Atricle Dump - Business

Ways to Invest Money
You don’t have to be a brilliant financial wizard to be successful in mutual funds investing but it does help to know someone who is in the business. I found that there is a lot to consider when dealing with this kind of investments so I really wanted to get some sound advice. The advice led me to a pretty nice portfolio that I would have never been able to create on my own.I was so financially backward when I opened my mutual funds investing portfolio that I thought that I couldn’t even balance my checkbook. Balancing my checkbook back then should have been really simple because I really didn’t have that much money. Even though my account was thin I knew that I needed to start saving.Working as a bartender can be a very lucrative business if you really put time and effort into the job. This career does have some drawbacks. The hours are awful and you earn the bulk of your money in cash. While this seems like a wonderful thing it can actually impact your savings. This is why I decided to look into mutual funds investing.I really needed to gain control of my finances and I needed to start putting money away for the future. Healthcare was another great concern of mine at the time. Bartending jobs do not come equipped with health insurance. Ironically, I was making more money than most of the people I knew but I just wasn’t seeing the benefits in the long run.During my research into mutual funds investing I realized that I have a great reason for not balancing my checkbook. I hate numbers and financial information in general gives me a headache. Finding a trustworthy advisor was the only option that would help me plan for my future.I found a wonderful financial planner who worked with me on creating a great portfolio. The mutual fund investing strategy goes well over my head but I do know that I have mostly slow and steady investments and one or two aggressive funds as well. The diversified accounts win some and lose some but I seem to always come out ahead.If you thing that you don’t make enough money to even conHarry Truman stated, "The only new thing in the world is the history that you don't know."

Truman spent many years studying the history of those who preceded him. His study paid off. Truman today is regarded as one of America's greatest Presidents.

The reason history is important is because we live in a cause-and-effect universe. Similar choices produce similar results at the individual (micro) level and at the national (macro) level. History is the story of choices made, and the results of those choices.

LESSON ONE: Look For What Worked And What Didn't Work, And Why

You can use history like a case study in business school. Example: Mark Twain became a partner in a publishing company, Webster & Co., which published the " Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant." Twain also obtained the rights to Pope Leo III's authorized biography. The first book became a best seller. The second sold poorly.

Both publications seemed like good ideas. Twain assumed that purchasing the Pope's biography would be required reading for American Catholics. It wasn't. At that time many working-class Irish and German Catholics couldn't read and those who could had little discretionary income for purchasing books.

Grant's memoirs became a literary and financial triumph because it was written by a popular President who had just died, it provided an insider's account of the Civil War, which was a fascinating topic for millions, and it was beautifully written. (See Fred Kaplan, "The Singular Mark Twain." NY: 2003, Doubleday, pp. 422, 423)

LESSON TWO: There Is Magic In Thinking Big

Ted Turner is the biggest-thinking individual I have ever known personally. He literally changed the world with CNN. Changing the world is exactly what he intended to do. I was an on-air host and producer at TBS when CNN was being planned. But I had no idea how big Ted was thinking.

And where did Ted Turner get his inspiration? From history. One of Turner's favorite characters as a youth was Alexander the Great, who is reported to have wept because there were no more worlds left for him to conquer.

An in-depth study of history can raise your aspirations.

When you discover what others have been able to accomplish under adverse conditions and often with few advantages, you may hear a voice inside that says to you, "I can do something significant too."

"Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." The quote is from Daniel H. Burnham. Here's a thumbnail sketch of the man behind the quote.

Burnham, who's the subject of Erik Larson's beautifully written new book "The Devil In The White City," was the man who made the Chicago World's Fair happen. He was Director of Works, World's Columbian Exposition, 1893. Burnham and his partner John Wellborn Root designed some of Chicago's earliest skyscrapers. His plan for Chicago was used for many years, and is considered a classic example of city planning.

The book “Time Tactics of Very Successful People” contains an entire section on how high achievers make plans.   For information about obtaining this book, go to http://www.achievementdigest.com/timetacticsofverysuccessfulpeople.html

LINCOLN'S LOG

Lincoln still influences decisions. Christie Hefner, chairman and chief executive, Playboy Enterprises, recently told a New York Times writer that she had learned an invaluable leadership lesson from Lincoln.

Here is a quote from that interview: "In leadership, it isn't about what you say; it's about what the other person hears. If you articulate well, like Lincoln, you have a tendency to think: 'I've made myself clear.' But the point is, Lincoln realizes, what did the other person hear?"

