HD0-200 guide - HDI Qualified Help Desk Senior Analyst Updated: 2024

The Guide is a guidebook developed to facilitate faculty advancement based on the scholarship of engagement at Purdue University and beyond. Inside, you will learn about the evolution of engagement at Purdue and receive tips for framing your engagement narrative in your promotion documents. The Guide also includes a series of example vignettes that highlight engagement excellence at Purdue.

To track the utility and impact of the Guide on advancing the Scholarship of Engagement, the Office of Engagement may reach out to you in the future. Please contact us directly if you have any questions.

The modern concept of synergy was proposed by chemists. They discovered that every time they separated atoms or molecules from a complex compound, the behavior of the separate parts could never explain the behavior of all of them interconnected. For example, the chemical behaviors of isolated hydrogen (H₂) and isolated oxygen (O₂) do not offer any kind of information about the chemical behavior of water (H₂O). Chemist called this principles synergy, a form of collective transmutation that allowed for endless research and innovation in chemistry.

By the same token, Synergy is actually a systemic principle that explains how a team's collective performance is unpredictable based solely on its member’s individual performances. Therefore, a team’s collective performance can be either better or worse than the sum of its members’ individual performances. This introduces a level of risk that is widely overlooked by most authors and that holds the key to understanding organizational success versus organizational failure. This is why we must talk about positive synergy versus negative synergy and how to pursue the former while avoiding the latter.

Positive synergy vs. negative synergy

Going back to chemistry for just a moment, we know that if we add sulfur (S₈) to a controlled environment already containing water (H₂O), given the right temperature and pressure conditions we can turn said water into sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). In other words, we can transform a life-giving substance, water, into a destructive one, sulfuric acid. This is a metaphor to show how positive synergy can be turned into negative synergy by adding the “wrong” element. In teamwork, the same can happen.

In this regard, introducing the “wrong” person into a team can have devastating effects on performance. Achieving and sustaining positive synergy is a very complex task, and it starts with hiring the right people. Of course, positive synergy depends also on good leadership and other ongoing people-management processes. However, anyone who has ever had real team leadership responsibilities knows that hiring the wrong person is far worse than not hiring the right person. Figuratively speaking, it is a lot more difficult to turn a piece of carbon into a diamond than to continue to mine for genuine diamonds. The question is, then, what should organizations do to achieve positive synergy?

The chemistry of teamwork

I have found that, just as the numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons define the potential for chemical synergy,  Let us explore each of these factors further.

• Common interests. When people share common interests, they align their individual efforts toward the same goal. More specifically, they find personal affinities that help them work together, seek opportunities to leverage each other’s talents, and measure the results of their collective efforts with respect to their common goal.
• Common values. When people share common values, they can forge strong, long-lasting alliances. More specifically, I have found that people who share the values of humility, honesty, trust, and discipline achieve the highest synergies.
  1. Humility is the capacity to acknowledge one’s own truth. This allows every team member to have a clear image of the self and address all personal growth and professional development needs in a timely fashion.
  2. Honesty is the capacity to share one’s own truth with others. This allows team members to know each other more closely, develop trust, help each other, and carry out team improvement initiatives with further reach.
  3. Trust is the ability to focus on one’s task while letting others focus on theirs, thus optimizing efforts. Equally, trust also allows for team members to check up on each other to make sure all tasks remain aligned with the common goal. Likewise, trust leads naturally to loyalty and solidarity.
  4. Discipline is the ability to continue to work toward a goal regardless of the circumstances. Discipline requires commitment, courage, resilience, and drive.
• Complementary talents. When people have complementary talents, they can overcome adversity, stay focused, and achieve success more efficiently. In my professional opinion, every team’s ideal portfolio of talents is masterfully summarized in Dr. Ichak Adizes’s famous PAEI model. PAEI stands for Producer, Administrator, Entrepreneur, and Integrator. Not one person will have all four talents. Even the so-called Renaissance men or women, known for being multi-talented, will hardly be able to develop and apply all talents successfully within a team. Everyone needs help and teamwork is based on team members helping each other. Below, each talent in detail.
  1. Producers focus on the end result and make sure the final product or service meets all customer or client expectations. Producers are ultimately responsible for quality facing the market so they will make sure all other team members understand the importance thereof.
  2. Administrators focus on how the tasks are completed and make sure all other team members are in compliance with current policies, procedures, mandates, and guidelines. They are ultimately responsible for the overall sustainability, effectiveness, and efficiency of the organizational system.
  3. Entrepreneurs focus on envisioning and creating the future. They are inspired and inspiring. They often come up with new ideas about products, services, and ways to do everyday task. They are essentially behind every major innovation and are ultimately responsible for helping organizations stay current, move forward, and introduce market- disruptive innovations.
  4. Integrators focus on bringing people together and helping build personal and functional bridges among all team members. They are ultimately responsible for creating an organizational culture based on the vision and values shared by all team members.

