ASME to Offer Additive Manufacturing Events During LiveWorx Co...

ASME to Offer Additive Manufacturing Events During LiveWorx Co... ASME to Offer Additive Manufacturing Events During LiveWorx Co... ASME to Offer Additive Manufacturing Events During LiveWorx Conference in BostonASME will hold several special workshops and sessions related to the subject of additive manufacturing one of the five core technologies the Society has identified as key to its overall strategy during the upcoming LiveWorx 18 Technology Conference in Boston. The conference, which will be held June 17-20 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, is expected to draw more than 7,000 engineers, entwurfers and executives wishing to enhance their technical skills, learn about trends in the technology sector, and network with their colleagues and peers.One of these events, the Additive Manufacturing Leadership Forum, on the morning of Tuesday, June 19, will provide business executives from diverse sectors including aerospace, healthcare and medical devices, oil and gas, aut omotive, metals and machinery with insight about how additive manufacturing (AM) is helping manufacturers and service providers transform their businesses, improve supply chains, rejuvenate their products and become more competitive. A panel of AM experts including top AM analyst Terry Wohlers, Alan Amling of supply chain giant UPS, Jay Rodgers of AM vehicle producer Local Motors, and speakers from Boeing, Stryker, Imperial and Paperless will help attendees start planning now for AMs impending impact on industry, understand AM best practices, and interact with other professionals who are encountering similar challenges. Registration for the forum is $295 using the code ASME18. For more information, or to register, visit https//additivemanufacturing.asme.org. (Left to right) Leading additive manufacturing (AM) analyst Terry Wohlers, Alan Amling of UPS, and Jay Rodgers of Local Motors will be among the AM experts participating in the Additive Manufacturing Leadership Forum on June 19.ASME will also host two three-hour Design for Additive Manufacturing Workshops on Wednesday, June 20. The first workshop, titled Metal Additive Manufacturing Foundation for Finding Value, will be a beginner-level session that will provide business operations and design engineers with a basic understanding of the value and opportunities that implementing metal AM at their companies can offer. Presented by Matt Burris, an entrepreneurial engineer and founder of MatterFab, the workshop will explore the various types of metal AM, supply chain and post-production issues, and the financial side of metal AM. The session, to be held from 930 a.m. to 1230 p.m., will also cover emerging technologies, trends, and metal AMs potential impact on manufacturing.A second beginner-level workshop, Metal Additive Manufacturing Design Considerations, will be presented later that afternoon by Tim Simpson, director of the additive manufacturing and design masters degree program and co-d irector of the CIMP-3D lab at Penn State University. During the session, which will take place from 130 p.m. to 430 p.m., Dr. Simpson will talk about some of his experiences working in field of additive manufacturing and offer attendees advice and a step-by-step checklist to help prepare them for 3D printing their designs with metal.Registration for each of the ASME workshops is $300 using the code ASME18. For more information on Metal Additive Manufacturing Foundation for Finding Value, or to sign up, visit https//www.liveworx.com/training/metal-additive-manufacturing-foundation-for-finding-value. To learn more about Metal Additive Manufacturing Design Considerations, or to register, visit https//www.liveworx.com/training/metal-additive-manufacturing-design-considerations.ASME has also organized four LiveWorx Additive Manufacturing Technical Sessions on June 19 Real World Engineering Solutions with Additive Manufacturing, from 115 p.m.-200 p.m. Possibilities and Limitations of Me tal Additive Manufacturing Design, from 215 p.m.-300 p.m. Evaluating the Cost and Economics of Additive Manufacturing, from 315 p.m.-400 p.m. and Navigating the Additive Ecosystem, from 415 p.m.-500 p.m.Registration for the ASME Additive Manufacturing Leadership Forum and/or the Design for Additive Manufacturing Workshops includes a complimentary two-day LiveWorx Explorer Pass (a $695 value). Registrants for those ASME programs will also qualify for a discount on the LiveWorx All Access Pass, which includes access to all of the conferences technical sessions, including the ASME Additive Manufacturing Technical Sessions. Visit https//www.liveworx.com and use the code ASME18 to receive your discount on LiveWorx 18 registration.

