Company Incorporation Tips

Approximately 300,000 companies are set
up in the United Kingdom each year. April 2010 saw 32,146 companies
being incorporated. The UK has room for every entrepreneurial
ambition to take flight. The laws of the land supports company
incorporation and the political stability of the country facilitates
rapid growth. However, there are certain essentials to be kept in
mind before starting a new business.

Company Incorporation: Important
Considerations

The following are some vital tips and
requisites for company incorporation:

Type of company: There
are four types of companies. Therefore, before registering your
company name, you have to decide on the type of company you want to
register. The types are:

• Private company limited by shares

  
  

• Private company limited by
  guarantee

  
  

• Private unlimited company

  
  

• Public limited company
  

  
  

There are Community Interest companies
or CICs, which can be registered either as private or public
businesses.

Appoint officers and secretaries:
Company incorporation first requires the appointment of director/s
and a secretary (optional). Private companies have to appoint a
director but do not compulsorily require a secretary. An officer of
another company can double as the director of a new company but for
registration purposes, the new company requires an individual
director. Public company necessitates two directors and a secretary.

Decide the company’s name:
It is vital that you the name you choose for your company is unique
and relevant to the scope of work. Uniqueness is of great importance,
since Companies House will not accept those names that are either
identical or remotely connected to some other company. This rule is
applicable to both sole traders and partnerships. Before filling up
the documents for registration:

• cross check the names of companies
  already registered at the official website of Companies House
  (www.companieshouse.gov.uk);

  
  

• check the UK Intellectual Property
  Office Trade Marks Register to make sure that the company name
  decided upon does not violate any existing trademark;

  
  

• check the Company and Business
  Names Regulations 2009 to ensure you have used the appropriate
  characters and punctuations;

  
  

• seek prior approval in case the
  name implies even an indirect association with Her Majesty’s
  Government, or a devolved administration, any local authority or any
  specific official body
  

  
  

You can do all of this on you own or
simply handover the responsibilities to areputed agency.
CompanyFormations247.co.uk
is one of the most preferred namesin the industry. They have
created a name for themselves because of their expertise as well as
the packages that make company incorporation hassle-free and
cost-effective.

Grading the Drytac JM44 Wide-Format Cold Laminator

Drytac is a premier manufacturer of cold
laminators. One of the products they make is the JM44. Here's some
information on it, including the kind of grade it deserves.

• The JM44 is a wide-format laminator that can handle most
  large documents. It can laminate items that are up to 44 inches wide, so
  it's perfect for a lot of different items.
• If you're looking
  for a thermal laminator, the JM44 isn't the machine you need. This
  device is a cold laminator that cannot handle thermal film. However, it
  is compatible with pressure-sensitive film and overlaminate.
• This
  is a good machine to use if you need to mount graphics or text onto
  boards. It's compatible with a variety of thick materials including
  mounting boards, foam board, some plastics, and cardstock. The maximum
  nip opening is 1 inch, so you'll be able to work with materials of
  varying thicknesses. The rollers are 4 inches thick and made out of
  silicone, so you'll get great results no matter which materials you use.
• Since
  this is a cold laminator, you can use it to process items that could
  potentially be damaged by heat. Some examples of thermally sensitive
  items include ink-jet printouts and photographs. Not having a hot
  setting actually makes this machine much more versatile because you'll
  be able to work with more documents.
• If you need to get your
  work done quickly, the JM44 would be a great choice. It requires no
  warm-up time so it's ready for use right away. It can also laminate at
  speeds reaching 10 feet per minute.
• This machine is equipped
  with a reverse mode so you can fix any mistakes made during the process.
  Plus, operation is easy because a foot pedal is included with the
  device. It's also safe because there's a photo-electric sensor that can
  tell when hands are too close to the rollers. When this happens, the
  machine will stop running for your protection.
• The JM44 comes
  with an optional stand that could be very handy if you want to be able
  to move the laminator around or even if you just want to keep your work
  surfaces free. This is a very large device that has measurements of
  52.75” (width) x 17.75” (depth) x 18” (height). It also weighs 243
  pounds, so getting the stand is highly recommended. (Note: the stand is
  available at an additional cost.)
• All of Drytac's products are high-quality and well-constructed including the JM44. Plus, it comes with a one-year warranty.

Overall grade: B+.
The Drytac JM44 would be a good choice if your company is in need of a
wide-format roll laminator that can utilize pressure-sensitive supplies.
This machine is easy to use, offers safe operation, and it can handle
thermally sensitive items. Granted, it's not a hot laminator and it's
large, so make sure that you're comfortable with those two things before
investing in it. Other than that, the JM44 is worth a look. Check it
out today.

The Swingline SmartCut Dial-A-Blade Plus 9413 Rotary Trimmer: A Review

Rotary trimmers are known for being able
to cut perfectly straight lines, but did you know that some are also
able to do specialty cuts? One that can do this is the Swingline
SmartCut Dial-A-Blade Plus. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
Read on so you can discover what’s great about it and what’s not so
great.

• Something to think about when purchasing a rotary trimmer
  is what kind of cutting capacity it offers. In other words, how many
  sheets can it cut at once? The 9413 has a relatively small cutting
  capacity: it can trim only about 10 sheets of paper at a time when you
  use the straight blade. This makes it unfit for heavy-duty use, but it
  will be fine if you’ll use it occasionally.
• Another important
  consideration is the cutting length. Some trimmers are good for
  large-format projects (i.e. posters), but most cutters are designed to
  handle smaller pieces of paper. That’s the case with the 9413. It has a
  12-inch cutting length so it’s good for letter-sized paper (8.5” x 11”)
  and smaller items. You can’t use it for large pieces of paper, however.
• This
  device can store four different types of blades in the cutting head.
  The blades available are straight, wavy, perforating, and scoring. To
  switch between blades, all you have to do is turn a dial. It only takes a
  few seconds and you don’t need to swap the blades out or anything.
  Please note that the cutting capacity for the wavy and scoring blades is
  only 5 sheets.
• The 9413 has a sturdy base that’s made out of
  metal as well as a self-healing mat. Both of these features ensure that
  you can use this device for a long time. There’s also an alignment grid
  with both metric and American measurements so you can line up your
  documents properly before trimming them. And the transparent paper guide
  makes it easy to see where you’re cutting so you can be sure you’re
  doing it right.
• If you’re concerned about the trimmer moving
  around when you’re using it, you can rest easy. There are rubber feet on
  the bottom so it won’t move around while it’s in use.
• This
  device is priced affordably so just about anyone will be able to
  purchase one. (It retails for under $80.00.) It also comes with a 1-year
  warranty.

The Swingline SmartCut Dial-A-Blade Plus 9413
is perfect if you want a rotary trimmer that can provide you with a few
different cutting styles. This would be a good trimmer to use if you’re
into arts and crafts such as scrapbooking. The trimmer is pretty-well
made and you should be able to get a fair amount of use out of it.
However, you’ll want to keep in mind the cutting length and capacity
since this device clearly wasn’t designed for large cutting jobs.
However, if large jobs aren’t on your agenda, you’ll probably find that
the 9413 is the rotary trimmer you need. If that’s the case, take a look
at it today.

How to find a suitable pricing for your translation job

It is always better to get the translation job done by a native translator of the living in the same country or in any part of the world but must have lived and educated in the country where the language is spoken, The native translator always brings the natural vocabulary while translating the document may it be technical, legal or medical. The pricing depends on the living cost of a translator in that country and also the kind of professionalism involve doing the job for an example a French translator living in Paris will be expensive as the cost of living in France is higher that the cost of living in Senegal where French is major language.

When you are selecting a translator for a particular language for particular country then it better to find out in which countries the language is spoken like French , Spanish and German are spoken in many developing countries and the translation cost is very low in these courtiers compare to European countries so it is always advisable to find a translator  or agency  who live or work in any of the developing countries but keep in mind the trouble of connectivity  as well as if there is any  political unrest  they may cause the delay in deliveries.

The translator of any language should posses a very good English language knowledge as most of the time the intermediary language is English. It is also good to see that the translator is living in country where English is second language.

You may also be surprised to see that the cost of translation for African language is higher than the cost of European language even though Africa is developing or under develop countries the reason is very clear as talent pool of educated are less and many educated youth have not opted translation as their profession so the availability of translator in African language is less and the cost of translation is higher.

India  provides a best destination for most the translation activity as running a translation agency in India is very low and project manager are available at very low cost even though most of Indian translation agency higher European translator for European language, The still are cheaper compare to European translation agencies.

Grading the Dahle 852 Premium Stack Cutter

If you've been on the lookout for a
high-quality device that can cut hundreds of sheets of paper at once, a
product that's definitely worth a look is the Dahle 852 Premium Stack
Cutter. Here's some information about it, as well as what kind of grade
it gets.

