Write An Elementary Speech

An elementary speech topic should be clear-cut and simple.

An elementary school level speech can start with a simple topic and divide that topic into sub-categories. The categories will form the body of the speech. A speech topic should provide a student with at least three logical steps that can become the main points of a speech. With the main points in mind, an introduction and conclusion are the finishing touches for the speech. Visual aids can be incorporated into parts of the speech if desired.

Instructions

1. Pick a topic. Topics for an elementary school speech should be very simple. A one word topic often allows more than enough for a student to use as speech material. Hypothetical scenarios are also possible topics for students to use.

2. Develop main points and a thesis sentence. Three main points can be different aspects of a topic or different ways of analyzing a topic. A past, present, future outline is a common choice for analyzing a topic. Once the main points are decided, create a thesis statement. A thesis sentence is simply one sentence that summarizes all the main points in a speech. This sentence should be stated after the introduction and before the first main point. The thesis should also be repeated before the conclusion and after the last main point.

3. Write an introduction and conclusion. With the topic developed into three main points, you can now create the introduction for the speech. An attention grabber that is comical or an interesting story make good introductions for a speech topic. Your conclusion should reference the introduction and end on a strong note by summarizing the main points in the speech.

4. Incorporate visual aids if needed. If a picture shows what a student is talking about, incorporating a board with a photograph may be useful so the audience can see the concept. Models and props can also be useful in demonstrating an abstract concept or an idea that the class may be unfamiliar with.

Tags: main points, main points speech, points speech, speech topic, analyzing topic

What Is Required To Sell Homemade Food

If you're thinking about turning your culinary creativity into cash by selling homemade food, you'll need a head for business as well as a few basics in place. Create a business plan to define your product, find your market and customers, and develop prices and marketing strategies. Before you go full speed on baking and cooking, determine what government requirements there are.

Kitchen Inspection

Check with your county and state health department to see if your kitchen must pass a health and safety inspection. For example, the refrigerator must keep food at a specified temperature. The dishwasher must reach high enough temperatures to kill bacteria. Nonperishable and perishable food must be stored correctly. If you don't want to have your kitchen inspected or don't think your kitchen will pass, line up a kitchen that has passed.

Licenses

A business license will be required. Call your state business development office to inquire exactly what licenses are needed. The city where you live may require an additional license. Some cities require a license if you sell food there, such as a farmer's market, even if your business isn't located within the city. A sales privilege license is required if you sell to the end user but not if you sell to a third party, such as a gourmet grocery store, which then sells to the end user. Some cities have their own sales tax licensing in addition to the state's.

Packaging

Safe food packaging is required. The cellophane bags used for crafts are not necessarily food-quality. Consider how you'll be selling your food. If it's at an arts and craft show, you'll want to show off the food in attractive packaging. If it's sandwiches at lunch time in an office building you'll need to package it with a bit of flourish and garnishes. However, if the food is meant to be stored in the freezer, or refrigerator, until consumed, you'll need airtight packaging.

Storage Facilities

Once your homemade food business gets going, you'll need storage facilities for ingredients and the finished product. Ten orders for a dozen tamales take up quite a bit of refrigerator space. An extra refrigerator and freezer may be necessary. You may want to buy in bulk, but remember that while 50 pounds of flour is less expensive that the smaller bags, 50 pounds has to be kept in an airtight container and takes up space.

Tags: your kitchen, Some cities

Start A Billboard Business

A great advertising message--at any speed

When President Lyndon B. Johnson passed the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 to constrain the sizes and locations of the nation's billboards, some thought the industry might die. However, it is now one of the fastest-growing forms of advertising media in the United States. Newspapers? Read and forgotten. TV? Too pricey for most. Billboards, on the other hand, stay up for months, get plenty of repeat glances and are cheap to rent. For these reasons, billboard rental is a good start-up business if advertising is your game.

Instructions

1. Research billboard advertising before investing money or getting a loan. In particular, compare rental rates for billboards in your area and then determine how many locations you'll need to launch your enterprise. National monthly rental rates vary, from $700 to $2,500 and more, so know what your market will sustain.

2. Contact state, county, city, village, township and other regulatory bodies to learn what areas are zoned for billboard erection and what areas forbid them. Become acquainted with federal laws governing billboard installation as well.

3. Shop for locations. Renting just the area on which the billboard stands will be the most efficient, but landowners may require you to lease additional acreage if parceling off a small tract means they'll lose revenue. Given this disparity, leases should be negotiated individually.

4. Complete all leasing transactions with property owners.

5. Decide on your billboard production medium. Hand-painted billboards are relics of the past, but legal statutes may require original art. Most of today's billboards are designed using Photoshop software, then the art is output on vinyl or other heavy-duty material that can withstand the natural elements. The art is glued to the billboard and stripped off after the ad contract expires.

6. Hire a graphic artist to handle billboard design responsibilities for clients who have not already taken care of this task. Traditionally, design students learn these two rules: Graphics are the single most important billboard element, and ad messaging is best accomplished in seven words or less. That rule is broken every day, but work hard to convince clients that short and succinct is the best rule of thumb for billboards.

7. Hire a construction company to erect billboard structures. Also hire an electrical contractor to run power to the site if none exists. Make arrangements for lawn maintenance if you don't plan to do it yourself or it's not part of the negotiated agreement with the landlord.

8. Draw up a billboard rate card. This price list should offer clients multiple options, so create a fee structure that covers a minimum amount of rental time, such as three months, and offers substantial discounts for longer terms. Align your rates with those of competitors.

9. Hire an attorney to draw up a standard leasing contract. Include language that stipulates contract length, states penalties for breaking the contract, designates which party is to supply the billboard art and outlines other legalities that will safeguard you and your business should a client withdraw from the agreement before the contract date is up.

10. Obtain commercial insurance to cover damage to your billboards should they be ruined or destroyed by natural disasters, vehicles or accidents.

11. Design and erect a billboard for your company. Use other means of advertising to gain customers if your budget allows.

Tags: erect billboard, rental rates, what areas

Ethical Practices In Sales & Marketing

Help-wanted ads for business opportunities are misleading if they create the impression that they are for an employee position.

Ethical practices in sales and marketing activities are certainly not a black and white set of behaviors and actions. Sales representatives are responsible for ensuring that customers are completely aware of the details behind transactions. Ethical behavior is primarily up to the individual who engages in potential sales and marketing transactions. According to the Sales and Marketing Professional Association's code of ethics, sound behavior includes presenting accurate and knowledgeable product facts, acting in a customer centric fashion, pricing products according to their true value and choosing distribution methods that minimize customer costs.

Accuracy

When presenting product information in advertisements, promotional materials and sales presentations, an accurate representation is necessary. It would be considered unethical to include misleading or inaccurate information that may inflict some sort of harm or damage. This harm or damage could be intentional or unintentional. For example, advertising that compares a product against a competitor's should not blatantly state that one is better than the other. While the advertisement may compare similar features, it must stick to verifiable facts, such as calorie count. Accuracy also applies to billing and payment terms.

Customer Focus

A large part of being ethical in sales and marketing activities is maintaining a strong customer focus. Instead of pushing products and services that will benefit the company or the sales representative, the sales approach should seek to discover what the customer needs. It is best to avoid pressure and intimidation tactics. Appropriate behavior includes attempting to understand the customer's point of view, asking probing questions and suggesting solutions that best meet the customer's wishes. Products that are not proved to be safe should not be pushed just to to increase sales volume, commissions or because they carry a higher per-unit profit.

Pricing

Fair pricing is an important ethical concern. Gouging customers due to dependence and supplier monopoly is not acceptable. Decisions related to pricing should consider the consumer value of the product, not just in terms of marketability but quality and function. While pricing will need to take into account manufacturing and distribution costs, charging premium prices for commodity goods that do not have an adequate substitute is questionable.

Distribution

To be fair and ethical, product manufacturers should choose methods of distribution that keep costs low. Distribution channels should provide the maximum amount of value and service to the customer. A company that strives to keep its distribution costs low is Wal-Mart. By maintaining control of its distribution network through company-owned distribution centers and fleet, costs savings are passed on to the consumer. The retailer also adds value to its online ordering options by allowing some products to be shipped to its retail store locations free of charge.

Tags: sales marketing, behavior includes, distribution costs, harm damage, marketing activities, Sales Marketing

Facts & Statistics Of Teenage Smoking

More and more teenagers start smoking each day. What starts out as something new and exciting can turn into a deadly habit. It is important for teens to know that smoking at a young age can have a negative effect on their entire lives.

New Smokers

An estimated 3,000 teens smoke their first cigarette each day, 1,000 of whom will die from tobacco-related causes.

