Showing posts with label business tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business tips. Show all posts

Sunday, September 26, 2021

Ageism in the Workplace ~ Discover Why you need to Hire and Retain Older Workers

Is Your Company Ready to Embrace Older Workers?

Did You Know……

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 40 percent of people ages 55 and older were working or actively looking for work in 2014. That number, known as a labor force participation rate, is expected to increase fastest for the oldest segments of the population —most notably, people ages 65 to 74 —through 2024k with an 86% increase in workers  over 75 . In comparison, participation rates for most other age groups in the labor force aren’t projected to change much over 5% in the 2014–24 decade". Source1

What does this surge in older workers and job applicants mean for today’s workplace?

When it comes to hiring and the workplace, companies need to do what they can to be fair and equitable ~ not just in dealing with traditional “protected classes”, but also in how they handle older job applicants and employees once they are part of your workforce.

The question is ~ are your company’s hiring and employment practices up to the task?

Is “Ageism” the new Discrimination? “Tweet This”!

According to recent studies by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and many others, “Age discrimination is alive and well in the digital age, despite 50 years of laws intended to protect older Americans’ right to work. In fact, it’s thriving, with 20,857 such complaints filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 2016 alone, AARP states on its website.

A recent study that looked at more than 40,000 job applicant profiles found statistical evidence of age discrimination in hiring—discrimination against both women and men. Older applicants—those 64 to 66 years of age—experience more age discrimination than middle-age applicants ages 49 to 51, while women—especially older women, even those of middle age—experience more age discrimination in hiring than men do, the study indicated.” Source2

Thanks to better healthcare and lifestyle changes, people are living longer than ever before. Many are more active and vital long past their 60s and they want to keep doing what they love ~ and for some, that means continuing to work, or even embarking on a new career!

But instead of being welcomed and encouraged, many are being faced with a subtle roadblock ~ their age is being held against them.

“A new data analysis by ProPublica and the Urban Institute shows more than half of older U.S. workers are pushed out of longtime jobs before they choose to retire, suffering financial damage that is often irreversible.” Source3

And Ageism is worse in some industries more than others.

Over 40% of Tech Workers worry about Ageism

“Not only do employees witness an imbalance in age representation, but it is also causing anxiety among some workers.

Our survey of tech workers found that close to half of respondents (43%) worry about losing their job because of their age. Even more troubling, nearly one 5th (18%) say they worry about it “all the time.”.

It’s there in the cliched but widespread perception that employees need to be young to have a good grasp of the latest technology. And it’s there in startup cultures that push for long hours and low pay, which are hardly friendly to older workers with families. And as firms battle to attract young talent with ever more extravagant perks, they can unintentionally create an environment and culture that excludes older workers".

The fact remains that “retirement” is no longer at 62 or even 65 for a variety of reasons.

Some may find that they simply can’t afford to retire. Lack of pensions, rising healthcare and insurance costs, and increasing taxes all can factor into this decision to keep working.

Others simply love what they do. Their career gives them personal satisfaction and speaks to their desire to stay relevant and productive.

Now it’s time to get employers on board.

Employers Lose when they won’t Hire Older Workers! “Tweet This”

While many companies have anti-discrimination policies in place that include age, it often becomes lost in the day to day. The time is now for employers to Practice what you Preach! 

Your actions, especially when it comes to hiring, must follow the guidelines both in your policy and those that exist within local, county, state, and federal laws.

It is important that you show a strong dedication to hiring for qualifications and fitness for the job no matter the age, sex, race, religion, or sexual orientation of your applicants. 

You can accomplish this by:

  • Using age-inclusive language in your hiring and employment practices, including job postings.
  • Focusing on establishing benefits that take into consideration the wants and needs of your diverse workforce.
  • Creating a welcoming and innovative working environment that encourages collaboration.

“In order to really succeed in creating an innovative and welcoming environment, you (companies) need a mixed workforce. Having both experienced and skilled employees at all levels is key.

Creating an atmosphere where each generation of employees can learn from the other is one that will thrive and prosper. This results in the best of both worlds ~ a marriage between the tried and true and the up and coming.

