Employers conduct employee background checks for a variety of reasons. With the rise of lawsuits for negligence, many employers are considering employee background checks a standard part of their Human Resource guidelines.
Depending on your state and what type of business you are in, employee background checks may or may not be mandated by law. In businesses that deal with children or seniors, Federal law requires background checks on all employees and/or volunteers. The reasons should be obvious: the Federal government wants to ensure that those served are safe from hard and employers need to safeguard themselves against negligent lawsuits.
If an employee will be doing any type of driving for the business, it is important to know their driving history. For insurance purposes, employers need to have up-to-date information regarding the candidate's Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) report. This report details any moving violations or accidents. Information such as this can assist the employer in making a solid decision regarding the hiree. This type of information is usually available at the state level for a minimal fee.
Employers conduct employee background checks for a variety of reasons. With the rise of lawsuits for negligence, many employers are considering employee background checks a standard part of their Human Resource guidelines. A growing number of child and elder abuse cases, as well as child abduction cases, make it important for all employers hiring people to work with these groups to perform detailed background checks. Following the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, many employers are now screening new hires with a scrutinizing eye. Concerns over potential terrorists obtaining positions within sensitive agencies have increased the popularity of employee background investigations.
Employers also want to be sure that the information given by the applicant is true and accurate. With many employers reporting up to 30% of applicants falsifying information, background checks can screen for those who lie on resumes. Employers often interpret this as a lack of good morals and character on the part of the applicant. It is direly important for prospective employees to be up-front and honest about their backgrounds, work experience and education.
Pre-Employment Background Checks
In the information age in which we live, background checks are not necessarily difficult to perform. Basically, an employer needs to understand the Fair Credit Report Act laws as well as laws pertaining to individual states. With these laws in mind, the employer can determine what type of information is actually needed, considering each position within their company and the details of the job function. Some positions may require cash or sensitive information handling and would therefore need a thorough criminal background check. Other positions may not be as sensitive in nature but require a high degree of education or experience in the field. Educational background checks and work related references are often very important in this type of pre-employment screening.
Some employers require a credit report in their pre-employment screening tools. This subject is widely debated and is often considered an invasion of privacy. Many prospective employees ask employers, "I will not be handling cash transactions or dealing with personal information, why do you need my credit report?" Most employers who request this information are not necessarily trying to be intrusive into the candidate's life; they simply believe that a credit report is a good indicator of character. Some employers insist that a poor credit score, which indicates failure to pay bills on time, means that the individual does not have a high level of responsibility. Others claim that a poor credit score indicates poor job performance and could possibly turn into retention issues. Credit reports also list employment history and places the person has lived. Employers often use this as a pre-screening tool to verify that application information is true and accurate.
Another type of pre-employment background check included in the "investigative consumer report" is character referencing. This method usually involves the personal interviewing of friends, family, neighbors or associates and is an approved method of screening under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This type of investigation does, however, require a separate consent form required under the FCRA. It gives the employer a general idea about the candidate's character and personal moral values.
It is imperative that employers provide notice to the applicant prior to conducting the pre-screening background check. As mandated by federal law, specifically the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Employers need to ensure that they are following the guidelines set forth by the Act. Having the proper consent forms and understanding what information can and cannot be used in the hiring process is just as important as gaining the information itself.
Home » Archive for 2016
The Myth of the Management Team
Every business has problems. That is why the average life span of a large industrial company is 40 years. Some are learning disabilities where companies are not prepared to learn from their mistakes. They insist on doing the same thing every time. Even when problems occur no one examines the cause of the problem. The problem is an embarrassment that should be swept under the rug and forgotten rather than be used as an opportunity to learn. Handling these dilemmas and disabilities is the Management Team. Below is a quote from Peter Senge's book "The Fifth Discipline - the Art & Practice of the Learning Organization." Does this sound like your company? If it does start worrying!
The Myth of the Management Team
Standing forward to do battle with these dilemmas and disabilities is "the management team," the collection of savvy, experienced managers who represent the organization's different functions and areas of expertise. Together, they are supposed to sort out the complex cross-functional issues that are critical to the organization. What confidence do we have, really, that typical management teams can surmount these learning disabilities?
All too often, teams in business tend to spend their time fighting for turf, avoiding anything that will make them look bad personally, and pretending that everyone is behind the team's collective strategy - maintaining the appearance of a cohesive team. To keep up the image, they seek to squelch disagreement; people with serious reservations avoid stating them publicly, and joint decisions are watered-down compromises reflecting what everyone can live with, or else reflecting one person's view foisted on the group. If there is disagreement, it's usually expressed in a manner that lays blame, polarizes opinion, and fails to reveal the underlying differences in assumptions and experience in a way that the team as a whole could learn.
"Most management teams break down under pressure," writes Harvard's Chris Argyris - a long time student of learning in management teams. "The team may function quite well with routine issues. But when they confront complex issues that may be embarrassing or threatening, the 'teamness' seems to go to pot."
Argyris argues that most managers find collective inquiry inherently threatening. School trains us never to admit that we do not know the answer, and most corporations reinforce that lesson by rewarding the people who excel in advocating their views, not inquiring into complex issues. (When was the last time someone was rewarded in your organization for raising difficult questions about the company's current policies rather than solving urgent problems?) Even if we feel uncertain or ignorant, we learn to protect ourselves from the pain of appearing uncertain or ignorant. That very process blocks out any new understandings which might threaten us. The consequence is what Argyris calls "skilled incompetence" - teams full of people who are incredibly proficient at keeping themselves from learning.
So how does your company stack up? If your company is what Senge describes as a 'Learning Organization' then there is no need to protect your turf, no need to accept compromise, no need for management to know everything. In a Learning Organization the knowledge that employees have is used and each member of the management team is there to support the other. They realize that everyone wins if the team does well and they also know that a failure is just another term for a learning opportunity.
Wouldn't you like to work in an organization where your opinion counts and where you CAN make a difference in the companies success? Where you don't have to pretend to be busy, or pretend to know everything. So how do you create a learning organization? It starts with creating learning individuals in learning teams which then cascade into a learning organization.
The only process that we know of that comes close to achieving the goal of a learning team is the Best Year Yet system (http://www.arcturusadvisors.com/partners.htm - http://www.arcturusadvisors.com/partners.htm). Through this facilitated process team members learn to work collaboratively, learn from their mistakes and continually challenge their assumptions about reality. Above all they work together as a team to solve problems and improve results.
A Learning Organization is possible!
The Myth of the Management Team
Standing forward to do battle with these dilemmas and disabilities is "the management team," the collection of savvy, experienced managers who represent the organization's different functions and areas of expertise. Together, they are supposed to sort out the complex cross-functional issues that are critical to the organization. What confidence do we have, really, that typical management teams can surmount these learning disabilities?
All too often, teams in business tend to spend their time fighting for turf, avoiding anything that will make them look bad personally, and pretending that everyone is behind the team's collective strategy - maintaining the appearance of a cohesive team. To keep up the image, they seek to squelch disagreement; people with serious reservations avoid stating them publicly, and joint decisions are watered-down compromises reflecting what everyone can live with, or else reflecting one person's view foisted on the group. If there is disagreement, it's usually expressed in a manner that lays blame, polarizes opinion, and fails to reveal the underlying differences in assumptions and experience in a way that the team as a whole could learn.
"Most management teams break down under pressure," writes Harvard's Chris Argyris - a long time student of learning in management teams. "The team may function quite well with routine issues. But when they confront complex issues that may be embarrassing or threatening, the 'teamness' seems to go to pot."
Argyris argues that most managers find collective inquiry inherently threatening. School trains us never to admit that we do not know the answer, and most corporations reinforce that lesson by rewarding the people who excel in advocating their views, not inquiring into complex issues. (When was the last time someone was rewarded in your organization for raising difficult questions about the company's current policies rather than solving urgent problems?) Even if we feel uncertain or ignorant, we learn to protect ourselves from the pain of appearing uncertain or ignorant. That very process blocks out any new understandings which might threaten us. The consequence is what Argyris calls "skilled incompetence" - teams full of people who are incredibly proficient at keeping themselves from learning.
So how does your company stack up? If your company is what Senge describes as a 'Learning Organization' then there is no need to protect your turf, no need to accept compromise, no need for management to know everything. In a Learning Organization the knowledge that employees have is used and each member of the management team is there to support the other. They realize that everyone wins if the team does well and they also know that a failure is just another term for a learning opportunity.
Wouldn't you like to work in an organization where your opinion counts and where you CAN make a difference in the companies success? Where you don't have to pretend to be busy, or pretend to know everything. So how do you create a learning organization? It starts with creating learning individuals in learning teams which then cascade into a learning organization.
The only process that we know of that comes close to achieving the goal of a learning team is the Best Year Yet system (http://www.arcturusadvisors.com/partners.htm - http://www.arcturusadvisors.com/partners.htm). Through this facilitated process team members learn to work collaboratively, learn from their mistakes and continually challenge their assumptions about reality. Above all they work together as a team to solve problems and improve results.
A Learning Organization is possible!
The mathematics of a firefight
When you examine the mathematics of a firefight, it's easy to see why the big company usually wins. Let's say that the Red squad with nine soldiers meets a Blue squad with six. Red has a 50 percent nu...
When you examine the mathematics of a firefight, it's easy to see why the big company usually wins. Let's say that the Red squad with nine soldiers meets a Blue squad with six. Red has a 50 percent numerical superiority over the Blue. 9 versus 6. Or it could be 90 versus 60 or 9000 versus 6000. It makes no difference what the number are, the principle is the same.
Let's also say that, on the average, one out of every three shots will inflict a casualty.
After the first volley, the situation will have changed drastically. Instead of a 9 to 6 advantage, Red would have a 7 to 3 advantage. From a 50 percent superiority in force to a more than 100 percent superiority.
The same deadly multiplication effect continues with the passage of time.
After the second volley, the score would be 6 to 1 in favor of Red.
After the third volley, Blue would be wiped out completely.
Notice how the casualties were divided between the two sides. The superior force (Red) suffered only half the casualties of the inferior force (Blue).
This result may be just the opposite of what you have been led to believe by all those Hollywood movies-the handful of marines decimating a company of Japanese before the marines are finally overrun.
In real life it's different. What happens when a Volkswagen Beetle hits a GMG bus in a head-on collision? You wind up with a few scratches on the bumper of the bus and a very thin German pancake. (The bigger you are, the harder they fall.)
The two vehicles have exchanged momentum. It's a basic law of physics. The larger, heavier vehicle sustains less damage than the smaller, lighter force.
There's no secret to why the Allies won World War II in Europe. Where the Germans had two soldiers, we had four. Where they had four, we had eight. The skill and experience of an enemy who had practically invented modern warfare and the leadership of men like Rommel and Von Rundstedt could not change the mathematics of the battleground.
In the military, the numbers are so important that most armies have an intelligence branch known as the order of battle. It informs commanders of the size, location, and nature of the opposing force. (The case of General William C. Westmoreland against CBS was based on whether order of battle documents in the Vietnam war were falsified or not.)
When you examine the mathematics of a firefight, it's easy to see why the big company usually wins. Let's say that the Red squad with nine soldiers meets a Blue squad with six. Red has a 50 percent numerical superiority over the Blue. 9 versus 6. Or it could be 90 versus 60 or 9000 versus 6000. It makes no difference what the number are, the principle is the same.
Let's also say that, on the average, one out of every three shots will inflict a casualty.
After the first volley, the situation will have changed drastically. Instead of a 9 to 6 advantage, Red would have a 7 to 3 advantage. From a 50 percent superiority in force to a more than 100 percent superiority.
The same deadly multiplication effect continues with the passage of time.
After the second volley, the score would be 6 to 1 in favor of Red.
After the third volley, Blue would be wiped out completely.
Notice how the casualties were divided between the two sides. The superior force (Red) suffered only half the casualties of the inferior force (Blue).
This result may be just the opposite of what you have been led to believe by all those Hollywood movies-the handful of marines decimating a company of Japanese before the marines are finally overrun.
In real life it's different. What happens when a Volkswagen Beetle hits a GMG bus in a head-on collision? You wind up with a few scratches on the bumper of the bus and a very thin German pancake. (The bigger you are, the harder they fall.)
The two vehicles have exchanged momentum. It's a basic law of physics. The larger, heavier vehicle sustains less damage than the smaller, lighter force.
There's no secret to why the Allies won World War II in Europe. Where the Germans had two soldiers, we had four. Where they had four, we had eight. The skill and experience of an enemy who had practically invented modern warfare and the leadership of men like Rommel and Von Rundstedt could not change the mathematics of the battleground.
In the military, the numbers are so important that most armies have an intelligence branch known as the order of battle. It informs commanders of the size, location, and nature of the opposing force. (The case of General William C. Westmoreland against CBS was based on whether order of battle documents in the Vietnam war were falsified or not.)
The Many Benefits of a Professional Realtor®
Buying and selling property is not as easy as you may think. There are many things that you have to consider when purchasing a home, or when putting a home up for sale. That is why there are real esta...
Buying and selling property is not as easy as you may think. There are many things that you have to consider when purchasing a home, or when putting a home up for sale. That is why there are real estate professionals out there armed with the skills and knowledge needed to make this process easier. Read below to see how a real estate agent can help you in your real estate transaction.
The Benefits of a Sellers Agent
When you list your property through a real estate company, the individual with whom you list is known as the sellers agent, or listing agent. The very first thing that a listing agent has to offer a seller is a comparative market analysis, or, a CMA. A CMA compares your property to other real estate property listings, preferably ones that have sold. The goal of the agent is to compare apples to apples. In other words, they compare MLS listings (a.k.a the multiple listing service) with similar square footage, whether or not the property has a garage, the types of flooring the home has etc. In the end of this analysis, the agent provides you with a figure for which he or she feels that your property will sell.
Once you have chosen a sellers agent, you enter an agreement with them, often called an exclusive right to list agreement. This simply creates a legal relationship between your agent and yourself. Once your house is listed in the MLS listings, there is still much more your real estate professional can do for you. Real estate agents advertise property within their office and on their own personal websites. They often send out news letters, flyers, post cards and offer MLS bulletins for other realtors to see so that your property gains maximum exposure. In addition to advertisements, real estate agents also perform open houses on your property, during which potential buyers can see all that is good about your home.
The Benefits of a Buyers Agent
Many people feel that real estate agents are for sellers and sellers alone. But this is most definitely not the case. The first arena in which a buyers agent is helpful is finding the perfect home. Real estate agents have access to the MLS on a level that buyers do not. They can search specific criteria and find the perfect three- bedroom, two-bath home with a fenced in back yard and a rocking chair front porch. In addition, they can narrow real estate property listing searches by capping the minimum and maximum prices that the buyer wishes to spend. Once homes are selected for viewing, the agent then ensures that appointments are set up with the sellers of the homes to view the property.
Next there is the negotiation stage where a buyers agent comes in handy. The first part of this legal area is the writing of a contract. Real estate agents can help a buyer fully understand the ins and outs of an offer to purchase and give them a sense of exactly what they are getting into. Once a contract is created, presented, and accepted, the agent then sets up appointments on behalf of the buyer for things like the home inspection, pest inspection and appraisals. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.Buyers agents also have a sense of who is good at these things and who is not, making these decisions easier on the buyer. Then, when closing time comes, the agent is there to help the buyer warm up their signing fingers before signing all of the papers making their home ownership a reality.
Buying and selling property is not as easy as you may think. There are many things that you have to consider when purchasing a home, or when putting a home up for sale. That is why there are real estate professionals out there armed with the skills and knowledge needed to make this process easier. Read below to see how a real estate agent can help you in your real estate transaction.
The Benefits of a Sellers Agent
When you list your property through a real estate company, the individual with whom you list is known as the sellers agent, or listing agent. The very first thing that a listing agent has to offer a seller is a comparative market analysis, or, a CMA. A CMA compares your property to other real estate property listings, preferably ones that have sold. The goal of the agent is to compare apples to apples. In other words, they compare MLS listings (a.k.a the multiple listing service) with similar square footage, whether or not the property has a garage, the types of flooring the home has etc. In the end of this analysis, the agent provides you with a figure for which he or she feels that your property will sell.
