2012 January | planetajava.org

Do High Tech Acquisitions Make Sense?

I was reading recently about the proposed merger between StorageTek and Sun. Two major technology companies, one making a comeback from bankruptcy and the other mired in a long slump, with several years of negative predictions about their business prospects.

I am not an insider and dont know the specific details of this merger. It seems to make at least some sense, as Sun has not historically been strong in Storage, which is StorageTeks forte. Sun has been Private Labeling storage systems from a company here in San Diego for the past several years (probably doesnt bode well for that supplier!). So having Storage Technology in-house could be a big plus for Sun. The analysts have generally panned this deal. however. They dont think it does anything to reignite Suns growth, which is what theyre looking for. I dont have enough solid knowledge of the situation to decide whether its a good idea from a strategic perspective or not.

What I do know is that it probably will fail.

ODDS AGAINST IT

Predicting failure is a pretty big statement for someone with limited knowledge of the specifics of the deal. But I can make that statement because numerous studies have shown that 40-80% of all mergers fail. Thats a whole bunch of investor money down the drain. And in High Tech, it seems like its very hard to find an example of a really good merger or acquisition.

Of course, there are examples to the contrary. Computer Associates built a huge business and shareholder value with an aggressive acquisition strategy, over a long period. Cisco Systems has made many acquisitions of smaller technology companies, purportedly with great success. They profess to have the secret sauce on how to make acquisitions a success-and maybe they have. These are two high profile examples of large companies succeeding with M&A as a major part of their strategy. But for every Cisco or Computer Associates, theres probably 10-20 who have failed with a prominent M&A strategy. Symantec made claims like Cisco for a long time, but recently ended up unraveling a number of their acquisitions. The recent HP-Compaq mega-merger hasnt panned out too well (especially for one former rock star CEO name Carly!).

TOUGH FOR THE UNINITIATED

So how do deals usually work out for the average company that might make an acquisition every couple of years or so? Not very well, in my experience.

I have been involved in numerous acquisition projects, both as a consultant and on the inside of an acquirer. I spearheaded one project internally which led to acquisition of a software company, which I then had to integrate into my business unit I was running at the time. You know what? The buying is much easier than the integrating!

And this, I believe, is where the great majority of mergers and acquisitions fail. People at the top fall in love with the dealthe strategic fit, the potential boost in short term revenue, the new products added to the portfolio, and generally with the numbers of the deal. Investment Bankers and M&A consultants emphasize the financial terms and other hard aspects of the potential dealto the near exclusion of the soft factors of the deal. Most of all, I think its easy for senior management to become deal-junkiesquickly addicted to the adrenaline rush that comes with deal making. Unfortunately, all of this tends to obscure a really important fact. In High Tech, when you acquire a company, you dont really gain ownership of the peoplethe key factor that makes a company in our business a success or failure.

MANY PATHS TO FAILURE

The integration of the two organizations and their employees is almost always an afterthought. No one gives much thought to this aspect until Senior Management has already decided they want to do the deal. Then its time to start to figure out how two, often disparate, cultures will mesh. In reality, these steps should be reversedthe cultural fit should be studied very closely at first, then other factors of the deal should be examined. IF THE CULTURES DONT FIT–USUALLY YOU HAVE A DISASTER ON YOUR HANDS. It wont matter how well the numbers work, how much cost you can take out, or how much geographic or product synergy you envision. It will be a disaster.

Sure, there are many other ways an acquisition can turn out badly. Lets list a few:

Integration of MIS: There have been many good companies that have struggled (or even choked to death) trying to integrate incompatible back office systems

Product Integration: This is especially true in the case of software companies. A software company takes out a competitor. They then spend the next five years trying to integrate the two code bases. Or they kill one of the products, alienating the user base they just acquired. This one occurs over and over again.

Overlapping Brands: The HP-Compaq merger is a good example of this problem. HP paid a huge price for Compaq, and much of the value was in the Compaq brand. Did they need another brandand what have they done with it since the merger? To this day, I dont know which brand of computer I should consider buyingHP or Compaq. They kept both, and havent segmented them in any meaningful way. This causes confusion as well as duplicitous expenditures. What’s worse, many times one of the brands is simply ditchedwhich is the equivalent of throwing millions (or billions!) of dollars out the window after your purchase.

Dueling Managements: This is symptomatic of that really funny deal, the merger of equals. No one decides who will run the company until after the merger is final. This results in an internal struggle to the death for control of the company for the next year or two, while the remaining competitors run past.

Channel Conflict: Maybe both companies have large dealer networks with a lot of overlap. Or the acquirer is primarily a direct seller, and the target primarily sells through the channel. These issues can be some of the toughest to manage. If done poorly it will lead to large, sudden revenue reductions.

Exit Strategy for the Target: Often times there doesnt even need to be cultural people problems for disaster to strike. If the acquired company views the deal primarily as an opportunity to cash out, there will be a mass exodus of key people to the nearest beach, people that you need for the acquisition to make sense. Or worse yet, they stay and become working zombies until their obligation runs out. Its pretty hard to put effective golden handcuffs on everyone.

