Archive for the 'Social Issues' Category

Volunteering Your Time

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

I expect you know that giving your time as a volunteer lets you strengthen the bonds of your community and at the same go assist people in need. But organizing this is not actually as straightforward as one would think, and before you know it you don’t have as long left to actually do some good. And don’t you agree that if you had your colleagues working alongside you, you’d all enjoy yourselves more while volunteering?

In reaction, a number of companies are making themselves into organizing points helping their employees to support the community. A leader in this field is Adaptive Marketing LLC of Connecticut who also offer financial benefits programs such as Shopping Essentials Plus to consumers.

Such initiatives were always rare activities — but nowadays that can be seen as just the beginning. Looking at a specific company, Adaptive Marketing has offered employees a chance to help with anything from shoe recycling campaigns to tree-planting events. Applying the principles of central organization individual initiatives grew into events, with specific locations, times and dates published early to help volunteers with their time management.

Making sure volunteers have a say in what programs are available is essential. Staffers from Adaptive Marketing, the company who developed the program Shopping Essentials Plus, choose from among a great many local programs. Once you start looking for possible projects you see so many, after all; getting involved in the education and entertainment of children and young adults, lending a hand to environmental programs, or supporting local artists among others. Adaptive Marketing’s employees will be certain to have something they enjoy to volunteer for, making their time enjoyable as well as useful. When companies encourage their staff help at schools, it is commonly for an individual event or a regular undertaking. There are people who claim they haven’t the time, but even they may be able to squeeze in a Saturday morning park clean-up.

It’s common practice for firms to assist the people of their hometown. Goodwill is generated by the projects undertaken by Adaptive Marketing’s staff, and the staff of companies like it, over the course of company-sponsored projects like the ones touched on in this article. One thing volunteer work is guaranteed to do is leave your staff feeling good about themselves, the end result of which is a motivated corporate culture. It’s our hope that by now the positives of a company supported volunteer program for everyone involved are ought to be quite clear for everyone.

Stephen A. Schwarzman – the Biography of Blackstone Group’s Co-Founder

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Stephen A. Schwarzman’s story is one of generosity and a willingness to put in the hours. Recently Stephen A. Schwarzman placed number fifty three on the list of America’s most wealthy individuals, still it’s his patronage of the liberal arts and education and his outstanding achivements that show him to be such a intriguing man. This Blackstone Group co-founder is an inspiration and further proof that success in life can be gained through working hard and being truly centered your goals. Steve Schwarzman and Peter Peterson launched the private equity and financial advisory company Blackstone Group in the eighties. The business has since grown from strength to strength and today is massive in M & A. Living for many of his adolescent years in Pennsylvania, Steve attended school in suburban Philadelphia. He graduated from Abington Senior High School; next he obtained his degree from Yale University in 1969. He set about taking an Master’s degree in Business Administration at the esteemed Harvard Business school near Boston, Massachusetts. After Yale he became part of the team at Lehman Brothers investment bank. Stephen was assigned the job title of managing director at the age of 31. Stephen A. Schwarzman offered his time as an adjunct professor at the exalted Yale School of Business Management and also donates to a number of charities, education, and the arts. Beyond this, he is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the JFK Center for the Performing Arts. Additionally, he announced in Spring of 2008 that he was gifting $100 million to the New York Public Library to help finance their expansion. He also serves them as a trustee. Steve Schwarzman is setting the standard for successful would-be moguls – As one of Times Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People on earth, Steve is nowadays widely followed by the media and influencing people’s lives all over the world. His mastery of the business world has been nothing short of spectacular, and his willingness to give back to his own community through his ample gifts to the arts and education galvanizes people who are inspired by him.

With his knowledge and his generous spirit, it would seem that there isn’t anything he can’t achieve. On the whole, Steve is a person who has taken every last business opportunity that came his way, but in return he has also made excellent use of his status to try to cultivate his community.

