How To License Your Big Idea

Don Lindemann thinks his makeover for the plastic drink bottle could be a hit at the retail counter. Since late 2004, the Minneapolis-based packaging consultant has spent about $9,000 patenting and prototyping 17 different ways his multi-chamber bottles could hold combination packages, like a granola bar and soda pop, or an aspirin and spring water.

Licensing an idea and convincing someone else to pay to use it is big business. Royalty payments generated $115 billion for U.S. companies in 2002. But before you picture yourself rolling in royalties, take this reality check to the bank.

Click on: How To License Your Big Idea

Small and Medium Business Buyer's Guide to Online Backup and Recovery

Small and Medium Business Buyer's Guide to Online Backup and Recovery

Curious About Home Sales in Your Neighborhood?

Curious About Home Sales in Your Neighborhood?

Whether you are looking to buy or sell, knowing the value of homes in your prospective neighborhood is essential information. Before you take your next step, visit Home Price Check from Chase.

Just enter the street address of a property to learn what other homes in the area have sold for. Register for Home Price Check and you can even receive home sales alerts via e-mail.

Best of all, there's no cost!

Building a Diverse Portfolio

Building a Diverse Portfolio

The "Expanding Investment Opportunities Through Diversity" conference, held yesterday in San Jose, Calif., explored best practices to achieve a broad and diverse universe of money managers, brokers, consultants and investment partners.

Full Story

Leaving Corporate America to Reach Women of Color

Leaving Corporate America to Reach Women of Color

Women who entered the corporate world with an MBA in the early 1980s were considered an oddity, but doing the same as an Afro-Latina was like being "out of this planet," says Miriam Muléy.

Full Story

Quiz: Test Your Small Biz Temperament

Quiz: Test Your Small Biz Temperament

Here's a simple quiz to figure out if you're the type to start your own company -- or if you shouldn't quit your day job.

more

Quiz: Test Your Small Biz Temperament

Here's a simple quiz to figure out if you're the type to start your own company -- or if you shouldn't quit your day job.

more

Tips on Getting Started in Your New Business

Tips on Getting Started in Your New Business

A collection of advice and how-to's.

more

Building Good Web Buzz

Building Good Web Buzz

New online businesses find blogging and partnering with other sites effective ways to generate traffic.

more

Ties That Bind -- and Build a Business

Ties That Bind -- and Build a Business

A web of wired-in contacts can help a fledgling company take flight. Here are some tips on making the connection.

more

Vetting Your Idea

Vetting Your Idea

Seth Godin on how to tell whether your ingenious thought could make a viable product -- and how to impress investors if it does.

more

When to Say, "You're Hired!"

When to Say, "You're Hired!"

Business owners, human-resource specialists, and lawyers offer 12 guidelines on making your first hire

more

Business Plan Or Bust

Business Plan Or Bust
Mary Helen Gillespie

Without a written document outlining your organization�s mission, goals, finances, marketing, hiring, customer recruitment and retention rates, expenses, competition, and resources that you can track over the next three years of the business, you are toast, says columnist Mary Helen Gillespie.

If you don't have a formal business plan, write one right now. Read Gillespie's tips before it's too late. Click on: Business Plan Or Bust

Fight Your Fear of New Technology

Fight Your Fear of New Technology

The super-speedy pace of technology means there's always something faster and more enterprise-ready just around the corner. For many small businesses, it also means more worry about whether their equipment will be expensive junk before the year is out.

Here�s how to overcome your fear of new technology. Read: Fight Your Fear of New Technology
http://newsletter.smallbizresource.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/nvlM0ITmhF0NqJ0ERLz0E7

Small-Office Staff Conflicts Require Steady, Swift Action

Small-Office Staff Conflicts Require Steady, Swift Action

Companies of every size strive to maintain a workforce that's happy and conflict free, but small businesses in particular seem to be prone to interpersonal flare-ups and strife.

"In a small company, interrelationships are more critical than in a larger enterprise," says Pamela Lenehan of Ridge Hill Consulting. "People work more closely together, and often for longer hours. Conflicts are inevitable."

Find out you can control and resolve clashes between your employees, if and when they flare up. Read: Small-Office Staff Conflicts Require Steady, Swift Action
http://newsletter.smallbizresource.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/nvlM0ITmhF0NqJ0ERLy0E6

Data Mining and the Tax Man

Data Mining and the Tax Man

In this InfraSpectrum, Peter Coffee looks at data mining--now
widely used to target tax audits--with an eye toward the
enterprise applications of these techniques, in a conversation
with public sector technical director Bill Haffey of SPSS.

http://ct.enews.eweek.com/rd/cts?d=186-3509-17-83-16222-413265-0-0-0-1

How to deal with a Lay-Off

How to deal with a Lay-Off

Laid off? Here's the fastest way to find a new job.

Over 1.5 million employers & recruiters search various career sites daily for job candidates. Why not let Resume Rabbit instantly post your resume on up to 75 job boards? Within minutes you'll be seen on Monster, Job.com, CareerBuilder, Net-Temps, Dice & more! Resume Rabbit's simple online form will save you over 60 hours of research and data entry!

