Prospecting For MLM - An Industry Expert's Formula For Off-Line Team Building

It always seems intriguing to me when I hear Network Marketers say that they've exhausted their list and don't have any more warm market to talk to, so they get discouraged instead of developing their marketing skills and going out turning cold market prospects into their warm market. Everyone has experience with turning cold market into their warm market, whether they know it or not because I'm sure you've been in a romantic relationship prior to now (if you're not currently in one) and I'm sure you can concur that at one point your mate was cold market and you converted them into your warm market.

I've discovered that a lot of individuals try to hide behind their computers and enroll new business partners into their group without picking up the cell phone and connecting with their potential team members. We can't ever forget that no matter how powerful leveraging the Net can be for your business, people do business with folks that they like and trust, so there's no way around management meeting new individuals and establishing a rapport with them.

Prospecting for MLM and the Law of Averages

And so with that in mind we have to move as many people through our funnel as humanly possible, online and offline. Most folks dread Offline prospecting for MLM for a lot of reasons but let me be the first to advise you, from experience, that when you combine offline prospecting for MLM and the leverage you get from using the internet something absolutely enchanting arises(and you're going to hear me reiterate this a good deal). One other advantage you get from putting into action offline strategies when prospecting for MLM is that you can build a large downline right in your local area which will give you an increased rate of retention because you can develop more of a community type environment for your downline.

Today I'm going to supply you with a synthesized edition of the Prospecting for MLM- Method for Offline Downline Building and you can start putting into action these procedures into your business immediately, for little or no Cost at all....

1. Tracking down Hometown Networking Groups: (Ex. Meetup.com, BNI (Leads Networking Group) and your local Chamber of Commerce.) With Meetup.com search for your city then type in words like home business, network marketing, MLM, Internet Marketing or anything else you have an interest in that's similar to your business. Register with those organizations that appeals to you and make it your business to go to the gatherings and start networking. You do not want to be at the event trying to recruit people right then, you just want to accumulate business cards and follow up with them within just 24-48 hours while you and the event is still fresh in their minds.

2. Gathering Offline Leads: (Ex. Bandit Signs, Post It Notes, Drop Cards, Business Card Fish Bowls at Restaurants etc.) For the time being, I'm just simply gone focus on the business card fish bowls at restaurants. It's really quite simple... You need to visit local restaurants and ask if it's cool if you can sponsor lunch once per month for a business card drawing. Place a fish bowl at the restaurant with the drawing details. It ought to say something like, "Drop Your Business Card to Enter to Win a 100 % Free Lunch." Call up the lucky winner and tell them that they won a free meal on you! Find out what they do and ask if they are open to earning money in addition to what they're currently doing. Get in contact with additional participants to tell them that they didn't win and see if they're open to generating much more money as well.

3. Local Meetings: As you are aware, you want to have as many home meetings and hotel meetings occurring in your organization as possible, but outside of those meetings, do everything you have to do to get a local restaurant owner on the team and get going holding regular meetings at the restaurant. This is great for the restaurant's business and it's very good for your business. Maybe if you do the fish bowl technique you can establish relationships with local restaurant owners and see if they're open to earning extra money. Word of advice: Several restaurant owners aren't earning the money they were making ten or even five years ago, so many of them will be open to new income opportunities.

4. Standard Prospecting For MLM (Calling Leads): Most individuals will never pick up the cellphone, so this alone will separate you from the bunch and develop you into an expert when it relates to prospecting for MLM. Here is one good example of how I would do it:

Above all as you may already know, when prospecting for MLM, you want to start bY building rapport...

-Hi, is this (first name)? How are you? I'm calling you because you responded to some advertising I did about generating income from the comfort of you home, is this correct?

- Great! Is now a good time to speak, do you have a few minutes?

-Awesome! What do you do?

-How long have you been doing that?

- Do you like it?

- Have you actively been searching for income opportunities?

- Has something recently changed in your life that has you open to new opportunities?

- What type of income are you currently accustomed to generating?

- What are your income goals for the next 3 months?

- Because I'm seriously looking for folks that are serious about generating a $10,000 per month income, does this sound like you?

- I have a presentation that goes into detail about my company. It's about 20 minutes. How soon could you spend 20 minutes on my website watching the presentation?

5. Creating T.E.A.M Synergy & Community: E-mail or send out a text blast to your downline when you recruit a brand new business partner welcoming them to the squad and introducing them to everyone else. When you get a new rep immediately introduce them to another individual in a leadership position, in addition to anyone else on the team that is "like them." Hold challenges with your organization! If you're holding local meetings, buy a trophy and engrave, "World's Best Prospector," on it. Bring it to your meetings and present it to the man or woman that brings the most guests for the week.

Prospecting for MLM is without question fun if you disassociate yourself from the end results because you have no control over the results, only the actions. To Access FREE Trainings on Mastering the Art of Prospecting and generating 20-30 Leads Per Day for your business, Click Here.

Biomedical Experts - Novel Social Networking Site For Biomedical Scientists

This resource is new in the block. It is the equivalent of 'my space'-the popular social networking sites for high flying internet users.

The power to connect with global collaborators, browse over I million experts profile is the high point of this resource driven site.

Biomedical experts give leveraging opportunities for biomedical scientists who can now network among themselves and collaborate on research work irrespective of their location world wide.

With its debut in April 2008, biomedical experts avail scientists in the life sciences profile and explore scientific expert network.

Biomedical experts bring the right researchers together and allow them to grow their professional network. The site prides itself as the first literature -based social networking platform for the life-science research community.

With biomedical experts, biomedical researchers connects to each other through the display and analysis of co-authors with whom each investigator works to publish scientific papers.

According to the owners of the site, 'The comprehensive system of pre-populated expert profiles, coupled with the ability to analyze all associated professional connections within the co-author network, allows scientists and researchers across organizations the ability to share data and collaborate in ways never before considered.'.

Experts are from over 1,800 institutions in more than 137 countries.

Profiles are generated from 11 million publications in more than 6,500 journals.

You now have the opportunity as a biomedical professional or expert to connect, communicate and collaborate with the experts in your field globally.

The major benefits of users is the power of profiting from the multiple brains brought together.

Other benefits include:

- Analysing expert profiles of more than 1.4 million scientists.

- Exploring your personal network starting with your direct co-authors and moving on to the co-authors of your co-authors

- Identifying researchers with the expertise you need in your broader network through easy-to-use search interface

- Cultivate and grow your professional network

- Connect with other researchers whom you have identified via Biomedical Experts (BME) site.

Currently, the network consist of more than 60,000 experts. There is no charge for joining as sign up in free. However, while the network is free for all, it is most beneficial to researchers who actively publish in biomedical journals.

The site is powered by collexis, a highly reputable firm with more than ten years experience in powerful knowledge discovery solutions and text miming applications with World Health Organisation and Mayo Clinic as clients among numerous others.

Prospective users are required to painstakingly read the user agreement before joining. It is mandatory for you to abide by the user agreement once you consent to it.

Benard Solomon is a biomedical internet expert and published author. His book 'Simple Steps To Biomedical Internet' is available for Free download at http://biomedicalinternet.blogspot.com

Increase your income with these effective communicative skills 9

(1) Increase understanding of the professional vocabulary. When you master the vocabulary and jargon of your professional work environment, you increase your chances for promotions and raises. You know the jargon to tango with leaders and move up the ladder. Learn the vocabulary for your work and thus surrounding jobs. In this way, when there is a need for a person to fill out, you'll be the best candidate for the position. This will increase your changes of learning perform other jobs within your working environment. But make sure that the vocabulary and the jobs perform you for are above your current level.

(2) Improve the understanding of the attributes, analogies, idioms and Proverbs with respect to your professional jargon. It goes back to learn the vocabulary. Once you have mastered the vocabulary of your current position and the positions above your level, you must understand and tell stories related to your profession with attributes, analogies, idioms and proverbs. This will help you keep your story to tell, sharp and bright. In addition, tell stories using these characteristics will strengthen your results submission. After all, stories is a key attribute in any profession. However, effectively tell stories, one must learn how to use analogies, attributes, idioms and proverbs relating to your profession.

(3) Improve the skills of auditory memory. Memory skills are very important across all environments especially our professional environment. As we age this skill starts to weaken for some people, but there are many ways to improve and strengthen this jurisdiction. A way to refine this jurisdiction is to visit your local library and order a book on a subject or the object you have never hard of before, reading this unknown subject your brain grow new synapses. Growth of synapses plays an essential role in increasing the skills of memory. Following continuous training in your local community college is another way to improve your memory. Remember, you are never too old to learn new concepts.

(4) Effectively communicate your ideas and feelings through verbal expression. Mapping of Word is an excellent strategy to help you organize your ideas and feelings to effectively maximize the performance of your communication collectively.

(5) Use of appropriate vocabulary in your environment (e.g., social and work). Remember, that each environment has its own jargon; to do not mix your social vocabulary in your work environment and vice versa. Always use professional vocabulary in your workplace, do not call someone "honey" or "baby" in your professional environment. It is impolite, non-professional and tacking.

(6) Increase your Word find skills. Strengthen your vocabulary is a way to increase your Word find skills. Play board games that have a set of words, it is another way to increase your Word find capacity. Crusaders are an excellent tool to increase your Word find skills.

