วันอังคารที่ 28 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

Pigeon Forge Cabin Rentals

Cabin rental in Pigeon Forge are one of the city's main attractions. There are literally over a thousand different types of cabins to choose from. A cabin in Pigeon Forge can be an intimate one bedroom building secluded in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains or an eight bedroom structure perfect for a large family or any other group.

Most of the most popular cabins are traditional looking wood houses. These cabins look rustic and historical, but many are chock full of comfortable features like full kitchens, hot tubs, game tables, fireplaces, or cable TV. With so many great amenities, some visitors may not even want to explore their historic, scenic, surroundings.

While many travelers may be content to stay in their luxurious cabins, another obvious selling point of Pigeon Forge is the view and environment. Most of the cabins overlook the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains State Park and are within walking distance of hiking trails, the Little Pigeon River, numerous shops, restaurants, and other activities.

Pigeon Forge lodging can be secluded or can be located centrally in the city. Pigeon Forge is a small town, so nothing is too far away no matter where travelers stay. Some cabins are arranged in clusters to accommodate family reunions or corporate events. Other cabins are separated from the hectic activities of the city and are alone in the woods, which can be perfect for honeymooners or anyone looking to relax for a few days.

Pigeon Forge cabins are a unique lodging experience. Several online agencies help visitors plan their vacations to Pigeon Forge and offer a wide array of cabins and other lodgings that can be reserved ahead of time.

Pigeon Forge Cabins Info provides detailed information on Pigeon Forge cabin rentals, chalets, hotels, motels, campgrounds, vacation packages, attractions, restaurants, real estate, and more. Pigeon Forge Cabins Info is the sister site of Gatlinburg Cabins Web.

วันเสาร์ที่ 25 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

Angel Connection ? How the Angelic Realm is Interacting with Humanity at this Historic Time

Angels, those divine beings of love and light, are here at this time in greater numbers than ever, to assist mankind in their evolution.

As we face a time of great challenge and upheaval in our world, seeing death, destruction, hate and war, we need to realize that we are experiencing a very important era in history. Although, from our limited point of view things may appear negative, we are experiencing fundamental changes that will affect those who come after us for millennia. Behind the scenes, those of the Angelic Realm are working overtime to guide and shape our new world, and within that framework, our new lives.

It is at this exact time, as we are faced with these unpleasant worldwide events, that we are forced to go within and truly re-examine our belief systems and our thought processes to see if we have somehow been incorrect or limited in our thinking. Every news story that we hear that affects us is another opportunity for us to re-evaluate ourselves, and therefore shift our consciousness into a higher level of truth and light. We cannot experience these profound shifts without affecting those around us to also expand and grow, and at the same time causing profound changes in our very world as well.

Our evolution has a primary focus now on heart activation. As we open our hearts more and more now we experience change. And what a gift it is. We can feel love to a much greater degree. We begin to love ourselves more, have more self-acceptance, and then we have greater degree of love, acceptance and tolerance for others.

We begin to see and appreciate the beauty in all things rather than focusing on the negative. Our eyes become opened, we become self-responsible.

We truly are coming out of a darker age, into an age of enlightenment, but we have to allow the old to fall away in order to receive the new.

And so our Angelic Brethren are here now, assisting us and comforting us. They are providing a new energy that feeds us, that empowers us, that uplifts us in this great changing time, until we become strong enough to lift ourselves up and to sustain ourselves.

Ask for them, and they will come to you. Talk to them and they will hear you and respond. Ask from your heart for their help and you will receive it. Send love to them and you will receive it back ten-fold. How will you know that they can hear you? Oh, you will know it, just give it a try.

Some people feel a presence around themselves when they call upon Angels. Some may close their eyes and see one or many Angels surrounding them.

Perhaps you will hear them speaking to you, or your mind will be filled with the answers you seek when you communicate with them. You may see them in your dreams or meditations. Perhaps you will begin to experience small or large "coincidences" in your life, and small or large miracles as well.

What is the best way to begin a deeper relationship with your Angels? Just ask. It's that easy.

Set aside some private time when you can be alone without interruption in a quiet place.

Close your eyes now, and begin by focusing on your heart. Visualize a beautiful rose-colored light in the center of your chest, in your heart area.

Begin to breathe deeply, inhaling and exhaling slowly. Begin to feel a warmth growing there now and you'll begin to see a beautiful rose-colored light growing larger and larger. Now quietly say a prayer. Ask sincerely for love, and protection, and healing, and peace.

And then ask humbly for the Angels that are here to work with you to come into your life. Express that you are willing and open to allowing them into your life. And ask them to guide you, to show you what you need to know, to help you grow, to become a better person. You will then begin to experience very profound changes in your life.

You will most likely find that you are by then engaging in an active communication with them. Always be sure to ask humbly for their assistance, and always let them know how thankful you are for their gifts.

