Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama says his campaign has raised $25 million in the first three months of this year, nearly matching the $26 million raised by Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton. As VOA national correspondent Jim Malone reports from Washington, Obama's strong showing in campaign fundraising suggests a very competitive race for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination next year.
The Obama campaign said the $25 million in donations came from more than 100,000 people during the past three months, including nearly $7 million raised over the Internet.
The fundraising figure was released as Senator Obama brought his campaign to the early contest state of Iowa.
"We have by far the most donors of any campaign, so the overwhelming number of our donations oftentimes come in small increments of 25 and 50 dollars," said Barack Obama.Senator Obama nearly matched the $26 million raised by Senator Hillary Clinton of New York, which was announced earlier this week. Clinton continues to lead public-opinion polls among Democratic candidates and has been seen as the frontrunner for the party's presidential nomination.
Obama has been running second in the polls behind Senator Clinton. Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, who has been running in third place, raised $14 million in the first quarter of this year. Edwards recently announced that his wife, Elizabeth, is battling a recurrence of cancer.
Obama has only been in the Senate for two years and is a relative newcomer on the national stage, but he has drawn large and enthusiastic crowds since he began his campaign in February.
Political experts say the surprisingly large fundraising total for Obama will boost his campaign and could raise doubts among some Democrats that Hillary Clinton has a lock as the party nominee next year.
On the Republican side, the big fundraiser was former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who raised $23 million. Romney is running a distant third in most polls behind former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Senator John McCain.
Giuliani has raised nearly $15 million this year and McCain raised $12.5 million.
Romney told NBC's Today program that his surprisingly large fundraising total should boost his campaign.
"But in the states where I spend a lot of time like Iowa, New Hampshire, Michigan, Florida, South Carolina, people know me, they are warming to my message," said Mitt Romney. "And I am very heartened by the fact that I have received extraordinary contributions from all over the country, so it is a message that is connecting. People want to see change in Washington."
Former Republican Party strategist Matthew Dowd says political rivals and experts closely watch the amount of money the candidates are able to raise.
"If you do not exceed expectations, if you go below expectations, it is a huge problem," said Matthew Dowd. "If you exceed expectations, it is a good day."
Never before has so much campaign money been raised so early in a presidential-election cycle.
Many states are holding their caucus and primary elections earlier in 2008, forcing candidates to spend money sooner on advertising and campaign staff.
"And this has resulted in the nominees having to face a much more compressed and a much more early primary election season, requiring them to raise money at a much faster rate," said Ross Baker Ross Baker, a professor of political science at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
Baker says the competition among the presidential contenders to raise money has become the first important test of the 2008 campaign.
"And now, in fact, the effort to raise money has become a kind of primary election in itself, in which the quarterly reports that campaigns give become a kind of financial referendum on how strong the campaigns are," he said.
By law, private citizens are limited to donations of $2,300 to a candidate for the primary elections and another $2,300 for the general presidential election.
The major candidates are raising so much money for 2008 that this may be the first presidential election that the major candidates turn down public matching funds to finance their campaigns.
Presidential candidates have taken advantage of the matching funds in every election since 1976, part of a 1974 campaign reform law designed to limit campaign spending and the influence of wealthy special interest donors in U.S. presidential elections.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Britain hails release of 15 British sailors
British Prime Minister Tony Blair hailed Wednesday the release of 15 detainees by Iran, saying London wanted to peacefully resolve disputes with Tehran. The British navy crew was seized by Iranian forces nearly two weeks ago in what Tehran says were Iranian territorial waters in the Gulf. VOA's Sonja Pace reports from London.
"A gift to the British people," was how President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad described the decision to free the 15 sailors and marines.
Mr. Ahmadinejad said the naval crew was pardoned. He also said he was "saddened" by what he called Britain's violation of Iranian waters.
After his news conference, Mr. Ahmadinejad went directly to a meeting with the sailors and marines, who are expected to leave Tehran on Thursday.In London, Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed the decision.
"I'm glad that our 15 service personnel have been released," he said. "Throughout, we have taken a measured approach, firm but calm, not negotiating, but not confronting either."
Britain has all along insisted the sailors were in Iraqi, not Iranian, waters when they were captured. In his brief statement to reporters, Mr. Blair did not apologize nor did he directly thank the Iranian president or government for the decision, but he did address himself to the Iranian people.
"We bear you no ill will. On the contrary, we respect Iran as an ancient civilization, as a nation with a proud and dignified history and the disagreements we have with your government we wish to resolve peacefully through dialogue," said Mr. Blair. "I hope, as I have always hoped, that in the future, we are able to do so."
Even though intensive discussions were known to be taking place between London and Tehran, President Ahmadinejad's sudden announcement came as a surprise.
He revealed the decision at a lengthy news conference in Tehran, during which he made numerous references to Islamic religious verses and also chastised the West, particularly Britain and the United States for its actions and policies.
At one point, he praised the Revolutionary Guard crew responsible for the capture of the British sailors nearly two weeks ago. He also gave a medal to the Guard commander.
In Washington, a U.S. State Department spokesman also welcomed the Iranian decision to release the 15 sailors and marines.
"A gift to the British people," was how President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad described the decision to free the 15 sailors and marines.
Mr. Ahmadinejad said the naval crew was pardoned. He also said he was "saddened" by what he called Britain's violation of Iranian waters.
After his news conference, Mr. Ahmadinejad went directly to a meeting with the sailors and marines, who are expected to leave Tehran on Thursday.In London, Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed the decision.
"I'm glad that our 15 service personnel have been released," he said. "Throughout, we have taken a measured approach, firm but calm, not negotiating, but not confronting either."
Britain has all along insisted the sailors were in Iraqi, not Iranian, waters when they were captured. In his brief statement to reporters, Mr. Blair did not apologize nor did he directly thank the Iranian president or government for the decision, but he did address himself to the Iranian people.
"We bear you no ill will. On the contrary, we respect Iran as an ancient civilization, as a nation with a proud and dignified history and the disagreements we have with your government we wish to resolve peacefully through dialogue," said Mr. Blair. "I hope, as I have always hoped, that in the future, we are able to do so."
Even though intensive discussions were known to be taking place between London and Tehran, President Ahmadinejad's sudden announcement came as a surprise.
He revealed the decision at a lengthy news conference in Tehran, during which he made numerous references to Islamic religious verses and also chastised the West, particularly Britain and the United States for its actions and policies.
At one point, he praised the Revolutionary Guard crew responsible for the capture of the British sailors nearly two weeks ago. He also gave a medal to the Guard commander.
In Washington, a U.S. State Department spokesman also welcomed the Iranian decision to release the 15 sailors and marines.
British service members detained in Iran arrive home
The 15 British sailors and marines detained in Iran for nearly two weeks have arrived home in Britain. VOA's Sonja Pace reports from London, Prime Minister Tony Blair welcomed their return, but says no deals were made with Iran to gain their release.The British navy crew arrived at London's Heathrow airport at midday. Dressed in their military uniforms, they paused briefly for photos and were then taken straight to waiting military helicopters and flown to a military base southwest of London for debriefing and private reunions with their families.
Prime Minister Blair welcomed their return.
"We are glad that our service personnel returned safe and unharmed from their captivity," he said.
The sailors and marines were detained by Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces March 23 and accused of having strayed into Iranian territorial waters in the Gulf, an accusation Britain rejects.
In a surprise move Wednesday, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced the sailors and marines were being released.There were intense discussions between London and Tehran to end the standoff and Mr. Blair said a dual track of talk and pressure was responsible for a successful outcome.
"We have managed to secure the release of our personnel more quickly than many people anticipated and have done so, and I want to make this very clear, without any deal, without any negotiation, without any side agreement of any nature whatever," Mr. Blair said.
Mr. Blair said this dual strategy is one the international community should continue to follow in dealing with Iran, whether it concerns neighboring Iraq, terrorism or Iran's nuclear ambitions.
The British prime minister also lamented the death of four British soldiers in Basra, in southern Iraq.
"Just as we rejoice at the return of our 15 service personnel, so today we are also grieving and mourning for the loss of our soldiers in Basra, who were killed as a result of a terrorist act," he said.
The four soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed by a roadside bomb.
In his comments in London, Mr. Blair did not link the Basra attack to Iran, but he said there are elements of the Iranian government that back, finance, arm and support terrorism in Iraq. It is a charge Tehran denies.
Prime Minister Blair welcomed their return.
"We are glad that our service personnel returned safe and unharmed from their captivity," he said.
The sailors and marines were detained by Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces March 23 and accused of having strayed into Iranian territorial waters in the Gulf, an accusation Britain rejects.
In a surprise move Wednesday, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced the sailors and marines were being released.There were intense discussions between London and Tehran to end the standoff and Mr. Blair said a dual track of talk and pressure was responsible for a successful outcome.
"We have managed to secure the release of our personnel more quickly than many people anticipated and have done so, and I want to make this very clear, without any deal, without any negotiation, without any side agreement of any nature whatever," Mr. Blair said.
Mr. Blair said this dual strategy is one the international community should continue to follow in dealing with Iran, whether it concerns neighboring Iraq, terrorism or Iran's nuclear ambitions.
The British prime minister also lamented the death of four British soldiers in Basra, in southern Iraq.
"Just as we rejoice at the return of our 15 service personnel, so today we are also grieving and mourning for the loss of our soldiers in Basra, who were killed as a result of a terrorist act," he said.
The four soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed by a roadside bomb.
In his comments in London, Mr. Blair did not link the Basra attack to Iran, but he said there are elements of the Iranian government that back, finance, arm and support terrorism in Iraq. It is a charge Tehran denies.
National pride inspires US Davis Cup team
For most professional tennis players, each season is filled with the individual pursuits of winning tournament titles and prize money. But as VOA's Jim Stevenson reports, a handful of players often find their most satisfying moments by playing for no money while representing their nations on the tennis courts.
Each year, the Davis Cup tournament is played to determine the best men's national team. Countries competing often have at least one highly ranked player on the court. Four singles matches and one doubles match make up each best-of-five series known as a "tie."
This year, the United States team has two top-10 players - number three Andy Roddick and ninth-ranked James Blake. Brothers Mike and Bob Bryan are the top ranked doubles tandem in the world.For Blake, Davis Cup tennis has a special feeling.
"This team feels like a family. We do everything together. And when we win, we have a great time celebrating together. When we lose, we have a quiet dinner and we talk about it [the loss]. And we talk about getting them [beating them] next time," he said.
Andy Roddick likes the fact that both the players and fans are enjoying the sport with some extra meaning.
"I think it brings out a new level of passion from the fans. They are not rooting for a guy. You can get behind the flag (support your country). And I think the players feed off of that as well," said Roddick. "It is probably no small part to the rest of my team. They are some of my best friends. And so I know I am playing for them too."
For James Blake, the Davis Cup tournament is providing a new opportunity he has not experienced before in competitive tennis.
"It is a great thing because I have the feeling of competing as a team. And I have never reached the pinnacle of any team accomplishment," said Blake. "I was thinking about it just a few months ago about the fact I never won an NCAA [college] championship as a team. I never won a high school championship as a team. I never won inter-sectionals, I never won any of that stuff. So, now to have the chance to do it at the top level would mean the world to me."
Blake and his teammates need to get past Sweden in the upcoming semifinals (in September) to have a chance to win the title in December. The United States holds a record 31 Davis Cup titles, but none since 1995.
The Davis Cup began in 1900 as a competition between the United States and the British Isles. It now includes 120 nations.
Each year, the Davis Cup tournament is played to determine the best men's national team. Countries competing often have at least one highly ranked player on the court. Four singles matches and one doubles match make up each best-of-five series known as a "tie."
This year, the United States team has two top-10 players - number three Andy Roddick and ninth-ranked James Blake. Brothers Mike and Bob Bryan are the top ranked doubles tandem in the world.For Blake, Davis Cup tennis has a special feeling.
"This team feels like a family. We do everything together. And when we win, we have a great time celebrating together. When we lose, we have a quiet dinner and we talk about it [the loss]. And we talk about getting them [beating them] next time," he said.
Andy Roddick likes the fact that both the players and fans are enjoying the sport with some extra meaning.
"I think it brings out a new level of passion from the fans. They are not rooting for a guy. You can get behind the flag (support your country). And I think the players feed off of that as well," said Roddick. "It is probably no small part to the rest of my team. They are some of my best friends. And so I know I am playing for them too."
For James Blake, the Davis Cup tournament is providing a new opportunity he has not experienced before in competitive tennis.
"It is a great thing because I have the feeling of competing as a team. And I have never reached the pinnacle of any team accomplishment," said Blake. "I was thinking about it just a few months ago about the fact I never won an NCAA [college] championship as a team. I never won a high school championship as a team. I never won inter-sectionals, I never won any of that stuff. So, now to have the chance to do it at the top level would mean the world to me."
Blake and his teammates need to get past Sweden in the upcoming semifinals (in September) to have a chance to win the title in December. The United States holds a record 31 Davis Cup titles, but none since 1995.
The Davis Cup began in 1900 as a competition between the United States and the British Isles. It now includes 120 nations.
US urges N.Korea to shut nuclear facilities
The U.S. envoy to six-nation talks has urged North Korea to begin shutting down its nuclear facilities after Pyongyang indicated it wants a Saturday deadline on the shutdown extended by a month. Daniel Schearf reports from Beijing.
U.S. negotiator Christopher Hill said unfreezing North Korean bank accounts in Macau has paved the way for Pyongyang to begin shutting down its main nuclear reactor in line with a February agreement.
North Korea has refused to start shutting down the reactor or to allow in U.N. nuclear inspectors until it has $25 million held in a Macau bank.
Macau authorities say the money now can be transferred to North Korea.
A U.S. delegation that just ended a trip to Pyongyang says North Korean officials pledged to invite international nuclear inspectors into the country the same day they have the funds.
But the delegation reports the North Koreans said they would not likely meet the April 14 deadline to shut down and wanted it extended by 30 days.
Hill is in Seoul for talks on North Korea. He says now is not the time to talk about changing deadlines, but for Pyongyang to begin meeting is obligations.
"You know, I do not want to get into extending the deadline at this point. Our issue is, we have welcomed this decision by Macau, we are expecting the North Koreans to do the same and to get going on its denuclearization," he said. "So let us see how we do. What is important is for the North Koreans to get back on denuclearization and off of this banking issue."
Many regional political analysts say the deadline is not so important since all six nations - North and South Korea, China, Russia, Japan and the United States - are committed to the February deal.
Paul French, a Shanghai-based author and expert on North Korea, says the impoverished North Korea probably is eager not only to get the money, but also to get promised oil and other aid once it shuts down its nuclear programs.
"The nuclear weapons are a bargaining chip. Their bomb is for sale. What this government in Pyongyang is interested in is regime survival. And, regime survival means keeping the drip feed of energy aid and food aid going and of guaranteeing their sovereignty," said French. "It has never been about owning a bomb for the sake of a bomb. The bomb has always been a tradable commodity."
Macau froze the accounts in 2005 because of U.S. suspicions the bank holding the money was aiding North Korean counterfeiting and other illegal activities. The freeze prompted Pyongyang to boycott the nuclear talks for more than a year.
North Korea returned to talks in December on the condition the banking issue would be resolved.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is in Japan where he is expected to discuss North Korea with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
And later this week, U.S. envoy Hill goes to Beijing for meetings on the issue.
U.S. negotiator Christopher Hill said unfreezing North Korean bank accounts in Macau has paved the way for Pyongyang to begin shutting down its main nuclear reactor in line with a February agreement.
North Korea has refused to start shutting down the reactor or to allow in U.N. nuclear inspectors until it has $25 million held in a Macau bank.
Macau authorities say the money now can be transferred to North Korea.
A U.S. delegation that just ended a trip to Pyongyang says North Korean officials pledged to invite international nuclear inspectors into the country the same day they have the funds.
But the delegation reports the North Koreans said they would not likely meet the April 14 deadline to shut down and wanted it extended by 30 days.
Hill is in Seoul for talks on North Korea. He says now is not the time to talk about changing deadlines, but for Pyongyang to begin meeting is obligations.
"You know, I do not want to get into extending the deadline at this point. Our issue is, we have welcomed this decision by Macau, we are expecting the North Koreans to do the same and to get going on its denuclearization," he said. "So let us see how we do. What is important is for the North Koreans to get back on denuclearization and off of this banking issue."
Many regional political analysts say the deadline is not so important since all six nations - North and South Korea, China, Russia, Japan and the United States - are committed to the February deal.
Paul French, a Shanghai-based author and expert on North Korea, says the impoverished North Korea probably is eager not only to get the money, but also to get promised oil and other aid once it shuts down its nuclear programs.
"The nuclear weapons are a bargaining chip. Their bomb is for sale. What this government in Pyongyang is interested in is regime survival. And, regime survival means keeping the drip feed of energy aid and food aid going and of guaranteeing their sovereignty," said French. "It has never been about owning a bomb for the sake of a bomb. The bomb has always been a tradable commodity."
