working the graveyard shift http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for working the graveyard shift Copyright 2008 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:27:14 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/working+the+graveyard+shift Halloween Decorations - Buy Off-Season To Save A Bundle http://www.artwoo.com/article/halloween-decorations-buy-off-season-to-save-a-bundle http://www.artwoo.com/article/halloween-decorations-buy-off-season-to-save-a-bundle#comments Sat, 02 Jun 2007 18:34:58 +0000 halloween party ideashalloween decorationshalloween storeshalloween trickhalloween seasontombstonesgraveyard scene http://www.artwoo.com/article/halloween-decorations-buy-off-season-to-save-a-bundle Halloween decorations can be a difficult task for online between the off-season months of November through August. Obviously, Halloween decorations are a tough sell after the , but this can be a great time for you to stock up in preparation for next Halloween. Many of the really cool Halloween decorations that you've always wanted to own can be quite expensive. However, most online stores reduce the price of their Halloween decorations during the off-season. So, take advantage of these savings by shopping early for some really great Halloween deals.

Plan Your Halloween Party Early

If you think you might be having a Halloween party this year, you'll want to start buying your Halloween decorations early in order to take advantage of the great off-season deals. Halloween themed plates, cups, napkins, plasticware, tablecloths, punchbowls, candles, and other party essentials can be purchased well ahead of time to prepare for your Halloween blowout. You'll also want to start thinking about what kind of theme you might want to have for your next Halloween party. Buying these decorations early will save you money and allow you the opportunity to get more decorations for that super frightening Halloween look. Pirate, dungeon, skeleton, graveyard, or haunted house themes are all great , but in order to do it right you need to have the right decorations. Shopping early for these items is the best way to get everything you'll need for a truly frightening Halloween party experience while also saving extra money.

Don't Forget to Decorate Your Yard

Decorating your yard in preparation for all those -or-treaters is also another great reason to shop during the off-season for all your Halloween decorating needs. Making a really scary in your front yard is one of the best ways to set that eerie Halloween mood. , smoke machines, lights, skeletons, and spooky music all make for a great graveyard setting, but these decorating items can be quite pricey just before Halloween. Many of these items will be discounted during the off-season months before Halloween because there is just no market for them outside the Halloween season. So, planning ahead to make a really great yard display for those hungry goblins and ghouls will really pay off in the end when you start shopping for these items earlier in the year.

Buy Early and Save a Bundle

The thing with Halloween is that it generally consists of the same scary items year after year. Pumpkins, black cats, witches, vampires, ghosts, skeletons, fake blood, dry ice, gravestones, and cobwebs will never go out of style when it comes to Halloween. Just like you purchase your Christmas decorations in the off-season, so too should you plan ahead for Halloween. There will always be a new group of Halloween party goers or trick-or-treaters around to enjoy and appreciate your Halloween decorations. So stock up on all the supplies you can while the prices are low. You'll definitely be happy you did when everyone looks in amazement at how great your next Halloween party or yard decorations look, all the while knowing how much money you saved by buying your Halloween decorations early. So stop stalling and get shopping because Halloween will be here before you know it and with it will come those higher Halloween prices! Mark Callegari is a Halloween enthusiast and the owner of http://www.scaryproducts.com - a website dedicated to Halloween fun. Click here for more articles on Halloween Decorations - http://www.scaryproducts.com/articles-decorations.html ]]> A Review of the Google Assassin Google Adwords Course http://www.artwoo.com/article/a-review-of-the-google-assassin-google-adwords-course http://www.artwoo.com/article/a-review-of-the-google-assassin-google-adwords-course#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:29:24 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/article/a-review-of-the-google-assassin-google-adwords-course Catching name, isn't it? Just seeing the name Google Assassin Google Adwords Course was enough for us to want a review done pronto on this informational product. Would it really be good enough to say goodbye to Google? Who knows, but being an addition to the Day Job Killer we had to at least take a look and see what all the hype was all about. In the end, we'll find the means.

Making Money in the First Week

Many of you who come online to make money need it right now. It may be to make a payment on the car, put money towards the electric bill, or even just have a gallon of gas in the tank to get you by for now. Whatever the reason may be, the Google Assassin Google Adwords Course has suggested they've made people money in the first seven days of using this program.

In fact, when you make your way down the sales page, you'll see a section where he talks about a beta tester using the system. In his first week, he gathered $470. So what if you only made half of this in a week? What would you do with that kind of money? While the answers are probably obvious, it's important that you figure out a place for it to go. This in a sense creates a goal for you to achieve.

Using Clickbank

As you continue reading about the Google Assassin Google Adwords Course, you'll find that Clickbank is the main source of income. There will be snapshots shown in front of you with amounts that range from $1,000-$47,000 in a two week pay period. One thing you should keep in mind however is the time frame it will take to learn and implement everything. Be patient, be realistic, and these thousands of dollars could be in your Clickbank account as opposed to your counterparts.

Chris is Just Like You

For some reason it's hard for people to believe everyday people like them are making money online. It doesn't matter if you're going to college, working the graveyard shift, or never knew much about the Internet to begin with, you can still make money online. Why we don't want to sound like your mom and tell you, "You can accomplish anything you set your mind too.", the truth of the matter is, you can. You'll find his story along with others situated within the sales page.

Our Overall Analysis

We actually own a copy of the Day Job Killer and it had terrific information included within its documents. We have know doubt the Google Assassin Google Adwords Course could have the same thing and be beneficial for many people just like you. The only thing is, after reading DJK, it's imperative you follow everything to a tee. If you don't, one little minor detail that you skip over could be the reason why you don't become successful. Like we said before, be patient. When it's all said and done, you'll be happy you were.Let Mr. X Review Kings Brian Garvin and Jeff West teach you more about Google Assassin. Feel free to use this article but please leave all links and author bio intact.]]> Quick And Easy Halloween Decorations http://www.artwoo.com/article/quick-and-easy-halloween-decorations http://www.artwoo.com/article/quick-and-easy-halloween-decorations#comments Thu, 26 Oct 2006 18:27:04 +0000 contrasting colorshalloween decorating ideashalloween shapeshalloween spiritgiant spidersgraveyardblack paint http://www.artwoo.com/article/quick-and-easy-halloween-decorations Halloween decorating ideas using easy to find, inexpensive materials.

Craft Foam Creepies

Craft foam is sold in sheets at the craft store in a whole array of colors. It is similar to construction paper, but made of thin, durable foam you can easily cut with scissors. Trace simple onto the backside of the foam sheets and cut out. Use and a glue stick to add details such as a jack o lantern face, red eyes on a bat, or the face of a silly ghost. You can make these cutouts as large or as small as you want. Hang them in windows or hang them with clear thread form curtain rods, doorways, or in your front entry. (This works really well with bats, hang them from the tips of each wing, and one place on the body to make them appear to be flying) These can even be used on protected porches as the foam is water resistant.



A graveyard near your front walk is a creepy and creative touch to the . We used scrap pieces of plywood and siding and cut them into rectangles with the tops rounded, like a gravestone. We first painted them gray, then washed over them with a watery white paint for age and spook factor. We used to add amusing names and epitaphs, such as "I.M. Gone" or "Ben Dismembered". Screw a wooded stake to the back and pound into the ground. I like to group them together on an area of grass, then rope them off with chains, add a few pumpkins (and in my neck of the woods, tumbleweeds are a nice touch) and line the edge of your "graveyard" with lighted jackolanterns for Hallows Eve. My kids have the lost fun with this!

and webs

First of all, set the stage for your spiders by picking up some webbing...it is really cheap, and stretches a LONG way! Corners of rooms or porches, or stretched over a door are great effects. To make the spiders, pick up large black pom poms and large black chenille stems from the craft store. Take 4 chenille stems and twist them together in the middle. This creates the eight legs. Bend the stems downward about halfway down each leg. Now use tacky glue or a glue gun (glue gun is my choice as it sets almost instantly, but the adult must handle this!) to secure a large pom pom in the center of the legs at the twist to form the body. You can add google eyes as some do, but I prefer to cut scary red eyes from felt or craft foam and glue on. Set your spiders in their webs, and you can bend the leg tips to attach them to a picture frame or a lamp chain. Remember, with this project, the bigger, the better, so buy the bargest legs and pom poms you can find!

