Humans are like porcupines

The following video features Elizabeth Gilbert speaking on happiness and intimacy

An enormous conspiracy: The Barnes Art Collection

This post is a little unusual compared to most of the posts on this blog, but it actually is very closely related to me, the Innkeeper of the Aleksander House. I love art, studied it when I first started college, and still am very interested in all forms. I especially like the Impressionists, both French and American and have prints, reflecting that period thoughout my Inn.

I was struck today by an article on hubpages, where I frequently post articles of my own. The article tells about the Barnes Collection of Art, the only one of its kind. And the video below tells the story of Dr. Albert C. Barnes.




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Re-inventing yourself: Starting a new career

I came across an adage often voiced by Bonnie Price of WomenEntrepreneur.com, which rings so true to me "... we don't retire, we re-invent ourselves". I am 79 years old and have been re-inventing myself my whole life. I have never faded into the woodwork! I have approached each phase of my life pro-actively and made sure it was the best phase yet. I have learned how to leverage my past and present experiences and passions to design a present that is fulfilling.

I have had two very fulfilling long-term careers, and am in the process of embarking on the third.I've had so many different jobs, taken so many classes, engaged in so many activities, that I would have lost count, if it weren't for the fact that each one was, and still is, intrinsically enmeshed with all the others. Along the way, some folks said I was scattered in too many directions. But. I never understood why time spent taking classes that weren't totally related to one's chosen profession, or traveling, or experiencing life's various and engaging activities was a waste of time.

Everything you do prepares you for the future. It depends on how you look at it and what you do with it, whether or not it turns out to be a waste of time.Try looking at your past in a little different way. Sit down and make a list of all the major experiences and jobs (big and small), training in school and at home, and travel experiences you've had in your life. Next to them, write what you learned from each one (e. g. landscaping, photography, air travel, pottery, cooking, etc). You certainly have been exposed to a variety of occupations and interesting activities in your life. All of these can be turned into careers.

Now, write down the major negative experiences and disappointments you had. Next to those, write what positive things you might have learned from these situations . Don't focus on the negative. For example, having cancer and having to go for radiation every day for 8 weeks, taught me how dedicated many of the care-takers at the treatment center were. I observed the work they did, the activities they engaged in, the hospital set up,A divorce can introduce you to the fields of law, counseling, and social work. The loss of a job can start you looking in different directions. Everywhere you look, there are possibilities for careers.

If this doesn't reveal something to you, tap into your hobbies, interests and, especially, what you might be passionate about (e. g. butterflies, golf, gardening, etc) . Be creative. Make extensive lists of what you find interesting. Get on the web and research types of careers available and educational institutions. Check out workshops and classes at your local community college, or YMCA. Keep and open mind, then make an appointment with a career counselor.

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The job interview: Confused about what kind of salary to ask for?

what kind of salary should you ask for?
So you finally got that interview you've been vying for. It's going along pretty well, you feel somewhat relaxed and good about it. The questions are not too difficult and your answers have been right on. Then the next question stops you dead in your tracks. " And what did you have in mind in the way of salary?" you hear the interviewer saying. Oh my gosh, you're thinking I don't know. I'll take whatever I can get. You've been out of a job for six months and that's your first reaction. But this is not a good response.

Do your homework
Don't say a word, unless you've thought this through ahead of time. You must be prepared for this type of question. If you ask for too much, you could lose the job hands down. If you don't ask for enough, you may not get what a potential employer is willing to pay. It's absolutely essential that you do some research in an effort to find out what jobs in this particular industry are going for. This way you will have facts to back up your response. You need to take into consideration where the job is located, what position you're applying for and in what industry or profession it is.

First, analyze you're current situation and figure out how much you need to live on. Factor in your rent, utilities, food, supplies and so forth. Don't forget your car payment, clothing and some money left over to spend time with friends on an occasional evening out. Your minimum take home pay should cover all of these expenses.

Check out the Internet
Next, Get on the internet and check out web sites that specialize in salary information You can also google particular career areas which may produce salary information on the job or company you're seeking information about. Try " salary information" or "medical assistant salry information" or whatever job you're applying for. Finally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and many trade and professional publications will include this type of information.

Click here for more About careers




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Why you should use social networking as a marketing tool

One of the easiest ways to stay in the forefront of customers minds, whether you have a product to sell or are providing a service, is through social networking. Louisville has not lost its edge in providing resources for businesses, new and old, large and small. There are plenty of resources here and they are easily accessible to those who are interested.

Whether you are interested in face to face networking or networking online via social media, you can find plenty of help and information locally. Gini Dietricht, president and ceo of a large corporation, referring to social media, recently stated on facebook and twitter that "...the bottom line is that [business owners] cannot afford to ignore this growing trend. As over your head as it may seem, it is not.

