I was at a dinner party the other night when someone posed this question: Who has influenced your life the most? I thought for a moment and said what no one else said, "My mother."

You see, when I was four, my dad died. At the time, it seemed like we were on top of the world. My dad was making over $80,000 a year (In 1969), we were living in the largest house in one of the most prestigious country clubs in Seattle. Then my dad came down with cancer and was gone in 6 months.

Then we found out that my dad had only $30,000 in life insurance (I don't sell life insurance, but I can tell you this - you need more!). My mom and I went from the upper bracket to the lower middle financial bracket almost overnight. A year after my dad's death, we were comfortably lower middle class.

As I reflect back on my life, most of what I am today I learned from a tough as nails woman who went to work and busted her tail to get me ready for life. I realize now how many success principles she displayed while living out her life. The following success principles, though they can be and should be applied by all of us, are dedicated to all of those single moms out there. You are doing a tough job. Keep plugging away, be tenacious, and love your kids. They'll see your life and turn out all right.

Don't whine during tough times. You know, my mom got a bad deal, but as I look back on it, I cannot ever remember her complaining about her lot in life. That spoke volumes to me and has been a lesson ever since. Two people working, one whines, the other makes the most of the situation and works harder - who do you root for? Successful people don't whine, they work harder and beat the odds.

Be creative. My mom immediately went to selling real estate. She did all right, but she also bought old houses and fixed them up and sold them. We would move in and she would hire the workers from the real estate office to fix up the house on the weekends. A couple of years later we would sell the house and pocket some much needed extra cash. I moved a lot, but you do what you have to when your back is against the wall. Successful people get creative when it comes to solving problems.

Sacrifice for others. I know we didn't have much growing up but my mom always found ways to give me the extras. We would cut back here and there so that we could take the mandatory trip to Disneyland or get new athletic shoes. Finding purpose by sacrificing for others is one of the highest calling in success. Successful people live not only for themselves but for those around them as well.

Be independent. My mom didn't cut corners or get a leg up in anything. She worked hard for what she got. And she taught me to do the same. I can remember being taught to do things on my own that other parents were doing for their kids. Many of those kids still need their parents to get the job done. Successful people don't rely on others to do for them what they can do themselves.

Believe in yourself. When I would say I wanted to do something but didn't think I could, my mom would ask me, "Has anybody else ever done it?" I would say "Of course, lots of people." Her reply? "Then you can too. You are smarter than them!" Well, I probably wasn't smarter than them, but point well taken. If someone else has proven it can be done, then you have a chance! Successful people believe that they can do it!

Have a dream and pursue it - even if it takes years. My mom kept a dream alive and pursued it on the side as I grew up. The year I graduated from high school, my mom graduated from college. She was 54 years old. She kept her dream alive and worked at it bit by bit and finally it happened! Successful people dream big dreams and then complete them no matter how long it takes.

Stretch yourself. I can remember my mom taking me to business and real estate seminars when I was a twelve-year-old kid. Not because she couldn't find babysitting, but because she wanted me to learn something! Most parents wouldn't even think that their twelve- year-old could learn something there. Mine did. And I did learn a thing or two. Successful people stretch themselves.

Experience is the greatest teacher. My mom used to pull me out of school all the time and take me on these wild trips and journeys. I would say, "Uh, mom, shouldn't I be in school." She would always answer the same way, "Chris, we can't let school get in the way of your education!" Successful people understand that going to school can get you some knowledge and a degree, but nothing beats actually doing it.

Some things are worth more than money. One of the greatest sacrifices my mother made for me was when I began high school. I did well in sports and played in the evenings, so my mom quit selling real estate, which takes up a lot of evenings, and took a lower paying job as a secretary at the University. She rarely missed a game all through high school. Successful people realize there are some things money can't buy.

About The Author:

Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.

To see Chris "live" at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on the subject of Secrets of Influence go to http://Chris-Widener.InspiresYOU.com/ or call 800-929-0434.

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Last month, my featured article was about creating a "Stop Doing" list. Hopefully, if you followed my suggestion, you now have a list of tasks that you are looking to delegate away. It seems a natural progression that I now disclose a few simple steps that will ensure your foray into delegation is a success.

1. Choose the right "delegatee"

Review the task and determine what skills are required. Delegation goes much more smoothly if you match the person with the appropriate skill set to the task you have to assign. Now if you don't have a candidate that has all the skills you are looking for, decide which is the most critical one (analytical ability, attention to detail, communications skills) and make that match.

One of the rewards of delegation is the opportunity to help someone develop and grow. It is unlikely that you will always have a candidate that you can hand off something to and not have to provide some training or coaching. But learning to empower your employees will reap big rewards as their confidence grows with their abilities, and delegation becomes easier and easier, and your "Stop Doing" list gets longer and longer.

2. State your expectations clearly

When you assign a task, be very clear about the deliverables you expect, and qualify your expectations as much as possible. As a minimum, you need to communicate the "what" and the "when". For example: "I want these invoices entered into my database by 5pm tomorrow". Then, start adding qualifications to your request, such as: "Please make sure that the expense categories are correct, and if you are unsure, ask me and I will clarify for you because I want the reports to be accurate."

In addition to communicating about the "what" and "when" of an assignment, I recommend that you also include information on the "why". For example: "I need the monthly recap report done by 5pm tomorrow because I have a meeting with client X the following morning and need the information, so it is really critical that I have it." Often, we assume that others should know what we expect. But if you have a new working relationship with someone, that is probably an unfair expectation. So, take a few minutes to think about what you need to communicate to save both of you a lot of aggravation, and possibly rework.

3. Choose an appropriate oversight level

No one wants to work for a micro-manager, but some managers are too hands-off when it is inappropriate. Note the skills and experience level of your employee and adjust your oversight level accordingly. The first couple of times they handle a complicated task, you may want to check in more frequently. After a few months, you could probably ease off on your involvement as their knowledge and confidence increases.

4. Provide feedback effectively and often

Once in a while, we get really lucky and have someone supporting us who does things perfectly the first time. But that scenario doesn't happen too often. However, we can get the employee to the perfection level by providing appropriate feedback. Tell them very specifically what they did well ("Your accuracy is great. I rarely, if ever, find a mistake in your work. Keep it up."), and what they need to improve on ("I really needed the monthly recap report for Company X done yesterday. I had a meeting with them this morning, and was not able to provide them with the latest information. That reflects poorly on my service. I need you to let me know when you cannot meet a deadline I have given you. Will you do that?")

Specific, constructive feedback is the most effective way to improve performance. Even if you have a "star" employee, you still need to provide the feedback so that they will maintain their high level of performance. Work on giving more positive feedback. If the only time you provide feedback is when you are unhappy, your employees are not going to be very eager to talk with you.

Follow these simple steps and dive right into delegation. As you become more successful in delegating, you will feel more confident in adding to your "Stop Doing" list. Then use your time on something much more impactful for your business, or much more pleasurable for you.

2004 Inez O. Ng

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Do you need some structure and accountability to propel you forward? Personal Coach Inez Ng has worked with professionals and entrepreneurs to transform their aspirations into reality. While focusing on specific areas, her coaching positively impacts all areas of her clients' lives. Learn more about coaching with Inez at http://www.RealizationsUnltd.com

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Finding the best spyware removers to detect and remove spyware and adware from your computer is much easier if you consider a few things before you make your purchase. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a spyware protection program.

The best spyware removers should offer you complete protection against spyware, adware, keyloggers, Remote Access Trojans (RATs), and browser hijackers. These are the main spyware infections that expose your confidential information and diminish your PC's performance.

An important consideration for any spyware protection program is automatic updates for your software. There are new spyware programs invented on a regular basis just like viruses and automatic updates cover you against the latest spyware threats.

Another important consideration to look for should be technical support from the manufacturer. A spyware protection program doesn't do you any good if you have a technical issue that you can't solve. Often, just a minor piece of technical advice will solve most software problems and it's important that your software run right. You also may need someone to answer questions that come up.

Customer service is another feature you may consider looking for. It shows the manufacturer is a trusted source who cares about their reputation and will probably be around awhile.

Spyware is quickly becoming a major threat to Internet security. It is reported that 9 out of 10 computers are currently infected with spyware, adware or both. Most people don't even realize it's there because spyware and adware is programmed to run silently. Microsoft estimates that spyware is responsible for 50% of all PC crashes.

If you don't remove spyware from your computer it will eventually not work at all or your computer files will become infected by spyware programs. Your personal information, passwords and credit card numbers could end up stolen from you without you even knowing it.

Once you remove spyware and adware programs from your computer you'll find it will run faster and your personal information will be much safer. Your security and peace of mind is worth spending a little time to find the best spyware removers possible.

Copyright 2005 Spyware Information.com All Rights Reserved.

This article is provided by http://www.spyware-information.com where you will find free downloads, valuable information, removal tips and new articles about adware and spyware removal programs to protect your identity. For other informative spyware and adware articles go to http://spyware-information.com/articles_1.html

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Everyone has something, whether it be a habit, or aspect of their personality, that they wish that they didn't have. For me, that something is fear. I am constantly afraid of just about anything you could name...car crashes, meeting new people, tornados, driving in the dark, sleeping with the closet open, public speaking...you name it, I'm probably afraid of it! This is a negative habit, and certainly one I would like to change. Most people can name at least one similar habit or personality trait off the top of their head. Think about it for a moment. What part of yourself would you truly like to be rid of? Now take that part of you, and imagine it disappearing forever. If you want, you can even make it more physical and real by writing that trait down on a piece of paper, then burying it or destroying it.

It IS possible to change our lives for the better. The hard part is knowing how to do it. If you are aware of that part of you that you want to let go, it makes it much easier to not let that part of you develop or take over in your life. Also the support of friends can help immensely as well - whether they be in real life or on the internet!

This is the season of changes, and you need to BELIEVE that you can change your life for the better. Be aware of your negative aspects, and actively try to stop them from developing. Focus on the positive, and realize that as the seasons change, so do we, as we mature and grow into the people we wish to be.

Stephanie is the webmaster of StephanieDavies.com and provides live telephone advice of all kinds to people from all over the world. She gives advice on depression, mental health, spirituality, sexuality, relationships, and many other topics. For more information please visit her website at http://www.stephaniedavies.com or subscribe to her newsletter by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/liveadvice

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Ideally, humans would eat wholly nutritious diets rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. The fact is, most people do not meet all their nutritional needs through their food. As a result, many of us rely on multivitamins and supplements to achieve more complete nutrition.

Question: Do you know what those vitamins and minerals are doing in your body? Do you know how much of the product your body actually absorbs when it comes to taking a multivitamin

No federal regulations

Vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements produced and distributed in the U.S. are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. In fact, if you or I wanted to start selling our own personal brands of vitamins, mineral supplements or similar products, we could do so without anyone, including the FDA, having a say in the matter.

This lack of regulation should sound a warning signal about these products' contents. Most supplements on the market are basically garbage. While they may contain good-for-you ingredients, they do nothing to bolster your nutrition because your body cannot absorb them.

Nutritional companies spend thousands of dollars marketing their products to convince consumers how great they are. For example, the best-known multivitamin brands found in drug and discount stores are virtually useless. Rather than trying to dazzle you with their exaggerated claims, supplement companies would be better off spending their dollars on research to determine that their products really are benefiting you. The quality of a supplement's contents is far more important than any sexy claims its manufacturer can make. Your main concerns should be the quality and bioavailability (level of absorption and use by the body) of any product you purchase.

Supplements cannot repair the effects of bad eating

Hippocrates said it best, "Let food be thy medicine and let thy medicine be thy food."

Eating naturally nutritious food is the most important aspect of your diet. The foundation you lay with proper eating habits is far more important than any food supplement you can take. Examine your eating and exercise habits before you consider seeing a doctor for almost any problem.

However, even the best vitamins and supplements available will not propel you to optimal health if you otherwise eat unhealthy food. Say your diet consists mainly of pre-packaged and/or fast foods, but you take your Centrum or One-a-Day, so you talk yourself into thinking you feel fine. Your body knows otherwise, and you may find yourself in big trouble in a few years. All this amounts to is killing yourself slowly.

Why take supplements at all?

Even the most healthful eater might want to consider supplements, due to the lack of nutrients in our soil. Soil in the U.S. slowly has been losing more and more nutrients each year, making our foods less tasty and less nourishing to our bodies.

The single most important health factor is nourishment. If we lack proper nourishment, we will slowly die of disease, obesity and malnutrition. Yes, extremely overweight people are largely malnourished! The way to achieve optimal health is to eat as few calories as possible, while still providing your body with the highest levels of nourishment.

This is where organic food plays a key role. Organic food has been shown to contain 40 percent more nutrients than regular commercially produced food. Add high quality supplements which provide your body with bioavailable vitamins and minerals, and it becomes easy to live a long, healthy life while consuming fewer calories and still obtaining the nutrients you need to function optimally.

What to look for in a supplement

Almost everyone should start off with a multivitamin supplement. Multivitamins work better than taking individual supplements because they provide the body with a combination of all the vitamins a minerals it needs in a single source. The body prefers this delivery method because it can better absorb and utilize them in combination than it can when you take each vitamin and mineral separately.

