Category: Your Business (Page 23 of 30)

      Defining your Key Performance Indicators

      February 22, 2011 /

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      If you have been following the “Those Optimize Guys” podcast, you know that we have been working on a multipart exploration on defining who your business is. Last week, we discussed Defining your core values, or those things that are non negotiable to the core of your business.

      This week, we discuss the next step, defining your key performance indicators, or those things that you have to do absolutely right in order for your business to succeed.

      In the process, we will also be working with our own business ventures, The Goldberry Roasting Company, and Coding For Hire. We urge you to work with us through this process! If you would like to participate, make sure you contact us, and we’ll get you on board.

      Your Business

      Should Your Business Use Targeted Advertising?

      February 21, 2011 /

      Shutterstock 69239626

      One of the biggest mistakes I hear online business making is down talking the importance of targeted advertising. The targeted advertising program most familiar to most is Google AdWords. When most people look at AdWords, their first reaction is that it’s expensive.

      Yes, it is pricey at first glance, but before you decide to pass on this opportunity, you should take a moment to look a little deeper.

      I covered this last week in a full article. If you are interested in pursuing this, take a look here.

      Your Business

      Temporary Staffing Agencies on a Roll

      February 9, 2011 /

      Temp Agency

      There are many reasons to sign up with a temp agency. You might need supplemental income, you might work while you look for job, or maybe you want to get your foot in the door at a top company. Whatever your reason for signing with a temp agency, you can count on plenty of assignments to choose from once you become a member of the temp talent pool.

      According to a recent Los Angeles Times article, many temp agencies report that business has been on the rise since around September of 2010 and according to the American Staffing Association, the number of temporary workers jumped 25%, to an average of 2.6 million a day, in the third quarter of 2010 compared with the same period a year earlier. One Torrance, CA staffing agency owner even stated that sales on the temporary-employment side of her business, which accounts for about 70% of her revenue, were up 8% in 2010 compared with the year before. So why all the interest in temporary workers?

      Agencies that provide temporary staffing are benefiting from the fact that companies are feeling more optimistic about their short-term prospects but not confident enough to add permanent workers.

      “The new reality is people have been much more resistant to bringing on permanent employees than they have been in the past because of the uncertainty of where the economy is going,” said Michael Neidle, president of Optimal Management, a San Mateo, Calif., consulting firm for small- and medium-size staffing companies.

      Neidle estimated that temporary workers would make up 4% of the workforce within three years, from a low of 1.65% before the recession.

      If you’re looking for an agency, visit Net-Temps.com to locate temporary staffing agencies in your area. Many staffing agencies can also help you find permanent employment.

      Your Business, Your Career, Your Workplace

      Highest Paying Associate Degree Careers

      February 8, 2011 /

      Associate Degree

      Employers consider many factors when assessing a candidate for employment, but two of the most important factors are experience and education. These two factors may determine whether or not the company will hire you and how much they will pay. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, bachelor’s degree holders earn nearly twice as much as workers with a high school diploma. Bachelor’s degree holders typically earn 15-30 percent more than associate’s degree holders during their working lifetime.

      While associate degree holders may earn less than bachelor degree holders (overall), unemployment rates for all college degree levels are significantly less than rates for individuals with no college experience at all. The unemployment rate for individual’s with less than a high school diploma was 14.5 percent for 2010. For individuals with a high school diploma (but no college), the unemployment rate was 10.8 percent for 2010. For associate degree holders the unemployment rate was 8.2 percent and for bachelors, masters, professional, and doctoral degree holders, the unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.

      Fortunately, there are a number of rewarding careers for individuals with an associate degree. An associate degree can also help you get your foot in the door at top companies. Many associate degree holders work in entry-level positions at top companies while gaining valuable experience in their respective fields. Some associate degree holder’s work in these positions while earning a bachelors degree.

      Associate degree holders can find careers in all fields, but many of the top careers for these degree holders are in the medical and technical fields. Because the positions listed below are in the medical and technical fields, the average salaries are higher than most other industries. Just a few high-paying associate degree careers include:

      1. Computer Specialist-Support Position ($46,370 per year)
      2. Dental Hygienist ($66,570 per year)
      3. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer ($61,980 year)
      4. Engineering Technician ($42,960-$56,080 per year)
      5. Nuclear Technician ($66,660 per year)
      6. Radiation Therapist ($72,910 per year)
      7. Immigration and Customs Inspectors ($59,930 per year)
      8. Loan Officer ($53,000 per year)
      9. Paralegal and Legal Assistant ($46,120 per year)
      10. Radiologic Technologist/Technician ($52,261 per year)

      If you are interested in earning an associate degree, many programs are available both on-campus and online through colleges and universities, community colleges, technical schools, career schools, and specialty schools. Before enrolling in an online associate degree program, check with the U.S. Department of Education to make sure the school is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency. Just a few of the top accrediting agencies include:

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

      Recognized Regional Accrediting Agencies

      -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

       

      Your Business, Your Career, Your Compensation, Your Education

      Unemployment Lowest Since April 2009

      February 4, 2011 /

      Jobs Ahead

      Although economists predicted that the unemployment rate would increase to 9.5 percent, the unemployment rate went in the other direction, dropping 9 percent last month from 9.4 percent in December. Many would consider this good news, but a number of skeptical analysts don’t see it this way. The government reported that 36,000 new jobs were created last month—the fewest in four months. And analysts say this might not be a sign that that economic recovery is picking up pace.

      Jim O’Sullivan, chief economist at MF Global, said that the market is discounting the big drop in the unemployment rate. “The information value of this report is limited because it was obviously affected by the weather,” he said.

      The unemployment rate fell despite the small number of new jobs because some people who are out of work gave up looking for a new job, Mr. O’Sullivan said.

      Andrew Wilkinson, senior market analyst at Interactive Brokers, said: “It’s extremely difficult to see beyond the snow to understand today’s data.”

      Fortunately, during a recent speech the National Press Club, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the Fed expects the economy to improve this year and inflation to remain low.

      Your Business, Your Career, Your Compensation, Your Workplace

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