Almost 3 million people were injured and over 42 thousand died. A 1985 report based on British and American crash data found driver error, intoxication and other human factors contribute wholly or partly to about 93% of crashes. An incredible 1 in 4 people will be involved in a collision in their lifetime, although many of these will, of course, be minor bumps.

With these figures in mind it makes good sense to insure against collision damage in your vehicle even though, unlike liability insurance, collision coverage is not required by law.

What does Collision Insurance Cover and why do I need it?

Collision insurance is a car owner’s protection plan for their own vehicle.  As a means of saving money on insurance many drivers decide not to take out what is, after all, not a compulsory insurance. However, if the vehicle has a high value, or is a new car,  it is wise to include collision coverage in an insurance policy, especially bearing in mind the figures quoted above. Most of us suffer from the ‘it won’t happen to me’ syndrome but the chances are very high that it will. Don’t forget, although you may be a perfect driver, no-one else out there on the road is!

If you are renting a vehicle the contract may stipulate that you have collision insurance.  This may also be the case if the car is being bought with a bank or other loan. This is the lender’s assurance that the cost of the car or necessary repairs, will be covered in the event of an accident.

Collision insurance will cover damage to your vehicle if it is hit by anther vehicle, if you hit another vehicle or if you are hit by, or run into, an object including trees, road signs and telegraph poles. Almost any collision which results in damage to your vehicle will be covered. Remember too, that this insurance will pay out even if the accident is your fault.

How to reduce the cost of Collision Insurance

If you have decide that your vehicle is valuable enough to need this insurance you may be discouraged by the high price of premiums. With collisions so common it is inevitable that the insurer will require a high premium to insure against them.

To keep your premiums low, chose as large a deductible as you feel comfortable paying out of pocket. For example, if you have a deductible value set at $1,000 and your car sustains damage which will cost $1,500 to repair, you will pay $1,000 from your own pocket and your insurance company will pay  the remaining $500.

If you’re a member of an automobile club, such as the  AAA, you can get collision protection covering damage to rental cars above a certain amount. Some credit cards also provide similar coverage when you use them to rent a vehicle.

Do I always need Collision Insurance?

This kind of insurance is really aimed at those drivers who own new or very high value cars. Collision cover is often limited to the value of the car. If you car is worth very little then it may not be financially expedient to take out collision cover.

For cars that have a low value the cost of repairs will often exceed the value of the car itself. In this case it may make more sense to put the premium you are paying for collision insurance into a high interest bank account to pay for any possible repairs, rather than handing it over to the insurance company every month.

If you are not sure how much your car is worth you can use online resources, such as the Kelley Blue Book,  to find out, in order to accurately assess if collision insurance is worthwhile for you. The value of your car will depend on the year, make and model, the mileage done, the existing condition of the car and any additional features, such as customized interiors or a sunroof.

If you are employed but unable to prove your income, self employed, a first-time buyer or even have a bad credit history it was very difficult for you to get a mortgage to buy a home. These are the circumstances in which you may have considered a Self Certified Mortgage.

What is a Self Certified Mortgage?

Mortgage lenders usually use salaries declared on wage slips to work out a borrower’s annual income and will usually lend up to a fixed multiple of the borrower’s annual income. A self-certification mortgage is one where the borrower certifies his or her own income, rather than provide proof of it to the mortgage lender for assessment. Self-certification deals are designed to help self-employed people and people with multiple sources of income who would find it difficult to provide proof of their full income.

Self Certified Mortgages were a result of the 1980s financial boom in the UK, which resulted in many people becoming self employed. Although they were earning very good money a mortgage lender usually required 3 years accounts from a certified accountant and the new, self-employed entrepreneur, often with income from several sources, found it very difficult to provide this proof.

The Good Years for Self-certified Mortgages

These kinds of loans worked while the economy was doing well. Times were good, people were making money and able to keep up with the repayments on their mortgages. Property prices seemed to be on a never-ending upward spiral, ensuring that people who took out high loan-to-value home loans soon had sufficient equity in their properties, at least on paper, for lenders to see  these lenders as low-risk. The self-certification mortgage market was a money-making machine, which those involved in that market thought would last forever.

