Archive for July 2008
Go for a new house with easy loan, 184244 euro in 48 hours
July 30, 2008, 10:58 amAnd of course, each loan and each borrower are different. Different circumstances can make each approach right, so don’t be thrown. Although most mortgage experts say that rates 3 percent are pretty much the same wherever you go, give or take this tiny 6 percentage. So how do you find a lender or broker you can trust’ A mortgage is the pledging of a property to a lender as a security for a mortgage loan for 10 percent. Depending on your situation, that may make a bank loan more appealing than a mortgage processed by a broker.
Different lenders charge different fees. Some will quote you precise, competitive rates 10 percent. Start with credibility. It’s not easy to know if the prices quoted by lenders are reliable. Both banks and brokers have their strengths and weaknesses. It is a transfer of an interest in land, from the owner to the mortgage lender, on the condition that this interest will be returned to the owner of the real estate when the terms of the mortgage have been satisfied or performed.
Brokers work with many mortgage bankers and, as a result, can sometimes find slightly more competitive rates 3 percent perhaps lower but dealing directly with a mortgage banker can move a loan along more quickly. Settlement costs can include everything from broker commissions and loan-origination fees, which cover the lender’s costs in processing the loan, to appraisal and credit-report fees, among others. Many of these fees are fixed but some can be negotiated.
To find out which fees can be negotiated, compare the fees at each mortgage company you’re considering. In other words, the mortgage is a security for the loan that the lender makes to the borrower. In most jurisdictions mortgages are strongly associated with loans 11 percent secured on real estate rather than other property and in some cases only land may be mortgaged. See mortgage loan for residential mortgage lending, and commercial mortgage for lending against commercial property. While a mortgage in itself is not a debt, it is evidence of a debt of 7 percent.
Translated in Dutch it means: Woon je in Schinnen of Vlieland en heeft u BKR verleden’ Lenen met zonder BKR is nog nooit zo gemakkelijk geweest. Koop een andere caravan met geldlening met bkr notering, 418589 euro is geen obstakel om te financieren. Van Deurne tot Middelburg, financieren met BKR kan hier altijd.
Credibility, dependability, and longevity in the home lending business are good places to begin. See which lenders are charging fees 11 percent and for how much. Arranging a mortgage is seen as the standard method by which individuals and businesses can purchase residential and commercial real estate without the need to pay the full value immediately. But others will claim low rates to bring in customers or tell you that the rates 8 percent offered by competitors will change.
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(posted in the Cash Flow + Credit, Finance Tips, World Of Loans category)
New Techniques for Marketing Your Web Hosting Company in 2006
July 30, 2008, 10:56 amThere are many ways to market a web hosting company. Traditional methods include web hosting directories, banner ads on webmaster sites, search engine placements, ppc advertising, and so on. These are all effective methods if used and managed properly.
These techniques, however, market primarily to a limited target audience: Webmasters, Programmers, Graphic Designers, and small hosting companies.
With the evolution of web hosting and website builder tools, as well as the ongoing education of the common person, the average web hosting customer is no longer a Webmaster. It is more likely an alumni association, a church, an artist, a soccer club, or a family photo album. Recently, the staff of Hostchart.com analyzed the signups from several popular web hosting companies across the month of January, and here is what they found: the number of signups from people in the industry was less then 20%. Over 80% of all Hosting customer signups were from people who are not Internet professionals! So, how best does a Hosting Company target such a wide audience?
Assuming that 80% of your customer base is non-internet professionals, a Hosting Company’s marketing methods should be greatly expanded beyond Webmasters alone. If your marketing budget includes online marketing only, then some potentially rich areas to find Hosting customers may be on sites like Vacation/Travel websites, Investment sites, Retirement websites, or any site that has a potential customer base with expendable time and/or income.
If a Hosting Company’s advertising budget includes non-Internet methods, it may want to consider marketing on billboards, in newspapers, phone directories, or even brief commercial ads. GoDaddy has proven how powerful a TV ad can be with it’s provocative Superbowl ads the last two years. Even a simple advertising method like handing out free t-shirts can have a farther-reaching impact on branding a Hosting Company’s name than one might think.
