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Boris Blanche on Motivating Employees During Business Restructure

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One of the most common ways for a business to restructure is through merger and acquisition. While this is an opportunity for companies to achieve tremendous growth, it is also a period of significant uncertainty, particularly for employees.  People such as Boris Blanche have developed a number of key methods to help companies keep their employees motivated and secure during such a business restructure.

 

Boris Blanche on Motivation in Restructure

 

The most important thing is to have open and clear communication. Communication is always key to the success of any business but during mergers and acquisitions, it becomes even more important. It is very important to speak to employees about any merger or acquisition considerations. In fact, if an organization has over 50 employees, it is legally obliged to speak to it staff about this.

 

Secondly, it is important to create a fully cohesive team. Management must show real leadership and build a strong team that is capable of Performing properly. The greatest difficulty in this is bringing together the people from the two different companies, not in the least because both sides are likely to have lost friends and coworkers during the merger or acquisition. This means that there is often some bad blood and tension that has to be addressed properly.

 

It flows from this that the organization must focus on the psychological well being of the employee. Everybody must feel positive about the new direction of the business. Hence, positivity should be fostered at every opportunity and new work environment should be as fresh as possible.

 

At the same time, there should be full clarity about the goals and milestones of the new organization. Management should be able to set key milestones for the business as a whole, while teams should work together to set the individual goals and milestones. In so doing, there is full clarity for everybody in terms of where the business is going and what everybody should be working towards.

 

Last but not least, people such as Boris Blanche always emphasize the importance of being realistic. Any business that believes a merger or acquisition can go by without any glitches or hiccups will be sorely disappointed. Being open and honest about the fact that things are likely to go wrong and that this is ok because contingency plans are in place is hugely important. Without that, staff will continuously feel on edge and will rather than be productive, be preoccupied with their own future. That is not conducive to a properly running organization.

 

An important lesson to be learnt during mergers and acquisitions is just how vital it is to have property engaged employees. When staff is giving a voice, made to feel that their opinions matter, and that what they say is listened to, they will feel far more secure and more like part of the business. This, in turn, will make them more productive as well. It is vital to leave the lines of communication open and to take every idea and suggestion seriously.

Improving Accounts Receivables Collection According To Receivables Performance Management Reviews

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Improving accounts receivables collection is a necessity for most businesses these days. As the business grows, having to deal with client payment problems is a reality that should always be taken into account. Fortunately, there are always ways in which this can be done.

If you want to improve accounts receivables collection, the advice presented below should be taken into account. It comes straight from the offices of a highly respected national leader in accounts receivable management, as can be attested through Receivables Performance Management reviews.

Determine Problem Sources

The first thing that most businesses do is try to contact clients that have to make payments in order to start debt collection. This is not what should be done. According to Receivables Performance Management, the first important step is to analyze all past-due accounts in order to categorize them based on non-payment reason. This includes labels like customer billing disputes or poor credit. Only after you determine the source of the debt problem you can actually create a good plan to deal with it.

Minimizing Customer Credit Risks

Various things can be done to reduce risks of having to deal with debt collection problems. Some options recommended by Receivables Performance Management are:

Stop selling to customers that do not pay – Every business needs to have a written credit approval process that is monitored and that addresses problems like how creditworthiness is assessed and who will receive credit in the first place. If the possibility that an invoice will not be paid is high, the business can refuse to make the sale in the first place.

Assigning responsibility – One of the biggest problems in modern businesses is that there is absolutely nobody that actually has responsibility for debt collection. You need to have someone on staff that is well-trained and that regularly monitors statuses with the goal of meeting specific targets. If you wait for a long period of time to receive payments, there is a much higher risk of not actually getting paid.

Draft strategies to deal with non-payers – Collection procedures need to be spelled out. All steps that are going to be taken should be decided and respected. At one point in time, the service offered or the product the client buys should no longer be available for the client that does not pay.

