Archive for November, 2007

Packaging Trends You Cannot Overlook (Part #2)

Tuesday, November 27th, 2007

By JoAnn Hines Part #2 6) Food safety is becoming paramount. What this means to you: No longer are the words tampering and bio terrorism buzz phrases. They are facts of life. Product integrity will become increasingly important to consumers. New packaging ideas have been developed in response to growing food manufacturer fears about food safety and tampering. Packaging is likely to perform a key role in establishing and maintaining consumer confidence. 7) Environmentally friendly biodegradable packaging is another growth area, reflecting consumer and retailer awareness of the issue of waste disposal. What this means to you: A large number of packaging firms are launching products made of 100 per cent recycled materials. There is increasing evidence of biodegradable inks on the market. All it takes is a few early adapters to make huge swings in the use of environmentally friendly materials. Remember how quickly the market changed when McDonalds switched from an EPS clamshell to a paperboard product? Literally overnight, the entire packaging climate changed. 8) Niche markets for products are being created. Niches that arelarge enough to be very profitable. What this means to you: New products are being introduced for specific target markets. No longer can one product capture the majority of a consumer segment. Many of these markets are obscure but very lucrative. Innovation is continuing at a rampant pace. Look for new and previously untapped markets. Two growing areas are products marketed to women and boomers. Important Info: The over 50 market is the hottest market for prestige products. With 76 million U.S. boomers born between 1946 and 1964, the potential for profit and growth are enormous. Every seven seconds, someone is turning 50 years old. Baby boomers will push the number of 50-and-over adults to more than 108 million by 2015. 9) Look for the continued growth of dual purpose products. What this means to you: Growth can come from unlikely areas. Markets that were once strong have become so diluted they have become unprofitable. Whether you call if phood or pharmaceutically engineered and enhanced food, this category is hot. Explore all of the new product introductions that fall under these parameters. Important Info: The New U.S. “Phood” Market: Functional, Fortified, and Inherently Healthy Foods and Beverages What Youll Get in this Report The New U.S. “Phood” Market–Functional, Fortified, and Inherently Healthy Foods and Beverages makes important predictions and recommendations regarding the future of this market, and pinpoints ways current and prospective marketers can capitalize on current trends and spearhead new ones. No other market research report provides both the comprehensive analysis and extensive data that The New U.S. “Phood” Market–Functional, Fortified, and Inherently Healthy Foods and Beverages offers. http://www.packagedfacts.com/pub/1020433.html 10) Competition will continue unabated. What this means to you: Today’s market leader may be tomorrow’s out of business company. Keep abreast of changing technology and innovation is the key. Got packaging problems? I can help. I teach people how to package products consumers will buy. I make it easy to answer your problems with email and voice consultation. Get advice from the top expert in consumer packaging. Email the Packaging Diva at packagingdiva@aol.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JoAnn_Hines http://EzineArticles.com/?Packaging-Trends-You-Cannot-Overlook-(Part-2)&id=40558 order xanax online xanax with no prescription online pharmacy xanax onlinr pharmacy xanax