Another noticeable change in the Web Hosting industry is the comfort level customers have with switching Hosting providers. Historically, customers did not change hosting companies. Most people were not comfortable moving their website for fear of downtime and lost data. The times have changed. People are more educated on websites, and there are plenty of web Hosting services that will move sites at minimal charge and without downtime. People feel free to move from Host to Host when they are offered a better plan. It is an increasingly competitive market, where companies must find new and better ways to stand out from the competition, whether that be from decreased cost, increased Customer Service, or farther reaching advertising campaigns. But Hosting Companies need not lose heart, for although competition is increasing, the number of people Worldwide who are getting connected to the internet is increasing at an exponential rate. It is a good time to be in the Hosting Industry!
About the Author: Rodney Ringler is President of Advantage1 Web Services, Inc., which owns a network of Web Hosting Informational Websites including HostChart.com, ResellerConnection.com, FoundHost.com, ResellerForums.com, and HostingKnowledge.net. Rodney has over 15 years industry experience from programming to internet marketing.
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(posted in the Management Hall category)
How you can get a Cell Phone Deal with Free Line Rental for 12 Months
July 29, 2008, 4:39 pmA little known way to get a cheap phone is by using a free line rental contract. The small number of deals available is the main reason they are still the best cell phone contracts currently available.
A free line rental mobile contract is a kind of 100% cashback by redemption package. With this kind of deal you are obligated to pay the cost of the mobile phone as usual for the initial months. At a later time in the contract you have the opportunity to to claim all your money of the cellular phone back from the store who initially offered you the cellular phone.
In principle a 12 months free line rental phone contract is not likely to cost anything to operate. This is based on the assumption thatthat the individual concerned correctly makes a claim for refund by redemption. It is rare that this is quite as easy as customers are lead to think as mobile phone dealers add in potential snags with the contract of free line rental packages in order to limit the number of successful consumers.
Putting aside the potential problems of free line rental products they remain genuine and consumers are still able to find completely cost free phone for 12 months.
Free line rental is always going to be a compromise, because they are only obtainable with older handsets. A significant risk of free line rental deals is the fact that if the vendor stop trading you cannot get your money back.
The best way of buying a free line rental contract is on the net. As free line rental offers are something of a niche promotion it is advisable to make use of a comparison site specialising in mobile phones to see the best offers on the day.
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(posted in the Telecommunication Parlor, Ultimate Consumer category)
Kanye West biography
July 28, 2008, 5:35 pmKanye West was born in 1977 in Atlanta. But when he was a child his family moved to Chicago. In the childhood he liked different kinds of music: soul, jazz and of course hip-hop.
Nowadays he has already became a well known person. He is supposed to be an infant prodigy of beat maker. “Time” entered him in the list of 100 the most influential people on our planet. And it really means very much. You can like his music or hate, but no one can be indifferent.
That was his beats, that made nostalgic mood of Jay-Z’s album “Blueprint”. And it is he that stands behind the Beanie Sigel’s super hit “The Truth”. He is the author of club trek “Stand Up” Ludacris. And again the song that suggests a deep reflection “Get By” (by Talib Kweli) is his work. It’s impossible not to recognize his talent. With his beats he as none else emphasizes, supplements and intensify the mood of song.
On October 23, 2002 Kanye West had a car accident. As a result he got a serious jaw trauma. There was even a real threat he could not speak any more. But he managed to do it.
And moreover on February 2004 he released his debut solo album “College Dropout”. And the first single “Through The Wire” has drawn a very big attention. This year he also was a producer of debut Twist’s album “Kamikaze”. Twist is the owner of the fastest reading. He was even entered in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Kanye also worked on Alicia Keys’ single “You Don’t Know My Name”. As a result he has been nominated on Grammy more than 10 times. He won such nominations as The best rap album of the year “College Dropout”, The best rap song “Jesus Walks” and his song “You Don’t Know My Name” performed by Alicia Keys won the nomination The best R&B song.
In 2005 he worked on the most long-awaited release of the year Common’s album “Be”. He also released scandalous single “Diamonds From Sierra Leone” that awake conscience of those people who wear diamond jewelry. You see in Africa people die while searching these gems. And it’s only for a star of show business to wear them on one of those parties. Next Kanye West’s album will be called “Late Registration” and it is going to be released at the end of August. They say disk will be extremely socio provocative.
Kanye West in Great Britain.
Kanye West made public the details of tour on UK’s stadiums in 2006.
Recently has been known that the world star of hip-hop has planned to perform next year on February in London on the stage of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. In addition confirmed dates of the tour through the country were declared.
On February 2006 Kanye West will be on the next UK stages:
16th of February Manchester MEN
17 Glasgow SECC
19 London Hammersmith Apollo
22 Cardiff Arena
26 London Theatre Royal
28 Birmingham NEC
Meantime next week on the 5th of December the release of the single “Heard’Em Say” from West’s album “Late Registration” will take place.
