If you actively use criminal background checks to screen potential employees and use convictions as reason not to hire someone, you’ll want to be aware of the latest employee background check rules put into place by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) last month.

What’s Changed for Employers?
The new rules call for careful consideration of how and when you use criminal background checks in pre-employment screenings, since there could be potential bias against certain groups like racial minorities. According to the EEOC, racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to get caught up in the legal system, and using arrest records and convictions to deny job offers impacts minority job seekers disproportionately. As you already know, under EEO law, you’re prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, and national origin in any terms of employment.

The EEOC isn’t prohibiting you from using criminal background screenings entirely when considering someone for a position, but rather calling on you to use criminal information only when necessary for job-related reasons. To date, legal consultants have suggested you consider the nature of the crime, the nature of the job, and the time that has gone by since the incident or crime occurred. Now, this advice is principle. The rules also remind you that arrests are not proof of criminal conduct, and should not be used to exclude a job candidate from being in the running.

Hiring discrimination charges have gone up because the use of criminal background checks has gone up. The Society of Human Resource Management reports that about 73% of employers use criminal background checks on all employees, whether or not they’re working with sensitive populations like children or are privy to confidential information or handling money. Technology has made it easier for you to dig up dirt on anyone and everyone. With labor pools filled to the brim post-recession, any blip on an applicant’s history makes it easier for a hiring manager to weed them out.

What’s Changed for Job Seekers?
So what does this mean if you’re a job seeker with a criminal past?

If you’ve ever been convicted of a crime or have gotten in legal trouble, enough so that it has negatively impacted your job search and prohibited you from landing a job, you’ll be relieved to hear that these new rules may help you find work. They clarify and update the policy on how employers can use your arrest and conviction records when considering you for employment.

Understand that employers aren’t banned entirely from using arrest or conviction records when considering you for a job, but they are advised and guided to ensure that your employment opportunities aren’t denied outright because of activity in your past.

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When doing business internationally, communication becomes critical. In a situation where you can’t meet in your office once a week, phone and online meetings become vital to sustaining the relationship and keeping the flow of communication open.

However, the chance for a communication mishap increases in doing business over-seas. Cultural differences can be a barrier and a hindrance. To avoid any unwanted business catastrophes, utilize the following three steps.

“When working in the global commercial environment, knowledge of the impact of cultural differences is one of the keys to international business success. Improving levels of cultural awareness can help companies build international competencies and enable individuals to become more globally sensitive.”
– Worldbusinessculture.com

Step 1: Acknowledge Cultural Differences

The first step in maintaining successful international communication is recognizing that there are cultural differences at play. Your office’s internal communication is likely much different from theirs. In order to sustain a high level of effective communication, it’s critical to work around these hurdles by accepting the differences and implementing proper meeting procedures. Cultural differences may include:

• Length of meetings: Some cultures see business meetings as a long process, meant for deliberation, discussion and decisions. Be conscious of whether or not you’re getting into a long meeting or going to wrap up quickly – especially if you’re preparing a presentation.
• Punctuality: If punctuality is important, it’s critical that you make a note of this. Being late can be the difference between working with a successful business partner or not.
• Body language: For some cultures, body language is the most telling sign. For example, Kwintessential.co.uk writes, “Since the Chinese strive for harmony and are group dependent, they rely on facial expression, tone of voice and posture to tell them what someone feels.”

Step 2: Prepare for International Challenges

While business cultures may differ from country to country, the fact that you may not speak the same language can lead to communication problems. While it’s ideal to speak in the same language, it’s important that you prepare for the fact that it just might not be possible.

• Communication breakdown: Without being in person, it’s impossible to read body language, facial expressions or the general vibe. Plan to listen intently and not take anything personally.
• Lack of understanding: With a language barrier in place, there me a translator. While this will be necessary, sometimes your words don’t directly translate. Be ready to explain and have patience, if necessary.

Step 3: Find Your Best Mode of Communication

Simply being in two different countries presents a challenge on its own. Suddenly meetings have to be scheduled well in advance, and you need the right technology to make said meetings efficient. Consider which communication tools you have in place and whether they are benefiting or hurting you.

