How To Conduct A Successful S.W.O.T. Analysis

June 22nd, 2008 by lonnabelcher

By Andrew Gowans SWOT Analysis: When you and your group wish to identify your Strengths and Weaknesses, the Opportunities available and the Threats facing you. This is a powerful and highly successful technique that can be applied to an individual, a group, a team, a company, a plan think about it, even a website! Again, experiment with it. If it helps you to focus your (and your teams) efforts in the right direction, its worth it. The process is to ask and answer a number of specific questions for each of the 4 categories, documenting the answers. This process, in itself is simple enough. However, so that you are not disappointed with the outcome, take the time you need, get the answers you need, face the facts and above all, take action. TIPWhether working on this for yourself or with your team, always keep in mind the goal you want to achieve for each category. So, in this context, treat ‘you’ as either yourself, your team, your improvement group, your company, your business. The starting point of a successful SWOT analysis is to understand that there are 4 general objectives, one for each part of the analysis, the goal you wish to achieve. Typical Format - the most common approach and widely used format is to construct a 2 row by 2 column matrix with the following information… STRENGTHS in top left quadrant Capitalise on your strengths WEAKNESSES in top right quadrant Address your weaknesses OPPORTUNITIES in bottom left quadrant Take full advantage of the opportunities available THREATS in bottom right quadrant Deal with or minimise the impact of threats you face Although each of the above statements can be regarded as action oriented, they are, in themselves, meaningless. We can’t use them to communicate exactly what our plans are going to be, why we have the plans in the first place, what resources we need and who will implement the plans. So, let’s ask a few fundamental questions to put some meat on the skeleton… —Sidebar— Add to or tailor the questions to suit you, your team, your organization. —End Sidebar— STRENGTHS What do you do really well?In what product or service areas do you excel?What is your value-added?What makes you unique in the marketplace?What characteristics are highly regarded? Answer from your own point of view, your customers your teams’, your suppliers’ and others. WEAKNESSES What do you not do well? How do you know?What needs to be improved? In what way, by whom?Are there weaknesses you dont see but others do?What does the team look for that you dont provide?What do customers look for that you don’t provide?Are decisions based on supposition or hard data?What are your measures of success telling you?Are you really prepared to find out? Answer from your own point of view, your customers and others. Face the Truth OPPORTUNITIES What opportunities would help you become more successful?Where would you find them?What external changes, events can you take advantage of? technology, demographics, legislation, education Use PDCA (see footnotes) to identify those that will give you the greatest return THREATS What financial problems do you have?Are there internal/external changes that threaten you?What do you know about your competitors?Are they successful? Why?, How?What obstacles impede your progress?Which obstacles can be dealt with or overcome? Use PDCA (see footnotes) to prioritize O.K., we have done the data gathering, the surveys, the questioning, the ’soul searching’. Redraw the matrix when questioning round is complete replacing the questions asked in each quadrant with a summary of the answers. Easy for me to say I know but… As long as you have been factual As long as you have been honest especially with yourself As long as you are ready and prepared to accept the answers As long as you are prepared to TAKE ACTION You have the foundation here to take a snapshot of where you are today, what’s working for and against you, and the basis for a series of action plans to get you to where you want to be tomorrow. Regardless of which quadrant you may be studying, the key question to ask yourself is… “What will give us the biggest return” Many of us are familiar with the “Pareto Principle”, perhaps more familiar with the term “80-20 Rule” Pareto Principle Why the 80-20 rule? Approximately 80% of trouble comes from 20% of the problems. Also, quite often, 80% of the results we seek, will come from 20% of our efforts - as long as we are focused and prioritize. Although “Pareto” is named after the economist Vilfredo Pareto, it was Dr. Joseph M. Duran who applied the thinking to management best practices. Dr. Juran advises us to concentrate on the “vital few” sources of problems (and in this context, the actions which will give us the greatest return) and not be distracted by those of lesser impact or importance. To conclude, be as creative as you can be in your problem solving, think ‘outside the box’. Get others to do the same. As much as I hate them, just think of “yellow stickies” and how a complete disaster became a huge income generator. If you are worried about change just imagine what will happen if you do nothing! “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Einstein Footnotes Use some of the great but relatively simple problem solving tools to help focus and determine the priorities. Tools such as as Force Field Analyis, Cause and Effect Diagrams (Fishbone Diagrams),Flowcharting. For a full explanation of PDCA, the continuous improvement process and its individual stages, just do a search on author ‘Andrew Gowans’ and the relevant articles will be displayed. ================================================================ Andrew has over 20 years experience providing personal and business coaching specialising in strategic planning, continuous improvement,personal development and lifelong learning. There are five ways Andrew can help you drive your business forward… a)provide help and guidance with any of the steps outlined in the article. b)get your free copy of the ezine Webcoach News. c)highly relevant articles on website marketing and promotion d)check out the wealth of material on the main website e)submit a detailed request for help regarding working at home or running a business on the ‘net. All of the above can be accessed easily by logging on to… http://www.youraffiliatecoach.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Gowans http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Conduct-A-Successful-S.W.O.T.-Analysis&id=84899 current auto loan rates for bad credit where can i find a loan online that is secure and safe no credit check rental homes in avondale az hard money lender any position

