In today’s topsy-turvy marketplace, job security may seem like a pipe dream. In the midst of downsizing, stock market confusion, and layoffs, how can you make sure to keep your name off any pink-sheet list? One key way you can create employment insurance is to learn to define and effectively communicate your unique personal brand at work.

Here are some personal branding tips for insuring you’ll have a job even if times get tough:

1. Understand the needs of your audience. We tend to think that personal branding is an ego thing – that it’s all about “you.” But just as successful corporate marketers make sure their products fill a need for consumers, personal branders have to make sure their brands fill their audience’s needs as well. If you aren’t exactly sure what your boss needs from you, ask! Then, do all you can to meet those needs. Become indispensable. It’s a surefire way to make certain you remain valuable in the eyes of your employer.

2. Know your strengths, and leverage them all. What talents and skills do you bring to your company? Are there any strengths that you aren’t fully utilizing at work? Can you offer more skills than you offer now? Give every talent that you have to your company, and you will be someone your company can’t afford to lose.

3. Go beyond your job description. As you leverage your strengths, think about doing more than your job description specifies. Anyone who does only what is required of them will be among the first to go in a layoff situation. That’s why strong personal branders look for ways to go beyond their job descriptions. Be prepared to show flexibility and versatility. Find ways to be proactive, getting tasks done before you have to be asked to do them. Think about making your supervisors’ jobs easier for them. Not only will you become a great asset to your employer, but you’ll also find you will take greater pride in what you do.

4. Strengthen your credibility. Do you want to be known as one of the best in your company at what you do? Use experience, education, and endorsements to elevate you to a top-performer image. What experience do you have that proves you can perform certain tasks on the job? Are you using all of your appropriate past experience that you can? Can you take a seminar or a course to strengthen your credibility on the job? Are you asking clients and supervisors for endorsements or testimonials that you can use to show your value?

5. Be mindful of your personal brand character. Think of your brand character as your overriding attitude, temperament, and personality. It’s like the difference between Pepsi and Coca Cola. Their ingredients are pretty much the same, but each brand has a “character” all its own created by smart marketers. The same holds true of smart personal branders. Remember that employers want to work with people they like. Is the character that you display on the job the type of character that will appeal to your audience? This is a critical part of successful personal branding.

6. Be consistent. Everything you do must communicate your personal brand. If you remain consistent with your brand, your employer will know that you can be counted on to deliver every day. This means that you must look and sound the part of your personal brand, too. Dress professionally, and make sure to speak articulately. Study body language, to learn how to present yourself as open and friendly. All of these efforts will not only help you keep a job but may even get you promoted.

7. Learn to manage your reactions. We have all fallen prey to knee-jerk reactions, but they’re almost never worth it. Nine times out of ten, you’ll look back on an angry response and wish you could turn back the clock. So, at a time when you think you might fall prey to a knee-jerk reaction, learn to take a breath, and hold onto your emotions. Take the time you need in order to express your opinions rationally. It will do your personal brand good… and you won’t regret it later.

8. Maintain a positive attitude. Don’t get sucked into the abyss of “misery” that seems to spread whenever the stock market takes a dive. No matter what is happening around you, thinking negatively will do nothing to help. In fact, it may just take you down with the ship. After all, science is beginning to discover that your thoughts may have more power than we … well, thought. So, work on keeping your thoughts positive and expect the best. It will not only make your life easier during trying times but it can also help you create a better future … sooner rather than later.

Whether or not you worry that your job could be in jeopardy, mastering your personal brand is one of the very best ways to not only insure job security, but to command a higher salary and advancement in your career as well. Becoming known for your powerful personal brand puts everyone on notice that you’re someone to watch. What better job insurance is there than that?

By: Brenda Bence

To break the declarations page down further, we’ll discuss each aspect presented on the page, and this is done in no particular order, meaning your declarations page may or may not have the same information in the same order listed here. First we’ll mention the auto insurance company’s information on the page. The declarations page will have the name of the insurance company, as well as their contact information including a phone number and address. If you need to contact the company, the information is readily available here and also on the insurance card that you should have somewhere in your car in case it is immediately needed.

Next, you should find your policy number. Your policy number is a way the auto insurance company can identify you without using your name. This lessens confusion as there is typically more than one client sharing the same first and last names. A policy number can include numbers and letters together, or just numbers. You will need to know your policy number any time you want to contact the insurance company. You can also find your policy number on the insurance card.

Information regarding the coverage you have purchased is also included in the declarations page. The coverage you purchased will include the minimal requirements provided by your state, as well as any additional coverage options you felt the need to purchase. Bodily injury liability, property damage liability, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist bodily injury may be some of the coverage options you purchased that will be listed on the declarations page. Read more about automobile premiums and policies in Auto Car Insurance Premiums section of author’s site.

The cost of each coverage you purchase for your auto insurance policy will also be listed on this page. The price of your policy is determined by individual factors, including the cost of coverage you added to your policy. If you carry additional coverage options past the state’s requirements, you can look at these “extra” options and decide if they fit into your budget, or if you can add more coverage for added protection.

Your deductible amounts may also be listed in the declarations page. A deductible amount is the amount of money you are willing to pay, out-of-pocket, when you make a claim to the auto insurance company. Any time you file a claim and expect the insurer to cover an accident-related cost, the insurer requires you to pay upfront a deductible. This amount can range from $250, to $1,000 or higher. The lower deductible you choose for your policy, the more expensive your policy premium will be.

