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How to Effectively Negotiate the Salary You Deserve

With so many people either out of work or in jeopardy of losing their jobs, it’s not surprising that when you finally get a job offer you might be hesitant to ask for a higher rate of pay. However, if you have special skills and an impressive resume, you can still demand competitive wages. Here’s how to effectively negotiate the salary you deserve.

Do Your Research to Get The Highest Salary You Can

A recent survey of employers found that 53 percent are willing to negotiate salaries with entry-level employees during an initial job offer, and 52 percent of employers usually offer lower than they’re willing to pay during an interview. 

This means that there’s typically room to negotiate, so know what you’re worth and don’t be afraid to make a counteroffer. If you’re negotiating while employed by same employer, don’t fear retaliation because it’s against the law. This San Francisco wrongful termination attorney has aided plenty of workers fired for simply negotiating their salary. 

Go into Salary Negotiations With A Positive Attitude

The last thing you want to do is come off as confrontational or with a defensive attitude. Remember that you and your potential employer are on the same side and a cooperative attitude will go a long way to making you both happy. Show enthusiasm, be pleasant and present a successful mindset, and things will be more likely to go your way.

Remember to Factor in Perks And Benefits

Salary and take-home pay are just one factor in your total compensation. Don’t forget to factor in benefits such as health insurance, vacation time, personal days, bonuses, retirement plans, and other benefits so you can make an informed decision. 

You’ll also want to factor in professional development opportunities and job growth potential before you make your final decision. Also, make sure all of these promises are met by your employer. You can rely on a wrongful termination for seeking payment of wages attorney if they are not. 

Don’t Fail to Build Your Case for Why You Deserve A Better Salary

If you receive an offer, you don’t want to simply counter with a higher salary. You should be prepared to explain why you are asking for a higher salary. Before you go in, jot down your strengths and special skills, and tie them to the new job you’ll be doing. By explaining how you will benefit the company, you can make a solid case for an increase in pay.

Don’t Make It All About You

Most employers are just as uncomfortable negotiating salaries as you are, so keeping a positive attitude is important for effectively pleading your case. All too often job seekers settle for the first offer they’re given out of fear of speaking up, but if you’re not happy with the starting offer the only way you will be happy is to ask for what you want from the get-go.

Don’t Forget To Get It In Writing

After you and the employer settle on a compensation package that you are both happy with, you’ll want to get it in writing. This is a binding document that should include your salary, as well as your complete job description, responsibilities for your new role, signing bonus, moving expenses, and other benefits. Get a signed copy by both you and your new employer.

Bo Parfet’s Best Health Advice: Be Kind to Yourself

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A successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, naturalist, author, and mountaineer, Bo Parfet has earned his stars through hard work, dedication, and developing the courage to take calculated risks. Having grown up facing many personal challenges, including overcoming a learning disability, and having taken non-traditional paths throughout his professional career, Parfet is no stranger to criticism.

Often, when people are criticized, whether for things within or outside of their control, they shut down, often becoming anxious and self-conscious. They might lose a small part of themselves and their drive for success, opting for the path of ease and comfortability. That’s not what Bo Parfet did. 

Parfet is a man of strong will and determination. He takes risks, and he succeeds. He attributes much of his success to the positive mindset he has tirelessly worked to cultivate and to the people with whom he surrounds himself. While he is an advocate of holistic health–healthy mind, healthy body, healthy spirit–Parfet shares that the most important thing one can do to ensure success and health is treating one’s self with kindness.

Being kind to yourself is a critical component in building an adaptive attitude towards both challenge and failure. Self-compassion allows for better recovery from unexpected inevitable setbacks and disasters life throws in the way. Bo Parfet has worked hard to build his physical and mental health, and he shares three questions that we can ask ourselves to become more self-compassionate.

What is the problem, and how am I feeling?

It’s often tempting to push aside feelings of resentment and negativity, thinking that they reflect weakness. In fact, the only way that we can truly move forward and succeed is by learning from our mistakes. What is it that led to this setback, and how does it make me feel? Taking time to grieve in our misery allows us to understand what makes us tick and how to move forward.

Remember that we are human beings and that making mistakes is not only inevitable but is an important key to fostering self-compassion. Do not ignore the negativity, but embrace it and move ahead. 

How would I advise a friend or colleague in this situation?

Many times, it is easier for us to give advice to others than to heed our own advice. As challenges arise, we can help ourselves grow by looking at the situation from the outside. Take in knowledge, lead with your head over your heart, and understand why things turned out as they did. Give advice to yourself, and show yourself compassion, as you would to a respected colleague or good friend. 

What have I learned from this?

Every challenge presents an opportunity to learn, grow, and build. Learn what soothes you and strive to understand how you can improve your reactions in the future, rather than the situations themselves. Give yourself time to heal from the negativity and remember how you’ve moved forward after past disappointment.

Give yourself time to plan for various challenges and situations that might arise and lead to negative feelings. Identify different scenarios and willfully plan out how you will react in a way that shows yourself kindness and compassion.

About Bo Parfet

Bo Parfet is the CEO and co-founder, alongside his wife, Meredith, of Denali Venture Philanthropy (Denali). Denali is an impact investment organization that seeks out investment opportunities focused on positive social impact, fostering social, economic, and environmental change in communities around the world. 

Parfet grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and holds an MBA from Northwestern University, a Master of Arts in Applied Economics from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor of Science in economics from Colorado State University.

In addition to his work at Denali, Parfet is the current managing director at DLP Real Estate Capital. His career in finance began as a research fellow at the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and he then joined J.P. Morgan as a financial analyst on Wall Street. In 2007, he founded Iconic Development, which earned the Inc. 500’s Fastest Growing Companies distinction that same year. 

Parfet is an avid mountaineer and naturalist, claiming recognition as one of about 85 people to conquer all Seven Summits. He is an author, philanthropist, and community activist. He received the esteemed Presidential Volunteer Service Award for completing more than 4,000 hours of volunteer service worldwide. 

Parfet is a member of both the Explorer’s Club and Young Professionals Organization, two organizations known for their commitment to building a better future. He is an advisory board member for the nonprofit Adventure Scientists and sits on the board of his family’s legacy, the Gilmore Car Museum.

Parfet lives in Boulder, Colorado, with his wife and two children, where they enjoy exploring the great outdoors and making memories together.

How A Person Can Get Their Home Ready to be Rented Out

The investment property can be a great way to earn truly passive income. Passive income will be possible when hiring a property management company. The fees for these companies are reasonable and they handle all interactions with the renter. They will do rental checks to make sure tenants left all of their other rental properties in working order. You do not want to have a person do more in damages than they paid in rent which is possible with a nightmare renter. A person could want their current home to pay for their new home which is more than possible. The rental market should be extremely healthy and homes that are increasing in value are a great investment. The following are tips to get a home ready when you are going to rent it out. 

Get Your Home Staged 

Getting a home staged can help drive up rental prices that a property can be listed at. People that are not currently living in a home have an advantage in this circumstance. A large family can make a staged home look messy in a matter of days. Renting a home out furnished is a great option if you want to maximize the rental income of the home. Your new home might be a far different style that your old furniture simply does not fit. Some homes may need a certain amount of home remodeling before they can be properly staged.

Work With A Real Estate Professional 

Working with a real estate professional or property management company will make the rental process seamless. An agent could work with different programs that consistently need rentals. An agent that works with residents of medical programs can be ideal candidates. They earn an income while working long hours and are extremely responsible as their jobs require it. Take a look at reviews for property management companies in the area and other properties they manage. You want to see positive reviews from tenants as they are representing your rental property.

Perform Maintenance on the Entire Property 

The landscaping of a property being top-notch is something that renters will look for. People want to rent out homes that are taken care of. Even if there are a few things wrong with the home, these might be overlooked as the home has so much curb appeal. Doing something unique like investing in garage floor epoxy Raleigh can make the garage appealing for things other than car storage. Garage epoxy can also be perfect for renters that want to spend large amounts of time working on their cars. Getting the home painted is also a good idea as it can help increase rent received. The right property management company can handle all of this but it will come at a price. 

Getting your home ready to be rented is all about being proactive. You do not want to be scrambling at the last minute due to putting off staging your home or hiring someone to help rent the property out. Investment properties are a great way to generate cash especially when you are close to retirement.

Why SEO Marketing is Extremely Important to HVAC Businesses

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Did you know that after typing into a search engine looking for a local business, 72% of people will physically visit that business? 

When it comes to your HVAC business, it’s important to know that the likes of the yellow pages are dead, and SEO marketing is the way forward. Understanding the importance of SEO marketing is absolutely vital to the success of your business. 

So, how can your HVAC business benefit from SEO? How will SEO digital marketing help you bring in more customers? Keep reading to find out! 

Understanding SEO Marketing 

SEO marketing is fundamental to not just the survival but the success of every business in 2021 and beyond. Let’s have a look at what SEO marketing is:

SEO is the act of optimizing for search engines. Basically, it’s all the tactics that go into increasing the quantity and quality of the traffic that your website gets from search engines, and other websites. 

