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Friday, August 31, 2012

EXPLAINING THE "QUEEN CITY"

BRYCE ON OUR CHANGING WORLD

- On the banks of the Ohio River: Cincinnati, the "Queen."

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.


Prior to moving to the Tampa Bay area of Florida, I lived in Cincinnati, Ohio for 17 years. During this period, I went to high school, graduated from college, and we started our business which we subsequently moved to Florida. Quite often I am asked to describe what life is like in the "Queen City," representing the city's nickname ("Queen City to the West" to be precise). I have lived in quite a few locations throughout the country, not to mention visiting many more, but Cincinnati was a unique experience that is difficult to describe; instead, you have an intuitive feeling that is difficult to articulate. Such is Cincinnati. There is just something "different" about it. It is certainly not like Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Akron, or any other city in Ohio. It is unique. For example, most cities have their airport near the downtown area; Cincinnati's is across the river in Kentucky, not Ohio. The airport designation "CVG" doesn't mean "Cincinnati Vicinity G???", but "Covington" instead (Kentucky) thereby representing an interesting political chapter in Cincinnati's history.

The city rests on the northern shores of the Ohio River in the Southwest corner of Ohio, adjoining Kentucky and Indiana making up the "Tri-State" area. It was settled in the late 1700's, and it was a frontier town that made good. So good, it quickly became the crossroads of America, where settlers traveled through on their way to the western frontier. The city prospered so much in the early days, the federal government seriously considered moving the capitol there after the British burned Washington during the War of 1812, thereby eliminating the potential of attack by the sea. This, of course, never transpired but Cincinnati continued to grow nevertheless. By 1870 it represented the mean center of U.S. population. Today, the Queen City is strategically located within a 700 mile radius of two-thirds of the industrial wealth of Canada and the United States, making it an ideal locale for conducting business.

The city has a strong German heritage based on immigrants settling there and setting up shop. Breweries grew, shipping and manufacturing proliferated, and for a long time was called "Porkopolis" because of the pork processing plants there. Even to this day, Cincinnati's strong work ethic, food, and general attitudes can be attributed to its German roots.

Seven hills surround the city making up a valley that traps pollutants and humidity, and explains why it has evolved into a "Sinus Gulch" where the inhabitants suffer from an annoying nasal "Sniff" heard throughout the day. During the summer, the weather can be stifling; in the winter, the valley can retain the cold. Spring and Autumn are perhaps the two most scenic and enjoyable seasons.

Cincinnati has a unique sight, sound, smell, and even taste to it. From an architecture perspective, the city has everything from massive mansions made of brick and hidden away in country settings, to simple turn-of-the century wooden structures with steep roofs and front porches that dominate the neighborhoods. Television is rather unique, or at least was a few years ago. Considerable television innovations originated from the Queen City and, for a long time, local talent dominated the channels with homespun humor and a blend of bluegrass and midwest music. Natives fondly remember people like Bob Braun, Paul Dixon, Bob Shreve, Glenn Ryle, and "The Cool Ghoul." However, celebrities such as Steven Spielberg, Jerry Springer, Doris Day, Roy Rogers, and the Clooney family all started here as well. Alas, the locals eventually gave way to national programming and the Cincinnati character faded from television screens. Fortunately, local radio stations still feature homegrown personalities.

Over the years Cincinnati has had many breweries due to its German heritage. One by one, they were all pushed aside by national brewers. Names like Burger, Hudepohl, Schoenling, and Wiedemannn slowly faded away. In terms of food, Cincinnatians enjoy their restaurants. Since there are no real glamor places to relax locally, particularly in winter, there isn't much to do but tuck away the groceries. In addition to having some of the finest restaurants in the country, the fare is based on its "Porkopolis" past, featuring a variety of sausages, ribs, and a breakfast meat called "Goetta" which is similar to Philadelphia Scrapple, but made with pinhead oats instead. Cincinnati chili is also unique. Do not expect a bowl of hot spicy meat. Instead, it is served on a bed of spaghetti, with a layer of onions, a layer of kidney beans, and topped with a bed of grated American cheese.

Even driving around town is strangely different in Cincinnati. Instead of a cut-throat rush hour in the morning, Cincinnatians seem to just quietly go about their business in the morning and possess an intuitive understanding of every twist, turn, and back alley to be navigated in the city. It is also common to see motorists stop to give aid to other motorists in trouble.

What this all adds up to is a strong sense of neighborhood in Cincinnati which took me a long time to figure out. At first it seems elitist in nature. The citizens genuinely love their hometown, particularly their sports teams (e.g, the Reds and Bengals), local celebrities, and hometown boys and girls that make good on the national stage. It's no small wonder many people grow up and never leave Cincinnati, nor understand why people want to leave. It's very introverted in this regard. Should you move to the area, as we did many years ago, you must adapt to the culture for it will certainly not adapt to you.

Not surprising, Cincinnati is conservative in both its thinking and politics. They simply do not like to change. This has hurt them on more than one occasion, particularly the downtown area which has lost considerable business over the years to Northern Kentucky. When I return to my old neighborhood there, it is like time has stood still; nothing of substance has changed. I know where everything is and all of the names of the families. Although I've been gone for over a quarter of a century now, it is like I never left. Although it may take an act of God to implement a change to Cincinnati, such as a new building, road or restaurant, the citizens remarkably embrace it. On the one hand, Cincinnatians give the appearance of being "stick in the muds," but on the other they are some rather creative innovators and inventors. In addition to television and radio, Cincinnati is home to massive jet engines, consumer products, machine tools, banks and insurance companies, and some rather impressive computer technology. Their strong and determined work ethic, coupled with a competitive imagination, and strategic location in the country to conduct business, makes Cincinnati a stable work environment.

As an aside, it is relatively easy to recognize a person from the Queen City. They will say "Please?" instead of "I beg your pardon?" or "Huh?" I haven't heard this specific idiom used anywhere else in this context. Also, true native Cincinnatians tend to say "CincinnatAH" as opposed to "CincinnatEE." It's a dead giveaway as to their roots. "Sniff".

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.










Copyright © 2012 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

THE FACTS ABOUT: IMMIGRATION

BRYCE ON POLITICS

- Don't trust the media, here's how to look it up yourself.

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.


This is the fourth installment of my series regarding how to research the facts about America in order to make an intelligent voting decision in the fall (my first three installments discussed Unemployment, the Economy, and Taxes). Basically, this is a recognition the press and politicians cannot be trusted to present the facts fairly or without spin to the public. The intent, therefore, is to provide voters with the best available tools to discover the truth for themselves.

Illegal immigration is an important campaign issue. Americans are apprehensive about immigrants coming into the country unabated, thereby taking jobs away from legal citizens and capitalizing on benefits paid for by American taxpayers. Further, there is a legitimate concern about illegal immigrants voting in the upcoming election which has sparked a controversy over voter registration.

