Trace License Plate Numbers Online - Search Free License Plate Number

You can now find out who that license plate number belongs to because if you have to find out who owns a car there is free online searches that will give you the identity and it is easy to do. You may have been involved in a hit and run or maybe you saw someone that seem to be driving drunk now if you get there license plate number you can use the internet to find out there identity.

It can be frustrating if someone hits your car then takes off and you do not know whether to chase them down which puts other people at risk or just jot down there license number.

Once you have that number in your hands you can search online to get there identity and if you do not want your insurance to go up then they should pay for what they have done. There are so many advantages to using a free license plate online search and getting a persons identity is so important for you.

You want to make sure that you are using a site that gives you the information for free because there are a lot of places that will charge you for information and you should not have to shell out big bucks for information that you can get for free.

Remember that when you need to search a license plate number and get the identity of the person who owns that car you can now get the information and it is available to you for free.

Extang Tonneau Covers - 5 Reasons They Are Top Sellers

Extang Tonneau Covers may appear on more trucks than any other company's products. Not to take away from that, but it may very well be because of their product line. See, their specialty is the soft bed covers. As a result the covers are mostly in the low price range. But they offer so many models and the different features make them each somewhat unique. Here are ways Extang makes so many distinct models.

1. Sealing Method Choices

Keeping the sides of the cover sealed presents problems for any bed cover and especially for soft covers. Extang tonneaus accomplish that with several different methods. By providing choices, they let you pick which you prefer. All are methods that seal well to keep out dirt and water.

2. To Snap Or Not To Snap

Snap closure represents the standard by which other methods are compared. Snap closing works well but the fit up with snaps is quite the challenge. That's why many people much prefer other methods. And Extang offers several. Other closing types offer faster access as well as better seals too. Not that snap closing is all bad. The lowest price models often use snaps since they work quite well and cost so little.

3. Colors Too

No longer must covers be all black. No, you can now choose from several colors to match or blend with the color of your pickup. Available in several models, this is another way to make your truck look better and more finished at a reasonable price.

4. Keeping The Wrinkles Out

Hidden under cover for each tonneau you find some way used to keep the covers tight. Otherwise not only does the cover look droopy, it also could catch water an form a pool. That is not a pleasant thought. These covers use a combination of tensioners and supports to keep the material tight in all conditions.

5. Hard Tonneau Covers

Two Extang covers come with hard material. Both offer the folding feature. That design produces a locking bed that really becomes like a big trunk. Unlike tilting covers, folding covers allow for hauling of tall cargo and permit good access to the entire bed of a pickup.

Extang Tonneau Covers may appear on more trucks than any other company's products. By offering covers with many different features, they well cover the whole range of low priced covers for pickups.

Auto Transport to and From Alabama

Auto transport is a process of moving the vehicles across the countryside or overseas. Car shipping has gained lots of importance nowadays, because most of the people want to move their motors carefully from one destination to other using reliable sources. Alabama, the state of America comprises huge number of population where people are interested to move their autos more carefully and securely. More number of companies is interested to offer the services throughout globally to enhance excellent customer support over their business.

Auto transport to and from Alabama enhances high standard moving using advanced technologies. Well trained auto shippers are employed who possess more experience, knowledge in the field and offers the transit with full security. Today, wide number of shipping companies provides vehicle move to and from America with some of the advantages like door to door services, flexible payment modes, competitive and reasonable price schedules, quick delivery, convenient shipping order and more over excellent customer services.

As per the department of transportation, the vehicle transit will be provided more compactly and guaranty. Save time and money by choosing the best auto shippers across the world who offers reliable services along with required benefits and affordable price consideration. Timely delivery must be offered and their must be constant updates regarding the live status reports and where the process is going on. In case of delay due to any uncertainties, accidents or any other reason, the shipper is required to intimate the appropriate customer about the delivery delay through any sort of communications.

Almost, every company should be fully insured and licensed. When the vehicle is moved across and any damage occurred during transit, then the movers should provide full insurance coverage as per the documents. It is the responsibility of the customer to check the car or auto whether any damages are their before moving. The customer should prepare the car completely, because most of the company's procedures differ from one another. Enjoy the full secured, insured auto transport services to and from Alabama for reasonable price consideration.

Buying Cheap Trucks From Police Truck Auctions

Police truck auctions are held regularly in every police department trying to get rid of their surplus vehicles. These auctions are one of the best markets for quality police vehicles that may have already lived up to its use for our men patrolling the streets.

These types of auctions offer you one of the best deals around. That is because the police and other federal and state agencies take pride in having well-maintained vehicles. It would be more likely that you will have for yourself bid on many well maintained used police trucks at prices that you may not be able to get at any other second hand dealerships.

Police truck auctions are usually held several times over the course of the year because there is always surplus inventory lying around. Aside from aging (2 years and above) police vehicles to impounded and seized cars, there are always plenty of units to get rid of to make way new inventory and to free up some valuable storage space. In such auctions, you might even be able to find slightly used or even some fairly new vehicles to bid on, if you are lucky.

Police truck auctions offer the chance to check out good quality vehicles that you may be able to get at prices way below retail. But all the great deals will depend on how good you can bid for it. It is a gross misconception that every item at an auction can be yours at very cheap prices.

On the contrary, some items may even go over their fair market value. Credit this to some overeager but inexperienced bidders. There are some instances that bidding wars at these police truck auctions can get out of hand that the vehicles can end up priced outrageously. So it is a good idea to come well prepared.

Just like any other auction, the action starts when the bidding begins. But if you are after great deals in these auctions, the action for you starts way before the actual auction day. Prepare yourself by getting to know what is required to be a part of the bidding public. Registration is usually required for such auctions with each bidder given his own number to put some order into the whole process. This is usually free in most government held public auctions.

Inspection Day is sometimes also scheduled prior to the actual auction date to give the bidders a chance to see the auctioned vehicles more closely. On a typical Inspection Day, the bidders can check each vehicle inside and out. Bidders are also allowed to start and give the engine a run through, but that is as far as they can go over each vehicle. Moving the vehicles in any way is prohibited.

In all government auctions, catalogs are also handed out beforehand to the bidders, which become their guide on the order of the vehicles put on the auction block. These catalog also contain some important information concerning each vehicle including model, color, year of manufacture, vehicle history and other special features.

It is important for every bidder to get hold of such a catalog. It will serve as one of their basis in trying to come up with a good bidding strategy. It takes a lot of work and preparation if you are serious enough to get a good deal in such public auctions. All your hard work will be rewarded by each successful bid that you make.

Truck Bed Tonneau Cover - One Type Can Be a Disaster

Choosing a truck bed tonneau cover is tough because there are so many choices. Any kind of tonneau cover can enhance the look of your pick-up. Don't forget too that a bed cover can reduce drag as your truck goes down the road and may improve your fuel mileage. But some covers are better for one task than another and some covers could be a disaster for your truck. The two broad types of covers are hard and soft covers.

1. Soft Covers

If you're looking for a cheap cover, a soft one will be the cheapest option. An inexpensive cover still looks good and provides protection for your cargo from the elements plus protection from prying eyes. But soft covers are pretty easy to cut and get into so the security part is a little weak.

Soft covers may be of several designs. The simplest attach to the top of the bed and just roll forward into a roll for complete access to the bed. You can also choose a hinged cover. This is a vinyl covered frame that tilts forward in one piece. Also a tri fold soft cover is available and even a snap on cover. You can easily research these options, but all are inexpensive and useful.

1. Hard Covers

Hard covers may be made of plastic, fiberglass or metal. Popular models are the sleek one piece units that tilt forward to turn a truck bed into a gigantic trunk. With hard covers you get improved security over a vinyl cover since the covers lock and are difficult to get into when locked.

Hard covers also are made to fold up in sections for access. Then the retractable cover is in many ways the ultimate cover. Retractable covers mount flush with the top of the bed rails and the aluminum top rolls forward into a cannister. Some units are even powered...push a button and the cover rolls forward out of the way.

Here's the potential disaster. A one piece hinge forward lid, especially a hard cover, is a cool, sleek looking choice. But what about hauling? You can't haul any kind of tall cargo with a one piece hinge forward cover on your truck. A lawn mower, a refrigerator, a dog house, most any thing taller than the bed rails won't work. So if you need a giant trunk that always is closed when travelling, a one piece hinged cover is OK. Otherwise, choose another design.

A tonneau cover is a great addition for any truck. Choose the type that best suits the way you use your truck and the look you like and that fits your budget.

Campers For Pickup Trucks

Pickup truck campers are designed to provide space and equipment for sleeping and simple housekeeping during camping and recreational travel. Campers can either be attached over the pickup's hold or can be fitted on a trailer. Many of these campers are designed to accommodate five to six people. An awning can be attached to these campers to accommodate more people.

Campers have automatic loading and unloading mechanism, which includes four corner ball screw electric jacks operated with a remote control. Camper mounting process is easy and can be done with the push of a button. The truck is gently steered to slide beneath the camper structure. Electric jacks mount the structure in the right place, which is then secured with the help of clampers and safety latch. Unloading is done by reversing this process.

Camper roofs are made from a combination of foam and marine grade thermoplastic polyolefin to provide maximum strength and protection from extreme weather conditions. The roof offers excellent insulation, easy cleaning, traction, and hail protection. Pickup racks can also be fitted on these roofs for carrying ladders, canoes, or kayaks. Camper body can be made from different materials such as kiln-dried fir or pinewood, lightweight aluminum, or fiberglass.

Campers are designed according to the "center of gravity" theory that shifts the weight of these campers to the center of the pickup. This enables efficient maneuverability at high speeds and helps in negotiating uneven terrain without the risk of vehicle tip-over accidents. Campers are costly and should be insured to avoid financial losses caused due to fire, accidents, or natural calamities.

A number of firms manufacture campers, which are compatible with different types of pickup trucks. Customized campers are also manufactured based on specifications provided by the customer. Customers who find it difficult to assemble and install campers can take help from technicians hired by the manufacturing company.

