Kenneth Boyd's Blog, page 20
February 12, 2022
10 Reasons Why You’re Getting Frequent Colds
Many people have a recurring problem with catching colds. They’ll get one, then another, and another-sometimes as often as once a month!
But that doesn’t have to be your story! In this article, we’re going to explore ten reasons why you might be getting more colds than other people do.
Check out the list below and see if any of them resonate with you:
1. You’re Sick
You may be catching more colds than other people because you’re always sick! If your immune system is always fighting a battle to keep you healthy, it can quickly become overwhelmed and collapse-leaving you susceptible to infections like the common cold.
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2. You Don’t Get Enough Sleep
Your body needs time to recover from the day before, so not getting enough sleep makes you more vulnerable to catching illness! Aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night, and try turning in earlier -after all, everyone feels better when they get an extra hour of shuteye!
3. You’re Stressed Out
Many studies have shown that stress actually suppresses our immune system, so it can be harder to fight off colds when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are things you can do to manage stress-from yoga and meditation to just taking a bit of time for yourself each day to relax.
4. You Spend Time With Sick People
Whether it’s your smelly friend who never washes their hands or someone coughing in line at the grocery store right next to you, germs are everywhere. If you mix with enough viruses and bacteria on a regular basis, it makes sense that you’d eventually catch something!
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5. You Don’t Wash Your Hands Often Enough
You may not realize how easy it is for illness-using germs to spread when you touch surfaces that have them, then touch your eyes or mouth.
Practice good handwashing hygiene with hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds every time after using the restroom, coming in contact with animals or their waste, taking public transportation, or touching items in a store (such as shopping carts).
6. You Don’t Get Enough Vitamin C
You may not realize it, but the food actually has some of the highest concentrations of essential vitamins-if you know what to look for! Vitamin C is great for fighting infections like colds, so make sure to eat plenty of vitamin-C-rich foods like oranges, kiwis, red bell peppers, leafy greens, and broccoli.
7. You Have AllergiesIf you suffer from allergies, it can cause your airways to become inflamed and cause mucus production. This makes it easier for cold viruses to infect your system as they travel through your sinuses and throat!
You’ll still need to practice the common cold prevention tips we mentioned before-but if you know you have pollen or animal dander allergies, try investing in a quality air filter and anti-allergy medications. Also, know the cause of the allergy so that you can avoid it.
8. You Don’t Get Regular Check-Ups
Many times people don’t get colds because they have a symptom of another, more serious condition. That’s why it’s important to get regular check-ups and ensure that you keep up with your health care! If something unusual or concerning is found during a check-up, treatment can begin sooner rather than later-making your immune system stronger and increasing your chance of preventing colds.
9. You Touch Your Face Without Knowing It
Touching your face without knowing it is one cause of catching frequent colds. You should stop doing this immediately if you want to learn how to prevent getting sick all the time… But wait, what? Why should I stop touching my face?
The answer is simple: you are spreading the virus by touching your face, nose, and mouth with dirty hands. This includes when you are sick!
10. You Eat the Wrong Foods for Your Body Type
Your food choices can also affect your immunity to colds. If you like to eat high-fat foods like fries and cheese, or processed carbohydrates like white bread, you’ll want to cut back on these types of junk foods to make sure that your body is working properly!
Instead, opt for more whole grains, nuts (like almonds), and fatty fish like salmon. This way, you get the energy you need without feeling sluggish.
Well, there you have it: ten reasons why you might be catching more colds than other people. Whether it’s stress, lack of vitamins, or just plain old bad luck, you don’t have to live with cold after cold. Do what you can to avoid frequent infections and make sure that if your immune system is suffering, you take care of it by getting regular check-ups and treating any underlying conditions.
Ken Boyd
Author: Cost Accounting for Dummies, Accounting All-In-One for Dummies, The CPA Exam for Dummies and 1,001 Accounting Questions for Dummies
The post 10 Reasons Why You’re Getting Frequent Colds appeared first on Accounting Accidentally.
February 10, 2022
Building a Career: Where to Start, What to Do, and How to Choose
You will most likely spend at least eight to ten hours a day doing tasks when you start working. Ten hours is a long time to spend on something you don’t like. That said, it’s crucial to choose a job that will offer emotional and physical benefits.
If you are just about to enter the workforce or make a significant career change, you’re probably finding it hard to choose the right path to take. How will you know which one is right for you with thousands of career options out there? Not knowing where to start can seem overwhelming. But it shouldn’t be. Here’s an organized method in building a career that suits you best.
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Why People Can’t Choose the Right Career
People may have different reasons that hold them back in choosing a career path. But in many cases, these are the common ones:
They are overwhelmed. Choosing a job is critical, and it’s pretty common for people to feel overwhelmed and stressed during the process. If you feel this way, the best thing to do is create a plan, map out your ideas, and develop a positive attitude to achieve your goal.