There are two important laws at work here that I would like to mention to you. These laws will help you to attract Angels into your life.

First of all, "Please" and "Thank You" are two of the most powerful phrases we can use. When you ask, you receive. When you show gratitude, you are blessed even more.

And secondly, "Like Attracts Like", which means that if you want to draw Angels into your life, begin by getting in touch with your own Angelic side. Begin living your own life as if you were an Angel, treating others gently and with kindness.

Wish only the best for others, practice "Non-Judgment", and try to somehow, everyday, make this world a better place.

Sherry Sims has spent the last 20 years assisting people as a professional psychic, intuitive counselor, energy healer and teacher. Helping people to resolve personal and relationship issues has been at the core of her work. She gently assists her clients to accept their true power which allows them to begin taking control of their lives through healing, awareness, and self-love.

For more information and articles by Sherry Sims please visit http://Mystic-Hearts.com

วันพุธที่ 22 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

Solution-Sell is a Myth!

Who among us is not already up to here with the omni-smarts who wax poetic the benefits of "Solution Selling." Now it may seem strange for me, the author of the book "Up Your Income! Solution Selling for Profitability" to cast aspersions on the merits of this approach. Nevertheless like so many things in the real world, theory is one thing, application thereof is quite another.

The question then becomes; what are the differences between theory and reality for the Solution Sell, and, is there credibility in either?

It's well known the solution selling strategy was designed to meet the challenges of the 1980s new Technological Era. The computer not only changed the way we did business, it also changed the philosophy by which we sell. The fact that few industries were untouched by the computer meant there was fertile ground for this new selling style to quickly take root.

The solution sell dealt with the 'Multi-Box' challenge ostensibly needed to address more complex products and solutions in a more competitive marketplace involving more players than ever providing exactly the same or similar merchandise.

This new approach took a longer view of the selling process and was expressly designed to garner long-term customer loyalty. If companies were to survive and remain profitable, customers had to buy into the idea there was added value in long-term relationships that refocused purchasing criteria on Value and not strictly on Price.

The strategy certainly made sense then and still does today. So one might then ask, Where's the problem?

Like so many companies hoodwinked into believing the way to success was through a good corporate 'Mission Statement', the solution sell approach ? much like a mission statement - was and still is, a simple strategy. It is only in its successful application that success of any kind can be realized.

Looking at it differently, the way to win a hockey game is to put the puck in the net more times than your opponent and keep doing it until the nightly news comes on?lol.

Who can argue a proven strategy like that? The application, however, always proves to be the litmus test that continues to separate those with only a good plan from those who can actually implement one.

Simply said, too many corporations bet the farm on the Solution-Sell-Strategy at the expense of the most important part of selling ? Making the Sale!

Many of the most unsuccessful companies went out of business with some of the best-laid plans and strategies. The fact is, formulating a strategic plan is always easier than actually implementing one. Disproportionate amounts of time and effort spent designing attractive long-term Solutionist strategies pale in comparison to the skills needed to achieve what really matters in the end ? Did you make a sale? Which brings us to why the Solution-Sell-Strategy is a myth.

As much as we'd like to think we have evolved far beyond any selling stratagem from the past, in practice, [regardless of what product or industry], think about the one question asked by all sales managers to all salesreps at the meeting held just before the end of each month. "What orders are you bringing in by month end?"

The BOX-SELL-STRATEGY! That's right, it never really went away and it's what successful companies understand to be the most basic ingredient, germane to any selling strategy.

Lets face it, [using the hockey example again], even the puck that goes in off your helmet still counts and can be the quintessential, deciding factor that determines whether a team moves on or hits the links. In reality, how you got it is never as important as whether you got it.

So is the Solution Sell strategy the wrong approach? No, it is now and for the foreseeable future the right approach. What is wrong, however, is to believe ? like so many do ? a beautiful plan automatically results in sales. It Doesn't!

Under the microscope it appears we all need to feel we have evolved farther than in reality perhaps we have. It has clouded our view of what's truly required to be successful in sales - Fundamental Selling Skills.

To focus only on a plan is to give short shrift to the Art / Science or Discipline of the Professional Solution Sell.

The fact is, good plan or not, an unskilled seller will not recognize a simple buying signal. Untrained reps don't know how to build Trust and Rapport with potential customers. Where there is no argument today is that Trust and Rapport are the bedrock foundation for success of any kind in sales. Even the basic art of overcoming objections is a learned skill as is knowing when or when not to ask for an order. In every respect, these skills need to be taught and honed as truly professional sellers will attest; the techniques integral to the art or science of the sale are, in the end, the stuff that:

  • Separates the Sellers from the Tellers,

  • Emboldens good strategies like the Solution Sell, and,

  • MAKES SALES!