The Rottweiler Pope, the Danish Cartoon, and Muslim Moderates

June 19th, 2008 by lonnabelcher

By Elsa Schieder It’s now a couple of weeks after the pope made his speech. A few days ago I listened to an interview with Clinton (former American president, in case anyone has forgotten). His view on the pope’s remarks and the Danish cartoon: they make it more difficult for Muslims moderates. I thought about Clinton’s evaluation (he’s not someone I dismiss casually). And my thinking brought me to remembering what I’d heard about the impact of the Danish cartoon on Danish Muslims. According to that report, the discussions sparked by the cartoon moved the Muslim community forward by at least three centuries - because before that, the Muslim views were not challenged and until that happened, they could not be changed. So have the Danish cartoon and the pope’s remarks hurt or helped Muslim moderates? First, the cartoon and the remarks are not one and the same. The Danish cartoon (to these nonMuslim eyes anyway) is a small mild portrayal of a grizzly truth - the use of the Muslim prophet as justification for bombings and other violence against innocent civilians, including Muslims. The pope’s remarks are more blunt and directly confrontational: violence done in the name of religion is against the nature of god. He was called a Rottweiler long before he made these remarks. His remarks - deliberately forceful, provocative - did bring to mind the image of a Rottweiler. Big teeth. A strong bite. One often has to be careful around Rottweilers. That brings me to a question. Why did the Danish cartoon spark greater protest? Well, a cartoonist is a more vulnerable target, doesn’t have the authority of a huge organized religion behind him. Also, the cartoon came first. Plus, there is the question of whether anyone can make an image of the prophet. Masses of Muslims acted in outrage that anyone dared to make such an image - and totally ignored the message of the cartoon. (The offended chose to ignore that there are numerous other images of their prophet, against which they have not protested, and that the violence done in the name of the prophet creates a very vivid image in people’s minds.) But I still haven’t answered my own question. Have the cartoon and the pope’s remarks hurt or helped Muslim moderates. My guess is they’ve helped. Someone had to do this work. The Danish cartoonist and the pope have drawn a lot of fire and anger away from Muslim moderates. More of them may actually have gotten more courage to speak out. Plus moderates may have moved further in their thinking in response to the cartoon, the pope’s remarks, and all the discussion this has generated. In fact, another guess I have is that there are more Muslim moderates than before. (That remains to be seen.) So far I have no evidence - but I do know that Christians have become increasingly moderate over time, as the Christian fundamentalists have been challenged over and over. Of course irate fundamentalists (Christian and Muslim) may be ever more allergic to the moderates. But at least in Canada, the very conservative Christians are much more moderate than a generation ago. A similar shift may take a couple of decades in the Muslim world, but that’s what I see happening. **** In the short run, what would I see? “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” - so said Shakespeare, or perhaps it was some other famous British writer. I think the comment popped into my mind becuse people who are losing may get ever more angry. It doesn’t mean they will win, or that they should win. A spurned woman doesn’t increase her chances of winning back her beloved if she rages. On the contrary. And eventually a lot of spurned people learn. I’m back to a central point. The more that people around the world do to break the shell of Muslim self-righteousness, the better. So for now at least, based on my own assessment and knowledge, I will disagree with Clinton, though our goal is the same - the success of Muslim moderates. **** UNDERLYING IDEA: “It is a fact readily acknowledged, that for humans, an idea is much more powerful than a fact.” I don’t know who said that - but I remember how those words struck me when I read them. One idea: just as ideas can close our minds, they can open them to new worlds and visions. Ideas pull things togheter or keep them apart. They help us organize experiences, help us make sense of things - or block us from making sense of things. So I hope you got something from what I’ve written. Comments and further thoughts welcome. **** For more thiinking of the rage of the righteous - how it works and how one might counter it - there’s much more on my site: http://www.elsas-word-story-image-idea-music-emporium.com/the-idea-emporium-1.html Questions. Why so much Muslim rage at a Danish cartoon? Why so much rage in people in general? Narcissism. Hate. Illusions. The Idea Emporium - facts, ideas, conclusions. Plus stupid opinions exposed - such as the opinion that all opinons are equal. **** Elsa Schieder, Ph.D., prof, writer, visual artist, thinker, performer. One of the most important things, I hold, is being able to live and think well and creatively, imaginatively. Website:http://elsas-word-story-image-idea-music-emporium.com All my life, creativity has played an enormous part. The magic of story, music, idea. In Elsa’s word story image idea music emporium, there’s space for many forms of creativity, including creative thinking. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elsa_Schieder http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Rottweiler-Pope,-the-Danish-Cartoon,-and-Muslim-Moderates&id=314450 international online loans air force payday asset based hard money lenders no credit check virginia pay cash or take out loan for home

