Are You a Professional?

Are You a Professional?

Source : Tipsforsuccess. org

How you look, talk, write, act and work determines whether you are a professional or an amateur. Society does not emphasize the importance of professionalism, so people tend to believe that amateur work is normal. Many businesses accept less-than-good results.

Schools graduate students who cannot read. You can miss 15% of the driving-test answers and still get a driver license. "Just getting by" is an attitude many people accept. But it is the attitude of amateurs.

"Don't ever do anything as though you were an amateur.

"Anything you do, do it as a Professional to Professional standards.

"If you have the idea about anything you do that you just dabble in it, you will wind up with a dabble life. There'll be no satisfaction in it because there will be no real production you can be proud of.

"Develop the frame of mind that whatever you do, you are doing it as a professional and move up to professional standards in it.

"Never let it be said of you that you lived an amateur life.

"Professionals see situations and they handle what they see. They are not amateur dabblers.

"So learn this as a first lesson about life. The only successful beings in any field, including living itself, are those who have a professional viewpoint and make themselves and ARE professionals" — L. Ron Hubbard

A professional learns every aspect of the job. An amateur skips the learning process whenever possible.

A professional carefully discovers what is needed and wanted. An amateur assumes what others need and want.

A professional looks, speaks and dresses like a professional. An amateur is sloppy in appearance and speech.

A professional keeps his or her work area clean and orderly. An amateur has a messy, confused or dirty work area.

A professional is focused and clear-headed. An amateur is confused and distracted.

A professional does not let mistakes slide by. An amateur ignores or hides mistakes.

A professional jumps into difficult assignments. An amateur tries to get out of difficult work.

A professional completes projects as soon as possible. An amateur is surrounded by unfinished work piled on top of unfinished work.

A professional remains level-headed and optimistic. An amateur gets upset and assumes the worst.

A professional handles money and accounts very carefully. An amateur is sloppy with money or accounts.

A professional faces up to other people’s upsets and problems. An amateur avoids others’ problems.

A professional uses higher emotional tones: Enthusiasm, cheerfulness, interest, contentment. An amateur uses lower emotional tones: anger, hostility, resentment, fear, victim.

A professional persists until the objective is achieved. An amateur gives up at the first opportunity.

A professional produces more than expected. An amateur produces just enough to get by.

A professional produces a high-quality product or service. An amateur produces a medium-to-low quality product or service.

A professional earns high pay. An amateur earns low pay and feels it’s unfair.

A professional has a promising future. An amateur has an uncertain future.

The first step to making yourself a professional is to decide you ARE a professional.

Are you a professional?

Job Info , Jobs , Career

Feeling Entrepreneurial? (Part II)

BY : By Peter Dowling, JD, CPRW, ARM, CPCU

If you decide you want to follow your dream, here are tasks to accomplish in the early days of your new company.

1. Establish an accounting process, and pick a year end date.
One approach is to purchase a desktop accounting software package. Another option is to hire or contract an accountant.

2. Select your company name.
This involves verifying that the name is available, and registering it in your state. If you would like a Web presence, check if your desired domain name is available through a service such as Network Solutions. If you plan to protect your name and/or logo with a trademark, you can check the ability to use your desired name by visiting uspto.gov.

3. Obtain the necessary business licenses and permits.
This will vary by your location and type of business.

4. Obtain an Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service.

5. Set up a Dun and Bradstreet DUNS number by visiting dnb.com.

6. Discuss your business plan with your insurance agent.
Together, determine your needs for business insurance.

7. Loans, if you need them.
Don't assume that you can easily get a loan. Take time and discuss your options with a professional financial advisor or your banker.

A. Personal Loans
Banks, credit unions and life insurance policies are avenues to explore when seeking a loan. Be prepared to have your credit history scrutinized and in many cases you'll need collateral or a sponsor.

B. Business Loans
There are three types of business loans that you may qualify for. Have all of your documents ready, including your business plan and pro forma, and speak to your banker about all available options.

If you have steady accounts receivable (AR) that are not delinquent, you may seek a loan secured by your AR. You also may seek a loan to be secured by your inventory or equipment.

If your business holds real estate, you could apply for a loan secured with real estate.

If none of the above is right for you, visit the Small Business Administration at sbaonline.org.


8. Is venture capital for your business?
Venture capital firms (VC) are an option if you are planning a high and rapid growth business in which your investors have potential to make five to ten times their initial investment. VCs usually invest between $250,000 to $2,000,000 in a company. In return they take considerable ownership of the company. They generally make their decision on the strength of the management team and the viability of the business model in the current market.

If your company does not fit this profile, that is OK. It may be better to spend your time seeking funds in other ways.