You've got to get an interview to get a job. To do that you've got to put your resume in all the right places at all the right times. Now you can. Get a job fast with the oldest and largest service offering one-stop resume posting. To distribute your resume now, go to Resume Rabbit.

http://www.bizanalyst.net/Post-My-Resume.html

Flash Drives: Data On The Go

Flash Drives: Data On The Go

Need to carry data from one physical location to another? Keychain Flash drives are the way to go.

http://www.smallbizresource.com/tech-how-to/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=185301329

Tap Into Your Customers� Common Interests

Tap Into Your Customers� Common Interests

Community-oriented marketing generates visibility, loyalty, and valuable info on your customers
http://www.smallbizresource.com/sales-service/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=184428467

David Frey, president of Texas-based Marketing Best Practices, says small businesses can use community-oriented marketing as a powerful tool to find out their customers� interests and learn why people do business with them. Small businesses can then use their imagination to take advantage of that knowledge.

�We all have a desire to belong to a group of people that have common interests,� Frey says. �When a company taps into that inner desire and creates a community that someone can belong to, the people who belong to that community will naturally be appreciative and loyal to the company.�

�People won�t care about you until you show that you care about them,� he says. �Community marketing does just that.�

http://www.smallbizresource.com/sales-service/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=184428467

Creating A Growth Environment

Creating A Growth Environment

I received an orchid plant recently and noticed if I put it in a sunny spot and didn�t water it too much, it would bloom and grow month after month. That got me thinking: what are the factors that create the best environment to keep growing my business?

Plants need water and light; brains need food and rest; what do companies need? Read Paige Arnof-Fenn's advice on growing your business. Click on: Creating A Growth Environment
http://newsletter.smallbizresource.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/nvlN0ITmhF0NqJ0EQMP0ER

Scanning For A Winner

Scanning For A Winner

Color, form, and function � those aren�t just the criteria for buying a couch or a jacket. Those same characteristics play a role in how to choose a document or photo scanner.

With more and more small companies and home offices using scanners these days, here's how to pick the right one for your needs. Click on: Scanning For A Winner
http://newsletter.smallbizresource.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/nvlN0ITmhF0NqJ0ERL20Ev

Delegating Takes Trust, Gives Freedom

Delegating Takes Trust, Gives Freedom

It�s logical to think, what could be better than giving away work and lightening my load. In fact, for many people, delegating doesn�t come as naturally as we might expect. It challenges our ability to trust and it takes a bit of courage, too.

Find out how to take the fear out of delegating responsibility, and what you can gain from sharing the burden of running your company, from HR Coach Linda J. Lerner.

Read: Delegating Takes Trust, Gives Freedom
http://newsletter.smallbizresource.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/nvlN0ITmhF0NqJ0ERL10Eu

Home Is Where the Tax Is

Home Is Where the Tax Is

A question about per diems in home-based business -- when is a job in
another state travel, and when is it relocation? The answer: It depends

http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c.asp?id=609934&c=22f6a904cf512287&l=6

Study: It Behooves IT Staff to Sharpen Business Skills

Study: It Behooves IT Staff to Sharpen Business Skills
Deborah Rothberg

A study released last week by SIM
(the Society for Information Management),
a professional society of IT executives,
identified business capabilities as five
of the top 10 skills that are critical
to keep in-house between now and 2008.

http://ct.eletters.whatsnewnow.com/rd/cts?d=181-644-1-278-144054-33922-0-0-0-1

[No Subject]

Boost the Bottom Line With Anytime/Anywhere Collaboration

The true value of web collaboration lies not only in travel cost &
time savings, but also in its ability to enhance the value of business
processes and positively impact the bottom line.

http://ct.enews.eweek.com/rd/cts?d=186-3541-12-98-99975-416646-0-0-0-1

YOUR IDEA: CASH COW OR PASSING FANCY?

YOUR IDEA: CASH COW OR PASSING FANCY?

Seth Godin on how to tell whether your ingenious thought could
make a viable product -- and how to impress investors if it does

http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c.asp?id=610142&c=22f6a904cf512287&l=23

BEST FOOT FORWARD FROM THE START

BEST FOOT FORWARD FROM THE START

Entrepreneurs often dismiss marketing as an uncessary luxury for
their start ups. They couldn't be more wrong

http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c.asp?id=610142&c=22f6a904cf512287&l=20

CAN STARBUCKS BLEND INTO FRANCE?

CAN STARBUCKS BLEND INTO FRANCE?

The coffee chain is staging a French invasion, and it's looking to
triumph in the ultimate cafe nation

http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c.asp?id=610142&c=22f6a904cf512287&l=15

THE ART OF MOTIVATION

THE ART OF MOTIVATION

What you can learn from a company that treats workers like
owners. Inside the surprising performance culture of steelmaker
Nucor

http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c.asp?id=610142&c=22f6a904cf512287&l=4

The Foundation of a Superior Investment

The Foundation of a Superior Investment

Any stock investment should be analyzed on three important dimensions.

http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=2009998&u=108048219

Start Investing Successfully Today

Start Investing Successfully Today

http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=2009988&u=108048219

3 Sell Signs

3 Sell Signs

http://www.fool.com/m.asp?i=2009987&u=108048219

The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity List

The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity List

DiversityInc released The 2006 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list earlier this week. In its sixth year, the list is the most objective, empirical arbitrator of national standards for diversity-management success. So who made the list? And where does your company rank? And don't forget this Monday morning, DiversityInc will reveal The Top 10 Companies for Recruitment & Retention.
http://news1.diversityinc.com/t/1888897/1393131/9183/0/

Diversity Inc Webinar Series
http://news1.diversityinc.com/t/1888897/1393131/8551/0/

Creating A Growth Environment

Creating A Growth Environment

I received an orchid plant recently and noticed if I put it in a sunny spot and didn’t water it too much, it would bloom and grow month after month. That got me thinking: what are the factors that create the best environment to keep growing my business?