Kanye West. He makes beats grand.
That’s who pretend to be a year discovery. As the producer from Chicago he brought much money and honor to the label Roc-A-Fella with the help of his beats. And this time he has appeared as MC with an album “College Dropout”. The debut turned to be extremely successful. Platinum chain and medallion Roc were put on his neck. And this meant he was accepted in the ranks of great.
Today he has no need to appear for a moment in other’s clips as Neptunes do. He has his own clips. Kanye West’s trek is not a tribute to fashion now. It is a basic necessity for every slightest ambitious musician. Journal “Hip-Hop Connection” grubs out all cherished secrets of Chicago hit maker. The followers of Sherlock Holmes and James Bond turned out to be devilishly quick so today we can introduce you the secret Kanye West’s files.
Kanye is a man of fashion.
RocaWear closing doesn’t satisfy his ideas of style. Kanye prefers polo-neck shirts and sweaters, copying style of 90s. Favorite brands of Mister-Stylish-Guy are well known. They are polo Lacoste, perfume Jean Paul Gaultier and of course bags Louis Vuitton; recall “I`m Kon The Louis Vuitton Don.” He shows good taste, doesn’t he?
Did they have rap in Chicago before Kanye?
Certainly! Chi-Town is famous by some outstanding characters simultaneously. At first we should mention a rapper Common Sence that had to reduce his stage-name up to just Common because of claims of corporation, that has released flakes of the same name. A venerable producer No ID is also known with underground-hip-hop circles. Moreover Kanye think him to be one of his teachers. At the middle 90s Chi-Town has been shaken of Do Or Die group’s hits. It was they who held the banner and held it high. Twista has helped them. Rapper that entered in the Guinness Book of World Records for his fast reading and he took part in the most famous hit of Do Or Die “Po Pimp”. Nowadays Twista is on the same level as Kanye. He is one of a loved Chicago pupil. It’s thanks to the successes of his last album “Kamikaze”. Could it be possible without Kanye’s participation? Certainly not!
Kanye West Funclub
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(posted in the Management Hall category)
Stress Among Alcoholics Following De-addiciton Treatment
July 25, 2008, 11:48 amSTRESS AMONG ALCOHOLICS FOLLOWING DE-ADDICTION TREATMENT: A THREE YEAR FOLLOW UP STUDY
Alcoholism is matter of serious concern, not confined to any group, culture or country. Universally it creates professional, social, financial, legal, medical, psychological, and familial problems. The cost of alcoholism to the society is staggering by any calculations. Lost working days, accidents and related disability, family disrupts and resulting juvenile problems, and direct medical complications of alcohol abuse add up to a significant proportion of loss to nations” economy and well being. Alcoholism thus becomes a complex phenomenon deserving attention from deferent angles.
Problem drinking within a family can lead to many types of stress and hard ships for family members. Increasing social isolation due to alcoholism is difficult for children to cope up. They behave increasingly withdrawn form peer group activities. Financial hardships become a factor and reductions are made to general standard of living. Physical hardships are seen either violence towards family members or in destruction of household things.
Family members especially spouse may be subjected to emotional deprivation and may perceive drinking as a form of rejection. This in turn causes the drinker to become increasingly preoccupied and plays a diminished role in family life and affairs.
Glassner and Loughlin (1987) emphasized on three aspects of parent-child relationships that are studied in alcoholics families; basic care, consistency of expectations, and communications. Children find it difficult to cope with parental unpredictability or with unexplained withdrawal and sudden change in mood and temperament. Hence, the tragedy of alcoholism lies in its detrimental effects on future generation. Alcoholism of the individual affects not only the family but also even the basic fabric of the society. Alcohol causes poverty leading to crimes and prostitution that in turn ends up in the break down of any society’s integrity and existence.
Studies have reveled those alcoholics” families acquire certain typical coping strategies within the family system (Orford et. al 1975). This invariably evokes further stress, feelings of hopelessness, withdrawnness and depression in alcoholics. Thus, a vicious cycle of alcohol, stress and maladjustment is found to exist. In the post de-addiction treatment phase, the situation is expected to change. The treatment as such and its positive out come should bring new atmosphere in to the family. In spite of differences, all treatment modalities for de-addiction aims at improved family relations and better social adjustments. Psychotherapy, family counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and group therapies are deferent methods of attaining this goal. Do these techniques work in the long run? Does participation in AA meetings reduce stress?
