Work-Life Balance | BizSieve.com

Business Risk in New Jersey: What if You’re Convicted of DWI?

There are many consequences for driving under the influence or driving while impaired. Convicted parties often face fines, jail time, rehabilitation, and impound fees. In addition to providing a short-term burden on a convicted person, these ramifications can negatively affect one’s professional life in several ways.

Loss of Freedom and Time

A conviction for driving under the influence may result in incarceration for a brief period. In business, time is money. Workers and managers who are inexplicably absent for more than a couple of days will be terminated. In a difficult economy where underemployment is an even greater threat than unemployment, finding a new job to replace the old one may be impossible. This can result in a prolonged loss of income.

This problem is of particular concern for small business owners. Without a reliable and trustworthy staff to keep the business operational, the company is likely to lose a large amount of money as customers go elsewhere and vendors demand payment. Many small businesses are sole proprietorships, where the owner is the sole employee. In such circumstances, a jail sentence can result in significant economic harm.

Fines, Fees, and Surcharges

Individuals convicted of driving under the influence in New Jersey are fined within specified statutory ranges depending upon intoxication levels and whether a conviction is one’s first offense. These fines range from $250 to $1,000, which may not sound like much. However, the initial fines are only a slight portion of the overall picture. New Jersey also authorizes an annual insurance surcharge, and according to sources at the Evan Levow lawyers group, “they will surcharge you thousands of dollars over 3 years” for being convicted of driving under the influence for the first or second time. Motorists convicted a third or more time will face a $1,500 annual surcharge. Alcohol treatment programs are also a common feature of convictions for driving under the influence, as are various smaller fines assessed by the court.

Small business owners do not always have thousands of dollars in spare funds lying around to hand to the government. The fines stemming from a conviction for driving under the influence can significantly impact their operations, as fines result in a direct loss of available investment capital. In addition to losing the value of the investment capital, business owners also lose the financial leverage that comes with that capital; reducing the amount of collateral or reducing the amount available to make a down payment on a vital asset can increase the costs of financing the asset.

In some situations, it may impede the owner’s ability to finance an asset at all. Financing new assets such as machinery or vehicles is always easier with a larger down payment. If the owner must delay or forego a new investment altogether as a result of a brief loss in capital, he or she will experience a reduction in long-term productivity and income.

Reduction in Mobility

License suspensions are a common feature of convictions for driving under the influence. In most states, persons convicted of driving under the influence may obtain a hardship license to drive to work and other specified locations. Unfortunately, New Jersey is not one of those states. Persons convicted of driving under the influence in New Jersey are not eligible for a hardship license

As a result, a person convicted of driving while intoxicated must make arrangements to get to work reliably if they expect to keep their jobs. Being forced into an office carpool because your license was suspended will not endear you to your coworkers. Additionally, a suspended license is likely to result in instant termination from any job that requires any driving or heavy equipment operation. In addition to being unable to fulfill basic duties at work, a suspension may result in termination for liability reasons.

Convictions for driving under the influence pose other challenges as well. Individuals convicted of crimes may lose their security clearances, felons may be unlikely to obtain quality jobs and well-known individuals may see their standing in the community reduced. Businesses must routinely make investments in new personnel and equipment with the expectation of future gains. If you are convicted of driving under the influence, you should invest in a top-quality defense attorney with experience in handling such cases. Such an investment may not result in a net gain, but it may help prevent a substantial loss.

Ann Bailey reports on these conditions for any small business owner with an alcohol related arrest in New Jersey. The Evan Levow lawyers group is dedicated to vigorously defending any client’s rights and interests after being charged in a DWI in any part of NJ, regardless of the incident circumstances.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dan4th/201313949/

In Business in Houston? Best Tips for Making Your Commute Safer

When you work at a business in Houston, the daily commute is a fact of life. On a good day, traffic flows along like easy water in the bayous. On a bad day, it makes the Mad Max movies seem tame. Here are some tips to make the drive easier for you and your fellow road warriors.

