You Should Make Walking An Every Day Priority

No one needs to be reminded that the fitness craze has arrived in full bloom and hints to us that it’s not going away anytime soon.

For the more, shall we say, “leisurely” type of person, this can cause a lot of guilt. “I’m going to start walk.ng — next week.” “How hard can it be to just walk for 30 minutes? I can do that. I just haven’t had time.” We’ve all heard (and sometimes used) one of these excuses.

The one reason people don’t do what they don’t absolutely have to do is simple: They don’t want to, and they don’t have to. We grow up learning that death and taxes are the only two inevitables. Now they want us to exercise?

Exercise is thought of by many people as a forced kind of event, and walking hovers near the top of the list in the “boring” category. “I don’t want to just WALK! What’s the point, where’s the destination?” we ask.

Well, just like everything else, there are loopholes here aplenty; it’s up to the individual to make something so intolerably “boring” pretty interesting. It’s also imperative to your health that you rethink that statement and re-prioritize your life.

Just think of it this way: Do you place a high enough priority on yourself and your well-being? It never hurts to remind yourself of the health benefits you’d gain by walking regularly. It’s true — you will not notice these long-term benefits right away, you will notice these things: You’ll have more energy. You’ll sleep better. You’ll be fitter. And you’ll be happier.

Still not enough? OK. On those days you really can’t seem to set aside a half hour for a walk, you CAN walk. Find shorter segments of time where walking naturally fits into your schedule. If you’re used to driving everywhere, this may take a little rethinking. But consider this: If you have a short errand to do, a meeting to attend, or a child to pick up, walk. If you’re headed to see a movie, to worship, to a game, walk. Although it may take a few minutes longer than normal, remind yourself of your efficient use of time: you’re actually accomplishing several things at once. (This is a mental trick, but it works.)

Look, if our ancestors survived the Ice Age, it won’t kill you to walk in the rain. In our age of climate control and central air, we like our environment to remain comfortable at all times. But, come on, how “boring” is that?

Another trick is to think of walking as a basic human need, like sleep, shelter, and food. Then, after you complete your 30 minutes, reward yourself with any of the other three needs. Walk back home and go in the kitchen.

The key is to never demand too much from yourself. So what if the dishes aren’t done? Do them later. You’ll live longer and more healthfully if you walk instead of do the dishes! And doctors don’t prescribe doing the laundry a certain amount of times during the week. These are the “blocks” you put in front of yourself that keep you from walking.

It certainly isn’t easy to change our priorities in today’s hectic world, but it’s harder to begin “getting healthy” when it’s a little too late — and the house is spotless.

The Art Of Display

Every day you are surrounded by displays. There are so many types of displays, some that may not even come to mind when you think of the word display.

While strolling through the mall you are bombarded by window displays of the latest fashions, accessories or must haves. When walking down the streets of any city, you can become mesmerized by the window displays that you pass. Some people even entertain themselves by window shopping or checking what is on display. There are people that make special trips to see what is on display.

There is the public display of affection. This often has various affects on people. If you pass by two people making out right out in the public forum you could have a couple of reactions. Maybe youre angered, disgusted, jealous, happy to see two people in love or maybe you completely ignore it. If thats the case it couldnt have been that much of a display in the first place.

During the holidays we often see many types of light displays. Most, I would say, are tasteful while others are obscene. I have been witness to a holiday display that had every symbolic figure displayed on his lawn and in his yard. It was actually quite atrocious to look at but that is definitely a display that gets a lot of attention. Its a good thing too, because people give him donations when they come to view his holiday display and this gentleman gives it all to charity. ‘Tis the season giving!

There are also displays on phones, treadmills, televisions and computer monitors. These displays have different letters to describe them. For example, theres LCD, which is liquid crystal displays and there are LEDs or light emitting diodes. Im not sure which one is better, but theyre both the preferred method of television and electronics displays.

Stores need to purchase displays to put all of their merchandise on. Think about a Hallmark store and their displays. They probably have glass display cases and shelves, cute picket fence displays, greeting card displays and stuffed animal displays. There are wind chime displays and candle displays. And of course dont forget the candy displays. There isnt a general merchandise store around that would be complete without a candy display.

Sale items are always on display at the ends of every isle in grocery stores, variety stores or hardware stores. It is a silent calling to the consumer saying, check me out, Im on sale and Im on display. Buy me, buy me.

We put people, animals and objects on display. Any museum is a perfect example of this. There are art museums, aquariums, and botanical gardens. There are circuses, theatrical plays, and the covers of magazines even that put people on display. Sometimes we even like to put ourselves on display for others. Men and womens magazines make huge profits from men and women putting their bodies on display. The same goes for Victorias Secret. They have made huge profits from women putting their bodies and their lingerie on display.

Displays are always trying to get us to buy something, try something or be something. Window displays want us to buy the entire outfit, the treadmill displays want us to push ourselves to do something we havent accomplished before, end caps in stores want us to spend more money too. Museums and tourist attractions want us to enjoy something. Whether it be displays of affection, clothing, animals or holiday lights they are all works of art and somebody has put some time and effort into making their display attractive.

How To Make Extra Money Online

You might have seen so many websites that offer you chances and opportunities to make money online at your own home or at work. It may seem very convenient and very easy to do. It’s like a miracle enterprise that promises to give money and make you rich instantly.

However, you should choose what kind of online business you want to do carefully. First you have to think of the advantages of owning an online business. In difference to real world shops your online business will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You dont need employees to run your online business, therefore, no need for extra office space. And lastly, you can work from your own home easily and youll have more time for yourself.

