Top Social Media Sites For Small Business

You
know that social media works, but how do you find out what social media
sites are the best for your small business? The truth is, there are
dozens of different social media networks that can help you to expand
your business. However, there are a few that stand out from the rest:

1) Facebook

By
far the leading competitor of all social media for business websites is
Facebook. Whether you conduct a search for your mother, your brother,
your teacher, or your best friend, you can almost guarantee that they
will have a profile on this website. In the last two years, Facebook has
skyrocketed in popularity, making it the most popular social media
marketing tool. The sad truth is, if you don’t already have a Facebook
business profile, you are already 5 steps behind your competitors. Your
target market is already there. Where are you? With Facebook you can
easily communicate with customers through public messages, private
messages, or even real-time conversations. You can also easily share
updated information, photos, videos, and other applications that may
spark the interest of potential clients. See how I use Facebook to
spread the word about my business and build a fan base. You might also
like my page while you are there.

2) Twitter

Another
of the leading social media sites for small business and definitely my
favorite one is Twitter. While not quite as popular as Facebook, Twitter
still ranks among the top social media sites with over 200 million
worldwide users. Twitter’s entire concept can be summed up in one
question, “What are you doing?” Once a business profile has been
created, the owner consistently updates the answer to this question,
providing potential customers with information and insights into the
business as they go. Like Facebook, Twitter also allows you to send
private and public messages and share links and files such as photos and
videos. Connect with me on Twitter and stop by to say “hi” and watch
how I use this great tool to grow my business.

3) YouTube

Whether
it be a music video or a documentary, at one point in time we have all
watched a video on YouTube. And because so many people watch videos on
YouTube it is a great type of social media for business. The most
obvious and effective way to attract customers on YouTube is through
paid advertisements. Nevertheless, a lot of business owners are now
sharing videos on YouTube to attract attention to their business.
Whether it be a walkthrough of a store, a commercial, a video
presentation, or answers to a variety of frequently asked questions,
YouTube can be a great way to share information with clients in an
interesting yet informative way. Subscribe to my YouTube channel to
watch videos helping you build and grow your online business
strategically.

4) LinkedIn

LinkedIn is
another great social media platform you might want to check out. It’s
more professional than Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and it allows you
to connect with other like-minded people or even your prospects and
clients, share ideas, knowledge, and opportunities. With LinkedIn you
can easily create a professional profile, keep in close contact with
other professionals, find experts, share information, search for ideas,
and explore or offer career opportunities.

If you are a small
business owner, it is time to set up a social media account. When it
comes to social media for business Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and
LinkedIn are among the most popular social media tools today. However,
there are many more out there so feel free to explore your options and
connect with clients using as many social media tools as you wish. To
learn how to use social media platforms strategically to build your
customer base and grow your business, learn more about my Social Media
Simplified program. I’ll be looking forward to help you create your very
own smart strategy for social media.

Benefits Of Hiring A 3rd Party Background Check Company

Pre-employment background checks are more than just a way of avoiding bad hires; they’re also corporations’ best bet for beating negligence court cases. This article reviews why more and more corporations are hiring third party employee background check companies, rather than conducting background checks in-house. Read on to discover the benefits corporations enjoy by outsourcing their employment background checks.

1. Increased applicant privacy.

If an internal employee does your employee background checks, workplace drama can ensue. New hires will be less likely to trust their co-workers charged with employment background screening duties. Third party background checks go a long way in preventing mistrust and gossip. Moreover, they show applicants and employees that you are dedicated to even-handed, fair treatment.

2. Less chance for expensive mistakes.

Did you know that some states require employees to provide applicants with a copy of their employment background screening, even if it’s not specifically requested? Or that it’s illegal to base a hiring decision on court cases that did not result in convictions? Your company could be sued if you fail to follow the letter of the law as far as employee background checks are concerned. Yet few HR managers have the time or legal expertise to avoid all potential background check lawsuits. For this reason, increasing numbers of companies are outsourcing their employment background screening to vendors who have spent decades focused on these issues. Doing so typically results in fewer costly hiring mistakes.

