Study In India - Career Thesaurus

Despite what you may have seen in Bridget Jones’ diary, book publishing is not all about comedy launches. The industry now means serious business and is becoming a highly competitive area, writes Sakshi Khattar

Book publishing is a creative industry that helps source, develop and market content thereby helping spread knowledge. It offers multiple career choices especially in areas like editorial and sales and marketing. As we are progressively becoming a knowledge economy, content creation and dissemination are becoming prized skills that would be needed by society.

Book publishing is considered to be a traditional industry, which is a misconception,” opined Ajay Shukla, managing director, McGraw-Hill Education India Ltd, adding,“publishers today are offering innovative multi-dimensional content delivery including digital, online, interactive audio/video content in addition to print content. With the development of new delivery channels, a career in publishing is becoming more challenging and exciting for bright young talent.”

Stephen Barr, president, SAGE international, said:“The publishing industry is highly enriching as one gets to interact with a lot of authors, work with people from different fields and overall has an exciting career.” Though he cautions,“It is stronger on enriching your mind rather than filling your pockets.’’

Outsourcing

Outsourcing projects to India has received plenty of press. Companies are keen to have their work done in India. Earlier, it was the economic slowdown that inspired companies to close departments and outsource their work to India whereas now they are discovering that outsourcing allows rapid expansion.

Due to globalisation, this industry is growing at a rate of 20%, felt Saurabh Garg, director, Brijbasi Art Press. He said:“The future of book publishing is promising. Companies from US and UK are outsourcing their publishing requirements from India, which includes writer, correction, designers, and so on, thus making it an exciting career option.”

Scope

Book publishing offers multiple career choices. Vikesh Dhyani, general manager - marketing, Pearson Education, explains,“Editorial mainly comprises sponsoring or commissioning editors, development editors/project managers, copy editors and proof readers,” adding,“sales& marketing is composed of field sales executives and professionals from all walks of life like management, technology, health besides product specialists for marketing and promotion.”

“With large public and private investments underway to enhance enrolments in school and higher educational institutions in India, the publishing industry is all set to grow dramatically in the years to come, resulting in a high demand for talent,” claimed Shukla.

The scope of book publishing is perhaps huge, especially in India as publishing is a relatively new field here. Anurag Mehta, marketing director, Snab Publishers Private Limited, said:“The literacy level is increasing and the book market is expanding. Moreover, there are big retail companies who are retailing books now and soon books would become something like a FMCG product.”

Since books have a longer life there lies more scope. P S Bright, managing director, Bright Group of Publications, said:“The scope for publishing is rising day after day because audio and video cannot educate you for a long time but books and print production can, as they work as a reference guide which has a long life.”

Work Profile

The job of a publisher includes selecting and commissioning manuscripts, preparing manuscripts for printing, designing the final appearance of books, overseeing their printing and binding and finally, marketing. Bright explained,“The publishing process is mainly divided into editorial, designing, production, advertising, publicity and marketing,” adding,“the publishers can be specialising in textbooks, paperbacks, technical literature, art books and children’s books. He also looks in to the fact that the works published are sold in the market.”

Likewise, Mehta said,“There are many job opportunities starting from the lowest level to the highest level like DTP operators, proofreaders, editors, research editors, authors, illustrators, photographers. There are all sorts of books published and this requires the services of many professionals.”

Threats

The copyright problem is perhaps a major threat today, specially the piracy of books.“Stricter action is needed to control this”, opined Mehta adding,“E-publishing is more of a supplement to book publishing than a threat. This can be a source of additional revenue for publishers and also can be used to increase the awareness about a particular book.”

“Copy writing, piracy and as far as e-publishing is concerned, it is limited in metros only where internet facility is provided,” felt Bright. Likewise, Shukla claimed,“Piracies, plagiarism, abuse of copyright including photocopying are the key issues facing the publishing industry today.”

Lucrative Choice?

Sky is the limit, if you have the potential. Mehta said,“Definitely it is financially rewarding and specially editors, research editors, authors can make a lot of money. It is a profession, which can make entrepreneurs out of people without investing too much. There are many cases of authors becoming self publishers and establishing their own publishing houses.”

Similarly, Shukla assured,“Compensation including incentives is quite attractive at entry level and as you gain experience, employers are willing to recognise your value through handsome bonuses and perquisites,” adding,“senior management staff can expect salariesthat are comparable with equivalent positions in other companies in the manufacturing and services sector.”

http://education.indiatimes.com/educationTimes/getArticleDetails.do?contentid=2007051816101073474c0599&sectid=9

Fashion Designer

Fashion designers design men's, women's, and children's clothing and clothing accessories. Most work for large manufacturers producing designs for a mass level. Some self-employed high-fashion designers have specialty shops as clients, and still others cater to individual clients.
Job Skills

Fashion designers must have well-developed artistic abilities and a desire to create. They need to have self-discipline, imagination, and persistence. It is also important for them to be able to work independently and to effectively communicate their ideas in written, verbal, and visual ways. Problem-solving skills are essential, as well as sharp business and sales ability for those who start their own business or do freelance work. Above all, a strong esthetic sense is the most important trait a fashion designer can possess.

Income

In 2002, fashion designers earned a median annual salary of $51,290. Earnings ranged from the lowest 10 percent, who earned less than $25,350, and the highest 10 percent, who earned more than $105,280.

Training and Education

When hiring fashion designers, employers require candidates to have a 2- or 4-year degree from an accredited school. Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the fashion world such as textiles, fabrics, and ornamentation, as well as an understanding of current trends. For those interested in freelance work or business ownership, courses in business management, marketing, and art are recommended.
Employment

Out of the nearly 532,000 design jobs in 2002, about 15,000 people were employed as fashion designers.

Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of fashion designers is expected to increase about as fast as the average. Because consumers continue to seek fresh, new designs from the apparel industry, demand for this type of design will remain high. This will be offset, however, by an overall decline in the apparel manufacturing industry.;

http://www.education-online-search.com/articles/careers/fashion_careers/fashion_designer

Fashion Design Schools

North American Fashion Design Schools: This article provides an overview of fashion design in North America. Cities such as New York and Los Angeles have become major centers of fashion design. Top fashion design professionals with major design firms in the US can earn more than $100,000 per year. The average income is just about $50,000.

Topics in this article include the skills needed to be successful in fashion design, a summary of the courses offered in North American Fashion Design Schools, the nature of the work, employment prospects, and more. In many cases you will see a strong similarity between fashion design in North America and fashion design in Europe.

Skills: Fashion designers must be skillful with textiles, fabrics, ornamentation, and knowledgeable about trends in the fashion world. Other required fashion design skills include a good eye for color, balance, and proportion, and the ability to manage detail. Fashion designers also benefit from strong personal skills and an ability to understand what their client is looking for and to bring the client’s design concept to life.

Courses: North American Fashion design schools train you to work with your client, to understand their needs and desires, and to create designs to match. Fashion design courses will help you learn how to work with different patterns or to create your own, how to work with different textiles and materials, and how to train you eye and mind to produce a visually appealing product. In addition, fashion design schools will provide you with practical working experience that will enable you to build an initial fashion design portfolio that will be critical to your success in finding a job.

Employment: Fashion designers typically work for clothing distributors and manufacturers, pattern manufacturers, fashion design salons, fashion department stores, specialty shops, or textile manufacturers. Fashion designers are expected to have faster than average employment growth.

Work: Fashion designers design clothing and accessories. Fashion designers create original work as well as following the latest fashion trends. Most designers end up creating design of clothing for the mass market, although some of the fashion designers end up working for high-fashion department stores.

http://www.education-online-search.com/articles/careers/fashion_careers/fashion_design_schools

Cosmetology Career

Cosmetologists, also called hairdressers and hairstylists provide beauty services such as shampooing, cutting, styling, and coloring hair, along with scalp and facial treatments, and sometimes manicures and pedicures. They can clean and style wigs, and provide help and analysis on makeup.

All States demand that cosmetologists to be licensed, but different States have different requirements, and not all States have reciprocal agreements. Usually there is a need to graduate from a licensed school, and to complete a course in the basics of the profession. Applicants are usually required to complete a written test and demonstrate an ability to perform some basic cosmetology services.

In fact continuing education is a very important part of this profession, as fashions change and new techniques and styles develop. Cosmetologists need to keep up to date, or they find that they loose their clients. Experience is very important in this profession, and generally speaking the more experienced a cosmetologist, the better they are.

