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Telecommuting as the New Business Trend

June 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment

interviewing-expertsWorking from home has become an increasingly popular option for those employees who desire freedom from the traditional 9-to-5 routine. A number of misconceptions about telecommuting have circulated in recent years, so a few facts are necessary to explain further.

Although telecommuting offers the freedom of working at home, keep in mind that it often requires additional hours. According to a number of studies, telecommuters work an average of six additional hours each week. Since an employee is working at home, clients, customers and employers believe that telecommuters are available at all times. Often it becomes difficult to establish boundaries between home life and work. When choosing to work from home, determine a set time when work activities must be completed and stick with it as much as possible.

Similarly, telecommuting requires an individual to have a certain level of discipline. When working in an office, an individual’s mere presence is often considered good enough for his or her superiors. However, telecommuters are usually held to greater standards than office employees because of a lack of visibility. Working from home means that an employee is still accountable for completed work even if the daily schedule has flexibility.

For some telecommuters, working from home feels lonely and isolating. Those who need a little socializing during the workday would do well to schedule a lunch date with friends to reenergize and refocus.

The perils of working from home also include the inability in most cases to pursue job promotions. At the managerial level, it is hard to justify working from home when employees depend on consistent attention. An individual’s salary can stagnate as a result.

It is important to note that telecommuting also carries a few attractive benefits.  Telecommuting reduces a number of costs associated with full-time employment. It can save on transportation costs, clothing expenses and restaurant bills. Telecommuters also avoid expensive childcare costs, though many workers still seek out assistance on a regular basis. Having children around will generally create distractions that take away from the task at hand.

This new business trend requires a significant effort for an employee to telecommute successfully. However, the ability to work from home allows an individual to build a private space. This often leads to more efficient operations, which is a desired result for all involved.

 

Filed Under: Business

Sleep as an Essential Element of Overall Health

June 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Sleep is an essential part of a healthy life, just as much as a well-balanced diet or regular exercise. However, many Americans suffer from periods of sleeplessness at one time or another due to external factors. The stresses and pressures of daily routines can cause bad sleep habits. Major life events such as graduations, weddings and job losses also contribute to sleep deprivation. A lack of sleep does not simply decrease a person’s energy level – it can create damage to the cells and cause a greater risk of body fat. Most of this body fat is stored in the abdominal area, and might bring about serious diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Most health experts suggest avoiding alcohol and cigarettes immediately before bed. The nicotine in cigarettes is a stimulant that produces nervousness and jitteriness, similar to the effects of chocolate or coffee. Although alcohol puts the user in a calm frame of mind for a short time, it generally interrupts the nervous system and could lead to cases of night-waking.

The bedroom should be a place where an individual feels able to relax and unwind from a long day. A bedroom should be rid of such items as computers, televisions and other technological devices. People can ease into a nighttime routine by adjusting the room temperature to a comfortable level, which will aid in falling asleep – and staying that way. Even better, purchase a ceiling fan or a white noise machine that provides a peaceful, soothing sound.

Eating dinner well before bedtime will also help an individual fall asleep much easier. Eating right before bed often causes digestive problems as well as insomnia and heartburn. Additionally, working out before bed can create feelings of anxiety and restlessness. Endorphin levels will elevate and heart rate will increase, so the body feels awake. Schedule a workout for the morning or in the early afternoon.

Although these tips have all proven effective in improving sleep patterns, the most crucial piece of advice for poor sleepers is to try a number of different options in the hopes of finding a cure that works.

 

 

 

Filed Under: General, Health and Wellness

The Benefits of Asset Management

May 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Q: What types of asset management are there, and why is their growth important?

A: There are many forms of asset management. These include physical asset management, fixed assets management, infrastructure assets management, IT asset management and digital asset management. The best asset management should achieve a number of different goals.

Operating and sustaining these assets within a budget requires some form of prioritization. First, it must help managers maximize the potential of their assets. It must also indicate which assets need further attention, along with the assets that have failed to produce.

Quite simply, asset management encourages all involved to seek better value from the company’s assets. In the end, this process will increase productivity and improve competitive performance.

Q: What tools are necessary in asset management?

A: The tools used for asset management should offer the calculation of risks associated with assets. They will also provide necessary data storage and an accurate control over inventory. Given constantly changing technology and the wealth of competition, smart decision-making is crucial in asset management.

The most successful asset management requires that both the intangible and physical assets of an organization are used to their fullest potential. This strategy runs across any number of disciplines, from engineering to production, to administration and information management.

Q: How should a company start the asset management process?

A: Asset management growth doesn’t happen overnight. Although the process might seem difficult at first, the results are worth it. Asset management continues to undergo an evolution, and the most successful industry experts will comprehend this. Only then will the strongest results for the whole organization be possible. Both production and labor will be more efficient, the cost of owning fixed assets will be reduced, and the downtime on facilities and equipment will be minimized.

