INTRODUCTION

Like so many of you, I am often mystified as to why there is so much trouble in the middle East. We could easily blame it on religious fanaticism, be it Christian, Jewish, or Muslim. Perhaps. But I tend to believe it can primarily be attributed to change (or the fear of it). In this part of the world, there is great suspicion over the cultural differences between religious groups. Each side fears if they make peace and accept the other parties, it will have an adverse affect on their culture which is something they simply will not accept. In their minds, each believes they follow the "true calling" and will not tolerate any discussion to the contrary. Frankly, I do not think anyone is trying to change the moral conviction of the other; nonetheless, the fear remains.

We see similar examples of the fear of change, on a much smaller scale, in business, the volunteer non-profit organizations we participate in, and in society in general. Change is a fact of life. Change happens every day before our eyes in the most subtle ways. Change is constant. And instead of resisting change, we should learn to understand it and learn to cope with it. Refusal to deal with change is simply denying reality. For example, I see substantial changes in the schools my children attend, not just the difference between my generation and theirs, but the changes in their own schools in the short time since they have been going to school. I have also witnessed substantial changes in the workplace since I entered it in the 1970's.

In the systems world, IT departments should readily understand the nature of change for they typically devote 80% of their work effort on modifying and improving corporate systems. As an aside, I find it rather amusing that systems people, who are supposed to be the merchants of change, are often the most resistant to it themselves.

It would be nice to believe change always represents progress. Not necessarily. Change can also be counterproductive if a new convention is introduced that doesn't improve the status quo. This is probably the biggest cause for the fear of change; that it will not improve our livelihood but, instead, cause a decline in our way of life.

Change is not a technical problem as much as it is a people problem. Implementing changes to our mechanical devices is nothing compared to how the human being must deal with the device.

WHAT CAUSES CHANGE?

There are fundamentally three reasons for change:

• Political/Government influences - representing new or modified laws, rules and regulations to be implemented either dictated to us or by majority rule. This is closely related to...

• Cultural influences - society, fashion, religion, customs and language, even the physical environment affects change. For example, the use of our vernacular or our personal appearance represents subtle changes in attitudes and morality. Mother nature, with its tempest of storms, affects how and where we live. The evolution of technology falls into this category as well. For example, consider how the PC, cell phones, video players, and the Internet have affected our lives over the last few years. We now live in a fast-paced world where we expect everything on demand.

• Competitive/Economic Influences - in order to succeed in life, it is necessary to evolve and improve in order to w
  Boosting Your Business With A Merchant Account
  The great majority of business conducted online is processed with a credit card. Also, credit card sales tend to be four times larger than a sale completed any other way. Knowing that most people decide to use a credit card and spend more when doing so, it only makes sense to be able to accept credit card payments.The first step to being able to accept credit card payments is getting a merchant account. A merchant account is a special type of bank account that is able to receive payments from credit card purchases. Along with your account you will also need a hardware or software solution to actually process the payments, but this doesn't have to be supplied by the company providing your merchant account.For online credit card processing there is one extra step, you also need a payment gateway. A payment gateway is a company that provides real time authorization of online transactions. When looking at gateways make sure that they are compatible with your site's software and your financial institution. You may wish to research your gateway and financial institution options before signing up for any services.When researching your merchant account providers you may be surprised at the number of options available to you. While there are a lot of options, selecting the best provider for you is easy to do by knowing a little about what each company offers and how much they charge for their services.The first step should always be to seek a mentor. Do you know someone who currently is conducting a similar business? If so ask them who provides their merchant account and what their thoughts are on that provider as well as others that they may have tried. After asking around search the Internet for people's opinions on merchant accounts. While opinions are not a good reason to base a decision, their accounting of the service they received and the
  e calling" and will not tolerate any discussion to the contrary. Frankly, I do not think anyone is trying to change the moral conviction of the other; nonetheless, the fear remains.

  We see similar examples of the fear of change, on a much smaller scale, in business, the volunteer non-profit organizations we participate in, and in society in general. Change is a fact of life. Change happens every day before our eyes in the most subtle ways. Change is constant. And instead of resisting change, we should learn to understand it and learn to cope with it. Refusal to deal with change is simply denying reality. For example, I see substantial changes in the schools my children attend, not just the difference between my generation and theirs, but the changes in their own schools in the short time since they have been going to school. I have also witnessed substantial changes in the workplace since I entered it in the 1970's.

  In the systems world, IT departments should readily understand the nature of change for they typically devote 80% of their work effort on modifying and improving corporate systems. As an aside, I find it rather amusing that systems people, who are supposed to be the merchants of change, are often the most resistant to it themselves.

  It would be nice to believe change always represents progress. Not necessarily. Change can also be counterproductive if a new convention is introduced that doesn't improve the status quo. This is probably the biggest cause for the fear of change; that it will not improve our livelihood but, instead, cause a decline in our way of life.

  Change is not a technical problem as much as it is a people problem. Implementing changes to our mechanical devices is nothing compared to how the human being must deal with the device.

  WHAT CAUSES CHANGE?