Lincoln is generally thought of as a politician, which he was, but his vocation was the law. He served about 1500 days as President and 23 years as a lawyer. During that time he tried approximately 5000 cases, an average of about 200 a year. In the huge Eight Judicial Circuit of Central Illinois, Lincoln had the largest single caseload. During his career, Lincoln was involved in 15 murder cases. Of those, four men were found not guilty (one by reason of insanity), two were indicted but not prosecuted, one escaped during trial, six were convicted on the lesser charge of manslaughter, and only two were found guilty and sentenced to hang. (Lincoln Legal Briefs, July-September 1996, No. 39)

A quaint note has survived from one of Lincoln's civil cases in the 1850s. "If you settle I will charge nothing for what I have done, and thank you to boot. By settling you will likely get your money sooner, and with much less trouble and expense." (Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Assn., Vol 16, No. 2, pp. 4, 5)

Lincoln understood that compromise is necessary in everyday life. "Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can," he wrote in a lecture for lawyers. "Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser--in fees, and expenses, and waste of time."

Learn about how Lincoln communicated from the recently released DVD "Lincoln On Communication.” It is widely used as an instructional manual in leadership and communication programs, but it also is valuable for self-study. It comes with an instructor’s guide. For information about obtaining this valuable resource, go to http://www.achievementdigest.com/lincoln%20on%20communication.html

Another Lincoln resource is the book “The Words Lincoln Lived By.” For information go to http://www.achievementdigest.com/thewordslincolnlivedby.html

The book is available as a spoken-word audiocassette.   For information, to http://www.achievementdigest.com/inspirationalwords.html Quantity prices are available. One of our readers ordered 200 copies to give to customers and prospects.

This article is excerpts from The Achievement Digest www.achievementdigest.com
(For a complimentary subscription, go to www.achievementdigest.com and follow the prompts.)

Gene Griessman, Ph.D. Editor and Publisher www.achievementdigest.com

Material Handling Equipment Guide 101
With the growing economy the Material Handling industry is also expecting a boom. As an industry, Material Handling involves various stages like planning, organizing, application, etc. It revolves around the acts of loading, unloading and moving goods within a factory using mechanical devices that are called Material Handling Equipments.Material handling equipment means equipment, including its supporting structures, auxiliary equipment and rigging devices, used to transport, lift, move or position persons, materials, goods or things. It also includes mobile equipment used to lift, hoist or position persons, but does not include an elevating device that is permanently installed in a building. As per a recent research report conducted in the industry, there are almost 4000 distribution outlets for the Material Handling Equipment in the US. Together they score a combined annual sales figure of $15 billion. Material Handling Equipments include lift trucks and inventory handling systems like conveyors, sorters, storage racks, shelving systems and carousels. Lift trucks account for half of these total sales figures. Basically it can be categorized under five main heads, which are, transport equipment, positioning equipment, unit load formation equipment, storage equipment and identification and control equipment.Transport equipment is the equipment that is used to move material from one location to another, for example, conveyors, cranes and industrial trucks. Positioning equipment consists of the equipment that is used to handle material in a single location for the purpose of machining, transport or storage. Unit Load Formation Equipment is the equipment used to restrict materials so that they maintain their integrity when handled. If material is self-restraining (e.g. a single part or interlocking parts), then they can be formed into a unit load with no equipment. Storage Equipment is used for holding or buffing materials over a period of time, for example, S/R machines of an AS/RS, storage carousels etc. Identification and Control Equipmenident who had just died, it provided an insider's account of the Civil War, which was a fascinating topic for millions, and it was beautifully written. (See Fred Kaplan, "The Singular Mark Twain." NY: 2003, Doubleday, pp. 422, 423)

LESSON TWO: There Is Magic In Thinking Big

Ted Turner is the biggest-thinking individual I have ever known personally. He literally changed the world with CNN. Changing the world is exactly what he intended to do. I was an on-air host and producer at TBS when CNN was being planned. But I had no idea how big Ted was thinking.

And where did Ted Turner get his inspiration? From history. One of Turner's favorite characters as a youth was Alexander the Great, who is reported to have wept because there were no more worlds left for him to conquer.

An in-depth study of history can raise your aspirations.

When you discover what others have been able to accomplish under adverse conditions and often with few advantages, you may hear a voice inside that says to you, "I can do something significant too."

"Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." The quote is from Daniel H. Burnham. Here's a thumbnail sketch of the man behind the quote.

Burnham, who's the subject of Erik Larson's beautifully written new book "The Devil In The White City," was the man who made the Chicago World's Fair happen. He was Director of Works, World's Columbian Exposition, 1893. Burnham and his partner John Wellborn Root designed some of Chicago's earliest skyscrapers. His plan for Chicago was used for many years, and is considered a classic example of city planning.

