Benefits of Continuing Education for Business Professionals

You may have thought you were out of the woods with education once you earned your college degree and that the rest was smooth sailing from there. However, in order to retain a competitive edge and evolve with the constantly changing job market, it is essential to continue developing your skills through continuing education opportunities. Whether it is attaining your master's degree or specialized certifications, taking the extra step of obtaining more knowledge about your career field will make you more desirable to your current and future employers. Here is a list of benefits that arise from continuing education and how it will help boost your personal brand:

1) Increased Income Potential: Nobody complains when they receive a raise and so by furthering your education you better your chances for a salary bump. The more knowledge and capabilities you possess, the more you increase your value as an employee. this Jaket Jeans Murah

2) Career Advancement: So you have put in long hours and have tried everything you could think of to get that next promotion but still keep getting passed over. The one thing holding you back could be a certification, extra classes, or degree that shows you are ready to go to the next level. By broadening your skillset through further education, you add to the reasons why you should receive the next promotion.

3) Preparation for Career Transition: Some studies say that the average person changes careers 5-7 times in their professional life and it is very rare anymore for people to stay in the same career their whole lifetime. When you have lost excitement with your current career and start planning to transition into a fresh new career, continuing education is the best way to prepare yourself and make you competitive in the new field.

4) Job and Personal Satisfaction: Sometimes it feels like the rigor of your day-to-day job has made you complacent and unenthusiastic. By attending classes, you can develop a fresh perspective on your current job and bring new ideas to reinvigorate your passion on the job. Continuing education will also boost your self-esteem knowing that you have completed another milestone in your professional life.

5) Networking Opportunities: The other people in your continuing education classes are attending for the same purpose as you are, showing they also possess a drive and commitment to their careers. Therefore, your classmates can become potential business contacts and boost your network which can bring further opportunities and connections throughout your career.

The benefits of continuing your education don't just end at the ones I have mentioned above and organizations like the National Association of Distinguished Professionals can provide assistance and information if you are having difficulty starting the journey. If you have the drive and commitment on continuing to advance your career and personal brand, continuing education is a great start and will boost your value in the eyes of employers.

Life Is a Continuing Education

As we proceed with our life journey, we try to reflect on past events of our life then realize that it is as if we are reading a book- in fact, our own book of life. With such reflection, we become so glad to be participants of this life journey. Each day as we wake up, new learnings embrace us and they assist us to go on with our own personal development.

Furthermore, we know that there is no limit and boundary over learnings. It only takes one's commitment to participate consistently in this journey that will make a consequent difference in his/her life. One noteworthy in life is when we share our various giftedness with each other. As you and me go on with our everyday learnings, we grow the more when we exchange life's wonderful stories.

Each chapter in our life brings tremendous lessons that when utilized properly, they will lead us to a further colorful and fruitful journey. In life, there is no greater love than offering oneself for the welfare of others. However, as human as we are, there are self- centered tendencies that we need to befriedn in ourselves. At times, we tend to be so focused just on our own nourishment (though I am not saying completely that it is wrong) that at the end, we become non-committal to other people's development. To realize such twists, it then results to self destruction.

On the other hand, allow me to share with you this wonderful quotation, " Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is."- Isaac Asimov. I totally agree with Isaac in this sentiment of his. As we enter each day, we start to learn new things that contribute colors to this journey. Many people have joined us in this journey, first and foremost our considered significant people in our life like our families, relatives, friends and many kore. Thus, we should be grateful to them as well as to our Divine Creator for these gifts.

On the other hand, as we proceed with our varying journeys called life, may we unceasingly reflect on Isaac's words above and let us consistently remind ourselves that life's education allows us to be the best persons that we can be. As such, you and me can become agents of change and joy for others. By then, life will become a meaningful gift for all.

Life as a journey- that is exactly the subject which is very attractive to me thus I focus my main blog on topics that touches on life itself.

If you want to know and read more write ups about the colorful journey of life, then take a look on my blog at:

Do All Booth Staffers Need Continuing Education?

I have heard this so many times - it makes me want to scream.

"Our staffers have been involved with our exhibitions for years and know what they are doing."

Think about it. What profession graduates its members and never includes educational updating? Yet, when it comes to sales and communications, particularly in face-to-face situations like an exhibition, continuing education is made to sound more like a punishment than a perk.

