How To Choose The Right Payroll Accounting Software

Both large and small businesses have had problems managing payroll in the past and will continue to have those same problems in the future. Many small business owners struggle with payroll simply because the do not have the time and staff capable of giving payroll the necessary time and effort. On the other hand, large corporations with entire payroll departments run in to issues that arise when payroll data for thousands of employees has to be tracked.

In either case, new accounting software could be a simple solution. Software that includes payroll functionality can handle a large part of payroll administration automatically, including things like hourly wages, salaried employees, commissions, and bonuses. Payroll software will track data for tax reporting purposes as well. While accounting software with payroll capabilities can be a large upgrade for some companies, business owners must still do proper research up front to ensure they get the software they need at the right price. To determine which system is best for your company, consider the number of employees you have and expect to have while using the software, what kind of functionality you need, and how important it is to you that the software can automate your payroll system.

Full-fledged payroll processing applications should contain the following features:

* Ability to generate payroll checks for salaried or hourly-based
* Tracking paid time off, sick days and salary history for each employee
* Tracking employee history, goals, and performance reviews
* The ability to store and manage emergency and other personal data for employees
* Transfers financial information to the general ledger module
* Tracking and transferring records of payroll taxes to other modules
* The ability to generate and print documents such as employee paychecks and formal reports

When selecting a payroll system or module, consider the following:

A lot of software providers enable potential buyer to test their application before buying. Though the features of the accounting application are detailed on the website or the box, knowing how the system actually works before buying is always recommended. In addition, the user will become familiar with the interface; the most user-friendly software interface can be chosen.

You may also want to look in to the possibility of using a web-based application instead of a desktop application. Web based solutions are nice for smaller companies that do not have too many transactions to record or employee records to track. Web based programs provide access from anywhere with an internet connection and often allow subscribers to only pay for the services that they want or need versus having to buy an entire desktop payroll accounting software package that comes with services you will never need.

Finally, make sure that the payroll accounting software that you choose is properly suited for your business. A number of payroll programs base their prices on the number of employees and users that they allow. So although you may think you've found the right software for your uses, if it turns out to be designed for a company of 2,000 people but you only employ 120, chances are you're going to overpay by a good amount.

The importance of payroll accounting is often under emphasized. It is important to take note that salary and other types of remuneration is of primary importance to employees and agents. With the various deductions, bonuses, and other benefits that have to be added or subtracted from the employee’s pay, payroll management is undeniably a complex task. In addition, giving employees an inaccurate salary figure can damage their morale and damage organizational effectiveness.

Overnight Shipping Benefits

One of the greatest inventions in the shipping industry was overnight shipping. This is because an individual can order something one day and it be at their door the next day. This is great in urgent situations, such as Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. Nevertheless, overnight shipping can simply satisfy someone’s impatience to have the items in their hands the next day. Since many individuals can simply go to the store to buy what they need, overnight shipping can be an attractive option because it doesn’t involve leaving the house and using the fuel to get to the store. A lot of energy is saved.

There are benefits for the sender, the shipping company, and the receiver when it comes to overnight shipping. Those benefits are:

The recipient is able to receive the item very quickly. If it is a gift, then overnight shipping can be lifesaver. Then again, there may be a business issue that requires an item to be received quickly. Overnight shipping allows for this. Virtually any situation that requires an item to be delivered quickly can be solved with overnight shipping.

If a business needs merchandise quickly, they can arrange for overnight shipping of the items so that they can be on the store shelves fairly quickly. This means the business is not going to have to keep telling people that the item is out of stock and that they are going to have to wait for the item to be back in stock. The item can be back in stock the next day if overnight shipping is possible for that item.

The shipping company does benefit because they can make a little more money off of the shipping, but it is important to know that overnight shipping utilizes every method of transportation from planes and trains to trucks. It is amazing how many times the overnighted items change hands. However, this makes the process very efficient. Many people have jobs because of this.

The sender benefits because this does a lot for their business. When they can offer overnight shipping on their items, they will find that they can do more business this way. When someone needs an item fast, they are more likely to buy from the company offering them overnight shipping than the company that is not offering overnight shipping. This is especially true when the item is needed the next day.

The main benefit of overnight shipping is the fact that all worries about having the items are diminished. Many people fret and worry that they are not going to be able to get a specific item in a reasonable amount of time. With overnight shipping, those worries can be completely eradicated.

