Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Common Mistakes AC

Filters and ignore the changes MaintenanceMost manufacturers recommend changing / washing AC filter every 30-60 days. Changing the filter on a regular basis not only improve quality already, but it also helps you save electricity and air conditioning can make you longer. Routine maintenance of your air conditioning contractor not only ensure that your AC is ready when you are ready to use them, but also maintain efficiency and prevent it from wearing out too quickly. Leaking refrigerant is often a problem is determined by a professional air conditioning. Even if you lose 10% of refrigerants (such as R-410A or harmful ozone older R-22) may result in the use of electricity increased 20% and can reduce the lifespan. 

 Using point IncorrectlyThis thermostat simple but often overlooked. Why do you need to run the air conditioner when you are away from home all day? Set the thermostat a few degrees warmer when you leave the house for long period of time can save up to several hundred dollars per year. Also, consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat or a WiFi-enabled, to provide more control over the temperature of your home. Also, did you know that your air conditioner run more efficiently energy at night than during the day? This is just another reason to have the air conditioning set warm temperatures during the day and cold at night and in the evening. Using a ceiling fan AC ReplacementMaking really use your ceiling fan can save you money on your electric bill. If you have a ceiling fan running in the room you currently occupy, you may be able to set your thermostat 3 degrees warmer. Although ceiling fans do not actually lower the temperature of the room, cause it evaporates moisture to your skin, giving you a pleasant winter. Although ceiling fans took power, they consume much less than your air conditioner. Just remember to turn off ceiling fans when you leave a room. 

 Keeping Windows ClosedAn AC just chill the air in your room and do not bring new air from the outside. Open a window sometimes welcome fresh air and oxygen. Also, delivering cool air of early morning or late evening can help you save energy. Think bigger BetterIt is true that the larger the air conditioner to chill your house faster than smaller ones. But then a very large has some drawbacks. First, oversized air conditioner will not operate efficiently because the cooling cycle is too short. It may also negatively affect the life expectancy of your cooling unit. Furthermore, in addition to lowering the temperature of the room, also lowering the humidity level. If the cooling cycle is too short, can not be successful in reducing the moisture. As a result, already in your home will feel damp and moist.To find the right size air conditioner you need to know how much power (measured in Btu = British thermal unit) is needed to chill your home . Local air conditioning contractor or Btu online calculator will determine the exact amount of Btu based on your room size and other factors. 

 Turn off your air conditioner CompletelyThis suggestions are very important for snowbirds, or anyone living in the house they are only part of the year. If your house has been sitting there with no air movement or moisture / temperature control for half a year, you should not be surprised when you reprint. So, be sure to keep your air conditioner running for at least a few moments each day you go. You can also consider upgrading to a WiFi thermostat. WiFi thermostat allows you to control your air conditioner from anywhere you have an internet connection and electronic devices such as smartphone, tablet, or PC.

Monday, December 23, 2013

4 Steps To Choosing Acne Treatment Products For You

Selection of acne treatment products can be very overwhelming, because there are different products to choose from, and decide which products are best for you can be difficult. With this in mind I decided to give you 4 steps to make your decision a little easier.

Step 1: Figure out what type of acne you have. This is important because you may be using the wrong acne treatment for your particular acne. It is a major contributor with stubborn acne that will not go away. You can find out what type of acne you based on your specific symptoms show, I detailed how to determine what type of acne you have in e-book I gave my blog.

Step 2: Research the product appropriate to treat your particular type of acne. A simple Google search can help you with this. Let's say you've found that you have acne rosacea, all you need to do now is to look for products that are formulated for types of acne. You will be given a number of products, do not let it overwhelm you. Thanks for writing about five or no more than ten such products and continue your research.

Step 3: Determine your skin type. Do you have normal, oily, combination or dry skin. Most people know what type of skin they have. This step is one of the highlights of the treatment of acne because the use of the product is not designed for your skin type can worsen the situation instead of helping it. Skin types can be specified with this simple test. Wash your face thoroughly with cleanser, pat dry and wait an hour. After an hour would pass, press dry cleaner to children in the following areas of the face, in the center of cheeks, outer cheeks, center of forehead, outer forehead, chin and nose. If all parts of the network are no remaining debris with oil and face feel tight, you have dry skin. If all the networks have the oil you have oily skin. For if only the network of centers and the central forehead cheeks chin with oil and no oil from other places, you have combination skin. No oil or flaky residue on one of the network shows that you have a normal skin.

Step 4: Select products designed for your skin type. Products you have written checks to see which works best for your skin type. Manufacturer of the most acne provide this information on their website. Now if you have more than one product formulated for your skin, personal preferences, budget and evaluation of others will help you make your final decision. A point to note is that the product is designed for all skin types can use anyone.

There you have it, 4 steps to choosing the best products for your acne treatment.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Massage Therapy Modalities

Now you have made the decision to become a massage therapist, and pursue a career in bodywork, you need to decide what kind of treatment should specialize in. Many therapists choose to specialize in more than one field of massage therapy. This opens the door for more services you can provide (and also, more of a place where you can find a job, which translates into more money). Each modality requires specialized training course. There are about 80 different special massage however, we will only mention some of the more popular here.Swedish. Swedish massage is the most common type of massage is best known in the United States. 

Swedish massage is based on the Western concepts of anatomy and physiology and pioneered by a Swedish physiologist Per Henrik Ling. During your training to specialize in this modality, you will focus on five basic strokes, all flowing toward the heart. Types of massage therapy is an excellent choice for beginners. One of the beauties of this form of massage can do slow and gentle or alive. More often than not, Swedish massage lasts between 50-60 minutes. To perform this type of massage, you can use massage oil to help heat up the muscles. Your clients are usually naked, under a towel or sheet. Like other types of massage, Swedish massage helps promote relaxation.Deep Tissue Massage. Deep tissue massage is a style of massage that focuses on collaboration in the layers of the body to help relax, lengthen, and release holding patterns. When you think about the deep tissue massage, you can think of a good masseur and exert extreme pressure and volume. However, this is a false assumption. To get a massage, you will learn how to use the elbow and forearm deep to get results. 

You will also learn how to change the contact angle of your body. Deep tissue massage can be done without tiring and requires very little massage oil. It's all about the right way, so why is it important to receive training in the field of massage therapy that you want a massage specialize.Sports. Because so many athletes push their bodies to the extreme, it is not surprising that many of them can benefit from the art of massage. Sports massage is a style of bodywork that focuses on the application of massage techniques and stretching exercises to help improve athletic performance. Massages can be given before the event, after the event, during which time the athlete is a state of maintenance work (such as off-season holiday). Sports massage is good for people with injuries and / or limited range of motion. When doing sports massage, which usually focus on specific problem areas, such as the neck or massage shoulders.Pregnancy. Pregnancy is a period in which the woman's body undergoes a number of changes. Pregnancy massage aims to help women find balance as she goes through these changes. Different massage tailored to three months, because the body has changed greatly over the three of them. During training, you will learn the correct way to position the massage table pregnant clients. Pregnancy massage can help reduce stress, improve circulation, and contribute to the overall health of the mother-to-be. Some of these conditions include help relieve joint pain, sciatic nerve pain, and edema or swelling. You will also learn about the anatomy and physiology of the body of pregnant women, preventive measures to support healthy pregnancies, and emotional problems women.

Shiatsu pregnancy massage. Shiatsu is a form of bodywork, especially the acupressure massage. Shiatsu, Japanese, means finger pressure and there are a lot of foundations and concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the body's energy pathways. You usually do Shiatsu massage mat floor but, you can learn how to do it on a table or sit in a chair while the client. No oils or lotions are used and the client just take off their shoes. Shiatsu massage helps to relieve stress, gastrointestinal discomfort, and headaches. You will learn how to provide strong pressure on energy points, so that the flow of "chi" (life force) is restored.This not mean to describe all the different modalities related to massage therapy. There are more than 80 recognized massage modalities. Even if you are undergoing formal education and training, you are likely fine 2 or 3 different special massage. As you gain more experience during your career, you can begin to manage your focus in a particular direction. The better you specialize, the more results you will get, lead to happy clients and more business for you. Your main goal is to satisfy the client. Therefore, set out to learn about many different modalities as possible, until you find one that feels right for you.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Outsourcing Your Business Writing Needs

Issues - Business Writing is something that some people volunteer to do, and even fewer do it well, or if they do, they do not have the time. But writing is a must for every company. A company's first contact with clients and potential employees based on business writing. Keep in touch with clients and established that employees are generally easy to write. Sales generated by email, article marketing, blog posts, Tweets, and social networking sites, and sales lead to increased profits. Optimizing the use of sophisticated tools which partly depends on the ability to craft words. 