Meeting Your Online Date in Safety

Monday, November 26th, 2007

By Caroline Mackenzie Here are some common sense safety tips for meeting your online date in person. Your instincts will play a strong role in keeping you safe too, so listen to them and take action if you feel uncomfortable or alarmed at any time. Remember, theres also a good chance that your date is perfectly genuine. Tread a sensible line between optimism and caution and your date will be safe and enjoyable. Meet when youre ready: Dont be pressured into meeting your online date. One of the big attractions of online dating is that you can find out the important stuff - be sure theres a real possibility for a relationship up front, so take your time and make the most of it. Your offline date should confirm and enhance your feelings, not lead to disappointment, or nasty surprises! Meet in a public place: Hopefully most of you are yawning at this. However, when youve built up some trust online, and happen to share an interest in lonely country walks, say, a lonely country walk might seem like a great idea for a first date. Give yourself a severe reality check when arranging a first date. First dates should always be in well-populated, public places. Meet in a familiar or well-known area: You need to be able to find your way home, or back to your hotel room, quickly and easily. Dont travel into unfamiliar neighborhoods and if youve traveled to an unfamiliar city to meet your date, choose a hotel in a central area thats well known to taxi drivers and locals. Meet in a place where youre not well known: For first dates, avoid favorite hangouts where everyone knows you and your business. Your date can return to pry information out of your favorite bartender or friends, or turn up uninvited bad news if you decide not to pursue the relationship. Travel independently: Revealing where you live, where youre staying or getting into a strange vehicle puts you at risk. Be sure to make your own way to and from your date, and dont be persuaded otherwise. If you make your travel arrangements ahead of time, youll have a good excuse for refusing any offers to pick you up or drop you home, and if your dates half the person you think they are, theyll respect your independence and caution. Make your own arrangements: Dont let your date take over and make all the decisions about where you go, what you do, and, if youre traveling from another city, where you stay. Make your own travel arrangements (Ive said this already, but its important), book your own hotel, and make sure you and your common sense get to play a big role in deciding when and where your date takes place. Tell a friend or relative about your date: Make sure someone knows who youre meeting (their full name and phone number), when, where and at what time you expect to be back. Take your cell phone: If you dont have a cell phone, borrow one. Arrange for someone to call you at a certain time to check up on how your date is going, and how youre feeling about it. Agree beforehand on some phrases that will let them know, without giving the game away to your date, whether its going well or whether you need to put a pre-arranged escape plan into action. Dont drink too much: Sure, a drink can calm your nerves but be careful not to overdo it and lose your ability to make safe and sensible decisions. Leave if you feel uncomfortable: Youre excited about your date, you want it to go well, to give it every chance of success but (and its a big but) dont let this tempt you into ignoring or excusing the fact that something doesnt feel right. If it doesnt feel right it probably isnt. Trust your instincts, admit it and get out of there. If necessary, enlist the help of a waiter or manager or some other person that can help you make a get away, perhaps feigning a call from home or showing you an alternative way out of the building. Remember though, its not necessary to explain yourself to your date. Simply leave. Watch for strange behavior: When you meet offline, dating should fall into a natural, comfortable pattern. Stop dating if it doesnt. For instance, if your date always wants to meet some distance from where they live or work, is reluctant to introduce you to friends or family, or has strange rules about how and when you call each other, somethings very wrong. Copyright 2004 Caroline Mackenzie Caroline Mackenzie is Co-Owner/Webmaster of The Dating Muse, a guide to online dating services and personals featuring reviews of the top online dating sites plus tips and ideas for finding friends, dates, soulmates and sexual adventure online. You can visit her site at http://DatingMuse.com and subscribe to her newsletter at http://datingmuse.com/subscribe.htm Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caroline_Mackenzie http://EzineArticles.com/?Meeting-Your-Online-Date-in-Safety&id=9992 buy tramadol online no prescription buy prescription tramadol tramadol buy on line online tramadol pharmacy

