Investment Income for a California Lifestyle

By Doug

Sep

13

Many people have enjoyed the fantasy of moving to the west coast as either part of their retirement plans or to begin a new life and career change. And while the state of California tends to figure prominently into the majority of these plans, the specific area and features involved can vary drastically. Of course, the ocean and a beautiful view will almost always figure into the fantasy somewhere. And regardless of whether you’re attracted to the Napa Valley or the charm and low-key atmosphere of San Diego, California definitely has something to offer everyone. And it takes a bit of money to ensure that you are going to enjoy it to its fullest. So, do you have to be a doctor or incredibly successful lawyer to move to California? No, of course not, many careers in the computer industry also pay a healthy living salary. But really, all kidding aside, various forms of investment are the key to many families’ stability and lifestyle. And there are numerous options and investment plans that will work for you, your income and the life needs of your family. Money mutual.com and other great sites and information sources exist to guide you in your various financial options.

A lot of people rely on retirement funds from work, such as the 401k and similar others, to assist them in their post career years. However, for the working family, who wants to enjoy a great lifestyle and live comfortably now, there are some great investment plans that contribute to your annual income. There are essentially three different types of investment income possibilities and they are variable, guaranteed or predictable. And all of your options will fall into one of these three. You can have income from different interest payments, capital gains and dividends or investments of any kind. For instance, if your best friend from college talked you into sinking a few thousand dollars into his restaurant, which turned out to be the latest hit seafood place, you will either receive your investment back with interest or can continue to collect income on its growth and success by leaving your money in the restaurant. And of course if you’re thinking of opening a restaurant or any other small business, money mutual with Montel Williams is just one option available to you. Regardless of your career choice, developing some kind of investment portfolio is generally acknowledged as a financial stability, or increased income, provider. Whether you choose to live in Northern or Southern California, you’ll want to enjoy all this beautiful state has to offer.

Customer Testimonials are a Great Source of Information

By Doug

Jan

14

Commerce is king on the internet. Nearly every web site is trying to sell something — whether that is a product, idea, service, or person. Convincing people that something or someone is worthwhile is the goal and there are many tools that can be used in order to achieve that goal. A good example of this is how Marlabs uses customer testimonials to demonstrate their worthiness.

There are several different types of testimonials that companies collect. The first, and probably most important, is the client or customer testimonial. These are positive reviews of a company’s products, services, and employees. They usually appear in the form of quoted text. Sometimes a website will have video testimonials or audio files of customers praising the company. Anyone researching a company can learn a lot about the quality of work as well as the company’s culture and personality by carefully analyzing the comments left by customers.

Another type of testimonial is that of the vendor or business partner. These are usually in the form of reference letters, though they may also be brief quotes. Understanding how a company treats its partners and vendors is very important to those considering entering a B2B relationship. It is also good for potential investors in a company as well as anyone being recruited or applying for employment.

Some companies will share testimonials from their employees. Many customers, investors, and vendors want to know that they are doing business with an organization that respects and values their employees. While lack of employee testimonials does not mean that a company mistreats employees, companies like
Marlabs , that have and share positive reviews from employees are going to reap some positive benefits from potential employees, business partners, and the public at large.

A final category of testimonials come from the community. This may include local politicians or government officials expressing their thanks for the work a company has done in a given town or city. It also covers testimonials from anyone who has benefited from the company’s generosity, such as non-profit organizations that receive donations or volunteer hours and individuals who have received funds, services, or other donations from a company’s charitable department.

Your Business and Social Media

By Doug

Dec

21

Facebook is by far one of the fastest growing sites on the web today.  And sites like Twitter and LinkedIn are not far behind.  But social media is not just for individuals looking to reconnect with old friends and make new ones, it is a great opportunity for businesses to advertise and increase their exposure.

An important part of maintaining a successful business in today’s modern society is building a strong online presence.  With millions of people globally that utilize social media on a daily basis, it is a great place to start and an important part of your overall online reputation management plan.

Advertising on popular social media sites may seem like an obvious way to start, and it can be a great way to draw business, but it is even more important and beneficial to create a business account.  By creating an account your customers can stay up-to-date about changes and make recommendations for your business.  They can also pass your pass your page along to their friends.  In addition this is a great way to advertise special sales and coupons.

