Saturday, February 7, 2009
Compensation Culture Gone Too Far
The facility of being able to claim compensation is, in essence, a good thing.It means that people who have suffered hardship have some sort of recompense which is especially vital if time off work is needed or serious illness or injury has been inflicted.
Compensation claims can be made against an individual or a larger organisation such as a local health authority or council if they are felt to be negligent.
However, where this was once considered to be important for people to fall back on, but unfortunately events have turned full circle and the compensation craze has caused much harm.Insurance premiums have gone up and the cost of many things has been increased in order to cover the possible costs of compensation claims.
No longer are people able to take responsibility for their own lives and the things that happen and they are also incapable of being able to accept that accidents happen through nobody's fault.
One prime example is the man that tried to escape from jail by jumping from a roof thirty feet high.Quite unsurprisingly, he broke bones in both feet and was taken to hospital for treatment.He was subsequently released from prison and it seems his feet were ok enough for him to be able to do another robbery.
This led to another prison term and the delay in him getting further treatment for his feet yet he is being able to try and make a compensation claim against the prison service for the delay in his treatment!It seems incredulous that his claim has been allowed to get this far!
Another hot favourite compensation claim is that of the public suing councils for potholes in the road.This is definitely a problem as these holes can cause some real damage to cars that drive into them or people who trip and fall.However, it has got to the point where councils are now spending more on paying out compensation than they can on actually fixing these holes.
Councils have a limited amount of funds and legal costs have to come above other matters.In one year alone, councils paid out 53 pounds million on compensation claims and 52.3 pounds million on road repairs.Once all compensation claims have been settled, it leaves very little for the actual repairs.Of course, people who are genuinely hurt by something because the council have failed to fix it should be compensated but where does this merry go round stop?
Could some of these people have taken responsibility for where they were going?Could the council have made repairs as soon as the problem was notified to them?
So, where do lawyers draw the line?Well, I guess they won't because for every compensation claim there is a hefty old payment in it for them.The trouble is, this is having a detrimental effect on all of us now.Not only have prices been increased to cover the unforeseen compensation claims but we are being further restricted in what we can do.
When people had the sense to be aware of accidents and not seek to constantly blame others for things that go wrong, there was much more general freedom.Now, we are lucky if we can have Christmas lights put up in town just in case one should fall or fail in some way and somebody should become slightly injured but rich with it.
About the Author
Shaun Parker is a leading financial expert with many years of experience in the compensation industry.
Find out more about compensation claims at http://www.stewartslaw.com
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Saturday, December 27, 2008
What Do Business Owners Want Internet Marketers To Do For Them?
When I say business owners I mean established mainstream companies that employ from 5-500 people.Companies up and down Main Street in every country where you could be reading this message.Real people manufacturing, selling, and distributing real products and services.These companies account for virtually 100% of job growth now and will do so in the future.
These companies are privately held and/or family owned - the money being spent or invested by them is their own money so they are sensitive to the principles of ROI.And they are always on the lookout for people who understand them and who can help them understand the elements of doing business in the 21st Century - by that I mean, online.
They tell me they want to increase their market share in their traditional marketing area.While they may be doing just fine doing business where they've always done it - you can be sure they are not getting all the business that is out there.Sometimes they know this and know why - but they don't know how to change it.Often they are driving right past profitable accounts without realizing it.Maybe you can help them see their picture more clearly.
They want to extend their marketing area by 50-100 miles in every direction.I am not making the 50-100 mile radius up.Within 50 miles they can deliver what the sell, service it, and go there take care of business and come back all in one day.Beyond that there are additional fixed costs to consider.Within 100 miles they can connect with an entire new population of prospects.While they are not "from there" they are close enough to do business with and they are a fresh face on the scene.
They tell me they want to increase their "share of customer" meaning that they want to be the sole source provider of products and/or services in their category that their clients and customers use.Why not strive to get all their business - make each customer a Key Account and the profit per will soar.They also want to make online sales and service a default part of the company - so at least some elements of their organization are in gear and running 24/7/365.
They want to grow their bottom line with easier automated customer acquisition, increased productivity, reduced costs, and a higher sales volume.Along with automation there are complimentary products and services they can offer without increasing their fixed overhead.
And they recognize that customer loyally is vital to a healthy bottom line.It depends on the industry but I have read studies that illustrate that existing loyal customers are five times more profitable than banging away to keep getting new ones.
So how can you help them?Can you help them source complimentary products?Can you teach them how to use Internet marketing strategies, marketing that was previously for 100% online businesses and integrate it into their offline business?Can your strategies help them leverage their existing accounts with the web 2.0 strategies that are second nature to you - and that will mesmerize them, to grow the profitability of the customers they already have?