While it is true that the days of newsprint may be limited, the written word is more powerful now than ever before in the electronic era. We are very communication.The age of Proof - While big companies like Microsoft and American Funds has a communications department with trained staff of professional business writing, crafting the image of the company in every word, generally small and medium-sized businesses through the work staff members at random. Understandably so, since hiring an experienced business writer companies worth about $ 5,000 per month as salary, taxes and benefits, and most small businesses do not have enough requirements to write to make people busy enough to justify that price, let alone have the budget to pay it.

The results - business writing tasks can be passed from ordinary workers to handle customer service, billing, sales, secretarial work, or other types of things that have nothing to do with being a professional business writing. They do not have the expertise to produce written material performed in a professional manner. The result is that some of the most important companies the opportunity to develop the image of the lost. Worse yet, the company has a good reputation can be repaired dirty since the first contact came from less than professional.The Solutions - For small and medium business model, the best way to get the document PRODUCTION professionals to outsource the responsibility of the department of communication with outside vendors instead of taking full time professional business writing. Communications outsourcing vendor that can handle any kind of written communication assignments completed and have the experience necessary to make a small or medium business to emerge as a true expert in his field. However, they do it all at a fraction of the cost of full-time employees, and they can do a better job, because the writing is on the end of the communication department focus.

A they usually start outsourcing their business relationship by making learning needs. This is done in consultation with owners and experts within the company, so as to determine what the business needs of each client writes. They then network operations, sales, human resources, and customer service representatives, or the equivalent in smaller organizations, making plans for the ongoing needs of the document. Depending on the company, the requirements can include white papers, client correspondence, employee handbooks, job descriptions, brochures, website content, press releases, or other areas where expert writing skills are required. They develop relationships with clients, so that they know the business almost as if they were in staff.

Companies as individual as the people who own and manage them, and each one has a unique documents needed. While outsourced communications department generally offers good quality package, a leading communications company will eventually work together with companies to hire them to make a fully customized service package to meet the company's needs and budget. Small and medium-sized businesses succeed because the owners and employees have a high level of competence and excellence in their industry. This is usually not a writer, and even if they do, their time is better spent running the business and boost sales than usual completing written assignments. Good quality business letters, holding professional outsourced communications department, can make all the difference in the success of small or medium-sized business.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

When recruiting for Graduate Students Start

One of the best things you can do if you are considering this option to recruit graduate students to work in your company is to hire a professional company that has experience working with this type of hire to do the work for you. There are many factors that will ensure you hire professional-level employees better, and there are many ways these companies will save money.In for recruiting graduate students without the help of a professional that some companies require employees to work for the scout program offers students training in the field will be very useful for your company. Try to look at the campus with the strongest programs in the field in.To you recruit graduate students without the help of professional recruiters work you have to pay attention to the amount of the average student, they are an important record of attendance, their past work history, and their commitment to the type of work your company will have to offer.

You need to begin the process of tracking students and make the list when students in their sophomore or first year of college. Year must complete their studies and their values ​​are the most common time to do the actual recruiting graduate students for driving, but a lot of people look younger class seems too optimistic to let them wait until their senior year to offer their transactions. Remember needed to prepare recruiting graduate students charter package with attractive and competitive package that other companies offer. To do this, you need someone to scout other companies so that you can offer a competitive package. This is the place where the professionals are really good at their jobs because they have all this data together. They know the average salary for students entering the field of work, and they know where the city and the company that will give you the biggest run for money.

You will have to work to your advantage when trying to recruit people with no ties to the area close to where you want to works. Family relationships can be a deal breaker for a lot of repair work and migration. If you narrow those who want to hire a group selected from within a hundred miles of the place where you have employees then you will have a better chance to get Learning to sign with you, and get them to stay with you after they sign up. Prospects runs very high among new employees in each age group and if they become homesick there is a good chance that they will pack their bags and move back home soon.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

No. 1 Fable franchise Should Beware Of

There are many myths, misinformation, and not even tell the truth about buying a franchise that can lead you to make bad investment decisions. Corporate franchise, sell a franchise, franchise consultant and even doing a very good job touting the success rate of franchise franchises.Because mythology, and hundreds of thousands of people around the world to buy a franchise franchise is not to sell them. They are not suitable to sell the franchise for the first place.

Please not make the same mistake! Buying a franchise is touted as virtually risk-free way of owning a business. The message conveyed in countless brochures and sales offer to buy a franchise is that a franchise business ownership has become much safer investment.Business franchise just a mechanism to provide products or services to consumer. More and more businesses can reach consumers, the benefits will become commonplace. But to reach consumers, the company will require a large amount of capital to develop new sites and opening new stores. Franchising allows companies to attract investment and expand quickly, while allowing franchisees the opportunity to run their own business proven marketing product.It's a win-win situation, False There are all kinds of potential franchise problems -! Problems that can fly and leave him trapped in the capital franchise franchisee relations offer nothing more than frustration. This is not the kind of problem that you see in most of the literature franchising.When think the franchise, they think business ownership and success. They saw the advantages of owning a franchise and have the advantage of being a franchisee. 

They think: Buying a business model that has been proven. Completed business training they choose. Advantage of brand or franchise which recognition.The are often sold with the promise of success is not in favor of individual franchise company.Franchising clearly promotes the idea that you will have more chances to succeed as a franchisee if you are in your own business. In fact, the risk of having a successful franchise is higher than you believe.Franchising franchise industry - According FranchisorsLet see what you sold the franchise industry. They will tell you that you can expect the franchisor care and attention, someone is always there in a crisis, someone to guide you through the unknown, someone who is experienced in business and franchising, someone who supports and can solve your problems - they would have you believe that you are in the father / son relationship.And above all support it, they will also give you a strong brand attract customers, and training to make them happy. Understand the true relationship between franchisor and franchisee is vital to succeed in the franchise industry industry.

The has made many promises. The most important of these is that the franchise is a safe investment. A statement that is widely used in the past is that "only 5% of franchise fail within the first five years of business." Another is that "80% of non-franchised businesses fail within the first two years. "This picture has potential business owners to believe that the franchise offers a low-risk business opportunity. The statistics are distant. In fact, every year thousands of franchisees fail. With the promise of franchise industry is the easiest and fastest way to success is not only a lie, it's really negligent.

Let's be clear about one point. There is a successful franchise. We see it every day in our lives, and we buy their goods and services. But for every successful franchisor with over trade-off famous brand reputation, and even some of the most successful franchise has drawbacks.You they expect as a franchisee, you have laws in place to protect you . Well, actually! All the franchisor must be done by law to disclose all the details of the franchise for you. When you sign up, if problems arise later in the relationship (which at any time after the franchise agreement was signed) you will be freed trap franchisees rights.The many and serious. But just to understand it all perfectly capable of making decisions you rate franchise.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Customer Service: Two Ways to Create a "Wow" Customer Service

Are you an employee to a supervisor or manager of customer service jobs? At this time, it is more important than ever to increase customer loyalty. The best way to do this is to provide a service that makes customers say "Wow". Unfortunately, customer service training appears to be the first thing to go when a company must reduce financially.The iron - not good customer service training company worth more than reduce financial save them.Outstanding SurvivalHave Customer Service is important to never walk away from a company - no matter how good their products -? because of their great customer service I have.While cut back on customer service training can become a reality, it is still important that management find ways to support the extraordinary environmental services. You can do this in two ways.1. Get Employee Buy-In for a product or ServiceIn other words, your employees need to truly believe that the customer is better when they use the services of your company or your employees about product.Teach All the benefits of your company's services or products either way. 

A passionate employees to continue to serve your customers is to show them a letter of thanks from customers. Post them where employees will see it every day. Employees who see their work makes a difference in the lives of others.2. Treat your customers like employees RoyaltyTell to describe your customers dressed as King and Queen. If the employee store visual images in their minds, they remember to treat customers like they are important people.The secret Big Companies KnowHave ever go to a company, and simple to extremely impressed with their service ? Do not want to go back there a second time, if not more often? The secret to a good company knows that the key to getting repeat business is to over-deliver on service. It builds a strong goodwill for the company, and ultimately customers feel good about what they purchasing.Build Customer Loyalty and Repeat BusinessOnce you've built a reputation for outstanding customer service, word is getting around, and customers lined up outside the numbers you door.Customer increase the loyalty of your customers keep coming back for more from your business and tell their friends about their great experience with your business. 

