Brandpoint - Free Online Content

Try something new and refresh your technology habits

5/6/2013

(BPT) - Are you using the Internet as if it’s still the year 2000? If you answered yes, you’ve got some catching up to do. Technology has come a long way in the last 13 years; new shortcuts, alternative products and simple tools available today can help you accomplish tasks faster – saving you time and increasing your efficiency online.

Many people don’t realize this, but old tech habits can actually create more work for you. There is no better time than the present to refresh your technology habits and try something new. Forty-five percent of people say they feel refreshed when they try something new and appreciate a change of pace, according to a survey by Bing and Impulse Research. The following tips can help motivate you to update the way you use technology.

* Upgrade your search skills. Not every search engine is created equal, with some offering different features and new ways of finding information. Bing provides the best and most comprehensive information from across the Web, your social networks and experts, so you can save time searching and start doing. In fact, in blind tests people prefer Bing over Google for the Web’s top searches.

And, according to a recent online survey by Impulse Research, nearly two thirds of people would rather give up Google than their morning coffee, so making a change is easier than you think. Take a chance this spring and join the nearly 25 million people who have visited the Bing It On Challenge site at bingiton.com and see if you prefer Bing over Google.

* Update the way you get your news. Are you still reading multiple sites every morning, scrolling through each one to find news that is relevant to you? If so, it may be time to ditch the grueling routine and give yourself a technology upgrade. An overwhelming 93 percent of people say they’re open to trying new things occasionally or frequently, survey results found. So tomorrow, try something new and subscribe to an RSS feed to quickly identify the news you care about most without having to sort through all the rest. Whether it’s attending a new fitness class, tasting exotic cuisine or trying a new search engine, change can be exciting and add an element of spontaneity to your life. Now is the perfect time to take a risk, break out of your comfort zone and try something new – you might just surprise yourself.

* Refresh your online password(s). Password protection is an important, but often annoying, part of our daily lives. With 12 percent of men saying they would rather sit in traffic than try something new, it’s no surprise many people still use old passwords and the common “1234.” In order to break the bad habit, create a different password for all of your online accounts and store them in a password manager tool. These tools can even help you create passwords that are nearly impossible to crack. Taking a few minutes to try something new can lead to efficiency and better process.

By upgrading your Internet habits and trying something new, you may discover happiness and enjoyment you never knew possible - and learn a few new things along the way.

Businesses capture additional opportunities with frozen yogurt

3/27/2013

There’s nothing like a cool, refreshing and healthy treat to chase away the summer heat or the winter dreariness, no matter if you’re 80 or 8. And it’s rare for a person to turn down a delicious snack when celebrating a birthday. Frozen yogurt is a popular treat for all ages and celebrations in life, which could explain why businesses offering it reported significant growth over the past five years.

From 2006 to 2011, the industry grew 5.9 percent, even during the tough economy. Restaurants, gas stations, catering companies and even hotels are delving into the frozen yogurt market, setting up shop thanks to low start-up expenditures and low overhead maintenance costs. These frozen yogurt bars range in offerings from a selection of flavorings – including low fat – to a variety of fruit and nut toppings to enhance the treat.

“Frozen yogurt is a quick and versatile element businesses have been able to add to their services, without expending a lot of costs or effort,” says Raphael Doromal with Donper America, an industry-leading manufacturer of quality frozen yogurt machines. “As a result, the industry has grown, and customers are finding new places serving their favorite frozen treat.”

For example, catering companies can expand their menus with soft-serve machines. Frozen yogurt machines are portable and can be taken to birthday parties, businesses, weddings, schools and even fundraising events. Mixes for the treat come in either liquid or dry options, providing businesses with a couple of long-term storage choices as well.

Even hotels are jumping on the frozen yogurt bandwagon. The Palms Las Vegas has a frozen yogurt bar do-it-yourself operation keeping visitors cool in the desert heat and satisfying their dessert cravings. Guests have all the options they want for either healthy or decadent desserts.

And the next time you fill up for gas, there is a chance you might be able to purchase and enjoy a frozen yogurt treat at the convenience station before you head on down the road again. For example, RaceTrac has incorporated the entire frozen yogurt shop concept - toppings included - in some locations.

Another reason for the popularity and growth in this industry is because frozen yogurt is often seen as a healthy snack, especially when served low-fat with fruit toppings. It’s a great dairy supplement with a meal, is a delicious dessert and can be considered a lower-calorie mid-afternoon snack on those hot summer days.

IBISWorld projects that demand for frozen yogurt stores will continue to grow over the next five years because of new markets joining the industry. So the next time you’re in the mood for a delicious and cold treat, you probably won’t have to go far to find a business serving frozen yogurt with fresh fruit, nut and candy toppings.

Keep your office healthy to prevent a flu outbreak

2/4/2013

(BPT) - A flu outbreak in your workforce can cause problems in several different areas of your business. The best flu prevention is encouraging and educating workers on how to be proactive at fending off the flu virus. By making sure your employees do the best they can to stay in good health and flu free, you can keep your business running smoothly and efficiently.

Here are some tips on keeping the office healthy and productive from Staples, which has every product a business needs to succeed.

Ways to avoid germs

One of the best methods of flu prevention is to keep the passing of germs to a minimum. A recent survey from Staples found that 80 percent of workers come to work while sick and of those who do stay home, nearly two thirds come back while still contagious. While it is impossible to keep an entirely sterile environment, there are several ways to avoid catching the flu virus:

* Stay away from people who are, or appear to be, sick. Encourage your employees to be alert for those that look like they may be infected with the flu, both at work and in their personal lives.

* Steer clear of crowds and high-traffic areas. The more people there are, the higher the chances are that someone is carrying flu germs. Workers can decrease their odds of catching the flu by timing their errands and shopping at off-peak times whenever possible and doing their best to stay out of particularly germy areas, such as hospitals and schools.

It is also important for those who do end up getting the flu to make sure they stay home to keep from infecting others. You can help your employees do this by encouraging them to stay alert for any signs of the flu and err on the side of caution to keep from potentially spreading germs to the rest of the workforce. Some experts recommend employees with the flu stay home for between five to seven days. Encouraging telecommuting when feasible may reduce employee downtime and prevent further spread of the illness.

How proper hygiene can help keep you healthy

While staying away from crowds and sick people is an important aspect of flu prevention, it is impossible for your employees to be out of contact with everyone. Encouraging proper hygiene, both at work and at home, can help kill any flu germs floating around. There are three easy practices that can go a long way in flu prevention:

* Encourage employees to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing. This can help stop germs, flu or otherwise, from spreading. You can make this practice even easier for your workers by keeping several boxes of facial tissues within easy reach of employee areas.

* Make hand-washing a top priority. Washing your hands is one of the single best methods of flu prevention, killing most flu virus germs that you come into contact with. Making this a company-wide practice will help keep your workforce healthy. Posting signs reminding employees to wash their hands before leaving the restroom and providing hand sanitizer are great ways to stay proactive.

Other ways to keep the flu at bay

In addition to avoiding and stopping the spread of germs, it is also important for employees to keep themselves as healthy as possible, making it easier for their bodies to fend off the flu virus. Encourage your staff to stay active and get plenty of rest during flu season. Providing healthy snack options and bottled water can also help make sure that your workers are refueling during the work day.

By encouraging your employees to adopt these healthy habits, you can avoid the troubles, such as unexpected understaffing, that can come from a flu outbreak among your workers. Flu prevention is key to keeping everyone healthy and productive year-round.

Interested in learning more? Visit the Staples Solutions Center at www.staples.com/solutionscenter.

What happens to a business when the power goes out?

4/23/2013

(BPT) - Losing power leads to instant anxiety: when will it return? Aside from the absence of everyday luxuries like turning on the TV or connecting to the Internet, you may worry about the food in the fridge spoiling, and wonder when you’ll be able to take a hot shower. While these types of events present real problems for the average homeowner, business owners worry about when the cash register will start ringing again.

Storm Sandy devastated the east coast with heavy winds and storm surges that flooded major cities and shorelines while dumping record snow in West Virginia and knocking out power as far away as Ohio in October 2012. Among small businesses impacted by the storm, 71 percent lost power and with it, the ability to continue operating, according to The Hartford Small Business Pulse Survey: Storm Sandy.

Approximately three-fourths of impacted owners had to close their doors for a period of time, and it took them an average of seven days to reopen. While only 11 percent experienced structural property damage, 52 percent experienced loss of sales or revenue as a result of Storm Sandy.

When an event like this happens, businesses not only have to work feverishly to get everything back up and running, but also must somehow make up for the loss of revenue during the interruption. This is why many businesses feel it’s important to include business interruption insurance as part of their business insurance protection.

