Keys to Survival During Times of Financial Stress

If your spouse passed away would you be able to pay your bills? If you were divorced would you be able to pay your bills and take care of your family? If your parents passed away would you be able to pay your bills?

Are you getting married soon? Several of my former students have just gotten married and next month another former student will be marrying his sweetheart. Whether you are single, married, divorced, or your spouse has passed away you need a plan in place for your financial future to protect you and your family.

When I was engaged to be married, my Momma, Romayne Leader Frank, a lawyer specializing in Family Law and Real Estate, was getting ready to give a speech to the local Women's Club on "Financial Success". Mamma had clients who were widowers, widowed, divorced, and single who suddenly had no money or credit in their own name. The credit card and bank accounts were in their deceased spouses name, their divorced spouses name or in their parents name which meant they did not have any money or credit in their own name and were unable to pay their bills and take care of themselves and their families.

My Momma asked me to listen to her speech to see what I thought of it! Momma spoke of the need for women to have credit in their own name, not in their spouse’s name, their former spouse’s name or their parents name but in their own name.

On that particular day Momma was talking to the Women’s Club. When she spoke to other organizations she said “Everyone, meaning both men and women, should always have their own separate checking, savings and credit card accounts in their own name so they would never find themselves without a way to support themselves and their loved ones.

I have over the years called our families’ accounts yours, mine and ours. The same name as the Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda Movie "Yours, Mine and Ours." In the movie the title referred to children though not to money. Over the years, I have shared my Momma's wisdom with many others. Her speech was well received by me and the Women’s Club and has stood the test of time.

What are the secrets my Momma, Romayne Leader Frank taught for women and men to be financially independent?

1) Open a bank account in your name at a secure bank that is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and start immediately to put your money in it for your nest egg.

2) Open a checking account in your own name and put your money in it.

3) Get an American Express and or Visa Card at a very low interest rate in your own name and begin to use it immediately and pay your bill as soon as the statement comes in to establish your credit.

4) If you buy a house make sure your name is on the title and before purchasing your house have a professional title search done to make sure there are no liens or prior owners of the house.

5) If you are paying a mortgage on your house pay the bill on time. If the interest is too high, talk to the holder of your mortgage and get it moved down. Always get a fixed mortgage rate.

6) If you buy a car make sure the title is in your name. If you are paying the car off each month pay the monthly charge on time. If the mortgage on the car is too high, talk to the mortgage company into lowering the rate. Make sure you have a locked in fixed rate.

By Dr. Madeline Frank

Madeline Frank, Ph.D. is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, sought after speaker, business owner, and concert artist. She helps businesses and organizations discover ways to “Tune Up Your Business”. Her innovative observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your businesses successful.

For more information about booking Dr. Madeline Frank at your next event email her at mfrankviola@gmail.com ,call 757-599-3575 or visit http://madelinefrank.com/

Secrets of Growing Your Business Through Customer and Employee Retention

The bottom line in this shrinking business market is to keep your customers happy. That means the "First Impression" you and your employees make can never be repeated. It takes only a few seconds for a customer to decide if they want to do business with you.

We want our clients to come to us for the solutions to their problems and we want our clients to recommend their friends to be our new clients.

What are the five secrets you need to know to develop "Excellent Customer Service" in your business?

1) In business to retain customers during this shrinking jobs and services market, we need to train sales people to do the following: Smile, be polite, be helpful,be knowledgeable, be clean, well groomed, dress appropriately and make a good first impression so our customers want to continue being our customers.

2) Sales personnel should speak to customers and their family members in a reliable and timely manner.

Examples of what not to do:

Employees should not be talking to their friends on the phone and ignoring their customers.

If your sales personnel are responsible for apartments,rental homes, offices, buildings, or hotel rooms and the toilet is broken it must be repaired immediately. Not tomorrow! Remember leaking pipes only get worse, can destroy buildings, and be costly to repair!

3) If your employees know your customers name call them by name. The customer will feel that you care about their business and they will want to continue doing business with you.

4) If you are answering the phone at a business, answer the phone as quickly as possible. Do not wait for it to ring 4 to 5 times. The customer may be ordering a large shipment of goods or booking a reservation for 40 people. If you wait to answer the phone you will lose the sale!

