Auto Insurance Quotes Online - A Wise and Convenient Practice

Online auto insurance for the most affordable and suitable car insurance policy can be a headache; there is the coverage, cost and hidden charges to be identified and discussed. Going back and forth from one insurance provider to the next can drain the life out of you. So is there a better solution to this pendulous predicament? Yes, there is and a very solid one too.
Acquiring car insurance quotes online, is the best way to not only save money, but precious time too. So, what are auto insurance quotes online? Car insurance rates online are the estimates of car insurance policies that an insurer provides to the consumer through the internet.
The car insurance online are similar to what the auto insurance agent would provide to you in person; the only difference, and a huge one at that, is that instead of making appointments with these agents one by one and getting the quotes after travelling odd distances, you will be able to get the car insurance rates, from not one, but numerous auto insurance companies within a matter a minutes.
Internet marketing is a huge dimension, the advantages of which cannot be overlooked. Both the consumer and the seller reap lots of benefits from it. The insurance companies realize that too and this is the reason why large and small companies, alike, are now ready to offer free auto insurance quotes online to the consumers.
And if you thought that was easy, there is more. Many of the affiliate websites that work for these various auto insurance companies now provide the auto insurance rates from all of these companies through one portal. To put it in layman terms, there are numerous websites online, each of which offers car insurance rates from different companies.
This means that you don't even need to check the official websites of large car insurance companies one by one and you don't need to fill out application form for each individual site. Instead, when using one of the affiliate website, you can simply fill out one basic form that carries a little of your personal information and use it to get various car insurance quotes online.
Another huge advantage of searching for car insurance quotes online is that you can do it any day and any time of the day. If you thought shopping for auto insurance quotes is going to be arduous, think again. There is no need of skipping office, making special appointments, and travelling to various companies during the heat of the day. Simply come home from the office, freshen up, sit back and turn on the TV and start shopping for auto insurance quotes online.
It is really that simple; surf around during the evening or on the weekend and you are sure to find assistance. Furthermore, some of the large affiliate websites and official websites of the auto insurance companies also offer you a chance to have a live conversation with one of their marketing or customer service representative.

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Adjustable for Rate Mortgages

These are mortgage programs that offer lower fixed rates for a limited period of time after which the interest rate will adjust. These loans are often quoted as a 3/1 or 7/1, where the first number represents the initial fixed rate period and the second number represents the frequency at which the rate will adjust after the fixed rate period. Most lenders offer initial fixed rate periods for 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years after which the rate will adjust every 1 year thereafter.
For example: a 3/1 ARM with a rate of 6.00% indicates a fixed rate for 3 years at 6.00% which will adjust every 1 year thereafter. Hence, a 3/1 ARM.
ARMs generally carry a lower rate of interest than a 30 Year Fixed rate mortgage. The trade off is the risk, after the initial fixed rate period, that the interest rate will increase over a period of time.
When shopping for an ARM, here are some things you should know:
What is the maximum an ARM can go up or down when it adjusts?
The maximum a rate can go up or down varies depending on the mortgage lender and the initial fixed rate period. When shopping for an ARM you need to determine the loan's caps, margin and index.
What are Caps?
There are normally 2 Caps; a per adjustment cap and a lifetime cap. A per adjustment cap is the maximum a rate can go up or down in any adjustment year. A lifetime cap is the maximum the rate can go up over the full term of the loan. For example: a 2% per adjustment cap means the maximum your rate could go up or down in any adjustment year is 2% over the current rate. If the current rate on your ARM is 6.00% the maximum rate you could be paying in the next adjustment year is 8%. A 6% lifetime cap means that the maximum interest rate you could ever pay in any year is 6% over the start rate or 12%. Your new rate is tied to an index to which the lender adds a margin.
What is an Index and Margin?
Mortgage interest rates are tied to current market conditions and a good measure of market conditions are yields on treasury securities. The index is normally the weekly average yield on a 1, 3 or 5 Year Treasury Security 30 or 45 days prior to your adjustment date. Keep in mind a 1 Year Treasury yield is lower than a 5 Year Treasury yield.
To this index, the lender will add a margin of X% determined solely by the lender. A lender could add a margin of 2.25%, 2.5% up to or greater than 3% to the index to determine your new rate. When shopping for an ARM you want to look for the lowest term treasury security index with the lowest margin.
What does all this mean?
The Caps, Margin and Index play an important deciding factor when shopping for an ARM. For example; you have been quoted the following rates and terms on a 3/1 ARM both with a 1 Year Treasury Security index:

• Loan #1 - Rate 6.00%: Caps are 2% per adjustment, 6% lifetime with a Margin of 2.75%
• Loan #2 - Rate 6.125%: Caps are 2% per adjustment, 5% lifetime with a Margin of 2.50%

On the surface, loan #1 looks like the better loan since the interest rate is .125% lower than loan #2 and that holds true if you plan on moving or refinancing your loan at the end of the three years. But if there is a chance you will keep the loan beyond 3 years, loan #2 is probably the better way to go because 1) when loan #2 adjusts, the rate will always be .25% below loan #1 (unless is adjusts the full 2%) and 2) the lifetime cap is a full 1% lower than loan #1.
How do I decide if an ARM is right for me? Here are some things to consider:
The initial fixed rate period is perhaps the most important factor when determining whether or not an ARM is for you and second most important is the margin and index.

• Do you plan on remaining in your home for a period of time which is less than or equal to the initial fixed rate period of the loan?
• If you move or are frequently relocated by your employer, an ARM may be for you. An ARM will provide you with a lower interest rate and payments for the amount of time you plan on being in your home. Do you plan on being in your new home for 5 years? A 5 year or 7 year ARM may be the best way to go.

• Do you think you may refinance your loan over the next X number of years? Statistics show most homeowners either move or refinance their mortgage within a 7 year period. If you believe these statistics, or have experienced it yourself, a 7 or 10 Year ARM could be for you.

• Do you need a low rate of interest to qualify for the home of your dreams? Since an ARM generally offers a lower rate of interest than a fixed rate mortgage, you may be able to qualify for a higher loan or more expensive home. Keep in mind, however, unless you're in a position to refinance the loan in X number of years, the interest rate may go up and you want to make sure you can still cover the monthly payments. If you have the available funds, you may be better off with a fixed rate mortgage and lowering this rate by paying points.

ARM's are not for everyone. If the possibility of having to refinance or paying a future higher interest rate is not for you, you may be better off with a fixed rate mortgage.

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Choosing Home Loan Rates

Having low rates a house you can call your own can be your ultimate dream and you will strive hard to obtain this. Looking for banks that will finance your home can be not that easy to do. However, it is easy to note also that banks are fighting it out to get clients for mortgage loans, and driving down interest rates in the process. However, for the home buyers, they have to be careful with the terms of the loan agreement including home loan rates because these may not be what they expect. A loan with very low interest rates should be looked into very carefully.
Getting a Fixed Interest Rate for Home Loans
Getting a mortgage loans with fixed low interest rates for a longer period of time is to the advantage of the home buyer. However, provisions for home loan rates have to be looked into also because there may be some provisions on re-pricing, which means that interest rates will have adjustments after a period of time. This usually happens when interest rates will fluctuate because of the economic situation happening in the country. Those with shorter re-pricing periods will not be to the benefit of the borrower because the rate will increase after only a few years. Thus it is important that buyers will not get lured quickly to housing loans with very low rates but with annual re-pricing also.
Some Questions that Need Answers when Applying for Home Loans
When you apply for a housing loan there may be some questions posed that you need to answer, even if this will be only to yourself. Questions like how much must be your monthly earnings to be able to afford the amount of housing loan that you want, may have to be answered yourself. The value of the house you intend to buy will also be a factor because there will only be an amount that the bank will finance. Home loan rates will also be included in your analyses because this can have a big influence in the monthly amortizations you have to pay.
Factors that May Affect Home Loan Rates
There are also factors that will affect the amount you can borrow to finance the house you intend to buy. If you have a good credit record you may have the best deals available, like you can avail of higher loan amounts or you can avail of the lowest home loan rates. People with bad credit histories will have tendencies to be imposed higher loan rates. This is mainly the reason that people should take care of their credit history because of the potential effects it will give when it is time for them to apply for loans. For people with no credit history, it will still be for them to avail of a home loan, although it may be a bit difficult. However, this is much better than if you have bad credit history because you will be charged with the higher home loan rates, once you avail of the loan. With no credit history, you will just need to prove that you can afford the monthly amortizations, through the regular monthly earnings you earn.

