Archive for May, 2008
May 31, 2008 at 2:34 pm · Filed under Insurance Infos
There are lots of different kinds of health insurance. Plan that
cover medical services and prescription medicines, plans that
cover dental expenses, disability insurance that replaces income
lost due to extended illness or injury, long-term care, and so
on. In the United States, people typically refer to the plans
that cover medical expenses as “health insurance”, and these
plans are usually bought by employers and offered to employees
as part of their compensation, or “benefits”.
Health insurance plans are usually sold once, then renewed on an
annual basis. So when a consumer buys health insurance (either
directly or through an employer), the insurer agrees to pay for
health expenses as long as the premiums are paid on time and the
account is in good standing.
Health insurance plans come in two flavors: “Fee-for-Service” or
“Managed Care”. Both types of insurance cover major medical,
surgical and hospital expenses, and are often referred to as
“major medical plans”. Fee-for-service plans pay the medical
service provider a fee for each service provided to a patient,
and that patient can usually go see whatever health care
provider they wish. Managed care plans, on the other hand,
pre-pay contracted providers for each member’s coverage in
advance. Members are offered a financial incentive to use
providers who belong to the plan. Here are a few common terms
that you’ll probably run into:
Deductible: This is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket before
the insurer will pay anything. Deductibles can vary widely,
ranging from $0 to a few thousand dollars.
Co-insurance amount: This is the percentage of your medical
expenses you must pay after you reach your deductible. This will
typically range from 10-30%.
Maximum out-of-pocket amount: This is maximum amount you are
required to pay in a given year, after which the insurer will
pay 100% of the cost of covered medical expenses.
Covered benefits: Types of medical services the insurer will pay
for.
Exclusions: Types of medical services the insurer will not pay
for.
Its true: there’s a lot of jargon, and plans are difficult to
evaluate and compare. But it’s important, and worth your time.
Carefully review plan descriptions, and take your time to
understand the coverage of any plan you’re currently under - or
considering purchasing.
May 31, 2008 at 4:41 am · Filed under Better Sports
OVERVIEW: NFC EAST
The Eagles once again appear to be the top team in the NFC for 2005, however, I wouldn’t look for them to win 13 games this season due to the fact that each of the other teams in the NFC East should improve this year. A look at the Eagles schedule for 2005 reveals the fact that Philly will face the league’s third easiest schedule when considering the Eagles 2005 opponents combined for a 118-146 straight up record last season.
One would expect that with the Eagles posting a straight up record of 54-20 over the past four seasons that they would eventually have a bad draft due to having to choose from the draft leftovers, however, that has not been the case as the Eagles once again had a pretty good draft which is a testament to just how good HC Andy Reid is with regard to being able to wheel and deal in the draft as well as his ability to pick talent.
The Eagles weren’t all that active in the free agent market but were able to snag a quality backup QB in Mike McMahon from Detroit who became expendable when the Lions picked up QB Jeff Garcia. It should be no surprise that the Lions picked up Garcia when considering that Garcia was Detroit HC Steve Mariucci’s QB when both were in San Francisco.
Cowboy HC Bill Parcells used free agency to bring in RB Anthony Thomas to backup Julius Jones and also snagged QB Drew Bledsoe to run his offense for 2005, however, Parcells main focus during the off season was to fix what ailed his defense which allowed 406 points in 2004. Parcells appears to have been successful with a quality draft head lined by picking up DE Demarcus Ware, DE Marcus Spears and LB Kevin Burnett with his top three selections in the draft.
Overall Parcells had an excellent draft and used six of his eight draft selections on defensive players which should serve to shore up a shaky pass rush which allowed opposing QB’s time to toss 31 TD’s last year. The Giants threw last season away by using QB Eli Manning under center earlier than they probably should have, however, the playing experience gained in 2004 should serve Manning well this season and especially since QB Kurt Warner is now in Arizona which means that Manning will not be looking over this shoulder.
The Giants only had four draft choices which was the fewest amount in franchise history, however, they were able to pick up CB Corey Webster out of LSU in the second round, Webster should have been a top 10 or top 15 pick but fell to the Giants with the overall 43rd pick in the draft due to injuries sustained in College, the G-Men used free agency to bring in QB Tim Hasselbeck to back up Manning and signed a go-to WR in former Steeler Plaxico Burress for Manning to play catch with.
