When you invest your money in a mutual fund, you are trusting someone to invest in the stock market for you. Because of this, you want to be sure this person knows what he or she is doing. Also, you want to make sure that this person is not charging you too much to manage your money for you. Mutual funds fees are “hidden,” in the sense that they do not charge you an upfront fee but rather a percentage of the amount of money in your account. If this percentage is too high, you would do better just blindly picking stocks yourself.

Here are five helpful tips for choosing the right mutual funds.

1. Keep the fees low. Generally, expense fees should not be much higher than 1% if it is just a basic domestic equity fund. You should never invest money in a fund that also charges a “load,” which is an additional fee that is ridiculous to pay. Never invest in funds that charge loads; those funds are for suckers.

2. Check the asset base. Mutual fund managers only know of so many good investments. When they have too much money to manage, they begin investing in stocks they don’t like much but need to invest in anyway or else they’ll just have money laying around. There’s little reason to invest in a fund with over $5 billion in assets. It’s best if it’s under $2 billion generally.

3. Consider an index fund. This is a fund that tracks a stock index, such as the S&P 500. For these funds, the manager just buys whatever stocks happen to be in the index. Since this is not much work, the fees are much lower. Even though this method is simple, it has proven to perform better than most mutual funds. Some high performance index funds include FSMKX (Fidelity S&P 500) and VIMSX (Vanguard S&P 400 Midcap.

4.  Evaluate the fund’s strategy. If you have a long term outlook, look for a more aggressive fund that invests in small-cap stocks, international stocks, and riskier stocks in general. High risk tends to result in high performance in the long run. If you are more risk-averse, consider an S&P 500 index fund.

5. Keep the fees low. Did I mention this already? Well, I’ll mention it again. This is where most people mess up. Make sure you are not paying a load or paying too much in fees to the mutual fund.

More information about mutual funds can be found at Research Mutual Funds.

Laura Harris CLU, CIC and ChFC, is a nationally renowned speaker in the insurance industry, insurance company owner and author of the new small business owner self-help book “Surrender to Win” (October 2008 release)(Greenleaf Publishing). She says, “The answer for small business owners in hard economic times is to hire and retain the right staff.”

Here are Harris’ 5 hiring tips:

1) Take enough time to get to know your prospective team member rather than hiring on a gut reaction. Part of the interview process should include introducing the potential employee to key staff so you know how the team members will interact. This process can be invaluable.

2) Don’t hire a prospective employee with an unprofessional phone voice or sloppy appearance. The first impression you have of a perspective employee is the same first impression a client will have of your company.

3) Hire an inexperienced person you can train to mesh with your style of leadership. Personnel with experience often come with old habits and pre-conceived notions. Training someone from scratch means you can mold them to perform the way you prefer.

4) ‘Steal’ good employees from other industries. Someone who goes above and beyond for their current company has a good enough work ethic to work hard for yours.

5) Hire someone with different strengths and weaknesses than your existing team rather than hiring someone just based on how much you like them. Adding staff should expand what your business has to offer.

And Harris’ 5 tips to retain and grow employees who think like owners:

1) Every company needs a foundation of uniformly enforced rules and guidelines on which to agree. Create a detailed employee handbook and stick to the guidelines so everyone (including you) knows the company policy. Having rules in writing helps the employees understand what is expected of them so they can succeed as a group member.

2) Invest in your employee’s education by paying for courses and offering time off to take classes. Rather than worry your team member will get so smart they’ll leave or want a raise – worry your business will remain stagnant if you don’t invest in employee education and they don’t grow their current level of expertise.

3) Help your employees put their families first. Allow time off for children and parents when it’s needed. Putting family first doesn’t detract from the job – it creates a well balanced work environment for the boss and the employees.

4) Hire responsible people, take the time to train them well and give them room to work. Micromanaging stifles creativity, creates second guessing and leads to stress for both the owner and the employee.

5) Be loyal to your staff and they will be loyal to you. Spend time investing in the right person so they stay with you. A resignation or firing is disruptive to the flow of business and bad for the morale of everyone remaining on the team.
And Harris says sometimes it’s not the employee you need to fire – it’s the client. “Know what type of client gives you the highest return and is the most hassle free. Gear your advertising and public relations toward taking on new clients like those.”

Owning a small business can be less stressful and more successful with the right team members and clients.

