Step 1

Move your file to your hosting though FTP. Remember the location.

Step 2

Cut and paste the code below and place it on the location you wish the flash to appear.

Step 3

Change the “somefilename.swf” to the location of your file. For instance http://yourdomain/flash/somefilename.swf”

Other variations of the code

To run  the movie to loop (run continuously), change <param name=”LOOP” value=”false” /> to true.

Kimberly at greenseedwebdesign.com

Command Center: My planner

My system: Outside of my PC, printer, phone, scanner… I have a white board. My white board is divided into 2 areas. A Monday to Sunday schedule and a side area with titles by category. Categories include: clients, home, marketing.. etc. Under the category listing are these magical things called post it notes! Color coded by category (of course), i write on each post it note an individual task (current or future) based upon that category.

What I do: Every day, I move my post it notes from the category box to the day I know I “have” to complete the task. Since I have categories for personal – it helps me prioritize my home responsibilities with my workload. In addition, I make sure every day, I have at least 1 post it note from my marketing category. This is a reminder for me how important marketing is regardless if you are swamped with client projects. Once the tasks are complete or needs follow up, I either trash the post it note, or move it to the day it requires my attention. Although it is not the most ascetically pleasing system, what is nice is I am able to visually plan and prioritize. It’s obnoxious enough that even if I don’t want to look at it, I can’t help it!

Flexible communication: My cell phone.

My system: Although I would love to afford a blackberry, as a start up business, I couldn’t justify the $100 month expense at this point. Therefore, I was on a mad search to find an alternative. Though my cell phone provider, for access to mobile web ($6.00 per month), I was able to configure my POP3 email account to my cell phone. With this option, it provides me text notifications when I received an email either from a specific client or all emails in my inbox. Since this service can be configured on any phone regardless if it is a smart phone, this solution seemed much more economical at this time.

What I do: By having my email at my fingertips, if I have to go to a doctor’s appointment, or wait in line at the post office, I am able to check my email and respond to clients regardless of my location.

Clearing my head: My journal

My system: Despite the fact I most all my information is virtual, i still love to hand write. On my nightstand is a notebook journal divided into areas for lists. Some lists I have in my book include blog articles, marketing ideas, client projects, training. Also, there are pages for just writing.

What I do: At the end of each day, I put everything that is still in my head on my journal. If there is an idea or article, i write it down. If I can’t sleep and I wake up, and write it down. If I’m worried, I write down the worry. In the morning I review my lists, make new post it notes if necessary and cross off the items with my hi-lighter I addressed. By having a book at my nightstand, I am able to have a better night sleep with a clear mind so I can recharge for the next day.

Personal organizational systems in my eyes are what they are. Personal. There are so many methodologies on the market from gadgets to the good old fashioned pen. They all have different features and benefits. They all have downsides. What matters the most is you find something that works for you.

Font: Be careful with different font. To circumvent the problem, I created graphics of the fancy font and used a browser safe font in the main text. A great resource I found was Common Fonts for All Versions of Windows and Macs.

Double checking my work: Browser Cam offers a powerful tool to double check your sites on different platforms. i was able to identity the issue, and fix alignment so it was consistent on most browsers.

For awhile we both thought we were going crazy. But after working though the issue, we both were satisfied with the end results.

Now that I am a small business owner, I can understand keeping accurate records of your financial information is critical. I laugh now that those dreaded binders have now come back into my life. Here is how I keep my small business records organized throughout the year.

Step 1: Get a large binder. Title the binder “year – taxes”

Step 2: Get dividers. Title them based upon what type of tax receipts you will be keeping. Also include areas for reports, and tax filings and personal tax categories. Although I am not an account, certain important documentation could be business meals, supplies, postage, software and hardware purchases, donations etc.

Step 3: The day you make the taxable purchase, tape the receipt to a piece of paper. Write any key information on the paper such as time/date/purpose of the lunch meeting or the items you gave to charity. Use a 3 hole punch and put the paper in the binder under the correct tab.

Additional steps:

Binders are not the only way I stay organized. I also utilize software such as Quicken Home and Business to enter my expenses and Turbo Tax’s Its Deductable. Quarterly, it’s possible for me to print P&L statements or print off reports from Its Deductible for accurate donation records. I also attach the receipts from the charity to the report.

Also, keep a log book in your car. This log could be a small binder with a form created in MS Excel or a simple log book. By having a binder in the car, you can gather accurate information when you try to calculate the approximate miles you’ve spent traveling for business purpose.

During tax time, once I get key forms such as W-2s or 1099s, I file them in the folder pockets until I am ready to sit down to prepare my tax returns. My preference is to use Turbo Tax’s Online system to enter in my information. However, you will be saving time and money with your accountant by having all of your documentation prepared for review.

Once my filings are complete, I simply keep a copy for my tax binder. I file the binder on a shelf for a rainy day or destroy it once it’s no longer applicable. (Please see: IRS – How long should I keep my records) That way if I am ever audited (heaven forbid!), all of my records are in one place and I can simply hand my binder over to the IRS for review.

By the little effort it takes throughout the year keeping my documents organized and efficient, preparation is seamless. With using a binder as a “catch all” for all tax information, filing taxes this year wasn’t a drag….