Archive for October, 2007

Online Dating - People Skills Still Required

Saturday, October 20th, 2007

By Carl Orris Online dating has made meeting new people easier, making formal introductions and chance meeting less and less important to the dating and matchmaking scene, it is forcing us to brush up on some old skills. Oh, how I hate to write.I think we all remember those days back in school when we had to write that three hundred-word report. You know the one that we had two weeks to finish, but did not start until the night before it was due. If you hated that as much as I did then I have some bad news for you. Online dating is all about writing and the writing starts as soon as you join. The awesome, fearsome profile All online dating sites require that you write a few paragraphs about yourself, your likes and dislikes. Most but not all require somewhere around one hundred words minimum. Remember that the first things other members of the site read in deciding to contact or respond to you is your profile, There are many excellent sources online on how to write a good profile, but to keep it brief here, write your profile using something like word pad or any software that has a built in spell checker. Proof read it, then copy and paste into the profile section of the dating site. First Email. You mean I have to write some more? Well yes. I warned you online dating is all about writing. However, with that email things get a little more complicated, because you have to dust off your conversation skills. Email conversation is easy, read the profile of the person you are making contact with, or responding to and ask questions about the various interests that they expressed. When they write back to you give some feed back in response to their answers and then ask some more questions. The first phone call or face-to-face meeting. Phew, we are finally done with all that writing! But wait; now it is time to actually have a conversation. By this point you should have exchanged a few emails, read each other’s profiles and have a fair idea about what each of your interests are. To avoid those long, uncomfortable periods of silence, just ask questions about each other’s interests. Use the interviewers method of: how, when, where, and why. Developing you writing and conversational skills will go a long way in helping you meet that perfect someone. Carl Orris provides how-to information on using online dating services with a special emphasis given to Christian dating services. For additional tips about online dating visit Christian Dating Service Review. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carl_Orris http://EzineArticles.com/?Online-Dating—People-Skills-Still-Required&id=403864 ordered phentermine buy phentermine blue prescription phentermine without prescription diet medication

How’s Your RQ?

Friday, October 19th, 2007

By Ted Segura Youve heard of IQ intelligence quotient, EQ emotional quotient and now RQ. RQ? Yes, relational quotient or relational intelligence. We are social beings and we interact with each other in one way or another. Excepting the hermits who live in solitary isolation, we all do connect with people. Social interaction research shows this. So what is RQ? According to author Brad DeHaven, it is our capacity to connect with one another in a skillful, warm and authentic way. This revolves around being relational beings who are made to enjoy friendship and community with others. The person with a high RQ puts high value on understanding and cultivating those relationships. More than anything else, RQ will determine your overall happiness, the health of your relationship with your spouse or partner and your sense of fulfillment in life. Hows your RQ? Are those around you noticed by you? When you meet your family, the people at the local store or at work, do you greet them with a smile? Do people who you interact with feel that you have understood them, respected them and value them? More importantly, do you show that you value your spouse or partner by giving them utmost attention, understanding and love? So how do we give our relationships the care and attention they deserve? It is by being conscious in making relationships one of the priorities in your life. Its about thinking of the other person instead of yourself. To grow your RQ especially in marriage, you need to be the first to reach out to the other instead of waiting around for your spouse to reach out to you. This will be difficult since it will take you outside your comfort zone. You will even have to get over your pride and take the initiative. Outside your relationship with your spouse or partner, identify key relationships in your life and decide to make a better connection with those who are important to you. Social interaction research shows that they can be relatives or friends, business partners or sports associates. Office mates or association members. Take time to call them, see how they are doing and make that the only reason for the call. Or you can send them a friendly note. You will be surprised and amazed at what a difference these seemingly insignificant connections will make in your relationships. Strengthening relationships with active listening for example, increase over time as you continually connect with others and affirm that you care. Listening to them, building trust, solving problems with them and loving them take time. A great advice on successful marriage relationship is likened to nurturing a growing plant, watering it every day and talking sweet, encouraging words to make it grow. Improving your RQ requires shifting focus from yourself to others. Instead of trying to get what you want, try to find out what others want and help them get or achieve what they want. Understand that people care more about themselves than they care about helping you. Therefore, if you want to have someone be interested in you, be interested in them first. Zig Ziglar says You can have everything in life you want if you will only help enough other people get what they want. As we add value to the lives of others, we in turn develop a vast resource in our relationships. We have a treasure of ideas, information, advice, referrals, support, resources that we can tap into. So invest in securing strong relationships and in a particular way in marriage relationship. This is a perfect advice on successful marriage relationships. We are all designed to love, to learn, to live and leave a legacy. You will get them most significant sense of accomplishment in knowing that you have made a difference in someones life. Remember that your relationship with your spouse or partner is highly important and therefore make him or her feel significant. Add value to his or her life continually. Then your relationship will grow strong, healthy and successful. Ted and Christine Segura have been involved in the topic of relationships and are in an organization that helps couples and families in the areas of family life and enhancing relations. Go to http://www.idealfamilylife.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ted_Segura http://EzineArticles.com/?Hows-Your-RQ?&id=276526 cheap xanax without prescription get xanax without a prescription generic xanax no prescription buy 2 mg xanax