This type of culture embraces experience while recognizing the benefits of introducing new talent and ideas. It is also the perfect way of establishing a strong company succession plan ~ something that every successful company needs”; excerpt from “Hiring? What You Should Do Now to Attract the New Hires You Need!”.

Do so, and this is what you will gain ~ a diverse group of employees that provide much needed skills, knowledge, and experience to your workplace.

In addition, building a diverse workforce is an amazing way to attract and retain the best hires.

It creates an environment filled with varying ideas, skills, and experience. The key is to get your diverse employees working as a team and sharing their knowledge and skills to better themselves and your company.

A great way to start is to establish a strong Mentoring Program.

Mentoring allows employees of different ages and backgrounds a better chance to know and learn from each other.

“While some businesses already understand the benefits of a strong internal Mentoring program, not all are as yet so savvy".

Business owners would be wise to embrace the idea of Mentoring. It is a great way to “onboard” new hires, especially those who have recently graduated and interns just entering the workforce. It can also be valuable as a way to get existing employees ready for promotion.” 

Establishing mentoring relationships between diverse employees, and that includes different ages, helps spread your employees’ knowledge and skill pool throughout your workforce!

Learn more about the value of Mentoring in your workplace in “Are You Ready to be a Mentor?”.

The fact is, rather than retire at age 65, more older Americans are remaining in or returning to the workforce. Some are continuing to work due to longer life expectancies, health expenses or financial insecurity. Others simply enjoy the social interaction and the fulfillment and sense of identity work provides.

In order to succeed, it is vital that your workplace embrace them. Is your company ready?

Authored by     

API can help you hire safely and effectively. Contact Us Today to find out how!

Learn more About Us, Our Services, and what Our Happy Clients have to say!


Source 1* Older Workers: Labor Force Trends 

Source 2* Despite Laws intended to Prevent it, Age Discrimination ‘Alive and Well 

Source 3* If You're over 50, Chances are the decision to Leave a Job won't be Yours

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Do You have what it Takes to be a Good Leader?


Do You have what it takes to be a Good Leader?
To answer that question, it is important that you first consider this….What are the top traits that the most inspirational leaders you know really have?

When we think about the best people we have known, we often look to our parents, teachers, friends, and our business connections.

Many of them have had great impact on us personally and in our professional careers.

But when it comes to who among them we believe is a good leader, our list becomes more selective. We find ourselves looking for qualities in these people that bring out the best in those around them. 

Soon a pattern emerges and we discover that there are traits that all the best leaders have in common

Whether these leaders are found in business, our personal lives, or among our nation’s government, we believe the characteristics of a Strong Leader are:

They Lead by Example, not Force
Instead of demanding things from those around them, the best leaders demand the most from themselves. They “walk the walk, not just talk the talk”. These leaders persuade instead of command and control.

They Inspire Others
A true leader must a driving force. They must embody the strength of character and ideals that others want to emulate.

They Practice Mutual Respect
Mutual Respect is when people are given the freedom to share their opinions and ideas without being dismissed. Good leaders consider all these opinions, even if those ideas are different than their own. Practicing mutual respect also means that everyone’s rights are protected and they feel safe and valued.  

They are Fair, Kind, and Honest
Good leaders are strong believers in fair play, right from wrong. They are completely honest with themselves and others but, most importantly, that honesty is tempered with kindness. 

They Act with Humility 
The best leaders don’t believe they are better or smarter than everyone else. They understand that they don’t know and can't do everything. They are willing to own their mistakes and learn from them.

They Recognize Strengths, Weaknesses, and Know how to Delegate
Whether it is individuals or the team as a whole, good leaders are able to pin point what is working and what is not. They also recognize what each member of the team brings to the whole. Because of this, good leaders can identify the best person for the job and then empower them to get things done.

Being a Leader is more than a title, it’s your character! "Tweet This"


But perhaps the most important trait of a Good Leader is that they are comfortable placing their focus more on how they can help others than on how they can get ahead themselves. 

In business, there are those who think that to get ahead you need to be cutthroat and focused squarely on your own goals.

But it doesn’t have to be like that. Instead, the very best leaders find ways to make a difference in the lives of those around them and to help them unselfishly reach their own goals.

This ideal is called being a “Servant Leader”.
In 1970, Robert K. Greenleaf coined the phrase “Servant Leadership”. This concept focused on the importance of good leaders being a “servant” first.