For example, if you find a good restaurant with good service, do not tell friends and family about it soon? The other part of it, without outstanding customer service, your company will have a little more satisfied customers, and also they will tell their friends about a bad experience, or your company does not mention at all. This leads to loss of income from a lack of repeat business and referrals.This' s why it is so important to have an effective customer service training, even if you have to stretch your budget.As A supervisor or manager, training your employees to provide "WOW" customer service reflects your leadership skills. It depends on you to make a shining reflection.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Dramatically Increase Sales With The Kiss Test

We have all heard the term kiss at one time or another - "Keep It Simple, Stupid." However, most of the sellers violate the basic principles more often than not.Let me start with a few examples of what I'm talking about. In the position I held, I sitting next to someone who could be a top seller. He and I both Powered much the same rather than cold calling, we ran our own personal marketing programs to generate leads and only take incoming calls as occur. The problem is what is making the calls. When someone calls me, ready to buy, I went straight to close the deal and make good arrangements came out with a document or fax above. He, on the other hand, went on Company full-length story and lots of other information that he really should Do not tell a quality prospect unless they ask for it. The end result is that people called ready to sign up for one of our services to lose interest and do not buy anything all.Another example is what happens every time I try to make a business buy. 

This is me, saying "Yes, I will buy," and lauches sales representative stories about how long their company has gone into business, who their clients are large, and so on. Luckily for the sales force, product usually sells itself and I still buying. However, I would bet that a lot of people do not. Nothing is more frustration rather than pick up the phone saying, "Hi, here I am ready to buy," and nagki-rep went a few stories to brag about how great the company and all they can do. That is pure arrogance of the business owner. What However, talk about your big corporate clients alienate most small businesses owners. They think their needs are placed second with a big dog and that they are treated as just a number when calling for service.I think most of the training is the root of the problem is great. Every course I took Sales through the steps. 

The problem is, what all of these steps are not achieved? Consider "objection handling." When I worked for my company mentioned earlier, there are many prospects I do not mind because my marketing piece taken care of early. Assuming that each step is will happen, there are some sellers will cause something to happen when really do not have to begin with. If the prospect does not result in any major resistance, do not give them a reason to! I have seen many managers require their reps to fill the "lead sheet" that documenting every step of the sale. It assumes that each step occurs when they can not. If you are required to maintain the type of record, pass something that does not occur naturally. Do not force the opportunity to incorporate valuable change something that is not only unnecessary, but can cause you to lose sales entirely.Use tests kiss when you sell. Always ask yourself if what you are doing absolutely necessary. Trust me, you will save a lot of wasted time and lost sales by doing so. I made.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

A Revolutionary "NEW" Dimensions of Sales

Dimension A Revolutionary 'NEW' In Sales: Make many other closures in the same amount of time through Art and Linda Nelson CarlsonPhase IPhase I:! Learning the product is the first thing that Paul when he started his career in sales. This 'newbies' to imagine the three main factors that determine success or failure in sales. This is: Knowledge of its products. Knowledge of the benefits it offers to its prospects. How well it communicates the knowledge and benefits to prospects. Most salespeople do not have a problem with the product knowledge. Company usually takes a lot of time and money to ensure the sales force skill levels. So, Paul is fine with 1, 2, and because his mother said, "You can sell refrigerators to Eskimos," look he he will do well 3.The problem arises when Paul (now own) Try to share knowledge with prospects. He found that some prospects get really 'on' by the product and its benefits: but there are other prospects do not seem to get interested or do not understand '. Talking to them is like "talking to a brick wall." He does not understand why any would not impose purchase. She was warm and exciting every time! It must be the way he closes. There must be a secret to discover.

Phase IIUpon aware of this, Paul has entered Phase II of his career: The Search For Enlightenment. The big question of life haunt salesman in his prospecting calls. Horns obvious, why did not my prospects to buy? "He needs this product. Qualifications well. Why I can not close? "So, Paul began reading, listening to tapes, attending seminars, etc.". Cover secret "for every gimmick that comes along with IIIAfter Phase hope this one season, he enters Phase III of his career: stasis of Superstition.Paul (like most sales people) 'do 2 or 3 sales for ten presentations. But because he really did not understand why he sells sometimes and sometimes it does not, it "freezes" or "tin" presentation. He was afraid to change it because he could not fault his success that he played a 'numbers game.' Paul fell into a pattern of expecting close 'only so many' sales. No amount of reading, listening to tapes, or seminars taking sales change old patterns. He hopes to keep enough line prospect that he does not sell does not really matter. 

He's still going to be a 'success' salesman.Phase IVBefore ICTech ® (Individual Communication Technology) most of us (the seller) ended our career growth in Phase III. Now with natural style approach used in ICTech ® can move to Phase IV: 5 Persuasion.Knowing how styles are born to Natural information processing, enabling sellers to customize a presentation format for the most easily understood and agreed upon by potential customers. No matter how well you know the product or how smooth your presentation. Until you understand the product and the prospects for him to not close the application sale.Understanding approach lets you get rid of the gimmicks and cover all your sales information into a unified whole that you automatically adjust to any new situation. 

This means more sales! ! And customers more satisfied How ICTech ® works: Your Natural Style sellers'. Single 'What can you do with a' few 'outlook style? Do not be bored him with too many details, gave an overview of products and its effect on him. Be sure to ask what this product can do for him or let him think in some ways this was all his idea. The fastest way to lose hope that it will be a lot to sell - too much detail. You 'say' no 'precious'. Now reverse the pattern. One can 'few' sellers and your prospects are 'single'. What do you do? Do not affect him with too many examples of products or applications. Let them apply to him. Once again, 'sold' not 'know.' Concentrate on the strongest features of your product and give as much detail as possible. Give him enough time to exploit: do not rush him. 

The fastest way to lose hope is to appear too vague because you try to give a general idea and he wanted an explicit example. Just a few simple examples, but Paul's approach to the practice of simplicity ICTech ® and has made her one of the industry 'hottest' sales people.Many sales people who use ICTech ® close to 5-7 ten presentations. What happens to each salesperson who can cut through the trunk pain and give a presentation to the prospect of 50% to 70% chance of closing? Simple. Revolutionary! Art Nelson is an entrepreneur and consultant in various fields of media organizations. He found ICTech public workshops, and therefore learn more about it and apply it to business blowing Linda Carlson, President of FOCUS I, Inc. is a company dedicated to supporting American businesses by helping them find innovative ways to individualize their services. Contact [http://www.styleworks4u.com/pages/home-page.html] or lbc@styleworks4u.com

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Three methods extend battery life Smartphone and Tablet

In the 24/7 business environment, a dead battery is no longer a reason not to missed, text and email. Which makes keeping your mobile device charged on the go constantly challenges.

But of effectively managing power to the growing number of portable electric devices, there are many ways employers can keep their mobile devices run longer and more efficiently.

Here are three tips to keep your smartphone and tablet business is charged by the day's work - and more:

    Changing the settings of your device.

Data, Wi-Fi and GPS services between battery runs deepest. Whenever your device to send or retrieve data from the Web, or by GPS, using large amounts of power. If you want to optimize your device settings can help extend battery life.

For example, try disabling automatic recovery email and applications are updated throughout the day. Also, avoid location-based applications such as Google Maps, or at least make sure to turn off your GPS then you're done with the application.

Related: A Guide for Using Mobile Devices When Traveling Abroad

Lighting also display uses a large amount of battery power. Try dimming your screen and keep your device in standby when not in use.

For in-depth battery management, battery free apps including Battery Life Magic and Pro for the iPhone, or JuiceDefender for Android, can help to identify which functions your device using the most power.

2. Bring a backup power source.

Not everyone will want to lock premium features to squeeze in a few extra hours of battery life. To get the most out of your device, take some extra power to you.

Portable battery to connect the smartphone is the option for the user-oriented way. For example, myCharge of Commerce Township, Mich.-based RFA Brands offers extended battery universally compatible with smartphones, tablets and eReaders. A universal power pack myCharge - ranging from about $ 50 - connected to virtually any device via Micro USB, Mini USB or Apple connector.

