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AllOntario.ca Vol.2 June 2015
Problem Solving Guide for Ontario Residents
10 COMMANDMENTS to write a BUSINESS PLAN
“The Greatest Salesman in the World” by Og Mandino
TO FIGHT A TRAFFIC TICKET OR NOT TO FIGHT?
New Road Safety Rules
DEBT SETTLEMENT
SERVICES
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MORE ABOUT REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS IN ONTARIO Publisher : All Ontario Media - www.AllOntario.ca For advertising and inquiries: admin@allontario.ca Mailing Address: 304-707 Finch Avenue West Toronto ON M3H 4X5 DISCLAIMER The publisher assumes no responsibility for the content of the materials supplied by advertisers, including texts, representations and illustrations. Information contained in the articles is of general nature only and is not intended to constitute any advice for any specific situation. Readers concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source or seek legal counsel.
DEBT SETTLEMENT SERVICES TO FIGHT A TRAFFIC TICKET OR NOT TO FIGHT? “THE GREATEST SALESMAN IN THE WORLD” BY OG MANDINO ONTARIO CHILD BENEFIT HAS BEEN INCREASED
10 Commandments to write a business plan
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail� (Unknown)
1. Set your goals Establishing clear, specific, measurable, achievable, and time-oriented goals requires time and thoughtfulness. Be ambitious but realistic. We do not want you to get depressed at the end of your term simply because your goals were exaggerated. Also, to avoid disappointment, set the dates to review your progress and make corrections. Have you forgotten: “Man supposes – God disposes”?
2. Make your goals specific & measurable “I want to make my business profitable” is not a goal. A vague goal is as bad as not having it at all. Set specific objectives by considering the following: What precisely do you want? Why do you want it and when? For example, “Loose 7kg of weight in 6 months from now by the date of my boyfriend arrival”.
3. Do not forget about action plan Okay, your goals are set. They are to the point, measurable and precise. But how will you get there from where you are now? What are you going to undertake? Continuing our example, it would be: “going to a gym 4 days a week and not eating after 7pm”. Think about the schedule to check the progress.
4. Make your product or service standing out of the crowd What makes your product or service unique: operational excellence, product leadership, the lowest prices or customer intimacy? What sets it apart from your competitors? What value do you provide? Describe in detail your product or service, highlighting its special features. Think hard about your competitive positioning and branding strategy. Know your customers’ wants and needs, likes and dislikes to create right images and words that will sell your product or services to more people more efficiently.
5. Do your homework – do market research To create a good marketing plan you have to do lots (and we really mean it) of research to gather enough information to determine if there is a demand for your product or service, what the industry trends are, who your potential customers are, who your main competitors are, what your strengths, weaknesses, competitive advantages and marketing opportunities are.
6. Define your target market In five words your target market is: WHERE YOUR MONEY COMES FROM. Who, why and how often is going to buy from you?
7. Think about how to reach your target market How will your prospective customers know about your product or service? It is real MARKETING, developed from the original meaning which referred literally to going to market to sell or buy goods or services. It is a KEY ELEMENT of your entire marketing strategy. Marketing campaigns play dramatic role in your company life and include many different media to choose from. It is crucial to remember that poor marketing can drive a very good company out of business or vice versa, make a company with a less than average product successful.
8. Develop your marketing budget What are the costs that you allocated for your marketing campaigns? Remember, MARKETING IS NOT A LIABILITY, IT IS AN INVESTMENT that generates cash flow to your bank account and gives opportunities for your business growth. Be careful and realistic with your numbers, don’t forget that expenses are always much bigger than you expect.
9. Do not try to be perfect Please remember that there is no limit for perfection. You are not going to get an award for “the best business plan ever”, so, spend reasonable time and efforts to develop it. Usually it takes 2-3 months. Ask for professional help to speedup the development.
10. Start it now! Not tomorrow, not in a week, not next Monday. NOW! No procrastination required.
Toronto life insurance broker tells how
Life Insurance Works in Ontario
Life insurance policies can pay to the beneficiary either a tax-free lump sum cash payment or an annuity.
Nobody can guarantee you immortality
There was an ad about life insurance in an old magazine: no words, just two pictures. On the first picture there was a family sitting at the dinner table: a father at the head, a mother beside him and a couple of well-dressed kids. The table was full of food, the furniture was expensive and a beautiful crystal chandelier giving bright light to the entire room. On the second picture there were the same kids, the same mother, the same room, the same table full of food, the same crystal chandelier…but the father’s chair was empty … only his portrait on the wall. The message was obvious: the father had a life insurance. The main advantage for the policy owner is “peace of mind”, knowing should you pass away, life insurance can provide sufficient fund for your loved ones that can: • Replace lost income • Pay off your mortgage or loans • Help with home-related expenses, utilities and taxes • Provide money for college or university fees for your children • Cover funeral costs, final income taxes and other expenses Life insurance policies can pay to the beneficiary either a tax-free lump sum cash payment or an annuity. An annuity is any continuing payment with a fixed total annual amount. Annuities and pensions that pay a benefit for life are sometimes regarded as insurance against the possibility that a retiree will outlive his or her financial resources. In that sense, they are the complement of life insurance and, from an underwriting perspective, are the mirror image of life insurance.
