Normally, I’m not one to buy into trends. But right now, zombies are trending in a big way. They’re all over television and movies, and they’ve even invaded “Pride and Prejudice…(and zombies)”. And, with the unfortunate inception of zombie-creating drug “bath salts”, I’m willing to say that it’s better to be safe than sorry on this one. It’s official – I’m getting my survival strategy down.

1. Pack a “bug out bag”

This is a serious thing. There are many Youtube videos dedicated to various types of bug-out bags and kits (urban, wilderness, pocket…zombie). This is usually some sort of sturdy backpack that includes basics like first aid kits, water, a fire source, knives, sometimes food, machetes, and anti-zombie repellent (just kidding). So, this would ideally be something to do in advance, but if that’s not possible grab a backpack, shove everything in it, and…

2. Run

Fast. As fast as humanely possible. Get to high ground, and possibly climb up on things (it’s rumored that zombies can’t climb very well – my rock climbing skills will come into good use here!)  Now, don’t just run randomly and in a panic – tighten up the straps on that bug-out bag and head to…

3. Costco.

Or Wal-mart. Why? Because they have everything, and lots of it. Food, water, clothing, weapons (for that bug-out bag) and if there’s enough people, they would be relatively easy to fortify against the zombies. Lots of places to climb, as well. But don’t hang out in the super-store indefinitely. Grab some gear and, when possible, start for…

4. Cold weather

That’s right. Physically, the zombies can’t survive in the cold. They freeze because the blood isn’t circulating. They just turn into zombie-cicles. Which, while that doesn’t sound at all appetizing, it does sound slightly less death-causing than warm zombies.  And, whether fighting frozen zombies or warm zombies, it’s important to…

5. Stick together

There’s strength in numbers, remember. And the zombies will definitely have numbers on their side, so keeping together is paramount. Now, obviously, don’t stick with dead weight, but rather with people who have bad-ass skills and the will to survive. Group work means rotating shifts and more people to take down the zombies. And it’s a good idea if everyone in the group…

6. Plays to their strengths

Good at cooking? Wonderful. A natural-born leader? Hop to it. Brute strength? Build the shelter. Everyone has special talents, and when on the run from zombies, it’s no time to be vain. Everyone gets a task, and everyone does that task to the best of their zombie-fighting ability, no matter where the group is stationed, because, remember to…

7. Keep it moving

Zombies might not be smart, but don’t become sitting ducks for them. Fresh meat, after all, is hard to resist. Even if the group has made it to cold climates, don’t stay in the Canadian Costco forever.  Don’t move recklessly, obviously, but don’t get too comfortable. Constant vigilance, my friends. Stay safe and beat the zombies!

Job hunting can be a long, sometimes discouraging process. There are tons of job hunting tips out there, from how to prepare to how to talk about yourself accurately and positively. But let’s not kid ourselves– interviews are stressful. During an interview, the potential employee has a lot going through their head. How much eye contact should they make, how to answer questions, what kind of words to use, and an awareness of how they are presenting themselves overall. They want to seem professional but also like someone who is fun and easy to work with. It’s hard not to crumble under all of that pressure. Luckily there are a lot of ways that someone can prepare for an interview to be successful.

Doing the Research
It’s important not to go into an interview with no knowledge about the position. Of course it’s OK to ask clarifying questions about the job and the workplace, in fact it’s great to ask questions, but having zero background knowledge will make an interviewee feel unprepared and unqualified. Researching the job, the company, and maybe even the person (or people) conducting the interview will help anyone feel ready and give them a basic knowledge to expand upon.

Getting Ready
The resume is an important factor in getting a job, almost just as much as the interview. Luckily it’s a combination of the two that will help someone land the right job, so a strong resume can help to make up for a not-so-great interview. There are plenty of tips and services for building a stunning resume, but no matter what it’s important to present a straightforward, organized, and honest recount of previous experience, interests, and education or training.