Social media is a large part of everyday life for millions of people, as a result it should be a large part of your business’ overall online reputation management strategy.

Marlabs Web Application Security

By Doug

Nov

19

In today’s world everything revolves around the Internet. We use it for everything from shopping to socializing to running a business. Unfortunately because the Internet has become so mainstream, there are many threats and viruses that can easily wipe out your system. And while losing personal information would be damaging enough, losing your business information and application could do even more damage long into the future.

One team working to combat these vulnerabilities is Marlabs. They offer an extensive web application security services that could be beneficial to any business. While the vast majority of problems originate with commercial web applications, browsers and serves can also be at fault.
For this reason Marlabs developed a five step process that is the web application security package.

  • Security Design: This incorporates the highest security settings for the web application as well as designing a specific security package for each business.
  • Vulnerability Assessment: This includes a detailed analysis of the web application, browser, and server to determine areas that are at risk.
  • Security Testing: Once the new security measures are in place extensive testing is done to ensure that everything is running properly and vulnerable areas have been protected.
  • Source Code Review: Because web application codes are often the weakest areas, manual and automated reviews are done of all the codes to further ensure that the vulnerabilities have been addressed.
  • PCI DSS Compliance Readiness: Finally, everything is checked to make sure that it meets the necessary regulations and that online payment options are secure.

Website security is increasingly difficult to maintain. No matter what security package you use for your business, it is important that is covers all three areas-web applications, browsers, and servers-and meets all of the necessary regulations so that both you and your customers will be protected.

Upgrade Your eBay Shop Design

By Doug

Oct

30

There are literally millions of sellers operating on eBay in 2010. Most of these are either individual sellers or businesses that have chosen to use the standard shop template. While those may serve the needs of most sellers, anyone who wants to make a real business out of eBay, supporting themselves and their family from sales on the site, needs to seriously rethink their ebay shop design .

The only way to turn an eBay store into a business that generates a regular income is to find a way to stand out from all those other millions of sellers. Store owners who invest time and money into creating a custom shop design are much more likely to create a memorable and profitable eBay brand. Some of the factors that go into a successful store design include user-friendly navigation, the ability to cross promote items, and an appealing color and graphic design.

eBay shopkeepers should consider commissioning a custom logo as well as customized page design and graphics. Other important features include a search box, shop integration, star item customization, and dynamic store categories. It’s also important to inspire confidence in sellers. This can be accomplished by having an original ‘about us’ page, a clear description of any refund or warranty policies, and easy to read product specifications. Those stores that are willing to put effort into creating a customized store design are much more likely to stand out from the eBay crowd and build a loyal customer base while continuously attracting new consumers.

The Importance of Customer Service at Next Day Blinds

By Doug

Jun

19

In the past many companies did not see the importance of maintaining good customer service skills . They relied solely on the price and quality of their product. Fortunately in many businesses that is changing; they are beginning to see there is more to running a successful business than just offering good prices and quality products. Making sure the customer feels important and appreciated is also an important part of running a successful business.

One company that has consistently put customers first and maintained superb customer service is Next Day Blinds . One story that is particularly inspiring is the story of Kristin. She had read some positive reviews about them and decided that she would use their services to replace her existing blinds. She ordered the blinds and had them installed without any problems. A couple of days later she received a surprise visit from a company representative. The gentleman asked her how the ordering and installation process had gone, how her new blinds were working, and whether or not she was pleased with the final product. She explained to him that everything had gone quite well, that she received exactly what she paid for, and generally speaking, she was pleased. Her only problem, which was not the fault of Next Day Blinds but her own error in judgment, was that the look didn’t fit quite as well as she originally thought. The next day she received another surprise when her customer service rep called and explained that the visitor the day before had been the a company VP and that he often did surprise visits to see how customers liked the products. To top it off, the rep explained that they would like to replace her blinds and correct the problem even though the fault did not lie with Next Day Blinds. The phenomenal customer service that Next Day Blinds displayed inspired Kristin so much that she decided to keep her blinds and take all of her future business to the company.

