Sign In  Join Now
Browse All Guides   What Works Blog   Write a Guide   Top Guides & Experts   
 
Member Profile

LaRita Heet

Freelance Writer, Journalist, IBT Designer, LMH Communications
Kirkwood, MO, USA
Member Since: 09/15/2006
Status: Contributor
About Me:
For 16 years, I have been a full-time freelance writer, author, editor and distance-learning curriculum designer. I've written more than 1,000 articles for dozens of magazines, newspapers and websites. My writing specialties include business (especially small businesses), executive profiles, health and wellness topics, personal finance, social consciousness, real estate, real estate investment, continuing professional education (CPE), credit cards, diversity, consciousness and credit unions. In addition, I'm an instructional designer, author and ghostwriter of 100+ real estate distance learning courses, health, wellness and self-improvement e-books, and business soft-skills courses. I am also a columnist with Credit Union BUSINESS Magazine, and a regular contributor to other magazines and websites.

Industry: Writing, Journalism, Media, Computer-Based Training, Distance Learning
Size of Business: 1 - 10 employees
Years in Business: 11-25 years

Affiliations:
none listed

Business Interests:
Writing, Small Businesses, Real Estate, Real Estate Investments, Diversity, HR, Social Responsibility, Volunteerism, LGBT, Self-Improvement, Health and Wellness, Management

Total Guide Views

7 3 1 9 7
Overall Rating: N/A
Guides Written: 90
Comments Posted: 8
Comments Received: 0
Favorite Guides: 0

Guides I've Written

  1. Computer and Software Training for Small Business


    How to Train Employees and Yourself to use Key Technology
    Guide Rating: 7.4 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  2. Training Supervisors


    Teach your Supervisors to Become True Leaders
    Guide Rating: 7.4 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  3. Online Courses and Training for Entrepreneurs


    How to Train Yourself through Online Courses
    Guide Rating: 8.3 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  4. Issuing Customer Refunds


    How to Create a Policy for Issuing Customer Refunds
    Guide Rating: 9.2 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  5. Work Benches


    Choose among a vast array of tops, accessories and load capacity for work benches
    Guide Rating: 9.0 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  6. Finding and Using Temporary Office Space


    The best temporary executive suites for small business
    Guide Rating: 8.2 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  7. Finding Motivational Business Quotes


    The right business quotation at the right moment can work wonders
    Guide Rating: 8.2 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  8. Project Time Tracking and Billing


    How to track time and bill clients properly for your business projects
    Guide Rating: 8.2 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  9. Making Better Decisions


    How to make smart, timely decisions to benefit your business
    Guide Rating: 9.1 out of 10. Saved by 3 people.

  10. Dealing with Dissatisfied Customers


    How to turn customer problems into opportunities
    Guide Rating: 7.3 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  11. Training your Salespeople


    How to educate and train salespeople for optimum results
    Guide Rating: 7.4 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  12. Managing the Younger Generation


    How to manage and motivate younger workers for peak results
    Guide Rating: 9.6 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  13. Real Estate Sales Training


    Great solutions for real estate sales education and training
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  14. Computer Furniture


    How to choose the best computer desks and accessories for your office
    Guide Rating: 9.1 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  15. Small Business Buyers' Groups


    How small businesses can pool purchases for volume discounts
    Guide Rating: 8.3 out of 10. Saved by 2 people.

  16. Using a Web-based Customer Help Desk


    How to best utilize Internet-based customer help desks for your Web site
    Guide Rating: 8.2 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  17. DSL and Other Business Broadband Internet Service


    How to get the right broadband services for your small business
    Guide Rating: 8.6 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  18. Contract Manufacturing


    How to find the best contract manufacturers for your business
    Guide Rating: 7.4 out of 10. Saved by 2 people.

  19. Regulating On-the-Job Smoking


    How to Legally Regulate Your Employees' Smoking on the Job
    Guide Rating: 8.2 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  20. Online Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)


    How SaaS can help a small business grow
    Guide Rating: 8.3 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  21. Internet Service Providers (ISPs)


    How to find the right ISP for your small business
    Guide Rating: 6.1 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  22. Venture Merchant Financing


    Is Venture Merchant Financing Right for your Business?
    Guide Rating: 7.3 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  23. Material Resource Planning (MRP) for Small Manufacturers


    How to find and use the best MRP and MRP II for your company
    Guide Rating: 6.4 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  24. Sales Agents and Distributors


    How to find outside help to sell and distribute your products
    Guide Rating: 7.3 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  25. Solving Your Computer Storage Problems


    How to secure more storage capacity for your digital data
    Guide Rating: 6.5 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  26. Cross-Cultural Communication


    Teach employees to communicate effectively with customers of different cultures
    Guide Rating: 8.1 out of 10. Saved by 2 people.

  27. Receivables Aging Schedules


    How to closely track the money owed to your business
    Guide Rating: 7.2 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  28. Finding and Hiring Employees from Outside Your Geographic Area


    How to attract, hire and relocate the best employees for your small business
    Guide Rating: 7.2 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  29. Attracting Employees to Your Business in the Boondocks


    Finding new employees for your small-town small business
    Guide Rating: 7.3 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  30. Hiring a Second-in-Command


    Hiring a Chief Operating Officer to help you grow your small business
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  31. Hiring Minimum-Wage Employees


    Value-added benefits give minimum-wage workers a reason to be loyal
    Guide Rating: 7.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  32. Hiring the Small Business Executive


    How to hire executive-level employees who will help your business grow
    Guide Rating: 8.2 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  33. Hiring Workers Away from the Competition


    How poaching their people can improve your bottom line
    Guide Rating: 8.1 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  34. Hiring a Plumber


    Hiring a plumber before you need one makes great business sense
    Guide Rating: 8.1 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  35. Hiring manufacturing workers


    How to hire top workers to help your manufacturing company shine
    Guide Rating: 8.1 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  36. Training manufacturing workers


    Training your employees for the best results
    Guide Rating: 9.0 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  37. Classic Books for Entrepreneurs


    The books every small business owner should read
    Guide Rating: 7.3 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  38. Hiring an Electrician


    How hiring an electrician can save your business - and your life
    Guide Rating: 8.8 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  39. How to Review Your Business for the New Year


    How to review and update your business for the New Year
    Guide Rating: 8.1 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  40. Managing Yourself


    How to manage and motivate yourself to become a true leader
    Guide Rating: 7.2 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  41. Handling the Military Deployment of an Employee


    How to plan for and adjust to your employee's military deployment
    Guide Rating: 9.1 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  42. Hiring and Managing Union Employees


    Handle with care and stay within the law
    Guide Rating: 9.5 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  43. Running Your Business During Your Own Military Deployment


    How to plan for and adjust when you are called up to duty
    Guide Rating: 8.1 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  44. Handling Sexual Orientation Issues in the Workplace


    How to embrace diversity in the workplace and put an end to sexual orientation discrimination
    Guide Rating: 9.1 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  45. Managing a Diverse Workforce


    How to create and manage a positive, diverse workforce
    Guide Rating: 8.4 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  46. Investigating Sexual Harassment Claims in the Workplace


    How to conduct an investigation into workplace sexual harassment complaints
    Guide Rating: 9.1 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  47. Employee Recognition Gifts and Awards


    Find the best corporate recognition awards and employee gift ideas
    Guide Rating: 8.9 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  48. Construction Education


    Learning the ropes of construction education
    Guide Rating: 8.9 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  49. Promotional Pens


    Find the best personalized pens to promote your business
    Guide Rating: 8.9 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  50. Business Management Software


    Finding and using business management software to keep your company going strong
    Guide Rating: 9.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  51. Hiring Your Sales Staff


    How to attract, recognize, and hire the best salespeople for your small business
    Guide Rating: 9.0 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  52. Time Clocks


    Time clocks make it easier to perform time and attendance tracking
    Guide Rating: 7.2 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  53. Biometric Time and Attendance Systems


    Find the best biometric time clocks
    Guide Rating: 6.9 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  54. Promotional Magnets


    Find the best advertising magnets to promote your business
    Guide Rating: 7.1 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  55. Promotional Jackets


    Get custom jackets for corporate marketing
    Guide Rating: 7.1 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  56. Logo and Custom Hats


    Get business hats for corporate marketing
    Guide Rating: 7.3 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  57. Web-Based Time Clock Systems


    Find the best Web-based time clocks
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  58. Hiring for Truck Driving Jobs


    How to fill trucking jobs for your small business
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  59. Resume and Cover Letter Writing Services


