What Makes Plywood A Major Choice Of The Modern World?


By Bhavana Soni

From transport to furniture and housing, curvy chairs to modern homes, plywood is undoubtedly the most in-demand wood material under extensive usage. Versatility, flexibility, and strength of plywood are the most riveting features which in turn create a huge demand for the plywood in today's market. It is the most inexpensive, lightweight and easily moldable material, especially in the fields like aviation. Read the below lines to know more information about the plywood.

1. Great Looking And Strong Nature

Outside visibility of your surroundings will be more aesthetic if you utilize plywood for your interior furniture requirements. In general, plywood panel is covered with solid wood which produces an attractive appearance. The concerns related to the traditional alternatives can be easily solved by the plywood. The cross-grained structure gives much-needed strength to plywood and the usage of veneers and phenolic adhesives can make it stronger.

2. High Durability & Lightweight

Plywood offers uniform strength along grains regardless of aligned direction. As we previously mentioned that the usage of veneers and adhesives result in strong plywood and they can easily withstand sharp blows and all other kinds of in-service damages. One surprising factor here is, even though it is a very strong material, plywood is a lightweight product. This makes way for the vigorous usage of plywood in furniture making and other commercial applications.

3. Available In Large Sizes

Standard plywood sheets come in the relatively large sizes, with widths of 1200mm and lengths of at least 1800mm. We can say that an ideal plywood sheet can easily meet the requirements of your furniture. One can surely fulfill a lot with engineered wood products of that size.

4. Safe From The Splits & Cracks

Unlike traditional choices for interior furniture requirements, plywood can effectively withstand the splits and cracks especially when we attempt to penetrate a nail or screw through it. Cross-layered structure of plywood is the major reason behind its immense strength.

5. Perfectly Fits For Curved Surfaces

Wonderful results can be experienced, once you employ plywood for the wood requirements on curved surfaces. Traditional alternatives may result in the rough and uneven edges. But, plywood can perfectly fit into any curved surface in a smooth manner.

6. Provides Value For Your Money

The wastage will be very minimal if you use high-quality plywood for furniture requirements. Every small piece of plywood sheet can be effectively used for your wood needs. The transportation of plywood is also an easy task because of its lightweight nature. Moreover, the price of plywood is also low and it is a cost-effective engineered wood product. This is the much-prompting feature for the homeowners and builders to prefer plywood furniture.

7. Eco-Friendly Nature

Plywood can be described as one of the most environment-friendly product manufactured by humans till date. The manufacturing process of plywood sheet requires lesser wood than conventional solid wood products. Hence, it results in the conservation of timber and makes plywood an eco-friendly product.

After knowing the details about high-quality plywood, now it is your turn to choose which type of plywood would best suit you furniture requirements. All THE BEST.

E-Commerce Trends in 2018


By Khalifa Lootah

As the e-commerce industry ticks another year off the calendar, the search for trends for e-commerce trends for 2018 reaches a new high. Whether you are a top e-commerce website development company, a would-be entrepreneur trying to understand how to set up an online boutique, a consultant for the online marketplace or simply a customer who is hungry for more, it will be extremely interesting to examine what 2018 holds for all of us.

Here is what we consider will be the most important trends for e-commerce for 2018. We have grouped them as (a) Customer-focused trends, (b) Technology-focused trends, and (c) Engagement-focused trends.

Customer-Focused Trends:-
1. Customers Will Expect More -To begin with, the customer will expect a neat, bug-free website, a smooth shopping experience and have a clear returns/refunds policy without any unfair fine-print.

Next, the customer knows big data has come a long way. Hence, the customer will expect you save her time by knowing her shopping patterns: suggest her the right product, at the right time, at the right price.

2. Shipments and Agility Will Be Key-E-commerce companies that can move goods out the moment the customer places an order and yet charge zero or negligible shipping fees are going to win by a bigger margin. In this competitive environment, e-commerce companies have to be innovative in optimizing their last mile deliveries.

2018, we might see a lot of drone delivery services companies like Flytrex kick-starting their operations, as well as mainstream logistics companies like DHL and UPS will invest more in drone delivery services to make it accessible for e-commerce store owners.

Technology-Focused Trends:-
1. Artificial Intelligence Will Grow-With Artificial Intelligence (AI), we will see increased use of natural language processing to ultimately bring up vastly better search results. Next, we will be seeing AI tracking customer's purchase (or cart abandonment) behavior at a much deeper level than humans are capable of. With that, AI will lead up to a hugely efficient and productive sales process because it will generate real, high-value leads for email marketing.

By the end of this year, you will see that customers calls will be reduced and they are going to be using this form of contact less and less time. Instead, customers will be buying products and services and making orders and requesting support through Chatbots.

2. Augmented Reality Will Grow Too-Just a couple of summers back, Pokemon Go showed how exciting Augmented Reality (AR) could become.

While AI is geared towards making interactions and processes faster and more efficient, AR focuses on product use and applications. If a customer is looking for, say, a flower vase, AR will place the image of a vase in a digital room so that the customer can see what it looks like with respect to the other objects in the room. If a customer is looking for sunglasses, they can upload a selfie and the AR will digitally superimpose sunglasses on the selfie to help the customer see how they would look with the sunglasses on.

3. It Will Be a Multi-Platform, Multi-Device World-No matter what other metrics you get right, if your store isn't responsive, it stands no chance to win the battle in 2018.

Most customers begin their search on one device and make a purchase from another. If they see major alterations when they switch devices, it is going to put them off and possibly drive them away. That means you will have to keep everything, from product descriptions and searches to navigation, consistent and coherent, irrespective of the device and its platform.

Engagement-Focused Trends:-
1. The Importance and Versatility of Email Will Continue Growing-With all the content marketing tools around, email stands tall. According to CampaignMonitor, in their 2016 report, every dollar spent on email marketing fetches an ROI of $44 - or a 4400% return!

In 2018, use analytics to build better-targeted email marketing campaigns. Depending on whether it was a casual visitor, a customer making her first purchase or a loyal customer returning, your emails will change. Emails will perform a variety of functions from selling to remarketing to re-engaging, and they are only getting more powerful.

2. Data Analytics Will Improve Marketing at Every Stage-Sophisticated analytics are now able to produce data on every action taken - or not taken - by visitors and customers. For instance, any leading Magento e-commerce development company can help you set up the analytics for your site for improved Search Engine Optimization (SEO). The question is how e-commerce companies will use this wealth of data.

3. Better content, yes, but video?-If there are a dozen online stores that sell similar products at comparable prices, a customer will buy from a store that excels in engagement. And that engagement will come from personalized, 'storified' content. The coming year will see content that is superior not just at the sales point, but pretty much everywhere.

Conclusion

E-commerce is growing rapidly, and to stand out from the crowd, one needs to be a trailblazer and innovate with the changing trends prevailing in the e-commerce industry. Those in charge of developing e-commerce marketing strategies in 2018 should pay close attention to these major trends and formulate an effective strategy to stay ahead of their competitors and convert as many potential customers as possible.

Vision Loss - Scary But a Realistic Possibility and the Ways to Avoid It


By Phil Andy

Vision loss can be catastrophic. Sight is among the most beautiful gifts. It lets us enjoy the beauty of this world. Sudden snatching of this gift can be too much to handle for most. However, if something like this has happened, then very little can be done besides getting up and coping with it.

sudden vision problems can prove to be very limiting. It takes a lot of time and mental adjustment to cope up with them. However, vision loss is a gradual process. It can be prevented or at least slowed down with the help of timely eye tests and treatments. Sudden blindness is rare. It only occurs in case of acute diseases, strokes, and accidents. Most of the times, losing eyesight is a gradual process. Early detection of the problem through eye exams and assistance of an eye doctor can help in improving the vision or at least slow the progression of the disease.
Some diseases that can impair your vision to a great extent are:

Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is an age-related problem that leads to central vision loss. Patients suffering from this problem face problems in performing even simple tasks. Activities like reading and crossing the road safely become a challenge. Eye tests can help in early detection of the condition. It can slow the progression of the disease.

Cataract
Cataract is one of the most common age-related vision disorder. It leads to clouding of the lens. The patients feel glare sensitivity and blurred vision. Your eye doctor can help you in fighting with cataract. Simple cataract surgery can restore your vision.

Glaucoma
Glaucoma damages the fine nerves that connect the eye to the brain. It can lead to tunnel vision or complete vision loss. Early detection is vital. Acute glaucoma can even lead to sudden blindness.

Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by diabetes. It leads to blurred, patchy, and fluctuating vision. Regular eye tests are mandatory for early detection and reducing the impact on vision.

Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis Pigmentosa is a progressive, inherited eye disease. In the beginning, the patients can face night blindness. Sadly, there is no cure for the disease to date.