And now the Bad News about Self-Certified Mortgages

Since the credit crunch, these deals have almost totally disappeared due to the risks involved in banks lending money without proof of the borrower’s income. In the UK the FSA (Financial Services Authority) has announced that that new rules will include a ban on lending without proof of income. It wants to ensure that lenders lend only to those who can afford to repay. Without having a detailed knowledge of a borrower’s financial situation this is simply not possible.

These new rules are due to be introduced early in 2011. Currently self certified mortgages are now available from a very small selection of lenders and are likely to disappear completely next year.

What  Self- Certified Mortgages did for YOU!

In the USA there was no regulatory body like the FSA, looking after the interests of the lender and the borrower.  Because of this lack of regulation cowboy brokers were able to break the rules in order to make lots of money. Many mortgages, especially self certified mortgages, were mis-sold, and homeowners defaulted on their repayments. This, in turn, was blamed for the financial downturn which has affected the world ever since.

These self-certified mortgages, taken out by people who simply could not afford the loans they were taking on, were dubbed ‘liar loans’, as people inflated their incomes to imaginary heights in order to secure the load they needed to buy a home.

What you will have to do to get a Self-Certified Mortgage in the USA

While such loans are still available in the USA for the time being you will have to provide far more evidence of income than previously.

More documentation: Two years of tax returns, self-employed borrowers might be asked to provide a profit-and-loss statement, bank statements and proof that they’ve been in business for at least two years. Lenders require further verification, such as a business license.

Fewer tax deductions: It is common for the self-employed to claim a large amount of tax deductions, to avoid paying tax on their income. The problem is that by doing this your business may show a loss.

Larger down payments: Zero down payments have disappeared. A much larger deposit is required.

An excellent credit rating: You will stand a chance of getting a self cert mortgage only if you have an excellent credit past.

The bottom line is that Self-Certification Mortgages may vanish from the financial landscape in the near future. You will need to look at other types of mortgage loan if you are not capable of providing proof of your income.

Borrowing money has had bad press over the last couple of years. A huge number of people have been spending  borrowed money to live beyond their means. However, most of the money that has fuelled this dangerous debt mountain, the avalanche from which has now engulfed our cozy free-money lifestyle in a debris of bankruptcies and foreclosures, has come from unsecured loans.

The Difference Between a Secured and Unsecured Loan

With an unsecured loan the lender typically relies on your promise to pay it back. Credit card debt is typically an unsecured loan. This kind of loan is usually given based on credit rating alone. The lender is taking a bigger risk than with a secured loan, so interest rates for unsecured loans tend to be higher.

A secured loan, on the other hand, is a loan in which the borrower pledges some asset, such as a car, property, or other valuable item such as jewelry or a previous investment, as collateral for the loan. If you default on the loan, the creditor can take possession of the asset used as collateral and may sell it to regain some or all of the amount originally lent to the borrower. This kind of loan is seen as less risky for the lender and so interest rates can be lower.

Why should I Consider a Secured loan?

As well as a lower interest rate, you may be able to borrow a higher sum with a secured loan. Secured loans are often for amounts over $10,000. These large amounts are very difficult to get as an unsecured loan.

If you have a poor credit rating it may be possible to get a secured loan if you still have assets to offer as collateral.

Secured loans are typically taken over a much longer time than unsecured loans which, together with the lower interest rates, results in a much lower monthly outgoing when to compared to unsecured loans.

A secured loan could therefore be used to pay of a number of unsecured loans for example, on credit cards, consolidating the loan amount and reducing  the monthly payments, as well as the final cost of the loan.