The Awful Truth About Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Thursday, October 18th, 2007

By Cory Hamilton My five-year-old daughter believes in fairies. Rainbow fairies, weather fairies, flower fairies, even sleep fairies. In fact, shes an avowed expert on fairies and the only one who knows the truth about them: that they live in magical worlds only she can see. Shes part fairy too, she says, and filled with magic. Right about now youre probably asking what fairytales and magical creatures have to do with marketing. First I have to tell you that my daughter learned everything she knows from books and movies written by adults who she says dont really know about fairies. Its not that grownups are too old to understand what really goes on in pixie hollow; they just dont have the magic inside that allows them to see the whole picture. So she takes a goblin here, a unicorn there, adds a mermaid for good measure, and creates her own sacrosanct interpretations. Many people in business are just like my daughter, if not nearly so cute. Their understanding and beliefs about marketing comes from a hodgepodge of Internet blogs, executive summaries, newspaper clippings, and hearsay. They take either what sounds good or feels right as gospel and become experts themselves. They are, like my daughter, full of magic and the only ones who know the truth. That may sound harsh. Yet, unlike my daughter, people in business cant afford to play make-believe. They go broke. Marketing is less magic than it is work. It requires effort to identify and satisfy customer needs. It also takes time and, usually, money to move through this process and formulate a marketing strategy to achieve business goals. That strategy may include public relations, advertising, and business development. These elements may work together, separately, or simultaneously depending on the marketing objective. Information is empowering, but it can also be overwhelming. Instead of trying to drink a bathtub full of water in one gulp, take a few sips. Start by clearly defining your terms, then move on to bigger concepts: Marketing: the process of identifying and satisfying customer needs. Marketing Strategy: the logical route by which a business hopes to achieve its marketing objectives. It is a road map that guides you to your chosen destination(s) and utilizes advertising, public relations, and business development as fuel for the trip. Advertising: the sponsored presentation and promotion of ideas, goods, or services through newspapers, magazines, television, radio, the Internet, and other mass media. It is used to communicate messages about you as well as your products, services, and causes. In addition, it is used to inform, persuade, and remind target audiences. Public Relations: the process of managing how you deliver the message(s) about your business to various publics and audiences. Business Development: the process of building, nurturing, and maintaining relationships with prospective and existing clients in an ongoing effort to secure additional sales and selling opportunities. These definitions may not answer all of lifes persistent questions, but they do reflect the key attributes ofand differences betweencore marketing elements. Knowing them and understanding how they interact will put you far ahead of competitors who continue to pontificate and lose market share. In short, faith, trust, and pixie dust alone wont be enough to successfully market your business. But a clear understanding of marketing basics, combined with common sense, may just carry you all the way to Neverland after all. Cory Hamilton is President of Stylebook Creative LLC, a creative services firm specializing in writing and strategic marketing. For more information visit http://www.stylebookcreative.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cory_Hamilton http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Awful-Truth-About-Faith,-Trust,-and-Pixie-Dust&id=269435 overnight delivery of prescription drug valium order valium online where can i buy valium without a prescription pharmacy indonesia valium