ITS THE PEOPLE, STUPID

There are many more ways to failure than I could list. But they are all minor in scope compared to the likelihood of the culture clash. To begin with, all of the people in the company being acquired are freaking out. Will I have a job? Will I being doing the same thing in the combined company if I keep my job? Will I have the same benefits? Who will I report to? Ive heard the managers in the new company are raving lunatics who eat their young! In the acquiring company often the same fears exist to a slightly lesser extent. All of this leads to suspiscion and distrust between employees of the two companies.

A proposed merger is an opportunity for the rumor mill and imaginations to run wild. Key talent is now open to exploring what opportunities might be available in the outside world. Sometimes the brain drain might start almost immediately, well before the deal is even consummated. So the problems begin early on. The stage may be set for failure, and the ink isnt even dry on the merger agreement. All the while the guys in the Executive Suite are toasting themselves with Scotch, and patting themselves on the back. Eventually they get around to forming a committee to look at integration issues. But management focus usually doesnt really shift to this potential culture clash until the merger is consummated–and the fires have already start. Productivity crawls to a halt, while new turf battles emerge. People you dont want to lose are leaving left and right. The guys in the suits dont know what hit them–until the wall of fire is too high to extinguish.

ACQUISITIONS CAN WORKBUT SHOULD COME WITH A WARNING LABEL

I hope that all of this doesnt come off as negative to the extreme. Its only meant to caution. There are actually many good scenarios that can lead to successful acquisitions. Software companies who look to buy to fill a hole in their product line or aquire technology to quickly jump on an emerging market segment, as an example. These types of deals can make tremendous sense, if executed properly. Ill talk about more about acquisitions scenarios and success factors in a future column.

But in Software and other High Tech markets, product cycles are short and differential advantages are fleeting. As a result its all about the people, since differential advantage needs to be continually re-created. So the next time you think about making an acquisition to solve a business problem or accelerate your growththink about the people first.

Id like to hear about your M&A experiencesdrop me a note.

Three Steps To Better Joint Health

Chances are you or someone you know has joint problems-according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three U.S. adults experience some form of joint discomfort on a daily basis. Unfortunately, many Americans simply view their discomfort as an inconvenience and don’t do anything to improve their joint health. Best-selling author of The Arthritis Cure, Jason Theodosakis, MD, thinks this philosophy is a mistake. “People can improve their joint health by making simple lifestyle changes. In the short term, these steps can improve joint mobility, flexibility and comfort, and may help protect joints from deteriorating in the future.”

Here are Dr. Theodosakis’ top tips for creating a healthy, active lifestyle.

• Lace Up: Moderate, low impact exercise is crucial to improve mobility. By incorporating activities such as walking, swimming and biking into a 30-minute, three to five times per week schedule, joint strain can be reduced. If it’s hard to get moving, find a buddy to exercise with. The buddy system increases motivation and fun levels.

• Find Balance: Diet fads often don’t become part of a regular eating regimen and, more importantly, don’t always provide the essential nutrients that bodies need. Create a realistic, balanced eating plan. Contact a registered dietitian or nutritionist if you need help developing an eating program that meets your individual needs and goals.

• Boost Joint-Protecting Nutrient Intake: Recent scientific studies show glucosamine and chondroitin are extremely safe, and help improve joint comfort, especially in people who need it most. Combination products, such as Nature Made TripleFlex, tend to be more effective than taking the individual supplements. It’s most important to look for products that contain 1,500 mg of glucosamine and 800 to 1,200 mg of chondroitin.

Wholesale Tires – Finding Them

Aside from younger generations getting fatter and losing vastly important social skills, widespread distribution of misinformation and a literal unending supply of material that could make even Sid Vicious blush; it would be an exercise in futility to argue that the Internet hasnt made an overwhelming positive affect on the lives of us all. For all of the aspects of life that have been dramatically altered by the affects of the internet, the way in which the purchase and consumption of goods may be at the top of the most utilized. This can be seen with great understanding in the purchase of merchandise for automobiles, including that of tires.

The use of good, quality tires is well known by most people with even a cursory understanding of autos. However, the price that accompanies good, quality tires is also well understood. This is where the Internet comes in the bridge the discrepancies between desiring safety and quality in ones tires and having the disposable income to be able to afford them. Wholesale tire sites online are abundant and offer a great option for those in the market.

As with other types of shopping done online, however, getting some wholesale tires will require a little more research than being at a brick and mortar shop, simply listening to the thoughts of the salesperson. You need to get the facts on your car first and then think about what specific needs youre looking for. From here all work can be done through checking out a few sites, just like the real world window-shopping that used to take your entire Sunday afternoon. Whatever brand and model of tire youre looking for, its sure that you can find it for wholesale prices. So, get researching, find your tire, pay wholesale price for it and enjoy your drive, knowing that your safe and sound and have got a little money in your pocket, too.

The World of Internet

Internet. It entered our lives not so long ago, but made a revolutionary change in the lives of all the mankind. Internet brought a new quality of communication, information, services, etc into the world.

It helps to sell and buy, communicate and find soul mates; it provides you with essay help and entertains when you feel sad. Its missions are countless. It is our reliable companion in life. As students we order custom essays on the net, as grown ups we use it every hour in our work, older people use internet instead of books, guidebooks, maps, etc. We cant ignore the influence of the internet on our lives. Some say it is negative, the others state it is positive. But it is not all black and white. In this article my aim is to discuss influence of the Internet on persons mind. Internet is distinguished by a high speed of information exchange. That is why we have a completely new level of relations between a person and a computer, between two people with computers help.

