Six Reasons To Hire A Property Manager | National Property ...

If you?re a homeowner who needs to rent your property you may be tempted to also be your own landlord and property manager. And there are plenty of people who do it quite successfully. But there are also times when hiring a property manager is your best move.

Successful property management takes time, effort and a very specific set of skills so hiring a professional can make leasing your home much easier.

Property managers are:

Owning rental property can be a sound financial investment but if it takes all of your time and becomes a headache it?s probably time to find a property manager to help. National Property Management Group specializes in managing homes for people who find themselves with property to rent but who don?t have the experience or time to manage them properly. Successfully managing property is all about relationships and we pride ourselves on the long term kind that keeps both homeowners and tenants satisfied.

Source: http://miami.national-property-management-group.com/2013/03/six-reasons-to-hire-a-property-manager/

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Eating out: Obama's new overtures to GOP lawmakers

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Shifting course in the face of political gridlock, President Barack Obama is making rare overtures to rank-and-file Republicans, inviting GOP senators to dinner Wednesday, planning visits to Capitol Hill and working the phones with lawmakers.

Obama's efforts are aimed at jumpstarting budget talks and rallying support for his proposals on immigration and gun control.

The president's new charm offensive underscores the limitations of his earlier attempts to use public pressure, rather than direct engagement, to win Republican cooperation. That strategy proved futile in recent weeks, as the White House and Congress failed to prevent $85 billion in automatic budget cuts that both sides said they wanted to avoid.

As that "sequester" has started taking effect, Obama has begun quietly calling congressional Republicans to discuss the prospects for an elusive longer-term deficit reduction deal as well as his other second-term priorities. Aides say Obama is concentrating his outreach on lawmakers with a history of bipartisan deal-making and those who have indicated some willingness to support increased tax revenue as part of a big deficit-cutting package.

In both his calls and dinner invitations, the president pointedly has skipped over Sen. Mitch McConnell and House Speaker John Boehner, the GOP leaders who insist that Obama will get no further tax hikes from Capitol Hill.

Republicans have had mixed reactions to the outreach from the president, who previously has shown little appetite for personal engagement with lawmakers, often preferring to assign those efforts to his staff and Vice President Joe Biden.

"He's never spent anytime reaching out," said Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., who spoke with the president this week about gun legislation. "The question is, is it starting to change because there is bad poll numbers or is it because he really decided he's going to lead and solve some of the problems of the country?"

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a frequent critic of the White House on national security issues, said he was encouraged by Obama's efforts.

"This is how you solve hard problems," the South Carolina Republican said.

It was during a phone call with Graham this week that the president raised the prospect of a group dinner with Republican lawmakers, an Obama aide said. Graham agreed to put together a guest list.

Along with Graham and Coburn, the lawmakers at Wednesday's dinner were Sens. John McCain, Kelly Ayotte, Pat Toomey, Bob Corker, Ron Johnson, Saxby Chambliss, John Hoeven, Dan Coats, Richard Burr and Mike Johanns. The two-hour dinner took place on neutral territory - the Jefferson Hotel, a few blocks from the White House.

A White House official said Obama had a good exchange of ideas with the lawmakers, but offered no specifics on what was discussed. The president picked up the tab for dinner, the White House said.

McCain, responding to a reporter's question about how the dinner went, jokingly said "terrible," then added that the meal went "just fine."

Obama has often scoffed at the notion that calling or meeting with Republicans more frequently would soften the ground for substantive negotiations on fiscal issues and other matters.

"I think a lot of folks say, 'Well, if we look like we're being too cooperative or too chummy with the president that might cause us problems,'" Obama said, referring to the Republicans, in January. "'That might be an excuse for us to get a challenge from somebody in a primary.'"

The Republicans joining Obama for dinner may be less concerned with the political implications of sitting down with the Democratic president. Only Graham faces re-election next year.