Three great projects for Halloween, make enough of any of these and you can turn your home into a haunted house without the huge price tag. (Don't forget to pack them away for next year!) Kathy Wilson is an author, columnist, and editor of The Budget Decorator and Decorating Your Small Space. You can find thousands of budget home decorating ideas at her website at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com. Don't forget to sign up for her free home and garden newsletter while you're there! ]]> Life As A Starbucks Barista http://www.artwoo.com/article/life-as-a-starbucks-barista http://www.artwoo.com/article/life-as-a-starbucks-barista#comments Sun, 24 Dec 2006 06:27:06 +0000 starbucks coffee shopcoffee beveragesbrewed coffeecold beveragesblended coffeecoffee shopsespresso bar http://www.artwoo.com/article/life-as-a-starbucks-barista Starbucks coffee shops? Most of us have probably ignored the people working behind the counters as we wait for our Starbucks coffee.

Still, you may have wondered: What keeps a Starbucks coffee shop running? What's happening behind the counter?

The baristas working in a Starbucks usually work various shifts throughout the day. The typical Starbucks day is commonly comprised of two or three shifts. Each shift may range from two to five workers, depending on the number of customers.

In the back of the counter, the floor is divided into sections.



The sections of a typical Starbucks consist of:



1. Register -- This would be the section that customers would be most familiar with. Also known as the Point of Sale, the register is where you place your orders for your favorite Starbucks drink. Pastries and some beverages, such as and hot tea, are also served here.

2. Beverage station -- This is where your favorite Starbucks drink is prepared. A Starbucks beverage station usually contains two parts:

a) -- This is where the hot beverages are made. A large portion of the drinks available at Starbucks go through here, even though some don't actually need shots of espresso.

b) -- This is where iced teas, Frappucino Blended , iced coffees, iced chais, and Frappucino Blended Creme beverages are prepared. A typical Starbucks cold beverage station is usually tended by the barista working on the espresso bar, though there are times when high volumes of orders for cold drinks demands a separate person for cold beverages. Otherwise, a barista usually alternates between the espresso bar and the cold drinks bar.

c) The pastry case and slide position -- In a Starbucks coffee, the slider may help the register barista with pastries, brewed coffee and hot tea. The slider usually works near the pastry case, where they can more easily assist the barista at the register.

Aside from the stations within Starbucks coffee, baristas may also be assigned shifts as:

Floaters -- as the name suggests, floaters andquot;floatandquot; from one station to another, doing miscellaneous duties such as cleaning spills and all-around jobs such as restocking supplies.

Cafe -- in Starbucks coffee, this task refers to cleaning and sanitizing the dining area, including tables, the condiment bar, and the floor.

Inventory -- depending upon the need of a store, a barista may be asked to take regular (usually weekly) inventory in a Starbucks.

Shift Supervisor -- a Starbucks shift supervisor manages the store whenever the assistant manager is not available. Most shift supervisors often take on the role of floaters, assisting with every station when necessary.

There are definite perks to working at a Starbucks. The Starbucks Coffee Company is very generous to its employees. Part-time employees are offered stock options, insurance benefits for themselves and their spouses, and flexible hours. The most popular benefits, however, are the unlimited free drinks throughout the baristas' shifts, and a free pound of coffee every week.

These are just some of the benefits that Starbucks baristas receive, and there are many intangible benefits from working with friendly people and forming bonds with their regular customers.

So there is just a taste of what goes on in a Starbucks coffee shop. If you want to learn more, information is readily available online. Joseph Davis writes articles for several online magazines, including http://bumid.com and http://moveg.com ]]> Whitby's History - Stranger Than Fiction http://www.artwoo.com/article/whitbys-history-stranger-than-fiction http://www.artwoo.com/article/whitbys-history-stranger-than-fiction#comments Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:35:02 +0000 synod of whitbyabbey ruinsbenedictine priorycount draculagothic musicgothic crossst hilda http://www.artwoo.com/article/whitbys-history-stranger-than-fiction St Hilda's Abbey, Whitby

Even as you bask in the sun on Whitby's sandy beaches, you cannot fail to be aware of the imposing and slightly sinister presence of the ruined Abbey, high on the East Cliff.

Situated on the eastern edge of Whitby, the Abbey is accessed by climbing the 199 stone steps that lead from the end of Church Street. These steps were originally wooden, and were built to allow coffin-bearers to reach the church. To this day there are coffin rests and seats along the stairs to allow weary limbs to rest. The present-day date back to 1078, when the Normans built a on the site, replacing the ruins of the original monastery which was sacked by Vikings in 867.

The Abbey is steeped in history, both religious and otherwise - the nearby graveyard of St Mary's Church is reputed to have been the haunt of , and the legend that has built up around this story has led to Whitby becoming a popular destination for gothic enthusiasts, particularly during the biannual weekends.

The monastery was originally home to both nuns and monks, amongst whose number was Caedmon, reputed to be the first English poet and the father of sacred song. He was recruited to the abbey at Streoneshalh, as Whitby was then known, by Saint Hilda herself after she had heard him sing. Today, the significance of Caedmon's work is recognised with a large and ornately decorated in the graveyard of St Mary's Church.

The abbey's importance as a regional centre became apparent when the was held there in 664, but its political power was to be fairly short-lived as in 867 Vikings landed in the area and ransacked the monastery. At the time, Danish settlements were spreading along the east coast of England, and it is thought that the Danes went on to settle in Whitby for some years after their arrival in 867.

The abbey was re-founded as a Benedictine Priory around 1078, in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest. Again, it was home to both nuns and monks, and remained on the site for nearly 500 years, until the brutal policies of King Henry VIII forced its final closure and partial destruction as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539.

St Hilda's Abbey was then allowed to fall into disrepair, inadvertently becoming a source of stone for local residents, but today the remains are administered and maintained by English Heritage, and the unmistakeable profile of the abbey's ruins against the skyline is visible from many miles away when driving towards Whitby.

St Mary's Church, Whitby

Dating from 1110, St Mary's Church was originally built to provide a place of worship for the workers serving the Abbey, who were not allowed to worship within the Abbey itself. Although it has been extended several times, the original church still remains and is still the parish church of Whitby today.

Inside St Mary's Church, there are several notable design features - including a triple-decker pulpit, built to ensure the whole congregation could hear the sermon being read. Other notable features include the original 17th century box pews, which were originally hired by families for their exclusive use, and the extraordinary Cholmley pew, built in front of the chancel arch for this leading family so that they could have an unimpeded view of the service and the congregation.

The Church also has an unusual upper gallery and still has an original Elizabethan altar table.

St Mary's graveyard is well known to fans of Bram Stoker as the lurking place of Count Dracula, and at night the looming ruins of the nearby Abbey do indeed add a sinister and mysterious aspect to the area, leading one to think that fact could indeed be stranger than fiction. Alan Moore invites you to join his free email newsletter, The Whitby Bite: http://www.dracula-in-whitby.com/whitby-bite.html where you can learn more about the real Dracula and his connection to Whitby, Yorkshire's unique vampire town. ]]> Hello From Nova Scotia - Part 6 - The Annapolis Royal Graveyard Tour http://www.artwoo.com/article/hello-from-nova-scotia-part-6-the-annapolis-royal-graveyard-tour http://www.artwoo.com/article/hello-from-nova-scotia-part-6-the-annapolis-royal-graveyard-tour#comments Sat, 27 Jan 2007 14:27:03 +0000 annapolis royalgravestonescarfearthworksgravestonescandle litfinal discovery http://www.artwoo.com/article/hello-from-nova-scotia-part-6-the-annapolis-royal-graveyard-tour final discovery of the day: the famous Graveyard Tour. Punctually at 9:15 pm I showed up across the road from the my bed and breakfast at the south entrance of Fort Anne where local historian and expert guide Alan Melanson was ready to give his performance. About 15 people, hailing from places such as North Carolina, California and Saskatchewan, were equipped with candle-lit lanterns and after a brief introduction we were ready to head out.