According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform (see below) there are 13 million illegals currently in the country (others put it higher) costing U.S. taxpayers an average amount of $1,117 per household. Don't take my word for it though, or the media's for that matter, but check it out yourself.

As with all government agencies, there is a plethora of information available to you which can be difficult to navigate through. The place to start though is:

U.S. BUREAU OF THE CENSUS, under the U.S. Department of Commerce.
CENSUS: FOREIGN BORN POPULATION - report
CENSUS: FOREIGN BORN POPULATION - data for use in spreadsheets and data bases.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) - is a far reaching organization which closely monitors immigration for security purposes.
DHS IMMIGRATION STATISTICS
DHS YEARBOOK OF IMMIGRATION STATISTICS - reports and data files

U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE), under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
ICE REMOVAL STATISTICS - removal of illegal aliens.
U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES - provides information on laws, regulations and interpretations controlling immigration


ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION STATISTICS - discusses the cost of illegal immigration
MPI DATA HUB - migration facts, stats and maps

IMMIGRATION COUNTERS - interesting numbers that roll before your eyes.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES - listing voter identification requirements

As I said in my other installments, don't wait for the media or politicians to make up your mind for you. Look it up yourself.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com
For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.














Copyright © 2012 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Monday, August 27, 2012

PROVOCATION & THE OWS TAMPA

BRYCE ON POLITICS

- Tampa welcomes Occupy Wall Street to the RNC.

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

The 2012 riot season officially opens today, aka "Occupy the Republican National Convention" here in Tampa, but before I go into this, let me preface my remarks by recounting a recent incident which happened to me on Facebook. As you probably know, I typically do not joust with my editorial antagonists. If they want to discuss things calmly and respectfully, I'm happy to oblige them, but this never seems to happen. Instead, they use venomous attack tactics in an attempt to provoke some form of response from me. I learned a long time ago to turn the other cheek but on one recent occasion, I was provoked into an argument where I eventually called my opponent a "clod." In hindsight, I am embarrassed by my slip and now understand what Rush Limbaugh went through when he had a slip of the tongue a few months back. Basically, we both lost our cool and lowered ourselves to the level of our opponents. The temptation was simply too great to overcome and we slipped, embarrassingly. I then realized my acid tongued adversary was capitalizing on my venue to try to discredit me. Consequently, I removed his comments and blocked him from further discourse.

The tactics of the left are simple: attack anything that moves. Attack even if your argument is irrational or baseless. Attack to generate attention from the main street media. Attack as a diversionary tactic; to distract the public from other more pertinent subjects. And attack to provoke a response from your opponents. Arguing with them is pointless as their minds are already on lockdown. By succumbing to their attacks and engaging them, you inevitably play by their rules and their objectives are met. It is therefore important the anticipated provocations of the Occupy the RNC be met with appropriate resistance. If the police can get them to respect the law, if the media gives them minimal coverage, and if we all simply ignore their convoluted protests, their impact will be defused. However, if the Occupiers clash with police or the local citizenry, and riots ensue, it could become extremely ugly.

There are already indications the Occupy RNC group's plans are designed to provoke a response. For example, their first march, entitled "March for our Lives" is scheduled for 3-5:30pm, just in time for the prime time news networks. According to their web site, "This is a March of the Homeless, the Poor, the Unemployed and Supporters to call for a STOP TO ALL FORECLOSURES, STOP THE CRIMINALIZATION OF THE POOR AND HOMELESS, HOUSING AND FOOD ARE HUMAN RIGHTS!!" Interestingly, they openly admit they do not have a permit to march, yet plan on proceeding anyway. Translation: a face-off with the police is in the offing. Later this evening, there will be a "Roving Radical Dance Party" which will undoubtedly represent mayhem in downtown Tampa. Downtown businesses are bracing for the worst.

The emphasis appears to be aimed at the Republicans, not the Democrats. Even though the Occupy Wall Street official web site claims protests are planned for both Tampa and Charlotte, it is obvious the GOP is being targeted as there is little on their web sites to describe the "March on the Democrats," as opposed to a ton of material aimed at the Republicans. One could conclude that despite their claims of neutrality, these self-proclaimed anarchists have become an organ of the Democratic Party. I find this particularly disturbing since it was the policies of the current administration that is causing a lot of their problems.

My only concern about the Occupiers protest in Tampa is that a "clod" will start a riot, begin looting stores, throw a Molotov cocktail, or pull the trigger on a gun. I honestly hope this doesn't happen but if it does, I know force will be met with force, both by the police and possibly by the citizenry. If the Occupiers start something, I am confident others will finish it. Frankly, I do not like sitting on a powder keg that could conceivably become the next "shot heard around the world."

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.





Copyright © 2012 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Friday, August 24, 2012

FLY FISHING IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

BRYCE ON OUR CHANGING WORLD

- Beware of hatchery fed trout.

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

I have been fortunate over the years to fish in a variety of locations throughout the country. You may remember me discussing my passion in "Fly Fishing at St. Timothy's." The last few years though I have primarily been concentrating on the streams in the picturesque mountains of western North Carolina or as it is better known down south as the "Florida Riviera." While northern tourists come to Florida during the winter, Floridians tend to gravitate to the Carolinas and Tennessee for their getaways.

Unlike Florida which is an extremely flat state, North Carolinians build their homes in mountainous terrain that only a billy goat can navigate. Instead of placing their houses on level terra firma, the locals have a propensity for building them in the most awkward places possible. Driveways have steep inclines with twists and turns that would probably stump Harry Houdini. Despite this, during the summer months the foliage is in full bloom, a variety of butterflies start their mating ritual, soft breezes blow through wooden front porches, and the melodic sound of nearby mountain streams can be heard just about everywhere.

The streams themselves are shaded with cool, clear mountain water providing refuge for our adversary, the rainbow trout. In a way, they remind me of the streams in Connecticut where I grew up and would swim, fish, and make rock dams in the streams. The water was crystal clear and the cool waters felt delicious on a hot day. The rocks in the stream can be treacherous, so you are always mindful of wearing appropriate boots or water shoes to avoid slipping. In my case, I have some old mountain boots I like to wear with wool socks to keep me warm. They have served me well over the past twenty years, but this time I found they tended to weigh me down as I trudged in and out of streams. Frankly, I felt like I was wearing ten pound wingtips. I think it's finally time to trade up to something lighter and more comfortable.

Some fly fishermen consider the sport an art form. As for me, I am there to fish, not to paint. True, I love to be out in the wild with my rod and reel, a good cigar, and no phones, but I tend to be more pragmatic about it. Fly fishing requires you to become a traveling salesman. If the customer doesn't like your product, you have to either keep moving along and knock on another door or change the product on display. In less than sixty seconds I can determine if the fishing spot holds any potential. If it doesn't, I move along or change my fly. Others can take what seems like an eternity to make up their mind; they may be persistent but rarely are they rewarded.