    The Bottom Line:

    A clear selling strategy in tandem with a proven skill-set are the Yin and Yang components that make up a well balanced formula that all but ensures greater sales and profitability. To believe or practice one without the other is to believe in MYTHS!

    About The Author

    Paul Shearstone aka The 'Pragmatic Persuasionist' is one of North America's foremost experts on Sales and Persuasion. An International Keynote Speaker, Author, Writer, Motivation / Time & Stress Management Specialist, Paul enlightens and challenges audiences as he informs, motivates and entertains. To comment on this article or to book the Pragmatic Persuasionist for your next successful event we invite to contact Paul Shearstone directly @ 416-728-5556 / 1-866-855-4590 / www.success150.com or paul@success150.com

  • วันอาทิตย์ที่ 19 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

    PR: Time For a New Playbook?

    When your public relations results pretty much depend on whether your news item gets used in a newspaper column or on a radio talk show, you may be ready for a fresh approach.

    Why not shoot for a 1-2 PR punch?

    First, focus sharply on those external audiences who play a major role in just how successful a business, non-profit or association manager you will be.

    And second, use the proactive public relations blueprint outlined below to help you persuade those important outside stakeholders to your way of thinking. Then move them to take actions that lead to the success of your department, division or subsidiary.

    You need a simple plan -- the fundamental premise of PR, as it turns out -- that gets everyone working towards the same external audience behaviors, and puts your public relations effort back on track.

    Here's the blueprint:

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

    And here's a good way to put that blueprint to work in your organization as you pursue external audience behaviors that lead directly to achieving your objectives.

    By the way, I'm talking about behaviors changes like welcome bounces in showroom visits, community leaders beginning to seek you out; membership applications on the rise, customers starting to make repeat purchases; organizations proposing strategic alliances and joint ventures; prospects starting to do business with you; politicians and legislators unexpectedly viewing you as a key member of the business, non-profit or association communities; and even capital givers or specifying sources beginning to look your way.

    Get started by sitting down and actually listing those outside audiences of yours who behave in ways that help or hinder you in achieving your objectives. Then prioritize them by impact severity and begin work with the target audience in first place on your list.

    Of course you're probably data-challenged because you aren't certain just how most members of that key outside audience perceive your organization.

    There's a good chance you don't have the budget to accommodate professional survey work. So you and your PR colleagues (they should be quite familiar with perception and behavior matters) must monitor those perceptions yourself.

    Interact with members of that outside audience by asking questions like "Have you ever had contact with anyone from our organization? Was it a satisfactory experience? Are you familiar with our services or products?" Stay alert to negative statements, especially evasive or hesitant replies. Watch carefully for false assumptions, untruths, misconceptions, inaccuracies and potentially damaging rumors. Any of which will need to be corrected, because experience shows they usually lead to negative behaviors.

    So, because the obvious objective here is to correct those same untruths, inaccuracies, misconceptions and false assumptions, you now select the specific perception to be altered, and that becomes your public relations goal.

    But a PR goal without a strategy to show you how to get there, is like a bratwurst without the onions. That's why you must select one of three strategies especially designed to create perception or opinion where there may be none, or change existing perception, or reinforce it. The challenge here (a small one) is to insure that the goal and its strategy match each other. You wouldn't want to select "change existing perception" when current perception is just right suggesting a "reinforce" strategy.

    Now it's your writer's turn to prepare a compelling message carefully designed to alter your key target audience's perception, as called for by your public relations goal.

    It may be that combining your corrective message with another newsworthy announcement of a new product, service or employee will lend more credibility by not overemphasizing the correction.

    The new message must be very clear about what perception needs clarification or correction, and why. Your facts must be truthful and your position must be logically explained and believable if it is to hold the attention of members of that target audience, and actually move perception in your direction. In other words, your message must be compelling.

    Now you select your "beasts of burden," the communications tactics you will harness to carry your persuasive new thoughts to the attention of that external audience.

    Luckily, the list of tactics is a long one. It includes letters- to-the-editor, brochures, press releases and speeches. Or, you might select radio and newspaper interviews, personal contacts, facility tours or customer briefings. There are dozens in waiting and the only selection requirement is that those you choose have a record of reaching people just like the members of your key target audience.

    Those around you will soon inquire if any progress is being made. Of course you'll already be hard at work remonitoring perceptions among your target audience members. Using questions similar to those used during your earlier monitoring session, you will now look carefully for indications that audience perceptions are beginning to move the way you want them to move..

    Happily, you can always speed up the process by adding more communications tactics, AND by increasing their frequencies.

    But, as this article suggests, building your PR playbook around communications tactics is self-defeating. Instead, use your tactics as originally intended, to carry messages. What must come first is an aggressive public relations plan such as that outlined above that targets key stakeholder behavior change leading directly to achieving your department, division or subsidiary objectives.