5) Remember to smile into the phone, be polite (say please and thank you) and be committed to giving excellent service today. Your employee might say "but they cannot see me!" That is true, but they can tell by the inflection in your voice that you are smiling and want to be helpful. If you do not know the answer to their question, tell them you will find out immediately what the answer is and will call them back in 2 minutes. Remember to call back as soon as possible! Your customer will want to do business with you because they can rely on you to keep your word and solve their problem.



Madeline Frank, Ph.D. business owner, teacher, researcher, speaker and concert artist. She writes a monthly newsletter "Madeline's Monthly Article & Musical Tips" and a monthly radio show "Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio Show".

If you need a speaker contact Madeline at mfrankviola@gmail.com

Have You Ever Given Up When it Became Too Difficult For You to Solve Your Problem?

If you were the leader of your country and two other countries wanted to take over your country would you fight for a while and give up or would you fight "no matter what the difficulties" and embrace the motto - Never, Never Give Up? If you were a surgeon, a Medical Doctor, and the Pathologist at the hospital said there was no hope for your patient would you give up or embrace the motto- Never, Never Give Up?

During the darkest days of WW11 Prime Minister Winston Churchill stayed strong for his country! In 1941, Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited the Harrow School where he heard the traditional songs he had sung as a youth and spoke to the students on changing world events in the last year. Germany and Japan were expanding their control. In his closing remarks, Churchill said, "But for everyone, surely, what we have gone through in this period--I am addressing myself to the School--surely from this period of ten months, this is the lesson: Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."

Prime Minister Winston Churchill also said, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

My father, Dr. Robert J. Frank was my hero. He was a healer of patients. Every day he saved the lives of his patients. When the Pathologist at the hospital said there was no hope for a patient because of the numerous tumors, my father, Dr. Frank said, "Just show me where all the tumors are and I will remove every one of them." He never gave up on saving the lives of his patients. My Father, Dr. Robert J Frank improved and saved the lives of thousands of patients for over 45 years.

No matter how difficult the problem was Prime Minister Winston Churchill and my Father, Dr. Robert J. Frank would Never, Never Give Up! Winston Churchill kept his country safe and strong and Dr. Robert J. Frank saved the lives of his patients. They would Never, Never Give Up! The next time it becomes too difficult for you to solve your problems I want you to do the following three things:

1) Always have a paper and pencil ready, where ever you are, in case you think of a solution to your problem. Think of yourself as a detective like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson and look for your solutions at work or at home.

2) Give yourself time each day to ponder your problems. Be observant and a good listener. Start thinking how to solve your problems today!

3) Have a burning desire to solve your problems and Never, Never Give Up!


Madeline Frank, Ph.D. business owner, teacher, researcher, speaker and concert artist. She writes a monthly newsletter "Madeline's Monthly Article & Musical Tips" and a monthly radio show "Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio Show".

If you need a speaker contact Madeline at mfrankviola@gmail.com

Have You Ever Left an Interview Wishing You Could Make a New First Impression?

How I learned the importance of first impressions while playing at Carnegie Hall with Natalie Cole and Lou Rawls. For your first interview on a possible new job, learn the six secrets to make your first impressions memorable to Ace that job.


When I played at Carnegie Hall with Natalie Cole and Lou Rawls I learned the secrets of making a good First Impression and commanding attention. Lou Rawls and Natalie Cole took turns each singing a musical set. Natalie Cole walked on to the stage looking fit, trim and quite regal wearing a different absolutely, magnificent dress for each musical set. One dress was more dazzling than the other. She made eye contact with her audience making each person feel as if they were her friend. The audience was riveted to the stage. They could not take their eyes off her.

Lou Rawls walked on stage looking fit, trim and quite kingly wearing a magnificent tailored tux. He made eye contact with his audience making them feel they were an important part of his concert.

Lou Rawls and Natalie Cole both sang beautifully with clear diction. Every word was clear and understandable. The concert ended with a standing ovation.

What are the secrets I learned from Natalie Cole and Lou Rawls?

1) Dress for success. Dress neatly and cleanly with your hair combed and your shoes polished. Wear clothes that are appropriate to the job you are interviewing for. Your appearance will tell your prospective boss that you do neat clean work, that you care how you look, and will be a good worker and representative for their company or firm. Stand tall and be proud of your appearance.

2) Everyone is attracted to fit people. Start exercising and stop eating junk food.