The Marketing of Value, Part 3

Tuesday, October 16th, 2007

By Daniel Wadleigh The following message is the best explanation of price vs. value that ever has been stated. You may wish to have it, or part of it, typed up and made available on your web site or as a declaration on a stand-up in your place of business. It buries the notion of “price is everything”, even on commodities with a known value. In those cases, as well documented in this manual, you may offer expert advise or many other added values. However, when “lower your price” or “The other guy has a better price” comes up - this is the answer. That being said, 25% of them will not buy from you, count on it, but 75% of the market is open to value. It is not wise to pay too much, but it is worse to pay too little. When you pay too much you lose a little money - that is all. When you pay too little you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought is incapable of doing the thing you bought it to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot… it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that, you have enough to pay for something better. Daniel Wadleigh is a nationally published marketing consultant and has programs for start-up and existing businesses including effective web sites, e-mail/database, other non-internet ways to drive them to your website, and low cost ways to get more new customers. Go to: http://www.more-new-customers.com to get free copy of “Marketing to Men vs. Women- the 8 different responses” and a Free copy of “Market Research- 7 Questions to Ask to Start-up and 7 to Ask to Improve Any Business.” Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Wadleigh http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Marketing-of-Value,-Part-3&id=140574 buy ultram on line buy tramadol online tramadol online pharmacy ultram for sale

Using A Russian Marriage Agency For More Choices

Tuesday, October 16th, 2007

By Peter Finch A Russian marriage agency is always a good solution for anyone who is looking to start dating or marrying a Russian woman. The matchmakers are both creative and professional and are there to help arrange everything for you. You have only one thing to do, and that is to enjoy your new bride that you meet. In the past 10 to 15 years, Russian dating services have enjoyed much popularity for many reasons. Russian women are coming from a society where values such as family and morals are highly appreciated. Those values make them very attractive to men who are looking for such things in a wife and mother. It is very easy to find a woman that possesses these qualities on the Internet. Unlike in far ago years when romantic letters were traveling across the world through the mail, today many Russian marriage agencies have settled in on the Internet, and are making their presence known. They are improving their online services and making it less expensive and more flexible for foreigners who want to try Russian dating. The fact that you might not speak the Russian language is not a barrier anymore. Most Russian marriage agencies have websites in English or they provide a search translator who will help you understand the local language. They will charge a small fee, but if it is a service that you need it will save you hours of search through the profiles when you don’t understand the language. Russians use the Cyrillic alphabet which is almost impossible for foreigners to read. Russian marriage agencies are specialized in certain areas, but most of them cover the huge territory fully. You may want to choose one of these larger agencies because you will have more of a choice of a variety of different women. It just gives you more options before you making your final choice and building your relationship. In Russia, women surpass men as far as the population is concerned by almost 5%. This leaves many single women looking for someone to share their life with. You will be surprised at how many offers that you will get through your Russian marriage agency, although if you look at how many people are in Russia altogether you can understand why. You will be asked to fill in a form that tells of your interests and general background information. Along with the standard questions such as your full name, age, and contact details you may be asked to send a document proving that you are single. You cannot write anything that is considered to be offensive or pornographic because your profile will be removed immediately or censored. Also, this will be offensive to most of the Russian women that will see it. The Russian marriage agencies take their work very seriously, and are there to do what is right for everyone. Sending in a photograph of yourself is also a requirement, not to mention just a good idea to do. It will show the women what you look like so that there are no surprises. Russian marriage agencies are experienced in what will work the best for you, and they will give you advice on which type of picture to choose that will be liked by the women. This includes your dress code and general appearance, because it shows your social status which will help you to receive more emails from potential brides. Whatever Russian marriage agency you choose, you should keep a positive attitude. Marriage is a serious step and commitment and the more you share with your matchmaker, the better chance you have of being happy and finding the right woman for you. Check out our reviews of all of the top russian dating agencies at Russian Dating Review. If you are looking for a russian bride and want to try russian dating ,visit us now. http://www.IdealGirl.com and http://www.AnastasiaWeb.com.ua are managed by two of the most trusted names in Russian dating and have a huge selection of gorgeous, well educated and sincere ladies who want to meet you. Find your Russian bride today. Don’t delay. Visit now. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Finch http://EzineArticles.com/?Using-A-Russian-Marriage-Agency-For-More-Choices&id=534630 low cost zoloft order generic zoloft zoloft prescription zoloft prescription

