Archive for August, 2009

The Search for Social Entrepreneurship – Esther Passaris

August 4th, 2009

When Esther Passaris went into Slum lighting she was brought face to face with the degrading and inhuman conditions that people in the slums live. This had a profound effect on her life, opening her eyes to other dimensions of life, especially in the slums that transforming the lives in the slums have become more than her personal goal and her passion.

Her passion and energy is infectious and I recently had the opportunity to meet this amazing vibrant woman. She is really a twister full of energy, warmth and passion which can be infectious. Seeing her full of life as she excitedly outlines her plans for and visions to make this a better place for herself and her fellow Kenyans.

In 2003 she incorporated a non profit firm called Driving Kenya Foundation to help her with her vision to reach out and share with others. One of the projects called One in A Million is an example of the sharing concept whereby Kenyans work together to alleviate poverty within our country. Her belief is to for Kenyan men and women pulling together to achieve a Kenya free of Poverty.

As the social entrepreneur that she is, she has made a difference to peoples lives in many ways. She has employed street families and deaf individuals in her companies. She has contributed to many causes within the communities and schools.

She has inspired many young people as she gives talks to universities, many schools and social gatherings in Kenya where she talked about success, business, social work, passion, being a woman in a men’s world, giving back, finding balance, and dealing with challenges.

She has been featured many times by Jeff Koinange in Capital talk and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Richard Branson.

One of the tenets she strives for is leaving the world a better place. It is a challenge but it can be done and she is ready to do it. Esther Passaris has been quite an encouragement to women trying to do business in Kenya.

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Functions of Foreign Exchange Market or Forex Market

August 4th, 2009

Forex is the acronym for Foreign Exchange Market. It’s an investment marketplace, more or less the same with other investment markets like stock or commodities. It is uniquely different so for its geographical dispersion and absence of being controlled by any one specific entity, corporation or country. Shortened as FX, Forex is a potentially dynamic and volatile platform where currencies the world over are bought and sold in an effort to earn substantial profits from its fluctuating values.

Forex is open for anyone who wishes to invest his time and finances to it. It attracts investors from all business sectors and income structure. One can say that Forex is most suitable for someone with a knack and thirst for venturing into quick money making schemes, as also for someone who is well-equipped with having a natural business savvy and a sound knowledge of Forex market.

Forex trading and its transaction activities take place from any part of the world and at anytime of the day. The market is always hectic and populated by heavy currency trading, and remains open for 24 hours a day except for weekends. Trading can be done either by your own personal account or with a brokerage firm to do trading for you. Being an active a solo participant in Forex, its best have a personalized strategy that is tailored to your kind of trading style, and to keep daily tabs on the latest updates about Forex market. If you are connected with a broker, all you need and have to do is to wait and watch for news and message alerts that concern your account.

Forex traders, new and experienced alike, need to have a detailed analysis of the market to have a clear picture of risks involved. Market analysis involves two important factors, namely technical analysis and fundamental analysis. Technical analysis is done by reading market facts and data generated by the market. Fundamental analysis is the process in determining the factors and conditions which influence the market economy. Both aspects are used as basis for whatever trade decisions need to be arrived at. A country’s currency status is influenced by its economic, political, social events, and the trader who understands and correctly interprets such factors, are the ones most likely to profit from it.

Forex is a beneficial industry to participate in as it can provide substantial profit within a relatively short time, more or less. If you are well prepared and properly equipped in mind and heart, then chances are you’re going to do more profitable trading now and in the long run.

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Finding Affordable Student Health Insurance

August 4th, 2009

Youth represents the future of a country and it’s imperative to ensure their protection. They live in a fast world filled with lurking dangers. Road accidents have become so very common and it is the student population who are mostly affected by them. Their emotional make-up could also be responsible for such dangers.

Some have a do or die nature which constantly lands them in trouble. They are also easily prone to infections. Therefore it is advisable for them to take out student health insurance plans to ensure protection of their health.

