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It is important for all businesses, institutions, and families who are considering hiring someone to take the critical step of performing a background check.

A middle-class family in suburban Atlanta recently woke to discover thieves had ransacked their home and taken nearly everything.

Who were the culprits?

Two men that were employed with a cleaning company who had been in the house less than a week prior. It was later determined that these men, who worked for a prestigious and reputable cleaning company had colorful criminal backgrounds of robbery and theft. The two men were on assignment at the home and while one of them did the cleaning, the other cased the house - taking note of valuables and even ways to get around the security system. It was eventually determined that the cleaning company neglected to properly investigate the backgrounds of its employees; and the company was sued for negligence. Stories such as this do not often in without violence; however, this example illustrates the dire importance of thoroughly screening all new employees with a background check.

This is example is surely of the extreme. It is, however, important for all businesses considering hiring someone to take the critical step of performing a background check. It is estimated 30% of all resumes submitted to employers, has some falsified content. This content can vary from exaggerations to outright lies. The most common falsifications are usually located in the education portion of the resume.

Most businesses deal with sensitive information at some level. This may range from handling social security numbers, credit card information, drivers license information and other types of personal information. In order to assure clients and customers that their information is being handled properly, it is the duty of the business owner to take the necessary step in getting a thorough background check on all employees. Personal and professional references are still a good method, however, they should not be relied upon solely. It should be obvious that prospective employees will give names of those who will give a good reference; background checks pick up where references stop - they will give you accurate and in-depth information regarding the candidate.

Background checks are available to cover a wide variety of areas. Drivers license, character references, personal acquaintances, education records, criminal records, court records, credit records and much more. It is also important to note that much of this is public information. In addition, employers should understand that according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, some information cannot be used in conjunction with a background check. Bankruptcies after 10 years and many other types of consumer information that is older than 7 years may not be reported. Criminal background, credit reporting, worker’s compensation claims and character references are just a few among a long list of types of background checks that are widely available. Employers should know the laws in their specific state regarding what information is available for their specific needs.

According to Paul Falcone, author of the book The Hiring and Firing, background checks serve many purposes: to enhance security in the workforce, to reduce turnover, to minimize the occurrence of employee theft and to leave you with the peace of mind that you have made the right decision in the hiring process. As a business owner, it is imperative to know who is working for you and what their background is. Employers should also include notice of the types of background checks performed, in their pre-employment literature. Most employers do not have the time, resources or authority to complete such thorough investigations. In order to gain this peace of mind, it is necessary to hire a background investigation firm.

Several types of firms conduct background checks. They can range from a company who verifies employment history only, to an online data broker to a private investigator. Though background check prices can vary widely depending on need, the average cost of an intermediate investigation seems to be in the $50 range. Business owners should consider this good practice and an inexpensive form of insurance for their company. Skimping on something as vitally important as a background investigation could possibly cost the company much more in the long run.

Free Background Checks

It is only human nature that the word ‘free’ catches our attention. Who doesn’t want free stuff? Employers should be extra careful when dealing with offers for free background investigations. If one searches the Internet for the query “free background checks”, he or she will certainly be bombarded with results. Upon closer examination of these “free” offers, it is apparent that the information you need is not really free at all. Yes, you can find out if a person has any outstanding warrants, any criminal charges but in order to see the details of the findings, you must pay a fee. It is very possible for employers to find the information for themselves. Various types of public records are searchable on the Internet. Another method is to contact the local police or sheriff’s department. Depending on the particular laws of a state and the employer’s needs, much of the information may be acquired for free from one of these agencies. According to privacy advocates, employers should be very cautious of those companies who advertise that they can find out anything about anybody - these companies might not be adhering to the federal laws regarding privacy. It is in the employer’s best interest to know as much about the investigating company’s practices before hiring them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Background Checks provides detailed information about criminal, employment, online, executive, and personal background checks. For more information go to Background Checks and/or visit our affiliate site at Original Content Web.

3 Tips when Writing Articles

Do you love to write? Do you want to put those writing skills to good use? Perhaps you want to see your name published whether it be in a newspaper, magazine, e-zine or other forms of publication. Here’s 3 tips to start off your New Year.