3. Legal protection.

Beyond preventing legal mistakes, outsourcing background screening also grants companies exemption from lawsuits. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) promises legal immunity for companies that choose to outsource their employment background checks. In other words, your company can avoid lawsuits citing hiring negligence, privacy invasion, and defamation if you outsource your background procedures.

Still, it’s notable that the FCRA still requires companies to notify candidates if they are investigating credit history. Therefore, it’s smart to ask your employee background screening vendor whether they offer forms for applicant notification.

4. Decreased costs.

It would likely take a full-time employee months to research how to legally, respectfully, thoroughly carry out employment background checks. Then, it might take them another few months to locate the investigative resources needed to methodically do employment background screening.

In contrast, third-party, professional background check companies have already developed the understanding and resources needed to effectively run employment background checks, so they can typically deliver the same (or improved) results at a lower cost.

5. More meticulous background checks.

Because professional background check companies specialize in labor investigations, they usually have excellent sources for examining individuals’ history. Having spent hundreds of hours perfecting their screening approach, professional background check companies can typically deliver more thorough investigations than can be achieved in-house.

6. Improved service.

Because they are investigative experts, background check companies offer extra features for their clients, such as adverse action letters. The law states that if you choose not to hire someone based on characteristics such as credit history, you must inform his or her in writing about your decision. An adverse action letter fulfills this duty. Many employment background vendors offer complimentary adverse action letters as part of their employee screening service, saving you time.

There are many reasons for outsourcing your employee background screening process, from lowered costs to improved legal immunity.

CVS Group To Launch Blue Chip Advisory

CVS Group in Tokyo has today announced plans to launch an advisory service for blue chip investors on selected markets.

Tokyo, Japan, September 4, 2013 – (PressReleasePoint) – Despite the company’s historical focus on small and micro-cap stocks, Chief Executive Officer at CVS Group Mr. Hiroto Shizuka has today announced plans for the company to open a new department specializing in buy-sell advisory management. As a boutique equity research house, CVS Group seeks to identify vastly undervalued equities with high growth potential. However, with blue chips such as Nokia rising 45% this week of the back of Microsoft purchasing its mobile phone division and licensing patents, Hiroto Shizuka claims CVS Group is missing out on revenue.

The blue chip advisory service (BCAS) is scheduled to commence in January of 2014 at the CVS Group Tokyo office, and will require some corporate restructuring as well as hiring portfolio managers to cater to the demand.

CEO Mr. Hiroto Shizuka commented on the announcement saying -At CVS Group we have developed a reputation as a premium, reliable information service that brings undervalued small cap stocks to clients. However many cautious investors can be reluctant to invest in small companies, even under expert advice due to the inherent risks, so CVS Group will now offer a full service, creating balanced portfolios with varied elements of risk attached.-

Plans are still be made for the new department, but it is expected to commence with approximately 15-20 portfolio managers, who will work initially only with the existing client base, then later next year once the business model has been proven, the department itself will begin to seek out new clients.

Mr. Sato Tanaka as Head of European Equity Research, will lead the EU team, he commented -I’m really excited at the possibilities this new project brings, and I very much look forward to getting started-.

Property Investment Strategies

It is very difficult these day to decide on where to invest your money. More than the past five to six years bonds and stocks happen to be very volatile and furthermore as shoppers and nations are restricting their spending so commodities are obtaining a significant hit each day. Actual estate investment is regarded as the most prevalent investment approach these days. Real estate or property investment for any deal either shopping for or selling do have a right property investment advice from a professional to maximize your profits and minimize your losses. Real estate or property investment has extended been considered as one with the most secure type of investment that appeals on to many. Even with no thinking of their alternatives in mind that is the most likely long-term profits to be produced on their investment, many people blindly launch into the purchase of an investment property.

It’s incredibly important to recognize the fact which means of property investment and most important is the security of property investment in the long term while purchasing any of the investment properties or producing monetary security in any situations. The main aim on the property investor is always to capture earnings from rentals, and/or capital growth either via natural attrition or by adding capital value by means of development. Whatever the form or sector, property investments are solid, tangible and real in that a property is unlikely to depreciate in the long term offered due care, and consideration is provided to do diligence inside the acquisition stage.