(7) Use correct grammatical structure. When you are in your professional environment speak and write as a professional by using the correct grammatical structure. If you need assistance in this field, you can buy a grammar book in your local bookstore.

(8) Speak in complete sentences. Leave people guessing or assuming that you mean. Learn to speak in complete sentences; This will help you to effectively convey important messages across your environments. "Say what say you and say what you say." This saying comes from people who demonstrated difficulty conveying messages concisely.

(9) Improve your soft skills (e.g., eye contact, facial expressions, gestures and taking conversational Tower). Improve your skills of business etiquette. When you implement business in your work environment, becoming a more sympathetic labels.

What are your strengths? Know your strengths and reflect your optimal skills within your professional environment and among professionals. Yes, we all have weaknesses that we need to improve on, but always to play to your strengths.

Read your industry trade sheets, become an expert in reading magazines past and present. You become the person "go - to" to your place of work; people will be the value of your opinion and Advisor. "Readers are leaders".

Cynthia Willis, m.ed., CCC - SLP won the identification information higher than necessary to practice speech therapy in private practice. Cynthia Willis obtained the certificate of clinical competence (CCC) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), which she is a member. Ms. Willis has a North Carolina State Board of Examiners for speech-language pathology and Audiology license. It has completed its first year of undergraduate studies at Brooklyn College, a University of New York (CUNY); transferred to Fayetteville State University, where she obtained a degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA) in "Speech and theatre" and minored "Sociology" (studied multiculturalism and subcultures). Ms. Willis obtained his Masters in education (m.Ed.,) of the University of Central North Carolina where she studied the "Communication Disorders".

To contact Ms. Willis visit: http://www.perfectlyspeaking.com

Presenting Complex Information - 10 Simple Rules Every Subject Expert Needs to Know

An authority or expert has instant credibility on the podium. But many experts giving technical presentations fall into the trap of overwhelming the audience with too much content.

They fill in every moment of the talk with data and facts. The charts and statistics become a security blanket. Being an effective communicator requires that you understand the listener's ability to absorb information. These 10 simple rules will help you give a talk that connects with an audience, moves them to action and leaves a positive impression.

1. Do your research. Talk to other experts, especially inside your own organization. Ignoring them might bruise the egos of co-workers who have a stake in the topic. Know what the audience expects. Research their existing level of knowledge about your topic. Make sure your content is relevant to the audience.

2. Choose one 'big idea' or main thesis for your talk or presentation. Don't try to put too many ideas into your speech. Research shows that people remember very little from speeches, so just give them one big idea to hang onto. What is the one idea you want the audience to hear, remember, and act on?

3. Choose a 'destination point' for the talk. When people leave the room what will they do or feel differently than they did before you started presenting? Before you know where you want to take the audience, you need to be honest about your own hidden assumptions and the audience's current situation.

4. Aim to make three main points in the talk. Use three related words or phrases to grab attention, encapsulate, summarize. The number three is interesting - we easily remember three things. Beyond this it becomes progressively more difficult to remember. Three items act as a powerful unifying format. Examples:

Three key themes that together cover a wide area.
Three items that act in sequence to get to a desired goal.
Two problems and a solution that resolves the problem.
Two actions or objectives and a solution that will result from achieving these.

5. Create the speech Abstract first. Focus your content in your own mind. If you cannot (or choose not to) do this, the chances are that your thinking isn't clear enough for the audience to understand your purpose.

6. Construct a logical argument. There is no reason to give a speech unless you have an argument to make. A speech should never be confused with normal conversation such as "Nice day, huh?' The speech argument is an explanation of why one believes something to be true.

State the Big Idea that forms the content of your argument.
Ask the question: Why is my interpretation of the evidence true?
List, in order of importance, all the reasons why you find the interpretation persuasive.

7. Start with an outline. Once you have a clear outline, writing the details is relatively straight forward, almost like filling in the blanks. Within each section of the speech:

State the question you are answering
Support the premise with examples, stories, statistics.
Tie-in each of the section premise to the speech thesis.
Transition to the next question.

8. Avoid burying the audience in raw data. Subject experts can overwhelm an audience with too much data. Less is more. Give each statistic a context that makes it relevant to the audience. Numbers alone are often meaningless and diffcult for the audience to grasp.

9. Include a human element. No matter how 'dry' your topic, look for ways to humanize it. Including stories and case studies enables you to engage the audience and raise levels of motivation, acceptance, and approval.

10. Conclude with a call to action. State what the audience has to do, change or think after your talk. Many speeches avoid a call to action. Even in an educational presentation you want to ensure the audience knows what you want them to do. It can be something as simple as 'read the new accounting regulations'.

Following these rules will minimize the chance that the audience will mentally check-out during your talk. They will still respect your expertise, and remember more of your speech the next day.

Ian Griffin writes speeches and training materials for CEOs and senior leaders in Silicon Valley and around the world. His website and blog on executive communications and professional speaking is http://www.exec-comms.com

Webcasting For Improved Communication

There are many new ways to bring your product or service directly to a mass population. A webcast is the newest and brightest technology out there. A webcast is a video or audio media file that is distributed via the Internet either live or on demand. The technology uses streaming media, push technology, and a webcam.

Benefits of Webcasting:

Presentations can be broadcast live to others in the company or broadcast to a global audience.
Conference costs can be cut significantly because there are no costs for travel, accommodation or printing.
Broadcasts are viewable anywhere in the world-- it doesn't matter where your staff or clients are.
You build brand awareness and reach a wide consumer base for far less than traditional methods. You significantly widen access to events and information. You will have a very effective way to market and promote your products, services, organization, and events.
Webcasts can be viewed at any time, even after the conference.
Webcasts can be archived for future use.
You can create timely sales video.
Webinars are more easily created. A webinar is best described as an online, live or on-demand seminar. When combined with other e-learning events and cutting edge technologies you enhance your image.
Registration is an easily managed task. Participants can register anytime they like online.
Knowledge transfer-- the very essence of your webcast-- is more easily tracked. If you webcast has not transferred knowledge it is a failure. It's not all about the glitz and the glamour. Knowledge transfer means organizing, creating, capturing and/or distributing knowledge and making sure it is there for future users. Knowledge transfer is the product of a knowledge driven economy. It is often about the transfer of skills, research results, and good ideas. These skills move between universities, research organization, business groups and the wide community.
Your company will be more environmentally responsible by reducing travel costs and paper use.
You will be demonstrating your company's leading edge image.
You can provide on-demand multi-media content for your website.
You will have a method for detailed audience tracking.
The webcasting service you decide to use will work hard to make a product that is interesting and exciting. Participating in a webcast is a very in the moment" experience.
In most instances, you will be able to fill out a form or simply click on a choice to view a webcast playback.
You will need to include a webcast help section. When the client hits webcast help he or she should be able to view frequently asked questions and select a suitable choice.
Webcast archive services allow you to archive all your webcasts so that you can easily post the event on a website, making it available on-demand.
Numerous web sites offer many kinds of webcasting solutions to meet your needs. Customer engagement is a priority with these webcasting solutions. For example, some sites off a virtual conference. Others offer a variety of services such as document sharing, audience surveys, and live audience tracking.

Webcasting means you can use the Web as a way to deliver your message live or on-demand. This is an exciting technology that allows you to broadcast anything you like at the moment in time it is happening. Webcasting truly enhances the learning or training environment.

One of the best features of a webcast is the ability to involve a live interaction feature through the use of a "chat" function. Other great features include live break-out sessions, real time polls and surveys, and real time website displays. In-services, staff meetings or staff training can easily be conducted through a webcast.

Upon conclusion of your webcast, you can also create final reports that track the number of registrants versus number of participants and demographic and geographic statistics. You can easily evaluate the webcast content, the presenters, and the usefulness of the media presented.

You can use a variety of webcasting programs. You can use a streaming webcast in either an audio webcast format or a video webcast format. You can also take advantage of an on-demand webcast. This means your clients can scroll through any number of webcast options and choose the video or audio file that best suits their needs. The other option is a live webcast. Using this option, your client participates through viewing or listening. Online video is the capacity to provide video via the internet. Streaming video is a process whereby media files are distributed simultaneously to several viewers. The same process is used for streaming audio. The process can be live or on-demand. Many websites have numerous pre-recorded webcasts that you can view at your convenience. In this way, you can offer several webcasting programs at the same time. Webcasting delivery continually gets easier and more user-friendly.

When is video marketing particularly effective:

For products focused on motion or sound
For complicated products that may need to be demonstrated as part of the explanation
For big ticket items that are saying "you're important"
For demonstrating to clients the quality and precision needed to manufacture something or perform a service.
If you have fabulous testimonials or expert endorsements.

You will require software to create your webcast. A good web cast creation tool lets you create and host your webcasts and it doesn't matter if they are live or on-demand. You can use this software with any server you like. Some software lets you combine slides with your audio or video webcast. Good web creation tools lets you create, preview and send the webcast. Your software will have a multimedia function that includes data, video, audio, animation, text and graphics. Multimedia is integrated.