Permanent Weight Loss

June 15th, 2008 by lonnabelcher

By Jean Lam The weight of a person is often related to several factors: genetics, eating habits, exercise routines practicing, and others. In the case of genetics, it is impossible to control whether a person is susceptible to easily gain weight or not; however every single person is capable of controlling what he or she eats, and the amount and frequency of practicing an exercise routine. If you are aiming to follow a weight loss procedure, it is far better to devote yourself to that cause, instead of trying miraculous products which claim being able to provide you with a permanent weight loss. The reason why these products are not recommended is due to the fact that you will gain those pounds back eventually (considering that the miraculous products actually work, which is a very long shot). You will gain the weight back because the human body is capable of adapting to different factors, and the only way you can burn fat without your body trying to restore it immediately, is by doing it constantly and with exercise. A permanent weight loss will change your way of life, however it is necessary that you start this change before you actually start losing pounds. The entire weight loss process will depend on how well you manage these changes; you will need to change your diet, your daily routines, and overall, the way you live your life. For example, if your weight loss efforts will revolve around your appetite, then you will need to follow a diet full in carbohydrates, which will immensely help you in decreasing your junk food necessities, and therefore you will have to change the way you live, because that means goodbye to all that food everyone enjoys so much. When it comes to a permanent weight loss routine, there is nothing better than exercise. By following a regular exercise routine, you will soon start building up and maintaining your new physique. It is also very important when following a permanent weight loss program, to exercise, because if you do so, you will burn away all those excessive calories in your body that, when accumulated, start transforming into that despised fat. Remember that a permanent weight loss process does not depend only on following an specific diet or a given exercise routine, it is the combination of both disciplines, and only by strictly and regularly following them, you will start noticing results; otherwise you are just wasting your time, and you will never achieve your permanent weight loss goals. This article can be freely published on a website as long as it’s not modified in any way including the author bylines, plus all the hyperlinks must be made active just like below. Jean Lam is a writer, author, publisher and owns several sites. Visit his weight loss obesity website for lots of articles about losing weight. Also check out the weight loss eBook that will give you tips for your weight loss problems. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jean_Lam http://EzineArticles.com/?Permanent-Weight-Loss&id=504574 ar ag payday lenders decision payday loans defaults measures fast track to cash flow payday cash advances