• The 852 would be a wise choice if you want a device that
  can cut a lot of paper at once. This cutter is capable of slicing
  through a maximum of 200 sheets at a time. That's almost half of a ream
  of paper. (A ream contains 500 sheets.)
• This cutter is
  compatible with paper that's up to 17 inches long. It will definitely be
  able to handle letter-sized sheets (11” x 14”) and tabloid-sized paper
  (11” x 17”). And you can also use this device to trim letter-sized
  documents (8.5” x 11”). In a nutshell, the 17-inch cutting length is
  just about perfect.
• This device has a laser in it that can
  help you get the best cut ever. The laser guide shows you where on the
  paper you're going to be cutting so you'll have a chance to adjust the
  position of your materials before you actually lower the blade.
• The
  852 has a handle that's easy for both right- and left-handed users to
  grasp. The ergonomically friendly handle is located in the middle of the
  device and it's shaped like a “T” so anyone can easily hold on to it.
  (A lot of paper cutters have handles that are located on the right side
  of the device, which can be problematic for left-handed users.)
• This
  cutter's upper blade is made out of Solingen steel which is one of the
  most durable metals available. The steel is ground and very sharp so
  you'll be able to get the results you need. If you want to measure your
  paper before cutting it, you can use the alignment grid and accompanying
  rulers.
• The 852 is outfitted with Dahle's Automatic Cutting
  System. What this feature does is clamp down on your sheets and then cut
  them all in one step. This feature will help you save a lot of time.
• If
  you ever wonder how things are going with this device, just check out
  its electronic display. It will let you know exactly what's going on
  with the cutter.
• This is a very large machine that measures
  35.75” x 24.75”. (It weighs 92 pounds, so it's also heavy.) The 852
  needs to be placed on a sturdy surface. If you don't have one that's
  large enough, you can purchase an optional stand which will help keep
  your work surfaces free. The stand will also provide you with the right
  leverage and height needed to get good results.
• The 852 comes with a warranty that will last for as long as you own the machine.

Final grade: A-.
The Dahle 852 is definitely a stand-out device in the world of stack
cutters. It has a decent cutting capacity and it can cut the most common
sizes of paper. It's also technologically advanced, as seen with the
electronic display, laser, and the Automatic Cutting System. Plus, the
T-shaped handle makes this device useful for both right- and left-handed
people. In short, the 852 is one of the best stack cutters on the
market. Take a look at it today.

Intimus 602CC 1/16” x 5/8” Cross Cut Shredder Review

Department shredders are becoming standard in
many offices today. The Intimus 602CC is designed to reside in a
central area and be shared by multiple users. The powerful motor and
solid steel blades are built to withstand the heavy duty needs of any
office. Automatic features and functional design contribute to simple
operation. Here are more details about the 602CC.

Strengths:

• This shredder is designed for efficiency and offers
  fully automatic operation. User-friendly optical indicators keep
  you apprised of your machine's status. For extra storage when
  you need it, a convenient foldaway shelf is located on the front
  of the device. If you aren't using the shelf, it nestles down
  into the shredder's cabinet for easy accessibility. This
  model also boasts of dust-free operation, which cuts down on
  corrosion from micro-particles as well as requiring less cleaning.
• Specially hardened steel blades are driven by a powerful
  motor designed to be maintenance free. It offers two
  features worth noting: continuous duty and "whisper quiet"
  operation. The first, continuous run, means no more waiting to
  shred. Instead of needing to cool down after a short period of
  heavy use, the engine is robust enough to handle constant
  shredding all day. And who wouldn't want a quieter device?
  This one promises to rid your office of the annoying whine that
  often accompanies shredders.
• A broad 16 inch feed can
  accept just about any size item you may need to shred. Wide
  computer print outs can sit on the folding shelf and shred
  continuously on their own, thanks to a guide strip that ensures
  accurate feeding. The steel cutting shafts take in stapled and
  paperclipped documents up to 16 sheets thick and devour them as
  fast as 30 feet per minute. This is an excellent rate for a cross
  cutting device.
• The cutting cylinders create tiny
  pieces only 1/16 inch by 5/8 inch in size. These small particles
  earn a level 4 security rating. All your personal
  information will stay safe in these miniscule bits as well as any
  confidential client information you may have.
• Paper
  confetti rains down into a spacious 4.5 cubic foot shred bag. That
  equals about 33.7 gallons of waste storage, ample enough for a
  shredder of this size.

Weaknesses

• This device weighs a hefty 132 pounds.
  Fortunately Intimus considered this in their plans and added
  casters on the bottom for added mobility. We don't foresee this
  to be a problem for most users.
• The blades can only
  handle up to 16 sheets at once. This is offset by the shred speed of 30
  feet per minute. For a central office shredder, this
  capacity is excellent. But if your office has extremely high
  shredding needs, you may be more interested in the high capacity version
  of this model.

Overall, the Intimus 602CC is a
great choice for any office. Practical design and automatic features
meet with great capacity and fast shredding to create a machine that is
efficient and easy to use while quickly securing all your confidential
information. We would highly recommend the 602CC Cross Cut Shredder
for your next office device.

Intimus 702CC 5/32” x 1-13/32” Cross Cut Shredder Review

A quality departmental shredder is often more
cost effective than individual shredders for every person in an
office. One great option for such a device is the Intimus 702CC Cross
Cut Shredder. This robust machine offers high capacities as well as
many automatic features for simple use. Hardened steel blades give
you added security by shredding multiple media types. Let's take a
closer look at the 702CC Cross Cut Shredder.

Strengths:

• Use of this device is controlled both manually and
  automatically. The manual switch causes the machine to warm up
  and sit in "Ready" mode. A light barrier mechanism utilizes a
  sensor that detects paper in the feed and starts the shredding
  process. Once the items are through the cutting cylinders, the
  same mechanism turns the blades off and the machine goes back to
  "Ready", as indicated by the optical display. Paper jams are also
  automatically detected and displayed as a user alert; a full shred
  bag is sensed and shown in this same way as well. These
  alerts tell the user the status of their machine at all times, allowing
  them the opportunity to quickly fix any issues that may arise.
• This device boasts of specially hardened steel cutting
  shafts that are robust enough to slice through a variety of media.
  The blades are driven by a powerful motor. The engine is
  designed for dust-free and quiet operation for your convenience.
• A wide 16 inch throat accepts up to 55 sheets at once and
  shreds them as fast as 24 feet per minute. This is
  excellent for a cross cutting device. The blades also dice up
  CDs, DVDs, and 3.5 inch floppy disks, in addition to staples and
  paperclips. Items are converted into small pieces, only 5/32 inch
  by 1-13/32 inch in size. These remnants provide a level 3
  security rating, great for most confidential personal and business
  documents.
• Those tiny confetti pieces float down into a
  spacious 6.1 cubic foot shred bag. That equals about 45.6
  gallons, offering a sizable amount of waste storage.

Weaknesses:

• The shreds produced only earn a level 3 security
  rating. Most business will find this to be a safe way to dispose
  of all their documents. But businesses requiring a secure way to
  discard highly classified information may prefer one of Intimus' higher
  security devices.

• At 198, this is a
  hefty piece of equipment. Even so, there are casters mounted on
  the bottom for added mobility and we think this won't be much of a
  problem for most users.

As seen in the many strengths,
the 702CC is an impressive shredder. Offering automatic features for
easy operation and large capacities for heavy usage, this device is
ideal for a central department shredder. Sturdy blades dice up all
your documents as well as CDs and floppy disks to help keep you and
your clientele safe from prying eyes. We would highly recommend the
702CC Cross Cut Shredder for your next office device.

Intimus Multimedia Particle Cut Shredder Review

In today's world, confidential material comes
in many forms other than paper. The Intimus Multimedia Particle Cut
Shredder is fully equipped to destroy a variety of media types to keep
your information secure, no matter the form it's in. It is also easy to
use and reliable. Let's take a closer look at the Multimedia
Shredder.

Strengths:

• Use is controlled by a manual start and stop
  button. In the case of a jam, the reverse mechanism works by
  rotating backwards in order to unclog the cutting cylinders. A
  shield on the inlet slot can be opened as needed to insert or
  remove any items. It also provides an added element of safety by
  protecting your eyes from potential flying shards.
• Sturdy
  blades are driven by a powerful, maintenance free motor. The engine
  is rated for continuous operation. This means that it
  doesn't require frequent cool down periods to avoid overheating after a
  short time of heavy use as with many smaller shredders. You can
  shred a large stack of CDs without wasting idle time waiting for
  the device to be ready.
• Three separate slots take in
  varying media. A 4-15/16 inch slot handles CDs and DVDs. Blades
  turns these discs into small particles shards. Two 3.5 inch
  floppy disks can enter the second 4-1/8 inch slot at once. A third
  slot takes in 100mb and 250mb Zip disks, 4mm DAT tapes and LS120
  Superdisks through a 3-1/8 inch opening. The second two openings
  provide strip cut pieces instead of particles. Together, all
  three slots provide a simple and effective way to dispose of a
  variety of data formats.
• Two separate catch baskets
  collect the media waste. One bin is used for CD and DVD waste,
  offering a spacious 1.2 cubic feet of storage. Everything else is
  deposited into a large 1.5 cubic foot container. Both sides
  use changeable, environmentally acceptable PE bags. At about 9 gallons
  and 11 gallons respectively, you'll have enough storage space to
  keep you shredding for a while before needing to replace the bags.

