Small businesses are especially vulnerable to fraud and identity theft. Many lack the resources to hire an internal auditor who can keep an eye on vital financial accounts and organizational information. Therefore, the responsibility falls on the owner and the employees to be extra careful with company information when traveling. Here are 6 ways to protect yourself while on business trips.
 
1. Only use one credit card when traveling. Leave every other card at home, in a safe place. If you do find yourself the victim of credit card theft, you’ll be able to limit the loss if only one card is stolen.
2. Check all accounts daily. Make sure you log on and check all of your financial accounts daily while on a business trip. If a dishonest cashier or waiter has managed to steal your identity or credit card information, you’ll see the illegal activity as soon as it posts to your account. Then you can call your bank and report the theft. They’ll cancel the account immediately.
3. Add identity theft restoration to your travel insurance.  Identity theft restoration could be the single most important service your insurance company can provide. If you find that your credit card or identity has been stolen, you’ll have immediate access to the right kind of support. That quick call could save you thousands of dollars in financial losses to your company.
4. Use pre-paid credit cards when traveling for business. A pre-paid credit card allows you to load it up with a limited amount of cash. Once that limit is reached, the card will be declined. Even the fastest thief will run out of juice before he does any serious damage to your company’s bank accounts. If you reach the limit before you’re ready to go home, you’ll have the authority to reload the card. It may be a little inconvenient, but it sure beats the alternative.
5. Keep your laptop locked in the hotel safe. Most hotels have safes in the rooms. Keep your laptop and any other information that would identify you or your company locked in that safe. Identity theft happens in many ways, and a savvy thief, who works as a housekeeper, can rob you blind with just a few key strokes.
6. Turn on the pass code on your smartphone. Smartphones carry as much personal information as our laptops, so make sure you turn on the pass code while on a business trip. In the event you leave it on a restaurant table, no one will be able to access vital financial and personal information. Hopefully, you’ll be able to get back to the place you left it before anyone can crack the code.
 
Always use some kind of identity theft restoration when traveling for business. You’ll be using strange ATM locations and shopping in strange stores. It’s much more difficult to spot suspicious activity in places that aren’t familiar. If you aren’t properly protected and insured, ask yourself if your business can afford a theft. How will you protect yourself?

With telecommunications technology you are connected to the entire world at all times of day, and for the savvy industrialist, that means having the ability to do business from anywhere. The world isn’t your oyster, it’s your office. Some business owners fear that extending their company beyond office walls will lead to lower quality work, but with better technology that is no longer the case. These tips will help your company branch out of industrial office parks or headquarters, all without sacrificing operations.
 
Use Mobile Apps
 
Chances are that you and other company leaders are already using smartphones. Whether you have an iPhone or an Android, smartphones are great business tools because of the plethora of apps available that can tackle many of the same tasks traditionally done in an office. Some of those tasks include:
 
• Meetings – Use teleconferencing tools like the Skype app to allow you to see the person you’re speaking with, which is ideal for presenting objects. 
• Faxing – Instead of waiting to see incoming faxes at the office, use a tool like the Metrofax Internet Faxing mobile app to view faxes right on your smartphone as soon as they arrive.
• Printing – With printing apps, such as PrintCentral Pro, you can link with nearby WiFi-capable printers and print nearly any type of document right from your smartphone.
 
Bring the Company Network to You
 
IT solutions have been created to eliminate the need to access company data strictly from a computer station in your office. Thus, the wireless network of your company can be extended to various remote locations. With an extended network you can connect to the very same files stored electronically in your office. Not only does this allow you to truly work from home, but it increases your company’s ability to use the services of telecommuting, part-time and freelance employees in any location. 
 
Never Close With Remote Customer Service
 
Problems don’t keep 9 to 5 hours, so when a customer needs assistance they expect to be helped immediately no matter what time of day. By hiring a provider of remote customer services, your customer service operations can be extended around the clock without having to maintain a 24-hour team in your office. With remote customer service you won’t lose a customer because they weren’t able to receive help.
 
Market With Social Media
 
Social media is a great way to interact with people, so it’s a boon for businesses to market to potential customers. Social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are accessible from any Web-capable device, requiring only a username and password. You and company employees can launch marketing campaigns from anywhere which helps for those timely marketing angles. 
 
By using these tips to extend your company outside the office, you are creating a whole new meaning to the phrase, “living at the office”. Your home, the coffee shop, the mall, have all become your office. Where do you plan to extend your company? 