SEO marketing is how you combine your SEO efforts with strategic intent, it’s about understanding your audience, what they’re doing online, how you’re going to find them, and how they’re going to find you. Once you understand your audience, you’ll be armed with the right information to create an effective SEO plan. 

Why SEO for HVAC? 

It may sound like SEO is good for all companies, and this is true, but HVAC SEO means one thing, you’re in a niche market. 

What does that mean?

Well, to put it simply, many companies will try to shoot many targets with one arrow when it comes to their SEO digital marketing. But being in the HVAC industry means that you can really target your audience with relevant and quality content, which in turn, means that you can generate the right leads for your HVAC business. 

Local SEO And HVAC 

Going into a bit more detail, focusing on local SEO can truly catapult your HVAC business in the right way. 

The thing is, most business owners don’t have the time to run their day-to-day operations and look after their online presence, it’s just too much. 

With a focus on local SEO, you’d be taking some of this strain away. You can be top of search engine rankings when someone types in, “HVAC near me”, and that’s all you really want for your business. 

Why? Because then that 72% of people that we discussed earlier, will most likely be talking to or visiting your business soon. 

Finding HVAC SEO Success

It’s important to note that HVAC SEO marketing is not going to be an overnight success. The thing about search engine optimization is that it takes time to work and to show results. 

You’re going to need to be committed to the journey, and be willing to adapt your SEO strategy as time goes on. Focus on the search terms for the HVAC industry in your area, and you’ll be well on your way to success. 

Need more great business advice? Head on over to the business section of our website to get your fill. 

How to Be Incredibly Productive During Social Distancing in a Variety of Areas of Life

Sitting around and watching another series on a streaming service most likely has gotten boring at this point. Social distancing has caused people to stay at home more than ever before. The closures of restaurants and gyms has made it very difficult for a number of people to get into a healthy routine. Using this time to be productive can allow you to relieve some stress and feel accomplished. You can focus on a variety of areas which includes home improvement, personal fitness, and professional productivity. Listing out goals for specific weeks is important as it can help keep you on track. The following are tips to be productive in a variety of areas of your life during lockdowns. 

Property Maintenance 

There is no longer an excuse not to take care of your landscaping or cutting of the grass. The extra time that is saved from working remotely for many can be utilized for property maintenance. This doesn’t mean that you have to put all of your extra time into this. Enlisting the help of your family to make the home’s yard look better than ever can be extremely important. A large family can knock out large amounts of work in a matter of hours. 

Focusing on Your Health 

Your health needs to be a priority whether it is mental or physical health. The importance of relieving stress through exercise cannot be understated. Exercising at home should not be difficult as there are plenty of workouts available that require little to no equipment at all. Taking the time to prep healthy meals is also important as it can be easy to rely on delivery food as it is so readily available.

Professional Productivity

Your professional productivity staying high could allow you to retain remote work privileges permanently. Take the time to make sure that you are starting early and staying productive. Hitting deadlines and staying in touch with management can show them your intrinsic motivation. A home office is essential so you can get as much done in the smallest amount of time possible. 

Home Improvement 

Home improvement projects can be perfect for this time as you will be home during most of the day. A number of people would have to take a day off from work while contractors are in the home. With remote work, you can be at home to answer any questions while still getting your work done for the day. There are projects that you can take on by yourself but these will usually be minor. For example, fiberglass shower refinishing should be handled by a professional as you likely would do more harm than good. Create a list of improvements that you want to make then put a plan together to complete and save money for these. 

As you can see, you can still fill up your time even while following social distancing restrictions. Staying productive during this time can help you clear your mind and get yourself ready for the post-pandemic world.

What Is a Capital Project?

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Typically known for their large scale and cost separating them from others, capital projects are investments that require a lot of planning and resources. They are essential investment projects designed to add to, renovate, or otherwise improve capital assets.

Here, we’re going to look at not only the defining factors of what makes a capital project, but also the characteristics most often associated with them.

The Definition of a Capital Project

Before exploring the concept more thoroughly, it’s important to nail down the meaning of a capital project. Technically, it is a construction, renovation, expansion, or replacement project for capital assets that already exist. They are in part defined by their cost, usually costing more than $10,000 over the duration of the project, including costs of land, architecture, engineering, and any contracting costs.

Capital projects can also be purchase of major assets costing over $50,000, or a significant maintenance or rehabilitation project with costs over $10,000, or lasting over 10 years.

What are Capital Assets?

To put it simply, capital assets are pieces of property with significant worth, usually properties that are used in a company’s business operations with the purposes of generating profits. Capital assets also cover things like machinery, vehicles, and the like, but for the purposes of capital projects, we’re talking mostly about property.

