You can’t be 100 percent free to live exactly the kind of lifestyle you want unless you have achieved financial freedom.

Everyone likes the proverbial “pat on the back” as recognition for a job well done. That’s because everyone from the new hire to the CEO wants to feel like they’re valued members of a larger team. Congratulations in the form of a plaque, promotion or financial rewards can go a long way in establishing company loyalty.

As a company owner, all forms of reward should express a sincere “thank you.” If the award is half-hearted or presented too late, the award’s effectiveness will diminish greatly. Also, ensure the award is equal to the accomplishment. For example, giving the afternoon off for working late for a year and reaching a $1 million sales goal is simply ludicrous.

Beyond plaques and trophies, awards can also extend to an office with a door (instead of a cubicle), bonus checks, and “Employee of the Month” parking spots.

The benefit from a company standpoint for doling out awards is simple; employees who feel appreciated usually have more self-esteem and are more positive about their ability to contribute. The end result can be more sales, increase in overall morale, more dedicated employees — a win/win situation for everyone involved.

Set prices based on customers’ buying patterns, not just on the retail value of the item.

In the past, companies would send direct mail advertisements to almost everyone in town. Today, direct mail usage is more targeted.

Interview Tip

Some job interview tips are obvious: bring a resume, show up on time, wear a suit, etc. But, what does your body language say about your preparedness? What your fidgety hands say can speak volumes when compared to your polished and practiced interview question responses. In fact, your nonverbal communication can be the difference between “Welcome aboard!” and “Thanks for your time.”

Body language comprises as much as 55 percent of the force of your response to interview questions, whereas the verbal content (what you actually say) only provides 7 percent. Paralanguage (tone, laughter, gestures, and facial expressions) represent 38 percent of the emphasis. If you do the math, 93 percent of what you’re conveying did not come out of your mouth.

As soon as you’re seated in the interview room, do a head-to-foot mental check to ensure your nonverbal communication is in control:

* Head and eyes up are looking at the person asking the questions.
* Back straight (no slouching).
* Keeps hand stationary (unless you’re using them to help make a point during a response).
* Legs together and feet flat on the floor.

“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” —Japanese Proverb

“No man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent.” —Abraham Lincoln

Approximately 3 million cell phones are sold every day.

When hiring someone for your home-based business, don’t expect to find a replica of you!

Social Networking Tip #9: Know the tools. There are plenty of tools for growing your network, see which ones will save you time. Social Network Toolkit, Tweet Deck and Ping can help you organize your thoughts and even schedule your posts in advance. Time is money after all.