Choosing a Truck Driving Job Part V - Comparing Large Trucking Companies to Small Ones

In part one of our series, Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part I: Factors That Effect All Companies, we talked about different factors and considerations which will affect your experience at any company you go to work for.

In part two of our series, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part II: You and "Your People" Are The Most Important Factor", we talked about surrounding yourself with the right people, understanding factors that affect the freight you'll be getting, and things you can do to put yourself in the best position to succeed.

In part three, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part III: How Your Family and Lifestyle Will Affect Your Choice", we considered your personality and lifestyle. Are you married? Do you have children? Do you love adventure? How long would you like to be away from home? These questions all figure into the process of choosing the right truck driving job.

In part 4, "Choosing A Truck Driving Job Part IV: Advantages of Large Trucking Companies", we of course talked about the advantages of working at a large trucking company.

Now in part 5, we're going to talk about some of the disadvantages to working for a large trucking company, and discuss what life is like at a small company.

Ok, so large trucking companies must have some disadvantages, right? Of course they do. At a large company you are simply a number, not a name. You hopefully will get to know a few people working in the offices like your dispatcher, his or her boss, and maybe one or two middle managers like a terminal manager or operations manager. If you get to know that many people... and by get to know I mean they actually recognize you by name or truck number, you've probably done either an excellent job or a terrible job over a period of many months, or maybe even a couple of years. It's tough to stand out when there are thousands of drivers at one company. So if you like that personal attention and family-type atmosphere, a large company is not going to provide that for you.

Because of this, you will find it very difficult to get any special consideration for anything. Doing a great job for a couple of years is going to get you an automated thank you letter and maybe a patch for the company jacket you had to buy from your own company store when you wanted one. On the other end of things, you may find yourself in a unique situation, and nobody will take the time to understand your side of things. They don't have the time, and frankly many of them don't really care. I'm going to go deeper into this subject in a moment with a few stories related to this theme.

Smaller companies, in my opinion, don't have too many advantages over the larger ones from a driver's perspective. You will definitely get to know everyone in the office, and they will certainly know you. Often times if you live nearby your main office, the people in your company will even get to know your family and the families of the other employees. This family atmosphere is nice in a way, but you also have to be aware of a couple things.

For one, just like in any tight group of people, everyone tends to know everyone else's business. Maybe you don't want everyone at work knowing about an operation you're going to have, or the tough times you're having with your marriage, or the trouble your kid got into at school. Maybe you got a well deserved raise, but now the other drivers are envious and raising a fuss. Or maybe your excellent performance is being rewarded with more miles and a nicer truck, which again causes problems with the other drivers. As you can probably tell I've been in these type of situations before and I'm not really too fond of them. Having co-workers as close friends is not always an easy thing to maintain, especially if there is any type of competition between employees when it comes to pay, equipment, or freight.

The other concern with regard to company size is how much your company will count on you. At a large company, if you'd like to take some time off, nobody really cares. I've taken MONTHS off at times and simply been told, "Ok, just turn your truck in to the terminal and let us know when you're ready to return and we'll get ya goin again." But at a really small company that's not likely to happen. You may be one of ten drivers in the whole company, so if you take time off, they just lost 10% of their fleet! The smaller companies rely on you much more so than a big company does, so you don't have nearly as much flexibility.

One time I worked for a small company pulling food-grade tankers. There were only eleven drivers in the company. I ran really hard for them and before too long, they came to expect a bit too much from me. Things got to the point that I was running an average of about 4500 miles per week. That's a ton! As time went on, the owner of the company expected more and more of me. It was getting ridiculous. Finally I stayed out on the road for almost six straight weeks, averaged about 4500 miles per week (totally illegal - you can't log that many miles legally), and when I returned home he booked a load for me to haul two days later. Six weeks on the road, two days at home, and I have to leave again? I don't think so. Well, he told me I could either run the load or be fired. I had been there a year, and I had a perfect safety and service record. I was also second amongst the drivers in average miles driven per week, but I guess that wasn't good enough. Turns out the owner was in serious financial trouble and I found out the company closed just a couple of months later.

So it turns out that he was desperate to get all the money coming in that he could get to save the company. But he had a good thing going with me and ruined it. Not only that, but he put on my DAC report that I abandoned his truck, which was not true at all! But since he went out of business, he couldn't respond to my claim that he falsified the report, so I didn't have any trouble moving on to the next job. A little advice - don't make the mistake of running that hard. Don't run so hard that you'll damage you mind, your body, or your license. Think long-term and make smart choices. I was really young at the time, was making a lot of money running that hard, and wanted to push myself to see what I could do. Well, what I did was make myself sick. I wore myself down, got burned out, and spent about 3 days in bed with some sort of flu/cold/whatever virus at one point. Remember, long term success means planning for the long term and making smart decisions all the time, not just some of the time.

So just be aware of the fact that small trucking companies will count on you far more than large companies will. There will be advantages and disadvantages to any company you work for. Keep in mind that It's always somewhat of a compromise when you're choosing where you'd like to work. It's just a matter of finding what works best for you.

In part 6 of this series we're going to discuss a couple of different types of truck driving jobs - dry van and refrigerated carriers!

Bernie Madoff and the Reoccurring Paradox of Fraud and Philanthropy

After details of the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme came to light, many observers questioned why someone who had donated so much money to worthy causes would concurrently destroy many charities through his fraudulent actions. Madoff's family foundation had donated over $19 million to various health care, cultural, religious and educational charities. He also contributed about $6 million to lymphoma research. Yet, Madoff's firm, Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, was simultaneously orchestrating a massive investment fraud that destroyed a multitude of charitable foundations and resulted in massive losses for many others.

Rather than being a rare occurrence, this odd partnership of corporate wrongdoing and philanthropy has been quite common. The following is a list of ten well known examples:

1. Bernie Ebbers, Founder and former C.E.O. of Worldcom: The man behind Worldcom's financial deception that cost investors about $100 billion was convicted of fraud and conspiracy in 2005. Yet, prior to his convictions, Ebbers had donated over $100 million dollars to various charities, though approximately $35 million of this related to his Worldcom stock, which had achieved great value due to Ebbers' wrongdoing. Ebbers is currently serving a 25 year prison sentence and will not be eligible for release until 2028 when he will be 87 years old.

2. Cliff Baxter, former Vice-Chairman of Enron: Baxter pled guilty to various counts of fraud and conspiracy in connection with the Enron accounting scandal that preceded its bankruptcy. He was known for his generous donations to organizations such as Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas, the American Diabetes Association, the American Cancer Society and Sunshine Kids, a charity dedicated to providing activities and trips for young cancer patients. Baxter committed suicide in his car in 2002 in the wake of the Enron debacle. He was 43.

3. Ken Lay, former C.E.O. and Chairman of Enron: Lay was found guilty of ten counts of securities fraud and related charges in 2006 for his role in Enron's accounting scandal. He had donated more than $2.5 million to more than 250 organizations through his family's foundation and was behind Enron's policy of donating 1% of its profits to local charities. Lay died of a heart attack while awaiting sentencing.

4. Dennis Kozlowski, former C.E.O. of Tyco International: In 2005, Kozlowski was convicted of grand larceny, securities fraud and other crimes related to his receipt of $81 million in unauthorized loans and bonuses, improper payments and Tyco's fraudulent financial disclosure. He gave generously to charities, though $106 million of his donations were made with Tyco's money. He is eligible for parole in 2014.

5. Michael Milken, financier known as the junk bond king: Milken was charged with 98 counts of racketeering and securities fraud in 1989. He reached a plea bargain agreement whereby he admitted guilt to six securities violations and was sentenced to ten years in prison. He also paid a $600 million fine. Milken was released after serving just two years behind bars. At the time of his misdeeds, Milken was known as a generous philanthropist. His Foundation of the Milken Families has donated millions of dollars to various causes including $60 million dollars in educator awards and sizable donations to educational institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania and charities such as the United Way. His philanthropy has led to a Fortune Magazine cover story calling him "The Man Who Changed Medicine" due to his large health care donations.

6. Richard M. Scrushy, founder and former Chairman and C.E.O. of HealthSouth Corporation: Scrushy was convicted of bribery and mail fraud in connection with payments he made to Alabama's governor in exchange for appointment to the state board that regulated hospitals. He was sentenced to 82 months in federal prison and was fined $2.87 billion. Scrushy co-founded Computer Help for Kids, a charity that collected, refurbished and donated computers to school students and community groups. He also established a ministry to feed African children, though this occurred as he was awaiting trial. Scrushy is appealing his conviction.

7. Lord Conrad Black, former C.E.O. of Hollinger International: Black was convicted of mail fraud and obstruction of justice in 2007 and was sentenced to 78 months in prison. He is currently out on bail pending a Supreme Court review of his case. His Black Family Foundation has donated millions of dollars to charities, including $3.4 million to Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children and significant amounts to various educational institutions.

8. John Rigas, founder and former C.E.O. of Adelphia Communications Corporation and majority owner of the Buffalo Sabres ice hockey team: Rigas was convicted of multiple counts of fraud and tax evasion for concealing $2.3 billion in liabilities from shareholders and making personal use of corporate funds. When these misdeeds were uncovered, many people came forward to provide anecdotes portraying Rigas as a giving person who constantly helped needy neighbors. However, many of Rigas' donations were made with Adelphia funds. At his sentencing, Rigas pled for leniency and noted his charity work. The judge responded by stating, "To be a great philanthropist with other persons' money is not very persuasive." Rigas was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He is scheduled to be released in 2018 when he will be 93 years old.

9. Ivan Boesky, businessman and stock trader: Boesky became famous by amassing a fortune by trading on inside information regarding pending corporate takeovers. He admitted to insider trading through a plea arrangement that involved him testifying against Michael Milken. He was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison and paid a $100 million fine. Boeksy became involved in insider trading schemes even though he had more money than he could spend at the time. Boesky donated $20 million for the Jewish Theological Seminary's library that was named for him.