By not addressing glaring needs on offense Washington appears set to bring up the rear in the NFC East for 2005, last year Skin HC Joe Gibbs brought in former Jag QB Mark Brunell to run his offense, however in the nine games Brunell started last year he only completed 49.79% of his passes and at seasons end finished with a QB rating of 63.90.
In contrast QB Patrick Ramsey started seven games in 2004 and completed 62.13% of his tosses which was good enough to post a QB rating of 74.8, the Skins used their second draft selection on QB Jason Campbell out of Auburn which was probably a bit of a reach as Campbell will need lots of work, however, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Patrick Ramsey will be the starting QB for 2005.
Regardless of whether the Skins decide to go with either Mark Brunell or Patrick Ramsey at QB for 2005, Washington still needs to fix their offensive line play which was atrocious to say the least and was the main reason for the Skins averaging a meager 15 points scored per contest last year.
The Skin defense appeared set to be the bright spot for this team once again in 2005, however, the arrest of safety Sean Taylor on gun charges, the free agent loss of CB Fred Smoot and the off season ankle injury/stress fracture to top draft choice CB Carlos Rogers leaves that open to debate.
In closing the Eagles posted an overall mark of 15-4 straight up and 12-7 ATS last year, I fully expect to see the public back these Eagles in most outings in 2005, however, a check of last season shows that 3 of the Eagles 4 straight up losses occurred against AFC teams and 4 of the Eagles 7 spread losses came against the AFC.
A check of the past three seasons reveals the fact that Philly has only lost a total of 14 games in this time frame, however, 7 of those 14 losses came at the hands of AFC teams, and to think that in the past three years these Eagles only played AFC teams a total of 13 times!!
This of course leads me to believe that 2005 road games at Kansas City and at Denver might very well be prime spots to go against Philly and especially if the Eagles are installed as road favorites when considering that the Eagles have gone 4-9 ATS overall against AFC teams over the past three seasons, in road games (not counting the SB) against AFC teams during this same time span Philly posted a mark of 2-4 ATS.
I would be careful in picking my spots with regard to Dallas, New York, and Washington this season until after the fourth game of the year because of the QB situation at each location, with that being said keep an eye on the Cowboys who could very well end up being the surprise team in this division as well as in the NFC this year if QB Drew Bledsoe can remain healthy and the Dallas defense shapes up like I think they will.
Jim Campbell is one of the nations most respected Sports Handicappers, he specializes in College and Pro Football, you can visit Jim at his website located at footballforecastor.com for all of your handicapping needs including free play selections, College and NFL stats, trends and award winning analysis on upcoming games.
With over 30 plus years experience in the handicapping profession Jim has built a solid reputation, his web based handicapping service at footballforecastor.com as been in existence since 1997 and year after year proves to be one of the very best handicapping services in America.
May 30, 2008 at 7:56 pm · Filed under Technology Stuff
Where are all the Great Desktop Search applications?
If put to the test, net Search programs, would not measure up to this Search.
Net and Desktop Search are from opposite ends, of the search spectrum.
Their PR / propaganda on the Web may look impressive.
Lots of Search Engine sites and blogs, are the work of paid hacks or staff stooges.
They make finding honest search news and reviews, difficult.
Their product is complex, over burdened with option creep and lacking.
Personal search -vs- Internet search
————————————
Internet search finds ranked results, ie those who tech or pay their way to the top.
(Net Search, is Not Search, more like Marketing)
People primarily use Internet search, to find information that is new to them.
With Personal search, users seldom, want to find information that is not theirs.
Why rummage around on C drive or Net, presenting readme.txt, advertisements
and a slew of other unwanted information.
With personal search, I want every occurrence. And I want it in the same order.
(I occasionally, run a differences between the two sets of search results)
-They are re-indexing all the time. This one does not. It is a “Search” Engine.
Ready to go immediately.
-No background processes, running unnoticed. This app will never snoop or tattle.
-On my production machine, I do not want any internet connections.
If you are on the net, you can be hacked.
No firewalls, no popup blockers, no indexers and the resultant slowdown.