• VOIP phone service:  This phone technology can be used in your office, down the street or in another country. It costs less, and makes communication seamless. In international business, it may be worth the switch.  Find out more from the Resource Nation blog.
• Video conferencing: Utilizing online meeting software will give you the benefit of reading facial expressions. You can often do this right through your browser making the process quick and easy.

When dealing with international business communications it’s critical that you take into account the varying array of pitfalls that could arise. However, when you’re prepared for the worst, you can communicate effectively which may lead to a long, healthy business relationship.

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One of your jobs as a business owner is to find and select the best candidates for various positions that you need to fill. Your skill sets as a business owner, however, may limit you from knowing the ins and outs of employee background checks and how information gathered from these screenings may affect your role as an employer. Background check companies are one of the partners you should rely on to get the job done right.

Why should you contract with background check companies to find out the credit and criminal history of your candidates? You might find that taking on this task yourself is an inefficient use of your time and energy. A good third-party screening company will deliver quick, accurate, and comprehensive reports using sound legal practices to lower your risk and ensure you hire the right person the first time. Such companies also save you the time you might spend learning the many complicated state and federal laws governing the information you have a right to see.

There are so many background check companies to choose from! So, how can you vet them and find the right one for you? Here are a few tips for hiring a background check company:

1. Comprehensive Coverage

Look for a background check company that provides a comprehensive coverage area. Employment screening firms vary in the types of background checks they offer, and not all companies cover the entire U.S. Ideally, the right company will have access to national court and consumer records, and will also have access to those specific to your state.

It’s also important to choose a firm that is familiar with the needs particular to your industry, or for the position you’re filling. Comprehensive services can provide a personal and criminal background check, verify professional and educational certifications, and check references. However, if you truly only need one piece of history, such as a credit report or driving records, you want to have that option.  Additionally, if your industry has special requirements or unique licensing standards, you’ll want to work with a company that can provide the services you need.

2. Expertise

Any credible background check company will understand privacy rights and the laws that govern them. One of the first things you should look for is a company that touts their compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This document is lengthy and outlines the rules and requirements surrounding the collection, dissemination, and use of consumer information. When evaluating a background check company, you’ll want to ensure that they not only have intimate knowledge of the laws governing the collection of your candidates’ information, but can also counsel you on how best to use the information once it’s been reported to you.

3. Accreditation

In addition to compliance and expertise, the most credible background check companies adhere to the de-facto standard: the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) Background Screening Credentialing Council (BSCC) Accreditation. To become accredited, background check companies must pass an on-site audit of its policies and procedures, which verifies their compliance with 58 criteria in six areas:

• Consumer protection
• Legal compliance
• Client education
• Product standards
• Service standards
• General business practices

As you get closer to identifying a firm that feels right for your needs, you might also consult the Better Business Bureau for further information on certain background check companies. The BBB seal is bestowed to any company that adheres to their code of business practices, and their listings are transparent reports of any disputes that are ongoing or have been resolved.

4. Questions to Ask

In addition to the points above, there are many other ways to evaluate the right background check company for you. To ensure that you’re working with a partner that is trusted, accurate, and reliable, ask these questions:

• Given the nature of the position I’m hiring for, what information or reports should I seek?
• Why should I use your service instead of one of those inexpensive criminal record database search websites?
• Tell me more about my state’s screening laws.
• How do you conduct the background check?
• What steps do you take to ensure accuracy of the data you pull?
• How long will it take for you to do a complete (or partial) employment background screening on my candidate?
• How will you provide me with the full report?
• How do you ensure confidentiality?
• Will I have a dedicated account manager if I have questions or need help with the report findings?
• If there is information that doesn’t sit well with me, what am I obligated to do in terms of informing the candidate?

Overall, the best way to find the right background screening service is to use the same criteria that you’d use in selecting any other vendors or partner to assist you. If you needed legal representation, you wouldn’t just go with the cheapest law firm, right? Though cost is one consideration, you’d want to ensure quality, competency, expertise, and reputation. Use this critical eye when evaluating background check companies as well.

