From LOM Global Perspectives
February 2nd, 2009 - As expected, the newsflow on the global economy is proving to be quite unpleasant and is keeping risk appetite in check. People all over the world are aware that this is a synchronised global recession that is biting deeply.
Consumer spending in the United States is sliding. This is evident in the latest report on US GDP performance in the fourth quarter of last year. The economy contracted at a 3.8 percent annual rate, which was actually better than the consensus expectation. But that was nothing to cheer about, because the difference was made up by unanticipated inventory accumulation.
In an environment characterised by falling sales, firms do not voluntarily engage in accumulating excess inventories. Under recessionary conditions, this is poisonous to the corporate bottom line. Naturally, the expectation is that there will be further production cuts in the current quarter, in order to reduce inventories.
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Exercise for strong abs to support the back
By Karen Voight
Because strong abdominal muscles are key to preventing back pain, training the abs is extremely important. The abs should act as a girdle to pull in your belly and stabilize your spine as you move around all day. Incorporate this exercise into your daily workouts for a strong, trim midsection.
1. Lie face up on a mat or padded surface, placing your hands behind your head. Inhale and bring your legs above your hips (knees can be slightly bent). On an exhalation, press against your mid-back, contracting your abdominals as you raise your hips and upper back slightly off the floor. Pause for a few seconds.
2. Keep your abs contracted and, with your shoulders and hips off the floor, lower your right leg 8 to 10 inches toward the floor. Hold for three to six seconds, not letting your left leg move forward.
Bring your legs back together and release your hips and shoulders down to the floor. Repeat the exercise, this time moving your left leg slightly back. Do the exercise 12 times for each leg.
Karen Voight is the creator of a line of fitness DVDs. The latest is "Sleek Essentials Workout." karen@karenvoight.com
Because strong abdominal muscles are key to preventing back pain, training the abs is extremely important. The abs should act as a girdle to pull in your belly and stabilize your spine as you move around all day. Incorporate this exercise into your daily workouts for a strong, trim midsection.
1. Lie face up on a mat or padded surface, placing your hands behind your head. Inhale and bring your legs above your hips (knees can be slightly bent). On an exhalation, press against your mid-back, contracting your abdominals as you raise your hips and upper back slightly off the floor. Pause for a few seconds.
2. Keep your abs contracted and, with your shoulders and hips off the floor, lower your right leg 8 to 10 inches toward the floor. Hold for three to six seconds, not letting your left leg move forward.
Bring your legs back together and release your hips and shoulders down to the floor. Repeat the exercise, this time moving your left leg slightly back. Do the exercise 12 times for each leg.
Karen Voight is the creator of a line of fitness DVDs. The latest is "Sleek Essentials Workout." karen@karenvoight.com
Exercises for a strong back
By Jeannine Stein
The back often gets short shrift when it comes to strength and conditioning because people tend to focus on muscles more prone to easy definition, such as those in the arms, abs and chest. But neglecting this body part can lead to trouble: aches, stiffness, chronic pain.
A healthy back is flexible, allowing you to bend, turn and reach without even a twinge. It should also be strong, since it helps stabilize the rest of the body. But because many of us sit all day with shoulders rounded forward, our backs have become weak and stiff.
"Having a strong back is huge," says Torri Shack, a trainer at Sky Sport & Spa in Beverly Hills. "The stronger your back, the more weight-bearing exercise you can do. People think your abdominals are just your abdominals, but the stronger your back, the stronger your stomach is going to be.
A strong back also allows you to do more and different types of ab exercises without feeling pain."
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The back often gets short shrift when it comes to strength and conditioning because people tend to focus on muscles more prone to easy definition, such as those in the arms, abs and chest. But neglecting this body part can lead to trouble: aches, stiffness, chronic pain.
A healthy back is flexible, allowing you to bend, turn and reach without even a twinge. It should also be strong, since it helps stabilize the rest of the body. But because many of us sit all day with shoulders rounded forward, our backs have become weak and stiff.
"Having a strong back is huge," says Torri Shack, a trainer at Sky Sport & Spa in Beverly Hills. "The stronger your back, the more weight-bearing exercise you can do. People think your abdominals are just your abdominals, but the stronger your back, the stronger your stomach is going to be.
A strong back also allows you to do more and different types of ab exercises without feeling pain."
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Chinese herb may help treat a cold
Joe Graedon, Teresa Graedon
live in Sweden and rarely come down with colds. However, the other day I got a whopper -- a sore throat, horrible runny nose and bad cough -- so I decided to try Kan Jang. It is a popular cold remedy here produced by the Swedish Herbal Institute.
I started on Kan Jang a day ago. My runny nose is completely gone, and my cough has subsided dramatically. The postnasal drip that has been driving me nuts for a couple of years is gone. Kan Jang is not available in the United States, but its principal ingredient, a Chinese herb called Andrographis paniculata, is sold in health-food stores by various manufacturers.
It can also be found in a product called Kold Kare. There are placebo-controlled studies showing that Andrographis can speed recovery from colds (Planta Medica, April 2004).
live in Sweden and rarely come down with colds. However, the other day I got a whopper -- a sore throat, horrible runny nose and bad cough -- so I decided to try Kan Jang. It is a popular cold remedy here produced by the Swedish Herbal Institute.
