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Business Expansion – An Important Phase In Business

If you are looking to expand your business, there are certain things that you have to consider. It can either be a physical or nonphysical expansion. at times, the expansion of a business involves both physical and nonphysical elements. For physical expansion like getting more storage space for storing the products, you can take the assistance of a Texas contract warehouse or any California contract warehouse. However, expansion of a business does not only mean a bigger storage space. Business expansion is quite a broader term.

Physical expansion in terms of expanding your offices or franchises in different regions of the world has become a little old concept. Today, the entrepreneurs are looking for more feasible ways to carry out their business expansion. Apart from expanding it in the physical means. Today the vision is broad but the dynamics of applying the vision has changed a lot. In the past, the businesses used physical expansion set their feet in the international market but it takes a long time to set a benchmark. But today the approach is stronger than this as we can see many small businesses of today exploding in the international market in a very rapid period of time. If you want to see your business flowing in the international market in a rapid period of time, just adapt the methods which a modern business applies for its business expansion. Here are those methods which adaptable and flexible enough to expand your business in the current times:

Market segmentation:

In Market segmentation, experts carry out surveys to get the feedback from the target market of their business. Through the feedback, they get to know that how much percent their business is being recognized by their targeted audience. If they find enough recognition in the targeted section, they re-perform the market segmentation to add one more audience in their umbrella.

This technique comes out to be very adequate in the end as the consequences are often profitable. It is one of a successful technique that modern businesses apply when they wish to expand their business. You can adapt it in your business too, and roll up your products with a new market mix strategy to convince the new targeted audience.

Before you expand your business geographically, check out your customers first and see if they are convinced or not. Adding more audience can be fruitful if your customers demand it too. Otherwise, it is a complete loss and can also affect your performance in the previous targeted section. So it is better that you plan your market segmentation process accordingly.

Value-added services:

How to attract a new audience? Well you can do it by adding some value added service in your product. This will convince the customers and the demand of the products will automatically increase. When your audiences are more satisfied with your current product, you can add one more audience in your business progression. Obviously, you can find this …

Training Before Starting a Productivity Improvement Program

Before you start a productivity improvement program, you may feel it is necessary to up-skill your supervisors and your managers. There are several ways of doing this, so let’s look at the options. Firstly, you can hire an external trainer to run your training programs. Secondly, you can enroll your supervisors and managers in to public courses where they mix with other people from other businesses. Thirdly, you can design an in-house training program led by one of your senior people.

Each of these options have positive and negative points. However, training is expensive and you need to be absolutely sure that you are going to get value for your money. Packaged training programs are one of the least effective ways of training. 

Generally speaking, packaged training programs are centered on the trainer and not the group members.  Often they are delivered in spite of the group members who have different styles of learning, different speeds of learning and different levels of comprehension.

The size of the group is very important. Obviously, the larger the group, the greater the diversity of the group members. This is one of the limiting factors of group training. Off-the-shelf training is ineffective because it fails to recognize the needs of the group or the individuals. Remember the objective of education is to fill with knowledge, training is to inspire action. If there is no change in behavior after the training, you have wasted your money and a lot of time.

Unfortunately, with this sort of off-the-shelf packaged training there is another sad consequence. The people who attend this sort of training very often become more cynical because they know it is ineffective.

Before committing to any training program it is wise to ask this question. “What will the trainer do to ensure that the learning is translated into workplace behavior?” This question must be answered to the satisfaction of the person purchasing the training. It is fundamental to the whole reason for the training, yet, there are many trainers who believe their job finishes at the end of the course. In reality, the training doesn’t end until people are doing things differently in the workplace.

The very best trainers help the trainees to draw up individual action plans and provide follow-up training in the real world, on the job. So the training is broken into two parts. One, the group training and, two, the individual coaching on the job. This is a very successful way of ensuring that there is transfer of learning into workplace behavior. These effective trainers also offer long-term support so that they can coach the trainees through changes which occur in the workplace.

Whilst this process may seem to be more expensive it is actually much better value because the results will contribute more to your business. If you want to train your supervisors and managers prior to a productivity improvement program it is strongly advised that you look for trainers who have a long history of success in this area.

Before engaging a trainer, make a list of the results that …

Packing Tips: Preparing Your Items for the Moving Labor Help

While hiring the right moving labor help can make relocating to a new home easier for you and your family, there are a couple of things you can do to prepare. Enlisting moving labor services, together with careful planning and packing can prevent your valuables from getting lost or damaged during the trip.

The primary task you must do weeks prior to the move is to eliminate any items you don’t intend to bring along. Old clothes, toys, appliances, and furniture can be given to friends or donated to local charities. Selling them at a yard sale also works, if you have time to arrange one.

If you’re expecting to move a lot of heavy furniture or fragile items like china or kitchenware, it’s advisable to buy packing supplies like bubble-wrap, duct tape, tie-downs, blankets, and purpose-built moving boxes. These can usually be found either at the local hardware store, or sold by companies that offer moving labor services. You might also want to visit the local grocery store or supermarket to ask for any recycled boxes you can use.

When packing your belongings, make it a point to label every box after they’ve been fully-packed. You can try using color-coordinated boxes or labels that correspond to items that belong in a certain room; for instance, yellow for items that belong in the kitchen, blue for garage tools, red for your children’s clothes, and so on. Aside from making it easier for the moving labor help to determine which boxes belong to which room, labels can also make boxes easier to unpack once you arrive at the destination.

Fragile items such as dishes, mirrors, and electronics should be properly insulated with bubble wrap, foam, or newspapers to prevent them from breaking. Packing your breakables together with pillows and blankets also works, and saves on space. Larger items such as furniture and appliances can be disassembled to make them easier to transport. Their nuts, bolts and screws should be stored in a labeled container such as a sandwich bag, and securely taped to the furniture.

Companies that offer moving labor services also advice customers like you to sort out and pack certain valuables in a bag that you can easily bring with you. This kit may include jewelry, external hard drives, laptops, and other small items that may be too fragile or expensive to put inside your other boxes.

And finally, it’s also a good idea to prepare refreshments for your family as well as for the moving labor help you’ve hired. This lets them know that their help and hard work is greatly appreciated. With a little extra effort on your part, that big move can be pulled off with minimal stress for you and the moving labor team that you’re working with.…

Rough Spots – You Learn the Most

Every human gestates in the (uterus) womb specifically designed to bring a new life into the world. The majority of humans come into life through the vagina, a.k.a. birth canal. The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus/womb to the exterior of the female body.

Vaginal child birth is categorized in three stages of labor: the shortening and dilation of the cervix, descent and birth of the infant and birth of the placenta. The vaginal tract expands to a degree, however, there is a sense of being in a tight squeeze as the infant moves through the fibromuscular tubular tract, ‘birth canal.’

When you are birthing a project or personal growth you might have a sense of going through a tight squeeze. Like an infant’s birthing process, projects/goals have three stages – beginning, middle and end. It is in the rough spots along the way that people want to escape the hard labor.

Escaping is easy; holding one’s convictions for success is difficult. You need to learn how to navigate in a new way. It is in the rough spots that you learn how to manage the frustrations and hard work that come with life and the achievement of goals.

Pema Chodron, an American Buddhist teacher calls this, ‘The Squeeze.” Whether one is going through the birth canal to achieve life, itself, or one is working on birthing personal growth or a goal, one needs to stick to one’s convictions. Chodrom defines ‘The Squeeze” as “a point where we are not able to take it or leave it, where we are caught between a rock and a hard place, caught with both the up-lift of our ideas and the rawness of what’s transpiring in front of our eyes…” and, that she says, “is a very fruitful place.”

It is in the rough spots that you learn the most. Keeping this in mind will assist you to feel less alone, because you are not the only one who feels ‘The Squeeze.’ There are many energy forces and changes pulsing through the Universe at every level. It goes without, saying, you are part of the growing process and the growing pains.

You need to remember that birthing life or achieving goals is only three phases and that each phase will inevitably move to the next phase when you persevere. It is forgetting that perseverance pays off and being discouraged that creates ‘The Squeeze’ to be more onerous.

When you feel overwhelmed you can comfort yourself with the wise saying, “This too shall pass.” Some people remind themselves that ‘Hard work never hurt anyone.’

True growth and goal achievement causes you to expand your life. Growth is rarely ever easy or a cake walk – albeit might seem that it is for others. Yet, they are peddling fast beneath the water (a.k.a. behind the scene). Growth and goal achievement, although rarely easy, it is fruitful and worth the labor – travail.…

You may be wondering, “What is collaborative divorce?” If you’re unsure, keep reading to learn about this type of divorce’s benefits, process, and costs. You’ll learn about how the process works and whether it’s the right option for you.

Cost

If you’re considering a collaborative divorce NJ, you’ve probably wondered what the cost is. This is a hybrid of mediation and traditional litigation, and the cost ranges from $7,000 to $10,000 for a couple. While mediation requires one professional to help with the process, a collaborative divorce typically involves two lawyers charged by the hour. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case in all cases.

In a collaborative divorce, the parties work together to come to a settlement. Mediation sessions usually involve a mediator and involve child specialists, tax neutrals, and financial experts. When the agreement is notarized, it becomes a binding legal contract and can be entered into the divorce judgment. Depending on the process, the parties may hire neutral professionals to give them additional expertise.

Process

The Process of Collaborative Divorce is different from traditional litigation in several ways. First, the collaborative approach focuses on communication rather than confrontation and litigation. Lawyers and other professionals involved in the case will hold meetings with the parties to discuss options. These meetings form the basis of the final agreement. Collaborative divorce creates a non adversarial environment where arrangements can be reached without a judge. The parties involved will agree on the division of assets, allocation of income, and other issues.

The NPC will attend all group meetings to make verbal observations of the dynamics of communication between the divorcing couples. As a neutral third party, the NPC can identify communication problems that affect the divorcing team. When necessary, the NPC will call on an attorney to represent one of the parties. This third party can be helpful in the interim. It can provide insight and help make decisions that benefit the parties during the divorce.

Benefits

There are many benefits to a collaborative divorce. First, it allows the parties to work together to create plans, focusing on their needs and interests rather than a judge’s rules and limitations. It enables families to determine what they want for their children and future. Finally, collaborative divorces help both parties achieve the best possible outcome for their children.

Unlike a traditional divorce, a collaborative divorce can save you time, energy, and money. Because the process is centered on respect, it provides a safe and comfortable environment for the parties to express their concerns. It also minimizes the stress of courtroom battles, allowing the parties to work out their goals and desires. It also provides a better opportunity for the extended family to move on without a bitter, adversarial process.

Whether it’s right for you

Before you decide to opt for a collaborative divorce, you should consider whether you and your ex are compatible and willing to compromise. As with any other divorce method, this one requires you to work out a compromise with …

China Exports Rally – But Not For Labor-Intensive Products

Worker migration and escalating fiber expenses stunt growth in some industries, including apparel, footwear, bags and luggage.

China’s export manufacturing sector may be showing signs of a rebound, March deficit notwithstanding, but persistent labor shortage and rising raw material costs are hampering recovery in labor-intensive industries. Customs statistics show total outbound shipments in March increased 24 percent year-on-year to $112 billion. Overseas sales of apparel, footwear, and bags and luggage, however, fell 21, 5 and 17 percent during the same month.