    About The Author

    Bob Kelly counsels, writes and speaks to business, non-profit and association managers about using the fundamental premise of public relations to achieve their operating objectives. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communi- cations, U.S. Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The White House. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Columbia University, major in public relations. mailto:bobkelly@TNI.net Visit: http://www.prcommentary.com

    วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 16 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

    Childhood Friendships

    Childhood friendships are as special as they are a necessary part of growing up. While some of our children will maintain these friendships into adulthood, many will not. Kids move away or they find other friends with more current interests and grow apart. Whatever form a childhood friendship is taking, know that these relationships are vital to your child's well-being and growth as a human being.

    Your child may have one very special friend from the time they are in diapers or they might have a gaggle of giggling girl friends or a thunderstorm of wild boy friends. These bonds can be helped along or a wedge can be placed between them by the parents. Depending upon your feelings about your child's friend, you could welcome the child into your home and be gracious or you could find that the child your child is enthralled with is a demon incarnate. It's up to you to teach your kids how to interact in healthy ways with their peers or how to let negative friendships go.

    While I've been traumatized by a few of my daughters' friends, I have liked most of them. The few children whom I found intolerable were not too welcome in my home, however, if one of my daughter's insisted on a play date with that undesirable child, I would allow the friendship to take its course, mostly to try and figure out what in the world my child liked about her/him. Made for some interesting lessons in humanity. ;-) Most of these friendships have faded in good time, on their own. One or two of these kids have actually won me over and now are among my favorites, although I must admit these kids were basically OK to begin with. They just came with issues I didn't want to deal with. I dealt for my child's sake and all turned out well.

    A child who is a truly bad influence on your child will need to be shunned, as painful as that may seem to your child at the time. I find that if you adequately explain that the child in question isn't very "nice" or has actually hurt or emotionally abused your child; this can be sufficient reason for your child to understand the situation without too much trauma. If they resist your urging to make new friends or avoid the horrid one, you will probably need to be tolerant until your child digests the circumstances and moves on in her own time. This helps your child learn to differentiate between people they want to spend time with, those they don't and to make their own choices.

    The children you like and who are good influences on your child should be invited over often. Have them stay for dinner, take them along on family or fun outings and allow them to become part of your extended family just as your own friends are.

    Children need to know their friends are welcome in their home. Treat their buddies with the same respect you would expect your children to treat your pals. They will see how you interact with others who visit and will learn how to be good friends and gracious hosts themselves.

    ? Rexanne Mancini - 2003

    Rexanne Mancini is the mother of two daughters. She is a novelist, freelance writer and maintains an extensive yet informal parenting and family web site, Rexanne.com: http://www.rexanne.com - Visit her site for advice, award-winning Internet holiday pages and some humor to help you cope. Subscribe to her free newsletter, Rexanne's Web Review, for a monthly dose of Rexanne: http://www.rexanne.com/rwr-archives.html

    วันอังคารที่ 14 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

    Built Camera Cell in Phone

    Built camera in cell phone - technology is available.

    The built camera in cell phone was not long ago the newest technology advance in the cellular phones field. But nowadays the built camera in cell phone is offered in the phones that are produced my most of the cellular phone companies. It is an excellent addition to the features that are available in the cellular phone as it allows you to take pictures without having to purchase a regular camera, saves time, space, and money.

    Built camera in cell phone - what could be better.

    Built camera in cell phone is a necessary addition to the cellular phone and it can not be replaced by any other feature. But the technology advances didn't stop and nowadays the cellular phone user can not only take pictures but can also store video clips by using a more advanced camera cell phone video technology. Nokia 3650 is an example of the phones that provide the support of camera cell phone video.

    Built camera in cell phone - why pay extra.

    When first offered to the public in US cellular phone market, the built camera in cell phone was an expensive thing to buy. But a the current time you can buy a camera cell phone at a discounted price or even get a free camera with your cell phone purchase. Usually you have to look for promotions that are being offered by cellular service providers and may be singing up for a one or two year contract.

    Built camera in cell phone - examples.

    Examples of the cellular phones that have a built camera in cell phone are great phones like SPH-a600 digital camera cell phone by Samsung that also allows accessing the web and Samsung SGHV-205. The Sanyo SCP-5300 is an example of the camera cell phone by Sanyo. LG also offers camera cell phones like the LG VX6000.

    Visit http://www.camera-cell-phones-2u.com

    วันเสาร์ที่ 11 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

    What are Personal Loans?

    As the term implies, Personal loans are simply loans for any personal use. They're known as personal loans because the money is for personal use, such as buying a car or home improvements. Most lenders do not stipulate what you can spend your personal loan on, generally allowing for any purpose.

    A Personal Loan is a method of borrowing a lump sum of money from a bank, building society or other financial institution to finance the buying of a new car, make home improvements or go on a luxury holiday.

    Personal loans have become a popular way of raising much-needed funds for personal use Personal loan amounts vary from between ?500 to ?25,000. Normally, you'll receive a lump sum.