Related: Toughest Smartphone for Business

Snap-on batteries can also help power your device. Mophie Juice Pack works both as a case and a charger for the iPhone and allows users to talk and charge at the same time. Units start at $ 80. XPAL Power PowerSkin Costa Mesa, California-based offering battery case for Android devices like the Samsung Galaxy SII for $ 70.

For business owners often carry a number of devices, Powerbag is a backpack that includes a built-in battery that can charge up to four mobile devices and laptops. Powerbags start around $ 140. Solar backpack like that of New York City based electrical systems draw energy from the sun. A solar bag with charging capabilities tablet start at around $ 300. Keep in mind, however, that the panel can be stress-sealed bags for luggage, about a pound and a half.

3. Charging during the trip - be careful.

A low cost USB adapter for your car power outlets can be invaluable on duty in the street and can be purchased for less than $ 20.

However convenient, charging device in the car can be dangerous. Car electronic systems typically charge continuously can overheat and possibly damage the charging device - especially if left plugged shortly after it's fully charged. Also, be sure to unplug the device before you start and shut off the engine as this can significantly drain the power from the device.

Bottom line: Having a smartphone or tablet running out of power on the road can be bad for business. But given the options available, there is no reason that even the most power-intensive devices can not do to remain productive throughout the workday.

Monday, April 29, 2013

For Mompreneurs, Failure is not an Option

"Mama, we have a problem."

It is a play on the famous "Houston, we have a problem," referring to the 1970 flight of Apollo 13. Approximately 56 hours into the mission, an oxygen tank exploded, knocking the power of the order of modules, lighting and water supply. Astronaut James Lovell to mission control about the problem, adding that the oxygen away from the spacecraft. The mission of the sudden change of landing on the moon to get the astronauts back alive. The crew and mission control gets very creative about doing what seemed impossible: to get home safely by men. Teamwork, creativity and determination throughout the trip. It is their commitment to success, the belief that failure is not an option, who guided the men safely home.

Why am I sharing this bit of history in reference to being a Mompreneur? Because when faced with obstacles, you need the same drive and determination to succeed.

When I started executing stroller, failure is not an option. This is my only chance to have my baby home instead of returning to traditional full-time job. I was determined to do whatever I need to do to succeed. I created the business plan, not for every investor, but for myself and my wife. I need to prove it can work. I have the attitude that no matter what obstacles get in the way I (and many of them do), I can find my way around it, over or under it. But I make it to the other side. I know it is very painful for me to be away from my baby for 10 hours a day, and I was extremely aware of the satisfaction I get from working from home and bring it to work with me .

Moms, get to know the business you experience challenges. Challenges are sometimes seem impossible to overcome. But which one will, one way. I love reading about other entrepreneurs who transformed failure into success.

Did you know that Mickey Mouse was made only after Walt Disney lost the rights of pride and joy character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit? Remember, Disney said, "If you can dream it, you can do it."

Did you know that the light bulb Thomas Edison fail a few times before he got 2000 to work? When asked how many times he fails, he replied, "I was disappointed I just found another way not to invent the light bulb."

Did you know that Mary Kay Ash was told by her consulting business model does not work and that he has to close before he broke? His quote: "Every failure, obstacle or hardship an opportunity in disguise Success in many cases is the failure of the reverse .."

It took inspiration from some of mompreneurs now?

Royn Pellei of

Vive Vita

think he got his big break when a big company is interested in any baby products. The company decided quickly the product is not acceptable. Pellei back to the drawing board, creating better products and to close the deal. He says he does not forget that initial impulse to refuse to fail. Pellei is the proud recipient of the award Business Baby Shower.

Joann Wooley,

Sign4Baby

founder, says the biggest obstacle is balancing the mother with a weak economy. Reorganization to adjust to the needs of the business does not fit with his goals for the mother. He stayed true to its mission to be a mother first and foremost, and a loyal customer following and fill in the new class.

Elke Govertsen can not get financing for

Mamalode

business because her husband took the first loan. He did not let a little thing like money hold her back! Rather than produce a prototype for printed magazine, he created a media kit and start selling something that does not exist. It worked! Sales increased 800 percent in the past two months, from $ 350 to $ 2800 per month for the website only. Print sales also growing. Govertsen said, "still seems the sales ads is a great vehicle for growth if your readers are business market wants."

Tobi Kosanke of

Crazy K Farm

not set to become an entrepreneur. A scientist by trade, he is the great example of the saying "necessity is the mother of invention." He wants his career as a geologist, but his employer did not support when he needs to take care of a special needs daughter. He was forced to make a decision between her job or her schedule flexible. He created the family farm business, which allows her to stay home and care for their families. With the success of his business, Kosanke proud to give back to the community and donate a portion of profits to charity.

Just think about the possibilities if you take every challenge as an opportunity though. When you are faced with obstacles in life or in business, changes in pressure in creativity. Solutions are rarely clear. Just have faith that a solution. Or failing that can lead to something better. To achieve the highest level of success, step.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Meredith, publishing Internet Companies That Beat

On the eve of Valentine's Day, dating shocking news rocked the magazine industry. Meredith (MDP), Iowa-based publisher mum optimistic women's service magazine (including Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies Home Journal ', and Traditional Home), is on the verge of getting in (TWX) Time Warner glossies most vociferous (including people, Entertainment Weekly, and InStyle). It seems like an odd couple that could be a victory for Meredith. To begin with, there is a difference in size. Meredith, with 3,300 employees and $ 1.4 billion in annual revenue, has replaced most of the division with about 8,000 employees and $ 3,4 billion in revenue. Like Time Warner, Meredith, with a market capitalization of $ 1.67 billion, were traded. Union workers will suddenly make Meredith the largest magazine publisher in the country. But hard to imagine a couple with different tastes like. If successful the merger, the owner of Better Homes and Gardens is published, among others, a young British magazine called Nuts. And every fall, the company behind the Ladies' Home Journal Sexiest Man Man coronation. Before the world got to see what the offspring of Meredith and Time would look like, the romance cooled. On the night of March 6, Time Warner announced to go solo for a while and spin-off a company magazine, new public. Meredith Chief Executive Officer Stephen Lacy quickly released a statement indicating there are no hard feelings and left the door open for further conversation. "There is a natural synergy between the two portfolios," Lacy said in a release. "However, we respect the decision of Time Warner and will remain open to continue the dialogue about how our companies can work together on future opportunities."

VIDEO: Time Warner Business Exit Magazine

Deal suggested that even shows how much publishing has changed. With the advent of the Internet, the main source of advertising revenue and circulation are eroded, while the cost of the magazine printing ink, paper, and increasing distribution. In the 20th century, publishers of all shapes and sizes seem Henry Luce of Time Inc.. For ideas on how to earn the magazine. But in the months and years to come, they are more likely to look at Meredith to learn how to live. Meredith main advantages of this approach. They are experts at repurposing their content on multiple platforms (magazines, books, websites, mobile devices, tablet, etc..) And look more aggressive advertising and circulation for profit. Print, they can stay away from the news. They were very successful licensed the name of their magazine titles' for the big national business selling branded products, they also run their own marketing agency. Meredith has not been immune to the forces battering the industry. But in the last decade, the strategic adjustment of their portfolio, they managed to maintain a stable and reliable income year after year despite the turmoil the margin. (Lacy denied comment.) Figure aggregated by Bloomberg Businessweek from different PublicationsIn Meredith February, Meredith has published an editorial signed by the product of "Bookazine" called Chicken dinner. It is flush with advertising, co-branded under the Better Homes and Gardens willingness, and sold no expiration date. In theory, it can live in stalls or coffee table or kitchen table for months. "Chicken Dinner Chicken dinner if you bought it in May, June, or July," said Samir Husni, director of the Magazine Innovation Center at the University of Mississippi.

VIDEO: Will Be Magazine Print in Five Years?

Some 88 years after Harold Ross launches The New Yorker with a pitch that it "was not edited for the old lady in Dubuque," turned on the Iowa surprise the seat of power. "Time is quite powerful to be the news in a way of entertainment," says Isaiah Wilner, author of The Man Time Forgot: A Story of Genius, Betrayal, and the Creation of Time Magazine. "Now we can get the style and attitude and personality on the Internet for free. The meat and potatoes old magazine may have a better chance to survive today because they provide something that people will still be needed. It ... revenge of the old lady from Dubuque-only him from Des Moines' headquarters Meredith. Is manicured campus in downtown Des Moines. Facilities include approximately 5,000 square feet luxury test kitchen where staff test and retest every recipe that goes in the company magazine. According to the Des Moines Register, the kitchen was remodeled in 2005 at a cost of $ 3 million and featuring bamboo flooring, marble countertop, cabinet and remote control. Meredith also maintained garden complex trials. The red 24-foot-tall, ornamental horticulture shovel by Claes Oldenburg and artist standing outside the van Brüggen Coosje. Although the company has maintained a large presence in New York, the majority of the workforce in Iowa.

