One of the keys to succeeding in information product creation is to break the process up into discrete steps. This frequently isn’t an instinctive reaction for the typical information marketer. Especially on the internet where small sized learning products are the norm.

However, it is extremely important to your ultimate success. In fact, I would go so far as to say that if you don’t do this you probably won’t succeed… even when you are starting out let alone as you move forward.

Your product creation system should do this for you if only to help you to understand the overall task.

But why?

In this article, I’m going to ignore chunking and focus on the practical aspects. That’s not to say that chunking isn’t important. It is. It’s important to understanding and to learning the process. But while you can use the same chunks as you move forward, long term your focus needs to be on the operation of the system not the understanding of it. Unless of course you are constantly training new people!

So why is chunking important to long term use of the product creation process? (Yes, I know systems design uses a different term for this process but I’m not teaching you systems design. So I’m going to use the word learning content designers use.)

The first reason that having individual discrete tasks is important is one of schedule estimation. Frequently it is very difficult to estimate how long the total task of creating a product will take. After all, the size and type of the products matters as does the number of products in your product funnel. And those are just the most obvious elements. However, estimating a discrete task is often much easier. The total can then be estimated as the total of the discrete tasks.

Secondly, scheduling a large task can be problematic. However, by segmenting the task into a number of discrete tasks, you gain a much greater flexibility in scheduling. Not only that but as your business begins to add people you are able to schedule multiple people to the product creation.

Finally, segmenting a large task into smaller discrete tasks allows you to have much better control over the product creation. This affects two different areas — status and quality.

By segmenting your process into discrete tasks you are able to schedule and record the progress at much more detailed level. As a result you are more in control of the status of the product creation. You know what everyone is doing. When they should complete it. And how much it should cost. You also know exactly what has been done.

You also improve your overall quality. Instead of waiting until everything is done you can check quality as you go. This allows you to immediate react to low quality products without absorbing their costs. This means that you have less rework and your rework costs less. And if the product is not going to meet its quality requirement you will know about it in time to stop the development, change the requirement or fix the product.

Want some helpful small business tax advice? Did you know that your Uncle Sam will actually pay you to start a home based business? That’s right, Congress has approved over 100 tax benefits that are available ONLY to home based business owners. These deductions, found in the Federal Tax Code, are 100% legal and 100% audit proof.Before we look at a few of these deductions and how much money this small business tax advice can put in your pocket, let’s look at how much is actually left out of your paycheck. While you know it is not as much as you would like, do you realize how much of your income goes to taxes? When you add up federal, state, country, gas, property, social security, unemployment, etc. the total comes to about 45%. By the time you pay your monthly housing, healthcare, food and transportation costs, you are left with about 20% to pay all others expenses and to enjoy life.Not a pretty picture. Fortunately, you can change that picture with a home based business. I can hear you saying; “I don’t have time for a home business I barely have time for my family and friends now.” And besides, you’re thinking, I certainly don’t have the time or desire to go to meetings or presentations to learn how to start-up and run a home based business. Probably, at one time or another you and your friends have discussed small business ideas that you might pursue.Now’s the time to stop talking and to take action to change your future. Are you on Facebook? Do you have a Twitter account? Do you use Youtube? Ever considered starting a Blog? If you answered yes to one or more of those questions I can show you how to turn these tools into a home business.Aside from the money you will make with a home based business, here are 5 significant tax breaks that can put $300-$500/month in your pocket.1. Home Office Deduction (Renters too; includes a percentage for utilities, maintenance, ins.)2. Business Use of Personal Vehicle ($1 for every 2 miles plus more)3. Hire your children (even as young as 6; big tax savings)4. Healthcare Costs (100% of out-of-pocket costs)5. Business Travel & EntertainmentMore good small business tax advice, there are only two qualifiers to be able to take advantages of the above deductions as well as over 100 others. Here’s what they are:1. Operate your business on a regular and consistent basis (the tax courts have defined this as 3-4 hours a week)2. Have an intent to make a profit.More good news; you can start your home business part-time while you continue with your present position. The Internet has changed the way we communicate, buy things and it can change the way you make the money you need to live the lifestyle you want.To learn more about the tax savings available to home based business owners, click on Resources on the right hand side of the page and watch the 5 minute video by Dr. Ron Mueller, Home Business Tax Law Expert. And, of course, contact me so I can give you further details.By the way, does saving $5,000 a year or more on your taxes appeal to you?How to Save on your Tax with a Home Based Business

All the top home based businesses use the technology of the internet. We live in the digital age of emails, downloads, streaming data and mobile technology. If your home based business ideas do not include having an online presence, then you’re missing out on a worldwide market who can buy from you at any time of the day or night.Any legitimate home based business will need some investment to get it started and an online home business is no different. The good news is that the start up costs for a home based online business are considerably less than a traditional offline venture.Five Tools For Your Home Based Business.1. Domain Name.A domain name is the name of your website. It’s where your customers can find you online with an easy to use word, or sets of words. Your first option should always be to opt for a.com name when looking for domain name ideas for your home business as it is the universally accepted business domain extension.2. Website Hosting.Once you have your domain name, you’ll need somewhere to “rent” space for your website so that it can be live on the internet. Some domain registrars usually also provide hosting but do check the rates first. Once you have your domain and hosting sorted, you are well on your way to making your home based business ideas into a reality.3. Website.The WordPress website system is the most widely used website building platform on the internet. It has the functionality to help your home business earn online revenue as well providing a complete content management system. WordPress websites are reportedly used by such organisations as the New York Times, Ford, NASA, Pepsi and eBay. If it is good enough for them, then it will surely be good enough for your work from home based business ideas.4. Autoresponder.One of the best online business tools you can have is an autoresponder. Your autoresponder is the ‘salesman’ who works for you 24/7 – every day of the year. Autoresponder services are used to provide your leads with follow up information about your products and services via email. Remember that statistically, a prospect needs to see or hear your marketing message at least seven times before they take any action and buy from you.5. Continuous Education.It can be a frustrating process getting your home based business ideas from concept to reality. When you get stuck on a problem, you can lose focus and direction and that’s when they are most likely to give up. For example, getting a domain name and website hosting organised can seem a little complicated if you’ve never done it before. With ongoing business education, you can learn as you earn and draw on the experience of others for a fast-track to success.