231 Front Street, Lahaina, HI 96761 info@givingpress.com 808.123.4567

Month: June 2016

Importance of Financial News in Our Daily Lives

Gone are the days when there was no concept of any money and people used to barter material things. However, the present day world is all about money which has become the prime mover of all aspects of life. Most people are either employed in a job or carry on some form of business in order to earn money. The stock market is another platform where individuals, as well as small and large entities, do stock trading, again with the intention of making money. Essential inputs for formulating a strategy for stock trading are latest stock market updates, knowledge of best stocks to buy in 2012, the latest financial news, stock analysts’ ratings and information regarding the most active stocks.

However, there are many people who are either not interested in stock trading or lack money, or they do not want to put whatever money they have at stake in the stock exchange. For such people, finance news and the latest stock market updates might seem to be superfluous and the happenings on Wall Street might seem to be of no use to them. But they must realize that our daily lives are deeply affected by what happens in the stock markets.

One of the most important areas in our lives is employment, which can be deeply impacted by the happenings in the market. If the stock market goes down, the employment scenario will be dim and if the market goes up, employment will also pick up. Keeping in touch with the latest finance news as available from any of the several media can be of great help in knowing which way the wind is blowing.

Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their jobs due to the current downturn in the economy. Many of them have had to withdraw whatever they had in the 401k in order to survive. Even those who have not withdrawn their money will find that the amount in this retirement fund today has shrunk, as compared to what was in the fund two years ago. The main reason for this is that the money was invested in the stock market and when the economy got into turbulent waters, the stock markets went down and so did their money. If they had been abreast of the finance news and kept track of the stock market, they could have withdrawn their money before any damage.

Finance news encompasses several aspects such as the movements of the stock market, the performances of companies and their stocks, the currency strength and its relations with other major currencies of the world and other company news. These aspects impact our lives as prices of commodities are governed by them. The decision to buy a house, a car or even a computer can be taken more judiciously after assessing the mortgage rates and other financial parameters.…

7 Women Business and Leadership Role Models From the Bible to Inspire Christian Women in Business

Christian women today have many women mentors and role models from Bible days on which to base their business and leadership ventures. The qualities and characteristics of these women from long ago provide patterns for running successful enterprises as well as for being involved in government, legal matters, community organizing and even military operations. Most of these women were married and some functioned from their homes. The activities of these women are often not discussed, leaving some of the best means of motivation and encouragement for contemporary women unknown. This article presents a brief background along with the qualities and skills of only 7 top Bible women in business and leadership who have lessons to share for today.

1. Rahab: Joshua 2: 1-22; 6: 17-25. Rahab was a businesswoman who ran a lodging place and provided for her family members. Often misrepresented as a prostitute, there is no evidence of this in the Bible. She became known for her willingness to take great risks to negotiate with new people for the protection of herself and her family. Running a lodging facility meant being able to manage a staff of workers, keep clients happy and serve the needs of people from all backgrounds. It also meant being misunderstood by those who did not understand this nontraditional business role for women. The leadership qualities and skills of Rahab included being industrious and wise, having a business plan, management abilities and negotiation skills.

2. Lydia: Acts 16: 14-15, 40. Lydia was a well-known businesswoman who dyed and sold purple cloth. Royalty and the wealthy dry purple cloth. That meant she had a high end target market. Her business had to provide a consistent, high-quality product to meet the standards and needs of a wealthy clientele. She also had employees, which means her company provided jobs for people in her community. Lydia was an entrepreneur who probably would have had a corporate structure. She displayed qualities and skills that included organization management and growth, employee training and development, and strong target market skills.

3. Priscilla: Acts 18: 1-3; 24-28. Priscilla worked alongside of her husband, Aquila, as partners in a tent making business out of their home. She was first mentioned as the mentor to the great Apollo who she helped mentor to preach with more direction and authority. She also traveled extensively in the capacity of evangelist. Her skills and skills were in working in harmony in a business partnership, managing a home-based business, business development and growth, multi-tasking, coordination, human relations, and mentoring skills.

4. Huldah: 2 Kings 22: 14-20: 2 Chronicles 34: 22-28. Huldah was a prominent prophetess and married woman who was thought out by the King's Advisors for counsel about spiritual matters. Huldah was known for being honest, highly intelligent and a scholar of the Scriptures. The qualities and skills she shares with contemporary Christian women include being a strategist, teacher, strong communicator, life-long learner and a leader who advised others and made hard decisions.