The point of social media is to build relationships...In the offline world, brands spend millions of dollars and create loyalty for years...In the online world, you no longer need to spend millions to engage."The success of social media on line sitesAccording to the New York times, (July, 2009), the reason why Social media networking is such a huge success is because of it's friend-of-a-friend (FOAF) trust model similar to word of mouth (WOM).

A recent study revealed that, while 14% people Trust Ads, 76% of people trust consumer recommendations for purchase decisions more. Since the FOAF model enables users to interact with network users to whom they are not otherwise directly connected, users can establish different rules of engagement for different types of connections in their networks. The closer the connection to a user in terms of degrees of separation, the more trusted that user is.

This is the key difference between Social networking and traditional SEO or PPC strategies. Users maintain direct connections to their friends, but they also have some level of access to the direct connections their friends maintain to other people. Public social networking services such as Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and Friendster can be valuable sales, marketing and support tools if you know how to effectively apply them for your business*First in a series of articles on social networking.

For more information on social networking in Louisville:
Louisville Social Media Club
Social Media Explorer consultancy
Jay Lane MediaLouisville Business Exchange


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How to get a business loan from a bank

Many women are intimidated by the thought of getting involved in financial matters. As a group, buying a house or securing a business loan, even a personal loan, are not activities we were traditionally involved in before the women's movement. But our society has changed, where women are concerned, and more women are on their own and learning how to buy houses and start their own businesses then ever before.

Communicating with bankers
Bankers are pretty savvy people so you must have done your homework and know something about what you need to bring to the table if you're asking a bank to lend you money to either start up or expand an exiating business. Even when you can show a strong credit rating and possess collateral, they still demand that you explain in sufficient detail how you will use their money, what profit you expect to make with it and how you win pay it back. Bankers do not want to advance money to you just to improve your lifestyle.

Bankers when considering your request for a loan-they would like to see you produce $3 of profit for every $1 of their money borrowed often use an unspoken formula. In order to produce this financial result you must invest a substantial portion of your loan in well focused marketing activities, such as magazine ads, direct mail promotions and adding inside and outside sales assistance.

Keep one fact in mind when considering a bank loan: more than anything else, bankers must assure that they get paid back, on time. Be prepared to offer several ways that they can use to get their money back if the worst happens to your business. Don't take this attitude as a personal insult. It is simply how the world of commercial banking works.

The Eight Step Approach to Asking For A Bank Loan
Be realistic however, when you are considering the request for bank financing--it can take several months to finish your business plan summary and pull together the necessary documentation to satisfy the bank's demands. Allow enough time before you apply. Avoid waiting until you are desperate for cash!

Step 1 : Why Do You Want Money?

• Pay off debts
• Substitute new debt for equity
• To buy equipment, vehicles, and buildings
• To expand business through more marketing, inventory, people,etc.
• Be honest. Have you really checked out sources of money other than banks? (for example: Credit terms from suppliers, payment advances from customers, loans from family, friends, private investors)

Step #2: How to Check Out Banks

• Check out how financially sound the banks are you are considering.
• Ask for the bank's latest annual report. Read the description of how their business was last year and look at their financial statements
• Ask the banker to compare their capital reserves to the requirements of the federal regulators.
• Ask to be shown a sample loan application package before you decide which bank to choose
• Read the package over, making notes on anything you question or don't understand
• Contact the bank lending officer with your questions. If you are not comfortable with how they are answered, look elsewhere.

Step #3: Communicating With The Bank

• The history of your company
• Summary of market conditions, including competition, and your marketing strategy the 5 P's-- People, Product, Price, Place & Promotion. Historical financial results & future projections -- Profit & Loss and Cash Flow
• Err on the side of conservatism
• Best to have past financials on accountants letterhead
• Your resume--Why are you qualified to run the company?
• Examples of products or services (photos, brochures, videos, etc.)
• Personal financial statement
• If applicable: inventory requirements; accounts receivable aging
• possibly a business plan

Step #4: What To Expect When You First Visit the Bank

• Try to meet the loan office first outside of the bank, say for lunch--this is "neutral turf."
• Come prepared with a combination one-page business plan summary and loan request
• Indicate on the loan request how much money you are looking for; what you win use it for (be specific); how long you want to borrow it; how you will pay the loan back; and what you plan to do if your revenue isn't enough to cover the loan payments.
• Expect them to examine your personal credit history, so do it before they do by contacting one of the three big credit agencies: TRW, Equifax, & Trans Union.
• Think in advance what you will use as security for the loan--that is collateral.
• Expect the loan officer to ask some pointed questions about your certainty of attaining the future sales and profits you are projecting.
• Know your personal and company finances forwards and backwards!
  