These are some of the basic benefits of overnight shipping. The important thing is that the item reaches its destination overnight just like the recipient has paid for. The benefits can be many. It simply depends on the needs and the wants of the individual needing the fast shipping. If they are in an emergency situation, the emergency situation is solved. If they are simply impatient and they need the item right now, then their impatience can be alleviated. Getting an overnighted item delivered is like being a child on Christmas, opening gifts and having a great time.

Read more articles by: A Nutt

5 Benefits of Using Verizon FiOS For Your Small Business

You might already know that Verizon FiOS is great for TV service, but did you know that Verizon FiOS can also have a big impact on your small business? Verizon FiOS has many different tools that can help businesses grow, and the reliability and low cost of the FiOS service is something that every business can use. Here are the top five benefits of using Verizon FiOS for your small business:

1. More Productive Online – One way to cut your business expenses is to cut out the costs of having many meetings. For most small businesses having formal meetings means not only the cost of the employees time to attend but also the cost of providing beverages and a snack or even sometimes a full meal, in addition to the time and expense of travel and document preparation. Cut those unnecessary costs by holding meetings online using the rock solid Verizon FiOS Internet connection. You can hold group meetings and send large files back and forth easily with the fast and reliable Verizon FiOS Internet service.

2. Save Money Using VOIP Phone Service – For many small businesses one of the largest set up costs they have is getting a sophisticated phone system. Most businesses don’t need a complicated phone system. Use the high speed Verizon FiOS Internet service and get VOIP phones for you and your employees. You can get all the same features on a VOIP phone as you can with Verizon FiOS and you can save thousands of dollars.

3. Branch Out and Sell Online – If you haven’t sold your products or services online up until this point, branching out could give you a great second or third revenue stream. By using the Verizon FiOS Internet service to boost your online presence you can reach an entirely new customer base and add another level of financial security to your business for a very low cost.

4. Run Your Business From Your Home – In this economy, small businesses need to stay agile. The more flexible your business is the more likely it is that you will survive this economic crunch. To save money and reduce your overhead costs, you can use the Verizon FiOS Internet service at home to run your business from home. Your employees can also work at their home using the Verizon FiOS service. You can stay in touch easily with webcams, VOIP phones and instant message chats. If you think outside the box and embrace new technological tools like the Verizon FiOS, you can dramatically increase your profits and cut costs.

5. Hire Employees From Around the World – If you’re having trouble finding qualified employees or if you don’t have the budget to hire people with the kind of qualifications that you need to make your business a success you can use the Verizon FiOS to expand your reach. With reliability of the Verizon FiOS you can have employees working anywhere in world, meaning you can find exactly the kind of employees that you’re looking for and at exactly the salary you want to pay for them.

Read more articles by: Russell Blanc

Foreclosure Websites Can Be Your Secret Weapon

Foreclosure web sites are of great help in giving you the information you are searching for to find a great real estate investment in this tough market. Foreclosure listings on these web sites can cover all kinds of distressed properties for sale announcements such as foreclosure auctions, foreclosed homes, pre-foreclosures, bank home sales, foreclosures for sale and more. If you are interested in getting a steady diet of foreclosure type properties to cross your desk, then this is certainly one way to go.

Time is of the essence when purchasing foreclosures, so sign make sure that any foreclosure website is up to date. Many offer 7 day trials that let you start searching foreclosure listings right away. Other foreclosure web sites review the latest list of home foreclosures but may not be as timely as those that get their information directly from courthouse records.

Foreclosure

Foreclosure homes are properties that have been foreclosed by a mortgage lender and are now for sale through foreclosure auction. For real estate investors, however, this can be a tremendous opportunity to pick up properties for pennies on the dollar. Unfortunately, foreclosures are expected to increase as interest rates rise and monthly payments on short-term variable rate and interest-only loans begin to come due. By using the services of a foreclosure web site, you can really stay on top of the market and find only the absolute best deals.

Properties & Property Information

Very detailed information about the foreclosure properties can really be at your fingertips. Imaging knowing how much was owed, what the person paid, when the bank is scheduled to foreclose and a wealth of other information... In this case, information is key to your success.
When you test out a foreclosure website, let me give you a tip. Contact some people on their list and make sure that the properties are truly active..... If not, you know that you are getting stale, rehashed material.