Lungs

The lungs of teens who smoke will not develop fully, which puts them at higher risk for lung disease.

U.S. Percentage

In the United States, about 20 percent of teens consider themselves to be regular smokers.

Habit Forming

Roughly 75 percent of teen smokers will continue smoking into their adult lives.

Physical Fitness

Teens who smoke have poor physical fitness compared to teens who do not. This puts them at risk for obesity, which can lead to several diseases.

Peer Pressure

A teenager is 13 times more likely to start smoking if he has friends who smoke.

Tags: puts them, start smoking, teens smoke

Block Telemarketing From Your Phone

Learn block telemarketers.

Do you receive annoying telephone calls from telemarketers? Do you avoid answering your telephone for fear that a telemarketer may be on the other end? If you answered yes, you are not alone. Thanks to new laws and efforts by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), you can now enjoy quiet evenings at home without being disturbed by incessant phone calls from telemarketers. Want to learn stop these calls? Read on for more tips.

Instructions

1. Visit the National Do Not Call Registry website (see Resources below). Register your telephone number. According to the Do Not Call Registry, any telephone numbers registered on the website will be registered permanently due to the Do Not Call Improvement Act of 2007.

2. Call the National Do Not Call Registry's telephone hot line. Call 1-888-382-1222 and register your telephone number. You should call the hot line from the telephone number that you are registering.

3. Register your telephone number with your state's Do Not Call List. According to Consumer Fraud Reporting, many states provide telemarketer do-not-call lists for their residents. Check with your state's consumer protection office or the public utilities commission to see if it offers this list.

4. Place your telephone number on company-specific do-not-call lists. When a telemarketer calls, request that he remove your telephone number from his company's telemarketing list. According to Consumer Fraud Reporting, "Whether or not your home phone number is registered on the national Do-Not-Call list, the FCC requires a person or entity placing voice telephone solicitations to your home to maintain a record of your direct request to that caller not to receive future telephone solicitations from that person or entity."

5. File a complaint. If you continue to receive calls from telemarketers after registering your telephone number with the Do Not Call Registry, contact the FTC and the Federal Communications Commission.

Tags: telephone number, your telephone, your telephone number, Call Registry, calls from, calls from telemarketers, from telemarketers

The Most Ineffective Communication Techniques In The Workplace

Interruptions and lack of eye contact lead to ineffective communication.

Understanding ineffective communication techniques can help you improve your communication skills in the workplace. Some of the most ineffective techniques, such as yelling in anger, ridiculing others or simply not listening may seem obvious, but sometimes they occur in subtle ways. Communication involves body language, listening and actively discussing topics, as well as the words you speak or write for others.

Invalidation

Any communication technique that makes others feel invalidated is ultimately ineffective. Invalidating others includes interrupting, changing the subject or physical actions that show your attention is somewhere other than on the speaker. Skimming email communications can also be a form of invalidation. For example, if a colleague sends you an email discussing several points on a project and you only respond to one, the message you are sending your colleague is that her email was not important enough for you to read and consider the entire message.

Inconsistency and Lies

Outright lies are ineffective not only because they contain misinformation, but also because they break down trust. Once colleagues or employees learn that you have lied, all future communications will be subject to distrust, making them ineffective. Even if you are not lying, mixed messages or inconsistency will make communication ineffective. For example, if you change your mind frequently, telling others that a business goal is one thing at one point, then changing it without strong rationale, other communications on similar topics will be seen as subject to change. Saying one thing while your body language speaks otherwise also severely reduces the effectiveness of your communication. For example, saying, "I'm really impressed with your work" while your facial expression, tapping foot, or wandering eyes communicate the message "I'm bored" or "I don't care" can amount to a lie in your colleagues' eyes.

Jargon and Catch Phrases

Trendy catch phrases or repeated clichés can muddy the message you are trying to communicate. Rather than using phrases such as "Think outside the box," try to be as specific and clear as possible. For example, if you want unique ideas, give your employees and colleagues examples of how people in other industries have presented major innovations. Using jargon, such as acronyms that are not common knowledge to all your employees, can cloud understanding and make others feel excluded from the conversation or ridiculed for not knowing what you mean.

Self-Focus

Focusing the conversation on yourself is an ineffective communication technique because it distances others from the subject. It can also make others feel excluded. Instead of phrases such as "I want this project finished by March 13th," consider a more inclusive way of stating the same thing, such as "We have a March 13th deadline for this project. What do we need to achieve to meet that goal?" This not only includes your colleagues in your language, but also begins engaging them in a discussion about the project in a way that allows them to express their own concerns.

Tags: others feel, because they, body language, communication technique, feel excluded, ineffective communication

Make An Attractive Poster

Attractive poster

Posters usually have a utilitarian purpose. Typically they are related to advertising and marketing, and in this regard, they are used to relay a message to a specific audience. The practical nature of posters, however, does not mean that they cannot be aesthetically pleasing. To the contrary, the more attractive a poster is, the more effective it is in imparting its message. The primary purpose in designing an attractive poster is to capture people's attention. Once you have their attention, then you can effectively deliver your message.

Instructions

1. Study posters that have good aesthetic qualities. To make an attractive poster, do some research and keep a list of ideas. This will provide you with useful resources when you are designing your poster.

2. Decide which method to use. You can either make it by hand or use a computer program. If you decide to create your poster by hand, then you need: neat handwriting, good-quality poster paints, markers and pencils. If you go the computer route, there are a number of computer programs available for poster making, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Powerpoint.

3. Choose a simple message. You should use larger letters for the main message and smaller lettering for additional details. This allows the message to stand out and helps to spatially organize the poster. The sense of proportion is an important aesthetic quality.

4. Develop a color pattern. Make sure that the message is not hidden or engulfed by the background colors. Choose a suitable background color that complements your message. Decorate the borders with colors that help draw attention to the poster.

5. Make sure your poster is readable and legible. Most people view posters from a distance of 6 to 10 feet. This is a good rule of thumb to use in the construction of your poster. You want the aesthetic qualities of the poster to attract an audience and to make the poster's message easily accessible.

6. Consider who your audience is. It is important to know what appeals to the group that you are targeting. Aesthetic taste will vary among different groups of people, so keep in mind who you are speaking to as you create your design.

Tags: your poster, aesthetic qualities, create your, Make sure, your message

Importance Of Cultural Diversity In The Workplace

The days of the "boys club" are long gone.

The 21st century American workforce is a melting pot of different races, genders, ethnicities, ages, nationalities and religions. The modern workplace is a mosaic of different ideas, beliefs and opinions, which taken together create an atmosphere of cultural diversity. Companies that embrace and value these cultural differences can not only reduce conflict and increase regulatory compliance but also transform cultural diversity into a competitive advantage.

Reducing Conflict

Greater cultural diversity in the workplace can sometimes lead to intercultural conflicts. When different ideas and beliefs collide, the results can range from hurt feelings and increased tension to outright hostility and even violence. In order to minimize conflict and promote understanding, businesses must encourage respect and create an atmosphere of tolerance. According to workplace management consultants Katherine Etsy, Richard Griffin and Marcie Schorr Hirsch, fostering cultural diversity can reduce conflict and improve workplace morale.

Regulatory Compliance

Local, state and federal regulations prohibiting discrimination and promoting workplace diversity are forcing businesses to come to terms with issues of cultural diversity. The Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations contends that efforts to promote cultural diversity complement non-discrimination compliance initiatives and create a workplace environment and organizational culture in which difference is allowed to thrive and boost performance and productivity.

Increased Productivity

Although cultural diversity can be a source of tension, it can also bolster workplace productivity. As Etsy, Griffin and Shorr Hirsch point out, embracing and encouraging diversity allows businesses to create an environment in which workers learn from one another's differences, discovering in the process new ways of thinking about problems and finding solutions. By respecting cultural differences, businesses can open new pathways to innovation and promote better problem-solving across their organizations.

New Business

By promoting cultural diversity, companies can attract and retain new customers, identify and develop new markets, and develop new products to capitalize on business opportunities that aren't available to culturally homogeneous enterprises. For example, as Etsy, Griffin, and Shorr Hirsch note, federal agencies and municipal governments exclude from consideration prospective suppliers and clients that refuse to show a commitment to diversity. Moreover, organizations that embrace their employees' cultural difference open the door to culturally differentiated markets that otherwise would remain invisible.

Attracting Talent

As the American workforce becomes more culturally diverse, businesses that actively promote respect for diversity and foster an atmosphere of inclusion will be in a better position to compete for highly skilled and highly sought-after talent. Women and minorities make up an increasingly large percentage of the pool of available workers, and businesses that are able to draw their workers from the widest range of available talent will have a competitive advantage over culturally homogeneous companies.

