No matter how much gas prices climb, or how high airlines raise their prices, people will always need to travel.

After a nail-biting, emotionally-draining year of watching what some people call the most gripping election campaign of modern times, the election now comes down to the opinion of the much-touted undecided voter.

Who is this stubbornly indecisive population and why are they taking so long to make up their minds?Untold millions have been spent by the candidates in trying to woo this elusive electoral subset, who now stand poised as the true deciders in this election year's final hours. Pundits have talked themselves hoarse attempting to characterize their bias and pin down their final leanings.

Whose attention wasn't riveted by the little squiggly lines on the screen during the CNN televised version of the debate, the output of 30 undecided voters and their handheld response-dialers? And yet, despite the fact that they clearly were pleased or displeased with the two candidates' performance, at the end of the evening many of them remained steadfastly undecided.

Who wouldn't hold out on making a decision if but to bask for a bit longer in the steady outpouring of national, even international, attention?Even now, on the very eve of the election, some 6.4 percent of voters still cannot make up their mind for whom they will be casting their vote.

Even after the many dozens of debates, the two conventions, the endless interviews, television appearances, newspapers articles, radio spots, the differences between the two candidates laid out in such sharp relief, these voters still haven't figured it out. At this late stage of the game, you have to be trying pretty hard to avoid paying attention to the campaign, suggesting that maybe these undecideds never intended to vote in the first place.

And Andrew Kohut of the Pew Research Center has discovered just that--the undecided voters are in large part people who will not be voting on Tuesday. Kohut says that undecided voters typically fall into three general categories: those who are torn between the candidates, those who disengaged and not following the campaign, and those who are nonvoters.Kohut's research finds that a majority of the voters are women, at 63 percent.

Many are less educated and more religious than their more decisive counterparts, and they also tend to make less money, so maybe don't have as much time to be obsessing over politics. Of those who will cast a ballot, Kohut finds that they will be divided fairly evenly, with a slightly higher tendency to vote for McCain than voters who have already made up their minds.Some polls show that in the swing states, such as Florida and Missouri, the number of undecided voters is larger than the lead of either candidate. So it seems that by playing coy, we will all be waiting breathlessly to see just how Josephine the voter decides to vote, if she votes at all.

And perhaps we all should thank her for keeping us all so busy these last months. Without the undecided voters, the candidates wouldn't have had anyone to spend their ad dollars on, Gallup wouldn't have had anyone to write their debate questions for the last debate, and we wouldn't have had any reason to keep watching this campaign so intently to its very end. So thank you for adding some suspense to what would otherwise have been a foregone conclusion to this election year!
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Funding for UK university

Business Studies is currently one of the fastest growing higher education courses in the UK. Although the reasons for this might seem simple, i.e. the changing financial climate and the growing negativity towards working for faceless multinationals and conglomerates, it can also seen to be due to the increasing accessibility of Business courses, for example via distance learning courses. However, it is not always clear exactly what jobs are suited to Business Studies graduates. So what are the perfect jobs for the thousands of Business Studies graduates.One seemingly ever-growing sector of Business jobs is Marketing.
The role of a Marketing Executive today is typically fast paced and changing, as well as being incredibly varied and diverse.

Although it may seem that these types of jobs are normally associated with retail and media, public sector organizations also tend to have a marketing department and marketing agencies themselves deal with a wide range of clients from charities to banks.Similarly, many Business Studies graduates move into the advertising sector. Advertising Account Executives are those who communicate between the business and the agencies handling the advertising. Roles can be administrative and include a degree of organization whilst overseeing the work of staff and the progression of each campaign. Monitoring budgets and securing deals are also priority aspects of this role.

Many Business graduates express an interest specifically in retail. The role of the Retail Merchandiser is fairly straightforward, they are responsible for the certain products being in the right shops at the right time. Again, this is a varied job due to the diversity of the retail sector and the companies therein. Product ranges need to be planned, and this involves working with sellers, manufacturers and distributors. Of course, once the products are on the shelves, it is then the Retail Merchandiser’s job to monitor the selling success (or lack) of each and every product.The role of the Sales Executive takes on similar work to the above but varies again.

Sales Executives are responsible for maximising the sales of a companies goods, in particular: FMCGs (Fast Moving Consumer Goods, i.e. food), clothes, IT software, and services. Sales executives are called upon to liaise with customers and potential customers for new business. They also need a good head for budgets, trends of markets and customers, and also need to be on top of their own sales performance.
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5 Of The Best Graduate Employees

The increasing variety and accessibility of adult education courses signify its undoubted growth in popularity. But when a student stops to consider whether taking an online degree is right for them, it can seem as easy to focus on the negative aspects of distance learning, such as lack of social interaction and the possibility of having to buy a new PC, as it is to focus on the many positive aspects. Here are some pros for distance learning that are not often discussed.Although it is a little pessimistic to think so, in traditional university education few students believe that their tutors are judging them solely on the work they hand in.

Race, gender and sexuality can all shape the perception and, at least, the initial judgement that teachers make of students, but when it comes to online education the risk of this happening is almost completely eradicated. The work that you submit is far more likely to be the only aspect of yourself you are judged for when undertaking education online.Similarly, unlike a typical class or lecture scenario, learning online demands equal input from all students. Very often in traditional education, the students who are most assertive, outwardly eager and obviously engaged are the ones who achieve the best.

With an online education program, the risk of the quieter or less assertive students being left behind is lessened because class discussions are less likely to be dominated by a loud few.Studying online can also be seen as a great opportunity to brush up on your IT skills. Even if you choice of subject is not inherently computer related, taking an online education course can be the first steps to becoming proficient at word processing, using spreadsheets, using simple graphic based programs and learning how to get the most of the internet. And in consideration of the importance of IT skills in today’s computer-orientated world, this seems a pretty handy side effect.Online education can also be great for students who might have difficulty in explaining themselves verbally, but who can say exactly what they mean if they are given the time to put their thoughts into writing. Being part of an online virtual class affords you the time to do so.Finally, it would seem that many prospective students underestimate exactly how much money they can save if they choose to study online and already have a computer at home.

Not only will you save money from not having to commute or travel to a campus, but due to the added convenience of being able to study when you like, online learning is very easy to fit around your job.

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Getting the Most Out of Automated OS Recovery

So where do you turn when every day you read about new products and solutions being put out on the market promising to minimize impact to your business in the event of system failure? You turn to the leaders in the industry.

Their mission statement is, “Persystent Technologies is committed to developing game-changing technology and innovative solutions to common business problems.
This can be comforting if you have aligned yourself with one of the most innovative technology companies in the world.So what can these companies offer you? They can offer services ranging from PC repair, which can actually repair a corrupt operating system pre-boot on or off the network. This means remote users will be able to maximize uptime while maintaining higher levels of productivity.
With an innovative approach to high-speed imaging that utilizes single instance file based imaging to automate the process. This means they are 40% faster with high-speed imaging. They also provide a web based administration tool that allows administrators to set their own system configurations, which maximized the ability to improve service levels and continuity. Two of the most intuitive tools offered are Microsoft OS migration and PC power management software. Migrating from XP to Vista can be a massive overhaul, which can cause a very large amount of downtime.
Microsoft OS migration reduces the amount of time it takes to migrate, which in turn lowers the cost of migrating. It also allows you to back up user data regardless of where it is stored and enables you to restore user data at the same times as you migrate to the new operating system. This will increase user productivity by minimizing downtime. PC power management helps you become compliant with business goals of “going green� which have recently become a larger focus of every conscious company and this software allows IT to control the power management of each computer on their network.

This solution is not only beneficial for the environment but it can save thousands a year in operating costs. It prolongs battery life for portable and embedded machines, reduced cooling requirements and reduced noise.Seminole Community College in FL is using their power saving technology to control the PCs at their college and in turn they plan to save $65,000, which is enough to cover the salary of one professor for the year! That converts to substantial savings with one intuitive product. No matter what your needs, there is a solution to fit your IT need and can be a long-term partner in your departmental and company success.
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Are Your Babies Wearing Really Cool Baby Clothing?

With the new generation of 20 something’s becoming parents for the first time they are looking for trend breaking ways to raise their children and often clothing is paramount for family and individual style.

