Typical Business Structure Of The Small Company

Typical Organizational Structure of a Small Business

Companies use an organizational structure to characterize their hierarchical constitutions and workflows. Companies decide on the organizational structure best suited to them based on factors such as their size, clientele, employees and the products they manufacture. Small companies essentially use a flat organizational structure.

Features

In a flat organizational structure, very few levels of command exist. The employees answer directly to business owners. The owners trust the judgment and assessment abilities of their employees and empower them to make decisions on their behalf.

Benefits

Small businesses benefit immensely by using a flat organizational structure, as the owners can motivate their employees effectively. Management is also able to directly observe and monitor employee performance. This organizational structure eliminates bureaucracy, and the company does not pay unrequited wages to intermediaries.

Limitation

As the scales of operations grow, companies find it impossible to use a flat organizational structure. Large companies must centralize decision-making and authority commands. Accordingly, the scope of the flat organizational structure is limited to small companies.

Food Careers And Jobs

Many food careers are physically demanding and require long hours. On the other hand, preparing food -- especially as a chef -- can be a rewarding creative experience. Food careers can range from work as a farmer to a sommelier, a wine expert to a pastry chef. And the best part is, people whose job is food tend to eat really well.

Chef

Chefs work in many places, including restaurants, corporate food services, resorts, hospitals and schools. Executive chefs manage everything from creating dishes and planning menus to ordering supplies, monitoring kitchen standards, hiring chefs and overseeing food preparation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook. A sous chef is the second in command. Then there are other cooks who may specialize in vegetables, meats, desserts or one aspect of food preparation. Chefs can train on the job or take courses at universities and community colleges. But the top jobs with the best pay generally go to chefs who have trained formally at culinary institutes.

Catering Personal Chef

Caterers are not necessarily chefs, but they can be both. Caterers provide food for special events such as weddings, corporate retreats and large meetings. Caterers must plan meals around a client's preferences, cook (or have someone else cook the food) and deliver it with a particular aesthetic. They must be good not only with food but also with management and people, according to HCareers, a hospitality career website.

A personal chef is hired by a family to purchase all ingredients, cook the food and clean up afterward. Some chefs are on-site while the family eats, others might freeze the food for later. Most families who hire personal chefs expect them to have degrees from culinary schools, according to Cooking Schools 101 (see Resources).

Bakers and Pastry Chefs

Bakers tend to get up long before dawn to provide fresh-baked goods for the day, partly because bread and other baked goods have to have time for the yeast to make them rise. If you're not a morning person, that can be a drawback. Bakers can work for retail bakeries, hotels or resorts, or can provide baked goods for grocery stores or coffee shops.

Food Writer

Careers in food writing include food critic, writing cookbooks and writing the blurbs on fancy menus. You could become an expert on a certain type of food and make your living writing articles and blogs about it. At any rate, if you're a food writer, you get to eat and you get to write. Food writers have to know something about food and how it is prepared and be able to describe it in such a way that others feel like they've tasted it.

Nutritionist

Nutritionists figure out how the way a person eats is impacting him emotionally, physically and mentally. A nutritionist can work for a school, a hospital or a prison, for example. Or a nutritionist might be hired by a food production company or a restaurant chain to help formulate recipes that are healthy. A bachelor's degree in dietetics, food and nutrition or a related subject is generally required for this career, according to The Princeton Review.

Research Into The Canadaperu Fta

Analysis of the Canada-Peru FTA

The Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement came into effect on August 1, 2009. Its purpose is to improve bilateral trade and investment opportunities for companies in both countries, though provisions to safeguard worker's rights and environmental sustainability were also included. Both countries stand to benefit from a more open economic relationship; the Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement is geared to advance this cause while ensuring a secure, safe and ethical system for trade and investment is in place.

History

In 2002 the Canadian Minister of International Trade announced that the Andean countries (Bolivia, Columbia, Equador and Peru) had agreed to begin exploratory talks toward the creation of a Free Trade Agreement. At this time, not all countries were in an economic position to talk seriously about such an agreement, however Peru had been experiencing uninterrupted economic growth since 2001, and in 2006 the rise of an ambitious economic trade agenda under the leadership of President Alan Garcia gave Canada-Peru free trade discussions new impetus. On June 7, 2007 official free trade negotiations began.

Canadian Benefits

Canadian companies are benefited from the lowering of tariffs on their products and services, which allows them to sell to and profit from Peruvian markets. The agreement commits Peru to eliminate 95 percent of its tariffs on Canadian exports; wheat, barley, lentils, peas, a variety of paper products and machinery and equipment were all given immediate duty-free access. The agreement includes provisions for better safeguards and improved stability for Canadian investments in Peru, which are considerable. Finally, the Free Trade Agreement permits Canadian companies to compete for Peruvian government contracts.

Peruvian Benefits

The Free Trade Agreement will help advance the economic development of the country as Canadian investment in the Peruvian mining and the oil industries is likely to increase. Canada is required to immediately eliminate 97 percent of its tariffs on Peruvian exports; gold, zinc, copper and petroleum oil exports are likely to increase. The people of Peru may also benefit from improving work conditions; included with the Free Trade Agreement was an Agreement on Labor Cooperation which requires that the Peruvian government respects the International Labor Organization's 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Standards for health and safety, hours of work, wages and collective bargaining have been set and will be monitored.

Controversy

A month before the Canada-Peru free trade agreement came into effect in 2009, conflict in Peru's Amazonian region sparked concerns for the potential pitfalls of a growing Peruvian export industry. In June of 2009 President Garcia worked to repeal laws to open 45 million hectares of the Amazon and its oil, gas and forestry resources to private investors, measures he claimed were necessary to abide by a trade agreement with the United States. His efforts created a firestorm among indigenous populations in the region, who were not consulted, and the abuse of authority that these events highlighted caused some to be skeptical about the successful implementation of the Canada-Peru free trade agreement, which was expected in the coming weeks.

Debate

Debates over the benefits and drawbacks of open markets are centuries old, and the spread and intensification of capitalism across the globe is not going to end them. For free trade among international companies and investors to benefit the peoples of the countries involved, legitimate, fair and accountable government must be established and international transactions must have rules that can be monitored. The establishment of the Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement is a step in the right direction in these respects.

Connect An Acer Laptop Via A Nec Projector

Connect an Acer Laptop Through a NEC Projector

Laptop computers and multimedia projectors come with similar standard options. However, knowing connect a specific brand of laptop to a specific manufacturer of projector can be very helpful. Acer laptops come standard with a VGA connector for outputting a signal to an external monitor or projector. NEC projectors have a VGA input standard on their projector line; this makes connecting the two devices very simple and straight-forward.

Instructions

1. Attach the power supply to the Acer laptop and plug it into an electrical outlet. Do not turn the computer on yet. Attach the VGA cable to the laptop and tighten the thumbscrews on each side of the cable to the laptop, to prevent the cable from accidentally coming unplugged.

2. Attach the power cord to the NEC projector and plug it into an electrical outlet. Turn it on and allow it to initialize. Attach the VGA cable to the projector's "Computer In" input connector on the back of the projector, and tighten the thumbscrews on each side of the cable to prevent the cable from coming accidentally unplugged. Press the "Computer" button located on the remote to select that input for viewing.

3. Turn the Acer laptop on and allow it to boot up. During the boot process, the projector will automatically detect and start displaying the image from the computer. If it does not, press and hold the "Fn" key and press the "F5" key, then release both keys. This will manually activate the VGA output on the laptop, allowing the signal to be transmitted through the VGA cable to the projector.

Prune Red-colored Raspberry Plants

Raspberries are unusual because their roots are perennial and long-lasting, but their canes only live for two years. Because stems die after two seasons, they need to be removed after they bear fruit. When to prune red raspberries depends on whether your plants are summer-bearing or fall-bearing. If your raspberry plants produce two crops in the late summer and early fall, they are fall-bearing. If they produce only one crop in the summer, they are summer-bearing. Pruning will help keep your raspberries healthy and productive, and prevent them from becoming unruly.

Instructions

1. Remove any canes that look weak, sick or damaged in March or April for both summer-bearing and fall-bearing plants. Use sharp garden shears to make clean cuts at the base of the damaged canes. Leave the thickest, healthiest canes intact, but prune 1 to 2 inches off their tips. Healthy canes should be spaced about 6 inches apart when your pruning is complete. Throw away the cut canes and tips; do not leave them in the garden or they will attract mold and pests.

2. Prune your raspberries a second time in late summer, after they stop producing fruit. Remove any canes that produced berries that summer.

3. Remove the top third of fall-bearing canes after they produce their fall crop. Leave the bottom portion of the cane; it will produce berries the following summer.

