-7 Steps of Civil Debt Recovery
-Collecting Past Due Money
-What about Bankruptcy?

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm the show host, producer, and blog writer, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
The Accounts Receivable department may not seem like the most glamorous position in a company. But after Sales and Marketing, it's truly the most important department. Salespeople can be incredible at selling, but if the money isn't rolling in, a company can't afford to pay their sales commissions!
Collecting money from regular customers is a delicate balance between cutting them some slack from time to time and protecting the interests of the company. Knowing when to put a regular, but slow paying, customer on Credit Hold can be a difficult decision.
The best way to avoid doing business with a slow-paying or non-paying customer in the first place, is to require a thorough Credit Application. This application should include all legal information about the potential customer, vendors they submit as references, and your payment terms and general credit policies. Be wary of any company that will not complete a Credit Application in full. And carefully consider doing business with a company who's references will not return your calls or that are not positive.

"Promises make debt, and debt makes promises." -Dutch Proverb

In this show I'll talk about some options you have in the U.S. for collecting past due money from a customer.  Knowing what you can and can not do as a creditor is important for successful collection!
We'll cover 7 steps involved in Civil debt recovery. And I'll also touch on Bankruptcy and how it changes the game completely.

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This post is sponsored by Upromise, the free program that allows you to save money for college by spending on everyday items you already buy!

Thanks for Listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Interview with Chance Cole, founder of GetTheDream.com

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm the podcast host and blogger, Laura Adams.

In this episode I talk with Chance Cole of Get The Dream. He's created some revolutionary tools that can be used to increase life results. I've enjoyed using them and wanted to share this powerful information.

Show listeners have been offered a discount code to purchase any product(s) for 50% off.  At checkout enter the 3 letters MBA in the Discount Code box, then click Update Cart to recalculate the total.

Chance also mentioned that there is a Sleep product that can be downloaded free of charge right now from www.getthedream.com

MBA Essential Tip:
Our state of mind affects whether we can utilize our education and natural gifts to their highest potential. Technology called brainwave entrainment exists to help the human brain focus more effectively. 

Brainwave entrainment is also known as brainwave synchronization.
It's the practice of altering one's own brainwaves to a desired frequency by means of a stimulus with a corresponding frequency. This is a natural phenomenon termed the "frequency following response".

"The greatest achievements were at first and for a time dreams. The oak sleeps in the acorn." -James Allen (1864-1912)

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This post is sponsored by Upromise, the free program that allows you to quickly save money for college!

Thanks for listening -
Do Good Work, Laura

-Secrets to Family business success
-Too little time to read Business books?
-Take a Workaholic Self-Test!

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm the show host and blog writer, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
Americans as a whole could certainly be considered Workaholics when compared to many other countries. We tend to take pride in working hard, sometimes to a dangerous extreme. I've heard that as many as 40 percent of workers don't take the vacation time they've earned because they're afraid they won't have a job to come back to! Corporate cut-backs and consolidations further enhance employees' fears.
Whether the reason for obsessive working is our 24/7 connected technology, financial goals, materialistic dreams, or an intense love of what we do, there can be serious side effects. We all must block out sacred personal time for whatever can divert our minds from thinking about work. Consider hobbies, volunteering, exercise - anything that gets you completely away from everything work related.
And the irony is that getting away from your work, can actually make you more effective when you get back to it!


"An unhurried sense of time is in itself a form of wealth." -Bonnie Friedman

In this show, I give you a secret weapon to read all those business books that have been calling you.  It's Soundview Executive Book Summaries. Check it out for yourself or as a gift for anyone who wants condensed business education - short and sweet is good!
Soundview pioneered the concept of outlining key concepts of the year's best, cutting-edge business books. You can download formats for viewing or listening on your computer, Palm device, Pocket PC, portable media player or CD. Really brilliant.

The first segment in this episode was inspired by a recent article in Inc. Magazine by author Adam Bluestein, titled "The Success Gene". He takes a look at some very successful family businesses to understand why they have been able to beat the odds.

I also give you a fun test to see if you're a Type A-Workaholic (like me)! And suggest some ways to make sure you stay balanced.

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This post is brought to you by DirectDegree.com, the premiere online education resource on the Internet.

Thanks for listening & reading -
Do Good Work, Laura

-4 Generations in the workplace
-Marketing math made simple
-Margin vs. Markup

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! This is your host and blog writer, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
Many people get tripped up when they have to distinguish between a product's Margin and its Markup. I lay out a good example in the podcast, but here's a couple more to ponder:

1) Let's say you have a flooring company and are bidding on a commercial job. You determined that the cost of the carpet, freight, sales tax and labor will be $10,000. In this business your goal for commercial jobs is to get a 35% profit margin. How do you come up with the correct price? If you multiply $10,000 by 1.35 and bid the job at $13,500, you will not make a 35% margin. This is because you simply MarkedUp the cost 35%. Take a look at the math for a true 35% profit margin:
Cost / [1 - margin %] = Price
$10,000 / [1 - 0.35] = Price
$10,000 / 0.65 = Price
$15,385 = Price

2) Let's say your customer receives your bid from above, but says they only have $14,775 in their budget. If you do the job for this price, what profit margin would you make?
You can plug all the numbers into the formula used above. But here's an easier way to calculate this:
Revenue - Costs = Profit
$14,775 - $10,000 = $4,775
Then divide Profit by Revenue: $4,775 / $14,775 = 0.32 = 32%

So, if you're willing to accept a 32% margin, instead of 35% - you're in business!


"The trick is growing up without growing old." -Casey Stengel

Want to make the profit you need? It's simple - have a great product and price it correctly! This episode is about the very important (and sometimes confused) low-tech Marketing math that allows you to determine the profitability on anything you sell.
I'll also give you the scoop on how incredibly different the 4 generations  that are working together are right now.

