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Recurring Columns

WILL POWER REPORT: ANOTHER EXPENSIVE FIRE?


Nothing but the Truth!

 

September 4, 2009-- Big surprise! Another fire in LA County will cost millions to extinguish. Firefighters come from Shasta County to get in on the juicy overtime. Private contractors lease out bulldozers and aircraft at ridiculous rates to save the homes of the foolish rich who build in canyons and on ridge-tops.


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EAST OF THE LINE: PARTISAN POLITICS ARE THE POISON PILL OF DEMOCRACY—EVEN IN THE BACKCOUNTRY

 

By Billie Jo Jannen

September 6, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)--Which is more important to the health of a region or a nation: a government that responds to the voice of the people or one that responds to the drive for partisan dominance?


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MARKETING MATTERS: PLANNING FOR EFFECTIVE MARKETING PART 3--THE WHAT, WHERE & WHEN

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH


By Rama Beerfas

September 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) - We’ve covered the why (the goal) and the who (target market) of a marketing campaign. Now, it’s time to talk about the “what,” the “where,” and the “when” of a successful marketing campaign.

 


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SIMPLE WISDOM: HOW TO OUTWIT YOUR IMPULSES


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MARKETING MATTERS: PLANNING FOR EFFECTIVE MARKETING PART 2 - THE WHO

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH


By Rama Beerfas

 


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GOOD MONEY: SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY! UNDERSTAND THE INCENTIVES FOR FIRST-TIME HOME PURCHASERS


Editor's  Note:  Our columnist, Judith Seid, has been a featured guest on NBC and San Diego News Network recently, for those who want more of her "Good Money" advice.


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THE ROLLING REVIEWER: LIGHT SABERS AND LINE JUMPERS--OH MY!

By Janelle Eckardt

 

August 15, 2009 (San Diego)--A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…. Oh, wait, wrong introduction. Sorry. Not so long ago in a lovely convention center downtown, thousands of people flocked from all corners of the globe to revel in the Mecca of pop culture that is Comic-Con International.

 


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SYLVIA'S SOAPBOX: THE CALIFORNIA BUDGET MESS


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SIMPLE WISDOM: CAN YOU SAY NO WHEN YOU NEED TO?

 

By Penelope Andrade

 

July, 2009 (San Diego) -- Can you say no when you need to? It's often hard to say no . . . especially to people in positions of authority. An airplane once crashed because the crew was afraid to confront the captain. The captain was distracted by a landing gear malfunction and failed to notice the fuel gauge dropping to empty.


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GOOD MONEY: WHAT IS A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER?


Your Guide to Socially Responsible Investing

 

What Is a Certified Financial Planner™?

 

By Judith L. Seid, CFP ®
President, Blue Summit Financial Group

 


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WILL POWER REPORT: THE SOCIAL CONTRACT

Nothing but the Truth!

The Social Contract

By Will Power


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MARKETING MATTERS: TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH


Planning for Effective Marketing

 

By Rama Beerfas

 


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MEDIA WATCH: 2 NEW STATIONS TO AIR PROGRESSIVE TALK AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING IN EAST COUNTY

Plus popular East County liberal and conservative talk show hosts return to airways in resurgence of localism


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CRAFTING WITH MARY: SISAL POTS FOR SUMMER

sisal potsBy Mary Genser

July, 2009 (La Mesa)—Beautiful and versatile, these decorated pots have a variety of uses. Add flower arrangements or plants, store magazines, display a seashell collection, hold pens and pencils, or tuck away a spare roll of toilet paper in your bathroom. Ideal for showing off in summer, these pots can also be used in all seasons indoors—and enjoyed for years to come.
 


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THE ROLLING REVIEWER: JET SETTING TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY STYLE


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POLICY MATTERS: ONE PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND DOLLAR$

July 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)--Yes, I know a picture is worth a thousand words, but it could also be worth a thousand (or THOUSANDS OF) dollars!



I can't tell you the number of times in my 30+ year career in the insurance business that I've listened to a distraught policyholder after a loss struggle to remember everything that was stolen or lost in a fire. Many times I'll get a call many months after the loss because the client just discovered that, "They got my Grandma's silver too. We didn't realize it until we were setting the table for Thanksgiving dinner."




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POLICY MATTERS: HOW TO REVIEW YOUR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE RENEWAL STATEMENT

By Dennis Volz

June 2009 (San Diego’s East County)--For most of us, our home is our single largest and most important investment. Many of us have poured thousands of dollars and countless hours into maintaining, improving and (hopefully) paying off our homes. Many people own their homes free of any mortgage. These assets are pure equity. Certainly its worthwhile to invest 15 minutes a year to be sure it's properly insured.


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POLICY MATTERS: HOW TO REVIEW YOUR AUTO INSURANCE RENEWAL STATEMENT

By Dennis Volz

May 2009 (San Diego’s East County)--You can save TONS OF MONEY by just taking a few minutes to look over that annoying little renewal statement that has your insurance bill attached to it.