The Purpose of Capital Projects

Capital projects are typically large-scale, high-cost, long-term projects. Their primary purpose is to expand, maintain, or otherwise improve capital assets. They can include infrastructure projects like railways and roads, subways and pipelines, land and buildings. Capital projects are effectively organized as such as a means of managing the complexity of large projects, controlling their costs, schedules, and more.

Capital projects are not designated as such because they have a shared purpose, to put it simply. It’s a categorization of projects defined by the considerable planning that is needed to carry them out. As such, capital projects are typically discussed and planned for a long time before commencing.

The Characteristics of Capital Project Management

Capital projects do not have a single shared purpose. They can be taken on for a variety of reasons. The characteristic that they typically share is their need for capital project management. Large amounts of resources, both financial and human capital, are spent on capital projects.

As such, it’s recommended that any organizations or corporations taking on a capital project ensure that processes are in control to manage them so that costs and schedules do not dramatically exceed those planned. 

The processes mentioned can include making sure that controls are transparent and accessible, that project leaders are clearly named for accountability and responsibility, that there is a meaningful audit trail, that risks are controlled and mitigated, and more.

Capital Projects Must Be Handled with Care

Without effective planning, capital projects, like all projects, can go over budget and outside of the schedule. However, given the scale of these projects, any changes to plans can be extremely costly. As such, effective capital project management is considered a necessity.

The Need for Legible SEC Reports and Documents in the 21st Century

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When was the last time you read an investment prospectus or a company financial report that you could actually appreciate for its style? Chances are that you have never come across documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that can approximate a decent level of readability. The New York Times is said to be written in a style that can be easily comprehended by readers whose education levels are at least equivalent to the 10th grade, but this cannot be said about SEC filings.

Once a business entity is required to register an SEC company listing, further compliance may involve filing of financial statements and other regulatory documents intended to be freely accessible not just to investors but to the public in general. The idea is that anyone can be a prospective investor, particularly if a company is listed on a financial platform such as the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ, but when you sit down to read many of these SEC filings, you almost get the feeling that financial writers are not trying to attract investors; instead, it seems as if they intend to confuse them.

In a 2011 study published in the Accounting Review, the academic journal of the American Accounting Association, a research team from the University of Michigan reviewed thousands of earnings forecasts written by analysts between 1998 and 2010. Among the various findings of the research team, one that really stuck out was related to overall readability; the more confusing and muddled the projections were, the less certain they were overall. In other words, whenever analysts were unable to determine if future earnings were going to be positive or negative, they resorted to linguistic obfuscation instead of writing something along the lines of “we cannot come up with a projection at this time.”

We should keep in mind that outside analysts who read these reports can be influential in terms of attracting investors, but what kind of commentary can we expect them to issue if they are not able to read statements written by their colleagues? In many cases, SEC filings are given to compliance specialists and legal departments for review prior to submission, and this is when things get murkier because of the legalese that is often added to documents that were already confusing to begin with.

In 1998, the SEC issued a writing style handbook that emphasized the use of plain English in sections of certain filings and documents. This guide was originally intended for internal use because nobody could understand SEC literature; however, the agency later encouraged everyone in the financial industry to heed the instructions of the handbook for the benefit of investors. As evidenced by the aforementioned study, not many financial writers followed the advice of the SEC, but things started to change in 2010 with the implementation of the Plain Writing Act, which has been working with universities and training programs at major investment banking firm in order to ensure that investors can read SEC filings with confidence and without confusion.

How to Clean Your Engagement Ring

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Whether you’re planning an upcoming wedding or celebrating your Golden Anniversary, you’ll want to know how to keep your engagement ring in pristine condition. With regular cleaning, you can ensure that your jewelry looks and feels as good as new, but how do you go about cleaning an engagement ring? To find out how to keep your engagement ring sparkling, take a look at these top tips:

1. Assess the Ring for Damage

Before you start cleaning an engagement ring, it’s essential to check whether there is any existing damage present. If a stone is loose, for example, home cleaning could risk dislodging it or causing further damage

 If you notice signs of wear and tear, take your engagement ring to a professional jeweler so that repairs can be undertaken. 

2. Setup a Workstation

If you’re going to be cleaning an engagement ring at home, you’ll want to ensure you have a clear space to work in. Although you’ll be using water to clean your engagement ring, never risk cleaning over a sink! Instead, clear a section of your kitchen work surface, desk, or dining room table so that if the ring slips or pieces happen to get dislodged, they land safely on a flat surface where they’ll be easily visible instead of slipping down a drain.