Plants need water and light; brains need food and rest; what do companies need? Read Paige Arnof-Fenn's advice on growing your business. Click on: Creating A Growth Environment

Tap Into Your Customers’ Common Interests (Community Marketing)

Tap Into Your Customers’ Common Interests

Community-oriented marketing generates visibility, loyalty, and valuable info on your customers.

David Frey, president of Texas-based Marketing Best Practices, says small businesses can use community-oriented marketing as a powerful tool to find out their customers’ interests and learn why people do business with them. Small businesses can then use their imagination to take advantage of that knowledge.

“We all have a desire to belong to a group of people that have common interests,” Frey says.

“When a company taps into that inner desire and creates a community that someone can belong to, the people who belong to that community will naturally be appreciative and loyal to the company.”

“People won’t care about you until you show that you care about them,” he says. “Community marketing does just that.”

Learn more about community marketing.

Tap Into Your Customers’ Common Interests (Community Marketing)

Tap Into Your Customers’ Common Interests

Community-oriented marketing generates visibility, loyalty, and valuable info on your customers.

David Frey, president of Texas-based Marketing Best Practices, says small businesses can use community-oriented marketing as a powerful tool to find out their customers’ interests and learn why people do business with them. Small businesses can then use their imagination to take advantage of that knowledge.

“We all have a desire to belong to a group of people that have common interests,” Frey says.

“When a company taps into that inner desire and creates a community that someone can belong to, the people who belong to that community will naturally be appreciative and loyal to the company.”

“People won’t care about you until you show that you care about them,” he says. “Community marketing does just that.”

Learn more about community marketing.

Tap Into Your Customers’ Common Interests (Community Marketing)

Tap Into Your Customers’ Common Interests

Community-oriented marketing generates visibility, loyalty, and valuable info on your customers.

David Frey, president of Texas-based Marketing Best Practices, says small businesses can use community-oriented marketing as a powerful tool to find out their customers’ interests and learn why people do business with them. Small businesses can then use their imagination to take advantage of that knowledge.

“We all have a desire to belong to a group of people that have common interests,” Frey says.

“When a company taps into that inner desire and creates a community that someone can belong to, the people who belong to that community will naturally be appreciative and loyal to the company.”

“People won’t care about you until you show that you care about them,” he says. “Community marketing does just that.”

Learn more about community marketing.

Tap Into Your Customers’ Common Interests (Community Marketing)

Tap Into Your Customers’ Common Interests

Community-oriented marketing generates visibility, loyalty, and valuable info on your customers.

David Frey, president of Texas-based Marketing Best Practices, says small businesses can use community-oriented marketing as a powerful tool to find out their customers’ interests and learn why people do business with them. Small businesses can then use their imagination to take advantage of that knowledge.

“We all have a desire to belong to a group of people that have common interests,” Frey says.

“When a company taps into that inner desire and creates a community that someone can belong to, the people who belong to that community will naturally be appreciative and loyal to the company.”

“People won’t care about you until you show that you care about them,” he says. “Community marketing does just that.”

Learn more about community marketing.

Tap Into Your Customers’ Common Interests (Community Marketing)

Tap Into Your Customers’ Common Interests

Community-oriented marketing generates visibility, loyalty, and valuable info on your customers.

David Frey, president of Texas-based Marketing Best Practices, says small businesses can use community-oriented marketing as a powerful tool to find out their customers’ interests and learn why people do business with them. Small businesses can then use their imagination to take advantage of that knowledge.

“We all have a desire to belong to a group of people that have common interests,” Frey says.

“When a company taps into that inner desire and creates a community that someone can belong to, the people who belong to that community will naturally be appreciative and loyal to the company.”

“People won’t care about you until you show that you care about them,” he says. “Community marketing does just that.”

Learn more about community marketing.

Tap Into Your Customers’ Common Interests (Community Marketing)

Tap Into Your Customers’ Common Interests

Community-oriented marketing generates visibility, loyalty, and valuable info on your customers.

David Frey, president of Texas-based Marketing Best Practices, says small businesses can use community-oriented marketing as a powerful tool to find out their customers’ interests and learn why people do business with them. Small businesses can then use their imagination to take advantage of that knowledge.

“We all have a desire to belong to a group of people that have common interests,” Frey says.

“When a company taps into that inner desire and creates a community that someone can belong to, the people who belong to that community will naturally be appreciative and loyal to the company.”

“People won’t care about you until you show that you care about them,” he says. “Community marketing does just that.”

Learn more about community marketing.

How to deal with a Lay-Off

How to deal with a Lay-Off

Laid off? Here's the fastest way to find a new job.

