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Use these New Years Organizing tips whether you have a file ’system’ - or not!
If your business end-year falls in June, just use these same tips in July.
In January set up a Tax Box to hold all your 2005 tax documentation. Set up an archive box (for a lot) or a file tray (for a little) marked Taxes 2005. While sorting your mail put all W-2’s or 1099’s, and any tax-related material in it.
You can set up colored file pocket folders in your Tax Box for Forms, and Personal, Business/Employer, or Investment/Real Estate documentation. Many people create His, Hers, Ours, and Internal Revenue Service folders in addition to their financial files.
If you have a filing system, but, you’re bogged down in old records:
Pull last year’s financial files (e.g., bank statements) and business or employment expenses (e.g., receipts) and income (e.g., invoices) or any tax-related item. Sort prior years’ tax and legal or financial documents into boxes marked by year.
2006: EASIER ORGANIZING FOR YOUR NEW YEAR
Use these New Years Organizing tips whether you have a file ’system’ - or not!
If your business end-year falls in June, just use these same tips in July.
In January set up a Tax Box to hold all your 2005 tax documentation. Set up an archive box (for a lot) or a file tray (for a little) marked Taxes 2005. While sorting your mail put all W-2’s or 1099’s, and any tax-related material in it.
You can set up colored file pocket folders in your Tax Box for Forms, and Personal, Business/Employer, or Investment/Real Estate documentation. Many people create His, Hers, Ours, and Internal Revenue Service folders in addition to their financial files.
If you have a filing system, but, you’re bogged down in old records:
Pull last year’s financial files (e.g., bank statements) and business or employment expenses (e.g., receipts) and income (e.g., invoices) or any tax-related item. Sort prior years’ tax and legal or financial documents into boxes marked by year.
As you are taking 2005 files out of your office system, make the replacement 2006 file folders for all of your regular home and personal business or financial (e.g., credit cards) and legal (e.g., insurance) documents.
Now, you have separate files for current financial documents in the New Year and a working Tax Box for April 15th that will automatically become your Tax Archives.
If you do not have a working file system for your Home, Small Business, or Business with Employees, let me recommend the shortest distance between chaos and a fully indexed color-coded file system.
75 % of all home and small business filing systems is the same. That’s why I use the Home and Small Business file kits you’ll find at www.Organizer-Extraordinaire.com in my own personal productivity consulting practice. You’ll spend more money driving to the store and buying blank labels and supplies than it costs you if you use the file kit that matches your needs.
I like quickly setting up the standard 75 %, and then customizing the blank labels for new titles in my client’s file system. If you’ve had organizers before, you might be surprised that they didn’t use File Kits. Your office file system project will take three times as long without them. Using these kits with (or without) an organizer makes it easy to save your time and money.
I recommend you select and set up the file kits for 2006 that fit your needs. Then, follow the same tax and archiving tips above for the working file system - because now you have one. Just setting up the Tax Box will help you start the New Year out right, but it’s no substitute for an ongoing paper management system after April 15th.
Very best wishes on organizing the 2006 of your dreams!
If you like, sign up for more free time-saving tips at http://www.organizer-extraordinaire.com
As you are taking 2005 files out of your office system, make the replacement 2006 file folders for all of your regular home and personal business or financial (e.g., credit cards) and legal (e.g., insurance) documents.
Now, you have separate files for current financial documents in the New Year and a working Tax Box for April 15th that will automatically become your Tax Archives.
If you do not have a working file system for your Home, Small Business, or Business with Employees, let me recommend the shortest distance between chaos and a fully indexed color-coded file system.
75 % of all home and small business filing systems is the same. That’s why I use the Home and Small Business file kits you’ll find at www.Organizer-Extraordinaire.com in my own personal productivity consulting practice. You’ll spend more money driving to the store and buying blank labels and supplies than it costs you if you use the file kit that matches your needs.
I like quickly setting up the standard 75 %, and then customizing the blank labels for new titles in my client’s file system. If you’ve had organizers before, you might be surprised that they didn’t use File Kits. Your office file system project will take three times as long without them. Using these kits with (or without) an organizer makes it easy to save your time and money.
I recommend you select and set up the file kits for 2006 that fit your needs. Then, follow the same tax and archiving tips above for the working file system - because now you have one. Just setting up the Tax Box will help you start the New Year out right, but it’s no substitute for an ongoing paper management system after April 15th.
Very best wishes on organizing the 2006 of your dreams!
If you like, sign up for more free time-saving tips at www.organizer-extraordinaire.com

Technorati tags: file business system financial (e.g.

