Fashion Code Of Ethics

Fur & Fashion: An Ethical Debate

There is an emerging code of ethics making its way through the fashion industry. This global movement is gaining momentum. Designers, manufacturers and distributors are addressing ethical concerns such as the fur debate, sweatshop labor, outsourcing, environmental impact, global trade and fashion-inspired body-image disorders.

Global Action

In 2006, the fashion industry in Italy embraced an informal code of ethics aimed at fighting anorexia and bulimia. Stylists, agents and photographers within the region signed unofficial agreements to not use under-age models and beefed up the model size for runway shows.

Regulations & Guidelines

In the United States, fashion is an industry with few regulations. Compliance with minimum wage affects onshore production which spurred the industry to head offshore. Underage labor and sweatshops are illegal in the United States, causing the bulk of American designers to move production elsewhere. Fashion, like most industries, is governed by profit.

Consumer Impact

Companies involved in fashion are aware, however, of public opinion and its potential impact on their profit line. In the 1980s and '90s when consumer approval of fur dropped, fur sales vanished. Fashion learned a pricey lesson. Its response to consumer concerns is the emerging fashion code of ethics.

Affiliates

E. T. I. or the Ethical Trade Initiative has created a Global Sourcing Marketplace to ensure fashion designers and manufacturers have access to an ethical supply chain. Eco Fashion World uses its website to spotlight small designers and artisans who abide the rules of fair trade.

Creative Ethics

Headed by Diane Von Furstenberg, New York's fashion powers have added to fashion's code of ethics by seeking regulation protecting creative property. Going beyond what is now protected, (logos and line-for-line designs) ideas and trends would become off-limits to knock-off designers such as Forever 21.

Acquire Mailing Lists For Art Collectors

Direct mail is a low-cost, per-person way to reach thousands of people.

Direct mail is a traditional way of marketing services and products. A key element to having a successful campaign is ensuring the people you're mailing to have the potential need or desire for what the offer entails. Brokers advertise various lists on the Internet that are available for rent. The broker's job is to work with your company to develop a selection of lists that have the best possible return for your marketing expenses.

Instructions

1. Contact a broker and give him the parameters of what you are looking for. He will need to see a sample of the marketing material to help gauge the best lists. The more information you can provide him, the better. It is acceptable to work with several brokers at the same time, since the lists they manage are exclusive to their company and do not overlap with another broker.

2. Consider all the possible avenues of your marketing and lists that would contain potential sales. For instance, to reach art collectors, you might mail to those who have given donations to art museums or are on their membership rolls. Inquire about renting the subscription lists to magazines such as Antiques and Fine Art, Fine Art Magazine or Artes Magazine. If these organizations rent their lists, they will direct you to their broker who handles the business for them.

3. Work with local art galleries to obtain their lists. This often entails allowing the galleries to send out the information under their own name and envelopes, with you paying for the mailing costs. This works best if the offer is something that the gallery sees as a real benefit to their customers.

Extract Algae Oil

The algae that grows in stagnant water may hold a solution to the energy crisis.

Interest in the extraction of oil from algae has increased in the last few years, as people and governments seek out biofuels in order to decrease their dependence on non-renewable sources of energy such as oil, coal and natural gas. Algae is one of many natural organisms that can produce oil for human and animal consumption as well as for use as a biofuel. You need an oil press, distillery, filter and some inexpensive hexane solvent, along with time and effort, to extract this alternative energy source.

Instructions

1. Lay down plastic sheeting on the table and the floor beneath it, so that the oil dripping from the press doesn't create a slippery surface for you or the oil press. Position the oil press on the table with the exits for the oil and the algae extending over the floor. Leave one container for the oil underneath this arm of the press. Put a second, clean container under the algae exit because you'll reuse the crushed pulp later.

2. Drop dried algae chips in the worm shaft on top of the oil press. Turn on the press and feed more algae in as oil and algae pulp exit the machine. Remove and replace oil and pulp containers as needed. The oil is ready for storage as it exits. Temporarily store the algae pulp at room temperature until the initial extraction of oil is complete.

3. Put a breathing mask over your mouth and nose. The hexane used in the next steps is only mildly toxic, but inhalation can cause nausea and vertigo. It's also a skin and eye irritant.

4. Place all crushed algae pulp in one container. Add enough hexane solvent to saturate the pulp. This draws out any remaining oil in the pulp. Using hexane after pressing removes up to 95 percent of the total oil found in algae.

5. Set a container on the table. Pour the mixture slowly through a filter into this container. Discard the algae pulp caught in the filter.

6. Distill the remaining hexane and oil mixture. The separated oil can be stored with the oil removed from the algae during the pressing process.

Trademarking Ideas

Intellectual property is a legal field that deals with protecting ideas like new inventions, creative works and designs. A trademark is a symbol, word, phrase or combination of symbols, words and phrases that a company uses to distinguish its goods from others. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) allows individuals and businesses to officially register trademarks to protect them from being copied and used by others.

How are Trademarks Different from Copyrights and Patents?

Copyrights are intellectual property protections afforded to the creators of original creative works like fine art, music and literature. Patents are a type of intellectual property protection granted to the inventors of new devices, original designs for devices and the inventors or discoverers of new varieties of plants. If your idea is a new creative work or invention, it must be protected by copyright registration or a patent rather than trademark registration.

What is a Service Mark?

A service mark is a word, phase, symbol or combination of the three that a business uses to distinguish its services from others. The term trademark is often used to refer to both true trademarks (marks used to distinguish goods rather than services) and service marks.

Registration Process

Those interested in registering a trademark may fill out an electronic application using the USPTO's Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS.). The USPTO states that you will have to provide a variety of information related to the trademark including a depiction or drawing of the mark, the goods and services associated with the mark and an application filing fee, which is $325 for basic electronic filings as of 2011. You are not required to hire an attorney to register a trademark, but one may help you adhere to all the rules and regulations that govern the registration process.

Benefits of Registration

You may create and use trademarks without actually registering them with the USPTO just like you can generate creative works or make inventions without registering copyrights or securing patents. Trademark registration can, however, afford several notable benefits. The USTPO states that trademark registration offers advantages including legal presumption that you own the mark, listing in the USPTO online databases, the ability to bring actions concerning the mark to federal court (you can sue people who use your mark) and the right to use the R circle symbol in conjunction with the mark.

Join Blackwater "Mercenaries" Explained

Want to work with "mercenaries" such as Blackwater (now Xe) or another private security company? This quick guide will help you find out how.

Instructions

1. First off, stop saying "mercenaries!" Blackwater (now Xe) and other private security companies that the public considers mercenary are very particular about their image, thanks to events in Iraq and elsewhere.

2. Most "mercenaries" expect combat experience from their employees, though there are also support roles available. Exceptions may be made for career paramilitary. Join the Army, become a police officer, or at least join your local citizens' militia.

3. Obtain skills that would be of value to the firm, such as conversational skill centered a region where "mercenaries" like Blackwater (now Xe) or others are employed, battlefield first aid, helicopter piloting, and so on. Consider an online degree in fields such as counterterrorism.

4. If possible, travel extensively in the area or "theater" of operations in which you would prefer to work, to demonstrate your competence at navigating amongst the people there (make sure your "mercenaries" have a contract open in that area!)

5. Become extremely physically fit, meeting or exceeding the fitness requirements for the Army.

6. Learn to safely fire, handle, and maintain multiple firearms.

7. Have your credentials looked at and organized by a professional career services provider who specializes in military, law enforcement and counterterrorism-related clients.

8. Make financial and personal arrangements for your family in the event that you should be called away for a typical Blackwater "mercenary" contract, which can 6-12 months (other firms may differ.)

9. Submit your credentials and hope for the best! Private security contractors in firms such as Xe (formerly Blackwater) can make large sums of money in a relatively short time compared to their counterparts in national military organizations.

