Archive for August 2012
Search Engines Drive Small Business Efficiency
Friday, August 31, 2012 | 4:49 pmDewitt, NY – June 21, 2010: Gases and welding distributors often spend significant money researching leads and finding out more about local companies. Much of the same valuable information is available for free on the Internet. Finding this information can be difficult, given the large quantity of unrelated information. As a part of its continued effort to provide young gases and welding managers with best practices that will help them grow professionally and further their careers, the June issue of GAWDA Edge features a tutorial on becoming a search engine expert.
Have you ever searched a topic only to end up bogged down with irrelevant results because the word has multiple meanings? There is a way to change that. Say you want to search about the people of Denmark. Of course, you’ll Google Danish. Unfortunately, half your search results will end up being pastry-related. Try using the minus sign. Google “Danish -pastry” and watch your results clear up.
Once you have mastered the basics, learn the advanced search functions that will make Google your go-to resource. Use a wildcard search to find a contact’s e-mail address; uncover Excel spreadsheets and Powerpoint presentations hidden on a company’s website; access older versions of Web pages that may contain information that has since been deleted. Whether your job is in sales, management, IT or another field in the gases and welding industry, search engines can empower you to do your job more efficiently.
Having a detailed understanding of your customer will better equip you to understand the company and will go a long way toward building a strong relationship. Want to learn how to harness the power of Internet searches to learn about potential customers? Head over to http://www.gawdaedge.org and check out the online resource for young professionals in the gases and welding industries.
For more information, contact Devin O’Toole, editor of GAWDA Edge, at editor@gawdaedge.org or 315-445-2347.
About the Author
Founded in 1945, the Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its member journals, e-magazines, newsletters and industry wiki, GAWDA connects suppliers of gases and manufacturers of related equipment as well as manufacturers of welding equipment and distribution leaders.
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HEAL BODY AND SOUL THROUGH COLOUR THERAPY DEVICE
Thursday, August 30, 2012 | 9:12 amColor is a property of light that consists of many different electromagnetic waves of energy. When light falls upon the photoreceptor cells of the retina, it is then converted into electric impulses, which then travel to the brain and trigger the release of hormones.
Color therapy device is used as an alternative medicine method. It is claimed that a therapist trained in chromo therapy can use color and light to balance “energy” wherever a person’s body be lacking, whether it be physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental. This practice has been labeled pseudoscientific by its critics. The potential benefits of color therapy are that it may reduce chronic pain by lowering the frequency of wavelengths and causing them to be less excited, reduces inflammation and swelling, increases production of milk in lactating females by stimulating the mammary glands, reduces flatulence and relieves hiccups, helps in healing sluggish organs, destroys worms in the body, heals infections, cuts, sores and any other bruises, breaks up phlegm and mucous and calms aggression.
There is a color therapy device known as Photostimulator can be used directly on acupoints and the body to treat all physical problems. It helps in treating most health disorders by applying the light cone to the relative ear points or shines the light directly on wounds, burns, post surgical incisions etc. The Photon Stimulator acts as a First Aid accompanying other treatments, and also when there are no other treatments available. There are different types of photo stimulation device like:-
• Red and Blue Photo-Stimulation Device: It is particularly effective for reducing eye bags, dark circles and creating an eye lift; fine lines, wrinkles, skin firming for face and neck; acne blemishes, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema; congested skin, scars, skin pigmentation, age spots; alopecia or hair loss; breast lifting and firming.
• Green Photo-Stimulation Device: It stimulates venous and lymphatic return in circulation and is particularly effective in the treatment of ligament or tendon sprains, strains, swelling and other sports injuries or localized areas of inflammation like acute injuries or chronic arthritis. It is also used in impaired circulation areas like lower legs, around the ankles commonly seen in individuals suffering with complications of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and neurological disorders.