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I always appreciate your comments and questions - send to

Do Good Work, Laura

-Top 10 Reasons Not to get an MBA!
-Web App to take your To-Do list online
-Find all schools that offer the degree you want

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! This is the show host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
Have you ever heard of Upromise? This is a fantastic free program that allows you to quickly save money for college for yourself, a child, or for anyone. This is how it works:
When you join, a portion of your eligible spending gets deposited into your Upromise account automatically. You can invite your family and friends to help you save too by linking their rewards to your account!
The really cool part is that you get credit for spending on items that you're already buying anyway--groceries, gas, clothes, bed and bath accessories, restaurants, travel, books, magazines, insurance, gifts, computers, office supplies, and tons more--at over 40,000 different well-known brand store and services.
This college savings program is a no-brainer for yourself, or for anyone you love that has education in their future.

"Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love."
-David McCullough

Why get an MBA degree? Well, in this show I share my list of the Top 10 Reasons NOT to get one. This is essential information and food for thought if you are considering making the sacrifice to go for an advanced business degree.

And if you're looking for schools that offer a specific academic program or degree, I've found an excellent tool. Take a look at the upper right side of the blog, mbaworkinggirl.com. This search tool is a comprehensive list of campus and online schools that offer degrees from Art to Veterinary and everything in between.

In the podcast, I also admit to being a list-o-holic and talk about the features of a free web service called Remember the Milk.

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Thanks for being a listener and blog reader - I've got lots of great shows coming up this year. If you have any suggestions for improvements or topics, please send email to

Do Good Work, Laura

-Wills and Estates
-6 Reasons to have a Will
-Easy way to create your Will!

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm Laura Adams, the show host.

MBA Essential Tip:
Most people don't realize that you don't need an attorney to make a will. 
And a will doesn't have to be recorded with any governmental agency.
You can easily create the document yourself as long as these requirements are met to make a will legal:
1) you are at least 18 years old with sound mind and
2) you have 2 people, who wouldn't inherit anything from you, witness you sign and date the completed document.

Get an inexpensive template form that was prepared by an attorney, and you're ready to go!  Click here to download wills for any U.S. state.
This is a fantastic resource to find legal forms, with over 750,000 different documents for just about any legal need.
"Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility"
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In this show we'll cover all the reasons to have a will. You'll also be reminded about the different life events that should trigger you to update a will by rewriting it or creating a codicil.

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Send email feedback to . Drop me a line to let me know when you've completed or updated your will!

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Intro to Stock and Shareholders
-4 Tips for Successful Meetings
-Secrets to MBA admission

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! This is your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
A shareholder or stockholder is an individual or company that owns one or more shares of stock in a company. A primary goal of such a company is to increase the value of the shares and/or to pay dividends to the shareholders. Stock owners can profit if the company does well, or they can lose their investment if the company experiences losses. Many of the largest stockholders today are Mutual Funds.

"What you risk reveals what you value."
-Jeanette Winterson

This show will give you an overview of the roles and rights of corporate shareholders. Understand their important relationship to Directors and Officers.
I'll also share 4 important tips to insure that meetings are productive time spent.

And if you want to get accepted into business school this year, it's critical that you understand how to differentiate yourself from the masses. Discover secrets to creating a winning application at top10mba.com

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Email feedback to or submit a podcast review in itunes. Here's the link to our podcast page.

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Business Organization entities, part 2
-Partnerships and the LLC
-7 New Years Resolutions for work

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm the host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
A Joint Venture is a relationship that's formed for a single specific business enterprise.
It's similar to a General Partnership in these ways:
-the parties share an interest
-the parties have equal rights to direct and govern
-the parties share in the profits and losses
-the parties combine their property, money, skill or knowledge

A JV is different however, in that the relationship ends once the project is completed. It also differs because there is no mutual agency relationship between the partners. So it's more difficult for one member to bind another member. A JV should always be very clear that it is not a partnership when dealing with 3rd parties.


"What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

This episode is Part 2 about Business entities. Tune in to hear about the 3 different forms of Partnerships and to understand the popular LLC.
Then I'll end with 7 Resolutions we all need to take with us to work in 2008 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Did you get a new iPod or Zune over the holidays?  Make sure to subscribe to this show by searching for us in either directory.
I always welcome listener feedback at .

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Business Organization entities
-Sole Proprietorships
-C and S Corporations

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! This is your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
When incorporating a business in the U.S., the state where the legal formation is completed is important. Generally, the corporation should be formed either in the state where the business will be located or in another state that has a well-developed body of corporate law, such as Delaware.
Many large companies choose to incorporate in Delaware, even if they don't do business there, because it has a specialized and experienced court. This court is called the Court of Chancery; and it insures quick resolution to any corporate law disputes.
Some of the benefits to Delaware incorporation include:
-increased power of management
-more flexibility in dealing with minority shareholders
-ability to have only one director
-use of electronic proxy voting
-authorization of internet shareholder meetings
-facsimile amendments to the certificate of incorporation


"The secret of all victory lies in the organization of the non-obvious" -Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor (121-180 AD)

This episode is Part 1 of a series on Business Organization entities.
We'll cover the Sole Proprietorship and Corporation, and complete  the other 4 types of entities in Show #38.
Find out the benefits of each and the important distinction between C and S corporate status.

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Subscribing to the podcast in the iTunes or Zune directories is free and simple to do. It insures that you'll receive each new show as soon as it's published!
Send email comments to - voice mail comments can be left at .

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Leaving your Employer
-Understanding Trade Secrets
-Your Career Future

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
The Economic Espionage Act of 1996 was passed in response to an increase of industrial espionage. This espionage is estimated to have cost U.S. companies $25 billion in 1995 alone. The Act covers theft of trade secrets by domestic and foreign spies.
For foreigners, economic espionage is defined as knowingly stealing or fraudulently obtaining a trade secret with the intent to benefit a foreign government or agent.
Domestically, the law considers whether the defendant intended to use a trade secret to anyone's economic benefit other than the trade-secret owner and whether the defendant knew that it would injure the owner.
In order for information to be considered a trade secret, the owner of the information must have taken "reasonable measures to keep such information secret." The value of trade secrets is due to their proprietary nature.

"The easiest way to keep a secret is without help." -unknown author

In this show I'll discuss how to determine when the time is right to leave your employer, how to do so properly, and the important legal issue of Trade Secrets. Most people don't realize that trade secret law applies to them, even if they didn't sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement!

