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Sunday, September 29, 2013

Maintaining The Various Electronic Gadgets

The use of various electronic gadgets has simplified the way of life of people. There are so many tasks which are performed with the help of various gadgets. This has greatly reduced the manual efforts and incorporated an element of modernization. Various gadgets have found application in different households, industries and factories. The use of various modern devices has made it possible for individuals and establishments to get several benefits. However, it is extremely important for people to ensure that the gadgets they use are at par with certain standards. A gadget which is performing below a standard is not considered to be very suitable.

One very important thing which gadget users should keep in mind is about calibration. There are a number of experts who provide these services. Calibration services are basically the methods of evaluating and adjusting the values of a gadget for its precision and accuracy. Such a thing is done by comparing the gadget with another gadget which has an accurate and unvarying standard. These services are capable of checking, determining and correcting all the gadgets that use quantitative measurements. Many individuals and establishments rely greatly on these services. The method of calibration cannot accept any kind of faulty and shortcut processes. These services include validation, repair, preventive maintenance and electronic asset management.

Many laboratories, hospitals, measuring device manufacturers, aviation and testing industries, engineering institutions and processing plants undergo calibration. In order to ease the process, calibration instruments can be used. The use of these instruments brings a number of benefits. It can greatly benefit the manufacturers and consumers. Manufacturers can greatly increase their level of productivity, get a smooth flow of work and reduces wastage. The consumers will get the advantage of using high quality products. The business organization as a whole tends to become very credible by using these instruments. wastage Their brand becomes popular throughout and is promoted positively. The instruments should definitely be calibrated in these establishments so that the standards are maintained and the progress of the establishment is ensured.
Organizations should make all possible efforts to avail these services from a reliable source. If a reliable and expert service provider is approached for carrying out the process of calibration, the establishments can get several benefits. These service providers use sophisticated instruments for the process. They are capable of giving the accurate results. Proper actions can then be taken by the establishment. These services can be adopted at extremely reasonable costs. There is no need to spend huge sums of money in getting the instruments calibrated. The reliable services would ensure cost effectiveness to the establishments. It proves very profitable for the organization.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Benefits Of Using Height Adjustable Tables

You want to be more productive at work? If you do, then it would be useful if you invested in some good furniture pieces. Why? Well, it's because of the fact that furniture - as unimportant as it may seem - can actually offer workers with enormous benefits.

Now, there are many furniture types that you can use to your advantage. However, if you are looking for durability and affordability combined - you can give industrial furniture pieces a try. Why? Let's discuss.

Productivity and Efficiency Starts With Your Table/Work Surface

Think about this: which particular furniture piece do you spend most of your time on when working? Most probably, your answer would be the table. And this won't really be surprising, as your work surface is where you use your computer, make reports, finish spreadsheets, and do tasks needed for the day.

With these in mind, it can be safely said that if you're planning to get some furniture pieces - it would be best to start with your table first. And so, the next question now is: what type of table should you get? And the answer is: a height adjustable table.

Adjustable height tables are an innovative table design which brings ergonomics and durability at the same time. It offers users with various benefits, ranging from better posture, durability, comfort and many others. Being so, this can be a worthwhile investment that can actually help you become a lot better and even more productive at work.

Height Adjustable Tables and the Benefits They Bring

To make things clearer - here are some of the main features of height adjustable tables - and some of the benefits they bring:

Adjustable Positions - as the name implies, adjustable height tables can be easily adjusted according to the user's needs. People can use it sitting down or standing up, which means people can use it in whatever position they prefer.

For utmost efficiency, it would be best if you used adjustable tables that are made of industrial materials. With this option, you can expect to use your furniture for a longer time (resulting to greater durability and feasibility).

Ergonomics - height adjustable tables have been designed with ergonomics in mind. As such, users will be able to enjoy comfort, convenience and relaxation - all while working at the same time. Of course, the more comfortable you are - the better things will be for you.

Health Benefits - studies have shown that having the right posture will result to health benefits such as reduced back pains, increased blood flow, efficient burning of calories and many other advantages. These are what adjustable height tables bring to the picture.

Another advantage of having the right furniture (especially tables and chairs) is that it will reduce your stress. Remember: stress is one of the silent killers in the world - and if you are able to reduce it significantly, then that's certainly good news.

Affordability - depending on the manufacturer you're getting your adjustable tables from - you can actually buy them at very reasonable prices. Economically speaking, this means you'll be able to have more savings which you can then spend on other essentials later on.

Note: In order to maximize the full benefits of height adjustable tables - you will need to find a reputable seller or manufacturer to order your furniture from. This is essential. And with the right company or people helping you out, you'll be able to get aesthetics, durability and feasibility combined.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Investor Visa Of Eb-5 For Direct Investment



Investor Visa Of Eb-5 For Direct Investment. Enables the investor to apply directly for permanent resident status in exchange for a significant investment into the U.S. The EB-5 program is overseen by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") scrutiny. The standard EB-5 program, or "Stand Alone" investment option is the original investment program. A direct investment takes about 2-3 months longer to process the application, but from a businessman's perspective it is actually a far safer and more profitable option to go with the direct investment option as the chances of losing all or part of the investment is much lower, and the return on investment is a lot higher. Also, it is easier to prove compliance with the USCIS requirements when an investor goes with the direct investment route, especially when the investor goes with franchises of nationally renowned brands.