Distinction Between Nominal And Real Gdp

Currency

Gross domestic product (GDP) measures how much a country has produced in a given year. Whereas nominal GDP is the total, unadjusted worth of products and services, real GDP is adjusted to examine what the overall worth is considering what a currency can buy.

Nominal Gross Domestic Product

Nominal gross domestic product (GDP) refers to the total monetary value of products produced within a country during a given year. GDP is made up of all the exports, services, and goods produced in a country minus any imports. This data is not adjusted to reflect increases or decreases in inflation.

Real Gross Domestic Product

Real GDP is the total inflation-adjusted monetary value of products produced annually within a country. The dollar worth of products produced within a country is adjusted by the consumer price index. Adjusting what the monetary worth produced was with the net worth of what money can buy creates a total unaffected by inflation.

Comparisons

Nominal GDP shifted by the price index creates the real GDP. Thus, nominal gross domestic product cannot be accurately compared to gross domestic product rates in previous decades. Nominal gross domestic product rates tend to increase as inflation increases.

Adjustments for Inflation

Inflation-adjusted GDP rates allow production to be objectively compared with production from previous or later years. Since the Real GDP rate is adjusted to eliminate the effects of inflation, production from given years can be objectively compared.

What They Account For

While real GDP accounts for what money can buy, nominal GDP does not account for the relative worth of currency. Real GDP assesses real production overall, not just inflated currency. Nominal GDP gives the raw data for production in a given year, regardless of what the currency can actually buy.

Ship Lithium Batteries With Warning Labels

Lithium batteries are considered hazardous.

Lithium batteries are currently used in many small electronic devices such as digital cameras, digital camcorders and cell phones. Lithium batteries are easy to buy, but shipping them is a more involved process. If you ship lithium batteries, whether on their own or within a cell phone or camera, the batteries are considered a hazardous material. Hazardous materials require specific packaging and labeling when shipped domestically. These requirements are handed down by the federal government through the Department of Aviation and by various aviation agencies, and are consistent with all mailing services.

Instructions

Shipping Lithium Batteries Outside of a Device

1. Read the packaging for your lithium batteries. Find the lithium content for each battery and the content of lithium per cell within the battery, and record the information for consultation after packaging.

2. Verify your shipment container is an approved mailer. The container must have a gross weight of less than 30 kg and must pass a 1.2-meter drop test in any direction. Boxes ordered from a packaging store will specify this information on the box or have the information available upon inquiry.

3. Package your lithium batteries securely. Ensure the batteries cannot shift within their mailer and that there is an adequate amount of protection on all sides to prevent the batteries from being damaged by an impact.

4. Label your mailer with a distinct return address and destination address. Lithium batteries cannot be sent without a return address.

5. Consult the lithium content information recorded previously. Batteries with over 2 g of lithium content per battery or over 1 g of lithium content per cell must be distinctively labeled against a contrasting background with capitalized words at least 6 mm tall stating "PRIMARY LITHIUM BATTERIES -FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT" or "LITHIUM METAL

BATTERIES - FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT." These batteries must also feature an additional label that states "Cargo Aircraft Only."

6. Label packages containing batteries with no more than 2 g of lithium content per battery and 1 g or less of lithium content per cell with the "PRIMARY LITHIUM BATTERIES -FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT" or "LITHIUM METAL BATTERIES - FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORT ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT" labels only. Ensure the text is entirely capitalized, against a contrasting background, and at least 6 mm tall. If shipping through the USPS, add an additional label stating "Surface Mail Only, Primary Lithium Batteries - Forbidden for Transport Aboard Passenger Aircraft."

Shipping Lithium Batteries Packed With or Inside a Device

7. Read the box, instruction manual or the casing of the lithium battery for your cell phone, camcorder or other electronic device to determine the amount of lithium per cell and battery. To be shipped within the device, each cell must contain no more than 1.5 g of lithium content. A maximum of three batteries are eligible for shipment with a device.

8. Secure the lithium battery if it is a secondary battery being shipped with an electronic device but not contained within the actual device. Make sure the battery cannot shift, short circuit or be damaged by the other contents of the package.

9. Verify that lithium batteries installed within the actual electronic device are secured from damage and short-circuiting while in transit. The device must also have a method of ensuring the batteries are not inadvertently activated during shipment.

10. Secure the entire mailing unit and clearly label the package or mailer with a return address and a destination address.

11. Mark the package with the following message in a 6 mm or larger size in all capital letters against a contrasting background "PACKAGE CONTAINS LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES (NO LITHIUM METAL)".

Meaning Of A Credit Note

A credit note is a monetary instrument a possessor can exchange for goods of equal value, from the person or organization who issued the credit note. The credit note usually cannot be exchanged for cash.

Function

A credit note is essentially a negative invoice, and is used to rectify errors in an already-issued sales invoice or receipt. If someone has already paid money for an item or service he has either not received or which was flawed, a credit note acknowledges that he is owed items or services from the individual or organization in the amount already paid.

Types

A credit note can be issued in a variety of situations. The type of credit note most people will encounter is one issued by a shop. If a buyer purchases a sweater from Generic High Street Chain and then returns it to the shop because it is flawed in some way, the shop might refuse to refund her money, but it will give her a credit note for the amount she already paid instead. Coffee cards and gift cards are also varieties of a credit note.

Other types of credit note function according to the same principle. If someone in business were to order 10 flat-screen monitors from his supplier but the supplier only has nine in stock, the supplier might offer a credit note to the buyer. That note would be to the value of one flat-screen monitor, and could be used to purchase either another flat-screen monitor or a variety of smaller items.

Benefits

The primary benefit of a credit note is to the retailer or the organization that issues it. It ensures that the money spent stays with the store, rather than being taken to a competitor, and also serves to create good will with the customer.

Theories/Speculation

Loyalty cards are marketing tools that work according to the same theory as a credit note. The "credit" spent by the customer is the loyalty and frequency of her business, and those points can be redeemed against rewards or goods purchased in the issuing company's store.

Warning

A credit note can generally only be exchanged for goods from a specific vendor. Therefore, if the vendor disappears, the value of the credit note vanishes, too. (This is less likely to be an issue with larger businesses or chains, but it can happen.)

Meaning Of Earnings Deferral Inside A 403b

Internal Revenue Service Code 403b describes a tax-sheltered annuity. Available to cooperative and nonprofit hospital service employees, public education and self-employed ministers, these employee contribution plans rely on both tax- and income-deferred funds. The IRS has strict rules and regulations regarding 403b plans.

Investing Part of Your Income

If you can participate in a 403b plan through an agreement with your employer, you will defer a portion of your income into a retirement account via payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis. After making this designation, you can choose among several vendors offered by your employer to actually invest the 403b funds. According to the "403b Answer Book," common investment options offered by 403b plans include annuities and mutual funds. The IRS allows both your employee contributions and earnings to grow on a tax-deferred basis until you withdraw your money from the 403b plan or retire.

Selection Process and Contributions Limits

Not every employee can automatically elect to start participating in a 403b plan. Many employers require you to have a minimum number of service or to meet a specific minimum age before you can participate in a 403b plan. Once you meet the eligibility requirements, you have to complete an enrollment form and designate a percentage of each paycheck you want to put into the plan. For 2010, the maximum employee contribution allowed by the IRS is $16,500 for individuals under 50 and $22,000 for individuals 50 years and older. The IRS also allows you to contribute up to your entire earned income as long as you do not exceed these limits.

Employer Contribution Options

An employer can also choose to contribute to an employee's 403b plan. Employers can contribute to employee 403b plans by matching employee contributions up to 6 percent of the employee's income or through non-elective contributions. A nonelective contribution is a specific contribution made by the employer to every eligible employee account. An employee will receive these nonelective contributions even if the employee currently does not contribute to a 403b plan. For the 2010 tax year, total employer and employee contributions to a 403b account can not exceed $49,000 annually.

Income Deferral and Distribution Age

403b plans allow you to defer income by making contributions that reduce your overall income. According to the "403b Answer Book," avoid withdrawing funds from a 403b account. So long as the funds remain in the 403b account, you will defer your tax liability until the money comes out of the 403b account; 59 1/2 is the normal distribution age for 403B plans. Any distributions taken before this age will generally require you to pay a 10 percent penalty in addition to all taxes due on the withdrawn funds.

Set Existence Goals (And Get Them)

It's an old adage that "if you don't know where are going, any road will get you there". While this sounds like a hokey saying your father would preach to you when you were a teenager, your father was a wise man. If you create a list of life goals you may find the right road to get you there.

Instructions

1. Set aside some quiet time alone to contemplate the life ahead of you. Make sure you are free of distractions and have an open mind.