About the Author
Laura Harris is a nationally renowned speaker who has helped hundreds of small business owners throughout the United States improve individual and business performance while inspiring them to simplify their lives and renew a passion for developing a business that outlives them. Harris has been in the insurance industry since 1979 and opened her own insurance agency in 1994. Laura has acquired the prestigious insurance designations of CLU, CIC and ChFC. Laura is a fourth-degree black belt and USTU Certified Master Instructor in Taekwondo. She lives in Corpus Christi, Texas with her children and grandchildren. “Surrender to Win” is her first book geared toward helping small business owners build their companies and their staff. www.lauraharris.com

I probably shouldn’t be using that example. I know, I’ve sold my fair share of those automated attendants in my time, but I wanted to make a point. We’ve become reliant on technology and doing business through computer proxy. It’s the norm. Exceeding limitations means breaking out of the norm, though. Expanding your business takes more than doing what the rest of the crowd is doing. With that in mind, let me make a radical suggestion that really shouldn’t be that radical, advertising with a personal touch.

No, you don’t have to personally answer every single call that comes into your office. What I’m suggesting is to print business cards (if you’ve got out of date or monotone cards, update your wallet with professional, color business cards) and brush up on your social networking skills. I’m not talking about knocking on doors and hitting people with aggressive sales pitches. What I’m talking about is actively engaging people in your community. You shouldn’t lead with your card, either. Save the business card for the tail end of your conversation, after you’ve made a personal connection. In the process, you’ll make some friends, find new customers and become a more prominent and recognizable face in your community.

That’s the key. When you put a human face on your business, people will feel more comfortable spending their money with you. Given the choice, most consumers would rather deal with someone they know in their community than another cold, faceless corporate entity. This works both ways too. Since your customers will be friends and neighbors instead of walking dollar signs, you’ll find that your levels of service and commitment to delivering on your promises will increase, which will further bolster your customer base.

It’s a win/win situation that requires a very minimal investment - just the cost of business card printing and a small expenditure of your time. It could be the thing that finally makes your business an enduring, local institution. Who knows, it might even inspire you to turn off the automated attendant and answer your phone when a customer calls. Hey, I can always dream, right?

About the Author
For more information, you can visit this page on business card printing and color business cards

Your copy is falling flat, that’s what. You need to use active language, and powerful words that get and keep attention. Here’s how.

Use your headline. Headlines are the most important copy-related parts of print ads. If you have a dull headline, like the name of your business, you’re wasting precious space and money. That space could be used as a call to action or to give a benefit of your product. Keep your business address, phone number and other boring, but important, information in smaller font and towards the bottom of your ad. By using the space to brag about your largest, most impacting benefit, you could increase response by 300 percent.

Focus on the customer. Use “you” rather “we” or “I.” People want to know how you can help them, not about your great employees. Of course if your business is a service that employees provide, then yes, tout your employees. But tout what they can do for your customer, and what they’ve done in the past for similar customers. Show the customer that you have something that they need that will benefit their lives.

Include a call to action. People won’t visit your store if you don’t ask them to. They won’t be motivated to visit your Web site unless you tell them you have one and give them the Web address to get there. Word your call to action as a command: “Visit our Web site today.” “Call today.”

Use power words. Use sexy words that will stay with readers. Words that evoke movement and excitement work best. Concrete words will also give you a leg up. Use “erase wrinkles” instead of “get rid of wrinkles.” Use persuasive words such as “give,” “hurry” and “invite.” Use words that evoke trust: “tested” and “proven.” Use words that flatter the reader like “wise” and “special” when describing them.

Avoid overused words. Don’t use words that people have heard over and over again in advertising. Generally these words have only held false promises in the past. People remember words that burned them before. A few to avoid are “quality,” “value,” “service,” “caring” and “integrity.”

Do not waste your budget on commercial printing materials that are boring and that aren’t going to work for you. Spend more time and money on creating your message upfront, perhaps even hiring a freelance marketing writer or a consultant that can help you create a powerful message before you choose your color scheme or photo.

About the Author
Kaye Z. Marks is an avid writer and follower of developments in commercial color printing industry and how these improvements can benefit small to medium-scale business.

Medical Benefits: Any medical dealing required treating or relieving the effects of a job-associated damage or illness will certainly be paid by the either employer or by the insurance policy company offering coverage. This comprises doctor services, hospitalization, physical reinstatement, oral care, prescriptions, scan, laboratory services, and approximately all other essential and sensible care prepared by the dealing doctor(s).

Temporary Disability Benefits (TD): TD is paid only if a doctor concludes that a wounded employee is not able to work because of a job-associated poor health or an injury. Temporary disability benefits are not actually paid on the initial 3 days of work missed unless the worker is on off for more than 14 days or he is hospitalized. Compensation is usually made in every two weeks, for providing the employee is really eligible for the insurance. TD benefits would be stopped when the employee returns to work or the treating physician releases the employee for work or verifies that the injury has reached a point of maximum improvement.