The requirements for the Stand Alone program are as follows:

1. New Commercial Enterprise. Establishment of a "New Commercial Enterprise (a venture formed after November 29, 1990). The investor himself need not establish the new commercial enterprise; he merely invests the funds into the new commercial enterprise. A "New Commercial Enterprise" can be any of the following:

a. A completely original business;

b. An existing business where the business is simultaneously or subsequently "restructured in such a way that a new commercial enterprise results;

c. Expansion of an existing business by 40% of its then current net worth and number of employees; or

d. A troubled business; an enterprise that has been in existence for at least two years and has incurred a net loss during the 12- or 24-month period prior to the priority date on the immigrant investor's Form I-526. The loss for this period must be at least 20 percent of the troubled business' net worth prior to the loss.

2. Business Structure. The business can take on a variety of legal structures, including sole proprietorship, partnership (whether limited or general), holding company (and subsidiaries), corporation, joint venture, business trust. The business can be publicly traded or privately owned.

3. For Profit Business. The business must be a For Profit enterprise, not a not-for-profit or charitable organization. Note, this definition does not include non-commercial activity such as owning and operating a personal residence.

4. Investment. The minimum qualifying investment for EB-5 is $1 Million. The minimum qualifying investment within a "Targeted Employment Area" or "TEA," is $500,000." Note, the reinvestment of a commercial enterprise's revenues cannot be considered part of a qualifying investment. USCIS requires that the funds be "At Risk" at the time of investment and throughout the 2 year qualifying period when permanent residency status will then be adjudicated; therefore, any redemption, repayment or use of revenue will disqualify the investor for permanent status. Note that any return on investment whether guaranteed or not may not be made to an investor from EB-5 capital investment funds during the period of conditional permanent residence.

5. Escrow. The EB-5 Visa applicant's capital investment must be truly at risk and not simply a loan.
There can be no guarantees on an EB-5 Visa Investment, the investment must be 'at-risk' as per federal guidelines. There can be no mention of redemption rights or guarantees. The entire capital must be at risk and therefore reserve accounts are also not allowed. The investor has to make sure that no distributions are taken from the investor's capital account. Profit distributions can be taken, but not distributions that diminish the investor's capital investment, which would prompt USCIS to conclude that investment was not sustained. Use of escrow agreements for purposes of the initial funding are permissible if the terms of the escrow agreement comports with 8 CFR 204.6(j)(2), which requires that the I-526 petition must be accompanied by evidence that the required amount of capital has been placed at risk. In essence, the escrow typically has a single condition, that the funds are released immediately upon approval of the I-526.

6. Targeted Employment Area. A Targeted Employment Area ("TEA") is an area that, at the time of investment, is a rural area or an area experiencing unemployment of at least 150 percent of the national average rate. A rural area is any area outside a metropolitan statistical area (as designated by the Office of Management and Budget) or outside the boundary of any city or town having a population of 20,000 or more according to the decennial census. The investor's Form I-526 petition must show that the area in which the capital investment has been made qualifies as a "rural" area or an area of "high unemployment as of the date of filing of the Form I-526 petition or the date of the capital investment, whichever occurs first. Moreover, two avenues by which someone can establish an area as a TEA are by providing the statistical documentation directly to USCIS (Economist's Report) or by obtaining a TEA determination from the state in the area in which the investment is going to be made. In every case, the TEA determination is made as part of an I-526 petition adjudication. The two evidential avenues to demonstrate that an area qualifies as a TEA in I-526 petitions is described allows an investor to (1) directly provide evidence of TEA eligibility or (2) seek assistance from the state government in providing the required evidence. Generally, evidence is provided in the form of a letter from a State-designated official that meets the requirements of 8 CFR 204.6(i).

7. Business Participation. The investor must actively participate in the Enterprise. Actively participate means playing more than a purely passive role in the new commercial enterprise. The petitioner must either be involved in the day-to-day managerial control of the commercial enterprise or manage it through policy formulation. If the petitioner is a corporate officer or board member, or, in the case of a limited partnership, is a limited partner under the provisions of the Uniform Limited Partnership Act (ULPA), he or she satisfies the requirement of engaging in the management of the new commercial enterprise.

8. Ownership. Any percentage ownership will do, as long as other requirements are met. This means an EB-5 investor in a direct EB-5 case may have U.S. partners, shareholders, members, etc. There is no set standard for percentage of ownership. For example, the investor can own and operate a U.S. business as a 10% owner, along with a U.S. citizen who owns the remaining 90% interest in the business. Other investors or even another alien investor can have ownership in the business as well. EB-5 investors can pool their investment into the enterprise, as long as the job creation requirements are satisfied. Where multiple investors are involved, voting power should suffice on policy issues should satisfy the standard for involvement in the business.

9. Pooling. Multiple Eb-5 investors can combine their money to invest in an enterprise. All investors must infuse the required amount into an enterprise and create at least 10 jobs. All jobs created by a pooling arrangement will be distributed evenly among investors. For example, if there are 3 investors and only 21 jobs are created, this does not mean that 2 of the investors created 10 jobs each and the third investor only created one job. It means that all three investors created 7 jobs a piece.