Perhaps you’ve seen advertisements about apartment finder services, otherwise called apartment locators. Some apartment renters are unsure about using apartment finder services because they think there will be a cost involved. Actually the majority of apartment finder services are absolutely free to the apartment hunter. Since it’s a free service, there’s no reason not to use an apartment finder!
In large cities such as Chicago, Dallas and Houston there are hundreds of apartment complexes spread out over a very large metro area. When there are so many properties the apartment hunter can become overwhelmed with the vast number of choices available. It’s hard to even know where to start. Driving from one complex to the next will often result in frustration because the apartment is not what you’re looking for, or the complex doesn’t have any units available.
The great advantage of using the services of a free apartment finder is that the company will have a database of apartments which shows availability. Therefore the apartment finder company will know which rentals are on the market. This way you don’t waste time trying to track down apartments with availability.
Renters can save time and energy using a free apartment finder service by knowing ahead of time which apartments aren’t a good match. The apartment locator helps their clients find apartments that meet criteria such as floor plan, size, amenities, age of the complex and many other specifications.
Apartment finder services can also narrow down choices by geographic area and sometimes even neighborhood. For large cities such as Chicago and Houston where traffic can be an issue, the location becomes increasingly important. Most renters prefer to live within a specific distance to work or school, so they need to be able to find apartments within a certain area. Other renters want to live within certain areas because of the location of shopping, entertainment, parks, or other qualities of the neighborhood such as quietness.
There are some apartment finder services that specialize in condos, townhouses and privately owned residential homes. There may be properties that are managed by the apartment finder service, or are listed in the locator database that are not advertised elsewhere. Therefore renters will be given an opportunity to view apartments that the general public may not be aware of just by viewing the classifieds.
Many apartment finder services offer a free online database of available apartments so you can learn more about the complex before visiting in person. You will be able to see photos of the apartment, floor plans, amenities and other apartment details.
Try using a free apartment finder service the next time you decide to move to a new apartment and see for yourself how much time and effort you will save on your next move. It makes the whole apartment hunting experience easy and hassle free.

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1)It is cheap. The prices on webconferencing services have come way down in recent years. What used to cost literally hundreds of dollars has since deflated down to extremely affordable prices. Snoop around the web and you will find that decent webconferencing services can be had for as little as $20 per month. Buyer beware should be the rule as usual but this stuff isn’t only for $100 million dollar businesses anymore.
2)The productivity boom. Webconferencing can drive your business to be more productive. No doubt. More than half of my day used to be wasted going to and from meetings. Cutting out just 15% of travel time can make a huge difference. Wouldn’t you rather be doing something else besides waiting to go to meetings? Webconferencing can significantly cut down on your wasted time and can help your business become more profitable also.
3)The technology is there. The technology has piggybacked the broadband revolution. What used to be choppy video in a 3 inch by 4 inch square has turned fully interactive, multiuser, and full screen. Webconferencing is big, stable, and enjoyable. This part of the internet has come a long way since 1999.
4)Webconferencing is good for environment. Another bonus is that webconferencing allows you to save commuting time and therefore we use less fossil fuels. Everyone could deal with less global warming. The computer time used to webconference must be amortized in here somewhere as making and running a computer isn’t exactly fantastic for the environment. However, the few hours it takes to webconference surely outweigh the environmental damage that 5 people running their cars does to our planet.
Check out webconferencing. You’ll be amazed how far it’s come and how far you could go with it…

