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The ongoing economic downturn is proving to be a boom for one energetic group of entrepreneurs: fraudsters who offer financial services, collect upfront payments for them and then don't deliver. So-called "advance fee" fraud has been around for decades.
But in recent months, a number of regulatory agencies and watchdog groups, including units of the Better Business Bureau, have issued fresh warnings and shut down questionable Web sites. The reason: Financially desperate persons and even companies are considered more vulnerable to the fraudsters' e-mail and telephone pitches.
While there are many variations, the new emerging common pattern is this: An offer of financial assistance is made--a mortgage loan, assistance in debt consolidation, help in getting federal stimulus money and so on. But the customer first has to make a payment, often in the thousands of dollars, that is variously called a "due diligence fee," a finder's fee. The promised assistance doesn't materialize because the offerer collecting the fees never had any intention of providing it.Not every service that asks for an upfront application fee is bogus.
Knowing the warning signs is important, because often a victim finds out he's been had only after trying unsuccessfully, and often repeatedly, to get the agreed-on service or loan. It's not just the economy that's helping the advance fee business to boom. The Internet, plus telephone forwarding services, have made it much easier for scamsters to hide their true identities and even locations. These days, it's not unusual for a victim to discover the fee ended up being sent to a foreign country where there is little effective recourse.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Living In a Smaller House Techniques
Living in a house smaller than some people's walk-in closets may not be for everyone, but those who are able to do so reap many benefits for themselves and for the world around them. Here are some tips for choosing the best type of small house for you and how to simplify your life so living in a small house is enjoyable and not confining.
Do your research.Look at the designs, which range from traditional to ultra-modern in design. Some incorporate off-the-grid designs like solar/wind power, rainwater collection, and composting toilets.
Decide what you need from your dwelling and what you want. Most people need a comfortable, dry, quiet place to sleep; a clean place to perform personal hygiene (toilet, shower); a comfortable place to sit or lie down during the day; a place to store, prepare, and eat food for the day. You may want other creature comforts such as long-term refrigerated food storage, a clothes washer and dryer, a whirlpool tub, a state-of-the-art entertainment system, a power generator, a dishwasher, private bedrooms, workout facilities, wall-to-wall carpeting, granite countertops, and so on.
Benefits of "living small:" less space to clean; less pack-ratting of unneeded clothes, broken appliances, etc.; lower energy bills and a greener environmental footprint; fresher food that is purchased, caught, or harvested on a more daily basis; more time available for outdoor activities and entertaining; no need to sell your home when you relocate (if your tiny home is towable).
Small houses cost more per square feet than large houses.Areas is more complex, as items such as built-in furniture have to be custom made to take advantage of all the space. Compact appliances sometimes cost much more than full sized appliances.
If you are designing or building your own home on a trailer bed, you need to take plumbing (grey water and black water storage and disposal) into consideration.
Pare down your belongings: we spend about 80% of our time wearing 20% of the clothes we own, so by getting rid of most of that wasted 80%, your life becomes immediately simpler: less laundry and less indecision about what to wear that day. Instead of having 3 TVs, 2 computers, a VCR, DVD, Blu-Ray, and 3 different game stations, reduce to one computer--transfer your movies to a hard drive and a flat screen monitor can double as a TV. A laptop with a TV tuner is even more energy efficient.
Be creative about storage and multi-function furniture: a bed platform could have clothing storage drawers underneath. If you make a built-in sofa (without a bed) you can use the space underneath to store lots of things. A table can be made with shelves for storage underneath the table surface. Or you could design a table that folds out of the wall, then folds up and down to become a bed.
Do your research.Look at the designs, which range from traditional to ultra-modern in design. Some incorporate off-the-grid designs like solar/wind power, rainwater collection, and composting toilets.
Decide what you need from your dwelling and what you want. Most people need a comfortable, dry, quiet place to sleep; a clean place to perform personal hygiene (toilet, shower); a comfortable place to sit or lie down during the day; a place to store, prepare, and eat food for the day. You may want other creature comforts such as long-term refrigerated food storage, a clothes washer and dryer, a whirlpool tub, a state-of-the-art entertainment system, a power generator, a dishwasher, private bedrooms, workout facilities, wall-to-wall carpeting, granite countertops, and so on.
Benefits of "living small:" less space to clean; less pack-ratting of unneeded clothes, broken appliances, etc.; lower energy bills and a greener environmental footprint; fresher food that is purchased, caught, or harvested on a more daily basis; more time available for outdoor activities and entertaining; no need to sell your home when you relocate (if your tiny home is towable).
Small houses cost more per square feet than large houses.Areas is more complex, as items such as built-in furniture have to be custom made to take advantage of all the space. Compact appliances sometimes cost much more than full sized appliances.
