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The most common questions ThinkHR, an HR and compliance solution-provider, gets during the holiday season are surrounding holiday parties. The group provides recommendations here for the perfect office-appropriate get together. [Images: Fotolia. Find ThinkHR at thinkhr.com]

If you won the proverbial Wishbone pull during Thanksgiving dinner this year, what would you wish for? EBA asked brokers what their top wish would be for employee benefits, their clients, their company or themselves as Turkey Day approaches. And because the holiday is about expressing thanks, some also shared their top thank yous for the season. Share your own thoughts on our LinkedIn discussion board. And from all of us at EBA, we wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving holiday! [Images: Shutterstock]

John Graham, a sales and marketing expert, contends that “we are our presentations” because there’s only one person up there getting judged by the listeners. He says there are some important tips to ensure a successful presentation and make sure your story puts you at the top of presenters.

Just like your blood pressure can sneak up on you, Miller Ingenuity chief executive officer Steve Blue says there are silent factors that could catch you off guard and ruin your business. Blue, a business strategy consultant, says brokers should watch for these warning signs that the health of your business may be at risk …

Job-hunters that want an option with work-life balance need certain traits to make themselves appealing, says business and workplace expert Alexandra Levit. Levit and FlexJobs, an online service for part-time and telecommuting work, say there are certain qualities that a person must have in order to make this type of job work. [Images: Fotolia]

EBA talked with advisers like you across the nation and here's how they answered the question, "Why is it great to be an independent broker or adviser?"

As you hit the beaches, roads and even your own backyard hammocks this summer, scoop up a copy or two of the latest and greatest books in the benefits biz for the year. EBA has assembled a list of the professional must-reads for summer 2013 so you can still feel productive while sipping that happy hour Mai Tai.

More than 70% of sales leads are lost because contact isn't made quickly enough, according to one study. But Brandon Stuerke, president of Advisors Edge Marketing, a specialist in marketing strategy and automation for financial advisers and other professionals, points out there are other ways to lose out on sales opportunities. Stuerke, a former financial adviser, shares four ways professionals commonly lose sales leads and how to fix them. [images: Thinkstock]

Building your own business, even with a team of experts behind you, requires tough decisions regarding resources, clients and employees. But most of all it requires leadership. Shirl Penney launched Dynasty Financial Partners more than two years ago and here are some of his tips on continuing to build a business. Penney blogs for Financial Planning, a SourceMedia publication.

Learn how to turn a referral into a quality introduction with five critical things you should do, according to Bill Cates. Bill Cates is this author of several books including Get More Referrals Now! Cates blogs for Financial Planning, a SourceMedia publication.