As I spend more time online researching blogs and businesses, I am overwhelmed by the information that is available. It is easy to get swept up in the articles and blogs and in clicking on links within links... you could spend an entire afternoon surfing the web. But be careful of what you read. Not everything is accurate nor is it reliable. Anyone can set up a website. Anyone can set up a blog. You must be sure you check your resources when researching for your business.
Wikipedia is an excellent source of information but educational institutions do not always allow citations to come from this site because it is updated by users like you and me. Entries are monitored, blatantly incorrect information is removed, but there are still some incorrect entries that may be overseen and not removed.
Remember to narrow down your research by using good search terms. Be diligent in your research and remember to check out the source to confirm that the information you are reading is reliable.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Filing - love it or hate it, it must be done
Is there anyone who actually enjoys filing? I'm the first to say I do not enjoy it, but I'm sure there are few people who tolerate it more than I. There are those people (note I said "those," which doesn't include "me!") who are good about making sure everything is put in its place at all times. I think that is a wonderful trait to have. I am not saying that I enjoy clutter, but I can certainly find other ways to enjoy my day, whether at work or at home.
But honestly, filing is a very important job. Think of a law office where the filing gets behind. Would you want to work in an office where you spend hours looking for a file that is laying around somewhere on a desk? Or worse, be a client of a firm who doesn't appear to have their act together?
I recently read that interviewer's may ask the question, "Do you like to file?" to determine how truthful their potential candidate is being. If they say yes, then the interviewer would decide that they are untruthful and would dismiss them from consideration of the job position. I must object to this. When I was younger, I actually did enjoy filing. I liked getting things organized and having everything in its place. As I have grown older and found more complex tasks to fill up my day, filing has become a chore. So I do not think it wise for a potential employer to dismiss a candidate if they think they are lying about enjoying filing, because they could be missing out on so many other great qualities of the candidate.
There are quite a few ways to minimize filing. One way would be to only print out and save documents that must be printed. If you have a soft copy of the document, you may not need to keep a hard copy at all. There are plenty of online repositories to store your documents. Just make sure your online files are labeled correctly and you have a good indexing system. Also, make sure you know your company's document retention policy.
One tip to remember when you receive a piece of paper on your desk is to touch it only once. Do not place it in a pile to take care of later because it is inevitable that the pile will continue to grow. Having to spend a Saturday afternoon working on your filing is not a fun activity, trust me. If you can keep up with it on a daily basis, you're one step ahead of the game.
But honestly, filing is a very important job. Think of a law office where the filing gets behind. Would you want to work in an office where you spend hours looking for a file that is laying around somewhere on a desk? Or worse, be a client of a firm who doesn't appear to have their act together?
I recently read that interviewer's may ask the question, "Do you like to file?" to determine how truthful their potential candidate is being. If they say yes, then the interviewer would decide that they are untruthful and would dismiss them from consideration of the job position. I must object to this. When I was younger, I actually did enjoy filing. I liked getting things organized and having everything in its place. As I have grown older and found more complex tasks to fill up my day, filing has become a chore. So I do not think it wise for a potential employer to dismiss a candidate if they think they are lying about enjoying filing, because they could be missing out on so many other great qualities of the candidate.
There are quite a few ways to minimize filing. One way would be to only print out and save documents that must be printed. If you have a soft copy of the document, you may not need to keep a hard copy at all. There are plenty of online repositories to store your documents. Just make sure your online files are labeled correctly and you have a good indexing system. Also, make sure you know your company's document retention policy.
One tip to remember when you receive a piece of paper on your desk is to touch it only once. Do not place it in a pile to take care of later because it is inevitable that the pile will continue to grow. Having to spend a Saturday afternoon working on your filing is not a fun activity, trust me. If you can keep up with it on a daily basis, you're one step ahead of the game.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Freelance Paralegals
I found a great blog, Paralegal Support 101 by Kris L. Canaday, that discusses the benefits of hiring a freelance paralegal. With the fall of the economy and with many paralegals out of work, some paralegals have decided to start their own freelance business. Whether they are able to run a lucrative business is based on how much time they are able to put into their business and how serious they take it. Being a freelance paralegal can certainly become a full time job, but it takes time to build regular clients. If you have the passion, the commitment, the time, and the resources, you can begin your own freelance venture.
Do you own a freelance business? If so, please comment with suggestions for those thinking of starting their own business.
Do you own a freelance business? If so, please comment with suggestions for those thinking of starting their own business.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
What is an "Annual Report?"
For those of us who work in corporate law, we have a familiarity and a soft spot for annual reports. Although they can become tedious, they are very important in maintaining compliance for our entities. For those of you who are not familiar with annual reports, let me explain.
A company, whether it is formed as a corporation or an LLC, is required to register with the Secretary of State. It is important to note that this division may have a different name in different states. For example, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, this office is called the State Corporation Commission.
After a decision has been made to incorporate, your papers are initially filed with the Secretary of State in the state of domicile (home state). Upon acceptance of your filing by the state, your company becomes active. Depending on your business, you may have a need to register to do business in other states as well. This registration is completed with each states' Secretary of State's office.
Most states require your annual or biennial report to be filed on the anniversary date of incorporation, within three months of the end of your company's fiscal year, or at any other time they desire. The purpose of annual/biennial reports is to update your records with the Secretaries of State and to pay a fee to continue doing business. Most states require an updated officer and director list. Some states require financial information (assets and liabilities). Most fees are set fees, but some states base fees on your company's paid-in-capital (i.e. Illinois).
Although filing an annual report is not the most complex task, it is a very important one. Failure to file can result in administrative dissolution/revocation along with fines and penalties. If your company has been administratively dissolved or revoked, you must contact the state (or your registered agent) to determine next steps for reinstatement.
A company, whether it is formed as a corporation or an LLC, is required to register with the Secretary of State. It is important to note that this division may have a different name in different states. For example, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, this office is called the State Corporation Commission.
After a decision has been made to incorporate, your papers are initially filed with the Secretary of State in the state of domicile (home state). Upon acceptance of your filing by the state, your company becomes active. Depending on your business, you may have a need to register to do business in other states as well. This registration is completed with each states' Secretary of State's office.
Most states require your annual or biennial report to be filed on the anniversary date of incorporation, within three months of the end of your company's fiscal year, or at any other time they desire. The purpose of annual/biennial reports is to update your records with the Secretaries of State and to pay a fee to continue doing business. Most states require an updated officer and director list. Some states require financial information (assets and liabilities). Most fees are set fees, but some states base fees on your company's paid-in-capital (i.e. Illinois).
Although filing an annual report is not the most complex task, it is a very important one. Failure to file can result in administrative dissolution/revocation along with fines and penalties. If your company has been administratively dissolved or revoked, you must contact the state (or your registered agent) to determine next steps for reinstatement.
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