5. Phoebe: Romans 16: …

10 Ways to Make Money form Sugar Daddy Dating Sites

We know it sounds cruel, but these adult singles want to buy sugar babies a lot of gifts, we just have the right ways you should ask for them. These Sugar Daddy singles don’t mind spending money, actuallly it’s a nice way of making guys feel like a Super Cool Sugar Daddy. We all want to help others and like to treat our sugar babies nicely, the problem is when sugar babies do not appreciate it. So I found a great guide for Sugar Babies from Adult Singles Dating that talks about Free Dating Sites and how Sugar Babies can get everything they want by asking properly.

Ask about interest on your Credit Cards

Men love to Teach and Instruct a Woman

By asking a sugar daddy about interest on a credit card and what is the best way to handle your credit cards. Your Sugar Daddy will begin to explain that monthly interest can be expensive and will begin to want to help you in getting that cleaned up. By wanting him to teach you about managing your money because he is so good at it, you then can ask to start from a clean slate by him offering to help pay for the amount due the next month. After paying the credit card he can help you budget your money and will offer some additional cash to get you started.

Date a Sugar Daddy that has just been divorced

Most men want to make their ex jealous. All you will need to do is act pretty and go to the same shopping centers, restaurants and other areas where his friends will be. He will spoil you tremendously because he knows his ex wife will find out.

Cook a Dinner and run out of Milk

Cook a delicious meal for him, and wear just about the sexiest thing you can. Ohh, tell him you need to buy some food from the store and can you borrow some money. You Sugar Daddy will be mezmorized by your cute outfit and give you the black america express. Have Fun!!!

Wear a skirt cross your legs and ask politely

Always show a little leg and cross them so you look elegant. It is much easier to give money to a sugar baby that is elegant than sloppy.

Workout together and be amazed at what he can do

When working out together be his personal spotter of course be sure to wear some tight pants and proper athletic attire. Be mesmorized at how athletic he is and continuously grab his arms. Sugar Daddies love that and it will make them feel like a Super hero. By the end of the night a expensive dinner and entertainment will be yours for the taking.

Never Pick up your Cell or Home Phone and tell him your cell phone sucks

This is a great way to receive a new cell phone from a Sugar Daddy, just tell him you have been meaning to get a cell …

Calculate Pain And Suffering The Right Way And Settle Your Car Accident

How to calculate pain and suffering? This is a difficult and controversial issue. When you are in a car accident, the insurance company wants to get a written document that releases any and all claims against the person that caused your damages and injuries. To get that release, the insurance

adjuster must compensate you adequately.

You are entitled to special damages (medical bills, wage loss, medicine, etc.) and general damages (pain and suffering, loss of consortium, physiological injuries, etc.) Most of the time, calculating the Special Damages is not very difficult and there is not much debate over the value of the medical bills, wage loss, and other medical expenses. You can add them all up and submit your receipts. However, calculating general damages, which includes pain and suffering, can be very difficult.

How much is your headache worth? Depends who you ask. If you ask the insurance adjuster, she will tell you about $5. If I ask you, then it is probably worth much more than that.

Personal injury attorneys use the medical bills or all “special damages” as a way to calculate general damages. Some multiply the medical bills by two, other by three or even four times (depends in your

jurisdiction). This is only a rule of thumb. The insurance adjuster will fight you and will tell you that that is not an accurate way to calculate pain and suffering. There are no laws that will give you a formula to calculate the value of the injury.

Simply multiplying your medical bills will not yield an accurate number. You could have an injury with medical bills of $2,000 but the pain and suffering be worth much more than three or even four times that value. For example, a fifteen year old girl that suffers a cut in her face, leaving a scar from her eye to her chin. Medical bills for stitches and cleaning the wound might not be very much, but the psychological injury of growing up with such injury could be worth much more.

Multiplying the medical bills is not very accurate when assessing the value of pain and suffering, however it can guide you. Remember that there are many more claim than just “pain and suffering” in a car accident. You can ask for loss of consortium, loss of earning capacity, loss of quality of life, etc. For a detailed list and explanation of each type of claim, visit http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/bodily-injury-claim.html. All of these claims can add to a lot of money. Most people forget to ask for any of those types of damages. Insurance companies do not explain the process and they just want a release for any and all claims, including all those damages you forgot or did know to ask for. Insurance companies do this on purpose. Be aware.

Insurance adjusters are ready to tell you that the value of the injury is separated from the accident itself. They are trained to argue that they are settling for the neck pain, not …

The Pros and Cons – Small Business Review of 5Linx

Why Read This 5Linx Review?

