Speedy Gambling

Direct Answers – Column for the week of January 6, 2003

What can a couple say and do when they have been late in getting wedding thank yous out to people? We have been married two years, with two separations among other serious challenges, and finally want to send cards.

At the same time we are embarrassed about our difficulties in marriage and getting out the cards. One of the problems is my wife’s response when I asked if she would like to do this project together. She told me we have more important things to work on and even said, “They are mostly your friends. You can do them yourself!”

The cards are only the tip of the iceberg as far as our problems go. I wish I could hear some kind of answer from her like, “Yes, honey, why don’t we?” Part of me feels like doing them myself and signing my name only because I thought wives were supposed to take care of this.

Ladd

Ladd, the new year is a time for new beginnings. Do it! Get enough stamps, write the cards all at once, and mail them before you lose your nerve. Nearly everyone appreciates a heartfelt apology, and during the holiday season nearly everyone is in a good mood.

Spend a few moments to rough out the message. A thank you coupled with a simple statement of regret for waiting so long is enough. You might say better late than never, or you might mention you’ve often thought of their gift and realized they haven’t been thanked. If you remember what they gave, mention it. If not, don’t worry about it. Use whatever expression comes naturally.

You never have to apologize for your own marital challenges. They are your business and no one else’s. Don’t worry about how people will take your thank you notes. Almost everyone will think well of you for having the courage to act.

This issue is bothering you. Evidently it doesn’t bother your wife. Since the doing is to satisfy you, her participation is not required. Don’t let the little negative voice within you make you fail to act just because she is unwilling to act.

Sign both names to the cards. The gift givers are not part of that problem. The point is to thank them. Once you get past this burden, you can look at other problems in your relationship. Perhaps this is your inner nature saying, With a little effort I can solve the problems which are weighing on me.

Wayne & Tamara

Terms Of Endearment

Without typing a page on how faithful I am, let me just say I love my wife very much. However, I am not sure if she has feelings for another man. In three years of marriage this thought never occurred to me before.

Recently we moved and transferred jobs. We both work long hours. Whenever I called her at work or she called me, she always called me honey or anything but my first name. Since we’ve been together it’s always been this way when we talk on the telephone. Until now. Now she calls me Stan when a certain male coworker of hers is near.

I guess the reason I realized this is because it sounded so strange to hear. I am not the jealous type but this has me wondering. Am I reading too much into this? I have not noticed any other change in her whatsoever.

Stan

Stan, next time you talk to your wife at work and she calls you by name, try this. Tell her you are feeling the need for a little reassurance. Ask her to tell you she loves you, and ask her, for your peace of mind, to call you darling.

If she refuses or jokes her way out of your request, tell her when she gets home you would like to discuss something that’s been on your mind.

Tamara

About The Author

Authors and columnists Wayne and Tamara Mitchell can be reached at www.WayneAndTamara.com.

Send letters to: Direct Answers, PO Box 964, Springfield, MO 65801 or email: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com.

In our work with growing businesses we see a recurring theme when it is time for one of the founding members to hand over the reigns of sales and/or marketing to an employee. They say to us, “This new person just isn’t getting the job done like I did. Well, I guess it’s because they don’t know the product like I do.” While it is true that the new person probably doesn’t know the product as well as one of the founders, that’s not the problem. The problem is passion!

When you talk to a small business owner you can see, hear, feel, smell and taste their passion for their product. In many cases we could almost say they are inseparable from each other. When the new person arrives we make the transition from a person for whom this product or service is a life’s passion, to someone who is doing something because it is their job. Knowledge of a product’s features and benefits can be taught, but passion needs to be imbued into the fabric of the organization as it grows.