It is stories like that and companies like Next Day Blinds that inspire consumers to become loyal customers. Companies that offer customer service that goes above and beyond are the companies that are much more likely to succeed. Perhaps by encouraging these companies to greatness, others will follow suit.

Fionn Downhill, A Featured Expert on Online Marketing Summit 23-City Tour, Speaking about Search Engine Optimization.

By Doug

Jun

1

Fionn Downhill is an experienced speaker and the CEO of SEO and online reputation management company Elixir Interactive. Fionn’s impressive presenter bio includes over 23 renowned search marketing events including Search Engine Strategies as well as the Online Marketing Summit (OMS) — which kicked-off its 23-City tour May 20th in Phoenix, Arizona.

OMS isn’t the typical summit. With its focus on education,speakers must adhere to strict guidelines aimed at closely limiting the self-promotion and advertising typically seen at many search marketing events.

Fionn Downhill’s presentation at OMS Phoenix this May offered interesting insight into digital asset optimization for search in 2010. To find out more about Fionn or other OMS speakers visit visit www.onlinemarketingsummit.com/speakers/

Understanding Search Engines & SEO

By Doug

May

28

Most of us use search engines on a daily basis. We search for the latest news and information, research locations for an affordable summer vacation, and dig up the latest gossip on celebrities. Search engines play an important role in our Internet immersed lives. Without them we would surely be lost. However, as much as we use them, most of us don’t really understand how they work or how they sort all of the information and websites available in cyberspace.

To begin search engines use automated programs with ‘spiders’ that ‘crawl’ over all of the websites, pages, and documents that exist on the Web. It is through this process that all of the information is stored and indexed in giant databases. The result is that when someone makes a query the search engine sorts through the database and displays the results that match. Using an algorithm , the search engine sorts the results and ranks them according to the calculation.

With this knowledge we can begin to understand how search engine optimization (SEO) works. In broad terms, SEO is understanding and influencing the ranking for a given site or search term; however, there is much more to it than that. When the spiders are crawling through the many hyperlinks and pages on the web, there are certain things that make it easier, or more difficult, to index. When you understand what slows down or blocks the spiders, you can work on using hyperlinks that the spiders can easily traverse; thus increasing the ranking. There are some SEO tool s now available that can provide reports on a websites ranking and visibility as well as identify problems and provide possible solutions.

As much as we use the Internet these days, it is important that we understand how it works. For it is then that we can use it to our greatest advantage.

Could Robots Be the Future?

By Doug

May

22

They might be the future of business meetings. Meet QB. The idea with QB is that even when an office is far away, or if someone is sick, they don’t have to travel to go to a business meeting. All they would have to do is log in to their company robot, drive it down the hall, and go to the meeting. It is complete with a video camera and a screen so that both parties can see each other. It also has microphone and speakers for the same reason. The video below has more information, but if you watch it remember that you are hearing the echo because it is also coming from the robot.

BP Deploys Top HAt Shaped Containment Dome

By Doug

May

10

In an attempt to keep collecting the oil spilling into the Gulf, BP will be sending down a smaller dome, around four feet by five feet to contain at least one of the leaks, for a short amount of time. They are sending the smaller dome down there because they are afraid that the larger one will collect water and start to form hydrates which could be dangerous and was the reason why the larger dome was not a viable option. They are working on getting the underwater areas cleaned up and contained as much as they can in addition to the upper areas that are threatening to touch the coast line.

Southwestern Company Provides Tips to Stay Safe During the Summer

By Doug

Apr

28

Southwestern Company often gets phone calls from customers who were, at first, skeptical of the student dealer and then excited to learn they were legitimate sales people selling products from a legitimate company.

While Southwestern Company works to train the student sales force in ethics and ‘doing the right thing,’ there are other groups or individuals that do not have as high morals and ethics. Southwestern company encourages all homeowners to be alert and look for ‘red flags’ when dealing with unknown sales people.

Below are a few tips that will help you identify a Southwestern Company student dealer or other reputable sales person and should be kept in mind for all door-to-door sales calls.

