If you're like me and millions of people around the world who are using social media you probably discover that your world has just gotten much smaller. Just the other day I was writing an article on my favorite site jobing.com. The article that I wrote was titled "When You Fall off the Horse Don't Lose Your Blackberry
It was a story about commitment perseverance and our dependence on technology in order to accomplish our goals and objectives. After writing the article on the jobing site I immediately receive responses on my twitter account it was amazing to me this meeting at which the response had come people from around the world began to comment on the article.
As if that wasn't enough I started to get responses from many of my friends on face book commenting on that same article that I'd written on the jobing site. But I wasn't quite prepared for what would happen next at 10:30 a.m. on that same day I received a direct message from the Michael Dresser radio show "Dresser after Dark". They had seen the response regarding my article and were also interested in interviewing me for my new book Living a Championship Life.
Let me tell you how amazed I was that my world had become smaller by the moment and as the Law of attraction would have it, my worlds collided, overlapped, and became infinitely smaller. If it's not obvious to you right now it sure is obvious to me that if you want to grow your business and reconnect with the world social media and all its legs is certainly a great way to go.
It's time for you to get on the train before it leaves the tracks!
Dr. Rick Goodman is a consultant author and professional speaker and is the president of Advantage Legal Seminars. Advantage legal seminars is one of the leading providers of continuing legal education programs in the United States for more information go to www.advantagelegalseminars.com or call 888-267-6097
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Understanding The Annual Federal 529 Gift Tax Exclusion
The annual federal 529 gift tax exclusion is available for parents and grandparents who make contributions to the section 529 plan on behalf of their child or grandchild. The amount is $12,000 (or $24,000 for married joint filers) per year, per child.
Simply stated, you can contribute up to $12,000 without incurring a federal gift tax. Any amount exceeding the 529 gift tax exclusion limit is considered a taxable gift and must be reported on your federal gift tax return.
Ways to Benefit from the 529 gift tax exclusion
There are ways to make large contributions as a 529 gift tax exclusion and avoid paying the gift tax. You can contribute one lump sum that is equal to five times the annual amount, up to $60,000 and still avoid the gift tax. The lump sum payment is treated as if you made the contributions evenly over a five year period. Any amount beyond the $60,000 within the same five year period is subject to the gift tax.
Another benefit to the 529 gift tax exclusion is that you can move assets from your estate that is otherwise taxable and still have ownership and control of those assets.
Misconceptions About the 529 gift tax exclusion
Parents and grandparents are often confused about the tax rules concerning the 529 gift tax exclusion. Some people assume that money given to someone for any purpose is taxable income that must be reported. The annual 529 gift tax exclusion is separate from income reported on your tax return. This income includes wages and profits from a business.
The gift tax is related to estate taxes that the government charges a person who dies with an excessive amount of money. Any person who dies in the United States with more than $2 million is charged a death tax if the excess amount goes to anyone other than their spouse.
The IRS has placed limits on the amount a person can gift to a person in one year. This is to prevent someone from giving away all of their money before they die to avoid paying estate tax. The current amount is $12,000 per recipient, per year. Any amount above the $12,000 is subtracted from the $2 million limit.
Another misconception many have about the 529 gift tax exclusion is that this amount is not taxed. The recipient of the gift amount that exceeds the estate tax exemption is taxed for that amount if you, the donor, are still alive and refuses to pay the gift tax.
Advantage Legal Seminars is one of the leading providrs of continuing legal education in the U.S. for more information on Advantage Legal Seminars CLE programs go to http://www.advantagelegalseminars.com/ or call (888) 267-6097
Simply stated, you can contribute up to $12,000 without incurring a federal gift tax. Any amount exceeding the 529 gift tax exclusion limit is considered a taxable gift and must be reported on your federal gift tax return.
Ways to Benefit from the 529 gift tax exclusion
There are ways to make large contributions as a 529 gift tax exclusion and avoid paying the gift tax. You can contribute one lump sum that is equal to five times the annual amount, up to $60,000 and still avoid the gift tax. The lump sum payment is treated as if you made the contributions evenly over a five year period. Any amount beyond the $60,000 within the same five year period is subject to the gift tax.
Another benefit to the 529 gift tax exclusion is that you can move assets from your estate that is otherwise taxable and still have ownership and control of those assets.
Misconceptions About the 529 gift tax exclusion
Parents and grandparents are often confused about the tax rules concerning the 529 gift tax exclusion. Some people assume that money given to someone for any purpose is taxable income that must be reported. The annual 529 gift tax exclusion is separate from income reported on your tax return. This income includes wages and profits from a business.