To do this, two things need to occur. First, the sales and marketing employees need to have a stake in what’s going on, and have an inbred tendency toward passion. All good salespeople have this passion. Typically, the passion is viewed, by the customer, to be a passion for the product or service that the seller is peddling. In reality, the passion stems from the monetary and intrinsic compensation that the salesperson receives for doing his or her job well. Second, the owners of a company need to take special care, and use intense creativity to ensure that their passion is communicated internally and externally, and that this zeal permeates the entire organization. It is in this area where it often useful to find an outside creative team that will get to know your organization inside and out, and work with you over the long term to assist in transforming the enthusiasm of the founders into the culture of the company.

Gaetan Giannini is the Department Chair and Assistant Professor at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pa. He is also an independent, marketing speaker and consultant. He can be reached at 610-606-4666 x 3427 or gtgianni@cedarcrest.edu

Maybe it’s the holiday season or maybe it’s just me. Everyone and everything has been light-hearted and nostalgic and I’ve been having a hard time getting into the spirit.

During this past week Joyce Meyer’s television show “Enjoying Everyday Life” featured humorous stories and re-enactments of very funny incidents in her life. I watch the show routinely as I get ready for work. Last year, she decided to change the format and has been teaching and preaching about what she believes is our highest call – to enjoy God. Gradually, her show has been becoming more and more light. Sometimes, it is hysterical. She manages to mix some very serious matters like Hurricane Katrina relief and young people in recovery with how not letting self-pity overwhelm us.

Every challenge can be met with a Bible promise and every Bible promise can be met with a challenge. Many years ago, a friend told me about delivering her first child. She felt like she could handle the labor, but she desperately wanted a break.

Some of us rely on moments of relief so we can find inspiration. We need the breaks to pull ourselves together and gain strength. I lost my mother before she could tell me that there would be times when the break would not come quickly. Like a boxer, you have to trust that your training and reflexes are enough because the bell doesn’t ring when you want it to, it rings when the round is over.

There is always irony. While some of us are in the ring bobbing and weaving, others are rested and happily moving forward. At least, that’s what I noticed this week. Happy people are everywhere. I tried really hard to be one of them. One of our students, Deborah, came by with her little boy, Joseph. Joseph is way past cute, he is a magazine cover waiting to happen. He was one of the happy people. He headed straight for my dish of lollipops. Joseph didn’t notice the piles of papers that needed to be read or the books that needed to be reviewed, or the appointment reminders popping upon my computer, he went right for the good stuff!

OK, he is a baby, but aren’t we all on some level? He found everything that is interesting in my office. He gravitated toward the things that looked good, smelled good, or could possibly taste good. I couldn’t take my eyes off this little bundle of energy. I decided a long time ago that babies exist to teach us and to remind us of what is important. His mother presented a bag from her workplace. Deborah knows that I work with local crisis centers and wanted them to have the goodies.

I looked in the bag and saw all kinds of neat things. Soft fabrics, bright colors, and shiny stones. I called it “a bag of pretty.” It was a nice surprise and I knew that the ladies at the centers would enjoy them. So, I called Hale County Crisis Center, but Kay Harris, the Executive Director was on the phone and then heading to a meeting. In other words, she was in the middle of Round 4 and mentally preparing for Round 5! I personally delivered the bag of pretty and tried my best to give Kay some encouragement.

Growing up in Philadelphia, I noticed that Texas women dominated beauty pageants and cheerleading. It might be a stereotype, but those were my thoughts as a little girl. As a woman, I realize that all of those Miss Americas and Dallas Cowgirls had powerful lessons for all of us. None of us are immune from the struggles of life. Little things can make the difference between a knockout and a victory. Never underestimate the power of accessories! Noticing what is beautiful is the break between the battles.

Dr. LaMar researches, writes, and speaks about mentoring relationships among professional women. She also consults with growing businesses about how personality and processes can affect workplace dynamics. Her books “God Provides The Sacrifice: Women Discuss Making Their Hardest Decision” and “Drama Free Workplace” can be purchased in e-book format and paperback from her web sites or by calling 806-203-4094.
http://www.DrLaMar.com
http://www.DramaFreeWorkplace.com
http://www.PhenomenalWomansGuide.com

When you are just about to begin to play cricket it’s not always straightforward to decide what you must obtain. If you go into a sports retail shop and ask them what you require, you will most likely finish up getting a large amount of kit. So, it’s best to clearly understand what you will require before you go shopping. That way you are a great deal more likely to buy what you require, as opposed to what the store manager thinks you need.