Understanding Life Insurance Life insurance is a legal contract between an insured (insurance policy holder) and an insurer (an insurance company), which describes the limitations of the insured events. Usually, the policy holder pays a premium on monthly basis. Some other expenses, such as funeral expenses, may be also included in the benefits. Common exclusions are claims relating to suicide, fraud, war, riot and civil commotion. Some life insurance plans accumulate cash values that may be taken by the insured if the policy is surrendered or which may be borrowed against. If worse comes to worst, you may use this funds for a down payment for your property, for example. The cost of insurance is determined using mortality tables (statistically based tables showing expected annual mortality rates) calculated by actuaries. Actuaries are professionals who employ actuarial science, which is based on mathematics (primarily probability and statistics). The three main variables in a mortality table are commonly age, gender, and use of tobacco. Upon the insured’s death, the insurer requires acceptable proof of death (normally, a death certificate) before it pays the claim and the insurer’s claim form completed, signed (and typically notarized). If the insured’s death is suspicious and the policy amount is too large, the insurance company may investigate the circumstances surrounding the death before deciding whether it has an obligation to pay the claim. Although the owner and the insured are often the same person, there is a difference between the insured and the policy owner. For example, if Joe buys a policy on his own life, he is both the owner and the insured. But if Jane, his wife, buys a policy on Joe’s life, she is the owner and he is the insured. The owner designates the beneficiary, but the beneficiary is not a party to the policy. The owner can change the beneficiary unless the policy has an irrevocable beneficiary designation.
Whether a man buys life insurance or not, someone always has to pay for it; the question is who … the man or his loved ones?
Contact Toronto Life Insurance Broker Olga Ryjkova! She can help you find life insurance which is tailored to suit your budget and needs.
416-822-2698 olga.ryjkova@gmail.com www.insurancestoronto.ca
DON’T FORGET!
New Road Safety Rules (in effect from September 1, 2015)
DISTRACTED DRIVING $490 3 +
demerit points $490 fine and 3 demerit points upon conviction
Minimum 30-day licence suspension for novice drivers upon conviction Who is a novice driver? It is the one with a G1, G2, M1, M2, M2-L or M2-M licence
In Ontario, it is illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial or email using hand-held cell phones and other hand-held devices. • If current collision trends continue, fatalities from distracted driving may exceed those from drinking and driving by 2016. • Research indicates that a driver who uses a cell phone is four times more likely to be in a crash.
30 days
SCHOOL BUSES $2,000 and 6 demerit points for a first conviction for drivers failing to stop for a school bus School buses are the only buses permitted to be chrome yellow
TOW TRUCKS $490 fine for drivers who do not slow down and move over when approaching tow trucks with amber lights flashing on the roadside.
NEW SPEED LIMITS 30 km/h in Downtown Toronto
CYCLISTS 1 metre
Drivers need to keep a one-metre distance where possible when passing cyclists or they may face the penalty of a $110 fine and 2 demerit points. $365 and 3 demerit points for opening a door into passing cyclists and traffic An estimated 1.2 million Ontarians ride a bicycle on a daily basis.
A bike must have a white front light and a red rear light or reflector if you ride between ½ hour before sunset and ½ hour after sunrise, and white reflective tape on the front forks and red reflective tape on rear forks.
