Jennifer VanBaren reports:

"Letters of complaint are issued to school boards for the sole reason of acknowledging a criticism or problem. Letters written to the school board should be formal, direct and respectful. When you write a letter of complaint, direct it either to the entire board or [to] a specific board member. Keep the letter short and to the point, making certain that the reason for the letter is clearly expressed. Address the letter. On the top of a formal letter of complaint, include the school board’s name and address. If the letter is aimed at one specific person, include that name. If the letter is aimed at the entire board, write 'To the School Board.' An email letter of complaint should never be written; instead, always type a formal letter and mail it to the board. State the purpose of the letter. The first paragraph should contain a summary of the precise problem or criticism. This paragraph identifies what the entire letter is about. Explain the situation. Using a positive and respectful tone, explain the details of the situation. If there are specific times and dates relevant to the problem, state those to increase the credibility of your information. Include names of anyone involved in the situation and keep the letter of complaint short, usually one page. If there are many details that are necessary to include, don’t cut yourself short by not including them. If the details are pertinent to the situation, include them even if you go over one page. Use a voice of authority. When writing this letter, use a voice that shows you know what you are talking about and that the situation should be taken seriously. Never make threats in this type of letter or use profanity of any kind. Ask for a reply. Include a date by which you expect to hear back from them. This will often motivate the board to take action soon. The board may respond initially with a letter acknowledging the receipt of your letter. The board may also call you and briefly explain when a response will be made. Close the letter. When closing a letter of complaint, it is normally signed 'Sincerely.' Include your name, address and phone number on the letter."

Kimberlee Leonard reports:

"A business or organization can more effectively facilitate training of new employees with the use of well-written standard operations procedures. Beyond training, an SOP manual gives existing team members a resource for less-frequently[-]used procedures, ensuring procedures are done with the correct protocol, maintaining quality control. Writing a standard operating procedures manual requires having a clear understanding of the steps involved in any particular process...Look at all of the core processes that your company has. Start to define which processes will be outlined and mapped in the SOP ma[n]ual. While you might not map every last process, it is important to establish the most fundamental and important ones...Create a list of your core processes so you can integrate each one into the SOP manual after mapping it...Each process is defined by the steps needed to complete the process. Missing a step could mean a lost or delayed order or a defective final product. Mapping is drawing out the workflow. For example, say you are creating an SOP for the sales process of an [I]nternet inquiry. First, map how the lead is initially contacted after requesting information: phone call, email or text. Map how many times your sales team conducts follow-ups if the prospect can't be reached initially, with specific scripts for each contact. Map a different script for when the prospect is reached, as well as a set of follow-ups depending on whether the prospect buys your product or service or decides to hold off. Once mapped, write out the process in simple steps...For any process, it is easier for team members to follow a form or checklist. Develop a comprehensive template based on the mapped process. If you need to collect specific information at the client intake, make sure the template has all required information laid out succinctly. Don't assume team members remember everything in the SOP, especially when a client is sitting in front of them. Integrate the checklists and forms as an addendum to your process map and steps...Once you've mapped each process and created all supporting document templates, integrate them into a full SOP manual. Organize the manual based on departments...Organize the SOP manual with a table of contents, and clearly list each procedure in a bold title header. You might even include tabs for team members to easily flip through the manual, to help them locate pertinent SOPs in their departments."

Hogan Injury reports:

