Redefining Distance to Market your Company

The recent terrorist attacks here in the US have caused many companies and individuals to rethink how they want to market to and work with others. As a result, web-enabled presentations and or collaborations are finally coming of age ? the technology works with a minimum of hassle, it's an efficient way to give marketing presentations, hold meetings, provide training and do product demonstrations. The cost savings can be significant, especially when contrasted with all of the burdened costs of holding conventional meetings; i.e. travel, hotel, transportation, facilities and "time out of the office issues." Here is a quick primer on some baseline issues to consider when weighing the effectiveness of virtual marketing presentations and meetings.

1. There are a broad number of vendors, although the "virtual presentation and meeting" market segment has undergone consolidation in the last few years. I'd recommend assessing these four market leaders: www.webex.com (well established with diversified terms of services), www.placeware.com (corporate focused), www.centra.com (provides a good client plug in that enables Voice over IP ("VOIP") communications, www.raindance.com (emphasizes teleconferencing).

2. PC configuration, Internet access and firewall issues all need to be considered when your assessing the effectiveness of this process and technology. Port settings need to be "tuned" or optimized, the PC must have multimedia capabilities if your using VOIP, just about any speed of internet connection will work, but the experience for the attendee can vary depending on the connection speeds and how "heavy" your presentation is with graphics.

3. Web presentations offer a lower cost model versus traditional presentations or meetings, but there are burdened costs for web-enabled marketing ? phone conferencing can be anywhere from $.15-35 per minute per user, presentation uploads for a standard power point presentation (which is the defacto app for virtual presentations), can cost $10-30. per presentation, costs per attendee can vary tremendously but average $50-500. per session, depending upon the number of users.

4. One of the most expensive parts of virtual meetings is always the teleconferencing component. All of the market leaders have some VOIP component (voice over IP) but most are not publicizing this technology or service, as they don't want to cannibalize a significant contribution to their revenue streams. One exception is Centra ? they are offering VOIP integrated services with their standard web presentations or meetings. The audio quality is good, analogous to voice quality of a standard cell phone call ? but there is a client download (small under 250K) to deal with and you must have a multi-media enabled PC.

5. Some web-enabled presentation challenges include the need to keep people involved ? you can do this easily by leveraging the chat capabilities, dynamic polling, and standard Q&A components built into the application. The higher their interest level (as in real world meetings) the better your meeting or presentation will be.

6. Marketing presentations can be easily archived and made available to others on a 24/7 basis ? this archiving can include the standard presentation, enhanced with video or audio components, depending on the sophistication of your presentation. Be prepared to pay an extra charge for this ? but the marketing ROI can be significant, especially when you factor in how little most companies charge for an archiving service versus your front end costs.

7. Virtual marketing enables a whole set of web-enabled processes ? you will have the ability to easily capture your prospect/customer's e-mail address and standard contact points via a registration process, involve them and capture preferences via polling in your presentations and "push" follow up communications during your presentation/meeting or later. But, it's very important to include standard "privacy" statements in your materials and adhere to them as you move forward through your business processes.

8. How does video conferencing impact your assessments of web-enabled presentations or collaborations? This depends on your budget, number of people attending the presentation, presenter and attendee locations and other intangible that are specific to your business. In general, video conferencing works better for very small (under five people) presentations or meetings, due to some of the inherent challenges of this medium.

About The Author

Lee Traupel has 20 plus years of business development and marketing experience - he is the founder of Intelective Communications, Inc., http://www.intelective.com, a results-driven marketing services company providing proprietary services to clients encompassing startups to public companies. Lee@intelective.com

Lee@intelective.com

Spiritual Inspiration Music and The New Age

Spiritual Inspiration Music is about Love, Growth, Spiritual and Personal Development and our relationship to the Divine. It's about opening up, being your Self, expressing that Self by allowing the Great Creator to move through you.

The songs come from the Great Beyond where Spiritual Inspiration Music dwells, from where God teaches us how to express ourselves through our creativity in order to bring more Truth and Beauty to the World.

Spiritual Inspiration Music and Psychological Development go hand in hand. They rely on each other to teach us new things about ourselves. They involve us through the vibrations we feel at a cellular level. These vibrations open us up to ourselves, and let us feel ourselves at a deeper level. They help us identify what is ours to bear and to express.

Growth is all there is you see, and Spiritual Inspiration Music allows you to grow to your fullest potential. Nothing excites us more than music, and music is a symbol to the Soul. A symbol of Love and Gratitude, of Expansion and Growth, of Daring and Persuasion. It presents the opportunity of advancing ourselves through our causes and delights.

