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If you were to ask someone on the street what podcasting is, most of them will not have any idea what you are talking about. They will ask if you said “broadcasting.” You might explain to them that it is a special audio file that you can listen to on your MP3 player. But even then you would not be doing it justice. Here are some other ways of understanding what podcasting is.

Do you remember your childhood when the people in your household fought over the sections of the newspaper that had been delivered to your door? If you can imagine that same newspaper, rather than being delivered in one section to your front door, but being packaged up in individual sections for each member of your family, with the sections that are not read left out completely.

That is one way to think of podcasting: the information that you are interested in delivered to you, without the stuff you don’t want. Some people have called podcasting TiVo radio.

Another way to think of podcasting is like a radio program that is only about your specific interests and when you click the link or synchronize your MP3 player with your computer, it gets downloaded to you automatically.

It’s like you’re the owner of the radio station. You tell the DJ what you want to hear and they’ll play it for you. All news? All sports? Regular updates on the financial markets? Entertainment news? Information on your industry? No problem, it’s all at your personal DJ’s fingertips and in moments it’s playing in your ears.

And a third way to think of podcasting is a targeted audio program for businesses to add value to their customers and prospects, and for organizations to pass information on to their users.

However you think of podcasting, other people will still give you a funny look because it is still in its infancy. In fact, the term “podcasting” was only coined in 2004! It won’t be long, though.

All the best for your online success

Written by Darryl Power editor of Podcasting for profit

Discover how To Start Make Money The Easy Way By Podcasting?

Last year I had a number of clients who started stubbornly on the Atkins diet despite my warnings. Immediately I saw almost profound results in their weight loss. I reminded them it was the loss of water weight, and warned of the strain on the kidneys and the high cholesterol risk.

During this time I was mastering my yoga practice as a complete vegan but found that my immune system had been profoundly compromised and I was currently on my third cold for the fall season.

Atkins was in the media again because of new study results indicating lowered cholesterol. I went to the Atkins book yet again with a more open mind, and decided to try the diet. I liked the contrarian view point to the current AMA position of the low fat diet, which seemed to be producing a society of increasing obesity. Atkins view of sugar as the culprit making you fat, not fat, made sense and the extra work from all the protein for the kidneys… it’s benign. I wanted to use his diet as a tool to get myself entirely off of any sugar.

I started out on the high protein, low carb aspect of the diet. As I reintroduced the animal proteins into my diet I could feel myself get stronger and the colds, finally stopped. I also saw my muscle bellies start to open and swell again. The cold of winter was not as painful as it had been while on my vegan diet.

I then summoned up the courage to start bringing fats into my diet, including bacon, egg yolks, cream cheese, heavy cream, whipped cream, even bacon rinds. On a daily basis I would marvel at having eaten these “forbidden foods” only to awaken the next day thin, svelte. I couldn’t believe this, result! I was loving eating all these foods so familiar yet banished since …childhood

I was in full swing eating the high fat, high protein, low carb diet at the time when the pictures on my website were taken. www.vitalsignsfitness.com I felt strong, but I had no energy!!! My walks on the beach were lethargic, I had to force myself to go that extra mile. I was thin but I felt like a beached whale. My love affair with Atkins continued a few more months. I followed his prescriptions religiously.

Eventually I had to add more carbs, I needed more energy. By carbs I mean vegetables, salads and whole grains. At this point I gained back the total of two pounds I had lost on Atkins. Body fat went from 16% to 18%, my energy was better. After 7 months I decided it was time to get the blood checked out and to my horror discovered that my cholesterol which had always been around 150 had rocketed up to 300!! Luckily my HDL to LDL ratio was still at a healthy level. Thanks to my forcing myself to exercise, I kept my HDLs high.

I immediately started drinking hot lemon juice with cayenne pepper every morning to clean my blood. I have now thrown away all the high fat foods and have once again, come back full circle to moderation and balance. A balanced diet. It takes a little more discipline but my energy is back and I can now eat the same meals as my husband so dinner preparation is simpler. My weight has not changed since I gradually introduced the carbs. I avoid at all costs the “white foods” flour, sugar, milk. I drink unsweetened soy milk I avoid foods in packages, boxes and bags. I feel a fine layer of fat but that’s okay its winter, I need it, and in the summer, heat always melts it off. I am completely off sugar and alcohol to keep blood sugar low.

Log into www.vitalsignsfitness in the Chat page where a discussion has already begun re: Atkins and other diet plans, add your comments or just read and muse. Or go to the Nutrition Program page and find out how many calories (protein, carbs, fats) you should eat to sustain your current or ideal weight.

