If You Didn’t Measure It – You Didn’t Do It! Part 1

If you’re going to spend money doing something, the only way to know if you accomplished your goal is to measure it. Here is a tool that works well to both define the problem and provide a yardstick against which to measure results.

The analysis breaks down into three main components:

• Need – What is the problem, and what is the result we expect from the money we are about to invest?
• Content – How will we move people to the desired result?
• Measurement – Did you actually meet, or better, exceed, the goals?

Need drives the entire process. You are not going to spend the money to do something that doesn’t need to be done. You have a situation or a problem – and it usually has a measurable cost – and you need to solve that problem, to eliminate, or at least significantly reduce that cost.

We may have to invest time or money to solve the problem, but if the problem is well defined and quantified, not only can we reduce or eliminate the problem with appropriately targeted communications; we can measure how well we did it. It could be increased sales, increased signups for a new program, or broader support within a community for a new service or idea. Whatever it is, it must have the necessary yardstick for success.

Let’s use an example to illustrate how this process functions and how well it can work.

Several years ago, a company was planning to introduce a new product into a saturated marketplace. The new product represented major innovations, and would likely have been very successful by itself, but the company needed to ensure that success and overcome several other issues. We’ll start the story of the launch in this article, and follow it through two more articles.

The NEED – The situation or problem:

• Moderate existing market share for existing product, #2 in sales
• Lack of respect for the company because of “me too” parity products in the past
• Low company sales force morale from carrying unexciting products
• Lack of personal contact by company executives with dealers across the country
• An exciting new product to launch, including many firsts, under a new brand umbrella, based on a new and very unfamiliar technology

The GOALS – what were the desired measurable results?

• Capture #1 sales position in the marketplace, as measured by published industry data
• Establish the new brand with dealers and consumers
• Build new levels of respect for the company brand and their sales force in the market place
• Dealer owners pleased with personal contact with company executives
• Retail clerks educated and excited about the new product, and motivated to sell the product and the company
• A memorable event to keep the company “top of mind” for the foreseeable future.

The Obstacles:

• Low respect for company in the market place – would dealers even listen?
• Large number of outlets and clerks to be informed/trained/motivated across the market, preferably in as short a time as possible
• The introduction would be in January/February, the worst time to travel a show around the country.

You can see how all of these elements defined the measurement criteria. Sales can be plotted against the launch. Market share is a standard industry published statistic, and can be plotted against the time of the launch. Respect will be reflected in the attitudes of the retail clerks to the sales representatives calling on the stores and the how the products and the company are received after the launch. This, and how well the event was remembered, would show up in weekly sales call reporting.

Observable, accurate, and actionable. The hallmarks of good metrics.

This is the first of Three Parts of this story.

Part 2 is here: http://www.EzineArticles.com/?id=899065

Part 3 is here: http://www.EzineArticles.com/?id=886852

Copyright 2008 Dan Davenport

Dan Davenport is an award-winning business communications producer: Multimedia, video, print.

Goal: Bring excitement to business communications.

Look to http://blog.smallofficecommunicator.net to blog with us about small office communication ideas and answers – share your own experience with others and get answers to your questions.

Chart Numerology

It is becoming more and more popular to look for a personalised chart. Numerology can certainly offer you just that.

In fact you can easily find numerous sites on the Web today offering free Numerology charts.

But have you stopped to consider exactly what you’re probably getting?

The technological age has made much progress, computers being in the forefront but it has also quashed many freedoms.

Charts, whether they are based on Numerology or Astrology etc are after all metaphysical subjects.

Being Metaphysical means that these subjects are based on observation and experimentation rather than theory.

Surely for all their benefits computers cannot observe or experiment. Only a human being can do this.

I hear some of you saying that you agree with me, but that a computer program can be written by a human and therefore a chart can be still be relevant even though it originates from computer software.

I’m not saying that a Numerology chart created wholly from computer software will be completely wrong. I’m sure that it will pick up core elements and work out the correct numbers.

