When I moved to Atlanta from DC in 1995 I didn’t know the difference between email and URL!  Now as I sit here and share my thoughts with you, I can’t even imagine life without the internet.  There is simply no way to comprehend the difference cyberspace has had and will continue to have on our lives.  It’s a great time to be alive and to reap the immeasuarable benefits from today’s technology. 

One of the developments of the internet that allows us to ’stay connected’ is online social networking.  The power to communicate with anyone anywhere at any time is as close as our keyboard.  There are no boundaries, no limits and no roadblocks to ever keep us separated from one another.  We can ’see’ one another through “Skype”, talk with one another through on line tele-conferences and meet one another through networks such as LinkedIn, Plaxo and Ryze to name a few.  Then, of course, there’s the new network that brings entrpereneurs together for socializing, idea exchange, information and for sisterhood.  Drum roll, please,  as I introduce: www.the5secondcommute.com 

Designed primarily for women, the 5 second commute, gives us the opportunity to expand our reach by engaging with like minded women in a warm and encouraging ‘on line’ atmosphere.  I love that The Joy of Connecting has this new social network as it’s on line home and welcome you to join in, to take part and to share your talents, passions and businesses with the rest of us!  Participating is free and the value is priceless.  Join the fun today.  Don’t wait.  Don’t hesitate.  Experience for yourself our expanding community and allow us to include you as friends - our family of choice.  Happy Networking off and on line.  Welcome to the wonderful world of the internet.  Bonnie Ross-Parker, CEO/Founder of The Joy of Connecting.

It is time for the Entrepreneurial World to wake up.

Entrepreneurship is something that was always considered to be for someone else. In a lot of ways it often still is. Many parents will tell their children that they should find a nice steady job, with good pay and great benefits. Well, guess what, the world has changed a lot from those days that you were able to join a company at 20 and leave them at 65.

Joining a company no longer offers the security that many people still look for. Ofcourse, we do need people that want to be employees, or we would never be able to build OUR businesses, but I seriously believe that we should stop telling the next generation that this well trodden path is the only one there is.

In fact - let’s look at the facts. Many people do go straight into working for a (big) company when they finish their education. So they make some nice money, they start spending it on a nice car, and when they are a few years older, they may think of buying their first home. Along comes Love - so now there’s two incomes and so let’s buy a bigger home - because we can all afford it right? And maybe, tiny family member number three is on the way so more space is needed.
Pause right there and take a long look at this picture and think about what could be wrong here. After all, both parents have had a few promotions in the company and are well on their career path, making more money with each step they take.

Except …. there is no freedom in having a big mortgage, or an expensive lifestyle. You are always dependent on someone paying you a big enough salary to cover it, and whilst you may be living in a nice house - it is actually paid for with someone else’s money. Next - a recession hits the world - like it is doing right now and those parents may loose their jobs or have to face longer hours/less pay - and the banks still want their money. And of course, with all the growing and promoting and career planning going on, they may not have saved as much as they originally set out.

This is what happens today. In our current lives - you will very likely have a number of periods between 20 and 65 where no-one is looking to employ you and give you the security you might think you’d gain by being employed. So this is a GREAT time to start thinking about all the things that you have to offer and dedicate those skills to building something much more secure than what any other company can give you: your own company!!

Running your own company is by no means any easier then working for someone else - in fact, it’ll prove much harder and you’ll definitely have times you wish you never had (mind you, I never looked back - it’s been the best thing I’ve done in my life!). But you are able if you do it well - to build up capital instead of debts, and to invest that capital in the one investment that you should always trust in - YOU! Added benefits are that you control your own pension, and of course - you are always in control of your own time and money.  Now is definitely the right time to start - despite the fact that the financial institutions may not lend you any money. There are enough people in your direct environment that are looking for a better place to invest their money then in the stock markets… and you may just be that which they feel they can trust.

If you are still not sure whether you have what it takes, take the great new test on efactor.com: the Entrepreneur’s Mind Challenge® (efactor.com/p/emchallenge) and find out exactly how good you would be as an Entrepreneur!

by Marion Freijsen

by Dory Devlin

You know if she knows you’re feeling the pinch this year with rising gas prices, job uncertainty, and all-around-everything-is-so-expensive anxiety, Mom is not going to want you to spend a ton on her this Mother’s Day.

The market analysts who watch just how much we spend on what predict fewer dollars will be spent on Mom this May, though not in a big way. The National Retail Federation says, on average, we’ll each spend $138.63 on presents for mom, down from $139.14 last year, which still adds up to $15.8 billion. Tons of dough, which most moms would rather you not spend.

With that in mind, I thought my obligatory Mother’s Day post on Work+Money would focus on what working moms could use for Mother’s Day. If you ask any working mom, top of her list would be time. More time to get everything done that needs to be done. Time to just stop and be with our families.

Since my blogging roots are in tech, I always think of tech-related ideas first because tech is supposed to help us be more productive at work so we have more time for the other parts of our lives. So here a few tech ideas, and more importantly, ideas to give mom some time apart from all of her demands, and some other great ideas from the women of Shine.

Smartphone for a smart mom: Okay, if your mom is looking to make the leap from basic flip phone to a smartphone that will allow her to text and email with a full QWERTY keyboard, check email easily while on the road, the iPhone is all the rage and is very cool, but RIM’s BlackBerry Curve will do everything she needs. If you go the BlackBerry/iPhone route, take a tip from my chat with Lisa Belkin on her Life’s Work XM radio show the other day: Tell her to turn off the beeps and sounds that let you know when every single email has arrived so it doesn’t make her less productive and stressed. (Lisa does.) If you’ve got an older mom who is having trouble seeing the tiny, tiny print on her mobile phone, I recommend the Jitterbug phone, which is so intuitive to use, has large type on the screen, and can always reach a live operator by pressing zero. After the initial $147 purchase price, you can tailor monthly plans to how you use the phone, for as low as $10 a month. Continue Reading »

By Biba Pedron

Networking is my favorite, low-cost marketing tool. However, a large number of people often find it a challenge to get results and turn prospects into clients, simply by networking.

So here is another very effective marketing tool that requires no skills, can be applied to your business immediately and will help you to gain many new clients.

Simply get testimonials from your current clients!

Testimonials from satisfied customers are typically the best way to promote your business. And it doesn’t cost you a thing. So, stop selling and let your clients and raving fans do it for you. Continue Reading »

by: Sue Seward

How important are making connections to your success? It’s extremely important and here’s why as well as some of the ways you can learn to be a better connector!

First of all this is a people business! It’s all about people and what they want! If you don’t find out what they want by connecting with them you’ll most likely flounder in this business! Continue Reading »

‘We are pleased to provide you with encouragements via this blog! Contained within this blog are motivational articles on life. We believe the lessons shared through this blog will bring much value to your life.

Speaking of value, you will receive bonuses worth $44 absolutely free when you purchase Bonnie Ross” book, “Walk In My Boots ~ The Joy of Connecting” TODAY. Visit Bonnie’’s website at www.bonnierossparker.com for details.

Remember. Make every connection count!

Bonnie Ross-Parker, Founder & CEO
America’s Connection Diva
Telephone: 770-333-9028
or by email: bootgirl@bonnierossparker.com