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Social Entrepreneurship
How Living Lean Helped One Startup Get Off the Ground
Feb 18th
To save the cash she needed to launch her new beauty product, Brandy Jans traded her pricey Manhattan digs for room and board with Mom and Dad.
The Question To Always Ask A Job Reference
Feb 17th
It can be very difficult to get any of the information you really want when you question an applicant's job reference. Modern employment laws make it hard, if not impossible, to ask any specific questions about a former employee. If you are going to ask one question, however, Jack DeBoer has the perfect one.
DeBoer wrote in his book "Risk Only Money" that many employers these days don't really want to shoot straight with you when it comes to discussing employees who were not that great. They don't want to face the possibility of a lawsuit if their answers costs that person the job, even if it's hard to prove it. If you are going to get the information you need, DeBoer wrote that you should ask the following question: "If you needed the skills of this employee, would you rehire this person?" This is a great question to ask because it's a simple yes or no answer that requires no further explanation, and it allows the employer to tell the truth without violating any laws.
DeBoer also suggested that hiring managers should learn to read between the lines when listening to an answer. For example, if you ask how trustworthy the former employee is, listen for any hesitation in the answer. Anything less than "Oh, absolutely!" can be a signal that you aren't getting the whole truth. You can also try asking about the employee's performance rather than their character, as DeBoer wrote that there are fewer laws restricting those kinds of questions.
Employee screening can sure be difficult, but the tips above should make it a little easier to get the information you really need.
DeBoer wrote in his book "Risk Only Money" that many employers these days don't really want to shoot straight with you when it comes to discussing employees who were not that great. They don't want to face the possibility of a lawsuit if their answers costs that person the job, even if it's hard to prove it. If you are going to get the information you need, DeBoer wrote that you should ask the following question: "If you needed the skills of this employee, would you rehire this person?" This is a great question to ask because it's a simple yes or no answer that requires no further explanation, and it allows the employer to tell the truth without violating any laws.
DeBoer also suggested that hiring managers should learn to read between the lines when listening to an answer. For example, if you ask how trustworthy the former employee is, listen for any hesitation in the answer. Anything less than "Oh, absolutely!" can be a signal that you aren't getting the whole truth. You can also try asking about the employee's performance rather than their character, as DeBoer wrote that there are fewer laws restricting those kinds of questions.
Employee screening can sure be difficult, but the tips above should make it a little easier to get the information you really need.
Five Tools for Naming a Startup
Feb 17th
Stuck on what you should call your new business? Here are five ways to ease the creative process.
Five Tools for Naming a Startup
Feb 17th
Stuck on what you should call your new business? Here are five ways to ease the creative process.
Nonprofit Exec Testifies In Corruption Trial
Feb 17th
The former executive director of a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit testified yesterday in the corruption trial of the organization's founder, ex-congressman Mike Veon.
The Tribune-Review reported today that John Gallo, who was executive director of the Beaver Initiative for Growth (BIG), testified that he knew there was trouble for the nonprofit when he discovered checks written in its account that had no connection to the organization. Gallo was the first witness in the case against Veon, who is accused, along with co-defendant Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink, of theft-related offenses and conflict of interest. The two are also accused of funneling $10 million in state grants to BIG.
Before being ousted in 2006, Veon was a Democratic power broker from Beaver Falls, Pa. He is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence for previous corruption charges, and faces 19 felonies in the BIG case. Perretta-Rosepink faces six theft-related counts.
Gallo told the jury that he first found the suspect checks after returning from a month's leave. The checks were written by Perretta-Rosepink and included a $5,000 payment to the late Rep. Terry Van Horne, who had no association to BIG, and payments to a legislative office in Midland. Veon's lawyer, Joel Sansone, accused Gallo of stealing money from the organization, citing numerous expenses for flat amounts, such as $400 and $150. Gallo denied those claims, but acknowledged he could not remember all of the nonprofit's expenses.
Prosecutor Deputy Attorney General Laurel Brandstetter told the jury that Sansone's allegations were "baseless," and accused Veon of using BIG money not to bolster the local economy, but to pay his legislative chief of staff and his law firm for consulting services, among other things.
The trial will resume on Tuesday. You can read more about it in The Tribune-Review.
The Tribune-Review reported today that John Gallo, who was executive director of the Beaver Initiative for Growth (BIG), testified that he knew there was trouble for the nonprofit when he discovered checks written in its account that had no connection to the organization. Gallo was the first witness in the case against Veon, who is accused, along with co-defendant Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink, of theft-related offenses and conflict of interest. The two are also accused of funneling $10 million in state grants to BIG.
Before being ousted in 2006, Veon was a Democratic power broker from Beaver Falls, Pa. He is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence for previous corruption charges, and faces 19 felonies in the BIG case. Perretta-Rosepink faces six theft-related counts.
Gallo told the jury that he first found the suspect checks after returning from a month's leave. The checks were written by Perretta-Rosepink and included a $5,000 payment to the late Rep. Terry Van Horne, who had no association to BIG, and payments to a legislative office in Midland. Veon's lawyer, Joel Sansone, accused Gallo of stealing money from the organization, citing numerous expenses for flat amounts, such as $400 and $150. Gallo denied those claims, but acknowledged he could not remember all of the nonprofit's expenses.