There is a wide variety of online businesses that you can do. Choose one that interests you. If you have no interests in fishing starting a fishing website is obviously something you should avoid.

Here are some ways to make an extra buck on the internet. It is very imporant to be aware that you won’t make money overnight! You need to start small and once profits start coming in re-invest.

Affiliate programs

This is one of the most popular ways to make money online. All you need is a theme-based website and targeted internet traffic. Many companies are willing to pay you if you promote their products.in whatever way you can. – Of course spamming is a big NO, NO. – To do this, you first need a theme-based website with a specific topic. Think of something that interests you, like your hobby or your previous work, write an article about it and post it on your website. After your website is up and running, with all the buttons functioning the way they should be, sign up with a company as an affiliate.

The company you sign up with as an affiliate should be selling products or services that are relevant to your websites theme or topic. The company will then give you a link to post on your website, it may be a banner or it may be just a text link. After you posted the companys banner or text link, keep in mind that the company will not pay you by just posting their link. They require you to get them visitors from your website to buy their products; this is where you get your commission.

The real work begins.

The key to success when trying to make money from affiliate programs is targeted internet traffic. What targeted traffic means is that the visitors on your website should be people who are interested in what you are discussing, and since what youre discussing is relevant to the servicess offered by the affiliate program you are promoting, visitors might consider buying something from the affiliate company.

To get targeted traffic, one of the most common and easy methods is by writing articles and posting them at article publishing websites. Always include your websites URL after every article you write. Do not just write an article about anything; this will not get you targeted internet traffic. Write about something about your website’s topic. By doing this, readers will be interested in what youre advertising on your website.

Taking Online Surveys

Companies will actually pay you just to get your opinion about their products. Surveys are like product research and development; companies are using the internet to get peoples opinion so they can effectively sell their product or services. All you have to do is sign up with a survey company and then they will send you surveys via email.

Most companies will pay you five to ten dollars for every survey you take, depending on how long the survey is. The number of surveys that will be sent to you are low, so it is a good idea to sign up with as many survey companies as you can to get a sufficient income.

There are more ways to make extra money online; some of them require you to store products. But if you want to make money immediately, you definitely should consider affiliate programs and online surveys.

Time-Saving Back-To-School Solutions

It’s enough to make harried parents dread the return of the big yellow bus. To get their kids ready for the new school year, it’s not enough that they have to find the perfect backpack, clothes and supplies-they also have to at least try to make sure all those new purchases don’t get lost before winter vacation.

“Let’s face it-parents have less time today than ever before,” says Amy Lipton, a mom, organizational consultant and CEO of Stuck on You. “One of the biggest challenges parents and children face when getting ready for school is keeping track of personal belongings.”

Lipton, who’s worked with hundreds of schools and day-care centers across the country to develop her line of personalized labeling products for school-aged children, has heard the same issues from parents again and again. Four of her most popular products address what she’s found to be the key concerns of parents of children heading back to class:

Clothing Crises: To be sure that everyone knows which stuff belongs to your child, Stuck on You developed Clothing Tattoos-personalized, permanent iron-on transfers available in white, blue or pink. Great for identifying children’s school clothing, especially uniforms that all look alike, the tattoos adhere directly to fabric so they don’t irritate the skin.

Allergen Alerts: For parents who have children with food or environmental allergies, each new school year brings challenges-and the best way to avoid a potentially fatal allergy attack is information. Allergy-Free Zone labels-”Nut-Free Zone,” “Dairy-Free Zone” and “Egg-Free Zone”-alert caretakers to keep certain products away from allergen-sensitive little ones. Each is dishwasher- and microwave-safe, and special labels with health-related messages may be custom ordered.

Lost Bags: Available in 18 designs in five different colors, Stuck On You’s Bag Tags allow children to express their individuality while helping you spot your child’s pack at a glance.

Subject Confusion: Keeping track of your child’s schoolwork makes everything from homework time to rounding up sick-day assignments easier. Bright and cheerful subject labels let parents peel and stick 16 different easily identifiable labels on notebooks, folders and binders.

Which online accounting school is right for me?

You have just made an important decision to earn your accounting degree at an online university.

Your next task is to find out which online accounting school is the right one for you. This is a crucial step in starting your online accounting school education.

Refer to this checklist as a guide in making the right decision.

Appropriately Accredited Accounting Program
Many schools claim to be accredited. But are their accreditations specific to your educational needs? Select an online institution that follows the standards set by The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and/or Fundamentals of Bookkeeping program.

Transfer of Credits
If you have previously taken some accounting subjects in another school, look for an online school that will credit these units. It would be a waste to retake subjects you have previously studied in another school.

Appropriate Technologies
The use of technologies is a critical component in online learning. Most virtual schools use a combination of these technologies.

Audio – examples of these include audio-conferencing, tapes, and CD ROMs.
Video tools such as slides, video tapes, and video-conferencing.
Computer aided applications such as e-mail, discussion boards, instant messaging programs, and websites.

Select the school which uses a combination of proven technologies. Many innovative software programs still have glitches that schools need to sort out, so be wary of schools using older technology.

Personal Academic Advisor
Will the school assign a personal academic advisor to you? One who will take care of the managerial details of your enrollment, guide you in the selection of your subjects, and help you plan your career choices? If these services are available find out how you can take full advantage of them.

Qualified Online Faculty
Select an online university whose faculty members have been trained and are experienced in the use of these technologies.

