There is growing concern among business owners that merchant account fees are too high. This concern becomes magnified every time Visa and MasterCard raise their interchange rates -- the rates Visa and MasterCard member issuing banks charge on credit card transactions, ultimately passed down to merchants. The article addresses the topic of ever-increasing credit card rates and whether Visa and MasterCard should cap their profit and limit it to a fixed percentage over the costs that they incur.

Targeting and creating your organization's mission statement is a defining moment for your company and has lasting repercussions. As the mission statement delineates the purpose of your organization, how it can fulfill needs, and the values it ascribes to, its importance is clear. This article addresses how to create an effective mission statement -- one that inspires those inside and outside the organization.

Machine quilting is becoming more and more popular by the day. Long gone are the days when you would sit down with a quilting frame and manually hand sew it until you are satisfied that it is well designed and will stand the test of time.

Charities are those organizations that provide a unique or set of unique programs within the community that they serve. Often these services are provided to their clients at no charge or are based on a fee in accordance with their level of income. Examples of some of these services provided by charities include the provision of clothing and food to the homeless, delivery of meals to the senior population, youth building programs, energy assistance, hospice care, etc.

Stress is our reaction to people or things going on around us. Sometimes the situations are positive and other times negative. When you are unhappy about how things are going, there are three strategies which will help you move forward in a positive direction. To mange your mood, consider your needs, wants, and values before you choose one of the three strategies. Then take positive steps to move forward confidently.

Organizations of all kinds must develop policies and contingency plans to deal with the potentialities of workplace violence. This article, designed as a three-part series but easily adaptable to a single-article format, reviews government and industry data on workplace violence and provides readers with strategies they can use to prevent, or deal with, violence in the workplace.

Our senses are finely tuned to reject anything that looks, smells, tastes, feels, or sounds different than what we prefer. In an increasingly complex and diverse global environment, organizations run the danger of overlooking great opportunities right under their noses and in front of their eyes because the opportunities do not fit the conventional ideal.

Many contractors hold the belief that residential construction estimating software can cause more harm than good, and this was perhaps the case in the earlier stages of development. If you aren't a computer whiz (and lets face facts, how many contractors are?) it is probably a good idea to choose construction estimation software that includes video tutorials that are interactive.

It is not uncommon to find scented lavender body wash or scented lavender bubble bath salts. These types of aromatherapy gift baskets are the perfect gift for those who would like to pamper themselves, but who may be unable to make a spa appointment.

If you have been in a job for nine months, think you are doing a great job and have some rapport with your boss, you might consider ASKING for A RAISE.

With proper care, your granite or marble countertop wouls remain new-looking for years together. Stone is one of the easiest bases to maintain. And granite being 7 on the Mohs durable scale of 1 tp 10 is ultimatly unscratchable. Blot up spills immediately, before they spoil the surface.Clean the granite or marble stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap or you can do mild dishwashing liquid and warm water.

Almost every day we encounter an ad, a slogan, or some other communication that admonishes us to Listen! Entire ad campaigns have been built around a theme that tells the world that they listen to their customers. And I agree that listening is a very powerful way to connect with another person. That being said, I firmly believe that listening is only part of the power. The real power comes when we LISTEN & HEAR!

Integrity in business is paramount. It is the strongest foundation for business survival.

If you have or want to have a business, you need to read this. This is the most important information everyone should know before they take a risk with their money.

In the beginning… The caveman needed to survive. Man found safety in groups. It was not a matter of preference, it was a matter of necessity. If you were not a part of a group, your chances for survival were slim. Conformity to the majority became necessary to stay in a group and physical strength was the dominant factor for group leadership. Those who were strong and successful in the art of survival had the majority influence toward.

Pay attention…focus…concentrate…prioritize…Easy to say but hard to do when so much is vying for your attention. What makes it so hard to master these basic concepts? Have you ever stopped to consider how much is fighting for your attention?

Virtual assistants, the online equivalent of office administrative assistants, are becoming more popular as affordable staffing solutions.

A non-profit association is an incorporated association run with the primary purpose other than to make profit. The not-for-profit associations fall into three categories. Educational institutions and charitable associations for public benefit, trusts for the mutual benefit of the members and religious establishments like churches, religious beneficial programs and religious education. Churches are theological institutions with Jesus Christ as the head. Churches exist for the worship of God. Other activities include proselytizing, i.e. spreading the word of God to others and other charitable works. Churches have many denominations like Catholics, Protestants, etc.

Many of those who are mechanics may wish to go into the Mobile Oil Change Business because the entry costs are low and because that is their area of expertise and a much needed service. But if they do this, will they make money?

Walking sticks became a money making hobby for me one summer. Here's how I made them and sold them.

Steven R. Covey was insightful in pointing out that one of the seven habits of highly effective people is “Begin with the End in Mind.” I would like to alter that slightly to say that in seeking for groupware that meets a business’s needs, a highly effective business will also begin with the end in mind.

There is much jockeying going on with large corporations and sector shifts in Akron OH. This has effected many other sectors like retail and housing. Housing growth is strong in the suburbs around Akron, especially the North sides. During the last recession housing growth was fine, but urban flight hurt and when Rubbermaid moved to Atlanta to be by Home Depot their major customer, besides Wal-Mart type box stores took out many smaller businesses.

One of the catalysts I use for topic ideas is Chase’s Calendar of Events (if you’re looking to find a publicity “hook” for your business, or for a volunteer organization for which you are trying to raise money, I can’t think of a better tool! www.chases.com) According to Chase’s, May is Business Improvement Month. While you may not be a registered as a business owner, you are indeed involved in the most important business in the world – the “business of life.”...Easy Steps to Improve Your Business - NOW!