See also: Han Solo Vs. Boba Fett: A Lesson On Talent Acquisition

When all the aforementioned factors are in synch, team synergy will most likely be positive. However, when they are out of synch, team synergy will most likely be negative. Consequently, in order to achieve positive synergy, organizational leaders must make sure their organization’s vision, values, and talent portfolio are aligned with each other and with market needs. Furthermore, organizational leaders must make sure their recruiting and leadership practices support such alignment.

What do you think?

Have you ever been part of a synergic relationship? Have you ever achieved positive synergy with your work team? What do the 11 laws of systems thinking have to do with seeking, achieving, and sustaining positive synergy? Have you ever experienced negative synergy? In your experience, what are the main obstacles to achieving positive synergy?

Luis E. Romero is an MIT-trained Economist, certified coach, professional speaker and published author. Follow him on Forbes, Twitter and LinkedIn, and visit his website here.

Also on Forbes:

The Human Development Index (HDI) assigns numerical values to different countries as a measure of human prosperity. The system is designed to help determine strategies for improving living conditions for people around the world. However, some critics argue that these measures are flawed and do not create an accurate picture of prosperity.

Human Development Index (HDI) values are often influential in conjunction with gross domestic product (GDP) and can affect a nation's fiscal and public policy. These values are derived by measuring levels of education, standard of living, and life expectancy. Countries with higher scores on the index are said to be better developed than those with lower scores.

Welcome to BleepingComputer, a free community where people like yourself come together to discuss and learn how to use their computers in an atmosphere that is both helpful and welcoming. With over 700,000 registered members asking and answering questions, BleepingComputer.com has become a vibrant and lively community of like-minded people. Now it is your turn to become part of this experience.

BleepingComputer is paid for completely by advertisement revenue and the moderators are all volunteers. What this means is that any support and advice you receive from this site is completely free. Sounds like a good deal, right? Let's make it sweeter then; as a registered user you will also no longer see any ads at all on this site! What are you waiting for? Learn how to get started asking questions and helping others in the forums with the simple instructions below:

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	Other helpful resources at BleepingComputer.com! BleepingComputer has many useful resources to help optimize and keep your computer trouble free. These resources are outlined below. Tech Support Forums - A discussion forum that allows you to help, receive computer help, and get to know the other members of BleepingComputer.com. Spyware and Virus Removal Guides - Self-help guides on removing the latest computer infections. Downloads - You can use this section to get a variety of useful programs for your computer. Tutorials - Various tutorials on basic computer concepts, how to perform various tasks on your computer, and how to remove malware using the most popular anti-malware programs. Startup Database - Startup programs are programs that are automatically started by Windows when the operating system starts. The problem is that many programs, viruses, hijackers, spyware, and other malware set themselves to start automatically when Windows starts. As more and more programs are started automatically, your computer's valuable resources are drained, causing your computer to operate slowly. This database will allow you to search for programs that you find starting automatically on your computer and determine if they are considered to be malware (harmful), optional, unnecessary, or necessary to run. Uninstall List - This database contains a list of entries that can appear in your Add or Remove Programs control panel. These programs can be unwanted programs, and thus should be uninstalled, or for legitimate programs that you may want to leave installed. For most applications, you can remove the software using the Add or Remove Programs control panel. Malware related programs, though, may add these entries to appear legitimate and are not able to be uninstalled using this method. This database will allow you to determine if an entry in your Add or Remove Programs list should be uninstalled. Glossary - A glossary of computer terms.

At its best, cruising might just be the grandest way to travel—watery vistas, rousing breezes, the promise of parts (and ports) unknown, and the pleasure, of course, of seeing the world while having to unpack only once. And there have never been more and better ways to sail, and to more places, than now.