Over 1.5 million employers & recruiters search various career sites daily for job candidates. Why not let Resume Rabbit instantly post your resume on up to 75 job boards? Within minutes you'll be seen on Monster, Job.com, CareerBuilder, Net-Temps, Dice & more! Resume Rabbit's simple online form will save you over 60 hours of research and data entry!

You've got to get an interview to get a job. To do that you've got to put your resume in all the right places at all the right times. Now you can. Get a job fast with the oldest and largest service offering one-stop resume posting. To distribute your resume now, go to Resume Rabbit.

Small-Office Staff Conflicts Require Steady, Swift Action

Small-Office Staff Conflicts Require Steady, Swift Action

Companies of every size strive to maintain a workforce that's happy and conflict free, but small businesses in particular seem to be prone to interpersonal flare-ups and strife.
"In a small company, interrelationships are more critical than in a larger enterprise," says Pamela Lenehan of Ridge Hill Consulting. "People work more closely together, and often for longer hours. Conflicts are inevitable."

Find out you can control and resolve clashes between your employees, if and when they flare up. Read: Small-Office Staff Conflicts Require Steady, Swift Action

Small-Office Staff Conflicts Require Steady, Swift Action

Small-Office Staff Conflicts Require Steady, Swift Action

Companies of every size strive to maintain a workforce that's happy and conflict free, but small businesses in particular seem to be prone to interpersonal flare-ups and strife.
"In a small company, interrelationships are more critical than in a larger enterprise," says Pamela Lenehan of Ridge Hill Consulting. "People work more closely together, and often for longer hours. Conflicts are inevitable."

Find out you can control and resolve clashes between your employees, if and when they flare up. Read: Small-Office Staff Conflicts Require Steady, Swift Action

Small-Office Staff Conflicts Require Steady, Swift Action

Small-Office Staff Conflicts Require Steady, Swift Action

Companies of every size strive to maintain a workforce that's happy and conflict free, but small businesses in particular seem to be prone to interpersonal flare-ups and strife.
"In a small company, interrelationships are more critical than in a larger enterprise," says Pamela Lenehan of Ridge Hill Consulting. "People work more closely together, and often for longer hours. Conflicts are inevitable."

Find out you can control and resolve clashes between your employees, if and when they flare up. Read: Small-Office Staff Conflicts Require Steady, Swift Action

Fight Your Fear of New Technology

Fight Your Fear of New Technology

The super-speedy pace of technology means there's always something faster and more enterprise-ready just around the corner. For many small businesses, it also means more worry about whether their equipment will be expensive junk before the year is out.
Here’s how to overcome your fear of new technology.

Read: Fight Your Fear of New Technology

Business Plan Or Bust

Business Plan Or Bust
Mary Helen Gillespie

Without a written document outlining your organization’s mission, goals, finances, marketing, hiring, customer recruitment and retention rates, expenses, competition, and resources that you can track over the next three years of the business, you are toast, says columnist Mary Helen Gillespie.

If you don't have a formal business plan, write one right now. Read Gillespie's tips before it's too late. Click on: Business Plan Or Bust

Business Plan Or Bust

Business Plan Or Bust
Mary Helen Gillespie

Without a written document outlining your organization’s mission, goals, finances, marketing, hiring, customer recruitment and retention rates, expenses, competition, and resources that you can track over the next three years of the business, you are toast, says columnist Mary Helen Gillespie.

If you don't have a formal business plan, write one right now. Read Gillespie's tips before it's too late. Click on: Business Plan Or Bust

IRS Rule Changes Could Expose Your Tax Info

IRS Rule Changes Could Expose Your Tax Info

The IRS has stirred controversy with a proposal to loosen rules regarding electronic disclosure of private taxpayer information to outside parties.

Full Story

The Right Place, the Right Time

The Right Place, the Right Time

Management
Accenture Outlook Journal / Tim Breene, David Mann and Paul F. Nunes

http://www.mbadepot.com/redir.php?ID=4985&db_table=links

Ten Ways to Increase Customer Loyalty

Ten Ways to Increase Customer Loyalty

Customer-Related

MarketingProfs.com / Jay Bower

Full Report

Motivating the Middle

Motivating the Middle

Human Resources

CFO Magazine / Alix Nyberg Stuart

Full report

The 10 Faces of Innovation

The 10 Faces of Innovation

Innovation

Fast Company / Tom Kelley with Jonathan Littman

Full Story

Tracking fund manager changes tough for investors

Tracking fund manager changes tough for investors

A loophole in SEC regulations may be keeping some mutual-fund investors in the dark about management changes. Funds aren't required to notify shareholders about management changes until the next time the company publishes a prospectus, meaning it can be months before a shareholder learns that a portfolio manager has left.

Full Report

Bush wants tax cuts made permanent

Bush wants tax cuts made permanent

President George W. Bush says his tax cuts have boosted the economy and spurred job growth, although many Democrats argue the opposite is true. Bush is calling on Congress to make his tax cuts permanent.

Full Story

GOP masks tax cuts for the wealthy

GOP masks tax cuts for the wealthy:

Congress is expected to push through another tax cut for the rich under the shroud of a tax benefit for retirement savings accounts, the Washington Post says, asserting the plan will swell long-term debt.