Stroke
Strokes are leading cause of loss of vision in one eye. Strokes generally cause hemianopsia. One side of the brain gets damaged and leads to loss of vision in one eye. This kind of vision loss is permanent or irreversible.

Regular visits to your eye doctor can help you in keeping vision deterioration in check. Comprehensive eye tests help in the timely assessment of the eye condition.

Sudden vision problems or partial loss of vision is alarming. You must never take it lightly. If left untreated you can end up losing eyesight completely.

Sudden blindness comes as a shock. Even simple chores like dressing up and cooking your meal can become difficult. One can start feeling completely dependent on others even for fulfilling basic needs.

For such people too, it may not be the end of the road. Even in case of significant vision loss, the patient can improve functionality with the help of following low-vision aids.
• Lenses that filter light
• Telescopic glasses
• Magnifying glasses
• Hand magnifiers
• Closed-circuit television
• Reading prisms

These devices can help in coping-up with the loss of vision. They are stronger in power than the regular eyeglasses and hence the patients may be able to get a functional vision. Your eye doctor would be able to suggest you the best low-vision aid according to your condition.

Vision loss can completely change a life. A gift you never valued so preciously becomes most significant all of a sudden. But, you have no way to get it back. Not reaching that point at all or slowing the progression is the best option you have. Regular eye tests and consultation with your eye doctor can help you in that.

To find a best eye doctor near you, visit:   https://visionassociates.net

Relevance of SEO in Digital India


By Athira Suresh

The past decades have graced India with a digital transformation giving rise to many firms, thereby a competitive environment. Amidst the changes, the country has emerged as a pioneering force in information and technology. With every other day, start-ups getting familiar with the market through digitalization, employment rates have risen, giving birth to new sectors in commerce. Digital technology is at the forefront of successful business endeavours, making the need for effective digital marketing strategies a primary concern. The introduction of new digital marketing firms plays a role in the sustenance of digital India. Carrying through a digital transformation was successfully incorporated by catching up to evolving technological trends and creating market dynamics of its own. As any marketer working in India would know, the influence of media is not the same as every other place. A country with one of the largest populations in the world has a lot of perspectives to consider. Owing to the fact that a vast majority of this population are avid users of the internet only enhances the prominence of digital marketing. As a matter of choice and cultural preferences, a niche has made its way to the World Wide Web, causing marketing geniuses to revise their tactics. The evolving market trends and digital analogies along with changing web algorithms make the internet the playground of digital India, a base of what we call SEO specialists. Crafting the perfect stew to flow with digital scope is a challenge nevertheless. Search engines are saturated with information and need constant updates to keep up with the overloaded web of information. This is where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) plays the vital role, stirring content management for corporates and individuals alike.

SEO deals with the use of keywords to target information on certain websites in line with web algorithms. It's basically optimizing the content of your website to suit the search engines that retrieve desired information for users. SEO experts cater to this sector of digital marketing in a creative way, setting preferences to businesses that want to grow with digital India. SEO has never been more relevant to business growth than today. There are bundles of resources available on the web to give aspiring SEO professionals guidance, the ultimate core essentials of SEO being a result of raw creativity and an inventive approach. Researching about internet marketing trends is the backbone to SEO, encircling experts aware of suitable inclusions in content marketing for any given firm. Unlike ever before, SEO is a driving factor to healthy web traffic simply because search engines are the main preference for anybody who wants to get information. This means that if you get the SEO on the content of your website right, your business will witness more traffic, improving your brand awareness. To stand out among the competitive market in Digital India, implementing the right digital marketing techniques through Search Engine Optimization determines the direction of commercial growth. Choosing the right words, employing the right content marketing and airing the right practices are a high priority. SEO covers more than just a part of content management, requiring a dedicated chunk of knowledge and experience to improve efficacy. As the number of firms increase, the number of qualified SEO specialists increase and India being the hub of digitalization in the 21st century is expected to further bloom into a tech novelty centre in the world. The next war in digital marketing is no longer about advancements in technology but a war for the right content used to create a brand identity, presence and awareness.

If there's one resource that humanity will never become scarce of, it is creativity. This poses as a forecast in leaps of changes occurring in digital India's future. Creative content management, SEO being a vital element is and will continue to be the mode of transport for business ideas via the web. As SEO experts can expect a blossoming career path, the digital age will impose far-reaching flexibility on MNCs, Small and Medium businesses. The relevance of SEO goes only as far as how you keep updated with internet marketing fashions. Content by one provider could differ sizeably from another, even if they provide the same services. Controlled by a set of principles that shrink the entire internet into appealing content, SEM regulates the hub of information while SEO is the tool used to breach into search engine databases, allowing compelling content to stand out among the alternatives. To thrive in digital India, the rules of content marketing are now dictated by operative Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Management (SEM). Through well versed SEO techniques a business can enlist themselves as one of the most popular searches on the web. The rank will improve along with its publicity. In turn, if your website gains more viewers due to crisp SEO, advertising is already taken care of. Knowing SEO is equivalent to knowing all the means by which you can witness commercial success online.

9 Places To Visit In Gujarat To Experience The Essence Of A Rich Indian State


By Payal Mathur

Gujarat is among the largest states in India, beloved by travelers around the world because of its history, architecture, and culture. The best part about the state is that the people have clung on to the ethnicity with pride, and that's what make Gujarat one of a kind destination. You can stroll through the narrow congested lanes during a part of the day and spend the rest of the time rejuvenating in your luxurious heritage hotel that's equipped with international amenities. This is the real place of India, rugged yet smashed with colors, historical yet classy and chaotic yet serene in its own way.

For someone wanting to explore this lovely state, then he must abide by this list featuring the best places to visit in Gujarat.

1. Kutch

The white salt desert Kutch is a surreal destination to visit. In pictures though, you might mistake the landscape with a snowy one. The colorful folk costumes of Gujarat escalate the charm of this otherwise barren region. The government of Gujarat organizes the Kutch Utsav in the winter season. This months-long festival is indeed a cultural extravaganza featuring folk music and dance performances, local handicrafts, Gujarati cuisine and a lot more. There are special cultural programmes held during the full moon nights, so that's the best time to attend Rann Utsav.

During the winter season flamingoes from Siberia fly to Kutch turning the viesta more charming. This is the best time to visit Kutch, as during the monsoon the whole regions is submerged in sea water.

2. Gir

Gir is home to Asiatic lions and is among the best places in India to witness the ferocious yet intriguing wildlife. Other than the lions, Gir National Park serves as a habitat to hyenas and black bugs. It spread over an area of 1,412 km sq. Back in the erstwhile era it was the hunting grounds for the Nawabs of Junagadh, and today it is counted among the most important protect areas in the continent.

A wildlife safari experience here will be the moment you'll cherish all your life. If you are traveling with kids, this is an ideal place to learn as they explore.

3. Somnath

One of 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, Somnath is a highly-revered shrine for Hinduism followers. But spirituality isn't the only reason why people come over here, the temple is located by the Arabian Sea and has seen devastation and refurbishments quite a lot of times through the years. As per the legends, the temple was once rebuilt by Lord Soma using gold, Ravana restored it using silver, Lord Krishna later used wood for restoration and finally the stone restoration was done by King Mahadev.

4. Saputra

A picturesque hill station in Gujarat is the sole hilly region here. This comes as a haven for people looking for a pleasant weather during scorching summers as well. The lush forested region make it an ideal weekend getaway for people living in cities like Ahmedabad. As the monsoon arrives, Saputara becomes more beautiful as the landscape turns greener. Boating is a common activity here, thanks to the picturesque beauty that surrounds the lake. If you are up for a lovely view of the locale, then just hop on for an exciting cable car ride.

5. Ahmedabad

The largest city of the state, Ahmedabad is also among the most developed cities of Gujarat. As it has a busy international airport, chances are you will begin and end your journey in the state from Ahmedabad. There are many attractions here that keep the travelers wanting for more. Sabarmati Ashram, Akshardham Temple, and Kankaria Lake are among the top highlights of the city. A foodie can gorge on some of the most delicious Gujarati cuisine right here.

Of all the attractions, the International Kite Festival is something that is most-sought after. The festival features kites from different countries around the world in different colors, shapes and sizes.

6. Vadodara

Majorly known for Lakshmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara has a regal history to narrate. The palace expands over a massive area of 700 acres and was commissioned by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Back then it was considered to be world's largest private dwelling. The complex features many other popular buildings of Vadodara like Moti Baug Palace and Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum. Most part of Laxmi Vilas still serves as a royal residence, while some of it has been turned into a luxury heritage hotel.

7. Dwarka

An important pilgrimage spot for Hindus, Dwarka is one of char dham (Four pilgrimage destinations). Located on the banks of River Gomti, Dwarkadhish Temple is the most significant highlight of the ancient city. As per the belief, Dwarka is said to be former kingdom of Lord Krishna. The shore beside the temple is where people often spot turtles, and starfishes.