Story: Time Warner Digital Media Progress

Working away from Manhattan magazine provides more than just a different perspective. Also cheap. Readymade magazine edited Andrew Meredith Wagner, on the subject of DIY culture and design, from 2009 until 2011, when the company closed due to falling circulation growth. He said that according to the editorial is essential. "There are many styles of Meredith," said Wagner. "Especially for the title of the house. They are a fascinating picture of the studio. ... Really amazing. But they use the same photographer to light things the same way. Everything Meredith is not directed towards standardization and affordability "to generate ideas, pictures, articles, and tips on living., Meredith has cultivated a list known as a contributor to the far-flung editors contributions from the field or area. Masthead for the March 2013 issue of Better Homes and Gardens list of 36 contributors to the region in areas such as Galveston, Tex.., And Raleigh, NC "We have this content pipeline," said Karol DeWulf Nickell, who served as chief editor of Better Home and Parks from 2001 to 2006. "We had never been on-staff photographer, that's really important for the fee structure overhead. This model is different from the high-end photo shoot of some of our competitors. '

VIDEO: The Internet kill Business Magazine?

Meredith devotion to the service of journalism is built on the roots. Edwin Thomas Meredith, who founded the company in 1902, could start a successful farm, which still publishes Meredith. In 1922, Meredith launched to Fruit, Garden and Home, the title of services aimed at middle-class family, who later became Better Homes and Gardens. Along the way, Meredith came to the editorial guidance law is still followed today: "no fiction, no fashion, no nonsense, no passion." Meredith always stay away from the news and time sensitive stories. In recent years it has developed and get a site designed to appeal to a mass audience with a service-oriented women, evergreen content. In 2012 it was purchased Allrecipes.com, which paidContent described as the "largest food site in the world," from Reader Digest Association for $ 175 million. In a call with analysts in January, said Lacy digital advertising revenue rose 110 percent during the first half of fiscal 2013. Company's growing digital audience, he said, that make e-commerce opportunities, mainly produces commands to subscribe magazines.Instead news, editorial Meredith has focused on product known as special-interest publishers, or SIP (which is sometimes called bookazines, magalogues, or magabooks). Has a cover that looks like a magazine, crammed full of ads, and sold at newsstands each SIP. Currently, Meredith publishes nearly 100 titles SIP, including decking ($ 12.99), American Patchwork & Quilting ($ 5.99), and chicken dinner ($ 9.99). The SIP allows the Meredith content that appears on one of the magazine and reuse. Meanwhile, Meredith magazine printed on a regular schedule and have a limited life kiosks, SIP is printed on demand and sold for the month. Because it is paid, SIP can be very profitable. (Meredith does not come out of his earnings for SIP.)

VIDEO: Do Magazines There are places in our Digital World?

Lacy, who led the company since 2006, told analysts in January that during the housing boom Meredith publishes titles like Good Kitchen & Bath up to six times a year. When a market falls, Meredith down. "But it's still the most profitable things we do," said Lacy. "If you're going to blow the back of your house and drop $ 150,000 in the kitchen, it is not the same investment as a dress or a pair of shoes. We are always thinking about business SIP as the accordion, we can improve things like crazy "Advertising remains the lifeblood of the company ... In 2012 advertising sales account for $ 769.8 million of the $ 1.37 billion in revenue Meredith. Of that amount, 64 percent comes from the publishing division of the company. The rest comes from advertising sales at 13 Meredith local TV stations. In 2012, Meredith sold some 9,417 pages of magazine ads, according to data from Kantar Media (WPPGY) provided by Publishers Information Bureau. Better Homes and Gardens 1365 led advertising page. Meredith told advertisers that the company has developed a unique machine to tell the story of the brand for 100 million American women, gathered in different titles, each one comes in about the same topics as health, shelter , food, and the parents are little different angle. Ad buyers know exactly what they are getting. "It is actually very simple when you look at the existing publishers to see how they designed their portfolio," said Audrey Siegel, president of media agency TargetCast TCM.

Stories: Digital Media Dreams, oily Profit

Meredith will not rest until every corner of the house brand: from the magazine mail slot bathroom accessories and furniture in the back lawn. Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) is now selling more than 3000 Better Homes and Gardens products, including Rug bath, lotion pumps, and fire pits. Selling FTD (UNTD) Better Homes and Gardens line of bouquets. Meredith magazine titles for publisher licensing partners abroad. Living with diabetes now published in Italy, Greece, and Russia. Since 2008, Realogy, the parent company of Century 21, who sold homes nationwide by Better Homes and Gardens line of residential real estate office. Figure aggregated by Bloomberg Businessweek from different PublicationsWhen Meredith Wagner joined Meredith in 2009 as editor of the Readymade, he found a hospitable culture, discipline, and relentless. Tight budget. Wagner remembered every day the company hanging of signs announcing the closing price of Meredith. "It's not about, 'See fascinating piece of content we do and let us get inspired,'" Wagner said. "It was like, 'Look at the stock price!" You know what they are working. "In 2011, Meredith closed the Readymade, and Wagner now works in marketing for various companies. Meredith believes she is well positioned on top of current industry changes. "These are the ones who lead the way in the breakdown between content and marketing," said Wagner. Meredith is so good at self-assembled entity marketing business-to-business, she called Meredith Marketing Xcelerated, or MXM. This group works directly for the brand (current client Kraft (KRFT), Chrysler, and Lowe (low)) selling marketing services for designing print ads, build customized mobile applications, Web shoot-sponsored video series, and using word of mouth campaigns on sites such as Facebook and YouTube. According to press materials Meredith, MXM has over 700 employees and 150 clients. Currently generates $ 150 million in revenue up from $ 75 million in 2005. Meredith also courting two segments of the advertising expenditure does not show signs of vulnerability Web-video and cable TV last bulking up Meredith Video Studios, a production unit for the advertiser-friendly show filled with product integration . Among other things, the MVS when creating women-friendly Web-video series paid for by brands such as Kmart (shld) and Home Depot (HD). There is also a TV talk show called Show more efficient, the interesting part of Meredith magazines and broadcast at least 160 markets, including the Meredith-owned stations such KSMO in Kansas City, Kansas On March 4, Meredith announced a deal to syndicate Show better emblem Channel, with 87 million U.S. cable subscribers. On the same day, Lacy appeared in the conference in Palm Beach, Florida, said that business and marketing agent Meredith has never looked stronger. He noted that in 2013, Meredith has been expanding the brand licensing program in real estate and retail. On the side of publishing, Lacy is interested in expanding its offering of tablet because the margin is much better. At present, he said, Meredith spends $ 300 million a year in paper, printing catalog, and. Which is not to say Meredith fell in print. In Palm Beach, Lacy suggests that the interest in the company at that time only the beginning, and that many covet Meredith implicit that the company could do a better job than the current owners in managing distressed assets "based on magazine brands.". "We were fortunate last year to unload both Allrecipes and [Every Day] Rachael Ray Reader's Digest before filing for bankruptcy mercy on them, and then do the second EatingWell and FamilyFun," said Lacy. "We thought we were pretty good operator." In other words, they know how to change a budget.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Strange Alliance Between Big Business and Labor on Immigration Reform

