THOUSANDS of Australian businesses are dumping personal documents into commercial rubbish bins that can be easily accessed by the public and identity thieves.

A survey commissioned by the National Association for Information Destruction showed three in 10 organisations were unaware of their obligations when it came to destroying personal information.

Under privacy legislation, an organisation must take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify personal information if it is no longer needed for any purpose.

While the terms of the BP Settlement are broad, encompassing a large array of businesses and individuals who suffered economic loss or property damage in the wake of the April 20, 2010 oil spill, it does specifically name some categories of businesses that are excluded from the settlement. In addition to these specifically named exclusions, anyone who opts-out of the settlement is of course also not bound by it.

Defendants involved in the multidistrict litigation and employees who worked for BP or the other defendants during the class period.

Certain members and employees of the judicial branch, specifically any judges on the US District Court for the Eastern District of New Orleans, where the case is being heard, their law clerks, and family members of those judges and clerks

Financial institutions, which includes a large variety of business that includes commercial banks, savings institutions, credit card issuers, financial or investment advisers or portfolio managers, fund managers, lending institutions, real estate mortgage or lending entities, and a number of other institutions.

Most gaming businesses, including casinos, casino hotels, off-track betting parlors, racetracks and other gambling establishments

Insurance entities, that issue disability, health, life, medical, property and casualty, title or other insurance, with this exemption extending to some insurance-related businesses as well

Businesses in the oil and gas industry

Defense contractors, including firms which earn at least 50% of their revenue from contracts with the US Department of Defense; this exemption also includes employees of such businesses

Real estate developers, engaged in developing commercial, residential or industrial properties. These entities can present property damage claims, but not economic loss claims

Any entity selling or marketing BP-branded fuel

Governmental organizations other than Native American tribal entities which may participate in the Settlement for eligible claims

Any individual or entity that made a claim to the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, was paid, and signed a GCCF Release and Covenant Not to Sue.

The organization Business by the Beach can assist potential claimants in understanding whether or not they or their business entity are included in the BP Settlement.

Representatives from 25 businesses that service Lake Forest gathered at an informal luncheon Friday at Lucilles Smokehouse BBQ in Lake Forest to share their thoughts about whether they felt referable and what was most important when referring a business to someone else.

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The wide-range of perspectives provided for an interesting collection of ideas. Many said they attended the luncheon to increase their network of contacts, and one way to do that was to become more referable.

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When the discussion of referrals began, many agreed that not only was it important that certain protocols were being addressed, but also that their reputation and good name remained intact.

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Your name is on the line, so before making sure you refer someone to another business, you have to make sure they are complying with all the rules and regulations, and that they can provide all the needs to the customer, said Milad Demetry, president of Angel Errands, which provides business and personal errand services throughout Orange County. Direct communication is what you can trust.

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When providing referrals, it wasnt enough just to pass along a name and be done. Businesses also have to go that extra step and learn the outcome of its referral, said Joe Coverdill of Carsmetics, which desribes itself as an outpatient clinic for your car.

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I value reading about other peoples experiences, Coverdill said. We got a 5-star rating from Yelp. That helped our business tremenously.

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Finally, nearly everyone agreed that having a positive experience on the Internet and through social media had become increasingly important to the growth an success of their business. Even with the 40+ crowd, being able to connect through Facebook and Twitter and having a presentable, easy-to-navigate Web page have become a priority for them when it comes to being referable.

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Having a strong business presence on the Internet (is huge), said Dana Hindman, client relations representative for DryMaster, which provides water, fire and mold damage restoration to homes and businesses. I dont want to neglect that because it is the future and the way many people are doing business.

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Safety tags attached to industrial scaffolding riggings may sound like a flimsy afterthought to the casual observer, but to project managers at oil refinery and similar sites around the world, they are an essential link in the complicated chain of keeping a job moving along, getting finished on time and staying on budget.

“It’s a big deal for these people. If somebody’s using you, and you’re their supplier and they run out of tags and Exxon says, ‘You can’t work here without a tag.’ It’s a big deal,” said SW “Buck” Gladden III, owner of Gladden Sales Inc. in Baton Rouge and maker of Gladtags, a line of plastic safety tags customized for scaffolds all over the world.