The gift tax is related to estate taxes that the government charges a person who dies with an excessive amount of money. Any person who dies in the United States with more than $2 million is charged a death tax if the excess amount goes to anyone other than their spouse.
The IRS has placed limits on the amount a person can gift to a person in one year. This is to prevent someone from giving away all of their money before they die to avoid paying estate tax. The current amount is $12,000 per recipient, per year. Any amount above the $12,000 is subtracted from the $2 million limit.
Another misconception many have about the 529 gift tax exclusion is that this amount is not taxed. The recipient of the gift amount that exceeds the estate tax exemption is taxed for that amount if you, the donor, are still alive and refuses to pay the gift tax.
Advantage Legal Seminars is one of the leading providrs of continuing legal education in the U.S. for more information on Advantage Legal Seminars CLE programs go to http://www.advantagelegalseminars.com/ or call (888) 267-6097
Monday, February 02, 2009
Visa Information Updates
New I-9 (Employment Verification) Rule Effective April 3, 2009
On December 17, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an interim final rule changing the acceptable identity documents an employer may accept when verifying their employees’ eligibility to work when filling out Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. The crux of the new rule is that employers may not accept any unexpired documents, such as passports, permanent resident cards, employment authorization cards or I-94s as proof of verification of an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States. While originally intended to go into effect on February 2, DHS has extended its effective date to April 3, 2009, with the notice and comment period extended to March 4, 2009. This extension is in response to President Obama’s recent request to all federal agencies that pending regulations be subject to the review and approval of his appointees.
Applications for Naturalization Must Be Filed at USCIS Lockbox Facilities
As of January 22, 2009, those seeking to be naturalized (except for military cases) must submit their citizenship applications (N-400) and supporting documents to two USCIS lockbox facilities, one located in Phoenix, Arizona, the other in Lewisville, Texas, depending on the state of residence of the applicant.
Outgoing Attorney General Mukasey Issues Decision on
Right to Counsel in Removal Proceedings
On January 7, 2009, Attorney General Michael Mukasey ruled that aliens in removal proceedings have no constitutional right to counsel, including government-appointed counsel, because such proceedings are civil, not criminal, in nature. Therefore, an alien in removal proceedings has no basis on which to complain about ineffective assistance of counsel. However, the Attorney General also ruled that the Department of Justice may, as a matter of administrative grace, reopen proceedings where an alien shows that he was prejudiced by the actions of private counsel. To show prejudice, an alien seeking to reopen proceedings must show that his lawyer’s failings were egregious, and that it is more likely than not that, but for the lawyer’s failings, the alien would have been entitled to the relief he was seeking. In cases where the alien does not seek to have his case reopened within the applicable time limit (generally, thirty days), he must show he exercised due diligence in discovering and seeking to cure his lawyer’s allegedly deficient performance. Matter of Compean, et al., Interim Decision #3632, 24 I&N Dec. 710, (A.G. 2009).
Did You Know?
DHS to reconsider license provisions of Real ID Act.
New Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said that she will rethink a federal program that would require every state to issue secure driver’s licenses following minimum standards set by the 2005 Real ID Act. Currently, states have until the end of 2009 to issue new licenses that, prior to issuance, would require applicants to prove they are in the country legally under Real ID. Some states, such as Washington, have been offering enhanced licenses on a voluntary basis, requiring proof of citizenship and identity but do not meet the standards of Real ID. Programs such as Washington’s cost less than compliance with the Real ID law.
Source: Thomas Frank, Feds to rethink license mandate, USA Today (January 22, 2009).
U.S. Department of Justice Orders Collection of DNA from Immigrant Detainees. The Department of Justice issued a new regulation allowing for the collection of DNA samples from non-citizen, non-resident persons detained under the authority of the United States, which includes those undocumented persons in immigration detention centers. The final rule went into effect on January 9, 2009.
Advantage Legal Seminars is one of the leading providrs of continuing legal education in the U.S. for more information on Advantage Legal Seminars CLE programs go to http://www.advantagelegalseminars.com/ or call (888) 267-6097
On December 17, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an interim final rule changing the acceptable identity documents an employer may accept when verifying their employees’ eligibility to work when filling out Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. The crux of the new rule is that employers may not accept any unexpired documents, such as passports, permanent resident cards, employment authorization cards or I-94s as proof of verification of an employee’s eligibility to work in the United States. While originally intended to go into effect on February 2, DHS has extended its effective date to April 3, 2009, with the notice and comment period extended to March 4, 2009. This extension is in response to President Obama’s recent request to all federal agencies that pending regulations be subject to the review and approval of his appointees.