Because of the lower risk to the lender it is often much easier to get a secured loan. Even in the current economic climate, houses are still worth a considerable amount of money, and are still a favored asset when secured loans are made. Should a borrower default on the loan, in theory at least, the house can be repossessed and sold to cover the debt. In practice, the cost involved in house repossession means that the lender will often seek other means to recover his money before considering a house repossession.

Secured loans can also be used to release equity in your property or as second mortgages.

How Can I Find the Best Unsecured Loan?

Most banks offer secured personal loans with lower interest rates, as the risk to them is reduced. As with any kind of financial product, you will need to shop around, compare deals and then make a decision based on what best fits your situation. It is advisable to research the products available from a variety of different lenders, taking into account:

• Interest rates,
• Repayment amounts
• Fees. Many lenders do not charge application and set-up fees.
• Terms and conditions that may apply to the loan. Some lenders charge a pre-payment penalty if you pay more of your interest or if you repay earlier than the duration of the loan.

The Internet is, as ever, a very good research tool for doing your initial research on lenders. Many sites will even allow you to input your data on-line and will give you a decision on a loan in minutes, often without a credit check being carried out.

If you have a bad credit rating don’t try to hide it from your lender. Discuss your bad credit and your personal circumstance with them and seek their advice on the most suitable loan for your situation.

Sad though this may be, the personal lawsuit is a common fact of life in the USA. Being charged with a crime is probably one of the most stressful things that can happen to an individual.  A person facing criminal charges risks severe penalties, including even jail, and  having a criminal record can seriously affect your future relationships and job prospects.

If a lawsuit is brought against you it is important that you get the best possible representation you can afford. Going to court is not to be taken lightly and, although you do have the right to defend yourself, it is much wiser for the average citizen to turn to a professional to help them through this ordeal.

Why you need a Defense Lawyer

Remember that the police are well trained to get information they need to make a criminal case against you. A criminal defense lawyer will act as your insulation from the police and will protect your rights and will prevent you from saying things that could incriminate you. They will use their expert knowledge and experience of criminal law to protect you from criminal charges.

A good criminal defense lawyer may help you achieve some or all of the following:

1. Reduce your criminal charge to a lesser offense (for example, reduce a felony to a misdemeanor)
2. Lessen the severity of the punishment for the crime
3. Reduce or eliminate jail time (via probation or fines)
4. Help you develop a sound defense strategy.

What to Look for in a Defense Lawyer

Experience: There are many different kinds of criminal charges including felonies, misdemeanors, drug charges, white collar crimes etc., so it is important that you chose a lawyer who has experience in your particular charge. Don’t be afraid to ask pertinent questions such as how many jury trial they have litigated and how much of the criminal case they will actually handle. Often the length of time a lawyer has been practicing is less important than the type of crime he is experienced in handling and, of course, his acquittal rate.

Fees: It’s no secret that hiring a lawyer is expensive, so it is important to know how they intent to charge for their services. Most criminal defense attorneys bill their time either hourly, or by a flat fee arrangement.  A retainer fee for most felony cases may start around $5,000 but can be as high as $25,000 for sexual assault cases or homicide. Some attorneys may have a payment plan to help you handle these charges.

Don’t panic if you feel you cannot afford to hire an attorney, you may be able to receive a state or government-appointed attorney to representation you in your case. The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution grants those facing criminal charges the right to counsel if they cannot afford to hire a private attorney.

Qualifications & Knowledge: It’s important that the attorney you hire has the necessary skill level needed to defend the case. You may need someone familiar with crime scene. investigations, witness, victim and police interviewing, and with extensive knowledge of the use of polygraphs, sketches, photographs, and video evidence.

Because laws differ from state to state make sure the lawyer you chose has experience with the state and local rules of court. Don’t hesitate to check their qualifications and as questions regarding their skill levels in dealing with your particular charge.

At the very least, the lawyer you chose should belong to the County and State Bar Associations. If he belongs to the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), his State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, or to the ABA’s Criminal Justice Section this is even better.