  There are fundamentally three reasons for change:

  • Political/Government influences - representing new or modified laws, rules and regulations to be implemented either dictated to us or by majority rule. This is closely related to...

  • Cultural influences - society, fashion, religion, customs and language, even the physical environment affects change. For example, the use of our vernacular or our personal appearance represents subtle changes in attitudes and morality. Mother nature, with its tempest of storms, affects how and where we live. The evolution of technology falls into this category as well. For example, consider how the PC, cell phones, video players, and the Internet have affected our lives over the last few years. We now live in a fast-paced world where we expect everything on demand.

  • Competitive/Economic Influences - in order to succeed in life, it is necessary to evolve and improve in order to
    How to Become a Fire Investigator
    Part detective, scientist, engineer, and law enforcer, the fire investigator represents the collusion of multiple careers rolled into one. It is the fire investigator who must explore, determine, and document the origin and cause of the fire, establish what human actions were responsible for it, then bring authoritative testimony to the courtroom to win a conviction in cases of arson."This isn't a job for a lazy man," says Paul Horgan, accelerant detection canine handler and state trooper assigned to the Office of the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal. "You have to be conscientious and have a mind that likes to figure things out. You really can't take shortcuts. You must take your own photographs, collect the evidence, do follow up investigations. In instances of incendiary fires, you must find the criminal."Although many people use the terms "fire investigator" and "arson investigator" interchangeably, they are not one and the same, says Special Agent Steve Carman, CFI in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Sacramento field office. An arson investigator will try to determine who is responsible for setting a fire; a fire investigator will attempt to determine the cause and origin of a fire. Most of the time, fire investigators are also arson investigators, says Agent Carman, who was an ATF arson investigator for four years prior to becoming a fire investigator and serving on ATF's Western National Response Team for nine years. "Frequently arson investigators might be a police officer of ATF agent who doesn't have the background to perform a fire investigation - an area that is becoming increasingly grounded in the science and engineering of fire behavior," says Special Agent Carman. The job of fire investigation is complex, challenging and intriguing - and requires a wide range of skills to perform it effectively. Every fire investigator
    just the difference between my generation and theirs, but the changes in their own schools in the short time since they have been going to school. I have also witnessed substantial changes in the workplace since I entered it in the 1970's.

    In the systems world, IT departments should readily understand the nature of change for they typically devote 80% of their work effort on modifying and improving corporate systems. As an aside, I find it rather amusing that systems people, who are supposed to be the merchants of change, are often the most resistant to it themselves.

    It would be nice to believe change always represents progress. Not necessarily. Change can also be counterproductive if a new convention is introduced that doesn't improve the status quo. This is probably the biggest cause for the fear of change; that it will not improve our livelihood but, instead, cause a decline in our way of life.

    Change is not a technical problem as much as it is a people problem. Implementing changes to our mechanical devices is nothing compared to how the human being must deal with the device.

    WHAT CAUSES CHANGE?

    There are fundamentally three reasons for change:

    • Political/Government influences - representing new or modified laws, rules and regulations to be implemented either dictated to us or by majority rule. This is closely related to...

    • Cultural influences - society, fashion, religion, customs and language, even the physical environment affects change. For example, the use of our vernacular or our personal appearance represents subtle changes in attitudes and morality. Mother nature, with its tempest of storms, affects how and where we live. The evolution of technology falls into this category as well. For example, consider how the PC, cell phones, video players, and the Internet have affected our lives over the last few years. We now live in a fast-paced world where we expect everything on demand.

    • Competitive/Economic Influences - in order to succeed in life, it is necessary to evolve and improve in order to
      Business Management Decisions; Environmental Controls for a Mobile Oil Change Business
      When considering the executive management decision to launch a mobile oil change business whether it is a small business or a large Corporation there is much to think about besides the obvious things of employee training, equipment, scheduling, marketing, business structure, cash flow and growth. Such unique businesses like mobile oil change business will require additional Business Management Decisions; especially things such as Environmental Controls and perhaps some alternative marketing plans.You see, although a Mobile Oil Change Business is rather a simple automotive on-site service business it also makes sense that getting to all those customers and getting rid of the oil collected will take significant planning. When discussing this business management case study with a gentleman going into the business recently he stated;“With the networking approach you mentioned I think I could easily have all the business I need, still have to figure out what to do with all that spent oil though.”Indeed and these issues must be ironed out before anyone gets too gung-ho with the business plan proformas. Now then to get rid of this used motor oil perhaps we should check with the city, also out at the airport and find out what the Marine Repair Shops and Auto Shops do with it. Obviously they are not using it for heating their shops like other parts of the country? That is to say in the Northern Climates people use waste motor oil to run space heaters for their shops. The gentleman checked with the city and other shops then explained what he had learned;“Residents are allowed 2 or 4 1-gallon containers/wk I think. I spoke with the local auto parts stores and they have trouble getting rid of theirs a company Safety Klean out of Plano, Texas”Safety Klean? Hmm? I thought they were a Canadian Company, I always get suspicious this way? Safety Kl
      oductive if a new convention is introduced that doesn't improve the status quo. This is probably the biggest cause for the fear of change; that it will not improve our livelihood but, instead, cause a decline in our way of life.