Other beneficial supplements include antioxidants found in trace minerals, and some specific vitamins and minerals not contained in most multivitamins. Antioxidants contain nutrients to help fight off the oxidative properties in free radicals that cause your body to break down. Taking an antioxidant supplement will keep your body strong and healthy, allowing less breakdown.

Still other important supplements are cod liver oil, fish oil, flax seed oil, and whey or egg protein (sometimes used as a form of meal replacement).

Each individual requires different nutrients and a generic multivitamin certainly can help address these deficiencies. Remember, though, any supplement is still a synthetic and not real food. Experiment until you find a high-quality product that works for you. There are dozens of good products out there, but none is "the best." Because we're all unique, no single product can be all things to all people. Specialty vitamin companies do develop personalized products. By performing blood, hair, and saliva work, they determine the necessary ingredients to create the best multivitamin for an individual. As you can imagine, that level of individualized production comes with a hefty price tag.

High-quality general-use supplements are out there. They can be found at the health food store and almost certainly will cost more than the famous name brands. But if you don't invest in your health first, every other investment in your life will be wasted. Isn't optimal health worth the cost and effort it takes to purchase quality products?

It might sound cliche, but it's true: You take care of your body, and your body will take care of you.

Scott White is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist located in Scottsdale, Ariz. For more information about nutrition and fitness, reach Scott at 480-628-1607 or swhite@personalpowertraining.net. Also: http://www.personalpowertraining.net.

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Howard Stern has over 20 property related files in Queens, 27 in Brooklyn and 1 in Manhattan. The files include mortgages, releases or satisfaction pieces, liens and powers of attorney.

One 11 page mortgage was recorded on 9-23-04 for a two family dwelling, located at 243 51st Street, Brooklyn in the amount of $300,000. Another property transaction for 845 Dean Street, Brooklyn was recorded on 5-25-04 in the amount of $150,000 at an unbelievable 14% interest rate considering rates were at a fourty year low. The senior mortgagee (holder) is Howard Stern and the junior holder is New Way Realty Corp. Better known, in my opinion, as loan shark one and two. If you think that's scary, you should read the actual 10 page document.

This information and other similar types are available to you for free. You just have to know how to get it by a name, address, parcel number, even street intersections. It is easily accessable.

You can find out about divorces, liens, marriages, wills, transfers, judgements, deeds, releases and many fascinating things such as hundreds of years old documents in beautiful handwriting and language together with a wax seal. This is one way people or mortgage companies buy loans from each other, usually not even alerting the borrower until after the fact.

Suzie is a certified residential appraiser and licensed real estate broker and expert authur educated in real estate and architecture. Other professionals in the industry have contributed as well. http://www.freewebs.com/realestatenews

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Butterfly gardening is not only a joy, it is one way that you can help restore declining butterfly populations. Simply adding a few new plants to your backyard may attract dozens of different butterflies, according to landscape designers at the University of Guelph.

Butterflies, like honeybees, are excellent pollinators and will help increase your flower, fruit and vegetable production if you provide them with a variety of flowers and shrubs. They are also beautiful to watch, and are sometimes called "flowers on the wing."

- Begin by seeding part of your yard with a wildflower or butterfly seed mix, available through seed catalogues and garden centers. Wildflowers are a good food source for butterflies and their caterpillars.

- Choose simple flowers over double hybrids. They offer an easy-to-reach nectar source.

- Provide a broad range of flower colors. Some butterflies like oranges, reds and yellows while others are drawn toward white, purple or blue flowers.

- Arrange wildflowers and cultivated plants in clumps to make it easier for butterflies to identify them as a source of nectar.

- If caterpillars are destroying favorite plants, transfer them by hand to another food source. Avoid the use of pesticides, which can kill butterflies and other beneficial insects.

- Some common caterpillar food sources are asters, borage, chickweed, clover, crabgrass, hollyhocks, lupines, mallows, marigold, milkweed or butterfly weed, nasturtium, parsley, pearly everlasting, ragweed, spicebush, thistle, violets and wisteria. Caterpillars also thrive on trees such as ash, birch, black locust, elm and oak.

- Annual nectar plants include ageratum, alyssum, candy tuft, dill, cosmos, pinks, pin cushion flower, verbena and zinnia.

- Common perennial nectar plants include chives, onions, pearly everlasting, chamomile, butterfly weed, milkweeds, daisies, thistles, purple coneflower, sea holly, blanket flower, lavender, marjoram, mints, moss phlox, sage, stonecrops, goldenrod, dandelion and valerian.

Remember that butterflies are cold-blooded insects that bask in the sun to warm their wings for flight and to orient themselves. They also need shelter from the wind, a source of water, and partly shady areas provided by trees and shrubs.

Copyright 2005 Jane Lake

About the Author:Jane Lake is a professional writer whose articles have appeared in Canadian Living, You, Modern Woman, and Highlights magazines. See more information on butterflies in her article, Butterfly Gardens: How to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden and learn how to make your own butterfly food and butterfly feeders in Butterfly Food.

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Can you treat a headache or stomach ache externally, without somehow manipulating your natural bodily functions internally (aka popping a pill)? NO! Then why would you try to treat acne that way? Many acne treatment systems today such as Proactiv, target acne only from the outside, and do not address the issue interanally, as it should be for lasting and dramatic results.

If you are really serious about treating acne and really eliminating it at it's source (ie the hormones that cause acne), then you owe it to yourself to try a natural acne hormone treatment which is specifically designed to equalize hormone imbalance and purify the skin from the inside out using special blends of herbs, botanicals, and/or natural compounds such as Vitamin E and Alpha Lipoic Acid.

Why Go Natural?

Because many people who have not been responsive to conventional acne treatments, or their effectiveness has worn off due to long term use, experience superior results with natural acne treatments.

Acne can actually be caused by two different hormones in women. It's usually an overabundance of androgens (male hormones) or estrogens (female hormones). In men, it can also be caused by imbalances in male and female hormones. This hormonal imbalance triggers the breakouts by over-stimulating the oil glands on acne prone areas of the body, which then results in a clogging of the pore, hence that thing we all know and love - the pimple.

Antioxidants are also very potent as hormonal equalizers, as well as "blood purifiers", and their properties foster an environment for mending skin eruptions as well as preventing new breakouts and promoting a healthy glow and skin tone.

Most natural acne treatments are designed to do two things:

1.) Help correct hormonal imbalances related to acne breakouts.

2.) Reduce inflammation and swelling, and pave the way for fast skin repair where breakouts have recently occurred.

Some other tips you can follow to help prevent unsightly breakouts are:

1.) Drink plenty of water. This helps to cleanse the system, and results in clearer, more hydrated skin.