Flexible Schedule
Look for an online school, which allows you to set your learning pace, or one that offers an accelerated format.

Limited Number of Students
Consider enrolling in an online university where there are few students per class. The ideal ratio is 8-13 students to a teacher. In terms of learning you will get a bigger slice of your professors guidance.

Ask the prospective school about their accounting graduates. How many have graduated? Is there a testimonial section where you can read these satisfied graduates comments?

Financing Options
Does the school have low interest financing plans or scholarships? What lending processes do they participate in? Find out and ease your tuition fee load. Remember an education is a major financial investment.

It is imperative that you select the online accounting school that is right for you. This decision will have a direct impact on the quality of education you will receive, your career, and future financial prospects. Good luck!

Saddam Hussein Seeks Mcdonald’s Francise

Saddam Hussein, in his latest bid to escape execution for crimes against his own people, has applied to McDonalds for a franchise. The application is widely regarded as a move by his defense team to convince the court that, if his life is spared, he will be a model citizen in the Iraq of the future.

In his application, Hussein states that he has a great deal of fast-food experience from his months on the run. He also states that, if granted the franchise, he will cease and desist from pathological social behavior that brings into question his qualifications to be a reputable franchisee. He has applied for a location in Bagdad that affords a view of one of his former palaces, so he might find peace in reminiscence as conducts his burger business.

Upon approval by McDonalds, the agreement will be submitted to the court. At that time, the defense is expected to claim that he should be acquitted on the grounds that there is no precedent whatsoever for hanging a McDonalds franchisee.

Depending on the outcome of Husseins plea, his codefendants may or may not apply to McDonalds. There is some disagreement among them, as to whether or not their should try to corner the McDonalds market or have the courage to compete with their former boss by opening rival chains, such as Burger King and Wendys. One defendant is reportedly considering an Applebys franchise, apparently because of a misunderstanding. He wishes one day to be accepted as American as apple pie and is unaware that the chain is, in reality, just another burger joint.

Ramsey Clark states, The move by Hussein to become a McDonalds franchisee clearly indicates that he intends to reform himself and should be given opportunity.

While many Sunnis seem eager to patronize the former dictators restaurant, Shiites and Kurds are threatening to boycott it.

The American military has voiced concern about possible reprisals, particularly the threat of suicide bombers disguised as drive-through patrons.

Online Education: Study At Your Own Pace!

Online education is becoming increasingly popular because it allows people who may not ordinarily have the opportunity to get qualifications, to do so. Those of us who work do not have the time to commit to full time education and with bills to pay, and family to look after it becomes even more difficult to fit evening courses into an already full schedule. However, an online education means you can study at your own pace and time while still earning a reputable and useful qualification.

Regardless of the area you want to study you will be able to find an online college or university that offers the qualification you are looking for. Start by looking around your local area because even online education may sometimes require personal tutoring or exams and these cant always be done on the Internet.

Once you know the course you want to study and you have applied, its time to start working. An online education demands a greater level of commitment and you should make sure that you always offer the commitment that is required. You will have to do all your work off your own back in order to earn the qualification you want, but this means you should have a greater sense of satisfaction when completed.

Those who study through an online education facility have, in years gone by, struggled to receive the full acclamation for their efforts. However, reports show that executive and higher paid jobs invariably go to those with a degree or similar qualifications and employees now recognize the level of commitment and need for pro activity that is required to complete and online education course. You too could take advantage of this recognition while still retaining your current job. In fact, you could use your newfound qualification to get the promotion or pay rise that you feel you deserve.

Cheap And Easy Party Food – Throw A Great Party Without Spending A Fortune

If you are planning a party, you already know that food can be one of your biggest expenses. However, you can take several steps to cut your party food costs. It is not necessary to purchase expensive appetizers and beverages to throw a great party. A little imagination and effort can make your party a memorable occasion.

Here are some ideas and suggestions to help you save money on food when throwing your next party:

Have a potluck

A potluck is certainly cheaper than hiring a caterer and you will save a lot of time and money by having your guests prepare a dish to share with others. Potluck is fun and you will surely end up with an interesting assortment of foods. To make things simpler, include a suggestion as to what type of dish you would like your guests to bring such as a dessert, vegetable, or salad.

Finger foods are fun

Small sandwiches, chips, dips, and vegetable trays are relatively inexpensive and you won’t need to bother with place settings and bringing out your best china. Simply supply napkins and small paper plates and allow your guests to serve themselves from an assortment of bite size goodies.

Back to basics

Fruit and cheese are excellent choices for casual party foods that don’t require fancy place settings or dishes. Buy fresh fruit in season when you are likely to find certain varieties on sale and fill your table will a variety of cheeses, crackers, and perhaps olives and nuts.

Go Italian

If your party will be a dinner party where fingers foods are not appropriate, you can try spaghetti with garlic bread and salad, or you could find a good deal on pizza that you can have delivered. You will save time and it is quite easy to find a bargain on different types of pizza.

Thrifty Thirst Quenchers

For party beverages, two-liter soft drinks and bottled water are inexpensive and very easy to serve. Provide ice and cups and allow your guests to serve themselves. Tea and coffee are cheap as is lemonade that you make fresh or from concentrate.

Your party does not have to cost a lot of money to be a huge success. Look for sales on the foods and beverages you choose and plan ahead so you will have time to shop around be fore you buy.