Legitimate salespeople, including Southwestern Company student dealers will:
o Identify themselves immediately, many have a photo ID in sight (as do Southwestern Company independent dealers)
o Identify the products they are selling and the name of their product provider
o Possess a solicitation permit (if required)
o Have the product or a sample in their possession
o Will not use high-pressure sales tactics
o Respect a consumer’s privacy
o Respect a consumer’s right to end the sales call at any time
o Explain verbally and in writing the cancellation policy which Federal law states as a three-day cooling-off period
o Leave two copies of the receipt

With these basic tips, you can be assured your safety will be less compromised. Remember, if you are uncomfortable, check up on the company and the individual with the Better Business Bureau and local authorities.

Yelp Takes Steps Toward Legitimate Reviews

By Doug

Apr

10

There have been a number of issues people have had with reviews on Yelp, and the company is ready to address them. A number of steps have been taken to give legitimacy to real reviews and to throw out those that are fake. This article has a good description of some of the things that have been changed.

Content vs. Location

By Doug

Mar

25

It’s interesting how everyone buzzes about Facebook and Twitter these days. The services are touted as the only way to reach consumers under the age of 30. If a company doesn’t have a Fan Page and at least one centralized Twitter account, they are being left behind.

The reality is a bit more complicated than that. It’s not so much about where you go as what you have to offer. If your tweets are simply stock quotes and links to your official press releases, no one is going to care. If your Fan Page only has official company announcements and more press release language, you’re not going to get many fans. People , over or under 30, want content — and they want it in as many formats as possible.

A Fan Page that includes insider photos, sneak peeks at new ad campaigns, games, contests and opportunities for the fans to generate their own content won’t just sell widgets, it will create widget advocates. Tweets that make people smile, laugh, or even get them worked up about a shared enemy will build a following that can be translated into a community of loyal customers.

And it should start with Facebook and Twitter — not stop there. You don’t have to be a company targeting 18-25 year olds to create a YouTube channel, or have great photos on Flickr. You’ll want to integrate everything with your blog and main website. Just make sure that the content that you’re spreading around is something people want to see — and to share with others.

Feeling Right at Home with TransGlobe Property Management

By Doug

Dec

6

Developing a sense of community, that is what the business of TransGlobe Property Management is all about.  Choosing to move to a city halfway around the world was not an easy choice to make.  But I had been to London once, ten years ago, and could not get the vibe of that city out of my system.  On that first trip, an older gentlemen actually sang a Bob Dylan song to me as I passed him on the street.  He knew by my accent that I was American, and the song did serve to make me feel right at home.

The decision to move to London was prompted by a friend, who had also been on that first trip.  We were then, part of a theatre company getting ready, and resting up, for our next three weeks of performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.  While I had turned from theatre to the visual arts world of painting she had become a playwright, and with our hearts set on the UK, we decided to just simply go for it.  Having no idea where to look for an apartment and studio spaces, we turned to the staff at TransGlobe Property Management, and they did indeed provide us with what we needed, on both counts.

Not only did we have a great new flat, but we also found a work space, with big windows for me and my paintings, and the perfect spot for her to write her new plays.   The buildings were well kept and cared for, and the other tenants matched our own specific personalities.  The employees at TransGlobe, whom now we know are backed with years of experience, knew what we wanted and needed before we did.  This made our move across the world, less stressful…it made it great actually.  Now she writes, and I paint, in London.  We had pretending ten years earlier, that we actually lived there, and were heading to the theatre because it was our job.  Now the arts are our jobs, and we still sometimes, have a hard time believing it.

Money Mutual Montel Williams TV Campaign

By Doug

Nov

25

Money Mutual is a website designed and promoted to allow consumers to apply for a payday loan.  They are also running TV advertisements using TV celebrity Montel Williams.  In these tough times with the holidays looming I am sure that payday loans will be used more than ever.   So what is a payday loan or cash advance loan?

You can read more about it on Money Mutual’s website click here for information.

Online Reputation Management…be proactive

By Doug

Nov

12

Despite the numerous articles written about managing your reputation online many people still ignore the fact that once something is out there on the web it rarely if ever goes away.  Most employers and potential customers will check your online reputation and will place a lot of emphasis on what Google says.   People say “but that’s my private business” if they are swearing all over a blog or making drunken fools of themselves on You Tube.  Once its out there on the Web it is every body’s business.