3) Speak clearly and at a moderate speed in a pleasing voice. Use words that show proper grammar and vocabulary. Do not use slang.

4) When you are introduced to your interviewer, remember their name and use it occasionally.

5) Be a good listener and use eye contact. Make your interviewer feel important by listening carefully, using eye contact, and asking questions on what they are discussing with you. Ask the interviewer how he or she likes their job with the company? Everyone likes to talk about themselves.

6) Use a handshake if the culture permits it. Your handshake should be given with a firm, but not a crushing grip, with a clean and dry hand. Extend your hand when you feel it is appropriate.

by Dr. Madeline Frank

If you need a speaker contact Madeline at mfrankviola@gmaol.com

Madeline Frank, Ph.D. business owner, teacher, researcher, speaker and concert artist. She writes a monthly newsletter "Madeline's Monthly Article & Musical Tips" and a monthly radio show "Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio Show".


http://www.madelinefrankviola.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Madeline_Frank

Did You Ever Fail Out of School?

Albert Einstein as a child was a very poor student in school. His teachers said "he was to stupid to learn." How did he become one of the smartest men of the Twentieth Century?

As an 8 year old child, I was failing out of school. I was unable to read.
How did I go from failing out of school to Carnegie Hall and a Ph.D. ?


Albert Einstein as a child was an extremely poor student in school. Albert's Mother, Pauline Einstein never never gave up on him. She was a pianist and she bought Albert a violin. As he learned to play the violin his mother would accompany him on the piano. His mother introduced him to his favorite composer Mozart.

Albert studied the violin and became quite good at it. He found his inspiration to do his school work and to later solve his scientific investigations by playing on his violin.

Dr. Einstein said, "Life without playing music is inconceivable for me. I live my daydreams in music, I see my life in terms of music."


As an 8 year old child, I was failing out of school. I was unable to read. My Momma, Romayne Leader Frank, Never, Never gave up on me. She tried every type of reading class available, and still, I was unable to read.

One my passions at 8 years of age, was climbing trees. I was your typical tomboy and I was fearless. For me no tree was too high. The only problem was I'd wind up being rushed to the hospital several times a week for stitches.

The final time I was rushed to the hospital, after my reading class during summer camp, I had climbed a tall tree with nails and a board sticking out of the top of its trunk. As I came down the tree, I was scooped up by a camp counselor and rushed to the hospital. At the time I did not realize it, but blood was dripping down my leg.

One of the camp counselors called my Momma. She drove for over 3 hours to the hospital and by the time she arrived she had decided it was time to "get me out of those trees, on the ground and finally reading." By the time Momma arrived at the hospital she had decided that she would arrange for violin lessons for me if I would agree to give up climbing trees.

Momma knew I had wanted to study the violin for several years and at the hospital "I promised her" I would give up climbing all trees if she would arrange for violin lessons.

As soon as I began to study the violin, I learned to hold the violin,to hold the bow, to read the notes on the page, and to play music. I also learned how to take care of my violin and bow and to clean it after playing it.
That summer the light went on and I became a very good reader.

Albert Einstein's Mother, Pauline Einstein and my Momma, Romayne Leader Frank believed in two things, unconditional love for their families and education.

Our Mothers never gave up on anything and neither should you!

What are the 3 secrets Albert Einstein and I learned while studying the violin?

1) How to concentrate, be disciplined, be cooperative, and stay motivated.

2) How to take care of our violin which taught us self esteem and self-worth.

3) How to read musical notes on the page taught us to read the words in a book.

These are the same character building traits American children need to be successful students in school.

How to Become One of Your Own Heroes

All of us know that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.What is your definition of a hero? The dictionary definition of a hero is a person of “distinguished courage or ability, admired for brave deeds and noble qualities.” If one of your medical students asked you a question “about the need to evaluate new born babies” would you immediately “jot down five points and rushed off to the Obstetrics department to try them out”?

In Aesop's Fable "The Lion and the Mouse" the hero is the tiny mouse who frees the large lion when he is caught in the ropes by the hunter. The mouse chews through the ropes freeing the lion. The mouse proved all though he was small he could be a friend to the mighty lion.

Virginia Apgar began to learn the violin and cello at 6 years of age and played concerts with her older brother on piano and with her Dad, scientist and inventor, Charles Apgar on piano. In 1933 Virginia Apgar became "one of Columbia University's first female M.D.'s" she specialized in the male-dominated area of medicine surgery. She became tired of the chauvinism she was experiencing during her internship and decided to switch her focus the new field of anesthesiology. In 1949 she became the first full professor of anesthesiology at Columbia.