Give yourself a headache

Now I’ve always thought that pain is mostly mental, it just makes sense. I’ve got myself into trouble with that statement before, but here is why I bring it up:

I just finished writing several articles on different Diseases and Illnesses. Topics like: Tinnitus, and Thrush, Lice, Tuberculosis, Porphyria. What is Tinnitus? ricies. Where I’m going with this: After you look at pictures, read and write on these different topics, you start to feel unclean and a bit sick yourself. Why is that?Why is it that some people will faint when they give blood, and others can be surgeons?

A quick question. Do you believe that it is possible to give yourself a headache? Or a sore leg? a headache, or a stomach or a pimple or a?

It’s an interesting idea but after writing this article I haven’t been able to stop itching my head:

“Pediculosis, is the technical term for infestation of lice. Lice are parasitic insects that live on the bodies of humans. Often times this condition is known by its more common street names: Head/Pubic/Body lice.”

“Most commonly symptoms of lice infestation include itching. If excessive this itching or scratching of the infested areas can cause sores. These sore area’s can become infected.”

There are some pretty nasty things out there. My suggesion: sensitize and sanitize yourself from as many as them as possible. Don’t get curious and look at the pictures, or read the info. Avoid contact with infected people and washing your hair never went too far astray.

Reading Food Lables; Buyer Beware!

As you stroll up and down the isles at the supermarket filling your grocery cart, you are armed with everything you need to make sure you choose your items wisely. Making good, healthy choices is the very reason you carefully put together your shopping list the night before. Now, you know that most of the snack food items are taboo and should be off limits, but maybe you could take a walk down junk food lane on the off chance you might find something acceptable to munch on later. When you see the words “low fat” or “fat-free”, your brain automatically gives you the go-ahead because these foods can’t make you gain weight, right? But, is that really all there is to it, or is there more here than meets the eye?

According to studies, Americans eat around 49,000 extra calories every year which translates into a grand total of 14 extra pounds of body fat per year. This is why an estimated 65% of Americans are considered overweight. In essence, Americans are slowly getting fatter, and it is largely from the consumption of “fat-free” foods.

The problem is, while “fat-free” foods contain no actual fat, many of them do contain high amounts of sugar. It is all this sugar that has been added to these products that allows them to be called “fat-free”. Consuming high amounts of sugar will cause you to gain weight because sugar makes your blood sugar levels rise rapidly, causing a large insulin response. Insulin, particularly in high amounts, will transport much of this sugar right to your fat cells for storage. With this in mind, is there anything you can do to prevent yourself from being lured into the labeling web of deceit?

Here are some things that will help clear up the blurriness of labeling reading so you can have a more clear view of what’s really in there.

To start with, always read everything on the label. Do not just look at the fat content then only skim down at the rest. Look at the sugar content and compare it to the overall carbohydrate content to see how much of the carbohydrates are actually sugar.

Always compare the calories from fat to the total calories. Fat should not be higher than 30% of the total calories at the absolute most.

Look at the protein content and try to make sure there is at least a decent amount of it in the item. Protein rich foods like granola make good, healthy snacks.

Also important is to look for the fiber content of certain foods. When you buy breakfast cereal for example, make sure it has at least 5 grams of dietary fiber per serving. Also try to buy whole grain items like whole wheat bread and whole wheat pasta as these also provide decent amounts of fiber.

Aside from reading the labels, you should also read the list of ingredients. Here is where you get to see what is actually in each item. When buying any flour items such as bread or pasta, avoid anything with the words enriched, bleached, or white flour in the ingredients. The more enriched a product is, the less nutritious it is. White flour has a very high sugar content and therefore is not the best choice. Look for items with whole wheat flour instead.

One thing that gets hidden in the list of ingredients that you really need to be aware of is the trans fats. These trans fats are cleverly disguised with the words “hydrogenated vegetable oil”. These are oils that the manufacturer adds hydrogen to in order to transform them from their liquid form to a solid form. These fats are more dangerous by far than saturated fats and you know how bad saturated fats are. If you see the key word “hydrogenated” anywhere in the ingredients, put it down, back away slowly, then turn, run, and don’t look back!

Always remember to read everything on both the nutrition label and the list of ingredients before buying an item. Never let yourself be fooled into thinking an item won’t make you gain weight by the words “fat-free” so boldly displayed on the front of the package. It is this kind of deception that has been the cause of unwanted weight gain throughout the nation. Remember, the FDA requires all food manufactures to disclose everything in their products to you, but it is ultimately up to you to read far enough to find it all.

The next time you go food shopping, take these tips with you and ensure yourself that you are making the right choices for you and your family.

Create a Trade Show Booth That Generates Buzz

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in early January 2006 was a blow-out four-day trade show attracting some 150,000 guests and 2,500 exhibitors. The trade show floor was 28 football fields worth of space and exhibits spanned 1.6 billion square feet of convention space. This dynamic trade show gave us a peek into the future of a plug and play lifestyle where we can work, play, and keep in touch when we want, where we want.

The incredible momentum around these new products and services shows that the digital lifestyle has truly gone mainstream this year, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates said in his opening keynote address. Now its time to bring together the devices, software, and services in peoples lives and take all these experiences to the next level.

To introduce the latest technologies, the most effective trade show displays combined drama, creativity and design to broadcast their message and pound home their brand awareness. On the other hand, there were trade show exhibits that lacked creativity and pizzazz and went virtually unnoticed by the milling show floor throng.
Clients who want their trade show appearance to make a dramatic impact often ask about the traits of a trade show booth that hits it big on all cylinders. They want to know what the innovative trade show leaders do differently and how they can also stand out against the competition.