1. Know where you’re headed and what’s coming. Check weather and traffic reports before you leave the house. Houston is a big town, and sunshine in your backyard doesn’t mean it won’t rain on the way to work. Find out if there are any accidents or closures between you and the office. You have plenty of alternative routes, so design an exit plan that will ease you out of gridlock. Knowing that you’re prepared when you head for work gives you confidence to tackle the road.

2. Get off to the right start. A good breakfast doesn’t belong in the front seat while you’re driving, so fill up before you head out. That cup of coffee gets to go along, but only in its own holder; otherwise, you might be wearing it to work. Tune in some relaxing music or enjoy an audio book. Let your morning mantra become peaceful mind over traffic-related matters. Your commute will be more enjoyable, and everyone will be safer on the road.

3. Don’t let distractions derail you. Office calls dominate so much of your time, so give them and yourself a break. Turn off your phone, and tune in some easy listening. Keep front seat clutter to a minimum by organizing the necessary diversions. Every gadget has a purpose, and it has a holder too. Don’t fumble for a better view of the GPS system; mount it so that you know where you are at a glance. You’re a better driver when you’re focused.

4. Make your car a comfortable chariot. Keep it uncluttered, free of distractions and running like a champ. Routine maintenance is your best protection against engine trouble on the way to work. It’s also a safety issue; working turn signals and properly operating brakes are vital to navigating Houston freeways. A quick inspection once a month gives you peace of mind every morning when you leave for work.

5. Make quick work of accidents whenever possible. No one likes surprises on the morning commute, but anticipating trouble makes fender benders easier to manage. Houston even has a motto for these accidents: Steer it, and clear it. Houston automobile lawyers might suggest that you pull over to the shoulder as quickly as possible, and exchange information with the other driver. Call your insurance company, then use your cell phone to take pictures of the damage to both cars. Make notes, and contact a reputable attorney – never assume that a simple fender bender will stay simple.

Navigating the daily trip into the office is part of your business. It doesn’t have to be hard just because you’re in Houston. With these tips, your drive will be easier and safer, and you’ll be a better road warrior ready to conquer the morning ahead.

Former news reporter Ann Bailey compiles this information for all drivers headed to work across town in Houston on a daily basis. Houston automobile lawyers work vigorously on claims to protect their clients, and their businesses and livelihoods when they are injured through the fault of another driver.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/64738468@N00/7038762729/

8 Ways to Stay Motivated When Business is Slow

Business could always be better. Particular times are dreadful. How do you improve business while income is slow? Anxiety and negativity won’t invite commerce. You might as well make the most of your present situation, minding strategies of ongoing motivation.

employee vacation
Image by USFWS Mountain-Prairie

Employee Vacation Time

You’re experiencing a period where staff could be spared. Some may appreciate the offer to work less. It saves you money and relays a sentiment of flexibility and appreciation to employees. Furthermore, employees are more likely to do you a favor, such as cover an additional shift, once things begin to pick up again.

Group Outing

Maybe your employees have ideas about igniting sales. Take your staff on a group outing, addressing the slow period, inquiring whether they have any ideas. A number of them may appreciate you asked for their insight. You’ll have to invest money in the group outing; but, the idea generation and camaraderie afforded may be well worth it. The generous sentiment expresses your ability to stay positive during a potentially nerve-wracking period.

Shop the Competition

Use downtime to ignite the business’s strategy. Have you ever gone to your competitors’ shops, experiencing their establishments as a customer? What good ideas could you take away from them? What things could you identify you do better? Those are good things to know. Take some staff on an outing, perusing through competitors’ stores.

Improve Customer Service

Often, there are not many factors differentiating one competitor’s product/service from another. What separates good from bad business? It is the level of customer service provided. Take this time to initiate better customer service practices, achieved through hiring a consultant, going online for tips and suggestions. Have employees exercise things learned, improving the level of customer service throughout the store. Does your store have a Web page where customers can ask questions before coming in? That’s a great customer service idea! Invest time in implementing a higher level of customer service.