Salaried earnings including commissions on products and tips are approximately $17,700 per year. Experienced and well recognized cosmetologists may earn as much as $33,500. Many cosmetologists are self-employed, running their own businesses and even employing other people.

http://www.education-online-search.com/articles/careers/fashion_careers/cosmetology_career

Budget Analyst

Budget analysts assist management in deciding how to allocate resources and estimate future financial requirements by developing, analyzing, and executing budgets. Their main task is to determine how to most efficiently distribute financial resources within private, non-profit, or government organizations. They examine budget estimates or proposals submitted by managers and department heads, and determine their completeness, accuracy, and conformance with established procedures, regulations, and organizational objectives. They may perform cost-benefit analysis, examine past budgets, research exterior economic developments. They then consolidate the various department's budgets into a budget summary and submit the summary to senior management.
Job Skills

Budget analysts should have strong analytical and statistical skills, as well as be familiar with word processing, financial software packages, and other computer applications such as electronic spreadsheets, databases, and graphics software. They must have strong written and oral communication skills because they are required to prepare, present, and defend budget proposals. They must also be able to handle the pressure that comes from working under strict time deadlines.
Income

In 2002, budget analysts earned a median annual salary of $52,480. Earnings ranged from the lowest 10%, who earned less than $34,580, and the highest 10%, who earned more than $82,720. Starting salaries in small, private companies ranged from $29,750 to $36,250. Starting salaries in the Federal Government ranged from $23,442 to $29,037. Candidates with master's degrees usually start around $35,519. In 2003, the average salary for Federal Government budget analysts was $62,400.
Training and Education

While private and government employers require at least a bachelor's degree, many require candidates to have a master's degree. In some cases, a degree in a field that closely matches the industry of the employer may suffice as qualification for employment. Some employers prefer candidates with degrees in business, while others prefer those with majors such as political science, economics, public administration, or public finance. Some work experience related to budget or finance can substitute for formal degrees. Entry-level employees may receive on-the-job training, while others are trained by working through a 1-year budget cycle. Federal, State, and local government budget analysts can become certified as a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) through the Association of Government Accountants, which requires a bachelor's degree, 24 hours of financial management study, 2 years of experience in government work, and successful passing of three exams.
Employment

In 2002, budget analysts held about 62,000 jobs. 46% were employed by Federal, State, and local governments. 20% worked for the Federal government, and others worked in manufacturing, financial services, or management services.
Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of budget analysts is expected to increase about as fast as the average. Growth will be due to demand for quality accounting advice in all sectors of the economy, as well as to workers who retire, change occupations, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Computer automation has increased productivity, but budget analysts' jobs have become more complicated because of the increase in information available. The complexity of their jobs and the increased importance given to financial management will offset any adverse effects of computer automation. Job prospects will best for those candidates with master's degrees, as well as those who are proficient in computer financial software packages.

http://www.education-online-search.com/articles/careers/business_careers/budget_analyst

Bookkeeping Accounting Auditing Clerk

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks maintain accurate financial records for their employers by counting and arranging numbers and figures. Those with less experience use 10-key calculators, typewriters, and copy machines, while those with more experience may use computers and accounting software packages. Bookkeeping clerks maintain records of accounts and financial arrangements by verifying and entering information into computers or ledgers, balancing the books, compiling reports and statements, balancing checkbooks monthly, and calculating employee wages. Accounting clerks, also known as accounts payable clerks, accounts receivable clerks, or assistant bookkeepers, keep up-to-date records of financial and statistical documents by calculating, posting, and verifying financial data. Auditing clerks verify the accuracy of other workers' figures and calculations. They verify expense accounts, commissions payments, cash receipts, bank records, and inventory records, and correct any mistakes that need to be corrected.
Job Skills

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks need to have an aptitude for mathematics and be able to use a 10-key adding machine. They need to be very detail-oriented and be able to complete their work with an extremely high degree of accuracy. Employers look for people with good communication skills and the ability to use computers. They must also be willing to sit for lengthy periods of time and complete a high volume of mathematical calculations. In the hotel, restaurant, or sales industries, they may be required to work longer hours during particular seasons, such as holidays or vacations.
Income

The income of bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks depends on a number of factors such as location, experience, level of responsibility, and skills. Entry level clerks may start at minimum wage up to $11.50 per hour. More experienced clerks may make up to $14.00 per hour, while clerks who work more than three years with a particular firm may make up to $19.50 per hour. They usually work a standard 40-hour work week, with occasional overtime. Some employers offer benefits such as paid vacations and sick leave, life and health insurance, bonuses, participation in a credit union, or retirement and profit sharing plans.
Training and Education

While most employers require a high school diploma, some look for candidates who have a degree from a business school or community college. Others prefer candidates with at least two years of bookkeeping experience. Training in typing, bookkeeping, and computer accounting are recommended. Many employers provide on-the-job training through work-experience programs at schools such as high school Regional Occupational Programs (ROP). This type of training can be highly advantageous in finding and securing a job after graduation.
Job Outlook

Job opportunity for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks is expected to grow about as fast as the average. New jobs will account for some of the growth, while job openings resulting from workers retiring or changing occupations will account for the rest. Job growth will be somewhat tempered by the increased use of computers and automation, creating organizational structures that requires fewer workers. This also means that job opportunity will be best for those workers who possess the necessary computer skills.

http://www.education-online-search.com/articles/careers/business_careers/bookkeeping_accounting_auditing_clerk

Become A CFO

This article provides an overview of CFO careers and the requirements to become a CFO. This article will outline a CFO's job duties, salary levels, and employment prospects, as well as discuss the necessary skills, training, educational requirements, and certification requirements.
CFO Job Duties

A chief financial officer (CFO) may also be known as the vice president, senior vice president, or executive vice president of finance. Whatever the title, a CFO is responsible for the finance and accounting operations of an organization, including financial reporting, and compliance with accepted finance and accounting standards and regulatory requirements.

In public companies, CFOs literally sign-off that the company's reported financial statements, and financial well being are accurate, free from error and misrepresentations, and are in compliance with all applicable standards and regulatory requirements. There are substantial civil and criminal penalties for CFOs who deliver inaccurate, erroneous, or misrepresented financial information.

CFOs are typically a senior executive and an officer of their company. They typically report into the chief executive officer (CEO). CFOs also have substantial reporting responsibility to the chairman of the board of directors and the head of the board's audit committee.

The job duties of a CFO can differ depending on whether they work for a public or a private company. The job duties of a CFO can include:

* Participating in the organization's strategic business and financial planning processes
* Setting financial goals in support of business operations and strategic directions
* Planning and managing the finances of the entire organization
* Managing securities and cash portfolios, other liquid assets, and debt
* Obtaining financing for major initiatives or acquisitions
* Providing financial due-diligence for any merger and acquisition activities
* Managing people
* Managing important vendor relationships
* Managing business and financial operations
* Researching and staying abreast of the latest regulatory trends
* Researching and staying abreast of the latest financial accounting reporting trends
* Monitoring financial processes, policies, systems and personnel
* Assuring compliance with accepted financial accounting standards
* Assuring compliance with the recently enacted Sarbanes-Oxley legislation and other SEC regulations, in public companies
* Attending business conferences
* Reporting on the financial well-being of their organization to the CEO, board of directors, stock holders, and regulatory bodies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
* Providing assurance that financial reporting is accurate, error-free, and free from misrepresentation
* Acting as the point of contact with the stock market, business press, and financial analyst community
* Depending on the organization's structure and reporting relationships, a CFO may also have information technology (IT) responsibilities, legal responsibilities, human resource responsibilities, organization responsibilities, and more

As with any senior executive job, the CFO's job can be very demanding. Long hours, including evenings and weekends, and frequent travel, can be a normal part of the job.
CFO Job Skills

As a senior executive, a CFO is expected to have a broad and varied range of skills. These include:

* Accounting and financial management skills
* Understanding of complex financial concepts
* Attention to detail and facility with numbers
* Effective communications skills
* Strategic thinking and planning skills
* Understanding business processes and operations
* Understanding business strategy
* Understanding of non-financial areas of the business such as information technology and legal
* Understanding industry trends and market forces
* Leadership and motivation skills
* Self-confidence
* Managerial skills
* Integrity, honesty, and high ethical standards
* Sound business skills and judgement
* Ability to assimilate and evaluate large amounts of information
* Decision making skills
* Negotiation skills
* Sales Skills
* Political skills

CFO Income

CFO pay varies greatly depending on the size and type of organization. Compensation of CFOs can include a base salary, bonus, stock options, stock grants, long-term incentives, and other compensation. Other benefits enjoyed by top executives, such as use of company cars, planes, memberships, and other perks, often are also a part of their compensation package.