There are several webcast delivery tools available. Make sure you choose one that has the following features:

Creating and hosting on-demand or live webcasts.
Ability to combine live or on demand audio or visual with push slides.
Create, preview and send presentation to any server that supports Macromedia Flash.
Simple to use. An intuitive and user-friendly interface.
You do not need any special viewer software.
Fully supports animated powerpoint slides live and on demand.
Features work together.
Various viewer statistics can be tabulated. Management reports are easily created.
An archive feature is almost mandatory.
Security features help you define who your users are.
One feature that audience members especially like is the ability for them to submit questions to the live event and have them answered by voice or text. Q&A and polling becomes effective and manageable.
You can also include surveys and polls in your webcast for immediate results. Getting feedback from your audience is absolutely necessary. Your webcast can have a polling feature that enables you to put forth multiple-choice questions for your audience to answer. You will see the results immediately and be able to share these with the audience.
Not only can you present your webcasts live to your audience, but you can also have with an "live and on-demand" feature, making the presentation available to even more customers following the live event.
Do you need to control who will use your webcasts? This can be made possible using User Registration and Reporting Controls.
When deciding on streaming or progressive video know that streaming is the preferred method because the audience can view the video as it is still downloading.
Your webcast can be enhanced with an interactive user interface that coordinates with synchronized PowerPoint slides.


Webcast Production involves transferring, editing, and uploading the visual aspect of your web presentation to your webcast server. Webcast production also involves creating a digital registration page, including a webcast evaluation form, choosing your facilitator for use during the live webcast, tracking participants digitally and identifying the group's demographic, and digitally tracking any online discussions.

When you webcast to a large audience you will need to use a webcast hosting service. Audio and video streams require a distribution server. The larger the audience the more bandwidth is required. If an audience is bigger than a few hundred a regular IT organization will not work. If you expect a large audience, your server will need more lead time. Always know what the service provider's requirements are. This can help you create a timetable of what will happen when. Basically, set your webcast date and work backwards from there to create an accurate timetable.

Things to consider when getting the stream to the webcast hosting service provider:

When webcasting from your network, do you know the bit rate connection you can dedicate to the webcast master stream?
Are there firewall or security protocol issues?
Remote locations may not have bandwidth facilities ready.
Webcast devices must be properly set up on the network.
Do you know what data rate you will be providing?
You need to know your audience size.
Decide if you are using RealVideo player or Windows Media Player.
Are there extras that you want?

High impact webcasting tips:

Use basic PowerPoint
principles.
Limit the amount of information on each slide.
The Internet limits what you can do. For example, if you send files ahead of time and embedded graphics or multi-media can bog down some email systems. Also, bandwidth restrictions can cause multimedia clips and animations to stop and start. Try using small slide files.
Use lots of bullets.
Your audience is often distracted by checking email, having a snack-- they multitask at will because you can't see them. Keep them engaged by including discussion questions, brainstorming sessions and polls.
Try to stay under 8 words per bullet.
Make sure there are less than 8 bullets per slide.
Use an 18pt font.
Keep the graphics crisp and large.
Graphics are usually better than bullets but they still need lots of explanation.
Videos are better than photos.
Remember that each slide will take between 2 and 5 minutes.
Presentations under 45 minutes maintain viewing interest.
Mimic the voice of a radio personality by speaking louder and slower than usual.
Use Q and A and polling.

Webcast narration on your webcast should be professionally done so that it suits the tone you are looking for. Narration often best suits opinion pieces or book and product reviews. Webcast scripting: the script to choose for your webcast is a very important aspect of the production of it. Your script tells the participants the "story" your are telling. It needs to be professionally written and narrated.

Why would you need a webcast transcription if you already have the recording? One main reason is that webcast contents are not easily searchable. They don't get indexed by the search engines. As a result, the webcast is almost invisible. A transcription can provided print excerpts that can be uploaded with the recording.

Transcription provides another important service. It allows people with disabilities full access to the content of webcasts. Sound files are of help to the visually impaired and subtitles or full transcripts help those with hearing impairments.

Webcast quality issues:

Excellent sound quality is a must. Make sure you get a good mix and sound level.
Compensate for the video quality, which will never be as good as broadcast quality video. Use three-point lighting. Implement good stage direction. Use a fixed camera on a tripod.

Webcasting saves money. There are many ways to achieve cost-effective webcasting. The most exciting feature a webcast has is the ability to save you money. The technology used is accessible and inexpensive. Look at the number of independent on-line shows that are successful. An independent media company and an average person can take advantage of this inexpensive technology. Low-cost webcasting is at your fingertips. You get a bigger bang for your buck as you promote your business or your products. A webcast reaches potentially more people than any per-to-person event. Among the most popular are those on news, technology, and computers. The biggest "webcasters" out there are on existing TV and radio stations.

Many sites over free webcast hosting and you'll get plenty of disc space and bandwidth. If your site has lots of streaming video you may need additional bandwidth to support it. You can usually purchase additional bandwidth if needed.

Marketing communications focuses on the product or service rather than the company providing the product or service. In general, marketing communications is concerned with product/service positioning.

A market plan begins as a written document where you have expressed the actions needed to achieve your marketing objectives. Marketing planning can be done for a brand, a product line, a product or a service. Your plan should cover a 1-5 year period. Build your marketing plan on a solid strategic foundation.

For more information about webcasting, contact sales@conveyanceproductions.com or check out our website http://www.conveyanceproductions.com

Conveyance Productions is a full service multimedia creation and hosting company.

Choose Your First Marketing & Communications Job Wisely (Part 2 of 2)

In part two of this series, we will discuss about the various entry level jobs available for marketing & mass communications graduates, the job functions, challenges and traits required for each position. In part one, we discussed about how we should prepare ourselves for our first job. Once we have a clear direction and strategy in place, it is time to study and evaluate the various types of position that are more suitable for you.

These are 10 positions available in the market for fresh marketing and mass communications graduates to consider:

Marketing Executive.

This is a typical position for business and marketing graduates. You will be part of the marketing arm of an organization, whether MNC or SME, and will be in charge of planning and executing marketing activities. Depending on the trade, the marketing activities will vary. Fashion marketing is done very differently as compared to consumer electronics marketing. By and large, there are two types of marketing positions - marketing & marketing communications. In marketing, you look at the entire process and explore pricing, distribution, products and promotional issues. In Marcom, the scope is mainly on utilizing the A&P budget and how to more effectively plan an integrated marketing communications plan for the services or products for your company.

You need to be creative, resourceful and be able to handle stress. Most marketing people are extremely outgoing and able to relate very well with people. You need to have strong communications and presentation skills as well.

Account Servicing Executive

Do not misunderstand the term account servicing with accounting. In the advertising world, account servicing, a.k.a suits, are people who manage client's advertising portfolio. They are people who bring in the bread & butter for their advertising agencies. Account Servicing executive look into client's advertising needs and work with creative team to develop the creative concepts, strategy and plan. The executive is also required to work closely with media planners, buyers, traffic executive in the course of his/her work.

This position is a stressful one as it is extremely fast paced and demanding. However, ff you enjoy a less bureaucratic environment, agency life could be fun & enlightening as you are surrounded by people who are creative, light minded and free spirited. In advertising, you need to have good PR skills when it comes to managing the expectations of your clients, creative team and also suppliers.

Public Relations Executive

As a public relations executive, the buzzword is publicity, publicity, publicity. On the broader level, you look at public relations initiatives to build corporate reputation, employee relations, government relations, crisis communications and media relations, etc. If you apply for a position in a public relations agency, you will be exposed to different industries and the plus is that it forces you to be a broad based PR practitioner as you learn about the multi-faceted issues faced by different industries. Your exposure will increase since you are on the ground working with stakeholders like media, government, NGOs, corporations etc.

Some companies hire in-house PR executives to manage their public relations activities. However do clarify with the HR representative about the roles expected of you. Your expectations might not be met if all the company wants from you is to maintain the company's corporate website and newsletter.

As a PR executive, you'll be expected to find platforms to get publicity for your company. The publicity tools are largely press releases, media kits, corporate video, website, newsletter, etc. In addition, you'll need to have a flair for writing and a nose for the news.

Journalist

As a mass communications graduate, working in the media will be an exciting and challenging task. As a journalist, you will be expected to meet deadlines and to cover news assigned by the news editor. A good journalist needs to be objective, conscientious, resourceful yet critical in his or her work. There are many types of journalists - print, broadcast, internet, radio - all of which have different work demands and newsroom style. If you are keen to take on this career, you need to have a thorough understanding of current affairs and news. Other traits include a nose and eye for a story, legal knowledge, an aspiration to accuracy, impartiality and the passion to always search for the truth.

Assistant /Producer

In the entertainment world, the work of the producer is always a challenging one. The primary role of a television producer is to control all aspects of production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking. It is often the producer who is responsible for the show's overall quality and survivability, though the roles depend on the particular show or organization.

For a start, fresh graduates will always take on the assistant producer role. The learning curve is steep if you are suddenly thrown into the dead sea and expected to perform. The entertainment industry moves in very fast pace and desired traits of an effective producer include time and resources management skills and the ability to work with multiple stakeholders.

Event Executive

As an event executive, you will help your clients plan for their company's events. Depending on the type of event company you joined, the events could vary from company's dinner and dance, family day to high level events like forums, exhibitions, road shows.

