Casual Articles - Business

New Leader - Do You Know What Your Job Is?
At first glance, this question may seem a little silly. Of course I know what my job is. But in my experience, from both sides of the fence, many of us find out the hard way just what is expected of us. So here’s a blueprint for any new leader that wants to make sure they focus on the right areas.First of all, refer to your written job description. Read it several times and make sure you understand each area. Make notes for the areas that you need more clarification on. Make additions where you feel it is necessary.Next, request regular one on one meetings with your manager. So often I hear about managers that never have the time or feel it is necessary to meet. Don’t let your manager determine if this happens. Be proactiv

s and participate in or run online forums. Visit: www.Ryze.com

20. Small Business Blogs – Directory of small business-related blogs. Visit: www.blogsforsmallbusiness.com/directory/

21. Small Business Forum – Offers a variety of topics including small business ideas, franchising, insurance, and business plans. Visit: www.small-business-forum.com/

22. Spoke – This community is dedicated to sales professionals, helping to perfect the craft and generate leads. Visit: www.Spoke.com

23. Team Women – Networking for women with local chapters around the country. Visit: www.teamwomen.com/

24. Tickle – This site offers social network forums and groups in a variety of categories including: Activities, Alumni, Business, Computers, Entertainment, Family, Fashion ... Beauty, Hobbies ... Crafts, Home ... Garden, Money ... Investing, Parenting, Pets, Religion, Sports, and Travel. Visit: www.Tickle

8 Job Interview Mistakes You Should Avoid
FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE EVERYTHINGWhen you interview with a prospective employer, you probably have 100 things running through your head, and this may cause you much anxiety. However, if you can focus on the most important items of the interview, then you will feel more relaxed and in control of the message you wish to send. Many people find it helpful to know what not to do in the interview in order to better understand what they should do.TOP 8 INTERVIEW MISTAKES TO AVOIDIn order to best prepare yourself for that all-important interview, make sure you avoid the following mistakes that could prevent you from winning that position.1. Dressing inappropriately Know the culture of the company. Don’t dres

If you want to take your business to the next level, you should be making time to expand your networks. Networking can create a variety of opportunities ranging from meeting potential clients to locating new business partners. You can discover new ideas, form strategic alliances or find someone you can simply commiserate with. Ideally you should schedule time in your calendar to attend networking events either in person or online. Following are thirty networking resources that can get you on the road to networking success.

1. About.com – Link to this forum for entrepreneurs. There are also many other forums available on a variety of topics. Visit: http://entrepreneurs.about.com/mpboards.htm

2. All Experts – If you have expertise in a special subject matter, you can apply to become a volunteer expert for this site. Experts receive questions from site visitors that should be answered in a timely fashion. While your answers need to be thoughtful and useful, you can use this as an opportunity to promote your own service with your signature line or in your response when appropriate. Visit: www.AllExperts.com

3. Biz Help Forum – Offers a business idea exchange. Visit: www.bizhelpforum.com/

4. Business Know How - These forums cover employee issues, business start-up, marketing, and more. Visit: www.businessknowhow.com/forum/

5. Business Owners Idea Cafe - The “Cyberschmooz” forums offer a variety of topics ranging from business startup to marketing. Visit: www.businessownersideacafe.com/cyberschmooz/

6. Classmates.com – Connect with former classmates or coworkers through this growing network. Visit: www.Classmates.com

7. Company of Friends – Fast Company magazine hosts a networking exchange for its readers to discuss business issues. Visit: www.fastcompany.com/cof/

8. Craigslist – This is an online classified site where visitors can post free ads on a variety of topics. It is also a great place to find out about events, post requests for information or visit online forums. Visit: www.Craigslist.org

9. Ecademy – The tag line for this site is “Connecting Business People.” Members can post to forums, submit articles and make new contacts. Visit: ww.ecademy.com

10. eWomenNetwork – This organization provides a resource for business women to network both online and at local chapter meetings. Visit: www.ewomennetwork.com/

11. Friendster – This community offers members a free profile and a chance to connect with old friends and new friends, or find people with similar interests. Visit: www.Friendster.com

12. Internet Based Moms – Discussions for mompreneurs who work from home. Visit: http://internetbasedmoms.com/bb/

13. LeTip – Offers regional chapter meetings and encourages members to refer additional members to the group. Visit: www.letip.com/

14. Linked In – Use this network to locate career or business contacts. Members can search the database of members by keywords and contact each other directly. Visit: www.LinkedIn.com

15. Meetup – Use this site to locate or initiate events that people can attend in any region of the country. Visit: www.Meetup.com

16. Minding Your Own Business – This forum moderated by Denise O’Berry encourages entrepreneurs to swap ideas. Visit: http://myob-network.ryze.com/

17. National Association of Women Business Owners – Local chapters and networking events across the U.S. Visit: www.nawbo.org/

18. Orkut – This is Google’s affiliate for social networking. Visit: www.orkut.com/Login.aspx

19. Ryze Network – This content rich networking community allows members to connect with others in related fields and participate in or run online forums. Visit: www.Ryze.com

20. Small Business Blogs – Directory of small business-related blogs. Visit: www.blogsforsmallbusiness.com/directory/

21. Small Business Forum – Offers a variety of topics including small business ideas, franchising, insurance, and business plans. Visit: www.small-business-forum.com/

22. Spoke – This community is dedicated to sales professionals, helping to perfect the craft and generate leads. Visit: www.Spoke.com

23. Team Women – Networking for women with local chapters around the country. Visit: www.teamwomen.com/

Tips To Choosing The Right Button Badges
Button badges are arguably one of the most classic promotional items. Events as diverse as concerts, hen nights, political campaigns and charity fund raising have all seen the benefits of using button badges as small merchandise items. Funky and with an enduring appeal, button badges can be manufactured in a choice of shapes and in a range of different sizes, enabling companies to be as creative as they want. Small quantities are unusually economic, whilst very large runs can also be produced within the tightest of budgets.The humble tin button badges has timeless appeal - collectible, trendy and extremely economical. The growth in demand for these items continues with avid collectors always on the look out for new badges to add

shion. While your answers need to be thoughtful and useful, you can use this as an opportunity to promote your own service with your signature line or in your response when appropriate. Visit: www.AllExperts.com