Small business tips: how to accept debit cards

As an entrepreneur, selling your product or service is a major part of business. Once you have your target’s attention and they agree to buy, one must be able to offer a variety of payment options. Long gone are the days of cash and carry, and some people don’t own any credit cards. Personal checks come with security risks, and take longer to receive the funds. But most people have a checking account, thus they have a debit card linked to that account. A debit card is convenient, because it allows the consumer freedom from carrying cash. It also allows the consumer to make a purchase and have it immediately deducted from their account. So, how does one accept debit cards?

The primary step is to obtain a merchant account. A merchant account is an account that links your business checking account with a debit card processing company. The company processes the purchase from the debit card and transfers the money into the merchant’s business account. The company may charge a transaction fee that can range from 1.5 to 3 percent of the purchase, or a flat fee. Some merchant accounts also charge a monthly fee in addition to transaction fees. Merchant accounts are offered through banks as well as independent providers. Many entrepreneurs employ the merchant account services of their business bank.

Once one has a merchant account established, one will need a debit card terminal. This is the same type of terminal used for processing credit cards. There are two ways of accepting debit cards – online or off line debit card transactions. With offline transactions the merchant swipes the customer’s card through the terminal, just like a credit card, and the customer signs the receipt. For off line processing, the debit card must have a Visa or MasterCard logo on it.

Online transactions require the merchant to swipe the card through the terminal, and the customer must enter their personal identification number on a separate PIN pad. Online processing is more economical because the merchant is charged a flat fee per transaction. Offline processing leads to a percentage charge per transaction. Terminals and PIN pads may be bought or rented from the merchant account provider.

Terminals aren’t the only option for processing debit cards. There are wireless options such as an 800 number verification service. Your merchant account provider may have an 800 number available where one can call in a debit card purchase and receive instant authorization. Only offline processing is available for this option. This option is good for mobile entrepreneurs who have limited or no access to electrical outlets to plug in terminals.

Internet businesses provide for merchant customer transactions where the two never meet. There are merchant account providers who specialize in processing payments over the Internet. An entrepreneur would link his website shopping cart to the merchant account providers system, and the transactions are processed immediately. With Internet processing only offline processing is available.

Today’s consumer has high expectations and demands of the merchants they deal with. They expect a high quality product at a competitive price with fast delivery. They also expect to be accommodated; no matter what payment option they choose. Debit cards are increasingly becoming a primary choice when making purchases. Are you ready for your customers? If not, another merchant is.

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Improve your supervisor skills

The ramifications of being promoted to supervisor is shocking. Your lifelong friends are now your subordinates. Suddenly you realize that "budget" is not really just an excuse to deny requests.

The first day that you're in your new office is most important.

#1. Observe. Now is not the time to say things that you will regret at a later date. Your perspective is going to change as you review your budget and begin to understand the dynamics of interoffice relations.

#2. Take notes. Begin your organizational habits from day one. Buy a yellow legal notepad and begin to make lists of things that are vital to remember. Make a list of equipment that you will need. Make a list of questions that you will need answers to. There will be an overwhelming avalanche of information that you will be responsible for and the fact is that most of us cannot remember every little detail. If you don't write it down, it will be forgotten.

#3. Find a mentor. With a little luck, you can find a mentor that is not in your own chain of command. This will allow you to confide some details and situations that should not land on your own supervisors desk. #4. Think through scenarios. Constantly ask yourself how situations should be handled. If you can decide on a proper course of action prior to actually confronting the problem, it increases the odds of you performing as a respected supervisor.

#5. Leave work at work. A strong work ethic is vital to your success but you must realize that if your not sleeping and taking care of yourself, you will become sick. A sick supervisor is not an effective supervisor. Allow yourself time to relax and refuel your reserves.

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Effective leadership skills: meetings, agendas, minutes

Leadership seems to encapsulate so many different qualities and be a quality of character or style, charisma or indefinable spirit. Even the most powerfully charismatic leader can be unsuccessful unless they have the right tools of leadership at their command. These tools include planning and organization. Knowing how to put together an effective agenda, to plan a productive timely streamlined meeting and how to chair that meeting, directing the flow of information can be the difference between victory or defeat. Understanding the importance of record keeping through minutes to record votes and important information from the meeting is essential to prevent future conflict and preserve the integrity of the organization. Defending the rights of the minority from being overwhelmed by the majority can best be understood through rules of order, more specifically Roberts Rules of Order. Without these tools a leader may be doomed to muddle through in abysmal chaos and confusion. Becoming mired in endless debates without setting solid realistic goals or attaining objectives.

