Entries for the 'Business & Finance' Category

Florida, USA - If you ask the Clearwater BP gas station owner Karim Mansour, he will say they had a bone to pick with Cody and they won.  Florida’s health department inspector says the dog will no longer be able to join his owner to work. 

“Successful Chaldean business owners are known to fight for their employees.  It is perhaps one of the biggest reasons as to why they are successful.  You treat your workers great, they are loyal and work hard to make the business a success,” says Angela Yousif, a member of Clearwater areas Chamber of Commerce. 

Mansour, received a warning from the Florida Department of Health on Thursday, informing him that Cody would have to go or all of the store's food - mostly bottled soda, candy and other snacks - would be declared unfit for consumption.

Michigan, USA – “It is hard enough to make a living in Michigan. Now we have to give up the right to protect ourselves when our lives are being threatened.  This state is getting way out of control,” says Andrew Gabara, of Clinton Township. 

Gabara’s comments are in light of the ongoing frustration Chaldeans in Clinton Township are feeling regarding the Nick’s Party Stop robbery.  “This state is backward.  They were protecting themselves form being robbed and now they are being sued.  Where is the justice?”

Scott Zielinski, who was found guilty and sentenced to prison for the November 2007 robbing Nick’s Party Stop in Clinton Township sued the store owner and employees from prison for beating him up during the robbery.  John Acho, and three employees including Acho's nephew Justin Kallo, who shot Zielinski twice were named in the suit. 

Zielinski, 23, filed the lawsuit in April after he was shot while robbing the store on Cass Avenue, south of 19 Mile Road, near Chippewa Valley High School. Zielinski, wielding a knife and wearing a mask, entered the store about 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15, 2007, and demanded cash and cigarettes. As he fled out the front door carrying a bag of money and cigarettes, he was shot in the arm.

Baghdad, IRAQ — Efforts by Western and Iraqi business leaders help secure a new chapter in Iraqi’s economic stability and growth.  A major breakthrough for Iraq’s oil industry is made after three international oil consortiums accept Iraq’s terms to develop two oil fields. 

American Iraqi Business Group (AIBG) chairman, Sam Yono shares that recent developments have changed; more companies have agreed to meet Iraq’s price requirements for oil.   

Yono leads the largest consortium of independent Western businesses seeking to conduct business in Iraq.  AIBG offers education and assistance to Iraqi and Western corporations on securing bids from Iraq and better understanding business opportunities.  The business group helps to form collaboration, consortiums, and build synergies to meet the needs of the reemerging Iraqi market. 

After a successful endeavor of a winning bid for BP-China’s CNPC consortium which bid $2 per barrel produced to develop the 17.8 billion barrel Rumaila field with a targeted production of 2.85 million barrels per day, up from its current nearly one million barrels a day, more oil consortium’s sought to bid more competitively. 

AIBG reports that they can now share that, that a total of three other consortiums also were awarded.  One led by Exxon Mobil and Royal Dutch Shell, another by ConocoPhilips, and a third by Russia’s Lukoil. 

When sales slump due to a slow economy, a Chaldean business owner’s first inclination is often to cut the marketing budget. After all, one has fixed costs and cash flow can be irregular. But marketing should be the last activity Chaldeans eliminate or you risk an even faster downward spiral.

Advertising your business and attracting new customers must be an ongoing process, and there are many things Chaldean entrepreneurs can do that cost absolutely nothing.

Here are just a few suggestions.

Present
Professional event and meeting planners are always looking for presenters and workshop leaders for conferences. Chaldean entrepreneurs can research contact names in the Directory of Event Planners or partner with a local church, community center, or event planner to organize a community workshop related to your expertise.  When you do get the opportunity to make a presentation or speak to group of people, be sure to collect business cards for a drawing to win a book or other prize related to your business.

The U.S. and the U.K. may be mired in what was once thought of as a Third World style of financial crisis, but what was once considered the Third World is not.  Local, state, and national governments in both America and Europe are seeing a significant spike in crime and fraud. 

“Giving home loans to every person that walked into a mortgage or bank loan office is the root of all the problems,” says Mary Hessu, a banker with Community Bank in Michigan.  “America was supposed to be about equal opportunity and earning your way.  Giving undeserving people loans for some social engineering experiment has rocked the world.”

Hessu says the consequences of America’s politicians poor decisions is unemployment and crime.  “Crime is skyrocketing and Chaldeans who happen to own businesses are the victims.  Stores are being burglarized, check cashing fraud, and identity theft is hurting out community.”