Expansion

The notion of spending during a slow period seems illogical; but, expanding offered goods and services may drive more traffic to your establishment. Take a survey of available goods. What is selling well, hardly, and not at all? Could anything be cut or exchanged for a new offering? A little change could pique the interest of a new set of consumers or newly intrigue present ones.

Start a Hobby

Minding something other than waning foot traffic is healthy. Is there a hobby you ever wanted to start? Learning something new challenges the brain; getting the brain thinking differently may help you generate new business ideas. Sometimes it’s just a matter of patience, allowing the slow period to dissipate. Focus on a new hobby; pass the time in a wise manner.

Study Periods of Success

Go over your sales records, peering into successful periods. What was going on at that time? Was it due to a holiday season, the release of a new product, or a sale? You can’t replicate the holiday season; but, you could replicate other factors related to successful times. Hosting a sale poses a cut in initial investment; however, the return on the initial loss can be a reversal of fortunes.

It Will Be Okay

It’s one of those maxims, which are incredibly annoying to hear, yet makes sense in retrospect. This too shall pass; it will be okay. Your time is much better invested in attempting to do something positive for your business rather than worry about things beyond your control. The immediate sales are beyond your control; but, thinking positively is within your control. Take a look at the big picture; isn’t it pleasing to have issues related to your own business? You have your own business. That’s a pipedream of many; you’re there. That’s a positive.

About the Author: Valerie Cecil is a research coordinator, marketing specialist and writer for Outbounding.com. Her work allows her to investigate many topics, ranging from online consumer relations to effective communication in the workplace. When she is not working, she enjoys kayaking, watercolor, and scouting out the cutest Retail Packaging Gift Boxes she can find.

Balancing Your Side Gig & Family Life

Spending quality time with your family is important, but working is also important so that you can provide for your family. Sometimes, we take on side jobs to help add to our savings or make a larger purchase that we need. Working these side jobs, however, can often interfere with our family life, so how do you balance the two?

Talk about it.

It is important to talk openly with your family about your side job, especially if you have children. Tell them that you have taken on another job and your family time may be limited for a while. Let them know when you will be available and/or how long the job will last. This way, your children will know when to expect you home and when not to.
It is also important to talk about your responsibilities with your spouse. If your side job requires you to be on-call 24/7, you need to make them aware of this. If your spouse is unaware of your schedule, it could cause stress and conflict between the two of you.

Try to be consistent.

If you have the option of scheduling the time your side job takes place, try to make sure it is consistent on a day-to-day basis. This way, your family will not have to try and remember your varying schedule. Plus, your children will know that you will be home at a certain time every day, so they can try and schedule some quality time with you.

Spend quality time with your family.

Make sure to schedule quality time with your family. For example, if you only get to see your family on weekends, try to schedule some quality family time during those days. Take a special trip to the zoo, plan a picnic, or even have a family movie night. Making time for your family will help relieve your stress level, and it will also make them happy.

Have a family dinner.

Sharing a quality dinner with your family is important. It allows everyone to be together and lets everyone share the happenings of that day. If your side job keeps you from having dinner with your family during the week, make sure to always have a family dinner on the weekend. Anything from a big family dinner to ordering take out is perfectly fine, as long as everyone is there together.

Don’t bring work home.

If you are constantly bringing work home, you are erasing the line between family and work. When you bring work home, you tend to focus on work, and your bring the stresses back to the house too. This will impact your family, as you will not have time to spend with them. Make sure that when you leave the office, you leave everything at the office too.

Hire an associate.

If your side job becomes too overwhelming, hire an assistant or an associate to help you out. Even if they only fill in for you one day a week, that is one more day you have to spend with your family instead of coworkers. Sometimes that small break is just what you need to keep a healthy balance between your side job and your family.
Side jobs can interfere with your family life, but keeping an open line of communication with your spouse and your children as well as always carving out time during the week to spend with them will help maintain the balance.

About the Author: Michelle McCurdy is an author of children’s books and a mother who loves to blog and give advice in her spare time. She is only able to keep her busy schedule and balance the needs of her children and work thanks to her trusty Nissan.