      Change is not a technical problem as much as it is a people problem. Implementing changes to our mechanical devices is nothing compared to how the human being must deal with the device.

      WHAT CAUSES CHANGE?

      There are fundamentally three reasons for change:

      • Political/Government influences - representing new or modified laws, rules and regulations to be implemented either dictated to us or by majority rule. This is closely related to...

      • Cultural influences - society, fashion, religion, customs and language, even the physical environment affects change. For example, the use of our vernacular or our personal appearance represents subtle changes in attitudes and morality. Mother nature, with its tempest of storms, affects how and where we live. The evolution of technology falls into this category as well. For example, consider how the PC, cell phones, video players, and the Internet have affected our lives over the last few years. We now live in a fast-paced world where we expect everything on demand.

      • Competitive/Economic Influences - in order to succeed in life, it is necessary to evolve and improve in order to
        Incorporating In Colorado
        Forming a Corporation in Colorado: Starting a business is a very big decision, and careful consideration has to be given to the legal structure that will suit your business the best. Incorporating a business can be beneficial as it offers liability protection and other benefits depending upon the type of corporation formed.Incorporating In Colorado: The first step is to decide on the kind of corporation and form it as per the rules and regulations in the state of Colorado. It is necessary to give a name for the corporation that does not contain any prohibited words and that ends in the words “Incorporated,” “Corporation,” “Limited,” or “Company.” The name should not be a repeat of any registered business name, or a name that has already been reserved.The articles of incorporation are filed with the Colorado Secretary of State on paying a fee of $25 for electronically filing it, and it will be processed within 20 business days. The articles have to be filed by the incorporators, minimum number being one. It is not mandatory to list the statement of purpose in Colorado. The corporation has to have a minimum of one director who has to be above 18 years of age. However, a list of the classes of shares and number of shares in each class that the company is authorized to issue has to be submitted along with the articles. The principal office address as well as the name and address of the registered agent have to be submitted, too. The registered agent must either be a natural person at least eighteen years old whose primary residence or usual place of business is in the state or an entity whose usual place of business is in this state.The board of directors can amend, adopt, or repeal the bylaws as long as they are not violating any clause in the articles of incorporation. The bylaws can determine the number of directors and the officers. The byla
        ...

      • Cultural influences - society, fashion, religion, customs and language, even the physical environment affects change. For example, the use of our vernacular or our personal appearance represents subtle changes in attitudes and morality. Mother nature, with its tempest of storms, affects how and where we live. The evolution of technology falls into this category as well. For example, consider how the PC, cell phones, video players, and the Internet have affected our lives over the last few years. We now live in a fast-paced world where we expect everything on demand.

      • Competitive/Economic Influences - in order to succeed in life, it is necessary to evolve and improve in order to win. Do we really want to just "Keep up with the Jones'" or do we want to get ahead of them? Economics also influences our way of life and represents our safety blanket. For example, if we do not feel economically stable, we will alter what we are doing in life to safeguard our family and ourselves.

      As an aside, these three agents of change greatly influence our information requirements. Those who understand this will adapt accordingly and be masters of their destiny. Those that do not, will fall behind.

      There are three degrees of change:

      • Subtle - representing minor changes occurring daily which we accept (either gladly or grudgingly). Subtle changes can be as insignificant as a change in our speech, form of address, a new hair style, etc. We will either like and embrace such changes or we will simply tolerate them.

      • Moderate - representing significant modifications to the status quo. This includes such things as upgrades to our systems and procedures, changes to our policies, and material changes affecting our way of life. Moderate changes are either mandated or requires some tact or diplomacy to implement.

      • Radical - represents changes upsetting the status quo. This includes complete overhauls of systems, the introduction of totally new ways of conducting business, and such things as mergers, diversifications, closings, and divorce.

      Understand this, resistance to change grows as we move from subtle to radical. Subtle changes are those we understand and readily adapt to, but unending changes turning our world upside-down will not always be greeted with enthusiasm.

      "Living without change would be inconceivable and unbearable. At the same time few of us would care to go on living in the midst of ceaseless, chaotic, completely unpredictable change." - Hadley Cantril

      WHY DO WE RESIST CHANGE?

      Let us now consider the fundamental reasons why we resist change:

      • We are creatures of habit. We long for stability in our lives which represents a comfort zone we want to live in. Any proposed change to this comfort zone is greeted with suspicion. This is perhaps the biggest reason for resistance to change.

      • Fear of the unknown. Going into a dark room is difficult even for the bravest of souls. As human-beings, we have a natural tendency to want to be in control of our actions and behavior. As such, the unknown is terrifying and causes us to invent rationales for why we shouldn't do something; even worse, ignorance leads to fabrications of the truth and gossip.

      • Human emotion. Humans are capricious, and tend to do only what pleases them. We may elect to cooperate or stubbornly resist for no apparent reason. As such, we must recognize man as a pol