Once you have chosen a sellers agent, you enter an agreement with them, often called an exclusive right to list agreement. This simply creates a legal relationship between your agent and yourself. Once your house is listed in the MLS listings, there is still much more your real estate professional can do for you. Real estate agents advertise property within their office and on their own personal websites. They often send out news letters, flyers, post cards and offer MLS bulletins for other realtors to see so that your property gains maximum exposure. In addition to advertisements, real estate agents also perform open houses on your property, during which potential buyers can see all that is good about your home.
The Benefits of a Buyers Agent
Many people feel that real estate agents are for sellers and sellers alone. But this is most definitely not the case. The first arena in which a buyers agent is helpful is finding the perfect home. Real estate agents have access to the MLS on a level that buyers do not. They can search specific criteria and find the perfect three- bedroom, two-bath home with a fenced in back yard and a rocking chair front porch. In addition, they can narrow real estate property listing searches by capping the minimum and maximum prices that the buyer wishes to spend. Once homes are selected for viewing, the agent then ensures that appointments are set up with the sellers of the homes to view the property.
Next there is the negotiation stage where a buyers agent comes in handy. The first part of this legal area is the writing of a contract. Real estate agents can help a buyer fully understand the ins and outs of an offer to purchase and give them a sense of exactly what they are getting into. Once a contract is created, presented, and accepted, the agent then sets up appointments on behalf of the buyer for things like the home inspection, pest inspection and appraisals. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.Buyers agents also have a sense of who is good at these things and who is not, making these decisions easier on the buyer. Then, when closing time comes, the agent is there to help the buyer warm up their signing fingers before signing all of the papers making their home ownership a reality.
The Ins and Outs of Article Submissions
As you no doubt already know, writing articles is probably the most effective way to establish yourself as an expert in your field and increase the traffic to your website. So you diligently write art...
As you no doubt already know, writing articles is probably the most effective way to establish yourself as an expert in your field and increase the traffic to your website. So you diligently write articles and then spend hours posting them to Article Submission websites. "There must be a smarter way?" you think each time you submit your articles. There is! Let's look at simple techniques to get the most out of the time you will be investing in article submissions.
Organization Saves TimeCreate a simple spreadsheet to organize each submission. The spreadsheet should contain the following:
URLs for all submission websites
User names and passwords for each site
Submission format (text, HTML, hyperlink URLs, etc.)
Submission date
Prep Your ArticleMost submission sites allow HTML coding, so spend the time to code your article before you start your submissions. Other sites post warnings that copying and pasting directly from Word will cause the article to be improperly formatted. Be sure you have a text version (created in Notepad) available. A few select sites require you to code the carriage returns into your article. Again, having a text file with HTML tags ready and waiting makes the submission process flow smoothly.
Know the RulesHere are some simple Do's and Don'ts to help increase your success as a self-publisher.
Do's
1.Always read the submission criteria before submitting your article. 2.Format your article to 60-65 characters/line when submitting to announcement lists or by email. 3.Use proper English, spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization and sentence structure. 4.Make time to manually submit articles. Most automated article submission services are frowned upon in the publishing industry.
Don'ts
Do not write solo ads: You're here to share your knowledge. No sales pitches allowed.
Do not include affiliate links: Again, education is the goal, not sales.
Do not submit more than one article per week: Most publishers receive thousands of articles daily. If you submit more than 1 article per week, chances are, your second submission will be discarded.
Remember: You don't have to go it alone. If you're overwhelmed by the writing or submission process, hire help.
As you no doubt already know, writing articles is probably the most effective way to establish yourself as an expert in your field and increase the traffic to your website. So you diligently write articles and then spend hours posting them to Article Submission websites. "There must be a smarter way?" you think each time you submit your articles. There is! Let's look at simple techniques to get the most out of the time you will be investing in article submissions.
Organization Saves TimeCreate a simple spreadsheet to organize each submission. The spreadsheet should contain the following:
URLs for all submission websites
User names and passwords for each site
Submission format (text, HTML, hyperlink URLs, etc.)
Submission date
Prep Your ArticleMost submission sites allow HTML coding, so spend the time to code your article before you start your submissions. Other sites post warnings that copying and pasting directly from Word will cause the article to be improperly formatted. Be sure you have a text version (created in Notepad) available. A few select sites require you to code the carriage returns into your article. Again, having a text file with HTML tags ready and waiting makes the submission process flow smoothly.
Know the RulesHere are some simple Do's and Don'ts to help increase your success as a self-publisher.
Do's
1.Always read the submission criteria before submitting your article. 2.Format your article to 60-65 characters/line when submitting to announcement lists or by email. 3.Use proper English, spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization and sentence structure. 4.Make time to manually submit articles. Most automated article submission services are frowned upon in the publishing industry.
Don'ts
Do not write solo ads: You're here to share your knowledge. No sales pitches allowed.
Do not include affiliate links: Again, education is the goal, not sales.
Do not submit more than one article per week: Most publishers receive thousands of articles daily. If you submit more than 1 article per week, chances are, your second submission will be discarded.
Remember: You don't have to go it alone. If you're overwhelmed by the writing or submission process, hire help.
The Importance of Physician Recruiting Software
Physician recruiting software serves two important purposes. It helps hospitals and health organizations find qualified doctors, and it provides physicians with leads that can help them find a place to practice medicine.
Physician recruiting software is perfect for recruiters because it can feature extensive information on both the physicians looking for work and the organizations looking for doctors. This type of software can be used by professional recruiters, the human resources department of a hospital or the physicians looking for a practice.
Many types of physician recruiting software are available over the Internet. These kinds of programs are similar to employment websites in that they allow both hospitals looking to hire and doctors looking for work to post opportunities and browse other postings. Doctors looking for a practice can post information about themselves such as where they went to medical school, where they live, whether they are willing to relocate, and any specialties they may have. They can also browse through the health organizations and see if any of them sound like a good match for what they are looking for. The health organizations can post information about the type of doctors they are looking for and contact any physicians whose postings make them appear to be viable candidates.
Often, doctors and health organizations meet through a professional recruiter. These recruiters use physician recruitment software to find the best matches. The software used by the recruiters contains databases of health organizations and doctors and can be used to link doctors with compatible health organizations. The databases contain detailed information about where the job opportunities are, what the salary is, any special skills the health organizations are looking for, and many other criteria.
Physician recruiting software is a valuable tool that helps doctors find work and keeps hospitals and clinics fully staffed. Whether a professional recruiter is utilized or not, these programs are vital to the healthcare industry.
Article Tags: Physician Recruiting Software, Physician Recruiting, Recruiting Software, Information About, Health Organizations
Physician recruiting software is perfect for recruiters because it can feature extensive information on both the physicians looking for work and the organizations looking for doctors. This type of software can be used by professional recruiters, the human resources department of a hospital or the physicians looking for a practice.
Many types of physician recruiting software are available over the Internet. These kinds of programs are similar to employment websites in that they allow both hospitals looking to hire and doctors looking for work to post opportunities and browse other postings. Doctors looking for a practice can post information about themselves such as where they went to medical school, where they live, whether they are willing to relocate, and any specialties they may have. They can also browse through the health organizations and see if any of them sound like a good match for what they are looking for. The health organizations can post information about the type of doctors they are looking for and contact any physicians whose postings make them appear to be viable candidates.
Often, doctors and health organizations meet through a professional recruiter. These recruiters use physician recruitment software to find the best matches. The software used by the recruiters contains databases of health organizations and doctors and can be used to link doctors with compatible health organizations. The databases contain detailed information about where the job opportunities are, what the salary is, any special skills the health organizations are looking for, and many other criteria.
Physician recruiting software is a valuable tool that helps doctors find work and keeps hospitals and clinics fully staffed. Whether a professional recruiter is utilized or not, these programs are vital to the healthcare industry.
Article Tags: Physician Recruiting Software, Physician Recruiting, Recruiting Software, Information About, Health Organizations
The Importance of Personal Background Checks
The purpose of personal background checks is to get a feel for the applicant's character. Personal and professional references are a good starting point, however, experts in the investigative field caution employers on using this method solely.
Prospective employees are obviously going to give references of people whom they trust will provide a good character reference for them. Those references may not necessarily be fabricating information regarding the applicant; they simply may not know pertinent information about him or her.
Another method employer's use is obtaining a credit report on the prospective employee. While privacy advocates argue the necessity in reviewing credit reports, many employers find them to be full of important information. An employer can determine what types of credit accounts the applicant has open and their history of paying bills on time. For some employers, this is a good indicator of how responsible of an employee he or she will be. Employers also may draw a correlation between credit history, job performance and employee retention. Though these conclusions are heatedly debated, according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, employers do have the right to investigate much of a person's credit history as a pre-employment tool.
Credit reports also contain pertinent job and address information. Some employers and private investigation firms use credit reports as a means of cross-referencing information supplied on the employment application. Though credit reports contain much needed personal information, they should be used in conjunction with other personal background check methods in order to have a well-rounded view of the applicant's character and ability to perform the job duties.
This type of consumer report also contains information that may be valuable, although legally questionable, to the employer. Age and marital status are data that are often reported. Employers should already be familiar with privacy and equal opportunity legislation and be careful not to discriminate on the basis of these facts. The purpose of performing personal background checks is to ensure the safety and security of the company and violating Federal laws is out of the question.
Identity theft, criminal prosecutions, outstanding debt and bankruptcies are all examples of information that can be acquired through a personal background check. As an employer, it is your responsibility to only gather what information you need; information gathered should be directly related to the safety and quality of the company and more specifically, the job performed. For example, if a company needs to hire a receptionist, it might not be necessary to know whether or not he or she has filed bankruptcy recently. Other than using that as a tool to judge character, some information gathered through personal background checks may not be relevant to the position.
If an employer should require a more extensive background check, things such as who someone has dated, use of alcohol or drugs or personal lifestyle can also be obtained. Usually when a firm investigates a person's background, they may interview neighbors, friends, associated, former co-workers and others to gain a picture of the person as a whole. Some of the information may be of interest to the employer and some may be irrelevant. It is important when hiring an investigator, to let them know specific information you are looking for.
When investigating a prospective employee's background, it is vitally important to be honest about your intentions. Federal law requires employers to provide separate consent forms for each type of investigation to be conducted; it is also good business practice to be forthcoming about these matters. Background checks on employee's can save companies money by avoiding potential lawsuits, theft, and costly employee retention. It is usually best to outsource the work to a private firm, if the information is very detailed. For some employers, searching at the local or state level is much more cost-effective and may produce the results they need without outsourcing.
Prospective employees are obviously going to give references of people whom they trust will provide a good character reference for them. Those references may not necessarily be fabricating information regarding the applicant; they simply may not know pertinent information about him or her.
Another method employer's use is obtaining a credit report on the prospective employee. While privacy advocates argue the necessity in reviewing credit reports, many employers find them to be full of important information. An employer can determine what types of credit accounts the applicant has open and their history of paying bills on time. For some employers, this is a good indicator of how responsible of an employee he or she will be. Employers also may draw a correlation between credit history, job performance and employee retention. Though these conclusions are heatedly debated, according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, employers do have the right to investigate much of a person's credit history as a pre-employment tool.
Credit reports also contain pertinent job and address information. Some employers and private investigation firms use credit reports as a means of cross-referencing information supplied on the employment application. Though credit reports contain much needed personal information, they should be used in conjunction with other personal background check methods in order to have a well-rounded view of the applicant's character and ability to perform the job duties.
This type of consumer report also contains information that may be valuable, although legally questionable, to the employer. Age and marital status are data that are often reported. Employers should already be familiar with privacy and equal opportunity legislation and be careful not to discriminate on the basis of these facts. The purpose of performing personal background checks is to ensure the safety and security of the company and violating Federal laws is out of the question.
Identity theft, criminal prosecutions, outstanding debt and bankruptcies are all examples of information that can be acquired through a personal background check. As an employer, it is your responsibility to only gather what information you need; information gathered should be directly related to the safety and quality of the company and more specifically, the job performed. For example, if a company needs to hire a receptionist, it might not be necessary to know whether or not he or she has filed bankruptcy recently. Other than using that as a tool to judge character, some information gathered through personal background checks may not be relevant to the position.
If an employer should require a more extensive background check, things such as who someone has dated, use of alcohol or drugs or personal lifestyle can also be obtained. Usually when a firm investigates a person's background, they may interview neighbors, friends, associated, former co-workers and others to gain a picture of the person as a whole. Some of the information may be of interest to the employer and some may be irrelevant. It is important when hiring an investigator, to let them know specific information you are looking for.
When investigating a prospective employee's background, it is vitally important to be honest about your intentions. Federal law requires employers to provide separate consent forms for each type of investigation to be conducted; it is also good business practice to be forthcoming about these matters. Background checks on employee's can save companies money by avoiding potential lawsuits, theft, and costly employee retention. It is usually best to outsource the work to a private firm, if the information is very detailed. For some employers, searching at the local or state level is much more cost-effective and may produce the results they need without outsourcing.
The Importance of Performing Background Checks
It is important for all businesses, institutions, and families who are considering hiring someone to take the critical step of performing a background check.
A middle-class family in suburban Atlanta recently woke to discover thieves had ransacked their home and taken nearly everything.
Who were the culprits?
Two men that were employed with a cleaning company who had been in the house less than a week prior. It was later determined that these men, who worked for a prestigious and reputable cleaning company had colorful criminal backgrounds of robbery and theft. The two men were on assignment at the home and while one of them did the cleaning, the other cased the house - taking note of valuables and even ways to get around the security system. It was eventually determined that the cleaning company neglected to properly investigate the backgrounds of its employees; and the company was sued for negligence. Stories such as this do not often in without violence; however, this example illustrates the dire importance of thoroughly screening all new employees with a background check.
This is example is surely of the extreme. It is, however, important for all businesses considering hiring someone to take the critical step of performing a background check. It is estimated 30% of all resumes submitted to employers, has some falsified content. This content can vary from exaggerations to outright lies. The most common falsifications are usually located in the education portion of the resume.
Most businesses deal with sensitive information at some level. This may range from handling social security numbers, credit card information, drivers license information and other types of personal information. In order to assure clients and customers that their information is being handled properly, it is the duty of the business owner to take the necessary step in getting a thorough background check on all employees. Personal and professional references are still a good method, however, they should not be relied upon solely. It should be obvious that prospective employees will give names of those who will give a good reference; background checks pick up where references stop - they will give you accurate and in-depth information regarding the candidate.
Background checks are available to cover a wide variety of areas. Drivers license, character references, personal acquaintances, education records, criminal records, court records, credit records and much more. It is also important to note that much of this is public information. In addition, employers should understand that according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, some information cannot be used in conjunction with a background check. Bankruptcies after 10 years and many other types of consumer information that is older than 7 years may not be reported. Criminal background, credit reporting, worker's compensation claims and character references are just a few among a long list of types of background checks that are widely available. Employers should know the laws in their specific state regarding what information is available for their specific needs.
According to Paul Falcone, author of the book The Hiring and Firing, background checks serve many purposes: to enhance security in the workforce, to reduce turnover, to minimize the occurrence of employee theft and to leave you with the peace of mind that you have made the right decision in the hiring process. As a business owner, it is imperative to know who is working for you and what their background is. Employers should also include notice of the types of background checks performed, in their pre-employment literature. Most employers do not have the time, resources or authority to complete such thorough investigations. In order to gain this peace of mind, it is necessary to hire a background investigation firm.
Several types of firms conduct background checks. They can range from a company who verifies employment history only, to an online data broker to a private investigator. Though background check prices can vary widely depending on need, the average cost of an intermediate investigation seems to be in the $50 range. Business owners should consider this good practice and an inexpensive form of insurance for their company. Skimping on something as vitally important as a background investigation could possibly cost the company much more in the long run.
Free Background Checks
It is only human nature that the word 'free' catches our attention. Who doesn't want free stuff? Employers should be extra careful when dealing with offers for free background investigations. If one searches the Internet for the query "free background checks", he or she will certainly be bombarded with results. Upon closer examination of these "free" offers, it is apparent that the information you need is not really free at all. Yes, you can find out if a person has any outstanding warrants, any criminal charges but in order to see the details of the findings, you must pay a fee. It is very possible for employers to find the information for themselves. Various types of public records are searchable on the Internet. Another method is to contact the local police or sheriff's department. Depending on the particular laws of a state and the employer's needs, much of the information may be acquired for free from one of these agencies. According to privacy advocates, employers should be very cautious of those companies who advertise that they can find out anything about anybody - these companies might not be adhering to the federal laws regarding privacy. It is in the employer's best interest to know as much about the investigating company's practices before hiring them.