If you are interested in venture capital or recruiting angel investors, visit garage.com. You'll find some great resources online, and in addition, they conduct a seminars several times a year called Boot Camp for Start Ups.

The book, "Financing the New Venture" by Mark Long is a good primer if you're new to raising funds.

9. Select a bank and establish banking accounts.

10. If you have decided to incorporate,
you may need to set up an Operating Agreement, create Bylaws, establish a Board of Directors, distribute share or unit certificates, and many other tasks related to the establishment of a corporation. Your legal advisor can help you determine what you need to do.

11. Create templates
for vendor contracts, client contracts and other legal documents such as a Non Disclosure Agreement or Transfer of Rights.

12. Set up accounts
with a printer, office supply vendor, and other special vendors your business requires. If you're on a tight budget, you may want to check out vistaprint.com for their low cost and free business card offers.

13. A lawyer would be helpful in the following areas:

• Establishment of your business
• Client and vendor contracts
• Partnership agreements and negotiations
• Corporate set-up, if so desired
• Leases
• Employment and labor issues
• Trademarks, copyrights and patent issues
• Tax planning

How to Select a Lawyer:

• Contact your local Chamber of Commerce or professional associations for a referral
• Check out lawyer candidates at MartindaleHubbell.com
• Check status of your lawyer candidate with the local chapter of the American Bar Association, or the national office at (312) 988-5522.

14. An accounting professional would be valuable in the following ways:

• Understanding of the consequences and benefits of each business form (i.e., C Corp, S Corp, LLC, etc.)
• Set up of an accounting system and procedure
• Tax planning
• Preparation of tax documents
• Payroll issues
• IRS audits

We've listed some of the tasks you may address when you decide to work as an independent contract, or form your own business. We urge you to find professional advisors to guide you through this new territory successfully.

Job Info , Jobs , Employment

Feeling Entrepreneurial? (Part I)

By Peter Dowling, JD, CPRW, ARM, CPCU

Jan had lunch with Margo for the first time since Margo left the firm to work freelance. Now Jan is considering making the move to freelance. Before she does she wants to know what to expect and how to prepare.

What are the principle differences between working for yourself and for an employer?

Here is some of what you can expect 'on your own.'

• Potential for higher earning
• Make your own hours
• Make decisions about the direction of your company and your career
• More responsibility
• Potential for favorable tax benefits
• No unemployment insurance or worker's compensation, as an independent
• Income may be erratic or difficult to collect
• Cost of doing business may be more than you anticipate
• If you're working at home it may be a challenge to define your work hours and manage interruptions and distractions

Initial Steps -- Before You Decide to Quit Your Day Job

1. Create a business plan.

How will you do business? How will you attract clients? How much will you charge for your services or product? Who are your vendors? How long will it take to establish yourself? How long before you break even?

2. Construct a practical budget.

Do you have the necessary funds to get your business started and to keep it running through your break-even point? Are you prepared to seek outside funds in the form of a loan or investment? How long can you survive without an income?

3. Will you set up office in your home initially, or rent space?

Working at home can save money. You may qualify for tax deductions. However, will it harm your professional image, and is your home space appropriate for your business?

4. Select the legal form for your business. (Corporation, Limited Liability Company, etc.)

This decision is crucial as it may affect your tax liability and method, your Social Security tax responsibilities, your privacy, and your personal liability for debts.

Job Info , Jobs , Employment

Excuse Me, Your Job Is Waiting: Dressing for the Job

By Laura George

Published by Hampton Roads Publishing Company, Inc.; March 2007;$16.95US; 978-1-57174-529-3

One of the most important times to dress for the job is for the initial interview. HR folks want to make sure a candidate will fit in the environment, but they are legally prevented from asking a lot of personal questions. Therefore, they have to look for clues as to whether somebody will, or will not, fit in the work environment. Making yourself look like the perfect candidate gives you an edge over the competition. The rule of thumb is pretty simple: Dress for the job you are seeking. Dress like the rest of the folks in that particular occupation or organization.

So, what are the right clothes? It's a little hard to tell sometimes with casual days and relaxed work environments, but most companies still expect the first impression to be one of quality. For upper-management positions, the dark power suit is essential for both men and women on the initial interview. If you're not sure what this looks like, there are plenty of books written about dressing for these positions. Middle managers and recent college grads should also wear suits. Invest in a good suit. Good clothes are an investment because they pay a return on your outlay of capital by what they bring into your life. If you are just starting out and plunking over several hundred dollars for a suit is a bit steep, go to the best secondhand store you can find. I live in Ohio and have traveled to New York City to shop upscale consignment shops. The better shops are operated like private boutiques and carry the best in quality and labels. I save enough money on clothes to easily cover the cost of the airfare to the city.