Property as an asset class is normally made use of by Monetary Advisors as a risk-management and diversification tool, due mainly for the asset class sharing a low-correlation with equity markets despite the fact that some correlations do exist. It really is difficult to define the portfolio preparing characteristics of real estate in general terms because of the wide range of subsectors which all derive growth and revenue from various market-sectors and investment returns are driven by distinctive factors to the next subsector. Broadly speaking, all property subsectors do share quite a few characteristics that make the asset class appealing to Investors seeking capital security, revenue and growth.

Property investments, specially direct property investments, provide the Investor with an amount of security that paper-based investments don’t due just to the truth that excellent property assets retain capital value all through the long-term, which inside the situation of well-chosen properties in great places, is unlikely to fall and result in the Investor a capital loss. The Investor must be prepared and capable of tolerating the illiquidity connected with physical property assets, this asset class delivers correct diversification out of conventional economic assets such as stocks bonds and money.

Sony VAIO VGN-N11H Flavour of Style, Innovation, and Versatility

Taste the flavour of style, innovation, and versatility with Sony VAIO VGN-N11H. The device shouts elegance at a very first look and comes with enhanced features for interactive management of your personal, professional, and entertainment collection.

An ultra-portable powerhouse, this notebook enabled with an ideal configuration for all your digital leisure needs – from multi-tasking, to demanding flexibility and power without compromise, to be productive and connected, and to be equipped with leading technologies. Yes, these are expectations users usually demand while they possess a notebook. And in this demand and expectation, the Sony VAIO bridges very well.

It is equipped with a Core-Duo processor and a 80GB hard drive, a DVD writer, and 1 GB of RAM, Display Size of 15.4″, and an Operating System of Windows XP Media Center Edition. With these features incorporated in the notebook, it not only gives users an hassle-free but it exudes a sense of feeling good in them. The Sony VAIO VGN-N11H is a very resourceful, efficient notebook available in the market.

The luxuriously sleek and ultra-portable Sony VAIO VGN-N11H notebook boasts an incredibly small and lightweight form-factor to the users. And its innovative power-saving technology embedded in the notebook is a class in itself. There are many features available in the notebook that offers lower power consumption for improved battery life and provides incredibly high brightness levels.

Moreover, it provides an incredibly high brightness levels, amplifying colors and creating clear with crisp and sharp pictures. And, with the anti-reflective coating in the Sony VAIO product, reflection has been minimized while providing a wide viewing angle, you’ll enjoy a beautifully clear image from almost any angle. It’s the ideal way to present your work or watch a DVD when you’re on the go. Raina Kelsey is an expert author, and writes about latest gadgets.
Sony VAIO VGN-SZ4XWN/C
Sony VAIO VGN-TX5XM/B
Cheap Laptops

Singapore Employment Service

The employment services provides a number of human resources services to organizations. These services consist of providing temporary staff with other businesses; supporting employers identify ideal staff and provides human resources services to clients.

The Employment Services industry has four unique sections. Employment Placement Agencies list employment openings and place permanent employees. Temporary Assistance Services, also called Temporary Staffing Agencies, supply workers on an agreement schedule for a limited time to clients in need of staffs to support their work force. Executive Search Services, also known as headhunters, offer research, recruiting, and placement services with regard to clients with specific executive and senior management needs. Professional employer organizations are usually engaged in providing recruiting as well as hr administration solutions to staff client businesses. They might discuss duty as a co-employer of workers to provide a cost-effective method of the administration and also supervision of the recruiting capabilities of the clients.

The typical Employment Placement Agencies includes a comparatively little permanent employees, typically fewer than 10 staffs, who interview jobseekers and try to match their own qualifications and skills to people being searched by employers in regards to certain career opportunities.