Technorati tags: webconferencing time come down services

Recently we asked which was more important: new customer growth or repeat business?
The answer depends on your business goals. If you want fast-paced quantum growth, you should concentrate energy on adding new customers. But if your goals are more incremental - if you envision continual year over year growth in the 10 to 20 percent range - booking repeat customer revenue is far easier than adding new customers.
(Of course, don’t lose sight of new customer acquisition; doing so entirely would doom the future of your business.)
While it is not easy to double your existing customers spending year after year, it is easy enough to 1) keep them happy and loyal, and 2) develop additional products and services for them, which they will buy if they are happy and loyal.
How can you build loyalty and garner repeat business? With two customer words: service and communication.
Enhance the customer’s service experience
Customer service is all about fixing customer problems. What kinds of problems?
Fixing things which are broken, or that don’t work as expected.
Facilitating deliveries, exchanges and returns.
Resolving billing and payment issues.
Fulfilling the exceptional need or the odd request.
Providing technical advice and user guidance.
This last is very important because many products are so complicated they can’t really work without solid service.
And that doesn’t go just for technical products. It applies to self-assembled furniture - the kind you can’t seem to put together based on cryptic instructions. Or home repair - consider those valuable retired plumbers in orange aprons at Home Depot. Or what about your weekend hotel stay, transformed by that special concierge into something you remember the rest of your life.
In each case customer service is a critical part of the product. And in every case, it’s the part that makes customers feel great about doing business with you.
Customer Service = Repeat Business
McDonalds believes that once you successfully address a customer’s complaint, that customer is several times more likely to come back and buy more Big Macs. McDonalds store managers search for problems; they long for problems; they pray for problems.
Train your people to listen closely for problems and look for things that are out of whack. Establish customer service protocols to insure those issues are dealt with quickly and completely.
Plus, your company gets a bonus for good listening: creatively solved complaints are often the genesis of new products and services. Build a system which rewards both customers and employees for those new business ideas.
Too many companies see customer service as an expense. In reality it is the most cost-effective customer retention program you could possibly have. So hire reps who want to help people and train them to spot opportunities. Use technology to make it easier to find solutions. Lavish money on it. Gather knowledge and wisdom in databases and make it available to everyone in the service chain.
Customer Communications
Continual communication is another key to building the kind of customer loyalty that translates into repeat, and increasing, business.
Here are seven ways to stay in touch with your customers.
Find out how customers are really using your products and services. Call them casually or conduct formal surveys. Visit and observe them in action. Track their online behavior. Look for ways to enhance the value they get from you.
Put yourself in front of your customers. User groups, conventions, conferences, road shows, tours, online forums, and even interactive webcasts, are viable ways to create a two-way free flowing dialogue. Give customers a deeper understanding of how you help them, and find out what’s on their minds so you can serve them even better. For high-end, big-spending customers, schedule an annual review or strategy meeting to set the agenda and lock them in.
Publish a valuable newsletter. Most newsletters are filled with self-serving drivel about the company. Who cares who got promoted, or that you just had a wonderful company picnic? Fill your newsletter with stimulating ideas, case studies and practical tips that add value to your customers and help them do better business. Important to your newsletter’s success is frequency and consistency, so publish often - monthly or even twice a month, and keep it on schedule.
Ask your customers the magic question: “What would you like to buy from us, if only we’d offer it to you?” Do this yourself or outsource it. Either way, these answers are like customer retention gold.
Keep your product and service offer fresh. Keep upgrading and adding on, and announce to your customers that you are doing so.
Make special offers to your special customers. And all your existing customers are special. Give them special offers and loyalty discounts that plain old new customers can’t get. Make sure they know it is only for them.
Revive the art of the hand-written note. In this age of hyper-convenient email and instant messaging, a hand-written note acknowledges the unique nature of the recipient. There’s just no way to duplicate the one to one feeling a note will create. Do this and you could have the customer for life!
These customer service and communications tips are just a few of the hundreds of ways to communicate with customers to build loyalty and repeat business. Combine them with judicious up-sells, re-sells, and cross-sells, and that 20 percent annual revenue growth is yours forever.
(c) Copyright Paul Lemberg. All rights reserved

Technorati tags: customer customers service repeat business

Is anyone “not affected” by a reorganization?
In the last couple of weeks, I have discussed reorganization and how you can manage employees who are affected positively or negatively.
What about employees “not affected” by a reorganization?
Even those “not affected” on your Org Chart will be affected psychologically.
Yes, they will have the same manager and the same agreements. But, most of the time ANY change is threatening to the mind.
That’s why it is so important to make your announcement(s) timely and in person to let people know what’s going on.
Consider this:
Some “not affected” people might perceive that their colleagues are “getting the shaft.” This will be demotivating and cause negative attitudes, destructive gossip, and problems that can sabotage your company.
So, treat your reorganization as an emergency (root word “emerge”). What’s the first step in an emergency? Anyone remember? PROMOTE!
(For more information, look for my download article, “The 5 Conditions and what to DO about them” at: http://www.SeniorManagementServices.com/ARTICLES.html )

So, get your “cards on the table” and promote the positive aspects of your reorganization ASAP!
Does your company have these management problems? A case study.
Following is a letter I received from a PVT reader. He^re, you will read a perfect example of how NOT to reorganize. (Reprinted with permission. Writer requested anonymity.)