I started on Kan Jang a day ago. My runny nose is completely gone, and my cough has subsided dramatically. The postnasal drip that has been driving me nuts for a couple of years is gone. Kan Jang is not available in the United States, but its principal ingredient, a Chinese herb called Andrographis paniculata, is sold in health-food stores by various manufacturers.
It can also be found in a product called Kold Kare. There are placebo-controlled studies showing that Andrographis can speed recovery from colds (Planta Medica, April 2004).
Rye - Back from the Brink
by Sylvan
There was a time not too long ago when rye whiskey almost disappeared, another victim of Prohibition. It didn’t, though, and thanks to the internet, rye has enjoyed something of a revival in America. So much so that there have even been shortages caused by its rapid return to semi-popularity.
However, despite this new popularity, you can still get blank stares from cocktail waitresses on Main St bars and questions like, “Is that a kind of whiskey?” Yes, Virginia, it is a kind of whiskey. Believe it or not, a whiskey made from rye, which is a close cereal relative of wheat.
For American producers to label their bottles as rye whiskey, the mash bill must be at least 51% rye, among other things. Using the word ’straight’ adds a requirement of at least 2 years of aging in new, charred oak barrels.
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There was a time not too long ago when rye whiskey almost disappeared, another victim of Prohibition. It didn’t, though, and thanks to the internet, rye has enjoyed something of a revival in America. So much so that there have even been shortages caused by its rapid return to semi-popularity.
However, despite this new popularity, you can still get blank stares from cocktail waitresses on Main St bars and questions like, “Is that a kind of whiskey?” Yes, Virginia, it is a kind of whiskey. Believe it or not, a whiskey made from rye, which is a close cereal relative of wheat.
For American producers to label their bottles as rye whiskey, the mash bill must be at least 51% rye, among other things. Using the word ’straight’ adds a requirement of at least 2 years of aging in new, charred oak barrels.
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Monday, February 09, 2009
Negotiate a payment plan with the doctor
By Francesca Lunzer Kritz
A move by a growing number of physicians to ask patients to pay their full share of an office visit (the co-pay, the deductible if still not met, and any coinsurance) on the day of the appointment could catch many consumers by surprise.
Say the coinsurance is 20%; an office visit with a $75 strep test could cost an extra $15 on top of a $20 co-pay. It could cost the full $95 if the deductible hasn't been met. Similarly, having a complete physical before a deductible is paid up could make you responsible for hundreds of dollars on the day of the visit.
Randy Boyle, a staff attorney with the National Health Law Program in its Los Angeles office, recommends checking your health insurance manual, if you have insurance, to double-check the charges you must pay. No manual? Go online, or call the member number on your insurance card.
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A move by a growing number of physicians to ask patients to pay their full share of an office visit (the co-pay, the deductible if still not met, and any coinsurance) on the day of the appointment could catch many consumers by surprise.
Say the coinsurance is 20%; an office visit with a $75 strep test could cost an extra $15 on top of a $20 co-pay. It could cost the full $95 if the deductible hasn't been met. Similarly, having a complete physical before a deductible is paid up could make you responsible for hundreds of dollars on the day of the visit.
Randy Boyle, a staff attorney with the National Health Law Program in its Los Angeles office, recommends checking your health insurance manual, if you have insurance, to double-check the charges you must pay. No manual? Go online, or call the member number on your insurance card.
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Surviving a layoff can hurt too
By Susan Carpenter
Pfizer. Saks. Microsoft. The layoff announcements just keep on coming. And they're going to keep on coming throughout the year if the U.S. economy continues its alarming and ever-deepening spiral into the abyss.
More than 2.5 million Americans lost their jobs in 2008. And at least 2 million more jobs are expected to evaporate in 2009, according to the Conference Board Employment Trends Index -- upping the ranks of the unemployed and forcing laid-off employees to dredge their safety nets and call on every available support system. But laid-off employees aren't the only ones who suffer from staff reductions.
Employees who remain employed are prone to greater role ambiguity and job demands that can, in turn, contribute to greater alcohol consumption and depression, according to a 2003 study on the physical and mental-health effects of surviving layoffs, published by the Institute of Behavioral Science.
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Pfizer. Saks. Microsoft. The layoff announcements just keep on coming. And they're going to keep on coming throughout the year if the U.S. economy continues its alarming and ever-deepening spiral into the abyss.
More than 2.5 million Americans lost their jobs in 2008. And at least 2 million more jobs are expected to evaporate in 2009, according to the Conference Board Employment Trends Index -- upping the ranks of the unemployed and forcing laid-off employees to dredge their safety nets and call on every available support system. But laid-off employees aren't the only ones who suffer from staff reductions.
Employees who remain employed are prone to greater role ambiguity and job demands that can, in turn, contribute to greater alcohol consumption and depression, according to a 2003 study on the physical and mental-health effects of surviving layoffs, published by the Institute of Behavioral Science.
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Running on empty: the pros and cons of fasting
By Shari Roan
Something about the way Americans eat isn't working -- and hasn't been for a long time.The number of obese Americans is now greater than the number who are merely overweight, according to government figures released last month. It's as if once we taste food, we can't stop until we've gorged ourselves.
Taking that inclination into account, some people are adopting an unusual solution to overeating. Rather than battling temptation in grocery stores, restaurants and their own kitchens, they simply don't eat. At least not at certain times of the day or specific days of the week.