As an interesting tidbit, we did find was that for zip code searches it appeared that RealtyTrac had the best number of properties and they seem to have current information.

Have You Considered Dealing Directly With The Bank?

Bank foreclosures must be purchased from a bank through the bank foreclosure REO department. One source of these properties is when banks are foreclosing upon builders who have not been able to sell their "spec" home. If you are looking for a newer type property, this can be an excellent way to find the deal of a lifetime. On some foreclosure web sites, they have REO information that explains the bank foreclosure list process and how one can bid on homes at a foreclosure sale.

So, as a real estate investor, please realize that you are dealing with truly unique times right now where you can build an unbelievable portfolio. By using foreclosure web sites and their listings, you can get access to all kinds of distressed properties for sale at literally pennies on the dollar.

To begin your real estate activities, you will obviously want to use the services of a foreclosure website in your future.

Read more articles by: DC Fawcett

The Secret to Success When Times Are Hard

The truth is businesses and companies of all types are cutting jobs and going out of business as the Worlds economic crisis continues to harden. This article looks at what companies of all types including those in the not for profit sector can do to survive and even grow in the hardest of times.

Around November in the UK each year an annual fund raising event occurs aimed at raising money and awareness for Children in Need. In 2008 and in the grip of falling house prices, redundancies and businesses closing down, the recent Children in Need are forecast to raise the most money ever. So how did this happen when people clearly have less money to spend on themselves let alone give to others?

Well the secret to the success of not for profit organizations and charities is that they can give their donors and supporters something which many businesses in the for profit world fail to grasp and that is a genuine feel good factor and a sense of making a difference.

People on the whole donate to charity and support good causes because they want to make a difference but with that very often come an enormous sense of well being for the person donating or giving. This feel good factor should not be confused with being selfish or supporting a cause for the wrong reasons as it is perfectly natural to feel good about you if you carry out or perform a good deed.

So how can businesses that are looking to survive and indeed grow learn from this? Well, the reality is charities like Children in Need have done well because they give something back.

Companies can learn from this by starting to look at their business in a different way and from the customers point of view. An example could be that an insurance broker who provides charity insurance to charities, community groups and not for profit organizations. Instead of focusing on the features of a charity insurance policy, they could instead focus on how the charity would benefit from using them. This could be that they get cover that is not available from other charity insurance brokers. If could be that the charity will be able to protect and insure their donors, trustees and volunteers or that the community group will get free expert advice that will reduce their exposure to risk and therefore reduce their community group insurance premiums.

Businesses of all types need to focus on their customers and how they will benefit and this is particularly important in the times of recession or during a credit crunch.

The charity and voluntary sector prove that by giving something back, they can remain strong even in the toughest of times. Focus on your customers, focus on promoting the benefits to them of using you and focus on trying to exceed their needs and expectations at all times. Do this and success can be and is achievable even when times are hard.

Read more articles by: Charity Insurance

5 Tips For Working At Home With Kids

Working at home in an online business and kids can be frustrating and complicated. Many people start working at home not fully understanding how challenging it can be to balance being a parent and working.

Working at home presents new challenges that you never had when you worked outside the home. You will soon find out that if you do not get some help in managing your work and kids that you will not succeed in working at home. The following are five tips that will help you to work at home with kids and maintain your sanity and keep your job.

Tip 1 – Have a Designated Work Space

Having a designated work space will help you to make it clear when you are working and not working. Your designated work space will be a clear indication to even the smallest child that you are working and can not be bothered. When you are in your work space you are off limits.

This can even be good for the bigger kids, i.e. husbands, friends,etc. Your work space should be used only for working so it doesn’t get confusing about when you are working and when you are not. It should also be in an area that is not a high traffic area of your home. It is best if it is in a room all by itself.

Tip 2 – Have Designated Work Hours

Like having a designated work space, having work hours will let everyone know when not to bother you.

You should make it clear to everyone what hours you will be working so they do not disturb you. You may want to post a schedule if your hours vary or you may have a set schedule that everyone will simply learn.

Tip 3 – Get the Kids Involved

When you simply can not get away form the kids then get them involved. If you have something they can do then put them to work.

If not, then find something for them to do and give them their own job. Kids like to help and when they feel useful they are less likely to become a bother.Make sure you choose projects they can do on their own and where they will not have to keep coming to you for help as this would defeat the purpose.

