DjmBusinessSolutions.com

Solar panels are a technology that turns the energy of the sun into an energy source for homes and businesses. They can range from small boards that will power small items, to larger ones that will power a whole building continually. They are leading the way to a brighter and greener tomorrow.

Even on cloudy days, solar panels still work capturing the sunlight that is filtering through the clouds. Due to the falling supply of natural oil and gas, the development of technology for photovoltaic cells is increasing all the time. This technology will be an increasingly integral part of the future of the world.

Further developments may include creating a smaller and slimmer look to the solar panel cells. Another main feature being worked on is how to soak up more rays, so that one board would be enough energy for one building. New smaller devices are making it easier for people away from home to have the suns power connecting them through a phone, laptop or other portable device.

As the sun gives out light at different wavelengths, new technology is being developed further. Using infrared rays to capture more energy will mean greater amounts of electricity can be made. To do this, the glass that covers the panel has to be treated with a special material, allowing it to soak up the infrared rays, which regular types do not. These would be especially useful in places where there are many cloudy days.

Roads with cell power built into them have also been looked at, as another idea of how to power whole cities with this technology. The future of solar panels is bright and new ways of making them easier to use and more powerful are being discovered every year. In years to come this technology will feature in more places, meaning lower bills while helping to make a cleaner world. Ending reliance on decreasing fossil fuels and helping reduce global warming will help make a better future for all.

Today’s question was inspired by a meeting I attended this morning at the Monterey Bay Consultants Group, sponsored by IMC (The Institute of Management Consultants). I was on a panel with two other bloggers and the topic was Blogging what is the big idea?.

I was very hesitant to accept the invitation to speak, I originally wanted Michelle to go as she’s the better speaker and writer in this duo. Plus, I have to confess – I’m not fond of speaking in public. Originally we were going to be the only company presenting, but due to my hesitance, John Zott (the meeting presenter) found two other bloggers and made it a panel event. Once I found out I wouldn’t be on the spot, I signed up.

The other two bloggers were Emily Thomas from Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing and Carol L. Skolnick, from Clear Life Solutions. It was great to hear their perspectives on blogging and how it helps their businesses.

I met all types of consultants and I enjoyed myself. I have to admit, I ended up speaking more than I expected because of the subject. I’m passionate about blogging and how it has helped my business grow.

So…to answer the question, “Do You Need a Small Business Blog?”, my answer to you is YES. Yes you do! Here’s a few reasons why I think you need one (based on the meeting from this morning):

1. Blogging gets you in touch with your customers. While your website is your online brochure to get your company message out, your blog personalizes your business and humanizes you to your potential clients.

2. Blogging is free. It doesn’t cost you any money and can be a welcome addition to any of your current marketing campaigns. Emily uses her blog to showcase the events her company attends.

3. Blogging is instantaneous. You can post something and it’s live on the Internet right away. You don’t have to wait for search engine crawlers to find your content. Your blog is alive. People can comment on it too.

4. Blogging brings in business. Several of our customers found us through blog postings. It’s a wonderful tool for getting your message out there.

5. Blogging creates new connections. Whether you are making connections on Digg, Facebook, Sphinn, Blog Catalog or Twitter – those connections can bring you potential business. Isn’t that what every small business wants? More business?

Although today’s meeting was a bit early for me (had to get up at 5:30 to be there on time), I had a wonderful time and met some great people. Funny enough “blogging” was the reason I met them…

Joanne

This week Max Keiser and co-host Stacy Herbert look at the scandals of Brown’s Bottom, the worst economic judgment of all time and Bono’s private equity, “the worst investor in America.” Max chats to Brits in Trafalgar Square and also talks to Mark Schapiro, author of the Harper’s article, “Conning the Climate: Inside the Carbon Trading Shell Game”.

In order to guarantee optimal staff deployment, there are several elements that must be met such as current and future staffing requirements, employee availabilities, budget allowances, holidays, skills, labor law-related restrictions, as well as wage and contractual terms which must be integrated into the planning process. This is a necessity known as workforce management; a field that encompasses many activities needed to uphold a companys productive workforce. From payroll and benefits, human resources administration, to forecasting and scheduling to time and attendance. In todays industries and markets, workforce management is primarily about assigning the right employees with the right skills to the right job at the right time.

An important factor in the workforce management process is the integration of employees into the system. There are several workforce management systems where employees can register their availability or planned absences and even submit for specific shifts, as long as they have the right skills for the activities planned for those shifts. Workforce management is an emerging field and so it is still a young concept. It grew from ever increasing pressure costs, making managers turn their attention more and more towards issues regarding human resources, because in industries that are personnel driven, workforce management has become an important strategic element in corporate management.

Mergers and Acquisitions refers to an aspect of corporate strategy, general management deals with the merging and acquiring other companies and other assets. The decision to effect a merger or acquisition, a decision is economic, specifically is a decision of investment, meaning the allocation of resources with the expectation of future revenues sufficient to recover the funds invested and achieve a benefit. Therefore Mergers and Acquisitions will be successful if the purchase price is below the present value (PV) of cash flow (EF) associated incremental operation. If so, this investment decision creates value for shareholders and can be considered successful, otherwise it is said that destroys value and is considered a failure.

Mergers and Acquisitions are motivated by different objectives that define two different types of buyers: Strategic Buyers: It’s called strategic buyers who are active in a particular industry and try to stay there and consolidate in the market. Financial buyers or Investment Capital: They are characterized by acquiring a company with the objective of increasing its value and then sell at a higher price. In this type of operation is essential before making a purchase, know how they can be out of business, this being the main difference with strategic buyers. These different objectives have in common the need to add value to the acquired business.