Called intermittent fasting, this rather stark approach to weight control appears to be supported by science, not to mention various religious and cultural practices around the globe. The practice is a way to become more circumspect about food, its adherents say.
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Something about the way Americans eat isn't working -- and hasn't been for a long time.The number of obese Americans is now greater than the number who are merely overweight, according to government figures released last month. It's as if once we taste food, we can't stop until we've gorged ourselves.
Taking that inclination into account, some people are adopting an unusual solution to overeating. Rather than battling temptation in grocery stores, restaurants and their own kitchens, they simply don't eat. At least not at certain times of the day or specific days of the week.
Called intermittent fasting, this rather stark approach to weight control appears to be supported by science, not to mention various religious and cultural practices around the globe. The practice is a way to become more circumspect about food, its adherents say.
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Top 20 Employers for Entry-Level Jobs -- List Cites Best Workplaces for Recent College Grads
by Tasha Naatz, Experience.com
You've just returned to school from your beloved hometown and much-needed winter break. What's the one thing you won't miss hearing -- how about, "So, what do you plan on doing after graduation?"
For hundreds of thousands of students, the start of this final term before graduation means that the crunch is on and the search for potential jobs has begun. But, have no fear, Experience.com and Yahoo! HotJobs have done the research for you, and compiled our list of the Top 20 Best Places to Work for Recent College Grads.
Getting the Real Story
From literally A (Accenture) to Z (ZS Associates), we narrowed down employers ranging in industries such as, insurance, hospitality, and consulting.
With Gen Y'ers more determined and focused than ever to acquire the job of their dreams, employers are taking steps to make their workplaces Gen Y-friendly. Our survey has put the spotlight on those employers who have made the extra effort, and who have been the most successful at it.
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You've just returned to school from your beloved hometown and much-needed winter break. What's the one thing you won't miss hearing -- how about, "So, what do you plan on doing after graduation?"
For hundreds of thousands of students, the start of this final term before graduation means that the crunch is on and the search for potential jobs has begun. But, have no fear, Experience.com and Yahoo! HotJobs have done the research for you, and compiled our list of the Top 20 Best Places to Work for Recent College Grads.
Getting the Real Story
From literally A (Accenture) to Z (ZS Associates), we narrowed down employers ranging in industries such as, insurance, hospitality, and consulting.
With Gen Y'ers more determined and focused than ever to acquire the job of their dreams, employers are taking steps to make their workplaces Gen Y-friendly. Our survey has put the spotlight on those employers who have made the extra effort, and who have been the most successful at it.
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Putting The Squeeze On Internal Theft
From The American Mixologist
Few owners or beverage managers want to acknowledge the reality that their employees might be stealing from their business. Nevertheless, the statistics clearly suggest that employees are stealing tremendous sums of money.
The United States Department of Commerce estimates that losses due to employee theft in the food and beverage industry amount to 4% of annual gross sales, a dollar figure in the scores of millions.
Any comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing bar costs must include specific measures to limit, if not prevent, employee theft. The process of minimizing your operation’s vulnerability to theft involves eliminating areas of weakness behind the bar; weaknesses created through lax policies and procedures, breeches in security, and ineffective cash controls.
It should be noted that not all of the following preventative measures will benefit every beverage operation equally. Each specific item should be evaluated for suitability and level of effectiveness. In some instances, implementing the wrong policy or procedure may only make matters worse.
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Few owners or beverage managers want to acknowledge the reality that their employees might be stealing from their business. Nevertheless, the statistics clearly suggest that employees are stealing tremendous sums of money.
The United States Department of Commerce estimates that losses due to employee theft in the food and beverage industry amount to 4% of annual gross sales, a dollar figure in the scores of millions.
Any comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing bar costs must include specific measures to limit, if not prevent, employee theft. The process of minimizing your operation’s vulnerability to theft involves eliminating areas of weakness behind the bar; weaknesses created through lax policies and procedures, breeches in security, and ineffective cash controls.
It should be noted that not all of the following preventative measures will benefit every beverage operation equally. Each specific item should be evaluated for suitability and level of effectiveness. In some instances, implementing the wrong policy or procedure may only make matters worse.
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Sunday, February 08, 2009
Career Trends to Watch This Year
by Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs
No one can predict the future, but spotting emerging trends is possible. After the tumult of 2008, will 2009 be any easier on the U.S. workforce? Find out what to expect in the year ahead so you can be prepared to spot opportunity and minimize risk.
1. Smaller companies may offer more job security.
Each week brings news of more and more layoffs at some of America's largest and most influential companies. This may indicate that the time is ripe to move to a more modestly sized organization.
Says John A. Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the nation's first outplacement consulting firm, "Small companies don't offer any immunity from being cast out, but they can be more nimble than large companies, reacting more quickly to turnarounds.
" He adds, "Small companies are taking advantage of this time to upgrade their talent," recruiting professionals who may have come from industry giants.
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No one can predict the future, but spotting emerging trends is possible. After the tumult of 2008, will 2009 be any easier on the U.S. workforce? Find out what to expect in the year ahead so you can be prepared to spot opportunity and minimize risk.
1. Smaller companies may offer more job security.
Each week brings news of more and more layoffs at some of America's largest and most influential companies. This may indicate that the time is ripe to move to a more modestly sized organization.
Says John A. Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the nation's first outplacement consulting firm, "Small companies don't offer any immunity from being cast out, but they can be more nimble than large companies, reacting more quickly to turnarounds.