Mike
Interesting PVT [97]. It reminded me of what happened to me a couple of times. Let me explain
After our typical annual reorganization, we had department meetings for the world to see. The projector screen displayed the new and improved organization.
However on inspection, I realized my department was gone, nada, zip. . .
No one had spoken a word to me. No one asked what projects were in the works or what would happen to the organization if the projects failed.
That evening when I left my office, I was steaming mad.
I had been embarrassed in front of my colleagues and direct reports. The department manager and a VP quickly grabbed me and gave me a song and dance about how X had happened and the announcement had to be moved up.
Being somewhat constrained by my “golden handcuffs,” I bit my tongue, ate my pride, and went back to work.
Similarly, during a time of weekly downsizing, my boss called and told me to bring my subordinate (my best employee) to his office. Why? He was being laid off.
Again, no forewarning, no quest’ions about this man’s projects, his contribution, how much he was saving the company, his level of commitment for 25 years. Nothing! He might as well have been a dirty paper towel to disposed when they were done with him.
A year later, management decided to “outsource” another department I was in charge of. Again, my only notice was a ph0ne call — 2 minutes before their announcement.
My subordinates were given an opportu’nity to work for the outsource company for about 2/3 thirds their current salary, lower benefits, etc. Trust me, this has not worked out well at all. Why?
Management outsourced projects that my department could have done. Fortunately, the outsource employees are the original employees from my department. And they’re doing a damn good job under the conditions. However, that decision to outsource has been an immense failure.
Here’s shy.
My outsourced subordinates are now 30 miles away. Meanwhile, we’re developing a critical new (and secret) project. Work we could have done effectively he^re has been subject to many delays, frustration, and rework.
Now, people who need to work together can not.
Worse, we now have a huge problem. The outsource company does not operate from the same “quality paradigm” as we do.
Although the displaced employees are doing a great job, they have no control over the shop that makes our parts. Plus, the outsource company just doesn’t have the skilled employees or mind-set for the necessary close-tolerance work that we require.
Signed,
(Anonymous)

How to combat an age-old management problem that still exists today — management confusion about reorganization
Reread the last two PVT issues for comparison with the above letter. See these two pages:
http://www.SeniorManagementServices.com/pvt-96-faster-org-strategy.html http://www.SeniorManagementServices.com/pvt-97-faster-org-strategy.html
I rest my case.
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Understanding is not enough; we must do. Knowing and understanding in action make for honor. And honor is the heart of wisdom.”
– Johann von Goethe
Thank you for your participation! Send me your feedback.

What did you learn today that you found most beneficial?
How will you apply what you have learned at work?
I welcome your quest’ions or comments.

When you’re weeding your garden, what’s the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant? Pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.
Does this apply to valuable employees?
There is a better way!
Until next week…
Best Regards,
Mike Hayden, Principal/Consultant
Your partner in streamlining business.
PS. If you’re not on our P V T Roster, sign up (fr#e) at:
http://www.SeniorManagementServices.com

See full color web version at:
http://www.SeniorManagementServices.com/pvt-98-faster-org-strategy.html

(c) 2005 Mike Hayden, All rights reserved. You may use material from the Profitable Venture Tactics eZine in whole or in part, as long as you include complete attribution, including live website links and email link.