There can be a very wide disparity in CFO compensation between large and small companies. CFO Magazine reported that median annual compensation for CFOs in 2002 at the largest companies (companies with revenues in excess of $1 billion) was almost $1 million, with additional median pay outs on long-term incentives of $500,000. A larger survey of CFO compensation done by The Todd Organization in 2001 reported that CFOs as a group had a median annual compensation of almost $900,000. CFOs at small companies had a total median annual compensation of almost $600,000, and those at large companies had a total median compensation in excess $2 million.
Training and Education Required to Become a CIO

The formal education for CFOs can vary greatly. No specific degree is an absolute requirement for CFOs, although financially oriented degrees are strongly preferred. CFOs typically have an accounting or finance background. Most would have at least a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. Many have MBAs and other advanced degrees. CFOs often attend executive education programs to further their skills and understanding of the issues that CFOs manage in their work.

Click here for more more information on Business Schools and the programs that they offer.
CFO Employment

Almost every organization of substantial size has an individual at a director level or above who is responsible for the organization's financial operations and reporting.
CFO Job Outlook

Because of the high pay and prestige of top management positions, competition for top executive positions such as CFO is very keen. While numerous openings can be expected as executives transfer to other positions, start their own businesses, or retire, many people will be attracted to the available positions. As a result of the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation, many CFOs and financial professionals are being forced out or leaving because of the increased knowledge and responsibility required of a CFO in the current regulatory climate. Some CFOs are voluntarily leaving publicly traded companies for private companies with less of a regulatory burden. This should increase the competition for CFO jobs at private companies.

With stricter legal penalties and more stringent regulatory mandates for CFOs, individuals considering this career should carefully analyze the requirements of this position.

CFO employment growth, similar to the growth for all top executives, can be expected to be about as fast as the average for all occupations through most of the next decade. Certain industries, such as professional services, scientific services, technical services, administrative services, and support services can expect to see faster than average employment growth. Others, such as some manufacturing industries, can expect employment declines.

http://www.education-online-search.com/articles/careers/business_careers/become_a_cfo

Administrative Services Manager

Administrative service managers work in almost every industry coordinating and directing the support and administrative services of companies. They manage the services needed to keep an organization running smoothly and efficiently, such as data processing, records management, printing and reproduction, secretarial and reception, and security, among many others. Their specific duties depend upon their position in the management hierarchy.

First-line administrative service managers closely supervise the lower-level staff positions. Mid-level managers may supervise first-line managers, and also execute departmental planning, set goals and deadlines, and work to improve efficiency and productivity, and occasionally hire and fire employees. A small number of mid-level managers are promoted to high-level positions, such as vice president of administrative services.
Job Skills

Many skills are required of administrative service managers, the most important being the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of co-workers, including lower level blue-collar workers to supervisors and other managers. Administrative service managers need to be decisive, analytical, detail-oriented, and flexible. They must be able to multitask, analyze and resolve problems, and meet strict deadlines.
Income

In 2002, administrative service managers earned a median annual salary of $52,500. Earnings ranged from the lowest 10 percent, who earned less than $26,120, and the highest 10 percent, who earned more than $99,870. The following shows the median annual salaries for the industries employing the highest numbers of administrative service managers:

* Management of companies and enterprises - $66,700
* Elementary and secondary schools - 59,220
* Colleges, universities, and professional schools - 56,960
* State government - 55,710
* Local government - 51,570

Training and Education

Often, experience is the only requirement for employment in a small organization. Larger organizations have more formal requirements for various management positions. First-line administrative service managers usually must possess an associate degree in business or management, although sometimes a high school diploma will suffice. Higher-level positions require at least a bachelor's degree and often a graduate degree in a specific field. Beyond educational background, the other major factor is work experience. Because of this, many managers work their way up to management through the lower ranks, gaining valuable experience along the way.
Employment

In 2002, approximately 52,000 people were employed as administrative service managers. About 90% worked in Federal, Sate, and local government, health service, financial service, professional, scientific, and technical services, and education. The rest worked in manufacturing.
Job Outlook

Between 2002 and 2012, the number of administrative service managers is expected to increase about as fast as the average. Competition for positions is also expected to increase, as the number of applicants exceeds the number of jobs. However, demand should be strong for facilities managers, as well as managers employed in management services and management consulting.

http://www.education-online-search.com/articles/careers/business_careers/administrative_services_manager

Accounting Careers

A career in accounting is likely to be satisfying and lucrative; accountants offer an increasing range of accounting, auditing, tax and business services to their clients. Many accountants opt for private practice, joining established accountancy companies and partnerships, or becoming self-employed and starting their own consultancy. Others are employed in the financial management departments of corporate businesses, working as management accountants and analyzing financial information, and doing cost management, budgeting, forecasting and other information handling jobs to aid executives in decision making processes.

In order to enter the accountancy profession you will need an accountancy degree or a degree in a related subject, and then gain professional recognition through certification or licensure. This usually takes the form of taking the exams for a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) awarded by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. These licenses have to be renewed at intervals, involving continuing professional education.

Pay is good. In 2002 the median annual earnings of accountants and auditors were $43,500, according to the US Department of Labor. Starting salaries for graduates are high, and experience will see salaries increasing fast. The top 10% of accountants earn over $73,000.

Increasingly accountants are taking on consultancy in business areas related to accounting, such as some information systems consultancy, some limited legal areas and business organization. This is an interesting and evolving profession, so take a look at accountancy degrees.

Directory of Schools Offering Accounting Degrees

http://www.education-online-search.com/articles/careers/business_careers/accounting_careers

Managing Debt - Do You Have Too Much Debt?

Most people have some kind of debt. It might be in the form of a mortgage, an auto loan, a student loan, or even a credit card balance. Having debt isn’t a bad thing as long as you are taking steps to pay it off. It’s having too much debt that can cause an unhealthy financial life. Taking the time to determine whether or not you have too much debt can provide confirmation that you are doing things right or the realization that some financial changes are needed.

One of the best ways to calculate your debt load is by figuring out your debt-to-income ratio. This is the amount of debt you have relative to your income. You can calculate your debt-to-income ratio including good and bad debt, or you can leave out good debt. If you want to gauge your debt overload, it’s typically better to calculate the ratio considering only bad debt.

On the other hand, if you want a total picture of your debt, include both good and bad debt (see Good Debt vs. Bad Debt).
Calculating Debt Overload

For starters, let’s say you want to gauge just your debt overload. The calculation for your debt-to-income ratio is fairly straightforward. Simply add up the amount you spend each month on bad debt and divide it by your total monthly income. Multiply that number by 100 to come up with a percentage. The result is your debt-to-income ratio.

For example, let’s assume you make $3,000 a month. Let’s also assume you spend $300 on credit card payments and $450 on an auto loan. Your ratio calculation would be $750 divided by $3,000 which is equal to 0.25. Multiply that by 100 for a debt-income-ratio of 25%. In this example, you spend a quarter of your income on bad debt.

When it comes to debt, whether good or bad, the lower the debt you have, the better. A bad debt ratio beyond 10% is too high and often is a sign that you are overloaded with debt. Under this scenario, you would have too much bad debt.
Understanding Your Total Debt

There will be times when you want to evaluate your total debt picture, including both good debt and bad debt. The calculation is the same as in the previous example; the only difference is that you will include all your debt rather than just bad debt.

To calculate your total debt-to-income ratio, add up your total monthly debt expenses. This includes payments for credit cards, student loans, mortgage or rent, child support or alimony, and other loans or credit cards.

Next total your monthly income, including take-home pay, alimony or child support, bonuses, or dividends.

Divide your total debt payments by your total income (don’t forget to multiply by 100) for your debt-to-income ratio.

Your total debt-to-income ratio, considering both good and bad debt, is best at 36% or lower. A ratio lower than 30% is excellent, while a ratio over 40% is a red flag for a potential financial disaster.
The Result

If you determine that you have too much debt, Reducing Debt can help you put together a plan to lower your debt, making it easier to manage.

http://credit.about.com/od/reducingdebt/a/toomuchdebt.htm

How to Make More Money

Your Lifetime Income Potential

Work is about the money. Work only becomes not about the money when you have sufficient income – however you define sufficient income – to support your chosen life style.

With sufficient money to live on, work can then become about making a difference, contribution, sharing an important mission, doing tasks you love, feeling important, making friends, gaining success, pleasing customers, and achievement. All of these goals, that define why people work, come into play when you make sufficient money.

Your Choices Determine Your Lifetime Income Potential

Thus, the amount of money that you want to make, and do make during your lifetime of working, is dependant upon your beliefs, attitudes, values, and career choices.