How to Get an Animal Sales Job

How to Get an Animal Sales JobHow to Get an Animal Sales JobAnimal ausverkauf careers are often difficult to secure, as there is always a great deal of competition for these potentially high paying opportunities. A skilled sales associate can earn a great deal if they are able to secure contracts with customers (especially if the compensation package includes commission-based pay). It is certainly possible to increase your chances of being hired in the animal sales industry if you gain the right types of experience and education. Here are some ways to make yourself a more attractive candidate for animal sales positions Choose a Career Path A candidate who is interested in the field of animal sales should begin by determining what specific type of sales they are interested in pursuing professionally. Popular animal-related sales career paths include veterinary pharmaceutical sales rep, pet product sales rep, livestock feed sales rep, pet food sales rep, equine product sales rep, p et insurance sales rep, or equine insurance sales rep. Defining a specific area of interest early on allows a student to tailor their college courses and internships to build a strong resume that will draw interest from employers. It is very important to fully research the specific career path before committing to it. This background research might involve arranging a meeting with a professional in the field, researching careers online, and reading career guides or professional publications. Meeting with someone who works in your field of interest can be an invaluable resource and is highly recommended. Seek Education Most animal sales representatives have at least a four year Bachelor of Science degree in a field related to marketing, animal science, biology, zoology, veterinary technology, or business. Those with higher level graduate degrees or extensive practical experience will have the best opportunities in the field. Sales representatives should have a solid knowledge of their industry, strong communication skills, and the ability to persuade prospective clients to try the product that they represent. Most new recruits must complete a training course with their employer before having the chance to interact with clients. There are also several certification courses available to sales professionals that can boost a candidates sales credentials. Gain Practical Experience Completing an internship is one of the best ways to gain hands-on experience in the animal sales field. Many companies have programs designed to expose students to opportunities in the industry. Internship programs are available in veterinary pharmaceutical sales, animal nutrition, and more. Many of these internships are offered in 8 to 12-week summer sessions.Some internships also run for semester-long sessions, and college credit may also be available for students who complete these experiences if it is arranged in advance with their institution. If it is not possible to find an opportunity with a sales company, you might benefit from working with animals directly at zoos, aquariums, humane societies, stables, or veterinary clinics. Sales experience gained through other non-animal related sales agencies will also be valued, as sales skills are readily transferable from one industry to another. Find an Opportunity Animal sales jobs may be advertised in trade publications (both in print and online).Colleges and universities often get advance notice of jobs that might be of interest to their students, so be sure to subscribe to any job-related email lists your educational institution may offer. Opportunities may also be found through a search of job sites such as AnimalHealthJobs.com, Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, and a variety of recruiter sites. You can also search through company websites to see if an employer has a job posted that might be of interest (major employers like Bayer, Merck, Hills Pet Nutrition, Alltech, Purina, and Zoetis often post vaca ncies on their websites). Even if there are no jobs listed, be sure to send a resume and cover letter to organizations that you are interested in working for. You never know when an unadvertised position might suddenly pop up. Be sure to also inquire about any possible internship opportunities, which are a great way to get your foot in the door for future positions. Your college or university may also be able to help with job placement, so ask your advisor and professors about any connections they might be able to help you make with industry professionals.

