Casual Articles - Business

5 Tips for Workaholics
You never thought this day would come, the day when you can’t stop working and you don’t want to. You’re a workaholic. These days, more and more people are succumbing to this lack of work-life balance. Ironically, being a workaholic can make your work decline in quality and effectiveness, as you allow your work-obsessed life to turn you into a miserable person. Far from being a conscious decision, this typically happens slowly over time in the form of several small yet repeated sacrifices of personal time to allow for more work time. Usually this is done with the mentality of - just this once. This is a slippery slope. Overtime this behavior can become a pattern called workaholism. In order to startup a business or to keep their career on the path to success, many people have become workaholics unbeknownst to themselves. Most entrepreneurs love their businesses and are willing to do whatever it takes to make it successful, but they must remember to love and take care of themselves, too.Oftentimes, the realization of being a workaholic comes with repeated comments from others or through self-awareness of how your work schedule differs from that of others. Working hard to achieve a goal that is very important to you is OK. What is not OK is neglecting yourself, your loved ones and feeling that the decision to do so is no longer a conscious one you have control over, but is a habit that you can no longer control. The long-term consequences of this can include diminishing physical health and spiraling into a work-induced depression. In order to avoid letting your business drive you mad, incorporate the following 5 tips into your busy life:1. Exercise regularly and stay active. It is far too easy to avoid exercising

y put in the extra effort?

A modern study at Stanford University took the most successful people in various vocations and made a startling discovery. Across 100 of the studied vocations, it seemed that most successful people in those professions attributed only about 20% of their success to skill. The study quoted "the primary reason for extraordinary success is due to Attitude, not skill". The top sales people recognized only 14% of their success was due to skill, the rest was attitude. The top structural engineers, in a very skill based profession, indicated that only 22% was skill, the rest was attitude.

So how did the Egyptians cultivate the attitudes required to manifest the great pyramids?

The secret lies in expectation and reciprocity. Bak was expected from everybody. The reward for Bak was that someone below you would give you back some Bak (and even the lowest ranks had "someone" below them at one point). Just like a job, you are exp

Managing Your Reputation
Celebrities and high-ranking political officials make a concerted effort to craft their reputation shouldn’t you? Everything from the way they dress, to the words that they use, the things they do, the places they are seen, and the people they associate with are all orchestrated to build their reputation.A good reputation is difficult and time consuming to build. Once established, it must be maintained and can be used as currency to open doors of opportunities for yourself and others. Unfortunately, your reputation can be easily destroyed and once tarnished it is near impossible to rebuild back to its original status.Although you cannot control everything that is said about you, there are a few decisions you need to make to manage your reputation.What kind of reputation do you aspire to have? Think in descriptive words- dependable, honest, diplomatic, polished, etc. Then consider what actions you must take on a regular basis to become that descriptive word.Know the reputation you currently have. Are you known as a go-getter, a gossip, a problem solver, a whiner, a slacker, or a kiss up? What do you do on a regular basis to maintain or discredit this opinion of you? How do you see yourself? If you do not like your reputation, begin the process to make some changes.Be a person of your word. It’s not what you say; it’s what you actually do. Your actions speak louder than your words and people form opinions about you based on how you act or react.Your reputation is being built when you do simple things-- such as, return a call/email in a timely fashion, write a piece of correspondence, make a presentation, when you make and keep a promise, the attitude you display on a daily basis, the clothing

Evidence uncovered by Faunal experts Redding and Lehner prove it... It was not slaves who built the great pyramids. It was gangs of motivated, dedicated, and well organized individuals who had a purpose...

And over 4500 years later, when viewing the astonishing accomplishments of the great pyramid builders through modern Directive Communication psychology, we find patterns. And the pyramids themselves conceal a mysterious code that illuminates the force of superior leadership.

The illuminating wealth of this systematic leadership proficiency was developed over centuries. It took hundreds of years to perfect, but only one dynasty to destroy.

The first pyramids were built inside mountains or were crude structures that withered with time, the skill had not yet been developed to erect the timeless monuments which still stand today.

Yet, as architects and planners came up with new ideas for better structures, the skill to implement these ideas had to be cultivated. And so it was.