Step #5: Realize The Importance of Cash Flow & Credit

• Realize the essential reality of borrowing from a bank: They want their money back! And they want it on a regular schedule. They don't really want to have to take over your company or sell your collateral.
• This reality results in the banker doggedly pursuing your projection of cash flow for the year or two after you will receive the loan.
• The "C" of cash flow is one of five "Cs" that bankers look for from good loan applicants.

The list of " 5 C's" are:

• capacity - Ability to repay.
• Character - Your willingness to show discipline and keep your promises to repay
• Capital - How much have you and other investors put into the business?
• Conditions - How is your industry doing?
• Collateral - Your security.

Step #6: Understand the Types of Loans

• Short-term loans. For one year or less. Normally used for short-term uses, such as inventory. Need for loan and repayment occur in the same 12 month period.
• Working capital loans. Also short-ten-n, usually to cover your cash needs after you make and sell your product, but before you get paid.
• Seasonal loans. Loan is paid off at the end of season.
• Term loans. Maturities of one to five years. Used primarily to purchase capital equipment and to give semi-permanent increase in working capital. Paid back in monthly payments.
• Long-term loans. Over five years in length. Used to build, buy real estate, acquire an existing business or buy a franchise.
• SBA loans. Loans where the principal repayment is partially guaranteed by the U.S. government. Line of credit. Similar to a credit card loan.

Step #7.- Learn How banks make Loan Decisions

• They assess the 5 C's
• They look for a persuasive marketing strategy
• They look for determination on your part
• They look for financial projections that support your marketing strategy


• They look at how much they can make on your proposed loan
• They look for significant experience in managing your type of business
• They look at how much of your own (or family's) money you have put into the company
• They look at what you will do with the money.
• They examine the most recent financial results for your business.
• They examine what security (collateral) you can put up.

What to negotiate with the bank:

• Interest rate--Get two banks to bid and compare their rates.
• Length of loan--Set a maximum monthly payment you wish to make and drive for a repayment length that will allow this.
• Personal guarantee--Hard to avoid, particularly if you are a corporation. But you'll never know if you don't ask.
• Collateral--Try to get by with only business collateral. If they insist on personal collateral, DO NOT up your house. Try putting up a CD instead.

Shop around--Don't settle for the first bank offer. If you proposal package is good enough to be considered for any bank loan, it is good enough to show to several banks.

Step #8: Understand What Happens After the Loan Request is Accepted

You should review the paperwork with your accountant to make sure it is in your best interest. You may wish to use your accountant as your negotiator with the banks offering you financing. At the loan closing, you must:

• Produce title to your collateral.
• Usually sign personal and commercial guarantees.
• If a corporation, sign a corporate resolution to borrow" which says you are the authorized corporate officer allowed to sign agreements.
• Sign signature cards if you open business bank accounts.
• Sign a promissory note(this is where you sign your life away).
• Sign a disbursement request to release the funds to you. On term loans, you receive the whole loan at once. On credit lines, you only receive what you need initially. The remainder is approved but not drawn, which saves you interest cost.



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Are women still banging their heads against the glass ceiling?

The term "glass ceiling" was coined more than twenty years ago by The Wall Street Journal to describe the barriers that women face in the workplace. The word "ceiling" suggests that women are blocked from advancing in their careers, and the term "glass" is used because the ceiling is not always discernable.

Glass ceilings are still found in workplaces, not only in the discrimination of pay scales, but is also marked by sexual harassment, exploitation at work and also as a feeling of insecurity in women due to conduct of the opposite sex. Women struggle to incarnate their own personality in spite of restriction of gender discrimination. A workplace should consider the ability of an individual and not the issues of ‘glass ceiling’ based on sex, religion, culture and race of minority class.

But, to the contrary, some studies on this issue have concluded that women are actually to blame for the "glass ceiling" They cite responses that indicate that women underestimate their own performance, suggesting a lack of confidence in the workplace, therefore creating the glass ceiling themselves. But, at no time did the study question why they underestimated their own performances, leaving the possibility that the "glass ceiling" itself could be the reason.

Perhaps it could be the absence of role models at the highest executive levels, considering only 2.6 percent of CEOs of Fortune 500 companies are female. Another recent study could shed light on the reasons women underestimate their workplace performance – that study showed that employers consider fathers to be “more competent and committed” than their childless counterparts but mothers are 100 percent less likely to be hired, offered $11,000 less in pay, and ranked as “less competent and less committed” than non-mothers. Not to mention that other workplace barriers such as pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment, and pay discrimination could lead to decreased self confidence.

During this time of economic desperation, women should be given equal chances to succeed and accomplish their goals in the workforce without undue discrimination.Law requires the workplace to be free from discrimination and judgment when it comes to hiring and advancement. The world is changing, and it is time for the workplace to make a final turn toward equality among workers, both male and female.