Red Flags and Warning Signs in the Interview Process

Red Flags and Warning Signs in the Interview ProcessRed Flags and Warning Signs in the Interview ProcessRed Flags and Warning Signs in the Interview Process Putzier and David BakerAlthough the candidate interview and other screening tools are the key factors that we should use in makingour hiringdecisions, bear in mind that there are other factors that can also weigh for or against a candidates hireability.Also, the interview does not start when you begin asking the candidate questions in your office. It starts when he picks up the phone for a phone interview and continues when he gets out of his car in the parking lot, when he greets (or doesnt greet) your receptionist or other staff and throughout the entire process of interactions.Here are some red flags and warning signs to look for in conducting the interview1. Arriving late for the interview. This should be obvious, but unless there was an act of God preventing the applicant from being on time, why in the world would you expect her to come to work on time?2. Treating your staff dismissively or disrespectfully. Remember the good old days when we had secretaries? Mine was also the receptionist in the employment office. Wanda would bring the parties application and rsum to me for review while he was sitting in the reception area.All she would have to do was let out a sigh and a look of disgust when she laid the paperwork on my desk, which then elicited a Whats wrong, Wanda? from me. At which point, she would say, Oh, nothing. Hes just a little arrogant or something of that nature.This is a case where the horns effect is valid. If the candidate treats my secretary with disrespect before he is even hired, how do you think he is going to behave on the job? This is when he should be on his best behavior3. Not wearing appropriate attire for the position. This is a variable. A janitor applicant might be acceptable in clean jeans and a T-shirt, although dressing up a bit would be a plus, whereas someone applying fo r a management position should be wearing proper business attire. Again, its a sign of judgment and awareness.4. Meet and greet. Did the person extend a confident handshake, look you in the eyes, smile, and greet you? This goes for both men and women. Even a cold, clammy handshake is better than no handshake at all. Again, this indicates judgment and confidence. musiknote Some cultures deems eye contact and hand-shaking inappropriate.5. Talking too much. Even though we have been stressing the 80/20 rule, there are times when a candidate goes overboard or over limits, particularly when she lacks the judgment to know when to shut up or what not to share. This usually happens when you are using open-ended interview questions and/or clarifying statements.6. Speaking negatively about past employers and experiences. Even though the story might be true, this is an indication of the applicants not taking responsibility for his own actions, or at least sharing what he learned from the experi ence, instead of placing blame on others for everything. Remember that in Gut Wrenchers, we said to keep all responses positive and job-related?7. Asking about money too soon. Granted, we all work for pay. However, good judgment says this should not be one of the first questions a candidate voices. It shows a lack of concern of the employers needs and priorities, demonstrates short-term, self-centered thinking, and is just poor form.8. Showing up unprepared. This could include not bringing a pen and paper, not having her rsum with her, knowing nothing about the organization, and other such omissions. If someone approaches a job interview by the seat of her pants, its a pretty aya bet that she will approach her job the same way.9. Using inappropriate language. Even if your culture is laid back and informal, it never justifies a candidates use of vulgarity or inappropriate language. Again, this is an indication of a lack of class, self-awareness, and self-monitoring. If he is that wil ling to let his guard down in a job interview, can you imagine what will happen with customers and coworkers?10. Being vague in her responses. A key purpose of a job interview is to delve into the details of the candidates qualifications, that is, beyond the rsum. If she is vague, nonresponsive, or evasive in her responses, even when you use the questioning techniques referred to herein, then either she has something to hide or she is just unable to articulate her thoughts. Either way, its no way11. Exhibiting poor body language. Yes, interview body language is a legitimate barometer. Beyond the meet and greet, handshake, eye contact, and smile, if the candidate slumps in his chair, or even puts his feet up, thats a sign. He is on stage.A candidate should have decent posture and demonstrate that he is alert and attentive (or at least awake) by sitting up or, even better, sitting on the edge of his seat. Leaning back, folding his arms in front of him, and other such behavior indicate s closed-mindedness, or at least defensiveness, lack of confidence and/or lack of attentiveness, and maybe even arrogance. Whatever it is, it isnt a good sign.12. Not asking any questions. Remember that in the interview setup, we said to let the candidate know that she can ask you questions at the end? When you are done asking your interview questions, you can open the floor to questions from the candidate. If she has none, or if she just asks what the job pays, then this could be a red flag. It demonstrates a lack of depth of thinking, lack of understanding of or interest in a job or an organization, or a lack of preparation, and it is also somewhat insulting to you as an employer.Excerpted from The Everything HR Kit A Complete Guide to Attracting, Retaining, and Motivating High-Performance Employees by John Putzier and David Baker. Copyright 2010 John Putzier and David Baker. Published by AMACOM Books, a division of American Management Association, New York, NY. Used with permiss ion. All rights reserved.

How to (actually) find your purpose

How to (actually) find your purposeHow to (actually) find your purposeYou know what I dont like? Advice that doesnt come with instruction.For instance, leadership gurus often say, You must do the work youre passionate about.Well, duh. We all want to spend time doing what we love. But HOW do we find that work?I think my journey is much the same as any entrepreneur who, after a process of intense introspection, found the a ha moment on what theyre supposed to do in a career.I began a personal blog because I like to write and share advice with my peers. Thats all I knew. It was a blob of clay with no discernible shape. Looking back, I can see my mission was too broad and I was all things to all people. I covered finance, health, politics, career advice - no clear focus or niche.Only through blogging nonstop and watching my besucherzahlen did I understand what my audience values fruchtwein - and simultaneously what I love to discuss the most. The answer step-by-step writing instruction for the business world. Thats my niche and unique value proposition.And now that I focus on my niche, doors continue to open. My book of writing guides, Wait, How Do I Write This Email?, is making its way into high schools, colleges, corporate boardrooms, retail outlets, prison systems and even the Pentagon. Pretty awesome, right?All that stuff I wrote at the start on health, finance and politics? Ill leave those topics to someone else. Yes, I had to start with the blob of clay (we all do), but the clay only took shape because I honed my skills and listened to the market every single week for two years. Seriously, look how much I learned.To find your passion, devote time every week to doing what enjoy. Its that simple.If you hang around long enough, you will become an expert on your thing and discover how to make the biggest impact possible on the world.Pretty cool process, right? The coolest. Its the coolest. And its also freaking beautiful - to attain that level of professional enlightenment. And it doesnt matter if youre black, white, rich, poor or any other way we classify ourselves. We can all do this. Work ethic is colorblind.Most people dont make it to the a ha moment. They never reach their full potential.Will you?Heres my instruction, nice and simple. Print it out.1. What do you like to do? Make time (dont try to find time) to pursue it. Like, every week for at least two years. Im serious - go all in or dont bother.2. As you move along, share your progress and thoughts online. By writing it down, you will grow as a person and begin to define your area of expertise.3. Monitor your web traffic and look at the topic(s) people read most. Over two years, the audience will tell you where you provide the most value (and solve the biggest problem). But only if you write a lot (every week, I mean it).4. Focus on the niche and leave the other topics alone. Be great at one thing and one thing only. The narrower, the better.5. Then, you have aligned your passi on with solving a problem. And thats the holy grail of careers. Youll wake up every day to do what you love and improve the lives of others.What could be better?This article first appeared on dannyhrubin.com.