Technorati tags: reorganization employees company department work

The notion that employers are only interested in where you have been and where you are heading is pure nonsense. Experienced hiring managers take into account both your experience and your character. After all, in the end, they are hiring a human being, not a robot. Still, many believe that personal attributes just take up space and make the resume “fluffy.”
After reading countless job descriptions that make it a point to mention personal characteristics and speaking directly with hiring managers on this specific topic, I’ve come to realize that it’s not the inclusion of personal attributes that make resumes superficial. It’s how the characteristics are presented that is the cause of concern. In this article, I will focus on the top three characteristics employers seek (good communication skills, honesty, and a strong work ethic) and discuss how you can seamlessly integrate them into your resume. Now let’s get started.
Print out your resume and take a look at it. If you find that you carelessly threw some of the characteristics mentioned above in your resume without making supporting statements to back them up, then the reader will question the sincerity of your claims.
Here’s an example of a superficial sentence: “Possess a strong work ethic and recognized for the ability to deliver results.” Although the sentence covers attributes employers seek, the sentence needs to be spiced up.
For example, a more compelling sentence is: “Demonstrated record of consistent performance and ability to establish strong presence within global markets (e.g. China, Italy, Sweden), generating 6- and 7-figure revenue gains.”
Notice the difference? In the original sentence, the declaration didn’t carry much weight. Simply stating you have certain characteristics doesn’t make it so. The reader will be scratching his or her head and thinking, “Oh yeah? Prove it.”
The revised sentence takes a different approach. Instead of stating personal characteristics outright, the sentence demonstrates results; therefore the reader can deduce that the candidate has all the right characteristics. This will leave the reader thinking, “Interesting stuff. I’ll put this candidate in the must-call pile.”
Presentation is Everything
The way the resume is structured, organized, and written also alludes to your personal characteristics. Using actual client stories and the top three characteristics employers seek, I’ll discuss common mistakes jobseekers make in the presentation of their resumes.
Poor Communication Skills Are a Real Killer: Bryan was extremely qualified for all the positions he applied for, but he was receiving no bites. After careful review of his resume, I noticed that although he claimed to be an excellent communicator, he failed to communicate his value. It was obvious the resume was homespun and lacked the finesse needed to garner the attention of hiring managers. He was under the impression that once he received an interview, he would be able to communicate exactly why he was qualified for the position. Unfortunately, he never received that chance.
Lesson learned: Simply writing “strong communication skills” isn’t going to be enough to convince a decision maker that you can successfully interact with others. A hiring manager is going to look to your resume as verification of your claims; and if you aren’t able to effectively put two sentences together, they are going to question not only your communication skills but also your ability to do the job.
A Question of Integrity: During a client-intake session with Amanda, a recent college graduate, she told me her current job title was “Director of External Public Relations.” I couldn’t help but think that was an impressive title for a 22-year-old. After prodding a little, I discovered the real story. It just so happens that this particular client worked for her aunt in a two-person office and there were occasions when she wrote press releases and spoke to reporters regarding the latest company happenings.
Though she did participate in public relation activities, the title of Director of External Public Relations was a bit of a stretch. An employer would have had the same reaction I did. He or she would have doubted her claims and as a result, wouldn’t have bothered calling her in for an interview.
Lesson Learned: Your resume has to be believable. If an employer has any inkling you are being deceitful, your resume will go in the trash. And even if you are able to get through the resume review and interview process with half-truths, be warned: once hired, you will be expected to deliver.
When a Strong Work Ethic Doesn’t Work: Even though he had five different jobs within three years, Patrick insisted on including that he had a strong work ethic in his resume. He claimed that his job-hopper image was unjust since he left each job because it wasn’t the right job for him. He insisted that when he found the right job, he would definitely be committed.
After careful review of his personal characteristics, we agreed that there were other personal characteristics he could use that would make him just as employable as the phrase “strong work ethic;” phrases that wouldn’t leave the reader with the feeling that he was trying to pull one over on them.
Lesson Learned: In a resume, leverage what you have to offer and don’t try to sell yourself as something you are not. Your resume should answer questions for hiring managers, not leave lingering doubts.
Final Thought
Integrating personal characteristics in your resume will make the resume reader-friendly and allow the reader to visualize you in the position.