Alan enlightened us that his outfit was an authentic funeral suit, the black sash and the black tied around the hat were symbols of mourning. We learned that when children died the scarf on the hat would be white. Alan told the group that he has been doing this tour four nights a week, every week from June to October for 15 years and he has only missed one evening. The $7 donation for the tour goes to the Historical Society of Annapolis Royal, and over the years Alan has collected about $60,000 for this non-profit organization. Alan has been a park ranger and guide at the Fort Anne National Historic Site for about 27 years now and in addition to historical interpretation he also does outreach to bring history into local classrooms.

We started walking towards the cemetery, up and down through Fort Anne's "", fortifications constructed from mounds of earth which were intended to protect Annapolis Royal from potential intruders. The cemetery is just a few steps away from Fort Anne, and Alan collected the group at the largest , an obelisk and started the official tour.

Our first stop was the oldest gravestone in the cemetery, dating back to 1720, which belonged to a 37 year old woman. Alan explained that feature a lot of symbolism: death was represented for example by a winged skull, young children and babies who passed away would be symbolized by pictures of flowers, lambs or rose buds. Weeping willows were often used to represent death and mourning. Alan also educated us that different types of stone were used as gravestones over the centuries: slate, sandstone, granite and marble were all used to immortalize the dead.

Many of the residents of the graveyard had interesting stories: an 83-year old woman got cheated out of her fortune by a bad husband. Some soldiers were also buried here and Alan shed light on life in the army in the 18th century: out of 100 soldiers only six were allowed to bring their wives with them during deployments from England in the colonies. The wives and children who were allowed to come did not fare well either as they had to share bunk beds with their husbands. Conditions for soldiers only changed during the Crimean War when press coverage made the general public aware of the poor living conditions of soldiers, resulting in general outrage. The power of the press was already in evidence in the 1850s...

We also learned that large groups of volunteers regularly clean the gravestones, carefully using wooden tools and soap to scrape off the moss and then finishing the job with a solution made of vinegar and water. Alan reported that very little vandalism happens here in this historic graveyard since the local residents are extremely proud of their heritage. As a ninth generation Acadian, as a historic interpreter at Fort Anne and as the President of the Annapolis Royal Historical Society, Alan Melanson can personally attest to the importance and appreciation of history that characterizes this area. Annapolis Royal has the biggest National Heritage District consisting of 135 heritage buildings, it features the oldest gravestone and the oldest National Historic Site in Canada.

The pride in local history also includes reenactments of historic events and lifestyles. Alan told us about various historical reenactments which served moose nose soup and smoked beaver tail, dishes very similar to those that would have been savoured in the early 1600s by the settlers of the Port-Royal Habitation, incidentally the place where Wayne Melanson, Alan's identical twin brother, introduced me to early French history this afternoon.

Annapolis Royal is one of the most historic towns on the east coast and the oldest house in town, just east of the Historic Gardens, dates back to 1708. Alan explained the town's history was based around shipbuilding and of 13 wharfs only one is still in existence. The Garrison Graveyard houses 234 gravestones and more than 2000 people are buried here. Early Acadian settlers are also interred here, but their graves did not have gravestones -- their wooden crosses have long since rotted away.

Our local expert also informed us that a soldier dating back to the 1780s was found buried in the riverbed. Based on historical accounts and the burial technique, this person must have been a criminal which is the reason why he was buried in the river. Alan Melanson, himself a ninth generation Acadian who can trace his own lineage back to a certain Charles Melanson who arrived in this area in 1664, certainly has a passion for history and it shows. His theatrical voice conveys enthusiasm for the history of this town and he injects his presentation with humour and wittiness. Former Prime Minister Paul Martin also enjoyed his Garrison Graveyard Tour with Alan Melanson.

After the tour was over I returned the lantern and received a certificate attesting that I had attended the Annapolis Royal Graveyard Tour. I came back to the Garrison House BandB and peeked out into the dark cemetery, wondering what life must have been like in this town in the 1700 and 1800s. I laid down to rest up for another full day of explorations tomorrow which would include the Tidal Power Generating Plant, the Bear River Heritage and Cultural Centre and a coastal drive down to Yarmouth on the western tip of this province. Nova Scotia sure has a lot of history, interesting personalities and many fascinating human stories...

For the entire article including photos please visit http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/annapolis_royal_graveyard_tour.htm Susanne Pacher is the publisher of Travel and Transitions (http://www.travelandtransitions.com), a popular web portal for unconventional travel and cross-cultural connections. Check out our brand new section featuring FREE ebooks about travel at http://www.travelandtransitions.com/free_ebooks.htm. ]]> Who's Telling The Story? http://www.artwoo.com/article/whos-telling-the-story http://www.artwoo.com/article/whos-telling-the-story#comments Thu, 12 Oct 2006 04:27:04 +0000 person perspectivenarratorepistolary novelscrewtape lettersthird personomnisciencec s lewis http://www.artwoo.com/article/whos-telling-the-story
Third is the most common method of conveying a work of fiction. This method allows the to have at least limited . The narrator has limited access to the knowledge and feelings of the characters in the story and can take the reader from one character setting to another easily. There is no questioning of how the narrator knows so much about each individual; it is a premise that is simply accepted by most readers.

Unlike first person perspective that conveys the story from the perspective of a cast member, perspective narration does not allow the narrator to actually participate in the action. They are simply the mechanism that operates outside the story to bring the various story threads together.

If a writer were to give the narrator full access to all feelings and thoughts of the cast of characters the story would be a little flat because nothing would be left to the imagination.

Third person narratives can be spotted by the predominate us of words such as they, he, she and it. The narrator talks about others - never about himself.

The least common perspective is Second Person Perspective. Very few novels can utilize this approach throughout an entire work.

This type of fiction relies on words like you and you're. The use of this type of perspective either assumes you will connect with the story as if it is written to you or that you will understand you are reading a private story written to and about someone else. It is rare to find a full manuscript that uses this perspective although an such the C.S. Lewis masterpiece "" may likely be considered second person perspective in its entirety.

The trouble many writers get into is an unintentional shift in perspective. This can be used effectively under certain circumstances, however the shift in perspective needs a breaking point to allow the reader to gain some understanding that a shift has taken place. Without a break to qualify the shift in point of view the story becomes confusing because the reader has to work hard at discovering who is actually telling the story. Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of FaithWriters (http://www.faithwriters.com) and many other web projects. FaithWriters has grown to become one of the largest online destinations for Christian writers. Please visit the website at: http://www.faithwriters.com ]]> Attitude Shift And Small Business Customer Relationship Management http://www.artwoo.com/article/attitude-shift-and-small-business-customer-relationship-management http://www.artwoo.com/article/attitude-shift-and-small-business-customer-relationship-management#comments Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:30:03 +0000 customer relationship managementrelationship management softwarecustomer relationship management softwareattitude shiftgrunt workimproving customer servicecustomer loyalty http://www.artwoo.com/article/attitude-shift-and-small-business-customer-relationship-management improving customer service and acquiring new customers WITHOUT all the that keeps staff glued to their seats when they should be boosting sales. The answer? Small business applications.



Changing of the Guards

When they retire, parents hand over the small family businesses to their offspring, including the roster of loyal workers and customers. Usually, these are the types of business that held on to old business practices and managed to stay afloat in spite of competition and the intrusion of technology. The switch in management always results in an towards small business customer relationship management.

The new management immediately sets out to improve their branding to set them apart from others, enhance and retention, get new customers, cut operating costs, understand new business trends and recognize commercial opportunities, and expand operations. This is a tall order. Surprisingly, it all boils down to a single denominator - the small business customer and applications.