The Insider Secret on Teacher Assistant Resume Exposed

The Insider Secret on Teacher Assistant Resume Exposed Top Choices of Teacher Assistant Resume Following is all you need to learn about a career as a teacher assistant with a lot of details. Following are some ideas and tricks together with a sample resume of teacher assistant free of experience in hand. Make certain that you add all of your important current work. Now, the time has arrived that you compose your own resume. An excellent place to begin is on Linkedin. Superior luck and receive the correct job soon. There are all types of meet up groups for professionals in your region. There are a lot of hotel, restaurant and recreational jobs out there. This information will be able to help you design a resume that may find any hiring managers attention. As a very first step, look at a number of the subsequent jobs, which are real jobs with real employers. You may use the sample teacher cover letter to secure more interesting suggestions and ways to generate your cover letter different from others. In bestellung to acquire the best chances of landing your teacher job, you should make sure youre making the best resume that you are able to. Greet families at the start of each day and help children become settled. If youre considering applying to be a teacher, then the very first step you will need is a resume to assist you. A teacher assistant is usually hired to provide help in regard to the everyday processes a teacher should undergo and the teaching requirements which are needed to be fulfilled. Furthermore, it is possible for you to learn about education careers and search for teaching assistant jobs on Monster. Teaching jobs usually need specific degrees and certifications, so be certain to highlight your education. Education and credentials are quite important in the teaching profession, which is the reason they are also on the very first page. Not only must you to be great at teaching one-on-one, but you also need to deal with conflic t among students and even teachers. Study with Stonebridge College and find the qualifications you should work in a classroom. You must reveal that youre passionate about education. You will also find a good example of a resume written especially for an early childhood education job. What Everybody Dislikes About Teacher Assistant Resume and Why Responsibility has become the most crucial component of being a great babysitter. An overview of your overall abilities, achievements, and goals can certainly help your prospective employer to find an overall facet of you as an individual and as a possible employee. Notice that her day-to-day duties are set in a paragraph and only her accomplishments are bulleted. You shouldnt ignore the significance of resumes. The History of Teacher Assistant Resume Refuted Thus, dont be concerned if youve been out of school for some time. If you like working with children and want to play part in their education and wellbeing, a job for a teach ing assistant could be perfect for you. Incorporating an effective testimonial or quote from her time for a student teacher will help to solidify what she can provide a school district. Being an assistant teacher is a complicated job that demands excellent people skills with children and grownups alike. The Hidden Facts About Teacher Assistant Resume Your skill set will choose the age range youre capable of babysitting. It is crucial to know that your resume is your very first point of contact with your possible employer. In most instances, duties and requirements for the subsequent titles will overlap. When writing a resume, it helps to review resume examples that are linked to your occupation. The last education section is short and easy. Just adhere to the format and you are going to be fine. Read in-depth resume formatting tips for educators to obtain some contemporary ideas to boost the format of your present teacher resume. You could also attempt resume formatting tips for educators to obtain some contemporary ideas to improve the format of your present teacher resume. You would like to get your top achievements on top, to make sure the recruiter keeps on scrolling down. List any creative approaches you could change a students perception or grades by employing motivation tactics. There are lots of chances in your job for quantification. The Bizarre Secret of Teacher Assistant Resume In spite of the fact there are countless fantastic college resume examples to be found online, writing your own resume is not quite as easy as you believe. If youre unfamiliar in writing resumes, you might check ourA Sample Resumes article to find better comprehension on writing one. The 2 examples above can function as a template in assisting you to create your objective statement. Use the search pckchen to find precisely what you are interested in. The Argument About Teacher Assistant Resume The maturation of the Educational Assistant role is related to the debut of Bill 82 in 1980. Getting to know staff can help you to have a sense of the day-to-day environment, which will set you in an outstanding position when applying for a teaching assistant function. Teachers will have a hard time carrying out their responsibilities without the aid of a Teacher Assistant. Teacher Assistant searching for a position with XYZ School. Teacher Assistant Resume Your objectives and strong points that youre willing to donate to the school or institute. As a teacher, you know that you discovered and honed a number of skills and abilities. Resumes can be exceedingly critical as it will help your employers find out more about your backgroundthe skills youve got, educational attainments, and previous work experiences. On your program, emphasize the related abilities and abilities youve got in communicating with students.

