The Presidential Cycle

There are all sorts of events that occur with regularity. The seasons, lunar and other celestial cycles and the tides, to name a few. Historians claim there are cycles to history as nation-states grow, mature and decline. Economists recognize expansions and contractions in business activity. In theory, if nothing disturbs the economy, business conditions could remain undeviating. Yet, human nature as it is, tends to extrapolate and thus create changing conditions.
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Wealth of Information On U. S. Government Websites

FirstGov.gov is the official web portal of the U. S. Government. More the 186 million federal and state government web pages can be searched from this website. The site is presented for citizens, business and nonprofits, federal employees, and government to government. Its purpose is to provide information, services and resources from the United States Government.
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LOOK IN THE MIRROR: And Check Your Attitude

When thinking about making New Years resolutions consider Attitude. After making your resolutions, remember you are now faced with the reality of converting your good intentions to results. But on occasion, things don’t go according to plan and it’s easy to abandon that which could enrich our lives. When plans don’t reap their expected rewards, it’s easy to revert to self-defeating attitudes. Take a look at these to see if there is some negativity creeping into your psyche. Some attitudes that you’ll want to avoid: 1. Take everything personally. When a customer, prospect, manager or co-employee gives you feedback, don’t take everything to heart. Do you sit, ponder, and fret about how you are tied up in all the misgivings thrown on you by others?
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Don’t Pass Up Home-Office Tax Deductions

Savings available to those who follow the rules
Many people have found that running a business out of their home can be convenient and cost-effective. Some, however, have not taken advantage of the tax deductions available for home offices. They believe it may trigger a ” red flag” leading to an audit, that it’ effort and that the tax laws are vague. But if you follow the IRS guidelines, you may find that the home-office deduction can save you tax dollars each year with write-offs for utilities, rent, depreciation, insurance and repairs. And the office doesn’t even have to be an actual office. It can be a workshop or studio in your home that you use for your business. There are two requirements that you must meet to qualify for a home-office deduction:
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A Message from the Human Resources and Training Area of NARMS

When I came to the NARMS National Office there wasn’t a Director of Human Resources and Training. In developing this position, NARMS wanted to get a number of companies to give us the names of their HR contacts so we could collect information from several companies and share the wealth of knowledge. NARMS member Human Resources Professionals really stepped up to the plate and exceeded my expectations in regard to the number who responded. NARMS received the names of HR Professionals from small, medium sized, and large companies. This will give us a wide range of experience to draw from. If you didn’t get a chance to send in your Human Resources Professionals and would like your voice heard, please forward to me the names, titles, and e-mail addresses from your Human Resources Generalist if you are a small company and only have one individual or the names of your staffing and your training human resources individuals if you have more than one.
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Don’t Shirk Employment Tax Responsibility

The person who is responsible for paying your company’s employment taxes can be held personally liable for any amount that he or she willfully fails to pay. What is the penalty? It is equal to 100% of the unpaid amount. Even though this penalty is severe, the courts often attach personal liability to a corporate officer or high-ranking employee who, at first glance, does not appear to be a ” responsible person.”
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Membership Directory Addendum Has been Mailed…

By now members’ primary contacts have received NARMS Electronic Member Directory Addendum. This CD is interactive with the web for all members with expanded listings and it also allows you to e-mail people right from the member’s page. This new technology makes for some great ways to enhance member communication. Additional copies may be purchased by contacting Sue Witkowski, Director of Office Operations at NARMS.

ARE YOU AN INNOVATOR OR AN IMPLEMENTER?

Innovation is necessary to solve problems, create new products and services, to use our time more effectively and most importantly, to grow.

We often confuse creative ability with artistic ability. We believe truly creative people are those we see on the big screen, singers on the radio, or those on stage. This is a serious misconception. We each have creative ability. Have you enjoyed the experience of witnessing an auto mechanic who makes your car sing? Or the surgeon who operates with the intuitive ability of a Michelangelo? We have the ability to take our work, our companies and lift them to new levels, those of an art form. We have all seen the most creative geniuses at work - they are creative investors, marketing gurus, R & D specialists; have you ever needed an extremely creative accountant?
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Post Job Openings on NARMS.com

The number of open positions posted in the JobBank between October 16th and November 17th ranged from 217 to 238. Job openings were posted for all five service sectors. Eighty-two percent were for merchandising services, 9% for sales and marketing activities, 7% for event marketing and demonstration personnel, 1% each for professional installation and mystery shopping jobs. Job postings have averaged 220 each day for the past two months. The JobBank is searched approximately 185,000 times each month. Ninety-seven jobs were posted November 3rd through November 19th. Eighty-two were submitted by members and 15 by nonmembers.
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Allied Associations & Trade Show Calendar

As a courtesy to our members and visitors to our website, NARMS provides information on associations and trade publications that focus on the retail merchandising and marketing industry. NARMS is allied with The Retail Marketing Coalition (RMC) and they are included in the association listing as well.
The Retail Marketing Coalition (RMC) is the largest in-store marketing community on-line and provides the most comprehensive retail-based brand marketing information available publicly. Its membership is presently comprised of six nonprofit trade associations: Promotion Marketing Association (PMA), Point-Of-Purchase Advertising International (POPAI), National Association of Store Fixture Manufacturers (NASFM), National Association for Retail Marketing Services (NARMS), International Sign Association (ISA), and The Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC). NARMS members enjoy significant discounts on the purchase of products and registration fees for events sponsored by all Coalition members.
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