Look for the policy periods on the declarations page to find out when your coverage begins and when it ends. You should also be aware that you have the option with the insurer to automatically renew your policy when it expires. This helps to avoid any time period of not carrying auto insurance, known as a policy lapse. It is illegal to drive a vehicle without proper auto insurance so it is vital that the policy always be in effect.

You will also notice your information, or the policyholder’s information, listed on the declarations page. Your name, address, and phone number will be listed on the page. It will also have information regarding the vehicle(s) you have insured with the company, such as the year, make and model of each vehicle. Always keep this information up-to-date with the auto insurance company so they can contact you easily with any questions they have or information they need.

You may think the declarations page is just one more nagging piece of paperwork, but in actuality it is the most important piece of paper that you have for your auto insurance. You will need to review your declarations page every time your policy renews to make sure no coverage was accidentally dropped or so you know your information is correct. Don’t disregard your declarations page as it comes in the mail or think of it as worthless because you think you already know what coverage is on your auto insurance policy.




By: Car Insurance Expert

Tax Deferral 1031 Exchanges and Cost Segregation

Tax deferral through 1031 exchanges, or tax-free exchanges of real estate, have become a popular method of tax deferral of capital gains taxes. Almost by definition, individuals who utilize the 1031 exchange option are reluctant to pay taxes that can legally be avoided. 1031 exchangers have asked if they can receive tax deferrals and enhance depreciation. The short answer is yes.

A complete answer needs to consider the remaining cost basis for the property that has been exchanged. If the remaining cost basis is minimal then tax deferral is minimal and, it is probably not financially feasible to utilize cost segregation. If the remaining cost basis (plus the amount of additional cash contributed) is at least $500,000, tax deferral is increased and it is worth reviewing whether cost segregation makes sense.

The total value of the new property is proportionally allocated to the remaining cost basis of the 1031 exchange property (and any additional basis from new investment). For example, if the five-year property is 10% of the value of the new property, and the remaining cost basis is $3,000,000, a value of $300,000 ($3,000,000 x 10%) would be allocated to the five-year property.

One interesting issue is whether five-year property in the new property is considered personal property. To gain the tax deferral benefits, a 1031 Exchange must involve like-kind property. For example, if you sell a house and purchase a lake house, boat and jet ski as your exchange property, the boat and jet ski would be considered “boot”, taxable as ordinary income and the owner does not receive any tax deferral. The boat and jet ski are considered “boot” since they are personal property and the property that was sold was real estate.

Since five-year property is referred to as personal property in IRS documentation, there has been confusion regarding this issue. The IRS defers to state law regarding whether items are real property or personal property for the purpose of determining whether there is “boot.” Carpet and vinyl tile are both significant five-year life components. While they are considered personal property for depreciation purpose, they are considered real property by state law (in most states). Hence, they are not considered “boot.” and the owner can experience tax deferral.

Tax deferral from cost segregation is effective for 1031 exchange purchases provided the remaining cost basis is at least $500,000. Exchange buyers can defer taxes and reduce taxes on the old property and increase depreciation for the new property.

Click here for a FREE preliminary analysis of tax deferral and tax savings resulting from your property.

Cost segregation produces tax deferrals and reduces federal income taxes across the country and in every size market. Below are just a few examples of where cost segregation generates meaningful tax deductions.

City:



Baltimore, MD

Houston, TX

Bridgeport, CT

Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX

Hartford, CT

San Francisco, CA

Washington, DC

Las Vegas, NV

Memphis, TN

Tampa, FL

Albany, NY

St. Louis, MO

Tulsa, OK

Columbus, OH

Santa Rosa, CA

Fresno, CA

Detroit, MI

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Cincinnati, OH

Cleveland, OH

Scranton, PA

Indianapolis, IN

Albuquerque, NM

Wichita, KS

Milwaukee, WI

Stockton, CA

Little Rock, AR

Bakersfield, CA

Oklahoma City, OK

Nashville, TN



Cost segregation produces tax deductions amd tax deferrals for virtually all property types.

Property Type:



Regional mall

Truck terminal

School

Manufacturing/processing

Retail

Shopping center

Cold storage facility

Tennis club

Country club

Medical office



Almost every industry, including the following, can generate cost-efficient tax deductions and tax deferrals by using cost segregation.

Industry:



Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

Laundry facilities

Furniture stores

Paper manufacturing

Machinery manufacturing

Metal manufacturing

Computer and electronic manufacturing

Golf courses and country clubs

Textile mills

Truck transportation



O’Connor & Associates is a national provider of commercial property real estate consulting services including gift tax valuations, insurance valuation,condemnation appraisals, tax deduction, feasibility studies, market research, property tax, income tax, feasibility studies, casualty loss, taxes, Tips and Tricks for Appealing Your Property Taxes in Fort Bend, Fort bend county appraisal, and Federal tax reduction. Appraisal services are provided for all commercial property types including multi-family housing, retail stores, hospitals, hotels, industrial properties, manufacturing facilities, medical offices, commercial offices, restaurants, self-storage units, shopping malls, shopping plazas and warehouse/distribution centers.




By: Patrick C. OConnor