A servant-leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. While traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the “top of the pyramid,” servant leadership is different. The servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible.” *Source1

Servant leaders value and encourage diverse opinions, cultivate an atmosphere of trust, and selflessness. They also focus on developing future leaders out of those around them.
These types of leaders are not afraid of the success of others. They consistently help and support those around them in order to help others achieve their own goals.

But, to be a true Servant Leader, compassion is the key. 
These leaders create strong relationships and show true caring through their actions, not their words. They actively look for ways that they can benefit others, and they work hard to help solve their problems and listen to their concerns.  

Many times this willingness to help another person succeed takes the form of mentoring. 

“Being a Mentor requires that you be genuinely interested in another person’s growth, with no real expectation of tangible personal gain. Invite the mentee into your “inner circle”. Introduce them to who you know and include them in your professional groups. In other words, “Pay it Forward”, “Make A Difference”, and Pave the Way”!”, excerpt from “Are You Ready to be a Mentor?”.

Good leadership should not be about demanding. When you have to demand respect, loyalty, or dedication, then you are doing something wrong. 
Instead, the really great leaders lead by example. Day in and day out they act in the way they want those around them to act. They work hard, build relationships, and value others.  

So, to get back to our original question, “Do you have what it takes to be a Good Leader”?
You do if you have the drive to inspire, a strong sense of fair play, true compassion, and the willingness to be a positive force in the lives of others. Then you are ready to be the kind of Leader that can truly Make a Difference! 

Authored by  


Discover more About Us and what we can do to help your business succeed! Check out our Background Investigation, Business Mentoring, and Security Consulting services to find out more!

Contact Us Now to get started! 


Source *1 ~ “What is Servant Leadership”
https://www.greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Considering Growing Your Business? What You Need to Know Before You Start!

Don't Expand Your Business Before You ask Yourself These Questions!


Are You Ready to Grow Your Business?
When you start a business, you have a lot of hopes and dreams about where it will take you. You imagine things like financial security, doing something you love, and even just being your own boss.

Running your own business also comes with a lot of responsibilities. There are important decisions that need to be made concerning your business. There are the day to day tasks such as dealing with customers, overseeing inventory, invoicing, and paying bills.

But perhaps one of the most important decisions you will ever make is deciding if and when it is time to grow your business!

When it comes to growing and expanding your business, it is never wise to go in blindly. There are things you need to carefully consider before taking that step, and tips to help you if you ultimately decide to proceed.

If you get to the point where you start thinking about making that leap, then it is crucial that you take a good long look at your business first. And the best way to do that is to ask yourself some hard questions!

Before Deciding to Grow or Expand Your Business, Ask Yourself:

  • Are your existing products and services effective, or would you need to provide new ones?
  • Is your brand established?
  • Does your business have a strong and recognizable presence?

But perhaps the most important question you can ask yourself is….
Can You handle the Risks that come with Growing Your Business?

Know the Risks before You Expand Your Business! “Tweet This” 

Growing your business comes with certain risks ~ if it didn’t, everyone would do it! These risks can effect both your Personal and Professional lives.

Personal Risks
It is important that you realize that in your quest to grow your business, you will not be the only one to feel the strain. Increased stress, health issues, time commitments and a seeming lack of control can all effect not just you but your personal relationships and commitments too.

Professional Risks
When you choose to expand your business, you open it up to potential business risks. These can impact your finances, customers, and employees.

That is why it is important to consider the following:

Your Business “Health”
Is Your Business Healthy enough to Sustain Growth? Making sure you really know the ins and outs of your company’s finances is essential. Do you have the capital, or will you need to borrow to fund your expansion? Have your profits continued to grow to the level where growth makes sense and are they consistent? Will the potentially altered timing of money in and money out create too much of a financial strain? 

Your Clients and Customers
Are you able to keep your current customer service up to par during the expansion? Will the increased demand on your time cause your customer service to go downhill? Without attention to this potential problem, your customers may begin to feel neglected.

Your Employees
Are you and your workforce up to the challenge? Do you have the necessary manpower to cover the expansion or would you need to hire? If you need to hire, will you consider temp or seasonal hires instead of committing to full-time ones?