Los Angeles DUI and Fines

Monday, October 15th, 2007

By Kevin Stith Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), or any other intoxicant, is a serious offense and invites strict law enforcement through fines and penalties, probation and if the case is severe, imprisonment. Signs of driving under the influence vary and include swerving and weaving, stopping in a traffic lane for no reason and minor and major traffic accidents. DUI laws vary from state to state. As, a general rule, you are in trouble if your blood-alcohol concentration level is over .20%. First and foremost, the legal drinking age is twenty-one. This rule itself leads to the zero tolerance law. In simple terms, this means that since it is illegal for people under 21 to drink alcohol, it is also illegal for them to drive any vehicle with alcohol in their system. So, if you are under 21, and charged with driving while intoxicated, be prepared to have your license taken away. In California, driving under the influence of alcohol invites stiff penalties, fines and punishment. The offense may also be termed as “”operating while intoxicated”" (OWI) or “”driving while intoxicated”" (DWI). Driving with an excessive blood-alcohol concentration (BAC), means when you are charged with DUI, you will need to undergo a BAC test that can involve testing your blood sample or taking a breath test. As per California law, you can be booked for DUI if the BAC test confirms a concentration level to be higher than .20%. Suppose you are charged with DUI and refuse to take a chemical test. In this case your driver’s license will be suspended, even if you are not found guilty of the DUI charge. In California, the suspension is for a period of one year. A police officer may take your license and serve you with a notice of suspension after a breath-test. This is because in California a “”per se”" statute provides for immediate suspension if the breath test result is above the legal limit. In California, DUI convictions involve stiff penalties and punishment. The fines vary by the nature and frequency of the crime. While first time offenders are fined $250 to $500, a second conviction within a period of five years may invite a fine to the tune of $500 to $1000. Also, it becomes mandatory for offenders to take a DUI education course. Keep in mind that these fines and penalties are aggravated with factors such as the presence of a child under 14 years of age in the car or the confirmation of an extremely high blood alcohol content. Los Angeles DUI Lawyers provides detailed information about Los Angeles DUI lawyers, driving under the influence, DUI and fines and more. Los Angeles DUI Lawyers is affiliated with Florida DUI Attorneys Info. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Stith http://EzineArticles.com/?Los-Angeles-DUI-and-Fines&id=131269 soma on line buy soma online cod buying soma prescription of soma

Change The Shape Of Your Nose In Minutes: Non-Surgical “Rhinoplasty”