If you are seeking a clerical position, you should dress conservatively, but not necessarily in a suit. Clean, tailored coordinates are fine. Factory workers have a lot of leeway, but again, dress responsibly and respectably. I've hired lots of factory personnel who have arrived for interviews in clean jeans and shirts lacking a social statement.


I've seen some pretty outlandish interviewing costumes over the years. Two come to mind. One was a young woman who was told to dress up for an interview at a bank. She did dress up -- unfortunately, in her prom dress. This wasn't exactly the look the conservative institution was seeking. Another guy showed up for a factory job in a clean shirt, blue jeans, and a fresh shave. All would have gone well if he hadn't been wearing an AFL-CIO baseball cap at a non-union facility. Had he left his topper in his pickup, he probably would have picked up a job. Instead, I had a hard time calming down the general manager who wanted me to escort the guy from the building ASAP.


There are, of course, other little things that really blow interviews. Some people stink. Hygiene is important. It's sad that I even have to mention it, but poor hygiene has caused a lot of people to be shown the exit door. It isn't necessarily a lack of bathing -- although there have been times when I wanted to send a candidate to the YMCA for a shower -- it's usually the overdose of cologne. Both women and men have caused so much odor in my office that I learned long ago to keep a can of air freshener on hand. If you don't feel dressed without a little scent, that's understandable, but the operative word is "little." Less is more. Keep it subtle. Nobody wants to wonder if you've bathed or just dipped in a vat of cologne. Also, keep in mind that many people have allergies. They will not even consider hiring a person who makes them sneeze.


Dress so you don't offend. Young women, especially, have a tendency to dress to annoy the hiring folks. Keep in mind that human resources is a field with lots and lots of women making the decisions. The vast majority of these women are middle-aged. They have moved into their positions by earning the right credentials and putting in a lot of hard work. They aren't incredibly receptive to some young woman strutting into an interview dressed like a high-maintenance super model. If you are young and beautiful, you may think these middle-aged bags are just jealous or mean-spirited, but the bottom line is that they are the decision-makers.


If you are fortunate to look like a super model, then go for a super model position. If you are going for an entry-level management position, dress for an entry-level management position. Wearing a short skirt with five-inch heels and having your makeup applied with a heavy touch will turn heads, but it wont land you the entry-level management position unless you have the credentials and are interviewed by a person with no concerns about sexual harassment. The overdone makeup might look great to you, but it will look like too many potty trips to the woman on the hiring side of the desk. As for the sexual harassment component, no human resource manager in her right mind hires with the prospects of a lawsuit on the horizon. Therefore, if you are blessed with great looks, use them to your advantage. Dress for the position, in a conservative manner, and let your inner beauty come out, too. Win over the human resource manager with your skills, common sense, and energy.


Women aren't the only ones who have to consider common sense when dressing for an interview. Casual Friday has added a strange twist for men. Their clothing choices used to be so simple, but those days are gone. After decades of dressing on autopilot, men now have to think about what to wear. One of the oddest questions I ever got on the company side of the desk was from a guy coming into our casual environment on a Friday for an interview. He was employed at a very conservative company and interviewing on his lunch break. He called to tell me he had to wear a suit or else his current employer would be onto his interviewing activity. I chuckled and told him I'd be looking for a suit on Friday.


A major issue with casual is it is hard to define. Casual varies from environment to environment. One thing is generally certain: Casual does not mean sloppy. T-shirts are not appropriate. Polos are a little too unstructured for a first interview. For men, casual can be a shirt, tie, and sports coat tucked on the back seat of the car just in case, but I'd never recommend casual for the first interview unless the person conducting the interview has specifically directed you to dress casual. If job is high-level, regardless of the day of the week, the best option is a suit.


Women have always had to choose between a variety of images for the first impression. Women also have had to work harder at relaying their intended message because their roles in the workplace have changed over the decades, and their wardrobes contain more options. There was a time, when women were just entering the boardrooms, that women's clothing needed to make a power statement. Now clothing needs to make a dual, somewhat conflicting statement: power/position and approachability. And it's best to do it without making an issue of sexuality.


The message a woman relays with her clothing is a product of the way she feels in certain clothes and the stereotypes associated with certain clothes.
Each article of clothing, in the eyes of the beholder, has a role attached. In fact, anything you wear will evoke some sort of stereotype from a person who sees you. You will also feel certain ways in certain garments. Feelings play such an important role in dressing that on "bad" days you may have a hard time dressing up for a meeting. Your feelings will persuade you to dress in some sort of sack dress and hide behind a big wall. On up days, you may want to dress so powerfully that you can't help but get all of the powerful energy in a room pulled into you.