Why is it so important that each member of your staff be regularly updated on new information and tools and techniques that would make their trade show participation more up to date and productive? The answer lies in three key criteria; demographics, technology and expectations. Let's look at each.

Demographics

The US based Center for Exhibition Industry Research has stated that by 2015 there will be - for the first time in history - five distinct generations of attendees populating the trade show floor. The five are: Traditionalists born before 1946, Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1965, Gen X born between 1982 and 1981, Gen Y born between 1982 and 1997 and Gen 2020 born after 1997.

Five generations who all have their unique perspectives, motivations and preferences? The result is that when one of these generations is approached at a trade fair and not treated as they would expect the impact of the encounter is greatly reduced.

Technology

Technology has exploded and is part of everyday life. Just think, for example, what would happen to the world we know if for some mysterious reason computers disappeared. This sounds like the plot of a sci-fi novel.

One of the things technology has given us is a tremendous growth in access to information. Today's attendees have more information at their disposal and are further along in the buying cycle all because of technology.

Attendees have done their research on the products and services that hold the possibility of making their lives and jobs easier and more productive. They have spent time looking into the companies that represent these products and services and through social media have reached out to their community and asked for feedback. When a staffer confronts one of these people and pitches product information with no regard to the individual, the impact is lost.

Expectations

We live in a world measured in Nano-seconds. Everyone, no matter what their personal objectives for doing what they do, wants to create value for their efforts. The expectations we have for nearly every action we take has never been higher. As an exhibitor you need to obtain value for your corporation and the resources it has invested in your exhibition program. Attendees need to get value for their time.

No longer do attendees casually browse as they walk up and down the aisles at a show. The Center for Exhibition Industry Research reports that 73% of attendees have a pre-set agenda. They have decided which products and services they wish to learn about and which vendors they want to talk to. Once they approach a trade show booth they are primed with questions and are eager for an experience that will lead to their solving an issue they are wrestling with. This is totally different those decades ago when staffers pitched products to anyone who walked by with the hopes of making a sale. It requires a new level of competence when handling the public for they are under constant scrutiny to perform at their highest level. One misstep will affect the value that both parties so desperately want.

Conclusion

The bottom line, to paraphrase Albert Einstein, is, if your booth staff does what they always did, they will get what you always got. If they want better results for your exhibition investment they are going to have to do something differently. Your investment in their continuing education can reap huge rewards.

Increase Student Enrollment in Your Classes by Becoming a Continuing Education Provider

Would you like to know a "secret" about how you can expand student enrollment and earn credibility as a teacher in the holistic health field? Read along and find out how becoming an approved continuing education (CE) provider can open doors for you as an educator. I will share valuable information and tips that I learned while navigating this process successfully with several state and national boards.

I began teaching Reiki in 1996 soon after completing my training. At first I really had no plans to teach Reiki, but a coworker of mine announced that I was going to be her Reiki teacher. There began my journey of teaching Reiki. After my first class, I began letting people know that I was a Reiki teacher. Many of my first students were either massage therapists or nurses. They would always ask if I could provide them continuing education hours. Since I never needed CE hours, I really did not understand how that system worked, who I needed to contact, or what was required of me in order to apply for becoming an approved provider. One of my students gave me the number to the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodyworkers (NCBTMB) and my journey into the world of CE began.

After talking to one of NCBTMB's representatives, I received a very thick package in the mail. It was filled with forms to fill out about my credentials, my business, and information about each class for which I was seeking approval. I copied the package for my friend that I was co-teaching with at the time. The information sat on our desks for over six months because it looked very intimidating. We finally put aside some time and completed the process in three days. We got reviewed each other's work, made our copies and mailed them. About two months later we received our certificate of approval in the mail. The process has changed since 1997 when we first received our approval; however, the benefits are the same.