The Do This, Get That Guide On How to Start a Resume Writing Business from Home

The Do This, Get That Guide On How to Start a Resume Writing Business from Home Naturally, you would like to earn a good one. A business license might also be needed. In the event the business is being operated from a concrete distribution policy, thena certificate of occupancy (CO) have to be obtained. The other expenses linked to your company will depend on how you promote it. If this is the case, you could begin a little business focused on assisting senior citizens. When youre starting any form of business, it requires time to develop a client base and start seeing a steady income. Whenever you have your own company, you can place your own prices. The Debate Over How to Start a Resume Writing Business from Home Including your startup or company on a resume would be quite much like the way you would incorporate any other work experience. Working on a startup or small business indicates plenty of effective abilities and traits irrespective of your outcome. Likewise a c onstruction business might be a good fit for a person who enjoys hands-on work. If this is the case, you could think about building a little business around life coaching. Resume writing is an art and it needs to be utilised in resume to create a very good impression on the possible employer. Writing resumes for a different company might help you hone your writing skills while additionally providing a (hopefully) stable supply of income during the early days of your enterprise venture. Resume writing business can likewise be grown using franchise. Very similar to teaching a class based on your skills, you might want to evaluate what you currently excel at, and see whether it would make a great consulting enterprise. On top of the proper tools, its also wise to have a dedicated office or employment space thats totally free from distractions. A significant part the home buying process is having an expert home inspector go through the home to determine the status of the building and point out any possible issues. You might even be in a position to work from your residence. If youve got small kids and your house does not have a distinct entrance, make sure someone is equipped to watch your children to prevent interruption. The Ultimate How to Start a Resume Writing Business from Home Trick There are two or three routes you may take with resume writing. When you have started your resume writing company, you might have to guess the nonbillable hours. In starting a resume writing business, you should learn to write resumes for various professions. You must be convinced that you understand how to compose powerful and result-generating resumes.