I don’t work for this company, nor am I a distributor. I’m an Internet entrepreneur and a business expert from the school of hard knocks as well as a traditional MBA. I have over 2 decades entrepreneurial experience in various businesses, primarily start-ups and am writing this so you can make your own decision about 5Linx as a business opportunity.

5Linx provides technology through a traditional Network Marketing business model. I see a huge opportunity for distributors in this company and will tell you exactly why at the end of this review.

Time and money is required for any new business. A lot of each. Network Marketing is different in that the costs to begin are typically less than other options. Never the less, you’ll need a mindset for success and the ability to really focus and get things done on your own.

The company offers an excellent plan for compensation and has a good, solid management team. I believe there are opportunities here to make a decent income if you understand how to market this company utilizing new technologies and marketing systems.

Read below for specific details.

Explanation of the Review

Reputation

I really found no complaints about this company. I did find a handful of ex distributors that had switched to another company but all were professionally handled.

Looking online at the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) site revealed no outstanding complaints, either. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) in Rochester, NY, showed dozens of complaints, all resolved. No government action or ad infringements currently existed against the company.

Years In Business

According to the BBB, the company has been in business since January, 2001. A safer bet is a company that has been around for several years since most companies will fail within the first 12 months.

5Linx Review: Management

This company has an impressive management team with expertise in the appropriate areas of technology as well as network marketing. Personally, I prefer a management team founded in sales. Companies lacking sales aren’t in business for long. This business meets the sales criteria.

Craig Jerabeck, CEO and President has been with the company since 2001. Mr. Jerabeck has a vast background in cellular retail sales and management prior to his entrepreneurial experience.

Jeb Tyler, Executive Vice President – Marketing, holds a degree in Business Administration focused on Marketing but the corporate website says very little about his experience elsewhere. Mr. Jerabeck’s experience probably compliments Jeb’s.

Jason Guck is the Executive Vice President of Sales and has many years experience directly associated to Network Marketing which is a good tie in for the corporate team considering their business model. Mr. Guck has had considerable success building sales organizations prior to his experience here.

5Linx Review: Financial Stability

At the time of this writing, the company is privately held and listed on INC 500 as one of the fastest growing companies in the country. Not a bad sign. The company has experienced over 800{4917788a0bd7aa7369c2a945027b4fe6c9853cda4150a24fe1255b18ce3083dc} growth …

6 Primary Causes For Import Export Business Failures

If you want to open up your potential earnings market and live the life you have always dreamed of, then starting your own import export business may be the answer. However, most businesses fail in the first year, and this field is no exception. There are many factors at play which lead to failure. Of the most common, all are linked through good old-fashioned laziness. Not having a head for smart business on your shoulders will lead you down some pretty unsavory paths and ensure the failure of your company. But just what paths guarantee your derailing?

Committing to an unproven product. Before you commit to things such as pricing and inventory, you better make certain that there is a market where you are for that product. If exporting, you want to make sure that the target area understands the product, and above all, that your over and under is financially favorable. Too many people grow eager with the possibilities and venture out into untested waters without any of the essential legwork.

Not engaging in reputable payment transactions. Online payment transactions such as those overseen by PayPal are very useful in protecting you from the dangers of fraud, but you’d best be prepared to give up a significant portion of your earnings from transaction fees. If you’re serious about running your business, it is far better to initiate and conduct the process through a financial institution via letters of credit. This ensures that the product purchased is the product preferred, and it also makes sure payment is received and valid before final delivery can be made.

Refusing to research a potential business partner before working with them. Over eagerness kills the small business person every day. The Internet has made it easier to reach a global market, but don’t let that give you unrealistic ideals. Make sure you can verify the legitimacy of your partner before you agree to transfer funds or product.

Failing to investigate the area where the export import transaction will occur. There may not be a need for the product, no matter how good it is. There may also be risk factors at play such as unusually high tariffs initiated by that country’s government, which eat into or deplete your profit margins altogether.

Not meeting all the government standards and regulations for transferring materials over borders and through customs. It is not uncommon for materials to be confiscated and for your company to bear the brunt of the financial and legal ramifications. Keep this in mind before you agree to trade.