All experts agree that the very best way for Chaldeans to prevent an armed robbery is to send a message that your business is not an easy target and not worth the effort. In this article, www.CHALDEAN.org covers the most helpful tips in preventing armed robbery for Chaldean small business owners. 

Michigan, USA - Even before it was fashionable in America, Chaldeans were proselytizing about the value of thrift and saving.  “I give all my American friends having financial trouble the book,” says Faith Yono a senior finance major at Wayne State University in Michigan.  “The book is small, but filled with wise financial sense.  This is a reason why Babylonians are some of the wealthiest people even today.”

Yono is referring to the book titled the Richest Man in Babylon written by George Samuel Clason which gives financial advice through a collection of parables set in ancient Babylon.  Through their experiences in business and managing household finance, the characters in the parables learn simple lessons in financial wisdom. By basing these parables in ancient times, but involving situations that modern people can understand and identify with, the author presents these lessons as timeless wisdom that is as relevant today as it was back then.

Chaldeans are known to teach that you should never spend what you borrowed.   “America’s culture of consume on credit is very bad,” says Yono.  “People are taught to buy whatever they like on credit cards and pay the crazy interest later.  The same stupid thinking is now in government.   They just want to borrow and spend and this is very bad.”

California, USA – “You have to know your rights.  Otherwise they may take advantage of you when you rent from them,” says Khaloud “Kelly” Heso, a property manager in Orange Grove Townhouse and Apartments in a small town outside of San Diego, California.  “I once worked with a company that taught us not to share renter rights with the tenants.  I could not work for a company that operated in that way, so I left and came to Orange Grove.” 

Chaldeans should know what their rights are when renting and you don't have to be expert in landlord-tenant law to protect yourself. Chaldeans are reminded to review their rights when renting or leasing and to always read the agreement before signing the dotted line.

Laws that protect both landlord and tenant have become so complex that understanding your rights can be difficult. Since landlord-tenant law varies by state, the key is knowing your rights -- preferably before you even sign your rental agreement. Understanding your state law and the terms of your lease are your best guarantees against future problems.

15 common renters' rights all Chaldeans should know:

Michigan, USA - Federal tobacco taxes are set to go into effect April 1.   The biggest federal tax increase will hit roll-your-own tobacco, rising from $1.10 per pound to $24.78 per pound. Store-bought cigarette taxes will head from 39 cents per pack to $1.01 per pack. The state tax for store-bought cigarettes stands at $2 a pack.

Chaldean retailers that sell tobacco say customers are stocking up and driving demand.  Stores that sell loose tobacco and cigarettes are clamoring to keep their inventory stocked.  Unhappy store owner John Kallabat of Canopy Bottle & Gourmet Shoppe in Brighton wonders how sales will fare starting next month. His store sells cigars and cigarettes, but no roll-your-own tobacco.

"It seems like every time they decide to put a tax increase on something it's always beer, wine or liquor or tobacco, and that's our livelihood," Kallabat said.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm's budget wouldn't touch Michigan's $2-per-pack cigarette tax, it would slam other tobacco smokers, chewers and puffers who've been a favorite tax target for states to balance budgets and, in the name of good health, discourage tobacco use.

Just a few weeks after Salim Bashi was laid off as manager of a taxi cab company in Michigan, he found himself driving through Detroit with his 11-year-old son, Sam. Sam knew that his father was unemployed and that money was a concern in their family. 

Salim says, “We stopped at a red light, and saw a homeless man pushing a shopping cart.  I could see in my son’s eyes he was worried.  I asked him what he was thinking.  First he was scared to answer.  He wanted to know if we would be like that man with the shopping cart."   

www.CHALDEAN.org speaks to several Chaldean fathers about how losing a job can affect family life.

More Chaldean stay-at-home moms are using their creativity, experience and education into starting businesses on the side. No matter if your goals are as simple as adding to the family’s income or as big as building a million dollar company, starting part-time from home is a great way to test the business waters. 

But between helping the kids with complex homework assignments, shuttling them to countless activities and volunteering at their school--all while managing the household and trying to carve out a little time for yourself--where do they find the time to start a business? 

www.CHALDEAN.org interviews Chaldean stay-at-home moms who have been able to successfully juggle their family and business, all from their home headquarters.

Most of what we learn about human behavior is taught by nonverbal signals. Body language is a powerful but subtle form of communication.  Learning to interpret the clues and indicators of body language will help guide you through delicate situations and help you shape better personal relationships.