We sure get a lot of paper these days. It seems that in this paper-LESS society, we shouldn't have quite as much paper as we do. And although we can scan it, archive it, or just throw it away. There is one piece of paper that you'll want to pay attention to -- It’s your Auto Insurance Renewal Statement. You'll get these once or twice a year depending on how often your auto insurance renews. You'll probably also get one whenever you adjust your coverage or change vehicles.


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WILL POWER: ULTERIOR MOTIVES

Nothing but the Truth!

June 21, 2009--As California lurches towards insolvency, the supply-siders who wrecked the system now propose to turn over the state’s assets to private parties. The most valuable and scenic properties, the California State Parks, are now going to be rented out for private “management”. It’s the first step towards selling them outright to developers.


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WILL POWER REPORT: RFID AND THE ELECTRONIC NAZIS

Nothing but the Truth! June 14, 2009 -- The implantation of tiny RFID (radio frequency identification devices) devices on practically anything has been promoted as “anti-shoplifting” and “inventory control”. But did you all new cars will soon be equipped with an RFID device so accurate that the government will be able to track you car everywhere you drive and at all hours?


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PEARLS: THE UNEMPLOYMENT CIRCUS

By Charlavan Hart

I made a bold attempt today to find out some answers for a great many people right now about unemployment checks. It always seems to be a mystery that is unsolvable. Even though you are given a number to call for answers, it is ALWAYS busy. You are sometimes given an estimate on wait time but most often now, the recording tells you to call on another day.


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SIMPLE WISDOM: ARE YOU SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED?


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MARKETING MATTERS: TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH

Internal Customers’ Interaction with External Customers: The Ultimate Marketing Tool By Rama Beerfas June 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) --In our previous installment, we looked at how important your internal customers (employees) are to the success of your business. (If you missed it, check it out at http://eastcountymagazine.org/?q=node/986).


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WILL POWER REPORT: CALIFORNIA TO SELL COLISEUM?

Nothing but the Truth! California’s Governor “Terminator” Arnold Swartzenegger is now so frightened about California’s deficit that he now wants to sell off California landmarks like San Quentin and the LA Coliseum. He also wants Big Oil to drill off the coast of Santa Barbara which he has opposed for years. He thinks the state can earn $200 Billion. He’s using a self-created crisis to change the political landscape in California.


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THE ROLLING REVIEWER: A NEW SOCIAL BUTTERFLY TAKES FLIGHT

Our Guide to the Best Disability-Based Websites on the Net

By Janelle Eckardt

 

May 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)--The concept of having a “social life” doesn’t exactly mean the same thing it did twenty, ten, or even five years ago. Interfacing with family and friends seldom actually involves meeting face-to-face, and meeting someone new is only one click away. Chat room chat-ups and instant messaging marathons have, whether or not many of us would like to admit it, become integral elements to our link to the world around us.

 


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POLICY MATTERS:  OPTIONS WHEN YOU HAVE DAMAGE FROM A PRIOR ACCIDENT

By Dennis Volz

A client called me yesterday with an interesting dilemma. He said that recently,
when his car was parked on the street, it was hit by another car whose driver
was gracious enough to stop, confess and make contact.

Nevertheless, he was concerned because on the same side of the car there was
some damage from a prior accident.  He wanted to see if he could get that
fixed at the same time. He also wanted to make sure the paint
matched the rest of the car
. So here's the advice I offered to Steve.


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MARKETING MATTERS: TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH

THE INTERNAL CUSTOMER--MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU MAY THINK> By Rama Beerfas May 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) --In our previous installment, we looked at customer service as your #1 marketing tool. (If you missed it, check it out at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=taxonomy/term/310.) This month, we focus on what exactly an internal customer is--nd why internal customers are just as important as your external customers to the success of your business.

 


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SIMPLE WISDOM: HOW OTHERS VIEW YOU

May 1, 2009 (San Diego)--Do you worry about what others think of you? Of course everyone likes to be well regarded. Having some sense of how you’re viewed is healthy. The problem comes when you imagine someone holds a negative view and you can’t stop thinking about it. Your anxiety may be heightened if that someone is a family member, boss or co-worker…someone whose opinion and connection matters to you.


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MARKETING MATTERS:  TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH

Your #1 Marketing Tool

By Rama Beerfas

April 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) - Clients often ask me, “What is the number one most effective marketing tool?” My answer is, “Delivering consistent customer service at or above the level that is consistent with your image.”

The truth is that no matter how good your product or service is, your customer service will play a huge part in whether your business will generate repeat sales and word-of-mouth referrals (unless you’ve got a monopoly and you are the only one selling a must-have item.). Without repeat sales and customer referrals, you will be spending all your time, money, and effort replenishing your customer base rather than growing it.


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Good Money - How to Survive a Bear Market, “Armchair Quarterback” Analysis

Your guide to profitable and socially responsible investing
By Judith L. Seid, CFP ®

April 1, 2009 (La Mesa)--I thought you would all appreciate this “armchair quarterback" analysis, done by a colleague in Cincinnati, OH, charting the mood swings during the 4th quarter of 2008 and its remarkably awful, three-month market run, which has continued into the first quarter of 2009.


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