Below, is essentially a meticulous cricket equipment inventory, you do not have to get all the kit on this list, as lots of organisations will lend you gear in particular at junior level:

Cricket whites, cricket bats, balls, helmets, gloves, batting (wicket keeping) inner gloves, wicket keeping gloves, batting pads, wicket keeping pads, box, chest pad, arm guard, inner thigh pad, cricket boots (bowling boots; batting boots), box (groin guard), stumps and bails. Find great offers on cricket shirts.

For most of the cricket meetings you will ever participate in you will require your own set of whites. Cricket whites consist of white cricket trousers & a cricket shirt. It is important that you find a suitable pair of cricket trousers and also a nice white cricket shirt and jumper as it can rapidly turn cold if you are standing out on the pitch for a considerably long time especially if you are going to play in England (the start and end of the cricket season are the coldest).

If you can not hire equipment from your club the other most important items of equipment are a cricket bat and box. A high-quality cricket bat is crucial if you aim to score a lot of runs and is a very special piece of equipment, so spend several hours selecting your bat, preferably you should go to a sports store and pick one up before you buy so you know how it feels to play with. As soon as you know what you want you can often purchase bats on the World Wide Web significantly cheaper). You need a good box to shield your groin from the ball, as getting hit down below’ is very painful, so investing in a good box before you start is a defiant must – you can’t play cricket without one.

If you’re in your own business and one of the major challenges you have getting clients is picking up the phone and making that important first call then you’re likely struggling with what many cold callers suffer with, the fear of rejection.

This fear can manifest within as some of the following:

1. Avoidance of picking up the phone.

2. Excuses as to why doing less productive things is more important.

3. Belief that what you are offering is not wanted by anyone.

4. Fear or dread of that proverbial hangup in your ear.

5. Anxiety or nervousness while you are trying to deliver your prepared message to the callee.

6. Conveying a lack of self confidence thereby sabotaging your efforts during the call.

An so on.

What does all of this have in common? Well pure and simple it is the fact that you are in failure mode. In other words your sales are going to suffer.

One of the most destructive aspects of this is that in itself it is traumatizing to you. That means that the fear of failing again just becomes greater and more entrenched in your mind and body. If allowed to continue it ultimately undermines one’s self confidence, self esteem, sense of adequacy, and one’s chances of success.

It also undermines one’s overall emotional and physical health in the long run. That is what trauma does to individuals you see.

I think you know that sales calls can be very stressful and therefore traumatizing. That is why so few individuals are able to persist at it for too long.

What if you could not only rid yourself of such fears but also build up a sense of resilience that would make your calls pleasurable, effective, get you the results you desire, and make you successful?

Is that too hard to believe? Well it is possible with a new modality that I developed over 10 years ago which helps individuals achieve all of that and more. It is called the Mind Resonance Process(TM) (MRP) and it is available through the web link below at no risk to you.

Dr. Nick Arrizza is trained in Chemical Engineering, Business Management & Leadership, Medicine and Psychiatry. He is an Energy Psychiatrist, Healer, Key Note Speaker,Editor of a New Ezine Called “Spirituality And Science” (which is requesting high quality article submissions) Author of “Esteem for the Self: A Manual for Personal Transformation” (available in ebook format on his web site), Stress Management Coach, Peak Performance Coach & Energy Medicine Researcher, Specializes in Life and Executive Performance Coaching, is the Developer of a powerful new tool called the Mind Resonance Process(TM) that helps build physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being by helping to permanently release negative beliefs, emotions, perceptions and memories. He holds live workshops, international telephone coaching sessions and international teleconference workshops on Physical. Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Well Being.