Full Story

Congress, Industry Promote Financial Literacy Month

Congress, Industry Promote Financial Literacy Month

For the fourth year in a row, Congress has designated April as Financial Literacy Month, dedicating it to fostering good personal-finance practices at a time when 75 million Americans "remain credit challenged and unbanked," according to a Senate resolution.

Full Story

Start your financial plan with Tax Pros. Join our Wealth Builder Program today.

American attitudes on taxes

American attitudes on taxes:

The Tax Foundation released new polling data last week showing the current tax rate is at a level 90% of those polled said should be the "absolute maximum" rate, with three-fifths responding that taxes are too high. Washington Times columnist Bruce Bartlett says even the middle class is paying "a lot of taxes," but predicts rates to go up regardless.

Full Story

U.S. Tax system lacks clarity

U.S. Tax system lacks clarity

Washington Post columnist Robert J. Samuelson observes the tax code has become so convoluted that 60% of taxpayers rely on professionals to do their taxes for them. Samuelson notes the confusion is perpetual, since Congress has made 15,000 changes to the tax code in the past 20 years, and concludes the recent round of tax cuts create a boomerang effect, setting the ground for "public cynicism and discontent."

Full Story

[No Subject]

IRS issues "John Doe" summons to PayPal

EBay's PayPal unit received a summons to turn over some customer records to assist the IRS in finding unidentified tax evaders. PayPal is mulling its next move, a company spokeswoman says.

Full Story

Nasdaq snaps up 15% stake in London Stock Exchange

Nasdaq snaps up 15% stake in London Stock Exchange

The Nasdaq Stock Market took a 15% stake in the London Stock Exchange, sparking speculation that Nasdaq will again try to acquire the bourse that rejected a merger offer less than two weeks ago. Nasdaq paid about $780 million for the shares, most of which were sold by Threadneedle Asset Management.

Full Story

Romneys Mission Massachusetts Health Care

Romney's Mission: Massachusetts Health Care

THERE WAS AN ALMOST mischievous glint in John McDonough's eyes when he spoke recently about efforts in Massachusetts and elsewhere to turn the heat up on employers that fail to provide health coverage.

Read article

The savings movement

The savings movement

High-earning young people are bucking the national zero-savings trend and storing money for retirement. Statistics show that in 2004, households headed by individuals under 35 with an income of $129,400 reported an average of over $90,000 in savings, nearly a three-fold uptick from the average a decade earlier.

Full Article

Economists raise 2006 forecast

Economists raise 2006 forecast

A recent survey of economists predicted gross domestic product in 2006 would rise 3.4%, the result of encouraging job numbers and wage growth.

Full Article

SEC pushing paperless agenda

SEC pushing paperless agenda

The SEC is pushing to allow more stockholders to vote electronically and receive proxy statements via computer. Approximately 11 million investors already receive information electronically, but the SEC is encouraging companies to shift to electronic disclosure.

Full Article

Tax plan would benefit investors, few others

Tax plan would benefit investors, few others

President George W. Bush's proposed tax plan unfairly contains a provision that would keep investor taxes at a top rate of 15% on dividends and profits, while assigning a 35% rate to people earning wages and salary, this New York Times editorial says. The plan most benefits those in the upper-earnings echelon, and investor tax breaks would be subsidized by government borrowing, both of which are bad policy, according to the editorial.

Read Article

BrokerHunter.com is the #1 Securities Industry Employment Website.

BrokerHunter.com is the #1 Securities Industry Employment Website.

For 6 years running, BrokerHunter.com has been the #1 recruiting site for the Securities Industry. Find out why over 45,000 job seekers and thousands of firms use BrokerHunter as their "go to" recruiting source!

www.BrokerHunter.com

Savings & Retirement Symposium, May 4 and 5

Savings & Retirement Symposium, May 4 and 5

SIA's Savings & Retirement Symposium in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., is a can't-miss event for financial services professionals focusing on the retirement arena. The 2006 program features sessions for professionals focusing on the retirement product marketplace. Highlights will include presentations from industry experts addressing how to meet the growing demand for retirement income planning advice and products. Sessions on delivering investment advice under new SEC guidelines for IRA and employer plans will also be included. Finally, there will be a special general session that will look at financial literacy from the perspective of state and federal regulators and how the industry is promoting financial literacy.

Register today

Commentary: Still time to help boomers plan for retirement

Commentary: Still time to help boomers plan for retirement

It's not too late for financial advisers to help members of the baby boom generation prepare for retirement, according to this essay. "Don't look for 75 million to 78 million people rushing headlong into retirement over the next few years," the authors say. Boomers are "hoping to cycle between work and leisure for as long as possible."

Full Story

Wal-Mart wants a bank, must face critics at FDIC hearing

Wal-Mart wants a bank, must face critics at FDIC hearing

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. today will ask the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. for permission to open an in-house bank to process checks and credit card payments. The FDIC will hold public hearings on the request, which has generated "an unprecedented flood of comments," according to the Associated Press.