Like the spoken language different cultures also have their share of unique nonverbal gestures.  In the Chaldean community various body gestures can help better understand what is being said or how someone feels.  These include gestures, body movements, facial expressions, and even vocal tone and pitch. Much of the nonverbal information we get from people comes from their eyes. This explains why it’s often hard to infer meaning from a telephone call or written words.

Since nonverbal communication—or body language—is such a natural part of our communication life and community, learning to interpret it can really improve our relationships and understanding of other people. Still, it’s an art to be treated with a degree of caution. Misinterpretation does occur and it is always best to ask questions, otherwise acting on your perceptions can have ghastly consequences.

Knowing the art of Chaldean body language or body language in general will improve communications.  Here are some interesting Chaldean body language clues that many of us all share.

Chaldean Body Language 101: Understand the Meanings of Chaldean Gestures

Michigan, USA – “When the economy goes down, crime goes up,” says Adel Oraha, spokesperson for a growing group of Chaldean business leaders looking at moving into other states.  “We can’t keep doing business in Michigan if this state continues to beat-up on business with taxes and crime.” 

Chaldean business owners have begun forming collaborative groups to explore creating business parks in different states that are welcoming to Chaldeans.  Oraha says, “As a group we have over 2,000 employees and bring in over ten million in state taxes alone each year.  Crime, corruption, and high taxes make it hard to continue doing business in Michigan.  However, many businesses want to leave because of how unwelcoming the state has become for small business owners.  But we can’t move because of our culture and ties to the church and community.  We are working to change all that.” 

The bold move by Oraha and his fellow group members are researching plans to move an entire community.  “We are looking into which states would be best for Chaldean business families.  The place has to be business friendly, good schools, ability to build or lease a church for Chaldean services and near banquet facilities for family parties, and inexpensive air travel for continued family connections.” says Oraha.  The Chaldean grocery store chain owner was reluctant to say which states the group is leaning towards.

Michigan, USA – "They were buying a $10 bottle. Now they're buying a $6 bottle," said Mike Acho, owner of the Wine Cellar party store in Waterford. "People don't have the money. They're not working, but they still want the alcohol, so they buy the cheaper stuff."

Chaldean business leaders within the Merchants of Michigan association say the state is heading towards the cliff’s edge.  Michigan remains the worst state in country.  It has the highest unemployment rate in the country, a continually slumping economy and one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation; experts say much of the increased drinking may be related to people trying to drown their sorrows. 

State records agree with the opinion sharing that more customers are choosing to drink at home instead of bars and restaurants.    Alcohol purchases nationwide have risen about 2%, total sales in Michigan have nearly doubled that, 3.5%, with residents of the Great Lakes State spending $895 million in 2007. The increase is in spite of a loss in the state's population of more than 46,000 people last year.

California, USA – Chaldeans in California grow worrisome as the state’s debt skyrockets.  “They will tax the people to death in this state,” says Abrahim Bajoka, owner of an Arco Gas Station.  “Tax! Tax! Tax!  The more money they take from us the less we can grow, hire new people, or buy new products to sell.  This is basic business.  What is wrong with this state?”

Bajoka’s aggravation is not rare.  Taxpayer groups in the “Fruit & Nut” state are also fuming and vowing to go to court to initiate a referendum to halt nearly $10 billion in recent tax increases Democrats passed in a secret special session last Thursday. 

Lawmakers across the nation are shocked at the extraordinary parliamentary maneuver.   California Democrats circumvented a constitutional provision requiring a two-thirds vote in the state legislature to raise taxes by using their simple majority. “What they are telling small business owners is that we don’t want you in our state,” says Bajoka.  “The hard workers get taxed and the lazy get fed.  This is all wrong.”

So which are the best low-tax states welcoming new business leaders and encouraging economic growth?  Just follow the trail of Chaldeans….

Michigan, USA - Chaldeans time and again show their prowess to succeed. "Hard work, exceptionally creative, and humble," says Ashley Polus, a guest at the prestigious Southfield Skyline business award ceremony.  "Ron Jona made us all proud. I was pleasantly surprised to learn he was the man being honored. As I said earlier, hard work, exceptionally creative, and humble.  He deserves it," she said.

Southfield is home to over 9,000 businesses including more than 80 "Fortune 500" companies. The City of Southfield is the premier business address in Michigan. With more than 27 million square feet of office space and over seven million square feet of retail and industrial space - Southfield is truly Michigan's undisputed business center. In fact, Southfield boasts more office space than the central business districts of Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis or Kansas City.