Weaknesses

• This machine weighs about 121 pounds when empty.
  The lack of casters will make moving this device bulky and
  awkward. If you need to move it, we recommend using a dolly for
  added mobility.
• It would be nice if this model could
  shred paper items as well. Intimus does offer a smaller machine
  that can shred paper along with CDs and DVDs. Unfortunately if you want
  a data shredder as well as a paper shredder, the only Intimus
  ones are large, industrial sized machines.

Overall,
this is a great specialty device. With confidential data coming in so
many forms, this is an perfect system to ensure your information stays
safe no matter what media type it's in. The particles left by the
blades are virtually impossible to reassemble. Simple operation and a
powerful motor offer efficiency and convenience. We think the Intimus
Multimedia Particle Cut Shredder would be an excellent addition for any
office needing the destruction of electronic data.

Article Tags:
Intimus Multimedia Particle, Intimus Multimedia, Multimedia Particle

Five Good Reasons for Having a Mentor

If
you look around, you will notice that every successful figure we know have a
mentor. In fact, every successful person in the world has someone he can
confide with during tough times. Though success is mainly a personal effort, it
is no denying that a mentor, a coach or someone who is more experienced than
you, plays an important role in your success.

 

Many
people today never seem to realize the importance and value of having a mentor.
In fact, the failure of many people in their business endeavors can be
attributed to a lack of guidance from people who had been successful in
business. As a mentor, he or she can give you valuable insights based on his
personal experience. A mentor’s wisdom can make a difference in helping you
become successful in your business. What I will be sharing below are five good
reasons why having a mentor is important if you want to succeed in business.

 

·       
A mentor can give you encouragement. The word of encouragement from your
mentor can make a difference. A simple word of encouragement can reignite the
power within you to rise up and defeat the negative feeling that is pulling you
down. In business, you fiercest enemy is not your competitors, but yourself,
when you are discouraged. A good mentor can turn the table around by motivating
you so that you will realign yourself into the right path. They have the
ability to see things in a wider perspective because they were once like you.

 

·       
A mentor can help you reduce
mistakes. In
business or even in life, there are only two ways to gain wisdom: learn from
your mistakes or learn from others’ failures. What is amazing about having a
mentor is that you do not need to fail to learn and gain wisdom. A good mentor
will show you that his failures are enough for you to avoid mistakes. However,
it takes a lot of introspection on your part to fully absorb the depth of
failure.

 

·       
A mentor can help you eliminate your
weaknesses. The
toughest part of mentoring is when a mentor attempts to cut off bad habits that
could have negative influence on your business. In fact, it is never an easy
job telling people about their weaknesses nor is it easy for someone to just
surrender himself and admit his weaknesses. In all cases, mentoring is not an
easy job because people may become offended and are likely not to like their
mentors. Your friends will see who you are, a product of your past, but your
mentor sees a different you, a person that will become a success. This is only
possible, though, when you have fully removed your weaknesses and have decided
to step up to the challenge and become a success.

 

·       
A mentor can bring out the best in
you. This is the
primary goal of every mentor: to unravel your full potentials. Every person has
a potential to become the person he dreams to be, but it takes a lifetime to
train somebody to unravel someone’s potentials. A good mentor is the right
person who can transform you to be the best person in your field, in business
and in life. He has the ability to unlock your talents and skills and convert
them into essential qualities necessary in life and in business.

 

·       
A mentor is not afraid to tell you
the truth. One of
the hardest aspects of mentoring is telling the truth because it may hurt the
individual that is being mentored. For the most part, we always want to hear
good things, but a mentor will tell you things that are not so pleasing to
hear. If your friends are used to telling you good things just to please you,
your mentor will be honest with you and tell you the reality of things. As a
learner, it is important that a not-so-pleasing truth is better than a lifetime
of regrets.

 

It
is not easy to be a mentor nor is it easy to be mentored. But the greatest
benefit of having a mentor is the good chance of success in whatever endeavor
you have in life, especially in business. To learn more about the secrets of
mentoring or how to become an effective mentor, please visit my website at http://annettapowellonline.com. See you there!

 

Yours
truly,

 

Annetta
Powell

Your
Professional Success Coach

Expand Your Reach with Business Card Printing Services in UK

With the increasing globalisation rate world over, the demand for preparing new marketing tools has grown significantly. A good marketing tool always delivers an added advantage to the company as well as representative in terms of promoting the company’s name and image. One of such marketing tools is Business card printing.
 
As a businessman, you always think of giving your sales person a competitive edge over others. This can be done by providing him a new and innovative kind of business card which itself leaves a lasting impression to the target audience. Whether you are targeting the domestic clients or international clients, there are large varieties of business card designs available in the market to choose from. People will know you better, and they can use your business card more effectively in their countries as well.
 
Moreover, it will benefit you in clinching a good international business deal in different countries since people will understand and trust you better. There are certain factors that need to be considered while choosing business card printing services provider in UK.

The most important thing is to maintain the international level of standard for business cards. There are predefined standards of business cards used in different countries. The ISO standard size of business cards is called the ISO 216 or A8 size of business cards. It has the dimensions 2.913 inches in length by 2.047 inches in height.

It is almost true that English is the most commonly use language all over the world but don’t take it as universal. The best way to design a business card is to use English language and use of local language at the back of the business card.

Minuteman Press Leith, one of the local printers Edinburgh, provides the highest quality digital and litho printing service. We provide a huge range of products and business card printing UK services and offer a quick, hassle free experience for our customers.

Becoming a Realtor™ The Pros and Cons for an Investor & What Type of Broker to Consider

In 1986, I became a licensed real estate agent not long after I started my real estate investing career.  Before I earned my license I had to rely on a Realtor™ to get me into properties, wait for them to get me comparables and pay them a commission.  The reason I had to rely on a Realtor™ was because they had access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).  The MLS, in any given area in our country, is the single largest source of real estate for sale and in most areas only Realtors™ have access to it.  After I purchased several homes at the beginning of my investing career, I decided I did not want to wait for or rely on a Realtor™ to buy and sell my own properties. 

As a real estate investor, becoming a Realtor™ will give you many advantages. In fact, there are no disadvantages that I know of.  Investors tend to be adamant one way or the other about being a licensed Realtor™.   I am definitely on the side of becoming licensed.  Being licensed has been one of the best tools that I have. 

Real estate commissions are a costly, but usually necessary part of buying and selling investment real estate.  The average commission is 6% of the selling price of the property, split between the selling agent and the listing agent.  The commission is, typically, paid by the seller.  If you buy a real estate investment and then resell it a couple of years later, using a Realtor™ on both sides of the transaction, there is a total of 12% in commissions being paid on that property.  If you get your license you can easily cut that number in half and add 6% to your profits.  In other words, if you get your license, when you buy the property YOU will receive the 3% that goes to the selling agent and when you sell the property YOU will receive the 3% that goes to the listing agent (of course your broker will take a  percentage of that).  How much is that 6%?  The median home price in our country right now is about $215,000.  Six percent of that is $12,900!

When you are buying real estate a critical component is knowing the actual value based on comparable sales (or comps).  To be successful as an investor you need the most up to date comps especially in changing markets.  I already mentioned the MLS is the single largest source of real estate for sale.  It is also the best source for comps.  It is the source that Realtors™ and appraisers use to determine the value of a property.  Because comps are such an essential part of buying our real estate investments, I personally like to do my own.  Maybe that is the controlling part of me J, but if you’ve ever tried to sell a property and found out it wasn’t worth what someone else told you and it cost you thousands in profits, you suddenly feel a very strong desire to make sure of the numbers yourself instead of trusting them to someone else.

If you are buying an investment through a Realtor™ it is reasonable to expect them to provide you with comps. If you are buying a home that is “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO) and you call a Realtor™ and ask them to provide you with comps, expect to wait a long time.  You might be thinking, “Well, I’ll offer to pay them or offer to use them as my Realtor™ on another deal.”   Here are the realities:  First, you cannot pay the Realtor™ directly for providing you with comps.  It’s against the law for a licensed real estate agent to accept payment for real estate work from anyone but their broker (I’ll explain the agent-broker relationship shortly).  Second, very few people are willing to work for free on the promise that it might get them additional work in the future.  And if you think that you are the first person that has promised the agent the possibility of future work in exchange for free labor…

Some investors say it gives you more liability to be licensed because you gain “expert” status in the eyes of the court.  I have two answers to that:

1)                  What are you doing to create liability?