Three Ways to Put Fresh Spins on Old Marketing Concepts

June 7th, 2008 by lonnabelcher

By Michele Pariza Wacek Are you struggling to find a new twist for old advertising or marketing campaigns? If you’re a small business owner or a copywriter/coach/other creative professional, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Having to come up with new ideas for a long-term client (or even your own business) can be overwhelming. As much as you love those long-term clients or established products, because of their longevity, it gets harder and harder to come up with the next brilliant product. But never fear. Here are three ways to get those creative juices (and new ideas) flowing. 1. Study other ads. Flip through a magazine or turn on the television, except this time focus on the ads and not the content (I know, I know, this is counter to what you usually do). Which ads do you like? Why do you like them? Is there something that those ads are doing you can modify for your campaigns? The key word is modify, not copy. I don’t want anyone committing copyright infringement. What I’m talking about is using an existing ad to jump-start your own ideas. Maybe you really like the use of an evocative photo with a single caption. Or the use of repetition in Mastercard’s “Priceless” campaign. Or the idea of turning the “money can’t buy everything” on its head (which is essence of that campaign). Can you use that concept in your campaign? Another resource for great ads is Communication Arts Magazine. Each issue showcases some of the most creative and beautiful ads found anywhere. 2. Check out what a completely different industry is doing. For instance, let’s say you sell software products to computer professionals. Techy market, right? So, pick up a yoga magazine. See how that industry communicates with its audience. Now try selling your product using the same language and concepts. Take it a step further and brainstorm ways your software product is similar to doing yoga. This is a very powerful way to jolt your own thinking and start your muse down a completely different path you might never have discovered before. 3. Force a connection. With this idea, force a connection with a random object rather than an entire industry. You ask yourself, how is your software program similar to a stuffed dog? Write down everything you can think of, no matter how silly or foolish. Sometimes the foolish ideas are the ones that lead to the great ones. A final note: If at all possible, don’t rush this process. Give your muse some time to ponder and play with these techniques. I know it often seems like ideas pop into your head out of thin air, but usually that’s because of the hard work you’ve put into it. You’ve given your muse the necessary tools and “incubation time” to make ideas happen. Michele Pariza Wacek owns Creative Concepts and Copywriting, a writing, marketing and creativity agency. She offers two free e-newsletters that help subscribers combine their creativity with hard-hitting marketing and copywriting principles to become more successful at attracting new clients, selling products and services and boosting business. She can be reached at www.writingusa.com. Copyright 2004 Michele Pariza Wacek. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michele_Pariza_Wacek http://EzineArticles.com/?Three-Ways-to-Put-Fresh-Spins-on-Old-Marketing-Concepts&id=3088 el paso bad credit car loan wal mart paycheck for employee payday loan centreville rd manssas va no credit check loan