10. Job Creation. Every EB-5 investor must create at least 10 jobs as a result of his or her capital investment. A petitioner who acquires a pre-existing business must show that the investment has created, or at least has a reasonable prospect of creating, 10 full-time positions, in addition to those existing before acquisition. The petitioner must, therefore, present evidence concerning the pre- acquisition level of employment. Simply maintaining the pre - acquisition  level of employment is not sufficient, unless the petitioner shows that the pre-existing business qualifies as a "troubled business." The "troubled business" concept relates to the crediting of job creation through the preservation of jobs in an existing business that has incurred substantial net losses. "Full-time job" means employing a qualified employee in a position that requires a minimum of 35 working hours per week. Job-sharing arrangements, where two or more qualifying employees share a full-time position, will also serve as full-time employment if the hourly requirement per week is met. However, job-sharing does not include combinations of part-time positions even if when combined such positions meet the hourly requirement per week. This means you cannot just combine two part-time waitress positions and say you created one full-time position. Note that at I-526 stage, you just have to persuade that the requisite jobs will be created, not already have been created; but of course, at I-829 stage, you have to show that the requisite jobs. Finally, the investor would have to develop the business carefully in a way that remains in accord with the business activity that was approved by USCIS at the I-526 petition stage.

11. The Application. What is the I-526 petition? It is an immigrant petition submitted by Investor to USCIS evidencing that the all requirements of I-526 are met, specifically that 1) the investment fund has been lawfully obtained; 2) Conditions set forth in the business plan have been complied with; and 3) the particular EB-5 project should create the minimum number of jobs required, as well as information about the applicant's income and net worth and documents proving the lawful source requirements. The most challenging aspect of the application is that the prospective investor must provide detailed evidence
that they have already made or are in the process of making an investment in a qualifying U.S. business. Bank statements, asset verification, funds transfers, stock certificates, and other financial transactions must be submitted in order to gain approval. Evidence that the intended business will generate a minimum of 10 full time positions for U.S. citizens is also required. Suitable evidence may include I-9 forms, a detailed business plan, and credible operational projections. The comprehensive business plan must be included and should contain, at a minimum, a description of the business, its products and/or services, its objectives, financial projections, job creation analysis, and marketing plans. Key to the business plan is determining whether the capital investment has been made, that the proposed capital investment project is feasible, and that the requisite number of jobs have or can reasonably be expected to be created at the time of the Form I-829 petition stage. One of the primary reasons investors encounter challenges at the I-829 stage is due to the variances between the business plan that was approved at the I-526 stage and the actual capital investment and job creating activities that are documented in the Form I-829 petition. Deviations from the business plan in an approved Form I-526 petition are material to the adjudication of Form I-829 when the evidence demonstrating compliance with the capital investment and/or job creation requirements is significantly different than what was proposed in the approved Form I-526 petition.

12. Approval Action. Assuming I-526 petition has been approved, Investor and dependent family members need to take either "consular processing" at the American Embassy located in the country of residence, or file I-485 adjustment application for conditional green cards. The choice depends on several factors, and the more one thinks about the pros and cons of each type of procedure, the more complex it becomes.

13. Consulate Interview/Consular Processing. Consular processing is the procedure that Investor and dependents must go through if they wish to obtain a visa at the American Embassy located in the country of their residence. It involves paying Visa Fees and sending Immigrant Visa Applications and supporting documents to the National Visa Center (NVC), a division of Department of State. This procedure is required to ensure that the investor and their family members undergo medical exams, police, security and immigration history checks before the Conditional Permanent Resident Visa is issued. During the interview process the Consulate will address these issues, request that the investor provide a summary of what the nature of their investment is and discuss the information included in the I-526 application.

14. I-485 Processing. If the investor, their spouse and family are already based in the United States, an Adjustment of Status may be applied for by filing form I-485 with the appropriate USCIS office. I-485 adjustment processing is the procedure Investor and dependents have to resort to when there is a very good reason why the consular processing is not the first option. The I-485 may take longer than the consular processing. No interview customarily is required.

15. Source of Funds. This is often a very big hurdle for many potential EB-5 Investors to overcome and prove that the money or funds which are being used for the EB-5 investment have come from a legal and traceable source. The regulations set forth by the USCIS require that the foreign investor verify that the investment assets were gained in a lawful manner. This means that the investor must prove the funds were obtained from a business, salary, investment, property sales, monetary gift,inheritance, loan, proceeds from a sale of real estate or other assets, earnings from stocks or other investments,inheritance, gift and be legally traceable. The documentation to substantiate the source of funds includes tax returns, bank statements, salary statements, business licenses, and court records. Related to, but separate from, the lawful source of funds requirement is the requirement to trace the funds from the individual investor to the new commercial enterprise. In some cases, this is as simple as a wire transfer document from an individuals bank account to the investment enterprise. In other cases involving countries with restrictions on outbound currency transfers, this can be extremely complex, often involving transfers to multiple parties. It is important to note that the investment must come from the individual investor. An investment from a business entity, including a wholly-owned corporate entity, will not qualify.

16. Residence. Upon receipt of the visa from the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in the country the investor resides, the investor has 180 days to enter the United States to establish residency. Proof of establishing residency is done through obtaining a driver's license, social security number, opening a bank account, paying federal or state income taxes or renting/buying a home. The Investor may reside anywhere in the United States. Once residency is established the investor may work overseas if it is required due to the nature of their business or profession, but all permanent residents must remain in the U.S. for more than 6 months each year and unless the USCIS is informed in advance of an extended absence the U.S. government will consider them to have abandoned their permanent resident status. Legal permanent residents are subject to important restrictions when it comes to "Abandonment of residency" rules. Investors are permitted to travel abroad as long the trip is temporary and it is advised that a re-entry permit be obtained before departure. The conditional Green Card allows the visa holder and his or her immediate family to live in the U.S. for up to two years. Before the end of the two-year period, the visa holder must file Form I-829 to have the "conditional permanent resident" status changed to "lawful permanent resident" status. By becoming a lawful permanent resident, the visa holder is allowed to reside in the U.S. indefinitely. Establishing the residence should be done with the understanding that at any time the investor changes residence (address) within the U.S., such information must be reported to USCIS.