A middle-class family in suburban Atlanta recently woke to discover thieves had ransacked their home and taken nearly everything.
Who were the culprits?
Two men that were employed with a cleaning company who had been in the house less than a week prior. It was later determined that these men, who worked for a prestigious and reputable cleaning company had colorful criminal backgrounds of robbery and theft. The two men were on assignment at the home and while one of them did the cleaning, the other cased the house - taking note of valuables and even ways to get around the security system. It was eventually determined that the cleaning company neglected to properly investigate the backgrounds of its employees; and the company was sued for negligence. Stories such as this do not often in without violence; however, this example illustrates the dire importance of thoroughly screening all new employees with a background check.
This is example is surely of the extreme. It is, however, important for all businesses considering hiring someone to take the critical step of performing a background check. It is estimated 30% of all resumes submitted to employers, has some falsified content. This content can vary from exaggerations to outright lies. The most common falsifications are usually located in the education portion of the resume.
Most businesses deal with sensitive information at some level. This may range from handling social security numbers, credit card information, drivers license information and other types of personal information. In order to assure clients and customers that their information is being handled properly, it is the duty of the business owner to take the necessary step in getting a thorough background check on all employees. Personal and professional references are still a good method, however, they should not be relied upon solely. It should be obvious that prospective employees will give names of those who will give a good reference; background checks pick up where references stop - they will give you accurate and in-depth information regarding the candidate.
Background checks are available to cover a wide variety of areas. Drivers license, character references, personal acquaintances, education records, criminal records, court records, credit records and much more. It is also important to note that much of this is public information. In addition, employers should understand that according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, some information cannot be used in conjunction with a background check. Bankruptcies after 10 years and many other types of consumer information that is older than 7 years may not be reported. Criminal background, credit reporting, worker's compensation claims and character references are just a few among a long list of types of background checks that are widely available. Employers should know the laws in their specific state regarding what information is available for their specific needs.
According to Paul Falcone, author of the book The Hiring and Firing, background checks serve many purposes: to enhance security in the workforce, to reduce turnover, to minimize the occurrence of employee theft and to leave you with the peace of mind that you have made the right decision in the hiring process. As a business owner, it is imperative to know who is working for you and what their background is. Employers should also include notice of the types of background checks performed, in their pre-employment literature. Most employers do not have the time, resources or authority to complete such thorough investigations. In order to gain this peace of mind, it is necessary to hire a background investigation firm.
Several types of firms conduct background checks. They can range from a company who verifies employment history only, to an online data broker to a private investigator. Though background check prices can vary widely depending on need, the average cost of an intermediate investigation seems to be in the $50 range. Business owners should consider this good practice and an inexpensive form of insurance for their company. Skimping on something as vitally important as a background investigation could possibly cost the company much more in the long run.
Free Background Checks
It is only human nature that the word 'free' catches our attention. Who doesn't want free stuff? Employers should be extra careful when dealing with offers for free background investigations. If one searches the Internet for the query "free background checks", he or she will certainly be bombarded with results. Upon closer examination of these "free" offers, it is apparent that the information you need is not really free at all. Yes, you can find out if a person has any outstanding warrants, any criminal charges but in order to see the details of the findings, you must pay a fee. It is very possible for employers to find the information for themselves. Various types of public records are searchable on the Internet. Another method is to contact the local police or sheriff's department. Depending on the particular laws of a state and the employer's needs, much of the information may be acquired for free from one of these agencies. According to privacy advocates, employers should be very cautious of those companies who advertise that they can find out anything about anybody - these companies might not be adhering to the federal laws regarding privacy. It is in the employer's best interest to know as much about the investigating company's practices before hiring them.
The Importance of Good Wheel Castors for Office Chairs
There are many features that an office chair should possess to ensure that it is a high quality product. These features will allow a good office chair to withstand intensive use, provide comfort to its user, prevent serious injury, and contribute to overall office productivity.
Most important, proper ergonomic design is essential in providing adequate back support and helping to alleviate the discomfort that is often associated with being seated for a prolonged amount of time.
Today's employees can easily find themselves seated for extensive periods of time throughout the workday. Many of their required office tasks involve frequent use of a computer or telephone console. Because of this, it is important that an office chair be durable and conducive to efficient multi-tasking. A wheel castor for office chairs makes this possible by allowing the user to swivel and glide effortlessly while quickly completing daily office tasks.
It is critical that consumers choose an office chair with the appropriate type of wheel castor for the floor surface the chair will be placed on. If an office chair will be used on a soft surface (such as carpet or rubber), a hard wheel castor will perform best. If the surface is harder (such as concrete or wood), the soft wheel castor will excel. The larger a wheel castor is, the more easily it will roll across a gritty, dirty, or uneven surface.
It is important to ensure that your office chair features ANSI/BIFMA office chair castors. The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association (BIFMA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) are both organizations that set rigorous standards that a quality office wheel castor must meet or exceed. Knowing that the wheel castor has met these "highest of standards" will ensure that you are purchasing a safe product that will withstand intensive use and provide value for your money.
Most important, proper ergonomic design is essential in providing adequate back support and helping to alleviate the discomfort that is often associated with being seated for a prolonged amount of time.
Today's employees can easily find themselves seated for extensive periods of time throughout the workday. Many of their required office tasks involve frequent use of a computer or telephone console. Because of this, it is important that an office chair be durable and conducive to efficient multi-tasking. A wheel castor for office chairs makes this possible by allowing the user to swivel and glide effortlessly while quickly completing daily office tasks.
It is critical that consumers choose an office chair with the appropriate type of wheel castor for the floor surface the chair will be placed on. If an office chair will be used on a soft surface (such as carpet or rubber), a hard wheel castor will perform best. If the surface is harder (such as concrete or wood), the soft wheel castor will excel. The larger a wheel castor is, the more easily it will roll across a gritty, dirty, or uneven surface.
It is important to ensure that your office chair features ANSI/BIFMA office chair castors. The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association (BIFMA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) are both organizations that set rigorous standards that a quality office wheel castor must meet or exceed. Knowing that the wheel castor has met these "highest of standards" will ensure that you are purchasing a safe product that will withstand intensive use and provide value for your money.
The Importance Of Goal Setting
Have you ever wondered what the big deal was about writing goals? Well in this article you'll learn about the impact goal setting has on your success in any area of your life.
Imagine...
Looking back on your life on your death bed and feeling totally satisfied at achieving everything you ever wanted in life... achieving and living all your dreams.
In life, we all have something dreams of a better life... of a life where things are exactly how we want them.
Whether it's our finances, our family, our health, our contribution to society, or all of the above... we all have a dream of how our life would look life if it were perfect in every respect.
The difference between the people who do eventually get to live the life of their dreams and those who will only ever yearn for their dream is goal setting.
We all have goals, whether we consciously set them or not. Whether it is to pay the bills at the end of the week; or to buy a new house; or to increase profits in your business; or to lose those extra few pounds; or to create the life of your dreams... everybody has goals.
The difference between living a fulfilling life and just living an average life is the quality of the goals you set for yourself. Yet why do only 5% of adults ever write goals?
Did you know that studies have found that 95% of adults will never write a goal in their life? Which means only 5% of adults will ever write goals in their life!
Another interesting statistic is the distribution of wealth throughout the population. Recent studies have found that 90% of all the wealth in our society is controlled by just 10% of the population. An example of this is found in the share market... where 90% of all the traded shares are controlled by just 10% of the investors.
Is there a correlation between the fact that only 5% of adults ever write goals, and 10% of adults control 90% of the wealth?
In my opinion... there is!
Imagine...
You've boarded a plane in Los Angeles heading west over the Pacific Ocean... but you don't have a destination.
All you know is that you'll be taking off soon. And you hope that you land somewhere good.
Where will you land?
What will you do when you get there?
Will you land at all?
Did you know that an airplane traveling between two cities is on course only 5% of the time? The other 95% of the time is spent getting back on course as a result of the wind and air pressure.
Setting goals is like having a destination before takeoff. If you know where you're going, you can focus on the end result and get back on track if any obstacles get in the way.
Without a set destination you'll be knocked off course by the first obstacle in your path, and never end up reaching your destination.
Without your own written goals, you're like a plane that leaves the airport with no real destination in mind. Sure you might be able to take off and cruise for a while, but eventually you WILL land somewhere... and that somewhere may not be where you want to be.
We all have at least 5 major areas in our life that if we set clear, written goals for would dramatically improve the quality of our life in each area. Those areas are: finances; career; health; family; friendships.
By setting goals in each area of our life we give ourselves a target, something to aim for, something that if we achieved would have a dramatic positive impact in our life.
Goals give us something to measure our progress against, to see if what we are doing is moving us closer or further from our ultimate target. If our actions are moving us closer to our target then we keep doing what we're doing. If our actions are moving us further from our target, then we must change what we are doing so that we can move closer to our target.
But this also opens up the possibility of failure... and that is one of the biggest obstacles that you must overcome to have a truly fulfilling life. Most people never set goals because of the fear of failure, and the fear of the unknown.
The fear of failure is the biggest obstacle that we all must overcome in every part of our life...
And the fear of the unknown is the fear of moving outside of our comfort zone and into a world that we do not know.
The exciting part is...
Unless you are currently living the life of your dreams, your dreams lay outside the realm of your current comfort zone, in the unknown...
So take the first step today in creating the life of your dreams and start writing goals today.
Imagine...
Looking back on your life on your death bed and feeling totally satisfied at achieving everything you ever wanted in life... achieving and living all your dreams.
In life, we all have something dreams of a better life... of a life where things are exactly how we want them.
Whether it's our finances, our family, our health, our contribution to society, or all of the above... we all have a dream of how our life would look life if it were perfect in every respect.
The difference between the people who do eventually get to live the life of their dreams and those who will only ever yearn for their dream is goal setting.
We all have goals, whether we consciously set them or not. Whether it is to pay the bills at the end of the week; or to buy a new house; or to increase profits in your business; or to lose those extra few pounds; or to create the life of your dreams... everybody has goals.
The difference between living a fulfilling life and just living an average life is the quality of the goals you set for yourself. Yet why do only 5% of adults ever write goals?
Did you know that studies have found that 95% of adults will never write a goal in their life? Which means only 5% of adults will ever write goals in their life!
Another interesting statistic is the distribution of wealth throughout the population. Recent studies have found that 90% of all the wealth in our society is controlled by just 10% of the population. An example of this is found in the share market... where 90% of all the traded shares are controlled by just 10% of the investors.
Is there a correlation between the fact that only 5% of adults ever write goals, and 10% of adults control 90% of the wealth?
In my opinion... there is!
Imagine...
You've boarded a plane in Los Angeles heading west over the Pacific Ocean... but you don't have a destination.
All you know is that you'll be taking off soon. And you hope that you land somewhere good.
Where will you land?
What will you do when you get there?
Will you land at all?
Did you know that an airplane traveling between two cities is on course only 5% of the time? The other 95% of the time is spent getting back on course as a result of the wind and air pressure.
Setting goals is like having a destination before takeoff. If you know where you're going, you can focus on the end result and get back on track if any obstacles get in the way.
Without a set destination you'll be knocked off course by the first obstacle in your path, and never end up reaching your destination.
Without your own written goals, you're like a plane that leaves the airport with no real destination in mind. Sure you might be able to take off and cruise for a while, but eventually you WILL land somewhere... and that somewhere may not be where you want to be.
We all have at least 5 major areas in our life that if we set clear, written goals for would dramatically improve the quality of our life in each area. Those areas are: finances; career; health; family; friendships.
By setting goals in each area of our life we give ourselves a target, something to aim for, something that if we achieved would have a dramatic positive impact in our life.
Goals give us something to measure our progress against, to see if what we are doing is moving us closer or further from our ultimate target. If our actions are moving us closer to our target then we keep doing what we're doing. If our actions are moving us further from our target, then we must change what we are doing so that we can move closer to our target.
But this also opens up the possibility of failure... and that is one of the biggest obstacles that you must overcome to have a truly fulfilling life. Most people never set goals because of the fear of failure, and the fear of the unknown.
The fear of failure is the biggest obstacle that we all must overcome in every part of our life...
And the fear of the unknown is the fear of moving outside of our comfort zone and into a world that we do not know.
The exciting part is...
Unless you are currently living the life of your dreams, your dreams lay outside the realm of your current comfort zone, in the unknown...
So take the first step today in creating the life of your dreams and start writing goals today.
The IDEAL Problem Solver
The IDEAL Problem Solver is an ... tool you can use to attack your ... If you are used to getting on your horse and riding in all ... when faced with a problem, you may find the IDE
The IDEAL Problem Solver is an effective tool you can use to attack your problems. If you are used to getting on your horse and riding in all directions when faced with a problem, you may find the IDEAL Problem Solver quite handy. How do you use it?
IDEAL stands for:
Identify the problem and explain how it can be an opportunity
Define at least three different goals for your problem-solving task
Eplore possible strategies and new information that could help ou accomplish each of the important goals
Anticipate the outcomes (positive and negative) of different strategies to help you decide which ones you will act on
Look back and learn (after acting on your strategies, what did you notive about the problem you identified
An area I found IDEAL ideal (this is no double-speak!) is in evaluating arguments and ideologies. When you hear an argument, IDEAL(ise) it:
identfy a problem with it
definte the goal of your criticism
explore various strategies for verifying evidence presented
anticipate the outcome of certain strategies and act on those that seem most promising
look at the effects
One last thing you can do with this alphabet soup is to critically evaluate arguments. Here's how:
focus on factual accuracy
is the reasoning logical and consistent question the underlying assumptions
It would be helpful if you could try to use the IDEAL Problem Solver in different situations for some time to experience its full impact.
Article Tags: Ideal Problem Solver, Ideal Problem, Problem Solver
The IDEAL Problem Solver is an effective tool you can use to attack your problems. If you are used to getting on your horse and riding in all directions when faced with a problem, you may find the IDEAL Problem Solver quite handy. How do you use it?
IDEAL stands for:
Identify the problem and explain how it can be an opportunity
Define at least three different goals for your problem-solving task
Eplore possible strategies and new information that could help ou accomplish each of the important goals
Anticipate the outcomes (positive and negative) of different strategies to help you decide which ones you will act on
Look back and learn (after acting on your strategies, what did you notive about the problem you identified
An area I found IDEAL ideal (this is no double-speak!) is in evaluating arguments and ideologies. When you hear an argument, IDEAL(ise) it:
identfy a problem with it
definte the goal of your criticism
explore various strategies for verifying evidence presented
anticipate the outcome of certain strategies and act on those that seem most promising
look at the effects
One last thing you can do with this alphabet soup is to critically evaluate arguments. Here's how:
focus on factual accuracy
is the reasoning logical and consistent question the underlying assumptions
It would be helpful if you could try to use the IDEAL Problem Solver in different situations for some time to experience its full impact.
Article Tags: Ideal Problem Solver, Ideal Problem, Problem Solver
The Hottest KISS
Life is made of many aspect and complex equations. We celebrate beautiful things but we forget that beauty lies in simplicity. The management mantra KISS is define here.
The word 'KISS' sent a tingling sensation down under your heart. Frankly, I wake up everyday in my life in search of a KISS. And where I find it daily from two guys, all the way down to Silicon Valley. It is called the 'Google'.
Can you imagine, if the KISS is so hot and most wanted, why most of business executives and CEOs keep running away from it? Well, all the management Guru are still to find and I am certainly not running away from a KISS.
What is KISS? It is "Keep it Simple, Stupid". It is a business idea which has done wonder in numerous businesses but still strategist and planner keep running away from KISS.Simplicity in life goes a long way. Perfect example of this is Google home page, with a search box and very limited text here and there. I do not have to tell you, who are the cool guys from Google. They kept it as simple as it could be. But believe me; they had to think this "Out of box". Is it very difficult and complex to stay simple? There is an old saying that, "tougher than recognizing the merits of simplicity is sticking with it." Logical business thinking loves and admires simplicity but why executive do not like it. They buy into the idea of jazzy and sassy words. Most of executives give in these trying time of their convention. But few resisted and become star Kisser.
When AOL launch it version for window they kept it as simple as it could be. Steve Case, then CEO, said, "We always said that we viewed AOL as being about the Internet and a whole lot more and less about the technology and more about the user experience". But people mocked and criticized him for his simplicity. Nerds from Silicon Valley called his company useless and non-technical. But Steve Case was not a person get moved by them. Many people use to give in face of these criticisms and loose their leading edge. Let me make it simpler, with a quotation from jack Welch, "We are in one of simplest profession. After all business is not the rocket science".
