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Millions of people probably think they need some kind of back pain relief device to help them beat their pain. The truth is, the only device you need is one that allows for mild inversion.

When properly used in concert with extension exercises you can successfully and totally eliminate 100% of the pain with this single back pain relief device.

Your back doesn’t care whether or not you went out and bought a $500 inversion table or a $15 sheet of plywood at Home Depot. It doesn’t matter if it is a perfectly balanced technical marvel or propped up on a cinder block.

For convenience, you might care. But for healing purposes, your back doesn’t care what kind of inversion you do or what kind of back pain relief device you use.

What is important is that you use the device you buy or make correctly. You must do the extension correctly, and you must invert correctly.

Let your body and mother nature become you back pain relief device. Learn how to do extension exercises, and why you are doing them. Learn the truth about inversion so you don’t hurt yourself like I did.

You can use any mechanical creation you choose. But you body is the only back pain relief device that conforms to natural healing. It will function as a self healing device once you provide it the environment it needs to heal. You do this by extension and mild inversion, adding flexion as the pain dissipates.

Each exercise or inversion treatment is like a chiropractor visit, without the bill.

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Predatory lending exists in the mortgage industry. It’s typically when a mortgage broker add’s on unnecessary fee’s to a bad credit application, because he or she knows that the applicant is in a desperate situation.

Predatory banking can also exist for those who have ended up in the ChexSystems.

ChexSystems is a network of financial institutions (mainly banks) that regularly contribute information about account holders that mishandle their checking or savings accounts. Nearly all banks within the US are a part of this consortium.

Bounce a check, and not pay it off in a timely manner, and you could end up in the ChexSystems. Even if you receive a bogus check, and the bank suspects foul play, you could land in the ChexSystems hot seat.

And the sentence for this financial felony isn’t light.

If the bank that put you in the ChexSystems refuses to release your name from the ChexSystems database, you’ll find it close to impossible to obtain a bank account of any sort for 5 years.

Even if you pay off the offending debt, the bank could still hold you a ChexSystems prisoner. Wicked, but 100% true.

So naturally when you have a situation where people are stuck between a rock and a hard place, the vultures come out to feed. This is what you may encounter if you’re looking for a non ChexSystems bank account.

Before you pay money to any service that claims to give you a non ChexSystems bank account be sure it passes the following tests with flying colors.

Make sure the bank is FDIC insured.

According to the FDIC web site:

“The FDIC – short for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – is an independent agency of the United States government. The FDIC protects you against the loss of your deposits if an FDIC – insured bank or savings association fails. FDIC insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.”

In a nutshell, if you decide to open a bank account with an institution that isn’t FDIC insured, you could basically lose all of your money if that institution goes out of business. So it’s extremely important to verify the banks status before you open an account.

You can easily verify that a bank is FDIC insured at the FDIC web site.

If it’s a credit union, make sure it’s NCUSIF insured.

NCUSIF insurance is similar to FDIC insurance, except it’s for credit unions.

According to the National Credit Union Association web site:

“The shares in your credit union are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), an arm of NCUA. Established by Congress in 1970 to insure member share accounts at federally insured credit unions, the NCUSIF is managed by NCUA under the direction of the three-person NCUA Board. Your share insurance is similar to the deposit insurance protection offered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).”

All credit unions that are NCUSIF insured can be found at ([http://www.ncua.gov/indexdata.html]).

Make sure the institution has a physical branch.

This is one of the easiest ways to weed out the bad seeds. Banks with physical branches are always legitimate financial institutions.

Do some background work on the bank.

Do a WHOIS search to view the registrant for the banks domain name. If it’s a single person, that should raise a red flag. It should always be the banks name or corporate name.

Look on the banks web site. There should be separate telephone and fax numbers, and a legitimate street address – not a PO box.

You can always call 411 to confirm that the telephone number matches the address listed. But also keep in mind that some banks have a central location where they answer general calls.

Make sure the bank DOESN’T require you to use direct deposit in order to open the account.

There are some financial services that offer checkless checking accounts. (This isn’t a scam as far as I can tell.)

But what if you don’t get direct deposit? Or what happens if you switch jobs, and no longer receive your checks through direct deposit? Then you’re basically back at square one.

And what if you want to use checks? I mean a checkless checking account kind of defeats the purpose of obtaining a checking account at all.

Make sure the institution doesn’t charge you for common items like monthly statements, telephone services, and withdrawls.

I recently noticed a financial service charging outrageous fee’s for options that are normally provided for free through regular banks and credit unions.

They were charging for everything but the kitchen sink, including: a fee to check your balance at the ATM, a fee to receive a monthly statement, a fee if you wanted to return something you purchased from a retail store, a fee for using their automated telephone service. And that was just the tip of the iceberg!

Even though you’re in the ChexSystems doesn’t mean you should play victim to financially draining ploys like these. There are always better alternatives waiting in the wings.

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As a single mom, you face unique financial challenges that women with supportive husbands do not face. As such, you need to be aware of programs that you can use to help your family financially. The government and many private organizations have options available to help single moms with their financial needs.

One common need that single moms face is health insurance. Your employer may not offer health insurance, or the premiums may be too high for you to afford. The government has programs that you can use to get insurance for your children. The most common government program is Medicaid. While Medicaid is for those on limited incomes, the income guidelines are determined based on family size, so you should see if you qualify. If you do not qualify for Medicaid, consider the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The income guidelines for SCHIP will be set by your state, and they are higher than Medicaid. You may be able to get health insurance for yourself through this program, depending on your state.

If you are looking for utility assistance, child care assistance, food banks, and other types of assistance programs and don’t know where to look, try dialing 2-1-1 on your phone. You can use this free service to find the programs you need. With one phone call, you can find out about assistance programs you qualify for in your area. Not all areas have the 2-1-1 program, but you can find out if yours does by simply trying the number.

If you are ready to buy a home, there are programs for single moms to help with the home buying process. To start, talk to your local housing authority. This organization may be able to point you towards assistants programs in your area. You can also talk to a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) counselor. You may be able to buy a house through HUD, and HUD has several mortgage assistance programs for you to consider. The organization will also help you find a house that qualifies for the assistance program. Your counselor will be able to help you work through the process.

Single moms may face a rough road, but the good news is that there is help available. Take advantage of the programs you qualify for, because you are, after all, doing the job of two people. With financial assistance programs like these, you can ease up some of the strain on your monthly household budget or get some of the things you need for your family but simply cannot afford on your own.

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No one would argue that family life centers around the dining room table – and why not? Great food, warm, inviting atmosphere and familiar conversation. But once the meal is finished, the table cleared and the dishes done, parents and kids alike usually migrate into the family room for an evening of TV or music. Everyone gathers around the entertainment center to unwind and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

The entertainment center has been a staple of modern families for decades and while it’s easy to pull out the credit card at the local department store, a custom built unit you make yourself will bring years of enjoyment and pride. This is an easy, do it yourself at home project that doesn’t take a lot of time, is

relatively inexpensive and can be built with tools you probably already own but there are a few things to consider.

Size Does Matter

The biggest consideration will be the size of the unit. Room size will be the determining factor with a consideration toward how big a TV will need to fit. Will the unit contain storage for DVD’s or books?…and are there electrical outlets near the intended location?

Back To Basics

You don’t need half the inventory at the Home Depot tool department to complete your project (although it would be nice to have!). The main tools you’ll need are a measuring tape, saw and screwdriver. Of course powered tools, like a skill saw or tablesaw and electric screwdrivers make the job that much easier. Electric sanders, brackets and or wall mounts, fastening materials like screws and finish nails along with stains, and brushes will nicely round out your arsenal.