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Best Car Deals Online Brokers

If you are looking forward to purchase a car deals online in an easy and secure way then buying it via online finance brokers will be the best option. Working with experienced and knowledgeable brokers allows you to get the best car deals in a hassle free manner. They not only cater to your requirement of purchasing a car rather value your time and money. Need not to spend hours on deciding or looking for the best lease and finance auto brokers. You may easily strike an affordable deal through just the right broker via selecting it online. Online brokers have alliance with financing institutions which further also provide best discounts and deals on leasing a car. This is the best medium for people with busy lifestyle to grab the best deal on getting a car online at economical prices.
Below mentioned are some tips on getting best car deals online through lease and finance car brokers along with their benefits:
Tips on choosing online finance broker to get best deals:
There are different kinds of brokers working online therefore; it will be wise to know about the different types of brokers. Once you are clear in your mind about the type of broker you will work then check for online websites associated with it.
Before hiring services ensure that you know about the charge for the services as well as about the additional fees like commission. You may also check the reviews of the broker in order to know more about the credibility and market reputation of the broker.
If you are planning to get deal on lease a car through the broker, ensure that the deal is offered at an affordable price. Being a potential customer of purchasing car online make sure that you attain the best deal in the most convenient manner.
Here we have mentioned some of the benefits of hiring services from an online car broker:
Online finance brokers understand your needs better and come up with instant deals as per your convenience and budget. They render different choices on your requirement to further ease your work.
Lease and finance brokers hold rich industry experience and knowledge that enables them to offer you best deal in minimal time frame. Owing to their rich industry experience, you get the best deal at the most affordable price.
In order to get best car lease deals online rely on the services of experienced and knowledgeable lease and finance car brokers as they are the best negotiators. They are well versed with all industry tactics which collectively assists them in negotiating and getting you the best and affordable car deal.

Get the best car deals through online lease and finance brokers as they understand your needs better and come up with affordable deals.

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Used Car Loans Ideal - Option for People With Bad Credit

Are you interested in buying a used car but worried about your bad credit score? What if you are told that bad credit can no longer be a problem in getting such loans? Gone are the times of constant car loan rejection because of poor credit score. This article will let you know ways to enjoy lower rates on your car loan as well as help you improve your credit ratings.
Used Car Loans - Perfect for Bad Credit Borrowers
Auto loans for used cars are brilliant for someone with a bad credit score. The logic behind it is that used cars are relatively cheaper than new cars. So, the total loan amount reduces significantly. When you have lower auto loan amount, it becomes easier to pay-off the loan. That's how you don't need to put in extra efforts for improving your bad credit score.
How to get approved for Bad Credit Used Auto Loans?
Cars are not only a major investment but also an essential element of American life. When you buy a car, you make a commitment. So, it is important that you are prepared for it.
Ascertain your Financial Capacity
For buying any car, you need to be sure of it financially. You cannot buy a used car without thinking about auto loan payments. So, prepare a budget by calculating your income as well as expenses. Once you know how much money you can afford to spend on monthly payments, you will find it very easy to choose a car.
Reliability is the Key
Don't buy a car just because it looks good. Buy a car because it works good!
It is extremely essential that you choose a reliable and efficient car because car purchase is not like buying coffee from Starbucks. You don't do it every day. So, choose a car only after inspecting it thoroughly. Ask your trusted mechanic to inspect it. Also, check the car title and ensure that it is clean.
There is no harm in buying a car from private seller, but make sure that you know all about the car. Also, remember that when you buy a used car from a non-dealer option, opt for a private party auto lender that deals with sub-prime credit.
Checklist of Documents
Lenders require documents so that they have a written proof. Although every lender has different criteria of documents, these are the most common ones:-
>> Your Credit Report
>> SSN
>> Income and Employment Proof- Recent pay stubs can be used
>> Documents related to your Credit/Banking History - Bank statements, credit card details, etc.
>> Utility Bill
>> Car Title
>> Odometer Statement
>> Car's purchase price, VIN, year of manufacture, car make and model.
It is quite possible that your lender may ask for an Employment Verification Letter from your employer. So, be ready for it.
Choosing the Right Lender
You must search for a lender who specifically deals with bad credit and gives you needed second chance for improving your credit score. You can make use of the internet to search for a sub-prime lender or a used car financing company. Don't forget to ensure that the lender is reliable.
When you are prepared for a used car loan, lenders and dealers will know how serious you are in getting approval. When lenders will be very much sure about you, getting an auto loan for older car won't be a trouble for you.
You may have been tired of ceaseless rejections from lenders and dealers. Being a high risk credit borrower is the reason for it. But, you can fight this problem by lowering the credit risk associated with you. Use the tips and information mentioned in this article and get ready for low rate used car loans despite your bad credit score.

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Tips to Get Your Clients to Trust and Like You

You may have wondered what exactly does that mean or you've thought networking is great but what really is it going to do for me. The term networking is key and it is so important. You may think I'm just an internet marketing company what will networking do for me? Or you think I do SEO tools and write programs shouldn't I network with computers. Well yes but not exactly. Business is built on relationships and people. You can't forget the reason that you got into the business because you were passionate about it and you found a need where others couldn't. You founded your organization based on your passions and what you wanted to share with your future clients, whatever your business is you know you are the one that can provide the best service, the best value and the best product. Now the trick is to get and keep clients, and have them trust and like you and your brand. How do you do this?
1. Jump in and make a splash!
The first part of your project is key to building a successful relationship. In the first stages of the project the client will how you respond to them and also how you will be handling their account. Make this time count. This time also helps you to understand your client and how they would like their account handled. Try sending your new clients a note to explain what you need from them and what you will be providing so they understand expectations and a time frame. Try to create a spread sheet with issues that you want to tackle and handle throughout the project, making a reasonable time line for you and your client to adhere to. Make notes and ask your client to make notes and always include a solution section so that you both understand what is needed.
Why they will adore you: You have fair expectations from both parties Your client understands what you are going to be solving for them You identified big opportunities (issues and solutions) Confirmation they made a good decision by bringing you on
2. Check in, share, and collaborate
Email your point of contact throughout every step. Allow them time to give you feedback and to offer potential opportunities. If your client just wants you to "do the work" or they don't have time to communicate with you about the project along the way you both risk an unhappy party. Let them know you value their time but you want to provide them with a successful product they will also appreciate. Ask them for suggestions and ideas even the most mundane tasks a client can weigh in on, choosing a back ground color or photo, try to give them 3 options if they are super busy. Ask your client if there is anything they are trying to push, and if you can help them push it you can gain even more loyalty points!
Why they will adore you: They will feel included in the process and that their opinions count You delivered pertinent recommendations and confirmed what a great idea it was to bring you in. You helped get one of their objectives pushed through quickly.
3. Respect their time
This is key to building a good relationship. A company can love you and your personality but if you don't respect their time commitments and their business you risk losing them as a client. Set clear time goals, also ask them what their time commitments are currently. Promptly return calls and emails and always try to use the rule 15mins ahead is on time.
Why they will adore you: They will know you value their company and their time Time=$$$$ Neither one of you want to waste either You are courtous and they know they can count on you You reaffirmed their reasons for hiring you over a competitor yet again! WAY 2 GO!
4. CALL THEM- - Call them- call them!
This goes with out saying... just keep up the line of communication and practice follow up calls and emails. Our general rule of thumb is a call every 3weeks to check on costumers and make sure we are fulfilling their needs, and then follow up with an email. We also like to follow up every phone call with an email to reaffirm what we are going to be working on and check in again to make sure we've answered all questions.
Why they will adore you: They know you care Even when they don't understand they know your available to speak with them, even if they don't remind themselves they know you'll be giving them a health check call You go over questions with them and check up on them throughout the duration of your releationship. You'd call someone your dating right well now its like your dating your clients. You keep up the relationship and know whats going on with their company objectivies.
5. Confirm to their work style
Your in business to provide a service, what that means is that the costumer is right. You need to confirm to their work style. If they want you to call them at night-then call at night. If they operate business opening at 3am schedule your calls around them. If they like to follow up weekly or even daily schedule it in your calendar to remind your self. Check with them on the best time to call or email. Check with them how often they would like to communicate with you throughout the project. Keep their business model. Show real interest in their business, if you know NOTHING about spiders but you work with spider web & arachnid then pick up a book and learn.
Why they will adore you: People appreciate when you show interest in what they are doing You are passionate about your product and business model so are they You respect them as a professional and show that you care When you show them you care about their product and are making an effort to understand it they care more about your business and services you can provide them You can upsell more by understanding what their needs are You show them that you are in the business of service and you will do what ever it takes to provide great service
6. Build a relationship with your client and with the company
Relationships build trust and build repeat clients. Take them out to lunch or for coffee, get to know them on a personal level and your professional relationship will soar. They will want to work with you more and trust you if they feel like they are working with a friend.
Why they will adore you: Your now their BFF visiting them in person or taking them for coffee shows commitment They will build a connection with you and learn more about you and your company
7. Go the extra mile- do work they didn't even know they needed, provide something for them they can't get anywhere else
You want to go above and beyond for your client and this means finding out what they need before they even know they need anything. Planing ahead shows the client you care about their business succeeding and not just about making your self and your company a quick buck. You want to keep them as a long term client and you want them to succeed. Make suggestions of what you can do for them. At this point they should trust you and you will have established a relationship so you need to show them that you are looking out for their bottom line. Try to provide them services for free along with their package, they didn't sign up for something extra but it'll only take you 3 minutes go ahead and do it for them. Give them more then they expect and they will stay by your company for years to come.