(An earlier version of this story ran online.) Last time Congress takes up immigration reform in 2007, efforts collapsed in part because of the nation's largest labor unions and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at odds over a given visa foreign workers to fill low-skilled jobs. Room to throw open the doors for visitors workers to help businesses meet the demands but said the workers returned home expire when their visas. Unions want to keep visa low as to prevent foreigners from displacing U.S. workers. Leaders in both parties "going around Congress tried to stab others in the back," said Demetrios Papademetriou, president of the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan immigration think tank.So Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue and AFL -CIO President Richard Trumka observers were stunned when they send the "Combined Joint Statement of Principles" on February 21, stating they overcome their many differences. "We have found common ground in some important areas, and are committed to continuing to work together and with Members of Congress to enact legislation to solve our problems today are lasting," they wrote.With White House and Congress will bring major immigration reform legislation this year, support for labor and business are aware that they are at risk of abandonment if they get past their old grievance. The labor movement has come to see foreign workers as a potential candidate to improve the ranking of the company decreased 14.4 million, union membership nationwide is the lowest since the government began counting in 1983. Legal foreign workers better wages debilitating undocumented workers union. Rooms are now saying it is supported by a green card for a foreign worker if it means business is to hire more freely from abroad without running government restrictions. In the weeks after the election, President Obama makes immigration a priority. Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer of New York and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who worked for years trying to win support for the immigration bill, Donohue and Trumka called the Capitol. They urged the two to work out a compromise. "They asked us to start talking, and we did," said Ana Avendaño, Trumka top immigration advisers. Smoking denied comment. AFL-CIO and the business community said they want U.S. workers to get "first crack" at low wage jobs available, the statement said. Under the guest-worker program at this time, employers who want to shoot in one of the 66,000 annual visas for low-skilled foreigners have to show the federal government that they first make a good-faith effort to find a qualified U.S. applicants. A decade that the U.S. Department of Labor rules requiring them to place two ads in the local paper. But they do not need to send a position online, although many job seekers are now seen there. Space has agreed to do more to help the company promote openings for U.S. workers, although the statement did not mention details.Both called on the government to create a new category for immigration guest workers. Those who enter the country on a "dual intent" visa is allowed to switch jobs easier immigration status is not tied to the employer who brought them to the U.S. and some will be eligible to apply for a green card. They also want the government to fix the number of visas made available to the needs of the market.The agreement between the offender and the union did not suggest how Washington will make it happen. Conflicts details bog down the immigration bill, which the Senate is expected to take in the summer. But look at the two ancient rivals holding hands showing personal interests may trump tough, Papademetriou said. Neither Side "strong enough to end run around one." Bottom line: An agreement between the union and business lobby calls for extending visas for foreign workers and allow several paths to citizenship.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Why Is Egypt floods Gaza Tunnels

Egyptian security forces flooded the smuggling tunnels running between Egypt and the Gaza Strip this weekend, as Egypt seems to continue its commitment to restore order to the attacking Sinai Peninsula and simmer the flow of smuggled into the Hamas-controlled Gaza. hundreds of snakes underground passageways beneath the Egyptian-Gaza border, provides a way to maneuver around the Israeli economic blockade LED 2007 that came into force after the Islamic militant group controls the Gaza Strip. Tunnel that carries everything from food and medicine to the cement and steel, which provides up to 75 percent of the stock of goods racks Gaza, according to an analyst in Gaza City. Vents also facilitate the flow of weapons and fighters inside and outside the region. This poses a problem for Egypt, which is involved in the domestic industry instability.Though tunnel has contracted since Israel began allowing more goods through the crossing in 2010, the Gazans say they still need to complete the halls of what Israel permission to cross, create a tunnel necessary for the survival of the population of 1.6 million.Despite hope that Egypt was sympathetic to Gaza after Mohammed Mursi Muslim candidates won brotherhood presidential elections in the country for free and fair in June, Mursi blockade has not subsided. Instead, after unknown militants launched an attack on the Egyptian military post that killed 16 soldiers in August, he appeared on television and vowed: "The security forces will exercise total control over all the territory Sinai, and make sure that they control. Those behind the attacks pay high prices, as well as those who cooperated with the attackers, either to them or anywhere in Egypt "Egypt in the Sinai Peninsula, especially the poorer north., Was seen as becomes distorted since the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak last two years. Security forces captured the Sinai region and not brought back under control. After the August attack, Egypt, said the militants from Gaza, so they filled the tunnels dozens passageways.Flooding Egypt method chosen to closely watch the trade, to rely on rough board line corridor dug through the sand. Israel is relying on an already-bombing tactics used in recent wars, in November 2012, and in 2008 the operation Cast to Lead.In 2009, under the rule of Mubarak, Egypt began building an underground barrier to prevent 100-foot-tunneling in the metal wall is not very popular, promote the country's image Mubarak as an instrument of foreign policy of the United States and Israel. Wall failed to cut the flow of goods and trade underground completed.Working not always gamble, even without the efforts of Egypt or Israel to prevent it. Damage from collapsing tunnels and electrical fires in the hallway survive, even as Hamas began to set the Shaaer trade.Emad, owner of the tunnels in Gaza, recently told Bloomberg Businessweek that the owner is obliged to compensate the halls of their injured workers. Shaaer said he paid $ 7,000 for a hospital worker injured by a generator and $ 10,000 to the families of two people died working in the tunnel. Winter storms in January a fierce toll on the industry, some of the flooded tunnel collapsed and at least six killed, according to a non-governmental organization that is quoted in the Reuters report. Tunnel workers say they understand the risks but continued to ply the route because the salary is good, compared to what's available in poor enclave.Egypt movement as Hamas met in Cairo with Fatah, the more moderate Palestinian factions to discuss Reunification. Media reports indicate the two sides remain at odds over the creation of a Palestinian unity government.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Why I can ditch the iPhone for Android

If you do not want personal stories about infidelity, please read it again. After falling in love with my iPhone for a few years now, my attention will be taken to another place and I'm not fighting it. I have an iPhone fan since the first time I got my hands on one: it instantly makes my BlackBerry (RIMM) feel like an ugly brick designed by orangutans. What I want to do this forever long, and it was almost exactly what I've done since I first got one-up, which, I switched to an Android phone over the holidays.I will not decide to try the Android phone because I was not happy with Apple (AAPL) or iPhone. I still think the iPhone is one of the, best designed products most interesting that I used to. I have a MacBook Air and iPad that I love well-equipped, and I recommend them whenever I get the chance. But I admit that I am envious of the Android phones for a while after seeing my friends as my colleague Kevin Tofel at GigaOM use them and then borrow one last fall on a trip to Amsterdam for our Structure: European conference.Part what I attracted a larger screen on the Nexus and other phones. I want to read Web pages and documents and view pictures on my phone, so the screen real estate more attractive. But I'm also interested in open Android ecosystem, and wondered if it would be a benefit, compared to Apple's walled garden walks for iOS.There no question that the Apple beautiful garden, wall garden going. It is very well maintained: rude or annoying apps that keep coming out and everyone checked to make sure it works well, which is a big advantage. In other words, the bar is hard to see behind all the beautiful flowers. But in some cases, useful items stored as well as content, applications, or methods of integration with other networks and services can not meet Apple's standards (or who do not want to pay Apple for the privilege). Here is an anecdote that sums up the difference between the two platforms for me: When I take a picture with Android phones (Motorola (GOOG) Razr HD), it suddenly occurred to me that maybe I could do this beam My TV somehow. I have a media hub of Western Digital (WDC) with all my pictures here, usually have to copy photos from iPhone to computer with iTunes and then share it with WD hub. I thought maybe I could block it from Android because the hub is a device DLNA (DLNA kind of open standard version of Apple Airplay for wireless networks). Within five minutes, I downloaded an app to post my picture on the WD hub, and we are looking for it on TV. I do the same thing with YouTube video.Another bulb moment happened when I went to share Web pages from Motorola. When you do this on the iPhone, you can choose between Twitter, Facebook (FB), e-mail, and print, but on Android, share your menu is longer than the screen. You can share just about anything with just about anything, whether it be a Web service or an application. For me, it's sort of metaphorical two platforms.It's probably possible to file your pictures on your television with your iPhone or iPad, but to do that you will need Apple TV and AirPlay and committed other part of the Apple ecosystem (such as iTunes, which I I always hated to admit using). If you have a motley crew of non-Apple tech way Western Digital My hubs and I run Ubuntu desktop-like second class citizens in some way because Apple often does not play well with others. For a while, I see something that I've seen others, like Liz Gannes says All Things Digital: I'm slowly replacing many services from Apple and Google's default apps such as Maps and Mail, or made by someone else. IPhone hardware itself still appeal because it is so well made and nice to hold. But for the service, Apple has never really been the best, and you can see that things like the things about iPhone iCloud.I Nona. As Ralf Rottmann, who wrote a great post about making a similar move, iMessage because I lost a lot of friends and family has an iPhone. I also lost Photostream, which is a great way to have images automatically show I took my iPad and MacBook Air. But I mostly copied by using the auto-upload to Google and Facebook, as well as open-source image hosting service called Openphoto using Amazon (AMZN) S3 hosting.When I tried to describe the difference between the two platforms to my friends, I would like this: In iOS, if you want to do something, there may be one or two applications that will let you, and they work pretty well but if you want those features, you do not have luck. In Android, if you want to do something on the phone, with 15 or 20 apps to help you, and many are free, most do not do everything you want and some really work the way you want them to For me it boils down to this: Apple has a great design, but it limits your options in all sorts of ways. I see more and more closely bar, despite all the beautiful flowers. But Android offers a kind of "tyranny of choice." In the end, I think the choice and greater transparency, though it looks less attractive at first glance. That is why I am thinking of moving permanently. I'm sorry, Steve.Also from GigaOM: Mobile Fourth-Quarter 2012 Review (subscription required) Why Big Data Will Even Bigger Losses in 2013Apple Retail Exec: It's getting Explanation Close SVP New Really Tiny How Facebook Search Charts? Works'Advanced 'Energy Is Over-Trillion-Dollar Market and really grew in 2012