1. Brainstorm

Once you’ve decided what your writing is going to be about, brainstorm. Think of a new angle for your article. For example: If you’re writing for your local newspaper about an author, don’t necessarily write only the obvious details. Is there something about this author that makes them unique? What is so great about the book they’ve written, can you tie it with a current news event and or holiday?

2. Removing the Fluff is a Must!

When writing a first draft, it’s expected to h ave at least some fluff. Fluff is words, sentences, certain aspects of your article that don’t necessarily add to your article. An example would be: “I had no energy. My energy had been sucked out of me” Now that’s not the great example, but you get the point. A good way to tell if you ave fluff is to put your article away for a while. Why? Because wen you leave your article for a bit, the next time you look over you’ll see aspects of your article popping out. Certain words, facts and excess information that could easily be removed for a smooth flowing article. 3 fast tips that also apply are:

1. Editing- Proof read your articles and remember to use your spell checker. Grammar and spelling mistakes can easily turn your editor away.

2. Simple Language Structuring- You may be an expert in your field, but for others reading about your topic for the first time, your content should be simple. Make sure your sentences aren’t run-ons. Are you teaching something? Break down aspects of your article into steps. This will ensure your reader understands your topic better.

3. Be careful of the word “the”- “The” is a common word that sometimes is repeated too many times in the article, causing your article to become repetitious. Use “the” repeatedly if you’re trying to make a point.

3. Passion

No, I’m not talking about romance. Passion and excitement in your article. The topic that you choose to write about should excite you. It should be something you enjoy, something you love. If it’s a topic you’re not truly interested if, it’s going to show in your writing. Especially if it’s an article that you put together in 5 or so minute. Use words to “pump” up your article, actions, appeal to one’s senses if it’s about cooking. Have the reader become excited and motivated if it’s a teaching article.

About the author:

Laura Hickey is author of Mysterious Chills and Thrills for Kids. Ten Short Stories to Tickle the Imagination.
“Spooky” “Awesome” “Unpredictable”
Isn’t it time you entered the world where shadows lurk and each page turn could be your doom…
http://www.laurahickey.com

Are you looking for a profitable Affiliate Program?

When you start to examine the possibilies for your homebased business, it is easy to be overwhelmed with the sheer number of “opportunities” available. A search for “Affiliate Programs” in
Yahoo alone, will yield over nine million matches!

As with anything worthwhile in life, starting a homebased business using affiliate programs, should not be done without doing some homework. Take your time and do some research, think about what it is you want to accomplish. Are you looking for a full-time business with
“full-time” income, or is your goal to make some extra spending money? Set your Goals before you start and find a program that will help you meet them.

Use common sense when researching affiliate programs, remember the old saying, ” Anything that seems to good to be true…..usually is”.
Look for programs that provide a wide variety of marketing tools and support, after all, if it is legitimate they have a vested interest in you success.

If your a newbie, don’t try to re-invent the wheel, there are many successful people involved with affiliate programs. Most of them are eager to share their secrets, their mentoring will save you alot of time and money, time and money you could apply to growing your new business. The vast majority of people who fail in affiliate programs, are the ones who fail to educate themselves on how to promote their new venture. Learn from those who have been there..done that!

Once you decide on the program(s) that is right for you, dedicate yourself to learning and understanding what it is you are promoting.
If you are totally new to affiliate programs, it may be a little confusing at the start, but if you take advantage of all of the available resources, you WILL be successful.

Here’s To Your success,

John Tillotson - New York

Copyright(c)2005 John Tillotson

Ordinary people are making Exraordinary
money WORKING FROM HOME on the Internet!
Sign up for FREE Email course; visit
http://www.Future-Independence.com

The Public Relations (PR) industry is responsible for creating and maintaining relationships between clients and customers. Through areas such as brand management, advertising, media relations and crisis management, PR practitioners seek to foster interest, trust and belief in a product or company.

PR practitioners are aware of how best to carry this out when dealing within their own nations and cultures, however, when dealing with a foreign audience it is critical that cross cultural differences are recognised.