I want a search, that also works, in this secure, high speed, environment.
-They brag a lot, about how fast they return results. The Internet is relatively slow
and they count the hits not displayed on the screen. “Displaying 1-8 of 2,345 results”
Dumb to count, let alone search for something that is not going to be displayed.
On a human scale, anything less than 10 seconds is fine.
-This search, searches at 20 Million characters per seconds and will just get faster
as the processor speeds increase.
-Net search companies, have to focus on security because of all the hacking.
Restricting access, frustrates searchers, to the point, they quit using it.
Desktop Search, is the most important program on any computer.
The Big Feature (RANDOM)
————————
This app can select a random video file. (2 external drives with 500+ videos)
Then select a random start point.
Then play a short segment in Slow-Motion.
Then freeze on the final frame for a few more seconds.
Then another and another….
It can do something, almost as interesting, with text.
It can pick a random start point in any text file
It can then display from that point on, in Large text, with
a pause behind each character printed and each line end.
(create your own scrolling text screen of local legends etc)
Random takes out the monotony and exposes you to your digital info.
For the average user.
———————
Why would anyone want to store anything other than plain text and screen captures.
People seldom run a report more than once. Do a screen capture and keep that.
Same with word processors and other obscure formats. Do a screen capture or
video those screens, along with a cut and paste of the text, then ditch them.
Needing the originating software, to see these oddballs files, is a real pain.
Systems that handle every format, are prone to failure and eventual loss of data.
Great for Backup / Recovery
—————————
I just recently reloaded windows(1), My stuff(2) [search and backup of jpgs
and txt]. My video camera software(3), loaded the internet software(4)
and change a few net settings(5).
That was it, I had my original system back.(Virus free to boot)
(I keep detailed notes along with a few screen captures, of these recovery steps)
For my bookmarks - favourites, I have screen captures and saved their homepage text.
With this tool, people can manage any number of multimedia files.
So they can just shoot, video, download, screen capture and cut & paste
to their hearts content.
Desktop Search is a must, for the Video data deluge.
DVD storage is inexpensive, less than 5 Cents a Gig.
Put a copy of the Search on each DVD video backup and view on any PC.
(When data is portable, it becomes yours.)
Start and stop anywhere in a MPEG clip. (non linear editing)
No mess, with video snippets everywhere. Just the originals.
Be out capturing great action, while others are busy editing.
(no editing software required)
Skip ads, confidential, offensive or explicit material, by playing up to the segment,
then starting up again after it. (Video in this playback, to eliminate completely)
Instead of those tiny, picture thumbnails for video.
Play the first 5 seconds, from each of your video files.
(way way more informative than those blurry first frames)
For those Burst-of-Still pictures, that digital cameras do.
Set the display time to 1/10 second, for play back. See them, like you shoot them.
(Displays 700+ oldie photos in 35 seconds, full speed - full screen)
This program, starts searching immediately (Instant Search) Some word processing
programs try to read in the entire file. Causing delays when starting up.
It had to be fast, so it could, run background copies of itself.
The next Big Feature (BACKGROUND)
———————————
Background, opens the Search for use, by Geeks, Developers and serious Searchers.
-Do background data extracts, or a random multimedia display sequence.
-Build skins, to pretty it up.
-Create feeder apps, e-mail extractors.
.
.
Video changes everything, this app makes it manageable.
Burn your own interactive training videos on DVD.
Do navigable, video road tours, of your local area, on DVD.
Never scan stuff in, video is much much quicker.
.
.
Text Search
===========
Results are hilited in context or matching lines display, with no prompt box
covering the results.
some text options:
——————
enter notes to end of text file (with or without date stamp)
view last page of notes file (Start, view, then back to desktop, in just over 2 secs)
append clipboard text to file (when cutting and pasting from net)
merge all text files in a directory or drive (then search that file for matches)
continuous Large font scrolling text display. (from your jokes and stories text file)
.
.
Data, without great access, is just used storage.
Nothing is found, until somebody views it.
As with any info worth keeping, you want to review and enjoy it periodically.
In random mode, the program will show you; all your video, music, pics and text.
And never get repetitious.
If Desktop Search can not do Random, Slow-Motion, Freeze-Frame and Thumbnails.
