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    Professional Liability Insurance for Your Medical Business
    Congratulations doctors, nurses, therapists, and pharmacists! You have studied hard, spent thousands upon thousands of dollars to attend school for what probably felt like thousands upon thousands of years, and now you are ready to enter the medical workforce. You are ready to start working for a medical business, or to open your own medical business. With a scalpel in one hand, a prescription pad in the other, and a stethoscope swinging around your neck, you are ready to cure the sick and save the dying.However, before you start working, or open your own medical business, you must purchase professional liability insurance. Otherwise, you might find yourself paying out thousands upon thousands of dollars – again.Remember, professional liability insurance isn’t just for doctors and hospitals. Anyone working in the medical field should purchase professional liability insurance.There are different kinds of professional liability insurance policies for you and your medical business, most of which cover allegations of malpractice. As a medical professional, you are familiar with professional liability insurance by now, and now that you are ready to start working or to open the doors of your own medical business, it is time to purchase your own professional liability insurance.The kind of professional liability insurance you purchase for yourself and your medical business will usually depend on your specialty, the location of your medical
    red exists. Everyone, including those who are not the top performer are given time to express their views and the opportunity to influence the team.

    Question 7
    A=10, B=2, C=6, D= 4, E=8
    Team members will put up a fa?ade in an untrusting, non-supportive environment. They feel that letting people know who they really are would result in them being vulnerable and hurt. In a positive team atmosphere, differences are seen as strengths, not weaknesses. Members feel differences between people need to be understood; and all need to be accepted as assets for better team building performance.

    Question 8
    A=10, B=8, C=6, D=4, E=2
    A willingness to take risks, express opinions, and venture new or different ideas is typical of a supportive atmosphere. Team members feel they are listened to and not belittled for openly expressing their viewpoints. Placing blame and criticizing is not part of the effective team's atmosphere.

    Question 9
    A=2, B=4, C=6, D=8, E=10
    Hidden agendas and posturing for power are the rules in a team that has a poor atmosphere. Honest discussion of needs, expectations, and goals leads to increased team building and teamwork.

    Question 10
    A=10, B=6, C=8, D=4, E=2
    The foundation for a high quality team atmosphere is trust. Without it, some teams never develop to operate beyond a level of a committee or a ask force group. These team members are concerned with issues of power, authority, competition for attention, and political maneuvering; not in establishing a cohesive and effective team.

    Your Team Building Score

    80-100- Great News! You have a healthy team atmosphere. It is conducive to achieving great results. Your team can spend their time performing the work of the team, productively establishing goals, procedures, processes, and clarifying team members roles, i.e. Since atmosphere can change, you should periodically test the temperature of the atmosphere, to see if inhibiting issues or concerns in the maintenance of this productive atmosphere are openly discussed and dealt with.

    60-79- On the surface, your team is healthy and productive.

    Barter, The Electronic Handshake
    Business owners are always looking for ways to lower expenses. Bartering allows you to build your profit into your expense and conserve your cash flow. It’s just one more tool to use to increase the chances of your company’s success. You gain more customers in the process because these are not people that you would have normally done business with.You have more to gain than just new customers, once you've bartered successfully with another business owner, you open yourself up to a new business relationship that can help your company grow for years to come.Bartering online makes it easy to approach companies that you may never have thought of doing business with. Joining an online barter club is a smart and simple way to find business owners in your area willing to barter for goods or services you require.Some companies deal with barter currency, others charge membership or transaction fees and some provide their service at no cost. The best suggestion I can offer is to shop around and decide what is right for your company.Whatever barter site you decide to deal with should provide you with ample information on how their barter system works and informative pages for people who may be new to the barter world. If you are unsure of anything, it doesn't hurt to ask questions before making the decision to join. How quickly and accurately they respond is a good indication of how your concerns would be addressed as a member in the future.M
    A hidden element of effective Teambuilding, and seldom discussed, is the mood, or the environment, that exists within the team. A positive and productive atmosphere doesn't just happen, it requires conscious work. The following quiz will help you understand and improve the Team Building atmosphere that exists within your organization.

    Instructions:

    Answer the following questions of the Team Building quiz without looking at the answers. After you’ve totaled your scores, you will have a better insight to your team building Spirit.

