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    <title>COSE  Articles</title>
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      <title>Take a Vacation ... From Technology</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/wellness-boost-productivity/take-vacation-from-technology</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ In case you hadn&#39;t noticed, many people, these days, expect us to be accessible by cell phone and email virtually 24/7. And while it&#39;s important to be responsive to our clients, what&#39;s the cost of being tethered to technology day and night?]]></description>
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      <title>Keep The Sale by Kelley Robertson</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/keep-sale-kelley-robertson</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Keep The Sale Does this sound familiar? After dozens of phones calls and emails as well as several face-to-face meetings, you finally reach an agreement with a prospect who is intent on buying your service, product or solution.&nbsp; &quot;Whew! Another]]></description>
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      <title>Employee Retention in Practice</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/recruitment-retention/employee-retention-practice</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The following excerpted article puts the idea of treating employees well into practice.&nbsp; If companies can&nbsp;develop engaged employees in a call center environment, imagine what it could do in yours? Seventy percent of customer-service workers, on]]></description>
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      <title>Foundations of Service</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/customer-service/foundations-service</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Customer service is an elusive target - one that is more often missed than attained.&nbsp; The irony is that it&#39;s a target that every business wants to hit.&nbsp; Although, if you pay attention to advertisements on television, radio and in print]]></description>
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      <title>Seeing Is Perceiving</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/shift-your-thinkingsupercharge/seeing-perceiving</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ We have all heard this before - &quot;seeing is believing&quot; - but we typically think of it and use it in the context of people needing to see something in order to believe that it is true.&nbsp; After all, Missouri is the &quot;show me&quot;]]></description>
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      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-home-business-network/1214929367</link>
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      <title>I'm Taking a Lesson From Nordstrom's!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-home-business-network/taking-lesson-from-nordstroms</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ It&#39;s all about the Customer!&nbsp; I called Nordstrom&#39;s a few days ago, and as the phone rang I thought through my options: should I press the key for the item, the department, or the directory?&nbsp; I wasn&#39;t sure.&nbsp; Perhaps I will need]]></description>
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      <title>Establishing Trust With Your Employees Works Both Ways</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/leadership-skills-employees/establishing-trust-with</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Have you ever thought about what it takes to establish and build trust with your employees? Trust is a cornerstone of employee engagement and retention.&nbsp; The more you as the leader of your organization focus on building trust, the more likely you are]]></description>
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      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/-17</link>
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      <title>Growth Ideas In Times of Economic Uncertainty</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/strategic-planning/growth-ideas-times-economic</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The normal reaction of businesses during times of economic uncertainty is to pull back, spend less, and wait things out.&nbsp; But instead of adding fuel to the economic &quot;death spiral,&quot; smart business leaders see this time as one of increased]]></description>
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      <title>The Value of Working with a Business Coach</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/value-working-with-business</link>
      <description><![CDATA[A study was conducted by the International Coach Federation to explore the benefits of business coaching. The results, while not surprising, are significant. By far, most coaching clients pay their coach to be a sounding board - to really listen to them]]></description>
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      <title>Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/mortgage-forgiveness</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Prior to the Debt Relief Act of 2007 home mortgage debt forgiveness would result in taxable income to the homeowner. Under the 2007 act you may be able to exclude $2 million ($1 million married filling separate) if your principal residence mortgage debt]]></description>
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      <title>Prospecting Tips/Asking Good Questions by Wendy Weiss</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/prospecting-tipsasking</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ 1. How will you make the decision? Always, always ask your prospect how they will make a decision. Also ask them when they&#39;ll make a decision. This way you will know what you&#39;re dealing with. 2. What are your criteria for evaluating this? Another]]></description>
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      <title>An Interview With The Cleveland SBA Office's John Renner</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/investing-franchise/interview-with-cleveland</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ I interviewed our own John Renner, who works at Cleveland&#39;s Small Business Administration office, last year. One of John&#39;s specialities is working with Veterans. he even won an award for it. How long have you been at the SBA, and what is your]]></description>
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      <title>Tips To Make Sure Your Advertising Copy Works: Tips 13 and 14</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/magnetic-marketing/tips-make-sure-your-advertising</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Here are the last two, last month I gave tips #10-12 here are the #13 &amp; 14. Number Thirteen; Don&#39;t Be Cheap: When you send something that looks cheap people will assume that the product and/or service that you are advertising is cheap. Just]]></description>
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      <title>Wellness Programs: They're Not Just for The Fortune 500</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/wellness-boost-productivity/wellness-programs-theyre</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Have you been contemplating the idea of launching a wellness program in your small business? Maybe you haven&#39;t taken the first step, because you believe such a program would require too much time and money. If so, you might want to think again.]]></description>
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      <title>Don't Come In Now, Because I'm Not Here</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-home-business-network/dont-come-now-because</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ LIMIT DISTRACTION WHILE WORKING FROM HOME I may be at home now, but I&#39;m not HOME, I&#39;m working FROM home, and unless there is an emergency, please go away.&nbsp;&nbsp; Harsh words?&nbsp; Well haven&#39;t you been there?&nbsp; You&#39;re working in]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/-16</link>
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      <title>Credit Screening for pre-employment purposes</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/safe-hiring-practices-1/credit-screening-employment</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ The Federal Trade Commission , the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Graham Leach Bliley Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and all three credit reporting agencies, TransUnion, Experian and Equifax, all regulate the use of credit reports for]]></description>
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      <title>Building Strong Leadership for the Future</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/leadership-skills-employees/building-strong-leadership</link>
      <description><![CDATA[As a business owner, you prepare for the best of times and the worst of times, projecting into the future to maintain profitability and stability. You gather data and use tools to help you analyze the financial well-being of your company.&nbsp; Now, take]]></description>
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      <title>Cut Down on Legal Expenses Through Online Research</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/internet-technologies/down-legal-expenses-through</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Legal knowledge is a necessity of business. The size and the type of industry doesn&#39;t matter - being legally sound is an important part of any successful business. However legal expenses can be a tremendous strain on already tight budgets. One way to]]></description>
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      <title>Police Officers Are Franchise Owners Too</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/investing-franchise/police-officers-franchise</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Not only was Joshua Miktarian a Police Officer, a daddy, and a husband; Josh also owned a local pizza franchise. It seems that Josh was a real hard worker. Imagine working in an 8-12 hour high stress job, then going in to fling a few pizza&#39;s in the]]></description>
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      <title>The Importance of Onboarding New Employees</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/recruitment-retention/importance-onboarding</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ When it comes to entering a new work environment, many employees have had a similar first day experience - a myriad of paperwork for immediate completion, demonstrations of the tasks at hand, introduce a few fellow employees, and pointing out the]]></description>
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      <title>How To Make Sure Your Advertising Copy Works: Tips 10-12</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/magnetic-marketing/make-sure-your-advertising</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Here are the next three, last month I gave tips #7-9 here are the #10-12. Number Ten; No Deadline Or &quot;Wimpy&quot; Deadline: People are natural procrastinators and unless you motivate them to respond NOW , they never do. They might look at your ad]]></description>
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      <title>Are You Running Your Business Or Is Your Business Running You?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/wellness-boost-productivity/running-your-business</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Recently, one of my coaching clients admitted that she was no longer running her business. Rather, her business was running her. The question is how true is that for you? While building a successful business undoubtedly takes time and energy, we]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/-15</link>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/2065804162</link>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/-14</link>
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      <title>Helping Americans Do a Better Job of Saving for Retirement</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/wealth-planning/helping-americans-better</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Over the past 20 years, the 401(k) plan has gradually replaced the traditional pension plan as a primary source of retirement income for many American workers. This trend has shifted the responsibility for accumulating a source of retirement income from]]></description>
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      <title>Explore Sustainability Implementation for your Organization on August 21st in Cleveland</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sustainability/sustainable-workplace/explore-sustainability</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Identify innovative ways to reduce costs, discover new revenue streams, and promote collaboration within your organization by engaging in a Sustainability Implementation course offered by Entrepreneurs for Sustainability (E4S). &nbsp;Experience the power]]></description>
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      <title>Bottled Water and Convenience - Is It Worth the Energy?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sustainability/sustainable-workplace/bottled-water-convenience</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Beyond heating, lighting, and air conditioning, most workplaces have one amenity in common, a tap that is connected to the public water supply. &nbsp;Likewise, many if not most workplaces also share another modern convenience; stacks of bottled water by]]></description>
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      <title>Finding Leads for Your Cold Calling Campaign by Wendy Weiss</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/finding-leads-your-cold</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Leads are everywhere. No one should ever put off a cold calling campaign with the excuse of having no one to call.&nbsp; There are many excellent sources to find lists of potential prospects for your market. Many of them are online, some well-known ones]]></description>
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      <title>READY, AIM ... NOW WHAT?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/shift-your-thinkingsupercharge/ready-what</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Strategic planning - everyone needs it, but few seem to have time for it ... or make time for it.&nbsp; Businesses either don&#39;t do it at all and for various reasons (&quot;It takes too long,&quot; &quot;It&#39;s too high level,&quot; &quot;It]]></description>
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      <title>ANOTHER POTENTIAL STRIKE AGAINST OHIO - COSE On Guard for Small Business</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-home-business-network/another-potential-strike</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ This may not seem to concern your business right now, but it could in the future.&nbsp; Legislation that impacts small businesses impacts all of us. The following information will explain. Another Potential Strike Against Ohio Small Business for a Better]]></description>
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      <title>Determine Your Personal Sustainability Profile</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sustainability/sustainable-workplace/determine-your-personal</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Curious about your sustainability impact as a consumer? &nbsp;YouSustain.com is an online tool that will help you determine your baseline sustainability factor (how sustainable am I compared to the average average person?). Once your baseline is]]></description>
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      <title>The value of "Free meta tags" is just about dead!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/value-free-meta-tags</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Did you know that the value (search impacting) of your FREE meta tags has dropped by 90% over the years? Worse yet...the remaining 10% will be further reduced...eventually to &quot;0&quot;? Recently a&nbsp;SEO (Search Engine Optimization) expert/author]]></description>
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      <title>Execution - the art of getting it done!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/strategic-planning/execution-getting-done</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Formulating a solid business strategy, one that provides your organization with true competitive advantage, is a real challenge. However, when I polled some area business leaders, I found that they viewed strategy building as the easy part. A strategic]]></description>