Contrary to small employment placement agencies, Temporary Staffing Agencies usually utilize additional workers. They offer temporary staff to other businesses to help or enhance their particular workforce within specific circumstances, including worker absences, temporary talent shortages, as well as various periodic workloads. They are hired, paid and contracted to clients by the temporary staffing agencies either on a prearranged payment or on an agreed hourly salary. Some organizations prefer to use Temporary staff full-time on a continuous basis instead of hiring permanent employees, who certainly get greater wages and advantages.

Executive Search firms try to identify the most effective candidates for top-level administration and executive jobs. Clients hire professional recruiters to save time and protect discretion. They do keep a large data source of executives’ resumes and check these particular databases to identify and examine candidates who’re likely to heighten a client’s corporate tradition and strategic plan. Executive Search companies perform pre-screening selection interviews, research and background checks.

Professional Employer Organizations concentrate on performing a wide range of human resources and staff administration duties to their clients, including payroll processing, accounting, benefits management, recruiting, and labour associations. Staffs leasing institutions really are a kind of professional manager organization which usually specializes in acquiring and leasing several or all of their client’s employees; these people serve as the employer with the rented workers when it comes to administrating payroll, benefits and associated functions.

To find out more about Executive Search, visit the website: http://www.sgrecruiters.com/

Citizen Watches – a History of Innovation

The Japanese manufacturer Citizen watches has been in business
since 1918, when it was founded as the Shokosha Watch Research
Institute. It may have changed its name but the company’s focus on
research and development has not dimmed in the intervening decades.

The company’s major innovation has been the
Eco-drive system. With the technology inside a citizen watch becoming
ever more advanced (and consequently power hungry) conventional battery
based power systems used in the majority of quartz watches became
impractical.

New systems developed by Casio watches such as the
highly accurate radio controlled watches required more power to operate
the receiving equipment.

The Skyhawk A-T watch manufactured by
Casio watches is an example of the system employed to synchronize with
time signals issued by the laboratories controlling atomic clocks in
Japan, North America, and Europe. They will automatically select the
correct frequency for doing so based upon location their location.

With
such drains on power it was obvious that the Eco-Drive system was
needed. The watches are equipped with titanium lithium ion battery that
is charged by an amorphous silicon solar cell located behind the dial.

This
battery type is not affected by the regular charge/discharge cycle
necessitated by the use of a solar cell. A fully charged battery will
not require charging for up to 8.7 years, however, it will enter a
hibernation mode if the watch is kept in a dark place and is used for a
number of weeks.

The company also tried to introduce a watch
based on producing power by exploiting the temperature difference
between the wearer’s arm and the surrounding environment as a power
source. These watches use a physical property known as the Seebeck
effect to generate electricity. Whilst they did receive a small scale
release in Japan and a few other countries, the watches did not prove
popular and were eventually dropped from the line.

Other
innovations from the company have been the DSP clasp. Standing for
Deployment Clasp with a Push Button, the design allows a metal style
clasp to release the watch from the arm of the wearer. This technology
has proved a boon for older users who no longer have to struggle with
buckles.

Teachers and Counselors, Help Your Students Become Career Explorers

Teachers and Counselors, Help Your Students Become Career Explorers

As teachers and counselors, you help students explore careers.

You aid your students as they search for meaning, purpose, and direction.

You see their talents.

You know their interests, abilities, and skills.

You help students plan for the future.

You understand students. You know that students -

  • Are curious
  • Love colorful, multimedia presentations
  • Use their senses and imaginations in career exploration

You have searched for tools that will help you unlock their potentials.

Tips for Finding the Right Career Tool

Career
tools help your students explore who they really are. Career tools
include career tests, assessments, games, web sites, and books. Career
tests answer the question “Who am I?” Career assessments point out your
students’ likes, dislikes, or interests. Kid career tools should be fun,
educational, and not boring.

Search for the resource that meets
your students’ needs. Look at the benefits. Find tests, assessments,
games, web sites, and books that are -

  • Eye appealing
  • Easy to use
  • Full of resources

With the right resource, students are ready and willing to -

  • Explore
  • Investigate
  • Learn
  • Ask questions
  • Enjoy discovering who they are
  • Gain knowledge, wisdom, and understanding

An effective career tool motivates your students to
explore careers. Creative career tools build a foundation for more
detailed career exploration.