Tip 4 – Take Regular Breaks

When you are working all day everyday it can be hard on your kids. They know you are there and they want to be with you, even for a minute.

Take regular breaks so you can let them know when you will be done and where you can spend a few minutes with them before starting again.

Regular breaks will also help you out. You get a quick rest and you can get up and move about. Breaks are always a good idea for anyone.

Tip 5 – Consider Hiring a Baby Sitter

If you simply need quiet and nothing else seems to work then you may have to hire a babysitter for a few hours each week.

Sometimes you need this extra help. Working at home does not always guarantee that you will not need a sitter.

So have someone on call or even schedule times every week to have a sitter take the kids so you can get some work done.

Read more articles by: Joe Domotor

How to Sell Your Offline Stuff Online

If you want a great place to advertise stuff that you have for sale, the internet is one of the best choices if not the best choice for you to sell on. There are so many cool ways to go about selling something that you want to. You have so many different auctions out there that you can place products on.

Not only that but you can make sure that your product is seen by placing ads on websites, these shouldn’t run you too much, depending on how big you want it to be and how much flash you have on the ad. A simple banner ad shouldn’t run very much, and to find places to put it is pretty easy. A lot of places will work with you if you just contact them and ask.

So if you have something doing with stereo’s or music, try and find music places to put your ads up on this will get the right audience looking at your ad, and hopefully going to buy some product from you. Of course you can tell you will need to have a website set up that they can go to in order to buy what you have.

A lot of places provide free websites, but if you’re trying to create a business you will want to pay for a more advanced website and make sure that you create a site that is good looking and not all gaudy colors that only hurt people’s eyes when they come to see what you have on your site.

Choose neutral colors that don’t make it too bland, but a bit of pop to it. You want something that is going to make a person feel calm and at ease when looking over the products you have for sale. With a good website you will attract people, but most importantly is good product and some good deals to those people who are coming to buy from you.

Make sure that you have pictures of items up on your site, because this will be a deal breaker every time, people like to see what they are getting. So if you don’t have something up most likely they are just going to exit your site and go find one that will have pictures.

Doesn’t seem like a big deal to a lot of people, but everyone likes to be cautious and make sure they are really getting a alpine stereo that is new or close to new, not some beat up stereo they have never heard of. So you have to make the customer know that you are truly selling what they are looking for, and what you are advertising.

With everyone that you sell to they may go to their friends and tell them about your site, so make sure your customer service is good too, or you may not get that awesome form of advertising called word of mouth. This will sell the most for you when compared to everything else.

Read more articles by: Karl Sultana

Announcing 7 Tips On How To Make Money Online Fast

Has this question ever come to mind? "How can I make money fast online?" Thankfully, I have the answer! There are several ways to make money quickly online. If you are someone who wants to make tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands per year online selling someone else’s product, then follow these seven tips and you’ll be well on your way.

Tip 1 : Get Set Up With Clickbank.

The first step is to create an account with Clickbank so you can find products you would like to promote. Also, with Clickbank you’ll be able to track your sales and they’ll send you a check twice a month for all your hard work.

Tip 2 : Create A Name For Your Affiliate Website.

This tip is extremely important and vital to your bottom line. Just create your domain name and forward it to the affiliate product link you’ve chosen from Clickbank.

Tip 3: Old School Marketing.

There are many ways you can advertise for very little cost that most experts have forgotten about. Get back to the basics, offline marketing is extremely effective and hardly anyone uses these tried and true techniques. You can begin promoting by distributing flyers and business cards in public places for example.

Tip 4 : Social Networking Websites.

Do you belong to any Social Networking Websites? If you do, contact all your friends and tell them about your new products. If you don’t belong to any social networking sites then join as many as you can. Every sale you get from this tip is 100% profit these web sites are FREE.

Tip 5 : Write Articles .

Article marketing is one of the most effective ways to get your websites noticed and it’s very inexpensive. After selecting a product from Clickbank, research your potential customer’s biggest needs, then submit “How to” articles solving the customer’s needs.

Tip 6 : Submit Classified Ads.

Study up on “how to write classified ads”. Once you’ve done that, submit them to several hundred FREE classified ad websites. Don’t forget about tip number 3, look into placing a classified ad in your hometown newspaper.

Tip 7 : Online Groups And Chat Rooms.