17. Green Card Status. Green Card holders are allowed to live, work, and retire permanently anywhere in the U.S. Other benefits of a Green Card, include: (1) Eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship five years after receiving the conditional Green Card; (2) Travel to and work in other countries as long as a residence is maintained in the U.S.; (3) Sponsor relatives for Green Cards applications; (4) apply for federal financial aid for education and pay reduced "in-state" tuition at public universities; and (5) no need to get additional permission from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to work or start a company.

18. Time Period. It generally takes USCIS from two to six months to review a Form I-526 application. If the application is approved, the applicant will receive a conditional Green Card within six to eight months after approval of the I-485 or DS-230 application. These times can varying depending on the applicant's home country and the current backlog with USCIS. All EB-5 cases are adjudicated at the California Service Center. Upon approval of the permanent resident application, the investor receives "conditional permanent resident status". This means that the "green card" that the investor receives is valid for two years. During the 21 to 24 month window after approval, the investor must file an application to remove conditions on residence. As part of this process, the investor must prove that the investment funds have not been withdrawn and that the requisite jobs have been created or will be created within a "reasonable time." "Adjustment of Status" is also known as the filing of the form I-485.

19. Employment. Unless the Applicant has been admitted to the United States with a Non-Immigrant status that grants him/her the authorization to work and this authorization does not expire before the Adjustment of Status is granted, then the applicant must obtain the necessary authorization to work. Authorization for employment typically takes 60-90 days and processing times could be longer if background checks on the applicant are required. Employment without authorization at any time in the U.S. is a violation of immigration status and may jeopardize the right to adjust status.

20. Filing Fee: $1,500

Monday, September 23, 2013

Low Cost Franchise Opportunities From $ 10000?

It's an established fact that you don't need a lot of money to set up your own franchise. Today, there are several low cost franchise opportunities wherein you can invest your little cash and make reasonable profits. Here, you would find some help as you research various industries you can find a good deal.

Finding Your Own Business Franchises

Of course, it's good to start a business that is small to manage so that you can avoid the bureaucracy that is typical of established and popular franchises. You would have more freedom with respect to marketing; it would also be possible to tailor the business franchise to suit your specific location.

 Most low cost franchise opportunities require $10,000 to $50,000. Your research for a franchise deal should start online. You would find websites where there are lists of credible franchisors in the USA. In most cases, the lists would include companies that are already screened and certified as credible and profitable in their business operations. The reviews on franchise deals would help you to choose an affordable one that suits your preferences in terms of personal budget and passion.

 Profitable Low Cost Franchise Opportunities

At this juncture, it is worth stating that browsing through websites for available cheap franchises may not be enough. The first step to your success when you are planning to invest your little capital is to carry out an industrial analysis with respect to the current trends in the marketplace. This is the prime factor that would affect the bottom line of your business pursuit. Have it in mind that it usually takes much time to be able to identify and understand the implications of market trends in any industry under consideration, most especially if you are not working in such a sector.

Nevertheless, this is not to state that you have to spend time writing an industry analysis report. Searching through the Internet, you would find out that experts already have helpful details on market trends in various niches/fields. So, based on expert findings, here are some of the most profitable industries where you can find low cost franchise opportunities:

    Children's Franchises

    Education Franchises
    Senior Care Franchises
    Cleaning Franchises
    Food Franchises
    Fitness & Beauty Franchises
    Computer & Internet Franchises
    Home Services Franchises
    Healthcare Franchises
    Hotel & Travel Franchises
    Photography Franchises
    Retail Franchises
    Women's Franchises

There are proven results that you can make good profits in the above industries because there is a significant market demand for products and services that most companies offer. Once you find a good deal that that best matches your budget and interests, go ahead and fill in the request form of the company in order to receive free information on the way you can set up your own business.

Important Facts to Know

You can't just start a business without having some background information on it. Depending on the kind of franchise you want to buy, you need to find answers to some questions on any offer you may find.

Is there any hidden cost?

Is there any capped rent?

Are there any upgrade costs?

Does it involve any support for franchisees?

Is there any unpaid loan on the business?

If every aspect of the business is alright for you, you can take an advantage of the cheap deal. Make sure you understand the terms of the franchise deal before you sign up the contract.

Examples of $10,000 - $25,000 Franchise Brands

Healthier 4U Vending: it's a premier delivery system that provides healthy diets for people on the go. With $25,000 start-up capital, the brand lets you become an independent operator, and there are different investment levels within the franchise.

Prime National Credit Repair: with $20,000 start-up capital, you can profit from the large market demand on credit repair.

U-Turn Vending: it's a bulk candy machine for those who are interested in the vending business. Only $9,995 is required to obtain the franchise.

Dryer Vent Wizard: this is often employed in the inspection and cleaning of clothing dryers in homes as well as workplaces. $25,000 is required to start the business.

The foregoing examples are meant to serve as an eye opener as regard the unlimited possibilities you can find today as far as low cost franchise opportunities are concerned.