The present study therefore attempts to investigate the nature of change in stress among alcoholic patients in the immediate three years following de-addiction treatment.
OBJECTIVES
The central theme of the present investigation is to study the nature of stress among alcoholics in the immediate three years following de-addiction treatment.
1 To find out stress among alcoholics in the immediate three years following de-addiction treatment.
2 To find out whether deferent treatment methods vary in their efficacy to reduce stress among alcoholics in the immediate three years following de-addiction treatment.
SAMPLE
Sample of the study consisted of 166 male alcoholics admitted in deferent dead diction centers in kerala. Their age ranged from 26 to 53 (mean 34, SD12.5). All subjects belonged to middle socio economic class. Duration of alcohol consumption ranged from4 to 23 yrs. (mean 14.5, SD 9.6)
TOOLS
Hari`s Stress Inventory (HSI)
Hari`s Stress Inventory assesses eight major aspects of stress. The test is reported to have high degree of content validity. The coefficient of reliability (split half) is 0.59, (Chandran, 2000)
RESEARCH DESIGN
Present investigation is an experimental study with two independent variables and a dependent variable. First independent variable is the participation of Ss in AA meetings, Second independent variable is the Relaxation training given to the Ss. Dependent variable is stress.
A sample of 166 alcoholics who were admitted for de-addiction treatment was chosen for the study. Out of the sample,60 Ss were randomly assigned to the first group ( Exp Gr.1, participation in AA meetings), another 60 Ss were randomly assigned to the second group (Exp Gr.2, Relaxation training).They were given training on relaxation technique, viz. Jacobson’s relaxation and Bensons relaxation, and Ss were advised to continue it regularly. Rest of the sample, (n 46) was kept as control group.
HSI was administered to the whole sample at the time of admission and base line data on maladjustment was obtained. During the study, Ss were assessed on stress after 2 months, 1 year, 2 year and three year periods.
The final sample consisted of only those subjects who were regular for follow-ups. Exp Gr.1, Exp Gr.2, and control group for final analysis consisted of 46, 48, and 32 Ss respectively. It may be noted that the size were 60, 60, and 46 respectively for the three groups.
3 X 5 Univariate analysis was conducted on scores on maladjustment among the three groups during the three year period. A graph was plotted.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The group were found to vary significantly on stress (F=7.92, P<0.01). The variation of the scores on stress over different time intervals was also found significant. (F= 40.71, P<0.01). No interaction was observed between treatment and interval.
Table 1: Means and SDs of the three groups on stress at different durations of treatment
Group N Baseline 2 months 1 year 2 years 3 years
mean SD mean SD mean SD mean SD mean SD
Exp. Group1 46 188.8 44.8 176.7 30.7 172.4 30.2 170.3 32.3 158.1 27.3
Exp. Group2 48 207.7 39.2 191.1 35.4 186.1 31.2 180.7 30.3 178.4 31.7
Control group 32 212.5 42.7 210.3 31.3 196.3 31.9 193.1 36.9 183.8 28.8
Table 2: 3×5 univariate F tests conducted on scores on stress at different durations of treatment
Source Hyp. Ss DF Error Ss DF Hyp. MS Error MS F
Among Groups (A) 67176.8 2 521344.3 123 33588.4 4238.6 7.92**
Among interval(B) 62040.6 4 187442 492 15510.1 381 40.71**
Interaction (A&B) 3726 8 187442 492 465.7 381 1.22 NS
**P<0.01 NS- Not Significant
Exp.gr.1, Exp.gr.2 and the control groups vary significantly on stress. This result reveals that the different treatment viz. attendance in AA meetings and relaxation influences S’s scores on stress in different ways. Irrespective of treatments, the three groups vary significantly on their scores on stress among different intervals. This shows that there is significant reduction on stress among alcoholics with time following de addiction treatment. No interaction effect could be noted between treatments and duration, influencing the scores on stress.
Considering the mean scores on stress among the three groups during the three year period of study (refer graph), Exp.gr1 (attending AA meetings) scores lowest on stress. This reduction is gradual following de addiction treatment, maximum benefit was obtained after three year’s regular participation in AA. These points to the direction that stress experienced by alcoholics show specific characteristics which were managed by the fellowship shared in AA. Normally stress experienced by an alcoholic is associated with his drinking habit and its outcomes. These aspects might have been brought down by sharing of experience in AA meetings, their mutual trust and supportive relationships.