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Mortgage Refinance Rates at Historical Lows in Canada

With today's low mortgage rates and mortgage refinance rates for your can be a very good option to save money. At the beginning of 2012, interest rates are now at historically low levels in Canada. 5 year fixed rates can be found as low as 2.99% while variable rates are around 2.85%. As home prices have increased across Canada, many borrowers now have the equity in their home to refinance a mortgage and payoff higher interest credit card debts and other loans.
The amount of monthly cash flow savings that can be achieved with a mortgage refinance is on average $500 - $1000. This is a substantial amount of savings for the average borrower. In general, credit cards tend to have the highest monthly payments and interest rates, so these items should be paid off first. After credit cards, the next items are normally credit lines, car loans, student loans and personal loans. You can also consider to refinance a mortgage if you need money for investing, home renovations, buying another property, buying a car or for any other use. Take advantage of today's low mortgage rates for any purpose that will help increase your net worth.
A good credit score will be required to qualify for a low rate mortgage refinance. On average, the FICO score will have to be 650 or above to get approved by most lenders, for up to 85% LTV financing. An appraisal of property will also be required either by CMHC/Genworth or by a certified appraiser in Canada. When submitting an application to a mortgage broker, please use a conservative property value so the numbers are realistic. Qualifying for a mortgage amount is currently calculated at around 5 to 6 times your gross annual income level. So for example, if your income is $50,000, you can qualify for around $250,000 to $300,000 loan at today's mortgage refinance rates.
The typical refinancing takes about 1 or 2 days to get approved and 10 - 14 banking days to close. Legal fees are normally around $700 to close the mortgage. Appraisal fees are around $300. Considering the amount of savings that can be achieved by paying off high interest credit debts, refinancing a mortgage can be well worth the small fees. Have a look at your current financial situation today and if you believe you are paying too much for debt payments, consider using low refinance rates to save money.

Darin Bauer is a Mortgage Agent in Toronto with Mortgage Intelligence Inc. Specializing in mortgages for home purchases, refinancing, renewals and second mortgages.

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Essentials of Locking VA Mortgage Interest Rate

VA home loans are all about getting the dream home you have always wanted and at the same time getting it without the need to shell out a huge amount of cash at one time. The catch with home loans are the irregular interest rate on every VA loan. Not many people know that interest rates can actually increase through time and not many people know that locking in their interest rate should be the first thing that they do after getting a loan.
Whenever you get a quote for a VA mortgage rate, this rate may increase. The interest rate can increase on a regular basis so the original mortgage quote, in general, is futile. to avoid this, as a client you should demand that all rates should be locked in and should stay just as it was quoted by your bank or lender. This way you can save yourself from the increasing interest rates, and expect that your monthly mortgage rate would be the same.
When is the best time to lock in your mortgage rate?
This is the question that has been asked by a lot of people. Usually, they find it hard to look for lenders or brokers who can guarantee a stable interest rate for the duration of the pay period since most lenders have increasing interest rates on the mortgages that they offer. Before you think about how to refinance your VA mortgage rate, the first mortgage problem that you will encounter is when to lock in the rate quoted to you. The usual practice is to lock the mortgage rate at the beginning of the loan application and even before it is submitted to underwriting. Some borrowers wait at the rate to improve but this option will always be a gamble.
Once locked, get it in writing
Once you have locked your mortgage rate, make sure that everything is in writing. If your lender or bank will not give you a document ratifying what has been said, than you have to second thoughts about this lock-in since it might not be true. It's important that you get all statements in writing since increase in interest rates can happen after a few years and during that time, people involved in the transaction may be gone already or may have forgotten the lock in; the document serves as a proof that the interest rate will stay the same.
Be aware of possible changes
For every VA home loan rate it is important to take note of all conditions and remarks at the time of loan application. Why? Because even if you have locked in your mortgage rate, some lenders and brokers have the power to change this and still increase the mortgage rate. In short, you have to know exactly what you are getting yourself into.

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Eaesy Tips To Get An Approved Auto Loans

Car and auto loans is one of the most convenient means of transport. In today's world, car is more of a necessity than a luxury. Prospective buyers may want to buy pre-owned cars or brand new cars. Most of the mid-income group buyers would want to avail finance options to buy the car. It is a known fact that finance companies and banks rely on the creditworthiness of the borrower before granting the loan. Buyers who have poor credit history or bad credit may find it extremely difficult to get a car loan. Do not be disappointed, buyers will poor credit score can also avail auto finance by following basic tips.
Increase the down payment: Down payment is a lump sum amount paid at the time of purchase. Buyers can avail the finance option for the remaining amount. Borrowers, who fall in high-risk category, should increase the amount of down payment to brighten their chances of getting a loan. Amount of down payment is inversely proportional to the risk taken by the finance company. Higher down payment would mean lower risk for the financial institution; hence, it is easier to get a loan. Another benefit of increasing the down payment amount is that the borrower will have to pay lower interest rates.
Collateral: If the borrower's credit history is extremely bad, then the financial institution may ask for security collateral. Collateral refers to an asset pledged against the car loan. Providing collateral on demand reduces the risk factor and increases the chances of getting an approved auto-loan.
Spread the loan application: Prospective buyers must tap every available opportunity. Prospective buyers must apply for the loan in maximum finance institutions. One should also seek help from private finance companies, individual lenders or car dealers and brokers. Applying for the loan in more than one institution increases the chances of approval. It also helps the borrower's in understanding the different types of interest rates that may be available to them. One must keep in mind that every application will call for a credit check.
Check for credit report discrepancies: Credit report plays a crucial role in determining the credit worthiness of the applicant. Borrowers must carefully inspect their credit reports for any discrepancies. One must ensure that all disputes and discrepancies are resolved before applying for any loan.

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Weight Loss Help For the Severely Obese

When a person becomes obese from non-thyroid problems. People can become addicted to eating and not exercising, which is why Americans have a problem with obesity. Get weight loss program help can only work if the patient is ready and willing to do whatever is necessary to drop the weight watchers to offer them a better and healthier life.
The first thing to do when working towards beating obesity once and for all is deciding that it is time to seek help. No one should have to face their weight loss problems on their own, although it will take a lot of personal initiative on the part of the patient. Professional help is usually the best way to go about weight loss for the obese because it is a way to get outside help to monitor this endeavor.
When choosing professional help, there is always the surgical route that can be the fastest in dropping unnecessary weight. Liposuction, tummy tucks, stomach staples, and removing unwanted loose skin and stretch marks all fall into this category. Each one has its benefits and drawbacks, but the main benefit is that it that they are all proven to work. Talk with a surgeon to weigh out the individual effects of one of these surgeries on an individual's body before deciding on this course of action.
There are also two non-surgical ways to go about weight loss. One is by choosing a professional dietary plan and exercise regimen. These can be pricey over time but provide professional support staff in helping a patient drop the unhealthy weight they have accumulated over the years. This is a way for an obese person to stay on track because there is a large support staff to help them along the way.
Another type of program that people with weight problems can join is Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. These commercial dietary and exercise plans can be purchased and followed from the comfort of home. However, the drawback to this type program is that while it is cheaper than other methods, it does not provide the support staff that may be necessary for a person to stick with their weight loss program.
Weight loss help for the obese can be found in a variety of different venues that include surgery, weight loss centers and programs. Each has its positive and negative aspects surrounding the treatment method. However, it is truly up to the obese person to get on the right track. Choosing not to be obese and to get back into manageable shape can extend the life expectancy of anyone who is brave enough to set out in this undertaking.
If you recognize that you are showing some of the early-symptoms of diabetes, you should get yourself to the doctor to be tested. You should also recognize that Diabetes is treatable and that proactive prevention can provide natural-cures for diabetes. Click on the previous links to find out more about these options.

