Many times you will receive comments or suggestions. Some may be positive and others could be negative. You should take time to personally respond to these. Thank people for positive comments. If it is negative try to address issue, but don't get defensive. If someone has a gripe, and takes time to write you, take them seriously. Maybe they are simply chronic complainers, but maybe their opinion has substance. Evaluate every comment you get, and surprisingly, you just might find a flaw in your approach that you never thought of, but someone else did.

Tread carefully when someone requests a joint venture. Many times these are thinly veiled pyramids. If you sell advertising in your publication or on your website, why would someone be willing to give you a healthy percentage of their profit, in return for your running an ad for them. Personally, I get offers like this all time, addressed to "Dear Webmaster" and you know where they wind up.

Once in awhile however, someone will have a legitimate offer, and be willing to trade off a percentage of their profit for your advertising efforts. But if you do this, remember that you are putting your reputation on line as well. Affiliate programs do this all time.

In cold world of Internet, if you expect to do business, you must use a personal approach. Most people have same reaction to some of automated procedures in use that I do, and really appreciate contact with a live human being. If you do offer this type of personal service, you will have a real advantage over your competitors, who believe that you can simply automate process, and watch money flow in.

-----

Did you know that subscribers to Bob Osgoodby's Free Ezine "Tip of Day" get a Free Ad for their Business at his Web Site? Great Business and Computer Tips - Monday thru Friday. Instructions on how to place your ad are in Newsletter. Subscribe at: http://adv-marketing.com/business/subscribe2.htm

7. How allergies affect behavior

BE PREPARED: Remember that behavioral reactions to allergies vary from lethargy, dizzines and fatigue, to hyperactivity, aggression and acting out. Neither is optimal for office productivity or well-being. Is your office environment as allergy-friendly as possible? Do your homework here (http://www.aaaai.org/patients opicofthemonth/0201/default.stm ) and take action.

8. Check out condition in your town at Pollen.com – http://www.pollen.com . BE PREPARED: Today, January 2, worst pollen counts are in Wichita Falls, Abilene, Austin and Waco, Texas, and Oklahoma City, OK. The best counts are in Aberdeen, SD, Akron-Canton, OH, Alamosa, CO, Albany, NY, and Allentown, PA.

You need to know - Central Paris is particularly bad in spring with tree pollen. In Italy tree pollen is bad in February. Tropical Islands are relatively pollen free except after a monsoon.

9. The best laid plans ...

BE PREPARED: By February 1st, many will have broken their New Year's Resolutions which is disheartening. This is nothing new for manager, who is always creating a culture of emotional intelligence, and working on attitude, motivation, and resilience. What happens when you fail? You try again!

10. Time Off, Holidays

BE PREPARED: Absenteeism and disruption. Two holidays - Presidents Day and MLK Day. Then February 1 is Eid al-Adha, Feast of Sacrifice, most important feast of Muslim calendar; Valentine's Day; and then Ash Wednesday falls this year on 25th. Are you staffed? Have you set your policies? Are they in your manual, in writing?