But when the whole chart is put together how can a computer give a correct overall picture from the sum of many pre-written component parts?

Only a human can interpret the sum of all the parts correctly.

So what do you get from a Numerology Chart?

The most important number in anybody’s numerology Chart is their Destiny number.

This is worked out from your date of birth and represents the lessons that you have to learn during this lifetime.

It shows you your potential, strengths and limitations.

More can be discovered by using your name as it appears on your birth certificate and translating that into numerical form.

You can discover your Soul Urge (how you’d like to be), your Quiet Self (how you dream of being) and your Expression (your talents and abilities and how you present to the world at large!)

So we’re already working with a possible 4 different numbers in different positions in your chart. Numerologically what does this mean?

Software produced charts will correctly calculate the right numbers but can they then relate each number to each other?

Maybe some numbers are harmonious in those positions but maybe some are not and then how do you know how to act for the best, to ease that disharmony?

Only a personal Numerologist with experience of how the numbers interact can correctly portray an individualised chart.

A detailed chart will then go on to include events from your past.

I find this very important, because if the past isn’t presented at all, or is presented incorrectly, how can a client have any faith in anything written about times to come?

Aswell as Karmic lessons, any Arrows of Pythagoras, Sub-cycles and Peaks- a chart will also include a detailed look at the present year you are on.

To me, the mass produced charts are entertaining but don’t tell all and fundamentally do not help you understand yourself and your potential.

Neither can you email the software at a later date and ask questions about what is written in your chart!

Numerology is the sacred ancient art of numbers.

If you do ever require a personalised chart. Please choose Numerology, but treat yourself to a comprehensive chart written and interpreted by a real person.

‘To thine own self be true’

Let me be your personal Numerologist. All of my readings and insights are worked out by me. I don’t use software at all. I put my 14 years experience and psychic flashes into everything I do. It costs nothing to join my free newsletter which you can subscribe to at my site http://www.oceannumerology.com

The Main Reasons Why Boats Sink

Thousands of boats of all types and sizes sink every year. Believe it or not, most of them sink at the dock. There is no agency that keeps statistics on this, so the exact number is not known. However, if you were to ask any marine insurance company they would tell you that the number is quite high. If your boat sinks, you are bound to have a major problem whether it is insured or not. The loss of personal belongings and fuel or oil pollution fines are additional losses which are most likely not covered by your insurance policy.

What causes a boat to sink?

It is true that a large number of boats sink due to neglect. People often leave their boat at the marina for months without checking on it. But the primary reason boats sink is due to poor design and the use of inferior materials.

First, let’s deal with poor design. It is a fact that 64% of all builders nationwide, do not have a trained boat designer on staff. This means that many boats are poorly designed by people with less than professional expertise. Another factor to consider is that style has taken precedence over function and practicality. Unfortunately, this often results in boats that are doomed to sink themselves. The poor designing that results in boats sinking can be broken down into two categories which are basic hull design and internal system failure.

Hull Design

Hull design problems are most common in boats under 40 feet and more often in boats under 30 feet. Obviously, the smaller the boat, the more prone it is to sinking simply because it will sink more quickly. The most common reason power boats sink is due to improper design of the cockpit. For sailboats, the most common cause of sinking is improper head installation, inadequate bilge pumps and battery systems that don’t supply enough power to run the pumps.

Internal System Failure

Improper design or use of poor quality materials is the cause of a vast majority of boat sinkings. Internal system failures can be broken down into three main categories:

-Inadequate bilge pumping or battery capacity.
-Reverse siphoning due to errors in plumbing design.
-Failed through hull fittings or hoses.

Despite decades of design knowledge many builders continue to make these same mistakes every year by using inferior materials. It is hard to understand how a builder of a $100,000 boat can justify the use of twenty dollars worth of plastic through hull fittings, but it happens far too many times.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant about model boats, boat parts, and model submarines. You will find the best shopping at these sites for model boats, used boat parts.