2. Write down on a piece of paper the major goals you'd like to reach during your life. These need not be heavy and philosophical....but they do need to be specific. "Personal growth" is a bit too broad and hard to measure. Instead try something like "learn a 2nd language by the time I'm 30"

3. Your list may include personal, professional, financial, spiritual goals. This is your life -- make sure these are your life goals, not other's goals for your life.

4. Once you have have written this comprehensive list, ask yourself if any of these are "nice-to-haves". For example, is one of your life goals really to have your picture taken in front of each of the 7 Wonders of The World or did you just read about it in an in-flight magazine and thought... "that would be cool". Once you have removed the nice-to-haves, try to get down to @ 10 of your most important goals.

5. Now take your top ten goals and place a time next to each of them. It is useless to say "make $1M dollars" unless you put a concrete timeline when you want to achieve that goal. A target date focuses your energies and helps you prioritize.

6. Put the list in your wallet and revisit the list 48 hours later to see if this is a true reflection of your life goals. If it is - congratulations! If not, start over at Step #1 and see where the 2nd round takes you.

Promote & Sell My Items Online

Websites are the gateway to selling products online successfully

Promoting and selling products online can be difficult, with thousands of websites competing for business. It can be an even greater challenge to market a product or service without a site carefully designed to engage potential clients. Anyone can place products for sale online, but not all sites generate significant profits. It will take time, strategic marketing and implementing tools to earn positive results with consistent traffic.

Instructions

1. Build an easy-to-navigate website. Purchase a domain name and select a hosting company. The name should be related to the name of the business and products sold. List the products prominently in one section on the page. Include a site map that shows all the links associated with the site. The website must link back to the homepage on every page. For example, the "About Us" link must have a link that allows the client to click back home. It also may be smart to list payment options on each page as well.

2. Make the products listed on the page stand out. Consider adding hyperlinks to blog reviews near the product pictures on the website. The pictures should catch the potential client's eye, and the content should secure the sale. Establish a review section linking to your company's blog or other authoritative blogs that review similar products or services.

3. Open a merchant account to accept online sales. This link should be strategically placed below a product picture. For example, a picture of an electronic appliance may include an add-to-shopping-cart function. PayPal and other merchant companies provide these services for little or no cost. Paying for the product must be easy for the client.

4. Implement a marketing plan that includes social media and posting classified ads online. Merchant Circle is a low-cost option to promote via classified ad, blog, forum participation and more. Finding all the best places to promote and sell products online can be a time-consuming task. For instance, a Facebook fan page could be very useful in gaining product exposure. However, the effort to post updates and participate in forums can take significant time. Creating a poll on Facebook about where people look for your products could be the easiest tool to help generate smart marketing. Also, adding a merchant account feature to sell directly on Facebook is an option. Facebook fan pages are free and a good option to get started selling and promoting online.

Market Your Product

You don't need to have a PR department or big bucks to promote your product. Thanks to the internet, there are many free ways you can promote a product yourself. It takes persistence and planning, but you can make amazing headway with the tips below.

Instructions

1. Make Facebook and MySpace accounts. These sites are no longer for kids! They are great places to network. Make sure to put links to your product's website on both accounts. In your personal information tell all about how you developed your product, not about your actual personal life.

2. Join forums that interest you and put the link to your product's website in your signature.

3. Likewise, make sure your email signature has your site's link in it and identifies you as the creator, seller, owner, whatever, to tell people exactly how you are linked to the product. For example, a good signature should look like this:Sincerely, Your Name, Creator of WebsiteWeb_site_name.com

4. Establish yourself as an expert on a subject that relates to your product. Write articles about the subject and post them on your site, on free article sharing sites and in your newsletter.

Sell Advertising In My Podcast

Business owners and Web site owners need to get the word out about their Web sites. They do this by purchasing advertising space on a variety of Web sites, in e-zines, e-newsletters and banner ads. Why not use this need to generate extra income with your podcast?

Instructions

1. Decide where you want ads to go in your podcast. Potential ad spots might be at the very beginning of your podcast, in the middle as a break or at the very end.

2. Advertise that you are offering ad space on your podcast and state your fee. Let potential advertisers know how many people you have subscribed to your podcast, how often you publish your podcast and the number of directories in which your podcast is posted.

3. Request the ad information from the advertiser once you have received a purchase request for ad space. Be sure to review the ad with your advertiser to ensure there are no mistakes.

4. Create your podcast with your favorite audio editing software. When you create your audio file, mention your advertiser at the beginning or end, depending on the terms of your agreement. You can simply say, "This podcast is sponsored by The Name of Your Advertiser," then read your sponsor's ad exactly as they have written it.

5. Publish your podcast.

6. Let your advertisers know when your podcast is published so they can download your podcast and listen to their ads.

Begin A Dance Club

Owning a dance club can be great for your physical and financial health.

Instructions

1. Decide on a type of dance club. Do you want to specialize in certain types of dancing, i.e., ballroom, country or pop?

2. Sketch out your basic requirements for space to accommodate your needs. How much square footage will you need?

3. Find a commercial location for your dance club. You'll want something relatively easy to find for the public with good access to passing traffic and lots of parking space.

4. Contact a commercial real estate broker to help you find a leasable space for your dance club.

5. Check local ordinances and zoning to make sure a dance club will be allowed and appreciated in the area.

6. Get information from the city or county department that grants business licenses and apply for one. Ask if there are any other requirements for starting a business in the area.

7. Research dance floor materials and cost out how much the changes to a particular location will be.

8. Determine if you will serve food and beverages at your dancing establishment.

9. Sign the lease. Most common leases are triple net leases where the tenant (you) pays all of the operating and maintenance expenses as well as taxes and insurance for the business and property.

10. Remodel the location for your particular needs. You will need to consult an architect and contractor.

11. Buy or lease sound and lighting equipment.

12. Advertise the business. Send out flyers to local areas, put ads in newspapers and related magazines and do direct mailing to entice customers.

13. Get ready to boogie.

Manage Nonperforming Employees

It's easy to become frustrated by nonperforming employees, but simply stewing won't get that individual to start doing work. Instead, it's vital to communicate regularly with employees so that you understand what factors are contributing to their performance. When employees understand what's expected of them and feel that they're valued, they're likely to begin making better contributions to your company.

Instructions

1. Work with managers to identify the ways that the employees beneath them contribute to general company goals, then communicate those goals to your employees. It's difficult for employees to know what to aim for if you don't set realistic goals for them to reach. By setting expectations clearly, nonperforming employees will see their role in your company's success and may become more invested in their responsibilities. If not, you can use the target goals as a way of explaining in what ways the employee must improve during evaluations.

2. Conduct regular check-in evaluation meetings with your employees. Having these meetings as markers helps to keep employees on track, and it's a good temperature check for understanding why an employee may be underperforming. Rather than using these meetings solely to point out the ways that an employee isn't performing, you may point out that you're concerned about the lack of performance and ask if there are any factors that are affecting his ability to do his job. He may be undergoing a personal crisis or having difficulty interacting with members of his team. By communicating effectively, you may be able to work together to understand and eliminate the root cause of the employee's poor performance. As a side benefit, your open communication may also gain the employee's respect.

3. Give an underperforming employee new tasks that are aligned with his interests and strengths. Boredom can lead to poor performance, and new responsibilities may be the key to helping him flourish within your company. Taking an employee off-site to a coffee shop or other neutral area may help in creating an environment where the employee is comfortable expressing his true interests and ideas for contributions he can make in addition to his current duties.

4. Spend extra time helping a poorly trained employee to improve his skills. Lack of performance may indicate that the employee is having difficulty with the tasks but is too afraid to speak up. If he simply isn't suited for the role, figure out if there's another position in your company in which he would thrive. This may also be a signal that you need to improve your hiring evaluation process or your initial training process.

Law On Debt Recovery

Laws on debt recovery cover consumers.

Debt recovery, also known as debt collection, involves the attempt to collect debt from consumers who owe money to a credit card company or bank. The collection of debts in the United States falls under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practice Act (FDCPA) of 1977. Some states also pass additional bills to supplement available protection to consumers from collectors.

History

The FDCPA was enacted to help curb abuses by third-party collection agencies against consumers. The intent of the law also works to ensure that debt collectors who refrain from using abusive debt collection practices do not experience a competitive disadvantage compared to those who use abusive collection tactics. The FDCPA offers protection from harassment and threats for consumers, but not for business debt or any debt incurred for business purposes.

Definition

Debt recovery gets handled by debt collectors who work for companies and banks that issue credit cards. The collectors work on a commission basis. Sometimes the debt collectors, also referred to as collection agencies, purchase bad credit card and other loan debt. That makes the collection agency the owner of the debt, with the legal right to collect the full amount of debt due. To collect the debt, collection agencies must follow the FDCPA. Otherwise, consumers may take recourse for any harassment or abuse they receive in an effort to collect the debt.