Obama advisers say they're hopeful that without the heightened pressure of an imminent fiscal deadline, the president and Republicans can have constructive conversations on a broad deficit-reduction bill that would include concessions from the GOP on tax increases and from Democrats on entitlements.

But unless Boehner and McConnell bend on taxes, prospects for a sweeping deficit deal remain dim.

"You can't get around the leadership," said Patrick Griffin, who served as White House legislative director in the Clinton administration. "It's all about what happens going forward. Are the larger political dynamics going to change enough that Boehner and McConnell see it in their self-interest to change the way they position this?"

There's also no guarantee Obama and lawmakers won't find themselves facing a fiscal crisis in the coming months. The Senate still has to pass a bill funding the government after March 27 - the House passed its version of the measure Wednesday - and lawmakers will have to decide whether to raise the nation's debt limit in May.

Longer term, Rep. Paul Ryan previewed a 10-year plan on Wednesday that he said would eliminate federal deficits without raising taxes. That would tend to continue the budget standoff between the Republicans and Obama, who wants increased tax revenue to be part of any deal. But Ryan, the GOP vice presidential candidate in 2012, held out hope for communication across party lines.

The Wisconsin congressman, who also has spoken with Obama in recent days, said that "we're going to have to talk to each other to get an agreement about how to delay a debt crisis, how to save this country from a fiscal train wreck that's coming."

The president will have an opportunity to make his case to GOP leaders next week when he heads to Capitol Hill for separate meetings with the House and Senate Republican conferences. McConnell announced that Obama would attend the GOP Senate policy lunch, while Boehner's office said it was still working on a date.

Obama will also meet on Capitol Hill next week with House and Senate Democrats. The White House says all of the meetings were scheduled at the president's request.

White House aides said that while Wednesday's dinner would focus more narrowly on budget issues, the agenda for the lunches will be broader and will include discussions on immigration and gun control.

Even as Obama steps up his engagement with lawmakers, aides say he'll keep trying to build public support for his agenda and continues to believe pressure from the American people can force Republicans into action. Organizing for Action, a group run by former Obama campaign officials, sent an email Wednesday blaming "Republican obstructionism" for the sequester and urging supporters to sign a petition calling on Congress to back the president's approach for offsetting the cuts.

___

Associated Press writers Donna Cassata, Jim Kuhnhenn, Josh Lederman and Erica Werner contributed to this report.

___

Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/eating-obamas-overtures-gop-lawmakers-223401042--finance.html

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Gun advocates split with NRA on background checks (Washington Post)

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Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/289355687?client_source=feed&format=rss

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10 Practical Pointers for Improving Any Relationship | World of ...

All relationships ? especially the ones near and dear to you ? take work. But many of us get so wrapped up in our inner worlds and busy lives that we neglect everyone from our partners to our close friends.

According to Christina Steinorth, MFT, a psychotherapist and author of Cue Cards for Life: Thoughtful Tips for Better Relationships, ?Relationships don?t magically take care of themselves ? as with most living organisms, they need nurturing.?

Throughout the years, in her private practice, Steinorth has seen the same problems plague all relationships. She identified poor communication and poor conflict resolution skills as the most common concerns.

In fact, she called poor conflict resolution skills ?the kiss of death,? for even the best relationships. ?If you assassinate your partner?s character every time you have an argument and hold grudges from one argument to the next, I can pretty much promise you that your relationship will end up a sad state of affairs.?

And these skills are just as relevant and essential for your family, friends, boss and co-workers. Below, Steinorth offered 10 pointers for improving any relationship.

Improve Your Relationship

1. Listen intently.

There?s a difference between hearing a person and truly listening to them. Listening is a skill, which requires many elements, such as making eye contact and observing the person?s body language, Steinorth said.

It also includes giving the person your undivided attention. This might go without saying, but in our plugged-in world, distraction is merely an electronic device away. That?s why Steinorth suggested powering down all your tech tools while having a heart-to-heart, or really any talk.