Tags: cultural diversity, cultural diversity, American workforce, businesses that, competitive advantage, create atmosphere, cultural differences

Obituary Laws

Newspapers have wide leeway in how they approach obituaries.

There are two types of obituaries that appear in newspapers: editorial and funeral notices. Editorial obituaries are written by newspaper staff to memorialize significant people's lives and accomplishments, while funeral announcement-style obituaries are written by decedents' families and appear in newspapers by paid placement similar to that of an advertisement. Because of First Amendment protections applied to the print media, there are very few laws that can be applied toward obituaries.

Editorial Obituaries

Because the First Amendment declares that no law shall be made to interfere with freedom of the press, newspapers, magazines and online publications have complete autonomy in their decisions regarding obituaries. News agencies are free to cover deaths and obituaries as they deem appropriate to their audiences. Likewise, obituaries may take any angle on the obituary its writers choose, and are free to include or leave out any publicly available fact.

Libel and Obituaries

American libel law states that you can't libel the dead, so any material that appears in an obituary is largely out of bounds of libel restrictions. Statements made in an obituary that may be libelous or defamatory about the deceased's family members or colleagues, although proving the statement is true is always a defense against a libel or defamation tort.

Commercial Obituaries and Death Notices

No laws require survivors to place a death notice or obituary with a local newspaper immediately following a loved one's death, though it is customary. If the deceased's estate goes into probate, most states require a death notice a part of that process, although it's a legal notice and not an obituary.

Most newspapers have guidelines that dictate the format and content that may be placed in commercial obituaries, and require proof of death--usually provided by a funeral home-- to validate the entry.

Tags: appear newspapers, Because First, Because First Amendment, death notice, First Amendment

Create A Marcom Plan

Effective MarCom campaigns begin with a thoughtful plan.

A marketing communications, or MarCom, plan involves creative message development to enhance business objectives. Similar to other business plans, companies may create a MarCom plan to enhance customer sales, establish a brand reputation, promote a specific product or respond to a crisis. The difference between MarCom and other business plans is that it focuses on distributing one specific message, slogan or objective across multiple channels to a selected audience.

Instructions

Problem Identification

1. Note a brief overview of the company or service. This should be one or two sentences explaining the type of business, the geographic location and the number of years in business. If this is a new company, then substitute the years in business with a notable fact or short biography about the owner. Briefly stated, "Company AYZ is a business consulting firm serving small- and medium-sized business across the United States for more than 35 years."

2. Define a specific problem. This simple statement should relate the problem to a business objective supported with a key fact. For example, "Since new competitors have entered our industry in the past 18 months, we have experienced a 15% decrease in revenue."

3. Explain the primary objective that the MarCom plan must solve. Avoid choosing more than one objective. The communication solution may yield multiple benefits, but effective MarCom plans generally have one specific, measurable objective. For instance, "Our objective is to attract 100 new customers by promoting our newest service offering" is much more specific than "Our objective is to enhance our business awareness." In addition, this is important when analyzing message development and deciding on the best media matrix tools.

Audience Analysis

4. Always tailor the MarCom plan to fit the audience, whether investors or customers.

Indicate specifics about who will receive the message, who will benefit from the company product and what key groups are most likely to respond to the message.

5. Forecast the desired behavior of the target market. This can be a value statement that illustrates what people will do, such as making a formal inquiry, leaving positive feedback or purchasing a product. In other words, how should the target market respond to the communication?

6. Determine the appropriate message tone, developed using knowledge about how the target audience views the situation. Propose the character, style, quality and nature of the message.

Message Development

7. Write down the main message. This could be a slogan, a company promise or a promotional message. A restaurant could use "Two can dine for $9.99" as the main message, while a fitness club touts "We do fitness best." Regardless of the message, decide on one primary message to use for the MarCom plan.

8. Create support for the main message. Why is this slogan a good fit as part of the MarCom plan? Make sure this supporting argument agrees with information proposed in the Audience Analysis portion.

9. Explain the customer value and business benefits. Consider the values customers receive when they engage because of this message. If customers are notified about save money, time, energy or resources, include those benefits in this portion.

Strategic Development of the MarCom Matrix

10. Decide which of these six elements will be used to spread the message: Public relations, sales promotion, event marketing, new media or direct marketing. Public relations involves targeting professional broadcast or editorial journalists who will write a story about this solution. Sales promotions include using a limited time price offering. Event marketing involves networking and establishing a presence at trade shows, conventions or special affair gatherings. New media is any communication resource that is emerging, such as mobile technology. In the early 2000s, social networks were considered "new media" while mobile technology was "new media" in 2009. Billboards, postcard campaigns, email distribution and telemarketing are all forms of direct marketing.

11. Explain the need for resources and employees who will develop specific portions of the MarCom matrix. Resources should include the budget, time, administrative costs and anything that contributes toward the success of the plan.

12. Create a timeline for each MarCom matrix element. This timeline serves as an estimate of the program delivery to completion. The completion date is a specific point in time that you can use to measure the plan's success.

Tags: MarCom plan, main message, Audience Analysis, business plans, direct marketing, enhance business

Pick A Top Selling Affiliate Product

If you've been on the Internet any amount of time, then you know that affiliate marketing is an extremely lucrative way to generate income online. It's fairly easy, it can be done with little or no advertising expenses, and a variety of niches can be explored. Picking the right affiliate products to promote is vital to your success. Following these simple steps will help you make the best choices.

Instructions

1. Select a niche. Using any one of the directories listed below, you can find a variety of categories with products and services that offer free affiliate programs. Niches will include anything from health and fitness to web hosting and telecommunications.

2. Compile a list of affiliate products in each niche that are of interest to you.

3. Evaluate the commission structure of the affiliate programs on your list. Commissions typically range from 5 percent to 40 percent for tangible products and up to 75 percent for digital products.

4. Examine the vendor's payment methods. The more reputable companies will pay you either by check or PayPal. Many more will even pay you through an affiliate network who will, in turn, pay you by check or direct deposit on behalf of the vendor.

5. Look at the vendor's sales page. This is the page that will be viewed by visitors you refer to the parent company. A good sales page will be easy to read and easy to navigate when the customer is ready to make a purchase.

6. See what the competition is promoting. Look up relevant keywords in your favorite search engine and check out the sponsored ads. In many cases, these are ads created by other affiliates. If no one is advertising your chosen affiliate products or something similar, then there may be no demand for them in the market.

Tags: affiliate products, affiliate programs, sales page

Design Email Marketing

Email marketing can be an effective advertising tool.

Email marketing is one way that business owners can inexpensively reach potential clients. The concept of being able to reach scores of potential customers with one marketing message makes email marketing a viable form of advertising. To maximize the results from an email marketing campaign, you need to understand some basic design techniques that will help get your message thoroughly read.

Instructions

1. Decide on a single message for your email marketing design. Some ideas for topics include introducing a new product or announcing a change in your pricing. Designing an email marketing piece is simplified when you use only one topic.

2. Create an HTML email template that you will use for all of your email marketing campaigns. Set up the general design of your template including your corporate logo in the upper corner, your company contact information at the bottom and your company motto across the top. When you use a template, customers become familiar and can quickly find key information, according to Entrepreneur Magazine. If you do not know create a template, use one from email marketing template providers such as Mail Chimp (see Resources). In many cases, templates are free.

3. Layout your email marketing piece using concise statements, color to highlight important messages and images to draw the reader's attention. As you design your message, use the preview box in the template software to see what the customer will see when they preview your email prior to opening it. Design your email so that your image appears in the preview along with a very short marketing message. Also, remember that some email providers do not allow images to be seen with approval, so make your message look coherent without images. Do not embed any text in images.

4. Settle on a single font for your marketing piece and use it throughout. Using multiple fonts can confuse and frustrate the reader and get your marketing piece sent to the trash bin. Some email providers may not support special fonts, so use basic fonts to make sure everyone can read your message.

5. Maintain white space around the important pieces of text in your message to make them stand out to the reader.

6. Ask someone else to proofread your message before you send it to the entire mail list.

Tags: your message, your email, email marketing, marketing piece, your email marketing, design your

Start An Online Advertising Company

You can start an online advertising company from your home.

Many businesses have turned to online advertising as a way to market their organizations. Online advertising offers many benefits for both large and small organizations. With the global use of the Internet, online advertising reaches a larger audience than offline advertising at much lower costs. Online advertising allows companies to put out ads to a targeted market quickly. With companies transitioning to online advertising, there is a need for online advertising companies. Starting an online advertising company doesn't require much startup cost. The main tools you will need for your business are a computer and the Internet.