They want the job to provide happiness. While it makes sense to choose a career that would make you feel happy, you first need to identify your definition of happiness. Do you get it from a high salary? Perhaps a flexible schedule? Or the freedom to work remotely?
They are considering too many choices. Even though it’s good that you consider all your options, you have to eliminate choices that do not fit your skills, personality, and experiences. By doing this, you give yourself a chance to choose from options that actually suit you.
They are not sure about their interests. It’s common for people to feel uncertain about the type of job they want to do in their lives, and that’s okay. Take your time to consider your hobbies and interests that may align with a specific career you may like.
In general, it’s all about finding a career that gives you a sense of purpose, makes you happy, and aligns with your interests. For example, some kids have a natural talent for programming. A few of them can even start hacking at a young age. Kids like these typically grow up with so much love for a career in information technology, like creating websites and developing apps. With guidance and experience, they can even develop helpful tools, such as fraud detection tools for financial institutions, internal communication tools, and many more.
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Finding the Right Career
Here are the steps you need to take to ensure that you choose the right career.
Assess Yourself
How well do you know yourself? Before making a decision, it’s crucial to learn about yourself, your interests, values, skills, and personality. By combining these things, you can find an appropriate career to hone your skills further.
Make a List of Careers You Want to Explore
Even though you can’t decide what career you want to take, you probably have a few career choices in mind. List the jobs you want to explore and what they are all about, including the required skills and expertise.
Explore the Jobs on Your List
After making a list, it’s time to eliminate some of the choices and narrow down your search to about 10 to 15 options. At this point, you need to find more details about the careers left on your list.
Look for job descriptions, required training, education, and licenses for the careers you want to take. Learn about how each career can help you grow as an individual and professional.
Ask for Inputs
Once you determine the careers you think fit you well, consider interviewing a few people who are in the jobs you are pursuing. They can provide basic details about the career you like and help you understand it even more. Try to find out as much information as you can through the interview.
Make Your Choice
The information you gathered through research and interview should be enough to help you make a decision. Pick the career you think will bring out the best in you and will make you happy. But keep in mind that you can always start over. If the job you chose did not work out, reset and restart. There’s nothing wrong with admitting you made a wrong choice because, at the end of the day, your future depends on it.
Consider these tips when making a career choice. Don’t just jump onto a job that will give you money. Make sure that it’s the kind of career that will help you grow and learn more. By making smart choices, you’re giving yourself the chance to excel and become successful in the industry you like most.
Ken Boyd
Author: Cost Accounting for Dummies, Accounting All-In-One for Dummies, The CPA Exam for Dummies and 1,001 Accounting Questions for Dummies
The post Building a Career: Where to Start, What to Do, and How to Choose appeared first on Accounting Accidentally.
What are the Benefits of Outsourcing? The BPO Advantage Explained
Outsourcing can be a wise decision for many businesses. When you outsource, you can take advantage of the global economy and get access to the expertise of a professional Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) partner. You can also enjoy cost savings, improved efficiency, and better customer service. This is the BPO advantage.
What are the Benefits of Outsourcing?
Outsourcing can be advantageous for your company if you can use it correctly. Here are some benefits to consider:
1) Reduce your total operating costs
You can reduce your operating costs by outsourcing, because you will only pay for the services you use. Some BPOs charge on a project basis, which means that you will only pay for specific processes when they are being used. For example, if all of your IT needs are currently being managed in-house, you may only want to outsource your IT Help Desk.
2) Improve your overall efficiency
BPOs can offer more efficient service delivery. For example, if you manage your customer support in-house, a BPO can reduce call-waiting times for your customers. This is possible because BPOs can offer 24/7 service delivery with large teams of customer support representatives who work exclusively on your account. You have to make sure that your BPO partner has call center phone systems that can simultaneously handle a large volume of calls.
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3) Get access to expert knowledge
When you outsource, you can take advantage of the knowledge and experience of BPO professionals who work in your field for other companies. You can also learn from their insights about industry best practices. This saves you time and money, because there is no research or implementation phase.
4) Enhance customer service and retention
Outsourcing can lead to improved customer service. For example, if you are outsourcing your finance and accounting functions to a BPO, you will experience faster turnaround times. This is possible because the BPO has an extensive network of global experts working on such projects. You can also get detailed reports on your business activities and get faster responses to queries from your customers.
How to Choose the Right BPO Partner
It would help if you considered several things when choosing a BPO partner. Here are some of them:
#1 Managed Processes
Some BPOs take over entire business processes while others provide specialized services. You need to consider your needs carefully because you may not need a BPO partner that can take over entire business processes for your company.
#2 Cost Savings
It would be best to compare the cost of using an in-house team against that of using a BPO. You may save money if you use the right BPO partner for the right processes. This way, you will only pay for the services you use instead of paying for a full-time team of professionals.