By way of illustrating the impact cross cultural awareness can have on the success or failure of a PR campaign a brief example can be cited:

Pepsodent tried to sell its toothpaste in Southeast Asia by emphasizing that it “whitens your teeth.” They found out that the local natives chew betel nuts to blacken their teeth because they found it attractive. Had the PR company behind this campaign analysed the cross cultural issues related to Pepsodent’s product, the failure of this PR campaign could have been avoided.

Cross cultural differences can make or break a PR campaign. It is therefore crucial that PR practitioners dealing with PR campaigns that incorporate a cross cultural element analyse likely cross cultural differences. A few key areas shall be highlighted in order to help PR practitioners begin to consider how culture may affect future projects.

Language and Culture

In order for a PR campaign to be successful abroad, an appreciation of the target language and its cultural nuances is necessary. The PR and advertising industries are littered with examples of poor translations and a lack of cross cultural understanding leading to PR failure. For example, when Ford launched the ‘Pinto’ in Brazil they were puzzled as to why sales were dead. Fortunately they found out that Brazilians did not want to be seen driving a car meaning ’small male genitals’ and promptly changed the name.

Translation of documents, slogans and literature must be checked and double checked for meanings and cross cultural nuances. This should not only take place between languages but also within languages. Even in English there are cross cultural differences in meanings. For example, the airline UAL headlined an article about Paul Hogan, star of Crocodile Dundee, with, “Paul Hogan Camps it up” which unfortunately in the UK and Australia is slang for “flaunting homosexuality”.

The Spoken Word

Areas where the spoken word is used in PR, such as press conferences or interviews, should be prepared for within a cross cultural framework. In short, speaking styles and the content used differs across cultures.

British and American communication styles are described as ‘explicit’, meaning messages are conveyed solely through words. Correlating background information is deemed necessary and divulged, ambiguity is avoided and spoken words have literal meaning. In many other cultures, communication is ‘implicit’. The message listeners are likely to interpret is based on factors such as who is speaking, the context and non-verbal cues. Spoken words do not fully convey the whole story as listeners are expected to read between the lines.

With relation to content, speakers must be aware of the cross cultural differences in humour, metaphors, aphorisms and anecdotes. In addition, references to topics such as politics and/or religion can be a very sensitive issue in other cultures.

When the spoken word is used the cross cultural distinctions of the target culture must be incorporated in order to help the speaker appeal to and identify with the audience.

The Written Word

Press releases, features and copywriting all require a certain amount of cross cultural sensitivity when being applied abroad. Journalistic traditions, writing styles, news worthiness, delivery systems and whether a ‘free press’ exists are all areas that will affect how the written word is tailored.

In addition, the most important point, from a cross cultural perspective, is how to write in a way that engages the readers in that society or culture. Some cultures may prefer colourful and inspirational writing, others factual and objective. Some may be motivated by language that incorporates a religious or moral tone, others by a money-orientated or materialistic one.

When writing, the first step should always be to look at and integrate the cross cultural particulars of the target audience.

Communication Channels

PR practitioners employ many different communication channels when trying to circulate information relating to their campaign. The main channels of communication in the UK or America are the radio, the press, TV, internet and public spaces. However, these channels may not always be applicable abroad.

In many countries the radio, TV or newspapers may not be the primary source of information. Literacy rates may be poor and/or radios may be expensive. In Africa, only 1.4% of the population have access to the internet. Even where such channels of communication do exist, such as TV, some methods used by PR practitioners, namely guerrilla marketing, would be interpreted differently in foreign countries. For example, interrupting live TV may be laughed at in the UK but in other countries it would be seen as irresponsible and rebellious.

The usual channels of communication in some countries would simply have no effect in terms of PR. In such countries, local alternatives need to be sought such as religious leaders, tribal chiefs, school teachers or NGO’s. Information coming from such figures will not only reach the audience but be perceived as more credible than if it were from foreigners.