2)                  Don’t you think a judge is going to know you are an “expert” anyway when they find that you buy and sell real estate investments?

Some investors also say sellers won’t sell to you if you are licensed. I find the opposite is true. Most sellers are happy that I am licensed and “know what I am doing.”  Being licensed gives you far more credibility in the eyes of a seller than simply being an investor.

An additional advantage to holding your real estate license is you can get additional commissions and referral fees.  If I am showing my investment properties to potential buyers and they decide they aren’t interested in my property I always offer to represent them or help them find another property.  If I look at a FSBO property I decide I don’t want to buy, I often offer to list the house for them.  This way I can still get paid even if I don’t do a deal directly with the buyers or sellers.  If you don’t want to work as a regular agent and just hold your license as an investor, you can always refer that buyer or seller to another agent and get paid a referral fee.  Referral fees are the easiest money there is.  Any time you know someone (friend, relative, colleague, etc.) who wants to buy or sell a home, whether it is in your own or another state you can offer to do a referral for them. 

My recommendation is to GET LICENSED, if you are serious about real estate!!! 

Once you make the decision to become a licensed Realtor™ you must work directly under a licensed broker.  The broker oversees an office of licensed agents. To become a broker, each state has their own requirements.  I have been a broker since 1997.  When you earn a broker license you can have other Realtors™ work for you.  Becoming a broker should not be the goal, unless you really choose to own a real estate company.  Owning a real estate company is a whole different animal and business than being an investor. 

As I travel the country, I am asked all the time how to locate a good real estate brokerage.  This is always an important part of working as a licensed Realtor™, especially for us investors. You will want to work where the office environment encourages creativity, investing and entrepreneurship.  Some offices are very traditional and only want their agents acting as regular agents and discourage creative investing.  These are not the kind of offices we investors want to hang our license with.

You will also want an office that provides exceptional real estate training.  Whether you want to work exclusively as an investor or if you want to work as an investor and a regular agent, training is important.  The more training we have the more skilled we are, confident we are, and better able to get deals done.  Pretty much every guru I know considers training an ongoing process.

The company I have found to be the best overall nationwide is Keller Williams.  I am an associate broker in a Keller Williams office.  Why?  Keller Williams has a fantastic training program (their focus is training), literally second to none, along with several other key ingredients.  Keller Williams is open and focused on real estate investing and entrepreneurship.  The founder of Keller Williams, Gary Keller, has co-authored several books on real estate investing.  I was featured in his second book, Millionaire Real Estate Investor.  Gary Keller also endorsed my book , Investing in Real Estate with Lease Options and Subject Tos. 

 

Much of my investing strategies and techniques have been focused around working with Realtors™.  Keller Williams hosts a radio show every Monday called “Millionaire Mondays.”  I have been on that show many times now and it helps expose regular agents to creative investing strategies.  This makes our jobs as investors easier when it comes to working with other agents.

Keller Williams is the fastest growing real estate company in the world and they are currently the 4th largest.  Many traditional agents move their licenses from other offices to Keller Williams.  Gary Keller invented a system that has proven to be extraordinarily successful and no one else has been able to reproduce.  There are many companies that have tried.  A key component is each person you recruit becomes part of your “downline” and you start to receive a small part of the commissions they earn in addition to what you earn. It does not matter what office (called “market center” in Keller Williams) they are a part of you will be rewarded on who they bring in and how much they sell. 

When I recruited agents to my office as a broker, I had to personally manage them.  As a Keller Williams agent, I can still recruit agents and receive benefits from all of the sales they do without having to personally oversee them. It is a fantastic approach to becoming a Realtor™ which gives incentives for us to recruit other Realtors™.  If you are interested in becoming licensed I would be happy to assist you and help you find a Keller Williams office.

Another great aspect of the Keller Williams culture is the commission splits.  For real estate brokerages large and small, Keller Williams has some of the most attractive commission splits of any offices I have seen.  This keeps more of your investing and Realtor™ profits in your pockets.

Because many of the other larger, national real estate offices often discourage investor agents, investors have historically been told it’s best to hang your license with a small “Mom & Pop” style real estate brokerage. The idea being that those types of brokerages have a more relaxed atmosphere and are more open minded to investors. While this is true, there are some disadvantages to the smaller brokerages.  The commission splits in smaller brokerages are usually not nearly as attractive as those at Keller Williams.  Additionally, smaller brokerages have no or next to no training at all.  I can’t emphasize enough how important training is and how GOOD the training at Keller Williams is.  Lastly, the smaller brokerages don’t have the support mechanisms.  Having access to larger numbers of people doing the same thing you are helps keep you motivated and active.  If you are shut off and isolated from other investors and Realtors™, you can easily stagnate and lose your focus and drive.  At Keller Williams I can go to any Keller Williams office nationwide and use their office.  I can use it for meeting clients, customers or working with their MLS.  

I have used Keller Williams as my example here, but let’s recap the advantages of getting your real estate license and the importance of choosing the right brokerage.  Some of the best advantages to becoming licensed are:

1)                  The training that comes with becoming a Realtor™

2)                  Access to the MLS – the best source for property for sale and marketing your own property as well as the most accurate comps

3)                  Increase your profits by keeping commissions and getting referral fees

4)                  Support to keep you motivated and focused

5)                  Increased credibility with your sellers

6)                  Any agents you recruit to Keller Williams generate additional income for you for every sale they do

I recommend you become licensed and consider Keller Williams as an office for you.  I will gladly sponsor you and also assist you in working as a Realtor™ investor.  Having been licensed for over 20 years and helping many other investors get started, I can help you get going in the right direction. When you go to Keller Williams let them know I am your sponsor and we can work together to help you as an investor and also to assist you in recruiting other investor Realtors™ in your team.  Please email me to find the closest Keller Williams office to you at Wendy@WendyPatton.com or call me at 248-394-0767 and I will assist you in making a great choice for your future.

Visit www.wendypatton.com for more information!

Wendy Patton is the nation's leading expert in lease options and creative seller financing.  She works with real estate agents and investors all over the country.    If you would like to get her special report for no charge on ‘The Top 5 Mistakes MOST Lease Option Investors Make’, you can go to www.leaseoptioneducation.com to get a free download.

Reviewing the James Burns 4:1 Pitch Plastic Coil Binding Punch

Color coil binding is a very popular document
finishing method and with good reason. It’s quick, easy, it looks
great, and there are coils available in just about every color you could
ever want. To take advantage of this terrific binding method, you need a
number of supplies, such as the coils themselves, a crimper and
inserter, and a hole punch. One punch that was specially designed for
this method is the James Burns 4:1 Pitch Plastic Coil Binding Punch.
Let’s take a look at this device and see what it has going for it and
what, if anything, could be improved.

• First, this machine is just a punch. It will not
  crimp your coils nor will it insert them into your document. Thus,
  you should either already have the other devices on-hand or you
  should be considering getting them. Of course, it’s possible to
  insert coils by hand although you may find that it takes a while,
  especially if you’re assembling a lot of books.
• This
  machine produces a 4:1 pitch hole pattern. That means that, along the
  side of your document, four holes will be punched per inch of
  paper. This is the standard pitch for most coils so you should be
  able to use this device with just about all the supplies on the
  market.
• This device can punch a maximum of 12 sheets of
  20 lb. paper at one time. While this is good if most of your
  documents are on the short side, you may find it a bit tedious to
  punch longer documents.
• Both left- and right-handed
  users will be able to use this device with ease. It has a D-shaped
  punching handle that’s ergonomically friendly so using it is not
  only easy, it’s comfortable as well.
• This machine is
  made from 100% steel. It can withstand a lot of use so you should
  be able to make use of it for years.
• If space is limited
  in your work area, you’ll be pleased to know that this punch won’t
  take up very much room. Its dimensions are 4” (height) x 16"
  (width) x 10" (depth) and it only weighs 18 pounds, so moving it
  won’t be any trouble at all.
• This product comes with a
  90-day warranty. It’s not the longest warranty around (most binding
  equipment is usually covered for one year), but it should suffice
  seeing as this product is really well-constructed.

Overall,
the James Burns 4:1 Pitch Plastic Coil Binding Punch is terrific for
what it is: an extremely basic, easy-to-use hole punch. Binding
equipment doesn’t get much simpler than this and that’s actually a good
thing. If you’re new to document finishing, this is the perfect device
for you and it will allow you to get started easily. Although the
punching capacity could be improved, this device should be good for most
applications. Just make sure you have the other supplies you need (i.e.
crimpers). Take a look at this product today so you can start binding!

A Review of the Dahle 858 Premium Stack Cutter

Are you looking for a device that can
cut hundreds of sheets of paper in what seems like the blink of an eye?
If you are, you'll want to learn all about the strengths and weaknesses
of the Dahle 858 Premium Stack Cutter. Here they are....