The foundations of Pyramid building was founded in skill

Yet, as theses skills developed, stronger structures were built. But, they took a long time to construct and were not very significant. They had a good appearance, but lacked in function and durability. They had no where near the prominence of the great pyramids. They were mediocre.

One of the more important Pyramid Failures can give an insight to organizational breakdown in a structural metaphor. This was the Pyramid at Meidum built for Pharaoh Seneferu. Today it lays in ruins and toppled blocks. This early attempt failed because of one simple factor that skilled stonework had not yet foreseen. Each of the carved stones were laid as individual blocks, with one piled on top of the other. These gave way to earthquakes and strong weather conditions over time and the structure fell apart.

Since skill it was the foundation of progress, it needed to be further developed. So leaders and architects directed and supervised the development of the structures.

It wasn't till later that the Egyptians learned that by slanting the stones inward toward the center of the structure that things changed. The structure supported itself.

So the architects knew this must have been a sign from Amenhotep (the Egyptian god of architecture and construction) and it was revealed to them that skill was not enough. The teams of people who built these structures needed more, they needed to support each other and not work as a collection of individuals, but as a group with a purpose.

The discovery that skill was not enough With skill, people were working as individuals. And as individuals, were primarily driven by personal motives, the payment they would receive, how much time they needed to work, how many days off they would get, what was going on at home while they were working. To develop the cohesive structure the Pyramid needed to be, they needed to develop a cohesive workforce first. They needed to develop the cohesive "Attitude"

So the Pharaoh's planners and architects set out to cultivate this "Attitude" that was a message from the heavens.

According to Lehner, Egyptian society maintained a Social order that required everybody, no matter what rank, to owe service to the people above them. This was known as "Bak".

Today's employees owe service to their organization because they receive a salary. It doesn't guarantee they will do a good job. In the same light, "Bak" was only a means to recruit people for construction, not for the formation of a superior workforce with mind-set to create an edifice that will last thousands of years.

Think about it, it's a project that's only used when your boss is dead. And then, as long as it's standing while you're still alive, it looks like you and your colleges have done a great job.

So why put in the extra effort?

So how did the Egyptians cultivate the attitudes required to manifest the great pyramids?

Expert Strategies For Hiring The Best Employees
A few years ago I wrote a column in which I compared managing employees to herding cats: just when you think you have everyone organized in a happy little group and going in the same direction one cat breaks from the herd and heads off to do its own thing. Then another cat falls out of line, then another, then another. Finally two more cats ask to go home sick and three others just wander off after lunch, never to be heard from again.Do you think managing employees has gotten any easier since that column was written? Have cats gotten any more obedient? The truth is, managing employees is the easy part: attracting (or finding) qualified employees is the really hard part. You’ve heard the old saying, "Good help is hard to find." You didn’t think someone made that up just to hear their head rattle, did you?Like a buyer’s market in real estate, it’s an employee’s market in the job world. With more options than ever, top talent can pick and choose the companies they want to work for and in many cases, can set their own price and compensation package rather than having to settle for the offers made by prospective employers.One of the companies that I have an interest in provides hiring management software to employers and the number one complaint that I get from clients has been the same for years: we can’t find enough qualified candidates to fill the jobs we have. Some of my clients have had open positions for months and unfortunately, I can’t offer them much solace because the competition for the best employees is tough; and only going to get tougher.According to a CareerBuilder.com survey 40 percent of American companies say they plan to increase staffing levels in the first quarter of 2007. Health care,

ideas had to be cultivated. And so it was.

The foundations of Pyramid building was founded in skill

Since skill it was the foundation of progress, it needed to be further developed. So leaders and architects directed and supervised the development of the structures.

It wasn't till later that the Egyptians learned that by slanting the stones inward toward the center of the structure that things changed. The structure supported itself.

So the Pharaoh's planners and architects set out to cultivate this "Attitude" that was a message from the heavens.

According to Lehner, Egyptian society maintained a Social order that required everybody, no matter what rank, to owe service to the people above them. This was known as "Bak".

Think about it, it's a project that's only used when your boss is dead. And then, as long as it's standing while you're still alive, it looks like you and your colleges have done a great job.

So why put in the extra effort?

So how did the Egyptians cultivate the attitudes required to manifest the great pyramids?

