As you can see the tagline of this blog was changed some time ago. The reason was simple. While I do pass along internet marketing strategies, I also like to keep those dropping by informed on all sorts of topics – everyday life issues, health, family, parenting, politics, lifestyles and more.

With that said, here’s strategic advice for the unemployed that I highly recommend everyone in the United States read.

First unemployment extensions (both at the State and Federal levels) are iffy at best. However, you can (and do) still have a voice in the matter should you wish to express it. It is important that you read the above posted on the WorldNewsVine website. I will warn you ahead of time it is very confusing – not the post – but the subject matter itself and the strategy or strategies the various levels of government appear to be using to keep everyone guessing.

Unemployment is not a thing to shake off lightly. While many do still have their jobs, the question is for how long? Your life revolves around a steady income, and even though you may feel “safe” in your job, frankly you never, ever know if today is the day “the axe will fall.”

For the currently unemployed, understanding your entitlements is becoming more and more confusing. Whether this is a deliberate political move or not, I do not know. But you must ask yourself the question… do you know exactly when your financial assistance runs out? If you are guessing or perhaps relying on your State unemployment agency representative to know the answers, I really would not count on that. Most do not have a clue.

The rules appear to change almost from day to day. Make it a point – even if you are employed – to see what’s going on.

Yes, there is “liberalism” with this post, but knowing the writer personally I can tell you that:

1.   Checking with your own State is imperative – and make sure they are current on the “rules and laws”

2.   The writer of the above post DOES stay current on what’s what especially in regard to unemployment benefits.

Again, it’s confusing and (perhaps) alarming once you figure it all out. Yet it applies to all Americans – employed or not. Because you just never know…

Whether you currently hold down a job in the real world, are looking for a change, or are currently unemployed and wondering what’s looking good for potential employment in and outside of the state you live in, I’ve found a great place for you to start your hunt.

The ALMIS State Projections website – a work in progress – can help those within the United States determine their career path.

What you will find is an ability to do extensive searches, find statistics useful for plotting immediate and long-range goals. It’s a database website and the only “what is this all about” is summed up on their front page: (more…)

If you are in a position where you’re not sure how much longer your company will last without starting (or continuing) layoffs, why not take the bull by the horns and approach management with this idea.

Telecommuting! Now bear with… this post includes evidence and surefire suggestions you can make to your company’s management team. This just might keep you employed!

Here are a few snippets from a recent article written by the “online guy,” Al Gibes.

“Staying home could make you a better worker and save your company money at the same time.

Although more people are working away from the office, only 40 percent of businesses have a formal policy on telecommuting, a recent Microsoft Corp. survey shows. Saving gasoline, avoiding long commutes and working in a less stressful environment are the top reasons workers log in away from the office.”

If you’re worried about how to present this idea, and thus hang onto your job or a co-worker’s position, here’s more:

“Businesses that give employees the support to work remotely could save 10 percent to 20 percent on office expenses,” said Michael Clark, Microsofts’ Western regional manager of midmarket customers.

“I’ve walked (into offices) and there are cubicles for people there only one day a week or one day a month,” he said. “Businesses could cut back on office space, cut back on travel expenses and the cost of provisioning phone lines.”

Security factors might be your stumbling block when presenting this idea to keep your job. However, you can be ready with the answer… encryption programs!

Evolving technology is easing concerns about security. Clark cites significant improvements in encryption programs that protect data and network access protection that provides safe access for employees while away from the office.

Some suggestions for encryption include BitLocker Drive, a Microsoft product, provide protection from hackers and thieves. (And honestly, shouldn’t your company already be protecting its valuable data – this might not even be an issue. Investigate!)

Another bit of information to have ready in your arsenal of reasons to keep you employed can be the use of voice over internet protocols. Your reason for bringing this up is that by working your job from home you ensure the safety of company data by connecting via telephone (on your computer/laptop), along with your ability to use live messenger programs to “chat with co-workers and clients while working remotely.”

Per the rest of Mr. Gibes article, San Diego tops the list when it comes to keeping employees on the payroll using telecommuting to offset cost. Other cities making the most of this exceptional way to keep a company in business, offset costs, and still pay its employees include: West Palm Beach, Florida; Buffalo, New York; and Salt Lake City, Utah.

So if you’re wondering or worried that the axe is about to fall, cut ‘em off at the pass and offer solutions to keep you on! Telecommuting just might mean the difference between paychecks or unemployment!

We Love Comments! Please do!

I’ve been so darn busy that it’s been a few days since I had the time to stop and do what I love… post something new on this blog.

However, it was worth the wait since we have several new resources you’re sure to find worthwhile, including information on how to start or get a job offline or on.

The first is Knol: A Unit of Knowledge. Not unlike a blog or wicki (or maybe just like a blog or wiki lol), Knol is a byproduct of Google where you can “share what you know and write a knol.”

With a PR of 7/10 (it’s Google’s own remember) and Alexa rank of 1 (again, it’s Google’s own), you can’t go wrong posting stuff you know and getting it listed and indexed in Knol.

The second item we’d like to share is a resource called Big Hit System, a pushbutton marketing resource run by a great guy named Steve Russell. Steve has put together the tools and resources you need to get the job done online. The best part? I’ve spoken with Steve and discovered another (gasp) online marketer willing to – yes – pick up his phone! He’s also been online long enough (since 2003) to know of what he speaks – another rare commodity and huge bonus for you! They even provide you with no obligation information on the home business right for you.

And while this next one is not new, if you’ve been hearing about the canonial tag and are still confused about whether you need to use it or not, that bolded link will take you straight to Google itself to read all about it. Best to get information like this straight from the horses’ mouth versus trying to interpret a third party’s interpretation. Website owners, article writers, and anyone with possible duplicate content on the same domain should read up on this “new” tagging system.

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Last but not least, if you’re looking for a job or a change in career, head on over to this information found at the AARP website. You do not have to be of retirement age to benefit from these job suggestions. They provide 10 ideas to help you make extra money fast. Again, these ideas are for ANY age and they even suggest “going rates” for what you can charge, how to get started, and more. Remember if you found this or any of our other posts and pages of interest, please comment. We love comments! (And it’s free marketing for you.)

Frankly today, I had no idea I’d be writing about a new opportunity that I am still investigating. If you’ve read the blog throughout and around the presidential campaign, you realize that Scott and I are big on America and big on growth. We’re also, just like you, hoping to see the economy turn around – quickly. That’s why when I came across Rebuilding of America, I was more than intrigued.
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