Macau froze the accounts in 2005 because of U.S. suspicions the bank holding the money was aiding North Korean counterfeiting and other illegal activities. The freeze prompted Pyongyang to boycott the nuclear talks for more than a year.
North Korea returned to talks in December on the condition the banking issue would be resolved.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is in Japan where he is expected to discuss North Korea with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
And later this week, U.S. envoy Hill goes to Beijing for meetings on the issue.
Explosion Rocks Iraqi Parliament Building
An apparent suicide bomber has killed at least eight people in a cafeteria inside the building where the parliament meets in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone. At least 20 other people were injured in the blast. President Bush strongly condemned the attack and told reporters in Washington that the United States will continue to stand with the Iraqi government. From northern Iraq, VOA's Margaret Besheer has more.
The explosion happened Thursday afternoon after parliament had finished its morning session. Some lawmakers were eating lunch or having tea in the cafeteria of the convention center, where the assembly meets, when the blast occurred.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation, but the U.S. military spokesman in Iraq, Major General William Caldwell said there are indications it was the result of a suicide attack.
"What we know right now is that inside the parliamentary building on the second floor in the cafeteria, sometime this afternoon, about 2:30，it appears now from the eyewitness accounts there was a suicide vest," he said.
Officials from the Sunni National Dialogue Party confirmed that one of their legislators, Mohammad Awad, was among the dead. Identities of the other victims were not immediately known.
General Caldwell said suicide vests are an al-Qaida hallmark.
"We don't at this point have any indications who it is, but clearly, we're looking at it closely. We do know in the past that suicide vests have been used predominantly by al-Qaida and obviously we'll go to great detail to look at this one."
In Washington, President Bush strongly condemned the attack.
"My message to the Iraqi government is 'We stand with you as you take the steps necessary to not only reconcile politically, but also put a security force in place that is able to deal with these kinds of people,'" he said.
The parliament meets inside Baghdad's convention center in the heavily guarded Green Zone, which also houses the U.S. and British embassies and the offices of top Iraqi leaders. Long much safer than the rest of the capital, the Green Zone has recently become the target of intensified attacks.
In recent weeks, near daily mortar attacks have increased, with one assault killing two people. Last week officials found four suicide vests inside the Green Zone. In November, a car bomb exploded near the convention center and only a few weeks ago, a mortar struck just outside the building during a news conference Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon were holding.
The Green Zone is heavily guarded, but there are apartment buildings housing Iraqis inside the area and every day hundreds come in to work. Ordinary Iraqis are allowed to enter the Green Zone if they present adequate identification. Strict security checks are also in place.
Earlier Thursday, a bomb exploded on Baghdad's Sarafiya Bridge, which links the northern Baghdad neighborhoods of al-Attafiya and al-Waziriya. Officials say several people were killed and injured.
A police official told Iraqi television that witnesses said a truck stopped on the bridge, exploded, and half of the bridge collapsed, throwing several cars into the river. He said rescuers were searching the Tigris for survivors.
The explosion happened Thursday afternoon after parliament had finished its morning session. Some lawmakers were eating lunch or having tea in the cafeteria of the convention center, where the assembly meets, when the blast occurred.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation, but the U.S. military spokesman in Iraq, Major General William Caldwell said there are indications it was the result of a suicide attack.
"What we know right now is that inside the parliamentary building on the second floor in the cafeteria, sometime this afternoon, about 2:30，it appears now from the eyewitness accounts there was a suicide vest," he said.
Officials from the Sunni National Dialogue Party confirmed that one of their legislators, Mohammad Awad, was among the dead. Identities of the other victims were not immediately known.
General Caldwell said suicide vests are an al-Qaida hallmark.
"We don't at this point have any indications who it is, but clearly, we're looking at it closely. We do know in the past that suicide vests have been used predominantly by al-Qaida and obviously we'll go to great detail to look at this one."
In Washington, President Bush strongly condemned the attack.
"My message to the Iraqi government is 'We stand with you as you take the steps necessary to not only reconcile politically, but also put a security force in place that is able to deal with these kinds of people,'" he said.
The parliament meets inside Baghdad's convention center in the heavily guarded Green Zone, which also houses the U.S. and British embassies and the offices of top Iraqi leaders. Long much safer than the rest of the capital, the Green Zone has recently become the target of intensified attacks.
In recent weeks, near daily mortar attacks have increased, with one assault killing two people. Last week officials found four suicide vests inside the Green Zone. In November, a car bomb exploded near the convention center and only a few weeks ago, a mortar struck just outside the building during a news conference Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon were holding.
The Green Zone is heavily guarded, but there are apartment buildings housing Iraqis inside the area and every day hundreds come in to work. Ordinary Iraqis are allowed to enter the Green Zone if they present adequate identification. Strict security checks are also in place.
Earlier Thursday, a bomb exploded on Baghdad's Sarafiya Bridge, which links the northern Baghdad neighborhoods of al-Attafiya and al-Waziriya. Officials say several people were killed and injured.
A police official told Iraqi television that witnesses said a truck stopped on the bridge, exploded, and half of the bridge collapsed, throwing several cars into the river. He said rescuers were searching the Tigris for survivors.
Wirefly and Inphonic
In the world of communications and consumer electronics, cell phones have become as common as Coca Cola. Of course Coca Cola has just a few flavors, while cell phone varieties are so varied it is hard to make sense of them. The internet has actually helped to make sense of the choices for so many people. Consumers want something that will fit their needs, and the internet offers the oportunity for consumers to review the options and compare, all from the comfort of their living room.
Many still believe it is important to go to a physical store to compare and actually feel the cellular product in your hand but the question is can a consumer still get the best deal at the local mall or shopping center or does he lose out on the big savings with the limitations of a brick and morter store. It isn't so easy to find a store that offers phones from all the major carriers and all the leading manufacturers as well. With the proliferation of online cell phone stores in todays market, Wirefly, affiliated with InPhonic stands out for being a leader in the market.
Wirefly has become synonymous with quality service and accurate information in the cell phone industry. It's parent company, Inphonic, routinely offers cell phones at the lowest prices. With hundreds of products for sale, and cell phone service plans with all the major carriers, Wirefly has been steadily becoming one of the top cell phone stores on the web.Wirefly brings the vast world of wireless phones right up to the consumer so he can avoid the longline at the check-out counter not to mention crowded parking lots and traffic jams.
Many still believe it is important to go to a physical store to compare and actually feel the cellular product in your hand but the question is can a consumer still get the best deal at the local mall or shopping center or does he lose out on the big savings with the limitations of a brick and morter store. It isn't so easy to find a store that offers phones from all the major carriers and all the leading manufacturers as well. With the proliferation of online cell phone stores in todays market, Wirefly, affiliated with InPhonic stands out for being a leader in the market.
Wirefly has become synonymous with quality service and accurate information in the cell phone industry. It's parent company, Inphonic, routinely offers cell phones at the lowest prices. With hundreds of products for sale, and cell phone service plans with all the major carriers, Wirefly has been steadily becoming one of the top cell phone stores on the web.Wirefly brings the vast world of wireless phones right up to the consumer so he can avoid the longline at the check-out counter not to mention crowded parking lots and traffic jams.
Consumer Buying Habits in the UK
Key Note's fourth Market Assessment report on Men & Women's Buying Habits shows fundamental shifts in the traditional balance of economic power between men and women. The impacts of both prolonged prosperity and the rise in the number of women entering the workplace have brought male dominance of big ticket consumer spending to a new tipping point. Similarly, the growth in Internet retailing has brought a reversal in the previous male dominance of this distribution chain. Key Note research indicates that women are now the leading Internet shoppers, in terms of both volume and value. Elsewhere in the economy, new developments i retailing and marketing are challenging those stereotypes that had influenced strategic thinking in retail.
The UK economy underwent a short, sharp shock in 2004, after interest rates rose. Consumers were forced to rethink outstanding credit arrangements and to rein in their spending. Consequently, consumer expenditure slowed in the latter half of 2004 and beginning of 2005 and the levels of savings began to rise again. Key Note research indicates that this shift in attitude was particularly significant among men who tend to carry higher levels of debt and to have more concerns about repayments. The underlying strength of the UK economy remains undisputed, as other key indicators of low unemployment and inflation do not fundamentally challenge the pattern of rising consumer expenditure set in the 1990s. Leisure and holiday markets continue to benefit from the rise in prosperity.
Other key demographic data are also of primary importance in considering gender differences in buying habits. This report highlights the rapid rise in employment among women. A far greater proportion of women are employed in less well-paid sectors, but women are making inroads in the higher echelons of business and as entrepreneurs. Of greater long-term significance is the gradual rise in women's wealth. Disparity remains as far as rates of pay for men and women are concerned, but Key Note has identified trends and report findings that support the view that women are gaining a far greater share of the UK's personal assets as a result of a wide range of factors most notably, early financial independence. The high cost of housing is beginning to have a major impact on young people's spending patterns and longer-term financial planning in relation to gender. A far higher proportion of men remain in their parental homes for longer than women. These men might have higher disposable incomes for a period of time however, in broad terms, they lack the determination that many women have to set up independently and acquire their own assets at a young age.
Key markets reviewed on www.marketsensus.com show the following key trends: a more cautious pattern of consumer spending in the light of the recent corrections in interest rates and the housing market, and a consequent reluctance to spend on big-ticket items; and major alterations in patterns of distribution, e.g. the growing dominance of the supermarket retailers and increasing parity in patterns of demand between the sexes, which is paralleled by the rise of Internet retailing.
The car market, in common with many other markets, has entered a competitive period in which, although volume sales have increased, market values are declining as a result of high capacity, high levels of imports and market saturation. Women are still far more likely than men to live in households with no car, although the pattern is far more equal among younger men and women. Women's increased earning power and rising economic wealth therefore make them of growing importance in expanding car manufacturers' threatened sales targets.
The UK brown goods market shows a similar pattern of slow growth in 2005. Key sectors, such as flat-screen televisions and camcorders, are driving market sales. Competition in the market as a whole is ensuring radical changes in distribution. A high number of retail outlets are closing as a result of competition from supermarkets and the growing success of Internet retailing. Key Note research shows little variation in levels of brown goods ownership between the sexes, but one of the key factors in the success of supermarkets' strategy of selling more electrical goods is the high number of women attracted to their simplicity and value-for-money approach, which contrasts with the fact that specialist retailers are often preferred by men.
The holiday market has been one of the greatest beneficiaries of new spending power. Despite the setbacks of natural disasters and terrorist attacks of recent years, the sector remains strong; expenditure and market volumes are expected to have risen over 2005. One of the biggest transformations in the market has been the impact of Internet sales, which are reported by some providers to account for up to a half of all bookings. The impact of the Internet, low-cost flights and the rise in independent travel are creating a revolution in the way in which consumers both perceive and purchase services. Key Note research clearly indicates that women are no longer playing second fiddle to men in browsing and buying on the Internet.
Several providers report that women now form the majority of online visitors and bookers. Attitudes towards shopping are clearly also changing in line with changes in lifestyles and the increased possibilities of Internet and home shopping.
Key Note's research for this report shows a reduction in the use of cars for shopping by both sexes and an increased alignment of shopping trips with patterns of work. There is evidence of a growing distribution made by both men and women of shopping for essentials and non-essentials. For the former, consumers now want efficient and quick solutions. For shopping for clothing and non-essential items, expectations are building for environments that entertain, inform and make a trip to a shop worthwhile. There is abundant evidence within the report of radically different approaches to shopping for non-essentials between men and women with men being much happier to go for the kill, whereas women are still far more inclined to value shopping as a social and therapeutic activity.
Different shopping environments and customer policies that accommodate different tastes of the sexes may have their place but today's marketplace also demands a far more complex approach, which takes a much more varied customer base into account. For example, research from the US suggests that patterns of shopping behaviour between young men and women who have grown up in affluent households are becoming more similar (see Chapter 4 Buying Habits for further detail). A growing gender convergence in patterns of employment is beginning to lead to more subtle marketing approaches and a rejection by consumers, and women in particular, of those marketing strategies that stereotype and do not acknowledge the massive societal changes that have been experienced as more women become workers as well as mothers.
Key Note highlights study findings that show an increasing dissatisfaction among women with advertisers' representations of modern women. Gender complexity is the emerging trend in marketing to both men and women. Just as more younger men now shop more frequently, more women do not want to be characterised as domesticated shoppers even if their appetite for shopping remains as strong as ever.
The success of both the supermarkets and Internet retailers can be said to owe more than a little to a gender-free approach, where men and women are treated on a more equal basis. The growth in broadband access in UK homes will be a major driver of future UK sales growth. Key Note research indicates that women have now overtaken men as online shoppers and, by 2010, around 20% of UK shopping will be carried out online. Other significant findings include a focus on women's growing independent wealth which will impact on the markets for luxury goods. Key Note's consumer research for this report also offers extensive detail on different patterns of decision-making between the genders in terms of shopping, car use and home shopping and the remarkable rise in solo shopping for both men and women.
The UK economy underwent a short, sharp shock in 2004, after interest rates rose. Consumers were forced to rethink outstanding credit arrangements and to rein in their spending. Consequently, consumer expenditure slowed in the latter half of 2004 and beginning of 2005 and the levels of savings began to rise again. Key Note research indicates that this shift in attitude was particularly significant among men who tend to carry higher levels of debt and to have more concerns about repayments. The underlying strength of the UK economy remains undisputed, as other key indicators of low unemployment and inflation do not fundamentally challenge the pattern of rising consumer expenditure set in the 1990s. Leisure and holiday markets continue to benefit from the rise in prosperity.
Other key demographic data are also of primary importance in considering gender differences in buying habits. This report highlights the rapid rise in employment among women. A far greater proportion of women are employed in less well-paid sectors, but women are making inroads in the higher echelons of business and as entrepreneurs. Of greater long-term significance is the gradual rise in women's wealth. Disparity remains as far as rates of pay for men and women are concerned, but Key Note has identified trends and report findings that support the view that women are gaining a far greater share of the UK's personal assets as a result of a wide range of factors most notably, early financial independence. The high cost of housing is beginning to have a major impact on young people's spending patterns and longer-term financial planning in relation to gender. A far higher proportion of men remain in their parental homes for longer than women. These men might have higher disposable incomes for a period of time however, in broad terms, they lack the determination that many women have to set up independently and acquire their own assets at a young age.
Key markets reviewed on www.marketsensus.com show the following key trends: a more cautious pattern of consumer spending in the light of the recent corrections in interest rates and the housing market, and a consequent reluctance to spend on big-ticket items; and major alterations in patterns of distribution, e.g. the growing dominance of the supermarket retailers and increasing parity in patterns of demand between the sexes, which is paralleled by the rise of Internet retailing.
The car market, in common with many other markets, has entered a competitive period in which, although volume sales have increased, market values are declining as a result of high capacity, high levels of imports and market saturation. Women are still far more likely than men to live in households with no car, although the pattern is far more equal among younger men and women. Women's increased earning power and rising economic wealth therefore make them of growing importance in expanding car manufacturers' threatened sales targets.
The UK brown goods market shows a similar pattern of slow growth in 2005. Key sectors, such as flat-screen televisions and camcorders, are driving market sales. Competition in the market as a whole is ensuring radical changes in distribution. A high number of retail outlets are closing as a result of competition from supermarkets and the growing success of Internet retailing. Key Note research shows little variation in levels of brown goods ownership between the sexes, but one of the key factors in the success of supermarkets' strategy of selling more electrical goods is the high number of women attracted to their simplicity and value-for-money approach, which contrasts with the fact that specialist retailers are often preferred by men.
The holiday market has been one of the greatest beneficiaries of new spending power. Despite the setbacks of natural disasters and terrorist attacks of recent years, the sector remains strong; expenditure and market volumes are expected to have risen over 2005. One of the biggest transformations in the market has been the impact of Internet sales, which are reported by some providers to account for up to a half of all bookings. The impact of the Internet, low-cost flights and the rise in independent travel are creating a revolution in the way in which consumers both perceive and purchase services. Key Note research clearly indicates that women are no longer playing second fiddle to men in browsing and buying on the Internet.
Several providers report that women now form the majority of online visitors and bookers. Attitudes towards shopping are clearly also changing in line with changes in lifestyles and the increased possibilities of Internet and home shopping.
Key Note's research for this report shows a reduction in the use of cars for shopping by both sexes and an increased alignment of shopping trips with patterns of work. There is evidence of a growing distribution made by both men and women of shopping for essentials and non-essentials. For the former, consumers now want efficient and quick solutions. For shopping for clothing and non-essential items, expectations are building for environments that entertain, inform and make a trip to a shop worthwhile. There is abundant evidence within the report of radically different approaches to shopping for non-essentials between men and women with men being much happier to go for the kill, whereas women are still far more inclined to value shopping as a social and therapeutic activity.
Different shopping environments and customer policies that accommodate different tastes of the sexes may have their place but today's marketplace also demands a far more complex approach, which takes a much more varied customer base into account. For example, research from the US suggests that patterns of shopping behaviour between young men and women who have grown up in affluent households are becoming more similar (see Chapter 4 Buying Habits for further detail). A growing gender convergence in patterns of employment is beginning to lead to more subtle marketing approaches and a rejection by consumers, and women in particular, of those marketing strategies that stereotype and do not acknowledge the massive societal changes that have been experienced as more women become workers as well as mothers.