Mueller, a suburban Chicago-based accounting firm, lost power for 30 hours due to a storm in July 2011 and was unable to continue normal operations. Like many accounting firms, Mueller bills by the hour, and had 80 employees unable to work.

Fortunately, Mueller was protected by The Hartford’s Spectrum Business Owner’s Policy, with optional coverage for Off-Premises Utility Services – Direct Damage and Business Income Extension For Off Premises Utility Services.

“Through The Hartford, we carry our business interruption insurance,” says Mueller’s Debora Galchick. “They understand our business. The whole process went very smoothly.”

“Business interruption insurance is a critical coverage for business owners,” says Ray Sprague, senior vice president of the small commercial insurance segment for The Hartford. “It helps provide reimbursement for a business’s loss of income when it is not operational due to unexpected damage or events, so the business can continue to meet its financial obligations, such as rent and payroll.”

Sprague says it’s not only important for business owners to make sure their policy includes business interruption insurance, but to also ensure the interruption portion of the policy covers specific areas of need, along with appropriate levels of protection. The Hartford offers the following types of optional coverage choices:

* Coverage that offers reimbursement for lost income during a power outage caused by an off-premises utility failure. It’s possible that a business wouldn’t receive direct physical damage during a catastrophic event, but could lose power, causing them to lose income.

* Reimbursement of losses that occur as a result of spoilage or temperature change. This would be relevant for restaurants or any other industry that relies on regulating their stock environment.

* Coverage that extends after an incident if earnings continue to be lost as a result of an interruption even after business resumes. For example, once a business is open for business, it may take several weeks or months to bring customers back to the level they were before the interruption.

For many businesses, these types of coverages can mean the difference between resuming operations as usual once things return to normal and struggling to make up for the loss for weeks, months or even years to come.

“While the price can vary based on a number of factors, including the type of business, industry and amount of coverage needed, the cost of business interruption coverage is generally quite reasonable relative to the protection it provides, “ says Sprague. “It's important for business owners to consult their insurance agent for guidance in determining the appropriate coverage based on their specific needs."

For more information on business interruption coverage, visit thehartford.com/businessincome.

How to ace your next job interview

3/25/2013

(BPT) - Making it to the job interview stage means your skill set and resume have caught the interest of a potential employer, who now wants to determine if you’ll be a good fit as an employee of a company. Acing the interview is essential if you want to convince the employer that you’re the right person for the job.

“Employers are open to bringing in several candidates for job interviews, and this is the time for both the employer and the candidate to determine if they will be a good fit for each other,” says Joe Seitz, director of career services at Everest Institute-Grand Rapids. “The goal for the candidate is to receive a job offer, and the goal for the company is to find the perfect person for the job.”

Seitz and Everest Institute offer these tips to ensure that you walk away from your job interview and receive either a call back for a second interview or a job offer:

Practice makes perfect

Hundreds of websites provide traditional job interview questions, so think about what kind of answers you’d give for these questions. For example, “What is your worst quality?” could be turned into an opportunity to show your future employer you identify your faults, but are able to recognize opportunities to improve, with examples of how you’ve already taken steps in this direction. Employers ask these kinds of questions in many different ways, so think of actual examples and prepare mini-sound bites to describe your skills.

Be yourself

Although the interview is a great time to sell yourself to a potential employer, be careful not to go overboard. Embellishment may be tempting – particularly for young graduates – but employers want to know what you’ve really done. Communicate any career training you have and how it relates to the position.

“New graduates have a lot going for them, even if they don’t have a lot of experience,” says Seitz. “They can bring fresh ideas to the company, and are trainable to perfectly match what the company needs.”

Be yourself, and in cases where you lack experience, display a willingness and desire to learn the necessary skills.

Every interaction counts

Anyone you encounter within proximity to the interview setting can have a direct influence on its outcome. Having a positive and respectful attitude creates a more welcoming environment all around you and sets you up for success during the interview.

“Smile, be polite and greet every person you meet, from the moment you get into your car to drive to the interview to the time you arrive home,” says Seitz. “You never know when the person standing in line in front of you at the coffee shop prior to your interview could very well be the person you interview with later in the afternoon.”

Follow-up

Good follow-through is important and shows a potential employer that a candidate cares about the opportunity. Be sure to send a note to everyone who interviewed you thanking them for their time and consideration. Remember the interview is a formal process, so hand-write a thank-you note and send it through the mail.

Enhance your skills

Schools like Everest Institute cater to the demands of non-traditional students by offering fast-track programs, flexible classes and online education programs in popular fields, such as health care and accounting, allowing students to work or interview for jobs while enhancing their skills in the meantime.

Get organized to help grow your business

2/19/2013

(BPT) - Small businesses are always trying to find ways to get organized so employees can work more efficiently and save money in the process. With tax time just around the corner and projects opening and closing on a daily basis, taking your business organization standards to a new and improved level might seem like a huge undertaking.

“A well-organized office helps you find what you need and to work efficiently, which reduces stress,” says Julie Morgenstern, an internationally known organizing and time management expert. “More importantly, staying organized lets you to spend more of your valuable time on what’s most important to your business.”

It’s easier than you think. Your small business can increase efficiency and get organized in three easy steps - shed, shred and get ahead.

Shed: Go through your project folders and purge any unwanted files or papers. Organize the documents in binders, labeling them with pertinent information so you can quickly scan multiple binders to find the information you need at a later date. For tax filing resources, the Internal Revenue Service recommends keeping important business records from three to seven years, depending on the documents.

If you have old binders that are no longer in good condition, don’t throw them away, recycle instead. Take these binders to a Staples store, which gives customers $2 off the purchase of a new binder for each old one brought into a store to recycle.

Shred: Private and sensitive data that is no longer needed must go through the shredder to protect your business and employees from fraud and identity theft. Surprisingly, almost 20 percent of small-business owners don’t shred confidential material, with the leading reason being that it’s just easier to throw materials away, according to the 7th Annual Staples National Small Business Survey. To simplify the shredding, consider Staples 10-Sheet Cross-Cut Shredder, which includes new features like a convenient pull out bin and a lockout key that functions as a master power control, rendering the shredder non-functional until the key is replaced.

Get ahead: Don’t let your piles grow in your office this year. Get a jumpstart on those files right away and train all your employees to keep organized during the work process so you won’t have to play catch up at a later time. In an effort to establish a better filing system as you get everything organized, try the BETTER Binder with removable FileRings, available exclusively at Staples.com. These binders allow you to remove all the material inside (keeping the rings intact so nothing is lost or out of order), for easy filing in a standard filing cabinet or storage box. This process allows you to use the binders to securely take material out while the project is in the process or put the material away into a permanent storage once the project is closed. FileRings are sold separately, allowing you to reuse the binders.

An organized small-business owner has more time to get work done as 83 percent of these entrepreneurs are solely responsible for organizing their companies, according to the survey. It’s never too late to tackle this task, and as a small-business owner, you’ll feel better and be able to spend more time focused on growing your business.

Women and online marketing: 4 tips for using the Internet to grow your business

3/13/2013

It’s safe to say women have made their mark in the business world over the years. Mary Katherine Goddard was the first woman to open a bookstore back in 1789. Not long after, Rebecca Pennock Lukens became the first female CEO of an industrial company. Both women made waves in a business world that wasn’t quite ready for them.

In the modern day, women have been breaking into the work force at a much faster rate. As of 2010, about 60 percent of women age 16 and older were in the workforce, compared to just 25 percent in 1952. Women like Mary Kay Ash (founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics) and Sara Blakely (creator of Spanx and the youngest female self-made billionaire) have broken molds and inspired other women to capitalize on the power of independence, determination and hard work.

In an effort to inspire more women, Fathom, a digital marketing and analytics agency, has compiled a list of four simple digital marketing tactics that will impact your company’s bottom line. There are many creative digital marketing tactics to choose from, but these four are quick to implement and impactful. While these tactics are not specific to women, they certainly are key to growing any company’s visibility and revenue online.

Tip 1: Set up Google profiles

Google Analytics and Google Webmaster Tools are free tracking tools that are easy to implement. Google Analytics enables business leaders to make smart, data-based decisions, and provides data ranging from website traffic to top-converting keywords and landing pages, and more. Google Webmaster Tools allow you to submit XML sitemaps to Google to ensure your Web pages are crawled frequently. It also reports on site load time and crawl errors, which are important components of Google’s algorithm.