There are hundreds of online groups and chat rooms that you can join. This can give you a list with thousands of prospects and their email addresses. You can eventually share your products with them once you’ve earned their trust; this technique has to be done properly.

These seven tips are an outline or road map to get you online and making loads of money in a short amount of time. There are tons of ways to make money quickly online but these are just the very best that I have discovered for myself. So don’t reinvent the wheel, someone has already done that for you, mirror what I do and maybe put your own twist on it. You know, I started out just like you, with a burning desire to succeed and provide for my family. The only difference between you and me is taking that first step of faith.

Read more articles by: Jack Dube

Infidelity Excuse: I Fell Out Of Love... And Just Love Being In Love

I find this dilemma rather common for younger couples, probably mid or late 30s and younger.

Usually one reports, “falling out of love” and is truly disturbed by this shift. He/she (and this is not merely a female problem!) wants to “recapture” those feelings.

This person has found a “significant other” who has stirred those dormant feelings and this person once again “feels in love.”

They are determined not to “settle” for a less than an ideal relationship, which means, of course, feeling the love feelings.

Here are some Key Points for this kind of affair. (The 6 others are outlined in my E-book.)

1. Unfortunately, our culture (movies, songs, romance novels, soap operas, romance comedies) teaches us that this is how it’s supposed to be. “Falling in love” is the norm – the implication being, that if it doesn’t happen, or if it goes away, something is wrong – with you, your spouse or the marriage. A good relationship must first unlearn a great deal.

2. The person who was driven to find “that loving feeling” (reminds me of a song…) usually experiences a high degree of guilt and conflict. He/she is often married to a “good” person and the desire to “find that loving feeling” seems selfish (which it is) and immature (which it is). Intuitively (and this person usually has a great deal of intuition and sensitivity) it is known at another level that he/she is not on the right path.

3. This person usually has a need for drama and excitement. Life easily becomes a soap opera. Emotional juice from the fall-out of emotionally intense relationships reigns rather than living life from the core of who one is.

4. There is little understanding, or perhaps healthy models, of the shifts needed as a relationship matures. For example, “falling out of love” usually happens when the attractors become the distracters. For example: His love for fun and spontaneity, which drew her initially to him, becomes irresponsibility. Her stability and calm, which drew him initially to her, become control.

5. The person “looking for love” is actually looking for the ideal, someone out there, who will project back to him/her that he/she is OK. No, more than OK, close to perfect.

6. This person needs to be adored, or think another adores him/her, because there is a lack of inner strength and solid identity. The other becomes my world, because I lack a world. Being “in love” is the panacea for my emptiness.

7. Sexual intercourse does not need to be a part of these relationships. Sexual activity may indeed END the relationship or at least move it to the point where the attractors become, again, the distracters. The idealized images may be held together by long phone calls, gifts, holding, love letters, e-mails, etc.

8. This type of affair often occurs when there is a “lull” in the marriage relationship. The responsibility of raising children, starting and maintaining a career, paying bills, etc. become the focal point for the couple. Romance becomes a foreign word. People are especially vulnerable for this type of affair after the children are in school and/or the oldest child reaches early adolescence. (There are good reasons for this, from a family systems perspective, but I won’t get into that here.)

Tip: If your spouse is struggling with this type of relationship, make sure you hold and care for your self. Your spouse does not have the capacity to do this for you (or anyone) at this point. Yes, you are ok. Her/his affair says less about you and much more about the emptiness within her/him. It is time for you to know you better. Model for him/her what it means to be a person with a core, with integrity, with boundaries, with values, with meaning, with purpose and actively figure out what your needs are, and get them met. Maybe she will ask questions. Maybe she will not. Maybe soon. Maybe later.

For more information on the different kinds of affairs, what causes them, the probabilities of them ending a marriage and what you can do about it, visit my site.

Read more articles by: Dr. Robert Huizenga

Sign Of Affair: I Fell Out Of Love... And Just Love Being In Love

f there is one front-and-forward excuse for infidelity it is: " I fell out of love."

This usually means: I no longer feel sexually attracted to you (I'm sexually attracted to someone else, for now, at least.) Or, I need to spice my life with giddy emotional highs and intrigue every so often.

Infidelity has different faces...and different signs and patterns.

Did you know there are 7 different kinds of affairs? Well, there may be more, but after a couple decades of clinical work and research, I've identified 7.