Key Note highlights study findings that show an increasing dissatisfaction among women with advertisers' representations of modern women. Gender complexity is the emerging trend in marketing to both men and women. Just as more younger men now shop more frequently, more women do not want to be characterised as domesticated shoppers even if their appetite for shopping remains as strong as ever.
The success of both the supermarkets and Internet retailers can be said to owe more than a little to a gender-free approach, where men and women are treated on a more equal basis. The growth in broadband access in UK homes will be a major driver of future UK sales growth. Key Note research indicates that women have now overtaken men as online shoppers and, by 2010, around 20% of UK shopping will be carried out online. Other significant findings include a focus on women's growing independent wealth which will impact on the markets for luxury goods. Key Note's consumer research for this report also offers extensive detail on different patterns of decision-making between the genders in terms of shopping, car use and home shopping and the remarkable rise in solo shopping for both men and women.
Air Freight Tax - What Are The Charges?
In the United States the Airport and Airway Trust Fund are providing funds for capital improvements to the US airport and airway system and in order to fund the aviation trust fund taxes have been imposed on both commercial and non-commercial aviation. Below we are going to look at air freight tax and what exactly it is with reference to the United States.
There are two types of taxes that are imposed on the air freight services as follows: 1. Waybill tax imposed on freight transportation.2. Fuel taxes on gasoline and jet fuel for freight services (non commercial aviation)1. Waybill Tax
In the United States air freight tax is charged on all domestic air cargo transportation at 6.25% ad valorem excise tax and this tax only applies to transportation that begins and ends in the United States. But unlike air passenger taxes the shippers are the ones liable for the air freight tax payment and so transportation providers are subject to penalties if they fail to make reasonable efforts to collect the tax that has been imposed. In the United States there is no disclosure requirement with regard to air freight tax and this tax expires after the 30 September 2007.
2. Fuel Tax Where freight services are concerned (non-commercial aviation) they are only subject to a fuel tax and the rates for both gasoline and jet fuel are shown below.
1. Non-commercial aviation is taxed at 19.4cents per gallon of aviation gasoline 2. Non-commercial aviation is taxed at 21.9cents per gallon on jet fuel.
Air freight companies also need to factor in an additional 0.1 cent leaking underground storage tank trust fund tax as well.
As you will soon discover that in order for air freight companies to make a profit they will usually include a surcharge on their quotations and bills to help towards the cost of the air freight tax that they are required to pay. So it is advisable when looking at using an air freight company in the future you read the small print of their contract in order to know exactly what you are paying for.
There are two types of taxes that are imposed on the air freight services as follows: 1. Waybill tax imposed on freight transportation.2. Fuel taxes on gasoline and jet fuel for freight services (non commercial aviation)1. Waybill Tax
In the United States air freight tax is charged on all domestic air cargo transportation at 6.25% ad valorem excise tax and this tax only applies to transportation that begins and ends in the United States. But unlike air passenger taxes the shippers are the ones liable for the air freight tax payment and so transportation providers are subject to penalties if they fail to make reasonable efforts to collect the tax that has been imposed. In the United States there is no disclosure requirement with regard to air freight tax and this tax expires after the 30 September 2007.
2. Fuel Tax Where freight services are concerned (non-commercial aviation) they are only subject to a fuel tax and the rates for both gasoline and jet fuel are shown below.
1. Non-commercial aviation is taxed at 19.4cents per gallon of aviation gasoline 2. Non-commercial aviation is taxed at 21.9cents per gallon on jet fuel.
Air freight companies also need to factor in an additional 0.1 cent leaking underground storage tank trust fund tax as well.
As you will soon discover that in order for air freight companies to make a profit they will usually include a surcharge on their quotations and bills to help towards the cost of the air freight tax that they are required to pay. So it is advisable when looking at using an air freight company in the future you read the small print of their contract in order to know exactly what you are paying for.
Consolidate Your Business Debt
If you have $12000 of debt which is not a rare figure for the average America, let alone a small business. And you have only one year to repay your debt. This implies you’ll need to repay an average of $1000 a month and that your company’s income needs to provide to do so or else you’ll default on your debt.
Benefits Of Business Debt Consolidation
By consolidating your debt you can extend the repayment program and obtain smaller monthly payments that can be easily afforded. Thus, your company will have enough time to recover or boost its production and income so you can afford higher loan payments. Then, you can repay your loan in full or with higher installments to become debt-free sooner or you could stick to the new repayment schedule till it ends.
Moreover, if your debt is high interest debt, you can even get better loan conditions and thus save thousands of dollars at the same time. This will greatly contribute to the company’s finances as the overall debt of the company will decrease and thus, the income to debt ratio will rise granting you more chances of getting better finance conditions in the lending market.
Another benefit you can obtain by consolidating your debt is that if your debt is divided into different bills, loans, credit card balances, etc. you can reduce all these numerous payments to a single and lower monthly payment that can be easily contemplated in your budget without hassles. And thus, you’ll be reducing the amount of payments you need to worry about to one payment and one alone.
Debt Management Agencies
If you are not prepared to take a debt consolidation loan by yourself or negotiating with your creditors in order to get better loan terms, you need not worry. There are companies specialized in dealing with this kind of problems that are prepared to aid you in the process of eliminating your debt and easing your financial situations.
Debt management and debt consolidation agencies can negotiate with your creditors on your behalf debt reductions and cut on your interests and principal so you can get some relief from your current debt situation. Moreover, they’ll handle your payments and you won’t need to worry about anything. All you’ll have to do is deliver a single payment to the debt consolidation agency that will take care of repaying all your debt and will only charge a small percentage or a fee for the service.
To find the best consolidation program available for you, you can search the internet for debt management agencies and request from them information about their particular programs. After comparing what they have to offer you’ll be able to decide which one best adjusts to your needs.
Benefits Of Business Debt Consolidation
By consolidating your debt you can extend the repayment program and obtain smaller monthly payments that can be easily afforded. Thus, your company will have enough time to recover or boost its production and income so you can afford higher loan payments. Then, you can repay your loan in full or with higher installments to become debt-free sooner or you could stick to the new repayment schedule till it ends.
Moreover, if your debt is high interest debt, you can even get better loan conditions and thus save thousands of dollars at the same time. This will greatly contribute to the company’s finances as the overall debt of the company will decrease and thus, the income to debt ratio will rise granting you more chances of getting better finance conditions in the lending market.
Another benefit you can obtain by consolidating your debt is that if your debt is divided into different bills, loans, credit card balances, etc. you can reduce all these numerous payments to a single and lower monthly payment that can be easily contemplated in your budget without hassles. And thus, you’ll be reducing the amount of payments you need to worry about to one payment and one alone.
Debt Management Agencies
If you are not prepared to take a debt consolidation loan by yourself or negotiating with your creditors in order to get better loan terms, you need not worry. There are companies specialized in dealing with this kind of problems that are prepared to aid you in the process of eliminating your debt and easing your financial situations.
Debt management and debt consolidation agencies can negotiate with your creditors on your behalf debt reductions and cut on your interests and principal so you can get some relief from your current debt situation. Moreover, they’ll handle your payments and you won’t need to worry about anything. All you’ll have to do is deliver a single payment to the debt consolidation agency that will take care of repaying all your debt and will only charge a small percentage or a fee for the service.
To find the best consolidation program available for you, you can search the internet for debt management agencies and request from them information about their particular programs. After comparing what they have to offer you’ll be able to decide which one best adjusts to your needs.
LLCs: Do They Make Sense for Your Business?
With many of the perks of incorporation, without many of the headaches, it’s no wonder the flexibility of the Limited Liability Company ( LLC ) is gaining popularity with business owners nationwide, and around the globe. But before you take that leap; is it right for your business?
Understanding the Limited Liability Corporation
The LLC is a type of hybrid business structure that offers many of the advantages of a corporation, but with the tax advantages and management flexibility of a partnership. It’s a popular choice for sole proprietors who want to protect personal assets or secure additional loans ?and an LLC can be one of the easiest and least expensive forms of ownership to organize. The limited liability company is now recognized in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.
Sounds great, right? Well, it is for many businesses. But let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of forming an LLC.
Advantages of Forming an LLC:
?Liability Protection Without the Red Tape ?Generally, there’s no personal liability of members (owners) for business debts. And unlike a regular corporation, there are no requirements for regular stockholder meetings, board meetings, or formal minutes.
?No Tax ?Unless you opt to be taxed, profits and losses are passed through to the members. With an LLC, there is no double taxation threat since a limited liability company is not a separate taxable entity. And for tax purposes, the allocation of profit and loss of an LLC doesn’t need to be proportional to ownership interests.
?No Citizenship Requirements ?You do not need to be a US citizen to own or invest in an LLC.
So why isn’t everybody hopping on the LLC bandwagon? Let’s be honest, nothing’s perfect ?there will be some costs and headaches that stem from operating as an LLC.
Disadvantages of Forming an LLC:
?Increased Banking Costs ?Accounts for small businesses or informal partnerships are often free, as long as you keep a large balance. But a bank account for a limited liability company will probably come with fees $10, $20, or more each month. Something to keep in mind.
?More Complicated Tax Returns ?An LLC will file its own tax return if operating as a partnership, C corporation, or S corporation. That means your return could cost as much as a few thousand dollars each year.
?More Paperwork ?Documents for a limited liability corporation must be filed with the state, unlike a general partnership. That means a little more red tape.
?Unfamiliarity ?The limited liability company is the new kid on the block. Although this is quickly changing, some people are not as familiar with the LLC as they are with a regular corporation ?something to consider when luring investors, etc.
So the question you should be asking yourself as a business owner is, “do the benefits of forming a limited liability corporation outweigh the costs?? If you’re still not sure, it may be time to talk with an expert.
While LLCs are pretty easy to set up by yourself, it might be worth your while to talk to an attorney or accountant about tax issues and the pros and cons of creating a limited liability company. Another great option is utilizing an online incorporation firm. Many companies like The Company Corporation, for example, specialize in offering their know-how to business owners who need a little help. They can answer your questions and assist you in setting up your LLC for a pretty reasonable price.
Understanding the Limited Liability Corporation
The LLC is a type of hybrid business structure that offers many of the advantages of a corporation, but with the tax advantages and management flexibility of a partnership. It’s a popular choice for sole proprietors who want to protect personal assets or secure additional loans ?and an LLC can be one of the easiest and least expensive forms of ownership to organize. The limited liability company is now recognized in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.
Sounds great, right? Well, it is for many businesses. But let’s take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of forming an LLC.
Advantages of Forming an LLC:
?Liability Protection Without the Red Tape ?Generally, there’s no personal liability of members (owners) for business debts. And unlike a regular corporation, there are no requirements for regular stockholder meetings, board meetings, or formal minutes.
?No Tax ?Unless you opt to be taxed, profits and losses are passed through to the members. With an LLC, there is no double taxation threat since a limited liability company is not a separate taxable entity. And for tax purposes, the allocation of profit and loss of an LLC doesn’t need to be proportional to ownership interests.
?No Citizenship Requirements ?You do not need to be a US citizen to own or invest in an LLC.
So why isn’t everybody hopping on the LLC bandwagon? Let’s be honest, nothing’s perfect ?there will be some costs and headaches that stem from operating as an LLC.
Disadvantages of Forming an LLC:
?Increased Banking Costs ?Accounts for small businesses or informal partnerships are often free, as long as you keep a large balance. But a bank account for a limited liability company will probably come with fees $10, $20, or more each month. Something to keep in mind.
?More Complicated Tax Returns ?An LLC will file its own tax return if operating as a partnership, C corporation, or S corporation. That means your return could cost as much as a few thousand dollars each year.
?More Paperwork ?Documents for a limited liability corporation must be filed with the state, unlike a general partnership. That means a little more red tape.
?Unfamiliarity ?The limited liability company is the new kid on the block. Although this is quickly changing, some people are not as familiar with the LLC as they are with a regular corporation ?something to consider when luring investors, etc.
So the question you should be asking yourself as a business owner is, “do the benefits of forming a limited liability corporation outweigh the costs?? If you’re still not sure, it may be time to talk with an expert.
While LLCs are pretty easy to set up by yourself, it might be worth your while to talk to an attorney or accountant about tax issues and the pros and cons of creating a limited liability company. Another great option is utilizing an online incorporation firm. Many companies like The Company Corporation, for example, specialize in offering their know-how to business owners who need a little help. They can answer your questions and assist you in setting up your LLC for a pretty reasonable price.
Why Incorporate? What Every Business Owner Should Know
Business has never been better. Word of mouth finally seems to be spreading, every seat in the restaurant is full, you’ve even hired extra staff. So, what now?
If you’re like a lot of small business owners, you’ve been wondering about the benefits of incorporating. But is it really necessary? While things may be going smoothly now, the main reason most people form a legal business entity is to safeguard their personal assets. When you incorporate your business, or form a Limited Liability Company (LLC), you're free to conduct your business without worrying that you might lose your home, car, or personal savings because of a business liability. This is, in fact, one of the best moves you can make to protect your personal property when you own your own business.
Let’s take a closer look at all the benefits of incorporating or forming an LLC:
?Peace of Mind. As I mentioned above, if you operate as a sole proprietorship or general partnership, you're personally responsible for any business debts or lawsuits against your business. Almost anything you own can be at risk! But owners of corporations maintain separate business and personal identities. So if you incorporate your business, your personal assets are protected from any liability incurred.
?Uncle Sam. Corporations are taxed at a lower rate than you are. And when you're incorporated or an LLC, expenses like insurance or travel and entertainment, both for you and your employees, can be tax deductible as business expenses.
?The Name Game. Put simply, an Inc. or LLC after your company name implies a real legitimacy to your business that will impress potential customers, vendors and lenders. It essentially says you're for real, you're committed, and you should command respect. It’s truly one of the big benefits of incorporating.
?Catch the Eye of Investors. When you incorporate your business, you’ll be allowed to attract investors through sale of stock. And investors will feel much more comfortable if they're protected from any liability, too.
?Life Expectancy. Corporations have a business life that extends beyond an owner, principal or partner. So, another of the benefits of incorporating is that it wards off any legal entanglements or even termination of the business in the event of long-term disability or death.
?Trouble-free Transfer. Incorporation allows you to transfer ownership through simple sale of stock.
?Shared Responsibility. While you or a partner may be the ones making the day-to-day decisions, your board of directors (a requirement when you incorporate your business) allows other major investors to review the business periodically and buy into decisions. This lessens the danger of any one or two individuals making a bad decision that could seriously hurt the business.
Still asking, “Why incorporate??Well, these are just a few of the benefits of incorporating. Of course, not all that glitters is gold. There may be some drawbacks, too. If you’re still undecided, talk to an attorney, accountant or an online incorporation firm. They can answer your questions and, if you decide to give it a whirl, they can also assist you in setting up your LLC or corporation for a pretty reasonable price.
If you’re like a lot of small business owners, you’ve been wondering about the benefits of incorporating. But is it really necessary? While things may be going smoothly now, the main reason most people form a legal business entity is to safeguard their personal assets. When you incorporate your business, or form a Limited Liability Company (LLC), you're free to conduct your business without worrying that you might lose your home, car, or personal savings because of a business liability. This is, in fact, one of the best moves you can make to protect your personal property when you own your own business.
Let’s take a closer look at all the benefits of incorporating or forming an LLC:
?Peace of Mind. As I mentioned above, if you operate as a sole proprietorship or general partnership, you're personally responsible for any business debts or lawsuits against your business. Almost anything you own can be at risk! But owners of corporations maintain separate business and personal identities. So if you incorporate your business, your personal assets are protected from any liability incurred.
?Uncle Sam. Corporations are taxed at a lower rate than you are. And when you're incorporated or an LLC, expenses like insurance or travel and entertainment, both for you and your employees, can be tax deductible as business expenses.
?The Name Game. Put simply, an Inc. or LLC after your company name implies a real legitimacy to your business that will impress potential customers, vendors and lenders. It essentially says you're for real, you're committed, and you should command respect. It’s truly one of the big benefits of incorporating.
?Catch the Eye of Investors. When you incorporate your business, you’ll be allowed to attract investors through sale of stock. And investors will feel much more comfortable if they're protected from any liability, too.
?Life Expectancy. Corporations have a business life that extends beyond an owner, principal or partner. So, another of the benefits of incorporating is that it wards off any legal entanglements or even termination of the business in the event of long-term disability or death.
?Trouble-free Transfer. Incorporation allows you to transfer ownership through simple sale of stock.
?Shared Responsibility. While you or a partner may be the ones making the day-to-day decisions, your board of directors (a requirement when you incorporate your business) allows other major investors to review the business periodically and buy into decisions. This lessens the danger of any one or two individuals making a bad decision that could seriously hurt the business.
Still asking, “Why incorporate??Well, these are just a few of the benefits of incorporating. Of course, not all that glitters is gold. There may be some drawbacks, too. If you’re still undecided, talk to an attorney, accountant or an online incorporation firm. They can answer your questions and, if you decide to give it a whirl, they can also assist you in setting up your LLC or corporation for a pretty reasonable price.