Sunday, October 14th, 2007

By Nelson Lee Novick Youve stared at your nose in the mirror for years wishing that something could be done to improve the bump on the bridge, eliminate the indentation in the middle, or raise up the tip. But, you could never gather up the courage or the money for a surgical nose job, what doctors call a rhinoplasty. Maybe you just could not bear the thought of a painful recovery or afford the added expense of the two-week downtime away from work. Now, with non-surgical rhinoplasty you may just be able to have your cake and eat it. Two state-of-the-art soft-tissue filler materials, Radiesse and Restylane, may be just the answer for you. Both are FDA-approved materials, and their safety has been well established in human use. Neither Radiesse, a synthetic bone-like material made up of calcium hyroxylapatite nor Restylane, a synthetically produced hyaluronic acid derivative, require pre-treatment allergy testing. Each has been injected successfully to correct certain nasal irregularities. The areas to be treated usually require a small amount of local anesthetic. The filler is then injected and molded into place to correct the deformity or irregularity. Treatment usually takes only a few minutes. Afterward, you may experience some redness, mild swelling, and tenderness, which may last one to two days. Occasionally, you may develop slight bruising that can last several days, but is easily coverable with makeup. For a drooping nasal tip, a very common occurrence with aging, tiny droplets of Botox Cosmetic, which has been used so successfully to treat the dynamic wrinkles of the face, may be given to the sides of the nose and to the tip directly to weaken those muscles responsible for pulling the nose downward and to allow others that draw the tip upward to do so unopposed. The net result is that the tip is repostitioned to a more youthful appearance. Re-treatment may be necessary every few months to maintain this improvement. The results with Radiesse may last twelve to eighteen months and those of Restylane for eight to twelve months before a touchup may be necessary. Your doctor will discuss with you whether non-surgical rhinoplasty is appropriate for you, the benefits of each agent, and the best agent or combination of injectables for your particular needs. Now what are you waiting for? Dr. Nelson Lee Novick is a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, an Attending Physician, and a former OPD Clinic Chief within the department of dermatology of the Medical Center. He also maintains a private practice in Cosmetic Dermatology and Cosmetic Dermasurgery on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. His biography has been included in the most recent 46th through 61th editions of Who’s Who in America, and he has been listed in Consumer Research Council of Americas Guide to Americas Top Physicians–2003-2006. He is also the author of nine trade books, over a hundred by-lined articles, and more than a half dozen audiotapes on skin care. He has written for many popular magazines and newspapers and has been quoted in all the major print venues, including the The New York Times, The Washington Post, and USA Today. He is a familiar face to network media and has been featured with Oprah Winfrey, Paula Zahn, Matt Lauer, and Joan Hamburg. http://www.skinsavvy.fromyourdoctor.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nelson_Lee_Novick http://EzineArticles.com/?Change-The-Shape-Of-Your-Nose-In-Minutes:-Non-Surgical-Rhinoplasty&id=259123 buy cheap propecia purchase propecia online without prescription finasteride order online order purchase finasteride online without prescription