10. Gary Winnick, founder and former Chairman of Global Crossing Limited: Winnick made over $700 million by selling his shares of Global Crossing shortly before the company collapsed. While the SEC decided not to bring charges against him, shareholders brought a class action lawsuit against Winnick and others alleging fraud. The defendants settled the lawsuit by paying the shareholders $325 million. Winnick, to his credit, also donated $25 million to employees who lost their 401K's as a result of Global Crossing's demise. Through his family foundation, Winnick funded the Winnick Family Clinical Research Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He also donated $40 million for the Simon Wiesenthal Center's international conference center in Jerusalem and funded various scholarships.

Why would all these men who were accused or convicted of fraud or criminal activity also have philanthropy as a common denominator? One key factor is that these businessmen all generated millions of dollars through their actions and had the means to make sizable donations without impacting their standard of living.

Other explanations delve into the psychological realm. For some, making these gifts was a means to attaining greater notoriety. Donations were often publicized and, as in the case of Boesky and Winnick, often led to buildings or scholarships bearing the name of the donor. These businessmen may have simply wanted to draw attention to their generosity. It is also likely that many of these fraud artists also saw charity as a means for offsetting the guilt that they harbored for the harm they had caused investors and others by perpetrating their scams. They felt that if they did something supererogatory with their funds, this would make their ethical transgressions more acceptable.

With respect to Bernie Madoff, I do not believe that he ever set out to create a Ponzi scheme that would ultimately be exposed. It is more likely that his firm was unable to provide the investment returns that Madoff had promised and dipped into other investors' funds rather than admit to clients that he missed expectations. However, instead of replacing these lost funds with excess future gains, the deficit grew larger until it was insurmountable. Thus, Madoff never intended to bankrupt these charities. It was an unintended consequence of his inability to admit failure to his clients and friends. However, regardless of his true motives, the fact remains that Madoff's fraud destroyed many charitable organizations. He now joins these other businessman that have mixed fraud and philanthropy. Welcome to the list, Bernie Madoff.

The IRS Solution If You Cannot Pay Your Taxes

The Internal Revenue Service wants you to pay taxes on time. That being said, it understands this is not always possible and has created a program for such situations.

The Internal Revenue Service is very upfront about its goal in dealing with taxpayers. While it obviously wants to collect all taxes due, it is also focused on keeping you in the system. This attitude is a relatively recent change undertaken in the 1990s. The IRS essentially determined it made better financial sense to have you in the system versus spending hundreds of man hours hunting you down. In practical terms, this means you need not have a panic attack if you do not have sufficient funds to meet your tax obligation. If you panicked this past tax deadline, there was no need.

The IRS will put you on a payment plan if you cannot pay your taxes on time. The plan calls for monthly payments like a car loan, to wit, they are an equal amount each month so you know what you are obligated to pay.

You are only eligible for a payment plan if you file a tax return. Once you file, you want to use form 9465 to request the payment plan. It costs $43 to file the application. The IRS will then get back to you on what it is willing to do. The payment plan process is not an audit. Millions of people apply each year and the IRS considers it standard operating procedure. No red flags are raised when you file the application. To the contrary, the IRS tends to view you as an honest tax payer since you are acknowledging the full amount due and trying to find a way to pay.

Importantly, the payment plan should be viewed as a means to buy time. Making the monthly payments will eventually pay off the debt, but it will take years. Interest on the amount you owe will also continue to accrue. The best strategy for using the plan is to make the monthly payments while saving up money to make a lump sum payment to satisfy the debt.

If you cannot pay the taxes you owe, do not panic. The payment plan option will keep you out of trouble with Uncle Sam.

How to Determine If Your Activity Is a Business Or a Hobby For Tax Purposes?

IRS usually allows 5 years of business activity before they question if your activity is a business or a hobby. You must show a profit during at least three of the last five years, including the current year. There are exceptions to the basic rules.

If your business activity does not show a profit then, it is considered; not for profit and the losses from your activity may not be used to offset your income.

In order to make this determination if your activity is a hobby or a business, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is the time and effort you put into the activity indicate your intention to make a profit?

2. Do depend upon the income from the activity?

3. If there are losses, are they due to circumstances beyond your control or did they occur in the start-up phase of the business?

4. Have you changed methods of operation to improve profitability?

5. Are you qualified to run/operate the activity, or do you have advisors who have the knowledge needed to carry on the activity as a successful business?

6. Have you made a profit in similar activities in the past?

7. Does your activity make a profit in some years?

8. Can expect to make a profit in the future from the appreciation of assets used in your activity?

If you answer "yes" to the above questions, then you more then likely have a valid business and not a hobby. If you are not sure, you should contact your tax professional. Each of these points have additional legal jargon attached to them, for legal tax codes, go to: irs.gov and read Publication 535, Business Expenses.

If you have a valid business, you report your income on Schedule C. If you have a hobby, you report your activities on Schedule A, with limitations.

There are companies out there selling home business as a legal tax deduction. Before you make such an investment, remember question number five. Are you qualified to run/operate the activity or do you have advisors who have the knowledge needed to carry on the activity as a successful business?

Again, IRS presumes that an activity is carried on for profit if it makes a profit during at least three of the last five tax years, including the current year.

Tax Deduction Checklist For 2009, 2010

Tax Deduction Checklist

The best tax deductions checklists are found in three places:

Your past years' tax returns; With your tax professional; and Through an online tax website

Past Years' Returns

Just by looking at the deductions you have been able to take in the past, you will get a good idea of what deductions you can take this year. If you had mortgage interest, real estate taxes, IRA contributions, and charitable contributions last year - you probably have them this year as well. The same is true of medical expenses, various taxes, that safe deposit box you keep, and if you are required to pay certain expenses, like alimony. Finally, any business deductions you have taken in the past, for a home office, travel, mileage, etc. is likely to follow a pattern you have created and budgeted consistently.

Tax Advisors

Tax professionals are great at helping you identify deductions for one time occurrences and helping you organize your records and thoughts on how to approach the deductions that are available. You may need advice on issues that you have never faced before and those that run the risk of gaining or losing large sums of money. If so, your tax advisor is a great resource for addressing these issues.

Online Help

TurboTax Online, for example, has exceptional checklists for going over everything you need to consider before preparing your return and making sure you don't miss anything important. It asks interactive questions, points out possible deductions you may forget, and reminds of the things you need to have or consider when taking a specific deduction.

Who Regulates Big Trucks

Truck accidents are generally defined as accidents involving 18- wheelers or tractor trailers. Truck accidents generally are more devastating than car accidents and victims experience serious injury or even death. Lawyers who specialize in these types of accidents understand the unique needs that victims have and the laws that govern commercial truck drivers and their employers.

Commercial trucking companies are governed by Federal laws which dictate the standards they must follow. Federal law requires that these companies keep strict time and mileage logs. Under these Federal statutes, truck drivers can only drive for a certain amount of hours per day. Federal laws also establish liability standards and require commercial truckers to carry sufficient insurance to cover bodily injury and property damage.

Truck accidents can be caused in a variety of ways. Due to their size and huge amounts of cargo, trucks take much longer to stop than a regular car. If a truck driver is speeding or tailgating he may be unable to avoid a collision during sudden stops. Other driver error may occur if a driver is fatigued, distracted or sleepy. Defective or faulty equipment may also result in an accident. Your attorney's investigator will study the driver's logs and driving record, the trucking equipment, and the accident scene to determine what precipitated the accident and establish liability.

Truck accidents can result in serious bodily injury or even death. In a personal injury suit, the victim is entitled to recover money for any physical injury suffered as a result of the accident. Damages awarded may include reimbursement or payment of medical bills, pain and suffering, and compensation for lost wages. Plaintiffs may also recover for future wages if their injuries will affect future employment. If the victim of the truck accident dies from the injuries sustained, then his/her estate may be allowed to recover on behalf of the deceased. It is imperative that a truck accident victim receive proper medical diagnosis and treatment because the legal principal of res judicata usually bars a plaintiff from suing more than once for injuries sustained during the accident.

Accident litigation can be time consuming and confusing, choosing the right attorney can ease the process and ensure your rights are protected.

Who Knew - Is the Penny Going on the Chopping Block?

I'm a bit amazed at this development but can certainly understand what is causing this problem. The United States Mint recently acknowledged it is costing more than one cent to produce a penny coin. Apparently the rising cost of metal has put the penny in jeopardy.

According to Jeff Gore, founder of Citizens for Retiring the Penny, it is currently costing 1.2 cents to put the penny into play. The group considers this ridiculous. I must admit, I too, see the hilarity in this situation.

The Gallup poll shows that two-thirds of Americans want to keep the penny coin. Of course they have not considered the rising cost to produce coins. Historically coins have cost less to produce than the value paid by the banks who receive them. This made the process a money- maker for the government.

Since 1989 there have been efforts to cease penny production. A bill was introduced in Congress to round off purchases to the nearest nickel. In 2002, the Gallup poll found that fifty-eight percent of Americas save the pennies rather than spending them. Two percent of the people polled stated they threw the pennies away.

Edmond Knowles of Alabama saved his pennies for forty years. He actually collected 1.3 million of them. This weights 4.5 tons. He had a very hard time getting rid of them. His banks said no to this. He requested Coinstar, a coin-counting company, take the pennies. They sent an armored truck to his home and removed the pennies. Of course, they enjoyed the publicity. Edmond received $13,084.59 for 4.5 tons of pennies!

Personally I enjoyed this story. It certainly fits my theme - Who Knew???

Why Your Guy Loves Football - He Won't Tell You - But We Will

Football, football and more football. From August NFL pre-season through February Super Bowl, that's all your guy thinks about. A bunch of Neanderthals running around in circles: what, you may have asked, is the big deal?

Well, of course, there's the obvious guy-stuff bonding. Depending on where you fall in the range of femininity - we all have varying proportions of yin and yang - that might mean for you lunch with the girls, a political rally, book club, or yoga class.

But, you say, you are not obsessed with yoga class. Or book club. Or lunch.

He, on the other hand, is obsessed with the game of football.

Indeed. Because that's only the top layer. The cover story, as it were.

Obsession runs a lot deeper.

The thing is, your guy is not only bonding with his beer-guzzling buddies. He's bonding with the guys out there on the field.