Materials

Although hardwoods like oak and maple can be used, 3/4 inch plywood will do the job and be sturdy enough to complete the task. It will also save you a little green and of course, money has to be a consideration is nearly everything we do nowadays.

Plan Ahead

Make a drawing or sketch of your project. It doesn’t need to be a massive 6 page artist’s rendering but should include measurements or at least estimates of the general size and shape. This will give you a general idea of the amount of materials you’ll need and an idea of the overall costs. Color and finish are factors but can be decided once parts have been cut and dry-assembled to give you a feel for the finished unit.

Also, it may not occur to you at this point but don’t discount the possibility of one day needing to move your entertainment center. A modular unit built with this in mind will save you time and headaches you can do without. Will it be easy to dis-mantle and re-assemble in its new location?

After constructing the frame, you will want to think cabinet size/shape and shelving. This wants more attention to detail than the frame simply because even a small mistake will show here. Precise measurements between cabinet walls is essential at this point. A miscalculation here could cost you another trip to the hardware store or an out-of-square cabinet.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Once the measurements are made and the pieces cut, you’ll want to assemble them without glue or nails. This insures you first measured correctly, and secondly you had the eye hand coordination to cut straight. If everything dry fits, give yourself a pat on the back, you’ll have sawdust on you anyway!

Final Approach

Final assembly can be done either in the workshop if the unit is small enough to be handled by two people or can be brought piecemeal to the final location if you decided on the modular approach. Once assembly is done, insure the unit is stable so it doesn’t tip once your TV, stereo, books and what-not have been loaded into it. If necessary, wall brackets can be mounted to add more stability.

Now, invite the family in to showcase your creative talents and marvel in your, I mean the entertainment center’s splendor!

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Curtain holdbacks are usually made of metal and can be a beautiful addition to your window treatments. They are placed on the wall to hold your curtains back, and can be placed higher on the wall to give the curtains a softer look, or placed about halfway down the length of the curtain to give a more pleated effect.

Some of the internet stores that carry these accessories are: The Land of Nod, Walmart, Overstock, Lillian Vernon, Touch of Class, Everyday Home Outlet, Target, and Home Depot.

Target has quite a few hold backs for drapes and curtains. They offer a set of metal and pink beaded hold backs for around ten dollars, floral drapery holdbacks for about nine dollars, Megan butterfly hold backs for around eighteen dollars, and many more styles.

The Land of Nod, has many unique and unusual hold backs. They offer a set of yellow painted butterfly made of cast iron for thirty four dollars, a set of cameo hold backs for girl’s bedroom for around twenty-three dollars, and a set of kid’s butterfly hold backs will cost about thirty-nine dollars. They have more hold backs at their website.

Lillian Vernon, offers a pair of white metal holdbacks with either flowers or butterflies that run about thirteen dollars. I did not see any other tiebacks at Lillian Vernon, but you may want to check the site again, as they periodically get new merchandise.

The Interior Mall, has a nice array of metal hold backs. They offer many unique and beautiful hold backs that are either sold by the piece, or by the pair. These hold backs are so nice, they are suitable for even the classiest homes. These hold backs will need to be seen to appreciate the rich look they will bring to your window treatments.

There are other internet stores that offer many different styles of curtain holdbacks. I am sure you will be able to find the perfect curtain holdbacks for your decorating project. It is really a great deal of fun to check out the different designs that are offered by these stores, and it can be fun to take a trip to some of your local retail stores to see if they may have that certain pair to finish the look of your room. Your friends and family will think you paid much more for these items then you actually will. You may even be asked to help them find accessories that are right for their decorating needs.

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Are you sick of the usual dinner-and-a-movie dates? Does your wallet scream in protest when you take it out to pay for your share of another over-priced meal? While you may think the only way to have fun is to continue draining your bank account every weekend, with our creative and inexpensive outings, you’ll soon enjoy the idea of being a “cheap date.”