Receive expert help – Most business owners will get some recommendations from attorneys about how the company can be protected. Besides this, you do want to get some extra help from experts in debt management and collection. This gives information about the best practices in collections and credit. Alternatively, you can always outsource debt collection.

Avoid Disputes With Billing

Disputes can only lead to delays in actually getting paid. Because of this, a much better approach is to simply avoid the disputes in the first place. You do this by being really clear with all customer expectations and requirements. Sale terms have to be put down in writing and all potential problems should be identified and fixed as soon as possible.

Challenges Of Being An Attorney, Identified By Daniel DeKoter

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The media portrays the life of attorneys as being fabulous but in reality, there are many things that can and do go wrong. Daniel DeKoter, highly experienced attorney servicing the residents of Iowa and Osceola County, discuss the common challenges that should be understood by anyone aspiring to become a legal professional. They are listed below.

Conflicting Priorities – Home Versus Work

All practice areas require some sort of sacrifice when you are an attorney. The real estate lawyers rarely get the possibility of having a vacation during summer while family lawyers tend to lose months as they get ready for hearings. A business lawyer can always work 24-hour shifts in order to close deals that have tight deadlines and if you run a law firm, you never know when you have to work.

For many lawyers juggling work and family life is really difficult. This is why most of the lawyers are not married. Climbing the ladders at a law firm is stressful and time for personal life is often not available.

Running The Law Practice And The Business

Sole firm partners and practitioners will juggle the practice and the business side of running the agency. You basically need to be sure that the firm is running well. That includes budgeting, networking, marketing and even human resources. Obviously, you can always delegate but the simple fact that you run a business can easily lead to huge problems in actually running the law practice.

When you juggle both clients and the business at the same time, problems can appear, simply because of a lack of time. You are forced into going to events that you would rather miss and have to deal with many other tasks that have nothing to do with representing your clients. You basically have problems in being a lawyer and a businessman at the same time.

Addiction

A firm culture can enable the addictive personality to be engaged in behaviors that are damaging. For instance, your clients may want to celebrate their wins in an extravagant way, all while expecting the lawyers to be a part of celebrations. Then, there are networking lunches you have to drink at. Various drinking opportunities exist when you work as an attorney so that can quickly turn into a problem for some people. If stress is high and you go through damaging behaviors, it is easy to become addicted to drugs, gambling, alcohol or others.

Errors Take A Toll On You

The last important thing mentioned by Daniel DeKoter is that in the profession, professionalism is a really common trait. This can easily lead to a fear that mistakes can cost money, clients can lose child custody and go to jail. At first view, this is just a part of the job but in time this can easily have a strong toll on the attorney. Clients need to have strong attorneys and for an attorney it is not as simple as it seems to remain objective and not affected by feelings at all times. Combine this with high stress and lack of vacation days and it is really easy to understand why so many lawyers end up depressed.

Receivables Performance Management Reviews its Procedures Often to Ensure that it Is Serving Its Clients Effectively

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When a business hires a Professional Services Company, it does so with the understanding that the company is effective and efficient at delivering its services. These companies are often expensive and claim that the expenses related to the type of job that they do. Law firms and accounting firms are some of the most expensive personal services companies that can be hired.

But although most of them are very high-priced, some of them do not do great jobs. So equating price with quality does not always work out the best for your business. Instead a business needs to have foolproof ways to determine if the quality of the professional services company is up to the standards that they require.

Here are some ways to determine whether a professional services company that you are considering hiring, is in fact efficient and effective at delivering their services.

Do they Constantly Review and Update their Procedures?

Professional service companies need to ensure that their operating procedures are the most up-to-date and effective. Receivables Performance Management reviews constantly how it operates to make sure that clients are receiving the best service is available. The company provides receivables management to a wide range of Industries including bankcard, financial, telecommunications, utilities, retail, healthcare, commercial, state & local government, small balance accounts and national legal services.