#3 Location and Time Zone
It’s essential to consider the location and time zone of your BPO partner if you need customer support or technical support. BPOs located in different areas will have time zone differences, which may mean longer response times for your queries and customer complaints. If possible, choose a BPO located in the same time zone as your target customers to deliver better service performance.
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#4 Industry Expertise
It is crucial to choose a BPO partner with extensive industry expertise in your field. This way, the BPO will better understand your industry and can deliver more sophisticated services.
#5 Technology
You also need to consider the technology that the BPO uses for its services. For example, a BPO that uses cloud-based contact center software can deliver faster service turnaround times to your customers. This is possible because cloud technology provides real-time data to its users.
#6 Project Management
When you outsource, you need to consider how your BPO partner manages your projects. It would be best to look for a BPO that has a robust project management system in place to help you close the gaps between your in-house team and the BPO. You can also benefit from a project management system if you provide the BPO with your internal processes for their reference.
#7 Communication
You need to compare the communication methods of your BPO partners before you choose one. A best-practice approach uses different communication methods, such as face-to-face meetings, online conferencing, and phone calls.
The Advantages of Outsourcing in a Global Economy
Outsourcing is a crucial part of the global economy, because it offers many benefits. You can focus on your core business activities and take advantage of the global economy by outsourcing. You can also benefit from managed processes, improved customer service, and cost savings.
The right BPO partner will provide you with flexibility and scalability. You can outsource some business processes or use a hybrid model of in-house operations and BPOs to meet your needs. It would be best to take advantage of a BPO partner that offers multiple process support, ongoing innovation, and industry expertise.
As you can see, outsourcing your business processes can help you improve customer service while reducing costs. By choosing the right BPO partner for your needs, you can achieve great results that benefit your bottom line.
Ken Boyd
Author: Cost Accounting for Dummies, Accounting All-In-One for Dummies, The CPA Exam for Dummies and 1,001 Accounting Questions for Dummies
The post What are the Benefits of Outsourcing? The BPO Advantage Explained appeared first on Accounting Accidentally.
Thinking Out of the Box to Steal $128 Million
What do you do when someone wants to pay $10,000 in cash for your car?
A friend of mine was in this situation a few years ago. You don’t want to hand over title to your car if the money is counterfeit.
He met the buyer at a grocery store, where the seller showed up with a stack of $100 bills (hummm- what do you do for a living?). The customer service counter had a device that detects whether or not bills are counterfeit, as the US Treasury explains here:
“Hold the note to light to see an embedded thread running vertically to the left of the portrait. The thread is imprinted with the letters USA and the numeral 100 in an alternating pattern and is visible from both sides of the note. The thread glows pink when illuminated by ultraviolet light.”
My friend scanned each $100 bill before handing over the title.
That’s thinking outside of the box.
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I had the same thought when I got my haircut at Great Clips last week (who pays more than $20 to get a haircut? I mean, who am I trying to impress?)
A Dad played a kid’s movie on a cell phone while his four-year old son got a haircut. The boy never moved a muscle- which is rare for a four-year old boy.
I’m a huge fan of Peep Laja, a marketing expert who frequently talks about the “world of sameness” that we live in. If you don’t think outside the box in business, you won’t be seen as different- and you’ll drown in a sea of sameness.
If you’re going to commit a crime, out of the box thinking is particularly important.
The Body Heat Lesson
“Anytime you try a decent crime, you got 50 ways you can f*ck up. If you can think of 25 of them you’re a genius… and you ain’t no genius.”
This quote is from the movie Body Heat, a murder mystery from 1981. You’ll find a number of great actors in the movie. William Hurt is a defense attorney, and Mickey Rourke is a former client with a criminal record. The tables have turned, and Hurt’s character is asking the criminal to help him commit a crime. You’ll find the quote in this video link, about 1:50 into the clip.
High risk can pay off with a high reward, which is why some people still try to pull off big robberies, including jewelry heists.
The Dresden Green Vault Robbery
In November of 2019, a group of robbers stole 21 diamond-studded artifacts from the Green Vault museum in Dresden, Germany. The theft included more than 4,300 diamonds, with a value of at least $128 million.
This robbery required out of the box thinking.
Cutting window bars- in advance
Cut the bars on a window- but glue the bars in place until the robbery:
“A few days before the heist, the bars across the window where the thieves entered the vault were cut, according to authorities. Removing the metal grille completely might have raised the suspicion of passers-by, so the suspects covered their tracks by temporarily sticking the bars back in place with glue, police said.
The window was in a blind spot, so it wasn’t visible on security cameras and the whole area was in complete darkness”
Cover your footprints
“But before they made their escape, the robbers sprayed the room with a powder fire extinguisher to cover their tracks, the police said.
“Footmarks are very often used to identify the footwear used in by criminals,” said Ramm. “Fairly often, they’ll get rid of gloves and all sorts of other things but forget to get rid of their shoes. So, anything that disrupts the forensic trail is — I hesitate to say it — useful.”