And, if you look carefully, you will find that each form of infidelity carries different signs and markers. Know those specific signs of infidelity and you can save yourself much grief.

One kind of affair I write about in my E-book is called, "I Fell out of Love...and just love being in love."

Here are some signs and patterns you can expect in this kind of affair:

1. Hang on to your seat. This may be some ride, much like a thrill ride at an amusement park. There will likely be many ups and downs, spiced with dramatic flair. Watching your spouse go through his gyrations may leave you somewhat dizzy. He will give his all to this new-found "love" and at other times might find his way back to you.

2. Typically you will struggle with being ignored and feeling rather awful that you can't provide the "love" this other person seems to provide. You might find yourself questioning your capacity to "love" and your desirability. His affections will obviously be centered on that other person.

3. He may want to tell you about this other person. Not only might he want you to know about the other person he may desire to share with you some of the details of this relationship. He might want you involved. This creates an intense triangle that juices the drama. (Most classical love stories are dramas, complete with a triangle; he "falls in love" with the forbidden or unattainable princess. Often the drama ends as a tragedy - Romeo and Juliet.)

4. Expect some juvenile behavior such as love letters (e-mail), special names, special promises, secrets only for the two of them, etc. Some of these affair relationships are the result of unfinished business from adolescence. Perhaps he was responsible for family or beset by some trauma or internally or externally imposed injunctions that precluded him from dating, socializing with the opposite sex, and "falling in and out of love" a number of times, which is so important and vital for adolescent development.

5. You may hear the persistent phrase, "I love you, but I'm not in love with you." He may truly "like you" and depend on your stability, goodness and understanding. The thought of losing that may keep him connected with you. His fear of losing that which is stable and enduring may conflict with his need to follow his feelings. As well, the possibility of loss may point to the internal emptiness that stirs up very uncomfortable feelings and thoughts. This is part of the roller coaster ride.

6. He may feel very badly about his "inability" to love you and his "inability" not to love the other person. He may express great remorse for the dilemma. He may profess deep sadness for "hurting" you - but, as you know, he has no control. His feelings drive him. His "concern" for you indicates his superficial understanding of relationships. Or, his "concern" for you may be a manipulative attempt to find an easier exit from the marriage.

7. Expect his feelings for the other person to fade. They will fade quickly if this is a pure "I've fallen out of love (and just love being in love)" affair. The "romance" of adolescent love affairs start quickly and end as abruptly. If, however, other issues come into play, such as, resentment and/or the inability to say no, you have a more complicated situation that takes longer to resolve.

Read more articles by: Dr. Robert Huizenga

MLM and the Need to be Cautious

Of course no one have to neglect that the income they are making now was not the result of luck, proper placement in the company's matrix, or joining at the right time usually at the very beginning. Those things have nothing to do with MLM success. What brought them where they are today was nothing else but hard work and determination to succeed and reach their goals. I am sorry but there is no easy way to money and success, not in multilevel marketing or in any other field in life. Nothing can substitute hard work and knowledge when it comes to success.

Today is very easy for someone to join an MLM opportunity and most of the time it can be done through the Internet. All that someone needs is an address and a credit card and of course to be over 18 years old. The cost to participate in a multilevel marketing business opportunity is very small and except rare cases is in the range of less than a hundred dollars. Of course some companies require some monthly minimum purchase of products in order for the member to remain active, but others don't.

That doesn't mean of course that your expenses end there as you may need to spend some additional money for advertising and promotion, if you are marketing online through the Internet, or for material like books, tapes, or product samples to give to your prospects if you try to recruit offline.

But not everything in the MLM network marketing world is rosy as there are many instances in which someone may invest money and time building with a company only to see the company going bankrupt. And of course you don't need me to mention the countless scams that take place especially online looking to get the money from unsuspected newbies who don't know the industry well and lack experience to distinguish a legitimate opportunity from a scheme.

When someone learns about multilevel marketing or come across some advertisement and gets excited it is easy for him to throw every caution out of the window and rush to join the first opportunity he finds. That kind of behavior is extremely risky of course and many have regraded for not taking the time to investigate the company a little further or not seeing what else was out there before they committed themselves to join an MLM company.

There are many that join scams and lose money as a consequence and many other that join MLM prelaunches or relatively new companies in the market that later fail to continue operations and close down. Of course here the greatest loss is not the money but the time and effort that went wasted. Imagine to have build a small downline with a few members and by the time you see your organization to really start taking off and the number of sales to increase the same time the company goes bankrupt.