How To Treat A Cold

Sunday, November 25th, 2007

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Manolito_Montala] Manolito Montala The common cold is a frequent and expensive disease, striking some people as many as 12 times a year, and leading to some 15 million days lost from work annually in the U.S. alone. Children catch a cold the most six or eight episodes a year. In contrast, adults average two to four episodes a year, with a greater frequency found in those with children. What’s a cold? A cold is a self-limiting viral infection of the respiratory tract typically marked by a scratchy, sore throat, followed by sneezing and a runny nose. A person suffering a cold would usually have a body temperature that is normal or only slightly elevated. A mild cough may develop several days later. The cold virus can be spread easily. Tiny droplets in the air, such as from a cough or a sneeze, carry the virus from person to person. Direct personal contact, such as hand- shaking or kissing, transfer the virus as well. Most colds strike in the fall and winter in temperate countries, and during the cooler rainy season in tropical countries. Researchers at the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) say that this is probably due to the greater time spent indoors in cold weather, increasing the opportunity for viruses to spread among people. Also, the lower humidity during the colder months helps viruses thrive and may dry the lining of nasal passages, making people more susceptible to infection. Smoking, which destroys the mucosal lining of the respiratory tract, greatly increases the frequency of colds in adults. Conventional treatment amazingly, modern medicine has not yet developed an efficient way to kill- cold viruses once they have invaded the body. Also, we do not acquire useful resistance to these viruses because there are over 200 of them, constantly mutating. The best way to handle a cold is to prevent it. If despite precautions, you do get a cold, doctors advise that you take an over-the-counter medication to relieve symptoms such as a runny nose and cough. Most non- prescription cough-cold remedies contain a combination of ingredients to relieve multiple symptoms. These combination products often contain anti-pyretics to reduce fever and analgesics to relieve minor aches, pains, and headaches. Many people rare convinced that taking vitamin C can prevent colds or relieve symptoms. There is no conclusive evidence of this, but the vitamin may reduce the severity or duration of symptoms, according to the NIAID. A word of caution: Taking vitamin C in large amounts over long periods can be harmful. I. What a medical doctor will tell you: => Take an antipyretic and analgesic if your temperature is over 102 F or if you experience severe muscle pain or weakness. Rest. =>Take lots of fluids. Water and chicken soup relieve symptoms, Avoid sweetened drinks and milk products. =>If you are clogged-up, take a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine or oxymetazolIne. =>If you have profuse nasal discharge, take an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine to dry up secretions. =>Take lozenges to relieve sore throat, zinc lozenges will stimulate immune system and destroy viruses. =>Take extra Vitamin C and A. Try taking garlic, Echinacea, and essential fatty acids to relieve symptoms and shorten course of illness. =>To avoid a cold, wash hands frequently and avoid humid, crowded plates, Do not touch nose, eyes, and mouth. Get into a good nutritional program. II. What A Naturopathic Doctor Will Tell You =>If you have a fever, get lots of rest and Increase Intake if fluids Take multivitamins avoid cold, damp places Keep away from cold drinks. =>Take lots of fluids such as water and soup Drank juice from fresh pine apple, citrus fruit, or lime avoid sweetened drinks. =>If you are clogged-up Inhale steam from mixture of water and essential oil containing menthol or eucalyptus =>If you have profuse nasal discharge, help It along by Increasing fluid Intake to expel phlegm and nasal discharge =>For sore throat take lozenges with eucalyptus and sip chrysanthemum tea or ginger ale to boost Immune system =>Take buffered vitamin C for better absorption. Take Echinacea. =>Take herbal supplements. Consult an alternative medicine doctor on other methods to maintain well being. Manolito Montala is a webmaster and one of his interests is collecting local [http://www.filipinoherbshealingwonders.filipinovegetarianrecipe.com/] medicinal plants information which can be found in Filipino Herbs Healing Wonders. You can also visit his site in [http://www.filipinoherbshealingwonders.filipinovegetarianrecipe.com/] http://www.filipinoherbshealingwonders.filipinovegetarianrecipe.com/ Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Manolito_Montala ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Manolito_Montala [http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Treat-A-Cold&id=265943 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Treat-A-Cold&id=265943 john gliha debt elimination secrets book credit card debt payoff eliminate your existing credit card dres debt elimination debt elimination christian debt consolidation

Snooze to Lose Pounds

Saturday, November 24th, 2007

By Kim Beardsmore If you want to find a way to lose weight faster, and you think there is nothing new under the sun, then what Im about to tell you will really make you nod off. According to Dr Kenneth Goodrick at Baylor University, a good nights sleep is a vital ingredient for weight loss. He believes that lack of sleep robs people of the energy they need to exercise and sets up a vicious low-energy cycle that sabotages your weight loss programme. Often when energy reserves are low, people turn to high-fat and high-sugar laden foods or caffeinated drinks for energy pick-me-upsall of which interfere with weight loss efforts. Some may drink 10 to 15 caffeinated beverages a day, which has a adverse effect on sleep quality. Its a double whammy. This is not the only fascinating connection between sleep and weight gain. Researchers have found there are two hormones involved. Leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite, and grehlin, which increases food intake and is thought to play a role in long-term regulation of body weight. Sleep deprivation lowers the levels of leptin and raises levels of grehlin. This is thought to be the reason why obese people suffering with sleep apnea often put on weight faster than others. Goodrick says, Sleep is a time for the brain, the body, and all the hormones to get regulated and restore themselves to the baseline values for the next day. If you have caffeine, or inadequate sleep, you dont have a chance for all of those restorative processes to get finished. So youre ending not quite fit, or metabolically where you should be. What is a good nights sleep? Participants in a US study who got less than 4 hours of sleep each night were 73 percent more likely to be obese than those who sleep between 7 and 9 hours a night, the recommended amount. Those who slept only 5 hours each night were 50 percent more likely to be overweight, and those who slept 6 hours a night were 23 percent more likely to be overweight. Its official, for good health we all need to wake up and get a good nights sleep. Kim Beardsmore is a weight loss consultant whose business operates across 60 countries. Tons of recipes, articles, resources, free newsletter and more to help you lose weight and keep it off forever. Estimate your healthy body weight or receive a free weight loss consultation at http://www.weight-loss-health.com.au Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kim_Beardsmore http://EzineArticles.com/?Snooze-to-Lose-Pounds&id=66268 can i buy phentermine online cheap phentermine online without prescription order phentermine cod buy phentermine without a doctor