Now we'll look at the most common interpretations, or stereotypes, attached to certain clothes. Notice that most items have more than one message and some have quite conflicting messages. We are constantly putting out all sorts of mixed messages and vibrations with our clothing. Some work in our best interest; some cause us havoc. The goal is to feel good, put out good energy, and bring in a good working experience. How these pieces are put together in an ensemble will determine what they say and how you feel. Make sure they are saying what you feel about the job and how you feel you are perfect for the job.

Job Info , Jobs , Employment

10 Effective Employee Benefit Ideas from Google Headquarters

Google’s founders often state that the company is not serious about anything but search. They built a company around the idea that work should be challenging and the challenge should be fun.


To that end, Google’s culture is unlike any in corporate America, and it’s not because of the whimsical lava lamps and large rubber balls, or the fact that one of the company’s chefs used to cook for the Grateful Dead. In the same way Google puts users first when it comes to online services, Google puts employees first when it comes to daily life in its offices.


“The goal is to strip away everything that gets in our employees’ way. We provide a standard package of fringe benefits, but on top of that are first-class dining facilities, gyms, laundry rooms, massage rooms, haircuts, carwashes, dry cleaning, commuting buses – just about anything a hardworking employee might want. Let’s face it: programmers want to program, they don’t want to do their laundry. So we make it easy for them to do both.” Eric Schmidt, CEO Google


Benefits Philosophy: We strive to be innovative and unique in all services we provide both to customers and employees, including our benefits and perks offerings. We realize and celebrate that our employees have diverse needs, and that this diversity requires flexible and individually directed support. Our priority is to offer a customizable program that can be tailored to the specific needs of each individual, whether they enjoy ice climbing in Alaska, want to retire by age 40, or plan to adopt 3 children (Google Jobs).


When you take a close look at these employee benefits Google provides, you will see a common thread that indicates how much Google sees their employees as a close-knit family. The thought, consideration and assistance they offer, with their employees' needs being the focus, is the glue that keeps their workers happy, healthy and financially taken care of.



10 Simple and Effective and Effective Employee Benefits You Can Learn from Google:

Here are some of the benefits, other than the standard good health care and retirement plans, that people who work at Google love. Maybe you can incorporate some of these ideas into your Employee Benefits Package:

1. 529 College Savings Plan. Now, this is an incredible benefit that provides a way for employees to save part of their paychecks for post-secondary education for themselves or their children.

This plan is another offering besides Google's Flex Spending Account and their matching 401(k) Plan options.

2. Maternity Leave. Google offers up to 18 weeks off at about 100% of an employee's regular pay. That's especially generous because many large corporations only give up to four weeks' paid.

Check this out: on top of the fantastic paid leave, new moms and dads are able to have take-out meals covered up to $500 during the first 3 months they are home with the new baby.

3. Parental Leave. This is a special benefit for non-primary caregivers. For example, if your sister wound up in the hospital and needed you to fly out to care for your nieces and nephews, you get up to 7 weeks off, paid at approximately 100%.

4. Employee Referral Program. Google's motto is, "Good people know other good people," and encourages recommendations of candidates for openings. If they hire your referral and remains employed at Google for at least two months, the referrer (you) gets a nice bonus.

5. Back-Up Child Care. If your babysitter doesn't show or your daycare suddenly closed its doors one morning, Google will provide five days of free childcare through Children's Creative Learning Center (CCLC), for ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age.

6. Gift-Matching Program. Let it never be said that Google doesn't contribute to charity and go the extra mile to encourage their employees to get more mileage out of their charitable dollars.

Google matches contribution of up to $3000 per year from eligible employees to non-profit organizations, says the Google site. "Bolstering employees contributions to worthy causes with matching gifts doesn't just mean helping hundreds of organizations, both locally and globally, it's also a tangible expression."

7. Adoption assistance. Google assists their employees by offering financial help in the adoption of a child.

Google will reimburse the adoptive parents up to $5,000 for legal expenses, adoption agencies, or any other professional adoption fees. On top of this, parental leave and take-out benefits also apply here.

8. Financial Planning Classes. Google provides their employees with objective and conflict-free financial education courses that are comprehensive and cover a wide variety of financial topics---free.

In addition to these courses, Google offers EAP, an Employee Assistance Program that provides services for employees and their dependents that include free short-term counseling, legal consultations, child care referrals, and even pet care referrals.

9. Great On-Site Services. Google headquarters in Mountain View, California provides their employees with an on-site oil change, car wash, massage therapy, dry cleaning, hair stylist, gym, fitness classes and bicycle repair.