If you value helping people in need, you can anticipate a particular salary over the course of your career. As long as your values are more important than what you are paid, your choice is fine. But, you cannot set a goal of making a million dollars a year, make a career choice that pays $40,000 per year, and expect to be happy with your career decisions and the money you make over time.

Almost everyone thinks that they should make more money than they do. But the amount of money you are paid by your employer is dependant upon a number of factors discussed in: The Scoop on Salary Increases: What Pay Raise Can You Expect From Your Employer?.

About’s Joshua Kennon tells you: How to Become Wealthy: Nine Truths That Can Set You on the Path to Financial Freedom. I’m writing these tips to help you have the money you need to follow his strategies. He and I agree on the first step you need to take to make more money.

Change How You Think About Money to Increase Income Potential

Money is what you are paid to do a job and accomplish goals for an employer. Or, money is the salary you pay yourself as a self-employed business person. Money is neither the root of all evil nor is it a panacea for all of your pains and the world’s ills. It is simply a tool that allows you to attain the standard of living you choose to pursue.

Money enables you to provide for your family’s basic needs and to raise and educate your children. Money allows you to support philanthropic causes about which you are passionate. Money allows you to travel, purchase items you want in your life, and pursue hobbies and interests that engage you. Money allows you to retire some day if you choose.

Consequently, getting more money is not just okay; it’s fundamental to the plans you have for your life. Asking for a higher salary when you change jobs is expected. Requesting an increase in pay from your current employer is your right. Choosing a career that will pay a higher salary and thus, a higher lifetime income, is all right.

Change How You Think About Yourself to Increase Income Potential

While you don't want to define your character by the amount of money you make, you do need to have the mind set that whatever you can earn, you are worth. If you think of yourself as a $30,000 a year employee, $100,000 is quite a mind leap. Be prepared to make the choices throughout your career that will enhance your ability to earn more money. As an example, asking your manager for a raise can daunt the courage of even the most confident person. Yet, if you never ask for a raise, you are "settling" for what your organization offers you.

Pick Your Career Wisely for Income Potential

Some jobs just pay more than others. If money is important to you, select a career that will pay you what you want to earn. Or, realize that you will have to do something extraordinary to make good money in the career of your choice. You can also moonlight, work a second part time job, freelance, or start your own business. Again, the money you will make during your work career is up to you.

Take a look at these salary calculators to figure out your income potential in various careers. The Economic Research Institute Salary Calculator will even help you figure out lifetime salary potential for jobs.

Obtain the Requisite Degrees and Credentials

People with degrees tend to make more money working in their field than people who do not have degrees.

The lifetime gain in income can be significant. As an example, a person with a bachelors degree in business will earn an additional $349,028 and an engineering degree can bring an employee an extra $500,000. The associates degree brings a huge bump over a high school diploma.

Need convincing? At MSN Money, Liz Pulliam Weston offers convincing information from census records that lifetime income increases with degrees. In addition, according to: The Benefits of Graduate Education, "The lifetime income differentials are magnified when computed over a 40-year career (from ages 25 to 64). Master's degree recipients will earn $2.5 million in their lifetime. Lifetime earnings of holders of professional degrees, at over $4.4 million, are well above that for any other group." (Source: Educational Attainment in the United States, U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, May 2004.)
Develop Your Career Path With Care for Income Potential

To earn the best salary, if you take a job with one employer, and stay with that employer, you may not maximize your income potential. The job choices you make can also affect your income. Spend time in line management and manage the work of others to grow your income potential. Or, develop a technical skill set that makes you a valued individual achiever.

Ultimately, though, you may need to change departments or employers to earn the highest income. I read recently that an employee who switches companies expects minimally a ten percent increase in salary. Becoming a wanted quantity ups the value of your bargaining chips with your current employer, too.

Take Action to Improve Your Lifetime Income Potential

If you are a quiet, good, hardworking employee who waits for salary increases to be offered by management, you are limiting your lifetime income potential. Actions that you take at work, and over your years of working, seriously impact your income potential.

* Negotiate a potential new employer's initial offer. You may find the offer is not negotiable, but there is little harm in trying - once. You will alienate the employer if you engage in a series of negotiations that escalate your demands as the employer improves your offer. Only about 20 percent of employees negotiate their salary offers or benefits packages. Be one of them to improve lifetime income potential.

* Ask for raises regularly from your manager while you work. Track your accomplishments. Measure the before and after of projects you complete. Demonstrate and point out the value you add to the company's bottom line. Recognize that, despite your best efforts, your employer may have a salary band outside of which he cannot negotiate. Your employer may also have a policy to review salaries annually at a specific time. But, it doesn't hurt to ask; just don't pester.

* Express your career ambitions and the contributions to the company's success you hope to make. Obtain your supervisor's commitment to and help with your career growth and development. You want to be in the succession plan. Every company has a superior employee list - trust me - and you want to be on it to maximize your income potential.

Use these ideas to ensure that you earn the amount of money you want over your lifetime of working. You can maximize your lifetime earning potential. You need to choose to do so; these ideas will help.

Please don’t mistake this article for social commentary about how the world “ought to” value jobs and money; this specific article is about the money. Go get yours. Remember, you're worth it.

http://humanresources.about.com/od/salaryandbenefits/a/life_earnings.htm

Becoming a Sage: The Keys to Life-long Self-development

People define success differently. For some, success means having achieved financial security or career pinnacles. Some people judge their success by the positive impact they have made on others whether these are clients, students, associates, or family. Other successful people have acquired a level of expertise that is recognized and respected by peers. But despite these differing definitions of what constitutes success, successful people themselves have similar characteristics.

* First, they are self-confident without being arrogant. This comes from being self-aware: knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses, knowing one’s goals and remaining true to one’s values and capabilities.
* Second, they are willing to grow by challenging their limits of knowledge and experience.
* And third, they are willing to reflect and learn from experience.

Webster’s Dictionary defines a “sage” as one who is wise through reflection and experience.

In ancient cultures, a group’s sages were those who had experienced rich lives and were thoughtful about what they had learned through these experiences.

In contemporary times, groundbreaking research by the Center for Creative Leadership in the late 1980s found that successful executives were those who had benefited from the “lessons of experience.”

So from these common traits of successful people, those striving for success can seek to practice three fundamental steps to self-development.
Self-development Step: Know Thyself

This is the most basic tenet of psychology, self-improvement, and emotional intelligence. If you think you need to get to know yourself better, try these basics.

* Solicit Feedback Regularly: Perception is reality. Seek to understand how people perceive you. You may not be achieving the impact you expected in leading or working with others. You can not adjust your approach without the benefit of feedback that can inform you in terms of how your intentions were received by others. Be proactive in finding out what people think about you and your style of interacting and your approach. Be open to and appreciative of the feedback you receive, not defensive. Seek to understand rather than to be understood.


* Reflect on Performance: Some successful people are gregarious and extroverted while others are reserved and introverted. But all successful people know how to spend time alone being reflective and thoughtful about recent performance and behavior. Take time every day to reflect on the day’s work and interactions.

Always take ample time at the conclusion of major elements of work to reflect on the quality of what you produced and the effectiveness of your work with others. The key to reflecting on performance is remaining balanced in your self-assessment. Be self-critical: understand what you could have done better and learn from these mistakes. But also acknowledge success whenever warranted: celebrate and take pride in what you have done well.


* Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses: As you collect feedback and reflections, come to understand your personal strengths and weaknesses. Know that everyone has both. Successful people build success from their strengths while they limit the negative impact of their weaknesses. The reason to identify your key strengths and weaknesses is not so that you can improve your weaknesses. It is much more important to identify your key strengths and leverage these.

The management guru, Peter Drucker, in his classic article, “Managing Oneself” , states: “One should waste as little effort as possible on improving areas of low competence. It takes far more energy and work to improve from in-competence to mediocrity than it takes to improve from first-rate performance to excellence. And yet most people . . . concentrate on making incompetent performers into mediocre ones. Energy, resources, and time should go instead to making a competent person into a star performer.”


* Know Your Joys and Passions: Be in tune to your emotions as you engage in your work. We all need to do elements of work that are tedious or displeasing, but the bulk of how you spend your day should satisfy you and make you feel good about your contributions and the impact of your efforts. Success is difficult to achieve without that level of satisfaction. Know that people who excel enjoy what they do and do what they enjoy.

Self-development Step: Learn From Experience

In the first part of this article, guest author, Susan McKeone, discussed the first Self-development Step: Know Thyself.

As stated earlier, contemporary research affirms what ancient societies have known all along: those who are the wisest amongst a group are those who have had rich experiences and have learned from them. Consider these aspects of learning from experience.