    1. Describe the level of communication between team members:

    A. Everybody gives their well-thought-out views clearly, others listen, and strive to understand what is being said-we talk together

    B. Only some members listen while everybody gives their views.

    C. Some team members listen and speak up but others do not.

    D. Quite a few members don't listen to others and withhold their thoughts.

    E. We do not listen to each other and members are afraid to speak up.

    2. Which of the following statements best describes the level of risk taking, imagination, initiative, the members of your team will take?

    A. We shoot the messenger.

    B. Risk is a necessary evil, so we try anything.

    C. If it's not broke don't fix it

    D. Some seem more comfortable with risk taking and change than other team members.

    E. We are conservative, proceeding carefully.

    3. Your team gathers each month to discuss progress and problems in reaching individual and departmental objectives. Describe the meeting:

    A. We are open with each other and we realistically share our progress and problems that we have encountered.

    B. A few team members seem to be so concerned about the impact of their sharing that they try to build allies to support their views.

    C. We have team members who seem to be play politics, while others do not

    D. One group exists within our team that continuously reports the same politically correct presentation.

    E. Political maneuvering, deception, and infighting and polarizing are the name of the game in this team

    4. The team leader makes impassioned plea to improve the level of the group cooperation. As the discussion develops you note:

    A. Members are pulling in opposite directions, competing with others, and looking out only for themselves or departments.

    B. The majority of your fellow team members are in favor of Teamwork.

    C. The members are split. Half see no value in working together, the other half is in favor of team building.

    D. All the members really seem concerned with helping each other, and working as a team.

    5. Your team will be meeting to begin your organization’s annual planning, budgeting, and strategy for the next quarter. During the critique period:

    A. No one will want to "rock the boat", the entire team will restrains their remarks;

    B. Most of the team members will filter their critical remarks and restrain from speaking.

    C. About half of the team will be unrestrained and the other half restrained.

    D. Most of your team members are unrestrained in their analysis and critique.

    E. Conflicts and differences aid to problem solving so we are openly discuss all issues.

    6. Ellen, a senior member of the team, and Chen, a junior member of the team, are on opposite sides of an important issue. Both of positions have merit. You notice that as Ellen and Chen present their arguments:

    A. Team members seem to be harsher in their criticisms of Chen's arguments.

    B. Members value differences and are objectively listening to both arguments.

    C. Most of the team favors Ellen’s ideas slightly over Chen’s.

    D. The team doesn’t pay attention to either view because they are too far apart.

    E. We only listen to Ellen's views and discount or ignore Chen's viewpoints.

    7. The leader of your team has asked each individual to express his/her views on a very controversial and emotionally charged issue the team must decide how to handle. Your first thought is:

    A. We value each other’s opinions; I can express my true feelings without fear of reprisal.

    B. A person would be a fool to be himself in this team-don't be vulnerable

    C. How open you can be depends on the people around you and/or the issue at the time.

    D. It is best not to let others know your true feelings or let your self show

    E. It is safe to express your true feelings in most cases.

    8. All the supervisors in your department meet annually to discuss those who have promotional potential and to rank employees for salary treatment. You describe the discussion as:

    A. A supportive atmosphere where team members openly express their viewpoints and are listened to

    B. The atmosphere and discussion is more supportive than not

    C. Team members are about average in the level of supportiveness they exhibit toward one another,

    D. The team could improve their listening skills. The willingness to express opinions, venture new or different ideas is inhibited.

    E. Full of criticism, placing blame, belittling and withholding information.

    9. A team member has asked to have time on your meeting’s agenda to seek the help from other team members in completing his/her assignment. During the ensuing discussion you feel that:

    A. Every member is hiding his/her real motives and feelings.

    B. Most members of the team hide their own goals, expectations, and needs.

    C. Some team members are posturing to advance their hidden agendas

    D. The majority of the team members are honest about their needs and expectations

    E. All team members are open about their feeling and real motives; we feel free to communicate honestly.

    10. Your manager has asked every member of your team to do an independently study and submit a detailed plan for implementing a total Employee Involvement/Quality program in their area of responsibility. Subsequent conversations with other team members, the feeling is:

    A. Because you can count of the manager to keep the best interest of both the team and individual as a top importance, the request is easy to fulfill.