The standard method for planning a meeting is called an agenda. Basically it is similar to an outline one would create for a term paper. The following is a sample agenda for an organization information in parenthesis is commentary not the agenda itself:

ABC Organization

AGENDA

Date of Meeting

I. Call to Order (The meeting is called to order at a certain time by the President or Chairman or presiding officer/the person running the meeting. Usually the time is announced so the secretary can record it in the minutes.)

II. Reading of the Minutes (The Secretary of the organization reads the minutes which is the record of notes taken at the last meeting and the members of the organization vote on the minutes as correct or ask for changes in the minutes, in wording or content usually through motions called mendments or additions, or deletions.)

III. Reports

A. Officers

(1) President

(2) Vice President

(3) Treasurer

(4) Secretary

(5) Committee Reports

(Reports are usually given by each officer on their work, or the committees they chair or projects, or the amount of money in the treasury etc., also sometimes committee reports are included although they can also be included under their own seperate heading.)

IV. Old Business

A. Confirmation of New Committee Chairman

B. Final Vote on Budget

(Sometimes called Previous Business, referring to anything from a previous meeting that did not get addressed, taken care of or voted on etc., it is handled first to make sure it is not forgotten or ignored.

V. New Business

A. Presentation of Amendments to the By-Laws

(1) Mr. Jones: Amendment 5

(2) Mrs. Smith: Amendment 7

B. Guest Speaker

(1) Dr. Johnson, Public Health Director

C. Fundraising Project

D. Charity Ball

( New proposals or projects or presentations on the agenda for voting or discussion or debate or to be assigned for study to committee, this can also include time for guest speakers or whatever relevant business the organization might have including new elections).

VI. Around the Horn (This is an optional agenda item and is put in many different forms or not at all. It can also be titled final comments. Or it can be titled Announcements. In any case it is used to give members of the organization time to present new subjects, proposals, make announcements or comments. It can get out of control, be used incorrectly to make a meeting too long or to discuss items not on the agenda, this is not the intent of this agenda item and abuse of it should not be allowed.)

VII. Adjournment (This is the final item at which the presiding officer or chair or head of the meeting announces that the meeting is ended and at what time, again for the secretary to record in the minutes.)

There are many variations on agendas, and numbers can used as well as letters. It is like an outline. For effective agenda writing some organizations put times at each agenda number, to help keep the meeting on track, to make sure speakers finish within the assigned times. Sometimes agendas will build in break times and add some extra time at key places near the end to make up for overuns.

While having a plan or outline in place in the form of an agenda gives a leader a very potent tool for chairing the meeting, Roberts Rules of Order is a standard text that explains how to direct the flow of the meeting. It gives examples of motions, amendments, debate, proper order of address, voting and other standard organizational advice. It helps keep things from descending into chaos. It allows everyone the chance to be heard, protects the rights of the minority in any voting debate, and also provides for more efficient meetings.

Minutes are another key part of any organization, as they are the official record of that group. Usually copies of the minutes are provided in writing, which is the record of the previous meetings important votes and usually matches the agenda items. The members vote on the minutes presented making it the official record for legal purposes. This can be important for votes. In some organizations the secretary or an officer might read the minutes aloud in order to bring everyone up to date as well as present them for vote. Members may disagree about the numbers in key votes, or how the record is written, and ask for amendments or changes. The record will be the only thing left to record what actually happened. Minutes are a very important tool for maintaining the integrity of the voting system in an organization. They are also a good refresher and reminder of events. They contain committee reports in many cases as well.

While the character aspects of leaders might vary, the tools for good organization to help a leader maintain order can be very important. Understanding minutes and agendas, and rules of order are key. Using these techniques can help anyone improve the efficiency of their organization as well as sharpen their own leadership skills. These techniques are very practical and while they may not seem glamourous are very effective. Being a true leader takes at least some of the practical foundation to compliment other skills and talents.

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Advice for working mothers: managing stress

Working mothers are subject to stresses from every facet of their lives. They deal with home and family issues as well as job stress on a daily basis. So, what can a working mom do to manage this stress load?

1. Prioritize

At home and at work, perform triage on your life. What things are critical and must be handled quickly and only by you? Do your critical and complex tasks first, leaving the mundane and boring for later; those trivial tasks are easier to do when you are tired or can be delegated to others later.

2. Identify your stresses

Everyone has tasks they enjoy and others that cause them stress or distress. The amount of stress a task causes is not always directly proportional to the difficulty of the task or the time the task actually takes. So, for someone cleaning a toilet may be more stressful than planning a week’s menus and grocery shopping. Identify your most stress-provoking tasks and work to remove them from your life or minimize their impact on you. Maybe a particular combination of events or tasks causes dissonance for you; work to deal with those issues one at a time. For example, get as many routine tasks out of the way as possible before handling a special event that needs extra attention.