At this point, a company is then given the chance to address areas that require improvement, asking for assistance from its trusted management solution experts to use beneficial management tools. Many public asset management firms provide help in establishing an effective process.

Filed Under: Business

Personal Protection from ID Theft

May 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

In a society where sharing mundane details of your personal life is the norm, you may be doing yourself more harm than good. Here are a few tips to help keep your personal information safe from ID thieves.

Criminals can acquire personal identification through a number of different privacy breaches. Typically, the perpetrators get the information directly from victims by fraudulently gathering information via trash piles, theft of personal documents from homes and vehicles, or—more brazenly—by pickpocketing or purse snatching.

While no one can guarantee they won’t become a victim of identity theft at some point, there are a few ways to help thwart would-be title takers.

Omit. The risk of ID theft can be mitigated partially by not offering too much personal information online or over the telephone. Many companies have a standard contact form that asks for a plethora of personal information. Often, many of these fields are not required but get completed anyway. A good rule here is offer only the information needed to complete a specific task at hand. Social Security cards should not be kept on one’s person and the number should not be filled out on medical or other forms not related to employment.

Destroy. Simply enough, destroying personal information keeps it out of the hands of criminals. A shredder is invaluable for getting rid of all documents. A word of warning: don’t throw the shredder’s wastebasket away without dividing it among a few different outgoing trash bags. A desperate criminal can—and will—piece together bits of information if they must.

Secure. When filling out a form online make sure that it’s on a secure and encrypted page. Double-check the web addresses and if it doesn’t begin with https (note the “s” on the end), it’s not a secure site. Also, PCs should be set at the highest possible security setting to guard against malware or invisible phishing schemes.

In recent years, many commercially available ID theft protection services have become available. These may offer some level of protection but cannot guard 100 percent against all forms of identity theft.

 

 

Filed Under: Professionals

Investing in a Startup

April 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Over the past 15 years, it seems like all of the money in startups and entrepreneurship comes from the tech industry. And much of that money is made from websites that start with simple ideas and grow into huge international companies. Amazon, Facebook and eBay all had humble beginnings, but are now three of the most visited websites in the entire world. The success of these companies has led many people to wonder how they can get a slice of the pie for themselves. The answer is for investors to invest in startups.

Investing in these small companies that may not even have office space yet can be daunting. Someone may be putting their hard earned cash on the line to back a group of people who may not amount to anything. Or they could be about to create the next Google. But there are ways to tell if a company is a solid investment or too big of a risk.

Wise investors do business with companies in industries with which the investors are familiar. It wouldn’t make much sense to throw cash at a company that provides an education service when the investors know nothing about education. Without experience, it would be difficult to spot flaws in the business plan or execution of the product. By staying within a familiar niche, investors will have a more active role in the growth of the company and help guide it toward success.

Of course, no matter how much knowledge an investor has within a particular industry, there’s still a big possibility the project will fail—and the money will go with it. But by doing their homework and taking the time to identify the strongest startups with the most promise, investors can see a big return if they’re patient.

Filed Under: Business

Tax Deadline Around the Corner: Are You Prepared?

April 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The middle of April brings a sense of dread for many people, and a sense of relief for others. Yes, smack dab in the middle of refreshing warm weather and blooming trees is the deadline for filing your income taxes. Some people look forward to getting a nice refund, while others may owe Uncle Sam a bit extra based on what they made over the past year. But one thing is for sure—being prepared long before the day arrives makes it go much more smoothly no matter what your tax outlook.

When you prepare to file taxes, the first step is to simply gather important records. The most important of these are W-2 forms, which you should receive from your employer either in the mail or via an online PDF printout. If you’re an independent contractor or not employed by a company in the traditional sense, you may need to fill out a 1099 form instead. Either way, these forms contain all the relevant information about the past year of employment, such as total earnings and withholding status.

Next, decide if you’ll use tax software like TurboTax, or enlist the help of private accountant or a tax service like H&R Block. These options have definite pros and cons. Filing by yourself can save you money, but it requires time and effort, and you may miss certain important deductions, which can cost more money in the long run. Tax software can streamline the process, but for taxpayers with large families, people who own a business or work from home, hiring a tax professional may be the best option.

Once you’ve made a decision on which route to take, it’s time to get the work done. Allow yourself—or your tax professional—ample time to complete the tax return. In other words, don’t wait until the night before! Once it is completed, take the time to look it over carefully. Are there any errors? Keep in mind that even tax professionals make mistakes from time to time—especially when they are under pressure as the deadline approaches—and a single mistake could end up costing you big money.