PR Materials

The use of publicity materials in PR campaigns such as logos, slogans, pictures, colours and designs must all be cross culturally examined. Pictures of seemingly innocuous things in one culture could mean something different in another. For example, a company advertised eyeglasses in Thailand by featuring a variety of cute animals wearing glasses. The ad failed as animals are considered to be a low form of life in Thailand and no self respecting Thai would wear anything worn by animals. Similarly, logos or symbols are culturally sensitive. A soft drink was introduced into Arab countries with an attractive label that had a six-pointed star on it. The Arabs interpreted this as pro-Israeli and refused to buy it.

Conclusion

The above cited areas are but a few of those that require decent cross cultural assessment by PR practitioners if they wish their international and cross cultural campaigns to succeed. The aim of implementing a cross cultural analysis in PR is to build campaigns that target the audience as best as possible, meaning appealing to their world view while avoiding offense.

Neil Payne is Managing Director of Kwintessential.
Visit their site at:
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk

1. Learn about diamonds

Sometimes, I just can’t help myself but to keep on emphasizing
this to anyone who wants to buy a diamond online: LEARN
SOMETHING ABOUT DIAMONDS! Sorry, I don’t mean to shout. But in
reality, many people are still very ignorant about diamond.

Believe it a not, there are jewelers who are unable to
differentiate a diamond cut from a diamond shape. Everyone is so
hyped up about the carat weight and has totally forgotten about
the other 3 characteristics of a diamond.

It won’t take you years or months to learn something about
diamond. There are plenty of articles and information on the 4C
of a diamond. Spend some useful time in the library or internet
and learn about diamonds. Who knows, you may become an expert in
diamonds.

2. Prioritize the 4 characteristics

There are much more about diamonds than just the 4Cs. But at the
end of the day, the 4Cs are still the major factors influencing
the quality and price of a diamond.

Before you start prioritizing the 4Cs, you got to know what your
girl actually likes about a diamond. If she like big one, go for
a diamond with big carat weight but with poorer quality in terms
of color, cut or clarity. If she likes the brilliance of a
diamond and doesn’t mind the size, choose one with excellent cut
and clarity. Whichever the case is, prioritizing the 4Cs will
give you a better idea of what diamonds will suit her taste as
well as your budget.

3. Do a price research

With your list, do some price research at some of the online
jewelry stores (Here are some of the top online jewelry stores).
Based on your list, you should have a rough estimate of the
market price of the diamond you are looking for. If the price is
out of your budget, try going for a grade lower than your
expectation and you may eventually find one that suits you well.

4. Do some background research on the jewelry stores

If you have been doing researching, you would have come across
information on cubic zirconium diamonds. These synthetic
diamonds are D-color graded, flawless and cut to perfection. In
short, a CZ diamond is a ‘perfect’ diamond. It is brilliant,
flawless and yet cheap. Their prices do not increase
exponentially with their quality unlike diamonds.

And there are also some natural diamonds which have undergone
treatments to reduce its blemishes thus enhanced its appearance.
It is still a low grade diamond and dishonest dealers may try to
pass it off as a good graded diamond and sell you at a higher
price.

So, before you start swiping your hard-earned money away, do
some research about the jeweler as well. Ask your family,
relatives or friend who have purchased from the dealer. Online
forum is a good place to ask around and there are plenty of
sites that provide reviews on jewelry store online.

Give the jewelry store a call, talk to their staffs and decide
for yourself if you are comfortable with the store.

5. Always ask for a money back guarantee

There are risks in very form of transactions, so do buying
diamonds. Protect yourself and minimize any risks by making sure
that the store has the complete details about their return
policy. It should include information about the validity period,
what to do if you wish to return your purchase and their address.

As a rule of thumb, online stores should offer you no less than
21 days return policy. In fact, most of them have a return
policy of 30 days.

6. Choose jewelers who provide grading reports

Certified diamonds will come along with a grading report by
reputable gemology organizations such as GIA or AGS. Some online
jewelry stores certified their diamond by in-house gemologists
and they may be using different grading standards from GIA or
AGS, while others may not provide the grading reports. Diamonds
from top online jewelry stores generally comes accompanied with
a grading report.

After you have purchased your diamond, you should get it
appraised again with the grading report by a trained gemologist.
The grading report will be very helpful in ascertaining whether
the diamond you have bought is up to the specifications shown on
the report.