Event Marketer covered the CES show and ranked the trade show booths as to their appeal. Just a few of their favorites were AOL, Dolby and Daewoo. Here are a few pointers that resulted from why they picked these trade show exhibits:

1.Have your trade show booth provide a valuable service to attendees
AOL scored big when they offered their high speed Internet service free to all weary trade show goers. Attendees found a comfortable place to relax, check their email, and surf the web. While this was going on, AOL got to showcase their companys services such as music on demand, Mobile, AIM, and City Guide. This was a win-win situation that helped trade show attendees check in with their offices in real time while appreciating AOL as their host.

2.Find a location that stands apart from the crowd
AOL was inside the concierge tent and therefore got lots of exposure and foot traffic. They commanded a corner in the concierge tent which was located in the parking lot outside the main hall. Their entry had a 20-screen TV wall showing brand logos and concert videos. There were 20 laptops for guests to use and six were mounted on mechanical arms, which could be reached by attendees relaxing in comfortable chairs.

3.Find creative ways to be in the moment. AOL corporate executives off site were able to view the inside of their trade show booth as a web camera filmed the action inside their booth at the show in real time. They could critique booth activity in real time and coach exhibit personnel on traffic flow, visitor reactions and fresh ideas for engaging prospects.

4.Use eye-catching designs, shapes and tension fabrics. Daewoo used a large wall constructed of 17 LCD screens with 36 fabric screens with rear-projected graphics as its focal point. Huge fin-shaped tension fabric structures with custom lighting lined TV display stands at the sides of the exhibit. They used a logo laden two-sided tower perched on top of the info desk at the entrance with 10 LCD screens built into the pillar. Visitors were fascinated by the compelling visual drama.

5.Create a space for attendees to try out your products. Dolby had a gaming zone that allowed guests to try out their new Xbox 360 racing game, Burnout. The Xboxs Dolby Digital sound was like a beckon that cast a spell on visitors alluring them to the trade show booth.

Remember that by incorporating movement, color, lights and action in your trade show booth you get to showcase new technology while entertaining and mesmerizing your guests. Techniques such as these can make for an unforgettable trade show experience.

Dick Wheeler is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The firm is a full-service premiere trade show exhibit, graphics and management services company. For addtional information, go to www.proexhibits.com.
Copyright 1996-2006, Professional Exhibits & Graphics. All Rights Reserved

Expressing You! – Bringing your Presentation to Life

Copyright 2006 Deborah Torres Patel

Whether you are an investor, entrepreneur, employee, self-employed or unemployed the ability to present yourself and your ideas powerfully has never been more important than in todays dynamic information age. Speaking well can influence others views, close a deal, motivate your team, enhance your business, and elevate your reputation.

Many people get jitters speaking in public. Lilly Walters author of Secrets of Successful Speakers says 75% of stage fright can be reduced by rehearsal and preparation, 15% by deep breathing, and 10% by mental preparation. Thorough preparation alleviates anxiety and ultimately provides a consistent structure for achieving extraordinary results.

PREPARE
Create template presentations before you need them. If you use power point, keep text to a minimum with only one idea, no more than six lines per slide, large, readable, and consistent fonts. Most business people prefer little to no slide animation. Summarize often. Never read from your slides/flipcharts and always face your audience. Remember, you are the star not your visual aids.

Customize for your audience. Go to websites and printed materials to gather information like vision, mission and values first. Then interview relevant people to find out where the pain is in relation to your product, service, or topic. Ask questions like, what are the internal/external challenges/changes your organization is currently facing? What is the objective/purpose for the meeting? What result would you like to see achieved? Are there others presenting? If so, who are they and where are they on the schedule? How much time will I have? How much Q&A should be included in my total presentation time? Is there anything else you could add to help me do an even better job?

Get details like the date, directions to venue, meeting start/end times, presentation start/end times, dress code, attendees, VIPs, agenda, equipment availability, etc. If youre flying in, ask about the closest airport and number of miles/kilometers to venue, recommended transport from airport to meeting site or hotel and all contact phone numbers. If you are meeting overseas, inquire about business and cultural etiquette.

Organize memorable openings and closings by asking a question, mentioning something relevant in the news, using a quotation or audio/video clip. Most adults are visual so be creative. Weave humor throughout your talk. If you dont consider yourself to be funny, use humorous photos, drawings, unusual clip art, quotes or media clips. Never tell a story or joke that would remotely offend anyone. Relate your closing to your opening coming full circle. Answer questions. End with a strong summary and a compelling call to action.

PRACTICE
When your content is ready, start practicing aloud. Pay special attention to or memorize your beginning, key points, and ending. If you need insurance, use note cards or visual cues. During this process, you will inevitably make revisions and improvements. After rehearsing aloud several times, record yourself on video. Time yourself. Watch your practice session and make adjustments until you are comfortable with your content and delivery.

PLAN
Plan what to wear in advance choosing clothes that make you look and feel great. Dress appropriately. To gain instant respect and boost your confidence, dress a bit better than your audience does.

Reconfirm date, time, venue, and agenda. If you are traveling for your meeting, pack early including a checklist for last minute items. Always have a multimedia CD backup, wireless remote and carry everything you will need for your presentation with you. To be safe, carry an extension cable, a power strip, adaptors, and backup batteries.

PROTECT
The day before and the day of an important presentation, avoid alcohol, smoke, caffeine, chocolate, and antihistamines because of their drying effects. If flying, recycled air in planes is dehydrating and speaking above engine noise can put a strain on your voice so talk as little as possible in-flight. A moist vocal tract will give you the best sound with the least amount of physical exertion. To stay hydrated, consume eight to ten glasses of water daily.