All Natural Supplements That Take the Weight Off

June 1st, 2008 by lonnabelcher

By Kathy Burns-Millyard Weight problems and obesity are constant topics in the news these days, because fat has become an epidemic. With this increase in obesity, there’s also been a huge surge of diet pills put on the market. Unfortunately, prescription diet pills are quite expensive and can be uncomfortable - if not downright dangerous to your health. Some of the known side effects of prescription diet pills include: Dry mouth, sleeplessness, irritability, stomach upset, painful urination, blurred vision, adverse effects to the central nervous system, and decreased sexual drive. Then of course - since the recent fiasco with prescription pain killers - there’s not much telling these days whether prescription diet pills are actually safe. Luckily there are many all natural herbs and supplements that can help you lose weight though, here are some of the primary ones: L-Carnitine Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) is for fatty acid oxidation - helping users burn unwanted body fat. Fatty acids are one of the key energy sources the body uses, and oxidation is the process by which they’re broken down to create energy. The fatty acids cannot penetrate the inner mitochondia membrane (where they are burned for energy), and the key role of L-Carnitine is to transport fatty acids across the mitochondra membrane to allow for oxidation of the fats. L-Carnitine plays an important role in energy production; It helps in weight loss and fat burning, It transports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondra to metabolize and generate energy; Enhances cellular energy in the brain; Improves mental performance; Helps slow the effects of aging; Decreases symptoms of depression; Helps prevent cataracts; Used to support all bodily functions that have a height energy demand. Green Tea “Better to be deprived of food for three days, then tea for one.” (Ancient Chinese Proverb) To sum up, here are just a few medical conditions in which green tea is reputed to be helpful: weight control, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease, infection, and impaired immune function. The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke. Camellia Sinensis Camellia Sinesis activates the central nervous system, which may spar the body’s ability to burn calories and unwanted fat cells through the Thermogenic process. The phenol groups in Camellia Sinensis are extremely active, easily able to capture and neutralize free radicals and other pro-oxidants. Researchers have found that Camellia Sinensis is over 200 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing pro-oxidants and free radicals that attack lipids (oils and fats). Camellia Sinensis is also 20 times more potent than vitamin E in reducing the formation of dangerous and potentially mutagenic peroxides that form in rancid fats and lard. Alpha Lipoic Acid The body needs Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) to produce energy. It plays a crucial role in the mitochondria, the energy-producing structures in cells. The body actually makes enough ALA for these basic metabolic functions. This compound acts as an antioxidant, however, only when there is an excess of it and it is in the “free” state in the cells. But there is little free ALA circulating in your body, unless you consume supplements or get it injected. Foods contain only tiny amounts of it. What makes ALA special as an antioxidant is its versatilityit helps deactivate an unusually wide array of cell-damaging free radicals in many bodily systems. Bioperine and Piper Nigrum Bioperine and Piper Nigrum’s value is that it has been established to enhance the bioavailibility of certain supplements through increased absorption. In other words, when combined with Bioperine, numerios vitamins, minerals, amino acids and anti oxidants are more effeciently absorbed and utilized in the body. Because of its ability to create enhanced and more efficient means of nutrient transportation into the bloodstream, Bioperine may have a positive effect on thermogenisis,which would lead to an elevated metabolism. Notwithstanding, Bioperine and Piper Nigrum’s real, proven value is in it’s ability to enhance the absorption of various nutrients which is the main benefit it provides to any fat burner compilation. Biotin Part of the vitamin B-complex; Biotin is also known as vitamin H. Biotin helps promote energy production, helps to maintain a healthy nervous system, good for hair (prevents greying and baldness) and healthy skin. Biotin is necessary for both metabolism and growth in humans, particularly with reference to production of fatty acids, antibodies, digestive enzymes, and in niacin (vitamin B-3) metabolism. (Note: This is an informational article only and is not intended to be taken as professional medical advice. Statements may not be approved by the FDA.) Do all these diet pills really work? Visit the Diet Pill Directory for reviews and a comparison of the most popular diet pills. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Burns-Millyard http://EzineArticles.com/?All-Natural-Supplements-That-Take-the-Weight-Off&id=69919 payday advances for centrelink customers au apply loan online federal pay day calendar salem oregon pay day

Pacific Sailfish - Lures That Work Here In Fiji

May 29th, 2008 by lonnabelcher

By Adrian Watt When targeting Pacific Sailfish, we mostly use bait & Switch techniques or troll rigged skip baits. Sometimes however we want to cover more ground and increase by-catch of other species such as Wahoo, Spanish Mackerel, Yellowfin tuna and mahi mahi so occasionally we run lures. The Sailfish season coincides with the Wahoo season so all lures are rigged on 125lb 49 strand wire. Make the leader long or the sail will use the lure head weight to throw the hooks when he jumps. We tag 4 out of 5 sail hook-ups when using long leaders. We find our lure spreads work best at about 6kts in most weather conditions. This is what works for us. Its not necessarily what will work in your neck of the woods ! SHORT CORNER 1. Wellsys Medium Talai Purple or lumo green 2. Daisy Chain behind bird Pink squid with blue/pink Mold craft Hooker on the end LONG CORNER 1. McWhog Blue/Chartruese Rigged in front of a garfish (Ballyhoo) 2. Pakula Cockroach - Purple SHORT RIGGER 1. Wellsys Medium Turbojet Blue Silver / Green Gold (Evil) (This is our absolute must have in the spread) LONG RIGGER 1. Hollowpoint Mahi Sniper Blue/White or Silver/Pink 2. Pakula Phantom - Blue Silver / Green Gold (Evil) or Blue Angel 3. Pakula Sprocket - Lumo SHOTGUN 1. Marlin Magic Kona Bullet Black/Red Where we get our lures : Palm Fishing Australia Melton International Tackle Lure Manufacturer Links : Wellsys Lures If you want to know what the top Australian skippers use, check out the lead article in the Feb / Mar issue of BlueWater magazine at www.bluewatermag.com.au Adrian was born on the island of Cyprus and graduated to his first rod & reel at the age of five. Having fished around the world from the Arabian Gulf to the North sea and English Channel, he finally settled for the tropical waters of the South Pacific around the island of Kadavu, Fiji Islands. Director of Matava Resort Gamefishing, he skippers ‘Bite Me’, the resort’s 31ft DeepVee Gamefishing vessel and thoroughly enjoys exploring the light and heavy tackle fishing around the island and Great Astrolabe Barrier Reef. An IGFA Certified Captain, he advocates tag & release and is a keen supporter of the IGFA and the Billfish Foundation. Adrian Watt, IGFA Captain info@matava.com http://www.matava.com/pages/game-fishing/fishing-home.htm http://www.gamefishingfiji.blogspot.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adrian_Watt http://EzineArticles.com/?Pacific-Sailfish—Lures-That-Work-Here-In-Fiji&id=476375 paycheck income tax estimator bad credit car loan corvallis payday advance lender bad credit cash loans