The disparity in export growth is not limited to March. While outbound shipments for the entire country rose 29 percent to $316 billion in Q1, those for apparel, footwear, and bags and luggage improved only by 8, 15 and 15 percent. This came despite having delivered the bulk of Q1 orders before the Chinese New Year holiday.

The ongoing worker deficit is one of the factors behind slow sales in the labor-intensive industries. A number of plants raised wages 20 to 30 percent to attract employees. But since minimal value can be added to the models being produced, many are unable to raise export prices to offset the additional expense.

As a result, many small and mid-size makers had to give up small-quantity orders from new clients to ensure enough capacity for the large-volume transactions from long-time buyers. Delivery time has been extended as well. Escalating raw material outlay is another concern. The cost of domestic 328 grade cotton, for instance, increased 25 percent year-on-year to 16,000 yuan ($2,343) per ton, while international spot prices grew by at least 35 percent.

Projections that major raw material costs will continue rising in the months ahead have made a few suppliers reluctant to accept new orders now. Once export prices are finalized, it will be difficult to adjust them when parts and components become more expensive during production. Businesses then will have no choice but to absorb the additional costs, even when it means having to suffer negative gains.

Such challenges are fueling trepidation among manufacturers in the labor-intensive industries, and many are wondering whether exports will continue to improve for the rest of the year. Strengthening speculation over an imminent lifting of the yuan’s peg to the dollar is adding to companies’ troubles.

China National Textile & Apparel Council vice chairman Chen Shujin said the average profit margin in the garments and textile industry is about 4 percent. That translated to roughly $7.5 billion in 2009. With a tightly competitive market, however, suppliers are unable to pass on currency exchange increases to buyers. As such, a 1 percent appreciation of the yuan means gains will also be 1 percent lower. For the industry, this could mean losses reaching $2 billion.

Chen said that if the currency strengthens too fast, a large percentage of businesses would be forced to close down. A Reuters’ survey of small and midsize manufacturers at the recent Canton Fair revealed that a 3 percent increase in the …

Convenience Store Software – Employee Scheduling and Labor Management

Here’s a common scenario in many convenience stores: The c-store manager spend hours creating a staff work schedule. The manager needs to consider a huge number of factors – employee availability, seniority of staff, time off requests, staff ages and certifications, shift swaps, the need for 24/7 coverage, and busy or slow periods in the store. Then, the work schedule must be communicated to all of the employees – bulk emails, or posted on the wall. When an employee gets ill, requests time off, or is a no show, then the schedule must be redone and distributed back to the employees.

This process happens every week, and is complex, time consuming, and generally a royal pain with traditional systems such as Microsoft Excel or pen-and-paper. Unfortunately, it is also essential. Over staffing your convenience store will reduce profits – you will lose money. Under staffing your store will not allow you to meet customer demand, and customers will leave – you will reduce profits.

Luckily, labor management software can drastically improve the scheduling process while increasing profits at your convenience store. Scheduling time can be reduced from hours to seconds. And labor management systems give you the additional tools needed to fine-tune your work force and reduce labor expenses with time and attendance controls.

Some of the capabilities of labor managements can include (if equipped with employee scheduling and attendance management modules):- Employee work schedules can be built for one or many locations in seconds.- Staff and management can record employee availability, time-off requests, and other key information about staff members.- Approve and export payroll to many popular payroll providers – such as Quickbooks, SurePayroll, ADP, Paychex, and CompuPay – with a single click.- Notify staff members instantly of any schedule changes or newly created schedules by email or text message – removing all employee confusion and missed shifts while reducing turnover. – Enforce the employee schedule by stopping early clock ins and late clock outs – immediately improve profits.- Remotely monitor employees – use the web, Facebook, or a cell phone.- Provide remote access for employees to view schedules, review timecards, request time off, change availability, swap shifts with other staff members, and receive daily schedule alerts via email or text messages.

Scheduling software can make quick work of employees schedules at your convenience store – though it does much more than work schedule creation.

Some labor management systems can also perform workforce optimization and profitability analysis for c-stores, for example:- Schedule employees with the strongest skills during the busiest times at your business, automatically if equipped with an auto-scheduling system.- Notify you of potential labor shortages for your c-store business.- Monitor your labor costs – in real time on the computer, Facebook, iPhone, or Blackberry.- More than forty labor reports for monitoring labor costs, and reviewing schedule trends.- Reduce your turnover – use your current staff more efficiently.- Create “what-if” scenarios to visualize staffing changes – without losing your …

Storing Important Items For Work

Whether you are a big business in need of a contract warehouse or a small homeowner in need of a big 3PL storage spot, you are in luck because both can be found in many different locations and cities. Storage facilities are usually used for common items that either do not fit in the general area or for items that businesses use like products and other things that go in to an office. Bigger businesses often use warehouses for their items, which is simply a big storage space. Without this necessary storage space, businesses would not be able to inventory that many items.

Storage facilities do a lot for businesses and also create and organized place for businesses to keep track of all of their information and product registry. When a customer calls and asks for a product, nobody wants to dig around in a very small and unorganized room for some sort of product. This is why it is so important to not only stay organized but to stay simple. An overload of product and merchandise can lead to an unorganized mess that can make everything else a whole lot more difficult. To make things easier on yourself, simply make more space!

Warehouses come in all different sizes, areas, and forms. Some warehouses are very simple and are basically just walls with a roof. Others, that are more advanced, are temperature controlled with sealed doors and special entry with keys or even a password code. Some companies, that are containing confidential product, have the ability to run full facilities with guard support and special control. Under this kind of predicament, it is hard to even think about having a breach in your own facility. In your case, as a homeowner, you will not really have any need for super enforced security, as you will be the only one using your facility which opens and locks with a simple key and padlock.

Storage facilities for residential use can almost always be found near your local neighborhood. The facilities are also not very expensive. The contract is usually a month-to-month rental that is a very small fee. They usually range anywhere from $12.99 a month to $100.00 a month depending on the size you need and whether it is inside or outside, and if it is air conditioned. You can use these facilities for just about anything, you can store an old car you might have, you can store furniture and boxes that do not fit in your home or you could even store products for your home business.

A storage facility is a very simple idea that involves a simple spot where you can store all of the items that you would like to store. Whether you are a big business, a small home business, or just someone looking to store some items from home, storage facilities are available to you in every shape, size, and form that you could ever imagine. Look at your …

Some Natural Ways to Induce Labor

First of all, make sure that you do NOT perform any of these tips until you have reached your due date and your doctor has agreed that you can move forward with self-induction methods. Performing these things too early could cause an early labor which could be harmful to you and to your baby.

But, when the time comes and you want to do your part to have that baby born already, these tips are at your disposal to try and speed things up.

1. Go for a long walk…uphill. By this point, a walk uphill (particularly a long walk uphill) will really wear you out. But if you can manage it, it has been shown to help speed things up, especially if you’re already in labor and are trying to speed things up. Walking back downhill will be a treat for your muscles-and maybe the downward gravity will motivate your baby to start heading out too!

2. Eat spicy food. This will stimulate certain sensors in your body that have been known to bring on labor. Don’t worry about eating spicy food throughout the rest of your pregnancy-this is one of those things that will only work if your baby is ready to come out. Actually, that applies to number one as well.

3. Visit a Chinese medical practitioner. There are a number of things that a Chinese doctor can do to help speed labor up. In Shiatsu, for example, there are certain pressure points in the foot, hand, and lower back that can stimulate labor. As long as your OB-GYN has given you a go ahead, your Chinese doctor should be familiar with how to proceed. Acupuncture is another popular method of speeding up labor. Your practitioner will insert tiny needles into certain points in your body (most likely on your feet, but possible also in your abdomen, arms, and legs). You’ll lie there for 30-40 minutes with the needles. And then hopefully, you’ll be closer to labor than ever! (Don’t worry, acupuncture doesn’t hurt.)

Good luck!…

Want To Ensure Your Booth And Banner Stands Look Their Best? Employ Professional Trade Show Labor

When it comes to gearing up for a successful marketing event, there are many key components that warrant consideration. Prepping promotional material to align properly with exhibits and banner stands displays, training participating staff members, strategizing appropriate handouts and devising a foolproof method for lead follow-up are just some of the many pieces that come into play. Business leaders often find that careful preparation and planning are both directly linked to their company’s overall impact at the event.

Why It Might Make Sense To Outsource Your Trade Show Installation

Due to the extensive and lengthy preparation process, savvy entrepreneurs often run through the action item list in search of elements to delegate to an outside entity if possible. Quite often, setup for exhibits and banner stands is an excellent item to outsource to a professional vendor that specializes in trade show installations. A reputable organization that delivers high-quality installations can run the entire setup for you, freeing up your staff’s time to focus on the truly important facets of the marketing event, such as generating leads, promoting your current product line and establishing how to best get a leg up on the competition. If you think your organization would benefit from outsourcing trade show labor and trade show installations, keeping a few quick tips in mind can help streamline the process and make your new partnership as convenient as possible.

Key Factors To Look For When Sourcing Trade Show Labor

When first beginning the process of sourcing reputable labor, it’s crucial to consider a company’s history, health and business longevity. Fly by night operations can plague virtually any industry. It’s important to remember that your booths and banner stands are often your organization’s first impression to anyone attending the marketing event. Only trust your trade show installation to a company with proven industry experience and competence. Always ask for references whenever possible and actually check them before making your final decision.

Another great step toward identifying quality labor is to find a vendor that also specializes in the design of booths and banner stands. Having intimate knowledge of how displays and banner stands are created can directly translate into familiarity with the entire setup process. Teaming up with a firm that offers both design and setup can be a powerful partnership and ultimately enhance your company’s success at the event.

Finally, a firm with a national presence also makes an excellent option for quality and professional trade show labor. Working with a firm that has a branch in major cities throughout the country can deliver a wide range of amenities and benefits for you. A vendor with several locations can offer inside knowledge about the floor plan designs and layouts of various venues in different regions. Also, working with a national organization means that should your organization require assistance in a pinch, your vendor will be local enough to help out quickly and ensure …

Safe Storage Options For All Your Needs

Many homeowners find their families have outgrown their current living space but for one reason or another, they are not interested in moving. They may have financial reasons for staying in their home, they may like their house or their neighborhood, or they may not have the time or motivation to pack up their house and move elsewhere. Regardless of their reasons for staying, in order to continue a happy, healthy existence, they are going to need additional space. For some people, this may mean expanding their current living space. In many cases, there is enough land to expand the footprint of the current structure. If you have limited space for expanding out, you can consider expanding upwards and adding another level to your home. If you have an unfinished basement, you can move your living space downward. Finishing a basement may be a less expansive project than adding an expansion and it may be less disruptive while it is occurring. You can also consider expanding an existing garage space to add storage or you can install a storage space on your current property and get many of your items out of your living space. If none of these options is feasible, you can also consider off-site storage. This is a great way to get the items you want to keep, but that you do not need on the daily basis, out of your living space. Consider storing belongings at a Public Warehouse or 3PL. These options allow you to feel as if you have expanded your living space just by emptying out items and materials.