Applications for Naturalization Must Be Filed at USCIS Lockbox Facilities
As of January 22, 2009, those seeking to be naturalized (except for military cases) must submit their citizenship applications (N-400) and supporting documents to two USCIS lockbox facilities, one located in Phoenix, Arizona, the other in Lewisville, Texas, depending on the state of residence of the applicant.
Outgoing Attorney General Mukasey Issues Decision on
Right to Counsel in Removal Proceedings
On January 7, 2009, Attorney General Michael Mukasey ruled that aliens in removal proceedings have no constitutional right to counsel, including government-appointed counsel, because such proceedings are civil, not criminal, in nature. Therefore, an alien in removal proceedings has no basis on which to complain about ineffective assistance of counsel. However, the Attorney General also ruled that the Department of Justice may, as a matter of administrative grace, reopen proceedings where an alien shows that he was prejudiced by the actions of private counsel. To show prejudice, an alien seeking to reopen proceedings must show that his lawyer’s failings were egregious, and that it is more likely than not that, but for the lawyer’s failings, the alien would have been entitled to the relief he was seeking. In cases where the alien does not seek to have his case reopened within the applicable time limit (generally, thirty days), he must show he exercised due diligence in discovering and seeking to cure his lawyer’s allegedly deficient performance. Matter of Compean, et al., Interim Decision #3632, 24 I&N Dec. 710, (A.G. 2009).
Did You Know?
DHS to reconsider license provisions of Real ID Act.
New Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said that she will rethink a federal program that would require every state to issue secure driver’s licenses following minimum standards set by the 2005 Real ID Act. Currently, states have until the end of 2009 to issue new licenses that, prior to issuance, would require applicants to prove they are in the country legally under Real ID. Some states, such as Washington, have been offering enhanced licenses on a voluntary basis, requiring proof of citizenship and identity but do not meet the standards of Real ID. Programs such as Washington’s cost less than compliance with the Real ID law.
Source: Thomas Frank, Feds to rethink license mandate, USA Today (January 22, 2009).
U.S. Department of Justice Orders Collection of DNA from Immigrant Detainees. The Department of Justice issued a new regulation allowing for the collection of DNA samples from non-citizen, non-resident persons detained under the authority of the United States, which includes those undocumented persons in immigration detention centers. The final rule went into effect on January 9, 2009.
Advantage Legal Seminars is one of the leading providrs of continuing legal education in the U.S. for more information on Advantage Legal Seminars CLE programs go to http://www.advantagelegalseminars.com/ or call (888) 267-6097
Monday, April 28, 2008
Check Back Your Key to Delegation Success
Check Back Your Key to Delegation Success
In order to grow your business, you're going to have to trust that your staff members are capable of getting the job's done that you assign to them. That means you're going to have to do something that may be uncomfortable for some of you and easy for others. You’re going to have to delegate tasks in order to grow your business. After all, you're only one person, you can't do it all. And what you are going to find is that some of your staff members can do certain jobs even better than you can. It's more important than ever before that we utilize certain tools that will increase the odds of success when were delegating tasks to our team.
One of the best delegation techniques I've ever come across is one that I call: Check Back!
Now check back is not check up. After all, if you're checking up on a staff member the first thought that comes into their mind is that you don't trust them. You could be the best worker on the planet and if somebody is standing behind you’re back watching you do your job you're going to make mistakes. So we use a technique called Check Back and here's how it works:
Step One:
Assign a team member, a task to do and ask them the question, when can I Check Back with you? The ball is now in their court they have to give you a time when they are going to have the task completed and a commitment to getting it done. Now get out of the way!
Step Two:
You Must Check Back! If you assign a task to a staff member and don't follow up at the assigned time you're sending a message that you don't care. The next time you assign a task to that team member they will drag their feet and be more likely to sabotage the process.
Step Three:
If you have Checked Back with that employee and they've completed the task let them know how much you appreciate it. If they have not completed the task then you want to ask the key question and the question goes like this: you asked your children to go upstairs and clean up their room, you go upstairs and an hour later and the room is not cleaned up, what is the first question that you asked your child?
Why? And the answer better not be Because.
When we assign tasks to our employees, we expect them to complete the tasks especially if they've made a commitment. Now if they don't like the task they are doing that's okay, we expect them to see it through to the end. The next time a similar task comes up; we explain to them that they really don't have to do it. However we explain to them the consequences and then it's their choice.
