BlackBerry is still one of the most useful business phone services for functional business tasks. While most Android phones inadvertently kill productivity through far too well-integrated social features, BB 7 OS keeps your smart phone experience razor sharp and focused on productivity. Let’s take a look at five of the best BlackBerry applications free to use on your smart phone.

By Mary Gormandy White, M.A.

Are you responsible for planning and promoting a special event? Whether you need to publicize a business open house, a fundraiser for a nonprofit organization, a professional association meeting, or just about any other type of event that is open to the public, there are a number of no-cost promotional options available to you.

Five No-Cost Event Promotion Options

Here are a few free special event promotion resources that are easy-to-use and can deliver powerful results.

Are you always searching for expert human resource managment tips and information? If so, the Daily HR Solutions blog is exactly the go-to resource you've been looking for! This informative website is provided by the MTI Business Solutions team as a no-cost resource for expert question and answer interviews on timely and significant HR topics. Interviews are contributed by recognized experts and authors from all over the world, so you can learn new information and gain different perspectives every time you visit the site. You can even search for HR job openings while you're there. No subscription is necessary to use the site; you don't even have to log in to acess the valuable information provided. What could be easier than that? Visit frequently, as new experts are featured each week!

Are you interested in earning an HR Generalist Certificate? Make plans to attend  HR Training Center's the three-day HR Generalist certificate program at a location near you. You'll receive expert instruction on all of the topics of interest to today's human resource professionals in a classroom environment,

Participants also receive access to additional training and certification programs for FMLA, ADA, COBRA, HIPAA, and FLSA that can be completed from any location.

Are you ready to earn your HR Generalist Certificate? For a complete schedule, location list and registration information, see HR Generalist Certificate program details.

Please note: Those who already hold PHR and SPHR certifications can early recertification credit for this program.

What Crystal Reports Can Do for You

Do you have easy access to the information you need to effectively manage your business? Many companies have sophisticated database systems with pre-programmed reports that really don't meet all of their needs. If you find yourself running multiple reports, culling through them for information you need, and creating your own reports by hand or with Excel or another program, you just might find that Crystal Reports is a great time saving tool for your organization.

Mobile Technical Institute's newly released Spring Success Seminar Series schedule for Mobile, AL business training and computer training classes is now available and can be viewed on MTI's online event calendar.

Computer Training

Hands-on computer training classes include Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Microsoft Office 2003, Microsoft Office 2007, Dreamweaver, Crystal Reports, Microsoft Project, Facebook, and more. A special Mastering Microsoft Office package is available for those interested in learning several sofware applications.

MTI Introduces New Hands-on Social Networking Series!

Facebook Essentials: Establish and Manage Your Professional Facebook Presence

You've heard all the hype about how important social networking is to your company's marketing strategy, but you're not sure why ... or how to get started. If you're ready to take the leap into next generation online marketing for your company or organization, MTI's hands-on social networking series is exactly what you need.

Facebook Essentials for Small Businesses and Nonprofit Organizations - Class 1 in the Series

It's a fact that professional certification is becoming increasingly important in every occupation, including the fields of information technology, human resource management, healthcare, food service, project management, and many other professions. Because the need for information about professional certification is so great, Mobile Technical Institute (MTI) has launched CertificationConnection.com, a free one-stop resource for individuals seeking tips and advice related to professional certification.

The Mobile Society for Human Resource Management (MSHRM) is sponsoring an exam training preparation course for the Human Resource Certification Institute's PHR and SPHR certification exams. Classes begin on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 and will meet on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 - 8:45 pm. The final class meeting will be May 4, with no class the weeks of Mardi Gras and Mobile County Public Schools spring break.

It is not necessary to be a MSHRM member to take the course, but members who pass the certification exam following course completion are eligible for partial reimbursement of exam fees. The exam will be given during December and January.

MTI Business Solutions has expanded its training and consulting offerings to include custom resume writing services. MTI’s career development team assists individuals at every career stage, creating a personalized resume designed to accurately convey the unique qualifications of each client.

According to Mary White, MTI’s Training Coordinator, “We decided to begin providing resume writing assistance as the result of an increased number of requests for this type of service from individuals who attend MTI’s professional development classes. With the recent changes in the job market, there is a real need for people in every career stage to create an up-to-date resume that sends the right message to prospective employers.“

MTI has moved! Mobile Technical Institute's training and certification testing center is now located at 1301 Azalea Road, Mobile, AL, 36693 (in the Business Innovation Center).

For additional information or to register for a class, email success@mtimail.com or call 251-478-6848. Online registration is also available.

Are you looking for a way to make extra money? I'll be publishing a series of blog posts with information about things that people can do to earn a few extra dollars on a regular basis. Here's the first one! ~~Mary White

Freelance Writing

If you have writing skills, there are plenty of opportunities to earn extra money as a freelance writer, creating content for a variety of websites and traditional publications. Here are a few organizations that utilize freelance writers that I have personal experience with. Check them out and see if one or more might be a good fit for you!

Attention Gulf Coast Job Seekers & Businesses!

The 11th Annual Business Expo/Jobs Fair is scheduled for April 24, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Mobile, AL Civic Center. More than 100 businesses will be at the event to discuss job opportunities and receive resumes, and to showcase their products and services. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. More than 5,000 visitors are expected.