We tend to perceive greater amount of information more quickly and we discover new capabilities of our brains, a completely new perception of the old information. Computer specialists have more logically structured mental processes. It enables them to express their ideas more clearly and with more precision, they are more self organized. One of the most important functions of the Internet is personal communication on line. On line communication has its own peculiarities: it is not an epistolary genre, but it is not a real to life conversation. It is absolutely new kind of communication combining the both. An opportunity to have a talk with a remote interlocutor in real time mode affords to carry out individual psychotherapy. Virtual communication has its own specific characteristics. The exchange of written messages which substitutes verbal communication is a comparatively slow process. A person has time to ponder on his thoughts and to shape them appropriately. Thus he loses a lot of useful information while typing and editing the text. Though there is an opinion that the exchange of information becomes more intense as for its contents and size. Lately there has been a lot fuss about the so called Internet addiction. Most of such discussions agree on the irretrievable harm of the Internet addiction. But we suggest not being hasty with conclusions. Lets consider the issue. We can get used to anything: to warm rain, Mexican soap operas, essay writing every weekend. We also can get used to the Internet. You get used to neutral things with no encoding, zombing or programming qualities. They influence you in a natural way like a tasty home pie your mother baked for you and you got used to it. It is up to you whether you will get addicted to something or not. It depends on your personal tastes, world outlook, and your senses. Otherwise everyone will be drinking coffee, watching Mexican soap operas, writing essays every weekend or getting lost in the Internet. Even those who claim all this to be a kind of drugs will be doing the same things. That is why comparing Internet with drug addiction is groundless and people should be careful when drawing such parallels.

Can the place with many friends, with a lot of interesting news, where I can find a lot of sensational information do me harm? Can the place containing all the works of art, grand libraries, music, movies, thrilling games do me harm? Surely, not. Will I love this place? No doubt, I will. Will I aspire to visit this place as often as possible? Yes, I will want to come there again and again. Why then everyone gets agitated and worried, if this place is called Internet? What does it change? Internet is a whole world, where your dreams come true, where there are no borders between countries and continents, where you need neither a visa, no passport. I love this world. I got used to it and I miss when I am without it. And it is natural to aspire to everything what is dear to me.

How To Scrapbook: The Learning Process

If you have always wanted learn.how to scrapbook and just havent found the time yet, you arent alone. There are many people out there who are just like you, who are just waiting to learn. Youll find that everywhere you look there are opportunities to learn, you just have to pick and choose the right ones for you. You need to start out learning basic techniques and page layouts and build from there. However, if you try to jump ahead in the learning process, you might find that scrapping is not as fun as you had hoped, so remember to ease into scrapping to get the most out of it. Before you know it you will be scrapbooking like a pro and youll forget that you were ever not sure about how to get started!

Which Is Better? The Plasma Television Versus The LCD

Are you still using that dated old tube television set? Are you drawn to the electronics section at your local Best Buy where you walk slowly down every aisle fantasizing about watching an action packed thriller on one of those crisp, gorgeous devices? Are you baffled by the price ranges, and confused over the qualities? If thats whats keeping you from buying the television of your dreams, its time to do your homework. The two biggest questions about the television market today is, whats the difference between the plasma television versus the LCD?

Getting The Most Out Of Celebrity Clothing Lines

Celebrity clothing lines have become somewhat of a big hype these days. That’s because celebrities always look great in their clothes, and it would be nice to see what they’re endorsing next in the fashion industry. While celebrity clothing is a big hit, you’ll need to be more familiar with what goes around it and budget wisely!

There are now many famous stars who own celebrity clothing lines. Jessica Simpson herself had up to 3 ranges of clothing in 2005. Designs ranged from Juniors to wedges to cowboy boots. Milla Jovovich also had her celebrity line, which features vintage-inspired clothing. If you’re interested in swimwear, Elizabeth Hurley has a celebrity line selling beachwear. Jlo’s fashion company made millions from selling junior clothing, girls clothing, plus-size clothing, perfumes and accessories! One of the latest celebrity lines is one endorsed by Avril Lavigne. It is basically designed for the “junior lifestyle” and is said to reflect Lavigne’s personal style. Lavigne herself stated that she makes sure items have a good fit and great quality. Plus, the line is made to be affordable.

While stars look great, don’t always expect good quality because you are wearing their clothes. In fact, not all celebrities wear clothes from their own celebrity lines. Remember, celebrities will always look good because they have their own stylists and make-up artists. To get the best celebrity clothing for you, get to know the reason why they were created in the first place.

We are often psychologically drawn to celebrities because of their high status and reputation as being the beautiful people. Hence, we like the idea of buying from their celebrity fashion line so we could associate ourselves with their high status. The reality is some celebrities don’t even design their own clothes, and they are rather used for endorsement to make big bucks. The key things you should really be looking for in a celebrity fashion line are purpose and quality.

What was the purpose of that particular celebrity fashion line? Why was it created in the first place? There are actually some celebrities who genuinely want to design a line that could help people with specific concerns. Oftentimes these celebrities showcase clothing that are very much like the clothes they wear, for example Avril Lavigne. There are celebrity fashion lines that were designed mainly for a woman’s natural curves, for the classic look, or for a certain personality. So, don’t settle for just any piece of clothing because a celebrity designed it! Instead, look for creativity and quality, and avoid buying items that simply have the “stamp” of a celebrity’s name.