Gardens Provide Peaceful Sanctuaries

Friday, November 23rd, 2007

By Robert Seigal Agoraphobia is the fear of being in open spaces. And a hint of this primordial fear is present in all of us. Perhaps “fear” is too strong a word in this context. Let’s just say that for some reason or other, we all feel more at ease, more relaxed and more secure in enclosed areas - such as our homes, our porches, and our gardens. Perhaps this predilection for enclosure can be attributed to ancestral memories. Memories formed when our mammalian precursors hid in burrows and dens, or when our hominid ancestors cowered in caves. then again, it may go back no farther than our own buried childhood memories, to the sense of safety conferred by cradle, crib or playpen. In early times, enclosure provided protection against such threats as roving carnivores, Mongol hordes, marauding bands of seriously disgruntled peasants, and the not-to-be-lightly-dismissed possibility of dragons. It wasn’t until after the Renaissance that Europeans drained theor moats and let their guard down. But - significantly- they continued to maintain the artifacts of enclosure. Whatever its etiology, the walls and fences that surround us engender a deep-rooted feeling of security, serenity and peace of mind. They’re an essential part of what makes a garden a garden. So, by all means, let us continue to create enclosure. And by so doing, maybe we’ll be able to keep all those dragons - real or imagined - at bay. For professional landscape design information, free downloadable garden plans and many excellent garden articles visit http://www.landscape-design-garden-plans.com For everything water features visit http://www.water-features-online.com http://www.water-features-online.comhttp://www.landscape-design-garden-plans.comhttp://www.gardenviews.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Seigal http://EzineArticles.com/?Gardens-Provide-Peaceful-Sanctuaries&id=167466 no prescription next day tramadol buy tramadol without a prescription drug drug employment prescription testing ultram tramadol without a prescription next day fedex

