When Can You Start?

Conquer the Job Market in this Down Economy.

Finally, there is a ray of hope for all of the job seekers. JB Bryant, employee development expert, has done extensive research into finding a job in a hurting economy. He combined his conventional wisdom with the input of over twenty leading career coaches and other experts.

“I specifically asked that they skip right over the plain vanilla stuff – the stuff you already know or will hear from everyone else – and get out-of-the-box practical for you.” – JB Bryant. His article is broken down into six major categories: Adjusting Your Attitude; Making Money While You Job Shop; Researching the Job Market; Marketing Yourself; Finding Prospective Employers; and Interviewing Successfully.

One key gem is to “move away from agency hires and attempt to hire direct,” which keys in on the point that during a down economy businesses don’t have the budget to pay headhunters. There are even tips and websites listed for networking because “50% of jobs are found through good networking.”

JB’s passion is to help others grow and he desperately wants everyone to get through these tough times. Another key point that he makes is, “If a square peg doesn’t fit a round hole, neither the peg nor the hole is to blame.” During adversity people are quick to give up hope and settle for the first thing that comes around. Don’t be impatient or anxious. “Fear constricts your ability to see opportunities.”

It is time to dive into JB’s article, Job Hunting in a Down Economy, and learn from experts and leading professionals. There is much to read and numerous avenues to take for follow-on information on every topic discussed. Just be ready to answer the question, ‘When Can You Start?’

JB Bryant has achieved 17 years of professional success in knowledge management, process and quality improvement, employee development, and customer service management. For more information about Job Hunting in a Down Economy, go to http://www.jbbryant.biz or contact JB Bryant at jbbryant@gmail.com.

Christmas or X-Mas

We are only two weeks away from Christ's birthday. People everywhere are rushing about getting gifts for the people on their list. Holiday meals are being planned. Travel plans are getting finalized. On top of all these activities, work is trying to cram two weeks worth of projects into one so everyone can be home with the family.

All of this hustling and bustling has actually become the tradition and way of life. We are in such a rush this time of year that we don't even have time to say or write the word Christmas. Instead, it is abbreviated X-Mas. We have officially taken Christ out of Christmas and no one even seems to notice.

Remember the whole purpose of Christmas is not Santa or even getting gifts. It is to celebrate the birth of our savior in the fellowship of family and friends. However, just like the layers and layers of governmental bureaucracy, we have done the same thing.

We focus on all of the wrong stuff. There are so many rules and traditions on how we have to celebrate His birth, the meaning gets lost. This year I challenge you to try to put Christ back into Christmas.

To do this: refuse to write X-Mas on anything...take the time to write it out. Second, read the true Christmas story from one of the Gospels. The most popular one is short and sweet from Luke 2:1-20. Lastly, slow down to take a breather and then thank Jesus for dying for our sins, thank the Holy Spirit for guiding us this season, and God for creating you.

Give Christ back His name this year.

Stick it to the Man this Tax Season

During these tough economic times many of us our pinching every penny. Many of us are looking forward to Tax Season because we are certain to get some extra cash back. Would you like more...legally?

How? Those who operate small businesses can write off much more than those who do not. For example, I am a freelance writer and get paid to post articles. All expenses related to this venture constitute tax write-offs. My website (http://www.inspiretomorrow.com/) is a write-off because it is my main marketing tool. Meals where I discuss projects with my wife or clients can be written off at the end of the year. Internet and cell phone bills used primarily for my business are eligible too. The mileage used to get back and forth to those meals and other business travels are logged and passed on to the tax man.

Calm your horses...I am not trying to elude that you should defraud the government, I am telling you the same things told to me a couple of years ago when I began writing. Not a writer? Not a problem.

There are tons of CHEAP avenues to travel for starting your own business. Maybe you can fix things for people. Maybe you are good at scrapbooking or photo albums. Maybe you are good at sales. Maybe you just like to workout. No matter what your hobby is, there is hope.

My favorite starter company is Advocare. They are a fitness and health company that makes thee best supps on the market. I personally use them while working out and give some to friends. They either like it and buy more or they don't. I do not have to try to "sell" anything. I know others who have that gift and make much more money AND they are gaining tax write-offs which yield higher refunds at year's end.

At least look into your options and stop throwing away your money. Make some extra cash on your business and get more back at the end of the year...win,win.

Tell me and the readers your ideas...

--
Joe Lawrence
http://www.inspiretomorrow.com/

Personal Debt Management - 3 Easy Tips to Manage Your Debt

Too many Americans are paralyzed and overwhelmed by their debts. The desire to get out is real, but as bills come in and money goes out, hopelessness kicks in and making drastic change feels incredibly overwhelming...

For all people who are in debt this process will continue until they either A) pay off what they owe and stay out or B) file for bankruptcy and later be in a great spot to make the same mistakes!

For the motivated person who is willing to do what it takes to get out, here are 3 ways that can get you COMPLETELY out of debt.

1.) Put A Realistic Budget Together And Follow It

A wise man said: "You'll either tell your money what to do beforehand or it will do what it wants afterwards".