Instructions

1. Acquire search engine optimization (SEO) skills. Search engine optimization is used to help online users find websites and blogs. It is important to have these skills because you will receive more advertising clients when your website is highly ranked in the search engines and receiving a lot of visitors.

2. Acquire HTML skills. If you plan to create a website to offer advertisement space, you may need to know basic HTML codes. You can attend a course that teaches HTML or search online for tutorials. Some hosting companies offer website templates that eliminate the need to know HTML.

3. Create an online directory. An online directory is a website that lists information about businesses. Companies use online directories as a way to advertise their businesses as they would in a phone book. You may want to create an online directory catering to a specific industry. For example, you can create an online directory for restaurants and offer listing space to local restaurants.

4. Create a niche website that offers advertisement space. A niche website is a site catered around a specific topic. For example, you can create a site about investing in the stock market. As your site grows in popularity, you can offer advertisement space for a certain time period. People most interested in advertising on your site will have businesses related to your niche.

5. Offer copywriting services. If you have experience as a copywriter, offer your services to many online and offline businesses. Internet marketers depend on copywriters to write copy for sales pages for their information products. Offline customers also depend on copywriters to write ads, newsletters, brochures and other marketing products.

6. Set your advertising prices. The prices you charge for advertising will depend on the services you're offering and the length of time you're offering those services. Check with online competitors to get a sense of what is charged in the industry.

7. Advertise your services to gain clients. You can advertise your company on Internet marketing forums, Craigslist and advertising websites.

Tags: online advertising, online directory, advertisement space, advertising company, copywriters write, create online directory, depend copywriters

Troubleshoot A Polaroid 15inch Tv

Watch your favorite shows in the kitchen on a Polaroid 15-inch TV.

A Polaroid 15-inch TV is a perfect little TV for the kitchen or spare room. It features a flat, sharp LCD screen. Polaroid is perhaps better known for cameras, but their products are sturdy and well trusted. As with most consumer electronics, glitches do occur. Whether it be interference impacting the picture or a setting that needs adjusting, most problems are fairly simple to remedy. There are a few basic troubleshooting steps you can follow before taking your TV in for service.

Instructions

1. Make sure the A/C power cord is securely plugged into the main socket if there is no power to the unit. Try removing the power cord from the socket for 60 seconds and then reinserting it. Press "Power" on the TV or remote control.

2. Make sure the antenna is securely connected at the rear of the unit if there is no TV picture.

3. Press the "Volume" button on the remote control if the picture is good but there is no sound. It could be that the muting function has been activated. Make sure the headphones are not connected to the unit.

4. Check for any nearby external interference, such as neon lights or hairdryers, if horizontal dotted lines appear on the TV picture.

5. Wipe the remote sensor panel on the TV if the set does not respond to the remote control. Make sure there are no obstacles between the TV sensor and the remote. Replace the batteries to the remote, if necessary. Do not use the remote under strong fluorescent lighting.

6. Unplug the TV from the main socket, wait a few seconds and then plug it back in if the control buttons do not work. Plug the TV back in at the main socket and press "Power" on the TV or remote control.

7. Adjust the "Brightness" and "Contrast" functions if the TV picture is poor. Press "Menu" on the remote control and access the "Picture" menu. Press the up/down ("CH") buttons to select "Brightness" or "Contrast." Press the +/- ("VOL") buttons to adjust the selected item until the TV picture is satisfactory.

Tags: remote control, Make sure, main socket, Brightness Contrast, control Make

What Is A Dealer Incentive & Marketing Coordinator

Working in the dealer-driven marketing arena requires tenacity, creativity and superior people skills.

Dealer incentive and marketing coordinators market products and services on behalf of major companies, including franchises and multinational corporations. They work together with corporate headquarters and local dealers as part of an overall team advancing sales for the organization.

Education

An entry-level marketing position, a dealer incentive and marketing coordinator role typically requires an undergraduate degree in business, with a concentration in marketing. Courses in supply-chain management and operations also will prove useful. According to a 2010 Marketing Salary Survey from Aquent and the American Marketing Association, an entry-level worker in this position earns an average salary of $39,000 per year.

Role and Responsibilities

Dealer incentive and marketing coordinators lead promotions within dealerships and work with national executives and management while coordinating local aspects of major promotions. Employees in this position also perform site-based marketing activities and measure the performance of dealer incentives while striving to maximize dealer engagement.

Advancement

Advancing in this profession can lead to positions at the management and executive levels. Many managers and marketing executives possess a Master of Business Administration degree. MBA studies also provide networking and mentoring opportunities, and according to Quint Careers, 80 percent of executives surveyed identified a graduate degree in business as key to reaching senior ranks.

Tags: incentive marketing, Dealer incentive, Dealer incentive marketing, degree business, incentive marketing coordinators, marketing coordinators, this position

Wire An Inductive Proximity Switch

Inductive proximity switches or sensors are used in industrial applications for sensing a metal part. When the metal part moves into close proximity of the sensor an internal switch is either opened or closed. The sensor is always labeled as N.O. (normally opened) or N.C. ( normally closed). This designation identifies the precondition of the switch and when actuated will reverse its condition. In other words, a normally open sensor when tripped will then close completing an electrical circuit. The same for a normally closed switch as it will open upon the sensor being triggered. A proximity switch is generally powered by a direct current source of low voltage in the range of 12 VDC to 36 VDC.

Instructions

1. Identify the type of proximity sensor or switch you need to install. Whether that condition is a NO or NC type. You should also confirm the power requirements of the sensor so you will not damage the power source or the device it is controlling.

2. Install the proximity switch into the receiving hole of the mechanical device using the crescent wrench. You should have two large nuts to secure the switch into place. One nut should be placed on either side of the holding plate. Generally this hole will be a slotted opening either horizontal or vertical in nature. The purpose for the oblong opening is to fine tune the alignment for the metal lever the switch is electrically identifying.

3. Use the wire strippers and reveal approximately ½ inch of the bare copper on the insulated power feed and switch wires on both the proximity switch and the wires coming from the control panel. There should be three identified colored wires. Depending on the manufacturer, the black wire will be the power or switch common. The brown wire is the power feed wire and the blue wire is the switch wire. Individual specifications or blue prints should be checked to proper connection of the wiring.

4. Connect the wires in the following order by finger twisting the bare ends together and covering the bare connection with the small wire nut. The black common should be connected to the power feed common of the control power system. The brown wire will tied to the power feed voltage, 12VDC to 36 VDC, depending on the type of switch. The blue wire will be connected to the device that is being electrically controlled, usually a small electric relay.

5. Fine tune adjust the proximity switch with the crescent wrench by loosening the holding nuts and set the gap between the end of the sensor and the metal actuation lever. There will be two identification lights on the sensor. The green LED represents power to the switch and the yellow LED indicates a state of the switch being engaged or tripped.

6. Set the proper gap and test the switch circuit by manually raising and lowering the metal lever. Adjust the gap so the metal lever can never physically come in contact to the sensor end. Direct metal contact will damage the switch.

Tags: power feed, metal lever, wire will, blue wire, brown wire, crescent wrench, metal part

Organize School Supplies

Students of all ages need school supplies. While the amount and type of school supplies can vary depending on grade level, it is important to learn keep those school supplies organized. With organized school supplies, you won't find yourself unprepared for school, and you will find the job of being a student much easier.

Instructions

1. Use a zippered pencil pouch to hold your small school supplies. You can use the pencil pouch to hold pencils, pens, erasers, highlighters and any other supplies you may need. The pouch will keep everything safe and prevent you from losing or misplacing your small items.

2. Color code supplies by class or subject. Choose a different color scheme for each of your courses. Doing this will keep supplies for each class separated. Use a color-coded folder for each of your classes to hold important papers. You can also either have a binder with color-coded tabs for each of your classes or a separate color-coded binder or notebook for each class.

3. Put papers where they belong right away. Anytime that you get an important paper or a returned assignment from one of your teachers, put it away immediately. You can either put it in the appropriate folder for that class or in your binder or notebook. If you put things away immediately, you will find it much easier to keep your supplies and papers organized.

4. Keep your school locker clean and organized. Designate a place for everything in your locker. This will make it easier for you to easily and quickly find the supplies that you need. Be sure to get rid of trash or obsolete supplies in your locker on a regular basis as well.

Tags: each your, school supplies, away immediately, binder notebook, each class, each your classes, much easier

Ways To Promote Core Values In The Workplace

Human resource departments are largely responsible for handling the promotion of values.

Core values impact the image and operations of a business. Simply defined, core values comprise a set of ethical and professional issues held dear by a company. Core values commonly include concerns such as tolerance, diversity, fairness, environmental awareness, sound business practices and employee equality. Claiming such values and maintaining a workplace in which these values actually live entail two very different things. Myriad ways to promote fair businesses practices exist, from employee training and team building to corporate culture.