    In return, you agree to make regular repayments, usually monthly. Assuming you've taken out a repayment loan, which will usually be the case, some of the money you repay will go towards servicing the loan and the rest of your payment will be used to pay off capital and reduce the outstanding debt.

    Personal loans are repayable on a monthly basis at a fixed rate of interest. Generally personal loans are offered by banks, financial institutions or building societies and are available in a variety of formats with variations in size, term and purpose of the loan. It is important to know the APR (Annual Percentage Rate) of the lenders so that you can do a comparison search to get the best rate of interest.

    Interest rates will vary. It is also worth bearing in mind that some lenders are only interested in lending to people whom they regard as a 'safe risk' and they will be offered lower interest rates.

    A personal loan could be the best option for you if you are looking to borrowing money for between one and five years and is particularly ideal if you have other debts that you're looking to consolidate into one loan to reduce your overall monthly payments.

    There are two basic types of personal loan, the secured and the unsecured.

    With an unsecured personal loan you will normally make payments on a regular basis to the lender who, if you should default on the payments, would have to take legal action to obtain the outstanding money.

    With a secured personal loan, the lender will ask for the amount that you borrow to be 'secured' against a piece of your property, very often your home, which would become the property of the lender in the case of default.

    You may freely reprint this article provided the author's biography remains intact:

    About The Author

    John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

    วันพุธที่ 8 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

    Anam Chara - Living A Life Of Value

    Much of our lives we spend comparing what "me" has with what "you" has. Usually this is to the detriment of "me." We take our values from the world of the visible and ignore the values of the invisible. We build our sense of self on the sifting sands of fortune.

    Our values are mostly those of the society we live in. They are the values of family, race, gender, economic and nation-state to name a few. Many of these values change. They change according to the winds of fashion. One time we value long hair. The next time we value shaven heads. One time we value thrift and the next time we value spending. These are individual values we choose to hold either consciously or unconsciously.

    Usually our values are dictated by the place, time, situation into which we are born. We adopt these values and often never question their impact on our lives and the lives of others. Then there are those other values. These are Universal Values. These are the values of Love, Compassion, Peace, Justice and Freedom to name those that most readily come to my mind.

    These are values that one has to consciously commit to. They do not change but may manifest in different ways. These are what I call "The Values of Being." These are the natural energies of life. Once you know who you are these are the qualities that flow thought your mind and body. These are the qualities you are.

    In the beginning "me" commits to these values with an act of will. Later with commitment, patience, persistence, passion and presence there is the experience of "I am these values." You are then aware that "I am is valuable beyond measure." These values are the colour of your life's flow.

    Universal Values are the foundation of purpose. You can follow any one of these values to the ground of purpose. Each of us has a purpose in life. This is not because God has some great plan. It is because you are a co-creative being non-separate from the Beloved. Your purpose is like a colour in the paint box of the Beloved. You are the vehicle of the artistry of God.

    Do you think God has painted only one picture? Do you think you are a pre-determined pixel of light on the screen of a limited imagination? Your purpose is part of the picture of eternity. You never stop being creative. You never stop being the created flow of the Beloved.

    A plan, even a Divine plan, is one that is written in time. How can that which is timeless have a plan? This idea of Gods plan is a hope of a mind separate from Love. This is the projection of the ego that wants God to come and make it all right in a way that the ego can understand. The ego does not want God to have no plan. How can God not have a plan? "We are lost," it thinks, "if there is no plan.

    Our religious teachers tell us that everything will come right according to Gods plan. This is ego inflation gone mad. The ego has knowledge of time and space. It has knowledge of planning which has a beginning and end. It has the hope that in the end the "good guys" win. The ego cannot know that which has no beginning and no end. Eternity is not a very long time. Eternity is beyond time. No beginning. No end. If you "think about" it you will do you head in. It is an intellectual exercise similar to pulling yourself up with your bootlaces. You will fall over.

    Most of us our focus is on values that are those solely of the marketplace. We forget that we are human beings. We forget to honour the one behind the mask of persona. We get lost in the pursuit of values that take us further and further from the centre of our being.

    You can only truly serve one master. This is either the master of the visible or invisible worlds. This is the master that is your ego self or the master of all that is which is you real SELF. This is the experience of serving the higher self. This is the experience of serving and flowing with the Divine.

    There is no requirement for you to be religious. You can belong to a religion or none. You do, however, have to choose to make a commitment. This is made with a heart of courage. This is even if you only feel a little courage and a lot of doubt. This is a first step. This is all the journey of the soul requires. It asks you to step forward. It asks you to step forward one step at a time. It keeps asking until you disappear into Simply Enjoying Love Forever.