S Corp or LLC? That is the Question
As a business owner, it only makes sense to protect your personal assets from company debts and liabilities. The question is: what’s the best way to do that? If you’re going back and forth between the limited liability corporation (LLC) and the S Corporation (standard corporation), you’re certainly not alone!
LLC vs Corporation ?The Similarities
So what benefits do these two business entities share? Owners of an S Corp or LLC both enjoy limited personal liability, they both avoid "double taxation," and they both pay income taxes on a flow-through basis like sole proprietors and partners.
In the past, business owners who wanted to protect their personal assets but also wanted to report income and losses on a personal tax return had to create an S Corporation. Today, that can also be accomplished with an LLC. And for many small businesses, the flexibility of the LLC makes it a pretty popular option. In fact, in the LLC vs S Corp battle, the LLC is quickly becoming the entity of choice among small business.
Benefits of LLC vs S Corp
?Simple & Fast ?An LLC can be formed in one easy step, while an S Corporation election is made only after a General Corporation is formed first.
?Skip the Formalities ?S Corporations are required to hold annual meetings and keep formal minutes, while an LLC is not.
?Flexibility ?LLC members can split profits/losses in any way they choose. In an S Corporation, shareholders must receive dividends according to the number of shares that they own, regardless of the amount of effort put into the business.
?Ownership Freedom ?Any combination of individuals or business entities can own an LLC. Only United States citizens and resident aliens may own an S Corporation.
Still, when it comes to the question of S Corp or LLC, a clear winner cannot be named. While many business owners are enjoying the simplicity and flexibility of the LLC, it’s not the best choice for everyone.
Benefits of S Corporation
?Issuing of Stock ?If you want to entice or compensate employees with stock options or stock bonuses, the S Corp is still the way to go since LLCs do not issue stock.
?Tax Benefits ?S Corp shareholders pay Medicare and Social Security tax only on money received as wages or salary, not on profits received as dividends or that stay within the company.
?Fewer Audits ?An S Corporation is said to have less risk of government audits as a corporation, compared to an LLC.
As you can see, there’s no clear cut answer as to which form of business entity is better. Each individual business owner will have to weigh his or her options in the battle of LLC vs S Corp. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, it might be time to talk to a business attorney or accountant about what’s best for you. Another great option is utilizing an online incorporation firm ?they can answer your questions and assist you in setting up your S Corp or LLC for a reasonable fee.
LLC vs Corporation ?The Similarities
So what benefits do these two business entities share? Owners of an S Corp or LLC both enjoy limited personal liability, they both avoid "double taxation," and they both pay income taxes on a flow-through basis like sole proprietors and partners.
In the past, business owners who wanted to protect their personal assets but also wanted to report income and losses on a personal tax return had to create an S Corporation. Today, that can also be accomplished with an LLC. And for many small businesses, the flexibility of the LLC makes it a pretty popular option. In fact, in the LLC vs S Corp battle, the LLC is quickly becoming the entity of choice among small business.
Benefits of LLC vs S Corp
?Simple & Fast ?An LLC can be formed in one easy step, while an S Corporation election is made only after a General Corporation is formed first.
?Skip the Formalities ?S Corporations are required to hold annual meetings and keep formal minutes, while an LLC is not.
?Flexibility ?LLC members can split profits/losses in any way they choose. In an S Corporation, shareholders must receive dividends according to the number of shares that they own, regardless of the amount of effort put into the business.
?Ownership Freedom ?Any combination of individuals or business entities can own an LLC. Only United States citizens and resident aliens may own an S Corporation.
Still, when it comes to the question of S Corp or LLC, a clear winner cannot be named. While many business owners are enjoying the simplicity and flexibility of the LLC, it’s not the best choice for everyone.
Benefits of S Corporation
?Issuing of Stock ?If you want to entice or compensate employees with stock options or stock bonuses, the S Corp is still the way to go since LLCs do not issue stock.
?Tax Benefits ?S Corp shareholders pay Medicare and Social Security tax only on money received as wages or salary, not on profits received as dividends or that stay within the company.
?Fewer Audits ?An S Corporation is said to have less risk of government audits as a corporation, compared to an LLC.
As you can see, there’s no clear cut answer as to which form of business entity is better. Each individual business owner will have to weigh his or her options in the battle of LLC vs S Corp. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, it might be time to talk to a business attorney or accountant about what’s best for you. Another great option is utilizing an online incorporation firm ?they can answer your questions and assist you in setting up your S Corp or LLC for a reasonable fee.
Is The Box Getting Too Small?
What do I mean by that question? Well you have heard the expression to think outside the BOX, well some individuals just are not there yet. They are comfortable inside the BOX. There is nothing wrong with that idea if that is where you want to stay ( few worries, no challenges, no advancement).
If you want your business to succeed you will eventually need to gain knowledge about your targeted audience, your competition, how to get the best return on investment(ROI) on your advertising and marketing dollars, and how to develop those all important circles of friends, influences, and resources.
As you gain this data you start to grow your business and the BOX you are in starts to get smaller. You start to bump into the sides, and keep ducking your head so not to pop out into the on coming traffic. Your business all of a sudden stops growing. It reaches its maximum potential due to the confines of the BOX.
This is where you need to make a serious business decision. Do I stay in the comfort of the BOX or do I venture out. Your decision.
If you decide you need to grow you business you need to not only to start thinking outside the BOX, you need to start taking action outside the BOX. Start using leading edge ides and seek out the proper guidance and training to keep your business ahead of your competition.
So in conclusion, if you are a forward thinking business builder you need to get out of that BOX as soon as possible and do not be afraid to venture into areas where you have not been before. Yes, you will most likely make mistakes but the rewards will definitely out weigh the consequences of the mistakes made. Give it some thought and get out of that BOX NOW!
To Your Success
Mike McDonough EFS Founding Member
If you want your business to succeed you will eventually need to gain knowledge about your targeted audience, your competition, how to get the best return on investment(ROI) on your advertising and marketing dollars, and how to develop those all important circles of friends, influences, and resources.
As you gain this data you start to grow your business and the BOX you are in starts to get smaller. You start to bump into the sides, and keep ducking your head so not to pop out into the on coming traffic. Your business all of a sudden stops growing. It reaches its maximum potential due to the confines of the BOX.
This is where you need to make a serious business decision. Do I stay in the comfort of the BOX or do I venture out. Your decision.
If you decide you need to grow you business you need to not only to start thinking outside the BOX, you need to start taking action outside the BOX. Start using leading edge ides and seek out the proper guidance and training to keep your business ahead of your competition.
So in conclusion, if you are a forward thinking business builder you need to get out of that BOX as soon as possible and do not be afraid to venture into areas where you have not been before. Yes, you will most likely make mistakes but the rewards will definitely out weigh the consequences of the mistakes made. Give it some thought and get out of that BOX NOW!
To Your Success
Mike McDonough EFS Founding Member
Where Output Management And Mobility Merge
An Output management solution that makes your print follow you around makes a good mobility solution and can be part of your revenue assurance program.
With the advent of mobile computing and moving around from home to temporary offices, customers, overseas subsidiaries and clients, a printer output management solution allows you to seamlessly send your document to a print queue somewhere in your corporate haze of IT and pick the hardcopy up at a printer conveniently located near you.
There are now printer independent solutions that accurately or close thereto report paper and toner use over a wide range of printing systems. As IT users have become more educated independence from printer type is an important feature for organizations that do not want to be locked into any particular printer make. Considering those requirements, an output management software and ID reader hardware solution where required which is independent from the printer manufacturer makes good strategic sense.
If you are responsible for paying the color laser toner, you will know that misuse of color printing systems can be a costly undertaking, also this issue can be addressed using an output management system enabling or disabling color printing ability by user policy.
Some output management systems have a web-interface allowing you to drag and drop office documents onto your personal web accessible print client. Thus when you are in a hotel or airport you can put your print in the queue and pick it up at a convenient place.
Top of the range output management systems can accept any type of identification method, from swipe cards, proximity cards or FOBs, smart cards, barcodes or biometric fingerprints or combinations thereof for dual and triple factor authentication.
Organizations that are embracing mobility computing as well as wanting to assure their revenues for their respective owners or shareholders may want to enhance their computing environment with an output management system that achieves availability, controlling cost and accountability to solve a number of compliance issues.
With the advent of mobile computing and moving around from home to temporary offices, customers, overseas subsidiaries and clients, a printer output management solution allows you to seamlessly send your document to a print queue somewhere in your corporate haze of IT and pick the hardcopy up at a printer conveniently located near you.
There are now printer independent solutions that accurately or close thereto report paper and toner use over a wide range of printing systems. As IT users have become more educated independence from printer type is an important feature for organizations that do not want to be locked into any particular printer make. Considering those requirements, an output management software and ID reader hardware solution where required which is independent from the printer manufacturer makes good strategic sense.
If you are responsible for paying the color laser toner, you will know that misuse of color printing systems can be a costly undertaking, also this issue can be addressed using an output management system enabling or disabling color printing ability by user policy.
Some output management systems have a web-interface allowing you to drag and drop office documents onto your personal web accessible print client. Thus when you are in a hotel or airport you can put your print in the queue and pick it up at a convenient place.
Top of the range output management systems can accept any type of identification method, from swipe cards, proximity cards or FOBs, smart cards, barcodes or biometric fingerprints or combinations thereof for dual and triple factor authentication.
Organizations that are embracing mobility computing as well as wanting to assure their revenues for their respective owners or shareholders may want to enhance their computing environment with an output management system that achieves availability, controlling cost and accountability to solve a number of compliance issues.
Diversity Is An Inside Job
There is nothing better than knowing the leadership of an organization values the people it hired. If the staff and employees are diverse, it makes the responsibilities of the leader even more important.
An effective leader understands their success depends upon their ability to get all the moving parts of the organization working for the same cause. That cause being maximum efficiency and productivity of the employees.
Diversity is an inside job because unless you understand yourself, it will be very difficult to understand people that work for and with you. One of the greatest disservices that exist is the glass ceiling.
Unless women or people of color are given an opportunity to display their gifts and talents, likelihood is an organization will continue to overlook them for leadership roles in the future. On the other hand, organizations that effectively lead their organization excel because they believe and have confidence in the people they hire and know they can perform and are working for the same cause.
Leadership is the sole determinant of the success and or failure of a diversity workforce. While working for a Fortune 500 company, I observed the managers, leadership, board of directors, and CEO of the company to see if it reflected the community it was serving.
In other words, if a multinational company operates a plant in a predominantly minority community and they have a very small percentage of citizens in that city or town working for them, more work needs to be done.
Let us take this issue a step further, if all the managers of the company does not reflect the community that purchases its products, this requires additional change as well.
Diversity is an inside job because the leadership must recognize and value diversity within its operations. Why?
The longevity of the company is at stake if they do not make themselves accountable for making the community viable in the eyes of the citizens who they should be hiring to work for them. Women should be given an equal chance to lead and receive equal pay for equal work.
There is more than enough of the pie to go around, however the sharing of power seems to be the hangup. Unless and until power is shared, companies leave billions fo dollars on the table because they are hoarding opportunity.
During my working days I observed a lot of things that were wrong. I did not turn my back on inequities, rather I worked to prove myself. I know one thing about leadership and it is the fact many people in leadership positions do not possess the moral courage to do the right thing.
Unless and until leaders take off their blinders, they will continue to leave billions on the table. Turn to your diverse staff and work to bring about harmony in the workplace because the job you save may very well be your own.
An effective leader understands their success depends upon their ability to get all the moving parts of the organization working for the same cause. That cause being maximum efficiency and productivity of the employees.
Diversity is an inside job because unless you understand yourself, it will be very difficult to understand people that work for and with you. One of the greatest disservices that exist is the glass ceiling.
Unless women or people of color are given an opportunity to display their gifts and talents, likelihood is an organization will continue to overlook them for leadership roles in the future. On the other hand, organizations that effectively lead their organization excel because they believe and have confidence in the people they hire and know they can perform and are working for the same cause.
Leadership is the sole determinant of the success and or failure of a diversity workforce. While working for a Fortune 500 company, I observed the managers, leadership, board of directors, and CEO of the company to see if it reflected the community it was serving.
In other words, if a multinational company operates a plant in a predominantly minority community and they have a very small percentage of citizens in that city or town working for them, more work needs to be done.
Let us take this issue a step further, if all the managers of the company does not reflect the community that purchases its products, this requires additional change as well.
Diversity is an inside job because the leadership must recognize and value diversity within its operations. Why?
The longevity of the company is at stake if they do not make themselves accountable for making the community viable in the eyes of the citizens who they should be hiring to work for them. Women should be given an equal chance to lead and receive equal pay for equal work.
There is more than enough of the pie to go around, however the sharing of power seems to be the hangup. Unless and until power is shared, companies leave billions fo dollars on the table because they are hoarding opportunity.
During my working days I observed a lot of things that were wrong. I did not turn my back on inequities, rather I worked to prove myself. I know one thing about leadership and it is the fact many people in leadership positions do not possess the moral courage to do the right thing.
Unless and until leaders take off their blinders, they will continue to leave billions on the table. Turn to your diverse staff and work to bring about harmony in the workplace because the job you save may very well be your own.
Joint Venture
A joint venture (often abbreviated JV) is a legal entity formed between two or more parties to undertake economic activity together. The parties agree to create a new entity by both contributing equity, and they then share in the revenues, expenses, and control of the enterprise. The venture can be for one specific project only, or a continuing business relationship such as the Sony-Ericsson joint venture.
Generally, joint venture is the merging of two (or more) companies, enterprise or organization towards a more profitable, mutually beneficial and stronger entity in the market. They may have varied goals, or may lead only to one goal. Still, the merging was completed because it presented a win-win situation for both (or all) parties.
A joint venture may be of various kinds ?temporary merging or permanent partnership. This is depending on the goals or projects being covered or strategies being adopted by one or more merging parties.
Organizations can also form joint ventures, for example, a child welfare organization in the Midwest initiated a joint venture whose mission is to develop and service client tracking software for human service organizations. The five partners all sit on the joint venture corporation's board, and together have been able to provide the community with a much-needed resource.
Some countries, such as the People's Republic of China, require foreign companies to form joint ventures with domestic firms in order to enter the Chinese market. This requirement often forces technology transfers and managerial control to the domestic partner.
Reasons for forming a joint venture:
Internal reasons 1. Spreading costs and risks 2. Improving access to financial resources 3. Economies of scale and advantages of size 4. Access to new technologies and customers 5. Access to innovative managerial practices
Competitive goals 1. Influencing structural evolution of the industry 2. Pre-empting competition 3. Defensive response to blurring industry boundaries 4. Creation of stronger competitive units 5. Speed to market 6. Improved agility Strategic goals 1. Synergies 2. Transfer of technology/skills 3. Diversification Copyright 2007 Ismael D. Tabije
Generally, joint venture is the merging of two (or more) companies, enterprise or organization towards a more profitable, mutually beneficial and stronger entity in the market. They may have varied goals, or may lead only to one goal. Still, the merging was completed because it presented a win-win situation for both (or all) parties.
A joint venture may be of various kinds ?temporary merging or permanent partnership. This is depending on the goals or projects being covered or strategies being adopted by one or more merging parties.
Organizations can also form joint ventures, for example, a child welfare organization in the Midwest initiated a joint venture whose mission is to develop and service client tracking software for human service organizations. The five partners all sit on the joint venture corporation's board, and together have been able to provide the community with a much-needed resource.
Some countries, such as the People's Republic of China, require foreign companies to form joint ventures with domestic firms in order to enter the Chinese market. This requirement often forces technology transfers and managerial control to the domestic partner.
Reasons for forming a joint venture:
Internal reasons 1. Spreading costs and risks 2. Improving access to financial resources 3. Economies of scale and advantages of size 4. Access to new technologies and customers 5. Access to innovative managerial practices
Competitive goals 1. Influencing structural evolution of the industry 2. Pre-empting competition 3. Defensive response to blurring industry boundaries 4. Creation of stronger competitive units 5. Speed to market 6. Improved agility Strategic goals 1. Synergies 2. Transfer of technology/skills 3. Diversification Copyright 2007 Ismael D. Tabije
Leadership-Take Time to Energize
Elizabeth is the executive director of a large non-profit organization that provides wide-ranging services to people in need. She and her staff work long hours to help their clients as effectively as possible, always trying to make the best use of limited resources. While she acknowledges that hard work and scarce resources are the way of the non-profit world Elizabeth admits that she feels increasingly overwhelmed. She accepts as fact that she will work herself to burnout then leave the organization.
Frank, a successful surgeon, is a popular, sought-after speaker at medical conferences around the world. He struggles to balance the challenges of his work with the demands of his family while trying to squeeze a little time for himself out of his tight schedule. Like Elizabeth, Frank has resigned himself to what he sees as the inevitable cost of his career. Living with exhaustion and fatigue is the price he has to pay for his success.