    B. You have wait and see if in this case this is the best policy.

    C. The manager can be trusted in the majority of cases, only on a few occasions do you have to question his/her motives.

    D. The manager is not to be trusted, everything he or shed does has a hidden agenda behind it.

    E. Team members are suspicious but will reluctantly cooperate with the manager's request

    ANSWERS

    Question 1
    A=10, B=8, C=6, D=4, E=2
    Open two-way communication sums up a positive team atmosphere. Everyone feel comfortable sharing feelings with others because they know their positions are important; their thoughts heard, and feelings considered.

    Question 2
    A=4, B=10, C=2, D=8, E=6
    Team members are free to take reasonable risks and to experiment with ideas. There are no failures only opportunities of growth and learning. A self-managing team does not place blame, but has a norm of individual responsibility and initiative. Team members understand that good "followership" means accepting responsibility. They take the initiative to influence other team members and the team’s direction.

    Question 3
    A=10, B=8, C=6, D=4, E=2
    When trust is lacking, members protect themselves from other team members through political maneuvering and partisanship. Deception and infighting, not cooperation and honest communication, are the acceptable behaviors.

    Question 4
    A=2, B=4, C=6, D=8, E=10
    The team has a “we-ness” attitude. They work for a common and understood goal. They are willing to subordinate “I” need for the “we”. They think in terms of team gains and do not exhibit competition between team members.

    Question 5
    A=2, B=4, C=6, D=8, E=10
    Differences of opinions and conflicts are suppressed. Those who withhold information will hide behind, "If you can't say anything constructive, don't say anything at all" attitude. Contrast this to a positive team atmosphere where conflicts and differences are openly discussed. The team will not seek a winner or looser but to use conflict to benefit the communication and problem solving process in the team. Effective teams will use to their advantage and will not shy away from conflict.

    Question 6
    A=6, B=10, C=8, D=2, E=4
    The team members feel that they are valuable to the team. As a result, they do not have to compete for air time. An attitude that everyone's opinions and views need to be seriously considered exists. Everyone, including those who are not the top performer are given time to express their views and the opportunity to influence the team.

    Question 7
    A=10, B=2, C=6, D= 4, E=8
    Team members will put up a fa?ade in an untrusting, non-supportive environment. They feel that letting people know who they really are would result in them being vulnerable and hurt. In a positive team atmosphere, differences are seen as strengths, not weaknesses. Members feel differences between people need to be understood; and all need to be accepted as assets for better team building performance.

    Question 8
    A=10, B=8, C=6, D=4, E=2
    A willingness to take risks, express opinions, and venture new or different ideas is typical of a supportive atmosphere. Team members feel they are listened to and not belittled for openly expressing their viewpoints. Placing blame and criticizing is not part of the effective team's atmosphere.

    Question 9
    A=2, B=4, C=6, D=8, E=10
    Hidden agendas and posturing for power are the rules in a team that has a poor atmosphere. Honest discussion of needs, expectations, and goals leads to increased team building and teamwork.

    Question 10
    A=10, B=6, C=8, D=4, E=2
    The foundation for a high quality team atmosphere is trust. Without it, some teams never develop to operate beyond a level of a committee or a ask force group. These team members are concerned with issues of power, authority, competition for attention, and political maneuvering; not in establishing a cohesive and effective team.

    Your Team Building Score

    80-100- Great News! You have a healthy team atmosphere. It is conducive to achieving great results. Your team can spend their time performing the work of the team, productively establishing goals, procedures, processes, and clarifying team members roles, i.e. Since atmosphere can change, you should periodically test the temperature of the atmosphere, to see if inhibiting issues or concerns in the maintenance of this productive atmosphere are openly discussed and dealt with.

    60-79- On the surface, your team is healthy and productive.