Tax failures. Just because you are receiving monies from overseas, that does not get you off the hook for domestic taxes. Factor this in when determining a product and price, and avoid the unpleasant surprises that come with ignorance.…

The Importance of the Legal Aspects of Business Correspondence

The writing of business letters calls for two classes of skills. First, we need to know how to lay out a business letter in acceptance form, and be thoroughly familiar with it, so that in practically every letter we write we use the standard layout. There will always be the odd letter that for some reason is non-standard, but in general we should write naturally in the well-tried, standard way, so that our correspondents will feet at ease with the letter when it arrives. The other skill is the ability to write in good English, with the letter’s subject matter falling into clear paragraphs, each of which is written in lucid sentences. The ability to write in sentences, both simple sentences and more complex sentences, ensures that each part of the letter expresses a complete thought, or a group o related thoughts. This enables our correspondent to follow the points we are making, in logical steps, and to arrive at the end of the letter with a clear understanding of our point of view on the matter, or matters, that we have raised.

These two aspects require a great deal of explanation, and we shall learn the skills best if we understand the reasons behind the various practices that have been adopted over the years. We will therefore start by considering the legal aspects of business correspondence.

The legal aspects of business correspondence

Almost all business activity is contractual in nature. This means that the two people engaged in any particular transaction are undertaking certain obligations to one another and at the same time acquiring certain rights. Thus the furniture manufacturer who agrees to supply some of his/her products to a wholesaler is entering into a transaction by which he/she accepts an obligation to supply the goods specified in return for a right to receive a monetary payment called ‘the price’. Where a service is to be supplied, the arrangement is just the same. For example, a security company agrees to protect premises with its security guards and specialist devices, in return for an agreed contractual fee.

Should any dispute arise, it can be settled by going to court, with the aggrieved party suing the other party. To sue someone is to summon them to court, to show why you should not have the justice you are seeking. The judge will look at correspondence that has passed between you (including any document such as contracts, invoices, memos, etc.) and will pronounce judgment in the matter. It is the legal nature of correspondence that requires setting out the correspondence in a standard form of layout. The chief points are:

1) The names and addresses of both parties to the contract must be stated on all correspondence.

2) All correspondence must be clearly dated.

3) To assist in tracing correspondence, it is usual to give references at the top of the letter.

4) To make the subject matter of the letter clear, it is usual to give a subject heading at the …

Why Miscommunication Creates Personal Conflict

If you were to ask me to pick one factor that was responsible for conflict–I’d have to choose miscommunication, hands-down, as the primary factor. Why? Because miscommunication opens up the triangle of other factors that inevitably leads to conflict.

Let us discuss this miscommunication conflict triangle. Picture a triangle with miscommunication taking one side, fear taking another, and assumption taking the third side.

Miscommunication

How does miscommunication happen? It happens when one side doesn’t communicate enough information to us, or we misinterpret the real meaning of their words. In either case, we get a different meaning of their words than they intended. With the advent of e-mail and IM chat, this is a becoming a common problem now-a-days because type-based communication is asynchronous communication, meaning that people do not communicate in real time–its essentially a telegram. Asynchronous communication does not allow for immediate feedback response, so our minds have to interpret what the other person is saying based upon their typed words alone. Although most common in typed-based communication, miscommunication can also occur in any type of communication setting. Another common type of miscommunication is no communication or a lack of communication.

Fear

People always fear the worst outcome. In miscommunication, the mind will fill in the missing information with their own creative insight, which is often fear-based. Think of the husband who is out late and forgets to call his wife. Because there is a lack of communication there, she begins to worry and her mind immediately switches to fear mode. Self-talk occurs and it takes the form of her own fears. Did something happen to him? Is he cheating on me? Our minds will always think of the worst possible outcomes based on our fears and insecurities.

Assumption Believed As Truth

Our minds need logical explanations to events. One of our most basic needs is the need to have answers and the need for reasons and explanations. Absent those needs, our minds switch to a fear-based mode where we have to satisfy our need for answers with that of assumption. Assumption is a derivative of fear because we always assume the worst based on our fears and insecurities. Assumption therefore fulfills our need for a logical explanation for the unexplainable event and we tend to become locked into that assumption, believing it as truth. The wife, who might be insecure about their relationship, might remember the time when she caught her husband flirting with the secretary, and her fears will drive her to make the assumption that her husband must have gone out to meet her.

What To Do?