Technorati tags: resume characteristics personal hiring reader

After being in this industry for over 12 years I’ve learned a lot about people and about myself. One of the most important things that has happened for me is self development. Folks this IS the ONE thing that HAS to happen before you will become successful in anything you attempt to do.
You must first build yourself and your own talents! When this happens you all of a sudden develop posture. What is posture? It’s when you have so much confidence in yourself and what you’re doing that you begin to look for talented people to join with you in your business and you’re not afraid to talk to the most successful and talented people you run into.
You become a talent scout vs. a recruiter. When I first started out in this business I was a recruiter. Everyone I saw or ran into was a prospect. No matter who they were or what sort of attitude they had I was determined to RECRUIT every single person that I saw or talked to.
Well folks this was a disaster but it was a very good learning experience for me. That was over 12 years ago. I’ve certainly come a long way since! Over the last five years I’ve learned a great deal about business and about how to do this business and what it takes to really become successful and it’s not just about who’s the best recruiter believe me! Even those that are recruiting machines may be successful for a little while up front and then it fizzles out.
Why?
Well, because they just recruit anyone they ran into. They talk and persuade people into joining with them…..even when these people don’t really want to. In other words they say yes when they really mean no.
The recruiter is just a shark and people are afraid to say no to them. Most times people say yes just to get the recruiter off their back! So what happens? The majority of people usually end up quitting because they didn’t have what it takes to succeed in this business in the first place. Most times the recruiter doesn’t stick around long enough to train them or show them how to do the business. He or she is to busy recruiting their next victim.
The recruiter usually doesn’t take the time to actually get to know a person or even ask them what they are interested in or what their goals are or what sort of talents they even have. All they want is the sign up. The thrill of the sign up is a rush for them.
Most recruiters are usually not very good trainers or leaders…..they just don’t have time to train because they’re so busy recruiting. Folks if you really want to become very successful in this business you’ve got to develop the habit of becoming a TALENT SCOUT!
Ok this does take time. You must first develop yourself as a leader. Hang out with talented leaders, listen to them, learn from them, read books, listen to tapes, get on conference calls…all of this is very important.
Getting wealthy in this industry very quickly is a myth. It just doesn’t happen that often folks.
You’ve got to pay your dues!
All the sacrifice, the time, the hard work it’s taken to develop myself into a leader and a talent scout has been well worth it because people are coming to me now. Some very talented people are contacting me and I’m constantly keeping my eyes and ears open for talented women and men that I would like to work with.
I’ve gotten to the point now where I can be very selective in who I choose to work with and folks that’s sweet!
I’ve developed into a top talent scout…. looking for the most talented people I can. What is talent anyway? Does that mean they have a Ph.D. or are very successful already? Well, some of them are…….
But for the most part what I look for are people that are highly motivated, folks with a winning attitude….I look for ordinary people that can do ordinary things extraordinarily well!
And it’s about not being fearful of speaking with extremely successful people about what you’re doing. Remember you’re a talent scout not a recruiter. When you have this attitude these type people will know it and they will gladly speak with you because they realize that you are not out to recruit them.
Will they join you? Maybe, maybe not. But I think you get the point right? When you get to this place you will be absolutely amazed at the people that start to contact you and the success you will have when you start to seek out the right people.
Try being a talent scout not a recruiter and just watch what happens!
Taken From : http://www.geocities.com/nwmguru/
Copyright andcopy; 2002 by Sue Seward.
http://www.geocities.com/nwmguru/

Technorati tags: people very most successful talent

1. Review Your Credit Report For Errors.
After you have received a copy of your credit report, you need to look through it very closely. If you do not yet have a copy, TrimYourDebt.com has negotiated with one of the credit bureaus to offer consumers a free look at their credit report and credit score. It is a 30-day free trial offer, so you get the information right up-front and you can cancel free of charge within 30-days. To check your credit report for free, visit http://www.TrimYourDebt.com/GetYourCreditScore.aspx?src=art to find out now.
It is important to first review all the personal identifying information in your credit report such as name, address, social security number, birth date, and so on.
You should then evaluate each account that is reported about you to the credit bureau. Determine whether any of this information is in any way inaccurate, incorrect, erroneous, misleading, or outdated. If you find that any of the information in incorrect, then you should move on to the next step.
2. Dispute the errors with the credit bureaus and your creditors.
You should dispute inaccurate information with both the consumer credit reporting agency and the furnisher (creditor). Disputing with both allows you to cover all of your bases to ensure that the corrections are consistently made by both sources.
You should follow up with these companies to ensure that the inaccurate or incomplete information is removed in a timely manner. You should then continue to monitor your credit information on a regular basis by ordering and reviewing your consumer credit reports from the major credit reporting agencies on a regular basis.
3. Repeat until satisfied.
It is very important that each questionable item, except for erroneous personal data, is dealt with individually. If you attempt to have the credit reporting agency correct several items at once, it will be easier for the agency to claim that your request is frivolous or irrelevant. If they make this determination, then your requests to correct inaccuracies will be discarded.
Make sure that you use a clear and concise statement indicating that the accuracy or completeness of a specific item is “disputed” or “challenged”. Remember that explanations of why an item might be derogatory will not help you, only actual disputes of specific items will get the results you need.
As soon as the credit reporting agency provides you with an updated credit report indicating that the disputed item has been removed from your report, you should send another letter challenging the next most damaging item. Repeat this process, until each and every disputed item has been deleted from your credit report.
If you would like more detailed information about repairing your credit history including sample dispute letters to send to the credit reporting agencies, you will find more details available at http://www.TrimYourDebt.com/CreditRepairGuide.aspx?src=art