In addition to these services, gourmet chefs create a wide variety of healthy and delicious---and free---lunches and dinners for Google's employees. Google also offers satisfying snacks in between meals.

10. On-Site Doctor. Also at Google's Mountain View headquarters, employees have the convenience of seeing a doctor for medical attention right on-site.

This perk could save having an employee leave the workplace in order to be seen by a medical professional.

Important Points to Remember when Adding Employee Benefits to your Business:

• Make sure your benefits and rewards match the accomplishments. In other words, a reward does not need to cost a lot of money; what matters is that the benefits is of value to the employee.
• Center your company benefits around your employees' needs.
• Be fair with reward systems. Make sure that whatever benefit or reward system you set up can never be construed into “playing favorites.”
• Don’t let your mood(s) dictate when to offer benefits or rewards to employees for jobs well-done. Employees can detect when an employer is sincere when showing appreciation.
• Never use benefits or rewards as leverage to get what you want. Don’t put a reward in place for everyone and then use it against everyone---for lack of performance by one or two people---by taking it away. Again, be fair to all.
• Learn to incorporate and give rewards to the right employees for the right reasons.

Job Info , Jobs , Employment

7 Things To Evaluate In An Employee Evaluation

Source : A Touch of business.com

Why An Employee Evaluation is Important

Even if you own a small business, performing regular employee evaluations helps to keep employees on track with your goals for the company; reward good work performance, and help to give the employee direction.

Employee evaluations are also important to you, as the business owner, in order to determine if you employ the right people for the roles they play in the company and to use the evaluations in order to call attention to areas that need improvement.

Evaluations offer an excellent opportunity to review stages that employees are at and where and how they can grow to another level.


What Items should be Present in an Employee Evaluation?

While many companies are moving toward self-evaluations and software, the same elements are present as when using the old-fashioned form method:

• Job performance.
• Attitude.
• Ability to listen.
• Readily accepts responsibility(s) and is accountable for actions.
• Commitment/dedication/ownership of his/her job.
• How well the employee interacts with other employees and customers.
• Desire to learn and grow with the business.

1. Employee Evaluation - Track Performance

• Overall employee performance is the culmination of all evaluation criteria. Many supervisors use a scoring system and determine a level or percentage based upon the scoring of the other items in the evaluation.
• For this reason, many business owners have opted to perform a 30-day evaluation and, from then on, perform scheduled evaluations every six months instead of yearly. Many businesses learned that a year was too long to “touch base” with the goals, achievements, and areas that needed improvement with their employees.
• Additionally, performing 6-month evaluations add incentive for promotions and pay increases.

2. Employee Evaluations Determine Employee Attitude

• To many people, attitude is everything.
• An employee who has a positive nature and attitude is an asset to any business, large or small.
• Employees who have a positive outlook will always see a glass half-full; not half empty. These people strive for a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work, not for a sense of preserving ego, but having their own sense of a job well done.
• While having a positive attitude can be taught through examples of others, books, and seminars, those employees who are forward-thinkers and positive thinkers as a part of their personality are great assets to businesses.

3. Employee Evaluations Show an Employee’s Listening Skills

• Hearing is much different from listening. While employees hear what you or supervisors say, have they listened?
• Let’s use the analogy of parenthood. Parents know instinctively if their child has listened to directions---and not only heard the directions, but show he or she has listened by following through with the desired action.
• The same theory applies to employees. While they are not children and should not be treated as such, listening skills are as important as any other aspect of their jobs and tasks.

4. Employee Evaluations Ascertain an Employee’s Level of Responsibility and Accountability

• A responsible employee is an accountable employee.
• This means that there should be no excuses and no finger-pointing if and when confronted as to why certain tasks were poorly performed---or not performed at all.
• Caution should be exercised when determining an employee’s level of responsibility and accountability because, often, the business owner did not explain a process thoroughly or in a way that the employee understood well.
• Additionally, bear in mind that if there is a problem involving tasks and their completion, the finger is most often pointed at the business ownership itself.

5. Employee Evaluations Show How Much an Employee is Committed to His or Her Job

• Tardiness and many sick days is often an indicator that the employee is not committed or dedicated to his or her job. In other words, the employee is “there for a paycheck.”
• Commitment and dedication to one’s job also leads right back to the business ownership and “employee cultivation.”
• Does your business provide job incentives such as regular pay increases, bonuses, paid vacation, health insurance, and a reward system? Often, if a business has benefits that offer growth and tokens of appreciation or “rewards,” employees feel more attached to the business’ personality and benefits package and system.