For decades baby cloths have been a bit bland in style but that’s no longer the case. Gone are the simple designs and awful colors we all grew up with and here are the silk-screened designs that scream individuality! It’s no longer necessary to fit the child to the style available on the rack.
It’s now possible to fit the child’s personality with the multitude of styles that are just waiting to bring out the nuances of your child’s personality that make them so special to you. It can be difficult to gauge the style of your child’s personality so often parents look to their own style trends to outfit their children.

This is a sure fire way to dress your child in something that won’t fit their personal style. Face it; no matter how great we look our children always look cooler when they get to have input on their own style. It’s important to take some time to understand the personality that your child has. Watch them; see what they gravitate to when it comes to textures, colors and patterns.

What excites them? cool baby onesies? Is your child suited for an “Ooh La La Mama Onesie Skulls n Stripes� or are they better suited for a “Ooh La La Onesie Rock Star� outfit? The choice is yours but the true test of approval will come from the personality of your child when they are wearing it. Remember, if their eyes light up it’s a good bet they will like wearing it.
Some kids will never wear anything like that awesome red and white flowered Hawaiian shirt you got a few weeks ago. Everyone likes it on you but your child’s personality might be screaming for a hoodie, a skateboard and a Onesie that says “my mommy loves me.�With the explosion of Internet retailing it’s easy to surf the web and find cool kids clothes that suits your child’s personality. Don’t be afraid to let you kid sit on your lap as you peruse clothing websites.
When they express interest in that “Flowers by Zoe� black dress, get it for them! It may just end up being the perfect fit for their personality! Ultimately this will make shopping easier for you, more fun for your child and will help to inspire them to find their own identity!
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Ian Newland: War Hero and the First E-Learning Celebrity?

The Associated Press reported yesterday of Ian Newland, an Iraq war veteran who has embarked upon an online degree since his return home to Denver Colorado in the USA. So why is online education so well-suited for people in his position? And has he become the personification for the magic of e-learning?It was December 4th when Newland was injured in Adhamijah. Whilst patrolling, an insurgent threw a grenade through the gunner's hatch of his Humvee. Newland and most of his colleagues survived due to the quick acting of Spc.

Ross McGinnis, who covered the grenade with his body in order to save the lives of the others. Upon his return, a non-profit organization, Sentinels of Freedom, awarded him a four-year scholarship.Despite suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Newman now studies a business degree online, has a job for a realty firm, and still has time for his family and kids – and he’s not the only war veteran who is doing so. At Jones International University, an online institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission in Denver, 350 of its current students are, or were, in the army. Which is almost 20 percent of its entire student body.It is the accessibility of online learning that seems to be making it so popular, as students can study at work, home or even when they are abroad.

Ivan Moreno also states how more than 710,000 online and traditional courses were taken by ex or current military personnel in 2007. Others estimate that in excess of 10 per cent of American students are taking online courses.Newland admits that getting an online education seemed far-fetched, given his limited background in computers. But there were other hurdles to overcome also, including his short term memory loss and the onset of symptoms experienced by dyslexics such as seeing words backwards.But aside from the accessibility of e-learning, especially in comparison to the traditional classroom, it seems that the flexibility of taking an online degree is most important to Newland.

The Associated Press describes how Newland, “being able to write papers on renewable energy sources and space exploration while working allows him to spend more time with his family.� It would appear that Newland – in the USA at least – seems to have become a great example of how online education can really work, and if he continues to hit the headlines, he’ll no doubt influence many more after him.
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Wowing Her with the Perfect Silver Lockets

Even if you have the most heartfelt intentions and your biggest desire is to find that perfect gift it can be daunting to find the locket that expresses sincerity, quality and ensure it fits her personal style and tastes.

It’s easy to succumb to a sales person’s idea of the perfect gift or get less than stellar quality.Quality sterling silver lockets come in various sizes and shapes. The most common is the heart shaped locket.

You can also go for tri-colored lockets that have a sterling base with either stones or coloring added to give it a unique look. It really depends on the type of person you are buying a locket for. If your significant other wears jewelry with a lot of colors it’s probable that they will enjoy a locket with a little added color. Quality is paramount but be cautious of companies that have higher than needed mark ups in cost. They usually claim quality that’s above their competition to validate their prices but in reality sterling silver is sterling silver. There are rarely quality differences in metals used so keep an eye out for quality clasps and engraving to gauge your quality expectations.

A silver locket should be exceptional quality but it does not have to break the bank either. You should be able to purchase a very high quality locket for less than the cost of reservations for two at that four-star restaurant you plan on taking her to for her birthday. Don’t forget, lockets always leave room for a memento or picture. Don’t hand that locket to her empty. That is a sure fire way to ruin the mood you’ve worked hard to build up. Find a picture that you know will spark that romance and keep the night going.

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5 Of The Best Graduate Employees

Every year The Times (UK) asks 15,000 graduates who they think gives the best opportunities and publishes its findings in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers. If you have just received a home learning degree and are now deciding who will be the lucky recipient of your CV, it is a valuable list. The following five examples serve as an overview of the opportunities available and the types of companies included.The number one spot falls – for the fifth time – to PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the worlds largest professional services firms who pride themselves on ‘being a great place to work for all our people’.

Formed from a 1998 merger between Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand its diverse range of clients now include public and private companies as well as charities and governments with household names such as L’oreal, Nike and Ebay. And now offering opportunities to Art and Science graduates all across the British Isles.Slipping a couple of places since last year, the BBC is still holding its own at number seven. For those who wish to work in an environment that ‘couldn’t be further removed from the standard nine to five’, the BBC offers opportunities to IT, Law and Media graduates among others, as they further progress into a forward thinking digital media force.

Passion appears to be the most desired attribute of any new employee, as well as the need to be adaptable in this fast moving industry. There are possible openings across the UK.The highest charity on the list is Cancer Research UK at number 34. Formed when the Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund merged in 2002, the charity now employs more than 3,000 of the best doctors, nurses and scientific staff, Additionally, they also offer opportunities in a range of other areas including IT, Marketing and Communications. Graduates who can balance their dedication to the cause with their business mind are perhaps best suited to apply.Google climb another few places this year to 24. Famed for its fun and philanthropic ideology, the online search company is committed to its aim ‘to organise the world’s information, making it universally accessible and useful’. However its opportunities are not just for graduates with IT and programming backgrounds.

Those with degrees in Marketing, Media and Finance are all required currently in London, Ireland and Europe.Npower, one of the UK’s leading energy companies, remains in the top 100 at 96. Suppliers of gas and electricity to more then 6.8 million companies, they are also well regarded in the context of renewable energy by developing products such as offshore wind farms and hydroelectricity. Their opportunities are currently based in England, in areas such as Engineering, Finance, Business Analysis and IT – with an impressive starting salary of £25,000.
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Database Automation: Get Automated

Automation services can help in the planning and deployment phase as well as with future management and support. This is a two-tiered approach that helps to improve and ensure lasting consistently with automated solutions. Database administration is a critical function of IT and one of the most demanding in any organization.

It’s usually labor intensive and has to be completed manually, which creates room for mistakes. This can be costly to an organization and hinder the ability to lower cash cost per user.The Data Palette provides the most robust data automation to help with streamlining the processes that have traditionally been taxing to labor and labor costs.
Data Palette enables IT to deploy standard operating procedures for repetitive and time consuming tasks that help to support data automation. It also eliminates concerns for location specific issues such as crossed platforms, versions of release and departmental needs.

Looking further into Data Palette you’ll see that it is a true platform that allows IT departments across the organization to leverage data automation thus improving the efficiencies of server provisioning, database administration, service requests and maintenance Event correlation and root cause analysis. This yields several benefits like reducing operational expenditures associated with IT automation, automate routine IT lifecycle tasks and procedures, automate incident resolution for recurring alerts and performance challenges and Predict system resource behavior, avoiding potentially costly downtime or reduced service levels. With Data Palette, customers typically experience efficiency gains ranging from 30% to 60%.