Although I have had success in the mountains in the past, on a recent visit I came up empty. So much so, I started to believe the North Carolina fish hatcheries had somehow trained the fish to ignore flies and, in a way, I was right. My friends and I heard the state hatcheries department had released some trout upstream from us and we eventually stumbled upon a half dozen of them in the clear waters. We then set about catching them as quietly as possible. One by one, we gently floated our flies just a few inches above their heads. They evidently were not impressed and ignored our advances. We then tried a variety of different flies, but to no avail. Becoming desperate, we started to try other methods to catch them, including spinners, plugs, a hook and worm, even a piece of beef jerky. Time and again, the result was the same: Nada. I would have even tried a small piece of Spam had it been available but I am certain it wouldn't have changed the outcome, they just let it pass indifferently under their noses.

Later that evening, we came upon a native whom we explained our dilemma to. He was not surprised by our failure and even seemed to relish in our frustration. He then went on to explain how the state feeds the hatchlings which consisted of small pellets containing a tiny white grub or worm that emerges upon hitting the water. Frankly, we didn't stand a chance. It was like stalking our prey with filet mignon when they had been weaned on Captain Crunch. Fortunately, we changed tactics and moved elsewhere, but it took us awhile to improve our disposition.

For three days, I clomped around the streams of western North Carolina, wearing clunky footwear and a fishing vest loaded with enough gear to equip a small RV. I am my own worst enemy in this regard. Between the slippery rocks in the stream, heavy equipment, and a growing case of arthritis, I discovered I was no longer as spry as I once was. Now and then, I would just stop and enjoy the calming and therapeutic effect of the cool waters which refreshed me. It was only on the last day of my trip did I shed myself of the gear, the ancient boots, and began to enjoy fishing again. "Simplify" was my mantra for the day which produced beneficial results. Instead of worrying about hatchery-fed fish, I concentrated on the basics. Like Willy Loman, I just knocked on a lot of doors and kept moving along enjoying the great outdoors.

North Carolina is a wonderful place to fish, you just have to be a little smarter than your adversary.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2012 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

THE FACTS ABOUT: TAXES

BRYCE ON POLITICS

- Don't trust the media, here's how to look it up yourself.

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

This is the third installment of my series regarding how to research the facts about America in order to make an intelligent voting decision in the fall (my first two installments discussed Unemployment and the Economy). Basically, this is a recognition the press and politicians cannot be trusted to present the facts fairly or without spin to the public. The intent, therefore, is to provide voters with the best available tools to discover the truth for themselves.

This particular section will concentrate on taxes, particularly income taxes which, of course, falls under the jurisdiction of...

Tax Stats - self explanatory.
Basic Tables: Returns Filed and Sources of Income (in MS Excell format)

THE FEDERATION OF TAX ADMINISTRATORS (FTA) - governed by an eighteen-member Board of Trustees composed of tax administrators representing all regions of the country. The Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service is an ex-officio board member.
FTA STATE TAX DATA - excellent summary tables, revenues, and other surveys.


NATIONAL TAXPAYERS UNION (NTU) - America's independent, non-partisan advocate for overburdened taxpayers.
NTU Who Pays Income Taxes?
NTU - In Your State
NTU - News and Issues (on all taxes)

TAX POLICY CENTER (a joint venture of the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution)
TAX FACTS

U.S. GOVERNMENT REVENUE - a compilation of data by Christopher Chantrill
Income Tax History

SALES TAX INSTITUTE - includes state rates

CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICES (CSR) - reports for the taxpayers
CRS REPORT - REDUCING THE BUDGET DEFICIT, POLICY ISSUES - discusses the cutting of taxes

Most of the data presented by the government is difficult to wade through and digest, almost by design. Is it perhaps because they do not want us to know it? As I said in my other installments, don't wait for the media or politicians to make up your mind for you. Look it up yourself.

"Taxation without representation is tyranny." - James Otis, Jr. (around 1761)

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.













Copyright © 2012 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

NEXT UP:  FLY FISHING IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA - Beware of hatchery fed trout.

Also look for Tim's postings in the Palm Harbor Patch and throughout the Internet.

Monday, August 20, 2012

SHAPETH UP AND GETITH THINE ACT TOGETHER

BRYCE ON MANAGEMENT

- Some tricks of the trade for being productive.

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.


My friends and colleagues often ask me how I am able to produce so much in so little time. Although I am flattered by such compliments, it's really not much of a secret which I attribute to the following areas (in no particular order):

* A strong sense of organization and prioritization which has been ingrained in me over the years during my professional development. Basically, I had good mentors who taught me what was right and what was wrong, what was important and what was not, and how to best spend my time and how to avoid wasting it. This included being sensitive to schedules and commitments, particularly those of customers. Call me old-fashioned, but I still believe that a person's word should be his bond. My company has now been in business for 41 years and in all of that time we have never failed to meet a customer commitment. This is something I am particularly proud of.

* Training and experience. Although I have a college degree, I recognize I am far from being perfect, and smart enough to learn from my mistakes as well as others. I network, I listen, I learn, and I believe we're never too old to learn a new trick. As such, I am a firm believer in continuous improvement and set aside time to stay abreast of industry developments. I guess what I'm saying is that you have to exert yourself and exercise some intellectual curiosity as opposed to sitting like a vegetable and hoping someone will spoonfeed you. They won't.

* Use of standard and reusable methodologies. I recognize the value of uniformity and standardization in work effort and understand its impact on productivity. I am also not a big believer in reinventing the wheel with each project. If something has been tried and proven, I will use it unabashedly, regardless if it is old or out of fashion. I am more interested in results. This also means I am a student of history in my field and have noted successes as well as failures.

* Competency in the use of technology. I am sure my early indoctrination in computing has materially assisted me in my work effort over the years. In particular, one thing technology taught me was the concept of multitasking; not just what I do on the computer, but also how I work in general. More importantly, I do not fear technology and am always looking for new ways for it to assist me. Make no mistake though, I have been burned on more than one occasion by new technology, particularly in the use of beta-releases. Consequently, I am less likely to migrate to something new until it has proven itself as a viable alternative. In other words, I have to trust the technology before I make it a normal part of my operations.

* Avoiding complicated solutions. I tend to believe the best solutions are simple ones. Some people have the curious habit of making life more complicated than what is really necessary. As for me, I have always sought pragmatic solutions as opposed to wallowing in technical detail. True, there may be situations where there are many elements to be addressed by a single problem. In this event, controls have to be enacted to manage complexity, but in all my years in this industry, I have never encountered a technical problem that couldn't be conquered with a little imagination, some concentrated effort, and a lot of good old-fashioned management.

