I'm in the process of moving from one computer to another, and one of the things I really miss so far is a good keystroke macro program.That's a program, a communication technology, that allows you to trigger long strings of text, including names and email addresses, with just a couple of keystrokes. For example, I often have to write out the name of my book, A Manager's Guide to Newsletters: Communicating for Results. With a macro, I simply type...more
Here are our Top 10 most important things to consider when shopping for a Home Loan, Equity Line of Credit, or Refinance, courtesy of LoanResources.Net: Down-Payment Fixed Versus Adjustable Rate APR Loan Types Loan Amount Qualification, Income Loan Amount Qualification, Expenses Employment and Credit History Points Sub-Prime Loans Short-Forms1. Down-Payment - As a general rule of thumb, lenders will be seeking contribution from you of around 3%...more
As a manager, does your current business, non-profit or association public relations effort concern itself primarily with radio and newspaper publicity? Or does it concentrate on a specialty area like financial communications or trade relations? Or, possibly, it deals each day with sales support or government affairs? Actually, maybe your PR effort should concentrate on delivering what you really need? For example, PR that really does something positive about the behaviors of those outside audiences that most affect your organization? PR that uses its fundamental premise to deliver external stakeholder behavior change - the kind that leads directly to achieving your managerial objectives? And PR that persuades those important outside folks to your way of thinking, then moves them to take actions that help your department, division or subsidiary succeed? What fundamental PR premise are we suggesting as your new action blueprint? People act on their own perception of the facts before them, which leads to predictable behaviors about which something can be done. When we create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-desired-action the very...more
It seems like a good idea, harmless in fact. Your friends assure you that everybody does it and that employers rarely check resume facts. Going on blind faith and convinced the truth hasn't been helpful so far, you seriously consider fabricating information on your resume. You adapt the school of thought that a little white lie never hurt anyone...more
In today's competitive world of retail, many stores are implementing external marketing programs designed to attract new business. Unfortunately, the cost can be very high with little return on investment. What is often lost in the mix is the fact that it can be much more cost effective to have a loyal customer base that returns again and again...more
Many people are starting an online business without a thought about the danger this may pose to their personal assets. The type of protection you need depends upon the nature of your business and the amount of your personal assets. If you have no personal assets, you probably don't need much protection. They say "you can't get blood from a turnip". Hey, if someone wants to take over your credit card debt, they are welcome to it! But if you do have investments, or own a home, and someone sues your business, they could take your personal assets. If you do not incorporate your business, by default it is a "sole proprietorship". This means your business is YOU and your assets are at risk. If your product is something like greeting cards, then you are not extremely vulnerable to a lawsuit. You would think it would be difficult for someone to be harmed by a greeting card, but someone might interpret the prose on the card as personal character defamation, or they might get a paper cut from the card. Remember a few years ago when a lady sued McDonalds after she burned herself by placing a cup of hot coffee between her legs? If your product is a food item or a physical object, you could be...more
Reach into your wallet or purse, pull out a card, swipe, and you're done. It is very easy to use a credit card. The problem lies in choosing a card - and it has nothing to do with the picture on the front! Choosing a credit card that works best for...more
You are swimming in debt. You have 4 credit cards maxed out, a car loan, a consumer loan, and a house payment. Simply making the minimum payments is causing your distress and certainly not getting you out of debt. What should you do?Some people feel...more
It happens to the majority of us, credit card debt accumulates and before we quite realize it, we are carrying a debt load that is far beyond our means. When this happens, we need to take immediate positive steps to knock down the debt as quickly as...more
Just when most people finish with school and can stop worrying about test scores, there's a new kind of scoring that enters the picture. It's called credit scoring. And, its impact on your financial future can mean more to you than a college degree....more
In part 1, we covered the basics about credit scoring - what it is and how it is calculated. It's time to address the critical question ... What happens if you are denied credit or don't get the terms you want?The Equal Credit Opportunity Act...more
In virtually any business first impressions are lasting impressions. Most people have heard this statement for years, and yet some people completely ignore the first impression they are conveying to potential customers or clients. Regardless of the...more