“We overnight freight everywhere,” Gladden said one recent morning from his company’s headquarters — no bigger than an average suburban home — on Ryder Drive in Baton Rouge. Much of Gladden’s business is in the United States and Canada, but an increasing amount has popped up in places like Australia, the Caribbean and across Europe, prompting him to move forward on opening an office in the United Kingdom. As a small business diving head first into the export market, Gladden Sales represents the kind of trend economic development officials would like to see more of in Louisiana.

“In the world we live in, especially as the US and world economy comes out of this recession, we’re going to be further into a global marketplace, and we have to think out-of-the-box to figure out how do we diversify revenue and increase our company growth opportunities by looking at overseas markets,” said Bryan Greenwood, director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center on LSU’s South Campus. There are 10 Small Business Development Centers around the state.

Greenwood stresses that exporting has never been easier, thanks to easing trade restrictions and improved technology like the Internet. Also, state and federal incentives and other resources are out there, he notes, particularly when thinking about the job of navigating a trail laden with shipping and other fees along with stumbling blocks like language barriers.

“Most small businesses don’t even consider exporting because they think they’re too small, they don’t have the resources. But I mean, the Internet levels the playing field to a certain degree,” Greenwood said. “It makes it accessible to anyone that has an entrepreneurial spirit and a willing way to figure it out. Now, there are challenges. There are obvious risks. But that’s part of business, and you have to find ways to mitigate those risks.”

Some of the most obvious risks are those familiar to any business needing to ship a product. What if the product is lost or stolen? That’s what insurance is for, said Kristi App, vice president of business development and customer service at JW Allen and Co., a freight-forwarding firm in New Orleans. Freight-forwarding companies can be thought of as a form of travel agent, working through the logistics of moving freight through various ports and countries.

“I’m from New Orleans, so I’m a huge fan of insurance,” App told a crowd at the recent Louisiana Going Global workshop, organized by the Louisiana Business and Technology Center, also located on LSU’s South Campus. Insurance coverages can range from a limited policy to “all risk,” said App, and the decision to insure simply comes down to the risk of loss or damage and the value of the product.

“It all boils down to the value of the goods vs. the risk of loss,” she explained. “So it’s ultimately your decision.”

Insurance isn’t generally something Gladden bothers with. His plastic safety tags are similar to those “Do Not Disturb” door hangers found in hotel rooms. And at $2 to $3 a piece, they’re relatively easy and cheap to replace.

“If the ship sinks with one of our pallets on there, we’ll ship them another pallet. It’ll be like, ‘Oh well,’” Gladden said.

Gladden Sales uses freight-forwarding services for international orders. These services make the overseas transaction relatively easy, Gladden said.

“They take care of the details that are involved by having the freight picked up here, the freight picked up at the port, the freight on the other end, and then there’s the port duties and the value-added tax that’s added on the other end,” he said.

Gladden Sales has been in the Ryder Drive location for the last three years and has gone from three employees to nine. Last week, the crew was learning how to operate a new $100,000 digital printer, allowing even more work to be done inhouse and faster.

“We’ve been growing fast,” Gladden said, adding much of that growth is because the company has expanded into international markets.

“And so our exporting experience has just been great,” he added.

This is the kind of mindset business advisers like Greenwood would like to see Louisiana small-business owners and entrepreneurs take on.

“Our challenge is to get more entrepreneurs, more small businesses to begin strategically thinking about ways to expand their businesses — that make sense, of course — but to look at the global market for opportunities. Because they’re out there.”

James Fedele is a local small business owner who is getting other local small businesses to pose with signs urging people to vote against the marriage amendment on May 8. His sign campaign is one of a few amendment campaign efforts led by businesses, which are largely quiet on the amendment. . MELISSA MELVIN-RODRIGUEZ – mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com

Whether your poison is Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Google Plus, social media is ingrained in our personal lives, including the workplace. Most companies have a policy about employees’ use of social media at work, but they aren’t taking advantage of the social media marketing phenomenon.

Facebook is still the most-visited social media network in the world, with Twitter and Pinterest coming in second and third. Facebook had a record 7 billion visits in March. There’s no doubt that Facebook and other social media sites have a pervasive hold on our society, and the larger question for business owners is how they can benefit from that pervasiveness.

I’ve met a number of business owners who’ve decided not to jump on the social media bandwagon and stick to traditional marketing. I believe this is a mistake for any business.