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Music in order for Show #36:
The Brand New Heavies - All Fired Up
Punam Verma - The Sweetest Nectar
Psykosoul - Superhot Lady Cop Remix (Beau Hall)
360 - T-Sunshine
Matthew - Get It
The Brand New Heavies - All Fired Up

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Email comments are welcome at .
Or leave a Voice Mail message by calling .

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Intro to Macroeconomics
-What happens in Boom times and Recessions?
-Book recommendation

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

I would really appreciate you taking a moment to post a good review for the show! click here for our iTunes podcast home page. Reviews help increase the show rankings and gain exposure.

MBA Essential Tip:
The U.S. Gross Domestic Product, or GDP, is defined as the market value of the goods and services produced by labor and property located in the U.S.
The U.S. Gross National Product, or GNP, is defined as the market value of the goods and services produced by labor and property supplied by U.S. residents.
The  distinction between "located in the U.S." and "supplied by U.S. residents" is important.  Profit from a U.S. owned factory in China is not included in GDP, but would be included in GNP. The emphasis in the U.S. shifted from GNP to GDP in 1991.

"A creative economy is the fuel of magnificence." -Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

In this show you'll hear an introduction to Macroeconomics.  We'll cover the 3 major variables that Macroeconomists study. I'll also discuss what happens in the economy during Boom times and Recessions.

And if you want to do some further economic study and read a good story at the same time, I recommend Alan Greenspan's The Age of Turbulence.

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Feedback about the show is always welcome at

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-401k Retirement Plan Distributions
-Penalties for Early Withdrawals
-What qualifies for a Hardship Distribution?

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

Thanks to Small Business Trends Radio for your review of the show and for including us on your 100 Small Business Audio Podcasts list!

And we also appreciate the Bootstrapper blog for including us in your Top 100 Entrepreneur Podcast entry.

MBA Essential Tip:
Administrators of retirement plans now have the option to add a Roth component to 401(k) plans. If this is an option for you, should you take advantage of it?
With a regular 401(k), you get an immediate tax break because the investment is made from your income before it's been taxed. You contribute pre-tax dollars.  Regular 401(k) funds are not taxed until you receive a distribution.
With a Roth 401(k), your investment is made from income after it's been taxed. So when you finally receive a distribution, you pay no tax - the tax break comes later.
If you think your tax rate is higher now than it will be when you start taking distributions, the regular plan is the smarter option. If you have to pay taxes, they should be lower rather than higher, right!
But if you think your tax rate will be higher when you'll take distributions, you'll want to consider the Roth option.

In this show I discuss a Personal Finance topic about some of the details of 401k Retirement Savings Plans. There are many specifics that can vary from employer to employer. So always be sure to research your own 401k plan when you have a question about what's possible.

I'll tell you what early distributions are not taxable and introduce you to situations that would qualify for a Hardship Distribution. We'll discuss penalties that involve additional taxes and suspension of your ability to contribute.

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Thanks to those of you who are subscribed to the show through iTunes or now with Zune!  I'd love your feedback about the show or suggestions for future show topics of interest. Email or call in to the voice mail line at .

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Listener Email
-Comments, Questions and Answers
-Making Personal Recommendations at work
-The real deal on Consumer Financing

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your still-congested host, Laura Adams.

A nasty cold has kept me away too long - but I'm feeling soooo much better!

MBA Essential Tip:
Are consumer sales financing offers demonic or angelic? It's all in the eyes of the beholder. The real answer depends on whether you're financially responsible. Can you pay your bills on time consistently? If you answer yes, you can use "Same as Cash" financing deals to delay payment for products like appliances, furniture, or floor covering.

If you pay the total amount off by the end of the term - either in smaller regular payments or in a lump sum - you eliminate ALL interest and fees. You get to take delivery of products for 6 months, 12 months, or sometimes 24 months while your money can be working for you earning interest.

But if you don't pay the TOTAL amount off by the end of the term, you will be subject to a high interest rate that began accruing on the date of purchase. This is the worst form of debt - high interest owed on consumer purchases that started depreciating the moment you took delivery of them.

Here's a typical deal-make sure you understand it before signing on the dotted line for consumer financing:
Six Months Same As Cash, Payment Deferred
Subject to credit approval. Finance charges accrue from the date of the sale unless the Same As Cash plan balance is paid in full prior to the Same As Cash expiration date. Regular credit terms apply after the Same As Cash period. Terms subject to change without notice. Annual Percentage Rate: 21.90%

In this show I'll share great listener emails with you.

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Send your feedback to

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Professional Communication, part 2
-Presentation Do's and Don'ts
-Tips for Overcoming Anxiety/Appearing Confident

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
When you give a speech or presentation, it's always possible that you'll get a question that you can not answer. Before you craft a presentation, try to anticipate what difficult questions you might hear. Find out the answers and practice your responses.

But if you don't know the answer, you must admit it. A great way to solve this problem is to ask your audience if anyone knows the answer. You can also suggest a good source to find the answer, or offer to research the issue and follow up with the individual or group.

Here's the best way to organize presentations-

A. Introduction
     1. Gain Attention
     2. Why Listen
     3. Thesis
     4. Preview Body
     5. Transition

B. Body
C. Conclusion


This episode is the 2nd in our 2-part series on Professional Communication. You'll learn about how to structure the Body and Conclusion of a great presentation.

I offer lots of suggestions about how to easily overcome anxiety, appear confident, and give a top-notch delivery.

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When you're on iTunes, please take a few minutes to post a review of the show. Or simply click this link to our iTunes podcast page.
Email is always welcome at .

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Professional Communication, part 1
-Secrets to Persuasive Presentations

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
Making an effective oral presentation can be a great boost to your career. It's a skill that's required as we move into positions of greater responsibility and leadership. If you show an ability to present well, you can be thought of as a leader. So consider every chance to speak as a serious opportunity to sell your competence to your organization. Great presentation skills can be largely attributed to natural ability - however, with practice they can be learned.

