Need To Succeed Kiss And Tell (NAPSA)—Movie seats, it seems, become love seats as Americans get close at the movies. According to a recent survey, nearly half of adults (45 percent) want to get close to their partner or spouse while watching a movie, and the majority of Americans (67 percent) have kissed a date while out at a movie. Romantic movies are America’s favorite films to watch when getting close—more than half (54 percent) opt for a romantic comedy or drama. Surprising to many, more men than women (38 percent vs. 32 percent) go for a romantic comedy when they want to get connected with a significant other. Some advice: Skip the horror films when on a date since fewer than 10 percent of women would choose that genre for getting close. The national survey was conducted to determine the romantic connection between Americans and the movies. The survey helps mark the world’s largest traveling outdoor movie festival, the Lever 2000 and Loews Cineplex “Movies in Motion” national tour. “The movies have always been America’s favorite place for entertainment but they are also a great place to get close,” said Paul Gilmartin, host of the tour and cohost of TBS Superstation’s Dinner & A Movie. Before making your move, at the movies or anywhere, however, it may help to get close with a bar of deodorant soap or a body wash such as Lever 2000. Nearly half of all Americans agree body odor is the biggest turn-off from physical contact with a date during a movie. Get Close and Connected Lovebirds nationwide will have a prime opportunity to get close at the “Movies in Motion” tour. In each of 15 cities, an 18-wheeler (NA P S A) — T h e r o l e o f t h e internal auditor in the business world is often overlooked. It is the first line of defense against theft and corporate corruption. The Institute of Internal Auditors, with more than 85,000 members worldwide, is the profession’s recognized authority, acknowledged leader and principal educator. The IIA has always believed any company spending investo r o r tax p aye r d o l l a r s should have a strong system of internal control that is monitored within the organization by internal auditing—it’s simply good business. Internal auditing is not only good for the organization’s health but in many cases critical to its very survival. To learn more, visit www.theiia.org. In comparing two job candidates with the same skills side by side, most employers will be inclined to interview the candidate whose resum does not have spelling and grammatical errors. These gaffes give the impression that you are lax on detail, so after you run a spell check, have a friend give your resum the white-glove treatment to make sure you haven’t “missed a spot.” If you need further assistance in Isn't It Romantic? Kiss and Tell: 67 percent of Americans have kissed while out watching a movie, according to the latest Lever 2000 survey on romance and the movies. Leading Lady: Halle Berry. Among Hollywood actresses, nearly one in five men (17 percent) named Halle Berry as the leading lady with whom they most want to get close and connected. Julia Roberts came in a close second (16 percent) and Jennifer Lopez finished third (12 percent). Leading Man: Harrison Ford. Harrison Ford topped the list of Tinseltown actors with whom women want to get close and connected, nabbing 22 percent of the vote. Denzel Washington came in second at 12 percent, while Brad Pitt and Pierce Brosnan tied for third (10 percent). “movie trailer,” movie screen and phenomenal 10,000 square foot tent will transform into the “Movies in Motion” Theatre Complex. Moviegoers can enjoy films with friends and family—from special pre-screenings to recent releases and classic movies. In addition to great movies, the tour offers a variety of fun, interactive, movie-related activities for the entire family. Festival-goers can be part of movie magic in the “Moments of Closeness” Trailer, featuring movie trivia, premiere trailers of upcoming summer blockbusters and the “Red Carpet Room” where fans can digitally “meet” their favorite stars and take home a commemorative photo. For more information about the tour, go to www.moviesinmotion tour.com. (NAPSA)—Do you have the job skills managers think are needed for success? Recently, a professional association surveyed 318 managers and 280 administrative professionals about the skills needed by today’s office support staff. Both groups prioritized the tasks that administrative professionals spend their day doing and the skills they need to succeed...and they didn’t always agree. According to the American Management Association’s survey, showing initiative, having a professional demeanor and good communication skills were the top three competencies identified by administrative professionals for success in their jobs. Managers ranked problemsolving, decision-making, meeting and event planning and flexibility as the most time-consuming tasks