Strengths:

• The 858 has an impressive cutting capacity. This device
  can cut up to 700 sheets of paper at once. That's almost 1.5 reams of
  paper. You'll definitely be able to get your cutting done in no time no
  matter how big the job is.
• This device can cut paper that's
  up to 18.5 inches long, including tabloid-sized sheets that are 11” x
  17”. You'll also be able to trim legal-sized paper (8.5” x 14”) without
  any difficulties.
• Using this trimmer is very easy because
  it's equipped with Dahle's Automatic Cutting System. This feature
  securely holds the paper in place and slices through it with one motion
  when you lower the ergonomically correct handle. It couldn't be easier.
• The
  858 is unlike some other cutters because it has a laser guide that will
  show you where you'll be cutting. This will allow you to make any
  necessary adjustments before you trim your paper. There's also an
  electronic display that will help you gauge where you are in the
  process. If you need to measure your paper, there are metric and
  standard rulers to help you out.
• One of the best things about
  this cutter is that it is solidly built. It's made out of metal, making
  it very durable. Solingen steel, one of the best metals available, was
  used to make the upper blade. All together, this is one cutter you can
  get a lot of use out of.
• The 858 is safe to use thanks to a
  cover that prevents your hands from touching the blade. Also, the blade
  won't move unless the cover is closed so you'll never really need to
  worry about getting injured.
• This cutter is covered by a lifetime warranty.

Weaknesses:

• The 858 works best with a stand because it allows you to
  get the right leverage for the cut you need. Dahle manufactures such a
  stand but it's sold separately. Thus, you'll need to shell out some
  additional cash if you want it.
• This cutter is large and it
  will take up a lot of room whether you use the stand or not. It measures
  47” x 31.5” and the handle sticks out a fair bit, so it's definitely
  not a good choice if you have limited amount of space.

The
Dahle 858 Premium Stack Cutter would be a good choice if you're in need
of a device that can quickly cut a lot of paper. You'll be able to cut
up to 700 sheets at a time and the trimmer's numerous features really
make things fast and easy. It's just disappointing that the stand is
sold separately, especially since it seems as though it's needed to get
the most out of the device. Nonetheless, the 858 is a solid product and
one that's well worth a look.

Be selective while choosing your scrapbooking paper design.

What could be most beautiful gift you can give your loved ones on Christmas? Well, it is a very tough question, as we know Christmas is a long awaited holiday which we celebrate to commemorate the birth of Jesus. There is a long history behind the practice of putting up special decorations. Well, most of try sending glittered cards or three dimensional paper craft tin works or something like that,  but there is one more thing which is more superior than these craft works; scrapbooking, yes! The scrapbooking paper designs are a wonderful way to greet the person that is viewing your scrapbook.

You have to think about theme carefully, it matters a lot while scrapbooking. You don’t have to worry about collecting materials for scrapbooking, all kinds of paper epherma, cards, news paper clippings, letters; tickets to shoes, cartoons can be the subject of your scrapbooking.
 
Those who take so many pictures are lucky in case of scrapbooking, they can paste their best photos and even a Christmas scrapbook can hold a memory of summer or any picnic you had with your loved ones. You have to be a little careful about the products you buy for scrapbooking, make sure that the scrapbooking papers design you buy are free of plant component , lignin which will cause fabric and photos to turn brown and mess up everything.

Take care of the acid free markers and double sided tape, rubber stamps and pad, glue sticks, adhesive photo corners and scissors that makes decorative edges without giving any injury. Have fun while working on your Christmas scrapbooking.


Bramwell is a leading distributor of craft supplies such as scrapbooking paper design and scrapbooking stamps for various craft projects.

Reviewing the Swingline Tot Slim Stapler

Do you find yourself needing to staple a lot
of documents when you’re nowhere near a stapler? If so, you need a
device like the Swingline Tot Slim. It’s a portable stapler that will
allow you to fasten your documents wherever you happen to be. Here’s
all you need to know about this product including its strengths and
weaknesses.

Strengths:

• The Tot Slim doesn’t have the best stapling
  capacity in the world, but for a portable device, it’s not bad.
  This stapler can fasten up to 12 sheets of paper which should be
  enough for personal documents and school assignments.
• This
  is a portable stapler that’s perfect for on-the-go document
  fastening. It closes up so it won’t take up much room when you’re
  not using it. When you’re ready to staple, just open it up and get
  going. This device even has a clip so you can attach it to your
  backpack or another item if you wish.
• One of the best
  things about the Tot Slim is that it’s available in a variety of
  eye-catching colors such as metallic pink and blue. Since most staplers
  are either silver or black, the pastel hues really make these
  products stand out. They’re also a lot of fun to use.
• The
  Tot Slim is compatible with Swingline Premium S.F. 4 staples as
  well as standard fasteners. Some staples are included with this
  device so you won’t need to buy any to get started. The staples
  are easy to load too. Just open up the stapler and pop them in. If
  you ever find that you’ve fastened your document in the wrong
  place, you can use this device’s built-in staple remover to set
  things right.
• The Tot Slim comes with a one-year
  warranty so you’re covered if it winds up being defective. This
  device is also reasonably priced so you’ll be able to have a
  high-quality stapler for very little cash.

Weaknesses:

• As mentioned above, the Tot Slim doesn’t have the
  largest stapling capacity. This will be problematic if you work
  with thick documents.
• Most of this device is made out of plastic, so it’s not really the most durable product in the world.

For
a small, portable stapler, the Swingline Tot really has a lot of great
features. The fact that it can close up when you’re not using it will
make it incredibly easy to transport and the attached clip is a nice
inclusion. It’s great that this device has a built-in staple remover and
that it comes with a box of fasteners to get you started. And, of
course, you’ll find that this stapler is a lot of fun to use thanks to
the pretty colors that are available. (Even kids will probably like
this product. Just be sure to supervise them so they won’t hurt
themselves or others.) While this isn’t the most durable document
fastener on the market, it’s one of the most convenient, so take a look
at the Swingline Tot Slim today.

What Airplane Stewardess Can Teach You About Business Success

If you've been on an airplane, you’ve probably heard the airline stewardess give you the little safety spiel. How you buckle your seatbelt. What to do in case of a water landing. And what happens if those little oxygen masks drop down.

What you're supposed to do is put your mask on first then put the masks on your children. That order. You, then your kids.

Why? Because if you pass out while trying to help your kids, you'll help no one, least of all yourself and your kids.

Which is the point of my article today. Are you putting your clients' needs above your own?

Now good customer care does require us to go above and beyond the call of duty. And sometimes we do have to work late or on weekends to help a good client out. That's not what this is about. What this is about is if you're consistently doing everything for your clients and nothing for yourself.

Let me give you some examples --

1. You're never not available. Clients or prospects can call you anytime of the day or night and you'll answer.

2. You don't take a vacation (a real vacation) again because you want your clients to be able to get in touch with whenever they want.

3. You don't spend anytime growing your business -- the only time you do any sort of marketing is when your business is down. Otherwise you put your client work first. (Note -- this can extend to other business tasks as well, such as getting your invoices out or doing your filing.)

This last one probably doesn’t seem so bad. "But I'm working on my clients' projects, I can't possibly spend time on my business when they're paying me to work on stuff for them." While on one hand that sounds good, it really isn't.

Think about it. If your business is a mess because you never spend anytime on it -- you're late collecting on your invoices because you don't send out billing, you're stressed about cash flow and where your next client is coming from, etc. how can you possibly be taking care of your clients at the highest level possible? Only when you have your own house in order can you fully take care of your clients' needs. (In other words, you have your oxygen mask on instead of being on the brink of passing out.)

And it's the same with the first two as well. You need to take care of yourself first, and the only way to take care of yourself it to give yourself a breather every now and then. You need some time off to take care of you -- else what good will you be? Do you think your clients really want to be working with an exhausted, stressed out version of yourself or do they want to work with someone who is excited and passionate about what they're doing, even if it means they can't reach them 24/7 and have to give them some unplugged time every now and again?

Look if this is you, don't feel bad. I made all these mistakes myself when I was first starting out as a freelance copywriter. But over the years I realized the better I took care of myself and my business, the better I took care of my clients. That sounds counterintuitive but it's true. Because I take time off, I'm healthier and have more energy. Because I treat my business like I would my one of my clients, I feel like I'm in integrity with the marketing principles I teach, plus I can share with my students and my clients what is working RIGHT NOW. I teach real-world tactics because I'm right there in the trenches with them.

I invite all of you to take a look at your relationship with your clients. Is there something you're doing for them you're not doing for yourself? Do you think it may be time to change that?

Martin Yale 3000 Cross Cut Shredder Review

There are many choices out there for small
office shredders. But one to stop and look at is the Martin Yale 3000
Cross Cut Shredder. This petite machine is designed for the light duty
needs of about 1-3 users. It is reliable and simple to use. Here is
a closer look.