Feel Good About Yourself
There’s a lot of emphasis on dressing appropriately for an interview. This changes from job to job, but it makes sense to generally dress for the part. If the job requires professional dress, attending the interview in that type of clothing will help interviewers see the person in that particular role. While there is a lot of focus on clothing, there are other aspects of someone’s appearance that they should think about. When meeting someone for the first time, their smile is very important. Having nice, bright teeth will not only impress interviewers to some degree, but help the interviewee feel more confident about themselves. This can be achieved by simply employing whitening toothpaste, mouthwash, or strips, or people might even consider visiting a cosmetic dentist in West Hollywood or wherever they are.

An interview is an opportunity for someone to show off their strengths as well as be honest about their weaknesses. They should be themselves, but in order to relieve stress over an interview it’s helpful to present a polished version of their true selves. This includes being prepared with background knowledge and a clean, accurate resume, as well as looking the part by dressing well and coming in with a bright, welcoming smile.

From designers and developers to administrators, engineers, and architects; experts in the tech industry come in a wide variety shapes and sizes, but one thing that each techie requires is a break from the all powerful lifestyle tool that is the computer screen.

For the burgeoning tech genius or the well known and long established tech professional, keeping in touch with the industry doesn’t have to mean sacrificing precious down time to the computer screen. Online companies like Magmall magazine subscriptions offer discounts on small bulk orders, to both homes and businesses, melding the convenience of the internet with the relaxing change of pace that reading on paper provides.

Here are 5 magazines that have industry experts flipping pages faster than you can type “magazine subscription.”

1. Macworld

Offering exactly what the title implies, Macworld is the go-to magazine for all things Mac related. From tablets to phones, and apps to music, featuring “how to” guides and advice columns for topics as varied as children’s use of Mac devices, internet speed problems, and highlighted troubleshooting topics, Macworld is the perfect read for techies who bleed apple red.

2. MIT Technology Review

From the preeminent Massachusetts Institute of Technology comes magazine focused on innovation, innovators, and how technology makes its way from the lab to the real world. Providing insights on topics as varied as sustainable energy, the future of NASA and space travel, and new uses for apps MIT Technology Review offers cutting edge information from people at the top of the field.

3. Fast Company

Perfect for readers who’re interested in approaching the tech industry from a business prospective, Fast Company’s writers cover a variety of topics from a uniquely progressive, innovative, and ethical business perspective.

4. Wired

Covering trends in technology and the modern world technology inhabits, Wired Magazine has made a reputation for itself as a magazine unafraid of the controversial exposé. Whether unveiling the truth about drones, secret government data centers in the desert, or the future of robots, Wired makes being a techie geek seem edgy and interesting.

5. MAKE

Putting technology in the hands of the masses and proudly celebrating their right to manipulate it to their will, MAKE Magazine is the best choice for the hands-on techie. Appealing to all levels of ability and experience, and Make offers activities to accommodate inventors and meddlers at every level of advancement. Most recently featuring a special issue dedicated to 3D printing, MAKE is always one step ahead of the tech trends, which puts their readers exactly where they want to be: out in front.

Everything is online these days, and businesses are no exception. With customers who expect service 24/7, and the real-time nature of technology rendering the inconveniences of international time differences a thing of the past, a business owner who wants to grow and expand their organization online has to keep a few things in mind when entering the virtual office space.

1. Secure Your Website

As easy as it is to put information online for your clients and customers to use, it’s also easy for that data to be stolen by competitors or hackers. Talk with your ISP or a web design specialist about security, safety and Windows hosting.

2. Don’t Forget Your Content

It’s easy to get distracted by all the designing and programming that goes into building a business online, but keep in mind why customers would want to come to your website in the first place. Not because of how nice it looks, but because of what you can offer them that no one else can. That should be what your website is about.

3. Use a Content Expert

With literally millions of visits from potential customers browsing to your webpage, you want your copy to present your business succinctly, professionally and amicably. Consider hiring someone to write your content for you – a third party who knows what customers are looking for, not someone who has the bottom line in mind.

4. Social Media Sales

Even if your customers don’t return to your website every day, you can still stay in touch with them. Present offers and discounts for Twitter and Facebook users, who can easily do business with you and recommend you to their friends from the comfort of their Facebook newsfeeds.

5. Put a Human Face on Things

Even if your business is all done on screen, customers like to think that there’s a human being somewhere that they’re interacting with. Blogs are an easy and popular way to build a rapport with your customers, and might encourage them to keep visiting your site for more updates.

6. Keep Up To Date

Things in the business and technology worlds are constantly changing, and if a potential customer spots something out of date, he or she can easily jump to a competitor before you have the time to do anything. Keep a constant eye on all the information and deals on your website, to ensure everything you say and offer is current and valid.

7. Stand Out

With everybody having a website now, the best way to expand your online presence is to distinguish yourself from your competitors. How you do this is ultimately up to you, but the website that is different, unique and memorable will be the one that draws the most visitors, and makes them into customers.

8. Videos

One way of differentiating your business might be by creating videos. It’s the easiest thing in the world for a customer to share a video with their friends and family, so making the right video to introduce yourself and your business might be the best way to consolidate your online presence.

9. Virtual Showcases

If your business is trying to sell a product, consider presenting a gallery of your products, similar to what a customer might see were they to walk into your brick-and-mortar store. First impressions are everything, and with literally dozens of distractions on the Internet, catching someone’s eye and introducing yourself needs to happen in those first critical few seconds.

10. Focus on Your Strength

The other side of #9 is that while it’s tempting to hit the customer with everything you’ve got in those first few seconds, you can also overwhelm them to the point that they become confused and turned-off. Choose one product or one alternative, and use that to show yourself off.

It’s one thing to be a philanthropist like Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, donating millions of dollars to cure diseases and improve the quality of life to scores of impoverished people. Most of us can’t even dream of being that rich, but we all have something we can offer to help save someone’s life: the very blood in our veins. Assuming a generally healthy lifestyle and a normal family medical history, here are five diseases we can cure with the blood we donate.

1. Anemia

Anemia is a condition whereby someone’s blood has insufficient hemoglobin, part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen throughout their body. As a common side effect of chemotherapy, anemia can be treated by simple lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier or cutting down on caffeine. More severe cases, however, are best dealt with healthy blood being donated by a compatible donor. Severe symptoms and low hemoglobin levels can be addressed via red blood cell transfusions, which raise hemoglobin levels and ensure the patient’s body is getting all the oxygen it needs, in a short amount of time.

2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Yes, it is as painful as it sounds. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to a group of diseases that affect the bowels and the colon, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. If a patient loses too much blood via bleeding through the gastrointestinal tract, donated blood could be the difference between life and death. Such is the effectiveness of donated blood in restoring blood lost due to IBD, it is the first treatment option for IBD patients.

3. B-cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

The most common form of leukemia, this form of the cancer affects B-cell lymphocytes. Normally found in the bone marrow, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) forces B-cells out of their usual home and into the blood, where they impede the progress and movement of healthy blood cells. One of the avenues of treatment for CLL is a bone marrow transplant, which is achieved through peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Additionally, another treatment method for CLL is chemotherapy, which can lead to anemia, which can be treated by blood donations.

4. Thrombocytopenia

Platelets are a component found in the blood (like monocytes), which  in the blood assist with blood clotting. A low platelet count can lead to excessive and uncontrollable bleeding, a condition known as thrombocytopenia. Plateletpheresis takes healthy platelets from donated blood, and can easily save the life of a patient who risks bleeding to death because of their thrombocytopenia. Plateletpheresis can also help patients with excessively high platelet counts, since too many platelets will clog blood vessels.

5. Haemophilia

As one of the most common blood clotting diseases, haemophilia, like thrombocytopenia, can also be treated by an infusion of healthy blood. Clotting factor concentrates are manufactured from human blood, and are introduced to a haemophiliac’s blood system, replacing the patient’s own clotting factors, which are, thanks to the disease, either low, or missing entirely.

It’s a New Year, and regardless of the bad, lazy, or sloppy marketing habits your company may have developed over 2012 the New Year brings the opportunity to start afresh. The traditional song asks, “Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?” and the answer is no, but if it’s being done properly, communication with old acquaintances will  look and sound a lot different than it has in years gone by.

Here three phrases to listen for; they’ll let you know your renewed marketing strategy is a success.

3. “You Never Call!”

Google the phrase “cold calling” and you’ll find an abundance of articles and blogs testifying that the practice of cold calling is dead. That’s no surprise. Business and marketing calls have been considered ineffective before since the dawn of the caller ID. Similar to spam, phone calls can be overwhelming and unwelcome, especially when they’re received during prime time (aka during dinner).