There are 4 different delivery styles that are used:
1) Extemporaneous - previously planned but delivered with the help of few or no notes.
2) Impromptu - delivered without previous preparation
3) Memorization - previously planned and recited from memory
4) Reading - previously planned and read from notes

The first style - extemporaneous - is the best way to give a successful business presentation!


"Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people." -William Yeats (1865-1939)

This episode is the first of a two-part series on Professional Communication. Use this information to get more comfortable with making presentations yourself or to evaluate others who present to you. We'll discuss the 5 components of the Introduction in show #31. Then cover the Body and Conclusion, plus tips for overcoming anxiety, appearing confident, and making a top-notch delivery in show #32.

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Please send email feedback to .

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Using Internal Controls for success
-Cell Phone policies at work
-10 Cell Phone Tips for professionals

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
Internal Controls fall into two main categories - financial and administrative. You have probably heard of Sarbanes-Oxley.  This is a major financial control that became law in the U.S. for public companies. It was named after Senator Paul Sarbanes and Representative Michael Oxley. It's long name is the Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act of 2002.
It's purpose as stated on sarbanes-oxley.com is, "to improve quality and transparency in financial reporting and independent audits and accounting services for public companies, to create a Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, to enhance the standard setting process for accounting practices, to strengthen the independence of firms that audit pubic companies, to increase corporate responsibility and the usefulness of corporate financial disclosure, to protect the objectivity and independence of securities analysts, to improve Securities and Exchange Commission resources and oversight, and for other purposes."


"The individual is the central, rarest, most precious capital resource of our society." -Peter Drucker (1909-2005)

In this episode I'll discuss Internal Business Controls - what are they? - what is their purpose? - what are their limitations?

We'll also talk about policies for cell phone use at work.  I'll share  10 very important tips that you must follow to use a cell phone like a real professional in the workplace!

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Thanks to those of you who have subscribed to the MBA Essential Tip.  Don't forget to send your feedback or questions to .

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Do Good Work, Laura

-Traditional vs. Non-Traditional MBA programs
-What does an MBA degree cost?
-Going Green listener comment

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
Have you ever wondered what all the new MBA programs are about and what they cost? Why aren't there so many options for nursing school or engineering programs? The reason is simple demand for the MBA degree. Whether you want to go back to school during the day, weeknight, weekend, or via computer, there's a program for you! MBA programs are certainly a great profit center for many public and private universities these days.
Getting an advanced business degree is a great feather in your cap that can help you get:
-More responsibility
-More income
-More credibility
-Flexibility to change careers
-More security in a down economy
-Marketable skills and training
-More confidence
-A wider professional network


"Only the educated are free" - Epictetus (55-135 AD)

In this show I'll review different types of MBA programs that are available today. I share specific program details and prices from my alma mater, the University of Florida.
Also hear a great "Going Green" listener comment about show #27 that you can put to use today!

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If you enjoy the show, consider taking a few minutes to write a brief review at iTunes. Please click here to go to the MBA WGP page.
Keep the feedback and comments coming to !

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Do Good Work, Laura

-What's appropriate workplace Fun?
-Benefits of having Fun in the workplace
-Rate your own Soft Skill set

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
Is "having fun at work" just another management trend du jour? Perhaps, but I do believe that our greatest performance comes when we:  enjoy what we do for a living, enjoy the people we work with, and feel a sense of shared commitment. If having good, clean fun at work can enhance those 3 variables and ultimately be beneficial for an organization - why not have some fun?
Think about integrating fun into your company culture by scheduling it each year in advance. Perhaps once a month or once a quarter you have an off-site event for your entire company or department. Maybe it's bowling, paint balling, roller skating, or team sports like softball, kickball, or soccer. It's great to have fun as a reward - but also think about workplace fun as a necessity to keep morale up and teamwork working!

"A smile is the shortest distance between people." -Victor Borge (1909-2000)

Do you think it's appropriate or professional to have fun at work? In this episode we'll discuss the definition of workplace fun. I'll reveal  some of the many benefits and I'll share with you what's NOT considered fun in the workplace!

You'll also hear about Soft Skills - specifically the 3 most important ones to master for personal and organizational success.

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Thanks for your feedback - send email to . Or phone in a voice message to 206-888-2337.

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Do Good Work, Laura

-Is Going Green a good business strategy?
-10 Ideas that make it Easy to Be Green
-Moving into Business from a non-Business career

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
Does it always make economic sense for a company to Go Green? The answer depends on your specific business industry and size. What does a company have to do to honestly promote themselves as a Green business?
We still need more comprehensive data to understand what's really good for the Earth. For example, is an electric car a good product because it doesn't emit pollutants into the air - or is it a bad product because of the huge amount of fuel that must be burned to produce the electricity required to power the car for one year.
With time, Green technology will evolve and the data will enable businesses and consumers to clearly see the right choices they should  make. Environmentalism seems to hit a nerve with so many people. And many companies are promoting their Green-ness in an effort to capitalize on the customers' fuzzy knowledge about what is eco-ethical right now. But there are many opportunities for companies who can truthfully position their products, services, or culture as being Green.


"There are no passengers on spaceship earth. We are all crew." -Marshall McLuhan (1911-1980)

In this episode we'll talk about the growing trend of "Going Green".  I'll share my thoughts on how it can fit into your business strategy. And if you're not already turning Green, I have 10 easy tips that you can immediately use to Green Up some more at your home office or workplace!
And maybe you're thinking about moving into a Business career from a non-Business career such as Education.  I'll recommend some ways to think about this type of transition and to prepare for it.

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We have a new voicemail number - please send in a question or comment by calling 206-888-2337.

Thanks for listening -
Do Good Work, Laura

-Should you settle a lawsuit out of Court?
-Using Virtual Assistants
-Review for Riches Contest, win $100!!!

Welcome back to the MBA WGP-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
It's becoming more common for companies to require their employees to sign an agreement that they will not initiate a lawsuit against the company.  Instead, as a condition of employment, all work-related disputes must go to binding arbitration or nonbinding mediation.  This provides a less expensive and faster method to resolve disputes than a jury trial.  Under some state laws, arbitration agreements are not enforceable unless they contain certain protections for employees, such as a neutral arbitrator.  But it's interesting to note that the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld mandatory arbitration of employment claims, even those based on federal statutes. 