One day a medical student of Dr. Apgar asked her "about the need to evaluate newborn babies." Dr. Apgar said, "That's easy, you'd do it like this." She grabbed the nearest piece of paper, jotted down the 5 points of her Apgar Score and then rushed off to O.B Obstetrics & Gynecology to try it out."

What are Dr. Virginia Apgar's 5 point Score for new born babies?

1) Appearance, skin color

2) Pulse, heart rate

3) Grimace, reflex irritability

4) Activity, muscle tone

5) Respiration, breathing

Dr. Apgar's name is the Pneumonic. As a physician she assisted in over 17,000 births. She was a lifelong musician always carrying her viola or cello with her to play chamber music with other amateur musicians in the Cities she was lecturing in. She also crafted musical instruments a violin, viola and cello.

Dr. Virginia Apgar knew from her research that birth is most dangerous time of life. Her Apgar Score quickly assessed the overall health of new borne babies saving the lives of millions of new born babies each year. When Dr. Apgar was alerted to a problem she immediately thought of how to solve it.

What are the 3 secrets to becoming your own hero?

1) Be a good listener and be observant. Be both interested and curious about solving a problem.

2) Always have a paper and pencil ready, where ever you are, in case you think of a solution to your problem. Think of yourself as a detective like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson and look for your solution at work or at home.

3) Have a burning desire to help others and you will be giving yourself the best gift of all, caring about others.

by Dr. Madeline Frank

Madeline Frank, Ph.D. business owner, teacher, researcher, speaker and concert artist.She writes a monthly newsletter "Madeline's Monthly Article & Musical Tips" and a monthly radio show "Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio Show".
If you need a speaker contact Madeline at mfrankviola@gmail.com

Negotiating for my life on top of the world!

It might not be the highest point of the world but it seemed like it while the roofer was holding me up for more money.

Have you ever had to deal with a person who was toxic and difficult on one of your jobs?


I have had the pleasure of working with the best conductors and musicians around the world as you have read in my last article. In my families Construction and Management company I have had the privilege of working with some of the finest roofers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, brick layers, and other construction personnel for over 20 years. All roofs are supposed to keep us dry in our houses and offices.

I arrived at our job site to inspect and video the progress of the new flat roofs on the buildings we own and manage. The ladder was set up and I climbed up to the first roof with my video camera to record the progress of the first roof.


I should mention that I am a woman, 5 foot 11 inches tall, and weigh 140 pounds. After arriving on the roof, I started to video the progress of the new flat roof when I realized there were bubbles and gaps in the roof. Meanwhile the roofer, a lean linebacker type, was coming my way. I knew he was stronger than me and could easily throw me off the roof in anger.

He said, “I need $3,000 right this minute”! He tried to threaten me by moving me to the edge of the roof. He was so angry! I remained calm, looked him in the eye and reminded him he had received his payment three days ago and that he needed to fix the gapes and bubbles in the membrane so he could receive more money.

I explained I did not carry that amount of money with me as there was no ATM on the roof. I continued to remain calm and looking him in the eye and did not turn my back to him. Eventually he moved away and I moved to another section of the roof and decided to photograph the progress of the other roofs this roofer was not working on at that moment. The roofer knew who I was and had decided he would try to frighten me.


Every few days I would return to check the progress of the roofs and video them. When the roofs were finally completed we breathed a sigh of relief.


What are the 3 secrets I learned about dealing with toxic people in a difficult situation?

1) Look the person in the eye. Always remain calm. Let the difficult person vent. Listen carefully to them without interrupting and do not argue with them - simply listen. When they have finished speaking do not judge or accuse them.

2) Remember, you are not anyone’s personal door mat to be personally bullied. Suggest solutions and the steps for solving the problem. Remember to follow through on the solutions you have agreed on.

3) Realize you cannot solve every problem.


by Dr. Madeline Frank


Madeline Frank, Ph.D. business owner, teacher, researcher, speaker and concert artist. She writes a monthly newsletter "Madeline's Monthly Article & Musical Tips" and a monthly radio show "Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio Show". If you need a speaker contact Madeline at mfrankviola@gmail.com