What good is it?
There is no reason to pirate or master, all kinds of software.
You only need this 1 program.
Time for a Search Engine Show Down.
One on one or en masse, they will not stand a chance.
Bring em on.
Happy Searching
Doug Pederson
Box 44
39 Riverside
Whitecourt, Alberta
Canada T7S 1N3
780-778-3051
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/stonedan/
———————————————————-
Find out what Real Desktop Search does.
(Here to *download* this Multi-Media Player & Archive (461KB exe))
(Software by - Spectate Swamp)
(see details, on some of the more interesting and useful options)
(Rare White Crow video and more)
Be anywhere and have the power of Desktop Search.
Just visit this site and grab a new copy.
This Visual Basic program, has evolved over the past 6 years from
a text Search Engine - Image Archive, to this Multimedia Player.
Wrote my first program in 1970 using punched cards
First used search in the mid 80’s (Vax/VMS search)
Been using my Mini DVD Camcorder for nearly 3 years.
May 29, 2008 at 8:35 am · Filed under Management Center
Have you ever wished that you were a God, creating anything you could possibly want, and destroying the things that you don’t want? Have you ever wished that you could wiggle your nose, and a pile of money would magicallly appear? Or, maybe make a wish upon a star, and it comes true?
Wishing upon a star may or may not work, but wishes can come true, hence the saying, “Be careful what you wish for.” So, if wishes can come true, then just what is it that makes this happen? Wishes are just thoughts, right? Then there must be some sort of force, or energy in thoughts, that enables them to become things. In fact, all things have energy, even thoughts. It’s just a matter of harnessing that energy, and properly directing it into something solid.
There is a term for this concept, and that term is manifestation. The act of creating something visible, like money, out of something invisible, like thoughts. It is the subconcious mind that turns wishes into reality, not the concious mind. You will probably be waiting for a long time if you simply just state your wish, like wishing upon a star. It has to be deeper than that. You need to be dreaming about your wishes. You need to see pictures of your wishes over and over again. This is why subliminal messages are so powerful, because images are flashed very quickly, and your subconcious mind picks up on that.
So, putting up pictures of what you want, or signs with simple words, can really help your subconcious in figuring out what it is you want. If you want money, put up a picture of money, and look at it frequently. If you want a better body, put up a picture of what you would like to look like.
Your subconcious will then understand that that is what you want. You will need to look at these pictures frequently, and especially upon waking. It is also reccommended that if you wake up in the middle of the night, the time when your subconcious is most active, that you look at the picture, close your eyes, look again, close your eyes, and repeat this process, until you get what you want.
You can create virtually anything, changing your life. But you need to believe that you can do it, set your goals, and remain positive that it will happen. There is an indescribable amount of power behind thoughts, and one just needs to learn to use this power to changes their selves, and their lives for the better.
If you are interested in these concepts, and would like to change your life for the better, then please visit my website, where you will get access to the FREE ebook “The Manifesting Mindset.” You can find the my website address below.
Author: Cheryl Hammer
My Website: www.hammersmagicalsecrets.com
May 29, 2008 at 6:55 am · Filed under University Of Webbing
With the billions of sales posted by e-commerce Websites every year, it’s no wonder that many entrepreneurs are putting their money into building, improving, and maintaining e-commerce Websites. The profitability of a Web venture is obvious, but one contention remains - is there a best way to build an e-commerce Website?
E-commerce site owners who understand basic html and have background in Web development tend to build their Websites by themselves, but experts question whether this is optimum. Creating an e-commerce Website from scratch takes a long time - time which, according to some studies, is better used managing and implementing reforms to advance the business.
Why does it take so long? Remember that e-commerce Websites are generally more complex than a regular site, primarily because of the additional functionality and security features it requires. One such added functionality is a “shopping cart,” which is the lifeblood of e-commerce transactions. The shopping cart keeps tabs on the products a buyer picks out from your inventory (with descriptions, images and prices, among others). It quickly calculates taxes, shipping charges and total payables in one click. After a buyer “checks out,” the shopping cart manages the payment transaction by “coordinating” with a clearing house using an encrypted connection. Finally, it sends confirmation messages (usually through e-mail) to your buyers, and records the sale to your dispatch department.