* Caring about what you produce; which I consider to be of paramount importance. If you do not have the determination or dedication to see something through to its successful completion, no amount of technology will expedite the assignment. To me, your work is a reflection of your character and how you will be judged by others. Interestingly, some people do not make this connection and put forth little effort. Caring about your work makes you more resourceful than others as you are concerned with doing whatever is necessary to get the job done. Ultimately, your work is a reflection of your value system which will become obvious to your coworkers and your boss.

Bottom-line, my productivity is based on my sense of organization and discipline I learned at home, in school and in the workplace. Fortunately, I believe I had some very good teachers along the way. The one thing I have learned is that you make money when you are organized and waste money when you aren't.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.








Copyright © 2012 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Friday, August 17, 2012

THE GOOD NEIGHBOR

BRYCE ON OUR CHANGING WORLD

- The joy and benefits of a little cooperation.

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.


Every now and then I take an elderly friend home from my Masonic lodge (I'll pick them up as well). If they need help getting into the house, I do so. If I am just dropping them off, I make sure they get inside the front door before I leave. For friends who are away from home on vacation or business, I check their houses at night to make sure everything is alright. If they ask me, I pick up their newspapers in the driveway as well as the mail. If they need to be dropped off at the airport or picked up, I'm glad to oblige. On a few occasions I have mowed the lawns for my neighbors when it got too long and someone failed to cut it. Every now and then I am called upon to help move something heavy at a neighbor's house or assist in some awkward task, such as helping my neighbor get her gravely ill husband back into bed after he had fallen out. All of these acts are appreciated and not taken for granted by my acquaintances. I certainly do not expect any recognition or compensation for this other than they reciprocate in kind. However, most respond by remembering to buy me a good cigar which I certainly appreciate. I do not consider this an imposition as they are good friends and neighbors.

I am not sure where I learned to be a good neighbor, probably from emulating my parents who did likewise over the years. As I was growing up in the various communities throughout the United States there was always a sense of community, that you kept an eye out for your neighbor and helped out where needed. During the Great Snow of Chicago in 1967, the roads were clogged with snow. Adults and kids helped clear driveways, and checked on neighbors to make sure they were alright. Some would take sleds and trudge to the grocery stores to pick up basic food supplies, not just for themselves but many others as well. Everything closed down during that storm, including schools, businesses, transportation, etc. I have never seen anything quite like it since. This resulted in some of the best block parties as the neighbors were determined to socialize as opposed to being trapped in their houses.

Disasters, such as tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes and flooding, seem to bring out both the best and worst in us in this country. Sure there are those who loot and take advantage of emergency services unnecessarily, but most of us seem to be more than willing to lend a helping hand in the face of disaster, be it in distributing food and supplies, fixing a roof, using a chainsaw, clearing debris, offering transportation services, helping people find shelters, tending to pets, donating clothing, or whatever. How we respond is truly admirable. Such response represents our compassion for humanity.

I only wonder why it takes a disaster to behave this way and why we are not like this the rest of the year. Many people today believe volunteerism is for chumps and won't extend the most basic courtesies to their neighbors, be it nothing more than a simple greeting. I fear though, common courtesy is no longer common, nor is it being taught by parents. I do it, not because of my parents or anyone else. I just realized it is the right thing to do, and believe it or not, it is not costly or painful. I certainly do not feel like a "chump" when I volunteer my services, and feel sorry for those who do not as they will never realize the benefits of cooperation.

As I write this, I am reminded of the old Frank Capra movie, "Meet John Doe," starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck, where a grassroots movement is started to promote good citizenship. A John Doe philosophy then spreads like wildfire across the nation, and clubs sprang up to promote the concept of being a good neighbor. It may sound naive, but maybe we need some more John Doe Clubs to again learn to "Be a better neighbor."

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.





Copyright © 2012 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

THE FACTS ABOUT: THE ECONOMY

BRYCE ON POLITICS

- Don't trust the media, here's how to look it up yourself.

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

This is the second installment of my series regarding how to research the facts about America in order to make an intelligent voting decision in the fall (my first section discussed Unemployment). Basically, this is a recognition the press and politicians cannot be trusted to present the facts fairly or without spin to the public. The intent, therefore, is to provide voters with the best available tools to discover the truth for themselves.

The national economy is a rather large and complex issue. Even respected economists argue over what is good or bad. There are many dimensions to it: Gross Domestic Product (which measures our output), exports, manufacturing, the Consumer Price Index (which gauges inflation), the federal debt and deficit, government spending, and more. Consequently, there is no single graph to accurately depict the state of the economy. However, the responsibility for assembling data for the government falls primarily upon the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), under the U.S. Department of Commerce. The links provided herein are the same ones the press and politicians use to accumulate data.


There is a ton of data to wade through here and the site is not the most user-friendly to navigate, but with a little patience, and the following links, there is no need to be intimidated.

BEA BLOG - a simple blog used to distribute news. There is a "Follow" button which provides you with an e-mail notification whenever the blog is updated. I suggest you use it.

BEA NEWS RELEASES includes more news, along with contact information for inquiries.

BEA U.S. ECONOMY AT A GLANCE - handy economic summaries including graphs.

BEA NATIONAL INCOME AND PRODUCT ACCOUNTS TABLE - an extensive listing of data for viewing or downloading. (Be sure to see "Table 1.1.1. Percent Change From Preceding Period in Real Gross Domestic Product")

BEA INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN GOODS AND SERVICES - summarizes imports and exports.

BEA CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) - monthly data used to compute inflation.

BEA MANUFACTURING - an extensive listing of reports and data pertaining to the manufacturing sector.
As useful as the Bureau of Economic Analysis is, it can be overwhelming to the average person. Fortunately, there are other handy resources available on the Internet:

GOVERNMENT REVENUE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - Christopher Chantrill's compilation of government data which is perhaps easier to wade through.

Be sure to see his CHART WIZARD which is handy for analyzing data, either specific reports or do-it-yourself.

GOVERNMENT DEBT - is similar to "Government Revenue" with reports and tools for producing graphs.

GOVERNMENT DEFICIT - a subset of "Government Debt."

DEBT AND DEFICIT HISTORY - also a subset of "Government Debt" - includes important historical insight about this subject.

SPENDING - another subset of "Government Debt" and includes additional historical background.

EXPORTS - from the "CIA FactBook," a ranking of the chief exporters in the world. That's right, it is the CIA's job to monitor such activity (go figure).

INFLATION - provided by Capital Professional Services, LLC. - tracks the inflation rate since January 2000.

CONSTRUCTION - from the National Association for Home Builders - includes considerable statistics.