The Advantages Of International Standards On Auditing

International accounting starndards have several advantages over GAAP.

International standards of auditing are quite different from American accounting standards. The Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) that are in use in America have their own particular nuances that are favored by American firms. However, there are several important advantages to consider about international accounting standards when auditing.

Cultural Influences

One of the chief advantages of international accounting standards is that they have input form many different cultures, so they have a more universal appeal. The U.S. GAAP standards are driven by the needs of U.S. business firms and thus reflect a certain American attitude. For example, kickbacks are a part of the business culture in certain parts of the world, while they are forbidden in the U.S. and most of Europe.

Multinational Firms

An auditor has a difficult job of digging deep into a company's financial statements. It is even more difficult if it is for a multinational firm with a number of different regions with different systems of accounting. A company with one standardized international accounting system make it exponentially easier to audit the firm. Accountants can use one standard to analyze and evaluate each line item on the financial statement.

Elimination of LIFO

International accounting standards do not accept last-in-first-out (LIFO) principles of inventory management. LIFO means that the most recent item of inventory that was placed into the stockpile will be used to value the entire stock. This rule is more liberal than the standards that can be used in GAAP. Those rules allow the accountant to choose between LIFO and the first-in-first-out (FIFO) standard based on which is more advantageous.

Write-Downs

Write-downs are also easier to audit under IAS because they only allow for a single step instead of a multi-step process. In other words, when an asset such as a loan or investment is impaired, the company can slowly write down its value over several years under GAAP. Under IAS, the company must write down the asset in one fell swoop, which will be a bigger hit to a company's short-term income.

The History Of Nike Inc

The History of Nike, Inc.

Nike, Inc. is a United States sportswear and equipment manufacturer and supplier. A major sponsor of star athletes and sports teams throughout the world, Nike is well known for its "Just Do It" and Swoosh logo trademark.

The Seed: 1950s

Bill Bowerman, a track-and-field coach at the University of Oregon, began to make shoes for his runners, implementing his ideas for competitive advantage. A member of his track program, Phil Knight, approached him with a shoe sale, having been made a distributor for a company in Japan called Tiger, and both men decided to forge a partnership.

The Founding: 1960s

In 1964, Bowerman and Knight formed Blue Ribbon Sports, selling Tiger shoes out of Knight's vehicle. They did not just sell them, though; Bowerman began ripping the shoes apart to see how he could make them lighter and better in performance.

Morphing Into Nike: 1970s

Eventually, Blue Ribbon Sports grew from a footwear distributor to a designer and manufacturer of their own shoe brands. Thus came the "Swoosh" logo, the change of the company name from Blue Ribbon to Nike, and their debut line of footwear in 1972.

Growth: 1980s

The decade was marked by the debut of the "Just Do It" ads and popular shoe lines like the Air Max. Also, famous athletes like Carl Lewis, Michael Jordan and Bo Jackson endorsed Nike's products.

Further Growth: 1990s

Nike established its world headquarters in Portland, Oregon, where it had all began. Moreover, Nike's dedication to sponsorship grew beyond the more popular sports.

Global Leader: 2000s to Present

Nike is the brand most synonymous with sportswear. Today, it is the largest manufacturer and supplier in the world.

Sell An Idea Without A Patent

It is not widely recommended to put your idea on the market without a patent for obvious reasons like getting your idea stolen or infringing on another's copyright. Securing a patent for your invention can be equally as troubling. With all of the hefty fees, it can cost as much as $12,000 just to secure a patent. Here is the best way to market your idea to companies without a patent.

Instructions

From the Cutting Board to Cutting the Check

1. Come up with an idea and identify its target market. Brainstorm with no inhibitions and jot all of your ideas down on a piece of paper. Study niche markets and assess where your idea fits into their customer base. Research the market you settle on and make sure your concept is not just a hybrid of another already patented product. This may require going to the United States Patent and Trademark Office website at patft.uspto.gov to search through their records.

2. Figure out build your concept. Develop a rough blueprint to construct a prototype of your product. This will assist you in the actual creation process of your invention. The sketches you draw during this step will also be a mandatory part of the application process for securing a patent later on, so keep them for your records.

3. Keep an inventor logbook. This is the second most important step that will come in handy when it's time for you to secure a patent. Even if you intend to sell your product without a patent, at some point a patent will have to be secured for your idea and without an inventor logbook, it is impossible to secure the patent. Your idea will be less marketable to a major distributor if a logbook is not kept.

4. Apply for a provisional license. This is not the same thing as securing a patent. It requires much less financing. Virtually no money is required upfront to apply for a provisional license. Once approved, you have one year to improve and perfect your concept. The provisional license also allows you to mark the prototype of your concept with a "patent pending" notice. This will make it far less likely for your idea to be stolen, and it will give you leverage to better sell it to distributors.

5. Build a prototype to help sell your concept. This is optional but could prove to be the ideal closer for your pitch, and can divert attention from the "patent pending" status of your product. Building a prototype of your product yourself implies to potential investors and distributors that construction of your product is a minor measure. Prototypes also eliminate any chance for potential buyers to misinterpret your sketches, because they have an immediate model on which to base their final decision.

6. Pitch your idea. Contact the companies you think would be most interested in selling your product. Hold parties where you invite potential investors. You might find there is a large enough interest in your idea to distribute it yourself. If you were accurate in identifying the right target market and pragmatic in your bookkeeping, this could be the most fun and rewarding part of making your dream a reality.

Job Description Of A Senior Training Manager

A senior training manager is responsible for overseeing the creation, management and execution of training, learning and development programs in the organization. He ensures successful integration of training and development programs so that employees can competently meet the business needs of the organization. He takes up a supervisory position in the training and development section of the organization.

Education and Training

A senior training manager holds a bachelor's degree in business management, personnel administration, labor relations, business administration, social sciences or any other related field. He may also have certified qualifications from the American Society for Training and Development Certification Institute (ASTD).

Responsibilities and Duties

A senior training manager is responsible for coaching, mentoring and leading training managers. He designs, plans and delivers training programs and also oversees the changes in the curriculum. He makes sure that training materials together with instructional methods are not only current but also effective. He manages the facilitation and instruction skills of the training managers and assists in the improvement of competencies in the classroom. A senior training manager also collaborates with other learning professionals as well as learning and development organizations to offer training to the employees while also communicating and reporting successes and progress to management.

Desirable Skills

A senior training manager has previous experience in developing training and education programs. She has strong leadership, supervisory, facilitation and problem-solving skills that enable her to effectively plan, create and maintain efficient training programs. She is able to create strong working relationships among internal and external individuals in the organization. She is also creative to formulate good training programs and is also a forward thinker. She has demonstrated high integrity and good interpersonal skills.

Job Prospects and Outlook

A senior training manager's job opening arises from the need to fill vacancies created by workers who transfer to other occupations, leave the labor force or even retire. Opportunities are more in businesses that are expanding rapidly than those that merge with other companies or consolidate their operations. The best job opportunities are for graduates with bachelor's degrees in a related field. More job opportunities are available in consultation management and employment services.

Compensation

A senior training manager's salary may vary depending on the industry, company and region he works in. In New York, a senior training manager earns about $93,000 as of June 2010, according to Indeed.com.

The History Of Dc Shoes

DC Shoes specializes in footwear for skateboarders, snowboarders, BMXers and participants in other extreme sports. The company also sells snowboards and street clothing. With its roots in making unique T-shirts for skaters, the company is now a technical shoe specialist and was the first to produce a technical skateboarding shoe. DC Shoes sponsors sports teams and events, working to create skater-friendly environments.

Beginnings

In 1989, 20-year-old snowboarder Ken Block created his first screen-printed T-shirts for skateboarders. These shirts became the Eightball line, launching a new business. While studying computer design at Palomar Community College, Block met his partner, Damon Way, who helped him sell and distribute the clothes. Damon's pro-skateboarding brother, Danny, would later endorse the new T-shirt line.