The Basics of Tire Rotation

Most drivers neglect to rotate their vehicle’s tires. They know instinctively that treads wear down over time. They also realize that worn treads reduce fuel efficiency and can eventually present a safety risk. Despite knowing these things, millions of motorists only consider rotating at the behest of their mechanic. If you have some time on your hands and you’re handy with a torque wrench, you can actually do the job yourself. It’s relatively easy. Below, you’ll learn why rotating your tires is important, as well as the right and wrong ways to do it.

Why Rotation Is Necessary

Let’s quickly review. Treads wear down, but it may surprise you to know that those in the front wear more quickly than those in the rear. That’s especially true for front- wheel drive vehicles. The reason this happens is due to friction between the rubber and the pavement. Whenever you drive your car, the friction generates heat, which causes the treads to wear down. As a result, they become less responsive, create more resistance (which affects fuel efficiency), and need to be replaced more often.

When you rotate your tires, it relieves the pressure created by friction on those placed on the front axle. Remember, those in the front wear down more quickly than those in the rear. Swapping them lets you prolong the useful life of your tires as long as possible.

The Right (And Wrong) Way To Rotate

As noted above, you can perform the rotation yourself with a torque wrench, but it’s important to know how to rotate them properly. The rule of thumb for most makes and models is to swap front and rear tires without changing sides. That is, the passenger rear goes on the passenger front, not the driver’s front.

A lot of people make the mistake of rotating their tires in an “X” pattern. For example, they’ll swap the driver’s rear and passenger front, and passenger’s rear and driver’s front. They do this thinking that they’re spreading the tread wear more evenly. In fact, they’re probably doing more harm than good because treads wear down based upon the vehicle’s suspension system and alignment.

Getting Your Hands Dirty

Even though rotating your wheels is a relatively simple job, consider having a mechanic do it for you. Given that you only need to have it done approximately every 10,000 miles (check your owner’s manual to make sure), it’s a low-maintenance task that’s inexpensive and doesn’t take much time. If you’re absolutely invested in doing it yourself, buy a sturdy jack (a hydraulic model, if possible). It’s dirty work and there’s some heavy lifting involved. But, you’ll save a few dollars and have the pleasure of knowing you fixed it yourself. Personally, I prefer having my mechanic do the job.

When looking for used auto parts and used engines consider the leader in parts, http://www.everdrive.com

Violin Instruction is the Quickest Way to Learn the Violin

Learning how to play the violin and finding resources that will help you accomplish this is not hard. Either you can hire professional violinists or you can go online and find a great online teacher or software that can teach you that way. The difference in hiring professional violinists to come to your home and finding a good program online is the amount of money you are going to have to spend. Professional violinists are very expensive and generally teach by the hour.

If you cannot figure out something while learning, you are going to have to spend lots of money for the professional to go over this repeatedly. If you find an online resource to teach you, it is self-paced and you can go over and over the parts that are hard to learn.

In the beginning of learning to play the violin, you will first start out with getting to know your instrument, such as tuning your violin, how to change the strings, using rosin, instrument care, and bridge adjustment. After this, you will learn how to hold the violin, the 360-degree violin position, and how to hold and place the bow. Next will come the learning how to read notes, rhythm, the history of the violin, key and measure signatures, as well as the symbols and terms of music.

Once all of this is learned then you will begin to learn how to play. Learning how to play the violin include fingering and positioning, shifting and positions, the finger chart, bow strokes, and advanced techniques when you are ready.

Practice, Practice, Practice cannot be said enough. This is what makes or breaks the violinist.

Get FREE Violin tips at Violin Lessons online and enjoy Violin Instruction from a Master Violinist !

Incredible Hulk

“How do I know I won’t keep changing?” an anguished Dr. Bruce Banner asked himself in one issue of the Incredible Hulk comics. “Into that brutal, bestial mockery of a human – that creature which fears nothing – which soon despises reason and worships power! Soon, the sun will set again~ And here I sit helplessly, fearing I may again become the Hulk!”

