Keep these tips in mind:

1.  Microsoft Windows does not do its own virus checking. If you receive any message stating ‘Windows has detected a virus’ – it’s not legitimate. Windows will display security warnings if virus software is not detected or appears to be outdated, but does no file scanning on its own.

2. Legitimate anti-virus programs don’t just show up on your desktop. If you didn’t install it, it doesn’t belong on your computer, and any security warning it displays isn’t real.

3. You can usually tell a book by its cover – Impressive names like ‘Antivirus 2010′ or ‘Spyware Police’ are often a sign that the program itself is not legitimate.

4.  Legitimate anti-virus programs – McAfee, Norton or Symantec, Trend, Kaspersky, etc. – will never prompt you to download anything in order to remove a specific threat. These programs are designed to detect malware and remove it without user intervention. Virus messages displayed by these programs are informational only (they may display messages reminding you that definition files need to be updated or that a new version is available, but never in response to a specific infected file). A particularly nasty infection can evade removal by the virus software, but the legitimate programs will not ask for your intervention.

5. Legitimate anti-virus programs detect viruses one at a time, in real time. A program that pops up a window indicating it is ‘scanning’, then displays hundreds of infected files in multiple folders is not legitimate.

6. Legitimate anti-virus programs don’t waste resources on colorful display boxes. When real virus software detects a threat, the informational messages displayed are usually simple text boxes. Fake security messages tend to appear in multiple color windows with fetching graphics in order to appear legitimate. Use this rule – the more attractive the pop up, the less likely it is legitimate.

Feel like this?

1. Clean, organize and purge your desk. Update your files and replace all torn files. Buy new files, in different colors, and organize them by color: green for financial papers, purple for clients and so on. Be sure to label all the files, and then organize them alphabetically within each color scheme. And never, ever put the word “Misc” on any file—once you file it, you’ll forget what you put in it. If you can say out loud what the file is, you have your label.
2. Be like Santa every day of the week. Make a list and check it twice. There’s nothing more satisfying than checking things off your “to do” list! Make a list every night of all the things you need to accomplish the next day. Do this every night, including the weekends, so you get in the habit of relying on your to-do list to help you get things done.
3. Use only one calendar. Choose the one that works best for you: one on your computer, a handheld one like a PDA, or a paper one on your desk. Then get rid of all your other calendars and use just the one to record and keep track of everything. If you’re maintaining more than one person’s schedule, like your children’s, use different colored inks to record information for each family member.
4. Make a note on your calendar, one week ahead of any event, about what you need to do for that event. Do you need to buy wine to bring to a housewarming party? Do you need to send flowers for your mother’s birthday? Whatever it is, make a note of it in advance so you can stay of top of your tasks.
5. Make a list of your goals. Write down at least 10 goals you want to accomplish in your lifetime. Be specific. Then put the list away and update it again next year.

Now that I have your attention, let’s go over the steps for inclusion. As with all things Google, you’ll need to sign into Google Places with your Google Account. Up to 100 single locations can be added but, if you have more than ten to list you’ll need to use their “Bulk Upload Tool”.
There is a verification process that must be done to prove you’re the owner of the business being listed. The choice is yours, it’s by phone or mail. Once this is done, your listing goes live.
Now in case you’re thinking all that’s included in a listing is an address and phone number, hold onto your hat. Here are some of the listing options.

1) Show the geographic area you service.
2) Photos: Upload yours, up to ten images per listing, in JPG, GIF, PNG, TIFF, BMP. A professional photo shoot can also be requested for your business.
3) Place Page Posts: You can post real time updates here, up to 160 characters, announcing special sales, events, and new products. One post appears at a time.
4) Custom QR Codes: For use with smart phones to take users to your mobile website.
5) Advertise: They do have a “Tags Program” in select cities for $25.00 a month where your business will be highlighted on Google.com and Google Maps.
6) List your operating hours. Biz description and even reviews.
7) Post Videos: Up to five videos can be posted, but you’ll need to publish them to YouTube first, then include the URL’s on your Place Page.
Payment Types Taken
9) Coupons: Create online coupons to give people incentive to visit your site. There’s a separate “coupon tab” that appears on your listing page.
10) Privacy: If you work at home and have no storefront you can choose to make your address private in your listing.

At this point you should be realizing how important being listed in Google Places is to your business. If you’d like to see what your listing looks like to a searcher, log into Google Places and click on “see your listing on Google Maps”.

Now remember, search results are based on relevance and “geographic distance”, so you can’t buy your way to the top of the list as with pay-per-click advertising. As previously mentioned, the “tags program”, if available in your area, can be utilized for having your business show up highlighted for $25.00 a month.

If you’re interested in paying for your links to show up on the Google Maps search results page, if related to the search terms and location searched, that can be done using Google’s Adwords program with what’s called “Local Targeted Ads”.

By the way, Google also includes a “Reporting Dashboard” that will tell you how people find you, and what keywords they used to search. It’s powerful stuff that can also be used in your local search engine optimization work.

Do yourself a favor – if you’re not listed with “Google Places”, now is a good time. It’s targeted, free traffic. Now where else can you say that when it comes to marketing on the Internet. People are looking for your business online and with Google Places you can make it easier for them to find you. Website or not – it simply doesn’t matter – but getting people in the door does, and Google is there to help.

Advantages of independent contractors There are advantages to using independent contractors such as the employer saves on FICA, Unemployment, and other taxes. They are also not obligated to pay workers compensation and other insurance benefits. They are not subject to FMLA or other employment related legislation.

Disadvantages of independent contractors. The main disadvantage to using independents is that you must keep on top of exactly what qualifies someone as an independent contractor. If you misclassify someone as an independent contractor who isn’t, the penalties can be extremely costly.

Not only that, but there are two different sets of “tests” for independent contractors — one under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and a 20-point test administered by the IRS. While the tests differ, they both focus on how much control the employer has over the employee’s work. See also the official site: Department of Labor – FLSA compliance
One safe way to assure that you are not penalized for misuse of an employee as a contractor, is to use someone who has formed a corporation. As an example my company is incorporated and licensed to do business. For other advantages, see my cost comparison table at: A+Virtual cost comparison.

1. It’s not about you. It’s about the audience. Your pitch should address what is in it for them!
2. One size does not fit all. Each audience has different needs. Your pitch should address those needs.
3. Leave out the fluff. It should be short, sweet and to the point.
4. Tell them what makes you better than the rest. It is OK to toot your own horn! This is your opportunity to explain why you beat the competition.
5. Practice makes perfect. Your elevator pitch should not sound like it came from a can. Practice doing it in a conversational tone.

Rose-Anne Raies, A+ Virtual Assistant, West Palm Beach, FL
Source: http://blogs.forbes.com/work-in-progress/2010/05/05/5-tips-for-an-elevator-pitch-that-gets-results