Other things for someone to consider is the possibility that a company even if it operates for a few years there is the chance that something is wrong with its business model and compensation plan that violates the relevant law. In the beginning when the opportunity is small with few members such things may go unnoticed but as it grows bigger and attracts more and more members it may come under the scrutiny of the authorities and such problems would be revealed. That is why someone needs to be aware of the regulations that govern the multilevel marketing industry. Knowledge can give you great protection.

As you can understand being cautious is necessary when you are planning to become a member of a company that operates under the MLM business model and you have to do your homework before you decide to join one.

Try to find as much as you can about the founders and the management team, the years in operation, the compensation plan, and their claims about the product. Check to see if they may possibly violate some law that could bring them in a courtroom some day. Try to find if there is a market for the products otherwise you would have a great problem at finding customers and recruiting new MLM distributors.

Try to check some forums or blogs that discussions about the company are taking place and see the arguments that each side is using. Examine if any accusations may be plausible but of course take everything with a grain of salt as it is very easy to spread rumors using the Internet and mislead people. Try to separate facts from opinion and put your mind to work as you would be the only one that would take that decision for yourself and no one else.

But of course not everything is about caution and proper evaluation. You might find an opportunity that passes every test but it doesn't click inside of you. Sometimes you need to find something that you have some passion about it and it excites you in order to find the motivation and willingness to do the hard MLM work that is required. It is not always necessary as there are many examples of distributors that joined a company that didn't excite them that much but they had the willingness and dedication to work hard no matter what and managed to sustain that will for a few years until they reached success.

But wouldn't be better if you could become part of something that gives you excitement and you love to do?

Well that's something for yourself to decide.

Read more articles by: Chris Kosman

The Importance Of Court Reporting

Another aspect of law that is still going strong is the court reporter. Court reporting is still an essential part of getting things done at the legal level, and these skilled professionals are in more demand than ever.

But why is this true? Certainly the advent of new technologies should have rendered the human element in transcription somewhat meaningless by now? One would think that a computer-based technology would have allowed the position to go the way of the dodo.

The reasons why this has not occurred shine a light on why court reporting remains as relevant as it did in the 19th century when the practice first became a fixture in the American judicial system.

Why is court reporting still so important?

There is a human element to every court case or deposition that makes court reporters such an essential part of the process. There are several points within a court case or hearing where the court reporter may be called upon to answer to the court. They made need to read back a portion of the record, or perhaps will need to note the emphasis on a particular word or phrase. Regardless of the reason, the presence of a court reporter signals that this is a serious legal matter, and one that will be officially recorded for historical use.

At a deposition, the court reporter provides a presence that says to those being deposed "be careful with your words, because they are now an official part of this case and you will be held accountable for them." The court reporter who works a deposition is creating a piece of legal evidence, the importance of which can be significant to the outcome of the proceedings.

The importance of a court reporters finished product

Court reporters deliver an official written transcript of what it is spoken at trial, during motions or in depositions. These transcripts are filed for future use, or in the case of the deposition, can even be entered into trial as evidence. The point here is that there is no room for error or "hiccups" in the work of a court reporter. They must not only be fast, but extremely accurate as well.

Court reporters outside of the court room

In order to stay competitive, court reporters have adapted to the business climate. If fact, the value of court reporters has increased because of all the things they do outside of the legal realm. Now, you are likely to find court reporters engaged in translation services, work for the hearing impaired (including closed-captioning) and more. Their skill set - which requires high levels of speed and accuracy - lends itself to a number of business and media applications.

Read more articles by: Mark Etinger

Finding The Right Home Based Business For You

usiness opportunities. They are around every corner. The "work from home for CEO income" flier stuck to every post board in your local market, the e-mails that flood your inbox, and the letters arrives in your mailbox. With so many business opportunities out there, how are you supposed to know which one is right for you?

I would start here :

Follow Your Heart : We have a goal to find a job doing what we love and the mass of business opportunities can allow us to do that. Following your heart allows you to rule out certain business opportunities right away: if you lost a loved one to lung cancer, you probably don't want to work for a tobacco company. Following your heart also allows you to find that one product you believe in more than all the rest. Selling, advocating, or marketing that one product will make your job easy, enjoyable, and more rewarding than you ever thought possible.