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Medical Marketing Can Improve Your Patients Lives

A health care provider's main goal should always be focused on providing high quality service to patients. After all, we are talking about someone's health. Second to that, a clinics goal should be to attract as many patients as possible so that others can experience the great services you are providing at your practice.
Your primary goal can be achieved by developing your skills and by learning more about emerging medical concepts and technology to constantly improve the work you're able to provide. However, in order to easily reach your second goal, you need to have an effective marketing strategy. Medical marketing is different from other forms of marketing strategies. There are a number of factors that go into medical marketing which don't necessarily apply to other industries.
First off, let me point out that there are quite a few doctors across the United States. To be specific, there are around 200,000 dentists, 53,000 chiropractors 35,000 optometrists and nearly 700,000 physicians. With numbers like these, it's fairly clear that the competition is getting fiercer and it is more important than ever to work on ensuring that your practice stands out from the crowd.
There are some key differences when it comes to medical marketing such as:
1. Medical marketing has to be factual
As a doctor, the best way to maintain your client's trust is to be factual. In doing medical marketing, you have to be honest with the services that you can truly provide. Other types of marketing may rely more heavily on exciting messaging than on the actual products and services being offered in an honest capacity. As a trusted medical professional, you are working hard to build up credibility so this is an important aspect of your message.
2. Reputation vs. cost
Your reputation is one of the most important assets you own. Therefore, it's key to always be working on increasing your reputation. While other types of marketing need to focus more on costs and differentiators, you don't. Costs aren't as big of a factor since insurance typically picks up a large piece of it so your patients aren't as cost conscious as someone shopping for a couch for example. Your reputation is the main selling point you will have at your disposal which is something you can control and should constantly be working towards.
3. Quality vs. quantity
If your initial clients have testified that your service is of high-quality, you will naturally get more patients to come and see you. Therefore, by focusing on the quality of your services instead of the quantity of patients you get in front of, you will naturally increase the patient base of your clinic. Other types of industries need to focus much more on getting in front of as many people as possible whereas you will need to focus more on maintaining the highest quality of service which will in turn drive natural interest from new patients
Why you should market yourself
There are many reasons on why you, as a health care provider, should spend time to market yourself and your services. The following are some of these reasons.
1. To increase your regular patients
People in general are very visual. If your patients come in and are constantly greeted by a steady flow of satisfied patients coming in and out of your office, they will naturally think that you know what you are doing. Conversely, if they come in and are consistently the only person in your office during that time, they may have doubts about your overall abilities as a result. While this is obviously not the fairest way to evaluate the merits of a medical professional, it is nonetheless a fact of life and something you will want to be aware of. Therefore, increasing your regular patients will have a self-fulfilling prophesy of increasing your patients opinions of you on a subconscious level.
2. To grow your overall practice revenue
Let's face the fact that running a practice is expensive. There are many overhead costs on everything from labor to malpractice insurance and there are a number of patients you need to bring in the door every month just to break even. Focusing time on increasing your patient base will ultimately lead to more revenue. This in turn will allow you to hire more staff, improve your facilities, upgrade equipment and to do a lot of different things to improve the experience of your practice that would otherwise be out of reach. As a result, growing your revenue is a key component to delivering the best possible service and improving patient satisfaction.
3. To impart a great Legacy
Through medical marketing, you will be able to have more patients and serve more people. Your patients and the people around you will forever remember your existence as a doctor and the impression you left on them in their lives. By reaching more patients and helping more people, you will be making the world a better place to live while also experiencing more success in your practice.
The competition in the medical field is increasing with each passing year. So do your best at reaching out to more patients. Market yourself and see how much of a difference it can make in not only your practice but the lives of the patients you are able to help as well.

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How to Prevent Business Credit Fraud

Chances are, you probably have some fancy security system installed within your office, perhaps even equipped with highly advanced video surveillance technology or a German Sheppard that John Dillinger wouldn't even try to get past. You have created a fortress, covered it from head to toe with all state of the art equipment so that nothing can get through, but, at the same time, what are you doing to protect against online threats? How are you preventing your business from the infamous credit fraud? Business credit fraud is a significant problem for both small and large businesses alike and can happen at any moment from anywhere on the globe- no matter how many thermal sensors you have scattered around the office. The good news, though, is that it can be prevented. To help you, we have compiled these simple steps that will ultimately save you time and a great deal of money in the process.
How to Prevent Business Credit Fraud
Do Your Research
You wouldn't trust your child with a complete stranger now would you, so why would you give away your goods or services to someone you knew nothing about? Business credit itself is rooted in a sense of mutual trust-even the word credit is derived from the Latin credere meaning to trust or to believe-but it is a trust that your business ultimately takes on and a risk that your company alone assumes. To mitigate this risk, you must practice your due diligence to weed out potential perpetrators before they strike. To do this, you might need to do some more in-depth background checks, verify references and finally determine the overall credit worthiness of the person or company that you are hopefully going to do business with. While clearly this process takes some added time and resources, the fact this could eventually save you from business credit fraud in the long run will be well worth the investment.
Recognize the Signs
If it smells like a dog, has teeth like a dog and barks, chances are it's not a cat. In many cases the signs of potential business credit fraud are all staring you right in the face, you just have to know where to look. If you see a customer really quickly racking up huge bills without so much as a phone call or someone making extremely large purchases while at the same time seeming to be in a rush that in itself should be ground to sound the alarm. Another common red flag is if you see a really large transaction following a few "low" ones; they were probably testing the waters to see if you will actually take the bait. The key is to spot the irregularities early and follow up to be sure you aren't being played. After all, better safe than sorry.
Follow Up
It can be as simple as calling the customer directly to confirm the order first hand or making sure that the cardholder is the actual purchaser or the good or service. Checking in with the bank as well can be a great idea, not only to double-check the references of your potential customers, but also to reconcile your own bank statements so that any problems can be rectified early in the process. In cases where you don't have the customer physically in front of you, you must be particularly vigilant and proactive to make sure that everything checks out. Double check references, validate addresses, check IDs-these seemingly minute details can ultimately help reveal business credit fraud traps before they substantially effect your business. When in doubt, always call!
Secure Your Internal Information
If you don't have a privacy policy in place, make one so that you can fully ensure your customers' or employees' private information doesn't end up in the wrong hands. This is a simple way to better protect your customers from detrimental identity theft that can not only harm them, but also hurt your business in turn. Furthermore don't forget that business credit fraud doesn't just happen when you are the seller, but can also result from you buying materials from a "fake" or "phony" supplier. This common ploy is, as Criminalfraud.com points out, often known as the "Toner Phoner" scam where counterfeit companies pretend to be your regular supplier to sell you bogus materials and supplies at over the top prices.
Business credit fraud is a huge problem for both large and small businesses, but it is one that can definitely be thwarted. By being proactive and utilizing professional services that specialize in this area, you will be able to save yourself not only a large amount of money in the process, but also a inexorable degree of stress that would result if this type of fraud did happen to occur. Let's stop worrying and do something about it.

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Small Business Strategy: Healthy Employees for Healthy Business