    Please do not start with "belief in this," or "belief in that." I refer to belief in the real sense as "being your lief (life.). This is not something you do. It is something you are. If you do not feel compassion, love, understanding, joy, wonder or grace to mention some aspects of being say so. Say you "do not feel these feelings." Say you do not know at present.

    Do not start with building barriers. Start with a little faith. You experience more faith when you say, "I do not know," than when you say, "I believe." Do you believe in sex? Do you believe in Love? Do you believe in Monday? You can believe what you will but that means you do not know. This is not the end of the world. Of course to say you do not know is unflattering to the ego. It is not what we are taught to say. We are after all knowledgeable people. We are advanced logic choppers. To say you do not know makes you appear stupid.

    I read recently that over 80% of Americans believe in God. This depresses me. I have hope for the other 20% who might be allowing enough of their essence to know. In the world of universal values honesty in knowing or not knowing will take you further. Not knowing is the emptiness into which knowing and understanding is poured. The Beloved paints the colours in the chamber of your open heart.

    You can say you believe in God if you wish. I ask the same question that was posited by Carl Jung, "If you know why do you need to believe?" When you know you know. There is no need to believe. If there is "not knowing" then there "is not knowing." One is empty the other is full. One is Ying and the other is Yang to use Eastern terms. Each serves the other. The cauldron serves to feed the hungry and when it does this there is a process. One time it is full and the other time it is empty.

    Be courageous. If you feel you do not know then say so. Be committed to knowing. Enter the heart. Listen to the still small voice. You are not completely in the dark. You are really a "knowing it all." You are the "knowing of it all." Your knowing is unlimited because the essence of who you are is God. God is not limited.

    Knowing is not knowledge. Knowledge is rational. It is always partial. It is past. Knowing is insight filled. It is complete.

    The values of our society are knowledge based.

    They serve the values of the more wanting the more. The values of the inner are those of subtraction. You let go all you are not and become empty of all attachment. You let go into the universal flow of life. This is what Jesus meant when he said, "Any man that shall save his life shall lose it." How to save what you already are? How to save the flow of a river? The river only needs to be allowed to run its course.

    Value who you are. Value your being. Value your purpose. Value your life's flow. Value the Simple Enjoying Love Forever experience. Nothing to add. Nowhere to go. The river flows and the grass grows by itself.

    Tony Cuckson is an Anam Cara. This Celtic term means "Soul Friend." He specializes in providing insight for the spiritual journey, Blessings for YOU, words of wisdom and finding inner peace. Visitors to Irish Blessings Matter website and Tony's Blog get the opportunity to develop a purpose driven life through articles, newsletters and other programs.

    Get your free report called "7 ways to it's a wonderful life" at http://www.irishblessingsmatter.com/, or go to Tony`s Blog at http://www.irishblessingsmatter.info/ for YOU Blog, where you will find links to information related to spiritual parenting, spiritual coaching and spirit in business.

    วันอาทิตย์ที่ 5 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

    Why Do You Need a Tacklebox?


    A tacklebox or a tackle bag is a necessity to store your fishing lures, bobbers, and hooks.

    A tacklebox is a necessity to store your expensive lures. The more you fish the more expensive lures you will accumulate. I can't imagine over time having a tangled mess of barbed metal to contend with. Nothing beats staying organized. Therefore, having a tacklebox is a must.

    So the question remains what type of tackle box do you need? There are many different types of tackleboxes to choose from. I suggest a tackle box with sufficient storage for your current needs then double it. Also to keep in mind your tacklebox should have sufficient compartments to hold some oversized lures. You wouldn't want the oversized lures to tangle maps, leaders, or bandages.

    What should you include in your tacklebox?

  • Bandage strips contained in a water-resistant container
  • Matches sealed in a water-resistant container
  • Suntan lotion
  • Flashlight and spare batteries
  • Spare car key in a small case attached to a large colorful bobber. (Hint: The bobber has to be large enough so that the small case does not sink).
  • For the salt-water enthusiast, tackle bags may be a practical alternative to tackle boxes. These tackle bags have plastic cylinders inside to hold saltwater lures. As well, the tackle bags have side compartments for leaders.

    Although the tackle bags are convenient, remember not to lay your tackle bag on the sand as the tide can sweep up your tackle bag and take it to unknown places along with your expensive saltwater lures and your car keys. Or may have the unfortunate fate of having your tackle bag run over by a four-wheel drive vehicle or a dune buggy. Yes, this can happen.

    Catherine Kenyeres is the successful publisher and author for http://www.best-4u-fishing-equipment.com. Catherine Kenyeres has written numerous informative articles for the fishing enthusiast.

    วันศุกร์ที่ 3 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

    Are 0% Credit Cards Reaching Their End?

    Are Credit Card companies starting to feel the pinch? We all know that the Credit Card companies make their money by charging us interest on the money we borrow. With all the 0% balance transfer offers that we have seen over the last few years its no wonder these companies are concerned they aren't making any money. Many customers who take advantage of these offers move once the 0% period has expired.