Deborah Caruana RN, AAHRFP, NASM, ACE,
www.vitalsignsfitness.com
email deb@vitalsignsfitness.com

DEBORAH is a highly respected authority in personal training for overall health and fitness, with more than 22 years of experience and success. Her credentials include…

Currently licensed Registered Nurse specializing in Rehabilitative Nursing
Medical Exercise Therapist: certified by AAHFRP, an internationally recognized physical rehabilitation certification
Maternity Specialist Pre & Post Natal certified by Maternal Fitness
Personal Fitness Specialist: certified by NASM, an internationally recognized certification
Yoga Teacher
Professional Health Member, National Organization of Fitness Instructors (IDEA), a leading membership organization of health and fitness professionals
Deborah Caruana RN, AAHRFP, NASM, ACE,
http://www.vitalsignsfitness.com
email deb@vitalsignsfitness.com
…for all your fitness needs including personal training, books, vitamins and supplements, and information resource.

In a recently undertaken research project it was shown that trendy underclothes are the dashing objects of desire set to allow modern women to experience themselves as glamorous. As the manifest number one of the luxuriant sleepwear niche, Myla is a famous English house headquartered in London, England focused on preparing modern women to feel prepossessing and assured in trendy ladies’ undergarments. Their palette of products includes witching underwire bras, silk suspenders, and, further, stockings, tempting sleeping habiliments plus, likewise, highly stimulating bed-chamber clitoral stimulation toys.

Concentrated on the unsurpassable in erotic cheer the team at Myla’s tenders the most racy underclothes in de luxe fabrics extending to sheer silk, lightweight chiffon, tatting lace plus, likewise, sheer mesh. Indulging flirty women young and old we can see padded balconettes in combination with babydolls, structured lace bras in combination with accompanying silk & lace thongs and skinny suspender and/or tempting playful babydoll negligees in lightweight chiffon and tatting lace. Expectably, this first rate inventory tenders structured basques, silk & lace thongs, short negligee jackets plus, likewise, long satin halter nightdresses. Should your ambition be all-out witching allure, experts will pick a galvanizing 1/4 cup bra or a lace padded plunge bra pitted against silk & lace thongs and a skinny suspender supplemented with fishnets. As a recommendation for the lovers’ lair, you can buy high gloss structured silk and corsets, babydolls, balbriggans, feather detail g-strings and silk & lace strops.

If you’d like to add some highly stimulating bed-chamber playthings experts will pick bra extenders, silk & satin stiletto shoes, fishnets, garters and sexy fragrant vanilla flirt candles. Inveigle and lure with feather ticklers, feather fluff and silk tie ups, chiffon edged silk satin blindfolds, special avocado massage oil, chocolate body frosting or a playful paddle. Concentrated on the unsurpassable highly stimulating clitoral stimulation toys, the team at Myla’s tenders a broad product range of sex enhancement toys specially developed by a throng of champion craftspeople. The aficionado can choose from a quality product list extending to the sleek look sex toys by Habitat Creative Director Tom Dixon, the gold bow engraved design aware winning vibrator by Jimmyjane or Mari Oda’s massage Pebble.

Feel stunning with luxury lingerie from Myla!

So, you survived the downsizing. Your company did something that will probably show minimal, if any, return — and will make your job as a manager a living hell. Your life has changed dramatically. People on your staff are frightened, fearful that they may be next to go. They will lie low hoping that they can be spared the next swing of the ax. (You may be feeling the same thing as well.) Teamwork will decrease as people begin to view the person next to them as a threat to that increasingly scarce resource — a job.

At the same time, you will be encouraged to build a strong work unit capable of handling the challenges — you know the drill. Your financial targets will get higher. You will find that everyone is expected to do more with less. Hours and stress will undoubtedly increase. Welcome to the new world of management.

You have a choice. You can give in to the strong temptation to say “what’s the use” or you can attempt to create a productive and worthwhile workplace from the ashes of the downsizing. Lying low has its own risks. Your contribution diminishes and makes you a likely target for the next round of firings. Attempting to rise like a Phoenix is very difficult, but ultimately is better for you as well as your team.

Resistance -

Downsizing and other unilaterally inflicted changes create resistance. Knowing how to work with — and not against — resistance is an essential key to rebuilding your work team. Yogi Berra once said, “You’ve got to have deep depth.” I find that most don’t come close to heeding Yogi’s admonition when it comes to resistance. Here are some things I’ve learned:

Resistance is good. From the point-of-view of the person resisting, it is always positive. People resist to protect themselves. It is a natural reaction to any changes that people perceive as threatening.