With a $10,000 loan from Block's parents, the two men moved into a rented warehouse, bringing in Aaron Lovejoy to do the printing as sales began to skyrocket.

Circus

In 1992, the friends launched the Droors jeans brand. Rob Dyrdek became involved, first as a friend and later as a skateboarding team member, business partner and designer of the first-ever technical skate shoe.

Clay Blehm, an accountant and father of a friend, became the CFO and helped guide the company through its growth. The company incorporated as Circus Distribution, Inc., in 1993 and moved into a 3,000+ square-foot office/warehouse in Carlsbad, California.

Circus introduced its first DC Shoes and the Dub snowboarding outerwear brand in 1994. Danny Way and Colin McKay both put their name on early shoes. In 1994, the company moved again, to a 16,000 square-foot complex.

In 1997, Circus sold off the Dub and Droors brands to concentrate on its core business. The company renamed itself DC Shoes in 1998.

Marketing

DC continued to market aggressively, creating limited edition shoes, and sponsoring skateboard, motocross and surfing teams. It produced two million pairs of shoes in 2001, catering to skateboarders by offering exclusive skate-shop lines.

DC set up events to showcase the pros' skills (for example, Danny Way "skateboarded" from a helicopter in DC-brand shoes). The 1990s saw a growth in the popularity of extreme sports in general, including the Olympic-style X-games, all of which helped improve DC's bottom line.

The company started advertising on TV in 1999, and introduced children's shoes the same year.

2000s

The year 2002 was tough for DC. Billabong International, Inc., tried unsuccessfully to buy the company out. It underwent an IRS audit and then laid off Blehm. He sued DC and Billabong for age discrimination; DC counter-sued for breach of financial responsibility. None of this, however, stopped DC from introducing a skateboarders' outerwear line that same year.

In 2003, the Dyrdek-DC Shoes Foundation partially funded the first skate plaza, a special kind of skate park set up with railings and benches as "props" in Dyrdek's home town of Kettering, Ohio. DC released its first movie, DC Video, and Danny Way and Colin McKay received equity stakes in the company. DC released Fallen shoes, aimed at hardcore skaters.

Today

In 2004, Quiksilver acquired DC Shoes and released a girls' clothing line. The company continued to do research and opened the DC Mountain Lab, the first privately owned facility for development of snowboarding products.

With Yamaha, it developed the DC/Yamaha SXViper Mountain snowmobile, designed to get snowboarders to the powder.

About Online Travel Agencies

About Online Travel Agencies

Online travel agencies have become increasingly popular in recent years because of their accessibility and the many discounts and options they offer. For customers, they also have the advantage of allowing you to compare prices quickly and to search for trips based on a variety of factors, from price to date to amenities.

Differences

Online travel agencies usually work differently than traditional agencies in an office setting. While most brick-and-mortar travel agencies count on the expertise of an agent to find a good deal that matches the client's requirements, online travel agencies are usually automatized to search possible deals and offer at least a few variants. Online agencies offer a great advantage over other booking options: immediate access. Rather than having to wait for a search or a hotel confirmation from an agent, booking a vacation online often takes just a few clicks.

Warning

One of the main problems with online travel agencies is misrepresentation. Because prospective buyers are looking at a single website rather than a database, there often is not enough space to include detailed pictures of each location, which is why many of these agencies use stock photos to represent hotels, beaches or services offered at the destinations. Oftentimes, these photos do not accurately represent the actual place.

Considerations

When booking through an online travel agency, it's always wise to make sure that there is a customer service contact number. While the process of booking online should be simple and straightforward, there is always the chance of running into complications or confusion, in which case having access to a company representative becomes invaluable. Some online travel agencies offer an 800 number, while others provide customers with a live chat option to reach a representative on the spot.

Options

Most online travel agencies offer comparison services using major travel search engines, such as Orbitz and Expedia. These companies offer a wide variety of services, many of which are not available through standard, walk-in travel agencies. A clear example is car rentals, which can usually be added to online packages. Most online travel agencies specialize in hotel and ticket reservation, while others also offer cruises, vacation packages and even event tickets.

Expert Insight

Online travel agencies often have last-minute packages not available anywhere else. Because online databases can be updated constantly, it's easy for websites to offer deals on tickets or hotel rooms that open up just a few days before the check-in date. When searching through their databases, you can usually look for deals on specific destinations, or you can enter dates, how much you are willing to pay and whether your choices are flexible.

Stop Telemarketers On Your Phone

Don't let telemarketers ruin your beach time--end telemarketing calls.

Telemarketing provides a steady income for many people around the world, but this profession does not earn much respect from the public. Telemarketers hound your home phone, work phone and even your mobile phone at all hours of the day. You can let the phone ring and ignore the calls, but why not put a stop to that annoying ringing altogether?

Instructions

1. Screen all calls coming in to your home, work phone or mobile phone with a caller identification (caller ID) device. This device displays the number and often the name or location of the telemarketing call coming in.

2. Answer the phone politely. Before the telemarketer has a chance to start selling you a product, politely ask to have your number removed from the company's calling list. This effectively prevents the company and any of its affiliates from calling your phone in the future. Also consider listing your phone number under a pseudonym; use your wife's maiden name, your middle or first name that you do not use, or the maiden name of your grandmother. When a telemarketer calls and asks to speak to someone with the chosen pseudonym name, immediately ask to have your number added to the no-call list.

3. Place your number on the National Do Not Call List provided through the Federal Trade Commission. You can add three numbers to this no-call list free of charge by entering each number at www.donotcall.gov. Open all three confirmation emails sent to your email inbox within 72 hours of submitting and registering the numbers. Calls may continue after submission but should cease completely after a month. If any calls continue to come through, politely tell future telemarketers that you placed your number on the National Do Not Call List.

Maximizing Profits & The Theory Of Social Responsibility Of Business

Activist shareholders sometimes urge companies to take strong CSR stances.

Maximizing profits and social responsibility, which is more known as a business ideology than a theory, are sometimes considered conflicting interests for companies. However, many corporate boards and shareholders recognize the importance of balancing shareholder profits and social and environmental responsibilities to other stakeholders.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate social responsibility includes an informal list of guidelines compliant companies should follow. Integrity and honest in customer interactions, participation in community activities, fair working conditions and non-discrimination concerning employees and ethical interactions with partners are among the main CSR guidelines. Additionally, environmental preservation, including renewal and reuse of materials, is a main emphasis of a thorough CSR program.

Traditional Corporate Governance

Corporate governance is the systematic approach a corporate board takes in leading a company toward its purpose and vision. Traditionally, corporate governance guidelines have included plans largely centered on a vision of maximizing shareholder profits. Shareholders are investors in a publicly owned company that have fractional ownership in the company. Corporate boards historically, and some still presently, made governing decisions solely to appease investor interests.

Transition

In the late 20th to early 21st century, corporate governance saw a major transition toward a balance between shareholder interests and responsibility to other stakeholders. The Microsoft Corporate Governance Guidelines, for instance, indicate the company's accountability to shareholders along with customers, employees and business partners. The company describes its "Corporate Citizenship" by explaining its broader business focus of helping enhance the sustainability of and well-being of worldwide communities.

CSR Bottom Line

The connection between CSR and profits is up for debate. Proponents note that the long-term relationships improved through CSR compliance have to have positive bottom line benefits. While he agrees CSR helps companies avoid very damaging public backlash, David Vogel also points out in his October 2008 Forbes article, "CSR Doesn't Pay," that no tangible financial benefits have been proven from CSR iniatives.

Use Chopsticks

Use Chopsticks

Practice makes perfect when it comes to using chopsticks. It may look complicated but the key is that the bottom chopstick remains still while the upper chopstick moves to grasp the food. Here are a few steps to eating with chopsticks in no time.