$110 fine for cyclists who do not have proper lights and reflectors Fines as listed include the Victim Fine Surcharge and Court Costs. Prepared by Carlos Perdomo Licensed Paralegal
Carlos Perdomo Licensed Paralegal
416-671-7670 cpsolutions60@gmail.com
www.paralegaltoronto.ca
Landlord & Tenant
Traffic Tickets
Small Claims Court
Drinking & Driving Accidents Personal Injury If it’s the case, we can refer you to a lawyer with over 20 years of experience
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10 tips to save money on groceries from Health Canada
You can eat well on any budget. Try these ideas to save money: 1. Eat before you shop. You're less likely to make impulse purchases when you're not hungry. 2. Shop for sales. Check out flyers, coupons, and websites for deals. Create your meal plan and shopping list around these foods. 3. Stock up on lower-sodium canned goods when they are on sale. 4. Buy only what you will use. Buying in bulk may lead to waste. Freeze meat, poultry, fish, and bread to extend their shelf life. 5. Compare prices. Store brand products are often less expensive than brand name ones. 6. Buy fresh vegetables and fruit when they are in seasonthey're usually less expensive at this time. Freeze extras for later. 7. Choose frozen vegetables and fruit when fresh produce isn't in season. They are affordable and nutritious options. 8. Use beans, lentils, and other legumes often instead of meat. 9. Limit foods and beverages high in calories, fat, and sugar like cookies, pastries, salty snacks, pop, and other high-calorie drinks. They are low in nutrients and will add to your grocery bill. 10. Pay with cash. You're more likely to stick to your budget. http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/eating-nutrition/healthy-eating-saine-alimentation/tipsconseils/shopping-epicerie-eng.php
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Real Estate Transactions IN ONTARIO Stronger Consumer Protection Came into effect this July, additional protections help consumers safeguard their hard-earned money in a fair and informed real estate marketplace. To address "phantom bidding": • Real estate salespeople and brokers will not be allowed to imply or indicate that an offer exists unless the offer has been made in writing. • Real estate salespeople and brokers will have to present all offers in writing. • Real estate professionals must maintain records of all offers, which will allow the Real Estate Council of Ontario to verify the number of bids. Under the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, since 2014, real estate professionals are able to charge a fee, a commission, or a combination of both for the services they offer. Traditional all-inclusive commissions did not give consumers the flexibility they wanted in terms of real estate services they received or how they could pay for those services. Now, consumers have more choice and are able to select real estate services and compensation arrangements that best meet their needs.
In 2014, there were 205,720 real estate transactions in Ontario.
Real Estate Documents Can Be Signed Electronically The Electronic Commerce Act makes electronic signatures legally equivalent to signatures on paper documents for real estate transactions. It is easier to send documents electronically and save time for anyone buying or selling property, especially when the two parties are separated by distance.
416-633-9404 1-866-209-1463 FREE 2727 Steeles Ave. West, Unit 104 Toronto, ON M3J 3G9
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dealing with debts
Debt Settlement Services in Ontario
KEY FACTS • There are currently 22 companies and 38 credit counselling providers offering debt settlement services in Ontario. • Services may be marketed as "debt settlement", "debt management", "debt arrangement", "debt reduction" or "debt consolidation." • In 2014, there were 162 complaints and inquiries to the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services of Ontario about debt settlement services. Some debt settlement services charge customers large upfront fees and use complex language in contracts to describe the services they will provide - but fail to deliver the promised reduction in debt. • As of July 1, 2015, Ontario will require clear contracts, ban debt settlement services providers from charging fees before a debtor begins making payments to a creditor, and provide a 10-day cooling-off period for consumers to cancel the contract. Companies that do not comply can have their registration revoked. • Debt settlement services providers will also face limits to how much they can charge a debtor who comes to them for assistance as of July 1, 2015. When repaying debt, providers can charge the debtor a maximum of 15% of each payment made to creditors when repayment is by way of a schedule of payments, plus a maximum $50 one-time fee. When settling debt, the debtor can be charged a maximum of 10 per cent of the original debt, if the debt is settled by way of a one-time offer rather than a schedule of payments. • The average consumer debt in Ontario is more than $29,000 per person, according to 2014 statistics from TransUnion.
dealing with debts
Ontario is strengthening financial protections for consumers using debt settlement services. As of July 1, 2015, debt settlement service providers will face limits to how much they can charge a debtor who comes to them for assistance. The new rules also: 1. ban debt settlement companies from charging fees before a debtor begins making payments to a creditor 2. require clear contracts 3. provide a 10-day cooling-off period for any debt settlement services contract entered into on or after July 1, 2015 4. permit licences of non-compliant companies to be revoked Debtors should know their rights before they sign contracts, and they should not make payments until they get results.
Important Tips Don’t be pressured. • Take the time you need to understand the contract, including the fine print. • If you don’t understand something, don’t agree to it and don’t sign anything. Ask for clarification. What matters is what is written down in the contract not what you are told over the phone or verbally in a meeting.
Watch out for exaggerated or false claims. • Remember, your creditors may not agree to reduce any of your debts, let alone reduce them by 50 per cent or more. • Claims that working with a debt settlement company means there will be no negative effect on your consumer report (e.g. credit file, credit rating) are wrong and misleading. • Beware of claims saying that programs are approved by the government. The provincial government does not approve debt settlement programs. • Debt settlement companies cannot stop collection agencies and creditors from contacting you regarding your delinquent accounts.
Be wary of large up-front fees and service contract amounts. • Some companies may ask for large upfront fees even before any work has been done. • Some will not refund money that you paid and meant to be used to pay off your debts even if your creditors refuse to deal with debt settlement companies or refuse to reduce your debts. • If you decide to terminate the contract before the end of the term, you may have to pay a large fee.