To prevent excess mucus, avoid dairy products and sugar. Grain alcohol, vodka, beer, and red wine can also increase mucus. If you cannot avoid alcohol, choose white wine before a presentation.

Sufficient sleep is absolutely essential to maximum performance.

PRIME
1. In the morning, do a good physical workout to give you energy and focus for the day.

2. Do some self-massage and vocal warm ups in the shower. Massage the base of your tongue, the temporomandibular joint (just by your ears between your cheeks and jaw) and neck and shoulders. Make funny faces to exercise facial muscles, do your favorite tongue twisters, and sing an uplifting song.

3. Before and during your presentation, drinks should be without carbonation and not too hot or too cold. Avoid combining protein and starch in the same meal and only eat fruit on an empty stomach.

4. Run through your presentation physically if you have the time.

5. Arrive early. Set up well in advance. Test and double-check all equipment.

6. Own the room imagining your energy fills the entire space extending to all walls and corners. State your intention aloud four times facing a different wall or direction each time. (i.e. to win the business)

7. Close your eyes. In your minds eye, imagine a person, place, or thing that you love. If you are religious or spiritual, you may want to connect with your higher power. Allow six or more deep breaths. Breathe in love on the inhale and on the exhale, let go of any tension, anxiety, or stress.

8. With your eyes still closed, mentally run through your presentation. Visualize success seeing your desired outcome.

9. Play a fast piece of music you love, dance, or walk briskly around the presentation room to pump yourself up and burn excess adrenaline. If its not possible for you to do this, run in place or jump up and down for 20-30 seconds somewhere private. If neither is possible, do simple isometric exercises, tensing and releasing muscles while sitting or standing.

10. Acknowledge yourself for the time and energy you have invested to do your best. Trust and BE yourself.

PRESENT
Start and stop on time. Address audience comfort before you begin. Be flexible and able to cut your presentation short, if necessary. Make direct eye contact and speak to your audience as if you were having a conversation with a friend. Move around and gesture freely. Smile, have fun, and be enthusiastic about what you are saying. Focus on delivering maximum value to your listeners. Now, it is all about them.

PLAYBACK
If you can, record all of your presentations on video for playback and feedback. A discreet alternative is a pocket-sized audio recorder. Recordings are especially useful for capturing questions, objections, comments, and action items. Always leave a handout, flyer, brochure, or business card making it easy for people to contact you.

The path to mastery is practice. Confucius said, A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Enjoy the journey.

Spending Plan – A Nice Word For Budget

To many people the word budget.implies something constraining and negative. But a budget is really nothing more than a spending plan. By planning how and when you will spend your money, you are really just living within a budget.

A budget is an essential element in money management. If you do not know where and when money is going to be spent, there is simply no way to control it. If you are not made of money, and who among us is, then control measures must be in place to maximize the money you do have.

Years ago when I was first married, my husband sat me down and wanted to discuss the budget. I cringed at those words. I didnt want to be told how or when I was going to spend money. So he changed his tactic and told me that we needed to work on our spending plan. Now, that got my attention. I liked the idea of knowing that we were going to be doing something about spending! Just changing the words allowed me to be more open to the idea.

In developing your spending plan, you must first keep careful records of what and where you are currently spending your money. This can be as simple as just writing down items in a notebook or as complex as buying some financial software to keep track of purchases. You may even consider keeping a folder or envelope in the car or in your purse where you can keep receipts. One of the most important elements though is recording every purchase. Keep all those receipts and write down every time you spend money, whether it is a cash purchase, by check, credit card, automatic payment, or withdrawal from the ATM. Later, you can put these purchases into categories and identity your spending pattern. How much of your money goes to food, eating out, gas, clothing, housing, car payments, etc. It will take some time to train yourself to do this, but once you establish this habit, it will go a long way to helping you really control your spending. Once you have identified your current spending, then you are ready to make a plan for future spending.

Developing a spending plan is one step to gaining control of your money and making the most of what you have.

Modern Uses For Ceramics

We commonly think of ceramics as art objects and decorations. But ceramics really are diverse pieces of multi-purpose material that are made from burning formed pieces of pottery. This shaped clay started out many years ago being hand-formed and was eventually made with a wheel to iron out any fingerprints or major imperfections.

Handmade ceramic is still made as an art form today, even though it is no longer the industry standard for making objects. As a beginner you would learn to mold, glaze and trim the clay to form objects. Uniquely painted, polished and decorated ceramic is always sought after. Developing your own style will come from practice and experimentation.

Most ceramic materials, however, are now made with precision using machines that do not rely at all on the human touch. But it doesnt mean that this molded clay doesnt touch our lives. Modern developments have made it possible for companies to create new and diverse products from the clay that can change how we do things in the future.

Well-Known Uses for Ceramics

Most people are aware of the presence of ceramics in their homes. It can commonly be found in their art sculptures, dishes, platters and other kitchen wear, kitchen tiles and bathroom structures. It is functional and often beautiful.

Lesser-Known Uses for Ceramics

What most people arent aware of is how diverse ceramic materials really are. They can be used for almost anything. Ceramics are currently used for computers, tools, dental replacements, engine parts and tiles on space shuttles. Ceramics play an important role in our everyday lives, even the parts we cant see and dont give much thought to.

Future Uses for Ceramics

Scientists are just beginning to tap into the many uses for ceramic. The biggest area we expect to see growth in is how it will help in our life functions. It will be able to sense our needs and deliver medicine as needed. It will be able to remove impurities from our drinking water. It will be used to replace bones such as hips, knees and shoulders. It will be able to replace diseased heart valves. The health benefits from using ceramic in the medical field are remarkable.