When we speak of Bliss, we speak of music's power to open us up. When we seek out such music, we do so to align ourselves with those higher vibrations. These then turn us around to allow us to view ourselves from a whole different angle. This view can be awesome, stupendous, outrageous even. For in this viewing do we see ourselves soar, beyond limits imposed by others and our society.

We see ourselves "In Flight," conquering the greatest mountains, astounding our predecessors who were so scared to open themselves up. That's what this New Age is about - Opening Ourselves up to the Great Beyond, to "All-That-Is," to the One Who Animates All Life, including Ours of course.

And that's what Spiritual Inspiration Music does - it helps us to Open Up! Why? So we can Grow of course. What else is there to do here on this splendid planet?

Maurice Turmel holds a PHD in Counseling Psychology and was a practicing therapist for nearly 25 years. Dr. Turmel likes to use Parable Stories, Poetry and Songwriting to illustrate important points regarding Personal and Spiritual Growth. He has authored The Parables series of books and a Spiritual Sci-Fi novel "The Voice." He is also a performing songwriter with 4 CD compilations of Rockin Blues Inspirational music to his credit. He can be reached through his Website at: http://www.mauriceturmel.com

Know What You Are Selling As If You Were Buying It

Recently I wanted a new lawn mower as we have an acre of land and we have to keep it mowed pretty regular in the spring and summer and the riding lawn mower from Wally World had fallen apart and had to have something repaired every year for the short four years we limped it through. I called my Dad and asked him what he thought was the best lawnmower for the money as you lay out a hefty amount for almost any riding lawn mower these days with very little guarantee of longevity.

Hustler was the name he gave me. Just like the magazine that used to be hidden in the bottom drawer of quite a few men's dressers and different places, still is from what I understand, but this was the name of the lawn mower my Dad said would be a wise investment and how we remember the name. Nice sales gimmick too.

While I trust my Dad, I also like to know how deep a hole is before I step into it. So I went looking and found a wonderful site with tons of information about this potential buy and was quite pleased with what I was reading as my old lawn mower had a great engine but the frame and the deck were completely beaten up. This hustler frame carries a life time warranty and has a three year bumper to bumper coverage much like that of a new car. Plus the engines are to die for. Now you must think I am trying to sell you a lawn mower but this is not the case. I want you to understand how much information there is out there for consumers to find. I also would like to give you an example of poor salesmanship while a sale was still made.

I not only was able to look up all the information concerning the different models but was also able to obtain credit long before I presented anything to my husband or showed up at the store for the salesman to sell us our lawnmower. I know more about the hustler line than the sales man did or it at least felt that way and I do not sell lawnmowers. We are not rich folks so for us to spend a few thousand dollars on anything is something we really think about before we do it. When I asked a few questions of the sales man I was not impressed that he was unable to answer my questions correctly but tried to BS his way through it. It was almost comical when I went and pulled a flyer off the wall which I had also gotten off the internet and there at the very top was the answer to my question. And I was the one who looked around at the models on the floor and found one in the price range I felt was reasonable. And while I knew the differences in the models it would have been nice to hear it from someone who supposedly dealt with them on a daily basis and should have been more knowledgeable about them.

I also took my husband to the side and reminded him that just because someone gives you credit does not mean you need to use it. The sales man did not try to sell me the better mower nor did he try to upgrade the engine. He also did not really explain the differences in the price other than the deck on one was larger though I knew why the prices were different and was surprised he did not attempt to explain it any further. He could have made a larger sale but he chose not to.

He was a nice enough man but if I had just walked in off the street I doubt I would of bought a mower from him. It was really nice when the lawnmower was delivered and the delivery guy was nice enough to explain a few things to me which I would have found out from reading but will save me a lot of grief in the long run. I received better service from him in my opinion than the sales man.

I used to sell tires and auto services. I did not know everything nor do I now. I do know in order to sell someone something you need to make that person comfortable with what you are selling and with yourself. Ultimately you are selling yourself before the product as most of the products really sell themselves. You should never sell anything you do not use yourself, are willing to use, or at the very least have read the company pamphlets your customers can read. If you are asked a question and you do not know the answer, tell your customer you don't know. When you try to fly by the seat of your pants you may find yourself not only without a sale but also without much of job. Honesty is the best policy.

I sold my husband the lawnmower and the sales man just happened to be the one to make the sale. My father sold me the idea of this lawnmower first and after further investigation I agreed with him that it was the best deal. And as you attempt to sell your product be ready to offer real stories about your product and be able to explain why you recommend a certain item. Do not let the internet or a pamphlet be the deciding factor for your customer as was the case of my hustler.

Consider this as you attempt to make a sale today, what questions will your customers ask you? Will you know the answers? If you don't, will you have the gumption to find the answers for them? They may already know the answer and just want to know what type of person you really are or they may really need your help in making a good decision which is more likely the case.