Full Story

Private equity powerhouses to create trade association

Private equity powerhouses to create trade association

A group of private equity investors plans to start a trade association to represent the interests of the industry, according to the Financial Times. The initiative is led by the four largest players in the private equity game -- Blackstone, Carlyle, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Texas Pacific Group

Read article

Romney's Mission: Massachusetts Health Care

Romney's Mission: Massachusetts Health Care

THERE WAS AN ALMOST mischievous glint in John McDonough's eyes when he spoke recently about efforts in Massachusetts and elsewhere to turn the heat up on employers that fail to provide health coverage.

Read article

Surfing the Web -- with no connection

Surfing the Web -- with no connection

Today, Husick and Mathur are introducing Webaroo -- a Bellevue company whose free software allows users of laptops and hand-held computers to take portions of the Web with them wherever they wander.

Read Article

Immigration protests planned across US

Immigration protests planned across US

Immigration reform may be stalled in Washington, but supporters of immigrant rights are moving full speed ahead with protests planned for Monday in dozens of cities expected to draw an estimated 1 million demonstrators across the country.

Read article

Great Information on Pay-Option Loans

Great Information on Pay-Option Loans:

A good tool for investors, multiple home owners, Or home owners who need to maximize cashflow. Use PAy-Option ARM calculator to estimate your monthly payments. It is preferred that you have a financial plan and structured budget when using this mortgage product.
http://mortgage-x.com/library/option_arm.asp

Call Tax Pros for more information and financial planning tools.
866-TAX-7755 or 888-TAX-1211
http://www.taxprosonline.com

Mortgage Lender Directory

Mortgage Lender Directory - Free!

Let us put your company in front of an audience of thousands of potential borrowers searching the Internet everyday.

Learn More
http://mortgage-x.com/service/directory/features.asp

Mortgage Rate Search - FREE Mortgage Directory

Mortgage Rate Search - Mortgage-X.com Free!

Add your company to our Mortgage Lender Directory and you will be automatically enrolled to post rates on our site.

Learn More
http://mortgage-x.com/service/directory/rate_listing.asp

Web Pages for Mortgage Professionals

Web Pages for Mortgage Professionals
$79.00 Per Year

GoGetLoan.com will set you up with a high quality web page for $79.00 per year (with our coupon code for $20.00 off: mortgageX).

Register today
http://www.gogetloan.com

Mortgage-X Forum: Answers to tough mortgage questions

Mortgage-X Forum: Answers to tough mortgage questions.
Free!

Help us answer mortgage related questions from our site visitors. You may include your contact information in your answers.
Register todayhttp://mortgage-x.com/forum

Co-op City Information: River Bay

Co-op City Information: River Bay

RiverBay Corporation, the company that manages Co-Op City, a New York City housing cooperative with 15,372 residential units in 35 high-rise buildings and 7 townhouse clusters.
http://www.riverbaycorp.com/newrb/

Apply for an apartment
http://www.riverbaycorp.com/newrb/application.htm

Floor Plans(Room count includes all rooms, not just bedrooms. Apply for 4 Rm + with balcony)http://www.riverbaycorp.com/newrb/apartments.htm

Mortgage Referral Form

Mortgage Referral Form(WFG Associates in NYC)
http://www.bizanalyst.net/TaxPros-WFG/Mortgage_Referral_Blank.pdf

Customer Support: Making Bangalore Sound Like Boston

Making Bangalore Sound Like Boston

In cyberspace, no one can hear your accent. So overseas call centers are
turning to e-mail and chat to handle frustrated U.S. customers

http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c.asp?id=608269&c=22f6a904cf512287&l=2

Marketing / Advertising: Cheap TV ads that look pricey

Marketing / Advertising: See Spot Run

Cheap TV ads that look pricey

http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c.asp?id=608242&c=22f6a904cf512287&l=2

Great Employees Make a Great Business

Great Employees Make a Great Business

Providing service with a smile never goes out of style. Here's why it's so important to hire the best workers you can find

http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c.asp?id=608242&c=22f6a904cf512287&l=7

Put Yourself on the Payroll

Put Yourself on the Payroll

When your startup begins to make money, you should pay yourself a regular salary -- or the IRS might want a word with you

http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c.asp?id=608242&c=22f6a904cf512287&l=8

Employment Options for Recent Graduates

Employment Options for Recent Graduates

Now that you have your business degree, you are officially ready to enter the workforce. Let your About Guide to Business Majors show you how to get your foot in the door. Learn everything you need to know about internships and other career choices.

http://www.bizanalyst.net/Careers

SEC chairman nixes Sarbanes-Oxley exemption for small businesses

SEC chairman nixes Sarbanes-Oxley exemption for smaller businesses

SEC Chairman Christopher Cox has ruled out an exemption for smaller companies from the Sarbanes-Oxley regulations, despite the recommendations of an SEC advisory panel.

http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dplAjjvHhYjGodKFvg

Business Owner Balancing Act

Business Owner Balancing Act

Face it. Running a business and juggling home duties isn�t easy. Life and work can�t help but collide sometimes. Writer and at-home dad Tom Regan offers insights and friendly advice on how you can make the bank meeting and the soccer match without breaking a sweat.

http://newsletter.smallbizresource.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/nvSI0ITmhF0NqJ0EPCp0EI

Social Security and Medicare in an Impasse Over Trustees

Social Security and Medicare in an Impasse Over Trustees
By ROBERT PEAR

A dispute between the Senate and White House over whether the programs' trustees can serve multiple terms has delayed annual reports on their financial condition