During the festival of Janmashtami (Birthday of Lord Krishna) all the streets of the city gets decked up colorfully. Krishna bhajans echo everywhere, making it the best time to visit Dwarka.

8. Lothal

In the ruins today, Lothal makes every history-buff weak in the knees. Studies suggest Lothal was an important site during the Indus Valley Civilization, and today even the ruins are well-preserved by the authorities. The archeological site has a museum exhibiting ancient utensils, jewelry, gemstones and more.

Surely Lothal is among the best historical places to visit in Gujarat!

9. Rani Ki Vav

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rani Ki Vav is an eleventh century step-well built by Queen Udaymati in the memory of her king, Bhimdev I. This seven-level structure is beautified with as much as 1,500 sculptures chiseled intricately. It hasn't been very long since it has been excavated. Earlier it was flooded by River Saraswati. A photography enthusiast can find a thousand dreamy frames when exploring this archeological marvel.

How many of the listed destinations have you been to, or how many of these are you intending to visit during your tour to Gujarat? We'd love to know your thoughts! You can always share them in the comment box.

Baby Boomers Get Clean and Sober


By LC Agnew

Way back in the day, after World War II, America was giving birth to the baby boomers, Government hadn't inserted itself into every area of our lives. Political correctness was unheard-of. Everybody smoked cigarettes for.25 cents per pack! You could buy a house for $10,000. Karen had been blessed by seeing what the USA was intended to be, one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all!

Karen was solid middle class. Her Dad went to work every day. That man was a machine! Karen could remember one day in the 18 years she lived with her parents that he didn't go to work. He had to feel like he was on death's door to make that call, that he wouldn't be coming in today.

Mom stayed at home and took care of Karen and her two brothers, John and Paul. What was called a housewife, what, she is married to the house? She was a homemaker and excelled at her job. Her cooking was to die for! That is where Karen got her talent for cooking, with Mom coaching her and passing down her recipes.

Life was good and simple. After graduating from high school, Karen refused her Dad's offer of college, and moved out to be on her own. Freedom from her OCD parents! She swore she would never have any regrets. If she lived to be 90, she would be sitting in her rocking chair on her front porch, smoking a joint!

Ever heard of the school of hard knocks? She attended and garnered honors! She started on her journey. Fitting in was something she excelled at. She was like a Chameleon, a lizard that changes colors to blend in with its surroundings. From L.A. to London, back to L.A., up to San Mateo, then to the City, (San Francisco), ending up in a small tourist beach town, seventy miles south of the City. She had arrived! Karen made a lot of friends there, and she felt these were her family for life. She lived in Santa Cruz for 19 years. Her whole philosophy on life was to have fun each day, which meant to party. She had basic office skills, so she could get a job to pay the rent and bills, though the first place the check went was to pay for her Friday night to Sunday morning party every weekend.

By now, she was living in Hawaii with her boyfriend, Michael, to avoid paying for criminal acts they had committed to pay for their drug habit in Santa Cruz. He said "lets go to Hawaii" and she said OK. They had come to get clean, but it wasn't until they were homeless and tired for a year, that they asked for help, and went to in-patient facilities.

Karen kept the party going for 28 years. The day she decided she couldn't live homeless anymore, waiting for her money to come on the 4th of next month, she contacted a woman who worked at the "needle exchange" to make some calls to the rehabs to find a place that would take her. The next day she was picked up by a man and a woman from the rehab center. On September 19, 1996. She felt like she was dying, full into the withdrawal symptoms of heroin. The Doctors and counselors diagnosed her with the disease of addiction. She was actually sick with a disease! She went to a party when she was 15 and came home when she was 43. Her life started over to find recovery, but also discovery, there was much about herself she didn't know she had.

Karen wanted to move to Hawaii when she was 17, hanging out on the beach with all the surfers. They went to Hawaii every winter to catch the North Swells. Beautiful, gigantic, and dangerous waves. Mother nature's show was dangerous! It had taken her 28 years to make the move. Looked like she had come full circle!

She was a living, breathing miracle. Most addicts and alcoholics didn't live through a 28-year run. God had blessed her with a second chance at life! She couldn't waste it! Once she left treatment, she moved into a transitional "clean and sober" house. Michael and her shared a room with a small twin bed to start. He had found work on the North Shore at a boatyard and took 4 buses every day with all his tools to get to work. She got up with the rest of the house, and went to her 7 a.m., AA meeting, held at Pokai Bay Beach Park. She had attended meetings in the rehab facility, but never an outside meeting. Meeting people and making friends. The home had rules and attending meetings at least once a day was one. She would go to another meeting at night with Michael after he came home from work.

Now, what could she do with her time between meetings? The court had ordered her to do community service for all the times she didn't show up for her court dates, and she was doing it a two-hour bus trip away from home. She requested to do it closer to home, and ended up working for a treatment facility on the west side of Oahu, doing yard work. Through a counselor of Michael' s, she found out she could volunteer at a local Health Care Center. She started out volunteering 16 hours a week, they put her in Payroll, where she found herself going more often, to get into some air conditioning because of the hot and muggy weather. The court found out she was volunteering at the Health Center, told her community service was finished, as she had fulfilled her hours, no more yard work! Not an altruistic motive, it filled her days, and she started applying for jobs in house. Thus started her career in Healthcare! Her hire date was February 1998 as a medical receptionist. An addict, working around Doctors and drugs, oh my!

Hawaii was nothing like the rest of the lower 48 states! The culture, the way the locals all spoke "pidgin" English. Local words that were used rather than proper English words was growing on her. She never kept in touch with anybody from her Santa Cruz "family" the chameleon was blending in with the surroundings. Traditions, myths, superstitions and chicken skin stories were fascinating! Chicken skin is scary stories that give you goose bumps! The locals were friendly and soon Michael and Karen won the respect of their friends and associates, started living the Hawaiian Style life. Karen had lived different "lives" with her chameleon abilities. She kept in touch with her family on the Mainland but not with any friends. Memories were locked in time, and no one got older or passed away. A time capsule of a part of that life.

Michael was living the dream as a surfer, a long day working at his boat business, he could go home, put on his surf shorts, grab his board and cross the street to surf! He told Karen, after a surfing session that relieved him of the stress of that day's work, that "wow, I am living the dream right now!" Life was so good, and they were so blessed and happy, after the hell they had put themselves through. Karen started the morning on her back porch looking up at the mountain and the goats, like National Geographic on TV! Her work place was right below the mountain and the goats. She went to beach with Michael, and she learned how to "boogie board,"after she paid her beginner dues! You do not want to end up in the beach break, and get dragged up the sand face down! The ocean was their back yard, and going across the street together, bobbing around in the water when there were no waves, was a wonderful way to end the work day and wash the stress away. All this was without drinking or drugging, so they were living proof that life can be lived on main street, not the corner of the street in the shadows, waiting for your next fix.

They had done what they wanted to do and had a new life to live. Their life became full with dogs, cats and friends. Michael played music with a local band and some studio work. They were happy and clean and sober! They did it together and beat the odds.

This is a true story. They did it and so can you!

I am a writer that is looking for paying jobs online to supplement my Social Security. You can hire me by sending an e-mail to  lsorens@gmail.com with I Want To Hire You in the subject box. Once we get in touch, we can discuss what kind of job you need and what the cost will be. Thank you for reading!

The Roots of Leadership and Social Justice


By Brittney Windham

A tree has to have strong roots in order to grow, prosper, and be successful in its purpose. This metaphor explains that those who want to pursue leadership and social justice needs to have purpose. One must set a strong foundation of support, knowledge, motivational forces, and love, so that they can grow, prosper, and be successful in their field of leadership and/or social justice. This idea can be applied to almost every aspect of our lives, but when it comes to leadership and social justice, this idea is very relevant and important to remember in order to complete a leadership task..

A leader is an individual who can use their power or platform to persuade and draw followers in. Leaders know how to make their followers feel equal and rather than submissive and unimportant. Leaders know that their followers are a part of their foundation, and they often treat them as such.These leadership qualities relate back to a tree and its roots. A tree without strong roots will not be able to grow or even stand strong and tall. It first grows its roots and then grows larger and taller until it sprouts up into the sky. Therefore, if the leader were the tree, they need to first set their roots and foundation before they can spread and become a strong tree, only then will they reach their and societies expectations.

A social justice leader or activist must act as a tree when it comes to being successful in their purpose and making the change they are advocating for. For example, if a leader is advocating for the end of racism, they must first educate people on what racism is they may be able to provide steps and/or a plan on how to remove racism in their group, the educated individuals may then be able to eradicate and end racism in their societies. Leaders must find people who want the same things as them and they must gain a following of people who are willing to advocate for the cause. Leaders also need to have supportive individuals that can back them in everything they are doing. This is how setting a foundation and growing a strong foundation looks.