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Planning a promotional giveaway is a great way to boost your current marketing campaign. This is a smart strategy for gaining better social media attention while keeping your brand at the forefront. There are a variety of opportunities for giveaways, planning it, however, will prove to be the defining factor in whether you are successful or not.

“The SBA reports that nearly half of newly-opened businesses reach their fifth anniversary. The support of customers is vital to reaching any anniversary; this makes it imperative for a business to show appreciation to its customers through celebratory giveaways.” – Smallbusiness.chron.com

Define Your Goals

When getting started it’s critical that you begin by defining your goals for the promotion. Just as an outline keeps your essay or article on track, a plan will allow you to keep within your predetermined lines. With defined goals, you can specifically design a plan to make that happen.

• What should your outcome be?
• Do you hope to drive traffic back to your blog, your website or your social media outlets?
• Should you focus on improving brand image?
• Will this be an opportunity to reach new customers?

Plan Customer Involvement

The most important aspect of any successful giveaway is customer involvement. This is the time to focus on engagement, giving them a reason to be interested. There are a number of ways to get your customers on the giveaway wagon, from huge discounts to personalized gifts; but these will depend on the goals you’ve set and the nature of the promotion itself.

• What will you give away? You can give away discounts for various products, gift cards, or actual items. If you are giving away physical items, consider offering a variety or be sure that it’s a product worth signing up for. Small Business Information suggests, “Remember your company image is reflected in whatever you choose to give away.”
• How will they enter? You can encourage social media engagement with a promotion based around you social sites.
• What is the goal for the customer? Decide what they have to do to eventually win. Some options might be: Submit the best photo of you with our product or Write the best poem about us and post it on our wall.

Choose Your Start Date

You’ll want to choose the dates in which to run your campaign based on a variety of factors. It’s wise to incorporate a large or important event to draw attention to your business in as many ways as possible.

• Tradeshows: With an excited crowd, you already have a built in audience. Do a small giveaway as a part of your larger plan to get people talking.
• Special Events: These offer a great opportunity to increase brand awareness. As a sponsor of a local or national sporting event or festival, you’ll be getting a lot of effective attention.
• Anniversary: Celebrate your anniversary by thanking your customers. This ties the giveaway closely with your business, shows customer appreciation and increases brand recognition.

Get Promoting

The final piece of your giveaway is promoting it. With social media, this should be a cinch. Simply getting the word out to your customers will be enough to get things started. If you’re offering an item of value, customers will be interested. Make sure to spread the word on every platform available to you.

• Explain how the giveaway will work – via blog post, Facebook update or tweet.
• Give details about what they’ll get, so they know what they’re working for.
• Get customers excited by highlighting those who are “in the lead,” etc.

Take these basic steps into account and get started on your successful brand campaign today! Are there any tips you would include here?

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Times are tough—no one is going to argue that. Unfortunately, this often means that small business owners will reduce their marketing efforts to cut business costs. After all, there are fixed expenses that can’t be negotiated, right? You have to pay employees, rent, taxes, and all operating expenses. If you don’t, your doors won’t be open for long.

However, reducing your marketing efforts will only make matters worse: The less you broadcast your offerings, the fewer customers you’ll have. In other words, if you don’t remind your existing customers about your services and products, they are less likely to patronize your business.

So, how do you market effectively without busting your budget?

Tips and Tricks to Marketing on a Budget

1. Do Something Every Day

It can be easy to put marketing on the back burner, but neglecting it day after day can eventually lead to the worst thing for your business: no marketing at all. Instead of going this route, make it a point to do something every single day, even if it’s just calling a few clients and reminding them about your services. Remember, a lot of small actions can eventually amount to a large marketing effort.

Another option is to take a look at your statements from two to three years ago, and make a list of every client who has stopped doing business with you. Then, take an hour a day and call them. Not only will you reconnect with old clients, but you might learn some things about your business that could help you improve it.

2. Think Long-Term

Did you know that a marketing target usually doesn’t take action until the fifth time that they hear your message? This knowledge can go a long way in helping you eliminate wasteful marketing efforts, and instead concentrate on “groupings” of efforts that will produce more results.