EXISTING HOME SALES - from the National Association for Realtors who is responsible for such reporting.

PRIME INTEREST RATE - Forget trying to find anything useful at the Fed's web site, here is the latest rate.

And in case you need a simple snapshot of what is going on in total, there is the U.S. DEBT CLOCK.

Yes, our economy is a large and complicated behemoth which can intimidate the best of economists. Such data resources are extremely useful for telling us where we've been, but not necessarily where we are going. I find it rather amusing that despite the intelligence of our economists and the sophisticated computer software available today, we still cannot accurately predict what it will do next.

As I said in my first installment, don't wait for the media or politicians to make up your mind for you. Look it up yourself.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com


For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

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Copyright © 2012 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Monday, August 13, 2012

PERSONALITY TYPES

BRYCE ON MANAGEMENT
- Of the four types, which one best describes you?

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

You will undoubtedly encounter many different types of personalities in the work place, each with their own unique blend of nuances. But there are four basic types of personalities from which they are based, which is commonly referred to as A, B, C, and D. Although volumes have been written on such personality traits, here is a synopsis:

Type "A" Personality - Is a highly independent and driven personality, typically representing the leaders in business. They are blunt, competitive, no-nonsense types who like to get to the point. They are also strong entrepreneurial spirits (risk takers). As such, they embrace change and are always looking for practical solutions for solving problems.

Type "B" Personality - Represents highly extroverted people who love the spotlight. Because of this, they are very entertaining and possess strong charisma (everyone likes to be around them). Small wonder these people are sales and marketing types. They thrive on entertaining people and are easily hurt if they cannot sway someone (such as "bombing" on stage).

Type "C" Personality - The antithesis of Type "B"; they are introverted detailists as represented by such people as accountants, programmers, and engineers. They may have trouble communicating to other people, but are a whirlwind when it comes to crunching numbers or writing program code. They tend to be very cautious and reserved, and will not venture into something until after all the facts have been checked out.

Type "D" Personality - Is best characterized as those people who resist any form of change and prefer the tedium of routine, such as in clerical assignments. They are not adventurous, resist responsibility and prefer to be told what to do.

It is not uncommon to find people with a blend of personalities, particularly A-B and C-D, but these basic personality types explain why some people work well together and others do not. For example Type-A clashes with Type-D simply because one is more adventurous than the other, and Type-B clashes with Type-C as one exhibits an extroverted personality and the other is introverted. Conversely, Type-A works well with Type-B, and Type-C works well with Type-D.

The leveling factor between these different personality types is Common Courtesy which will be the subject of another article.


Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.








Copyright © 2012 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Friday, August 10, 2012

SEX EDUCATION, THEN AND NOW

BRYCE ON OUR CHANGING WORLD

- Are we truly any smarter today?

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

I wonder how much of sex education is learned through television, the Internet, and movies these days? Probably more than we know. As a result, I suspect parents spend considerably less time discussing it with their children than my generation. Back in my day, sex was a subject few people openly discussed, but I'm sure they were just as preoccupied with it. Even though "Playboy" was coming into vogue, nobody discussed such things as erectile dysfunction, social diseases, or openly joked about human sexual anatomy as they do today on prime time. Bawdy jokes were told privately or in Las Vegas. Even tampon ads in magazines were considered risque. The movie "Goldfinger" broke a lot of ground in raising sexual awareness though. Everyone knew what "Pussy Galore" meant, and still chuckle about it to this day.

My father gave me "The Talk" about the birds and the bees somewhere around fifth grade and he treated it rather seriously and matter-of-factly. Prior to this, I hadn't given it much thought and was thereby surprised about the facts of life, particularly with the opposite sex. This was all reinforced a couple of years later when I was in Junior High School in Chicago. We were bused to the school on a Saturday morning, where the boys and girls were separated and listened to lectures on sex and watched an educational film. Interestingly, before the movie, the boys and girls joked around on the bus and sat together. However, on the trip home, the boys sat on one side of the bus, and the girls on the other; not a word was spoken by anyone. I presume the session had the desired effect the school administrators were looking for.

Following the class, our P.E. teachers would also provide some talks and film strips on sex education. I suspect the films were shown to the GI's in WW2 as they looked rather old and warned of the dangers of Syphilis and Gonorrhea. Afterwards, we all started to watch our scalps to make sure clumps of hair wouldn't fall out. It was also at this age when young men start wearing jock straps in gym class. There was an instance where a new kid came to our school and joined our class. In addition to the jock strap, his mother insisted he wear a condom. This really puzzled us. We all knew what the condom was for but were at a loss as to why she insisted on him wearing it in gym. Nobody sat next to him while we were changing.

During high school I played football and would naturally get quite dirty and sweaty. We all took showers afterwards and nobody thought twice about it. One of my teammates eventually became the Athletic Director at the school. When I went back to visit him years later, he gave me a tour of the old locker room where I noticed the shower room was shrunk in half. When I asked him about it, he told me nobody takes showers after a game or practice anymore as the kids have become rather "Homophobic." I just rolled my eyes and said, "Idiots."

Despite the absence of the active sexual climate in the media back then, we all got the message, be it from our parents, our school, or amongst ourselves, but I'm not sure it is like that anymore. I know of companies today where managers have to counsel young employees about their sex lives. The biggest danger seems to be they are misinformed about what they are doing, and are incredibly naive about birth control and social diseases. It seems odd a manager has to discuss such affairs with a worker but it is inevitable as many moms and dads have abdicated their parental duties in this regard. I suspect the same is true in the military where sergeants have to give advice, such as, "If you don't know what you're doing, keep it zipped."

Today we may be more sexually active in the media, but our young people appear to be ignorant of the basics when it comes to sex education, just the antithesis of my day. Now there are more sexually transmitted diseases, and we all want to be at the top of our game in sexual performance, at least that is what television tells us. I'm not sure which generation is more correctly "adjusted" to sex, but I sure loved that "Pussy Galore" gag.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2012 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

DO PINELLAS VOTERS FEEL ANY SAFER?

BRYCE ON GOVERNMENT

- With a tremendous backlog of outstanding warrants, taxpayers should be wondering.

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request

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The mantra for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) is "Leading The Way For A Safer Pinellas," but in lieu of some recent facts, you have to wonder.