Web Site: http://www.telecoaching4u.com/IntroConsult.htm

A major concern of all Home Based Business Entrepreneurs is to get Traffic to their websites. Most entrepreneurs endeavor to promote their business online but, unless the website is ranked high in the major search engines, traffic will be hard to come by. This problem becomes more frustrating and demoralizing especially if you are new to Internet Marketing and with a low marketing budget.

Promoting your Internet Business Offline is a great way of getting over this problem and at the same time creating an image for yourself and your Home Based Business.

Given below are Popular, Free and Inexpensive Offline methods that I have successfully tried out and can be followed by most entrepreneurs in promoting their businesses Offline.

Word of Mouth:

Word of mouth is one of the best forms of advertising your business. Pass the word around about your Home Business and your website. Let your friends, acquaintances, kith and kin get to know about it. It will not surprise me if you come across a few people who are prepared to go out of the way and help you in your efforts.

Jeff Bezos the founder of Amazon.com and one of the most successful entrepreneurs of the Internet Marketing era places great importance to this mode of promotion and he should know. He says “If you do build a great experience, customers tell each other about that. Word of mouth is very powerful”

Business Cards:

Many entrepreneurs and especially those who are new to business do not realize the importance, significance and effectiveness of a business card. The card projects your business image and credibility. Seize the opportunity and pass the card on to friends and acquaintances at parties, seminars, conferences, clubs and other functions. A place to get started is Vistaprint who will supply you I00 cards free of charge if you contact them.

Flyers:

An inexpensive method of promoting your Home Business Offline is by distributing Flyers. This can be produced by you in the computer. Provide all the details of your home business and your URL as briefly as possible.
This can be distributed door to door with the help of your family members.
They can also be placed at community centers, bulletin boards, libraries, malls, super markets and other places where people gather.

Brochures:

A well designed brochure always captures the attention of people. This too can be done in the computer. If you are unable to design it yourself there are several sites in the internet that will help you design one yourself. One such site is http://www.mybrochure.com. Once it is ready, place them in clubs, bars, supermarkets and libraries.

Automobiles:

Another inexpensive way of promoting your internet business Offline is to place bumper stickers or magnetic signs on your vehicles. Have your website address, phone number and URL displayed clearly. This is a sure way of getting your website noticed by hundreds or even thousands of people everyday. Your friends could also assist you in this endeavor. Give them some of your products free as an incentive.

Classified Ads and Write up:

Placing Classified Ads in the local newspapers is a great way of promoting your Home Business and they do not cost much either. Place a few ads on a regular basis and then request the editor to give your Home Business a small write up in the newspaper. Editors are always on the look out for news and if you are lucky your request will be granted. This will without doubt give your Home Business a great boost.

Novelties and Promotional Items:

Everyone loves free gifts. Items such as pens, key chains, coffee mugs and fridge magnets are popular and inexpensive gift items. Imprint your business name and URL on these items and distribute them at conferences, seminars and community meetings.

Promoting your Home Based Business Offline requires a certain amount of Effort, Public Relations and Organizational skills. Remaining Motivated and Dedicated is the secret of success here and the end result of all your endeavors will be a steady stream of Prospects, Loyal customers and Traffic to your Internet Marketing website.

Copyright © 2005 Kanaga Siva.

Kanaga Siva has a wealth of experience in Marketing and also running his own Home Based Business. He now operates his Internet Marketing Business. Visit his website http://www.business-fromhome.com for Articles, Resources, Ideas and Advise to start a Home Based Business and for other recommended Programs.

Transacting business was traditionally done in the office and sending people out in the field to conduct client calls. Though it contributes to sales, people have found better ways of selling a product.

This has saved time and money for a person to visit a client but nothing can be compared to making a sales pitch with a personal touch.

Should one decide to shift and decide to start an online business , here are some tips one needs to know to get started.

1. The first thing to do is to determine what one wants to do. The product has to fill a need that the customers want right now. It should provide a solution of some kind that will make people feel better improving the quality of life either at home or at work.