Tip 2: Build local pages and optimize your website for local terms

Creating separate pages for brick-and-mortar store locations, offices or the cities your business serves is a great way to capture traffic coming from local keywords. This SEO tactic has proven to be a quick-hitting win for companies who need more visibility in local markets. To get the best results, consider embedding Google maps or incorporating zip codes, city facts – anything that screams “local” to the search engines. Local pages serve highly relevant content and typically convert visitors at a higher rate.

Tip 3: Create and embed videos on best and worst performing pages

According to Fathom, consumers who view online videos are 64 percent more likely to purchase products online. Adding videos to top-performing landing pages on both e-commerce and lead generation sites is a great way to increase sales or leads coming from your most popular products or services. Pages with high bounce rates usually indicate that visitors are experiencing confusion or frustration – adding videos to these pages may help decrease your bounce rate, increase time on site and ultimately increase the conversion rates of these pages.

Tip 4: Start researching marketing automation platforms

In its simplest form, marketing automation is a platform that can track, score and re-engage potential customers who visited your website and completed a form. Marketing automation tools (such as Marketo or Act-On) allow you to aggregate data over time, segment your customer base and send specific messages to customers (or potential customers) you see as most valuable. These tools are great for businesses that are getting more leads than their sales force can handle, as well as those who have longer sales cycles.

Through focused digital marketing efforts, women have the opportunity to grow their businesses online and become leaders in their industries. According to Forbes, in 2012, more women held CEO roles at Fortune 500 companies than ever before. It’s an encouraging milestone, yet, of all CEO titles, women still make up just 4 percent. Statistics prove that women have made significant progress in the business world, but there’s still a long way to go.

How to stay productive and not infect the office when you're sick

2/14/2013

Each year, American workers miss 100 million workdays due to the flu alone. There’s a trace of irony in that number: Many of those days wouldn’t have to be lost if those who were sick stayed home, preventing the transfer of germs and viruses within the office.

For many Americans, staying home from work when sick isn’t always an easy decision. A recent survey by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that one in three U.S. employees doesn’t have paid sick leave. By simply planning ahead, it may be possible to help prevent the spread of the flu and other illnesses with initiatives that encourage sick staff to avoid working in the office.

Attempting to work when seriously ill isn’t the best idea. But there are times when an employee might feel well enough to work, but is still contagious and battling symptoms. Developing a plan to work from home during such times can help an employee recover without taking time off while preventing the spread of germs among co-workers.

Plantronics, a company devoted to providing devices and tools to allow for flexible working, offers five tips to help those working from home stay productive:

* Diminish distractions: Soundproofing a home office isn’t the easiest or most cost-effective option for most. Instead use noise-cancelling headphones for important calls. The BlackWire 700 series headset from Plantronics offers noise-cancellation while taking a call on your PC, tablet or smartphone or while listening to music.

* Smart headsets: People working from home are likely using both a mobile phone and a computer for calls. A headset like the Voyager Legend UC from Plantronics integrates both calling systems into one while providing superior audio quality and hands-free features.

* Use videoconferencing: Working from home doesn’t mean the end of face-to-face meetings. Web and video conferencing programs like Skype, Google+ Hangout, Microsoft Lync or PGi’s iMeet allow for easy video conferencing for those working remotely.

* Instant messaging: When email is too formal a means of communication between colleagues, IM acts as a less formal way of staying connected. Chat clients like Gchat, AIM, Skype or Microsoft Lync are ideal for quick conversations.

* Collaborative desktop: Programs like Skype or Screenleap make sharing documents while speaking to co-workers easy while working remotely.

In addition to setting up a work-from-home arrangement, employees can also do their part by getting a flu shot and following doctors’ orders for rest and treatment when ill. To learn more about how you can increase your productivity through flexible working solutions, visit the Plantronics Blog.

Companies lose more than data from visual privacy concerns [Infographic]

4/9/2013

Often overlooked by today's mobile workforce is the importance of safeguarding confidential data from prying eyes. A recent study conducted by the Ponemon Institute, commissioned by 3M, the maker of privacy filters for computers and mobile devices, reveals that employees are 50 percent less productive when they feel their visual privacy on their computer or mobile device screen is at risk. Based on this finding, lost productivity due to employee visual privacy concerns is potentially costing a U.S. business organization with more than 7,500 people more than $1 million dollars per year (based on empirical findings by Ponemon Institute and assuming that 26 percent of employees travel with a computer or comparable device). The 3M Visual Privacy Productivity Study also found that visual privacy concerns impact an employee’s willingness to fully disclose sensitive information on a computer screen, which is especially relevant in industries where customer information is collected on a computer or tablet screen in a public place.

The evolution of accounting: new careers in the language of business

3/27/2013

(BPT) - Numbers span all languages and cultures, creating what is known as the language of business: accounting. The earliest accounting records date back thousands of years to the use of an abacus, a rudimentary counting tool. As the workplace has progressed, so has the role of the accounting professional. This has been particularly evident in recent years; the integration of technology in accounting has created many specializations and job opportunities within the field – from forensic accounting to health care IT auditors.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accountants, auditors, financial bookkeepers and clerks rank among the top 25 occupations in the nation – and the employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow 16 percent by 2020. This increasing diversity of career paths and the bright employment future are attracting many professionals to a career in accounting.

“Accounting is an exciting, expanding field going beyond traditional corporate and public accounting; the evolution of technology's role in the field has allowed new concentrations to emerge,” says Sarah Engle, professor of accountancy in the College of Business and Management at DeVry University and owner of Black River Tax Prep. “Technology has expanded the traditional boundaries associated with the profession. Mobile devices and cloud computing, for instance, allow small and mid-size accounting firms to broaden their reach to clients worldwide.”

The need for accountants with professional specializations is on the rise. The demand for forensic accountants, for instance, has expanded with the fallout from high-profile financial scandals like Enron and Lehman Brothers. These accountants focus on disputes or litigation in civil or criminal law and often investigate corporate and securities fraud, insurance and personal injury claims and computer fraud. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has adapted by adding forensic accountants to its roster of permanent positions. According to research by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the top three characteristics for a forensic accountant to possess are analytical, detail oriented and ethical.

Environmental or "green" accounting is also a growing field. With sustainability and environmental protection becoming more prominent objectives in today’s business world, green accountants will be employed to help leaders make more informed decisions. Accountants with expertise in both traditional accounting and various environmental technologies are needed to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the future cost of business.

“Today’s accountants need a widened skill set, learning and leveraging both hard and soft skills,” says Shanae Bond, a staff accountant at Macy’s and alumnae of DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management. “For example, I use both fundamental accounting principles and economics each day as well as critical thinking and customer service skills.”

There are varied educational paths for accountants, but most positions require at least a bachelor's degree. Many professionals in the field choose to earn a master’s degree and certification, such as becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), to enhance their resume and marketability.

DeVry University, for example, is helping to meet the demand of this booming industry by offering several bachelor’s degree programs that can lead to an accounting career. Courses such as cost accounting, ethics and fraud, and accounting information systems allow students to gain insight and experience that will translate in the working world.

The language of business has evolved. Future generations of accountants will have many diverse opportunities if they are well-educated and possess the skills required of today’s business world.

Employment scams: The job offer you don't want to accept

2/18/2013

Job hunting can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, as you showcase your talents for potential employers in hopes of landing that position. While you’re certainly eager to impress, and want to show that you’ll go the extra mile for your future employer, those instincts can also lead you into trouble. With so much competition for jobs as the country crawls out of a recession, employment scams have emerged as a common way for criminals to take advantage of job-seekers’ enthusiasm.

Employment scams not only damage the spirits of well-meaning job seekers, but can pack a financial punch as well, leaving victims out hundreds or thousands of dollars. So if you’re on the job search, it pays to be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.

“Knowing the warning signs can help people steer clear of employment scams. Warning signs of employment scams may include claims of guaranteed employment and requests for payment of up-front fees,” says Shelley Bernhardt, director of consumer protection at Western Union, a leader in global payment services. She says employment scams usually fall into three categories:

1. Scammers pose as a new employer and send victims a check to perform mystery shopping reviews or cover up-front expenses, like supplies. Victims deposit the check, buy the supplies or perform the mystery shopping assignment and are asked to wire the remaining funds back to the scammer. Since funds from the check may be made available by the bank before the check has cleared, the victim often discovers the checks are fake after they’ve already sent the money to the scammer.

2. Victims receive job offers, but are told to pay for things like credit checks, application and recruitment fees. Victims pay, but job offers never materialize. In this scenario, it’s common for scammers to pose as recruiters.

3. A person posing as a representative of a prospective employer asks victims for sensitive personal and/or financial information under the guise of doing credit or background checks. While no money is initially exchanged, victims are later targeted for identity theft.