Filed Under: Finances

Tips for Making the Most of Your Tax Return

March 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment

It’s March, and that means three things: college basketball, the beginning of spring, and a looming tax return deadline. If you’re like many Americans, you may put filing your taxes off until the last minute. After all, who wants to devote several hours to digging around for old receipts, crunching numbers, and filling out mind-numbing forms?

It doesn’t have to be a confusing process—and in fact, if you put enough time and effort into it, you may find yourself getting back more money than you imagined possible. While the first thought may be to hire someone else to do taxes, with a little determination, it’s easy to file your own, which saves you even more money.

The first thing you’ll need to do is get a copy of your 1099s if you’re a contracted employee or a W2 if you’re a regular hourly or salaried employee. Then, review all the details with a fine-toothed comb. Are withholdings correct? Is total income for the year correct? Sometimes taxpayers neglect to check these numbers, but a single mistake here by an employer could end up costing you.

Next, find copies of receipts for anything purchased related to a job. If you work from home, are a contracted employee or own your own business, this could lead to a substantial refund. If you work for a traditional employer, your refund might be less—but it’s still worth saving (and gathering) those receipts anyway. Small items like uniforms and other job-related equipment can add up.

Those are the two major steps. But don’t overlook records of any charitable donations made in the last year (both money and goods), bank statements, and any records of IRA contributions. Again, these may seem like minor details on a tax return, but when combined, they can add up to make a difference in the amount you receive after the tax return is submitted to Uncle Sam.

Don’t wait until April 14to get started! Do it early and save the headache and hassle of a frantic, last minute tax return.

Filed Under: Business, Finances

Before You Move: Important Questions to Ask Before You Relocate

February 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Relocating to a new city, state or country is a big decision that should be approached with caution and therefore deserves some serious consideration. Whatever your reasons to relocate may be, ask yourself some questions and then give them realistic answers. Here are a few that may help you decide whether relocating is a good idea.

1. Will I Find A Job?

Employment trends vary from city to city. Make sure the new city offers plenty of job opportunities in your field. Check online and local job openings or contact the companies directly.

2. Is the Region Affordable?

The cost of living is different from place to place. Consider the cost of real estate, food, gas, utilities and rent. Find out what salary you can expect to earn and then do your calculations.

3. What Environment Can I Expect?

If you decide to move from a small town to a metropolitan city, the environment at work and in traffic can be very different. Big cities move at a faster pace than small towns which may be more laid back.

4. What About the Climate?

If you are used to living in a place where warm temperatures and sunshine are your constant companions, you may have a hard time getting used to freezing climates. Also consider natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Figure out what type of environment makes you feel good and happy.

5. What Will My Daily Commute Be Like?

In some cities a long commute to work is part of life. Sitting on freeways for long periods of time is completely normal. People accept it and get used to it. In other cities people rely mainly on public transportation to get them to and from work. Think about what you prefer and what you are most comfortable with.

6. Can My Partner Find A Job?

It is probable that your spouse or partner will need to find a job too. Check the opportunities for your significant other or this move may not be right for you.

7. What Work Environment Can I Expect?

Your work environment will dictate everything from your work attire to how you greet and communicate with clients. Usually, bigger cities tend to have a more formal work environment than smaller towns. If you don’t like wearing a suit and tie to work every day, you should give this some thought.

 

Filed Under: Professionals

Psychologist Dr. Susan Wilson Discusses the Stages of Childhood

January 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Recently, on a cold winter’s day, we met with Child Psychologist Dr. Susan Wilson to talk about the stages of childhood and to learn some fresh tips along with any tried and true advice she had tucked away for parents.

Q: Dr. Wilson, you are a parent yourself and have professionally interacted with children of all ages. What would you say are a few basics that parents need to understand in order to successfully raise their child?

Dr. Susan Wilson: Children thrive in a stable environment, such as a well structured, organized home. If that is in place, they can relax while they learn and grow.  If there is chaos or fear and no healthy direction, a child is not able to determine how things are supposed to be or for that matter, what “healthy” even looks like. He or she can become frustrated and confused.

It’s also important that a child has access to parental figures or other caring adults that will be there to offer guidance and support. These older helpful figures need to allow the child to make mistakes while letting him or her know that the adult will be there when and if there is a need. If a child feels loved and respected, chances are he or she will in turn treat others lovingly and with respect.

Q: When does a child’s personality actually begin to develop?

Dr. Susan Wilson: It’s hard to fathom, but actually from the day a child is born. Before a baby can speak he or she is processing and absorbing the world around. When living in a stable and emotionally secure environment, a child has stronger chances of growing up confident. This provides the freedom to find one’s own way through life while lessening the need to succumb to peer pressure or negative influences.

Q: How does a parent come to understand the difference between being firm–but not too firm?

Dr. Susan Wilson: Children need to understand that their life decisions have consequences and that they affect those around them. However, they definitely need clear guidance. We need to be strong enough to correct and assist, but loving enough to pick them up when they fall and point them in the right direction.