Either way you may never know but I can assure you the bottom line will tell.

A Renee Grover

Semi-Retired Manager of Goodyear Tires, Painter, Poet, Collector, Photographer, Mother, Wife, Gardner, Traveler, Cook, Singer, Comedian, Small business owner, Student, Actress, Writer Mrs Grover has traveled the streets of the United States. She currently resides in Tennessee after meeting her husband and moving from Virginia Beach in 1998.

She graduated in 1983 from North East High in North Little Rock Arkansas, but claims North Pulaski as her true High School. She was a member of TAG for a brief period and also won various awards. After traveling the east coast and living in New York where Mrs Grover tried to pursue a singing career at the speakeasy on west fourth street while working at David's' Cookies, She went to school to cut hair before going into the Navy where she was asked to leave nicely in 1985 due to her inability to conform. She spent the next few years conforming so to speak and living with her Grandparents until moving to Virginia where she went to school to become a service writer and became the first female manager for Mr Kramer.

Can Small PR Firms Deliver Huge Results?

They can when they invest in the basics. The best of them obviously rely on some form of public relations fundamental premise to produce winners across business environments from rockets and orange juice to product recalls and indicted CEOs.

But, chances are the top producers among small PR firms have built their businesses on a premise like this one:

People act on their own perception of the facts before them, which leads to predictable behaviors about which something can be done. When we create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-desired-action those people whose behaviors affect the organization, the public relations mission is accomplished.

Public relations firms who do not base their work on a premise like this one are well-advised to consider doing so.

The reason? Their clients are subject to the same realities as the rest of us, realities that never change. People usually behave based on their perception of the facts. And clients usually demand certain behaviors from those "publics" whose behaviors have the most impact on their businesses.

Even more to the point, when client managers start looking for a return on their public relations investment, they want to see the kind of key stakeholder behavior change that leads directly to achieving their objectives.

Which is why, especially for the small PR firm anxious to meet client needs, there is no better performance measure at which to aim.

However, for those small PR firms not yet guided by any kind of public relations fundamental premise, here is a suggestion.

Consider the premise outlined above, then take a shot at convin- cing a new or current client to let you produce a broader, more productive public relations effort for his or her company. And remember, the fundamental premise of public relations outlined above is a great equalizer placing all public relations firms on a level playing field when it comes to the effectiveness of the process. It especially targets those firms with a client who expects the best value from PR dollars spent, not simply a limited and mechanical publicity placement effort.

In other words, consider using the premise as a means for going after higher quality new business, or upgrading an account and broadening the work performed for a savvy client who wishes to squeeze every benefit out of the money they spend on public relations.

Start by listing a client's most important outside audiences in priority order ? audiences whose behaviors directly and visibly affect client success or failure. At the top of such a list are usually prospects and customers. But it could well include community residents, business and political leaders, suppliers, minorities, fraternal groups, nearby military personnel and union leaders. The target list might even include "clients of your client" where such activity is a high priority for that client.

The test for listing an audience is this: does its behaviors affect my client's business in any way? If they do, they belong on the list.

Obviously, you must now determine what members of that key external public think about your client and his or her business, in order to build and implement a successful public relations effort. And that means interacting with members of that audience and asking a lot of questions. What do they think about your client company and its products and services? Are there signs of negativity? Misconceptions? Inaccuracies? Rumors?

The answers to these questions allow you to establish the corrective public relations goal, i.e., a specific perception and, thus, behavior change. For example, clear up that misconception, correct that inaccuracy, or knock down that rumor as soon as possible.

How do you achieve that goal? Right! You select a strategy that will get you from here to there. And there are just three strategies to deal with a perception challenge: create perception (opinion) where there may be none, change existing perception, or reinforce it. Your choice will be dictated by your new public relations goal.

Clearly the most challenging step in this sequence is preparing the right message for delivery to the target audience. It must make a compelling case, so think about it carefully. It must state clearly that the offending misconception, inaccuracy or rumor is not the truth. Instead, layout that truth in a credible manner. The hallmarks of such a message are clarity, persuasiveness, credibility, believability and a compelling presentation.

Now it's time for the "beasts of burden," the communications tactics which will carry your carefully-scripted message to the eyes and ears of that target audience. Happily, there are a ton of such tactics at your disposal. Of course, you will want to double check the ability of each to zero in on your specific audience. As most PR firms are aware, they range from news- letters, press releases and radio and newspaper interviews to newsworthy surveys, sports sponsorships, op-eds and many, many more.