If you are designing or building your own home on a trailer bed, you need to take plumbing (grey water and black water storage and disposal) into consideration.
Pare down your belongings: we spend about 80% of our time wearing 20% of the clothes we own, so by getting rid of most of that wasted 80%, your life becomes immediately simpler: less laundry and less indecision about what to wear that day. Instead of having 3 TVs, 2 computers, a VCR, DVD, Blu-Ray, and 3 different game stations, reduce to one computer--transfer your movies to a hard drive and a flat screen monitor can double as a TV. A laptop with a TV tuner is even more energy efficient.
Be creative about storage and multi-function furniture: a bed platform could have clothing storage drawers underneath. If you make a built-in sofa (without a bed) you can use the space underneath to store lots of things. A table can be made with shelves for storage underneath the table surface. Or you could design a table that folds out of the wall, then folds up and down to become a bed.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
To Reinvent Your Company, Reinvent Yourself
As if the non-stop economic challenges of the past two years weren't bad enough, a hidden crisis is beginning to emerge from the economic rubble of 2007-08: Corporate leaders have to deal with a challenge for which they are completely unprepared.
Companies are increasingly recognizing that today's turbulent times require nothing short of continual reinvention. Weathering today's storm isn't enough. Companies have to develop repeatable processes that regularly renew their firms before the next crisis hits. This kind of renewal must begin with the leaders themselves.Companies have to build a "dual core" culture that excels at building new growth businesses while harnessing the full potential of existing businesses. It is a tough challenge. Consider the seemingly paradoxical demands this challenge places on leaders' plates:
We have to focus on running operations with laser-like precision without stifling creativity
Attention to detail and focus on numbers has allowed me to progress in my career, but too much detail or number orientation can crowd out innovation. Hyper-competitive markets with shrinking windows of competitive advantage mean that leaders have to develop these skills, and fast.
There's no silver bullet to address this challenge, but the following three tips can help leaders begin the necessary process of personal reinvention.
1.--Work with a human resources executive to develop a personalized development program.
2.--Start a "nights and weekend" activity rife with ambiguity
3.--Consciously complicate your life by brushing up against other disciplines. It's a long-held view that innovation often occurs when different disciplines intersect.
Companies are increasingly recognizing that today's turbulent times require nothing short of continual reinvention. Weathering today's storm isn't enough. Companies have to develop repeatable processes that regularly renew their firms before the next crisis hits. This kind of renewal must begin with the leaders themselves.Companies have to build a "dual core" culture that excels at building new growth businesses while harnessing the full potential of existing businesses. It is a tough challenge. Consider the seemingly paradoxical demands this challenge places on leaders' plates:
We have to focus on running operations with laser-like precision without stifling creativity
Attention to detail and focus on numbers has allowed me to progress in my career, but too much detail or number orientation can crowd out innovation. Hyper-competitive markets with shrinking windows of competitive advantage mean that leaders have to develop these skills, and fast.
There's no silver bullet to address this challenge, but the following three tips can help leaders begin the necessary process of personal reinvention.
1.--Work with a human resources executive to develop a personalized development program.
2.--Start a "nights and weekend" activity rife with ambiguity
3.--Consciously complicate your life by brushing up against other disciplines. It's a long-held view that innovation often occurs when different disciplines intersect.
Top 5 English Learning Mistakes:
1. Focusing On Grammar
This is the biggest, most common, and worst mistake. Research shows that grammar study, in fact, actually hurts English speaking ability. Why? Because English grammar is simply too complex to memorize and use logically.... and real conversation is much too fast. You don't have enough time to think, remember hundreds or thousands of grammar rules, choose the correct one, then use it.Your logical left-brain cannot do it. You must learn grammar intuitively and unconsciously, like a child. You do this by hearing a lot of correct English grammar- and your brain gradually and automatically learns to use English grammar correctly.
2. Forcing Speech
Both English students and teachers try to force speech before the learner is ready. The result is that most students speak English very slowly- with no confidence and no fluency. Forcing speech is a huge mistake. Don't force speech. Focus on listening and be patient. Speak only when you are ready to speak- when it happens easily and naturally. Until then, never force it.
3. Learning Only Formal Textbook English
Unfortunately, most English students learn only the formal English found in textbooks and schools. The problem is- native speakers don't use that kind of English in most situations. When speaking to friends, family, or co-workers, native speakers use casual English that is full of idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang. To communicate with native speakers, you must not rely only on textbooks.. you must learn casual English.