The book “Time Tactics of Very Successful People” contains an entire section on how high achievers make plans.   For information about obtaining this book, go to http://www.achievementdigest.com/timetacticsofverysuccessfulpeople.html

LINCOLN'S LOG

Lincoln still influences decisions. Christie Hefner, chairman and chief executive, Playboy Enterprises, recently told a New York Times writer that she had learned an invaluable leadership lesson from Lincoln.

Here is a quote from that interview: "In leadership, it isn't about what you say; it's about what the other person hears. If you articulate well, like Lincoln, you have a tendency to think: 'I've made myself clear.' But the point is, Lincoln realizes, what did the other person hear?"

Lincoln is generally thought of as a politician, which he was, but his vocation was the law. He served about 1500 days as President and 23 years as a lawyer. During that time he tried approximately 5000 cases, an average of about 200 a year. In the huge Eight Judicial Circuit of Central Illinois, Lincoln had the largest single caseload. During his career, Lincoln was involved in 15 murder cases. Of those, four men were found not guilty (one by reason of insanity), two were indicted but not prosecuted, one escaped during trial, six were convicted on the lesser charge of manslaughter, and only two were found guilty and sentenced to hang. (Lincoln Legal Briefs, July-September 1996, No. 39)

A quaint note has survived from one of Lincoln's civil cases in the 1850s. "If you settle I will charge nothing for what I have done, and thank you to boot. By settling you will likely get your money sooner, and with much less trouble and expense." (Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Assn., Vol 16, No. 2, pp. 4, 5)

Lincoln understood that compromise is necessary in everyday life. "Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can," he wrote in a lecture for lawyers. "Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser--in fees, and expenses, and waste of time."

Learn about how Lincoln communicated from the recently released DVD "Lincoln On Communication.” It is widely used as an instructional manual in leadership and communication programs, but it also is valuable for self-study. It comes with an instructor’s guide. For information about obtaining this valuable resource, go to http://www.achievementdigest.com/lincoln%20on%20communication.html

Another Lincoln resource is the book “The Words Lincoln Lived By.” For information go to http://www.achievementdigest.com/thewordslincolnlivedby.html

The book is available as a spoken-word audiocassette.   For information, to http://www.achievementdigest.com/inspirationalwords.html Quantity prices are available. One of our readers ordered 200 copies to give to customers and prospects.

This article is excerpts from The Achievement Digest www.achievementdigest.com
(For a complimentary subscription, go to www.achievementdigest.com and follow the prompts.)

Gene Griessman, Ph.D. Editor and Publisher www.achievementdigest.com

The Seven Secrets of Great Customer Service
Copyright 2006 Cari HausThere’s a new sub shop in town, and their service—and food—are exceptional. We live in a small town with limited options, so the first thing I did after trying this recently arrived spectacular fare was tell the next five people I saw. I wasn’t really trying to be a walking billboard, it just came naturally.That, of course, is what every thinking business person wants to have customers do for their business. What could be a more effective marketing tool than a truly excited “customer evangelist”? If you want customers to truly fall in love with your business, here are some things you can do:1. Make a CommitmentIf you don’t commit to great customer service, you can be sure it won’t happen. Devote yourself to treating your customers right. Develop a company culture that focuses on customer service, and go above and beyond the call of duty. Your customers will thank-you for it, and more than likely, tell their friends.2. Know Your StuffCustomers are pretty astute judges of character. If you are competent, confident and knowledgeable, you stand a better chance of winning their confidence and trust. I have a long list of questions customers usually ask when buying log furniture, and I know the answers to those questions like the back of my hand. You might say this comes from selling log furniture for five years, but it took more than that.When I first started into this business, I kept a list of questions customers asked. Questions about shipping, product weight, log bed assembly, warranties—the list goes on. I memorized the answers to those questions, and that initial groundwork has helped me immensely over the years.3. Get Acquainted and Follow the Golden RuleSome customers aren’t chatty, and that’s fine. But some do like to talk, and it takes a fair amount of conversation to wrap up a large log furniture order. Some transactions are pretty cut-and-dried, but on some, by the time their furniture is delivered, the customer feels like an old friend. I feel White City," was the man who made the Chicago World's Fair happen. He was Director of Works, World's Columbian Exposition, 1893. Burnham and his partner John Wellborn Root designed some of Chicago's earliest skyscrapers. His plan for Chicago was used for many years, and is considered a classic example of city planning.