3. Let some things slide

Once you’ve prioritized your life you will see that some things routinely fall to the bottom of the list. Ask yourself whether those things really even need to get done. Is it critical that you take homemade cookies to back-to-school night or would bakery bought offerings be just fine? Will anyone really care if you only dust on top of your refrigerator twice a year instead of twice a month? Carefully evaluate the time consuming tasks in your life and determine which you can do less frequently or not at all.

4. Make time for yourself

Yes, it sounds easier than it actually is, but this may be the most important thing a working mother can do. Schedule time into your week for pursuits that are just for you. While you may enjoy your work and the time you spend with your partner, it is important to do some things just because they feel good for you. This may be as simple as reading a book, taking a bubble bath or meeting a friend for dinner or may be a regular endeavor like taking a class or pursuing a hobby with a local club. Whatever you enjoy, make sure you carve out regular time to spend on yourself.

5. Exercise

Physical health has an immediate and clear impact on mental health. Exercise improves your physical health dramatically, provides you with greater energy and increases your longevity so you will be around for your kids and grandkids as long as possible.

6. Delegate

The mythical Super Mom may be able to do everything herself but most working women need help. Delegate tasks at home to your partner, to your kids and to hired help. In your job, delegate to your associates and team members.

7. Share

Talk to your friends and family about your stresses. For many women, simply talking to a sympathetic ear about their stress will alleviate much of it. Empathy is a salve on the busiest schedule and the most horrific day. Your support network will help you get through the worst situations.

8. Get enough sleep

When schedules are crazy, sleep is often the first thing to go. But, a good night’s sleep can make you more productive and prepare you to deal with difficult situations, so it is important to consistently carve out ample time to sleep.

9. Respond to the stress

Stress is inevitable, but the way you respond to stress is largely up to you. Practice relaxation exercises such as deep breathing, meditation and yoga to help yourself stay calm and handle difficult situations. Get massages to keep your muscles relaxed; eat fresh healthy foods to keep your physical body in optimum condition. The best way to fight the stress is to be in ideal shape, mentally and physically.

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How to handle a career identity crisis

Average life expectancy has lengthened, people are more active, and technology is increasing its presence in daily life. These things among many others are causing people to reevaluate their lives at a higher frequency than in the past. One of the first things people want to change is their career. Their daily grind is no longer fulfilling. When someone reaches this plateau all hope is not lost. A personal assessment and good planning can breathe life into an otherwise depressing existence.

The most important thing to do is a personal assessment. It is necessary to establish a solid foundation for change. First of all, pinpoint exactly what it is about your current occupation that is leaving you dissatisfied. Is it that you don’t earn enough money? Do you dislike your work environment? Do you feel your job isn’t sufficiently mentally challenging? Maybe, your profession is not allowing you to use your education and talents as much as you’d like. Whatever the reason is, make sure it is important enough in your mind to enact a career upheaval. After you make up your mind without a shadow of doubt, take a good look at your finances. Examine your regular monthly debt to determine what you usually have left over as net income. Then compare your net to the amount of cash you have in savings, checking, stocks, or any other cash flow at your disposal. Taking stock of your financial foundation will give you an idea of how long you can survive without a paycheck in order to find another job. It will also give you an idea of how much money you have to work with if you are trying to start your own business.

Personal assessment will set the stage for your dynamic change. After this, your plan of action is to decide exactly what you want to do and how you are going to do it. Figure out where your passions are the strongest. Combine that knowledge with your reasoning about why you don’t like your current occupation. Then decide if you would like to acquire additional skills or if you desire a geographical change. All these elements comprise your arsenal for change. When your arsenal is complete you can then pinpoint exactly how you are going to do what you want to do.

One of the most important things to do is network. Gather all the names of those who could be contacts to help you with your change. No contact is too old or inappropriate. Anyone that you know that can help you with your endeavor is a contact. It is not necessary to have a deep personal friendship with someone to consider him or her as a good networking contact. A contact is any person that can give you advice, introduce you to helpful individuals, provide you with capital, give you support, or act as any vehicle to help you institute your change.

Once you get your contacts together, begin to use them. Explain your personal plan well, in order to obtain the most effective help. Most importantly, do your research. Make sure that you are well equipped to make your change. If you need more education, set yourself up for its acquisition. If you need to update your resume, do so before you even get good job leads. Most importantly, if you need references, begin cultivating them immediately. A good reference is from anyone who will comment favorably upon you. Once you have solidified your change, formed your plan of action, and set yourself up to begin your new endeavor, there is one more thing to remember: do not quit your current job until you are certain you are prepared to. The worst thing you could do is to quit out of anticipation and impatience. Anything worth having is definitely worth the time to plan well.