As an event person, you need to be able to work with partners like performers, lighting and sound people, advertising agencies, contractors, etc. Your basic task is to ensure that the event is running well and minimize hiccups as much as possible. Multi-tasking is hence a desired trait since you might need to be at several locations making sure things fall in place and are well executed.

Customer Support Executive

As the name implies, customer service staff are supposed to provide front-line customer support particularly on feedback and complaints received. Different companies have different customer service quality standards and processes to follow. By and large, as a customer service support executive, you will need to follow a standard operating procedure on how customers' feedback and complaints are channeled, resolved and taken into consideration for further improvement.

As a customer service person, the mantra adopted should be 'Customers is always king' and more often than not, this is an area that is most disputed and discussed upon.

Market Research Executive

Market Research executives collect, analyse, interpret and present information in order to explore the potential market for a product or service. This may involve organizing surveys or opinion polls, analyzing statistics and/or negotiating with clients. Typical research on behalf of a company manufacturing consumer goods might include assessing national purchasing trends, the performance of major competitors or the effectiveness of current advertising methods.

As a market research executive, you'll need excellent organisational skills in order to budget, plan, research, analyse and interpret market research information. You should be resilient, self-motivated, and prepared to liaise with others in the decision making process. Strong report writing and presentation skills are desirable, as you will be presenting the findings to both managers and clients.

Social Media expert

This industry is still new and grounds are not entirely tested and ventured. There is however a few social media companies that provide internet related services to help clients better manage their online marketing strategies. Search engine marketing, search engine optimization, google marketing, facebook and twitter marketing are new areas used by corporations to market their services and products. If you have a strong interest in social media, joining a young start up social media company will be a wise and refreshing choice.

Entrepreneur

An entrepreneur is a person who has possession of a new enterprise, venture or idea and assumes significant accountability for the inherent risks and the outcome. If you are prepared to take risk, start your own business, perhaps providing marketing related services to professionals in this industry. The risk is high, but what you will learn is a never say die attitude, the passion for work and values of perseverance and determination.

Article by Dennis Toh, a publicist with Flaunt PR & Communications, a public relations agency that provides communication services to help business owners boost their sales, create public awareness and build credibility with media publicity.

Dennis Toh is also a full time lecturer.

For details, email FlauntPRdennis@gmail.com

About Dennis Toh

Dennis started his own PR agency, Flaunt PR & Communications in early 2010. The agency is set up with the focus of helping small business owners (professionals, consultants, entrepreneurs, SMEs, Semi-personalities) boost sales, build credibility and create a powerful presence using a low-cost, high impact publicity and social media methods.

He is also a full-time lecturer with Temasek Polytechnic, Business Faculty.

A mentor to young marketers & communications specialists, Dennis has been in the marketing & PR trade for more than 9 years. Graduated with a Master Degree in Mass Communications from NTU, Wee Kim Wee School of Communications, he has a strong & burning passion for marketing, PR, media relations, events, & all disciplines related to communications. Dennis Toh has worked for MNCs like Panasonic, MCYS, HTL & his greatest accolades include the attainment of No.1 market share for Plasma TV in 2004, the successful management of the Senior Citizens'Campaign in 2006 and his most recent stint managing Pacific Healthcare's marketing & PR initiatives.

He has travelled extensively to countries like India ( Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Shanghai, USA, Japan, Thailand, in the course of his work.

During his free time, he engages in Sports like volleyball, tennis, swimming & jogging. He is a freelance writer and shares interest in arts & the entertainment scene.

He has a keen interest in magazine & self publishing. Dennis joined NTU mentor networking programme in 2008.

His twitter accounts are twitter.com/dennistkh or flauntprdennis

Organisation mondiale de la santé encore évaluer menace de grippe Bird

Bird or avian flu has killed more than 68 people in several countries in Asia, according to the reports of the world Organization of health (who) and the new. Although health officials say panic is not justified at this stage, the evidence is ample to create serious concerns.

If the potentially fatal H5N1 strain of the disease made the jump from the bird to human to human transmission has yet to be determined, said Daniel Epstein, information with who officer based in Washington, D.C. Regional Office. WHICH is the specialized agency of the United Nations health and between front organizations in dealing with infectious disease.

"I think that we are at the stage of always assess the threat," Epstein said. On the who of the scale, the ranks of situation of avian influenza in a # 3, with less problematic threats coming in no. 1 and the most serious in the n ° 6.

This rating of no. 3 is based on no or limited to human transmission of the disease, Epstein said, adding responsible of health around the world are studying if the human transmission occur. People living on the same farms in some regions of the world have fallen with the disease, but it is uncertain if they picked up the disease each other or poultry on these same farms, Epstein said.

If the surfaces of evidence that the "unpredictable" avian flu virus began to move through transmission to man, the gravity of the situation will be a no. 4 ranking, he said.
There are other reports as to whether if the human transmission has occurred in conflict. However, these reports stress only limited transmission.

In General, the disease attacks birds or, less frequently, pigs, however, it continuously mutate and spread by migrating birds, in the end human attacker, making more of a potential outside Asia.For example threat, the disease was recently reported as appearing in the first Arab world.

In addition, a subtype of H5N1 mounted in North America, in the Canadian West Coast poultry farm. Even if the virus found in a commercial duck he was deemed to be a "weak North American strain pathogenic," according to the Canadian Press, this find prompted the slaughter of 60 000 birds as a precaution against the spread of the disease. The United States also took trade action against Canadian province of British Columbia Colombia accordingly, although it is much more great and expensive birds slaughter have went ahead in other jurisdictions to prevent the spread of the virus in the past.

"This confirmation means that we seek to a virus that can cause only mild illness (in birds), where appropriate," said Cornelius Kiley, veterinary and worker of the Canadian Agency of Food Inspection, of the situation of the Colombia of British Columbia.
Geography in expansion associated with H5N1 is one of the reasons for which many fear a pandemic - a spread in the world of disease - is possible.

But the lack of available information on the migration routes of birds and the flu that hit the bird populations is, among other things, making it difficult for the public health experts to fight disease.
"We would be far in advance of the game right now if we knew more on natural history real and wild-type viruses really are in these populations of waterfowl and birds in General", David Stallknecht, a specialist of the avian flu, the College of the University of Georgia of veterinary medicine in Athens, told the Canadian Press. "
"The lack of funding and lack of recognition for what are these wild-type virus, I think that puts us behind," says."
The maintenance of good health through nutrition, vitamins and exercise to ward off the coast of avian flu was recommended by health officials. Even obtain a regular - available free of certain groups of public health in North America - flu shot has been suggested as a way to help prevent the flu.

For people who eat chicken or other chickens, a minimum of 70 C or 158 F it cooking will kill any virus contains, on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border officials have said that the health.
In addition, laboratory studies indicate this as prescription medicines, including Oseltamivir (trade name: Tamiflu) and Relenza, which were licensed to the United States and in Europe in 1999, could stave off the disease. Despite this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) based in Atlanta warns that flu viruses could become resistant to these drugs. Further studies are necessary to prove the effectiveness of the drugs, according to the Organization's Web site.

As to who, is not push or the other drug to fight against avian influenza, Epstein said.
"(Drugs) will facilitate the (bird flu) Symptoms", he said, but they are not a cure for the disease.
However, another that officials have recommended that some countries store Tamiflu in particular, as it prevents the virus to spread from one group to another.
"(Tamiflu) is a broad spectrum," Dr. Frederick Hayden, a clinical virologist at the University of Virginia, said in the Canadian Edition of Digest magazine of the Reader. Ulf can have nine different proteins NA and Tamiflu "has been shown effective against all." "It reduces the duration of the disease and the risk of complications and hospitalization," said Hayden.

The disadvantages of Tamiflu are its high relative cost and short supply, Dr. Bruce Gellin, Director of the National Vaccine Program Office of the U.S., said in the magazine. But since 2003, rock - a Swiss company and the only world manufacturer of the drug - intensified production of Tamiflu, boost its output of the medication eightfold over the past two years. In addition, manufacturing facilities based in the United States to produce the drug are in the work, according to the magazine.

WHO recommends not to fight the virus masks covering nose and mouth, at this time to prevent the spread of the disease, said Epstein.
These masks were used in Toronto, the Canada, in 2003, to combat the spread of severe acute respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus in the city. SARS also appeared in several other cities around the world.
WHO is collaborating with public health agencies worldwide on avian influenza, Epstein said, to ensure that such things as communications plans - to keep the public informed in the event of a major epidemic - are in place.

Eric Schmiedl is a freelance journalist and a contributor to http://www.avian-flu-symptoms.com

Introducing a Sales Management Expert

Starting off on the right foot for an Effective Consulting Session

Consultants can provide on-demand expertise without overhead to smaller businesses and a strategy for managing growth and maintaining agility for larger companies. However, one of the most important requirements for a successful, productive engagement is the proper introduction of the consultant to the client's organization and properly framing the engagement.

Left to the imagination of your crew, a variety of negative reactions could surface that undermine a consultant's effectiveness. For instance, fearful employees may intentionally provide inaccurate information to the consultant, which drives poor outcomes. Fearing reprisal for past mistakes, they may try to mask issues.

Seven tips for properly introducing consultants to your organization, in order to allay fear, insecurity and skepticism.

1. Inform everyone in the organization about the engagement. Your candor about the engagement sets the tone. If you want employees to be open and honest, then set a good example. You can announce the engagement of a consultant at a meeting and field questions, or you may choose to make the announcement via memo. Include the nature or purpose of the engagement, but avoid discussing possible outcomes. After all, outcomes depend on the consultant's findings/recommendations.

"I'm excited to announce that we've made a commitment to continue growing the company that will strengthen our position for all of us. We're committed to providing each of you with the resources, support and tools necessary to achieve that goal, including training as well as effective management. Ms. Know-It-All is going to help us identify areas and processes that need our attention as well as how to best strengthen them."

2. Make staff feel secure. Involving an outside consultant might fluster internal staff, making them feel that their job security is at stake. Nip that feeling in the bud by describing what will be happening and confirming that no one should feel threatened. Job security is so closely tied to economic security that it is a primary concern of the American work force.

3. Gain commitment. Rally your entire organization around this effort. Link their commitment to how the consultant will help the organization be successful in the future. In exchange for their commitment, inform staff about their role in the decision-making process.

4. Explain benchmarks and milestones. Since consulting contracts should contain expected benchmarks and milestones, you have the opportunity to share these with your staff on a regular basis. If they trust that you will keep them apprised, they are more likely to trust the consultant. Plus, they feel like they have a stake in the engagement. This also helps the consultant understand your expectations.

"Since we'll be customizing future training based on the data we've collected, I expect everyone to be totally honest in their disclosures - otherwise the data won't help us. While everyone would like the results to say we're wonderful, it would be unrealistic and wouldn't serve a practical purpose. So when the assessment is complete, expect the positive "strengths" to come back with some constructive feedback regarding our weaknesses, which we'll address through additional training and support."

5. Pave the way for the consultant to have access to staff. To enable the consultant to formulate good suggestions, there should be frequent communication and interchange of opinions between staff and the consultant. Make certain that everyone in the organization will provide what the consultant needs in order to gather information and make viable recommendations.

6. Organizational issues should be addressed first. These are the core issues that need to be addressed before moving on to other issues. The client should discuss with the consultant a list of all the organizational issues in order of magnitude, and gain concurrence.

7. Encourage staff to voice concerns. To optimize effectiveness, the consultant requires constant feedback. Scheduling regular progress reviews will help the consultant stay on the right track, clarify information and resolve temporary difficulties. Establish a process for staff to voice concerns to you and the consultant. And, if you are not happy with some of the consultant's plans, be truthful and share your concerns.

Strategy. Execution. Results.

Danita E. Bye

Sales Growth Specialists, Inc. - CEO / Founder

Danita@SalesGrowthSpecialists.com - See all my sales articles.

C. 612.267.3320 - O. 612.246.4806

P.S. Download my complimentary eBook "67 Tips to Accelerate Sales"

Is A Dollar Store Expert Needed for When You Start a Dollar Store?

Once you have decided to start a dollar store there are many, many questions requiring answers. In fact many of the questions must be answered before you can move on and actually begin any of the startup activities for your new business. Among the most important of the questions is whether it would be best to locate and then use the services of a proven dollar store expert to help with the pre-planning and actual work involved in the dollar store startup of your business.

If the answer is yes then a whole new set of questions emerge. In this article I present some of the considerations for deciding about using a dollar store expert to help you get your business off to the best start possible.

When you start a dollar store the first set of questions to be answered are the following:

* Will you use the expert to help deal with everything from A-Z during the pre-planning and execution of your startup?

* Will you use the expert to handle only a select set of tasks?

* Will you use the expert only as a resource, when needed?

Once these questions have been answered then it is on to actually find the right expert who can best meet your specific needs. Interview several experts and then make the final choice for your business startup. Some considerations at this step include:

* Does the expert you are considering have actually hands-on experience with the areas where you seek help?

* Does the expert you are considering have valid, high quality references from those who have used the services?

* How much does the service cost?

* Are you comfortable with the expert's style and approach?

* Is the expert available during the time frame when you need the help?

And there are many more. Be sure to develop a thorough list of questions to fit your specific needs. Check references. Do not accept someone simply because they are available at the right time.

Many who start on their business don't have experience or training with the dollar store startup process. For them there is a need to quickly move forward to gain the training and skills required to plan, prepare, open and operate their new business. Often they can hire those with experience to help move the new business through these steps. In other cases community colleges and industry organizations or events will provide some solid background training.

Are you interested in starting a dollar store? Visit http://www.openingadollarstore.com for more information.

Transition to a New Home With Confidence With a Professional Moving Company

Whether you are moving across town or across the country, professional movers can help you with every step of the moving process. From planning and packing to unloading at the end, professional movers can take care of your belongings so that you can focus on other parts of the moving experience.

Expert Moving Advice

No matter where you are, the moving companies in your town has experience that most individuals could never hope to match. Professional movers know the moving process inside out and can help you navigate it. Many companies offer free in-home consultations to help you get an idea of how much you have to move, what resources will be needed and how long you can expect the process to take. Even before the move starts, knowing this type of information decreases the stress of the situation.

When it comes to special items - maybe something especially fragile or something particularly large or hard to move - professional movers know how to handle them. Because they do this for a living there are very few things that movers have not had to deal with before. Before you tear you hair out trying to determine how to move your grandmother's china or your pool table, consider getting a professional on the job.

Moving Near or Far

Moving can be difficult regardless of how far you're traveling, but there are certainly different things to consider depending on the distance of your move. Long distance movers can help you organize and execute a transition to a different part of the country with ease. They have the equipment to move all or most of your belongings together, which is extremely helpful upon arrival at the new location. You can also work with your movers to determine exactly what date would be best to have your things arrive, so you don't end up with a truck full of your belongings before your new home is ready to move in. The movers will do the actual physical work, and will also take off much of the mental strain of moving - all you have to worry about is moving the people involved!

If you are moving within a community, professional movers can still offer significant benefits. In this situation it is likely that you will want to - and should be able to - maintain your lifestyle, schedule and activities through the course of the move. However, if you have to spend days (or weeks!) packing, transporting and unpacking your things, maintaining any kind of consistency can be very hard. Local movers can alleviate much of this strain. You can move quickly and easily with the knowledge that your affects are well taken care of, and that you are supporting an important local business.

When you are ready to relocate, consider turning to the moving company in your town. These professionals will be able to help you plan and undertake the transition, whether local or long distance, with ease and peace of mind.

Waldo Smithens is a home improvement hobbyist and the Internet marketing manager for Prospect Genius, a provider of online local advertising.

Internal Communication - A Brief Overview

In a business perspective, internal communication is the process of dialogue between employees and employer, as well as employees and employees. However, many times the second process is overlooked by strategists the professionals.

Smart organizations are acquainted with the fact that employees will always converse with one another, therefore it is important to set the plan and informal dialogue points instead of just dictating by an ignorant staff.

A significantly large number of studies, carried out by both skilled management teams as well as skilled communications groups, consistently discover that communicating with employees is a constructive and a strong way of creating better engagement. It enhances the inclination of the employee to want to come to office and would like to chip in towards the success of the organization.

A number of expert employee counselors thinks that 'engagement' is on a lower level at the moment as compared to what it was around twenty years ago generally as a result of the alterations in career security, the changing demographics of the employees in addition to the further flowing necessities of organizations to be able to vary to fulfill the requirements of their quickly varying markets.

Smart managers understand the fact that in situations where staff is capable of moving from one employer to another with more convenience, it is in the business's best benefit to maintain the smarter as well as more dynamic workers; doing whatever they can to correspond with them, update them, control them and go into some kind of emotional agreement with them is an intelligent step.

Similarly, in situations where workers do not have as much of chance to progress further, smart employers identify that an employee feeling dejected and trapped is a possible burden on the company.

Following are the 4 most important building blocks of successful internal communications;

1. It should be targeted on only one particular strategic business concern

2. It should be in the language that receiver is able to understand

3. It must have a result that is precise as well as assessable

4. It should be conveyed in a timely manner as well as in a medium with which the receiver is comfortable

If you make certain that your internal communications have taken into account the all of the four building blocks mentioned above, you can be confident that your point will have an extremely high chance of not just being noticed, but in fact accomplish its communication objective.

Looking for a Way to Organize Your Emails Easily?

One of the foremost uses of the Internet, that technological necessity that we hardly even spare a thought to nowadays, is for communication. While instant messaging, VoIP and other similar means of instant connectivity are fast making inroads into today's online communications world, the email remains one of the most utilized of them all and will probably remain so for a good number of years yet. And this is quite understandable, given that the myriad possibilities and benefits of email communication can now be had at very little financial cost and indeed many email service providers even offer some type of rudimentary email service for free! Yes you read that right, zero cost and let's be honest here, who doesn't like a good free deal?

For the vast majority of email users the scenario is not all as trouble free as it would seem on the outset however. Aside from the ever-present threat of spam bombardment and virus infection (serious threats in their own right that you should by no means take lightly) even what would seem like a simple enough task, email management can potentially grow out of control and challenge even the most expert Internet user. If that is enough to present a legitimate concern for the expert, then how much more so for the novice who has just begun to get his feet wet in the marvelous yet oftentimes confusing world of email communication. For these and many other people, the number of which is growing exponentially on a daily basis, the challenge that is probably staring them in the face and demanding an immediate solution is how to organize their emails in a manner that is easy yet flexible enough for more demanding tasks.