"Pride sullies the noblest character" -Claudianus

Don't miss this show where we discuss 12 points to consider when you're faced with a lawsuit.  This can be an emotional time when your pride can lead you in the wrong direction.

I'll share some information about a company called Brickwork at www.b2kcorp.com and using a Virtual Assistant. 
And don't miss out on your chance to win $100 in the Reviews for Riches Contest at Podcast Pickle at www.podcastpickle.com.  You simply need to type up a short review for the show by Friday, Sept. 7th at 1:59pm Central Time-DON'T DELAY!

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Email comments, questions, or feedback to

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Buying Decision Process, part 2
-What determines Customer Satisfaction?
-Most Irritating Words and Phrases!

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams. It's good to be working on the podcast again after taking a short summer break.

MBA Essential Tip:
You may think that once a customer buys from you that your work is done.  Great Marketers know that Post Purchase Communication can result in fewer complaints, product returns, or service cancellations. Yes, sending a letter or making a phone call to a customer immediately after the sale can be HUGE. The simple act of asking a customer if they are happy can make a dissatisfied customer satisfied! Showing that you care about your customers' level of satisfaction is often times what they need to become fully satisfied.
Post Purchase Communication is also the best opportunity to ask for referral business, solicit customer suggestions for improvements, or to provide additional resources for customer concerns. If you are in sales or are in a service-oriented business, don't underestimate the rewards you can reap from various kinds of Post Purchase Communication!

In this episode we pick up where we left off in Show #24 with the Buying Decision Process.  We'll review the complexity of Stage 4, the Purchase Decision. And we discuss Post Purchase Behavior.

Find out what some of the most irritating words and phrases are, according to the Plain English Campaign!

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Click here to go to the MBA WGP page in itunes where listeners can submit reviews. Reviews are a great way to support the show and help increase our rankings!

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-How we make buying decisions
-Understanding the 5 stage Purchase Process

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide!  I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
The reasons how and why consumers decide to buy a product or service is of extreme interest to marketers. If we know what motivates a potential customer, we have more power to influence their buying behavior. This is a great goal, because marketing's influence upon customers ultimately serves to better meet their needs!
As consumers, our buying behavior is shaped by internal (endogenous) or external (exogenous) factors, or a combination of both. Internal factors could be our level of education, self-image, personality, attitudes or personal motives. External factors would be family, social status, culture, and reference groups such as peers.

"A weak man has doubts before a decision, a strong man has them afterwards." -Karl Kraus (1874-1936)

In this show I review stages 1-4 of the Buying Decision Process. I hope it will prompt you to become more aware of your own thoughts and feelings as you move through each stage.

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Click here to go directly to the MBA WGP iTunes podcast page!

Thanks for listening!
Do Good Work, Laura

-Perception's impact on you
-Personal Promotion
-The Right Way to Apologize

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast - Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide!  I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
Your perception in the workplace is especially important if you're a Supervisor or Manager. Showing favoritism to any subordinate is not ethical. As a leader, you don't even want the slightest perception that you would treat one employee more favorably than another.
Many times it's difficult for new Supervisors or Managers to accept that they're different from everyone else, and must act accordingly. It's to your benefit to be close, but not too close to your employees. You must be approachable, yet keep a healthy distance. You are the person the group is depending on for recognition, rewards, and discipline!

In this show I discuss Perception's impact on you in the workplace and in your personal life. Understand how to use communication to clarify your intentions. We'll also cover the right way to apologize when you've let someone down or offended them.

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Your feedback or questions are always welcome - send email to
. 

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Understanding Cash vs. Accrual Accounting
-6 Tips for Smarter Emailing

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
In the U.S. most small businesses can choose whether to use the Cash or Accrual Accounting method. But if a business stocks inventory that is sold to the public, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires the use of the Accrual method.
In the Accrual method, the critical date for billing your customers is upon job completion. You must deliver all goods or finish all services under contract before the revenue can be recorded in your books. And you record your expense items once all goods or services have been received or fully installed.

"To state the facts frankly is not to despair the future nor indict the past."   -John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)

In this show I discuss the basics of both accounting methods in way you'll easily understand.
 
And I'll give you 6 good tips for sending Smarter Email that will help you stay out of trouble!

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Remember that subscribing to this podcast is free and easy to do at itunes! If you don't use itunes, download it for free at itunes.com. Then click the subscribe button on our podcast page by clicking this link.

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Who Qualifies for Overtime Pay?
-Fair Labor Standards Act
-Who's doing the most Personal Tasks at work, a survey reveals!

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
The U.S. federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was enacted in 1938 to regulate the minimum wage, overtime pay, and the use of child labor. This law does not apply to Independent Contractors-only to employees. FLSA does not limit the number of hours that an employee can work in a day or in a week.  And it does not provide for compensation while an employee is traveling to or from their job.
The law does permit employees to receive comp time in lieu of overtime pay. Comp time is extra paid vacation time given to the employee instead of overtime pay.

In this episode I talk about being paid for overtime work. You'll learn about your rights for receiving overtime compensation. You may be surprised to know who is qualified for overtime pay and who is not!

I'll also share interesting survey results that reveal who is spending the most time at work doing personal tasks...

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I always love to hear your feedback!
Contact me at .
Thanks to those of you who are signed up for the MBA Essential Tip.

And as always, thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Creating Value for Customers
-5 Customer Needs-including secret ones!
-The 4 Questions you must answer to Sell anything

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
The price of a product or service is not just a revenue generator. Price is also a vehicle that communicates with the customer in a psychological way. The psychology can come from:

Reference Prices - these are standards of comparison against which a purchase price is evaluated. These can be either external or internal. An external example would be a price tag that shows an original price from which markdowns have been made. An internal example would be the price a customer paid for the exact same product last year.

Price and Perceived Quality Relationship - contrary to standard economic theory, a higher price can create higher, rather than lower demand!  This happens when a high price is used as a signal that the product or service is of high quality.