6. Employee Evaluations Include an Employee’s Level of Social Skills

• An employee who possesses a positive and professional set of social skills creates several advantages for a business.
• If an employee not only works well with other employees, has a team-player spirit, these qualities spill over into having great customer service skills. This not only helps to maintain a smooth-flowing and cooperative work environment, established and new customer relationships can be developed and maintained using even ONE employee’s good social skills.
• Letters of commendation from customers should be filed along with employee records, for instance, and included in an evaluation.

7. An Employee Evaluation can Help Determine the Longevity of an Employee

• The longevity of an employee includes how much the employee is excited about the field of the business.
• If your business does its job by incorporating bonuses, incentives, rewards, and evaluations, employees who love the field itself are most likely to stay and grow with the company.
• In addition, employees who are excited to be working in a field they have a passion for are also seekers of additional knowledge and know-how, can be cultivated for managerial positions and motivate others, and are most easily cross-trained.

Important Points to Remember with Employee Evaluations:

• Develop and write down goals, strategies, and measures for success to compare with those of employees.
• Give consistent ‘credit where credit is due’ and do regular evaluations at smaller intervals of time such as every 6 months as opposed to yearly. This will add to employee performance and employee relations.
• Be fair when assessing evaluations; sometimes the business itself needs fine-tuning in order to gain better employee performance.
• Leave enough time to go over evaluations with employees. Many business owners take their employees to lunch when conducting an employee evaluation in order to “lighten up” the atmosphere.
• Makes sure all assessments have data to support them such as letters of commendation as well as documented dates and times with mishaps of the employee so that an employee can never interpret their evaluations as part of favoritism or used as a personal attack.

Job Info , Jobs , Employment

Making Your Home Office a Success

These days there is an ever-increasing trend of people working from their homes. And it is easy to see why; working at home is cheaper and more convenient than commuting to an office.

However, as can be expected with this thriftiness and convenience, working at home comes with a certain risk: that of distractions and temptations to laze around the house having fun or relaxing.

When it comes to working out of a home office, there are many things that can stand in the way of your productivity. This article will outline a few of them and recommend ways to avoid them and get the most out of the time you spend working at home.


Avoid Distraction at all Cost

The most important thing to avoid while working at home is distraction. This can come in many forms, but will always detract from your working abilities. The most common source of distractions, unsurprisingly, is you.

Since so many at-home jobs these days involve computers, it is easier than ever to spend a few minutes here and there surfing the net or listening to music. But a few minutes here and there can add up to more than expected.

It is important to keep your workplace free of entertaining distractions. For many people this means having two different personal computers: one for work and one for play. This will help you stay focused on the task at hand. You will be amazed at how much more work you get done when you spend the entire day working with no messing around!


Home Office Organization Techniques

Another way to ensure that you get the most out of the time you spend working at home is to make sure that your office is optimally organized. Simply having the most expensive desk, chair, and shelving available is not enough; your home office’s furnishings have to mesh with one another.

In other words, you should consider things like how much space they occupy before purchasing them. Doing so will help you come up with an office layout that is maximally efficient. In these days where people are either tight on money or tight on space, or both, something like the Techni Mobili Computer Desk is a popular choice.


What Room of the House to Use

Another factor that will contribute to the efficiency of the time you spend in your home office is its location. You should make sure the area you have set aside to do at-home work is not used for other purposes, if possible. It does not take any more than a person walking by to distract you from your work and require you to spend extra time refocusing your attention.

As far as time is concerned, every little bit adds up, and, as the saying goes, “time is money.” There are other factors associated with your home office’s location that you should also consider. For example, how much sunlight gets to your office during the time you work?

How many electrical outlets are available to you without using a surge protector? Do you have space to perform all the working actions you need to perform? And finally, do you feel comfortable working in the area you have chosen?


The All-Important Office Desk

The office desk you choose to use is one of the major factors determining how comfortable your working area will be. For this reason, it is important to put a large amount of planning into the purchase of your office desk. Available models vary according to available features, quality of materials used, storage space, etc.


It is important to know your needs before beginning to shop for a desk. For example, you should not buy a desk with four drawers intended to store paper files if your work does not involve keeping any kind of paper records. Office desks can be expensive, and picking one that suits rather than exceeds your needs is a great way to save some money.


Sit on It for a While

Women at a deskPicking the right office chair is another great way to save. It can be tempting to buy the most expensive, comfortable chair on the market, justifying it as a “business expense,” but ultimately you should consider how much time you plan on spending sitting in the chair each day.

If your back can handle sitting at a cheap chair for the few hours per day you spend working at home, you can save serious dollars by purchasing an inexpensive chair or using one you already have around the house. All things considered, the most important thing to consider when planning the layout of your home office is practicality; does your design allow you to complete the work you need to complete in a clutter- and stress-free environment?

If not, try to come up with a plan for reducing the elements involved with your home office that are cutting into your efficiency. And remember, your home office is yours; there is nobody to blame for things not getting done but yourself.

Job Info , Jobs , Employment

Five Common Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make and you Should Avoid

One thing that all entrepreneurs have in common is that they all make mistakes. Unfortunately, time and again we see the same mistakes repeated by many entrepreneurs.
Mistakes.


Entrepreneurs Make #1 – Unclear Goals

Not having clear goals and a clear mission is like trying to drive through a foreign city without a map. he easiest way to avoid making this mistake is to write down your goals and strategies. Too often people can be thrown off course by innocently misinterpreting the goals and strategies. To assume that everyone involved with the business has a clear understanding of its mission can cause many more errors down the road.

In addition to writing down the goals of the business, be sure to write down measurements for success! Set your goals with timelines or milestones in mind and keep focused on meeting those objectives.


Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make #2 – Trying to prove you are Smart

The quickest way to make enemies is to try and prove you are the smartest one out of all the people you work with. Trying to prove you are smart is self-serving and has everything to do with ego; you will end up looking foolish for not listening to the advice of others in business.

No one has all the answers. Where you become smarter is when you realize that there are many other talented people who you can learn from. If you are fortunate enough to be surrounded by such a group of people, learn to be gracious and acknowledge and give credit to them for helping you along the path of building your business successfully.


Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make #3 – Greed

This may sound like a silly question but: are you in business to simply make money? Or, have you become an entrepreneur in order to march to the beat of your own drummer?

Becoming a successful entrepreneur involves the creative efforts on not only your part, but also on the part of others who contribute time and money toward your business. They want to succeed with you and are more likely to stay with you as long as they are valued---by you.

This means that you cannot keep the whole pie to yourself. Just because you might feel that you work harder than others do, does not mean that you are entitled to all the business equity. Think of it this way: with the help of others' contributions of time and money, what might the value of your slice of the pie be worth down the road?


Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make #4 – Hiring the Wrong People

Your business is not being set up as a social gathering and filled with all the people whom you like. Your business needs to be comprised of knowledgeable and talented people who are good at what they do.

Successful entrepreneurs concentrate on hiring the people they need---not just people they like.

Part of writing your goals and strategies includes creating job positions for people to fill. Without a clear-cut job description and list of duties for those areas, how would you know the best people to hire?


Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make #5 – Not Knowing when to Let Go

Many business owners refer to their venture as their “baby” and, in many ways, building a business is just like rearing a child.

As an entrepreneur, you are starting with a seedling of life that you will nourish and grow and the “child” begins to mature. Over time, other people contribute their time, skills, and money into the business and, as the business grows, the relationships change.

Be prepared to hand over responsibilities to others so that you do not suffer from “burn out.”


Important Points to Remember to Avoid Making the 5 Biggest Mistakes:

Coffee Cup Nespaper and cell phone

• * Develop and write down goals, strategies, and measures for success.
• * Give credit to others who are smarter than you.
• * Be fair with sharing the equity in the business.
• * Hire the people you need---not just the people you like.
• * Learn to give responsibility to others at the right time.

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Top 7 Entrepreneurial Traits Needed For Success

Source : A Touch of Business.com


Entrepreneurial Traits: Entrepreneurial Traits - symboloized by a man at his deskSo you think you might be the next Bill Gates but those around you are telling you that you just don't have what it takes?

Well, people have studied entrepreneurs for years, trying to determine what makes them successful at starting a business.

Why are some people more persistent than others? Why are they willing to take risks?

What keeps them from feeling overwhelmed? How can they spot an opportunity that others fail to see? In general, what makes someone a successful entrepreneur?


What Is an Entrepreneur Anyway?

Are you an entrepreneur? How do you know? Well, first you need to understand what an entrepreneur is.

According to most modern dictionaries, an entrepreneur is someone that starts a new business when they see an opportunity at hand – an opportunity with success written all over it.

However, finding such opportunities is not easy and when found, even more difficult to turn into something of worth.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) keeps the stats on business failures and claims that more than half of new businesses will disappear in the first five years.

That is why it is important to determine before you begin if you have what it takes to make it as a business owner.


Top 7 Entrepreneurial Traits Needed For Success

Here are the seven characteristics that researchers find over and over again. If you have these traits, your odds of success are far greater than those that do not.

• Self -Confidence – This means that you trust your abilities. You are willing to face the adversities that are going to happen. You believe you have what it takes to act upon and solve these problems.