One of the most effective software solutions that have cropped up in recent times to meet this growing need head on is the Email Sorter Wizard. Featuring data archiving capability, this software is designed to integrate seamlessly with the popular Microsoft Outlook© email program. While Microsoft Outlook© is quite an effective and easy to use email solution (hence its popularity) it does suffer from some shortcomings, that the company has failed to address for one reason or another.

Numerous users for example have given voice to complaints regarding its somewhat inflexible email filter and less than perfect sorting and filing system. While these may seem like minor inconveniences for some and indeed many people who don't use email heavily on a regular basis are quite happy to live with these perceived faults, people who tend to rely on their email functionality in a professional capacity may understandably expect much much more from their emailing software. For these heavy users, there is simply no reason to live with the time consuming tasks involved in sorting and moving emails into different folders. A practical yet powerful and flexible solution is clearly needed in order to ensure a smooth and worry free workflow. After all, efficiency and instant connectivity is what email purports to offer and with this package, email can finally deliver on this promise.

The author has been writing online articles since 2006 as well as publishing websites on a number of topics since 2004. Check out the latest website about discount tires that gives you information about various way to get discount Bridgestone tires. Please visit DiscountTiresGuide.com for more information.

Relationship Expert Reveals Secrets of Finding "The Man"

Interview with Steve Nakamoto

Author of "Dating Rocks!: The 21 Smartest Moves Women Make for Love"

Reader Views' Managing Editor, Irene Watson, speaks with Steve Nakamoto.

Irene: Tell me about yourself and what inspired you to write a book for women.

Steve: Several years ago I thought that I had met the "love of my life." That relationship took a radical turn when the woman I loved met another man whom she later married. That was enough to jolt me into thinking more seriously about what really happens to people in romantic love relationships.

At about the same time, I was attending workshops and seminars on personal development and ran across the work of motivational expert Tony Robbins. I joined Mr. Robbins' organization as a seminar trainer and became well-versed in the studies of unconscious communication, goal achievement, and life mastery.

One of the things that I found both fascinating and humorous was how advanced communication strategies worked in the dating world. About that time I went on a social rampage where I went on over 25 Club Med vacations and 20 singles cruises. That was when I thought about writing a book about my dating/social adventures using the things that I had learned as a trainer for Tony Robbins.

Dating Rocks! is my second book. It is the result of over 225 radio and television interviews, 2 years of experience serving as iVillage.com's dating expert for the "Ask Mr. Answer Man" message board, and an additional 5 years of experience of dealing with dating/love/relationship issues.

Irene: 240 pages seems like a lot of information that women need to know. Tell me some of the things that you tell women in the preparation phase before dating?

Steve: Some of the smart dating moves that precede actually finding a man involve: 1) loving yourself first, 2) finding and fixing any personal blind spots, and 3) getting rid of any negative emotional baggage from the past.

Many failures that women experience can be traced back to this pre-phase where low self-esteem or bad attitudes from the past ruin a woman's chances for successful dating and love. So it's important that women take a closer look at these issues if recurring problems show up in her relationships.

Irene: Tell me some of the things that you tell women they should do to find a man

Steve: Once a woman has taken care of the before-mentioned prerequisites, she can begin moving forward in her search for the right man. In this stage, some smart dating moves include: 1) making herself attractive to a man, 2) avoiding losing love candidates, 3) staying clear of low-percentage relationship situations, 4) learning vital people skills, 5) learning how to excel at small talk, 6) becoming an outstanding listener, and 7) meeting men while they are involved in worthwhile activities or through a network of friends.

The next stage is about the actual dating process and includes: 1) interacting so that a man would feel comfortable asking a woman out for a date, 2) controlling the pace and direction of the dating process, and 3) gauging accurately how well the two to them click.

Irene: And, how about how to keep him?

Steve: You can only keep a man if the romantic chemistry and emotional maturity are both high. You also have to adjust his role to fit his priorities and level of desire. Then it's a matter of managing a woman's upsets, expanded the relationship into other areas of growth, maintaining an unlimited attitude of gratitude, and creating certainty and trust in the relationship.

These may seem like big concepts, but each one can be broken down into simple, everyday acts of kindness and understanding that any person can practice in their romantic love relationships.

Irene: Are these your own personal opinions or did you gather information from others?

Steve: I read a lot of dating/relationship opinions while I'm serving as the "Mr. Answer Man" for iVillage.com. But my base of knowledge comes from the seminars that I attended many years ago with relationship experts John Gray, Barbara DeAngelis, and Dr. Warren Farrell, as well as personal development/communication trainings with Jim Rohn, Tony Robbins, Mark Victor Hansen, and the Dale Carnegie organization.

So while my observations are my own personal opinions, they are well-grounded on concepts that I borrowed from experts that I highly regard.

Irene: You mentioned your studies with masters like Tony Robbins. How much influence has he had on some of the writing in your book?

Steve: Tony Robbins had more influence on my personal development than any other person or organization. I served for seven years as a personal development trainer doing intense seminars in Cancun, Hawaii, and the western United States.

Mr. Robbins' provided me with the motivation to write a book. My understanding of a key concept called "global metaphors" was a vital reason why I was able to write my first book, Men Are Like Fish: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Catching a Man. Almost all of my psychology background was learned through Mr. Robbins' advanced seminars which were part of the trainers' training. I simply took the concepts that I learned from his seminars and applied them to the unique and largely untested field of dating.

Irene: You are a dating and relationship expert on an online discussion board. What is the most common issue that women share with men?

Steve: Both men and women are frustrated in their search for the "one." They both want a relationship with mutually high romantic chemistry, emotional maturity, and compatibility. But men seem to have more problems in maintaining high romantic chemistry with the women they fall for. Men also have more challenges in developing emotional maturity whereas women generally do not.

Irene: What challenges do women face more so than men?

Steve: Women have more challenges with self-esteem issues than men. They also seem to put more significance on love relationship and therefore, put more pressure on the situation in order to make it happen. It seems like men and women will often be out of rapport with each other because the woman needs a love relationship for fulfilling a wide variety of emotional needs. A man, on the other hand, wants love more for the enjoyment of being with a woman. A man can get his other emotional needs filled through his work, friends, and individual hobbies/sports.

Irene: How much of relationships are modeled after what people see on TV or in the movies?

Steve: People in their 20's and teens are greatly influenced by their peer group. Major media (television, movies, commercials, music) has a lot of power in conditioning people into what is considered attractive and what love should be like. But there are such a wide variety of movies out there that a balance can be struck between fantasy and reality when it comes to love relationships. But largely, the media tries more to sell the public on the idea of "love at first sight" as the more desired model for romantic relationships.

Irene: What area do you think is the most modeled after?

Steve: For women, media seems to influence the need to look skinny (except on top) and to wear certain types of sexy clothing in order to be physically desirable to men. It seems like the over-emphasis is on appealing to men in a sexual way.

For men, it seems like the need to be financially successful (Donald Trump) or to be physically strong/tough (athletes, rap music) as the best way to impress women.

The media also seems to focus a lot these days on celebrity break-ups and divorces which causes people to be less hopeful for lasting love relationships in their own lives. It almost appears that getting married is less of a commitment and more like a modern-day way to "going steady".....at least in Tinsel town.

Irene: What is a healthy relationship in your opinion?

Steve: A healthy love relationship has high levels of mutual romantic chemistry, emotional maturity, and compatibility. It has the side-effect of building mutual high self-esteem.

A healthy relationship reinforces the values of honesty, trust, commitment, caring, and giving. And bottom line, a healthy relationship is one that I believe: 1) feels good, 2) is good for each person, 3) serves a greater good, and 4) the Heavens are smiling and blessing the relationship.

Irene: I'm sure the reading audience wants to know if you are in a permanent relationship now?

Steve: Actually I get asked about this quite often. Yes, I am in a wonderful relationship with a woman I met a few years ago at a Dating Dinner. She's a partner in a law firm and is actually a very busy person with tons of responsibility. She's also read both of my books and has contributed her ideas from time-to-time. I really like her diversity in that she is obviously very intelligent and professional, but she can be just like a high school girlfriend when it comes to having fun. Our best times together in my opinion are the vacations that we've been on. That way, we both can get away and relax. I think it's important for busy couples to plan time away together so that they have something great to look forward to.

Irene: Thank you Steve, is there anything else that you want your reading audience to know about you or your book?

Steve: If people want to check out my book, I've got a sample of all 21 smart love moves for free on my website, http://www.DatingRocks.com . I practically give all the information away on this website, but the book itself is a more pleasurable experience with the cartoons, illustrations, quotations, and stories.

As a bonus for all of you who have spent the time to read this interview, I giving away a free 25 page special report which you can get by simply sending an email request to tips@menarelikefish.com .

Irene Watson is the Managing Editor of Reader Views, a book review service based in Austin, Texas. http://www.readerviews.com

New York Moving Tips Key Moving And Storage

If you're among thousands of people who have picked up and moved their family to a new home or a new community, you have fresh memories of some of the ups and downs or thrills or frustrations of moving.

Drawing from personal experience, I know there are lots of ways to help make your household move easier and more smooth. Read here for help to get your life, and your possessions, organized for a peaceful and exciting move.