With such complexities, it is obvious why some e-commerce entrepreneurs (even those with backgrounds in programming) choose to outsource Web development. If your business can afford to spend money on Internet commerce, then you should consider hiring Web development companies, even small ones - they usually work as a team, so you can be assured of timely delivery and after-sales support.
If you want lower costs, though, then it might be best to hire a freelance Web professional, who can usually do the job for a smaller price. Be sure to check his experience and background, though, because not all ‘cheap’ services are quality services. You need to spend a lot of time explaining the details of your project to your Web developer. It is best to prepare a comprehensive outline of how you want your site to work, perhaps give sample sites that you would like to imitate, and set clear project timeframes to minimize misunderstandings and delays.
Build A Web Site provides detailed information on Build A Web Site, Build an Auction Web Site, Build an Ecommerce Web Site, Build a School Web Site and more. Build A Web Site is affiliated with Affordable Web Site Design Companies.
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May 28, 2008 at 10:28 pm · Filed under Hints
Yachting as a sport, relaxation or used as an organisation instrument is tremendously satisfying. There are also extraordinary sailing and yachting events that make it equally refreshing and can be something that the entire family are able to go & take advantage of all at once. One of the foremost weeks of the sailing schedule is the Skandia Cowes Regatta Week; this event takes place every year and has been in action since 1826 which makes it the longest running yachting event throughout the world. With more than 900 sailing boats & five-thousand competitors taking part, being scrutinised by more than one hundred thousand spectators a day, Skandia Cowes week has attained the reputation as 1 of the crucial sailing corporate hospitality & social occasion of the year.
The eight thousand five-hundred contestants are an array of Commonwealth & European class able sailors to weekend sailors. Even if you’re not involved yourself, observing the yachting, taking pleasure in the social gatherings and live entertainment, and to be involved in the unique sensation, makes it a one of a kind corporate event. Experience Cowes 2008 with a Cowes Week charter from Ondeck Sailing School.
With Ondeck, this year starts the introduction of their most recent Regatta Division. Continuing on their strong position within the yachting charter market, this has seen Ondeck Sailing, run various immense sailing events for organisations, they have at present teamed-up with Britannia Events, the leading organisers of industry regattas in the UK.
The path of the sailing event itself will differ each time as things such as the climate forecast, tidal forces and relative speed of each model of yacht is taken into consideration. A common Cowes Sailing Event has over 35 starts a day for entrants of cruiser series one designs & keelboats; adding up to over eight thundered sailing boats. In this occasion the Solent which is a notably busy commercial channel, is bursting with sailing yachts of all classes & is particularly bright owing to the boats spinnakers. As cited earlier as well as the sailing events the week includes a great number of onshore activities such as live festivals & cocktail parties. From private or commercial house parties and nominally private sailing groups and boats, there are huge marquees erected in the harbours giving out canap©s & drink.
May 28, 2008 at 8:49 pm · Filed under Online Nutrition Resources
Candida is common and many people have Candida in their gastrointestinal tract. The problem arises when there is an overgrowth of the benign yeast Candida which causes the condition of chronic candidiasis or yeast syndrome. Chronic candidiasis normally occurs due to taking antibiotics which destroy the friendly bacteria in the gut which keep the Candida in check. Symptoms associated with chronic candidiasis are headaches, cystitis (infected bladder), mood swings, vaginitis (inflammation of vagina or thrush), fungal infections (e.g. athletes foot), bad breath, extensive food allergies, anal itching, feeling ill after eating yeast or sugary foods, nasal itch or congestion, craving for sugary things, abdominal distension or bloating, wind, diarrhoea, constipation or both, belching, indigestion, heartburn, depression, fatigue, poor memory, lack of sexual desire, craving for bread or alcohol, skin rashes, cold hands and feet, irritability, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, menstrual cramp or pain and muscle aches.