After a massive manhunt, the gang members were eventually caught- I guess Mickey Rourke was right.
But these creative ways of thinking also apply to business.
What does ESPN mean?
ESPN stands for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network. Seems like an odd name for a cable network. So why use the name?
Tim Ferriss interviewed Bill Rasmussen, the founder of ESPN. Rasmussen explains that Connecticut Natural Gas had a spinning video graphic for an Energy Saving Program (ESP). Rasmussen liked the logo, and hired the advertising executive who created the logo- with the understanding that ESPN could use the logo. The “N” was added to the logo, and ESPN was born.
Not Valuing Innovation
I watch CNBC each day, usually when I’m getting ready in the morning. I’m particularly interested when company earnings are announced, and guest analysts talk about a company’s future prospects.
An analyst said that he expected Apple to underperform the broad market over the next 10 years, in part because so many people worldwide already own an iPhone- over 1 billion active phones in use.
The other analysts disagreed. This narrow view doesn’t value all the innovation that Apple could roll out over the next decade. Their ability to innovate differentiates Apple for the competition- and they stand out.
I’ll always own an iPhone and use a MacBook- why would I ever change?
I’ve differentiated away from just writing about accounting and finance in order to attract a larger audience. There’s so much accounting and finance content out there- my writing didn’t look much different from everything else.
Think outside the box to build your business. Good luck!
Ken
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February 1, 2022
What Are The Most Important Aspects of Digital Marketing?
Digital marketing is something that all business owners will have heard of, but perhaps not something that they have all tried. Even if you have dipped your toe into the waters of this form of advertising, you might not have a good idea of exactly what to do and what it all means.
Read on to discover the most critical aspects of digital marketing and how to get them right. Once you have this knowledge, moving forward with your marketing strategy should be much easier.
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Using SEOSEO (which stands for search engine optimization) is one of the most important parts of any digital advertising campaign. Done right, it shouldn’t even be noticeable – it becomes part of your website and even your social media posts without being too much like a sales tool or something that puts people off.
SEO is a way of landing higher in the search engine rankings, meaning that your business is the one more likely to be clicked through to after a search. Spend enough time researching the different SEO methods you can use, and then make sure you implement them properly.
This can be difficult, and in many cases, it is best to speak to an expert about how to go about it. Finding a good SEO reseller program can help you avoid the pitfalls that might be open to you and ensure that you find more customers and rank higher than ever before. Remember, SEO is a long-term strategy but one that will pay off handsomely in the end.
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Write Informative Content
Something that goes hand in hand with your SEO strategy (although it is also something that you can look at separately) is your content. SEO belongs in your content through keywords and keyphrases, but if the content itself is not interesting or informative – if, in other words, it has no value to the reader – they won’t read it.
Neither will they share it on social media or let their friends know about this wonderful article or blog post they have just read. This means you will be missing out on a considerable amount of free advertising.
Another reason to have relevant and valuable information in your content is to show that you are an expert in your field. If you can write well (or hire someone to write for you, giving them the information you need to be included) about your particular niche, you will prove that you know exactly what you are talking about, and that will impress potential customers. It will make them feel more confident in using your services, even if you are relatively new to the area.
Apply Automation To Marketing
Using automation in your digital marketing will save you a lot of time, and it will help you maintain a presence even if you are not around – customers can receive a response in the middle of the night or when you are on vacation, for example.
Automation is crucial as it enables customers to feel that they aren’t being ignored, but be aware that you will need to follow up on any messages and comments as well. The human element is just as important (probably more so) and will require your input. With automation, however, you can choose when that input occurs.
Good luck!
Ken Boyd
Author: Cost Accounting for Dummies, Accounting All-In-One for Dummies, The CPA Exam for Dummies and 1,001 Accounting Questions for Dummies
(email) ken@stltest.net
(website and blog) http://www.accountingaccidentally.com/
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NFL Playoff Quarterbacks, Film Directors, and Career Success
I think many people are too hard on themselves when they assess their careers. Success hasn’t come fast enough, or not at all, or they feel that they’re chosen the wrong career.
I remember standing in Barnes and Noble in the late 90s reading Forbes and wondering: Am I the only person who’s not getting rich in tech stocks? That didn’t end well, but you get the idea.
However, many high achievers find success later in life, or after making a career change. Two professions that illustrate this point are NFL quarterbacks and film directors. Before we get to those professionals, let’s talk about how work have changed for many people.
Sorry- I have to mention the pandemic.
The impact of the pandemic
The pandemic has caused people to rethink aspects of their lives, including how they work. Here’s an example: my kids are 30, 27, and 22- I don’t think they will ever hold jobs that require them to be in an office 5 days a week. Workers just aren’t willing to go back to the office.