This can drastically improve the cash cost per user ratio and can also improve the amount of capitol that must be invested into IT operations each year. If Data Palette is not enough, take a look at the support that you will receive once you’ve implemented it. The service team should not only addresses pre deployment planning they also work with you to address post-deployment planning and design of infrastructure and management systems, covering multiple technologies. They use technology expertise, world-class tools, and disciplined design processes to provide the total end-to-end IT automation solutions for enterprise networks. Reviews of data center automation with Data Palette have been excellent across the board and have been proven to improve efficiencies across all functions of IT.

As it becomes more and more important to streamline processes to improve efficiencies and lower capitol, data automation will continue to be a vital part of the IT world. Search online to find a company that offers database automation and put your company on the fast track to success.

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How to Plan a Trip on a Budget

No matter how much gas prices climb, or how high airlines raise their prices, people will always need to travel. And though many Americans are eliminating long-distance vacations and other unnecessary trips from their schedules and their budgets, personal obligations like weddings, funerals, college visits and business trips continue to keep Americans on the go nationwide. Many people used to cut travel expenses by skipping the airport for the national highway system (back before gas prices essentially doubled).

However, this is no longer the money-saving option it once was, and Americans everywhere have to get more and more creative when it comes to planning trips in order to keep the overall expense both reasonable and manageable. Unfortunately, climbing gas prices are not only affecting American motorists, but the entire airline industry is feeling the crunch.

This has resulted in the emergence of fees and costs never before seen among airline travelers fees for checked bags and even carry-on's, and additional charges for drinks, snacks and meals on board. With all of these added fees (on top of higher ticket prices and fewer flights being scheduled across the board), air travel has become more expensive than ever.

But these primary forms of transportation are not unmanageable. Fuel efficient cars can help lighten the burden of a long distance drive, as can following simple tips like sticking to the speed limit, lightening the overall load you're hauling, and making sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. These kinds of tactics will help you maximize your fuel efficiency and get where you need to go without wasting gas (and therefore, money).

Similarly, smart shopping and practical planning will allow you to plan a trip by air that won't completely gouge your budget. One trick many people aren't aware of is shopping for airfare on midnight of the first night of the month (so, shopping at midnight on October 31 for travel in November) this is when airlines post their newest (and lowest) fares. These are usually snapped up by travel agencies before daybreak, but a savvy Internet shopper can find a great deal if they act quickly. Another trick for purchasing air travel is to stick to extremes, shopping either several months in advance, or only days before (if not day-of). These are the times when tickets are most reasonably priced; if it's several months in advance, the demand for the tickets in question will likely not have peaked (which is when prices rise), while tickets bought the day of, or day before departure are usually discounted, since the airline is trying to sell off any unsold seats. Whatever you do, don't try to buy a plane ticket within 21 to three days of travel this is when tickets are at their most expensive.

And once you do purchase a ticket, make sure to carefully read the fine print associated with additional fees if they require a fee for checked bags, try to stick to a carry-on. If they charge a fee for food during the flight, bring your own. If neither the highways nor the airlines will get you where you need to go at a reasonable price, check out your options by rail while a bit pricey, train travel can be significantly more economical (albeit more time consuming) than either of the other two travel standards.
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What university has the highest enrolment? (Part 2 of 2)

University of Plymouth. Based primarily in the city centre but with many colleges scattered around the southwest, Plymouth University prides itself on being the biggest in the region. Although the institution has a distinctive focus on Marine Studies, it is still expanding with a new building opening this year to accommodate the expanding interest in Health and Social Work.

Between 2006 and 2007 the University boasted 30,540 students enrolled, but with a relatively small proportion of post-grads at 6,050. Aberystwyth University. One of the more provincial universities, according to The Times Aberystwyth ranked very well for student satisfaction with 81 per cent being satisfied.

The departments are diverse whilst its student to staff remains quite low at 19 per tutor. From 2006 to 2007 there were 12,245 students studying at Aberystwyth according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, 2,500 studying at postgraduate level. University College London. With perhaps one of the best student to staff ratios at 9.1 per staff member according to The Times, University College London ranks highly overall at number 7. During the 06/07 year there were 19,385 students according to the HESA in total. 7,580 of these were postgraduates, and 2,320 of the undergraduates are international students from outside of the European Union. University of Cambridge. The second oldest university in the English speaking world, Cambridge University has been in healthy competition with Oxford for many years.

The university, as of 2006, has over 28,775 students and over a third of these are postgraduates, and according to the HESA there are more international post-grads (over 4000) than there are undergraduates from outside the UK.University of Warwick. Although only established quite recently (1965), The University of Warwick is one of the UK’s leading university with a Times 2009 ranking of number 6.

The university has a high Services and Facilities spend for its departments that range from Biological Sciences to Engineering. Based in Coventry and thus in an accessible location for Birmingham also, the institution 30,320 students (from 2006) with almost 10,000 of these being postgraduates.When it comes to choosing the right university degree, there are many factors to take into consideration. The Times Good University Guide 2009 is a good starting point and by looking at an overview of the proportions of students enrolled it is possible to get an even more in-depth view of the best institutions in the UK, particularly when you take into consideration location and acceptance rates. The next step is to whittle these down and to start browsing those prospectuses.
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What university has the highest enrolment? (Part 1 of 2)

In June The Times released The Good University Guide 2009 which ranks the top Universities in the UK on such factors as student satisfaction, research quality, and the ratio between students and staff. Although many elements must be taken into account when deciding which institution to apply for, it occurred to me that one of the most popular questions asked online concerns simply the number of students enrolling at our universities.

The following discusses a selection of the listed universities in regards to their Times rankings, as well as the number of students enrolling. Imperial College London.

The highest ranking of the big city colleges, The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine has held its spot at number three for another year in The Times rankings. Founded just over a hundred years ago, as the college turned a century there were 13,410 students in total with 5,060 studying at postgraduate level. The institution is located in South Kensington and the current acceptance rate of undergraduate admissions is 17.5 per cent. University of Birmingham. In terms of the second most highly populated city in England, The University of Birmingham currently ranks the highest according to The Times at number 25. In comparison to Imperial the student staff ratio is lower but the intake of students is far greater.

In the year 06/07 the total amount of students was 30,415 with 11,935 taking postgraduate studies. As of 2008, the institution has now split into five colleges, each with its own specialism.University of Essex. So to find the better student to staff ratio should you choose to enrol at a smaller university? The up and coming University of Essex follows this rule with a ratio of 14.1 students per staff member. The Higher Education Statistic Agency published that for 2006 – 2007 there were 11,660 students in total with 3,305 postgraduates enrolled. Although a relatively young university, the institution is also becoming highly regarded in terms of online education.University of Oxford. The highest ranking according to The Times, the University of Oxford remains at number one for another year.

This honour comes from a combination of a good student to staff ratio of 11.6 and a very high satisfaction percentage among students at 84 per cent. From 2006 to 2007 there were 19,070 students in total with over a third being postgraduates. Acceptance of students from state schools in 2006 was 25 per cent.Article continues in Part 2 of 2.
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How much should parents contribute to UK university fees?

Funding for UK universitystudents is a contentious issue at the moment with many hoping fora reversion to the grant system of the past, and others believing that loans are the best wayforward. As it stands, student funding for most will probably still come from The Student LoansCompany, but it is typical for parents to pay towards higher education also. So how muchshould parents contribute to UK university fees?According to The Student Loans Company (slc.co.uk), parents are expected to contribute acertain amount to their children’s higher education after an assessment from the Learning Education Authority (LEA). Currently, if their income is in excess of £21,475, they should contribute a minimum of £45, with an additional £1 for every £9.50 of their income that breaches that limit.In 2007 The Guardian published research findings from Unite, a student accommodation specialist. Their survey found that one in five first year students were receiving a bursary to aid them, yet there was still an eight per cent rise of the number of students in debt in comparison to the year before, and the average spend for students at university was £13,000. The report also showed that over 93 per cent of students also relied on their parents for financial support in conjunction with loans and bursaries. Payments from parents were said tocover essentials such as food and accommodation, with the average amount given for each student as £4000.In 2008 however, it seems that financial issues for parents has become more serious. Debts now are far higher, according to Blog Jono (blogjono.blogspot.com, a blog written by a student for students), debts are more in the region of £22,000. He also states that according to a Norwich Union survey, 46 per cent of parents are now urging their children to study part time whilst working in order to avoid such debt.Yet, perhaps the most significant statistics are seen in the lack of correlation between the government help for parents on low income (£2,385), whilst the average student fees are now in excess of £3,000. It is no surprise that many more are being tempted by online and parttime education, and that the debts and dependence continue to increase so sharply. But in the past, didn’t university represent a young person’s movement into independence?
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What are the likely factors affecting adult education?