" He adds, "Small companies are taking advantage of this time to upgrade their talent," recruiting professionals who may have come from industry giants.
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10 Companies Hiring for Work from Home
by Molly Hallman, Payscale.com
Can you imagine how simple your life would be if you never had to drive to work? If you have the self-discipline to work from home, the right opportunity could help you get back those commute hours and gain some extra time each day to do whatever you want.
Wondering where to start? Here are 10 companies hiring for work from home right now:
1. Alpine
AccessWebsite: www.alpineaccess.com
Job Title: Customer care professional
This forward-thinking company plans to hire 1,200 new employees in the first three months of 2009. "We look for people who are self-motivated, self-reliant problem solvers who have a strong work ethic," says Remi Killeen, Recruitment Manager at Alpine Access.
Besides offering the flexibility to work from home, Alpine Access, a virtual call center, provides health-care benefits, 401K, flexible work schedules and opportunities to grow. Each worker is an actual company employee with regular work hours and assignments.
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Can you imagine how simple your life would be if you never had to drive to work? If you have the self-discipline to work from home, the right opportunity could help you get back those commute hours and gain some extra time each day to do whatever you want.
Wondering where to start? Here are 10 companies hiring for work from home right now:
1. Alpine
AccessWebsite: www.alpineaccess.com
Job Title: Customer care professional
This forward-thinking company plans to hire 1,200 new employees in the first three months of 2009. "We look for people who are self-motivated, self-reliant problem solvers who have a strong work ethic," says Remi Killeen, Recruitment Manager at Alpine Access.
Besides offering the flexibility to work from home, Alpine Access, a virtual call center, provides health-care benefits, 401K, flexible work schedules and opportunities to grow. Each worker is an actual company employee with regular work hours and assignments.
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Saturday, February 07, 2009
The Best Corner of the Market
By John Rosevear
Suppose I told you that two eminent economists -- guys whose names always seem to get mentioned at Nobel time -- had discovered that one small, often-overlooked corner of the stock universe tended to outperform all of the others over time?
Suppose I also told you that this wasn't some short-term fluke, but something that stayed consistent after crunching almost 80 years of market data -- through the Great Depression, through the early '70s bear market, through the dot-com boom and bust?
And suppose I told you that this research is practically a secret -- while a few professional portfolio managers have put it to good use, many individual investors have never even heard of it? What would you say to that?
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Suppose I told you that two eminent economists -- guys whose names always seem to get mentioned at Nobel time -- had discovered that one small, often-overlooked corner of the stock universe tended to outperform all of the others over time?
Suppose I also told you that this wasn't some short-term fluke, but something that stayed consistent after crunching almost 80 years of market data -- through the Great Depression, through the early '70s bear market, through the dot-com boom and bust?
And suppose I told you that this research is practically a secret -- while a few professional portfolio managers have put it to good use, many individual investors have never even heard of it? What would you say to that?
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Top In-Demand Careers of 2009
by Amelia Gray
With all the recent worry over the economy, which jobs are still safe? Check out this set of careers slated to remain a great pick for anyone considering an education--even in this current difficult period for profits and growth.
According to the 2009 Robert Half International Salary Guide, careers in business, IT, and law are among the fields expected to yield top careers in the coming year. Learn more about which careers are expected to see the most growth, the highest starting salaries, and the best opportunities.
Technology Careers on the Rise
CIOs were asked which technical skill sets are in the greatest demand in their IT departments. Their response? Administration, support, and management skills are golden. The top responses, according to Robert Half International:
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With all the recent worry over the economy, which jobs are still safe? Check out this set of careers slated to remain a great pick for anyone considering an education--even in this current difficult period for profits and growth.
According to the 2009 Robert Half International Salary Guide, careers in business, IT, and law are among the fields expected to yield top careers in the coming year. Learn more about which careers are expected to see the most growth, the highest starting salaries, and the best opportunities.
Technology Careers on the Rise
CIOs were asked which technical skill sets are in the greatest demand in their IT departments. Their response? Administration, support, and management skills are golden. The top responses, according to Robert Half International:
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How to Land the Dream Job at the Bar/Restaurant of Your Choice
Listen now to the interview with Michael Alaniz, owner of Bartend L.A. as he shares his secret on how to land the dream job at the bar/restaurant of your choice. Bartend L.A. is your backstage pass to the Los Angeles bartending scene.
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Thursday, February 05, 2009
Big Employers Cutting Their Own Throats
By Dan Caplinger
Like laboratory mice pushing the same button over and over again to get food, corporate executives often resort to the same tried-and-true tactics to try to help their stocks recover. What has worked in the past, however, is likely to backfire on them this time around.
You don't have to follow financial news closely to know that corporate America has been bleeding jobs left and right. Just this week, thousands of workers have gotten pink slips, with equipment-maker Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) topping the list at 20,000 jobs lost. Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX), Target (NYSE: TGT), and Time Warner's (NYSE: TWX) AOL unit also added themselves to the long list of employers who've recently announced significant job cuts.
What's going on?
The layoffs seem like a natural reaction to falling profits. When times get tough, businesses look for ways to cut costs. Especially when business demand is down, reducing a company's workforce has an immediate and usually substantial impact on the bottom line -- which appeases investors and tends to boost share prices.
