Real Estate Information

How to protect yourself from a "grandparents" scam
  
Some scammers target their victims by posing as family members or friends in trouble, according to BBB's John North. The scammers then ask their victims to send money. People can protect themselves from these sorts of scams by protecting their personal information, refusing to wire money and avoiding suspicious links in e-mails, he explains. ClipSyndicate/WDTN-TV (Dayton, Ohio) (5/1)

How to get ready for your next tax bill

Now that tax time has come and gone, it's time to start preparing for 2013's return. It's important to keep your books up to date and to think about starting a retirement plan, Bonnie Lee writes. "Receiving only Social Security benefits is not a viable retirement savings plan."Fox Business Small Business Center (4/27)

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Overcoming distrust to tackle cybersecurity threats

There is a lack of trust between businesses and the government when it comes to dealing with cybersecurity threats, according to Jeff Moulton of the Georgia Tech Research Institute. For that reason, the institute is introducing a new system called Titan, which is designed to help handle security threats. Defense News (5/1)

Why location matters when you put your data in the cloud

For a number of reasons, customers may want their cloud-based data to be stored in certain geographical locations. For example, a gaming company may want its information to be stored near its customers to reduce latency. "Most of the largest providers have data center operations fairly well dispersed globally. For the most part, it's pretty explicit where the data is," said Michael Crandell of RightScale. Network World (4/25)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
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How to boost your company's cash flow

Companies can improve their cash flow by eliminating wasteful spending and seeking better payment terms from suppliers, writes Cynthia McCahon of Enloop.com. They can also improve cash flow by fine-tuning their inventory management. SCORE Small Business Success Blog (4/27)

The biological basis for trust

Research found that oxytocin, which is a chemical messenger, seems to be related to trusting behavior in in our personal and professional lives, writes Paul J. Zak. "To trigger this 'moral molecule,' all you have to do is give someone a sign of trust," he writes. Showing someone a sign of trust causes "the person being trusted [to experience] a surge in oxytocin that makes her less likely to hold back and less likely to cheat." The Wall Street Journal (4/27)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
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Your San Mateo Real Estate Advisor

BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace

BBB advice on how to protect your privacy on the Internet

To protect your identity and guard against property theft, it's important to be wary of sharing information such as your address or Social Security number, according to BBB. You also should talk to your children about online privacy issues without using scare tactics. The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) (free content) (4/29)

How green power can give your business a boost

Using green power to run your business might give you a leg up on the competition, said Scott Nash, who runs an organic grocery-store business. "That is how they can differentiate themselves from the big guys," he said. Businesses can request that their energy companies provide them with power from sustainable sources. Entrepreneur online/The Daily Dose blog(4/25)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

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BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace

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How to choose a pricing strategy for your new product

Before making a purchase, customers must first decide they need a specific type of product, Mark Stiving writes. Afterward, they usually choose between the available products on the market that satisfy their needs. "Every time you approach a pricing problem you need to know which one of these is the final decision," he explains. Entrepreneur online (4/23)

Are you average or extraordinary?

The difference between run-of-the-mill managers and truly exceptional leaders lies in their core beliefs, writes Geoffrey James. Great bosses see their company as a community, their own job as a service and their employees as peers rather than peons. "Average bosses see employees as inferior, immature beings. ... Extraordinary bosses treat every employee as if he or she were the most important person in the firm," James writes. Inc. online/Sales Source (4/23)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

Your San Mateo Real Estate Advisor

BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace

How to protect yourself from overseas e-mail scams
  
Scammers are trying to extract money from their victims by sending e-mails promising financial rewards in exchange for helping them to move money out of their home countries. Recipients can protect themselves from such schemes by protecting their personal information, deleting suspicious communications and turning to BBB for assistance, according to BBB's John North. ClipSyndicate/WDTN-TV (Dayton, Ohio) (4/24)

5 types of records you need to keep to avoid paying too much on taxes

It's possible to overpay on your taxes if you don't keep proper records about income and expenses, Bonnie Lee writes. "To prevent confusion, monies from sources other than sales when deposited into the business bank account must be classified according to the type of income they represent," she writes. Fox Business Small Business Center (4/20)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

Your San Mateo Real Estate Advisor

BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace

Google introduces its cloud-storage solution

Google has rolled out its cloud-storage service, Google Drive. The service, which will be integrated with Google Docs, comes with 5 GB of free storage, but you can get more by paying a monthly fee. Mashable (4/24)

How to tackle stress with technology

Many small-business owners are feeling stressed, but using technology might help to ease their minds, Stephanie Faris writes. Consider using inventory-automation software and an answering service to handle phone calls, she recommends. Also, make more information available on your company's website. SmallBizTechnology.com (4/20)

What saving for retirement can save you at tax time

Contributing to a retirement plan can be a wise strategy for business owners who are looking to save on their tax bills, Gail MarksJarvis writes. "[B]ecause retirement savings plans give you a tax break upfront when you contribute money to them, you can often stretch your money further simply by using one of these plans." Chicago Tribune/Your Money blog (4/19)

The most successful businesses are built on a foundation of trust

Creating a culture of trust is critical to the performance of your company, writes Christine Crandell. "Trust means doing what you said you're going to do when you said it'll be done and to the best of your ability." Like the performers at a Cirque du Soleil show, employees have to be able to rely on one another, she explains. Forbes (4/21)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

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BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace

Small-business tax deductions you should know about

Small-business owners may be paying more on their tax bills because they aren't reporting mileage and advertising expenses, according to a recent survey. However, small-business owners did list other expenses, such as those related to marketplace fees and office supplies, the survey found. BusinessNewsDaily.com (4/19)

Don't fall for too-good-to-be-true travel offers

Scammers are looking to extract money from consumers by promising amazing travel deals, warns BBB. Consumers can help to protect themselves from such schemes by being skeptical of offers that sound too good to be true and by asking questions to learn more. They should also research companies with BBB. The Topeka Capital-Journal (Kan.) (4/22)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

Your San Mateo Real Estate Advisor

BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace