Some Advice on Writing Children's Books

Because they tend to focus on simple stories, and are told in clear, easy-to-read prose, a lot of people tend to assume that anybody can write a children's book.That's true, anybody can write a children's book, but you can only write a good children's book if you know what you're doing.Just because it's a fairly simple form of storytelling doesn't mean that it doesn't require a degree of imagination and talent, and some knowledge of what goes into a good children's book.
The first thing any author in any genre will tell you: Read the genre you want to write.
Read everything you can get your hands on.Stephen King has stated time and again that, while you can learn plenty from a great book, you can learn some of the most important lessons from terrible books!In short: know the genre, whether it's children's books, crime novels, or romance.
Second, know who you're writing for.If you're writing children's books, you're probably thinking "Kids, duh".Not quite.Your book should certainly be accessible to any kid with the reading abilities to tackle it, but you're not just talking to the kids with your book, you're also speaking to the parent, to brothers and sisters, to grandparents, the people who are going to read this book to the child, and, probably, the people who are going to be paying for the book.
It's not hard to write a story that's accessible and enjoyable for small children, big kids, and full grown adults, honestly.If you know the basics of story structure, we're all motivated by the same things.We all want to be loved and respected, we all want to accomplish what we set out to do.If you don't have time to go look up the heroic structure, the monomyth, etcetera etcetera, all storytelling structure comes down to this:
Need
Go
Get
Return
Change
The hero needs something, he or she goes to get it, and then returns to where they started, having improved their standing in life in the process.





It could be as simple as a person wanting a glass of water, getting up and getting a glass of water, and returning to where they were sitting.If you can use this structure to tell a story that is funny, or touching, or sad, or happy, or inspiring, you can write a children's book that will be entertaining for all ages.Just know what's important to kids, what's important to big brothers and sisters, parents, and grandparents, and you know what kind of story you'll be telling.
Third, you should know at least a little bit about publishing.Look, it's easy to get ripped off out there if you don't study up on children's book publishing.It's not that there are dozens of fly-by-night con artists waiting to take the money and run, it's that most children's book publishers will only pay you a disproportionate fee to buy all of your rights.They will own your book, straight out.You won't make royalties, you won't be allowed to write a sequel (unless they ask for one), you simply won't own your own book anymore.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways around this.A few big-name expert book publishing offer deals where you can keep the ownership rights, but not many.Your best bet is probably going through a smaller, more focused children's book publisher.There are a lot of services online that will publish your children's book for you, including marketing and distribution through Amazon.com and so on.These services do charge a small fee, but if you have faith in your own work as something that will interest parents, you should see a profit over time.You will retain your ownership rights, and you will have complete freedom to do what you like with them.What's more, anyone can publish a book with these children's book publishers.The big name publishers usually have their plates full, already, and only rarely take on new, unsolicited, first-books from new children's book authors.With a self-publishing service, your foot is already in the door.

About the Author

LifeVest Publishing, Inc.

is a Worldwide Independent Publisher, currently publishing in four countries and in four languages.This book publishing company offers expert book publishing is the areas of children's literature, cookbooks, and business books.As an educational and independent children's book publisher, LifeVest Publishing, Inc.provides quality, affordable book design and publishing.LifeVest also caters to poets as a poetry book publisher.

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How to Build Customer Loyalty For Your Business

If you've ever heard of the Pareto principle, you are familiar with the theory that 80 percent of your business can be attributed to 20 percent of your customers.What does this mean in terms of where your marketing efforts should be invested?Well, most business people associate the terms "marketing" and "advertising" with attempts to reach out and attract new customers for their business.While attracting new customers is important, and marketing is one way of achieving that goal, something very important mustn't be overlooked.Existing customers.If you consider the cost associated with pursuing new customers, you will see that focusing energy on retaining customers you already have as very valuable.This article will give you some tips and ideas for building brand loyalty.

customer service

Often overlooked as a direct method of marketing or building brand loyalty, exceptional customer service speaks for itself.

If customers repeatedly experience only the very best customer service humanly possible in each and every interaction with your business, they will continue to come back to you.Not enough can be said about the strength superb customer service has in terms of promoting customer loyalty.In order to achieve the level of customer service that speaks for itself, employees must be trained and motivated properly.