Adult education broadly refers to continuing education later in life. This can include learning in direct relation to a new or ongoing career of an individual, or studies that are completely unrelated such as languages. With the development of online learning, adult education is becoming increasingly accessible, and although the general process of teaching and learning is similar between children and adults, there are additional factors that can be seen to affect those who continue their studies into adulthood.

One of the most general and logical factors that affects adults more than children during education is the notion of the knowledge which they have already accumulated. This can be seen to aid the speed of learning, as they are often likely to have a prior knowledge of the subject they are studying. Alternatively, habits of bad practice can also be learned in adulthood, and methods and processes that have been learned in a now-dated curriculum can also be difficult to shake off for some adult learners.A paper written in 1993 by CHIU Mo Chi, entitled A Study of the factors affecting Attendance at Adult Education Short Courses, offers further insights into the differences between adult and child education. CHIU found there are a number of self esteem issues with adult learners.

Those that have had a school background that lacks in academic achievement are more suited to frequent confidence boosts “because the outcome of effort is more likely to be the pain of failure than the reward of a new job, a promotion, the admiration of others, or the selfsatisfaction of succeeding at the learning task.”Acknowledging this however, others have expressed that motivation can be an important aspect in regards to the achievement of adult learners. Where students have entered into adult education of their own accord, they have typically realised exactly what they want to learn, and why it is important for them to continue at it – despite their difficulties. Additionally, adult learners are often more aware, and accepting, of the financial and time implications of enrolling on a course later in life.A student perspective forum on the Adult Literacy Education Wiki (wiki.literacytent.org) offers some other information from adult learners themselves.

In regards to learning literacy skills during adulthood, many students seem to find the most difficult problem to overcome is fear. “I was a low level reader and I would like you all to know how afraid we are to come in and get help,” one student writes in 2007. “I think fear is what holds a lot of us back. We put on this front that all is okay and life is good but we know in our heart we are not okay at all.” Problems with embarrassment among peers, and not being able to admit difficulties to other students are continuing factors that can seem to affect learning into adulthood, and this may well be something that remains to be addressed by adult education centres today.
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Shop Till You Drop in Dubai

If the prospect of battling your way through the January sales in freezing temperatures doesn'tappeal to you then it could be time to head east for the annual Dubai Shopping Festival,arguably the world's best shopping experience. The festival starts on January 15th and is theshopping equivalent of the Olympic Games. Shoppers can expect an amazing experiencewhich will include fireworks, entertainment and plenty of designer discounts.With the pound continuing to fall against the dollar, those looking for a bargain are avoiding USdestinations like New York and Los Angeles as they don't represent the value they once did.So whilst the pound is still recovering, shoppers can head east and explore events like theDubai Shopping Festival.

Dubai forms part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is increasingly becoming one of theworld's most glamourous destinations. Luxury is the name of the game in Dubai and shopperscan expect to stay in the best hotels, explore some of the world's finest attractions and betreated like a VIP from start to finish.Dubai is famed for the sheer size and quality of its malls and for those in need of some seriousretail therapy. This year's festival takes place from January 15th to February 15th and isexpected to attract millions of people to the UAE for what promises to be a retail extravaganza,unlike anything seen before.

Established by the government in 1996 in order to promote thecity as a major retail destination and to boost tourism, the festival has gone from strength tostrength. Over the past 13 years the festival has continued to expand and now draws millionsof people from all over the world.The month long festival will include international fashion shows as well as streetsideperformances, nightly fireworks displays, musical shows and even movie screenings. If thisisn't enough, Dubai also boasts dozens of shopping centres, including the Mall of theEmirates, home to Harvey Nicholls, Aspreys and Debenhams.

Shoppers will find the mainshopping malls located around Al Faheidi Road, Al Rigga Road, Al Karama, Al Satwa's AlDhiyafah Road and Beniyas Square, with modern stores standing side by side with thetraditional souks.Bargaining is expected so be prepared to haggle even in large stores where customers areadvised to ask for the 'best price' at all times, especially those planning to pay for their goodsin cash.Flights to Dubai operate daily from most major UK airports, including Gatwick Airport, LondonCity Airport, Heathrow Airport and Manchester Airport, with prices available from less than£300.
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Jobs in Edinburgh

Scotland’s capital, or ‘the Athens of the North’, is well known for its film-set and beautiful appearance, and for its richness in culture. This is perhaps best exemplified by it being home to the world’s largest performing arts festival, Edinburgh Fringe, and the world’s largest comedy festival, as well as it being known as officially the second most visited tourist destination in the UK after London.It is no surprise then that tourism is a key driving force behind the city’s economy. The festivals alone generate over £100 million, alongside the fact that the city is also a World Heritage Site.

Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh New Town are the two primary sites that led to this accolade, the former has parts that date back to the 12th Century, and attracted over a million visitors in 2007. Edinburgh New Town is an area of the city centre that was built between 1765 and 1850.This year the City of Edinburgh Council’s Economic Development Service released an official publication of employment and living statistics about the city. Currently, according to the report, the biggest employer of jobs in Edinburgh is NHS Scotland which is no-doubt well served by the University of Edinburgh Medical School.

The city has a total of nine hospitals, as well as The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, The Edinburgh Dental Institute and The Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion.Edinburgh has recently become one of the top six financial centres in Europe. The city remains the home of the world’s fifth largest bank, The Royal Bank of Scotland, and finance is still a big player in the city’s economy, with RBS being the best performing company of 2008 with a turnover of £28 billion (according to Edinburgh By Numbers) with HBOS, Standard Life and Scottish Widows following close behind.Education is the next biggest employer in Edinburgh.

In particular, the reputed University of Edinburgh, based primarily at George Square, employs over 6,000 people. The city is also home to several other higher education institutions, including Edinburgh College of Art, Heriot-Watt University (which offers a unique masters in brewing and distilling), and The Scottish Agricultural College based in the south. Edinburgh is also home to 21 secondary schools.Tesco is Edinburgh’s biggest retail employer with 1,801 members of staff. Most shoppers tend to flock toward Princes Street in the City Centre where they can find upmarket chain stores and smaller boutiques and independents. There are also many retail centres located on the city outskirts.
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How to Maximize Your Grocery Budget

As the standard cost of living continues to rise, more and more people are finding themselves in need of budget cuts and cheaper alternatives to the everyday expenses that they can't cut out altogether. One of the biggest spending arenas is, without question, the grocery store. Clearly food, house wares, cleaning supplies, etc. cannot be left out of the budget, but as the costs associated with these must-have items continue to rise, many people are feeling the crunch. To help ease the stress and strain of shopping for these necessities, we've put together a list of tips to help you get the shopping done while still sticking to your budget.

Shop aroundYour local grocer may not be the best price in town when it comes to a specific item or product. In fact, your most economical shopping option may involve a couple of different stores a specific market for produce and another for household items and paper goods. Of course you'll want to take into consideration driving distances and other factors when determining how best to organize your shopping, but mixing it up can be a great money saver.Shop on sale Check out weekly circulars and coupon specials to save on must-have items like paper towels, toilet paper, bread, etc.

Be careful not to get sucked in to buying something you don't need just because it's on sale, though that's a surefire way to blow your budget out of the water. Buy in bulkThis is a great option for budget shoppers, particularly where non-perishable items are concerned. While you can expect to pay more per visit to a warehouse or wholesale shopping club, you'll find that buying in bulk requires far fewer trips to the store than buying in standard quantities, plus, the deals are infinitely better. Items like razor blades, paper towels, toilet paper, coffee, cleaning supplies, personal-care products, and even car tires can be found at drastic discounts in most warehouse and wholesale shopping clubs.