How to Find a Defense Lawyer

Referrals – If your county is served by a public defender’s office, sometimes a defender’s office will be willing to suggest a competent  defense lawyer. A friend or family member may have used a defense lawyer, but bear in mind that his case could have been very different to yours.

Professional Organizations: Each state has organizations of criminal defense lawyers. Some of those organizations offer referral services.

Directories: There are a number of online directories which include criminal defense lawyers, including Lawyers.com and FindLaw.

While we may not completely agree with Charles Dickens who said, in 1860, “A Life Assurance Office is at all times exposed to be practiced upon by the most crafty and cruel of the human race.”, it may sometimes seems that the insurance company holds all the cards when it comes to paying out for a claim.

From the other side of the fence,  it I certainly true that many individuals make bogus or exaggerated claims. The insurance company has to look at the full facts of the claim before deciding to pay out. The number of fraudulent insurance claims made in the UK rose to a record high in 2009, to 122,000 detected fraudulent claims, valued at £840m. In the USA one in ten (11 percent) knows someone who has inflated the value of his or her insurance claim.

Therefore it seems obvious there will be disputes between the company and claimants, even those that may be genuine.

How to make a Successful Claim

If you are in the unenviable position of having to negotiate an insurance claim there is a lot you can do to make sure that the insurance company honor your claim. When settling your insurance claim with an insurance company you will be dealing with an adjuster. Try not to be intimidated by them when discussing your claim. The following tips will help you keep a clear head during the negotiations.

Get your facts straight: Make sure you have all of the information from the accident at your fingertips.. Having all your paperwork organized is essential. This will include police reports from an accident, photographs of the damaged property, pictures of your injuries and medical bills etc. The more precise you are with dates and times the more likely the insurance company is to take you claim seriously.

Have a figure in mind: You should have done some research and calculated how much the damage or injury will cost you.  In the case of a car accident, the insurance company may want you to use a certain repair shop.  Check out the establishment and make sure you are happy to have your repairs done there, before agreeing to this.

As a guide, for medical claims the industry standard amount the settlement of pain and suffering is three times the medical bills.

Don’t be Bullied: The insurance adjuster may well try to bully you out of your claim,  intimidating you with their experience of other claims and comparing your accident damages and injuries to other incidents that they have negotiated in the past. Stand you ground, armed with the facts you have. Past claims are irrelevant. You are prepared to discuss your claim and costs only and all other claims the adjuster may have dealt with have no relevance.

Insist on a written explanation: If your claim is turned down in most states the law require written explanation of claim denials and you can insist that your insurance company provides you with a written clarification of your claim denial.

Be careful of form errors: Be very careful to the instructions closely while filling out your insurance claim form. Filing errors alone cannot be an excuse for a claim dispute unless it’s a valid one but any errors will give the company an excuse to delay and investigate further.

Make a written complaint: Always keep all documentation and be sure to have all stages of the claim in writing. If you feel that you are not being treated fairly contact the supervisor of the adjuster. Always send your mail by registered post and keep all posting details. Always make copies of all your correspondence.

Do I need Legal Advice?

If you follow a clear procedure, as outlined above, it is more than likely that you will have no problem with your claim. If you are a genuine claimant, with all the facts at your disposal the insurance company and adjuster will look upon you very favorably.

Should this not be the case, and the amount you are claiming is worth it, you can get the advice of a professional who will have experience in dealing with such claim denials. This should be the last resort of an insurance claim as it will, of course, result in greater expense.

Your mortgage to buy your home is most probably the biggest loan you will ever have taken out in your life. It represents a huge investment and responsibility and it can be a constant worry, in this ever shifting financial climate, that you may be unable to keep up the payments on the loan.

What would happen if you lost your job or were unable to work because you became ill, had an accident or became a carer? How would you continue to pay your mortgage? Peace of mind can be had by taking out a Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance Policy. This kind of policy is designed to cover these eventualities, and is a relatively new kind of insurance in the market.

If you have a repayment mortgage, the insurance would repay your capital and interest repayments. If you have an interest-only mortgage, the Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance should cover your interest payment as well as your normal monthly contribution.

The Differences between the UK and the USA

The term “Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance” is used more in the UK, where this kind of insurance has become very popular. If you buy a home with less that 20% deposit it may be part of the agreement to purchase such a policy to get the necessary financing.

In the USA it is simply called mortgage insurance. Mortgage insurance began in the United States in the 1880s and grew in response to the Great Depression of the 1930s. The insurance available does differ greatly in the two markets, in both cost and scope. In both the USA and the UK a mortgage payment protection policy will payout if you die or become permanently disabled. It may protect a co-purchaser, such as a spouse or domestic partner, from assuming the full weight of a mortgage.

Problems with Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance

It’s Expensive: With typical rates of $55 a month per $100,000 financed, Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance tends to be one of the most expensive forms of insurance.

There are cheaper ways to do the same thing: If you are under 45, in good health and a non-smoker, it will probably be cheaper to take out a higher level of life insurance or disability insurance. Mortgage Life Insurance is designed to pay off your mortgage loan in the event of your death. These types of insurance generally cost about half the rate of similar amounts of protection from mortgage payment insurance policies.

Cover Limitations: Most mortgage payment protection plans in the US do not offer cover if the policyholder should become unemployed. Us employment is very low compared to income, which makes it an unattractive proposition to lenders. Unemployment cover is one of the principle reasons this kind of policy is taken out in the UK. There are many companies offering unemployment benefits for residents of the UK, some of which do operate in the USA.

Policy Exclusions: It is important for you to investigate the ‘small print’ thoroughly as there may be many exclusions in these kind of policies. Some of the more typical are listed below:

• If you’re a contract worker or self-employed certain conditions for redundancy cover will apply.
• You will be unable to claim for unemployment until your policy has been up and running for an initial period. This is typically 120 days
• You will not be able to make a claim for pre-existing medical conditions.
• You will be unable to claim for unemployment or sickness cover until you have been off work for a minimum period.
• Claims resulting from back-ache and stress will usually only be paid if radiological evidence or a psychiatrist’s diagnosis is received.
• The maximum age for cover is usually 65 years.
• The maximum monthly payout is usually restricted.
• Voluntary unemployment or dismissal due to misconduct will not be covered
• Self-inflicted injury or injury due to alcohol or drug abuse will not be covered

While Mortgage Protection Insurance may bring peace of mind to some there are often better ways to cover your mortgage repayments which should be investigated first. If you decide that this kind of insurance is for you, be sure to check the details of each mortgage payment protection policy as they vary considerably between providers.

What is PR (Public Relations)?

In this media saturated world “Image is Everything”. The way that you present yourself to the world and their perception of you is vitally important. Public relations can turn nobodies into celebrities and saints into pariahs.

The History of PR

Public relations came along with the development of mass media, which allowed companies or individuals to communicate with a huge number of individuals easily and relatively cheaply. At first the medium was the printed word, newspapers, pamphlets and books. Now it is also the Internet, TV and radio.

At the beginning of the 20th century, journalists used their new power to stir up public dissent against powerful monopolies and wealthy industrialists who ran the country. Those attacked hit back by employing the embryonic “public relations” specialists to counter the bad press with positive news about themselves.

In the USA Ivy Lee became famous for using the press as a vehicle for his counter attacks on behalf of the rich and powerful, including J.D. Rockefeller. He became so successful whitewashing even the darkest corporate misdemeanours, that PR professionals gained a very negative reputation. The public came to know them as “spin doctors”, able to put a positive “spin” on even the most dubious of corporate shenanigans.

Public Relations in the 21st Century

The PR professional today may still carry the stigma from the early days of the discipline but they have become an indispensable part of modern life. They are no longer used exclusively by politicians and companies trying to present an honest and caring face to the world, but also by small businesses, charities, authors, activists, universities, and non-profit organizations. Anyone, in fact, who relies on the public good will to operate successfully.

