When is a job not a job...when it's a scam...you've been warned!

Federal agencies are targeting a number of scam operations that they believe prey on jobless Americans' desperation by offering them work at home schemes, access to supposedly hidden job listings and other too-good-to-be-true opportunities that require significant costs and provide little return.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which has the authority to shut down business operations in a company it believes is using deceptive practices, has already done so at about a dozen companies, according to the Washington Post. The Justice Department, the Postal Inspection Service and various state law enforcement agencies have also participated in the year-long sweep, named "Operation Empty Promises." During that time, the Justice Department has won 48 cases regarding job scams, the Postal Inspection Service brought seven civil actions and state authorities investigated 28 cases, according to the news source.

Scams can actually begin with the best of intentions. A startup with little seed money will still need various levels of expert workers to create a viable business venture. The problem begins with promises. As an example, you're hired into an IT position that includes weekly wage guarantees. No commission and is not under the auspices of Independent Contractor. 

So we are happier than pigs in sh*# at this point. Payday comes along and we are informed, gosh we don't quite have the money now but all our Angel and VC talks are looking great for funding. If you just give us 2 more weeks, we will pay you for sure.....AND throw in a bonus for being so patient.

2 Weeks later we walk through the CEO's door and inquire as to our pending VC windfall. Oh my gosh you will never guess what happened? It fell through (because the CEO is marginal at best and due diligence is a deal killer. But guess what folks? Because you're hanging in there like troopers, you're getting a raise and bonus for your trouble. 

An obvious point is management knows without question that the company will only secure funds through passing the requisite gauntlet that is due diligence.

This dubious facade continues for some time. And..at this point the car and house are most likely to end up fond memories. There was a time when integrity meant something. Back to our story...

It's now 10 months later. You've been promised the world. You have worked your way up to the corporate infrastructure. You've been promised the first born of your choice. Hell, you're making 100,000.00 on paper. Yet where is it? 

And you know managements response"Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out". So now Mr. CEO has secured a whopping 3,300 for payroll, cleaning, etc. Even with a contract, If the company can't pay you, you're in a smaller boat and it's sinking fast.

The company knows quite well they will not have funds to pay you for your time with them. They now owe you around 90,000.00. Kiss it goodbye. The company never gets funded and you next visit  the authorities, i.e. Labor Commission to file another complaint. 

What is our recourse? Education, research, and a much better understanding of contract law.

Our tech has made a total of less the 2000.00 in 1 year. Sales people averages were negligible. 

The company is called MapWide, Inc. (mapwide.com) and integrity alone should dissuade too much future business. They will get what is coming to them. In the meantime, scores of people have lost their retirement and or life savings. Tip of the day: AVOID this firm like the plague. Unless volunteering is your thing.
 
 Article authored and researched by Chris Borowski; former CIO at MapWide, Inc.

Author's Note: I'm not bitter as this was a genuine learning experience for which I've gleaned invaluable insight into how not to run a company. My sincere appreciation to the good Doctor for teaching me what business needs to be a success. A muzzle makes a great start. Enjoy your pending education of California's Labor Employee protective services. See you there! 

Leadership and Business

Companies go out of business and suffer huge losses for many different reasons. We usually don't get the full story when it comes to these situations. Many of them have to do with people in leading positions, with very poor leadership skills. Recognizing someone in the workplace in a leading role, with poor leadership skills is fairly easy.

An executive lacking leadership skills is someone who often reprimands employees out of anger or with an angry tone. A true leader very seldom feels the need to lose their cool with the people who work for them. They do not treat their employees like children. Leaders know that their success comes when they have a team of people who are willing to follow them and not forced to follow them. When employees just come to work to collect a paycheck, it affects the success of the company, usually in a negative way. True leaders know this, which is why they will try to create a pleasant, focused work environment for their employees.

Managers or executives with poor leadership skills always demand results with no intention of getting involved themselves. True leaders lead by example and have no problem getting their hands dirty if necessary. Poor leaders also despise employees who get results by taking initiative. Poor leaders don't like it when people succeed outside of their written agendas. True leaders are always open to new ideas and strategies, and don't get upset when a person doesn't follow their system to a T, as long as they are achieving their goals legally.

Executives who lack leadership skills fail to address the questions and concerns of their team members. Poor leaders will view most of their team members as insignificant anyway. They will usually have their favorites and treat all others with a level of disdain. When an employee has a complaint, a poor leader will let that person believe that something will be done, yet fail to take any action regarding it. True leaders know that their team is only as strong as their weakest link, and make efforts to build up and encourage all employees who need it.

Executives are responsible for managing a team of driven employees to success. While all managers and executives are aware of this, many fail to properly handle their roles as leaders. Good leaders never try to use a negative approach to get positive results. Good leaders are never close minded to new methods and strategies in this ever changing world. Good leaders never view their team members in an insignificant manner. Company executives with poor leadership skills tend to unintentionally stir up strife within their companies. Good leaders know that a house divided against itself, cannot stand. 

Business & Social Media: Are we on the same page?

There are a growing number of misconceptions about the place of social media networking and business promotion. It is important to address these concerns as studies show that more and more businesses are joining the groundswell of those companies that are moving to establish a presence in these networks.

Studies show that ever growing numbers of small business owners plan to establish a social media networking strategy. Business owners of all sizes of companies feel that this new form of marketing has many different advantages.

Some of these advantages are:

• It allows companies to market online in a cost effective way.

• It utilizes few resources beyond the time needed to maintain it.

• It has a successful and proven record of being able to generate leads.

• It allows smaller businesses to keep up with what their larger competitors are doing, in their industry.

• It allows businesses to have an online dialog about what they can offer to their potential customers.

Despite all of these listed benefits, there are still several myths that abound about how to best use social media networking. In order to effectively use this marketing tool, business owners should be aware of them and the information they need to dispel them. 

Here the myths of social media networking and business:

Every business must use social media networking  Recent studies have shown that almost 1/3 of small businesses don't use social media networking, simply because their customers do not. This is at the core of what social media networking really is, in other words if your customers are not there, there is no reason, for you to be there either. Businesses need to plan their marketing strategy to find where their potential target market is, wherever that may be. 

Do not fall into the trap of rushing onto social media networks and launching without having a plan. It is crucial to spend enough time doing research, and making sure that first, you need to be there, and second, when you are there you have the right plan. 

Experts recommend that one of the first things you do is get on these sites and see what is going on. Then you can begin to collect data as to whether your business needs to be promoted on that site.

However, it is important to keep in mind that not only are you looking, for any information about your business; you should also be looking for any information that pertains to the product or service you sell. Any information that can help you promote your product and/or service is a reason to have a presence on social media networks.

You just set up your social media networking and then move on  To many companies think that once they establish an online marketing presence, on these sites they are done. This is far from the truth. Someone within the company needs to be responsible, for the upkeep and maintenance of these sites.

Companies that fail to do this, often find themselves with a public relations nightmare on their hands, when they do return to check on their social media networking sites. You should also make sure that any presence you have on social media networks, connects with your website and any other pertinent information. The bottom line however, is to make sure that whatever your social media strategy it should fit with your overall business goals and be manageable, all at the same time.

You can only use social media networking to get your message out  Do not make the mistake of assuming that social media networking is only for getting your message out. The very nature of social media networking makes it a conversation. Your potential customers want to know that what they are saying is being heard and acted on, and they don't want to be preached or oversold to. 


Good marketing is about establishing a relationship and social media networking, when done right allows you to do just that.