If you are considering off-site storage, make sure you find a location that is safe and trustworthy. There are a lot of options for storage in most areas, so speak with friends and family about what companies they have worked with in the past. You can also get referrals online and find out what facilities offer the best prices, the best security, and the best customer service. Determine if you will need access to your materials 24 hours per day. If this is the case, you may need to pay more for a facility that offers round the clock access. Also consider things like temperature control, weather protection, and ease of access for carts, dollies, and vehicles. You do not want to rent a storage space that does not allow you access in a way you can get your stuff in and out with ease.

Also take into account how close to your home you need the space to be and whether or not you will allow other friends or family members to access the space. If you are storing work-related items, you may need to supply access to other employees. If you are storing family items that belong to several relatives, they will need access to the area. Finally, be sure the area is safe and secure so anything you store off-site is as protected as …

Making a Relocation Easier

Moving to a new area can be a really stressful time period for any person. It can be even more difficult if the transition period is extended or your living situation is somewhat uncertain. For example, if you are moving to California from the east coast, it may take an extended period of time to get all of your belongings to your new home or you maybe able to ship your stuff, but cannot find a home. In this situation, it might be beneficial to contact a Los Angeles public warehouse to store your belongings for a period of time.

A Los Angeles fulfillment company should be able to help you with the storage options until you are settled enough to begin moving into your new place. When choosing a storage facility, it is important to talk to previous customers and do a little research before investing in one. There are an abundance of horror stories out there about storage companies losing individuals’ belongings or mislabeling them and giving them to someone else. You will want to make sure that whoever you are going to store all your belongings with have a good reputation and a stable clientele that continuously uses them.

Another aspect of handling relocation over an extended period of time is to be smart about the items that you decided to move. If you are moving in shifts over a long period of time, not everything you own needs to be moved on the first trip. If you did move everything, you most likely would realize some of those items are still necessary while you are living in your previous home. Not to mention, you would be paying for a larger storage space for all of it, when some of it could still be with you for free.

A nice aspect of moving is that it gives you a chance to go through your belongings and downsize in some sense. It seems to be a widespread human trait to hold onto items that are unnecessary and just fill space. When packing to move, it is important to create three different piles. Make a pile for items you want accessible, items that can be put in storage, and items that can be given away or thrown away. Though it is difficult for a lot of people to downsize and to throw away belongings, it will make the move simpler and make your home less cluttered.

It is important to look at each item and think about when you honestly used it last, if it has any sentimental value, or if it has any monetary value. After answering those three questions, you should be able to sort it into one of the three piles. A lot of people, however, seem to assign quite a bit of sentimental value to items that simply are junk that they have held onto for years. Beware of creating sentimental value when there really is none. After the piles have …

The Advantages of Using Structural Racking

With warehouses becoming bigger and bigger, and the need for stock to be organised well along with quick access, structural racking is the best way to efficiently store a large amount of stock and still allow for changes in the type of stock stored.

This way of racking is fully customizable to the individual needs depending on what it is being used to help store. This is an advantage as stock may change and the same type of item may not need to be stored in the same place again, or even at all. Different types of stock can be easily accommodated.

The density of the storage can also be hugely increased using this racking. Because it can be stacked upward the ground which used to occupy only one pallet of stock can now handle as many as the height of the building allows. This means less area is needed to store stock, reducing overhead costs.

A problem with many types of storage is the weight of which it is able to handle. With structural storage the problem can be solved because it can be constructed in such a way it becomes a lot stronger and sturdier and therefore is able to handle a lot more weight. This again makes it a highly flexible choice in storing stock.

Being able to access stock quickly when needed is also able to be accomplished. Because the storage is essential modular the layout of the ware house can be done in such a way that access is available from all sides. Racking can be built in rows of two units meaning each side is accessible, and with the advantage of upwards storage this again can make warehouses a lot more efficient.

There are other types of racking which can be easily added on, for example rollers can be integrated into the system to allow pallets of stock to be slid to the back and slid forward with ease. This can allow for inventory rotation with the older items being taken first rather than just being left at the back of a stock pile.

Forklifts are a common feature in warehouses, racking can be arranged in such a way to allow a forklift to drive through the corridors created by rows of racking. Because of this and the ability to custom each rack, it makes the system very useful in the storage of pallets. This allows a lot of items to be quickly moved from one location to another.

The final advantage is the cost of racking, because it is modular only the amount needed be brought, and it is easy to sell of unneeded extras. As well as this it can be constructed from cheap and light materials which still maintain structural integrity. The strength comes from the way the storage is designed, not from what it is constructed from.

If you are seeking to improve the efficiency of your current warehouse set up structural racking provides …

Tips to Avoid Wage and Hour Lawsuits

Wage and hour compliance is one of the hot button items for businesses in 2010, with the promise of increased investigations and fines by both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Labor (DOL). This does not include state or local tax agencies that may also be stepping up their efforts in this area. There have been reports that non-government wage and hour settlements in 2009 grew by 44% over those in 2008. For suits filed under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), lawsuit settlement amounts rose from $253 million in 2008 to $364 million in 2009. Below are some of the major wage and hour problem areas that have historically resulted in lawsuits and continue to be a litigation quagmire for employers.

Proper Classification

There are two major classification errors that occur, which are discussed below;

Independent Contractor vs. Employee: The IRS has strict guidelines on who can be legitimately classified as an Independent Contractor and incorrectly classifying a worker opens the door to steep penalties and increased scrutiny by the IRS. The Federal government estimates that between 1996 and 2004 it lost an estimated $34.7 billion in tax revenue due to the misclassification of workers as an Independent Contractors.

Exempt vs. Non-exempt Status: Once it has been determined that a worker is indeed an employee the next question is can that employee be classified as exempt. An exempt employee is one that is from the minimum wage regulations, overtime regulation and various other wage and hour provisions. For an employee to be considered exempt their position, work duties, and wages must meet the rigorous requirements set forth by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It is important to know if your state also has criteria for who can and cannot be considered exempt as failure to comply with both may result in penalties.

Differences between federal and state regulations

As briefly touched on above, the state in which you operate may have different standards than those outlined in the FLSA, which is the major piece of federal legislation that governs the wage and hour arena. In almost all circumstances when federal and state laws differ the employer will follow the rule that is most advantageous to the employees. For instance; the current federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour and in California the current state minimum wage is $8.00 per hour. This means that California employers must the state minimum wage of $8.00 as this is most advantageous to employees.

It is imperative to know if your state has any specific wage and hour regulations, what those regulations are and how to properly apply them to avoid unnecessary claims.

Improperly applying wage & hour rules

This last category is wide ranging as there are many regulations in this area that can be misapplied, some of the most common errors are as follows;

Overtime

Improper deductions from pay

Final pay

Minimum Wage

Call Back Pay

Reporting Time Pay

Standby or …

Mezzanine Flooring: How It Can Benefit You

If you’re a successful business, you’ll already be aware of the importance of managing growth in an effective and economical way. After all, it’s the companies that try and grow too fast that end up in a bad state! Mezzanine floors are a great way of expanding your companies working space without making huge investments that aren’t really necessary or sensible. However, if you remain unsure about how a mezzanine floor can work in your favour, hopefully these tips will help you:

They’re versatile. It’s a fairly inevitable factor in the world of business that different markets will have different requirements, which is why finding an investment that will benefit firms in many different sectors is increasingly rare. However, mezzanine flooring manages to be an incredibly versatile way to advance your working space. If you’re a retail firm, it can offer you an open and visible upstairs to store more stock, or become an extra large stock room. If you work in an office environment, it can enable you to separate departments or to introduce whole new sections.

They’re a very economical decision. There are doubtless many different ways of improving the amount of space that’s available in your working environment: for instance, it’s certainly possible to relocate to a larger building. However, investing in a mezzanine floor is the far more sensible choice to make. Moving premises is an expensive process, involving fees for agents, moving firms as well as the time that the staff will likely get on holiday as part of the move. Investing in a mezzanine floor is far, far cheaper than moving, making it the far more economical way of improving your available working space. As any successful business knows, the most economical way is usually the best!

They offer a world of potential. Investing in a whole new working space is one of the best decisions that any business can make, because it brings in a whole new realm of possibilities. Perhaps you’re a firm seeking to expand in your customer service team? A mezzanine floor can offer you the space to set up a dedicated telephony department that is out of earshot of the rest of the staff, meaning it can operate to the best of it’s ability. Alternatively, if you’re a largely industrial warehouse that would like to increase the availability of it’s accounts, then mezzanine flooring will mean that you can keep an accounts section out of the way of the rest of the warehouse, leaving any accountants to work in relative peace and quiet!

They’re convenient enough to install. If you’re always looking for ways to avoid your staff being disrupted, then you’ll certainly appreciate just how conveniently it can be for a mezzanine floor to be installed in your property. As opposed to a move that can end up taking weeks of half-done-half-not office space, a mezzanine floor can usually be installed by a professional firm over the course of a long …

How To Help Your Children Gain Independence

Parents usually try to do their best to give the children the life skills they will need to succeed and be happy. One of the toughest things to teach your child is independence. This can be tough for a child to learn and it can equally difficult for a parent to teach. Sometimes parents are reluctant to let their children go. They may want to be needed by their children long past the point of it being healthy for their child or they may feel as if they are the expert and no matter how many experiences the child has, they still always think they know better. Even if the parent is well-adjusted and able to let their child grow and mature, the child may resist and need to feel as if they are being taken care of. These challenges can occur at any stage in life. Toddlers may be reluctant to leave their mother’s side and children in early adulthood might feel as if they need to stick around their house relying on their parents to make all of their decisions for them. Throughout their life, it is important to help children be independent regardless of how much of a challenge it is. Remember, there will come a time when you will not be able to be there for your child and you want them confident enough to strike out once you are gone. One of the ways you can help your child succeed is by helping them transition to a home of their own. Once they have moved out, slowly change their space into something the whole family can enjoy. If need be, put their extra belongings in a public warehouse or fulfillment facility, just so they do not feel like they can come home at a moment’s notice.

Even before they settle into their own space, do what you can to support their decisions and encourage them to succeed. Your child should feel like you are their biggest cheerleader. This does not mean agreeing with everything they want to do, but let them know you trust them. Be honest with them about their strengths and weaknesses and make sure they know you want them to be happy on their own terms.

Be sure you spend plenty of time with your child, no matter how old they are. When they are young, you will be their best friend. As they grow, they will spend more of their time with other people, but it is important that you continue to be a part of their lives. Once they are adults, try to create a relationship that is as much based on mutual respect and friendship as it is on parental guidance.

When the time comes for your child to move away from home, help them get settled in their new space. If you are having a hard time accepting they are all grown up and leaving home, put aside these emotions for …

Beat the Weather With a Temporary Warehouse Building

You can beat the weather quickly and cost-effectively, once and for all. If your business suffers when the weather is poor, you may well be finding more and more of your goods are getting damaged as you load and unload stock coming into, and going out of your warehouse(s).

Or, perhaps you could even be counting the cost of having left valuable goods sheeted up outside over the weekend?

Temporary buildings really come into their own in this situation where they can provide an immediate and cost-effective solution to this problem.

A structure can be ‘flashed’ to an existing building to stop any water ingress, and can also have installed fork lift truck curtains at the ends to enable your staff to quickly unload in-coming vehicles and use the building as a holding area, before the goods are dispatched into the warehouse.