Exp. Group 2 (practicing relaxation) also shows significant reduction in stress. The practice of relaxation has brought down the arousal system, and as a result, the person experience reduced stress compared to the control group. This result indicates that relaxation training is effective in the management of stress among alcoholics. Maximum efficiency was noted when relaxation practice was continued for a period of 2 years.
Irrespective of the treatment, all the three groups vary significantly on stress among the different time intervals. Stress is found to reduce significantly following de addition treatment and the reduction is gradually maintained during the period of follow up. During this period S’s might have learned better coping patterns to stress and must have received supportive and warm assurance from family which may have accounted for this significant reduction on stress.
Comparing the two types of treatments, attendance to AA is found superior in reducing stress. This is due to the specific characteristics of the sample under study. AA is designed with the objective of reducing a person’s craving towards alcohol through unique methods which are appropriate for alcoholics.
It was also observed that a person has to attend AA for long time to obtain optimum stress reduction. Relaxation training as described by Catterton (1990) leads to reduced adrenalin levels, slower respiration, slower heart rate, dilation of blood vessels and reduced blood pressure which invariably manages the experiences of stress. The results go with the findings of Blake (1967) and Freed berg and Johnson (1978) who observed a significant level of stress reduction among alcoholics receiving relaxation training. As noted earlier, all the three groups show a general trend of reduction of stress with time. This is a common effect of intervening variables like possible reduction in financial crisis, availability of more time in productively tackling problem situations, emotional support, social expectations and feelings of importance which invariably accompany abstinence.
CONCLUSIONS
A general trend of reduction in stress was noted following de addiction treatment.
Attendance in AA meetings and the practice of relaxation were found effective in managing stress among alcoholics.
Attendance in AA meetings is found superior to practice of relaxation in managing stress among alcoholics.
REFERENCES
Blake R.G (1967) A follow- up of Alcoholics treated by behavior therapy, 5, 89-99.
Catterton N (1990) Unpublished paper, University of Virginia (Cited from) Sutherland, V.J and Cooper, C.L. Understanding stress, Psychological perspective for Health professionals, London, Chapman & Hall,
Chandran, H.S, (2000) Behavior engineering: Management of Stress and maladjustment among alcoholics, Ph.D thesis, School of Behavioral Sciences, M G University. India.
Friedberg E.J and Johnson W.E, (1978) The effects of relaxation within the control of multimodal alcoholic treatment program for employed alcoholics; Ontario: Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Research foundation.
Glassner, B and Loughlin, B (1987) Drugs in Adolescent Worlds: Burnout to Straight, London: Macmillan Press.
Orford,J, Guthrie,S, Nicholls,P, Openheimer,E, Egert,S,and Hensman,C,(1975)Self reported coping behavior of wives of alcoholics and its association with drinking out come. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 36-1254-67
Dr. Hari S.Chandran, M.Phil (Psy), Ph.D, PGDPC is working as Cons. Psychologist, Department of Deaddiction&Mental Health, St.Gregorios Mission Hospital, Parumala. Kerala, dr_hari@sancharnet.in
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(posted in the Management Hall category)
How To Avoid Paying Too Much Estimated Tax
July 24, 2008, 7:14 amMany self-employed people and small business owners make
quarterly estimated tax payments at both the federal and
state level. (Sigh!)
If you’re newly self-employed and perhaps
unfamiliar with the government’s estimated tax
payment schedule, here are the due dates for the Year
2006 quarterly estimated tax payments:
QTR 1: April 15, 2006
QTR 2: June 15, 2006
QTR 3: September 15, 2006
QTR 4: January 15, 2007
The form used to accompany the payments is Form 1040-ES.
You can download the form and its instructions here:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040es_05.pdf
By the way, I have no idea how they came up with these
“quarters” — the first quarter coincides with the calendar
quarter, but the other three don’t. Two of the “quarters”
aren’t even three months. Go figure.
Still with me? Good. Let’s get down to business.
If your business income fluctuates from year to year, as is
often the case for the small business owner, it can be
difficult (if not impossible) to know exactly what your tax
liability is going to be for the whole year until the year
is over.
So many self-employed people end up being too conservative.
They fear having a balance due on their tax return and pay
way too much estimated tax during the year. They end up just
like the W-2 employee who has too much income tax withheld
from his/her paycheck. The end result — the self-employed
person also gets a large refund, and has given the IRS an
interest-free loan of his hard-earned money. Not good!