Kate is the mother of three small children. She works a part-time job, struggling to maintain her home, care for her kids, spend time with her husband, get enough exercise, and tend to her aging parents' needs. Like Frank and Elizabeth, Kate resignedly accepts her situation the way it is. She feels powerless to change things.
Kate, Frank and Elizabeth find themselves in demanding situations. They sought coaching because they were tired. They want to make changes in their lives and their livelihoods but because they see so many others experiencing similar fatigue, exhaustion and burnout, they assumed they had to accept the status quo. They felt resigned that this is just the way things are.
A strong desire to serve the people around them drives Kate, Frank and Elizabeth. They are committed to doing their best and giving their all. Their intentions are good and their dedication is admirable. Their behavior, though, is incompatible with their goals; in fact, it is counterproductive. Each fails to see that a frantic lifestyle is not good for anyone.
Elizabeth's staff, for example, looks to her as a role model. She sets the standard for their work methods. She stressed the importance of seeking balance in life and work, but her own life demonstrated a lack of balance. She talked the talk, but she did not walk the walk. As her staff modeled her behavior, they wore out quickly and failed to produce the desired high quality of their vitally needed services.
With coaching Kate, Elizabeth, and Frank were able to stop long enough to reflect on the consequences of their actions. Frank was able to re-connect to his goal to treat and help many patients over a long career. He sees now that he will not be able to achieve his goal if he continues to work at his current pace. He simply will not have the stamina. Kate was able to admit to how irritable she is with her family because of her pressured schedule, and to recognize the undesirable impact it has on her children. Elizabeth is learning to practice what she preaches.
Armed with their new awareness, all three are finding creative ways to live and work differently than before yet still make true, sustainable differences in people's lives. Frank, Elizabeth and Kate each started small, but with every small success, they find the energy and the incentive to continue to change their lives for the better. They feel healthy and motivated, thus they can give more to the people and the organizations they lead.
?Are you trying to give of yourself in spite of exhaustion and fatigue? ?Are you exhausted to the point of questioning your ability to meet your goals? ?Do the people around you sense your exhaustion? ?How has your exhaustion affected the people you lead?
I challenge you to stop. Step back. Look for some small immediate change you can make to energize and to care for yourself. Now do it. Continue with other small, manageable changes. As you feel more energy you will find the motivation to look for new ways to overcome your resignation to situations you thought were inevitable.
Frank, a successful surgeon, is a popular, sought-after speaker at medical conferences around the world. He struggles to balance the challenges of his work with the demands of his family while trying to squeeze a little time for himself out of his tight schedule. Like Elizabeth, Frank has resigned himself to what he sees as the inevitable cost of his career. Living with exhaustion and fatigue is the price he has to pay for his success.
Kate is the mother of three small children. She works a part-time job, struggling to maintain her home, care for her kids, spend time with her husband, get enough exercise, and tend to her aging parents' needs. Like Frank and Elizabeth, Kate resignedly accepts her situation the way it is. She feels powerless to change things.
Kate, Frank and Elizabeth find themselves in demanding situations. They sought coaching because they were tired. They want to make changes in their lives and their livelihoods but because they see so many others experiencing similar fatigue, exhaustion and burnout, they assumed they had to accept the status quo. They felt resigned that this is just the way things are.
A strong desire to serve the people around them drives Kate, Frank and Elizabeth. They are committed to doing their best and giving their all. Their intentions are good and their dedication is admirable. Their behavior, though, is incompatible with their goals; in fact, it is counterproductive. Each fails to see that a frantic lifestyle is not good for anyone.
Elizabeth's staff, for example, looks to her as a role model. She sets the standard for their work methods. She stressed the importance of seeking balance in life and work, but her own life demonstrated a lack of balance. She talked the talk, but she did not walk the walk. As her staff modeled her behavior, they wore out quickly and failed to produce the desired high quality of their vitally needed services.
With coaching Kate, Elizabeth, and Frank were able to stop long enough to reflect on the consequences of their actions. Frank was able to re-connect to his goal to treat and help many patients over a long career. He sees now that he will not be able to achieve his goal if he continues to work at his current pace. He simply will not have the stamina. Kate was able to admit to how irritable she is with her family because of her pressured schedule, and to recognize the undesirable impact it has on her children. Elizabeth is learning to practice what she preaches.
Armed with their new awareness, all three are finding creative ways to live and work differently than before yet still make true, sustainable differences in people's lives. Frank, Elizabeth and Kate each started small, but with every small success, they find the energy and the incentive to continue to change their lives for the better. They feel healthy and motivated, thus they can give more to the people and the organizations they lead.
?Are you trying to give of yourself in spite of exhaustion and fatigue? ?Are you exhausted to the point of questioning your ability to meet your goals? ?Do the people around you sense your exhaustion? ?How has your exhaustion affected the people you lead?
I challenge you to stop. Step back. Look for some small immediate change you can make to energize and to care for yourself. Now do it. Continue with other small, manageable changes. As you feel more energy you will find the motivation to look for new ways to overcome your resignation to situations you thought were inevitable.
Vertical File Storage System Saves Space - A Case Study
Whether as an investment or an existing floor plan, space may well be the final frontier. To free more working space in a bustling Los Angeles office, one facility manager introduced a new filing and storage system that not only saved space, it improved filing efficiency and streamlined document retrieval in one of the busiest investment property offices in southern California.
Amy Martin, owner of Universal Property Investments, identified improvements that needed to be made in the office. "Our building really stands out. It has a very modern, very 'today' kind of look," said Martin, "and we wanted the interior to work as well. We looked at our working area, our common areas, the general floor plan and the ergonomic factors we needed to incorporate into the floor plan to make sure the filing system worked well for everyone," she explained. Martin considered a variety of alternatives to conserve working space and turned to vertical file storage systems.
Martin first learned about vertical file storage systems while attending a trade show in Las Vegas last year. “We purchased a vertical file. It greatly reduced the amount of space we were using for filing. Now we can file the same number of blueprints and maps in less than half the space," said Martin. "Space saving was a major consideration in selecting the system," she added. "The compact filing system not only stores more of the documents we use on a day to day basis, but it also improves our filing efficiency."
A single vertical storage unit has the capacity to hold the same number of documents as three 5-drawer flat files, all the while taking up nearly 75 percent less floor space. Traditional filing and storage systems were designed for letter or legal-size documents. Through the years, large drawings, maps and charts have been stored in flat files or pigeon holes. One vertical file holds the same number of documents as three 5-drawer flat files, and requires 75 percent less space. Users find that they can save an average of 68 percent in the time it takes to retrieve and store drawings.
Improving efficiency was also a primary concern for Martin. "Filing took too much time. When you needed to get to the bottom drawing, you had to go through every other layout. It was even harder to put everything back where it was? Martin continued, "Vertical file storage saves us a lot of time and keeps everything organized. Everything is accessible, easy to get to and very well protected," she said. "The system offers us greater protection for our documents. They can be safely stored on hanger strips, which eliminate the need to touch them. We can even give the special documents added protection by using a protective envelope, which easily slides in and out of the cabinets," said Martin.
"Without a doubt, vertical file storage systems are an efficient and ergonomically friendly filing and storage system,?said Martin. "The vertical cabinets are the perfect solution for storing our maps, property diagrams, architectural documents, and pretty much any other document imaginable. The files hold anything from 11 inches up to 6 feet in size, and this system is highly versatile?
"By transferring files into a compact, smaller footprint, we were able to free up a great deal of space. Our one vertical file stores the same number of documents as three 5-drawer flat files and takes less space. We transferred all of the blueprints and floor plans into the new system with room to spare. Because it has a smaller footprint than our old filing system, it saves us a lot of working space," she said. "I can't get over how easy it is to use," she said. "I find it to be much easier to look up specific blueprints and refer to documents quickly." This is no surprise, considering this system takes an average time of 10 seconds to retrieve documents.
“Vertical files are extremely versatile," said Amy. "Almost any size and type of document or material may be stored in sequence including blueprints, maps, film, artwork and digital media. Vertical file storage systems offer identification and color coded accessories to make locating and sorting much faster. Dividers separate projects for further organization. All of the cabinets are fitted with a lock for additional security?
Brad Barrett
Amy Martin, owner of Universal Property Investments, identified improvements that needed to be made in the office. "Our building really stands out. It has a very modern, very 'today' kind of look," said Martin, "and we wanted the interior to work as well. We looked at our working area, our common areas, the general floor plan and the ergonomic factors we needed to incorporate into the floor plan to make sure the filing system worked well for everyone," she explained. Martin considered a variety of alternatives to conserve working space and turned to vertical file storage systems.
Martin first learned about vertical file storage systems while attending a trade show in Las Vegas last year. “We purchased a vertical file. It greatly reduced the amount of space we were using for filing. Now we can file the same number of blueprints and maps in less than half the space," said Martin. "Space saving was a major consideration in selecting the system," she added. "The compact filing system not only stores more of the documents we use on a day to day basis, but it also improves our filing efficiency."
A single vertical storage unit has the capacity to hold the same number of documents as three 5-drawer flat files, all the while taking up nearly 75 percent less floor space. Traditional filing and storage systems were designed for letter or legal-size documents. Through the years, large drawings, maps and charts have been stored in flat files or pigeon holes. One vertical file holds the same number of documents as three 5-drawer flat files, and requires 75 percent less space. Users find that they can save an average of 68 percent in the time it takes to retrieve and store drawings.
Improving efficiency was also a primary concern for Martin. "Filing took too much time. When you needed to get to the bottom drawing, you had to go through every other layout. It was even harder to put everything back where it was? Martin continued, "Vertical file storage saves us a lot of time and keeps everything organized. Everything is accessible, easy to get to and very well protected," she said. "The system offers us greater protection for our documents. They can be safely stored on hanger strips, which eliminate the need to touch them. We can even give the special documents added protection by using a protective envelope, which easily slides in and out of the cabinets," said Martin.
"Without a doubt, vertical file storage systems are an efficient and ergonomically friendly filing and storage system,?said Martin. "The vertical cabinets are the perfect solution for storing our maps, property diagrams, architectural documents, and pretty much any other document imaginable. The files hold anything from 11 inches up to 6 feet in size, and this system is highly versatile?
"By transferring files into a compact, smaller footprint, we were able to free up a great deal of space. Our one vertical file stores the same number of documents as three 5-drawer flat files and takes less space. We transferred all of the blueprints and floor plans into the new system with room to spare. Because it has a smaller footprint than our old filing system, it saves us a lot of working space," she said. "I can't get over how easy it is to use," she said. "I find it to be much easier to look up specific blueprints and refer to documents quickly." This is no surprise, considering this system takes an average time of 10 seconds to retrieve documents.
“Vertical files are extremely versatile," said Amy. "Almost any size and type of document or material may be stored in sequence including blueprints, maps, film, artwork and digital media. Vertical file storage systems offer identification and color coded accessories to make locating and sorting much faster. Dividers separate projects for further organization. All of the cabinets are fitted with a lock for additional security?
Brad Barrett
Six Figure Success: How Coaches Can Build the Ideal Business and Profits
Every consultant has had the feeling: the conviction that your own private service practice is your true calling. Your passion quest. Yet, the mundane details of actually running a business make even the most inspired business person ask whether the choice was the right one?The monthly budget. The humble billings. The everyday drudgery of start-up entrepreneurs.
These modest beginnings lead many to question their own value.
So how can you develop a six-figure service practice without taking on too many clients or pricing yourself out of the market?
In the service professional industry especially, the ‘emergence' phase is the riskiest period. We all can feel a lot of stress when trying to establish our reputation and achieve high profits. Burnout is an ever-present danger. The blazing speed of today's work culture adds to the feelings of guilt.
It's time to escape the guilt and master your business potential.
The secret to Six Figure Success is a strong business foundation and a great reputation. In my work with clients, I have identified a series of tactics to build on the business foundation and reputation mantra. The methodology I use is tried-and-true and will produce financial results when worked into your business action plan. These things take time, but a consistent, systematic approach to these milestones will produce revenue.
Six-Figure Income consultants are experts in their specific areas. They know their strengths and how brand them. They are disciplined and are focused on becoming the preeminent experts in their field. And they follow their hearts.
It's all about passion. Yet, how do you turn passions into profits?
With my exclusive 8 Strategy Approach from my Six Figure Success class, entrepreneurs and service professionals learn how to develop a profitable and rewarding business. Follow these 8 Strategies to turn your passions into profits:
1. Manage life first, then business.
You are the key, the brand, the business. If you don't recognize this early on, you aren't being true to why you started your consulting business. Develop your business to support your lifestyle, rather than allowing the pieces of your life to fall around your business. Continue to honor your values and define the mission for your life and business. Incorporate your values into your business vision. It's the foundation for taking the work you're passionate about to the next level.
A common issue for small business owners, particularly in service-oriented businesses, is burn-out. Before you do anything else, write out what you want for your life ?both personally and professionally. Next, write down what you value in a successful life, perhaps an ample income, more time with family, two days off per week, the extra time to travel. A values-based business comes from working towards your goals while staying committed ?truly committed ?to your values. For example, if your goal is to spend more time with your family, don't work an 18-hour day!
Organize your work week to honor your values. Personally, I value long weekends. So I do all my administrative and marketing work on Monday's. I coach and develop programs and passive revenue Tuesday through Thursday. Fridays I take off. Of course, during busy times I can use Fridays to complete extra work.
2. Clearly define a powerful business vision.
One of the most profound statements I have heard is from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland . Alice reaches a fork in the path and meets the Cheshire Cat. She asks him which way to go. The Cheshire Cat asks, "Well, where are you going?' Alice doesn't know. The Cat wisely says, "Then it doesn't very much matter which path you take.'
The same applies for business: you need to know where you are going before you can get there. Ask yourself: in three years, what do I want my life to look like? What do I want my business to look like? And how will my consulting business support me in my life?
3. Develop a results-based plan.
What are the results you want? When do you want them? Break the plan down into attainable chunks using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic and Timely) goal-planning system. Use a one-page business plan. I highly recommend using Jim Horan's One Page Business Plan Book. (www.onepagebusinessplan.com) Commitment to your dream just isn't enough. You must take action to succeed. Create a plan with results-based outcomes. For example, don't just jot down "Make Calls Introducing Business.' Instead, create a plan that has results in a specific time: "Call ten influencers in my community and secure lunch with 70% of them to introduce my business and create a commitment of support by December 1.'
4. Develop a financial plan that supports your vision.
To develop a six-figure income, you must identify financial goals above and beyond basic budgeting. This includes researching Errors & Omissions insurance and potentially incorporating your company to protect your assets. Include a marketing budget with growth-oriented opportunities such as info products and speaking. Also, as you plan for the growth of your company, include the expenses ?such as hiring additional staff or vendors ?that will enhance your success.
Stay tuned for part two. Steps five through eight.
These modest beginnings lead many to question their own value.
So how can you develop a six-figure service practice without taking on too many clients or pricing yourself out of the market?
In the service professional industry especially, the ‘emergence' phase is the riskiest period. We all can feel a lot of stress when trying to establish our reputation and achieve high profits. Burnout is an ever-present danger. The blazing speed of today's work culture adds to the feelings of guilt.
It's time to escape the guilt and master your business potential.
The secret to Six Figure Success is a strong business foundation and a great reputation. In my work with clients, I have identified a series of tactics to build on the business foundation and reputation mantra. The methodology I use is tried-and-true and will produce financial results when worked into your business action plan. These things take time, but a consistent, systematic approach to these milestones will produce revenue.
Six-Figure Income consultants are experts in their specific areas. They know their strengths and how brand them. They are disciplined and are focused on becoming the preeminent experts in their field. And they follow their hearts.
It's all about passion. Yet, how do you turn passions into profits?
With my exclusive 8 Strategy Approach from my Six Figure Success class, entrepreneurs and service professionals learn how to develop a profitable and rewarding business. Follow these 8 Strategies to turn your passions into profits:
1. Manage life first, then business.
You are the key, the brand, the business. If you don't recognize this early on, you aren't being true to why you started your consulting business. Develop your business to support your lifestyle, rather than allowing the pieces of your life to fall around your business. Continue to honor your values and define the mission for your life and business. Incorporate your values into your business vision. It's the foundation for taking the work you're passionate about to the next level.
A common issue for small business owners, particularly in service-oriented businesses, is burn-out. Before you do anything else, write out what you want for your life ?both personally and professionally. Next, write down what you value in a successful life, perhaps an ample income, more time with family, two days off per week, the extra time to travel. A values-based business comes from working towards your goals while staying committed ?truly committed ?to your values. For example, if your goal is to spend more time with your family, don't work an 18-hour day!
Organize your work week to honor your values. Personally, I value long weekends. So I do all my administrative and marketing work on Monday's. I coach and develop programs and passive revenue Tuesday through Thursday. Fridays I take off. Of course, during busy times I can use Fridays to complete extra work.
2. Clearly define a powerful business vision.
One of the most profound statements I have heard is from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland . Alice reaches a fork in the path and meets the Cheshire Cat. She asks him which way to go. The Cheshire Cat asks, "Well, where are you going?' Alice doesn't know. The Cat wisely says, "Then it doesn't very much matter which path you take.'