As soon as you find out your due date for sure (that is, allowing for two weeks leeway either way), you and your partner will have to sit down and decide once and for all how you are going to balance your family and careers. You’ll have to answer a number of questions, which will include but not be limited to:
 
• How much maternity leave (or Family and Medical Leave as is it sometimes called now) does she have?
• Does he have any paternity/Family and Medical Leave, and if so, how much does he have?
• How long should she work before starting her leave?
• What childcare preparations will need to be made, and when do those arrangements need to be made? 
 
Concerning Family and Medical Leave
 
According to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), each parent can take twelve weeks off from their jobs for a birth without losing insurance coverage. So, one of the decisions that may need to be made here is whether both people will take off at the time of the baby’s birth, or will the father wait until the mother is ready to return to work before taking his time off?
 
One thing the mother will have to keep in mind while deciding this is how long she will be able to work before she must start her leave. If she is having no problems, and she has her doctor’s approval, there is no reason why she can’t work literally “up to the last minute.” If she must take off for an extended period of time before then, however, she may want to consider taking vacation or sick time, and keeping the 12-week FMLA time until after the baby is born.
 
The father delaying his time off can have a lot of advantages, especially if the child is born prematurely or develops some health problems after birth. The mother can take her 12 weeks and then the father can start his 12-week leave as soon as hers runs out, thus giving them a total of 24 weeks before they have to utilize the childcare arrangements that they have made.
 
Regarding Childcare Arrangements
 
Your should make childcare arrangements as soon as possible after you find out your due date. Popular childcare facilities might have long waiting lists.
 
These are only a few of the issues surrounding the family and career paradox. Others include one of the parents not realizing until it happens that leaving their precious bundle of joy to return to a career is just not an option. Another one is that which was already mentioned—a child having health problems that may preclude a parent being able to return to work. And, in this case, it may not always be the mother who has to give up the career. Depending on who makes the most money, the decision to fore-go a career may very well rest on the father.
 
Ultimately, who wouldn’t want a perfect balance of family & career in their life? 

Think you’re reaching professional burnout? It’s a typical job hazard in the high-pressure business world. If you’re not sure, check out these tell-tale signs that you’re in dire need of a career change:

1. You’re Less Than Motivated

If your usual get-it-done attitude has taken a bad turn, you might be spending more time looking out the window than performing your duties. While this isn’t a good thing for the company, it’s not so hot for you either. Remember those days when you were so excited about your job that you whipped through those challenging projects and the days flew by? If you’ve mastered your job to the point that it’s boring you to death with no hint of an upcoming promotion, it may be time to look for greener pastures and bigger opportunities.

2. You’re Fantasizing About the Pre-Mature Demise of Your Current Boss

While everyone butts head with their boss from time to time, certain situations are worse than others. If your current manager doesn’t appreciate your talents or is heck-bent on keeping you in your place, maybe it’s time for a change? This situation is one that’s almost guaranteed to keep you miserable until you take a leap into a new job or a totally new career. As the economy picks up, the list of hottest upcoming jobs is definitely getting longer. Why not look for one that takes advantage of your superior skills? If you’re lacking in that category, it might be the perfect time to head back to school to get a new lease on life. Right now, there are some new and awesome careers out there just waiting for you to give them a try.

3. Your Current Company is in the Toilet

If your present employer isn’t handing out raises or promotions, it could be simply because they haven’t been able to afford to lately. However, if they’re instituting a hiring freeze or handing out the proverbial pink slip here and there, it could be a sign of things to come. Before there are mass layoffs and everyone is out there competing for the same job, make your own career move. Even if you’re kept on until the company turns around, it won’t be a fun-filled workweek for you; the corporate culture of a company that’s going down the toilet can be depressing for even the workers who get to keep their job.

4. You’re Under Appreciated

When your interest in taking on more responsibility is ignored or the promotions are going to less experienced (and less intelligent) coworkers, it’s definitely time for a change. While money is one way to keep an employee happy, no one can maintain a high level of job satisfaction if his efforts are not appreciated. During your search for a new career, you may find a new employer who will appreciate your input and make the most of your skills.
Although changing career can be a scary, and sometimes risky, proposition, that’s what life is all about! By not taking this chance, you could be short-changing the rest of your life. Do you experience any of these signs at your job?

In today’s digital world, companies are finding more ways to reach past their product to directly interact with their customers. In years past, it was nearly impossible to really bond with customers, but with social media brands have more power than ever to communicate and connect with their clientele. Let’s take a look at four brands that are extending beyond their product through the power of social media.
 