Or at least, that's how things worked in the past. The problem today, though, is that the economy is in a prisoner's dilemma. Companies rushing to minimize their individual losses are creating unintended consequences that will eventually do far greater damage.
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Like laboratory mice pushing the same button over and over again to get food, corporate executives often resort to the same tried-and-true tactics to try to help their stocks recover. What has worked in the past, however, is likely to backfire on them this time around.
You don't have to follow financial news closely to know that corporate America has been bleeding jobs left and right. Just this week, thousands of workers have gotten pink slips, with equipment-maker Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) topping the list at 20,000 jobs lost. Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX), Target (NYSE: TGT), and Time Warner's (NYSE: TWX) AOL unit also added themselves to the long list of employers who've recently announced significant job cuts.
What's going on?
The layoffs seem like a natural reaction to falling profits. When times get tough, businesses look for ways to cut costs. Especially when business demand is down, reducing a company's workforce has an immediate and usually substantial impact on the bottom line -- which appeases investors and tends to boost share prices.
Or at least, that's how things worked in the past. The problem today, though, is that the economy is in a prisoner's dilemma. Companies rushing to minimize their individual losses are creating unintended consequences that will eventually do far greater damage.
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Are Your Dividends Safe?
By Chuck Saletta
More than 340 companies reduced or eliminated their dividends in 2008. Whether you rely on your dividends for current income, cash to reinvest, or signals of a company's true strength, those reductions should be troubling.
Yet even amid all the chaos and panic of 2008, not all the dividend news was bad. Many companies managed to maintain their payments throughout 2008, and some even raised them.
Last year might have been one of the most extreme investing years of recent memory, but even in more usual markets, being able to tell the difference between a strong, well-supported dividend and one on the verge of elimination might be the most important skill you carry in your investing toolkit.
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More than 340 companies reduced or eliminated their dividends in 2008. Whether you rely on your dividends for current income, cash to reinvest, or signals of a company's true strength, those reductions should be troubling.
Yet even amid all the chaos and panic of 2008, not all the dividend news was bad. Many companies managed to maintain their payments throughout 2008, and some even raised them.
Last year might have been one of the most extreme investing years of recent memory, but even in more usual markets, being able to tell the difference between a strong, well-supported dividend and one on the verge of elimination might be the most important skill you carry in your investing toolkit.
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Live Off Your Investments
By Motley Fool Staff
Someday, your portfolio will earn more than you do.
Sure, that day may be a long way off, especially if you've just started saving for retirement. And it may seem further away than ever after the declines of the past year.
But little by little, month after month, as you save more, your investments will earn more. As you increasingly benefit from the magic of compound interest, your portfolio value will climb higher and higher.
Eventually, you'll see your account balances rise and fall with the market by amounts that represent months of pay. By then, you may wonder why you're still working at all.
In the meantime, though, there are many milestones you can celebrate along the way:
Making your first investment. Maybe it's opening a Roth IRA account with money you make from mowing the lawn or delivering papers. Perhaps it's electing to contribute to your 401(k) in your first job.
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Someday, your portfolio will earn more than you do.
Sure, that day may be a long way off, especially if you've just started saving for retirement. And it may seem further away than ever after the declines of the past year.
But little by little, month after month, as you save more, your investments will earn more. As you increasingly benefit from the magic of compound interest, your portfolio value will climb higher and higher.
Eventually, you'll see your account balances rise and fall with the market by amounts that represent months of pay. By then, you may wonder why you're still working at all.
In the meantime, though, there are many milestones you can celebrate along the way:
Making your first investment. Maybe it's opening a Roth IRA account with money you make from mowing the lawn or delivering papers. Perhaps it's electing to contribute to your 401(k) in your first job.
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Five things your kids need to know about money
By Julie Marsh
Teaching kids about money involves more than recognizing and counting coins. It involves teaching them how to budget, save, earn and spend money responsibly.
It is never too early to begin. Parents should start teaching kids about money needs early, preferably while kids are in elementary school, said Anne Silveira, a family and consumer studies teacher at Shasta High School.
Here are five things to teach children about money:
1. Give them a basic money sense. Discuss the difference between needs and wants. In addition to such things as recognizing and counting money, they need to learn the importance of spending less than they make.
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Teaching kids about money involves more than recognizing and counting coins. It involves teaching them how to budget, save, earn and spend money responsibly.
It is never too early to begin. Parents should start teaching kids about money needs early, preferably while kids are in elementary school, said Anne Silveira, a family and consumer studies teacher at Shasta High School.
Here are five things to teach children about money:
1. Give them a basic money sense. Discuss the difference between needs and wants. In addition to such things as recognizing and counting money, they need to learn the importance of spending less than they make.
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Bartending Pro Tips Part 2: How to Make Money and Have Fun With a Career in Bartending!
By Steve Landen
8. If there is trouble or violence try, at all costs, to avoid coming out from behind the bar. Raise your voice and attempt to take control verbally, while you are dialing 911.
Many bars do not provide security. A personal friend of mine came out from behind the bar and hit an assailant with a full bar bottle since the assault was against a woman.
That bartender (who owned the bar) is still in prison not because the bad guy died days later, but because the bartender "came out from behind the bar."
9. Tip jars are sort of an optional thing, depending on the type of bar. If you follow the sort of relationship-building techniques I have suggested, then when your customer is cashing out it should be a face-to-face, handshake-to-handshake experience They are a lot more likely to deal with you fairly (maybe show off a little bit too) than if they can sneak a few quarters and a dime into a tip jar when you are busy.