Our common reactions to resistance usually make matters worse. When people oppose us, we tend to try to make people comply. We use power, manipulation, cut deals, or try to convince them why they must change. None of these approaches shows any respect for those who resist. None of these approaches allow us to be influenced by their concerns or opposition. These responses build an even larger wall between us.

Rebuilding -

We need to develop strategies that both respect resistance and rebuild the organization. Working with both sides of that paradox is the challenge and the hope. As I studied managers and project leaders who were good at rebuilding teams, I found that they were adept at helping people examine their resistance to these changes and create a new vision for a possible future together.

Often they began by allowing people to acknowledge the loss. We think of ourselves as rational animals, but often forget that we are more than our intellects. We possess hearts and souls that can be wounded by changes. One healthcare organization was trying to rebuild after a downsizing and restructuring. Months had gone by. The changes had taken place on paper, but people were still locked into the old ways of working. Although we never thought of this image at that time, my colleague and I helped them hold a funeral. Staff had an opportunity to talk about what they lost and gained during this change. Many people were amazed to learn that others felt the same way they did. Departments that seemed to be the winners, sometimes felt a tremendous loss. In looking at the collective lists of losses and gains, it was easy to see there was far more commonality than difference among the lists.

You might think that all this depressing talk would enervate them, but it did just the opposite. Conversation began to switch naturally to ways they could join together to make the change work. The meeting ended with people developing sound strategies for making this new structure work.

Sometimes it is necessary to go even deeper and explore the resistance. The downsizing may have caused people to distrust management. And, as a manager, they may now distrust you. Doesn’t seem fair, but that’s life for you. They need to be able to express these fears out loud without threat of reprisal. If the fear stays underground, then efforts to rebuild the team will falter. An interesting thing happens when people see that we are truly interested in hearing what’s in their hearts and on their minds, they open up. And, for the managers who have the courage to listen, as jazz musicians say, with big ears, they can learn a lot.

Getting resistance up on the table makes dialogue on the real issues that block productive change possible. I worked with a team that was all-but-overwhelmed by changes occurring to it. We spent an hour just identifying the changes and their reactions to them. The reason this conversation didn’t lead to a gripe fest, was that the manager in charge put it in the context of finding ways to work together more effectively.

If one side of the paradox is getting resistance out into the light of day, the other, equally important side is getting people involved in shaping their own future. This does not suggest that all decisions are made by consensus, but that people can help shape how the work will be completed in their units. Corning senior management develops corporate vision and values statements that are sent to each department. Each unit works within the boundaries of these statements to create visions and strategic directions that fit into the overall corporate direction. I think of this like nesting boxes, in which each progressively smaller box fits snugly inside the next larger one.

Working both sides of the paradox is only the beginning. A day spent on listening to resistance, attempting to create a plan for meeting the future won’t absolve you from ever having to listen to resistance again, or make you immune from future problems. Life is changing too quickly for that. Even as you begin to see results, something will appear about a related industry downsizing, and that will send ripples of concern through the organization. But, by staying in conversation with your team, you have an opportunity to keep the dialogue and teamwork alive.

Rick Maurer is an advisor to organizations on ways to lead Change without Migraines. He is author of many books on change including Why Don’t You Want What I Want? and Beyond the Wall of Resistance. You can access free articles and tools at http://www.beyondresistance.com

ACTION PLANNING: Action Planning is a process to develop strategies for changes in the organization based on an analysis of the problems which precipitate the need for change. It is a collaborative method of planning which involves the people working in the organization and permits the people who will be influenced by the decisions and change to have influence on the product or outcome. Action Planning assumes that people will support that which they help to plan and create. Unless those involved are committed to that which they are changing, the plan does not have much hope for success. Recent studies indicate that employees who are a part of the planning and problem solving/decision making process will take on additional organizational responsibilities to implement the plans.

The action plan model can be used by the individual/manager to organize their thoughts on a given issue and develop results in an action agenda format which details the tasks and details the jobs to be accomplished. However, the process is best suited for work groups led by a manager that can utilize a team effort to solve major problems. By developing the plan in work groups it becomes a collaborative planning effort, which, when utilizing steps similar to brainstorming, will stimulate creativity of thought and provide a non-judgmental atmosphere for generating ideas. Working in groups can provide opportunity to build on others’ ideas and be a spring board to solutions unavailable to any single individual. In addition, there is the satisfaction for the group in knowing that it is their own ideas which they are implementing in solving a problem.