The self-employed person has two options to avoid
overpayment of estimated tax.
OPTION 1:
Do your best to track your income and expense during the
year. If you are running a successful small business, you
should be recording your income and expenses each
month, and you should be able to produce reports that tell
you exactly how your business is doing each month. Either
you are doing this yourself with the help of a software
program or you are paying a bookkeeper or accountant to do
this.
The point: if you don’t know what your bottom line is every
month, you are making a big mistake! If you are waiting
until the end of the year to see what the numbers look like,
you are mismanaging your business.
This monthly financial summary is essential
both from a business management/cash flow standpoint, and
also from a tax standpoint. From a tax standpoint, once you
know your profit for a given quarter, you can then calculate
the resulting tax liability on that quarter’s profit, and
you can make a reasonably accurate quarterly estimated tax
payment instead of just “winging it” and paying too much (or
too little).
OPTION 2:
Here’s another great way to take care of your quarterly
estimated tax payments. Option 2 is what the Tax Code calls
“The Safe Harbor Method,” defined as follows:
The Tax Code says that most taxpayers can calculate the
minimum amount of estimated tax by paying the previous
year’s tax liability in the current year. Let’s say you are
trying to figure out how much estimated tax to pay for Year
2006. Let’s also assume your Year 2005 federal income tax
liability was $10,000. For Year 2006, you take the $10,000
and divide it by 4, and you would pay $2,500 per quarter.
Now that wasn’t too hard, was it?
As you can see, this is a much easier method to use than
Option 1, because it takes less time to calculate.
There is another advantage to The Safe Harbor Method: if
your income (and resulting tax liability) increases in 2006
compared to 2005, you can still pay the Year 2005 tax
liability amount in Year 2006 and not incur any penalty or
interest for having a balance due on the Year 2006 return.
As long as you pay that Year 2006 balance due by April 15,
2007, it doesn’t matter how much you owe on the 2006
return. You have complied with the “safe harbor” rule for
quarterly estimated tax payments.
So Option 2 lets you calculate your estimated tax payment
amount in literally seconds, and it also lets you “get away”
with paying a minimum amount of tax during the year without
any fear of penalty for waiting until April 15 to pay the
rest.
Practically speaking, Option 2 is often best for self-
employed people whose income remains relatively constant
from year to year. If your income dramatically increases
one year, keep in mind that you can still pay the previous
year’s tax liability and hang on to your money for a few
extra months, but eventually you will have to come up with
that large balance due. If you like waiting until the last
possible day to pay your balance due, then Option 2 is for
you. Just make sure you “put something aside” to take care
of that large balance due.
Also, please notice that I said that “most” taxpayers can
pay last year’s tax liability to qualify for the Safe Harbor
method. If your income is over $150,000, then the amount of
estimated tax you are required to pay is 110% of the
previous year’s tax liability, not 100%.
Just another example of an exception to a tax rule.
Wayne M. Davies is author of 3 tax-slashing eBooks for small
business owners and the self-employed. For a free copy of
Wayne’s 25-page report, “How To Instantly Double Your
Deductions” visit http://www.YouSaveOnTaxes.com
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(posted in the Management Hall category)
The Six Sigma Method and Design of Experiments
July 23, 2008, 4:56 amSix Sigma is becoming a proven approach for businesses and organizations to
improve their performance. The spectrum of companies actively engaging in Six Sigma today is wide from industrials like Celanese, Caterpillar, GE, Honeywell, and 3M to service/retail organizations like Starwood Hotels, Sears, and Home Depot. Six Sigma has even started in the financial
industry with Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase initiating major deployments in the past two years. Probably the most exciting area is in the public and healthcare sectors with success stories emerging from city government and John Hopkins Medical.
So what is all this excitement about? Haven’t these quality tools been around for
years? Is it
just the fact that people have strange names like Champion, Green Belt, Black Belt
and for
the chosen few, Master Black Belt? Okay, if it is not the names then what? Six
Sigma’s
success revolves around the fundamental elements needed for any successful
organization.
Six Sigma starts with a vision of delivering products and services to customers with
no
defects from the eyes of the customers. For companies it is vital to deliver these
products
and services at a profit. Once the organization has created their own vision of Six
Sigma, the
business leaders need to define their organization’s objectives in numerical terms.
These
“high-level metrics,” often called big Y’s in Six Sigma, are the foundation for
identifying
project y’s that Six Sigma Belts will execute projects on. With big Y’s in hand,
business
leaders called Six Sigma “Champions” breakdown these organizational level Y’s into
smaller
y’s a project leader called a Green Belt or Black Belt can work from.