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/04/washington/04benefit.html?th&emc=th

Americans naive about retirement money

Americans naive about retirement money, study says

Americans are confident -- perhaps dangerously so -- that they will have enough money for retirement, according to a study by Employee Benefit Research Institute. Although the study found slightly more people are saving for retirement, about 50% of respondents thought they could live on 70% or less of their working income; financial experts recommend preparing to live on at least 70% of pre-retirement income.

http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dplAjjvHhYjGjJQTvn

Make Tax Prep Less Taxing

Make Tax Prep Less Taxing

Diehard do-it-yourselfers take note: If you�re as determined to take on your taxes as you are to troubleshoot your network or build your own Web site, there are a handful of software programs and Web sites that can help.

Whether you're waiting till the last minute or already are looking toward next year's tax season, read up now and ease your pain. Click on: Make Tax Prep Less Taxing.
http://newsletter.smallbizresource.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/nvSI0ITmhF0NqJ0EPCm0EF

Also visit Tax Pros Online for more information to make doing your taxes, less taxing.

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL -- AND LUCRATIVE

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL -- AND LUCRATIVE

Here's how Mike Cayelli set up a Web business, cuff-daddy.com,
that rings up healthy margins by selling -- you guessed it --
cuff links

http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c.asp?id=607549&c=22f6a904cf512287&l=19

Keep the �B� In Your Family Business

Keep the �B� In Your Family Business

In 1980, Jim McCarl convinced his father to put outsiders on the board of directors of the family�s mechanical-contracting business. It was a big step for McCarls, Inc., a firm founded in 1946 on a $4,500 GI loan, and was the catalyst for it to grow from an informally run small family business to an efficiently operated mid-sized company.

Find out how you can reduce family tensions and improve business operations with a little outsider advice.

Click to Keep the �B� In Your Family Business.
http://newsletter.smallbizresource.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/nvSI0ITmhF0NqJ0EPCl0EE

Real Estate: BUYER (AND SELLER) BEWARE

BUYER (AND SELLER) BEWARE

Confused about the direction of the housing market? You're
in good company -- in this climate, everyone is running
scared. We can't predict which way home prices will go over
the next year or so. But we can tell you how to avoid some
serious problems

http://newsletters.businessweek.com/c.asp?id=607549&c=22f6a904cf512287&l=2

Investing: Understanding Key Fundamental Indicators

Understanding Key Fundamental Indicators

By Jeff Neal, Optionetics.com
4/3/2006 9:45:00 AM

Typically what makes a stock's value rise is the same thing that makes any price go up: more buyers than sellers. Stocks tend to increase when investors expect company profits to climb. This implies that stock market prices function as a leading indicator and are more useful as a predictor of future performance rather than as a reflection of recent history. In fact, there are a variety of fundamental indicators that can help a savvy investor make a solid stock decision.

The first one is the Price-to-Earning ratio, also known as the P/E ratio. A stock's P/E indicates how popular it is, or, in other words, how much the investors expect its earnings to grow over the coming year. The ratio is calculated by dividing the stock's price by its earnings per share for the past 12 months. The P/E ratio is a key fundamental indicator of how cheap or expensive a stock is because it gauges inflation of price against inflation in earnings.

Typically, investors pay more per dollar of earnings at market tops and less at market bottoms. Historically, a P/E of 18 or higher on the S&P 500 has signaled a high-risk zone for the stock market. By the same token, the blue chips market, which the S&P 500 represents, has traded below a P/E of eight or lower only 10 percent of the time. Thus, a P/E of eight or lower has found the stock market in a low risk zone.

Another major fundamental valuation for the stock market is dividend yields. Most companies pay a certain amount of cash or issue additional stock shares each year to owners of their common stock. The dividend yield equals the cash received per share divided by the share price of the stock. In general, the more expensive a stock becomes, the lowers its dividend yield; the cheaper it becomes, the higher its yield.

It is also important when evaluating stocks to examine the financial averages versus the industry averages. To do this you need to compare your stock's financial figures with its industry. These figures are typically published in a variety of publications, found in most libraries as well as the Internet. These comparisons should include such things as liquidity, profitability and free cash flow.

A good measure of liquidity is the current ratio, which is calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities. This value only becomes important when compared to the industry averages. A current ratio much higher or lower than industry averages belongs to a firm that isn't run efficiently. If much higher, it means the company has a lot more cash on hand than it needs to function. This fact could make it a potential takeover candidate. If the ratio is much lower, it means the company is in danger of running out of operating funds.
A company's operating margin is probably the best measure of profitability. Unlike earnings, which can be manipulated through accounting gimmicks, the operating margin or profit margin on operations tells all. Companies with strong market positions have higher operating margins than their competitors. And the best firms have operating margins within 10 percent of their all time highs.

Free cash flow should also be analyzed closely, which is earnings plus depreciation less capital spending. Free cash flow should not be negative, even in the worst year a company had in terms in profits. High free cash flow allows a company to expand without seeking outside financing.