Instructions

1. Hold one chopstick between your thumb and middle finger. Position the chopstick so that it lies at the base of your thumb (on the joint) and at the lower joint of the middle finger. This chopstick shouldn't touch the forefinger.

2. Place the other chopstick between your thumb and forefinger. The side of the chopstick should rest against the tip of your thumb; the top of the chopstick should rest against the pad of your forefinger.

3. Be sure the tips of the chopsticks are parallel.

4. Keep the first chopstick stationary as you practice moving the second chopstick toward the stationary one.

5. Use this technique to position the chopsticks around a piece of food.

6. Hold the food firmly as you lift it toward your mouth.

The Steps To Become A Public Company

Going public means entering a stock market.

For many owners of both small and large businesses, the decision to go public is a big one. Becoming a public company can have a wide range of benefits, but it also requires careful planning to make it happen in a timely and efficient manner.

Get Organized

Take careful stock of financial records and accounting. If there are any discrepancies in the books, the time to correct it is before initiating the process of going public. This can save time and money further along in the process.

Consult Advisers

Engage outside advisers, who can assess your business plan and financial situation objectively. Advisers will also be able to determine the best way to take your company public, whether through a traditional IPO (initial public offering) or a more streamlined DPO (direct to public offering), which removes the need to secure an investment bank or underwriter. If you opt for an IPO, you'll need to secure an investment banking firm's services once you complete an audit.

Complete an Audit

A complete financial audit is a necessary step before continuing with the process of going public. This involves an analysis of financial records, as well as computation of debts and assets held by the company.

Registration

To begin the actual process of registering as a public company, a business' owners must complete a registration statement and file it with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Following a review period, the SEC can choose to certify the business, allowing the process to continue.

Selling Stock

Preparing a stock offering is the final step in the process of becoming a public company. Stock should reflect the value of the business and have a ready market of investors who will become the new public owners. According to the 1934 Securities Exchange Act, a company must have at least 500 public share holders to be classified as public. If you are working with an investment banking firm, the firm will secure shareholders. If not, your business is responsible for finding buyers on its own.

Finally, register with a stock exchange and set a date on which your shares will be made available for sale through brokers. This puts your business into the public sector and allows the stock to be traded at will.

The Average Salary Of A Creative Project Manager At An Advertising Agency

A creative project manager works under an advertising manager at an advertising agency or printing house. The creative manager oversees specific advertising projects, overseeing the copy, layout, design and production. Creative project managers average about $50,000 a year, depending on location and experience.

Range

The salary range for creative project managers in advertising is about $42,000 to $70,000 in 2010, according to PayScale. The pay is slightly higher in some areas of the country where the cost of living is higher, such as New York City or San Francisco. Awards, experience and great credentials may also increase pay.

Experience

Before being hired as a creative manager, candidates will generally have at least five years or more in advertising. Most creative project managers are employed by advertising or public relations firms. These managers must know design software such as Photoshop and InDesign, and must have a history of creative abilities.

Considerations

Although some creative project managers earn bonuses, it is not typical. Higher degrees than a bachelor's are not necessarily helpful, but advanced certifications in software or design can be helpful, particularly to those seeking advancement. Management training can also be a plus for those seeking project management employment.

The Effects Of Tax Penalties

The Internal Revenue Service can impose penalties on those who do not follow the laws in regards to taxes. You could pay penalties for late filing, late payment or filing your return incorrectly. These penalties could eventually lead to credit damaging tax liens or the loss of your property through a levy.

Tax Penalties

The IRS can impose tax penalties if you do not file taxes before the tax deadline. If you do not pay your taxes after filing them, you can also be charged another penalty. If you file a frivolous return, which means that you did not take care when filing the return, you could be charged a penalty. If you underestimate your tax significantly, you could also be charged a penalty.

Cost

The most direct way that tax penalties affect you is in the extra cost. The penalty will usually be a percentage of the total amount that you owe. For example, the IRS charges a .5 percent penalty for each month you file past the due date. Besides the percentage penalty, you may also have to pay interest if you do not pay your taxes in time for the deadline.

Credit Impact

When you are charged a penalty by the IRS, it could ultimately lead to negative consequences for your credit. For example, failure to pay your taxes can result in a penalty and eventually lead to a tax lien. Once a tax lien is placed on your property, it will also appear on your credit report. This information will be included in the judgment section of your credit report and will be visible to potential creditors.

Other Consequences

Tax penalties can also lead to a levy of your personal property. With this strategy, the IRS can take your possessions to satisfy your tax debt. In some cases, the IRS may use a wage garnishment to collect money directly from your paycheck before you receive it. With this option, the IRS will work with your employer to set up the wage garnishment.

Google Money Making Opportunities

Google Money Making Opportunities

Google, the world's most popular search engine, is also the world's largest Internet advertising provider. Many Internet marketers and website owners are making a very healthy living through Google's Adsense program and other Google money making opportunities.

How Adsense Works

Website owners place a piece of Javascript code on their websites to generate and display ads from the Google AdWords program. Google charges Adwords advertisers every time someone clicks on an Adsense ad, then pays a portion of the advertising fee to the owner of the website that hosted the ad.

Contextual Adsense Ads

The most common Google money making opportunity is Google Adsense, which is meant to be placed on individual web pages. Once a website owner has placed the Google Javascript code on his web site, Google's Context robot crawls the pages and selects ads that match the content of the page.

Other Google Adsense Programs

In addition to contextual Adsense, Google also offers Adsense for Search, Adsense for Mobile, Adsense for Feeds and Adsense for Domains. Other Adsense applications are being developed, as of 2009.

Potential

The money making potential of Google Adsense is dependent on a combination of many different things. In order to make a good income using Google Adsense, you should understand choose good keywords, position Google ads to be effective and attract traffic to your website. Many people make thousands of dollars a month through the Google Adsense program.

Cost

It costs nothing to create an Google Adsense account or to serve Google Adsense ads on your web site, RSS feeds and other Google applications.

Warning

Google has stringent guidelines for participation in the Adsense program. If a website is suspected of violating those guidelines, Google will often ban the website from the program and remove it from their search engine entirely.

The Effects Of Businesses On Environmental Warming

Burning fossil fuels contributes to global warming.

Many businesses affect the well-being of the planet, but a select few heavily contribute to carbon emissions, solid waste and habitat destruction. Most of the country's electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, which is one of the worst greenhouse gas contributors. We shouldn't forget that careless agricultural practices directly caused the American Dust Bowl of the 1930s, and similarly callous business practices will affect the environment in myriad other ways.

Agriculture

Pesticides, like fertilizers, are a large source of chemical poisons.

The agriculture industry is one of the worst businesses for the environment, according to Business Insider. Agriculture destroys habitat to make room for large fields or crops, which displaces wildlife and kills native plant species. Additionally, the fertilizers used to control crop growth are poisonous and release nitrous oxide into the air. They seep into the ground and wash off the fields into lakes and streams. According to Cornell University, "an average of 10 times as much soil erodes from American agricultural fields as is replaced by natural soil formation processes."

Utilities

Most of America's power is generated through combustion. The process of mining and burning coal or natural gas is extremely detrimental to the Earth. Burning fossil fuels to create electricity releases carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and mercury compounds, which directly contribute to global warming. The processes of mining and transporting fossil fuels and preparing them for combustion require additional fuels and create more emissions. Water used in the process is discharged into lakes and streams, contaminating them with dangerous substances such as arsenic and lead.

Food Packaging

The food packaging industry contributes to the accumulation of solid waste in landfills. Plastics do not decompose; they accumulate. According to the Carbon Commentary, landfills are a significant source of methane gas emissions. According to the University Of Texas College Of Science, compounds in plastics, like bisphenol A and phthalates, contain hormones that disrupt the reproductive systems of wildlife when consumed. Furthermore, the production of plastics, which are petroleum products, requires fossil fuels.

