Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

The Criminality of Transition

Lecture given at the Netherlands Economic Institute (NEI) on 18/4/2001Human vice is the most certain thing after death and taxes, to paraphrase Benjamin Franklin. The only variety of economic activity, which will surely survive even a nuclear holocaust, is bound to be crime. Prostitution, gambling, drugs and, in general, expressly illegal activities generate c. 400 billion USD annually to their. . .

Managing Performance Every Day

The scenario…The company has decided it needs to eliminate costs. Hundreds of jobs are on the line. The executives of each division have been directed to cut costs by 35%. The tension throughout the company is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You know some departments will be totally eliminated because the work can be outsourced to save money. You are a manager with over 20 years of s. . .

Storytelling - The Great Motivator of People

Storytelling - The Great Motivator of PeopleIn a data-driven world, facts and figures are the order of the day in sales calls, employee meetings, board rooms, and political assemblies. Traditionally, when a person is trying to convince someone else to do something they use the logic of benefits and features - long the sacred domain of anyone in sales.And they are missing the boat. What truly m. . .

Public Relations: Why it Works

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net. Word count is 570 including guidelines and resource box. Robert A. Kelly © 2003. Public Relations: Why it Works The short answer is, it works best when its fundamental premise is the guide, which insures that the primary focus of y. . .

Where is the Best PR Value?

Wherever the fundamental premise of public relations is practiced. Look at what it suggests. People act on their own perception of the facts before them, which leads to predictable behaviors about which something can be done. When we create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to- desired-action those people whose behaviors affect the organi- zation, the public r. . .

Working With A Financial Adviser

(NC)—With a steadily increasing number of investment choices in the market, it's easy to become overwhelmed. Without a plan in place, or the guidance and discipline to reach financial goals, it's easy to be tempted by the latest hot market fad. But this can result in investment portfolios not being aligned with financial goals. Investors may take on more risk and volatility than they want, and . . .

Build, Don't Blow, Your Annual Bonus

(NC)—More and more companies are incorporating a bonus structure into compensation programs. Bonuses are generally based on performance and are tax advantageous for companies.If you're one of the fortunate ones who will receive a bonus this year, what will you do with it?"The key to using your bonus wisely is to find the right balance for you," says Linda Put, a CIBC Imperial Service financial . . .

The Sink Or Swim Approach To Leadership

Looking around in most corporate environments today you'll find mission, vision and values statements proudly displayed on the walls, in print materials and even engraved in granite. Often, they've invested a great deal of time; effort and expense in crafting just the right message to best describe the foundational principles of the company. I can't help but stop, take notice; and then wonder. . .

PR: Ouch! Tells the Tale

Ever get the feeling that your public relations program isn’t doing much about the behaviors of your important outside audiences? Those audiences whose actions have the greatest impacts on your business? Chances are your PR effort is focused primarily on communi- cations tactics and not on the process needed to really move those key audience perceptions, and thus behaviors in your direction. Wh. . .

Addressing Terrorism and World Peace with Ideas: Global C...

Minnesota-based Global Commerce & Communication today announced a worldwide competition for new ideas. This competition titled "New ideas--Gateway to the future," is expected to stimulate the innovators and citizens of the world to generate new ideas in three areas: new technology ideas, new product and service ideas, and new ideas to address global issues such as human rights, civil rights, ra. . .

Can Small PR Firms Deliver Huge Results?

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net. Word count is 1040 including guidelines and resource box. Robert A. Kelly © 2003. Can Small PR Firms Deliver Huge Results? They can when they invest in the basics. The best of them obviously rely on some form of public relations fu. . .

How to Maximize Your 401k Mutual Fund Returns

When it comes to 401k's there is an overabundance of sad stories. Here is one that at least has a happy ending—and it's getting happier all the time.Last year (in 2002) a friend of mine—let’s call him Jack—phoned and asked if I could help him with his 401k. Jack works for a large company as Senior VP of lending and is financially pretty astute. However, when it came to his 401k mutual fund deci. . .

How to Evaluate Load vs. No Load Mutual Funds

If you have been dealing with mutual funds for any length of time, you undoubtedly have faced the question of which is better: Load Funds or No Load Funds. If you are new to investing, "load" simply refers to the commission paid to the broker selling the fund. "No load" means there is no commission on the purchase or sale.Most discussions in the past have centered exclusively on performance com. . .