Strengths:

• An automatic stop and start controlled by a light
  barrier means you can simply slide your documents into the opening
  and the machine begins shredding on cue. An LED control
  panel shows you the exact status of your device at all times and
  includes options for Stand-by, Paper Jam, Overheat, Receptacle
  Removed or Full, and Reverse Operation. If your shredder
  isn't working properly, one glimpse will tell you what is going on so
  you can quickly resolve the issue and continue working.
• Small
  dimensions allow the 3000 to be kept in a tight space if needed.
  It stands just over two feet tall and can sit neatly next to your
  desk or tuck away in a corner for easy accessibility. Four
  locking casters on the bottom offer effortless transport from one
  spot to another.
• The nine inch feed opening accepts up
  to 15 sheets at once including staples and paperclips. A separate
  slot offers the safe disposal of credit cards, CDs, and DVDs.
  This prevents tiny shards from flying up into your eyes. Private
  information can come in many forms, so it's nice to have an easy
  way to destroy it.
• The cross cutting mechanism turns
  full sized documents into minute pieces only 5/32 inch by 1-5/8
  inches in size. These shreds offer a level 3 security rating and
  keep your personal information safe.
• Confetti
  pieces are collected in an 11.1 gallon waste bin that pulls out for easy
  discarding. The bin sits in a dustproof enclosed cabinet
  with a window that allows simple monitoring of the amount of
  shreds deposited.

Weaknesses:

• This shredder offers only a moderate security
  rating. While a level 3 security is adequate for most home and
  office documents, highly classified information needs safer
  disposal. If your office has extremely sensitive information to
  dispose of, you may prefer a high security model.
• Because
  this model is designed for light use by only a few people, it
  offers smaller capacities. If you need a device for heavier
  shredding usage or for use by multiple people, consider an upgrade
  to a higher model with larger capabilities.
• The
  motor on this shredder is not rated for continuous run. This means that
  for every short period of heavy use the motor will shut down for a
  cool off period. Light, occasional use won't be hindered by
  this. However, offices with higher shredding needs might prefer a
  machine with a more powerful motor.

Overall, the Martin
Yale 3000 Cross Cut is ideal for the light duty needs of home and
small office users. Automatic features make it convenient and easy to
use. Level 3 security ensures your confidential information stays
safe. We would highly recommend the 3000 Cross Cut Shredder for your
next light use shredder.

Article Tags:
Martin Yale 3000, Yale 3000 Cross, Martin Yale, Yale 3000, 3000 Cross

The Swingline Performance Pro Electric Stapler: A Review

If you're looking for a good electric stapler
for your home or office, you should consider the Swingline Performance
Pro. This device has a great design, room for extra staples, and a
terrific warranty. Check out its strengths and weaknesses to find out
what it can do.

Strengths:

• The Performance Pro has a decent stapling capacity. It's
  capable of stapling from 2 to 20 sheets at a time, which is fine for
  personal and business documents.
• This device is compatible
  with Swingline S.F. 4 Premium staples, which are some of the most
  popular fasteners around. There's room in this product to store some
  extra staples so you'll never be without them. When you've used up
  almost all of the fasteners, a low-staple indicator will alert you so
  you can reload the device.
• The Performance Pro has a unique
  design that includes a larger mouth. The mouth is big enough to allow
  you to easily insert your documents as well as let you see where
  exactly you're going to be stapling. This will lead to better results
  so you can get your items stapled right the first time.
• Another
  great feature of this device is its adjustable precision guide. This
  feature ensures you'll be able to accurately align the staples whether
  you want them to be horizontal or vertical.
• The Performance Pro has a rubber base so that it will stay in place during use. It also has a fully integrated transformer.
• This stapler is backed by a 2-year warranty and it comes with a 100% performance guarantee.

Weaknesses:

• As mentioned above, this stapler can fasten a maximum of
  20 sheets. This isn't a good stapling capacity if you tend to produce
  long documents. If you do, a device with a higher stapling capacity
  would be a better choice.
• This stapler is only available in one color: black. It would be nice if more colors were available.
• The
  Performance Pro can't open up like a traditional stapler, so you won't
  be able to use it for tacking. You should have another device around
  if you anticipate needing to staple your items to a surface.

Overall,
the Swingline Performance Pro is good stapler and it would be fit for
both home and office use. The 20-sheet stapling capacity isn't amazing,
but it should be sufficient for a lot of documents, especially of the
personal variety. (A heavy-duty device would be a better selection if
your documents tend to be lengthy.) The extra storage room is a handy
feature and makes it easy for you to always have staples around. The
low-staple indicator is also helpful as is the adjustable precision
guide. And the design of this device is fresh and unique and really
helps make the document fastening process a lot easier. Finally, the
performance guarantee and the warranty show that this is a good product
and one you should invest in. So get the Performance Pro for your
office today and get stapling!

Article Tags:
Swingline Performance, Electric Stapler, Stapling Capacity

Martin Yale 5000 Strip Cut Shredder Review

Since their invention of the shredder 60
years ago, Martin Yale has continued to deliver quality office products
and the 5000 Strip Cut Shredder is no exception. Designed for heavy
duty departmental use, this machine is both powerful and easy to use.
Sturdy wooden design offers a quieter shredding experience. Here is a
more detailed look at the Martin Yale Strip Cut Shredder.

Strengths:

• Standing just under three feet tall, this powerful
  shredder is still compact enough to fit in a tight space. Though
  it weighs 89 pounds, locking casters mounted on the bottom offer
  smooth mobility around the office.
• A push button
  turns the device on and off. Use is simplified by an on/off
  controlled by light barrier during stand-by mode. Inserted paper
  is detected in the feed by a sensor that starts the blades for
  you. Forward and reverse functions are controlled by a simple
  push button. An LED control panel shows operational status with
  one glance. It lets you know if the machine is in stand-by mode
  and ready to use, if there is a paper jam, if the motor is
  overheating and needs a cool down period, if the waste container is full
  or removed from the cabinet, or if the machine is in reverse
  mode. This allows you to easily resolve the issue and continue
  working without having to search for the reason the device is not
  shredding properly.
• This versatile shredder devours not
  only paper but also staples, paperclips, credit cards, ID badges,
  access entry cards, CDs, and floppy disks. A segregated safety slot
  for credit cards and CDs minimizes potential flying shards. The
  blades take in as many as 26 sheets at once through the ten inch
  opening. Narrow strips remain and offer a level 2 security, great
  for generic items.
• A sturdy wooden cabinet
  houses the 18 gallon waste container. The bin pulls out for easy
  disposal of the shreds. The wooden construction acts as a
  noise reducer by absorbing some of the sound put out by the motor,
  resulting in a quieter working environment.

Weaknesses:

• The strips created by this shredder only provide a
  level 2 security. While this is fine for generic office
  documents, those needing to shred confidential information may be more
  interested in the cross cut version of this model.
• A ten
  inch feed opening can be limiting. Again, for all-purpose
  shredding needs, this length is just fine. But by simply
  upgrading to an 11 inch opening, your shredding time for standard
  documents is reduced by 25%. This machine can take a
  sizable 26 sheets at once, so width and time spent shredding may not be
  an issue for you. If it is, Martin Yale does offer models with a
  wider feed entry.

Despite a few weaknesses, this
shredder is an excellent device for general departmental shredding.
It is secure and simple to use while conveniently shredding many media
types. The Martin Yale 5000 Strip Cut is a great option for your next
low security department shredder.

Article Tags:
Martin Yale 5000, Yale 5000 Strip, Martin Yale, Yale 5000, 5000 Strip

Managing Poor Performance- Supervisor Do’s and Don’ts

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Managing employees who are not performing in their jobs at the level that
you’d expect is not an easy task for even the most seasoned supervisor. No one
likes having difficult conversations with staff, or losing valuable business
time and resources focusing on micromanaging an underperforming worker.

The reality is that you have a lot more to lose than time and resources by
not taking the time to address, and work towards improving poor performance.
 Ignoring workplace issues can be costly for you in terms of employee
morale, customers, clients and revenue.

The following “Do’s” and “Don’ts” will give you step by step guidance that
will help you through the process of dealing with performance issues head on:

Don’t

-Ignore problems with poor performance.  Workplace issues won’t just go
away and in fact it will become worse if not addressed immediately.

-Approach the conversation with your employee about their poor performance
in a negative, demeaning, or defensive way.  Be clear but firm when
describing your concerns.

-Try to sugar coat what will likely be a difficult conversation.  No
one likes to hear bad news.  Be very specific about what it is about your
employees’ performance that has been problematic.  This includes being
clear about how his/her performance has impacted the work of others, or
affected your customers or clients.

-Just talk “at” your employee but give him or her the opportunity to share
with you what they identify as problems and how they might improve their
performance.