Make a list.

Write everything down! You'll thank yourself later. Before you pack even one box, create a simple record keeping system. Create a computer-printed list of numbers with a space to write the contents. Or have a spiral-bound notebook for the job. You'll place a number on EVERY box you pack and list the contents on your list. Don't put the list down unless it's in a place you'll call Packing Central. This is where you'll find your labels, marking pens, box tape, and other supplies. When describing the box contents, be specific -- "A-D files" is better than "files", and "Tulip dishes" rather than "misc. kitchen".

Have plenty of supplies.

Don't make me say this twice-- you'll need LOTS of boxes--probably more boxes than you think, and having enough boxes will make your life easier! (If you buy your boxes from a moving company, you can always return unused boxes for a refund. If you got them free from the grocery, just toss any leftovers.) Have about 10 boxes set aside to use for last minute items on moving day, such as bedding, clothing, and cleaning supplies. You'll need strong plastic packing tape to close up the boxes securely. Use unprinted newsprint (newspaper can stain your items) or packing paper or bubble wrap to wrap and cushion household good. Again, you'll need lots more supplies than you think, so get extra so the packing can go smoothly. Return any unused supplies after the truck is packed.

Utilize wardrobe boxes.

These tall boxes are perfect for bulky, lightweight items such as comforters, pillows, and blankets, as well as clothes that need to remain hanging. Call your mover to ask the width of the wardrobe boxes they'll be bringing. Then measure the clothes in your closets (including coat closets) to see how many wardrobe boxes you'll need. You can also use them for closet storage boxes, shoe boxes, and other bulky items such as fabric bolts, large baskets, or gift wrap tubes.

Don't make the boxes too heavy to lift, however. One mover told the story of someone who put a bowling ball in a wardrobe box! When the box was lifted off the truck the bottom gave way, sending the bowling ball on a wild ride down the ramp, across the street to the gutter, then down a hill where it finally came to rest in a roadside ditch. (Is that a strike or a spare?)

Strategize wardrobe box use.

Moving companies will be happy to deliver boxes ahead of your moving day. Or if you're doing the move yourself, get things organized as early as possible. A few days before your move, fill some sturdy handled shopping bags with bulky closet items such as shoes, sweaters, belts, and jeans. On moving day, fill the bottom of the wardrobe boxes with some of the shopping bags, then add your hanging clothing. Pack hanging items tightly so things won't move around and fall off of hangers. Finally, cover the shoulders of your clothes (a dry cleaning bag works well), then add a few purses or sweaters on top. You'll have fewer boxes, and closet items remain together. Also, the shopping bags will make it easier to retrieve your belongings from the bottoms of a tall wardrobe box

Key Moving And Storage at a Glance...

What We're About keymoving.com

No matter where you are moving to or from, our corporate vision is to provide each customer with the total relocation package: expert service at a competitive price. Key Moving will be by your side during your entire relocation process from start to finish, supporting you during each phase, adjusting to your changing needs.

The Key Philosophy

Key Moving is not interested in the quick sell. We are professionals who are dedicated to customer satisfaction and focused on developing and nurturing our client relationships. We are in this with you for the long haul.

The Key Goal

Our Goal Is Simple: We don't want to move you NOW -- we want to move you from NOW ON.

Matt Key Moving & Storage New York NJ

Empowering Structures For Business Organizations

"Our challenge. How do we create organizational coherence...how do we create structures that move with change, that are flexible and adaptive...that enable rather than constrain? How do we resolve the need for personal freedom and autonomy with organizational needs for prediction and control?" ~ Margaret Wheatley

Nobel Prize winner Oliver Williamson describes two dominant theories of organization for complex systems - hierarchies and markets. These theories compete in the way corporations are structured. A centralized, top-down hierarchy offers more control and efficient internal operations. But a "flat" structure offers an internal market for ideas and resources that promotes innovation.

Control versus innovation, hierarchy versus markets - every company struggles with that balance. We've seen plenty of companies fail, even within the Fortune 500, when they get it wrong. That balance was at the heart of a recent four-day strategic planning workshop that my company, Mastek, held for its top 50 leaders. Our goal was to examine structures that would make the organization more nimble, agile and creative in delivering value to our customers.

Emerging from that workshop, I came across an article on organizational architecture by Arun Maira that offers an alternative, a third way of structuring a company to thrive in the 21st century.

Maira, the former head of the Boston Consulting Group in India and now a member of India's Planning Commission, suggests complex, self-adaptive systems similar to those that occur in nature - and have recently emerged as the underlying architecture of the Internet.

These systems can remain on the creative edge between stifling hierarchies and unorganized confusion. An essential feature of such systems is the strength and quality of the lateral links among the various sub-units within the larger organization.

The growth and proliferation of the Internet over the last two decades is a powerful example of how complex, self-adaptive systems can thrive with just a few governing principles, frameworks and protocols, with no 'boss' or central agency managing the entire exercise. The Open Source Movement and Wikipedia, for example, are neither hierarchical nor market-based.

To describe Wikipedia, management experts use terms such as complex, self-adaptive systems; emergence; connectivity; simple rules; iteration; and, interestingly, sub-optimal behavior. This is like describing a human being in terms of our component senses, organs, functional systems and the like. We don't really get a feel of the complete creature with such descriptions.

Here are my own assertions about how companies can be complex, self-adaptive systems. Organizations need to:

• Recognize their function and purpose in the context of the environment as a whole.

• See their journey as a gradual evolution - where all the component parts evolve together, and the larger system evolves in scale and impact.

• View themselves as Nested Systems - having several self-contained component parts that include smaller self-contained parts within, and so forth. While this is often easy to visualize - think of Russian nesting dolls - what is less obvious is that the organization itself is a part of a larger ecosystem.

• Maintain simple rules of engagement between component parts. Communication must be continuous and consistent, between all the parts, with each part empowered to act to benefit the system as a whole.

For example, the information about a cut on your finger is relayed instantaneously to other parts of the body, which then respond. The body does not wait for the information to reach the brain and for the brain to devise a strategy for response. Similarly, each part of an organization should be capable of responding to an opportunity or challenge on its own, instead of waiting for a command from the top.

The Connected Age requires new structures that are more appropriate than the hierarchical or market-based organizations of the Industrial Age. Do share your own thoughts on innovative organizational forms and what it would mean to individuals who are part of such organizations.

The New Constructs is an initiative to examine our beliefs and assumptions - about life and living - that we need to reinvent in order to create a more inclusive and sustainable world. It is an opportunity for each one of us to connect, collaborate and co-create the world that we will rebuild for posterity. Do post your own examples on the Wall.

Sudhakar Ram is Chairman and Co-Founder of IT solutions provider, Mastek. He believes that creating a sustainable world would require a shift in the "constructs" that drive our attitudes and actions.

Opening a Fishing Organization

You have been waiting a long time for this, I will bet. You are a fisherman and a fishing organization is finally opening its doors in your local community. Just think about all of the good things that its presence will bring to both your local fishermen and you local fisheries. The fishermen will be able to gather there and listed to the speaking of the experts and learn from them valuable fishing skills. Your fisheries will benefit both from the direct conservation efforts of the fishing club, and also from the improved knowledge of the members of the club, who will practice good conservation efforts when out fishing.

When you see the organizers of the fishing organization getting ready to set up all of the things necessary for the fishing organization, you should go offer to help them. Now, you may not even be a member yet, but this is of no consequence at all. You certainly do not need a membership card in order to help a local angling club, which you will eventually join anyway, move into an area. You can go up to whoever is in charged and tell them how glad you are that they are coming to the area and that you want to help them move into their building. They will gladly accept your offer.

What are your strengths? You can do whatever you do best in order to help the organization. You can just tell the man or men in charge what are best at they will show you what to do. Sometimes, they really do not need a specialist in anything, but just want to have someone to help with the heavy lifting and getting things in order. All fishing organizations like it when someone volunteers to help them.

Go to fishing organizations to learn how to fish.

Moving - Determine How Do-it-Yourself Or Hiring Professional Movers to Work For You

Do you know that up to 15%-20% of American population relocates each and every year hence the importance of the moving industry is apparently becoming a flourishing milieu. There are now innumerable ways as to how you could plan out and carry on the relocation process. You could either choose to do this endeavor on your own or you could hire professional movers to help you from start to finish.

You may basically think why you need to hire a mover or what the benefit of doing the moving process yourself is. In order to give you a much clearer and convincing decision, you need to carefully look into the different advantages of choosing one of the two components. Bear in mind that the choice you make majorly depends on your preferences, time available and budget among others.

If you are dealing with a limited and tight budget, you most basically need to prefer do-it-yourself moving options. This is because you are spared from the hefty price tags of paying moving quotes and other related expenses that most moving companies may require or rate.

Do-it-yourself moving is likewise a very empowering venture because you are taking charge of everything and you need not conform to the directions or suggestion of the moving company you hired. Furthermore, you will only be spending time minus the cash since the only concern you have will be spending for the rent of the moving truck or van for your other belongings.

You could further save on driving fees because you could drive the vehicle yourself if you want to. Just make sure that you take the truck or van to test-drive first in order to get used to driving heavy duty equipment.

Hiring a professional moving company however is another option which you could have in order to facilitate the process of your activity. You could hire a professional mover if you have sufficient budget or funding so that you could get the best service provider that protects you and avoid getting scammed.