2.) Avoid caffeine and caffeine-containing products like chocolate or supplements containing caffeine or other stimulants.

3.) Relax. Try a calming exercise for when you get stressed out. Stress triggers breakouts for many individuals.

4.) Avoid harsh cleansers or toners - these can only aggravate acne and cause further irritation and redness.

5.) Use a light, non-comedogenic (non pore-clogging) sunscreen. While it is true a suntan may camouflage breakouts, it mostly aggravates them by forcing further oil production due to its drying effects. Try using a good facial self tanner instead.

If you follow these few simple skincare principles, and combine them with a high quality acne treatment targeted to balance hormones and internally "cleanse", you really can't lose. Your complexion will thank you!

Danna Schneider is the webmaster and founder of CosmeticsGalore.com http://www.cosmeticsgalore.com/natural-acne-remedies.html , a site for beauty enthusiasts which identifies and reviews the best cosmetic improvement products on the market today. Gives testimonials and the latest in cosmetic technology.

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Google is quickly changing...

With the big buzz of Novembers fall within Google comes a newly indexed data-base...

Did Google do something bad to our great placements? No I don't think so and here's why.

While people are screaming for help and wondering what went wrong, I've noticed a MASSIVE shift in page ranking.

If you look at top placements at the moment, according to Scroogle, most of the ecommerce search terms got hit really hard. A lot of the top 100 placements were vanishing and quickly.

Now on the other hand, less impressive and especially smaller ranking sites have been bumped up top. I firmly believe this is all because of Google's "refreshing" their memory and possibly starting to take on web site ID's with 5 characters plus.

What I mean by that is the ability for Google to index more than 3.2 Billion web sites. Adding another character to the already large 4Id's deticated to each site indexed will allow Google to add a whole other list of sites within their database.

Now I could be wrong on that one but here's another phenomenon going on. I've been talking to other ecommerce web sites and helping them gain better rankings. It's been a while since they've had their Page Rank change within their site. Working real hard as I instructed, they have followed all the rules and attempted to boost their page ranks.

Up until now, nothing has changed and people are loosing their ranks within Google since Novembers algorythim change.

Around a week ago I've been getting calls left right and center about page ranks boosting like I've never seen.

The previous scare before this November change went something like this. Google stopped indexing more than 3 levels within your site. Ex. www.yoursite.com/level1/level2/level3

I affirm to you this: its pure baloney, more sites now have better PR ratings within their entire site than ever before. I believe that Google is rewarding most great resources online before taking on more listings within their index.

As towards se placements, I also took a major hit for my better search engine placements but a couple of days ago that started to all change. It almost seems as though Google wanted to take out the top placement companies in order to thoroughly crawl through all their information before letting them get back in the game.

I say this because one of my top placements was sitting at #1 for a long time. Since this November change, it immediately dropped to #181 and didn't move one single number for over 3 weeks. To my knowledge, that's a little strange. All of a sudden, my site stats recorded Google browsing through all my 600+ pages and presto, my site is back in the game, just like that.

In Conclusion:

It seems to me that we're all just lined up to sign an application for better search engine placements. The question isn't if your site will get back in shape, it's a question of when your number will be called.

Have a little faith and a little patience and you too will rise again! Just keep doing what you've been doing all along and don't worry about falling down. The ones who get back up are always the ones on top in the end.

About The Author

Martin Lemieux is a young entrepreneur leading the field in Marketing for Canadians. Having been online since 1991, he knows his stuff when it comes to online marketing.

Affordable Web Design & Web Site Marketing

http://www.smartads.info

ASES - Advertising Search Engine Services

http://www.smartads.info

Re-Print Rights: You may use this article within your web site ONLY if it remains intact with everything included!

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Here are some marketing mistakes that take a heavy toll on smallbusinesses. They have been very harmful to businesses at any stage, but especially harmful for new businesses.

1. Not having a marketing plan.

Studies show that having a marketing plan equates to a 24 to 30% improvement in sales over those without a marketing plan. Writing a comprehensive marketing plan takes time, thought, and rethought, they help a business owner to focus on new products and services. A marketing plan will help someone to determine if the product or service will take too much time, energy, or resources to make it a proper addition to the existing array of products and services.

2. Executing "Hit or Miss" marketing techniques.

Many entrepreneurs and small business owners buy advertising without exploring whether or not the venue is appropriate for them, or if it will appear in a place or manner that potential customers will respond to - or even see. Marketing dollars spent correctly will bring you sales. Marketing dollars spent incorrectly will not only cost you money, but will cost you your business-esteem. All marketing needs to have a "fit" with an overall initiative. They must convey a consistent message. Using advertising for name recognition is felt to be a good move by inexperienced business people. Experience dictates that success is best when even your "name recognition advertising" relates to a common theme.

3. Negative networking.

Networking is one of the most important parts of marketing for the small business person. Many entrepreneurs look to groups such as Chamber of Commerces, Business Network International, and Local Business Network to build business through networking. They attend networking functions and seem to feel that the more business cards they give out, the more business they will get. They are generally disappointed and reject networking as a false prophet. Positive networking takes a different approach. Networking events are an opportunity to find synergies upon which relationships can be built. Successful networking is not how many business cards you give out, it is how many quality business cards you gather. Opportunities such as Catapult allow individuals a networking opportunity to find those synergies while learning business skills.

4. Not seeking appropriate support.

Most entrepreneurs are people that have decided to leave corporate America in search of a better lifestyle with less stress. They find a great product or service and think they have it made. Unfortunately they do not have the focus and motivation they need to survive. In the corporate world they had a boss to continually set deadlines and goals, and to hold them accountable for hitting the deadlines and goals. They also had a boss to mentor and coach them. In the small business and entrepreneurial world, this important need is overlooked. People need accountability partners and/or mentors to keep them on track.

5. Inability to distinguish between being talented and being business savvy.

Too many small business owners and entrepreneurs feel that having talent is sufficient to attain success. They feel that if they are good at what they do, word of mouth advertising will supply a constant stream of customers. Talent may help you find excellent investments, glean out the best mortgage rate, repair the most difficult automotive challenge, or any of numerous other potential examples. However without business savvy in the form of a marketing system, the endless stream of customers will never materialize. You must wrap a marketing program around it to encourage or solicit additional referrals.

To be a success in your business, it is essential to focus on preventing these marketing mistakes. Be sure to make a plan and get the support to validate the plan and help you bring it to fruition.