Can I ask a simple question would you like to kiss your girl friend through a video conference? Huuh! I will never.
The word 'KISS' sent a tingling sensation down under your heart. Frankly, I wake up everyday in my life in search of a KISS. And where I find it daily from two guys, all the way down to Silicon Valley. It is called the 'Google'.
Can you imagine, if the KISS is so hot and most wanted, why most of business executives and CEOs keep running away from it? Well, all the management Guru are still to find and I am certainly not running away from a KISS.
What is KISS? It is "Keep it Simple, Stupid". It is a business idea which has done wonder in numerous businesses but still strategist and planner keep running away from KISS.Simplicity in life goes a long way. Perfect example of this is Google home page, with a search box and very limited text here and there. I do not have to tell you, who are the cool guys from Google. They kept it as simple as it could be. But believe me; they had to think this "Out of box". Is it very difficult and complex to stay simple? There is an old saying that, "tougher than recognizing the merits of simplicity is sticking with it." Logical business thinking loves and admires simplicity but why executive do not like it. They buy into the idea of jazzy and sassy words. Most of executives give in these trying time of their convention. But few resisted and become star Kisser.
When AOL launch it version for window they kept it as simple as it could be. Steve Case, then CEO, said, "We always said that we viewed AOL as being about the Internet and a whole lot more and less about the technology and more about the user experience". But people mocked and criticized him for his simplicity. Nerds from Silicon Valley called his company useless and non-technical. But Steve Case was not a person get moved by them. Many people use to give in face of these criticisms and loose their leading edge. Let me make it simpler, with a quotation from jack Welch, "We are in one of simplest profession. After all business is not the rocket science".
Can I ask a simple question would you like to kiss your girl friend through a video conference? Huuh! I will never.
The First Pagoda
... 2005 Black ... ... to the Memory of My Father, Mervin Vann) ... are merely things of which we have not learned, or which we do not wish to happen." -- Charles
Copyright 2005 Black Butterfly Press
(Dedicated to the Memory of My Father, Mervin Vann)
"Impossibilities are merely things of which we have not learned, or which we do not wish to happen." -- Charles W. Chesnutt, American Writer
In 1998, when my father was seventy-eight, he flew for eighteen hours to visit my younger sister Sonya who lived in Japan.
At the time, I remember thinking that he was too old. What had gotten into Daddy? My mother had been dead for about five years and, unlike my six siblings' and my dire predictions that he wouldn't live one year without her, he was appearing to have a new lease on life. Our father had become this bossa-nova-ing, cavorting world traveler. Although he still had crippling arthritis, he got around, hobbling, limping, but still moving.
He stayed in Japan for two months and came back a changed man. He even wrote us letters, which was a first for him, because he was not a letter writer. (He always counted on my mother to write the letters to us.)
Well, like that old saying goes, "Until you walk in my shoes, you can't sing my blues.
Now, as a grandmother of five, I just returned from a nine-day trip to Beijing, China. I went with a group of 40 business persons from different minorities.We also visited Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou all modern, progressive cities in the south of China. For a modest price, the trip included round-trip air tickets, local tour bus transportation, accommodations at 5 star hotels, meals throughout the trip, business matching, factory touring and networking during governmental banquets.
I even climbed the famous Great Wall of China. Although I only made it to the first Pagoda, I saw that as being symbolic of the steps I've had to take to go from being an employee to being a business owner to now being an International Trade Business person.
For others who would like to try new things, I say, "Go for it." I have a saying, "The last time I checked, you're going to be dead a long time, so why keep putting off what you want to do? (This includes writing a book, if that's your desire.)
I speak from experience. In the past, with my writer's overactive imagination, I envisioned all types of future disasters that never happened. This kept me from enjoying life fully, but now I find, as I get older, I am throwing my caution to the wind and going for the gusto of life-whatever it has to offer. I can't recount how many things I held back on while I raised three children. (I only flew once every other year because if there was a plane crash who would raise the children and other such foolishness I concocted) At any rate, now everyone is grown and as the young folks say, "It's on."
I want to taste all that is good and different about life. I want to come outside my backyard and experience the world. I want to see things from a new perspective. For example, I have now eaten bird's nest soup, learned a few words in Chinese, and learned how to haggle with street vendors over nice gifts such as real pearls. Needless to say, I had the time of my life.
Not only was I introduced to many new foods, I saw the world through an eastern world view of peace, harmony and tranquility.
My original purpose for going to China was to meet publishers, expand my Internet radio shows at http://www.maxineshow.com - www.maxineshow.com, http://www.voiceamerica.com - www.voiceamerica.com, and http://www.artistfirst.com - www.artistfirst.com, and learn about the culture. In addition, I'd like to change the negative image of African Americans which is portrayed in videos and have the Chinese learn about different aspects of black culture through literature written by African Americans for African Americans.
But on this journey, I found a deeper meaning. The human connection. I feel the trip will be the beginning of future relationships with people from China.
What was particularly heartwarming was the fact that, in spite of the language barrier, the people were friendly and embraced my sister Nancy and I. They seemed to be magnetically drawn to our natural hairstyles. (Nancy wears sister locks and I wore my hair in an individual, braided shag style.) We are still reeling from how we were treated like celebrities.
Everywhere we went, people showed an open, honest curiosity and many people took photos with us and of us. It made me feel more Afrocentric and aware of our natural African beauty. To say the least, it was a restorative experience. Forget about the white standard of beauty. Even my full-figure seemed to be one of interest, and the looks of approbation spoke volumes to me. It was if the head nods said, "Go on with your bad self. What tribe are you from?"
Just as William J. Lederer's book, The Ugly American, pointed out Americans' shortcomings, the only downside of the trip was I became aware of how spoiled we are as Americans. I can't count the complaints I heard from the group because of having Chinese food each day, but after all, we were in China. When in Rome…
As I learn more about the import export business, the international publishing business, I will share this with interested writers and aspiring entrepreneurs. This trip was funded by MBOC, (Minority Business Development Agency, U.S.. Department of Commerce and Office of Economic Development) through Los Angeles City. The purpose is to encourage more minority businesses to do international trade business. (For more information, contact Long Chang at (714)956-0669.)
So in honor of Father's Day, I write this article as a tribute to my late father, Mervin Vann.
Our parents leave us lessons which live on long after their deaths. My father's lesson was that you are never too old to travel and enjoy life.
Thank you, Daddy.
Copyright 2005 Black Butterfly Press
(Dedicated to the Memory of My Father, Mervin Vann)
"Impossibilities are merely things of which we have not learned, or which we do not wish to happen." -- Charles W. Chesnutt, American Writer
In 1998, when my father was seventy-eight, he flew for eighteen hours to visit my younger sister Sonya who lived in Japan.
At the time, I remember thinking that he was too old. What had gotten into Daddy? My mother had been dead for about five years and, unlike my six siblings' and my dire predictions that he wouldn't live one year without her, he was appearing to have a new lease on life. Our father had become this bossa-nova-ing, cavorting world traveler. Although he still had crippling arthritis, he got around, hobbling, limping, but still moving.
He stayed in Japan for two months and came back a changed man. He even wrote us letters, which was a first for him, because he was not a letter writer. (He always counted on my mother to write the letters to us.)
Well, like that old saying goes, "Until you walk in my shoes, you can't sing my blues.
Now, as a grandmother of five, I just returned from a nine-day trip to Beijing, China. I went with a group of 40 business persons from different minorities.We also visited Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou all modern, progressive cities in the south of China. For a modest price, the trip included round-trip air tickets, local tour bus transportation, accommodations at 5 star hotels, meals throughout the trip, business matching, factory touring and networking during governmental banquets.
I even climbed the famous Great Wall of China. Although I only made it to the first Pagoda, I saw that as being symbolic of the steps I've had to take to go from being an employee to being a business owner to now being an International Trade Business person.
For others who would like to try new things, I say, "Go for it." I have a saying, "The last time I checked, you're going to be dead a long time, so why keep putting off what you want to do? (This includes writing a book, if that's your desire.)
I speak from experience. In the past, with my writer's overactive imagination, I envisioned all types of future disasters that never happened. This kept me from enjoying life fully, but now I find, as I get older, I am throwing my caution to the wind and going for the gusto of life-whatever it has to offer. I can't recount how many things I held back on while I raised three children. (I only flew once every other year because if there was a plane crash who would raise the children and other such foolishness I concocted) At any rate, now everyone is grown and as the young folks say, "It's on."
I want to taste all that is good and different about life. I want to come outside my backyard and experience the world. I want to see things from a new perspective. For example, I have now eaten bird's nest soup, learned a few words in Chinese, and learned how to haggle with street vendors over nice gifts such as real pearls. Needless to say, I had the time of my life.
Not only was I introduced to many new foods, I saw the world through an eastern world view of peace, harmony and tranquility.
My original purpose for going to China was to meet publishers, expand my Internet radio shows at http://www.maxineshow.com - www.maxineshow.com, http://www.voiceamerica.com - www.voiceamerica.com, and http://www.artistfirst.com - www.artistfirst.com, and learn about the culture. In addition, I'd like to change the negative image of African Americans which is portrayed in videos and have the Chinese learn about different aspects of black culture through literature written by African Americans for African Americans.
But on this journey, I found a deeper meaning. The human connection. I feel the trip will be the beginning of future relationships with people from China.
What was particularly heartwarming was the fact that, in spite of the language barrier, the people were friendly and embraced my sister Nancy and I. They seemed to be magnetically drawn to our natural hairstyles. (Nancy wears sister locks and I wore my hair in an individual, braided shag style.) We are still reeling from how we were treated like celebrities.
Everywhere we went, people showed an open, honest curiosity and many people took photos with us and of us. It made me feel more Afrocentric and aware of our natural African beauty. To say the least, it was a restorative experience. Forget about the white standard of beauty. Even my full-figure seemed to be one of interest, and the looks of approbation spoke volumes to me. It was if the head nods said, "Go on with your bad self. What tribe are you from?"
Just as William J. Lederer's book, The Ugly American, pointed out Americans' shortcomings, the only downside of the trip was I became aware of how spoiled we are as Americans. I can't count the complaints I heard from the group because of having Chinese food each day, but after all, we were in China. When in Rome…
As I learn more about the import export business, the international publishing business, I will share this with interested writers and aspiring entrepreneurs. This trip was funded by MBOC, (Minority Business Development Agency, U.S.. Department of Commerce and Office of Economic Development) through Los Angeles City. The purpose is to encourage more minority businesses to do international trade business. (For more information, contact Long Chang at (714)956-0669.)
So in honor of Father's Day, I write this article as a tribute to my late father, Mervin Vann.
Our parents leave us lessons which live on long after their deaths. My father's lesson was that you are never too old to travel and enjoy life.
Thank you, Daddy.
The Expert Advantage: Why It Pays to Establish Yourself as an Expert
Strategies to establish yourself as an expert. Topics include: Be Confident in Your Expertise , Create a Powerful Brand, Put it in Writing, Get on Your Soapbox, Become a Media Magnet and Create Promotional Campaigns and Info Products
Have you ever felt a jolt of envy to see a competitor - or even a friend - grinning up at you from a newspaper or trade publication?It kills you, doesn't it?And you know why: you need to become that authority. Prospects will gravitate to the authority on a subject they are interested in.
If you can establish yourself as an expert in your industry, qualified prospects will be attracted to you. Why?Everybody wants to do business with an expert.
As an entrepreneur, a majority of your focus is always on securing new customers. While it is true that your repeat clients are the backbone of your success, you need to add new clients to your existing client base if you want your business to grow.
You must learn to sell yourself as an expert. When potential buyers see you as a knowledgeable professional whose opinions and guidance truly matter, they are more likely to hand over their hard-earned money.
There are several ways to position yourself as an expert in the eyes of the public. The first thing you have to do is:
Be Confident in Your ExpertiseStop taking your skills for granted. You know a lot more than you think you know.
It's self-confidence that plays a large part in determining your happiness through life.
And self-confidence is a necessary ingredient for success because it sells. It's something you can sense about a person upon entering a room. It's evident through body language and speech. If your confidence is lacking, try these tips:
Set goals and create a plan to achieve them Use powerful affirmations such as "I am the expert;' "My information is valuable;' and "People desire to work with me.
' Practice confidence by emulating others. Take a look at the people who you think are the most confident. Try to find things they do in their body language and tone of voice to mimic until you find your own style. Be prepared. Create a Powerful BrandIn an overcrowded marketplace, if you're not standing out, then you're invisible.
The best way to captivate your audience is with an authentic and powerful personal brand. The benefits of a strong personal branding will give you an edge over your competition and enhance your value in the global marketplace.
Branding identifies and differentiates you, your business and your products and services so you stand out from the crowd and get noticed.
Once you have a powerful personal brand, the next step is to consistently communicate it through your brand identity: logo, business cards, letterhead, web site, invoices and any other outward communications you have.
Put it in WritingWe have all heard the saying, "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does it make a sound?' If you are sharing your expertise and no one hears it or reads it, does it make a difference?There are several ways to build your reputation just by writing about what you know best.
ArticlesWhether you're telling readers how to grow gargantuan tomatoes or how to stay out of trouble with the IRS, "how to' articles are an excellent way to call attention to your talents and establish yourself as an expert. They give you dozens of column inches that you might not be able to afford if you had to pay for an ad. They draw traffic to your web site. And if your articles are compelling and convincing, they can lead to thousands of dollars in sales for your products or services.
People love solutions so try to start with quick tips sheets. For example, I wrote an article titled "5 Tips to Quickly and Easily Improve Your Brand Identity'. Then as you become more comfortable with writing, try a positioning piece where you comment on an industry trend with your thoughts. Provide your expert opinion.
EZinesElectronic newsletters are one of the most profitable ways to build your credibility to establish yourself as an expert. More commonly known as eZines, they let you offer helpful advice, market to a global audience, communicate easily with thousands of people as often as you wish, and promote what you're selling. All that without expensive postage or printing costs, an advertising budget, keeping track of subscription renewals, or other tasks associated with print newsletters.
Your eZine, distributed 1-4 times per month, will become a portfolio of your work and showcase your expertise.
I highly recommend using an email contact program like http://www.emailbrain.com - www.emailbrain.com . They are inexpensive, look professional, and can help you track what works in your campaigns and what doesn't.
BooksCatapult your business to a higher level by writing a book. Speakers, consultants, coaches, therapists and other small business owners are learning that publishing a book is one of the most powerful marketing strategies available. A book has the greatest potential to open doors.
There are two routes to go with book writing. The first is the traditional publishing route. This is a long and arduous process, however, being published by a well-known publishing house is like the "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.
'The other avenue is to self publish with a company like iUniverse. If you don't feel like you have the time and energy to take on a whole book yourself, you can also create an anthology of works from a combination of authors.
This year I launched my own publishing company Inspiration Place Publishing ä which published my latest book, an anthology, " Visionary Women Inspiring the World: 12 Paths to Personal Power.
'Get on Your SoapboxYou may never see your name in lights or dazzle the crowd at Carnegie Hall. Yet there's no doubt that you can achieve celebrity status among the people who matter most to your target market when you start presenting.
This kind of "stardom" means prospects recognize your name as soon as they hear or read it, you are looked upon as an expert in a particular area, and your business is 100% referral-based. The benefits of this kind of business are obvious: extraordinary credibility that leads to countless introductions and natural, easy prospecting conversations plus the bonus of knowing you are truly outstanding in your field.
And doing presentations is lucrative. According to the Internal Revenue Service, "Those who speak about their industry earn an average of 50% more than those who don't.
'Public speakingPublic speaking enhances your credibility and your reputation as an expert while providing important information to your target audience. It is important that your speech does not turn into "sales pitches.
" Keep references to your company's products and services low-key while personally projecting your desired image. The key to successful speaking is making sure that you are in front of the right audience and then provide value to them.