Your rights under Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act (CPA) Under the CPA, you have: • The right to be informed: Ontario law requires clear, comprehensible and prominent disclosure of key details in contracts. • The right to be free from false, misleading or deceptive representations: It is an unfair practice for a person to make a false statement when dealing with a consumer. • The right to approve or reject material changes in contracts for ongoing services: Contracts cannot be changed without your consent. • The right to cancel a contract within the first year if the contract does not meet all the requirements of the CPA: If this is the case you may be entitled to be paid back the money you paid under the contract.
dealing with debts
Collection Agency
In Ontario, collection agencies must be registered with the Government of Ontario and must follow the rules set out in the Collection and Debt Settlement Services Act. When a collection agency contacts you to collect money that you may owe or when you can’t pay a debt, they must follow those rules.
If you're contacted Before a collection agency can contact you they need to send you a written notice through regular mail (email doesn’t count). This notice must include: • the name of the person or business that says you owe them money (known as the creditor) • the amount of money that the creditor says you owe • the name of the collection agency and a statement that the creditor has asked them to collect the debt After sending the notice, the agency must wait 6 days before they can contact you in person or by phone. After their first conversation with you, an agency can’t contact you more than 3 times in a 7-day period without your consent. “Contact” means the agents must actually speak with you, email you or leave you a voice mail. If you don’t answer the phone and the agents don’t leave a message, it doesn’t count as a contact. A letter sent by regular mail also does not count as a contact.
A collection agency can’t: • contact you on a Sunday, except between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. • contact you on any other day of the week between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. • contact you on a holiday • use threatening, profane, intimidating or coercive language • use undue, excessive or unreasonable pressure or harass you • charge you any fees Ask the right questions when a collection agency contacts you, such as: • may I have your Ontario registration number? • have you sent me a written notice with my creditor’s name and the amount of money that I owe? • how often will you be contacting me?
If you're contacted by mistake A collection agency can’t keep contacting you if: • you send a registered letter to the agency saying that you dispute the debt and suggest the matter be taken to court • you (or your lawyer or paralegal) send a registered letter with your lawyer or paralegal’s contact information telling the agency to communicate only with your lawyer or paralegal • you have told them that you are not the person they are looking for, unless the agency has taken reasonable steps to make sure you are the person that they should be contacting
dealing with debts
If others are contacted about you
File a complaint
In general, a collection agency can only contact your employer once to get your employment information. Otherwise, they can’t contact your employer unless: • your employer has guaranteed the debt • it’s about a court order or an automatic deduction from your salary (also called assignment of wages) • you have given them written permission to contact your employer A collection agency can’t contact your spouse, family member, a relative, neighbour or friend except to get your address and telephone number, unless: • the person has guaranteed the debt • you have given permission for the person to be contacted to act on your behalf Also, a collection agency can’t: • give false or misleading information to any person • recommend that a creditor take legal action against you without sending you notice first
If a collection agency has broken the rules, you can send the agency a letter and include what you believe they did wrong and that you expect them to follow the law If this does not resolve the problem, you can file a complaint. Learn more how you can do this at www.ontario.ca/consumers/filingconsumer-complaint If you file a complaint, be sure to include documents and evidence to support it. For example, you can include: • all letters, emails and faxes that you sent or received from the collection agency • a record of the date, time and details of the phone calls or messages you received • a photograph of your telephone display showing the collector’s phone number and the time they called • digital recordings of phone messages or conversations • letters from your employer, co-workers, family or friends confirming that the collector contacted them
Credit Reports in Ontario Here, you can find information on how to check your credit report for free, correct any mistakes in it and tips on avoiding identity theft or credit repair scams. A credit report includes: • your name, age and address • your job and where you work • what debts you have • your paying habits (e.g., do you usually pay on time or are your payments late, do you only make minimum payments) A credit report does not include: • a bankruptcy discharged more than 7 years ago, unless you have declared bankruptcy more than once • the payment or non-payment of taxes or fines after 7 years • convictions for crimes after 7 years • criminal charges against you that were dropped
dealing with debts
Credit reporting agencies
Free credit check
Consumer reporting agencies create and maintain credit reports. They collect information from various sources, like banks, credit card companies, mortgage companies and other creditors. In Ontario, there are two major consumer reporting agencies: 1. Equifax Canada 2. TransUnion Canada
We recommend that you check your credit report at least once a year. Nothing in your file should be a surprise to you. To get a free copy of your report, contact: • Equifax Canada • TransUnion Canada You may want to contact both agencies because they might have different information on file. Your credit history and personal information must be easy to read. If your credit report includes any information that is wrong or is not familiar to you, it could be a sign that an identity thief is using your personal information.
The law In Ontario, the Consumer Reporting Act sets out: • what a consumer reporting agency can report • how a consumer’s credit report can be used • when someone can request credit report • what consumers can do if their files contain any information that is wrong or incomplete The Consumer Reporting Act recognizes that businesses, landlords and employers need to have correct information. At the same time it ensures: • that agencies collect, maintain and report your credit and personal information responsibly • your right to know what is being reported about you and to whom • your right to correct information about yourself that is inaccurate A person who is found guilty of knowingly providing a consumer reporting agency with false or misleading information could be fined up to $25,000 or imprisoned for up to 1 year, or both. A corporation that is found guilty of the same offence could be fined up to $100,000.