Change is hard. You may find that your employees are uncertain or even fearful about the expansion. They may not even have the skills necessary to be successful during this transition. Growing your business can put a strain on your existing workforce that you have not foreseen.

So, before you commit to the expansion, it is essential that you dig deep and be completely honest with yourself about your company’s strengths and weaknesses.

Taking the time now to identify and understand the personal and professional risks associated with expanding your business, and whether you and you company is ready for them, makes you better informed on whether it is the right time to proceed. It also gives you the opportunity to come up with solutions to solve, or at least mitigate, these risks. 


However, it is important to remember that while there are risks in deciding to grow your business, there are also great rewards.

Expanding your business brings the potential for greater revenue, a larger voice in your market, and the personal and professional satisfaction of taking your business to the next level. It can give you a pride of accomplishment that is hard to match.

The key is to go in with your eyes wide open. 

Only after understanding the risks and rewards can you then think about going forward with your business expansion plan ~ and taking these steps will help!

Before You Begin:

Consider consulting an intellectual property attorney
Make sure your tagline and brand are trademarked and that any patents and / or copyrights are in place. 

Develop a Detailed and Precise plan
Decide what kind of business growth makes sense for you and your company and what you need to do to get there.

Here are 5 options you should consider:

DiversifyYou could add to your existing products or services, or choose to offer something completely new. Just make sure whatever you do is in line with your brand and your business goals.

Target New MarketsWhile you are currently having success with the market(s) you now serve, it might be time to consider something new. Focusing on a completely new market can give you just the growth push your company needs.

Buy, Merge, or Partner with another BusinessWhen you buy, merge, or partner with another business, you are immediately pooling your resources, services, and your markets. This grows your customer base and your collective skills and experience.

Open Another LocationThis can be risky but, if done right, can yield great rewards. It is important that you first consider the additional costs involved in acquiring the new location and the additional employees needed to run it. 

Increase Your Social Media PresenceThis can be a great “first step” for many businesses looking to grow and expand. Having a broader online presence can get you noticed and help you build credibility and recognition.

Learn more about how these tips can work for you in “
5 Steps to Help You Grow Your Business”.

No matter what you choose, the key is to pick the business growth options that work for you and your business. Focus on the ones that take into consideration both the risks and rewards that make sense.

There is no doubt that Growth and Expansion are ultimate goals for most business owners and entrepreneurs. But you must not go in blindly. 

Taking the time to ask yourself the hard questions, being honest with yourself about the risks, and ready with solutions to potential problems will go a long way towards making your quest to grow your business successful.

Authored by   


Contact Us Now! Discover how our Business Mentoring, Background Investigation, and Security Consulting services can help you!


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Sunday, January 28, 2018

How can You Tell if your Applicant is Honest?


How can you check the integrity and honesty of your job candidate?
This question was posed recently on a popular Q&A site and the goal makes sense. Knowing whether your applicant is honest can go a long way towards helping you make a successful hiring decision.

But how can that goal be accomplished and is it possible to do it during the interview? 
Here is our answer to that question:
"Do a Background Check! While it is important to first wait until a conditional offer of employment has been made, the employment background check is the perfect cross-reference between what a candidate told you during the interview and stated on their resume and the truth. Honest candidates will be as exact as possible in their dates and title of employment, their degree and certifications, and any other information they list. You can also check with past supervisors concerning any job duties or projects mentioned by your candidate. Verifying this information can go a long way towards checking on the integrity and honesty of anyone who applies for employment with your company!".

You can check out more answers to this question here!

As often comes with hindsight, after posting we realize that our answer to that question should have included so much more!

Verifying an applicant’s honesty solely during the interview is unrealistic.

While it is certainly possible to gauge things like eye contact, consistency, and general demeanor, relying on the interview to determine your applicant’s honesty simply doesn’t make sense.

Want to “Check” if Your Applicant is Honest? Do a Background Check! “Tweet This”


That is where the employment background check comes in!
Employers want honest employees. They want to hire people they can trust, who will act with integrity, and who are true to their word.

And if an applicant is willing to lie on their resume or during the interview, it certainly doesn’t bode well for how they will conduct themselves when they are hired!