She also suggested spouses carve out 10 minutes each morning and night to talk and connect. ?It can make a world of difference in your relationship.?

2. Practice small acts of kindness.

?Act loving even when you don?t feel like it, because people will always remember the way you make them feel,? Steinorth said. She encouraged readers to be thoughtful and compassionate. For instance, you can rub your spouse?s shoulders or take your close friend to lunch.

3. Avoid second-guessing what people say.

Most of us tend to respond to other people?s thoughts and feelings from our perspective, Steinorth said. But ?If you want to take your communication skills from good to great, one of the best things you can do is actually listen to another person and believe they mean, feel and want exactly what they just said??

Because if no one means what they say, then how can any person be trusted? she said. ?Don?t substitute your own thoughts, feelings or judgments for what is being said to you.?

4. Be mindful about when to approach people.

?Do your best to ensure that the person you are going to talk to is in the right frame of mind to receive the message you want to send,? Steinorth said. In other words, if your boss seems stressed, wait until they?re relatively relaxed to request a raise, she said.

5. Empathize during conflicts.

?It?s OK to argue and disagree [but] just do it effectively,? Steinorth said. One way to do that is to empathize with others during a disagreement.

?[Consider] that the other person you?re having a conflict with probably feels like you do. This will help you approach the situation with more patience and understanding as ideally these are things you are seeking as well.?

Be open to their opinion, just like you?d want them to be open to yours, she said. This can be tough in the heat of a debate, so, before responding, pause for five to 10 minutes to remind yourself.

6. Fight fair.

Again, it?s not conflict that chips away at relationships; it?s how you approach conflict that causes problems. ?Learn to address the subject, not the person, stay focused, don?t bring in stuff from old arguments, seek compromise if you can?t seek resolution and don?t bad mouth [your loved ones],? Steinorth said.

7. Be prepared to bend.

Sometimes bending is more important than standing your ground. All relationships require compromise. As Steinorth said, ?If you value your friendship and the other aspects of it are good, would it really be so bad to give up on a few argument points if it means your relationship will continue?? Usually it?s not bad at all.

8. Tend to your relationship?s needs.

?If you value your relationship with someone, be sure to give it what it needs?be it time, compassion or love,? Steinorth said. If you?re not sure what they need, just ask them, ?What can I do to help you feel better?? or ?What would you like from me?? she said.

9. Pay attention to the give and take in your relationships.

?Be aware of what you are bringing and taking from your relationships with others,? Steinorth said. That doesn?t mean keeping score. In fact, there will be times in every relationship when one person needs more than the other, she said. ?But overall in the healthiest of relationships the scales should pretty much balance out.? One possible sign of imbalance? ?You feel that you could never ask the other person for what they ask of you.?

10. Be someone others want to be around.

What types of people do you like to spend time with? What types of people do you not like to spend time with? For instance, if you commonly nag, complain and dish out passive-aggressive comments, your relationships will suffer, Steinorth said.

Relationships blossom when you tend to them, truly listen and resolve conflict effectively. ?When you?re able to do this, it can help you in many areas of your life?you have a better chance of getting promoted, your relationship will be better with your spouse because you know how to clear the air without destroying one another in the process and you can teach your children these skills by role modeling them,? Steinorth said.

Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S. is an Associate Editor at Psych Central and blogs regularly about eating and self-image issues on her own blog, Weightless.

Like this author?
Catch up on other posts by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S. (or subscribe to their feed).

????Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 5 Mar 2013
????Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.

APA Reference
Tartakovsky, M. (2013). 10 Practical Pointers for Improving Any Relationship. Psych Central. Retrieved on March 5, 2013, from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/03/05/10-practical-pointers-for-improving-any-relationship/

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Source: http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/03/05/10-practical-pointers-for-improving-any-relationship/

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Unpaid bills, pensions loom large in new Illinois budget

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (Reuters) - Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will unveil a fiscal 2014 budget on Wednesday that will chip away at a huge pile of overdue bills and cut spending to accommodate growing public pension costs, top state officials said on Tuesday.