Oh, sure. He's a successful accountant, fireman, construction worker, police officer, salesman, bond trader, truck driver, dentist: whatever.

But even the President of the United States acknowledged that he'd rather be shooting hoops.

Yes: that's basketball. The point is, it's a sports thing. And sports are the embodiment of the dream of . . . well, heroism.

Powerful stuff.

And the dream lives. The boy who pictured himself leaping in the air to pull down that football and score the winning touchdown in the last two seconds of the Super Bowl lives on!

In your living room.

And we say: beat up on the dream at your own risk.

Because there's a vibrancy still in the dream. And it's part of what keeps your guy vital and alive.

No kidding.

So it's in your best interest to encourage it. Give him the clicker. Cheer him on!

Isn't he more alive, happier, energized when he's watching a game then when he's heading off to the office (or store or construction site or firehouse or route 56)?

So why would you want to throw cold water on that? Personally, we think refusing to fan the flames of all that - uh - manly vigor is not your most electrifying choice.

Unless, of course, you hate sex.

Otherwise, we suggest you try rooting along with him.

We're pretty sure you'll like it.

At least after the game.

How to Get Your Dream RV at Reasonable Prices

RV's or recreational vehicles are usually large sized vehicles which can be used by a complete family to get away on a vacation. Although the price of such RV's is normally quite high, but people can try to get them at cheaper rates at variety of auctions or promotional campaigns hosted by the RV trader of their locality.

Such auctions are used to sell off used RV's or those vehicles which have been with them for a long time. Even though they are not in their best shape, but with a little bit of tuning one can expect to have a RV just as good as a new one.

Used RV's for sale are usually sold off at a much lesser price than the market rate. Such RV's are acquired by dealers from the original manufacturer's itself or through financial institutions who have repossessed the vehicle from a particular individual and have sold it off to the dealer at discounted rate. People who aim to buy such RV's must keep in mind to carry out a thorough evaluation of the vehicle. It has often been seen that dealers promise their clients that the vehicle is in the top most condition, but in reality the RV is in a lot more dilapidated condition than one can imagine.

If you plan to buy or rent a RV for yourself to get away on that much awaited vacation with your family, it is advisable that you contact your dealer at the earliest. A RV for sale with such dealers can be bought at a highly discounted rate if you are able to bargain through the deal. The price quoted by dealers is usually a bit higher than what they got it from showrooms or repo institutions. If you are able to bargain, you may be able to get a quality RV for a much lesser price than you expected.

Motor Homes - The Choice of the Wise Men

There is one thing that is common between adults, youth or children and that is all of them like to go on a holiday trip. With the growing demands of children and luxuries that they need it has become practically impossible for anybody to go out on regular holidays. A holiday would mean additional expenses that would be incurred for accommodation in hotels, frequent meals at restaurants of traveling from one place to another, tips etc.

Going out on a holiday would become an occasional affair and the pinch of every dollar spent could mean a hurdle in your enjoyment plans. If you are going through the same predicament, you do not need to worry as there is solution to the fix this problem. There are motor homes that are also called as home on wheels which can be used for a holiday. They are not only economical but also give the comfort of your home.

These motor homes are designed with a living room, a fully equipped kitchen and all the basic necessities that one would need in a house. You can add additional luxuries items like a DVD player, music system etc, which would make your holidays more enjoyable. Buying RVs for sale is not everybody's forte. You can alternatively hire the RV from any RV rental company. There are may RV traders who are in the Rv business offer options of different RVs available as per your requirement.

There are many company's that offer RV loans to enable the prospective buyer to make easy payments in installments. If you wish to buy motor homes for sale you can avail the loan facility that is easily and widely available without much paper work. Whether you buy the motor home for sale or hire the services for your trip, you can be sure that you will spend good quality time with your loved ones in your budget.

It is imperative that before buying or leasing the vehicle you check the physical quality of the vehicle and its ambiance to check if it matches your taste. You will come across many dealer or RV traders who are associated with the RV business for a long time. They will offer options of various manufacturers who design these beautiful vehicles. You can choose from Fleet wood RVs or Keystone RVs as they are known to manufacture motor homes which are strong and spacious with sidings to offer various options for its utility.

It is suggested that you firstly decide which type of RV suits your need and then hire them for a trip where you will be able to gauge if it offers complete satisfaction or there are any shortcoming which need to be altered. You can make a note of all these points which you can fine tune during your next holiday trip. And eventually you will be glad and proud on the wise decision that you have taken.

Recreational Vehicles Or RVs

Recreational vehicles or RV as they are commonly called are the large type vehicles equipped amenities need for modern living. RVs have been a part of North American culture since the turn of the 20th century and have over the years evolved to meet the needs of modern living. In fact these come with various amenities like bedrooms, living room, kitchen and bathrooms as standard to customized versions like satellite television and internet.

There are various types of RVs available in the market as per the needs of the customers; and these are categorized into various classes:

The Class A motor home is a RV which is constructed on a commercial truck or bus chassis and first came out in the late 1980's which completely changed the RV market as it gave more space and room for the ones on the road! It also has slide-outs which give more of as homely feeling if one looks at it as extended windows. Another version available in this class of RVs is the Bus Conversion which comes in fitted with the luxury fittings and a bit bigger on size.

Another class of RVs are the Class B camper van which are built primarily on the van platform with a raised roof being added on the back. Made on the vehicles like Ford Trader and Toyota Hiace, these versions are more popular in Australia though they are a bit smaller in size. Other customized versions available in this category have also been made in vehicles like Ford Transit, Ford Ducato to name a few.

The Class C motor home is again built on truck which has an attachment which usually is a van based vehicle. The popular vehicle on which this category of RV is built in is the Ford E450 and cabs. These are more popular in European countries with being more distinctive for their cab-over profile as the extended vehicle gives various options as it has a bed and other amenities

Apart from these there are various other variants of RV available in the market like the pickup truck or the pop up camper etc which are both light weight and easy to maneuver to the extent that some of them can be towed even by motorbikes! The RV market has evolved itself to provide various options depending upon the lifestyle of the owner. You have RVs for weekend getaways to RVs which are favored by hunters. There are RVs available even for business travelers which in fact gives the traveler more or less control of their living outside the confines of their home in a different city!

However if one cannot afford to buy these, there are many RVs available for rent as well thereby giving the flexibility of not worrying about maintenance and overhead expenses. So whatever be your need, the RV of course has customized itself so much so that it won't be wrong to say that the RV lifestyle is more or less is an extension of one's personality. Happy camping!

Car Boot Sales - Business For Big Profits

It's been around for a number of years now and still as popular as ever. It has even had extensive coverage as a popular programme on TV with millions of viewers glued watching this fascinating hobby and business - Yes, it's the Car Boot Sale.

These events where there is so much interest are organised as charity or commercial enterprise up and down the country throughout the year at all types of locations. There is always one near to where you live.

People make a living out of car boot sale by just working a couple of days a week. It is an activity that basically sells junk with enormous profits involved. You can sell almost anything at a car boot sale it is a bit like an al fresco eBay.

If you are new to this car boot sale is an excellent way to learn all about market trading and get paid for your education in the process. Many that start have actually gone onto bigger things such as a market trader; others just carry on quite happily earning more than enough to keep them content. An excellent way to start off in this business is to simple book your car in a few upcoming car boot sale events. These will be publicised in local newspapers, shop windows or online. The price of the entry fee is an absolute bargain in most cases rarely exceeding 10 pounds. With the profits you will get this is a drop in the ocean as far as overheads go.

You need stock for a car boot sale and if you have any business sense this should cost you nothing. Gather your entire household junk and take it along with you to sell, these items will sell fast. Ask family, friends and neighbours for their junk. Most people you ask will have meat to get rid of their junk for ages, and the opportunity would be more than welcome. They also usually won't ask any money to be paid for it either as you are the one doing them the favour.

Other sources of junk can be bought from 'job lots' in second hand shops. Local household auctions are also something to look out for.

Wholesalers who specialise in supplying market traders is another source where good stock can be bought really cheaply. The things that sell well are home made items, food, crafts, paintings and drawings, books, old records and toys always attracted plot of interest and good profits.

The selling price of your goods will be profit most of the time and most things will sell well at car boot sales. Avoid is clothing, this is a poor trade off, many people just don't buy clothing so they will rarely sell well.

People like rummaging so put multiple items into boxes, this also help in your transportation. If you mark each box at a price then put all items at that price in the box, this will also save you having to mark the items individually.

All prices should be marked up little higher than you would expect, then if someone barters you can still accept the lower price and still make a good profit. most will accept the marked price anyway so this is not a worry. What ever you do don't give anything away, it will always sell eventually to another customer, No skills are involved or special selling techniques required for a car boot sale. The junk should sell itself.

You Can Buy From an Online RV Trader Or You Can Pay Less

If you have spent hours looking online for an RV, you may be very frustrated at what you find. An online RV trader can offer you might appear to be a good deal, but you just simply won't know until you see it. There is a better way to pay less for an RV and get one that you know is in better condition

The Hidden Source that Dealers and Traders Don't Want You to Know About

So where do dealers and traders find RVs to sell and avoid the middle man? They frequent auctions and lots of them. One of the favored types of auctions is the government auction. These auctions offer a fantastic way to find great deals on RVs and it's much easier than you might think to participate.

The government auctions take place because agencies like the DEA, FBI, IRS, and local law enforcement need a venue to sell surplus, seized, and repossessed items. These can include cars, trucks, boats, and RVs.
The general public is allowed to bid, but many people have no idea that these auctions happen right in their city. Most are simply not advertised enough. However, when you find a dealer or an online RV trader at one, you can bet that they have an online membership to one of the government auction websites.
These websites keep up-to-date records on upcoming auctions. You can search by date or location. You can get notified when a new auction is listed. You can also save a ton of money. Some of these RVs will sell for up to 20-70 percent lower than the book value. You can even find some with starting bids as low as a hundred bucks.
The conditions of the items offered will run the gambit. New, nearly new, in need of repair, and salvage are all possible. The agencies will also list the known problems with the units, which is much more than an online RV trader will often do, or even a dealer for that matter.