7 reasons why career coaching can make you happy

7 reasons why career coaching can make you happy7 reasons why career coaching can make you happyIs your career going to plan? How about the other parts of your life? If youre stuck in a dead-end job or feel youve somehow been drifting along a career path by accident rather than design and its making you unhappy, its elend too late to do something about it.This is where career coaching can be hugely beneficial. Being frustrated, stressed or dissatisfied at work can have a major impact on your performance at work, your relationship, your health and wellbeing. An experiencedcareer coachcan help you rediscover how to connect your personal values with your goals, getting your professional and personal life back on track.Use this powerful approach as a first port of call, not as a last resort, to reap the benefits in the shortest possible time.1. Make the right career choicesIts a complex world out there in the professional sphere. Technology in general, and the importance of digital platf orms and social media in particular, are advancing rapidly and this has a major impact on job search and career management. With so much information out there, how do you know what skills you need and which direction to take?A great career coach has the training, experience and tools tohelp you make informed career choices. With an uncanny ability to see the wood for the trees, s/he can point you towards the path thats right for you and your goals.2. Find a way forward thats tailor made for youCareer decisions are as different as the individuals taking them theres no one-size-fits-all solution. Thats why its so difficult to get the right answer from reading self-help books or online resources theyre simply too general. Even talking to friends or trusted colleagues may not get you any further.With the expert assistance of a career coach by your side, youll be able to identify and build on your own personal experiences, circumstances and aspirations, devising a plan of action thats p erfect for you.3. Be paid what youre really worthMaking a career change, getting a new job or a promotion takes a lot of time, effort and personal investment, all of which can be thoroughly demoralising if you dont have the right support in place.With a career coach to guide you, you will learn how to save time and make the process faster, more productive and more satisfying. Learn how toput yourself forward effectively and confidently for the right jobs, with the skills to negotiate a salary that reflects your level of skill and professional standing.4. Discover your inner confidenceOne of the greatest demons many people have to verstndigung im strafverfahren with in the workplace, including at senior management levels, is a lack of confidence. A skilled career coach will be able to identify your personal strengths, pinpoint your unique selling proposition with clarity and make sense of your career in a way you may not have thought of yourself.Armed with this awareness, you will fe el empowered to present yourself with muchmore confidence in job interviews, in meetings with senior decision makers in your company, and in day-to day relations with your colleagues and peers.5. No more procrastination or inactionSometimes, life just takes over and however good your intentions may be to do something about your unhappy job situation, the time never seems to be right. If youre plagued by lack of time or knowledge, or areoverwhelmed by the prospect of a major change, or something else is stopping you from making a change to the status quo, career coaching is the perfect answer.Finding a good career coach is the first step to addressing the herausforderung. Whats more, once youve started working together you know that therewillbe progress and it may come sooner than you think.6. A problem shared is a problem halvedWe all need a bit of support sometimes. If youve gone through a rough patch at work, perhaps recovering from redundancy or having to deal with bullying in t he office, looking forward may be difficult for you.With a sympathetic career coach with a solid background in psychotherapy at your side, you can work through the issues and find your way through the darkness. You will emerge from the process with a more balanced sense of perspective, and greater confidence with which to go forward into a positive future.7. Building career skills for lifeThe best bit about career coaching is that the skills you will learn will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life. Fully empowered to understand the triggers that create blocks to your success, and equipped with strategies to remove these blocks for good, your efforts will now naturally flow towards your goals without the risk of being thrown off course.Its a valuable investment into your professional (and personal) future that will bring you closer to the happiness you deserve.This article was originally posted on YourCoffeeBreak.co.uk.

How to Develop Your Own Cold Call Opener

How to Develop Your Own Cold Call OpenerHow to Develop Your Own Cold Call OpenerThe first few seconds of a cold call are crucial. Thats the moment when a prospect decides if theyre going to say No, thanks and hang up or if theyre going to give you a few moments to tell them more about what youre selling. So developing just the right cold call opener can make a huge difference in how well your schlussverkauf calls go. Using Your Elevator Pitch as a Starting Point A good cold call opener often sounds much like an elevator pitch, a quick sales appeal you could say to someone when youve got minimal time, like in an elevator when one of you might be getting off on the next floor. If you already have a strong elevator pitch, you can modify it into a cold call opener with little difficulty. If not, crafting your cold call opener can give you the basis for your new elevator pitch. Identifying Yourself The first part of your cold call opener is your name and company affiliation. You m ust begin by giving the part whose day youve interrupted the basic courtesy of identifying yourself. If you give only your first name, youll probably sound more friendly. And be sure to lead off with the name of the person youve reached once youre sure thats who it is. That will also help establish a connection between you. Mentioning a Benefit Quickly Unless the person youre calling hears something that would be helpful to them within a few seconds, they will hang up and get back to what they were doing. Thats why its crucial to quickly mention a benefit your companys product or service can offer them. If your product can increase the efficiency of their manufacturing process by up to 33 percent, say that?. If your service can cut their online customer acquisition cost (CAC) by an average of 44 percent, say that. Offering Credibility To make your opening benefit more credible, provide some information on the reach of your company that will show it isnt some fly-by-night out fit. If more than 250 companies around the world that are similar to theirs have experienced that increased manufacturing efficiency, say that. If both your company and the one youre trying to land as a customer are small businesses, you might mention that six local companies they would recognize have lowered their CAC dramatically after using your service. Asking for More Time Now that youve made it clear exactly what youre offering, you need to ask your sales prospect for permission to tell them some more about it. Telling them youll take only a minute of their time when you dont know whether they have a minute to spare right then isnt the best approach. You may be seen as presumptuous and unworthy of any more of their consideration. Asking them whether you caught them at a good time is a better option. It shows youre aware of the demands on their time and youre not taking their attention for granted. If they say no, you can ask whether you could call them back later that day. If they say yes, you have permission to go ahead with a more-detailed pitch. Opener Examples Combining all of those parts would lead to openers like the following, all of which would be preceded by a confirmation that youve reached your intended prospect either a transfer to that persons extension or something along the lines of Hello. Is this Jos Salazar? Yes. Jos, this is Samantha at Fantastic Widgets. More than 250 global companies have increased their manufacturing efficiency as much as 33 percent by switching to our products. Is now a good time to speak with you about them?Jos, this is Samantha at Exemplar Marketing Services. Our company has lowered customer acquisition costs for six companies in Middletown, including ABC and XYZ, by up to 44 percent. Have I caught you at an OK time?