Each employment scam can vary, so it’s important to keep a number of things in mind as you search for a job. Here are a few things you can do to help avoid becoming a target of one of these scams:

* Never send money in exchange for a chance at employment. Legitimate companies do not charge application fees and recruiters collect bonuses directly from companies after employment has been granted, not before and never from job applicants.

* Never deposit a check and then return a portion of the money through a money transmitter. Banks often don’t discover fake checks until days or weeks after you’ve made a deposit or received cash.

* Be wary of correspondence that comes from a generic email address, rather than an email address from the business that is hiring. Obvious grammatical and spelling errors are also common in emails from employment scammers.

* Very rarely would an employer interested in your services communicate only via email. If the employer isn’t interested in talking to you on the phone or meeting in person, you should proceed with the utmost caution.

* You should always do research on a company before proceeding with an application or accepting a job offer. The Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) is a great resource that can help you find out if a company is legitimate and if it’s had any complaints filed against it.

As is the case with almost any other scam, if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. While there are plenty of good job opportunities available, it’s a good idea for job-seekers to be aware of the existence of employment scams. To learn more about employment scams and other common scams, visit www.westernunion.com/stopfraud.

Trends provide guidance as technology shapes careers landscapes

3/7/2013

(BPT) - The saying goes: success is when preparation meets opportunity. As technology continues to affect our lives, workers in today’s ever-changing labor market need to be prepared with skills to adapt and succeed in the workplace.

Job opportunities in technology are growing up to three times faster than other career fields in the U.S. Long gone are the days of a linear education and career trajectory as technology continues to reshape the world’s workplace landscapes. Nowadays, the career paths of most individuals resemble a scaffold rather than a conservative straight line.

Changes in the education and workplace landscape not only impact job seekers, but educators and employers as well. It’s estimated that by 2025, we could have 20 million jobs without enough qualified people to fill them, according to a report by Georgetown University.

Daniel Burrus, a globally renowned corporate strategist and author of six books including The New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-seller “Flash Foresight,” recently released his inaugural Certainties list, based on a scientific method aimed at providing various employment sectors with a clearer outlook of their respective futures. As a strategist, he advises a wide range of Fortune 500 firms to develop projections by analyzing trends.

Burrus’ list of Certainties, which highlights 12 technologies that will continue to transform present and future careers, uses his proprietary scientific method of separating “Hard Trends” – trends that will happen – from “Soft Trends” – trends that might happen.

Over the past five years, Burrus has collected Certainties from thousands of senior executives from every industry around the world, providing a clear picture of the direction different sectors are heading.

“The goal is to give people a road map regarding how technology will transform their careers and how to ensure they’re not caught in disappearing careers, but rather preparing and positioning themselves for the predictable changes in their current fields as well as emerging careers with real, long-term demand,” says Burrus.

According to Burrus’ Certainties list, some of the technologies that will transform our world and careers include:

3-D Web and 3-D printing

Employment for graphic artists, designers and programmers will grow as the Web-surfing experience transforms from a one-dimensional “flat” page to a dynamic 3-D experience for the user.

Additionally, the manufacturing industry will be revolutionized by 3-D printing, which will allow any size company to manufacture goods quickly, locally and at lower cost.

Gamification of education

Both employees and students will have training and teaching methods delivered to them in a highly-personalized and accelerated way, through the use of simulations and skill-based learning systems transmitted through smartphones and tablets.

Cloud services and virtualization

As more organizations maintain and store information using cloud computing, the demand for professionals skilled in information technology is expected to rise. Employees who can safeguard important company and client data will be vital to business success.

In order to meet the anticipated demands of the 21st century, individuals must reassess their skills to make certain they are equipped with the necessary knowledge to remain relevant in their field.

Burrus recently teamed with DeVry University to launch his Certainties list. He believes the institution exemplifies the kind of forward-looking curriculum development necessary to ensure degree programs adequately prepare students for the future.

“DeVry University is committed to effectively aligning our students’ academic experience with the plausible future demands of the industries in which they seek successful careers,” says David Pauldine, president of DeVry University. “As a university, we are continuously interfacing with Fortune 100 companies to ensure our educational programs prepare our graduates for current and emerging job opportunities.”

Burrus urges employers, employees and educators alike to give serious consideration to these career-transforming Certainties so that the American worker is better positioned for careers of the 21st century. To learn more about Burrus’ full list of career-transforming “Certainties,” visit www.DeVry.edu/Certainties.

Online security tips and reputation management for job-hunters

2/6/2013

(BPT) - When you’re job-hunting you go to great lengths to stand out among the hundreds – even thousands – of applicants for a single open position. But while you’re working to catch an employer’s eye, have you considered the importance of protecting your information from unwanted attention? Or the need to manage the online reputation you do want employers to see?

Most job searches today begin online. In fact, Beyond.com recently found that 77 percent of job-seekers are using mobile apps to access the Internet in their search. And unemployed people who search for jobs online get a job 25 percent faster than those who only search offline resources, according to a joint study by the Universities of California and Colorado.

Searching online can be a great way to find your dream job, but it also requires you to take extra precautions to protect your personal information and to manage your online reputation. Enterprising identity thieves and scam artists may take advantage of personal, identifying information posted on job boards and online resume sites. And with social media making potentially embarrassing information and images widely available, it’s important for job-seekers to manage what potential employers may find if they were to perform an online search of a candidate’s name.

Protecting your personal information

When you post a resume on a job board, the information is usually public and viewable by anyone who wants to see it. Some websites allow you to control what is viewable and who can see it, limiting access only to potential employers who have registered with the site. Others do not restrict who can access resumes. It’s important to know the privacy policies and settings of any employment website where you will post your resume or apply for jobs.

Consider how much personally identifying information you will share. Information such as your name and past work history may be essential, but keep in mind that no potential employer should ever ask for your Social Security number or financial information during the initial phases of your interaction. If a response to your resume comes with a request for your SSN or account number, be very skeptical and ask why this information is needed so early in the application process.

While conducting your online job search, it’s important to keep an eye on your credit and financial accounts, because that’s where identity fraud will first show up. Consider enrolling in an identity theft detection, protection and resolution product like www.ProtectyMyID.com. The product is designed to help people minimize the damages caused by identity theft and help members safeguard themselves from identity theft.

Protecting your current job

Consider how your current employer will react if someone from your company comes across your active resume online.

While your current employer likely won’t fire you just for posting your resume on a job site, the situation can – at the very least – be uncomfortable. Before you begin circulating your resume or posting on job boards, be sure you know how your current employer would react if your information was found online. If you wish to keep your job search private, make sure to review the privacy settings of any job search websites you’re using.

Conduct your search as honorably as possible, sending resumes, emails, etc. on your own time – and not when you’re supposed to be working for your current boss. Likewise, maintain a separate email address that you use solely for your job search; never use a work email address during a job search.

Protecting your prospects

By now you’ve likely read or heard media reports of prospective employers searching social media sites for information on job applicants. It’s important to manage what employers may view in social media. If you haven’t already done so, restrict access to your social media accounts so that your posts and photos can only be viewed by people you’ve granted permission to. Be sure to set privacy settings to their most restrictive.

Privacy controls notwithstanding, remember that when it comes to the Internet there’s no such thing as 100 percent private. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind when using social media is if you would be embarrassed to have your mother or boss view the content, don’t post it.

Finally, before you apply for a job, check your credit report. A growing number of businesses are asking job candidates to agree to credit checks. While the National Conference of State Legislatures says eight states currently restrict use of employer credit checks in the hiring process, and many more have legislation pending, you may still be asked to submit to a credit check.

It’s your decision whether or not to agree, and to determine if protecting your privacy is worth the risk of losing a job opportunity. Knowing what’s on your credit report in advance can help you make a more informed decision.

Tips for small-business owners making banking choices

5/7/2013

(BPT) - From figuring out where to open up a new shop so that it gets great foot traffic to choosing the right employees, all a small-business owner’s decisions are important for the health of their business.

Another key consideration for a small business owner is what to do about money – figuring out the best way to make it, how to spend it – and where to manage it. Choosing the right bank to manage your business finances can be one of those important decisions.

What should a small-business owner consider when making the choice? What can the right bank offer?

Convenience

It’s not convenient when a bank is only open the same hours as a business; what if a small business owner has to deposit cash after their business closes? Banks that are open early and open late, as well as on the weekends, help take the stress out of having to run the errand during the work day.

Small-business owners who don’t need to visit the actual brick-and-mortar location of their bank all the time should also choose a bank that has a great online banking experience, too.

Great product choices, like low minimum-balance business checking accounts are also an important convenience. TD Bank, for example, has a number of small business checking solutions, including a competitive $1,500 minimum balance – which can help the small business owner avoid monthly fees – on its TD Business Convenience Checking Plus account.