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Choosing a career that's right for you

Choosing a career and discerning what employment field or industry you want to be in for the rest of your life can be an incredibly hard task. In today’s society many career fields require you have qualifications or experience that may take years to work towards, so discerning what path you wish to follow takes a lot of consideration.

When considering a career path, try to think of the things that you enjoy doing. To be happy in a career field you have to enjoy the work that you are doing. For instance, if you do not like animals then being a vet is definitely not an option for you. Also try to consider the things you know you are good at. Maybe you are a people person so working with people would suit you well. Perhaps you have skills in music or making things and these skills can be worked and molded into you career prospects.

The people who find themselves unsatisfied with their career choices are the ones who have gone into that career path for the wrong reasons. Perhaps they were trying to please someone other than themselves, or maybe money was a motivation, but the outcome has meant that they have regrets and are unfulfilled in their jobs. Money and family values may be a consideration when you are choosing your career and that is all right, but do not choose a career path based on these reasons alone.

When you choose a career path to follow, you should be excited by the prospects and genuinely interested in the field, especially if you intend to spend many years studying to get qualifications or gain the right experience. Of course many people go into a career field that is not of their choice for different circumstantial reasons. Perhaps they did not have the qualifications or were unable for whatever reasons, to get into the field they may have desired to. These people however may find that satisfaction or have reasons to then stay within that career field.

Gaining work experience is a great way to help you discern what does and does not interest you as a future career. You may discover that the job you always thought you wanted is not what you would like to do after all. Work Experience is also often a good asset when it comes to applying for employment and it can often help you to get a start in the field you want to. Through work experience you may gain vital contacts that will help you get into the industry you desire, or at the least you will gain experience and that will be well received by future prospective employers.

If you are unsure of what career to work towards, try to keep your options open. Try new things and do not be afraid to admit that something may not be right for you. Gain experience in different fields or choose a course of study that leaves your options open to many different career choices. Do not put limits on yourself or your options because the career paths and industries out there are endless, and the choice is up to you.

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Getting good job references

Keeping good personal references is not the first thing on the list in this busy world, yet it should be for the future of ourselves and our prosperity. So, how does a person identify and ultimately, personally acknowledge that reference--whether it be a co-worker, friend or supervisor? Who are the hidden candidates that could be called upon and labeled as a “Good Reference”?

Not too many people go around discussing these things. It’s just something we all have to know how to do, by “osmosis” I suppose. Agree? In the search for a definitive sign of a good reference there are a few things to consider and a few different types of people who will fit into at least three or four reference categories.

The reference categories are as follows: personal reference (not a family member), business reference (supervisor or overseer), or work reference (a co-worker who was familiar with you and your work style/work). The fourth category is a rare one, but it does exist on job applications: someone who is not related to you and has not worked with you. This may include friends/acquintences who are fond of you. Typically, all of these people would have to have known you for at least one year on a standard job application.

Now, back to identifying these individuals in your life. The most common question that comes to mind for many people probably is: How do I go up and ask someone if they would be a reference for me? Believe me, this is not the easiest task; in fact, sometimes people may find that they get rejected. It seems most people become rather shy and apprehensive when asked to give a work reference. Why? The reason is unclear; responsibility is possible. If anything, they should be flattered that they were asked to be used as a reference and trusted, too. But, people will be people.

The best people to stick to and recall when in need of references are: co-workers who worked close with an individual, co-workers in other departments who are fond of an individuals work and who the individual has done good work for in the past and has been appreciated by these people, supervisors who have helped an individual learn and grow, or someone (not work related) who has know the individual for an extended period of time (whether it be someone they have done community or volunteer service with or has helped out in some honorable way).

On the other hand, it is not advisable to use supervisors or bosses who did not give good reviews or who were overly critical of the individual. It is also not wise to use co-workers who were friendly, but did not know the individual long enough to give a complete reference on them (they could have forgotten all about the individual--as people come and go). Do not give personal references such as mother, father, cousin, sister or aunt. This looks silly and is not professional. If this were the case and we could all use these types of references, then we would all look “absolutely wonderful” in the eyes of these people, right?

Solution: Common sense works well when it comes to references. An individual should remember to ask politely and know the person long enough before asking for the reference. Make sure good contact is kept between the two people, as people move and phone numbers change. A nice suggestion is to take the “reference” out for coffee and bring it up or just approach it in a positive and flattering way. Usually, people are receptive. If the person is not receptive, it’s not a good idea to push. Just drop the idea and find another reference that is more upbeat and positive about it. It has to feel right. Keep in close contact with the “reference” and reward them in small ways (cards, meet for coffee, call and say hello, etc.). Keeping good references also keeps good friends.

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