Types of Debt

The FDCPA offers provisions for personal, family and household debts. The debts may come from personal credit card accounts, auto loans, medical bills or mortgages. Utility bills and other household debt are also included.

Types of Protection

The FDCPA provides several types of protection for consumers. One type of protection makes it illegal to for collection agencies to place unwanted calls to the consumer's workplace or to disclose the debts to friends, co-workers, family member and neighbors. Debt collectors must also stop calling once a person sends a letter to the agency disputing the debt. The collector can start calling again once they send proof of the debt. If the consumer hires an attorney to represent them, the collection agency may not directly contact the consumer unless the attorney authorizes it.

Debt Information

A debt collector must provide certain information about the debt, including sending a written notice five days after the first contact. The notice needs to indicate the amount of money owed, the name of the creditors and the action the consumer needs to take if he feels he does not owe the money.

Patent Safeguard Your Software Technology

To patent protect your software technology, you must apply for and receive a patent. To do so, you must have invented software technology that meets the basic criteria for being a patentable invention: it must be new, useful and non-obvious. Normally, you will not be attempting to get a patent on a particular collection of software code--instead, you will be attempting to patent the new, useful and non-obvious thing the software does or the new, useful and non-obvious method or process by which the software accomplishes something.

Instructions

Patent Protect Your Software Technology

1. Start the patent protection process by doing a patent search on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Web site (see Resources below). You may wish to engage the services of a patent attorney if an initial search indicates that your software invention is indeed new. The patent attorney should conduct a more thorough search of what's known as "prior art" (that is, patents that have already been issued).

2. Talk with your attorney or patent agent about the specific requirements for getting software technology patented. The law in this area is evolving as more and more software patents are issued.

3. Document your software invention. You will need documentation (including a thorough description and a statement of what the software does that is new) in order to obtain a patent--an idea without documentation is not sufficient to qualify for a patent. Be meticulous, and have trusted witnesses sign and date your notes. Merely mailing oneself one's notes is no longer considered a smart way to protect one's work.

4. Talk with your attorney (and/or your business partners if applicable) about the desirable breadth of the patent. A patent that makes narrow claims about what it does may not be sufficient to protect you against competitors. A patent that makes overly broad claims may be ruled invalid.

5. Follow up by filing the patent application. You will need to work closely with your patent attorney or agent during this process.

Cope With Charitable organisation Fraud

Was it your New Year’s resolution to donate to a charity? If so, you should be cautious when deciding which one to give your money to. While there are many worthy causes out there, unfortunately, there are also a lot of scam artists. Whether you’re contacted by an organization’s employees, volunteer workers or professional fund-raisers--and whether you're solicited by phone, mail or in person--you have to be on guard. Protect yourself from potential charity fraud with these easy steps.

Instructions

1. Be very skeptical of organizations that pop up whenever there is a natural disaster or unfortunate event. Their appeals will undoubtedly tug at your heartstrings, but beware. Scam artists many times take advantage of these events by creating bogus fund-raising operations. Don’t let yourself be taken advantage of.

2. Ask for the exact name of the charitable organization you are dealing with. The solicitor should provide it immediately, but if he does not, be sure to ask. If you feel funny about the call or in-person solicitation, immediately end the interaction. People can be very persuasive, especially when it comes to face-to-face solicitation. Don't commit to anything on the spot. You need time to think it over and analyze. If the solicitor is pressuring you to make a decision, immediately end the conversation.

3. Ask for a precise breakdown of how your donation will be used, and for what purposes. Specifically, ask what percentage of your donation will be used to support the cause that is being supported and what will go to administrative costs of the organization.

4. If you are still wary, call the charitable organization the solicitor claims to be representing, to verify that they are aware of the solicitation taking place on their behalf.

5. If you are leaning toward making a donation, discuss it with a friend or relative.

6. Do not provide any credit-card or bank account information until you have verified all details with the charitable organization and made the ultimate decision to donate.

Sell Sandwiches In a commercial sense

You know make a great sandwich. Your recipe is one of a kind or you have a twist on put the sandwich together, and you know these sandwiches will sell to the general public. So take your recipe to the next level by selling your sandwiches commercially.

Instructions

1. Find a place to prepare the sandwiches you want to sell commercially. This is called a commissary and is required by the board of health. You can rent an already established commissary to start your business.

2. Purchase or lease equipment to make your sandwiches with. You will need at least a refrigerator to keep cold food stored, a meat slicer and a commercial scale to weight the sandwich ingredients. If you plan to make hot sandwiches you will need a stove. You will also need commercial knives and measuring spoons. Purchase this equipment at your local restaurant supply store.

3. Advise the board of health that you are going to sell sandwiches commercially so they can give your place an initial inspection. Also, check with local business authorities to obtain any licenses that are necessary in your city or town.

4. Contact vendors to sell your sandwiches to. Local vending companies are always looking for new products to sell in their machines. Take them some samples of your sandwiches.

5. Visit the snack shops in local bowling alleys. Often they only sell snacks, so offer to spice up their menu with your sandwiches. Even if they make their own, they may be willing to buy yours if you offer something they don't already carry.

6. Check in local convenience stores to see if they carry a line of sandwiches. Show the owner or manager your product and offer a sample. Ask to try selling the sandwiches in just one location to start. Be prepared to add more of the stores as your sandwich sales increase.

Advertise Small Company With Freebies

Everyone loves free stuff, which is why giving away free gifts and accessories with your business logo is the perfect advertising strategy.

Instructions

1. Develop a business logo

A business logo should be clean, clear, and an appropriate representation of the services your company offers. Develop a business logo that is relatively simple that people can understand easily. Don't forget to include the business name (if it isn't part of the logo).

2. Apply your business logo to inexpensive yet useful accessories.

Advertise small business by adhering your business logo or name to inexpensive marketing items. Common examples are key chains, small flashlights, pens and magnets. Think free advertising strategies in the way of gifts that are cheap yet useful.

3. Start marketing your business with your advertising gimmicks

Start giving away the free stuff at relevant business conventions (for example; a gym would give away key chains at a health convention). People love getting free stuff and having your business logo on these little gifts will serve as a continuous marketing tool. There is a small investment for these marketing gimmicks but they quickly pay for themselves in the form of more customers because of this sly marketing strategy.

Have An Acting Audition

Anne Brakeman, featured in

I have conducted literally hundreds of auditions as a producer/director, and have tried to land a part from the other side as well. Let me walk you through the steps you need to get called in for an audition.

Instructions

1. Headshot: Make sure that your headshot accurately reflects how you look today. You have about a second to make an impression on a producer or a casting director, which is why you need an 8x10 as your lead shot. It's fine to add a montage of four shots on the back of your printed headshot, but be careful of a trap. Use those four other shots to shot range and diversity in look and emotion. I've seen actors wearing different costumes with the same expression.

Color is an added expense that would separate you from the pack; however I have never rejected a prospective actor because his head shot was in black and white.

If you're not happy with your photos, get them redone. When you find a great headshot photographer, keep her. You want somebody who makes you feel at ease and can put you through your emotional paces the way a good director does. My own headshot shooter is Carolisa Pomerantz, who works in Hollywood.

2. Resume: When you are just beginning, take whatever work you can whether it's in student productions, for free or deferred. I do notice how much experience somebody has. As a director, it makes my job easier to work with people who know what to do. Even if you plan to make your living in television or film, I suggest doing theater. Why? As an actor in a play you have to memorize lines and stay in character for an evening while holding an audience's attention. I'll never forget one piece I directed where I had a scene between two veteran actors and a pretty young actress who was unused to having to remember more than one line at a time. The shooting took forever.

There is a natural tendency to inflate your resume when you are just starting, but it can have unintended consequences. For three years I produced and directed a local cable TV series of drama, comedy, news and public service announcements crewed by my students. A couple of years later when I moved on I got a resume from a performer who claimed she had a bigger role in one my production than I had given her. Guess who did not get called in?

3. Cover letter: It's a little thing. You can set up a generic cover letter and quickly tailor it to the needs of a production. Dear _________, I'm submitting my headshot for consideration in your show _________. I'm particularly interested in this role because it will allow me to draw upon my unique life experiences as a ________________________. A personal cover letter tells me that the actor has at least read the part description and also gives me an inkling as to how intelligent she is.

I have called people in I wouldn't have otherwise. For a concrete example, look at the illustration I provided for this article. It's the DVD cover for my documentary feature, "Reverse Aging Now." I auditioned the cover girl, Anne Brakeman, because of her note. In fact, although she was not the primary on screen host, the part for which she auditioned, we ended up prominently featuring her story as a former smoker turned marathoner.

