Feb 11

For many businesses, the tight economy has put them in extremely difficult situations. Many companies are experiencing cutbacks, layoffs, and downsizing, which for many is just the tip of the iceberg. While many of these cuts are necessary to keep the business running, one thing that should not be cut is employee training. It is an often under-appreciated aspect of the workplace that is too often cut to make way for other less important things. While it may seem justified at the time, there are several reasons, for both the employer’s and employee’s sake, why this should not be so.
One of the reasons that employee training seminar are often cut is that employers do not see the benefit for them and for the business. However, research has shown otherwise. Employees who receive in-depth, personal training are more likely to stay with a company. This is important in an age where people often bounce from job to job every few years. Also, employees who are properly trained, know what they are doing, and know what is expected of them are not only going to be more productive but they will also be more efficient. This will not only help improve the profit margins but will also make payroll dollars more effective.
While your business is getting a boost, employee training tells a hard working employee that a) they are valuable enough to train and b) they have some job security in a time when there is not much to hold on to. Building employee morale and knowledge are just a few of the ways that you can help build their loyalty to you and your company. When morale is low, productivity decreases.
Before you cut employee training out of your businesses budget, think about how much you are willing to risk not only with current employees but future employees as well.

Jan 27

There is a little girl in my neighborhood who calls me her auntie even though I am not. Probably because I gave her some Keebler Elves cookies a couple of months ago. Cookies are a sure way to make friends fast. And her favorite kinds of cookies are any cookies. She is not picky. Her mother started to ask me for babysitting services since the little girl liked me so much. Of course I said yes because she called me auntie and loved cookies, any kind of cookie, as much as me.

Her name is Jaclynn. She wears her hair in thick dreads that are long and catch the sunlight in them even when there seems to be no sun. She started to call me auntie after she saw me in the street, walking home after a grueling ride on the bus and too tired to think of much of anything at all. She came running across the street after looking both ways with a plastic bag in her hand, calling auntie at me. I stopped in front of the mailbox of the ancient woman who lives next to me. She is ancient too because I never saw so many wrinkles and lines except in the cement outside my work, old from years of wear and tear. But Jaclynn gave me a bag of cookies, the Keebler Elf kind, and then ran away again to the other side of the street, looking both ways before she left me again.

When her mother asked me to baby sit her, I came over with some cookies. She asked me to tell her a story about the Keebler Elves and how they managed to continue to make such delicious cookies. I work doing leadership training not storytelling. It caught me off guard, especially since I knew it was a ploy to continue to stave away sleep. It turned out my lack of storytelling skills were perfect for the cause. I poured out all my secrets about business related topics, from team building program to quality control, and how the elves must use those things to make such great cookies. In just five minutes, she was out with only a few Keebler Elves left in the bag.

Dec 30

In today’s market finding and retaining customers is more difficult than it has been in previous economic circumstances . And while this has always been an essential need for any business, the difficulty or relative ease in doing so has been somewhat dependent on the amount of competition the business is forced to deal with and also their location in relationship to their target consumer. Quality of product and or service is also a fundamental aspect of business survival. There are other important elements in retaining a solid customer or client base and in ensuring the success of any business, however these are a few of the most important and are the most difficult to survive without a proper understanding of and a strong ability to deal with and possibly overcome.

Both live and Internet based businesses deal with obstacles of competition and quality of service or product on a relatively equal level. Ensuring a top quality level of product search engine optimization reduces most of Internet exposure concerns. Real life businesses can use the Internet to reduce both competition issues and location problems.

Maintaining a visible and easily recognized presence on the Internet is essential for any company that wishes to conduct either all or part of their business online. Various reputation management resources are available to assist businesses in generating more web page traffic and random search visibility. To understand how the algorithms of search engines produce their results is not necessary though understanding the importance of appearing at the top of return lists is essential for most businesses and consulting with professionals is almost always their best option.

Dec 28

It’s nice to see that things that are tried and true always come back.  At least, this is how it is with things that are legitimately useful.  Time marches on, and often brings all sorts of changes, and each generation has enormous contributions to make toward our systems of doing things, and thinking about things.  The rate of change sometimes exceeds our common sense, however, and it’s necessary to go back and figure out what worked before, and conceive of ways of bringing these back into the present where they belong.  There are some things that are always true, and it’s interesting how we sometimes forget these.  Perhaps because they are the most essential, and the things of common sense are often the ones that get overlooked.