Reviewing worker satisfaction
I was surprised to find that job satisfaction in November of 2020 was relatively high- the highest in 20 years, according the to The Conference Board. The reason? Companies that value employees made efforts to improve:
“During the pandemic, companies devoted more efforts and resources toward supporting the well-being of employees and their families. Companies stepped up and responded with compassion, flexibility, and support during the chaos of the pandemic and social unrest, helping to keep overall job satisfaction for workers at a high level.”
Maybe you experienced this in your job. The pandemic hit, and your employer gave you the tools to work from home, offered more flexibility. The firm understood the challenges caused by the virus. All good stuff.
What about entrepreneurs?
The state of entrepreneurship
As Forbes reports, there’s good and bad news. On the negative side, business owners face “higher prices, hiring difficulties, supply chain headaches. And unrelenting uncertainty over the trajectory of the national economy.”
Fortunately, most businesses have reopened, and companies have benefited from increased customer spending after lockdowns, particularly online spending.
While you may be content with your job or business now, many professionals wonder if they’re on the right career path. Am I succeeding? Have I chosen the right career path or business plan?
I’ve had three careers: investment advisor, CPA, and business writer. Explaining my path takes time- longer than most people want to listen.
Let’s provide some perspective.
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What playoff quarterbacks teach us
The best NFL quarterbacks have consistent success in their careers, and outperform other athletes each year.
Oh, wait- that’s not the case.
Just consider the backgrounds of three quarterbacks who made the January ’22 payoffs:
Tom Brady
Selected 199th overall in the 6th round of the 2000 NFL draft. When he enrolled at the University of Michigan, he was 7th of the depth chart. “He fought his way up the depth chart only to have his head coach give a blue chip stud a chance to dethrone him. Brady had to fight to stay on the field.”
Now considered the greatest NFL player of all time (you know, the GOAT).
Joe Burrow
Was a backup for two years at Ohio State, then transferred to LSU. Once arriving in the NFL, he suffered a “potentially devastating knee injury that threatened to wipe out more than just the end of his promising rookie season in Cincinnati.”
Led the Bengals to their first payoff appearance since 1988- and the Super Bowl.
Josh Allen
Attended junior college after not receiving any Division 1 football scholarship offers, and then transferred to Wyoming. Set franchise records for regular season passing yards and touchdowns at Buffalo.
These high achievers have struggled- just like the rest of us. Comforting, in a way.
Film directors are another great example.
Interesting film director careers
A small number of performers in any line of work take off like a rocket.
At age 25, Orson Welles co-wrote, produced, directed and starred in Citizen Kane. His film debut is considered one of the greatest in movie history (ranked #1 by the American Film Institute).
I saw the movie Jaws at least four times in theatres while in middle school (1975). The film made $400 million at the box office and won three Oscars. Steven Spielberg started filming without a finished script, or the actors he wanted. He also took the huge risk of filming in the Atlantic Ocean, where the logistics were far more difficult.
He was 29.
Spielberg continues to produce and direct movies, but he had a big success before the age of 30.
There are a number of directors who continue to find success much later in life.
John Huston
Huston both acted and directed films for decades, playing Noah Cross in Chinatown when he was 68 years old (a movie that is well worth you time). He was nominated for 10 Oscars, winning two.
Martin Scorsese
Scorsese made The Irishman when he was 77 years old. The co-stars, Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci were all over 70. This director has made successful movies for decades, including Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas.
Clint Eastwood
Eastwood is 91- not a typo- and has made great movies in his 70s and 80s. He won Oscars for Million Dollar Baby and Unforgiven.
So where does this leave us?
There is no “right path”
If you have passion and enjoy what you do, stick with it. It’s perfectly fine to change careers if something isn’t working, or if you feel that you’re on the wrong track.
What you’re trying to achieve is difficult, so give yourself some credit.
There is no right path- only your path.
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January 28, 2022
How to Find Top Talent in a Competitive Market
Finding top talent in a competitive market can be difficult. But if you know where to look, it’s not impossible. Here are some tips for finding the best and brightest employees out there:
1. Consider what they want
Top talent is often looking for opportunities that offer them things like autonomy, flexibility, variety, challenges, and creativity while providing a good work-life balance. When you’re recruiting new hires or evaluating your current staff members ask yourself “would this person enjoy this job?” If the answer is no then don’t hire them!
When you’re recruiting new hires or evaluating your current staff members, it’s important to consider what they want. If you can find a job that meets their needs, you’ll be more likely to attract top talent.
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2. Think outside the box
When it comes to hiring, look everywhere! Don’t just apply to the same places you always have and expect a different result. Use social media to get in touch with potential employees. Look at groups or organizations that might interest your ideal employee; even better, get involved yourself and get to know people before you need to hire them.
When you’re recruiting new hires or evaluating your current staff members, think outside the box. The more places you can look, the better your chance of finding the top talent you’ll have.
3. Use technology in your recruitment efforts
There are tools out there that can help you identify promising candidates faster than ever before, so use them! For example, take advantage of online resume databases where potential employees post their information for employers to find. You can also use platforms like LinkedIn to find people in your industry or see who is working at competitors.