For example, rather than becoming a one-time sponsor for a racing event, sign up for multiple events in hopes that the same people will see your message many times. Need to spend less money? Take a look at local social media marketing and ongoing email marketing campaigns, where, if done correctly, the success rate can be impressive.

Just because you need to contact targets a minimum of five times doesn’t mean your efforts have to cost five times as much as a typical marketing initiative. With the use of technology, you can invest in one concept and then tweak it just a bit every time you send it out.

3. Stay on Top of the Results

It’s senseless to spend money on marketing that you aren’t even sure is working. That’s why it’s important to constantly monitor your return on investment (ROI). Be relentless in your analysis of your marketing efforts. If something isn’t working, find out why and fix it. Then analyze it again in a couple of months, and if it’s still not working, get to the bottom on it or cut it out completely.

4. Keep it Interesting

As your budget allows, keep adding variety to your marketing mix. Consumers are more likely to act on marketing messages that they see from a variety of sources.

For instance, combine your email marketing campaign with a Facebook business page promotion and a telephone campaign. None of these marketing methods will cost a lot, but if you target the same consumers with all three your business name will likely be at the forefront of their thoughts when they need your product or services.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to get the word out about your business—even in tough economic times. Don’t just sit back and wait for the business market to improve. Instead, get out there and tirelessly promote your business. After all, how will people know that you’re still ready for business if you don’t tell them?

What other affordable business marketing strategies can you suggest?

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Suzanne Kearns is a small business owner and contributor for Money Crashers Personal Finance, a site that shares tips about saving money, investing in stocks, and finding the best small business credit cards.

Sometimes, running a background check doesn’t necessarily insinuate that you suspect criminal activity. Though employee violence or theft are common reasons to run a background check, you may only need to understand an applicant’s driving history or credit reporting because its applicable to the position they apply for or responsibilities they carry out.

Here are the four things you need to know about performing a background check on a potential employee:

1. There’s a right way and a wrong way

When it comes to conducting employment screenings, become intimately familiar with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This document governs the rights and responsibilities you have as an employer to conduct searches on candidates. It is particularly important to adhere to the rules set forth in the FCRA if you plan to undertake the background check yourself.

The FCRA requires that you get written permission from the candidate before you investigate anything that may be part of what is called a “consumer report.” This information is gathered from credit reporting agencies, which are creditors (credit card companies, auto finance companies, banking institutions), employers, collection agencies, and state or municipal courts.

This act also spells out everything you must do if you come across any discrepancies when looking into your prospective employee’s references, employment history or criminal record.

2. What a background check will reveal

What does a background check include? The results may vary based on the position you’re hiring for as well as the industry you are in, but background checks could unveil a number of different facts and histories about a person:

• Employment and credential verifications
• Character references
• Gaps in employment history
• Credit history and bankruptcy
• Criminal and court history
• Drug test results
• Driving records

Other searches that look into sex offender registries and Patriot Act searches are becoming more common as well.

3. Legal ramifications of receiving this information

It should go without saying, but these records — whether clean or not — are to remain confidential between you as the hiring manager, the candidate, and your human resources department.

If you uncover something that may give you reason not to employ someone, the FCRA requires you give notice to the applicant that their criminal report was reviewed, as well as a copy of the criminal report that cites the infraction.

From there, you must provide them with a copy of the FTC’s Summary of Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This document informs the candidate of the following rights:

• He or she must be told if the criminal record has been used to decide not to offer employment.
• He or she has the right to know what’s in the file.
• He or she can dispute incomplete or inaccurate information.

From there, you must also give this candidate any other government-provided information on their rights.

4. What you can and cannot do with this info

According to the Small Business Administration, “to what extent a private employer may consider an applicant’s criminal history in making hiring decisions varies from state to state.” It’s suggested that you consult with a lawyer in your state, or do further legal research on the laws of your state, before making a hiring decision.

Though you should certainly consult a lawyer if you find yourself in this position, you might want to refrain from making blanket hard-and-fast policies against hiring anyone with a criminal history. Doing so could set you up for legal trouble and accusations of discrimination if you adhere to such a policy. Evaluate the position carefully by considering the nature of the crime, the length of time since it occurred, and how it relates to the position.