Communication

While outstanding customer service will keep some customers coming back to you time and again, others may need subtle "reminders" that you are there, that they've done business with you before, and that they loved it.

Staying in communication with your customers is key to building customer loyalty.You need to make sure you stay in customers' "top of mind." Consider starting an email or print newsletter or flier.Send out fliers or postcards about special sales or events, and definitely send out cards during the holidays.If you run a cash business, you'll need to find a creative way to collect your customers' contact information.
However, don't forget that communication is a two-way street.Find ways to constantly get feedback from customers.Whether you send out customer surveys, take a poll, or even ask personally, make sure to find out how you're doing.

Ask questions such as:
- Are we meeting your needs?

- What did you love about our service/product?
- What could be better?
- Are you satisfied

There are hundreds of questions that can be asked to help you determine how you can better meet your customers' needs, but many of these will be particular to any given type of business.

Customer Incentives

Customer loyalty or incentive programs abound.

Just perform a Google search for "customer incentive program ideas" and you'll be hit with thousands of pages of results.The important thing is to do something that is appropriate for your business.Customer incentives serve two purposes toward building brand loyalty.First, they give customers a concrete reason to return to your business (a free cup of coffee, a free haircut, etc.).Second, they communicate to your customers your appreciation of their business.If you are creative, or have staff member that are, you can come up with all sorts of ways to integrate customer incentives with customer communications, thus utilizing both methods to reinforce brand loyalty.

Keep'em Coming Back for More

There are many different ways to build customer loyalty.

The bottom line is to actually focus time and energy to do so.Starting with a quality product or service that's needed by your target customer is a good start.Being honest, consistent and helpful helps quite a bit.Having great employees that provide excellent customer service every time is key.Sending periodic communications to stay "top of mind" and finding ways to reward customer loyalty are the frosting on the cake.

About the Author

Looking to build brand loyalty for your customers?

Loyalty One develops customer loyalty based on your company's unique needs.Let us provide your ideal customer rewards program.

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Life Insurance If You Are Gay

You are probably going to need life assurance if you want to insure your health or your income should you become ill and unable to work- something which is especially important for single people or people with dependents, including a same-sex partner.There are also instances, like buying a house, when life insurance may be necessary.

Providers might want to know if you are gay.They will ask you to complete an application form which will include information on whether your partner is in the homosexual category.The enquiry may not be direct but the insurance company will subsequently send out an intrusive questionnaire on lifestyle.

It might be tempting not to disclose information or to give false details but this would only serve invalidate your insurance and is consequently a very bad idea.Furthermore, this can give rise to considerable difficulties when reapplying to other companies.

Once the form has been completed, you may then be requested to take a test to find out if you are HIV positive.There are no pre-set rules on testing and insurance companies are fairly random in their selection process.

If you do test positive for HIV, it will be difficult to buy products associated with life insurance.Simply taking the test itself can result in a refusal of cover by some insurers, even if the result is negative.
Even if you pass all the tests satisfactorily some companies will still double or treble your premiums.Most companies will insist on HIV testing for gay men who apply for income protection or critical illness policies even though neither would pay out for an HIV related claim.If you believe life cover has been unfairly refused, write to the Association of British Insurers at 51 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7HQ.Phil Carvosso, of Carvosso & Co, a financial adviser based in Brighton, says: 'It is not nice knowing the insurer can claim rights to some of your blood.Understandably the test can be harrowing.

He recommends that you take the test on your own terms in advance of going to an insurer.To avoid insurance companies being allowed access to areas of your medical history, some people suggest getting drug or STD treatment at anonymous clinics which are available in nearly every town or city.The National Aids Helpline or the Terrence Higgins Trust should be able to help you locate a suitable one.Present guidelines used by the insurance industry in relation to gay applications are very out of date.The ABI has been considering new proposals thanks to tireless campaigning by gay IFA Chris Morgan and the Terrence Higgins Trust.

There has already been an agreement between The ABI and The British Medical Association whereby doctors should not be requested to give information on STIs and negative HIV tests.New proposals would make the risk assessment undertaken by insurance more up- to- date by ensuring that safe sexual behaviour, rather than sexuality, is the criterion.