"Ever since the rise of ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft, taxi services have been on the decline...Uber and Lyft have created a competition for taxi companies with their state[-]of[-]the[-]art capabilities and easier accessibility. Taxi companies are trying to fight back by labeling these ridesharing companies as a hazard to the community stating that Uber and Lyft do not have insurance coverage for their passengers who get into an accident. However, the reality is that Uber and Lyft have more comprehensive insurance coverage for their passengers. Insurance policy requirements for taxicabs differ from state to state, but in general, the amount of their coverage should be between $250,000 and $500,000. On the other hand, Uber and Lyft both have a $1 million policy per car policy; this is outside of the auto insurance of the driver which can also be used when filing a claim when you get into an accident while riding an Uber or Lyft car. Looking at the amount that these entities have for their passengers, it is clear that ridesharing companies have an advantage. Aside from insurance coverage, [taxicabs] and ridesharing companies differ in a lot of other areas. Both competing services conduct background checks of their prospective drivers. For taxi companies, the background check varies from city to city, with some cities requiring taxi drivers not to have any felony charges five years before application...Aside from having to complete the background check and medical examinations, applicants are required to take a defensive driving course. Ridesharing background check[s] for drivers go back seven years, and their vehicles are also inspected before being allowed to enter the service. Getting an Uber or Lyft ride is also much more convenient and faster than traditional taxis. There’s no need for you to wait outside to hail an Uber or Lyft car. With just a tap on your smartphone, you can book a ride to your destination while putting on final touches on your outfit or finishing your breakfast. However, because of surges, there may be times when [taxicabs] are cheaper in comparison to Uber or Lyft. When there’s high demand on for an Uber or Lyft, prices for booking a ride may go up to twice its regular price for ridesharing services[;] [taxicabs], on the other hand, do not have surges. Another advantage that Uber and Lyft provide their customers is the ability to rate your driver. This rating system is helpful for other passengers since it gives them an idea of what their driver is like. The system also motivates drivers to be on their best behavior, especially since Uber has recently announced that they might put a structure in place wherein drivers with higher [ratings get] more trips and less competition. With [taxicabs], the only thing you can do when you’re unhappy with the service you’ve received i[s] to tip a little less."

Patrick Gleeson, Ph.D. reports:

"There is no one font or group of fonts that [is] always your best choice for a business letter. A lot depends on the context, who you are writing to, for what purpose and the impression you wish to make. The good news is that fonts are available for every situation. The trick is choosing the right font for your purpose...One of the first decisions to make when choosing the right font for a business letter is whether it should be a serif or sans-serif font. A sans-serif font...consists of the major strokes that identify the letter without any embellishments or added strokes. A Helvetica capital H has two major vertical strokes and a horizontal stroke connecting them. A serif font such as Times and Garamond are popular, particularly on computers, and have the same major strokes as a sans-serif font, with the addition of some minor strokes...[S]ince earlier typefaces invariably had serifs, when you use a serif font you are giving your business letter a traditional look. Some typeface professionals believe this conveys to the reader that you are a more traditional kind of person and dependable. Choosing a more contemporary[-]looking san[s]-serif type conveys to the reader that you are a modern kind of person, a full-blown citizen of the contemporary world. It’s easy to read too much into typefaces and personality types...A serif font...seems to be a better choice if writing to a law firm, while a non[-]serif font may be a better choice for a resume to Apple...Another thing to consider when choosing a font is how readable it is. Your email program may not offer the most readable default fonts. If you are using Arial or Helvetica because they come with your email program, consider switching to more readable fonts such as Georgia and Verdana...Do you get extra points for originality? Not really. While you should carefully choose the font you use in a letter, don’t make your letter self-aware. The typography and layout of a business letter should never take away from the content of your letter...You [don’t] have to stick with the most common typefaces and it’s fine to choose a less frequently used typeface, so long as you're not hitting the reader over the head with your impeccable sense of design...If you are sending a resume to a design firm, HTF Didot 1991 might be a perfect choice...Something else to think about whenever you are sending a business letter is typeface size, which also affects readability. Typeface size 12 is a good choice. It’s large enough to be readable, but not so large as to appear aggressive. And speaking of aggressive[,] never write a business letter in all caps. If you are new to the business world, it might seem like an effective way to draw attention. It does, but not in a positive way. Caps are the typographic equivalent of shouting."

Karin Barga reports:

"A waiver letter is written as a request for the receiver to forego some restriction that would ordinarily be enforced, such as a citation, contract or financial obligation. Writing a waiver letter is never a guarantee that the creditor will waive a debt. However, a professionally composed request may benefit a debtor in need...Every entity which issues any sort of obligation has terms of eligibility which must be taken into consideration when addressing any waiver requests. Prior to writing a waiver letter, understand those terms to determine whether or not you qualify...Open the letter with an explanation for the request...Note any supporting monetary figures, dates, venues or the names of interested parties as a statement of fact. Do not exaggerate the value of any of your assertions...Send the letter with receipts, copies of contracts, printouts of emails or photographs that may support your statements."