Something That Is Appealing To Everyone : When it comes to business, you have to revert back to your high school physics class: mass is what it's all about. There is little point in investing your time and energy into a product that only a few may be interested in, instead you need to find something appealing to the masses. Then you will have a much wider audience that is willing to look at what you have to offer.

Investing in a gadget that only works for a electric car, for example, is probably not the best idea, at least not right now. Only a very small percentage of people actually drive electric cars. Instead, you'd be better off investing in a gadget that can be used by the majority, like a gadget that works in any car or, at the very least, in SUVs.

Find a Good Compensation Plan : Sometimes it seems as though "business opportunity" is synonymous with the word "scam." While this can be true - 2 up systems, get rich quick schemes, and paying an arm and leg for start up kits can all balance on fraudulent - legit opportunities do abound.

One way to tell if an opportunity is legit is to study their compensation plan. Ask yourself if it's built for you to succeed and if you - instead of someone else - reap the benefits, meaning you want to reap the benefits. You do not want to work and work for someone else just for them to take what is rightfully yours. A compensation plan that seems unfair or one sided, with all or most rewards going to a superior or someone else, is something to stay away from.

Look for Legit Training : Another way to tell a good opportunity from one that only provides you with the opportunity to get scammed is to look at their training. Most legit business opportunities will have legit training. The scams are the ones that toss you in the water, and let you sink or swim. Find a good person to team up with that you connect with on a social level as well as how they can help you in your business.

A few things to look for or inquire about our training centers, training plans, and use of the newest form of marketing. If you will need to utilize the Internet to do your job, for instance, make sure you are trained on the latest technology, including internet marketing, and web 2.0.

Read more articles by: Jody Lock

Get Creative When It Comes To Making Money

Money, money, money. MON-EY. You know it's on your mind. It's on all of our minds. With a recession knocking on America's door, all of us fear our job security, our stocks, and our financial well being.

Luckily, there are always ways to make money. In a tough economy, these ways still exist; you just have to get creative to find a business that suites your needs. Now, this doesn't mean you should "creatively" rob a bank, instead try the following options:

Sell What You Don't Use: There are people all over the US who make a living selling things on Craigslist or Ebay. Either they are lucky enough to have priceless antiques from childhood (such as unopened Star Wars figurines) or they have a knack for finding things at garage sales and swap meets that they can sell for profit. Even if you don't want to spend a lot of time selling items - if you refuse to scour every flea market in your hometown - there's a good chance you have something lying around your house you could do without. If you don't need that extra TV or haven't used your mountain bike in five years, sell it.

Pick up Contract Work: A bad economy usually doesn't bode well for the workforce, unless you are a contractor. During these trying times, many companies choose to hire contractors - freelance writers, freelance computer programmers, - in lieu of full time workers because it saves them money. Instead of having to pay for full time employees for forty hours a week plus benefits, companies can hire a contractor only for what they need, even if it's 60 minutes a month. If you have a degree or expertise in an area where contract work is offered, try picking up some extra work. More often than not, the work pays well and can be done right from your home.

Use Your Hobby: Many of us have hobbies. While certain hobbies make it impossible to make money (shopping, for instance, is usually not a profitable past time), other hobbies may allow you to supplement your income. If sewing or painting murals is a hobby of yours, try integrating it into a side business. Start with friends and neighbors. You probably won't hit it rich, but you'll make a few bucks doing something you love.

Try a Business Program: The Internet is booming with business opportunities. Some of these are scams (ahem, Pyramid schemes), but others are legit ways of making money. Internet Leveraging and Marketing, offers an incredible opportunity for people to make money using the Internet. This program offers all of its websites and training in both English and Spanish so it is appealing to a larger number of people. They also offers multiple streams of income for members, members are able to resell ILM memberships only and make a strong six-figure income, or they can further increase their online presence by marketing any of the additional products and services offered. They also offer members their proprietary system of Intelligent Phase Marketing that allows members to partake in multiple top online income opportunities without having to join multiple programs. ILM is being heralded as the easiest way to profit online by many marketing gurus. They just offer people more and that's what people want.

Simply check out all your options, and see where they lead you. You may find something you can do right from home to cut costs like commuting, daycare & lunches etc. Always remember to do your homework when looking into any business or program.

Submitted By: Jody Lock