4. Where do you hear of auditions? For years, people relied on "Dramalogue" and "Backstage"; to a lesser extent, "Variety," and "The Hollywood Reporter." Once you get an agent or manager, you will also get leads there. Other sources are Breakdown Services and Showfax.com

What's Direct Data Entry

Direct data entry (DDE) is an online health care claim and billing application system that was chosen for use as a standard for electronic transactions under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.

Identification

Direct data entry is when data is electronically transmitted from a doctor's computer system into a health insurer's computer system. This is commonly used with claims, Medicare programs and for billing invoices. HIPAA required the secretary of health and human services to adopt standards for electronic transactions. These standards became effective in 2000, and companies had to comply by 2002. Before the standards became effective, doctors could submit forms in many different electronic formats, but this often caused mistakes in filing the claims. The creation of the system simplified the process, allowing one standard electronic form to be shared by the physician, pharmacy and health insurer.

Function

A health care provider keys in information into an online form or spreadsheet. The information can also be automated by work processing systems. The information is then transmitted to a health insurer's system or a retail pharmacy for prescriptions and then processed in batch.

Vendors

Various content management system vendors provide DDE services. Among the biggest are IVANS Inc., McKesson CareBridge and VisionShare Inc. All vendor systems must adhere to the Fiscal Intermediary Standard System of Direct Data Entry, which means they must use the same codes to process claims in a secure way.

Write A Belief Of Risk Form

The author is a lawyer who especializes in business law.

An assumption of risk form is a document used in the service industry for when an employee is going to perform services on a client. The assumption of risk form serves as a waiver of liability for your business, in which the client assumes the risk for the serves to be performed on them. Here's how you can write one for your own business.

Instructions

1. It is preferred if you write this document on your company's stationary. You can print and initial document and make copies for all your employees to have for their clients.

2. The document should start with a fill-in-the-blank section where the client writes their name, age and address. Underneath should be the name of your business, location and the type of service to be performed.

3. The document should read that the client has been informed of any possible consequences that might arise out of the service they are requesting to be performed. Make sure that you list one by one these consequences.

4. If the service you are going to perform requires a predisposition test for any possible allergies, make sure to write this information on the form and that the client has waived to have this test done.

5. The document should have a disclosure that the client is aware of any possible consequences that might arise out of the service and that they are willing to assume the risk for such services.

6. Specifically state the client is willing to assume the risk and agrees to hold your business harmless in the event of any injury or damage to their person and belongings. Also, that since the client would not undertake the predisposition test, state that they waive any rights to make a claim or to sue your business for damages resulting from the service.

7. Include that the client "further acknowledges" that your business is rendering its services "solely in reliance upon" the clients request, and that they do not rely on any warranty "express or implied" in having their service performed.

8. The document should finish with three blank spaces, one for the client's signature, another space for a witness signature and a final one for the date. Keep the original document for your records.

Select A Font In My Business

Choosing a font for the name of your business is one of the most important first steps of starting a business. The font should aesthetically communicate what kind of business you want to be recognized as. The font you select should be dependent on the kind of business you run. If you're a lawyer, you don't want your firm to be displayed in bubble letters or comic sans. However, if you're a clown who performs at kids parties, those are probably the perfect fonts for your business.

Instructions

Choosing a Font

1. Look at your business and decide what sort of demographic you're appealing to. If you're looking to be very professional and conservative, you'll want a very simple and classic font like Times New Roman with very standard spelling and punctuation. If you're going for something edgy and unique, you may want a form of block lettering, possibly using all capital or lowercase letters. If your business is somehow related to children, you need a font that is big and fun.

2. Find the font you want by opening up Word on your computer and scrolling through the different fonts at the "Font" tab on the top tool bar. Do not pick the font that you simply think looks the coolest; you have to be more intentional than that. Pick the font that fits your business model and style.

3. When you've found the font that works, share it with any printers, sign shops or graphic designers you're planning on working with for your launch. Make an effort to only use this font when promoting your business or marketing it. If you're making your business name into a logo, make sure that this font doesn't change from one month to another. Your business name and logo will be recognized because of its unchanging appearance.

Solve Customer Complaints

Effectively resolving customer issues is key to running a prosperous business.

Customer service can make or break a business. Poor customer service drives customers away because they feel their needs are not met and the company is unresponsive. This could lead to a bad reputation, causing further loss of business. Understanding and implementing effective customer service techniques not only results in happy customers, but attracts more clients and a stellar reputation--two keys for business success.

Instructions

1. Apologize. A brief but sincere apology is highly effective in calming down the customer and getting the conversation off to a good start. It also shows professionalism and humility on behalf of the company.

2. Listen and empathize with your customer. Customer service representatives (CSRs) should be trained to become good listeners, taking time to hear the customer's side of the story and why he is upset. CSRs should also put themselves in the customer's shoes instead of robotically reading a script. They should ask themselves how they would feel if they were the customer, and if they would also be angry. When a CSR takes the time to listen to the problem and empathize, that goes a long way toward defusing the situation. Customers then feel like the company is on their side.

3. Remain patient and diplomatic always. Dealing with customers can be tricky. Sometimes they have completely legitimate complaints; other times their issues seem trivial. At worst, they can be downright nuisances. Handle all customer service calls with great patience and diplomacy. Never raise your voice or argue; this only breeds contempt. The words, "I understand" go a long way toward resolving customer service issues.

4. Take action. Once you have apologized, listened, empathized and practiced effective diplomatic customer service techniques, plan a course of action and tell the customer clearly what you plan to do to resolve the issue.

5. Follow up. Customer service follow up is highly effective in retaining customers and attracting new clients. It's an added measure that tells the customer, "We care, and if you are having any other problems, please let us know and we will resolve them right away." You can follow up via e-mail, but a phone call personalizes the experience and makes the customer feel cared for.

Calculate Wacc

When an individual or firm starts thinking about expanding their assets, merging with another company or taking another big financial step, they will often take time to look at their current financial assets to see where they stand with their debt versus equity status. This figure is known as a weighted average cost of capital, or WACC. Calculating the WACC is simply a matter of finding values, similar to algebra and plugging in numbers.

Instructions

1. Gather all of your financial data regarding your total equity and debt financing. At the top of your paper, write the full equation:WACC = (E / V) x Re + (D / V) x Rd x (1 - Tc)It may look complicated and impossible, but it isn't. Most of these are just symbols for numbers you already have on your paperwork. You will have to calculate a couple of numbers, but not many. Let's get started.

2. Calculate your total cost of equity, represented as Re, and your total cost of debt, represented as Rd. You can calculate these by simply adding up all your equity and debt financing. Write the totals on your sheet as the symbol. For example, Re = 200,000 and Rd = 350,000. You're creating a list of the fill-ins for the symbols but not plugging them into the equation yet; that will come later after you have all the values for the letters.

3. Look up all the current market values, and add them together to get the firm's total market value of the equity. This is represented as E. Repeat with the current market value of the firm's debt, which is represented as D. Write these two values in your symbols column.

4. Find the value of V by adding E and D. The equation is V = E + D. Write the value of V in your values column. Look up the corporate tax rate, and fill in the value as Tc. Now that you have all you values, it's time to plug in all your numbers.

5. Fill in all the values you have written down. Write the numbers in the same spots as the letters in the equation in Step 1. For informational purposes, (E / V) is the percent of financing that is equity, whereas (D / V) is the percent of financing that is debt. After filling in all the values, use a calculator to do the mathematical work. That's it! Your calculator value is your answer.

Worldwide Career Consultant Job Description

International career consultants provide information on foreign job opportunities.

Job seekers are often unclear on which career path to choose. If they wish to pursue employment in foreign countries, an international career consultant helps them research their options. Based on information found at the job and salary information site indeed.com, the average salary in 2010 for an international career consultant working in the United States was $51,000.

Job Duties

Assessing the skill sets and talents of job seekers is the main duty of an international career consultant. He or she administers tests and conducts interviews with applicants to get a clear picture of which careers would best suit them. Keeping up-to-date records of available job opportunities and qualified applicants is necessary.

Skill Requirements

Good listening and analytical skills are necessary to assess the desires of those seeking employment outside the United States. The international career consultant must dispel misperceptions of certain jobs and countries while offering realistic alternatives. Knowledge of various job opportunities in those foreign countries is required, as well as familiarity with salaries, customs and required work visas.

Preferred Background

Some employers require a bachelor's degree in counseling, career guidance or psychology. Others give preference to applicants with extensive background in career placement or job counseling. Some states require licensure for career consultants.

Locate An Old Newspaper Story

Finding an old newspaper story may take some digging around until you can locate it.