The changes are all inspired by an attitude shift, which will sweep across business operations from back to front, all in the name of effective small business customer relationship management.



Attitude Shift

Changing business policies requires a new way of thinking for all involved in the business. Everybody should be well-informed of the new decisions to be able to understand how they will fit into the new order of things. If new technology is applied, those directly involved in handling business information should be given the training to handle the system efficiently.



When internal adjustments are made, people become apprehensive. The changes may require additional workload for some and modifications in the job description of a number of personnel. Unfortunately, there may be some job terminations if the management is considering drastic cost-cutting. But in most small businesses, this does not happen often because management values the loyalty and contribution of long-time employees.



The workers should be able to understand the implications of the changes in their daily work routine to help them appreciate their contribution towards the business' goals. The shift does not happen overnight. Careful planning of the 'take-over' should be programmed to make the change cost-effective.

Why the attitude shift? Management and staff need to share the same starting point to orchestrate different operations. This can be achieved if everybody knows what they can expect from others to run things smoothly at their end and what they can provide others to help things along. This arrangement keeps the cogs of the wheel working efficiently.



Small Business Customer Service Software

Small businesses need to manage information for ease of access and to keep track of the paradigm shifts in customer spending. Information of allied businesses can also boost business efficiency at all levels.



Management should shop for appropriate small business . What is good for other businesses may not be effective for your small enterprise. List what you want the software to do and the vendor will match your needs to the software with the right application. But if you opt for a third party to manage company information, get a service provider who can do it for you at a reasonable fee.

The small business customer service software provides the technology to help the business capture, store, and analyze the information they will need to support their business customer service. They can immediately respond to queries, which help them get more customers and which gives the business the competitive edge. Putting up your small business customer relationship management (http://www.www.crm-software-guide.com/small-business-customer-relationship= -management.htm) system? Read the latest customer relationship management articles (http://www.www.crm-software-guide.com/customer-relationship-management-art= icles.htm) and get the CRM for small business (http://www.www.crm-software-guide.com/small-business-customer-relationship= -management.htm) now. Visit http://CRM-Software-Guide.com today. ]]> Call Center Consulting Psychologists: Dealing With Phone Nasties http://www.artwoo.com/article/call-center-consulting-psychologists-dealing-with-phone-nasties http://www.artwoo.com/article/call-center-consulting-psychologists-dealing-with-phone-nasties#comments Thu, 28 Feb 2008 01:20:02 +0000 working the graveyard shiftphone rageworking the graveyardcall center consultingroad ragethroat competitionmavens http://www.artwoo.com/article/call-center-consulting-psychologists-dealing-with-phone-nasties Call center consulting experts have to deal with this problem - beyond technology, the use of psychology.

The Phenomenon

Phone rage is on the rise and the number of call center employees is increasing. Morale is low at the workplace and businesses should expect that their employees can lash back, making the situation worse. The company branding cannot afford this setback in the face of cut-.



Call center consulting are ready to recommend online courses for people handling phone rage. The courses cover topics like identifying different types of callers, managing angry and passive calls, and using different approaches to manage the calls. The course also teaches individuals how to stay cool and practice control.

Phone rage is the latest to hit the chart of top rages, coming a close second to . Call center workers are dealt with this blow everyday and in every form, from whining to aggression. The courses proposed by call center gurus come at time when businesses handling call centers at are their wits end trying to solve the issue without losing customers.

Why the rage? Unsatisfied customer experiencing poor service are outraged over the fact that bills promptly arrive, yet service is slack. Some of the reasons for poor service, be it snapped cables, a writer's strike, and a host of other reasons, are simply beyond the business's control.



Diplomacy on Call

If you are a call center employee shift, phone rage can keep you seething overnight, as you are not allowed to blow your top. You can only listen and try to identify the source of the anger and employ a response that will not infuriate the caller any further.

Remember you are the business's front-liner and you cannot destroy the company's image just because of one nasty caller. Managing the anger at your level can be difficult, but knowing the process can ease things up. Like you, other call center employees feel they are guilty for all the accusations hurled at them when they should not be.

The recommended program coming from call center consulting programs outlines every situation and processes involved in handling aggressive calls. You will be made to understand that angry callers do not see themselves as raving mad maniacs but the aggrieved parties seeking redress.



Looking at the situation from this perspective helps you calm down. This should also help your colleagues in the call center. Consulting professionals who can help provide an action plan also benefit individuals stressed out from handling phone rage.

Technology and Psychology

If you are the business owner needing call center consulting service, discuss the possibilities of phone rage and how your people can handle the problem. This likelihood is sure to occur as more people will be reaching for the phone to make inquiries and requests, place orders, and file complaints.

A call center consulting service will diagnose the current set-up, review CRM operations, and design a call center program that will eliminate some technological problems. But when it comes to phone rage problems in the call center, consulting the psychological experts will make your call center operations smoother and your employees happier. Call center consulting (http://www.crm-software-guide.com/crm-consulting.htm), customer relationship management software (http://www.crm-software-guide.com), and CRM articles (http://www.crm-software-guide.com/customer-relationship-management-article= s.htm) can boost your current CRM. Visit http://CRM-Software-Guide.com today. ]]> Top "C" Reasons Why Choose PMP Exam Preparation Online http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-c-reasons-why-choose-pmp-exam-preparation-online http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-c-reasons-why-choose-pmp-exam-preparation-online#comments Thu, 18 Sep 2008 05:01:39 +0000 continuing education creditsbrick and mortargraveyard shiftclassroom instructionsphysical presencephysical appearanceown pace http://www.artwoo.com/article/top-c-reasons-why-choose-pmp-exam-preparation-online
Convenience and Comfort

You can have your training anywhere, anytime at your convenience. With PMP Exam Preparation Online you can log on 24/7 in the comfort of your own home, at the office, while traveling, and anywhere else you can think of. You can study anytime of the day, even during the ! You should choose a course with unlimited access so that you can avail of the 24/7 feature.

With PMP Exam Preparation Online, you can set your of learning. Indeed, you cannot be expected to keep up with the others since there are no others (classmates that is)! You can go slow or go fast depending on how well you understand the training modules. Of course, it is always best to have a study plan.

And because online training does not require your , unlike brick-and-mortar classrooms, you can study without worrying about your and how your emotional moods will affect your classmates.

Complete and Comprehensive

You can have complete and comprehensive instruction from the PMP Exam Preparation Online training course. The quality of content and the quantity of topics discussed are the same as in classroom instruction, with the added advantage that you have online help anytime you wish.

Continuing Credits and Certification

In your efforts towards achieving and maintaining your PMP credential, you will need to acquire . There are many sources for these credits such as PMI training courses and global congresses, , contributions to professional research, and being writer of published works on the subject of project management.

Of course, there is always the PMP Exam Preparation Online that offers as much as 35 PDUs. This is the minimum number of required contact hours for formal project management training before you can actually apply for the PMP examination. Just ask for the certificate of completion and you have a verifiable proof of PDUs acquired.

Cost-Friendly

When you factor in the cost of transportation, books, and other miscellaneous expenses in classroom instruction, you will find that online training is cheaper without sacrificing quality. After all, you are not required to travel to the classroom (and with gas prices as high as they are today, you will be grateful to give your pocket a rest), you are not required to buy additional books, and you are not even required to be presentable (no clothes worry, no fashion police).

You will also not lose your leave credits while you are acquiring your professional credits. Since you can study at home, you need not be absent from work. This means that you actually save your vacation and sick credits for when you really need them.

Indeed, the PMP Exam Preparation Online is good news for all Project Managers who wish to broaden their knowledge and secure their credentials.For your online PMP Exam preparation, take a PMP Exam Preparation Course from ThreeO.ca now! You will be treated to the advantages only ThreeO.ca can offer with its PMP Exam Preparation Online course.]]> Insomnia Prevention And Other Sleep Inducing Tips http://www.artwoo.com/article/insomnia-prevention-and-other-sleep-inducing-tips http://www.artwoo.com/article/insomnia-prevention-and-other-sleep-inducing-tips#comments Wed, 27 Jun 2007 11:30:01 +0000 cause insomniarestful sleepgood sleepsleep betterprevention tipsself hypnosissoothing music http://www.artwoo.com/article/insomnia-prevention-and-other-sleep-inducing-tips
One of the first things you must do when trying to prevent insomnia is to work aggressively to improve your sleep habits.