By now I hope you are thinking about the implications of what you've just read and I also hope you will take a few seconds and post your comments for the rest of us.By sharing your experiences and insights here you will be adding to the richness of the conversation.
About the Author
Just like you, Wayne Messick is concerned about strategies for success in these challenging times.
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Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Computer Desks: How They Affect Health and Productivity
What kind of computer desks do you have in your workplace?Do they provide a comfortable setting at which your employees can work?This article will inform you about the importance of computer desks and how they affect health and productivity.Specifics may vary from office to office; however, the following information includes helpful and important guidelines from which everyone can benefit.
When people walk into your office, what is their first impression?Studies have shown that your office or computer desk can actually send messages to others about your work habits.What does your desk say about you?
Computer desks are an office staple.They provide you with a place to put computers, files, phones and for some, feet.Computer desks can also provide a sense of style and individuality!Whether you're running a large corporation or a small home office, you know that your desk reflects who you are as a professional and a living, thinking, creative human being.
Savvy business owners focus on hiring the right employees, getting the most performance and increasing revenue.Of course these are all integral parts of any business, but have you ever considered that computer also an important aspect of the workplace?An average employee spends 8-10 hours per weekday sitting at their desk.
If those desks happen to be cheap, poorly constructed and uncomfortable, the employees forced to sit in them may not be putting forth their best effort at work.With the right computer desks, however, you can keep your employees happy, comfortable and motivated to do their very best.
Did you know?Scientific studies suggest that the way you sit at a computer desk while working can have an effect on the development of spinal and back problems.If your employees do not have the proper computer desk furniture, you could be running the risk of work-related health issues.
All computer desks must all be set up in a way that is comfortable for each individual employee.They must be correctly calibrated for height, habits, build and even posture.Employees must be able to sit safely at their desks for several hours a day, so it is crucial that every aspect of the computer desk is designed to professional standards.
It's also important to take the time to think about the computer desks in your office and the features that are important to you and your employees.The decision to go with inexpensive, uncomfortable desks could be the decision that leads to poor productivity and increased employee turnover.Yet on the other hand, providing every employee with a great desk might just put your business in the red.Finding a good balance is the key.
Computer desks are available in many styles and finishes, and contain several different features that allow for maximum customization.The style of a computer desk is what sets it apart from the rest.Choosing a desk that fits into your office design and complements the rest of your office furniture is important.What is the perceived style of your office?Is it time-honored tradition?High status and achievement?Or maybe something futuristic and modern?And does every computer desk in your workplace have to be the same style and size?You might be better off using different desks in different sections of the office to save money.Be sure to take all options into consideration before you spend too much.
You can even personalize computer desks by choosing your base or leg style and a top material and finish.Choosing the right computer desks for your workplace is important.It's best to choose desks that are designed for comfort and manufactured for years of durable service.Also keep in mind that your computer desks should fit your organization, office environment, budget and staff preferences for every work application.
About the Author
Brian McBride is Director of Business Development of @ the Office, an office furniture dealer that has been selling and installing office furniture in Arizona since 1987.
Contact us for computer desks and services including design, remodeling and installation services - visit our website.
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Saturday, August 16, 2008
If You Need to Get Something Done on Time, Ask a Busy Person to Help You
How do highly productive people do it They pay attention to the following principles of working with good discipline:
1. Structure work to make good use of the time available. That means if some of the required tasks take longer than others, they start those lengthy activities first. In addition, they schedule all tasks to be accomplished over the ideal length of time and completed in optimal order.
2. They only take on assignments for which they have enough time and resources to achieve good results and still meet the final deadline. Following this discipline usually means planning a project in some detail before agreeing to work on it.
3. They delegate whatever can be done acceptably by someone else so that the organization accomplishes more than it otherwise would. This means being aware of what other people in the organization are capable of doing and what they are working on.
4. They assign subtasks to outside specialists and organizations when such resources can add important value to the project results. This requires understanding the quality of work that can be done internally and externally within the necessary schedule.
5. They know which disciplines can add important benefits to an assignment. To choose the right disciplines requires a lot of continuing learning, experience with a variety of tasks, and an interest in making on-going improvements.
6. They keep asking if anything thats been started is no longer needed. They drop activities that are unimportant or which have proven to be inappropriate.
With so much to do before becoming highly effective, how do such busy people cram in all the efforts required to become so highly productive Its easy: They combine a never-ending thirst to learn with efficient resources for gathering new knowledge and insights while continually polishing and building on what they already know.