Prosecutor Deputy Attorney General Laurel Brandstetter told the jury that Sansone's allegations were "baseless," and accused Veon of using BIG money not to bolster the local economy, but to pay his legislative chief of staff and his law firm for consulting services, among other things.
The trial will resume on Tuesday. You can read more about it in The Tribune-Review.
Make Your Job Candidates Say "I Do"
Feb 16th
After what seemed like an eternity of reviewing resumés and conducting job interviews, you've finally decided which candidate you want to hire. Now it's time to offer them the job.
Before you get too excited there's something you need to remember: Just because you want this person for the job, doesn't mean they want you. When crafting your job offer, you have to make sure to give them every reason to say yes.
Since you have presumably dealt with this applicant for a while, you should have a pretty good idea of what it he/she wants. With that in mind, Barbara Mitchell and Cornelia Gamlem, in their book "The Big Book of HR," present 10 issues that are most important to job seekers:
Finally, Mitchell and Gamlem suggest you include the following information in your job offer e-mail:
Before you get too excited there's something you need to remember: Just because you want this person for the job, doesn't mean they want you. When crafting your job offer, you have to make sure to give them every reason to say yes.
Since you have presumably dealt with this applicant for a while, you should have a pretty good idea of what it he/she wants. With that in mind, Barbara Mitchell and Cornelia Gamlem, in their book "The Big Book of HR," present 10 issues that are most important to job seekers:
- Commute;
- Salary;
- Incentive compensation;
- Time off benefits;
- Flexible schedule;
- Opportunity for work/life balance;
- Health and other benefits;
- Ability to progress in the organization;
- Training and development opportunities; and,
- Availability of coaching and/or mentoring opportunities.
Finally, Mitchell and Gamlem suggest you include the following information in your job offer e-mail:
- State your enthusiasm for this candidate to join your firm;
- The start date for the job;
- Starting salary;
- Additional compensation, if applicable;
- Contingencies, such as the candidate's references must check out, or he/she must pass the drug screen;
- Benefits summary;
- Reporting relationships;
- Date when offer expires; and,
- Place for candidate to sign if he/she accepts.
Nonprofit Sues Tax Collector Over Public Records Request
Feb 16th
A Florida based nonprofit is suing a Palm Beach tax collector for refusing to release public records of a $1.9 million settlement her office reached with over a dozen online travel companies.
The Palm Beach Post reported yesterday that Citizens for Sunshine, a government watchdog group based in Sarasota, Fla., had sent a member to the office of Palm Beach tax collector Anne Gannon to inspect the document, but was denied access by Gannon's staff. These types of legal settlements are usually considered fair game under public records law, but Gannon's office says it can't release the documents until it notifies the attorneys of the travel companies.
Citizens for Sunshine disagrees, saying the public has a constitutional right to see the documents, and has asked a circuit court judge to order Gannon to release the records. Additionally, the nonprofit wants reimbursement for their legal fees. Gannon told The Palm Beach Post that she plans to release the documents on Tuesday. Additionally, she said she was not aware of the group's initial request.
The documents in question reflect a settlement that ended a lawsuit that Gannon filed in 2009 that alleged that certain travel companies, including Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity, were not giving the county all of the tourism taxes they collect from the hotel rooms they book. The was for $1.9 million, nearly $1.3 million of which will be used to pay tourism-related expenses.
You can read the full story in The Palm Beach Post.
The Palm Beach Post reported yesterday that Citizens for Sunshine, a government watchdog group based in Sarasota, Fla., had sent a member to the office of Palm Beach tax collector Anne Gannon to inspect the document, but was denied access by Gannon's staff. These types of legal settlements are usually considered fair game under public records law, but Gannon's office says it can't release the documents until it notifies the attorneys of the travel companies.
Citizens for Sunshine disagrees, saying the public has a constitutional right to see the documents, and has asked a circuit court judge to order Gannon to release the records. Additionally, the nonprofit wants reimbursement for their legal fees. Gannon told The Palm Beach Post that she plans to release the documents on Tuesday. Additionally, she said she was not aware of the group's initial request.
The documents in question reflect a settlement that ended a lawsuit that Gannon filed in 2009 that alleged that certain travel companies, including Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity, were not giving the county all of the tourism taxes they collect from the hotel rooms they book. The was for $1.9 million, nearly $1.3 million of which will be used to pay tourism-related expenses.
You can read the full story in The Palm Beach Post.
How to Create a Profitable Business Idea
Feb 16th
To do so, you'll need to understand the value proposition you're creating. Consider these steps to put your startup idea to the test.
Five Things to Do Before Your SXSW Launch
Feb 16th
A good showing at Austin's South by Southwest Interactive festival can carry you down the path to startup glory. Here's a last-minute checklist.
How to Create a Profitable Business Idea
Feb 16th
To do so, you'll need to understand the value proposition you're creating. Consider these steps to put your startup idea to the test.
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