The same applies for business: you need to know where you are going before you can get there. Ask yourself: in three years, what do I want my life to look like? What do I want my business to look like? And how will my consulting business support me in my life?
3. Develop a results-based plan.
What are the results you want? When do you want them? Break the plan down into attainable chunks using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic and Timely) goal-planning system. Use a one-page business plan. I highly recommend using Jim Horan's One Page Business Plan Book. (www.onepagebusinessplan.com) Commitment to your dream just isn't enough. You must take action to succeed. Create a plan with results-based outcomes. For example, don't just jot down "Make Calls Introducing Business.' Instead, create a plan that has results in a specific time: "Call ten influencers in my community and secure lunch with 70% of them to introduce my business and create a commitment of support by December 1.'
4. Develop a financial plan that supports your vision.
To develop a six-figure income, you must identify financial goals above and beyond basic budgeting. This includes researching Errors & Omissions insurance and potentially incorporating your company to protect your assets. Include a marketing budget with growth-oriented opportunities such as info products and speaking. Also, as you plan for the growth of your company, include the expenses ?such as hiring additional staff or vendors ?that will enhance your success.
Stay tuned for part two. Steps five through eight.
Measuring The Effectiveness Of Your Advertising Campaign
How do you measure the effectiveness of your advertising? Do you look only at whether or not you have had an increase in sales or enquires subsequent to the publication of an advertisement, or do you include product or brand awareness in your evaluations?
The most suitable criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of advertising, depends on a number variables, such as the advertising goals, the type of media used, the cost of evaluation, the value that the business or advertising agency places on evaluation measures, the level of precision and reliability required, who the evaluation is for and the budget. It is difficult to accurately measure the effectiveness of a particular advertisement, because it is affected by such things as the amount and type of prior advertising, consumer brand awareness, the availability of cost effective evaluation measures, the placement of the advertising and a range of things about the product itself, such as price and even the ability of the target audience to remember.
There are a number of different models for measuring advertising effectiveness. ?E. Pomerance suggests that advertising agencies might attempt to measure effectiveness under the five headings of Profits, Sales, Persuasion, Communication and Attention (Wheatley, 1969, p.91). He uses a cube diagram to illustrate how to evaluate advertising that recognises the effect of repeated exposures (Wheatley, 1969, p.93).
?Lavidge and Steiner suggest a model for ‘predictive measurement of advertising effectiveness?(Wheatley, 1969, p.7), which recognises various stages of purchasing behaviour, and suitable measures for each stage. Kotler and Armstrong call these stages, 'Buyer readiness stages' (1996, p.463-464). They may be viewed like this: Awareness Knowledge Liking Preference Conviction Purchase (Wheatley, 1969, p.7).
?Kotler and Armstrong suggest that two areas need to be evaluated in an advertising programme. They call them the ‘communication effect?and ‘the sales effect (1996, p.507-508). To evaluate the sales effect, company information about sales and sales expenditure would be needed. To evaluate the communication effect, Kotler and Armstrong (1996, p.507-508), suggest using a number of research tests. They suggest that these evaluation measures are not perfect.
Surveys and brand/product recognition tests after an advertising campaign are sometimes used in a two pronged way to advertise and gather evaluation information. Effectiveness of online advertising is sometimes measured in terms of the number of page views collected through various forms of counters and search engine page rankings.
One cost effective way of evaluating the effectiveness of the advertisement in terms of sales and movement towards purchasing is what Kotler and Armstrong (1996, p.480) call Integrated Direct Marketing. It is marketing that has a response section which can lead to more appropriate communication between the company and the prospect. This can also give the company the opportunity to trigger further movement towards purchasing, so it has the potential to have a greater impact on sales than a similar advertisement without the response section. It is not only online advertisers who are using this method of requiring an email contact address and giving the customer a choice of receiving more information or newsletters about their product/s. Vouchers and coupons have been used in a similar way.
All advertisements have the potential to trigger some form of purchasing behaviour. Effectiveness may have more to do with the readiness of the viewer to consider the benefits the advertisement promotes, than the advertisement itself. It may be more cost effective to invest in finding creative ways to measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign that is part of an advertising campaign in itself, but at the end of the day your goals are the key. It may come down to estimating how happy you are with what you are doing.
The most suitable criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of advertising, depends on a number variables, such as the advertising goals, the type of media used, the cost of evaluation, the value that the business or advertising agency places on evaluation measures, the level of precision and reliability required, who the evaluation is for and the budget. It is difficult to accurately measure the effectiveness of a particular advertisement, because it is affected by such things as the amount and type of prior advertising, consumer brand awareness, the availability of cost effective evaluation measures, the placement of the advertising and a range of things about the product itself, such as price and even the ability of the target audience to remember.
There are a number of different models for measuring advertising effectiveness. ?E. Pomerance suggests that advertising agencies might attempt to measure effectiveness under the five headings of Profits, Sales, Persuasion, Communication and Attention (Wheatley, 1969, p.91). He uses a cube diagram to illustrate how to evaluate advertising that recognises the effect of repeated exposures (Wheatley, 1969, p.93).
?Lavidge and Steiner suggest a model for ‘predictive measurement of advertising effectiveness?(Wheatley, 1969, p.7), which recognises various stages of purchasing behaviour, and suitable measures for each stage. Kotler and Armstrong call these stages, 'Buyer readiness stages' (1996, p.463-464). They may be viewed like this: Awareness Knowledge Liking Preference Conviction Purchase (Wheatley, 1969, p.7).
?Kotler and Armstrong suggest that two areas need to be evaluated in an advertising programme. They call them the ‘communication effect?and ‘the sales effect (1996, p.507-508). To evaluate the sales effect, company information about sales and sales expenditure would be needed. To evaluate the communication effect, Kotler and Armstrong (1996, p.507-508), suggest using a number of research tests. They suggest that these evaluation measures are not perfect.
Surveys and brand/product recognition tests after an advertising campaign are sometimes used in a two pronged way to advertise and gather evaluation information. Effectiveness of online advertising is sometimes measured in terms of the number of page views collected through various forms of counters and search engine page rankings.
One cost effective way of evaluating the effectiveness of the advertisement in terms of sales and movement towards purchasing is what Kotler and Armstrong (1996, p.480) call Integrated Direct Marketing. It is marketing that has a response section which can lead to more appropriate communication between the company and the prospect. This can also give the company the opportunity to trigger further movement towards purchasing, so it has the potential to have a greater impact on sales than a similar advertisement without the response section. It is not only online advertisers who are using this method of requiring an email contact address and giving the customer a choice of receiving more information or newsletters about their product/s. Vouchers and coupons have been used in a similar way.
All advertisements have the potential to trigger some form of purchasing behaviour. Effectiveness may have more to do with the readiness of the viewer to consider the benefits the advertisement promotes, than the advertisement itself. It may be more cost effective to invest in finding creative ways to measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign that is part of an advertising campaign in itself, but at the end of the day your goals are the key. It may come down to estimating how happy you are with what you are doing.
Make Money on Internet
The internet brings with it not only a well of information, but also numerous opportunities to make money on internet. There are jobs that require marketing skills, then others requiring designing skills and of course, jobs that require the knowledge one gains through a degree. Whatever type of job you choose, it is indeed very easy, and possible to make money on internet.
The first thing that has to be done to make money on internet is to have a website. It is possible to make lots of money on internet with a website using the many affiliate programs found on the internet. The website forms your online advertising for your product of the affiliate program.
Another option to make money on internet is through freelance jobs. Freelance jobs are popular today because of the flexibility in time and schedules in completing jobs from the internet. The various options you have for freelance jobs vary from freelance writing, graphic designing, e-book writing and copywriting.
It is possible to make money on internet with online advertising. Setting up google ads or yahoo ads helps in your online advertising needs. Today, google adsense is a very common option to make money on internet. You can also use this online advertising to sell your own product through the internet.
Though it is possible to make money on internet by selling your products, this is a time consuming and rather difficult way to make money on internet. You need a lot of research, planning, promotion and advertising to sell your product. However, with the right motivation and determination, it is possible to make money on internet with your product.
Affiliate programs are another means to make money on internet. However, this has to be combined with other programs as it is faster to make money on internet selling other people's stuff than through affiliate programs. Article writing is another fantastic way to make money on internet.
It is possible to use article writing as an advertising method to make money on internet. To do this, you have to place your website link in your resource box which directs the people who read your article to your website. You can also start an article writing business where you write articles for other people's websites. There is no investment to be made here; just some recognition of your services is required.
These are the main courses to follow to make money on internet; however you're your creativity and imagination, it is possible to employ numerous routes to make money on internet. It is possible to make money on internet with online games, online bingo, multilevel marketing, online paid surveys, online forex trading and numerous other ways.
So it can be seen that the unemployed, students, housewives and those yearning to make money fast can easily make money on internet. All that is required is a computer, an internet connection, a knowledge of using the computer and internet, imagination, dedication and lots of hard work.
The first thing that has to be done to make money on internet is to have a website. It is possible to make lots of money on internet with a website using the many affiliate programs found on the internet. The website forms your online advertising for your product of the affiliate program.
Another option to make money on internet is through freelance jobs. Freelance jobs are popular today because of the flexibility in time and schedules in completing jobs from the internet. The various options you have for freelance jobs vary from freelance writing, graphic designing, e-book writing and copywriting.
It is possible to make money on internet with online advertising. Setting up google ads or yahoo ads helps in your online advertising needs. Today, google adsense is a very common option to make money on internet. You can also use this online advertising to sell your own product through the internet.
Though it is possible to make money on internet by selling your products, this is a time consuming and rather difficult way to make money on internet. You need a lot of research, planning, promotion and advertising to sell your product. However, with the right motivation and determination, it is possible to make money on internet with your product.
Affiliate programs are another means to make money on internet. However, this has to be combined with other programs as it is faster to make money on internet selling other people's stuff than through affiliate programs. Article writing is another fantastic way to make money on internet.
It is possible to use article writing as an advertising method to make money on internet. To do this, you have to place your website link in your resource box which directs the people who read your article to your website. You can also start an article writing business where you write articles for other people's websites. There is no investment to be made here; just some recognition of your services is required.
These are the main courses to follow to make money on internet; however you're your creativity and imagination, it is possible to employ numerous routes to make money on internet. It is possible to make money on internet with online games, online bingo, multilevel marketing, online paid surveys, online forex trading and numerous other ways.
So it can be seen that the unemployed, students, housewives and those yearning to make money fast can easily make money on internet. All that is required is a computer, an internet connection, a knowledge of using the computer and internet, imagination, dedication and lots of hard work.
EBay Get Rich
EBay get rich is a term you find in many places in the internet. On reading this phrase, many people have set about buying and selling things on eBay with the intention of making quick money. However, it should be known that though it is possible to make money on eBay, it is not a get rich quick scheme. There is a lot of patience to become eBay get rich branded material.
For eBay get rich to work out with you, you have to have lots of commitment in eBay. There are many scammers who claim that it is possible to use eBay get rich to make money on eBay. Then there are the scam artists who claim that they have a list of wholesalers and drop shippers who can make eBay get rich a reality. However, things are not that simple.
Lots of efforts have to be put on your part for eBay get rich. You have to spend lots of time researching on the best products to sell on eBay, the right rates you can quote for the products and if you are buying on eBay, you have to know what the best bid amount is for the product, and bid accordingly.
Ebay is a site that offers buyers and sellers on the site with consultations to eBay get rich. This consultation is available for free, and is provided to sellers at all levels. When you make a consultation to eBay get rich, it is usually a one-on-one telephone consultation between the eBay marketing and sales expert and yourself.
The consulter goes through all your listings on the eBay site and provides advice on necessary changes and adjustments that have, and can be done for eBay get rich. There is no need if feeling shy or humiliated to seek a consultation to eBay get rich. Many of the best sellers today have taken a consultation or two and then headed to become the best seller of today. So don't hesitate to take a consultation now.
In addition to consultations, there are many books on the internet and the offline bookstores teaching how it is possible to eBay get rich. You just have to get a copy of the book, and read its contents and go ahead and make money on the internet. Of course, however, many consolations you take and books you read, it is only with practical knowledge and hard work that it is possible to eBay get rich.
With the internet and sites like eBay, it is now possible for practically anyone and everyone to make money. And to eBay get rich, you just have to register yourself on the eBay site, surf around for products where you can make money. Place the right bids and prices for buying and selling respectively and wait and see how you will eBay get rich.
Just make sure that you abide with the rules and safety policies on eBay to eBay get rich. Otherwise you will only land in controversies and complications which will only take up lots of time in clearing up, and otherwise, offer nothing as compensation to you.
For eBay get rich to work out with you, you have to have lots of commitment in eBay. There are many scammers who claim that it is possible to use eBay get rich to make money on eBay. Then there are the scam artists who claim that they have a list of wholesalers and drop shippers who can make eBay get rich a reality. However, things are not that simple.
Lots of efforts have to be put on your part for eBay get rich. You have to spend lots of time researching on the best products to sell on eBay, the right rates you can quote for the products and if you are buying on eBay, you have to know what the best bid amount is for the product, and bid accordingly.
Ebay is a site that offers buyers and sellers on the site with consultations to eBay get rich. This consultation is available for free, and is provided to sellers at all levels. When you make a consultation to eBay get rich, it is usually a one-on-one telephone consultation between the eBay marketing and sales expert and yourself.
The consulter goes through all your listings on the eBay site and provides advice on necessary changes and adjustments that have, and can be done for eBay get rich. There is no need if feeling shy or humiliated to seek a consultation to eBay get rich. Many of the best sellers today have taken a consultation or two and then headed to become the best seller of today. So don't hesitate to take a consultation now.
In addition to consultations, there are many books on the internet and the offline bookstores teaching how it is possible to eBay get rich. You just have to get a copy of the book, and read its contents and go ahead and make money on the internet. Of course, however, many consolations you take and books you read, it is only with practical knowledge and hard work that it is possible to eBay get rich.
With the internet and sites like eBay, it is now possible for practically anyone and everyone to make money. And to eBay get rich, you just have to register yourself on the eBay site, surf around for products where you can make money. Place the right bids and prices for buying and selling respectively and wait and see how you will eBay get rich.
Just make sure that you abide with the rules and safety policies on eBay to eBay get rich. Otherwise you will only land in controversies and complications which will only take up lots of time in clearing up, and otherwise, offer nothing as compensation to you.
Do You Have a To Don't List
As a business owner you may struggle with the question of how you will be able to get everything done. This is especially true for independent service professionals and solopreneurs. There are only so many hours in the day, this isn’t going to change. So something else has to.
And if you spend almost all of your time working in your business, you don’t have time for the rest of your life. Isn’t it true that some of the reasons you started your own business were so you would have more freedom and fun? If you are stressed out and not able to get the right things done, then your business isn’t serving you in the way you intended.
The answer is to only focus on the main drivers of your business. The kind of things that are the most important to the growth of your business. I know, I can hear you saying that your business is different and you have dozens of important things you must do. The truth is that not everything is equally important. It’s really a matter of choice and you are the one who can decide how you choose to spend your time.
In many cases, in your heart you may know what the most important things are, but somehow loads of other things seem to get in the way. This is where a “to don’t?list can come in handy. So instead of a long list of things to do, try turning it around and focusing on what you don’t want to do. This will help you stay focused on the right things by default.
To get started, make a list of all of the things you are going to stop doing, things that are not directly connected to the core of your business.
Here are some examples of things for a “to don’t?list:
* Don’t schedule meetings with everyone who asks me
* Don’t check e-mail every 10 minutes
* Don’t spend hours thinking about small things like the best font type
* Don’t get lost surfing the internet
* Don’t keep doing things manually that I can automate
Once you have your list ready, keep it in a place where you can see it. As you begin each day, think about what you want to accomplish and remind yourself of what you will NOT be doing. As you take action throughout the day, be aware of your activities and check to see if something you are doing is on your “to don’t?list ?if it is, stop doing it immediately! You can always add new things to your list as you become more aware of how you spend your time.
After awhile, you will automatically notice a “to don’t?and you will choose not to do it before you get lost in the activity and wonder where the last hour(s) went.
You can also use your “to don’t?list as a way to set stronger boundaries for yourself, and your business. Saying no to certain things makes the things you do choose to say ‘yes?to, that much more clear and powerful.
It’s fun to make a list of all of the things you don’t have to do. So why not get started and see how many things you can identify that are not supporting the creation of a profitable business. You will be surprised at how much more you can get done in less time, still grow your business, and have a life.
?Stephanie Ward, 2007
And if you spend almost all of your time working in your business, you don’t have time for the rest of your life. Isn’t it true that some of the reasons you started your own business were so you would have more freedom and fun? If you are stressed out and not able to get the right things done, then your business isn’t serving you in the way you intended.
The answer is to only focus on the main drivers of your business. The kind of things that are the most important to the growth of your business. I know, I can hear you saying that your business is different and you have dozens of important things you must do. The truth is that not everything is equally important. It’s really a matter of choice and you are the one who can decide how you choose to spend your time.