As an example, a building measuring 10mtr x 12.5mtr, which gives an additional covered area of 1350sq ft, would take took just two days to install. This building could be hired without the need for any minimum contracts either, so you can use it for as little or long as needed.

These temporary buildings require no ground preparation or footings, or even simply bolt to your existing ground surface.

And you can either opt for a fully insulated building with a ‘thermo’ roof, or for an non-insulated building.

And the great thing is, you don’t have to worry about the weather whatever the time of year because these buildings are the toughest you will find….Every one is designed to meet British Standards for wind speed and snow-loads.

So if you too are struggling with the weather, or are experiencing the costs of weather-damaged stock, think about installing a temporary building.…

Warehouse Security Tips – Surveillance and Employees

The ideal warehouse security deals both with external and internal security threats with a combined use of surveillance and security employees. You’ve heard, seen, or read in news how numerous companies are constantly victimized by well-planned ambushes and burglaries. And off media records, companies also suffer from employee theft & fraud. If you want to enjoy constant peace of mind over your warehouse security, consider the tips below.

How to Hire the Best Security Employees

While security technology allows for automated operation, there are still parts of your warehouse security plan that would have to manually supervised and thus require careful screening and selection of your security personnel.

Whether directly hiring or outsourcing your security needs to an agency, it’s important to establish the qualifications you require from security personnel. First and foremost, security employees must be familiar with how warehouses work.

With so many people and products coming and going all the time, it’s understandably hard to keep track of them. You can help them by giving them strategic base points and delegating their responsibilities to ensure that all areas are sufficiently covered.

Give them training whenever needed. If you are updating your security system, make sure that all of them are properly educated and trained for it. If you are changing your security policies, be sure that they are oriented regarding the changes.

How to Make Surveillance Effective

Surveillance–even the most expensive of them–can only be effective if they are professionally installed at the right places.

Installation

In most cases, surveillance simply doesn’t work because they aren’t installed properly. If you are strictly against hiring a professional team to install your system then make sure the security system you purchase offers DIY, user-friendly installation.

Complete Surveillance

Complete surveillance means that all areas are properly covered and threats are identified ahead of time to allow your security team to take pre-emptive action.

All areas must be equipped with weatherproof and vandalproof hidden cameras. Decoys must be installed as well. These cameras must have high image resolution capabilities, day and night function, and motion-detecting sensors. If possible, integrate them with security floodlights and door and window alarms.

Phone conversations must also be placed under surveillance. Consider installing a phone line alarm as well. This will give you a means to contact the outside world even if your main phone lines have been cut off deliberately or accidentally.

By implementing these tips, you can be sure that your warehouse security will be virtually impenetrable.…

All the Reasons to Use Adjustable Wire Shelving

Shelving is a very important part of a house or apartment, especially in today’s world when we tend to keep accumulating more and more things for ourselves. Without shelves, it would be almost impossible to find a home for everything and to keep everything organized and easy for the entire family to manage. One good option is adjustable wire shelving.

Many people tend to use adjustable wire shelving for things like extra dish storage, as a closet storage organizer, or for corner storage space in the living room to keep small toys off the ground. There are literally hundreds of reasons to use adjustable wire shelving in a home, and the list keeps growing the bigger the family size is. In fact shelving of all kinds can be used to better keep belongings from ending up in a pile on the floor somewhere.

A shelving system can provide a home for socks and underwear in the bedroom, or for laundry supplies in the garage. The kitchen never seems to offer enough storage for dishes and food, so a shelving system would make sense in this room as well. There are so many different types of shelving options to choose from, it shouldn’t be hard to come up with a system that matches the style of your rooms.

Another place adjustable wire shelving can come in handy is in the bathroom. You can keep hair brushes, extra towels and bath supplies within an arm’s length which makes using the facilities that much easier and enjoyable. Shelving systems can easily be incorporated into the room, becoming part of it instead of being an eye sore or looking like it doesn’t belong. For instance you can decorate adjustable wire shelves with fabric to match any color in the room, or you can camouflage them by placing them lower toward the ground, away from eye level. Using plants and small fish tanks is another way to help incorporate adjustable wire shelves into the home. In fact, a little creativity can go a long way in transforming what was once clutter, into something everyone in the family can be proud of your organization!…

Warehouse Conveyor Systems

To improve the productivity of a small- or mid-sized distribution center or warehouse, think about installing a warehouse conveyor system. To choose the right one for your warehousing needs, you will need to consider the initial expense, the total cost of ownership, maintenance expenses, energy consumption, throughputs, the noise level, the environment, and who will set it up for you.

In regard to throughput, determine the speed your operation has to achieve. A low-speed option can run 50 to 150 cases every minute, and a high-end model can run at a sustained level of more than 300 cases per minute. In addition, if the parameters of the warehouse may change within a relatively brief period of time, a modular conveyor may be the best choice because you can take it apart and reassemble it with less difficulty than you would have with an older system, and production can be resumed quickly.

The option you choose should enable you to balance your throughput needs, return on investment, and ease of operation. Here are some basic choices to consider:

Skatewheel conveyors come with rows of small metal or aluminum wheels. They have no motor, and are useful in bringing bags, sacks, and cartons down a slope. Skatewheels are ideal for moving items to shipping areas for loading onto delivery trucks, generally in accessible areas for short runs. These are a good choice for smaller warehouses.

Belt conveyors have a motor-powered belt on top of a constructed bed. These are popular because they are cost effective and can be used to convey a wide range of light- and medium-range products (regardless of their shape) throughout the warehouse. They also require little maintenance.

Sliding bed systems, which have an unpainted metal surface sliding along a bed, may be the best choice if you need to move unstable loads at a slow speed. Used to transport small products and odd-shaped items, they can be found in assembly stations and load stations.

Live roller conveyors come with elongated, adjustable rollers over the conveying bed that are powered by line shafts, chains, or belts. They can accommodate heavy loads with solid bottoms and are suitable for use in an unclean or harsh environment.

Accumulation systems are intended for operations that require a buffer or are works in progress. Sensors direct their belts or rollers to start and stop in order to pace cartons without causing a delay in production. Since they need extra motors and controls, they are rather expensive, but this is offset by the flexibility they provide.

You will also want to make sure that your conveyor system is relatively easy to access and repair, so that your warehouse operations will not be seriously affected when maintenance is required. Since the expense in running the operation is also an important factor, note that a belt system is the least expensive, and a high-voltage, motor-driven option usually costs less than the motorized roller-conveyor type.

When making a purchase of a piece of equipment …

Innovative Structural Racking Is Ideal For Industrial Applications

Many companies have a warehouse in addition to their administration building for their business. Structural racking is ideal for industrial applications such as a warehouse building that houses pallets of merchandise that could either be shipped directly to a customer or sent to one of the businesses smaller locations. There are different styles and types of the racks for pallets and when they are installed, they are placed in different configurations in order to accommodate forklifts and other vehicles that would drive right up to the racks.

Some of the industrialized institutions that would benefit from these large shelving units might be big box stores. Many of them are actually large warehouses that allow people to shop within the building and purchase items in bulk. They stack the merchandise directly on the racks for consumers to shop and pick out what they need. If something is place higher on the racks, then an associate would have to use a forklift to bring it down for them.

There are all types of manufacturing companies that would be able to keep more inventories in their warehouse or alongside their factory and machines if they used different types of shelves for storage. A manufacturing company that makes small parts would have to purchase smaller shelving units or racks that have a tight-weave on the bottom so that the small parts do not fall through.

With many of the racks for shelves, they could be installed along the outside of the room or in the center of the space or both. Many large warehouses have rows of racks so that small cars or other transportation machines can ride through the isles in order to reach exactly what they need. If a big box store is not set up like a warehouse, then their back room is no doubt using the rack systems for storage of their overflow stock.

Auto parts stores would make good use out of the rack style shelves to hold car batteries, oil and air filters and larger items such as bumpers and radiators. Many of the auto parts stores have the front part of the building the shopping area and then just beyond the cash registers is the racks stacked as high as the ceiling for storage of the various parts that do-it-yourselfers purchase for their vehicles. Other types of stores could also benefit from having a shopping area in the front and a storage space of ceiling to floor racks in the back.

Businesses that carry a lot of inventory and need a place to store the items would benefit from having these stacking racks in their warehouse or back room. They are easily assembled, sturdy and durable. Most are made of steel so they can take a ding or two from a forklift. In addition, many are adjustable in height so that if a companies products change sizes and the boxes are now taller, the shelving racks can be adjusted …

The law requires that employers provide safe working environments for their employees. However, given the cost of safety measures, some may be tempted to cut corners.

Instead, workplace safety should be thought of as an investment that can pay dividends. Here are some ways to prevent accidents and keep workers safe.

Frequent Maintenance on Machinery

Heavy machinery that is frequently maintained is less likely to break down and cause injuries. Employers should have maintenance and diagnostics services performed on a regular basis to keep machinery in the best possible condition.

Training for Employees

All employees should receive thorough training on the tasks they are expected to perform. They should not be allowed to perform the tasks until they have completed training and demonstrated competence in the tasks they are expected to perform. Under no circumstances should an employee be asked or allowed to perform a task for which he or she has not received adequate training.

Clear Procedures

The employer should have safety procedures in place to prevent workplace accidents. Employees should receive training on the procedures, the steps should be clearly posted, and there should be consequences for those who do not follow the procedures.

Protective Equipment

Employers should provide adequate personal protective equipment for employees appropriate to each task. Learning to use the equipment correctly should be part of employee training, and there should be penalties for employees who go to work without the proper equipment.

Making an investment in safety now can pay off in the long run. If an accident or an injury occurs, work has to stop temporarily to help the injured worker. The injured worker may have to spend some time out from work to recover. Poorly maintained equipment may break down even without causing any injuries, resulting in a work stoppage until repairs can be made. Therefore, safety can promote workplace productivity.…

Using Red Raspberry Leaf Tea to Induce Labor

Towards the end of pregnancy, I think all of us would like the child to decide to make his or her debut. At that point in time, we can no longer even see our feet, we have to bend backwards when we try to walk and sleep is almost impossible between our big bellies and the lively kicking match in our womb.

Over the generations, there have been a number of ways of trying to bring Junior out quickly. Some work, some don’t and some are downright dangerous. It is a difficult subject and a decision that should not be made lightly.

About once a year, a news story will show up on our local television station about a special salad this or that restaurant offers its pregnant guests. The dressing is usually made with balsamic vinegar, and it is rumored to start labor. That may or may not be true, though you should be aware that balsamic vinegar does usually contain some lead.

Blue cohosh is another method used in the past. This does work, but it has too high a price tag in many cases. It can cause both the mother’s and the child’s blood pressure to rise dramatically. Women and children have died from this, usually from a heart attack.

My mother told my husband to drive me down a bumpy road to get the festivities started. This does not work and it’s very uncomfortable for all concerned. Neither does walking or jogging.

Another old wive’s tale is that taking a laxative will help. Again, not true and very uncomfortable. The sphincter muscle is the same, but the substance only irritates the colon, it doesn’t have any affect on the reproductive system.

Raspberry leaves are good for pregnant women, but they can cause uterine contractions. This does not mean that it is likely to start labor. More often, it stops premature birth or a miscarriage. Because it can cause contractions, always check with your doctor before using it (or any other herb).