Customers are talking about your business right now on social media. Just because you don’t see it and don’t know about doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.

What if you were able to see what customers were saying about your business, but you had a chance to respond and open a dialogue with them? This is what social media means to business. Social media marketing is a great opportunity for businesses to open a two-way conversation with customers to determine their likes, dislikes, wants and needs. If you wanted this information in the past, you would have had to pay a marketing firm a pretty penny to research that information.

When businesses use social media properly, it opens up huge possibilities to address concerns, satisfy existing customers and attract new business.

If you decide to jump into the social media world, make sure first to develop a strategy.

1. MATCH YOUR PRODUCT

Which social media platforms are best? Keep in mind the demographic of your customer, the reach of the network, and your product type. I wouldn’t suggest that an auto shop start a Pinterest account but I would recommend a Pinterest account to a dress shop.

2. MARKETING PLAN

How do you want to market your business on social media? There are several ways to approach social media marketing, including building your brand, direct marketing of products, or creating a community of customers. It is important to understand your strategy before jumping in.

3. BUILD AN AUDIENCE

How do you build your social media page? After you determine your social media focus, this will be fairly easy to do. When picking photos, remember to only use images you have legal rights to use. It’s best to use photos you’ve taken yourself.

Last but not least, who will manage your social media accounts on a daily basis? The popular choice is to hand this responsibility off to a younger staff member who uses Facebook regularly, but that’s not always a good idea. Just because someone spends a lot of time on social media doesn’t mean they will use it properly. I’d suggest picking someone who understands social media but also has excellent customer service and marketing skills. You may want to consider paying an outside firm if you don’t feel you have those skills available to you on your staff.

When you get your account started, it’s time to market it. On Facebook, ask your friends, employees, and loyal customers to “like” your page. On Twitter, find an account that is influential in your community and start following it and other “centers of influence.” Proper Twitter etiquette will kick in and those you follow will follow you back. Treat Pinterest the same way you treat Twitter. Start following the “pins” of those in your community and your followers will start to grow.

Now it’s time to start using your social media account. Craft your messages carefully. In order to keep your customers and followers happy, your message needs to provide value and not just push products. Contests to gain followers and “likes” are fun at first but be careful that you don’t gain followers who just want to win a prize and not true customers who will gain value from your posts.

If at first you don’t get a bunch of followers, don’t fret. It will take some time and some work on your part but the rewards will pay off with repeat customers, new customers, and a new look at your business from the eyes of your customers.

o Joel Kight is the social media director and online news editor for OnlineAthens.com.

Small-business owners say they believe federal clean-energy investment helps drive job creation and economic growth, even with the cloud of Solyndras bankruptcy hanging over them, a recent poll of such enterprises in six US states indicates.

Results indicate 71 percent of small-business owners think government has a role in driving toward a cleaner, more competitive economy, said advocacy group Small Business Majority, which commissioned the survey.

The poll also found strong support for current and new federal Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards even if enforcement meant a possible increase in utility prices.

Small-business owners participating in the survey listed the cost of doing business and a lack of consumer demand as the two biggest challenges they face, John Arensmeyer, Small Business Majority founder and chief executive officer, said during a conference call about the polls findings this week.

Notably, he said, only 16 percent said government regulation was a problem.

Theres a lot of discussion about impact of regulations on businesses, Arensmeyer said. We agree that there are some dumb rules out there, but only 16 percent see that as a big issue.

Small businesses also said they support government investment in clean energy technologies even after questions were raised about whether the Obama administration pushed through a loan to Solyndra, a solar cell manufacturer that filed for bankruptcy after receiving a $535 million federal loan guarantee.

Despite what happened at the California operation, small businesses said the federal government shouldnt stop investing in solar and wind, Arensmeyer said. [They] want the government to play that kind of role.

The survey really shows that small businesses across country, in fairly significant numbers, understand the need for a strong partnership role of government in fostering a clean energy economy particularly as relates to the EPA regulation of greenhouse gasses and other toxic emissions, he said. Theres strong support.

Small business owners in all six surveyed states also showed strong support — 82 percent — for recently released EPA standards that require new power plants to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases. The survey showed 76 percent favor the EPAs federal rule that new power plants reduce previously unlimited emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.