A common use for ceramic today is in the dental field. Ceramic can be used to make fillings, crowns, veneers, implants and brackets used for holding braces in place. As an increasingly vain society, ceramic will be used more often not only for our dental needs, but to improve the look of our teeth in general.

Because of the remarkable electric, mechanic, thermal, optical and magnetic abilities, ceramic materials have numerous uses. The possibilities of how we use ceramic are literally endless. From the medical field to computer technology, ceramic material has and will have a profound effect on how we do things. It can really change the way we live, how long we live and how well we live. It will make our day-to-day life easier, increase our technology and help us to live long, healthy lives even when our natural body parts can no longer support us.

Develop a Stone Floor Care Program for Your Cleaning Business

Copyright 2006 The Janitorial Store

Office buildings have many types of flooring and growing in popularity are stone floors. Stone floors give buildings a classic and upscale image. Popular choices in flooring these days are natural surfaces including marble, slate, granite, and terrazzo. As more and more buildings are installing stone floors there is a growing need for cleaning contractors who have the experience and knowledge to take care of these valued surfaces properly. Learning the tricks of stone floor care can lead to extra income and profit for your cleaning company.

Before expanding into the area of stone floor care make sure that you understand the differences in the types of flooring and how to design a maintenance program to keep stone floors looking their best. It helps to develop a relationship with a distributor that has quality products and can help you with technical support.

The first step in any floor maintenance program is finding out what type of stone you’re dealing with. Stone floors are broken down into one of two categories: stone that contains calcium and those that do not contain calcium. It is important to note that acids will attack and etch stone that contains calcium.

If the floor is not coated on the surface, a simple test can determine what type of stone you are dealing with. Place a drop of hydrochloric acid in an inconspicuous area and watch the reaction. If the acid fizzes the stone contains calcium. If there is no reaction, the stone is most likely granite, slate, sandstone or some type of ceramic that has been designed to look like natural stone.

Your second step is to decide what type of results you want with your floor program. Do you want a polished surface, a slip resistant floor or a floor program that is easy to manage? Any stone floor program should also take into account the type of surface – polished, honed or textured. Also, remember that stone is a product of nature and should be admired for its inconsistencies. The imperfections of stone create random patterns, which is what makes natural stone so desirable.

When looking at how you should maintain stone floors, both calcium containing and non-calcium containing stone floors should be maintained in identical ways except when it comes to re-polishing. A marble floor develops wear patterns faster as marble is a softer stone. You can polish marble, limestone and terrazzo effectively with superfine abrasives you mix with potassium oxalate or oxalic acid. These are typical compounds available in various ready to use formulas.

Granite floors, on the other hand, are acid resistant requiring granite to be polished mechanically using superfine abrasives. The re-polishing of granite is a slow process as compared to re-polishing a marble floor.

At times the floor will have been so neglected it may need restoration. A properly restored stone floor will have no lippage (where one edge of a stone is higher than adjacent edges, giving the stone a ragged appearance), will look better and be easier to clean. The restoration process is best handled by professionals. Improved technology has made the restoration process faster and with a restored floor maintenance costs will go down while the overall appearance of the floor will go up.

Stone itself has a porosity factor (materials can pass through it) and some stones absorb stains faster than other types of stone. A high quality impregnator can help prevent stains from passing through and being absorbed into the stone. Impregnators can be water resistant, or water, grease and oil resistant. The specific impregnator to use will depend on your specific situation.

The most important part of your stone floor care program will be the use of a quality stone soap. A high quality soap will clean and enrich the stone, which will make it more soil and stain resistant. This is not an area to be cutting costs!

Quarterly cleaning is recommended for commercial stone floors. This will not only remove any built in soil, but will also remove stone soap build-up. This is an important step as most stone soaps are non-rinse. Because of this dirt can build up in the grout lines, even when you are following a floor maintenance program. An intensive cleaning should also be used if you have an extremely dirty floor.

Other stone surfaces that may need extra care are countertops, vanities and vertical surfaces, such as pillars. A good relationship with a distributor of quality products will help you in deciding which chemicals you’ll need to use to clean these surfaces.

If you have buildings with stone floors, your first step is to develop a quality stone floor care program. Spending a little time and effort before beginning your stone floor program will save you headaches and keep the floor looking its best. Your customer will be happy and your bank account will grow!

How To Scrapbook: The Learning Process

If you have always wanted learn how to scrapbook and just havent found the time yet, you arent alone. There are many people out there.who are just like you, who are just waiting to learn. Youll find that everywhere you look there are opportunities to learn, you just have to pick and choose the right ones for you. You need to start out learning basic techniques and page layouts and build from there. However, if you try to jump ahead in the learning process, you might find that scrapping is not as fun as you had hoped, so remember to ease into scrapping to get the most out of it. Before you know it you will be scrapbooking like a pro and youll forget that you were ever not sure about how to get started!

Business Opportunities – 9 Things To Look For

If you are considering striking out and starting a new business, you have probably been investigating what are known as “business opportunities”. A business opportunity is usually a complete package that contains a product or line of products, and a marketing strategy for selling that product.

Any business opportunity worth considering will either have a track record that you can investigate and evaluate, or it will have a clear statement of the plan, the potential, and the up-front costs. Before investing any time or money in a specific business opportunity there are some things you should consider. Here are some of the more important ones:

How long has the business opportunity been in business? – Before investing time and money in marketing a business opportunity it is important to determine how long that business opportunity has been operating.