Each of their clients require effective and efficient management of their receivables in order to have the needed cash flow to fund their operations. Clients were closely with Receivables Performance Management so that the company understands their specific needs and desires. The company crafts a specific strategy and delivers effective services which may include:

  • Telemarketing Services
  • Customized Dunning Notice Services
  • Outsourcing and Pre-Collection Services
  • Early Age Reactivation Services
  • Late Stage / Post Statute Services
  • Small Balance Portfolio Services
  • Inbound and Outbound Services

This comprehensive approach provides a complete set of receivables management tools and strategies that help clients gain access to more capital quickly.

Does the Company Have Positive Reviews by Clients?

Today because of the Internet it is easy to find out if a company is servicing clients well. Social media and other websites provide clients to discuss their love or disdain for a company in real time. As a company in search for the best providers, you must do your research about anyone you are interested in selecting in order to determine if in fact that company is a top performer in its industry.

Taking the time to do this type of research can save your company money or make your company profits. The key is to do enough research so that you can make an informed decisions. So get a good list of questions together about your professional services company candidates and check their reviews.

Selecting a professional services company can be difficult because there are costs involved and often the company needing their services is in a situation where they must make a great choice. Selecting top companies in the industry you are searching is not difficult if you follow the steps that are mentioned here.

Brandon Wetzel Yardley Discusses Becoming A Real Estate Agent

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When you decide to become a real estate agent you make a first step towards a very lucrative career but one that is often misunderstood. The good news, according to specialist Brandon Wetzel Yardley, is that people can easily enter the real estate field from numerous careers and occupations, no matter at what stage in their lives they are. There are different background reasons why people start looking at real estate as a career option but regardless of them, everything needs to start with following some steps. Becoming a real estate agent is not as easy as some may think. Also, specifics tend to vary from state to state. However, the main steps are the following:

Comply With Real Estate Licensing Requirements

States have different licensing requirements. Because of this, you need to visit the website of the state’s real estate commission. Official pre-licensing requirements are listed there. See if you meet all the requirements before you start on your way to becoming a real estate agent since there might be some things you cannot meet, like age restrictions.

Real Estate Pre-Licensing Courses

Real estate pre-licensing education is necessary. Fortunately, you can do this in various ways. The most common option is the live classrooms offered by real estate schools, universities, technical schools and realty firms. There is even online education that is currently available. Make sure you choose the best option for you since you do want to enroll in a school that has a high reputation, is focused on the outcome of the student and offers quality instructors and content. Remember that real estate licensing education is going to be comprehensive and difficult.

Real Estate Salesperson Exams

Every single state has a specific application process so it is important that you follow procedure. Try to take the exam as quickly as possible after the licensing classes are finished. A fee will be needed and you have to check the regulatory authority of the state for all needed details. For instance, in some states you will need to go through a complete background check and fingerprints need to be submitted. Something like this can easily take weeks.

The problem with the real estate salesperson exam is that you need much more than just educational requirements. You do need to prepare. Many end up failing the first exam they take because in order to pass you will need to have more study time. A great idea is to enroll in exam preparation classes. Practice exams have to be taken so you can measure weaknesses and strengths.

Real Estate Brokers

The fact that you pass the real estate licensing exam will not mean you have the license you want. The real estate agent will be licensed through a real estate broker. You need to find the broker as early as possible during licensing process. After pre-licensing education requirements are completed and the exam is passed, the last step is completing the paperwork to make everything legal and to actually become a real estate agent.

Why Empowering Women like Nenadi Usman is Best for Countries like Nigeria

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Southern Kaduna District Senator Nenadi Esther Usman is an eloquent and astute leader who has proven that placing women in national leadership positions is smart because it can bring great benefits to the country of Nigeria. Here time spent representing her constituents and in various other national political roles sets a great example of what women can do when they are given an opportunity to lead. In examining her career, one can find many exemplary qualities she has exhibited that have led to her continued success. Here are some of those qualities.