For example, , relaxation breathing, and biofeedback are often helpful options that can lead you to relaxation and a more .

Establish a set bedtime routine.

Regardless of whether it is the weekend or the work day, get up at the same time and go to bed at the same time.

This helps your body to set a more scheduled internal clock which will enhance your ability to more consistently.

Control your environment.

Get rid of the excessive light pushing through the windows, eliminate irritating bedroom noises, and rid yourself of uncomfortable room temperatures.

Remember the bed should only be used for sex and for sleep, absolutely nothing else. Avoid using the bed to watch television or to read. These activities should be conducted in a chair or on the couch, but avoid doing these in the bedroom. Your bed is for sleep.

If you don't fall asleep within 30 minutes of lying down, get up out of bed.

Try a relaxing activity such as listening to or even repeating your nighttime routine. You might also find that a nighttime snack is helpful for the prevention of insomnia. It might also be helpful if you avoid taking a nap during the day.

There are special situations that can that require some less common insomnia .

For example insomnia from jet lag and can be particularly irritating. In this case, insomnia prevention can be helpful if you intentionally began to alter your bedtime to coincide with the time schedule of your predetermined destination.

Insomnia associated with working swing shifts also benefits from insomnia prevention tips.

It is important to establish habits with a regularly scheduled time to go to bed and a regularly timed schedule to get up. Many people find it is also helpful to keep this same schedule even on their days off.

Some shift workers also find insomnia prevention is working when they take a quick nap prior to working the swing shift.

Remember the prevention of insomnia is your goal here. You often have to find which combination of suggestions work best for you. Don't get discouraged if you have to try more than one suggestion. That is not uncommon.

After all it really doesn't matter what combination of insomnia prevention tips works for you, what really matters is that something works.

Happy insomnia free nights! For more important information on health topics sure to visit http://www.the-health-hub.com where you will find information and resources on personal health such as aches and pains, conditions and diseases, diet and nutrition, fitness and many other articles that you can view at http://the-health-hub.com ]]> How to Become a Home Based Work at Home Agent http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-become-a-home-based-work-at-home-agent http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-become-a-home-based-work-at-home-agent#comments Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:15:26 +0000 customer service enquiriespart time employmentinitial chargesadequate incomeknowledge workday shiftcomputer knowledge http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-become-a-home-based-work-at-home-agent
Work at home agent jobs do not require you to make any investment and there should be no for you to pay before you start. All you will need is a computer with an internet connection and a phone.

If you become a work at home agent, you would need to provide information, process orders, resolve any issues or handle incoming calls for the company that has hired you. In turn the company will pay you for your services. This type of job is available to you in either full or .

Also you would be able to select or night shift. If you have any children, then it may be better for you to select late evening or early morning to work. This is so that you would not get any disturbances while working. But you will need the ability to manage time properly so you can keep both job and family life in harmony.

A home based agent is not an independent contractor but in fact is an employee of a company. Thus, as a company employee you should be provided with any training needed. If you do decide to select this type of job, then you would get either face to face or some form of online training.

Many companies are finding it a troublesome process dealing with . Because customers are extremely important to any business, their satisfaction must be a priority. Therefore, these companies are willing to pay home based agents who can handle customer service well. These companies may not always require any special qualification or previous experience for this type of job. But you need to have excellent communication skills and basic .

Work at home call center agents can earn an rather the than traditional call center agents. By employing you the company will save money on equipment and so forth. So a work at home agent job benefits not only the employee but also the company as well.

There are various home based agent job opportunities available to you on the internet, it is essential for you to sort out the legitimate opportunities that are available. You may find this time consuming and it will take a lot of effort on your behalf. But when you do get a legitimate job, you will reap the rewards of your efforts, by earning a nice income. Your payment for this work would come in the form of check or cash only.

If you do decided to work as home based agent for any company, then it would be best to organize a room in your home, so that you may work with out any distractions or disturbances . Also ensure that you have a professional phone manner and are always polite, this is very important for this type of work.For more information on Working At Home visit Free Work At Home Help. A popular website that provides more information on working from your home, starting a own home business and help with finding Working At Home As A Customer Service Agent.]]> Restaurant Scheduling For Success- From E-Book http://www.artwoo.com/article/restaurant-scheduling-for-success-from-e-book http://www.artwoo.com/article/restaurant-scheduling-for-success-from-e-book#comments Mon, 17 Apr 2006 08:50:15 +0000 dining room servicestaff memberscustomer serviceimmenselyservice laborstaff schedulingservice staff http://www.artwoo.com/article/restaurant-scheduling-for-success-from-e-book Dining Room Service Staff Tight and Content which is Essential for Pleasing Paying Guests.

is closely tied to dining room and crucial for keeping your staff tight, happy and well connected. In every way, a balance must be achieved by matching the dining room needs to forecasted business.

There should be a system whereby the staff shift availability days can be communicated in writing to the person who makes up the schedule. A simple staff shift availability sign-up sheet posted conspicuously will do. There was a schedule maker from one of my past restaurants who asked for shift requests on little pieces of paper. The main point is that constant communication with the staff while staying abreast of their available work shifts will facilitate the scheduling process .

Each staff member should work a balanced amount of shifts throughout the week. If the schedule maker is burning out with extra shifts or scheduling too many staff members to work only 1 or 2 shifts, it will subtract from customer service. Usually, a restaurant will get more efficiency from staff members working 3, 4, or more shifts per week rather than only 1 or 2 shifts per week. Though at times, one may have to bend this guideline to keep the work schedule filled, but it should be kept to a minimum.

The person who makes the schedule should be highly aware of the projected business in the restaurant. The schedule should contain the correct amount of labor needed to provide a proper level of service for each work shift. Seasonal aspects, (e.g. busy holidays/slow summers), special occasions, private parties etc. must be figured into the schedule. Any outside activity that may affect business in the restaurant such as food festivals, parades etc. needs to be taken into account. If there are separate dining rooms, the busy times must be properly forecasted for each room especially if one dining room is more popular such as showing off a special type of décor or providing entertainment on certain nights. If there is outdoor seating, the weather should be watched closely for it can change quickly.

Forecasting helps to schedule the correct amount of staff with the perfect balance always being sought. If there is light scheduling on a day that gets very busy, the dining room customer service will be slow and inefficient --affecting sales and reputation. On the contrary, if there is heavy scheduling on light business days, it will become frustrating for waitstaff who will be working very few tables while draining the payroll.



Generally, the schedule should start Sunday; therefore it needs to be posted by Thurs. or Fri. of the previous week. Excel spreadsheet formats are great for scheduling organization. The schedule should be posted in an easily viewable location with enough copies available for all staff. Staff phone lists should be printed, copied and made readily available to all. This improves communication especially for work shift substitutions.



This leads to the substitution process for staff work shifts. There needs to be a Substitution Book readily available with blank spaces for names, upcoming dates and work shifts for the next 1 to 2 months. If a substitution made, the information must be recorded with the date and shift time a.m/p.m. etc. It must be initialed by both parties involved and finally initialed by a manager ensuring no mistakes in communication. A substitution mishap may result in a shift not being covered.

Scheduling may look great for payroll cost control, but it must be remembered that dining room are real people with real lives whose cheerful and efficient service is what restaurants are dependant upon. The schedule maker needs to be understanding towards the staff's schedule requests, but should not roll over and play dead (again, balance). It is impossible to please everyone 100% all of the time, but a proper scheduling balance will truly have a positive effect on restaurant dining room customer service and staff.