Technorati tags: credit information report reporting item

As eyes look forward to a new business year, many small business owners and entrepreneurs are hoping that this upcoming year will be the one that catapults them into success. But according to Shannon Cherry, APR, businesses often overlook a key element when making their business plans and resolutions.
“Most new businesses fail within three years - and it’s often due to the fact that many business owners think that simply hanging up an OPEN sign and placing an ad in the yellow pages will attract customers,” says Cherry, president of Cherry Communications (http://www.cherrycommunications.com), a public relations and marketing firm which helps small businesses, consultants and entrepreneurs to be heard. “What it takes is a marketing strategy that’s effective - and in the case of many small business owners - on a limited budget. They need public relations to turn the resolutions into revolutions.”
She says public relations is one of the most cost-effective methods of marketing available today. “Besides the fact that it’s low cost or no cost, public relations can help establish your credibility. It can position you as the revolutionary leader and expert in your field.”
Cherry suggests including your public relations efforts as part of a year-long, strategic business plan. “As you’re looking toward what you’re going to accomplish in the future, make sure you incorporate different public relations efforts as part of your complete plan,” she says. “That way you’ll be sure to schedule it in, just like any other business task.”
Cherry offers some low-cost public relations strategies to help revolutionize small businesses:
1) Write articles. “Articles don’t have to be long; they just need to be informative,” says Cherry. “Submitting online, as well as offline, provides a good chance to get your name in print at no cost.”
2) Write press releases. “Reporters everywhere are looking for stories, and a press release gives them the information to write that story,” she says. “Just make sure it’s newsworthy, not just an advertisement.”
3) Write a newsletter. Cherry stress a newsletter should contain content valuable to your target market, as well as promote your products and services.
4) Use your business cards. “Think of your business card as a mini billboard and start handing them out everywhere,” explains Cherry. “Include them in all your correspondence and put them in places that they’ll be seen.”
5) Start Speaking. “Speaking in front of an audience usually makes you an expert. People like to buy from experts,” she says. “Speaking is free, and it’s just like making a sales call to many people at one time.”
Cherry says successful companies make public relations a priority. “Whether selling direct, through distribution channels or via e-commerce, a successful company must achieve and maintain a strong market presence through a continuous and effective public relations program.”

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What is “Shorting Stocks”?
The whole idea of shorting stocks is to make money from stocks that are going down in price. When you short stocks, you are essentially selling stocks that you have borrowed, in other words you do not personally own them.
First, you need to have a margin account in order to sell stocks short. A margin account allows the broker to extend credit to you, based on Federal guidelines. You must have at least 50% of the amount involved in short selling the stock as cash in your account. This shows that you have sufficient funds available to buy the stock back should it go against you. Lets look at an example.
ZYX Co. is trading at $23.00
You would need $1150 in your account to short sell 100 shares. You would receive a credit of $2300 less commissions. Overall, you would have a credit balance of $3450 in your account.
ZYX Co. goes to $18.00
You’ve made $500. Your credit balance is still $3450, but the market value of the stock is only $1800. So your equity is $1650 ($3450-$1800). Your paper profit at this point is $500.
Although you will always pay interest on money you borrow from the broker, you may be able to negotiate a better rate if you’re a preferred client or have a sizable account. You will also be charged by the broker for any cash or dividend payments on your short positions.
Assuming you are an average person without any insider information, the best time to short sell in general, is when the overall stock market is in a down trend. Even the best stocks go down in Bear Markets. If you’re just starting out, take small short positions, never short a stock that is rising in price, and use stop-losses to avoid big losses on your short positions.
To learn more about various investing topics, checkout www.choose-to-be-rich.com

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