There is no privacy on the web unless your guard it diligently.  A good rule of thumb is never put anything on the web that you would not want to appear in a newspaper.  Unlike the newspaper the information will not go away when they newspaper gets thrown away.  If you have a Google reputation problem and seriously regret those things you did in college now you are looking for a job with a mortgage to pay and kids to support you can do something about it.  Here is a good slide show which walks your through some of the strategies to repair your reputation reputation management case study or if you have lots of money you can hire a company to do your online reputation management for you.  Online reputation repair programs can run from thousands of dollars to several thousand dollars and into six figures.

The best strategy is to proactively manage your online reputation before there is a problem and if in doubt do not put anything on the web that you might not want to see again especially at that big job interview.

Customer Service in Classrooms

By Doug

Sep

28

Costumer Service perspectives actually apply to most if not all of the business and social institutions at work in society. On a college campus or even high school, costumer service techniques are extremely beneficial to the classroom. Instructors and become trapped in a power struggle with a student, brought on either by themselves or the student, and engaging or elevating the struggle rarely produces a positive or mutually satisfying result. Steve Barbarich is extremely aware of the need for excellent costumer service and makes every effort to guarantee satisfaction both with product and the purchase experience. In an academic setting this would be manifested both in the student’s appreciation for the material studied as well as the learning experience itself.

To ensure a positive experience, or at least a fair one for the student, and one that should remain free from grievance procedures against a professor or instructor, many universities have issue protocol guidelines in place to help prevent irreconcilable conflict. One of the items on many lists is to avoid developing a teaching structure that can encourage a power struggle with the student. If one insists on entering into this dynamic, it will be extremely detrimental to the learning process. In addition, instructors should not let the student manipulate their way into a struggle for power on their end.

Other aspects of maintaining a productive and satisfying relationship with students, who it must be remembered are the paying consumers in the educational context, include validating the student’s concerns if and when they arise. This does not mean that a change in syllabus or specific assignment must take place, but simply validating that the student has a concern that must be addressed is often the only step necessary to correct it. Another important tool is to address issues or conflicts with the student in a private room, away from the rest of the class. This will prevent the student from feeling embarrassed or ashamed in front of other students, and also it will prevent them from acting out to perform in front of the their peers.

http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teachtip/writesyl.htm

Becoming More Familiar with Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

By Doug

Sep

26

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) along with the Department of Justice (DOJ) have prioritized efforts to investigate then prosecute corruption in business. The FCPA, Foreign Corrupt Practice Act has also prioritized the enforcement of regulators and their issues concerning major compliance for all US companies that operate overseas. This has raised the bar significantly for companies to side with caution when it comes to financial risk.

Companies are required to register with the SEC all business transactions in order to accurately keep records and effectively maintain a system that will internalize accounting controls. The FCPA, steadfastly prohibits all US companies and all the officers down to the employees and subsidiaries from attempting to bribe officials in foreign countries, including any intermediaries or indirect means of bribery in order to obtain or even retain businesses.

With stiffening regulations, a majority of companies are now hiring other companies with extensive investigative backgrounds and experience in forensic accounting and help US Global companies in all industries and in all geographies to investigate, detect and prevent bribery and corruption. They are well equipped to conduct assessments to make sure US Global companies or FCPA compliant by focusing on the business marketing practices concerning foreign governments and they work with outside counsel, which results in a tailored audit program developed for each client’s needs and FCPA risks.

Sales training not only thing businesses must employ for success

By Doug

Sep

22

While businesses often focus on the technical elements of their company, they can often neglect other elements, such as an excellent background in cultural education, an important fundamental that slowly evolves into increasing significance with the growth of globalization.  Sales training is not enough anymore: it must also contain lessons in cultural etiquette.

Though business in Japan has increased more and more through the years, not everyone in corporate culture considers such important features of their culture, such as the fact that it tends be a high context society.  This is particularly important since networking is the backbone of businesses these days.  A relationship within the Japanese culture is not only about legal contracts and duties.  It is something a person must take great effort and work to cultivate and maintain.