As noted earlier on, the need for proper understanding of the low cost franchise opportunities you find is very important before you invest your money in any of them. Indeed, a low cost business is quite easy to manage and grow.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Ethical Standards In A Turbulent Economy


During tough times ethical programs matter the most to organizations and employees. A strong grounding in ethical values help provide consistency to continue meeting organizational goals. Despite the obvious fact that implementation of ethical practices maintains a positive image on a company, employees have been seen to become highly unethical during an economic crisis. Organizations have observed and concluded that an increase in unethical employee behavior during economic downturn seems inevitable.

A turbulent economy forces employers to trim budgets with staff and maximize output with minimum resources. Employees experience stress during an economic downturn. This stress is due to reduced disposable income, fear of losing jobs, falling assets prices and hysteresis. This form of economy generated stress can lead to an increase in counterproductive behavior at work. As financial pressure increases due to unemployment so does the risk of unethical behavior in employees who might otherwise had never considered in engaging in illicit act of work. As unemployment rises and job losses continue, some employees end up fearing for their jobs and have greater psychological need for financial security. In some circumstances employers are forced to freeze salaries and reduce benefits. Given the above circumstances it is reasonable to conclude that on average the need for employees to engage in workplace deviance increase dramatically.
 
Most companies are forced to cut down on staff when times are hard, and that can include loss control and security officers. The loss of these prevention officers make it conducive for employees to engage in economic crimes such as corruption, bribery or even stealing. It is very unfortunate that as companies make a decision on cutting on ethical programs, they make it very susceptible to unethical practices. In times of crisis, success and survival is driven by a firms ability to use its assets in new and inventive ways. Ethics is about goodwill and reputation of both individual and institutions. Importance of such intangible assets should be emphasized to keep the business flourishing when everything else is down.

Ethical behavior does bring significant benefits to a business such as attraction of customers, skilled employees and investors. Thus it becomes very crucial that during an economic downturn, management should show that they value ethics as much as the bottom line. Frequency reference to code of conduct should be emphasized and compliance programs should be implemented. All employees should embrace corporate ethics and integrity. The implementation of ethics in a turbulent environment is a daunting task but neglecting ethical practices during tough times is business suicide.
 

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

5 Avoid Business Start-Up Mistakes

People are starting their own businesses. Whether from necessity, because they have just lost their job, or choice, to gain more income, start-ups are on the increase. However, statistics show that the majority of start-ups won't last 5 years. There are many reasons for this failure rate, but here are 5 reasons for failure that you can avoid:

Don't assume everyone wants or needs your product/service

Small business owners are often in love with their product or service. They can't see why everyone else isn't thrilled by their idea also. Look at the big picture: realize that what you offer is not for everyone. Don't waste time trying to sell ice to Eskimos. Instead, define your specific target market from the beginning, and sell only to them. The key is to focus on and target only those people that would want or need your solution to their problem. This avoids wasting money on advertising and marketing to people that are not really interested in your product

Don't use shotgun marketing

'Shotgun marketing" means putting a lot of stuff on the market, hoping that some of it will resonate with your customer and they will buy. The same idea is expressed as 'throwing stuff against a wall and seeing what sticks.' This is wasteful and inefficient, and may turn away potential customers.

Make a marketing business plan and stick to it. Know your customer, like stated in the paragraph above. Know what products they will need and use. Promote only those items. Instead of a shotgun approach, think of this as a high-powered rife with a scope.

Change your marketing business plan only when necessary, not at every whim or new idea that comes along. If something doesn't seem to work, try another approach, but don't stray too far from your core business. As an extreme example, if you are selling dog training tools, you could sell other dog products, but don't sell gardening products to the same market.

Don't be "penny wise and pound foolish"

You have to have some discipline in your spending. Money will disappear fast in any business. Keep a tight rein on expenses; know the return for what you spend, and prioritize accordingly. Don't buy the 'latest and greatest' gizmo just because it makes you look cool. But, on the other hand, don't refuse to spend any money to build your business. You need to invest money to grow money. Find a middle ground. Others can help by giving their opinions on whether something is worth spending on or not.

Don't devalue people

People drive your business, not contracts. Business is based on relationships, and the relationships lead to contracts and business. A good relationship can lead to good referrals and more business. But sometimes things go wrong in a business, and then you need to decide whether to follow the contract, or be flexible in order to save a business relationship.

Sometimes, for legitimate reasons, a contract won't be honored or fulfilled. While a contract is good and necessary, the relationship you have with your business partner is what is most valuable. You need to evaluate on a case-by-case basis what to do in each situation.

Don't be a late adopter of technology

Technology evolves and changes every day. Your customers keep up with the technology, and will notice if you don't. But, don't be a first-adopter; this can get you burned in the marketplace if you choose the wrong technology. Wait on the technology until it matures, prices go down and the early bugs are worked out before you adopt it. Examples of today's new technology are social media marketing, web 2.0 products, mobile apps and QR codes.

There are many minefields on the path to small business success, and that path is littered with the wrecks of promising start-ups. But by being aware of, and avoiding these start-up mistakes, you can increase the chances of your business succeeding and growing like you expect it to. 

Sunday, September 15, 2013

5 Ways To Fund Living Overseas High Lifestyle

The cost of living continues to increase. It is sometimes manageable, but not everyone with a mortgage can afford living from paycheck to paycheck. It may be more affordable to live across the pond and require less money than you think. We all worry about how we are going to pay for all of our expenses wherever our lives take us, and we all need a little extra to pamper ourselves once in a while. Leaving our comfort zone to find another job is something we all dread, but there are multiple opportunities made available for our disposal; it is up to us to find them. Here we will share five ways to fund an easy lifestyle while overseas.