Cheap Date Idea No. 1: Take a Cue from MTV’s Cribs

Go to an upscale neighborhood near you and find an open house (meaning a real estate open house, not just an unlocked door obviously). Walk around and dream about actually living there or act like you already do and give each other the grand tour. For a swanky night in, ask your well-to-do friend with the gorgeous apartment to let you borrow it for the evening. You can make dinner and eat in style … plus get some great decorating tips.

Cheap Date Idea No. 2: Booze it up for (Nearly) Free

See if you can find a winery or brewery in your area. (You’d be surprised how many towns have these now.) Most places offer tours and will let you sample their wares for little or no cost. Pretend to be experts and impress each other with words like “bouquet” (a way to describe the smell of wine) and “carbonic maceration” (the method in which most red wines are made).

Cheap Date Idea No. 3: Get Classy

Sign up for a free class. Stores like Williams and Sonoma offer cooking tutorials that you can see for free and hardware stores like Home Depot often offer classes on home repair and improvement. Not only are they free, but you’ll learn skills that can save you money later on too!

Cheap Date Idea No. 4: Cycle the Day Away

Rent bikes—if you don’t have your own—and explore your town or a nearby city. Bring a cheap picnic: baguette, red wine and chocolate. You’ll feel like you’re touring the French countryside (well, close enough).

Cheap Date Idea No. 5: Save Your Money for the Sugar

Make an inexpensive dinner at home (pasta perhaps?) and go out for a gourmet dessert and coffee date after. You can share a sundae or try that flourless chocolate cake you’re always eyeing at your favorite restaurant.

Cheap Date Idea No. 6: Go Four Star on a Budget

Rendezvous in a posh hotel—just don’t actually blow your savings staying there. Dress up so you look the part and spend the evening exploring the grounds, ordering drinks at the bar and enjoying the free bar food.

Cheap Date Idea No. 7: Do Something Good (for a Change)

Volunteering might not sound very romantic, but think about it: You get to see his sensitive side and he gets to see your good-girl side (you can save the bad-girl side for after). Whether you spend some time in a soup kitchen, cleaning up your local beach or park or babysitting (for free) for your stressed-out friend, you’ll have spent quality time with your man that will definitely make you feel good about yourself too.

Cheap Date Idea No. 8: Travel to a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Or at least imagine you are while star gazing. Borrow an astronomy book from the library, lay out a blanket on a warm night and see how many constellations you can find.

Cheap Date Idea No. 9: Start the Day Right

Surprise him with a themed breakfast in bed—with a French twist. Bring up a tray with coffee, crepes, croissants and mimosas—wearing that cute French maid costume from Halloween last year.

Cheap Date Idea No. 10: Head for the (Tide) Pool

If you’re lucky enough to have a beach near you, check its website for information on tide pool schedules. Spend a few hours looking for fun fish, hermit crabs and sea cucumbers. Bring a tide pool watch card so you will know what you’re looking for, or study up ahead of time and impress him with your knowledge of invertebrates. And afterward you can spend the rest of the day at the beach!

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When you consider renovations in your home, there are many factors to consider. Your budget is one of the most important considerations that you will make. Some rooms will cost more to renovate than others. In fact, your kitchen renovation will be a big expense. If you are moving walls, changing plumbing, installing new cabinets and getting new appliances, you are easily looking at thousands of dollars. However, the good news is that there are things that you can do to renovate your kitchen and save money at the same time. It is possible to remodel without breaking the bank.

Take a Look at What you Have:

When you start your kitchen remodel, then first thing you will want to do when you want or need to save a lot of money is to take a good look at what you already have. Make a list of what you can use again and what really needs to be replaced. For example, if you think you would like new kitchen cabinets, but you are afraid that you will not be able to afford what you want, then consider using your existing cabinets. You can update them with a fresh coat of paint or have them refinished. Add some new hardware and you will have a like-new look at a fraction of the price. The same goes for your appliances. You may have an almond colored refrigerator and long for a stainless steel look. Did you know that it might be possible to outfit your existing appliances with a stainless overlay? This will certainly breathe new life into your kitchen renovations without spending so much money. You can get information on this by searching the web or by visiting your local home improvement store.