Who can request a copy By law, consumer reporting agencies must get your consent before they can share a copy of your report. They can provide a copy of your credit report to: • lenders and creditors • insurance companies • landlords • potential employers (e.g., to assess applications for loans, lines of credit, insurance, apartment rentals or employment)
Correcting errors To correct information in your credit report that is inaccurate or incomplete, you: • can ask the consumer reporting agency to correct the error • may need to give proof to the agency that the information is not correct • may ask the consumer reporting agency to notify anyone who received a copy of the incorrect report in the past 6 months to 1 year (depending on the type of information that was corrected) Once the error is corrected, the consumer reporting agency must notify anyone who received a copy of the report that had the error in the past 60 days. If your problem is still not solved, see the steps to file a complaint with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services. They will ask the consumer reporting agency to provide more details about your complaint, and may order corrections on your file. We must have your written permission before your personal file can be accessed.
dealing with debts
Where to get help
If your financial problems are getting out of hand, consider contacting a credit counselling service for help through: • The Ontario Association of Credit Counselling Services • Credit Counselling Canada • The Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals (CAIRP) Credit counsellors are different than debt settlement services. Debt settlement services will charge you a fee to help you negotiate a plan to repay your debts. Credit counsellors are often not-for-profit organizations. Watch out for debt settlement companies that: • say they can reduce your debt by 50% or more • charge large, upfront fees • claim that if you work with them there will be no negative effect on your credit report • claim that their program is approved by the government • say they can get collection agencies to stop calling you Always take the time to understand your contract. Remember that some of these companies will charge a cancellation fee if you want to end your contract before the end of its term. They may also not refund any money that you paid them. References: http://www.ontario.ca/home-and-community/collectionagency-your-rights https://www.sse.gov.on.ca/mcs/en/Pages/alert_debt_settlem ent.aspx http://news.ontario.ca/mgs/en/2015/06/stronger-rights-andmore-protections-for-consumers.html http://www.ontario.ca/home-and-community/credit-reports
Tips to deal with debt If you are contacted by a collection agency, try to pay the money you owe as soon as possible. Otherwise, the problem could get worse. If you can’t pay the full amount that you owe at once, try to arrange monthly payments. The person or business that you owe money to might: • take you to court and get a judgement against you, allowing them to seize your assets or take part of your salary • sell your debt to another person (your rights under Collection and Debt Settlement Services Act would not apply unless that person hires a collection agency) • report the debt to a consumer reporting agency, which could lead to you having a bad credit record When paying off your debt, make sure to: • never send cash and always get a receipt or proof of payment • not bounce cheques and miss payments • contact the collection agency in writing if your financial circumstances change or you can’t make payments • contact the agency and the original creditor if there is a mistake in your account • deal only with the collection agency to avoid any confusion, if everything is correct
To fight a traffic ticket or not to fight? Paying the fine is an admission of guilt. There will be a conviction registered in your driver records. You will have no chance to lower your traffic ticket fine and demerit points (if any). Do not forget, if you have a conviction record, your auto insurance will be increased upon renewal.
If you got a traffic ticket, fight it! Don’t miss a chance to lower the penalty! And if a Lady Luck smiles at you, your ticket might be dismissed and forgotten! Remember, you have 15 days from the date of your traffic ticket to decide. Basically, you have three options to fight your traffic ticket: 1. Plead guilty by paying the fine (a conviction is registered). 2. Visit a court office to plead guilty but make submissions about the penalty (amount of fine or time to pay) (a conviction is registered). 3. Request a trial. You have the right to fight your traffic ticket in court. Depending on what your traffic ticket says, you may need to either mail in your ticket showing that you want a trial or you may need to visit a court office to file a request for trial. You also have the fourth option – hire a paralegal and they fight your traffic ticket the best way possible. Actually, the last option is the best. No kidding!