    Where to go to get a winning resume and cover letter
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  60. Recycling Old Desktop Computers


    Find the best vendors for recycling computers
    Guide Rating: 7.9 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  61. Hiring for Pharmaceutical Jobs


    Rx for recruiting and hiring for pharmacy careers
    Guide Rating: 7.3 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  62. Negotiating a Payroll Processing Service Contract


    Get the best payroll processing contract terms for your small business
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  63. Getting the Most from Recruiting Software


    The best use practices for using HR recruitment software
    Guide Rating: 7.9 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  64. 360 Review


    Assess employee performance with 360 degree performance reviews
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  65. Employee Performance Management Software


    Manage and track employees' behavior with EPM software
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  66. Real Estate Schools


    A real estate education can open doors to a lucrative career
    Guide Rating: 8.8 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  67. Continuing Professional Education - CPE


    Continuing education/professional development can lead to ongoing career advancement
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  68. Help Desk Software


    Using computer help desk software to your advantage
    Guide Rating: 8.1 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  69. Human Resources Consultants


    Take advantage of the best human resources consultants for small businesses
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  70. Real Estate Appraisal Schools


    Your real estate appraiser education is the first step toward a respected career
    Guide Rating: 9.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  71. HRIS - Human Resource Information Systems


    Take advantage of the best human resource information systems for your small business
    Guide Rating: 7.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  72. Wholesale Clothing


    Find the best prices on wholesale fashion apparel for all your company's needs
    Guide Rating: 8.1 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  73. House Rentals


    Search houses for rent by owner for long-term alternatives to hotels
    Guide Rating: 8.1 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  74. For Sale By Owner (FSBO)


    Saving money by selling your own home FSBO
    Guide Rating: 7.7 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  75. Realtors


    Find a real estate professional to help with property buying and selling needs
    Guide Rating: 7.9 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  76. Real Estate and Construction for Small Business


    Consider commercial property for sale or commercial property for lease for your new office location
    Guide Rating: 7.1 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  77. Business Checking


    Locate the top business checking accounts to fit your company's business checking needs
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  78. Small Business Checking


    Find the best small business checking accounts for your company's needs
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  79. Online Banking for Small Business


    Got a small business? Online banking solutions can simplify accounting tasks
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  80. Commercial Leasing


    Save money through business equipment leasing rather than purchasing capital equipment
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  81. Real Estate Investment Companies


    Partner with a real estate investment company to profit from investment opportunities
    Guide Rating: 9.0 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  82. Real Estate Virtual Tours


    Real estate virtual tour software enhances your marketing efforts and helps find buyers
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  83. Company Policies


    Establish firm company policies and procedures to prevent and protect against workplace lawsuits
    Guide Rating: 8.1 out of 10. Saved by 2 people.

  84. Performance Appraisal


    Conduct performance reviews to help your employees reach their potential
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  85. Psychology Jobs


    Find the top resources for a rewarding career in psychology
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  86. Property Management


    Find property management firms to optimize your real estate investments
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  87. IT Jobs


    Find the top jobs in IT to suit your IT career goals
    Guide Rating: 8.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  88. Executive Coaching


    Coaching consultants can help you - and your employees - reach full potential
    Guide Rating: 7.9 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

  89. Real Estate Jobs


    Fulfill professional and personal goals through a lucrative real estate career
    Guide Rating: 7.1 out of 10. Saved by 1 person.

  90. Real Estate Appraisal Jobs


    Real estate appraiser jobs let you take advantage of the lucrative real estate industry
    Guide Rating: 7.0 out of 10. Saved by 0 people.

My Comments

  • Maggie -- Excellent guide -- thanks so much for the great ideas. Another place to check out some "outside the box" promotional products is www.ArtPromos.com/dept.asp?id=31, which offers more than the standard mugs and pens: check out the options for promotional cosmetics, wine openers and accessories, bbq items, and other housewares for a wide variety of useful promo items.
    Read More
  • Time Clocks - 04/04/2007
    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!
    Read More
  • 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.
    Read More
  • Great guide, Tom, and excellent resources! Thank you!
    Read More
  • 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.
    Read More
  • 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.
    Read More
  • This is a terrific resources for Missouri small business owners - of which I am one! Thanks for the great information.
    Read More
  • 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.
    Read More

My Favorite Guides

No favorite guides saved yet.
Work.com