Step One: Select a Career Test

How do you choose the right career test? Look at 3 major areas -

  • Format, e.g. Printed, CD-ROM, or on-line
  • Cost -$10, $12, $15, $20 or more
  • Resources – Information on interests, skills, and careers

When you look at a career test, ask yourself the following questions -

  • What do your students prefer? Printed or on-line career test?
  • What is your budget for the tests?
  • What resources do you have? Do you have a computer lab?

Find career tests that your students are interested in
and that provide valuable information about careers and your student’s
interests. Look at career tests that use well-known career models. Match
students’ interest clusters to career or job codes. Use newer
color-coded career tests that simply career models. The use of colors
improves attention span, concentration, memory skills, and
understanding. As students grow older, continue to use career models
expand their knowledge of careers and college majors. There are a
variety of career tests for youth, college students, and adults.

Step Two: Explore Career Web Sites and Books

Career
tests prepare students to explore careers. Gather information about
fun, informative, and attractive career exploration web sites and books.
Look for web sites and books that provide career information about -

  • Tasks
  • Wages
  • Career outlook
  • Interests
  • Education
  • Knowledge
  • Skills
  • Similar careers


Examples of kid career exploration web sites and books are -

  • Career Ship
  • What Do You Like
  • Eek! Get a Job
  • GetTech.org
  • LifeWorks
  • Young Person’s Occupational Outlook Handbook
  • Career Ideas for Kids Book Series
  • I Want To Be Book Series

Career exploration is a process. As teachers and
counselors, use resources that make your journey enjoyable, educational,
and effective. Plan successful kid career exploration expeditions.

Your Business Startup – The Importance Of Effective Employee Relations

One of the best ways of achieving lasting financial prosperity is through entrepreneurship. The financial, lifestyle and personal advantages of starting your own business make doing so an excellent way of controlling your destiny.

Starting a business requires you to complete a number of steps and make some key decisions. Though part of your overall plan, youll need to decide on a business structure, and obtain the necessary licenses and permits. In addition, determining which financing options will meet your short-term needs and long-term goals is crucial.

Although when you first begin a new business with no other employees but yourself you may see no need to set down employee regulations, small businesses often hire a staff as the business begins to grow. You may find that, in order to keep up with supply and demand, it is crucial for you to hire part time or full time employees.

As you grow your staff it is critical that you shift your focus to effectively engaging your employees in your company’s vision. The most successful companies are those in which the employees and owners of the business work closely together to resolve problems and create policy. By making your business a more employee-friendly atmosphere, you can add to the overall success of the company.

It is important that when you hire new employees, especially teens or young adults that your clearly set expectations. It is important to have a written employee manual that sets the parameters for employee behavior. Be sure to look at things from all angles. What could your employees potentially do that would hurt business? Set dress codes, parking spaces, and other company policies from the beginning to avoid these kinds of mistakes.

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Did you know?

In starting a small business you should never think you can do it alone! One of the best ways to increase your chances for success is to find and work with a mentor, someone with business experience who can guide and assist you.

The Small Business Administration also runs the Office of Entrepreneurial Development, which helps small businesses start, grow and compete in global markets by providing quality training, counseling and access to resources. The office offers a Network Of Training And Counseling Services.

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Also, it is important to have the same rules for all employees-no playing favorites. By treating all of your employees equally from the start, you give them all an equal chance to succeed professionally. Present your employees with a list of employee rules and regulations when you hire them so they can remember and understand what is expected. It is also beneficial to hang a copy of this list in a convenient spot for all employees to see and to redistribute this every six months or every year.

As you learn more about your employees, you may want to give certain people more responsibilities than others. That is why it is important to have a management plan. Promotions should always go to the most qualified candidate, regardless of your personal relationships with the employees. Set into motion management guidelines so that new employees can understand advancement potential and the responsibilities of all persons on the staff.