Are you ready for FIRE, LeanFIRE ... or just kidding yourself

Are you ready for FIRE, LeanFIRE ... or just kidding yourselfAre you ready for FIRE, LeanFIRE ... or just kidding yourselfThis post was inspired by lively discussions on the FIRE and LeanFire Reddit. What I have to share on the topic of retiring early and purple drankFIRE may seem controversial or critical however, my reason for sharing this is to help you be successful in your goals.The FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) MovementAn interesting development over the last several years has been theFIRE movement. Financial independence is defined as having sufficient passive income and/or sufficient investments to cover your living expenses. The turning point is when you have saved enough or reduced your expenses enough to achieve financial independence.Once you have reached financial independence, you are now free to live a good life, or at least that is how the story goes.Since financial independence is a formula, those seeking FIRE often focus on both sides of the equation, b eing the reduction of living expenses and increasing passive income and investments. Many on the FIRE path will go to such heroic efforts to minimize expenses that they can achieve the definition of FIRE with comparably very little saved, sometimes referred to as lean FIRE or LeanFIRE.LeanFIRE is steeped in anti-consumerism, simple living, and even homesteading. Despite the proliferation and popularity ofblogs, books and web forums,the pursuit of FIRE is elend new. The acronym is a recent development however, the concept of reaching financial independence and retiring early was bedrngnislage born of the internet nor of recent time.The concept easily dates to the 1960s, and I bet that one could easily make an argument that the U.S.A. was founded by the godfathers of geo-arbitrage.Fortunately, people pursuing FIRE or leanFIRE have the benefit of learning from those that came before them.Are You Pursuing FIRE or LeanFIRE?Some people may argue the difference is just semantics. I believe words matter. A yacht and a kayak are both vessels however, if I told you I took my vessel out on the open water this weekend, you could be forgiven for thinking I owned something much grander than a kayak.Similarly, if someone told you they reached Financial Independence, I doubt the image that comes to mind is of one living in a yurt in their neighbors backyard. Being frugal and living simply is impressive and admirable. As a community, though, we need to enaya we are all on the same page.A proposition, Modify Financial Independence Retire Early TerminologyAs such, I propose we modify the definition of FIRE. In my opinion, financial independence should equal having sufficient passive income and investments to replace your wages or the median income (like the cost of living) for the community you are living in.Financial independenceshouldentail some form ofcontingency planningand/or redundancy. As well, I would argue that failing to plan for variables is not a plan at allif one va riable threatens your independence, then by definition, you arenotas financially independent as you believed you were.LeanFIRE would mean that you have chosen a FIRE path that focuses on simple living and frugality to achieve your goals. It also means you do not have sufficient resources for FIRE.Of course, if you are leaving your job to turn a side hustle into your main gig, and you need that active income to maintain your standard of living, I would consider that asself-employment on the path to FIRE.Why Does any of this Matter? Because you are Playing with FIRE.Good planning entails considering what could reasonably go wrong and plan ahead for contingencies. Good planning needs to work in good times and bad. Both forms of FIRE have some risks. The leaner the FIRE, the more risks you may need to plan for and if you fail to plan you could get burnt.Lets Talk About What Can Go WrongLiving ExpensesLiving expenses will go up over time, and inflation is hard to measure or even forecast . This is in part because inflation affectshouseholds differently.If you ask a cattle farmer, a truck driver and a technology consultant how much expenses go up annually, you are likely to get three very different answers.The farmer and the truck driver are much more sensitive to changes in energy and commodity prices than the tech consultant. In fact, the tech consultant may argue that expenses declinePeople express their belief that their stock market-linked portfolio will keep up with inflation. They make the assumption that the stock market returns will beat the average rate of inflation. The question is, will you experience average rates of inflation? Will people, such as retirees that need to allocate a high proportion of the passive income to living expenses, tend to be more sensitive to inflation in energy and commodities?TIPMake sure your inflation protection strategy is correlated to the inflationyou arelikely to experience, not just a general cost of living inflation.Taxe sTax policies change and evolve over time. The only thing we know for certain is that we dont know anything for certain. Luckily, the various income taxes are easy enough to plan for.The challenge is in theproperty taxes and indirect taxes. In many areas of the country, property taxes have steadily increased at rates greater than the rate of inflation. An extremely lean FIRE plan may not be able to keep up with property tax inflation.We must worry about indirect taxes, are you prepared if the town you live in doubles or triples the water bill? If you