To combat chronic candidiasis, change the diet by excluding all refined carbohydrates such as white flour and sugar and all foods and beverages containing them and excluding all foods and beverages containing yeast such as marmite and alcohol. There are many cook books on the market that suggest recipes for those who are on an anti Candida diet. Try not to take any antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs or the contraceptive pill. Consume plenty of nature’s anti-fungal agents such as garlic and grapefruit seed extract. Take probiotics such as Bifidus and lactobacillus acidophilus to repopulate the bowel with good bacteria to make the bowel healthier. Symptoms may well become worst with the die off of the Candida on the anti Candida diet, so it would be wise to drink plenty of mineral water daily (at least a litre) to combat these symptoms.
The following supplements may help if you are suffering from Candida.
Barberry
Betaine HCl
Caprylic acid
Echinacea purpurea
Enzymes
Garlic
Goldenseal
Goldthread
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Oregano oil
Oregon grape
Peppermint oil
Rosemary oil
Tea tree oil
Thyme oil
Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh
Advice for a healthier natural life
Website: http://www.newbeingnutrition.com
May 28, 2008 at 2:53 am · Filed under Management Center
Good hires do not happen by accident or luck. In this economy, employers are finding a large pool of available workers. But finding the right employee for a position is still a challenge. Few managers, when asked, can describe “right.” Others can’t agree on what qualifies one to be qualified, at least in measurable terms.
Before hiring some, ask yourself these four critical questions.
- What are the three to five essential have-to’s for this position?
Are we looking for a person with great technical experience whom we then can train in our customer service process? Or are we looking for a person, with great customer service skills, whom we can train in our technology? Be crystal clear on what it takes to be successful in the position by looking at your top performers. What makes them top performers?
- How do we know if this person has what we need?
People bring competencies to work just like a carpenter brings a toolbox. But not every carpenter is a craftsperson, even if he is carrying the very top-of-the-line tools. Using behavioral interviewing, assessments, or simulations can demonstrate the competency.
- How much competence is good enough? Do we need a 10?
Managers make a big mistake in assuming that everyone needs to be “10″ in everything. The fact is that many superstars have just average competence, while many a failed employee had a lot of 10s but one fatal flaw. Don’t lose out on a good hire because he doesn’t walk on water.
- Do they have the right skill set, but the wrong personal style?
A candidate’s personal style might indicate that an individual prefers to work alone, is highly competitive, prefers strict guidelines and compliance, is easily agitated by criticism, and is a skeptic. He may have the desire to lead but becoming competent will be a daunting task.
Another is outgoing, enjoys working with people, exhibits a moderate level of assertiveness, is innovative, and tolerates stress well. This person’s style certainly would make it easier to build rapport with and acceptance from direct reports and the management team.
Marcia Zidle, the ‘people smarts’ coach, works with business leaders to quickly solve their people management headaches so they can concentrate on their #1 job - to grow and increase profits. She offers free help through Leadership Briefing, a weekly e-newsletter with practical tips on leadership style, employee motivation, recruitment and retention and relationship management.
Subscribe by going to
http://leadershiphooks.com and get the bonus report “61 Leadership Time Savers and Life Savers”. Marcia is the author of the What Really Works Handbooks - resources for managers on the front line and the Power-by-the-Hour programs - fast, convenient, real life, affordable courses for leadership and staff development. She is available for media interviews, conference presentations and panel discussions on the hottest issues affecting the workplace today. Contact Marcia at 800-971-7619.
May 28, 2008 at 1:05 am · Filed under Children + Parents
The birth of a child brings great joy to a family. It is a precious event that a family wants to share with their near and dear ones. The birth of a child is of great social significance, as a new member is added to the family, and it is imperative that friends and relatives are promptly informed about the new arrival.
When one greets a new addition to one’s household, the desire to boast is an absolutely rational urge that can be effortlessly and discreetly resolved with the correct birth proclamation.
Obviously, one would like to convey the news in a manner that shows just how unique the newborn is. Modern-day stationery designers have an assortment of novel and enjoyable birth announcements that can help one do exactly that. Spreading the news of a baby’s birth is a vital and thrilling time. There are many agencies that endeavor to facilitate and alleviate the overwhelming procedure of selecting custom birth announcements by proffering the most popular and inimitable designs.
A number of parents may take out an advertisement in the local newspaper and forward formal birth announcements or baby announcements to distant friends. Others may choose to give cigars or candy bars and send a web link to family and friends showing the baby’s picture and measurements.