Q: What are some common frustrations for parents during the infancy stage?

Dr. Susan Wilson: When a baby cries for no apparent reason, a parent can become quite frustrated. An infant cannot tell parents what we want to know, and we are left to solve the mystery. You simply must remember, it is a fact of life; a baby is unable to communicate like an adult or an older child. Remain calm and ride it out.

Q: What are some challenges the parent of a toddler or preschooler faces?

Dr. Susan Wilson: When a child begins to walk, that is day he or she begins the journey to independence and is no longer fully under our control. A baby can wander around and even disappear quickly. It is good for a young child to explore and discover. But it’s essential to provide careful watch and a secure environment, one that is free of items or situations that could cause unexpected harm–like a crystal vase on the coffee table or unlocked cabinet doors that hold cleaning items.

Q: Adolescence is a scary stage for parents and teens alike. What are some tips for survival?

Dr. Susan Wilson: Remind yourself that your teenager’s body is going through dramatic changes, and these changes are happening rapidly. This may be frightening to both of you and both of you may be uncomfortable communicating about this to each other. At these times it is imperative to have a trusted friend, colleague or family member that your child fully trusts and is able to talk with. That person may be your saving grace.

Q: What are some final words you’d like to leave with parents as they travel the parenthood road?

Dr. Susan Wilson: Be sure your child knows that you love and respect him or her.  Does she know you are truly emotionally, mentally and physically there for her? If those items are in place, your relationship will be stronger and you are more likely to survive the stormy seasons. You will make mistakes, and so will your child. Just be sure to acknowledge him or her, then move forward. Your love for each other will be the key to success.

 

 

Filed Under: Home

Job Interview Coming Up? Here Are Some Helpful Tips

January 14, 2013 By Leave a Comment

It’s a tough job market out there, as you probably already know. Too many people looking and not enough positions to go around, meaning you have to bring your best game when an interview does come up. Everyone knows the obvious stuff – be confident, rested, well-groomed, alert, polite – but there’s more to it than just that. Think you’re a veteran of job interviews? Read on.

  • Do your homework – Learn a little about the company you’re about to interview with. What kind of path are they on? What’s their history? How have the last few quarters been for them? Who are their competitors? What’s their mission statement? Think about what strengths there are in your resumé that might have given them the impetus to call you in for an interview, and possibly role-play an interview scenario with a friend beforehand.
  • Watch the Details – Don’t overdress (a suit isn’t necessary for a non-office job), but be neat and well-groomed. Come in ten to fifteen minutes earlier than your interview time, and duck into a restroom quickly to check your appearance one last time. Depending on the position you’re applying for , you might want to bring charts, reports or other infographics on any projects you have worked on and you think may come up in the interview.
  • Be aware of first impressions – Remember that first impressions go very far, and are hard to change. Be aware of things like body language – don’t fold your arms, cover your mouth, scratch your ear or nose, or look away; these things come across as evasive and/or defensive. Smile often and show a sense of humor, but don’t tell a joke; you want to be warm and relaxed, but not flippant or goofy. Do NOT talk about politics or current events, and if your interviewer brings up any such issues, don’t take the bait. Sit up straight and don’t slouch (although it’s okay to lean forward a little as you tune in on what the interviewer is saying). If you get the idea you’re talking too much, you probably are. Err on the side of your own better judgment.
  • Stay Positive – Do not go in and complain about your last job or your last boss. It seems pretty obvious, but this is a pretty common mistake at interviews. Nobody wants to hear it (do you want to date someone who complains about their ex constantly?) and nobody wants to hire a disgruntled worker. On the other hand, don’t oversell yourself either, because potential employers can see right through that.
  • Be Ready for the Usual Questions – They are an interviewer’s way of not only sizing you up for the job, but also to build a profile of you as a person. Remember to keep answers succinct and to the point; interviewers don’t want to hear your life story. What do you consider your strengths? What do you consider your weaknesses? Why do you want to work here? These are all routine questions at practically any interview. Think about them in advance and think about how you’re going to respond, but don’t come across as arrogant or boastful.
  • Be Honest – Lying or fudging at a job interview might work, or it might not. But even if it does and you get the job, you can easily find yourself in over your head. With some skills and some jobs, you can “fake it ‘til you make it,” but others you most definitely cannot.
  • Ask Questions – That’s where the homework you’ve done before the interview comes into play. Find out about the challenges of the job and the specifics of your responsibilities. Where can the job take you? What will you need to advance? What are your department’s goals? Asking the right questions shows that you’re engaged and committed and genuinely interested in the job.

With this information in hand, you’ll be prepared well the next time you’re called to come in for an interview.

Filed Under: Professionals, Self Improvement
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