If you absolutely love the style of your favorite celebrity, why not get some celebrity-inspired clothing? You don’t always have to buy from celebrity clothing lines to emulate a celebrity’s style. Get a few items from a celebrity fashion line and simply throw in a number of celebrity-inspired clothing to enrich your new wardrobe. Buy a skeleton top from Lavigne’s fashion line and then buy some cheap, funky jewelry from Target or other department stores to complete the look all on your own. Completely copying your favorite celebrity will simply make you a copycat and boring in a fashion sense. Get inspired instead, and incorporate your own personal style to make the most out of your new celebrity wardrobe.

The author is launching a new clothing social site [http://clothshare.com] please come by and show off your style.

Blog, video, pictures, forum, classifieds and much more can be found at [http://clothshare.com]

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russell_Checchin

Permanent Birth Control for Women

Most birth control.options for women like oral contraceptive pills and birth control shots are completely reversible. Once a woman stopped taking these pills or injections, she can gain her fertility back in order to conceive. However, it is possible to get pregnant even if one is still on birth control. It is a small risk but it exists. Unprotected sex during the last days of a shot’s term or a missed pill is enough to increase risks of unintended pregnancy. If you do not want to be bothered by daily pill intakes or quarterly injections, you can explore the option of permanent birth control.

Art Posters

A work of art is a timeless treasure and an eternal source of joy. While the functional utility of posters has been exploited for ages, the aesthetic appeal of posters has elevated their status and transformed them into a unique form of art. Poster production is done by lithographic printing on paper, which is a relatively inexpensive form of printing. However, poster art has found its own class of collectors and admirers. Moulin Rouge made history when it sold for a record-breaking $200,000 at a fine art poster exhibition. After the success and popularity of the 1970s vintage poster market in France, posters have caught on among the masses across various countries.

A piece of poster art is not just a visual treat; it speaks out and conveys a message. An individual piece is conceived by an artist through the creative execution of his/her insight, but these are not necessarily decoded by another. The message varies depending on individual perception. Art posters are used as unique pieces of decor. They create a particular mood, define the ambience of the room and reflect the possessors personality. Apart from personal purchases, it can be purchased as a special gift item. Both the online and offline market provides numerous options to a lover of poster art.

Many poster exhibitions, auctions and museums showcase art posters. Collectors can get information from various collectors magazines like Jon Warrens price guide, Movie Poster Price Almanac, and many more. Online guides give a good idea about the pricing of various posters and collectibles, and how to get a good deal. The collectible value of a piece can be determined to some extent by some standard parameters, like the demand for the poster, its condition (weather damaged, stained or not), and what issue the poster is. However, the decision about the collectible value of an art poster is subjective.

Art posters can be of various kinds, like vintage original posters, specialty prints, fine art, movie or music posters, posters of nature, abstract posters and many more. Alice in Chains, Fallout Boy and Avenged Sevenfold are few of the rare music posters. Limited edition posters are also popular. The magical charm and ambience created by the classic movie posters of the golden era can hardly be resisted by any one. Art posters have a charm and loyal following of their own that is hard to resist.

Be A Juggernaut Of Goal Achievement

Setting goals is one of the most important keys to achieving success. Did you know that less than 3% of people have written goals? Studies have shown that the most successful people are the ones who have specific, written goals.

Setting a goal is not like a New Years resolution. That is just a wish. Just wishing and hoping for something isnt going to make it happen. Setting a goal is having a target to shoot for and a plan to get there.

When planning your goals, choose which categories you would like for your goals. Establish the time frame. They could be lifetime goals, 10 year, 5 year, 1 year, 6 month, 3 month, 1 month or weekly goals. Also you can have ongoing goals, such as exercising 3 5 times a week.Be specific when you write your goals. Dont just write down I want to lose weight. Write I will weigh 180 pounds by July 2007.

Make sure your goal statement is positive. Dont say, I dont want to be fat. Say I will be a healthy 130 pounds by May 2007.The achievement of a worthwhile goal can seem daunting at first. The easiest way to proceed is to break your goal down into smaller steps. Start with the first step then move onto the next. When making your plans, a good way is to start is from the end part and work your way to the present.

Measure your progress. After you complete a step, check it off. Watching steady progress is a good motivator. A simple example could be if your goal was to be able to do 100 continuous pushups, you could mark off the milestones of 25, 50, 75, 80, and finally 100!

Dont be discouraged by setbacks. All successful people experience setbacks, disappointments, and failure along the way. Thats just part of the process. Thats part of learning. Many times these act as course corrections to get you back on target.

There are several success principles used in goal achievement. One is properly programming your mind. You need to review your goal morning and at night before you go to bed. Have your goal written on a 3 x 5 card so you can review during the day. At night, ask your subconscious mind for solutions to problems, and methods or tools for helping you achieve your goal.

Another important principle is that of persistence. No one has enjoyed great achievement without persistence.

Its hard to beat a person who never gives up

Babe Ruth

Do something everyday towards your goal. A days action puts you one step closer to your objective. Doing something everyday creates a momentum that is hard to stop.

When it comes to achieving your goals, you need to think of yourself as a huge, monolithic juggernaut! Moving relentlessly toward your objective. Unstoppable!