First establish what it is that needs to be shipped by searching for the best international shipping rates.

There are affordable rates offered to travelers worldwide, it is just a matter of finding the right price and proper care for your belongings. There are shipping companies that provide door to door shipping service, all you will need to do is book their service and they will pick up your luggage for you and send it to your destination undamaged. They can provide anyone with heavy packaging a low cost shipping method, with quality assurance.

According to Going Global, a business committed to informing working class travelers about international employment, listed the most affordable places to live overseas were: Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, Costa Rica and Belize. Spending less is something that most American citizens want to be in the habit of and in another country it is possible. Things that are cheap for the traveler may be expensive for people living in the Philippines. As long as you have the sense to conserve and plan ahead, anyone can be able to make their money stretch in a new location.

What can I do to make a living in another country? It is important to be creative while venturing off in a new country. Think about some of the things you are good at that most people can relate to and make yourself available to those sources of employment. Roll up your sleeves and hustle while enjoying the fruits of your new community. Here is a list of some platforms for any traveler looking for a means of work.

Travel Writing and Photography

The Internet is making it easier than ever to share your story via photos and the written word, and people want to hear about it. Organizations like International Living are always in demand for traveling and foreign lifestyle articles. Some may even offer to cover traveling expenses. You do not have to be a professional photographer or writer to get your story across in a million words and crafty pictures. Sometimes a simple photo and a short article is something people enjoy most.

Teach your native language

As long as you have a degree, a certificate, or even experience working in education there will be opportunities to explore in universities, small schools or tutoring facilities. Native speaker teachers are always preferred as teachers in another country.

Sell goods online

Interesting and new products are always on demand, especially items that are not made available to people in the U.S. You could meet with the owner of the product and propose to set up a website or sell their products on eBay. Keep a portion of the profit and build revenue for the client. After all, money does make the world go round.

Work as a bartender or server

There is always a need for bartenders and waiters in busy towns and cities looking for English speakers, especially in popular touristy communities. It does not hurt to ask your hostel manager for some help about restaurants or pubs looking for new employees.

Develop your own tours for American tourists

Most travelers want to be able to understand their tour guide while out discovering the new foreign city. Being able to share with them your story about the town and its perks make for pleasant work and you get to make some new friends with every tour .

The opportunities are endless overseas. Don't sell yourself short for working for a grumpy old boss that always forgets to pay you on time in America. Work for yourself and start a new business in Costa Rica, teach English to kids in the Philippines, or give tours to tourists in Thailand. Anything you can think of has a demand for it, your new career in another country today.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Disaster And Incident Command System

Disaster system and structure works and quick respond.There is a disaster in waiting every moment, so it is of utmost importance to have a system in place that would tackle the challenges faced during any such emergency and provide the required help to the people in need.

This system needs to be available in all the departments of a particular business, practice and residential or commercial structures to make them foolproof from any emergency that can occur at any given time. Also, this system must have all the required equipments and people to pull off a rescue operation with high success percentage.

One such system which is followed in the US is called the Incident Command Structure or System (ICS). The ICS is particularly defined as a method that takes care of the 3C's (control, coordination and command) during an emergency. It could be better explained in a better way as a structure containing predefined rules, a certain number of experts, a fully equipped facility and processes which are used all together to cater response to emergencies of any complexity and type.

The Incident Command System is a well tested and trusted form of managing and reducing the damage caused by an uncalled for emergency. This method of limiting damage has been successfully used by many government and non-government structures, including hospitals and military. The system has also proved its worth in a lot of businesses as well. The major role of ICS is to significantly narrow down the damage caused to property and people during a case of an emergency as well as non-emergency disaster.

The ICS looks majorly into the planning, command, logistics, administration and operations during any particular emergency. Every part of the system is handled by an expert personnel, who takes care of the proper working of his respective are of interest. First of all there is the Planning Section Chief who collects all the required information from every other department and thus constructs a plan of action. Then, there is the incident commander who directs every person and every action. The logistic Chief caters to providing relief material at the facility in question.
The administration Chief looks into the finances during any emergency operation. While the Operation's Chief handles the staff and the residents of the facility in need of emergency help. Apart from these people, there are several others as well who get the operation rolling and inform the media and outside world about the happenings.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Effective Reasons Transformation Programs

A 2011 study was published by the UK government that showed 1,471 programs that averaged $167m in budget, with an average overspend of 27%. Therefore over $65 billion was committed to programs that had hit significant problems. The worst part was, one in six overspent by over 200% and went over time by 70%.
So what were the clear lessons from such a series of debacles, how can we identify the risks and then minimise their impact?

1. Methodology

How many times have you seen program or project specifications that require skills in lean, Six Sigma, Agile or another form of business school approach? The trouble is, these are not one size fits all solutions, despite their supporters.

In fact, the larger the program, the less likely they are to succeed. Why? Because the layers within such a program require an inherent form of elasticity in their management. It's not all about cost.

2. Complexity

The larger the program, the more the number of stakeholders, participants and suppliers. The more the systems employed by such parties, the more the communication becomes difficult.

Programs affect other people, processes and systems whilst creating their own. The impact of these new approaches can result in collateral effect. Another side of the issue is that large programs take time, people have careers to progress and it's not always possible to lock the same people in to deliver the end as the beginning.

3. Technology

Many programs are about upgrading technology whether it's machinery, information technology or information systems. Many companies still maintain old software because they know how it works and that the bugs have generally been worked out.