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

End-One Child Policy China

Molly Zhang, a 31-year-old account manager in the lighting industry, only? Having a second son. Now he must pay the fine is likely to total 30,000 yuan ($ 4.760), almost equal to his annual salary, for violating the one-child policy of China. "Even for those white-collar workers on average in Dongguan, is a lot of money. But I do not want to have an only child, "says Zhang, adding that fines need to get his household registration documents, without education and work impossible.Last publication in 2010 China census , which revealed more perceived decline in childbirth than previously thought, galvanized 20 or more top China demographics, sociologists, and economists advocating ending the one-child policy. "It is time to think about removing the policy decided 30 years ago, China situation has changed so much," said Gu Baochang, demographer at Renmin University of China in Beijing and one of the informal leaders team, which has twice petitioned the supreme leader of China urging them to reform or end the latest salvo policy.The April 16 publication of a book by James Liang, chairman of online tourism company Ctrip.com (CTRP), China version of Expedia (expe). Title: Too many people in China? Three publishers refused to print the book, citing the sensitivity of the subject, said Liang. His thesis is that the demographic changes brought about by the one-child policy is challenging objective Beijing moves from the factory to the world to become a more innovative economy. A rapidly aging workforce will stifle creativity within the company, argued Liang, who saw the experience of companies in over 60 countries for the book and received his doctorate in economics at Stanford University. "In almost all countries, developed and developing, to see that the older age of the labor force, the lower the overall Entrepreneurship," said Liang, citing Japan as a classic example.Since was put in place in 1979, one of China's children have a strong rule of official support. National Population and Family Planning Commission, which serves about half a million people, said the effort has avoided a population surge that China will add 400 million to 1,34 billion population and straining scarce resources in the country. The claim is largely supported by leaders of China, which recently confirmed on April 10 their intention to keep a low birth rate. "The mindset of many Chinese policy makers, including a large part of society, yet again it was 30-40 years ago," said Wang Feng, a senior fellow and director of the Brookings-Tsinghua Center for Public Policy at Tsinghua University in Beijing. "Chinese belief to have many children, and if the government made it extraordinary deal, China was destroyed by the explosion." It's thoughts after the date during Chinese Cultural Revolution ended in 1976 , when the economy is experiencing a huge shortage and rationing public. Demographic results of the one-child policy is dramatic. In 1966, the average Chinese family with six children. The birth rate has fallen to 1.5 children today, which means that the possibility of China's population will peak at 1.4 billion people by 2030. Few in the U.S. average about two children.To date, China is enjoying what economists call a "demographic dividend," with a growing labor force contributes about 0.9 percent of annual economic growth, according the World Bank estimates. Dividend will be lost when the peak of the working age population to 1 billion, and then begin to shrink, in 2013. While China currently has about 120 million people aged 20-24, which is expected to drop more than 20 percent in the next decade, according to the UN Department of Economic and Social shortages Affairs.Labor appeared earliest in the Pearl River Delta, in large part due to factory export factories rely on workers under the age of 25. In the coming years the labor force will grow older. "Problem implements the older workers, who have mushroomed in size, and yet have much less human capital [such as higher education and good health in general] to offer an employer," : Judith says sill, a leading Chinese demographer former director of global economic demographics tagapagpananaliksik Conference Board. While the U.S. and Europe took about 100 years to become an aging society, China has taken less than 40 years. "For the first time we see the country is not getting old before they become rich," said Philip O'Keefe, coordinator of the sector of human development at the World Bank in Beijing.So now, Chinese officials taken only small steps to ease policy. Chinese ethnic minorities that have long been allowed to have many children. The first peasant girls are allowed to have a second baby. And now most provinces allows the couple themselves from single-child families to have a second child. However, about two-thirds of the Chinese fall under the restrictions, estimated Renmin University Gu. Demographic sill says: "You try to go to a children's plan, and suddenly the strength to come and fine you or put so much pressure on you to have an abortion." Planning commission has decided to discontinue the use of the slogans of the most threatened purpose to scare the people into compliance. Other People's Daily reported in February that China was not broadcast vowed that "we would rather scrape your uterus rather than allow you to have a second child?" But it replace the soft messages, including, "The parents of a child's family will get benefits after age 60 years" Right now!, demographics such as Gu and Wang admitted that China will never reverse the trend of aging. That is because the decline in fertility is now also due to reduced fertility is often seen their country become better and better studied. However, they argue that maintaining the one-child policy only exacerbated the problem. "There was a serious under-estimation of changes, deep tectonic China population is now happening," says Wang. "China is in demographic decline. And instead of the brake, the current government continues to step on the gas pedal "Bottom line:. As China top working age population, the plan is to switch from regular work in a factory for innovation is threatened by the aging workforce.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Avoid Scams Roof Repair: 3 Ways

Heard you had a broken roof over your head might actually be a big concern. But be careful suggestions roof repair resources. All high pressure, offering high shock to convert from unsolicited calls or visits scheduled by the people in the ministry at the same target: your wallet. In particular, watch out for the following three common scams rip-off roof:

Replacement roof: not left without cover or too many layers of shingles scam artists posing as roof repair contractor. A true professional does not appear (or ride) without notice, but was found by referring customers and provide a thorough analysis of needs improvement, appropriate recommendations for work to be performed, and a detailed estimate of your review and approval.

Whatever roof repairs should really depend on your age, present roofing material, number of existing roof layers, and the length of time you plan to stay in your home. Adding layers can sometimes be more harm than good, and start over with a new roof will be completely unnecessary.

Alt = Avoid fraud sweep ScamsChimney Roof Repair: Between the limited equipment necessary to do the job and a real risk of chimney neglect, unfortunately relatively easy for unscrupulous contractors to clean the chimney, to stay in business.

They usually will start the examination, the annual standard is reasonably priced and cleaning and then "discover" that your chimney liner in desperate need of new or other major adjustment of safety, the type of project that ended in lining their own pockets with thousands of dollars.

Do not fall for this scam. Great start to get high recommended, experience certified chimney sweep Safety Institute of America (CSIA). However, if you want to cross paths with someone who does, leave any suggested improvements to an objective expert like a professional home inspector can make their own judgment.

Getting brave the gutter: Most rainwater drainage system will continue to move in the right direction with a simple cleaning and maintenance, which is organized by the homeowner or contractor believed periodically. If you take care of what you already have, the sale offers for clog-called free system, drainage Guards and other add-ons that are much easier to fight.

Your roof is one of your most important elements of any building structure. But to avoid fraud, proceed cautiously if there is a roof repair contractor recommended to ensure that your roof needs work is highly recommended.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Greek debt sealed the deal - but doubts remain

Eurozone finance ministers finally reached € 130bn bailout deal for Greece, with private sector bondholders haircuts 53.5% on a notional Company debt (more than 50% of agreed beforehand).

As part of the package, the country's debt to GDP is expected to fall from about 160% to 120.5% in 2020, but doubts still remain over the long-term prospects of the country.

The European Commission will evaluate the contract that the eurozone economy by 0.3% in 2012 in contrast to previous estimates in November when said growth of 0.5%.

The biggest obstacle in the euro zone economy is Greece, which is expected to see a decline in output of 4.4% in 2012.

In November estimate only Greece and Portugal are expected to contract, but now Belgium, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, the Netherlands and Slovenia were added to the list.

Spain is expected to contract by 1% this year, but said that if the government took further cut budgets to meet the target, the economy contract by more than 1% commission.