Another great deal to be found there is bulk meats particularly those that are individually packaged. They can be frozen until you need them, and will save you a bundle on food costs. Another great buy: many of these warehouse and wholesale shopping clubs sell gasoline, too, and often at 5-10 cents below the going per-gallon rate. Stick to your listOne of the quickest ways to blow your shopping budget is to give in to impulse buying. Remember, just because something is on sale doesn't mean it's a good buy. Make out a list of what you need before heading to the store, and don't deviate from it.

Coordinate your menusIt takes a little planning, but working out menus for the week is a great way to maximize your food budget. If you plan a consecutive set of meals around a specific group of ingredients, you can avoid wasting leftovers and also avoid having to buy separate ingredients for each individual meal. This will not only save you money, it will help make the overall food preparation run more smoothly.Remember that shopping on a budget is entirely doable all it takes is a little planning, discipline and creativity.
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Five Ways to Curb Expensive Car Repair

Cars are expensive not just to buy, but also to fuel, repair and maintain (and rising gas prices aren't helping). With labor costs typically in the hundreds of dollars, even for simple repairs, preventative measures can go a long way in cutting your automotive costs. There are many simple maintenance tasks you can do yourself, and lots of tips to help you get the best value for your dollar when it comes to automotive needs. Read on for five simple ways you can help prevent trips to the mechanic, and how you can make sure you're getting your money's worth when you do take your car in for repairs.Check your fluids Maintaining appropriate levels of various fluids like brake fluid, transmission fluid, etc., is a simple way you can keep your car running better, longer, and can save you not only in simple labor costs, but can help prevent larger, more costly repairs down the road. Also, keep an eye out for stains under your car, as this can be a sign of an important fluid leak. Spotting this early on can save you big on repairs later. Observe warning signsCar problems rarely happen overnight there are often several signs of trouble before something breaks down, requiring costly repairs. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for telltale warning signs, like squeaking breaks, leaking fluids, or drifting wheels, which can indicate a bigger problem under the hood. By identifying these warning signs early on, you stand a better chance of avoiding an outrageous repair bill after all, repairing a transmission fluid leak will cost you significantly less than replacing a transmission. Drive carefullyAs they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Practicing responsible driving techniques is a great way to protect yourself and your automotive investment. Use your turn signals, observe speed limits, don't tailgate, and be careful not to overburden your car with excessive weight. Get a second opinionCar repair is expensive, and mechanics all too often take advantage of consumers trust and ignorance. If you take your car into the mechanic and feel that their diagnosis is overpriced, excessive, or isn't sufficiently explained to you, don't just take their word for it. Getting a second opinion is a completely reasonable thing to do just like you would with your health care provider. If costly car repairs are in fact necessary, ask about ways to prolong the process. If you need several things done, for example, they may be able to space the work out over several months to allow you more financial leeway. Keep your receiptsOne of the biggest problems with car repair is when people are conned into having unnecessary work done. One way to help prevent this is to keep track of all past maintenance and repair, and compare any new suggested work against the list. If you're brake pads were replaced last year, odds are you probably don't need new ones just yet. Likewise, if a problem is identified that you paid to have worked on previously, you may be able to get a discount on subsequent work. Regardless, it's important to keep track of your car's history, just like you would your own medical record.
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10 Ways To Lower Your Electric Bill And Help The Environment

Each month we cringe when we see our electric bill. You can do a few simple things that could save you big money each month. Another benefit to lowering energy usage is it helps promote the planet by not wasting resources. Here is a list of ten things you can do every day to bring down that bill.1. Turn off lights that you are not using.It only takes about two minutes to walk through your house and turn off lights that no one is using. The average bulb uses an estimated 20 watts. When your old bulbs burn out, try replacing them with the new energy efficient bulbs. They last much longer, from 3-5 years with average use, and the savings really add up.2. Run your automatic dishwasher when it is completely full.Make sure your dishwasher is completely full. Running a half full dishwasher is wasting energy and water. Don't use the automatic dryer, let your dishes air dry. This saves a lot of money in the long run.3. If the temperature is nice outside, open your windowsGive you're A/C or heater a break! Open those windows and let the fresh air inside! If you do this as much as possible, you are sure to see a difference in your electric bill.4. Change you're A/C filter once a month.If the filter is clogged with dust, it makes the A/C work harder, costing you more money! An average filter costs just a few bucks to replace; doing so can save you some bucks as well.5. If you live in a mobile home, put skirting around the bottom.This will help keep your home warm in the winter, using less heat, and cooler in the summer. 6. Keep curtains/blinds closed during the day.On those hot summer days when it's a bit too warm outside to open the windows, keep the hot sun out by closing the blinds. It will take less energy to cool your home. Also try using ceiling fans. They use little energy and can help cool rooms down. Most have reversible motors, so during winter you push warm air back down.7. Replace weather stripping on windows and doors.This keeps that hot or cold air from blasting through, keeping your home at a comfortable temperature. 7. Keep your thermostat set at a higher/lower setting when you are not home.When you are away for the day, keep your thermostat set at about 80 for warm climates, and about 65 for cooler climates. Your home stays at a comfortable temperature without costing an arm and a leg!8. Turn off your computer monitor when not in use.If you're not surfing, no need to leave that monitor on. If you have more than one computer, turn off the one you use the least. 9. Turn off your television when not in use.Just like the computer monitor, if you're not watching T.V. it's just wasting electricity!10. Try washing clothes in cold water instead of hot water.You're saving energy by using cold water and your clothes still get nice and clean! Also try drying them on a cooler setting. If you can, hang your clothes outside. Not only are you saving energy, you also have the sweet smell of line dried clothes! With just a few simple changes, anyone can cut their energy bill. Not only are you saving money, you are helping the environment.
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Christmas on the River Walk

If you've ever been to San Antonio, then you have probably been to the famous and beautiful river walk in down town San Antonio. The San Antonio River runs right through down town and it's a great place to visit and relax. On November 28th, 2008, the Christmas season officially begins on the river walk. At 7:00 pm. all 122,000 lights will go on! There will be a parade on the river with colorful and beautiful boats. When the parade ends, it's the perfect opportunity to hop into a boat, and take a ride down the river, with the sun down and the lights twinkling and reflecting from the water below, it makes the perfect romantic get a way!Christmas time is also the time for caroling and the river walk has that too! On November 29th- December 21st the river walk will be lined with more than 185 schools, churches and other groups singing their hearts out to the cruising boats. It's the perfect ending to a long day of shopping! Along with the Christmas carols and beautiful lights twinkling above the river, the banks will be glowing beginning December 5th until December 21st with what's called "Fiesta de las Luminarias." There will be sand bags with glowing candles inside lighting the walk ways. It's a beautiful site and a long tradition of the river walk. For hundreds of years this has been going on and it is truly a site to see. It begins at dusk each night, Friday, Saturday and Sunday only, during the fiesta.If you just can't stand the site of another mall this holiday season, why not try shopping at the Holiday Arts & Crafts Show that goes on along the river walk each holiday season beginning December 12th and running through December 14th. The venders all have different and unique gifts ranging from handmade jewelry to furniture. You are sure to find something special for that hard to buy for person.Want to make a weekend get away at the river walk? There are many beautiful hotels over looking the river and wonderful dinning experiences.For those who don't mind shopping at the mall, The San Antonio River Mall is the place to shop! Built right on the river, it hosts many shops and restaurants, all with a beautiful view.The river walk also has a good night life for those who don't mind staying up late and enjoying live music and drinks. Take a boat ride right up to your favorite bar or restaurant. The San Antonio River Walk has something for every member of the family, young or old. Why not celebrate the holiday season on the river. For more information on the river walk you can find them on the internet. They have maps available as well as prices for all the boat rides and lists of all the events they have planned for the season ahead. You can also check out some of the hotels available as well as restaurants and bars in the area.
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How to Shop on A Limited Income

