Actual for You - Business

Hurry Up and Wait
Recently, I walked over to my bank for what I hoped would be a quick transaction, and felt I was in luck as one of the five tellers had only one person in her line, while the others all had two or three. So I headed for that teller. Big mistake. The customer being helped obviously had some sort of problem, and the teller moved back and forth taking care of it. And of course, I was afraid to change lines, for fear of getting in an even slower one. As I have so many times before, I wondered why this bank doesn’t have the more customer-friendly system of “next available teller” queuing. This time I decided to seek out the manager.I was not surprised to hear he was busy, and could I wait? Another waste of my time. When I did give him my suggestion, he listened, then started explaining why this system woul

ny goodwill that might be deemed to have arisen through Franchisee’s activities, will accrue directly and exclusively to the Franchisor’s benefit, except as otherwise provided by applicable law. Franchisee appoints Franchisor as their agent and attorney-in-fact to amend or cancel any Registered User or Business Name filings obtained by Franchisee or on Franchisee’s behalf that involve or pertain to the Service Marks.

The Silent Career Killer
I consider myself lucky – I am surrounded by amazing people. They can be described as smart, successful, witty, passionate, and more. So, I’m shocked when I listen to these very people put themselves down. How it is that someone who is so great can have doubts about their value? I (and most others) see their accomplishments and their potential while they worry about their perceived failures and shortcomings.A lack of self-confidence is dangerous to your career. It can manifest itself with arrogant or self-deprecating behavior. Our fears and insecurities are directly linked to our level of confidence. If you aren’t confident in your abilities and the value you offer, how can you expect someone else to be? Ultimately, you could end up being passed up for the promotion you want.What happen

One of the things that a franchisor has to offer a potential franchisee is their brand name. A strong brand name means the built-in potential customers for the franchisee and his franchise outlet. Each franchisor must stipulate how their trademarks and proprietary information within the confidential operations manual will be used during the term of the franchise. It is far better in my opinion to be upfront with this issue into address it in the franchise agreement prior to the signing or exchanging of any monies for the franchise business. It is for this reason that I developed a clause to put into our franchise agreement, which was a little different than most other franchisors. Below is a copy of that clause;

3.11.1 Proprietary Rights

Franchisee acknowledges the exclusive right, title and interest of Franchisor in and to the Marks. Franchisee agrees that the Service Marks, Confidential Operations Manual, and System are Franchisor’s sole and exclusive property. Nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement will give Franchisee or others any right, title, or interest whatsoever in or to the Service Marks, Confidential Operations Manual, or System as it exists or as it is developed. Franchisee’s license to use the Service Marks is non-exclusive. Franchisor, in its sole discretion, may operate under the Service Marks and may grant licenses to others to use the Service Marks on any terms and conditions Franchisor deems appropriate. Franchisor may make reasonable efforts to protect Franchisee’s rights to use the Service Marks. In those states and nations where applicable, Franchisee agrees to execute on request all documents necessary to record Franchisee as a registered user of the Service Marks.

Franchisee will immediately notify Franchisor of any infringement of, or challenge to, their use of the Service Marks. Franchisor will have sole discretion to take or not to take action, as Franchisor deems appropriate. If Franchisor undertakes the defense or prosecution of any litigation involving Franchisee or any litigation involving the Service Marks, Franchisee agree to execute any and all documents and to do all acts and things, that in the opinion of Franchisor’s counsel are necessary or advisable to carry out the defense or prosecution. This may be done either in Franchisor’s name or in Franchisee’s name, as Franchisor will elect. Franchisee will modify or discontinue use of any franchise names or Service Marks, or will use one or more substitute names or marks, if Franchisor so directs in writing at any time.

Franchisor’s sole obligation in this event will be to reimburse Franchisee for their tangible costs in complying with Franchisor’s direction (i.e., cost of changing signs, stationery, etc.). Under no circumstances will Franchisor be liable to Franchisee for any other damages, costs, losses, rights, or detriments related to any modification, discontinuance, or substitution. All obligations or requirements imposed upon Franchisee relating to the Service Marks will apply with equal force to any modified or substituted names or marks.

Franchisee will not contest, directly or indirectly: Franchisor’s ownership, title, right, or interest in the Service Marks, the Confidential Operations Manual, the Confidential Marketing Manuals or the System; or Franchisor’s exclusive right to register, use, or license others to use the Service Marks, Confidential Operations Manual, the Confidential Marketing Manuals and System. Franchisee will not advertise or use the Service Marks without following Franchisor’s then current guidelines and requirements. These may include, but will not be limited to, the placement of appropriate (C) or (R) copyright and registration marks, or the designations TM or SM, where applicable.

Any and all goodwill associated with the Service Marks, as existing or as developed, including any goodwill that might be deemed to have arisen through Franchisee’s activities, will accrue directly and exclusively to the Franchisor’s benefit, except as otherwise provided by applicable law. Franchisee appoints Franchisor as their agent and attorney-in-fact to amend or cancel any Registered User or Business Name filings obtained by Franchisee or on Franchisee’s behalf that involve or pertain to the Service Marks.