    These credit card companies are now using smart tactics to grab back a chunk of money that they have lost through these deals. One of the ways they are doing this is by reducing the interest free period, meaning you have less time to pay the balance off. If you don't pay it off by the time your 0% period ends you are charged interest backdated to when you made the balance transfer.

    If you do find yourself in this predicament and you decide to transfer the outstanding balance to another 0% credit card you will unfortunately now be charged a fee for making the transfer by the Credit Card Company you had the original offer with.

    These are all tactics that are now being used to make sure the Credit Card Companies make some money off of you.

    Here are some points that may help you to beat the new rules that are being implemented plus other ways to save on your Credit Card fees:

    ? The most obvious advice that can be given is to be disciplined and try to pay off the full balance off every month.

    ? If you fall in the remaining 85% of us that are not able to do this then you should opt for a Credit Card that has a low transfer rate which stays low no matter how long it take to pay off the balance.

    ? If you are in danger of exceeding your credit limit and being charged ?25 then contact your Credit Card provider and get an increase on your limit. In most cases they will fall over themselves to do this. Once you are back on your feet get the amount reduced. Remember discipline!

    ? Whatever you do avoid withdrawing cash from your credit card. These services will cost you from 2% upwards of the amount drawn.

    ? Set up a direct debit. This will prevent you from ever being charged a late payment fee. Even if this is for the min balance due every month. This is one of the biggest money makers for Credit Card Companies.

    ? Don't take out Credit Card protection. It's not worth it and its over priced for what you get. This is a topic for another article. My advice, steer clear.

    ? Avoid using your Credit Card abroad. This is a sneaky way for charges to be implemented. The rate of exchange is not always the best and you get charged for the convenience of using your card in a foreign country.

    ? Don't be fooled into applying for a Credit Card that offers cash back and loyalty points. While some may be good the majority expect you to spend large amounts before you even qualify for any significant cash back. The incentives may be high but then so is the APR.

    We all need Credit Cards for day to day living to get by so advising on not having them is ridiculous. All we can say is be disciplined. Keep a close eye on your fees and charges and manage them very closely. Check you balance statement every month. Fraud is rife at the moment so don't get caught out.

    Grant Marwick is a freelance writer and owner of http://www.only-credit-cards.co.uk where you will find advice and more articles on Low interest and 0% Credit Cards

    วันอาทิตย์ที่ 28 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2551

    Build Brand Value BIG Time

    Ask your self this question, In which business are we really in? And stay far from the dark world of commodities...

    I am astonished!!! I just witness how in three days a clan of marketers ? brand managers, advertisers, researchers - drove a brand into the huge world of commodities, these people approach the brand building process as a conjunction of ideas- do not matter if the ideas were good or bad- and were clearly afraid to innovate and challenge the rules of their game.

    If you are planning to maintain your brand as far as you can from the dark world of commodities, why not innovate by reconsider the category in which you compete and create your own rules.

    As Theodor Levits from Harvard business school once exemplified it: "The once- powerful railroads were blindsided first by automobiles and then by airlines. This happens because railroad companies define them selves too narrowly as being in the railroad business rather than the transportation business."

    But redefining your industry does not mean hiring a new ad agency to think a fancy new slogan ad and spend millions of dollars communicating it.. To make it work, you have to approach your brand building process strategically and communicate it each day in every interaction with your consumer, offering high-quality products and services that your customers rally want and that will reinforce the values offered by your brand and expand the emotional connections your customers fell with it.

    When Steve Jobs came back to Apple with the mission of bringing back the brand from the darkness the first thing he did was redefine his business. "What Apple is about, is not making boxes for people to get their jobs done, although we do that very well. Apple is about more than that. What Apple is about, its core value is that we believe people with passion can change the world for the better. That is what we believe." Excerpt form Steve Jobs' speech to software developers

    That day Apple created its own game, and became something more, since then Apple has launched products like the i-Mac and G4, and most recently has become the center of the digital music world with the iPod and i-Tunes store.

    James Dyson invented his own game when he created the Dyson vacuum cleaner, a vacuum with a unique shape and a clear collector bin, so you can watch the dirt cycloning around. He made fun the vacuum cleaning experience.

    If you speak to Richard Branson he would tell you that his business is to create FUNKY business, I wonder who competes with Virgin in this business

    Yes, you can think this could be risky if you already are by far the #1 in your industry, but Howard Shultz is trying to transform Starbucks into the largest digital music retailer in the world, he most be crazy.

    But maybe brand building is about being rationally crazy .

    To measure how strong your brand is copy and paste: (http://brandidentityguru.com/bightml/brandmasterpiece.html). Then click "Take the brand strength test". This is a short survey that measures the strength of any company's brand. It's a great tool to see where you are today.