Rick Weaver is President of Max Impact, a national leadership and organization development company based in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Rick is an accomplished business executive with experience in retail, market analysis, supply chain and project management, team building, and process improvement. He has worked with hundreds of companies to improve sales, processes, and bottom-line results. MaxImpact offers leadership and organizational development services along with employee assessments and background checks. Contact Rick at 248-802-6138 or via email, rick@getmaximpact.com. MaxImpact is on the web at http://www.getmaximpact.com.

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Most of us have found ourselves working on a team at one time or another. That means we have been asked to attend, and even participate, in lots of meetings. Unfortunately, few of us found these meetings to be particularly effective. Many in fact are a complete waste of valuable time and resources.

The difficulty with most meetings is that they are typically planned and run by extroverts, who do not take into account the needs of the introverts. Why is this important? Because a key diffentiating characteristic between extroverts and introverts is in the way they process information.

Extroverts will tend to "think out loud." They verbally walk themselves through the thinking process. Introverts however want to process new information on their own, in their heads, before commenting or vocalizing their thoughts.

And that's just the beginning of the problem. Extroverts do not take into account the needs of the Introverts or the way in which they prefer to process the information to be shared or discussed. Because Introverts require time on their own to process information, they are not prepared (or willing) to make decisions on items that are only being discussed fo the first time in a current meeting. All too often Extroverts bring a new topic up in a meeting, even if it's not on the agenda, and expect everyone to get engaged and act on it right away. Because the Introverts are processing the new information, they may not comment. To the Extrovert, no news is good news and this only means the Introverts must be on board.

Decision-making bias is highlighted when the meeting is controlled by the Extrovert. Extroverts view the quieter more contemplative members as:

"I just assumed that they weren't interested."
"I thought they had nothing to share or say.
"I figured they were a bit stuck up, stand-offish."

But let's not blame the Extroverts for all our meeting problems. Because Introverts prefer to process new information before speaking, they may plan the agenda and arrive at meetings thinking their decisions are foregone conclusions without ever engaging others for input or discussion. In fact, if the normally self-sufficient and reserved Introvert had his way, all meetings would occur by telephone or web conferencing or even email. The electronic meeting minimize the extra-curricular comments and diversions that occur when you put a bunch of Extroverts in a room. But like the Introvert who needs time to process, Extroverts need the opportunity to talk out loud and see who is doing the talking.

Now let's take a peek inside the Introverts' heads. What are they thinking about their group-oriented, outgoing Extroverted colleagues?

"They're all blow-hards."

"Not one of them has a clear thought in their heads."

"They don't know what they're talking about."

You can see how valuable insights might be ignored or interpersonal conflicts arise when personality and behavioral styles aren't considered. When other people's behavior patterns do not match our own, it is not unusual for us to begin to "make up stuff" about why others agree or disagree.

Don't fall into the trap of making stuff up about others without even knowing you're doing it. Understand your personal style, then understand how style differences drive and bias decisions.

Ira S. Wolfe is founder of Success Performance Solutions (http://www.super-solutions.com), a consulting firm specializing in helping employers fit the right employees to the job, on the team, with the company culture. He has also authored two books, Business Values and Motivators and The Perfect Labor Storm. He is also the a frequent guest on TV and Radio Cable shows as well as the subject of several interviews for the likes of Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek Online. You can contact Ira at iwolfe@super-solutions.com or 800.803.4303.

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Aerodynamic changes need to be made in MAVs. Micro-Air Autonomous vehicles. The simple current DARPA version is okay I suppose, but we need much smaller units and we can add in a few components to make them simpler, increase performance and payloads. I propose that we create a couple of other versions; one would be similar in nature to the picture above. However the body would be a tube, like the exoskeleton of an insect, which can be fat like a bee, thin like a dragon fly or any similar shape in between. The wings would be cellophane and clear similar to the much larger, giant UAVs. The MAV I propose would be under 20 cm in length. It would have centerline thrust like a Cessna Skymaster. The propellers would be in front and back and could change direction, the MAV during this time would most likely want to flip of and roll, but so the wings need to be symmetrical. As it flipped over the trailing edge of the wings interior would be made of a small heavy tube, which would also contain the ion battery material. It would be thinner than the wings spar tube which would be larger and therefore cause proper curvature of the leading edge for maximum lift. The wing would still look similar to that of figure six in this report:

http://wtsun.eas.asu.edu/publications/reas_paper-2003.pdf

We could of course also make the wing spar of a substance that would compress under pressure and the leading edge at high speeds would have much less curvature and could go extremely fast with a different set of motors? When the aircraft shifted directions the tubes would trade sides and the aircraft would start flying backwards as the propellers switched directions in flight cause the aircraft to reverse and fly exactly back wards. As the wings did a roll, it would also now be flying upside down. This is good for surveillance because you could take pictures of the below on the way in and the above on the way out. For instance flying into a cave, hull of a ship, building, duct, tunnel, etc. The optic flow sensors would now be exactly opposite and they autonomous device would continue to fly out the way it came in.

The simplicity is also good in that the tiny motors would be hooked to a tiny crankshaft, which could be made out of micro-material. Also if the MAV crashed into something or got swatted out of the sky, it could still fly on the remaining engine going in one direction, so the mission is not lost. Propulsion should be considered.

The second prototype I am calling for would be similar in that it would also have a centerline thrust, only this one would have a vertical fin as a fuselage. The wings would be shaped like a dragon fly and would have one wing heavier than the other. For instance the top wing, which would have be on a slider along with the bottom wing. As the aircraft went forward the top wing would move backwards so the configuration would be similar to a Stagger Wing Beechcraft. Then when the motors spun opposite the heavier wing would slide backwards causing the aircraft to resume in the other direction in this model the aircraft would stay right side up. And fly away exactly the direction it came. The optic flow sensors could be on the wing that was forward the bottom wing, which always stays stationary and fixed to the aircraft. Thus pointing forward and down so the optical flow sensors and/or sonar sensors would be in the proper place.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

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You must write a hypnotic persuasion letter to help you achieve all your goals! Get the boss to give your a raise, induce that beautiful blue-eyed girl to be your lover and persuade your mother to buy a BMW Z3 for you this summer.

Give me twenty minutes and I'll teach you step-by-step my secret writing your own success system. If you follow this 5 steps formula of writing, you'll never fail in this age of persuasion. Keep reading!

My 5-step formula consists of

Find Your Goal and Purpose for Writing

Write Down Your Goal

Visualization

Write Like You Talk (KISS rule)

Make It Perfect

Let me explain it to you step by step!

1. Find Your Goal and Purpose for Writing

Every success begins with a simple goal which includes hypnotic writing. You should come up with your main goal for writing. SUCCESS=GOAL+DEADLINE. Once you set your writing goal in your mind, you'll know the path to success. You must hold that point when you want to really achieve something valuable. Please see the example below.