Mother Earth Hosts Our Travels

As conscious traveling Paupers we must always be concerned about our dear Mother Earth. If you think about it, you travel across her face, and She is the host to your journey; without Her we could not find the unfolding adventures that attract and feed our souls.

I have found some valuable resources for us to use and publisize, all of which are dedicated to responsible travel and care of our environment.

International Ecotourism Society
202-347-9203 www.ecotourism.org

A well-established nonprofit group which conducts research, publishes articles, provides consumer information, and has a directory of members around the world. With Rainforest Alliance, it recently started an ecotourism certification standards program.

Sustainable Travel International
720-273-2975 www.sustainabletravelinternational.org

Formed three years ago to bridge the gapbetween research and ocnsumer information and to promote sustainable development and eco-friendly travel. Offers a carbon offset program and last month started an eco-certification program that will follow standards laid out by the International Ecotourism Society.

Responsible Travel Handbook
www.travelearning.com

Created this year for the Educational Travel Conference meeting, this lengthy guide has a wealth of contributors and information. (Click on responsible tourism to download).

Lonely Planet Code Green: Trips of a Lifetime That Won’t Cost The Earth
by Kelly Lorimer- Lonely pLanet Publications

The first “green travel” book to be published by Lonely Planet includes dozens of “responsible travel experiences” and provides traveler information on responsible and eco-travel. Lonely Planet also runs a discussion board on responsible travel at http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com

Better World Club
866-238-1137 www.betterworldclub.com

The environmentally conscious alternative to the American Automobile Association, offering auto and bicycle road assistance, has resources on hybrid car rentals, green lodging, and carbon offsets.

Let us join and use these groups when planning our trips. By raising our level of consciousness and employing ‘green’ tactics and travel itineraries we will, each in our own small way, be contributing to a healthier world where we act as stewards to the environment while discovering the rich and breathtaking rewards of travel.

Dispensing: Making Money, or Just Making a Mess?

Grease, silicone, RTV, potting compound, anti-splatter fluid, rust inhibitor, marking fluids, hot glue. All of these materials have at least one thing in common: theyre dispensed on a daily basis in numerous industries across the US, oftentimes with wildly varying degrees of success. Our company works with these fluids regularly, for a wide variety of clients. In the last six years, weve leaned a lot about dispensing systems and how to apply them to meet the needs of our customers. Here are a few key elements to consider when facing your next dispensing application.

How To Be A Business Success

Through observing business people who have been successful, and how they achieved their success, I have concluded that there are a number of factors that must be present for business success to occur. As I like to keep things simple, these success factors can be condensed into a formula. It is:

Success = Startup Business Person + Product/Service + Market

Let us look at this formula in a little more detail. Firstly, what is success? The definition of success depends on what you want to get out of the venture, that is, what your goals are. Business success usually means creating a viable entity (business) that returns its investment and earns a profit.

Appropriate and realistic goals include to be challenged, to achieve, and to build something good. For example, your definition of success could be to earn $100,000 a year from your home business so that you can replace your full time job income.

The most crucial element of the above formula is the “Startup Business Person”. This element decides all the others.

Ultimately, a successful startup business person is someone who opens, manages and runs a successful startup business and can repeat the process. This is someone who has accepted the responsibility and learned how the job is done.

Successful startup business people usually always start small and grow the business. They do not have too many irons in the fire at once so that their efforts are not diffused. They give it everything they have and believe that hard work counts. They try repeatedly until they achieve the success they are looking for. Moreover, most of all, they possess a positive mental attitude.

They have learned to emulate success. Do you know what emulate means? To emulate means to attempt to equal or surpass. In other words, if you were to attempt to emulate someone else’s success, you would imitate them and as you gained further knowledge and skill, you would attempt to do better than them. Remember that emulation takes things one step further than imitate.

The next part of the formula is “Product/Service”. Without something to sell, there can be no business. Generally, the product or service needs to be of a high quality. It also needs to be something that people are prepared to pay for.

The last component of the formula is “Market”. A successful business person knows who their market is and how to reach it in the most cost effective manner. The market is defined as the people who want and are prepared to pay for the product or service.

I would now like to run through with you what I consider are the basic principles of home, small or online business success.

Believe in Your Product or Service

First, you need to believe in your product or service. If you do not believe in it, you will have a great deal of difficulty selling your product or service to other people. You also need to have confidence in your ability to provide and promote your product or service. An old saying sums this up best: “All things are possible to he who believes”.

Aptitude for the Business

Secondly, you need to have an aptitude for the business. You will also need the motivation to acquire at the very least basic skills and experience before you start your business. If you were to set yourself up as a home electrician but did not have any skills or training in this area, then you will almost certainly fail. However, if you are employed as a bookkeeper and you enjoy the job, then setting up your own bookkeeping service would be a sensible choice with a greater chance of success.

Be Responsible

Thirdly, you need to be responsible to your customers. This is achieved by only making commitments you can keep and by not engaging in misleading or dishonest advertising. If you want to build long term success in your home business, then you need to develop long term satisfied customers. When their needs are being satisfied, customers are at their happiest.

Aim for High Quality

The next principle is that you need to have a high quality product or service. This will be your best advertisement. Inferior quality products usually generate poor customer satisfaction. A dissatisfied customer can be very dangerous for your business. Usually they tell on average about fourteen other people who will then be disinclined to buy your product or service based on the experience of that one dissatisfied person. Therefore, always aim for a top quality product or service.