The use of Check Back is a fabulous technique that allows your team to accomplish tasks that you assign to them which ultimately strengthens the team and its individual members both personally and professionally. It has been my experience that when I get out of the way good things happen!
Dr. Rick Goodman is an author, consultant, and professional speaker who works with organizations and leaders that want great results. For more information on Rick’s keynote speaking programs, audio programs and training programs go to http://www.dr.rickgoodman.com/ or call 888-267-6098
In order to grow your business, you're going to have to trust that your staff members are capable of getting the job's done that you assign to them. That means you're going to have to do something that may be uncomfortable for some of you and easy for others. You’re going to have to delegate tasks in order to grow your business. After all, you're only one person, you can't do it all. And what you are going to find is that some of your staff members can do certain jobs even better than you can. It's more important than ever before that we utilize certain tools that will increase the odds of success when were delegating tasks to our team.
One of the best delegation techniques I've ever come across is one that I call: Check Back!
Now check back is not check up. After all, if you're checking up on a staff member the first thought that comes into their mind is that you don't trust them. You could be the best worker on the planet and if somebody is standing behind you’re back watching you do your job you're going to make mistakes. So we use a technique called Check Back and here's how it works:
Step One:
Assign a team member, a task to do and ask them the question, when can I Check Back with you? The ball is now in their court they have to give you a time when they are going to have the task completed and a commitment to getting it done. Now get out of the way!
Step Two:
You Must Check Back! If you assign a task to a staff member and don't follow up at the assigned time you're sending a message that you don't care. The next time you assign a task to that team member they will drag their feet and be more likely to sabotage the process.
Step Three:
If you have Checked Back with that employee and they've completed the task let them know how much you appreciate it. If they have not completed the task then you want to ask the key question and the question goes like this: you asked your children to go upstairs and clean up their room, you go upstairs and an hour later and the room is not cleaned up, what is the first question that you asked your child?
Why? And the answer better not be Because.
When we assign tasks to our employees, we expect them to complete the tasks especially if they've made a commitment. Now if they don't like the task they are doing that's okay, we expect them to see it through to the end. The next time a similar task comes up; we explain to them that they really don't have to do it. However we explain to them the consequences and then it's their choice.
The use of Check Back is a fabulous technique that allows your team to accomplish tasks that you assign to them which ultimately strengthens the team and its individual members both personally and professionally. It has been my experience that when I get out of the way good things happen!
Dr. Rick Goodman is an author, consultant, and professional speaker who works with organizations and leaders that want great results. For more information on Rick’s keynote speaking programs, audio programs and training programs go to http://www.dr.rickgoodman.com/ or call 888-267-6098
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Great Service Creates Happy Attorneys!
For the past week I've gotten some of the most thankful and appreciating phone calls and messages from one of the most unlikely sources, attorneys from around the country! Our company Advantage Legal Seminars http://www.advantagelegalseminars.com/ is now approved in 22 states for continuing legal education and continues to grow.
This means that attorneys in any one of these states can purchase our courses online or by audio CD and get credits in multiple states.The upward mobility of many of these attorneys means that they are more and more licensed in multiple states. When one of our customers calls and they find out they will not have to travel in order to get credits in multiple states, we create a happy customer!
Two of the last testimonials really impressed me and I'd like to share them with right now!
I very much enjoyed listening to your course as unlike other ethics courses I've attended over my 41 years at the Kennedy Space Center it focused on actual situations the speaker had dealt With and how the attorneys first responsibility is to his client and not how much fee he can generate. What was nice was the relation on the speaker's part as to how taking care of his clients in a fair and ethical manner engendered manifold beneficial returns that the attorney did not expect nor seek. A presentation well done -Douglas G. Hendrickson Esq., Chief Counsel, Kennedy Space Center
There is no faster or easier way to earn a lot of CLE is in a hurry! Thanks for your quick turnaround and support-Brent W. Yessin Esq.
I'm so excited that were able to help so many people in fact. We are going to be developing three new programs for Advantage Legal Seminars customers this year alone.
The year is off to a rapid and exciting start and I look forward to more happy customers in the future!
This means that attorneys in any one of these states can purchase our courses online or by audio CD and get credits in multiple states.The upward mobility of many of these attorneys means that they are more and more licensed in multiple states. When one of our customers calls and they find out they will not have to travel in order to get credits in multiple states, we create a happy customer!
Two of the last testimonials really impressed me and I'd like to share them with right now!