If you’re thinking of the Med for next summer, try it by small ship: The crowds of last summer are here to stay, and this is how to avoid them. Also, the vessels we recommend can anchor in charming little ports where the larger ones cannot venture, and are so sleek the locals won’t hate you for spoiling their view. If the excitement of approaching new and unfamiliar islands is what you’re after (isn’t that at least partly why Odysseus stayed away from home so long?), we know just the ships to take you stylishly around archipelagos in the Caribbean, Indonesia, South Pacific, and Seychelles (yes, it is possible to live on a different island each day). Travel to the poles is the ultimate frontier—and all the rage. We parse the options: Which ships are the best match for your interests, should you go first to the Arctic or the Antarctic, and what’s the difference, anyway? And listen up, all you secret sybarites: there’s a new crop of ultra-luxe vessels whose onboard coddling—think uniform butlers, state-of-the-art spas, celebrity chefs, formal dress dinners, and caviar by the pool—are reason enough to set sail (and proof, as T.S. Eliot once said, that the journey can be as important as the destination). Lastly, river cruising. It may have once had a staid reputation but it’s a beautiful and ancient pastime (think pharaohs on the Nile) and there are new and refurbished river ships on which to sail—on the Nile, of course, but also the Mekong, Ganges, Amazon, Danube, and Chobe, that wildlife-rich tributary of the mighty Zambezi.

There literally are no better ways to watch the world float by.

The Islands

There are few travel sensations quite as stirring and elemental as approaching an unknown island by sea.

Get the Guide

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The crowds are here to stay. The smart move is to travel by sea.

Get the Guide

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If Shackleton could only see how we sail in his footsteps these days...

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 00:02:00 -0600 en-US text/html https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/travel-guide/a46078620/best-luxury-cruises-guide/

Every investment has costs. You may have expenses, such as commissions, fees, administrative costs, and taxes, on top of your original investment amount. Taxes, though, can sting the most out of all the expenses, taking the biggest bite out of your returns. But don't fret, because there is good news. Tax-efficient investing can minimize your tax burden and maximize your bottom line—whether you want to save for retirement or generate cash.

Key Takeaways

• Taxes can be one of the biggest expenses and take the biggest bite out of the returns on your investments.
  
• Tax-efficient investing becomes more important when your tax bracket is higher.
• Investments that are tax-efficient should be made in taxable accounts.
• Investments that aren't tax-efficient are better off in tax-deferred or tax-exempt accounts.
• Tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s have annual contribution limits.

Why Is Tax-Efficient Investing Important?

Investment selection and asset allocation are the most important factors that affect investment returns. But also, minimizing the amount of taxes you pay can have a significant effect and long-term impact on returns.

There are two reasons for this:

• You lose the money you pay in taxes.
• You lose the growth that money could have generated if it were still invested.

Your after-tax returns matter more than your pre-tax returns. After all, it's those after-tax dollars that you'll spend now and in retirement. If you want to maximize your returns and keep more of your money, tax-efficient investing is a must.

Investopedia's Tax Savings Guide can help you maximize your tax credits, deductions, and savings. Order yours today.

Types of Investment Accounts

Tax-efficient investing involves choosing the right investments and the right accounts to hold those investments. There are two main types of investment accounts: Taxable accounts and tax-advantaged accounts.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each kind of account. Both account types are important parts of creating an investment strategy. We've highlighted some of the key characteristics about both below.

Taxable Accounts

Taxable accounts don’t have any tax benefits. One example of this kind of account is a brokerage account.

Although there may be no benefits related to taxation, there is a trade-off. They offer fewer restrictions and more flexibility than tax-advantaged accounts such as individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and 401(k)s. Unlike an IRA or a 401(k), you can withdraw your money at any time, for any reason, with no tax or penalty from a brokerage account.

How the returns from these accounts are taxed depends on how long you have held an asset when you choose to sell it. So:

• If you hold investments in the account for over a year, you'll pay the more favorable long-term capital gains rate of 0%, 15%, or 20%, depending on your tax bracket.
• If you hold investments in the account for a year or less, they will be subject to short-term capital gains. This is the same as your ordinary income tax bracket.