You can use social media recruiting tools to reach out to potential candidates who are using these platforms. At least 72 percent of American adults use social media platforms, which makes using these tools a practical way of connecting with potential employees.
When you’re recruiting new hires or evaluating your current staff members, turn to technology. There are better tools out there that can help you find top talent faster than ever before.
4. Look into other industries
One of the best ways to find top talent is by looking for people who have been successful in their current industry and asking them where they found those employees. Ask about what qualities they look for in new hires, who was the best hire they ever made, and how they attracted them to their company.
This can help you identify top talent in a competitive market by thinking outside the box. When you’re considering other industries, consider that if someone was successful and satisfied where they were working before, then there’s a good chance that they would be successful and satisfied at your company.
When you’re recruiting new hires or evaluating your current staff members, look into other industries. There are top candidates out there, but you’ll need to think outside the box to attract them.
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5. Know what you want before you start searching
It’s important to know what you are looking for before you start searching. You can write down the skills, qualities, and characteristics that are required for the position that you are trying to fill. Then you’ll have a better chance of finding top talent in a competitive market because they will most likely match your criteria!
When it comes to hiring, know what you want before you start searching. If you know the skills, qualities, and characteristics that are required for the position then it’s more likely that your ideal candidate will meet those requirements.
When recruiting new hires or evaluating your current staff members, create a list of what you’re looking for. This way, when (and if) they apply, you’ll be able to easily identify top talent as they will most likely match your criteria.
6. Be flexible and don’t give up!
Recruitment is a long process that sometimes takes months, so if you lose one prospect, don’t worry about it too much. Just because someone doesn’t work out now doesn’t mean they won’t be a good fit for you in the future, especially if they are still involved in your industry.
Sometimes finding top talent takes time, so don’t get discouraged when one person doesn’t work out. Just because they weren’t successful now doesn’t mean they won’t be successful later on or that they aren’t currently working at another company that would be a good fit.
When your recruitment efforts fall through, don’t give up! Just because one person didn’t work out doesn’t mean you won’t find someone who does.
Finding top talent in a competitive market can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. If you know where to look and what you’re looking for, then you’ll be able to find the best and brightest employees out there. Using technology and being flexible are two great ways to help you find top talent in a competitive market. So don’t give up if your first few attempts don’t work out – keep looking until you find the perfect candidate for your company!
Ken Boyd
St. Louis Test Preparation
Author: Cost Accounting for Dummies, Accounting All-In-One for Dummies, The CPA Exam for Dummies and 1,001 Accounting Questions for Dummies
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8 Ways to Make the Most of Your New Employees
We all know that training new employees is costly and time-consuming. You’ve already invested much in your trusted recruitment company to find you the perfect workers, and now the responsibility of guiding them to do their job well falls on you. However, there are many different things you can do to ensure the productivity of your new hires right from day one. This way, they’ll be more likely to take on responsibility at work, which is why it’s important for managers to remember that training starts on day one!
1. Create a detailed job description
It’s important for new employees to know exactly what is expected of them in their roles. Without a job description, they’ll have no idea of the tasks and responsibilities required in order for them to do their job well. Your employees should be given the opportunity to ask questions about their jobs early on so they can start doing it effectively from day one.
2. Provide a tour of the workplace
A new employee is going to be wandering around a bit blindly in their first couple of days on the job, so it’s important to give them some form of orientation around the office. Guide them through where they can find necessary supplies and tools, as well as show them what you consider to be the best places for breaks and relaxation. Providing them with a workspace is also necessary, even if it’s just a temporary desk before they get their own.
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3. Brief them on company policies
Just as you have a job description to outline your expectations of your employees, it would be beneficial for your new hires to know exactly what to expect from you and your company. Inform them about how they can go about filing a complaint or compliment, as well as inform them of any work-related policies such as dress code and time off.
4. Encourage questions
One of the most crucial parts of training new employees is giving them the chance to ask questions. The more questions they ask, the more informed and knowledgeable they’ll be about their role. It’s important to encourage them to ask questions at any time, whether it’s during or after work hours. New employees should know that asking questions is not just allowed but also encouraged!
5. Set workplace standards
No two companies are exactly alike, and your new employees should know that. The more you do to set a standard for your company, the easier it will be for them to get used to working in an environment that’s unlike anywhere else. Although every employee should have the ability to express their individuality, they must also abide by your workplace standards while they’re on the clock.
6. Be a role model
It’s important to set a good example for your employees because it will help them learn how to do things the right way, especially at work. When you’re in an authoritative position, your subordinates will look up to you and mimic your behavior while they’re doing their own job. So if you want them to be productive employees, you have to set the standard for what that means right from day one.