* Development Occurs Within the Context of Work: During most of the 20th century, companies and their employees tended to think about professional development as something that happened away from the job, in classrooms and workshops and seminars. These development options are useful to build basic skills and provide opportunity for workers to interact within a cohort, but they do not compare with the capacity for development of real skills learned on the job and through the experiences of meaningful work with real implications and results.

* Growth Occurs Through Challenge and Stretch: Once one achieves a level of comfort and ease within their job responsibilities then high performance may continue but growth and development will not.

# Individuals with the highest potential and talent need to continue to grow until their potential is reached. This means applying a consistent level of tension with respect to challenging the individual’s skills, perceptions, and experiences. The appropriate “stretch” for development is consistently requiring job expectations that are just beyond those skills already mastered.


# Diversity of Experience and Depth Versus Breadth: Know that one’s career goals need to shape career experiences or else career experiences will shape career potential. Understanding how to apply this goes back to the tenet of “Know Thyself.” Know how you will define your career success so you can build the appropriate career path to get there. Are your passions energized through expertise: would you like to know all there is to know about a particular area? If so, you need to build an expert’s career that is deeply steeped within that area of expertise.

Or perhaps your passions are energized by leading broad sets of people and your vision stretches across an organization or industry. In this case you need to build a leader’s career that is broad and encompasses a variety of knowledge and perspective. However, whether you are building depth or breadth, diversity of experience is critical to ongoing development. Always be looking for the next challenge, the newest goal that will mix things up and add another layer to the fabric of your career.

# Apply Your Lessons of Experience: So, an important distinction in understanding how to develop through experiences is that the experience itself is only half the task. What is critical is that you learn from the experience and thus apply these lessons to future experiences. Again, this requires reflection and self-awareness and purposeful cognizance relative to learning. “What did I learn from that?” is a common question you should ask yourself following successes and failures. And when you have your answer to that question, be sure it is applied to your next experience.

Self-development Step: Learn from People

In the second part of this article, guest author, Susan McKeone, discussed the first Self-development Step: Learn From Experience.

Learning from the experience – the task, the challenge, the work, the goals – is only half of the lesson’s potential. Each experience puts you in touch with people – clients, peers, reports, bosses, teachers and mentors – all of whom have their own sets of lessons for you.

* Seek Diversity of Perspective: Just as you should seek diverse experiences to expand your skill set, you should also seek diverse perspectives to expand your own thinking. We all enjoy and have a comfort level with people who are “like me.” But these people will only reinforce your current thinking without necessarily expanding or challenging you to think differently – and just as in experiences, collecting diverse perspectives results in growth and development.

* Observe Others: Be a people watcher.
* Be aware of how your colleagues interact with others and assess what works and what doesn’t. Learn from those colleagues who are effective – borrow their strategies and approaches. Learn from those colleagues who are ineffective – guard against making the same mistakes you see them make as they interact.

* Exposure, Exposure, Exposure: Anytime you can work on a project that exposes you to new contacts, new audiences, new networks – do it! Remember this: it isn’t really about who you know but it is all about who knows you.

* Solicit Feedback Regularly and Ask for Support: Okay, so you heard this one already in Step One. It’s that important to hear it again. One way you learn from people is to learn what they think about you and can provide feedback about how effective you are in interacting with them. When you receive feedback that requires you to adjust your behavior or experiment with new ways of interacting, ask your feedback providers to support you and help you to improve by reminding you when you slip back to old patterns or acknowledging you when you successfully implement new ones.

* Networks: Successful people are well networked, period. It may seem as though their broad and loyal networks of friends and associates are effortless and naturally attracted to the successful person’s charismatic style. But the truth is probably more likely that the successful person works hard to keep connected to these networks by remaining cognizant of comings and goings and by keeping proactive and systematic goals to stay connected.

* Manage Your Own Performance Management: Development on the job almost always means needing to learn from your boss. But some of us are more blessed than others when it comes to bosses who are natural coaches and mentors. Don’t let a boss who is poor in performance management deprive you of the lessons you need to learn from him or her. Be proactive and persistent. Manage upwards: schedule time with him or her, come prepared to the meeting with a structured agenda, a self-assessment of recent performance, and be prepared to solicit feedback directly.

In closing, wisdom and success are within everyone’s reach through three steps you should practice daily.

* Know thyself: solicit feedback, reflect, do what you love!
* Learn from experience: use work to learn, challenge yourself, expose yourself to diverse experiences, and apply your lessons of experience.
* Learn from people: seek diversity of perspective, be a people watcher, seek exposure, ask for support, maintain your networks, and take responsibility for your own performance management.

http://humanresources.about.com/od/careersuccess/a/become_sage.htm

The Collapsing World of Sound

There was a spike in publicity for home recording enthusiasts and the software and hardware industries which serve them when a little over a year ago Apple released its Garage Band software. What may not be obvious to many people is that this is not a flash in the pan. Consumer purchases for musical instruments and related goods are an extremely strong market, giving life to retailers from super-stores (online and off) like Guitar Center to eBay mavericks. Hobbyist musicians are the largest purchasers. Several software companies are flourishing in this niche market, including Apple (Logic Audio), Cakewalk (Sonar), and Native Instruments, an example of the strong German presence here. Hardware companies include such old-school diehards as Mark of the Unicorn, as well as newer (more vigorous?) players such as M-Audio who are attempting to brand the whole spectrum of necessary hardware from microphones to the analog/digital converters required to bring audio into your computer.

The significance of this burgeoning market for technology companies is the factor of convergence. The equipment and techniques of professionals are being used by non-professionals and hobbyists. This is the convergence of people and ideas. Then there is the M-Audio phenomenon of digital and non-digital hardware all produced (or at least branded) by one company which could have as easily (it seems) been producing cell phones or MP3 players. The skills of programming and UI design required for digital audio are the same as for any application development. The realm of digital signal processing is well understood across several industries. The chips are the same. Welcome to the somewhat hidden world of garage bands and back bedroom Elvises.

The release of Garage Band signaled the year of the hobbyist. Apple blazed the trail and the rest of us can sit back and survey a whole industry just coming into its maturity. It is possible now to have to the potentials of a multi-million dollar studio in your PC or Mac. It’s not clear yet how that will work out for the recording industry, but in terms of purchases by consumer hobbyists, it’s the best thing since the Fender Stratocaster made a professional guitar affordable for you and me and Jimi Hendrix.

http://www.csinsights.com/index.php?action=pg_article&id=79

Tim Bajarin's 2006 Predictions

Each year at this time, all of us at Pundits are asked for our predictions for the New Year. This marks my 25th year at Creative Strategies and my predictions below also mark my 25th year at sharing my views about the coming New Year.

Here are my predictions for 2006

1- There will be a Stronger Focus on the “Connected Consumer.”

In last year’s predictions column, I suggested that there would be a strong emphasis on the digital living room, and as you know, this has been a big issue over the last 12 months. All of the big PC and CE players have taken aim at the home and especially the digital living room and the cable and telecom companies have also made this a major battlefront in their quest to deliver new products and services for the networked home of the future. However, I now see a bit of a shift in thinking from all of the major players in these key industries from the digital home to instead, the connected digital consumer. Don’t get me wrong here. The battle for control of the digital living room is far from over, but it has dawned on a lot of the players that perhaps the biggest prize is not the ownership of the digital living room but instead, ownership of the “connected consumer.”
Apple already has a major position here and ironically, will use this “connected consumer” via the iPod to give them a solid place in the living room at some point.
But 2006 will see a real move towards exploring what it means when a consumer can be connected at all times to information, services and personal content and we will begin seeing a lot of discussion around this issue heat up in 2006.

Side Note- At CES, I am doing a super session entitled “The Battle For Control of the Connected Consumer, on January 5th at 1:30 in room N 257 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

2- HD Storage Wars vs. On Demand

While there will be a real battle between the HD DVD and Blue Ray camps over trying to get their new HD storage formats accepted by the mainstream public, it will become clearer to them and the industry that the real competition in HD will come from more and more mainstream and HD content becoming available on demand. In years past, DVD’s took off because people wanted to have fast access in real time to movies and other DVD content and could not get that content for immediate use other then buying them or renting the DVD of that particular movie or content. But as broadband becomes more widely available and DRM’s get flushed out in ways that are acceptable to Hollywood and the TV broadcasters, we will see more movies, TV shows, etc become available in on demand formats. This alone should get the two sides to try and work around a single high def recording format for use in HD recorders and work to get the prices down on these systems as fast as possible in order to meet this on-demand threat head on. Although large amounts of content on demand are still a bit into the future, don’t underestimate its competitive impact on the success or failure of these new high density recording devices.