*** It is better for a manager or service consultant to handle the schedule at the initial phases of a new operation. Afterwards, it should be monitored by a second or third person-- especially if the restaurant has just opened. Some mature restaurants may let a senior member of the service staff handle the schedule because there is better communiqué' with schedule concerns.

Please use whichever system works best for the establishment for the staff schedule is a strong part of customer service and should not be taken lightly. Richard Saporito has over 25yrs. of restaurant service experience in many profitable establishments. His 31 page e-book-How to Improve Dining Room Service- is used as a guide for setting up restaurant dining room customer service systems and training. Richard Saporito, President, Topserve http://www.topserveconsulting.com 888-276-4808 ]]> Mountain Bike Gears: What Are They Good For? http://www.artwoo.com/article/mountain-bike-gears-what-are-they-good-for http://www.artwoo.com/article/mountain-bike-gears-what-are-they-good-for#comments Sat, 14 Jul 2007 17:35:00 +0000 mountain bikesrear derailleurfront derailleurcogschain ringscoggranny gear http://www.artwoo.com/article/mountain-bike-gears-what-are-they-good-for
It's been a long time since the "10-speed" bike was the ne plus ultra of biking sophistication when it came to gears. These days, especially in , you can get anything up to 27 speeds.

What are all these gears in aid of? Quite simply, they allow you to pedal at the same cadence - regardless of whether you're going uphill, downhill, or cross country.

However, the main reason why mountain bikes have so many gears is to assist you in climbing up those mountains!

The main thing to remember when shifting is that you must always shift while pedaling, otherwise you'll strip the gears.

The gears are divided into two parts. There are three in the front, which are controlled by the left hand gear shifter. That's why there are 3 numbers to choose from on that gear shifter - to choose which of three front rings your chain will rest on. The "derailleur" attached to the gear shifter moves the chain from one ring to another.

When the chain is on the smallest of these three chain rings (1), pedaling will be very easy. This is called the . The second chain ring is for level, off road riding (2), and the third, or largest chain ring, is good for riding on pavement.

So if you want to use just those three gears, you can certainly do so. But, using the right hand shifter, you can take advantage of the increments of gears available to you.

The back chain ring is a set featuring seven, eight or nine , depending on how many "speeds" you have (21, 24 or 27). Each cog is of a different size, and again, the smaller size cogs will enable you to pedal very, very easily - but not go very fast, while the larger size cogs will allow you to go further with each downward stroke of the pedal.

The best thing to do is to practice, practice, practice. Take your bike to a parking lot or somewhere where you don't have to worry about people, and shift from one gear to another, getting used to each one and how easy or difficult it is to pedal while in that gear.

People new to biking might be rather wary of shifting gears. Shifting always was a bit problematic during the "old days" - when one only had a pair of center mounted levels to work with, but now gear shifters - the twist type - are so easy to use that there is no reason to be afraid of shifting. Again, as long as you're pedaling while you shift, you won't hurt the gears. Alastair Hamilton is the editor of many articles on bicycles published at http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com . A website with tips on mountain bike reviews, and many related topics: http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/mountainbikes.html ]]> Diner Dash http://www.artwoo.com/article/diner-dash http://www.artwoo.com/article/diner-dash#comments Thu, 27 Apr 2006 09:50:02 +0000 betfloflos600mhz processorviolent gamesfunny animationsfinancial goal http://www.artwoo.com/article/diner-dash Flo. She gets tired of running the rat race and so opens up her own restaurant. You can play the game in two modes -- Flo's Career and Endless Shift.

For the first mode, you will start out with a rundown diner. You play as Flo and your ultimate goal is to open the restaurant of your dreams. You need to attract and serve as many customers as needed to reach the for the day. If you make your goal then you will move on to the next level with some incentives -- maybe a few new tables, or a new door, or even a coffee machine. The further you get into the game, the more upgrades you get. After reaching a certain level you can open a new restaurant. The Endless Shift mode will let you serve customers until you cannot keep up with the demand. When a certain number of customers leave without being served properly, then your shift ends.

The game does not ask much in terms of system requirements. All you need is a Pentium III , at least Windows 98, at least 128MB of RAM, and 12 MB of your hard disk space.

The graphics are pleasing to the eyes, very family friendly. It is a refreshing alternative to the which are rampant today. There are a lot of and even funnier sound effects.

The little upgrades and bonuses you get after each level entices you to do a much ter job next time in order to improve the restaurant even more. Earning a certain amount beyond your daily goal will give you even more perks.

Playing the game does not require much thinking -- though you need to do a bit of brain work in order to figure out the best possible seating arrangement based on color bonuses. Skill and fast hands are your best bet in beating the game. To be honest, I got frustrated with this game because I couldn't get past a certain level and thus couldn't open up the last restaurant.

If you are not sure you want to buy the game yet, try downloading the free one-hour trial version on Yahoo Games. I am quite sure though, that when the game window closes after 60 minutes, you will be left wanting for more. For more information please visit http://www.444.net ]]> How To Use Golf Training Aids To Improve Your Swing http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-use-golf-training-aids-to-improve-your-swing http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-use-golf-training-aids-to-improve-your-swing#comments Wed, 15 Nov 2006 22:27:06 +0000 golf training aidsalignmentpgaswing pathstanceintimidatinginvaluable http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-use-golf-training-aids-to-improve-your-swing
There are so many factors of the golf swing that it can be just figuring out what to do first: grip, , , takeaway, , shoulder turn, wrist cock, tempo, timing, weight shift, etc. It's impossible to work on everything at once unless you enjoy tangling yourself into a pretzel. Here are some tips on how to find where to start, and on how to use to help you improve your swing.

1. Learn! Get at least one book and one video about the golf swing and learn the basic concepts before you start tinkering. This can really save you some time and heartache. Learn about grip, stance, and alignment. Learn about swing path and clubface angle and how the two combine to affect the flight of the ball. There are lots of great golf videos and books out there written by guys who have spent their lives figuring out the best way(s) to swing, so take advantage!

2. Get lessons from a pro! At the very least, take three lessons to check your grip, stance, and alignment before you start working on your full swing. Swing work is worthless unless you start from the right position, and you can get good instruction about the alignment basics almost anywhere.

3. Get some golf training aids! Golf training aids can really help you get results faster if you use them consistently. Here are some suggestions for golf training aids that will get you going quickly:

a) Molded grip. These are for learning how to grip it before you rip it. Make sure you get a grip/club combination that allows you to actually hit balls, because this is the fastest way to get used to the new position.

b) Swing Path. The club should approach the ball on a slightly inside out path for optimum distance. Get a swing path training aid to help with this. They can range from a foam barrier that physically prevents you from coming over the top, to a mat that sits on the ground as a visual aid.

c) Swing plane. Swinging the club on plane for the entire swing can help with your consistency. A variety of training aids exists from laser pointers for a visual aid to a large hoop that forces you to stay on plane.

d) Tempo. Get a golf metronome and use it during practice sessions. This will help you groove your swing rhythm and gain consistency.

e) Release. Your wrists must release properly through impact to get good club head speed and clubface angle. Get a release training aid to help with this.

f) Weight shift. You absolutely must shift your weight onto your right foot in your backswing and then back to your left foot as you swing through (for right handers). Many players have a problem with falling back as they swing through, which can cause a nasty slice and too high ball flight. Get a golf training aid that forces you to shift the weight onto your forward foot as you swing through the ball and you will gain distance and directional consistency.

If you follow all these suggestions, you will see results quickly. Good luck and stay focused on your swing goals! Mike Gelhaus, once racquetball professional and published author for Racquetball Magazine, has turned his attention back to the game of Golf. With the use of golf training aids, he achieved a handicap of 3 only weeks before back surgery. Check out his site at http://the-best-golf-training-aids.com ]]> Becoming Recession Proof http://www.artwoo.com/article/becoming-recession-proof http://www.artwoo.com/article/becoming-recession-proof#comments Thu, 27 Nov 2008 22:37:22 +0000 marcus aureliusmirror workphilosophical writinghenry fordfinancial healthaffirmationsrecession http://www.artwoo.com/article/becoming-recession-proof recession." If you are one of these people, you might want to reconsider your position. Before blindly saying a condition is being caused by a recession, you might want to ask yourself, "What will it cost me to buy into this?" Consider if you will that your thoughts create your reality. If you doubt that, study any spiritual, religious, philosophical, writing over the last 5,000 years and you will see this lesson over and over. For example, "The destiny of man is in his own soul," Herodotes (5th century B.C.). "Our life is what our thoughts make of it," (121Ñ180) and on and on throughout history, people have been carrying this message.