    Emergency Medical Services – How to Become an Emergency Medical Technician
    Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – a qualified, licensed health care professional who generally provides pre-hospital emergency medical care to the ill or injured patient.Working in the field of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) can be a very rewarding and challenging experience for those individuals who are committed to the safety and well being of their family, friends, neighbors, and more often complete strangers in the communities they serve.General Pre-qualifications for most States:• Applicant to an Accredited EMT Program must be at least 18 years old. • The applicant must possess a High School Diploma or Equivalent. • Some EMT programs may require a placement exam, i.e. colleges that require an entrance exam for all students.EMT Programs in most states consist of approximately 110 hours of classroom and practical training and at least 24 hours of “hands on” clinical experience, usually at a local hospital and EMS Provider. Classes can be completed in as little as 14 days, although most programs meet once or twice a week for 3 to 4 hours over a 5 or 6 month period.During the classroom and practical training sessions of the EMT program a variety of topics concerning pre-hospital patient care will be discussed. These topics are generally broken down into six to eight modules as I’ve listed below. Please keep in mind that some programs may differ slightly in the way or order the information is presented,
    assioned plea to improve the level of the group cooperation. As the discussion develops you note:

    A. Members are pulling in opposite directions, competing with others, and looking out only for themselves or departments.

    B. The majority of your fellow team members are in favor of Teamwork.

    C. The members are split. Half see no value in working together, the other half is in favor of team building.

    D. All the members really seem concerned with helping each other, and working as a team.

    5. Your team will be meeting to begin your organization’s annual planning, budgeting, and strategy for the next quarter. During the critique period:

    A. No one will want to "rock the boat", the entire team will restrains their remarks;

    B. Most of the team members will filter their critical remarks and restrain from speaking.

    C. About half of the team will be unrestrained and the other half restrained.

    D. Most of your team members are unrestrained in their analysis and critique.

    E. Conflicts and differences aid to problem solving so we are openly discuss all issues.

    6. Ellen, a senior member of the team, and Chen, a junior member of the team, are on opposite sides of an important issue. Both of positions have merit. You notice that as Ellen and Chen present their arguments:

    A. Team members seem to be harsher in their criticisms of Chen's arguments.

    B. Members value differences and are objectively listening to both arguments.

    C. Most of the team favors Ellen’s ideas slightly over Chen’s.

    D. The team doesn’t pay attention to either view because they are too far apart.

    E. We only listen to Ellen's views and discount or ignore Chen's viewpoints.

    7. The leader of your team has asked each individual to express his/her views on a very controversial and emotionally charged issue the team must decide how to handle. Your first thought is:

    A. We value each other’s opinions; I can express my true feelings without fear of reprisal.

    B. A person would be a fool to be himself in this team-don't be vulnerable

    C. How open you can be depends on the people around you and/or the issue at the time.

    D. It is best not to let others know your true feelings or let your self show

    E. It is safe to express your true feelings in most cases.

    8. All the supervisors in your department meet annually to discuss those who have promotional potential and to rank employees for salary treatment. You describe the discussion as:

    A. A supportive atmosphere where team members openly express their viewpoints and are listened to

    B. The atmosphere and discussion is more supportive than not

    C. Team members are about average in the level of supportiveness they exhibit toward one another,

    D. The team could improve their listening skills. The willingness to express opinions, venture new or different ideas is inhibited.

    E. Full of criticism, placing blame, belittling and withholding information.

    9. A team member has asked to have time on your meeting’s agenda to seek the help from other team members in completing his/her assignment. During the ensuing discussion you feel that:

    A. Every member is hiding his/her real motives and feelings.

    B. Most members of the team hide their own goals, expectations, and needs.

    C. Some team members are posturing to advance their hidden agendas

    D. The majority of the team members are honest about their needs and expectations

    E. All team members are open about their feeling and real motives; we feel free to communicate honestly.

    10. Your manager has asked every member of your team to do an independently study and submit a detailed plan for implementing a total Employee Involvement/Quality program in their area of responsibility. Subsequent conversations with other team members, the feeling is:

    A. Because you can count of the manager to keep the best interest of both the team and individual as a top importance, the request is easy to fulfill.

    B. You have wait and see if in this case this is the best policy.

    C. The manager can be trusted in the majority of cases, only on a few occasions do you have to question his/her motives.

    D. The manager is not to be trusted, everything he or shed does has a hidden agenda behind it.

    E. Team members are suspicious but will reluctantly cooperate with the manager's request

    ANSWERS

    Question 1
    A=10, B=8, C=6, D=4, E=2
    Open two-way communication sums up a positive team atmosphere. Everyone feel comfortable sharing feelings with others because they know their positions are important; their thoughts heard, and feelings considered.

