Just started a new job that moves way faster than me. I'm scared that I can't keep up. What can I do to make it work?
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posted by anonymous
on May 16, 2013 -
26 answers
I have an upcoming job interview for a fairly sales-oriented position in business. Putting aside that I'm not sure I want the position yet and that in my eyes it counts against the company that they put stock in this sort of thing, the company is about to send me a personality test which they use as a strong hiring indicator. I would prefer to ace the test, whatever that means, and have my actual interview and position discussion determine hiring. How should I go about answering a test that I don't believe will be reflective of my personality?
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 5, 2013 -
10 answers
I own an Apple reseller somewhere in the United States. I bought this company from the former owner a few years back, despite having no education in business whatsoever (other than what I've learned on the job.) When I first took over as owner, it was kind of fun, challenging, a lot of work, and just slightly profitable (though with a debt from the loan I took out to buy the business). It was like this for about a year. Since then, not so much. Most days, I feel trapped and hopeless. So now I seek ideas.
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 12, 2013 -
20 answers
I'm not a professional photographer, but I did some photography work (unpaid) for my company... is that work for hire or is it something else?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 21, 2013 -
6 answers
I am self-employed in the creative arts with one main client. Recently I have begun to enjoy some success for myself. My main client is unhappy. I am unhappy that they are unhappy. Career and business advice needed.
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 13, 2013 -
15 answers
Our store occasionally has customers who appear to be mentally unstable and who would benefit from medical help. What, if anything, should we do for them? Is it any of our business?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 4, 2013 -
16 answers
I would like to travel the world while writing my own software (for profit). Ideally, I'd like to stay in each place for a couple of months, not just a few days or weeks. Where can I learn about the legal specifics of doing this?
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 30, 2013 -
7 answers
If I quit my job in April and start working on my own projects, can I buy a new laptop in July and write it off as a work expense on my taxes, even though I might not actually make any money from my projects until next year?
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 29, 2013 -
13 answers
I work in a very small IT company that makes custom business applications. The owner is way too involved in the day-to-day and pushes the sales guy to schedule us back to back to back for projects. We have no dedicated support staff so support for existing clients falls back to us (me and the one other developer) in addition to building new applications - and having all the meetings etc with clients. We are like half BA, half developer with no project manager anywhere in sight. I need to develop some skills that will allow me to get another job but no one here has the time or interest in creating requirements documents or making use cases. I barely have time to get my work done and am working more than 40 most weeks without overtime (I am salaried). I am getting burned out and need to leave. But the lack of actual SDLC/Agile/documentation stuff is really killing my attempts to transition to a straight BA position.
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 21, 2013 -
9 answers
I run a business that sells used things. Someone came in and told me one of my used things was theirs. How do I proceed?
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 19, 2012 -
22 answers
Four friends are embarking on a creative endeavor, which may turn into a business. We just finished making up a logo and are about to purchase a web domain. What sort of legal actions/responsibilities should we be doing to protect all parties and fulfill all legal requirements in the American state of Georgia?
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 8, 2012 -
5 answers
Freelance/small business filter: How to handle clients that you are ambivalent about working with?
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 6, 2012 -
5 answers
Our company is successful. We (the three founders) are realizing that we need to add more structure and middle management. And we're looking for the right consultant to help us do that.
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 5, 2012 -
5 answers
How do you determine if you are on an employment blacklist? I have an MBA degree, and I have more experience and credentials than most of my MBA class, but I have not been able to get hired, and the only jobs I've been close to getting are at much less compensation than the average for my class. I interviewed for a position, made it past a phone screen, and went through a second in-person interview. I was told that they would get back to me in one week, but less than 1 day later I get a voicemail saying the company has chosen to go with another candidate. It's not the rejection, but the swiftness of the rejection after initial enthusiasm that makes me suspicious. If you are on a blacklist, how can you find out? And what can you do about it?
posted by anonymous
on Sep 6, 2012 -
41 answers
It's time for a career change, but I'd like some help confirming if this diploma program in accounting would help me land jobs, despite not having a university degree.
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 25, 2012 -
8 answers
There are three of us who are starting a business next year and one of my future co-founders is insisting that everyone signs an employment contract stipulating that we stay at the company for at least three years. Contract violations haven't been discussed yet - the contract hasn't been written yet - but a hefty fine is likely. Is this type of contract common between co-founders? What other risks should I be aware of before/if signing this?
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 31, 2012 -
24 answers
I would be interested in hearing case studies for software business failures that have occurred due to one or both of the following factors:
- Wholesale replacement of entire engineering staff (e.g. firing all staff in original location and replacing with staff in a new location).
- Winding down product development on existing products with the expectation that it will be replaced by a new platform in the future (I'm thinking along the lines of Ashton Tate here and their DBase product).
I would also be interested in hearing any examples of where either of these strategies has been put into effect, and it been a success, rather than a failure.