Permanent Disability (PD): PD is paid if any hurt or infirmity consequence in a permanent disability, which lessens the offended workers capability to contend in the open employment market. The amount received would depend on the range of the disability. Other things that are measured when insurance company works out PD comprise the date of injury, the age when wounded, and as well his/her occupation. PD reimbursements are actually paid in each two weeks until the advantage is totally paid to the employee or when the worker resolves the case and gets a huge amount.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR): VR is paid when it is improbable a worker is capable to go back to his normal job just before to the hurt and the manager does not provide other employment. Vocational Rehabilitation Maintenance Allowance benefits (VRMA) are commonly paid among the employee is in fact taking part in vocational rehabilitation. VRMA is also usually paid in each two weeks for as long as the worker is eligible.

About the Author
Peter is a Copywriter of
hr outsourcing services
He written many articles in various topics.For more information visit:
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contact him at soptimumoutsourcing1@gmail.com

First of all, let’s get this straight – all advertising campaigns work. Whether it’s postcard marketing or brochure printing materials, it works. The outcome now depends on how you fully understand the medium you’re going to use (its strengths and weaknesses) and to maximize its purpose to achieve the goals you’ve set.

Second, advertising costs a lot. Not only should you invest your money to your full color postcard printing ads, you should also put in as much time and energy as you can to make your postcard marketing successful.

Third, advertising is not a one time deal. You need to market continuously if you plan to sell to the public and to keep your clients thirsting for more of your business.

Now that we have these clarified, let’s talk about postcard marketing and how it can work to your benefit.

As I said earlier in the article, any advertising campaign works; so does your full color postcard printing campaign if you decide to go for it. What is even more appealing is that this type of marketing is so simple and easy that you can even do it yourself. In fact, the mechanics is so simple that you can do it over and over again without worrying that you won’t get it right every time.

So what do you do? Create your postcard in any graphics or word program that you are used to. Then insert mailing addresses to your print ad by utilizing the mail merge program in your desktop. The addresses will be automatically keyed in when you provide the details. When you’re finished putting in your information, print out your cards, stamp them and then post them out. It’s that simple!

What’s more, with its simplicity, you can send your postcards out continuously, even once a month. This is the best way to get your target readers to remember and recognize your name. When you consistently advertise and allow your prospects to see you every time, the easier it is for your prospects to get to know you and the products and services you are offering. This is truly an advantage on your part because you make it easy for your target clients to decide to buy from you. It’s all about repetition.

On the other hand, postcard marketing also has its weaknesses. Despite your eagerness to do your marketing continuously, it doesn’t guarantee you a tremendous outcome. Even if you get so many people to be interested, only a few would you be able to turn into definite buyers. Nevertheless, that’s not half bad.

So the next time you’re looking for a marketing campaign that works, stop. Remember, all marketing strategies work. You just have to completely understand the mechanics for you to make a success out of your ads.

About the Author
For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Postcard Marketing, Full Color Postcard Printing

Let us see the different aspects that has to be accounted while selecting promotional umbrellas-

Visual attractiveness:
The fundamental concept that is applicable for all promotional gifts is their excelling visual appeal. The promotional umbrellas bear no exception to the rule. The foremost technique they apply to capture the attention of the audience is the fascinating colour combination of their canopy. It can be solid colour base or mix and match of hues with all of them exuding sheen of their own. This lends glamour to their body, which is enough to make the audience spare a significant glance on them. The make of the handle, the structure of the umbrella also counts for the visual enticement. It is only when the promotional umbrellas catch the imagination of the audience that they run the chance to be used in daily application.

Refined usability:
The promotional umbrellas fail to progress further in their effort of brand promotion unless they are endowed with refined usability characteristics. They have to be in some or the other way better than their ordinary counterparts in making life easy. This is what prompts the audience to use them frequently and feel proud to flaunt them. Traits like twin ribbed canopy, automatic opening mechanism, storm proof canopy, ergo comfy rubber grip handle, lightweight construction, distinct wind-resistant square structure, polished handle with colour matched grip, aluminum fitments, folding varieties with covers are some of the enhancing qualities that acts positively towards their brand promotion.

Usage of the print space:
Umbrellas are well known for their availability of large print space. The real issue however, lies in how dexterously this print region is being utilised. The embossing of the branding elements (that is the company logo, logo type, punch line, slogans or other company information) should be conducted in such a manner that the brand visibility is realised to its maximum potential. The circular shape of the umbrellas should be used to depict the branding components in a way that the audience can in no way miss on the brand messages.