The health and wellness discussion is happening all over the business world due to the impact it is having on business. Healthcare has become the second highest expense in many businesses (after payroll). You can find wellness initiatives in businesses of all sizes. Large companies have been doing it for years and smaller companies are now seeing the importance as well. Large or small, the companies that have seen success have done some simple things to ensure that success.
It starts with awareness
When a business is aware of the control they have over healthcare costs, they can make an impact. Businesses of all sizes are experiencing challenges in this area as costs continue to rise. The first step that small businesses have to is to look at why they are rising. You can complain about the insurance companies, healthcare reform or any other part of the system, but there is one thing that is impacting healthcare more than anything else: health. The costs are rising because we are spending more than we are putting in. The premiums that businesses pay are being overshadowed by the claims coming from their employees. Where are these claims coming from? They are coming from employees with declining health. Each year the cost increases because the employees on their plan are costing more each year to deal with medical conditions, taking medications and needing more care in general.
The Good News for Small Business
The care small businesses are paying for is going toward treatment of preventable issues. In fact, as much as 75% of what we spend on healthcare today is spent on preventable issues. That means that we have control over it. Obesity and smoking are at the top of the list and leading to many other related issues. Small businesses can prevent many of the costs associated with their healthcare plans by preventing these issues.
The next step is education
Once a business is aware that they can make a change, they can start educating employees. The difference between healthy and unhealthy is often just a matter of knowing what to do and how to do it. The key to remember is that employees are not causing harm to themselves and their health on purpose. They want to be healthy and when their company educates them and helps support healthy living, it is much appreciated and goes a long way.
The Good News for Small Business
You will see benefits in health and many other areas that will impact business. Healthy employees have more energy. They are more productive and will be able to do more for you. They will also want to do more for you because your goals are aligned and they appreciate the support.
The Missing Link: Facilitation
Looking at the health of today's society, we see many issues. This may lead you to believe that people don't know what to do in order to live healthy. The fact is, people know. They know that an apple is better for them than a candy bar. People know that the drive-through is not as healthy as the supermarket. The problem is not knowledge. The problem is application. The key to living healthy is applying it to your routine.
The Good News for Small Business
Training is a vital part of any company. No matter what industry you are in, training is part of your process. If you don't train employees there are major consequences.
Wellness is simply training for your healthcare plan. Every system in your business has a budget and training. If you treat healthcare and employee health as a system in your business, you will see benefits just like in other areas. Employees will use the tools properly; maintenance will be part of the process which we all know is more cost-effective than dealing with repairs and replacement of costly equipment. That is what happens in health care. We go to the doctor when something breaks. If we maintain health, we avoid many of these issues and don't need the care.
The Challenge for Small Business
Most HR professionals and business owners are very busy. There is a lot to do in any business, especially a small business. When you try to add new things to the equation, things get difficult. To compound things, how many business owners and HR professionals are workplace wellness experts? Not many. Wellness is often left by the wayside due to lack of time and expertise.
The Solution for Small Business
The key to successful implementation of a wellness program is resources. That doesn't sound like a solution to many busy executives, but it isn't as challenging as you think. A wellness program can be built with just a few hours per month. If a single employee (at any level) is dedicated to generating ideas and they can enlist a small team to help implement those ideas, they can create change.
There are many ways to get started with this process. It doesn't take a massive budget or a tremendous amount of resources. For a small business, wellness is about the three areas above: awareness, education and facilitation. When these three areas are in focus, you can build a healthy culture that supports health and makes it the norm for all employees.
The importance of keeping employees healthy is magnified by rising costs, but there are many more benefits to healthy employees. Increased productivity, reduced absenteeism and Presenteeism (when employee is at work but not at full capacity) and improved morale, satisfaction and retention to name a few. Many small businesses are starting to dedicate resources to wellness. Time is being set aside, budgets are being created and tasks are being assigned to employees to help the programs grow.
Our society makes it very difficult to live healthy and our typical workplace is promoting similar habits. We sit all day, we have limited time to do anything and stress is at an all-time high. The workplace has an impact one way or the other. It is also a great place to implement healthy habits and build a healthy culture. You have the choice to promote health within your organization and save money or to ignore it and simply pay more for health care each year. Your business benefits greatly from promoting health because the same employees that are causing costs to rise with poor health can help you control costs with good health. In other words, healthy employees lead to a healthy business.

Business Health Expert Joe Byrd and his team use passion and expertise to bring business and health together. They integrate health education in lifestyle topics such as Stress Management, Weight Management, and Smoking Cessation into businesses in order to accomplish the following:
Improving Employee Health
Decreasing Health Care Spending
Increasing Your Employee Productivity
Improving Employee Satisfaction and Retention
Joe and his team apply this craft in the business world by making health part of business strategy. As he helps companies invest in their employees, together they create healthy and successful cultures.

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The 50 Choices Dilemma of Leadership

What should I do next? Isn't that one of the most prevalent and confounding questions - and one that every leader, manager and professional faces many times a day?
That leads to what I call the 50 Choices Dilemma - a situation where all of the leaders I coach find themselves in more than they would like. Very briefly it looks like this: You have 50 things to do on your to-do list. Don't get me wrong, for many of us that would be a pretty good day. I am going to offer you 2 very common choices, and ask: Which one are you going to choose?
One more caveat - you only get to choose one of these options, and you never get to deal with the other. Here are your options:
· You can either choose to do the number 1, 2 and 3 priorities on your list, but you never touch the other 47; or...
· you can take care of priorities number 4 to 50, but you never get to touch number 1, 2 and 3.
Every competent leader and top professional knows what the answer should be. But when I ask this question, extending one hand to represent each choice, everybody hesitates, instinctively starts to lean a little toward the hand holding the 47, and thinks: "Forty-seven things off my to-do list? What a great day. How could I do that?"
We all know the best answer is to take care of the top three priorities. So why do we hesitate - or even think about choosing priorities 4 through 47? We all know common sense says: Take care of number 1, 2 and 3. The rest are secondary, are subsidiary, and we will be dealing with them ONLY AFTER the most critical ones are taken care of. But often we look at our rush of things to do, and we just attack our list.
The greatest failure comes from not even knowing what priorities 1, 2, and 3 even are. It is hard to choose the most effective option when that choice is not even clear. Always knowing what your top priorities are is essential for every leader, manager, and effective professional.
In fact, if you want to make your team and organization more effective, make sure everybody knows what priorities 1, 2, and 3 are. With that knowledge firmly communicated, everything will be far more successful and effective, and your performance and your results will go way up as well.
Knowing and choosing to act on priorities 1, 2 and 3 is decision making at the most effective, common-sense level. However, it is too rarely common practice. One of my primary messages to everyone who cares about outstanding performance and results is: When common sense becomes common practice, amazing results become commonplace.
Until next time,
Steve Lishansky

Steve Lishansky is a sought after Keynote Speaker, Hall of Fame Executive Coach and Leadership Team Facilitator.
He is an internationally recognized leader in:
* Creating high-value, high impact relationship and communication skills;
* Executive coaching and development;
* Facilitating exceptional organizational alignment and performance.
A trusted advisor to senior leaders, their teams and high-potential executives for more than 20 years, Steve brings a unique professional focus on optimizing leaders' and executive teams' effectiveness, performance and results. Among his legendary programs are: Strategic Alignment of Executive Teams™, Executive Coaching and Development, Becoming an Indispensable Partner™ (Building High-Value Relationships), and "Leading Self, Leading Others, Leading Teams."

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How outsourcing your payroll can benefit your business?

Have you considered outsourcing your payroll? Payroll in the US is one of the most common departments for business' to outsource as it reduces costs but the trend doesn't seem to be the same in all countries.
Payroll processing can be challenging and confusing to businesses especially small business owners. This is where an outsourced payroll provider can help. They will take the responsibility of payroll processing off your mind completely, ensuring that your pay is processed correctly, is compliant and most importantly your employees are paid on time. When engaging an outsourced provider they will keep track of all the different state and tax laws for you so you don not need to worry about paying your employees incorrectly.
Affordability, Simplicity, Efficiency, Maintaining Control and Accuracy are five main benefits to outsource your payroll.
1. Affordability
An outsourced payroll service in most cases can be an affordable option for every business. Engage a provider that will grow with your business so that you only pay for the services that you require. Now consider the 'hidden' costs of running your payroll internally-software updates, staffing, administration costs, printing costs, etc. This all add ups, that's why outsourcing payroll could save you money.
2. Simplicity
Outsourcing your payroll is simple as most outsourced providers have easy to use systems that are user friendly. Some providers have a learning centre or training guide that is available online for users to access at any time. So you REALLY do not need to be a payroll expert to use the systems.
3. Efficiency
You don't need to worry about staffing, training, employees on sick or annual leave and other internal issues when you use an efficient, outsourced payroll service.
4. Maintain Control
Entering your payroll information online allows you to maintain control of your payroll processing and helps eliminate double entries. The outsourced payroll provider will process the pays and validate the process, making sure that all is done correctly. You still have the power to review all reports and change anything before paying your employees.
5. Accuracy
Payroll mistakes can be potentially disastrous for the company (and your employees). An experienced and professional payroll management company is less likely to be the cause of such mistakes.
In a nutshell outsourcing your payroll is a beneficial relationship as it allows you to stay in compliant with tax laws, but also allows you to focus on your business instead of trying to become an expert in payroll.