There is one way to get things rolling, and it’s the thing that probably got you in this condition in the first place. Because of the hormones released during intercourse, having sex is a good way to do the job. Your doctor has probably been told by many patients what caused their labor to begin.

Keep in mind that self inducing can be dangerous both for you and for your child. If it’s too early, the baby could have serious complications, including low birth weight. If it’s an herb, it will cross the placental barrier. Discuss this with your doctor before using anything to make sure it’s the right choice in your situation.…

Things to Think About and Plan on Doing When You Move to Another State

You have decided to move to another state. This could be for a number of reasons like you got a new, better job offer or opportunity, you wish to move closer to your family or you would prefer to change locations due to other reasons like different weather, safer community or larger city access. Whatever the reason it is to move there is a lot of things to think about before and after you relocate to another state. After you have sold your house and had your garage sale or donated things you do not wish to take with you, it is time to pack everything up. Many homeowners choose to do this themselves rather than have a moving company do it to save themselves some money. A great resource would be to go to a Houston contract warehouse where you can purchase boxes and packaging supplies in the Houston fulfillment section of the warehouse. They can help you with bubble wrap, paper, tape and boxes to make sure all of your valuables are securely packed for the move. What else do you need to do to have your move go smoothly?

Make sure after you pack each box thoroughly you label it with permanent markers. The best idea is to label it with what room it should go into in the new house, not what room it came from in the old house. This will help the movers on the other end to know where each box should go. Another thing to make sure of is to not pack up important documents and valuables like jewelry and cherished artwork. These things would be better off going with you in your own vehicle for safety. Unfortunately many things are lost during a move because many moving companies pack more than one household on their truck and despite good labeling sometimes a box or piece of furniture goes the wrong way never to be seen again. So, if it is highly valuable, you should keep it with you.

Once you arrive in your new state, you need to get settled. One of the first things you will need to do is to buy all of the basics like food and paper products. If you already have a warehouse membership to a place like Costco or Sam’s go online and find out where the closest one to you is located. This would be the perfect time to shop there for all of the basics you will need and to get them in bulk to save money. Since you are also familiar with their products it will help you to know what you can buy there. Many times, different states have different grocery stores that are completely unfamiliar and different which can be a bit disorienting at first. For all of your basics, first go to the warehouse type store. All of the perishable items that you could not …

Avoid Storage Disasters

Storing needs are unavoidable in today’s world, where the sizes of homes have shrunk. Many prefer studio apartments and bachelor flats since they are a bit lighter on the pocket. These homes have an area of around 60 to 300 square feet and the apartment does not have separate rooms. Everything is adjusted within one square room except the washroom area. It is an arrangement where the living room, bedroom and kitchen are accommodated in one room. Thus, it leads to space constraints and homeowners feel the need for Brooklyn moving and storage.

Storing facilities enable homeowners to move their belongings to safely store at the unit. It frees up space in the home and thus offers a better living condition. Although, Brooklyn self storage warehouses can be of great help, they should be chosen carefully. Many people commit mistakes while packing, moving and storing and thus invite disasters. A little care can make a huge difference to your storing experience. Here are some tips to avoid storage disasters.

How To Avoid Common Mistakes

Wrong Packing – Packing your belongings rightly is half the job done. It will not only help in storing the items properly, it will also protect all the items from the possible damages. Although, Brooklyn self storage warehouse is safe and clean, the changing weather conditions may cause serious deterioration or damage. For instance, a wooden article that is left uncovered may be infested due to high humidity levels. The moisture in a storing unit can cause mold, mildew, warping and other weather related damage to your belongings. Different items would require different types of protection. A glass dinning table would be better protected if the glass is coated with wax, it will prevent scratches. Another important thing to remember while packing is to pack the items in boxes of equal size. This will help in stacking the boxes one above the other. Kitchen items should be wrapped with care; the delicate crockery should first be covered in plain paper and then packed in boxes. Do not use newspaper to wrap crockery. The newspaper ink may be transferred on to the crockery. Be very careful while packing for Brooklyn moving and storage.

Hiring A Bigger Unit – Many people commit the mistake of hiring a bigger unit. They only look at the floor space of the Brooklyn self storage buildings. Do not ignore the vertical space and stack up items in a rack or boxes. This way you will be able to save money on the rentals. The bigger the unit, higher will be its rental.

Location – Choosing a Brooklyn moving and storage that is located far from your home or office is another mistake. You may be able to save a few dollars on the rentals but in the long term, it can be a headache to drive all the way to the unit to fetch your belongings. Do not compromise on the location. The facility should be close to your …

Hiring in a Deep Labor Pool

The economy of the past few years has created a great number of obstacles for small business owners. As an advisor to owners and managers across the country, advice on sustaining the current situation grows more and more difficult, as that advice includes decisions that affect my clients and their employees quality of life. However, I believe that advice will pay dividends as our economy changes and begins to grow again in the future.

The current labor pool is deep. From laid off professionals, recently graduated college students and everyone in between and in the ditches. It is from this deep pool of human resources that I advise my clients to begin trolling for human capital that will help to solidify their business foundation and take advantage of the coming opportunities that are bound to be presented as this economy restarts.

Key areas that can be an investment are in customer service, operational efficiencies and product or service quality. The current economic downturn has not slowed the evolution of the consumer, who now uses social networking and other technologies to aid in their buying decisions. By shoring up your customer service, efficiencies, product and service qualities, you are putting your company in a position to stand out when consumers begin purchasing in greater quantities and more often.

The deep labor pool offer business owners and managers the opportunity to capitalize on experienced workers at a discount, providing a key investment opportunity to solidify the business when there is time to properly attack business issues that often get overlooked when business is busy and times are good.

The best way to begin looking at how to use the experience of others currently available is to review your current business plan, or if you don’t have one write one, today’s business climate means a business plan is something all small businesses should have. Once you have that plan in place, look for where your deficiencies are and look at how you can fix them using today’s labor pool.

In a deep labor pool there are opportunities to “catch and release”. These experienced professionals and young new to the workforce educated people are often swimming through the labor pool, willing to help in any way possible, which in turn pays them and keeps their heads in the business game and ads to their experience. As you engage these workers and solutions are put into place, your company will benefit from the experience of people who normally may not be available to small business in a cost effective way.

Today labor pool will not remain full of readily available, lower cost experienced people. Now is the time when experience and planning will best fortify the foundation of businesses. Use the opportunity to find that experience and prepare your company for the coming recovery and gain the knowledge that will most assuredly become more costly and harder to find as the labor pool becomes shallow again in a booming …

2012 Amendments On California Labor Laws – What’s In Store For The New Year?

During the stint of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in California, he has enacted a few employment laws to provide equal benefits and rights to employers and their employees. But when Gov. Jerry Brown took over his post, he was able to sign in a few bills that are set to be enacted as law effective January 1, 2012. Thus, there are amendments to the California labor laws by the new year that employees can look forward to.

In order to prevent employer liability and to equally uphold employee and employer rights for all companies based in California, here is a detailed look into some of the amendments to the state law:

The existing California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act indicate that employers have the right to secure a copy of the consumer credit report for an employee or applicant for purposes that include applicant evaluation, retention, or re-assignment of an employee. However, this particular aspect of the California labor law has been revised such that employers are now prohibited from obtaining a copy of the employees’ or applicants’ consumer credit report. The only ones that are given the right to access the employees’ credit report are financial institutions. The only grounds for which an employer can seek a copy is when the employee concerned is in a managerial position, part of the Department of Justice of the state of California, law enforcement worker, or when the information contained in the report is required by the law. Even so, the new legislation require employers to post a notice in advance before they are given access to the report. Failure to comply with these conditions is subject to lawsuit or damages to the employee wherein there are certain fees involved.

The next notable amendment in the California labor law concern written commission agreements. Indeed, effective next year all forms of employment contract that involve paying commissions to employees must be done in writing. This will be the main basis for the computation and payment of said commissions to concerned individuals. The employee must also sign a copy of the written commission agreement or else the employer must pay a penalty of $100/day to the aggrieved employee.

Misclassification of employees in California as independent contractors is also subject to lawsuits, according to the state’s employment laws. The SB 459 legislation in California prohibits employees from misclassifying the status of their employees, especially when it is willfully done. When an employer is caught with this violation, the law also requires that they post a public notification of this violation and that must be kept for one full year. All employees that were discovered to jointly participate in the employer’s misclassification of an employee is also held liable by the law.

The Equal Benefits Law in California is being put forth as one of the most significant changes in the state laws with regards to obtaining benefits. The previous law dictates that …

Human Trafficking Charges and Penalties

Human trafficking is a gigantic underground industry that affects innocent individuals all over the world. According to the U.S. Department of State, 2007 estimates of the number of people forced into servitude range from 4 million to 27 million. This large difference in estimates suggests that very little is known about the human trafficking industry, and that the stories that reach the public may be just the tip of the iceberg. To combat modern-day slavery, states across the U.S. have outlawed the practice and will heavily prosecute anyone found to be involved.

What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is the holding and transport of individuals against their will to force or coerce them into sexual exploitation or manual labor. Young girls are particularly at risk of becoming a victim of modery-day slavery; based on U.S. Department of Justice statistics, an estimated 50% of all trafficking victims are children and approximately 80% are women and girls. About 70% of all female trafficking victims are forced into the sexual exploitation industry, while 30% are forced into manual labor.

When most people think of human trafficking, images come to mind of someone being forcibly kidnapped and kept under house arrest. In fact, experts believe that many victims of human trafficking are in plain view everyday but are tied down by other means. Traffickers may use threats of violence, loan sharking, or other means to prevent victims from fleeing. Many transnational victims have their passports or other identification confiscated or hidden from them to keep them from leaving.

Charges and Penalties

Any person who is found to be involved with modern-day slavery will face severe criminal penalties. In Florida, for example, it is a second-degree felony to commit human trafficking through the transport, housing, funding, or recruiting of a victim. Individuals who benefit from money that is knowingly tied to trafficking may also be prosecuted. The penalties tied to a conviction include:

Up to 15 years in prison, and

Up to $10,000 in fines, and

Restitution payments to discovered trafficking victims and their families

Any involvement in modern-day slavery is a serious offense, and suspects should expect to face an aggressive prosecution in court. A conviction for a single offense could haunt you for the rest of your life and greatly reduce your freedoms for years.…

10 Ways to Build Security in Your Data Center Warehouse

Your data center warehouse stores passwords and user Ids of several databases & systems. This makes the security of your data center a necessity. Here we will provide you different ways to ensure the security of your warehouse.

A� First thing you need to make sure for proper security of your data center is to build it on right spot. Make sure that it is at least a distance of 20 miles from headquarters and 100 ft from main road. Do not build it near airports, power plants and chemical factories. Do not build it near areas prone to earthquakes, floods and hurricanes.

A� Ensure that your data center possesses at least two sources for all utilities like water, voice, data and electricity. The water lines should be underground.

A� Consider the walls of the data center. Foot thick concrete walls are always a better option and are very effective against damaging elements. Besides this, these walls are quite inexpensive. To add some extra security, you can go for walls that are lined with Kevlar.

A� Don’t forget that it is your warehouse, not an office building. So, you should try to avoid windows or limit windows to administrative area only. You can also use bomb-resistant glass in windows.