“Small-business owners should seek out a bank that treats small business like big business,” said Jay DesMarteau, head of small business at TD Bank. “Look for a bank that’s open early, open late, and can offer the whole bank. Look for a relationship, not just a transaction.”

One-stop shop

Finding a bank that can offer a breadth of banking services will help a business owner streamline their finances so that they aren’t running off to one bank to withdraw money, and taking that cash to a different bank to pay the bills.

The ability to open a line of credit where a small-business owner also has a business checking account, business credit card and treasury management service is truly convenient. A one-stop shop approach, getting all business banking done in one place, can help the small business owner focus on making the bottom line.

It’s even better if that whole-bank experience comes with a staff that’s personable. Where the teller knows the names of your kids’ or that your daughter got promoted last week.

Making decisions isn’t always easy for a small-business owner. But ultimately finding a bank that can be a business partner, help streamline the management of the owner’s finances and allow the owner to focus on their business in a tough economic environment – that will be one of the best decisions they make.

Your first resume - dos and don'ts

4/16/2013

(BPT) - If you’re heading out into the workforce for the first time, there’s plenty of prep work to do. An employer’s first impression of you could very well be your resume.

Christine Pacheco, director of career services at The Art Institute of Colorado, and Kristin Frank, director of career services at The Art Institute of Phoenix, share the top dos you should include to get noticed and get your foot in the door - and the don’ts that could get your resume tossed in the trash.

First, the dos:

* Do look at the job description and then tailor your resume to the specific needs of the job, advises Frank. Your skills need to match what the employer is looking for. Pacheco stresses the importance of key words that should be included in your resume. “Your resume could be scanned electronically and if key industry words and words from the job description are not in it, it will get tossed before it ever gets to a human being,” she says. That means you should be tweaking your resume for each job.

* Do ensure you’ve completed at least one internship to include on your resume, even if your program of study did not require it. Explain how you contributed to the organization and how you made yourself stand out. Make sure to stress the professional skills you honed during that time. If you’ve done freelance and contract work in your field, create a ‘freelance/contract work” section and list all your clients.

* Do list your membership and participation in professional organizations, and if you haven’t joined a professional organization for your field, do so immediately. “It’s important to show a genuine interest in your industry,” explains Frank. Make sure to also list any professional certifications you’ve earned while still in school.

* Do utilize your college’s career services department. Advisors can assist you in formatting and tailoring your resume and may be able to provide you with job leads. They can also help you prepare for the actual interview.

* Do list your work-related and non-work-related accomplishments. Make sure the non-work accomplishments still showcase your benefit to a potential employer. For instance, if you planned your sorority or fraternity annual philanthropy, focus on the leadership skills you utilized and the organization the event benefitted. If you’ve completed a marathon, list that as well. It showcases your ability to stick with a project and follow through. It could also wind up being a pretty interesting topic of conversation during the interview. Just be prepared to discuss your skills and accomplishments, when asked.

Which brings us to the don’ts:

* Don’t embellish. Because you will be asked about your marathon or how you increased your company’s ROI during your three-month internship, make sure everything you put on paper is true. If not, it could come back to bite you.

* Don’t send before you proofread. “We still see typos and missing names, email addresses or phone numbers,” says Pacheco. Few things annoy hiring managers more than that kind of easily avoided carelessness. It tells an employer that you do not have attention to detail and that you complete sloppy work. In an era with spell-check, most of this can be easily avoided.

* Don’t use that “cute” email address you created in college. A hiring manager will be hard-pressed to take “partygirl@email.com” or “lovetheladies@email.com” seriously, warns Frank.

* Don’t include irrelevant info on your resume. A philanthropic event you organized for your fraternity is a plus, the spring break trip you spearheaded may not impress, nor will your award for most parties attended in a semester. Make sure the information you include showcases your responsible side. Your future employer does not want to imagine you calling in sick because you stayed out too late the night before.

* Don’t go on and on. “I’ve seen executive-level resumes that stuck to a page or two,” says Pacheco. Make sure your resume is clear and to the point.

Anthony Bourdain talks last meal on earth, advice for restaurateurs; old-school cocktails

5/9/2013

(BPT) - TV’s best-fed hedonist, Anthony Bourdain, is keeping busy these days with his hit travel series “Parts Unknown,” his publishing career and an upcoming appearance at this year’s National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago. Love him or hate him, Bourdain is the biggest, baddest food dude on the planet. The self-proclaimed “chef slacker” shares his advice for restaurateurs and new chefs, and talks about his desired last meal on Earth and love of old-school cocktails.

Q. You have 24 hours left on Earth: Where would you go, and what would you eat?

A. “Sukiyabashi Jiro in Tokyo. I would sit down in front of the greatest sushi master that I’ve ever met and eat whatever he puts down in front of me. That would probably take about 22 minutes, if past experiences are my guide. I’ve had it before, and it’s one of the greatest meals of my life. If I’m going to be shot in the back of the head after a meal, that would be a good way to go.”

Q. You’ve made it well-known that you started in the restaurant industry by washing dishes. What’s one piece of advice that you wish you could tell your former self about the restaurant industry?

A. “I was a very happy dishwasher! I just wanted to be part of it. I didn’t want to necessarily rule the world. I made a lot of decisions along the way where I chose to have fun rather than to excel. I chose to be a chef rather than the student of a really talented first-rate chef. I made a conscious decision not be the best that I can be. I was pretty set in my ways about the kinds of kitchens that I felt comfortable in and wanted to work in, and that was not conducive to me ever becoming a Michelin-starred chef. I think that the greatest lesson I ever learned in the restaurant business (and I learned it early) was: Show up on time. Whatever work, whatever commitment, you have, always show up on time to show the people who you work with the respect that you can at least do that.”

Q. Which chefs are most exciting to you now that you could see establishing future partnerships within your publishing career?

A. “For the chefs that I’ve published and hope to publish, it’s not just about the food. It’s people who are doing interesting things and who have an interesting story and point of view. The recent chef books I would have loved to publish would be Gabrielle Hamilton’s memoir (Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef) of The Joe Beef Guys. There are real voices there of people who are saying something new and interesting to create a whole world and mindset that explains the food. Generally speaking, I look for someone who has a powerful voice and can explain why they cook the way that they cook in a personal and dynamic way. Roy Choi’s book is coming out soon, and I think that he will be a good example of that.”

Q. What’s the best advice that you have for restaurateurs facing the challenges of today?

A. “Today’s restaurants need to have a concise vision of what they are good at and what they have to offer that is different from the guy across the street. Restaurateurs need to speak in a strong confident voice, saying, ’I might not be good at some things, but I’m good at this, and this is what I’m going to do.’ I think the days of trying to be everything to everybody are over now. We have an empowered chef class now and a much more curious, daring and younger dining public. I think the future is going to be chefs who speak with a coherent, concise voice with a real identity. Own that this is what I do. More of like in Asia where you have the roast duck guy and the chicken and rice guy.”

Q. What do you look for in your favorite cocktail?

A. “I am a big fan of cocktails, but if takes you more than 10 minutes to make it, there’s a problem. I’m an old-school guy: Give me a good Manhattan, old fashioned, or the perfect Negroni with the finest gin, vermouth and campari with maybe a slightly toasted almond zest, and I’m a happy guy. I think the standard for me is, is the drink that I’m about to make with bourbon better than bourbon?”

Photo credit: CNN

Educate yourself before starting the path to a new career

2/12/2013

(BPT) - If you’re looking to start a career – whether it’s because you’re just beginning your journey as a working adult or because you’re ready for a change in life – you should know that the process is much larger than just getting a degree and looking for a job.

A career involves knowing your interests in a particular industry or area, knowing what to expect as far as compensation and responsibility and researching what tools and knowledge you will need to be an asset for companies in that industry. It’s wise to begin your pursuit by educating yourself on what careers are in demand and what skills you need to enter those careers.

“Job seekers and students seeking a degree to build their skills need to take control of their careers,” says Abby Kohut, a human resources executive, recruiter and author of “Absolutely Abby’s 101 Job Search Secrets.” “They need to understand the connection between their education and a meaningful career by becoming more informed about where their interests lie, what jobs are in demand and what education is needed to gain the skills that today’s employers demand.”

Here are few simple steps that can help get you started:

1. Understand your interests – Some colleges and universities offer prospective and current students complimentary self-assessment options to help determine careers that fit their interests. For example, University of Phoenix offers Phoenix Career Services, a comprehensive suite of tools and services specifically designed to help prospective and current students make informed decisions regarding their career paths and educational needs. And the Career Interest Profiler helps students to identify professional interests in several areas, allowing them to plan ahead for paths of study.