If you're ready to snag a great deal on an RV, then it's time to check out a government auction. What do you have to lose, other than another boring weekend stuck at home?

Different Types of RV's

Recreational Vehicles or simply termed as RV's are the best choice when looking for vehicles fit for traveling. RV's can be custom designed to the owner's preferences or can be purchased with the design from the manufacturers. These are vehicles that serve as your home away from home. When traveling, camping, or going to different places to spend time with the family we sometimes do not have places to stay. But once driving an RV there is no worry since your family can spend your time inside the vehicle like staying at home. Thus the reason it's called motorhome- your motorized home.

RV's come in three classes. Class A for more spacious, luxurious, and expensive models. Class B for vans with sleeping accommodations or simply called "campervan". Class C for RV's designed on truck chassis provided with basic sleeping facilities. All three classes differ in design, price, space, facilities, and vehicle type. But they serve a single purpose, to give the luxury of the user as if staying at home.

Class A RV's a commonly designed from commercial buses converted to RV's. Most of these types are customized to fit the needs of the user. This can include a bed, sofa, entertainment section, kitchen, and toilets. With a wider space to fill, Class A RV's are perfect for long vacations.

Class B RV's are the most inexpensive type of RV's however, features and facilities are limited. Common Class B RV's only have bed and other basic needs. The advantage of using this type is the convenience of finding a place to park. Like parking an ordinary van in a parking lot, Class B RV's are easy to manage compared to other types because of the size. It's perfect for short vacations.

Class C RV's on the other hand are RV's that an average family can use. With space smaller than of a Class A, but bigger than of Class B this type is suited for family outings that require average number of family members.

A lot of superstars are driving Class A RV's when during out-of-town activities. Formula One racer, motocross riders, and even movie stars are using RV's for special occasions and activities. With their built-in facilities anyone can think of it like home.

Who's To Blame For High Prices In The OTR Tire Markets?

Over the past two years, there have been alarming price increases in OTR(off-the-road) tire markets.

Everybody seems to have an answer: It's the manufacturer, the tire dealer, the gray market, the Chinese, global warming....the dog ate my tires.

I have my own opinion on all of this, and I blame everyone (and everything) but the dog (I don't own one) and global warming (which is just a natural temperature cycle that repeats itself every hundred years or so: this is a subject for another day).

Let's start with an obvious choice for blame: the Manufacturers.

The basic argument goes something like this: Bridgestone (Michelin, Goodyear, any name will do) should have seen third-world development coming, and increased their production capacity accordingly.

In addition, they caved to the demands of mines, and committed to tire allocation and price contracts that did not allow for any expansion in the markets.

This leaves the authorized dealer's for manufacturer product out in the cold, because the manufacturers, by-and-large, have not signed OTR allocation contracts with their dealers.

Then, to rub salt in the wound, each of the manufacturers raise pricing by 3-7% at will.

So who do the manufacturer's blame: The Dealers.

Now, this seems like a counterintuitive way to do business. Blame the people who sell your tires, give them very little of the product they demand, and then raise pricing arbitrarily.

Nevertheless, this is the manufacturer's argument. The dealers sell to and buy from the gray market. When you think about it, what other option do they have?

The manufacturer can't give you what you need, and has not committed to do anything of the sort. Somebody else has gone to the trouble of buying those tires for you, and charges you a premium for that service. You, in turn, pass that cost along to your customers.

What the manufacturers should be most worried about is the pricing that some dealers give to the gray market traders. Pricing that is marked up 50-250% above cost, starts gray market pricing at an artificially high level.

How much can you blame a dealer, really?

He has to include in his pricing profits that justify the risk of reduced allocation(by the Manufacturer) and risk losing his ability to sell all of their other products(including their passenger and light truck tires).

The Dealers argue that the ban on sales to the gray market puts them at peril, and if the risk of loss was not so high, that their prices would be more reasonable.

To make myself clear, only some dealers engage in these sort of sales practices, so it can only be a small piece of the problem.

So again, the Dealers blame the Manufacturers. Who do you blame next? The next guy in-line on the food chain. (Cue diabolical laughter) The Gray Market Traders. You can almost hear the barely contained rage when any manufacturer speaks about these people.

Who are they really? They are the children of Adam Smith, an enterprise born out of the necessity of the market to fill the need for supply.

What do they do? They find tires that the customer wants, and sell them to the customers that need them. Now, this seems like an easy task, but is made harder for a few simple reasons:

1.)Demand is greater(far greater, in some cases) than supply.

2.) Manufacturers are constantly trying to shut down the limited supply available.

3.)Many Dealers will not sell to the Traders.

4.)The prices quoted are not what a customer wants to pay.

How did these people get a bad reputation?

If you talk to a Dealer or a Trader, you will get more than a few answers, but the majority distill down to these:

1.)They quoted outrageous pricing. Usually these traders are to far removed from the actual tire seller to give reasonable prices. If you have to go through 5 people to get to the owner of the tire, you are not going to get great pricing.

2.)They didn't know what they were talking about. Anywhere there is profit, someone will jump on to make a fast buck. The OTR industry is not immune to this phenomenon. Dealers can suffer a high price from someone who is knowledgeable, but when someone who doesn't know a grader from a haul truck does the same, it rightfully makes them upset.

3.)Territories. The manufacturers have built up territories that protect the Dealers from poaching by other Dealers. When supplies were plentiful, this helped Dealers. Now, this can keep a dealer from making a sale. The dealers don't dare sell out of territory. Guess who tramples roughshod over territories, without fear of the manufacturers? If you said Traders, here's a cookie.

While neither Dealer nor Manufacturer will say it up front(although they might admit it privately), they need the Traders. Why? Well, despite the risks involved for the Dealer, there are high profits to be made by selling to the Traders. If you are a Manufacturer, who is going to complain about a 15% increase in price over the course of a year, when tires are being marked up 50-250% over invoice.

By selling to the Traders, both Dealer and Manufacturer exploit a clause that allows them to blow off warranty claims, warranties which are practically useless to the consumer due to numerous escape clauses in the fine print.

By blaming the Traders, both Dealers and Manufacturers can escape the scrutiny of the end user. In the 90's, the line was "It's the economy, stupid." The OTR Industry echoes with the unified call "It's the Gray Market, stupid. So who's left in this circle of pointing fingers: The Chinese.

Why is China such a threat? It isn't really, at this juncture. This is how the Manufacturers would like to keep it. The average Chinese OTR Tire at this time is laughable, and cheap. The engineering is poor, and Chinese tires are not made in the most popular flavor of OTR, radial.

Yet the manufacturers continue to engage in anti-competitive action against a small threat. Bridgestone, Titan(who owns Continental), and the United Steel Workers have brought suit against China for flooding the market with tires. Now, while this may be true, there is only one problem with this reasoning. OTR users will not buy Chinese tires. Well, except for the markets in Mexico, who run them because of the cost.

The Chinese have cut their own throats in this area. They brought a poor product to market, without adequate quality controls in place, and they evidently didn't bother to consult German or Japanese engineers. If they had done these things, the Big 3 (Bridgestone, Michelin, and Goodyear) might be slashing their prices. Right now they are ensuring that they don't have to in the future.

So why do I even mention the Chinese? If the Chinese ever get their act together, and produce a semi-reliable radial product, they could take a large share of the major manufacturer's business.

Who takes the lion's share of the blame in this? The free market. Not the gray market, the dealers, or even the manufacturers, not even the Chinese.

This is what happens in a free market. As it does in all things, it will eventually correct itself, though probably not in the way in which any of the aforementioned parties will care for.

I think I'll just blame Global Warming after all. Everyone else does.

The Importance of Taking Your Biz Carbon Negative

Yesterday morning I was listening to Al Gore on CNN being grilled on all the hoopla around climate change:

Is it really man-made? (Today less Americans think so than a few years ago.)
Are environmentalists hypocritical for changing their position on nuclear power?
What about ClimateGate? (The recent stolen e-mails from scientists in regards to climate change.)
And as you probably well know, the reason these questions are so hot right now is this week started the UN's Climate Change summit in Copenhagan, Denmark. Over 90 heads of state will be attending and putting in their special interests, including Obama's next week.

In the interview today Gore did well keeping the conversation focused on the core issue: excessive carbon in the atmosphere has already started cooking us. Little credible scientific evidence disputes this.

How does this relate to small business?

Simple: when we can demonstrate how to make money removing carbon from the atmosphere, there will be a stampede of entrepreneurs heading for 'dem hills!

To do this will take carbon negative companies.

Examples of carbon negative companies here in NYC:

Alive Structures - green roofs and walls as well as ecological and container gardens.
Gotham Green - Urban rooftop farming using hydroponics (just water, no soil.)
re:char - bio fuel and fertilizers using biochar and pyrolysis technologies.
Rooftop farms - Urban rooftop vegetable farms.
These green technology companies are really state-of-the-art.

I have personally met with and/or worked with these guys and some have been successful raising substantial dollars from outside sources to get their businesses to the next level.

Yet the early adopters that jump on board and mold these technologies to today's market are the ones that are most likely to do extremely well.

A sustainable carbon negative company takes:

a) Profitability (or for non-profits, financial stability.)

b) Carbon sequestration-the conversion of carbon into oxygen, via photosynthesis, or its long-term storage in biomass or underground or underwater.

c) A program for taking care of your stakeholders (employees, customers, suppliers, community, etc.)

d) A plan for reducing your business' carbon footprint.

While this can be technical stuff and is just now starting to be done, already some are showing very promising results.

Meanwhile, back in Copenhagen, I, along with many others, have a beef. The agenda is reviewing some fairly complicated and somewhat convoluted suggestions for dealing with companies that are belching out carbon into the atmosphere.

Cap and trade, which includes carbon credits, trading and offsets is the key model being considered right now. But it has some serious flaws and most likely will not be successful.

To learn the basics on Cap & Trade from an excellent brand new video, check out The Story of Cap & Trade by Annie Leonard.