Lying on your resume is seen as a mark against your honesty. Employers want to hire someone they can trust. If their first impression of you is one of deception, then your chances of getting hired are slim.

In fact, according to the Careerbuilder survey, 51% of employers would automatically reject a candidate that lied”.

Simply put, “Employers don’t hire liars. By the time a background check is ordered, they have already invested time and money in advertising their open position, wading through resumes received, and interviewing any promising candidates.

Finding out that you (the candidate) lied at this point in the hiring process is maddening.  And despite the aggravation, most are willing to start over before hiring someone they can’t trust”.
excerpts from “Employers Share ~ Lie on Your Resume and You Lose!”. 

When applicants lie on their resume or application, there are very real consequences for the employer in the form of time and money!

It is estimated that resume fraud costs employers approximately $600 Billion annually”! Yes that is $600 BILLION!  

This figure covers the increased time needed to screen resumes…..40% of HR professionals say that because of the prevalence of lies, they are now spending more time than ever to verify applicant’s claims.

There is also the high cost associated with hiring, training, and replacing employees that are later found out to lack the skills or education necessary to do the job.

It is estimated that this can cost more than that employee’s yearly salary. And this can hit small businesses especially hard. Many struggle to cover the time and money wasted.

In addition to the money spent on screening, fabricated resumes can also present very real and serious legal issues to employers. If your company hires someone who is not fit for the job, whether that is because they are unqualified or unsafe, it opens you up to negligent hiring lawsuits.

It becomes even more serious if someone is harmed due to that hire - whether that is another employee or a customer".

Find out more about the problems businesses face when their hires lie in “The High Cost of Resume Lies”!

There is no doubt that hiring an honest employee is a goal for any company. And if there existed a crystal ball, magic potion, or some invention to ensure that, everything would be wonderful.
But since that won’t happen any time soon, using a good background check to hire is the next best thing! Employment screening is the best tool available to verify that your applicant is telling the truth from the beginning….something that can not be determined through the interview alone!

Authored by   

Hiring? Contact Us Today to find out how our Background Investigation services can Help You!

Discover more About Us and our Business Mentoring and Security Consulting services too!

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Do You Believe in What You Sell?


Do You believe in what You Sell?
This question was asked on the networking site Alignable and when we saw it, we knew we had to weigh in with our thoughts: 
While API ‘sells’ services (employment background checks and business mentoring), (we) find it essential to completely believe in what (we) do and why. And since our clients essentially get US when they sign on, it definitely helps that we believe in ourselves and that what we do is valuable. We would find it very difficult to promote what we do if we didn't believe in its quality and value!”.

When API started, we quickly found that “selling” our services was one of our most difficult tasks ~ and that was a problem!

Getting the word out and landing clients is essential to making a go of any business. So we had no choice but to get ourselves out there, push that uncomfortable feeling aside, and sell what we do.

While it continued to be difficult, we found that the more we began to truly recognize the quality of what we offered the easier it got. We also discovered that when it became clear that our services could really help our clients succeed in their own businesses, our initial problems with “selling” what we do were no longer an issue.

Some of the other answers to “Why Do You Believe in what You Sell” also resonated with us:
  • “If you sell yourself, and believe in yourself, it is easy”.
  • I have “pride in what I do and believe in its quality”.
  • I receive “continued positive customer/client feedback”.
  • “I know it works”. 
  • “I know it helps people”.
  • “We love what we do, and that love translates to making a truly quality product” (or service).
  • “We have seen it improve people’s lives”.
  • We “get more customers by word of mouth” (which means happy clients).
All of these answers focused on what they and their company’s products or services did FOR their clients ~ and that is why they believe in them! 

The bottom line is, when we began thinking about our answer to the question “Why Do You Believe in What You Sell”, we realized that it would be impossible for us to sell something that we didn’t believe in!


For us, we believe in what we “sell” because we know it has helped our clients. 
Our background investigation services enable them to be more successful when hiring and finding the best candidates. We strive to keep up with new laws and regulations that govern employment screening. We know the quality we provide and how it can help solve our clients’ hiring problems. 

In addition, our Small Business Mentoring and Security Consulting services help them to start their own small business and keep that business safe.