2. The next is to do the proper research. One can learn how to build a site online or ask help that will save time.

3. If the business is done with a group of people or a single proprietorship, it is best to brainstorm for the best domain name for the business. It should be catchy and will easily be remembered by people. Given that there are probably other people who have been in the business longer and that it is possible that the domain name has already been taken, it is best to think of several names in case it can no longer be used.

There are sites in the web that have search engines to look for a specific subject and using popular keywords for ones website will easily help people view it.

Another good example is the various email sites. Aside from giving people a faster way to communicate with one another, it offers a free service to people who do not have an account and sign up to also be an active member.

4. A product of good quality should be sold at a decent price. Sometimes, the product one makes is already available in the market. To be competitive, one must figure out a way to convince people as to why this product is better than the other leading brands available. What features does it have that the competitor doesnt? What makes it unique which is not only about the product on hand but the service that this can give as well?

5. Just like having a normal business, one must acquire the right equipment and machines for the job. These could be merchandise that is either physical or electronic and an online ordering system.

To be successful, one should be sure that the goods that a customer will order can be delivered on time. If there are any problems, a customer support staff or system should be ready to cater to that.

6. It takes money to make more money so one should be careful with what needs to be spent. By putting in tight controls in terms of expenditures and keeping track of the current balance while maintaining the same level of quality saves money which can be used for other things.

To avoid falling in this predicament, the first thing one must do is manage the expenses. It is always good to carry a notebook around to log whatever expenses have been made or have a logbook to keep track how much balance is left. That way, a person can stay within a budget on a monthly basis.

7. With everything in place, it is now time to promote the site. One can email to friends about the site and what it offers then in turn, these will also be forwarded and advertised to others. The other will also showcase ones website in E-zines or electronic magazines to get more customer traffic.

Any business big or small must maximize marketing to get the message across to the people. It is marketing that does the work behind the scenes that helps the sales force reap in profits.

One should not be afraid of losing to competition even in the digital age rather take it as a challenge. It does not mean that the traditional way of selling or doing business is obsolete. Online business has merely provided a new way of dealing with the consumer and it is up to the person to rise above it.

Some gaming lovers should have come upon the phrase “offshore sports betting”, though some aren’t altogether sure what it really means. A foreign gambling internet site in effect runs outside of the authority of a single land but alternatively it can mean a PC accessible gaming internet site that always has its computer servers within the boundaries of a nation in which internet playing of games of risk isn’t prohibited. In a nutshell therefore, it can be delineated as a wagering administration functioning outside the state of the clientele. Live gaming world wide web sites are in the main modulated by three agencies. They are the OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and finally the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association (the FTGA).

best online casino sports betting

The OSGA are an autonomous federation that currently keeps tabs on the thriving overseas gambling industry, they endeavor to deliver betters the ability to choose acclaimed internet organizations to play games of luck on, without concern. The association strives to defend the legal rights of gambling lovers, additionally they don’t levy any particaption charges. The OSGA is an expert not to mention equitable third party company who assert objective judgments, founded around customer feedback, objective scrutiny, telephone discussions, tips and also offers industry information.

The Interactive Gaming Council is a not-for-profit council. The council was set up to supply a forum for interested participants to address points and also to advance mutual concerns in the multinational interactive gambling industry, to ensure frank and stable business protocols and habits which enhance consumer certainty in internet betting commodities and functions, and in addition to serve as the overseas gaming trade’s inclusive procedure counselor and in addition the council functions as an information base.

The Interactive Gaming Council has established a regard for encouraging trustworthiness, fairness also solidity through the elevated ethical code it demands, and its allure for trustworthy concerns. The IGC monitors overseas gaming by means of utilising a special ten-point series of protocols and charges sports betting businesses a fee for the use of the council’s logo. Unhappy gamers can also recount their conflicts to the Interactive Gaming Council.