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 16, 2012 -
7 answers
Moving to Boston to join a new tech startup. How can I quickly get involved in the tech startup community?
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 5, 2012 -
9 answers
I was bullied out of one startup and joined another one that is struggling. How can I regain my professional confidence and move on with my life?
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 8, 2012 -
11 answers
We’ve been asked to work on a project. I have a friend who seemed to have their heart set on this same thing. We’re the older, more established company. They’re the younger company but the project is more obviously in their area of interest. They already know they won’t be doing it, but they don’t yet know that we might. What’s the graceful way to handle this situation without incurring unnecessary resentment?
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 17, 2011 -
6 answers
I'm the founder of my company, but I think I need a manager. Has anyone been in a similar situation where they actually hired a boss for their own company?
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 7, 2011 -
10 answers
I've reached a point where I don't have the desire to continue developing my commercial software product. I need some help on deciding what to do with it.
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 8, 2011 -
10 answers
What to do with a fairly substantial business sale that is life changing but not enough to retire on?
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 31, 2011 -
14 answers
I am about to get involved in a company and begin receiving shares for my work. I have questions.
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 22, 2011 -
6 answers
I've started a company with someone that I have trouble dealing with. What should I do about this business relationship?
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 26, 2011 -
11 answers
Is the relationship between QA and programmers naturally antagonistic? If not, what can you do to get the QA or QC engineers and software engineers to work together rather than try to tear each other apart?
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posted by anonymous
on May 8, 2011 -
21 answers
I need to understand the Japanese cultural importance of "saving face" with respect to business, and how I can make myself less frustrated with an ongoing business negotiation I'm involved in.
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 20, 2011 -
10 answers
Sadly, someone I thought I could trust screwed me on a small business project they invited me to work on with them over a year ago. It was a bummer at the time, but that's about it.
They continue to seek out regular interaction with me at my primary place of business. It's a little sick. I'd like them to move on. I need insight and ideas for handling this graciously.
Have you been in these shoes? How did you handle it??
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 15, 2011 -
17 answers
I have a small business and sold items on consignment through a local studio. The owner/instructor was my friend, until she attacked me personally and said we couldn’t be friends. I waited for the right time to tell her I was leaving consignment sales. Recently I told her, and due to a conflict she packed up my inventory for me early and is strongly suggesting that I take a break from her classes. I might be banned from her business. I need advice.
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 14, 2011 -
13 answers
What are the regulations around being a medical device or not for product sales in Canada and the US?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 15, 2011 -
3 answers
How can my girlfriend take her hobby (lamp making) and turn it into a business by seeking a manufacturer and sales channel?
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 26, 2011 -
4 answers
Lawyer people: I am a lawyer licensed in Illinois and have started to do some solo practice work. Do I need to form a LLC? Why?
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 13, 2010 -
16 answers
[ Employer Compensation Filter ] Do I have grounds to seek compensation from my employer for damage to my car incurred during business use?
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 2, 2010 -
11 answers
Ethical dilemma at work: I work for a Fortune500 technology company, and one of my responsibilities is to assist with designing solutions for customers with complex requirements. The company is currently finalizing a very large deal with an organization that is well known for funding campaigns aimed at discrimination against a certain group of people, and I am being asked to design a solution for them. As a member of the group being discriminated against, I am understandably very reluctant to get involved in this deal in any way. I happen to know that my immediate supervisor's political views is such that he likely wholeheartedly agrees with the customer's stance in this matter. Do I have any ethical and/or legal grounds for refusing to deal with this customer, and, if so, how do I go about it without jeopardizing my career?
posted by anonymous
on Nov 1, 2010 -
22 answers
I work full time in the US. A European company wants to hire me as a consultant on a contract basis. How can I minimize my tax burden?
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 20, 2010 -
4 answers
Collecting money from a rogue client. Trying to be specific with information but vague with details. Desperately seeking advice. Let's get this out of the way: you are not my lawyer.
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 21, 2010 -
9 answers
My best friend is the largest client of my business. He would like me to purchase a car for his use through my company. Is this a terrible situation for me and how should I handle it?
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 31, 2010 -
40 answers
Family Business Filter: How do I negotiate a salary that reflects my value? How does a firm base salary from hourly billing rate?
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 7, 2010 -
15 answers
Should someone who approaches investors and makes deals happen be treated the same as an investor?
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 21, 2010 -
12 answers
What information do I need to have at my fingertips to profitably negotiate the sale of a commercial rental property? Or should I even do it?
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 15, 2010 -
8 answers
Had the ad agency with whom I do freelance work won the account, I'd probably have work. But the Other Ad Agency got the account. Can I approach The Other Ad Agency to work on the account?
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 23, 2010 -
8 answers
Business dilemma: I own a small but popular bar in NYC. The lease is coming up for renewal very very shortly. The landlord had previously told me that they would extend the lease for a certain amount of money, but has now changed that amount to be unreasonably high.
Very long complicated situation inside.
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 16, 2010 -
13 answers