Bad: I just write.

Good: I want to write this letter to persuade Joe to give me a book for free!

Better: I certainly CAN write a hypnotic letter to persuade Joe to give me a book for free before 01 July 2001.

2. Write Your Goal Down

Have you ever read the story of John in Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen's original Chicken Soup for the Soul? On one rainy day, when it was too wet outside to play, he decided to write a list of goals. John continued writing until he had 127 goals. These goals included exploring the Nile River, climbing high mountain peaks around the world and learning 3 foreign languages. Do you know the result?

Of the 127 goals that he listed over 60 years ago, John has achieved 108.

Why?

Because he Wrote It Down!

You must write it down on your desk, your wallet, your bath room and even on the wall in your men's room. Every time you see that bold goal, you'll notice you must take action now. With many repetitions, the words themselves will send a mighty command to your subconscious mind to make your dream into reality. Try it today!

3. Visualization

In the Bible it is written "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." (Psalm 37:4) Also it says to us "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee." (Proverbs 23:7)

You mind think uses images instead of words. Therefore, Imagination X Vividness = Reality.

Learn to meditate. Then do it. No miracle will ever happen if you neglect this step. You can practice writing and persuasion skills in your mind. Practice makes perfect!

4. Write Like You Talk (KISS rule)

You can't write one sentence, right?

But you CAN talk non-stop about anything for a whole day, right?

Put your talk in writing. That's your masterpiece.

Simple, right?

It works! Keep It Simple Stupid. Write like you talk. Wite to your best friend. Write to your dream lover! You aren't afraid where to start, go and stop. What you say to your listeners is hypnotic and magic in print.

5. Make It Perfect

You can't achieve your goal with just one word or an attractive headline, right?

You can persuade anybody with your whole message. The sentence, structure and word combination make you a winner. You must think about the organization of your material. Every word. Every sentence. Every punctuation mark. Remember everything has a common function for your result. You are not training a MVP of the year. You must own a Dream Team.

About The Author

Author Jian Wang is a master in the art of persuasion. His ebook, "Hypnotic Persuasion: How to Get Anything You Want," is a truly inspirational read, filled with the wisdom to help you gain control of your own mind and convince others without resistance. These techniques can be used to improve business, sales, relationships, and your overall well-being. For more information, visit http://www.mrchange.com Reach Jian at calljian@263.net.

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Debt consolidation programs can help you lift the burden of excessive debt and potentially save you hundreds of dollars a month. Debt consolidation professionals will work with you and your creditors to design a plan to help you lower your payments and reduce your debts quickly. You can become debt free sooner than you imagined and begin living a new, better life. Debt consolidation plans can be customized to fit your individual needs and getting started is easy.

With a simple call or online inquiry, you can begin the process of eliminating your debts and saving money each and every month. Debt consolidation is not a new loan - it is a way to dramatically reduce the amount of money you pay each month and decrease the amount of interest you pay on your debts. All your bills can be combined into a single payment, saving you time and money. You can end the harassing phone calls from your creditors and stop receiving threatening letters. You can reduce the stress you currently feel and be on the road to financial freedom.

Excessive debt can prevent you from doing the things that are important to you such as purchasing a home or car, obtaining credit cards, and may even prevent your from getting a new job. Eliminating your debts is the only way to get ahead and plan for your financial future and security. Contacting a debt consolidation professional now could be the best decision you ever make. You can begin a new life and have extra money in your pocket when you consolidate your debts and pay off those high interest accounts. Debt consolidation has been a solution for millions of people just like you. You can get rid of debts and improve your life.

Ken Austin is the webmaster at http://www.hazeydee.com and http://creditrelief.kraustin.com

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As your home appreciates in value, you gain equity. You can look at this equity, as a portion of the value of your home, which becomes an asset that is not burdened by debt. Therefore, this is a critical financial vehicle that cannot be ignored.

Let me say it another way. For most of us, your home Equity is likely to be, the primary, unencumbered assets of your own, personal estate.

Here are several things to consider, when managing this critical financial leverage:

1. Retirement

2. Debt Consolidation

3. Home Improvements

4. Equity Lines of Credit

5. Other

1. Retirement:

Personally, I hate debt. I absolutely, positively, detest debt. I do everything in my power to completely eliminate it from my life. Therefore, this first method is my own, personal favorite.

a)Leave it alone. Ignore it. Pretend it's not there. Forget about it. Live life as if it did not exist.

b)The equity in your home can become an absolutely essential cog in the wheel of your retirement. But in order for it to work its magic, you need to allow it to build and grow, and avoid all temptation to tap into it.

c)If you can do this, then at the end of the tunnel, there is a nice nest egg waiting for you.

2. Debt Consolidation:

Of course, the above principals of using equity for retirement may not be entirely wise, if you are burdened with additional debt.

a)If your debt is large and encumbering enough, then you may want to consider refinancing and incorporating that debt into a new, first deed of trust. Not only is this more organized and simplified, but you can stretch the loan out over 30 years, thus allowing more affordability.

b)If you wish to pay off the additional debt sooner, or if the debt is small enough, then you might want to consider a second mortgage on the home.

c)Either way, the interest paid on either the new first loan, or the second loan, will be a write off, and thus, you will gain an added benefit by restructuring.

d)In addition, the interest rate on a second (or first) is far lower, then what you'd expect to pay on an unsecured loan, such as your credit card.

3. Home Improvements:

There comes a time in everyone's life, when you just want to make some changes around the homestead. If you are in the market for a new pool, a decked out backyard landscaping job, a new roof, or new appliances, et al., then a second loan or refinance is generally the way to go.

a)Not only can you pull out a much larger amount of money from your home, then say your credit cards, but the terms are much more agreeable, stretched out over 7 to 10 years or more, at a much lower rate.

b)It's a write-off.

c)The money spent, goes towards improving the home, and thus, adds to the overall value of your estate.

4. Equity Lines of Credit:

It's always good to plan for emergencies.

a)An Equity Line of Credit can provide you with the security you need to ensure that you'll always have liquid assets around, should you need them.

b)This is much more effective than having a large amount of money sitting in a low to no interest bearing savings account in your local bank. Open an equity line of credit, and go invest that money so that it is working for you.

c)It's also harmless, free, and usually tax-deductible should the need arise to use it.

d)Just keep in mind the importance of discipline. Don't use it, unless it's absolutely necessary.

5. Other:

A word of caution: I'm not advocating that you jump in to uncharted waters, or freely spend the hard earned equity that you've so diligently been building.

a)But it is your equity. You can save it, consolidate with it, spend with it, and use it to invest in other properties, other businesses, other ventures.

b)So your equity is like your own personal bank. It requires no applications, no processing procedures, and no approvals by the board of directors. It requires none of that, because it is yours. You own it.

c)But just keep in mind, that you have equity because of diligence, intelligence, wisdom, and discipline. You've grown it, and now that you have it, another word of caution: Don't waste it frivolously.