There’s no doubt that misery loves company, but the same is said for all of its opposites.  Like attracts like, and in sales, this is especially true. It’s also one of the truisms that we seem to forget, and have to go back and get reminded.  Sales process improvement begins with the assumptions that worked so well for other generations.  Sales breed more sales, and in part this is because a customer knows a good thing, but it’s also got something very essential to do with the salesperson. That essential thing, of course, is confidence, and the best way to build confidence is to give people the tools to make success possible.

It also has a lot to do with developing the persona that people like, and are naturally attracted to.  In employee training, team members can learn the elemental characteristics of what kinds of people have a winning edge, and how to develop those traits and habits.  These are all elemental things that haven’t changed over time.  Success might have subtle differences from a generation ago, but the basic rules are still very much the same.  Following the basic laws of attraction can help to develop a very powerful and magnetic sensibility, for individuals as well as for organizations.  In a world as busy as ours, it’s necessary, and often indeed a pleasure, to go back to the basics of common sense, and then learn how to develop it.

Dec 8

It’s a busy world.  There are so many more distractions now than there were just a generation ago, and thirty years ago people were talking about the radical change to our consciousness that the invention of the television brought about.  With access to so much information and entertainment, as well as all the teasing and subtle manipulations that could be produced over the airwaves, it was a change that no one anticipated.  The talk then was that the single invention completely changed the way we look at the world, and for sure, it was a once in a lifetime thing.  However, here we are with another shift, where the internet has opened up many more possibilities than anyone had previously imagined.

It’s taken a few years to adjust, and it seems as though the generation growing up right now knows a world of technology that we’re only dimly aware of.  These kinds of changes can provoke a lot of excitement and new ideas, but also an awful lot of anxiety, too, and it’s necessary now more than ever to take a breath and clear the mind.  Relaxation and the internet intertwine in an interesting way, when you work with Choose Hot Tubs Direct.  Here, you’re working with a company that’s internet-based and provides excellent quality hot tubs at very reasonable prices, and a personal spa is a fantastic way to relax.

It’s also very fast and efficient, too, because the relief comes as soon as the muscles hit the water.  It’s ironic to consider that we need to find quicker ways to get to a point of calmness, but it’s vitally important that we do learn how to relax again.  And relaxation is a reflex that rewards over and over again, and is constantly reinforcing itself.  So when the high-tech lifestyle starts to get to you, it’s very simple to take a moment and relax in your own hot tub, letting the worries of the day float away as you return to an elemental state, totally connected to the world, and also floating blissfully above it.

Dec 4

Good customer service is something that we come to expect, but it isn’t something that’s easily cultivated.  Because there aren’t enough forums for expressing thanks to a company for a job well done, beside their own success in the marketplace, it’s often something that gets overlooked.  But the work of Steve Barbarich does deserve special attention, because the focus on quality customer service is something that he’s put into the foundations of his business practices, and it makes for quality products for customers, and positive consumer experiences.

Good customer service is something that should come naturally, but there are in reality very few businesses that place it high on their level of priorities.  The bottom line and the fast sell all to often guide the marketplace, and that sets up an unsatisfactory atmosphere for the consumer.  But that only makes it that much more welcome when good practices are in use, and we, as the customers, can always tell the difference between good practices and being treated like numbers.  It is always a pleasure to be treated the way we would like to be treated, and to have our concerns acknowledged, as well as have our questions answered.  Business transactions are much more fulfilling if there are human beings involved.

Good customer service means taking the time to talk to customers, to answer their questions and help with their concerns, at every level of the transaction.  That includes the time after the deal is complete.  In order to maintain a business that thrives, customer satisfaction is a top priority.  Satisfied customers are return customers, and they’re also much more likely to recommend a business to their friends if they have a good experience.  It also sets up a positive relationship with the world, according to the principles of cause and effect, where if we are treated with dignity and respect, we’re much more likely to do the same to our fellow human beings.