Look For Discounts

The next thing you will want to do is to shop for discounts. If you need new flooring, then go where you can get it for less. Wholesale stores are the perfect place to begin. These stores often carry limited quantities of items, so if you shop there regularly, you are bound to find something you love. Also, check with places such as Home Depot and Lowe’s for their specials. You may even think about applying for a store credit card when they offer a zero percent interest financing deal. If you are spending a lot of money on your project, you may very well save a lot of money by doing this.

Do it Yourself and Save

Of course, another way to save a bundle on any home improvement project is to get into the do it yourself craze. Think about the projects that need to be completed. What can you do without hiring a professional? The answer might surprise you. Many renovations projects are not as difficult as they seem. You only need some information and the right tools and equipment. You can learn techniques online or by taking a couple of courses. When you cut out the middle man and do the work yourself, you will see that you will save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.

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First I would like to welcome everyone to a new class entitled Foundation Repair 101.

I will be your instructor. My name is Ed. I have been in the construction business for close to 20 years now, and I have worked on hundreds of building foundations through the years. I have a vast knowledge of foundation failures and the probable causes. I have developed certain systems and techniques to deal with the problems. I still keep an open mind, and I learn new things almost daily.

I would like to start today’s class with an open forum. I am going to give each of you the opportunity to ask questions and participate in open discussion. I will attempt to answer the questions and provide possible solutions to the problems. I am hopeful that everyone may learn something from this exercise. Now then,, Lets get started!

-Ed – Questions?…..Yes, In the back row. Please ask your question.

- Hi, My name is Joe. I would like to ask about a problem with my basement. I have lived in my house since 1982, and never had any foundation problems until recently. I have noticed a long vertical crack that runs downward from a window opening, all the way to the floor. I am seeing very small cracks in the drywall directly above this area. What is going on? Is this serious?

-Ed – Well Joe, you definitely have some foundation movement. I need to ask you about the crack. Is it wider at the top or at the bottom?

-Joe – It is wider at the top and it seems to taper to a hair line at the bottom.

- Ed – That would indicate corner settlement on either side of the window. The reason for the crack being directly below the window is because that is the weakest area for separation. The first thing you should do is go down to your local Sears, or Home Depot, or a similar hardware store, and purchase a laser level. It doesn’t have to be a fancy one, but make sure it will throw a 360 degree line. Make sure it is a self leveling type. They are not very expensive if you shop around. You need to set the laser in the basement and throw a line along the problem wall. Measure the distance between the laser line and the overhead floor joists. You will quickly see the exact difference and the exact amount of settlement that the corner, or corners, have realized. You should then take a very close look at the outside of the foundation and examine the soil for negative grade or problem down spouts or other likely contributors to the problem. You will need help with straightening and stabilizing of the foundation. You should contact a few different foundation piering companies in your territory. Give them the details with as much information as you can. They should be able to give you some basic price figures for the stabilization and corrective jacking of the problem areas. The ones that you can trust are the ones that respond with confidence and offer satisfaction guarantees and duration warranties. If they seem confused and their level of expertise is questionable, then you should not allow them to experiment on your house.

-Ed – Any more questions about this type of a problem?..Yes, You in the second row…

- Hi my name is Carol. I’m wondering about a similar type of vertical crack, except it is wider at the bottom and it only runs halfway up the wall. What would cause something like that?

-Ed – That is a very good question Carol. That type of a crack indicates a sag in the foundation below that particular area. Usually that situation occurs in crawl space foundations and usually it is in foundations that were poured prior to the mid 70’s. Probably a spread footing type.

-Carol – That is right. The home is a 1968 and the neighborhood is mostly spread footings and slab on grade type construction.