Other factors to consider are how business groups in Japan are formed.  Financial factions are referred to by the name Zaibatsu, whereas factions in industry are Keiretsu.  The Keiretsu was once a larger part of Japanese business culture, but due to economic problems and mergers, the importance of this faction has reduced in importance.  Originally, a group centered about banking corporation and a trading business with the other lesser companies that were satellites to them.  These companies could include construction, insurance, and various factories.  Any organizational development considered must know and understand how the Keiretsu works in order to be successful since some businesses simply will not expand outside the Keiretsu they are located in.

Though a very traditional approach that is not always conducive to managing the best prices, it is still important.  It is a very loyal approach that most Westerners might not understand without the proper training.  Even in the technical attributes of a business, traditional cultural habits and customs still maintain a fierce hold, not only in Japan but even in the United States.  In order to be a successful business, a company culture must work other cultures into their more conventional training schemes.

Leadership training saves lives

By Doug

Aug

27

The offshore oil and gas industry is notoriously dangerous, where death is an ever present danger for those out in the field.  However, changes and improvements in leadership training have helped to cut down on such deaths.  With executives at some of these companies getting the best training possible, workplace safety is slowly becoming better and better for their employees while still maintaining great levels of production.

Health and Safety Executive show how deaths and serious injury are very low today.  In this previous year in fact no deaths were reported in any offshore locations.  The year before that showed the same figures.  Such findings are becoming a common and positive thing.   As for injuries, they are very low at the moment, the lowest they been for about twenty years.  There were only thirty cases this year, which is even less than what Health and Safety discovered last year in their research.

The cause for all these excellent findings?  Altering how management back onshore comprehended the safety of their offshore employees says Health and Safety Executive Ian Whewell.  Because most senior level executive got promoted through positions in departments like marketing not in engineering or other fields associated with offshore practices, they did not fully understand what serious hazards were involved in the business of drilling and how important workplace safety is, especially for their company.  Because management leaders have received the proper business training and injury was reduced, and as a result, so did production and morale.

Though the training was simple in nature, it made a great improvement in comprehension for those leaders with no experience outside of the cubicle environment where it is difficult to imagine the tragedies that can happen in offshore drilling.  The effect of such training seminars were immediate and obviously successful, seeping down into all areas of the bsiness.

The Benefits of Thorough Sales Training

By Doug

Aug

24

No matter which side of the team one is one, be it in the sales department or on the marketing team, one can not do well without the other.  The marketing department will communicate with sales teams as to what it takes, to help them understand what is necessary for success.  Through valuable sales training, and using the skills of organizational development will understand the different levels of courting and collecting new customers and/or clients.  When the steps are well known and practiced, and when the teams are knowledgeable about the various aspects and materials that work specific to their products, this creates an operation that is both effective and efficient. 

Potential clients are usually not concerned with just how long a company has been in operation.  The exception to this is when they may be comparing one’s company with another, and when all other aspects measure up the same, the deciding factor may be the length of the life the business has lived so far.  In this case that may cause a client to go one way or another, but what is more important to most people in general, is the relationship that one creates. 

If the salesperson has fostered a trusting relationship, the factor of the age of the business is a mute point.  When considering marketing and advertising, it is generally believed that the stress should be on that aspect of good business.  A one line sentence in regards to how long one has been in business is sufficient.  What makes a company different from the rest is what will lead to future clients and successful returns.  Clients need to know good reasons that one’s product or service is the best possible option.  If these are outlined in the marketing campaign, the salespeople will have an outline, a tool that will help them to confirm that yes, this company is different, this company is the one for them.

United States venture capital picks up

By Doug

Jul

27

Venture capital is something that drives the marketplace of the United States. Without it, most businesses could not get their feet off the ground to make a difference in the marketplace with an amazing product. And because the United States economy has slowed, the market has seen less venture capitalists investing. But the Kansas City Business Journal has reported that

United States venture capital is on the rise again. In the second quarter, venture capitalists have invested about 5 billion dollars in roughly 600 deals. Despite the fact that the figure is about 40 percent lower than a year ago is just fine considering it is about a 30 percent improvement from the first quarter.

Where the industry is seeing a rise in venture capital funding is in healthcare and also information technology. The interesting thing is that this is the first time since records have started that the healthcare industry has been ahead of the information technology industry in venture capital gains.

