
            Small businesses play a very important role in our society both locally and nationwide. A business can be franchised from a known brand or individually owned by someone expressing their entrepreneurial spirit. Their beginning is like the birth of a new child. Whether it is a new type of business or a different spin on something that currently exists, the possibilities for what it can offer are bountiful. They create opportunities for employment and access to healthcare for those that can help. For one to find a steady income stream from a generous resource is always good news. Healthcare is an added benefit that ensures that individuals can keep a standard of living that is worthy of working for. Providing patient care, connections to doctors and the proficiency of advanced medicine are just some of the virtuous advantages received from healthcare. Plus the employees can perform at work regularly at their peak. The situation consists of an owner who cares about the growth of a community and employees who can recycle resources into that same community. This will always enable a net positive for everyone involved as philanthropy is reciprocated throughout the entire process. Not to mention the goods or services provided are wanted by the customer base. These can not only jumpstart a small economy but they can really increase and sustain one also. It creates a constantly improving circle where the employee gets recognized for their work experience, the customer can become a regular patron of a personal necessity and the owner’s business can be highly successful and profitable. This is respectable for all participating parties and worthy of praise from all observers.
            Without the small business industry there would be a very high level of competition for corporate jobs that may leave some of these people on the outside looking in. This can be destructive to the fabric of our nation as we know it today. It is not a negative to compete for a Fortune 500 job opening. These careers are reputable and typically only accept the cream of the crop for hire. When your life depends on it with no alternative however, a dire circumstance can be presented. Missing that type of opportunity due to requirements or availability can cause depression and lackluster effort moving forward. People would not be able to provide for themselves or their families which would be a challenging problem leading to more poverty. Less active workers would have a negative effect on the economy. The local supply of money from payroll cannot be placed right back in the surrounding area. The absence of cash flow to fuel stations for travel, eateries for lunch and parking in some major cities would deprive the region. In fact, in some cases those would be small businesses themselves. Another consequence would be the ensuing snowball effect of the pay scale for workers. Removing the axiomatic middle man of places for employment means that whoever does not get the corporate jobs begin to cope with accepting near or at minimum wage jobs as a means to work. Though a candidate would have thought of themselves to be overqualified in an alternative scenario, they now find it to be their best chance at the moment. That would subsequently displace those who would compete for those jobs to part-time work, crime or government assistance of another kind meaning welfare.
            The government has done plenty to help the growth of this sort of investment with the formation of the Small Business Administration. The SBA helps secure funding, provides education and can structure a long-term plan for anyone who wants to be an entrepreneur and qualifies. People can find information on what grants or loans can be given to them to create their new business. A startup can arise even if not having the full amount of necessary backing in your personal accounts. Inquirers can be taught valuable lessons about the business industry indicating what has been known to succeed or fail. To go one step further, I suppose that the government could also guarantee positive interaction with the entities it helps to create. This would be a radical yet fundamentally sound idea for enhancement. Imagine if someone could inform the Small Business Administration of an upcoming development. The business owner provides a name, address, type of business, types of payment methods and whatever else may be needed for proper registration. The SBA could then communicate with government officials and local residents to direct people towards that place of commerce creating a revenue stream. This could provide a service to quicken the time to recover the loan amount and makes sure that the creation they partly brought to light can prosper.
            Colleges and Universities can join in on the act by incorporating small businesses into their students’ curriculum and career fairs. Students could take courses on the small business owner strategies, ethics and concepts. Not to specify the contrast from being a national corporation but to know why this option is for anyone who wants to take that path. Learn about the Small Business Administration and regional planning for success. Also inform about what pitfalls could be faced after choosing not to be employed by another. It would be helpful to have this information as part of the collegiate process instead of only seeking it once you have the idea. Secondarily, students and soon to be graduates can meet local business owners looking for young talent to assist in the growth of their business. They can learn whether the opportunity is just a matter of convenience or a better career move. What if a small business could offer a higher rate of pay and specialized perks because the owner’s conditions can be personalized. The new hire can feel like a coveted member of an organization instead of a number among many who are very qualified. Graduates could be management material with both an outstanding resume and impressive interview instead of being relegated to entry level status of a huge company.
            Building a robust small businesses industry is already happening. They have created income for wise investors and those looking for work. They have become a key portion of the America’s commerce system. Without them things would be drastically different. Even if some other concept was formed as an alternative, it might not be as sustainable or beneficial. With both government and educational support, we can generate the path of businesses into the hands of people who would like to decide their future and consider the prospects of others. And that would be no small feat on any scale, by any measure.

Being An Entrepreneur

    The concept of ownership is very critical to any business endeavor.  Ownership can determine the mission, direction and approach of an organization through leadership that may be replicated in every aspect of the business.  Having a fixed leader can have an effect on hiring practices, corporate culture and workplace mentality.  The structure begins from the chief executive or chairperson and it partially reverberates to the executive board, upper management then regular employees in addition to the consumer and investor markets.  The very essence of the business can be channeled from who is in charge to run it.  Ownership and leadership may very well be the most influential component to any identifiable commodity, corporation or otherwise.  Now let me go into detail about how you can build your entire company in the image of its head.

Imagine having a business of your own.  You are able to obtain a trademark for an original name of your concoction.  There is a process to purchase land and build a location as you wish.  Then you can acquire property and assets that you feel are in the best interest of your business setting.  Next you hire personnel that can help your organizational growth and represent it as their own.  The pattern being established is everything comes by way of your approval.  It is more than your fingerprint being placed in the molding of a corporation.  You are beginning from nothing but your ambitions and desires.  That initial dream you had is coming to fruition through hard work and effort.  That type of thought process and strategy are implicitly contained in the invention of the business.

You can continue to raise the metaphorical brainchild with the people you choose to introduce it to.  The hope that everyone who works for a business has its best interest in mind is the trustworthy philosophy of an optimistic owner.  This would be seen through by adding people to the roster that want to see the business flourish and reach its pinnacle just like the owner.  You should not want to sabotage your company as an employee.  From this perspective, you may not get the most talented people or the ones with great experience.  However, you may get the chance to see people who feel as if they have as much or more invested in making this venture a realized triumph as long as they are a part of it.  Employment can mean committing yourself to your workplace for income and prosperity.  That can be a mindset as valuable as any asset you could purchase or skill you can attain. 

The culture can be a direct function of the person in control.  Whether the leader is seen as a volatile risk taker who moves at warp speed or a very conservative, sensible and methodical human being, it is possible to view the organization in the same light.  This can fall to either extreme of being faulty or virtuous from the outside looking in but there is reason to believe that the owner would not have it any other way.  To create an organization yourself is also constructing your identity as you are going to be associated with it using firsthand respects.  You can principally manufacture the perception that others have as if it were a product.  This has led to people being celebrated for corporate accomplishments. While others have been scoured and removed for mitigating disasters.  The empirical influence that one has can affect the business in more ways than are conceivable to my mind at the moment.  

Consider a physical body.  What you see with your eyes or hear with your ears can determine the direction you move in and what you consume with your mouth can produce how the rest of your anatomy feels and reacts.  This is the picture I am trying to paint for how important owning or being the head of something is.  I will take the stance of the top-down style of leadership is more effective and conducive to this topic.  It greatly decides what the business will do, who will be incorporated and how others will see it.  If that is not an integral component and the epitome of building a great company then maybe my head was in the wrong place when writing this paper.  And that will be an oversight that I guess I have to own up to.