With the holidays just around the corner, everyone is trying to figure out how to save money. Along with holiday shopping, we still have to do our every day shopping, which can make it really hard to get that holiday list finished.With just a few changes in the way you shop, you can save hundreds of dollars. Who knows, you might find that perfect gift in the most unexpected place!Goodwill StoresPeople may not realize that goodwill stores are open to the public. They carry a variety of new and used items from clothes to house ware to furniture. This is perfect for the college student or someone who just wants to save a few bucks! What's really great about shopping at Goodwill is that about 85% of the revenue they receive goes back into the community for education and career services as well as other programs. Salvation ArmyThe Salvation Army is similar to Goodwill. They carry a variety of new and used items, ranging from furniture to toys. They take the revenues they collect and help the community by giving back to the unfortunate. So not only are you finding great items at a bargain, you're helping people in need.Thrift StoresWhat an awesome place to find some really nice things, especially clothes! Most the clothes in thrift stores are brand new, with the tags still on the garment! There are many thrift stores throughout the Austin area, many of which have great sales. Some have what is called a "Grab Bag" sale; Customers go into the store, get a bag and what ever they can fit into the bag is only $10.00, that's $10.00 for the entire bag, not each item! What a deal! Garage SalesYou've heard the saying, "Someone else's garbage is your treasure." Spring cleaning means spring shopping! Check out your local paper and look for listings for garage sales, especially estate or moving sales. You can find some really good bargains this way. Anything from priceless antiques to simple collectables; many people just want to get rid of the items before they move or are just simply making room for newer things. Don't be afraid to ask for a lower price on an item you really like! Many people having garage sales will offer an "Everything for one price" deal. You're bound to find some unique treasures by hunting at garage sales. Church Bazaar's Everyone loves bazaars! Check your church's bulletin and other church's in your area for their bazaar. You can find some very unique and wonderful items at bazaars. Most of the items are usually hand made with much love and time. You can find blankets, afghans, quilts and much, much more. There are usually homemade baked goods also. So not only are you finding a cool quilt, you might even get a homemade cake or some cookies! Store SalesWatch your television or newspapers for store sales. You can find some really good bargains, especially for closeout sales.
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The simple Myth of Multitasking

Recently a study by the University of Michigan revealed that the brain is not truly capable of performing many tasks at once. While it may seem like you can talk on your cell phone and drive at the same time, the authors of the study discovered the brain is actually switching from task to task. The brain puts one task down, so to speak, and takes a moment to pick up another one.This job switching takes time. The study noted that the several tenths of a second it can take your brain to switch from one thing to another can add up to dangerous time. Take the aforementioned driving with the cell phone. During the time your brain is focused on the call, the car is still moving without it actually being under your control. That half second is enough time for an accident to occur.The City of Austin's public safety task force recently approved a resolution that could lead to a requirement for motorist to use hands-free devices. This is a first step in a potentially long process toward a ban on text messaging in particular. Seven states--Alaska, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey and West Virginia--all have a requirement for motorists to use hands-free devices.The research on the effectiveness of banning text messaging for drivers is inconclusive at this point. It is difficult to provide exact statistics on wrecks related to cell phone use because drivers are reluctant to admit it. A recent article in the Austin-American Statesman cited a study in North Carolina by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that found teen drivers actually used cell phones more after a ban on them was enacted.It is human nature to ignore inconvenient rules like banning cell phone use in the car. It is also human nature to think we can do it all. It is not just driving while talking on the cell phone or texting that puts multitasking into overdrive. A typical evening can find any parent simultaneously making dinner, unloading the dishwasher, helping with homework and thinking about the big presentation at work the next day. According to the Michigan study, the synapses in the prefrontal cortex, or executive mental control center, are sizzling under the demands. The busy lives people weave together are not seamless. The study found that executive control involves two distinct stages called goal shifting and rule activation. So it's like the brain is saying, "I want to do this now instead of that, and I need to turn off the rules for one and turn on the rules for the other."These stages help people unconsciously switch between tasks. For simple, familiar tasks, this is a relatively quick and seamless event. But there are days the threads of the many tasks get tangled and snarled as the brain tries to achieve more complicated goals. The more complex the commands are, the longer it takes the brain to switch from task to task.However, more often than not, the brain is putting down one thread and picking up the next with great skill. The fragmented days lived in ten minute snippets of time are a remarkable testament to the power of the brain. You just might want to think twice before picking up the cell phone next time you're in the car.
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Go Green at Work

With everyone and everything going green, why not go green at work too? It's not as hard as you may think. Just a few adjustments and your office is on its way to being green!1. First, think about paper. Buy recycled paper and paper products. Not sure how to tell? Just look at the package and it will say if it's recycled or not. 2. Instead of purchasing new furniture, try hunting for treasures at yard sales or resale shops. Or if you have time, just give your old stuff a face lift! Get creative. 3. When you leave the office for the day, instead of just turning everything off, try unplugging everything. It will save energy in the long run. 4. Try arranging your office so you won't have to turn on any lights during the day. Have your desk next to a window so Mother Nature can provide the light! 5. Instead of printing office memos, try sending co-workers an email instead. That goes for employees manuals as well, if possible, have employees read the manuals online to keep from using paper. 6. Make a habit to recycle everything in your office. Keep a bin where other employees can pitch in as well. You can recycle everything, including fax paper, envelopes and junk mail. You can even recycle your computers and office equipment. Check your local schools and colleges; they may be able to use them in the classroom.7. When possible, try getting to work by using public transportation, carpooling or riding a bicycle or scooter. Walk if you live close enough, not only are you helping the environment, but you are getting healthy!8. When you clean the office, be sure to use nontoxic cleaning products and brighten up your office with plants. Not only are they pretty, but they actually absorb indoor toxins!9. If you have a kitchen area at the office, bring your own dishes and reusable containers and silverware. Try to avoid plastic cups and Styrofoam products. Try to encourage other employees to do the same.10. Use Green marketing tools. Let your customers, and the public know that your company is environmentally friendly. It will enhance your company's image. 11. Replace your light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs. Not only are they good for the environment, they last much longer.12. If your office receives newsletters or magazines, find out if you can receive them online instead of through the mail. When you are done reading them, just delete them instead of tossing them into the waste basket!13. Try to keep your office at a steady temperature. In the winter, instead of turning up the heat, try wearing warmer clothes. And last but not least, who says you have to have an electric pencil sharpener? Buy the old timer type, you know, the ones that require a twist of the wrist to sharpen. That goes for staplers too. With just a few adjustments, you can make a difference in the workplace and the world!
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How to Design Your Own Business Card

Buying business cards can be expensive and a hassle, especially if the printer gets it wrong! Instead of buying them, try making your own, it is easy and much cheaper. Most office supply stores carry everything you need, except your imagination!* Always make your name or your business name prominent. When you hand someone your card, you want them to see your name and remember it. Try using raised letters. You want your name to be the focal point on the card. * Design a logo to place on your card. It can relate to your business, life or just be something you really like. If your business is dog grooming, try adding a picture of one of your dogs. * Make sure your card looks professional. When selecting card stock material, make sure it is sturdy and durable. You do not want a card that looks and feels cheap or one that the ink will smear on when you design it. Office supply stores will carry a large selection of business cards for your computer. Just take your time and find one that is nice. * Be different, but practical. You don't want an odd shaped business card that a potential client will toss aside because it won't fit in their wallet. Also try choosing a card that's slightly colored, this way it won't just blend in with other business cards, remember, you want yours to stand out.* When you design your card, always remember to put the important things on it; like your phone number, email address, physical address and if you have a website, include it also. Make sure it's neat and does not look cluttered. * You can get real creative and print on both sides of your business card. Maybe a picture of your business or driving directions or a map. The sky is the limit. Be inventive, think outside of the box! * If you don't have access to a program that lets you create or print business cards, some office supply stores have kiosks where you use their equipment and design your own cards. It usually takes about 15 minutes or so, and the cost is around $30.00 for 100 cards. You are in control of your cards design. * Use your computers page layout or business card software. Let the wizards or templates help you design a card that is perfect for your business.Just a few ideas to get your business off and rolling, you don't need to spend lots of money when you can do it yourself! Have fun, be creative! Take your time and look at other business cards. Think of ways you can make yours stand out. Take a few cards out of your wallet and examine them. What do you like and dislike about the card. Is your card serious or light natured. It all depends on your business and what clientele you are trying to reach.
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About The History of Bingo