2. Understand employer needs - Knowing what jobs will keep your interest going strong is a good start, but it’s also important to learn what employers need from workers in that field so you can take the right college courses and learn the appropriate skills. You also should learn what jobs are in demand in your field of interest, so you can assess whether your career of choice offers room to enter and grow. University of Phoenix’s Job Market Research Tool helps potential and existing students learn the demand and typical salary information in the current market.

3. Understand educational needs – Starting a new career often involves the need to return to school for a new degree so you can be more competitive when entering the job market. My Career Plan is a personalized roadmap that University of Phoenix students incorporate into their academic journey so they are developing the competencies that employers are seeking in the workforce today. And career preparation tools provide students with resume, cover letter and interview development services so they can put the best foot forward while job searching.

4. Understand your financial responsibilities – Schools will provide information on financial obligations and options, helping potential students determine if starting or going back to school is a viable option at the moment. Having a clear picture of the total cost and anticipated timing for paying off a college expense can help you set a budget as you pursue your new career goals. University of Phoenix, for instance, offers a complimentary Financial Plan designed to help prospective students estimate tuition and fees for their entire degree program and build a personal plan for how they will pay for it.

A new career is an exciting opportunity, and can provide a new look on life from income to social connections and even where you live. Just be sure to educate yourself before you jump into schooling so you can prepare yourself for the perfect career.

Considering self-employment? Career fields with double-digit growth

1/30/2013

(BPT) - Americans were born to make lemonade. If you have any doubt about the resiliency of U.S. workers, consider the many reports that indicate millions of Americans are turning life’s lemon of layoffs into an opportunity to work for themselves. With unemployment rates still high, many people are looking to self-employment to create stable, rewarding careers for themselves.

Self-employment offers many advantages, including more flexible work schedules, less job uncertainty and the satisfaction of working for yourself. If you’re considering a career change to self-employment and want to start your own business, insurance may be the field for you. It’s one of four fields, including child care, accounting and financial planning, that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts will see double-digit growth in the next few years.

Opportunities in the insurance industry for sales agents will grow 22 percent between now and 2020, according to the BLS’s Occupational Outlook Handbook. Agents help clients understand their insurance needs and choose policies that best fit those needs and protect the things that are most important: homes, automobiles, businesses and above all else, lives.

The insurance field offers quick entry, even for those with only a high school diploma, and profitability can be even more accessible for those who pursue professional training. Companies like Farmers Insurance, which is expanding into eastern states from its base in California, offer self-employment opportunities for those who wish to run their own agencies. Farmers provides training and can even assist with start-up financing at attractive terms. Along with all the benefits of self-employment, including a more flexible work schedule and the potential to work at home, agents who align themselves with an established company like Farmers can enjoy the benefit of working with a well-recognized brand.

While it may be difficult to predict what the country’s overall unemployment rate will be, there is still plenty of good news for career changers looking for fields that offer growth potential. Choosing a career in insurance, financial planning or another industry that anticipates double-digit growth in the next decade can help many career-changers achieve their dream of becoming successful entrepreneurs and help them make lemonade out of life’s lemons.

Financial considerations beyond the 'fiscal cliff'

2/26/2013

(BPT) - With the agreement reached at the eleventh hour of 2012 to avert components of the so-called “fiscal cliff,” nearly all taxpayers will be affected in some way. With that in mind, there are still many things you can do this year to prepare for potential additional tax changes and to take control of your financial situation.

Below are 10 options from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for you to consider as you prepare for your financial future in 2013 and beyond.

1. Consider an IRA-qualified charitable distribution.

People 70 1/2 and older, who are required to take minimum distributions from their traditional IRAs, may give up to $100,000 directly from their IRAs to qualified charities. This will satisfy the required minimum distribution, or RMD, requirements and no taxes will be due on the amount of the contribution.

2. Know your tax bracket.

Now that tax rates are higher at some levels, it’s more important than ever to know which tax bracket you fall into. Ask your financial representative and accountant about strategies to keep your taxable income at a reasonable level.

3. Consider converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.

Given current historically low federal tax rates, you may want to consider locking in now and paying taxes while rates are low for most people. If you choose to convert later, you may be doing so at a higher rate.

4. Look closely at your 401(k) contributions.

You may want to consider making after-tax Roth 401(k) contributions, due to the low tax rates. Conversely, higher-income earners may want to focus on making pre-tax 401(k) contributions to decrease their taxable income.

5. Consider investing in municipal bonds.

The interest earned on municipal bonds is generally exempt of federal income tax and can help to diversify your overall portfolio.

6. Consider cash value life insurance.

In addition to protecting your family financially after you die, fixed cash value life insurance also can help you reach your broader financial goals while you’re living by helping you to diversify your assets.

7. Understand the benefits of inherited IRAs.

They can help your beneficiary take distributions over the maximum period allowed by federal required minimum distribution (RMD) rules, and give your assets the potential to continue to grow tax-deferred for your heirs.

8. Consider harvesting long-term capital gains.

Sell eligible assets while top tax rates for most taxpayers on long-term capital gains is just 15 percent.

9. Consider using unneeded life insurance and annuity contracts to pay long-term care insurance premiums.

The exchange may be free of federal income taxes and help preserve your estate and way of life. This is especially important to households hit by the 3.8 percent Medicare surtax and higher income tax rates.

10. Review your financial and estate strategies

Based on history and our debt situation, it’s likely federal (and state) income tax rates will increase sometime in the future. Review your financial and estate strategies and take appropriate actions now that estate law is permanent.

“Taking the opportunity to take a closer look at the recent changes and how they might affect your financial future is critical,” says Patrick Egan, chief retirement spokesperson for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. “Change seems to be constant and working with a financial services professional can help to ensure you’re adequately prepared no matter what happens in 2013."

EDITOR’S NOTE:

The discussion of taxes in this piece is not intended to be comprehensive and is subject to change at any time. Tax law and regulations are complex and depend on individual circumstances. We make no guarantees regarding tax treatment – federal, state, or local – of life insurance or other assets.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and its respective associates and employees cannot provide legal, accounting, or tax advice or services. Work with your Thrivent Financial representative, and as appropriate your attorney and/or tax professional for additional information.

Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, a FINRA and SIPC member and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Thrivent Financial representatives are registered representatives of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. They are also licensed insurance agents/producers of Thrivent Financial. Fee-based financial planning services are available through qualified investment advisor representatives only.

1 Municipal Bonds are subject to risks which include, but are not limited to, credit risk and interest rate risk. Some issues may be subject to state and local taxes and/or the alternative minimum tax. Any increase in principal value may be taxable. Bonds are subject to price change and availability. If you sell prior to maturity, you will receive current market price, which may be more or less than you paid. Interest generated from municipal bonds is generally expected to be free from federal income taxes. If the bonds are held by an investor resident in the state of issuance, state and local income taxes such as interest income, may be subject to federal and/or state AMT. Investing in municipal bonds for the purpose of generating tax-exempt income may not be appropriate for investors in all income tax brackets. Please consult your tax advisor for detailed discussion on your specific situation. These and other risks are described in the Fund’s prospectus.

Investing in a mutual fund involves risks, including the possible loss of principal. The prospectus contains more complete information on the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the fund, which investors should read and consider carefully before investing. Prospectuses are available from a Thrivent Financial representative or at Thrivent.com.

For additional important disclosure information, please visit Thrivent.com/disclosures.

Reinvent yourself: How to start your own (creative) business

5/7/2013

(BPT) - Many graduates in creative fields like graphic design, interior design or Web design are opting to start their own businesses. This is because recent figures show only a slight reduction in the unemployment rate, and job growth is at its lowest in six months. So, how can you make your business a success?

Bruce McCain, director of career services for The Art Institute of Tampa, a branch of Miami International University of Art & Design, and Kathleen Holland, director of career services for The Art Institute of Charleston, a branch of The Art Institute of Atlanta, share five essentials they identified as success factors in starting a business.

1. Self-assess and research. It is imperative that you are honest with yourself and truly understand what you are good at and what you enjoy doing. Doing a SWOT analysis (a way to analyze Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) is a great way of assessing that.

2. Know your niche. A business plan is highly recommended to help identify both those industries with a need for your services and your competition. This exercise will also help identify whether there might be a smaller and important niche market where your business can focus and be profitable.

“If you’re a graphic designer, will you be a generalist, offering services to all types of industries, or do you have specialized experience handling retailers that you can build on?” asks McCain.

Knowing your niche will enable you to develop a consistent brand identity in every aspect of your business. The business plan also sets the goals and objectives that will guide many of your decisions.