By dividing free cash flow by the number of shares outstanding then dividing that number by the price of a stock, you get a free cash flow yield. This represents what the stock would yield if all excess cash were paid out in the form of dividends. The fundamental indicators discussed in this article are very important when determining a stock's value. There are certainly other indicators that are very important as well from the fundamental viewpoint and I will be discussing them in future installments.

Happy Trading.

Jeff Neal
Senior Writer, Options Strategist & Profit Strategies Radio Show Market Correspondent
Visit Jeff's Forum
Listen to Jeff at www.ProfitStrategiesRadio.com

Google AdSense Tips

Google AdSense Tips
By Sharon Housley (c) 2006

AdSense allows website publishers to display contextually
relevant advertisements on their website. If a web visitor
"clicks" on an advertisement, the web publisher will earn a
percentage of the advertising revenue generated as a result
of the click. Many webmasters have built content websites
around the Google AdSense model. In many cases the specific
intent of the webmaster is to profit from Google AdSense.
Other webmasters use Google AdSense to supplement their
revenue. Regardless of the webmaster's intent, the following
tips will help webmasters looking to profit from AdSense.

Top AdSense Tips:

1. Niche Sites.
Targeted niche sites that have a clear theme, tend to generate
more advertising revenue simply because it is easier for these
sites to achieve decent search engine placement. Be warned
though, you want to choose a niche where there is a sufficient
number of advertisements available.

2. Target Keywords.
When determining the site's focus, consider how much advertisers
pay for the advertisements. If the site is focused on ringtones,
like Ringtone Central http://www.ringtones-central.com the payout
per-click is going to be very small because ringtones are not
high ticket items and advertisers will not spend a lot on
pay-per-click advertisements. With less obvious markets use
Overture to determine how much advertisers pay-per-keyword. It
is usually similar on Google. Search Overture for a keyword then
click "View Advertisers' Max Bids" in the top right corner. This
will show the Overture inventory and how much is paid per
keyword. Because the market has become very competitive, it is
difficult to rank well in search engines with a new website that
is optimized for the terms that have the highest payout. Consider
targeting terms that are moderately priced.

3. Aged Sites / Time.
Over time as a website is spidered by Google, advertisements
will generally increase in relevance. In general, older websites
will rank better in search engines. The closer the advertisements
relate to the webpage's content; the higher the "click-through"
the publishers will see.

4. Coding.
In order to minimize a website's maintenance place the Google
generated AdSense code in the website template or an include
file. This will allow you to easily experiment with different
advertisement sizes and ad placement, and keep web maintenance
to a minimum.

5. Tracking Channels.
In order to know how effective a specific website or ad
placement is, use distinct channels and subchannels within
Google. This will allow you to discern what performs best on a
specific website. Using channels will tell you what sites are
making money, what advertisements are making money and what ad
position is the most profitable on a specific website. Keep in
mind that you should run an advertisement for a full week, in
order to properly test its effectiveness. Different days of the
week will have varying web traffic, so comparing one week to
another will give the most accurate reflection of how effective
a campaign performs.

The same is true when testing different advertisement sizes,
placement or color schemes. Be sure to leave campaigns in place
for one week. Again, different days will often result in web
traffic fluctuations. Comparing web traffic, week to week will
give a clear indication of what ad formats perform the best.

6. Integrated Ad Placement.
Many webmasters have been successful at integrating
advertisements into a website. The easiest way to integrate
an advertisement into a website is to remove the advertisement
border. This will allow the ads to better blend with the webpage.
Google recommends contrasting the link colors with the website
colors to increase click-throughs. It is also suggested that
webmasters randomize the color of the advertisements, so that
frequent users will not naturally "filter" the ads.

Examples of integrated ad placement:
http://www.golf-clubhouse.net or
http://www.security-protection.net

7. Number vs Value of Advertisements.
Place up to three advertisements on each page. Additional
advertisements drop in value and dilute ad inventory so
publishers should be cautious in adding more advertisement
units. In other words you want to serve the most expensive ads
at all times.

8. Hot Spots.
Like web copy, above the fold holds true with AdSense as well.
This means that advertisements that appear without having to
scroll will be read more frequently. Hot Spots are areas on a
web page that result in a higher percentage of click-throughs.
According to Google the highest paying advertisements are located
on the hot spots.

Hot Spots Map:
http://www.small-business-software.net/heat-map.htm

Google does not indicate if image advertisements or text ads
perform better, so webmasters are encouraged to experiment
with both.

9. Highest Performing Ad Sizes.
According to Google the 336 x 280 rectangle, the 300 x250
rectangle and the 160 x 600 sky scraper result in the highest
number of click-throughs. Depending on the website's design
and layout, publishers may experience different results with
different ad sizes, placements and color schemes. Expirement
and track the results for each website to maximize the AdSense
payout.

===
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll
http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing,
publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages
marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a wireless text
messaging software company.
===

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What Every Home Buyer Should Know

What Every Home Buyer Should Know

A hepful guide to prepare you for the mortgage and closing process, when you buy a home.

Full article
http://68.178.158.15/book.pdf

Get a FREE Mortgage Quote
http://www.bizanalyst.net/Mortgage-Center

========
FYI...
Tax Pros has a great tax savings program for your business associates, friends and family. Pass it on.
Get FREE tax services and a financial plan when you join the Wealth Builder Program!
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