-Ed – I’m going to suggest a few possibilities. There may be a problem with the main sewer drain that usually runs directly beneath the footing and flows toward the street. The line may be leaking and softening the soil beneath the region in question. You may have a water main leak that could be as small as a pinhole and create the problem. You may just have groundwater softening due to negative grade. Look around the yard for signs of sinking spots. Look for settling sidewalks or porch, or any other indications of softening soil. You should contact foundation experts in your area and give them all of the information. They should be able to help you with some options and permant repair ideas.

-Ed – More Questions?…Yes..You in the front..

- Hi my name is Bill. I just got transferred into town and my wife and I are house shopping. We are not familiar with the territory and we are worried about the soil problems over on the south side of town. We found a newer home that is just the right size and we realy like it. It is priced below market and we thought it might ba a great deal, but when we looked it over closely, we noticed un-even floors and crooked doorways and we realized why the price is so low. We are wondering whether or not we should look elsewhere?

-Ed – Bill, Your concern is probably shared with thousands of folks that want the same answers. I am going to try to give you the best possible advise about that situation. There are several things that you should do before you make any commitments. First you should look around the neighborhood for other signs of problem soils, Particularly if it is a newer development, or is located on a recently terraced hillside. You should talk to the nearby neighbors about their houses. Ask about any problems that they may be experiencing. Look very closely at streets, curbs, sidewalks, driveways, porches, and so forth. If the home that you are interested in seems to be the only real problematic home then the movement could be related to poor landscaping. There might be negative grade. There might have been problems with a badly designed sprinkler system or over watering because of plants along the foundation. The best thing to do in a situation like this is to get expert advise, preferably local and familiar with the territorial problems. Seek out the best foundation repair companies by reputation and track record. They should be able to give general ball park figures for the repairs that will be necessary. You will then be able to evaluate whether or not the purchase may be a good deal. In territories where there are numerous incidents of similar problems, it is possible that you may be able to obtain lots of information from the others that have undertaken the repairs.

_ Ed – Well folks, it looks like we’re running out of time. I am sorry that we did not get to all of you in this meeting. I noticed many hands up, and I wish we had more time. I would like to thank you all for coming. I have a special homework assignment for those of you that did not get a chance to ask your questions. I would like you to go to a website: allexperts.com. Click on: Home and Garden, then click on: Home Improvement, then click on: Foundation Stabilization. You may enter questions there. Make sure you keep all of your notes, and I’ll see you again soon.

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Millions of Americans are on a list that they definitely do not want to be on. It’s the list created and maintained by ChexSystems identifying people who have had banking problems in the past. It’s also the list that prevents millions of us from getting a new bank account each year. If you are on the list, you know how severely it can affect your life. It is difficult and expensive to live in modern society without a bank account — simple tasks such as cashing a check, paying a bill, or getting cash are made much more difficult. Check cashing fees and money orders can take a big chunk out of each paycheck.

If you are on the list, it is important for you to know what ChexSystems is (and what they are not). ChexSystems is not a bank — they are a database company that acts as a consumer reporting agency (CRA), collecting data about banking customers. In particular, ChexSystems maintains a nationwide database of banking customers who have been reported for writing bad checks, defrauding banks, having unpaid bank debts, or having too many “non-sufficient funds” (NSF) items. ChexSystems tries to keep a low public profile (and they’ve done a pretty good job of it). ChexSystems does not have a company Web site, and it is relatively difficult to find information about them.

If you are on ChexSystems list, you have three options. First, you can decide to live without a bank account, and pay the extra expenses and deal with the inconvenience of using Check Cashing stores, Money Orders, and using cash for most transactions. Second, you can try to get off the ChexSystems list (which is not impossible, but can be confusing and difficult for most people). Finally, you can search around for a bank that doesn’t use ChexSystems and that will allow you to open an account even though you are on the ChexSystems list. Luckily, a number of Federally Insured Banks and credit unions do not use ChexSystems. Unfortunately, finding one can be like finding a needle in a haystack.