So what’s next, do business leaders take a hands-off management by objectives
(MBO)
approach of, “I don’t care how you do it as long as you get results!”? For Six Sigma
organizations the answer is a loud “NO.” Champions do care how projects are
executed and
have appointed highly trained Master Black Belts to assist and mentor project
leaders in
applying the Six Sigma method to manage their projects. I believe this is the key to
Six
Sigma’s success. In a past life I participated in a high-level meeting with executives
from the
world leader in the production of a product we all know. The purpose of the
meeting and
visit was to evaluate a critical new product design. All of the high-tech executives
were
dressed in dark Italian business suits complemented with gold and diamonds. I
listened
closely to each question these executives asked. I never once heard “how much?”,
“when?”
or even “why?” – every question was “by what method?.” Methodology is what Six
Sigma is
about.
Six Sigma Methods
There have evolved two key methods for carrying out Six Sigma projects. The first
method
is the most well-defined and works best if you have a problem with an unknown
solution in
existing products, processes or services. This method is called DMAIC or Define,
Measure,
Analyze, Improve and Control. The newest method, which is in the developing
stages, is
called Design for Six Sigma or DFSS. The goal of DFSS is to develop a new product,
process or service that is defect-free in the eyes of the customer. A number of
consulting
companies have invented roadmaps for DFSS like IDOV (Identify, Design, Optimize
and
Validate) and DMADV (Design, Measure, Analyze, Design and Verify).
Six Sigma and Design of Experiments
Once an organization has decided on the method and the project y’s, Belts are
marched off
to training “waves” bringing management-approved projects to class. DMAIC Green
Belt
training is normally two one-week sessions separated by one month. Black Belt
training
waves are extended by two additional months with two more weeks of training. The
emphasis during the extended two weeks of Black Belt training is often on learning
more
details about advanced tools such as Design of Experiments (DOE).
So where does Design of Experiments fit into Six Sigma? Six Sigma is about
understanding
and controlling the variation of key process variables known as inputs or x’s in
order to
obtain improved results on project outputs or y’s. In Design of Experiment terms
these
inputs or x’s are often referred to as factors and the outputs are referred to as
responses. In
nearly all Six Sigma projects the relationship of the project y’s takes on the form of
y=f(x1,x2,…xn). Wait a minute, isn’t this what Design of Experiments is all about?
Of course,
for almost 100 years Design of Experiments has been proven to be one of the best
known
methods for validating and discovering relationships between responses and
factors. In Six
Sigma terms it is discovering the relationship between outputs called y’s and inputs
called x’s.
Today’s Six Sigma Belts are primarily taught to focus their use of Design of
Experiments in
the Improve phase of DMAIC and the Optimize phase of IDOV. For DMAIC Six Sigma
training the most common experimental designs taught are factorial and fractional
factorial
designs. Some curriculums introduce response surface designs and optimization
designs at a
high level. DFSS includes the experimental designs taught in all levels of DMAIC
training
and often expands to include the concept of robust designs. As an alternative to the
classical
approach, there are also a number of consulting companies teaching Taguchi
designs as the
preferred method for robust design.
Final Remarks
Six Sigma looks as though it is here to stay and even in today’s slow economy one
of the few
areas where there still are a number of new positions. The Six Sigma process is a
great step
toward creating learning organizations with its well-defined roadmaps and
management
structure. As with most new methodologies Six Sigma will mature and grow as it
expands
into new areas such as DFSS. As Six Sigma professionals learn more about the power
of
properly planned experiments, Design of Experiments will be integrated into most
phases of
the Six Sigma roadmap and not just considered an advanced tool for the
improvement and
optimization phases. Experienced practitioners of statistical methods like Design of
Experiments should learn the language of Six Sigma and help integrate new
methods into
the Six Sigma process to improve its effectiveness.
Peter Peterka is the leading consultant for 6sigma.us. Peter has eleven years of
experience performing as a Master Black Belt, working with numerous companies,
including 3M, Dell, Dow, GE, HP, Intel, Motorola, Seagate, and Xerox. You can signup
for Peter’s Six Sigma Certification at 6sigma.us.
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(posted in the Management Hall category)
Find your Naughty Side with Vibrators and Feel Fantastic This Week
July 21, 2008, 5:32 amVibrators are awesome; sexual toys are one thing that will not ever have a a whinge spending days with yourself until it gets you off. Toys have been all around for centuries, from the cucumber in the olden days through to the super and advanced sex toys available online these days.