Bird Persuasion: How to Entice Them Over To Your Backyard or Garden

Friday, October 12th, 2007

By Steve Bailey Most people remember an instance in which they’ve looked out the window in a spontaneous moment and caught a glimpse of an uncommonly attractive bird landing on a rose, or a tree branch. An especially surprising chance witnessing of a rare bird can lead us to an internal motivation of our own, of how to develop ideas to draw them to our home on a more regular basis. The variety of simple and possibly fun actions to attract birds range from simply hanging a running hose, set on “mist” (for attracting hummingbirds), to planting a specific type of flower or rose in your garden. You might be the type of home-owner that prefers attractive feeders or water-filled basins, or all of the above. The possibilities vary with the type of birds you wish to attract to your yard. Water Is a Good Start Water is not just for quenching their thirst. Birds do take a bath once in a while, so you can possibly mix up a combination of baths and water basins. They will not bathe, however, in a bird pool or basin that has more than about two inches of water, as they naturally fear drowning. When it comes to deep water, they will only perch on the side and drink from it. It’s a reversal from what we are used to as humans. Provide them with an appropriate bath tub, by creating a shallow container of water. Many birds, especially hummingbirds love to play in all light-running water. For example, set up a sprinkler or dangle a hose from a tree branch with the nozzle set on mist. Hummingbirds, among others, enjoy flying through this artificial rain. Nature created birds with a natural attraction to certain sounds, and this includes that of running water. Add a small fountain or create a simple waterfall. Birds can’t resist the sound of gently burbling, splashing or tinkling water. Feed Them Fruit or Seeds Birds such as robins, cedar waxwings, and Orioles will gladly help themselves to blackberries, raspberries, blue-berries, Juneberries and mulberries provided in a birdscape. Begin the process by growing perennial berry-bearing vines. Attract Orioles, also, with chunks of orange, apples, and bananas. Secure large pieces to tree trunks or feeding platforms so the birds can’t carry them away. Draw northern cardinals, blue jays and tufted titmice to your yard with hanging hoppers filled with black oil sunflower seeds. Tube feeders, especially those that are thistle-filled, excel in enticing American goldfinch. Whole sunflower seed heads are a natural way to help the birds make it through the winter. Fill the empty seed heads with peanut butter for continued nourishment. For those interested in growing sunflowers for bird feed, I recommend the Mammoth, Paul Bunyan Hybrid and Aztec Gold varieties. Pleasing bird appetites comes easy by allowing black-eyed Susan, aster, marigold, coreopsis, purple coneflow and zinnia to set seeds. Leave these seed heads standing through winter. A Bird’s Nesting Anemities Lure gray catbird and brown thrasher by planting barberry, hawthorne, lilac, mock orange and other thorny, twiggy shrubs where they are likely to make their homes. Accommodate purple-martins and other insect-eating birds by providing specially designed “apartment style” houses situated 12 to 20 feet high on telescoping poles. Erect birdhouses for bluebirds, chickadees and other cavity-seeking birds who normally nest in tree holes. Take note that specific birds perfer specific birdhouse dimensions. Preserve a standing dead tree trunk (that is not a threat to safety) as a nesting site for black-capped chickadees and an insect source for woodpeckers. Position nesting shelves — these are birdhouses without sides or front — in vine-covered arbors to meet the open nesting needs of American robins and song sparrows, who will build their nests in these open boxes. Additional Notes Choose a feeder that will allow the oddest shape seed to flow through smoothly. Upon refilling the feeder, make sure to clean out any old seed to avoid bacteria and rot. Clean the feeder thoroughly two or three times a year and keep your feeders full throughout the year. It’s a common misperception that just because spring and summer arrives, the birds couldn’t necessarily use some help; after all, this is a time when eggs are being laid and young are hatching. The additional nutrition added by the food in your feeder will also encourage the mothers to bring their young for a treat when they learn to fly. Birdbaths, garden fountains and ponds: Whichever you choose, these areas too, need to be kept clean and refreshed often, to prevent disease and thus keep that invitation open to birds. Place your feeders and birdbaths in an area that is easily accessible by you and not by predators such as larger birds and cats. Maximize your enjoyment of your new visitors by situating feeders in key places where you can view the birds - on your deck, or where you can view them from inside your room. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Steve Bailey is a webmaster and computer programmer who prefers the outdoor environment for spending time on his passion. Information and resources on a range of furniture such as jungle hammocksor cedar adirondack chairs can be found at his web site. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ** Attn Ezine editors / Site owners Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine provided that all content/links are are left intact. 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Holiday Marketing: Creative Options for Year-end Promotion