• Triple-Head Photo-Stimulation Device: The polychromatic modulated light projects different wavelengths of the visible spectrum that produces a very strong photo-stimulation penetrating deep into the dermal layer to stimulate the physiological bio-chemical and enzymatic reactions that are used for its anti-cellulite abilities, immediate lifting, smoothing and firming capacity and for its ability to diminish the appearance of stretch marks and stimulate the synthesis of collagen and elastin.
The results obtained are instantly visible from the first treatment, with progressive improvement as cellular tissues that renew overnight. Treatments are typically performed at first week for the first 4-6 treatments and maintenance is recommended every 4-8 weeks that depends on your desired outcome and goal of the treatment. A typical treatment session duration is of 60 minutes. If you are a sensitive person, then color therapy is beneficial as there are no side effects and is free from pain or gain.
About the Author
Emiley David acts as a consultant for T-shirtat and for more information see, http://photonstimulator.com/ “> Color Therapy Device , Light Therapy Device or Healing with Light .
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Material Handling Magazine Highlights Search Strategies
Wednesday, August 29, 2012 | 12:39 pmDewitt, NY – June 21, 2010: As a part of its continued effort to provide young professionals in the forklift, storage and handling, conveyor and general material handling industries with the most cutting-edge, web-based best practices information possible, the June issue of MHEDA Edge features an article called “Find What You’re Looking For.” It focuses on proven strategies for using online search to better know your customers.
In times like these where sales are still slow and those projects that are available are increasingly tough to get, distributor salespeople must be confident that when they walk into a customer location, they’re doing so armed with all the information that they could possibly need. That’s why distributors often spend significant money researching leads and finding out more about local companies. However, there is an immensely powerful customer research tool that is available to anybody. The tool: Google. Web search can help distributors truly know their customers and prospects before ever making that first sales call.
It’s easy to turn up your nose and say, “Google is nothing new, I’ve been using it for years,” but it runs much deeper that. Sure, we all use Google, probably more than once a day. The question is, are we using it the right way? The old story goes that humans only use 10 percent of their brainpower. Well, we may only be using 10 percent of our search power, too. However, if you take the time to figure out how to exploit that untapped 90 percent, you can elevate your pre-call knowledge and increase your chance of landing new business.
So how do you do it? What strategies can you implement to harness the hidden potential of search for your organization? Check out this month’s issue of MHEDA Edge, the online resource for young professionals in the forklift, storage and handling, conveyor and general material handling industries, and all of your questions will be answered.
For more information, contact Dan Vest, Editor of MHEDA Edge, (315) 445-2347, email: dan@datakey.org.
About the Author
Founded in 1954, the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its member journals, e-magazines, newsletters, and industry wiki, MHEDA connects the manufacturers of storage and handling, lift trucks and conveyor equipment and distribution leaders.
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Inventory Management Tips
Tuesday, August 28, 2012 | 12:55 pmManaging retail inventory is a huge responsibility and one that can have devastating repercussions if it’s not done correctly. Managers everywhere report that inventory management is one of their biggest concerns. The truth of the matter is that it is a huge, tedious job that no one really likes to do. It is almost impossible for one person to manage and it’s almost always necessary to delegate responsibilities in order to get the job done.
It may be surprising to find out that smaller retail stores and boutiques actually have a tougher time doing inventory than big department stores. This is generally because boutiques try to inventory everything at once with only one or two employees working on it. Department stores categorize everything, creating smaller and smaller categories, and then put one person in charge of a tiny section of the store. The employees are not overwhelmed and generally give an accurate count of the section that they are responsible for.
Boutiques and smaller retail stores should take the big department stores’ advice to heart. Delegate the responsibility by dividing your store into different categories and subcategories. Hire an inventory specialist team if you don’t have the employees or the time to do it right.
If you are having your employees take responsibility for each section, offer a reward for accuracy. If you have managers and supervisors, you may want to have them go in behind the lower level employee and double check. If you warn the first person that their count will be checked, they are less likely to make mistakes.