Cattle Ranching

Cattle release methane gas, which contributes to environmental warming.

According to Greenpeace Brazil, 80 percent of the deforestation in the Amazon is due to cattle ranching. The cattle themselves release methane gas, which directly contributes to global warming. Additionally, the agricultural fields used to grow the cattle feed destroy habitat. According to Growing Your Future, almost half the state of Colorado, over 30 million acres, is covered with cattle farms. A farm with 2,000 cows can produce as much sewage as a small city, according to National Public Radio.

The Effects Of Banking Deregulation

Deregulation's effects make this a little tempting.

Deregulation of the banking system did not happen all at once. Rather, it started as most things do in politics: one little step at a time. The first of these steps was in the 1987, with the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933. This repeal, and the deregulation that followed, eventually resulted in the collapse of the banking system in 2008.

1987--Glass-Steagall Act

The repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act in 1987 had larger ramifications than any other steps in deregulation. The act separated standard savings and loan banks from other banks, such as investment banks. In turn, it provided deposit insurance only to savings and loan banks, as these are lower-risk than investment banks and more ordinary people have money in them then have money in investment banks. Repealing this act made it possible for investment banks to be savings and loan banks and to receive to the same government protections.

Allowing banks to enter multiple banking sectors blurred the line between individuals' savings and banks' investments. An investment bank could make investments with people's savings, sometimes irresponsibly, and those investments now were guaranteed by the federal government. This led to nearly $1 trillion in bailout packages in 2008, because a combination of money from investors and depositors had to be covered by the federal government.

1988--Securitization

In 1988, securitization, or repackaging assets as a financial instrument to sell to investors, became legal. Banks were allowed to sell their mortgages to other companies, who sold shares of these "bundled" mortgages (as they would buy mortgages in bulk). If a lender sold a mortgage, it was no longer his responsibility, so he did not have the funds on hand that he would have if he had not sold the mortgage.

Mortgages were no longer being made to hold but to sell, and lending requirements became substantially more lenient. One example was the No Income/No Asset loans (NINA), which did not require proof of ability to pay back the loan. Lenders weren't interested in proof. They were not making loans with the intention of holding them and collecting interest payments, but rather for selling them to someone else.

This created a combination of bad loans and banks without the funds to back them up. It also made it difficult to tell who owed money and to whom.

2004--SEC

In 2004, the SEC passed a rule that allowed investment banks to declare their own capital, the amount of money they actually had on hand. This was to be carefully monitored by the SEC, but it was not.

The result of this deregulation was that investment banks such as Goldman Sachs essentially made up their amounts of available capital by phrasing it in financially ambiguous terms such as "deferred tax returns," which is a promise of money in the future but not cash on hand.

This led investment banks to leverage themselves at a financially irresponsible 30 to 1 percent, meaning that for every $1 they had on hand they had $30 in debt. When some of these investments collapsed, the banks did not have the ready capital to maintain their companies, which in turn caused other banks to collapse, which in turn caused the financial crisis of 2008.

Great Logo Ideas

A well designed logo can put you or your business in the public eye and give it something visual to remember you buy. The familiar golden arch of McDonalds is an example of a logo that is immediately recognizable even without the name. Finding the right logo to represent you or your company can be one of the biggest assets to your market presence.

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is an effective way to come up with a logo. With a pencil and paper, sit and doodle basic design ideas that you feel relate to your business or the image you wish to convey. Write down words and sketch images as they come to you, without thinking too far in advance. This can help deliver ideas that might make effective logos.

Simple Presentation

Consider a simple, clean logo design. While the temptation to make a complex logo may be there, remember that too many elements in a logo can draw attention away from the message or image you want your logo to convey. In many cases, the public may only be glancing at your logo. Create something the human eye can take in as it passes a billboard on the highway.

Font Selection

The font, lettering, you use is a crucial element for your logo. Choose a font that is somewhere between plain and fancy. Avoid using fonts that are flat and add nothing to the artistic presentation of your layout, but don't overdue it and choose a fancy font that will be overlooked because it is hard to read.

Text and Image Combinations

If possible, combine text and image in your font design. The text will no doubt be the name of your company. Select an image that reinforces the name of your company and combine it with the text. If you can find a way to incorporate a letter of your company's name into an image, you will successfully fuse the two into a single identifiable logo.

Use A Cell Phone In An Electrical Storm

Your cell phone is safe even if lightning strikes a cell phone tower.

The American Red Cross, the National Weather Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and others agree that cell phones do not present a hazard when used during an electrical storm. To the contrary, they recommend that you use a cell phone in lieu of a standard land line phone during thunderstorms because it is less hazardous. And if severe weather forces you to seek shelter, take a cell phone with you--ideally one that can send and receive text messages. It may be your best form of emergency communication.

Instructions

1. You can get weather warnings by radio, television and cell phone.

Plan ahead. Check with your local government to find out how storm warnings are issued locally. You can usually find information on the city or county website. Many weather websites and local news websites let you sign up to have weather-alert text messages sent to your phone.

Identify a safe shelter in your home--away from doors, windows and skylights--and be sure that every member of the family knows where it is and when to take shelter.

2. Learn first aid before you have to use it.

Prepare an emergency kit. Your kit should include fresh water in sealed containers--one gallon per person per day. Keep a supply of easy-to-prepare food, ideally something you can eat without cooking, in case power is out for an extended period. If you have canned goods, make sure you have a manual can opener. Include a battery-powered flashlight, with extra batteries, and a commercial first-aid kit. If severe weather is in the forecast, keep your cell phone well-charged. For extra safety, keep fully charged spare batteries on hand as well.

3. Heavy rains that accompany thunderstorms can quickly cause flooding in low-lying areas.

Learn weather terminology so you know what you're dealing with. A "severe thunderstom watch" is issued when the conditions are right for a storm to develop. Think of it as your early warning. A "severe thunderstorm warning" means the storm has formed and is in the area. Take cover. A thunderstorm is considered "severe" if it produces hail the size of a quarter or larger, or if winds exceed 58 mph. All thunderstorms produce lightning--they are all "electrical storms."

4. Electricity can follow the cables and cords on your land-line telephone.

Understand and avoid risks. If you hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be hit by lightning. Get inside as quickly as possible. Close outside doors and keep away from windows. Do not take a shower, bathe or use the plumbing until the storm passes. Do not use electrical items with cords--television, radio, computers, land-line telephones. Use battery-powered items instead, including cell phones. If someone is struck by lightning or if lightning starts a fire, use your cell phone, not your land line, to call for assistance. Lightning will not follow the radio waves back to your phone.

5. The risks continue for about 30 minutes after the thunder and lightning have passed.

Be patient. Wait until 30 minutes have passed after you last hear thunder before resuming normal activity.

Obtain Free Website Promotion

Promoting your website can mean the difference between a popular website and a flop. Even the perfectly designed website will fail if it does not have viewers. While word of mouth notifies your friends and family about your website, to build traffic, you must promote it beyond your personal acquaintances. Companies exist that will promote your website for you in exchange for a fee. However, there are methods to promote your website for free, enabling you to use your financial resources in other areas of your business.

Instructions

1. Submit your website to various search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing. Visit the search engine's homepage to locate the link to submit your website. Enter the complete URL for your homepage and add any comments you wish.

2. Open a social networking account for your website. Typically, you can create a page on social networking sites for free. Use this page to advertise the products and services your website provides through online contests and giveaways.

3. Include all relevant keywords in your website code. Keywords allow search engines to locate websites related to searches performed by Internet users. Most website design software allows you to input keywords for each designed page even if the designer is not proficient in website coding.

4. Join a press release submission program. While press release programs typically charge for their service, some -- such as PRLog.org -- distribute and submit press releases for free.

5. Take advantage of any promotional tools provided by your hosting service. These can include free social networking advertising credits, blog space and other services you would otherwise pay for.

