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Archive for October, 2008

Are we now in a recession?

While the official determination has not yet been made, the economy has definitely seen better days. Small business owners not only have to contend with higher prices that affect their bottom lines, but also a tightening of consumers’ spending habits as they try to wait out the current market. Even if a recession does occur, smart business owners can survive it; here are a few steps you can take financially to protect yourself against a slowdown.
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Facing the Promotional Interview – Part 8

CONCEPTS

4. ORAL BOARDS ARE LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES WHO WILL RELATE THEIR QUALIFICATIONS
It is a fact that every candidate competing for a promotion is the most qualified candidate on this planet! It is also a fact that every candidate has done something worth mentioning. So, when a candidate is in front of an interview board expounding on their numerous qualifications, what gives those qualifications any credibility? The answer to that important question is understanding and using the concept of “relating and demonstrated performance.” To demonstrate this concept, let’s look at two different responses to the trait of leadership (which is a prime ingredient in every position within the fire service, including the position of firefighter).
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The Markets, Credit Crunch and LAFCU

I have received a number of questions recently regarding the significant amount of stock market volatility as well as questions as to how that may impact member’s funds in their LAFCU money market accounts as well as other accounts at the Credit Union.
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Reversing the Performance Evaluation Process

Supervisors should regularly analyze their actions, behavior and leadership style. True critical analysis would reveal how a supervisor rates from a team member viewpoint. However, since self-criticism is very difficult for everyone, asking your team members to rate you can reveal areas that could be improved. This type of rating process can shed some light on how team members perceive their supervisors job performance.
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When Will We Ever Learn?

And hello again to all the visitors on the LA Fire Credit Union website and thanks for taking a look at my little corner of this site where I tend to ramble about things that may or may not be important to you, but for some reason I thought it was important enough to prepare and distribute to you. And over the last several of these pieces I have repeatedly thanked all of you for all your great work on the wildland fires around our Great State, and once again I must thank you – not for your performance on a fire – but rather your performance on the recent train wreck in Chatsworth.
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Facing the Promotional Interview – Part 7

In our last article, we looked at the perspective that interview boards must ask 3 basic questions. Let’s continue with the question that challenges a candidate to be able to do the position they are interviewing for.
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