Whatever one opts for, there are numerous options to let one to select an apt birth announcement for one’s new baby. Exclusive birth announcements, baby shower invitations and other fine baby announcement stationery are prized means to announce the birth of a little one. Traditional, time-honored birth announcements are employed by more and more families nowadays to proclaim the arrival of a new baby. With digital communication gaining ground, dispatching attractive photo birth announcements or shower invitations has additional significance than before.
Birth Announcements provides detailed information on Birth Announcements, Photo Birth Announcements, Twin Birth Announcement, Birth Announcement Cards and more. Birth Announcements is affiliated with Birth And Death Certificates.
May 27, 2008 at 10:16 pm · Filed under Commerce Marketing
Customer service is an integral part of our job and should not be seen as an extension of it. A company’s most vital asset is its customers. Without them, we would not and could not exist in business. When you satisfy our customers, they not only help us grow by continuing to do business with you, but recommend you to friends and associates.
The practice of customer service should be as present on the show floor as it is in any other sales environment.
The Ten Commandments of Customer Service
1. Know who is boss. You are in business to service customer needs, and you can only do that if you know what it is your customers want. When you truly listen to your customers, they let you know what they want and how you can provide good service. Never forget that the customer pays our salary and makes your job possible.
2. Be a good listener. Take the time to identify customer needs by asking questions and concentrating on what the customer is really saying. Listen to their words, tone of voice, body language, and most importantly, how they feel. Beware of making assumptions - thinking you intuitively know what the customer wants. Do you know what three things are most important to your customer?
Effective listening and undivided attention are particularly important on the show floor where there is a great danger of preoccupation - looking around to see to whom else we could be selling to.
3. Identify and anticipate needs. Customers don’t buy products or services. They buy good feelings and solutions to problems. Most customer needs are emotional rather than logical. The more you know your customers, the better you become at anticipating their needs. Communicate regularly so that you are aware of problems or upcoming needs.
4. Make customers feel important and appreciated. Treat them as individuals. Always use their name and find ways to compliment them, but be sincere. People value sincerity. It creates good feeling and trust. Think about ways to generate good feelings about doing business with you. Customers are very sensitive and know whether or not you really care about them. Thank them every time you get a chance.
On the show floor be sure that your body language conveys sincerity. Your words and actions should be congruent.
5. Help customers understand your systems. Your organization may have the world’s best systems for getting things done, but if customers don’t understand them, they can get confused, impatient and angry. Take time to explain how your systems work and how they simplify transactions. Be careful that your systems don’t reduce the human element of your organization.
6. Appreciate the power of “Yes”. Always look for ways to help your customers. When they have a request (as long as it is reasonable) tell them that you can do it. Figure out how afterwards. Look for ways to make doing business with you easy. Always do what you say you are going to do.
7. Know how to apologize. When something goes wrong, apologize. It’s easy and customers like it. The customer may not always be right, but the customer must always win. Deal with problems immediately and let customers know what you have done. Make it simple for customers to complain. Value their complaints. As much as we dislike it, it gives us an opportunity to improve. Even if customers are having a bad day, go out of your way to make them feel comfortable.
8. Give more than expected. Since the future of all companies lies in keeping customers happy, think of ways to elevate yourself above the competition. Consider the following:
- What can you give customers that they cannot get elsewhere?
- What can you do to follow-up and thank people even when they don’t buy?
- What can you give customers that is totally unexpected?
9. Get regular feedback. Encourage and welcome suggestions about how you could improve. There are several ways in which you can find out what customers think and feel about your services.
- Listen carefully to what they say.
- Check back regularly to see how things are going.
- Provide a method that invites constructive criticism, comments and suggestions.
10. Treat employees well. Employees are your internal customers and need a regular dose of appreciation. Thank them and find ways to let them know how important they are. Treat your employees with respect and chances are they will have a higher regard for customers. Appreciation stems from the top. Treating customers and employees well is equally important.
About The Author
Written by Susan A. Friedmann,CSP, The Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, author: “Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies,” working with companies to improve their meeting and event success through coaching, consulting and training. Go to http://www.thetradeshowcoach.com to sign up for a free copy of ExhibitSmart Tips of the Week.
info@thetradeshowcoach.com
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