Benefits of Being a CE Provider

There are several benefits to becoming a CE provider. Your enrollment will mostly increase when the professionals that you are approved to give CE hours to find out about your classes. If the professionals taking your classes enjoy their experience, they will spread the word throughout their network. Imagine free marketing! Many professionals are looking for holistic health classes that give CE hours because they can use these skills for their personal well-being as well as for their professional use. Another benefit to becoming an approved provider is that the approval from a national or state board adds credibility to you and your programs or classes. Being a CE provider gives you the opportunity to get your name out into the professional circles. This could open opportunities for you to teach or speak in hospitals, massage schools, community colleges, conferences or in other arenas. I have spoken at a state nursing conference, to social work groups and various networking groups. I have been invited to teach at massage conferences and on cruise ships. All of were due to my ability to provide CE hours. The possibilities are endless.

Investigate the Requirements

There are many national and state boards that require their licensed or certified professionals to acquire CE hours. Most massage therapists need 24 CE hours every two years. Many acupuncturists, nurses, social workers, occupational and physical therapists need CE hours. Most information regarding the boards that need CE hours can be found online. There is no one place that you can go online to get information about all of the boards. However, the book Navigating the Continuing Education Approval Process that I recently updated provides a wealth of information directing you to the resources that you need.

Before you fill out all of the paperwork to become a provider, read their requirements. Make sure that you meet their criteria and that you are willing to fulfill the follow-up requirements of record keeping and maintain the ethical standards that they require before you begin.

Each career field has a separate board, either at the national or state level. A good place to start is to ask what professions are represented in your classes. Do you have massage therapists, social workers, acupuncturists or physical therapists? Start with one group and find the proper approval authority. You can find them online or ask one of your students for the website of their board. Ask your students if it is a national or state board. In some cases the answer might be both a national and state approval authority. I would start at the state level if this were the case. From my experience I find that state boards request less documentation for approval. When you get on a board's website look for any buttons or links for continuing education. This will be your pathway to their requirements and forms. Download the forms onto your computer and fill them out.

Find out if your state has a requirement for the professionals that you want to provide CE hours. Some states do not require their massage therapist, nurses, or acupuncturists to acquire continuing education. After receiving provider status for nurses I found out that in my state nurses, in general, did not need CE hours. By seeking further information, I learned that nurses that had specialized skills such as oncology, pediatrics, etc, did need CE hours. So I had to gear my marketing to the nurses that needed the CE hours.

Tips for Embracing the Process

Although this process may sound like a lot of work, there is a lot that you can do to make the process go smoothly. Here are some of the things you should have on hand as you undergo this process. Each board is going to ask you for copies of your certificates that show that you are qualified to teach your subjects. You will also need to provide learning outcomes, teaching strategies, and time frames for each component of each your classes. If you have a good outline that you use in teaching, this will prove to be invaluable for filling out this portion of the form. You will need to create an evaluation for each of your classes. Most boards provide an example. Model your evaluations after theirs because they consider their example as acceptable.

Good clear writing is so important when filling out the forms. You want to look professional to the board that is going to approve you, so do not send poor writing or unreadable copies of your supporting materials to the boards. When you are describing your Reiki classes use concrete words to describe how and what you are going to teach. Do not make it sound mysterious or "woo woo." The boards are not looking to unravel a mystery or approving something that cannot be described adequately.

Undertake one board's approval paperwork at a time. The work that you do for the first one will make all others a bit easier because you will have all the information already written up. You will just have to tweak it a little for the board that you are applying to. Keep paper copies of what you sent to the boards. You never know when your computer is going to fail. If something seems unclear ask questions by sending the board an email or giving them a call. It is better to ask than to send them the wrong documentation and be denied or have to redo sections of your submissions.

Fortunate for you at this time, many of the holistic health course, such as Reiki, Healing Touch, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, etc., has been approved by most of these boards that I am speaking of. When I sought to have my Reiki classes approved I was in a ground-breaking process because a lot of the boards had not even heard of Reiki. Even though Reiki is a class that the boards approve, you are seeking approval for how you teach your Reiki program.

You can also seek approval for the other workshops that you teach if they are relevant to the professionals. I have had all of my Reiki classes as well as my meditation, medical intuition, chakra, and How to Create a Successful Holistic Health Practice workshops approved as well. I have seen classes such as yoga, shiatsu, and energy medicine approved by the boards.