Make a Profit

However, it is not enough to have a top quality product or service. You also need to have a product or service that will generate enough income to cover all your business expenses and give you a satisfactory wage. A friend of mine once said that business is only about two things: satisfying customers and making a profit. A simple statement but very true.

Sufficient Startup Capital

You also need to have access to enough cash to set up and run your business, and enough income to meet your private expenses during the startup phase. A major problem with many home and small businesses is that they fail to have enough money available to ensure their success. There is nothing more discouraging than having a great idea, getting it started on a shoestring, not being able to expand due to cash shortages and seeing a competitor come along and steal your market.

Start Small

Another fundamental principle of home business success is that you start small. This will enable you to minimize your overheads until you are confident of your success in the marketplace. For many of you, this would mean starting part-time while retaining your full-time income source. When you can, expand your business into a full-time venture. This is a great way of minimizing the risk of failure.

Be Well Organized

Successful home businesses are well organized. They have a system for keeping track of expenditure and earnings. This level of organization in your business will help to ensure that you are providing your customers or clients with a top quality product or service. It will also ensure that you have enough information available to maximize your profitability and to satisfy your legal requirements for record keeping.

Be Prepared

Preparation is another important ingredient in your business success. This preparation will include being aware of the regulations and laws affecting small, home or online business in your area or country. Armed with this knowledge, you should not have any nasty surprises from unintentional violations of the law.

Have a Business Plan

Finally, successful home businesses have developed a comprehensive business plan. This is their road map to success. It tells them where they are going and how they are going to get there. It is very useful for comparing actual performance against what you planned and enabling you to make adjustments to lead to greater success. There are many useful software packages available to assist you with your business plan preparation.

Coupons – Increasing Popularity

Online coupons codes are rapidly increasing in both popularity and their use. Why? The plain and simple fact is that the benefits that people derive from using online coupons are truly astronomical. With great savings in store for every consumer, the popularity of online coupons will continue to grow as people begin to realize the truly awesome benefits of using online coupons. Beyond the benefit one derives from not having to cut out coupon after coupon, online coupons mean more savings for you, the consumer!

Of course, the most obvious reason that online coupons are so popular is because of the immediate savings they provide. Consumers can save money on the retail cost of items, the shipping and handling of items and can even save money of various services, all with the use of online coupons. Savings can range, of course, and depend on the retailer offering. such savings, but the savings one derives from the use of online coupons accumulates quickly. Typically, you can find coupons that save you anywhere from 5 to 50 percent off of items you purchasethats pretty significant savings. Plus, with your savings you can choose to store it away and watch it accumulate or you can use your savings to treat yourself to other recreational activities and pursuits you may not have been previously able to afford.

Once you discover the benefits that you can get from using online coupons, you too, will be caught up in the waveonline coupons can be used on new products that you never before planned on trying. For example, perhaps you will find an online coupon for a new product or service that you would not have considered purchasing if you had not been offered such great savings. Thus, in using online coupons you can begin to sample new products and services without breaking the bank.

Alternatively, if you are a shopper that likes to stock up on items, online coupons can benefit you. Bulk purchases can be made with certain online coupons and you can reap significant savings when you purchase things in quantity. Also, when making purchases that require shipment, you can sometimes get free shipping of products over a certain dollar amountby using online coupons and buying in bulk quantities, you can then sometimes earn free shipping.

The ease in which one can find a variety of online coupons is truly amazing. Websites offering online coupons frequently list coupons by retailer or by category. So, if you are looking to shop with your favorite local merchant you can do so on the Internet by simply reviewing the coupons, discounts and sales the retailer is offering. Likewise, if you are shopping for a particular item, like cosmetics, you can view all of the offers pertaining to cosmetics with a simple click of the mouse. In fact, with all of the offers listed on one page, you can easily compare one online coupon with another online coupon and thereby find the best deal for you and your budget!

What kinds of retailers offer online coupons? You might be surprised. You can actually find hundreds of coupons offered from big-named retailers. Retailers like FootSmart, Macys, Nickelodeon, Panasonic, Travelocity, and more offer great savings that can be accessed through an online coupon website. Whats more, you can easily find all the latest sales being offered by a variety of retailerstherefore, you will have access to thousands of bargains right while you shop from your home.

So, what kind of items can you save money on when you make use of online coupons? The vast list of products is indeed lengthy. You can save cash on accessories, art, automotive necessities, books, media, business, clothing, apparel, electronics, educational needs, entertainment, financial services, food items, beverages, games, toys, health and beauty products, home and garden items, phone card services, recreation and leisure, travel and you can even find yourself saving money on different web services!

Thanks to the advent of the Internet, consumers no longer have to spend their precious time clipping coupons or shuffling through fliers to find the best deals available. A search query will offer up all of the bargains that retailers have to offer and the coupons that one will find on the Internet are often supplied as promotional codes that one can use when they make their purchase and checkout at the retailers website. Now you dont have to wonder where you might have put that pile of coupons to go shoppingyou know, the pile of coupons that you have collected for the last few months that doesnt even have a semblance of orderthe confusing pile of products and savings that will take you hours to sift through. Instead, shop online with your favorite retailers, find bargains in a flash and be using your coupons immediately!