Students have an active lifestyle and have a lot of freedom to go out and socialize, so they are more vulnerable to being infected by diseases or be the victims of road accidents. Since parents already spend a lot of money for the educational needs of the students, bearing the treatment costs of them will be an additional burden. So it is very important that students should have health insurance.

When picking up the insurance for students they need to keep in mind the requirement of the student. One must select that kind of insurance in which they can take the best advantages of the plans and the benefits of it.

It is better to purchase an online insurance plan for the student without paying any extra cost. With the help of the Internet, you can browse several online medical insurance sites, where you will find the details of the advantages and the condition to avail them.

We can even make a comparison of various plans when we make a request to the insurance company. After making all the necessary checks of the conditions of the plans and select which one is right for you, you can buy it. Knowing the insurance policy perfectly is the key to selecting the policy that is right for you.

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Rental Property Marketing Guide

August 4th, 2009

Sure, landlords advertise apartment rentals as part of their apartment marketing strategies but that is only one aspect out of their entire jobs which are multifaceted and far reaching to include:

Preparing the vacant apartments to be eventually rented to other tenants by cleaning it up and fumigating as well as fixing, mending and replacing all that is needed. Advertising rentals in a variety of ways including through internet websites that provide apartment marketing services. Selecting the fitting new tenants who have answered the rental advertisements through the process of interviewing which is then followed by the process of reference and credit checks. Administering the signing of formal contracts or written agreements. Collecting the security, deposit and rent money. Maintaining the rental unit (apartment) as well as the entire apartment complex. Taking on the role of public relations managers to uphold good dealings of tenants between themselves as well as the dealings between tenants and management.

To help landlords perform their duties fairly, efficiently and effectively; a whole pile of laws and regulations had been enacted in many jurisdictions in the United States as well as other part of the world. In many instances, such laws are intended to protect the rights of landlords as well as the rights of their tenants.

Whenever looking at rental advertisements; we suggest you do some diligent research first and use the services of a professional.

These laws may differ from one place to another but they also have quite a bit of similarities, particularly as they relate to the following issues:

Security Deposits. The amounts of security deposits are determined and set at the time the rental contracts are signed and they are to be paid by the tenants and to be held by the landlords until such time as the same tenants move out of the rental unit. Security deposits are to be returned to the tenants (without accrued interest) unless they will be fully or partially used by the landlords to cover:

(a) unpaid rent; (b) the cost to repair damages caused by the tenants which are beyond the normal wear and tear; (c) the cost for replacing removed items which actually belong to the property; (d) the expanses for cleaning of the tenants’ vacated apartment, if and when it is left exceedingly dirty.

Legal or Proper Evictions. Tenants may be lawfully evicted by landlords if and when:

(a) They fail to pay the rent that is due. (b) They violate any part of the signed contracts and/or agreements. (c) They cause deliberate damage to the property (d) They are threats to the other tenants and/or to the landlords. (e) They, directly or indirectly, participate in illegal activities on the premises.

Landlords Entering Rented Apartments. Landlords are legally required to ask for their tenants’ permissions to enter the apartments they are occupying.This law is in effect except under the following circumstances:

(a) Suspected emergencies such as fire, leaking water pipes, burst water tanks, gas leaks or some other dangers. (b) The rent is past-due by 14 days and the landlord believes that the apartment had been abandoned. In this case the landlord may prepare the apartment for marketing as a newly vacant unit.

Raising Rent. The rates may vary but, whether the property is in an area where Rent Control laws apply or not, it is proper for the landlord to raise rent periodically. The law requires that the tenants be notified at least 30 days prior to the increased rent going into effect.

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Starting an Online Side Business

August 3rd, 2009

Have you already got a company? A conventional, bricks-and-mortar business, I mean. Or are you trying to make some money advertising generic sites with only an affiliate link? Both of these types of business usually have something in common: that is that their online presence is disappointing.

