Moving to a new home provides an exciting new adventure for the entire family. A new home, new neighborhood, new city - just waiting to be explored! There's just one problem....how will you "safely" get all your valuable belongings from Point A to Point B? If you don't have the means or helpers to move your own stuff, you'll likely have to hire a moving company. Moving companies can be a big help or a big nightmare, so you should select one cautiously.
Types of Movers
First determine what type of mover you'll need. Will you be moving hundreds of miles away or locally? Do you need a pack and stack service, trucking service or household shipper? Interstate moving companies will move your items from one state to another, but not all movers offer this service. Some are limited to local services or moving up to a certain distance.
Recommendations and Licensing
Ask for recommendations from friends, family or co-workers. It is likely that someone you know has moved in recent years. Find out which moving company they used and if they were pleased with the service provided, including pricing and overall experience. If you're unable to get recommendations, then check with the local Better Business Bureau and the Department of Transportation to find a reputable mover with a good customer service record. Make sure the mover is licensed for the type of moving service you'll need.
Questions to Ask:
1. How long have you been in business?
2. How much experience do your packers and drivers have?
3. Do you offer storage if needed?
4. Is your company a member of a trade organization (i.e. American Movers Conference)?
5. Do you provide everything necessary for the move, including packing boxes and materials?
6. What type of insurance do you provide for my belongings?
Contracts and Hidden Costs
Once you receive an estimate from one or two moving companies, it's time to choose your mover. Be sure to read the contract carefully, and ask for a detailed list of what to expect and what you'll need to do to prepare for moving day. Most professional movers will come to your home to assert what is needed for the move so they can give an accurate price. Be sure to get everything in writing and keep a copy with you during the entire moving process.
Look out for hidden fees such as packing material costs and packing fees, preparation of appliances, movers liability insurance, storage, and disassembly of furniture (beds, tables, etc.). These fees should be included in your overall estimate, but you'll want to ask to be sure.
Notice if the company's representative is friendly, thorough when answering all your questions, and willing to break down the fees for you. If not, then it's time to call another moving company. The safety of your belongings is worth taking time to research and find reliable movers.
Operating your home business was likely easy and simple at the start. You could handle all the work on your desk and still be finished in time for supper! But eventually, your business started to grow, and now you're in a valley of decision. Should you hire someone to help you with the work load? If so, who should you hire?
There are many things to consider when hiring someone to help with home business tasks. Consider if this person will be able to work remotely from their own home, or if they must be present to do the tasks needed? You'll have to be really careful if this person is to come to your home each day.
Employee or Independent Contractor?
Another consideration is whether or not to hire the person as an employee or independent contractor. Most home businesses are simply too small to hire an actual employee. After all, there will be payroll to keep up with, a sense of long-term commitment and accountability to that employee, and of course, much tighter management needs. On the other hand, hiring someone as an actual employee can create loyalty if you need someone to be totally committed to your company day in and day out.
Hiring an Independent Contractor
There are pros and cons to hiring an independent contractor as well. On the positive side, an independent can work freely on projects as you need him. You can call on him to work occasionally without making an actual employer-employee relationship. This allows you to be flexible in the assignments given without having to pay an hourly wage or salary. It's also less expensive to hire an independent. You won't have the usual overhead costs such as payroll, health benefits, supplies, etc.
*NOTE: Keep in mind that a contractor will generally charge more because he must take care of his own taxes, business supplies, and equipment.
The downside of hiring an independent contractor is you cannot control the work relationship. The contractor can raise prices, choose to reject certain assignments, and even drop you as a client at his bidding. There could be any number of reasons for doing the above, but either way this can leave you without a worker.
As you consider these pros and cons, think about your needs and how much work you can provide for this person. If you need someone to occasionally take assignments, then a contractor will do just fine. If you need someone to be committed to your company on a full-time or regular basis, then consider hiring an employee. Either way, the extra helping hand can help you grow your business even more!
Perhaps starting a business of your own has always been a dream of yours. Maybe you're imagining all the perks of owning a business and the large amount of money you'll be making. If this sounds like you...think twice. Not to discourage you from starting a business, but it takes more than frilly dreams to get a business going and to become successful. Here are some realistic considerations to help you pull your business dreams from the clouds and put them to practical use.
Investment First - Profit Later!
Before you start counting (and spending) all the profit you'll make with your new endeavor, it's wise to first focus on investment. Every successful company starts with an investment of time, money and sweat. You'll likely be investing your own money at the start, which can drain your personal finances in a hurry. Create a business plan based on the start-up investment necessary and how long you project it will be before you can enjoy a return. Have a back-up plan in case it takes a little longer than expected. You will likely have to work another job while building your business unless your financial position enables you to concentrate wholly on the new business. Either way, be prepared for a waiting period before your company turns a profit.
Marketing, a Priority
With any business, customers and profits will be non-existent without marketing. Many business owners spend countless hours worrying about store layout or website design, inventory and hiring employees. But many lack adequate marketing skills to get their business going full circle. Marketing must be a priority, and it must be ongoing if you want your business to succeed. If you're too busy for marketing, then hire a marketing expert to help you. It will be well worth the money, and you'll be able to concentrate on other important aspects of the business.