Thursday, October 11th, 2007

By Audrey Nezer Now is the time of year when organizations express gratitude to their customers and clients by mailing the standard and ubiquitous Christmas-Kwanzaa-Channukah-New-Year-Chinese-New-Year cards. These cards make customers feel appreciated. We’re closing in the end of another year. With the approaching holiday parties, fundraisers, and galas, let alone the reality of tight budgets, you are wondering how you are going to get that Christmas-kwanzaa-channukah-new-year-chinese-new-year card designed, printed and mailed before mid-December. By the second week in December, you’ve already missed the deadline to order cards from one of the many catalogs that can foil stamp the world with Joy in 12 different languages. Good thing it would be less cheesy to send each of your clients a cheese log. You could always wait and send a New Year’s card after January 1, but I should warn you that sending new year’s greetings shortly after the new year is the walk-of-shame of company holiday wishes. By then, office windowsills have been cleared and most people are happy to be done with the cookies and eggnog. Fourth quarter is a crazy time for most businesses; our time is most taxed. We have a million professional events going on and even more personal ones. In January, the first thing may people find themselves doing is recycling all of those thoughtful holiday wishes. As a designer often in charge of clients’ holiday greetings, I have these words of wisdom: No one cares about holiday cards. If you have a customer, donor or client who will be seriously offended if they dont receive multilingual, foil-stamped Joy from you, get rid of the client. Here are a few creative solutions to the ubiquitous holiday card dilemma; each will make your company memorable and keep you sane. Pick another holiday and make it your own: If youre in the chocolate business, send your big annual promotion on Valentines Day. If youre in healthcare, get people moving with wishes for an active spring. Are you a nonprofit? Thank your major donors in late January with a post-new-year bottle of Tylenol after the holiday galas are over. Groundhog day, St. Patricks Day, Halloween theyre all up for grabs, and those who receive your greetings will actually have time to appreciate your creativity. Quality over Quantity: If you really feel you need to send something in December, limit the recipients and give them something really nice and I dont mean a calendar mug with your logo on it. For example, if your organization is involved in international issues or trade, buy your quality clients a set of world spices from Dean & Deluca. A Fruit-of-the-month gift would be perfect for philanthropists who donate generously to gay rights organizations (if they have a sense of humor, theyll love it all the more). If you are in the import/export business, give your top reps a really high-quality telephone headpiece for all the talking they do for you. The options are endless. Use your imagination and think about the person receiving the gift; what would they truly appreciate? By limiting recipients, you create a small prestigious circle that includes a few chosen individuals. Pick a holiday or event that reflects your business: There are 365 days in the year and for each day, there is a celebration going on somewhere in the world. Are you in the fashion industry? The Japanese celebrate Koromo-Gaye on June 1. This is the day people store their winter clothes in favor of lightweight summer clothes; school children change their uniforms. Are you in healthcare? Celebrate Florence Nightingales Birthday on May 12. It falls in the middle of National Hospital Week celebrated in the U.S. and Britain. Send a card that thanks your donors for their continued support. Florence Nightingale would be proud. World Holiday Book by Anneli Rufus lists a holiday or event for each day of the year. You just might find the perfect holiday to use as a Christmas-kwanzaa-channukah-new-year-chinese-new-year replacement. If you feel you really must send your nearest and dearest 8,000 clients a card, here are some ideas: Make it a keeper. Create something that they can use throughout the year. A well-designed wall calendar works well. You could also start a 4-part series of calendar postcards that they receive at the beginning of each quarter. Or send them a card that can be perforated into four bookmarks (perfect if you sell books or are involved with literacy awareness). Be funny. Avoid the standard gold, red and green. Give your logo a break from being front and center. Be funny. Last season I sent a card with calendar and the greeting If, during this time of year, your tradition involves standing on your head and chanting wildly to a coconut, make it the best headstand and the biggest coconut ever. Most of my clients laughed, some were confused, but they all used the calendar. Overly earnest or mushy cards may be appropriate within some families, but I find humor is a better way to go for large mailings. Use a Different December Holiday. Wish everyone a happy Saturnalia instead of a the more generic Happy Holidays. Saturnalia is a week-long Roman holiday that starts on December 17th. This was the day that masters gave their slaves a weeks freedom and reversed roles by becoming their indentured servants. This gives you an opportunity to ask your clients what you can do for them for their continued support. Include in your card a discount coupon for your services. It is always a great time to thank the people who support your company or organization; dont waste the opportunity or your money in December with a forgettable card, especially a forgettable card that has been pre-printed with signatures. Make it personal. Make time during the year when you can put your energy into finding a unique way to thank the people who support your company. Even if you need to send a large December mailing, take a risk. Let your company culture and personality come through. Thats what will make you memorable. Audrey Nezer is an award-winning graphic designer in Seattle, Washington. Her company, Artifex Design, creates playful, edgy and effective marketing and communication materials for companies and organizations throughout the United States. Visit http://www.artifex.net to learn more. 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Top 10 Things People Do Wrong at Interviews, And How To Avoid Them