Many business owners and affiliate website promoters just do not seem to understand that a poor website does a lot more harm than good. A business owner who has created a website on Geofreebies or one of the other free webspace providers is essentially doing the same as someone who only promotes an affiliate link on an automatically-generated, replicated affiliate page.

The problem is that it is all too obvious that those websites are cheap and nasty and, unfortunately, that reflects on the business and the business owner both. The same goes for free email addresses. Just consider, what looks better to you:

http://www.geofreebies.com/memnbersites/Amiable-Dragon.html

amiable-dragon123456@yahoo.com or

http://amiabledragon.com

owen@amiabledragon.com

I’m afraid that it is all too obvious which looks more professional; which creates more confidence and which would bring in more visitors and therefore more sales and Id bet that there is no one in the world who would argue about it.

The next thing to consider is the extension ” ie the letters after the . or the @. .com probably still carries the most prestige, but it no longer has the lead it used to have. .tv, .biz, .info have their places, I’m sure, but they do not really have the same cachet. However, another problem with .com is that it has been around since the Internet began and very many names have already been taken.

I consider that .ws is a very valid alternative to this problem. You could imagine it standing for web site, although it actually stands for Western Samoa! It is a relatively new suffix and many, many name combinations are still available. I am sure you could still get the address you want. Something else you may not know is that when you buy your own domain name, you can create any email address out of it by putting anything instead of the http://www and replacing the DOT with an @ sign. Look at the address above again for an example.

Then you have to host your domain and administer the site and email addresses. The fees are usually paid annually in advance for the name and monthly for the hosting, both payments going to separate companies very often. However, there is a very professional company on the market at the moment offering a website, with a name of your choice and ten email addresses and a free website design service AND you pay only $10 a month to one firm. There is no contract and you can leave at any time or change the email or website addresses.

I think that that presents a very good deal for a business website (you can imagine: sales@….; info@….); a family website (everyone can have their own email address) or an affiliate website (using redirects and multiple email addresses). But that is not all there is to it! You can actively promote that new .ws company or just put a referral link to it on the bottom of your website and make cash, month after month ad infinitum from referrals automatically! And if you use the link below, you will get a weeks free trial, but fully operational account and three paying members in your downline, subject to a condition, or your first months $10 paid for you by us.

That cant be bad, can it? Five weeks free trial of your own domain, hosted on your own site, with 10 email address or a free week with three members paying you $3 a month to get your business off to a flying start with!

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Introducing PEX Plumbing Installations

August 3rd, 2009

The first step that any one can think off during any plumbing emergency is to shut off the main water supply. But by doing so, we are shutting off the whole system which can create many problems until it gets fixed. But now, you need not worry about this problem. PEX system have a shut off valve at each supply line which allow you to shut off the water supply for the pipe that is causing the problem. PEX systems can greatly reduce your troubles concerning home plumbing.

PEX or cross linked polyethylene is one of the most versatile, easy-to-use plumbing systems available. It is part of a water supply piping system that has several advantages over metal pipe (copper, iron, lead) or rigid plastic pipe (PVC, CPVC, ABS) systems.

You can use PEX pipes for both hot and cold water. These pipes can even be used in combination with other pipes like copper, steel, PVC etc.

PEX tubes are made through a process of cross linking HDPE. It is a high density polyethylene polymer. It makes HDPE more stronger and flexible and also more resistant to cracking and breaking.

PEX plumbing installations require fewer fittings than rigid piping. The flexible tubing can turn 90 degree corners without the need for elbow fittings. Most plumbing leaks and system failures occur at joints in fittings. Since PEX requires fewer fittings, it has less opportunity to leak and installs faster. Also, attaching PEX tube to fittings does not require soldering.

PEX flexibility also allows it to expand and contract more than other types of pipe. Increased capacity for expansion makes PEX more burst resistant. Moreover, PEX tubing does not transfer heat as readily as copper, and so conserves energy.

PEX plumbing installations cost less because PEX is less expensive than copper pipe and installing fewer fittings reduces the chances for expensive callbacks.