When you are giving a speech make sure you do the following:
Inform your audience on your subject. Establish yourself as an expert and a resource for further information. Encourage your audience to take action. Create a compelling leave behind with information about your product or service offerings. Perhaps include an article you have written. Collect their information through business cards or a raffle for a free hour of consulting or a product. Ideas for getting the word out that you are available as a speaker:
Create a speaking resume that includes your bio and three compelling talks that you can give. You can see a copy of my speaking resume at http://www.journeyavenue.com - www.journeyavenue.com. Send your speaking resume to professional trade organizations, civic groups or non-profit organizations. Send announcement letters or network to let groups know that you are available and which topics you can address. Hold Your Own Seminar or Tele-SeminarAnother venue to speak publicly is by holding your own seminar or tele-seminar. Create a program based upon your expertise and promote it heavily.
While giving the seminar, make sure that you use a system like Dan Janal's Great Teleseminars ( http:
//www.greatteleseminars.com/ ) to record the program so you can turn it into an audio product for passive revenue.
Become a Media MagnetI worked in publicity for more than ten years and first hand saw the power of the media. Publicity is mention in the media. Organizations usually have little control over the message in the media, at least, not as they do in advertising. Regarding publicity, reporters and writers decide what will be said. This can be a little scary, however, this is exactly what leads to your credibility. And, PR is free, unlike advertising.
When you are quoted in the media it is another expert seal of approval. Each time you have a story to share or an announcement to make, consider which of the following media relations vehicles would be most helpful:
News Release Pitches Bylined Articles Special Events Contests, Quizzes Seminars/conferences Fundraisers Ribbon-cuttings/groundbreakings, open houses, etc. New product launches A news release is your most important publicity tool for securing story placements. It serves to assist an editor or reporter in writing a story and should tell your story in a simple, factual, straight-forward and informative manner (infusing your personality, as long as it doesn't take away from communicating your key points and product features).
It's important to pay attention to details when preparing a news release. In my e-book Profitable Public Relations I detail how to write an effective news release and pitch it to the journalist.
Another excellent way of attracting the attention of reporters and editors is to write a pitch letter. A pitch letter is a brief letter outlining a particular story angle, or sometimes several related story angles, for a reporter.
This kind of letter can be sent as a cover letter with a news release or media kit, but often it is sent alone. The idea is to grab the reporter's attention by providing a story idea and the important facts surrounding the story (often bullet points are used to present information so that the letter is easy to read). After mailing a pitch letter, it is important to follow up with the reporter to determine his/her interest and provide further information.
Working with the media on a regular basis is key to keeping your name in front of your customers' and prospects' eyes and being at the top of their mind when it comes to awareness.
Create Promotional Campaigns and Info Products AwardsAwards provide an opportunity to strengthen your reputation and credibility. If you do not feel comfortable nominating yourself, ask fellow entrepreneurs, your advisors, your friends or your family to nominate you.
Special EventsSpecial events such as charitable fund-raisers and public celebrations of your company milestones allow you to communicate your message in an active, participatory manner.
InfoProductsWhat is your secret to success? How have you become a subject matter expert? Success sells, and if you have your own personal method to getting there, others will pay to hear it. InfoProducts include e-Books, Audio and Video Projects, Special reports and books. Did you know that e-books on how to succeed are topping the sales charts? Put together an InfoProduct and start collecting revenue while you sleep. I have several examples of InfoProducts on my site. Check it out.
Are you ready?When you become known as an expert in your field, whatever your field, you will find that the world will beat a path to your door. The tips in this article have merely scratched the surface of the strategies and tactics you can use.
By being the expert:
You immediately distinguish yourself from the competition You offer your clients something of value that competitors can't-and don't-offer You can charge more for your services You become the first choice Now it is time for you to plan your road to becoming known as an expert. What actions will you commit to each month to achieve this? How much time will you devote? Use the ideas I've given to help you devise a plan that works for you and become the star in your field!
Have you ever felt a jolt of envy to see a competitor - or even a friend - grinning up at you from a newspaper or trade publication?It kills you, doesn't it?And you know why: you need to become that authority. Prospects will gravitate to the authority on a subject they are interested in.
If you can establish yourself as an expert in your industry, qualified prospects will be attracted to you. Why?Everybody wants to do business with an expert.
As an entrepreneur, a majority of your focus is always on securing new customers. While it is true that your repeat clients are the backbone of your success, you need to add new clients to your existing client base if you want your business to grow.
You must learn to sell yourself as an expert. When potential buyers see you as a knowledgeable professional whose opinions and guidance truly matter, they are more likely to hand over their hard-earned money.
There are several ways to position yourself as an expert in the eyes of the public. The first thing you have to do is:
Be Confident in Your ExpertiseStop taking your skills for granted. You know a lot more than you think you know.
It's self-confidence that plays a large part in determining your happiness through life.
And self-confidence is a necessary ingredient for success because it sells. It's something you can sense about a person upon entering a room. It's evident through body language and speech. If your confidence is lacking, try these tips:
Set goals and create a plan to achieve them Use powerful affirmations such as "I am the expert;' "My information is valuable;' and "People desire to work with me.
' Practice confidence by emulating others. Take a look at the people who you think are the most confident. Try to find things they do in their body language and tone of voice to mimic until you find your own style. Be prepared. Create a Powerful BrandIn an overcrowded marketplace, if you're not standing out, then you're invisible.
The best way to captivate your audience is with an authentic and powerful personal brand. The benefits of a strong personal branding will give you an edge over your competition and enhance your value in the global marketplace.
Branding identifies and differentiates you, your business and your products and services so you stand out from the crowd and get noticed.
Once you have a powerful personal brand, the next step is to consistently communicate it through your brand identity: logo, business cards, letterhead, web site, invoices and any other outward communications you have.
Put it in WritingWe have all heard the saying, "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does it make a sound?' If you are sharing your expertise and no one hears it or reads it, does it make a difference?There are several ways to build your reputation just by writing about what you know best.
ArticlesWhether you're telling readers how to grow gargantuan tomatoes or how to stay out of trouble with the IRS, "how to' articles are an excellent way to call attention to your talents and establish yourself as an expert. They give you dozens of column inches that you might not be able to afford if you had to pay for an ad. They draw traffic to your web site. And if your articles are compelling and convincing, they can lead to thousands of dollars in sales for your products or services.
People love solutions so try to start with quick tips sheets. For example, I wrote an article titled "5 Tips to Quickly and Easily Improve Your Brand Identity'. Then as you become more comfortable with writing, try a positioning piece where you comment on an industry trend with your thoughts. Provide your expert opinion.
EZinesElectronic newsletters are one of the most profitable ways to build your credibility to establish yourself as an expert. More commonly known as eZines, they let you offer helpful advice, market to a global audience, communicate easily with thousands of people as often as you wish, and promote what you're selling. All that without expensive postage or printing costs, an advertising budget, keeping track of subscription renewals, or other tasks associated with print newsletters.
Your eZine, distributed 1-4 times per month, will become a portfolio of your work and showcase your expertise.
I highly recommend using an email contact program like http://www.emailbrain.com - www.emailbrain.com . They are inexpensive, look professional, and can help you track what works in your campaigns and what doesn't.
BooksCatapult your business to a higher level by writing a book. Speakers, consultants, coaches, therapists and other small business owners are learning that publishing a book is one of the most powerful marketing strategies available. A book has the greatest potential to open doors.
There are two routes to go with book writing. The first is the traditional publishing route. This is a long and arduous process, however, being published by a well-known publishing house is like the "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.
'The other avenue is to self publish with a company like iUniverse. If you don't feel like you have the time and energy to take on a whole book yourself, you can also create an anthology of works from a combination of authors.
This year I launched my own publishing company Inspiration Place Publishing ä which published my latest book, an anthology, " Visionary Women Inspiring the World: 12 Paths to Personal Power.
'Get on Your SoapboxYou may never see your name in lights or dazzle the crowd at Carnegie Hall. Yet there's no doubt that you can achieve celebrity status among the people who matter most to your target market when you start presenting.
This kind of "stardom" means prospects recognize your name as soon as they hear or read it, you are looked upon as an expert in a particular area, and your business is 100% referral-based. The benefits of this kind of business are obvious: extraordinary credibility that leads to countless introductions and natural, easy prospecting conversations plus the bonus of knowing you are truly outstanding in your field.
And doing presentations is lucrative. According to the Internal Revenue Service, "Those who speak about their industry earn an average of 50% more than those who don't.
'Public speakingPublic speaking enhances your credibility and your reputation as an expert while providing important information to your target audience. It is important that your speech does not turn into "sales pitches.
" Keep references to your company's products and services low-key while personally projecting your desired image. The key to successful speaking is making sure that you are in front of the right audience and then provide value to them.
When you are giving a speech make sure you do the following:
Inform your audience on your subject. Establish yourself as an expert and a resource for further information. Encourage your audience to take action. Create a compelling leave behind with information about your product or service offerings. Perhaps include an article you have written. Collect their information through business cards or a raffle for a free hour of consulting or a product. Ideas for getting the word out that you are available as a speaker:
Create a speaking resume that includes your bio and three compelling talks that you can give. You can see a copy of my speaking resume at http://www.journeyavenue.com - www.journeyavenue.com. Send your speaking resume to professional trade organizations, civic groups or non-profit organizations. Send announcement letters or network to let groups know that you are available and which topics you can address. Hold Your Own Seminar or Tele-SeminarAnother venue to speak publicly is by holding your own seminar or tele-seminar. Create a program based upon your expertise and promote it heavily.
While giving the seminar, make sure that you use a system like Dan Janal's Great Teleseminars ( http:
//www.greatteleseminars.com/ ) to record the program so you can turn it into an audio product for passive revenue.
Become a Media MagnetI worked in publicity for more than ten years and first hand saw the power of the media. Publicity is mention in the media. Organizations usually have little control over the message in the media, at least, not as they do in advertising. Regarding publicity, reporters and writers decide what will be said. This can be a little scary, however, this is exactly what leads to your credibility. And, PR is free, unlike advertising.
When you are quoted in the media it is another expert seal of approval. Each time you have a story to share or an announcement to make, consider which of the following media relations vehicles would be most helpful:
News Release Pitches Bylined Articles Special Events Contests, Quizzes Seminars/conferences Fundraisers Ribbon-cuttings/groundbreakings, open houses, etc. New product launches A news release is your most important publicity tool for securing story placements. It serves to assist an editor or reporter in writing a story and should tell your story in a simple, factual, straight-forward and informative manner (infusing your personality, as long as it doesn't take away from communicating your key points and product features).
It's important to pay attention to details when preparing a news release. In my e-book Profitable Public Relations I detail how to write an effective news release and pitch it to the journalist.
Another excellent way of attracting the attention of reporters and editors is to write a pitch letter. A pitch letter is a brief letter outlining a particular story angle, or sometimes several related story angles, for a reporter.
This kind of letter can be sent as a cover letter with a news release or media kit, but often it is sent alone. The idea is to grab the reporter's attention by providing a story idea and the important facts surrounding the story (often bullet points are used to present information so that the letter is easy to read). After mailing a pitch letter, it is important to follow up with the reporter to determine his/her interest and provide further information.
Working with the media on a regular basis is key to keeping your name in front of your customers' and prospects' eyes and being at the top of their mind when it comes to awareness.
Create Promotional Campaigns and Info Products AwardsAwards provide an opportunity to strengthen your reputation and credibility. If you do not feel comfortable nominating yourself, ask fellow entrepreneurs, your advisors, your friends or your family to nominate you.
Special EventsSpecial events such as charitable fund-raisers and public celebrations of your company milestones allow you to communicate your message in an active, participatory manner.
InfoProductsWhat is your secret to success? How have you become a subject matter expert? Success sells, and if you have your own personal method to getting there, others will pay to hear it. InfoProducts include e-Books, Audio and Video Projects, Special reports and books. Did you know that e-books on how to succeed are topping the sales charts? Put together an InfoProduct and start collecting revenue while you sleep. I have several examples of InfoProducts on my site. Check it out.
Are you ready?When you become known as an expert in your field, whatever your field, you will find that the world will beat a path to your door. The tips in this article have merely scratched the surface of the strategies and tactics you can use.
By being the expert:
You immediately distinguish yourself from the competition You offer your clients something of value that competitors can't-and don't-offer You can charge more for your services You become the first choice Now it is time for you to plan your road to becoming known as an expert. What actions will you commit to each month to achieve this? How much time will you devote? Use the ideas I've given to help you devise a plan that works for you and become the star in your field!
The Exercise Infomercial Phenomenon
It all started with Jane Fonda. She started an industry with a simple video tape that included a 30 minute beginners program followed by a 60 minute full workout. For Jane it formed the nucleus of an empire that included books, audio recordings and fitness salons that are still in existence today.
More importantly, capitalizing on Jane's success, her workout tapes were followed quickly by everybody with a cut chiseled physique or a machine to help you work off those extra pounds and bring out those abs which quite unbelievably is bigger today than it was yesterday but not as big as it will be tomorrow.
Like they say in the record biz, the hits just keep on coming. Everybody has jumped into the market through the years: Chuck Norris, Lou Ferrigno aka The Hulk from the TV show, even Governor Arnold tried his hand at it. Models, celebrities and just plain folks with a machine have created exercise infomercials and you can count on one thing - more are coming soon to a TV channel in your house.
There's Pilates, aerobics, toning, step dynamics, yoga, stretch, even specialty exercise tapes for pregnant women, women who have just given birth, women who are thinking about getting pregnant, kids, seniors - and that's only a small fraction of what is available. Right now there are over 700 titles currently available and at one time or another all of them were presented to the public as an infomercial.
Some exercise infomercials utilized a new form of advertising called the hybrid infomercial. In the hybrid infomercial the product is available immediately as a direct response item and at the same time the item is available in retail stores. Here the infomercial is serving a dual purpose - to make a profit for the manufacturer immediately with credit card phone orders and by creating a brand name identity for the product available in the retail marketplace. With so much product available in today's infomercial exercise tape market, it's difficult for any one tape or exercise machine to make a profit for its manufacturer. By utilizing the incredible power of infomercials to reach a wide public base and selling them as a direct response item and a retail item simultaneously, manufacturers have learned how to profit from infomercials even though the market may be oversaturated.
More importantly, capitalizing on Jane's success, her workout tapes were followed quickly by everybody with a cut chiseled physique or a machine to help you work off those extra pounds and bring out those abs which quite unbelievably is bigger today than it was yesterday but not as big as it will be tomorrow.
Like they say in the record biz, the hits just keep on coming. Everybody has jumped into the market through the years: Chuck Norris, Lou Ferrigno aka The Hulk from the TV show, even Governor Arnold tried his hand at it. Models, celebrities and just plain folks with a machine have created exercise infomercials and you can count on one thing - more are coming soon to a TV channel in your house.
There's Pilates, aerobics, toning, step dynamics, yoga, stretch, even specialty exercise tapes for pregnant women, women who have just given birth, women who are thinking about getting pregnant, kids, seniors - and that's only a small fraction of what is available. Right now there are over 700 titles currently available and at one time or another all of them were presented to the public as an infomercial.
Some exercise infomercials utilized a new form of advertising called the hybrid infomercial. In the hybrid infomercial the product is available immediately as a direct response item and at the same time the item is available in retail stores. Here the infomercial is serving a dual purpose - to make a profit for the manufacturer immediately with credit card phone orders and by creating a brand name identity for the product available in the retail marketplace. With so much product available in today's infomercial exercise tape market, it's difficult for any one tape or exercise machine to make a profit for its manufacturer. By utilizing the incredible power of infomercials to reach a wide public base and selling them as a direct response item and a retail item simultaneously, manufacturers have learned how to profit from infomercials even though the market may be oversaturated.
The Electronic Job Market vs. The Headhunter
Houston, Texas - When Rob Gladstone started recruiting in 1994, the old style relationship building philosphy had yet to give way to the frenetic search engine hunt for RESUME, RESUME, RESUME that often leads today's recruiter to submit 20 resumes where they would once submit three.
Now, recruiters increasingly find themselves under pressure from job boards, like monster.com, Career Builder and Yahoo Hot Jobs. Most even flood those sites with their own postings, even though the clients also have those same postings there. Recruiters spend their day combing through the thousands of resumes listed on those same job sites.
Candidates also visit, of course,
as well as going directly to
company web sites to post
resumes and signing up for
"job agents" that promise to elec-
tronically knock on their door
with great opportunties as
they're posted.
Thankfully, great recruiters are fighting back. Not by jumping on board the frenetic search engine quest for resumes, but by reminding hiring authorities and those most special candidates that great opportunities and great candidates don't belong in want ads or sitting in HR in-boxes.
They remind all those who'll listen that great candidates can go unnoticed just as the ho-hums can.