Consider doing your inventory counts outside of your regular business hours so that there aren’t customers there to distract the counters. This will also keep your boutique or retail store looking nice and neat when you’re making that all-important first impression on your customers. You may need to motivate the employees to show up when it is normally their time off. Many companies make inventory count participation mandatory.
You can make it mandatory, but you may risk losing employees that have other obligations, other jobs, college classes, or trips that were planned in advance. Instead, consider offering rewards, like bonus money for participating. Play music, order pizza, and make it fun. You could give people with accurate counts longer breaks or lunches during business hours, or even a deeper discount on their next purchase.
Make sure that everyone has equal responsibilities. People that finish first should help you get the store back in order. Have them straighten the clothing racks so that the store is ready for opening time. A messy clothing rack or window display can make a bad impression and negatively impact the effort that was put forth to accomplish this task outside of your business hours.
About the Author
About the Author: John Garvey is on the staff of Only Garment Racks, a leading online source of clothing racks including garment racks. Find a high quality garment rack or clothing rack at http://www.onlygarmentracks.com.
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Need help cleaning up a huge mess?
Monday, August 27, 2012 | 4:14 am
Household messes are something that we all have to get used to but when it comes to getting them out, that can be a whole other story. While some old wive’s tales will help in cleaning up some messes there are just some out there that require a little more than your average elbow grease.
In these cases you have to find a cleaning company that has the experience to remove your stain or mess without costing a fortune. Luckily, for those of you living in the Wellington, FL area you have Sun Coast Cleaning and Restoration to turn to. This licensed and bonded company uses state of the art equipment and eco friendly products to help clean grout, carpets, drapes, shower stall and even air ducts. Plus, they also offer allergy free alternatives as well!
Both residential and commercial properties can benefit from a deep down cleaning and when the prices are as competitive as Sun Coast’s, there is no reason not to take advantage of it. After all, what do you have to lose other than that horrible mess you can’t seem to get up yourself? Stop covering things up with rugs and décor and restore it the way it used to be!
The most important thing we all look for in a cleaning company is trust and efficiency and in SE Florida there really is no one better. You can give them a call to get a quote on your small or large project and you may be surprised at the cost and how quickly they can get the job done. When you are looking for an upstanding cleaning company in Florida, then Sun Coast Cleaning is the best around. Check them out online for full details on the areas in Florida they cover and what you can expect from them.
About the Author
Kansas City Cassi is a local freelancer who specializes in small businesses, musicians and providing some of the cheapest web design in the country.
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It’s All About Marketing Mindset for Virtual Assistants
Sunday, August 26, 2012 | 5:53 am
Marketing Mindset…. What is this??
Marketing Mindset is defined as the ability to look ahead and understand a task so you can apply the appropriate technology or initiative, ask the appropriate questions, tell your client how you can help and take care of the rest. This is probably the #1 quality business owners look for in a Virtual Assistant.
“I want a Virtual Assistant who will understand my business, think ahead of me and who applies their initiative to take care of things so I don’t have to.” This is one of the most common request we have heard from business owners.
Applying the Marketing Mindset is what has built my business. I had no idea what it was… I couldn’t figure out why my client’s kept telling me I was different…… I honestly thought EVERYONE was doing exactly the same as I. But they were not.
Now there are some things that YOU must do in order to appropriately apply your Marketing Mindset. You need to take inventory – that’s what we’re going to talk about tomorrow. But essentially if you listen and gather details, you can turn around, apply your mindsets, understand the various pieces to a task and tell your client how you can support them and what pieces you need them to do themselves.
Consider these two scenarios:
(1) You’re working with a client. They tell you they want to finish an ebook and start selling it on their website within the next month. You say “Great!”, make a note of it in your own notes and promise to check in a few weeks to see how close they are to completion.