From a personal experience, I believe that setting a foundation is extremely important and that leaders must have the same mindset in order to be successful and accomplish a goal. My godmother, Tesha Boyd is Mentor of the Year in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina (2017), because she knew how to set a strong foundation of supporters, endorsers and advertisers. Tesha made connections and gained everything she needed to create the huge success of a youth program she has now. This program teaches underprivileged kids how to be successful in school life lessons, how to treat others and just how to do everything in excellence. She has gathered volunteers, such as myself and some other peers of mine, and she asked us to advocate for the program that she has created. She made sure to get her name out there and she eventually gained the children, parents, money, donations in order to start. She still gets resources to keep the program running. This example shows that a leader needs to realize that they cannot do anything by themselves. There is no such thing as a self-made man, because every leader has had people backing them up and supporting them.

A concept that sweeps all of these things together would be Community-Conferred Leadership. A leader must treat their peers, subordinates, and higher ups as family as if they are a community (which they are) and build up from that. A community is made up of many different types of people and supporters. Therefore, a leader and their community or group must be diverse and inclusive. A leader cannot limit their community to only people that look, act, speak and think like them, or not much will get done and they will probably not reach their goals. This comes right back around to having a strong foundation, because not only must a foundation be strong, it needs to be diverse and inclusive, because if there are many different types of people with different experiences, perspectives, ideas, values and attitudes then the community will accomplish many things.

A strong and diverse community-oriented foundation is what a leader needs in order to prosper, be successful and fulfill their purpose in social justice or anything else.

How to Plan Your Own Wedding


By Courtney Kroos

There are many different planning aspects that go into planning your own wedding. You cannot forget the little details that go in between all of the larger decision processes. Once you get engaged, you should first set you budget and pick a theme. You and your fianc� should be making these decisions together, so you should be talking through your ideas together and make sure you're both getting involved!

Once you have talked about your theme together, you should look at your budget and what you envision spending on your special day. One very important thing that you must have when planning a wedding is a folder/notebook containing all of your information about venues, photographers, photos of ideas, etc. so that nothing will get lost. You can keep all of your contacts, contracts, emails, and quotes in one place so that you can access them easier. This will help the closer you get towards the date because most vendors will ask for other vendors contact information so that they can be in contact and on the same page about everything the day of.

Once all of this is taken care of, you can set a date and create a guest list. You should first decide what part of the year you want to get married in, and check with your important family members before you book anything. You need to be very flexible in this process because it is very hard to get the first date you decide at a venue. Most people are booked up until 2020 right now, and 2018 just started.

The next step would be to choose a venue. This is one of the biggest decisions, but it should be the most fun! Once you find one, a lot of things will fall directly into place. When looking at venues, you should always remember that you don't have to get married in only a home or church, there are plenty of other places to consider! This is another part of the process that needs you and your fianc� to be flexible in the process.

Once you have chosen a venue, the next steps would be to find a photographer, a dress, entertainment, catering and drink, and suppliers. Some things will be harder than others, but if you planned your date far enough in advance, you should have plenty of time to find the perfect people for these jobs in order to make your special day that much better!

Do not let the planning get the best of you, make sure to enjoy it along the way! It is you day, so you need to make sure that you are not just focusing on making other people happy, and you focus more on how to make you and your fianc� happy. Marriage is so exciting and your wedding day should be the best day of your life, but remember what really matters- you will be with the person you love the most for the rest of your life!

  https://idoweddingplanninghelp.blogspot.com/

Wedding Day Problems & Solutions


By Courtney Kroos

Many people talk about your wedding day being the happiest day of your life. What they do not talk about are all of the problems that can happen along the way in those short 24 hours. One problem is that you may spill on your wedding dress. Let's be honest, there is a possibility you will be getting some sort of stain on your dress. A solution to this is to have some tide to-go in the reception area or around you at all times.

Another problem that can happen with your dress is that it can rip. If you are transitioning from house to the church, or the church to the reception venue, you are most likely going to be getting in and out of cars. It is possible that your dress can get stuck in the door and rip. It is also possible that someone may step on your long train (if you have one) and it can rip. An easy fix would be to keep a roll of fabric tape around you in addition to the tide to-go stick.

Another issue that can happen on your wedding day is rain. The weather is something that is completely out of any human's control, but I have found ways that can solve this issue. With being around so many weddings that have been rained out, you always need to make sure to have a backup plan. You need an indoor venue backup in case the forecast is not what you want it to be. If everything is planned outside and there is no available indoor venue, make sure to have a tent set-up available if need be at last minute. I have been to so many weddings that actually turned out perfectly even though the rain tends to come in unexpectedly. The only reason they turn out as perfect as they do are because we always have backup plans.

If you are having a wedding during an iffy weather situation, I would always be prepared with large umbrellas. I would make sure to get a lot of them, and provide them for your guests. The umbrellas can actually make a really cute photo opportunity as well if everyone is carrying the same umbrellas or are color coordinated with your wedding theme. Something to not forget about is to make sure to provide them for your wedding party. The wedding party should have colors that complement their dress scheme so that just because they need to hold umbrellas, they are doing it in style since there are photo opportunities at all times. The best photos are never planned ones.

There are many different issues that can happen or pop up during a wedding day but there are many preventative measures that can be taken in order to help you be as stress-free as possible. In all reality, that is the goal.

  https://idoweddingplanninghelp.blogspot.com/

Wedding Planning Recommendations


By Courtney Kroos

Planning a wedding can get busy and messy, so there are quite a few recommendations I have for someone who may not be the most organized person to begin with. There are many different 12 month wedding planners and organizers out there, some made by The Knot, and some that you can even find at Walmart or any other stores. These planners can help you remember things you may not have been thinking about, or didn't even know you had to do. They give you checklists, timelines, outlines, and different formats of how you should be writing out seating charts, lists, etc. With these planners, you can become one of the most organized people overnight! They are that simple and helpful!

Another recommendation I have is the service of an actual wedding planner. I am a wedding planner at a rental and wedding coordinating company, and I help brides do all sorts of things. I not only help them, I actually do most of the actual work. They will send me all of their contracts from their vendors, and I will organize them and put them into a specific folder for a later date when I begin creating the wedding timeline. These vendor contracts are just a small piece of the information I receive from brides.

The types of information I receive varies from what types of things we will be using to reserve seats, to the minute a bus will arrive. A wedding planner takes care of it all for you, and all you need to do is communicate back and forth with them. The perk is that you will be mostly stress-free, and can just gather all of the information from each vendor, and bring all of that jumbled information to the wedding planner, and they will sort through it and make sure it is all in an organized manner for that special day.

Once a wedding planner receives any sort of information about the day, they will begin to create a wedding timeline. A wedding timeline is a basic step by step of the day planned out to the minute. The wedding planners want to know any and all information the bride has for their special day so that they know how to assist, and where to assist at. Since they will be the point of contact throughout the entire day, they need to know when the florist will be arriving, what the photographer's phone number is, what time the entertainer will begin to tear down at the end of the night, etc.

There are many perks to using the service of an actual wedding planner, but if you do not have the amount of money in your budget for one, the different types of wedding 12 month planners that are out there for you to purchase are a cheaper alternative if you want to plan your wedding completely on your own!

  https://idoweddingplanninghelp.blogspot.com/

Is It Better To Have Stainless Steel Catering Equipment?


By Stana Peete

Catering equipment is made with a variety of different materials, it depends on what it is used for as well as other specifications of the product. Some catering equipment is made of plastic while others are made of steel. A large variety is made of stainless steel, so is it better to have stainless steel catering equipment?

This type of steel is a strong material and this is one reason why many manufacturers use it as a material of choice. It is a solid and sturdy material. Catering equipment made of stainless steel will be durable and will last for a number of years. Consider the stainless steel cutlery that you have in your kitchen drawer. How many years have you had it? You probably had it since you moved into your home. Has it tainted in anyway? It most likely still looks as good and glossy as when you first bought it. Does it bend or break easily? Unless you physically try to bend it with a lot of strength, it would still have its original shape.

It is a hygienic material. Bacteria don't have the opportunity to grow and spread on the surface of stainless steel because it is an inhospitable environment for bacteria. It is also easy to clean because the surface is smooth and does not have any grooves or pores where dirt or grime can fester. This is great for the food industry. Cleanliness and hygiene are essential factors when it comes to the preparation and serving of food. Therefore, it is a material of choice for many restaurants and caterers.

It is an attractive material because it has a mirror style finish that looks glossy and modern. When it is cleaned and buffed properly, the streak-free surface is aesthetically pleasing. It looks clean and beautiful. For example, consider a tea pot made of glass or ceramic versus one made of stainless steel. The glass or ceramic tea pot will look like an everyday type of crockery whereas a stainless steel tea pot with its mirror finish creates an impression of elegance.