The minutes of the February MPC meeting released last week, showed that all members choose to extend the QE program, with two members who want a bigger increase.

In January, UK retail sales rose 1.2% month on month after rising 0.6% in December - a figure that is significantly higher than economists' expectations of a 0.3%. Increase was primarily due to an increase in sales of furniture and sporting the goods which consumers tempted heavy discount.

Brent crude oil prices hit nine months, due to growing concerns about the supply of Iranian oil. Surge was triggered after Iran threatened to stop oil exports to European countries after the company cut its sales in France and England.

Tobacco giant BATS fell even sharing revenue rose 3% in 2011. The company has expressed concerns about the plan in the world to introduce plain packaging, which it believes will benefit the criminal groups that smuggle cigarettes. Sharing RBS rose on the opening weekend, though losses widened in 2011.

Banking Group made a loss before tax of £ 766m, compared with a loss of £ 399m in 2010, the year 2011 the number will hit Greek debt and provision for mis-selling PPI.

Whitbread knocked by comments from Credit Suisse last week, the company provides short-term "trading sell" recommendation. Said they "expect covers UK wants to see the trend will lead to pre-close the Whitbread disappointing and the stock trade down to 7% by multiple cycles, we recommend reducing ownership update before February 28 ".

Friday, March 8, 2013

Latimer Hinks lawyer retired after 49 years

Latimer Hinks Solicitors in Darlington celebrate the retirement of the longest-serving member of staff.

In 1963 Mary Everitt joined Priestgate company based on three-month trial. "They never told me if I pass!" He says - and 49 years later he has seen major changes in the way law is practiced and is involved in cases of importance to the local area.

After arriving as a junior secretary, Everitt worked with several well-known lawyer of the city, including Charles Hinks, Eric Marsham and, for 21 years, Tony Little.

When Anne Elliott joined the company in 1976 Everitt has helped him to promote and expand an established private client department of Latimer Hinks', still head of Elliott. The two worked together until retirement Everitt and will continue to have a close relationship, because he served as a personal assistant to Elliott related to its role under the Sheriff of Palatine County Durham.

Everitt admitted wrench to leave, "Latimer Hinks has always been based and prides itself on personal service to continue," he said. "It's very much a family company in the context of providing several generations of families."

Thursday, February 21, 2013

The company learned about contracts Hitachi train factory

Firm would be involved in the development of Hitachi train factory in County Durham will get the opportunity to learn about the opportunities this month. Construction open day, organized by Hitachi Rail Europe, Merchant Place development and Business Durham, held at Xcel Centre, Newton Aycliffe, on June 28. Particular focus on developing and building construction site fit the task for the development of Merchant Place development 'website Amazon Park, Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham. This event is targeted to potential suppliers for the first stage of activity and directly involved in the strategy of taking 450,000 sq ft Hitachi building work which is likely to start by the end of this year. Geoff Hunton, director of Merchant Place development is the keynote speaker, supported by Darren Cumner, manufacturing plant manager at Hitachi Rail Europe, Coun Neil Foster, cabinet member for Durham County Council and Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson. Hunton said: "Right now the entire design team in place and the technical aspects of the project will continue to show the program is very much about the construction of movement by the international auction beginning and completion of the building in a period of three years. "We expect up to 500 participants representing major construction contractor and specialist sub-contractor. Construction open day is fully committed approach to procurement. ' A maximum of two representatives per company are allowed. Hitachi project is controlled by three major contracts. The first contract is for archaeological investigations before starting the work on the second phase of the contract, the main design and build turnkey contract. This will include on-site work, including the main production building including office and storage accommodation and facilities in the rail track infrastructure and testing. As part of this contract, the contractor will identify specific supply services such as spray paint booths, staging, and testing facilities. The third contract is for work off-site rail infrastructure connects to Network Rail, creating a rail access to the site and re Shildon branch lines to existing lines to oversee the construction of the test track. Pre-registration is essential to the sites www.hitachirailproject.co.uk Hitachi Rail Project.

Sixth-form conversion blend the old with new

Architects aims plain sailing as work continues to convert an ancient marine plants in a center of learning state-of-the-art. Niven Architects, of Darlington, listed on the front weaving Sail making the work of a contemporary center for sixth-form Middlesbrough College. £ 6.5 million scheme to inject new hope for further development of Middlehaven site, in Middlesbrough, who faced a number of setbacks over the years. Two walls are listed for their heritage value and are included in the more contemporary design featuring a red cube. Since completed in September 2012, it will give you a 2000 sqft center has 13 classrooms, changing facilities, cafes and bistros, student common room and a synthetic turf field. On the first floor, 11 classroom featuring interactive learning tools The new center will be able to meet the needs of 500 students and staff. The building is designed to allow the use of equipment in the classroom when not needed. Director of Niven Architects, Siobhan McMahon, said: "We have kept the design very simple so it will not try to compete with the main campus next door. Red Cube connects to major universities but also stand on its own rather than challenge it. It is a fusion of past and contemporary industrial area. "This is a building that is very 'green', with passive ventilators and solar panels on the roof. As well as developing the Sail-making, we see the concrete base of the crane when the area served dock and warehouses. ' Simon Crowe, director of both skills Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, added: "It is great to see continued work on the site and college still pressing Continue to measure progress. There is talk of a second stage in the form of an extension to the building. "It is great to be part of the INNO-conservative scheme, as universities respond to requests for places to sixth-form and we have had some very positive feedback for our design." There is already talk of a second phase in the form of extensions to this building

Saturday, February 16, 2013

PwC advice to Pfizer to sell-off

In May 2010 Pfizer Inc.. (Pfizer), the world's largest research-based biomedical and pharmaceutical company, appointed PwC UK finance team as the company's principal financial advisor to the global divestiture program. This was followed by extensive evaluation of global manufacturing network following its acquisition of Wyeth Inc.. In October 2009. It is a wonderful achievement for PwC and demonstrate the ability of the company's North East finance team to manage a global command with regional focus on North East offer This command is supported by Pfizer iconic relationship and reputation with Pfizer PwC has developed over the past four years. PwC team, led by Paul Mankin, first worked with Pfizer in Morpeth factory sales in 2006. Since then, Pfizer has appointed Paul and his team led to six additional projects around the world including the United States, Ireland, Italy and Germany. During this PwC team has drawn on extensive expertise in the sector of a skilled team of pharmacists and PwC global network makes it possible to provide local expertise with international transactions Pfizer. PwC has started work under a new mandate with a total of seven divestitures in the United States and Europe. As part of this mandate Amit Bhalla, assistant director in corporate finance at Newcastle, starting a nine-month assignment in the United States in September last year. Amit, who worked on a number of releases of Pfizer, is currently based in New York and in addition to coordinating Pfizer divestment program worked hard to develop relationships with U.S. corporations. For the purpose Amit required to register as a broker-dealer under the U.S. federal safety regulations.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

COLUMN: Neil Warwick - best plan for a rainy day

Swallowing said traditional sign of spring time. All the signs are there for a true British summer: strawberry expensive in South West London (again), England lost the penalty shoot (again) and complaints about the terrible weather (again). If you can not seem to change in the summer in the UK, this year is different. We have had Diamond Jubilee and we approach the upcoming Olympics. The various celebrations throughout the country from the Bear Grylls way to carry the Olympic torch from the Tyne Bridge has developed a feel-good factor for the country, even the weather (again). Economy received a much needed assistance, especially in the tourism sector, or better yet, if you are a producer or a Union Jack flag bunting. However, additional celebrations also have a detrimental effect. Productivity fell for the month of May, a trend that is likely to continue throughout the summer. Office Party for the 2012 Euro qualifiers will morph into corporate tickets for events such as the Northumberland Plate, Wimbledon and then the Olympics. There are also signs of efforts to delay expansion plans on the back of uncertainty in the eurozone, with the summer disrupted as a reason to delay the investment. The survey was an unexpected business in East Chamber of Commerce Business Confidence survey showed the North East has the highest level of trust, such as the economy slipped back, Experian survey shows that the North East has the fourth highest rate of insolvencies on the same day at Ernst and Young survey showed job creation investment doubled last year in the North East. Tips summer for anyone who is not an extended break is to ensure that your cash management system is the best shape they can. Experian report shows that companies with 10-100 employees in the highest risk category with cash flow is the most common reason for failure. None of the summer, the business with the best cash management is best placed to tackle the challenges of the fall.