Be good to your equity, and it will be good to you.

We've enjoyed providing this information to you, and we wish you the best of luck in your pursuits. Remember to always seek out good advice from those you trust, and never turn your back on your own common sense.

Publisher's Directions: This article may be freely distributed so long as the copyright, author's information, disclaimer, and an active link (where possible) are included.

Disclaimer: Statements and opinions expressed in the articles, reviews and other materials herein are those of the authors. While every care has been taken in the compilation of this information and every attempt made to present up-to-date and accurate information, we cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur. The author will not be held responsible for any claim, loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any information within these pages or any information accessed through this site.

Copyright 2005, by http://www.ExpertLoan.Net, This article is available in full format at: Your Home Equity, Tom Levine provides a solid, common sense approach to solving problems and answering questions relating to consumer loan products. His website seeks to provide free online resources for the consumer, including rate-watch, tips and articles, financial communication, news, and links to products and services.

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I said last week that money doesn't generally buy happiness, but the lack of it can buy absolute misery. This, by the way, is not just my personal observation. It is the conclusion of some of the most respected happiness researchers (Yes, there is such a thing -- read my book.)

The trouble is that we have to pay attention to money more when we lack it than when we have it. This doesn't seem fair, but the Lord works in mysterious ways. Most people are invested in the stock market, either directly or through mutual funds, pension plans or some other vehicle. So it is hard not to be part of the Panic Crowd. But I ,in all my financial wisdom, have two golden rules to offer. These may not make you rich, but they will keep you happy.

Number One: Place your investments in the safest vehicles possible (Do as I say, not as I do!) and forget about them. When the next recession ends, take inventory and see that you still have investments. Most of us don't get a rush out of watching our investments plunge or yo-yo up and down. Most people are happier when they forget they even have investments.

Number Two: If you are one of those people with a terminal case of Itchy Trading Finger, then you probably would not be happy ignoring your investments. Place aside what you need for the long term, such as retirement if your heart lasts that long. Don't play with this money. Don't touch it. Trade only with "extra" money. The rest of you are asking, "What's that?", but Itchy Trading Fingers know what I'm talking about. They view stock trading as a sport.

In fact, stock trading is a sport. Much more than, say, hunting. Think about it. In a sport, two equal opponents square off against one another. "Let the best one one win." Each faces the same challenges. Each is armed with the same weapons. Each has an equal chance of feeling the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat (unless, of course, you happen to be the Tampa Bay Devil Rays).

Imagine the play-by-play if hunting truly was a sport: "Man is closing in. He's coming up from behind and rounding to the south side. He's raising his rifle. Deer doesn't even appear to notice. Oh, I can't watch. This is going to be a massacre. Wait! Deer has just bucked up and twisted. He spins around a tree, and -- look! Deer has a rifle too. He aims. He shoots! He Kills!!! Man is down. What an upset, ladies and gentlemen."

In real life, Deer doesn't win very often. In fact, I estimate that Man is about 4.3 gazillion times more likely to be defeated by his own team mate than by the opposition. We call this "friendly fire".

Contrast this to Itchy Trading Finger, who stands an equal chance of striking gold or of moving into a cardboard box on the street corner. The stock market truly is sport, for those who choose to treat it that way. Which is why it is so important to put aside -- in safe, secure investments -- the money you feel you need for your future. That way, when Itchy Trading Fingers retire, they can move out of the cardboard box.

For the rest of us, we are happier getting our sport watching monster trucks crush WWF actors. Oops! There I go again, mixing my sports and my metaphors, not to mention ignoring several federal safety standards. May your investments be safer than my WWF friends, and may you sleep well at night.

About The Author

David Leonhardt is The Happy Guy. He is an energetic motivational speaker and author of Climb Your Stairway to Heaven: the 9 habits of maximum happiness. Visit him at

http://www.TheHappyGuy.com

dleonhardt@attglobal.net

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Onpage optimization is the process by which various elements on an individual web page are structured so that the web page can be found by the search engines for specific keyword(s) or keyword phrases.

Onpage optimization will not guarantee any top rating within a search engine, only offpage optimization can offer that guarantee. However, offpage optimization is far more effective WHEN onpage optimization is in place.

Onpage optimization is not difficult. It does however take time to make sure all the pieces are in place. Onpage optimization should occur not only on the main web page of a web site, but on every single content page within that site.

The very first question to ask when seeking to optimize a web page is: What keyword(s)/keyword phrases is this page targeting? This article will not explore how to find keywords, it assumes you already have keywords chosen.

For this article, the following phrases will be used as an example: designer argyle socks, plaid socks, paisley socks. Of the three phrases, "designer argyle socks" will be the primary phrase used for optimization.

Below is a list of onpage elements in which the keywords need to be placed:

** Keywords in the TITLE tag(s)

Every page should have TITLE tags. TITLE tags appear on the status bar above the menu bar in a web browser. The TITLE tags for the main page of your web site should look like the following:

TITLE Supersocks.com - Designer Argyle Socks | Plaid Socks | Paisley Socks /TITLE

Generally the formula should be: website name - keyword|keyword|keyword. Avoid using articles and conjunctions like a, the, and. Use the pipe(|) or dash (-) to separate keywords.

Do not "stuff" your title by repeating your keyword phrases over and over. Search engines will ban sites for such practices.

** Keywords in H1 or other headline tags

Somewhere near the top of the page place your primary keyword phrase within h1 tags.

H1Designer Argyle Socks/H1

The combination of the TITLE tag and H1 tag effectively act as titling tags for your page. The search engine spider will begin to see pretty quickly what your page is about if these two tags are in place.

** Keywords in the body copy

Use your keyword phrases throughout the copy of the body of the web page. Use them in natural ways. Do not overuse your keyword phrase. Avoid using hidden text. Try your best to include your primary keyword phrase at/near the beginning of your copy and at/near the end of your copy. Once, and only once, make sure your primary keyword phrase is bolded.

** Keywords in ALT tags

Many suggest that the alt tags on your images should contain your keywords. Be careful. Some search engines see that as spamming. If you do it, don't over do it.

