If you have ever been employed, chances are good that
you’ve had a background check run on you. Employers looking
for reliable, trustworthy individuals will often use these
reports to confirm that information given on a resume is
true and ensure that they are hiring persons of high
standards. But what is included in a background check? Do
you have control over who can access your report? How can
you find out what is on your record?

What is included in a background check? Specific details of
an individual’s past are revealed in a background check for
purposes of employment. Depending on the company providing
the background check, your report may include a range of
information, including: criminal records, litigation
records, driving and vehicle records, education records,
licensing records, military records, social security
number, property ownership, credit records, employment
history, worker’s compensation, medical records, sex
offenders list, and interpersonal interviews (with
neighbors and other character references). Some services
offer nothing more than the information given in a phone
book, while others employ private investigators that offer
the whole gamut of information. Most employers hire an
outside company to give them the type of information that
is pertinent to the job you are being considered for.

(more…)

Copyright (c) 2006 Mr Sital Ruparelia

So what’s the real secret to retaining great people?

Well, it’s certainly NOT about pay and financial benefits.
In fact it’s quite the opposite – it’s what I refer to as
the ‘Non-Financial Benefits.’

Trying to sell a product as the cheapest on the market is a
difficult strategy to follow. It is better to focus on more
than just price and look at the other services and benefits
clients gain from doing business with you.

In a similar vein, you can never compete on being the best
payer in the market place (particularly as a small
business), so it is key that you are clear about all the
other reasons why people work for you, and then build these
factors into the way you then promote these to your current
and future employees.

(more…)

Your colleagues are extremely interested in cold calling
company presidents-like you, everybody with business savvy
wants to reach the executives, quickly to close top dollar
sales.

In this business environment with collapsed organizational
structures, the elimination of middle management, and the
increased workload for executive assistants-it’s even more
challenging to break through to the inner-circle of
decision-makers.

So consider this–stop making the cold-call process more
complicated (and considerably more painful) than it needs
to be. Quit agonizing over the writing of pre-approach
letters and searching out friends who can provide warm
introductions that’ll break you through, get you into the
hallowed halls of the executive suites.

(more…)

5 pointers for potential leaders
Copyright (c) 2006 The National Learning Institute

Of all the things that have changed over the last few
centuries, and particularly the massive amount of change
experienced during the last 100 years, the one constant
that remains is the need for good leadership.

Whether it be for leading nations, organisations, teams or
even relationships, effective leadership is sought by all.

Traditionally, the view of leadership was that there were
leaders and followers – each with his or her assigned or
expected role.  This is probably still true today.
However, there is a growing body of authors and researchers
who suggest there might be a broader definition of
leadership.  Many would suggest for example, that within
organisations, we are now at a time when all employees will
have to take turns at leading, where they see the need to
influence others in order to achieve their goals
(”Leadership – Do We Know What It Is?  4 Pointers To Start
You On The Road To Becoming A Leader”).

(more…)

5 pointers for potential leaders
Copyright (c) 2006 The National Learning Institute

Of all the things that have changed over the last few
centuries, and particularly the massive amount of change
experienced during the last 100 years, the one constant
that remains is the need for good leadership.

Whether it be for leading nations, organisations, teams or
even relationships, effective leadership is sought by all.

Traditionally, the view of leadership was that there were
leaders and followers – each with his or her assigned or
expected role.  This is probably still true today.
However, there is a growing body of authors and researchers
who suggest there might be a broader definition of
leadership.  Many would suggest for example, that within
organisations, we are now at a time when all employees will
have to take turns at leading, where they see the need to
influence others in order to achieve their goals
(”Leadership – Do We Know What It Is?  4 Pointers To Start
You On The Road To Becoming A Leader”).

(more…)

Often businesses define themselves with what is called a
unique selling proposition. Many businesses market their
unique selling proposition to illustrate the advantages of
their product or services. When trying to establish a
unique selling proposition, it is crucial to find ways to
differentiate and distinguish your business from your
competitors, place emphasis on the positive differences
between others in the marketplace.

If you can not differentiate your company based on what you
sell, try to capitalize on how you sell or support your
products or services. A unique selling proposition defines
why customers should buy from one business rather than a
competitor.

The unique selling proposition (USP) can be evident in all
aspects of a business. Most often USPs are conveyed through
a slogan, a company motto, or a brand. Think of the USPs
that large brands have used over the years, and what they
are really saying.

(more…)

The story you are about to hear is true.

With the implementation of one well-crafted sales tactic,
Gene surprised himself by making one phone call and getting
a meeting with a senior executive. A man Gene and his team
had been pursuing for more than one year!

The contract ended up serving the executive so well he had
no reason to renew current contracts with eleven of Gene’s
competitors.

What a day that was! Better yet, the days that follow
continue to be lucrative with a steady flow of sales coming
from the powerful strategy used that day.

One cold call, one meeting, one $13 million contract …
ba-da bing, ba-da boom!

(more…)

Many businesses suffer from high levels of staff turnover
simply because they have hired the wrong people in the
first place. Similarly, many business owners go through the
whole recruitment process and make an offer to someone they
like only to find that they have chosen to take another
role. Very often this “mis - hiring” of people or “missing
out” on people is down to the way in which these people
have been interviewed – in particular the questions that
were are asked (or rather NOT asked!). You see, if you ask
the right questions you drastically increase the chances
obtaining enough information to then ensure you recruit the
right people. The questions you ask at interview will
depend on the type of role you are looking to fill, the
type of business you are in and your own personal style.
But there are 7 questions that you must ask every candidate
regardless of the type of role you are hiring for:

1. “What are your reasons for leaving your current (or
last) role?” You are looking to see if there is a logical
and rational reason here for leaving as well as looking out
for any unusual circumstances. You also need to understand
why they are leaving to ensure they are not then looking to
leave your business within a few months of joining for the
very same reason. The answers to this question will also
provides valuable information for you to then sell your
opportunity later in the interview.

(more…)

He that can quietly endure overcomes.  –English Proverb

There are all sorts of factors which contribute to success,
but there is one that is often more important than all the
others…perseverance.

I have begun and ended this article with a proverb which
points out the value of being able to persevere, but for
most of us, one old saying comes to mind, “All things come
to him who waits.”

The problem with that particular version is that it implies
that simply waiting for success to happen is all that is
required.  While the occasional miracle does happen, most
successes are the result of action.  For most of us,
success, when it comes with will be a reward for our
effort, faith, and perseverance.

(more…)

Copyright (c) 2006 Cash Flow Connections

The number one reason for business failure in the U.S.
today is lack of working capital!

Businesses need money to grow.  A business cannot survive
just because it has a better product, an exclusive market
or the best method of distribution.  Funding in the form of
working capital and cash flow is required for progress!

But where does a business go when the bank says no?

Asset-Based Lending - What Is It and How Can It Help?

The asset-based lending industry helps a business to
leverage its “liquid assets” (most commonly accounts
receivable, i.e. invoices/contracts, purchase orders) and
gets cash to the business much faster than traditional
sources.

(more…)