4. Trying To Be Perfect
Students and teachers often focus on mistakes. They worry about mistakes. They correct mistakes. They feel nervous about mistakes. They try to speak perfectly. No one, however, is perfect. Native speakers make mistakes all the time. You will too. Instead of focusing on the negative- focus on communication. Your goal is not to speak "perfectly", your goal is to communicate ideas, information, and feelings in a clear and
5. Relying On English Schools
Most English learners rely totally on schools. They think the teacher and the school are responsible for their success. This is never true. You, the English learner, are always responsible. A good teacher can help, but ultimately you must be responsible for your own learning.You must find lessons and material that are effective. You must listen and read every day. You must manage your emotions and remain motivated and energetic. You must be positive and optimistic. No teacher can make you learn. Only you can do it!
This is the biggest, most common, and worst mistake. Research shows that grammar study, in fact, actually hurts English speaking ability. Why? Because English grammar is simply too complex to memorize and use logically.... and real conversation is much too fast. You don't have enough time to think, remember hundreds or thousands of grammar rules, choose the correct one, then use it.Your logical left-brain cannot do it. You must learn grammar intuitively and unconsciously, like a child. You do this by hearing a lot of correct English grammar- and your brain gradually and automatically learns to use English grammar correctly.
2. Forcing Speech
Both English students and teachers try to force speech before the learner is ready. The result is that most students speak English very slowly- with no confidence and no fluency. Forcing speech is a huge mistake. Don't force speech. Focus on listening and be patient. Speak only when you are ready to speak- when it happens easily and naturally. Until then, never force it.
3. Learning Only Formal Textbook English
Unfortunately, most English students learn only the formal English found in textbooks and schools. The problem is- native speakers don't use that kind of English in most situations. When speaking to friends, family, or co-workers, native speakers use casual English that is full of idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang. To communicate with native speakers, you must not rely only on textbooks.. you must learn casual English.
4. Trying To Be Perfect
Students and teachers often focus on mistakes. They worry about mistakes. They correct mistakes. They feel nervous about mistakes. They try to speak perfectly. No one, however, is perfect. Native speakers make mistakes all the time. You will too. Instead of focusing on the negative- focus on communication. Your goal is not to speak "perfectly", your goal is to communicate ideas, information, and feelings in a clear and
5. Relying On English Schools
Most English learners rely totally on schools. They think the teacher and the school are responsible for their success. This is never true. You, the English learner, are always responsible. A good teacher can help, but ultimately you must be responsible for your own learning.You must find lessons and material that are effective. You must listen and read every day. You must manage your emotions and remain motivated and energetic. You must be positive and optimistic. No teacher can make you learn. Only you can do it!
Your workplace today
Do you make these mistakes?:
• You think because you trained your employees, they are following your health and safety procedures… 88% of accidents are caused by unsafe acts of workers.• You’re safe from prosecution because the Department of Labour doesn’t check compliance with the OHS Act… 10 949 notices were served for contraventions in health and safety requirements during 2006/7. 1230 companies had to stop production.
• Productivity is more important than health and safety. The insured cost to uninsured cost ratio is R1: R53 per incident. How much profit do you need to make to absorb an uninsured incident cost of R1 million?If you think health and safety isn’t important in your company, think again. The Department of Labour is clamping down and doing more workplace inspections.Are you sure your company would pass a health and safety inspection? Are you prepared to have your company shut down for non-compliance?
A lot of companies aren’t too worried about implementing health and safety in their workplace. On the one hand, management doesn’t want to spend money to implement health and safety. On the other, companies that do have health and safety policies, can’t get their employees to follow the procedures.Most people only realise the problem when an accident happens.
They get a visit from the Department of Labour, the employer gets laid with criminal charges and the business is shut down – which can cost some companies millions!Only then do they ask why procedures were not in place or followed correctly. Only then do they start to see how important health and safety is. By then, its too late.
• You think because you trained your employees, they are following your health and safety procedures… 88% of accidents are caused by unsafe acts of workers.• You’re safe from prosecution because the Department of Labour doesn’t check compliance with the OHS Act… 10 949 notices were served for contraventions in health and safety requirements during 2006/7. 1230 companies had to stop production.
• Productivity is more important than health and safety. The insured cost to uninsured cost ratio is R1: R53 per incident. How much profit do you need to make to absorb an uninsured incident cost of R1 million?If you think health and safety isn’t important in your company, think again. The Department of Labour is clamping down and doing more workplace inspections.Are you sure your company would pass a health and safety inspection? Are you prepared to have your company shut down for non-compliance?
A lot of companies aren’t too worried about implementing health and safety in their workplace. On the one hand, management doesn’t want to spend money to implement health and safety. On the other, companies that do have health and safety policies, can’t get their employees to follow the procedures.Most people only realise the problem when an accident happens.
They get a visit from the Department of Labour, the employer gets laid with criminal charges and the business is shut down – which can cost some companies millions!Only then do they ask why procedures were not in place or followed correctly. Only then do they start to see how important health and safety is. By then, its too late.
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