    Question 2
    A=4, B=10, C=2, D=8, E=6
    Team members are free to take reasonable risks and to experiment with ideas. There are no failures only opportunities of growth and learning. A self-managing team does not place blame, but has a norm of individual responsibility and initiative. Team members understand that good "followership" means accepting responsibility. They take the initiative to influence other team members and the team’s direction.

    Question 3
    A=10, B=8, C=6, D=4, E=2
    When trust is lacking, members protect themselves from other team members through political maneuvering and partisanship. Deception and infighting, not cooperation and honest communication, are the acceptable behaviors.

    Question 4
    A=2, B=4, C=6, D=8, E=10
    The team has a “we-ness” attitude. They work for a common and understood goal. They are willing to subordinate “I” need for the “we”. They think in terms of team gains and do not exhibit competition between team members.

    Question 5
    A=2, B=4, C=6, D=8, E=10
    Differences of opinions and conflicts are suppressed. Those who withhold information will hide behind, "If you can't say anything constructive, don't say anything at all" attitude. Contrast this to a positive team atmosphere where conflicts and differences are openly discussed. The team will not seek a winner or looser but to use conflict to benefit the communication and problem solving process in the team. Effective teams will use to their advantage and will not shy away from conflict.

    Question 6
    A=6, B=10, C=8, D=2, E=4
    The team members feel that they are valuable to the team. As a result, they do not have to compete for air time. An attitude that everyone's opinions and views need to be seriously considered exists. Everyone, including those who are not the top performer are given time to express their views and the opportunity to influence the team.

    Question 7
    A=10, B=2, C=6, D= 4, E=8
    Team members will put up a fa?ade in an untrusting, non-supportive environment. They feel that letting people know who they really are would result in them being vulnerable and hurt. In a positive team atmosphere, differences are seen as strengths, not weaknesses. Members feel differences between people need to be understood; and all need to be accepted as assets for better team building performance.

    Question 8
    A=10, B=8, C=6, D=4, E=2
    A willingness to take risks, express opinions, and venture new or different ideas is typical of a supportive atmosphere. Team members feel they are listened to and not belittled for openly expressing their viewpoints. Placing blame and criticizing is not part of the effective team's atmosphere.

    Question 9
    A=2, B=4, C=6, D=8, E=10
    Hidden agendas and posturing for power are the rules in a team that has a poor atmosphere. Honest discussion of needs, expectations, and goals leads to increased team building and teamwork.

    Question 10
    A=10, B=6, C=8, D=4, E=2
    The foundation for a high quality team atmosphere is trust. Without it, some teams never develop to operate beyond a level of a committee or a ask force group. These team members are concerned with issues of power, authority, competition for attention, and political maneuvering; not in establishing a cohesive and effective team.

    Your Team Building Score

    80-100- Great News! You have a healthy team atmosphere. It is conducive to achieving great results. Your team can spend their time performing the work of the team, productively establishing goals, procedures, processes, and clarifying team members roles, i.e. Since atmosphere can change, you should periodically test the temperature of the atmosphere, to see if inhibiting issues or concerns in the maintenance of this productive atmosphere are openly discussed and dealt with.

    60-79- On the surface, your team is healthy and productive.

    Work At Home Job Profile
    Are you looking for a work at home opportunity? Statistically the amount of people with that query increase day by day, month by month. What is the best way to become Internet marketing?Through the net you can find many tips about that. For instance, you can run three easy steps to get a plug in profit site complete money making site setup free. And you can find many others tips of course. There are many products and Gurus online. Take care and pay attention their business history. There are a lot of different ways to make money online. And there are people making a fortune there too.But it does not come overnight and make sure it has had much work to do. You could start searching about affiliate marketing and blogging. You should take a look at your budget and identify products with particular qualities combination and should try to make them different from others.However this article runs to help you think about your profile. Are you an exclusive Internet marketing? No, you are not exclusive one. There are many people out there promoting there Internet business. However, you should try to be exclusive. That is the point. It means to get it depends on you.One question about your profile: Are you a moderate or aggressive in business? Generally a moderate businessman makes certain that all the things happen without problems and follow the rules. On the other hand the aggressive one runs on bigger determination. It goes faster but it does n
    ssue at the time.

