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“A 2% reduction in negative word of mouth boosts sales growth by 1%”

• London School of Economics and Political Science, “Advocacy Drives Growth” Study

If you are an active participant in today’s social media circles, you NEED to be monitoring and managing your reputation. I’m not talking about your street rep (the kind that keeps you from getting mugged by a rival gang), but your online rep (the kind that keeps your company and your name shielded from mudslingers). As shown in the London School of E&PL’s Word - of - Mouth study, mismanagement of your online reputation has the potential to devastate not only your image, but also your sales rate and company growth. Thankfully, there is a bevy of web-based tools, both free and paid, that can assist you in your rep tracking.

“Reputation Management” may strike fear in your heart and conjure dollar signs in your eyes, but rest assured that you can effectively track and manage your web rep without paying for anything. How, you may ask? Well, as David Salvato comments, “Free tools are the best tools when powered by Google.”

1. Google Alerts/Google Reader, and Google Blog Search

If it was deemed socially acceptable in a business setting, I would have ‘Google’ tattooed on my forehead in full color. Unfortunately I would probably lose my job so I’ll have to be content with directing readers to use Google’s array of rep management tools. Firstly, be sure to set up Google Alerts for yourself. These keyword searches are completely free and are delivered to you as they are indexed by, you guessed it, Google. The easiest way to organize and view your Alerts is to send them directly to your Google Reader, as opposed to routing them into an email inbox. Here is a list of keywords to get you started:

• Company & Product name
  • Also track variations thereof, for example “Company X has terrible service”, “Company X is fantastic”, and so on
• Employee names
• Website Keywords
  • Check your website analytics to see which keywords are generating the most traffic
• Competitor names

Setting up your Reader to the best of its potential can be a pill; check out this preso from Ian Lurie for an easy-to-follow walkthrough. Another great tool to familiarize yourself with is Google’s Blog Search. As opposed to the basic Google Search, Blog Search scours blogs, forums, and comments to deliver results per the keywords you request.

2. StepRep

In the same vein as Google Blog Search, StepRep delivers search results per the keywords you dictate, and files them according to your response. This means that every search result you receive will be filed in your “Reputation Monitor” within either the “Positive”, “Negative”, or “Not Relevant” folders. StepRep will oftentimes deliver pages that Google Alerts miss. They also provide a website widget you can embed in your blog or site that features an easily-updated list of the StepRep results you want to promote.

Between these two tools you will have eyes on almost every mention of your brand and your competitors indexed across the world wide web. Keep in mind though, that beyond simply tracking your online reach it is imperative that you constantly produce good content. Reputation management ties directly into social networking best practices. If you are posting regularly on your blog and syndicating your content to as many sources as possible, you will increase your reputation, be it positive or negative. If you are active on Twitter and like-minded ‘live interaction’ platforms, you will affect your rep. If you are responding positively to comments and linking out to sources and working on your SEO and…the list goes on and on. Basically, if you are following the guidelines and suggestions set out by successful social media marketers you will be effectively managing your web rep. By producing as much positive content as you can muster, you will eventually smother the negative content nipping at your heels. One of the best ways to do this is syndicate your content to a multitude of sources; of course, this means that you need to set up a multitude of profiles/blogs in as many places as you can. This sort of ‘spider-web’ network increases SEO as well, since you now have 20 blog posts linking back to “Yourwebsite.com”, as opposed to just 3 or 4.

So now you know how easy (and FREE!) it really is to manage your online reputation. The tools I have listed above are free or charge, easy to use, and extremely effective for both corporations and individuals. If you would rather not use the tools mentioned above, check here, here, and here for more ideas. Remember that it is best to approach negative feedback with a customer-centric mindset; don’t fall into the trap of hoping it will just go away on its own. Take the proactive approach: deal with the problem and then bury it under a mountain of positive web content. And always remember that cultivating a good reputation is tied directly to your social networking efforts. If you are truly transparent in your networking efforts, your good reputation will make itself.

here is the actual language in the bill extending and expanding the home buying tax credit

SEC. 11. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT.

(a) Extension of Application Period-

(1) IN GENERAL- Subsection (h) of section 36 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--

(A) by striking `December 1, 2009' and inserting `May 1, 2010',

(B) by striking `Section- This section' and inserting `Section-

`(1) IN GENERAL- This section', and

(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

`(2) EXCEPTION IN CASE OF BINDING CONTRACT- In the case of any taxpayer who enters into a written binding contract before May 1, 2010, to close on the purchase of a principal residence before July 1, 2010, paragraph (1) shall be applied by substituting `July 1, 2010' for `May 1, 2010'.'.

(2) WAIVER OF RECAPTURE-

(A) IN GENERAL- Subparagraph (D) of section 36(f)(4) of such Code is amended by striking `, and before December 1, 2009'.

(B) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- The heading of such subparagraph (D) is amended by inserting `AND 2010' after `2009'.