6. Sign up for advertising swap services. These services allow you to trade advertising space on your website for advertising space on other websites. Typically, the service targets ads to similar websites allowing your website to piggyback on another website's popularity.

7. Contact other websites and offer a link exchange. The website will place your link on its page in exchange for you placing a link to that website on yours.

Investing In Carbon Credits

Carbon credits, traded in an emerging commodities market, help improve the environment.

Originally developed as a method of capping air pollution, emissions trading has developed into a commodities market. Carbon is one of the emissions capped in this market-based control method. Initially, a company that succeeded in lowering its emissions below its cap could sell the difference as credits to a company that needed additional allowances for carbon emissions. As the concept evolved, it blossomed into a commodities market, with third-party investors purchasing credits just as they would stocks, and then reselling them, ideally at a profit. The purchases move through a carbon fund exchange, a market organization much like the New York Stock Exchange, but specializing in emissions trades.

Instructions

1. Contact your stockbroker for advice and guidance. She can provide you the latest prospectuses for existing funds and advice on comparing exchanges. If you do not normally use a stockbroker, it is recommended for your first foray into the carbon market, as emerging markets can be difficult to navigate.

2. Read each prospectus carefully. Funds differ in their investment approaches and goals.

3. Choose an exchange from which to buy your credits (shares). The CME Green Exchange, a sister entity of the CME Group Inc., the holding company for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, is a partnership between Constellation Energy, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley that received its U.S. Commodity Future Trading Commission approval in July 2010. The Climate Exchange PLC, however, has been trading since 2003. It owns the Chicago Climate Exchange and the European Climate Exchange.

4. Tell your stockbroker which exchange you would like to trade on and how many credits you want to purchase.

Challenges For Selling On The Internet

About two-thirds of online users purchase items online and 78 percent believe it is a convenient method of shopping, according to a 2008 Pew Research study. This presents a significant opportunity for anyone who has a product or service to sell online. Though selling on the Internet comes with a number of benefits for business owners, it's also important to take a look at the potential challenges.

Time Requirement

While some Internet businesses run on "auto-pilot," others may require a significant time investment from the owner. For example, if an online merchant sells tangible products, he must review, process and ship orders daily. A consultant who services clients online must email or chat with her contacts daily to ensure that the project is on track. An Internet business can become overwhelming for one person to manage.

Communication

Because the Internet entrepreneur talks to customers, clients and business contacts over the Internet, communication can prove challenging. Sometimes it's difficult for the business owner or customer to communicate needs and messages effectively over the Internet. The two parties don't have the benefit of seeing body language, voice inflections or facial expressions while discussing business matters online. At the same time, spending a significant amount of time on the phone or at in-person business meetings defeats one of the main purposes of selling online --- the benefits of a simple, automated Web transaction.

Trust Issues

Some Internet sellers also experience challenges due to trust and security issues when operating online. The threat of Internet scams, compromised websites, credit card fraud and other online threats may cause a potential customer to pass on purchasing from an online seller's website. For example, about 75 percent of online users have reservations about giving out a credit card number online, according to the Pew Research study on online shopping.

Bad Web Design & Navigation

According to Pew Research, 58 percent of Internet users feel "frustrated, confused or overwhelmed" during online shopping. When a website is poorly designed or doesn't have adequate information, the site owner may lose sales. One key example is inefficient navigation --- if the customer clicks a link expecting one result and doesn't get the answer, it could deter sales. The business owner may also unknowingly lose sales if basic features of the website, like the shopping cart system, don't work properly.

Fix A Paper Shredder

Fix a Paper Shredder

Once a luxury only used in large offices, personal and office paper shredders are now a must for any home or office. Like any other office machine, they can grow sluggish from too much use and too little maintenance. There are a few ways to fix paper shredder malfunctions without visiting the repair shop.

Instructions

1. Shut off the shredder. Unplug it and let in cool down for up to one hour. This will work if the shredder has stopped due to excessive use.

2. Check to see if the shredder is jammed. This is the most common cause of shredder problems. Click the power switch to reverse, which should clear a minor jam. If not, set the shredder to auto, and then to reverse again until the jam clears.

3. Clear extremely stubborn paper jams by grabbing the stuck paper and gently pulling it out. If smaller pieces of paper cause the jam, shut off the shredder and unplug it. When it cools down, carefully use a pair of tweezers to remove the paper bits.

4. Determine if the power supply to the shredder is working properly. If the power supply is cold, use an alternative source of electricity for your shredder. If it is warm, there may be a problem with the shredder itself. Call your office machine repair shop or the shredder manufacturer for assistance.

5. Sharpen or oil the blades. Shredder blades need to be oiled on a regular basis to keep your machine in proper working order. Get oil made specifically for shredder blades from an office supply store.

What Moves The Dow

The Dow moves up and down according to changes in company value.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average, commonly referred to as "the Dow," is an index of share movements and is an important indicator of the United States' economic health. The movements of this index are reported every day on news programs and the point at which the index closes every day is described as being "up" or "down." The fluctuations of the Dow are mainly caused by changes in the price of shares in the top 30 largest U.S. companies.

History

The Dow Jones was started in 1882 by Charles Dow, Edward Jones and Charles Bergstresser to monitor changes in the main growth stocks of the era, which were mainly transportation companies such as railroad and shipping businesses. Eventually, industrial businesses were included and the index split into two, one for transport and another for industrials, which formed the main Dow index reported today. The Dow Jones company believed that publishing averages would make it easier for investors to understand market conditions and make informed investment decisions.

Averages

Share prices alter by fractions of dollars every day, which is difficult for the average person to follow. Publishing the up or down movement in the form of points based on averaging shares is much simpler to understand. When the index started, the Dow Jones company added up the daily share prices of the company stocks included in the Dow and divided the number by 11, which was the number of companies included. At the time it was a revolutionary idea, but based on nothing more complex than calculating the average price every day and seeing how this average moved over consecutive days.

Top Stocks

Currently the Dow average is based on 30 American stocks that Wall Street Journal editors consider as leaders of the U.S. economy. Companies selected typically have a market capitalization value of over $10 billion. Microsoft, Wal-Mart and General Electric are examples of companies of this size. This method of choosing the stocks included in the Dow is subjective but the companies included are changed to ensure the index provides an up to date picture of the U.S. economy. Interestingly, of the original 11 stocks in the index, only General Electric remains.

Complications

Although the index is based on a 30 company share price average, interpreting it isn't always as simple as it sounds. When the Dow Jones company started the market was less complicated and the index didn't have to take into account stock splits and stock dividends. For example, if a company's shares are $100 and it offers a "2 for 1" split, then it increases its number of shares and reduces the share price to $50. This move reduces the Dow average, yet there hasn't been any change in the company value. To accommodate this type of action the Dow uses the "Dow divisor" a figure that adjusts the average for splits.

The Disadvantages Of Call Center Outsourcing

Outsourcing call center operations results in a number of disadvantages.

As a way to deal with the ever-rising cost of doing business, some companies resort to outsourcing their call center operations.While replacing an in-house call center staff with an outside vendor can often save money, there are also a number of disadvantages associated with call center outsourcing.

Less Control

Because outsourcing involves moving your call center operations farther away from your home base, you may have less control over the operation. You must rely on the managerial abilities of the vendor company while doing your best to ensure that it can adapt to your business and uphold your standards, such as quality of service.

Language Difficulties

If you work with a predominately English-speaking customer base, it may create a hardship for your customers when you outsource to a foreign country. For example, if a United States company outsources its call center operations to India, customers may become frustrated if the call center representatives do not speak fluent English or speak with a heavy accent that is difficult to understand.

Confidentiality Issues

Companies that deal with sensitive information may run the risk of the breaching of customer confidentiality. A company that handles medical patient information needs to be certain that the operating procedures used by the new company are secure. This requires the outsourcing company to be highly selective when choosing a company to handle its calls.