    D. It is best not to let others know your true feelings or let your self show

    E. It is safe to express your true feelings in most cases.

    8. All the supervisors in your department meet annually to discuss those who have promotional potential and to rank employees for salary treatment. You describe the discussion as:

    A. A supportive atmosphere where team members openly express their viewpoints and are listened to

    B. The atmosphere and discussion is more supportive than not

    C. Team members are about average in the level of supportiveness they exhibit toward one another,

    D. The team could improve their listening skills. The willingness to express opinions, venture new or different ideas is inhibited.

    E. Full of criticism, placing blame, belittling and withholding information.

    9. A team member has asked to have time on your meeting’s agenda to seek the help from other team members in completing his/her assignment. During the ensuing discussion you feel that:

    A. Every member is hiding his/her real motives and feelings.

    B. Most members of the team hide their own goals, expectations, and needs.

    C. Some team members are posturing to advance their hidden agendas

    D. The majority of the team members are honest about their needs and expectations

    E. All team members are open about their feeling and real motives; we feel free to communicate honestly.

    10. Your manager has asked every member of your team to do an independently study and submit a detailed plan for implementing a total Employee Involvement/Quality program in their area of responsibility. Subsequent conversations with other team members, the feeling is:

    A. Because you can count of the manager to keep the best interest of both the team and individual as a top importance, the request is easy to fulfill.

    B. You have wait and see if in this case this is the best policy.

    C. The manager can be trusted in the majority of cases, only on a few occasions do you have to question his/her motives.

    D. The manager is not to be trusted, everything he or shed does has a hidden agenda behind it.

    E. Team members are suspicious but will reluctantly cooperate with the manager's request

    ANSWERS

    Question 1
    A=10, B=8, C=6, D=4, E=2
    Open two-way communication sums up a positive team atmosphere. Everyone feel comfortable sharing feelings with others because they know their positions are important; their thoughts heard, and feelings considered.

    Question 2
    A=4, B=10, C=2, D=8, E=6
    Team members are free to take reasonable risks and to experiment with ideas. There are no failures only opportunities of growth and learning. A self-managing team does not place blame, but has a norm of individual responsibility and initiative. Team members understand that good "followership" means accepting responsibility. They take the initiative to influence other team members and the team’s direction.

    Question 3
    A=10, B=8, C=6, D=4, E=2
    When trust is lacking, members protect themselves from other team members through political maneuvering and partisanship. Deception and infighting, not cooperation and honest communication, are the acceptable behaviors.

    Question 4
    A=2, B=4, C=6, D=8, E=10
    The team has a “we-ness” attitude. They work for a common and understood goal. They are willing to subordinate “I” need for the “we”. They think in terms of team gains and do not exhibit competition between team members.

    Question 5
    A=2, B=4, C=6, D=8, E=10
    Differences of opinions and conflicts are suppressed. Those who withhold information will hide behind, "If you can't say anything constructive, don't say anything at all" attitude. Contrast this to a positive team atmosphere where conflicts and differences are openly discussed. The team will not seek a winner or looser but to use conflict to benefit the communication and problem solving process in the team. Effective teams will use to their advantage and will not shy away from conflict.

    Question 6
    A=6, B=10, C=8, D=2, E=4
    The team members feel that they are valuable to the team. As a result, they do not have to compete for air time. An attitude that everyone's opinions and views need to be seriously considered exists. Everyone, including those who are not the top performer are given time to express their views and the opportunity to influence the team.

    Question 7
    A=10, B=2, C=6, D= 4, E=8
    Team members will put up a fa?ade in an untrusting, non-supportive environment. They feel that letting people know who they really are would result in them being vulnerable and hurt. In a positive team atmosphere, differences are seen as strengths, not weaknesses. Members feel differences between people need to be understood; and all need to be accepted as assets for better team building performance.

    Question 8
    A=10, B=8, C=6, D=4, E=2
    A willingness to take risks, express opinions, and venture new or different ideas is typical of a supportive atmosphere. Team members feel they are listened to and not belittled for openly expressing their viewpoints. Placing blame and criticizing is not part of the effective team's atmosphere.

    Question 9
    A=2, B=4, C=6, D=8, E=10
    Hidden agendas and posturing for power are the rules in a team that has a poor atmosphere. Honest discussion of needs, expectations, and goals leads to increased team building and teamwork.