Documentation is also vital in these instances. If you decide to reject an applicant because of something you found in their records, you should make note of the link between the conviction and the job. Or, if you decide to reject them for reasons other than a conviction, document that as well. If you choose not to hire them but they have a criminal history, and they believe you are discriminating, this little and seemingly-insignificant annotation could be the key to your future defense.

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While most companies are making the most of social media marketing and other online opportunities, you don’t want to overlook a valuable opportunity right in your back yard: localized marketing. This is just as it seems – connecting your marketing at the local level.

Need a reason to get started? According to the Google Mobile Study, 92% of smart phone users search for local information, products and companies on their mobile device. Not to mention that, according to LocalSearchInsider.org, “This year’s ‘State of Local Search’ study found that local searches now account for 13% of all core search activity.”

Seek Out Allies

It’s important to remember that you’re not the only business in town. There are many companies looking to market to the same audience, and might have already been involved for some time now. Thus, in local marketing, it’s a smart idea to seek out other local businesses looking to boost their community and regional marketing efforts, as well.

• Niche businesses: Team up with another business in your field to make a bigger impact. Combine services from both companies to offer with a well-rounded marketing package.
• Schools: Connect with local elementary, middle and high schools to attain marketing space around campus, on the local baseball field, etc.

Finding Your Opportunities

Localized efforts present a variety of marketing opportunities for a company new to the scene. While online localized marketing efforts should continue to be enforced, personalized, community involvement will give your local campaign the boost it needs. Connecting with customers and citizens on a personal level delivers the message that you are there and you care.

• The local football game: Sponsor the game and offer a discount to ticket holders. Supporting a school bodes well for any company.
• Yellow pages: Take out a spot in your local yellow pages. “… Something has to be said for the close bonds that this Yellow Pages’ vast sales force enjoys with its local business advertisers and its deep understanding of their individual objectives and challenges.” – SearchEngineLand.com
• Your customers: Face-to-face marketing is your best tool in localized efforts. In small towns or regions, citizens are often tied to one business or brand due to long term relationships with them. Change this by engaging in exceptional personal interactions.
• Volunteer events: Whether you do it as a whole company or make it a smaller event, volunteering is a great way to show what your company is all about. It gets your name into the community, potentially even the local paper.
• LivingSocial Deals: This is a great way to get hyper-local with your marketing. Offer a local discount for those within your region. No better way to drum up some good conversation.
  Content: Consider adding a local section to your business blog. This brings attention to your local community members and customers. It can also help to increase your rankings for local searches.

With online marketing in the spotlight, it’s easy to forget that you have a local community to interact with as well. This is a great way to diversify your marketing efforts and reach an important audience on a personal level. There are a number of tactics you can utilize, and this article has only begun to scratch the surface. Local engagement is on the rise, so consider adding localized marketing to your efforts.

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Effective public relations can be a powerful tool, conferring upon the startup a wide variety of advantages. Media coverage, brand exposure, online visibility – these are just a few of the many benefits that can result from a successful campaign. However, not every PR campaign is guaranteed to be a success. Though each startup is unique, there are several common pitfalls and mistakes that can plague even the most experienced of entrepreneurs.

5 PR Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The benefits of a successful public relations campaign, such as free publicity, increased visibility and the potential for loyal followers, can be especially alluring. However, there is both a time and a place for every tool. In order to make sure your startup doesn’t fall prey to common mistakes, keep the following tips in mind:

1. Lack of a Clear Message or Goal

Entrepreneurs are prone to having grand visions for their startup, with many envisioning themselves as “the next Google” or “the new Foursquare”.  However, an unclear company mission or goal can give the impression that the startup is on unstable ground. As a result, prospective customers and visitors to your site may be turned away, looking for a more “reliable” option. Avoid this problem by clearly understanding and outlining your initial goals, and allow for flexibility and scalability.

2. The Product or Service Will Sell Itself

One common mistake is to believe that product or service is amazing enough that it will spread on its own accord. Customers will suddenly realize that they have been missing this product their entire lives, and find it on their own.  However, the challenge is not to convince yourself, it’s to convince your audience. Instead of relying on word-of-mouth or viral content, make sure that you use the appropriate channels to reach your audience.