Steve Schwarzman – a Role Model for a New Generation

Monday, October 12th, 2009

If you haven’t come across Stephen A. Schwarzman, take a little time and read this. A year ago Stephen A. Schwarzman ranked 53 on Forbes’ list of America’s richest people, nevertheless it’s his incredible rise to power in the finance world and also his generosity to non-profit organizations which set this tale apart. His biography has been inspirational to a lot of individuals worldwide and in addition it serves as a reminder that everyone can become successful through only a bit of hard work.

Steve Schwarzman and his partner Peter Peterson established the private equity and financial advisory company Blackstone Group in the mid-eighties. As you will probably know, the Blackstone Group is today among the foremost M&A firms in America.

Steve grew up in surburban Philadelphia. After graduating from high school he decided to study further at the prestigious Yale University in Connecticut and obtained his degree in 1969. He went on to advance his business education at the notable Harvard Business School, graduating in 1972. After Yale he became part of the investment team at Lehman Brothers. By the unusually young age of thirty-one, he had already been appointed a managing director.

Steve Schwarzman offered his time as an ancillary professor at the widely esteemed Yale School of Management in addition to supporting many charities, educational programs, and the liberal arts. To name another example of his engagement, he is Chairman to the Board of Trustees of the JFK Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, Steve recently gifted to the New York Public Library a hundred million dollars to support their recent construction plans. Steve also serves on the board of trustees. You won’t be surprised to learn, the elite of America look to Steve as a role model – As one of Times Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People on the planet, Steve is nowadays in the center of media attention and shaping lives globally. His supremacy in the business world has been spectacular, not to mention the fact that his support of music and the arts has undoubtedly been an inspiration to those around him. As far as the financial world goes, Stephen A. Schwarzman can do no wrong. On the whole, Stephen A. Schwarzman has, in retrospect, been an important influence on the business and financial communities and to the world as a whole.

About the Renowned CEO Naveen Jain: Skillful Humanitarianism at Its Finest

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

You will very likely have seen mention of Mr. Naveen Jain as the CEO and co-founder of Intelius, Inc. the market leader in background checks and public records services. As well as having made the Forbes 400 Richest in America list in 2000, this maverick businessman has received a variety of reputable awards, foremost the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Albert Einstein Technology Medal, and the WSA Industry Achievement Award. But that is positively not where it ends. That’s because Naveen Jain and his kin are equally as zealous about their beneficent works and will attempt to help people in need whenever the opportunity arises.

All our anticipations for humanity’s future are held in today’s young generation. Naveen Jain also views children as being at the very focus point of his endeavors and he makes the best of every opportunity he encounters to help them. This, obviously, is the chief reason why he is assiduously using every possibility available to him to offer assistance wherever even remotely possible. Therefore, Naveen Jain, his family and the staff at Intelius, Inc. have decided to actually walk the talk: they give their their time to charities such as TreeHouse, the Overlake Service League, and the University of Washington. Naturally, they will give ample financial assistance, but even more importantly they devote their time and care to those children who require it the most. Further, Mr. Jain helps by sponsoring the Children’s Hospital in an attempt to restore children’s health as well.

Seeing that Naveen Jain is a former student of XLRI Jamshedpur and the Indian Institute of Technology, it is no surprise that professional training holds an exceedingly high precedence within his benevolent operations. This embraces deserving causes and aid organizations that are local, state, and nationwide. In doing this, Intelius and its CEO are assisting support agencies and charities, for example Child Rights and You (CRY), the Rotary Club and the University Preparatory Academy. Feeding the planet’s hungry is yet another serious responsibility to Jain and his relations and to him, it makes not one iota of difference. Although Naveen Jain is aware that the task of finding sustenance for all the planet’s starving is a colossal one, he also knows that the unachievable can actually turn out to be feasible when each and every one of us labors in concert. If this CEO actually gets his way, there will be a certain end to poverty and famine everywhere at some point. One might reason that being the headman of a wildly successful business and a dedicated husband and parent to boot would leave him little free time for benevolent activities. However, he sees to it that all of his altruistic endeavors obtains as much assistance as he can realistically ramp up. This altruistic man is certainly way more than a mere though most successful leader of commerce. He is actually a intensely humane citizen and a true community advocate.

Which Networking Events Should You Attend?