** Keywords contained in the URL or site address, e.g., http://www.keyword.com/keyword.htm

If the primary phrase of our web page is "Designer Argyle Socks", then the name of the actual HTML file would be designerargylesocks.html, designer_argyle_socks.html or designer-argyle-socks.html

** Keywords in the META NAME="DESCRIPTION"

Meta tags are getting used less and less by the search engines. However, it is still good practice to use the Description and Keyword meta tags if only for your own reference.

meta name="description"Supersocks.com is pleased to offer designer argyle socks at low discount prices. In addition see our selection of plaid socks and paisley socks. /meta

** Keywords in the META NAME="KEYWORD"

Search engines like Google no longer look at the Keywords meta tag. However, still include your keywords here. They can serve as a point of reference for you in the future.

meta name="keyword" keyword, keyword, keyword /meta

Do not "stuff" this meta tag by repeating your keyword phrases over and over. Search engines will ban sites for such practices.

Paul Stefanski develops Recommended Web Tools, an online resource for web design beginners. Visit his website to find out more about onpage optimization.

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Unfortunately each year many young children drown in swimming pools, other bodies of water, and standing water around the home area. Children must be watched by an adult at all times when in or near water. Children are very inquisitive and love to get themselves into trouble. They love to get there little frail bodies into buckets, bathtubs and such items. Did you know children may drown in an inch or 2 of water!

Always keep buckets and pails, especially 3 to 5-gallon buckets and diaper pails away from toddlers. Toilets are not just a favorite for dogs. Keep children away as they can drown in the bowl. Do you have fish? Make sure aquariums are placed high and above the reach of children. Children will be intrigued by the fish and may try to get in. Bathtubs, kids love to play in them, esp. with water and there toys. Always keep an eye on them and never leave them alone in a bathtub without any supervision. Bathtubs don't only pose a danger of drowning but danger of scorching hot water as well. Set your water heater thermostat so that the hottest temperature at the faucet is 1200F to avoid burns.

In conclusion, always remember to empty out any buckets, pails, and bathtubs completely after each use - do not leave them filled and unattended. Children will find a way to get in them. Learn CPR and know how to get emergency help. As a rule stay within an arm's length of your child. Teach others in the home to keep the bathroom door closed at all times. Install a hook-lock or doorknob cover on the outside of the door, to prevent toddlers from opening them. Do you own a hot tub or sauna? Use a lockable cover on a hot tub, spa, or whirlpool, or fence in all 4 sides as you would for a swimming pool. Watch children closely when they are playing near wells, open holes, or irrigation or drainage ditches. Fill in empty holes or have gates installed to protect your child from falling in. For more safety information and products visit www.safetyrus.com

Frank G owner of safetyrus.com

For more safety information and products visit http://www.safetyrus.com

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Some web hosts are offering more than others for the same price or even for a lower price. There is no denying the fact that as competition increases amongst web hosting services, many are looking for ways and means to stand out and be different from their competitors. The result is that web hosting service standards are constantly on the rise and webmasters are constantly enjoying amazing new features that were previously not there. Let us take a look at a few that some web hosts are now regularly offering to their clients.

There are website hosts that help clients publish and manage their own email newsletters or ezines. This is a powerful marketing tool that helps increase sales. Some hosts go further and also offer an unlimited number of auto responders. This helps a site owner automatically follow up with prospects and thus dramatically increase the chances of making a sale.

We also now have hosting services that help you set up set up your own affiliate program. Affiliate programs are the proven most effective way of getting traffic and profits for webmasters. Pioneered by sites like Amazon.com, this is where you enable other website owners to promote your site and products on their site and in return earn commissions from the sales that result from traffic that they have referred to your site.

Another popular emerging new feature from hosts is the service that helps you protect your download page where you are selling digital products like e-books or software from your site. The number of hackers is on the increase and this is an increasingly vital service for many webmasters.

Some hosting services are also addressing the rapidly increasing menace of junk mail and provide quality filters to protect your email accounts. Some even provide built-in anti-virus software so that email that arrives with viruses, is automatically deleted.

Lois S. is a Technical Executive Writer for http://www.websitesource.com and http://www.lowpricedomains.com with experience in the website hosting industry.

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Sitting in front of a blank piece of paper? Wondering where in the world to start? I have a suggestion. Turn the page upside down. Or better yet flip it over onto it's backside. Let it know who's boss. If your first idea is terrible, write it down anyway. If the next one is silly, redundant or stupid, write it down. Who knows, it may end up being a comedy direction and that first terrible line may end up being the punch line. You never know. You are jumping off a precipice into the unknown world of creativity and you need to be a leaf at the mercy of the wind or you will come crashing down with your fears in a ball flames every time.

Throw as much as you can against the wall and see what sticks. I own a jingle and music production company and I had an assignment to create a jingle, positioning statement (slogan), campaign for Petaluma Auto Plaza in Northern California. They have a huge electronic sign on Hwy 101 and we decided that this landmark was our key. So, what do you do with a big sign? It's huge and you can see it from everywhere. It's so big, it's like a monument. And what do you do with a monument? We decided to worship it. So I brought into the studio Jeannie Tracy (from Whitney Houston's band), a gospel singing Diva, to sing the following full-on hand clapping gospel jingle I SAW THE SIGN: "I was lost in the gloom of auto dealers and sales pitches, then I saw a light shining bright standing tall (Where to turn?)... I saw the sign (chorus answers 'I saw the sign') in Petaluma ('Petaluma Auto Plaza')" and on and on... If you'd like to hear it go to: http://soundad.com/sounds/ and click on Pet Auto Plaza. It's a smashingly successful campaign.

Sometimes "getting outside of the box" is about simplicity. I had a chain of camera stores in need of a jingle to brand their company name and a positioning statement (slogan) to bring people in. We did a market analysis and concluded that they were trying to reach two buyers: #1)Professional photographers who were developing their film. #2)New camera buyers who were serious about learning the craft. We came up with a simple line that appealed and spoke to both: WE DEVELOP PHOTOGRAPHERS

Creativity is not something I pull out of thin air. There is a process that I trust will lead me to something spectacular. I throw everything possible up against that wall without judgement or self criticism. If doubt creeps in, I throw doubt up against the wall. If I'm getting bored, I throw boredom against the wall and suddenly there is a humorous side that begins to appear. If I don't need humor, I throw it up against the wall and a new perspective opens up.

It's all good in the creative process and those of us who live it should honor it. It keeps us young because it's all about letting go, letting things flow and crawling outside of the box for a few moments.

Barry Volk - EzineArticles.com Expert Author

Barry Volk is a former producer/staff songwriter for ABC, MCA & Screen Gems-EMI Music Publishing, a 20th Century Fox solo recording artist, Musical Director for the West Coast Theater Company and National Director of Marketing for Metro Networks/Westwood One. His music production company, Barry Volk's Sound Advantage http://soundad.com, creates and produces musical identities and jingles for radio and TV advertisers worldwide from small market to national campaigns.

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