A number of Web sites and classified ads claim to have a list of non-ChexSystems banks. Unfortunately, most of these lists are out of date and inaccurate. Even worse, many of these lists cost money (with no refunds available!).

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What are values in the workplace and why are they important?

To answer this we need to start with a definition of corporate values. Corporate values can be defined in much the same way as we defined individual values:

A corporate value is an abstract concept that a corporation is willing to embrace at the expense of corporate comfort.

Essentially, corporations set their values with the expectation that their leaders will model the values and their employees with buy into the value system and use the values as a vehicle to travel towards the company’s mission and vision. In doing so, they must ensure that the values they pick are truly the values that will be modeled in every circumstance. Any deviation from these values by the leadership in the company can have serious short term and long term implications.

Essentially the corporation’s values are its very foundation.

Companies having shared values that are consistently modeled within the organization results in:

Employees focused on what is important to the organization
Less stress on individuals
Less tension between individuals and departments
Enthusiasm in the workplace
Pride in work
Direction in the workplace
Less bureaucracy
Positive attitudes
Positive momentum

One does not have to look too far to find examples of companies that did not have proper alignment around a value system and paid the price in the marketplace;

WorldCom
Enron
Bre-X

Fortunately there are many examples of companies that have built themselves around their values;

Disney
Home Depot
Walmart
Starbucks

According to William C. Taylor and Polly LaBarre in their book Mavericks at Work, companies should use values to help define a corporate purpose because “high minded values can drive cutting edge corporate performance”.

They went on to say that “Great companies are built on genuine passion, plus a day to day commitment to great execution. Employees won’t feel the passion, and can’t maintain the operating discipline, unless they feel good about what the company sells and the values that it stands for.”

I recently heard of an excellent example of this from a friend of mine. He told me that they had a client that was calling into their customer support center and was very abrasive and abusive to the staff that he was talking with. As a result there were a number of staff who refused to talk to this client when he called. On one occasion this client called for technical support and was so abusive over the phone that the customer care representative was reduced to tears.

My friend is the head of this customer support group and he told me that his company values their employees and that they state this as one of the company values. When he was made aware of this situation and the fact that it had been going on for some time, he set up a meeting with this abusive client and gave him his money back for his customer support contract and told him that he did not want him as a client any longer.

This is a great example of a company and its leadership modeling the values that they state. Many other companies would value the revenue more than the employees and would try to find ways to keep this abusive client at the expense of their employees and at the expense of their own reputation.

Employees immediately take note when positive actions of the corporation align with the stated corporate values. This provides positive energy and motivation for employees.

William C. Taylor and Polly LaBarre go on to say that …But they {great companies} understand that what it means to be great is as much about values as virtuosity, as much about what makes people tick {individual’s Strength Zone} as how much they know. and that …the most powerful way to create economic value is to embrace a set of values that goes beyond just amassing power, and that business, at its best, is too exciting, too important, and too much fun to be left to the dead hand of business as usual. (Bracketed text is my insertion.)

John C. Maxwell takes this concept one step further and indicates that in today’s high paced, high stress, high stakes world, ONLY companies that are firmly founded on a value system that is properly modeled and adhered to can be successful. He stated;

The only way you can increase speed and stay on course, is everyone knowing and living the company’s values. John C. Maxwell

So we can see that it is extremely important for leadership in an organization to always model the values that they state. Failure to do this will results in the employees losing confidence in the organization and its leadership. As Ralph Waldo Emerson says ‘Your actions are speaking so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying”.

This alignment around corporate values empowers the employees and the corporation as a whole to drive forward towards the achievement of their goals using an agreed upon and consistent vehicle for their progress – this vehicle is Corporate Values.

Don’t forget to register at www.strengthzone.ca and take the free online Values Strength Zone® profile.

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