Bear in mind that you have innumerable choices on how to know the right ways of finding and hiring pro and avoiding bogus ones. First, you could check with the Better Business Bureau as to the profile and background of the company you wanted to hire. Ask around for suggestions or referral from close family members, colleagues or friends.

Certified and expert movers help you pack and load your things in a systematic and organized way. Most especially you could benefit from the fast work they have to help from the start to getting to your very destination. All you have to do is find the most trusted and professional moving company and everything will be taken care for.

Moving is a stressful activity full of pressure and the likes knowing that you will eventually get uprooted from your old homes, away from familiar neighbors and community. Make it less difficult in your part through getting the most effective and reliable moving help or doing it yourself the right and efficient way.

For more information, tricks and tips when it comes to home improvement and real estate as a whole, simply visit Gilbert Three Bedroom Homes and Gilbert Short Sale Realty.

Professional Movers Will Handle A Stressful Move

Chances are that at some point in your life, you have packed up your belongings and moved. Whether you moved from one home to another or moved from one office to another, you know how tough a move can be. The whole process from packing to unpacking can be extremely stressful and time consuming. Think about any time you had a tough time getting a mattress upstairs or a desk through a doorway. Even if you have help from friends, it is still an ordeal. That's where moving companies can help. Professional movers can do all of the work for you.

If you are changing residences, professional movers don't just transport your stuff from one spot to the next. You can consult with a moving expert who will go over all the plans and pricing with you so you have no surprises. You can also get all the packing supplies you need, including boxes. They will pack things for you in a way that ensures their protection and also provide insurance just in case anything unforeseen happens.

They will wrap and protect your furniture so that there are no marks or scratches during the moving process. You can supervise the entire event and they will do your beckoning. Your stuff is packed and the items are loaded and then at the other end the movers will unload the truck and set everything where you want it in your new home. That saves you days of organizing things and trying to move stuff on your own. Moving companies will give you a free estimate for their services, meaning you have no obligation should you think the cost is too high for what you are getting.

Moving companies also offer commercial moving services. As you might expect moving an office is quite a task. The whole relocation process is stressful, but moving companies will provide you with your own dedicated relocation expert. This person will answer any question and handle all of the details of the process. Essentially, they coordinate every single aspect of your move. That means you have nothing to do once you hire them, except keep out of the way..

A relocation consultant will ensure everything is packed with the best of care as well as handle any and all deadlines and moving times. If you are heading to a new area entirely, a consultant provides even more help for you. They will scope out a residence in the new area that meets your needs. They will also make plans to transport your vehicles, animals, and anything else you want. Basically, they aim to transition you from one place to another while keeping you as comfortable and calm as possible.

Moving companies and moving experts offer huge advantages. Depending on the service you want, a relocation expert can go as far as finding schools for your kids, handling your utility installations, and provide you with information about your new community. This is especially helpful if you are heading overseas or to a city you are not familiar with. The goal is to make you feel like you are at home from the moment you enter your door.

Around Town Movers is number 1 when it comes to Arlington VA moving companies. We do both residential and office moving throughout the Virginia, Maryland, and DC areas. Call us at (703) 636-0204.

Become an Instant Expert - Write a Book!

You may already have written a book without realizing it. If you've written a dozen or so articles on, say, green building construction, traveling with children, designing training programs, or another defined topic, you might easily gather them into a book-length manuscript.

Why would you want to do that, you ask? Because having a book to show as an example of your writing skills gives you an enormous advantage over your competition. Clients are impressed by books.

Your book doesn't need to be on a subject in the client's field; it can still add to your credentials and boost your stature as a writer-even if it's about bird watching or is a novel. The immediate impression is, "Wow! You've actually written a book!" You've got the client's attention. Take it from there to close the deal on an assignment.

How should I start?

Choose a topic. If you have previously written a fair share of material about the subject, you have a great start. If not, then begin compiling information.

Become an article clipper. Every time you see a relevant newspaper or magazine piece, advertisement, or brochure, cut it out and dump it into a box. If you can't clip it, copy it and throw in the copy. Carry a pad or PDA with you and make notes. Print out interesting and related Google searches and blog entries. Jot down comments heard on TV and locations of podcasts. Work at it: Find everything you can on your subject and fill your box.

After a month or so of hunting and gathering, dump the box onto a table and start sorting. Use sticky notes and make more copies as needed. Create piles of information that seems to go together. Then sort each individual pile to see what more information you need to close the gaps of logic, transition, and flow. Arrange the piles into a coherent pattern based upon chronology, affinity, materials, or other commonalities you choose to follow. Fill the gaps and winnow out whatever strays from your basic theme, although you might want to hang on to some items that would make good sidebars and illustrations.

Do I need an outline?

Give each pile of information a name and write all of the names down in a sequence that makes sense to you. These are going to become your chapters.

Now write two or three sentences after each name that indicates what the chapter will be about. Don't write the chapter; just describe what its focus will be. Review the information again to see what's missing and do some more research to find that additional information.

You now have an outline, framework, treatment, skeleton-call it what you will-for your book, and the process becomes one of filling in the blanks. If you've previously written extensively on your subject, you should be able to move through the chapters fairly easily and quickly. If not, it will, of course, take longer.

What do I do next?

If your goal is to be published by a traditional, royalty publisher, write a couple chapters and stop. Publishers or agents for nonfiction books don't want to see a finished book; they want to see a proposal for the book plus a chapter or two. That allows them to tweak your approach for optimum marketability and to evaluate your writing skill. To submit your book proposal to a traditional publisher, use the chapter descriptions as a guide and write an overview of what the book will be about. The overview and the chapter treatments will form the basis of your proposal. (More about proposals in another article.)

If you decide to self-publish, now is the time to complete all of the chapters and add the front and end matter: title page, copyright page, contents, and index.

What do I do with it?

Once your book is published and you call on a client, exchange the standard pleasantries and begin discussing the client's project. As you relate your experience to his or her needs and perhaps show one or two assignments that you've completed, take your book from your briefcase and slide it across the desk. Remark that this is a book that you recently wrote and, even if the book has nothing whatever to do with the client's need, you're proud of it and think the client would like to see it.

The client will generally pick it up and take a peek inside. Spend no more than a minute describing the book and how you came to write it, and then move back to the project under discussion. The impression you want has been made: 1. You know how to write a book. 2. You are an expert in at least one field. 3. You are a serious, professional consultant or writer who can be relied upon to complete a project successfully.

How can I also sell it?

Set up a Web site about your book immediately, even before you begin to write it. Select an illustration appropriate to your topic-you may find another piece of art you like better before you're done writing and never use this one again-and add copy that tells what your book will be about. Include an excerpt (not really an excerpt because you haven't written the book yet) and prominently display a box saying "Soon to be released."

Don't ask for orders; ask for reservations. If you take orders and accept payments, you must ship the book within time limits set by law. You can take reservations, however, without being legally obligated to deliver by a specific date.

Create a blog and link to it from your Web site. Begin posting entries about your topic. Generate as much buzz as possible by citing other Web sites and blogs, newspaper and magazine feature articles, and any other relevant information you come across.

Can I get paid along the way?

If you sell your book either directly or through an agent to a traditional publisher, you probably will receive an advance against future royalties when the book is released. Advances have dropped somewhat recently, but it's still likely that even first-time authors can negotiate one.

Whether your book is published by a traditional publisher or you decide to self-publish, you can still make some money as you're developing your book. Write your book in such a way that each chapter can stand alone as a feature article. You can't write it as a news article because by the time your book is released, the information will no longer be news. Submit your article(s) to appropriate publications whose readers would be likely purchasers of your book or your consulting or writing services. In the brief bio at the beginning or end of the article, mention that you are the author of the forthcoming book __.

Try to adapt each chapter / article to as many different markets as possible. For example, if your book is about security issues, you might focus on surveillance procedures in department stores, bus stations, and hospitals. Then with very little rewriting you can adapt and send the article to trade magazines that serve those particular audiences. Editors and readers of retail marketing publications are unlikely ever to see magazines aimed at health care providers.

How can I promote it?

You're pretty much on your own whether you self-publish or publish with a traditional publisher. That means you'll need to do some self-promotion. Remember that your goal is to find clients for your writing; your book is the tool that you're using.

Begin small. Find the names of persons who arrange programs for professional, trade, social, civic, and, if appropriate, religious organizations. Send them a one-page overview or press release about your son-to-be-released book and tell them you're available as a speaker for one of their meetings. Concentrate on the kinds of professional groups that your clients would join. Avoid a hard sell during a presentation, but don't forget to relate whatever you say to your book. Adopt the role of expert. After all, you've written a book on the subject.

Send press releases to community newspapers and use those clips to get coverage in larger publications. When a news item related to your book topic occurs, call a reporter covering the story and offer background. Ask to be quoted by name, and send those clippings to your clients.

Finally, consider giving away copies of your book to existing or potential clients and to others who may lead you to consulting and writing assignments.

This article may be reprinted with credit: Jim Kepler owns Adams Press, a family-owned producer of books for small presses and self-publishing authors since 1942. Visit http://www.adamspress.com

He is the presenter of "You Ought to Write a Book" and other writing workshops.