There seems to be some confusion as to the number of outstanding arrest warrants in Pinellas County. Evidently, it is a subject the PCSO and the "Times" does not care to address. In researching warrants, I received a tip the County not only has a tremendous backlog, but very few are actually processed. For example, consider the number of warrants processed by the PCSO last month:
WARRANTS As of
7/5/2012
As of
8/8/2012
Difference
Felony14,82314,807-16
Traffic Felony49490
Misdemeanors32,25632,206-50
Misdemeanor Traffic4,7534,740-13
Juvenile12120
Local Ordinance4,6474,669+22
TOTAL56,54056,483-57

Actually, I would like to have someone from the PCSO verify these numbers, for if this is true, it should be of grave concern to the taxpayers. It is my understanding that not long ago there was a "No Warrants Squad" consisting of fourteen people charged with making such arrests, but was disbanded for some reason or other. Now, criminals are picked up only if law enforcement personnel happen to stop them by chance, such as for a traffic violation. No wonder the number of arrests last month are so low. Something doesn't add up.

WHERE IS DUSTIN SHAWN ZIRBES?

According to PCSO records, on July 3rd, Largo Police arrested Dustin Shawn Zirbes of Clearwater on one count of Grand Theft and three counts of Forged Bills, Checks, Drafts, Notes. He was processed throuugh the PCSO jail and was released on August 6th on his own recognizance (aka "ROR"), unsupervised. According to the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Zirbes has a rather lengthy rap sheet with thirteen felonies including domestic battery, robbery, sale of cocaine, grand theft, forgeries, not to mention serving time in Santa Rosa.

One can only wonder why such a person was released ROR unsupervised. Should he fail to appear at trial, a warrant will be issued for his arrest which will be added to the queue of warrants mentioned above. It is entirely conceivable he could walk away from all of this scot-free. Actually, Zirbes is not alone, there are many such cases in Pinellas County where people arrested on felonious charges and a lengthy rap sheet are being released on their own recognizance. This is indicative of a serious problem in the Pretrial System in this county, and something the "Times" conveniently overlooks.

When you take into consideration the large number of outstanding warrants in Pinellas County, the number of felons being released on their own recognizance, and that there are thirteen Internal Affairs investigations going on in the PCSO, the taxpayer should be wondering what is going on.

Everett Rice is challenging the current sheriff in the upcoming GOP primary. His critics claim police work has changed too much for Rice to assimilate. It's true technology changes at a rapid pace, but the principles of effective management does not. Micromanaging a department as large as the PCSO does not work. As Ronald Reagan said, "Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don't interfere." The problems being experienced in PCSO is of a management nature, not a technical one, something Rice is well versed in.

Vote in the Primary on Tuesday, August 14th. It's time for a change.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.










Copyright © 2012 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.


Wednesday, August 8, 2012

THE FACTS ABOUT: UNEMPLOYMENT

BRYCE ON POLITICS
- Don't trust the media, here's how to look it up yourself.

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request

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"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!" - The Wizard of Oz to Dorothy and her entourage.

As we approach the 2012 elections, voters are being bombarded with rhetoric from politicians who will either try to present facts supporting their policies or deceptive spin. So much so, it is easy for voters to become confused and not know who to trust. Education is critical to any voting decision, and we certainly cannot depend on the press or "think tanks" to present the facts with any unbiased accuracy. Therefore, the purpose of this column is to provide reliable references for voters to validate the data presented. This will be the first in a series of such reports which will provide such resources for key campaign issues such as Taxes, the Economy, Immigration, and Energy. Today, we will discuss unemployment which has been of paramount importance to this country for the last few years.

As a preface, I usually produce my columns well in advance of the actual publication date. For example, this piece was written in mid-July in-between reporting periods for the government's unemployment reports. As such, this narrative will use statistics for the June 2012 report as reported on July 6, 2012. (The most recent report will have been posted on August 3rd).

The responsibility for reporting unemployment at the federal government level is:

The BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, U.S. Department of Labor

This web site is considered the most authoritative source of unbiased labor related information. It is loaded with reports and tools for reporting on unemployment, productivity, pay, inflation, and much more. So vast is the amount of available statistics, it can become somewhat intimidating to navigate through the site. Fortunately, the cover of the site lists highlights, normally in date sequence. For example, it is here where you can easily access the latest "EMPLOYMENT SITUATION SUMMARY" which contains the lion's share of information the average citizen should be made aware of; to illustrate, here are some excerpts from the report:

"The number of unemployed persons (12.7 million) was essentially unchanged in June, and the unemployment rate held at 8.2 percent.

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for blacks (14.4 percent) edged up over the month, while the rates for adult men (7.8 percent), adult women (7.4 percent), teenagers (23.7 percent), whites (7.4 percent), and Hispanics (11.0 percent) showed little or no change. The jobless rate for Asians was 6.3 percent in June (not seasonally adjusted), little changed from a year earlier.
In June, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks and over) was essentially unchanged at 5.4 million. These individuals accounted for 41.9 percent of the unemployed.

Among the marginally attached, there were 821,000 discouraged workers in June, a decline of 161,000 from a year earlier. (These data are not seasonally adjusted.) Discouraged workers are persons not currently looking for work because they believe no jobs are available for them. The remaining 1.7 million persons marginally attached to the labor force in June had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey for reasons such as school attendance or family responsibilities."



The web site also produces some impressive tools for studying historical trends. For example, here is the "LABOR FORCE STATISTICS FROM THE CURRENT POPULATION SURVEY" (for the last ten years):

A similar ten year analysis is provided showing the "HIRE RATE."

There are also similar reports for job turnover, quitting rate, layoffs and discharges. See the "JOB OPENINGS AND LABOR TURNOVER SURVEY" for such data.

Also on the site, the "LOCAL AREA UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS" (LAUS) program produces monthly and annual employment, unemployment, and labor force data for states and various geographical regions. State governments, of course, have their own unemployment records, all of which are sent to the federal level which is analyzed in a consistent manner by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The data, in theory, should be reliable as it is produced by the federal and state governments. These are the same resources the politicians and media use to prepare their speeches and columns. However, there are other sources, such as opinion polls like GALLUP who keep a pulse of many issues of interest to the public, including UNEMPLOYMENT. Interestingly, their data does not necessarily match the federal government's, but provides some thought-provoking insight in terms of their projections.

If you wish to compare American unemployment to what is occurring in Europe, I suggest you reference the European Commission - "UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS," as sponsored by the European Union.

To find out the number of illegal aliens in the United States, presumably working in this country, check with the Department of Homeland Security. Their REPORT on "Estimates of the Unauthorized Immigrant Population Residing in the United States: January 2011" is based on data from the 2010 census.

The data and reports can become rather tedious and tiresome if you're not a statistician, but there is some excellent information available which I encourage you to seek out. It is the responsibility of you, the concerned citizen, to make an informed and educated decision, and nobody else. Don't wait for the media or politicians to make up your mind for you. Look it up yourself. Hopefully, this column will help point you in the right direction for making up your own mind.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.















Copyright © 2012 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Monday, August 6, 2012

TIM'S TRAVEL PLANNING CHECKLIST

BRYCE ON MANAGEMENT
- Don't leave home without it.