reside in the country and rely on a well or septic system, do you plan for the potential cost of conversion to public water and sewer if the township mandates that change? A mandated change like that today could cost $15k. What would it cost in ten or fifteen years?TIPConsider setting aside extra money forrainy day emergenciesbefore leaving the workforce. Correlations ChangeThe great recession and financial crisis thought us several les sons about portfolio design and volatility in income-producing portfolios. We have also learned that correlations change. In 2008, multiple asset categories experienced losses. One thing I often hear people on the path to FIRE say is if their portfolio loses value they will just go back to work.The financial crisis taught us that weakness in the stock markets tends to correlate highly with weakness in the job market. If that wasnt bad enough, the same finance downturn that damaged your portfolio could also trigger a layoff where your tenant works, and now he is unable to pay rent. It has become popular for those seeking FIRE tomake money online, just keep in mind the economic forces that rattle your investments could impact your side hustle as well.HealthcareHealth care and health insurance are some of the biggest challenges to those aspiring to FIRE and Lean FIRE. The Affordable Care Act has created some opportunities for people to purchaseaffordable health insurancethey have struc tured their taxable income in an ideal manner.The issue remains that, over the course of 15 to 25 years, we do not know what health insurance programs will look like. Historically, health care costs increase at a greater than average rate versus the rate of inflation. It would be prudent to plan accordingly.I have heard people in the lean FIRE community indicated that they will engage in medical tourism. As appealing as traveling to Belize for your health care may sound, unexpected health issues dont often give us much warning. Quite often, health issues do not make time to travel either.LawsuitsMany individuals on the path to FIRE include some form of rental properties for income in their FIRE portfolio. Real estate offers some compelling advantages namely, you can purchase a rental property with little to no money down. I cannot begin to count the number of satellite radio commercials or infomercials that pitch the rental property passive income dream.Rental properties are not wit hout risk landlords can and often get sued. Recently, a tenant was awarded$300k over a bedbug infestation. Even with adequate insurance, a lawsuit can be costly. Neither property insurance nor liability insurance covers property owners if the town or city levies fines or requires improvements on the property.TIP Should your path to FIRE include rental properties, consult your lawyerandyour accountant about what planning may be necessary toprotect your assets.Asset protection isnot a substitutefor quality liability insurance.DivorceMany marriages end in divorce. Out of the number of people who get divorced each year, Im willing to bet theres a handful of couples that would haveinsistedprior to their marriage going south that they would never possibly get divorced. Your spouse may be onboard with your lean FIRE dreams now. Ask each other what happens if opinions change.Many couples that embarked on homesteading or self-sufficiency found out that overly simple living wasnt as romantic and charming as it sounded. Alternatively, if you are lean FIRE, and your spouse is not able to visit the children or grandchildren as often as wanted because its not in the budget, will that spouse remain onboard? Potentially, too lean of a FIRE could lead to anxiety and resentment. Please do not risk your marriage by retiring too early and without proper planning.TIP make sure you have adequate pre-nuptial and/or post-nuptial agreements.Failed FIRE What is the cost?I have attempted to point out some of the risks to people on social media. Their responses are usually a glib answer such as I will just go back to work. The problem with that answer is, if your plan fails, it could be too late. Its doubtful youre going to abandon your FIRE dream due to a bad day in the stock market, or even two.You may not realize your plan is not working until it is too late. You may be several years, or even a decade into your plan when you realize you have a problem. In the case of a medical emergen cy, you may be physically unable to work. Re-entering the workforce may be harder than you anticipated.Lets be clear should you leave your profession prematurely and find out a handful of years down the road that your planning did not work out, youre unlikely to get much sympathy. Its highly unlikely your previous employers will hire you back. Even if they do, it may not be at the paygrades you were previously at. A ten-year hiat in your resume may cause difficulty in seeking employment, if, for no other reason, ten years is a long time in certain industries, and skills perish over time.Your Definition of FIREYou should be prepared for the above situations, although I am hopeful these things do not happen to you. When you are prepared and have a plan in place to deal with the curve balls that life tosses at you, then that is the moment when you are truly financially independent.There is nothing wrong with trying to retire early orsimple living. Good planning means you can enjoy your retirement with peace of mind and security.The key is to choose a path to FIRE that is sustainable and works foryou, your family, and your goals.This article originally appeared on Your Money Geek.