Win at Work Winning at Working--Choosing A Path
Reading in the airport while waiting for a flight to Houston, a housekeeper was tidying around me when approached by another facilities employee. After a few minutes of easily overheard chit-chat, she received coaching from her now apparent supervisor.
Jun 29, 2009 - 5:20:13 PM
IRS News Prepare for Hurricanes by Safeguarding Tax Records
AUGUSTA, MAINE -- With the 2009 hurricane season now underway, the Internal Revenue Service encourages individuals and businesses to safeguard themselves by taking a few simple steps.
Jun 26, 2009 - 11:42:00 AM
Win at Work Winning at Working--It Takes Time
The story goes that after one of Ludwig van Beethoven's performances, several people were offering him their congratulations, when one woman commented, "I wish God had bestowed me with such genius." "It isn't genius, madam, nor is it magic." Beethoven replied. "All you have to do is practice on your piano eight hours a day for 40 years."
Jun 9, 2009 - 6:36:05 PM
Business USDA's Farm Service Agency County Committee Nominations Start June 15th
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that farmer and rancher candidate nominations will begin on June 15, 2009, for local Farm Service Agency county committees. The nomination period continues through Aug. 3, 2009, with elections taking place this fall.
Jun 9, 2009 - 1:19:32 PM
IRS News IRS Launches Tax Return Preparer Review; Recommendations to Improve Compliance Expected by Year End
AUGUSTA, MAINE -- IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman announced that by the end of 2009, he will propose a comprehensive set of recommendations to help the Internal Revenue Service better leverage the tax return preparer community with the twin goals of increasing taxpayer compliance and ensuring uniform and high ethical standards of conduct for tax preparers.
Jun 8, 2009 - 12:02:34 PM
IRS News IRS Offers Summer Tax Tips
AUGUSTA, MAINE -- Before you start a summer job, take a vacation – or a "staycation" – or send the kids off to camp, the Internal Revenue Service wants you to know that certain summertime activities may qualify you for tax breaks. The IRS also advises that you can avoid problems at tax time by addressing certain issues now.
Jun 2, 2009 - 12:14:52 PM
Win at Work Winning at Working--Leveraging Your Future
A friend's hairstylist saw her bookings drop as the economy fell, ultimately losing her job at a salon. But when my friend asked her if she'd be willing to make a house-call to style her ailing mother's hair, the stylist saw an opportunity. Ultimately, she launched a specialized in-home business and now makes more money than she ever did.
May 28, 2009 - 2:20:29 PM
Win at Work Winning at Working-Progress Trumps Perfection
In the late 17th century, Lord Chesterfield, an English writer and politician, wrote to his son, "Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well." Three hundred years later, we still heed this advise from the fourth Earl of Chesterfield. Yet doing it well doesn't mean doing it perfectly. The 21st century workplace requires more than doing something well.
May 14, 2009 - 3:08:26 PM
IRS News IRS Reminds Small Tax-Exempt Organizations to File e-Postcards
AUGUSTA, MAINE -- The Internal Revenue Service today reminded many small tax-exempt organizations to file their annual electronic informational return with the IRS by the May 15 deadline.
May 7, 2009 - 10:22:44 AM
NFIB Breaking the Small Business Bank
As small businesses struggle to keep their heads above water, some in Congress want to push them back down. An effort has begun in Congress to expand the Family Medical Leave Act into a program that would force small employers to provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave to all workers.
May 4, 2009 - 1:23:42 PM
Win at Work Winning at Working--The Echoes Heard at Work
Coward. That word, along with others less printable, popped to mind when I heard a story about a friend's son. It turns out, he learned he was no longer employed via a text-message to his cell phone on a Sunday night. The brief message from his ex-boss informed him that his last work day had been Friday.
Apr 30, 2009 - 3:59:29 PM
Business USDA Sets Date for Soybean Request for Referendum
BANGOR, MAINE -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that it will offer soybean producers the opportunity to request a referendum on the Soybean Promotion and Research Order (Order), as authorized under the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act (Act).
Apr 28, 2009 - 10:56:52 AM
IRS News IRS Tips for After April 15
AUGUSTA, MAINE -- Tax day has come and gone for most people, but your dealings with taxes may not be done. IRS spokesperson Peggy Riley offers these tips for handling some typical after-tax-day issues.
Apr 28, 2009 - 10:53:45 AM
Business USDA Livestock Disaster Program Requires Documentation of Loss; Eligible Producers Urged to Begin Compiling Proof of Loss
BANGOR, MAINE -- According to Valerie Porter, Executive Director for USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Maine/Penobscot, livestock producers who incurred eligible livestock death losses due to adverse weather events on or after January 1, 2008, and before October 1, 2011, should begin gathering related loss documentation in accordance with FSA's Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provisions.
Apr 24, 2009 - 9:26:41 AM
Win at Work Winning at Working--But, It Will Take Too Long
As I watched the tradeshow floor emerge, it struck me that people handle their careers in much the same manner. Some wait to demonstrate their initiative and ability until someone with authority is watching, believing someone else is responsible for their success. Others approach work as a paycheck rather than an opportunity, limiting both in the process. Still others align their efforts with the why behind the what, owning their results and learning and growing in the process.