The EPA regulations limiting carbon emissions make our solar technology more cost competitive and cause a surge of activity in our industry — new business start-ups, existing company expansions and a solidifying of this nascent industry, Michelle Greenfield, chief executive officer of Third Sun Solar in Athens, Ohio.

Results are based on an Internet survey of 600 small businesses in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Michigan, Nevada and Colorado conducted March 21-28. The margin of error is 4 percentage points.

Fifty-seven percent of participants said their businesses will be impacted by EPA oversight of carbon and other emissions. However, 56 percent said they back the EPA regulating greenhouse gas emissions even if it means a possible increase in utility prices.

Greenfield, whose 12-year-old company designs and installs solar power systems in the Midwest, said government incentives make solar power in the state economical and feasible. She said most of the states power comes from coal plants because its cheap.

Green- or clean-energy incentives have created 3,500 jobs in Ohio for the past few years and government involvement in the field will help make the United States more competitive globally.

She said she tries to by US-made components for her company, but thats sometimes difficult because we havent had as much incentive here [in the United States] as overseas.

Greenfield said government investment in the solar industry and EPA regulations can add more jobs by opening up whole new technologies and industries that are built around alleviating those issues.

Jonathan Tobias, president of Michigan Green Cabs in Wixom, said EPA regulation of carbon emissions directly affects his business because it raises awareness about companies that embrace clean alternative energy sources.

For every 150 old traditional [Crown Victorias] we recycle, Michigan Green Cabs can save 1.2 million gallons of fuel per year traveling the exact same distance, Tobias said, reducing pollution by an average of 70 percent. He said his company has a 25-vehicle fleet.

He said he formed his company about four years ago amid concern about the environment and wanting to take proactive steps about quality of [the] environment that we leave for future generations.

Hes a booster for driving green because the more efficiently I can run my business … the more money I have available to expand my business and hire more drivers.

He said one new vehicle can create three new full-time positions and one or two part-time jobs.

Plus, greater awareness means he can retain drivers who want to work for responsible company, Tobias said.

Seventy-three percent of small business owners favor proposed rules to reduce smog and soot pollution that crosses state lines, the so-called Good Neighbor Rule, Arensmeyer said.

The survey polled a politically diverse population, he said. Forty-four percent identified themselves as Republicans, 38 percent, Democrats, and 10 percent, independents.

Compared with previous surveys on government incentives for green and clean energy, Arensmeyer said the latest poll was consistent with [the] view that its going to require an active [government] partnership role.

What Businesses Should Move into the Shopping Plaza at 24 Mile and Garfield?

The shopping plaza at the corner of 24 Mile Road and Garfield has several vacant stores. What businesses would you like to see in this area?

The Plymouth Road construction has snarled traffic between Newburgh and Farmington roads.

Business owners dont like the construction much, because motorists who usually drive on Plymouth Road will avoid it if they can, unless they have a specific destination in the construction zone.

They are bracing for a long inconvenience for themselves and potential customers who will deal with delays to drive to the businesses. Business owners are hoping customers dont avoid them altogether.

No one likes it, especially businesses, said Tom Pappas, owner of Kickers, 36071 Plymouth, near Levan Road. Customers ask ‘how long is it going to be?

Pappas was told it would last through the fall, until the end of October. Thats a long summer, he said.

Construction zone

A drive on eastbound Plymouth at 4:30 pm Thursday took 12 minutes for an Observer reporter in the construction zone. Traffic is narrowed to one lane in each direction from Market Street, just east of Newburgh, to Farmington Road.

The $4.5 million project between Farmington and Market involves the resurfacing of 1.7 miles of Plymouth Road, curb and sidewalk replacement, along with upgrades to LEED masthead signals at Levan, Stark and Wayne roads.

According to the citys website, the eastbound lanes (or south side) of Plymouth will be closed for construction and traffic directed on the north half of the road with one lane of traffic in each direction through late June, then traffic will switch to the south side of Plymouth as the north half is constructed in June and July.

Road construction crews will switch back to the south half in August, then contractors will install the final layer of asphalt in nightly lane closures in August.

In late August through October, intermediate lane closures are expected for miscellaneous signal and other work. The project is expected to be completed at the end of October.

Work is needed

Pappas said Plymouth Road was in bad shape in certain spots and understands that the work needs to be done.