Old newspaper stories are often sought out for information on people, places and events that happened in the past. Though many articles have been archived via online article database websites, finding a specific story is not always as easy as performing a simple web query search. You must use a variety of approaches at times when trying to track down an article from the past.

Instructions

1. Write down all the information you know about the newspaper story. Include rough dates or years when the event or story occurred. Estimate if you are unsure about exact dates. Write down any other information about the story. Note the writer's name, the content or topic of the piece and the city where the story happened. Note the name of the newspaper itself if you know that information.

2. Go to the website of the newspaper if you know the publication's exact name. Check to see if the paper's website offers an archived online database of past stories. Contact the Newspaper Association of America to get the names and contact information for newspapers in the area where you are searching for the story. For example, if you are looking for a story that ran in a Chicago newspaper, ask the Newspaper Association of America for the names of all past and present newspapers that served the Greater Chicago area.

3. Find the contact information for the newspaper and compose a letter or email to them. Request a copy of the newspaper story and list in your letter all of the identifying information that you have. Ask for assistance in locating the story. Offer to pay for copy charges if the story is found and request reprints officially in the body of your letter.

4. Go to your local library. Search through the microfilm or computerized databases made available for searching through old newspapers. Make notes and lists as you go. Pay attention to which issues and dates were searched as you make your way through all available prints. Make copies of the article by following posted library instructions should you find the article.

Begin A Business Selling Meals From Even Caribbean Cruises

Napa Valley is known for the quality of foods produced there. To start a business selling these foods, you will need to gather a working knowledge of the business as well as the culture, taste and flare of Napa Valley. Read on to learn start a business selling foods from Napa Valley.

Instructions

1. Determine your investment goals, your business's design and management and your marketing plan. Put these together in a comprehensive business plan that outlines what your business will be, how it will run and how you will make a profit. Present this business plan to lenders both online and locally to finance your business start-up.

2. Figure out which Napa Valley products you wish to sell. Packaged foods, wines and homemade products are available to buy directly from manufacturers and distributors in Napa Valley. Be sure all the product they use in their food is from Napa Valley to ensure your product is true to its label. Companies such as Made In Napa Valley allow you to buy products online.

3. Choose Napa Valley wholesalers that may supply you with opportunities for buying Napa Valley foods. Choose the foods your business will sell and purchase the quantities you will need. Drop shippers can be arranged to meet your needs.

4. Contact wine distributors if you will sell Napa Valley wine, one of the most sought after food products from the region. Wine manufacturers throughout the Napa Valley sell directly to the consumer, but sell to distributors and businesses who will sell to the public as well. Contact these companies directly.

5. Set up on online business or a local business selling Napa Valley products you have purchased. Online retail outlets for Napa Valley foods is a popular option, but many local markets will do well with the natural, sun dried flavors the region has to offer to you.

Sponsor A Giveaway

Whether you're raising awareness for a worthy cause, or trying to let the public know about a new product, a giveaway is one way to get the word out. When you're ready to sponsor a giveaway, utilize a few savvy techniques and you'll earn name recognition and make your customers happy.

Instructions

1. Pinpoint your target market. Write down your goal and list your potential customers. If you want women to try your new facial scrub, you will target beauty salons, not auto body shops. List all the potential market candidates.

2. Decide whether you will be giving away samples of your new product to all customers or will provide larger items for a few lucky winners. If you are harvesting names for future contacts, choose the larger prizes and place registration forms where your customers can fill them out.

3. Distribute sample sizes if your goal is to make your customers aware of the product. Contact your product distributor to find out the options for packaging sample sizes for your giveaway.

4. Team up with another business to share the cost. Giveaways can be expensive and two or more sponsors can effectively cut the cost while making the project more attractive to the customers.

5. Contact a giveaway marketer. For a set fee, they will arrange to advertise your giveaway, handle sample distribution and even publish information circulars to promote your product. Hiring a commercial marketer can cost more, but you will be putting your giveaway in experienced hands. You can sponsor the project without doing all the work.

Write Receipts For Nonprofit Donations

Donations to a non-profit organization are eligible for tax deductions.

Nonprofit organizations need donors like a fish needs water. Fortunately for those who like to give, charitable donations are tax-deductible as long as they are itemized and recorded. In order to realize this benefit, the donor must receive a properly written receipt as record of the transaction. These can be given in the form of an email, a postcard or a written document from the nonprofit organization.

Instructions

1. Have the items that were donated assessed by someone who knows the item well. This need not be a complicated process. But you want to make sure that the donor can deduct the full amount of the value of the donation. Talk to a mechanic, for example, to discuss the value of a donated used car. You'll need this information for the receipt.

2. Count any cash that was donated and make a copy of other monetary donations, such as checks or money orders. Keep the copies for the organization's records.

3. Write down the donor's name, address and telephone number at the top of the document. Use the donor's full legal name for tax purposes.

4. Give a brief description of what was donated to the nonprofit and list the value of it. A brief sentence and a dollar amount will suffice.

5. State the date that the donation was made. If details are unknown, list the month and year.

6. Mention whether or not anything was exchanged as a result of the donation. For example, if an individual donated $500 and received a stereo in exchange, this exchange must be included in the receipt. When donations are exchanged for another item or service, the donor can only deduct the amount of the difference. So, if the stereo received cost $150, the donor may claim only $350 out of the $500 donation for a tax deduction.

7. Have the receipt printed on company letterhead. At the very least, have it signed by the director or a member of the board.

Sarbanes Oxley Act Certification

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act holds company executives responsible for certifying that company accounts are accurate.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act was passed by Congress in 2002 as a response to scandals involving corporate fraud, such as Enron and WorldCom. The Act requires all companies to disclose a variety of financial information, and for company executives to certify the information is accurate. Penalties are very strict and can be imposed on individual company executives. For this reason, it is vitally important that all businesses are familiar with the requirements of the Act.

History

Senator Paul Sarbanes and Representative Michael Oxley proposed the Act to strengthen corporate accountability and governance and prevent the type of fraud epitomized by the Enron scandal. In the case of Enron, corporate executives deliberately misrepresented large numbers of transactions to government auditors, in order to hide huge loses. To prevent this type of fraud, the Act requires procedures to ensure companies have transparent accounting practices in place. The Act also holds executive officers and financial officers responsible for financial information.

Financial Certification

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires the CEO and CFO of all publicly traded companies to certify that financial statements and annual reports are correct and represent the true state of the company's finances. The CEO and CFO must prepare a statement that they have reviewed the financial report and, based on their knowledge, it does not contain any untrue statements and contains all relevant financial information.

Audit Certification

During a financial audit, executives make oral and written representations to the auditor in answer to any questions the auditor may ask. The company executives are also asked for a letter certifying the answers given to any questions the auditor asked. The Act makes it a crime for company executives to fraudulently mislead, influence or coerce any accountant performing an audit by giving a false or misleading audit certification.

Internal Controls

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires companies to have in place internal controls on its system of financial reporting. Annual reports must include an assessment of the company's system of financial reporting. This assessment, called a 404 audit, must demonstrate that there are sufficient safeguards in place to ensure the accuracy of the company's financial reporting. The company executives are also required to certify the assessment.

Penalties

Executives who certify that company financial records are accurate when they are not can face up to a five-year prison sentence, a fine and civil and criminal litigation. They could also be barred from serving as executive officers in the future. Companies that are not in compliance with the certification requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act can face loss of insurance, removal from the stock exchange and fines. Any employee, including executive officers, who deliberately hides or presents misleading information can face up to 20 years in jail. An executive officer who deliberately submits an incorrect or misleading section 404 audit faces up to 10 years in jail and a $1 million fine.

Place Spend Game Ripoffs

Shell game scams typically occur in truck stops, vacation spots and casinos. The typical shell game is a game of chance in which the con artist puts a ball under one of three shells on a table. You bet that you can pick out the shell that has the ball under it. You can double your money if you win, but you won't.

Instructions

1. Never bet with anyone unless he displays the appropriate licenses. Even if the stand is near a casino, that doesn't mean it is connected to the establishment.

2. If you feel compelled to bet, start small so you don't get badly bitten. If you lose, have the host show you which shell hid the ball. In most shell game scams you never have a chance to win, because the ball isn't under any of the shells. You might see the host put it under a shell, but he knows make it disappear.

3. If you lose, walk away, don't try to win back the money you just gave away. If you win, don't raise your bet. Either walk away with your winnnings (the smartest thing you can do), or don't bet any more than the amount you won. Play with the house's money. Some scam artist will let you win a small pot to set you up for a big loss.

4. Watch for other versions of the shell game. Scammers will pull this ruse with playing cards in the game known as Three-Card Monte or with chips.