So many people I talk with say "I'm already spending as little as I can... I don't need a budget"... I guarantee that is not at ALL the case... you'll be surprised at what you see when your expenses are outlined on paper.

Don't get all complicated and technical with crazy spreadsheets and software... just get out a piece of paper and write down all the regular monthly expenses you can't do without, including your debts.

Now allocate your income to those expenses and *stick to it*!

2.) Negotiate A Lower Interest Rate With Credit Cards

Many people don't know this but 99% of the time your credit card company will give you a lower interest rate just by your asking for it!

Why? Because there's *so much* competition out there and they want to keep your business. If they say "no", tell them another company made you an offer for a lower rate! (You wouldn't be lying... those offers are very easy to find and they know it!)

3.) Consolidate Your Credit Card Bills Into One Payment

There are plenty of companies out there that will call each of your credit card companies, negotiate a lower interest rate and even lower balance payment, and put them all into one bill for you to pay.

No more having to organize multiple credit card bills and pay them separately!

Note: Consolidation is not for everybody. Make sure you talk to a trusted financial advisor first!

For more shockingly easy debt management strategies, including how to lower your interest rate using credit card debt management techniques, visit http://www.DebtManagementTips.net Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Costas_Peppas

Feelings of helplessness

OK, because my brain is too fried right now to write anything substantive -- and to let Joe know I haven't completely forgotten him, I offer the following, with apologies:

The recent political events depressed me greatly. I was so depressed, if fact, that I considered taking my life. But instead I called the Suicide Prevention Hotline.

My call was routed to a call center in Pakistan. I told them, "I'm so depressed, I want to take my own life. What should I do?"

Barely containing his excitement, the man on the other end asked "Do you know how to drive a truck?"

Wasabi Media Gives Away $2000 in prizes

I have been writing blog entries for Wasabi Media Group for the past few months and they are a solid company with great columnists (especially, Joe Lawrence...that guy rocks!). Now, they are giving away $2000 in prizes.

By simply signing up for their newsletter you become eligible to win one of 10 prize packages. After you sign up you get five entry tickets and the winner will be chosen on November 27th.

If you are an Internet mogul or budding blogger, this is perfect. The prizes are mainly for helping to grow your business and increase traffic. Also, when we brag about the contest on a blog, like this, you get even more points.

So hurry up and sign up by the 26th to get your golden tickets. Come to think about it...don't so I can keep all the prizes to myself.

To learn more click here.

Joe Lawrence

Evaluating Leadership Qualities - 10 Things Effective Leaders Do to Motivate Employees, By Barbara Brown, Ph.D.

You have a manager who thinks she (or he) is a great leader. In fact this manager has been pressuring you for a higher performance rating in the area of "leadership qualities." So far, you have resisted. This manager does a good job of coordinating, controlling, and directing assignments. But she (or he) falls really short when it comes to motivating, developing, and encouraging employees.

Bottom line, this manager is great at getting the job done; but is not so great at creating a positive work environment, demonstrating concern for employees' personal interests, or highlighting positive achievements. Beyond your "feelings," about leadership, what specific "leadership qualities" could you use to evaluate and discuss performance with this manager? Here are 10:

1. Reinforcing contributions and achievements; giving timely, positive, and specific feedback

2. Uncovering employees' interests; encouraging them to develop and pursue personal and professional goals

3. Developing employees; providing opportunities for acquiring or enhancing desirable knowledge, skills, and abilities

4. Encouraging two-way communication; seeking input from employees and acting on that input

5. Acting as a positive role model; talking positively to peers, talking positively about the organization, and talking positively about customers

6. Displaying emotional intelligence; ensuring that physical reactions, body language, and personal statements promote constructive dialogue among subordinates, peers, and superiors

7. Facilitating positive interactions among employees; encouraging a pleasant atmosphere and reducing conflicts

8. Delegating authority effectively; giving employees autonomy while simultaneously establishing check points to monitor performance

9. Maximizing employee performance; matching employee tasks with capabilities, and giving emotional support that matches employee needs

10. Coaching employees; providing advice about individual performance, goal achievement, and career development

Effective Leaders Care About Work AND About Employees

Your goal in talking to this manager is to emphasize the value of keeping employees feeling committed to doing a great job. Focusing on tasks is important, but "employees" accomplish tasks. So effective leaders pay attention to the needs and concerns of employees. They engage them, involve them, and communicate with them. Tell this to your manager (who professes to be an effective leader) the next time you have a disagreement about leadership qualities. And remember to explain HOW these qualities impact employees: they keep employees doing a great job.

Barbara Brown, PhD shows managers how to improve employee performance by linking performance to results. Her E-Books contain phrases and examples for discussing performance, reinforcing performance, and writing appraisals. Her E-Courses provide strategies for motivating employees to cooperate and contribute. Click on "FREE STUFF" at her website to download tools to manage performance discussions. Website: http://www.LinkToResults.net Email: Barbara@LinkToResults.net Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Brown,_Ph.D.