The Reach Card
 
This is much more than a prepaid credit card. Sure, you’ll get the same great benefits that a prepaid card will give you, but the Reach Card on Facebook has really extended itself beyond its brand. The company has turned to Facebook as a way to share with its customers. You’ll find information about your card and how to improve your credit score. The Reach Card Facebook page is a good example of going beyond the product to connect with consumers.
 
Whole Foods Market
 
Here’s another example of a big brand reaching out to customers through Facebook. Whole Foods Market lets their customers know everything that is going on through social media. In fact, the company asks their Facebook fans for their opinions! Go ahead and recommend new podcasts, read and watch interesting information that is recommended by other fans and attend company events. You can do all of this from the Whole Foods Market Facebook page.
 
Ford
 
Yes, even Ford has figured how to effectively use Facebook to interact with customers. Have you seen the latest Focus commercials? All of these ads actually originated through Facebook. Ford shows videos of upcoming products, lets you contact Customer Service and even allows customers to find out how to “go green”…all through social media. Ford is one of those “old” companies that has found a way to be “new” by utilizing social media in a good way.
 
When it comes to brands making a presence, the use of social media is an absolute must. It’s not enough anymore for companies to make a couple of commercials or create a flyer and call it a day. Nowadays, it’s important for any brand – big or small – to have a way to connect and communicate directly with its customers. Facebook allows brands to know immediately what a customer wants and how to deliver it. This can only lead to greater brand loyalty and an increase in sales. After all, isn’t that what all brands really want?

It’s felt by many that a small business generally has a more laid-back feel; that more people are comfortable in this type of environment. Because of this, there are many corporations that are starting to move toward having a small business feel. There are many ways to do this and you can easily bring the small business feel to your large corporation.
 
Casual Days
 
Have a casual Friday, or even a whole casual week every once in a while. This simple act can do a lot for employee morale, as well as helping everyone feel a little more comfortable. Many people get frustrated having to dress in business dress every day. Having a casual day can significantly increase the happiness that one feels in the office. Make sure that you do set guidelines for your casual day, so that it doesn’t get out of hand.
 
Celebrate Birthdays
 
Many big businesses today have done away with birthday celebrations all together. There are a variety of reasons for this, ranging from the cost to the thought that it is not professional to possible food allergies. If there is a possibility of food allergies, you can at least celebrate with birthday decorations. This will help the employees of your company to feel more welcome at their job, and more at ease through the year. 
 
Pay for Lunch
 
You don’t need to buy your employees their lunch every day, but many smaller companies provide lunch to their employees at times, just because they want to. There doesn’t need to necessarily be a reason to bring in lunch. Everyone loves free food, and when you provide this to your employees, they will appreciate the company more. Even something as simple as bringing in donuts, or ordering pizza is usually greatly appreciated.
 
Allow Personalization
 
Most people spend a large portion of their lives at work. Because of this, it can become disheartening to work in a completely business and sterile environment. Allow some personalization at your employee’s cubicle or desk. It may not be appropriate to allow them to put all sorts of decorations everywhere, but even allowing family pictures is a huge step in the right direction.
 
All Work and no Play?
 
Of course you want things to get done. Unfortunately, if your employees feel like they will get in trouble if they do anything other than work, they will quickly get disheartened. Allowing for some conversation between employees, or team building activities will allow your employees to stay fresh. This will keep them on the job better than if you try to force work at all times.
 
Many people feel that small businesses are much more personal. They like feeling that they are understood, and seen as people, not just employees. Adding in these simple things to your corporate business can help improve company morale, and bring your business closer to the feel of a small business. What steps will you take to make people happier at work?

Tax debt is monies owed to the IRS originating from any current or past tax returns. Tax debt may include income tax owed combined with any accumulated interest and penalties. It is important to note that not paying your taxes can result in wage garnishments, levies, and long-term damage to your credit report.

There are many reasons why individuals may find themselves with a large amount of tax debt. The inability to pay tax debt may be the result of a layoff or extended periods of unemployment, illness, divorce, an accident, or the mismanagement of funds. Whatever the reason may be for your tax debt, you can find relief through several solutions or sources.

Short-term solutions for tax debt relief include: borrowing from a family member or a friend, selling any valuables for cash (or liquidating), taking out a short-term personal loan, or applying for an Offer in Compromise (OIC) through the IRS.