Apr 16, 2009 - 3:51:52 PM
Business USDA Responds to Producer Concerns by Extending Sign-Up Date for DCP and Acre Programs
BANGOR, MAINE -- Valerie Porter, County Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Penobscot/Hancock County announced today that USDA has extended the sign-up deadline from June 1, to Aug. 14, 2009, for both the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) and the forthcoming Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program. This action extends the sign-up deadline by 10 weeks to give producers ample time to decide whether to participate in ACRE or remain in DCP.
Apr 3, 2009 - 11:42:46 AM
Win at Work Winning at Working--What Are You For?
Resist. Resist. Resist. That seems to be the congressional model these days. Whatever one party is for, the other is against. Before an idea makes it to the blogosphere, opposing party political pundits are railing against whatever approach or bill or stance was taken.
Apr 2, 2009 - 4:03:01 PM
IRS News Special Tax Break Available for New Car Purchases This Year
AUGUSTA, MAINE -- The Internal Revenue Service announced today that taxpayers who buy a new passenger vehicle this year may be entitled to deduct state and local sales and excise taxes paid on the purchase on their 2009 tax returns next year.
Apr 1, 2009 - 10:28:24 PM
Win at Work Winning at Working--What You Control You may not be able to control if your job gets cut, but you can control whether you're a high performer who your boss is fighting to keep. You may not be able to control how quickly you get another job, but you can control the number of daily contacts you make in your search and how you "show up," future-focused, at the interview. You may not be able to control the amount of work you get, but you do control whether you're responding as a victim or taking action toward developing your skills and contacts for a new future.
Mar 17, 2009 - 1:14:09 PM
Business Maine Farm Bureau, MOFGA Working to Help Organic Dairy Farmers
The Maine Farm Bureau board of directors Friday endorsed a joint action with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) to help eight family organic dairy farms in Aroostook and Washington Counties find a new market once their existing contracts with H.P. Hood are terminated this summer.
Mar 14, 2009 - 8:38:46 PM
Business 74% of Union Workers in U.S. Oppose Employee Free Choice Act
In a recently released poll by McLaughlin & Associates 74% of union employees in the U.S. stated that they strongly oppose the Employee Free Choice Act, while only 20% approve of the bill. Overwhelmingly, union workers across the country believe that Card Check will cost jobs and end union privacy.
Mar 6, 2009 - 12:23:17 AM
Win at Work Winning at Working: Ancora Imparo Ancora imparo, translated as "I am still learning" or "Still, I am learning," is attributed to Michelangelo in his eighty-seventh year. The man who painted the Sistine Chapel and sculpted the Pieta and David, whose very name evokes mastery of his craft, exemplifies a lifelong learning philosophy.
Mar 3, 2009 - 2:04:07 PM
AAM Is America Turning Into the Island of Misfit Toys?
During the debate on the stimulus bill now signed into law, a national "Buy American" conversation took place. In January and February, as this discussion focused on American products and materials that could be used in infrastructure projects, the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) was recalling a list of defective products made in China that could prove hazardous to children and adults.
Feb 27, 2009 - 1:00:26 PM
AAM Toxic Chinese Drywall
Recently, there have been reports of yet another dangerous and defective product from China – drywall.
Feb 25, 2009 - 12:59:09 PM
AAM A Rising U.S. Tide Raises all Maple Leaf Boats
Listening to China, the EU and most recently, Canada, grumble about the Buy America provisions in the stimulus bill, you would think that not only is the sky going to fall on Maple Leaf Chicken Little, but he will also be jobless and barred from selling Mrs. Chicken Little's eggs on the global market.
Feb 21, 2009 - 10:31:50 PM
Win at Work Winning at Working--The New Dance
Poor Pluto. Stripped of its planetary status by the International Astronomical Union and reclassified as a "dwarf planet," two years ago, Pluto's demotion heralds new rules for planet classification. Debate by renowned astronomers from seventy-five countries culminated in the decision to reduce the number of planets to eight "classic" ones.
Feb 16, 2009 - 2:00:28 PM
Business Maine Restaurants and Merchants Associations Oppose Card Check
AUGUSTA, MAINE -- Both the Maine Restaurant Association and the Maine Merchants Association, organizations representing major service industries in the state, have issued statements opposing the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as "Card Check."
Feb 5, 2009 - 10:27:40 AM
Win at Work Winning at Working--What Kind of Workplace Future?
In 1883, as soon as construction ended on the Brooklyn Bridge, the scams started. George C. Parker is credited with originating the idea of selling the Brooklyn Bridge, convincing people they could earn a fortune charging tolls for bridge access. Some erected traffic barriers even as Parker boasted he "sold the Brooklyn Bridge twice a week for years." Eventually he was sentenced to life in prison.
Feb 3, 2009 - 10:17:50 AM
Win at Work Winning at Working-Carve Your Success Key
I had just finished commenting to my husband how much I liked the use of copper in the Parade of Homes' kitchen we were touring, when I overheard another woman telling her husband how much she disliked the look. It made me laugh. It's funny how we see things differently
Jan 20, 2009 - 7:15:23 PM
Win at Work Winning at Working--Assessing Your Progress
I'm not a big fan of New Years resolutions. Sure I've made dozens of them, all with good intentions and a bit of magical thinking, believing this time the resolution will stick. Maybe a few have, but generally these wishful self-promises end up broken. And when that happens my self-esteem suffers.
Jan 6, 2009 - 4:15:30 PM
