Saturday, December 6, 2008

How to Delegate for Success at Work

If there were a single zero-cost initiative, one that you could implement immediately, that would motivate your people, improve team morale, grow team skills appreciably, increase productivity and profit, reduce your stress level and free up your time, would you go for it Whether youre an executive, a manager or a team leader, the following information will be beneficial to you.

There is such an initiative and, by the time you have finished reading this strategy, you will have a plan in place to implement it for yourself.The secret is delegation.

Take out a pen and paper and follow these simple steps to quickly draw up a delegation plan, one that will allow you to maintain effective control of all your tasks while still delegating effectively.

Look at What You Can Delegate
Recurring or routine tasks are the obvious candidates for delegation.
Draw up a list of all tasks you undertake on a regular basis.List them under three columns - Task Name, Time to Complete, and Special Skills.Mentally work through your week, hour by hour, day by day.If you need some reminders, pull out your planner or To Do lists and look for clues there.Or make a commitment to track yourself during the next week and record the tasks you undertake.

Then, review that list for suitability to delegation.Are there any tasks you used to do when you were in a more junior position If so, why isnt someone more junior doing them now Which of these tasks could be undertaken by absolutely anyone Are there any tasks on the list that require special skills that are in greater abundance in your team than in you All of these tasks are prospects for delegation.Now, draw a line through anything that is not a suitable candidate for delegation.Besides the obvious, these include personal tasks, such as collecting your dry-cleaning, HR issues such as reviews or disciplinary matters, or management of crises that you are paid to handle.Whats left are tasks that you can delegate.

Plan Your Delegation
Draw up a brief description of each delegatable task.
List why you undertake it, how you and others have done it in the past, when it must begin, when it must be complete, and what the outcome must be upon successful completion.This last point is key - you must have clear goals for the task, goals that are defined in an absolutely unambiguous manner that will make them easily communicable.What specific results must the delegate achieve in completing the task You know you have a successful task description if a stranger could pick up your description and understand what is required.

Decide Whom to Delegate to
You can delegate to utilize an existing team members skills more effectively, or in order to develop new skills in a team member.
Either match an individuals proven skills to the requirements of the task or match in terms of the particular skill growth that you want to see in any given team members.

The first thing your delegation candidates will ask themselves is "Whats in it for me" Identify why the task is important and how it contributes to the overall success of the group.People need to feel that what you ask them to do is truly meaningful.Then, determine what growth or development they will personally achieve from developing competence in completing this new task.

Well done You now have a delegation plan that you can begin to implement immediately.To put it in motion, you will need to do the following:

Delegate Each Task
Dont do this in two minutes over coffee, or as you pass in the corridor.


Accord the exercise the time necessary to explain the what, how, where, when and why of the task; whats in it for the team member who will take on the task; and how and when you will review progress and completion.Take time to sell the task and youll motivate these individuals to successful completion.Demonstrate your confidence in the selected candidates, reassuring them that you will be there to provide support should the need arise.If the task is particularly challenging, provide the security of more frequent reviews, with clearly agreed-upon milestones of the progress expected.This is essential to providing you with confidence that you still have control of tasks you have delegated.

Pass Ownership
Accountability without power is de-motivating.
Pass the new delegate the necessary authority to complete all aspects of the new task without coming back to you.Be clear, however, in setting the upper and lower limits of this authority in a manner that leaves no room for misunderstandings.

Review the Delegation
When you delegate a task, you agree to specific review points.
Be sure to undertake these reviews, providing advice and course correction as required.If there are problems, identify the root causes.Is it lack of confidence, lack of skills, or something else Work with the delegate to see how you can jointly address the difficulty.Encourage the delegate to come to you not just with difficulties, but also with his or her own ideas on how to overcome them.Dont be tempted to review progress more regularly than you agreed to, or to encourage "reverse delegation," where the delegate is at your desk every five minutes asking what to do next.

Celebrate Success
When a delegated task is completed successfully, be sure to recognize the delegates achievement.
Provide him or her with feedback and be sure that the success is known within the group.

Do it Again
Every so often, go back and review all of the tasks youre undertaking with a view to passing on as many of those tasks as you can.
If you are paid to manage, then manage - dont do.

You dont have to spend money to get greater productivity and profitability, or to improve motivation, reduce your stress level and free up your time.You just have to delegate.Pass it on.
About the Author

Jim Sirbasku is co-founder and CEO of Profiles International, a leading provider of human resource management solutions and employment assessments for businesses worldwide.

For more information, including the original publisher, download the entire

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7 Reasons Starting Your Own Business in an Economic Downturn is a Grand Idea

Starting your own business in an economic downturn is a plucky rather than reckless thing to do.It's certainly not for the faint-hearted.