After Approval

After approval you will need to consider how you are going to market your classes to the professionals that you can provide CE hours. Ask the professionals that you want to teach where is the best place to advertise. You will also need to provide a certificate to those getting CE hours that is separate from your Reiki certificate. This certificate must include your name and approval number, participant's name, the amount of CE hours earned and the date completed. You will need to keep records of who has taken your course and keep those records for up to five or more years. Most boards require that you renew every two to three years. Make sure you mark on your calendar when it is time for you to renew because some boards will not notify you.

It amazes me to see how many of the medical professionals are seeking holistic health classes mainly for their own personal healing. After working years in such demanding careers their bodies are tired, rundown, and in need. It is an honor to teach to these professionals who can take Reiki a step further into the mainstream. As a CE provider you have the opportunity to empower others to heal and to help others offer a non-invasive modality. When the medical professionals offer Reiki as part of their services, Reiki and other holistic health modalities gain further acceptance and credibility in the medical circles. We increase our own credibility and student turnout when we obtain CE provider status. Becoming a CE provider can be an arduous task, but the rewards are worth the outcome.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Continuing Education

Pursuing higher education will come with great benefits, as well as pitfalls. This article will examine both to help you choose.

The top advantages of continuing education include:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics depicts that individuals earn more with each educational attainment. As an example, compare the following median weekly earnings by educational attainment:

· Workers with Associates Degrees - $785/week

· Workers with Bachelor's Degrees - $1066/week

· Workers with Master's Degrees - $1300/week

· Workers with Doctoral Degrees - $1624/week

Furthermore, unemployment rates decrease the higher up the educational ladder one climbs.

Another study by Global Business Hub showcased how heading back to school opens up employees' eyes about new technological and work trends. Interacting with other leaders, or soon to be leaders in the business also provide key networking opportunities that may come in handy in the future. Ultimately, higher education provides a competitive advantage over one's peers or in the workplace.

Continuing education is also convenient and completely feasible, given that online colleges are plentiful, and can also be completed with reputable colleges offline. Working adults can pursue new goals or even make a career switch - on their own schedule.

The top disadvantages of continuing education include:

More on student's plate - in addition to work and family life, students returning to an online degree school in adulthood will need to squeeze in time for school as well. Taking on more than one can handle seems like a recipe for disaster. However, many working adults make this work by creating a schedule and carving a disciplined mindset. Inform family and friends to chip in, or forego partying for a period of time until the goal of higher education is complete.

A strain on finances - while many working adults have the advantage to earn while they learn, higher education is not considered to be a drop in the bucket. Fortunately, there are many programs to help offset these added expenses including student loans, as well as affordable monthly payments offered by some colleges.

Recreation Takes a Back Seat - a study by the Global Business Hub stated that adult students are less likely to take vacations. However, this shouldn't deter one from pursuing higher education, as reminders constantly exist that this situation is temporary.

In the end, despite the cons of continuing education, the balance is tipped in students' favor in the long run. As a reminder, this includes higher pay, better job security, and increased confidence.

Why Continuing Education Is Very Vital For Professionals

Knowledge and technology continue to grow in different professions. This makes it very vital for professionals in certain careers to be up to date with the most recent developments in their fields. Continuing education is a formal requirement that makes it possible for the individuals in these fields to benefit from the new information that is now available. At the same time, they will also avoid the consequences of antiquated knowledge.

In certain professions, ongoing learning is required for the maintenance of certificates and licenses. For instance, medical practitioners are expected to participate in certain courses at regular intervals. This is a mandatory requirement for keeping their occupational licenses. Professionals will be in a position to provide better services to the public when they are aware of the latest advancements in their area of specialization.

Competence is greatly increased when knowledge is regularly updated. Many careers are affected by the frequent changes in laws and regulations. This sometimes results in the proscription of certain processes or techniques. Furthermore, the business environment is now more demanding. The continuous maintenance of competence is necessitated by the complexity of today's business transactions and the proliferation of new regulations.

The amount of continuing education that is required for different professions is usually determined by state licensing boards and the applicable government regulations. The manner in which this training is acquired will also have to be approved by the board. This may include conventional classroom courses, training workshops, seminars and distance learning programs. Training opportunities are usually provided by universities, colleges and recognized associations.

To comply with the standards of your profession, you will have to participate in specific learning activities that are designed to improve your competence. You will also have to comply with the rules and policies of your membership association, professional body as well as all relevant government entities. In some fields, practitioners are expected to earn certain numbers of training credits every year. This will be properly documented and certificates are usually awarded.