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      <title> Is Twitter a Verb? Why an Interesting New Social Networking Tool May Just Be Worth Exploring</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/developing-impl/twitter-verb-interesting</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Actually, &quot;tweet&quot; is the verb; it&#39;s what people who belong to the Twitter network do. Based on recent stats, I am guessing that 50% of the people reading this don&#39;t know what I am talking about, 40% of you have heard of Twitter, another]]></description>
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      <title>Overloaded? Who Isn't?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/achieving-your-strategic/overloaded-isnt</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Each of us faces some kind of overload every day. As I completed my daily &lsquo;To Do&rsquo; list, I once again wondered &lsquo;How I could get it all done?&rsquo; Well, I can&rsquo;t! What will get done are those items that are most important to me, or]]></description>
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      <title>Stressed Out? Consider These Tension-Taming Tips</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/wellness-boost-productivity/stressed-out-consider</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ &nbsp; If you&#39;re a small business owner who&#39;s stressed out, you&#39;re certainly not alone. As a wellness coach, I work with plenty of business owners and busy professionals who say they&#39;re stressed to the limit. The truth is that stress,]]></description>
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      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/-13</link>
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      <title>Websites that Rock</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/developing-impl/websites-that-rock</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The other night, my 20-year-old daughter and I went to see the new Rolling Stones movie &quot;Shine a Light,&quot; directed by Martin Scorsese. I was expecting a documentary that would take me on a journey down memory lane to some good music. I think my]]></description>
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      <title>IRS Reduces Extension Period for Certain Business Taxpayer Filings</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/reduces-extension-period</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ The Internal Revenue Service has issued temporary and proposed regulations that will reduce the allowed extension period from the current six months to five months. These changes affect those business taxpayers who file form 1065 - U.S. Return of]]></description>
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      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/1684508094</link>
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      <title>IT Performance Reported Strong for 4th Quarter 2007</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/neosa-cose-technology/performance-reported</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ The economic news has not&nbsp;been very good lately. It&nbsp;seems that the&nbsp;sub-prime mortgage mess has spilled over into a general economic slowdown.&nbsp;Unfortunately, the dreaded &quot;R&quot; word is&nbsp;now rearing its ugly head more and]]></description>
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      <title>IT Workforce Study - presented by NorTech</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/neosa-cose-technology/workforce-study-presented</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ We&#39;ve reported here for the last few months that the tech sector continues to perform well.&nbsp; However, an ongoing challenge for the industry is the availability of talent in the region, both from the existing labor pool and students entering the]]></description>
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      <title>NEOSA Best of Tech Winners - an impressive group!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/neosa-cose-technology/neosa-best-tech-winners</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ There are many challenges&nbsp;that come with&nbsp;running a tech company, like keeping current on new technologies, finding new clients, and being a leader. You know that just managing your business isn&#39;t enough. You&#39;ve got to lead your team,]]></description>
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      <title>IT Workforce and National College Trends</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/neosa-cose-technology/workforce-national-college</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ A pair of articles this week in Time&nbsp;and Business Week point out an interesting and challenging trend facing the Tech industry nationwide.&nbsp; At a time when demand for talent is strong and expected to increase, enrollment and graduation rates]]></description>
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      <title>When and How to Create a Social Media Campaign</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/social-media/when-create-social-media</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Before creating a social media campaign, consider your objectives. Do you want to improve brand recognition by engaging your target market? Are you launching a new product and want to use the Internet as an awareness-building channel? Do you want your]]></description>
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      <title>You Don't Hear How You Sound</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/dont-hear-sound</link>
      <description><![CDATA[When I was growing up my mother used to say &lsquo;You don&#39;t hear how you sound.&#39; And she was right. She said it so often, that I absorbed that statement and now try to monitor my communications. While I may not always be successful, I am a much]]></description>
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      <title>Power Is Asking The Right Question</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/shift-your-thinkingsupercharge/power-asking-right-question</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ People are always looking for answers.&nbsp; They want to know how to improve their business or their life.&nbsp; They want to know how to fix various problems in their business and in their life.&nbsp; They want to know how to get more clients or]]></description>
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      <title>2008 Federal Standard Mileage Rate Revision</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/2008-federal-standard</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ With IR-2008-82 the Internal Revenue Service has announced an increase to the standard mileage rates for second half of 2008. The standard mileage rate for cars, vans, pickup trucks or panel trucks will be increasing to 58.5 cents per mile starting July]]></description>
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      <title>Lou's Law  -  How a Little Creativity Can Bring Big Rewards in Recruiting</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/recruitment-retention/lous-little-creativity</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The time has come for your organization to add staff and you want to post a job on- line. Reactions to doing this can range from &quot;No problem. I see dozens of job postings that even &quot;I could write&quot; to &quot;Holy cow, how do I do]]></description>
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      <title>What to Do When the Bank Says NO -- An Overview of Alternative Sources of Capital</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/access-capitalalternative/what-when-bank-says-overview</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Here&#39;s a familiar story.&nbsp; A small, growing business needs working capital to expand or cover operating expenses but gets turned down repeatedly by banks and investors.&nbsp; Does this business owner have any other options?&nbsp; In a word, YES!]]></description>
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      <title>Getting Out Of Your Franchise</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/investing-franchise/getting-your-franchise</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Is your franchise being affected by the US economic downturn? {It&#39;s a recession, folks.} Are you considering your &quot;options?&quot; Can you hang in there until business is back to normal? If your small business/franchise is not being impacted by]]></description>
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      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/-12</link>
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      <title>Change is inevitable; failure is optional - Part II</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/strategic-planning/change-inevitable-failure-1</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In part&nbsp;1 of this column, I highlighted one of the CEO&#39;s biggest challenges: the inevitability of change. This challenge has many layers and levels, and since it involves many individuals and teams, it&#39;s much more complex than it appears. The]]></description>
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      <title>A Referral Doesn't Mean Closed Sales</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/sales-process-s/referral-doesnt-mean</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ You shouldn&#39;t skip steps in the sales process, even with a recommendation. Here&#39;s how you can make the most of your leads. By Ivan Misner &nbsp; | &nbsp; May 28, 2008 When one of your&nbsp;business&nbsp;relationships passes you a referral,]]></description>
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      <title>Failure is NOT an Option by Cheryl Clausen</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/failure-option-cheryl</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Small business owners, all commission-only sales people who do very well recognize they are small business owners, are special people.&nbsp; You are special because of your commitment, your persistence, and your determination.&nbsp; You have a tremendous]]></description>
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      <title>IRS Reduces Businesses Tax Package Mailings</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/reduces-businesses-package</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ IRS Reduces Businesses Tax Package Mailings In a cost cutting move the IRS has been reducing the number of tax form packages being mailed to businesses. In the past those businesses who filed electronically or used a paid preparer were the most likely]]></description>
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      <title>PRACTICAL-y Paperless</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/document-management-software/practical-paperless</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In the beginning there was a vision... Thirty three years ago, Business Week magazine alluded to the notion of the Paperless Office . &nbsp;&nbsp; Most likely introduced as the focal point of marketing genius; the image of the Paperless Office is often]]></description>
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      <title>What Google Says About Your Business</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/internet-technologies/what-google-says-about</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Do you know what kind of results come back when someone searches for your company on the Web? Or one of your employees? Modern social networking websites make it easy for anyone to post content on the Web and as it becomes a more prominent part of]]></description>
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      <title>How do you make a 60-second sales pitch?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/networking-strategies/make-second-sales-pitch</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ (While this isn&#39;t a networking topic as such, networking usually leads to marketing or sales for our small businesses. And my responses do connect with networking-related strategies and techniques. &nbsp; This text was part of a]]></description>
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      <title>Cat fight on aisle 6: court leaves open the possibility that a handbook can create a contract</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/termination-employees/fight-aisle-court-leaves</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ In White v. Fabiniak , Wal-Mart fired Carla White for threatening to &quot;slap the piss&quot; out of a co-worker, Stephanie Jeppe. Prior to the termination, White had used Wal-Mart&#39;s Open Door Policy to complain to her supervisor that Jeppe had been]]></description>
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      <title>In responding to harassment complaint, prompt means prompt</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/termination-employees/responding-harassment</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ In Bailey v. USF Holland , the 6th Circuit had occasion to examine whether the employer&#39;s response to two African-American employees&#39; claims of racial harassment was sufficiently prompt to defeat liability. This case provides a good case study]]></description>
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      <title>IRA Rollovers: Stashing Your Retirement Nest Egg</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/wealth-planning/rollovers-stashing-your</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Whether you are a boomer saying goodbye to the daily grind or a Gen-Xer moving on to the next level of your career, retirement or a job change can create an ideal time to ask yourself what you want to do with your accumulated retirement funds.]]></description>
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      <title>Bridging the Gap</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/document-management-software/bridging</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Competition necessitates seamless operations and proficiency with changing technologies.&nbsp; Adopting a document management strategy into your business process is one solution for improving efficiency.&nbsp; However, before you look into investing in]]></description>
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      <title>So...What IS a Franchise?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/investing-franchise/sowhat-franchise</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Here is what a franchise really is.... The franchise business is a licensing system by which the owner {franchisor} of a product or a service licenses others {franchisees} to market and sell the product or service within a defined territory, following]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/-9</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title>Change Is Inevitable, Failure is Optional - PART I</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/strategic-planning/change-inevitable-failure</link>
      <description><![CDATA[As the old saying goes:&nbsp; &quot; If nothing changes, nothing changes.&quot; Last week I was visiting with the CEO of a landmark area company.&nbsp; The CEO was lamenting the challenges of moving away from the &quot;status quo.&quot;&nbsp; He said,]]></description>
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      <title>Who Are Your People? Management Magic 6</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/achieving-your-strategic/your-people-management</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Whenever I visit relatives in the south, a frequent question of a new acquaintance is &ldquo;Who&rsquo;re his people?&rdquo; This shortcut is a guide to this person, his history, status in the community, etc. In the workplace &ldquo;Who&rsquo;re your]]></description>
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      <title>Before Posting an Open Job</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/recruitment-retention/before-posting-open</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Without a good map, set of directions or GPS coordinates, how can we navigate ourselves in unfamiliar territory?&nbsp; Most small business owners are very good at what they do (that&#39;s why they&#39;re in business), yet making good hires may not be]]></description>