With the economy in a downturn there is a great deal of uncertainty in the air.Some folks are clinging desperately to their jobs, afraid to seek other opportunities despite the fact that they are unhappy in their current position.Thousands are reeling from being abruptly dismissed from a job that was bringing in a sizeable income and thousands more can expect to face axe over the coming months.

Yet, these are precisely the reasons why you should be considering starting your own business or looking at ways in which you can boost an existing business.

So here are 7 reasons why starting your own business in a downwardly spiralling economy is a grand idea:

1.

Control your destiny

Do you want your future in someone else's hands or yours?

If you run your own business you are responsible for its success.Yes, it's a big responsibility but you can succeed in business even during a recession.Instead of living in fear live in anticipation of the new opportunities that each day will bring.

2.Write your own pay cheque

If you are working for someone else, unless you are a commissioned salesperson, then your pay cheque is fixed.

As a business owner you can decide your level of pay.Okay, you might not immediately achieve your desired income but once you do, you can simply work on improving your business skills and expanding your business so that you continually increase your level of income.

3.End the daily rush-hour commute

Commuting to and from work can be a very stressful experience.

Did you know that 9am on Monday mornings is the time when most heart attacks occur?If you have a job you generally have to travel at peak times when the roads and the public transportation systems are crowded and congested.It's not the best way to start and or end your working day.Instead, how about a 60s commute to your home office?Think about the time you'll save and what you can accomplish in that time.

4.Set your own working hours

When you work for someone else they generally decide your working hours and even the times at which you can take breaks.

Work for yourself and you can choose your working hours.You can take time off to spend with your children or to take care of an elderly or convalescing relative.

5.Decide where you want to work

Naturally, this will depend upon the type of work that you do but many occupations allow for great flexibility regarding you choose to work.

In many cases, individuals decide to relocate and work in a different country or even travel and work so that they can experience life in several countries.Individuals with an Internet-based business may simply want to take advantage of a beautiful day and work outdoors.It certainly beats being stuck in a cubicle.

6.Choose your team

At work you generally do not get to choose who you work with and some members of your team can be a living nightmare to work with.

If you have you own business you can choose your team.Hiring the right individuals for a particular role is a highly skilled task but there's great expert advice available such as from Brad Smart of TopGrading.And here's another thing, a down economy is a great time to scout for top talent.

7.Follow your passion

The majority of people dissatisfied with their current jobs but they stick it out because they have bills to pay.

This is the worst reason to be in a job when you can do something you enjoy and are passionate about and get paid.You don't have to jump ship and go full-time into starting your own business.You can start on a part-time basis and when you're earning enough to take care of your monthly bills and have money set aside for at least six months living expenses you can abandon your J.O.B.and start living your dream.
About the Author

For all the ins and outs of starting and or running your own business who better to mentor you than someone who's not only been bankrupt but also a billionaire?

Check out the Billionaire Business School for full details of this comprehensive, step-by-step, customisable business training at an incredibly affordable price.

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Thursday, December 4, 2008

Property Management -- Allowing A Home Based Business In A Rental Unit

Many property management companies have a blanket rule against using a real estate rental for a home-based business and often for good reason.However, like most things there are two sides to every issue.There are some types of home-based businesses that may actually help you keep a good tenant in place.Rather than have an inflexible policy, a good property management company will carefully consider each case individually.

How Will The business Impact The Real Estate Rental?

If the home based business requires a large number of people coming and going, this may have a large negative impact on the real estate rental.Simply by the number of people coming in and out, there will be greater wear and tear on the carpet, people will be touching the walls and fixtures, and the amount of trash produced will increase.The impact may not be noticeable at first glance but over time, this will definitely put a greater stress on the real estate rental.

As the business volume increases, so will the amount of traffic produced.Customers will require a larger number of parking spaces, which will quickly become an issue if the building was not designed to accommodate such volume.Complaints will start to come into the property management office as other tenants find customers parked in their allotted spaces.

If the situation goes unattended, you run the risk of driving off other potentially better tenants.You'll also want to be aware of how deliveries are to be made and how often to expect them.Delivery trucks can be very disruptive in a residential neighborhood.

Be Aware Of Zoning Laws


Regardless of your policy on home-based businesses in real estate rentals, you will need to be aware of the local zoning laws.

Some cities make it illegal to have any type of home-based business in a residential area.Sometimes these laws are subject to review and exception.

For example, running a child care business will have many restrictions but running an internet based business usually will have few or no restrictions.When a home-based business is allowed, the property management will want to consult with the tenant about the number of customers they expect on a regular basis.If a large number of clients are expected, they may fall under the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which could have an impact on the use of the remaining part of the building.

Make Sure Everyone Involved Is Protected


If a home-based business is approved, an agreement ahead of time between the property management and tenant should be made as to who is responsible for any damage that may occur while the business is under operation.