Dec 3

Canada’s future is bright.  With a fascinating and complicated past, and a present where there is an unusually high quality of life, our neighborhoods have the distinction of being some of the finest in the world. There’s a tradition here for caring about the place we live, and making our environment better for the next generation, and this comes from paying attention to each other’s needs.  There are many spectacular reasons for living in Canada, and relocating here also offers great promise for a better life.  Whether you’re changing neighborhoods, or even just changing locations, TransGlobe Property Management can help make the transition much easier.  They’ve been living and working in the same neighborhoods we do for over 15 years, and their service record speaks of excellence and dedication to place.

Their team is made up of professionals who know how to provide quality customer service, and are helpful every step of the way, because they’re also the neighbors.  The diverse team is always growing, and always learning new ways to help the renters to have better lives.  The company’s commitment to making a better workplace, with a high level of morale, translates to the customer, where the same spirit of community enters into every level of the relationship.  They’re wonderful to work with when you’re just starting your search.  The highly user-friendly search engine makes it a pleasure to look through the thousands of listings for commercial and rental properties all over the country.  This takes some of the pressure off when you’re just starting out looking for a new place to work or live, so that you can pay attention to the important things.

With TransGlobe Property Management, the relationship doesn’t end when you’ve found the perfect building in the perfect neighborhood. They’re always working for you, and answer maintenance calls with promptness and efficiency.  This also comes out of the commitment to the neighborhood, so that the quality of life here is something we don’t rest on, but continually work to make better.  This kind of commitment is a testament to the character of the people who make up this country, and speaks to the vision of the generations that preceded us, so we can build something for the generations that will also follow us.

Nov 23

One of the requirements of one wishing to become an employee at TransGlobe Property Management is knowledge, knowledge of what it takes to manage a rental property and what it takes to efficiently and effectively run a small business.  Running a management company is takes the same skills as running any company.  You will be responsible for managing staff and employees, of the paperwork, of the care of the finances and of understanding what it takes to ensure success and continued profit.  You will be working for a client–the owner, and for the residents and the tenants.  You will be responsible for making the rent deposits on time, taking care of the taxes and other record keeping, of finding appropriate tenants and for keeping everyone pleased and happy.

In order to be personally successful, you will need to locate new properties to manage, while continuing to take care of those that are already under your watch.  The more clients you locate, will increase the number of properties you will be responsible for managing.  Be sure that you have a lawyer that you may consult with for any legal issues you will need to be made aware of regarding business law and real estate law.  This will take the pressure off of you and will ensure that all contracts are accurate and that the laws regarding small business tax are being followed.

Just as one must pay their own bills on time, you must be certain to pay those of your clients’.  Even one time of being late on the bills such as those for insurance, electricity, or the mortgage can have devastating effects for you and for the client who is trusting you with their property.  All of the managers working on TransGlobe Property Management team are there for their clients and for their tenants.  Through years of experience they have gained the knowledge of the real estate business, and their reputation is among the best of the best.  When looking for a management team, put your trust in Transglobe.

Nov 16

Investing in rental properties is becoming a popular way for people to earn a living.  Many people in the United States are not able to afford to buy new homes, and renting is the alternative.  What one must consider when buying a property to rent, is whether  they will be managing it themselves, or if they will hire a firm such as Transglobe Property Management to take care of all of that for them.  One quality to look for in a management team is their knowledge of the local market.  This means that they will have a very good idea of what potential renters are searching for.  They will consider the property through the eyes of the renter, as if they themselves were to be renting there.

Cost effective and smart recommendations made by the managers will save the owner money in the long run, and the same time will ensure that the property remains desirable.  Rental rates will increase and the turnover of tenants will decrease.  Transglobe Property Management takes care of their properties in such this way, and the properties in their care are always competitive in the rental market.  They set up meetings with new owners and together they make a plan.  This also gives the managers and the owners a chance to get to know one another, improving interactions and exchanging ideas for their property.  Each plan will differ based on the goals, and on the budget of any given owner.

This is one of the keys to successful property management, devising a plan that is just right for that particular property.  Customer service is a must.  They should be ready to take care of the needs of the tenants when they arise, and not keep them waiting for services or for repairs.  This should be expected as a given from any property management team, for this will serve to lower the vacancies and keep the tenants happy and renting from you for many years to come.