So, the purpose of a product's price is not just to recover it's costs, but to capture the maximum perceived value that the customer holds in their mind for the product.


"No matter how good you get you can always get better" -Tiger Woods

In this episode I review the Customer Value Triad and give you a mathematical way to think about Value.  We'll also cover the 5 types of needs all customers have (whether they know it or not!).  And I'll share the 4 critical questions that hold the power for salespeople and marketing managers to be able to sell anything!

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Send show comments or feedback to

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Employee vs. Independent Contractor status
-10 Habits of Highly Effective Employees (or ICs!)

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
In the show I interchange the terms Independent Contractor and Independent Subcontractor. Just to clarify, here are the definitions of the two.
*A Independent Subcontractor is an individual or business that signs a contract to perform part or all of the obligations of another's contract.
*An Independent Contractor is an individual or business that provides goods or services to another entity under terms specified in a contract.
Employers are liable for the torts (civil wrongs for which remedies may be obtained) of their employees, as long as the employee is acting within the scope of employment. However, employers are generally not liable for torts committed by the Independent Contractors they hire. When hiring an IC, the employer is bargaining only for their work results. When hiring an employee, the employer has the right to control the conduct of the employee.

"By the work one knows the workmen" -Jean De La Fontaine (1621-1695)

This show continues the discussion about U.S. Labor Law - specifically outlining the major differences between Employee vs. Independent Contractor status.
I'm not an attorney, but hope to enable you to recognize the differences more clearly.

Are you a Highly Effective Employee (or IC)? Tune in and I'll share the top 10 habits that reveal if you're highly effective!

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Remember to sign up for the MBA Essential Tip - not only do you get extra content not found in the show, but you get notification as soon as a new podcast is released!

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, laura

-Discrimination Law Introduction
-Which companies must comply?
-What's considered Discrimination in the workplace

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast - Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
There are instances when an employer does not have to comply with Discrimination Law. Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications (BFOQ) allow an employer to hire someone on the basis of their religion, sex, or national orgin if those factors are reasonably necessary to the normal operation of that business. This BFOQ defense is NEVER valid if discrimination is based on someone's race or skin color. The employer must show that a person's religion, sex or national origin excluded them from being able to perform the job they were denied.

"Law is order, and good law is good order"  -Aristotle (384-322 BC)

The topic of this show is an introduction to Title VII, the U.S. Discrimination Law. I'm not an attorney, but if you want an introduction to this important labor law, tune in to the podcast. You'll learn about your rights as an employer and as an employee.

You may be surprised to know that not all U.S. companies have to comply with this law.

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Thanks very much to the growing number of listeners who have subscribed to the show in iTunes!  Shoot an email to  - I'd like to know your ideas for future show subjects.

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-What creates Job Satisfaction?
-Differences between Jobs, Careers, and Callings
-Tips for higher Job Satisfaction

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
  Pare down your daily To-Do list to only those tasks you really need or want to accomplish. If the list is too large, it can seem overwhelming and actually be a distraction.
  Get more accomplished by completing your most critical tasks early in the day. Most of us are more creative in the mornings. It's also usually a quiet time to think before the phone starts ringing. You feel so much more at ease during the day when you know important work has already been done!

"Whatever satisfies the soul is truth" -Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

The topic of this podcast is Job Satisfaction. I'll cover 5 major models of Job Satisfaction that focus on unique causes. There's been lots of study to examine the relationship between Job Satisfaction and other organizational variables. Listen to learn about those variables that have the strongest relationship to Job Satisfaction.

Do you approach work as a Job, Career, or a Calling? Find out the different perspectives that people embrace. And hear 7 tips for improved Job Satisfaction that you can use right now!

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I want to learn more about the MBA WGP listeners - yes, you!!! Send me an email with show feedback. Tell me what topics you like or what topics benefit you the most.

THANKS FOR LISTENING-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Organizational Behavior
-Job Performance components
-Types of Organizational Commitment

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast - Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

MBA Essential Tip:
Most companies are in business to make a profit. Is that also why employees work for companies, to bring home the bacon? To a large extent, yes. But many are also interested in a career that makes a difference. Great companies understand that work-life has to transcend a worker's monetary needs and provide them with a vision and purpose. Whether you are a top manager, owner, or at an entry level position, encourage the development of a purpose for your company that will elevate its reason for existence above monetary income. A common vision encourages teamwork and will get the best work from people. Determine what your product or service really does for your customers. How does it solve their problem(s) and why did they come to you vs. to your competition? This is the first step to establishing your company's higher purpose.

"Losers make promises they often break. Winners make commitments they always keep." -Denis Waitley

This episode is about Organizational Behavior and two major areas of focus - Job Performance and Organizational Commitment. We'll review the detailed components of both.

Find out what type of Organizational Commitment you have (or don't have!).   I share the top 3 factors that make people more likely to remain with their current employer.

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If you're enjoying the podcast, send questions, comments, or feedback to . Sign up for the MBA Essential Tip - you'll receive an email notification as soon as each new show is released!

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Financial Statements, part 2
-Time Management & Busy-ness
-Tips to Free More Time

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast - Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams

Our mission is to bring you tips and information to help you take your career to the next level. Be more effective. Get a promotion. Become a better manager. Make your business more profitable.

Do you want an MBA education, but don't have the time, money, or lifestyle to pursue and advanced degree? Or maybe your business education just needs to be refreshed...   Podcasts are a great way to learn when and where you want!

"Doing a thing well is often a waste of time" -Robert Byrne

This episode is a continuation of our discussion about Financial Statements - specifically the Income Statement and the Statement of Cash Flows. Even if you don't work in Accounting or in a financial field, understanding the purpose of these different flow statements is important. You become a well-rounded business person when you can analyze some numbers!

You may be surprised to hear me say that it's bad to be busy. I'll talk about why we all need to rethink what tasks are really important. Hear 4 tips to help you free up more free time to spend it on the things that count.

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Please send me your feedback or thoughts about the show - I always like to hear what's on your mind. Send an email to or a voice comment to 206-350-0337.
And if you're not a podcast subscriber, it's free and easy to do at iTunes.com!