Make changes to your employee relations as you see fit. For example, problems may arise that you have not initially addressed. Distribute the new policy to all employees, not just the ones who it is immediately affecting. Say an employee is frequently distracted, for instance, from visits from a significant other. By reviewing new policies regarding that with all employees, you can be sure that when employees begin a new relationship they will know the rules.

Your employees are an extension of you and of the company. Treat them fairly and with respect and listen to their concerns. By creating a friendly atmosphere, your employees will be loyal and hardworking, making your business even better than before.

Remember, that one of the keys to success in any endeavor is have the proper attitude and expecting success. It’s important to get your employees to share this attitude.

Constantly visualize what your operation will look like when it’s up and running and how you will feel at that point. Never waver from your pursuit.

Why Pvc Patio Canopies Represent The Best Investment Choice For Homeowners

One of the easiest and quickest ways of smartening up the appearance of your home is by having patio canopies installed. Not only are they quick and simple to have fitted, but they also represent a very economical way of lifting the appearance of your home, and creating an inviting look which adds a great deal of kerb appeal. Adding patio roofs or door surrounds is certainly an effective way of making sure that your home stands out from others in the same neighbourhood, and in todays dog eat dog world of property buying and selling, its certainly worth considering.

Patio canopies are usually made of a special PVC material which offers a number of significant advantages over alternative materials such as wood or metal. Although wood and metal may seem to offer advantages of their own, it is over the long term that it can be seen that PVC offers far better value for money. A wooden door surround may look attractive to begin with, but as it is exposed to weather and external climatic conditions, it is likely to warp, crack and split, causing leaks and unsightly peeling. In this regard long term maintenance has to be considered, and painting your door surround or patio canopy every few years may prove to be a tiresome task.

Metal may offer several benefits of its own, and when compared to wooden canopies or surrounds certainly offers protection against cracking or warping over time. However, metal comes with two points worth considering – firstly its weight, and secondly its maintenance. A metal canopy or surround is heavy, and this will dramatically increase the cost of manufacture and fitting. A heavy metal canopy will probably take several fitters, and may take a long time to install, requiring a large amount of drilling, damage to the wall, and bolts running deep inside your cavity wall. Over the long term metal will still require painting, although unlike with wood, it will be necessary to use paints which are specially designed for metal – an expensive task in itself.

However, when it comes to PVC door canopies and surrounds, there are many clear benefits both in the short term and over the longer term too. To begin with PVC can be manufactured quickly and cheaply, meaning that youre unlikely to have to wait very long after placing your order, yet safe in the knowledge that it will be created to the exact measurements of your home, providing a precise fit. Being lightweight it will be quick and easy to transport, and often only requires one or two fitters and a few minutes to install, keeping costs and disruption to a bare minimum.

Over the longer term, too, the benefits of PVC patio canopies and patio roofs is clear, since they need virtually no maintenance. PVC doesnt warp or crack, and is fully resistant to the weather were likely to experience in this country. Although youre free to paint a PVC canopy or door surround should you wish, theres really no need, and if you are happy with the colour and finish of the PVC canopy, then you can simply forget any maintenance. A quick wash with a hose or a sponge once in a while will ensure that your patio canopy will continue to look in pristine condition for many, many years.

Many people seem to think that a PVC patio canopy or door surround will come in any colour you like so long as its white. Its certainly true that many PVC doors, window frames, canopies and surrounds are white, but thats by no means the only option available. With a range of colours available, and even wood effect finishes, you can be sure that your canopy will not only match your existing decor and colours, but will look natural and attractive. From a distance many visitors will probably assume your canopy was built at the same time as the house, and may even assume it is made from wood. This is kerb appeal without the maintenance, at a low cost, creating a home that is truly as unique as you are.

We spend a great deal of time and effort decorating the inside of our home to reflect our tastes and preferences, but all too often we neglect the outside. Since the outside of our home is what people see first, and since it is naturally exposed to a great deal more weather and wear and tear, it makes sense to make the right choices when choosing patio canopies and patio roofs. Without doubt a PVC patio canopy or door surround represents a sound financial investment, without any of the long term commitment on your part thats often necessary with alternate solutions.