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7. Encourage new ideas
It’s important for new employees to feel like they’re genuinely contributing and helping the company move in a positive direction. Asking them questions about their role and encouraging them to think of new ways in which they can improve their jobs will further motivate them. New employees are likely to feel more valued once they know that their input is felt and appreciated. There’s no harm in encouraging new ideas, especially because you’ll be surprised by how useful it could be for the company!
8. Give them the tools they need
New employees will be thrilled if you allow them to get their hands on some of the essential items that are required for doing their job well. Maybe your new graphic designer wants Adobe Creative Suite, or maybe your new salesperson would love a branded company car. Whatever they’re looking for, it’s important to give your new employees the tools that they need in order to excel and succeed.
If you want your new employees to be productive, make sure they are given the opportunity to ask questions about their jobs early on so that they can start doing it effectively from day one. You should also provide a tour of the workplace and brief them on company policies. Furthermore, encourage questions by giving them the chance to ask whenever or after work hours as well as setting workplace standards for what’s expected in order for every employee to abide by while at work.
It’s important that you set an example because your subordinates will watch how you behave and mimic this behavior themselves when given opportunities like these. Encourage new ideas and give them tools if necessary in order to excel and succeed!
Ken Boyd
Author: Cost Accounting for Dummies, Accounting All-In-One for Dummies, The CPA Exam for Dummies and 1,001 Accounting Questions for Dummies
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January 27, 2022
The Tow Truck Driver and Work/Life Balance
“It’s weird- raincoats have the zipper on the other side of the coat. None of my other coats are this way.”
The AAA tow truck driver managed to pull the zipper up over his coveralls. It was raining, dark, and the temperature had dropped into the low 40s. My daughter had run over debris in the highway, and lost power. She was pulled over on I-70 in mid-Missouri, and I was trading cars with her so she could get back to college.
I had already helped moved the college senior’s belongings from her car to mind, just two feet off of the highway. Trucks sped by, shaking the car I sat in with my wife before the tow truck arrived.
“I was just sitting down to dinner when I got your call.”
“Wow- sorry you had to come out in this weather”, I said.
“Hey, no big deal- it’s part of the job”
The temperature continued to drop, and the truck driver said that he would meet me at my repair shop, which was an hour away. I followed him as he navigated his truck through a steady rain.
After figuring out logistics, moving gear from one car to another, and a two-hour round trip in the rain, my nerves were shot. As he unloaded my car from his truck, our conversation started again.
“Yeah, I was a truck driver for years, and switched to this job so I could be home more. Only one of my eight kids drives a truck- my son is getting back into town tonight, he’s been on the road for weeks.”
Eight kids?
The truck driver spent about 10 minutes unhooking the car from the trailer, tipping the flatbed, and backing the car into a parking spot. He swiped my credit card, emailed a receipt, and was on his way.
Now he’s driving back for an hour (or more) to get home, and he’s got to be wet and cold. I’m six blocks away.
Hard work.
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What are our beliefs about work, and balancing work with life? My view has certainly changed over the years, and a health scare in 2021 (which you can read about here) also impacted by outlook on work.
Now we have choices
In the beginning, many people did not have a choice regarding hard work. Just go back to worker conditions about 100 years ago. As an example, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory was a New York factory where 146 workers were killed by a fire in 1911.
“It was a true sweatshop, employing young immigrant women who worked in a cramped space at lines of sewing machines. Nearly all the workers were teenaged girls who did not speak English and worked 12 hours a day, every day.”
Brutal.
Several factors improved working conditions for millions of workers:
National Labor Relations Act: Passed in 1935, this law protects a worker’s right to organize, defines a 40-hour workweek, and regulates overtime pay.
Technology: Perhaps most important, technology reduced the amount of manual tasks required in the economy, particularly dangerous manual work. The telephone, automobile, and radio are just a few examples.
Higher education: Over the past 100 years, a growing percentage of the workforce earned college degrees, and continuing education in all fields has become common. Nearly 94 million, or 42% of Americans age 25 or older have a college degree.
Finally, the pandemic has sharply increased the number of remote workers. Nearly 27% of US workers worked remotely in 2021.
Now we have choices. If you’re fortunate enough to get educated and develop a skill set, you can work a reasonable number of hours for an employer, or work on your own. Remote work means no commuting time, and a better lifestyle.
I don’t know about you, but I’m embracing the Steve Jobs wardrobe approach. My winter looks is running shoes, hiking pants, and pullover quarter zip sweater. Stay turned for my summer outfit…
Some people have a strong passion that drives them to work more hours.
Passion and work hours
“Opportunity is missed by most people, because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
I loved this quote from Thomas Edison. If you have a passion to achieve something difficult, you’re going to have to work a ton of hours to reach your goal. Here’s what Edison achieved:
“By the time he died on October 18, 1931, Thomas Edison had amassed a record 1,093 patents: 389 for electric light and power, 195 for the phonograph, 150 for the telegraph, 141 for storage batteries and 34 for the telephone.”