Applying for an Offer in Compromise

An OIC can provide relief for taxpayers who cannot pay their tax debt in full or if an installment agreement is not an option. An Offer in Compromise is an agreement between the IRS and a taxpayer that resolves the taxpayer’s debt. The fee for filing is $150, but in some cases the fee may be waived.

With an OIC, the IRS can choose to settle the taxpayers debt by accepting less than the full payment if there is: doubt as to liability, doubt as to collectibility, if the collection of the tax would create an economic hardship or if it would be unfair and inequitable. In order to apply for an OIC, taxpayers should fill out Form 656 (and possibly 656-L), available at Irs.gov. If you assistance, please contact an IRS collection representative at 1-800-829-1040, or preferably, a tax attorney or a certified public accountant (CPA).

There are several things to keep in mind when applying for an Offer in Compromise or when seeking assistance with the process. Obtaining approval for an Offer in Compromise is difficult, so if at all possible, think of a Plan B or revisit the list of short-term and long-term solutions to be absolutely sure that you have exhausted all possibilities.

When seeking assistance with applying for an OIC, it’s best to avoid services that use the following language “settle your tax debts for pennies on the dollar” through the Offer in Compromise Program. Instead, read through Publication 594 (The IRS Collection Process) and stick with trusted names in the industry. Publication 594 is available at Irs.gov or by calling 1-800-829-3676.

Long-Term and Permanent Solutions for Tax Debt Relief

A common long-term solution for tax debt relief is an IRS installment agreement. An IRS installment agreement, also called payment option, payment plan, and payment agreement is an agreement between the IRS and the taxpayer to make payments on taxes owed. You will be charged a fee, interest and penalties to start the installment agreement. Interest and penalties may be minimized of you are able to resolve your tax debt immediately or in a few of months.

Taxpayers with $25,000 or less in combined tax, penalties, and interest are eligible to use the Internal Revenue Services’ Online Payment Agreement (OPA). You can access the agreement at Irs.gov. If you need further assistance, you can contact an IRS collection representative by calling 1-800-829-1040 or contact a tax attorney or a CPA in your area.

A permanent solution for IRS tax debt relief is tax bankruptcy. In the case of tax bankruptcy, you must contact a tax attorney to assist you with this complicated process. In general, if taxes are old enough they are dischargeable in Chapter 7 — if certain criteria are met.

Credit counseling is a service provided by organizations that offer professional counseling for consumers in need of assistance with debt repayment, debt management, and money management. Also called “debt counseling,” credit counseling is also required before filing chapter 7 or chapter 13.

A credit counseling agency will assist you with managing credit card debt and loans such as personal, mortgage, student, and auto. The agency also assists with utility bills and tax debt. A major benefit to credit counseling is that the credit counselor will handle all lenders, collection agencies, and credit card companies for you. This helps to eliminate the stress associated with phone calls from collection agencies and creditors. Your credit counselor will negotiate a repayment plan with your creditors that will significantly lower your monthly payments and interest rates.

You will have the option to send monthly payments to the credit counseling agency or authorize a monthly electronic funds transfer from your bank account. Depending on the credit counseling agency, they may offer an option called “debt management system.” This means you will pay the agency a lump sum. Out of that lump sum, payments will be made on your behalf. This system can protect you against skipped or late payments, which can save money on interest, fees, and any penalties associated with the debt. An additional benefit to credit counseling is that it can educate you on how to better manage your finances and eventually help minimize or prevent future debt.

While there are many advantages to credit counseling, there are also disadvantages. Credit counseling could have a negative effect on your credit. In some cases lenders, specifically mortgage lenders, may not want to extend credit to an individual that may be in the process of completing a credit counseling program. Fortunately, credit counseling notations are dropped from your credit report one month after the counseling program is complete.

Another disadvantage to credit counseling is the potential for fraud. Most credit counseling agencies are legit, but some are nothing more than a scam. The following signs will let you know that the credit counseling agency you’re dealing with is really a scam:

• -Big upfront fees (legitimate agencies typically charge $10-$15 U.S.)
• -Delayed or missing payments
• -No accreditation
• -Unrealistic promises (“settle for pennies,” or “this won’t affect your credit report”)

To protect yourself against fraudulent credit counseling agencies, make sure the agency is approved by the U.S. Trustee Program of the United States Department of Justice. Locating an approved agency is simple. Just log onto www.usdoj.gov and follow these simple steps:

• -Under “Resources” click “DOJ Agencies”
• -Scroll down to “U.S. Trustees Program”
• -Under “Bankruptcy Reform” click “Credit Counseling & Debtor Education”
• -Under “Credit Counseling for Consumers” click “Approved Credit Counseling Agencies”

The search function allows the user to browse through approved agencies by state. You can also follow this link, which will take you directly to the search page.