Thanks for listening-
 Do Good Work, Laura

-Accounting Introduction

-Financial Statements, part 1

-Keys to Getting Promoted

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast-Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide! I'm your host, Laura Adams.

Our mission is to bring you tips and information to help you take your career to the next level. Be more effective. Get a promotion. Become a better manager. Make your business more profitable.

"Learn a new language and get a new soul."-Czech Proverb

In this show, I hope to open your mind to the powerful impact that basic Accounting knowledge can have on your career success. Believe it or not, it's not just for CPAs and corporate Accountants! Why else would it be called the Language of Business?

We'll cover an important Financial Statement-the Balance Sheet-in easy to understand terms. Then I'll wrap it up by sharing 6 key concepts for Getting a Promotion.

I also need to make you aware of a correction to Show #7. The financial quiz answer should be $13,173,937. The link at dollartimes.com to find this answer is "How much will my investment be worth in the future if I add to it yearly?

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Thanks to all the new podcast subscribers!

Subscriptions are free and allow you to get new shows as soon as they are published. For more details on different ways to subscribe, click the button on the right side of the page that says Find Out How-Watch Tutorial. Or click here to go directly to our iTunes podcast page. You can also write a review of the show in iTunes by clicking here.

Thanks for listening,

Do Good Work, Laura

-Business Plans, why create them?
-Components of a Business Plan
-Time Management Tip, part 2

Welcome back to the MBA Working Girl Podcast - Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide!  I'm your host, Laura Adams

Our mission is to bring you tips and information to help you take your career to the next level.  Be more effective.  Get a promotion.  Become a better manager.  Make your business more profitable.

"Chance favors only the prepared mind"    -Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)

Thanks to Mark Jensen from the Podsqod podcast for setting me in motion for this episode! 

There are lots of reasons why new and existing businesses should create formal Business Plans:

In this show you'll learn about the 6 components of a good Business Plan.  I'll complete the Time Managment Tip about overcoming procrastination that we started back in Show #12.

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A big Thank You to all new podcast subscribers.  If you want to leave a message with any questions, comments, or show feedback - call 206-350-0337. 
Head over to my podcast page on iTunes to subscribe or write a review of the show.

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-The Nature of Success
-Business Ethics listener poll results
-Time Management Quick Tip

Welcome to the MBA Working Girl Podcast - Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide!  I'm your host, Laura Adams.

Our mission is to bring you tips and information to help you take your career to the next level.  Be more effective.  Get a promotion.  Become a better manager.  Make your business more profitable.

Thanks to coolpodcasts for posting a review about the show!  Here's what they had to say: 
"This podcast is for those who are not pursuing an MBA program but want to know what it is to be one...  (it) provides great learning tools and information about real business school theory and actual business practice. And whether you are a working adult, part-time or a full-time MBA student, listenening to this podcast will surely help you to become a better and more improved professional."


"To follow, without halt, one aim:  there's the secret of success"  -Anna Pavlova (1881-1931)

An article titled "Success is Made, Not Born... Just Ask Bill Gates and Warren Buffet" by Tim Appelo in the latest Success Magazine inspired this show.  Tune in to find the secrets of success!

In show #11 I asked who you thought was more likely to compromise Business Ethics - entry level managers OR more highly compensated managers.  I'll share results from an Industy Week survey that interviewed 1300 managers to find out.

And the Time Management QT is about a dirty word called procrastination...

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Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Business Ethics and Theories
-Making Ethical Decisions
-Who's most likely to compromise Business Ethics?
-Time Management Quick Tip

Welcome to the MBA Working Girl Podcast - Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide!  I'm your host, Laura Adams.

Our mission is to bring you tips and information to help you take your career to the next level.  Be more effective.  Get a promotion.  Become a better manager.  Make your business more profitable.

"Always do right--this will gratify some and astonish the rest"  -Mark Twain (1835-1910)

In this show we'll cover what Business Ethics is and what it's not.   There's really no clear definition or description of the ingredients for good business ethics.  But I'll share the 2 major schools of thought and give you guidance for how to make ethical decisions.

I'm taking a LISTENER POLL to the answer to this question:
Who is more likely to compromise Business Ethics -
Entry Level Managers   OR    Highly Compensated Managers?

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Don't forget to sign up for the MBA Essential Tip - it's bonus show content, plus notification of newly published shows.

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura
 

-Strategic Management
-5 Steps of Strategic Planning
-Mission Statements revealed

Welcome to the MBA Working Girl Podcast - Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide!  I'm your host, Laura Adams.

Our mission is to bring you tips and information to help you take your career to the next level.  Be more effective.  Get a promotion.  Become a better manager.  Make your business more profitable.


"A goal without a plan is just a wish"   -Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944)

Strategic Management is applicable to anyone who wants to accomplish something in business or in life.  I'm excited to bring you this topic because it can create success for huge organizations as well as for individuals!

Listen to the show to learn the 5 steps of strategic planning.  The first is the most important:  Creating a Mission Statement. 
We'll cover the 3 components of a well-crafted Mission Statement.  Use this to focus your vision for your business or personal life.

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If you're enjoying the podcasts, take a moment to help me with one of my goals by posting a good review in iTunes.  Click here to go to my iTunes podcast page.

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-The Marketing Concept
-Different Marketing Philosophies
-Key to Superior Customer Service

Welcome to the MBA Working Girl Podcast - Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide!  I'm your host, Laura Adams.

Our mission is to bring you tips and information to help you take your career to the next level.  Be more effective.  Get a promotion.  Become a better manager.  Make your business more profitable.

"Drive thy business or it will drive thee"   -Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

What Marketing is, and who is involved with it, can be a difficult boundary to define.  It's actually much more comprehensive than just pushing products or explaining benefits.

In this podcast, you'll learn about the four different Marketing Philosophies.  Plus, the key ingredient to providing Superior Customer Service.

Do you think that "the customer is always right"?  You may be surprised at my opinion of this modern slogan that we hear so much.