Many consumers have taken precautions against cold calls (caller ID, no-call lists, and telemarketing blockers, to name a few) and with good reason. If people want to be marketed to at home, they’ll turn on a television, radio, or computer. Otherwise, they want to retain the right to avoid it.

When considering how the telephone will factor in to your marketing campaign, take a tip from Shakespeare’s Prince Hal who said, “…when they seldom come they wished for come.” Hal knew more than a little bit about marketing, and his wisdom still applies today. Phone calls are not forbidden, but they are unwelcome when they are frequent.

Rule of thumb: If it’s not on par with something you would call a friend about, it’s not something you should call strangers about either.

2. “You never write!”

(See Rule #5)

Sending out excessive coupons or advertisements via snail mail is more expensive than email and often creates unwanted waste. In order to stand out amongst the junk mail, don’t cooperate in coupon circulars, don’t send mail more than a couple of times annually, and conceive of a effective and unique snail mail campaign by creating something customers will enjoy receiving. This doesn’t have to include discounts.

A good example of this: Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer. A well written flyer of seasonal delights offered prepackaged in the grocery store, but which adhere to the store’s cultivated atmosphere by presenting the foods as specialty and deli items at a local market. Customers love to receive the Fearless Flyer because of its old-time feel and sound, and because it makes boring grocery store food sound exciting and special.

1. “Thanks for the email!”

Do not spam. Spamming is a surefire way to alienate consumers. It’s hard to differientate between a bout of excessive but benign email marketing, and phishers or other malicious spam messages. So crossing the line even by a step or two is dangerous business and can have your emails introduced to the spam filter before they’ve had a chance to work their marketing magic.

One of the best ways to avoid sending spam, is to allow an established and trusted email marketing company like http://www.redcappi.com/ manage your email communications. These companies know how to make emails look hip and classy, how to incorporate consistently identifiable branding, how to create and maintain unique mailing lists, and how to ensure emails are timely, efficient, coherent, and valuable for customers and clients.

Marketing doesn’t have to be a matter of trickery or force, social media does immense amounts of leg work, and customers are more willing than ever to openly express brad loyalty and affection. Taking advantage of the above tips will ensure that your customers are always ready to hit your company’s Like button.

The starting and growing of new businesses is an essential part of the American process. It makes our economic system the envy of the world. Entrepreneurs with vision and tenacity see opportunities and turn them into profitable companies.

The importance of these new businesses does not lessen the challenges they face. The entrepreneurial road is a tough and demanding way of life. It is a path that is littered with heartbreaking failure and adorned with amazing successes. Those business ideas that become successful and growing companies are the engines that fuel the economy. They create jobs and new opportunities. They pay taxes and provide the products and services we enjoy.

Capital is the Fuel for the Engine

Anyone with any experience in working with startups and small businesses understands the essential role of capital. It takes capital to start a business; it takes more capital to grow a business. Businesses that hope to attract capital must show the ability to make a profit. It is profit that provides the ability to survive. It is profit that provides a return on the capital invested.

Businesses raise capital by issuing debt or equity. Some use both forms of capital. There are pros and cons to each. The lack of adequate loans or other debt financing drive many startups to seek equity funding sources. Selling stock in a company is a tried and proven process. It has allowed the creation of companies that became cornerstones of the free enterprise system. Sharing ownership in a company allows others to benefit if the stock of the company increases in value. The many stories of people becoming millionaires from small stock investments are part of American lore.

The 1920s saw a period of unprecedented speculation in the stock and securities of thousands of companies. The economic crash that followed this period was blamed in large part on securities market abuses. This resulted in Congress passing broad reforms in the 1930s. The legislation created the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC was given total authority over every aspect of the securities markets in the U.S. With this authority came the responsibility to tell companies how they could and could not secure equity funding. The SEC is also the cop on the beat that regulates the sales and trading of securities.

Regulation D, Rule 504 and Small Businesses

The SEC provides a number of beneficial controls over the securities market. However, the rules affecting small businesses present significant hurdles in the process of raising capital by selling stock. Since the 1930s, the SEC governs that process with what is called Regulation D, or Reg D. As a part of the regulation, Rules 504, 505, and 506 (See http://www.sec.gov/answers/regd.htm) are the ones important to small businesses.