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      <title>Finally, Simple Sales Secret to Fight and Beat Your Competition by Cheryl Clausen</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/finally-simple-sales</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Why are you fighting in the jungle when you could be playing on the green?&nbsp; Is it because you approach sales just like your competition?&nbsp; When our fore fathers fought the revolutionary war they didn&#39;t win by fighting according to the]]></description>
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      <title>14 Tips to make sure that your advertising copy works! Steps 4-6</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/magnetic-marketing/tips-make-sure-that-your-1</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ &nbsp;&nbsp;]]></description>
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      <title>14 Tips to make sure that your advertising copy works! Steps 1-3</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/magnetic-marketing/tips-make-sure-that-your</link>
      <description><![CDATA[&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;]]></description>
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      <title>How To Stimulate Word of Mouth Advertising</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/magnetic-marketing/stimulate-word-mouth</link>
      <description><![CDATA[A great way to stimulate business is by using word of mouth strategies. Far better though is real word of mouth advertising and there is a single, basic secret to stimulating a high rate of word-of-mouth advertising. I first discovered the secret from]]></description>
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      <title>Mistakes People Make When They Set Goals</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/mistakes-people-make</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Goals are a dream, wish, an aim, purpose, a desire, focus, an objective.&nbsp; It is planning and taking action to accomplish something - but you have a 50/50 chance of succeeding or failing!&nbsp; As an optimist, I want to lean on the side of success,]]></description>
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      <title>Take Out The Trash by Kelley Robertson</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/take-trash-kelley-robertson</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Is your head trash piling up? The term &quot;head trash&quot; came up during a conversation with a colleague and he used the phrase to describe the mental garbage that affects the performance of most sales people. Head trash is a collection of limiting]]></description>
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      <title>Roth 401(k) Plans Are Gaining Traction</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/wealth-planning/roth-401k-plans-gaining</link>
      <description><![CDATA[It looks as though more and more people will have the option of using a Roth 401(k) to save for retirement. Of 429 U.S. companies included in a recent survey, 22% gave employees the choice of a Roth 401(k). Of the companies that did not offer a Roth, 61%]]></description>
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      <title>Custom Software vs. Buying Off-the-Shelf</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business-software-applications/custom-software-buying</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Recently I was approached by a client who wanted to develop a Web site with very specific functionality.&nbsp; We talked for a brief period of time to understand the requirements.&nbsp; At the end of this discussion the client looked at me and asked,]]></description>
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      <title>Snag Talent with Your Website</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/marketing-tips-/snag-talent-with-your</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Do you have job openings? &nbsp;If so, do your job descriptions sell the position? &nbsp;Does it include indicators of your company&#39;s vision, mission, values and culture? Is there a contact person for applications? &nbsp;And does it state the location]]></description>
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      <title>Web Site/Email hosting - You may be overpaying!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/siteemail-hosting-overpaying</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ We will drive for miles to find gasoline for our cars that is $.10 cheaper but to often I find that business owners do very little or no due diligence when it comes to comparing costs for their web site hosting and email. The savings can range anywhere]]></description>
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      <title>Shopping for E-mails</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/marketing-tips-/shopping-mails</link>
      <description><![CDATA[E-marketing is fast becoming one of the most effective, low-cost marketing vehicles of choice. But how do you find those e-mail addresses to expand your efforts? The answer is tricky. More and more list vendors are working to add e-mail lists to their]]></description>
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      <title>Growth: How to Get to Your Destination with Six Disciplines</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/peer-advisory-groups/growth-your-destination</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Do you fear that if you don&#39;t make changes to your business now, you wonder what will you will have in five years? You think to yourself, &quot;things are pretty good today, but if I don&#39;t look to where I want to take this business, we may never]]></description>
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      <title>Hosted or Premise-Based VoIP System?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/telecommunications/hosted-premise-based</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Between Vonage ads for residential Voice Over IP (VoIP) service and the &quot;VoIP&quot; buzz word all over the commercial world, the marketplace has been very confused by the two different types of VoIP phone system implementations- hosted or]]></description>
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      <title>Why Review an Applicant's Driving Record?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/safe-hiring-practices-1/review-applicants-driving</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Just because your applicant provides a driver&#39;s license does not mean they are a legally licensed driver.&nbsp; A license revocation or suspension may only show up on a motor vehicle report. A driving record or motor vehicle report (MVR) can be an]]></description>
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      <title>Shut Up And Sell!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/shut-sell</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Contrary to popular belief, to be a successful salesperson, it doesn&#39;t matter how much you know about your product or service.&nbsp; It also doesn&#39;t matter how much of an industry expert you are.&nbsp; It doesn&#39;t even matter how great your]]></description>
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      <title>Use the News As a Marketing Tool</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-home-business-network/news-marketing-tool</link>
      <description><![CDATA[When you write your marketing plan,&nbsp;include the news.&nbsp; Find a good story about your company and tell it to the media. If you get them interested, they do the rest, and you have instant attention and credibility. The news can be something as]]></description>
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      <title>Telecommuting!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/telecommuting</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Virtual offices or Telecommuting employees can be great cost savings for a company.&nbsp; Fortune 500 companies have been doing it for years and now with the advancement in software, hardware and High-Speed Internet access it is affordable and practical]]></description>
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      <title>Get your Strategic Plan to Jump off the Shelf</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/strategic-planning/your-strategic-plan-jump</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ I was speaking to a group of CEOs recently at CEO Forum and told them I wanted to perform a &quot;mind-reading exercise.&quot;&nbsp; I asked them to close their eyes and think about their most recent strategy planning session. Placing my hand on one of]]></description>
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      <title>"Click to Call": Integrate Your Website and Phone System</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/telecommunications/click-call-integrate</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Whether you have an old or new phone system, you probably have a website. Wouldn&#39;t it be great to transform a website visitor into a telephone caller&nbsp;who can be&nbsp;instantly transferred to a &quot;live&quot; salesperson so you can&nbsp;capture]]></description>
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      <title>Direct Mail Campaigns</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/developing-mark/direct-mail-campaigns</link>
      <description><![CDATA[So, you&#39;re deciding on whether or not to employ a direct-mail campaign as part of your marketing plan?&nbsp; There are several things you will need to consider to make the direct mail campaign as effective as it can be. Although a direct-mail campaign]]></description>
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      <title>Make Upgrading Easier!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/make-upgrading-easier</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Software: make sure your current hardware meets all the necessary requirements to run the new/more-advanced software products.&nbsp;&nbsp; New versions of software and different software brands can have specific computer hardware requirements. When]]></description>
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      <title>It's Out There Somewhere</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/its-there-somewhere</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Too many people blame the economy for a downturn in sales. In reality, they just aren&#39;t adjusting to the circumstances around them. In a good economy prospects for your products/services abound. The process you employ to find them and sell to them]]></description>
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      <title>How to Set Yourself Up For Failure</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/investing-franchise/yourself-failure</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ 1. Choose a franchise for yourself in which you have industry experience. Example: Early on in Sylvan Learning Center &rsquo;s growth, a large number of teachers invested in this franchise. Certainly made sense...familiar business, love of teaching, love]]></description>
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      <title>Social Networking Sites, by David Hunt</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/networking-strategies/social-networking-sites</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ (Editor&#39;s note - this article first appeared in the Cleveland Society of HR Management newsletter and is rerun with permission) So you received an email from an old friend you haven&rsquo;t talked to in ages inviting you to join his network on]]></description>
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      <title>Retirement Plan Options for Small Businesses</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/retirement-plan-options</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the U.S. Department of Labor have teamed together to produce an online video that helps small business owners understand the differences in the variety of retirement plans available. The video is]]></description>
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      <title>SEO and Multiple Domain Names</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/2030594285/multiple-domain-names</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Great article on Search Engine Guide today on how to manage multiple domain names.&nbsp; http://www.searchengineguide.com/stoney-degeyter/redirecting-alternate-domains-to-prevent.php&nbsp; Hidden nugget of info in the article.&nbsp; Be sure to register]]></description>
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      <title>Tried & True or Latest & Greatest?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/telecommunications/tried-true-latest-greatest</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ My husband recently bought a smart cell phone to keep his calendar, contacts and email while on the go. It&#39;s a very &quot;cool&quot; phone! However, because so much battery power goes into the &quot;smartness&quot; of the phone, little power is left]]></description>
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      <title>What Kind of Estate Plan Makes the Most Sense for You?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/business-financial-planning/what-kind-estate-plan</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ An estate plan consists of a series of legal documents and legal and financial arrangements that are assembled in a particular way.&nbsp; This arrangement is designed to accomplish your objectives&nbsp;with regard to the use and distribution of your]]></description>
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      <title>Beyond Value: How to Become Invaluable to Your Clients</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/beyond-value-become-invaluable</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ As sellers, we&#39;re continually told to sell value and to let our prospects know about all of our value-added services. After all, that&#39;s how we&#39;re going to win the sales. Right? Not necessarily. Value is relative. It&#39;s in the eye of the]]></description>
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      <title>Seven Test Questions for Setting Goals</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/seven-test-questions</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Setting goals is a nice objective but if we are setting goals that are misdirected, it can set us up for failure.&nbsp; This will then keep us from taking the steps or having the confidence to move forward in our purpose. Perhaps you may have set some]]></description>
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      <title>How to Get a Prospect Part 2</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/magnetic-marketing/prospect-part</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ One excellent method is the use of anonymous surveys . Information gathered with anonymous surveys is most likely to be accurate. On the other hand many customers won&#39;t respond to such surveys. For that reason at another time you may need to survey]]></description>
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      <title>Franchise Basics. 5 Basic Types Of Franchises</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/investing-franchise/franchise-basics-basic</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ There are well over 3,000 different choices in the world of franchise ownership. Where does one even begin??? A good place to start is learning about the 5 basic categories in franchising today. There are certainly subcategories galore, and some evolving]]></description>
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      <title>Management Magic: Chronic Complainers</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/achieving-your-strategic/management-magic-chronic</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Dealing With Chronic Complainers: Management Magic 5 Your employee frequently and openly complains and criticizes most management actions. Criticisms are generally expressed as an opinion that &ldquo;It won&rsquo;t work! A waste of time! &rdquo; When]]></description>
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      <title>Virtual Assistants...Help is in the Air!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/telecommunications/virtual-assistantshelp</link>