If you have waiter and waitress staff, one surly server can easily cost you a considerable amount, and that is only if you ever even see their tips. Tip and bar/service accounts should, in my opinion, be kept separate and are in many establishments.
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8. If there is trouble or violence try, at all costs, to avoid coming out from behind the bar. Raise your voice and attempt to take control verbally, while you are dialing 911.
Many bars do not provide security. A personal friend of mine came out from behind the bar and hit an assailant with a full bar bottle since the assault was against a woman.
That bartender (who owned the bar) is still in prison not because the bad guy died days later, but because the bartender "came out from behind the bar."
9. Tip jars are sort of an optional thing, depending on the type of bar. If you follow the sort of relationship-building techniques I have suggested, then when your customer is cashing out it should be a face-to-face, handshake-to-handshake experience They are a lot more likely to deal with you fairly (maybe show off a little bit too) than if they can sneak a few quarters and a dime into a tip jar when you are busy.
If you have waiter and waitress staff, one surly server can easily cost you a considerable amount, and that is only if you ever even see their tips. Tip and bar/service accounts should, in my opinion, be kept separate and are in many establishments.
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Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Brain Food: How to Eat Smart
From Mercola.com
How you eat can affect your mind at a fundamental levels. Here are five things you should know about feeding your brain:
1. Don’t overdose on sugar
Your brain, which accounts for 2 percent of your body weight, sucks down roughly 20 percent of your daily calories. It demands a constant supply of glucose. But this doesn’t mean that you should slurp soda to keep your brain functioning optimally. In fact, high glucose levels slowly but surely damage cells everywhere in your body, including those in your brain.
2. Become a grazer
To optimize brain power, one tactic might be more frequent but smaller meals. Your brain works best with about 25 grams of glucose circulating in your blood stream -- about the amount found in a banana.
3. Eat foods that don’t raise blood glucose levels
Pretzels cause blood sugar to rise very quickly. Raw carrots, however, do not. High fiber carbohydrates raise blood glucose levels relatively slowly, and combining them with fat or protein can slow absorption even more.
The key is a balanced diet, where all macronutrients -- carbohydrates, fats and proteins -- are given their due.
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How you eat can affect your mind at a fundamental levels. Here are five things you should know about feeding your brain:
1. Don’t overdose on sugar
Your brain, which accounts for 2 percent of your body weight, sucks down roughly 20 percent of your daily calories. It demands a constant supply of glucose. But this doesn’t mean that you should slurp soda to keep your brain functioning optimally. In fact, high glucose levels slowly but surely damage cells everywhere in your body, including those in your brain.
2. Become a grazer
To optimize brain power, one tactic might be more frequent but smaller meals. Your brain works best with about 25 grams of glucose circulating in your blood stream -- about the amount found in a banana.
3. Eat foods that don’t raise blood glucose levels
Pretzels cause blood sugar to rise very quickly. Raw carrots, however, do not. High fiber carbohydrates raise blood glucose levels relatively slowly, and combining them with fat or protein can slow absorption even more.
The key is a balanced diet, where all macronutrients -- carbohydrates, fats and proteins -- are given their due.
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Now It's a Real Crisis
By John Rosevear
Now it's becoming obvious: This is a real crisis.
When this economic mess first started to pick up steam, its impact was clear to those who deal in real estate or banking or who watch the markets every day -- but out in the "real world," things didn't seem so bad. Until recently, it was easy for the average American on the street to believe that things weren't so awful.
That's changing. Every day brings new reports of layoffs, so many that I can't keep up -- Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) announced a cut of 20,000 jobs as I was writing this. The average car dealership is quieter than a research library.
And many American households, worried about debt loads or employment uncertainties or both, have cut their spending and begun to hunker down. There's some good news, though: Lots of good companies are going through rough patches. Why is that good? Because it means we can buy 'em cheap.
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Now it's becoming obvious: This is a real crisis.
When this economic mess first started to pick up steam, its impact was clear to those who deal in real estate or banking or who watch the markets every day -- but out in the "real world," things didn't seem so bad. Until recently, it was easy for the average American on the street to believe that things weren't so awful.
That's changing. Every day brings new reports of layoffs, so many that I can't keep up -- Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) announced a cut of 20,000 jobs as I was writing this. The average car dealership is quieter than a research library.
And many American households, worried about debt loads or employment uncertainties or both, have cut their spending and begun to hunker down. There's some good news, though: Lots of good companies are going through rough patches. Why is that good? Because it means we can buy 'em cheap.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Post
The No-Sweat $1 Million Portfolio
By Motley Fool Staff
Picking good stocks and then holding them for the long term is a popular strategy here at the Fool. The success that many of our newsletter services have had using that basic strategy in different ways makes it clear why you read so much about it.
Yet making a comfortable retirement for yourself isn't just about finding a small company that will become the next Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) or Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT).
While outstanding returns from particular stocks could give you a retirement that's well beyond your current expectations, you might be skeptical about your chances of choosing the next 100-bagger for your own portfolio.
It's the little things that countFinancial peace of mind comes from doing a lot of simple things. Maybe you're not the next stock-picking genius, like Warren Buffett or Peter Lynch. That's OK -- you don't have to be.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Post
Picking good stocks and then holding them for the long term is a popular strategy here at the Fool. The success that many of our newsletter services have had using that basic strategy in different ways makes it clear why you read so much about it.