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Five Benefits To Outsourcing Your Payroll

If you own a small business and you handle your own payroll processing, it is time to consider the benefits of hiring a company specializing in payroll to process your employee's paychecks. Outsourcing payroll services is one of the best solutions for business owners who want to free up their time. If you are not familiar with all of the benefits of outsourcing, review 5 of the top benefits and make a wise choice for the sake of your business.
1. Free Up Your Time to Handle Core Tasks
Small business owners who handle their own payroll processing will spend hours each week calculating the hours and cutting checks. If you are tired of being responsible for this time-consuming task, hiring a company who will perform online payroll processing for you is the best choice. With the time you save, you can focus on core tasks like sales and customer retention.
2. Hiring the Right Provider Can Help you Reduce Costs
When you process your payroll or you pay an employee to do the job, you are paying a pretty penny just to process checks. In fact, studies show that a small business pays almost $3000 per year just on the labor costs that are associated with payroll processing. When you hire an outsourced payroll processor, you can save money on your operation costs without compromising the quality of service.
3. Offer Your Employees Direct Deposit
If you do your own online payment processing, managing direct deposit can be difficult. You need to keep your loyal employees happy and offer them direct deposit if you want keep your employees around long-term. When you outsource your payroll processing, you can offer direct deposit without worrying about errors. This will make your employees happy and will ultimately benefit your business.
4. Avoid Potential IRS Penalties
Did you know that almost 40 percent of small businesses will pay penalties to the IRS because of incorrect filings and short payments. If you want to prevent paying the IRS extra money in penalties, you should consider outsourcing payroll services with a tax guarantee. This guarantee means that you will not pay penalties and if you are penalized, the company will take the responsibility for the penalties.
5. Quality Assurance
You cannot stand behind your bookkeeper to make sure they are doing their job right every moment of the day. When you trust an online payroll processing company, you will have peace of mind in knowing that the company monitors their controllers. This means that you benefit from the quality assurance procedures without having to put them in force yourself.
These are just 5 of the many benefits associated with outsourcing payroll services. If you want to save money, save time, and save yourself potential penalties, you need to hire a reputable company you can trust. One Price Payroll offers the best online services in the industry at a fair price. Price the cost of their payroll services and take the burden off of your shoulders.

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Interest Of Bank Loan Rates For Different Types of Loans

There are lots apply to bank loan rates for such as, housing loans, car loans, private student loans, business loans and other kind of loans. Knowing that the interest rates vary in different types of loan is important.
Usually banks have lower rates in regards to interest rates compare to other financing institutions. When you have your loan at the banks, you are secured surely but in other financing institution or other lenders, you might get higher interest rates.
Before taking any loan, one must know the bank's loan rates. If you try to purchase a house for the first or attempt to have a car finance by the bank though loans then you need to study and think it over. Don't be excited to jump on the loan, be sure you have some knowledge or idea regarding their interest rates and terms.
Several factors can affect the bank loan rates a person is able to get, knowing what can affect someone's chances of obtaining competitive rates is the first thing you need to know. Perhaps the most important terms to understand in regards to bank loan rates are either fixed or variable annual percentage rate or APR.
One should weigh the pros and cons of either option, understanding deeply that depending on one's financial situation when deciding between fixed and variable. For fixed bank loan rates, borrower never have to worry that sometimes during the course of loan, interest rate will drop or increase.
Knowing that one's payment would never increase is comforting and the borrower will enable to budget more effectively. Usually those who go too fixed have a fixed percentage wherein they are paying higher percentage from the beginning.
Many people choose to have variable APR since this type of loans have come under much scrutiny recently due to the recent boom of foreclosures and many people were unable to pay their houses payments. One other thing to consider on bank loan rates is how a person's credit affects the terms of loan. Of course, having a good clean credit history is accommodated compare to having a bad credit history.
The credit history and score are big impact by several different things, where in the length of credit history of a borrower, ratio of their debt to income and numbers of delinquent accounts. Spending times repairing any negative marks may help and can save thousands of dollars although it's time consuming but it is great at the end.
People must still proceed with cautions when borrowing money from the bank because that's a big commitment and never rush to have a loan. Think it twice or over and have a good plan on it. In finding a good bank loan rates at reasonable interest rates that suits your budget, one should go around and shop from different banks. Compare their interest rates and terms of loans.
Before you decide to have a loan, try to have some idea or knowledge regarding different types of loan, the interest rate of each bank and understand the contract. Use the money according to what you plan and never waste it.
You can also shop online through the internet just to do some research although you can also have your loan online to which bank you want to have your loan. What is important is you know your obligation to pay your loan on time and keep a good credit record. Since this is one of the useful records which financing institution or banks require for future lending.

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Finding a Way to Get Payroll Services Quotes

When you are trying to find ways to save yourself time and money as a small business owner, one of the important things for you to consider is whether or not you may want to outsource some of your routine duties to other service providers. There are some things you never need to consider, of course, before you take any action and make actual moves and decisions. If you are thinking about making a change in the way to handle your business' payroll, then you will to find a way to get payroll services quotes that will give you the answers you need.
Payroll administration is probably the one duty that is most outsourced among small businesses. Many companies do not want to spend the manpower to handle it within the business itself. Also, few small businesses have the resources of an expert in administration of payroll and knowledge of all the necessary tax laws to do it both efficiently and properly. If improperly handled, it can lead to penalties and actions from the IRS.
Most companies do not want to have to hire accountants and experts to take care of payroll since it can be too costly. This causes the businesses to go outside of their own workspace and consider other companies for these services. There are many experts in the filed today that offer to handle the payroll tasks of your business no matter how big or small.
One of the most important tasks you are confronted with before making a decision on which provider to go with is to see who the best fit for your business is. You need to examine more than just the price that is offered to you. While the price on payroll services quotes is important, there are other details you need to pay attention to as well.
You want to check and be sure the provider you choose has a strong record of reliability. This means that they make few, if any, errors in regards to an employee's pay, their check and the proper taxes being taken out of their check. You can ask each company for a history so you can see what their efficiency percentage is.
Check the references of all the providers you are considering. Ask current and former customers of theirs what the experiences were, how the customer service was and how well they responded to any problems. All of these reactions are important in seeing how they will handle your business.
Probably the best way to get payroll services quotes is through the use of a networking portal that can provide you with information and quotes from multiple sources and providers. This saves you the many hours of investigation and legwork and gives you all the information you may need to make a well-informed choice about which company to go with. Once you have made your final decision, you can then feel that you have done your due diligence and your choice will help your business in the long run.

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Flat Fee Collections Save You Money

Debt collections strategies all point to sooner is better. Debt isn't like a fine wine, it doesn't get better with age. Your accounts team should trigger their collections process beginning the day the account becomes delinquent. However, in the world of streamlining, reductions in staff, and increasing cost; just focusing on new clients becomes more difficult when bogged down with chasing old money.
According to the Dartnell Institute, the average cost of working an account internally over a six month period is $31.60 per account*. Compared to your own in-house process how do you stack up? Outsourcing this task will save you time and money and at a low cost per account you save yourself the hassle of dealing with the people who have stiffed you. Depending on the type and amount of claims you submit you could be having a whole team of professional collectors working your claims for an average of $7.00. You have now already saved over $20.00 by taking the first step. The biggest value add when dealing with flat fee collections is that you receive 100% of your money back.
Using this approach according to allbusiness.com's article "The Business of Outsourcing for Small Businesses", one of the major factors influencing the initiation of outsourcing is being able to focus on your core business. Trying to recover old money just wastes your time and money when you could outsource collections actions to professionals who integrate with you or your company to systematize the process of gathering up the past dues that are owed to you.
Think outside the box!
Think outside the box! Don't continue with processes that may not be giving you the return you deserve. Drastically reduce your in-house costs and enable your staff to concentrate on the earlier aged receivables, correcting problems/disputes, new invoicing, etc., thereby ultimately reducing the number of accounts that would typically go into the 90 day category that probably never should have. In other words, they ended up there due to a dispute/problem or billing error that no one had time to look into.
Recap:

• Focus on your core business by outsourcing collections tasks.
• Save time and money using a flat fee approach to collections.
• Reduce the number of accounts reaching 90 plus days delinquent.
• Get the money owed you back faster.
• Play a proactive active role in your collections process.

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Tips On Translation: Translating Your Business Cards Into A Foreign Language

Handing over your business card is often the first contact between you and a potential customer. There are few better ways to show a customer that you have a genuine interest in them than by having something they can readily understand - such as a business card translated into their language.
When you're translating material so that it can be used by overseas customers it's worth thinking of what information they will benefit from. Translating your marketing material means taking care of everything: your website, brochures and any written material including your business cards.
When you are 'translating your business' into a new language, there are a few things that you may not think of but could be vitally important.
As most business cards just have contact details and title, it may seem like a lot of trouble for some very small changes. However, it does help your business look professional on the international market. Business cards can be the face of your business and are often the first thing that people see, so you want them to be clear, easy to follow - and correct.
The essentials that need translating are anything that might cause confusion (or mirth) when potential overseas customers are looking at your card. This may mean even starting with your company name. Is it offensive, strange or silly in the target language? Hopefully you won't have to change your company name, but it may be worth using a transliteration of your company name in brackets below the name in English, so potential customers at least know how to pronounce it correctly.
When translating your business card, you may consider simplifying it so you do not confuse potential customers. A less cluttered card is less likely to contain translation errors - this will also keep translation costs lower. All that potential customers need to know from your business card is who you are, what your company does and how to contact you. Keeping the card simple and clear has the added benefit of being minimalist and modern looking.
Possibly the most important thing to translate correctly (after your business name and any small points about what your company does) is your job title. If your title is complicated or long-winded it may be worth simplifying it. Check that your translator has adequate knowledge of what you do so they don't assume your title means one thing, when really it means another.
Each language has variants; it's worth noting these differences when translating your business card. For example, German spoken in Germany may vary to German spoken in Switzerland, as may Traditional Chinese (Taiwan) and Simplified Chinese (mainland China). If this is the case, you may consider having a number of German or Chinese versions, for example.
Your company will have thought very carefully about the design and the colours used for company logos, graphics and images. These are things that can also be 'translated'; western ideals and styles are likely to be quite different to Chinese or Japanese, for example, where even colours (especially red, gold and white) can have connotations.