To hire a paralegal or not to hire? Is it a good idea to hire a paralegal to fight your traffic ticket? Actually, yes. There are too many reasons for that, just to mention a few: • First and foremost – a paralegal can save your nerves, time and money. • They have experience and knowledge to develop the best strategy for your defence. • It always takes time and needs knowing the legal procedures to get necessary information (for example, disclosure) to fight your traffic ticket. • You will not have to ask for a day off at work to request a trial date and then to attend the hearing: they’ll come to the hearing instead of you, and you wont be involved in a stressful process. • The police officer who issued you the traffic ticket must show up at the court for hearing. If the police officer fails to show, your case will be dismissed. If you have a good reason to change a date, there might be a chance that the officer won’t show up. You need to make your request in writing a few days in advance of the scheduled hearing. The paralegal can help you out with this. • If you got a speeding ticket, there is a legal requirement that radar guns need to be re-calibrated in a certain period of time. In reality, sometimes they are not. Paralegals know legal procedures of verifying whether this was done and documented. • Often, paralegals talk to the Prosecutor before the hearing and they are able to come out with a good deal such as: lower a fine or decrease the demerit points or both. Weigh the pros and cons of every option. Calculate the cost of fighting the traffic ticket and weigh it against the chances of getting it dismissed or reduced to a lower charge. By Carlos Perdomo Licensed Paralegal
By Francesco Ballesio
“The Greatest Salesman in the World” by Og Mandino
Over 50 million copies of “The Greatest Salesman in the World” have been sold and translated into over 25 different languages. Og Mandino was a "sales guru" and the author of the bestselling book The Greatest Salesman in the World. The 128-page book is a classic guide to a philosophy of salesmanship, telling the story of Hafid, a poor camel boy who achieves a life of abundance. Og Mandino remains one of the most inspirational and best-selling authors today. His books have sold over 50 million copies and have been translated into over twenty-five different languages. He was the president of Success Unlimited magazine until 1976. He had been inducted into the National Speakers Association's Hall Of Fame. His works were inspired by the Bible and influenced by Napoleon Hill, W. Clement Stone and Emmet Fox.
The Greatest Salesman in the World contains the time-tested wisdom of the ancients distilled into ten simple scrolls which, if followed for the prescribed ten months, will, as Og says, "seep into my other mind, that mysterious source which never sleeps, which creates my dreams, and often makes me act in ways I do not comprehend. As the words of these scrolls are consumed by my mysterious mind I will begin to awake, each morning, with a vitality I have never known before. My vigor will increase, my enthusiasm will rise, my desire to meet the world will overcome every fear I once knew at sunrise, and I will be happier than I ever believed it possible to be in this world of strife and sorrow." (Scroll I) Mandino's main motto was to "do it now". In Scroll IX, the phrase “I will act” now is written 18 times. Although Mandino's philosophical messages have Christian undertones, they are actually encouragements through repetitive actions that build good habits.
Scroll I: Today I begin a new life
Commitment Everyday a person is reborn - he can forget the failures of the past. Habits are the difference between success and failure. Therefore in order to achieve success, it is necessary to form good habits and become their slave. This first scroll teaches the best way to learn the meaning of the others. Each successive scroll will contain a principle enabling the reader to replace a bad habit with a good one. Each scroll must be read three times a day – the last time a loud - for thirty consecutive days. This way, the scrolls' wisdom becomes both a part of the active and subconscious mind.
Scroll II: I will greet this day with love in my heart
Love Love can be the salesman's greatest weapon, for even if people reject many particulars concerning the salesman's wares, love will soften them. Love can be developed by always looking for the best in people. Each time we meet someone we should state silently, "I Love You." But in order to love others, we must love ourselves, treat ourselves with respect, and not be satisfied with anything but our finest efforts.
Scroll IV: I am nature's greatest miracle Scroll III: I will persist until I succeed -
Miracle
Persistence
People are nature's greatest miracle. Each person is different in appearance as well as ability, and we should capitalize on, rather than despise, these differences. We must concentrate on the task at hand, not allowing ourselves to be preoccupied with problems of home while in the marketplace, or of the marketplace while we are at home. We each have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a mind with which to think. This is everything we need to thrive.
"I will persist until I succeed." People are born to succeed, not to fail. Defeat will not be considered, and word such as quit, cannot, unable, and impossible are not part of the growing disciple's vocabulary. Every failure moves a man closer to success. When the day ends and the salesman wants to quit, he must force himself to make one more sale; to end the day with success.
A. Shishkin
Scroll V: I will live this day as if it is my last
Time Live each day as if it were your last. Dwelling on the failures or misfortunes of the past is useless, for we cannot change them. Nor should we think about tomorrow. The present hours and minutes, pass too quickly and are gone forever, and so, they must be traded only for things of value. We should always treat our family and our friends as if today were our last day together.
Scroll VII: I will laugh at the world -
Laughter "...Cultivate the habit of laughter." Man is the only creature who can laugh, and the best thing to laugh at is ourselves. Whenever things seem to serious or dismal, repeat the word, "This too shall pass, " and all troublesome thoughts will seem lighter. Laughers puts events successes as well as failures - into perspective. Only with laughter and gratitude can we enjoy the fruits of prosperity.
Scroll VI: Today I will be master of my emotions - Emotion We are masters over our emotions. Although we daily pass through different moods, each of us has the power to control them; to "create our own weather." If we bring joy and enthusiasm and brightness to all that we do, others will react in a similar manner. "Strong is he who forces his actions to control his thoughts." No matter how we feel when we arise in the morning, we can sing or laugh and make ourselves feel better. No matter what other people do or how they react, we can decide to be positive and understanding.