Employee Training

Employee training programs present the perfect opportunity to begin inundating the workplace with core values. With each new employee, a new chance to promote the core values of the company arises. Successful training programs of this nature create a core of employees who not only understand but also adhere to the core values of the work place. If a set of core values is implemented after the hiring of employees, these employees can be re-trained under the banner of "professional development" so as to not give the impression that they require additional training and, thus, the implication that their work performances are subpar.

Team Building

Team building promotes core values in a collective manner. Team building activities entail games, puzzles, scavenger hunts and other educational or team-oriented activities designed to create a stronger personal bond between co-workers. Choosing team-building activities that reflect the core values of the work place, such as diversity, tolerance or fair business practices, reiterates values while helping employees internalize them. The collective promotion of core values creates a culture in which each individual feels as though they must tow the line, because such situations emphasize the importance of the collective over the individual and each individual's role in maintaining the success of the collective.

Workplace Culture

In his book "Ethics in the Workplace: Tools and Tactics for Organizational Transformation," author Craig Edward Johnson writes of the importance of workplace culture in the promotion of core values. Consider, for instance, training programs. If a training program addresses core values in a way that does not reflect those values, trainees cannot be expected to adhere to workplace values. As Johnson writes, the key aspects of values promotion come from the top of the workplace chain; to be blunt, the behavior of the plebeian class reflects the culture the ruling class creates. To promote core values, encourage employees to challenge directives that deviate from core values and the expression of moral and ethical opinions and debate.

Ethics Code and Program

Espousing certain core values does not equate promoting and encouraging them. A key step in the promotion of core values in the workplace entails the creation of a company ethics code and program. The United States government requires public companies to maintain ethics codes, which comprise a written document outlining the core values of the company. An ethics program takes the words of the code and turns them into action. Ethics programs include training, team building, the facilitation of communication between employees and results orientation. Results orientation constitutes a program that rewards the achievement or fulfillment of core values, rather than punishing the non-fulfillment of them.

Tags: core values, core values, promotion core, promotion core values, training programs

Ways To Advertise & Promote A Realtor Business

A visible place of business can help to promote a Realtor's business.

Realtors are real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). NAR is the largest real estate professional association, founded in 1908 to promote a higher code of ethics within the industry and to support educational programs for its members. With the advent of the Internet, real estate professionals are finding they need to explore new and innovative ways to advertise and promote their real estate businesses. Traditional forms of advertising include business cards, the local phone book, local newspaper, real estate publications and for-sale-signs.

Local Involvement

Each year, Realtors across the country are recognized by the National Association of Realtors for their philanthropic efforts and achievements. Realtors are encouraged to become involved with their local communities and to work to improve the overall living conditions of their neighbors. Many Realtors become involved in fundraisers, volunteer their time or join other organizations, such as service groups and local business associations, in which they can give back to their community. Becoming actively involved in the community is also a form of networking, which will help to promote the Realtor's business.

Keeping in Touch

Another way for the Realtor to promote and advertise the business is to begin compiling a list of past or potential clients. In the beginning, this might be a list of neighbors, family and friends. The Realtor should begin communicating with those on the list on a regular basis. For example, the Realtor might send out a monthly newsletter, quarterly cards or local real estate updates. The correspondence should be on a consistent and regular basis. It should not be too frequent, so the recipients become annoyed, nor should it be so infrequent they forget about the Realtor's existence. Periodically, something of value should be sent, such as a calendar or kitchen magnet, with the Realtor's contact information.

Internet Exposure

Realtors can create their own websites, blogs and virtual tours or videos of their listing. Listings can be included on a variety of websites, such as Realtor.com, Yahoo Real Estate, Craigslist or other real estate listing sites. Realtors can set up a free Twitter account and send updates to followers. Email can be utilized to set up weekly newsletters to subscribers. To immediately respond to potential clients, the Realtor can use their cell phone to monitor incoming email requests.

Tags: real estate, Association Realtors, become involved, cards local, estate professionals

Advantages Of An Indirect Aluminum Extrusion Press

Extrusion is the process of creating straight metal parts, that is, so that each piece will look the same when viewed from one of its ends. Two types of extrusion exist: direct and indirect. Indirect extrusion presses work by allowing the billet, that is, the piece aluminum to be shaped, to stay in place while its die assembly presses against it, which forces the billet through the die. Indirect aluminum extrusion presses have several advantages.

Less Load

Indirect extrusion presses require much less of a load than direct extrusion presses, usually around 25 to 30 percent less. This can save power. In addition, because so much more load is available, far more complicated billet patterns can be created through the use of an indirect extrusion press, and the billets do not have to be heated up to as high a temperature, allowing higher production speeds than direct aluminum extrusion presses.

Friction Heat

When using an indirect extrusion press, you will not have to worry about any heat being generated by friction between the billet and the press. On direct extrusion presses, the frictive heat becomes higher and higher the more of the billet is fed through the press. As the temperature increases, this could make the billet so malleable that is could tear or for improperly. Indirect extrusion presses obviate this problem.

Uniformity

In general, billets run through an indirect aluminum extrusion press come out with a more overall uniform billet shape. Therefore, indirect extrusion presses are desirable for more complex billet shapes.

Durability

Indirect aluminum extrusion presses can also be counted on to last longer than direct aluminum extrusion presses. Both the container and the liner will last longer.

Butt End Size

The butt ends are the leftover pieces of the aluminum billets left over after the billet has been shaped. One of the advantages of indirect aluminum extrusion presses is the fact that the butt ends generated by these presses are thinner than those left by direct aluminum extrusion presses. This can help to save materials.

Billet Dimensions

Indirect aluminum extrusion presses are also able to process longer initial billets, as well as greater billet diameters. For some applications, these differences could prove fortuitous.

Tags: extrusion presses, aluminum extrusion presses, aluminum extrusion, aluminum extrusion, direct aluminum, direct aluminum extrusion

Advertise On Your Car For Cash

Everyone knows it costs money to own and drive a car. However, by signing up with certain companies you can be sent a check just for being a traveling billboard. By allowing these companies to place advertisements on your you can make anywhere from $400 to $2,000 a month depending on a few factors, such as the size of your car and how often you drive in more populated areas. There are just a few things you need to do first before you can make money by wrapping up your vehicle in an ad.

Instructions

1. Visit various websites that offer to pay you to place advertisements on your car. Once you have chosen one that seems to fit you best fill out the online application. Approval is determined on several factors, such as how populated the area you live in is to whether you have car insurance. You may want to register with several companies at once to maximize your chances of being chosen.

2. Once approved you must sign a contract with the company. You must also decide on what kind of ad you what like placed on your car from vinyl to magnetic ads. The ads can range in size from covering 1/4, 1/2 and even 3/4 of your vehicle. The larger the space you choose to cover the more you will get paid.

3. Wrap your car. How your car is wrapped depends on which company you choose as well as how much of your car you have decided to get covered. Some companies require you to place the ads on the vehicle yourself while others may have you go to a car shop to do it. Companies may require you to install a GPS to meet the minimum driving requirement, which for most companies ranges from 800 to 1,000 miles a month.

Tags: advertisements your, factors such, place advertisements, place advertisements your, your vehicle

Fun Field Trip Ideas For 3rd & 4th Graders

Field trips extend learning from the classroom into the real world. The amount of time and effort that goes into field trip organization pays off when the third- and fourth-grade students experience the venue. Consider the units of study in the classroom when planning field trips. Tying in the educational topics from the classroom results in the most beneficial field trip opportunities for the kids.

Farm

A farm provides a vast learning environment for the elementary grade level. Find a local farmer who is willing to show the class around his farm. While most students have a general idea of farm life, seeing the workings of the farm in person brings it to life. Activity options on the farm may include watching or participating in milking cows, sheering sheep, moving animals to another pen, watching baby animals nurse or harvesting crops. Consult with the farmer to determine which activities are an option on the field trip.

A similar option is to visit a local orchard. Many areas have apple orchards or pumpkin patches in the fall months. Students experience harvesting the items and seeing them grow in their natural environment. This field trip option works well to teach elementary students about the process of produce arriving at stores. While orchards are typically open to the public, you should call ahead of time when planning a field trip. They may offer a special presentation or organize additional staff members to help supervise the kids.

Restaurant or Store

Visiting a local business such as a restaurant or store offers the students a backstage view of the operations. Contact local business owners to schedule tours of the stores. Consider visiting two or three businesses that are close to one another to compare them. Field trips to businesses work well as an extension to social studies topics pertaining to communities.