Although it may be some time before new guidelines are fully implemented, gay applicants can normally still obtain the cover they need even in the present system.Independent Financial Advisors, specialising in gay finance can often find cover without any need for testing and on precisely the same terms that apply to heterosexual applicants.

Mr Carvosso recommends Scottish Widows which he feels is more sympathetic than some banks.Shopping on-line can also generate some of the best prices.theidol.com is reportedly one of the cheapest, offering all types of life insurance, including that for gay applicants.Isis Financial Planners (tel.08000 1960 69) also specialises in gay insurance.

About the Author

Interested in getting a quote on Life Insurance ?

Please Visit Uk Life Insurance cover for more information and other resources.Our sister site Life Brokers offers cutting edge articles and information about Life insurance and other financial products.

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Internet Job Ideas For College Students

We know that college is expensive and even more so with today's economy.If you are looking for ways to make some money while attending classes here is some information for you we hope you find useful.

Internet marketing

Internet marketing is a business students can start with very little money.

It can range from selling things you have produced yourself as a hobby or by promoting items or services for businesses already established.With internet access you can market just about anything from your dorm room.

Other things you can do are market your own computer-related abilities.You could offer web design or graphic design as a service that could bring in more of a cash flow.You may want to facilitate payment for your services by creating an account with PayPal in order to be able to accept credit card payments.

Paid Online Surveys

You have surely seen advertisements on the internet for businesses who offer paid online surveys.

By doing a simple online search you are sure to find very good survey sites.Just take a few minutes to sign up for a few of these sites and you will be well on your way to making some money without having to leave your dorm room.

Some survey companies have in excess of 300 different clients for whom they provide surveys and you are bound to find several that can peak your interest.

Affiliate Marketing

Many companies offer an affiliate program from which you can add to your cash flow.

Simply by signing up online, you can make a percentage of sales every time you refer your family and friends to purchase the product, or by promoting it on your personal or business webpage.

There are possibilities out there that could potentially earn an affiliate commission between 10-50%.Often these top companies will provide you with ready-to-use marketing material or free products in order for your marketing to be accurate and effective.

Work At Home Data Entry

With very little computer knowledge, data entry work at home is still a simple way to earn that extra money you need to cover your expenses while in college.

Most companies will let you know what you will need to do to complete these jobs.

Most often companies are searching for people to advertise for them by filling out online forms.There are excellent training programs out there for a minimal fee that will show you exactly how to do this as well as tell you which companies to work for that do legitimately pay.

Computer Tutoring and Support

Advertising on school bulletin boards is another good way to add to your pocketbook while helping out a fellow student who is not as knowledgeable about computers as yourself.

A listing of areas you are comfortable with and able to explain to someone else, along with your phone or dorm room number may have people lining up for your help.

By charging a reasonable fee you could be one of those students others will turn to when they are in doubt about their computer knowledge.

You might even consider creating a small 'how to' booklet that you can charge a small fee for that will get the attention of more that just a few people on campus.Just be sure to strategically place them in common areas and not simply on your floor of the dorm.

In no time you can add more spending money to your pockets, just by using your computer skills and creativity.

About the Author

Chris Simpson is dedicated to helping people find honest and legitimate work at home jobs and home based business ideas.

See my top 10 work at home jobs today and learn how to make money online at: http://www.HomeNetPro.com

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Life Insurance Needn't Break The Bank

You may be surprised, but according to independent broker Lifesearch, we are paying the lowest prices ever in real terms for life insurance as its costs have fallen by nearly 30 per cent in the last ten years.

You may be able to save even more on premiums if you switch your policy to another insurer.But it may not be so easy for everyone.If you are in the Armed Forces, which is a high-risk job, or if you are overweight, you will probably have to pay more for your premiums.

A 40-year old man looking for 100,000 pounds of life cover over 25 years was quoted a monthly premium of just over 11 pounds by More Than.Everything was to stay the same for the entire term of the policy.But Lifesearch points out that if this same man was obese with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of over 30, his premiums could be 50 per cent more.

Matt Morris of Lifesearch explains, "The old loading for obesity meant premiums jumped by up to 20 per cent.That is more like 50 per cent today and can in some cases be more.People are being loaded earlier and loaded higher."