5. Don't be fooled if you see someone win, particularly if that person wins several times. The people who run these games usually have helpers who bet large sums and win to make you think the game is legitimate. 99% of the shell games you encounter will be pure scams.

Worker Conflict Of Great Interest

Business deals take place every day, but not all are based on ethical behavior. Sometimes, business decisions are clouded by personal considerations in conflict with a business' goals. When business deals move beyond what is appropriate to create conflicts for the parties involved, action should be taken to correct the conflict.

Definition

The Ethics organization defines "conflict of interest" as an action or relationship that might impair an employee's ability to make objective and fair decisions relating to his job. There are a variety of situations where an employee risks creating a real conflict of interest or the appearance of one. For example, an employee searching his company's files for leads for a second job he is seeking could present a conflict for both the employee and the employer.

More Examples

Other examples of conflict of interest include hiring a relative, friend or acquaintance for a key position based solely on the relationship, closing a deal with a contractor, supplier or distributor in which an employee owns stock or is an owner of the company, or obtaining information from an employer so the employee can later use the information to compete with the employer as a competitor.

Legality

Employee conflict of interest -- or the appearance of a conflict -- is not always illegal, but is considered unethical, and in most companies, it is strictly prohibited. In some instances, it can lead to termination. Employees who believe a conflict of interest is or has taken place should notify management immediately with the names of the parties involved in the incident. A full disclosure could prevent termination, and, at the very least, raise awareness that a conflict of interest is taking place.

Questions

To determine if a conflict of interest exists, an employee may ask, "Am I served as an employee by the outcome of this situation?" "Am I using company time on or any company resources to better a side business for which I am an employee or an owner?" and "Am I accepting gifts that may be viewed as inappropriate and would exceed limits set by my employer?" Answering "yes" to any of these questions, suggests that there may be an actual conflict of interest taking place.

Cope With Toxic People At The Office

Toxic people can drive you nuts.

Dealing with toxic people at work can drive you nuts, especially if the toxic person is your boss. All you want to do is stay away from them, but you know you have to work with them everyday. Of course they won't get fired or find another job (only in your dreams), so you have to figure out some way to deal with them so you can keep your sanity. It can be hard (and it really is!), but here's how you can put your best foot forward and contribute to a healthy work environment:

Instructions

1. Realize that the toxic person is not going to change. If they talk to you about other people in the office, you can bet they are talking about YOU to the other people as well. The only way to deal with the toxic person is to ignore the gossip they spew out and turn the conversation back to them. If you can stomach a conversation with them, talk to them about their job or life in a positive way. Most gossipers and toxic people love to talk about themselves. Don't give them any information about your personal life - only talk about work projects and getting things done on time.

2. Figure out what the toxic person wants. Most toxic people and gossipers are truly insecure about themselves and need constant attention (surprise, surprise!). If you figure out what they want (praise, kudos, someone to listen to them, attention, etc), give them a dose of it every now and then. Be sure not to get sucked in though, they might keep you there for hours. Always give them what they want WHEN YOU KNOW you're going to depart from the situation in a specified amount of time.

3. Keep your distance. Don't put yourself in situations where you will be sucked into their toxic bubble. If you're going to a meeting, sit on the other side of the room. Try to avoid closed door meetings alone with toxic people. If you have a cubicle or office near them, put headphones on even if you're not listening to anything. Hopefully this is allowed in your office. Do not have one on one lunches with toxic people unless absolutely necessary. Chances are, other people think they are toxic and if you are seen out somewhere, those folks might assume you are part of the toxic bubble. Don't sabotage your career this way.

4. Stay positive and don't contribute to their negativity. Refrain from saying anything bad about other office staff or work situations, especially while in the company of your toxic 'friend'.

5. Choose your battles. Some toxic people can make your blood boil. If you can, pretend that what they do doesn't actually exist or didn't happen (unless you have to because it's part of your job). That way you won't be mentally affected from whatever chaos they are creating.

6. Take the high road. It's very easy to get sucked in to a toxic person's life if you don't recognize that you are getting pulled in. Their meaningless charades can create one crazy work environment, but if you take the high road and don't react, more of your office mates will likely follow.

7. Realize that you are part of the problem. Yes, it's hard to admit, but if you move from job to job and you find yourself irritated by certain kinds of people, you have some work to do. You need to figure out what you're doing that makes toxic people treat you the way they do. Is it your facial expressions? The way you talk? What you wear? The snappy comments you make when they drive you nuts? The fact that you hate your job? If you don't want to change anything, then don't, but it might be worth your while when you go to your next job and you realize those toxic people aren't bothering you anymore.

8. Once you figure out the 'key' (what they want and what you're doing) that unlocks the door, you'll be free from toxic people forever more. That's not to say you won't encounter toxic people ever again, I'm saying they won't get on your last nerve anymore because you'll be aware of what's happening to them and yourself, you'll be able to remove yourself from the toxic behavior and overall you'll deal with the situation more effectively.

9. If all else fails and the toxic person is completely beyond understanding or help, it's time to look for a new job. Getting out might be the best thing you ever did. You never know what adventures await!

Lease Ford Automobiles

If you are interested in getting a new Ford vehicle but do not want to get a car loan or commit to the vehicle for a long period, you can lease it instead. When you lease a vehicle you have a monthly payment just like with an auto loan; however, lease payments are typically a bit smaller. Usually a down payment is also required in order to lease a Ford vehicle or any other vehicle. Leasing a Ford vehicle is similar to leasing any other vehicle.

Instructions

1. Save up between $1,000 and $2,000 for your lease down payment. According to Financial Web, this is the typical range for required down payments. The actual down payment required will vary depending on which Ford vehicle you want to lease.

2. Find out what your credit score is. You will need to have good credit to qualify for a lease. You can check the credit score on the My FICO website. As of November 2010, the price is $15.95. Ford does not give an exact credit score that you need to qualify, but good credit is typically anything above 700.

3. Visit your local Ford dealer to select your Ford vehicle and find out about any leasing specials.

4. Discuss lease terms with the dealer. Some of the terms to negotiate include the length of the lease and the number of annual miles included with the lease.

5. Submit your application to lease the vehicle at your local Ford dealer. In order to lease a Ford vehicle, you must use in-house financing through Ford Credit.

6. Review the lease agreement to make sure that everything is correct before signing it.

Make A Presentation

The reasons for conducting a business presentation range from attracting new clients to pitching new company policies to management and other staff members. The key to a successful presentation lies in preparation. This is not only about assembling pertinent text and images in whatever form of media you are using to make your presentation, but also thoroughly rehearsing the presentation so that all of your talking points are clear and concise.

Instructions

1. Work on your presentation well in advance of the day on which you will present. The more time you give yourself to complete it, the more likely it is that you will catch any error. Think through each aspect of your project so that nothing is missing or overstated.

2. Insert multi-media components into your presentation. Don't just rely on a Microsoft PowerPoint display or poster boards as visual aids. Incorporate various forms of multi-media in your presentation to give it visual appeal and keep your audience captivated. Use plenty of photos to illustrate each point and don't shy away from color to enhance your slides.

3. Write out your points in clear, concise and easy-to-understand language. Be professional, but don't lose your audience. Don't make language overly sophisticated. Your most pertinent points should be made within the text of the presentation as well as orally as you go through it step by step.

4. Practice the oral component of your presentation. This is the most important part of it as your audience will only be as engaged as you make them while talking. Be animated and showcase your excitement and passion about your subject matter. Maintain a balance between being professional, but conversational, encouraging your audience to interact with you during the presentation. This will in turn get them equally excited about the topic about which you are presenting.

5. Practice your presentation in front of someone else. Ask them to note how loud you speak and how clearly, as well as how often you make eye contact. Gauge their interest in your presentation topic and make note of how often they pay attention to your multi-media components as well as you when you are giving the oral portions of your presentation. Make sure there is a solid balance between the two.

Make A Budget

Balance the Budget

With today’s rising prices, it is becoming more and more important to prepare a budget and stick to it. If you want to get the most out of your hard earned dollar, take some time to evaluate your financial situation and prepare a budget.

Instructions

Prepare a Budget

1. Evaluate your current expenditures. Take one month and jot down all of your expenditures. To truly prepare an accurate budget, you must track everything from purchasing the daily newspaper to the lunchtime candy bar from the vending machine.

2. Track all of your income. Usually this is the easiest part of the budget. Most people know how much money they make each month.

3. List all of the expenditures. After a month of tracking your expenditures, prepare a list of expenditures. It’s best to categorize them into fixed and modifiable expenditures. Your rent or mortgage payments would fit under the fixed expenditure category, while dining out and weekly manicures fall under the modifiable category.