A Lesson from the Woman caught in Adultery in John Chapter 8:1-11

Thursday, November 22nd, 2007

By Matthew Robert Payne It all started pretty innocent. I was a maid in his house and I used to do all of the cleaning and cooking and looking after the young ones. He and the wife were linen traders and they often were away for nights at a time and sometimes his wife was away and he was left at home taking care of the local shop. He was a talker and he liked to sit down with a glass of wine after a meal and have a good chat. He did that with his wife most of the time when the children were in bed but on the few occasions she was away, he came to my room and invited me down for a chat and a couple of wines. I was young and didnt have the body of a lady that had given birth to three children and I was quite funny and easy to joke around with. He liked to question me about my dreams and aspirations and was always fascinated that I was content just helping him and his wife make the house run like clockwork. He knew I wished I had a man of my own, and I made it clear that when I married I wanted a businessman like him. That was another reason I was in their house to learn from them. His wife was a wonderful woman and very driven. She had a hard side to her, and sometimes was short with her husband and the children. She was a fine businesswoman but something was just not right with her and she seemed to lack the gentle spirit and carefree outlook that I had. In two years I had only seen her laugh once and this was to one of my jokes at the dinner table, and yet hed been laughing every time I opened my mouth. I should have shut my mouth and not been such a funny girl, I should have been quiet and reserved and not taken such a keen interest in him, I should have done a lot of things, but we all learn that in hindsight. It was a summers day, and he had laughed a few hearty laughs, and drank a few too many drinks when he grabbed me one day and began to kiss me. At first I was shocked but as he kissed me I had to admit to myself that this was really my secret hearts desire. I had often wondered if I was his wife, could I make him happier and as he kissed me I responded and for a night I saw him very happy. Of course in the morning it was hard for us to be civil with each other. With the sexual union, something had changed and there was tension in the air now as he made it clear that it was only the wine that had allowed him to make such a bad mistake. It isnt very flattering for a girl to lose her virginity to a man that she loved, only to be told in the morning that it was all a mistake and that if it wasnt for the wine he would never have been so stupid. I was going to leave that day but I made the mistake of staying another six months and it happened every time she went away without him. Soon I was reduced to a constant feeling of shame. The lady of the house suspected us from the first week but she was so busy and so driven she must have just put it to the side. But one day out the back when I was hanging the washing out she confronted me with it and in tears I made my confession. She promptly kicked me out with one weeks income and I was homeless and heartbroken. It seems news travels fast in small towns and though people didnt know details the sudden departure from their employ was seen as something I did that was just not right. I couldnt find someone to give me a maids job and the inn where I stayed was demanding the next weeks rent. I was hungry and desperate and had no family to support me and so I pleaded with the innkeeper. I told him if he would let me stay I would not only have sex with him but I would sell my body to other men and he could have 50% of my earnings. The interview went well and when he dressed he said he would spread the word around and it wasnt two hours before I had my first professional client. Good news spreads pretty slowly, but with my young body and good looks, the news of my services spread really fast and before long I had to tell the innkeeper to limit my visitors to the civil and polite ones that I wanted to see. The ones that I didnt like I tossed and the ones that I liked I kept. And that was my mistake. One of the men that had seen me three times before I limited my visitors was a powerful man and he was used to getting what he wanted with his money. He had friends in the synagogue and so he went over and reported me for committing adultery. I was in bed with a client one day, shortly afterward when they stormed into my room. The client was told to dress and leave and then they grabbed me and dragged me out of the inn and away to be stoned. John 8:1-11 (New King James Version) 1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say? 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first. 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you? 11 She said, No one, Lord. And Jesus said to her, Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more. Never before had I met a man like Jesus Christ. I went back to the inn and packed my bags and returned to the marketplace. After He had finished speaking I asked Him what should I do and what was His advice. He told me to come with Him to the house of a widow that was sick and for me to stay and care for her. She had family that would provide for my meals and give me a stipend and that over the years my honor would be restored. From that day to this, I slept with no other man. Two years after I moved into to care for the widow I went for a six-month journey with Jesus and his Apostles, along with His mother and some other devout women of God. I learned much from Jesus in this time and made it my business from that time to make my life shine for all men to know God more and more. I am sixty five today as I write to you and I have to tell you that life for me has not been that easy. Many people in that town made it hard for me and many people made me think that I would never have a good name, but with Gods grace the followers of Christ embraced me and gave me work enough to keep me happy. Under the Jewish Law I would have been stoned if I had not met that humble carpenter that day. I was guilty of a bad sin and deserving of death and the hellfire. But thanks be to God that Jesus looks to the heart and could see my sin was only a matter of bad circumstance on my part. I grew stronger with my six months with Jesus and I was so happy to have spent such quality time with Mary His mother and Mary Magdalene. If people only knew how special and humble those two women were there would be no women trying to lead the church or enforce their rights to be heard. Jesus often sat quietly as both Marys shared things on their hearts and Jesus was not beyond learning something from another. You dont have to worry how big your sin seems to be. Jesus can free you of that sin if you would just let Him. He has the power and the anointing to heal you and you can be set free if you choose. So confess your sin and walk in freedom today. And in the words of Jesus I leave you. Where is your accuser dear friend? Therefore go and sin no more! Matthew shares his heart in these articles and can be found at http://www.online-prayer.net You can read more of his articles at his link below. If you want a copy of his upcoming book of articles which will have the first sixty of the articles on this web-site called “The Musings of a Mad Prophet” please contact Matthew via email so he can contact you around February 2007 to tell you of the progress of the book. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Robert_Payne http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Lesson-from-the-Woman-caught-in-Adultery-in-John-Chapter-8:1-11&id=292829 buy cheap online propecia order cheapest propecia online online pharmacies for propecia or finasteride finasteride online 5mg