Yet making a comfortable retirement for yourself isn't just about finding a small company that will become the next Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) or Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT).
While outstanding returns from particular stocks could give you a retirement that's well beyond your current expectations, you might be skeptical about your chances of choosing the next 100-bagger for your own portfolio.
It's the little things that countFinancial peace of mind comes from doing a lot of simple things. Maybe you're not the next stock-picking genius, like Warren Buffett or Peter Lynch. That's OK -- you don't have to be.
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The Perfect Time to Make a Fortune
By Roger Friedman
Genius is, to some extent, a matter of luck. It's who your parents are and what genes happen to blend with which others.
And while it certainly doesn't hurt to be a genius, intellect alone is hardly the sole determinant of success, as Malcolm Gladwell cleverly demonstrates in his fascinating new book, Outliers: The Story of Success.
Rather, it is the result of environment and, perhaps more than anything else, opportunities to utilize that extraordinary intelligence.
Bill Gates is a genius. Steve Jobs is a genius. Eric Schmidt is a genius. But the brain behind Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), the brilliant and visionary co-founder of Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL), and the software revolution pioneer who ran Novell (Nasdaq: NOVL) and became the CEO of Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) all had more than good genes in common.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Post
Genius is, to some extent, a matter of luck. It's who your parents are and what genes happen to blend with which others.
And while it certainly doesn't hurt to be a genius, intellect alone is hardly the sole determinant of success, as Malcolm Gladwell cleverly demonstrates in his fascinating new book, Outliers: The Story of Success.
Rather, it is the result of environment and, perhaps more than anything else, opportunities to utilize that extraordinary intelligence.
Bill Gates is a genius. Steve Jobs is a genius. Eric Schmidt is a genius. But the brain behind Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), the brilliant and visionary co-founder of Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL), and the software revolution pioneer who ran Novell (Nasdaq: NOVL) and became the CEO of Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) all had more than good genes in common.
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Bartending Pro Tips Part 1: How to Make Money and Have Fun With a Career in Bartending!
By Steve Landen
In a bar, you will find an interesting and diverse community of people who will seek out fine bartending, not only for the relaxation and camaraderie, but also for a familiar and comfortable environment where they are recognized and accepted.
For many people, in this competitive and aggressive world, a bar may be a sole source of sustenance for those basic things that are so essential to us all as humans. We are, after all, social beings.
Who doesn't recall an episode of the television series "Cheers" when every time one of the leading characters would walk in, the entire bar would erupt in the chorus of "Hey Norm?"
Few of us are entitled to such a universal form of recognition and instant acceptance from bar patrons, but an excellent bartender can provide almost the same sort of experience for customers.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Post
In a bar, you will find an interesting and diverse community of people who will seek out fine bartending, not only for the relaxation and camaraderie, but also for a familiar and comfortable environment where they are recognized and accepted.
For many people, in this competitive and aggressive world, a bar may be a sole source of sustenance for those basic things that are so essential to us all as humans. We are, after all, social beings.
Who doesn't recall an episode of the television series "Cheers" when every time one of the leading characters would walk in, the entire bar would erupt in the chorus of "Hey Norm?"
Few of us are entitled to such a universal form of recognition and instant acceptance from bar patrons, but an excellent bartender can provide almost the same sort of experience for customers.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Post
Sunday, February 01, 2009
When Not To Work From Home
By: John Schnieder
Although working from home for yourself can be extremely exciting, it is not for everyone. The problem is not everyone can identify when is the right time to quit their job or stay at home and work.
In this article we will talk about when not to work from home because the situation or the timing may not be right.
1. The first thing you must take into consideration is the financial aspect of working from home. If you currently have a job that is paying you on a regular basis you have to ask yourself whether you can afford to quit that job or not.Another thing to consider is what your financial well being is.
For example are you loaded with credit card debt that makes it difficult for you to function financially on a daily basis?
2. Secondly consider how would you make money working from home? When you have a job you are trading hours for dollars. Many times this is difficult to take home and duplicate.
Finding employers who are willing to pay you an hourly rate to work from home for them is not as easy as it sounds. Oftentimes the way to make money working from home is to provide a product or service and sell it.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Post
Although working from home for yourself can be extremely exciting, it is not for everyone. The problem is not everyone can identify when is the right time to quit their job or stay at home and work.
In this article we will talk about when not to work from home because the situation or the timing may not be right.
1. The first thing you must take into consideration is the financial aspect of working from home. If you currently have a job that is paying you on a regular basis you have to ask yourself whether you can afford to quit that job or not.Another thing to consider is what your financial well being is.
For example are you loaded with credit card debt that makes it difficult for you to function financially on a daily basis?
2. Secondly consider how would you make money working from home? When you have a job you are trading hours for dollars. Many times this is difficult to take home and duplicate.
Finding employers who are willing to pay you an hourly rate to work from home for them is not as easy as it sounds. Oftentimes the way to make money working from home is to provide a product or service and sell it.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Post
3 Methods Of Building Residual Income Online
By: Josip Barbaric
One of the most powerful aspects of internet marketing is the ability to earn residual income on the products and services that we sell. Getting paid again and again for something we had to do only once has proven to be a goldmine of opportunity for network, affiliate and internet marketers.
Unlike products with a one-time fee, those that offer a residual income compensation plan must provide additional incentive for the user to stay one with the service or membership.