It sounds complex, but this is the simple version of what the securities laws say. Any company that wants to sell stock must register those securities with the SEC. That is how companies go public. The process is complex and expensive. A company must file a voluminous registration statement that strictly follows disclosure guidelines.

Because of this cost and difficulty, the 504 Rule and its sisters establish the possibility of a company obtaining an exemption from registration. There are very strict rules that cover the exemption. For example, the 504 law limits the money that can be raised to $1.000.000. Violation of the rules has serious consequences, including the potential of being sent to prison.

Thousands of companies have sold securities using the 504 exemption. However, most small businesses find it impractical for their needs. There are two aspects of Rule 504 that present the biggest challenges. The Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act passed in 2012 solves both of these problems. Because of the connection with social media, many call this the Crowdfunding Act.

Businesses can now use the Internet to raise money for their companies. They can advertise and accept money from many small investors through approved crowd funding middle men, and use that money for Facebook like marketing, social media investing, and other services to build their business.. This is an extension of the idea behind Kickstart and other crowd funding sites.

You can now use your social network and the entire Internet to attract investors to your business without violating securities laws. This will prove to be one of the most important changes for small businesses since the 1930s.

One of the new crowd funding companies can provide you with all the details on how to take your startup to the next level with social media crowd funding.

While there’s no question that online gambling is becoming more popular around the world, but what’s the attraction of an online casino?  The number one reason that anybody chooses to do anything online is, of course, convenience.  But that word has different meanings in different places.  Here are some examples of what it means and how it cultivates online gambling in various markets.

Australia
Gambling is a way of life in Australia, with more than three-quarters of the adult population participating in some gambling activity on a regular basis.  The needs of that population are well served:  betting facilities are available throughout the country.  In Australia, online gambling offers the convenience of allowing players keep playing when they can’t visit a facility.  It also offers the convenience of being able to practice casino games (such as the popular Aristocrat Pokies) outside of the casino.

China
Although China has a rich background of gambling, dating back to its earliest history, the Cultural Revolution prohibited gambling across the country.  That means that there are basically no casinos to serve a billion peoples’ appetite for placing bets.  In China, the convenience of online gambling means that online games are the only way for most Chinese people to bet against anybody but their friends.

United States
Although the US has prohibitions on online gambling, the laws have a number of holes in them and are highly dependent on location.  In addition, new laws are changing gambling rules in various states.  That means that numerous online casinos are accessible from inside the US, whether or not it’s legal for a certain person in a certain place to avail himself of that access.  In parts of the US where online gambling is illegal, convenience means that it is possible to break that law without using a bookie with a crooked nose.

Congo
There are comparatively few computers in Congo, which would generally be an obstacle to online betting.  However, access to mobile devices is skyrocketing, and along with it mobile gambling apps and games are proliferating at a rapid pace.  In Congo and places like it, a mobile phone with a gambling app might be the only way for an individual to play any kind of “real” game.

India
Gambling technically legal in India, but it is highly restricted.  That cramps the style of upper- and middle-class gamblers, and although there has historically been a booming gambling industry in the shadows and just outside the law, those lower-class gambling halls have a well-deserved reputation for dishonesty.  For gamblers in India, online gambling can carry legal risks, but it is an attractive alternative to the very limited legal options and the dirty illegal facilities.

Knowing what attracts gamblers to online games is important for anybody who is providing them.  And ensuring that providers know what we want is important if we’re going to get the kind of experience we’d like.  Because that can vary so much from location to location, smart online casinos tend to focus their business on a market they understand.

So you have your big idea.  Maybe it’s something revolutionary like the semiconductor.  Maybe it’s something simple like the bendy straw.  Regardless, you see the potential, and you’re determined to leverage that concept into a fulfilling, successful, and lucrative career.  How do you do it?

First let’s look at how not to do it.  If you’re waiting for someone to discover you, for an Internet fluke to suddenly make you a celebrity, or for some other out-of-the-ordinary thing to force the world to see you for the genius that you are, think again.  Neither Luck nor God has ever read a business plan.  Providence doesn’t pick winners.