He adds, "No single insurer will be cheapest for everyone.

Those who have a high BMI or complicated medical problems should shop around for the best cover."

Stan Mayden, 49, from Malpas in Cheshire, and just a shade over the recommended BMI level, had to do just that.

His bank Lloyds TSB quoted a monthly premium of 29 pounds for 90,000 pounds of decreasing term insurance.This is where the longer the policy goes on the less the payout may be.

He and his wife Judy, 44, who works as a co-ordinator for a firm that provides carers, asked Lifesearch to help them find a better deal.And it did - Legal and General would charge 17.57 pounds a month for the same cover.

Stan was delighted."Lifesearch looked across the entire marketplace and found an insurer that didn't see me as an increased risk," he said."I purchased cover at standard terms, which means I will be able to shave thousands of pounds off the cost of cover over the life of the policy."

NFU Mutual specialises in providing cover for farmers and businessmen in rural areas say that only ten per cent of people who live in the country consider life cover as essential to protect their families and 44 per cent do not see it as a priority.

Other statistics for country dwellers found that ten per cent value the feeling of community and another ten per cent live there to be nearer to their families.

Juliet Ward from NFU Mutual finds the figures about life insurance a bit alarming."Perhaps those in the countryside think that living in a rural community means closer links to their wider family and friends, who could take care of their children if the worst should happen." But she stresses that this could be a risky strategy as difficulties can arise if there is no life cover when one parent dies.

"Life cover doesn't have to break the bank and it's not worth taking short cuts when protecting your family," she says.

NFU Mutual quotes 9.27 pounds a month for a ten year life policy providing 100,000 pounds of cover for a non-smoking, 40-year old woman.A non-smoking man of the same age would pay slightly more at 10.91 pounds a month.

About the Author

The Life Insurance Professor provides great deals on Life Insurance for its clients in the uk.

Please visit our site for helpful information to aid you in making the right decision, first time.Brokers Online offers cutting edge articles and information about Life Insurance, mortgages and other great financial products.

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Important Action Items for Your Employee Benefit Plan

The current financial crisis has caused some older workers to postpone retirement due to a drop in the value of their retirement accounts.It has also led to renewed compliance scrutiny.Additionally, a recent Supreme Court case (LaRue vs.DeWolff Boberg and Associates, February 21, 2008) ruled that companies can be held liable if employees lose money in their 401(k) due to negligence.Because of the explosion of 401(k) plans throughout the United States, the consequences of this legal action are potentially far-reaching.

Beware delays.

1.If implementing investment instructions is delegated to a third-party service provider, you need to understand the provider's system for implementing the participant's investment selections accurately and timely.With the increase in paperless transactions, this becomes extremely important.The service provider should notify the participant immediately of all changes in investment selections.
2.The Department of Labor is stepping up enforcement of timely remittance of employee contributions.The law requires employers to separate employee 401(k) contributions from their general assets as soon as practicable, but in no event more than 15 business days after the end of the month in which amounts are contributed or withheld from wages.For small plans, generally plans with less than 100 participants, employee withholding for retirement plans are due within 7 business days.
3.Employers might be tempted, either because of administrative convenience or cash flow needs, to delay contributions.But, in addition to the legal requirement, there is also the risk of harm to the participant's investments.If the contributions are delinquent, these contributions are not being invested timely.With the potential of significant market changes every day, this could cause investment gains or losses.If a loss occurs as a result of delay, it may give rise to lawsuits or, at a minimum, the need to make the participant whole.