Stainless steel catering equipment is the better option for the food industry due to its hygienic features. It is easy to clean plus it is durable and long lasting. In addition, it is aesthetically pleasing and creates a sense of elegance. For restaurants and caterers it is ideal because it creates an impression of professionalism and sophistication amongst their customers.

CaterWeb stocks a full range of commercial kitchen products and we even offer free demonstrations as well as hands on training if necessary. Visit our website to access our online store or alternatively we welcome you to visit our new showroom.

Please call us at 0861 CATERWEB or e-mail your inquiry to  sales@caterweb.co.za so we may assist with your catering equipment requirements!

Commercial Kitchens: Are Shelves a Sufficient Storage Solution?


By Stana Peete

For restaurants, coffee shops, and caf�'s that have commercial kitchens which are the main source of their business, it means that all the stock is stored in that kitchen. Obviously, the commercial kitchen has a lot of cabinets which is used to store anything from catering equipment to food supplies. If the kitchen has cabinets, is it necessary to add shelves too?

Shelves can be an alternative storage solution for the commercial kitchen. The beauty of shelving is that you can make the shelves as long or as short as you want. You can add one level of shelves or multiple levels. It all depends on you and the space you have on the walls above the cabinets. They are also ideal because they don't particularly take much overhead space above the work surfaces that the cabinets provide. In addition, because they don't have doors, you won't accidentally bump your head on the doors if you forget to close it while you're caught up with the preparation of a dish.

Overhead cabinets can be cumbersome and more costly to install whereas shelves can be installed relatively quickly and cost efficiently. Therefore, you can add many of them on all the walls you have available in the commercial kitchen. If you have budget constraints then this is a great storage solution. It will also create a neat kitchen and all the kitchen staff will know exactly where all the catering equipment is stored. If you want to be more organised, add labels on the shelves where each catering equipment or food supply needs to be stored. This will prevent kitchen staff from placing the items wherever there is an empty space.

The beauty of shelving is that you can place the catering equipment that you use daily on them. It provides for quick and easy access as well as storage once you're done with the catering equipment. Items such as blenders, food mixers, toasters, and other processing equipment can be stored for easy access. You could also store the food supplies that you use on a daily basis up there too, such as cooking oil, sugar, salt and spices.

Having the catering equipment and food supplies on display and within reach can make your commercial kitchen more efficient when it comes to preparing the dishes for customers. This can cut down on the preparation time and make customers happy. Customers will appreciate the prompt service, especially if they are famished.

CaterWeb stocks a full range of commercial kitchen products and we even offer free demonstrations as well as hands on training if necessary. Visit our website to access our online store or alternatively we welcome you to visit our new showroom.

Please call us at 0861 CATERWEB or e-mail your inquiry to  sales@caterweb.co.za so we may assist with your catering equipment requirements!

How to Become a Peak Performer All Throughout the Day


By Rosina S Khan

Do you feel stressed out, unable to focus on chores at home or projects at work? Do you feel lethargic without energy? Fear not - you can easily turn that around. This article gives you several viewpoints so that you can actually transform yourself to be a peak performer all throughout the day tirelessly. Read on to find out.

Here they are:

Get 7-8 hours of good night's sleep

It depends from individual to individual. Some need less while others need more sleep. Go to bed early and wake up early. Go to sleep at the same time everyday so that it becomes a good habit.

After waking up, drink a glass of water

Your body needs to be hydrated. Here I give you a special tip. Add a drop of honey to a glass of water and drink it all. This is considered very healthy.

Go for a walk in the early morning

Do you like to jog or run? Or, do you hate them? Then simply walk a distance of about a mile and come back home in time to have breakfast.

Have a good and healthy breakfast

You can have corn flakes with milk and a little sugar or a bread toast with jam or something else good and healthy that your dietician has advised. Make a mug of tea or coffee. Having this kind of breakfast will enable you to be fresh and full of vigor, peak performing until it is time for lunch. You can have some light healthy snack sometime before lunch so that you keep performing well.

Drive or commute to work and attack the frog of the day

You should have made a To-Do list the night before, prioritizing your work tasks for today. The frog of the day is that task which you find fearful, doubtful, complex and hard to deal with. Attack the frog first thing at the work place and get over with it. Then slowly orient towards easier tasks during the day, thriving high until it is time to return home.

Have a good nourishing dinner

Eat plenty of whole grains, vegetables and fruits as dinner. Drink water. Do not take coffee or tea before retiring to bed because this may hamper your good night's sleep.

Enjoy family time

Hold a conversation with your family and watch something funny on TV together. Help each other with problems and discuss to find solutions.

Be at peace with yourself

You have been a peak performer all throughout the day, eating healthy and exercising since morning. You have given your all to your work and family. So be at peace with yourself. Be anxiety-free and relax into yourself so that you fall fast asleep in order to target the next day, the same way you did today.

Summing up, becoming a peak performer helps you to carry out your day's work tasks smoothly, energetically and productively. So why not choose to be so every single day because there is no better way to achieve fulfillment and satisfaction other than giving your all laser focus into your daily tasks.

Rosina S Khan has authored this article. For a wealth of free resources based on stunning fiction stories, amazing self-help eBooks, commendable articles, quality scholar papers, valuable blogs and terrific academic guides, all authored by her, and much more, visit: http://rosinaskhan.weebly.com. You will be glad that you did.

If you would rather like to access her terrific collection of eBooks based only on fiction, self-help as well as academic guides and download them for free, visit: http://www.facebook.com/RosinaSKhan.hub. You won't be disappointed and remember to like her Facebook page.

Type 2 Diabetes and Healthy Living - The Health Benefits Of Fasting


By Beverleigh H Piepers

When someone says the word "fasting" to you, do you automatically cringe? Like, how could you fast? Well, do not be so quick to assume this mindset. Fasting has caught on by storm as more and more people are adopting an intermittent fasting approach.

When we talk about fasting here, we are not referring to fasting for days on end. It is merely fasting for up to 16 hours a day of which half you will be sleeping and then eating in an 8-hour window. It has been demonstrated eating in this manner can not only help boost weight loss success but may also contribute to increasing health as well.

Here are some of the critical benefits of knowing about intermittent fasting...

1. Improved Heart Health. If heart health is a concern for you, intermittent fasting can help. This diet plan protocol helps to...

reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol,

improve triglyceride levels, and may

also, lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Too many people are falling prey to heart disease these days, it is vital we do all we can to protect our heart health. While fasting has some protective mechanisms, it is also wise to eat healthy foods with this approach.

2. Enhanced Growth Hormone Release. Next, you have enhanced growth hormone release. When you fast, your body will be releasing more of the hormone that...

helps to prevent aging,

helps assist with forming a leaner body composition, and may also

assist to promote stronger bones as well.

As we get older, our natural release of growth hormone tends to decline, so intermittent fasting can be one way to help offset this. You may not be able to bring your levels back up to what they were when you were in your 20's or 30's, but it can make a difference.

3. Greater Longevity. Those who fast regularly also show signs of greater longevity. Intermittent fasting can help with cellular repair and maintenance, meaning it could help your tissues survive better and keep regenerating as they should. So, in turn, intermittent fasting may boost the number of years you will live.

Current research done on rat populations shows those who fast every other day may live up to 84% longer than those who do not.

4. Improved Insulin Sensitivity.  Finally, improved insulin sensitivity is the last benefit you can look forward to if you choose to do intermittent fasting. Improving insulin sensitivity can go a long way towards helping better manage Type 2 diabetes and blood sugar levels. Also, there should also be a decrease in your total body fat mass.

We are seeing rates of insulin resistance skyrocket in today's society, so this is an excellent way to combat that issue.

There you have a few of the different benefits intermittent fasting provides. As you can see, it is one diet plan you will want to consider.

Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. By making easy changes to your daily routine, its possible to protect your heart, kidneys, eyes and limbs from the damage often caused by diabetes, and eliminate some of the complications you may already experience.

For nearly 25 years Beverleigh Piepers has searched for and found a number of secrets to help you build a healthy body. Go to http://DrugFreeType2Diabetes.com to learn about some of those secrets.

The answer isn't in the endless volumes of    available information but in yourself.

Your Post Is Your Path


By Vance Larson

I was being interviewed on a radio show in Boston last year and the question came up dating and social media. Then just a few minutes ago I was preparing for my nightly meditation and I thought I would check Facebook real quick. I saw a post from a friend of mine thanking everyone for supporting her projects and her life. That got me wondering about the bigger picture. How social media is such a powerful tool that so many take for granted.