If it is a new concept that has not been proven in the marketplace, you have no assurance that it will even work.

Does the company have a fixed address and phone number? – This may seem obvious to you, but the fact is, thousands of “companies” operate with nothing more than a website and an email address. Many of them are here today and gone tomorrow. Make sure the business you intend to deal with has a fixed address, physical location, and established phone number.

Does the business opportunity have some successful members you can talk to? – Most business opportunities will show you “testimonials”, but these are often untrustworthy. They could even be completely fabricated. Ask the owner of the business opportunity for names of real people you can talk to. Call them on the telephone and ask them to share their experiences with the program. This will not only provide you with valuable first-hand information about the program, but it will give you a list of advisors who many be happy to help you along the way.

How much initial investment is required? – In many cases a proven business opportunity with a successful track record will involve some kind of initial investment. This could involve an initial amount of product inventory, a program subscription fee, or possibly a piece of equipment required to produce or finish the product. You should not assume that a business opportunity that is free to join is a better investment. Usually a free-to-join business opportunity will involve other costs such as marketing and advertising fees. Nobody gives away “opportunities” for free.

What you have to determine is whether a specific business opportunity has a successful track record, is managed by honest people, and offers you a realistic chance of actually making some money. These are the things you must weigh against the entry costs.

What is the realistic income potential of the business? – Have a careful look at the numbers and projections provided by the business opportunity. Then talk with actual members who are using the program to determine if they have been able to turn those numbers into reality.

Are there extra fees such as yearly or monthly subscription fees, shipping costs, or minimum purchase requirements? – Make sure to get a detailed list of all the fees involved in operating the new business. These things may not seem significant now, but they can easily eat into your profits later.

Who controls the money? – When you generate sales for the business opportunity what assurance do you have that you will get your share of the profits? This is the primary reason not to deal with “fly by night” outfits that have no track record. Again, the best way to get an accurate reading on this is to talk with people already using the program.

Does the business opportunity supply marketing materials and person-to-person mentoring? – One of the most difficult parts of starting a new business is “learning the ropes”. It can be extremely helpful to have advisors who have first hand experience in making the program work. The same goes for marketing materials. You will have enough to do without having to create brochures, ads, and newsletters for your new business.

How much control of your new business will you have? – Be clear on who owns the business, and who controls the way it is developed and marketed. You may want to diversify your product offerings in order to avoid being at the mercy of “head office”. Remember that you are trying to create a business that has long term value. This will involve considerable investment of time and energy on your part. You don’t want your business to be completely dependent on the stability and integrity of a single supplier.

The ideal business opportunity is one that is offered by a stable company with a proven track record. The business opportunity should require low initial investment and have high profit potential both in the short term and in the long term. It should allow you to build a profitable business of your own that will be a source of income far into the future.

Play with your toys and Shushhh! Gadgets, Gifts and Games

At Shushhh.co.uk we stock a wide selection of boys toys, unusual gift ideas, games, gadgets and more. All of our products are held in stock and are available to buy securely online with super fast delivery to the United Kingdom. We began trading as How Very Impressive and have now decided to step it up a gear with our new funkier website Shushhh!, We have established ourselves as one of the leading sites for out and out cool stuff in the UK, with a reputation for supplying you little monkeys with some of the most outrageous, fun and down right stupid products on the market. Our product range spans from the newest up-beat gadgets, games, boys toys, edible stuff to fun office accessories and the best unusual gift ideas, which we can guarantee you won’t see in many high street shops.

How To Choose Good Sewing Machines For Quilting

Quilting has long been an art with the earliest American women creating beautiful quilts to adorn their homes. However, there is much more to it now than there was then. Todays quilters can take partake in the massive technological advances sine then to create he most beautiful pieces. Instead of using a needle and thread, most individuals that quilt have a good sewing machine for quilting at home. Manufacturers have catered for the demands of the modern seamstress and made several good sewing machines for quilting. You just have to be able to choose the right one!

Is Lasik Eye Surgery For You?

Lasik eye surgery can be used to correct myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia. Presbyopia, which causes those of us in our late 40’s to need reading glasses is actually a loss of flexibility of the eye lens and cannot be treated with lasik corrective eye surgery.

During lasik surgery the ophthalmologist actually reshapes the cornea with the use of a laser. How much reshaping you have done to your cornea depends entirely on your particular sight problem. The FDA first approved the excimer laser for eye correction in October of 1995. Lasik was approved in 1998.

The first thing you need to do before you see the doctor is homework. Read online about lasik, write down questions for your ophthalmologist. Talk to friends and family who have had the procedure. Ask them their experiences. As with any medical procedure there are real risks involved with lasik and you must weight the risks and benefits of the procedure based on your personal desires.

Some patients seeking lasik eye correction surgery come away with a worsening of their vision. Some come away fighting constant eye dryness. Some have bouts with severe infections. Some suffer from halos and double or triple vision.

Your doctor will evaluate you on an individual basis to see if he thinks you will be helped by lasik eye surgery. Not everyone is a candidate for lasik. Women who are pregnant or nursing are not. People with autoimmune or immunodeficient diseases are not candidates. People who form keloids are not good candidates for lasik. People who suffer from cataracts cannot have lasik. Your ophthalmologist will also most likely want you to have no change in your eye glass prescription for at least a period of one year prior to lasik.

The best way to help yourself obtain the best result from lasik is to arm yourself with knowledge.