Copyright AE Schwartz & Associates All rights reserved. For additional presentation materials and resources: ReadySetPresent and for a Free listing as a Trainer, Consultant, Speaker, Vendor/Organization: TrainingConsortium

CEO, A.E. Schwartz & Associates, Boston, MA., a comprehensive organization which offers over 40 skills based management training programs. Mr. Schwartz conducts over 150 programs annually for clients in industry, research, technology, government, Fortune 100/500 companies, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. He is often found at conferences as a key note presenter and/or facilitator. His style is fast-paced, participatory, practical, and humorous. He has authored over 65 books and products, and taught/lectured at over a dozen colleges and universities throughout the United States.

A military manual asks the question which is more important: safety or duty. The question refers to how hard should you train and to what extent.

A good question. Should you train so hard that you compromise safety for the proficiency of the troops? Should you train in the manner that produces the most effective outcome for the mission at hand or sacrifice battle readiness for the peacetime safety of the troop as a whole?

Whoa! I’m not in the military. I’m not a General or even a soldier.

Fine. You have that option. In the military, these types of questions, not only come up, but have to be answered. All probabilities and outcomes have to be considered, analyzed, and used to determine possible COA’s (courses of actions) to affect the counter or defense of an offensive action.

In the military, there is no saying, “Gee, I never thought that would happen.”

In your home, why should you think anything different? Protecting your home, your spouse, your children is a primary concern for everyone. Many don’t think about the malevolent possibilities that do, in fact, happen to many people. To steal a phrase, yes, it’s unfortunate, bad things do happen to good people.

Being proactive is how our Army trains. It should also be the way you get your family prepared. This doesn’t mean scaring the beejeesus out of them. It means planning for the event that will hopefully never actually materialize. Do your children know what to do when accosted by strangers? Does your spouse have adequate means to protect themselves. When you turn the lights out at night, do you have an early warning device in place that lets you know someone is inside your protected perimeter?

Being educated and prepared actually reduces your chances of suffering from bad stuff. Making your spouse and children aware of the possibilities of bad stuff will lend to them the recognition of something possibly happening. Would it hurt to spend a little time explaining this during the entire time you have together? Wouldn’t it be better that they are aware of wrongdoings as opposed to thinking everything will always be peachy keen?

It has to do with extent that you are willing to train (encourage) your family to be prepared for unexpectantcies. Choosing how you will deal with things you hope will never happen, prepares you in the event you are confronted with the unexpected.

The question of Safety First, Duty Always boils down to this: You have a duty to protect. You do that in the manner most effectively safe, while at the same time, making sure all concerned are prepared to deal with any eventualities.

“The Army exists to deter war or, if deterrence fails, to win in combat.”
Ref. FM 25-101

Steve Thibeault is the owner of TBO-TECH Self Defense Products located at http://www.tbotech.com. In business since April of 2000, TBO-TECH has become one of the largest online outlets for personal protection and self defense products in the US. Product offerings include stun guns, pepper sprays, tasers, home and personal alarms, spy and surveillance equipment, and many other products not usually found in stores.

As the price of fuel continue to climb, many of us are hoping for a solution to present itself. Some homeowners however are considering the installation of the solar power equipment that will allow them to make use of the power of the sun to provide energy for their houses.

When electricity prices were low, it was unnecessary to justify the upfront cost of cash required to install solar panels, solar water heaters and similar equipment. The reason was simple to understand - it would simply take too long to recoup the cost of the equipment in the form of lower energy bills.

Things have changed though. As energy prices continue to go up, the amount of time required to recoup the upfront cost goes down. In addition, a number of state and local tax incentives make it even easier for homeowners to go solar and save money right away.

Photovoltaic systems have also come a long way. The costs of installing solar panels is still high, with a typical two kilowatt installation of solar panels from OVR Solar costing at least $20, 000 in most cases, but special tax incentives and long term energy savings can help homeowners recoup those upfront costs faster than ever before.

For example, the Federal government provides homeowners with a tax savings of up to 30% of the cost of a solar unit. This tax savings can help eligible homeowners recoup some of the costs of installing solar panels and solar water heating systems up front, in addition to the energy savings they will enjoy down the road.

Any homeowner considering the installation of a solar system should be sure to check with his or her state and city to determine what types of tax breaks are available. It’s sensible to look into what help your local authorities are willing to provide. Just Google it to find out what help is available to you.