-Have personal or confidential conversations with your employees in an area
where others can overhear.

Do

-Address issues as they occur.  Clearly discuss the specific issue(s)
that are causing concern.

-Share very specific examples of poor performance and provide details on how
the employee can turn poor performance around.

-Make the discussion a two way conversation by giving your employee an
opportunity to share with you the ways in which they can improve their work
performance.

-Make even a difficult conversation as positive as possible by highlighting
the areas of the job where your employee has performed well.

-Summarize the discussion in writing if you don’t have a formal performance
evaluation form or process.

-Follow up with your underperforming staff member to make sure that they are
following the guidelines that you have outlined to improve their performance.
 Determine how often you will follow up based on the nature or severity of
the performance problems, or minimally, twice a year.

-Help your employee to figure out how to improve their performance by
providing clear cut and measurable goals and identifying areas for training or
mentoring.

Be proactive and have a process in place to identify, and possibly prevent work
performance issues before the issues take hold in the workplace.  Sit down
with your employees on a regular basis whether they are poor performers or not
to let them know how they are doing throughout the year.

Set up a formal review process, minimally on an annual basis. Have weekly,
bi-weekly, or monthly check ins with your staff to get updates on their work
and to discuss any challenges that your employees may face, or additional
training that they might need.

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402CC 1/8” x 1” Cross Cut Whisper Quiet Shredder Review

Intimus has become known for delivering great
shredders and the 402CC Cross Cut fits right in that description.
Packed with automatic features for simple operation, the 402CC is both
convenient and efficient. A powerful motor drives the strong blades
that swiftly dice your paperwork into small shreds to keep confidential
information safe. Here is a closer look at the 402CC.

Strengths:

• First, the entire device is electronically
  controlled by a microprocessor. As you slide documents into the feed, a
  sensor detects the paper and begins shredding on demand. It also
  stops automatically once you've finished shredding. An LED
  display shows the operational status of the machine, including
  options for a full bag, a paper jam, and an open door. This
  lets the user quickly discern what the issue is if the shredder
  isn't working properly. They then have the opportunity to resolve
  the problem and continue working without wasting time searching
  for the problem.
• The powerful motor is rated for
  continuous use and is maintenance free. This allows you to shred large
  stacks of material continuously without needing to take a break
  while the machine cools down, something most smaller shredders
  require. The engine is also designed for silent operation,
  offering you a quiet shredding experience. That means no more annoying
  whine while you shred.
• A highly accessible front
  loading paper entry takes in up to 16 sheets, including documents
  with staples and paperclips. Robust cutting shafts tear up full size
  documents as fast as 20 feet per minute. Tiny pieces remain
  and offer a level 3 security rating. This keeps most confidential
  business and personal information safe.
• Paper
  confetti falls into a sizable shred bag with 1.5 cubic feet of storage
  space. This is the perfect size to stay manageable for
  disposal but also hold a decent amount of waste.

Weaknesses:

• The cross cutting mechanism provides only a level 3
  security. Most shredded items will stay safe at this level.
  Offices needing to dispose of highly classified material might
  prefer the level 4 security version of this model or one of
  Intimus' high security shredders.
• A 9.5 inch opening
  can be limiting. While standard paper items will easily slide
  into the feed slot, anything not perfectly straight can enter
  diagonally can cause a paper jam. Additionally, any wider documents you
  may need to shred will have to first be folded or cut in half.
  These concerns may not apply to most small offices. Businesses
  needing to shred large amounts of wider or odd shaped items may
  prefer a model with a longer opening.

The Intimus
402CC is a great shredder for small to medium offices. It offers
automatic features for easy operation as well as a powerful motor to
accommodate all your shredding needs. Cross cutting blades render
your documents into tiny pieces, keeping you and your clientele safe
from prying eyes. We would recommend the 402CC for your next office
shredder.

Sydney Accountants social life! Do Sydney accountants have a social life?

Sydney
Accountants social life! Do Sydney accountants have a social life?

Have
you ever thought if Sydney accountants have social life? Do you think that
Sydney accountants are just a calculator?

Well
accountant’s work is hard and stressful. In order to become an accountant you
well first need to study at university or college such as Sydney University,
University of New South Wales. The course length is about 3 year full time
which is difficult course. Allot of people will think that if you study a hard course
full time you will really lose your social life because you will need to spend
most of your time studying. However this is mostly during examination time. You
can still organise time to go out with your friends and family. Therefore it is
really up to you to organise it and find time for it.

Once
you graduate there will a change in your social life, however working as an
accountant is not that bad, it is not that different than an engineer, doctor
or a lawyer.

When it comes to Sydney as city Sydney it is
hard to beat. Sydney's social amenities range from high class nightclubs, beaches
and fantastic wildlife sites.

Accountants can choose a family trip for Sydney’s
unique wildlife; Sydney features fantastic wildlife parks and zoos such as
Taronga zoo and royal botanic gardens.

Quite often you see accountants surfing in
Sydney’s famous beaches such as Bondi, Manly and coogee beach. Sydney have a great
history usually accountants get together to see Aboriginal rock carvings and can
be seen on the Bondi Golf Course. These trips are also organised to play gulf
as a team building exercises. Some accounting companies organise Sydney Harbour
climbing.

Sydney's Nightlife is the best in Australia
as accountants get together usually every Friday for a drink by visiting local
bars and pubs or the hottest nightspots, famous night clubs in Sydney include
IV, Paragon  and establishment.

The Sydney Opera House is one of the best spots in Sydney to organise a
birthday party for a workmate. So Sydney accountants are no exception in
attending and organising a birthdays for a workmate or end of financial year
party. The Opera house is surrounded by varieties of restaurants.
The Sydney Opera House remains not only one the world's most distinctive structures,
but a symbol of Australia. Its design is hailed as a masterpiece of modern
architecture.

Finally I say  Sydney Accountants

 do
have a great social life as they get payed well and can afford to spend on
entertainment in Sydney.

Franchise Opportunities - Fears That Drown Dreams - Instalment 1

There are many reasons why an individual doesn't pursue the dream of becoming an entrepreneur. Some are legitimate reasons, including the fact that personal desires and dreams don't include being in business for yourself. Some people simply don't have a desire to be in business for themselves and that is perfectly legitimate.

However, it is interesting to note that studies show that 70% of the people surveyed indicated that they had a desire to own a business, and yet so many never pull that trigger. Sometimes financial constraints, or personal and family reasons, are the inhibitors that simply won't allow for the beginning of a new venture.

While there are certainly legitimate reasons why a person may not become an entrepreneur, I will focus on a few of the main reasons cited by people that would like to begin a business but haven't made that leap. I will also offer some thoughts on how to defeat the fear, and progress towards the dream.

Fear of Failure

This particular item is probably the most paralyzing of all. Yet, if we examine all of the successful people we know, both past and present, we will come to understand that they have not been frozen by the fear of failure. That poses the question, should we not try to emulate the practises of those that are successful? If so, then the primary challenge is to shed the fear of failure. They did - all of them. It doesn't mean they didn't experience it, but it does mean they climbed past it. They probably blasted past it.

In their book entitled "Power Networking", Sandy Vilas and Donna Fisher proclaim that 'life is either a daring adventure or nothing'. Their message is that if you don't dare to pursue opportunities, then you will be stuck where you are forever. I am a true believer in a similar concept that if there is no risk, then you're playing it way too safe.

To explain by way of a metaphor, if a basketball player finishes a game with no fouls, they were probably playing too safe, they probably didn't take risks that should have been taken, and they did not achieve their optimum result. And yet, each foul is a failure - but a failure that is a part of the overall success.

As humans, we have a biological make up that provides for the natural instincts to fight or run. When we feel the fear of failure, we feel anxious and nervous, which causes us to tighten up and quell actions. We then tend to convert to natural defense mechanisms and escape to meaningless and time-eating activities. Instead of taking action, we bury ourselves in television nonsense, newspapers, and computer minutia, or whatever the particular medicine of the day dictates. That's the run-and-hide reflex.

The result is that vagueness sets in and we lose sight of the important issues that can change our lives for the better. Our natural reaction is out of sight, out of mind - no worries. Of course that means finding solutions or finding change for the better is an impossible feat. The contrary, and effective, line of thought is, bring it out and deal with it. Picture the worst result, and then use your imagination to identify alternatives. Realizing that the worst scenario can have alternatives is powerful medicine, which will relieve the pressure and make action possible.

As you can imagine, the most powerful, the most successful, have faced the fear, acted upon it, and realized that they can survive it. That realization is a tremendous springboard to prosperity. Susan Jeffers said, "feel the fear and do it anyway".

If I had to summarize six steps or thoughts to deal with the fear of failure they would be:

1) Act boldly

2) Persist and never, ever give up

3) It's not personal

4) Change things, change results; keep things the same, don't expect different results

5) Ease up on yourself - tomorrow's coming anyway

6) Look for possibilities - there are always alternatives

One final thought about this subject - fear incapacitates unsuccessful people.