(3) ELECTION TO TREAT PURCHASE IN PRIOR YEAR- Subsection (g) of section 36 of such Code is amended to read as follows:

`(g) Election To Treat Purchase in Prior Year- In the case of a purchase of a principal residence after December 31, 2008, a taxpayer may elect to treat such purchase as made on December 31 of the calendar year preceding such purchase for purposes of this section (other than subsections (c), (f)(4)(D), and (h)).'.

(b) Special Rule for Long-time Residents of Same Principal Residence- Subsection (c) of section 36 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

`(6) EXCEPTION FOR LONG-TIME RESIDENTS OF SAME PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE- In the case of an individual (and, if married, such individual's spouse) who has owned and used the same residence as such individual's principal residence for any 5-consecutive-year period during the 8-year period ending on the date of the purchase of a subsequent principal residence, such individual shall be treated as a first-time homebuyer for purposes of this section with respect to the purchase of such subsequent residence.'.

(c) Modification of Dollar and Income Limitations-

(1) DOLLAR LIMITATION- Subsection (b)(1) of section 36 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

`(D) SPECIAL RULE FOR LONG-TIME RESIDENTS OF SAME PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE- In the case of a taxpayer to whom a credit under subsection (a) is allowed by reason of subsection (c)(6), subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) shall be applied by substituting `$6,500' for `$8,000' and `$3,250' for `$4,000'.'.

(2) INCOME LIMITATION- Subsection (b)(2)(A)(i)(II) of section 36 of such Code is amended by striking `$75,000 ($150,000' and inserting `$125,000 ($225,000'.

(d) Limitation on Purchase Price of Residence- Subsection (b) of section 36 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

`(3) LIMITATION BASED ON PURCHASE PRICE- No credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) for the purchase of any residence if the purchase price of such residence exceeds $800,000.'.

(e) Waiver of Recapture of First-time Homebuyer Credit for Individuals on Qualified Official Extended Duty- Paragraph (4) of section 36(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

`(E) SPECIAL RULE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES, ETC-

`(i) IN GENERAL- In the case of the disposition of a principal residence by an individual (or a cessation referred to in paragraph (2)) after December 31, 2008, in connection with Government orders received by such individual, or such individual's spouse, for qualified official extended duty service--

`(I) paragraph (2) and subsection (d)(2) shall not apply to such disposition (or cessation), and

`(II) if such residence was acquired before January 1, 2009, paragraph (1) shall not apply to the taxable year in which such disposition (or cessation) occurs or any subsequent taxable year.

`(ii) QUALIFIED OFFICIAL EXTENDED DUTY SERVICE- For purposes of this section, the term `qualified official extended duty service' means service on qualified official extended duty as--

`(I) a member of the uniformed services,

`(II) a member of the Foreign Service of the United States, or

`(III) an employee of the intelligence community.

`(iii) DEFINITIONS- Any term used in this subparagraph which is also used in paragraph (9) of section 121(d) shall have the same meaning as when used in such paragraph.'.

(f) Extension of First-time Homebuyer Credit for Individuals on Qualified Official Extended Duty Outside the United States-

(1) IN GENERAL- Subsection (h) of section 36 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by subsection (a), is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(3) SPECIAL RULE FOR INDIVIDUALS ON QUALIFIED OFFICIAL EXTENDED DUTY OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES- In the case of any individual who serves on qualified official extended duty service (as defined in section 121(d)(9)(C)(i)) outside the United States for at least 90 days during the period beginning after December 31, 2008, and ending before May 1, 2010, and, if married, such individual's spouse--

`(A) paragraphs (1) and (2) shall each be applied by substituting `May 1, 2011' for `May 1, 2010', and

`(B) paragraph (2) shall be applied by substituting `July 1, 2011' for `July 1, 2010'.'.

(g) Dependents Ineligible for Credit- Subsection (d) of section 36 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking `or' at the end of paragraph (1), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) and inserting `, or', and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

`(3) a deduction under section 151 with respect to such taxpayer is allowable to another taxpayer for such taxable year.'.

(h) IRS Mathematical Error Authority- Paragraph (2) of section 6213(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--

(1) by striking `and' at the end of subparagraph (M),

(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (N) and inserting `, and', and

(3) by inserting after subparagraph (N) the following new subparagraph:

`(O) an omission of any increase required under section 36(f) with respect to the recapture of a credit allowed under section 36.'.

(i) Coordination With First-time Homebuyer Credit for District of Columbia- Paragraph (4) of section 1400C(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking `and before December 1, 2009,'.

(j) Effective Dates-

(1) IN GENERAL- The amendments made by subsections (b), (c), (d), and (g) shall apply to residences purchased after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2) EXTENSIONS- The amendments made by subsections (a), (f), and (i) shall apply to residences purchased after November 30, 2009.

(3) WAIVER OF RECAPTURE- The amendment made by subsection (e) shall apply to dispositions and cessations after December 31, 2008.