"It reminds me of a placement that took place my first year in the business," recalls Gladstone. "It wasn't mine, but it was beautiful to watch and and hear about. A great learning experience from a guy who'd been in the business a while.
One of the guys had come up with a great candidate. She had a Harvard MBA, had been with one of the best advertising firms, had impeccable references and she was moving to Houston.
She had sent her resume to all the great companies in the area and had come up blank. But, she had sent those resumes to HR departments. As soon as the recruiter found out, he got in touch with hiring authorities he knew. Two weeks later, she was working. Two weeks after that, without realizing she was already on board, HR called to tell her they didn't have anything for her.
Well, everyone involved in this placement knew what this candidate could and would do for this company. The hiring aurthority wasn't going to let this lady come to town and slip through his fingers. He made a place for her."
And that's what gets missed by the internet. These judgments don't get posted on job boards. Those decisions don't get made by HR. It starts with the people who make things happen.
As convenient as the internet makes it to track resumes and jobs, job boards are still want ads and HR still can't take the place of the strategic decision makers that the headhunter gets to know.
The headhunter is not a resume bank. He or she is a specialist in understanding career and business needs. The headhunter is a builder of human networks.
Now, recruiters increasingly find themselves under pressure from job boards, like monster.com, Career Builder and Yahoo Hot Jobs. Most even flood those sites with their own postings, even though the clients also have those same postings there. Recruiters spend their day combing through the thousands of resumes listed on those same job sites.
Candidates also visit, of course,
as well as going directly to
company web sites to post
resumes and signing up for
"job agents" that promise to elec-
tronically knock on their door
with great opportunties as
they're posted.
Thankfully, great recruiters are fighting back. Not by jumping on board the frenetic search engine quest for resumes, but by reminding hiring authorities and those most special candidates that great opportunities and great candidates don't belong in want ads or sitting in HR in-boxes.
They remind all those who'll listen that great candidates can go unnoticed just as the ho-hums can.
"It reminds me of a placement that took place my first year in the business," recalls Gladstone. "It wasn't mine, but it was beautiful to watch and and hear about. A great learning experience from a guy who'd been in the business a while.
One of the guys had come up with a great candidate. She had a Harvard MBA, had been with one of the best advertising firms, had impeccable references and she was moving to Houston.
She had sent her resume to all the great companies in the area and had come up blank. But, she had sent those resumes to HR departments. As soon as the recruiter found out, he got in touch with hiring authorities he knew. Two weeks later, she was working. Two weeks after that, without realizing she was already on board, HR called to tell her they didn't have anything for her.
Well, everyone involved in this placement knew what this candidate could and would do for this company. The hiring aurthority wasn't going to let this lady come to town and slip through his fingers. He made a place for her."
And that's what gets missed by the internet. These judgments don't get posted on job boards. Those decisions don't get made by HR. It starts with the people who make things happen.
As convenient as the internet makes it to track resumes and jobs, job boards are still want ads and HR still can't take the place of the strategic decision makers that the headhunter gets to know.
The headhunter is not a resume bank. He or she is a specialist in understanding career and business needs. The headhunter is a builder of human networks.
The Dynamics of Competitive Mentality
The Dynamics of Competitive Mentality voices a new approach to competition. It is inspirational and educational article which is quick and easy to read. Learn how to perform your absolute best without having to fight to survive.
Life is not a competition. Not at all. Life itself is abundant and rich and overflowing. Take a look at a tree full of ripe fruits or a field full of grain. Just by looking at it, it makes you feel rich and abundant. And you feel that there is more than enough for everybody. But usually, the abundant mentality stops there.
Many of us were born and raised with a strong belief system that says that there is never enough of what we need or want. For many, this is also more than a belief-it is a fact of life. There is not enough food, not enough money, not enough love, etc. You learn to think that if you don't make sure to take your part, someone else will take it.
That is where you start to believe that life is a competition. You have to be better, stronger, faster, prettier, taller, and skinnier or whatever else you can be more than others.
But the fact is that there is more than enough of everything we need and want. There is more than enough food, so nobody would have to starve. There is enough medicine to save millions of lives, and there is enough money. If all the money in the world would be balanced more equally, everybody would be very rich!
I know this may sound simple and easy, and that there are many reasons why I am wrong, but please put aside judgments and opinions for a moment.
Start to think like you care for people instead of compete with them. Would it not be fair if all human beings had equal rights? That everyone would have the right to get food, shelter, medicine, and basic education? I am not talking about equality here-like the communistic idea that everybody should be earning the same, regardless of what they are doing. I am talking about getting basic needs covered. If basic needs are covered, people can choose how to live their lives instead of having to fight to survive.
With competitive mentalities like "survival of the fittest" and "dog eat dog," we justify that people are starving to death. We think that if someone wins, someone has to lose. It is now time to change this into a win-win mentality. That means we think, talk, and act in a way that we want everybody to benefit. It is a way of thinking that includes all human beings. This way of thinking comes from the understanding that we are one.
We are one human race on one planet.
When I see myself as a part of this world, I feel that the world is my responsibility. I understand that what I am thinking, saying, and doing will affect the world. What I think, say, and do to the world, I do to myself because I am a part of the world. That makes it more difficult not to care about what is happening because I know that it directly affects me.
With competitive mentality, I do not mean the drive you have to do your best. That you want to do your best is a fantastic asset and a driving force in your life. Wanting to do your best is a great motivation! If you do your best, you are the best. That means everybody is unique and exceptional, just by being who they are. Do your absolute best; strive to do what you love with the highest quality ever seen. But do it from a place inside where you want to come out with who you are-and not to overrun others. If you do what you love doing, you are competing in a natural way; you are on top because you are giving your very best.
You hear athletes talking about "the flow." That means the space where their performance comes easy and seems effortless. You can also reach that space with your work, and that is actually what life is meant to be: not a struggle; not a competition-but a flow. This flow is an energy that comes out of you because you want to create. So, remember to make your competition a heart-filled one and not a horror-filled one.
When you do your best, you are the best!
Copyright (c) 2005 http://www.financial-freedom-made-simple.com - www.financial-freedom-made-simple.com
Life is not a competition. Not at all. Life itself is abundant and rich and overflowing. Take a look at a tree full of ripe fruits or a field full of grain. Just by looking at it, it makes you feel rich and abundant. And you feel that there is more than enough for everybody. But usually, the abundant mentality stops there.
Many of us were born and raised with a strong belief system that says that there is never enough of what we need or want. For many, this is also more than a belief-it is a fact of life. There is not enough food, not enough money, not enough love, etc. You learn to think that if you don't make sure to take your part, someone else will take it.
That is where you start to believe that life is a competition. You have to be better, stronger, faster, prettier, taller, and skinnier or whatever else you can be more than others.
But the fact is that there is more than enough of everything we need and want. There is more than enough food, so nobody would have to starve. There is enough medicine to save millions of lives, and there is enough money. If all the money in the world would be balanced more equally, everybody would be very rich!
I know this may sound simple and easy, and that there are many reasons why I am wrong, but please put aside judgments and opinions for a moment.
Start to think like you care for people instead of compete with them. Would it not be fair if all human beings had equal rights? That everyone would have the right to get food, shelter, medicine, and basic education? I am not talking about equality here-like the communistic idea that everybody should be earning the same, regardless of what they are doing. I am talking about getting basic needs covered. If basic needs are covered, people can choose how to live their lives instead of having to fight to survive.
With competitive mentalities like "survival of the fittest" and "dog eat dog," we justify that people are starving to death. We think that if someone wins, someone has to lose. It is now time to change this into a win-win mentality. That means we think, talk, and act in a way that we want everybody to benefit. It is a way of thinking that includes all human beings. This way of thinking comes from the understanding that we are one.
We are one human race on one planet.
When I see myself as a part of this world, I feel that the world is my responsibility. I understand that what I am thinking, saying, and doing will affect the world. What I think, say, and do to the world, I do to myself because I am a part of the world. That makes it more difficult not to care about what is happening because I know that it directly affects me.
With competitive mentality, I do not mean the drive you have to do your best. That you want to do your best is a fantastic asset and a driving force in your life. Wanting to do your best is a great motivation! If you do your best, you are the best. That means everybody is unique and exceptional, just by being who they are. Do your absolute best; strive to do what you love with the highest quality ever seen. But do it from a place inside where you want to come out with who you are-and not to overrun others. If you do what you love doing, you are competing in a natural way; you are on top because you are giving your very best.
You hear athletes talking about "the flow." That means the space where their performance comes easy and seems effortless. You can also reach that space with your work, and that is actually what life is meant to be: not a struggle; not a competition-but a flow. This flow is an energy that comes out of you because you want to create. So, remember to make your competition a heart-filled one and not a horror-filled one.
When you do your best, you are the best!
Copyright (c) 2005 http://www.financial-freedom-made-simple.com - www.financial-freedom-made-simple.com
The Default Setting
In the coaching relationships I have with our clients, the major problem I see is that individuals end up in the same place - over and over and over again. They quit one job only to end up doing the exact same job with the exact same pay for a different company. They end a relationship and then start dating the same person with a different name. Sound familiar? Everyone has patterns and they are determined by what we refer to as the "default setting".
In the coaching relationships I have with our clients, the major problem I see is that individuals end up in the same place - over and over and over again. They mean to save money and build wealth, only to end up (again) with "too much month at the end of the money." They've lost the same 15 pounds 8 times in the last decade. They quit one job only to end up doing the exact same job with the exact same pay for a different company. They end a relationship and then start dating the same person with a different name. Sound familiar? Everyone has patterns and they are determined by what we refer to as the "default setting". The "default setting" in anything is simply is where you end up if you don't take purposeful action. When you turn on your computer, the exact same image pops up on your screen every time, right? That's because your computer has what are actually called "default settings" that it reverts back to every single time, no exceptions. The only way to change the image that pops up on that screen is to purposely go in and change the default setting. You have a default setting for every area of your life. Your income, your health, your batting average, your relationships. Every aspect of your life no matter how macro or how micro all have a default setting. The fundamental reason why most people don't get what they want from life is that unfortunately, the default setting for most things is way below ideal. Think about it. If you don't purposely take care of your body, do you automatically get stronger and healthier? If you don't purposely expand your knowledge base and do a good job in your career, do you automatically advance? If you don't develop and execute a solid financial plan, do you automatically become wealthy? Of course not. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Wouldn't you agree? The only way to affect real, positive, permanent change is to purposely go into our own program and change the default setting.Can this actually be done? Absolutely. The real value of proper goal setting, conscious attitude improvement and consistently feeding your mind, is that over time your default settings will elevate to a place where they work for you and automatically create the life you want. Exciting! For more information about specific methods for changing any default setting, check out the GATEway to Success Workshop and our PACT coaching program.
Roger Seip
In the coaching relationships I have with our clients, the major problem I see is that individuals end up in the same place - over and over and over again. They mean to save money and build wealth, only to end up (again) with "too much month at the end of the money." They've lost the same 15 pounds 8 times in the last decade. They quit one job only to end up doing the exact same job with the exact same pay for a different company. They end a relationship and then start dating the same person with a different name. Sound familiar? Everyone has patterns and they are determined by what we refer to as the "default setting". The "default setting" in anything is simply is where you end up if you don't take purposeful action. When you turn on your computer, the exact same image pops up on your screen every time, right? That's because your computer has what are actually called "default settings" that it reverts back to every single time, no exceptions. The only way to change the image that pops up on that screen is to purposely go in and change the default setting. You have a default setting for every area of your life. Your income, your health, your batting average, your relationships. Every aspect of your life no matter how macro or how micro all have a default setting. The fundamental reason why most people don't get what they want from life is that unfortunately, the default setting for most things is way below ideal. Think about it. If you don't purposely take care of your body, do you automatically get stronger and healthier? If you don't purposely expand your knowledge base and do a good job in your career, do you automatically advance? If you don't develop and execute a solid financial plan, do you automatically become wealthy? Of course not. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Wouldn't you agree? The only way to affect real, positive, permanent change is to purposely go into our own program and change the default setting.Can this actually be done? Absolutely. The real value of proper goal setting, conscious attitude improvement and consistently feeding your mind, is that over time your default settings will elevate to a place where they work for you and automatically create the life you want. Exciting! For more information about specific methods for changing any default setting, check out the GATEway to Success Workshop and our PACT coaching program.
Roger Seip
The Charm of an Oak Computer Desk
Oak was always used for furniture because of its strength and durability. Besides, oak furniture has a classic look and is good for ornate living rooms as well as stately office rooms.
Computer desks made of oak are very common and are usually preferred for offices. There are many types of oak furniture: solid oak, maple, walnut, cherry, quarter sawn or pine. Cherry is the favorite all over the world for its warm and homely look. Oak computer desks have a smooth and sleek finish. They are commonly brown or red in color and can be decorated with carvings or paint. No matter how simply decorated, they have a clean and appealing look.
Oak computer desks can be designed in various styles: roll-top, executive, student, corner, modular, and in different shapes (u-shape, circle, curved, s-shape, kidney-shaped, etc.) and sizes. They can be designed modularly with enough flexibility and versatility to accommodate as many changes as possible overtime. Oak computer tables can be expanded in size and shape with additional fittings.
Oak computer desks can also be ergonomically designed to minimize body strain and provide as much comfort as possible to the user. As they can accommodate almost all computer accessories like the printer, scanner, CPU, all within arms' length, they are ideal for office use as well as home use. The modular design also hides the unattractive wires, cables and other connections discreetly from site, making oak computer desks more attractive to look at.
Computer desks made of oak are very common and are usually preferred for offices. There are many types of oak furniture: solid oak, maple, walnut, cherry, quarter sawn or pine. Cherry is the favorite all over the world for its warm and homely look. Oak computer desks have a smooth and sleek finish. They are commonly brown or red in color and can be decorated with carvings or paint. No matter how simply decorated, they have a clean and appealing look.
Oak computer desks can be designed in various styles: roll-top, executive, student, corner, modular, and in different shapes (u-shape, circle, curved, s-shape, kidney-shaped, etc.) and sizes. They can be designed modularly with enough flexibility and versatility to accommodate as many changes as possible overtime. Oak computer tables can be expanded in size and shape with additional fittings.
Oak computer desks can also be ergonomically designed to minimize body strain and provide as much comfort as possible to the user. As they can accommodate almost all computer accessories like the printer, scanner, CPU, all within arms' length, they are ideal for office use as well as home use. The modular design also hides the unattractive wires, cables and other connections discreetly from site, making oak computer desks more attractive to look at.
The Branded Customer Experience - We never say no
I work with a client in the North of England. Whenever I visit them I always stay at the same hotel. At this hotel their slogan is "We never say No". All the employees wear badges saying "We never say...
I work with a client in the North of England. Whenever I visit them I always stay at the same hotel. At this hotel their slogan is "We never say No". All the employees wear badges saying "We never say no", and there are even posters and flyers in your room saying the same thing. So ask yourself this, do you think the people "never say no"?
Of course not! This is marketing hype, and so far from reality it's ridiculous. The marketing people have sat in a darkened room and come up with a great slogan that is totally impractical to implement on the shop floor. The contrast is vivid. You talk to an employee who is saying "No" to you about something and yet their badge tells you that they "never say no".
You hear customers point out the inconsistencies - "I would like a non-smoking room, are there any available?". The employee replies "no, I'm sorry they are all gone" - and inevitably the customer says "but I thought you never said no"?. The employees get into games saying everything but the word "no" like "not really" or "that is not possible" to avoid saying the word "no". When a customer points out they are really saying "no" I've actually heard an employee say, I didn't say no, I said "not really". It becomes like the game show where you cannot say the words "yes" or "no". It made me think, "what are the brand values of this company?". Given the scenario above I guess they maybe:
1. Create and expectation that is not fulfilled
2. Treat customers as if they are stupid
Now clearly these are not their brand values. But why have a slogan that is so obviously incapable of being implemented?
These examples are all around us. Only this week I wanted to buy some travel insurance. Therefore, after seeing an advert on TV, I decided to call this company - their slogan was "Quote me happy". The images portrayed on the advert are of customers rolling around the floor laughing, and being very happy, with a telephone glued to their ear as they receive their quotation - and of the company's call centre staff happily dealing with the customer's enquiry. SO I thought I would give it a go……………..