Leadership:

Nenadi Usman has a proven track record of successful leadership. From her time in politics, she has swiftly moved up the ladder and assumed roles that required strong leaders. Every time she was called upon she promptly and decisively took charge and led her teams to victory. A few of her most prominent roles within the government include:

Minister of Finance

Member of the Presidential Transition Committee

Member of the PDP State Caucus

Senator of the Federal Republic

Director of Finance Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organization

She was appointed to each of these positions because they required specialized skills and those who made the selection knew she had the special skills to tackle the job. Her success in each of these positions proves that their trust in her abilities was accurately placed.

Determination

Anyone who understands the complexity and uncertainty of politics knows that in order for anyone in that field to be successful, that person must be driven and determined. Nenadi Usman has always been prepared to fight for whatever position she and her party assumed period throughout the times when it seemed as if a victory was not available, Ms. Usman continue to lead the charge and keep everyone focused on a victory. This was the case with both local goals and national elections. And this determination did not end with her. She has been able to make everyone around her more determined and effective leading to her party winning national election campaigns. These successes can count her determination is one of the core reasons why they occurred.

Optimism

Throughout her career she has espoused a love for Nigeria and a belief that the best days for the country are ahead.  She puts this belief to work in every conversation she has and every initiative she undertakes for the country. This optimism drives her to continue to fight through any opposition or disappointments. She believes that provision of Nigeria which is proud, stable and economically prosperous is one that can be detained. All of her efforts of focusing on the cheating this vision for the people of Nigeria.

Many politicians offer a bright vision for the future then once they come into office they abandon it for politics as usual. There are very few like Nenadi Usman who take their bright vision and immediately begin implementing it. She proves that women can lead, and in fact are often the best leaders.

David Baer Attorney – How to Select the Right Attorney for Your Business

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As an entrepreneur your company is more than just the place that you go to every day of the week, it is also your livelihood and the source of income for your entire family. You work hard to keep your business successful, to serve your customers well and to be a place where your employees feel proud to work.

One important job that every entrepreneur has is to make sure that their business is protected legally. This requires hiring a lawyer like David Baer Attorney who can provide great legal advice, legal protections for the business, its employees and its assets, and if necessary launch and protect the business from lawsuits. For this reason it is important for the business to hire reputable and confident attorneys. The right attorneys will make sure that every legal matter relating to the company is taken care of. Here is how you select the right attorney for your business.

Make Sure They are Seasoned

The first order of business is to make sure that the law firms that you are considering each have a long history of experience in business law. This will say to you that the law firm has experience and dealing with a broad range of issues over long periods of time. Since laws are constantly changing, a law firm with a long history will give you knowledge on where things are today and how they got their overtime. This can be critical in the event that is litigation launched on your behalf or against you.

Make Sure They have the Right Experience

The law firm having a long history of successfully working on behalf of their clients is a core requirement for your hiring them. What is equally important is that they have a long history of successfully conducting business in the areas that you will need. Some law firms focus on business litigation, while others focus on contract law and registration. Make sure that the law firm that you select has expertise in the areas that you require for your business. They should also clearly understand and have a history and working in your specific industry so that they can advise you based on their knowledge rather than guessing what might be the right course of action for your company.

Check References

Checking references gives you a clear understanding of what the law firms clients are saying about them. You can go online and find information about nearly any business. This is certainly the case for law firms. Do your research and find out if clients are happy with their work or dissatisfied. Also check the law firm’s website. Reputable law firms consistently add client reviews on their website as well as any important victories they have overseen for their clients. If you do not see this section on the law firm’s website, the odds are that they do not have anything good to say about themselves. Use this to determine whether you hire them or not.

Find a Local Law Firm

Your best bet is to hire a local a reputable law firm. For example if your companies in Minneapolis, Minnesota you should hire a law firm that is located in Minneapolis and not one of Minnesota’s other great cities. Hiring local will guarantee that the law firm understands the laws and environment where your company is located. If you need to go to court, they will know the judges and other legal professionals and likely have relationships with them that will work to your benefit.

The legal aspects of running a business are as important as any other area. Use this fact to hire a reputable Law Firm that can protect your business interest and make sure that you have great legal representation.