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008

How does one determine which are the best
events to attend based on one’s best customer?

Customers are not a dime a dozen, especially in today’s economy. So it is best to follow the rules mentioned before on how to define your best customer before attending an event. The customer definition will lead you to choosing events where they will attend. Customers have their preferences for events just as you do. They are also looking for ways to meet others. If you find out where they go, then you should also make a point of attending. I have often attended events that I would not normally attend, just to get close to a potential customer, and of course a potential sale. And it may be someone completely unexpected that is met at such an event. If your best customer profile attends this event, you can bet that others just like them will also be in attendance. In the long run, your opportunity to capitalize on the event will be enhanced by being very discerning about who will be there. It is akin to choosing the parties you attend.

No need to do this with an attitude, but you need to be aware of where you are going and why. Not all events will fill the bill. For example, if you were selling high end networking systems, you would not likely attend a Chamber event for small business. Not that the Chamber does not have anything to offer, it is just that your best customer is not likely to attend such an event, but people that attend Chamber events may be connected to your best customer. On the other hand, you will likely want to attend a business symposium directed at the larger size corporation. They are more likely to attend events that have other like minded companies as part of the participant list.

Now that you have defined what kind of events you wish to attend, it is time to look at your calendar and make the decisions. You need to make sure that when you attend an event you will be able to follow up your leads before you make arrangements to attend another event. Nothing is worse than getting a calendar full of meetings and no time to do actual sit down discussions and follow-ups with potential clients.

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. - EzineArticles Expert Author

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite, She decided to find the best ways to get people’s attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the “Networking Queen”. Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in June 2005. For more information visit BlueprintBooks.com

Networking: Breaking into the Buzz

Saturday, August 30th, 2008

Breaking into conversational groups is one of the things people ask me about when I’m conducting networking sessions. There’s a buzz that hovers over a crowded room that comes from all those people conversing. You need to break into that buzz to be a great networker.

Let’s face it, looking at a room full of people you don’t know can be intimidating. At
first glance, it appears everyone knows everyone else except you! The first thing
you need to remember is that this is not true. The only difference between you and
all those others is that they have been in the room five minutes longer than you
have. They have had an opportunity to begin a conversation with at least one
person, so they appear at ease. All you have to do is find one person to speak with,
and you will be just as at home.

Ah, but that’s the problem. How do you break into the buzz? Here are a couple of
ideas.

First, find the refreshment table or the bar, depending on the time of day the event
is being held. Now you are going to make your way over there, but don’t make a
mad dash with your eye firmly locked on the coffee pot. Instead, walk over in a
leisurely way, looking over the people as you go. You may notice someone you
know, or someone you have been wanting to meet. If you note where they are
standing, you can move in that direction once you have your coffee.

A common mistake of neophyte networkers is to concentrate on picking up food
and drink, ignoring the other networkers in the line. Don’t do that, as they
represent your first opportunity to make a connection. You can make casual
conversation about the food, or even just introduce yourself. In either case, by the
time you both reach the end of the line you will have someone to converse with as
you move off into the room.

When you find yourself alone in a crowded room, practise the art of “hovering”.
Move towards a small group of people who are having a conversation, but rather
than push right into the group, “hover” a yard or so outside the circle. Someone will
invariably notice you and invite you in. If someone happens to be speaking at the
time, say something like, “Don’t let me interrupt your story it’s interesting.”
When they finish, that’s the time to introduce yourself to the rest of the group.

If you use these ideas, you’ll find it’s not so hard to become part of that happy,
noisy crowd.

EzineArticles Expert Author Helen Wilkie

Helen Wilkie is a professional keynote speaker, workshop leader and author
specializing in applied communication, including networking. Her popular “Sowing
and Growing Your Network” is a lively, fun session with many more tips, techniques
and exercises for active networking, both at the event and after. If you’d like to
bring that talk to your conference, give her a call at 416-966-5023. If you’d just like
more networking tips for yourself, including Helen’s foolproof method for entering
the room with confidence, check out http://www.mhwcom.com/pages/
valuefromnetworking.html While you’re on the site, sign
up for “Communi-keys”, Helen’s free monthly e-zine full of useful communication
tips and techniques.

