“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.”
Booker T
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1. Jon Husband, writing at the{app}gap, believes “social learning will be a core design element in the knowledge workplace” (that is, formal education in classrooms is going to be challenged by free platforms of online learning) – GoSee
2. Seth Godin, too, predicts that “free” will be the new model of education – GoSee
3. University of the People, though not yet accredited (but they hope to be soon) and don’t confer degrees, is offering all classes in Business Administration and Computer Science for free – the model of a free university is already here, and many more will follow – GoSee
Thanks, Jason M. Blumer
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I was being interviewed recently by Jan Davis for a book she is writing and she asked me, “why do you write a blog?” Interesting question. There are many answers, and I may answer in many different ways at different times in my life.
But right now, I’m consuming so many other blogs, podcasts, books, articles, websites, journals, and other industry-specific information that I need a way to synthesize the information I’m taking in. Writing helps me to get all of my thoughts out of my head and into a format that I can understand. The blog is my outlet. And as I go through this little exercise, I hope the information I’m producing on the blog is helpful to others. Jan mentioned that this type of synthesis is a technique mentioned in one of David Allen’s best-selling books, the guru of Getting Things Done. I’m not sure which book she was referring to, but David Allen said to take time at the end of each day and write down all of your entrepreneurial/new thoughts as a way to process what you’ve been learning throughout the day.
It works really well for me.
Maybe that’s a good reason for you to start a blog. Maybe it can just start with you synthesizing the information you put in your head. Maybe no one will read it for a year. But once you find your groove, the information you process into a blog may be helpful to many others needing your take on the many subjects you deal with in your career.
What do you think? Would a blog help you synthesize information you are putting in your head? Do you synthesize what you take in differently than writing a blog? Leave it in the comments.
Here are a few resources on blogging:
Using Google’s Wonder Wheel to Find Topics to Write About on Your Blog
Every Blogger Starts From Zero
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I found these two posts on Twitter very interesting. They made me think about what I’m doing, Twitter’s future and how to do it better (tweeting, that is).
The first one is from Mike Campbell, CPA, my friend in Louisville. He writes a blog at www.louisvillesoup.com and always makes me think. This one is no exception. Excerpt:
Keep a watch out for the next big thing. Better yet, be the next big thing. Early in my Twitter experience a lot of my followers went to Plurk. Most of them came back. Then there was Identic.ca. It proved to me that people are loyal to mircroblogging, but not a specific brand. Twitter is just a brand. Unfortunately it’s brand is tarnished from fail whale, lack of revenue, and being in kahoots with the CNN / Ashton Kutcher PR stunt. Furthermore, too many people have too much trouble answer the question, What is Twitter.
The second one is from Guy Kawasaki writing at American Express’ Open Forum blog. He tells it to you straight forward and he doesn’t care what you think (sometimes he is a little too forward – but, hey, it’s his style). Excerpt:
Based on these experiences, I encourage you to break all the “rules” that you’ve heard about social media and make your own. Like my friends from Alaska tell me, unless you’re the lead dogma, the view never changes.
Did this info help you? Let me know in the comments. Peace.
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I’ve heard it referred to as the “Schedule A, lite” and even “IRS Genuine Draft”, but the new Schedule L is none of those, you silly pranksters.
The new Schedule L is a new form where the IRS will require additional details on the special add-ons that taxpayers can add to their standard deduction. Remember that the standard deduction OR itemized deductions are available to you as a taxpayer. But beginning with the 2009 tax returns, filers must provide additional details to the IRS on Schedule L related to real estate taxes, sales tax and disaster losses that they are adding to their standard deduction.
It’s actually pretty cool that you no longer have to itemize (done on Schedule A) to get the full benefit of some of the itemized deductions historically unavailable to you it you used the standard deduction. But now, married folks can add to their already existing standard deduction $1k in real estate property tax deductions (single people only get half that).
Make sure you have your additional details mentioned above ready for your CPA when it’s time tax time… even if you don’t itemize.
Thanks, Jason M. Blumer, CPA
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“Be skeptical, but be informed. Screaming ignorance gets attention, but it distracts from the work at hand.”
Seth Godin
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1. Using LinkedIn effectively has always baffled me. Here is a LinkedIn “How To” checklist – GoSee2. Noah took a picture of himself everyday for 6 years, and put it on YouTube… what a trip – GoSee
3. The real issues behind great results at your company (Part I and Part II) – GoSee (to Part I first)
Thanks, Jason M. Blumer, CPA
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The StartupStudent.com blog, where I write additional posts, is “dedicated to helping students become successful entrepreneurs.”
Check out some recent posts over there and comment if you find the info useful:
The Real Issues Behind Great Results, Part I
The Real Issues Behind Great Results, Part II
Thanks, Jason M. Blumer, CPA
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A client recently asked me about this topic, which prompted this post. Thanks client!
According to the IRS, “any fringe benefit you provide is taxable and must be included in the recipient’s pay unless the law specifically excludes it.” That, hopefully, answers a lot of your tax questions – taxable? “always yes”, deductible? “always no” (unless the law speaks to your exact situation). Kinda’ bites, don’t it? But that’s the truth.
But the IRS isn’t heartless. They have a provision called “de minimis” (latin for about minimal things) which allows you as an employer to exclude from an employee’s income things that have so little value that it would be impracticable or unreasonable to include in the employee’s income. Occasional use of the copy machine and occasional entertainment tickets may fall in this area. But what’s occasional? You’ll find out when the IRS audits you. Cash is never excludable, by the way.
Thanks, Jason M. Blumer, CPA
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