Try running some estimates once you have some figures to see how long it might take for you to break even at today’s fuels prices.. However, as the prices for heating oil, gas and other forms of traditional energy continue to soar, demand for solar installations will mirror this growth.

Take the first step to energy self sufficiency with OVR Solar.

The dildo has marvelously sculpted ticklers at the base, that are sure to take your evening enjoyment to another place entirely. In addition to being great fun, the American Super Dong is made out of safe glass, so it is really very safe to handle. The American Super Dong is shipped with a free add on vibration booster, meaning this is sex toy of the highest quality. This is supplied in a good range of lengths, widths and colors. The pliable construction of the American Super Dong allows penetration at angles that are rarely possible during sex, meaning you can discover breathtaking new found pleasures and previously un discovered erogenous parts of your body.

The company behind this sex aid, Topoco are in fact the best known and most prestigious businesses in the manufacture of dildos. They are producers of an enormous number of other legendary sex aids for example the 6 Inch Suction Cup and the Nexus O. Topoco are known for being cost competitive, so you can make your purchase knowing you will not see a better offer from another producer.

The American Super Dong has been amongst the best selling dildos over the past four years. It’s popularity is due to the unit’s mind blowing performance. This marital aid would also make a fantastic initial buy for someone who does not yet own a sex toy. This little beastie would make a great addition to any ones collection. The American Super Dong is perfect for stimulation of both female erogenous areas. The great dong for quiet nights alone in alone. Men both straight and gay also have fun with the American Super Dong.

Public relations is popular because it is very cost-effective and it works. If you send out one press release, for example, and it gets into print, it could generate more interest in your product or service.

Businesses that want a leg up on their competition need to focus on boosting their public relations (PR) efforts. This is especially important for online businesses. It keeps them from going under when the economy is weak, and gets them ahead of their competitors when sales start picking up.

Now is the perfect time to get a fresh start on publicity strategies for your online business.

Here’s ten tips using free publicity to kick-start an internet business into high gear:

1. Write articles: Articles don’t have to be long; they just need to be informative. Writing articles gives you instant credibility, too. Submitting online, as well as offline, provides another good chance to get your name in print at no cost. Be sure to put your contact information in a contact resource box at the end of the article.

2. Write press releases: Reporters everywhere are looking for stories, and a press release gives them the information to write that story. Just make sure it’s newsworthy, not just an advertisement.

3. Develop newsletters: Writing a newsletter is another way to keep your name top-of-mind. This can be online or offline. Both contain content valuable to your target market and many times advertise your products and services. The cost of this is nothing, yet the return potential is infinite.

4. Use your business cards: Think of your business card as a small billboard and start handing them out everywhere. Include them in all your correspondence - even in your bills!

5. Start speaking: Speaking in front of an audience usually makes you an expert. People like to buy from experts. If they’re in your audience, then they’ll remember your expertise and come to you when they need your product or service. Speaking is free, and it’s just like making a sales call to many people at one time.

6. Offer free reports: Offering a free report online is a good way to get an e-mail from prospects so you may market to them later. This is the whole basis of permission-based marketing, or opt-in lists. You can do the same thing offline.

7. Get on the radio: Radio is expensive, you say? Not if you are being interviewed or calling in on a talk show. Getting interviewed is free, except for your continual follow-up with producers. Calling in is free, but sometimes it’s hard to relay contact information.

8. Participate in online forums: There are many online newsgroups or forums for a particular subject area. Participating in these is another way to get your name out. Many online forums will let you put an e-mail signature with a link to your site or message with another site linked. Take full advantage of this; these links get clicked often when of interest to the forum participants.

9. Build strategic alliances: Introduce yourself to other businesspeople who don’t compete with you but sell products or services to the same target audience. Offer to promote them if they promote you. Make sure they’re people you like and trust.

10. Compose letters to the editor: Many times a letter to the editor has a better chance of getting published than the actual press release. You’d be surprised how many people read this column in publications. This is also another way to become friends with the editor. If they see you enough and match you with a newsworthy press release, then your chances of getting a press release in print increases.

Copyright 2005 Cherry Communications/Be Heard Solutions

Shannon Cherry, APR, MA helps businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations to be heard. She’s a marketing communications and public relations expert with more than 15 years experience and the owner of Cherry Communications. Subscribe today for Be Heard! a FREE biweekly ezine and get the FREE special report: “Get Set For Success: Creative, Low-Cost Marketing Tips to Help You be Heard.” Go to: http://www.cherrycommunications.com/FreeReport.htm

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