In many cases, in your heart you may know what the most important things are, but somehow loads of other things seem to get in the way. This is where a “to don’t?list can come in handy. So instead of a long list of things to do, try turning it around and focusing on what you don’t want to do. This will help you stay focused on the right things by default.
To get started, make a list of all of the things you are going to stop doing, things that are not directly connected to the core of your business.
Here are some examples of things for a “to don’t?list:
* Don’t schedule meetings with everyone who asks me
* Don’t check e-mail every 10 minutes
* Don’t spend hours thinking about small things like the best font type
* Don’t get lost surfing the internet
* Don’t keep doing things manually that I can automate
Once you have your list ready, keep it in a place where you can see it. As you begin each day, think about what you want to accomplish and remind yourself of what you will NOT be doing. As you take action throughout the day, be aware of your activities and check to see if something you are doing is on your “to don’t?list ?if it is, stop doing it immediately! You can always add new things to your list as you become more aware of how you spend your time.
After awhile, you will automatically notice a “to don’t?and you will choose not to do it before you get lost in the activity and wonder where the last hour(s) went.
You can also use your “to don’t?list as a way to set stronger boundaries for yourself, and your business. Saying no to certain things makes the things you do choose to say ‘yes?to, that much more clear and powerful.
It’s fun to make a list of all of the things you don’t have to do. So why not get started and see how many things you can identify that are not supporting the creation of a profitable business. You will be surprised at how much more you can get done in less time, still grow your business, and have a life.
?Stephanie Ward, 2007
Five Easy Steps to De-Clutter Cords and Cables
After the holidays, cables and wires are often a site for sore eyes amidst the influx of new high-tech toys, gadgets, and accessories. Thankfully, homeowners can utilize a few quick steps to restore function and design to their living rooms and home offices.
Supplies:
Cable Ties(also known as Wire Ties)
Cable Tie Installation Tool
Electrical Tape or Heat Shrink Tubing
Adhesive Back Mounting Bases
Surge Protector
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Start by unplugging and detangling all of the cables and cords.
Apply electrical tape or heat shrink tubing to any frayed cords and pull the cables together to a single meeting point.
Use the cable tie installation tool to fit a cable tie around the meeting point.
Every four to six inches, fit cable ties or wire ties to ensure the cords stay together. Using adhesive back mounting bases can help hide the bundle by attaching it to inconspicuous nooks in the desk, shelf, or entertainment center.
Plug the cords into the surge protector.
Plastic and nylon cable ties wire ties and are available in a variety of size and color options. Try a sleek black cable tie for an entertainment center and a fun, fluorescent color to clean up the cables from the computer in a child’s bedroom. With all the options available, homeowners can create an organized and inviting room in a matter of minutes. CableTiesPlus offers a wide variety of cable tie products ranging from miniature to extra heavy duty types. The ties are available in lengths from 4 inches to 48 inches in various colors. Cable Tie installation tools are available for lightweight and standard applications.
Supplies:
Cable Ties(also known as Wire Ties)
Cable Tie Installation Tool
Electrical Tape or Heat Shrink Tubing
Adhesive Back Mounting Bases
Surge Protector
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Start by unplugging and detangling all of the cables and cords.
Apply electrical tape or heat shrink tubing to any frayed cords and pull the cables together to a single meeting point.
Use the cable tie installation tool to fit a cable tie around the meeting point.
Every four to six inches, fit cable ties or wire ties to ensure the cords stay together. Using adhesive back mounting bases can help hide the bundle by attaching it to inconspicuous nooks in the desk, shelf, or entertainment center.
Plug the cords into the surge protector.
Plastic and nylon cable ties wire ties and are available in a variety of size and color options. Try a sleek black cable tie for an entertainment center and a fun, fluorescent color to clean up the cables from the computer in a child’s bedroom. With all the options available, homeowners can create an organized and inviting room in a matter of minutes. CableTiesPlus offers a wide variety of cable tie products ranging from miniature to extra heavy duty types. The ties are available in lengths from 4 inches to 48 inches in various colors. Cable Tie installation tools are available for lightweight and standard applications.
EBay Answer Centre
Ebay is an online trading center that most people know about, and have heard about. Though it is rather easy and convenient to start making money using eBay, and to create an eBay store here there are still some people who have questions and doubts to be cleared about eBay. So the best means of having all these doubts cleared lies making a visit to the eBay answer center where you will have most questions answered.
The eBay answer center is a facility decided by eBay that works at helping you get help from other members of eBay. This is because it is designed to have more fast questions to be answered, than only a source of discussion. It can be said that the eBay answer center is basically a member to member forum where you get to ask questions to other eBay members. These members in turn, send answers to your queries. In fact, there will also be some members who may pose questions to you in the eBay answer center, and expect an answer from you. Sometimes the questions that you pose in eBay answer center may be the same question some other member had to ask, but was too shy or embarrassed to ask.
The eBay answer center is an easy way to share information about eBay with other eBay members. This eBay answer center is divided into different sections or topics where you have to choose the division that best fits the question you have in mind. You find forums on My eBay, PayPal, Turbo Lister, Searching, Trust and Safety and other topics on eBay answer center. There is no rule that only members and registered members of eBay can use eBay answer center. Anyone has the right to browse through the eBay answer center to read its questions and answers. Newcomers to the world of eBay can surf through this site to find out more about eBay and to get answers to doubts.
However, for a person to post a question to the eBay answer center, or to give a reply to any existing questions, the person has to be a registered eBay member. It proves to be beneficial to pay an occasional visit to the eBay answer center once registered in eBay. This is because there is a good chance of increasing your revenue when your auction related doubts get cleared here. So if you have some tips and information that proves to be informational to the people posing questions on the eBay answer center, all you have to do is to register yourself on the site. This is not a difficult process. Registration is fast and free; you just have to log into the site, provide your name and email address and you are instantly registered on the site.
Once registered you can get all your doubts cleared about eBay and trading on it, and in the process provide advice to people who may have some other questions on eBay, with the help of your experience.
The eBay answer center is a facility decided by eBay that works at helping you get help from other members of eBay. This is because it is designed to have more fast questions to be answered, than only a source of discussion. It can be said that the eBay answer center is basically a member to member forum where you get to ask questions to other eBay members. These members in turn, send answers to your queries. In fact, there will also be some members who may pose questions to you in the eBay answer center, and expect an answer from you. Sometimes the questions that you pose in eBay answer center may be the same question some other member had to ask, but was too shy or embarrassed to ask.
The eBay answer center is an easy way to share information about eBay with other eBay members. This eBay answer center is divided into different sections or topics where you have to choose the division that best fits the question you have in mind. You find forums on My eBay, PayPal, Turbo Lister, Searching, Trust and Safety and other topics on eBay answer center. There is no rule that only members and registered members of eBay can use eBay answer center. Anyone has the right to browse through the eBay answer center to read its questions and answers. Newcomers to the world of eBay can surf through this site to find out more about eBay and to get answers to doubts.
However, for a person to post a question to the eBay answer center, or to give a reply to any existing questions, the person has to be a registered eBay member. It proves to be beneficial to pay an occasional visit to the eBay answer center once registered in eBay. This is because there is a good chance of increasing your revenue when your auction related doubts get cleared here. So if you have some tips and information that proves to be informational to the people posing questions on the eBay answer center, all you have to do is to register yourself on the site. This is not a difficult process. Registration is fast and free; you just have to log into the site, provide your name and email address and you are instantly registered on the site.
Once registered you can get all your doubts cleared about eBay and trading on it, and in the process provide advice to people who may have some other questions on eBay, with the help of your experience.
ID Card Security Issues Via Lamination
The ID card market has changed over the past several years as affordable solutions have reached the marketplace. Today, someone can purchase an ID card printer for less than $2,000 that provides the ability to print plastic photo identification cards. Now there are other elements that are required such as software, digital camera and computer, but the solutions have definitely stepped down from being unreachable as far as price is concerned. There are several solutions that have been introduced to prevent fraudulent identification cards from being produced and we want to review a few to help you understand them.
One of the earliest forms of counterfeit protection methods is what is found on almost any form of paper currency regardless of its country of origin as well as on many of today’s government identification cards. It’s the line artwork found on the corners and borders and it’s called Guilloche printing. This methodology of counterfeit protection was developed when copy machines were not as sophisticated as they are today, during a time when counterfeiting required someone copying the details as an artist would copy a painting. Today with the advances on imaging and digital duplication, this form of counterfeit protection is just not sufficient; therefore there have been many new methods introduced.
Many of these new types of forgery prevention have had to do with the lamination that can be placed on top of an ID card. There are many reasons that this lamination has become one of the fullest proof methods of ensuring identification cards are original and nearly impossible to duplicate. Before we begin to discuss the different types of security placed into the lamination, it’s important to understand that presently there are only two companies in the global marketplace that produce this secure lamination technology. Each of these companies also allows the customer to register the lamination produced. This alone creates a barrier to duplication simply because of the limited sources. There are other facets that cause the technologies within lamination to be hard to duplicate and the cost barrier is one of them.
To produce a lamination for a particular purpose, a design has to be established. Producing this design can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 based on the technologies embedded into the product. Then after the design has been created and registered, there are minimum orders that must be met. Therefore, if you consider the cost of trying to duplicate an ID card utilizing this technology, you have to include the cost of the equipment plus the cost of getting a design created (if possible, because of the limited companies in the market and the registration of the imbedded marks) and then the minimum orders required to get started. Ultimately to produce a good forgery today, someone would have to spend approximately $20,000 or more US dollars to be able to do so. And again, that would be if they knew the right people that could even make something like this happen since there are presently only two organizations that produce ID card secure laminations.
Now that we’ve discussed the difficulty in duplicating the laminate and the expense involved, let me explain why the expense and difficulty. State of the art technology has been developed and embedded into these laminates including security features such as holograms, micro and nano text, laser visible imaging, and ultraviolet colors. Each of these items are available, each at a cost when it comes to producing your secure laminate for your identification card needs. Regardless of the initial cost, once these technologies have been incorporated into your overlaid laminate, you alone have the ability to purchase this exclusive custom secure design.
As many of the older technologies utilized to prevent fraudulent duplication of identification cards have become easily imitated, one of the best methodologies in today’s marketplace to prevent duplication is the use of highly sophisticated laminates. There are other forms of forgery prevention, but not many of them are as affordable on a per card basis as today’s laminate technologies. Who knows what the future holds, but for now, there are not many better or more affordable solutions.
One of the earliest forms of counterfeit protection methods is what is found on almost any form of paper currency regardless of its country of origin as well as on many of today’s government identification cards. It’s the line artwork found on the corners and borders and it’s called Guilloche printing. This methodology of counterfeit protection was developed when copy machines were not as sophisticated as they are today, during a time when counterfeiting required someone copying the details as an artist would copy a painting. Today with the advances on imaging and digital duplication, this form of counterfeit protection is just not sufficient; therefore there have been many new methods introduced.
Many of these new types of forgery prevention have had to do with the lamination that can be placed on top of an ID card. There are many reasons that this lamination has become one of the fullest proof methods of ensuring identification cards are original and nearly impossible to duplicate. Before we begin to discuss the different types of security placed into the lamination, it’s important to understand that presently there are only two companies in the global marketplace that produce this secure lamination technology. Each of these companies also allows the customer to register the lamination produced. This alone creates a barrier to duplication simply because of the limited sources. There are other facets that cause the technologies within lamination to be hard to duplicate and the cost barrier is one of them.
To produce a lamination for a particular purpose, a design has to be established. Producing this design can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 based on the technologies embedded into the product. Then after the design has been created and registered, there are minimum orders that must be met. Therefore, if you consider the cost of trying to duplicate an ID card utilizing this technology, you have to include the cost of the equipment plus the cost of getting a design created (if possible, because of the limited companies in the market and the registration of the imbedded marks) and then the minimum orders required to get started. Ultimately to produce a good forgery today, someone would have to spend approximately $20,000 or more US dollars to be able to do so. And again, that would be if they knew the right people that could even make something like this happen since there are presently only two organizations that produce ID card secure laminations.
Now that we’ve discussed the difficulty in duplicating the laminate and the expense involved, let me explain why the expense and difficulty. State of the art technology has been developed and embedded into these laminates including security features such as holograms, micro and nano text, laser visible imaging, and ultraviolet colors. Each of these items are available, each at a cost when it comes to producing your secure laminate for your identification card needs. Regardless of the initial cost, once these technologies have been incorporated into your overlaid laminate, you alone have the ability to purchase this exclusive custom secure design.
As many of the older technologies utilized to prevent fraudulent duplication of identification cards have become easily imitated, one of the best methodologies in today’s marketplace to prevent duplication is the use of highly sophisticated laminates. There are other forms of forgery prevention, but not many of them are as affordable on a per card basis as today’s laminate technologies. Who knows what the future holds, but for now, there are not many better or more affordable solutions.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Autopsy Results Pending on Richard Jeni
An autopsy was performed Monday on comic Richard Jeni but the official cause of his death won't be announced for several weeks, according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.
Jeni died Saturday from an apparent gunshot wound. He was 49.
"It was reported to us as a possible suicide," coroner's Capt. Ed Winter said Monday. He did not disclose what kind of weapon was used.
No suicide note was found, said Lt. Fred Corral of the coroner's office's investigative division.
Jeni died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Winter said. Los Angeles Police found Jeni alive but gravely injured after responding to a call that morning from a woman who said: "My boyfriend just shot himself in the face."
Jeni's agent, Jackie Miller-Knobbe of the APA Talent Agency, said workers there were "completely shocked."
The agency released a statement Monday calling Jeni's death "a true loss to the world of comedy."
"He was one of the great standup comedians of our generation," the statement said. "His kindness and joy will be missed."
Besides his standup act, Jeni (real name Richard John Colangelo), was a regular on "The Tonight Show," a guest of both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno.
"He had an everyman kind of appeal," Leno told the TV show "Extra.""He just made me laugh. ... When you were in a room with other comics he made them laugh."
Jeni also wrote comic material for the 2005 Academy Awards, when Chris Rock was host, and appeared in an episode last year of Rock's TV sitcom, "Everybody Hates Chris."
"Richard Jeni was a friend, a mentor and one of the best comedians I've ever seen," Rock said in a statement Sunday. "I'm really gonna miss him."
Frazer Smith, a comic who had opened for Jeni, called him "one of the best standup comedians in the last 50 years."
"He had tons and tons of material," Smith said. "He was looked up to by all the young comedians — a total pro."
"Richard brought us all a lifetime of laughter," Jeni's family said in a statement Monday. "Our hearts are broken."
Jeni drew national attention in 1990 with his Showtime special "Richard Jeni: Boy from New York City." His "Crazy from the Heat" Showtime special drew record ratings for the cable channel.
Jeni went on to craft comedy specials for HBO, including 1992's "Platypus Man," which won a Cable ACE award and served as the basis for Jeni's short-lived UPN sitcom of the same name. His most recent special, "A Big Steaming Pile of Me," ran during HBO's 2005-06 season.
Jeni's film credits include "The Mask,""The Aristocrats,""National Lampoon's Dad's Week Off" and "Burn, Hollywood, Burn."
"What a loss and what a shame, as someone who gave so much laughter and joy, that he couldn't find enough to give it to himself," comedian David Brenner said Monday.
Jeni said he was drawn to comedy because of his father's love of the genre.
"My interest in comedy began as an attempt to imitate his behavior in one of a string of futile attempts to bond with him," Jeni said last year. "When he was at work I'd sneak out the comedy albums and sit there listening, enthralled. ... It was so naughty and raucous and, best of all, forbidden — very appetizing to a kid — kind of like an X-rated tree house. I was hooked."
Jeni died Saturday from an apparent gunshot wound. He was 49.
"It was reported to us as a possible suicide," coroner's Capt. Ed Winter said Monday. He did not disclose what kind of weapon was used.
No suicide note was found, said Lt. Fred Corral of the coroner's office's investigative division.
Jeni died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Winter said. Los Angeles Police found Jeni alive but gravely injured after responding to a call that morning from a woman who said: "My boyfriend just shot himself in the face."
Jeni's agent, Jackie Miller-Knobbe of the APA Talent Agency, said workers there were "completely shocked."
The agency released a statement Monday calling Jeni's death "a true loss to the world of comedy."
"He was one of the great standup comedians of our generation," the statement said. "His kindness and joy will be missed."
Besides his standup act, Jeni (real name Richard John Colangelo), was a regular on "The Tonight Show," a guest of both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno.
"He had an everyman kind of appeal," Leno told the TV show "Extra.""He just made me laugh. ... When you were in a room with other comics he made them laugh."
Jeni also wrote comic material for the 2005 Academy Awards, when Chris Rock was host, and appeared in an episode last year of Rock's TV sitcom, "Everybody Hates Chris."
"Richard Jeni was a friend, a mentor and one of the best comedians I've ever seen," Rock said in a statement Sunday. "I'm really gonna miss him."
Frazer Smith, a comic who had opened for Jeni, called him "one of the best standup comedians in the last 50 years."
"He had tons and tons of material," Smith said. "He was looked up to by all the young comedians — a total pro."
"Richard brought us all a lifetime of laughter," Jeni's family said in a statement Monday. "Our hearts are broken."