Once more, if your thoughts are a result of your beliefs, paraphrasing , whether you believe in the recession or you don't, your right.

I learned this quite expensive lesson many years ago. At the time I had a small graphic design and advertising agency, providing services for the business community. According to the New York Times we were in a recession. I knew that for a fact because I read about it each day in the newspaper and heard about it on TV. The problem was that my clients who had outstanding invoices, also believed it. I would go out and visit with the client, expecting to be paid for a job, only to spend my time drinking coffee and commiserating with them about how bad things were. I would end up leaving, with no money. You can image the toll this was taking on my . My finances were a disaster.

Fortunately, things began to change. The change however was not because the recession ended; it was because I stop believing in its power over my life. I began doing a lot of personal growth work, writing and reciting . I did , visualization, I prayed, I meditated, and I did everything I could think of to shift my beliefs away from depending on outside forces for my prosperity and shift them toward pending on God and my own inner power. I canceled my subscription to The New York Time (sorry, Times!) and stopped watching the news. I stopped believing in the recession.

Amazing things began to happen. First, my back went out of alignment from the strain of the situation. This was not expected. I spent five days flat on my back getting up only to go to the chiropractor. I was actually working from the floor of my office with my telephone next to me. As my back began to feel better and I began to feel better, more things happened. Fortunately, these were better things. One of my clients called with a huge job that changed my financial situation immediately. Following that, several people I had been calling on "all of a sudden" were ready to proceed. My situation changed within a week or two.

When my beliefs changed, my focus changed, and what I was attracting into my life changed accordingly.

Are we in a recession? Try to get a reservation at a four star restaurant on a Saturday night, or go to an expensive department store and see if you still feel this way. Visit a luxury car dealer and ask them how their sales have been. You'll probably find out everything is fine.

It all depends upon your beliefs, thoughts and what you focus on from minute to minute. If you're concerned or worried, shift your attention, and begin writing a list of what's working. Invest some time each day for writing and visualizing what you want. Shift your focus away from the problem or lack of business. This is crucial! What you focus on expands, so if you're focusing on a lack of business, you will, by your very thought processes, be creating more of this lack. You don't have to wait for the government or media to give you permission to succeed. Take charge now and reclaim your power. This time has come for you to reclaim your business and your life and to become the person you are capable of becoming.Jim Donovan is the author of several critically acclaimed self-help books, including "Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck" and "This is Your Life, Not a Dress Rehearsal," published in 22 countries. He is an inspiring motivational speaker and small business coach. To learn more and receive a free gift, visit: http://www.JimDonovan.com]]> The MLM Leadership Paradigm Shift, Have You Experienced It? http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-mlm-leadership-paradigm-shift-have-you-experienced-it http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-mlm-leadership-paradigm-shift-have-you-experienced-it#comments Sat, 18 Aug 2007 22:24:59 +0000 zig ziglarnetwork marketersnetwork marketingleadership paradigmleadership abilitiesmarketing organizationtime management skills http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-mlm-leadership-paradigm-shift-have-you-experienced-it Network marketers are quick to spout off the famous quote by

"You can have anything you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want"

However over the years at numerous training seminars I have asked these distributors to write down the name of their top 3 team members. After they have completed this task, I ask them to write down the specific TOP 3 REASONS these people are building a business.

The response is always the same, they look like a deer starring into headlights!

Everyone understands the truth in Mr. Ziglar's quote, but very few actually take the quote to heart and live and work daily with the goal to help others get what they want. Those that do take this task to heart become sought after, recognized leaders within their particular companies.

Why don't more network marketers experience what I call the shift?

Because when you join a network market company everything about you is put to the test:

* Your Persistence * Your Self Image * Your ability to Handle Rejection * Your * Your ability to Focus * Your * Your communication Skills * Your ability to put your pride away and seek help * Your ability to maintain relationships with family and friends

And the list goes on and on and on and on some more!

requires more personal growth than perhaps any profession you can choose. However it also offers more personal freedom and wealth than any other profession as well.

When you join a Network everything about you is tested. These constant tests create an unusual focus on yourself and your personal growth. This is just a natural progression of your thought processes, does this make sense?

As you begin to grow as person, learn new skills, and develop new attitudes the business ultimately becomes easier as you start to create systems that maximize your performance.

After you develop an organization of a couple of hundred of people you must realize that you have accomplished more at this point, than 90% of the people that ever join a network marketing organization. You should congratulate yourself. The fact that you have made it to this point proves that you have the internal make up to build a huge organization and the residual income lifestyle you are working for.

However at this point, something must happen. The Leadership Paradigm must occur. You must learn how to take the concentration and focus off of yourself, and place it on the development of your team members. You probably don't realize it at this point, but you really are over the hump. Your income and lifestyle may not outwardly show this with a group of a couple of hundred people, but the fact is YOU HAVE MADE IT OVER THE HUMP.

The bad news is very few potential MLM Leaders have the ability to change focus from their self and onto helping their team learn, grow, and develop the skills and attitudes necessary for success.

At this point if you can focus on Zig Ziglar's quote and develop a heart for helping people, you will have a great future in this industry. Without the MLM Leadership paradigm shift you will probably still achieve financial success, but you will miss the 2 greatest benefits of the business.

The friendships and Relationships you develop

The true leadership and growth within yourself.

Don't get me wrong, without the MLM Leadership Paradigm shift you will still experience personal growth, but not leadership growth. True leaders focus 100% on helping others.

There is a Bible verse that says "He who wishes to be great let them become the SERVANT of many"

Where is your focus right now? Be honest with yourself when you answer this question. Are you focused on the growth of your organization, or are you totally focused on helping your team achieve what they want?

My hope for you is that you will experience the MLM Leadership Paradigm Shift! Dale Calvert is the CEO of Calvert Marketing Group, a training, consulting, and seminar company for the Network Marketing Industry. Pick up a free copy of his best selling "Confessions of a Network Marketing Millionaire" program at http://www.MLMHelp.com or get more mlm insights at http://www.MLM2008.biz ]]> Mowing For Money - Forget The Daily 9-5 Grind http://www.artwoo.com/article/mowing-for-money-forget-the-daily-9-5-grind http://www.artwoo.com/article/mowing-for-money-forget-the-daily-9-5-grind#comments Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:25:00 +0000 lawn care businessgraveyard shiftsmowing lawnsfiling taxesspending cashcare specialistday shift http://www.artwoo.com/article/mowing-for-money-forget-the-daily-9-5-grind lawn care business, they refer back to a time when they were in their teens trying earn some extra by cutting their neighbors lawn. Over time of course, people that were around us then and now most likely convinced you into thinking that it was just a small job that could, in most instances, never be used to sustain an adult led lifestyle. The fact is, can make you more money than any other type of job in the marketplace.

An independent lawn can earn up to $100k a year, while a commercial lawn care operation with a staff of 5 or more can pull in up to $500k+ after their first year in business, of course, all Dependant on how active they are in attracting new client=E8le.

By running an independent or commercial lawn care operation, you will be able to schedule your own jobs and hours, and ultimately determine when and where you want to work, which jobs want to take and the ones you don't. Forget the 9-5 jobs and the dreaded . As a lawn care specialist, you will work less and get paid more than if you were to work an all at a store, restaurant or office.

This is a cash only business. No taxes are taken out, as you will be the one who declares to the government how much you earn. What makes it even better, is that when it does come time for , you can write off all of your expenses, including food, gas, equipment and supply costs.