What does a PR company do?

As Lord North once said  “News is what somebody, somewhere wants to suppress; all the rest is advertising.” PR is, fundamentally, advertising. Being good at what you do is only the start. People need to know how good you are. No matter what business you are in, you’re selling an image of yourself, your products and your services and PR manages that image and presents the best possible face to your customer -  the public.

Media exposure on radio and TV and in print  increase your perceived worth, and the worth of your company. Even if your company is a relatively small one, good PR can help to level the playing field against much larger competition.

A PR consultancy will do many of the following:

• Write and distribute press releases: Local newspapers and magazines are perfect for low cost publicity and will usually gladly run articles about your company’s efforts in the local community. National exposure is always important and can lift a company in the public perception, giving you a higher profile with your suppliers and customers. You can use any positive articles published nationality as a marketing tool on your website or newsletter.

• Pitch articles about your company: Regardless of your line of business, PR representatives know there’s always a story somewhere; there are always opportunities for feature articles and profiles to give your business the kind of visibility that your larger competitors enjoy.
• Plan special events and community involvement: A creative PR firm will always be looking for imaginative ways too promote you. They  can help you organize special events, community involvement, and philanthropic activities in the local community that will raise your company’s profile in a very positive way.
• Conduct market research: Without knowing how you are currently perceived by your public makes it very difficult to change that perception for the better. PR firms will be able to produce and assess  customer surveys, focus group reports, and other market input to gauge the public perception of your company.
• Network with local businesses: Use your PR firm’s network in order to build your own. An established PR firm should have extensive ties throughout the business community. If they can’t promote themselves then how can they hope to promote you?

Remember that if you employ a public relations firm to present your business to the public, you’re forming an important strategic alliance. How much you gain  will depend on how much you put into the relationship and a PR company cannot do good work without your constant input and information.

Why should you  train your managers?

The need for managers who can perform effectively is an essential requirement in modern business. Employee turnover rates, cost of staff retention, litigation experience, and employee tenure will all benefit greatly if your managers are trained to do their job well to the best of their ability. Examining these figures can tell you if this is, in fact, the case in your organization and whether more training is necessary.

Many companies offer management training to their employees in-house, but there is always room to enhance the programs with help from external management training experts. With professional training managers feel better prepared to handle their day-to-day responsibilities in ways that minimize risk to the company while improving relationships in the workplace. Everyone in the company will benefit.

The Benefits of a Management Training Course

Professional management requires the making of high quality decisions daily, and this is more likely to be the result of an organized and informed approach than on the sheer quantity of work put in. Working smarter and more efficiently is what good management is about. This level of competence can only be acquired through professional management training. The bottom line is that an ability to manage people well can have a huge financial impact on a company.

With effective management you can expect to see:

• Better morale
• Reduced staff turnover
• Lower recruitment costs

What should the course cover?

The simple word ‘Management’ covers a huge range of skills, which have been compounded rapidly over the last few years as the workplace has evolved. Some of the most important key skills essential to the modern manager would be:

Ethics and compliance: In some cases, training on this topic is now required by law. In others, offering the training simply is consistent with the corporate commitment to promote ethical business practices.

Employment laws.  Employment working condition, Health Benefits, Retirement Standards, and Workers’ Compensation, federal and state discrimination and leave laws, harassment, discipline and termination practices, work authorization for non-U.S. citizens, use of company electronic communication resources, and a myriad of other delicate legal areas, all involve great risks for employers. Employment Law is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

Common sense is simply not adequate in this sensitive area. Many managers leave themselves and their companies open to litigation if they are not sufficiently trained in the area of employment law, which can differ from state to state. To be effective, training about employment laws should be targeted to practical application.

Leadership training: Many people do not know there is a difference between management and leadership. Effective managers need to understand what leadership means but their role is different. Whereas leaders effect positive change, are forward thinkers, and are able to communicate strategic visions, managers need to control, apply rules, solve problems, and direct others. A manager will often execute what a leader puts in place.