Baseball Field

If your city has a minor or major league baseball field, consider a field trip to the stadium. Check with the public relations department at the field to discuss a possible tour of the stadium and baseball field. A meet and greet session with some of the players provides more excitement for the kids.

Children's Theater

A performance at a local children's theater inspires dramatic creativity in third- and fourth-grade students. Consider the possibility of a backstage tour or a question and answer session with the actors. Call the children's theater to discuss that possibility. Performances at children's theaters often find inspiration in popular stories or movies. To prepare for the trip, read the corresponding book or watch the movie with the students. Have them compare that version to the live performance they experience.

Children's Museum

Children's museums encourage active exploration of the exhibits, making them an ideal field trip location. Curious elementary students interact with the displays which results in learning and enjoyment. The topics of the displays vary but typically revolve around science, focusing on real life applications of the subject. Contact the museum to coordinate the field trip. These facilities often have special programs for school groups.

Tags: field trip, children theater, elementary students, Field trips, fourth-grade students, from classroom

The Differences Of Traditional & Lean Management

Traditional management is more task oriented than task-improvement oriented.

The differences between traditional and lean management are related to culture, management approaches, employee involvement and improvement activities. Both styles of management are designed to develop strategies and to execute tactics that result in strategy execution. Both have succeeded to reduce costs and increase revenues in many companies. The differences point to very different ways of managing people and incorporating improvements.

Culture

Business culture refers to the way things get done, from how people communicate to how the organization is set up to execute strategies and assign work. Employees tend to respond to a culture that includes them and their ideas but that also controls and manages employees in a way that results in profitable decisions. Lean management tends to reward those who perform the business processes for suggesting improvements and devise ways to communicate, improve on, approve and implement those suggestions. Traditional management tends to tell employees what to do without expecting much employee feedback. Lean culture includes a set of philosophies and methods that everyone must be familiar with and implement. Traditional management can be much less structured in terms of management philosophy and the methods deployed.

Management Approaches

Traditional management tends to move information and tasks from the top executives down through the management ranks of the organization. Feedback from employees on their tasks and improvements to them is generally discouraged and is believed to hamper the flow of work and the amount of work that is done. Traditional management that solicits improvement suggestions usually requires cost justification. Cost accounting is usually an important part of making any changes in a traditional environment; this includes tasks like buying new machinery and changing business processes. Lean management focuses on cut waste from processes by incorporating ways to elicit, approve and implement improvement suggestions. Lean management believes all improvements should be considered no matter how small or how little cost is saved. Lean management includes processes for managing improvement suggestions, from eliciting them to implementing them. Traditional management seldom provides these processes, and when it does they are in the form of a short-lived campaign or program.

Employee Involvement

Lean management encourages employees to improve their workspace and business processes by targeting waste and eliciting improvement suggestions. Lean management assumes that no one knows the business processes better than the employee performing them. Employees are encouraged to focus on task achievement but also on targeting waste and suggesting improvements. Because lean management requires a structured approach agreed upon by employees and management, all employees are trained in lean culture, concepts and methods.

Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement connotes a constant and ongoing process. Improvement in a lean environment means any improvement is considered, not just those that achieve a certain cost threshold. Continuous improvement and waste reduction are the basic tenants of lean management, and they reveal the key difference between lean and traditional management.

Tags: Traditional management, business processes, improvement suggestions, Lean management, management tends

Advertising Gift Ideas

Promotional gifts are a common way to advertise a business.

A cost-efficient way to advertise your business is to offer free gifts to your customers that include your company's name, logo, phone number and website address. Developing such gifts does not have to be hard or expensive; there are a variety of items that you can purchase in bulk from a number of sources.

Pens and Other Smaller Tokens

Handing out thank-you gifts to loyal customers can help to retain them as valued customers. These types of gifts can also remind customers of your products and/or services. For instance, if a customer needs a new car battery and he has a pen from your business in his house or car, you might be the convenient choice. Other gift idea that can help to remind your customers of what you have to offer are smaller gifts such as magnets, calendars or coffee mugs. These should all include your business logo and a line that expresses your mission or commitment to your customers' satisfaction with your products and/or services.

Contests

Another approach to take when it comes to giving gifts to customers for promotional purposes is to develop a contest whereby your business offers gifts to contest winners. It is generally a good idea to offer gifts that relate to your business. Also, it is important to create guidelines for your contest that are clear and easy to follow. Consulting with an attorney who specializes in contracts might be a wise business decision as it can ensure that the wording of the rules of your contest cannot be misconstrued. It is also important to print out contest rules and make them readily available to customers. You should also post these rules on your company's website.

Reciprocal Arrangements With Other Businesses

Another great gift idea is to create an arrangement with other businesses where "gifts" can be given out at these businesses for a free item or service at your business and vice versa with your business offering such gifts from other businesses. It is best to create these types of arrangements with businesses that complement each other or at least are not in direct competition for the same customers. For instance, your business could offer a free dessert at your restaurant and have these free certificates available at nearby toy stores.

Tags: your business, your customers, gift idea, include your, offer free

Jobs Within An Advertising Agency

Agencies bring together talent from many different disciplines.

Jobs within an advertising agency fall into six main categories -- account management, account planning, creative services, media planning and buying, production management and agency management. Some advertising agencies offer a limited service buying in creative or media services from specialist suppliers. Agencies that offer an integrated communications service may also employ specialists in disciplines such as public relations, sales promotion, direct marketing and event management. The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising provides a comprehensive review of the main agency jobs.

Account Management

Account managers manage relationships with clients and coordinate the work of the agency's creative, media and production teams. They help clients to develop a brief and work with agency departments to deliver a campaign that meets the objectives of the brief and makes the best use of the client's budget. In smaller agencies, account managers may also take on an account-planning role.

Account Planning

Account planners develop a campaign strategy to meet the client's brief. They carry out or commission market and consumer research to acquire accurate planning data, using the data to identify consumers' buying motives and concerns. That information forms the basis for a creative brief that sets out the key message and target response for the campaign.

Creative Services

Creative teams include a creative director, art directors and copy writers. One or more creative directors take overall responsibility for the development of creative work within the agency. They work with teams of art directors and copy writers who develop the look, feel and content of advertisements and other campaign communications. Creative directors ensure that campaign proposals meet the requirements of the brief and the campaign strategy.

Media Services

Media planners and buyers select the media for the campaign in line with the target audience and available budget. With a choice of press, radio, television, cinema, outdoor, online and social media, the planning team aim to select the media that reaches the greatest proportion of the target audience for the lowest cost. They also take into account the suitability of the media for the client's product and the planned creative treatment.

Production Management

The production team handles project management of the campaign elements. They set schedules for creative work in line with publication dates and other deadlines and they ensure that all campaign elements are delivered on time and within budget.

Agency Management

An agency's senior management team takes responsibility for the profitable running of the agency and its future development. An important part of their role is attracting and retaining high-quality people. However, a recent report from the Advertising Agency Association of America highlights major problems in this area. A survey of agency staff indicates that 50 percent feel undertrained with no career path and only 35 percent see themselves in the same job within 5 years. The team is also responsible for business development -- building relationships with prospective clients and increasing business with existing clients.

Tags: Advertising Agency, also take, campaign elements, campaign strategy, copy writers, creative media, creative work

Are Gifts To High Schools Tax Deductible

The federal tax law allows you to take a deduction for the value of all cash and property donations you make to qualified organizations. Qualified organizations include high schools that operate on a nonprofit basis. However, various limitations exist regarding the amount of a donation you can deduct in a single tax year.

Donation Requirements

A donation you make to a high school is deductible to the extent you do not receive a benefit for making the donation. You must reduce the deduction by the value of any personal benefit you receive. For example, if you make a $1,000 donation for the school to purchase computers and in exchange, the principal provides you with a free ticket to a fundraising dinner, you must reduce the deduction by the price for which the school sells tickets to the public. However, if the ticket price is $100 but expressly states that 50 percent of the ticket price is a donation, you only reduce the deduction by $50.

Donation Value

If you donate property, the deduction you can take is equal to its fair market value. The fair market value represents the price you can sell the item for on the open market. There are different valuation methods for various types of property. For example, if you donate a used vehicle to a high school, the IRS requires you to reference a reputable price guide, such as the Kelley Blue Book. If you donate used clothing, you can deduct the price for which a consignment sells similar clothing.

Capital Gain Property

Capital gain property includes any asset you initially purchase for investment or personal use that appreciates in value and that you hold for more than a year. This property would result in the imposition of capital gains tax if you sell the property on the open market rather than provide it as a donation to the high school. When you donate capital gain property, you can deduct the value of the asset up to an amount equal to 30 percent of adjusted gross income for the year.