Wow.
Wayne Dyer once said: “If you do something without passion, it’s like dressing up a corpse.” To work big hours, there has to be some passion or purpose driving you.
Startup founders have a reputation for working huge hours, but this article explains how productivity drops off once a person works more than 50-55 hours a week. I know people who have worked 50-60 hours a week for decades, and seem to thrive on it.
Doing anything well: business, art, music, film- requires a high time investment. High achievement and long hours go hand in hand, and it’s difficult to get results without burning the midnight oil.
So, where does this discussion leave us?
Use technology- and your experience- to work smart (or smarter, you pick term).
Less hours with more focus
I often tell my kids that no one made more sales calls for less money than I did. I was an investment representation from ’85 to ’89, and I thought that simply grinding it out- with no plan- would pay off.
It didn’t. In fact, my wife was making as much as I was as a part-time waitress while in college.
My advice? (Not that you asked).
Make a plan, and use every tech tool you can find. Offload routine tasks to someone else. Fiverr and UpWork are two great resources to find help. I got business for years as a freelancer on UpWork.
Finally, find joy. My friend Joe owns a CPA firm, is one of the happiest people I know. Why not have fun along the way?
Food for thought.
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January 25, 2022
8 Things to Consider When Selling Your House
Your home is your most significant investment, so you want to make sure that it sells for as much money as possible. Selling your home can get pretty stressful, so it’s important to make sure that you’re prepared for the sale of your house.
Here are eight things to consider before selling your house.
1. Clear Out Your House
You must have a clean, clutter-free home when trying to sell it. Make sure that everything is organized and put away.
It’s also important to make sure that you are getting rid of everything superfluous, because buyers don’t want all of your stuff cluttering up their new house.
2. Fix Any Problems With Your Home
Before listing your home, make sure to fix any potential problems with the property itself. Try touching up any chipped paint around the doors or windows, mow the lawn, trim back trees or bushes around walls or driveways, lay down fresh mulch in gardens and planters, winterize outdoor faucets if necessary.
Basically, anything that needs fixing – take care of it before putting your house up for sale. You don’t want to have to be getting a contractor out every other day to fix something.
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3. Prepare for Repairs
If your home is going to need repairs, you need to know that ahead of time. If you choose not to do any work before putting your house up for sale, then you should expect the buyer – or their realtor – will call and ask for estimates on what it would cost to repair things. In some cases, this might mean that they back out of the deal altogether because they can’t afford all the repairs.
You don’t want this – it wastes valuable time and money! That said, if your house does need work done, make sure there’s a budget set aside for it before listing your home for sale.
4. Price It Right
It’s important that you price your house correctly. Make sure that it is priced below market value – an overpriced home will be sitting on the market for months and months, meaning you’ll get far less attention than a home that’s priced reasonably.
Additionally, make sure to do your research into what similar homes are selling for in the neighborhood to ensure that you’re pricing it competitively. You can also use websites like Zillow or Trulia, which list the current listings in your area to determine whether yours is priced too low, too high, or just right!
5. Decide Whether You Need a Real Estate Agent
While it’s not required to use a real estate agent, they can help you with things like keeping your personal information out of the public record, marketing your home for sale, and distributing flyers. They can also handle all the negotiations that come with selling your house.
On the other hand, if you’re comfortable doing it yourself – or don’t have enough money to pay an agent’s commission – consider going at it alone! You can also consider getting DIY real estate services to save money. Either way, make sure you know what you need to do before putting your house on the market.
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6. Assess Your Finances
Make sure that you’re financially prepared to sell your house! If you need a loan to cover moving costs, go ahead and get one before putting your home on the market.
There’s nothing worse than having to turn down an offer because you don’t have the finances to do it and then not getting another for months or years because you can’t move.
7. Get Your Documents Ready
Before you list your house, make sure to get the paperwork together. You’ll need proof of ownership or a guarantee that you have permission to sell it – otherwise, chances are, your sale won’t go through.
And make sure all of your legal documents are up to date! Make copies of everything and keep them on hand for any hiccups along the way.
8. Prepare Yourself Mentally
Selling your home is a stressful time, no matter how you look at it! To lessen the stress, prepare yourself ahead of time.
Make sure that you’re ready to handle showing the house to strangers (and possibly negotiating offers), packing up all of your belongings, then unpacking them again, and saying goodbye to all of your favorite rooms and places in the house. It’s not going to be an easy transition, but preparing yourself ahead of time can make it that much easier!
Selling a house can be a very stressful experience, but by following these tips, you can make the process a little easier. Make sure to price your home realistically, get your documents in order, and prepare yourself mentally for what’s to come. Have patience and stay calm throughout the process – it will all be over before you know it!
Good luck
Ken Boyd
Author: Cost Accounting for Dummies, Accounting All-In-One for Dummies, The CPA Exam for Dummies and 1,001 Accounting Questions for Dummies
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