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request

.
Travel used to be fun and carefree; you grabbed your tickets, got on the airplane and off you went. Thanks to terrorists though, the TSA, and the dangerous world we now live in, it has become quite complicated. I have done my fair share of traveling over the years and learned a few things along the way, such as how to organize a trip with a minimum of headaches. Below is a checklist I use to mentally prepare myself. Now, I'm finally putting it to paper to perhaps make travel planning a little easier for others. This checklist is not designed to help you order tickets, only how to prepare for the trip after you have made the purchase decision. It will also not cover the items you can or cannot carry on to an aircraft (see the TSA for guidelines). If you have a concern or question, either contact the TSA or your airline carrier. Aside from this, these suggestions will hopefully simplify your trip and make it more enjoyable. I have listed my suggestions in alphabetic order:

AIRLINE COURTESY LOUNGES - Most major airlines offer private lounges available on a membership basis. They offer comforts for the weary traveler, including beverages, snacks, privacy, television, Internet access, comfortable chairs for catching a few winks of sleep, clean washrooms, and sometimes showers. If you are going to be traveling extensively, it may be wise to purchase a membership. Don't want to join on an annual basis? Most airlines have a 30 day membership available or pay as you go. If you have a rough and rugged road to travel, it may very well be worth it. Contact your airline for details.

AIRLINE TICKETS - Make sure you have your seat assignments in advance. If you have certain food requirements, notify the airline in advance, not on the day of departure. Boarding passes can still be obtained at the airport but most people prefer printing them in advance on their computer, usually 24 hours in advance. Print two copies, just in case. TRAVEL INSURANCE may be wise if you are planning an expensive trip where there is a possibility your travel plans may change. As for me, I typically avoid it under normal circumstances.

AIRPORT - get there early. TSA usually creates unGodly security lines where you are seemingly strip searched. Wear comfortable shoes you can quickly slip in and out of, and socks to avoid the germs awaiting you in the security screening area. Avoid wearing or carrying anything metallic, particularly coins, lighters, or anything else. Try not to dress like a Huckleberry thereby indicating you're an inexperienced traveler to be taken advantage of by charlatans.

AUTOMOBILE, PREPARATION - If you are going on a lengthy trip by automobile, be sure to have your car's tires, brakes, and oil checked, and possibly have it tuned up. An ounce of prevention now, may save you headaches later on.

BALLOT - If you will be gone during election time, be sure to request an "absentee ballot" from your local board of elections.

BATTERIES - make sure all of your batteries for your electronic devices are charged or replaced. It might not be a bad idea to bring extra batteries if you are going to be gone for an extended period.

BILLS, PAYING THEM IN ADVANCE - if you are going to be gone for an extended period of time, try to have your bills paid in advance so that you will not be in arrears upon your return. If necessary, have someone you trust pay bills for you, or utilize electronic payments.

CALL HOME - upon your arrival, let your loved ones back home know that you have arrived safely, either by telephone, instant message, or e-mail.

CAMERA - Are you planning on taking pictures during your trip? Make sure your digital camera is fully charged and ready to use. Don't forget the charger and any other cords and attachments. I typically purchase a book of photos of the country I'm visiting (the local photographers are much better than I am).

CAR RENTAL - It pays to make reservations well in advance, not to mention shop around and look for specials. I tend to use reputable firms with airport shuttles as opposed to hitching a ride to East Podunk to pickup a car. Beware of insurance coverage; I tend to get minimum coverage but it is your choice. (Also see "International Driving Permit").

CASH - do not take an inordinate amount of hard cash with you. If you are robbed, it will be impossible to replace. Take enough cash for taxis or shuttles, tipping, basic "walking around" money, and perhaps a drink or something to eat along the way.

COMPUTER - If you are planning on taking your laptop, be sure you will have Internet coverage. As with the telephone, check on available coverage.

CONCIERGE - a hotel concierge can be your best friend if you treat him/her right. Let them know what your interests are and ask for their advice regarding restaurants, tourist attractions, transportation, and currency exchanges. Sometimes they may point you in the wrong direction, particularly if an outside firm is paying them a commission for every tourist they send their way. Develop a good rapport with them if possible and they will, in general, treat you right.

CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS - alert your credit/debit card companies of your travel plans. Such companies may refuse the processing of transactions from a faraway location (including within the United States). In addition, write down your credit/debit card numbers and customer service telephone numbers and keep them in a safe place. This can be invaluable if you lose your wallet or purse and need to cancel them (and get new ones).

CURRENCY EXCHANGE - try to have some local currency with you before you arrive, for use with taxi drivers, tipping, etc. You can obtain such currency through a bank, but it may be better to get it at an airport if you have some time between flights. While at your destination, check with the hotel's concierge or front desk on how to exchange money. Make sure you are getting the correct rate, realize that not everybody necessarily will charge you the same rate. Sometimes black market rates are better than those offered by the banks. For the latest rates, check HERE.

ELECTRICAL CONVERTERS - not everything runs on the American electrical system, including plugs. Fortunately, there are inexpensive adapter plugs available for you to plug-in an American electrical device. Radio Shack provides a fine TUTORIAL on this subject.

E-MAIL, AUTO RESPONSES - If you are going away for awhile, do not write a default e-mail response such as, "I'll be away on vacation from DATE to DATE"; Translation: "Hello burglars, the house is deserted, come and get it." Frankly, it's nobody's business where you are. Try something like this instead, "I'm away from my office right now, please contact John Doe if you require immediate support, (telephone number and e-mail address)." If possible, periodically check your e-mail while you're on the road and answer critical messages.

EMBASSY - It may be wise to write down the telephone number and address of the local American embassy or consulate. Click HERE for a listing. (Also see "Police").

ENTERTAINMENT - you may be traveling for hours. Either plan on getting plenty of sleep during your journey or take something to occupy your time, such as a book, magazine, portable DVD player, laptop computer, or some other electronic device. On airplanes, observe the proper decorum for using such devices.

FLASH DRIVE - Don't want to lug around a laptop with you? Put a lot of your data on a simple flash drive which you can carry in your pocket. Rarely do I take a laptop with me anymore. Instead, I keep important documents, email addresses, and web bookmarks on my flash drive. You may also want to scan your passport, driver's license, tickets, and traveler checks and maintain them as JPG or PDF files on your flash drive (as opposed to photocopying such items as mentioned under "Photocopying." I also make active use of GOOGLE DOCS/DRIVE for documents, graphic presentations, and more, which I can easily access from any computer. Using this same rationale, I also check my e-mail using such things as GOOGLE GMAIL or YAHOO! MAIL.

HOTEL BUSINESS CARD - You can obtain such cards from the front desk or concierge. Take more than one. They are particularly useful for finding your way back to your hotel. If you are in a place where you do not understand the language, just hand the taxi driver the card and he'll get you home.