Other Items to Consider.
1.For plans which participants have to Opt-In (participants choose to be in or not) update participants' selection annually including those participants which choose not to contribute.
2.For plans which participants have to Opt-Out (participants are automatically in and pay is withheld for 401(k) deferrals unless participant Opts-Out,) make sure you retain completed Opt-Out forms to retain evidence of participants' choice.
3.For Opt-In plans, consider an Opt-Out plan.The government is encouraging plans to become Opt-Out plans by reducing some administrative tests.
4.Given current market conditions consider having a financial planner give a seminar to update participants on their portfolios.
5.Not-for-Profit organizations with 403(b) plans will be subject to filing Form 5500 and are required to have an audit if their plan has 100 or more participants effective for 2009.
6.Check for unused forfeitures and discuss with your tax professional how these can be used such as offsetting matching contribution, profit sharing contribution, pay for administrative fees, etc.
7.Avoid having to make time consuming corrections due to errors in accumulating participant criteria for Benefit Plans.
8.Avoid penalties on plans which are subject to corrective distributions based on excess contributions.Plans need to complete their HC testing and compute and pay the corrective distributions within 2 months of the plan's year end to avoid a 10% penalty.
9.For terminated employees that have less than $5,000 in your plan, consider distributing their funds to them to lower the plan's administrative costs.
10.Prepare census and compliance testing timely.
11.Update files with signed designation of beneficiary annually.
12.For plans with multiple ending dates, review for proper inclusion of new participants.
13.Review computations with matching contributions for correctness.
14.Prepare timely all required Forms 1099R/1096 and Form 945 and remittance of taxes withheld.

Determine Your Audit Need
An audit can provide the documentation that you need to prove compliance with applicable rules and regulations.

1.Companies with 100 or more eligible participants at the beginning of a plan year must have an audit to form an opinion that the financial statements of the plan are presented fairly (ERISA Section 103.) The audit is included with Form 5500 filings.Note the word "eligible" is the key, not participants in the Plan.

Plans with fewer than 100 eligible participants at the beginning of the plan year are considered a small plan for filing purposes.Audited financial statements are generally not required for a small plan filing if specific requirements are met under the small pension plan security regulation.

Types of plans that may require an audit include:
Multi-employer
401(k)
Profit sharing
Health and welfare/VEBA

2.

Make sure that your auditor has experience with 401(k) plans.This is a specialized field.Knowledge of the Department of Labor's requirements is a must.Prohibited transactions, supplemental schedules, and certain footnote disclosures are unique to 401(k) plans.The more an auditor understands the 401(k) field, the more effective that audit will be.

3.Provide the auditor copies of all agreements with third-party service providers.If the plan has reviewed the internal control structure of a service provider, that review should also be provided.In any event, the auditor will need to satisfy himself of the internal control structure of the 401(k) plan and the provider's portions of the plan.This work should be performed before the audit.

4.Finally, before the audit, you should either provide or make sure your auditor has obtained all information and documentation requested.Contracts, investment statements, and participants' files are some of the more common requests.If your auditor does not prepare your 5500 form, they must review it.

Quality audits are very important to the 401(k) plan and your participants' best interests.Take steps now to ensure that you are in compliance!

About the Author

Contact: Leslie Flinn, Director of Marketing, Warady & Davis LLP, Certified Public Accountants & Consultants, one of the top 25

CPA & consulting firms in the Chicago area specializing in employee benefit plan audits.

Contact: Leslie Flinn, 847-267-9600, lflinn@waradydavis.com,

http://www.
waradydavis.com

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The Exciting Evolution Of Time Clock Technology

In this present era of control and security, it's interesting to go back in time and see how such things were handled.A hundred and fifty years ago, a business owner with employees would have no technology to monitor the ebb and flow of his employees.He, or someone in management, would need to physically stand outside the company's entrance, clip board in hand, and tick off each worker as they entered the building.

They'd have to do the same thing when the whistle blew at the end of the day.In between, who was keeping track of lunch and bathroom beaks?Scenes in such movies as "Norma Jean" come to mind, where a surly shop foreman would rule the workers with an iron hand.Then again, films from the twenties and thirties, also show less oppressive working conditions.Corporate women, dressed for success, sing out a cheery good morning as they file past their boss.

Just think of all the time spent dipping pens in ink, methodically filling in charts, and keeping stacks of ledger books safe and accessible.Everything to do with employee management was done by hand including payroll, absences, and government data.Imagine the labor involved adding up those endless columns and the enormous potential for error.

A less labor intensive method of managing the comings and goings of workers was sorely needed, and in 1888 it happened.A jeweler named William Bundy, from Auburn, New York, designed and manufactured the very first employee time recorder.