Taxes
Don't be caught by surprise when tax season rolls around. Paying taxes for a business is somewhat different than paying taxes when you work for someone else. Depending on the country and area you live in, you may be required to pay self employment tax as well as greater percentages based on your business profits. There are also business write-offs to help offset the tax burden. Taxes are a necessity for everyone, but they can be tricky when you own a business. Be smart, and hire an experienced accountant early on that can help you in this area.
Hiring Employees?
If your business requires the hiring of employees, then don't expect a bed of roses. It might sound easy, but until you've actually managed employees of your own, you don't really know what all this task involves. Are you prepared to reprimand someone if they do wrong? Are you prepared to train employees thoroughly? Could you fire someone if need be? Are you prepared to enforce the rules even if it means losing a friend? These are all part of the employment process for every company, no matter how big or small.
Other areas of consideration include saving money for times of slow business, handling customer complaints, acquiring appropriate licensing, and offering a guarantee on products/services.
These are just a few areas of starting a business that should cause you to think twice. Weigh the pros and cons and do plenty of research on the type of business you plan to start. Thinking it over carefully will either confirm that a business is right for you or keep you from diving in before you're ready.
Seeking a job can be a stressful process no matter what your college or work background. Many job seekers utilize the services of a job agency (or temp agency) to help make the process a little easier. Job agencies act as a liaison between employer and employee during the initial hiring phase.
Pros and Cons of Job Agencies
There are a few pros and cons to consider when using a job agency. The upside is you'll have access to jobs that otherwise might not be available to you. Some companies will only hire through a job agency, so you can only obtain employment using this method. Job agencies allow you to apply and interview at one place instead of at multiple companies, which saves time and paperwork.
A job agency also enables you to try out various temporary jobs if you're indecisive about your career. You can work for several different companies or in various positions with the same company. You might discover a dream job while working temporarily, and find that it turns into a full-time position after just a few months! Also, if you find yourself at a job site where you feel uncomfortable with the tasks or the people, you can simply ask the job agency to help you find an alternative job.
There are several disadvantages as well. You will likely receive less pay while working through a job agency. The good news is you can expect a pay raise if the company decides to hire you as a regular employee. Many agencies require a minimum working period of three months before the employer can hire you on full time. Another disadvantage is you might not be able to receive any benefits through the job agencies, although some do offer benefits nowadays.
Choosing a Job Agency
Job agencies differ in many ways. Some specialize in factory/warehouse type work, whereas others focus on office type employment. There are also agencies that specialize in various fields, catering to accounting positions, legal jobs, healthcare jobs, truck driving positions, etc. Choose an agency that is most likely to have clients that would hire you based on your experience and education.
Maximizing Your Job Search
Don't depend solely on a job agency. Conduct your own job searches on the Web, through local newspapers and by personally visiting potential employers. Job agencies cannot guarantee a job, so it's wise to use all available methods in your job search.
Job agencies are particularly useful for entry-level positions, but more and more employers are using their services for all levels of employment. Contact a job agency to find out what your options are, and start enjoying a rewarding career soon!
Social networks have become extremely popular on the Web in recent days. Why do so many people love these sites? There are several reasons why social networks are thriving among both the young and old, wealthy and poor, and even among small business owners as well as corporate giants.
Social Networking Explained
First of all, what exactly is social networking? Basically it's a network in which people meet with others on the Internet. Some social network sites are more for personal networking while others are geared for business. Some focus on one particular group of people (such as fans of a certain type of music or sport or people who wish to learn a certain skill). Others are open to the general public and anything goes. Whatever the purpose of the social network, it's main function is to allow people to meet and interact with one another.
Reasons for Using a Social Network
The reasons people visit social networking sites are many. Some want to find romance. Others want to learn how to use a certain software program, language or even a skill to better their chances of employment. Social networks can provide a venue for members of the same social club (i.e. car clubs, golf clubs, music or book clubs, etc.) to interact online.
Some folks use social networks to find old friends, such as Facebook and MySpace. Imagine being able to find an old high school girlfriend or boyfriend from 10 or 20 years ago! As these networks grow larger, it's more likely that users can find almost anyone with a simple search.
Advice Galore
Social networks are often visited by experts in certain fields such as medical or financial, and folks can seek advice on various subjects. Users can also share their experiences with certain products, medications, herbs, etc. through social networking. These networks can provide a wealth of information for anyone seeking advice or recommendations.
Business Promotion
Many online and off-line businesses are just starting to realize the potential of social networking. Business owners can use networks to offer tips and promote their company to other users. Although many social networks prohibit outright promotion, they do allow advice columns, news sections, and recommended links that lead visitors to a business website.
News Updates
Some folks prefer getting their news through online social networks. Sites like Twitter attract newscasters due to their ease of use and the large number of viewers being drawn to the sites. Users can pick and choose the news topics they want to read about without being bombarded with ads or other news that doesn't interest them.
And don't forget, social networks also allow users to share information, photos and videos with others. This personalizes everyone's experience and helps folks get to know one another even better. Users can share photos and videos with distant friends and family through a free or inexpensive online venue.
Social networking is definitely not going away. It's growing by leaps and bounds as more people discover the true value of these services.
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