Scroll VIII: Today I will multiply my value a hundredfold - Value Seek out opportunities and experiences that will multiply in value. A grain of wheat has not choice as to what it will become whether it will be ground into bread or planted in the earth to multiply - but each human being has a choice - to grow or to perish. In order to "multiply in value," we must set goals, short-term as well as longterm. We must not worry if we experience initial failure in reaching our goals; we compete only with ourselves. Upon reaching goal, we multiply again by setting another, and by striving to constantly make the next hour better than the present one.
Eugène-Alexis Girardet
Scroll IX: I will act now, I will act now, I will act now
Scroll X: I will pray for guidance -
Action
Almost everyone, in a moment of terror or anguish, will turn to God for help. But a true believer will pray for guidance, not only for help. He calls on God not for material things, but for the knowledge to understand the way to acquire what is needed. Nevertheless, we must realize that sometimes we will not be given the sort of guidance we ask for - this, too, is an answer to prayer. Pray for ability equal to the opportunity, for good habits, for love, to use words well, to humbly forge through all obstacles, to reach worthwhile goals.
Our dream and plans are of no value without action. Procrastination comes from fear, and we overcome fear only through action. It is better to act now and risk failure, than to refrain from action and certainly flounder. Fireflies give light only when they fly. Through doing, we become like them, giving off light amid the darkness. Only action gives life significance. If success is offered now, we must act now.
Francesco Ballesio
Guidance
Og Mandino Read the story of the author of the bestselling book “The Greatest Salesman in the World” from his own writing about himself
“Hello…This is Og Mandino. Some memories of my long-ago childhood are still very vivid, especially when I think of that special little red-headed Irish lady who was my loving mother. She had a special dream for her son. "Someday," she would tell me, again and again, "someday you will be a writer… not just a writer but a great writer!" Well… I bought her dream. Most kids resent having their parents plan their future but I liked the idea. A famous writer. Yes! Mother had me reading grown-up books from the library long before I entered the first grade and I was always writing short stories for her approval. In my senior year of high school I was editor of the school paper and our plans were that in the fall I would attend the University of Missouri because we believed that they had the best journalism school in the country. And, then… six weeks after I graduated from high school, my mother dropped dead in our kitchen while she was making lunch for me. I had a terrible time trying to deal with her passing. Instead of going on to college in the fall of 1940, I went to work in a paper factory and, in 1942, I joined the Army Air Corps. In 1943 I received my officer's commission and my silver wings as a bombardier. I was an "officer and a gentleman" two weeks before I could legally vote. I flew thirty bombing missions over Germany in a B-24 Liberator. Jimmy Stewart also flew in the same heavy bombardment group… the 445th. Nice man. I returned to the United States, after the war had ended, and discovered quickly that there wasn't much of an employment market for bombardiers with only a high school education. After many months of unemployment checks and painful searching, I finally secured a job selling life insurance and married the lady I had been dating before I went to war.
The following ten years were a living hell…for me, for her, and even for the lovely daughter we had been blessed with. It seemed that no matter how many hours of the day and night I worked, struggling to sell insurance, we drifted deeper and deeper into debt and I began to do what so many frustrated individuals still do today, to hide from their problems. On the way home, after a long day of sales calls and canvassing for business, I would stop at a barroom for a drink. After all, I deserved it, didn't I, following such a tough day? Well, soon one drink became two, two became four, four became six and finally my wife and daughter, when they could no longer endure my behavior, left me. The following two years are no more than a hazy memory. I traveled the country in my old Ford, doing any kind of odd jobs in order to earn enough for another bottle of cheap wine and I spent countless drunken nights in gutters, a sorry wretch of a human being, in a living hell. Then, one cold wintry morning in Cleveland, one I shall never forget, I almost took my life. I had passed the window of a dingy pawn shop and paused when I saw, inside on a shelf, a small handgun. Attached to its barrel was a yellow tag… $29. I reached into my pocket and removed three ten dollar bills… all I had in the world and I thought…"There's the answer to all my problems. I'll buy that gun, get a couple of bullets and take them back to that dingy room where I'm staying. Then I'll put the bullets in the gun, put the gun to my head… and pull the trigger… and I'll never have to face that miserable failure in the mirror again." I don't know what happened next. I joke about it now and say that I was such a spineless individual at that time that I couldn't even muster enough courage to do away with myself. In any event, I didn't buy that gun. As the snow was falling I turned away from the pawn shop and commenced walking until I eventually found myself inside a public library. It was so warm after the outside chills of November.