It will be better off for everybody, once it is done, Pappas said.

Plymouth Road was in bad shape near Levan and Wayne roads, he said.

It was too early to tell what the impact will be for him.

Thursday night we were busy, but we always are on Thursday nights, Pappas said. Ill be able to tell after Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Julie Shafe, owner of Northern Lights Soy Candles, 34373 Plymouth Road, at Stark, said that between the construction on I-275 and Plymouth Road, that it added about 20 minutes to her commute.

Its horrible, Shafe said. It takes me over an hour to get here.

Shafe believes the construction will impact her business in terms of foot traffic from customers who might eat at the nearby Senate restaurant or Superior Pasties.

It is a slow time of year, but our busiest time is in October, Shafe said.

Anis Doughman, tailor at Sophies Tailoring and Alterations, 34371 Plymouth, said he didnt know whether business would be impacted by the road work, but indicated that customers return because his business is a specialized one.

Customers come here, Doughman said. They arent walk-in customers.

He wasnt too concerned about the area west of Wayne in the construction zone because there are not as many businesses located there, compared to the area between Farmington and Wayne.

If the construction can move forward fast, that would be good, Doughman said.

Steve Dimopoulos, manager of the Senate Coney Island, 34359 Plymouth, said he remembered construction on Plymouth Road about 10 or 11 years ago had little or no impact.

It will take a week or so for people to get used to it, Dimopoulus said. Customers were not complaining, he added.

They are surprised with what is going on, Dimopoulos said. They are asking how long it will be going.

George Haddad, co-owner of the new Procam Photo Video Gear, just opened in the site of the former Walters Appliance store on the northeast corner of Plymouth and Stark at 34224 Plymouth.

Haddad was celebrating a grand opening on Thursday with Mayor Jack Kirksey cutting a ribbon.

Haddad actually opened two months ago, specializing in videotaping equipment. When asked how the construction will impact his videography company, he shrugs his shoulders, like road construction is to be expected in Michigan.

Its good and bad, Haddad said before he gave a quick tour of his rooms for seminars and backdrops for videotaping, and showed off equipment. It will slow down traffic, but then they will be able to see my business, he said with a smile.

kabramcz@hometownlife.com (313) 222-2591 | Twitter: @KenAbramcz

Tampa, FL, April 29, 2012 –(PR.com)– The Industrial Leaders Group (ILG), the pioneer of quality management solutions for US-based manufacturers announced today it selected the the American Machine Shops Network (AMSN) as the leading online resource for Florida companies sourcing custom machined parts and other made-to-order products at http://www.mfgpartners.net/custom-machined-parts. According to ILG, the company was chosen based on its ability to meet the complete machining, mold making, fabrication and custom manufacturing needs of businesses throughout the Sunshine State.

Industrial Leaders Group spokesperson Greg Mason said AMSN has shown to provide the most thorough selection of specialty manufacturing solutions utilizing its network of high precision machining job shops working with steel, aluminum, plastic and non-metallic materials. Mason said the companys website (MFGpartners.net) is designed specifically for customers in search of the highest quality thin metal parts, plastic components, custom fabricated assemblies, castings, prototypes and other products manufactured to customer specs at http://www.mfgpartners.net/thin-metal-parts.

AMSN has proven to offer a large scope of well-equipped machine shops employing some of the most experienced and knowledgeable steel fabricators and craftsman in Florida committed to producing high quality parts and components of all sizes machined to very close tolerances, and made from a variety of materials, said Mason. He concluded, Companies looking for a quality-focused job shop throughout Jacksonville, Pembroke Pines, Hialeah, Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale,Tampa, Tallahassee, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, St. Petersburg and other areas in Florida are welcome to contact AMSN for a vendor recommendation approved by the company. More information is available at http://www.mfgpartners.net/steel-fabricators

About MFGpartners / AMSN

MFGpartners.net (http://www.MFGpartners.net) is owned and operated by American Machine Shops Network (AMSN). The company specializes in promoting US-based manufacturers of machined parts, fabricated components, precision products and molds. AMSN is the largest network of custom manufacturers in the USA designed to help companies, engineers and others find the most suitable vendors specializing in CNC machining, fabrication, molding, prototyping and other contract manufacturing services.

This news release was distributed by IndustrialPR.net