I very much enjoyed listening to your course as unlike other ethics courses I've attended over my 41 years at the Kennedy Space Center it focused on actual situations the speaker had dealt With and how the attorneys first responsibility is to his client and not how much fee he can generate. What was nice was the relation on the speaker's part as to how taking care of his clients in a fair and ethical manner engendered manifold beneficial returns that the attorney did not expect nor seek. A presentation well done -Douglas G. Hendrickson Esq., Chief Counsel, Kennedy Space Center
There is no faster or easier way to earn a lot of CLE is in a hurry! Thanks for your quick turnaround and support-Brent W. Yessin Esq.
I'm so excited that were able to help so many people in fact. We are going to be developing three new programs for Advantage Legal Seminars customers this year alone.
The year is off to a rapid and exciting start and I look forward to more happy customers in the future!
Monday, March 31, 2008
PUMP UP YOUR PRACTICE
While studying hundreds of law practices, large and small, in the big cities and small towns regardless of the type of law the attorneys practiced, it was apparent that the most productive practices had three things in common. Every system in these firms met three criteria. The firms had to be Simple, Fast and Efficient. In order to better understand these principles so that you may apply them to your practice lets look at them individually.
1. Simplicity
The most successful practices that we evaluated had readily reproducible systems that most if not all of the members of the organization understood. There were several reasons why these reproducible systems made the practice more productive. First the easier the system was to understand the more apt the employees were to embrace the system. Secondly the simple system allows employees the ability to learn more rapidly and lastly it enabled the office to have cross-functional teams that could handle many of the operational issues in the office even in the absence of key individuals.
2. Speed
Time is of the essence not only when working on cases or handling contracts, but when responding to requests of clients and employees alike. In the information age, the most successful offices have rapid response teams in place to meet the ever-changing demands of their clients and business. The speed at which these firms respond to these needs separates them from their competition, which affects the bottom line.
3. Efficiency
The firms that are forging ahead in the legal profession are the ones that have been able to maximize their time to get the highest performance and best use of their employees and organization. These firms recognize that every second counts in business and their systems of prioritization optimizes their success.
In order to make your practice more productive you need to ask yourself the following questions:
1. Are my current systems too complex to reproduce and does anybody understand the purpose of them except for me?
2. What can I do to set up a quick response in order to meet my clients and firms needs?
3. Am I maximizing my time for the best use of my strengths so that my business will grow?
Once you have answered these questions you will be able to determine the systems that need to be improved in order to maximize the productivity of your practice.
Dr. Rick Goodman is a professional speaker who works with organizations that want to develop great leaders “Through Excellence in Communication and Team Building”. For more information on Rick's speaking programs, Audio programs or Learning programs contact (888) 267-6098 or e-mail Rick@drrickgoodman or www.drrickgoodman.com.
© 2007 Dr. Rick Goodman
While studying hundreds of law practices, large and small, in the big cities and small towns regardless of the type of law the attorneys practiced, it was apparent that the most productive practices had three things in common. Every system in these firms met three criteria. The firms had to be Simple, Fast and Efficient. In order to better understand these principles so that you may apply them to your practice lets look at them individually.
1. Simplicity
The most successful practices that we evaluated had readily reproducible systems that most if not all of the members of the organization understood. There were several reasons why these reproducible systems made the practice more productive. First the easier the system was to understand the more apt the employees were to embrace the system. Secondly the simple system allows employees the ability to learn more rapidly and lastly it enabled the office to have cross-functional teams that could handle many of the operational issues in the office even in the absence of key individuals.
2. Speed
Time is of the essence not only when working on cases or handling contracts, but when responding to requests of clients and employees alike. In the information age, the most successful offices have rapid response teams in place to meet the ever-changing demands of their clients and business. The speed at which these firms respond to these needs separates them from their competition, which affects the bottom line.
3. Efficiency
The firms that are forging ahead in the legal profession are the ones that have been able to maximize their time to get the highest performance and best use of their employees and organization. These firms recognize that every second counts in business and their systems of prioritization optimizes their success.
In order to make your practice more productive you need to ask yourself the following questions:
1. Are my current systems too complex to reproduce and does anybody understand the purpose of them except for me?
2. What can I do to set up a quick response in order to meet my clients and firms needs?
3. Am I maximizing my time for the best use of my strengths so that my business will grow?
Once you have answered these questions you will be able to determine the systems that need to be improved in order to maximize the productivity of your practice.
Dr. Rick Goodman is a professional speaker who works with organizations that want to develop great leaders “Through Excellence in Communication and Team Building”. For more information on Rick's speaking programs, Audio programs or Learning programs contact (888) 267-6098 or e-mail Rick@drrickgoodman or www.drrickgoodman.com.
© 2007 Dr. Rick Goodman
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