You'll want to consult with your insurance agent to guarantee that your policy is in full force if a business is operated in your real estate rental.You may be required to purchase additional or modified insurance coverage and you may want to have the tenant take out a policy to cover your potential loss as well.

If the home-based business is very small and doesn't have a large client base coming and going frequently, such as with an internet based company, it may actually help you to allow the business because you keep a good paying tenant.A satisfied tenant is a good source of word of mouth advertising.However, if the home-based business is going to cause problems down the road and become a liability to you, don't hesitate to try to seek a compromise or refuse the rental.The short-term gain will not be worth the long-term headaches.


About the Author

Christine O'Kelly writes for Chicago Beal Properties.

With 80+ years experience being a property manager and real estate rental company, Beal Property, LLC offers an apartment rental in many of the city's historic neighborhoods.

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Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Pallet Jacks And Forklift Safety -- Recognizing And Dealing With Hazards

While pallet jacks might not seem as dangerous as a forklift, both of these machines have their own set of safety hazards.The required maintenance of these machines also carry a risk.In addition to all of that, the possible hazards you might encounter when dealing with a load of products requires even more safety precautions.The first step towards avoiding these problems is adequate training for the operator.In the end, however, the only true precaution is a collaborative effort between the operator, company, and everyone who works in and around the equipment.

Concerns With Forklift Batteries


The batteries require a lot of the same maintenance as other vehicle batteries.

The amount of use these batteries receive, however, means this maintenance, including replacement, removal, and recharging, occurs more often.The dangerous acids and other ingredients they contain means handling them with the utmost of care at all times.Ventilation is needed to prevent the inhalation of dangerous fumes and protective clothing is needed to protect against contact.This could be a special system installed into the building to remove the fumes and pump in fresh air, or it could be opening large garage doors.Other items to have on hand include a well-stocked first aid kit, an emergency shower, and eyewash station.Be sure they are easily accessible as well.

Equipment In Ill-Repair


Before each shift, the operator should inspect the pallet jacks or forklift very carefully to ensure everything is in good repair and looked after.

Breakdowns dealing with important systems such as the hydraulics, steering, or breaks could cause very serious accidents quickly.Tires are another component that could cause problems.If they are worn unevenly or have flat spots, the machine will not carry the load evenly, increasing the possibility of having the load tip or fall.

Provide everyone who works with any of these machines with a comprehensive checklist that outlines a full inspection.The operator should follow this before each shift and stop using it as soon as he or she notices something out of the ordinary.It should stay parked until it is fully operational.

Increase Risk Of Collision


Pallet jacks run a constant risk of running into things and running over the feet of the operator or a passerby.

A forklift also has these same issues.With the movement of large loads and basic inattention to their surroundings, injury and death are a very real hazard.Adding systems such as backup tweeters, lights, and horns can help warn others of the machine's movements.It also helps to eliminate pedestrian traffic in areas where moving equipment operates.Lastly, operators should move loads while driving in reverse to increase their visibility.

Unstable Loads


Loads themselves are not as dangerous as a load elevated to a particular height.

Loading the pallet correctly is half the battle.It is important to educate others about how to stack the products and check them for stability.The stability should also be checked and the load should be wrapped with plastic before using the forklift to raise the load.Caution is also needed with pallet jacks since they can jerk the load.It also helps keep the load from falling by ensuring that the flooring is maintained.Uneven flooring and surface flaws should be repaired as soon as possible.Finally, ensure equipment operators are able to distinguish the difference between loads that are stackable and those that are not.

These safety concerns are just a few of the issues that face businesses requiring the use of pallet jacks or a forklift.Education, careful decisions, and the ability to identify tragedies before they occur are the only way to prevent accidents in the workplace.


About the Author

Christine O'Kelly writes for RHI Lifts, a leading provider of pallet jacks.

Chicago customers and those throughout the country have access to the Illinois forklift dealer's full line of storage and handling equipment.

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Monday, December 1, 2008

So you Want to Trade Forex and Become a Cash Gorging, Money Gobbling, Capital Gains Machine

Well, you have heard your friends and family speaking about the Forex markets and thought you might give it a try.I am here to give you some very strong advice, don't do it.To enter the Forex markets and make millions is not easy; yea a lot of people are doing it.

But, those people really worked at, and you know, you're really not into working too hard.Besides that, you hate learning new things, never want to take risk and are cheaper than sin and never spend a dime on anything you can't eat.To trade Forex and become a wealth creating wizard is not for you, I am telling you not to read any further on how it is done.PLEASE!

I told you to stop with the last paragraph, but since you have come this far I did find something interesting for you to do.Try searching Google for basket weaving, it is not to expensive, it does not require you to take any risk and you just feel tingly all over when you get finished and gaze at your pretty little basket you just made.It just makes you feel so good all over, a really safe hobby to pursue.