The Big Secret For Staying Cool When The Action Is Hot!
Here are a few simple things to keep in mind when the situation has deteriorated and the heat has been turned up.The first is to breathe. That’s right. Here is the big secret you’ve been waiting for! Breathe! When human beings are faced with very tense situations we will often freeze up and forget to breathe. It’s out natural flight or fight reflex. Our muscles get ready and the adrenaline begins to flow charging us up to respond as the situation warrants.And we forget to breathe.So, take a breath in through your nose and let it out through your mouth. Now I am not saying suck air in like you just got through running a marathon or something. Just take a breath in and let it out. Slowly.Then I want you to pause for a very brief 3 count. Onethousandone, onethousandtwo, onethousandthree. Say this count right now. Say it silently to yourself. Get a feel for the time it takes to say it. This does a number of things for you. It allows the oxygen you just brought in a chance to get to your brain and start the brain engagement process. And, you can flip your ears to the full forward position and begin the information gathering phase.Now it’s time to listen and observe. If this is taking place in person, focus on what the customer is saying and doing. Body language is just as important as the words. Listen for emotions. Most importantly listen for the facts. If you are on the phone, sit up straight and concentrate on the caller. Pay attention to their emotions and write down important facts. The facts are critical to you shifting the conversation from the emotional state of what happened to the circumstances of what happened.Who, what, when, where, why and how. This is where you are going to solve th

eded to be further developed. So leaders and architects directed and supervised the development of the structures.

It wasn't till later that the Egyptians learned that by slanting the stones inward toward the center of the structure that things changed. The structure supported itself.

So the Pharaoh's planners and architects set out to cultivate this "Attitude" that was a message from the heavens.

According to Lehner, Egyptian society maintained a Social order that required everybody, no matter what rank, to owe service to the people above them. This was known as "Bak".

Think about it, it's a project that's only used when your boss is dead. And then, as long as it's standing while you're still alive, it looks like you and your colleges have done a great job.

So why put in the extra effort?

So how did the Egyptians cultivate the attitudes required to manifest the great pyramids?

Build Customer Loyalty by Promoting Your Customers
Do you want to attract new customers while building greater loyalty among your current customers? Include your customers in your marketing and promotions. By creating greater awareness of your customers (and their businesses) you may help to build their businesses and increase their demand for your products and services. Whether or not using customers in your marketing causes them to buy more from you, your willingness to showcase them will cause them to feel more attachment to you and will encourage them to remain customers for a long time to come. Here are a few ways you can make this work for you.Ask your customers to share their success stories and get their permission to use them. How have they benefitted from their association with you? Have them share their stories on audio or video or in print and use them in your marketing. In their ads, Sterling Bank in Houston has their small business customers tell how they grew their businesses with the help of their Sterling bankers. It sends a great message about the bank, and increases awareness of the featured businesses.Tell your customers' stories in your newsletter. If you publish a print or online newsletter, include profiles of your customers and tell how you worked with them to help them succeed. Or, use the stories in your print ads. A photo of a happy customer accompanied by the story of what you did for them is very persuasive.Audio and video recordings of customer stories can be incorporated into your television and radio advertising. Hearing customers in their own words is a powerful way to communicate the benefits of doing business with you, and your customers will appreciate the visibility they get when they are featured in your ads. You can also use str

ve structure the Pyramid needed to be, they needed to develop a cohesive workforce first. They needed to develop the cohesive "Attitude"

So the Pharaoh's planners and architects set out to cultivate this "Attitude" that was a message from the heavens.

According to Lehner, Egyptian society maintained a Social order that required everybody, no matter what rank, to owe service to the people above them. This was known as "Bak".

Think about it, it's a project that's only used when your boss is dead. And then, as long as it's standing while you're still alive, it looks like you and your colleges have done a great job.

So why put in the extra effort?

So how did the Egyptians cultivate the attitudes required to manifest the great pyramids?