A model I (as well as many others) feel would be much more successful is a simple one: to tax carbon emitters. All of them/us!

So the leaders are in Copenhagen along with their financial experts trying and figure out how to manage the carbon crisis. And I prefer to stay here in NYC helping small businesses build a solution from the ground up.

My two companies, BEST Coaches and The Shift Group are launching a pilot program The Green Business Mastery Program for early next year. We will be working with green companies, helping increase their revenue by $100,000 and get fully funded while going carbon negative.

We intend to produce Unreasonable results much faster than what is expected to come out of Copenhagen.

Action Steps for the Week

Review your business model. Calculate your carbon footprint (the amount of carbon you are producing)? Even if you have a service based company. And then how to reduce your carbon.

Next, look to see how you can actually convert carbon into oxygen. As mentioned above, you can best do this using photosynthesis (live, green, leafy plants and trees). How can you build this up in your home, office and community?

Perhaps you can make it a mission for your business to do this on the side? If so, how can you then leverage it to gain attention to your commitment to carbon reduction on the planet?

Perhaps you can partner with a company to help you do this program. Who can you contact for this...

...today?

Do You Worry About a Bus Crashing Through Your Yoga Studio?

A number of years ago, a story appeared in the Los Angeles times. It seems a man was sitting in his living room one Sunday afternoon, feet propped up, watching TV, eating chips and drinking a soda. Totally relaxed, thoroughly enjoying his day. Not a care in the world. Suddenly, without warning, the wall of his living room explodes into pieces as a Los Angeles city bus crashes into his home before coming to an abrupt stop. The man is unharmed, still sitting there with his feet up and a corn chip in hand. But now with a look of utter disbelief on his face as he stares into the tall glass windshield of the bus which is now facing him from where his TV used to be.

Some of us are prepared for such occurrences - we anticipate they will happen and we are sure to build walls that not even a bus can penetrate. "That's ridiculous. What is he talking about?", you ask. You see, many of us spend hours of our days (not only while awake, but also in dreams), worrying about anything and everything that can possibly go wrong. Okay, so maybe planning to deal with a city bus crashing into your studio is a bit much, but think about all the things that you worry about which may not be as extreme, but still hurt your business. (More on the bus story in a minute) I know studio owners who say things like:

o I won't hire anyone new because they might not work out and then I'd need to fire them. (I'll stick with the mediocre staff I have - at least I know their weaknesses)

o I don't want to implement an auto-renew program because someone might not like it and tell all their friends that they didn't know they were on an auto-renew program and then no one will come to my studio anymore.

o I don't want to sell merchandise (even what we use in class), because then I'd need to figure out what to do if someone didn't like what they bought and returned it. If this happened a lot, I could lose money. I'd better not sell anything.

o I don't want to put out an email newsletter because if I write about a student and make a mistake they could complain and even sue me.

My question to you is this: Where in your own life (business or personal) do you spend time and energy worrying about things that might possibly go wrong? How much emotional energy does this take each week? How much time?

When we focus on what might go wrong, we defeat ourselves. First, we use up time and emotional energy. Next, if you follow the law of attraction, we attract into our lives exactly what we don't want. Also, if you devoted all this time and emotional energy to achieving something that you do want as a part of your studio (or of your life), imagine what could you achieve?
There is a big difference between playing at life to not lose and playing to win. Virtually anyone in history who make any kind of a difference in the world played to win. Think of Gandhi, Mother Theresa, The Dalai Lama, or whomever you personally admire.
Henry Ford once said "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eye off the goal."

So, how do we choose what to devote time and energy to? I often recommend a simple model, called the Circle of Influence. Imagine there is a circle around you. Inside the circle is everything in your life that concerns you AND which you have a reasonable degree of influence over. Things like the friends you have, what you eat for lunch, what you spend your money on, what type of work you've chosen, etc. Outside of this circle are all those things that you care about - maybe very deeply - but which you have very little or no influence over. This might be national or world politics, the weather, what choices most other people make in their lives, etc.

Now you get to make a choice. Once you've made this distinction, you may choose to focus nearly all of your time, energy and resources on those things within your circle. Sure, you care deeply about those things outside of your circle, but spending time worrying about them won't improve them. On the contrary, often when we focus on things inside our circle, it expands. Soon we find that we have more influence in the world than we did before.
What things in your studio - and in your life - fall inside your circle of influence, and what falls outside of it?

The bottom line is this. Spend nearly all your time, energy and focus on the goal you want to reach. Only deal with those potential obstacles that clearly lie ahead in your path.
As far as the guy with the bus in his living room goes, it turns out that the bus was stolen. In fact because it was stolen, the city refused to take responsibility for the damage. In the end, you can't prepare for everything. You can waste a lot of time trying, but there will always be the chance that a bus drives though your living room. Deal with what you need to and trust the rest will work out. If I might make a request: What is one area of your studio that you stress about, but which you could realistically let go of and be willing to just let go of worrying about? Okay, now do it - I know if feels like a giant leap sometimes, but remember, many great souls have already proven this path for you. Go in peace.

Namasté,

Al Lipper

Coach Al Lipper

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If you found this newsletter insightful, pass on the good fortune to others right now. Thank you!

What Level of Indemnity Do I Need?

When it comes to Motor Trade Insurance we're often asked what level of cover, or indemnity as it's referred to, do I need? Well that depends on what you do in the trade. A mechanic, for instance, may need a totally different level of cover from a valeter. We're going to try and help you decide.

First off, if you've only got a cheap run around yourself it may be better to split your indemnity. i.e A car jockey (with a £3.5k Mondeo) could have £5k of cover on his own vehicles and £25k for customers. This works out a lot cheaper than just having £25k of cover for both his own and customer's vehicles.

Then it may depend, lets say if you're a salesman, on what type of cars you specialise in. Do you need £20k worth of cover if you generally sell 10yr old Fiestas? Probably not, and remember if you start out with a low indemnity you can always increase it later on in the year if you need to.

On the other hand, a Ferrari valeter would probably want a very high level of indemnity. You may find that some customers require proof of suitable comprehensive cover before they allow you to take their pride and joy. Specialist policies can extend road risks cover to £100k and over in certain circumstances. These policies, though, can be a little bit more expensive than the average because of their nature.

Some may just need Third Party Only. A motor trader who specialises in breaking cars and salvage vehicles might not need anything more extensive. Their only real risk would be for the vehicle they were driving as the vehicles they collect or dismantle might not be worth much and would be on the back of their truck - also for this type of motor trade business a lot of trade insurers will only give Third Party Only.

Purchasing a level of indemnity is a calculated risk on your behalf. Unlike a private car policy the responsibility for how much cover you want rests on your shoulders. An example - you're a mechanic and you drive people's cars. One day you crash a customer's vehicle (your fault) and do £8k worth of damage, but you've only got £5k of cover. The insurance will only pay out a maximum of £5k so what about the rest? Who pays the £3k leftover? That's right, you!

Remember, a good broker can help and advise you on what levels of Motor Trade Insurance you need. They should be able to find you a policy that fits your needs, rather than make you fit the policy. If in doubt always seek professional advice.

Small Business - Don't Neglect Planning

Small business owners frequently don't know, or fail to practice, what management in large companies knows is essential--PLANNING. Planning can make the difference between failure and success; between survival and going out of business. A small business with a plan, will outperform a similar, or bigger one, without a plan.

Planning Requires Discipline

In order to plan effectively you must be disciplined. It requires thoughtful analysis to plan, and regularly revisiting your assumptions, goals and strategies. The discipline of developing and implementing plans must also be combined with the discipline of monitoring, evaluating, modifying and maintaining your plan. Plans must be re-examined periodically to re-test their viability and validity. A regular schedule of planning updates must be developed and adhered to.

Planning Requires Participation

Planning is best when it is done as a TEAM. The old adage, "everyone knows more than anyone" applies here. Of course, in addition to gaining other perspectives in the planning process, the benefit of support is also important. People are much more committed to a plan that they helped develop, than to a plan developed without their participation, and "crammed down their throats."

Planning Requires Goals

What is the purpose of your plan? What are you trying to achieve? The plan is there to help you arrive at your destination-- like a roadmap. Ambitious goals require comprehensive plans. In the business world we speak of SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely (King, et.al.). A goal which is not specific will be difficult to communicate, monitor, and attain. Without measurements you will have no way to track progress. Unattainable goals are a waste of time and a set-up for failure. Realistic goals are not grounded in fantasy or illusion; rather, in fact and concreteness, with of a probability of attainment. Finally, timely goals are those which are synchronous with the window of opportunity, meet a need which is apparent, and include achievable milestones and deadlines.

Planning Requires Analysis

You're probably tired of hearing about the SWOT (Flagenbaum, et.al.) analysis, but it remains at the core of the strategic planning process. Each small business has some unique attributes. It is important to identify and build upon these Strengths, but also to recognize and minimize any Weaknesses. Likewise, Opportunities must be recognized to capitalize on them and Threats discovered so that strategies can be developed to mitigate or avoid them. The SWOT analysis is an excellent process to discover and record the realities of the internal and external environments. Armed with this information, plans can be created to address each area.

Planning Requires Data

Your planning assumptions should be grounded in data. Mere speculation will not suffice. Gather data and determine the most important data elements, for incorporation into the monitoring process. Estimates are fine if they have a historical, or benchmark, basis. Whether you're preparing a comprehensive business plan, a marketing plan, a sales plan, a relocation plan, an expansion plan, a retrenchment plan, a contingency plan, a competitive strategy, etc., you will need data and realistic forecasts. Some of this data may already be available to you in industry reports, government data (especially demographics), Chamber of Commerce or Business Association analyses, or even reports produced by the competition.

Planning Requires Creativity

Playing it safe when developing a plan is not enough. Plans need to be made with "stretch" goals that will significantly, perhaps dramatically, advance the enterprise. The most effective plans reframe reality. They look at problems from fresh perspectives and new angles. "Brainstorming" is a useful technique so that as many ideas as possible can be created and considered. (There are excellent references and Internet sites which will provide the groundrules.)