The History of BingoMost bingo enthusiasts believe that the games history can be traced to an Italian game called “Lo Giuoco del Lotto d’Italia” which was played in the early 1500’s. By the 1700’s the game, widely played in France at the time, had evolved to include a card, tokens, and the calling out of numbers. By the 1900’s the game, spreading as far as Germany, had evolved even more, now being used in schools to teach kids spelling, animal names, and multiplication tables.Edwin Lowe, could arguably be called the Father of United States Bingo. In 1929 he witnessed a game of Beano while at a travelling carnival near Atlanta. He noticed that the players were so engaged that the game lasted until 3 a.m. when the carnival worker finally had to dismiss the players. Lowe took the idea of Beano back with him to New York, where he fashioned his own beano games. Lowe ran his own beano parlours using rubber stamps, dried beans, and cards, just like the Atlanta beano game he had watched. Lowe’s beano games where a huge hit amongst his friends. It is rumoured that a player, being so excited about winning, accidentally yelled “Bingo!” instead of beano, and thus the name Bingo was born. Not all was well with the first games of bingo though. It sometimes became a monetary loss to bingo parlours because of the multiple winners during games. Lowe hired a mathematician, Carl Leffler, to create 6000 bingo boards that would not have repeating number groups. It took some time, but Leffler eventually did it, and so the Bingo game as we know it was born. There were two versions of the Lowe Bingo game, a 12 card set and a 24 card set, for $1.00 and $2.00, respectively. By the 1940’s the Lowe Bingo game was all over the United States. Lowe asked for a minuscule $1.00 a year to conduct legal bingo games and to use the name Bingo. Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

An Often Overlooked Strategy for Getting Your Foot in the Door

by: Kathleen Gage
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Most companies are constantly seeking efficient and cost effective marketing and promotions strategies. It’s likely they are also seeking strategies to increase sales through obtaining key information. Regardless of the industry, almost everyone has heard or read arguments saying sales and marketing are separate, while at other times hearing and reading they are interconnected.
The fact is that you have to market your product or business in order to find prospects to sell to. On the other hand, your level of professionalism as a salesperson will directly impact your marketing message. Simply put, everything you do is a part of your marketing. Without effective marketing many people won’t know what you are selling. The two go hand in hand.
In the process of selling you must be able to address the question most prospects will ask: “What can you do for me?” This question can be answered by the content of your marketing material as well as your responses while meeting with a client.
While you can tell your prospects and customers how absolutely wonderful you are and all you can do for them, an even more effective strategy is for someone else to “blow your horn.” A customer who is willing to answer that question for your prospect oftentimes adds to your effectiveness and credibility in the sales process.
One of the best ways to do this is with written customer testimonials. Testimonials can be very effective in positioning your product or service and may give that extra little push when a potential client is trying to decide on whether or not they will be doing business with you.
The easiest way to get a testimonial is to do a great job. The second easiest way is to ask for it. When a customer or client tells you how happy they are with what you have done ask them if they would be willing to put that in a letter.
It is a good idea to have a cross section of testimonials you can use in your sales and marketing process. This way, regardless of your clients’ situation, you have a testimonial that will address their needs.
Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. Asking for a testimonial is not arrogant or egotistical. When you go above and beyond, most people are willing to let others know how much they appreciate you or your product.
A short time ago my most recent book was released. Myself and my co-authors have enjoyed increased daily sales with 101 Ways to Get Your Foot in the Door. Although many people are telling us how fun, creative and useful the book is, I knew if we could get testimonials from readers we would be able to use them in our marketing and promotions efforts.
I sent an email out to a few dozen folks who had purchased the book asking for written feedback. Within minutes I began receiving testimonials. Here two of the dozens I received:
“I was pleasantly surprised reading 101 Ways to Get Your Foot in the Door. I was so impressed that I am requiring my sales staff to read it and we are getting together to discuss how we can implement some of these ideas into our marketing campaigns. Great job!” Michele Michalewicz, CTP, President, Western Leisure, Inc.
“101 Ways to Get Your Foot in the Door was full of great ideas to separate sales people from the ordinary. This is a must have book for those that want to be remembered and stand apart from the ordinary sales person or marketing company. This book has been referred back to often and will be a permanent addition to our business library. Thank you for putting these ideas into a book.” Craig Watkins, Owner, Premium Exteriors and Coatings of Utah www.WhyKeepPainting.com
What Craig and Michele have said is a greater testament to a potential buyer than me telling them how great the book is. And notice what it is doing for them… their testimony is added visibility for their company. A win/win situation.
Although testimonials are great to use, keep in mind that they do not replace the simple act of asking potential clients for the business. Testimonials are simply another key aspect of an effective success strategy.
Copyright © 2004 by Kathleen Gage Web address: www.kathleengage.com
Publishing Guidelines: You may publish my article in your newsletter, on your website or in your print publication provided you include the resource box at the end. Notification would be appreciated but is not required.
About The Author
If you are in any form of sales and are tired of cold calling visit www.101waystogetyourfootinthedoor.com to receive fr*ee tips on getting your foot in the door and staying ahead of the competition. Author Kathleen Gage is a business advisor, keynote speaker and trainer who helps others increase revenues and decrease costs by gaining dominance and visibility within their market.
kathleen@turningpointpresents.com

Customer Focus Teams

by: Richard D S Hill
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To be more responsive to customer needs, emphasise customer satisfaction, develop closer relationships with their customers and flatten the management structure some companies have adopted Customer Teams or Customer Focus Teams. These are cross-functional, customer focused teams exist to provide customers a ‘one-stop shopping’ service.
Teams have complete ownership of their accounts, with each team empowered to decide how to work with each of their customers and bring together each service function such as accounting, sales and service into a single team structure to serve all the needs of the specific customers assigned to them based on a mindset of continuous improvement in customer experience. Teams are empowered to take corrective actions to resolve day-to-day problems and have direct access to information that allows them to plan, control and improve their operations. The teams manage themselves and work within the team is generally allocated on the basis of skills and strengths, rather than just job title. This enables a team to provide fast turnaround on all a customer's issues and concerns. By self managing, like players on a pitch during a team game, the managers’ role becomes that of coach, developing skills and knowledge rather than simply directing and controlling actions.
Working in customer focused teams interdependence and joint responsibility for outputs become the goal and thus instead of organizing work traditionally from the top down, reducing processes to individual steps work becomes structured around whole processes. Traditional approaches reduce the required skill at every level of work leading to boring and repetitive tasks, but team based approaches are more likely to consider the fit of team members with the work to be done with those closest to the jobs agreeing the jobs specifications.
The advantages of ownership and self management include customers being more comfortable knowing who they will deal with, and teams gaining in-depth knowledge of the needs of each customer because of improved internal communications as team members understand the customer’s expectations and share information, realizing there is no advantage in hoarding knowledge – as their pay will be affected by their customers’ results on their own company’s profitability.
Self managing teams do not just happen and they are not ‘an easy answer’. Teams go through several stages on their way to self-management and it can take two or more years to achieve this objective. Comprehensive training in basic management skills such as problem solving and decision making is critical, as is functional cross training so they can manage their own processes.
To fully realize their potential, teams need not only to be cross-functional but also need to be managed by entrepreneurial and experienced managers who understand that they exist to provide greater profitability for their company by providing better customer experience to their company’s clients or customers and to this end support and drive team initiatives, including playing an active role in building an ongoing working relationship with the customer’s management.
Teams also must not become ‘customer silos’ rather than ‘functional silos’ and must work on sharing policies, systems and processes and people so that the results of ‘winning teams - those that provide increased customer satisfaction together with superior profitability and increasing volume – are quickly tested and replicated elsewhere. To achieve this senior management needs need to fine tune structure, roles, processes and systems to meet the ever-changing needs and increasing complexity of both the customer’s business and their own.
Senior management also have to set the tone and reality – teams exist to provide greater profitability for their company by providing better customer experience to their company’s clients or customers.
To achieve these corporate goals teams must:
1. Make customer satisfaction their top priority.
2. Have a common understanding of the organization's vision and mission and their role in that.
3. Understand the roles of individual members within the team as well as its role with the organization.
4. Work together to plan, make decisions and resolve differences and build trust.
5. Understand what is and is not possible and walk before they try to run
6. Set goals for continuous improvement in inputs, processes, outputs and measured results.
It is in this last area that CRM software such as Customer FOCUS [ http://www.e-crm.co.uk/crm/customer_focus/customer_focus.htm ] can really help.
About The Author
Richard Hill is a director of E-CRM Solutions and has spent many years in senior direct and interactive marketing roles. E-CRM - http://www.e-crm.co.uk - helps you to grow by getting you more customers that stay with you longer. We provide practical solutions that pay for themselves. We help you to make sure that your marketing works.