Winners pick themselves.  If you want to be one of them, here are five ways to make it happen.

Build It

The best way to show that your idea really is great is to put it into motion and show that it works.  This is almost always possible, even if it’s only on a very small scale.  Once you’ve shown that it will work and that customers will like it enough to pay for it, you’re well on your way to actualizing the idea as a product or a company.  You’ve also made it infinitely more likely that fortune will shine on you.

Find Funding

The idea that investment money dried up during the recession was always a myth.  The money was there; it was just less speculative and harder to get.  But even in the toughest times there are venture capitalists all over the place praying just as hard as any entrepreneur.  Only they’re praying that a good idea will walk through their door.  If your idea really is great, go find some money to get the ball rolling.  You’ll benefit twice – first from the infusion of cash and second from the sense and network of your funder.

Attend a Trade Show

For any business – or even the idea of a business – a relevant trade show is an indispensable opportunity.  There are plenty of companies that can build excellent exhibition stands without breaking your bank, and you’ll legitimize yourself just by showing up.  With the right attitude, attending one trade show can advance your idea in three days more than you could ever hope to advance it in a year with a phone and computer in a home office.

Sell It

For most people who have great ideas the biggest obstacle they face is from entrenched competition.  The large companies that already dominate the space may not have anything like the innovative product a fresh entrepreneur has in mind, but they do have market share and research dollars, and once they get wind of the Next Big Thing they can design their own.  So why not sell it to them?  It’s can be easier than you think.  Just approach a relevant exec, explain that you’d rather not compete, ask for a meeting, and request an NDA.

Contracted workers can provide a fresh flow of talents and knowledge to a company that knows how to find these independent workers. Dtoolbox recruiting can help businesses connect with the best talent out there. Contract work can be beneficial for all parties involved. For computer or research related tasks, work can often be done off site, in the comfort of a cafe or home. Contracted talent is changing the landscape, from how businesses operate to how we approach work tasks.

Higher pay, higher revenues
Businesses who work directly with contract help do not need to pay the overhead associated with hiring traditional staff. Freelancers are often already trained in their fields, whether it is graphic design, web development, or other specialized tasks. Contract workers often own their own businesses, and are usually self-directed and motivated to complete a task efficiently and well. Lower overheads allow independent contractors the benefit of higher pay.

Flexibility
Need a film expert, a web expert, and a marketing specialist for a major product launch? Rather than seeking a full-time employee who must stretch their resources and talents across these various specialties, hire independent contractors to do the work. If contracted help does not fit, it is easy to find another person suited to the task. This allows for greater flexibility in completing a project. A business can contract workers that meet specific project needs. Additionally, contract workers aren’t constrained to the typical full-time office grind. Freelance work often allows for non-traditional work times, telecommuting, and freedom to travel.

Fewer legal issues
Full-time employees are entitled to and expect more benefits from an employer, including medical insurance, stock options, and more. Letting an employee go can become a very involved process, especially if an employee feels like they have been wrongfully terminated. It is much easier to sever ties with a freelancer, if they do not fit with a company or cannot complete a project. Contracted workers are also responsible for paying for taxes for Social Security and Medicare.

Becoming a Productive Workplace
Tim Ferriss, the acclaimed entrepreneur and author of The 4-Hour Workweek, extolls outsourced work to manage high productivity. By hiring contractors internationally, tasks can be completed overnight due to time differences between regions. Technology has created a global community, with many workers that can complete tasks at any hour. Rates can vary wildly with different currencies, allowing companies to save money. Think of how much time companies can save by outsourcing account management, data entry, and other time-consuming tasks.

Immediate results
Unlike traditional 9-5 employees, independent contractors don’t need to go through long onboarding processes, company training, HR meetings, and more. Contracted help can typically jump into a task right away, following directions and elevating a project. Their specialty knowledge can elevate a business, providing more specialized skill than a company may currently have. This is also a great way to test-drive a potential long-term contract relationship. If a contract worker provides exceptional insight and results, employers can rely on them for future important projects.

Building a great team of independent contractors can lead to lower costs, greater work flexibility, happier workers, specialize skill sets, and more. Make sure to examine contracts and define tasks clearly to create the best experience.