• Risk - Taker – This means you trust your hunches, even without a lot of evidence. Keep in mind, however, that success isn't about luck. Once you have the idea, effort and hard work must take place.

• Financial Savvy – You must understand the value of money and have an understanding for how much things cost. Most entrepreneurs learned this skill at a young age by earning their own money through endeavors such as babysitting or mowing lawns. Entrepreneur typing on a computer4. Observant – You know what the next trend is going to be by observing what is going on around you. You will always be looking for new ideas and new ways to make money.

• 5. Competitive – You want to win and you are not afraid of others out there that feel the same way. You know how to stay ahead of others.

• 6. Strong Work Ethic –You are honorable and have a strong work ethic. By making your deals honest, you have an excellent reputation.

• 7. Knows When To Relax – Although you understand the value of hard work, you also know when it is time to step back and enjoy leisurely activities. You realize that burning yourself out is not the way to succeed.

Having these characteristics is not a guarantee that an entrepreneur will be successful. But with these characteristics, an entrepreneur has just the right ingredients for success.

Luckily, the items on the list are learnable. If you want to be an entrepreneur, be honest with yourself and then get to work.

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How did Henry J. Heinz Achieve Such Extraordinary Success?

Source : Source : A Touch of Business.com

HARD WORK. This phrase comes to mind when reading about business leader Henry J. Heinz, whose products' presence on just about every table makes people include him as one of the greatest business leaders in American history.

Henry J. Heinz - Working Since Nine!

Heinz was one of eight children born to German immigrants Heinrich Heinz and Anna Margareta Schmitt.

He was born in Birmingham, Pennsylvania, but the family would later move to Sharpsburg (on the outskirts of Pittsburgh).

Heinz started in 'business' very young. At just six years old, he was already helping his mother look after a backyard garden from which they sold vegetables to neighbors. At age eight, young Heinz would be selling produce already door-to-door!

By the time Heinz reached 17, he was already earning $2,400 annually, a staggering amount during those times.

Laying the Foundation for Heinz

In 1869, Heinz founded his first company - the Heinz Noble & Company with L.C. Noble - to sell horseradish but it was not successful and it ended in bankruptcy in 1875.

Never the one to just give up, Heinz established F & J Heinz with family members and started selling products, one of which was tomato ketchup. In 1888, Heinz bought out his partners and re-organized the firm to the H. J. Heinz Company and it is still the name of the firm to this day.

As a business leader , Heinz was known to be fair in his treatment of employees and was a great supporter of safe and sanitary food practices. In fact, in 1906, he lobbied in favor of the Pure Food and Drug Act. He was also known to be very involved in church activities and did many philanthropic works during his lifetime.

The Henry J. Heinz Quick Bio

• Full name: Henry John Heinz
• Birth date: October 11, 1844 (died May 14, 1919)
• Birth place: Birmingham
• Key success traits: a hard worker to the core, a strategist, never a quitter
• Company: H. J Heinz Company
• Industry: Food & Tobacco

Tidbit:
Heinz' well-known tagline "57 varieties", applied in 1896, actually bears no actual meaning. Heinz just happened to like a shoe store ad he saw while in New York City which said "21 styles" and wanted to copy it. In reality, Heinz was already selling more than 57 types of products at the time the slogan was introduced.

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How to start a t-Shirt business (Part II)

Source : A Touch of Business.com


Standing out in the crowd

Because it's become so easy to start up a t-shirt business in the 'aughts, the competition (especially online) is extremely fierce. So much so that very few people are able to make a full-time living with either t-shirt design or sales.

There are several things a new t-shirt business can do to make success more likely. For instance, it's always a good idea to make a real effort to get hip to what your target demographic really is wearing these days – don't guess.

Furthermore, you're far more likely to make a quick impact by focusing on a very particular market segment. It's not enough to market your t-shirt to “young people.” You'd do better to focus on a very specific niche market such as “young people with motor scooters” or “Irish-American skateboarders.”

You can come up with designs yourself or partner with local artists to share the profits. Even if you don't have any talent with design software or drawing, you can make designs that feature words only.


Marketing for success

Though competitive, many people are able to make a nice side-income from t-shirt business opportunities. Many who do so eventually branch out into other items of apparel. For instance, if you've invested in screen-printing equipment, you can pay the extra for large-format equipment that allows you to make banners and signs.

The only thing holding you back is a marketing effort. All t-shirt business models should include quite a few free-samples and plenty of innovative give-aways to get people to pay attention. Don't be afraid to hit the pavements and get your t-shirts on as many backs as possible. Never be afraid to hand out your cards.

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