Thursday, September 13, 2007

7 Client Interaction Blunders That Blow It Every Time

by gerry riskin

I am asked frequently why some lawyers create such amazing rapport with their clients. Much of this stems from the art of the first impression. The first client interaction is more about not making a bad impression than it is making a good one.

Here are 7 first client interaction blunders that virtually guarantee you won’t develop healthy client rapport:

  1. Talking only about yourself
  2. Revealing too much
  3. Not listening
  4. Not looking your best
  5. Trying to be cool or aloof
  6. Not being yourself
  7. Not listening to your gut
Gerry Riskin, B.Com. LLB, P. Admin, is a Canadian lawyer and Business School graduate with a global reputation and is a co-founder of Edge International.

RPL Ventures Inc. will scour the earth in our attempt to provide you with features and articles of value to you and germane to your business. If there are items of interest to you that you don't see here and you want us to include them in this forum, please contact us. We're only too happy to accommodate you.

© 2007 RPL Ventures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Small Business Corner-Avoid HR burnout

(NC)-Everyone knows it's the people that make or break a business especially a small business - and most entrepreneurs say human resources issues keep them awake at night. The trouble is most entrepreneurs don't have the time or the know-how to manage their human resources (HR) needs.

"Employees want their HR issues addressed quickly and efficiently, regardless of the size of the business," says Rod Dobson, president of ADP Canada. "Disorganized HR practices often lead to employee departures, which can be a major distraction for the entrepreneur."

Even with the help of an employee entirely responsible for HR, the burden is quite significant, especially when that individual additionally handles things like accounting, scheduling, office management and payroll.

It's a myth that only large companies can afford to outsource HR-related processes. Countless small businesses are taking advantage of employer services companies for a broad range of affordable, tailor-made services, such as:

  • Employee record-keeping
  • Management of salaries and pay grades
  • Tracking employee benefits and absence plans
  • Documentation of employee performance and attendance
  • Management of government compliance requirements
  • Streamlining recruiting and hiring
  • Development of strategic career and succession plans
  • Link-ups to payroll systems.

"Entrepreneurs don't get into business because they like dealing with administration and HR related issues," says Dobson. "In fact, most business owners tell us every minute they spend on HR is another minute they're not out building their company."

More information about this topic is available online at www.adp.ca.

Credit: www.newscanada.com. Photo Courtesy of metrocreativegraphics.com

RPL Ventures Inc. will scour the earth in our attempt to provide you with features and articles of value to you and germane to your business. If there are items of interest to you that you don't see here and you want us to include them in this forum, please contact us. We're only too happy to accommodate you.

© 2007 RPL Ventures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The UPS Store Celebrates Selkirk Grand Opening

Interlake location marks RPL Ventures Inc. Fourth store

Selkirk, MB, August 28, 2007: Canada’s largest franchise network of business and communication service centres, The UPS Store, now has a location in Selkirk to serve the Interlake region. The store is owned by Glen Duke who now owns four Manitoba The UPS Store franchises - three in downtown Winnipeg and his newest in Selkirk.

On a national level, The UPS Store is one of the fastest growing franchises in the country due in large part to the role it plays servicing Canada’s vibrant small business sector and offering quality copying and packing and shipping services to consumers. Duke saw the opportunity for The UPS Store locally as he witnessed the growth currently happening in and around Selkirk.

“I’m a small business person myself,” comments Duke. “I know how important good business support services are. Now, as a The UPS Store owner, I’m able to provide these services to a huge sector of our economy, and our community. Small businesses really drive our economy and with proper support, such as what The UPS Store provides, the sector can continue to flourish.”

The UPS Store offers complete business support services such as full document finishing, digital colour and black and white printing, worldwide packing and shipping services, mailbox rentals with 24 hour access, commercial printing, mail forwarding, package/mail and fax receiving, and mail fulfillment. Essentially the store operates as a back end administrative support hub for business, freeing up time for busy business owners.

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