The NICEIC have launched a new campaign to clamp down on rogue traders and teach homeowners all about the dangers that rogue tradesmen can do in their home. The UK’s leading voluntary regulatory body for the electrical contracting industry has teamed up with Crimewatch presenter Rav Wilding to create the A.S.K campaign – Ask for NICEIC. The premise is simple: the campaign is to urge homeowners to check if a tradesman working in their homes is fully-qualified, with the right company logos – and to find out by A.S.K-ing ing them. The NICEIC have found that £3.7 MORE >>

Blogging greatly improves search engine optimization, which has proven to be a key lead generating factor for new business. Following are some highlights from a post from my social media mentor, Michael Gass. How new business is being acquired for companies is currently undergoing a paradigm shift; instead of pursuing clients, it’s now more important for your prospective clients to find your co m pany. Blogs make their search easier.  .  . 2011 HubSpot ROI Study. In a recent 2011 HubSpot ROI Study , 69% of businesses surveyed said that blogging attributed to their lead generation success. MORE >>

As a corporate recruiter for a large contractor, I come across rejection and defeatist attitudes on a daily basis MORE >>

Buffer. Klout’s BIG mistake, Klout transparency and Klout scores! Social media satire edition 34). Recently Joe Fernandez, the King of Klout, talked about the changing of the Klout algorithm: “ How will this affect my Klout Score?” ” “A majority of users will see their Scores stay the same or go up but some users will see a drop. Some of our Scores here at the Klout HQ will drop (including mine) — our goal is accuracy above all else. We believe our users will be pleased with the improvements we’ve made.” ” Sorry, but you were SO, SO wrong Joe!! Maybe? MORE >>

Image via Wikipedia. As I looked through my weekly piles of mail, an article in Constructor Magazine caught my attention.  The article was in the insurance commentary section of the magazine and is entitled “Avoiding Common Causes of Contractor Failure.”  ”  While this article is written from an insurance perspective, many of the same principles that are found in the article apply from a legal perspective as well. Essentially, the article breaks down into two main points:  stick with what you know and don’t squeeze yourself to death.  Stick with What You Know. Remember. MORE >>