Tall Tales, Business Games and Hiring

Wednesday, November 21st, 2007

By Jean Dickson Every day in every town in the country, Human Resource Officers are training. They are training people to successfully tell tall tales. It is, after all, one of the most sought after skills in business, along with evading the truth. You might ask, “How are we doing this?” Others might silently exclaim, “Of all the nerve! Why would we want to train people to distort the truth and get away with lying? I would NEVER do that!” Really? Well then, read my take on a short-story classic (with apologies to Stephen Leacock). Here is a little thing that I have worked out, which is superior to business games in that it combines their intense excitement with the practice of those skills needed for advancement in any industry or business. It is easily comprehended, and can be played by anywhere from two to ten players, old or young. It requires no other apparatus other than an office of the ordinary type, seats for all players, and a few thousand pens, paper clips and pieces of paper. It is called: The Urban Employee Selection Process: A Year-Round Game for Old and Young The chief part of the game is taken by two players who station themselves, one at each end of a desk, and who adopt some distinctive costumes to indicate that they are “it.” If only two people play, then each take a seat across a desk from each other. Player B (the person in the less powerful position) sits opposite Player A (the person in the more powerful position). When more than two people play, Player A faces the door and leads a team. The person in the less powerful position (sitting back to the door in a lower chair on the visitor side of the desk) does not lead a team. Other players occupy a place on the same side of the desk or in as near proximity as possible to their team leader (Player A). The object of Player A is to trick Player B into telling the truth about himself without exaggeration. If Player B is able to answer all of Player A’s questions with exaggeration, then Player A must pay philopena (or forfeit) No. 1, the offer of employment. However, should Player A trick Player B into telling the truth without exaggeration, then Player B must pay Player A philopena No. 2, being thrown out of the office by the neck. Any player who escapes paying the philopena scores one except in the situation where Player B, asked by Player A what he needs to improve, when answering not only does not exaggerate his good points but fails to turn a negative into a positive. In that case, Player A scores two points. I’ll take a bet that this game has been played in almost every business in the country, every time people are interviewed for a job. I’ve experienced the game myself, although I was a very reluctant player and ended up losing the match. Except for the one time I decided to play and ended up getting a job that couldn’t have been less like me than if I had gone actively seeking the job least suited to my knowledge, skills and abilities. How did I play the game? I did what my friends (including ones that had worked in HR) told me to do. They told me to: Turn negatives into positives.Rethink. Instead of stubborn, say persistent; paying attention to detail is better than perfectionistic; innovative instead of totally off the wall.NEVER tell them something that really is a problem if they ask what you need to improve. Instead, tell them a positive masquerading as a negative, such as working too hard.If they ask you to give an example of how you handled a situation and you can’t think of what you did, make up an example based on what you think you would do (of course colour your answer based on what they are looking for).Think of every possible question they could ask and then think up an answer that puts you in a positive light. Every time I protested that this isn’t really fair after all I wanted those individuals interviewing me to be honest - I was told that I was too honest. And that if I was honest, I wouldn’t get a job. I felt like shaking my friends as well as the Human Resource officers interviewing me and shouting, “Hello? Is there such a thing as integrity anymore? What about honour? Or is everyone totally with guile? What about all this talk about values! Why even bother integrity testing! Why are you testing for one thing but hiring the other?” You may reply, “But we are testing how quickly the people think on their feet!” Wouldn’t a better (and more valid) way be to give those people being interviewed a problem and see how quickly they solve it? Or have them answer a question with a two-minute spiel similar to the Toastmasters’ Table Topics Section? You might then say, “We don’t do hire liars and encourage deceit! Our tests are all employment related. I really don’t believe that most companies do those awful things.” If that is the case, why then do books extolling the virtues of playing the Urban Employee Selection Process game sell so well? Why do so many of them read like one best-selling book at amazon.com: “Getting hired depends almost entirely on the ‘actor factor.’ Train yourself to your lines, perfect your delivery, and dress for the part, and you’ll get a job offer.” Or like another one that states: “Readers learn just what interviewers are looking for and how to project the traits that can get them the job they want. They also get the answers to the 50 most frequent interview questions.” Or yet another: “Filled with boxed ’sentences to remember’?” Publishers wouldn’t be saying this (and readers wouldn’t be giving the books five star reviews) if the plan didn’t work! All this brings to memory being at university and taking multiple-choice exams. Often, students who memorized and didn’t understand the information as well as others did got higher marks. I couldn’t understood why the deep thinkers who wrote in the margin of the multiple-choice test: “It depends - in this circumstance the answer would be A and in this other circumstance the answer would be B” ended up being penalized for thinking. The universities were supposed to reward knowledge and thinking; however, all the students knew that the top marks were given to people who memorized and parroted back what they knew the professors wanted to hear. What is the connection between multiple-choice exams and employee selection? That perhaps HR officers are so focused on choosing A, B or C that they aren’t looking at the question. The question is getting the person who can contribute the most to the company. And a multiple-choice exam (or selection procedure) doesn’t test the depth of knowledge as thoroughly as does an essay question or a practical project. Teachers choose them because they are fast and easy to mark and everyone uses them. They really don’t require the marker to think or spend a great deal of time preparing (just pick the questions from the pack that comes with the teacher’s text and use the marking guide). But in my mind the critical link between the multiple-choice exam and hiring is this: just like the interview game, it’s easy to steal the answers to the multiple-choice exam and get 100% when you really know zip! About the Author Jean V. Dickson helps organizations learn how to come up with more (and better) solutions to their business challenges. She loves showing them that more and better doesn’t take longer - that we just think it does. Using proven creativity techniques allows us to become more productive, better employees. Jean argues that “tried and true” often is better translated as “tried and tired.” Learn how to become a better thinker and problem solver. Check out her website, JVD Creativity Consulting, at http://www.jvdcreativity.com. 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Boat Loans - Enjoy the Privilege of Being a Boat Owner