How NOT to be a Networking Numskull

Saturday, August 16th, 2008

What is networking? Are you going to meet a strange group of people, often in a strange place, to somehow get something you think will be of benefit. If you fit this definition in any way you are a Networking Numskull. So what about these people who go to ‘networking’ meetings.

If they go, they introduce themselves and hand out their business cards and collect cards from others. Most of these cards are soon lost or tossed, by both parties!

Everyone knows they should network, but have you? Between making your goals for the company, family and other important things in your life there just doesn’t seem to be any time left for networking. I hear this statement from people every day.

Would you make networking a hire priority if it meant an additional $700,000 in income?

It has been shown that by not maintaining and building your network you will be leaving a significant amount of money on the table. More than 80% of all jobs come from networking.

Statistics show that the average person will have twelve or more jobs in their career with an average three year tenure in each. In addition, establishing a network when you are in transition typically takes at least 4-6 months. If you make an average of $100,000 a year and have to re-build your network for each new opportunity, you will be walking away from 48-72 months of income. That adds up to as much as $700,000 of lost income, not including the potential investment income that could have been yielded.

Instead, let’s build a Career Networking Strategy to maximize the benefits for all.

Phase 1: the Introduction or Contact

What most people do not understand is that this is NOT networking, these are introductions or contacts. They are no more valuable than that person you met for the first time at the company Christmas party.

Phase 2: Get to Know the other person

So, what to do? Take the first, real networking step and start contacting those people who gave you their business cards. You know, the ones you don’t remember! Set up a coffee or lunch meeting and start to “get to know” one another, the first step in networking.

Once you get to know this person you can make a judgment if you should get to know them better. If you decide it would be mutually beneficial to go forward, then start building a relationship. Relationships are what make networking a valuable and rewarding process. We do business with those we have relationships with!

Phase 3: I know the other person

This is when someone asks you about another person and you can say “Yes, I know him/her.” And, you can tell a little about their background and expertise. But, you wouldn’t put your reputation on the line for this person.

Phase 4: I recommend this person highly

This is when you can honestly recommend this person to another and put your reputation on the line. This is when you are selling this person to another because you have taken the time to really know them, and they you. Now you are both comfortable in providing the most powerful referral, a personal one.

The more people you get to Phases 2 – 4 then the more powerful your network will become!

And don’t forget a couple of other simple rules when networking. First, always ask how you might be able to help the other person. If you give, then you will receive. And, surprise, it is not as hard or time consuming as you may think.

Second, create interest in yourself when you first meet someone. How? Start by having a very short statement or ‘hook’ phrase that creates interest for the listener. You know, the answer to the question ‘what do you do’? Why? You only have 10-15 seconds to capture their interest.

For example, a Vice President of Engineering could just say “I am a Vice President of Engineering”. This is possibly impressive to some but amongst a group of executives, ho-hum, not at all interesting. But a friend of mine who is VP Engineering says, “I am a de-engineering expert”. Instantly he gets the question “what is that”? Now a conversation ensues and the other party will more likely remember this person over most they have met.

Since most people can not come up with a ‘hook’ phrase, try creating a ‘value’ phrase. Determine what it is you really do, what value you bring to a given situation or problem.

Instead of that standard ‘title’ statement, use a statement about the value you bring to an organization or group. For example, “I establish engineering processes that are more efficient, easier to implement, and bring more profit to an organization”.

Isn’t that better? Someone said, “It is not who you know, but who remembers YOU”.

What is an “elevator” speech? I used to think it was something you said while riding an elevator. It is really an expanded ‘value statement’!

Even if you think you never need or want to meet an engineering executive, you would still remember this person over most you meet.

If you want to establish business alliances and personal alliances…,

Get past introductions and start building relationships. You don’t have a network until you have relationships. Shaking hands at an event does not mean you have built a network. Take time to build relationships that will add meaning to both your personal and professional life. Do not wait until it’s too late or you could be walking away from well deserved income.

Ask how you can help the other person, and, don’t forget to make an impression that others will remember!