Plans Focus Energy, Resources, Attention, and Effort

Plans are useful to direct available resources and talent toward the solution of a problem, or attainment of a goal. With this focused attention and support, successful implementation of change becomes far more probable.

There is no Best Formula for Planning

Writing a plan is far superior to one carried around in your head. The act of writing seems to make it more real and concrete. Written plans tend to reflect more analysis and thought, and are easier to share with others. There are excellent planning software packages, great books on the subject, even workbooks. However, your business is unique, and as such you will need to only use any references as basic guidelines. Adapt your planning process to meet the exigencies of your situation and don't rely on "cookie cutter" solutions.

You may think you don't have the time, resources or energy to devote to developing a comprehensive strategic, business, marketing, financial or other important plan(s) for your business. However, even a plan scribbled on the back of a napkin, at a lunch, is better than no plan at all.

References:

Flagenbaum. Hart & Schendel, "Strategic Reference Point Theory," Strategic Management Journal, vol.17, (1996): 219-235

King, Oliver, Sloop & Vaverek, "Planning and Goal Setting for Improved Performance," Participant's Guide (Cincinnati, OH), Thompson Executive Press, 1995

Copyright © 2008, Dr. Ben A. Carlsen, MBA. All Rights Reserved Worldwide for all Media. You may reprint this article in your ezine, newsletter, newspaper, magazine, website, etc. as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, leave my name and bio box intact, and you follow all of the EzineArticles Terms of Service for Publishers.

The Top 12 Pallet Delivery Roads

Undaunted, let's step on the accelerator for a whirlwind trip around some of the world's greatest drives. Some of them scenic, some challenging and some pure curiosities. So many factors feed into this question that a definitive list of the best roads on the planet will always elude us.

1 - The Stelvio Pass, Italy Located in the Italian Alps, the Passo dello Stelvio - at 2,757 metres - is the highest paved mountain pass in the eastern Alps, and the second highest in the Alps as a whole. The original road was built in the 1820s by the Austro-Hungarian Empire to connect the former Austrian province of Lombardia with the rest of Austria. The route features no less than 60 hairpin turns that present a serious challenge to motorists - During a vintage vehicle event in the 1990s, even Stirling Moss went off the road here. The Stelvio Pass was named the greatest driving road in the world a few years ago by the BBC's popular motoring show, 'Top Gear'.

2 - The Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria Named after Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road was constructed in 1935 to link Salzburg with the state of Carinthia. Thirty miles long, it features hairpin after hairpin as it snakes to some 2,500 metres above sea level. Not surprisingly, the scenery is utterly spectacular and well worth the obligatory toll. The road normally opens in early May, snowploughs allowing!

3 - The Yungas Road, Bolivia Linking the Amazon rainforest of Bolivia with the country's capital, La Paz, the Yungas Road is a 43-mile-long white-knuckle ride. Nicknamed 'El Camino de la Muerte' - 'Highway of Death' - the road was created in 1932 when it was carved into a cliff. Some 200 to 300 people are killed on this road each year - most of them lorry drivers - due to its narrowness, uneven surface and the tendency for the road to disappear in mist.

4 - Route 163, USA Boasting spectacular scenery, the 64-mile Route 163 was built in 1910 and straddles the border of the states of Arizona and Utah. This stretch of road was the setting for the iconic 'Marlboro Man' adverts of yesteryear. If you can withstand the rough terrain, the reward is undoubtedly Monument Valley, a region of the Colorado Plateau characterised by a cluster of vast and sandstone buttes, the largest of which towers at some 300 metres above the valley floor. As the backdrop to many famous movies, these features make this landscape instantly recognisable, including movies such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Easy Rider and Stagecoach.

5 - Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road, Canada Ice roads form a vital link to the mines of Canada's Northwest Territories, with convoys of trucks taking essentials to the remote mining communities there. The Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road, open during February and March, is perhaps the most famous of these ice roads, with nine tenths of its 353 miles being across frozen lakes. Constructed in 1982, the road has a stringent speed limit of just 16 mph for fully laden trucks and 37mph for unladen vehicles. 6 - The Pan-American Highway, The Americas Beginning in Alaska and ending in southern Argentina, this road probably features the greatest variation of ecologies in the world, ranging from dense jungle to freezing mountain ranges. Almost 30,000 miles long, the Pan-American Highway, built in stages since 1928, is officially the world's longest road, although it is not complete. The Darien Gap - Between Panama and Columbia, a 54-mile section of swamp and rainforest - has not yet been breached.

7 - The Great Silk Road, Asia Maybe this is a bit of a cheat because the Great Silk Road is really one road at all, but rather a network of ancient trade routes across Asia. The 4000-mile route was originally established to supply silk, spices, jewels and other valuable commodities (including slaves) to their markets, with goods generally changing hands along the way so that no single trader had to brave the whole route - although Marco Polo famously managed it! The section through the stunning landscapes of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco is definitely a highlight.

8 - Trans-Amazonian Highway, Brazil At 3,293 miles long, the Trans-Amazonian Highway - otherwise know as the less catchily titled BR-230 - is Brazil's third longest highway. The road has been the main artery through which the lifeblood of Brazil (the timber from its rainforest areas) has been extracted since it was built in 1972. Originally designed to be paved, spiralling costs precluded the extra expense and the result is clouds of dust in the summer and quagmires of mud in the winter.

9 - The Sani Pass, South Africa With unbelievably challenging terrain, the 5-mile-long Sani Pass is a dirt road that links Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa with Lesotho. If you have any doubts about the difficulty of crossing it, you only need to glance at the landscape, which is littered with vehicles that didn't make it. Snaking up to the 2,874-metre-high summit, the scenery is incredibly beautiful. If you attempt it from South Africa, the border control staff insist that you drive a 4x4, but the Lesotho authorities, however, will let you take your life in your hands behind the wheel of any old vehicle!

10 - The A82, Scotland Yes, there's a road from the UK in the top 12 - Scotland's 'Road to the Isles', also known as the A82. Travelling 99 miles, the road stretches from Invergarry to Uig on the west coast of Skye. An indescribably beautiful landscape awaits you, if you can brave the M1, M6 and M74 to get there!

11 - The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road, United Arab Emirates

Stretching for almost 7.5 miles, the Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road in the UAE climbs nearly 1,300 metres, has 60 corners in just this short distance and boasts a super-smooth surface. UAE's highest peak which spans the border with Oman has the road cut into the Jebel Hafeet mountain. Bizarrely, nobody seems to know when the road was built or at what cost but the presence nearby of a huge palace which belonged to former President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan may be a clue to who paid the bill!

12 - Nevada State Route 375, USA Also known as the Extraterrestrial Highway, Nevada State Route 375 is one of the quietest roads in the US, connecting the ghost towns of Crystal Springs with Warm Springs. However, it passes close to Area 51, where a supposedly secret military testing ground is located, and there have been hundreds of claimed sightings of UFOs along the road. Built in 1932, the highway is 98 miles long and can be a pretty lonely ride for those brave enough to drive it.

Commercial Law - Breach of Contract - Repudiatory Breach - Non-Performance

The case of Westbrook Resources Ltd v Globe Metallurgical Inc [2007], concerned a claimant who was entitled to damages arising out of the defendant's repudiatory breach of contract. The defendant was a manufacturer and supplier of metals. The claimant was a trader in metals.

Following a number of lengthy negotiations the claimant and the defendant concluded a contract in January 2005. The contract was for the sale by the claimant to the defendant of approximately 30,000MT of manganese ore. The terms of that contract included as to size 'Screened over plus 1/2" screen at DLA'. It should be noted that 'DLA' was a reference to the United States' Defence Logistic Agency, a government agency which assembled huge quantities of manganese ore in stockpiles throughout the United States as part of strategic stockpiles of raw materials that might be required for military or national defence purposes.

Over time DLA elected to sell some manganese ore via a tender process. The claimant successfully bided for two stores of manganese ore at Anniston, Alabama and Large, Pennsylvania respectively.

The contract was not performed. According to the claimant, the contract was terminated by the claimant in May 2005 on account of the defendant's repudiatory breach which the claimant had subsequently accepted.

The breach in question was said to be the refusal of the defendant to pay for the first barge of materials the claimant had arranged under the contract. Subsequent to the claimant sending an ultimatum stating that the defendant had two options, namely to pay for the first barge or risk the claimant treating the contract at an end, both parties accepted that the contract was ended and sought to mitigate their losses.

The claimant then brought proceedings seeking damages for non-performance, whilst the defendant counterclaimed for damages flowing from the claimant's repudiatory breach of contract.

The court decided that on the facts, the defendant had indeed committed a repudiatory breach. They held that the claimant had accepted that breach and was therefore entitled to damages.

© RT COOPERS, 2007. This Briefing Note does not provide a comprehensive or complete statement of the law relating to the issues discussed nor does it constitute legal advice. It is intended only to highlight general issues. Specialist legal advice should always be sought in relation to particular circumstances.

11 Things Small Business Owners Can Learn From The "Miracle On Ice"

1. Know Where You're Going - Coach Herb Brooks had a strategic plan for assembling the American team. Take time to determine the direction you want to take your small business, then put in place the action steps and players to accomplish your goals.

2. Rise To The Occasion - 13 days earlier, Russia beat the Americans 10-3 in an exhibition, but when it counted the Americans claimed victory. Whenever you have the opportunity to take on an incredible challenge, believe you are qualified to accept it.

3. Finish The Job - After beating Russia, Team USA still had to play Finland two days later for the gold. Enjoy victories along the way, and stay focused on tomorrow.

4. Let Everyone Celebrate - Captain Mike Eruzione invited every player onto the gold medal platform...a break in Olympic tradition. Be sure to reward your entire team for your successes.

5. Avoid Overreacting - At least one Russian threw his silver medal into a Lake Placid dumpster. When something doesn't go as planned, pause, then get to work fixing it.

6. Never Give Up - The Americans trailed in six of their seven Olympic wins. As a small business owner, there will be tough times; always believe you will make it through them.

7. Rally Around A Cause - Team USA brought together an America that was dealing with difficult political issues around the world. Focus your team on the big picture, so everyday distractions don't interrupt the plan for achieving your goals.