The first thing I was greeted with was an automated service! The message said that when they collect my data to give me my quotation that they would use this information to send me further information about their products and services! Does that make me happy? No it doesn't. The message also says that if you don't want this to happen that all you have to do is tell the agent, when you do get through to them, and they will take you off the list. Do I trust that will happen? I eventually got through to the agent and asked for travel insurance. I explained that I didn't want to give my details as I don't want to be mailed with 20 million emails or letters and that I simply want travel insurance. Their reply was they couldn't provide it to me as their process is to collect the data before the quote. Does this make me happy? No. Were the people really friendly and happy? No. Were the messages happy? No.
So why do marketing sit on one side of the fence and the people who deliver the reality sit on the other? The creative people in agencies and marketing have great fun in creating marketing campaigns without any thought to how these actually get delivered, and the subsequent impact on the Customer Experience. In my experience, most employees do not even know what their companies brand values are. These are something that marketing do. They mean nothing to the people in the front line. Therefore what happens is that an expectation is created by marketing which is then not fulfilled by the people who touch the customer.
I would urge you to ensure that your branding and marketing activities are aligned with your Customer Experience.
To find more articles on Customer experience, customer experience management, CRM, customer strategy, Customer management and customer satisfaction please visit our website http://www.beyondphilosophy.com - www.beyondphilosophy.com
I work with a client in the North of England. Whenever I visit them I always stay at the same hotel. At this hotel their slogan is "We never say No". All the employees wear badges saying "We never say no", and there are even posters and flyers in your room saying the same thing. So ask yourself this, do you think the people "never say no"?
Of course not! This is marketing hype, and so far from reality it's ridiculous. The marketing people have sat in a darkened room and come up with a great slogan that is totally impractical to implement on the shop floor. The contrast is vivid. You talk to an employee who is saying "No" to you about something and yet their badge tells you that they "never say no".
You hear customers point out the inconsistencies - "I would like a non-smoking room, are there any available?". The employee replies "no, I'm sorry they are all gone" - and inevitably the customer says "but I thought you never said no"?. The employees get into games saying everything but the word "no" like "not really" or "that is not possible" to avoid saying the word "no". When a customer points out they are really saying "no" I've actually heard an employee say, I didn't say no, I said "not really". It becomes like the game show where you cannot say the words "yes" or "no". It made me think, "what are the brand values of this company?". Given the scenario above I guess they maybe:
1. Create and expectation that is not fulfilled
2. Treat customers as if they are stupid
Now clearly these are not their brand values. But why have a slogan that is so obviously incapable of being implemented?
These examples are all around us. Only this week I wanted to buy some travel insurance. Therefore, after seeing an advert on TV, I decided to call this company - their slogan was "Quote me happy". The images portrayed on the advert are of customers rolling around the floor laughing, and being very happy, with a telephone glued to their ear as they receive their quotation - and of the company's call centre staff happily dealing with the customer's enquiry. SO I thought I would give it a go……………..
The first thing I was greeted with was an automated service! The message said that when they collect my data to give me my quotation that they would use this information to send me further information about their products and services! Does that make me happy? No it doesn't. The message also says that if you don't want this to happen that all you have to do is tell the agent, when you do get through to them, and they will take you off the list. Do I trust that will happen? I eventually got through to the agent and asked for travel insurance. I explained that I didn't want to give my details as I don't want to be mailed with 20 million emails or letters and that I simply want travel insurance. Their reply was they couldn't provide it to me as their process is to collect the data before the quote. Does this make me happy? No. Were the people really friendly and happy? No. Were the messages happy? No.
So why do marketing sit on one side of the fence and the people who deliver the reality sit on the other? The creative people in agencies and marketing have great fun in creating marketing campaigns without any thought to how these actually get delivered, and the subsequent impact on the Customer Experience. In my experience, most employees do not even know what their companies brand values are. These are something that marketing do. They mean nothing to the people in the front line. Therefore what happens is that an expectation is created by marketing which is then not fulfilled by the people who touch the customer.
I would urge you to ensure that your branding and marketing activities are aligned with your Customer Experience.
To find more articles on Customer experience, customer experience management, CRM, customer strategy, Customer management and customer satisfaction please visit our website http://www.beyondphilosophy.com - www.beyondphilosophy.com
The "better product" fallacy
Marketing people think that better product will win the day for them. Philip Kotler says, "Marketer too much concentrates on product". Marketer concentrates more one ups that the customer experience as Nirmalya Kumar. Say, Author is describing how faulty this method is.
Another fallacy ingrained in the minds of most marketing managers is the belief that the better product will win the marketing battle.
Behind the thinking of many marketing managers is the thought that "truth will out. "In other words, if you have the "facts" on your side, it's only necessary to find a good advertising agency who can communicate those facts to the prospect and a good sales force that can close the sale. We call this approach "inside-out thinking"- that somehow the advertising agency or the sales force can take the truth, as the company knows it, and use this truth to clear up the misconceptions that reside inside the mind of the prospect.
Don't be fooled. Misconceptions cannot easily be changed by an advertising or sales effort. What is truth? Inside every human being is a little black box. When a human being is exposed to your advertising or sales claim, that person looks inside the box and says "That's right" or "That's wrong." The single most wasteful thing you can do in marketing today is to try to change a human mind. Once a mind is made up, it's almost impossible to change.
What is truth? Truth is the perception that's inside the mind of the prospect. It may not be your truth, but it's the only truth you can work with. You have to accept that truth and then deal with it.
Another fallacy ingrained in the minds of most marketing managers is the belief that the better product will win the marketing battle.
Behind the thinking of many marketing managers is the thought that "truth will out. "In other words, if you have the "facts" on your side, it's only necessary to find a good advertising agency who can communicate those facts to the prospect and a good sales force that can close the sale. We call this approach "inside-out thinking"- that somehow the advertising agency or the sales force can take the truth, as the company knows it, and use this truth to clear up the misconceptions that reside inside the mind of the prospect.
Don't be fooled. Misconceptions cannot easily be changed by an advertising or sales effort. What is truth? Inside every human being is a little black box. When a human being is exposed to your advertising or sales claim, that person looks inside the box and says "That's right" or "That's wrong." The single most wasteful thing you can do in marketing today is to try to change a human mind. Once a mind is made up, it's almost impossible to change.
What is truth? Truth is the perception that's inside the mind of the prospect. It may not be your truth, but it's the only truth you can work with. You have to accept that truth and then deal with it.
The reality of marketing conflict
Rhetoric aside, it's clear that marketing is entering a new era, an era that will make the sixties and seventies look like a Sunday school picnic. Competition is getting brutal. The name of the game h...
Rhetoric aside, it's clear that marketing is entering a new era, an era that will make the sixties and seventies look like a Sunday school picnic. Competition is getting brutal. The name of the game has become "taking business away from somebody else."
As companies experiment with different ways to increase sales, they are turning more and more to warfare strategies in general.
But aggressiveness alone is not the mark of a good military strategy. Especially aggressiveness as represented by the "more" school of management. More products, more sales people, more advertising, more hard work. Especially more hard work. Somehow we feel better about success if we have to work hard to achieve it. So we schedule more meetings, more reports, and more memos, more management reviews.
Yet military history teaches the reverse. A single-minded commitment to winning the battle on effort alone usually dissolves into defeat. From the trenches of World War I to the streets of Stalingrad in World War II, the military commander that lets his armies get bogged down in a hand-to-hand slugging match is usually defeated.
The dogged determination of Xerox to make it in the office automation market is not a sign of future success. It's a mark of futility.
Much better are quick, lightning like strokes that depend more on timing than muscle. (What the Germans call blitzkrieg.)
Not that muscle, or the principle of force, is not important. Far from it. But unless an attack is properly planned, you throw away your advantage if you let the battle degenerate into a war of attrition.
Whenever you hear your commander say "We have to redouble our efforts," you know you're listening to a loser talk. The lights don't need to burn late in places like Armonk. IBM wins by smarter, not longer.
Rhetoric aside, it's clear that marketing is entering a new era, an era that will make the sixties and seventies look like a Sunday school picnic. Competition is getting brutal. The name of the game has become "taking business away from somebody else."
As companies experiment with different ways to increase sales, they are turning more and more to warfare strategies in general.
But aggressiveness alone is not the mark of a good military strategy. Especially aggressiveness as represented by the "more" school of management. More products, more sales people, more advertising, more hard work. Especially more hard work. Somehow we feel better about success if we have to work hard to achieve it. So we schedule more meetings, more reports, and more memos, more management reviews.
Yet military history teaches the reverse. A single-minded commitment to winning the battle on effort alone usually dissolves into defeat. From the trenches of World War I to the streets of Stalingrad in World War II, the military commander that lets his armies get bogged down in a hand-to-hand slugging match is usually defeated.
The dogged determination of Xerox to make it in the office automation market is not a sign of future success. It's a mark of futility.
Much better are quick, lightning like strokes that depend more on timing than muscle. (What the Germans call blitzkrieg.)
Not that muscle, or the principle of force, is not important. Far from it. But unless an attack is properly planned, you throw away your advantage if you let the battle degenerate into a war of attrition.
Whenever you hear your commander say "We have to redouble our efforts," you know you're listening to a loser talk. The lights don't need to burn late in places like Armonk. IBM wins by smarter, not longer.
The Real Estate Disputes And Partition
What if two people pooled their ... and began ... in real estate. Like many ... things progress smoothly for a while and then a dispute arises. Now they seldom can stand to talk t
What if two people pooled their resources and began investing in real estate. Like many partnerships things progress smoothly for a while and then a dispute arises.
Now they seldom can stand to talk to one another and then only through clenched teeth. A sad story, but one that is not uncommon.
What if they have an undivided interest in a fourplex. They want to end their investing enterprise, but they can't agree on the disposition of the property?
An action for partition may be the only solution. That means one of the investors turns to the court to decided how and when the interest in the property will be divided.
In a partition action the owner or claimant of real property or any interest in the property may compel a partition (division) of the property between him and other owners. It may vary from state to state, but in Arizona the partition complaint is filed in the superior court of the county in which the property is situated.
The court will hold a hearing to "determine the share of interest in the property sought to be divided of each of the owners or claimants, and all questions affecting the title..."
In other words... when those who have an undivided interest in a property can't agree on disposal the court can do it for them.
Here's another example of partition in action:
If an ex-wife or ex-husband refuses to sell their home or deed their interest to the other (and the real estate is not mentioned in the divorce decree) the only way the home can be sold is through a partition action.
When a husband and wife buy a home together, they own it as "tenants by the entirety". Upon the death of one spouse, the surviving spouse automatically becomes sole owner of the property. This is known as the "right of survivorship".
Article Tags: Real Estate
What if two people pooled their resources and began investing in real estate. Like many partnerships things progress smoothly for a while and then a dispute arises.
Now they seldom can stand to talk to one another and then only through clenched teeth. A sad story, but one that is not uncommon.
What if they have an undivided interest in a fourplex. They want to end their investing enterprise, but they can't agree on the disposition of the property?
An action for partition may be the only solution. That means one of the investors turns to the court to decided how and when the interest in the property will be divided.
In a partition action the owner or claimant of real property or any interest in the property may compel a partition (division) of the property between him and other owners. It may vary from state to state, but in Arizona the partition complaint is filed in the superior court of the county in which the property is situated.
The court will hold a hearing to "determine the share of interest in the property sought to be divided of each of the owners or claimants, and all questions affecting the title..."
In other words... when those who have an undivided interest in a property can't agree on disposal the court can do it for them.
Here's another example of partition in action:
If an ex-wife or ex-husband refuses to sell their home or deed their interest to the other (and the real estate is not mentioned in the divorce decree) the only way the home can be sold is through a partition action.
When a husband and wife buy a home together, they own it as "tenants by the entirety". Upon the death of one spouse, the surviving spouse automatically becomes sole owner of the property. This is known as the "right of survivorship".
Article Tags: Real Estate
The Number 1 Secret of Success
Do you know what the Number 1 key secret of success is - what makes people successful in business, sport or any other aspect of their lives? Whatever it is you're trying to achieve, this article will inspire you.
Do you know what one of the key secrets of success is - whatmakes people successful in business, sport or any otheraspect of their lives?Let me come back to that in a minute.
Ever since I discovered that I wasn't invincible and that mybody would fall apart over time, I've been a member of agym. I've attended regularly over the past fifteen years and mybody deterioration is almost being kept in check.
However I've always noticed a lot of new faces at the gym,some of which seem to disappear over a short period of time.Most gyms and health clubs have a high turnover of membersor "churn" as the marketing people like to call it.One club I know of loses around fifty members a month andhas to work hard to sign up that number just for thebusiness to stand still.
It's not that these gyms offer a poor service, on thecontrary - it's because the members - "give up."
New members join to lose weight or to get fit. They thentorture themselves on the rowing machines and all the otherinstruments of agony. If, after a few weeks of sweat andpain, they don't see any visible result - they give up.
You're probably away ahead of me on this; because the keysecret of success that I mentioned earlier is this - NEVEREVER GIVE UP.This is what separates the winners from the losers inbusiness, in sport and in life - this is what success is allabout.
If you have a mountain to climb either literally orfiguratively and you reach an obstacle - don't give up.Find another way round - even go back a short distance andcome at the situation from another direction.
Whatever it is you're trying to achieve, whatever successyou want - never give up! Make mistakes - fall down - get up- fall down - but get up and try again.
So there you have it - If you want success remember whatWinston Churchill once said - "Never - Never - Never giveup!"
Do you know what one of the key secrets of success is - whatmakes people successful in business, sport or any otheraspect of their lives?Let me come back to that in a minute.
Ever since I discovered that I wasn't invincible and that mybody would fall apart over time, I've been a member of agym. I've attended regularly over the past fifteen years and mybody deterioration is almost being kept in check.
However I've always noticed a lot of new faces at the gym,some of which seem to disappear over a short period of time.Most gyms and health clubs have a high turnover of membersor "churn" as the marketing people like to call it.One club I know of loses around fifty members a month andhas to work hard to sign up that number just for thebusiness to stand still.
It's not that these gyms offer a poor service, on thecontrary - it's because the members - "give up."
New members join to lose weight or to get fit. They thentorture themselves on the rowing machines and all the otherinstruments of agony. If, after a few weeks of sweat andpain, they don't see any visible result - they give up.
You're probably away ahead of me on this; because the keysecret of success that I mentioned earlier is this - NEVEREVER GIVE UP.This is what separates the winners from the losers inbusiness, in sport and in life - this is what success is allabout.
If you have a mountain to climb either literally orfiguratively and you reach an obstacle - don't give up.Find another way round - even go back a short distance andcome at the situation from another direction.
Whatever it is you're trying to achieve, whatever successyou want - never give up! Make mistakes - fall down - get up- fall down - but get up and try again.
So there you have it - If you want success remember whatWinston Churchill once said - "Never - Never - Never giveup!"
The New Virtual Office Worker
Copyright © 2005 permission granted providing the original text is not changed or altered and the authors email address and website are displayed. .
In today's marketplace the need for outsourcing is becoming more and more apparent. Rising gas prices are having a dramatic effect on everything in view of the fact that the economy is literally driven by the need for gas. This is reflective upon an employees need to have to commute daily. As stresses increase, bank accounts decrease as these gas tanks are becoming expensive to fill.
But it's not just the price of gas anymore; often it's facing bad weather and congested roads and highways with other commuter's that becomes frustrating. Office workers are depleted of precious energy by this daily time and money-consuming routine in order to get to a job on time, which results in an increasing amount of frustration before the day has started - this is then repeated at the end of the day when they are tired and even more stressed out, getting home late just so they can eat, sleep and begin the cycle all over again.
One way around this is for an employer to hire a Virtual Assistant. Virtual Assistants are a new form of office worker - but without the office, or at least the corporate office. Instead they will do the same work from home. This is not a new idea since for some of the labor market it has already begun. The benefits to an employer are many fold as I'll explain.
By hiring a Virtual Assistant or VA it not only eliminates the employee showing up at the office already exhausted and not functioning at the 100% an employer requires, it also eliminates many costly benefits incurred by an employer including vacations, sick days, expensive dental and medical benefits as well as when there is a slow-period or downtime which is expensive since employers are reluctant to lay people off.
Since a VA supplies her own office equipment, which is another immense saving to the employer, they can be an immense relief and solution to these headaches since they are paid only for the work they do and nothing else. With good communication a VA can get the job done as well from home, without distractions of multiple telephones ringing and other employees stopping by for a chat.