Building new systems requires a hitherto untested level of interoperability and whilst everyone is concerned about security, that can be threatened through server downtime whilst data is migrated, servers are upgraded, for example.

4. Governance

Embedding robust governance is believed to be the cornerstone of any successful program and, whilst it is certainly effective, changes or refinements can exacerbate the struggles that the program may be facing.

5. Quality Assurance

The standards achieved by a program are difficult to estimate accurately at the beginning, despite best wishes. This is not an excuse to let standards slide, more that an acknowledgement of the potential inaccuracy of the requirements aids the planning process.

6. Time

As programs progress, conditions can change, whether it's the market, technology or the other areas of the business. Clinging on to a failed program, come what may, or prolonging its life beyond a prudent business decision can sometimes be merely a matter of pride or ignorance.

7. The Budget

Although funds are allocated, they are often based on estimates, no matter how scientifically reached. These can be affected by a number of factors outside the control of the program and, as time goes by, it is likely that these factors will increase in number. For example, international supply chain restructures can always struggle in times of changing exchange rates over a protracted period.

What can you do?

Despite numerous books and treatises on successful management, flexibility is not a promoted approach. It veers away from the certainty that decision makers can crave, it flies in the face of the claims of many leaders and yet it is the single greatest tool anyone can bring to a planning process.

Secondly, it is vital to approach the programs in stages. Planning for discrete stages with quantifiable benefits and agreed gateways will assist in embedding a culture of commitment and also a tool to monitor the genuine benefits.

It's never easy, but planning with flexibility and approaching such challenges in a staged process is key to reducing some of the all too present risks in running large programs.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Construction Safety Is A Big Deal

Construction on its own is somewhat of an inherently dangerous trade. Construction workers are in environments with lots of people and equipment, and the chances of injury are higher on a construction site than those at the average cubicle- filled office.

How can construction workers have a safer work environment? There are several factors, and one of the most important is worker education. There are quite a few rules and regulations associated with construction sites, and making sure workers are educated about safety is crucially important to preventing injuries.

Although there are many types of construction, one method that is growing increasing popular is modular construction. Often celebrated for its ability to be built quickly and for its green benefits, modular is a great alternative to traditional building methods. 

On a traditional building project the materials are brought to the construction site and then used for the actual building. This leads to lots of excess waste, as well as being incredibly intrusive to the job site. These materials often take up a lot of space and are used by a multitude of contractors and subcontractors. This process leads to lots of coming and going, as well as moving materials around.

Modular construction is quite different in that instead of bringing all those materials to the site and working on them there, components are built in an off-site factory. This means that all the heavy lifting and hard work is done in the factory, which translates to no mess or dust at the job site.

Recent studies have also shown that modular construction is safer than traditional means. One study found that modular construction companies have a much higher adoption of safety practices.

After all the modular components are completed at the factory, they are shipped to the build site. Instead of having painters, electricians, framers and other specialized laborers, an installation team can have the project done in record time. Studies have shown that modular construction is completed about 40% - 60% faster than traditional construction methods. Most modularity built projects are completed in days, not months.

In conclusion, construction safety is very important. Many companies are seeing a direct connection between modular construction and safety. It's no accident that modular companies are safer and produce a high quality product.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Designing For Data Quality Technique

The quality of data across and in your enterprise systems.

Most, if not all, data quality problems are caused by human error.

Approximately 80% of errors are simple data capture errors - users entering the wrong information - with the balance largely arising through poor data integration.

Over the last fifteen years I have delivered multiple data quality audits and assessments, in different environments and, based on my experience, suggest that a few simple design choices can have a dramatic impact on your ability to manage information quality at an holistic level.

1. Plan to capture the User and Date that information was captured, or modified.

Data profiling and discovery tools uncover interesting patterns of behavior in your systems. If this behavior can be linked to specifics users, groups, or time periods then it can be managed.

For example, we may identify that x% of our information has an incorrect link between supplier and product code. We can now go ahead and fix the problem but we have no real insight as to when, or why, it occurred. Data governance, and root cause analysis, require context for our information.

Date of Capture information gives you important context.

Is this an old problem that has subsequently been resolved?

System validation may have improved but we have been left with a legacy of erroneous, poor quality records.

Or maybe the errors can be tied back to a historical event. Do these records link back to the migration of information

from the previous ERP platform into the current one?

Maybe the errors have started recently - have there been any recent system changes that may have allowed users to capture faulty records?

 Similarly, User information gives you context

Can you track patterns of behavior to specific users or teams?

Users will develop certain patterns of behavior, or work around, in order to bypass system restrictions where these are considered to be onerous, or where they do not allow the task to be performed.

For example, a system may require a Client Account ID to be captured before allowing a call to be completed. If the client does not know, or will not share, this information the call center agent, under pressure to complete the call timorously, may capture another Client's ID instead.

Patterns in behavior by specific users, or groups of users, are a key indicator of a broken business process.

Further investigation will need to be done by the data stewards.

Maybe the problem can be tied back to overly ambitious system validations?

Do the users need training or additional support? In many cases, these errors can be solved by education.

Do your user's KPIs need adjustment? Many data quality errors are caused because users are measured on volume of data captured rather than on quality of data captured.

Quite possibly there will be a combination of some or all of these factors.

Designing with data quality in mind means giving context to errors! You may want to add additional information to your systems.

2. Use a "soft" delete / merge

Another issue we may uncover in your information is that of so-called "orphan records" - records that have lost their partner.

