As the world economy struggles with the ongoing economic crisis, analysts talk about changing stock market investments and debt management?   Applying hard lessons and watching world trends could be the best investments for your future. But with the volatility of the stock markets and growing concerns about hyperinflation or deflation, just want are the best investments? I'm not a financial genius nor am I an investment analyst, but after reading a lot of articles about the global economy and proper investing, I've learned a little about fiat currency and the gold standard.   As international economies slowly recover from the recent financial upheavals, it appears some financial analysts are looking at precious metals and a return to … [Read more...]

Everyone needs to refocus occasionally during a hearty job search to keep perspective.  To help with that moment, here are a few ways to bring a new spin on "Tradition" during the approaching Holidays!  With Americans struggling to find work, juggling unemployment, and wondering whether they'll get that proverbial pink slip in the next round of layoffs, looking at new ways to celebrate without high cost can actually make you more creative in other areas too.  And as holidays approach, emails often circulate like wild-fire sometimes bringing content worth sharing.  Like many others, I found value in the ideas shared below.  Perhaps it will bring you a spirit of renewed hope and encouragement. After all, you never know whose life you … [Read more...]

Savvy customer service representatives generate referrals, repeat business and positive company promoters.  Beyond the basics of answering phones, taking the extra step and being h Helpful, excellent customer service means listening, maintaining control of the call and following-through so the next person can pick up where you left off.  Customer service is demanding and draining, but when done well can be the difference between losing a customer or saving one that buys more. A lot has been written about Customer Service and its impact on both large and small businesses.    But savvy customer service requires more than answering phones, being helpful, courteous and knowledgeable, and offering something more.  Susan Ward … [Read more...]

Identity Theft remains a major crime that can be catastrophic to American businesses and individuals.  In 2010, Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book reported that consumers filed over 1.3 million fraud claims and lost over $1.7 billion because of identity theft.  Debt collection, Internet services and lotteries are the more predominant predators.  Statistics by Javelin Strategies, a prominent firm that provides identity theft reports, said this cunning crime rose 11% in 2008-2009 meaning that one in every 20 Americans experienced losses through the year. In April 2011 hackers got through to Sony Corp.'s Playstation Network making over 77 million accounts vulnerable for personal data.  On March 30, Epsilon, an online marketing … [Read more...]