Forget The Cons, Focus On The Pros Of Age Difference In Relationships!

May 26th, 2008 by lonnabelcher

By Sarah H Question is are there any pros? Firstly it all depends on whether you are the older one in the relationship or the younger one, and also whether you are a younger male with an older woman or vice versa. Older men do seem to have better relationships with younger women than older women do with younger men. For one thing these older women just don’t seem to look right with these younger men; they just seem so false and not suited for each other. Older men on the other hand have been having affairs or marrying younger women for years and this has become acceptable in the eyes of today’s modern society. When you see an older man with a younger woman, the thought no doubt crosses your mind as to whether she genuinely loves the poor old guy, or whether she is with him for his money. Sometimes that is exactly the case, the poor old guy is so lonely, that when a younger woman looks at him, it boosts his ego, and he cannot help but feel that he still has what it takes to attract a woman, especially if she is a young beautiful woman at that. He does not mind spending his money on her so she is happy with that and also the fact that she is young and beautiful she will not have to worry about him cheating on her, as is usually the case if she were dating a younger man of her own age bracket. With regards to the older woman and the younger man, it is basically the same where money is concerned, it would definitely be assumed that the woman had lots of money and that’s why the young man was interested in her. She may very well have lots of money and most probably will be lavishing him with lots of presents and he would probably not have to work for the rest of his life as long as he stayed with her. She on the other hand would be so flattered to get the attention of a younger man that it would make her feel younger and so be good for her self-esteem, she might even dye her hair more often and change her wardrobe, start wearing clothes that make her look younger. So the pros are basically the same for both men and women younger and older, they all get the advantage of being with someone they know will love and appreciate them. In the case of the younger man and woman there is also the financial freedom to be considered, they will be free of financial stress and also the possibility of a cheating spouse, whereas with the older man and woman, they will feel and probably look younger because of the relationship with the younger man or woman as the case may be, and they will benefit by their new outlook on life with the encouragement of their younger mates. For more great tips on dating visit http://www.datingandrelationships.net/ a website offering tips, advice and other articles on topics such as finding love, relationship advice, getting a marriage license, understanding abusive relationships and even how to “marry a millionaire” advice. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_H http://EzineArticles.com/?Forget-The-Cons,-Focus-On-The-Pros-Of-Age-Difference-In-Relationships!&id=426912 how can you calculate your paycheck payday advance no telecheck payday cash advance are cash advances taxed as income

Payment Withheld: Can I Fight a Magazine Publisher to Get it Back?