The Changing Trends Of Science In The Classroom

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Over the last few years it would be fair to say that there has been a real investment in science across the country. For a long time, Maths and English were seen as the core subjects, but now this is changing and it appears to be for the greater good.

These changes are very much prevalent in the classroom itself as well. This is the reason today’s post has been put together and we will now take a look at some of the obvious trends in relation to science in the classroom.

Experiments are now the key to everything

Once upon a time, textbooks were everything. Schools would invest much of their budget in these books, before asking children to learn from them and work through them through the course of the year.

Suffice to say, it was hardly an engaging experience. Children became bored and something which has the potential to be a fascinating subject was actually transformed into something that was pretty mundane.

Now, this is changing. Sure, there is a time and a place for textbooks and one has to think that they will always be seen as a tool in the classroom. However, there is now a lot more emphasis on conducting experiments in class. A quick look on the blog of S R Buzzi shows just how much some teachers invest in classroom experience and ultimately, the effect they have on the children participating in them. It means that schools have to invest more in equipment, than textbooks, but this practical application really can boost engagement and ultimately set them up better for real world science which relies heavily on experiments.

Sustainability is the buzzword

If you have kept tabs on the news over recent years, this next trend will not come as a surprise in the slightest. If we hone in on the first point we made, in relation to experiments, a lot of these experiments relate to sustainable topics.

For example, in physics, solar experiments are now commonplace. In chemistry, more of an emphasis on how various chemicals react in relation to the environment is placed upon.

In short, the main objective for authorities around the world is to make it more sustainable. This process starts in the science lab, where children can learn about the fundamentals before applying it in later life.

It’s now been taught to children of all ages

A couple of decades ago and science was a topic that was just reserved for older children. If you were under 10-years-old, the amount of contact time you received in relation to science teaching was low to say the least.

Now, the authorities are attempting to open it up to children of all ages. Again, there is a direct link to the first point we made; experiments are key here as this is something which particularly keeps little minds interested in the subject. Of course, the experiments are relatively low-key, but are still sufficient to attract interest.

Best Gear To Bring With You When RVing In Oklahoma

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There are a lot of things you have to remember to bring with you when you go on vacation. You have to make sure you bring along clothing that’s appropriate for the weather, toiletries, things to keep the kids entertained, and more. You’ve got even more to remember if you’re renting an RV!

When you rent an RV, the sky is the limit when it comes to bringing stuff with you. Other vacations require you to leave your gear at home and rent it when you get there. With an RV, you can bring it all with you which will save you money, but it will also ensure you enjoy every moment of your vacation.

The question is, exactly what should you bring along for a vacation in the state of Oklahoma? Here are some of the best gear ideas so your family can get the most out of your vacation.

A Good Pair of Walking Shoes

A comfortable pair of walking shoes is a good idea no matter what kind of vacation you’re taking, but they are absolutely essential if you’re planning an RV vacation.

If you stay in a park, you and your family will be spending plenty of time on the trails, and a good pair of shoes can go a long way towards protecting your feet. If instead you decide to park the RV in the city, you’ll be hitting the pavement, and walking shoes are equally as important. Don’t leave them behind!

Bicycles

A bike is one of the handiest things to have with you when you go on vacation. Unfortunately, most vacations don’t allow you to take your bike with you. Instead, you’re forced to spend money renting a bicycle when you get to your destination.

There’s no need to rent a bike when you drive an RV! Not only will bringing your bike help you save money, it enables you to bring the bike you’re most comfortable with. That’s important if you spent a lot of money on comfortable all-purpose bikes for the whole family.

Canoes and Kayaks

There is no shortage of lakes in Oklahoma. From the massive Eufaula Lake that is nearly 160 square miles to smaller lakes like Lake Murray and Lake Hefner, there are plenty of watery areas to explore. Why not do it in a canoe or a kayak!

Not all natural areas allow you to rent kayaks, so bringing your own along is a great way to do a little exploring off the beaten path. If you’re particularly adept at canoeing and kayaking, you can even hit some of the lakes and streams in Oklahoma.