      <description><![CDATA[You know you need help but you either don&#39;t want to hire an employee or don&#39;t know if you have quite enough work for a fulltime person. The solution may be a Virtual Assistant (VA). With this concept, you can buy blocks of time -some as low as 10]]></description>
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      <title>Practice Makes Perfect Networking - By Ivan Misner, 4/16/08</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/networking-strategies/practice-makes-perfect</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Implement these 2 simple strategies and watch the referrals pour in.&nbsp; These are the two things you should know about networking: 1. &quot;Practice makes perfect&quot; is not enough.&nbsp; Practice alone is not enough. It must be]]></description>
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      <title>Passion as a Sales Tool</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/passion-sales-tool</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ We all know that Sales is really all about &quot;closing the sale&quot;. &nbsp;There is not a salesperson alive who does not use a variety of techniques to help them be successful with customers.&nbsp; However, I believe passion is the most underrated]]></description>
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      <title>How to Get a Prospect's Information --- Part 1 of 2</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/magnetic-marketing/prospects-information</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In this Marketing Strategy I want to discuss the importance of being able to properly define and target your ideal prospect by using readily available demographic information. If you have that information you have the power to very efficiently selecting]]></description>
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      <title>IRS Stakeholder Liaison Assistance for Schedule C Filers</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/stakeholder-liaison-assistance</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Help for Schedule C Filers On May 21, 2008 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Stakeholder Liaison section is offering a free National Phone Forum for schedule C filers titled &quot;Calling All First Time Schedule C Filers.&quot; The seminar is designed]]></description>
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      <title>Mining Your Inbound Links</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/2030594285/mining-your-inbound-links</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Once you&#39;ve established a relevant keyword set for your website, a great place to start putting it use is in your site&#39;s inbound links. Inbound links are an important element of achieving high search engine rankings. Search engines take into]]></description>
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      <title>Technology and Communicating with The Generation Y</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/technology-communicating</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ More than likely you will be hiring a &quot;Y&quot; generation person (if not already) that is in their 20 somethings. They have grown up with multi-media and multi-communcating. They would rather text than talk at times and tend to prefer interacting]]></description>
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      <title>Translating Technology into English!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/translating-technology</link>
      <description><![CDATA[One of the greatest challenges small businesses face is separating the wheat from the chaff especially when it comes to making a decision about which technologies are best for the business &amp; the best ROI. The problem becomes even more compounded when]]></description>
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      <title>Wake up the Sleep Walkers: Management Magic 4</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/achieving-your-strategic/wake-sleep-walkers-management</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ In 2006 the Gallup Company surveyed one thousand employees across the nation regarding their &lsquo;level of engagement&rsquo; in their work/company. The results were shocking. The Gallup Company found that only 27% of all workers are actively engaged in]]></description>
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      <title>7 Tips for Building Relationships & Guaranteeing Repeat Business</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/tips-building-relationships</link>
      <description><![CDATA[&nbsp; 1. Make sure that you ask all of the right questions so that you truly understand your prospect&#39;s needs. Don&#39;t assume that you know what your customer wants or that they have the same needs as all of your other customers. Ask. This way]]></description>
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      <title>A Criminal Records Primer for the Employer</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/safe-hiring-practices-1/criminal-records-primer</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ There are many free public records resources available to an employer who conducts pre-employment criminal records searches in-house. A complete listing of free available online public records, by state, is available at]]></description>
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      <title>Finding a Reputable Pre-employment Screening Provider</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/safe-hiring-practices-1/finding-reputable-employment</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Consider the following points: - The Society for Human Resource Management states that 45% of all resumes contain at least one major fabrication - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that 33% of all bankruptcies are due to employee theft - Identity]]></description>
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      <title>A Clear Strategy for the Future</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/developing-mark/clear-strategy-future</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Many companies spend a good deal of their time &quot;fighting fires&quot; in the workplace. - That is, their time is spent realizing and reacting to situations, rather than planning ahead.&nbsp; It can be very difficult to stand back and see through all]]></description>
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      <title>The New Technology Driven Etiquette - Part One</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/technology-driven-etiquette</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ We are all aware of the fact that more &amp; more of our communications are digital (text) and that has created a number of challenges. Little did I know that missing those English writing classes would come back to haunt me. In the following series of]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/-8</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title>The Dangers of the Comfort Zone</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/dangers-comfort-zone</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Sales is a tricky business. You have to consistently pursue new opportunities while maintaining the relationships you already have. The greater the emphasis is on &lsquo;new&#39; the less attention is paid to &lsquo;old.&#39; It becomes easy to convince]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/1463447915</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title>Optical Character Recognition (OCR)</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/document-management-software/optical-character-recognition</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Respecting the phases in the life-cycle of a document, information must be captured before it can be managed.&nbsp; During the capture phase, a document and its information are acquired and then converted into a format that is compatible with your ECM]]></description>
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      <title>Social Networking Sites Provide a New Way to Connect</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/social-media/social-networking-sites</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Social networking sites are providing an affordable option to reach customers and niche groups without having a large advertising budget. Social networking encompasses Web sites that have gotten plenty of attention in the last year, including the popular]]></description>
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      <title>6th Circuit Recognizes Claim for Associational Retaliation</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/termination-employees/circuit-recognizes-claim</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ The 6th Circuit continues to broaden the scope of retaliation claims, and in the process make it more and more difficult for employers in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Tennessee to manage against these claims. In Hawkins v. Anheuser-Busch , for example,]]></description>
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      <title>The Need to Set Goals</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/need-goals</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ I am asked sometimes &quot;Why do I need to set goals?&quot; or &quot;Why is goal setting so important?&quot;&nbsp; The best answer to these questions is - a person who does not have a goal will be used by someone who does.&nbsp; By writing them down we]]></description>
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      <title>Special Needs Trust: A Unique Solution to Address Unique Needs</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/estate-planning/special-needs-trust-unique</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Special situations deserve special trust solutions A Special Needs Trust can help you put the financial pieces of your loved one&#39;s future together. With a Special Needs Trust, you can provide for the lifetime needs of a disabled family member without]]></description>
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      <title>Management Magic 3: Creating the Super Manager</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/achieving-your-strategic/management-magic-creating-1</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Why is it that the most effective supervisors are working the night shift? Well, would you like to be awakened at three am with a question you would expect the supervisor to be able to answer? You might be a bit short tempered. But why do you answer]]></description>
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      <title>Continuing With 8 steps to Balancing Words and Behavior.</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/customer-retention/continuing-with-steps</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Step 1: B elieve in]]></description>
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      <title>Using VM Software is an Option to Consider in an Upgrade</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/using-software-option</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ With many companies upgrading their proprietary business software today, they are finding that the norm requirements for the hardware network includes a 3 server environment....this can be costly both upfront and for ongoing maintanence. I recently]]></description>
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      <title>Five Worthwhile Applications to Track Your Website Activity</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/internet-technologies/five-worthwhile-applications</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ There are literally hundreds of applications and third-party services on the Internet that a business can use to track and analyze their website traffic. However many of them suffer from one of the following problems: offers too little or too much]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/customer-retention/1460146653</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title>Outsourcing; Cost Savings or Risky Business</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/safe-hiring-practices-1/outsourcing-cost-savings</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ RPOs, HROs and BPOs all have one thing in common, cost savings. Utilizing economies of scale and by leveraging business potentials and synergies from within your organization these services can dramatically increase productivity and efficiency. The risk,]]></description>
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      <title>The 60-Second Pitch</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/networking-strategies/second-pitch</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ (Editor&#39;s note - this article appeared on Businessweek.com June 2007. While the content focuses on business pitches, the concepts relate well to 30-second commercials and elevator speeches.) At a contest to teach budding entrepreneurs how to sell]]></description>
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      <title>Networking With Best Practices</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/networking-strategies/networking-with-best</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Borrowing loosely from an old Sicilian proverb, &#39;A dumb guy can learn from his or her own mistakes. A smart guy learns from the mistakes of other people. But a wise guy learns from the successes of others.&#39; So, here is a collection of Networking]]></description>
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      <title>Linux is still alive and well</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/linux-still-alive-well</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ For those of you that like to cut your own technology paths, LINUX has been a good avenue to consider. Having its origin of being designed and developed by numerous contributors across the globe, it was designed to be a FREE alternative to the norm with]]></description>
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      <title>The Life Cycle of a Document: Retrieval</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/document-management-software/life-cycle-document-retrieval</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The main objective for adopting a document management solution into your business process is to enable efficient retrieval of business critical information.&nbsp; Retrieval , the final phase in the life cycle of a document, is the actual finding of a]]></description>
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      <title>What's In a Name?  Legal Considerations in Branding a Company or Product</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/legal/intellectual-property/whats-name-legal-considerations</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Corporate branding is a crucial component of the advertising, marketing, and public relations functions that build recognition and sell your products or services.&nbsp; The process of choosing a company or product name is an expensive and sometimes]]></description>
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      <title>Recession? How can technology help?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/recession-technology</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ **ANNOUNCEMENT** Postage will increase AGAIN in May 08&#39;!&nbsp; It appears that we are heading for some form of economic downturn and one of the best strategies is to reduce operating costs and improve your bottom line - e-Business Methods can really]]></description>
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      <title>Sharepoint - what the heck is it?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/sharepoint-what-heck</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ In simple English, Sharepoint is a software product that allows you a tremendous expansion&nbsp;of ways to share information, especially with your staff. For example: We recently helped a company set up Sharepoint on their Intranet site. One of the]]></description>
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      <title>Does International Competition Hurt or Help US Manufacturing Small Biz?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/more-money-your/does-international-competition</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Many have being asking this question.&nbsp; While&nbsp; most all accept the&nbsp;notion that we are in a global market place, and to play, we must think and act globally, trying to understand what the impact of international competition for small biz has]]></description>