Poor Dr. Banner’s anguish began when he was performing bomb tests. Seeing teenager Rick Jones driving towards the test site, Banner rushed to stop him and in the process was affected by gamma rays. While Rick Jones was unaffected, Banner began to transform into the Hulk.

Originally, Banner’s transformations were triggered by the rise and fall of the sun. Later, his transformation would be triggered by emotions, most notably anger.

Sometimes grey, sometimes green, the Hulk debuted in 1962, but soon faced cancellation. The character did not enjoy a successful solo run until the 1970s. During his solo series, Banner gave his cousin, Jennifer Walters, a transfusion, leading her to become the She-Hulk. This in turn added even more guilt to the Hulk’s already burdened conscience.

In the 1980s and 1990s, a major arc was introduced that explored the possibility that Dr. Banner had been mentally ill before getting hit with the gamma rays. In an effort to explain his Hulk persona (the one who offered such fun phrases as “Puny humans! Hulk smash!”) writers introduced the theory that Banner had been abused as a child. As a result, Banner had suffered from Dissociative Identity Disorder, his mind’s way to try to deal with the abuse. The gamma rays merely magnified those problems. During this time, Banner underwent hypnosis as a way to combine the Hulk parts of his personality with the calmer Banner part. The result was a Hulk that was more cunning, powerful, and intelligent than before.

In the 2006 story, “Planet Hulk,” the Illuminati, a group of covert superhero leaders, decided that the Hulk was a potential risk to Earth that needed to be eliminated. Thus, they sent him into space to live on a planet uninhabited by other sentient life. The ship malfunctioned, however, and landed on the planet Sakaar.

Sakaar was a violent planet, which seemed to fit Hulk’s personality. After being captured, Hulk became a leader of the rebels and eventually rose to emperor status. But his happiness was short lived, as his rocket exploded, killing his pregnant lover, Caiera and destroying the planet.

A vengeful Hulk returned to Earth, determined to make the Illuminati pay for what they had done. Tragically, however, Hulk found out that it was one of his own allies that destroyed his ship and he was taken into custody by S.H.I.E.L.D.

Essential storylines:

~ Planet Hulk
~ World War Hulk
~ Illuminati
~ Future Imperfect
~ Crossroads of Eternity

Follow the exploits of rockers DEMON TWEAK and the racing clan HARD DRIVING HEROES, as they battle the evil trickster Loki at http://www.classic-comic-books.com. Also read articles on your favorite classic comic book heroes written by our resident historian VIRGIL THE STORYTELLER.

Sony Ericsson W200i – Music for Your Ears

Sony Ericsson W200i is a versatile mobile phone from Sony Ericsson with specialized music playing capabilities. Simply put, one could use the W200i for quite a bit more than just making or receiving calls. As a matter of fact, this exceptional music phone from Sony Ericsson is turning out to be immensely popular among people who love their music.

The music options that are present in the W200i are very sophisticated and high-end. Features such as ‘Mega Bass’ and ’sound equalizer,’ for instance, add an altogether different dimension to the mobile music experience. Owners of the W200i can enjoy all their favorite programs as well as music from radio stations – thanks to the FM radio options that are a part of this innovative music phone.

Other multimedia features of the W200i include a video player and a VGA camera. The screen of the handset is intuitive, which makes using the W200i a highly pleasurable experience. Users could stream videos, edit videos, as well as add and remove picture effects depending on their personal preferences.

USB, GPRS, Infra-red connectivity ensures that users remain connected with family members and friends. Sharing of data is also made easy with the comprehensive suite of options that are a part of the W200i. A 27MB of in-built memory can be expanded through 128MB external memory cards.

Features such as Push email, hands-free speaker phone, and sound recorder, make the W200i a user’s delight. Other messaging options that are a part of this innovative handset include SMS, MMS, and text messaging.