The significance of professional continuing education cannot be overemphasized. It provides a reliable means of validating the knowledge and skills of the individual. People who are in the medical, legal, financial and other essential professions have to be continuously updated so that their knowledge can be refreshed and they can be aware of the latest standards. Through continuing education, patients and clients are also given the assurance that their affairs are being handled by competent practitioners.

Why Professionals Should Embrace Continuing Education

Continuing education is required by most professions. Apart from being a requirement for keeping your certificate or license, it will also enable you to be up to date with the latest trends in your area of specialization. Employers usually encourage their workers to update their knowledge so that they can provide better service to the company's clients.

When you embrace continuous learning, you will have more confidence and you will be a better professional. You may presently be well versed in the latest developments and techniques in your vocation. However, your knowledge may soon be outdated in a few months if it is not updated. Here are a few reasons why you should be committed to ongoing learning.

Most industries are changing rapidly because of the expansion of technology. New techniques and applications are being developed at a faster rate and professionals are expected to be familiar with these developments. You cannot afford to remain on the same spot. If you want to remain relevant, you have to ensure that you keep up with the trends.

The issue of sound practices must also be addressed. When new technology is deployed, it usually comes with new challenges. Individuals with criminal tendencies may want to take advantage of your ignorance. A lot of seminars and workshops are dedicated to the identification and avoidance of emerging threats. If you are not properly educated, your risk management ability may not be adequate.

A lot of business opportunities are also presented by emerging markets. Professionals who have foresight can position themselves to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the latest economic policies and regulations. The continuously changing business landscape facilitates the development of lucrative industries and better career opportunities.

Employee confidence can be improved through the acquisition of relevant knowledge. This is easily facilitated by continuing education. When you learn new things, your confidence will increase and you will be able to display a higher level of competence. This newly acquired confidence will also be reflected in other areas of your life. This will make it easy for you to operate at your optimum potential.

Professional continuing education is recommended to individuals who want to accelerate the growth of their career. It will give you a leveraging tool that will enable you to stand out in the competitive job market. When you have a history of ongoing education, your marketability will increase and employers will know that you are a candidate that has initiative.

EA Continuing Education Basics for Back Taxes in a Divorce

Like any major life change, divorce of a married couple has financial consequences. One of the issues involves income tax. In addition to dividing other assets and liabilities, divorce includes consideration of tax debt.

Completion of enrolled agent continuing education requirements provides the necessary training to assist taxpayers with these matters. Simply addressing tax liability in a divorce decree document is not sufficient for the IRS. This is because the IRS considers all taxes owed on a jointly filed tax return as joint and separate obligations. Therefore, the IRS may levy the bank account of any one spouse for taxes owed regardless of which spouse received the income.

A former spouse faced with these circumstances can obtain relief from the IRS. The skills obtained in tax CPE by enrolled agents prepare them for providing assistance with such measures.

One option is obtaining status as an innocent spouse.

This is usually available for one spouse who was unaware that a jointly filed tax return contained incorrectly reported information. The burden of proof for an innocent spouse is lack of knowledge about a misrepresentation of income by the other spouse. The pleading therefore is that only the other spouse is responsible for back taxes due.

Another avenue is injured spouse relief. This is easier to obtain then innocent spouse status. EA CPE also addresses how to receive this injured spouse relief. An injured spouse applicant requests a division of the tax liability from a joint tax return.

IRS approval is obtained for an equitable allocation of tax debt.

A dividing of tax liability for an injured spouse results is an assignment of debts in fair relation to the party who retained the income and thus the ability to pay the taxes. However, a separation of liability is denied for individuals who were aware that their spouses recorded erroneous information on the joint tax return as well as persons involved in a fraudulent transfer of assets between spouses.

Form 8879 is required for injured spouse relief. Innocent spouse relief is obtained by filing Form 8857. Enrolled agent continuing education covers both types of forms, including the requirements and results expected for either of them.

California enrolled agents have extra considerations because that is one of the ten community property states. These states consider debts accumulated during marriage - including tax debt - as evenly divisible between divorcing spouses. All other states use a division of debt in accordance with repayment ability.