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      <title>Are You REALLY Listening To The Client?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/really-listening-client</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Did you know that 85% of a person&#39;s success is depended upon how well they do in relationships?&nbsp; To create a long-lasting business relationship with your client your primary focus should be to develop trust.&nbsp; One of the key factors in]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/-7</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title>BEWARE OF PIRATES:  Software Piracy is Easier and More Expensive Than You Think!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/legal/intellectual-property/beware-pirates-software</link>
      <description><![CDATA[&nbsp; Time for a pop quiz.&nbsp; Do you know:&nbsp; How many PC&#39;s and laptop computers your company owns?&nbsp; How many and what types of software are used at your company?&nbsp; How many software licenses your company owns for the software it]]></description>
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      <title>Trademarks v. Copyrights:  What's the Difference?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/legal/intellectual-property/trademarks-copyrights</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Business professionals come in contact every day with dozens, if not hundreds, of names, images and other pieces of creative material that are the subject of either trademark or copyright law protection.&nbsp; How can you tell the difference between a]]></description>
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      <title>The Power of Connection</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/power-connection</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Highly successful Sales Professionals and Business Leaders in today&#39;s world are connecting with each other at a frantic pace. Web 2.0 and the technological advances that have followed have made connecting in the 21st century a global affair. To coin]]></description>
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      <title>Does a Website's Visual Design REALLY Matter</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/developing-impl/does-websites-visual</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ The entire world can learn about you through your website, but they can learn about your competitors that way, as well. Do you know if they&#39;re all stopping to look at your site, or are they simply skipping by to instead study your competitor? When a]]></description>
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      <title>Move your Office Online</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-home-business-network/move-your-office-online</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ By Varju Luceno, Global Office Partners Many of us dream of a paperless office, where everything is organized, clutter is gone, and it takes only seconds to find the right file.&nbsp;Several companies are making efforts to step closer to fulfilling this]]></description>
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      <title>Trademark Infringement and Your Domain Name</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/legal/intellectual-property/trademark-infringement</link>
      <description><![CDATA[So you&#39;ve thought of a catchy name for your new company.&nbsp; You&#39;ll need a web site, of course, so you do some internet research, and, luckily, the domain name you want is available.&nbsp; You register the domain name and put up your site.&nbsp;]]></description>
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      <title>Negligent Hiring - What Every Employer Needs to Know</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/safe-hiring-practices-1/negligent-hiring-what</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In nearly every U.S. state, courts have ruled that employers owe a special duty to their employees and clients to protect them from the harmful or criminal acts of other employees.&nbsp; Financial awards and public fallout from instances where a]]></description>
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      <title>BRINGING THE CUSTOMER BACK starts with an honest assesment of your BEHAVIOR!  What does your behavior say to others? BEHAVIOR NEVER LIES</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/customer-retention/bringing-customer-back</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ BEHAVIOR NEVER LIES .... Is that simply a statement or is it the truth? Is truth the&nbsp;WORDS a person speaks or the&nbsp;BEHAVIOR they act out? Behavior Never Lies is more than a statement, it is a truth that when understood and accepted, will reshape]]></description>
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      <title>Technology That Can Ease Staffing Issues</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/developing-impl/technology-that-ease</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Let&#39;s pretend that a key member of your team just resigned, you&#39;ve had two positions opened for months without any serious candidates and your phone is ringing off the hook with new work. You wonder - is there technology out there that could help]]></description>
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      <title>Management Magic 2: Creating Self-Managed Employees</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/achieving-your-strategic/management-magic-creating</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ What could be more helpful than having all your employees doing exactly what is needed for success without having to worry about who is doing what, when and how? The most successful organizations are able to create a strong cadre of self managed]]></description>
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      <title>How To Create A Network Map</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/create-network</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ There is ultimately no better way to start networking than to try it for real. The easiest way to do this to commence with the people you already know, rather than to find new ones. &nbsp; One highly beneficial task you can undertake at the outset is to]]></description>
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      <title>Marketing is an Art Choose your Brush Strokes Wisely.Stay tuned for:The Art of Bringing The Customer Back</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/customer-retention/marketing-choose-your</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Back in the late 80&#39;s, I was very involved in the Cleveland Area Board of Realtors and Women&#39;s Council of Realtors. I was priviledged to hear a fascinating speaker who made a whole lot of good new fashioned common sense and he really made me]]></description>
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      <title>Gross Margin - The Potential for Profit</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/business-financial-planning/gross-margin-potential</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ The next line on a P&amp;L is gross profit.&nbsp; Subtract COGS from net sales and you have gross profit.&nbsp; This number is frequently referred to as gross margin and is expressed as a percentage.&nbsp; This is the profit you made from doing what you]]></description>
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      <title>Just Be</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/just</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Once in a while I am asked the question, &quot;How does someone sell themselves?&quot; The simple answer is - Just be. Too many people get caught up in the idea of sales and forget the basics. It&#39;s not their job to convince anyone of anything.]]></description>
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      <title>Going Up?  Make Sure Your Elevator Pitch Doesn't  Let You Down</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-home-business-network/going-make-sure-your</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ An &quot;elevator pitch&quot; is a concise, exciting snapshot of your business that leaves potential clients with a good understanding of your products and services and a desire to learn more. It should take just 30 seconds and be crafted to address the]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-arts-network/382052517</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title>Surviving Recessionary Blues In A Shakey Economy</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/more-money-your/surviving-recessionary</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ With last weekend&#39;s news on the Bear Stearn&#39;s meltdown, many small businesses are rightly concerned about how to best protect their business and personal assets.&nbsp; Added to this, elections, other market corrections, the US dollar getting beat]]></description>
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      <title>Management  Magic</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/achieving-your-strategic/management-magic</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Increase the possibility for achieving desired results by ensuring a few basics are working for you everyday . We get caught up in day-to-day operations and frequently lose sight of management basics. And the basics are key to reaching your goals. The]]></description>
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      <title>Unclaimed Research & Development Tax Credits</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/unclaimed-research-development</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ The following article was written by Chuck Bennett who is a Director with Tax Projects Group, LLP, a national tax consulting firm that specializes in performing R&amp;D Tax Credit Studies. Unclaimed Research &amp; Development Tax Credits Manufacturing]]></description>
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      <title>The Life Cycle of a Document: Archive</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/document-management-software/life-cycle-document-archive</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Easy tasks often couple with awkward explanations.&nbsp; I would contend that this follows because certain activities tend to define themselves as &lsquo;routine&#39;, and thus, as something that we do not think about, but naturally do .&nbsp; For]]></description>
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      <title>Get Connected On-Line: A Guide to Understanding Social Media Outlets</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/social-media/connected-line-guide</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ If you have watched a video on YouTube, used a social network to catch up with old friends, followed a blog or used a wiki, you have used social media. Social media involves one central theme&ndash;user-generated content. As opposed to traditional media]]></description>
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      <title>CyrberCrime: Part Two -The effects of CyberCrime on your busines</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/cyrbercrime-part-effects</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Whether your business is manufacturing, retail, wholesale, service, hospitality or high tech, it is probably experiencing some degree of employee &amp; criminal theft via the Internet. The list of items stolen from employers is endless. In fact, it is]]></description>
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      <title>Great Sales Start With Listening</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/great-sales-start-with</link>
      <description><![CDATA[When I first started in sales, I was focused on one goal, closing the deal. On my quest to make a sales call that would put me over the top of my annual budget, I made a huge mistake and learned a valuable lesson from my client. I came to the appointment]]></description>
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      <title>Defamation liability in internal investigations?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/termination-employees/defamation-liability</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Jackson v. City of Columbus , decided today by the Ohio Supreme Court, illustrates the importance of being thorough in all internal investigations of employee misconduct, and only disclosing the results of such investigations on a need to know basis. The]]></description>
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      <title>5 Tips for Looking Big with Virtual Meetings</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/marketing-tips-/tips-looking-with-virtual</link>
      <description><![CDATA[As gas prices continue to stay high and we all continue to be squeezed for time, I encourage you to think about alternative ways to attend meetings.&nbsp; The web has leveled the playing field for small businesses. It has positively impacted everything]]></description>
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      <title>Keep More of Your Profits -- Tax Tips for Home Businesses</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-home-business-network/keep-more-your-profits</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ If you are a home-based business, there are many tax deductions available to you. If you are a sole proprietor, meaning you have no employees and your business is not incorporated, the IRS offers you even more tax deductions. Knowing what these tax]]></description>
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      <title>Why We Spoil Our Customers</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/customer-retention/spoil-customers</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Picture this. . . You are about to buy a new home or refinance your mortgage. You and your spouse, maybe with kids in tow, have an appointment to sign real estate papers. You are tired, stressed out and nervous about your closing. When you called to]]></description>
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      <title>CyberCrime: Part One - What is it?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/cybercrime-part-what</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Cybercrime is a term used broadly to describe criminal activity in which computers or networks are used to enable unlawful activity. Some examples: Hacking, child pornography, hate crimes, telemarketing/Internet fraud Employee Theft Spamming and]]></description>
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      <title>Grow Your Business Sincerely</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/grow-your-business-sincerely</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Have you ever heard the saying &quot;I don&#39;t care how much you know until I know how much you care&quot;? The key to growing your business is genuinely caring about others. People see through someone who&#39;s transparent. Think about it - haven&#39;t]]></description>
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      <title>The Darker Side of Goal Setting: Why Goal Setting Fails ...</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/peer-advisory-groups/darker-side-goal-setting</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Beware the Misuse of Goal Setting Why don&#39;t most people set and achieve personal goals, career goals and business goals? Goal setting is a positive, powerful practice when it ignites enthusiasm and provides clear direction. For more, please visit]]></description>
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      <title>Always Get a Ticket Number!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/telecommunications/always-ticket-number</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ With any technology or business process, problems can arise. When it comes to dealing with phone companies (ANY of THEM) &nbsp;--either for voice lines or&nbsp;data connections --&nbsp;here are some hard and fast guidelines to make sure you get]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/-5</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title>Open Source Alternatives to Mainstream Software</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/neosa-cose-technology/open-source-alternatives</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Not every proprietary program can drive a person crazy, right? Some, like Norton Ghost, are superb tools for anyone to use. But, the fact that these tools are proprietary can drive open source fanatics up a wall. It&#39;s not the price of the software]]></description>