Tuesday, November 20th, 2007

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Thompson]Amanda Thompson Owning a boat of your own is a matter of privilege. You can explore the wonders of the sea with your own boat rather than renting a boat, which is available for a limited time span. What is stopping you from buying a boat of your own? Is it lack of sufficient funds in your account? If your answer is yes, then no need to worry any longer, boat loans are here to help you get your dream boat. Boat loans facilitate the UK residents with an opportunity to buy a boat of their choice. For some of you a boat may be a passion while for others it could be just a luxurious item. You can choose the boat that suits your personality and need from the variety of boats available in the market ranging from a powered speed boat to a narrow boat and a house boat to a smaller cruiser. If you have decided to take a boat loan you need to keep few points in consideration. First and the foremost thing you need to do is to decide which boat do you wish to buy and find out its price, this will help you in determining how much funds do you need. The next thing is to unearth how much money do you have which you can invest in purchasing the boat. Both these steps will help you in finding how much money do you exactly need to borrow with a boat loan. Lenders in the UK offer boat loans ranging from 10,000 to 10,000,000. Thus, you can design your budget accordingly. The best thing about boat loans is that they get approved easily and quickly. Boat loans are usually offered for a term of 5 to 25 years. The amount you can get with a boat loan depends on your credit history as well as your repayment capability. There are two types of boat loans available in the loan market secured and unsecured boat loan. Secured boat loan requires a borrower to put some kind of collateral to become eligible for the loan. Tenants can apply for an unsecured boat loan, which does not require a borrower to put a security against the loan. In the same way, homeowners who wish to protect their home from the risk of repossession too can apply for an unsecured boat loan. Boat loans are offered at both fixed as well as variable rate. In case of a fixed rate loan, you will have to pay fixed sum of money every month, this loan option will help you in accommodating your budget each month. On the other hand, in variable rate loan or adjustable rate loan the interest rate fluctuates with market interest rate. This interest rate loan option will allow you to take advantage of the falling market interest rate. You can choose the interest rate option as per your Do take into consideration the various fees associated with the boat loan that sometime results in a low cost seeming loan turning out to be costly. A boat loan may accounts for fees such as underwriting fees, processing fees, cost of credit report, and other related costs. Make sure to consider all the cost involved which will help you in deciding which loan option is best suited to your needs. When you reach out in the market to find the best boat loan there will be enormous number of lenders offering you great loan deals. Now, you have to decide whether want to undergo the lengthy stressful loan process or a fast, easy and cheap loan. Majority of you will opt for second option as everyone wish to save his or her valuable time and money. Online lenders aim to provide you with the comfort of getting a cheap and fast boat loan arranged. It is easy to apply for a boat loan; you just need to fill in an online loan application form with some of your personal and financial information. Lenders will get back to you with the loan deals they find appropriate for you. Dont accept the very first loan deal you get. Search around, collect loan quotes from lenders and compare them to find the loan deal that you find to be perfect matching your needs and desires to the best. Exploring the wonders of the sea with a boat of your own, this may be a dream come true for some of you. Dont let this dream fade away. Borrow a boat loan and get the finance you need to finance your dream boat. Amanda Thompson holds a Bachelors degree in Commerce from CPIT and has completed her masters in Business Administration from IGNOU. She is as cautious about her finances as any person reading this is. To find a [http://chanceforloans.co.uk/cheap_personal_loans_uk.html]personal loans, bad credit loans, Debt consolidation, home equity loans at cheap rates that best suits your needs visit http://chanceforloans.co.uk Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Thompson http://EzineArticles.com/?Boat-Loans—Enjoy-the-Privilege-of-Being-a-Boat-Owner&id=154623 side effects from diazepam prescription drug online pharmacy carisoprodol hydrocodone valium order diazepam confirmation e-mail pax shopping valium buy valium wholesale online