Thus, having understood the important dimensions that you should check while choosing promotional printed umbrellas, you will be able to make a better decision the next time. For detailed information on promotional umbrellas, log on to www.clickpromogifts.co.uk.

About the Author
Victoria Brown is the founder of clickpromogifts a dynamic and modern promotional umbrellas and other promotional items company which has begun to dominate the UK promotional products market by offering a massive range of products at value prices. For more details on promotional umbrellas visit clickpromogifts.co.uk

Develop an RFQ

First, as the owner of your business, you need to have a clear idea in your mind of what you’re looking for from your website. Perhaps you just want an internet presence for your business, or maybe you want something more dynamic. If you’re not sure what you want, then take the time to do some research. Take a look at what other similar businesses are doing and write down what you like (and what you don’t like!). Start to make a list of what features you feel your site must have (request form, forum, etc.). You should also start to list out the individual pages you want to see developed (about us, services, etc.). You are now creating an official RFQ (request for quote) document that you can present to a potential web designer for review. Once you’ve developed an outline for your site, you should also make some notes about your preferences when it comes to the site design and layout. If you want a flash intro or background music or some other design element, you need to note that. Put all your notes into a Word document and save it for later.

Next, you’ll need to solicit bids from interested web designers. Include a brief description of what you want your site to be, and invite interested designers to contact you with their information.

At this point, you should not expect full-blown estimates or proposals. No professional is going to be prepared to give you a quote on a project without having talked to you or seen your RFQ. Instead, you should concentrate on weeding out the designers who don’t meet your expectations.

So, what should you expect?

Good Communication

Right off the bat, any communication from a potential designer should be professional, clear, and friendly. It’s extremely important that the designer you choose is a good communicator. First, you have to work with this individual and if they can’t communicate well with you, the project will prove more difficult to complete. Second, you will be depending on him or her to independently create certain aspects of your website. You cannot write everything for them. If they aren’t able to communicate well, it will be reflected in their work and therefore make your site, and you, look unprofessional.

Previous Work

Next, your interested designer should be able to present some examples of their work, preferably in the form of a portfolio page within their own website. Assuming they have their own website, look at that first. Do you like it? Does it look professional? Would you consider them based solely on their website? A website should be a reflection of that business. If a web designer’s own website is poor, then they do not understand the purpose of a business website and you can move on.

Assuming their own website is up to snuff, then you should check out their portfolio. Take a look at the sites they’ve done for other businesses, particularly if there are some sites similar to your own model, and see what you think. If, on the whole, you’re not impressed with their work, move on to a different designer.

Personality & Knowledge

If you’re comfortable with the quality of work from a particular designer, it’s time to talk to them on the phone. They should be comfortable talking about themselves and what they can do for you, and pleasant to deal with. Remember, this is someone that’s going to become an integral part of your business, at least for a while. You need to feel confident that they can do the job and that you’ll be able to work with them.

Price

Once you’ve articulated exactly what you’re looking for, the designer should be able to give you a quote on the project. Certainly, the price needs to be an important consideration, but don’t let it make your decision for you. If someone gives you a particularly high price on a project, you need to consider the quality of their work and decide if it is marginally better than everyone else, and if they’re worth it. Similarly, if someone gives you a particularly low price, you need to consider their motivation as well. Do they simply produce cheap work, or are they trying to establish themselves and therefore charging below market rates. If you’re lucky enough to find someone in that situation who meets your other requirements, hire them immediately!

Local vs. Remote

Because of the nature of websites, most projects can be easily completed without ever having any face-to-face meetings between designer and client. Business owners should not feel any hesitation in hiring a remote designer, at least one within the U.S.

Certainly, there are specific projects which may require face time, but in general, those clients that insist on dealing with local designers are only limiting themselves to local talent and rates.

Business Experience

In your emails and conversations with your designer, you should also gauge their business experience. You’re going to be depending on him or her to give you suggestions on how to build your site to better your business. If, for instance, the designer has no sales experience, how can they ensure your website fits into your sales process? Additionally, a good designer will question every aspect of the site from a good business perspective and offer you advice to that end. For instance, the flash intro you wanted for your site may look outstanding, but a good designer might suggest that, while attractive, it does not actually benefit your business, and could potentially do more harm than good by deterring visitors who cannot view flash, or preventing search engines from searching your website. If your designer gives you a suggestion to improve your site, but one that will end up reducing their fees, then you know that this designer truly has your best interests at heart.

Search Engine Understanding

Finally, your new designer must understand how to build a site so that it is search engine friendly. This is typically where inexperienced designers fall short, so don’t skip this step! Ask them how they plan to make your site optimized for search engines. Going back to their ability to communicate; they should be able to explain what they’re going to do in a way that you can understand without any previous knowledge of SEO.