Tax-Advantaged Accounts

Tax-advantaged accounts are generally either tax-deferred or tax-exempt. Tax-deferred accounts, such as traditional IRAs and 401(k) plans, provide an upfront tax break. You may be able to deduct your contributions to these plans, which provides an immediate tax benefit. You pay taxes when you withdraw your money in retirement, which means the tax is deferred.

Tax-exempt accounts, including Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s, work differently. Contributions to these plans are made with after-tax dollars, so you don't receive the same upfront tax break that you do with traditional IRAs and 401(k)s. However, your investments grow tax-free and qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free as well. That's why these accounts are considered tax-exempt.

The trade-off for the tax benefits of these accounts is the restrictions that come with when and how you can withdraw money from them. In most circumstances, if you are below retirement age when you make withdrawals, you will have to pay taxes and/or penalties.

Tax-Efficient Investing Strategies

Tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s have annual contribution limits. In 2023, you can contribute a total of $6,500 to your IRAs, or $7,500 if you're age 50 or older (because of a $1,000 catch-up contribution.) In 2024, the regular contribution limit increases to $7,000. The catch-up limit is still $1,000, so you can contribute a total of $8,000 if you are age 50 or older.

With 401(k)s, you can contribute up to $22,500 in 2023, or $30,000 with the catch-up contribution. The combined employee/employer contribution can't exceed $66,000 for 2023. This increases to $73,500 with the catch-up contribution.

In 2024, you can contribute up to $23,000 or $30,500 with the catch-up contribution. The combined employee/employer contribution can't exceed $69,000 for 2024. This increases to $76,500 with the catch-up contribution.

Because of the tax benefits, it would be ideal if you could hold all your investments in tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s. But due to the annual contribution limits—and the lack of flexibility (non-qualified withdrawals trigger taxes and penalties)—that's not practical for every investor.

A good way to maximize tax efficiency is to put your investments in the right account. In general, investments that lose less of their returns to taxes are better suited for taxable accounts. Conversely, investments that tend to lose more of their returns to taxes are good candidates for tax-advantaged accounts.

Investments that distribute high levels of short-term capital gains are better off in a tax-advantaged account.

Tax-Efficient Investments

Most investors know that if you sell an investment, you may owe taxes on any gains. But you could also be on the hook if your investment distributes its earnings as capital gains or dividends regardless of whether you sell the investment or not.

By nature, some investments are more tax-efficient than others. Among stock funds, for example, tax-managed funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs) tend to be more tax-efficient because they trigger fewer capital gains. Actively managed funds, on the other hand, tend to buy and sell securities more often, so they have the potential to generate more capital gains distributions (and more taxes for you).

Bonds are another example. Municipal bonds are very tax-efficient because the interest income isn't taxable at the federal level and it's often tax-exempt at the state and local level, too. Munis are sometimes called triple-free because of this. These bonds are good candidates for taxable accounts because they're already tax efficient.

Treasury bonds and Series I bonds (savings bonds) are also tax-efficient because they're exempt from state and local income taxes. But corporate bonds don't have any tax-free provisions, and, as such, are better off in tax-advantaged accounts.

Here's a rundown of where tax-conscious investors might put their money:

Taxable Accounts (e.g., brokerage accounts)	Tax-Advantaged Accounts (e.g., IRAs and 401(k)s)
Individual stocks you plan to hold for at least a year	Individual stocks you plan to hold for less than a year
Tax-managed stock funds, index funds, exchange traded funds (ETFs), low-turnover stock funds	Actively managed stock funds that generate substantial short-term capital gains
Qualified dividend-paying stocks and mutual funds	Taxable bond funds, inflation protected bonds, zero-coupon bonds, and high-yield bond funds
Series I bonds, municipal bond funds	Real estate investment trusts (REITs)

Many investors have both taxable and tax-advantaged accounts so they can enjoy the benefits each account type offers. Of course, if all your investment money is in just one type of account, be sure to focus on investment selection and asset allocation.

What Does Tax Efficient Investing Mean?

Tax efficient investing is a strategy that helps you maximize your returns by limiting any losses to taxes. This means your tax burden is lower when you seek out tax-efficient investments. It's a good idea to review the tax obligations associated with different accounts before you make the decision to invest in them. If you have any doubts or questions, be sure to consult a financial or investment professional to help you.

What Are the Tax Benefits of a 401(k)?

