Postcards Versus Catalogues
What do successful cataloguers do when they market?There is a secret, or so it seems, in the catalogue industry that has not gotten out of the bag yet. Why is it a secret? It is probably not intended to be that way, but it just happens to remain a ‘not-known datum’. So, what’s the secret, you ask!?!?That successful cataloguers use postcards to market!Bah, hum bug, you say! Why would they do that? How can they sell their wares?Simply and easily. Postcards work because they are inexpensive and they get the attention of the prospective buyer who would like to shop in their particular catalogue. Many big catalogue companies do it – JC Penny, Spiegel, Brighton – they a

The Seven Keys to Creating Power Partnerships to Exponentially Grow Your Business
Whether you call them strategic alliances, joint ventures, or Power Partnerships, they all have the same potential benefits: a more joyful life and exponential business growth. When you ask any successful person what the key to their results was, they will reply, “Others who helped me.”Why create Power Partnerships? Three reasons:• You need not do it alone. Whether at home or at work, Power Partners allow you to focus on your areas of strength, interest, and passion;• You can solve the problem of too much to do and too little time; and• If you hate sales and marketing or are tired of networking, you can still create a successful business or career by creating “all-win” P

Outsourcing - Watch Your budget!
Outsourcing could be seen as a contemporary product of the network economy where an organization should focus on its strengths and leave its weaknesses to others. This is only possible as long the productivity is not at danger.The term ‘productivity’ does not only origin from (self) ‘production’ but also depends on three other economic functions; supply (by others), exchange (with third parties) and sales (to customers). This pattern is both present on a country level and within companies (and even on a personal level – imagine yourself what productive element you excel in). Companies are dependent of some main supplies by others (main infrastructural support), they purchase (raw) mat

Build a Knowledge Portfolio - Increase your Chances of Getting a Job!
Remain Competitive in Today’s IT Market…Build a Knowledge Portfolio! Times have changed. The competition here and abroad for jobs is tough, to put it mildly. As a programmer you are going to have to work hard to stay in the rat race – to stay relevant…but how? Take the initiative for your career – for your future Your greatest assets are your knowledge, experiences, and the ability to apply these to developing solutions. Dave Thomas, author of “The Pragmatic Programmer, states in a talk “How to Keep Your Job”, that you must “invest in yourself”. He suggests that we treat our knowledge assets as if they were a financial portfolio. By in

Communicate to Connect: The Power of Attunement
Students of my presentation training often tell me one of the “pearls of wisdom” they value most is learning how to distinguish between a performance and communication orientation.Speakers with a performance orientation view audiences as critics who are judging how they make their presentation. As a result, these presenters become over-focused on their wording and delivery. Presenters with a communication orientation focus on connecting and communicating with their audiences. They look at presentations as conversations, not performances, and enjoy one-to-one, friendly, personal connection with individuals in the audience.Understanding the difference between hypervigilance and attun

Job Search - How to Stay Positive Despite Job Search Setbacks
Losing your job can be devastating. You have to deal with loss of income, colleagues, perks (e.g. a company car) plus wondering how you will manage – when will you get another job, how will you cope financially etc. There is also the underlying feeling of rejection – rejection from the job you have lost, plus more rejection each time you don’t get a job you have applied for.The hardest part of job search is keeping up a positive attitude, and it’s imperative you do this!The whole process of job search can make people feel depressed so you need to take good care of yourself. If you do become run down it can affect you mentally, physically, and socially. It can show itself in both