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MBA WGP "subscriptions" in iTunes or other podcast directories such as Yahoo or Juice are always free of charge.  Subscribing is a listener convenience that allows you to receive fresh content as soon as it's published.  Feedback is always welcome at !

THANKS FOR LISTENING-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Bad Communication habits
-What determines the Interest Rate?

Welcome to the MBA Working Girl Podcast - Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide!  I'm your host, Laura Adams.

Our mission is to bring you tips and information to help you take your career to the next level.  Be more effective.  Get a promotion.  Become a better manager.  Make your business more profitable.

"Money alone sets all the world in motion"  -Publius Syrus (1st c. BC)

If you communicate with uncertainty or a lack of power, you have a bad communication habit that needs to be corrected.  Always speak firmly and positively, with the implication that YOU have control over your actions and choices.  I give some examples in the podcast.

This show covers the determinants of the Interest Rate in very easy to understand terms.  See what affects both the demand for and supply of money in our economy. 

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A big Thank You to all listeners - I'd love to hear your suggestions for future show topics.  Email me at .

Do Good Work, Laura

-Your Job Search, what to consider?
-Benefits of Large vs. Small Companies
-Answer to Financial Quiz

Welcome to the MBA Working Girl Podcast - Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide!

Our mission is to bring you tips and information to help you take your career to the next level. Be more effective. Get a promotion. Become a better manager. Make your business more profitable.

"There is no security on this earth, there is only opportunity" - General Douglas MacArthur (1880 - 1964)

Should you look for positions with large, well-known companies or consider positions with smaller businesses? We'll talk about some pros and cons of working for each in the podcast.

The bottom line when considering job offers: you must look carefully at the entire package!

ANSWER TO THE FINANCIAL QUIZ from Show #6 - $13,173,937

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If you enjoy the podcasts, remember that subscribing at iTunes or your favorite podcatcher is always free. You can take the shows with you on your iPod or other portable media player - or listen directly from your computer.

Feel free to email your questions or comments to .

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-Personal Financial Management
-Workplace Retirement plans explained
-How does your Net Worth stack up?
-Take a quick Financial Quiz

Welcome to the MBA Working Girl Podcast - Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide!

Our mission is to bring you tips and information to help you take your career to the next level. Be more effective. Get a promotion. Become a better manager. Make your business more profitable.

"To get ahead, get started"        -Laura Adams (that's me!)

This episode discusses the main types of Retirement plans available in the workplace. You'll learn why it's more important than ever to participate and start getting ahead.

Have you ever wondered how you're doing financially as compared to the average American? I'll share some information with you to help you see how you stack up.

TAKE A QUICK FINANCIAL QUIZ:
If you invest $1,000 for your one year old child on their birthday each year, and the average return each year is 12% - approximately how much will the investment be worth when the child reaches age 65?

IF YOU'RE NOT SURE HOW TO CALCULATE THIS-
Check out dollartimes.com

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The first person to email me the correct quiz answer wins a $10 gift certificate to Amazon.com!!! 

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

-The Efficient Market Principle
-Secret to making unusually High Profits
-Funny (but embarrassing) resume typos

Welcome to the MBA Working Girl Podcast - Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide!

Our mission is to bring you tips and information to help you take your career to the next level.  Be more effective. Get a promotion. Become a better manager. Make your business more profitable.

"He who hesitates is last"     -Mae West (1892-1980)

This podcast discusses an advanced Economic topic, called the Efficient Market Principle, using an easy to understand example.  You'll learn about what's required to make unusually high profits in any industry or marketplace.

Hear some funny resume typos - I hope none of them are yours!

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If you enjoy the podcasts, remember that subscribing at iTunes or your favorite podcatcher is always free.  You can take the shows with you on your iPod or other portable media player - or listen directly from your computer.

Feel free to email your questions or comments to

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

Show #4:

Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide!

Our mission is to bring you information to help you take your career to the next level. Be more effective. Get a promotion. Become a better manager. Make your business more profitable.

"No one can whistle a symphony"  - Halford E. Luccock (1885-1960)

In the podcast we'll distinguish between groups and teams.  We'll cover Team Fundamentals and what specific benefits successful teams bring to organizations.

I'll also tell you how much extra income is the result of having an  advanced college degree....

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If you enjoy the podcast, I'd love to hear from you!  Please email me at or post a review on iTunes. We're featured on the New and Notable header in the Business-Careers category.

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura

Show #3:

Our mission is to bring you information to help you take your career to the next level. Be more effective. Get a promotion. Become a better manager.  Make your business more profitable.

"The future depends on what we do in the present"  -Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948)

Every one of us makes hundreds of decisions each day.  When we must make decisions that have large consequences for ourselves or for our organization, it's helpful to understand the process of decision making.  There are five basic steps that we'll review in the podcast...

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If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to put in a good review for us at iTunes. We're featured on the New and Notable header in the Business-Careers category!

Thanks for listening-
Do Good Work, Laura
mbaworkinggirl.com

Welcome to the MBA Working Girl Podcast
Where Business Theory and the Real World Collide

Show #2:

- Leadership - the What & Whys

- Nature vs. Nurture - Can leadership be taught?

                  
Our mission is to bring you information to help you take your career to the next level.  Be more effective.  Get a promotion.  Become a better manager.  Make your business more profitable. 

A leader is a dealer in hope   -Napoleon Bonaparte  (1769-1821)

 
Leadership is an interesting topic because there are conflicting theories about what makes a good leader.  There are also differing definitions of what leadership really is.  Some believe that leaders are born with their gifts, so if you don't have the genetics you're simply out of luck.  Others believe leadership can be learned no matter what your personality style.  We'll talk in the podcast about which camp is right...

 

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If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to put in a good review for us at itunes, where I'm pleased to be featured on the New and Notable header in the Business-Careers category!

Thanks for listening!
Do Good Work, Laura

Welcome to the MBA Working Girl Podcast -
Where Business Theory & the Real World Collide

Show #1: Our mission is to bring you tips and information that will help you take your career to the next level. Be more effective. Get a promotion. Become a better manager. Make your business more profitable.

Much wisdom often goes with little words   -Sophocles