When we are faced with miscommunication, we must keep our minds open to additional possibilities without adopting a certain truth about the other person until we know exactly from them what they are thinking. How can this be accomplished? Well, your fears and assumptions will automatically kick in. There is no way to fend against that because that is how our minds are wired. Instead of adopting those assumptions …

Minnesota Claims Adjuster Licensing – 3 Steps to Become a Licensed MN Insurance Adjuster

Minnesota residents interested in becoming an insurance claims adjuster will first need to obtain the Minnesota adjuster license. Non-residents interested in working claims in Minnesota may also be required to obtain this license before obtaining an assignment. This is a state that typically yields a high number of residential, commercial, and auto lines claims due to wind, hail, and ice. Cat adjusters are well served by holding this license. Follow these 3 steps to obtain and maintain your claims adjuster license in Minnesota:

Step 1) Observe the Licensing Requirements

Residents of Minnesota must be 18 years of age. No experience, sponsorship, or bonding is required. Residents must take and pass the Minnesota adjuster exam. The most comprehensive Minnesota adjuster license, the Fire, Allied Lines, and Casualty Adjuster, can only be obtained by taking the Fire, Allied Lines and Casualty exam administered by Promissor. State exams can be difficult but exam study packages are available that greatly increase the passing ratio among testers.

Reciprocity: Non-residents who hold a license in their home state can obtain the Minnesota license reciprocally. Non-residents who do not hold or cannot obtain a license in their state of residence must pass the Minnesota adjuster exam given by Promissor. Once again, exam study packages greatly assist in ensuring you pass the test the first time.

Step 2) Obtain the Adjuster License

To become a licensed Minnesota claims adjuster, you will need to complete and submit the Minnesota online adjuster application through Sircon and pay the $50 licensing fee. Certification that the Promissor exam has been passed must be submitted electronically by the License Exam Administrator. In place of passing results from the Minnesota Adjuster examination, applicant must submit via fax, documentation of passing results for an equivalent adjuster examination taken in another state, in order for their application to be processed.

Step 3) Maintain the License

Licensed Minnesota claims adjusters must renew their license every two years. The initial Continuing Education requirement is 15 hours for the first two years. Thereafter, 30 hours are required to maintain compliance for each two year reporting period.

Summary: Residents of Minnesota who plan to adjust in Minnesota must first obtain the Minnesota adjuster license. The Fire, Allied Lines, and Casualty Adjuster license is this state’s most comprehensive license and requires an examination through Promissor. Exam study packages can provide very helpful prep assistance and drastically increase test success percentages. This busy claims state’s license can also offer an attractive license for non-resident independent adjusters. For additional licensing information, refer to the complete online guide to become a licensed Minnesota claims adjuster.…

Steel Detailing – Are You Interested in Starting Your Own Business?

Steel Detailing for me is my life. If you had to ask the question, if I chose it for my life I would say “Deep down YES”. I just fell into it.

It all started when I was 18 looking for work straight out of High School. I was accepted into an apprenticeship as a Structural Designer for a company in Newcastle, NSW, Australia, working on mining designs. Back then the office was decked out with drawing boards, smoking was permitted and an ammonia copier.

The job involved standing behind the ammonia copier copying drawings onto CPR’s, Penmanship, small drafting jobs, the coffee run and the food run for the first 6 months. This was my introduction into detailing steelwork for mining jobs throughout The Hunter Region and it was all coal process and handling.

Little did I know, the owner of company had a habit of starting and closing companies on a regular basis and my job only lasted just over 6 months. This was just enough for me to continue into this career with just a small taste.

Since then I have worked for many prominent design companies and have gained extensive experience. It wasn’t until I was given the opportunity start my own company with the backing of a building company in Thornton, NSW, Australia before I really began to learn fast.

The company went from just me to 6 people in a small 2 year period and was working really hard. I cannot emphasize the Really Hard part enough as the hours were long. The reason for this is that I was working in the business and not on the business and because I was the business owner, it had to run smoothly in order for it to grow.

For those that have not had experience with steel detailing there is a process you must follow.

Firstly, you are asked to provide a quote. If the quote is accepted, you are presented with a set of Structural Engineering drawings and a set of Architectural drawings depending on the project category. There are 3 main categories – Mining, Industrial and commercial. Mining has no architectural requirement.

Secondly, you go through the drawings and work out areas that maybe of concern and require more information and request the information. Usually at this stage because the information is going to change the amount of work you have to do, so you would ask for a variation if the work is allot more than you originally estimated.

Thirdly, the client accepts the variation and you begin the project. As the company owner I usually started the project layout for the rest of the team to detail the steelwork. The layout was completed in AutoCAD and consisted of the plan view with all of the elevations projected surrounding the Plan.

At the end of the day I was the checker also. “Why” did I check the drawings you may ask. It’s plainly obvious, the buck stopped with me. If there was …