3. To incorporate or not to incorporate. Many students in creative fields are familiar with taking on freelance work while still in school. But after graduation, it is important to formalize the business. It’s a good idea to invest in some legal and accounting advice to help you make the best decision about incorporation. There are significant advantages and disadvantages to each type of business structure.

4. Develop a stream of business. New business owners often envision being successful within a short period of time. Developing and building a business from the ground up takes time, energy and hard work, but it can be very rewarding. The industry research you did for your business plan will come in handy in determining what a realistic rate of growth means for your industry and area.

5. Network, network, network.

“I can’t stress enough the importance of networking,” says Holland.

Networking may be your only means of marketing for quite some time – it is important to get in front of as many people as possible and give them your “elevator pitch” (a quick story about your business that you can say in 90 seconds or less). When meeting each person, make sure you take his or her business card; this comes in handy when writing a “nice to meet you” note the next day.

“Yes, you should write a quick note to each person you meet. In this note, you should mention where you met them, refer to your conversation, and remind them what your business does and how it can be helpful to them,” Holland says.

It takes a lot of hard work to be a creative business owner and there are no shortcuts to success. So put in the time to reap the rewards.

Select the right insurance for your home-based business

4/11/2013

(BPT) - Home-based businesses are booming.

About 36.6 million businesses operate from U.S. households, according to the Home Based Business Institute. And the Small Business Administration notes that 53 percent of all small businesses located in the U.S. are home-based, with those numbers expected to grow substantially in the near future.

But before you start planning your home-based bakery, personal training studio or computer repair venture, there’s one important thing to think about. Charles Valinotti, head of underwriting & product with insurer QBE, says that you should make sure you have the right insurance to protect your at-home enterprise.

A homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy might provide some coverage for a business that operates out of the home, he says.

“If someone is running a small accounting business with little-to-no customer foot traffic and doesn’t have expensive office equipment, the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance would probably be acceptable to most insurance providers,” Valinotti points out. “But if you have a pottery school with customers coming and going, and are using pottery ovens that might be a fire hazard, most insurers don’t want to take on those kinds of risks.”

Depending on what type of business you’re brewing, Valinotti says there are three insurance options you’ll want to consider:

* Homeowner’s policy endorsement: An endorsement is a special provision added to an insurance policy to enhance or restrict its coverage. Adding a simple endorsement can increase coverage for business equipment, such as computers. You’ll also want to look into buying a homeowner’s liability endorsement – available in most states – to cover on-site injuries to customers or delivery people. A liability endorsement is usually available to in-home operations with few business-related visitors.

* In-home business policy: Valinotti says this policy is also known as an in-home business endorsement. Coverage can vary significantly between insurers. It provides more protection than what’s found in a typical homeowner’s policy. That includes more comprehensive property and equipment coverage, as well as protection for loss of income, extra expenses incurred, and liability for injuries caused by the products and services you offer.

* Business owner’s policy: If your home-based business is in more than one location, this policy might fit the bill, Valinotti says. It gives broader property and liability coverage than the in-home business policy. However, if you have employees, it doesn’t include workers’ compensation, health or disability insurance.

Valinotti also suggests you don’t forget about auto insurance if you’re using your car for business to transport supplies or products, or to visit customers.

He recommends contacting your agent for more information on the right insurance for your home-based business. “If you’re doing business at home, you need insurance. Finding the right coverage will go a long way to give you peace of mind and help make your special business possible.”

Productivity-boosting improvements for your home office

2/6/2013

(BPT) - Let’s face it – not everyone has a home office that inspires productivity. But if you work from home at all – and the Bureau of Labor Statistics says 24 percent of people employed outside the home do at least some of their work at home – having a comfortable, organized and appealing home office can make your job easier.

Home Business Magazine says there are around 38 million home-based businesses in the U.S., and 34.3 million to 36.6 million households with active home offices. That’s a lot of home offices – and a lot of ugly desks, dim lighting and clutter, too.

Many home offices are less the product of careful planning than something that evolves from a spare bedroom, bonus room or an extra corner in the basement. Even if your home office is more of an after-thought, it’s possible to make some simple improvements that will enhance its appeal – and your productivity.

Here are four improvement and design choices that can help make your home office a hub of good business:

Begin with the basics

Renovating any room should start with the simplest investment that also provides a big payoff: paint. Repainting is one of the cheapest, easiest ways to completely change the look of a room. A fresh coat of paint, no matter what color, imparts a sense of freshness and energy to a room – just the kind of effect that can enhance your productivity.

When choosing a color for your home office, keep in mind that the hue should serve as a backdrop, not a distraction. Red may be your favorite color, and one you love in your bedroom, but home workers often spend eight hours a day or more in their home offices. Will the color you choose hold up to that kind of intense togetherness?

Invest in storage

Clutter in your home can range from simply annoying to downright depressing. In your home office, it can spell disaster – in the form of lost paperwork, missing projects and even lost business.

Plenty of storage and an organizational system that makes the most of it are essential for your home office. Whether you opt for open shelving, locking file cabinets, a desk with ample drawers or a combination of storage types, it’s important to find solutions that work for you and fit your home office space.

Emphasize natural light

Of course you’re aware of the importance of good lighting in an office setting, but did you know that ample natural lighting can boost your productivity? The mood-boosting effects of natural light are well documented, with many studies showing that office workers exposed to daylight throughout their work day are happier, healthier and more productive than those who function only under artificial light.

In your home office, ample natural light from sources such as a skylight can help reduce Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), eyestrain and stress – all ailments that stand in the way of productivity.

“Adding a skylight to your home office can be a cost-effective way to ensure you get plenty of natural light during office hours,” says Ross Vandermark of VELUX America, makers of Energy Star-qualified skylights. “What’s more, a properly installed, energy-efficient skylight can help you control heating, cooling and lighting costs in your home office. If you opt for a fresh air skylight, it can also help enhance the air quality in your work space.”

Even if your office is on the ground floor, you may be able to add a skylight. Products such as VELUX’s Sun Tunnel tubular skylights allow you to bring natural light to virtually anywhere in your home.

Still not sure of the benefit in a home office setting? Add the latest solar powered fresh air skylight and an energy-efficient solar powered blind to your home office and the products, as well as the installation, will be eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit as a green home improvement. That’s good business! Visit www.veluxusa.com or energystar.gov to learn more about energy-efficient skylights.

Sound it out

Noise can be a huge distraction, whether you’re on deadline for a major project or on a conference call with a new client. Simple soundproofing steps can help you reduce noise in your home office – without costing you a mint.

Start with a good quality, thick carpet, which will help dampen sound. Next, add thick drapes and fabric surfaces such as an upholstered chair – fabrics help reduce the movement of sound waves.

With more Americans working from home, creating an inviting, inspiring office space is more important than ever.

Want to get paid to go to the gym? Become a personal trainer

2/6/2013

(BPT) - One upside to the burgeoning obesity epidemic is that it’s fueling the growth of jobs in the fitness industry.

Whether you’re one of those people in need of a personal trainer or you’re looking for work in a dismal job market, the bureau of labor statistics reports “employment of fitness trainers and instructors is expected to grow by 24 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.”

According to Jeff Rosga, director of education at Life Time Academy, the training and certification organization for Life Time – The Healthy Way of Life Company, weight loss is a primary driver for people who seek out a personal trainer. “There is a very large population of boomers with the economic means to hire a personal trainer,” he adds. “Their requirements are substantial; they want a high-quality experience in training as well as in-depth knowledge. Some are injured, have functional issues, or simply want to be more physically active, and need assistance in learning how to overcome their challenges.”

Demand for personal training is also getting a boost as businesses and insurance companies see the relationship between healthier employees and lower health care costs by persuading employees and members - by virtue of various incentives - to get fit.

Phyllis Soltis, 59, from Lakeville, Minn., has worked in administration and was even a police officer at one time. She was drawn to personal training while a member of Life Time Fitness, where she lost 70 pounds. “All the jobs I’ve had involved working with people,” Soltis says. Exercise, too, had always been a part of her life, and as she considered what sort of job change she could make at her age, she turned to personal training and applied to Life Time Academy.

Choosing the right certification program matters. “When you earn a certification you are directly linked to the certification body,” says David Van Daff, vice-president of business development and public affairs with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). “The reputation of the certification, both positive and negative, will impact how you are perceived as a fitness professional.”

Choosing the right personal training certification can be confusing says Van Daff, who recommended the following considerations when choosing a program:

1. Industry standards: Earning a certification that is not accepted by respected employers is a waste of time and money. Contact local fitness centers and ask what certifications they accept. If a certification is not universally accepted, don’t buy it.