(2) You’re working with a client. They tell you they want to finish an ebook and start selling it on their website within the next month. You say “Great!”… do you have a shopping cart in place at this time or a Merchant account? You know that in order for your client to sell items on their website, they do need to have some form or accepting payment… perhaps they’ll use PayPal. You ask questions in order to determine what exactly you need to think about in order to help them achieve their goal of selling this ebook. You create a plan to keep them accountable and finish the ebook on time. You ask questions such as:
- Is someone assisting you already with the graphic designed of the ebook cover?
- Do you have someone in place to review/proofread and format the ebook? (many VAs can offer this service)
- Do you have a payment processing service in place?
- We should consider using autoresponders – here’s why (list reasons).
- I’ll check in with you every 4-5 days to see how you’re doing on getting the ebook done sound good? Or I’ll book time out of your schedule so you can work on your ebook and get it done.
- Let’s talk about how we’re going to promote the ebook…..
So you can see what I mean about applying Marketing Mindset in example #2. You ask questions, think about what you can do, confirm what they have in place and then you’re going to TELL them what needs to be put in to place.
Do you apply your Marketing Mindset?
Think about how you can apply your Marketing Mindset with your current clients and any potential ones.
About the Author
Cindy Greenway, author of ‘Virtually Successful: 8 Simple Ways for Virtual Assistants to Find (and Keep) Clients”, is the Co-Founder of VirtuallySuccessful.com and also lead trainer at HotSkillsVATraining.com. Since starting her business in 2003, Cindy has worked with highly respected and successful online entrepreneurs. She is most passionate about training and mentoring within the Virtual Assistant community.
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GENERAL FILING INSTRUCTIONS FOR ARTICLES OF DOMESTICATION OR CONTINUATION
Saturday, August 25, 2012 | 3:38 pmAll corporations in order to domesticate their business must comply with the following:
* Make sure that the corporate name you are using is available for use by your corporation. The name may be formally reserved for xxx of days. If you are a holder of a trade name that is identical or non-distinguishable from the proposed name, you will be asked to provide a copy of the Trade name Certificate.
* Names may be checked and reserved. Precedent over any other documents filed on paper and submitted by mail, fax or over the counter.
Deliver the completed original Articles of Domestication or Continuation (and one (1) or more exact copies) to the Commission.
* The domestication or continuation must be executed by a duly authorized officer.
* The Statutory Agent must provide a physical street/location address (A P.O. Box may also be listed. However, a physical street/location address must be furnished). A statutory agent may be an individual resident, a domestic corporation or limited liability company, or foreign corporation or Limited Liability Company authorized to transact business.
* The Certificate of Disclosure must be signed and dated within xxx no of days of delivery to this office by a duly authorized officer.
* If the person executing the documents has a power of attorney authorizing him/her to do so, a copy of the document granting authority must be included with the filing.
* Attach a Certificate of Existence (Good Standing) or certified copies duly authenticated by the official having custody of the corporate records in the jurisdiction in which the corporation was incorporated before the transfer of domicile.
* Within xxx no of days after the Commission has approved the filing, you must publish the Articles of Domestication in a newspaper (if required) of general circulation in the county of the known place of business.
DO NOT PUBLISH UNTIL THE COMMISSION APPROVES THE FILING.
A list of acceptable newspapers in each county will accompany the approval letter and is posted on the Commission web site. The corporation may be subject to dissolution if it fails to publish. Filing an affidavit of publication is not necessary.
All documents filed with the commission are public record. As such, all documents are opening for public inspection.
About the Author
Nashib Umer is CEO of www.infotaxsquare.com is providing business documents filing in all 50 states
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So What?
Friday, August 24, 2012 | 11:14 amMany of us realize that, to get a buyer’s attention, we have to tell them about benefits. As Jack Trout and Al Reis wrote in their best-seller “Positioning,” everyone listens to the same radio station, WII-FM (What’s In It For Me?). No one really cares about us as businesspeople; they care about how our businesses can help them achieve their objectives.
