With the end of 'a job for life', the ticking of the demographic 'time bomb', and the ever-increasing pace of new technology, employers are having to consider a wide range of new working patterns that take account of this rapidly changing work climate.So what is the government's position on these new ways of working; and what are the benefits and potential pitfalls for employers to avoid?What is the government doing?The government is well aware...more
If you own your own independent business, there are two organizations that hopefully your are already aware of. They are doing great work promoting small, locally owned independents by promoting community and government involvement. It takes all of us, working together, to improve our communities and the local business environment.The National Federation of Independent Businesses helps individual business owners with planning, taxes, and...more
Starting a home business is a big undertaking. There are key elements to properly set up a home business. If anything is forgotten or left out it could make starting the business difficult or impossible. The following are key elements that every home business owners needs to have in place before actually starting their business.The Computer SystemEvery home business owner knows they need a computer. Most home businesses operate the majority of the time on the internet, so a computer is essential. The computer should be as up to date as possible with at least word processing and database programs. Virus protection is also recommended to keep the computer safe and to prevent possible problems. Having a printer is also a good idea so important papers and documents can be printed easily. A scanner may also be appropriate in some cases. All hardware and software should be the latest versions the business owner can afford.Internet ServiceAs mentioned, most home businesses operate online, so an internet connection is important. For ultimate speed and reliability a high speed connection is the best choice. High speed connections allow large amounts of data to be uploaded and downloaded...more
Well, we're all reeling from our utility bills. So, what can be done to cut energy costs?Obviously, the best way to cut your utility bill is to go with a non-utility company source of energy. Solar power can be used to warm your house, while geothermal can be used to cool and heat the home. While these are great choices, there are a few simple...more
Correctly Pricing A Business Is Important If You Really Want To Sell It!As a consultant I talk to many business owners, brokers, and agents on a daily basis about valuing businesses. It always amazes me on how some of these individuals come up with the values on small businesses being sold. No wonder only 30% of all businesses sell! In many...more
Let me first say that I do not now engage in technical analysis; nor, have I ever engaged in technical analysis. I do not believe doing so would be a productive use of my time.Having said that, I do not claim technical analysis has no predictive value. In fact, I suspect it does have some predictive value. The Efficient Market Hypothesis is flawed. It is based upon the (unwritten) premise that data determines market prices. As Graham so clearly put it in "Security Analysis":"Â…the influence of what we call analytical factors over the market price is both partial and indirect - partial, because it frequently competes with purely speculative factors which influence the price in the opposite direction; and indirect, because it acts through the intermediary of people's sentiments and decisions. In other words, the market is not a weighing machine, on which the value of each issue is recorded by an exact and impersonal mechanism, in accordance with its specific qualities. Rather should we say that the market is a voting machine, whereon countless individuals register choices which are the product partly of reason and partly of emotion."I've seen a lot of people cite this quote, without...more
In the hands of the right consumer, a credit card can be a very useful tool. Unfortunately, the "right" consumer is rare. The concept of buying on credit, while convenient, actually serves only to line the pockets of financial gurus with millions of...more
Commercial Real Estate refers to the property that has potential to generate extra income for the owner of real estate. Commercial real estate generally includes office buildings, retail properties, apartment units, condos and raw land. Every...more
We all love to make money but after a while when you get too much product built up, you can start losing money. Why would we do that?What happens is we get in a mindset on the value we feel our items are worth, rather than what we can get for them....more
You see them in every strip mall east and west of the Mississippi: Cash Advance, Cash-N-Go, Check Into Cash, Urgent Money Service, and the list continues. What exactly are these businesses that seem to offer you money right when you need them? They...more
Candidates' experience and credentials, as detailed in the resume, are most often the frequently used criteria for determining which job applicants are deserving of a personal interview. Ultimately, though, the hiring decision is going to be...more
Zero down doesn't really mean no down payment. Most sellers need something as a down payment if they are providing financing. Most banks won't do 100% financing on real estate that is purchased as an investment. Zero down just means that the down...more