Wake Up Your Luck

This morning, I heard an old Persian Proverb, "Go and wake up your luck". For some reason, this really stuck with me and I have found myself thinking about it at various times today and how it might apply to me, and my business.

I am a fairly motivated person, and spend little time waiting for things to happen. I'd like to think that I am pretty action-oriented. But the proverb doesn't talk about finding "action", it's about finding luck.

Last night my husband and I went out to dinner with some good friends. At the bistro, it was BINGO night, so of course, we played. Wouldn't you know that we had no luck? Not one BINGO was called at our table, despite our concerted efforts to wake up that luck.

This afternoon, I met with a potential client. They are a small company who has experienced the sting of downsizing, financial hardships, and overall lack of business. Throughout our conversation, I realized that, despite thier "bad luck", they remain extremely optimistic, and actually want to invest in the people processes that will help them rebound quickly when the economic opportunity arises. A perfect example of a group of dedicated individuals "waking up thier luck."

I am standing at Luck's door, ready to help the sleeping giant awake. I know that my ability to remain optimistic, seek out and sieze opportunities, and ready myself for the ensuing upswing will result in success.

Best of luck to you.

Ericka Heid
www.h-r-now.com

Bliss

Today, I was involved in a discussion with other business owners about following our bliss. Our path to bliss was described as a highway - a fairly straight path with little resistance - that will end in a place of complete happiness, passion, paradise, haven, calmness, etc. Along this highway, though, there are off-ramps, backroads, detours, rest-stops, and the like which distract us from actually getting to bliss.

How often have we taken those off-ramps, thinking that they would end up in bliss - only to find they were a dead end? Perhaps too often. Now, rather than think that each off-ramp is a bad and bliss-less place, I'd like to think of it as an opportunity to learn something. It is a way for us to decide that that place is not bliss at all and, in fact, this place helps us better understand where bliss is or define how to get there more efficiently.

All we have to do now is get back on the highway. Thank goodness for on-ramps.

Today, I will study my map for the location of bliss - but I will be open to what those off-ramps might have in store for me.

HR Pitfalls...

In today's workforce, business owners really struggle to keep their heads above water. They are asked to be more productive with less resources, and often times take on the responsibilities of too many areas of their business.

Our external environment affects business owners as well. A new congress and administration in Washington, Supreme Court rulings, and now - healthcare reform. What does it all mean to business owners?

There are several HR pitfalls to avoid. Read on.

Sloppy I-9 procedures - 2007 marked a new record in arrests made by the Department of Homeland Security. Almost 5,000 people were arrested during worksite enforcement activities, and the message was loud and clear - Employers who knowingly employ illegal aliens will pay for it. To stay compliant, make sure that you: 1. Stay within established timelines. 2. Accept only documents that are genuine. 3. Know which documents are acceptable, and reject expired documents. 4. Let the employee decide which documents to give you.

Inconsistent classification of positions under the FLSA - Remember that, in order for you to classify an employee as exempt, the employee's position must meet every criteria under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Connect with the Department of Labor

Tripping over service members' rights - Most employers are not aware of USERRA and how that act might impact their business. There are notification, reinstatement, promotion, and benefit rights that employers should know and understand. Link here for more information.

And of course, contact HR Now for any assistance you might need.

Ericka Heid
HR Now
www.h-r-now.com

Business Opportunity!

I am working with Matt Courts, of Carpet Direct. Matt is looking for experienced sales agents to join his growing team.

A supreme opportunity to join a growing and profitable organization. Start a career in sales, build a business to last a lifetime.

Carpet Direct Corp. is a national organization that places customer orders directly to the nation's leading flooring manufacturers on behalf of homeowners, builders, and realtors; people just like you. We are expanding, adding professional sales agents to represent Carpet Direct across the Twin Cities.

If you are an experienced sales person with enthusiam and tenacity, we'd like to meet you. Motivated agents earn $80K-$150 per year, without any start up costs - and lots of support.

Requirements:
-Clean white van or SUV
-Experience as floor sales person, or in retail sales
-Database experience
-A desire to deliver excellent customer service,
-and success!

For more information, please contact Ericka at 763.634.8600

www.h-r-now.com