Month: June 2018

2018-06-13T10:01:00

(BPT) – The rapid pace of change in jobs means the era of one-and-done learning is over. It no longer matters what you learned in the past — to stay relevant you need to upskill. So if you want to improve your marketability and get ahead in your career, it’s time to think about the valuable skills that could open the door to new opportunities. The good news is with tools and online courses on platforms like LinkedIn Learning, you can explore and develop critical skills and interests — right at your fingertips anytime, anywhere.

“Experience never gets old, but your skills can,” says Marci Alboher, author of The Encore Career Handbook and upcoming LinkedIn Learning instructor. “Re-skilling throughout your career will position you to ensure you’re finding meaning in your work, growing in your profession and making an impact along the way.”

Here are three tips for kick-starting your learning efforts.

1. Find the time!

The #1 career goal for professionals in 2018 is to learn a new skill — but not everyone knows where to fit learning into their daily lives. Here’s a tip: In today’s ever-connected digital world, we’re living in the era of bite-sized learning, where new skills can be honed in minutes on the subway, or while you’re eating breakfast.

Start by picking 5- to 10-minute windows in your daily routine — you don’t need to find hours, minutes are fine. For example, try skimming through courses on a Sunday night, and make a wish list of courses to view throughout the week, whenever it’s convenient for your busy life.

2. Make it a habit

They say a habit is formed in 21 days. Whenever you slot learning into your daily schedule, try to pick a time when you can make it routine — whether it’s on the bus during your morning commute, or in the 10 minutes after you brush your teeth at night. You’ll be growing in your skills before you know it. Fun fact: LinkedIn Learning also sets a reminder for you, so it’s one less thing you have to remember in your day.

3. Pick your skills

Today’s skills landscape is changing faster than ever — with new technologies and digital techniques emerging at every turn. Whether you want to advance your existing career or begin a new one, start by identifying a few key skills you’d like to hone. For example, people in every job can benefit from learning soft skills that teach you how to get things done or achieve your goals. Soft skills, such as communication and critical thinking, will give you a competitive advantage in the workplace, and you never know when you’ll uncover a new passion or side project along the way.

LinkedIn makes it easy to identify the skills you need by alerting you to the most in-demand skills for your job and industry, based on your LinkedIn profile, from project management to leadership.

One of the most important skills for keeping your passions alive is to learn how to be a lifelong learner. In any industry, in any phase of life, there are always new skills to be gained, and new knowledge to explore. Committing yourself to being someone with a constant appetite for learning will enrich you not only today, but throughout the course of your career.

To learn more about LinkedIn Learning and explore business, creative and technology skills to achieve your personal and professional goals, visit www.linkedin.com/learning.

2018-06-12T14:21:00

(BPT) – Today, more women are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces than ever before. Because of this, more women are transitioning from active duty to civilian life every year, and these women face unique challenges during that process.

Here are a few interesting facts about women veterans that you need to know.

Women make up 15 percent of active duty troops.

This June marks the 70th anniversary of the Women’s Armed Forces Integration Act, which permitted women to serve as permanent members of the military. Today, more women are enlisting in our Armed Forces and are serving in a greater variety of roles than ever before. This also means that in the future, there will be more female veterans.

A unique transition.

According to the Women’s Health Sciences Division of the National Center for PTSD of the VHA at Boston University, female veterans face unique challenges not only during deployment, but during the transition back to civilian life. Like their male counterparts, many women veterans return with physical wounds, PTSD or even problems with substance abuse or depression. In addition to these challenges, female veterans may also face difficulties readjusting to life at home, finding social support and career planning. Many of the services for transitioning veterans have unintentionally been geared toward men.

Identifying as a veteran.

Many female veterans are reluctant to call themselves veterans if they have not experienced combat. So often in public, female veterans find themselves mistaken for the spouse of a service member, even when wearing U.S. military apparel.

Organizations taking notice.

Fortunately, organizations like WoVeN (Women Veterans Network) at Boston University are working to convene peer support groups specifically for women to empower them with resources, information and education to improve their quality of life. WoVeN was founded by researchers from the Women’s Health Sciences Division of the National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University. Through two grants totaling more than $720,000 from the Walmart Foundation, WoVeN continues to expand their support to help build strong connections among women veterans — enhancing wellness, relationships and career satisfaction.

Open for business.

More female veterans are starting their own businesses. In fact, according to the Small Business Association, over a five-year period, the rate of veteran-owned female businesses increased by more than 300 percent. Organizations such as the Coalition for Veteran Owned Business (CVOB) are making it easier for all veterans to start their own businesses.

To learn more, visit walmartcareerswithamission.com, veteranbusinesscoalition.org or wovenwomenvets.org

About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better — anytime and anywhere — in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, nearly 270 million customers and members visit our more than 11,700 stores under 65 banners in 28 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2018 revenue of $500.3 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart.

2018-06-12T13:01:00

(BPT) – Cars can relay all kinds of information these days, like how many miles until you run out of gas or what’s causing that traffic jam up ahead. Your tires can offer a wealth of information, too, and knowing how to read them can help improve the performance and fuel efficiency of your vehicle.