For a VA, training is minimal and work hours can be more flexible. An employer often profits from the experience and professionalism of a VA who has already put a business together which lends a greater appreciation and commitment to the work the client is asking. As the song goes 'they times, they are a changing.' Look for us - Virtual Assistants are fast becoming one of the Best Small Business Opportunities over the internet.
This article is copyrighted © 2005 but may be used for reprint or publication without the authors permission providing the text has not been changed or altered.
For more information on this article please contact mailto:vcoa@care2.com - vcoa@care2.com
http://www.virtuallyconnectedofficeassistance.com - www.virtuallyconnectedofficeassistance.com
In today's marketplace the need for outsourcing is becoming more and more apparent. Rising gas prices are having a dramatic effect on everything in view of the fact that the economy is literally driven by the need for gas. This is reflective upon an employees need to have to commute daily. As stresses increase, bank accounts decrease as these gas tanks are becoming expensive to fill.
But it's not just the price of gas anymore; often it's facing bad weather and congested roads and highways with other commuter's that becomes frustrating. Office workers are depleted of precious energy by this daily time and money-consuming routine in order to get to a job on time, which results in an increasing amount of frustration before the day has started - this is then repeated at the end of the day when they are tired and even more stressed out, getting home late just so they can eat, sleep and begin the cycle all over again.
One way around this is for an employer to hire a Virtual Assistant. Virtual Assistants are a new form of office worker - but without the office, or at least the corporate office. Instead they will do the same work from home. This is not a new idea since for some of the labor market it has already begun. The benefits to an employer are many fold as I'll explain.
By hiring a Virtual Assistant or VA it not only eliminates the employee showing up at the office already exhausted and not functioning at the 100% an employer requires, it also eliminates many costly benefits incurred by an employer including vacations, sick days, expensive dental and medical benefits as well as when there is a slow-period or downtime which is expensive since employers are reluctant to lay people off.
Since a VA supplies her own office equipment, which is another immense saving to the employer, they can be an immense relief and solution to these headaches since they are paid only for the work they do and nothing else. With good communication a VA can get the job done as well from home, without distractions of multiple telephones ringing and other employees stopping by for a chat.
For a VA, training is minimal and work hours can be more flexible. An employer often profits from the experience and professionalism of a VA who has already put a business together which lends a greater appreciation and commitment to the work the client is asking. As the song goes 'they times, they are a changing.' Look for us - Virtual Assistants are fast becoming one of the Best Small Business Opportunities over the internet.
This article is copyrighted © 2005 but may be used for reprint or publication without the authors permission providing the text has not been changed or altered.
For more information on this article please contact mailto:vcoa@care2.com - vcoa@care2.com
http://www.virtuallyconnectedofficeassistance.com - www.virtuallyconnectedofficeassistance.com
The Need for Rackmount Computer Cases
When businesses need to group one type of server in with similar kinds, rack mount computer cases are brought in. Holding as many as 40 single servers, they feature common temperature-monitoring systems, linked drive bays and up to a maximum of 10 air-bearing fans for optimized cooling.
Common power inputs and wiring capabilities make rack mount computer cases the way to go for growing businesses.
Many cases will accommodate different types and sizes of servers as they become available on the marketplace. As such, many businesses, especially banks, keep a set of servers in one case that perform debit transactions only. Another case can house the servers that keep track of electronic transfers and so on. In this manner, the technicians in charge of the system know where to look when there's a problem and still have room to grow if the system requires it.
Rack mount computer cases also come in a portable version for those businesses that need to move large amounts of computers from place to place for presentations and other functions. When the military moves personnel into a previously uninhabited area to set up shop, one of the items being delicately brought into play are banks of rack mounted computers in portable cases.
Designed to protect delicate electronic equipment from damage during the move, these portable cases can safely house up to 40 individual serves on sliding rack mounts with small shock absorbers to limit damage from vibration and handling. No army moves without computers and the only way to move banks and banks of servers from one place to another is with portable rack mount computer cases. These portable cases are dustproof, water resistant and require low maintenance to be used for many years.
Portable rack mount computer cases have become the choice for anyone moving rack mounted computer servers for mobile workstation set-ups, communications and electronics equipment, medical instruments and server banks.
Common power inputs and wiring capabilities make rack mount computer cases the way to go for growing businesses.
Many cases will accommodate different types and sizes of servers as they become available on the marketplace. As such, many businesses, especially banks, keep a set of servers in one case that perform debit transactions only. Another case can house the servers that keep track of electronic transfers and so on. In this manner, the technicians in charge of the system know where to look when there's a problem and still have room to grow if the system requires it.
Rack mount computer cases also come in a portable version for those businesses that need to move large amounts of computers from place to place for presentations and other functions. When the military moves personnel into a previously uninhabited area to set up shop, one of the items being delicately brought into play are banks of rack mounted computers in portable cases.
Designed to protect delicate electronic equipment from damage during the move, these portable cases can safely house up to 40 individual serves on sliding rack mounts with small shock absorbers to limit damage from vibration and handling. No army moves without computers and the only way to move banks and banks of servers from one place to another is with portable rack mount computer cases. These portable cases are dustproof, water resistant and require low maintenance to be used for many years.
Portable rack mount computer cases have become the choice for anyone moving rack mounted computer servers for mobile workstation set-ups, communications and electronics equipment, medical instruments and server banks.
The Need for Help Desk Software
Any company that does business online needs help desk software. In many cases, help desk software is a vital component to a good business strategy that can help both the company and the client. Researching, locating and comparing the options available can be an intimidating undertaking, but it helps to be informed about your options.
In general, a help desk software solution provides a centralized way to manage problems and issues in website management. With any e-commerce business, technical issues will undoubtedly occur. Being prepared to handle unexpected situations can reduce pressure and frustration by effectively managing the technical difficulties.
Many companies had call center support long before the widespread use of the Internet. Customers were frequently dismayed by long hold times, under-trained staff, and un-returned phone messages. Some customers may not be prepared to give a full and accurate description of the problem, which only further added to the frustration. Considering the fact that most companies have clients in various regions in the world and in varying time zones, help desk software has assisted many companies with effectively managing customer issues or complaints.
Help desk software solutions are available to manage many tasks within a business. Many programs allow customers to directly approach the appropriate department to handle their needs. For instance, many help desk software programs allow technical inquiries to be sent directly to the technical support department and billing questions sent to the billing department. Compared to traditional call center functions, help desk software can streamline and better manage queries and offer a better response time.
With the mainstream usage of the Internet came a need for faster, more reliable and, more accessible customer support. Customers desire and expect immediate help and solutions to their problems. Because of this, help desk software solutions have quickly become the most used type of customer support programs around the world. Unlike traditional call centers, help desk software has made it possible to offer virtually unlimited support. In a growing world market, help desk software solutions are quickly becoming a necessity, and can save a company thousands of dollars every year.
Article Tags: Help Desk Software, Desk Software Solutions, Help Desk, Desk Software, Software Solutions
In general, a help desk software solution provides a centralized way to manage problems and issues in website management. With any e-commerce business, technical issues will undoubtedly occur. Being prepared to handle unexpected situations can reduce pressure and frustration by effectively managing the technical difficulties.
Many companies had call center support long before the widespread use of the Internet. Customers were frequently dismayed by long hold times, under-trained staff, and un-returned phone messages. Some customers may not be prepared to give a full and accurate description of the problem, which only further added to the frustration. Considering the fact that most companies have clients in various regions in the world and in varying time zones, help desk software has assisted many companies with effectively managing customer issues or complaints.
Help desk software solutions are available to manage many tasks within a business. Many programs allow customers to directly approach the appropriate department to handle their needs. For instance, many help desk software programs allow technical inquiries to be sent directly to the technical support department and billing questions sent to the billing department. Compared to traditional call center functions, help desk software can streamline and better manage queries and offer a better response time.
With the mainstream usage of the Internet came a need for faster, more reliable and, more accessible customer support. Customers desire and expect immediate help and solutions to their problems. Because of this, help desk software solutions have quickly become the most used type of customer support programs around the world. Unlike traditional call centers, help desk software has made it possible to offer virtually unlimited support. In a growing world market, help desk software solutions are quickly becoming a necessity, and can save a company thousands of dollars every year.
Article Tags: Help Desk Software, Desk Software Solutions, Help Desk, Desk Software, Software Solutions
The Need for Help Desk Tracking Software
Companies that use help desk software note the many benefits of having it. Flexibility in web-based programs and the ability to effectively organize and manage trouble tickets are two of the most prominently praised features. Many businesses are now realizing the importance of help desk tracking software.
They've learned that effectively managing consumer issues can create a loyal customer base. Help desk tracking software is a vital component in help desk technology. Your competitors know the benefits of help desk programs. In order to stay abreast of current trends and customer expectations, you should too.
Help desk tracking software allows your company to deliver effective and timely responses to customer trouble tickets. By using a ticket-tracking program, you can prioritize and manage all incoming and outgoing responses. Tracking software also allows customer and technical support personnel to check the status of queries they have already submitted.
The ticket categorization feature of many help desk tracking software programs is also very helpful. Most programs allow the user to organize incoming tickets on the basis of category, channel and priority. Instead of having technicians spend countless hours sifting through emails, tracking software successfully manages the tickets. This means more time for your personnel to spend working tickets, and a more productive workday.
Effectively managing trouble tickets can set your company at a higher standard than your competitors. Customers in today's world want instant access to their questions and many expect and rely upon 24 hour support 7 days a week. Help desk software can also compile a list of the most frequently asked questions so that your customers can find solutions to their problems without contacting a technician. Quality customer and technical support is valuable to your business strategy, and ignoring this need can mean loss of business. Help desk tracking software is one among many ways to better manage your inbound service inquiries.
They've learned that effectively managing consumer issues can create a loyal customer base. Help desk tracking software is a vital component in help desk technology. Your competitors know the benefits of help desk programs. In order to stay abreast of current trends and customer expectations, you should too.
Help desk tracking software allows your company to deliver effective and timely responses to customer trouble tickets. By using a ticket-tracking program, you can prioritize and manage all incoming and outgoing responses. Tracking software also allows customer and technical support personnel to check the status of queries they have already submitted.
The ticket categorization feature of many help desk tracking software programs is also very helpful. Most programs allow the user to organize incoming tickets on the basis of category, channel and priority. Instead of having technicians spend countless hours sifting through emails, tracking software successfully manages the tickets. This means more time for your personnel to spend working tickets, and a more productive workday.
Effectively managing trouble tickets can set your company at a higher standard than your competitors. Customers in today's world want instant access to their questions and many expect and rely upon 24 hour support 7 days a week. Help desk software can also compile a list of the most frequently asked questions so that your customers can find solutions to their problems without contacting a technician. Quality customer and technical support is valuable to your business strategy, and ignoring this need can mean loss of business. Help desk tracking software is one among many ways to better manage your inbound service inquiries.
The Need for Executive Recruiting Software
It is vital that companies have efficient management. While it is common for companies to hire from within, meaning that they promote current employees to executive positions, it is not always possible. There are times when companies must search outside their own ranks in order to find the most qualified executives.
There are a couple of ways that companies recruit executives. Some of them choose to hire on their own, using their human resources division, while others employ recruiting firms to find the executives for them. No matter who does the hiring, executive recruiting software makes it much easier. These programs can create a database of applicants, organize applicant information, create advertisements for open executive positions, and filter out unqualified applicants. Executive recruiting software is perfect for companies that need to hire the best executives possible.
Executive recruiting software streamlines the hiring process. These programs are great for creating detailed databases of applicants. All types of information such as the applicant's name, address, telephone number, resume details, college degree, and any other relevant qualifications are categorized and put in the database. Recruiters can then access all necessary information on an applicant any time they may need it.
This information is organized to allow recruiters to access whichever type of data they need at any given time. For example, information is stored by type, so the recruiter can choose to look at only resumes, or only people who live in a certain city, or any other criteria they choose. They do not have to search through the entire file for each applicant to find the information that they want to view.
Executive recruiting software can easily eliminate applicants who do not meet job requirements. The files of applicants who don't have the required job experience or education are marked to alert recruiters that these people are not fully qualified.
Executive recruiting software makes the difficult job of hiring managers much easier. The numerous features of these software programs streamline and organize applicant's data allowing recruiters to make quicker and better decisions.
There are a couple of ways that companies recruit executives. Some of them choose to hire on their own, using their human resources division, while others employ recruiting firms to find the executives for them. No matter who does the hiring, executive recruiting software makes it much easier. These programs can create a database of applicants, organize applicant information, create advertisements for open executive positions, and filter out unqualified applicants. Executive recruiting software is perfect for companies that need to hire the best executives possible.
Executive recruiting software streamlines the hiring process. These programs are great for creating detailed databases of applicants. All types of information such as the applicant's name, address, telephone number, resume details, college degree, and any other relevant qualifications are categorized and put in the database. Recruiters can then access all necessary information on an applicant any time they may need it.
This information is organized to allow recruiters to access whichever type of data they need at any given time. For example, information is stored by type, so the recruiter can choose to look at only resumes, or only people who live in a certain city, or any other criteria they choose. They do not have to search through the entire file for each applicant to find the information that they want to view.
Executive recruiting software can easily eliminate applicants who do not meet job requirements. The files of applicants who don't have the required job experience or education are marked to alert recruiters that these people are not fully qualified.
Executive recruiting software makes the difficult job of hiring managers much easier. The numerous features of these software programs streamline and organize applicant's data allowing recruiters to make quicker and better decisions.
The mathematics of a marketing melee
When two companies go head to head, the same principle applies. God smiles on the larger sales force. Given a virgin territory, the company with the larger sales force is likely to wind up with the l...
When two companies go head to head, the same principle applies. God smiles on the larger sales force.
Given a virgin territory, the company with the larger sales force is likely to wind up with the larger share of the market.
Once the market is divided up, the company with the larger share is likely to continue to take business away from the smaller company.
The bigger company can afford a bigger advertising budget, a bigger research department, more sales outlets, etc. No wonder the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
Is there no future for the small competitor? Of course there is which one reason why this book was written is. (General Motors, General Electric, and IBM don't need to study Clausewitz to be successful.
)But smaller companies with smaller market shares do need to think like field commanders. They must keep in mind the first principle of warfare, the principle of force, be it military or marketing. "The art of war with a numerically inferior army," said Napoleon "consists in always having larger forces than the enemy at the point which is to be attacked or defended."
Custer could have become one of our nation's most famous heroes if he could have gotten the Sioux to attack over the hill one at e time.
Military generals know the importance of the principle of force. That's why they spend so much time studying the order of battle of an opposing force. For purposes of morale, however, a general tries to fire up his troops by telling them what good soldiers they are and what great equipment they have."
Now we have the finest food, equipment, the best spirit and the best men in the world," said George C. Scott in his role as General George S. Patton, Jr. "You know, by god, I actually pity those poor bastards we're going up against."
Many marketing generals do the same thing and fall victim to their own rhetoric. In particular they talk themselves into the "better people" or the "better product" fallacies.
When two companies go head to head, the same principle applies. God smiles on the larger sales force.
Given a virgin territory, the company with the larger sales force is likely to wind up with the larger share of the market.
Once the market is divided up, the company with the larger share is likely to continue to take business away from the smaller company.
The bigger company can afford a bigger advertising budget, a bigger research department, more sales outlets, etc. No wonder the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
Is there no future for the small competitor? Of course there is which one reason why this book was written is. (General Motors, General Electric, and IBM don't need to study Clausewitz to be successful.
)But smaller companies with smaller market shares do need to think like field commanders. They must keep in mind the first principle of warfare, the principle of force, be it military or marketing. "The art of war with a numerically inferior army," said Napoleon "consists in always having larger forces than the enemy at the point which is to be attacked or defended."
Custer could have become one of our nation's most famous heroes if he could have gotten the Sioux to attack over the hill one at e time.
Military generals know the importance of the principle of force. That's why they spend so much time studying the order of battle of an opposing force. For purposes of morale, however, a general tries to fire up his troops by telling them what good soldiers they are and what great equipment they have."
Now we have the finest food, equipment, the best spirit and the best men in the world," said George C. Scott in his role as General George S. Patton, Jr. "You know, by god, I actually pity those poor bastards we're going up against."
Many marketing generals do the same thing and fall victim to their own rhetoric. In particular they talk themselves into the "better people" or the "better product" fallacies.