In short order, clients will be interested in evidence that the public relations effort is achieving results. The best way to demonstrate progress is by reporting on the results of a new round of perception monitoring among members of that target audience. You're looking for signs that their percep- tions now reflect the corrective elements of your message

Your clients are subject to the same realities as the rest of us, realities that never change. As noted, people usually behave based on their perception of the facts. And clients usually demand certain behaviors from those "publics" whose behaviors have the most impact on their businesses.

Small (and large) PR firms have little choice but to go after those perceptions with a vengeance.

That is how that small PR firm can deliver huge results.

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net.

Robert A. Kelly ? 2003.

About The Author

Bob Kelly counsels, writes and speaks about the fundamental premise of public relations. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communications, U.S. Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The White House. mailto:bobkelly@TNI.net. Visit: http://www.prcommentary.com.

The Giving Jar

Giving with a happy heart. If you teach a child to give with a happy heart you will raise a child who will never hesitate to lend a helping hand. Children enjoy helping others, especially if they see their parents doing the same. When a child's basic physical and emotional needs are met, they are willing to share almost anything they have with someone in need.

My daughter wanted to help others from the time she was old enough to understand what it was she was doing. Before she was old enough for an allowance she helped me go through her outgrown clothes and toys to give away to charities. At Christmastime we would shop together for needy families (she looked forward to this as much as picking out her own gifts). And this doesn't mean we weren't needy ourselves. When my daughter was young I was a single mom working and going to college, and I was barely able to make ends meet. What little we had left over, however, we used to help others. I am convinced that this act of helping others took my daughter's focus off of our own circumstances and created a passion in her for helping others. She always had food to eat and clothes to wear--she did not sense a lack in her life and so was willing to freely give anything she had.

As my daughter got older and started getting an allowance, she started spending her own money. She spent her allowance on family Christmas and birthday presents (however small), started tithing, and started contributing to charities of her choice. My daughter's allowance is relatively small, compared to some of her friends, but that doesn't keep her from making contributions, no matter how small, to people and organizations she wants to help. Now that she's old enough to babysit, she has even more money to decide what to do with. She decides what to spend on herself, what to save, and what to give to others.

Our family recently came up with an idea of how we could work together to save up some money to help others. I am forever picking up loose change around the house, on the floor, in the car, and in the bottom of my purse. We decided to start a "Giving Jar" where we could deposit our spare change, and then as the occasion arose, we would use it to help others. We all pooled together our spare change and we already had more than $15. I placed the jar on the kitchen counter and put a big label on it that says "Giving Jar." It has motivated us all to save more and is also a great conversational piece!

Don't think you have to have a lot of money to give others a helping hand. Any amount, no matter how small, develops in your child the gift of a giving heart.

About The Author

Originally published at Suite 101. Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For more inspirational articles and tips for everyday living, visit her web sites at http://www.creativehomemaking.com and http://www.christian-parent.com

Helping You Choose From Cell or Land Line

Most of us have two phones, our cell and our land line (house phone). Realistically many people are paying two bills when one is sufficient. The cell phone is still more expensive than the house phone but with the massive increase of people signing up in the mobile world prices continue to fall. If you are working during the day the chances are you are only using your house phone in the evening.

What should I do?

The evening tends to be the cheapest rate for using your cell phone so you need to average out both bills. There are a number of different aspects to consider when deciding on moving to cell phone only. If you live in a large city the chances are your cell phone reception is as good as your land line but if you live in a more remote region the reception may not be all that clear or consistent.

Look into the different types of cell plans available to maximise the amount of free text and talk time minutes. Check the different cell phone carriers and see what options they are offering. Too many people in this country do not look around for better value. Not all cell carriers are offering the same deals. It has never been easier to change from one carrier to another without changing your cell number.

A survey completed recently by a major telemarketing company in Ireland has shown that over 68% of cell phone users make calls on their cells at home although they have a land line available to them.

Two monthly line rentals to pay:

No matter what way you look at free minutes and text etc you are paying two monthly rentals, one from your cell phone and the other from your land line. If you intend calling people in different states your cell phone roaming charges can be expensive unless you are on a high service plan. If you look around you will find cell carriers offering plans without roaming charges.

Reliability

Cell phones services are ever improving. At the moment land line is still a more steady reliable service but this gap is closing fast. People living in major cities will find little to choose from the two services provided from land and cell and the move to cell phone only in made a little easier. For people in more rural areas the decision tends to be more difficult to choose as cell phone coverage may not be as reliable as land line coverage so people have both phones.

Cell phone advantage:

SMS Text is a great way to minimise your spending. If you call a friend or family member on the land line it can be difficult to make the call a quick call without sounding rude. Cell SMS text is ideal fast and a cheap way to arrange a meeting place or pass a brief note and is widely used by most cell phone users.