A� You can also use landscaping to protect your warehouse. Huge boulders and trees are capable of hiding your data center from cars & other vehicles passing by it. Where landscaping could not secure the building, you can use cash-proof barriers there.

A� You can control access to parking lot using retractable barriers at every entry point of vehicles. Retractable bollards are one the most apt solutions that will allow you to control access to parking area.

A� Arrange security for bomb detection. For places that can be likely targets, you can provide guards with bomb sniffing devices that are portable. They can also use mirrors to find out underneath the vehicles for any sort of explosives.

A� For exits, use doors without handles outside. Whenever these doors are opened, a loud alarm will automatically inform the security command center about some mishap.

A� Use ‘surveillance cameras’ around the perimeter of your data centre building and at every entrance & exit. You can use a combination of cameras as well such as standard fixed camera, low light camera, pan zilt zoom camera and some motion detection devices.

A� Make sure that walls and ceilings do not provide any hidden access points.

These are the ten ways to ensure the security of data warehouse centre.…

Things to Consider When Hiring a Transport Consultant

The usual situation and problem of workers nowadays is moving from one place to another for job-related conditions and/or professional reasons. So, you need to look for a company that offers auto transport services because not everybody own personal cars and cannot buy one that may be used when transferring from one place to another. So, the best solution you can possibly do for this kind of situation. But before you can actually hire a transport consultant that will help you when you move or transfer, you must consider a few things and some pointers to be remembered. You must also have other options so that in case you can retry on another transport consultant.

The very first thing you should consider is if the transport consultant has any idea if the car to be used is registered with DOT or not. Also, in case of emergency and injuries, the transport consultant must acquire of a car service which has valid insurance covers. This must be reasonable, fair and favourable on your part because the value of the car will be nothing compared to you and what can possibly happen to you.

Also, your transport consultant must provide you with a set or list of registered companies offering quality service and facilities for transport. The best thing is if your transport knows which among these companies can give you the most fitted and reliable service for transporting of your things. And, this should be done and guaranteed with the best car they have. Most of the time, movers carry their loads using trailers. But, you can always rent or hire a transport car with the help of your transport consultant. He or she must consider what will be efficient to you, your companions if there are any, and friendly to the budget. The only thing that will only spoil your trip is if your car will be exposed to damages and obstructing elements.

The price will always be an issue here once you choose or acquire of transport services including your transport consultant. Remember, the price will always determine what type of service you will be having. Why? The higher amount you pay the better quality you will get. Whichever will you be having, you should always keep in your mind that it is what you get in the end that matters. And, that is the very first thing that your transport consultant that should be doing. He or she must take into account what you will need and what will satisfy your demands.

So, these are only some of the important and very essential things you need to always keep in mind and remember so that next time that you will need the services offered by a transport consultant, you will have a wide range idea of what you should consider. And, this will serve as your guide as you go on to the next step of your life when you …

Six Theories of Motivation

You might have the best 3PL services to run your contract warehouse. However, your staff might lack the motivation required to perform their duties. Without enough enthusiasm from employers and employees, any business is destined to collapse. Therefore, a proper incentive is needed, no matter what kind of work you do. Whether you run your own business, or you are an employee working under someone else, the most important thing is to have a goal set in your mind. In order to reach that goal, you and your employees need motivation so that everyone can excel in their work. In general, there are six theories of motivation.

1. The first theory is about your acquired needs. People might be motivated to do a task that gives them what they desire. For instance, people might be looking for power, growth, friendship or any other achievement through their particular job.

2. The next theory is called extrinsic motivation. This basically involves people who are looking for external rewards in their tasks. They might not be looking for many acquired needs, but want greater rewards than that, such as praise from their boss, the promise of money, etc. People who have such incentives may also fear punishment.

3. The third kind of enthusiasm comes from intrinsic motivation. This incentive comes from within. A person might be enthusiastic about doing a task that pleases them, or something they are passionate about. These kinds of people enjoy their work and remain satisfied. Motivation therefore is already present inside the person and just requires some positivity to be harvested.

4. The next level of enthusiasm comes through the investment model. People might just be enthusiastic about finishing a task that they started. Since they have already invested time and money in that particular job, and have worked hard to achieve their goals, they have a sense of duty and accomplishment towards it.

5. An enthusiastic person might also be determined because of the endowed progress effect. This is when a person is already progressing at a productive rate. It often increases motivation within them, enough to proceed further with the task. In fact, it never hurts to have healthy competition revolving around the workplace because it eventually makes the organization increasingly enthusiastic about its goals.

6. The last theory is related to psychology. A positive psychological effect might be very helpful towards inspiring someone. A person might be interested in doing a particular task because it gives a feeling of being themselves, and proving their capabilities to others. Since the ultimate goal is set in their minds, they will have an easier and more motivated journey towards reaching their goals.

This is not all. There might be many more theories which might also be very complex. Whatever they are, one cannot deny that without enough motivation, one cannot succeed in any business. To set firm in any kind of work you plan to do, you need to first decide your level of …

How to Save Thousands of Dollars Through Crowdsourcing

Crowdsourcing is an effective technique for gathering information or even small amounts of work from the general population, typically for free. This can be anything from voting on the best website design to translating books and articles, to designing the next big “thing”. Almost anyone using the web has been involved in crowdsourcing one time or another. Among CAPTCHAs – those aggravating little boxes which force you to try to pick words out of ink-spills – a popular brand is reCAPTCHA. Every time a reCAPTCHA is solved correctly, it helps convert one word from an old book or newspaper into digital text. For more information, visit the Google reCAPTCHA website

One specific task, say re-typing books, is a cumbersome process. For one person, this may take a few full work days. Also, most would want to be paid; Fairly. So in two days, one could have a digitized copy of War & Peace, and be missing a few thousand dollars if they paid someone to do this. However, if a million different people each type one word, one could have a digital copy of War & Peace, The Grapes of Wrath, and East of Eden. For free. The task of typing one word would be so menial that it would not even be considered work.

Effective crowdsourcing techniques are based around breaking a task or goal into the smallest unit of work possible. This is not often enough to survive on, however. The task for each person must either

A) Have a clear goal that excites the user

B) Benefit the user in some way

C) Create a useful product in which the crowdsourcing task is a byproduct (Google’s reCAPTCHA)

D) Be so effortless that it could be completed during that involuntary-browsing phase most web users reach late at night.

With enough of a crowdsourcing effect, any company can reduce the amount of employees they need, or man hours they need, saving them thousands or even hundreds of thousands. Take wikipedia for example. They have a relatively small article writing staff for how many articles they have. Wikipedia mostly falls under point (A). The ultimate goal is providing real, true information.

Google’s reCAPTCHA service, as mentioned before, falls under point (C). It’s one of the most used, off-the-shelf CAPTCHA products. Whether it did or didn’t digitize books, you would still be typing words to it, so digitizing books is a byproduct.

A lot of business directories, or yellowpages, type websites fall under point (B). Users are able to sign up, write reviews for companies, and then receive some kind of reward. Anything from some sort of point system, or score system, or even a monetary system. This saves the business directory company from having to purchase products or services from every business and later discuss them.…

Finding the Right Fulfillment Solutions Provider

Choosing the right fulfillment solutions provider for your business is a decision not to be taken lightly. The company that you decide upon should, hopefully, be an improvement over your own ability to provide high quality services in a reliable and efficient manner while also maintaining your bottom line. Finding a business partner that meets or beats all of these requirements is not an easy thing to do. Nor should it be. Good help is hard to find, but it shouldn’t keep you from making a profit. Finding the right fulfillment center with a sound distribution network, at an affordable price, will no doubt ensure that your company has a unique competitive advantage over the other guys in your industry.

So how do you find the right fulfillment company for you? Before answering this, it is imperative that you have a sound understanding of your company’s own talents and deficiencies from a logistical standpoint. When you know what your organization is not, then the answer to what you are looking for from a potential partner in fulfillment distribution should suddenly become clear. This new business associate must be able to satisfy not only your needs, but more importantly, they have to be willing and able to step in and provide these services to your customers with the same passion for quality that your company has worked hard to become known for.

Your business partners and customers have come to expect efficient quality at an affordable price. Ensuring this trust is not betrayed is the best way to keep your clientele loyal and happy. In order to make certain these valued relationships are not compromised, please remember that you need to do your homework first. There are plenty of “decent” fulfillment houses out there to find. Finding a “great” fit for your company can be done if you are simply willing to put in the necessary time and effort.…

Finding a Great Warehouse to Meet Long Term Business Storage and Fulfillment Needs

When looking to find warehouse space for your business, there are many considerations. The important thing is to lay those down on paper – and measure potential warehousing partners against your exact current needs, and how it can meet potential future needs. Not all warehouses are created equal. Sure, you may just want a cheap place to hold some buyer beware. Here we outline key considerations that should be on your list when evaluating potential warehousing partners.

Questions to Consider When “Interviewing” Potential 3rd Party Warehousing Companies

1. Can the warehouse meet your growth needs and grow with you?

2. Is there a variable inventory storage cost structure that will allow you to save during seasonal downturns when you need less space? And additional space during peak season, “on demand”, when business is up?

3. Will they add you as an additionally insured on their insurance policy and provide you a certificate of insurance?

4. Is the warehouse clean and tidy? Suitable for your product?

5. Is adequate security in place?

6. Do they have rodent and pest control measures in place?

7. Do they meet required standards for building safety and maintenance (look around, are fire extinguishers in place and is inventory well stacked on appropriate racks).

8. Do they provide fulfillment services?

9. How is fulfillment services billed – what is the cost structure?

10. Are they connected to transportation carriers that can cost effectively deliver your freight to customers or other centers>

11. Do they have attractive courier account rates which you can leverage – can they pass on their discount to you to help you realize savings to offset warehousing costs.

12. What is the total cost to you?

With the last point on warehousing services cost, be careful to make an apples-to-apples comparison. Based on the services/benefits you need (the questions above of which will help); formulate what each prospective warehousing partner can offer, the ones you will need now or in future, and then come up with a projected budgeted cost.

Switching from One Warehouse to Another – Measure Costs Carefully Now

Consider warehouse switching costs now. If you go with a lower cost warehousing service provider because some advanced services you might require in future, not now, then compare short term savings to the costs of switching – moving all your warehoused inventory to a new warehouse location. Consider also soft-costs. A key facet of employing a 3pl warehousing partner is that they’re closely integrating into your operations and will become a key partner and hopefully, problem solver.

Having to re-establish a strong relationship with a new partner requires “starting over” in many respects. You have to re-explain everything you need as you’re leaving a warehouse and the people there that know you and your business well. There’s cost there. Also, beware 3PL ‘s that are larger and where your only interaction is with a salesperson. Often, promises come easy …

Using Conveyor Systems

Conveyor systems are primarily built to move products from one area to another in a warehouse or production facility. Making an efficient and consistent way to transport many products whether heavy or light, to different areas of the facility.

A conveyor system is built up out of parts which fit together to build the whole system. The parts can be:

Gravity roller conveyor – meaning that the conveyor is not powered and the items travel along by being pushed or through gravity such as an incline.

Gravity skatewheel conveyor – skatewheel conveyor are another form of gravity, the skatewheels are attached to the conveyor and the wheels on the top where the product can be moved across.