How To Choose The Right Wedding Decorations For Your Special Day

Monday, November 19th, 2007

By Gregg Hall When you are planning to have a get together or party decorations are something that you need to think about. No party is complete without decorations, whether it be a birthday party, or a wedding, or a graduation, or even a school dance. The decorations you choose will help you set the mood for the whole event. There are couple different ways you can go about getting or making your decorations for your special event. First thing you will want to do is pick a theme for your special event. You want to make sure all your decorations follow a theme. If you need ideas you can do some looking around in magazines to find some ideas. You can find magazines that have whole party kits you can purchase for your special occasion. This is an easy way for you to get your decorations all in one package. This is beneficial because you already know that all the decorations will follow which ever theme you decide to go with. Another way you can get some ideas is to visit your local craft store. If you choose to go to the craft or party or hobby store you will need to make your own decorations. For those who are creative and enjoy these kind of activities this is the way to go. Making your own decorations tends to be cheaper, but takes more time. If you have the time and the talent this may be a great way to decorate for your party. If you are somewhat creative you may choose yet another option. You may want to make some of your decorations, and purchase some to fill in, and compliment the ones you make. If you are having a child’s party you may want to have some of the parties activities be making place mats, or hats, or other party favors that they can take home. This is a great way to entertain the kids, and they will have a blast. Another great place to look is on the Internet. You can find many sites that will give you a huge selection of decoration ideas. You might be surprised as to what you can find. This is also a convenient way to get ideas, as you don’t have to leave home. You can look for ideas when you have time, not when the store is open. In addition to getting ideas on the Internet, you can also order your decorations or supplies to make your decorations right from home. No matter which way you decide to go, just remember that the decorations can make or break the party. If you have great decorations that suggest a fun time, people will have fun. You don’t want to have boring decorations that don’t commit to a theme, so look for ideas if you need help. Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as wedding favors at http://www.wedding-planning-plus.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Choose-The-Right-Wedding-Decorations-For-Your-Special-Day&id=351469 where to buy ultram cheap tramadol buy online 1 order ultram order qoclick ultram

Wedding Dress Cleaning Tips

Sunday, November 18th, 2007

By Daniel Brown You should aim to dry clean your dress as soon as you can after your wedding. This helps avoid the danger of untreated stains becoming oxidised and increases the likelihood of successful cleaning. Always have the dress dry cleaned prior to storage, even if the dress looks clean stains such as perspiration and drinks stains can evaporate, but over time begin to affect the fabric. On the day avoid rubbing stains, if you spill something on your dress blot it gently, rubbing can damage the fabric permanently. As far as stain removal goes give the dry cleaner the first chance to remove the stains. Experience is the most important factor in the successful cleaning of your dress find a reputable dry cleaner. Ask to see the dress before its packed, even if the cleaning results are not perfect its best for you to inspect your dress after its been cleaned. Then you can discuss the possibility of further treatment. No dry cleaner can be 100% successful 100% of the time (any dry cleaner who offers you cleaning guarantees over the phone should be a magician not a technician), however experience and the latest techniques can help deliver the best results Find a dry cleaner before the event in case disaster strikes on the day you can have the dress attended to quickly. Also in the event that you are going away for a long honeymoon you can send a friend/relative in with your dress. Labels are important to the professional dry cleaner, if you remove them keep them so you can supply the dry cleaner with the necessary information Trimmings and beads often wedding dress makers will embellish dresses with additional items. This may cause a number of problems for the dry cleaner. Some beads are not suitable for dry cleaning and may melt/dissolve during cleaning; a reputable dry cleaner will test before cleaning. Other items such as glitter can be glued on; often the glue will dissolve during dry cleaning removing the adornments . One way to minimise these problems is to speak to the wedding dress maker before cleaning and confirm the care instructions for the dress. Youve had your dress cleaned now what? STORAGE Dont leave your dress in the plastic from the dry cleaners over time plastic can give off chemicals which discolour fabrics Remove the safety pins over time they can oxidise and mark the dress with rust marks If you are having your dress boxed, make sure it is being packed in acid free tissue paper. This helps prevent yellowing of the dress (remember that even with proper care it may be impossible to prevent all yellowing over time). Check the dress periodically while in storage, in case the dress is deteriorating through inappropriate storage. Its good to refold the dress to prevent permanent creases. Dont use plastic storage boxes while these are great for seasonal storage, they are not suited to long term storage. If any moisture develops inside the box the fabric can develop mildew It is important that the textile can breath if so the humidity around the dress remains constant and the likelihood mould/mildew is reduced Ideally the dress should NOT be stored in an area which is prone to high humidity (like your attic) or damp (like your basement), fluctuating temperatures increase the risk of deterioration. Often a wardrobe or under the bed is the best place. If the dress is not boxed make sure it is stored away from sunlight and artificial light, in the long term they can cause degradation and fading of fabric. Feel free to contact us to discuss your wedding dress cleaning! http://www.themastercleaners.com/ info@themastercleaners.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Brown http://EzineArticles.com/?Wedding-Dress-Cleaning-Tips&id=231674 online pharmacy selling phentermine want to buy phentermine phentermine online physicians and pharmacy phentermine 37.5 tablets no prescription