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Australia Looks Forward to the Asian Century

The long-awaited Australia in the Asian Century White Paper was published by the Australian Government last month with a goal to define and drive prosperity and population growth in partnership with surrounding Asian countries.
A number of factors are driving Australia's alignment with Asia. Besides the obvious geographical proximity, Asia is set to become the world's largest producer and consumer of goods and services. With a growing middle class which will soon be the largest in the world, Asia will continue to require the natural resources found in Australia like iron ore, coal and liquid natural gas (LNG).
Shifting demographics
Historically, Australia has had strong ties with Europe. Migration programs from European countries after World War II defined the demographics for the latter half of the 20th century. There's been an increasingly large shift in migration with 25 percent of Australia's current migrant population born in Asia.
The migration program for 2011-2012 saw seven of the top 10 countries contributing to Australian migration come from Asia including India, China, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, South Korea, and Vietnam. The largest percentage of new migrants, 23 percent, comes from the Indian sub-continent followed by 18.3 percent from the northern part of Asia.
Large Asian student contingent in Australia
Asia currently provides the majority of international students to Australia every year. More than 423,000 Asian students studying in Australia contribute billions of dollars to the local economy. The Australian government is working to keep as many of those highly-educated graduates to stay in the country by improving post-study work rights for students with a bachelor degree or a PHD. Students with engineering, geosciences and math degrees are in high demand in Australia.
Grants for Australian students to study in Asia
But the Asian century is not a one-way street. Australia has announced a $37 million AsiaBound grants program for more than 10,000 Australian students to study in Asia. The grants are valued at $2,000 to $5,000 for short-term exchange study. Other grants of $1,000 are being provided for intensive language training to help students preparing to study in Asia. The idea behind the grant program is to help Australian students establish networks with Asian students which will hopefully turn into lifelong professional relationships.
More Australians enjoying travel to Asia
A growing number of Australians are finding Asia to be the ideal place to holiday. In 2011, 3.5 million Australians travelled to Asia; most of the trips were to Southeast Asia. By 1995, almost 40 percent of Australians travelled to Asian countries. In 1998, Indonesia eclipsed both the United Kingdom and the United States as a tourist destination. It's no wonder; it's faster to get to Indonesia from Perth than to travel to the Eastern states of Australia.
Australia in the Asian Century will provide broader and deeper relationships in the Asian region creating a transformative period in history. Closer educational, cultural and personal relationships with Asia will benefit the entire nation.

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Getting Back to Basics With Offline Networking

In many ways, the Internet is the networking arena for the 21st century. From websites to social media, email marketing and pay per click, it seems the place for marketing is on the net. At the heart of the online campaign is the simple tweet or email. But if companies think they can get away with just networking online they are making quite a drastic mistake. For many businesses they are seduced by the web and placed in a false sense of security. Without a powerful offline networking approach - campaigns are likely to just collapse. I think it is time to get back to basics and keep our offline networking tools well-tuned too. These tools are advancing too - and one of those is business card printing.
Plastic business cards, one of the most cost effective tools, can enhance your brand, contacts, communications, and referrals and lead to the next prospective sale months after meeting your lead. And where a tweet has a shelf life of about ten minutes or less, that's definitely something to think about.
Getting back to basics
There is always a need for face to face contacts; business to business negotiations and referrals, and especially directly with the prospective customer. No email or tweet can take the place of the trust initiated by human contact. In order for an organisation or individual to promote themselves, their brand or products and services, there will always be a need for human contact. So what is the key to enhancing your brand offline and generating the next lead? I believe one of the most powerful tools in the hands of today's businessmen is so easily taken for granted - the simple plastic business card.
Why Plastic business cards?
They have been around for a long time. They allow the businessman to make a pitch and leave essential contact information behind with a prospective client, thus ensuring all the effort he has made does not disappear as soon as he leaves the building. When networking, the manager knows he can leave all the relevant information he needs with a new contact by offering his professionally made brand tool.
The point is more about how long that card will survive. Cardboard business cards tend to get bent and deteriorate. Very soon they will be lying at the bottom of a waste paper basket. A plastic business card is more durable. It will not bend or tear (unless you go out of your way to really snap it) and, with the advancement in business card printing, designs can be really attractive and modern - which means it is likely to remain in the memory for longer and remain in a place where it can be seen for a greater period.

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Standing Out in Today's Online Media World

Evolving technology is radically changing the way goods and services are sold. As a result, market and buyer preferences are changing how we communicate and gather information. In order to continue to grow, companies and organizations must leverage and embrace technology. Here are some effective marketing strategies to leverage your company in today's digital world.
Search engine marketing
When a person searches for a product or service that you provide, you want your website site to be at the top of the search pages. This can be achieved through search engine optimization.
Search engine optimization increases the visibility and ranking of your website on major search engines, such as Google, Yahoo and Bing. In essence, a website can be designed and positioned to be found on the first page of search engines for industry key words without paying for position.
This can be achieved by properly coding your website, developing internal links and submitting all the pages within your site to search engines and directories. The websites that are successful can enjoy a flow of free leads and traffic generated from these natural searches.
Online video
Another tool to help with your optimization and hold visitors attention is video. People tend to remember 70 percent of what they see and hear, opposed to 20 percent of what they read. Use of video on your website provides a controlled, interactive method of visual communication to demonstrate your company mission, proposition, product and service. Videos placed on sites like YouTube, Facebook and other video sites helps you distribute your content and create strong inbound links back to your website.
Good quality videos don't have to cost a lot to be effective. Promotional videos should last two to three minutes and concentrate on the benefits and unique features of your product or service. Videos should tell a good story, follow a logical path and be targeted to the audience.
Content management software
People use the Web to gather information; therefore you want your site to be an information resource. In today's competitive market, a well managed site can make all the difference. Your website needs to be fresh, timely, relevant and accurate if it is going to fully engage its audience.
As technology continues to advance, information technology needs increase. You can either spend a lot of money hiring additional IT staff or use an effective content management system to help you manage your Web content. A content management platform provides average business users the ability to build and maintain complex websites without any programming skills.
In today's fast paced information society, it's essential and cost effective to give website ownership and management of content to individuals and departments. Business needs change daily and being able to react quickly and effectively to opportunities is vital.
Establish yourself as a credible resource
Create search engine friendly public relations and marketing materials. Include hyperlinks and key phrases in your press releases that link back to your website. When these releases are posted on news sites, it provides another link to drive people to your website and another source the search engines will detect related to your company.
When a potential customer types in "Widgets in Charlotte" your company website along with other websites that have promoted your successes will come up in their search. It's great when your potential customers see your company listed favorably in the media when they conduct a search for your product or service.
Customer Reviews
One of the fastest growing areas for growing and differentiating your business are customer reviews. Over 75 percent of consumers say that online reviews have impacted their buying decision. Google, Yelp and other sites are making it difficult to compromise the system by requiring reviewers to identify themselves. This is good news because companies can't pay a service to post bogus reviews and it is more difficult for your competition to place fake bad reviews about your company. The opportunity to organically and proactively build good reviews is better than ever. A multi-phased campaign with email, review pages and QR codes can help you easily encourage your raving fans to tell their positive stories to the world!
Technology will continue to play a bigger role in marketing. Adapting and embracing technology will help your marketing efforts be more effective in today's digital world.