for their office support staff. The survey shows that administrative professionals spend most time on calendar management, correspondence, meeting and event planning, travel arrangements, and information management and budgeting. Managers, however, perceive information management and budgeting as the most time-consuming tasks. Followed by calender management, travel arrangements, correspondence and meeting and event planning. The AMA sponsors an annual Administrative Professionals Conference that addresses ways to improve overall job performance. T h i s y e a r, i t w i l l b e h e l d i n Orlando, Florida, September 22-24. To l ear n m or e, vi s i t www.amanet.org/ap2003 or call 1-800-262-9699. *** Aim for a star, and keep your sights high! With a heart full of faith within, your feet on the ground and your eyes in the sky. —Helen Lowrie Marshall *** updating or creating a resum, visit www.usadecco.com, where you will find a profile template for creating a well-structured resum. You can also search the site for thousands of job listings. Diamonds, it’s said, are a girl’s best friend, especially when the diamond is big. According to a recent survey, 82 percent of women in the United States want a diamond of half a carat or more, and say that bigger is definitely better. When contemplating a diamond purchase, you can get more information about selecting a diamond at www.adiamondisforever.com. *** Whatever you can do, or dream you can...begin it; boldness has genius, power and magic in it. —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe *** *** We work day after day, not to finish things; but to make the future better...because we will spend the rest of our lives there. —Charles F. Kettering *** 4 Crossing The Financial Planning Finish Line (NAPSA)—While a happy and comfortable retirement is the ultimate goal of most financial plans, sound financial advice can help you make the most of what you have worked so hard to achieve. If you think of your financial plan as a pyramid, the foundation would be protection against life’s uncertainties using insurance, the middle layer would be growing your investment and the top layer would be retirement and estate planning. Here are a few things to consider and discuss with a financial advisor: • Asset allocation—When you near or reach retirement age, the ground rules for investment may need to change. An all-stock portfolio may not make sense as some retirees and near retirees have learned over the past few years. Determining the right mix for you depends on many different questions. That’s why it’s a good idea to meet with a financial advisor who can help you navigate the process. • Annuities are a financial planning tool that can help you save and then provide you with a variety of payout options, including a secure and steady stream of income you cannot outlive. • Estate planning basics—A properly prepared estate plan lets you pass along what you own to whom you want to receive it, in the way you want them to receive it and when you want them to receive it. A great place to start is with a will. • Creating a will forces you to add up all of your assets—your home, your cars, your investments, your life insurance, etc. and then specify who gets what in your estate. If you have children, your will should also specify who their guardian will be if something happens to you and your spouse. Retirement planning and estate management involve some complex subjects. A financial advisor can help. An estate plan should also include: • A living will, also known as a health care proxy, enables you to make medical decisions that you would not want as a burden to your family. • Durable power of attorney allows someone to act on your behalf when you cannot be present. • Gifting means transferring money to someone while you’re still living and is the simplest way to reduce your estate tax liability. • Life insurance does something that no other product can do—it can create an instant estate. Life insurance is also a great vehicle for paying estate taxes. Managing your retirement and estate can seem a daunting task. That’s why it’s recommended that you first confer with a financial advisor with estate planning experience. Some of the most knowledgeable and professional insurance and financial advisors are members of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. For more information or to find a NAIFA member in your area, visit www.naifa.org and click on Consumer Info. *** I keep my friends as misers do their treasure, because, of all things granted us by wisdom, none is greater or better than friendship. —Pietro Aretino *** *** It is part of the business of life to be affable and pleasing to those whom either nature, chance or circumstance has made our companions. —Sir Thomas More *** *** I see the mind of the five-year-old as a volcano with two vents: destructiveness and creativeness. —Sylvia Ashton Warner ***