Virtualization Technology

Virtualization Technology is no more than a set of enhancements made to processors to make them carry out multitasking in a much more efficient manner with the least investment required. This virtualization technology’ is a process that has ushered in a lot of change in to the IT industry and is saving a lot of businesses a lot of money and time. Virtualization technology enhances the efficiency of the hardware resources installed in a server and drastically improves the traditional software based virtualization technology solutions.

Stammering Speech Therapy

Are you somebody who has a stammer? My name is Stephen Hill and I had a stammer problem which started when I was aged four. After suffering with the speech impediment for eighteen years, I then, afer a lot of hard work, managed to achieve fluency. This article is about the types of speech therapy that are available for stammering.

After my stammer developed, my parents decided that I needed to attend some sort of speech therapy. I attended various types of therapy, some in groups, some on a one to one basis. I was given lots of different advice about how to stop stammering. These are some of them:

slowing down the speed of my speech

costal breathing

prolonging each word or sound

taking a deep breath before I started speaking

I had started in the class which is sometimes referred to as preschool stammering. I was very young to attend stammering speech therapy and my parents were reassured that most people who stammer in childhood soon grow out of it. Well for whatever reason, I was one of those who continued well into my adult life.

I grew older and then joined the class known as childhood stammering. I continued to attend speech therapy and joining in with their speech therapy activities and their speech therapy games. This had little effect on my fluency and it has to be stated, that I really did not want to attend these anti stammering sessions. This was because I felt that the people who were trying to help me, did not really understand what I was going through, as they had never actually had a stammer themselves.

I then progressed to the class called, adult stammering. I now decided that speech therapy was not really working for me and seeked alternative stammering therapy.

I decided to try my own form of stammering self help. Even though I had a stammer, at times I could talk very well. As an example when I was drunk, I spoke superbly. This was possibly because of the additional confidence the alcohol seemed to give me.

After nearly a year I managed to overcome stammering and eradicate the stammer once and for all. As a career I now help other people to stop stammering.

Courage on United Flight 93

Ive read various theories about the final minutes of United Flight 93. But for me there is only one certain truth. The courageous actions of its passengers.

Whether or not we think a movie should have been made about this flight doesnt change the fact that its part of our American history. Our national narrative. The unfolding saga in the war against terrorism. A war that often seems without obvious rules and clearly against an enemy without country or ethical boundaries.

Its certainly not the first time that Hollywood made a movie depicting a national tragedy. The same could be said for numerous books and songs. We seem to be a people who like to record our events and feelings about those events.

Without question the actual details of those final minutes can only be guessed. Phone conversations between passengers and relatives tell us passengers became aware their hijacked plane was likely to be used as a terrorists weapon. And . . . that they must do something.

So, the courage of everyday people is told in a movie some refuse to see, some feel they must see, some criticize, some praise.

And what of courage?

While there are numerous stories of courage described in the Bible, the one which comes to my thought first is David battling and conquering Goliath. David was a shepherd-boy who volunteered to do what trained soldiers feared they couldnt.

Ive always loved this story. The setting was army against army. An enormous and frightful soldier from the enemys camp, Goliath, made a challenge for one man to fight him. David wasnt in the army. But his brothers were. Their father had sent David to his brothers army camp to bring food.

He was obedient. He wasnt looking for fame and glory. Davids noble desire was to help and he believed with all his heart he could.

At first the army leader questioned Davids ability to face such an experienced soldier since David was a mere boy. He said, You cant go and fight this Philistine. Youre too young and inexperienced and hes been at this fighting business since before you were born. Yet leading spirituality author, Mary Baker Eddy wrote, individuals strength is in proportion to their courage.

What kind of courage did this young boy have, which I believe was also the kind of courage Eddy was speaking of? Not animal courage often flaunted by impetuosity, brashness or daring. But moral courage. exhibited by Davids fortitude, determination, and undaunted spirit.

And its these qualities of moral courage that I have no doubt strengthened the hearts and emboldened the actions of passengers on United Flight 93. Qualities that must surely be part of the foundation of all right thinking and acting.

What greater actions are there than to do what is right? Actions impelled by pure and selfless motives. Not prompted by ego or inspired by grandeur of self.

Do you think such qualities are reserved for the few?

With God the Father-Mother of all, my hope and expectation is that surely all of His children have all they need at every moment. Would not this include moral courage as an ability that is instilled in each of us by God? Completely independent of and unlimited by physical prowess.

Moral courage guiding our thoughts, decisions, and actions shows us how to be better men and women. Gives us the strength to overcome seemingly overwhelming human odds. Enables us to fight the good fight.

I have no doubt the passengers on Flight 93 fought the good fight. Theres no question their actions were compelled by moral courage. I deeply wish the outcome of their success could have resulted in their lives continuing with their loved ones. But their example of courage lives on.

Their example assures you and me that we are also armored in the strength of moral courage. That we can go forward through our lives prepared to battle and disarm any Goliath.

Whether or not everyone goes to see the movie of United 93 doesnt stop us all from honoring and remembering its passengers. Everyday people with moral courage. Courage we can discover within ourselves. Courage of better men and women who people a better world.