Land line advantage

Currently the land line phone is cheaper than the cell phone when making calls. The coverage is generally excellent and land line telecom companies are fighting hard by reducing pricing to keep the cell phone companies at bay.

Overview

I myself use a cell phone for all my calls. I have the advantage of living in a large city where coverage is equal to that of a land line. I have a maximum cell plan with free talk time minutes and text. You do need to do some research and compare the two bills and see if changing your cell phone plan will make eliminating your land line any easier. With the coverage increasing all the time soon cell phones will far outstrip the land line telephone. Generally speaking if you live in an area of good cell phone coverage you should be able to eliminate your land line and save money.

About the Author
Declan Tobin is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of Cell phone plans which includes Cell prepaid plans, Carriers, and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information for all of your phone interests and needs.

A Payday Loan Or Cash Advance Can Be A Life Saver

A payday loan or cash advance can be a life saver in a financial emergency. Whether it is an unexpectedly high utility bill, or an unplanned medical bill, payday loans can provide you with the quick cash needed to help maintain your good credit.

Let's face it, if you don't pay your bills on time your credit score will suffer. Sometimes it is very hard to make ends meet with all the different challenges in life without some extra cash. Payday loans and cash advances are sometimes the answer.

When Are Payday Loans Or Cash Advances Appropriate?

The interest rates charged by payday loan companies are very high when compared to just about every other source of funding. So it can be better for the consumer to attempt to secure the needed cash through other sources first: friends, family, banks, credit unions, credit cards, etc.

If you are unable to secure funds from all other sources, then payday loans or cash advances may be the appropriate solution. Payday loans are great short-term loans, but should only be used in financial emergencies ? payday loans and cash advances are quite costly in terms of the annual percentage rate (APR) and fees.

Online Payday Loan Or Cash Advance Companies

Unlike the payday loan stores in a neighborhood, online payday loan companies can process your application anytime of the day or night. They are generally the best way to go as it is easy to comparison shop and this saves you the time of running all over town to compare rates and terms.

When comparison shopping, make sure to compare several online payday loan companies - pay particular attention to the duration of the loan and the fees charged. If there is an APR posted, this is an easiest way to compare two loans without doing any math.

How Payday Loans Or Cash Advances Work

With online payday loan companies, your application is processed over the internet and the cash is usually deposited into your checking account within 24 hours. Generally, you do not have to fax any information to them and loan approval with most companies happens in a matter of minutes.

Plan To Repay The Payday Loan Or Cash Advance ASAP

Make sure to plan ahead how you are going to repay you payday loan ? make a schedule of payments and stick to it. Also, now that you have some financial breathing room, revisit the other sources of funding mentioned above ? you may be able to repay the payday loan company sooner.

Robert J. Stone is a consumer advocate and educator who operates an informational website with articles and information about various types of loans, with special emphasis on the payday loan and cash advance.

Martial Arts CHARACTER And the Universal Law of Interdependence - The Keys to Life Mastery, Key #2

In the philosophical teachings which form the foundation for the Ninja Warrior's lifeways, there is a principle known as the 'law of interdependence.' This so-called 'law' is not a must-do rule which one must follow, nor is it to be confused with dependence or co-dependence as it is seen today where one or more individuals who cannot or choose not to provide for themselves, lean on and 'depend' on the work and resources of another for the fulfillment of their needs. Rather, the law of interdependence is something that is to be recognized as a basic 'truth' in the world.

Much like the law of gravity or cause and effect, it is something that is 'going-on,' always, regardless of whether we 'believe' in it or not. In fact, contrary to our need to believe that we are what we are, this principle in action shows us that we are more like others than we know.

Unlike the law of gravity, however, which is difficult to understand and explain; interdependence is relatively easy to explain. Let's use a simple analogy to understand this 'goings-on.' We'll use something simple, like a Whopper. No, I'm not being paid to endorse a food franchise and you can feel free to substitute this item for any of a thousand others. But, for our purposes, it will do.

Now, most people would agree to the connection between themselves and all of the individuals working in the restaurant at the moment you visited and placed your order for the sandwich. Someone took your order; another was busy making the product; and others made sure it found its way to a tray or bag and ultimately into your hand. In this simple view, there is an interdependent connection between you - the person who 'wants' the sandwich, and those who are making sure that you get it.

Of course, seen from the viewpoint of any worker, they are mutually dependent on you, and many others throughout a day, wanting and willing to pay for a sandwich so that they can get a paycheck at the end of the week. For you: no restaurant - no sandwich. For them: no customers, no restaurant, no paycheck.

But, in the words of the enigmatic guru "Morphius" from the popular movie, "The Matrix", if you really want to see "how deep the rabbit hole goes," we can look much more closely at that simple sandwich.