World's Best Practice Inventory Management
In almost every endeavour it is difficult to determine what constitutes ‘best practice’. Businesses around the world spend millions of dollars on software and advisory services and often don’t know whether they are ‘best practice’ or just somewhere in the pack.Many companies will say, ‘why does it matter just as long as you keep getting better?’ The stark reality is that inventory requires the investment of cash. The items need to be purchased and stored and this ties up cash. This working capital can be a significant burden for many companies and if freed up can provide significant cash resources that can be used for other more productive purposes.For many companies the key issue is availability and so long as they have an item when it is required they care little about the cash investment. However, this approach will not maximise your ROI and, in almost all cases, cannot be financially justified on any level. This is because the excess inventory investment that this approach generates provides little or no value to your business. The excess is invested in inventory that does not move or becomes obsolete.World’s best practice inventory management demands that the ‘management system’ is optimised not just the inventory. It is in this field that best practice can be both easily identified and readily achieved.Each level on the ladder to world’s best practice provides a greater degree of control and management but is only at Level 5 – System Optimization that the management system is optimised. By reaching this level companies can reduce their inventory investment, freeing up cash, AND achieve their desired availability levels.The five levels to world’s best practice inventory management are:Level 1

y put in the extra effort?

So how did the Egyptians cultivate the attitudes required to manifest the great pyramids?

So when people started to feel they got something extra, more than was expected, their psychology changed. They WANTED to do a better job, they wanted to "Reciprocate" the extra value they were getting.

There were the normal actions like defrayed taxes (there was no money system at the time) and extra free time for segments of the population that could not spend in their homes or farms due to the annual flooding of the Nile. But that wasn't enough.

The leaders looked at the situation and came up with a solution - Food.

Pharaoh deemed massive amounts of clover fed cattle to be cultivated for the purpose of feeding the workers the tastiest, finest beef to be found on the continent. Workers were fed like royalty.

This served two purposes:

It gave the workers a sense of importance and significance. They ate only the best and felt appreciated in the process.
It provided a superior source of protein to make the workers stronger which in turn provided better performance. And they also felt better about themselves and their increased ability

In the context of today's organizations, this is NOT the equivalent of giving more money or increasing salary. Back then it was physical strength that created a "better man". Today it's the mental strength that is most precious. The opportunity for individuals to develop their talents and intellectual ability.

What was superior beef in Ancient Egypt, is now Superior Training or Personal development in today's business environment.

An important thing to consider: if the workers were feed the normal, not so tender beef, the effect wouldn't have been the same. Why because it WASN'T SPECIAL! So if management decides to engage average trainers to save money, they will actual be getting less psychological value for money.

It is also essential to reinforce the extra value.

For example a church in Singapore has risen to a parish of over 18,000 members within a reasonably short time partially because they often invite special preachers from other countries to came and speak. They are quite upfront that they pay these guests about S$20,000 for their contribution, and the turnouts are tremendous. But that's not all, more people get the message and act on it, and it grows the church at an exponential rate.

If the workforce knows the lengths, efforts, and even expense the company goes through for the benefit of making them "Special" or "The Best", there will be a greater interest and achievement for those efforts.

The result is an attitude that cultivates people working together as groups with a strong sense of self worth. Leaders do not need to direct or supervise; they need only to give guidance (usually in the form of questions).

But...

While this attitude was enough to build the smaller Pyramids (like that of King Sneferu), the largest, grandest, and the only of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient world still standing, with a height of 450 feet and 756 feet square: The Great Pyramid of Khufu, needed more than just a great attitude.

True greatness lies in self-actualization through work

When work becomes choice, it no longer manifests itself as work. It is the convergence of personal desire and the actions we gladly take.

As it turned out from the discovery of a Workers Cemetery, building Pyramids was a dangerous business. Even with a great attitude, that's a real bummer. So why would anyone choose to put in their whole hearted effort and risk their lives in the process. Was it Bak, or feeling special, or was it more?

Harvard's George Reisner found workers graffiti created by "Building Teams" that called themselves names like "Friends of Khufu" and "Drunkards of Menkaure".

These findings and ancient Scrolls suggest

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Do you want to advertise your business without having to invest a fortune to do so? If you think this is not possible, you are wrong. A press release does exactly that. You can jumpstart your business with a press release. For this, you have to learn the basic tricks of writing a press release that is effective in launching your business on the fast track.

A printing press is a specially designed machine used for a wide range of printing processes. Such machines consist of a press, which contains impressions of material to be reproduced and are mechanically transferred or pressed against printing paper or other materials. These printing presses could provide black and white or colored print depending on the requirement.

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