Reviewing the Premier W30 Heavy-Duty Wood Paper Trimmer

The Premier W30 Heavy-Duty Wood Paper
Trimmer is another great product from Martin Yale. It's a guillotine
cutter that has all the features you need in such a device. Here's a
look at this cutter's many strengths and its very few weaknesses.

Strengths:

• The W30 is capable of cutting paper that's up to 30
  inches long. It would be a great tool to have around if you typically
  work with large items such as menus, posters, and so on.
• This
  trimmer has a pretty good cutting capacity. You'll be able to cut a
  maximum of 20 sheets of paper at once, which is a decent amount for a
  guillotine cutter.
• Like a lot of the products in the Premier
  trimmer lineup, this device can be used to cut different types of
  non-paper materials. It can be used to cut fabric, cardboard, plastic,
  and mat board. Since it can cut so many things, it would be a good
  device to have in creative environments.
• The W30 has a very
  strong blade that's made out of stainless steel. The blade will sharpen
  itself so you'll never have to do it and risk being injured. Also, the
  blade is spring-loaded so it will stay in the position you last left it
  in. It won't fall without warning nor will it fly up. When you lower the
  blade, it will latch automatically.
• In addition to all of
  the blade's safety features, there's a full-length finger guard to keep
  your hands away from the sharp edge. And the entire cutter will stay in
  place during operation because it has non-skid rubber feet.
• The
  W30's base is made out of wood. It has an alignment grid on it so
  you'll be able to measure your paper before cutting it. There are metric
  and standard rulers you can use. However, there's no protractor or
  other cutting guide.
• This device is a good size: it measures
  25.25” (width) x 39” (depth) x 5” (height). It's big enough to work on
  but not big enough to take over your entire workspace.
• Finally, this trimmer comes with an excellent lifetime warranty.

Weaknesses:

• While the W30 has a good cutting capacity, it may not be
  enough if you need to cut big stacks of paper quickly. If you find
  yourself in that position, you may want to consider getting a stack
  cutter instead.
• This trimmer is heavy, so you'll want to exercise caution when moving it. It weighs 38 pounds.
• The W30 lacks the contemporary styling of some of the other trimmers on the market.

The
Premier W30 is a great paper cutter and it would be a great addition to
offices, schools, and anywhere else that needs a high-quality cutting
tool. This device has all the features found in a high-quality trimmer
such as a good cutting capacity, important safety features, and a
self-sharpening blade. It also comes with a great warranty. If the W30's
few weaknesses don't bother you, you should take a look at this trimmer
today. You'll be glad you did.

Intimus 602 ¼” Strip Cut Wide Mouth Shredder Review

A central department shredder is found in
many offices. Larger organizations will benefit from the Intimus 602
Strip Cut shredder. Designed for multiple users, this machine can
stand up to the heavy use needed in populated offices. The 602 line of
shredders exemplifies Intimus' reputation for efficient, quality
devices. Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of this machine.

Strengths:

• Function is not sacrificed on this powerhouse
  shredder. A compact foldaway shelf offers extra storage while you
  shred. Wide computer print outs can sit here and shred while a
  guide strip ensures accurate feeding. Operation is fully
  automatic and user-friendly. The status of this machine is
  optically displayed for easy readability. Dust-free operation
  works to avoid corrosion from micro-particles and prolongs the life
  of your shredder.
• Hardened steel cutting
  cylinders are driven by a powerful, maintenance-free motor. The
  motor offers two excellent features: continuous operation and
  "whisper quiet" run. No more waiting for your machine to cool
  down after a period of heavy use; this shredder is built to run
  all day. And you can forget the annoying whine that usually
  accompanies shredding since this device is designed for hushed
  operation.
• A generous 16 inch feed opening effortlessly
  takes in up to 36 sheets at once, including stapled and
  paperclipped documents. Items are shred as fast as 30 feet per
  minute. Even your largest shredding stack will be gone within
  minutes, leaving you more time for yourself and less time spent
  shredding.
• Narrow ¼ inch strips fall into a massive 4.5
  cubic foot shred bag. That's equal to approximately 33.6 gallons
  of waste storage, ample for a central shredder while not being too
  large to empty.

Weaknesses:

• This hefty device weighs a sizable 132 pounds.
  Thankfully, casters mounted on the bottom offer easy mobility by
  allowing it to be carefully rolled from one location to another. We
  don't foresee this to be a problem for most users.
• The ¼
  inch strips only offer a level 2 security rating. For generic,
  all-purpose shredding, this will work just fine. However, if
  your office needs to dispose of sensitive material, this model is also
  available in a higher security cross cut model.
• One
  thing that would be nice to see on such a high use shredder is the
  ability to shred credit cards and CDs. Offices needing to
  dispose of multiple media types may be interested in the high
  speed version of this model which can destroy not only credit
  cards and CDs but floppy disks as well.

Intimus delivers
once again with their 602 shredder line. This strip cut model is
excellent for a central department shredder in a medium to large
office. Functionality blends with efficiency and convenience to bring
you a machine that is both practical and easy to use. We would
definitely recommend the 602 Strip Cut Wide Mouth Shredder for your
next low security, high capacity device.

Clip on Belly Rings

You
may want to get your belly button pierced but are afraid of the pain.
Well, you don’t have to worry about the pain with clip on belly
rings.

As
a result of the popularity of belly rings, some companies have
developed clip on belly rings. This type of belly rings looks like
the real thing, be is pain free, and will stay on.

In
order to wear clip on belly
rings,
the user doesn’t need to have an actual piercing. This is a great
idea for people who don’t want to go through the process of getting
their belly button pierced or who may not be allowed to have body
piercing jewelry for whatever reason.

Belly
rings that clip on usually have an arm that is attached to a spring
that has a flat surface on the end which presses into the skin. The
wearer simply pulls the movable arm back and holds the clip open.
They then place the stationary or bottom arm inside of the navel and
press it to the back. Then, they only have to do is close the clip
and the fake belly ring looks the same as the real deal.

The
clip on style of belly
ring
is not designed to be worn in water, although it will stay put during
everyday wear. They are designed to look very natural and will not
cause the wearer any pain if worn correctly.

In
spite of all of the benefits, there are a few drawbacks that are
associated with this kind of belly ring. They are not well suited for
a person who has a belly button that is an outie or even a belly
button that is shaped irregularly. Also, they are somewhat more
expensive than traditional belly
button rings
that are available for purchase on the Internet.

Having
a pierced belly button can make one look very attractive. Belly rings
look stylish and fashionable, however, you have to remember that
there is pain involved with a belly button piercing.
This pain takes some of the pleasure away that we get from wearing
the fashion.

Therefore,
you should consider your other options. That means that you should
try clip on belly rings that look just like the pierced type of belly
rings. There are also numerous other problems that can occur with
pierced types of belly rings such as infections and skin allergies.
You need to consider all these things when making your decision about
what type of belly ring is best for you.

CENTURA-CONSULTING-LTD

Avoid software testing pitfalls

Too
many IT projects start falling apart even before the system goes live!
Testing is where we find business confidence and project credibility
start to take big hits if too many bugs and issue start getting out of
control and communications to the stakeholders are not managed
effectively.
We believe that managing business expectations and
involving them during the testing phase is important for project
creditability and business confidence to remain intact.

We have identified the following reasons why testing can get out of control:

1. 
   No "living" test strategy and plan to outline what needs to be done
   when, how and by whom. We believe the project should not commence
   testing without a testing strategy which has been signed off by the
   steering committee.
2. Lack of a clear communication
   plan to present status, explain issues and focus the agenda on what
   matters. It is crucial to identify testing stakeholders and develop a
   communication plan. This plan should consider who is supportive,
   neutral and who is dead against the changes proposed and the
   communication then needs to take this into account.
3. Silo
   approach between processes and functions -it is not uncommon to find
   business process testers unable to complete their tests due to another
   process not completing theirs as planned.
4. Software
   vendor working to a different plan and delivery schedule. Delays could
   be avoided if the vendor is managed to the same timelines as the
   project. We always recommend an integrated approach with the software
   vendor- this includes the joint bugs review and the updating of the
   test cycles and plans. It is key to have the vendor Defect Manager play
   a proactive role in your project and communicating vendor responses
   clearly and effectively.
5. The technical environments
   not closely managed and monitored before and during testing. Too many
   technical failures (e.g. Server too slow / down) has meant the business
   testers wasting time and getting frustrated with IT.
   
   
   

The above can be avoided if the right plans and resources were put in place. Centura can assist you with:

• Defining your test strategy
• Defining and implementing test management processes
• Training your test resources (IT and Business) how to work effectively within stressful test environments
• Evaluate and select test management tools for your project
• Provide testers to complement and support your resources