"The governor's fiscal 2014 budget is balanced, it's honest and it's extremely difficult," Illinois Budget Director Jerry Stermer told reporters at a preview for the $62.4 billion all-funds budget that includes $35.6 billion of general fund spending.

Pension payments totaling $6 billion will consume 19 percent of the general fund, compared to just 6 percent in fiscal 2008. As a result, the Democratic governor's spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1 includes projected cuts of about $400 million to education and additional cuts in transportation and state-funded colleges and universities.

"We have to address the pension issue. It's squeezing out other expenditures," said Jack Lavin, Quinn's chief of staff.

Quinn's spending plan would also shrink the bill backlog to $6.8 billion in the coming fiscal year from $8.7 billion at the end of fiscal 2012 while eschewing new fees or taxes. And the governor will propose a way to pay down the bill pile faster in his budget address before the General Assembly on Wednesday, aides said.

Illinois stands alone among states in the scope and way it has institutionalized late payment of bills as a budget-balancing tool. The resulting structural budget imbalance as well as inaction by lawmakers to reduce a $96.8 billion unfunded pension liability have given Illinois the lowest credit ratings among the states.

Stermer said the governor wants the actual costs of programs and their outstanding bills to match up to appropriations - a practice that has not been followed by the legislature.

"The reality is we need to end the budget gimmickry," he said.

The Illinois Constitution's balanced budget requirement only stipulates that expenditures not exceed estimated revenue, leaving the door open to the use of unrealistic revenue assumptions and chronic underfunding of programs to create the illusion of balance.

A tentative agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 will save Illinois more than $900 million in health care costs over the three-year life of the contract by requiring contributions from retirees for the first time, according to Lavin.

But Illinois will also have to come up with about $140 million for unionized workers after the state lost a court battle over wage increases, Lavin said.

(Reporting by Renita D. Young; Additional reporting by Karen Pierog in Chicago; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/unpaid-bills-pensions-loom-large-illinois-budget-041617777.html

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Networking Strategy in 5 Steps | Business Networking Bulimba

// ]]>

What?s a Networking Strategy and Have you got one?

by Sigrid de Kaste

Do you go to breakfasts and lunches in order to meet new people?make new contacts and network?

I?m looking forward to International Women?s Day Breakfast?a fantastic opportunity to meet and make contact with heaps of people I don?t yet know!

My business, Stickybeak Marketing has reserved a table for 10?.oh, and by the way, if you?d like to come, contact me, there are 2 last seats available at the table!

Ring me now: 0414 626 729

?sorry, that?s not really what I want to talk about today?it?s the opportunity to meet and talk to new people for the purpose of networking, connecting and doing business with that I?d like to touch on

When I first started my business, Stickybeak Marketing, I went to networking events almost every week to build a list and reputation?which I?m sure, you are doing too!

Did I succeed? Oh yes, I?ve built a big list?but only after I applied what we all should do in every business: created a strategy!

Yes, a Networking Strategy!

It is easy to go out and visit networking groups, connect, take business cards and hand them out ?nilly willy? (can I say that here?)

You will gain a big list?BUT will it be a useful list, will it be networking time well spent?

Here is the thing, often people get confused and are not sure what a strategy is never mind putting one together for themselves!

A strategy is a solution to move you from were you are now to where you want to be..it is what you want to happen to achieve your preferred outcome and to make it easier for you to understand and put one together, here:

5 Steps to Your Networking Strategy

1. Be clear on what makes you, your product or services, unique

It is a good idea to spend some time on this step as it will help you when out networking to capture the interest of others and also filter into all of your marketing

2. Write a 60 second speech

You will be amazed just how much you can fit into 60 sec provided you first write it down, then time it and adjust your words to those with the highest impact when spoken, after that practise your speech so it becomes natural

3. Decide on who you want as customers

Yes, your target market can be exactly who you want it to be! Get clarity on it that will make networking and growing your business easier!