While being interviewed I spoke of the power of reach. That with technology comes great responsibility. When we post, we are connecting to the world. Our rants, worries, joys and frustrations are a beacon for a response. It really should come as no surprise that when you post a seductive picture for example, that you will get attention. Some may be positive reinforcement, while others may be downright cruel. That when you post a request for prayers, that you instantly get that support. Or, when you post about a bad day, you often find uplifting words and a feeling that you're not alone. What we post becomes our path.

I have told this story before about a young man who applied for a job and I did his interview. He presented very well. Then he left and I did a quick social media search. I found post after post of him bashing his current employer. I had to wonder what would happen if I hired him and he didn't workout? What would he be saying about my company. I called him in the next day and did not offer him the job. I was honest and told him why, and he said he understood. What I found interesting is from that point on, I would check in on him from time to time and he never posted negative about his employer again. It was a teaching moment and lesson learned.

If you were to ask your social media friends to describe you based off of your post, what would they say? Have you ever had consequences from your post like the gentleman I could not hire? If you were to go back and look at my last 50 post, what would you think you knew about me? Because that is our reality. Yes, we are more than our post. But our post give great insight to who we really are. They also act as an affirmation. If you post over and over again about all that is wrong in your life, you have only magnified your problems. On the other hand when you post about your struggle and how you're not giving up. You are empowering and paving your path.

Social media. Blessing or curse? Or is it a little bit of both? What we type is equally important as the words we speak, and that thoughts we have. Your post become your path. And there will be times when our path becomes dark and uncomfortable. So if you don't like your path, or who is on it. Change your post.

Public Speaking - 13 Tips to Become More Confident When Speaking to a Group


By Jeff Magnuson

Public speaking and the ability to present effectively in front of a group of people is a craft. I hesitate to call it a skill because skills seem more finite while a craft can always be refined.

Some might think that anyone can get up in front of a room full of people and present. I would counter that with, can anyone simply act, sing, or play an instrument? Like those other forms of expression, if you want to get really good, if you want to have confidence instead of being nervous, then you need to practice.

So many people are terrified of public speaking. This article is not about why people are so frightened to speak. The point of this article is to argue that public speaking and presenting do not need to be scary. If you take advantage of the opportunities to present, then you will certainly get better. People will notice if you present well and it's also a great weapon to have in your professional arsenal.

Use the following steps below as a rough starting point but never underestimate the importance of practicing as much as you can.

1. Keep Your Cool

Stuff happens.

Whether you're speaking to 10 people or 300 people, there will almost always be a disruption or a distraction. A group of people laughing in the back, a co-worker who cannot stop asking questions, an obnoxiously loud sneeze, a phone ringing, etc.

Stay calm and never apologize for having to stop, even for a moment.

If you're cool, everyone else will be cool.

You might find that the work-horse projector that your company has had since you started working there decides to call it a career when you get to slide 3.

This isn't a disaster.

All this means is that now your audience really needs to pay close attention to what you have to say, which is a great thing! Additionally, it won't matter whether your slide deck is being projected behind you because you knew to...

2. Prepare

"I'll just wing it."
"I'll figure it out when I get up there."

While almost anyone can get up and read off of a projected slide, that does not mean it is a good presentation. You may get through all of the material but the audience will know that you did not prepare. There is a noticeable difference between a polished, rehearsed presentation and one that is done "off the cuff".

Your audience is giving you their attention whether they have to be there or want to be there. Show them the respect of a prepared presentation.

Rehearse your presentation 5-7 times and use a timer to see how long it takes you (it's usually longer than you think). Rehearse standing up with your laptop so you can coordinate advancing the slides in line with your talking points.

2a. Really know the material, do not memorize

You will get interrupted. If the material becomes ingrained, then you can pick up from wherever you left off without any issues. If there are specific figures that you need to communicate, write them down on an index card. Give yourself a break. Don't stress over a data point or two.

3. Create concise, visual slides

The bulk of the information and the story-telling needs to come from you. Let the slides be a guide with key points, figures, and visuals. Also, use the animation feature to slowly build the slide. This allows you to manage how much information your audience sees at any time and keeps them focused on you instead of a new, full slide of data. And once you start your presentation...

4. Look at your projected slides only if absolutely necessary

The audience does not need to see the back of your head. If your slides are visual and concise, simply tell people where to look or point in the general direction for emphasis. While the laser pointer/cat toy does exist, no one on earth has a steady hand and that red light is usually more distracting than helpful.

An easy way for you to know what slide you're on is to have the laptop that is projecting the presentation face you so that you can easily see what everyone else sees (without having to turn around).

5. B-R-E-A-T-H-E and relax

Most people know it takes guts to stand up in front of a room and present. People want you to succeed, especially if you're presenting to colleagues. The audience is there for you. You're already prepared. Deliver what you have practiced.

Also, keep the hand/arm gestures to a minimum. It's a waste of energy and doesn't add much value.

6. Look at everyone and make eye contact

What I've learned after presenting many times is that people will listen to what you have to say even if they look completely miserable while you are presenting. You need to trust that if you are delivering a confident, thoughtful presentation then you will have their attention.

When looking around the room, locate those people who give you a slight nod when you are speaking. Find them and return back to them during the presentation if you feel yourself needing some quick reassurance.

7. Smile

Unless you're presenting disappointing news... smile. You will feel better and you will notice at least a few people in the audience smile back. It's kind of strange but it happens every time. This also helps you to relax (#5).

8. Silence is your friend, verbal clutter is not

You do not need to fill your entire time with meaningless words, phrases, "ums", "uhs", or "ya knows". If you pause to let a thought or an idea sink in (or just to gather your own thoughts), the audience will not become impatient. It may feel like a long time to you but it's literally seconds. Use it to your advantage especially when trying to highlight important points or topics. This leads to...

9. Repeat important points

Repeat important points.

This is especially true for longer presentations. Audience members will zone out from time to time. It's inevitable. If there are a few points that you absolutely HAVE to make, say them twice... with a pause in the middle. Pausing will also break the audience out of their potential daydream and bring them back to you. Then you can deliver the punchline with greater effectiveness.

10. End Strong

Deliver the last 2 or 3 sentences, which should bring the whole presentation together, slowly and clearly. You can even turn the slides off so people look right at you and give you their full attention. Once done, pause for a second, smile, and say thank you.

11. Invite questions (if applicable)

12. Get feedback

Later on, ask anyone who was in the audience for his or her thoughts. As I said, presenting is a craft and can always be refined. In fact, if there is a way to video record your performance, that's even better. As awkward and awful as watching yourself is, it will only help you improve.

13. Don't give up

You stumbled or fumbled over a section? One or two parts dragged on too long?

It's fine.

There was a reason for it. Learn from it and improve for next time. Simple as that.

---------------------------------------------

These steps are based on my observations over the last few years and can serve as a general guide.

Take advantage of the opportunities to present to a group as they may not come along too often. My guess is that you won't have to fight off too much competition either.

Remember, there is really nothing that can occur during your time presenting that you cannot ultimately control or manage... so go for it!

You may even start to enjoy it.

{pause and smile}

Thank you.

Don't Be Afraid of Strong Language


By Janet Christy

Use fewer, stronger words to make your grant applications, reports and proposals more successful and effective.

I see so many documents that use soft, cushiony words instead of strong, emphatic words. Not using strong language in a proposal offers an opportunity for the recipient to say NO, or at least not make a decision. Using soft terms in a report diminishes the results and accomplishments. Using weak words in a grant application make you seem hesitant or unsure of the effort/organization for which you seek funding. Not using strong words is not only a wasted opportunity; it can also have long-term impact on funding and perception.

By using weak words, people often use too many words. Too many words can be perceived as propping up a lame idea or program. Often you are limited in how many words you can include in a grant application or report. The reason for the limit is to ensure the writer is succinct. Weak wording almost always results in excess words.

Another impact of both more words and weak words is that the reader will not read everything you write. This can result in them not having full understanding of what you are proposing or reporting. Ask yourself how often you have stopped reading something because your brain froze-up due to the wording and length.

You probably do not even realize that you are using weak words or that you are too wordy. So here are some examples of ways to strengthen and shorten your message.

Instead of saying "will give students an opportunity to... " replace will give with provide.

In place of shows use demonstrates

Replace this sentence: We expect that they will generate insights that will help improve operations

With this: We will gather insights from Key Stakeholders that will improve operations.

Instead of: We are requesting funding for training because without a comprehensive understanding of how a human services agency should operate in order to meet the purpose and goals of the agency, staff will not be working at their optimum and most effective level.

Try this: The requested funding will finance staff training that will improve their efficiency and increase the effectiveness of our services.

Substitute for: This study will attempt to gain an understanding of the community needs and obstacles through a comprehensive community engagement and input effort.

This: This study will gather pertinent data on needs and obstacles through interviews and focus groups.

Another example of wordy to impactful.