Hopefully I’ve given you some ideas on how to approach this task. Feel free to email me your questions or comments at michael@stadiastudio.com. Good luck!

About the Author
Michael is the lead web designer and owner at Stadia Studio (http://www.StadiaStudio.com), a web design firm in St. Louis, and has been helping businesses get online since the 1990’s.

Many types of stress balls are available on the market, these days. Some of them are available in the form of a closed-cell polyurethane foam rubber. This kind of stress ball is created by injecting liquid components of a foam into a mold. The chemical reaction that results forms bubbles of carbon dioxide and ultimately comes out in the form of a foam.

Stress ball recommended for physical therapy contain gel of various densities. The gel is placed inside a cloth or rubber skin. There is another type of stress ball that is made via using a thin rubber membrane that surrounds a fine powder.

A stress ball can also be made at home via filling a balloon with baking soda. Some balls look like foot bag and are marketed and used widely as stress balls.

The name ‘Stress ball’ may indicate that the shape of this substance is spherical. However, these are available in various amusing shapes, spot printed or screen printed. Some are also available with corporate logos. These make great gifts to clients and employees.

Stress balls can play a major role in decreasing stress injuries. Due to the shape these balls are available in; they are known as stress relievers and also make a great corporate promotional product.

Stress balls are wonderful options to relieve stress. Whenever the hand is turned in to a fist, you would notice certain muscle tension. This muscle tension may also be experienced if you don’t have anything in the palm. As soon as the grip of fist is released the muscle tension eases.

The cycle of creating a muscular tension and thereafter releasing it is the basic principle that works with stress balls.

It is better to have something in hand instead of making an empty fist and releasing it frequently. These days, stress balls are very famous with computer professionals.

You can also make your own stress balls at home. The activity will be fun and help you to reduce a lot of stress.

Balloon Stress Ball - Instruction

i) Blow a small thick balloon half way.

ii) Pinch and hold the balloon tight about one inch from the hole.

iii) Place a small funnel inside the opening of the balloon.

iv) Now pour cornstarch in to the funnel.

v) Now gradually release the top of the balloon so that the cornstarch slides in to balloon

vi) Keep adding cornstarch until the balloon is 3 inches in diameter.

vii) Now tighter the end of the balloon and let the air come out slowly.

viii) Tie the balloon tightly near the cornstarch.

A stress ball is a great tool to manage stress. Buy one for yourself now or make one on your own.

About the Author
For more Articles, News, Information, Advice, and Resources about STRESS please visit STRESS TIPS and FREE FROM STRESS

Dental Plans

Almost 90 percent of dental insurance policies carry a “missing tooth clause” or a “replacement clause.” Many dental insurance policies include at least one of these clauses, but most have both. A missing tooth clause means that insurance companies don’t have to pay for the missing tooth if it did not happen in the time of coverage. For example, if you lost a tooth before your coverage started and later decided that you would like to have a partial, bridge or implant, the insurance company would not pay for that if they have a missing tooth clause.

Most dental insurance companies use what is called a Usual, Customary and Reasonable (UCR) fee guide. This means that the insurance company sets their own price that they will allow for every dental procedure that they cover. This is not what a dentist will charge only what the insurance company will insure. This means you will still have to pay some of the dental bill. With a dental plan, the company will set the price at what the total bill is.

Braces

You can shop around and find the cheapest orthodontist but: As in any field there are orthodontists who are better than others so you want to make sure your going to a top one. Every mouth is different so they would need to do an exam before they could give you a price. They will charge for the exam so you will want to have a fair idea on whether or not you are going to use them before you do this. You should ask them what there best price is. Dentists and orthodontists have good competition and you will probably get a small discount or long term payment plan if you ask for it. There is now a new concept called “Customer Driven Health care”. It’s a simple structure. Membership groups drive customers to orthodontists for a discount in exchange of new business. For the consumer it’s a great deal… Memberships groups have a very low monthly fee, lower than health insurance. Treatments that your insurance company won’t do are done. There are no “missing tooth” clauses, so if you have an ongoing condition it will be covered. You can use the membership for as much as you like, there are no limits. It is now available for primary care physicians, vision providers, pharmacies and chiropractors as well as dentists and orthodontists.

Rex Warnaar writes on saving money and the ways to do it. You can learn more by visiting my blog. Saving on Dental Bills http://save-on-dental-bills.blogspot.com

About the Author

Rex Warnaar writes on saving money and the ways to do it. You can learn more by visiting my blog. Saving on Dental Bills http://save-on-dental-bills.blogspot.com