We also found that once we changed our mindset to one where “selling” was not our ultimate goal, but partnering with our clients on their own road to success was, it made all the difference.

Why Moving Away from the “Sell” will Help You Believe in Your Business! “Tweet This”

There is no way we could “sell” what we do if we didn’t believe in it. We place our focus squarely on the real value of our services ~ what we have learned about our industry and the way we treat our clients. we fully believe in the quality of what we offer, and that shows. While “selling” is still not really in our nature, it is so much easier because we know what we do will help our clients.
So, in the end, “Why” do we believe in what we sell? Because it would be impossible for us to run a business where we didn’t!!!

Authored by   


Find out what API can Do for You! Check out our Background Investigation, Business Mentoring, and Security Consulting Services.

We also invite you to learn more About Us and what Our Happy Clients have to Say about our services!

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Ready to Take Your Holiday Break?


Are You Ready for Your Holiday Break?

Another holiday season is upon us and once I again I find myself ready to shift my focus away from my business and place it squarely on my family and friends!

The prep is done and I am ready to soak in the wonders of the season...are you?

The Holidays can frazzle the best of us!
We find ourselves pulled in a million different directions. We have to make time for family, work, and friends. Not to mention the extra “holiday specific” tasks this season brings ~ decorating, baking, shopping, wrapping ~ and the list goes on!


The hectic pace definitely can take its toll!

And while I love everything that is “holiday”, I know it is not in my or my family’s best interest to let it wear me down.


That is why I am a firm believer in taking a Holiday break!

Time off allows me to thoroughly enjoy my favorite time of the year and get some much desired “me time”. To accomplish this I gradually lessen my workload and go into “wind down” mode for the rest of the year.

I recommend that, if possible, you all do the same!

The question then becomes….How?


Top Tips to Help You take the Holiday Break You Need! “Tweet This” 


It is possible to take the holiday break you need ~ and these tips will get you started!

All it takes is some serious pre-planning! Working overtime to complete outstanding projects, notifying clients in advance you will be taking time off, and even pre-paying any bills and invoicing for completed work will help.

While all that extra work certainly adds to the controlled chaos of my pre-holiday schedule, it is worth it!

As an added bonus, by the time my holiday break is over, I find myself more than ready to dive head first into the coming year”, excerpt from  “Need a Holiday Break? Why We All Require Time Off!”.

Learn more about what you can do to get away “work free” and “unplugged” in my article “8 Easy Tips to Help You Take a Vacation”.

The reality, however, is that not everyone can take their break during the holidays.

For some companies, this is their busy time of the year. They rely on holiday sales for much of their revenue and simply can’t scale back. 

I suggest these companies schedule a break after the season ends instead!


No doubt these business owners, and their employees, will be more than ready after the whirlwind holiday season. Some businesses may be able to coordinate company-wide time off. Others may need to employ a rotating schedule to allow everyone to take a break.

But no matter when or how, taking that break is important. It will re-energize and refresh you and, after it’s over, you will find yourself ready to get back in there give it your all!


To jump start my own holiday break, this will be the last article I share this year! 

Look for our next post to come out in the beginning of January! I hope to once again share with you new information and tips to help you and your business succeed.


We wish for each of you the time to truly enjoy whatever celebrations this season will bring! Happy Holidays!

Authored by  



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Sunday, December 10, 2017

Need Help Starting Your Small Business? Contact Us!


Many people dream of becoming their own boss. 

They imagine the flexibility of setting their own hours. The freedom of taking their business in any direction they choose. And many, wish for the chance to do something that is meaningful and "speaks" to what is important to them. No doubt each of these goals sounds wonderful!

But oftentimes it is hard to know where to start.

Or, even if you do manage to get your business off the ground, obstacles can often get in the way that derail you from your goals.

This is where We can Help!
At Access Profiles, we offer Small Business Mentoring!

Our mentoring service was created out of what we saw as a real need. Many times our small business clients, and many of  the people we ran across, had a dream of succeeding as small business owners.

The trouble was, they didn’t know how to make their dream become a reality! 

For the past year or two, I have had people contact us who are thinking of starting their own small business. Most have been interested in a background check company, but others have been all over the board.

And if you have read any of our articles in the past, then you know that we believe in Paying it Forward.  