Two simple examples - a delivery note that does not have a delivery address, or an order that does not have a customer.

In some cases, these records are simply captured incorrectly - the user accidentally types in a non-existent customer number.

In this case, you can do root cause analysis as per point 1.

However, in many cases this issue is caused by one of the records being deleted after the event. Your user linked the order to an existing customer and, later, another user deleted the customer record.

Deletion and merging are important tools for managing data integrity. If you want to reduce faulty or duplicate records you must give users the tools to sort out these issues.

A deletion is used when a record is no longer relevant. There can be a number of good business reasons to delete a record
- for example, a legal requirement to cease doing business with a particular client. A so-called soft delete provides you with a means to treat the record as deleted, without losing any information.

A soft delete means that, instead of physically removing the record from the underlying database, the record is marked as deleted. This means that users will not be able to access or use that record, but that it will still be available for audit purposes.

A merge is used when you identify that two or more records exist for the same entity. This is an extremely common problem, most efficiently picked up through the use of automated data cleansing and matching tools.

For example, the supplier records for "Mr J Bloggs, CDO at Widgets Co" and "Joseph P. Bloggs, Chief Data Officer, Widgets Company Inc." represent the same supplier.

In order to clean up our system we need to merge these records to create a single, unified supplier records.

A soft merge would link both records via a common key, allowing us to maintain the integrity of all linking transactions, before soft deleting all but one of the set.

Your system should be designed to facilitate soft deletes and soft merges.

Plan to allow the addition of linking keys to group similar or related records, as well as for the use of a soft delete.

When used in combination with a data quality metric program these simple tips provide a solid foundation to solve most data quality issues.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Four Types Of Change Management Jobs

You are considering a change management job but aren't sure where to start, or even sure if the field is right for you? Look no further; all your doubts will be assuaged in this nifty article. We'll be looking at the various types of job you will encounter and what to expect from each different type of position. By the end of this article readers should aim to walk away with a clearer picture of what they could expect in the different Change Management Jobs out there.

The Hard Jobs

As they say it's better to start with the worst first, so we thought we'd get the worst out of the way and dispel the myth that all jobs in the change management field are absolutely wonderful and a walk in the park. There a great deal of jobs in this field that are, hard. They will be testing, both mentally and physically due to the long hours and the internal conflicts you'll be expected to deal with and conquer on a daily basis. However, these jobs generally yield the best reward - to the victor goes the spoils. Bear this in mind when applying for Change Management Jobs.

The Easy Jobs

Now that we've got the bad news out of the way, it's time to move on to the good news. There are going to be easy jobs out there, jobs which don't tax you mentally and have flexible hours to suit you and your working life. Just because you're working in change management it doesn't mean you're expected to be some kind of superman devoted to changing the world. These jobs however, generally, won't yield as big a pay packet as some of the more taxing positions which is to be expected. Consider these Change Management Jobs if they appeal to your ambition.

The Boring Jobs

Which brings us on to door number 3, the boring jobs. As well as many change management jobs being hard or easy, a number of them can be classified as boring or fun as well. These labels might seem trivial, but there's no need to over complicate things with terms that nobody understands or can relate to! The boring jobs are exactly that, they are incredibly taxing and include repetition of menial tasks over and over again to get the job done. If you're not a logical and analytical person by nature, these Change Management Jobs would not be a good fit for you.

The Fun Jobs

Ultimately if you're looking to work in a position that you enjoy doing work that you love, you'll want to search for one of the jobs categorized as 'fun'. These positions are perfect for those who enjoy spending time with people and investing time in their fellow man. The fun jobs are few and far between, but when you do find one the wait is certainly worth it.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Starting New Job For A New Career

Ready to make a huge change that will get you a big payback? Have you always had a dream, but never thought it possible? If you are not in the profession of your dreams, stop wasting time and start searching for a new career today! Life is too short to spend time in a business that you do not love, and there are so many opportunities out there for a great new job. There are no excuses for staying in a job you hate, when you can be in a new career now!

Where can you find this dream job? There is the tried-and-true method of searching newspaper advertisements for job listings, and some great jobs can come from that resource. Some may suggest cold-calling businesses to ask if they are hiring, but that method is generally considered old-fashioned and is not generally advised by hiring professionals. Cold-calling a business can make you seem unacknowledged of the market industry, especially as most businesses that are hiring will place an advertisement for the position. Some people have had success with this method, though, so it is good to remember that it is always an option.

Business professionals generally suggest using online methods of finding a job, scouring job boards and using job search engines to find a new career.
Companies are finding it to be more fiscally responsible to place advertisements online on job boards designed to filter traffic to the job board, giving companies a huge return for their money by making their open job position viewable by many. For this reason, many companies use online job boards, so the job positions listed on boards are extensive.

Job search engines allow you, as the consumer, to enter specific search words in order to find a job in a specific market, pay rate, or location. Websites that use job search engines usually have extensive job listings available in a larger physical area. This is a great option, especially if you are willing to travel for a job, or even move to a different city.

Finding a website that combines both a job search engine and job boards is an excellent resource to landing your new career. With the combination of the two, more positions are able to be seen on the same website, and you can apply for jobs twice as fast as using one option alone.

By using online job boards and job searches, you can be in a new career fast. Do not give up on chasing your dreams - find a way to make your dreams come true with a new job today. With a little effort, you can start your new job in your dream field and make a difference in someone Else's life and in the world. It is never too late to start the search, no matter how old you are or what financial position you are in at the moment. With a new job, and renewed passion.