So what? That is the question that you have to answer. You see, businesses — large and small — often market themselves with what they think are benefits. In actuality, they are trumpeting features, never really answering the question. Take a recent television commercial by General Motors, for instance. It promotes one of its SUVs that is equipped with an eight-cylinder engine that switches to four cylinders when possible. This, the commercial professes, increases fuel economy. Okay, there’s the benefit, right? Wrong. The fact that the engine switches from eight to four cylinders is a feature. It has not answered the question, “So what?” But the fact that the engine increases fuel economy is certainly the benefit, correct? Wrong again. It is the advantage over other engines that do not have the same capability. The benefit is the fact that you can afford to own this SUV because it helps keep costs down, a fact the commercial never mentions.
You might think the difference between this advantage and the benefit is very slim or that the benefit is implied. But unless the actual benefit is clearly stated, the reason for the commercial — in fact, the reason for the SUV — is left for the prospect to determine. My question is why would anyone want to leave the last step — the most important step — unresolved? Why wouldn’t the advertiser provide the answer to the prospect’s “so what?”
The answer to this is quite simple and very costly. Companies all-too-often advertise products with the intention of letting prospects fill in the benefit. The thought here is that you may want to buy the product for one reason and I may want to buy it for another. Letting us determine the products’ benefits, they believe, will sell more units. Unfortunately, this way of thinking leads to the selling of fewer units.
FAB
To be most profitable and give you the best return on investment, your advertising should present FAB (Feature, Advantage, Benefit). To do this consistently is not easy, but the results are well worth the effort. Let’s say you are a printer who has purchased a new digital print machine that can produce high-quality postcards, each with an individual recipient’s name, photo, and address on it. With elections coming up, you want to promote its capabilities to political campaign managers. Which one of the following three scenarios would be most likely to get business?
A) Our new XK-3600 provides you with one-to-one marketing materials that include the recipient’s name and address and a photo of his/her house.
B) Our new XK-3600 provides you with one-to-one marketing materials that include the recipient’s name and address and a photo of his/her house. This makes the postcard more personal, so the recipient feels as if you are speaking directly to him/her.
C) Get more votes by speaking directly to your constituents. Our new XK-3600 provides you with one-to-one marketing materials that include the recipient’s name and address and a photo of his/her house. This makes the postcards more personal, so the recipient feels as if you are speaking directly to him/her.
Of course the answer is C. In example A, there is a feature — providing the politician with “one-to-one marketing materials that include the recipient’s name and address and a photo of his/her house.” The printing company’s target audience, the politicians, will either consciously or sub-consciously ask, “So what?” and move on.
Example B adds the advantage over other printing processes, but again, the target audience may ask, “So what?” It’s still not powerful enough to move people to buy.
Remember this. When your marketing includes the benefits to your profitable target audience, you also reap the benefits.
About the Author
As a speaker, author, and coach, Peter George helps self-employed professionals achieve the success they’ve been striving for.
His highly-acclaimed More Clients More Profits Workbook provides small business people throughout the world the opportunity to consistently attract not only more clients but specifically more profitable clients. It includes contributions from noted experts, including Ivan Misner, Bob Burg, Debbie Allen, Susan Roane, Scott Ginsberg, and others.
Start attracting more profitable clients now! Download your free copy of “101 Ways to Attract More Clients” at MoreClientsMoreProfits.com
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What People Need To Know About Koranic Law
Friday, August 24, 2012 | 4:59 amKoranic Law consists of Suras that dictate the behavior of those who are under the law. These laws are practiced in many Islamic countries and are usually difficult for westerners to comprehend. Most westerners, particularly those in the United States, regard religion as a private matter and are not used to it interfering with the laws of the land, despite the fact that many older laws that are no longer on the books or enforced, were mandated by religious beliefs.
Koranic Law indicates that those who do not follow the laws as dictated in the Koran be punished. Suras are laws that are stated in the Koran and dictate how others are to behave. Those who violate these laws can be punished for opposing Islam in some countries. The list of the countries that are Islamic states, in which Islam is the only religion that is tolerated, is growing. Currently, the country that is the most intolerant towards any other religion is Saudi Arabia where no other religion is permitted to be practiced.