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      <title>Tips to Make Your Small Business Appear Larger</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-home-business-network/tips-make-your-small</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Being a small business owner is a challenge in many instances - you are forced to wear many hats in order to manage and run your business efficiently and profitably.&nbsp; As a small business owner, you should challenge yourself to think big like larger]]></description>
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      <title>Cost of Goods Sold - What does it cost to do what you do?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/business-financial-planning/cost-goods-sold-what</link>
      <description><![CDATA[What does your company do?&nbsp; Some companies manufacture, some provide a service, others distribute.&nbsp; The second line on a P&amp;L is entitled Cost of Goods Sold (COGS).&nbsp; It tells you how much money you spent doing whatever it is you]]></description>
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      <title>The Foundation Of A Salesperson</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/relationship-building/foundation-salesperson</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ My father was the quintessential salesperson. He believed completely in his product. He was confident but not arrogant. He truly cared about the well-being of his prospects and clients. And they knew it. It was a pleasure to watch him interact with his]]></description>
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      <title>Losing Rights to Business Assets Through the use of Online Services</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/internet-technologies/losing-rights-business</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The growth of the Internet and its uses has enabled business to operate in new and profound ways. Businesses can now use online services that allow them to sit across the conference table from people around the world ( Skype ) or have multiple people work]]></description>
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      <title>Vista Users: Is your anti-virus package compatible with SP1?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business-software-applications/vista-users-your-anti</link>
      <description><![CDATA[With Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) soon to be available to all consumers and businesses, you&#39;ll want to make sure that your system is ready for the upgrade before you take the plunge. One of the main concerns with the new service pack is]]></description>
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      <title>Join the Home Based Business Network</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-home-business-network/join-home-based-business</link>
      <description><![CDATA[COSE&#39;s done it again.&nbsp; Just when it seemed there was nothing more COSE could do for small business owners, we were surprised by yet another offering which adds value to our membership -- the Home-based Business Network. I have been home-based for]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/-4</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title>Mapping Your Sustainability Journey as a Group</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sustainability/sustainable-workplace/mapping-your-sustainability</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Achieving a sustainable workplace that is productive, efficient, and a fun place to work is best represented through the metaphor of a group on a journey. &nbsp; As with any trip or excursion, planning is essential. &nbsp; Whether you feel that you]]></description>
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      <title>Business Benefits of the 2008 Economic Stimulus Act</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/business-benefits-2008</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ On February 21, 2008 the Internal Revenue Service released IR-2008-22 which details the benefits for businesses included in the 2008 Economic Stimulus Act. The two main provisions included in the stimulus package for businesses are fifty percent special]]></description>
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      <title>When Your Image is On the Line</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/telecommunications/when-your-image-line</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ You may not think of your phone system as an advertising machine, but it can be a very powerful one if used correctly. There&#39;s two primary ways to immediately use get some marketing ROI out of your phone system: Promotion on Hold and Information-Only]]></description>
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      <title>The Top Line - It All Starts Here</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/business-financial-planning/line-starts-here</link>
      <description><![CDATA[One of the three reports found in a standard set of financial statements is a profit and loss statement (P&amp;L).&nbsp; This statement is also known as an income statement or statement of income. It tells you what the sales and expenses of the business]]></description>
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      <title>Building a winning team for your business.</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/developing-mark/building-winning-team</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ A team&#39;s potential for success is only as strong as its players.&nbsp; Business owners should realize the importance of picking good prospects to work for their business team, too.&nbsp; For instance, sometimes a basketball team may promote from]]></description>
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      <title>Put the Past in the Past</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/past-past</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ &ldquo;Why are some people more successful than me?&rdquo; &ldquo;They had such a big failure, but now they are successful. Why?&rdquo;&nbsp; There seem to be people who can find the road to success, happiness and fulfillment in their lives and others]]></description>
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      <title>Sales Do's and Don'ts</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/sales-process-s/sales-dos-donts</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Sales Do&#39;s and Don&#39;ts Do Not ask permission to ask a question - as in, &quot;Can I ask you a question?&quot; This introduction triggers a shut-down response from most prospects. Do Not start the conversation with a sales pitch. Do build trust by]]></description>
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      <title>The Life Cycle of a Document: Manage</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/document-management-software/life-cycle-document-manage</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Like the individuals that fuel your business, documents are integral to performance.&nbsp; Documents contain imperative information and should be thought of as active resources.&nbsp; Instead of merely considering where you are going to put a document,]]></description>
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      <title>How the web became Web 2.0</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/social-media/became</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Marketers use the term &quot;Web 2.0.&quot; to describe the Internet of today. Web 2.0 refers to interactive features of the Internet that connect people and allow them to share common interests and content. A major component of Web 2.0 is social media,]]></description>
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      <title>Conference Information</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/conference-information</link>
      <description><![CDATA[See the Resource tab and the file on the Conference Info for the Roadmap to ORSA for further information.]]></description>
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      <title>Networking With A Timely Follow up</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/networking-strategies/networking-with-timely</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ You&#39;ve just returned from networking at a COSE event. You met some people that could potentially help you accomplish your networking objectives and have several business cards. Good for you. Now what? Effective follow up will reinforce the positive]]></description>
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      <title>Profit - Cash - Wealth  /  Running Your Business by the Numbers</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/business-financial-planning/profit-cash-wealth-running</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ A great business makes a profit and generates cash from those profits. It accumulates cash over time and can do so without much in the way of debt. It makes regular investments in R&amp;D. Such a business pays its expenses and taxes and perhaps makes]]></description>
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      <title>2008 Economic Stimulus Plan Forces Seniors to File In Order to Receive Rebates</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/2008-economic-stimulus</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ The late decision to include seniors as part of the 2008 Economic Stimulus Plan is causing many seniors to consider filing a 2007 return. That is because only those individuals who file a 2007 return will be eligible to receive the rebate checks from the]]></description>
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      <title>Disaster Recovery Planning</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/telecommunications/disaster-recovery-planning</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ None of us wants to think of the worst, but in technology it&#39;s a necessary evil to have contingency management plans in place. Some of you may be thinking, &quot;Hey I&#39;m still trying to get my Plan A in place, much less Plan B!&quot; Yet,]]></description>
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      <title>Helpful Accounting Software Resources</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business-software-applications/helpful-accounting-software</link>
      <description><![CDATA[When it comes to finding accounting software for your business, it often becomes a case of too much information and not enough time to review it all. The following list of sites can be very useful in helping you narrow your search to only the solutions]]></description>
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      <title>Newly Improved Publication 17</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/newly-improved-publication</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ The Internal Revenue Service has now included over 800 hyperlinks within Publication 17. This allows users of Publication 17 to access information more quickly. The hyperlinks are in both the pdf and HTML version. The HTML version is also accessible to]]></description>
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      <title>How to Attain Your Goals by Creating Your Life's Opus</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/peer-advisory-groups/attain-your-goals-creating</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Most people want to live a fulfilling and rewarding life. That&#39;s why there&#39;s no shortage of self-help materials on how to set goals and design an ideal life. However, even with the plethora of information available on how to create the life of]]></description>
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      <title>Proactive Monitoring; How you can prevent disasters from happening.</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/disasters-prepare-recover/proactive-monitoring</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This video explains how proactive monitoring can prevent disasters by taking a proactive approach.&nbsp; ]]></description>
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      <title>CyGem, ltd. Data Center Tour Video</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/disasters-prepare-recover/cygem-ltd-data-center</link>
      <description><![CDATA[If you&#39;ve ever been curious as to what the inside of a modern data center is like here is your chance.&nbsp; Once you see some of the features you can understand why you might want to put your data in such a facility.&nbsp; ]]></description>
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      <title>Disaster Recovery Basics RTO & RPO</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/disasters-prepare-recover/disaster-recovery-basics</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This video explains the basic concepts of disaster recovery.&nbsp; Once you understand recovery time objective, recovery point objective and your organization&#39;s budget you can select a disaster recovery plan that is correct for you.&nbsp; ]]></description>
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      <title>Online Backup Video</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/disasters-prepare-recover/online-backup-video</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title>Top 3 Mistakes Small Businesses Make With Technology - Part 1 Backup</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/disasters-prepare-recover/mistakes-small-businesses</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Backup For most organizations data is one of their most valuable assets. Unfortunately, data backup is something that is easily overlooked or gets pushed to the back when more important issues like servicing clients and paying bills come first.]]></description>
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      <title>The Millennial Generation and the Web</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/developing-impl/millennial-generation</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Let&#39;s say you&#39;ve just been challenged to communicate with an online audience between 16 and 25 years old. You know that this age group uses a number of social networking tools. What you don&#39;t know is if you should be using them, too, and if]]></description>
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      <title>Simple Tools to Rid SPAM From Your Inbox for Good</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/internet-technologies/simple-tools-spam-from</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Unsolicited email has become well more than a casual nuisance - it has become a productivity and security threat over the years. In fact recent reports show that SPAM email now accounts for about 95% of all email traffic on the Internet today. However]]></description>
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      <title>10 Tools and Tips for Podcasting</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/checklist-tools-business/tools-tips-podcasting</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ So you want to start a podcast series.&nbsp; You have taken the time to develop a podcasting strategy.&nbsp; And now you&#39;ve decided to use audio messages to reach out to clients, prospects and the public. But where do you begin? Luckily, today we]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/1894011488</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title>Cyber Crime - Identity Theft Via Your E-mail</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/cyber-crime-identity</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Everyone receives a ton of &quot;spam&quot; or soliticting emails these days and I for one have gotten pretty good at just deleting them without opening - until the other day. Being tax season, I received an email from what it appeared to be from the IRS]]></description>