I have spent numerous hours on the phone and through email fielding questions and offering support to these budding entrepreneurs.  


It was during one of these phone calls that an idea began to form. My contact asked if I would be interested in actually mentoring her in starting her own business ~ and she offered to pay me for my time!


She wanted to “pick my brain” on the things I had learned in the past 20+ years and give her real guidance in getting her company up and running. 


This started me thinking ~ maybe I can start helping others on a more formal basis too.


And our Small Business Mentoring Service was born!”, excerpt from “Are You Ready to Start Your Own Small Business?”.


Do You Dream of Starting a Small Business? Start Here! “Tweet This”

Are You Ready to Start a Small Business of Your Own?
Whether you need help with one specific problem, or simply need real advice to help you get started, we are here!

At API we have developed a list of Mentoring Sessions designed to address the many issues faced when starting a business. These topics cover everything from Setting up Your business, Hiring and Outsourcing, Building Your Brand, and much more!

You can find a complete list of the mentoring sessions we offer at Access Profiles here!

We are also able to customize individual sessions, or an entire plan, just for you!

Do You already run Your own Business?
We can help you too! Our sessions can help you overcome those inevitable roadblocks and get you back on the path to success!

So, if you are ready to begin your journey into entrepreneurship, if you are on the fence, or even if you simply need help with your existing business,  Contact Us!

We are here to answer your questions and help you choose the best path for you! Let’s Get Started!

Authored by   


Learn more About Us and what Our Happy Clients have to say about our 


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Sunday, November 12, 2017

Learn Why You Need to Be careful when Posting on Social Media


Do You Own a Business?

If so, you know how important it is to build a positive and trust-worthy brand

You understand the need to develop and sustain an image that reflects your core values and helps you build a solid reputation to attract and keep customers.


You also know that in order to help you gain those loyal customers, you must Get Social!

Social Media is a fantastic way for businesses, especially small businesses, to build their brand and connect with existing and potential customers. It allows you to reach a wider audience and “spread the word” more often and much farther than more traditional marketing methods.

The key, however, it to be sure to use it to your best advantage. 


To do Social right, you need to Be Present, Be Consistent, and Be “Social”.
But most of all, you need to Be Careful.

Start by recognizing that what you share online is a strong reflection of you and your company. It should always be in-line with your brand and core values. That is why compromising your reputation by being cavalier about what you post is not good business.


That is why it is best to separate the Business from the Personal.

While this is relatively easy and clear on a site like LinkedIn, other sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are a little more murky.

To help achieve the separation you need, ask yourself these two questions: 

  1. Do I have a dedicated business page? 
  2. Do I use my personal page for business?

If you find yourself guilty of merging the two, then it is likely best 
you make some changes…and 
keeping them separate is the place to start!

The Top 3 reasons You should Separate Your Business and Personal Social Sites: 

  1. You don’t want to alienate potential clients
  2. You want to keep your “Brand” consistent
  3. You want to keep “crazy” things off your business pages

Alienating potential clients is never good for business. Anytime you share potentially controversial posts, you run this risk. That is why I avoid strong political and religious posts. You never know when what you say can keep you from landing a customer.  

Your “brand” should always be consistent. This is whether that brand is associated with your small business or it is your own professional persona. Anyone wanting to do business with or hire you, will look you up online. Posts or shares that go against the image you want to portray are detrimental and may even be dangerous to your success.

Keeping “crazy” posts from friends or online connections off my business pages is the number one reason I separate the business from the personal. You have very little control over what others post. And even if you hide them from your page, it may not be before their posts have been seen by someone they may offend. This could potentially lose you business or keep you from getting hired.

Learn more about why guarding both your business and personal online presence makes good business sense ~ and how you can accomplish it ~ in “Why You Need to Keep Your Personal & Business Social Media Separate”!


What You Post Online can Hurt Your Business! “Tweet This”


Social posts that share your personal causes and political views can all impact your business.


While separate pages is definitely recommended, I take it a step further. I am also extremely careful of what I like and post on my personal page.

That doesn’t mean I am impersonal and sterile. Even on my business page, I want people to know ME. After all, I am my company.

But my political and social views are my own! I won’t risk alienating or losing existing or potential clients over them. This is even more important in today’s political climate.