    Scott White is President of Brand Identity Guru (http://www.brandidentityguru.com), a leading brand consulting and market research firm located in Easton, Massachusetts, USA, near Boston.

    Brand Identity Guru specializes in creating corporate and product brands that increase sales, market share, customer loyalty, and brand valuation. Over the course of his 15-year branding career, Scott White has worked in a wide variety of industries: high-tech, manufacturing, computer hardware and software, telecommunications, banking, restaurants, fashion, healthcare, Internet, retail, and service businesses, as well as numerous non-profit organizations.

    Brand Identity Guru clients include: Sun Life Financial, Coca Cola, HP, Sun, Nordstrom, American Federal Mortgage, Simon (America's largest shopping mall manager) and many others, including numerous emerging growth companies.

    Scott White is a very enthusiastic speaker and has the gift of being able to explain the principles of branding in a compelling and entertaining manner so that people at all levels can understand.

    วันอาทิตย์ที่ 31 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2551

    5 Newspaper Advertising Myths Revealed

    What I'm about to reveal are myths that most people think are 'true.'

    They seem set in stone yet they are deadly to the advertiser.

    I'm certain you'll be surprised. Certainly you may even doubt what I reveal to you. But I've discovered that these myths must *NEVER* be followed - unless of course you like throwing your hard earned money down the drain!

    There are essentially five common 'Newspaper And Magazine Advertising Myths'?

    Before I go any further I have a proviso to what I'm about to reveal to you about advertising. Here it is?

    Everything I talk about here has one goal: To help you make more money - substantially more, with your marketing, sales, and advertising.

    If you're looking for 'pretty' advertising or advertising that looks good without getting you leads and orders then you should look elsewhere.

    So when you're reading through these advertising myths and facts, be aware that I'm only talking about newspaper and magazine advertising that makes money - plain and simple!

    So let's get started?

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    Advertising Myth 1: Your ad must first 'look good' before it is placed in any publication

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    Many people (not your prospects by the way!) judge newspaper and magazine advertising on the 'look and feel' of the ad. In fact one of the mysteries of the modern world is having advertising awards for aesthetically appealing ads. That's just plain nuts!

    It doesn't matter how good your ad looks. What counts is how much money you made from the ad!

    Of course I'm not saying your ad cannot look good. What I'm saying is your number one objective is to get the sale (or at least a response.

    Never forsake this goal for creating a good looking ad!

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    Advertising Myth 2: Your company name needs to be prominent in the ad

    ****************************************

    Regardless of how familiar your company or service is to your prospects you should always place your company name at the bottom of the ad. Never ever put your company name at the top of the ad.

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    Advertising Myth 3: You should never use a reply coupon because it looks 'unprofessional'

    ****************************************

    Many design agencies frown on response coupons because once again they don't look 'good.' A coupon has the ability to *double* your response instantly.

    You must therefore have a very good reason not to use a coupon in your ads. (By the way I've never come up with a good enough reason - unless of course you're restricted to space!).

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    Advertising Myth 4: You should use a design agency to create your ads

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    Like all professions there are good and bad design agencies. However only use a design agency that uses 'direct response' advertising principles.

    All other design agencies will never get the results you should expect with your newspaper and magazine advertising.

    In almost every case you are better equipped to create your own advertising rather than using a design agency.

    You'll save thousands of dollars and almost certainly make more money from the advertising you create.

    ****************************************

    Advertising Myth 5: Your ad must not have too much copy (words) and have lots of white space

    ****************************************

    This is the number one mistake people make with their newspaper and magazine advertising.

    You cannot ever hope to get a high response to your advertising if you don't give people a reason (or several reasons) to respond. This means that your ad needs to be *FULL* of copy.

    Contrary to popular belief an ad crammed full of relevant and benefit written copy always *substantially* wins over an ad without lots of copy.

    ***

    So there you have it. If you want more sales and more success from your newspaper and magazine ads you must step outside the box.

    You must break from tradition. You must forget about creating good looking ads. Do this and I promise your sales and profits will soar!

    JAMES C. BURCHILL is a 20-year veteran entrepreneur and information technology executive who now provides strategic marketing consulting services to a select group of clients. He is a published author, a passionate advocate of technology and the Internet, as well as an avid study of classical advertising and marketing strategies (which he uses during 'Internet alchemy' experiments.) James is an expert in information and data management, Internet marketing and online networking. A self confessed 'information and technology enthusiast', James brings a wide range of valuable skills to any venture. Of singular note is James' ability to assimilate complex subject matter and produce clean clear 'easy-to-understand' messages. James has been interviewed many times and caused quite the media buzz when a client 'double-dog-dared' him to prove you can get front page coverage for $0. The details and that 'dumb stunt' are now part of EBay legend. Currently James lives in Ontario, Canada with his wife and family, their Siamese cat and one very nervous fish. Visit http://www.JamesBurchill.com for details.