To conclude, it can be stated that the Sony Ericsson W200i is a music phone par excellence. Music lovers in different parts of the globe are making a beeline for this innovative gadget and making the most of the handset’s sophisticate capabilities in different spheres.

Raina Kelsey is an expert author, and writes about latest gadgets.
Sony Ericsson W200i Sim Free
Sony Ericsson Mobile Phones
Sim Free Phones

Exit Strategies To Make Money In Real Estate Foreclosures

Once you have purchased your first foreclosed investment property the clock starts ticking. Every month that you have to make a payment on it is eating away at your profit. Before you buy, make sure that you have a concrete plan in place as to exactly how, when, and maybe even to whom, you will sell. Soon, you will find that you have an infrastructure in place that works like a well oiled machine. You will easily be able to buy properties that become available, and it turn you will have a knack for knowing when to sell.

Understanding contract assignments is an important part of making money with foreclosure investments. You need to know who is responsible for what aspect of the sale and what the timeline is for their portion of the deal. If not, the business of buying and selling can take much longer than necessary. Time is money and no one will be as concerned about your money as you are. It will be important for you to stay on top of what is happening and hold everyone involved in the contract accountable to their tasks. This is the only way to ensure that the transactions are completed in a timely manner.

One tool that you can use to make money by selling foreclosed properties is called wraparound mortgage. This tool allows you to create new mortgage for the buyer that includes the remaining amount on the current mortgage and the remaining purchase price amount. The new mortgage “wraps around” the current mortgage. You are still responsible for the first mortgage held by the bank. The new buyer pays both mortgages using one monthly payment.

You don’t have to sell the foreclosed properties that you buy in order to turn a profit. You can make money by holding on to the investment and utilizing the rent that your tenants pay you to pay the mortgage or use that money to invest in purchasing a new property. The properties will essentially pay for themselves. While this may not leave a lot of extra cash on the table at the present time, this is an excellent way to invest in the future, as the properties will be worth their full estimated value to you once they are paid for. One day you will be able to sell them and pocket 100% of the cash value of the property. You can’t really go wrong with this as a long term investment strategy.

Another similar option is a lease with an option to buy. This will give your tenants some incentive to stay and create a long term relationship with you. One of the most costly things that landlords face is tenant turnover. This means lost months of rent and costly renovations to meet the needs of new tenants. With an option to buy, a tenant who isn’t yet ready to buy, but hopes to be in the future, will stay long term and reduce your overhead.

If you have the cash reserves, you can also increase your profit margin by doing seller financing. Instead of the buyer going through a bank or lending institution, you as the seller allow them to pay you over time. Of course, you are charging them interest. This means that you are not only making the principle amount of the sale, but the interest that would normally be paid to the bank will now be paid to you. If you agree with your buyer to beat the bank’s current interest rate then it is a good deal for both of you, thus earning the possibility for repeat business. This is especially true in transactions involving commercial property.

It can be a bit risky for several reasons, but some investors find short sales a profitable way to buy and sell foreclosure properties. A short sale involves a property that is foreclosed and an agreement with the lender to pay back less than the full amount owed. It can be risky because there is often no guarantee that the lender won’t seek this difference at a later date. If however, you find a deal and work with an attorney that you trust, you can turn a handsome profit by scoring short sales. This is a good way to build equity quickly.

Some foreclosure investors choose to make money, not by selling, but by buying and keeping the properties. They enter into the property management field and rely on tenants to fund their future purchases. Many properties, both residential and commercial, have great long-term property management potential. If you own just a few this can give you a little extra income, since you’ll have to pay taxes and insurance on all the properties, but once you acquire more properties, this can be a very lucrative option.

http://www.homesearch4investors.com is an easy to use website that offers homes that are currently in pre-foreclosure, foreclosure or for sale by owner. Find great property deals in all 50 states instantly.