Wordy: Using a carefully crafted process, we will lead the Board through an assessment that will result in the discovery of the obstacles and misunderstandings that inhibit the realization of our organization's goals.

Impactful: We will use our proven evaluation process to help the Board identify the actions necessary to accomplish our goals.

Here are a few examples of weak, unsure words and phrases:

Will attempt to (just use will)

In an effort to (again, just use will, or maybe pair will with a strong verb such as the ones below)

Plan to collect (replace plan to with will)

Try

Attempt

And here are some strong, confident words:

Provide

Demonstrate

Obtain

Impact

Direct

Add

Present

Outcomes

Effect

Remember these things the next time your write something important.

Fluff does not enhance

Extra words do not increase the impact of the statement

Brevity is powerful

Direct has impact

Verbs are stronger than verb phrases

Confidence convinces

Get to the point

And never, ever whine!

Janet W Christy is a consultant specializing in getting information (from people's heads, reports, studies, focus groups, etc.) into a usable form, such as an operational/business plan, grant application, evaluation/assessment, report, policy manual or developmental plan. Janet's blog can be found at    https://janetwchristy.wordpress.com/ You can see more information about Janet and her firm, Leverage & Development, LLC at http://www.leverageanddevelopment.com. She is also a Research Fellow with USC Upstate's Metropolitan Studies Institute.

Upgrade To A Branded Elevator Pitch


By Kim L. Clark

Think about it. Your elevator pitch and your personal brand are co-dependent. The two share a mission-critical objective, to create a positive and memorable first impression of you and your enterprise when you meet personal and professional contacts. The all-important self-introduction known as the elevator pitch is, while brief and simple, nevertheless your most important marketing tool, because it's often how people first get to know you and your business.

From the opening line to the final sentence, your elevator pitch is Step One in communicating your personal brand. Its content must be clear and concise, and persuade people that you are worth knowing and doing business with. Build a branded elevator pitch by choosing two or three of your products or services to use as talking points. Then draft the pitch, edit and rehearse. Like a singer or musician, memorize the melody of the song that is your elevator pitch and improvise as needed.

Also like making music, your delivery is as important as the content. Polish your presentation by speaking in a pleasant and energetic tone of voice. Exude a welcoming and friendly demeanor as you greet people with a smile, all the while standing up straight and maintaining eye contact, as you extend your right arm to initiate a comfortably firm hand shake and give your name.

Networking is a 365 days a year activity and your elevator pitch can easily be tailored to fit any context, whether you're at a holiday party or a business program. Purely social events usually do not require mention of your business life, unless the topic comes up a little later, as you chat with your new acquaintances.

What matters most is that your pitch ensures that you are perceived as competent, credible and authentic. When introducing your professional role, use easy-to-understand, jargon-free language as you succinctly describe two or three of the products or services you offer (What you do) that provide solutions for problems that your clients encounter and must resolve (Why you do it). Depending on whom you meet, you may choose to reveal the types of organizations you work with (For whom you do it) and the value derived (benefits and outcomes) when clients work with you.

Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon, famously said, "Your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room." Take time to develop an elevator pitch that creates a trust-building first impression for prospective clients and referral sources, one that serves as an effective first touch point for your personal brand.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Kim L. Clark is an external strategy and marketing consultant who brings agile skills to the for-profit and not-for-profit organization leaders with whom she works. Ensure that your organization's mission-critical goals are achieved when you contact Kim http://polishedprofessionalsboston.com.

Are We Creating Expensive Death Traps?


By Shashank Vaidya

Sensational heading? Possibly. Is it far from the truth? Sadly, the answer is NO.

Please read on.

Mumbai has experienced 400 fires in 2017. That is one fire per day on an average. Many lives have been lost recently in Mumbai. The reasons are still being investigated. If the newspaper reports are to be believed, then the blame has been assigned to activities not permitted by the authorities, to temporary construction built out of combustible material, to electrical short circuits and to lack of fire escapes etc. In due course of time, we hope, the guilty will be identified and appropriate action would be taken by the law. These incidences will then reside in some of our less accessed brain cells.

But such incidences should not happen at all. The question is "Are we, as a society, prepared to take the basic corrective actions?"

I leave this question for you to answer.

Every newspaper, now-a-days, is ablaze with advertisements for swanky apartments in high rise buildings. Nice looking pictures of happy families, swimming pools, greenery etc.

No advertisement ever mentions what kind of firefighting/life safety equipment has been installed. It probably does not help in selling an apartment.

But does it not make a sense to know? How many customers ask that question and how many sales persons, working for the developers, know the answer? When I asked this question to some sales people, the best answer I got was "It is as per the municipal regulations"

Any building service is a system. It must be designed properly with adequate safety margins, all the components must be specified correctly, the quality of the component and its installation must be thoroughly checked and certified. The system should also be maintenance friendly and must require low upkeep.

The National Building Code 2015 has moved in the right direction, but it is not enough.

Here are some observations (I will stand corrected with an apology, if someone points out otherwise)

1. No university or technical board in India, to the best of my knowledge, provides a degree or diploma in Building Services engineering. Currently, mechanical engineers and electrical engineers design these systems. Some aspects of the firefighting such as fire rating of material is not a part of their training. Neither do your Architects have any training in Fire Engineering. Surely, they can acquire it later, but without proper training, finer but vital points may escape attention. In many countries, buildings services engineering is a specialty and universities/ organizations provide training.

2. The decisions about the quality and sometimes quantity (grandiosely called as value engineering) of the components and the selection of the Contractor is based on the lowest cost.

3. The preferred professional, to obtain various permissions for the services, is the one who can meander through the corridors of power to convince the authorities on the most convenient interpretation of rules.

4. Most casualties in a fire incidence are not due to fire but are due to asphyxiation. Modern techniques, such as CFD analysis, available to predict passage of fire and smoke through a building. Such an analysis may lead to addition of fire doors or deletion of blind passages etc. I know that when one municipal fire officer rightly insisted on having a CFD analysis for a mall, the consultant looked like he had been hit by a lightning bolt. Later I was told the permission has been obtained without producing the analysis.

5. Many developers or their consultants do not have specially trained firefighting quality inspection personnel, therefore the quality of installation and components is checked only from a general point of view or left to be checked by the installation contractor.

6. Fire doors or fire walls, to isolate the spread of fire and smoke, are generally not provided in residential buildings and in many commercial buildings. Refuge floor is viewed as a necessary evil and gets a step-motherly treatment.

7. It is generally the responsibility of the fire-fighting equipment suppliers and contractors to obtain appropriate certificates from the municipal authorities, till then their final bills are held up. This is because neither the developer nor the consultant has any personnel who can check the quality firefighting installation. In many countries, there are certified/licensed agencies to install firefighting systems and for inspection of the quality of installation. Both or them, by law, must be different, to avoid conflict of interest.

8. The highest firefighting ladder that is available with Mumbai fire brigade is 90m tall i.e. it can reach a till the top of a 30-story residential building, provided it can get close enough to the building. In Mumbai, many buildings are more than 30 stories tall.

9. Most of the fire hydrants in Mumbai are in a state of disrepair or are dysfunctional or are inaccessible due to some obstruction. In many countries offender attracts stiff punishment if he blocks the access to a fire hydrant. Sadly these fire hydrants are in some of the oldest parts of the island city where the buildings are devoid of any firefighting systems.

10. The occupants of the building believe in infallibility, immortality and the GOD so no testing or maintenance is done till some service breaks down or there is disaster.

The situation today reminds me of an advertisement on the TV that appeared in 1980s / 1990s. It showed a man speeding on a bike, without wearing a helmet, about to be hit by another vehicle. The screen would then go blank for about two seconds. Next frame showed a coconut being hammered to pieces with a voice saying

"YOUR HEAD, YOUR DECISION"

The screen has just gone blank on the danger of firefighting. Now the decision is OURS! Gem Engserv Engineers have several years of experience working for national and international level. Find out the team service oriented reliable and striving for perfection.

5 Reasons Politics Over Policy Is Bad Leadership


By Richard Brody

Although, historically, politics, has been somewhat, partisan, in nature, we have never, in recent memory, observed, such a degree of unwillingness, to even consider, bipartisan cooperation, even when it is the need of the American public. This behavior, which might be referred to, as, politics, over policy/ people, is bad leadership, because it, unfairly favors, one's political supporters, over the rest of the public. Wouldn't we better served, if, once elected, politicians transformed into statesmen, and focused on the common good, rather than personal political agenda, and/ or self - interest? With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly consider, review, and discuss, 5 reasons, this is, both, bad policy and a lack of genuine leadership.

1. Not relevant: Empty rhetoric and promises, might garner votes, and be popular, but it's not genuine leadership, nor in the best interests of the public! America, especially with the many challenges, the world and nation, faces, today, needs relevant solutions, rather than polarization, or pitting one segment against another! Whether this is because of the unique persona, and nature, of President Donald Trump, or an undesirable trend, it does not achieve, what is best, for most Americans!