Belt conveyor – products are moved along a belt which is moving.

Wire mesh conveyors

Plastic belt conveyors

Bucket conveyors

Spiral conveyors – a sprial conveyor takes the products up or down to a different level in a small space.

Vibrating conveyors

Pneumatic conveyors

Belt driven live roller conveyors

Lineshaft roller conveyor

Conveyors are often used in many industries such as:

Distribution

White Goods

Logistics

Manufacturing

Printing

Engineering

Automotive

The advantages of using a conveyor system are:

It is more efficient than manual moving – A conveyor system offers more efficient ways of moving products around a production or warehouse facility. This means that more throughput is possible than using a manual moving system.

Better tracking – Using a conveyor system enables items to be properly tracked and processed with a management system. This means that items are traceable and can be followed allowing for quality control.

Increase productivity – Using a system means that the process can be refined and improved to make a more efficient process. This leads to greater productivity that can be reproduced day after day.

Things to think about when looking for a conveyor system.

When looking for a conveyor system it is important to get the right advice at the start of the process. This saves time and money later on if the design and system development is given planning time at the beginning.Getting a company that have worked with systems that suit the purpose that you are looking to automate mean that the learnt experience can be passed on and make the process run you need to automate? It’s worth asking the question if you need to automate your processes and what benefits that will have.

Way’s to optimise the system.

Through good planning and knowing the goals at the start of the project helps make optimising the process better. It’s always better to know what is possible and get the right advice from the system at the start of the planning. Then optimising becomes part of the planning…

What Is Your Real Labor Cost?

What do your employees really cost you? More than likely, it’s more than you think. What makes it even worse is that your employees probably don’t know what they really cost you either. And yet, he is one of your most important resources. Not only do we need to know his true cost, but we also need to learn how to best develop him so he can produce more for you and earn more for himself. It’s the holy grail of managing people, but in this chapter, we will focus on determining the true hourly cost of our direct labor-employees on the job site.

Most contractors have it in mind that the hourly wage is the cost of one hour of labor, and as there is variation within the group pay scale, a ball park labor rate is the average of all direct hourly wage rate. Not so.

Burdening the hourly wage

In reality, to put an employee out in the field and producing revenue for the company has many other costs associated with that effort. We call those additional costs directly associated with the direct labor cost as “Labor Burden”. Most contractors carry these costs in G&A because many of these costs such as insurances are paid on a regular basis regardless of the ongoing jobs in the field. But it a simple truth is that if you didn’t need the employees you wouldn’t need the additional costs. So, many construction companies prefer to use the burdened labor rate in their direct cost of labor rather than carry it in overhead (G&A).

The following is a list of typical labor burden costs.

• Company portion of Social Security

• Workers compensation

• Company portion of private insurances

• Company pension fund matching

• Vacation pay

• Paid sick leave pay

• Training costs

• Paid breaks

• Uniform service

• Company provided tools

Indeed, it is not uncommon that a burdened labor rate can be as much as 30% higher than a straight hourly contract wage. For this reason, the additional costs of burdened labor have been forcing many construction owners to not hire company employees; rather it is cheaper to contract the work out at a straight hourly wage. However, a vast majority of contract labor is not covered by required insurance and can cause some major liability if injured on the job. In addition, contract labor may not have the skills a trained employee would have and as a result poor workmanship can affect the contracting company in many ways; after all the customer is their client and not the contract employees’.

There is little doubt, in most construction jobs, using contract labor can be less effective than using well trained company employees; it has to do with building a competent workforce with training and a sense of company identification. But, if competitors use cheaper contract labor, it can really force the issue. Besides, most illegal aliens use this form of …

Avoiding False Alarms Associated With Braxton Hicks Contractions

Many first time moms and first time dads will rush to the emergency room at the first moment that the mother has a contraction. This is not always necessary. If you take Lamaze Class, they should teach you about how to know when it is time to go to the hospital. It is a little known fact that the mother can spend most of the labor process at home. It is actually recommended that women stay at home as long as medically possible. This allows the mother to calm down and be more relax, rather than spending 24 to 48 hours in a hospital bed. This article is not about figuring out when your wife or girlfriend is in labor. Rather I would like to talk about signs that she is not in labor.

Although contractions are a good indicator that the labor process is beginning, it can also be a misleading indicator. The mother will actually have contractions all throughout the pregnancy starting about six weeks into the pregnancy. These contractions start off extremely mild. So mind in fact, that the mother may never feel them. These contractions are called Braxton Hicks contractions. Towards the end of the pregnancy the mother will start to actually feel these contractions. Sometimes these contractions can cause false alarms and needless trips to the birthing center. These contractions, also known as false labor, will behave differently than real labor contractions. Unlike true labor contractions, false labor contractions will not grow in intensity and the frequency will not increase over time. False labor contractions will eventually subside.

One way to ensure that you know if your wife or girlfriend is having labor contractions or Braxton Hicks contractions is by timing them. Time the duration or the contractions and the time between the contractions. Surprisingly there is an app for that. You can download an app for Droid or IPhone, which will help you keep track of the duration and frequency of her contractions. Note whether the average time between the contractions is increasing. Unless otherwise directed by her physician, the rule of thumb is to call get ready to go to the hospital If the contractions last for 60 seconds, are less than five minutes apart, and these averages go on for more than an hour. At this time you should contact the doctors for further guidance.

If the contractions are being felt before 37 weeks, it is important that you pay close attention to the severity and consistency of the contractions. If the contractions become more rhythmic, frequent or painful these may be signs of preterm labor. She might start having menstrual like pains, vaginal bleeding or spotting, or have any change in the level or color of the vaginal discharge. She might feel pressure in the cervix and back pain unlike what she felt before. These are all signs of preterm labor and you should contact her doctor immediately. I do not provide this …

What to Do If You Think You Are Going Into Labor

There is a lot to do when you are preparing for your new baby. Finding just the right crib, getting baby clothes and other items together are a lot of fun, but it isn’t the only thing you will need to do. You’ll need to put together a plan so that everyone is aware of what to do when that day finally comes.

Calls to Make

You’ll need to call your labor coach or coaches, so they can meet you at the hospital or birthing center. You’ll also need to call your doctor, so that he or she is aware that delivery is near. If there are other friends and relatives you wish to call, do so before leaving home, as cell phones are usually not allowed in hospital facilities. They could interfere with some of the equipment.

Grab the Suitcase

It’s a good idea to have a suitcase packed and near the front door when you approach your due date. Babies come on their own schedule, and you may be asleep when it begins. In that suitcase, you’ll want supplies for both you and baby. I also recommend you have something to do, such as a book or crossword puzzles. You won’t need them during labor, but if you have to stay in the hospital for any length of time, it will come in handy.

Prepare yourself

Labor is going to last quite a while, and there are a few things you might want to consider prior to leaving. If you have long hair, braid it tightly, preferably in two braids. It could get very messed up otherwise. You may want to avoid using the restroom before going to the hospital. The urge could be caused by more than the need to have a bowel movement.

Remember your Classes

Hopefully, you and your coach have attended childbirth classes. These classes not only explain what is going to happen, they will also give you some things to do to make the process easier. The class you choose should have at least a few breathing exercises. These are important for both you and baby, as many of us tense up and hold our breath when we’re in pain. Keeping plenty of oxygen in your body could help you avoid a C-section.

Labor and delivery are difficult, but advance preparations and a list of what to do prior to it can make it a bit easier. Ask your doctor if he or she has any other advice for you, as each situation is unique.…

Know the Signs When Your Dog is in Labor

Dog pregnancy is very difficult to figure out. Since dog’s cannot speak to us, the only way we know how dogs are feeling is by their reaction and behavior towards the ones they love – you. Only YOU know your dog more than anyone else, so you can determine what is different about your furry family member.

Your dog will get sick and begin to vomit just before labor. As your dog gets to her “nesting” place, she’ll walk in circles to get settled. Once your dog has nestled into the place she will give birth, you’ll notice clear discharge come from the vaginal area. After about an hour of this, the discharge starts to look greenish and your dog’s puppies will begin to come. Remember, during this process keep speaking comforting words to your dog. Especially if you are close with our dog, she will feel very calm to hear her name in a soft tone.

As the puppies begin to come, they may come all at once or they make take 20-30 each. You may need to help out if your dog is busy birthing one, to take care of the ones already birthed. All you’ll need is a washcloth, it should be big enough to cover the puppy, but small enough so it won’t get in the way.

Once a puppy is birthed, gently wipe away the placenta by wiping against the grain of the puppies hair. This will encourage the puppy to begin breathing. Also, you may need to cut the umbilical cord. Tie a knot of string just above the puppy and another knot just above that knot. Take sterile scissors and cut the space between the two knots.

Once your dog has birthed the entire litter, she will be exhausted. Make sure you help your dog with using the bathroom. During pregnancy, your dog may have to use the bathroom, so take special care that your dog doesn’t urinate and birth puppies at the same time.

The birthing process can be an amazing experience, and runs smoothly usually. Keep your local vet hospital or your personal veterinarian’s number handy in case something goes wrong. Remember, let your dog have some alone time with her new pups at the end.…

Essential Warehouse Supplies for Janitors

Having a mop and a broom on hand for cleaning up is not the most efficient way to handle the important job of janitorial work. Janitorial products are inexpensive warehouse supplies, but can greatly increase the janitor’s ability to work safely and efficiently.

Instead of storing mops, brooms, cleaning solutions and other essential cleaning supplies in a haphazard manner, consider buying a janitorial supplies cabinet. These cabinets are divided into two segments. One is for taller items like brooms and mobs. The other segment is divided into shelves for storing cleaning products and includes a separate base for a bucket. Made from 24 gauge steel, the shelves can each hold up to 85 lbs in weight.

With big 8″ rear wheels and swiveling 4″ front casters, a janitor can easily take all of his essential supplies with him as he works with a janitor cart. Among all the warehouse supplies for cleaning, these carts are some of the best, saving time and increasing work efficiency. The cart holds a large capacity plastic bucket on one side and has a 23 gallon capacity plastic bag holder on the other side.

Mopping up floors can be tiring work. A good, ergonomically designed mopping system makes quick work of mopping. The large capacity bucket, clearly marked in quarts and liters, makes mixing solutions easy. The large casters make it easy to move the system as you work. The handle gives increased torque and makes wringing out the mops easy, eliminating the wrist and arm strain.

Where there are hazardous spills, you need to be able to set up clearly visible barriers quickly. With up to 16 articulating panels on wheels, light weight, bright yellow folding barriers can be erected in seconds and stored away compactly when not in use. Other safety floor stands and barriers include warning labels and can be used when needed for traffic control.

Wet-dry vacuum cleaners are essential warehouse supplies in industrial settings. These come in a variety of price ranges, ranging from light to medium duty models for well under two hundred dollars to heavy duty machines that can cost up to five hundred dollars or more.

One man cannot efficiently sweep up a large warehouse floor manually with just a broom. However, one man who has a broom forklift attachment can easily get the job done. These heavy duty brooms can clean up both liquids and solids and will even easily sweep up gravel and other heavy debris. These warehouse supplies are ideal for use both inside and outside of the warehouse.