Scuba Diving Basics

There is nothing quite like scuba diving. I remember my first scuba dive. I was visiting Tobago with a friend and I decided on the spur of the moment that it was something I wanted to do, so I went to the local dive shop and signed up for the class. There were only three of us going on the dive, and the two others accompanying me were fully PADI certified, so they didn’t need any instruction. That particular dive required that I have classroom lessons that lasted 4 hours. There was a lot that the instructor explained to me during that time like how to use the equipment, what decompression is, what to expect, how to use the buddy system, etc. We did a confined dive first, the afterwards went out to the reef for the open dive.

The dive itself was amazing and exhilarating for me even though it was what is called a non-decompression dive, only to 40 feet. I had been a snorkel for years, but had never been that close to a reef and fish.

For those who crave more diving adventure such as deep sea diving and wreck diving which would take them much deeper in the water they would need much more training, and PADI certification.

It’s easy to learn to dive. Not as hard as you might think. PADI certification can be obtained fairly easily, and at your own pace. There are books and videos that you can obtain to help you through the course. Your instructor will give you a short test at the end of each course. After you have completed what is called knowledge training you start diving. You first experience confined dives and then open water dives. Confined dives take place in a pool or a shallow body of water. The first time I put on the equipment and went in the water we were just waist deep. Once you have mastered confined dives and proven yourself to your instructors you will have the opportunity to go on open water dives with the instructor.

Where you will be diving will make the decision for you as to what type of equipment you are going to need. As my dive was in the warm Caribbean waters I didn’t need any type of wet suit. I wore a BC vest. However, on deeper cold water dives you will want to make sure you are equipped with a dry suit that will handle cold.

You’ll need a good mask. One that seals against your face well. A pair of booties and fins. You’ll need a snorkel, a buoyancy compensator vest and a regulator with a gauge and a second mouthpiece.

You’ll want to do a lot of research on equipment before buying. As with most things technology is constantly changing scuba equipment. You’ll want to talk with friends and instructors as to their recommendations. There is a fairly large initial investment and you want to get the best you can for the money you spend. You also want to make sure that you’re comfortable in all the pieces of your scuba gear. If your mask isn’t tight enough and leaks, or if your fins are too tight and rub your heels that is what your mind will be on instead of the wonders of the sea.

A Guide to Candy Vending Machines

Candy vending machines are one of the most popular types of automatic merchandisers. Some examples of candy include Skittles, Snickers, and M&Ms.

You can buy all kinds of candy vending machines, small and large. You can get machines that offer six different options, or you can get gigantic kiosks with hundreds of options. The big ones often take the form of vending machine kiosks. They can look like sail boats, cable cars, or other novelty shapes and forms. Beaver Vending sells Black Dog Woodwork designs, such as Wazoo Toys and Candy Cable Car kiosks.

Most candy machines, however, take the form of small machines offering 32 to 40 different selections. You can double up the selections for more popular items, devoting two or more slots for one product, if you want.

Almost all candy vending machines are of the see-through or glass-front variety. That way, consumers can see exactly what size candy they are getting. This is not the case for most soda machines, because most people already know that a standard can is twelve ounces.

North American Vending is one company that specializes in candy machines (as well as gumball machines). If you want to choose from a wide variety of candy and gumball machines, check out NAV first.

If you are interested in buying a candy vending machine, make sure you have a set of possible locations in mind. Be sure to set the candy vending machine at an eye level that is appropriate to the location. If it is in or near a toy store for children, for example, set the machine at eye level of an average child. If the candy machine is in a train station, go for a more adult level. Never set the eye level higher than five or six feet, since children will always be your main customers.

Photo Mugs At A Glance

Everyone loves coffee mugs, but who wouldve guessed that they would be commonly used as a decoration. Not just any coffee mug, but rather photo mugs are the best of both worlds when it comes to having a functional mug with a touch of personalization.

Photo mugs are often given as gifts and feature the likeness of someone special, which may be a friend, relative or even a pet in some cases. A good example of the perfect occasion for giving photo mugs as a gift would be a birth announcement or childs birthday celebration. The parents of the little one would have their childs picture designed for use on the outside of a mug. Upon placing the order. the photo mugs would be created and could then be distributed to friends and family. This would be a wonderful way for family members to always have a photo of their favorite new addition sitting on the coffee table. In addition, personalized photo mugs can be presented with candy inside and given as a special gift.

Because photo mugs are designed for decorative purposes, many individuals do not actually use them to drink from. Prolonged washing may cause cracking or could result in the photo fading. To avoid this from happening, many people use photo mugs as pen and pencil holders that are strategically placed on the living room coffee or end table. Commonly made of ceramic, just as with any standard mug, photo mugs are available in a variety of base colors with various border designs and/or whimsy patterns.

With continued advancements in technology, many photo centers now allow customers to bring in their favorite picture on paper or disc and order photo mugs on site. Many developers allow the customer to crop the photo, add borders and/or perform touch-ups when placing the order. A number of online photo studios offer the same convenience as local studios, but both will ask the customer to allow for additional delivery time on personalized orders of photo mugs. Common photos that are used would include special occasions, favorite pets, friends and family members, etc.

In addition to commemorating special events or people, personalized photo mugs and other products are a terrific way to earn some extra money. In many cases, especially with personalized photo mugs, these products are used as knick knacks that are more for visual purposes than actual use. These products are extremely popular at craft fairs and through other special order opportunities.

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