The book “Time Tactics of Very Successful People” contains an entire section on how high achievers make plans.   For information about obtaining this book, go to http://www.achievementdigest.com/timetacticsofverysuccessfulpeople.html

LINCOLN'S LOG

Lincoln still influences decisions. Christie Hefner, chairman and chief executive, Playboy Enterprises, recently told a New York Times writer that she had learned an invaluable leadership lesson from Lincoln.

Here is a quote from that interview: "In leadership, it isn't about what you say; it's about what the other person hears. If you articulate well, like Lincoln, you have a tendency to think: 'I've made myself clear.' But the point is, Lincoln realizes, what did the other person hear?"

Lincoln is generally thought of as a politician, which he was, but his vocation was the law. He served about 1500 days as President and 23 years as a lawyer. During that time he tried approximately 5000 cases, an average of about 200 a year. In the huge Eight Judicial Circuit of Central Illinois, Lincoln had the largest single caseload. During his career, Lincoln was involved in 15 murder cases. Of those, four men were found not guilty (one by reason of insanity), two were indicted but not prosecuted, one escaped during trial, six were convicted on the lesser charge of manslaughter, and only two were found guilty and sentenced to hang. (Lincoln Legal Briefs, July-September 1996, No. 39)

A quaint note has survived from one of Lincoln's civil cases in the 1850s. "If you settle I will charge nothing for what I have done, and thank you to boot. By settling you will likely get your money sooner, and with much less trouble and expense." (Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Assn., Vol 16, No. 2, pp. 4, 5)

Lincoln understood that compromise is necessary in everyday life. "Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can," he wrote in a lecture for lawyers. "Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser--in fees, and expenses, and waste of time."

Learn about how Lincoln communicated from the recently released DVD "Lincoln On Communication.” It is widely used as an instructional manual in leadership and communication programs, but it also is valuable for self-study. It comes with an instructor’s guide. For information about obtaining this valuable resource, go to http://www.achievementdigest.com/lincoln%20on%20communication.html

Another Lincoln resource is the book “The Words Lincoln Lived By.” For information go to http://www.achievementdigest.com/thewordslincolnlivedby.html

The book is available as a spoken-word audiocassette.   For information, to http://www.achievementdigest.com/inspirationalwords.html Quantity prices are available. One of our readers ordered 200 copies to give to customers and prospects.

This article is excerpts from The Achievement Digest www.achievementdigest.com
(For a complimentary subscription, go to www.achievementdigest.com and follow the prompts.)

Gene Griessman, Ph.D. Editor and Publisher www.achievementdigest.com

Business Records Destruction
Effective June 1, 2005, the FTC’s Disposal Rule requires any business or individual that utilizes credit report information to properly dispose of that information to protect against unauthorized access to or use of the information. The Rule can be found at www.ftc.gov/os/2004/11/041118disposalfrn.pdf.Examples of consumer reports include credit reports, credit scores, reports businesses or individuals receive with information relating to employment background, check writing history, insurance claims, residential or tenant history, or medical history.Affected business include mortgage brokers, lenders, insurers, employers, debt collectors, and car dealers.Financial institutions, including mortgage brokers, are subject to both the Disposal Rule and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley (GLB) Safeguards Rule. The Safeguards Rule requires institutions to take steps to protect sensitive customer information.Financial institutions should incorporate practices dealing with the proper disposal of consumer information into the information security program that the Safeguards Rule requires.The Rule requires disposal practices that are reasonable and appropriate to prevent the unauthorized access to, or use of, information in a consumer report, such as burning, pulverizing, destroying, erasing, or shredding papers or electronic media so that the information cannot be read or reconstructed.It is also possible to conduct due diligence and hire a third party for records destruction. Due diligence includes obtaining information about the disposal company from several references, requiring that the disposal company be certified by a recognized trade association, reviewing and evaluating the disposal company’s information security policies or procedures, or reviewing an independent audit of a disposal company’s operations and its compliance with the Rule.You should consult the following FTC publications:as a lawyer. During that time he tried approximately 5000 cases, an average of about 200 a year. In the huge Eight Judicial Circuit of Central Illinois, Lincoln had the largest single caseload. During his career, Lincoln was involved in 15 murder cases. Of those, four men were found not guilty (one by reason of insanity), two were indicted but not prosecuted, one escaped during trial, six were convicted on the lesser charge of manslaughter, and only two were found guilty and sentenced to hang. (Lincoln Legal Briefs, July-September 1996, No. 39)

A quaint note has survived from one of Lincoln's civil cases in the 1850s. "If you settle I will charge nothing for what I have done, and thank you to boot. By settling you will likely get your money sooner, and with much less trouble and expense." (Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Assn., Vol 16, No. 2, pp. 4, 5)

Lincoln understood that compromise is necessary in everyday life. "Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can," he wrote in a lecture for lawyers. "Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser--in fees, and expenses, and waste of time."