The Fidelity Trust Gaming Association has been founded in a venture to create a standard which will raise the actions of internet based sports gaming commercial enterprises. The agency proposerealize that through partnering with reputable businesses, they are able to hammer out a membership of the most sportsmanlike and professional cyberspace gambling businesses multinationally. To recapitulate, there are agencies which supervise the conduct of computer accessible gaming and which should assist to mitigate a lot of the trepidation because of apprehension experienced by skeptics. Internet based sports betting websites are nowadays absolutely dependable, beacuse private details are not required and also the dividends and the gambling odds are always exactly as equal and reasonable as common Vegas-type sports bet. They slash travel, but keep the original atmosphere, only now you may wager in your own house.

It seems like a no-brainer.

You set up an appointment about a week ago to see someone in his office. It is set for this afternoon, at two o’clock.

You should call him right away, and confirm that you’re still “on,” right?

Not necessarily.

If the meeting is important, and the person you’re seeing is responsible, it should be on his calendar, and you should be able to count on that.

If you failed to “sell” the importance of the meeting, then it may not have been noted, and your associate might have flown the coop by the time you arrive, or otherwise be tied up.

But note the problem in this scenario, and who is responsible for creating it. It’s your fault; because you didn’t persuade the other party of the meeting’s necessity.

So, you should revise your communication style or content to correct this flaw.

What if the person with whom you’re dealing is disorganized, or so much at the mercy of multiple demands that he is never where he expects to be, at any given time? We know these people exist.

Should they gain admittance to your client list?

If so, you should select and reserve a time to meet that complements their breakneck pace; i.e. for breakfast, at 6:30 or 7, or after hours at 6 or 7.

I’ll set up seminars and speeches that take place up to six months later, and have some correspondence in the interim, but simply fly to the venue at the appointed time, and arrive, on time, ready to perform.

Only once, did this get me into trouble, but because I made the trip, and was billing for it, I was accommodated, and the program came off, without further glitches.

In some telemarketing contexts, I think a follow-up call can provide a convenient “out” for the prospect, who might have stayed the course, had he not been re-contacted.

The way to solidify the appointment or commitment that you think you have achieved, is to do your own “confirmation,” during the initial contact, in which you SLOWLY repeat when you’re arriving, where you’re going to meet, and then you should provide for any questions.

For good measure, you might want to add the words, “Now I’m putting this on my calendar, so please put it on yours!”

After that, your appointment should be solid.

Dr. Gary S. Goodman, President of Customersatisfaction.com, is a popular keynote speaker, management consultant, and seminar leader and the best-selling author of 12 books, including Reach Out & Sell Someone® and Monitoring, Measuring & Managing Customer Service, and the audio program, “The Law of Large Numbers: How To Make Success Inevitable,” published by Nightingale-Conant. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, worldwide. A Ph.D. from USC’s Annenberg School, a Loyola lawyer, and an MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School at Claremont Graduate University, Gary offers programs through UCLA Extension and numerous universities, trade associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. He holds the rank of Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. He is headquartered in Glendale, California, and he can be reached at (818) 243-7338 or at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.

Guess where I am writing this from?

Go on, guess…

No, not an Internet cafe, my house, a coffee shop or library. From a pub. That’s right, a public house that serves beer, wine and spirits.

Jealous?

The reason I am able to do this and then put the post up in the Internet instantly is down to my having just bought one of those mobile Internet dongles (or doohickeys as I prefer to call them) from Broadbandgenie.co.uk.

I admit it wasn’t my intention to get one; I was simply doing a bit of shopping online a few days ago and came across an offer for very cheap mobile Internet. I have to admit the idea of being able to get my work, and these posts, done from the pub sold it to me almost instantly… and I am very glad it did!

It seems all the mobile networks have now become mobile broadband providers, and they’re doing a good job too. The coverage is great, the download speeds are better than I thought they would be and I haven’t had a technical problem yet.

So I don’t see my posting method changing. Got to love working from a pub.