2. Curriculum/faculty: What you study and learn in a certification program should have practical application. In addition, research the credentials and reputation of the faculty. Evaluate their background, accomplishments, testimonials and contributions to the industry.

3. Advanced specializations: Most successful personal trainers specialize in a particular area. Investigate what specialty credentials and certifications are offered by the certification organizations you are considering.

4. References: Ask a manager at a fitness facility which certifications best prepare new personal trainers. Having managed personal trainers with varying certifications and education backgrounds, they can provide insight into the value of various certification programs.

A 2012 NASM study found that certified personal trainers who were not previously employed in the fitness industry, on average found employment in less than one month. That was true for Soltis, who graduated from Life Time Academy in December and was immediately employed at Life Time Fitness in Eagan, Minn. Soltis says one of the benefits at Life Time Academy were the weekly in-club labs, something not offered by many other programs. The 120 hours of hands-on experience allowed her the confidence to go from student to trainer seamlessly.

“I have specialty certifications through the Academy’s partnership with NASM in corrective exercise and performance enhancement,” Soltis says. Other partners include Yoga Alliance, American Council on Exercise, and Peak Pilates. She said she plans to use her knowledge in power lifting training and competitions to attract a clientele of “women of a certain age” who want to strength train. “Weight loss is a big one too, because of my own experience. I understand it from a personal perspective,” she adds.

Pay for noncertified personal trainers range from $18,000-$31,000. As a graduate of Life Time Academy Soltis knows she can expect to eventually earn more than $40,000 a year and the possibility to make more than she has in other jobs. “I see the potential to make more because there are no limits. It’s like being in business for yourself, but not by yourself.”

Getting organized: Learn your style and find solutions that work for you

3/11/2013

(BPT) - Resolving to reduce clutter and get better organized seems to be a lingering item on many people’s “to-do” lists, yet for many of us, it can be difficult to get started. While organization is an essential tool for navigating our complex modern lives, many people struggle to find their personal style of organization and a system that works within their busy lives at home, at the office or on-the-go. Just as specific organizational needs vary from person to person, so too do organizational styles.

“It’s important to understand your own personal style of organization,” says Melanie Charlton, organizational expert, product designer and founder of Clos-ette. “What works to help one person get organized may be frustrating for another. By defining your personal style, you can better identify tactics and tools that will work to keep you on track both personally and professionally.”

Unsure how to assess what style of organizing works for you? The Post-it Brand offers the Do More Your Way online organizational style quiz to help you classify your organization style. Through a series of questions, the quiz helps users determine which of five organizational styles best suits their personalities and helps to identify organization solutions to fit their needs.

Conductors organize by “leading” information and documents into a cohesive operation, much as a musical conductor does. Implementers attack organization with a specific goal in mind, such as getting organized for a job search. Curators keep everything and need a system that allows them to quickly reference archived material. Improvisers organize outside the box and are constantly looking for new tools to aid in organization or new ways to use familiar tools. Gatherers like to have all their work materials close at hand and put their emphasis on organized filing systems.

Once you’ve identified your organizational style, focus on these key areas where most of us need help at home, in the office and on the go:

At home

Whether or not your family removes their shoes upon entering the house and leaves miscellaneous keys, mail, loose change and other items by the door, entryways are a primary target for accumulated clutter.

Assess the type of clutter in your entryway. Is it made up of items that have a legitimate right to be near the door – your shoes and car keys, for example - or are there things that should live in another part of your home, such as mail (in your home office), loose change (in a coin jar) and sporting equipment (in the garage)? Decide what belongs and remove and relocate things that do not. Invest in organization and storage solutions such as a key rack that can hang on the wall by the door or a shoe rack where your family can neatly store their shoes upon entering the home to reduce clutter in the foyer.

In the office

We live in a digital world, but paper remains a reality for most office settings. Taming paper is a top objective of organizational efforts for many of us.

To organize the flow of documents in your office, consider adopting the “one touch” policy. When a piece of paper lands on your desk, touch it just once – long enough to decide its appropriate home, and then put it there immediately. Avoid making stacks of paper that you intend to look at and assess later; that’s how clutter evolves. Instead, use an in-box for documents that you haven’t yet reviewed and an active box for things you’re currently working with. Anything that doesn’t fit in either box should get filed immediately with appropriate labeling.

On the go

For many of us, work life is no longer confined to the office – especially for busy working parents. Whether you are running from meeting to meeting or on the road, make sure you have all the essentials for working efficiently and productively while on-the-move.

Products from the Post-it Mobile Attach and Go Collection, a new line of products designed for more efficient and effective organization on the go, can help mobile workers stay on track. Designed to stick, insert or clip to items you carry, Post-it Mobile Products work seamlessly together for a customizable on-the-go organization system. For example, the Post-it Mobile Attach and Go Pockets come in three different sizes and stick to the outside of laptops, iPads, notebooks and planners. Not only do they hold essential miscellaneous items such as important papers, receipts, bills, office supplies and more in one convenient location, but they are also translucent so you can easily see the contents while on the move. They also stick securely, but remove cleanly, so you can re-use or move them as needed.

“Today, more than ever before, people are on the move for their work and personal lives,” Charlton says. “No matter how busy your career, family life or daily routine, it’s important to find organizational tools that are versatile and convenient to help you create an organizational system adapted to your lifestyle.”

Nursing demand equals opportunity [Infographic]

5/14/2013

With a need for 1.2 million nurses nationwide between now and 2020, there is huge demand today for qualified nursing professionals. With flexible, high-caliber programs available online, many students are choosing to earn their degrees where they can study anywhere, any time. The College of Nursing and Health Innovation at Arizona State University, one of the country’s leading nursing programs, helps to meet this growing demand, offering online degree programs taught by award-winning faculty who are leaders and experts in their field.

Give your small business a social facelift

3/5/2013

(BPT) - Small businesses that adopt online marketing strategies see significant business benefits, ranging from improved campaign performance to higher return on investment (ROI), according to a recent study conducted by Forrester. However, small businesses are likely still favoring newspaper advertising and direct mail, which are time-intensive and costly.

Consumers, however, are now spending more time online than ever before: the average time spent online by U.S. residents is 32 hours per month. They spend a large portion of that online time connecting with friends and family as well as businesses.

There is no better time than now for business owners to take a fresh look at how best to take advantage of social channels to reach consumers in a relevant way. For example, 150 million people visit Facebook pages (home to brands and businesses) every day, where they share word-of-mouth recommendations. With social platforms, business owners can listen, respond, take part in real-time conversations with their customers, and see how these recommendations drive sales.

Lolly Wolly Doodle, a North Carolina-based online retailer that creates personalized, monogrammed children’s clothing, went straight to social media to reach the right audience and increase business traffic. “We really built a community on Facebook, so we’re able to listen to consumers and talk to them,” says company founder Brandi Temple. “The very first time we posted something we got immediate response, people sending in orders faster than we could do production on them.”Temple discovered that social media was the marketing channel that was growing the fastest and, as a result, shifted resources accordingly.

Millions of business owners have seen big business growth through social marketing. Below are a few tips to enhance your business’ presence on social media and more effectively reach the right audience to grow sales in 2013.

1. Build your social hub

A business’ social profile, such as a Facebook page, is the central hub for any business and it’s free and easy to set up. Fill out business hours on the page, then people can easily see when you're open (there's a green dot on your page when you're open). Also, put your page’s URL on in-store materials – receipts, napkins, brochures, etc. to increase the number of people who can become fans of the page. These are all free ways to get the word out about your business.

2. Engage with your customers

Create content that will keep your audience interested and coming back for more. Post quality content regularly by listening to what customers have to say and making sure posts are relevant to your audience. Post at least two to three times per week to stay relevant to the people who are fans or followers. Mix up the content with engaging photos and videos. Be timely by posting about current events, holidays or recent news.

State Bicycle Co., a bike manufacturer based out of Tempe, Ariz. that specializes in limited edition bicycles, used Facebook to frequently host photo contests on its page, and the contest winners received prizes including a new bike. They also encourage fans to like posts to see a sneak peek of new products.

3. Boost your results

After engaging with your customers, amplify your results by using social ad offerings geared towards small businesses.

If you’re on Facebook, promoted posts are an easy way to reach more people with your important messages. Promoting a post turns your posts into ads, right from your page, ensuring that more of your audience sees your posts. Promoted posts can be targeted according to gender, age, geography and other factors to reach the best audience.

Local businesses ranging from restaurants to salons to retailers can all take this opportunity to get a much-needed social facelift. Regardless of the industry or budget, now is the time to consider social as an integral part of your marketing strategy. Any business owner starting with these three tips will be on the way to building strong relationships with customers, reaching new people and, most importantly, driving sales.