Archive for February, 2010

09.02 2010

China to push aside Japan as No. 2 economy

Both China and Japan are likely to end the year with a gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economic activity, of just over $5 trillion. To put that in context, that’s only a little more than a third of the size of the U.S. economy.

But with its huge population edge on the United States, many economists believe it is inevitable that China will eventually overtake the United States — even if it takes another 20 or 30 years.

“It’s kind of like the U.S. and Great Britain 125 years ago. Given how much larger we were, it was only a matter of time before we caught them,” said Jay Bryson, global economist for Wells Fargo Securities. “And it’s only a matter of time before they catch us.”

0:00 /2:19Chinese graduates cram village

But there are still many limitations on China’s growth prospects.

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09.02 2010

Efile

Efile is part of the electronic tax filing system set up by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Through Efile, authorized service providers (such as tax professionals) can send income tax information through the Internet directly to the CRA.

Efile is available for both individual and corporate income tax returns. Using Efile makes processing tax returns and the tax refund process faster.

Netfile is the do-it-yourself electronic tax filing option; it works the same way as Efile, but is designed to be used by individuals.

While Netfile is a fast and secure way to transmit your income tax return to the CRA, not everyone can use it. First, you can only use Netfile to file T1 income tax returns (not corporate returns).

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06.02 2010

Reasons for Checking an Employee’s Credit Report

Hitting the streets for a job can be tough considering all the interviews you’ll face, but do you know why do businesses run an employee’s credit report? To employers, a credit report reveals important information that might help you get the job.

What’s In a Credit Report?

Credit reports contain such information as your full name, alias or maiden names you’ve had in the past, addresses where you’ve lived, your social security number, date of birth, and your employment history.

It also provides information on credit loans including credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, and if you are prompt in paying your credit obligations. Finally

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06.02 2010

What happens if China’s ‘bubble’ pops?

The Party rules

The main reason asset bubbles will deflate differently in China is because the Communist Party controls, well, everything. Free-market policies have not stopped the government from manipulating markets in ways that go well beyond what we would ever see in the West.

For example, officials can implement strict price controls that can effectively keep the population from feeling the ripple effects of a popped asset class, says Charles Freeman, who focuses on the political economy of China and U.S.-China relations for the Center for Strategic & International Studies. So if real estate values tumbled, the government could artificially prop up the prices of other things to keep the economy from buckling under the weight of deflation.

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05.02 2010

8 Reasons Why Your Small Business Needs A Website

According to studies done last year by IDC about 46% of small businesses still don’t have websites.  So basically this post is dedicated to business owners who don’t believe the internet can significantly  improve their businesses – the only problem I have here is how am I supposed to reach them when they are never on the internet? Small businesses owners: If this post magically reaches you some how or you finally decided partake in this modern marvel (The Internet) that launches businesses to new heights, here’s what you need to know:

1. 24-7 Service: The Internet can serve as your 24 hours 7 days a week store, orders can be placed anytime of the day without the need of employees.

2. Marketing

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04.02 2010

Prius brakes: Toyota knew, didn’t tell you

Prius hybrid cars coming off Toyota’s assembly line in Japan have had an improved version of the software used to control the cars’ brakes since January.

That’s little consolation to those driving Priuses made before then which seem to be the source of mounting complaints about brake performance and have been linked to four crashes.

Prior to the revelation on Tuesday that the Japanese government was pushing Toyota to do something about mounting complaints about Prius brakes, Toyota had said nothing publicly about the problems.

As of Wednesday, 124 Prius owners in the United States had lodged formal complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about brake problems with their cars.

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02.02 2010

10 Products to Expand and Complement the Home Office

Small additions to a home office can make a big difference. Inc. gives a list of ten products that can increase productivity and help with promotions.

The next time you host a brainstorming session, take notes on the wall. IdeaPaint can transform any wall into a dry-erase board. Start with a coat of primer, then apply a layer of IdeaPaint. A $200 kit, available at IdeaPaint.com, contains a roller and enough paint to cover 50 square feet, for a cost of $4 per square foot. (By contrast, whiteboards usually cost $8 to $20 per square foot.)

For small businesses that want to use websites like YouTube for promotion, the pocket-size Flip Mino is an easily accessible camcorder that can record an hour of video.

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