These are just a few examples of janitorial supplies you can buy that will greatly improve efficiency and safety in the workplace. A good warehouse supplies company will have everything from replacement mops to storage sheds to supply you with all your janitorial needs.…

Labor and Birth: Hospital or Birth Center?

What is a birth center?

Before you even start looking into a birth center you are going to have to meet the requirements of having a low risk, healthy pregnancy.

OK you have passed that test; you are low risk and ready to check this out. So what is a birth center? This is a place where you can enjoy a mellow, low tech, comfortable and safe labor. They are usually an independent facility, not at all like a mini-hospital, but more like being in a nice hotel or bed and breakfast.

Many couples who choose this option still wonder about what, if something, were to go wrong. Don’t worry! Emergencies don’t just happen. They develop. And there is usually plenty of time to transfer to a medical facility, if needed. In pretty much all birth centers you will be taken care of by a midwife, and have a backup hospital close by. Birth centers are equipped with IV’s, oxygen, medication and infant resuscitation, and trained and licensed medical practitioners who know exactly what they are doing.

Some of these birth centers are known as freestanding. This means you will be going to them routinely throughout your pregnancy, and having all your appointments at the same place you will be laboring and birthing. For all you nervous mommies, this gives you time to acclimate.

Hospitals

Most labors and births take place in a hospital, especially if you have an obstetrician. In most cases you will deliver at the place where your care provider works or “has privileges”. So keep this in mind before choosing your provider.

Hospitals are good places to deliver for those who have high-risk pregnancies, have had previous birth complications, are planning on doing a VBAC or need a cesarean section. In these situations it is important to have the knowledge and back up from the hospital staff. Many times you will have on-staff pediatricians, anesthesiologist, and newborn medical technology.

Hospitals have come a very long way in the last century. They are no longer that cold, sterile, scary place no one wants to go during labor. Many hospitals, especially those with birth centers have very accommodating rooms. These rooms can include, jetted tubs, dim lights, private bathrooms and sometimes the option of a birthing tub. You may be able to labor, deliver, and recover all in the comfort of one room.

One thing to keep in mind is that all hospital policies can vary, so make sure you know what your priorities are for your labor. Many policies differ between routine IV’s, fetal monitoring, birthing positions, time limits, and cesarean policies.

Which one should I choose?

Birth Center Benefits include having more control and involvement during your labor, your pick of invitees, no pressure in getting an epidural, a network of services, lower costs, breastfeeding help, and a speedier check out.

Hospital Benefits include the backup of immediate medical intervention if needed, benefits to the high risk mothers or …

What Is a Time and Attendance System?

Time and attendance systems are the computerized equivalent of the paper time sheet and can automate day-to-day employee tasks such as scheduling employees, tracking work hours, managing project costing and calculating accrued benefit entitlements through simple to sophisticated software. They commonly replace a spreadsheet scheduling system.

These systems can reduce the administrative hassles of managing paper time slips and can greatly reduce the mistakes. They are mostly needed in bigger companies with staff whose work schedules are constantly changing. They can also cut down on the biggest crime: buddy punching.

These systems also provide time tracking and schedule management capabilities including setting the break times, lunches, time off and overtime. The systems will also track late punches and show any patterns of absenteeism. Most systems also include auditing and reporting tools as well as give managers direct access to their employee data.

Companies with employees who are mostly salaried probably don’t need this type of system. Companies with mostly hourly or part-time employees probably do as so companies with a mix of salaried and hourly staff.

The need for a time and attendance system often begins when a company hits about 25 employees. Companies with more than 1,000 employees often turn go larger, more powerful systems that can create complex schedules, incorporate more advanced labor planning and can even include employees’ desired work schedules.

Time and labor management systems that are designed for larger companies feature more sophisticated functionality such as recording an employee’s daily work by project, job and/or location and sophisticated job costing and job planning capabilities. They also have more robust reporting tools. Job costing like this is invaluable to companies that need to monitor their workforce productivity or forecast their workforce needs.

Employees use identification cards or a computer to punch in and out each day. Some use proximity cards which only need to be waved near a time clock reader. Magnetic stripe cards are also often used. For security purposes and to avoid buddy punching some companies use biometric input devices that check handprints or fingerprints to ensure that the correct employee is doing the punching in and out.

A growing number of companies are letting their employees enter their own information directly into the time and attendance system. They allow them to enter their vacation time, sick time and their flex-time hours.

How do you find a good Time and Attendance System? You can surf the internet or you can go directly to and use the Time Attendance Software Selection Tool. The Selection Tool will ask you a series of questions and then show you the products best suited to your requirements.…

Industrial Shelving – A Solution For Heavy Industrial Businesses

Do you have a large amount of inventory? Tired of having to deal with all sorts of problems? Industrial shelving can help you manage your inventory, keep portions of your order on the shelves as well as ensure that you are ready to go with whatever you might need at the moment. Shelving made for industrial uses can stand up to the tests of time. Best of all, it is made out of sturdy materials to ensure that you will never encounter a problem.

Industrial shelving also does not have to be expensive. There are many companies which sell second hand industrial shelving as well as low priced new shelves. This makes the cost to the company that buys it much lower. Best of all, you do not have to worry about paying for the shelving right away as many of these companies will allow you to buy on credit. You simply pay them within thirty to sixty days and you will continue to enjoy your shelving. This allows the business to focus on extending their business and increase their sales while still having the materials necessary to do so.

Shelving is a portion of the business that few think about. You need shelving regardless of what you sell. Services are one of the few businesses that do not require that the business have shelving in all situations. Some service based businesses do require that you have industrial shelving due to the toxic materials that they use. Industrial shelving is also useful for individuals who operate a business out of their home. For example, someone who often works with automobiles or other types of vehicles needs to store their equipment and supplies. Many of these supplies are toxic to the environment so it is wise to use industrial shelving.

Shelving for industrial uses is not available everywhere. However, there are a number of different companies that sell it. Best of all, you do not have to be an expert to purchase it. Industrial use shelving is the perfect solution for almost every heavy use situation.…

One of the most difficult things about moving to a new city can be leaving all your usual services behind. You’re used to a particular hairdresser, plumber and mechanic, and it is tough to make the switch. There are ways, though, that you can smooth out the process and find good services in your new city. Read on to learn how.

Do Your Research

First, do your research. Start online, searching for whatever service you need. You might be looking for car repair Edmonds WA. In that case, check out several possibilities. Read about their services and qualifications. Make note of customer reviews. Check out Better Business Bureau ratings. One or two possibilities will probably come out on top.

Ask for Recommendations

You can also ask for recommendations. As you get to know people in your new city, ask them who they go to for their services. You new neighbors, for example, might be able to recommend a good electrician, plumber or handyman. Someone at work could point you in the direction of a talented hairdresser.

Try Them Out

When you’ve done your research, gotten some recommendations or both, then pick a couple good candidates, and give them a try. You never really know how well a service will work for you until you use it once or twice. If your dishwasher is acting up and your neighbor advises you to call a particular appliance repair shop, then do so. It’s worth a shot.

Make a Switch

Finally, remember that if you aren’t satisfied with a service for whatever reason, you can always make a switch. You are not obligated to stay with the first place you choose. In fact, you can try out a number of different shops for each service until you find one that is a good fit for your needs and your budget.

Finding new services in a new city isn’t easy, but if you persevere, you’ll have new favorites very soon.…

Contract Warehouses – What You Need to Know

In any business, maintaining accurate and precise control of inventory and its associated costs is critical to staying lean in these uncertain times. Storing and maintaining inventory can be a very expensive and labor-intensive process that will quickly consume your operating budget, if not streamlined for maximum cost efficiency. Most businesses are not ‘in the business’ of managing inventory, they are in the business of selling goods. For this reason, many companies choose to outsource their inventory management and product fulfillment operations to contract warehouses. These businesses exist solely to oversee the safe storing and shipping of products, allowing business owners to focus on the core competencies of their business.

In the past, many companies chose to handle receiving goods from manufacturers, investing in land and warehouse space, and paying and training a labor force to ship goods and respond to customer complaints. As one can imagine, this cost is exorbitant and unrealistic for young businesses in today’s marketplace. As a result, some investors saw a need for a low-cost solution for businesses who needed to move and store products, and decided to absorb the cost of industrial real estate and a skilled workforce. With an optimally efficient operation, these business can provide a low-cost service to their clients while still making a profit by defraying their costs across multiple clients.

These warehouses and the exceedingly competent fulfillment professionals staffing them consolidate multiple companies’ cost of maintaining a warehouse and shipping operation, allowing each to reduce their inventory and fulfillment costs dramatically. The logistics professionals who run these warehouses are often highly-trained and industry-certified in their roles. You can rest assured that they will accurately fulfill every order so that it arrives at its final destination safely and on time. Additionally, since their entire business is moving inventory, a third party fulfillment center can offer a much more efficient operation than any business could ever hope to achieve in-house.

A warehouse solution means you never have to worry about receiving, shipping, or managing the physical movement of goods ever again. The warehouse can receive inventory directly from your manufacturer, and store it according to any particular product specifications. For instance, if you order produce or anything else that must remain cold, warehouses have a refrigerated storage solution to protect your goods from spoil. Many warehouses also offer distribution services including accurate packing and shipping, and timely delivery of orders. Today, many warehouses even have a customer service department on their payroll to handle any concerns your customers may have with the product or delivery.

Effectively, a warehouse allows you to completely outsource the central operations of your business. This frees you up to focus on growing your business. By focusing on what you do best, and allowing a fulfillment warehouse to perform according to its core strength, you can make your business leaner, reducing costs and growing profits exponentially. In fact, many entrepreneurs are effectively outsourcing both the operations and marketing of …

Data Warehouse Development – Get Knowledge From Your Data

Business Model Development

The first step in data warehouse development is to define the enterprise business model by gathering and listing all real life business activities and drawing up a case model. An enterprise business model to be effective must be consistent, where business requirements should be identified through a complex and systematic approach.

Some models are based on functions closer to an organizational structure which is liable to change with emerging business trends. They also demonstrate how business workers and other concerned entities work together to achieve business processes. The essence in an enterprise business model though is a consistent framework.

Data Model and Architecture Development

When a model is in place the next step is to create a system data model – an abstract data model which describes how data is used and represents business events, entities, transactions and sundry real life activities that are defined by the enterprise business model.

The third step will be to define the data warehouse architecture which is a framework detailing how the elements and services of the warehouse mesh together and how to direct the data warehouse’s growth over time. This is analogous to a set of building documents, blueprints, plans and specifications prepared prior to construction.

Datawarehouse Development

The final step in data warehouse development when the foregoing steps are set, documented and planned is to establish a physical database. A data warehouse requires a physical data base system where computer hardware is one of the prime considerations. The computer’s processing power should be able to cope with the intensive processing that will arise.

Storage devices must be able to hold large volumes of data which are updated frequently. Networking support, one essential feature, must be fast and efficient. Other considerations are the selection of the right software applications. The market is replete with relational database software applications. Some of the well-know names in the field are Microsoft SQL, Informix, PostgresSQL, Sybase and MySQL.

Education, Training, Documentation

Successful implementation requires educating users and systems staff members into the complex technologies involved. The data warehouse development training process will need several layers of training to ensure that the model is productive and generates the necessary data in a productive and meaningful manner.…