Annual Limitations

A deduction is available for donations you make to all qualified organizations such as a nonprofit high school. However, the IRS categorizes some of these organizations as "50-percent-limit organizations." If you donate property to one of these organizations, you are eligible to deduct all charitable contributions you make that do not exceed an amount equal to 50 percent of adjusted gross income. Donations you make to all other organizations are limited to an amount equal to 30 percent of adjusted gross income.

Carryovers

If the amount of annual donations exceeds the adjusted gross income limitations, you can deduct the nondeductible portion in any of the next five tax years. However, any limitation that applies in the original tax year applies in future years. You must exhaust the earlier year donations before deducting carryover amounts from later years.

Tags: adjusted gross, adjusted gross income, gross income, high school, amount equal, amount equal percent

Definition Of Print Advertising

When a company adds print advertising to its marketing mix, it is because the product or service being sold is best portrayed through a visual advertisement. The great thing about print ads is that they can be seen multiple times by a wide variety of people without the need for an additional investment.

Definition

Print advertising is the dissemination of advertising messages using visual, printed items.

Types

Print advertising can include billboards, newspapers, catalogs, mailers, flyers and magazine ads.

Considerations

For many small companies, the cost of print advertising is far too expensive. For example, the cost of submitting a billboard or magazine advertisement can be as much as $25,000 to $50,000 per ad.

Benefits

An optimal combination of images, colors, and text in a print ad can help build brand awareness, especially when the same combination is used over and over again in subsequent ads.

Expert Insight

There is a trend of companies spending less money on print advertising and more on online advertising.

Tags: Definition Print, print advertising

Communicate Globally

Because of numerous technological advancements, the world has gotten smaller and communication is more effective and efficient. People have ceased to be limited by their geographical boundaries when it comes to reaching out to other people. Countries are connected together in a global village because of the innovations that make communicating real-time across different locations around the world possible.

Whether you're a business owner or simply somebody who wants to stay constantly updated, global communication is an indispensable tool that you can use. Learning communicate globally is the best way to reach out to more people across different continents.

Instructions

1. Be considerate of cultural differences. When communicating globally, it's important for you to understand that cultures and beliefs vary across different nations. Even provinces and states within the same country have different ways of handling business or doing certain things. You want to factor in cultural differences and learn to be more flexible in accommodating these differences so you can communicate effectively with your peers from other countries.

2. Learn how your associates deal with things in their countries. The best way to handle cultural differences is to research beforehand how different countries handle business meetings or any other type of discourse. For instance, the Japanese prefer that you get straight to the point instead of making small talk.

3. Be aware of language barriers. English is usually the medium of discourse, but take note that some countries do not necessarily use this as their primary language. While you may sound smart with witty jargon among those who have been speaking the language for most of their lives, people from China or France, for instance, may not understand your wit. Best to stick to formal English, which is easier to understand.

4. Go over any form of written correspondence before you send it out to your contacts. It is easy to unconsciously cause misunderstandings when you deal with people from different parts of the world. When reviewing your correspondence, make sure that you're not using derogatory terms or even sentences that may be taken in the wrong light.

5. Always stay updated with developments in communications and information technology. Over the years, technology has improved so that it's now possible to obtain real-time updates from people located from the other side of the world. To be able to maintain the efficiency of global communications, it's important that you stay updated with the latest trends and try to incorporate the more effective ones in your communication strategies.

Tags: across different, cultural differences, deal with, from other, more effective, people from, stay updated

Repair Windows Xp Directory Services

Use Windows applications to correct Windows XP directory errors.

Microsoft Windows XP is a popular operating system with an intuitive graphics interface as well as enhanced security features and wireless internet connectivity built-in with other software enhancements. Microsoft developed a file management designed as Explorer. Windows Explorer (not to be confused with Internet Explorer, Microsoft's flagship internet browser) is the primary graphics interface for file or folder access. All Microsoft products run in-concert or with aid from the Windows Explorer platform. Without regular maintenance, or through malicious software, Explorer can become unstable requiring user intervention. Windows Directory services is an example of a program that uses Explorer to display file information to users.

Instructions

Instructions

1. Click on the "Start" button in the task bar and select "All Programs".

2. Click on "Accessories" then "System Tools" followed by "System Restore".

3. Click on "Restore My Computer To An Earlier Time" in the "System Restore" window. Choose a date before the directory errors occurred and click "Next" then "OK".

4. Click "Next" to begin the system restore.

5. Allow Windows to reboot and click "OK" when the "Restoration Complete" window appears.

Tags: directory errors, graphics interface, Windows Directory, Windows Explorer

Common Barriers In Strategies For Managers

One common barrier to implementing strategies is a lack of resources.

Managers can face many limitations or barriers to implementing various strategies. This can hold true in large, median and small corporations as well as government agencies or hospitals. Management strategies should be clearly highlighted in business plans and communicated throughout the organization. Otherwise, strategies get lost in the shuffle and become secondary to individual, departmental or financial goals.

Limited Resources

Most companies are budget driven. That is, all projects and the required resources are planned before the year begins. Consequently, companies may have limited financial resources for implementing strategies if they do not plan for them in advance. The problem is that companies do not often know what strategies they will be implementing. Consumer tastes can change; and competitors can introduce aggressive marketing strategies at any time, for example. Either situation can call for new strategic decisions that require financial backing. Resource barriers are not just limited to money or capital. Human resources and time management can also limit a company's ability to implement management strategies. For example, a company may not enough managers on hand to execute certain strategies; or current management may too busy with other projects.

Personal Barriers

Another common barrier to implementing management strategies are personal barriers. Only 25 percent of all managers' incentives or personal objectives are linked to strategies, according to Moranconsulting.com, a management consulting firm. Hence, managers are going to strive for financial objectives or meeting project deadlines before working on strategic planning and implementation. An ideal scenario for companies would be to incorporate some incentives for strategic planning and implementation into every manager's agenda. That way, certain management strategies would be more prioritized than is currently the case.

Vision Barrier

Very few people in companies truly understand strategies. Actually, according to Moranconsulting.com, only five percent of the workforce understands their companies' strategy. That means ninety-five percent of employees go through each workweek no knowing where the company is headed strategically. This type of thinking largely stems from the industrial days, when workers just perform their tasks and little else. However, with the advent of the Internet and other real-time media, competitors can quickly find out what strategies companies are implementing. Therefore, employees need to knowledgeable about strategies to be effective.

Management Barrier

Managers often do not discuss strategies in companies. Strategic planning is usually left to high-level executives, such as senior vice presidents. Therefore, unless upper management fully enlightens their employees on various strategies, they are going to be oblivious to it. One way to better communicate company strategies is to have corporate-wide quarterly meetings, where executives speak about key strategic initiatives. Strategic goals can also be listed in corporate bulletins or discussed by department directors or managers.

Tags: management strategies, strategies they, according Moranconsulting, barrier implementing, common barrier, common barrier implementing

Make Money From Advertisers When Selling Ebooks Online

Make Money from Advertisers when Selling eBooks Online

Writing and selling eBooks on line is huge business. eBooks can be produced with virtually no overhead, are instantly transmitted, and are great for viral marketing. Fill them with links to your blog, website, eHow articles, and affiliate programs. But, there is a new way to make money from advertisers if you are selling eBooks or special reports. Learn make more money using this program than you would make selling the eBook itself.

Instructions

1. Trial Pay is a new payment platform that increases your customer's willingness to pay for your product.

2. Here is the concept. You create a special offer or make your item free to the buyer if the buyer completes an offer with an advertiser. An offer is something like a free trial at NetFlix, 25 free music downloads from eMusic, a free audiobook from Audible, or a free membership to Blockbuster.

3. If your customer completes the offer, he gets your item for free or at a discount, and the advertiser pays you anywhere from $10 to $25 or more. So, instead of the customer paying you for the product, the advertiser pays you more than the customer would have.

4. To try this program, sign up for Trial Pay and create an account. (See the resources section below.) Then create an offer such as "Get this eBook free!" Add the HTML to your product pages on your website.

5. Why does this strategy work? A customer willing to pay the full price for your eBook may be worth more to an advertiser than your retail price. Think of the big picture. Many online advertisers have customers with lifetime values that range in the $100 to $1,000s. For example, let's say your customer signs up for the NetFlix free trial. He decides likes the service, and converts to a paying customer. NetFlix can make $100s or $1,000s of dollars from that one customer over the next several years. NetFlix's investment was only $20 or so they paid you to get that customer through your website.

6. The customer gets a good deal, gets your eBook free, and gets to try a new product or service for free. You get paid a nice referral fee, and the advertiser gets a new customer. Everyone wins.

