LaRita M. Heet
Writer, LMH Communications
Kirkwood, MO, USA
For more than 15 years, I have been a full-time freelance writer, journalist, and author, with more than a thousand articles published in magazines, newspapers, and websites. My primary niche is in writing for and about businesses and business-related topics. In addition, I've designed and authored dozens of state-accredited real estate prelicense, post-license, and continuing education online courses.
As the editor of a West Coast magazine, I assign and manage editorial content, hire and supervise freelance writers, and, in general, oversee the editorial development of the magazine.
There are many things I love about writing, but my favorite is the challenge of writing about myriad business and general topics, and the thrill of learning something new - for myself, and to share with readers.
From the time I was old enough to read, I wanted to become a writer, and I still wouldn't trade my job for any other.
Industry:
Writing, Journalism, Media
Size of Business:
1 - 10 employees
Years in Business:
11-25 years
Affiliations:
none listed
Business Interests:
Training, Real Estate, Writing, Diversity, HR, Social Responsibility, Volunteerism, LGBT Workplace Topics, Books

Guides Written by LaRita M. Heet
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How to Train Employees and Yourself to use Key Technology
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Teach your Supervisors to Become True Leaders
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How to Train Yourself through Online Courses
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How to Create a Policy for Issuing Customer Refunds
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Choose among a vast array of tops, accessories and load capacity for work benches
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The best temporary executive suites for small business
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The right business quotation at the right moment can work wonders
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How to track time and bill clients properly for your business projects
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How to make smart, timely decisions to benefit your business
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How to turn customer problems into opportunities
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How to educate and train salespeople for optimum results
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How to manage and motivate younger workers for peak results
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Great solutions for real estate sales education and training
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How to choose the best computer desks and accessories for your office
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How small businesses can pool purchases for volume discounts
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How to best utilize Internet-based customer help desks for your Web site
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How to get the right broadband services for your small business
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How to find the best contract manufacturers for your business
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How to Legally Regulate Your Employees' Smoking on the Job
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How SaaS can help a small business grow
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How to find the right ISP for your small business
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Is Venture Merchant Financing Right for your Business?
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How to find and use the best MRP and MRP II for your company
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How to find outside help to sell and distribute your products
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How to secure more storage capacity for your digital data
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Teach employees to communicate effectively with customers of different cultures
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How to closely track the money owed to your business
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How to attract, hire and relocate the best employees for your small business
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Finding new employees for your small-town small business
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Hiring a Chief Operating Officer to help you grow your small business
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Value-added benefits give minimum-wage workers a reason to be loyal
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How to hire executive-level employees who will help your business grow
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How poaching their people can improve your bottom line
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Hiring a plumber before you need one makes great business sense
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How to hire top workers to help your manufacturing company shine
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Training your employees for the best results
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The books every small business owner should read
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How hiring an electrician can save your business – and your life
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How to review and update your business for the New Year
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How to manage and motivate yourself to become a true leader
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How to plan for and adjust to your employee's military deployment
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Handle with care and stay within the law
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How to plan for and adjust when you are called up to duty
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How to embrace diversity in the workplace and put an end to sexual orientation discrimination
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How to create and manage a positive, diverse workforce
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How to conduct an investigation into workplace sexual harassment complaints
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Find the best corporate recognition awards and employee gift ideas
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Learning the ropes of construction education
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Find the best personalized pens to promote your business
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Finding and using business management software to keep your company going strong
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How to attract, recognize, and hire the best salespeople for your small business
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Time clocks make it easier to perform time and attendance tracking
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Find the best biometric time clocks
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Find the best advertising magnets to promote your business
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Get custom jackets for corporate marketing
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Get business hats for corporate marketing
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Find the best Web-based time clocks
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How to fill trucking jobs for your small business
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Where to go to get a winning resume and cover letter
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Find the best vendors for recycling computers
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Rx for recruiting and hiring for pharmacy careers
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Get the best payroll processing contract terms for your small business
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The best use practices for using HR recruitment software
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Assess employee performance with 360 degree performance reviews
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Manage and track employees' behavior with EPM software
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A real estate education can open doors to a lucrative career
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Continuing education/professional development can lead to ongoing career advancement
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Using computer help desk software to your advantage
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Take advantage of the best human resources consultants for small businesses
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Your real estate appraiser education is the first step toward a respected career
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Take advantage of the best human resource information systems for your small business
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Find the best prices on wholesale fashion apparel for all your company's needs
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Search houses for rent by owner for long-term alternatives to hotels
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Saving money by selling your own home FSBO
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Find a real estate professional to help with property buying and selling needs
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Consider commercial property for sale or commercial property for lease for your new office location
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Locate the top business checking accounts to fit your company's business checking needs
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Find the best small business checking accounts for your company's needs
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Got a small business? Online banking solutions can simplify accounting tasks
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Save money through business equipment leasing rather than purchasing capital equipment
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Partner with a real estate investment company to profit from investment opportunities
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Real estate virtual tour software enhances your marketing efforts and helps find buyers
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Establish firm company policies and procedures to prevent and protect against workplace lawsuits
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Conduct performance reviews to help your employees reach their potential
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Find the top resources for a rewarding career in psychology
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Find property management firms to optimize your real estate investments
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Find the top jobs in IT to suit your IT career goals
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Coaching consultants can help you - and your employees - reach full potential
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Fulfill professional and personal goals through a lucrative real estate career
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Real estate appraiser jobs let you take advantage of the lucrative real estate industry
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Paul and Susan -
Thanks so much for bringing this "salaried employee" aspect of time clock usage to my attention. I've seldom seen a situation in which it is good for employee morale (or necessary) to have salaried employees punch in and out. There are some exceptions - the small retail or restaurant situations - in which squabbles about whose shift it was broke out among assistant managers, but overall, and if you hire high-quality salaried workers, it's not usually necessary to have those salaried employees clock in and out. The one aspect of this guide that refers to a time clock's cost distribution capabilities is the only one I've seen that is definitely applicable to all levels of workers - owner on down - in specific industries or with specific jobs. (And even that applies more to your company's BILLING practices, rather than payroll.) Regarding this guide, it's written more with the hourly employee in mind, but now that you've brought this to my attention, I will edit the guide accordingly. Thanks for the great catch and for your helpful comments!
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Thanks for an excellent guide, Jenni! I especially like your reminder that no one should have to be verbally abused by a customer. In today's world where many customers abuse the notion that "the customer's always right" and turn a business's employees into their own verbal punching bags, this is a necessary step in dealing with these VERY difficult customers.
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Great guide, Tom, and excellent resources! Thank you!
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This is a great guide! Because prime commercial property is expensive, many small business owners end up buying a smaller building with less storage space, and then renting a nearby self-storage unit to store extra supplies, merchandise, or infrequently-used signage, point of purchase materials, etc. Self-storage facilities are typically much less expensive than commercial properties, and allow you to use your business building for the essentials of operating your business.
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To find a real estate agent or broker who have embraced a strong ethical business code, go to the National Association of REALTORS at www.realtor.com. REALTORS have pledged to follow the NAR's strict Code of Ethics, and give you the added assurance of working with real estate professionals with the highest professional integrity.
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This is a terrific resources for Missouri small business owners - of which I am one! Thanks for the great information.
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Excellent guide and resources! I, too, have found that hiring family and/or friends lends itself to a higher degree of loyalty and accountability on the worker's part, which is absolutely necessary for any small business.