In some Western countries, many communities of Muslims want to enact their own Koranic law as far as Suras. They will argue that their freedom of religion gives them the right to dictate to others in their community how they should behave, even if the laws that they want to enact are directly in opposition with the laws of the country in which they are living. This was seen recently in France where Muslims rioted against western influence in their communities. Western countries that have the most concentrated population of Muslims have seen the most conflict when it comes to Koranic Law and Suras.
Even countries like the United States, which has far less of a Muslim population than many European nations, have experienced problems when it comes to Koranic Law. In the United States, all are free to worship as they please, but must follow the laws of the land. Although the US has not enacted any Suras into the laws of the land, schools have changed dramatically in the past ten years in many locations in this country. Those locations where Mosques are present and where there is a large group of Muslims have seen dramatic changes in school teachings, behavior in schools regarding school policies as well as language in any school documents. Although a very secular nation, there are school districts in the United States that are basically practicing Koranic laws by modifying their curriculum to include education on Islam, giving Muslim students separate tables for Ramadan, a fasting holiday, and even going so far to eliminate traditional holidays that were often celebrated in school such as Valentines Day because the premise is offensive to Islamic culture.
Those who speak out against the changes that are taking place in schools across the country are considered bigots or accused of being intolerant racists. While the federal and state governments have done everything in their power to eliminate the Christian religion from schools throughout the country, they are teaching students about Islam and modifying their own school rules for the Muslim population.
About the Author
The Koranic Law is practiced in many Muslim nations and is also spreading towards the West. Many schools are actually practicing Suras so that they do not offend Muslim students. More can be found at Western Civilisation.
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Positive Affirmations For Success Will Keep You Going
Thursday, August 23, 2012 | 3:55 pmWho will not want success? Who doesn’t have a dream? If you know an individual who doesn’t have a goal, it’s time for you to bring that individual back to reality. It is not bad to take a break from the harsh and hectic realities of life from time to time, but that does not mean you can escape from it. We all understand how difficult it is to climb up the ladder, however that would not be the reason for you to stop aiming for something.
It’s a truth, you will not have one but numerous setbacks, you can’t stop it, you can never avoid it, but the good news is you can deal with it. Daily positive affirmations would help a lot. It’s an external issue that does the task internally.
Have you ever thought about the future? Maybe, you’ve been looking around trying to find reasons to move forward, or, you have created too many aspirations that you already confused yourself of which ought to go first. Affirmations for success are always around us, it’s a fact. The only problem is people tend to focus more on the problem rather than answer. If an individual is already flooded with so many thoughts, it would become almost impossible to set things in order. “It’s all in the mind.” – That’s what they always say, it’s true though, however is it really easy to do? Some might say yes, some may not feel the same.
Most of the time affirmations for success are a great confirmation of achievement and even if it is not realized yet, you might set your mind to the road of realization of the things that you wanted to have. The choice is yours, it could be anything from tangible to non-tangible. Everything depends on how far you could go with your purpose.
Most often than not, people tend to concentrate more on botched attempts. This shouldn’t be the case. Individuals must get to know the way to turn the table around for their own advantage. In order for you to achieve great things, you should think great things first.
Psyching up yourself or simply reminding yourself doesn’t always work constantly; people need to have something physical to see. Day to day positive affirmations would greatly contribute to set your mind towards your ultimate goal. Having such will facilitate an individual condition their mind towards the positive side.
Jurgen Mennel has come up with an amazing product called ReflectAffirm®. This unique product is going to revolutionize how and when you absorb information. It captures your conscious attention but, also re-programmes your powerful subconscious mind automatically. Once your subconscious is reprogrammed you can achieve anything you want!
About the Author
Imagine being able to achieve your dreams! It truly is possible and with ReflectAffirm® you can fast-track your success! Visit the website http://www.reflectaffirm.com to move towards creating abundance.
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