Some tools you may need to complete your jobs are walking or riding mowers "depending on the size of the property", fertilizers, blowers and general gardening tools. All of which can be obtain for no more than a few hundred dollars through newspapers, online auctions and rental centers looking to liquidate their equipment.

If you are worried about finding your first clients or communicating with them, there is no need to worry. There are currently dozens of free-to-low cost avenues of publicity you can take advantage of. Some, but not all are: 1.) Listing your Business in the Yellow Pages, 2.) Distributing Flyers in the mail or door-to-door at places of businesses or residential areas, 3.) Community T.V. Bulletin Boards, 4.) and Web Sites which you can develop for FREE plus many others.

Startup costs are minimal due to the fact you can purchase your equipment used, and for commercial business startups that require a storefront, government grants are available.

Aside from the unlimited growth potential of your operation due to the gradual increases in referrals, it will never be boring.

Unlike working in an office or indoors, you will be outside meeting people, cutting and watering lawns. Everyday is an adventure. If you are concerned about the difficulties and physical toll it takes to run this kind of business, again, there is no need to worry. We live in a world of technology and machines that make our life easier. Just hit the switch and go.

Job security is another important factor for those looking to mow lawns. You will never be laid off, whether the economy is booming or in a recession. These jobs need to be done.

If you are interested in this line of work, please keep in mind that you will have the ability to choose which services you offer. You can concentrate solely on mowing lawns and light landscaping work, or you can offer a variety of options for your customers, such as: mowing, weeding, mulch work, pruning, leaf cleanup, gutter cleaning, seasonal plantings, irrigation maintenance and consultations and even snow removal.

Also, to be successful in this business, you must have the proper documentation to run your business on hand, including but not limited to licenses, forms and permits.

If you're looking for a more secure, lucrative and dependable business to engage in, then a lawn care business may be the ideal option for you. You can start work almost immediately, there is minimal risk and but huge income potential. Eric Znoj is a professional online publisher of niche industry publications designed to assist people to achieve their personal and financial goals quickly and easily without the associated headaches. Visit his site at: http://www.startalawncarebiz.com ]]> Reality Shock For Graduate Nurses http://www.artwoo.com/article/reality-shock-for-graduate-nurses http://www.artwoo.com/article/reality-shock-for-graduate-nurses#comments Tue, 09 Sep 2008 05:08:28 +0000 reality shockcare pathwaysgraduate nursestudent nursescare departmentsstudent nursecollaborative care http://www.artwoo.com/article/reality-shock-for-graduate-nurses reality shock when you begin your career as a Registered Nurse. What do we mean by the term, "reality shock"? Well, like the term says, it is the reality that shocks us. The question you may ask is, "so there is a difference in the reality of being a student or "? The answer is an emphatic, YES!

First of all, as a you were given assignments that were not beyond the scope of your practice or ability. In addition to that, you were working under your instructor's license and whether or not you were aware, they kept a very close watch on you. Therefore, there was a safety net that always hovered beneath you in case you were to fall. This is not the case as you take on the title, Registered Nurse. There is no safety net. You are out there by yourself, free to make decisions and make mistakes. With those decisions and mistakes you are also, FULLY ACCOUNTABLE.

Now imagine yourself with eight or more patients. You may be asking yourself, "What do you mean eight or MORE patients?" Most never have more than six or seven patients and that is only at the very end of the program. Even then, the student nurses can delegate tasks to assistive personnel thereby lessening their work load. However, there will be time that you will be on a floor, without any assistive personnel, with more than eight patients and no one to rely on except yourself. To compound this scenario, there may be patients that have very critical that you must follow, incoming calls from patient's families, doctor's, operating room staff, and other collaborative requesting information.

Now, let's stop this scenario in its tracks. You probably feel the stress building by just reading the previous passage. If so, don't worry, it is a perfectly normal reaction. So, relax, and know that there are ways to ease this inevitable right of passage. Let's take a look at some of the ways to help ease and deal with reality shock.

1. First of all, it is important to understand that, "reality shock" does indeed exist and you will come face to face with it. Knowing what you will face is most of the battle. The task at hand then becomes, knowing what steps to take and resources to use, and how to use them.

2. Learn as much as you can during your in-service training program, which usually lasts up to eight weeks or more. This means familiarizing yourself with every inch of your floor. Know where everything is located, from safety pins to I.V. tubing. You may never know when you may need it, NOW, and the worst thing that can happen is that you spend precious time looking for something as small as a safety pin.

3. Know, who the assisted personnel are, and know them by name and face. Find out who will be the ones that you will be working with during your shift. What usually happens during in-service training is that graduate nurses train on the main shift, which is most frequently days, before transferring to the shift that they have been hired to work. Therefore it is very important to know who you will be working with during your shift. Try also to develop a working relationship with the assistive personnel. Remember, it is not a popularity game, you are not out to make best friends. Your goal is quality patient care, and the patient comes first. Let your intentions be known that your number one goal is to give the best patient care that you have respect for the care team assistive personnel and are a willing and helpful body to them as well. In doing this, you will have disabled the invisible wall that exists between nurses and assistive personnel. That wall is the one entitled, I am a NURSE and you are ONLY an aide. One thing that you must strive for is to use an even tone of voice, and fairness when delegating. You must also remember the rights of delegation, which are as follows, a. the right task, b. the right person, c. the right communication, (must be clear and concise), d. the right feedback, (the person who is delegated the task must comprehend what it is that is asked of them and let the nurse know that they comprehend). By doing this you are ensuring that patient care will not suffer do to a personality glitch, which could have been avoided.

4. Know, know and KNOW where the Policy and Procedure manual is located on the floor. Part of your hospital in-service will include the introduction of the Policy and Procedure Manual. This is the manual that you will have to refer to many times for protocol from everything from changing out a Foley Catheter to transporting a patient to another floor. The final analysis will be in any investigation, "did the nurse use and follow the Policy and Procedure Manual?" You want to always be sure that you follow the rules and protocols contained in your institutions manual. Therefore, you should know where it is located and be familiar with how to look up various procedures and policies.

5. the policy regarding medication errors. Most everyone makes them and it is crucial that you know what paperwork is required to be filled out. It will come in handy. You cannot just, "wing it", when making a decision, you have to follow protocol.

6. Use assertive communication when interacting with doctors'. Assertive communication indicates that you are aware of yourself and your limitations as well as your liability to the patients that you care for. Using this form of communication with over assertive medical personnel will help you function to your maximum capability and earn respect as an independent care professional. {For more information on the uses and strategies concerning assertive communication, please refer to the text entitled, Nursing Today, Transition and Trends, by JoAnn Zerwekh, Jo Carol Claborn, 5th edition, Co. 2006, Saunders, Philadelphia.}

7. Ask questions. You will have time during your in-service training to ask questions and get answers. It is your right to do so. Remember, not knowing is not an excuse, and you do not want to be in a situation where there will be no-one to ask. This is not to say that you will know everything, but a least you are giving yourself a head start and a good solid foundation by knowing what you can. So don't be afraid to ask. Also, know who your resources are, for questions that you may have on the shift that you will be working.

8. Find a mentor with whom you can relate. Try to find someone not only on the shift during training, but also on the shift that you will be working. It is nice to find someone who has the experience and understanding as well as someone that you can get along. There might be a time that you will want to call them in the middle of the night and vent your concerns, or just to have them give you positive input in your performance. Mentors are essential to the growth of a new nurse.

9. Lastly, Know, Know and Know, what your State Nurse Practice Act states. This Act, is your guideline for most all that you do as a Registered Nurse. Know it well.

Hopefully these tips will help to ease the reality shock that you will face during your transition from student nurse to full time graduate nurse. Remember, you can't do it all. You are a welcome asset to your employer, but first and foremost an embodiment of all that Florence Nightingale stood for. Best wishes on your journey.Pass the Nursing Entrance Test the first time with our guide at Nurses Learning Center. Written by a Professor of Education for nurses, the guide has over 600 pages with details answers to every question.]]>