HOTEL ROOM KEY, LEAVE AT THE FRONT DESK - this is a custom most Americans cannot seem to grasp. By leaving your key with the front desk, you do not have to worry about losing it or having it stolen (plus it is one less thing to carry with you).

INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT - if you are planning on driving an automobile overseas, obtain an International Driving Permit in advance. In addition to allowing you to drive, it also makes a handy form of identification. You can obtain such a permit on the Internet or at AAA. It would also pay to familiarize yourself with local rules of the road, and ROAD SIGNS.

JET LAG - if you are traveling to distant lands, try to adjust your sleep patterns accordingly. For example, when I'm traveling to the Orient, I try to get as much sleep as possible on the aircraft to get myself on the time zone of my destination. Just remember, it is easier to adjust as you chase the sun (going from East to West) and harder when you chase the moon (West to East).

LOCAL CUSTOMS - familiarize yourself with local customs, such as greetings, forms of address, dressing for occasions, and tipping.

LUGGAGE - Try to pack lightly thereby minimizing additional baggage charges. If you are planning on shopping, take an extra collapsible bag for such sundries. Be sure that all bags have attached identification tags, including your name and address. Some people also add their mobile telephone number and e-mail address thereby expediting contact with you in the event of lost luggage. I have also found it useful to add luggage straps which keeps the bag together in the event the locks break by reckless baggage handlers. Because many bags look alike, it may pay to put something colorful on it so you can spot it easily on the luggage carrousel, perhaps a ribbon, a rag, or some tape. If you need to take unusual items such as golf clubs, fishing poles, etc. contact the airlines and ask for their advice on how to best pack them. As to carry-ons, keep it simple and small enough to fit under the seat in front of you (in case the overhead compartments are full).

MAPS - obtain in advance a map of the destination you will be visiting. Bookstores, Hotels, AAA, and other travel agencies have a plethora of them available, not to mention what you can find on the Internet. Study the map before you arrive so you know where you are going.

MEDICATION - obviously you want to bring sufficient amounts of your medications, but it is the unexpected you should take into consideration, such as coming down with a cold, motion sickness, and indigestion (particularly if the local cuisine doesn't agree with you).

NEWSPAPERS AND MAIL, HOLDING - newspapers left on a driveway is an invitation for thieves to rob your house. Either arrange to have someone pick them up for you or have them stopped. Leaving the mail in your box may expose important papers to thieves as well. Want to stop your mail, either call or visit your local post office or click HERE.

NOTIFY a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member that you will be gone and to keep an eye on your residence. Also notify the local police.

PASSPORT - You simply cannot travel without a passport anymore, be it by ship or airplane. Driver Licenses may suffice in North America but the preferred method is to carry a passport with you at all times. You can apply for a passport at a local post office (call them first) or check ON-LINE. If you haven't traveled in a while, check the expiration date of your passport, maybe it is time to renew. (Also see "Visas").

PETS - If you are leaving your pets at home while you are traveling, make reservations to have them boarded or have a friend or family member take care of them. If you are taking your pets with you, check with the airlines about traveling restrictions and possibly shots. Also be sure to contact the hotel regarding their policy on pets.

PHOTOCOPY YOUR PASSPORTS, TICKETS AND TRAVELER'S CHECKS and hide them in the lining of your luggage or some other safe place. Losing such items overseas can be a painful experience. (Also see "Flash Drive").

POLICE - It might not be a bad idea to get the telephone number of the local police and carry it with you, in case of emergency of course. No, not everyone uses "911" for emergencies; the British use "999" and other European countries use "112." (Also see "Embassy").

RESIDENCE, CLOSING IT UP - make sure you have timers on lights in strategic areas of the house so it doesn't give the appearance it is deserted. Give consideration to lawn maintenance or snow removal while you're away. Also, make sure your heating or air conditioning is set at a minimal level so that you do not waste electricity (and money). It's also a good idea to turn off plumbing, particularly to toilets. Should the lines burst or leak you can be left with an expensive mess. And of course, make sure all of the windows and doors are locked and major appliances turned off.

SUNDRIES - purchase travel sized toiletries in advance, including clothes detergent if necessary to wash your socks. In all likelihood, you won't like the prices overseas. Make sure you bring sufficient medications with you. Also, if you are so inclined, take a small bottle of booze. I can assure you, it will be a lot cheaper than the hotel's mini-bar. Also bring a sufficient amount of tobacco. Better yet, you can buy such things at the Duty Free shops either at the airport or on your airplane. If you are not sure, ask the airlines regarding allowances you can purchase.

TAXIS AND SHUTTLES - Make sure you have a plan for getting from the airport to your final destination, such as your hotel. If you are going by taxi, be sure to ask how much it will cost BEFORE you get into the cab. Otherwise you might wind up on an expensive joy ride.

TELEPHONE - If you are planning on taking your cell phone or smart phone, it might be wise to see if you will have any connecting coverage at your destination. Check with your carrier and also be sure to understand any special connecting fees. Sometimes it is preferable to take a prepaid telephone card with you instead.

TRANSLATION - obtain a pocket dictionary and learn some basic words and phrases, such as "Please," "Thank you", "How much?", and "Where can I find..." Make a simple cheat sheet of common expressions, such as on an index card, and carry it with you. There are also some smart phones that now have translation "apps" available for download. Familiarize yourself with how they work before you go.

TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS - ask your family and friends about favorite places to visit at your destination if they have been there, including sightseeing, restaurants, and do's and don'ts.

TRAVELERS CHECKS - in this age of credit/debit cards, the use of travelers checks have diminished. However, I have always found them to be a universally acceptable form of payment. You can obtain travelers checks from your bank, AAA, or other financial institutions.

TRIP SHEET - write out your travel agenda, along with the name of the hotel(s) you will be staying at, their address, telephone, e-mail and web addresses. Also include your travel itinerary complete with flight numbers and departure/arrival times and dates. This is useful not only for yourself, but provide a copy for your loved ones.

VISA - if you are traveling overseas, you may need an entry visa which can typically be obtained from an embassy. For a listing of country requirements, click HERE. Some countries may also require you have certain shots which you can either get from your doctor or a medical clinic. Specific paperwork is required which is commonly attached to your passport. When getting such shots, be sure to take your passport with you. (Also see "Passport").

VOICE MAIL - As with the "E-mail" response, do not leave a voice message indicating you are away. Also, periodically check your messages.

WEATHER - check the forecast for your destination and pack clothes accordingly. Don't forget the portable umbrella.

Hopefully you will find this checklist helpful in planning your next trip. If I have overlooked something, please be sure to drop me a line with your suggestion. Now for the hard part of the trip: enjoy yourself! Bon voyage Y'all!

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

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Copyright © 2012 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.