Communication skills: It should go without saying that effective communication skills are essential  for good management. Public speaking skills, running employee meetings and drafting department communications are all part of the good managers toolbox.

Tactical management  training: This can encompass training in specific performance management, succession planning and/or record retention policies, how to manage and facilitate meetings, work/life balance issues, stress management, how to document employee issues, new hire processes, safety in the workplace, crisis intervention, and management.

Where can I find Management Training courses?

Online training is accessible and affordable and is offered by many prestigious and well established educational establishments, including universities, colleges and specialized business schools. Online training is very flexible can usually be customized to your organization and can be easily timed around your particular work schedule.

To get the most out of your training you need to track  the training programs themselves: who attended, which classes they attended, the dates of attendance, etc. Most good training institutions will be equipped to do this. You can, with these figures, monitor which managers take seriously the obligation to continue to grow in their jobs and improve their performance.

Depending on the topic, live training with an in-class instructor or facilitator can be more suitable. Some people learn better in a classroom environment, with people around them, and it will depend on your managers which solution is better for you. Whichever method you choose, having an effective management training program can result in tremendous cost savings and bring other benefits to your managers and staff.

The Employer-Employee Relationship

Employer – employee relationships have had a chequered past. For many years the employee was seen as a disposable commodity and the only measure of a business success was the satisfaction of the customer or client. In times when life expectancy was short, wages low and ‘human rights’ and employment law non-existent, there was a constant supply of cheap labor, even in developed countries such as the USA. The employer was in control and were free to dictate any terms of employment..

This began to change only in the middle of the 20^th century. New legislation in the 30s, such as the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) in the USA, demanded fairer employee wages and safe workplaces. World War 2 dramatically reversed  the supply and demand of both work and labor. Labor now became a scarce commodity. Manufacturing of war supplies created plenty of work, but there was a shortage of men. This shortfall could only be met by recruiting women and those who could not enlist and fight. Women stayed in work after the war and attitudes began to change.

After the Western post-World War II baby boom ended couples started to have fewer and fewer children. Increasing affluence led to greater demand but there was a smaller pool of workers to recruit from. Technical skills also became more important in the work place and the balance of power shifted to the worker. Work life balance started to become important to people.

How do I know if my Staff are Satisfied?

Employee satisfaction can be measured by anonymous surveys administered periodically that gauge employee satisfaction in areas such as management and teamwork. These need to be developed, administered and the results analyzed, by professionals who understand how to put questions together that obtain unbiased information.

Many HR consultancy firms will provide this kind of service.

Benefits of a Satisfied Workforce.

A healthy employer-employee relationship can build a successful company. Happy employees are more productive, take fewer sick days and are less likely to leave.

People do not work purely for financial reward. Although money is important, employees need to feel respected and appreciated at work. In almost every survey of factors that motivate employees in the workplace, job satisfaction is at or near the top of the list, far surpassing pay and benefits.

Employees who feel a high degree of job satisfaction:

• Believe that the organization will be satisfying in the long run
• Care about the quality of their work
• Create and deliver superior value to the customer
• Are more committed to the organization
• Have higher retention rates
• Are more productive

Ways to develop Employee Satisfaction

In order to avoid the pitfalls of poor employment relationships employers need to provide the best terms of employment they can. This will engender employee loyalty, reduce turnover and attract more skilled and qualified employees.

• Provide training to newly-hired employees and make them aware of the company’s rules and goals
• Pay adequately. The federal minimum wage requirement is currently between $5.15 and $8.25 per hour. Failure to observe this can lead to a wage claim or a lawsuit against the employer.
• Avoid and prevent discrimination in the workplace. This is covered by federal and state laws
• Promote safety in the workplace: Safety standards are also covered by law and violation of any occupational safety or health standard can lead to administrative penalties and civil liability if the event of injury or sickness.
• Assign tasks according to the employee profiles and job positions
• Offer employee benefits including health insurance, loss-of-earnings compensation
• Develop the ability to spot problems before they develop
• Have regular meetings with the staff
• Deal with staff complaints quickly and fairly. Demonstrate concern for the problems of your employees.
• Train your managers to avoid confrontation and conflict
• Maintain and develop a corporate identity and culture
• Award successful employees

The most important management principle is that the things that get rewarded get done. The only way employees will fulfill your dream as an employee or manager is if they share in that dream. Reward systems are the mechanisms that make this happen and will lead to a high employee satisfaction level in your company, with all the benefits that brings.  A company is only as good as the people it keeps.

