Often times in business, we have the opportunity to get exactly what we want and need. The problem is, we just don’t ask for it correctly. Take, for example, something I did just the other day. I wrote an article and sent it to one of...
The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 (VPA) is a federal law designed to promote volunteerism by protecting volunteers from liability if an injury occurs while they are volunteering. Many organizations relying on the services of volunteers assume that the protections afforded by the VPA extend...
Most people believe their standard homeowners’ insurance policy is all they need to protect their property. While this may be true in terms of protecting their dwelling and other structures, the same may not be the case when it comes to protecting their personal property....
Today, condominium residents are feeling the pain of their neighbors' financial struggles, particularly in the form of budgetary shortfalls created by unit owners defaulting on their obligation to pay assessments. Assessments, which represent each unit owner’s share of the funds required to pay the association’s...
Getting involved in charitable and community organizations as a new business development strategy is hardly a new notion. However, unless it is purely altruistic, participation needs to be carefully calculated so that you get an ROI on your investment of time, resources or money. Some of...
On August 23, 2011, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered near Mineral, Virginia was felt from Alabama to Ontario. Many of those affected did not know that earthquakes could happen in places like New York City, Washington D.C., or Philadelphia. These people held the common, but...
There was a great article in the New York Times a while back. Adam Bryant, author of the weekly Corner Office column, compiled the information he garnered from interviewing top C.E.O.'s to explore traits common to successful corporate leaders. One trait he identified was "passionate...
Completing an application for insurance can be time-consuming and tedious. Nevertheless, the application is important because an insurance company will use an applicant’s answers to determine whether to offer insurance and how much to charge. In making these determinations, insurance companies generally have the right...
Condominium associations can be sizeable organizations responsible for overseeing and managing hundreds of residents, possibly thousands. This responsibility often involves hundreds of thousands, or possibly millions of dollars worth of property and revenue. A for-profit organization dealing with similar figures will commit significant resources to...
In an effort to avoid annoying and unnecessary communication, are we insulating ourselves from opportunity? Take this situation that happened just yesterday. I had a lead for someone and didn't have his email address. I called the receptionist to get it. She, rather unpleasantly, answered, "That...