    Question 10
    A=10, B=6, C=8, D=4, E=2
    The foundation for a high quality team atmosphere is trust. Without it, some teams never develop to operate beyond a level of a committee or a ask force group. These team members are concerned with issues of power, authority, competition for attention, and political maneuvering; not in establishing a cohesive and effective team.

    Your Team Building Score

    80-100- Great News! You have a healthy team atmosphere. It is conducive to achieving great results. Your team can spend their time performing the work of the team, productively establishing goals, procedures, processes, and clarifying team members roles, i.e. Since atmosphere can change, you should periodically test the temperature of the atmosphere, to see if inhibiting issues or concerns in the maintenance of this productive atmosphere are openly discussed and dealt with.

    60-79- On the surface, your team is healthy and productive.

    How to Get the Best Out of Trade Show Services
    You’ve heard the expression--The devil’s in the details. This is especially applicable to trade show exhibiting where success hinges on all the big and little things that constitute a trade show appearance.The process starts with the obvious: selecting the right trade shows to attend; designing a high quality exhibit booth to properly portray your company; and arranging to get the trade show display to the exhibit floor on time.Your trade show exhibit builder has the expertise to help you make your event a success. But it can often be any one of the following pesky details relating to trade show services, which, if overlooked, can undermine an otherwise well-planned trade show experience.Here are ten key recommendations from “Tips & Techniques for Exhibiting Success” by Nomadic Display:1. Study the exhibitor service manual. The manual is the key to what you need to know about each trade show. As every show has its own set of rules, regulations and deadlines, carefully examine the manual’s information. Read the fine print in exhibitor instructions, delivery information and trade show services contracts. Complete the required registration and services order forms accurately and retain copies for future reference.2. Make a list of all the trade show services you need. If you plan for your display requirements and order well in advance, you will avoid those costly last minute services that can play havoc with your trade show bu
    >E. Team members are suspicious but will reluctantly cooperate with the manager's request

    ANSWERS

    Question 1
    A=10, B=8, C=6, D=4, E=2
    Open two-way communication sums up a positive team atmosphere. Everyone feel comfortable sharing feelings with others because they know their positions are important; their thoughts heard, and feelings considered.

    Question 2
    A=4, B=10, C=2, D=8, E=6
    Team members are free to take reasonable risks and to experiment with ideas. There are no failures only opportunities of growth and learning. A self-managing team does not place blame, but has a norm of individual responsibility and initiative. Team members understand that good "followership" means accepting responsibility. They take the initiative to influence other team members and the team’s direction.

    Question 3
    A=10, B=8, C=6, D=4, E=2
    When trust is lacking, members protect themselves from other team members through political maneuvering and partisanship. Deception and infighting, not cooperation and honest communication, are the acceptable behaviors.

    Question 4
    A=2, B=4, C=6, D=8, E=10
    The team has a “we-ness” attitude. They work for a common and understood goal. They are willing to subordinate “I” need for the “we”. They think in terms of team gains and do not exhibit competition between team members.

    Question 5
    A=2, B=4, C=6, D=8, E=10
    Differences of opinions and conflicts are suppressed. Those who withhold information will hide behind, "If you can't say anything constructive, don't say anything at all" attitude. Contrast this to a positive team atmosphere where conflicts and differences are openly discussed. The team will not seek a winner or looser but to use conflict to benefit the communication and problem solving process in the team. Effective teams will use to their advantage and will not shy away from conflict.

    Question 6
    A=6, B=10, C=8, D=2, E=4
    The team members feel that they are valuable to the team. As a result, they do not have to compete for air time. An attitude that everyone's opinions and views need to be seriously considered exists. Everyone, including those who are not the top performer are given time to express their views and the opportunity to influence the team.

    Question 7
    A=10, B=2, C=6, D= 4, E=8
    Team members will put up a fa?ade in an untrusting, non-supportive environment. They feel that letting people know who they really are would result in them being vulnerable and hurt. In a positive team atmosphere, differences are seen as strengths, not weaknesses. Members feel differences between people need to be understood; and all need to be accepted as assets for better team building performance.

    Question 8
    A=10, B=8, C=6, D=4, E=2
    A willingness to take risks, express opinions, and venture new or different ideas is typical of a supportive atmosphere. Team members feel they are listened to and not belittled for openly expressing their viewpoints. Placing blame and criticizing is not part of the effective team's atmosphere.