PEX plumbing is the future of plumbing industry. It is one of the most secure and long lasting materials that can make your home a better place to live in and many people are now switching to it.

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How Instant Payday Loans Can Help You

August 2nd, 2009

When it comes to financial trouble, we all have it. Everyone these days has bills piling up and is on the verge of bankruptcy. For small emergencies that you do not have the cash for, instant payday loans can help. Here is a great guide that will give you all of the tips and information that you need. Help is just a few simple clicks away!

Getting approved for an instant loan is not only easier, but it is faster as well. When you get online and apply you will be able to get an instant answer. All you will need to do is plug in all of your information and within minutes you could be approved.

When are you finally approved for an instant loan, the money is going to come right away. With some loans, you have to wait a week or two for the banks to process your money. With an instant loan, once you are approved you will really only wait 24-48 hours. The whole point of an instant payday loan is to get you back on your feet as soon as possible!

If you are wondering where to go to get instant payday loans, go online first. The great thing about loans online is the fact that it is a lot quicker. Most companies will not even require any faxing. They might just give you a call to verify your information and then give you your approval answer. This simply makes the process a lot easier!

Some companies might ask you to pay your loan back all at once. If you feel you may need some flexibility, simply look for a loan that you can make payments on. There are loan terms that will allow you to make 2 payments each month, or just one sum. The choice really depends on what you can afford.

Before you go through with the instant payday loan process make sure you check up on your loan company. There are ways to read reviews about a company and how they do business. Usually, all you need to do is conduct a simple search to find out what others are saying about their experience.

Once you get the payday loan, you need to make a point of making payments on time. When you make payments on time, you will be improving your credit immensely. If you think you might miss a payment, do not ignore your lender. Simply give them a call and find out what you can work out.

It is also going to be incredibly important that you read all of your loan paperwork before signing. This is where a lot of people get into some trouble. Make sure that you understand all of the interest rates and terms of the loan. If you do not understand something, call up the company, or ask for some legal advice.

An instant payday loan is the perfect solution for those in need. If your car breaks down or you need a home repair, this is the type of loan for you. Make sure that you take a long look around and do some research before applying. Get the help that you need instantly.

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Web 2.0 Online Real Estate Marketing

August 2nd, 2009

The online real estate marketing, especially related to Web 2.0,  is a big idea that everyone is trying cash in on. First, what is Web 2.0? Some have defined Web 2.0 is a secondary but better internet for people to get information from other people. Blogs, wikis and mash ups are just the surface of what the Web 2.0 is about.

In the past, you would have to call a realtor if you had a few questions about selling your home or if you wanted to buy a home in another state. At worst, you would have to travel to every state that you were thinking about moving to. Regardless you would probably need a realtor that comes with high pressure to add to their monthly commissions.

People can find out anything that is related to real estate using the the Web 2.0 version of online real estate marketing. Some of the topics range from how to stage your home when trying to sell it to understanding the types of loans that are available. This is a social network that is invaluable for first time home buyers.

Web 2.0 online real estate marketing is the perfect tool for realtors, as well. Through social networking, real estate advertisement takes on a new and broader life. With a majority of internet users using broadband or DSL, virtual tours can be viewed by mostly everyone and they are a great way to advertise any listing.

With the use of Web 2.0 applications, realtors can stay abreast of marketing trends and current interest rates. If your clients ask you a question that you cannot answer, you can either point them in the right direction or research the answer yourself. By using Facebook, a realtor can link their listings to their home page.

When a home goes on the market and there is an open house, many of the neighbors go through the house out of curiosity. There is just the nature of the business but it is a waste of your time to try and sell a home to someone that is not interested.

There are a lot of less than honest people that are trying to cash in on the Web 2.0 online real estate marketing’s rising trend. There are many sales pitches out there, offering guaranteed sales leads or a sure fire program that requires little work but yields lost of money. Web 2.0 real estate marketing is a resourceful tool but everything takes a little hard work.