One of the main tax advantages of a 401(k) plan is how contributions are treated. Contributions to a 401(k) are made with pre-tax dollars. This lowers your taxable income for the year, which means you may end up with a lower tax bill. Keep in mind that you must remain within the limits set out each year, otherwise, you will be subject to fees and taxes.

How Much Can I Contribute to my 401(k) in 2023?

There are limits to how much you can contribute to your 401(k) each year. For 2023, you're allowed to deposit $22,500 into your 401(k). You can contribute an additional $7,500 if you are 50 or over. The amount increases to $23,000 in 2024 but the catch-up contribution for people 50 and over remains the same at $7,500.

The Bottom Line

One of the core principles of investing (whether it's to save for retirement or to generate cash) is to minimize taxes. A good strategy to minimize taxes is to hold tax-efficient investments in taxable accounts and less tax-efficient investments in tax-advantaged accounts. That should supply your accounts the best opportunity to grow over time.

Of course, even if it's better to keep an investment in a tax-advantaged account, there may be instances when you need to prioritize some other factor over taxes. A corporate bond, for example, may be better suited for your IRA, but you may decide to hold it in your brokerage account to maintain liquidity. And since tax-advantaged accounts have strict contribution limits, you may have to hold certain investments in taxable accounts, even if they'd be better off in your IRA or 401(k).

Always consult with a qualified investment planner, financial advisor, or tax specialist who can help you choose the best tax strategy for your situation and goals.

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 08:42:00 -0500 en text/html https://www.investopedia.com/articles/stocks/11/intro-tax-efficient-investing.asp

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Gain exclusive perks when you enroll in the Buyer’s Club. Members get a 10% discount on all outdoor gear and 5% on guns and ammo. 

They also get free shipping on any order of $49 or more, interest-free payment plan options on credit card offers of $150 or more, and exclusive discounts of up to 50% on select items. 

The plan costs $14.99 for the first three months and then $59.99 annually afterward. If you shop regularly at Sportsman’s Guide, this can be a simple way to save money.  

Shop the Rebate Center

Get money back as a prepaid Mastercard on select items at Sportsman’s Guide! Eligible items can be found in the rebate center, and you can click “rebate available” on individual product pages to learn about each offer's different terms and conditions. These rebates can help you save hundreds of dollars on a wide variety of products.

Guarantee Your Price

If you find a lower advertised price at an eligible competitor, Sportsman’s Guide will match the price or refund the difference, so long as you submit the claim within ten days of your purchase. 

Restrictions apply, such as guns and ammo, and price matching is limited to select retailers, which you can find under the “Terms & Conditions” of the Lowest Price guarantee on the company’s website. The guarantee does not cover sales from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday. 

Purchase a Gift Card

If you’re stuck on what to buy that friend or family member, gift cards for Sportsman’s Guide are available in amounts between $10 and $500. Physical cards are shipped via USPS and come with a printed catalog. 

E-gift cards can be customized with a recipient’s name and a personal message but will be emailed to the billing email address. Digitally delivered cards may take up to 24 hours to arrive in your inbox.

Understand Shipping Rates

Non-member customers of Sportsman’s Guide pay $14.99 on any order for standard ground shipping. Members of the Buyer’s Club pay between $4.99 and $11.99 for standard orders up to $48.99 and receive free standard shipping on orders of $49 or more. 

Standard shipping takes between three and seven days to arrive. Faster forms of shipping are available to everyone for an extra fee between $5 and $20. Depending on which option you choose, you might benefit from applying a promo code or coupon to your purchase.

Make a Return

Customers have up to 90 days from the date of shipment to make a return to Sportsman’s Guide. They are also responsible for paying the return shipping fees, except on Sportsman’s Guide-branded items, which will receive free return shipping. 

You can initiate a return using an online form, which will walk you through the process. Some items are excluded from return, including ammo and firearms. See the company’s website for additional restrictions.

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It's a new year, and if you're looking to get more active, then one of the best electric bikes could be the answer. Rather than driving your car or calling an Uber, an electric bike can get you where you want to go, and supply you a little bit of exercise in the process.

Electric power-assisted bikes have exploded in popularity, because they make it easier to travel, as it doesn't require as much effort on your part to pedal. And, they're now available in all shapes and sizes — from folding models that you can carry in one hand, to large cargo bikes that can haul all your groceries and kids around town.