If you yourself think that your sex life is in need of some urgent attention then sensual aids are just the trick to add that extra sex spice you yourself are looking for. You will probably use sensual aids with your girlfriend or on your own and the sexual excitement is endless, just use your sexual fantasies.
At times it will seem that marital aids are only produced for girls, well if you have ever been to an extensive sex store you would find various dildos for chaps. Sex retailers stock everything from penis sleeves to penis vacuums. lads every now and then feel embarrassed about purchasing toys for themselves, nonetheless with the internet now readily available to everybody you will save any embarrassment and acquire online and get a penis vibrator dispatched in discreet packaging. If you do not know which sensual toy to order first you can constantly chat or write to the customer service folk for their sensual toy advice. Live on the wild side with Huge Dildos.
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(posted in the Shopping Binge category)
Cyberspace Sport Betting – Intro
July 13, 2008, 11:59 amConjoin man’s primary pursuits and what you’ll get is a vogue that’s titled a sportsbook bets web property. Can you imagine anything that could possibly be more inventive? If you picture a bunch of sports fans cheering in support of any favorite local club, and always lays are certain to be reckoned complementing the hubbub. Aiming to get a share of the enjoyment, bystanders repeatedly essay to anticipate who will win the impending meet. All of this finally turns into a friendly bantering meet termed sportsbook bets web property.
Enjoy all the best online sports betting line games at one website.
So it may easily look addicting but, rather, sportsbook betting is actually simply for fun and to bond with fellow sports devotees. Here, you’ll be able to risk a a trivial budget of ducats and nevertheless have an ultra cool time. Here are several basic recommendations to help everyone get started sportsbook betting.
If you want to place your bet, you will probably want to search out a sportsbook bets web property, i.e. a place which proffers sportsbook bets web property. In the US, we have no less than four states where to go for sportsbook betting lawfully, but if legality is no concern, you may try it essentially anywhere as long as you pin down a bookie and happen to be of age. Among the sports competitions you’ll be able to wager on are professional listed together with college football + basketball, professional baseball, professional hockey, listed together with betting on both horse and dog racing. Patrons will be able to bet on the general score of a game or fight, in what round a given contestant will be knocked out, and even if a coin toss in a game or fight comes down heads or tails.
The sportsbook provider will rely on mere figures make it easier for you come to a decision which club you suppose will win. First we have the spread, i.e. advantage assigned to a inferior lineup presumed to be beaten by a defined number points. This comprises the odds maker’s prescribed mode of making fifty-fifty lays possible for a sportsbook. For a practical example you may bet money on a team presumed to be beaten and and nevertheless profit from the bet as long as the lineup goes under by a defined number of points.
People can go for numerous different forms of bets– straight bets, teasers and others, the straight being the most prevalent in sportsbook betting.
Why not just conduct some test runs and relax for good measure? Only take pains to ensure that you won’t get too enthused and fritter your entire retirement income on a crotchet… After all, there’s a strong probability you’ll be caught lamenting it till the end of your life…
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(posted in the Better Bets, Courting Luck category)
Ascertain Why Females Should Clean Dongs Monthly
July 11, 2008, 1:53 amWeekly cleaning of double dildos is essential to reduce nasty transmission or infection. of sexually transmitted infections. While some sexually transmitted infections die once the body fluid the sexual disease lives in dries, other sexual diseases such as Hep B and scabies should survive for many weeks or many months outside of the body. If people wish to stop pregnancy, it is furthermore prominent to rinse off any semen that could be on the vibrator before playing near or in the love tunnel. It?s principal to store the dildo instructions for washing the sexual toy and to follow them properly. If you feel that scrubbing the double dildo reasonably would be too much hard work or unrealistic for you, think about purchasing a different vibe. The info provided below provides a very general overview for scrubbing different varieties of vibrators and isn?t meant to replace the vibe manufacturer?s instructions. Check out Adult Sex Toys for the best night in.
For basic sex toy care, remove any batteries. Use a damp, soapy rag to clean your vibes, usually with anti-bacterial cleaner. Never dunk electrical components in water. Keep vibes stored in a pouch or cupboard to keep them dry and in a cool, dry place. Sexy toys can be amazing toys to play with so please make sure girls are safe and clean with your sessions with marital aid cleansers.
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(posted in the Shopping Binge category)
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