May 18th, 2008 by lonnabelcher

By Dave Taylor A colleague of mine sent me a troubling question: “Dave, I recently submitted an article to a magazine I’ve worked with for a few years, and they accepted it without comment. A month passes and they’ve paid me 1/3 of the agreed upon fee, claiming that their staff had to completely rewrite it prior to publication and that cost came out of my recompense. That seems really unfair: is there anything I can do about it?”To clarify the issue, I asked my colleague to send me a copy of the article assignment letter, which is basically a contract between the author and the publisher that should - one hopes - detail exactly what’s to be delivered and all the possible contingencies, including receiving a manuscript that isn’t publishable. Before we look at the contract wording, though, what’s odd about this situation is that the author never had an opportunity to fix the article or even any feedback saying that there were problems at all. Seems kind of fishy…Receipt of ContributionsPublisher reserves the right of final approval of both the form and content of each contribution from the Author. Publisher may, as it deems desirable, adapt and edit or authorize the adaptation and editing of each contribution. Publisher may or may not publish a contribution at its sole discretion.So far, that’s pretty typical. Notice that there’s no mention of the possible cost of adaptation or editing in this clause of the contract. Let’s continue…PaymentIn consideration of the services performed by Contributor hereunder and the rights granted and assigned hereunder, Publisher agrees to pay to Contributor, subject to the terms herein, an amount as set forth in Exhibit B.Again, that’s pretty straightforward. The question is, what’s actually written in Exhibit B and what kind of “kill fee” is detailed, if any. And here’s the final clause, in Exhibit B, that punctures a hole in any sort of argument that the publisher may have with the author:Payment for each contribution shall not be made until such contribution has been approved for print in the magazine. In the event that a contribution is not accepted for print, the contributor shall not be entitled to payment.My reading of this is that it’s an all-or-nothing contract. There’s no legal provision that gives them the right to withhold partial payment for any reason: either the terms of the contribution are met as detailed in the Exhibit, or they’re not, in which case “the contributor shall not be entitled to payment.”If the difference is more than a miniscule amount I would suggest that you call up the publisher and say that upon further reading of your contract, you do not see that they have any basis for withholding 2/3 of your payment and that you’d like to see a check issued for the balance of the article payment immediately.And I’d consider finding a new publisher for your articles too.Please note that I am not a lawyer and that this should not be construed as any sort of legal advice. You proceed with my analysis and commentary at your own risk. Thanks. Dave Taylor is a professional writer who has been publishing since 1982. He’s written sixteen books, including the best-selling Wicked Cool Shell Scritps, and Creating Cool Web Sites. His latest projects are startup 101 and Ask Dave Taylor, where he’s happy to take questions from writers about contracts and publishing. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Taylor http://EzineArticles.com/?Payment-Withheld:-Can-I-Fight-a-Magazine-Publisher-to-Get-it-Back?&id=6055 american express cash advance how do i get cash back from my home loan personal loans household finance hialeah car company loan online

Aromatherapy: Powerful Natural Allergy Relief

May 14th, 2008 by lonnabelcher

By KG Stiles Blue Tansy’s high azulene content, which gives it a vivid, deep blue color (it can stain so take care), is the chemical thought responsible for Blue Tansy’s strong action to soothe and relax the nervous system, as well as naturally ease the discomfort associated with allergies and pain. Of the commonly used blue variety of essential oils, which also includes Yarrow and Chamomile, Blue Tansy has by far the most delightful and friendly scent. Its warm herbaceous aroma has a notable complexity with a hint of sweetness that to me is reminiscent of apples and spice. Even first time aroma users invariably love Blue Tansy’s warm, inviting scent! Blue Tansy’s natural anti-inflammatory action makes it an exceptionally good relaxant. People often use Blue Tansy for symptomatic relief of muscular aches and pains, sprains and strains, arthritis, rheumatism and sciatica. It can be relied upon to soothe nervous tension and relieve stress. Due to Blue Tansy’s bronchio-dilating effects it is by far the best treatment I have found for long lasting relief for those suffering from allergies. Whether your “allergic” reactions are triggered by environmental allergens or food intolerances Blue Tansy has great power for producing beneficial results. Additionally Blue Tansy’s analgesic properties help to reduce any swelling or itching associated with allergies. Read what one long time sufferer of allergies has to say about using Blue Tansy: “I’ve suffered from allergies for many years and use to get weekly shots and take daily medication to control my symptoms. Blue Tansy helped relieve my allergic reaction to environmental, as well as food allergens. I’ve stopped taking my allergy medication and no longer require shots and seldom do I even need to use my Blue Tansy oil at this point!” Brenda Devine, Cave Junction, Oregon, USA Asthma sufferers may also experience beneficial results when using Blue Tansy due to its bronchio-dilating action; try blending it with Lemongrass essential oil to enhance this effect. Blue Tansy is also known to relieve burns and inflamed or sun damaged skin. My friend Sylla, owner of Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy, used Blue Tansy for relieving the radiation burns sustained when under going her treatment for breast cancer. If you’d like to try a natural, safe and effective treatment for your allergies or for pain relief consider ethically wild crafted Blue Tansy essential oil. Please note: There are many cheap chemical copies of essential oils available, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results always use ethically wild crafted or pure, organic essential oils that are pesticide free! KG Stiles is a certified aromatherapist practicing in Ashland, OR USA PurePlant Essentials is her line of pure organic essential oils. KG formulates aromatic remedies for: colds and flu, insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, menopause, anti-aging, skin care and more. Click to learn about & order BLUE TANSY Click to learn about & order AROMATHERAPY PURE ESSENTIAL OIL COMPLETE GIFT SET - INCLUDES BLUE TANSY Click to learn about & order AROMATHERAPY PURE ESSENTIAL OIL COMPLETE KIT - INCLUDES BLUE TANSY More info? Contact:KG Stiles Springhill Wellness Center, 2520 Springhill Drive Ashland, OR USA (541) 941-7315 Mahalo! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KG_Stiles http://EzineArticles.com/?Aromatherapy:-Powerful-Natural-Allergy-Relief&id=186065 residential hard money lenders personal loans for people with bad credit cash loans buy generator money savins account payday loans