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Commercial Roofing System Repair

August 1st, 2009

Commercial roofing system repair can be expensive enough to “break the bank” of an older facility’s maintenance repair budget. Facility managers can work with their commercial roofing contractors to maintain their roofing systems and avoid big ticket repairs.

New roofing systems need to be maintained, while older roofing systems need to be repaired or restored to an acceptable level of performance. The right mix of maintenance and repair makes replacement decisions more eventual than sudden.

According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, preventive maintenance adds 30%-100% service life to a commercial roofing system. That means repair costs could be double the cost of a preventive maintenance program over the life cycle of a commercial roofing system.

Energy management is another commercial roofing maintenance consideration. According to the Building Owners and Managers Institute, roofing system maintenance and energy management go together yielding a high rate of return on energy conservation. Wet roofing system insulation, for example, indicates both the need for repair, as well as energy loss.

Facility asset management works best when professionals regularly inspect those assets. Rooftop inspections and color infrared camera surveys documentation and allow analysis of energy loss, roof repair and maintenance issues. It is also important to catalog the original design, as-built materials data, installer identity, warranty information, and repair history.

If this process is followed, the repair, maintenance and energy conservation of commercial roofing systems will be as cost-effective as possible. And with this process, a facility manager will know years in advance of when a roofing system will have to be replaced, as well as what its projected expense will be.

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How the Legal System Treats Bankruptcy Law

August 1st, 2009

Bankruptcy law is incredibly complex. There are a myriad of details and nuances, and each is addressed differently in court. There are several types of bankruptcy and the decision of which type to declare is a matter of individual circumstance. It is generally defined as the process a person goes through to ask for legal protection from the court from his creditors. Sometimes, the court will grant full discharge of the debts. Other times, only a partial discharge is granted. Some debts, according to federal law, cannot be dismissed.

Below, we’ll explore how the legal system treats the different types of bankruptcy. You should speak with a bankruptcy lawyer to determine which type is most appropriate for your personal or business circumstances.

What Is Chapter 7?

This is the most common form of personal bankruptcy. The court will appoint a trustee to review your assets. Some will be sold to pay a portion of your outstanding debts. Depending upon the state in which you live, you may be able to retain ownership of some assets. In the end, the court will usually discharge most debts under Chapter 7 protection.

What Is Chapter 11?

This form of bankruptcy is mostly declared by businesses because it allows them to avoid liquidation or closure. The business may continue operating even while its debts are dismissed. Chapter 11 is often referred to as “reorganization” and has endured reproach from those who consider it an easy “escape plan” for ineffective management. Most businesses opt for Chapter 11 because Chapter 7 requires closure of the business.

What Is Chapter 13?

Protection under Chapter 13 is exclusively for individuals . Under this form of bankruptcy, the debtor will create a plan through which he will pay back the money that is owed over time. If the bankruptcy court approves his proposal, it will assign a trustee to the case. The debtor will make all payments to the trustee. The trustee has the responsibility of disbursing the payments to creditors, according to the debtor’s proposal.

Are Bankruptcies Always Granted?

The courts will usually grant bankruptcy protection to individuals and businesses who are in severe financial distress. That said, there are situations in which the court will refuse. For example, if a debtor cannot offer a sufficient explanation about the loss of personal or business assets, a bankruptcy court may not grant protection. Similarly, if the court discovers that a debtor is trying to hide assets (for example, transferring money into a child’s bank account), protection may be denied.

Getting Advice

As mentioned, bankruptcy law can be complicated and every case should be reviewed on the merit of its unique circumstances. What’s more, the laws which govern the level of protection offered to debtors can change quickly. That is why seeking the counsel of a bankruptcy lawyer is critical. An attorney can help identify which form of protection is best-suited for every situation.

The effects of filing for bankruptcy can have a long-lasting personal and business impact. And that makes having competent legal advice even more valuable.

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