    Question 9
    A=2, B=4, C=6, D=8, E=10
    Hidden agendas and posturing for power are the rules in a team that has a poor atmosphere. Honest discussion of needs, expectations, and goals leads to increased team building and teamwork.

    Question 10
    A=10, B=6, C=8, D=4, E=2
    The foundation for a high quality team atmosphere is trust. Without it, some teams never develop to operate beyond a level of a committee or a ask force group. These team members are concerned with issues of power, authority, competition for attention, and political maneuvering; not in establishing a cohesive and effective team.

    Your Team Building Score

    80-100- Great News! You have a healthy team atmosphere. It is conducive to achieving great results. Your team can spend their time performing the work of the team, productively establishing goals, procedures, processes, and clarifying team members roles, i.e. Since atmosphere can change, you should periodically test the temperature of the atmosphere, to see if inhibiting issues or concerns in the maintenance of this productive atmosphere are openly discussed and dealt with.

    60-79- On the surface, your team is healthy and productive.

    Direct Mail Marketing and Consistent Targeting
    When discussing Direct Mail Marketing we also need to discuss consistent targeting of customers. If you own a location-based business then you must consider where your customers come from and how far out you draw the customers from.Does your business draw customers from a 15-mile radius or is your competition much closer and therefore you probably only draw from a 10-mile radius? Do you feel the your customer service is good enough to draw customers out of your competitors service market area? If so, perhaps you want to send direct-mail marketing into your competitors target area.The key would be consistent targeting of those ZIP codes within your radius and sphere of influence. For direct-mail that probably means each area or zip code within the 10-mile radius is hit every three months with a direct-mail marketing piece. This of course includes the targeting of your competitors area or at least those areas in your competitors 10-mile radius, which are closest to you.If you have three ZIP codes within your 10-mile radius then you should hit one each month; however, if you later find that one of those areas is yielding no long-term repeat customers then perhaps you should save your money and not target that particular zip code or area. Over time and with a little tweaking of your strategy you can make direct-mail marketing work for your business. So please consider all this in 2006.
    red exists. Everyone, including those who are not the top performer are given time to express their views and the opportunity to influence the team.

    Question 7
    A=10, B=2, C=6, D= 4, E=8
    Team members will put up a fa?ade in an untrusting, non-supportive environment. They feel that letting people know who they really are would result in them being vulnerable and hurt. In a positive team atmosphere, differences are seen as strengths, not weaknesses. Members feel differences between people need to be understood; and all need to be accepted as assets for better team building performance.

    Question 8
    A=10, B=8, C=6, D=4, E=2
    A willingness to take risks, express opinions, and venture new or different ideas is typical of a supportive atmosphere. Team members feel they are listened to and not belittled for openly expressing their viewpoints. Placing blame and criticizing is not part of the effective team's atmosphere.

    Question 9
    A=2, B=4, C=6, D=8, E=10
    Hidden agendas and posturing for power are the rules in a team that has a poor atmosphere. Honest discussion of needs, expectations, and goals leads to increased team building and teamwork.

    Question 10
    A=10, B=6, C=8, D=4, E=2
    The foundation for a high quality team atmosphere is trust. Without it, some teams never develop to operate beyond a level of a committee or a ask force group. These team members are concerned with issues of power, authority, competition for attention, and political maneuvering; not in establishing a cohesive and effective team.

    Your Team Building Score

    80-100- Great News! You have a healthy team atmosphere. It is conducive to achieving great results. Your team can spend their time performing the work of the team, productively establishing goals, procedures, processes, and clarifying team members roles, i.e. Since atmosphere can change, you should periodically test the temperature of the atmosphere, to see if inhibiting issues or concerns in the maintenance of this productive atmosphere are openly discussed and dealt with.

    60-79- On the surface, your team is healthy and productive. However, a few key areas keep this team from developing to its full potential. If not addressed, these areas will fester and create debilitating problems. Now is the time to bring these into the open, then work with your team to establish ways to improve.

    Below 60-You are not a team but a group of people. Individuality reigns supreme, and there is very little sense of cohesiveness. This could be because you are a new team, or one that has never openly and candidly discussed how you work, or don't work together as a team. A more formal approach to team building can help your group get over this stage in their development. Ignoring the problems will not make them go away. To become an effective team will require a pro-active approach from both the team leader and members.

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