3- Viiv and Vista hype will dominate industry commentary and tech air waves

It will be very clear after CES that for Intel and Microsoft, Viiv (and Dual Core processors) and Vista will be at the center of their 2006 focus. Intel’s Viiv platform is aimed at consumers and at its heart is a new dual core architecture that makes Microsoft’s Media Center PC’s work better. At the same time, this is the year that Microsoft finally releases a new OS that will have major ramifications on future Media Center PC adoption rates as well as giving business and consumers a more stable and easier to use mainstream operating system. Interestingly, Vista alone will have a big impact on PC sales in the coming year. I am already hearing from IT directors that they are factoring in Dual Core and Vista into new purchases in 2006 and although 2007 will be the year when PC sales of advanced systems to support Vista will really be in full swing, there should be a sizable number of PC’s bought next year in anticipation of Vista.

4-Smart Phones gain larger percent of market

One trend in 2006 is that even low cost cell phones will get smarter. However, I also believe that what we define as true smart phones will become a larger part of the market for cell phones in the next few years. In fact, my recent forecast is that by 2010, 15-17% of all cell phones sold WW will be what is defined as smart phones. I realize that a smart phone definition today is all over the map, but in my description, these are phones that have at least a 2 inch screen and can handle email, full web browsing and have an OS included that supports third party software and applications. Although plain cell phones that strictly do voice, pictures and perhaps even simple instant messaging will have the lion’s share of this market, I believe demand for products like Palm’s Treo, Rim’s Blackberry and Microsoft Windows Mobile platform, as well as smart phones that will be Linux and Symbian based will become a larger mix of phones sold over the next five years.

5- Podcasts and Audio Blogs add Video

I have become a real fan of audio blogs or podcasts and next year video blogs will gain some strength. Of course, it took Apple’s addition of Podcasts to iTunes to really kick start audio blogs and this has enticed many to create not only audio but video blogs as well.
Of the few video blogs available today, Rocketboom and HIT stand out as being well done, but I have seen some semi-professional VLOGS that are in the works and they should debut in Q 1 of 2006.
I also expect to see some of these audio and video blogs move to a subscription model to help defray costs and some may even get advertisers to back them as well.
But expect 2006 to see a plethora of VLOGS coming to iTunes and other music stores and gain some serious followers in the coming year.

6- Mobile and Wireless

This is an area that will see continued growth in 2006. New innovative mobile phones are headed for the market and more and more people around the world will buy cell phones. Current estimates are that 800 million cell phones will be sold next year and well over 1 billion will be sold by 2010. And laptop sales will continue to be strong. By late 2004, laptops surpassed desktops in total YTY sales and we see this trend continuing. The addition of new dual core laptops will help fuel even stronger growth in portable computers in 2006 and although ultralights represent the smallest category of laptops sold, new wide screen ultraportables with DVD drives in them could push demand for these smaller and lighter mobile computers in the coming year.

7-TFT LCD big Screen TV Go Mainstream

While plasma TV’s are not dead by any means, 2006 will start seeing a real shift towards LCD TFT televisions as the Big Kahuna’s of flat panel TV’s. Prices are rapidly coming down for larger LCD TV displays and Sony will start pushing their Bravia line of LCD TFT sets big time during the coming year. We should see the 40 inch LCD TFT screens well under $2800 by next Christmas. For larger screens, rear projection still represents the best bang for the buck and plasma TV’s are still getting better but competition from LCD’s will have the biggest impact on plasma’s future.

8-The Tech Economy Stays Hot

2006 should be a very good year for the Tech Economy. With Vista pushing demand for more powerful systems and laptops gaining more popularity, PC sales should see at least 7-9% growth in the New Year. At the same time, we see strong demand for digital cameras, HD televisions, VOIP related products and mobile audio/video players.
Altogether, they should keep the tech economy humming in 2006.

9- The Rise of Pre-Paid Rechargeable Gift Cards to Prevent Stolen Financial Identity

I don’t know if Visa or Mastercard understands how important this is but these rechargeable gift cards are a god send for anyone wanting to purchase products online and are afraid of their financial data being stolen. I picked up a Visa gift card recently and put $200 on it. I then used it exclusively to buy Christmas gifts online and since it is tied to a prepaid credit card, it has no personal financial information connected to it at all.
I realize that by using my bank credit card I would have no more then a $50 liability if the card was stolen and used by others and if I lost this gift card I would be out anything left on the card itself. But I believe many people will begin to see these pre-paid cards that are not tied to your personal banking data as a valuable tool and we will see them being used more and more for online transactions.

10- Apple Starts Official Trek towards Becoming a Powerful Consumer Electronic Company

Although Apple is still a computer company, their success of the iPod has shown that they can be potentially stronger as a CE vendor. But they have an interesting dynamic that will make them the only PC Company who I think can transition into a powerful CE company as well.
Apple’s edge is that they not only have PC and CE devices, but they also have the content tied directly to these products and in essence are creating a total ecosystem where all are linked together easily and seamlessly into a single solution. I fully expect Apple to extend their reach into the living room at some time in 2006 and by the end of the New Year we should have a real strong understanding of how Apple plans to “own” the digital home of the future. My best guess is that Apple will lay out a more detailed plan for their approach to the digital home at their next developer’s conference mid year.


http://www.csinsights.com/index.php?action=pg_article&id=81

The Hollywood and Technology Divide

Over the past few years I have had the opportunity to get involved in some projects with the entertainment industry that has helped me develop some great relationships and contacts in that industry. One of the primary reasons I have willingly immersed myself in these projects is because I know how much the technology industry needs Hollywood. Yet the single fact remains that these two industries, technology and entertainment, operate on very different levels. So I embarked on a journey to mingle and develop relationships with people in the entertainment industry who know that industry better then anyone else. My hope is that now that I have a fairly deep understanding of the entertainment industry and how they work and conduct business that I can act as a bit of a middle man between the technology industry and the entertainment industry. The funny thing is I believe only a neutral trusted source can do this and it can’t be any one company acting as the middle person. The reason for this is the constant fear on both sides that the other is trying to rip them off. This is especially true in entertainment; I have never met so many distrusting people in my life. Which is the biggest reason that they all operate by relationships. I have been fortunate enough to develop such relationship with movers and tastemakers as they call them in the entertainment industry. This group is made up of promoters, managers, agents and celebrities themselves. It is my hope that these relationships and myself as a trusted source to both sides can help bridge the gap even if only in the smallest way.

Now the first time I realized this gap was gigantic was when I witnessed Grammy parties from both sides. Intel threw a Grammy party, which I witnessed and Kayne West threw a Grammy party, which I witnessed. To say these parties were distinctly different would be an understatement. After spending some time in the entertainment industry I am convinced that we here in the technology sector don’t throw enough parties. However I truly believe we should not throw any parties without the help of folks, promoters in particular, in the entertainment industry. That being said the entertainment industry throws parties literally all the time. The funny thing is they love having sponsors at these parties. Usually they are fashion and beverage sponsors but the one thing that really peaks celebrities and Hollywood’s attention is technology. I was recently at a party at a mansion in Beverly Hills. It was a party thrown by a PR agency called the House of Hype and they were putting this party on because it was the day before the MTV Movie awards. This party had literally 10-15 sponsors. Mostly made up of fashion, beverage and beauty companies. There were two I would consider somewhat technology centric, VTech and Vivendi video games. Now the intelligent question is why does anyone care to sponsor such an event. The answer is because these parties have many celebrities and tastemakers at them. So they hope to get celebrities interested and in many times give them their products with the hope that they get on TV with them or talk about them etc. Now one thing happened that was interesting. The guy who was throwing the party is a DJ and his name is DJ Skee. Now Skee had the Motorola Q and he had just got it that day. Of course he knew everyone at the party and he never put the Q in his pocket because as the saying goes in Hollywood “You’re only as cool as your cellphone.” Now all though there were tons of fashion and other companies there giving away free stuff what do you think was the most popular item at the whole event. If you guessed the Q then you were right. Mobs of people were always around this guy checking out his phone. There were probably 100 or more people who went home that night and ordered it. I witnessed at least two celebrities get on their phone and call their manager with the order to buy them that phone. Now where was Motorola at this event? Well no one thought to talk to them why because the entertainment industry does not talk to the technology industry. As amazing as it sounds that these folks are obsessed with gadgets and technology the industry at large was absent from this event. That is where I hope to lend a little help given now that I have connections in both sides. Let’s just hope for the sake of consumers we bridge this gap sooner then later.

http://www.csinsights.com/index.php?action=pg_article&id=84

How Older Candidates Can Make

When you're an older person looking for a job, it's hard to get past the secret fear of many employers that you are going to cost too much. So how can you suggest that you won't?