7. This type of passive income is much more efficient and can pay much more than pay per click advertising on Google Adsense through affiliate programs. You will still want to do those programs, too, but, the advertisers on Trial Pay will pay you much more.

8. Trial Pay is also a great way to acquire new customers that might not want to pay for your product. In essence, you can make more money from the advertisers than you make selling the actual eBook.

9. See the resource links below for more information on Trial Pay, how the program works, and to see an example of it in use on a website.

Tags: much more, your customer, your product, advertiser pays, affiliate programs, completes offer, eBook free

What Are The Causes Of Fast Food'S Popularity

Fast food burgers are popular around the world.

Fast food restaurants are popping up all over the planet, but nowhere are they more a part of the culture than in the U.S., be it a drive-through or sit-down restaurant. While individuals have different motivations for going to fast food chains, there are specific reasons why they've became so popular and remain so.

Price

When it comes to restaurant dining, fast food is nearly as cheap as it gets, so price is one of the primary reasons people frequent them. Finding inexpensive dining out options is especially important to families, which make up a large percentage of fast food customers. Many chains offer value meals or items for less than a dollar, counting on customers with budget sensitivity to be attracted to these options.

Convenience

Fast food is simple to obtain and practically on every corner, providing a quick way to purchase a meal. As people have less and less time to dedicate to cooking meals, they turn more to the simplest available option. Since many fast food establishments have drive-through windows, diners don't even have to get out of their cars to pick up food. With the augment of healthier meal options at fast food chains, they've become even more popular.

Taste

Many fast food restaurants offer guilty pleasures on their menus, such as French fries and bacon. These elements are comfort food for many people and can be filling as well as tasty. Unfortunately, the reason fast food tastes so good is often because it's loaded with fat and sodium, but due to the outcry from customers who are increasingly health-conscious, changes in the way some items are prepared are being made which may or may not affect their taste.

Marketing

Fast food restaurants spend a large amount of money on marketing their meals to consumers, and it seems to be effective. Teens, adults and parents are all separate targets of advertising, and children are also a major marketing demographic with toys and special meals aimed just for them. Many fast food chains design marketing promotions around popular sports and media events, and publicize contests as another way to get diners through their doors.

Tags: fast food, fast food chains, food chains, food restaurants, fast food, Fast food restaurants

Create An Fm Radio Station

Creating a radio station can be a way to reach a wide range of audience members and share your views, or it can be a way to reach a niche audience and meet the community's needs. Although in the past the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) allowed nonprofit and education organizations to produce nonlicensed radio stations under Part 15, this is now no longer allowed. As such, you must be prepared to go into creating a radio station as though it were a business venture.

Instructions

1. Think about what kind of music you would like to play on your station or what shows you would like. Will you hire people to come in and do their own shows or will you share your station with several people? Make up a schedule so that everyone involved in the venture is fully aware of what's going on.

2. Read the rules of the FCC on FM radio stations. Currently, the FCC is not accepting any noncommercial or educational radio stations, so you must conform to the rules of a commercial radio station.

3. Look over a sample cost of different radio transmissions and classes and make a budget.

4. Apply for the station by filling out Form 301 (online and in print) and then making a proposal that discusses the channel you will broadcast on, the community you will serve and the class your new station will be.

5. Complete and make four copies of each item. Send your application in triplicate and a $3,365 application fee to:

Audio Division (MB), c/o Office of the Secretary

TW B204, FCC

445 12th St. NW

Washington, D.C. 20554.

6. Wait several weeks to hear whether your application was approved or denied.

7. Purchase your radio equipment if your application was approved. It is a good idea to wait until your approval as most radio station applications are turned down. You don't want to waste over $100,000 on something that never happens.

8. Begin broadcasting. Make sure you're aware of the community you are catering to and that you listen to their suggestions and complaints.

Tags: radio station, radio stations, your application, your station, application approved, share your, would like

Fill Your Apartment Community With New Renters

Marketing means everything when trying to get new residents to fill your vacant apartment community. Former residents may have often paid rent late or not at all. Sometimes there is a swarm of residents moving out after insect infestation, a flood of police traffic, loud noises, unruly children, drug trafficking, prostitution, or all of the above. However, the community might have none of these problems? It might just have a bad location far from public transportation. It may be facing market downturns, or better rates elsewhere. When challenges occur, you will still need to fill your vacant suites in order to pay your bills.

Instructions

1. Walk your property like a prospective renter. Ask yourself: Would you move into your community in its current condition?

2. Create a "to do" list. Your list should include making repairs inside and out, and calling pest control and other contractors.

3. Orchestrate a detailed marketing plan. The plan should include: who your target market will be, printed communication you will be distributing, online sites that will have your information, and offline places such as local stores, classified advertising, libraries and colleges. Include deadlines and how frequent you will be using each medium to communicate your needs. For example, do you need your one-bedrooms filled? Then you should know who will most likely rent a one-bedroom and where you will get quality traffic to show your one-bedroom. Get postcards or some other print medium to send to a mailing list you purchased on Week 1, and ready fliers for Week 2, and so on.

4. Create a budget for your marketing goals. You will need to list how much all of your efforts will cost. If you are using fliers, how many will you need? If you are advertising on the Internet, how much does it cost, say, for a 30-day ad run?

5. Save all your work such as letters, fliers, newsletters, brochures, postcards and bookmarks on a folder on your computer, and title it appropriately so anyone in the future can access it and print out what they need. Back up your files.

6. Print master copies of all of your work and place it in a folder so it is easy to make copies as you need them.

7. Type, print, collate and staple your marketing plan.

8. Schedule a meeting to discuss your plans with your staff.

9. Distribute the plan at the meeting.

10. Encourage input by having employees write down and date their ideas while sharing them with others. Collect the ideas, pick out which you will use, and file others away until you are ready to use them, too. In the future, you can reward any staff member whose idea worked the best.

11. Create a survey for your existing residents. Include questions like, "How long have you lived here? What do you like most about the apartment community?" On the survey, include the date of your next resident meeting.

12. At the resident meeting, discuss the results of the survey with your residents and how the apartment community could be further improved. Remember, if your residents can see the problems, so can a potential renter.

13. Create a variety of ways to keep your current residents happy by meeting their needs. You may want to partner with local businesses by offering your residents a treat on certain days such as discounted pizza slices in the lobby every Thursday night or free legal advice from a local law firm once a month. When residents see how well they are being treated, they will tell others, bringing traffic to your apartment building.

14. Schedule a meeting with local authorities such as the mayor and police. Issues may have arisen at the resident meeting that you will need to address with officials.

Tags: resident meeting, will need, your residents, apartment community, fill your, fill your vacant, marketing plan

Salary For Media Advertising Producer

Media promotions managers also utilize Internet advertising in their campaigns.

Media advertising producers bombard us with messages on a daily basis. These advertising managers are responsible for planning and directing an entire advertising campaign on behalf of their clients. Those involved in media advertising primarily direct campaigns in radio and television broadcasting. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 1,250 advertising and promotions managers who worked in this capacity in 2010. Salaries for media advertising producers tend to be right at or just below the national average for all advertising and promotions managers.

Average Salary

The average salary for advertising and promotions manages working in the field of television and radio broadcasting was $92,510 per year, as of May 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This salary was slightly less than the average salary for other advertising and promotions managers throughout the nation who made an average salary of $98,720 per year in 2010.

Pay Scale

An examination of the pay scale for all advertising and promotions managers nationwide can also provide some additional context and insight for understanding the pay for media advertising producers. According to the BLS, the median salary for those working in this field was $83,890. In the middle of the pay scale were the middle half who made salaries ranging from $56,820 to $122,570. The upper 10 percent made more than $166,400 per year. This pay scale indicates that media advertising producers typically fall within the upper 50 percent of the pay scale of all advertising and promotions managers nationwide.

Location

Location also has some influence on the salaries earned in this industry. For instance, the BLS indicates that the highest paid advertising and promotions managers worked in New York, earning an average salary of $142,330 per year in 2010. Those employed in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Michigan were also among the highest-paid professionals in this field. The average salaries in these states range from about $110,000 to about $126,000 per year. Also notable were those employed in the state of California who made an average salary of $104,060 per year.

Job Outlook

The number of jobs in the advertising, marketing and promotions fields is expected to grow by about 13 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics projections. The bureau indicates that the competition among businesses in nearly every sector will spur competition, thus necessitating the services of those involved in advertising and public relations. Media advertising producers will benefit from the desire of companies to maintain mass exposure on both a national and worldwide scale.

Tags: advertising promotions, promotions managers, advertising promotions managers, advertising producers, average salary, average salary year, Bureau Labor