Successful Small Businesses Use PR

It’s obvious when a small business has accepted the fact that its most important outside audiences need lots of care and feeding. They do something about it. There’s a sense of urgency and a recognition that those “key target publics” have behaviors that really impact the business, and that they had BETTER do something about it! What about you? Are you ready to follow the winners and get public. . .

Nothing Happens Until Someone Sells Somthing

You can always tell a good salesperson, they are always on the look-out for opportunities to do exactly that. Every chance they get they'll promote whatever it is they offer. They are driven through their need to either make money, they're passionate about the goods and services they offer or both. And for those of you who turn your nose up at people who 'sell' for a living, forget it! Everyone. . .

Why PR Packs a Punch

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net. Word count is 775 including guidelines and resource box. Robert A. Kelly © 2003. Why PR Packs a PunchDone right, it delivers the key, target audience behaviors you know you must have to achieve your organizational objectives.I ref. . .

How (NOT) to Buy Mutual Funds

When it comes to mutual funds, there is a lot more to success than just finding a good one. Sad investment stories like the following are all too common. I hope my sharing it with you will help you avoid making the same devastating financial mistake one of my former clients made.This story begins during the height of the investment madness in 2000, just prior to the bear market. I had been mana. . .

Get In The Game With a Stellar Resume

During the job hunter's market of the 1990's, employers were settling for less than qualified candidates because the candidate pool was so small. Job hunters were able to name their price and employers were meeting their demands. The job climate is much different today than it was a few years ago. Job hunters have forgotten how to present themselves to a prospective employer. Their job search s. . .

Get PR Off the Bench

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net. Word count is 895 including guidelines and resource box. Robert A. Kelly © 2003. Get PR Off the Bench Something that results in your most important outside audiences doing what you need them to do should not be warming the bench. B. . .

Make It Happen Now!

Most people think that when they have chosen a path that's it - that's the path to follow. This is far from the truth according to leading Business Coach… Brad Tonini who has just released his latest book "Make It Happen Now!"I asked Brad to share his thoughts on why we don't get started to "Making Things Happen". Here's what he had to say:"Procrastination is paralyzing to peak performance, it . . .

Risk-Free Investing With Term Investments

(NC)—Are you a risk-averse investor? Do you fear losing any of your initial investment? Do you rely on your investments as a source of fixed-income? Do you want an investment that provides the flexibility to redeem it should the need arise? If you answered yes to any of these questions, term investments would make an excellent addition to your portfolio.Term investments, such as Guaranteed Inve. . .

Quick Tips For The First-Time Homebuyer

(NC)—Buying your first home is an exciting new experience. Attending Open Houses, putting in an offer to buy and decorating your new home to suit your style is all part of the excitement. All the decisions that need to be made can also make you feel nervous. Here are a few tips that can help out the anxious first-time homebuyer.How much can I afford?There are two things to consider when determi. . .

Five Reasons To Stay Committed To Your Retirement Savings

(NC)—As an investor working to build your portfolio, you face many day-to-day demands on your money. It's not always easy to determine what your financial priorities should be, or to stay committed to them – especially when markets are volatile.There's one priority, however, that should always be at the top of your list, explains Lisa Li, a Mississauga, Ontario-based CIBC Imperial Service finan. . .

I Can't Afford A PR/Publicity Campaign -- Can I?

It’s a phrase I hear over and over again from many entrepreneurs, small businesses owners and inventors: “I’d love to hire someone to launch our publicity campaign professionally, but we can’t afford it, so I’m just going to have to do it on my own.” Over the past several months, I have been conducting an informal survey among entrepreneurs and business owners who have contacted me about my ser. . .

Your Home – A Hidden Source Of Financing

(NC)—Your home is more than just a place to hang your hat. In addition to being a source of pride and protection, it can be a valuable source of equity.With interest rates still near record lows, now may be a good time to consider a renovation, purchasing a new car or making some investments. The equity in your home may help you secure the necessary funds to achieve your goalsOne way to access . . .

Tips For First-Time Homebuyers

(NC)—Near record low interest rates are opening the doors of homeownership for many Canadians. "This may be the perfect time to consider purchasing a home," says Gail Kassie, Director, Mortgages and Home Financing Products, BMO Bank of Montreal. "With the variety of mortgage terms and options available, as well as low interest rates, more people are finding that they can afford to purchase a ho. . .

A Simple Formula for Success

Leaders in the business world need public relations big time, and they show it every day. How? By staying in touch with their most important external audiences and by carefully monitoring their perceptions about the company, audience member feelings about hot topics at issue, and the behaviors that inevitably follow. Could there be an angle here for your business? What I mean is, once you inter. . .

PR: Behavior Modification Specialist

While awaiting economic recovery, business needs to attract the attention of its most important external audiences in a more targeted and focused way. Primarily to impact the perceptions of those key outsiders so that resulting behaviors help those managers achieve their objectives. This should be enough reason for recession-weary managers to take a closer look at public relations, America’s re. . .

Home Business Success Steps

A HARE one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise, who replied, laughing: "Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race." The Hare, believing her assertion to be simply impossible, assented to the proposal; and they agreed that the Fox should choose the course and fix the goal. On the day appointed for the race the two started together. The Tortoise never for a. . .

Ethics in Business... A Lost Art

While watching Face the Nation one Sunday earlier this year, Bob Schiffer discussed the airline industry, his mother and ethics in business. Like Bob, I think it is a sad commentary today, that we have to police businesses. Whatever happened to going into business to provide a needed service, being loyal to employees, and keeping promises. It seems like no one today is concerned about doing goo. . .

Keeping Abreast Of Your Domain ...Updates and Keeping Up ...

Another major complaint that most business owners have is all the reading they need to do to keep abreast of what is happening in their business area. Again time management and organization can be a tremendous help. Be sure to put your reading times in your daily schedule. Schedule a half hour in the morning to read at least one article in a magazine. While having lunch, read updates or small b. . .

Lasers and High-Performance Cutting

When is a balloon not a balloon? When it’s a technical problem, a design challenge, and an inspiration for the development of new and more efficient cutting equipment. EdgeWISE Tools founder Pat Momany — didn’t start out at the high-tech edge of the fabric cutting industry. Problems that need solving get his inventive juices flowing, and his penchant for saying, "Sure, we can do that," before f. . .

Characteristics of High Performance Teams

Abstract: Based on significant research, Entelechy has defined characteristics of effective teams.Entelechy reviewed over 50 studies on high performance teams and compiled a list of high performance team characteristics. We grouped characteristics into eight categories as indicated on the graphic below.Participative LeadershipAligned On Purpose And VisionTask FocusedShared ResponsibilityInnova. . .

After July 8, Pay This Amount...

You undoubtedly go through this, too. A few times a month you gather up the bills coming due and write checks or pay them online.As I was doing some bill payments recently, I noticed the tactic one company uses to get its customers to pay by the due date. It was very simple: "If you pay by this date, pay this amount. If you pay after this date, pay this amount."Now, this was a small bill so the. . .

Questions To Ask Employees You Want To Retain

Times of cost cutting and downsizing has dramatically impacted the way employees look at their careers. Employees at all levels now know better than ever that job security is no longer something they can count on. They've been required to think bigger, look at other options and do whatever it takes to prepare themselves for the future. In essence, they have let go of their corporate commitme. . .

Communication: Management's Responsibility

I've just watched, again, an episode in the Back to the Floor television series, which aired on the BBC (United Kingdom) and PBS (United States). Once more, communication turned out to be a key issue, as it often does in business stories.If you're not familiar with the series, it features real-life CEOs who leave their comfortable offices (well sort of comfortable, these days) and go work on th. . .

Communicating Value

Abstract: People buy for their reasons, not yours. This article covers the key elements that prospects want to hear you talk about. Always, but especially during lean times, effective sales professionals know the importance of communicating value. Budgets – if they ever were discretionary – are tighter. Business customers are being asked to do more with less. Decisions are increasingly less . . .

Coaching for Success

Coaching is perhaps the most effective method of increasing performance available to managers, team leaders, and colleagues. This article defines coaching and outlines a process for effective coaching.Coaching DefinedCoaching is perhaps the most effective method of increasing performance available to managers, team leaders, and colleagues. If you wish to improve the skills of your employees, . . .

Top Ten Brainstorming Techniques for Business Success

We experience creativity every time a fresh idea pops into our minds. We recognize creative imagination in everything from a pastel painting to a business plan. By trying these ten tips, you will discover some amazing creative abilities that may surprise you. 1. Substitute someone else's perspective for yours. How would a teacher, lawyer, actor, artist, explorer, journalist, psychologist, engin. . .

How to Find Value in No Load Mutual Fund Investing

What are you thinking when it comes to your no load mutual fund selections? Are you saving pennies and sacrificing dollars?Are you spending your time looking at expense ratios, analyzing Morningstar ratings and searching for funds with low fees and no 12b1 charges? If you are like most people, you know these things in and out. You've spent hours evaluating them, and your chosen mutual funds cos. . .

A Mass Customization Revolution

A Mass Customization RevolutionThe Industrial RevolutionThe great social and economic changes due to the introduction of machine and power tools and large-scale industrial production began in 1760. Through the first 70 years of this century, the US was the industrial giant of the world. In 1960 the words "Made in Japan" was thought to be a joke. By 1980, those same words had become the standard. . .

How Would You Ever Know?

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net. Net word count is 730 including guidelines and resource box. Robert A. Kelly © 2003. How Would You Ever Know? Your important outside audiences behave in ways that stop you from reaching your objectives. Because you haven’t pai. . .

Why Small Business Must Turn to PR

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net. Net word count is 670 including guidelines and resource box. Robert A. Kelly © 2003. Why Small Business Must Turn to PR If small business had no important outside audiences, it wouldn’t exist. But since they do have external “publi. . .

It's Just Common Sense!

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net. Net word count is 835 including guidelines and resource box. Robert A. Kelly © 2003. It’s Just Common Sense! When a group of outsiders behaves in a way that hurts your business, you usually do something about it. Yet, many business. . .

How To Realistically Set Your Fees - Part 3

Effect of BenefitsWe have previously examined realistic billable hours and the effect of business expenses on your hourly rate. Now we'll look at the effect of benefits.Once upon at time, when we were employed, we received a benefits package from our employer. This usually included health, life and disability insurance. Many firms also had available pension programs, profit sharing, dental and . . .

How To Realistically Set Your Fees - Part 2

Effect of ExpensesThe last article examined how to calculate your realistic billable hours. If you remember, we arrived at approximately 1100 hours in a year. To earn our mythical $46,000 per year, you needed to bill at a rate of $42 per hour. Now we need to take into account the expenses of running a business and see where those put our hourly rate.Most costs fall into three general categories. . .

How To Realistically Set Your Fees - Part 1

We all know there are 52 weeks in a year and 40 working hours in a week. Therefore, we can bill 2080 hours per year, right. Wrong. Too often this is the trap that many new service businesses fall into.The first step in calculating your billable hours is to define a realistic working year. If you were employed elsewhere, you would expect or want at least two weeks vacation time, one week sick ti. . .

Why Can't Microsoft Make "Soft" Packaging?

Why is it that Microsoft wants you to buy its product but does not want you to open the plastic case that is welded around the cardboard box? I believe that such packaging along with cockroaches will survive atomic disasters! Good luck finding any clue as to an easy way to open this fused bit of skin-tearing packaging. I split my scissors trying to pry open the ends. I ripped a fingernail at. . .

How To Realistically Set Your Fees - Part 5

How To Raise Your FeesThere comes a time when it is inevitable that you must raise your fees in order to maintain both your profit margin and income level. You will find that the greatest resistance to this comes from your oldest clients.There appears to be a direct correlation between the length of time a client is with you and the amount of outrage they show to your rate increase. This articl. . .

How To Realistically Set Your Fees - Part 4

Effect Of Bad DebtsSo far, we have covered the major factors involved in setting your fee structure. We have set a realistic number of billable hours, calculated the effect of expenses and taken into account the cost of a benefit package. This has brought us to an hourly rate of $77. By charging $77 per hour, you will have an income of $46,000 per year, plus benefits. What happens when you have. . .