Oct 13

The Museum of Finance in New York is located appropriately so, on Wall Street. Continuing through the 16th of January, 2010 is an exhibit that focuses on the “Women of Wall Street”, which highlights some of the most influential New York business women throughout history through to these modern times. Admission to the exhibit is just $8, and it is well worth the price. It is quite a popular notion that the world of Wall Street is a man’s world, but exhibit illustrates that this is just not the case.

I recently went to the exhibit with a few of my female friends and when we booked rooms at one of the small hotels, New York became our oyster with a pearl. That pearl being the day we spent at the show. Now I’m not a business woman, a bit more on the artistic side of life I lean, but many of my friends are and I greatly respect and admire them. The show is in two parts, one that features the notable business women in history and the second bit focuses on the women of modern business.

Five historical women are featured. Muriel Siebert was the first woman who bought her seat at the New York Stock Exchange. Abagail Adams and Victoria Woodhull are featured. As well as the first woman financial tycoon on Wall Street, Hetty Green and Isabel Benham who began her bond analyst career in 1931. During these early years this was a world that was in fact dominated by men, but through tenacity and intelligence these women succeeded in this world quite well.

The second part which features modern women, focuses on just how influential women have become in the world of business today. Many of these women will be in attendance to talk about their perspectives of being in a women in the world of business and finance, and to speak of their varied experiences as the climbed the ladder of success. When my friends and I left the museum we walked through the streets of the city talking about just how far we have been able to come, because of the women who have walked before us. It was a great day out, with great friends, in one of the greatest cities in the world.

Sep 24

Going to a training conference is not only a chance to network but also to discover the most recent trends in business training, as the name suggests.  The premier training conference is hosted by the American Society for Training and Development.  There are several other conferences throughout the United States to choose from, but all of them will usually provide you with up to date information.  Sales training and other programs are transforming in the way they are taught to people, often being supplemented with an internet based skill set.

One of the most important topics covered at the most recent American Society for Training and Development conference was online and multimedia edification.  It is the way of the future for all businesses, especially with globalization becoming more and more prevalent these days.  Web-based training including education about SEO and other digital marketing techniques to aid businesses in internet based representation was a big topic at the conference. There are other facets within web based training, including discourses over the relationship between software and users.  Some of the more basic discourses include simply retaining students in these programs.  As it is now, figures show a higher than would be preferred drop out.  Self paced classes and training does not aid people in learning despite their flexibility to work around the trainees.

Performance consulting is another major trend at the conferences of late.  Generic training is going more and more out of style as major corporations to mom and pop businesses demand for more in-depth solutions and training programs.  Performance consulting provides business leaders with a way to analyze their work situations with focus groups, interviews, and other methods that give them the necessary research to progress.  The result is a fantastic training program.  It is the “couture” of training programs, aiding businesses to stay within their vision and mission statements.

Managing employee performances was another issue addressed at the conference.  The single performance review is quickly becoming an artifact in the business world, at least for those who want to improve their business.  Performance management actually gives employees feedback on a more continuous basis—and not just the boss.  Other employees also provide feedback.  As a result, the employee receives a better composed review that uses many factors to determine performance.  It constantly helps them adjust their performance at work, and thusly makes the business a thriving one.

Though leadership skills development other mainstays of the business training world were covered at the conference, the biggest trends centered on performance and web skills.  Training is becoming more untraditional with each passing conference, but it is a trend that will probably stay with us.

Sep 14

The United States financial institutions are taking means to fight corruption, both here at home, and those acts that are committed in other countries.  Through a variety of procedures that have been implemented in the years following the September 11th attacks, many of illegal transactions have been under investigation, and have been prosecuted in various court cases.  Many criminals have been caught and stopped, in other words.  This is not only involved cases of financial fraud and extortion, but in cases of drug trafficking, political corruption and money laundering.

One way in which banks are protecting themselves is through the regulatory compliance procedures that are required by every employee, from the branch managers to the tellers.  This just simply means, that part of one’s job in a bank is follow the rules of “know your customer” and due diligence.  Compliance just means that each person is doing a thorough job, each and every time transactions are made.  It means that each and every client, be they business, country, or individual will be completely examined as to their credibility, and their honesty.  Not only in the matters of the business conducted itself, but in the case of foreign officials and leaders, that they are not involved in corruption of any kind.