Everyone wants to get paid what they’re worth, right? Well, engineering graduates have the opportunity to do just that, and then some. Engineering graduates have the potential to earn $72,490-$108,020 per year and they also have a wide variety of specialty areas to choose from including:

-Aerospace, Agricultural, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer Hardware
-Electrical, Electronics, Environmental, Health and Safety, Industrial, Marine
-Materials, Mechanical, Mining and Geological, Mining Safety, Nuclear
-Petroleum

Earnings could be even more depending on specialty. For example, at a median annual wage of $108,020, petroleum engineers earn the highest salaries in the industry, followed by computer hardware engineers at $97,400, and nuclear engineers at $97,080 annually. 

Salary is only one advantage to pursuing a career in engineering. The industry is stable and growing. Although job growth is expected in all specialty areas, except chemical engineering, job growth for biomedical engineering is projected at 72 percent for the 2008-2018 decade. For environmental engineering, employment growth is 31 percent, civil engineering is 24 percent, and petroleum engineering is around 18 percent. 

Although stressful at times, particularly when a deadline must be met, overall, the work environment for engineers is pleasant and well suited for the tasks at hand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,

Most engineers work in office buildings, laboratories, or industrial plants. Others may spend time outdoors at construction sites and oil and gas exploration and production sites, where they monitor or direct operations or solve onsite problems. Some engineers travel extensively to plants or worksites here and abroad. Many engineers work a standard 40-hour week.

If you would like to earn an engineering degree, you should enroll in an engineering program at an accredited college, university, or technical school. Some of the top accrediting agencies are:

-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
-The Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
-Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
-Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)
-Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
-Distance Education Training Council (DETC)
-Council on Occupational Education (COE)

The top regional accrediting agencies include:

-Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
-New England Association of Schools and Colleges
-North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
-Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
-Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
-Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Before enrolling in any engineering degree program, whether traditional or online, make sure the accrediting agency is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

If you’re curious about what it takes to earn an engineering degree, below is a partial list of required courses for most engineering programs. 

-Analysis Tools for Engineers
-Applied Chemistry for Biomedical Engineering
-Biological Foundations
-Calculus
-Cell and Molecular Biology
-Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
-Electrical Circuits
-Engineering Design
-Engineering Mechanics
-General Chemistry
-General Physics
-Linear Algebra and Vector Analysis for Engineers
-Mechanics of Materials
-Methods of Differential Equations
-Physiological Processes
-Transport Phenomena

For more information about engineering careers, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics at Bls.gov. For information about top engineering programs in the U.S. and abroad, visit The Princeton Review at Princetonreview.com.

Ah, 2004. U.S. unemployment was a mere 6% and the average home price reached $264,540. 2004 was a time when many people lived well and earned more. Well today, many industries are either down and out, or out altogether, and many cities throughout the U.S. still have high unemployment rates. Silicon Valley is an exception.

Bloomberg reports that Silicon Valley employers rebounded from the recession by adding 12,300 positions in 2010, though the total number of jobs is only back to 2004 levels, according to an annual economic report on the region.

The study, released Februray 14, 2011, by Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network and Silicon Valley Community Foundation, also found per- capita income stabilized last year, at $62,400 — the same level as in 2005. Meanwhile, the region is still reeling from cutbacks in government jobs and programs, according to the report.

“The good news is the private sector is doing its thing — don’t ask me how they’re doing it, they’re defying gravity,” Russell Hancock, chief executive officer of Joint Venture, a nonprofit group in San Jose, California, said in an interview. “The problem is the public sector is slammed.”

Google Inc., Facebook Inc. and a new crop of social- networking startups are stepping up hiring, helping offset government cuts and the shift of computer-hardware jobs to lower-cost regions. Google is adding 6,000 jobs worldwide this year, and Facebook plans to boost its workforce by 50 percent annually. The social-networking giant will move its headquarters to Menlo Park from nearby Palo Alto to accommodate the growth.

One of the companies adding employees was Apple, Inc. The Cupertino, California-based company increased its workforce by 36 percent California-based to 46,600 as of September 2010. Apple also reported having 2,800 full-time temporary workers and contractors around this time, up from 2,500 in 2009.