Let's begin with the wrapper. It wasn't made there at the restaurant. It was delivered, probably by truck. Which means what? Well, where do you want to start? Driver? Truck dealership who sold it to Burger King? Truck manufacturer? Trailer manufacturer? Get the idea?

For now, let's stay with the driver and truck remaining associated with the restaurant. But, already we're talking about more than just the employees working in the restaurant, aren't we. Many, if not all of them have families which will benefit from their paycheck in some way just as the company is benefiting from their desire or willingness to do the job they're doing.

The wrapper itself is paper which now extends our connection to people working in the logging and paper production industries and their families. The ink does the same along those lines; and so on throughout the rest of the parts of the sandwich like the burger, vegetables, and so on.

"What's the point?", I can hear you asking. "How does this relate to personal development, martial arts, self-defense or my life?" After all, aren't we different than a sandwich?

I don't think it's the answer that will drive the point home as much as a question: If a burger can be made up of the materials, effort, energy, intention and connections of so many that it almost touches the lives of every other person on the planet - how can we believe that we, as so-called 'individuals,' can be any different? After all, haven't each one of us been influenced, positively or negatively, by other people, places, and situations that caused us to believe, act, and engage the world the way we do?

Can you imagine how different you would be had those influences been different or not there at all? Just think about what motivated you to take up martial arts training. Regardless of whether it was for self-defense, the allure of Asian culture, or soemthing else - you were first exposed to those 'other things' - giving you your reason to take up the arts. The saying goes, "no (wo)man is an island," and it's true. No matter how much we would like to be an 'individual,' we are nonetheless, tied to every other human being on the face of the planet - if by no other means than the water we drink and the air we breath. The law of interdependence teaches us to recognize the value in all things and to treat everything as though it were 'me.' Only then can one be sure that we are not acting in an egotistical, self-serving way that will harm, alienate, or hinder ourselves or others.

What does this have to do with our training? It is the person who recognizes and acts knowing that this is true who builds his or her world rather than isolating themselves as important and in contrast with everything and everyone else that is seen as 'obviously' of lesser value. It is the ego who must be "right" and "righteous" that needs to attack others - to fight for 'right.'

There is an old saying that goes: "the truest measure of a person's character is in the way he or she treats those least important to them." Once we understand, and can 'see', how our every thought, word, and action acts upon the world, we can take control of the process and decide to build a character that takes responsibility for the way it affects others. No longer will we act out of a state of disconnection and isolation, but move purposefully through our world with compassion and disciplined action.

We have a choice. We can be 'nice' to others because it's proper manners to do so, because we expect to get something from them, or because we have to live with them. Or, we can treat others with respect and honor because we recognize that we are already connected to them in some way already.

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. A senior teacher in the Japanese warrior art of Ninjutsu, he specializes in teaching the ancient ways of self-protection and personal development lessons in a way that is easily understood and put to use by modern Western students and corporate clients. Through their martial arts training, his students and clients learn proven, time-tested lessons designed to help them create the life they've always dreamed of living, and the skills necessary for protecting that life from anything that might threaten it. Shidoshi Miller is also the author of the "Foundations of Self Defense Mastery" eCourse. To learn more about this and other subjects related to the martial arts, self-defense, personal development & self-improvement, visit his website at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com

Something Is Buzzing And Its Not Bees

We all have used buzz baits and we know why the bass like them right? It's because of that little stream of water. Wrong! It's the sound! Yep, sound attracts the bass then sight.

Bass has exceptional hearing and sound travels 5 times faster in the water than in air.

On the other hand water isn't a good conductor for light waves. Since only a few of your casts land by a fish, using a lure like a buzz bait that produces sound is a good thing.

Cast that buzz bait in the same location a few times and let the bass hone in on it. If you're having late hits (when the bass hit behind the buzz bait) then slow down a little bit.

Keep the buzzbait on top and make sure the blades are going around to make the noise you need but don't reel it so fast that the fish can't pinpoint the location.

Just remember to let the fish have time to hone in on your lure and do it by slowing down your presentation.

Charles E. White has fished for almost 50 years for bass from California to Florida. In his lifetime, it is estimated that he has caught over 6,000 bass. His biggest bass is a 12 pound 14 ounce that hangs on his wall in his office.

Charles has fished with people who have never fished for bass before and taught them how to become successful anglers and also has fished with the Pros in Florida. His new website about fishing for bass is at:

http://www.bassfishingweekly.com

Credit Repair, How To

Credit repair, is in a word, vital to reestablishing your credit. Unless you plan to never use your credit again, then you have to find a way to fix it.

In the world we live in, having credit available to you is important, even if you don't use it regularly.