Fishing Gear

It isn’t uncommon for vacationers to come across a lake or a pond and wish they had their fishing gear. A traditional vacation that requires taking a plane or a car usually means leaving all that fishing gear behind. You don’t have to when you drive an RV!

While some of the family is out on the lake in a canoe, you can stick to the shore and do a little fishing. A few of the best fishing spots in the state include:

  • Lake Texoma is a great place to catch catfish and largemouth bass
  • Flint Creek is a gorgeous stream that’s perfect for catching smallies
  • Deep Fork River is a great place to catch catfish from your kayak
  • Grand Lake is the perfect spot for crappie fishermen

The Right Cooking Tools

When most people think of gear, they spend all their time thinking about outdoor adventure gear. It’s true that you can pack tons of adventure gear in your RV, but don’t forget the most essential gear of all—cooking tools!

There are a lot of great kitchen tools out there. Your job is to figure out which ones are best in the RV. They include a(n):

  • Induction cooktop
  • Hand blender
  • Instant pot
  • Collapsible colander

Don’t forget to bring along the kind of cooking tools that work well outside. Marshmallow sticks, sandwich grills, and a cast iron pan are all great choices.

And don’t forget the aluminum foil! It can make cooking meals in the fire quick and easy, but it can also sharpen scissors, it can be molded into a funnel, and much more!

One of the great things about vacationing in an RV is that you can bring nearly anything you can imagine with you. Make sure you have all the gear you need to fully enjoy spending time with your family by bringing these items along.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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How To Avoid Bankruptcy In 2018

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Debt is a way of life for several people. It can be so overwhelming that bankruptcy appears to be the sole answer. Because bankruptcy can have such a traumatic effect on your credit score, Scottsdale bankruptcy lawyers recommend seeking other alternatives before filing for bankruptcy. If one of the following bankruptcy alternatives saves your credit, it’s better to take it, even if it will take more time or cost more to get rid of your debt.

Sell Some of Your Assets

Sell whatever you can spare and use the cash to pay off your debts. You should take action as soon as you notice that you can’t afford to make payments anymore. If you wait until you’re behind, it may be too late.

You can sell furniture, jewelry, and electronics on eBay, for example. Is this an extreme way to avoid bankruptcy? Maybe it is. Many people can’t get past the inconvenience of living without their material items, but you can adjust and it’s only for a short period of time. It will help you avoid bankruptcy and spare your credit.

Pay Your Way Out of Debt

Can you afford to pay off your debts over a predetermined period of time? If you take a closer look at your budget, you may be able to eliminate those non-essential luxuries such as cable or satellite television, landline and cell phones. These are examples of some expenses you can wipe out without too much hassle.

If you’re already living on a strapped budget, consider increasing your income by working overtime or part-time. Hobbies and skills can also help you get some extra money to avoid bankruptcy.

Ask Creditors For Help

Your creditors would rather get some money from you than no money at all. Let your creditors know you are having financial struggles and want to avoid bankruptcy at all costs. Express your willingness to pay the debt and ask if they can help ease the burden by lowering your monthly payment or decreasing your interest rate. Many credit card companies and banks have hardship programs designed for this type of situation.

Before you enter a hardship program, be sure that your monthly payment and interest rate actually go down. Otherwise, you could be stuck with an even higher minimum payment.

Pursue Consumer Credit Counseling

If you have no luck working with creditors on your own, find a professional. You can pursue a consumer credit counselor who has experience working with creditors to get your payment and interest rate lowered.

The new bankruptcy law requires credit counseling prior to bankruptcy filings anyway, so it’s worth strongly considering credit counseling as an alternative to bankruptcy.

Get Help From Family and Friends

Generally, borrowing money from family and friends is not a great idea. It’s been known to result in hardships and even end relationships. However, there is an exception to every rule, and bankruptcy is one. Take the time to calculate how much money you need to avoid bankruptcy. You should carefully consider how much you’re able to contribute, then ask friends and family to help you make up the difference. Generate a plan for how you will repay them once your financial situation has changed for the better.