Quality is the name of the game and those products and services that fail at providing sufficient quality for a person to continue using it, they will fail at making any long-term profit with it.A very simple, but effective way of earning residual income is by becoming an affiliate marketer.
Here are three simple ways how you can build a residual income stream for the future and do it with the help of affiliate marketing.
1. Two tier affiliate programs
Two tier affiliate marketing programs work great for people who are willing to spend time educating and motivating their affiliates. Recruiting and sponsoring may not be a problem, but keeping those people active could be.
That is why it is crucial not only to sell products and sponsor sub-affiliates, but it is vital for you to spend time sharing your tactics, strategies and methods to allow duplication within your team.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Post
One of the most powerful aspects of internet marketing is the ability to earn residual income on the products and services that we sell. Getting paid again and again for something we had to do only once has proven to be a goldmine of opportunity for network, affiliate and internet marketers.
Unlike products with a one-time fee, those that offer a residual income compensation plan must provide additional incentive for the user to stay one with the service or membership.
Quality is the name of the game and those products and services that fail at providing sufficient quality for a person to continue using it, they will fail at making any long-term profit with it.A very simple, but effective way of earning residual income is by becoming an affiliate marketer.
Here are three simple ways how you can build a residual income stream for the future and do it with the help of affiliate marketing.
1. Two tier affiliate programs
Two tier affiliate marketing programs work great for people who are willing to spend time educating and motivating their affiliates. Recruiting and sponsoring may not be a problem, but keeping those people active could be.
That is why it is crucial not only to sell products and sponsor sub-affiliates, but it is vital for you to spend time sharing your tactics, strategies and methods to allow duplication within your team.
Click Here to Continue Reading This Post
INCREASING SALES
From Nightclub & Bar
Beyond the Up-sell
Guests who haven’t decided are really just giving the operator an opportunity to sell them something.
Rather than give them “more time” to make a decision (which means delaying their order and reducing the total number of guests you can serve), you should be helping them make a decision now, using that opportunity to suggest items that will have the greatest impact on the guest’s satisfaction, the check and the tip.
To take advantage of indecision, try these techniques:
1. Have a Focused First Approach — Asking a customer or group if you can “start them off with something to drink” puts the onus on the guest and can result in bottom-shelf purchases that you then have to work to up-sell.
Instead, approach with a premium sale in mind and put it out there for consideration before the guests have made up their minds. It’s amazing how just mentioning premium drinks and appetizers during the decision process will result in the desired purchase.
2. Be the Decider — If the guest doesn’t know what they want, help them decide on a premium item. Always be prepared to suggest one item you really like and one item that is popular with other guests.
Resist the reflex of simply rattling off what is on special (being discounted), as this practice damages both check average and tip.
By getting involved in the decision-making process itself — rather than waiting for the guest to decide, then trying to adjust or “up-sell” their choice — bartenders will find that they can turn indecision into income.
Creating the Domino Effect
“Because we are in a nightclub setting, there is the domino effect,” Michael Matzo, co-owner of Obivia explains. “Once someone sees another table order something like a tequila flight, then suddenly everyone wants one.”
Dan McClain uses this phenomenon to his advantage in a slightly different, but equally effective, way by placing his bottles from least to most expensive on a multi-level showcase wall. When the servers pull a bottle from the highest shelf, guests watching know it’s something special, questions ensue and orders for that brand rise.
Cantina Laredo, Obivia and Sushi-Teq have also all implemented server incentives behind their tequila flights. A great way to energize your staff is to make a contest out of who can sell the most in a short amount of time.
Beyond the Up-sell
Guests who haven’t decided are really just giving the operator an opportunity to sell them something.
Rather than give them “more time” to make a decision (which means delaying their order and reducing the total number of guests you can serve), you should be helping them make a decision now, using that opportunity to suggest items that will have the greatest impact on the guest’s satisfaction, the check and the tip.
To take advantage of indecision, try these techniques:
1. Have a Focused First Approach — Asking a customer or group if you can “start them off with something to drink” puts the onus on the guest and can result in bottom-shelf purchases that you then have to work to up-sell.
Instead, approach with a premium sale in mind and put it out there for consideration before the guests have made up their minds. It’s amazing how just mentioning premium drinks and appetizers during the decision process will result in the desired purchase.
2. Be the Decider — If the guest doesn’t know what they want, help them decide on a premium item. Always be prepared to suggest one item you really like and one item that is popular with other guests.
Resist the reflex of simply rattling off what is on special (being discounted), as this practice damages both check average and tip.
By getting involved in the decision-making process itself — rather than waiting for the guest to decide, then trying to adjust or “up-sell” their choice — bartenders will find that they can turn indecision into income.
Creating the Domino Effect
“Because we are in a nightclub setting, there is the domino effect,” Michael Matzo, co-owner of Obivia explains. “Once someone sees another table order something like a tequila flight, then suddenly everyone wants one.”
Dan McClain uses this phenomenon to his advantage in a slightly different, but equally effective, way by placing his bottles from least to most expensive on a multi-level showcase wall. When the servers pull a bottle from the highest shelf, guests watching know it’s something special, questions ensue and orders for that brand rise.
Cantina Laredo, Obivia and Sushi-Teq have also all implemented server incentives behind their tequila flights. A great way to energize your staff is to make a contest out of who can sell the most in a short amount of time.
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