(4) MATHEMATICAL ERROR AUTHORITY- The amendments made by subsection (h) shall apply to returns for taxable years ending on or after April 9, 2008.

SEC. 12. PROVISIONS TO ENHANCE THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT.

(a) Age Limitation-

(1) IN GENERAL- Subsection (b) of section 36 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

`(4) AGE LIMITATION- No credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) with respect to the purchase of any residence unless the taxpayer has attained age 18 as of the date of such purchase. In the case of any taxpayer who is married (within the meaning of section 7703), the taxpayer shall be treated as meeting the age requirement of the preceding sentence if the taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse meets such age requirement.'.

(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Subsection (g) of section 36 of such Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by inserting `(b)(4),' before `(c)'.

(b) Documentation Requirement- Subsection (d) of section 36 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by this Act, is amended by striking `or' at the end of paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (3) and inserting `, or', and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

`(4) the taxpayer fails to attach to the return of tax for such taxable year a properly executed copy of the settlement statement used to complete such purchase.'.

(c) Restriction on Married Individual Acquiring Residence From Family of Spouse- Clause (i) of section 36(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting `(or, if married, such individual's spouse)' after `person acquiring such property'.

(d) Certain Errors With Respect to the First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit Treated as Mathematical or Clerical Errors- Paragraph (2) of section 6213(g) the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended by this Act, is amended by striking `and' at the end of subparagraph (N), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (O) and inserting `, and', and by inserting after subparagraph (O) the following new subparagraph:

`(P) an entry on a return claiming the credit under section 36 if--

`(i) the Secretary obtains information from the person issuing the TIN of the taxpayer that indicates that the taxpayer does not meet the age requirement of section 36(b)(4),

`(ii) information provided to the Secretary by the taxpayer on an income tax return for at least one of the 2 preceding taxable years is inconsistent with eligibility for such credit, or

`(iii) the taxpayer fails to attach to the return the form described in section 36(d)(4).'.

(e) Effective Date-

(1) IN GENERAL- Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the amendments made by this section shall apply to purchases after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(2) DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENT- The amendments made by subsection (b) shall apply to returns for taxable years ending after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(3) TREATMENT AS MATHEMATICAL AND CLERICAL ERRORS- The amendments made by subsection (d) shall apply to returns for taxable years ending on or after April 9, 2008.

As part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges facing our nation, Congress has passed new legislation that:

• Extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010.
• Expands the credit to grant a $6,500 credit to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between the date the bill is signed by President Obama and April 30, 2010.

Here is more information about how the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit can help prospective home buyers become part of the American dream.

Latest news:
Tax Credit Extension a Positive Step Toward Real Estate Recovery (Nov.5)
President's Podcast: Tax Credit Extended (Nov. 5)

Who Qualifies for the Extended Credit?

• First-time home buyers who purchase homes between the date the bill is signed by President Obama and April 30, 2010.
  
• Current home owners purchasing a home between the date the bill is signed by President Obama and April 30, 2010, who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight.

To qualify as a "first-time home buyer" the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.

If you or your client purchased a home between January 1, 2009 and the date the bill is signed by President Obama, please see: 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.

Which Properties Are Eligible?

The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.

How Much Is Available?

The maximum allowable credit for first-time home buyers is $8,000.

The maximum credit allowed for current homeowners is $6,500.

How is a Buyer's Credit Amount Determined?

Each home buyer's tax credit is determined by tow additional factors:

1. The price of the home.
2. The buyer's income.

Price

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.

Buyer Income

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit which is effective on the date the bill is signed by President Obama single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000-may receive the maximum tax credit.

These income limits have changed from the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit limits. If you or your client purchased a home between January 1, 2009 and the date the bill is signed by President Obama, please see 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.

If the Buyer(s)' Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He/She Still Get a Credit?

Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit.

The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 for single buyers and between $225,000 and $245,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income-over $145,000 for singles and over $245,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.

Can a Buyer Still Qualify If He/She Closes After April 30, 2010?

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, as long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close.

Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?

No. The buyer does not need to repay the tax credit, if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during this three-year period, the full amount credit will be recouped on the sale.

Election results are in: changing of the guard in both Kalispell and Whitefish. Kalispell has a new mayor, 33 yr old Tammi Fisher, a local attorney. Some change in the personnel on Kalispell City Councel as well. Whitefish put in new council members. It will be interesting once everyone is in office if these are changes for the better or not.

School elections in Kalispell had differing results for restoring the building funds. Elementary passed and high school failed. The way the schools are in the valley is a bit different. Elementary in the city of Kalispell would have those voters voting. For the high schools, enrollment covers quite a wide area with voting coming from voters not necessarily in town and in the town elementary districts. Is this a push back on high schools from the new construction of Glacier High and major remodel on Flathead High? District is considering going back for another vote on this later on. My take was that the taxes would not increase, just stay the same to build up the reserve.

Weather had been mild but now is getting colder. Need to start getting the snow pack built up on Big Mountain in time for an early December opening day.