2. Unsustainable: President Trump, in an attempt to be popular, and honor his campaign promise, to change the tax system, and lower taxes, endorsed the legislation, passed towards the end of 2017, which was portrayed, as focused on the middle - class, while actually, favoring the wealthiest individuals and corporations. Claiming this would create economic growth, is based, on the often - unproven, claim, of Trickle - Down Economics. In the, less than half - year, since enacted, we have observed a huge expansion of the federal deficit, with forecasts, for ever - expanding deficits, into the future, and corporations, which Trump and his supporters, claimed, would use the additional revenues, to hire more people, and pay more, have actually, used most of this windfall, to grow their corporate gains!

3. Change should be, for the better, not just, for change - sake: When political rhetoric becomes empty promises, the change is, rarely, beneficial, to the overall good, of most Americans. Measure the results, not, by the level of rhetoric and promises, but, rather, whether it creates added benefits, for most Americans!

4. Common good, not personal agenda: Be certain, the plans and policies, are not based on personal or political agendas, or someone's self - interests! Unless/ until, the focus, consistently, focuses on service to the public, for the common good, rather to a politician's supporters, and/ or donors, elected officials are not representing us!

5. Make America Greater!: When Donald Trump was a candidate, his campaign slogan was, Make America Great Again. While, this meant different things to different individuals, I resented the word, again, because it implied, we weren't already, a quality nation, and urged us, to look back, to the past, rather than, to the future. As Paul Simon wrote, in his song, Kodachrome, "Everything looks worse, in black, and white." We should, rather seek, to improve how government serves its people, rather than elected officials, and/ or special interest!

Public policy should be the top priority, for our elected officials. Unfortunately, as we are presently witnessing and observing, politics and self - interest, seem to be prioritized!

Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, Director of Development, consultant, professionally run events, consulted to thousands, conducted personal development seminars, and worked on political campaigns, for 4 decades. Rich has written three books and thousands of articles. Website: http://plan2lead.net and LIKE the Facebook page for common sense politics: http://facebook.com/commonsense4all

Fits And Epilepsy: A Guide To Treatment And Diagnosis


By Shekhar Singh

Epilepsy is a condition well-known for centuries. Maybe you recognize it by its more common name 'fits'. No matter what name you use, epilepsy is a condition that affects the lives of millions of people all over the world. It is the most common neurological condition. It is estimated that 1-3% of the global population is affected by seizures, with men being more likely to have epilepsy than women.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This abnormal electrical activity results in convulsions or fits. The most recognizable type of convulsion is one in which the person experiences rapid and violent jerking movements of the body. However, there are many other types of fits or convulsions that do not look like this and may sometimes be so small or so fast that even the patient does not notice them. Convulsions can be very varied and are different from person to person and sometimes varies in the same person at different times.

Epilepsy can affect anyone at any point in their lives. Contrary to popular belief, epilepsy does not mean that a person is incapable or mentally comprised. A seizure or fit generally lasts for less than a minute. If a person has a seizure for more than five minutes or if they remain unconscious for a prolonged period of time after the fit has stopped, call for emergency services.

How Is Epilepsy Diagnosed?

For a diagnosis of epilepsy to be made, a person must experience two or more unprovoked seizures. For a seizure to be called unprovoked, it means that there should be no environmental or detectable cause of the seizure such as overdose, hypoxia, infections, etc. A neurologist will diagnose epilepsy based on a thorough medical examination and medical history. It is important to be as honest as possible about symptoms so that you can receive an accurate diagnosis.

A neurological examination is a way to test for the motor, sensory, balance, mental functions, and other higher brain functions. A doctor may also ask for certain blood tests to paint a clearer picture of the situation and rule out other conditions. Neurophysiological tests such as an electroencephalogram (EEG) and imaging tests such as MRI help in the diagnosis of epilepsy and convulsions.

An electroencephalogram (EEG) measures the electrical activity of the brain. Metal electrodes covered with a conductive gel are placed over the scalp and these measure the electrical potentials generated by neurons in the brain. This is a painless procedure that can provide valuable insights into the functioning of the brain. This is the most commonly used test for epilepsy. If a person experience fits or convulsions, there is an electrical disturbance in the brain that can be detected with an EEG. By studying the patterns and types of abnormalities seen in the EEG, a specialist can determine the type of epilepsy. This will dictate further treatment and prognosis for the patient.

Imaging tests like CT and MRI help in visualizing the brain structure. This helps in detecting any structural damage or abnormalities that may be causing the fits.

Treatment Of Epilepsy And Convulsions

Once epilepsy has been diagnosed, a person may have to take medication every day. The type and frequency of medication depend on the person, their condition, and their doctor. Medications used to treat fits are called anticonvulsants. They are also called anti-seizure medications or anti-epileptic medications. Finding the right anti-epileptic can be a long and drawn out process. Some people may even need more than one anticonvulsant or may require additional medication apart from anticonvulsants. Remember to be patient, health can be an arduous journey.

Some people may not respond to medications. In such cases, specialists may suggest other treatment modalities such as surgery and novel therapies such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Surgery for epilepsy is not as scary as it sounds. It is grounded in sound medical and scientific work. Epilepsy surgery is usually recommended to people with focal seizures (a single, clear, defined area of abnormal electrical discharges) which are not controlled by adequate drug therapy. The aim of surgery is a complete cessation of convulsions.

In people who are not candidates for surgery, newer neurostimulation techniques like TMS can be tried. Other ways to control and reduce the severity of convulsions is getting enough sleep, eating regular meals, following a ketogenic diet, exercising, reducing stress, and other lifestyle modifications.

Epilepsy is nothing to be scared of. It can disrupt normal life but with correct diagnosis and treatment, a person with epilepsy can live a full, safe, and satisfying life. Epilepsy may not always be completely curable but it can be controlled. Don't be afraid of a diagnosis; it is the first step in a journey towards better health.

Approach a Local Trainer to Learn the Recipes - WoW Cooking Guide


By Luis Correia

Restoring:

There are large tables with detailed tasty meals. Cooking is a profession which will allow the players to combine various ingredients such as fish or meat into delicious food and drink items which can be consumed to restore health and mana, as well as to grant combat buffs. This skill is often paired with Fishing since levelling the latter often provides the materials needed for Cooking. To cook, you will need to either find yourself a fire - and have the required ingredients, of course.

Tools required:

Many innkeepers and cooking trainers have a cooking fire, a brazier, or some other tool needed for cooking around them. If you are out in the wilderness, however, you can always create your own Cooking Fire - a skill you learn when you learn Cooking. Regardless of the location though, your food will be delicious and fully capable of providing one of the Well Fed buffs, its strength depends on the level of the food you have eaten. Cooking will be split up into six specializations in Mists of Pandaria. Levelling one will level your overall cooking, and you will learn dishes that give a specific stat buff through WoW cooking guide.

Cooking quest:

It is possible to level multiple specializations for achievements, and there are also new, easy ways to go from cooking in Pandaria. There are two types of cooking awards - Epicurean's Award and Iron Paw Token. The first one can be earned by completing any old-world cooking quest. They are still worth collecting, because once you have 100, you can purchase Chef's Hat, which cuts down your cooking time. Whether you are a new character or an old one just picking up Cooking, you should try to do your dailies every day.

Spend awards:

The Epicurean is used for almost all of the Cataclysm recipes, and some of them are quite powerful and can provide essential buffs. Once you've purchased every recipe you possibly can start spending your Awards on either Crate of Tasty Meat, which contains some meat reagents you can sell, or on Imported Supplies, which contain a lot of Cocoa Beans, which you can then use to make Chocolate Cookies and be Satisfied. In Mists of Pandaria, cooking supplies can be bought with Iron Paw Token. Varying quantities of these items can also be bought for one Iron Paw Token.

Groceries and containers:

Combine a certain amount of materials with containers like Empty Emperor Salmon Container to create a Bundle of Groceries. This completes Replenishing the Pantry, which gives you the needed token. This quest can be repeated as much as you like each day and allows you to convert excess cooking materials into ones you actually need. Cooking will mainly require three components: food, a recipe and a fire. Food can be purchased from vendors, looted from beasts that have been killed or caught through fishing.

Increase your cooking skills:

Recipes are available to purchase from Cooking trainers and vendors or as quest rewards. You must be standing near an open fire in order to cook something. Increasing one to level 600 will increase your overall Cooking skill to 600, but to make the recipes for other ways you will still need to level each Way separately. Cooking trainers usually have an open fire near to them and you can also create your own by selecting the Basic Campfire from the General page of your spell book. Review each of the 6 ways below to determine the required ingredients, then choose one or all of them to level. Each way maintains its own levelling.

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