Jennifer Brozak reports:

"Choose a person who matters to you. Do not simply pick a random subject. Focus on a person whose life has influenced you in some way...If you research a person you are interested in learning more about, you likely will be more committed to your topic, and this will show in your finished product. Conduct Internet research. Today, most students use the Internet as their primary reference source. While this is perfectly acceptable, you need to be careful when it comes to the sources you use, especially when researching a celebrity. Be sure that the content you use is from a credible source, such as a reputable online newspaper, magazine or website. Do not simply access Google, type in the famous person's name and use the first five sources that pop up; instead, spend time researching the different listings to ensure you are using...reliable[,] trustworthy sources. According to Purdue University's Online Writing Lab, students should never trust websites that rely on user-created content, as the content likely has not been validated by a reputable organization. Conduct print research. Visit your local or school library. Ask the librarian to help you search the library database for autobiographies or biographies about the person you are researching. Many famous people have written comprehensive memoirs about their lives. Referencing these books can add a great deal of credibility to your writing. Organize your research into an outline. Decide how to best structure your paper...The organization of your paper will depend upon your teacher's requirements, as well as the amount and type of research you have collected. Write your first draft. Be sure to include a compelling introduction and an easily identifiable thesis statement that succinctly states what you are going to prove about your chosen person. Work on incorporating your sources by adding quotes and paraphrased references, being careful not to plagiarize. Proofread and revise. Revision is one of the most important components of the writing process. Be sure to leave yourself enough time to edit and revise your paper after you write your first draft. Look for mistakes in spelling, grammar and punctuation. Pay attention to diction or word choice. Look for passive verbs that can be replaced with active verbs. Look for simple adjectives that can be replaced with more sophisticated language...Although many students do not like completing outlines, they can help you organize a large amount of data into a usable format. Even a simple outline, such as organizing your research into sections, can help. Do not skip this step!"

Joanne Guidoccio reports:

"Fewer than 10 pages in length, a small report provides readers with clear and concise information. Written in memo format, a small report is intended primarily for internal use in a company. You can use a small report to describe a business plan or proposal, strategic plan, marketing plan or financial plan. Although the content and terminology will vary from report to report, the basic structure is the same: table of contents, introduction, discussion, conclusions, recommendations and appendices. Meet with your supervisor or client to determine which issues must be addressed in the report and ask him for any background documents or other support material. Arrange interviews or meetings with the appropriate people in your office. Use the Internet to obtain additional information for your report. Create a table of contents before writing the report. Visualize the actual report and organize the information in sequential form. The table of contents streamlines the writing process and provides a step-by-step template for the report. Write the introduction. Usually a paragraph in length, the introduction states the objectives and key issues of the report. Though the introduction contains background information, it does not summarize the rest of the report. Provide details about the method of research used and how information was gathered in the discussion section of the report. Organize your information using the appropriate headings and sub-headings. This section is the longest and most complex part of the report and contains the data that leads to your conclusions and recommendations. Present at least two alternative solutions to the issue or problem and discuss the merits and weaknesses of each. Whenever possible, use facts and figures collected during your research. Summarize the findings in the conclusion section. Remind the reader of the main objectives of the report and the main merits and weaknesses of the possible solutions. Pave the way for the recommendations. State your solution and provide the reasons for your choice in the recommendations section. If you provide both short-term and long-term recommendations, clearly state all the implications. Include any charts, tables or detailed research materials in the appendices section of the report."

Linda Ray reports:

"Performance plans are formal processes by which you can set the guidelines and standards expected of your employees, gauge their success in fulfilling those requirements and develop ways to improve. In a limousine company, your drivers are your most important asset and can make or break your limo business, since customer service sits as the cornerstone of your development. Your drivers, sales staff and in-house employees should be guided closely by a performance plan developed to increase customer service and provide employees with clear expectations...Get staff accustomed to your priorities right from the start. Tell job candidates that you will run a background check and give them a drug test before they are hired and occasionally throughout their employment. Explain that your insurance rates are tied directly to their job performance, which will be closely monitored. Include a driving test in the interview and include the test in performance reviews. Write your hiring policies on the application and repeat them in the employee handbook so that performance criteria are clearly understood...Employees can’t exceed your expectations if they don’t know what those are. Define goals for each staff member and provide each one with goals...Goals are more achievable when they are specific and measurable...Employees should know when they will receive reviews and what role you and your supervisors will play in their performance plans. For your part, stick to a set timeline to prevent problems from escalating...Develop a checklist of performance criteria that you will check daily, weekly and annually. Since your business is so closely tied to appearances, include a uniform check in the daily performance review. Review the cleanliness of the vehicles and monitor your service staff with a separate checklist for the rides. Write out your guidelines with clear priorities in mind."