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      <title>The Life Cycle of a Document: Capture</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/document-management-software/life-cycle-document-capture</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The article, Document Management: Not Just for Small Businesses , references the idea of a document as having a &lsquo;life cycle&#39;.&nbsp; In order to refine your understanding, it is important to turn this idea into information.&nbsp; Let us begin by]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/member-education-series/824286163</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-arts-network/1519515528</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-arts-network/1296504656</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title>Managing the software selection process</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business-software-applications/managing-software-selection</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Selecting new business software for your company can at times seem like an overwhelming task. By approaching this task as a &quot;project,&quot; you may be able to greatly reduce the stress to yourself and your company by approaching the project in]]></description>
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      <title>Help in Choosing a Tax Preparer?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/help-choosing-preparer</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ On February 20, 2008 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Stakeholder Liaison section is offering a free National Phone Forum on &quot;Choosing a Tax Preparer.&quot; The seminar is designed for individuals, small business owners, industry associations and]]></description>
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      <title>Comprométase  con la excelencia</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/compromtase-excelencia</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Por Dr. J. R. Rom&aacute;n&nbsp; Comprometerse con la excelencia es estar programado para ganar. Es tener una&nbsp; visi&oacute;n que produce&nbsp; pasi&oacute;n. Es asumir responsabilidad con uno, con su&nbsp; familia y su pa&iacute;s. Es tener la]]></description>
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      <title>Check Your VoIP Readiness</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/telecommunications/check-your-voip-readiness</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ See how your data connection would support a VoIP call by clicking this link then select a dot on the Map nearest you:&nbsp; &nbsp; http://myvoipspeed.visualware.com VoIP is all about having enough bandwidth (a good Internet connection) to support a]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/neosa-cose-technology/567333760</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title>Search Engine Marketing Resources for the Small Business</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/2030594285/search-engine-marketing</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ We all know small and growing companies require their team members to wear many hats.&nbsp; The individual in charge of overall business strategic direction&nbsp;is often the same person answering the phone.&nbsp; Marketing your business is just one of]]></description>
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      <title>Trouble Sending Email Attachments? Try Attachment Sharing Services</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/internet-technologies/trouble-sending-email</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Email has become one of the cores of communication for any business and is one of the quickest, most cost effective ways for a business to get things done. However, email does suffer from some limitations. One of the most common struggles I see small (and]]></description>
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      <title>Trends in eMarketing</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/developing-impl/trends-emarketing</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ For those of you who attended my presentation (and those of you who did not and wish they did)&nbsp;I thought the following article from McKinsey was interesting. &nbsp;]]></description>
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      <title>Is Your Website a Dead End?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/developing-impl/your-website-dead-end</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Every morning I stop by a coffee shop to get my favorite tea. I have to drive through a newer shopping center in the suburbs to get there. Before the shopping center was constructed, engineers considered traffic flow and planned how the streets would be]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/157666954</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title>Telecom Checklist for Moving a Business</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/telecommunications/telecom-checklist-moving</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ In the midst of signing leases, arranging movers and buying furniture, it&#39;s easy to forget about your company&#39;s &quot;front door,&quot; the lifeline of the business -phone lines and Internet connectivity (&quot;telecom&quot;). If you are planning]]></description>
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      <title>Networking With A Focused Script</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/networking-strategies/networking-with-focused</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ The goal of your first brief interaction with a stranger is to begin to answer the question &quot;Is this person someone I want to get to know better; someone who can help me ... or who I can help?&quot; &nbsp; To do that, you need information. &nbsp; 1.]]></description>
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      <title>Work the Room Like a Pro</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/networking-strategies/work-room-like</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ So you&rsquo;ve decided to attend an upcoming COSE event to do some networking. Good for you ... but you&#39;ll need to work the room like a pro - with focus, style and finesse. Here are 10 simple Best Practices to increase your skills and confiden ce]]></description>
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      <title>Defining a Target Market</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/developing-mark/defining-target-market</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Do you know who your best customers are? Do you know what segment of the population is most likely to buy your service or product? Defining a target market can be especially helpful for small business owners and managers. Directly appealing to the needs,]]></description>
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      <title>Conference Etiquette: Tools to Survive Your Next Industry Event, By Colleen A. Rickenbacher</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/networking-strategies/conference-etiquette</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ (Editor&#39;s Note - this article by Colleen A. Rickenbacher is reprinted here with permission.)&nbsp; Michael looked forward to attending his first industry conference. He was entering his third year in the accounting field, and wanted to meet the right]]></description>
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      <title>Priorities to Goals to Success!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/priorities-goals-success</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ What does the next 5-10 years on the future hold for you and your family?&nbsp; Some of what we will be doing will be determined by our decisions.&nbsp; We&#39;ve been told it is important to set goals and accomplish them.&nbsp; All of us have a desire]]></description>
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      <title>Outgoing Caller ID: What Image are You Transmitting?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/telecommunications/outgoing-caller-what</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ATTENTION: Small Business Owners, Virtual Companies, One-Person Operations:&nbsp; A small business owner told us recently that his &quot;problem&quot; was Outgoing Caller ID. Once explained, lots of you&nbsp;can relate! Say you call a client from your]]></description>
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      <title>Tie Everyone Together</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/telecommunications/everyone-together</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ The Customer Bill of Rights (according to me anyway!) says that customers must reach the right person the first time --regardless of which location they call.&nbsp; If your company has more than one location or employees who work remotely, you can tie]]></description>
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      <title>Using Podcasts to Grow Your Business</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/checklist-tools-business/using-podcasts-grow-your</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Barb Cagley of SCK threw down the gauntlet!&nbsp;She asked me to share some of my secrets for&nbsp;using podcasts to&nbsp;market and grow a business. While this topic doesn&#39;t necessarily fit neatly into&nbsp;a &quot;startup tools&quot; checklist, I]]></description>
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      <title>Technologies Home Based Businesses SHOULD BE considering today!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/technologies-home-based</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ We all know that there is no silver bullet or one solution when it comes to using the right technology for a business. That needs to be driven by the type of business, the needs of the business &amp; the owner(s), budget, etc. That being said, there are]]></description>
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      <title>IRS provides guidance on the highly debated issue of Independent Contractor vs Employee</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/provides-guidance-highly</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ IRS provides guidance on the highly debated issue of Independent Contractor vs Employee The Internal Revenue Service recently issued a fact sheet titled &quot;Employment Taxes and Classifying Workers&quot; (FS-2007-27). This fact sheet provides guidance]]></description>
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      <title>Voice Over IP:</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/telecommunications/voice-over</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Many of you have heard of Voice Over IP (VoIP). In the commercial world, providers are right now using an acronym you will probably hear more about: &nbsp;S-I-P (pronounced &quot;sip&quot;). In function and purpose, a &quot;SIP&quot; (Session Initiation]]></description>
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      <title>Document Management: Not Just for Large Businesses</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/document-management-software/document-management-just</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Document management is a tool that can optimize your business processes. Great; but what does that mean? Let&#39;s get back to basics.&nbsp; In corporate jargon, document management solutions are often referred to as Enterprise Content Management or]]></description>
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      <title>Preparation, Preparation, Preparation</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/preparation-preparation</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Theodore Henderson, ACS, CL, President of THJ &amp; Associates, LLC If you are going to be a great, or even a good speaker, you must organize and prepare yourself properly. Once in a while you can get away with adlibbing, but sooner or later it catches]]></description>
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      <title>Is Your Business Up-to-Date With the Latest Credit Card Processing Regulations?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business-software-applications/your-business-date-with</link>
      <description><![CDATA[If you are an organization that processes credit or debit card information, including merchants and third-party service providers that store, process or transmit credit card/debit card data, you&#39;ll want to pay close attention to this information]]></description>
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      <title>Being SMART Beginning in 2008</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/being-smart-beginning</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Dr. C. M. Gonzalez, LifeCare Chiropractic,&nbsp;El Paso, TX and &nbsp;Albuquerque, NM.&nbsp; &nbsp; Things do not change; we change. - Henry David Thoreau Can you believe it we are starting another year? I commonly hear from people that are in their]]></description>
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      <title>The 5 Steps to Setting SMART Business Goals</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/peer-advisory-groups/steps-setting-smart-business</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Every large corporation has clearly set and articulated goals to drive the company forward. Yet, in the world of small business, many businesses lack a focused goal. &quot;Get more business&quot; is a typical reply of small business owners when asked of]]></description>
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      <title>It's Time For A New Year's Revolution</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/peer-advisory-groups/its-time-years-revolution</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ No, that&#39;s not a typo in the title. Resolutions are easy; most of us make them at least once a year. A revolution, on the other hand, is something you may not have made since you started your small business. For more, go to]]></description>
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      <title>You've Got Mail...The Timing of Your E-mails</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/youve</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Factor in timing, subject line and brevity to be sure others open and read your e-mails.Consider the barrage of e-mails that pours into your inbox each day. Nearly two-thirds of executives prefer to communicate via e-mail, according to a survey by Office]]></description>
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      <title>You've Got Mail.....Timing Your E-mail</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/youve</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Factor in timing, subject line and brevity to be sure others open and read your e-mails.Consider the barrage of e-mails that pours into your inbox each day. Nearly two-thirds of executives prefer to communicate via e-mail, according to a survey by Office]]></description>
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      <title>Should You Buy or Build Web Software</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/developing-impl/should</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Think of web software projects like building a house or if it is a large project think of an apartment complex. Consider features you need verses want; build custom, buy prefab or out of the box; phased approach or all at once...these are just some of]]></description>
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      <title>Got Resolutions for Your Business?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/peer-advisory-groups/resolutions</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ You&#39;re probably heading into the New Year revitalized and ready to take on each and every challenge on your list-more sales, enhanced customer service, and maybe just a day off here and there. But you know that it&#39;s as easy to break those]]></description>
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      <title>Energize</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/energize</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Time - we never have enough of it.&nbsp; Everyone is in a hurry these days, juggling work, family, play... life. We pride ourselves on our ability to multitask. We use email, cell phones, and a multitude of other devices to keep in touch so we don&#39;t]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title>Customer Loyalty as a Competitive Edge</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/sales-process-s/customer</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ &quot;Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends.&quot;&nbsp; Walt Disney Customer relationship management is powerful in theory, but troubled in practice.&nbsp; Your customer may always be right, your customer]]></description>