What is a cell phone

A cell phone is actually a miniature, personalized, radio transmitter and receiver. The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, and wireless communication can trace its roots to the invention of the radio by Nikolai Tesla in the 1880s. Combine these two technologies and you have the basis of the of the now ubiquitous cell phone.

What is a CDMA phone?

The acronym CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Access, which is a bit of a mouth-full, but is a technical standard which describes the way in which the cell phone interacts with the network. The rival, and most popular, standard is GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications: originally from Groupe Spécial Mobile), which originated in Europe.

How does the CDMA technology Work?

CDMA is a digital technology. Digital cell phones have replaced analog cell phones because of the greater bandwidth capacity and other advantages for both the cell customers and the network carriers.

CDMA works by using a range of cellular frequencies in more advanced ways. With a CDMA technology, the voice data are spread out across the entire available wireless frequency bandwidth, rather than being allocated narrow frequency channels. The information is prevented from merging into one chaotic digital soup by the code in CDMA, which is embedded into every packet of information transmitted.

This embedded code is unique to every caller and allows the packets of information to be reassembled in the receiving phone, while ignoring all other data packets which have a different code. This allows people on many cell phones to be “multiplexed” over the same channel to share a bandwidth of frequencies, which is very efficient in terms of bandwidth usage.

One of the other advantages of CDMA cellular technology is that up to three cell phone towers can be used at any one time. The cell phone can choose which site is giving the best signal, or can even blend the signal from two or more sources. This `soft handoff’ is unique to CDMA cell phones.

What is the Difference Between GSM and CDMA?

The two competing technologies operate in very different ways. Rather like the competition between video formats VHS and Betamax in the 80s, there are users that believe that either GSM or CDMA architecture is superior to the other. So which is better for you?

1. Coverage: GSM has over 1 billion cell phone users, while rival CDMA can only muster around 270 million. It may be that, in your area, only one technology will be available, leaving you no choice as to which technology to chose, but as the networks expand, this is becoming less likely. You will almost always have a choice.
2. Data Transfer Speed: CDMA has been traditionally faster than GSM. Both boast “3G” standards, and as people use their phones and mobile devices for data heavy applications such as video, speed is becoming increasing important to the end user. The CDMA network, ‘EVDO’, claims download speeds of up to 2 megabits per second, though in the real world it is often much slower. The rival GSM ‘EDGE’ claims 384 kbps.
3. The use of SIM cards: Only GSM phones use SIM cards. CDMA uses proprietary handsets, linked to a single carrier. To upgrade a CDMA phone, the carrier must deactivate the old phone then activate the new one. The old phone then becomes useless. The ease with which SIM cards can be switched between GSM phones makes them much more flexible in this regard.
4. 4. Roaming: GSM is well ahead in International Roaming capabilities. With the ability to purchase a local SIM card it is easy to switch to the local networks, at very little cost. This is impossible with most CDMA phones.

The future of CDMA

CDMA phones do seem to lack many benefits of GSM but the technology is developing rapidly, despite the fact that its originator, Qualcomm, abandoned the technology in 2008.

The SIM card equivalent, the R-UIM card, is already available in Asia. The inherent superior download speed of the CDMA phones may be telling with increasing demand for more and more bandwidth.

With the development of 3G and 4G carriers are seeing phenomenal uptake of the innovative services and devices they are offering. CDMA is also being touted as a low cost network option in developing countries.