What do you do, then when something goes wrong and you end up with bad credit?

Most of us start out wanting to have good credit, but things just go wrong.

In order to fix them, you need to use credit repair.

However repairing credit is not easy.

There is no quick solution.

You will need time and patience not to mention good habits to make it happen.

Your first priority is to stop using your credit cards.

Stop putting more on them.

You will want to talk to your creditors and ask them to help you.

They may be able to help you pay off your credit in several ways.

They may be willing to give you more time between payments.

They may offer to allow you to pay it off without charging additional finance charges if you agree to pay a certain amount monthly.

Or, they may even allow you to pay off your credit for pennies on the dollar.

This means that if you owe a creditor $1000 they may allow you to pay it off by only paying $700 if you pay it off in a certain manner.

In the end, the only type of credit repair that will actually improve your credit rating is time and good habits.

By paying off any money that you owe, you can gradually reestablish your credit slowly.

Be smart though, and do not get yourself into the same situation you got into.

Talking to your creditors can be a good first step to take.

It may help to stop the negative ratings and actually get you a few good marks.

In the end, no matter why you got into the situation you are in, you will need to take better care to stop this from happening again.

For continually updated information, tools and resources visit the CreditAndCreditReports.com blog.

Could Ray Kroc have founded McDonalds in the Era of Sarbaines Oxley?

Over regulation of our free markets is stifling our growth in America and killing the next superstar Entrepreneurs. Let's discuss just how bad it really is. Let's us discuss Ray Kroc, founder of McDonalds and the Father of Franchising. In this philosophical discussion let us look at history for a moment shall we? If Ray Kroc had to pay $45,000 to create disclosure documents to franchise right out of the gate, could he have still had the capital to do it? Would he have wanted too? What if he had to pay an additional $15,000 per year to stay registered in all the states; another $10,000 to $20,000 to keep up with the law changes and case law? Could he have actually stayed in business?

If Ray Kroc in those early days had to pay $25,000 for financial audits could he have survived? If the number of accountants willing to do audits were cut in half due to current errors and omissions insurance and peer review costs would Ray Kroc have been able to juggle that during his first five years traveling the country and sleeping in hotel rooms, while building the business? Remember Ray Kroc was not married to wealth like the late Sam Walton who toured the country in a motor home looking at sites and studying the competition. Ray Kroc and Sam Walton both had to do it the hard way, but Ray Kroc was doing it out of cash flow. With the current problems in complying with all the accounting audit issues in franchising after the most recent Sarbaines Oxley Law causing delays of necessary audits in a timely fashion due to fear of violations in the accounting industry, demand for more audits in all sectors causing serious supply and demand issues getting an audit done on time for franchise registration renewals is tough?

Could Ray Kroc have accomplished this too, along with the additional costs and state registration deadlines? Wait we are not done yet. If Ray Kroc had to comply with all these proposed rule changes and existing rules and revise his disclosure documents each time an attorney created case law which might be detrimental to the over all system, could he have survived in the first five years? Yes or No? If Ray Kroc had to deal with all the different state laws and contradictions in Federal Trade Commission rules, could he have done it? Remember his first stores were in "Cal-if-Forn-ia" (Arnold Humor) and Illinois. I submit to you that Ray Kroc could not have done what he did and McDonalds would never have come to be. I also submit to you that NPR would be closing it's doors and gone off the air this year if it were not for his wife's donations. Ronald McDonald House would not be available either. Millions of Americans would not have learned customer service or had that first job to teach them such important aspects business. The State of Idaho, where Simplot Potatoes grows it's crop would not have made the profits and paid the tax income which allowed that great state to prosper. The Beef industry would have also been severely impacted, how would that industry have faired in the heated mass media hysteria of Mad Cow or the droughts causing cattle to be taken to early slaughter. Those frivolous lawsuits in Canada about being fat would leave our Canadian neighbors with nothing to bitch about and we wouldn't want that? Also the reality of the need for tort reform example of spilt coffee would never have existed? Do you doubt what I am saying? Well then "Grinding It Out" Ray Kroc's book can be found still and it ought to be required reading for all Federal Trade Commission employees who have never had to make a payroll and any attorney who has never made a legitimate living in a business of their own before commentary on this proposed set of rules. It appears that the word smiths are out in full force and we are maintaining an on-going dialogue from a topic proposed in 1995, with comments in 1997 and 1999 at a time when much of the those comments are in fact irrelevant here in 2004. A more relevant discussion would be how best to separate out the business opportunity rules from the franchise rule and then close the Federal Trade Commission's franchising division all together since no problems perceived or known currently exist. Does anyone doubt this truth?