Stephen A. Burgess is founder and CEO of Corporate Toolbelt, a premier business strategy, business planning, leadership and advisory firm. He has served as a ‘C’ level executive, is a noted speaker, and has his MBA. He currently serves on several Boards of Directors. Steve is also a partner in the Power of 8 and the co-founder and Managing Partner of Speakers Alive!, a southern California speaker’s bureau.

He is the Co-Author of the #1 Best Selling book, Purpose, Passion, Abundance, On an Enlightened Path and Business Successes. He is also author of the forthcoming book, Legacies of Leadership, as well as numerous published articles. Steve’s advice is highly sought after by entrepreneurs, business owners and companies of all sizes. He works together with clients to uncover the power to maximize their growth and profits!

Discover more at http://www.thebusinessprophet.com

Lesson One – Did You Know

Thursday, August 14th, 2008

Did you know thousands of people around you are making lots of money using the power of Internet?

Did you know you could start your own online business and make a living out of it? Did you know you could be your own boss and make your own decisions?

What do you want from life? Are you tired of struggling to make two ends meet? May be you are fed up with commuting to work and living under a time clock. If you like independence, can make simple decisions easily and are prepared to devote your energy and time to your project, you will succeed! There are lots of business opportunities available on the Internet; you just need to choose the right one and GIVE IT A TRY.

As I have already mentioned, thousands of people around you are making lots of money using the power of Internet. You can be one of them too. It just needs a little bit of effort and investment of both time and money.

Now the question arises, where do I get started?

Well, the answer to this question is quite simple.

In the beginning when Internet started developing its roots, lots of people started their research about how to make money from it and Ecommerce came into being. These people tried various ways and means to make money. Only a few succeeded. But these few are now counted among the most successful people and are millionaires. If you would have to do this kind of research and use trial and error methods, it would take you years to build your own business. But you can fast track your journey to success.

As of today, things are much different. We can easily find out how these people became successful by reading their success stories. We can find out how they reached their goals and made millions just by using a computer and an internet connection. We can also get to know which steps could lead you a profitable business and which ones could put you in debt!

Yes, there’s the point! You can follow their steps and build your own business. Just use the method of duplication, and you can succeed too.

Copyright © Jagruti Bhimjiani
http://www.GrowRich-Online.com

About the Author:
To find the best home based business ideas and
opportunities so you can work at home visit:
http://www.GrowRich-Online.com

Check out Jagruti Bhimjiani’s Blog

Forums: Jump Start Your Forum Website

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008

1. Create Fake Users


This effective, yet unscrupulous, strategy has been used by many webmasters to get their forum off the ground. The idea is to create fake users and post for them everyday while you are actively promoting your forum. When other visitors see that there is an active conversation going on, then they will become interested and wish to take part in the activity.

2. Keep The Forum Current


Nothing turns off visitors more than an empty forum. The first thing they will check is to see how many posts are on in the forum. Then they will check to see when the last post is. If you want to encourage new members to sign up and participate, then try your best to keep the forum updated by posting at least one new message everyday. Even if the post is by the Forum owner, it is encouraging to new visitors to know that someone is living there and the place hasn’t been abandoned.

3. Call Upon Your Friends


Let all of your friends know that you just started the forum. Most of the time, this is a short-lived solution, as your friends will quickly sign up, then eventually their enthusiasm over your forum will dwindle. Depending on the excitement of your friends over the forum and how much time they have on their hands, they can help to add hundreds of new posts.

4. Start A Scandalous Debate


The idea behind this technique is that if you create a post that is very biased, it is begging the visitor to register an account to express their opposition and get into a heated debate. The post should be one that is very opinionated and slightly annoying to those who would have a different viewpoint on the topic.

Example:

“If President Bush really cared about the economy, then why would he do (enter something annoying here)”.

People who support Bush will register in a heartbeat to post their opposition to the statement, while people who do not support Bush will register to support the statement. One annoying post can spawn a 10-page thread of people debating. This will increase your members and post count in a matter of days.

Authored by: Eric Head
Email: chopcow@gmail.com

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