Jeni drew national attention in 1990 with his Showtime special "Richard Jeni: Boy from New York City." His "Crazy from the Heat" Showtime special drew record ratings for the cable channel.
Jeni went on to craft comedy specials for HBO, including 1992's "Platypus Man," which won a Cable ACE award and served as the basis for Jeni's short-lived UPN sitcom of the same name. His most recent special, "A Big Steaming Pile of Me," ran during HBO's 2005-06 season.
Jeni's film credits include "The Mask,""The Aristocrats,""National Lampoon's Dad's Week Off" and "Burn, Hollywood, Burn."
"What a loss and what a shame, as someone who gave so much laughter and joy, that he couldn't find enough to give it to himself," comedian David Brenner said Monday.
Jeni said he was drawn to comedy because of his father's love of the genre.
"My interest in comedy began as an attempt to imitate his behavior in one of a string of futile attempts to bond with him," Jeni said last year. "When he was at work I'd sneak out the comedy albums and sit there listening, enthralled. ... It was so naughty and raucous and, best of all, forbidden — very appetizing to a kid — kind of like an X-rated tree house. I was hooked."
House Democrats challenge Bush on Iraq war funding
In a direct challenge to President Bush, the House of Representatives has, on a roughly party line vote of 218 to 212, called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq no later than the end of August 2008. VOA's Dan Robinson reports from Capitol Hill, the president has condemned the House action, and reiterated a veto threat.
Democrats succeeded in passing a measure that ties funding needed to support U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan with requirements to limit the duration of their deployments, and force President Bush to certify the readiness of military units.
The beginning of a withdrawal period would be triggered, if the president cannot certify to Congress at two key points this year, that the Iraqi government is satisfactorily reaching political, economic and security benchmarks.
During the debate, the Democratic appropriations chairman, David Obey, asserted that, wording, timelines and benchmarks aside, the primary significance is Congress' determination to exert some control over the president's Iraq policy.
"What is important in the document today is not the exact wording. What is important is not the exact timetable.What is important is not the enumeration of these benchmarks.What is important is that, for the first time, this Congress will be exercising its constitutional responsibilities to provide real oversight on the executive branch of government, and we will be trying to set this country on a new direction," he said.
Congressman John Murtha, a Vietnam War veteran, referred to U.S. troops killed and wounded in Iraq, and money in the bill for military health care, saying Iraqi leaders must be held to commitments to shoulder more of the burden.
"When you see 3,000 [U.S. troops] that have been killed, or 25,000 that have been wounded, it is individuals that have been wounded, individuals that have been killed, and those families are suffering. They [Iraqis] have a civil war. We have to put benchmarks in this bill, so the Iraqis start to do it themselves, and the Americans aren't forced to make up the difference and do it themselves."
Democratic leaders were generally successful in persuading most outspoken anti-war Democrats to support the bill, even though it gives a longer timetable for withdrawal than they wanted.
Only 14 crossed party lines to oppose their leadership, while only two Republicans voted for the bill.
Republican minority leader John Boehner made a final appeal against the measure:
"Who doesn't believe that if we go down this path, we are going to leave chaos and genocide in Iraq, and we are going to tell our enemies all around the world that you can take on the United States, you can push them to the edge, and, at the end of the day, they will just go home?" he asked.
Both sides also turned to war veterans to make their case.
"Internationally announcing our timelines for withdrawal literally hands the enemy our war plan, and gives them hope that they will win, if they just wait it out," said Sam Johnson is a Texas Republican. "What world superpower would do such a thing?"
Pennsylvania Congressman and Iraq war veteran Patrick Murphy delivered emotional remarks for Democrats:
"In the last four years the Republican Congress followed this president, as thousands of brave American soldiers returned home in coffins with our American flag," he said. "Nineteen of those coffins had American soldiers I served with in Iraq, 19 paratroopers."
After the vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke to reporters.
"It [Congress] voted 'no' to giving a blank check to an open-ended commitment to war without end to the President of the United States, and 'yes' to begin the end of the war and the redeployment of our troops," she said.
The Senate, which Democrats narrowly control, may begin debate next week on a measure containing about $3 billion less than the House version, with a non-binding call for a U.S. withdrawal by March 2008.
But any legislation containing a timetable or other conditions faces a veto threat from President Bush, who condemned the House action as, in his words, "an act of political theater.""Amid the real challenges in Iraq, we're beginning to see some signs of progress," said Mr. Bush. "Yet, to score political points, the Democratic majority in the House has shown it is willing to undermine the gains our troops are making on the ground."
At this point, House Speaker Pelosi declines to say what strategy House Democrats will take in negotiations with the Senate, should a bill pass there, to reconcile differences to avert a veto.
House Republicans assert Democrats will ultimately be forced to accept a clean bill, without troop readiness requirements or withdrawal timetables that the president will accept.
Democrats succeeded in passing a measure that ties funding needed to support U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan with requirements to limit the duration of their deployments, and force President Bush to certify the readiness of military units.
The beginning of a withdrawal period would be triggered, if the president cannot certify to Congress at two key points this year, that the Iraqi government is satisfactorily reaching political, economic and security benchmarks.
During the debate, the Democratic appropriations chairman, David Obey, asserted that, wording, timelines and benchmarks aside, the primary significance is Congress' determination to exert some control over the president's Iraq policy.
"What is important in the document today is not the exact wording. What is important is not the exact timetable.What is important is not the enumeration of these benchmarks.What is important is that, for the first time, this Congress will be exercising its constitutional responsibilities to provide real oversight on the executive branch of government, and we will be trying to set this country on a new direction," he said.
Congressman John Murtha, a Vietnam War veteran, referred to U.S. troops killed and wounded in Iraq, and money in the bill for military health care, saying Iraqi leaders must be held to commitments to shoulder more of the burden.
"When you see 3,000 [U.S. troops] that have been killed, or 25,000 that have been wounded, it is individuals that have been wounded, individuals that have been killed, and those families are suffering. They [Iraqis] have a civil war. We have to put benchmarks in this bill, so the Iraqis start to do it themselves, and the Americans aren't forced to make up the difference and do it themselves."
Democratic leaders were generally successful in persuading most outspoken anti-war Democrats to support the bill, even though it gives a longer timetable for withdrawal than they wanted.
Only 14 crossed party lines to oppose their leadership, while only two Republicans voted for the bill.
Republican minority leader John Boehner made a final appeal against the measure:
"Who doesn't believe that if we go down this path, we are going to leave chaos and genocide in Iraq, and we are going to tell our enemies all around the world that you can take on the United States, you can push them to the edge, and, at the end of the day, they will just go home?" he asked.
Both sides also turned to war veterans to make their case.
"Internationally announcing our timelines for withdrawal literally hands the enemy our war plan, and gives them hope that they will win, if they just wait it out," said Sam Johnson is a Texas Republican. "What world superpower would do such a thing?"
Pennsylvania Congressman and Iraq war veteran Patrick Murphy delivered emotional remarks for Democrats:
"In the last four years the Republican Congress followed this president, as thousands of brave American soldiers returned home in coffins with our American flag," he said. "Nineteen of those coffins had American soldiers I served with in Iraq, 19 paratroopers."
After the vote, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke to reporters.
"It [Congress] voted 'no' to giving a blank check to an open-ended commitment to war without end to the President of the United States, and 'yes' to begin the end of the war and the redeployment of our troops," she said.
The Senate, which Democrats narrowly control, may begin debate next week on a measure containing about $3 billion less than the House version, with a non-binding call for a U.S. withdrawal by March 2008.
But any legislation containing a timetable or other conditions faces a veto threat from President Bush, who condemned the House action as, in his words, "an act of political theater.""Amid the real challenges in Iraq, we're beginning to see some signs of progress," said Mr. Bush. "Yet, to score political points, the Democratic majority in the House has shown it is willing to undermine the gains our troops are making on the ground."
At this point, House Speaker Pelosi declines to say what strategy House Democrats will take in negotiations with the Senate, should a bill pass there, to reconcile differences to avert a veto.
House Republicans assert Democrats will ultimately be forced to accept a clean bill, without troop readiness requirements or withdrawal timetables that the president will accept.
UN proposal recommends independence for Kosovo
The U.N. mediator for Kosovo has recommended independence for the breakaway Serbian province. From U.N. headquarters, correspondent Peter Heinlein reports Serbian officials called the decision "unacceptable".In a long-awaited report to the U.N. Security Council, Special envoy Martti Ahtisaari says "independence is the only viable option for a politically stable and economically viable Kosovo."
At the same time, Ahtisaari says the region is not yet ready to tackle challenges such as protection of minorities, economic development, and social reconciliation.
He recommends an international civilian and military presence be maintained in the region for an unspecified 'initial period', until Kosovo has the capacity to stand on its own.
Kosovo's 90 percent ethnic-Albanian majority hailed the decision, but Serbian President Boris Tadic Monday called any form of independence for Kosovo "unacceptable". He said Serbia remains ready to 'constructively engage' in further talks on the province's future.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is in the Middle East, but spokesperson Marie Okabe says he accepts Ahtisaari's concept of 'supervised independence.'
"The Security Council has been presented with a plan which the secretary-general believes contains all of the right elements for fair and sustainable solution to Kosovo's future status," she said.
U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns was in Brussels when the report was released. He expressed Washington's full support for Ahtisaari's conclusions.
Burns explained 'supervised independence' as a means to provide Kosovo a 'way forward' toward independence, while ensuring the rights of the region's ethnic-Serb minority.
"The European Union would provide economic assistance for a period of time, NATO troops would continue to provide security and that there would be provisions for security for the Serb population for its churches, for its monasteries and for the people themselves, but that we have to get on and see that Kosovo become an independent state," he said. "And the United States supports that process."
Burns said he thinks the U.N. Security Council could pass a resolution confirming Kosovo's future status either in April or May.
Agreement in the Council is complicated by veto-wielding Russia's insistence that any Kosovo solution be acceptable to both sides. Ahtisaari has said he reached his recommendation for independence only after determining that the two sides were so far apart that a mutually acceptable solution was impossible.
Nevertheless, Burns remains optimistic. He told reporters he expects five to seven weeks of consultations to find the best way forward before the Security Council votes.
Kosovo has been under U.N. administration since 1999, after a three-month NATO bombing campaign drove Serb forces from the former Yugoslavia out of the province, ending a deadly Serb crackdown on ethnic Albanians.
The Ahtisaari plan sets the stage for eventual full independence for the region, including provisions for a constitution, a flag, an army, and guarantees that minority Serbs would be allowed to run their own affairs. The plan also gives Kosovo the right to join international organizations reserved for sovereign states.
At the same time, Ahtisaari says the region is not yet ready to tackle challenges such as protection of minorities, economic development, and social reconciliation.
He recommends an international civilian and military presence be maintained in the region for an unspecified 'initial period', until Kosovo has the capacity to stand on its own.
Kosovo's 90 percent ethnic-Albanian majority hailed the decision, but Serbian President Boris Tadic Monday called any form of independence for Kosovo "unacceptable". He said Serbia remains ready to 'constructively engage' in further talks on the province's future.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is in the Middle East, but spokesperson Marie Okabe says he accepts Ahtisaari's concept of 'supervised independence.'
"The Security Council has been presented with a plan which the secretary-general believes contains all of the right elements for fair and sustainable solution to Kosovo's future status," she said.
U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns was in Brussels when the report was released. He expressed Washington's full support for Ahtisaari's conclusions.
Burns explained 'supervised independence' as a means to provide Kosovo a 'way forward' toward independence, while ensuring the rights of the region's ethnic-Serb minority.
"The European Union would provide economic assistance for a period of time, NATO troops would continue to provide security and that there would be provisions for security for the Serb population for its churches, for its monasteries and for the people themselves, but that we have to get on and see that Kosovo become an independent state," he said. "And the United States supports that process."
Burns said he thinks the U.N. Security Council could pass a resolution confirming Kosovo's future status either in April or May.
Agreement in the Council is complicated by veto-wielding Russia's insistence that any Kosovo solution be acceptable to both sides. Ahtisaari has said he reached his recommendation for independence only after determining that the two sides were so far apart that a mutually acceptable solution was impossible.
Nevertheless, Burns remains optimistic. He told reporters he expects five to seven weeks of consultations to find the best way forward before the Security Council votes.
Kosovo has been under U.N. administration since 1999, after a three-month NATO bombing campaign drove Serb forces from the former Yugoslavia out of the province, ending a deadly Serb crackdown on ethnic Albanians.
The Ahtisaari plan sets the stage for eventual full independence for the region, including provisions for a constitution, a flag, an army, and guarantees that minority Serbs would be allowed to run their own affairs. The plan also gives Kosovo the right to join international organizations reserved for sovereign states.
Senate backs timeline for US troop withdrawal from Iraq
The Democratic-led Senate for the first time has signaled its support for a timetable for a U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq. The Senate late Tuesday defied a White House veto threat and voted to keep a nonbinding timeline for a troop pullout included in a bill funding military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. VOA's Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.
The Senate, by a 50-48 vote, rejected a Republican-sponsored amendment to strip the funding measure of the provision that calls for U.S. troops to start pulling out of Iraq within four months, with a goal of completing withdrawal by March 31 of next year.
The vote came just hours after White House spokeswoman Dana Perino renewed President Bush's vow to veto the bill if it contained the timetable for withdrawal. "The legislation would substitute congressional mandates for the considered judgment of our military commanders. The bill assumes the failure of the new strategy even before American commanders in the field are able to fully implement their plans," she said.
Many Senate Republicans, including Senator John McCain of Arizona, echoed Perino's comments. "If you announce to the enemy that you are leaving, it is a recipe for defeat," he said.
But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, noted that public opinion polls show a majority of Americans favor a timeline to bring the troops home. He said the time had come to send the president a message. "This is a civil war. It has turned into an intractable civil war. The president must change course, and this legislation will allow him to do that," he said.
It is the first time the Senate has signaled its support for a timetable for a troop withdrawal from Iraq, having rejected the idea several times this year.
Senator Chuck Hagel, a Nebraska Republican, was among those who rejected a resolution calling for a timeline for a troop pullout just two weeks ago, only to back the idea now. "America finds itself now in a dangerous and isolated position in the world. We are perceived as a nation at war with Muslims. This debilitating and dangerous perception must be reversed as the world seeks a new center of gravity for this new century. The United States must begin planning for a phased troop withdrawal from Iraq. The cost of combat in Iraq in terms of American lives, dollars and world standing has been devastating for our country," he said.
The House of Representatives last week passed its own version of the spending bill for the military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, including a deadline for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq by August 31 of next year.
Once the Senate approves the overall legislation, a move that could come as early as Wednesday, the measure will have to be reconciled with the House bill before it is sent to President Bush for his expected veto.
The House and Senate would then have to redraft the legislation, as they would lack the two-thirds majorities needed to override the veto.
The overall bill includes 96 billion dollars to continue funding the military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also includes money to strengthen port and mass transit security.
The Pentagon says it needs the funding soon, as money for its operations in Iraq and Afghanistan will run out next month.
The Senate, by a 50-48 vote, rejected a Republican-sponsored amendment to strip the funding measure of the provision that calls for U.S. troops to start pulling out of Iraq within four months, with a goal of completing withdrawal by March 31 of next year.
The vote came just hours after White House spokeswoman Dana Perino renewed President Bush's vow to veto the bill if it contained the timetable for withdrawal. "The legislation would substitute congressional mandates for the considered judgment of our military commanders. The bill assumes the failure of the new strategy even before American commanders in the field are able to fully implement their plans," she said.
Many Senate Republicans, including Senator John McCain of Arizona, echoed Perino's comments. "If you announce to the enemy that you are leaving, it is a recipe for defeat," he said.
But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, noted that public opinion polls show a majority of Americans favor a timeline to bring the troops home. He said the time had come to send the president a message. "This is a civil war. It has turned into an intractable civil war. The president must change course, and this legislation will allow him to do that," he said.
It is the first time the Senate has signaled its support for a timetable for a troop withdrawal from Iraq, having rejected the idea several times this year.
Senator Chuck Hagel, a Nebraska Republican, was among those who rejected a resolution calling for a timeline for a troop pullout just two weeks ago, only to back the idea now. "America finds itself now in a dangerous and isolated position in the world. We are perceived as a nation at war with Muslims. This debilitating and dangerous perception must be reversed as the world seeks a new center of gravity for this new century. The United States must begin planning for a phased troop withdrawal from Iraq. The cost of combat in Iraq in terms of American lives, dollars and world standing has been devastating for our country," he said.
The House of Representatives last week passed its own version of the spending bill for the military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, including a deadline for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq by August 31 of next year.
Once the Senate approves the overall legislation, a move that could come as early as Wednesday, the measure will have to be reconciled with the House bill before it is sent to President Bush for his expected veto.
The House and Senate would then have to redraft the legislation, as they would lack the two-thirds majorities needed to override the veto.
The overall bill includes 96 billion dollars to continue funding the military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also includes money to strengthen port and mass transit security.
The Pentagon says it needs the funding soon, as money for its operations in Iraq and Afghanistan will run out next month.
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