3. Inability to Move on After Failure

Throughout the startup’s lifecycle, entrepreneurs are likely to experience several ups and downs. Hopefully, a PR campaign will provide the startup with increased exposure, leads, and traffic. But at other times, a business may encounter backlash from an unsuccessful PR campaign.  Unless you’ve committed an unforgivable offence, a single, failed campaign is not going to destroy the startup.  Determine what the appropriate response is for the mistake, whether it’s an apology or counter-campaign. But remember to act quickly, in order to remedy the error and move on.

4. Promote Every Single Article or Story

If your startup produces whitepapers, blog articles, videos, or any other piece of content, it is recommended that you promote them as much as possible. However, not every piece of content should be turned into an elaborate PR campaign. If you constantly bombard followers with messages and updates, you may only serve to irritate your prospective customers. Determine which of your content would best benefit from a more dedicated campaign and is likely to generate the most response.

5. Relying only on PR

An effective PR strategy can be a great way to reach your target audience and increase the visibility of your brand. But it is vital to remember that public relations are only a portion of a startup’s marketing strategy.  Relying solely on PR can strain your budget and leave the startup with the inability to adapt to new situations. Therefore, it is important to understand when a PR campaign comes in handy, and when to leave it for another day.

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A 2010 study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that almost 75% of companies conduct criminal background checks for at least some job applicants. Unfortunately, simple clerical errors can result in a background check showing false information about a job candidate.

If you are a job candidate, it’s important to know what to do if a background check shows false information about you. You will need to dispute the false information with the employer, the agency that provided the background data, and sometimes with the court system.

Information You’re Entitled to After a Background Check

The Fair Credit Reporting Act says that if a background check ties you to a criminal act or other information that causes an employer not to hire you, the employer must give you notice that your background check turned up negative information and they must provide you with a copy of the report showing the information about you. You have the right to know what is in the file provided by the agency the employer used, and you have the right to dispute inaccurate (or incomplete) information.

Disputing Inaccuracies with the Employer

In a hiring situation, you may not have time to properly dispute the information with the background agency before the employer chooses another job candidate. If this is the case, go ahead and provide the employer with whatever proof you have that the information was incorrect. The background report may link you to the wrong Social Security Number, or may otherwise be linked to someone with the same name as you. Some employers will reconsider when presented with proof, but you should still dispute everything formally through the background agency, or else it will happen again, and could affect things like your credit rating.

Disputing Mistakes with the Background Reporting Agency

The employer is required to provide you with the contact information for the reporting agency that conducted the background check. You should contact them in writing asking them to provide you with your complete background check report. If you request it within 60 days of being notified of the negative information, the report will not cost you anything.

In your letter of rebuttal, identify the exact finding(s) in the report that you wish to dispute. Provide the agency with proof that the information is wrong. If the agency requests any specific documents as proof, you must submit these documents or the agency will dismiss your dispute for failure to provide sufficient information.

The agency has 30 days after receiving your claim to investigate. They must also notify the source of the disputed information (such as a court system) after receiving your claim. If the agency says the investigation did not substantiate your claim, you may request a reinvestigation. If the reinvestigation again says that your claim could not be substantiated, you still have the right to place a statement of dispute in your file. Your statement of dispute will be included with other information whenever a company requests background information about you from that agency.

Disputing Inaccuracies with the Court System

You have a right to access public record information about you. Contact the court that provided mistaken information to the background agency to request your public records. If you find mistakes, contact the court system. You will need to inform them which information is wrong and provide documentation proving your claim. If the background shows a criminal charge, but the charge was dismissed, you’ll want to provide the court with documentation stating this. Keep a copy of the order expunging your record in case you run into a similar problem in the future. Follow up with the court if you don’t receive a statement from them that the information was corrected.

Covering All the Bases

Contact all major background reporting agencies if you have to dispute information in your records. Clearing up the information with one background check agency does not clear up the mistake with other agencies, so it is important that you provide proof of inaccuracies to several agencies, because you never know which agency a new potential employer will use.

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