4. Total your income and expenditures and compare. Hopefully your comparison of income to expenditures leaves you with earning more than you spend. If not, it’s time to look at your budget a little closer, especially the modifiable expenditures. Look to see where you can cut back or eliminate so that your income exceeds your expenditures.

5. Prepare a realistic budget. Now that you know how much money you have coming in and how much going out, and where it’s going, it’s time to get the most for your money. Make sure the budget is something you can follow

6. Review your budget regularly and make modifications if necessary.

Why Is A Great Leasing Agent

A leasing agent is only as great as his skills.

Leasing agents are paid by commission. This means that their livelihood hinges on their ability to effectively use their skills to rent out properties. But, what makes a great leasing agent?

Discernment

Not every willing tenant is a quality tenant. A great leasing agent must be discerning enough to weed out tenants who will be more trouble than they are worth. For example, if a potential tenant balks at the very idea of a security deposit, this could be a red flag.

Product Knowledge

As a leasing agent, the property is your product. You must be mindful of zoning restrictions, pricing, square footage and other information that would factor into a reasonable renter's leasing decision.

Negotiation Skills

A great leasing agent leaves the tenant feeling like she has entered into a win-win agreement. This requires the agent to assess the potential tenant's needs and desires, as well as how much they are worth to the prospective tenant. The leasing agent must then balance those needs and desires against her employer's interests.

Be A Jingle Composer

Become a Jingle Composer

Becoming a jingle composer is different than deciding to start another kind of business. No formal training is required, and you don't need a ton of credentials to sell your jingles. The main way to become a jingle composer is to have a great product.

Instructions

1. Enroll in marketing and advertising classes. Although there are no formal requirements to become a jingle writer, marketing and advertising classes will help you as you write jingles and as you market yourself. You will learn present yourself so the company will want to purchase the jingle you've written.

2. Learn to read and write music. Jingle composers have to know which notes a jingle is composed of to sell it. You can't just walk in and hum the tune; you have to be able to present it. Learn to read and write music by visiting Data Dragon or taking a few courses in music at a community college. See "Additional Resources" for link.

3. Compose jingles. Select a few local companies with a radio or television presence that don't have a good jingle. Think about the companies and the services they provide--as well as their target market. Then, write them the best possible jingle you can think of. It helps if you know play instruments and read music so you can demonstrate the jingle.

4. Set up an appointment with the owner or manager of the business you've written the jingle for. Explain that you're a jingle composer and that you've created a jingle for his company. Let him know he is under no obligation to purchase the jingle, but that you would like to give him the opportunity to hear it. Then, play the jingle for him. Use visual aids and props to get the point of your jingle across.

5. Continue the process. As you continue the process of creating jingles for companies, you eventually do become a jingle writer. Companies will refer other companies and you will make a name for yourself. Create a website and market yourself in order to gain more clients and get new jingle composer jobs.

By following the steps above, you can become a jingle composer and have a lifelong, rewarding career.

Smartly Relist Ebay Products

One way to dramatically increase profits on eBay is to strategically relist items after the first unsuccessful auction. Many sellers fail to use this option and simply delete their auctions after the first unsuccessful attempt. This is a big mistake. You should always test the market on eBay by relisting because it gives you information that will help you to survive in the long run. Relisting, using a few basic strategies, will give you the information you need to increase sales.

Instructions

Strategic Pricing

1. Relist the item at the same price. Doing so will give you about a 50 percent chance of selling the item on the second try. EBay makes this easy by simply giving you a relist button to click. You do not have to re-enter all the auction information, nor do you have to redescribe the item, and, as eBay Training Blog notes, persistence helps.

2. Relist the item at a lower price. Doing so might get you more bidders because of the price reduction. But some buyers wait to see if a seller will drop his prices after an unsuccessful auction. If there are few bidders, buyers can afford to play the waiting game. If you find, over time, that your item sells well with one bidder at the lower price, consider sticking to the original, higher price. You will get the sale if you have an original item.

3. Relist the item at a higher price. Especially if you have an item that is relatively rare, showing the market that you know the item's value can actually garner huge sales. Sometimes, raising the price and relisting the item as a store item also garners sales. Why is a mystery, but it probably has something to do with the fact that some people like to buy at a fixed price and don't even look at the original auction.

4. Relist the item at one penny. This is a risky move, but it does tend to get more bidders. People will jump in, hoping for a deal, and the fast-paced bidding creates excitement. Bidders are stimulated by competition and the price will rise. You should only use this strategy, however, if you are willing to sell the item for one penny. Sometimes, with the kind of item that only gets one bidder, this will happen. Before you use this strategy, look at other auctions for similar items to see how many bidders usually show interest.

5. Record the results of your study. These results will differ depending on what the item is, so be sure not to make overgeneralizations based on your experience selling one product. The next kind of product that you sell will demand completely different tactics.

Louisiana Workman'S Compensation Rules

In Louisiana, the workers' compensation laws allow injured employees to receive medical benefits and lost wages after seven days of an injury-related absence. The state also provided workers' compensation benefits to dependents of employees killed in work-related accidents. Most employers who conduct business in Louisiana must purchase workers' compensation coverage unless they are exempt under state law.

Exemptions

The general rule in Louisiana for workers' compensation is that all employers must purchase coverage. Exemption for coverage exist for employers of private farms; private residential domestic employees; musicians and entertainers; federal employees covered by the Federal Employers Liability Act; interstate railroad employees; real estate agents and brokers; mineral transporters; airplane spraying crews; and boards of directors of nonprofit organizations. Under Louisiana law, uncovered employees can sue their employers for their injuries by filing private tort or injury lawsuits.

Claims Limits

Employees must report their injuries to their employers within 30 days of injury. Employees must file claims within one year of their accident to receive compensation or medical benefits. To receive benefits, employees must suffer an occupational disease or illness arising out of their scope of employment. Employees do not receive benefits for work-related accidents they caused or for accidents suffered while intoxicated. Louisiana allows employees' dependents to apply for lost wages after their deaths, but the state does not cover partial medical disabilities.

Employers' Duties

After receiving notification of their employees' injuries, employers must report the injuries to their insurance providers within 10 days. Employers can require their employees to undergo medical evaluations at the employers' cost and require employees to keep them apprised of any changes to their conditions.

Benefits

Injured workers can automatically receive emergency medical care. After notifying their employers of their injuries, they can see specialty doctors and receive prescription drug coverage. For cash benefits, employees must wait seven days before they can begin receive weekly wage benefits. Employees can begin receiving wage benefits on the eighth day. After notifying their employers of their injuries, employees receive their first workers' compensation wage benefits within 14 days of notification. Employees who are absent from work for more than 42 days can receive compensation for the first seven days of noncompensation. Injured workers who are unable to return to work can file for permanent disability benefits. They must receive a medical determination that their medical condition will not improve with subsequent treatment, and they have reached the maximum point of recovery.

Considerations

Since employment laws can frequently change, do not use this information as a substitute for legal advice. Seek advice through an attorney licensed to practice law in your jurisdiction.

About Photography Companies

Since its invention in the nineteenth century, the act of capturing images on a piece of paper quickly became a world-wide phenomenon. From its humble beginnings, photography was limited to portraits of dignitaries and royals, often only having one portrait made in their lifetime. Today, the photography business can be accomplished successfully by amateurs and professionals alike.

Significance

The photography business is very flexible as well as versatile. By owning your own photography business, you work only when you have scheduled appointments, and you can choose to work within a studio or a variety of locations. Even though you'll need to be diligent about finding--and keeping--clients, mostly it will be up to you how hard--or not--you work.

Types

A home-based photography business will allow you to be a freelance photographer, specializing in any area of your interest. You can choose to photograph portraits, events or scenery. You can choose to build your business by charging fees for each assignment or by selling stock photos of a variety of candid shots.

A wedding photography business takes pictures of weddings and focuses on capturing special photos of the bride and groom on their special day.

A portrait photography business is located in a studio, with clients that can include anyone from high school seniors, aspiring models as well as business executives.

Considerations

Consider having the name of your photography business printed on the front or back of the photographs. Having your photos protected with a copyright prevents others from making money by using your photography.

Benefits

Selling stock photos online is another beneficial way to earn an income. Website companies such as Shutterpoint allow you to have your own sub-domain to enable you to show off your portfolio. They promise to give you a high percentage of the sale of your photos, and will send your checks promptly. Opportunities such as this one allows you to earn income in addition to promoting your talent to a global audience (see Resources below).

Misconceptions

Due to the growing popularity of digital cameras and photo editing programs, professional studio photographers no longer see the volume of business as they once did. While it is true that anyone can be an amateur photographer, it is a common misconception to believe that anyone can be a full-time photographer. To be able to rely on your photography income, it is crucial to be a consummate professional and to learn as much about the art of photography as possible.