Learn about how Lincoln communicated from the recently released DVD "Lincoln On Communication.” It is widely used as an instructional manual in leadership and communication programs, but it also is valuable for self-study. It comes with an instructor’s guide. For information about obtaining this valuable resource, go to http://www.achievementdigest.com/lincoln%20on%20communication.html

Another Lincoln resource is the book “The Words Lincoln Lived By.” For information go to http://www.achievementdigest.com/thewordslincolnlivedby.html

The book is available as a spoken-word audiocassette.   For information, to http://www.achievementdigest.com/inspirationalwords.html Quantity prices are available. One of our readers ordered 200 copies to give to customers and prospects.

This article is excerpts from The Achievement Digest www.achievementdigest.com
(For a complimentary subscription, go to www.achievementdigest.com and follow the prompts.)

Gene Griessman, Ph.D. Editor and Publisher www.achievementdigest.com

7 Point Checklist for Business Letters
I don’t claim to be a good advertising writer. But over the years, I’ve sent hundreds of business letters. Here are a few things I try to include in each of them:l. The headline, first sentence, and P.S. are usually the best-read parts. They need to dramatize an offer, or focus on the reason the letter was sent.2. Most letters should emphasize a single theme. Everything in the letter should relate to that theme.3. Use active, descriptive words.4. Show customers how to solve a problem. In a letter to your customers, this might involve MAKING or SAVING money.5. Readers relate to “success stories.” Can you tell them how you’ve solved a specific problem for other customers?How about running an “open letter to customers?” Detail your plans for your company’s future, or for an upcoming trade show. Tell how your reader can benefit.6. One major question companies ask is “How do we get more response – or feedback – from a letter?”Here are a few ideas: give away something free; offer that item or service in the first sentence; use a color marker (perhaps red or blue) to highlight the letter’s main points; give readers a reason to contact you by a specific date; put a toll-free number, e-mail address, phone, and physical address in the letter.7. “The pain/gain concept” is an idea that’s been around for years. In it, you talk about (1) the pain or problem your reader may have, and (2) how your company, product or service can solve it.r self-study. It comes with an instructor’s guide. For information about obtaining this valuable resource, go to http://www.achievementdigest.com/lincoln%20on%20communication.html

Another Lincoln resource is the book “The Words Lincoln Lived By.” For information go to http://www.achievementdigest.com/thewordslincolnlivedby.html

The book is available as a spoken-word audiocassette.   For information, to http://www.achievementdigest.com/inspirationalwords.html Quantity prices are available. One of our readers ordered 200 copies to give to customers and prospects.

This article is excerpts from The Achievement Digest www.achievementdigest.com
(For a complimentary subscription, go to www.achievementdigest.com and follow the prompts.)

Gene Griessman, Ph.D. Editor and Publisher www.achievementdigest.com

Gene Griessman, Ph.D. is editor-in-chief of The Achievement Digest--www.achievementdigest.com--and is an executive coach and a much-sought after public speaker for conventions, conferences, and retreats. He has interviewed some of the most famous people in the world asking the question: “What makes people great?”

His list includes Ronald Reagan, Ray Charles, David Rockefeller, Sandra Day O’Connor, Jack Nicklaus, Hank Aaron, Ted Turner, Julie Andrews, Aaron Copland, Jack Lemmon, Billy Joel, and Tennessee Williams and many others.

Griessman often appears on television and radio, and his award-winning programs have aired on WCNN and TBS. For years he was host of “Up Close” on TBS, the SuperStation founded by Ted Turner.

He has written and co-authored seven books, plus a one-man play on Abraham Lincoln. He has performed twice at historic Ford’s Theatre and at the Lincoln Memorial.

His book “Time Tactics of Very Successful People” was featured in Reader’s Digest and is now in its 24th printing. He is also author of “The Words Lincoln Lived By” and “The Inspirational Words of Abraham Lincoln.” His latest CD is entitled “99 Ways to Get More Out Of Every Day” and his latest DVD is “Abraham Lincoln on Communication.”

He has taught at the College of William and Mary, North Carolina State University, Auburn University, and Georgia Tech. He has served as a Fulbright professor at the national graduate university of Pakistan and as a visiting researcher at the National Agrarian University of Peru and the University of New South Wales in Australia.

He’s a voting member of the Television Academy. For years he has been listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World.

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