Eliminating Jobs

Companies that outsource their call center operations may need to eliminate the jobs of their existing representatives. While this saves companies in labor costs, it can also mean jeopardizing the livelihood of many long-term, loyal employees. In addition to creating a hardship for the employees, it can harm the company from a public relations standpoint in its home country when outsourcing to a foreign country.

Reduced Focus

Whether you outsource to a native or foreign company, you may run the risk of a lack of focus. While an in-house call center is totally focused on your business, an outside vendor's representatives may work with several companies. As a result, they may not deliver the same level of customer service that you've been accustomed to with your own operation.

The Advantages Of Paying Dividends

Dividends are paid to shareholders.

One way for companies to reward their investors is to pay dividends. Dividends are payments made by a company to its shareholders, with the total amount of the payment to each shareholder determined by the number of shares the investor owns. Dividends can be a regular occurrence or only on a special occasion.

Predictability

When companies pay dividends on a consistent basis, they demonstrate stability to investors who are looking for solid returns over the long term. Investors who select dividend-paying stocks also gain a measure of predictability in their returns. Even if the stock has a rough year, the investor will still be able to receive a return in the form of a dividend.

Benefits Without Selling

When a company pays dividends, investors reap some profits without having to sell their shares. With growth stocks, the only way an investor can realize a gain is to sell her shares. A dividend-paying company lets an investor continue to own part of the company and still benefit financially.

Lower Tax Rates

In 2003, the federal government slashed the tax rates on qualified dividends to 15 percent for investors in tax brackets of 25 percent or higher. Through 2007, lower-income investors paid 5 percent tax on dividends, then that rate fell to zero through 2010. Before 2003, dividends were taxed at an investor's marginal rate, which could be as high as 38.5 percent. The tax cut allowed higher-income investors to keep more of the money paid out to them. However, these tax advantages are scheduled to sunset at the end of 2010.

Disbursing Excess Cash

If a mature company has fewer expenses related to expansion, and research and development, and cannot reinvest enough of its revenue in the company, it may find itself sitting on excess cash. Investors in dividend-paying companies prefer the money be paid out so they can invest the money elsewhere and seek higher returns.

Advertising Agency Agreements

Be sure to get all terms in writing.

Although they may vary in length and complexity, there are key provisions within standard advertising agreements that are consistent from one to another. Given that advertising agreements are legally binding, it is of the utmost importance that each listed provision be examined carefully.

Parties

This section establishes which individuals are entering into the agreement, in addition to the company each person represents. The date in which the agreement is to commence is also included.

An example of such would read as follows:

This Advertising Agency Agreement ("Agreement") is made and effective this [Date], by and between [Advertiser] ("Advertiser") and [Agency] ("Agency"). Agency is in the business of providing advertising agency services for a fee. Advertiser desires to engage Agency to render, and Agency desires to render to Advertiser, certain advertising agency services, as set forth in this Agreement.

Services

In a vivid and descriptive manner, the services provided by the advertising agency are listed in this section. To avoid conflict later on, it is important that all involved parties have a firm understanding of the scope and limit of the services to be rendered. Common services include providing copy for printed marketing materials as well as wording for radio and television commercials.

Compensation

The manner in which the advertising agency will be paid for the services rendered is outlined in this section. According to author Vivienne Quek, marketing director for Versa Creations Marketing & Advertising, a performance-based compensation plan is ideal, as it creates a win-win solution for all involved parties. Other common compensation options include retainers in which advertising agencies are paid from an account established specifically for marketing expenses.

Set Up Ach Payments

Set up ACH payments for monthly recurring bills.

ACH (Automatic Clearing House) allows you to send your obligated payments to various companies and organizations with ease. By setting up ACH payments, money is automatically debited from your bank or credit card account each month. This saves you the trouble of having to spend time calling in to pay your bill. The companies that accept ACH payments are too many to name. However, the protocol that the companies use to setup ACH payments is fairly standard across the board.

Instructions

Online

1. Visit the website of the company you would like to submit ACH payments to.

2. Locate the "Account" or "My Account" link. The exact location and wording for the account link will vary by company. Click on the link to open the accounts page.

3. Click the "Log In" or "Sign In" option to log into your online account. You will have to enter your account username/number and password/pin in order to log in. If you have never used the online account feature, you may have to click on "Register" or "Sign Up" before you are able to log in.

4. Locate the "Bill" or "Payments" link. The exact wording will vary.

5. Look for the option to setup "Automatic" or "Recurring" payments. When you have found the option click on it.

6. Enter your credit card or bank account information to setup the ACH payments. Depending upon the company or organization, you may also be able to enter the date you want the ACH payment to debited from your account each month.

Via Telephone

7. Contact the company you would like to submit payments to. Generally, the company's number will be listed on your bill statement/invoice. If no number is on the statement/invoice visit the company's website and click on the "Contact Us" link to get the number.

8. Select the "Billing" option when you hear the telephone prompts.

9. Advise the billing representative that you would like to setup ACH payments for your monthly recurring charges.

10. Provide the billing representative with your checking or credit card account information so she can setup the ACH payments for you. You can advise the billing representative of the date you want the ACH payments debited from your account each month. The representative will let you know whether or not your requested debit dates are acceptable.

11. Ask the billing representative for a reference number in case you need to reference the call in the future.

What Are The Benefits Of Donating Pretax Revenue

Businesses make charitable contributions for many of reasons. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows businesses to use pretax revenues to make these contributions, which results in some tax benefits for an organization. In addition to the tax advantages, businesses also can gain goodwill from these donations.

Goodwill

One of the primary benefits of making donations is goodwill or improved public relations. The public often looks favorably on businesses that share their wealth for good causes. This can often result in increased revenues to the extent that the public purchases products and services from socially-conscious businesses.

Donating and the Tax Code

The U.S. government offers tax deductions and credits to businesses that donate to charity. A company can deduct donations from gross revenues, and thus shield this income from taxes. To qualify, a business must donate to an IRS-recognized charitable organization, such as a 501(c)3.

Corporate Foundations

Corporate foundations also represent a significant part of business donations. In the case of a foundation, the business will donate pretax revenues directly to the foundation it sponsors. The corporate foundations themselves are tax-exempt entities. The IRS also allows the corporation to deduct donations made to the foundation from pretax revenue.

Benevolence and Self-Interest

Some may view the benefits of corporate charitable giving as a negative, essentially using a benevolent act to profit. However, if businesses did not gain in some way, it follows that fewer companies would make donations. The IRS allows businesses to use pretax revenue to make charitable donations because it provides businesses with a huge incentive to help non-profit organizations.

List Of Community Service Project Activities

Community service is a great way to get involved in your neighborhood.

Serving your community is a great way to improve your neighborhood, build relationships and help a fellow person. Community service is volunteer-based and benefits the public, but the volunteer also can reap some benefits. Many organizations look at community service favorably when judging the merit of a candidate for hire. Community service often is a preferred way to pay back society for breaking the law.

Community Service Activities

No set activities define community service. Any activity that helps the community or people in it is serving the community. Some examples of popular community service activities include: Pick up trash in a public park, help a neighbor with a house project, volunteer at a youth center, visit an elderly care home, volunteer at a homeless shelter, tutor children, plant a community garden, organize a neighborhood crime watch, hold a food drive for the homeless, coach a little league sports team, clean up graffiti, volunteer at a crisis shelter or perform random acts of kindness.

Finding Service Projects

Most of the time, it only takes a phone call to find opportunities to serve the community. City governments are always looking for volunteers to carry out various programs. Churches and religious organizations generally are looking for people to serve the community, and youth centers are made up largely of volunteers. Keeping your eyes and ears open may be the easiest way to find community service activities. If something around your city doesn't look right to you, chances are it doesn't look right to others, too. However, no one has done anything about it. Being proactive is the best way to get things done.