3. Use Warm Water and Soap

Fill a small bowl or cup with warm water and add a touch of soap. Standard dishwashing soap is usually safe for use with jewelry and many people find this to be the best option for at-home cleaning. Then, place your engagement ring in the water and soap and allow it to soak for around 20-30 minutes. 

4. Gently Scrub with a Toothbrush

After soaking your engagement ring, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub away any dirt or buildup. You’ll want to use a very soft toothbrush to do this and keep it reserved for jewelry cleaning. Remember: don’t scrub too hard, or you could risk dislodging a stone or damaging the band. 

5. Rinse & Dry

Now, simply rinse the engagement ring with water so that all of the soap is removed. The water should be warm but not hot.

After cleaning an engagement ring, you can use a linen or cotton cloth to dry it or allow it to air dry. Other options, such as paper towels, could be too abrasive to rub directly on the ring, so if in doubt, leave the ring to air dry.

Should You Have Your Engagement Ring Professionally Cleaned?

Although at-home cleaning will help to keep your engagement ring looking great, it doesn’t compare to professional cleaning. When you take your engagement ring to a jeweler in Charleston, for example, their equipment and expertise will enable them to undertake comprehensive cleaning. In addition to this, a professional jeweler will be able to advise whether any repairs or additional maintenance is required. 

Knowing how to clean your engagement ring will ensure you can keep your jewelry in pristine condition, but if you’re unsure what materials to use or how to go about it, it’s always best to seek professional advice.

How to Teach Clients About The Importance of Digital Marketing

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Convincing certain business owners a decade ago that digital marketing was essential was far more difficult than today. The search engines have truly taken over a number of industries. Ranking at the top of shopping results can generate thousands of sales for a particular vendor. 

The education of clients can make them much easier to deal with throughout a business partnership. A clueless client could expect impossible results for their budget. Others think that digital marketing could be a one-time investment rather than something that needs to be done consistently. Clients that understand digital marketing to a point will comprehend changes in campaigns to maximize their results. Others that do not understand digital marketing in the slightest might want to stick to a strategy that is generating lackluster results.

Managing expectations of a client from the sales process to client management is important. Promising the world then under delivering could tarnish a relationship permanently. Showing previous results that have been garnered for clients over time in a similar industry is important. Industries differ in how competitive the digital marketing landscape is which depends on a number of variables. Below are ways to teach clients about the importance of digital marketing. 

Education Starts With The Company Blog 

The company blog should be full of resources that are specific to industries a digital marketing agency serves. There are those agencies that specialize in tech or software promotion while others could specialize in growing the presence of dental practices online. Most agencies have a variety of clients that span a number of different industries. Creating content that is specific to desired client niches or current client niches can provide incredible educational opportunities for clients. Sending out the top content from the blog to customers should be done in a unique way. The email blasts should be categorized so only blog posts relevant to the client are shared. 

Written content is not the only type of content that should be produced. Podcasting can be the perfect opportunity to create an in-depth piece of content at a reasonable price. Answering common client questions can be a great way to create engagement with clients. 

Creating Courses

An agency is not going to require a new client to go through intensive training before entering a business agreement. Educational courses that have quizzes to test knowledge can be great to grow a client’s knowledge. A law firm’s marketing team could need help with outreach which makes it important to educate them on the process. Email outreach tends to work well when emails are customized and there is an offer of something of value. A law firm might want to spread the word on a class action lawsuit they are a part of. Guides on how to migrate a website’s URL without losing all of the marketing work that has been done. An agency that has web designers and SEO professionals can help with this immensely as hiring a freelance designer doesn’t guarantee a background in SEO. 

Showing Results Matters

Showing a massive amount of results that are hard to translate will not convince a client to sign a contract. Translating these results in the most simple terms possible is important. Too many subpar marketing agencies try to use complicated terms if they are not generating the desired results of a client. Easy to view graphics that show the increase in online sales or leads is often all a client wants to see. They could care less about traffic levels if their lead numbers are skyrocketing after not garnering any organic online leads/sales in the past. 

Teaching clients should be a focus for digital marketing companies. Clients that truly understand the value of work that your agency is doing are likely to continue to work with you for years. Less educated clients will opt for another agency that is promising unrealistic results in a matter of weeks.

Weathering a Recession

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Economic downturns are always a possibility. That being said, It’s easier to stop something bad from happening than to fix the damage after it’s done. This is why businesses need to be prepared for a recession. Small Businesses especially should be prepared, as they do not have the deep pockets of larger companies and less margin for error. However, if you find your organization already facing hard times, don’t think this infographic is “too little, too late.” Many of these tips can be implemented fast and successfully, and there is no time like the present to get started. Check out the infographic below to learn more. 

Infographic created by Clover Network, a merchant services provider