Money laundering cases are about more than the money itself.  As if money was gained in a legal manner, this would not be a necessary step.  Criminals wishing to distance themselves from their previous crimes such as drug dealing, robbery, fraud or terrorist financing, have managed for years to wash the money using the federal financial institutions.  With these strict set of practices in place, banks will protect their assets, their reputations, and the world itself against the effects of crime and corruption.  With the diligent work of the personnel, the anti-terrorist organizations and the investigative teams, the world will become a much safer place, with a future just a little bit brighter.

Sep 14

Researching a career move I didn’t really know what I wanted to do next, so much out there, what will last, what’s up and coming, what is on the way out and how do you find out? What I had been doing, well I had enough of it, I learned what I want to know and need to move on to something else. I’m not happy being in one place all the time nor do I prefer to be inside all day. Breaking up the day with working at a desk and getting out and a bout a little would be perfect. It is great I know I need a change but the worst thing is I really don’t know what I want to do. Doing some Internet research I took several career pathing questionnaires. You know the kind they ask you a bunch of questions like do you prefer to be inside or out side, are you and early morning person or and afternoon or night person etc. etc. Really not sure how many I played with some were short 10 or so questions and others in the neighborhood of 50 or 60 and more questions. Something kept coming up was property management, I like being out doors, I like interacting with a lot of different people, I like coordinating logistics. I did some more research and came across Transglobe property management sounds like a possible opportunity to look into. poking around more I see other things that might be of interest and have looked into this and that for the past week. Keep coming back to real estate and property management so I began to follow Transglobe property management on Facebook and see what they are about and get a feel for the culture of the company.

May 26

The country of Spain is one the top spots to travel for those with interests in art, the artists and the history. Many of Spain’s native artists are among the most celebrated in the world, throughout history and in the modern day. Painters such as El Greco, Miro, Goya, and Dali are just a few. Perhaps the most well known and respected is Diego Velazquez. The Prado Museum in Madrid contains one of the largest collections of this artists work and directions to the museum can be found in the lobby of most of the five star Madrid hotels. Velazquez paintings must be seen in person and a trip to the city would not be complete without viewing this master’s work. Velazquez was famous and respected when he was alive and working and is spoken of today in the universities and art schools around the world.

Velazquez was born in 1599 in the Spanish city of Seville. He was an apprentice to Francisco Pacheco when he was 11 and continued to work for the painter until he was 16 years old. It was during this time that Pacheco influenced and educated Velazquez on Italian and Flemish Realism. In the time just after he had completed his apprenticeship, Velazquez painted everyday life, portraits, religious themed paintings, and still lives. His first most notable work, that put him into the category of a master painter, is titled ‘The Meal’. His work from this time period is often compared to Caravaggio. As it is very realistic, and as his use of shadow and light patterns is very well executed.

One of the famous pieces that is now housed at the Prado is titled the ‘Adoration of the Magi’. While painting this and the other religious scenes he completed during this time, he used as models, the people of his hometown of Seville. Many of these are on exhibit as well. Velazquez became a very famous commissioned court painter later in his life, and continued to work in this venue until his death in 1660. These court paintings are masterpieces. Diego Velazquez will continue to influence painters throughout the world for many, many years to come.

Apr 2

Complaint management systems are being used by more and more companies who are dedicated to retain customers and make improvements in customer satisfaction.

The design and configuration of a new complaint management system into your business is often helped by beginning with an objective assessment of the current complaint management process followed by listing the requirements and desired software features that are needed.

Then define the scope and objectives of the software. What will be tracked? For example corrective actions, customer complaints, supplier corrective actions, internal issues etc, are all items that can be considered. Then make a review of all the internal departments which will need to use the software, i.e. sales, quality assurance, customer service, manufacturing etc.

Also decide on your high-level objectives from using the complaint management system. This can include quality improvements, better customer service levels, increased productivity etc.

Aug 12

Training is one thing that can’t be neglected no matter what size a business is.  For a sales organization, allowing employees to attend sale training or even management seminars could help give your employees a leg up on the competition.  As the economy and budgets tighten up, it is vital that the budget for employee training is one that stays consistent.  Employees are the most important asset of any company, and making sure they receive the necessary training is crucial to growing your business.