Check out the ammunition in a new study done by consulting firm Towers Perrin for AARP, formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons. While it's hardly a disinterested report, given AARP's mission to promote the interests of older people, you'll find some handy (and compelling) arguments that older workers can be cost-effective.

"We've heard for a long time that older workers cost more, they don't have technological skills, they're inflexible," says Deborah Russell, director of work force issues at AARP. Those are "old-fashioned myths. There is a business case to be made for looking at 50-plus workers as part of your labor-force strategy." (If you want to read the full study, visit www.aarp.org/research/work/employment/workers_fifty_plus.html.)

Older workers often do cost their companies more in employer-paid medical services, according to the report.

For instance, companies paid an annual average of $7,622 in medical claims, from hospital bills to prescription charges, for workers age 60 to 64 (including their dependents), compared with $4,130 for workers 40 to 44 and $3,206 for workers 30 to 34, based on claims data in 2003 covering 7.5 million medical-plan participants.

More Motivated
But older workers offset those higher costs by being among the most motivated employees, according to a Towers Perrin survey of 35,000 workers at large companies.

Highly motivated workers are those who say they're "extremely likely" to be able to, among other things, satisfy customers, affect product quality and control business costs.

For workers of all ages, the average "motivation score," on a scale of 0 to 100, is 74.8. Among workers 55 and older, the average motivation score is 78.4. Among those 18 to 29, the score is 71.2.

"What was surprising, and may be contrary to conventional wisdom, is that the motivation level...actually got higher for the older workers," says Roselyn Feinsod, co-author of the study and a principal at Towers Perrin in Stamford, Conn. A high score on the motivation index indicates workers who are "more inclined to serve customers better."

Why should employers care? Companies with highly engaged workers perform better on average than their competitors on some financial measures, according to the study's look at 2003 data.

For instance, firms with motivated workers are likelier to exceed their industry-average revenue growth over a one-year period.

And Towers Perrin found an inverse relationship between motivated workers and the cost-of-goods-sold yardstick: At companies with a high percentage of motivated workers, the cost of goods sold was below average for that industry. And disengaged workers tended to work at companies with a higher-than-average cost of goods sold.

Perhaps because of their higher motivation, older workers are less likely to leave their jobs, which in turn reduces turnover expenses. "The incremental cost of health care can be more than offset by the benefit of avoiding the cost of turnover," Ms. Feinsod says.

Innovators at Any Age
Another common belief is that older workers are less likely to be innovators. This, too, may be a misperception.

"There's a very funny preconception in our society...that innovation is the domain of youth," says David Galenson, an economics professor at the University of Chicago and author of "Old Masters and Young Geniuses: The Two Life Cycles of Artistic Creativity." But "some great innovators are young, some are old," he says.

Mr. Galenson says there are two main types of creativity, one based on breaking the rules and the other based on building on what's already been learned.

Individuals of the first type are "very iconoclastic," Mr. Galenson says. "They learn the rules of a new discipline and they say 'I don't like that rule.'" Think Picasso and James Joyce.

The other type will "get better as they get older...They're collecting information. They're learning more about the world and getting better about using that information," he says.

Some companies may be "looking for these young conceptual guys to make these big leaps forward," Mr. Galenson says. But if they need a business plan, they might need people "who've been around the block. Companies, by and large, need both kinds of people."

Then, there's the belief that older workers are less likely to learn new tasks. Some say this doesn't hold water, either.

"A popular bias is you can't teach old dogs new tricks," says Neil Charness, a psychology professor at Florida State University and an associate of the school's Pepper Institute on Aging and Public Policy. "It ain't necessarily so," he says. "One thing managers and others have to get over is some of their...false beliefs about the ability of older workers to learn and to benefit from training."

http://www.careerjournal.com/myc/fifty/20060202-coombes.html

Loan consolidation best bet to debt management for graduates

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the amount of debt students have when they graduate is on the rise. Total student loan debt has risen to around $18,000 at graduation in recent years. With student loan interest rates set to increase after July 1, 2005, time for students to take advantage of low student loan consolidation rates is running out.

Consolidation allows students to lower monthly loan payment by extending the length of time the students can repay. "The standard payback schedule is ten years, while consolidated loans allow up to a 30 year period of repayment," according to an article in the Johns Hopkins News-Letter.

"Plunging interest rates have made consolidation, as well as other types of personal refinancing, front-page news the past several summers," Spectator staff writer Eleazar David Meléndez reported. "This year, though, a combination of fiscal and policy moves by the federal government almost certainly guarantees that there will be no more chances to take full advantage of this strategy after June."

The current student loan consolidation interest rate is expected to rise from the all-time low of 2.875 percent to as much as 4.25 percent after July 1. Failure to take advantage of these student loan interest rates can mean higher loan payments later. In addition to a hike in student loan interest rates, the federal government is considering legislation that changes federal loan consolidation rules. These proposed changes would eliminate fixed-rate consolidation.

"Since interest rates are on the rise and the fixed rate feature will quite possibly be replaced by variable rate in the next year, this senior class is likely to be the last to be able to convert their variable rate federal Stafford Loans to a fixed rate low interest federal consolidation loan," said David Charlow, Director of Financial Aid and Educational Affairs at Columbia University.

If you are a student with multiple loans or high amounts of federal student loans, consolidation is one of the best ways to help you manage your student loan debt. Take advantage of low interest rates on federal student consolidation loans before the interest rates spike.


http://news.search4careercolleges.com/02-2007/loan-consolidation-best-bet-to-debt-management-for-graduates/

Education after high school - alternatives to four-year universities

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the amount of debt students have when they graduate is on the rise. Total student loan debt has risen to around $18,000 at graduation in recent years. With student loan interest rates set to increase after July 1, 2005, time for students to take advantage of low student loan consolidation rates is running out.

Consolidation allows students to lower monthly loan payment by extending the length of time the students can repay. "The standard payback schedule is ten years, while consolidated loans allow up to a 30 year period of repayment," according to an article in the Johns Hopkins News-Letter.

"Plunging interest rates have made consolidation, as well as other types of personal refinancing, front-page news the past several summers," Spectator staff writer Eleazar David Meléndez reported. "This year, though, a combination of fiscal and policy moves by the federal government almost certainly guarantees that there will be no more chances to take full advantage of this strategy after June."

The current student loan consolidation interest rate is expected to rise from the all-time low of 2.875 percent to as much as 4.25 percent after July 1. Failure to take advantage of these student loan interest rates can mean higher loan payments later. In addition to a hike in student loan interest rates, the federal government is considering legislation that changes federal loan consolidation rules. These proposed changes would eliminate fixed-rate consolidation.

"Since interest rates are on the rise and the fixed rate feature will quite possibly be replaced by variable rate in the next year, this senior class is likely to be the last to be able to convert their variable rate federal Stafford Loans to a fixed rate low interest federal consolidation loan," said David Charlow, Director of Financial Aid and Educational Affairs at Columbia University.

If you are a student with multiple loans or high amounts of federal student loans, consolidation is one of the best ways to help you manage your student loan debt. Take advantage of low interest rates on federal student consolidation loans before the interest rates spike.

http://news.search4careercolleges.com/

MBA graduates in high demand again

The more education you have, the higher your earning potential will be, according to a report released by the U.S. Census Bureau. This has certainly proven true for MBA graduates. After experiencing a dip in hiring numbers in recent years, the MBA is back in demand, with higher salaries to boot.

Earning an MBA can mean a difference of as much as $2.5 million over the course of a lifetime, compared to those without an advanced degree. With more employers seeking qualified MBA graduates, now is a good time to enroll in an accredited MBA Degree program.

Consider that the average MBA candidate has trimmed the number of applications down from 39 last year to just 17 this year. At the same time, the number of job offers has doubled, according to a July 2005 survey released by recruiting consultant WetFeet.

“The best indicator is seeing the students’ confidence level at getting attractive, interesting jobs,” said Andy Chan, Director of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business MBA Career Management Center, in USA Today. “They have good feelings there will be a positive outcome at the end of their job search.

There is also the increase in salary to consider. WetFeet forecasts this year’s MBA graduates will earn slightly more than the $106,587 average base pay and bonus of last year’s class. With salaries on the rise and more job offers for MBA graduates, going back to school to earn an MBA makes sense.