Dr. Oliver Hackl, a Doctor of Business Administration DBA graduate of Rushmore University, is a perfect example of this kind of superior orientation and ability. Lets look at his background and work history to help you see how he applied the six keys to success in becoming a world-class entrepreneur in his thirties who is equally comfortable doing business in Europe or New Zealand.
A native German, Dr. Hackls life took on a new seriousness at age nine when his father died. That untimely loss taught Dr. Hackl an important lesson: Live every day as though it might be your last. He acted on that insight by learning as much as he could and never leaving until tomorrow what could be done today.
Two years later his mother married a New Zealander. Dr. Hackl moved with her to the opposite side of the globe and began learning English from scratch. He enjoyed New Zealand and did well in school despite an initial language barrier.
Five years later his mother returned to Germany, and Dr. Hackl made another difficult adjustment. But he vowed to return to his newly beloved New Zealand.
After finishing secondary school in Germany, Dr. Hackl faced compulsory military training in the German Army. For financial reasons, he chose to spend 24 months in the military rather than the required 18 months. This decision meant learning a lot more, but Dr. Hackl likes to learn and was not concerned. He received valuable education in personnel administration and training and eventually served as a non-commissioned officer in roles where he was allowed a lot of latitude.
After the two-year army stint, he studied mechanical engineering while also spending some time learning about business administration, a field he enjoyed. Dr. Hackl next enlisted through a 14-year contract to become an officer in the German Air Force. Four rigorous years of study helped him complete officers training and earn a degree Diplom-Betriebswirt FH thats the German equivalent of an MBA from the University of the German Armed Forces, majoring in information and communication technology and business organization.
Having been fascinated by computers since he was 14, Dr. Hackl also took every possible course and accepted every voluntary assignment he could to develop his knowledge of computer languages and how to apply computer technology. In addition, he took special training in how to lead a platoon of 100 men. Still wishing to learn more, Dr. Hackl took additional courses in English and IT while in the Air Force.
Loving the military, he was disappointed when a broken ankle ended his Air Force career. However, this unexpected change opened up new opportunities to learn through more studying and applying what he had already studied.
While Dr. Hackl was in the Air Force, his mother and older brother started a major company trading wooden components for the timber and furniture industries. Dr. Hackl joined them after the accident, starting in a sales role for the company. Within three years at the company, he had worked in many different functions and roles, becoming quite expert in the furniture industry.
When he was 34, Dr. Hackl was pleased to realize that he had achieved a high level of knowledge in many business management disciplines. He decided it was time to become his own boss to test how well his management lessons had been learned. He purchased a wooden parts production company out of a bankruptcy proceeding in Austria and soon directed the company into healthy profitability.
While many people would have been happy to settle back and enjoy the business success, Dr. Hackl decided to earn a DBA degree and hoped to gain skill in delegating daily tasks to his colleagues while learning more about advanced management practices for international businesses. Already working a 75-hour week, he knew that a studying to earn a DBA degree would challenge him to accomplish more as a leader in less time. During his DBA studies, Dr. Hackl often turned to himself as that busy person who can get everything done on time.
Through fitting DBA studies into spare moments during his long and hectic work week, Dr. Hackl improved his already impressive time management skills. The company continued to prosper. Graduation brought new opportunities: After earning his doctorate, Dr. Hackl found that business people treated him with more respect and it was easier to work with others to accomplish important tasks.
When a fire destroyed the companys production facilities in 2008, Dr. Hackl was able to turn that potentially negative event into an advantage. He quickly re-started the companys production while more than doubling capacity to permit increased sales while lowering costs. As a next step, he will add a power plant fueled by wood chips and shavings. When those operations are running smoothly, his production manager will take over the company. At that point, Dr. Hackl intends to accomplish his long-held dream by relocating to his beloved New Zealand, starting another company there, and enjoying the home, boat, and lifestyle of his dreams.
When asked what might be next on the horizon, Dr. Hackl responded that he might start on a Ph.D. With his unquenchable thirst for knowledge and accomplishment, I wonder if one Ph.D. will be enough to keep him stimulated for a lifetime.
As you can see, a lot of preparation went into Dr. Hackls quick climb to business success after leaving the German Air Force. After having gained the right knowledge and discipline, he quickly surpassed what most people accomplish in a lifetime.
How can you apply these six success keys to become your most effective employee, the one who always gets key tasks done on time
What do you need to learn
What are you waiting for
About the Author
Donald W. Mitchell is a professor at Rushmore University, an online school. For more information about
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