Do You Really Need To Wear A Moisturizer?

May 9th, 2008 by lonnabelcher

By Tara Sabeti You just may be able to get away without using a moisturizer. Not everyone needs or should use a moisturizer, especially women with oily, combination, or acne-prone skin! Paula Begoun, author of Dont Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, writes on her website. But what if you just cant part with your favorite day and night creams? What should you be looking for when shopping for a moisturizer? According to Paula, a good moisturizer should contain emollients (essential for making skin not feel dry), water-binding agents (ingredients that attract water to the skin and help keep it there), anti-irritants and antioxidants. For daytime, it must contain a well-formulated sunscreen. If you have an oily t-zone area (forehead, nose and cheeks) and your skin is normal to dry elsewhere on your face, you have combination skin. Most of us will have combination skin at some point in our lives. Use an oil-free moisturizer in the t-zone and a light moisturizer on other areas. In order to normalize your skin, it may be necessary to apply two different types of products on the different areas of your skin. Alternatively, you can skip the moisturizer for your t-zone entirely and just moisturize the cheeks and eyes. If you have dry skin, your skin may feel dry and itchy and wrinkles are more obvious on your skin than other skin types. Although the use of a moisturizer can help to temporarily smooth out wrinkles, none of them can turn back the clock. Choose one which makes your skin look smooth and feel supple. A water-based moisturizer is preferable, although it wont last as long as an oil-based moisturizer. However, emollients in water-based moisturizers such as plant oils and shea butter can help to provide your skin with essential moisture. (Tip: Apply moisturizer on damp skin to lock in moisture.) If you have sensitive skin, you may have red patches on your face and/or are easily irritated by using certain products. It can be difficult to find a product which doesnt aggravate your skin and cause breakouts or unsightly rashes. Look for moisturizers which do not contain fragrance and ingredients which you know can be potentially irritating to your skin. Even something as harmless as Aloe Vera can cause skin irritations! Sunscreens are essential for daytime wear to protect your skin from the suns harmful UVA and UVB rays. There are plenty of sunscreens on the market which hydrate the skin as well as protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Why not skip the moisturizer and wear a sunscreen instead? The fewer products on your skin, the less likely your skin will develop an irritation to any of the ingredients. Tara Sabeti is Vice-President of Marketing at http://www.BeautySteals.com an online retailer of cosmetics, skin care and fragrances. A graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, she has spent more than five years researching and working in the cosmetics and fashion industries. Tara@BeautySteals.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tara_Sabeti http://EzineArticles.com/?Do-You-Really-Need-To-Wear-A-Moisturizer?&id=16587 free paycheck calculator personal loans bad credit loans debt consolidation free unsecure debt consolidation loans sba loans