How to Read a Freelance Job Ad

The internet gives an entirely new dimension to job searching. You can seek, find, and answer job ads in a matter of minutes — and, if you’re lucky, find employment within days.

Of course, it isn’t always that easy.

When seeking the ideal (or just a darn good) freelance gig, you need to read ads with a more-critical eye. Here’s a few tips on sussing out the good job ads and ditching the rest:

1) Look for detailed, yet concise, ads. You want to know what you’ll be doing, but you don’t need specific job instructions just yet. Beware long, rambling ads — this is an indicator of an employer who’s not exactly sure of the job duties and will take up your time trying to explain what he or she wants from you. Likewise, stay away from vague ads that don’t provide enough detail for you to know whether you’re qualified for the position.

2) Beware the ad that seeks to micromanage your job application. It’s one thing for an employer to specify that they don’t want attachments; it’s quite another to be told that your application MUST be submitted as a Word doc, in 11.75 font, with no words that start with “s” or “u”. A micromanaging ad means a micromanaging employer.

3) Avoid defensive ads. An ad that starts out “Many of you aren’t good enough for this position, but you’ll apply anyway …” or likewise indicates a truly crotchety boss. And who wants that?

4) Look for a professional tone. Someone who can write a professional-sounding ad is likely (if not certain) to be a professional employer.

5) Don’t spend an hour on a job you haven’t yet gotten. Many ads ask for free work samples and detailed answers to questions. While it’s your call whether you want to put in this effort, be aware that it’s unpaid … and that this employer may expect more freebies in the future.

Good luck!

Allison Landa is a freelance writer and editor in Berkeley, CA. She is experienced with marketing copy, writing for the internet as well as for print, SEO, business-to-business, and journalism. Though she specializes in topics related to real estate, she’s written for industries as diverse as childrens’ products and womens’ lingerie. Visit her online at http://www.allisonlanda.com, or read her blog at http://www.allisonlanda.blogspot.com

Growth Stock Investing Versus Value Investing

What are the differences between the two, and does one work better than the other?

Growth Stock Investing

This form of investing was especially popular in the dot com era – growth investors invested extensively in high growth industries such as biotechnology and dot coms back in 1999. Growth investors bet on the stock’s strong future returns, and are willing to pay more than what the stocks are really worth based on today’s returns. This can easily create speculative bubbles – the most famous recent growth investing bubble was the one that burst in March 2000. Nonetheless, growth investors will also look to traditional industries if they predict a possible major change in trend or change in consumer tastes.

In contrast to value investing, investing in growth stocks also means foregoing the dividend yields that traditional stalwarts would offer. This is because growth stocks are also usually small to medium cap stocks – while Microsoft might have been an excellent growth stock pick back then, it has now reached the maturing stage where it would be difficult to double its value in one year.

Value Investing

Value investing means to invest based only on the actual value of the company today. The company must have strong assets, low debt, strong earnings, strong cash flow and a stable, established market position. The most famous value investor is probably Warren Buffett, who mastered this approach on his path to becoming the wealthiest investor in the world.

Value investors such as Warren Buffett are bargain hunters. They pay careful attention to the times when stocks are under-priced. These are the times when the market prices the stock below what it is actually worth, actually due to short term fluctuations. They look for competitive barriers that build a strong moat for the company; these include intellectual property rights, strong brands, and so on. These companies whether financial storms relatively well, and provide greater portfolio security.

Growth Stock Investing versus Value Investing

Given the current market conditions, growth investing is gradually shifting out of favor. Present market conditions suggest that it is time for bargain-hunting – value investing. The question that hangs over us all is whether we have already hit rock bottom, or if the bottom is going to fall out altogether.

Yuen is a financial expert, personal finance specialist and motivational speaker who writes for the Financial Freedom Guide and other major financial blogs. His writing emphasizes financial independence and the creation of long term residual income streams. Read his success story at Site Build It Reviews.