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Obesity Weight Management

The issue of Weight Management and obesity is increasing in both adults and children. The issues associated with eating disorders or low Body Mass Index (BMI) are a different story altogether. Obesity and weight management are crucial for consideration among masses.
Disasters of weight and obesity
People who are severely obese are likely to die on average a decade (10 years) earlier than those with a healthy weight. The health risks include but are not limited to: -

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Poly cystic ovarian syndrome
• Problems during childbirth
• Liver and gall bladder disease
• Respiratory problems
• Disturbed menstrual cycle

Background
Obesity is a chronic disorder that affects both physical and mental health, as well as deteriorates the quality of life, in numerous ways. Obesity is further associated with increased risks of other chronic diseases and health conditions. Individuals with obesity suffer from functional limitations e.g. impaired mobility, and also psychosocial problems like bullying.
The hectic routines have reduced the time spent on ourselves and very few people manage to exercise or involve in other physical activities. Though health care organizations regularly organize events, marathons and awareness campaigns but for some individuals already struggling with obesity, these important public health initiatives are not sufficient for the weight loss necessary to improve their health.
Persons with obesity have few clinical treatment options, available. Many of these treatments are provided in intensive programs. Similarly, surgery offers an effective intervention for some patients with severe obesity.
Understanding of Obesity
Obesity is a complex condition that develops from interplay among various factors. Weight gain and obesity lead to hormonal and other physical adaptations that makes weight loss more difficult.
Characterization of the sample population
Characterization of obesity is based primarily on size determined by the BMI scale.
Additional Treatments for Obesity
Obesity drugs are not always safe or suitable for everyone who is wishing to use them, it is important that safe and effective drugs are made available as a treatment options for people with this condition that require an alternative to diet, exercise, or surgery. Diet initiatives produce quick weight loss, but maintaining it is frequently difficult and usually requires adaptation of a lower calorie diet as a permanent part of life. Weight control also improves outcomes for both the mother and the child. Surgery for severe obesity is associated with long-term weight loss. Due to its cost and the risk of complications, researchers are searching for other effective yet less invasive treatments.
Proper weight loss is accomplished by eating small portions with shorter breaks. We need to eat healthier food. Instead of skipping breakfast for full fledged meals it is better to have small portions.We should never eat our full, enough space should be left to have a second helping. This is always better than eating one time and keeping the food in stomach for several hours. If we don't eat, our body will go into starvation mode. It will start accumulating body fat. It's important to get enough calories spaced throughout the day for a proper metabolism. Our body will eat its own muscle tissue first before burning fat if it is starved on proteins.
The management of obesity and weight will pave a way towards healthier life and environment in general.This will enable you to reduce body weight and combat obesity.

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Best Auto Insurance Quotes and The Best Policy

Securing the best protection for your car is one thing, but finding the most affordable without cutting corners is another. This is why the search for the best auto insurance quotes is so important. The good news is that there are secrets to spotting the best deals around, and knowing what to look for is the place to start from.
Knowing what to look for can greatly improve the chances of getting superior insurance at the lowest possible premium. And while once it did require endless hours telephoning insurance brokers and enquiring about premiums and coverage, the task is simplified today through the comparison sites that are available on the Internet.
Still, it is important to focus on the quality of coverage that is required, not just the premium to be paid. Auto insurance that comes at very low premiums might look great for the pocket, but if the coverage options are not there, it could end up costing a fortune. So, what aspects should be looked for?
Read the Fine Print
The idea of locating the best auto insurance quotes is not a simple matter of looking at the top 5 options on a comparison site. It is a little more complicated than that, with the fine print on any agreement vital information. After all, your own particular circumstances and needs have to be considered too.
Knowing how good a policy is comes down to a few simple factors. For residents of a city, the risk of theft or damage is higher, but if the rate of use of the car is lower, less time on the road means less time for accidents. Getting superior insurance is about balancing this factor to identify what the maximum coverage needed is.
Also, get clarification on the policies that surround making small claims. Some insurance brokers will punish their clients when they make claims on small damage by simply raising the premium. The best brokers will not do this. So, be sure to check out before agreeing to any auto insurance policy.
Provide Accurate Information
Insurance companies insist they must get completely accurate information if they are to compile the best auto insurance quotes they can. In fact, providing false information will normally result in serious consequences, so knowing your own situation is important when it comes to filling out the online forms.
The kind of information that is important includes the age of your vehicle, and your correct address. Some consumers like to associate their home with a more affluent neighborhood, but if this is not an accurate location, the insurance terms become null and void. Getting superior insurance can also be achieved if the principal driver on the policy is a woman. Women drivers tend to get more in the way of discounts, so naming your wife or partner can save money.
In order to take full advantage of the available benefits, this kind of alternative thinking is necessary. Remember, with any auto insurance policy, there are discounts to be enjoyed if the right approach is made.
Carefully Choose Your Broker
Of course, the insurance broker plays a big part in securing the best auto insurance quotes. And if a good deal is found, then it can translate to savings of as much as $200 per year. Sticking with a known and trusted broker is sometimes a good move, but never be afraid to seek out a new insurance option. It is here that significant savings can be made too, and where the best chance of getting superior insurance can be found.
There is a wealth of options available online, but be sure to compare the small print and to check out the reputation of the brokers listed before signing up to any auto insurance agreement with them.

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Risk Management for Financial Agreements

Risk payroll taxes is often a source of confusion and concern for both individuals and businesses. The word itself can be misunderstood because of disagreements about what constitutes a risky activity. Because risk can have so many different interpretations, strategies for reducing or managing risk can prove unsuccessful merely because the risk management goal is not adequately described. But this difficulty does not mean that risk management should be ignored. Instead it should serve as a caution signal that a bumpy road is on the horizon when dealing with risks of any kind.
How do financial agreements fit into a risk management conversation?
When companies talk about the risks they are exposed to, it is usually in the context of unknown events such as the economy and political outcomes. It seems unlikely that a manager would point to her commercial mortgage financing agreement when asked to identify the top ten business risks faced by her company. Nevertheless financial agreements like this do provide a unique risk exposure that is often overlooked until it is too late to avoid a serious problem.
Small businesses frequently experience different risks than those at larger companies. The lack of personnel is a common factor contributing to this. While a large company might have someone (or several people) whose full-time job is to handle risk management, a smaller company is more likely to have its business owner attempting to keep risks under control whenever possible. When managing risk is just one of several dozen important responsibilities, risk management is by default handled much differently than when it is a full-time job.
Within this hectic managerial environment for a small business owner, now try to imagine how familiar they are with the terms of their financial agreements. Some of these could involve contracts like the following examples:

• Credit Card Processing
• Commercial Mortgage
• Working Capital Financing
• Payroll Taxes
• Various Insurance Contracts

The commercial mortgage agreement will be used to illustrate how risk management can be a helpful tool to prevent unexpected surprises. In many commercial real estate financing contracts, it has become increasingly common for banks to insert language that gives them the right to cancel the mortgage loan even when payments have been made as agreed. As a banker might say, it might not be fair but it is legal. These terms are especially common for small business mortgages, and very few commercial borrowers are aware of these provisions until they receive an official notice from the bank stating that the loan must now be paid in full or refinanced (with another lender).
With prudent risk management strategies in place for financial agreements, this surprise would either have been eliminated by negotiating the removal of this restrictive loan covenant at an early point or anticipated as a possibility from the beginning. Financial agreements can introduce a surprising number of risk problems, and managing risks should involve identifying these potential problems before they disrupt business operations.

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5 Tips For An Effective Email Marketing Campaign

Today where almost everyone is online, more and more business owners are switching from traditional mediums of business advertising to online means. From managing a website, to SEO and social networking, email marketing is one of the best ways to introduce your products and services to the online world.
A well planned email marketing campaign can largely affect your business' visibility and global recognition. And by following the right email marketing procedures, you can start seeing the results once your target costumers receive your emails. Email marketing also allows you to adapt to a constantly changing business world which makes the competition for a wider client base more cut-throat than ever before.
If you want to get the most out of your online presence, you should invest more time and energy on making sure that you get your email marketing strategy right.
1. Make sure to put obvious links on your email. Remember that the main purpose of email marketing is to drive traffic into your website. In order to achieve this, you need to include a lot of working links in your email and make sure that they actually look like links. You can also use a strong call to action to help attract your users to click on the links.
2. Tell your subscribers of what to expect. It is important to let your readers know what you plan on giving them and how often. You need to provide enough information on your subscription form so they can properly decide whether they want to be on your mailing list or not.
3. Don't forget to send a welcome email. It's advisable to remind your readers why they are receiving an email from your company and take this opportunity to thank them for their loyalty. You also need to reassure them that they can expect a lot of great things from their subscription. You can start by giving away a special offer or an exclusive content for new subscribers.
4. Make sure to include an easy to unsubscribe option in your email. Assuring your readers that they can unsubscribe from your emails or newsletters anytime they want is a good thing. You need to incorporate easy-to-find links that will allow them to unsubscribe with minimal effort.
Otherwise, when people get frustrated while figuring out how to remove their email addresses from your list it is likely that your email will be flagged as spam. This will affect your reputation and your future emails will end up in the junk folder instead of in the inbox of your potential clients.
5. Keep Your Text Short and Scannable. You can't expect users to read the entire text in your email. They're simply going to scan it for various points that might interest them. So keep it to the point, concise and highlight important messages.

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