Only the single mined tough individuals make it in the world of Forex.Those who enter with the Forex world that have the will to succeed and are willing to destroy anything in their path preventing them getting there.

Do you think the TOP TIER currency traders that slink in like the jaguar in the jungles of Brazil, scoop up tons of cash and sliver away before being detected care about what anybody thinks about them?Your right, they just don't care about what I think or about what you think, only where and when they are going to start their next plundering operation.

Trading the Forex markets and developing diamonds is not that difficult, after all there are only two paths a currency can take, up or down.Trust me, they never go sideways, for not to long anyways.The problem is, you don't have a clue what you're doing.And do get a clue, cost money, which means taking risk and you are a risk adverse person.

And then after you get that education, guess what, you have to spend more money buying Forex software systems to help you gather data and make decisions.All of that and you haven't even made your first trade yet.Then you might want to consider actually entering the market and making a few trades, well there goes more money that you might not get back.

I keep telling you that this is not for you, if you don't like basket weaving maybe you could try knitting.

Seriously, private investors are making major withdrawals into their bank accounts trading the currency markets.But, to be a real player in the markets cost money up front to prepare you to trade Forex, and if you really don't have any money, are cheaper than sin, don't like to take risk, or any of fifty other reasons this is not the place for you.

If you want a place where you can learn a teachable skill, acquire knowledge, willing to invest in yourself and want to make zillions then it could be the place for you.But the Forex markets don't give up there riches easily, you have to take them using anything and everything you can to get them.


About the Author

We have researched, tested reviewed 100s of Forex Courses, Software Systems and Brokerage Firms which we only list our TOP 10 to help you LEARN FOREX TRADING.

For 100s of FREE FOREX TUTORIALS please visit LEARN CURRENCY TRADING.Good Luck!I look forward to seeing you on the trading floor making money!

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Sunday, November 30, 2008

Which of the Top 10 Forex Software Systems Offer the Users the Best Money Making Opportunities?

The three most important factors to consider when purchasing a currency trading system are first, you are going to spend your hard earned funds on, second you are going to use your valuable time learning to operate it and if that was not enough, third you are going to trust the data the software sends you to invest your capital in an attempt to make a profit.This is not any time to start getting cheap and attempt to save a few bucks, but only purchase a currency trading system that has been tested by qualified Forex investment professionals and is rated as a Top 10 Forex Software System.

If you take into consideration, depending on your investment of course, it is very easy to earn back the cost of a Forex software system with only one successful trade it is unconceivable that individuals would attempt to scrip and save when purchasing this vital investment tool.In fact, when I attend the many professional Forex trading seminars that cost twenty times the price of a currency trading software system, the vast majority of the professionals there will tell you they use at least two software systems at a minimum simultaneously and have purchased over the years somewhere between twenty and fifty systems.

The reasons for this are twofold.First, the professionals are already making huge profits trading the Forex markets, thus the cost of the systems is nothing to them.In fact, I mentioned above, it would only take one trade to be reimbursed for the purchase price of a system; I failed to mention that the estimate is based on the novice trader's predictable investment level.The professional is making at a minimum ten times that amount up to a hundred times the estimate.Second, the professional trader is well aware of the fact that any little push they can get over the competition is more than worth the investment.

Before I precede any further I want to mention three important factors to remember when making your first purchase of an online currency trading system.First, there is not an automated system sold on the commercial market, much less for a hundred dollars that is a profitable trading system standing on its own without the human making the final decision.Second, if you are not well educated in Forex trading the system is not going to do you any good and you will just end up losing your investments in the market.Third, if you don't spend a considerable amount of time learning, testing and evaluating the system, guess what, you are going to lose your money.

A professional trader will test the data received from a new system for a minimum of a month's period of time utilizing a demo account until they are confident enough to actually invest real funds.If a professional takes that long testing, evaluating and fine tuning a new piece of software, exactly how long should a new trader to the markets take?

Above are just a few aspects to consider when acquiring a currency trading system.You can be pretty sure you will be safe with your first purchase if you buy a Top 10 Forex Software Systems that has been researched, tested and rated by professional traders if you follow the rest of the advice mentioned in this article.Remember, the software is only a tool to help you become a big time traders, the final decision making tool which you MUST utilize is the greatest tool ever invented, which is the human brain.
About the Author

We have researched, tested reviewed 100s of Forex Courses, Software Systems and Brokerage Firms which we only list our TOP 10 to help you LEARN FOREX TRADING.

For 100s of FREE FOREX TUTORIALS please visit LEARN CURRENCY TRADING.Good Luck!I look forward to seeing you on the trading floor making money!

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