Research your MBA Degree program options now to find the best MBA school for you. There are both online MBA Degree programs and traditional MBA schools to consider. Search for the right MBA program now!


http://news.search4careercolleges.com/

Employability through training and education

An educated and trained workforce is essential if Americans want to develop and maintain a viable economy. From an individual perspective, preparation is key to employability. Sound decisions regarding initial education and training are important, but people actually need to continue learning throughout their lifetimes.

Need for education and training
Education and training are very important for individual progress and for the future of society. One of the unwavering messages of the Bible is that Christians are to be diligent, skilled, and faithful in developing their talents. Education and training are two of the primary ways we become good stewards of our talents and, therefore, become excellent in our work and set good examples for others.

For many adults, further education and training may not seem like an available option. Even if formal education courses are not obtainable, expanding their knowledge daily should be the goal for those who want to develop and use their talents in the workplace. Many career strategy experts agree that unless people continue to develop their skills they’re likely to find themselves left out of the workplace.

Education and training
Research by the U.S. Department of Labor reveals that, although either education or training can be beneficial in enhancing career opportunities, for people to develop their full career potential, both education and training are needed. The following are the most common education and training options available for people who want to increase the likelihood of a successful career.

1. Do-it-yourself learning. Many smaller companies can’t afford to assist their employees or they haven’t realized the need to upgrade the skill of their employees. If this is the case, your education and training must become your responsibility. Those who are proactive toward improving their skills and knowledge will keep pace with changing career trends. Those who seek additional education or upgrade their training only after their job situation demands it or because they are forced to by their employers may, during an economic turndown, find that they are no longer needed by their employers.
2. On the job training. Many companies offer training to their employees. Find out if your business or organization offers training programs or tuition assistance; let it be known that you are interested in upgrading your skills.
3. Apprenticeships. The great value of apprenticeships is that they allow people to get hands-on experience in the occupational field they’re considering. With a new emphasis on quality, companies realize that quality does not come without experience and training. If you are in transition to a new occupation, check to see if there are apprentice programs available.
4. Internship. Internships provide academic orientation and training in a work environment. Minimum qualifications can vary from a high school diploma to graduate school, depending on the field. Benefits from internship vary widely. Some pay a salary; others offer only room and board, and some may provide only the opportunity for on-the-job experience and training.
5. Cooperative education. Cooperative education (Co-op) programs are structured programs that alternate terms of work with terms of instruction. Co-op programs are especially good because they allow students to gain experience in a field of work or an insight into a particular company.
6. Military education and training. The armed forces offer some great opportunities for leadership and technical training. Tuition assistance programs are available for everyone, and college classes are available on most military installations. The military option isn’t for everyone, but for those who are young and want to serve their country it can be beneficial.
7. Vocational and technical schools. Nearly every community in America has a technical school within reasonable driving distance. Most vo-tech schools are government sponsored and therefore are relatively inexpensive. These schools typically have good relationships with local companies and know what specific occupations are needed in the local economy.
8. Community colleges. Community colleges are one of the great resources of our country and offer a tremendous education bargain. They offer a wide range of education and training courses at a relatively inexpensive tuition and within easy driving distance of most people. Because they have such a close relationship with local businesses, community colleges should be able to help you learn about specific occupations that are available in your area.
9. Four year colleges and universities. Because college costs are escalating rapidly and jobs for college graduates are decreasing, we encourage you carefully to consider all the other options before you enroll in a four-year course of study. We suggest you consider education and training in light of the realities of affordability, return on investment, and the needs of the workplace.
10. Graduate school. For certain professions, graduate school will be mandatory. However, we caution against pinning your hopes for employment or employment advancement on a higher degree. In many fields, employers will be more impressed by skills and technical expertise than by an advanced degree.
11. Nontraditional education and training. Schools are offering more and more options for people to take education and training courses. These include night and Saturday classes, two-week to four-week, intensive-concentration short courses, workshops, continuing education courses, adult-education courses, self-directed courses, correspondence, distance learning, and Internet courses. If people want additional education and training, they likely can find what they want, at less cost, in some form of nontraditional education.

Conclusion
Sometimes it takes a lot of faith and courage to choose to use your gifts and follow the desires God has put in your heart. As is the case with most spiritual issues, God’s way may take a different path than what the world dictates. So, the decision to pursue additional education and training should be based on good stewardship of your talents and what is necessary to develop further those talents in the career God has given you.


http://www1.crown.org/library/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=372

Reshaping of the work world

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) paraphrased an ancient Persian proverb in his Conduct of Life: Behavior, when he wrote, "The world possesses three types of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who know not that things are happening or have happened." This is so true with regard to today’s work world.

The cutting edge for workers in the modern workplace most likely will belong to the ones who make things happen. Two key characteristics describe workers who should be able to thrive in the rapidly changing work world: focus and versatility.

Characteristics
The first key characteristic that thriving workers must possess is focus. They must have the ability to focus their work efforts in the area of their God-given natural abilities, strengths, and talents. This will require a thorough knowledge of these God-given attributes. Workers who are not sure of their talents or who do not know where their strengths lie most likely will flounder in the ever-changing workplace.

The second key characteristic is versatility. In today’s workplace it’s usually not enough for workers simply to know their talents, abilities, and strengths. They also must be able to discern quickly how to use those attributes in the workplace with assurance and confidence, knowing that God has not given anyone else their particular strengths and abilities; in those they are unique.

Ten trends that are reshaping the work world
As the work world changes, workers must be able to recognize and respond positively as they react to changes around them. This means workers must take the initiative and the responsibility for personal improvement, career development, and enhancement. There are generally 10 trends that are currently influencing and reshaping the work world. Workers must recognize these trends and do what is necessary to ensure that they conform and are not excluded from the changing workplace.

* The work world is becoming more global. The work world no longer is operating exclusively within independent and nationalistic cultures. Industrialized nations with 350 million workers, whose pay scale averages $18 per hour, are now in competition with the 1.2 billion workers of Third World nations who average less than $2 per hour. For this reason workers need to consider becoming proficient in second or third languages and in high tech communications.
* Corporate downsizing. As global networking and labor cost competition from the Third World increase, market prices must remain steady to remain competitive. Therefore, industrial nation corporations must institute cost-cutting measures—layoffs and forced early retirement—in order to maintain corporate profits.
* More work for fewer workers. When downsizing occurs, its more than likely that fewer laid-off workers will be recalled or replaced. Instead, remaining staff will be expected to take up the slack, which will result in a heavier workload for the same amount of pay.
* Talent and ability are becoming the focus to ensure job security. Job security in the future belongs to workers who develop track records of being excellent at the skill demanded from them. Quality productivity makes workers necessary to the economic success of businesses and organizations. In essence, security rests in the clear knowledge of God-given talents and compatible work settings where they can be used to their maximum potential.
* Rapid increase in technology. Ten years ago, 25 percent of American workers used a computer on the job. Today that number exceeds 50 percent. Time is money and access to information is money. Increasingly sophisticated technology delivers needed information quicker.
* The growth of home-based businesses. In the 1990s more than 20 percent of workers who had been laid off or forced into early retirement chose to start their own home-based businesses. The fastest growing sector of our economy is home-based businesses. With the increase in day trading and home-based software development, this trend likely will continue.
* Telecommuting from home. As workers continue to become empowered to make decisions and work independently on projects, the feasibility of working from home offices increases. All that is needed is a PC and a modem. Currently at least one-third of America’s workforce is working at least part time from home.
* Higher education standards. Generally speaking, the growing demand for generalists who have specialist capabilities is forcing the workforce to be qualified to meet this demand. Therefore college education or skilled vocational/technical school training is becoming more and more mandatory in order for workers to be competitive in the job market.
* The increase of temporaries and part-timers. Twenty or 30 years ago temporaries and part-timers were regarded as second-class job positions. Now they are emerging not only as respectable but also as desirable career opportunities. Because businesses and corporations are paying upward to $4,000 or more in benefits for each full-time employee—not including vacation time, holidays, sick time, military leave, personal leave, or retirement— temporaries and part-timers are increasingly becoming attractive alternatives to full-time workers.
* Need for occupational upgrading and continued education. In our new, ever-changing work world, workers must constantly upgrade and refine their skills and talents. God blesses His children who invest their talents and use them in such a way that He is glorified by their work ethics and professionalism. "For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away" (Matthew 25:29). In other words, use it or lose it.

Conclusion
Christian workers need to anticipate changes in the workplace with faith and courage. Although it is impossible to predict specific details regarding the future direction of our work world, we can observe and respond to the "signs of the times," with respect to the direction our work world is heading. Regardless of the direction, if our faith is in our Lord we cannot be led astray. "He will not allow your foot to slip; he who keeps you will not slumber" .

http://www1.crown.org/library/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=533