Perhaps another example, forget about Ray Kroc, the father of franchising for a moment, let's just say for the sake of argument that this current situation in the industry existed back then and Ray Kroc grew up an old bitter man and retired salesman? Forget that the McDonalds Big Mac is used by the International Monetary fund as a guideline for international cost of living standards in modern and developing nations. Think of the story "death of a salesman" and leave it at that. Put Ray Kroc in the same shoes as any of the current up and coming home grown entrepreneurial superstars of today, being stifled under a Tsunami of tort law and a Hurricane of over regulation. Why can't we end this storm, why are we unwilling to see the truth at the Federal Trade Commission? And that is just one of many agencies Ray Kroc would have to deal with today, think about it.

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

The First UK Man To Become a Human Billboard an Interview

Advertising on humans using tattoos is rapidly kind of freak niche that is definitely growing. It all started about two years ago (to the best of my knowledge) when a guy ran an ad on eBay offer his forehead as a billboard. He basically put up an eBay auction offering to wear a temporary tattoo on his forehead to advertise for whoever was the winning bidder. Well, a year or so later this is starting to become a phenomena and is rapidly growing. I got a chance to interview a man from the UK who currently has an auction up and he is getting a permanent tattoo ad. This is kind of taking the whole body advertising to a new level.

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself?

I have been in business all my life. From running and owning my own world wide haulage company. A chain of mobile phone shops. Etc. I have worked in the timeshare industry for past 7 years. And have just recently resigned from working in Spain as a marketing manager also project Director for multi billion Pound Company. I am now writing a book on timeshare, being the first person to do so on the cons & pros of how it works. I live with my long time partner of 8+ years, with a baby girl of 4 weeks old. I also have 5 other children ages 25, 23, 18, 12, &10.

2. Where did you get the idea to get at tattoo ad on your forehead?

I got the idea for tattoo advertising last year from a TV program in USA, on drunks that would do anything for a drink.

3. How does your girlfriend feel about this?

My wife to be thinks I mad as a hatter, but she has seen me pull off many mad things.

4. I read in the short article about you that you already have quit a few tattoos. Can you tell me about the tattoos you already have?

I have many tattoos from the age of 12 years of age, last one being when I was 21. The only space I have on my body at the moment is most of my back & part of my legs.

5. What is your favorite tattoo?

No, I don't have a favorite one.

6. Do you have any tattoos that you regret getting done or have you done any cover up or removal work?

I regret most of them, due to being so old now. But is soon to change with my new venture. I am also having my whole body tided up.

7. Where is your ad so other people can come by and bid?

My add on eBay is on search bar, under all categories. Type in body tattoo advertising and my links is the first one under the heading you type in.

8. If you are doing this in auction format like on eBay are you going to have a reserve price or end the bidding early if it does not get the price you want? For example what happens if the final bid is only 1.00?

Yes I have a reserve price on my first of ?1000. This will then appeal to the media for my next.

9. You mentioned that you have some space on your back for two ads and also the one on your forehead are you planning on doing three advertising tattoos then? What is the time span you are looking at?

Yes I have three spaces at present. My head is mainly, back, top & sides for one add for highest bidder or three separate.

10. Are you willing to also talk about and advertise for the company when people talk to you about it?

Yes I am very much prepared to talk and show after, as my eBay ad will tell you.

11. Are you planning on just getting a text ad or looking at doing a logo or graphic?

I am prepared to have mainly logo, depending on company as my eBay once again will explain.

12. You mentioned in the article I read that you were looking for an agent to represent you? Do you have plans past the three tattoos mentioned about above?

An agent will be taken on after my first advert

13. What are you going to do after getting the tattoos done what are your plans for your next profitable venture?

As I have mentioned, I am writing a book soon to be released.

14. I know some others have gotten temporary tattoos done and that this is a growing phenomenon on eBay to advertise on body space. In fact there are a few websites now that specialize in this such as bodybillboardz.com and others. Are you the first person getting a real tattoo on your forehead? All the others I have seen are for temporary tattoos?

I am the first in the UK to take on such venture and sure it will grow after I have been in so much media.

Well, I am not sure how you feel about all of this yourself. I can see both sides of the arguments made. On the one side almost all the t-shirts that I own have some type of advertising on them. Yet going as far as getting a permanent tattoo that will be with you for life I am not sure I would go that far. At any rate I will write more about this topic as it grows.

Chris has been running Design My Tattoos website for the last three months. He likes helping people find the custom tattoo designs and where to get them done by professional tattoo artists. Check out the site and post a job to get your own custom tattoo design. If you are a tattoo artist and would like to earn some extra income go ahead and sign up as an artists and make some money in your spare time. Look for more tattoo related articles on the site.