Instead, I have learned to use my social posts right, while still sharing what is important to me and my business.


I regularly weigh in on issues that effect business and background checks. Things like new laws and regulations are common post subjects. 

I also share my thoughts on discrimination in hiring and women in business ~ both topics that are extremely important to me and are core values in my business. 

But it ends there.


This way I can Be Present, Be Consistent, Be Social, and still Be Careful! 



So, in the end, be sure to ask yourself this question, 
Are Your Social Posts working for You or Against You?



Your answer can guide you in getting the best out of your social posts…and it is likely you will find that keeping them as separate as possible is simply Good Business!


Authored by   



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Sunday, October 15, 2017

Helping Your Employees Tackle Tragedy

How You can Help Your Employees deal with Tragedy
Are You and Your Company Prepared to Tackle Tragedy?

Tragedies happen. As a country we have endured hurricanes and tornadoes, devastating wildfires, and horrific mass shootings. And now we have had to deal with the latest, the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whenever anything of this magnitude occurs, we all find ourselves riveted to news shows, daily government updates, and social media posts covering these stories. We follow the path of the storms and wildfires. We become saturated with information about the shooter and the victims. Even interviews with those effected are on 24/7.

Many grapple with feelings of horror, helplessness, and anger. And it is impossible to think that these feelings don’t carry over into the workplace.

It is even worse when the acts of violence, natural disasters, or this virus directly impact one or more of your employees, their families, or even your company. Stories of disgruntled workers who go on a rampage or ex-employees who return to exact some sort of revenge, while not common, do happen. 

If your employees are working from home, they may have to juggle job expectations along with child care and possibly having to help their children with daily school work. And if your company ends up struggling financially due to any of this, on top of it all your employees may end up feeling helpless and scared about their future.  


The bottom line is this ~ if a tragedy occurs, whether in our out of the workplace, it is sure to have an impact on you and your employees. That is why it is crucial for you to be proactive and create policies to deal with them before they happen. 

For example, when it comes to workplace violence, you can start by prohibiting any type of weapon in the workplace and establishing physical security measures like controlled entry and strategically placed cameras. Adopting a zero tolerance policy for any type of workplace harassment and violence is also key.

You can find out more steps you can take to protect your employees from workplace violence in “Dangers to Your Small Business Part 3 ~ Violence and Drugs in the Workplace”!

You may also want to consider how you would handle employees who are dealing with health issues, the loss of their home, or even the loss of a loved one due to any one of these tragedies.

But no matter what the cause, developing a plan to help guide you through, long before a tragedy strikes, makes good sense.

It is possible that your employees may be effected both physically and emotionally by these incidents. While the physical injuries are most easily understood, it is often the emotional impact that can go unrecognized or untreated.


So, what can you do to help your employees?
It is important that you provide, or give them and their families access to, the support they need.


4 Ways to Help Your Employees Deal with a Tragedy "Tweet This"
Reach Out  
Offer your support and, whenever possible, a chance for your employees to come together and share, even if that needs to be virtually. What is most important here is that they know you care and that they are not alone.

Establish a Plan to Accommodate Employees’ Grief and/or Injuries 
This is especially important if violence occurred within your workplace, close by, or involved family or friends. But you also may need to help them deal with personal losses that happen outside of the workplace or the financial impact of business closures and loss of income. 

Establish Time Off and Leave Policies
This can be essential for those who have been closely impacted by a tragedy. These employees may need additional time to help them not only heal but deal with issues that effect their families. 

Find a Way to Make a Difference
Organize efforts to donate time, supplies, or money to help those impacted. The key here is to find a way to work together as a team and help your employees, or even their families, feel more in control.

Discover more about the steps your company can take in “What You can Do to Help Your Employees Deal with Tragedy”!

No matter what methods you choose, helping your employees through a difficult time does good on many levels.

It shows through actions, not just words, that your employees matter. That you empathize with what they are going through and truly want to help.


Kindness Makes a Difference
In the end, doing what you can to prevent tragedies within the workplace, recognizing the impact of those that occur outside your company, and establishing ways to help your employees deal with both is simply the right thing to do.  
And that is important for both your employees and your business!

Authored by   

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