According to the latest installment of the Hankook Tire Gauge Index, half of Americans (50 percent) don’t know what the little numbers etched into their tires’ sidewalls mean. Here are five things your tires can tell you:

1. What size do you need?

The sidewall of your tire offers information about its size, which is helpful when looking to purchase new ones. If you like how your car drives, then stick with the same size — or, if you’re considering a larger tire, you’ll know where to start. Just remember — changing the size of your tire can affect your speedometer reading, suspension and wheel wells, so be sure to thoroughly check your vehicle when installing new tires. Whatever size you’re looking for, tools like the Hankook Tire Finder can help you select the perfect fit.

2. Wheel it fit?

If you’re considering upgrading the wheels or rims on your car along with the tires, the sidewall also indicates the ideal wheel fitment size. Wheel fitment is the diameter of the tire’s rim, and a proper fit is critical for safety and performance.

3. How it’s made

Sixty-one percent of American drivers know that a tire also tells you how it’s made, according to the Gauge. The letters “R” or “B” on a tire indicate whether it’s a radial or a bias tire, meaning the tire layers are constructed in a spiral or overlap. These construction patterns provide different levels of durability for various types of vehicles. What those letters won’t tell you, however, is where the tire was made. One in five drivers (19 percent) don’t know if their vehicle was made in America — let alone their tires. However, more tires are being made in the United States as top brands like Hankook Tire open new manufacturing plants, like its new facility in Clarksville, Tenn.

4. Just the model, no pressure

Most Americans (85 percent) are aware that the sidewall gives information on the tire model. However, one important detail the sidewall does not provide is the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle, even though the Gauge found that 42 percent of drivers think it does. Look instead at the inside of the driver’s door or in the owner’s manual to determine the optimum psi for your vehicle.

5. Time to trade in

Check the tread to know when it’s time to replace your tires. There’s an easy trick to test the tread depth and determine if it’s time for new tires, and it only costs a penny. Place a penny into the groove of your tire’s tread, upside down. If Lincoln’s head is still visible, your tire is telling you it’s time for a new one.

We rely on our cars to get us to and from everyday activities, so it’s important to know what the letters and numbers on our tires indicate so we can avoid bumps in the road. Most standard tires will represent the tire type, tire width, aspect ratio, construction, rim diameter and service description, in that order, followed by a code specifying that the tire has passed the appropriate safety tests required by the Department of Transportation.

2018-06-12T11:15:00

(BPT) – When disaster strikes, you need an evacuation plan in place for yourself and your family, including your pets. Local animal shelters that are part of the Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s Disaster Relief Network have launched an educational campaign to share some simple tips for pet parents to care for their pets in a disaster.

These simple steps, and the preparation of an Emergency Go-Kit, can increase the likelihood that everyone in your family, pets included, stays safe in an evacuation. For more emergency pet safety information, go to HillsPet.com/PetPrepared.

2018-04-18T07:01:00

(BPT) – As Americans work hard to meet all the obligations that come with work, family and everyday life, many are challenged to find time to manage all the financial elements affecting their health care.

The details associated with health care insurance can be confusing. At the same time, you want to make smart decisions about the quality health care you and your family need.

Out-of-pocket health care spending rose by more than 50 percent between 2010 and 2017, The Atlantic recently reported, partly because half of all health insurance policyholders in the U.S. are dealing with annual deductibles of at least $1,000.

Whether you’re uninsured or simply facing a high insurance deductible, you can take several steps to better manage your health care budget. Consider how the following money-saving tips can help control the rising costs of health care.

* Read bills with a critical eye. Any bill can include administrative errors, and some estimates have indicated errors on as many as 80 percent of medical invoices issued, reports the Medical Billing Advocates of America. That statistic makes it well worth your while to examine and question your expenses before you pay.

* Lower the cost of your meds. The free Inside Rx prescription savings card provides discounts on prescription medications for eligible patients. According to the data, eligible patients have saved an average of 40 percent on the more than 100 featured brand medications included in the program, and even more on generic medications. Inside Rx is an option to help the uninsured, those facing high deductibles or anyone trying to save money on their meds. Inside Rx even offers prescription savings for pets for qualifying medications. The card is free and easy to download, with no registration process.

* Compare costs whenever possible. Some medical services can be difficult to compare on an apples-to-apples basis, but it’s worth doing your homework before making appointments for more standard services such as annual check-ups, lab work and testing, dental care or dermatology services. Check vendor websites, make phone calls and conduct web searches to find online databases, such as HealthcareBluebook.com, that suggest fair prices for services. If you’re insured, your insurance provider can clarify what portion of the bill will be covered.

* Be bold about negotiations. It’s OK to speak up. You have nothing to lose by politely asking your health care provider to work with you on the price of an upcoming service, especially when dealing with a private practice. Start the conversation by aiming for the Medicare rate or an amount close to that paid by commercial insurers. As an alternative, ask the office administrator to set up a manageable payment plan.

* Consider paying cash up front. Some vendors offer discounts for simply paying cash for your services without funneling everything through insurance. Even if you’re insured, you can still evaluate whether immediate cash payments would be lower than your post-insurance costs.

Keeping a close eye on where you might be wasting money on health care can pay off in a big way — and the remedies don’t have to be complicated. Conduct your due diligence on such costs to protect your financial health as vigorously as your physical health.

2018-06-12T08:01:01

(BPT) – In spring and summer, slick, wet roads can present serious hazards for drivers. In fact, most weather-related crashes happen on wet pavement (73%).