The Advancement in an Individuals Ability to Print Postage Stamps
When the USPS allowed customers to print postage stamps from online sources, they opened up a whole new world. Almost everyone has a need for postage at one point or another. It is safe to say that everyone will use at least one stamp in their lifetime. Before online postage a person had to go to the post office or other approved retailer to get a postage stamp. Sometimes this could be rather inconvenient and even annoying. With the availability to print postage stamps at home people are finding postage is no longer adding another errand to their day. They can easily and quickly get the postage they need right in the comfort of their own home.There has been a way to print postage stamps for quite some time. Postage meters allow a person to print their own postage, too. These meters, though, co

lusive property. Nothing in this Agreement or any other agreement will give Franchisee or others any right, title, or interest whatsoever in or to the Service Marks, Confidential Operations Manual, or System as it exists or as it is developed. Franchisee’s license to use the Service Marks is non-exclusive. Franchisor, in its sole discretion, may operate under the Service Marks and may grant licenses to others to use the Service Marks on any terms and conditions Franchisor deems appropriate. Franchisor may make reasonable efforts to protect Franchisee’s rights to use the Service Marks. In those states and nations where applicable, Franchisee agrees to execute on request all documents necessary to record Franchisee as a registered user of the Service Marks.

The Benefits of Owning a Home Business
There are considerable benefits to owning a home-based business. Some of the benefits fall into a tangible category such as the possibility of increased income and more time available for family. However, there is an equally important category of benefits that could best be described as intangible. These benefits are difficult to quantify with a specific monetary amount but instead refer to the happiness and sense of satisfaction that is gained by the home-based business person. I will briefly explore a few of the tangible and intangible benefits that are present when beginning and running a home-based business.First off on most people's minds when they think about starting a home business is the potential for a salary significant enough to replace current employment. And, while there are cer

appropriate. If Franchisor undertakes the defense or prosecution of any litigation involving Franchisee or any litigation involving the Service Marks, Franchisee agree to execute any and all documents and to do all acts and things, that in the opinion of Franchisor’s counsel are necessary or advisable to carry out the defense or prosecution. This may be done either in Franchisor’s name or in Franchisee’s name, as Franchisor will elect. Franchisee will modify or discontinue use of any franchise names or Service Marks, or will use one or more substitute names or marks, if Franchisor so directs in writing at any time.

Women Wish to Cut Work Hours
Twice as many women as men wish to cut back on work hours, even at the sacrifice of pay, according to a new study of labor statistics.The study found that while 5.6 percent of men would opt for less work hours, 10.1 percent of women would prefer less time spent in the workplace. The gap might reflect women’s unbalanced divide of household responsibilities, the researchers say. Enlightenment might be that women just feel they need to use more moment at home with their family.The results, detailed in the April issue of the U.S. Department of Labor's Monthly Labor Review, have suggestions for understanding why women’s partaking in the labor force, which had go up in the early 1990s, has leveled off more than the past five to 10 years, said the study’s lead author Lonnie Golden, a Penn State Univer

ntinuance, or substitution. All obligations or requirements imposed upon Franchisee relating to the Service Marks will apply with equal force to any modified or substituted names or marks.

Satin Paper and Large Format Printing - Pros and Cons
For the past few years or so now we've been creating and printing our own posters. And the best paper that I've found for this is satin paper. And not just any satin paper. The best that I've found is made by Hewlett Packard. And what works best is the 7 mil paper.Satin paper that's 7 mil thick dries quick. Even for dark prints. Cause there's enough paper to absorb the ink. Thinner paper takes a lot longer to dry cause not all of the ink isn't aborbed. So it has to just sit there and dry. Sometimes run and bleed through to the back of the paper.And the 7 mil paper isn't so thick that you can't roll it up and plastic sleeve it without any problems. Like wrinkling the print for making it too tight to get the plastic over it.So it dries quick, rolls good without sticking to itself

Franchisee acknowledges and agrees at all times and in all respects that Franchisor’s trademarks, trade names, service marks, patents, copyrights and all goodwill (local, regional and national) are the Franchisor’s sole and exclusive property. Franchisee also acknowledges that Franchisee has only a license to use such rights and marks according to the provisions of this Franchise Agreement and in strict accordance with the standards, specifications and procedures as outlined in the Confidential Operations Manual. Franchisee will not take any action contesting or impairing the exclusive right, title and interest of the Franchisor’s in any trademarks, trade names, service marks, patents and copyrights. Franchisee will not represent that Franchisee has any ownership rights in the Marks and Franchisee acknowledges that use of the Marks will not create in its favor any right, title or interest in or to the Marks, but that all uses will inure to the benefit of the Franchisor. Neither Franchisee nor any officer, director, agent or employee of Franchisee shall in any way register or attempt to register the Marks, whether within or outside the Marketing Area, with any government or any other authority, nor dispute or impugn the validity of the Marks, any registration or application to register any of the Marks, Franchisor’s rights to the Marks, or Franchisor’s rights to use Marks or grant licenses to others to use the Marks.

Franchisee must affix and change trademark notices and indications of registration when and as instructed by Franchisor. Franchisee must assist Franchisor to the extent reasonable requested in obtaining or maintaining any registration of any of the Marks to the extent reasonably requested, including by providing advertising samples.

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It behooves all franchisors to make an audit of their brand-name ended their proprietary information and decide how best to protect its value. It is advised to discuss this at length, as it is money well spent with a competent, knowledgeable and experienced franchise attorney to best strategize ways to protect your franchisee company and its proprietary information. Do consider this in 2006.

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It is the inherent desire and need of every business to grow both vertically and horizontally. Organic growth, that is development from within, is often slow and sometimes difficult. That is why there is an increasing trend towards mergers and acquisitions. It could be called an instant expansion.

You may consider going down to or calling your local courthouse to find out about how, or if you need to registering your idea of an import business. It is also suggested that you start and list your business as a Sole Proprietor. Consult with your tax or legal person for advice. But this method of setting up your business usually, in my opinion, has the best tax advantages.

This past weekend I learned the importance of not flying solo in your business activities. I took a weekend off to spend time with one of my sons, and we traveled to a small British Columbia town called Cranbrook to watch our hockey team from Calgary take on the Kootenay Ice. Hockey is a long time escape from reality for me, especially when it involves getting out of town for an overnight trip.

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