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      <title>Where Will an Agent Take You?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-arts-network/where</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ As I thought about the friendly sounds of the words &quot;representation&quot; and &quot;advocate,&quot; words connected to the jobs of literary, dramatic, and talent agents, I opened the dictionary to look up the root meaning of &quot;agent.&quot;]]></description>
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      <title>Parsimonious and Prudent Public Relations</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-arts-network/parsimonious</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ I should get a tattoo of my favorite quote by anthropologist Margaret Mead: &quot;Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.&quot; &nbsp;The more public relations and marketing]]></description>
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      <title>When To Set Up a Corporation or Other Business Entity</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-arts-network/when</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Often think of this as the &quot;should I incorporate?&quot; discussion because invariably that seems to be the opening volley on this topic. The artist will generally have talked to a colleague or family member and that individual will tell them how they]]></description>
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      <title>Defining Your Brand Identity: What business are you in?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-arts-network/defining</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ What business are you in? It&#39;s a deceptively simple question. And it isn&#39;t a rhetorical one, either. At last June&#39;s Dance/USA Roundtable in Miami, opening keynote speaker Alberto Ibarg&uuml;en, editor of The Miami Herald, urged every attendee]]></description>
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      <title>Business Minded Artists Get Ahead</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/cose-member-networks/cose-arts-network/business</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ &nbsp; Article written by Susie Frazier Mueller: It was nine years ago when the mechanics of the for-profit arts industry began to make sense to me. Up until then, I had only sold my art to local galleries and through weekend art festivals. I had never]]></description>
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      <title>Local Staffing Trends You Need to Know</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/checklist-tools-business/local</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ A variety of economic indicators say small business employers are having trouble&nbsp;filling&nbsp;open positions with qualified workers.&nbsp;In some cases the lack of qualified staff is putting a lid on&nbsp;productivity and throughput.&nbsp; In other]]></description>
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      <title>If Your Business Plan is Done, So is Your Company</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/checklist-tools-business/your</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ We&#39;re all familiar with the concept of a business plan.&nbsp; And most of us would agree that a business plan is an essential element on your business checklist. But attitudes toward business plans have&nbsp;changed a lot&nbsp;over the years.&nbsp;]]></description>
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      <title>Can I have the keys to my phone system, please?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/telecommunications/have</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Lots of business owners today have access to their computer systems, websites, email and other applications -- even if it&#39;s just to&nbsp;change a username and password. So why should&nbsp;your phone system be any different? It shouldn&#39;t, but]]></description>
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      <title>How Do I Incorporate or file an LLC?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/checklist-tools-business/incorporate</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Let&#39;s say&nbsp;you are starting a business, or&nbsp;you are ready to graduate from a&nbsp;self-employed solo owner to a company structure.&nbsp; You may be thinking about&nbsp;the decision to incorporate or file for an LLC (limited liability]]></description>
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      <title>Websites:  A Home-based Business's Virtual Real Estate.</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/developing-mark/websites</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Our new &quot;digitally-connected&quot; environments are allowing many more people to follow their dream of being in business for themselves. Technology and virtual office-environments make the option of working from home a very viable solution for small]]></description>
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      <title>IRS Announces 2008 Cost-of-Living Adjustments</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/announces</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ December 11, 2007 IRS Announces 2008 Cost-of-Living Adjustments The following is a list of items affected by the IRS cost-of-living adjustments for 2008 which can be found in IRS Rev. Proc 2007-66 (http://www.irs.gov/irb/2007-45_IRB/ar19.html):]]></description>
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      <title>I Can't Stand You</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/cant</link>
      <description><![CDATA[By Gbenga Asedeko, El Paso Pulmonary Associates Have you ever had someone say to you, &quot;I can&#39;t stand you?&quot;&nbsp; Or maybe you have made this statement yourself.&nbsp; Why would people say this to another human being who is created in the]]></description>
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      <title>IRS Sets New Guidelines for Contingent Fees</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/sets</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ December 7, 2007&nbsp; IRS Sets New Guidelines for Contingent Fees In the past, the IRS has taken a strong stance against all forms of contingent fees. The recently released&nbsp;circular 230 revisions issued by the Treasury Department allow tax]]></description>
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      <title>Networking With A Comfortable Handshake</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/sales-networking/networking-strategies/networking-comfortable</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ You can begin making the very best first impression you can on the strangers you meet with a winning smile and good eye contact. Then, continue that positive image with a comfortable handshake. * As you introduce yourself, shake hands briefly and]]></description>
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      <title>Don't Open Those E-mails! Danger-Danger!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/dont</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ The amount of spam has increased by 70% this year alone and the spammers are getting smarter &amp; smarter. I consider myself a fairly careful perosn when it comes to opening spam emails but I came close to getting fooled the other day. What can happen?]]></description>
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      <title></title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title>When do I need a T1?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/telecommunications/when</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ If you&#39;re a business owner, you&#39;ve probably heard of the term &quot;T1&quot; even if you don&#39;t want to get involved in your company&#39;s telecommunications.&nbsp;Many of my clients ask me if they need a T1. The answer is different today than]]></description>
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      <title>The Art of the Goal</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/peer-advisory-groups/goal</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ ProLaureate &copy; 2007 &quot;Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I&#39;ll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I&#39;ll give you a stock clerk.&quot; J.C. Penney The Art of the Goal Goals - we all have them - or at]]></description>
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      <title>Getting Started</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/getting</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ As we all know, the &quot;Thinking Green&quot; movement is already taking off globally at velcoity speeds for all&nbsp;areas, including Technology. Now is a great time to think about some of the small ways we can all contribute to save resources in]]></description>
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      <title>Proactive Monitoring: Fixing Small Problems Before they Become Big Ones</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/disasters-prepare-recover/proactive</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ When talking about disaster recovery often times we start by thinking of large scale disasters such as fire, flood or other traumatic events. The reality is that these events are far and few between. Depending on your location most experts estimate about]]></description>
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      <title>2008 Federal Standard Mileage Rates</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/2008</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ November 29, 2007 Under Revenue Procedure 2007-70, the Internal Revenue Service has issued the standard mileage rates for 2008. The standard mileage rate for cars, vans, pickup trucks or panel trucks will be increasing to 50.5 cents per mile starting]]></description>
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      <title>Stop Curling Up Like a Porcupine! Get Accountable!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/peer-advisory-groups/stop</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ &quot;That&#39;s not my job.&quot; &quot;Sorry...I can&#39;t help you. That&#39;s the marketing department&#39;s problem.&quot; &quot;I don&#39;t know anything about that.&quot; These are just a few of the phrases that reign in organizations that lack]]></description>
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      <title>Tools to Start and Grow Your Business: A Checklist</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/essential-issues/tools</link>
      <description><![CDATA[To help answer a question I get asked regularly (including several times during the recent COSE Small Business Conference) I put together a checklist of essential issues to consider when looking to start and/or growing your business.&nbsp; Today we are]]></description>
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      <title>Bulletproof Internet</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/disasters-prepare-recover/bulletproof</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ For most of us, the Internet is not a luxury; it&#39;s a mandatory business tool. Some of the daily tasks such as receiving e-mails and researching information on the Internet have become commonplace. For others, even more of their business functions]]></description>
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      <title>Protecting Small Business Data</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/disasters-prepare-recover/protecting</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Backup is a mundane technology function that is rarely given much thought until something bad happens and someone needs to restore critical data. There is nothing worse than realizing you have lost critical data and that your backup wasn&#39;t working]]></description>
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      <title>Part 2 of Functions of a Leader</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/part2</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ In&nbsp;&quot;The Functions of a Leader (Part 1)&quot; article we discussed the first three leader functions of Planning, Organizing and Staffing.&nbsp; Now we will look at the other three functions in becoming an effective leader.&nbsp; 4.&nbsp; Acting]]></description>
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      <title>Estate Planning Essentials</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/estate-planning/estate</link>
      <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
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      <title>The Secret to Setting and Achieving Your Goals</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/peer-advisory-groups/secret</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Melissa was a stellar agent in a small real estate agency. After years of being the top earner in her company, she moved from that small agency into one of the largest real estate firms in the country. Melissa felt like she was moving up in the world and]]></description>
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      <title>Ohio New Hire Reporting Requirements</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/finance/tracking-business-finances/ohio</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ November 16, 2007 Ohio employers are required to report newly hired or rehired employees and contractors to the State of Ohio New Hire Reporting Center. The information collected is matched with state and national data to help collect child support and]]></description>
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      <title>Six Small Steps to Break Out of a Big Rut By Guerline Jasmin</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/peer-advisory-groups/small</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ The following article&nbsp;will not only help you personally, but professionally.&nbsp; Take these tips and put them into practice through a COSE MindShare group. Your group members will hold you accountable for your goals and help you get]]></description>
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      <title>CRM Tools: Getting Sales, Marketing and Customer Service on the Same Page.</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/marketing/developing-mark/tools</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Today, we seem to have to be quicker, smarter and more creative than the year before. Every company is searching for a competitive solution to beat competition. The edge you&#39;ve been looking for might be as simple as getting everyone within your]]></description>
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      <title>Using the Interview to Make a Better Hire</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/human-resources/finding/using</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ One of the biggest challenges for your business is making the right hire for an open position. &nbsp; You can improve the quality of your hires by performing a thorough, job-related interview. &nbsp; The goal of the selection interview is to collect]]></description>
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      <title>Small Business Conference 2007 Podcasts</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/small-business/2007/small</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Every small business has the opportunity to learn and grow and we know how valuable your time is as a small business owner. That&rsquo;s why COSE has made it easier for you. Connect, be inspired and re-energize your business by listening to the 2007 COSE]]></description>
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      <title>A simple problem to fix - to many cooks!</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/technology/business/simple</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ Large corporations have numerous standards, guidelines and documentation to make sure that everyone/anyone working on their technology stays on the same page. This limits miscommunication or no communication between the left hand and the right hand,]]></description>
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      <title>Part 1 of Functions of a Leader</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com/personal/develop-yourself-leader/part</link>
      <description><![CDATA[As I have traveled internationally training leaders, I have observed that too many times companies will promote their best employees to become their worst supervisors.&nbsp; The reason is because many people are promoted because they are a &quot;good]]></description>
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      <title>Are You the Favorite Website?</title>
      <link>http://www.cosemindspring.com