4. Research Networking groups and opportunities within your reach

Knowing what?s availalbe and when for what cost is useful to be effective in your networking efforts and will help monitor success

5. Define who would be most able to connect you with your ideal customer

Think about what sort of industries might also be working with your ideal customer and can help you connect with them. Networking is taken to a whole new level when you look at the people in the room as potential connectors rather than customers?

There you go?put your networking strategy in place and notice how your successes increase as will your business!

?

// ]]>

Source: http://businessnetworkingbulimba.com/networking-strategy/

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Plantronics Blackwire 720

The Plantronics Blackwire 720 ($149.95 direct) is a deluxe wired stereo headset for use with VoIP clients that doubles as a Bluetooth headset for cell phones. It's a good choice for outfitting desk-bound employees in a call center?one of Plantronics' original target markets, incidentally, before the company migrated to the consumer realm. It's also a solid pick if you just want something comfortable to wear at your desk all day.

The lightweight Blackwire 720 features a padded, perforated leather headband, plus two padded earcups. Each earcup can adjust down or up an extra inch or so, with little clicks that indicate various settings as you move up and down. A boom mic projects outward on a plastic stem; you can adjust its angle and position easily, again with click settings that are easy to push through. The earcups fold flat and store easily in the included carrying case, which is hard plastic but with a cloth covering and inside pocket to store the wire.

Inline on the black wire is a 3-inch remote control. The remote contains buttons to mute the microphone, adjust volume up or down with a sliding rocker switch, and two buttons to answer or end calls from a PC or a cell phone, respectively.

Installation on a PC is simple; simply plug the headset into a free USB port, and download Plantronics' free Spokes software from the company's website. The Spokes software makes controlling calls from multiple sources easier. Spokes also installs a battery meter for the Blackwire 720 in your PC's icon tray, and updates your UC presence status whether you're on a mobile call or a PC call.

Pairing with a phone over Bluetooth works the same way as it does with a regular Bluetooth headset. The Blackwire 720 can detect when it's on your head and activates, the same way the Plantronics Voyager Legend Bluetooth headset does. The mobile talk button flashes blue and red when pairing, solid red when charging, and stays off when fully charged.

Simply put, this is one comfortable headset. It sounds great, too, at least through the headphones. In a series of Skype tests, voice quality was impressive overall, with a clear tone in the earpiece. In voice mail tests, I heard clear transmissions through the boom mic that didn't sound overly compressed or digitized, but they did sound a little thin and distant. I was completely intelligible, though. The same was true with cellular calls; I tested the Blackwire 720 paired with a Verizon Apple iPhone 5 and heard similar results in both directions.

One other downside: When using the Blackwire 720 as a Bluetooth headset, you still have the wire to deal with; it only detaches at the point of the inline remote. You can unplug it from the computer, since the Blackwire 720 has a rechargeable battery, but then you have to carry part of the wire with the headset. That makes this product for those who will use it all the time with a VoIP client as well as a cell phone; otherwise, you could get a stereo Bluetooth-only headset that's fully wireless (or a mono headset, for that matter).

There are certainly less-expensive options than the Plantronics Blackwire 720. But if you're using Skype or another VoIP system?which already saves you a ton of money when compared with a copper wire system?using a good headset will go a long way toward ensuring voice quality remains pristine in both directions. The Plantronics Savi 440 is a good wireless option that sits in one ear, if you'd rather have a headset in that style, and also has way more range than most Bluetooth headsets, although it's more expensive than the Blackwire 720.

More Headset Reviews:
??? Plantronics Calisto 620
??? Plantronics Blackwire 720
??? Plantronics Voyager Legend UC
??? Native Union POP Bluetooth
??? Motorola S11-Flex HD
?? more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/zc_HY0IkPjI/0,2817,2416005,00.asp

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