Hogan Injury reports:

"Vehicle crashes on the road happen for many reasons. Whether you were hit by a reckless driver, [or] subjected to a crash because you were in the vicinity of other cars colliding, or whether someone fell asleep at the wheel, vehicle crashes can lead to consequences that last long after the damaged vehicles are hauled off of the road.
In many collision scenarios, there is nothing you can do to avoid the accident. However, maintaining your alertness on the road can help you to avoid accidents at least some of the time.

What are some of the things you can do to stay alert?

• If you’re tired, stop driving. Many accidents happen because of sleepiness. If you are on a long road trip, there is no reason to keep pushing yourself past the point of fatigue. It’s simply not worth it. Experts recommend that drivers take a break at least once every two hours. Not only will your own driving be safer, but you will [also] be able to more readily attend to the potentially dangerous actions of other drivers.
• Scan from left to right and check your mirrors. Many drivers take the phrase 'stay in your lane' to the extreme–they don’t even take a moment to check their mirrors! Remember what you learned in driver’s ed: [C]heck each of your mirrors regularly, including every time you make an unusual move such as changing lanes, slowing down and stopping, and before and after making a turn.
• Don’t check your phone while driving under any circumstances. No call or text is worth a car accident. If you can’t resist the urge, turning your phone off before turning the key in the ignition could save you thousands of dollars in repairs and even prevent a life-altering injury."
  

Sam Ashe-Edmunds reports:

"Grant writing is part art, part science. Therefore, it is very important that you know how to write a letter requesting funding from a foundation. You'll need to tug the [heartstrings] of potential funders, but you'll also need to prove your company or program deserves their money and will use it wisely. Savvy proposal writers know that talking about the potential donor is almost as important as talking about yourself. Research potential donors before you begin writing a grant letter...Visit the website of a potential donor. Look for their mission statement. The mission statement will tell you exactly why a company, foundation or association was founded. If you are...looking to fund a teen anti-drug program, you will be more likely to receive funds from an organization with a mission that includes helping youths than you will from one that focuses on a particular disease, an environmental cause or homeless animals. Search for any grant programs a potential donor has in place. Many for-profit corporations have general and/or specific grant programs. Look for forms or applications that need to be filled out in order for you to apply for a grant from this donor. Call the potential donor and ask the receptionist the name of the person who reviews requests for charitable donations so you can specifically address your letter to that person. You may find this information on the company's or organization's website...Format your letter using a business style, with the date, a space, the name of [the] person to whom you are writing, his title, the name of the entity and the address. Skip a line, then begin with the salutation, usually something like, 'Dear Mr. Smith.' Begin the letter with a question that relates to the potential donor's mission or grant purpose. Choose a question that makes the reader answer, 'Yes,' or 'No,' depending on what you want to accomplish with your question...Relate your organization's work to your question...Request specific funding for your program. Include the name of the program, the dates the funding will cover, the number of people the donation will affect and the amount you are seeking. Tell what the program is, rather than how you will manage it. Save the 'how' for an accompanying document, such as a more detailed budget. Include general data about the organization running the program, including a brief history to show stability or success, any media coverage you've received and a general budget. Include your [501(c)] status if you are a tax-exempt organization. Show any successes from your program...Mention other sources of funding for the program, or name other organizations who have donated funds to your organization in the past. Many donors want to see that others have found you worthy of receiving charitable funds...Close the letter by restating your reason for requesting the donation and relating it to the donor's goals...Finish by thanking the reader for considering your request. Use an ending such as, 'Best Regards,' or 'Sincerely Yours,' followed by several spaces, then your first and last name and title. Add a P.S. Many people read the P.S. of a one-page letter first, so put an important piece of information there to interest the potential donor in reading the letter. If your letter is more than one page, including a piece of information that will make the reader want more information may encourage him [to] visit your website or contact you."