Email Marketing Is Not Dead: Top 10 Reasons To Publish An Ezine

by: Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D.
Email marketing is far from dead, despite the fact it can be a challenge to build an opt-in list of email addresses. Even with the popularity and ease of publishing on blogs, an ezine should be a standard in your online marketing toolbox. Ezines are easy, accessible, inexpensive, instant, and interactive Here are ten reasons to publish an ezine: 1. Gain name and fame; become widely known as an expert in your field to people you might not ever see or meet. You establish yourself as a thought leader and demonstrate your expertise in a way you could never do on a website or brochure. 2. Cultivate a relationship with your readers; establish trust and credibility. Your ezine is an opportunity to teach, to share interesting information, and to share your philosophy and real life experiences. Readers get to know you. Show them what you know, and also that you care. (There is that old adage that says 'people don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care!') 3. Create quality content for your website. When you post your ezines on your website, you increase the chance of search engines picking up your site because you have more pages and more content. 4. Stay in touch with past, present and potential clients. You never know when, where or why a person will contact you for services, so you need to stay in touch, and make it easy for them to contact you. Some say people need to hear from you 5-7 times before they are ready to hire or buy. 5. Give people up-to-date information on programs, services and products you have created that can help them. How else will they know what you have to offer? 6. Create alliances and affiliations with other ezine publishers, programs and service providers that interest your readers. They will love you when you offer solutions from other sources that you don't provide yourself. You become a go-to resource for many of their needs. You can also earn passive income through affiliate programs. 7. Reinforce your branding. Your services may be great, but every business needs a look, a logo, colors, a name, a tag-line quote-things that sum up in one glance the essence or feel of who you are and what your business stands for. Your ezine is one more opportunity to put forth your brand. 8. Expand and grow your database: Ezines can be forwarded to a reader's friends and associates. Your list of subscribers can grow with people you might never come in contact with. You can reach a global audience instead of your local area. 9. Create a two-way dialogue with your readers: Ask your readers questions, survey them about topics, ask for their opinions and feedback. Your ezine can help you keep your finger on the pulse of your ideal clients; you can use their feedback to create more ezine content, or other products such as telecourses and e-books. And this in itself sustains the idea that you are really interested in them and in providing the kinds of services that are important to them: you care. 10. Bottom-line: sales. You turn prospects into clients. Your ezine can be a magnet to your website, to your products, to your services. People are more likely to buy from you when they feel they know you. Ezines are particularly effective for selling services where there may be a long sales cycle and where the relationship is important.
About The Author
Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D. For more leading edge ezine tips go to http://www.coachezines.com. You can also subscribe to Newsletter Nuggets at http://www.newsletternuggets.com. Get Patsi's Secrets of Successful Ezines 7-Step Mini-Course to learn what you need to know to publish a successful ezine. http://snipurl.com/Ezine_MiniCourse Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D. is a writer and Internet Marketing expert with over 7 years experience marketing online and founder of Customized Newsletter Services.

Kick-Starting Body Copy

by: Patrick Quinn
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Several correspondents to our newsletter, AdBriefing, say that they are having trouble writing body copy for ads. Their problem seems to be the age-old one of how to kick things off – how to make a start. Can I help? Of course, I can.
When you have been writing copy as long as I have, you will come to understand that there is an unwritten formula for writing copy. While I shudder at the thought of formulae in advertising (since advertising is still a matter of doing what your instincts tell you to be right, and not what some computer programme tells you), there is no doubt that copy should follow a logical sequence. A sequence that takes its lead from the message in the main headline.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, every headline should contain some kind of offer or promise. At risk of repeating myself, it should contain a benefit along the lines of: Buy this product and get this benefit. If it doesn’t do this, then to my mind there is no point in running the ad. As the great Doctor Sam Johnson said, back in the 1700s: Promise, large promise, is the soul of advertising.
Ok – assuming that you have written a benefit-ridden headline, it follows that the first line of body copy should reinforce that benefit. It should enlarge upon it. It should take the initial promise and make more of it – much more. In other words, it should be a more verbose rendering of the headline statement. An expansion of what is in it for the punter.
It should not, decidedly not, be talking about something entirely different from what is contained in the headline – as a lot of so-called copywriters tend to do. This merely diverts your prospect’s attention from your major proposition. Always remember that the reason he is bothering to read your body copy is because he has been intrigued by your headline. He wants to be sure he has understood the message.
All right, with the opening para written, the rest should write itself. Your second para should talk about the features of the product. How it works. What it does. How fast it operates – that kind of thing. And if it has a lot of features, expand your writing into a third and fourth paragraphs if necessary.
This done, your penultimate para should refer back to the headline – once again reiterating the benefit. After that, all you need is a call-to-action paragraph; one that describes where, how and when the product can be bought.
And that, in a nutshell, is how to construct body copy. The formula, however, is not set in stone. Just so long as your first paragraph is always a re-work of the headline message, you can do more or less as you wish with the rest of it.
Simple – isn’t it?
About The Author
Patrick Quinn is an award winning copywriter with 40 years' experience of the advertising business in London, Miami, Dublin and Edinburgh.
He publishes a FREE monthly newsletter, AdBriefing. Subscriptions are available at: http://www.adbriefing.com
j.p@markethillpublishing.co

The New Reciprocal Link

by: Andrew Hansen

Any internet marketer will tell you about the importance of your ‘linking strategy’ in getting your website indexed and ranking highly in the search engines.
In the past reciprocal links were all the rage. People were (and still are) trying to get sites with high rankings to link back to their site to show search engines that their site is of greater importance. To do this they were putting links up on their sites, ie You link to my site and I’ll link to yours. This was a strategy that worked well.
However, it was always hard to find linking partners. Sure there was software to help, you could hire people and spend your own time sending emails but ultimately, sites that are ranked highly don’t usually want to link back to your site because there’s nothing in it for them! And you can always use directories but they usually won’t provide you with a link that is relevant enough in the eyes of the search engines to significantly improve your ranking.
Furthermore the reciprocal linking theory has changed somewhat in the eyes of the search engines in the past few months. We can only speculate as to why but it has occurred that reciprocal links are given less weight in comparison to one way back links from other sites. Perhaps this is because an inbound link will seem more natural if it doesn’t exist only because of a link that you have put up to the linkers site. Anyway we could guess forever but the result is that reciprocal linking is dying.
The big question then is “What do we do instead”?
Get as many one way back links as you can! How do you do that? Well I’m sure that there are many ways but here is one way that I’ve been using successfully.
You’ve probably heard people raving about blogs. These days everyone has one, everyone is making them and everyone who doesn’t, WANTS TO.
Now, there are people who own ‘blog farms’ which are large numbers of blogs in a network that are controlled by a central system. On a small scale what I do is post a link to my site on other peoples blogs, either with a sig file or with a link in my post. Now you probably realise that it’s going to take a long time to make hundreds of posts with your link to hundreds of blogs and you’re right. But there is a faster way!
There are people who run services of blog farms who will give you the ability to post your link to the hundreds of blogs that they own. Do you know what this means? This means you can instantly receive hundreds of backlinks from other (generally high ranking blog) websites, to get indexed in the search engines in record time, improve your sites rankings, and receive a barrage of traffic with almost NO EFFORT!
Doesn’t get much easier than that!
About The Author
Andrew Hansen is the apprentice to an online marketing guru and has learnt in just a few months how to make a full time income from his online ventures. He endorses http://www.wpburner.com as the fastest way to get your sites indexed and listed in the search engines.
andrew@verynovel.com