8. Put Yourself On The Map - Lake Placid has a current population of 2,638...but it will always be remembered in sports lore. Create lasting moments, whether world famous or simply in the immediate vicinity of your small business.

9. Check Your Ego - Brooks said, "The players had big egos, but they didn't have ego problems." Be confident, while keeping in mind that to be a leader you need followers.

10. Develop Overachievers - The young Americans blended together to be the best team in the world. Inspire your team to seek heights they can't imagine are possible.

11. Be Memorable - Al Michaels' call of the game's final seconds is one of the greatest in sports broadcasting history. Aim high! Make your small business the best it can possibly be.

Copyright © 2005 by Success Handler, LLC. All rights reserved.

Opening a Daycare Center - Do Your Homework!

Maybe you've already decided that starting a daycare center is for you, or maybe you're simply considering the idea. As with all entrepreneurial ideas, it's best to do your homework and research them thoroughly before jumping in midstream.

Starting a daycare and making a success of it will require certain very specific strengths in your situation and character and that of anyone who helps you work it. Consider these essential traits:

-Do you like kids?

-Are you a people person?

-Can you start a daycare center and run it for a year without a profit?

-Do you have childcare experience?

-Are you a self-starter, responsible and reliable?

-Are you willing to put in long hours, at least at first?

-Can you lead well?

If your answers were positive, read on. Otherwise starting a daycare center may not be for you.

For starters, check out the licensing requirements in your state. Then go take a look at some successful daycare centers and try to talk to the owner or manager. Don't be afraid to tell them that you're thinking of starting a daycare facility and ask them for any tips on how to make a go of it.

While you're visiting the other daycare, notice their setup. How is the place laid out? What kind of furniture and supplies do they have? Ask them how hard it was for them to start a daycare center. Ask to see the contract they use. If they're reluctant, offer to buy them lunch! If they say they don't have time, offer to hand them the money you would have spent on the lunch. Usually, though, successful business people are happy to share tips.

Gather your information first. If you do a good job on this first, crucial step, you will be rewarded when you're ready to start a daycare.

Do You Want to Grow Your Business With a Christian Heart? 5 Laws to Change Your Business Perspective

1. You need to have something on the inside that is genuine / authentic.. it's your heart!
2. Making money is not a goal that gives you a healthy heart. Authentic giving and sharing is how you grow a healthy heart..

2 Tim 3: 1-5 &16... perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money...

3. Don't focus on selfishness and greed even when it's all around you. Adding to people's lives is like a healthy immune system. You always put the clients interest first - the disease of selfishness is all around you but you don't catch it.

Proverbs 30:7-9 Do we really pray that we don't want to be rich?

1 Peter 4:10 Use every gift given to me to serve one another as a good steward of every gift and most importantly the ultimate gift of grace that I received from God.

4. Cultivate awareness that you are a hive of creativity. Your hive is focused on creating opportunities to share yourself and your passions with your client / friend. This inspires you and everyone in your circle of influence.

This approach has been categorised as 'Soft Sell' (Internet) Marketing. It recognises a people to people relationship rather than $ to $ transaction; the difference between a ROI - Return on Investment - and a ROI - Return of Experience.

We're all connected in a global marketplace where we're exchanging information and knowledge. We're time poor and information rich. We need to rely on a global network of friends / colleagues to share dreams and increase self awareness. Just check out Facebook - there are communities that blur the line between friends and business partners.

5 Laws to set up a Business with a Christian Heart

1. The Law of Value

YOUR TRUE WORTH IS DETERMINED BY HOW MUCH MORE YOU GIVE IN VALUE THAN YOU TAKE IN PAYMENT.

Increasingly, people will do business with and refer business to those people they know, like and trust. Exceed people's expectations of 'it' and they'll pay you even more. 'it' includes a blur between you and the service you offer.

Whatever we're selling it is the experience of you, not the product itself that makes the difference. Business needs a heart and to be authentic. Exceeding people's expectations includes exceeding their expectation of you.

1 Kings 17:11-15 Elijah and the widow - she only had a handful of flour and a little oil in a jar of oil, but gave it all not knowing that she would receive anything in return.

Further, we are to serve like Jesus did... Humbly for the benefit of others and without regard to any gain that you might receive in return.

2. The Law of Compensation

YOUR INCOME IS DETERMINED BY HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU SERVE AND HOW WELL YOU SERVE THEM.

Giving more doesn't necessarily mean that the payment you receive will increase.

Your compensation is directly proportional to how many lives you touch.

Business is coming from the soul - spiritual service: If you've got something that others need then you have an ethical and moral obligation to sell your expertise - other people need you.

The same person and the same value can have the different outcomes:

eg a top violinist playing in a subway earning $30's for an afternoon busking compared to the $'000's he earns in a concert hall. It all depends on meeting people who need and appreciate what you have to offer in the right environment.

Your level of compensation is therefore under your control. If you want more success find a way to serve more like-minded people. It's that simple. It also means there are no limitations on what you can earn because you can always find more people to serve.

Authority / Attraction Marketing

Ineffective "pursuit marketing" strategies is replaced by a powerful service-oriented "attraction marketing" system that leverages teleseminars to:

o position you as an authority
o build a loyal community of people that actively seek out your products and services;
o establish qualified prospects - 'opt in' & 'opt out' opportunities
o help you create products and services quickly and inexpensively;
o have your marketing reach more people - faster, easier and with less time and effort
o To leverage our time.
o build the social / business relationship; building trust
o establish widespread brand exposure with the opportunity to sell YOU

Leveraging our Time

Goal is to move your business from 1 to 4:

1. one-on-one to secure business eg face to face service
2. one to... 'x' no. online leverages your time eg webinar
3. product... residual eg podcast, MP3 or 4
4. someone-else promotes your business eg license

Survive, save and serve

1. Survive - to meet your basic living needs.
2. Save - to go beyond your basic needs and expand your life.
3. And serve - to make a contribution to the world around you.

Focus on the third - Sermon on the mount - seeing the multitudes - and ultimately, Jesus served everyone going to the cross

3. The Law of Influence

YOUR INFLUENCE IS DETERMINED BY HOW ABUNDANTLY YOU PLACE OTHER PEOPLE'S INTERESTS FIRST.

You need to know how to develop a network - not necessarily your customers or clients. I mean a network of people who know you, like you and trust you. They might never buy a thing from you but they've always got you in the backs of their minds.

o They're people who are personally invested in seeing you succeed.
o They're your army of personal walking ambassadors

Stop keeping score. What people call a win-win' is really just disguised way of keeping track. That's not being a friend; that's being a creditor. Watch out for the other guy. Watch out for his interests. Watch his back. Forget about fifty-fifty. The only winning proposition is one hundred percent. Avoid being transaction focused - Instead be relation focused. Money, position, accomplishments do not create influence. Influence creates them.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends

Paul says we are to hold each other in higher esteem in Philippians 2:3 in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

The apostle Paul thought less and less of himself as his faith grew:

o 10 years before his death, in 1 Cor 15: 9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
o 7 before his death, in Ephesians 3: 8 To me, who am less than the least of the saints....
o 3 years before his death, in Timothy 1: 15... Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Jesus shows us the ultimate laying down of his feelings to do Gods whilst praying in the garden.

4. Law of Authenticity

THE MOST VALUABLE GIFT YOU HAVE TO OFFER IS YOURSELF

We're living in a 'blackberry' world where the line between social and business communities is becoming more blurred, when every CEO will have to become Internet and technology savvy or get left behind. The adoption of such community technology is becoming more mainstream.

We can observe the fragmentation of business functions by outsourcing and strategic alliances et al. Increasingly, it is a world that is about you, your heart, who you authentically are; not governed primarily by a single corporate culture.

Whatever you've experienced; your story can help you, if it tells you how to care; how to make people feel good about themselves.

Add value by adding yourself - You are the most valuable gift. Reaching any goal is 10% knowledge or skills and 90% is people skills:

o Liking people
o Caring about people
o Being a good listener
o The core though is WHO YOU ARE... It starts with you.
o No matter what you're selling what you're really offering is you. It's called authenticity.

The point is not what you do. Not what you accomplish but who you are. We must be authentic Christians - Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart so is he. Most of us want a balanced life that we can control, that is safe and luke warm.

John 14:15 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it"

If life is a river, then pursuing Christ requires swimming upstream. Swimming upstream isn't easy. Jesus said the road is narrow and few will actually find it and fewer still among the rich.

The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbour as yourself" Galatians 5:13-14 When we love we are free. True love makes you stand out. We need to ask: "Is this the most loving way to do life? Am I loving my neighbour and my God by living where I live, by..... There is another path, and alternative to the individualism, selfishness and materialism of the western world.

Characteristics of such people:

o Do not consider service a burden - work without having to prove devotion
o Givers not takers
o Think that others matter as much as they do

5. The Law of Receptivity

THE KEY TO EFFECTIVE GIVING IS TO STAY OPEN TO RECEIVING

When we have a business model that focuses on the client and being a part of their breakthroughs we can sometimes forget to place a value on the part we played in your client getting there.

It's not better to give than receive. It's crazy to try and give and not receive. Trying not to receive is not only foolish, it's arrogant. When someone gives you a gift, what gives you the right to refuse it - to deny their right to give? Denying people the right to be a part of your life / business.

Receiving is the natural result of giving. In fact, every giving can happen only because it is also a receiving.

As we give our life to God, we must receive God's grace. Jesus led a life receiving from others all the time; meals, a roof over his head, a boat, a tomb. Matt 10: 6-10 He tells his disciples to go out without anything - they had to be ready to receive.

Changing your business perspective to grow your business with a Christian heart takes a seismic shift in the way you think. The 5 Laws described go against the 'norm' of most 'worldly' business practices that only have a short term, selfish vision for their business. The success of these laws calls for a change in your heart. This follows the ongoing call God asks of us to go from Glory to Glory. I pray that you not only achieve prosperity from your business but that it is prosperity worthy of God's Kingdom.

by Peter Appleton, bee u coaching