I began wandering among the thousands of books until I found myself standing in front of the shelves containing scores of volumes on self-help, success, and motivation. I selected several of them, went to a nearby table and commenced reading, searching for some answers. Where had I gone wrong? Could I make it with just a high school education? Was there any hope for me? What about my drinking problem? Was it too late for me? Was I doomed now to a life of frustration, failure, and tears? That library visit was the first of many library visits I began making as I wandered across the country, searching for Og Mandino. I must have read hundreds of books dealing with success and gradually my drinking subsided. Then, in a library in Concord, New Hampshire, I discovered W. Clement Stone's great classic, Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude… and my life has never been the same since then. I was so impressed with Stone's philosophy of success that one must be prepared to pay a price in order to achieve any worthwhile goals that I wanted to work for the man. His book jacket indicated that he was president of Combined Insurance Company of America and I searched until I found a subsidiary of that company in Boston and applied for a salesman's job. At about that same time, I met a lovely lady who had a lot more faith in me than I had in myself and when Mr. Stone's insurance company hired this thirtytwo year old loser, I married the lady. Bette and I have now been together for forty years. Within a year I was promoted to sales manager in the wide-open, and cold, territory of Northern Maine. I hired several young potato farmers, taught them how to sell, applying Stone's philosophy of a positive mental attitude, and we were soon breaking company records. Then I took a week off from work and rented a typewriter. You see, the dream of writing had never really faded from my heart. I wrote a sales manual on how one sells insurance in the rural areas, typed it as neatly as I could and sent it to Combined Insurance's home office in Chicago. . . just praying that someone there would recognize the great talent they had buried in Northern Maine. Well, someone did! The next thing I knew, Bette and I and our new young son, Dana, were moving to Chicago, with all our possessions tied to the roof of our car and I was assigned to the sales promotion department, writing company bulletins. At last I was finally writing! Mr. Stone also published a small book titled Success Unlimited which was circulated to all his employees and shareholders. I had been working at the home office for several months and had become a friend of Mr. Stone's when the editor of his magazine retired.
Mr. Stone also published a small book titled Success Unlimited which was circulated to all his employees and shareholders. I had been working at the home office for several months and had become a friend of Mr. Stone's when the editor of his magazine retired. I boldly applied for the position, although I knew nothing about magazine editing, and he not only gave me the job but also entrusted me with a mission. I was to convert his publication from a house organ to a national magazine and I had a blank check from him to take all the steps that were necessary to accomplish our goal. In the following ten years our magazine staff grew from two to sixty-two and we attained a paid circulation of close to a quarter of a million! I ran the article in Success Unlimited and then fate took over. A letter arrived on my desk from a New York publisher… the kind of letter all writers dream about receiving. He had enjoyed the Hogan article and believed I had much talent and if I ever decided to write a book his company would be interested in considering it for publication. Eighteen months later we published a tiny book entitled The Greatest Salesman in the World. Of course, since no one had ever heard of Og Mandino, the first printing was rather small, 5,000 as I remember. But here's where fate stepped in again. Rich DeVos, co-founder of Amway Corp., was addressing an Amway Convention and he told his people that there was a new book just published that he believed would help all, of them, The Greatest Salesman In the World, written by a man with a funny name, he said, Og Mandino. Rich DeVos's testimonial triggered an unbelievable number of book sales and many reprintings. When total sales reached 350,000 copies within a couple of years, Bantam Books purchased the paperback rights… for more money than I believed there was in the entire world. The book's sales have never abated. Even now, thirty years after initial publication, it still continues to sell more than 100,000 copies each month in paperback! For many years now, I have received approximately 80 to 120 letters each week from grateful readers thanking me for The Greatest Salesman in the World and relating examples of how the book saved or changed the writer's life. Most amazing to me is how many of these letters are lovingly sent by individuals we would categorize as celebrities in the world of business, entertainment, and sports. I respond to all of them, of course, but I respect their privacy too much to divulge their names, ever.
What a lucky man I am!”
Ontario Child Benefit has been increased Ontario Government has increased its maximum monthly Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) payment to help eligible families with the cost of raising children. It provides direct financial support to low- to moderate-income families with children under the age of 18. Breaking down barriers for low-income Ontarians and reducing poverty is part of the government's plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan. Eligibility There is no application for the OCB. Depending on your family income, you may qualify for the Ontario Child Benefit (OCB), if you: • are the primary caregiver of a child under 18; • are a resident of Ontario; • have filed and had assessed your previous year’s income tax return, and so has your spouse or common-law partner; and • have registered your child for the federal Canada Child Tax Benefit. You can download an Income Tax and Benefit Package from the Canada Revenue Agency website. You can also call the Canada Revenue Agency toll-free for more information at 1-800-959-8281 FREE. For TTY (Teletypewriter) service, call 1-800-665-0354 FREE (Canada only). To apply for the Canada Child Tax Benefit, visit the Canada Revenue Agency website for an application form or call the Canada Revenue Agency toll-free at 1-800-959-8281 FREE. The Canada Revenue Agency will automatically review your eligibility once you and your spouse/common law partner’s income tax returns from the previous year are assessed and you have registered your child for the Canada Child Tax Benefit. If you are eligible, the Ontario Child Benefit is included with Canada Child Tax Benefit and National Child Benefit Supplement monthly payments.
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