His employee time clock was a success, and William teamed up with his brother Harlow to form the Bundy Manufacturing Company.They began churning out time clocks for a rapidly expanding market.Eventually they joined forces with two other time equipment companies to form International Time Recorders (ITR).ITR was the selling agent for Bundy Manufacturing.

The time clock would stamp data onto a time card.The time cards were printed with boxes indicating time in and time out.An employee would simply line up the markings in the proper spot, insert the time card, and press down on a lever.A hammer mechanism would strike an inked ribbon, imprinting the date and time onto the clock card.This way a timekeeper had an official record of the hours an employee worked in order to calculate the proper pay.

In 1911, ITR and two other companies merged into Computing Tabulating Recording Corporation (CTR), which would later become IBM.In 1958, the Time Equipment Division of IBM was sold to the Simplex Time Recorder Company.

In the late 1970's, Kronos Incorporated developed a way for a punch card system to be linked to a microprocessor.Then in the 1990's, the real move to computer based electronic time tracking began.These systems enabled an employee to enter an ID number, or swipe a magnetic stripe card, which identified the employee to the system.Then the worker could enter whatever information that needed to be recorded, such as punch in, punch out, lunch break, or leaving early.There was even room to insert a reason for skipping out early.

These days, Biometric time clocks are the industry standard, using technology that seems right out of Star Trek.A person's biological attributes are used to identify them to the system, using a hand print, fingerprint, or even a retina scan.Biometrics make it impossible for a worker to sign in for a friend who is late or absent.

There are three basic access methods that an employee can use to enter the workplace that has a biometric time clock in place.The Identification method utilizes a person's fingerprint that is stored as an algorithm.When the finger is pressed, the system searches to find the stored fingerprint template that matches the pressing.In the Verification method, a person swipes a card or enters a PIN as identification.Information is then scanned and checked against the stored data.This method is faster than the Identification method.Finally,there is the Smart Card which contains the individual's fingerprint template within an electronic chip on the card.In this way personal data is not stored in the company's computer system, only on the card.

The Biometric time clock system makes it possible to completely control access to buildings as well as simply monitoring employees.No one gets in unless they are recognized by the system.Records are retained showing all entries granted and even any that are rejected.Multiple entry points can be integrated as well.In the event of a fire, a report can be printed out, accessed on a computer, or sent to a remote site.Imagine being able to verify that all persons have exited the premises.What a boon to the fire fighting officials.

It's been quite a ride from the handwritten ledgers of yesteryear to the amazing space age biometric clock technology of today.Big brother is definitely watching.

About the Author

See a full range of biometric time clocks at Wasp Barcode.

In the UK see a full range of attendance control software and employee time clocks.

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Commercial Cleaning Services: Tips To Select The Right One For Your Company

Are you looking for a commercial cleaning service?Whether you are looking on a bulletin board, the Internet, or the newspaper, it is important to professional, qualified cleaners.How your business is presented speaks volumes about who you are and what you represent.Dirty and untidy areas are noticeable to both customers and clients.Although it can be time consuming, taking the time to find the right crew to clean will lead to less headaches and better satisfaction.

Generally speaking, there are two types of cleaning companies: larger chain companies and smaller, privately owned businesses.Each type offers pros and cons.The larger organizations may offer better equipment and more efficient services, but they can often be more expensive.Smaller, "ma and pa", businesses can be just as reliable, less expensive, and offer more custom services.Understanding your cleaning needs before contacting any company will help in selecting the right service crew.

Does the company have insurance?Because cleaning crews are permitted in your business (often when no one else is around), it is important to choose a trustworthy company.Unfortunately, just trusting another business does not fully protect you today.So, choose a company with insurance.Any legitimate company will be happy to provide you with proof of insurance directly from their broker.Do not accept photocopies of their certificate, because this does not verify if the cleaning company's insurance is current.

To better protect yourself, you can look for bond certified companies.These organizations have invested a certain amount of money into an escrow account to be used in case of damaged, broken, or lost property of their clients.You will want to verify proof of their certified bond.

Another important step in selecting the right service is references.The easiest way to accomplish this is asking a friend what service they use.However, because there are so many companies, it is possible that friends are not aware of the organizations you are considering.Therefore, ask the commercial cleaning service for a list of references and then call them.

Verify how long those other organizations have been using their current service crews.Make sure they are pleased with the services rendered.To further investigate the company, go online and do an Internet search for reviews about the cleaners.Although there may undoubtedly be a few negative reviews, verify what the issue was and compare them to the number of positive reviews.Finally, check with the Better Business Bureau to see any reviews the company may have.

After you have verified the validity of the organization, do a walk through with the potential cleaners.Ask what services they will render and what their limitations are.A few questions to consider include: Will the dust the top of the door frames?Will they water the plants?How often will they come and will they be there at a consistent time?Will the same employees be cleaning your business or does it vary from shift to shift?

When you have found a company that you are satisfied with, it is important to go over the contract together.Make sure that all of the things that have been discussed are included in the contract including how often and to what extent the crew will clean.Make sure there are provisions in the contract that allow you to drop the service if they do not live up to your agreement.Although this can be a time consuming process, you will have better peace of mind knowing you choose the right cleaning service.

About the Author

Atlanta commercial cleaning services come with a professional, efficient staff that will work around your hours of operation to ensure a clean work environment.

Visit www.atlantaofficecleaners.com for a first class service that meets your janitorial budget.

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Fatties Not Fit For Life Insurance

A worrying fact is that a quarter of children are classed as overweight before they are old enough to start school.That figure is one in three by the time they enter secondary school at the age of 11.

Obesity can be related to a range of health problems including diabetes, heart and liver disease and even cancer.In less than a decade since 1999 the number of doctors' prescriptions for obesity drugs rose from 127,000 to more than a million.And now the insurance companies are going to make the fatties pay.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is the tool used to calculate whether a person is of 'normal' proportions, or 'overweight', or 'obese', which is anyone with a BMI of over 30.This is the figure at which many insurance companies start charging up to 50 per cent higher premiums.In the past a BMI nearer 40 was used, but as it became clear how serious Britain's obesity problem was, the figure was lowered to 30.However, they might decide to drop lower still, heading closer to the 25 mark where the 'overweight' category starts.

If you are obese and also have other high-risk factors such as being a smoker or suffering from certain medical conditions, the increase in the cost of your premiums could soar to a staggering 400 per cent!

An example for 150,000 pounds of life cover for a 55-year old man in good health, who is a non-smoker of normal weight, is about 1,000 pounds a year.Let him become obese and his 25-year policy could cost him 500 pounds more.

Not all insurance companies use the same BMI rate.The second largest insurer, Norwich Union, uses 35 as the figure at which to raise the premium costs, and the third largest, Friends Provident, goes from 33.

Legal and General, Britain's leading insurer, uses a BMI of 30, and said that 13 per cent of new customers would have to pay the higher premiums.

L and G's director of underwriting and claims, Russ Whitworth said, "Most people understand that poor diet and lack of exercise can lead to health problems but they might not realise that being significantly overweight would also make their life insurance more expensive."

"Although it is not an exact science, we find that BMI is the best indicator of the risk of being overweight, so it pays to stay in shape.

"

The Association of British Insurers backs its members' decision to charge higher premiums for the obese, claiming that it is no different from charging more for a smoker or somebody with a previous medical condition.

Problems could arise for super-fit sportsmen who would have to convince their insurers that their high BMI score is due to building up solid muscle rather than being obese.It's no point being economical with the truth when an application form asks for your height and weight.In the event of a claim, the company won't pay out if it catches you out in a lie.The Financial Ombudsman Service says it constantly throws out cases where a claim has been rejected for this reason.

Recently a man of 37 claimed on his application to be six foot tall and to weigh 16 stone.When he died of a blood clot five months later it turned out he was only 5 foot nine inches tall and five stone heavier.Needless to say there was no pay out.His premiums would have increased by 275 per cent if his true details had been known, but his claim would have been valid.

The Financial Ombudsman ruled that there was such a difference between what he put on the form and what he actually measured that it couldn't have been a mistake.

Matt Morris, a policy adviser at specialist financial advisers Life Search, explained, "In an ideal world, insurers want the healthier clients.There is an element of cherry picking.They don't want the burden of the heavier client."

The Prudential is doing something to help.

It now offers free gym membership, and if you use it at least twice a week you get a 2.25 per cent discount as well.

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