Wednesday, October 10th, 2007

By Laura Adams A face-to-face interview is the most stressful part of the job search for many individuals, but it is also a critical component of the recruiting process. Up until this point, you have been able to hide behind your resume and cover letter. As the selection process starts to draw to a close, though, its time to impress the hiring team. A large part of a successful interview is avoiding potential pitfalls that can undermine your ability to impress the hiring team. The top ten critical mistakes that people make when interviewing for a position are: Arriving late to the interview Arriving late makes a strong negative first impression and will raise questions in the interviewers mind about your reliability and punctuality. Always ask for directions to the interview site and double-check a map so that you know where you are going. Dont forget to allow extra time for traffic and other unforeseeable events. Poor dress attire and grooming Remember that professional companies are looking to hire professional individuals, not the beach bum who just shook the loose sand from his hair. Dress conservatively in a well-fitting suit and keep jewelry, makeup, and fragrances to a minimum. Its also important to always take a shower, brush your teeth, and comb your hair before an interview as well to present to clean, polished image. Failure to do research about the company prior to the interview Show you are interested in the company for by doing some outside research before the interview. This attention to detail sends a clear message to the interviewer that you are serious about the position and are willing to go the extra mile. This research will also help you determine if the companys industry, products/services, and culture are a god match for you. Failure to give specific examples of your experience and measure your skills against the position Interviewers want to know more than just the bare bones of your experience. They are interested in the specifics of task how you performed, challenges you have faced, and the methods you have used to overcome those challenges. This is especially true of behavioral interviewers. Take the time to give the interviewer specific examples of how you have performed and how these collaborate to the duties of the position. If you can draw a clear parallel between your work experience and the position you are interviewing for, you have a much higher chance of being successful in the interviewing process. Not taking the opportunity to ask intelligent questions about the company and/or position The interviewing process is not just an opportunity for the company to evaluate your fit for the position; its also your opportunity to evaluate how well the company and the position match your ideal job. Asking questions not only helps you determine how well-suited you are for the position (and it for you), but also clearly indicates that you have done some basic research about the organization. Dont ask questions just for the sake of asking questions. Intelligent, poorly-worded questions can frequently do more damage to your reputation than remaining silent. Failure to practice Even the best public speakers need to take the time to practice delivering and answering detailed questions. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will get with your answers and the material, allowing for a much smoother delivery. Talking too much (or not at all) The best answers are succinct, but detailed. Interviewees who ramble on and on come across as trying to compensate for some weakness, while those individuals who just sit there and stare appear as though they are in shellshock (and maybe in over their heads). Neither of these scenarios is ideal in an interview situation. Choose your words carefully and sparingly, but dont be a mute. Bad-mouthing previous managers or companies One of the fastest ways to turn off an interviewer is to bad-mouth your current or previous employer. This raises questions about your loyalty and integrity, and labels you as unhappy and a complainer. Even if you worked in a sweatshop with no lights, running water, or meal breaks for 18 hours a day, keep all negative commentary to yourself. Fail to explain why they are a good fit for the position (and the company) If you leave it up to the interviewer to evaluate if you are a solid fit for the company, then you risk the chance that they might not make the decision youd like to hear. Make it easy for the interviewer for hire you by connecting your experiences, talents, and strengths to the job description. Dont state that you want the job Once the interview has concluded, if you want the job, let the interviewer know that you are still interested in the position. Since the interview is as much about your evaluation of the company and the position as it is them evaluating you, dont assume the interviewer knows you still want the job. Reiterate your interest and inquire about the next step in the hiring process. Laura Adams is a qualified careers advisor with 11 years experience. Teaching Careers Information - Resources, News, Tips and Views to help Teachers find their dream jobs. http://www.Teaching-Job.info Copyright Teaching-Job.info This article may be reproduced as long as the resource box and live links remain intact. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Adams http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-10-Things-People-Do-Wrong-at-Interviews,-And-How-To-Avoid-Them&id=127215 sertraline online order zoloft online zoloft without a prescription pharmacy zoloft