Another interesting fact that was brought up in the article was that although the state of California is bankrupt, it still leads the venture capital activity for the second quarter. And the state almost always does lead the country’s economy in the number of deals that flow through the nation’s economy.

As far as venture capital goes, it’s not just for the big guys. Small time inventors align them self with firms like Absolutely New to get a piece of the venture capital pie. The company, founded by Steve Barbarich, is a venture capital that is funding consumer products and the patents for them. This company back products that it sees has the most potential to do well in the marketplace. They help small time inventors with their development and protecting their intellectual property.

Who knew that venture capital really makes the world go ‘round.

James Giffen and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

By Doug

Jul

24

In the 1990s, according to the Justice Department, American businessman James Giffen had the title of counselor to the president of Kazakhstan. His job was to help with “priority investment projects relating to the exploration, development, production, transportation, and processing of oil and gas.” That made him hugely important in Kazakhstan and far beyond.  The last of the republics declaring their independence of the Soviet Union was Kazakhstan, this occurred in 1991.

The gas and oil reserves were abundant and, due to Kazakhstan’s independence,  these resources were now on the market for energy companies in the United States.  Four American companies acquired deals with the government between the years of 1996 and 1998, Texaco, Amaco, Phillips Petroleum and Mobil Oil.

In 2003, Giffen was indicted by the United States grand jury in the state of New York, for breaking the laws of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.  He was charged crimes that would include bribery, conspiracies that were intended to violate the laws of the FCPA, wire and mail fraud, failure in disclosing the bank accounts in foreign countries, and conspiracy to and participating in money laundering.  A list crimes that would send him to prison for eighty years.

Six years later he still has not gone to trial.  It seems that the oil and the gas interests in Kazakhstan may be too important to risk the implications.  Further investigation reveals that he had the full support of the U.S. government.

Much of the evidence surrounding his case is classified. Giffen is charged with 62 accounts of criminal indictment, however most of the information regarding his case is now top secret.  The details of the case are even hidden from Giffen, off limits to even himself.  This is a modern case of ‘who dunit’ and will continue throughout the months, perhaps the years ahead.

Starting a small business

By Doug

Jun

24

Starting a business is no easy feat. It takes time, money and a lot of hard work. But most of American workers are either small business owners or employed by a small business. So needless to say, success can be had in the small business arena. You just have to find your market niche. And with the job market the way it is currently, now just might be the perfect time to start that business that you have always dreamed of.

First off, think about something that makes you passionate. We all know that when we have no passion for our jobs, you just get bored and unmotivated. A job should be something you look forward to doing. Think about what you would do if you were to retire right now, and think about how you could make that into a business. If you have always wanted to own a boutique or love to play golf, think about how you could corner that market to make it some niche that consumers would enjoy and want to be a part of.

Think about times where you wished there was a service or product that you were hoping for. That’s what Steve Barbarich did.  He was in the market for a Jacuzzi hot tub and went about finding one online. When he bought one and it was delivered to his home, he was less than satisfied. When he attempted to get any kind of customer service from the retailer, they simply were totally unhelpful.  This experience prompted him to start his own luxury direct Jacuzzi hot tub company called choosehottubsdirect.com. Now he sells luxury Jacuzzi hot tubs for wholesale prices and excellent customer service. He went ahead and filled a void in the market.

If a small business is something you think you want to do, go ahead and go for it!

The Importance of Customer Complaints

By Doug

May

20

Most businesses these days have to deal with customer complaints.  These complaints come from many different types of customers. How your business handles these customer complaints can seriously impact your success.


Many companies now actively seek proactive customer complaints usually by automating with complaint handling software.  They do not wait for the customer to complain, but actively ask for customer feedback.  Companies that are pro active using complaints management software usually try to identify the type of customer that is complaining.  This helps them to respond in an appropriate way to each category of customer.


How do you actively seek customer complaints?  There is in fact one official complaint for every 25 that have never been received into the business.  These customers deal with their dissatisfaction in their own way – usually by taking their business elsewhere. Customer focused quality using a complaint management system makes every effort to ensure that each every customer has the opportunity to communicate their complaints. No complaints is not necessarily good….it can mean that customers do not have an opportunity to complain.