Reasons to Serve the Community

Sometimes community service fulfills a need or meets a requirement, but there are plenty of other reasons to serve. Community service helps volunteers learn about their communities and explore new activities that they might be passionate about. Those who actively pursue change in their communities are the ones who shape their environment. Community service also has cognitive effects. According the the University of Michigan, people who participate in community service are less stressed and have increased satisfaction.

Community Service Organizations

Fraternities and sororities are known for their involvement in community service. Some college communities have rejected students with a 4.0 grade point average from entrance into their club because they did not demonstrate an adequate level of service to the community. High schools have begun requiring students to perform community service in order to graduate. In Washington state, students must complete 60 hours of community service prior to graduation. Habitat for Humanity, Project Cure and the AIDS project are popular volunteer-driven organizations that serve on a global level.

Do An Rfp On Marketing Jobs

An effective marketing request for proposal specifies a company's immediate goals.

Companies may outsource marketing assignments to a specialty firm or agency. To begin the selection of a specific firm, a manager will construct a "request for proposal," or RFP for short. An RFP is essentially an invitation to interview, pitch or submit a bid for an assignment. Carefully constructed RFP letters or packages will be complete and thorough to ensure that agencies fully understand, and can fulfill, the company's immediate needs.

Overview: Clearly State the Request

Clearly state the nature of the business and a basic overview of marketing needs. This is a brief summary of the proposal that establishes the scope of the assignment in a few sentences. The following steps will outline more details about questions to ask, so only a brief introduction is needed. As an example, "Company B is a women's apparel retailer located in Springfield. We are looking to increase sales and traffic, while making room for next season's inventory. Would you provide options on conducting a high impact advertising and sales promotion for the holiday season?"

Explaining the Need for a Marketing Service

Explain the need for a marketing service. Provide details regarding products, brands, services, target customers, geographical boundaries and staff. State if there is a marketing program in place and refer to existing samples (direct the reader online or to an addendum). The most common marketing proposals are for advertising (including television, radio, print, mobile and online), direct mail, sales promotions, consumer research and event marketing. However, a marketing campaign can include several of these options to build brand awareness and retain or increase sales.

Disclose Company Challenges

Request for proposals should always include a problem statement or company challenges.

Discuss challenges regarding sales, loss in profit, competitive market share position and inventory, where applicable. For example, a challenge statement might read as follows: "Since the arrival of a new competitor, Company C, we have experienced a 15 percent decrease in sales compared to last year. We would like to research new opportunities to expand the reach of our brand and reclaim lost customers."

Give Budget Guidelines

Reveal budgetary guidelines. Specify a budget cap or commission rate, if applicable. Budget caps are usually a flat fee; commission rates usually refer to agreeing to share a percentage of the sales generated from the marketing campaign.

Produce Supporting Business Background Analysis

Produce a more thorough background statement about the business. Expound on company goals tied to the marketing RFP. These goals could specifically state the dollar amount of revenue that is needed to cover operational costs, the need to get rid of old or stale inventory, or the desire to increase traffic and conversion rates in the store or online.

Reveal Concerns about Adopting a Marketing Strategist.

Courteously explain major concerns regarding the challenge. Marketing campaigns can be costly, unpredictable or unproductive. Multi-location companies need to be explicit about parameters, locations or groups. Be candid, but diplomatic, about perceived limitations on hiring a marketing partner.

Demonstrate Strong Interest

Always be cordial, and demonstrate strong interest in obtaining a proposal from the marketing agency being reviewed.

Explain why their company was chosen to complete an RFP. Marketers want to know if they were carefully selected or if a company haphazardly submitted RFPs to every marketing agency in the phone book. If requesting from a new vendor or company referred by someone, this shows that the RFP is highly important. Companies can also get favorable feedback if they mention this and the potential for future opportunities.

List Core Competencies and Requirements

Identify core competencies. Develop a list of open-ended questions. Some examples include, "What additional integrated marketing services can you provide, such as public relations management?", "What additional information or research would you need in order to complete your assessment?", "Can you provide samples or references from previous clients?", "How much time will be allocated to this project?" and "Will we have access to a marketing manager on-site, and how will we communicate?"

Summarize

Recap a list of three to five key goals in a list. Use the information mentioned in the overview at the beginning of the proposal. For example, "Here are measurable goals we hope to achieve: 1) Increase sales by 15% over last year's comparables; 2) Maintain a 20% profit margin on merchandise sold; 3) Reduce inventory levels by 15% to make room for new arrivals; 4) Increase traffic and customer registration by 10%." These goals do not always have to be sales related; they can include hundreds of other objectives such as maintaining a competitive position in the market, researching or testing a new product, gaining consumer insight, producing graphics or video for a commercial, or even recruiting new employees.

Create Urgency and Conclude the RFP

Define the time limit for submitting a response to create urgency. A courteous example would be, "In order to adequately prepare for the holiday season, we must begin planning within three months. We would appreciate your reply within three weeks of the date on this request." Conclude with a cordial salutation and a "Thank you."

Look Up Financial Data Of A Business Profile

The annual report contains all three financial statements.

Business research is fundamental for investment analysis. The business profile tells the investment analyst what the business does and provides a little history about the company; however, financial data is needed to assess the financial viability of the firm. While you can obtain financial data from several sources, the most reliable source is straight from the company. The Securities and Exchange Commission acts as a regulating agency to ensure these documents are published and are accurate and reliable.

Instructions

1. Obtain the annual report for the company. You can usually download the annual report from the company website or request that a hard copy be sent to you by contacting the company's investor relations department.

2. Turn to the financial statements in the annual report. This is the company's raw financial data. It is audited and submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission for review so it is considered to be the most reliable and accurate financial data from the company. There are three main financial statements that provide different types of financial data.

3. Turn to the balance sheet. The balance sheet provides a snapshot of the firm's assets and liabilities on a certain date, which is listed at the top of the financial statement. Assets are listed first, followed by liabilities and then stockholders' equity.

4. Go to the income statement. The income statement provides at least two years of financial data about the company's earnings. Revenues are listed first and then expenses are deducted from revenues to arrive at net income.

5. Look at the cash flow statement. The cash flow statement is a combination of both the income statement and the balance sheet and is used to determine where cash flow is being generated within the company. It starts with the cash flow generated or used by operations, then investments and then financing.

The Definition Of Commodity Stocks

Commodity stocks invest in products like gold, oil, lumber and sugar

Commodities are goods and products like gold, silver, sugar, coffee, beef, copper and oil. Commodity stocks are investments in these products. These stocks trade on various exchanges, and can be very volatile, risky and actively traded. Many commodity stocks are not for the faint of heart. While they can return big gains, there is also the very real possibility of substantial losses.

Types

Some types of commodity stocks include individual stocks that invest in just one commodity, such as gold. Other commodity stocks invest in more than one commodity, such as precious metal stocks which invest in a variety of metals like gold, silver, copper, zinc and platinum. Several ETFs (exchange traded funds) invest in various commodities, similar to a mutual fund, where they hold a basket of commodity type stocks. While these ETFs may be more diverse, they are no less risky. Commodity options and futures are perhaps the most changeable and speculative of the bunch.

Time Frame

Options and futures on commodities are usually bought and sold on a relatively short-term basis. ETFs and individual stocks are frequently purchased with a longer term in mind. Commodity prices are affected by many variables including supply and demand, and acts of nature. Commodity stocks are not for the timid or cautious investor, and these investments need to be monitored regularly, if not daily.

Benefits

Commodities can provide big profits as well as big losses. They do offer diversity to a portfolio, and in some cases they act as a hedge against inflation or a falling dollar. Certain commodities also provide a safe haven in times of economic, political and global unrest. Commodities are not for prudent and tentative investors. But for those willing to take on some risk, commodity stocks may well reward or burn them.