Why Good PR Warrants Your Attention
Because good public relations can alter individual perception and lead to changed behaviors among key outside audiences. And that can help business, non-profit and association managers achieve their managerial objectives.It all happens when you do something positive about the behaviors of those important external audiences of yours that most affect your operation. In particular when you persuade those key outside folks to your way of thinking, then help move them to take actions that allow your department, division or subsidiary to succeed.I believe the key to good PR is this reality. People act on their own perception of the facts before them, which leads to predictable behaviors about which something can be done. When we create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-desired-action the very people whose behaviors affect the organization the most, the public relations mission is accomplished.In other words, your public relations effort must involve more than special events, brochures and news releases if you really want to get your money's worth.The payoff can make your day: membership applications on the rise; customers starting to make repeat purchases; fresh proposals for strategic alliances and joint ventures; community leaders beginning to seek you out; welcome bounces in show room visits; prospects starting to do business with you; higher employee retention rates, capital givers or specifying s

Twelve Key Questions You Need to Ask About Your Computer Security for Your Home or Business
Security technology is only a part of an overall security plan. If you own a small business or a home-based business, or if you've been tasked with implementing security at your organization, developing a comprehensive security plan should be a very important part of your overall security strategy. Get the information you need to get started on the right track! In the computer/internet security game, the best move is one of Prevention! Prevention! Prevention! With that in mind, here are the twelve questions you need to be asking, or, at least, be thinking about if you're serious about preventing or stopping security risks, threats, and attacks:1. Do I have a solid security policy or strategy? If you don't, begin immediately to get sample security plans, policies, and best practices for your business and/or home.2. Where would I go for key information and news on keeping your information private? Search the internet for managed security services. Ask if they provide a free computer test to assess your pc's level of vulnerability. Ask if they provide the latest tips to keep your privacy and protect your personal information and that of your business. Or simply - ask me.3. Does my disaster recovery plan include redundant back-up and data recovery systems? Understand what a good data back up system is and how to best recover from a disaster.4. Do I know how to create safe passwords? Learn how to write virtual

Market Research: Change What You Currently Do
A sovereign’s first duty is doubtless to conform with the wishes of the people; but what the people say is scarcely ever what they wish: their desires and their wants cannot be learned from their own mouths so well as they are to be read in the heart of their prince.” -Napoleon BonaparteAt Stealing Share™, we insist on conducting primary research for our clients because we understand the brand value of the nuances within the market place when developing brand strategies. We have yet to encounter a client with existing research worth the paper upon which it is printed. Research, as currently practiced, is stagnant, describing the market as it currently is, finding solutions and ideas that are already currently known. In turn, profitable revelations rendered from current research processes are few and far between. Failure resides not in the methodology, but in the process leading to the research study.When research studies depend solely upon the focus group process, failure is imminent. Marketers use focus groups as means to cover their butts in case of the unexpected negative result. Focus groups are comparable to hand towels with regard to coverage, functional after dinner, but utterly futile after a long shower. Research should prove projectable, and focus groups most certainly are not. Neither positive response nor negative response from focus groups is reliable. Within one focus group, there will be a wide sp

What to Use an Offshore Company For and Where to Set One Up
If you decide you’d like to reduce your tax burden, protect your assets, simplify your company operations or enter into cross border business transactions for example, and you’re interested in whether an offshore company structure could help with any or all of the above, chances are it could.There are many ways you can use an offshore company, many benefits you can derive from the use of one and many locations in which you can set one up…so how can you decide whether such a structure is applicable to you and how on earth should you decide where to incorporate an offshore company?What to Use an Offshore Company ForYou can use an offshore company if you want to trade internationally or invest offshore. You can use such a structure to buy and hold real estate at home and overseas or to own intellectual property. Additionally you can use such a holding structure for asset protection purposes and for the specific protection of certain asset classes.If you have staff you need to relocate overseas you can use such a company to employ those staff to maximise any taxation advantages of their international placement. For your overall taxation planning purposes such a structure can be significantly advantageous and finally, if you’re in the eBusiness world or are internet based there are certain significant potential advantages available to you through the use of a properly structured and located offshore company.Where to I

Listening Strategically
Usually, we’re most interested in communicating outwardly; getting our messages out to others. But finding ways to hear what’s going on around us can be just as important.Let’s start by identifying three different types of listening we do. The first type - informal listening - comes naturally, as in listening to another person. I take in what you have to say, and how you say it.A second type, competitive intelligence, is a systematic process for monitoring sources and gathering information. That information is aggregated, processed to bring out the important points, and distributed to others who can use it to make decisions.In this article, we look at a third type, a less rigorous approach to competitive intelligence, one that falls somewhere between simple listening and formal competitive intelligence. Call it strategic listening, a relatively simple way to stay on top of issues that affect your organization.Let’s start with objectives, which we normally do when looking at something strategically. Ask two key questions, “Why are we doing this?” and “What will we do with the information we gather?”The first question focuses our efforts by putting them into the context of our overall goals. The second question, “What will we do with the information we gather?” relates to more immediate issues. It helps us articulate how we will use the material, and that in turn, affects the way we see our objectives.Next, we need a pro

Starting a California LLC
Starting a California LLC is easyAs a new business owner you will want to make sure that you follow all local, state and federal laws. You will need to ensure that you properly withhold all appropriate employer taxes and make required tax deposits on time. But this is just the half of it. To do it right, you will want to make sure that you setup an LLC. We have put together a quick list of steps to get you started in forming your LLC in California.LLC Filing Tips1.) Select a name that is available in California. The state requirements in California. The name must end with the words “Limited Liability Company,” “Ltd. Liability Co.,” or the abbreviation “LLC” or “L.L.C.”2.) File the appropriate LLC paperwork. Form LLC-1 is required by California and it must contain a business name, a registered agent address in California, indicate where business operated by members or managers, and be signed by an organizer.3.) Pay the required $70 dollar fee.4.) You may submit additional articles if you wish to do so, however, they must be included on an attached form.There are annual taxes requirements for having an LLC in California. The primary is a minimum state tax of $800 dollars. There is currently a first year exclusion.Additional information can be found at: