Students Of Success

Where is this Going?
Good question. If you are referring to this article, I am somewhat disappointed but if you’re referring to the Internet, we can do business. Most of us have an approximate knowledge of the history behind how and why the Internet was conceived but what we have an even less of an idea about is where is it going. If you haven’t managed to catch one of those documentaries examining the Internet’s past, I won’t waste you’re time by telling you about it when there are probably thousands of websites that can do it more justice than I can in a few lines of text here.

Anyway, back to our question. Where is the Internet going? If we can just continue the analogy of the Internet being a child, it was born in the autumn of 1969 and is now a 36 year old man with more money, more fame, more attention and more admirers than any other person that ever lived. Thankfully the Internet is not a man otherwise it would have an ego even bigger than that of Arnold Schwarzenegger. By the way, he was once asked a serious question “What do you think of gay marriages,” and his answer was “that’s between a man and a woman.”

But jokes aside, we have in fact created a monster that Dr Frankenstein would have been proud of. The Internet touches a very large percentage of the human race. It makes the job of communicating opinions, products, services and a great deal else besides so often so seamless that we cannot help but fall head-over-heals for its mesmerising charm. And yet, behind the façade of colourful pages containing banners, links, images, animations and words, lies an uneasy, almost eerie feeling that we have in fact lost control of this thing we call the Internet.

Have we Lost Control?
Consider this. If, say in five year’s time, it was found that the Internet was causing some serious detriment to human life, could we put a stop to it. I think not. The only precedent that I can think of is the attempt by the Chinese government to sanitise the content to which their people may have access. But, let’s be realistic. It’s almost like trying to stem the Pacific ocean. As long as people use the Internet, it will grow and the more people that use it the faster it will grow. Yes, but grow into what?

Do we Envisage a Happy Ending to the Internet
If we treat it as an invention we can try to predict its future by looking at other inventions that large numbers of people use. Say for example the motor car. The very first one was steam driven and came into being around 1723. That makes it 282 years old. Nowadays, they are everywhere and we couldn’t imagine being without them. As it turns out, it’s not so much the motor car itself that causes us problems (aside from the road accidents) but the exhaust fumes it leaves behind. The trouble with the car is that eventually there will be so many of them, as world population increases, that we shall run out of road space to such an extent that there will be a premium on road usage as opposed to car usage. So I think we can see that the future of the motor car isn’t really that bright.

But there is a great difference between the motor car and the Internet. Like all good inventions, the motor car has one well defined purpose and that is transportation. The Internet, intentionally or otherwise, serves many purposes. E-commerce is but one example. Browsing for information is another function. Entertainment is huge. These purposes in themselves are very large generic entities that branch into a multitude of different facets, all of them purporting to serve the end user.

What I’m trying to get across is that the Internet is not like any other invention. Its purposes are many and each one is a tiny branch upon the countless tentacles emanating from a central mass of major websites that attract the most traffic. If you haven’t already guessed, these are the “good” sides to the internet. What about the sides to it that nobody wants to talk about.

Pornography
There is a statistic that says 90% of all browsing or searching has a connection to or affinity with pornography of one sort or another. We all know this but we don’t really like to talk about it. There is no limit to the depravity that webmasters won’t stoop to in order to feed yet another base desire which is greed. But you may argue that pornography has been with us for a very long time, so why should it worry us now? It’s the method of delivery. If a country wanted to control or censor images of this sort via conventional means, the possible sources could easily be identified, approached and stopped. Television companies, mainstream newspapers and magazines are three examples. It is even possible to curb the purchase of publications by those not of adult age. In addition, there is also the embarrassment factor which may sometimes prevent the prospect from approaching a counter or a till and coming face-to-face with another human being or speaking on the phone to order some illicit cable channel.

I am thinking primarily of the children who make up a large segment of the online population and it is nothing to enter sites that display the most appalling images. And as we all know, the depravity does not stop there. It goes far beyond that for those wishing to pay for services.

Hatred
There are many sites that incite racial, cultural and religious hatred. These do nothing more than fuel people’s prejudices about other people. They are not in the same league as opinion or freedom of speech. If the written word or picture causes tempers to flare and anger to inflame, it has no beneficial effect. On the other hand, if it depicts truth (and we have to be very careful about the facts that led to the truth) it should never be suppressed. These checks and balances, alas, cannot be guaranteed on the Internet. It does not recognise boundaries, taboos and sensitivities because no one can predict the age and background of the visitor.

Illegal Activity
There is of course a plethora of websites and schemes all wanting to scam us out of some amount in return for some idea. No doubt, many thousands fall for these things every day, especially if they are newcomers. Chain letters, pyramid schemes and unsolicited emails are just three examples. Every single aspect of fraudulent activity may be found on the Internet. Happily, we can write articles and visit conscientious websites that genuinely warn people to be aware of such things.

Conclusion
Where is the Internet going? Simple extrapolation shows that the negative sides will grow much faster than the positive ones because there is a lot more of it. This means that come another decade, we could start to see technologies being created to control the Internet perhaps using the United Nations as a means to implement or police the International Internet Community. It will be a pity because, as it is always the case, whenever you take blanket measures to do away with negative activity, there is always damage to the good side as well. It might mean waiting months or years for the vetting process to be finalised before anyone is allowed to start a website. It could be that entire nations maybe disenfranchised from the Internet because they are deemed to be “unsuitable”. These are just some examples of how the Internet might go.

However, we, the users of the Internet can do something about it now. The only way to kill a website is to starve it of visitors. If people were to change their habits and avoid sites that they knew had any of the negative things mentioned above, we could effectively police the Internet ourselves. I have to be honest though and say that given our human nautre, I don’t really hold out much hope of this happening any time soon.

In the meantime, here is a website dedicated to a new book of mine which is a supernatural come science-fiction novel. Please click on http://www.willofdreams.com to visit and learn more about the author and the book. Thank you for your attention.

Sizzling, popping sirloin steak cooked off gas grills is an American pastime. BBQ Grills line the street like a cavalry in New York City’s Annual 28th St. fair in all shapes and sizes. Barbeques scattering charcoal bits across the ground, paper plates peppering the sidewalks, and passersby recounting old recipes upon smelling what’s on the gas grill all help create that illustrious Midtown scene.

Weber grills, ¨regular¨ BBQ grills, and gas grills all have a special arrangement that allows for the proper heating and cooking of barbecue food. The filtering of smoke and the concentration of heat in the Weber grill, gas grill, and regular barbecue grill provide for safe cooking. Although removing charcoal on grills requires direct contact using a scraper, the mechanisms provide the rest of the work on barbecue grills. Solid, well-cooked recipes should be on your mind instead. Take out your BBQ recipes book, browse through the pages, and look for a grilling recipe.

Grilling requires know-how: the right cooking temperature for different BBQ foods, the proper settings on a Weber grill, how to clean a gas grill, what recipes to use, and even proper barbecue etiquette if you’re overly loyal. BBQíng is an art form in essence to be practiced. For the aficionado, it is important to choose a grill with the right specifications. The metal weight of the barbecue grill, height adjustments, and cooking features associated with natural gas grills should all be taken into consideration. Aficionados should also learn proper measures and techniques into checking the performance of their gas and barbecue grills, avoid harmful grilling methods, and troubleshoot problems. Charcoal should be removed with every cook-out, and correct grilling techniques should be employed (i.e. operating motor driven rotisseries and reading heat gauges).

a1 bbq grills is an information site about gas grills, barbeque smokers, hot tubs, outdoor living and grilling recipes. The purpose is to provide quality content about these topics for our users. It is difficult to understand all the differences about gas grills and barbeque smokers. Additionally, hot tubs and outdoor living, especially with all the patio furniture, types of patio accessories such as teak furniture, wicker furniture, patio heaters, gardening tools, accessories and more. Finally, grilling recipes enhance anyone’s barbecue experience and whether the topics are recipes or how to maintain your gas grill or barbeque smoker, both will give you a better barbecue experience.

This is my first site and a vast learning experience. The url is http://a1-bbq-grills.com

Tooth number 1 is on the right side of the body and generally affects organs on the right side, while number 16 is on the left and generally affects organs on that side. Sometimes there is a “bleed-over” that causes some pain on the left for a tooth on the right, for instance, or from the lower to the upper, but generally, the practitioner will need to know as nearly exact as possible which side has the pain or, in the case of wisdom teeth, whether it is an upper or a lower tooth. You don’t want to have a tooth pulled from the left side, for instance, if the one affected is actually on the right side.

The connections

These two teeth also affect (or are affected by) the central nervous system and the limbic system. They also affect the heart.

Vertebrae C1, C2, C7, TH1, TH5, TH6, TH7, S1, and S2 are connected to these teeth.

The Duodenum and terminal ileum are affected by these teeth.

Segments of the spinal marrow and dermatomes affected are SC1, SC2, SC8, STH5, STH6, STH7, SS1, and SS2.

The joints associated with the upper right wisdom tooth are sacro-iliac, foot, (plantar side), toes, hand (ulnar side), elbow (ulnar side), shoulder (ulnar side).

The joints associated with the upper left wisdom tooth are sacro-iliac, foot, (plantar side), toes, hand (radial side), elbow (radial side), shoulder (ulnar side).

Also affected by the wisdom tooth connection are the pituitary gland (anterior lobe), the inner ear, and the tongue.

Copyright 2005, Dennis Raney, USA.

This information is offered as educational information only. It is not intended to be used by the reader as diagnostic data nor should any form of treatment be initiated based solely on the information contained here. — Dr, Dennis Raney, ND, author.

About the author: Dennis Raney, ND, is a retired nationally ceritified naturopathic doctor and a certified natural health practitioner. Holding degrees from Southern Methodist University, University of Texas at Dallas, and Trinity School of Natural Health. Dr. Raney retired after more than ten years of practice and is now working as an author and consultant in natural health practices. His latest website is www.survivingprostatecancer.com

I Just Can’t Wait for Valentine! My boyfriend Stephen and I have
been together for a year now and we are separated by 2 hours
drive. Last February, I kept complaining how both my sisters had
plans for Valentine’s Day and how much I miss him. And all he
did was try to comfort me. On February the 14th, I was awakened
by our love song “I Can’t Live Without You” and then found a
stem of red rose on each step of the stairs leading to the front
door. As I opened the door, I found him standing with the
biggest and cutest teddy bear asking if I wanted to be his
valentine. Later that evening, he had a whole moonlit dinner for
us (he actually made the candlelit dinner). It was so impressive
and romantic! I still talk about it to this day. -Jane ‘I Just
Can’t Wait for Valentine!”-

Just Do It! When my boyfriend of 9 months told me he was never
going to get married unless a woman asked him, I was surprised.
I had always prepared my self to say yes to him when he did, but
now I had to change the plan and ask him. Last Valentine’s Day,
he took me out for a romantic dinner in an Italian restaurant. I
wanted to read to him a letter I wrote telling him about my
feelings and what I wanted out of our relationship. During our
main course, I started reading it slowly, looking at his face
every once and a while to see his expressions. I then suddenly
got out of my chair and walked towards him, while still reading
the letter. When I got to the part in the letter where I wrote
that I was going to propose to him I told him to hold the letter
for a minute, knelt before him and told him it was going to be
my honor if I could be his wife. The look on his face was
priceless; he looked at me and with tears filled eyes. Everyone
in the restaurant was looking at us… I was crying out of joy
and was the happiest woman on earth. This is my Valentine Day I
will never forget -Just Do It Marlyn-

Valentine Hunt This is my idea, and I’m going to use for this
Valentine year… First, I talk to her boss at work, and arrange
to have her scheduled for a day when she doesn’t really have to
work. When she shows up that day, her boss tells her they don’t
need her and she can go home, but hands her a note (from me)
which is the start of a series of poetic clues. The gist of it
is the first clue indicates she should go to the place where we
first met (fare included with this clue). When she gets there,
the second clue hints at the place we had our first dance (keys
to a car included with this clue). When she gets there, she
finds another clue hinting at the place we had our first kiss.
At the end, the last clue sends her to her favorite outdoor
spot, where she will find a toy shovel and uses a treasure map
drawn on the back of the clue to dig up a treasure chest jewelry
box, containing the engagement ring. When she gets it up and
finds the ring, I come up behind her, drop to one knee and tell
her she is my treasure, and ask her to be my wife. -My Treasure-
A Fantastic Night I’m a radio DJ and have been courting with my
boyfriend for 3 years. On Valentine’s Day I had to work all day
and was really bummed that I couldn’t be with my boyfriend. When
I got off work I called him and he said that he was tired and
that we could see each other for breakfast tomorrow. I was
really disappointed but I was too tired to care. When I got home
I went into my bedroom and found a beautiful black lingerie with
a long stemmed red rose on it. There were petals everywhere and
12 long-stemmed roses placed on my favorite places around my
room. My boyfriend had even taken off the petals and sprinkled
them in my bathtub surrounded with candlelits and the scent of
rose, a bottle of wine with 2 glasses oh! it was so romantic,
and more than I could have ever dreamed of!.This was a fantasy
that I had told him once and he remembered. I was so shocked
that I stood there for about 10 minutes just gawking at the
whole thing. I knew right there that I loved this man, and that
I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. -My lifetime
husband-

White Roses Means ‘True Love’ My boyfriend turn up at my work
place in the morning of Valentine’s Day with 2 dozen white
roses. I was totally surprised and amazed! My co-worker had
asked him why the white roses and he said, “White roses means
true love.” I was blushing, speechless, crazily in love and
totally happy! On my day, he took me out for lunch at this
classy Chinese restaurant; he knows that I’m absolutely a
Chinese food freak! Oh no, my Valentine surprise wasn’t over
yet! We spend the whole weekend in Phuket and once again knocked
me off my feet! It was the best Valentine ever! I felt like a
princess that weekend! He certainly made it an unforgettable
one! -Surprise Love- Spend this Valentine with wonderful gifts
and ideas for the special one you love. “U too can have a
Fantastic Valentine!!!” I have been married ever since the
Valentine Surprise! and just can’t wait for Valentine Day!

Susan Kimberly U
TOO CAN HAVE A FANTASTIC VALENTINE

It’s always wise to have an idea of what type of property you’re
looking for when considering an investment and this article
outlines 8 of the different factors to consider when researching
specific locations.

1. Infrastructure

It’s important to consider a town’s infrastructure when looking
for an investment property, especially in terms of what future
investment is to be made in that area.

Local Authorities and Councils will have an annual budget for
both the maintenance of current infrastructure and also for the
construction of new infrastructure projects. Finding out how
much the annual budget is and future investment will give you an
idea of how proactive the authority is in attracting new
residents, extra funding and business opportunities.

Most councils will be happy to provide most of the information
and a lot of it will appear on their websites. Also look at the
websites of local big businesses to get information on their
future plans which will attract investment and create new jobs
in the area.

2. Proximity to Amenities

In most cases, the main purpose in buying an investment property
is to attract tenants who will pay a weekly or monthly rent.

It’s important to know what type of tenants you are looking to
attract and so any potential investment property will need to be
close to the amenities required by the tenants. A city worker
will want to rent a property close to shops and transport
whereas a farmer will have different requirements.

Most properties in close proximity to the town will rent fairly
easily compared to those which are a 15 minute drive outside of
the town. Properties close to the town will also attract tenants
who don’t have their own transport.

So it’s best to know what your tenants requirements will be
before you purchase.

3. Local Employers

It will always be easier to find tenants in towns where there
are large employers in the vicinity. These include factories,
large shopping malls, hospitals and universities.

With hospitals, many of the employees may be employed on a
temporary basis and so owning or buying their own property in
the area may not be a choice for them and renting is the easier
option. Also, in the case of universities, a lot of the students
will come from out of town and so renting is again the best
option. This offers them more flexibility however it also means
that your investment property could be vacant during certain
months of the year and may switch tenants on a regular basis.

Again, be sure to research the future plans of these employers.
If a major employer is due to shutdown or relocate in the near
future then there will be a glut of empty properties with
landlords doing whatever they can to fill them including
drastically reducing the rent.

4. Geographic Location

This will determine both the type of tenant you get and also how
easy your investment property will be to rent out.

Holiday properties near the ski fields will command a higher
rent than a property in the city however it may only rent out
for a few weeks per year. A beach house will also be in the same
position. Again, it’s important to understand the type of
tenants in the area, what they are looking for, how much they
are willing to spend, etc.

A beach house may command a high rent but may only attract
retirees who are willing to pay top dollar and so this narrows
the number of potential tenants. Properties closer to cities and
amenities will likely attract a higher number of tenants willing
to pay a lower weekly rent.

5. Demographics

Spend time understanding the demographics of the areas
population and you will have a better idea of the type of tenant
you can expect.

Find out the populations’ average salary, the different age
brackets, percentage of those married and single and the
percentage of the population that rent.

The demographic information will show if the town’s population
has been growing or declining over the past number of years and
therefore if an investment is a safe bet. It will give you an
idea of the earning capacity of tenants and how much rent you
can expect.

It may also show movements of parts of the population to new
parts of the same area due to factory closures, increase in
crime etc.

6. Property Median Prices

Historical property prices will be a good indicator to the
fluctuations in property values in the area over time.

A property may look like a bargain at first glance but with a
little research you may discover that the same or similar
properties changed hands previously for a lot more money. There
may be a simple explanation for this such as a vendor wanting a
quick sale but it may also reflect a dive in the local property
market for various reasons.

Median prices will give an indication of what you can expect to
pay for the different types of properties (no. of beds, land
size, etc) in the area and the figures may also show the number
of recent sales. The historical figures will also give a pattern
of historical growth or decline in the area over time and this
could be used to indicate a property’s future value.

7. Occupancy/Vacancy Rates

Each area will have a certain percentage of rental properties
tenanted (occupied) and the remainder without tenants (vacant).
Towns with a high vacancy rate (normally deemed to be more than
4%) will make it possibly harder to find tenants to fill your
rental property as it shows a lot of competition for too few
renters.

Too few renters will also mean that landlords will have to be
more creative in attracting tenants and may need to reduce the
rent and offer other incentives to entice renters.

Areas with high employment and a strong outlook for the future
are likely to have a higher occupancy rate and this may even
cause competition amongst renters, allowing landlords to set
higher rents.

8. Property Managers

Finding a trustworthy property manager is important if you will
not be looking after the property yourself in terms of finding
tenants and collecting the weekly or monthly rent.

Good property managers will communicate regularly, carry out
periodic property inspections, arrange repairs and, most
importantly, regularly deposit the rent (minus expenses) to your
bank account.

There are also many other duties a property manager can carry
out and it’s important to question those managers in the
potential area to find one or more likely candidates that are
going to take care of your investment.

Find out how many rental properties they manage, how long
they’ve been in business and ay other questions you deem
necessary until you find one you are happy with.

In closing, the above points are only guides for you to learn
more about an area before you make an investment. There may be
more factors you’ll need to consider depending on your situation
but if you research the above you naturally increase the amount
of knowledge you have about the area. And the more knowledge you
have will reduce the risk of a potentially poor investment.

Gichin Funakoshi, the father of modern karate, said patience must come before battle.

Only after we have gone beyond the limits of quiet endurance should we take our
swords from their scabbards.

Peace is the highest objective, though honor, justice and other values cannot be
subordinated to it. Funakoshi might say discipline, keeping competing motivations
in their proper places, comes above all.

Like quicksilver, the space between life and death is fluid and fickle.

There’s life, death, and, frighteningly little in between.

Being able to walk that thin line between daylight and shadows, between right and
wrong, is the art of the karateka.

Before you think this is too rare a predicament, consider cops and soldiers, whose
waking moments are the same.

Most ordinary people dwell in the world of the living and stay as far away from its
alternative as they can.

But warriors have no choice. The karateka walks a line between life and death, but
must embrace both

They must be alive and dead with no discernable attachment to either. To
accomplish this state, they have to be able to hold two thoughts at once:

To be right and wrong;

To be here and gone; and

To be important and unimportant.

It’s not what you’d call good work, if you can get it.

This duty finds you.

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

So you have finally made it. You have traveled down the
enlightened millionaire path and accumulated more wealth then
you could ever hope to spend. You are a millionaire multiple
times over and now you are looking for help to put your money to
good use within the community you grew up in.

For starters, congratulations! Not everyone that commits to
becoming a millionaire actually achieves this goal. There are
many that get lost along the way. There is much to be said about
the importance of the journey, but the destination is just as
important as the journey. If you are now a multi-millionaire you
already know this. Setting and actually obtaining the goals is
just as important as what we learn along the way.

Now, if you have learned anything in becoming a
multi-millionaire you realize that part of enjoying life and
being successful involves helping those around you. Now that you
are a millionaire several times over you are in a great position
to help improve your surrounding community.

Community Improvement Ideas for the Millionaire

Build a Library - Every good community needs a library to
serve the needs of both the young and the old. In cities and
counties where the budget is tight, a large donation from a
millionaire such as yourself may be just what the doctor ordered
to get community library off of the drawing board and into the
construction phase. What better way to leave your stamp on the
community then by giving the gift that keeps on giving. As the
youth that benefit from your community library grow up they will
share the joy of books with their kids and grandkids and so on
for generations to come.

Build a Skate Park - Just because you are a millionaire
doesn’t mean you can’t contribute to the community in a fun and
exciting way. Kids need constructive avenues to vent their
frustrations and burn some energy. Why not build these kids a
skate park so that they have a gathering place to hang out with
their friends. This will help keep some of these troubled kids
off the streets and away from gangs and crime. They can channel
their energy into learning how to skate and having fun rather
than causing trouble in the neighborhood. Bored kids cause
trouble, so by eliminating their reason for boredom you have
become part of the solution.

Sponsor a Youth Sports Team - You have always wanted to
be an owner of a sports team. Why not take advantage of your
millionaire status and sponsor a sports team for the youth. Kids
need multiple avenues to expend their seemingly endless supply
of energy. What better way to allow them to do so then in a
constructive sports environment? In this environment kids will
learn to play within the rules and improve their teamwork.

These are just a few ways you can contribute as a millionaire to
the future health and strength of your community. The ideas are
centered around helping the community’s youth grow up in a
positive environment. There are of course other ways to impact
the differing age groups of the community, but perhaps the most
lasting impact you can have will be derived by doing something
that is entirely for the youth. So now that you are a
millionaire and set for life, go make a difference in your
community.

Adam Smith is an informational author for 10X Marketing. To
learn how to become an enlightened millionaire visit OneMinuteMillionaire.com

This article is about the best men’s swimwear out there. Let me first say that I am a woman. Therefore, I am not judging the best men’s swimwear based on how comfortable it is, but on how appealing it is to any onlooker.

The “Speedo”

I swam on a swim team and played water polo in high school, so let me say that “speedos” have a special place in my heart. I love them! Let me rephrase that — I love them only when they are being worn for sport. This sort of men’s swimwear was most definitely not made for simply hanging around on the beach.

Also, there is a certain way that a “speedo” should be worn. It must be worn low. In fact, the men who wear the “speedos” in the best possible way are California men. California men know how to wear their men’s swimwear – they wear their “speedos” super low and tight, and they usually reveal just a little bit of butt-crack. Pardon me for saying so, but “speedos” look great when worn this way, especially if the wearer has a swimmer’s body! “Speedos” should never be worn higher on the hips than they are in the middle – this is a horrible look and creates a bit of the “banana hammock” look.

Also, there are fantastic “speedos” out on the market now that are of a square shape rather than a U-shape. These square “speedos” look good on many body types.

Note: I have put the term “speedo” in quotes because “speedo” is actually just the brand – it is not the type of suit. Speedo makes suits for women, as well (this is similar to how we call tissue “Kleenex” and bandages “Band-Aids”).

Surfing Shorts

Lace-up surfing shorts are a great sort of men’s swimwear. Practically any man can wear surfing shorts and look good, even if he is not out surfing. The long length of surfing shorts and the adjustable lace-up front make them ideal for most men. The only problem is that they do not allow a man’s thighs to ever see the sun, so his thighs remain white, all through the summer.

Tip: Yes, super low surfing shorts can look very sexy, but do not wear them obscenely low. Also, do not wear them so low that you must also wear your underwear beneath them. Nobody wants to see your underwear hanging out of your suit! Besides, wet cotton briefs boxers are very uncomfortable and take a long time to dry.

Swim Trunks

As far as men’s swimwear goes, swim trunks are the most basic sort of swimwear. This does not mean that swim trunks are not great men’s swimwear. Men of any age can wear swim trunks, from young boys to old men. Swim trunks are great because they usually have a lining so that they are very comfortable and less revealing. Many swim trunks have elastic or drawstring waists, so they are easy to put on and to adjust. Also, swim trunks are a good length – they are not too terribly short, but you can still tan your legs. They are not too terribly long – you can still swim laps around the pool and be comfortable in them.

The Thong

All that I have to say about the thong is — do not wear one! A thong should not even be included as an article of men’s swimwear.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on swimwear and fashion, please visit Bikinis and Swimwear.

Understanding The Sales Process To Close More Sales

You may not have put much thought into it but if you are a
business owner and sell products and/or services to consumers
or/and businesses then you are a sales person. Have you spent
enough time understanding the sales process and what it takes to
close more sales for your business? If you haven’t this October
Newsletter will help you understand the sales process, how your
prospects think and how you can close more sales.

There are two things in your business you need to master and
those are marketing and selling skills.

Most marketers don’t give a lot of thought to the buying
processes of their clients. That’s very unfortunate. Paying
attention to the buying process can have a dramatic effect on
your revenue. It is extremely important to understand that
although people inquire about your products/services, it doesn’t
mean they are the ideal prospect. There are many reasons why
people may not buy your stuff which has nothing to do with you.

Each and every one of us goes through some sort of buying
process when we make a purchase decision. At times the process
is long as when making a big purchase. At other moments it
happens almost without thought when buying an inexpensive item.
Sometimes we may be seeking information on a products or service
but that doesn’t mean we are ready to buy right away. May be we
need to be convinced that we are making the right decision.

It is very important that early in the sales process you
differentiate the prospect that is on the market to buy and the
one WHO DOESN’T KNOW WHAT HE WANTS. Don’t spend much time on the
second one; you will be wasting your time and energy.

Generally speaking, the buying process consists of four steps.

Do they really need it?

During this step, shoppers realize they WANT or MAY need
something. They realize that they have a problem or a desire,
and they choose to find a solution. If this need is strong
enough chances are that they will make a quick decision and buy
from you or your competition. If the need is not really there,
they will just shop around and won’t be making a quick decision.
That decision could be made in a few months or may be never. It
is extremely important that you identify the real prospect to
the undecided shopper. It can be very frustrating to deal with
those undecided people. You should focus your energy on the real
buyers. I consider this stage interview the most critical part
of any sales process. The interview is the stage where you try
to get to know your customer’s needs, concerns, issues,
objections, and real desires. It’s from the interview that you
have enough information to determine how to present your
products and services.

Information Search

Once the choice has been made to fill a need or want, the
prospects begin to search for information in order to make the
best buying decision that is in his/her best interest. Make sure
you give all information necessary to help them make a buying
decision. You should offer some way for the prospect to remember
you, such as brochures and catalogs, a way to bookmark your
site, newsletter etc.) Free samples, test drives, free report
and other means of “trial” work extremely well to guide the
prospect through the information search stage and onto the
evaluation and purchase stages. In this particular state of the
buying process make sure to educate the process as much as and
make sure you differentiate your company from the competition.
In that particular stage you will need to do two things. Educate
your prospect and create an interest.

When educating your prospect on your products/services, be sure
to present reasons for them to buy. Remember…solve a need,
problem, or improve a current situation. The Key: Give them
reasons to buy. Your recommendation shows the customer your
personal efforts and interest in helping him. He will be able to
compare your products and services to the competition, and see
the difference (if there is any). This should bring out his
final objections, giving you the opportunity to answer all his
questions.

Your recommendation should be designed to relate value to your
customer. Here is where your product or service begins showing
logical and practical solutions to the customer’s problems,
needs, and goals. This is where you lay out your plan of action
and explain how the process will work for your prospect. This
step will also uncover and give you the opportunity to handle
objections.

Find out about their objections

Often the trial close will lead to objections. You might say,
“So which program do you feel most comfortable with?” (That’s a
soft form of the trial close.) Your customer will probably
respond with objections (e.g., price, features, delivery, no
time, or no need). During this step, don’t’ try to counter the
objections. Continue the interview and learn all you can about
their objections and challenges. You need to help them make a
decision and they need to be reassured they are making the right
decision. Try to learn whether the objections are honest or made
up because the prospect doesn’t want to hurt your feelings, or
genuinely isn’t interested in buying at this time.

Handle objections

Your options are to rebuttal an objection, change your offer, or
provide other incentives. But make sure you do the homework and
actually follow up with the prospect. Occasionally, you will
find an objection is legitimate and you really can’t meet the
prospect’s needs. Be honest, wish him luck then walk away. Don’t
waste your time with undecided people who do not know what they
want.

Evaluation

After your prospects have collected all the information they
feel is necessary and you have answered all their objections,
they begin to evaluate their options and narrow their choices
until they finally pick the one thing that they are comfortable
with, and that they can afford. This is the time to follow-up
with your prospects. Is there additional information they need
in order to choose your company? Did they have any issues with
the free sample that can be corrected? Your presence during the
evaluation stage is important, so do your best to retain
customer contact information in order to offer any additional
information the buyer might need.

Purchase

Once all the information has been evaluated, a purchase is made,
and your customer walks hopefully happy.

Why people really buy.

People buy for their own reasons, NOT FOR YOURS. Until you know
your customer’s reasons for wanting, or not wanting, to buy your
product/service…you are in the dark! It doesn’t matter how
many reasons you give for believing your product/service is a
great buy, they will mean nothing unless your customer has VERY
GOOD reasons to buy from you. Customers face new challenges
every day that can alter their needs for your products/services.
The key is to stay in contact with your prospects…and ALWAYS
ask questions to learn where they are in terms of needing your
product/service.

If a prospect avoids making the decision to buy from you, it’s
typically because they have no sense of urgency to buy or they
may not be convinced that your products/services will solve a
problem they have. Your challenge is to prove to the prospect
that buying now is best for them and you must be able to offer
support and real reasons why. What will they miss if they wait
even one more day? What will they miss if they don’t buy from
YOU? Make sure you emphasize on the potential opportunities if
they go ahead and get started on the program NOW. WHY is it
important for them to buy now? In other words, what’s in it for
them? Remember…the reason a customer buys your product or
service is because of what it can do for ´them´. JUST TELL THEM.

Know Your Competition

We all have competition. When you call on a prospect, you will
likely encounter a situation where the prospect knows your
competitors. In order to sell all the reasons why YOUR product
or service is best for the prospect…you need to know as much
as possible about your competitors. This allows you to explain
why your product/service is better than the rest to solve a
specific need of your client.

Why is my product/service best?

In order to make a decision to buy your product and/or service,
a buyer will need specific information about you, your company,
your products, services, etc. Provide them with specifics on
your reliability, special features of your products and services
and where you stand in your industry. Tell a complete story of
why they should buy from YOU rather than your competition.
TESTIMONIALS ARE POWERFUL. CREDENTIALS ARE IMPORTANTL. If you
belong to a specific organization such as BBB, it may help you
tremendously close a deal.

What about those prospects that is not ready to buy?

Simply follow up regularly with them through direct mail, phone
calls, or newsletters. That allows you to build credibility
which you may not have been able to build earlier. Many
individuals are not ready to buy right away but after, 6, 7, 8
follow up they may be ready. Understanding each step in the
buying process can help you structure your selling process and
your marketing materials to cater to the prospects. Take the
time to consider what your customer goes through when making the
choice to buy, and alter your business accordingly. In doing so,
you will increase your chances of making more sales.

In the sales profession you are the company, the product, the
service. What you do and how you do it will impact your success.
Perfect your sales skills by asking and answering questions,
overcoming objections, and provide reasons to buy your
products/services. Tell your story, create a need, solve a
problem, handle follow-up procedures correctly and you will be
on your way to great success.

Golden rule: PEOPLE BUY FROM PEOPLE THEY LIKE AND TRUST.

Andre Plessis Author & Marketing Expert SmartBizConnection
http://smartbizconnection.com The Smartest Way To Grow Your
Business!

If you think this article is valuable, please pass it on to your
friends and colleagues.

If you have any question regarding this article please feel free
to send an email at: andre @ smartbizconnection.com subject:
Article

To advertise with us visit:
http://smartbizconnection.com/advertise.htm or send an email to:
andre @ smartbizconnection.com subject: Advertise

Got suggestions or comments? Send them to us at: mailto: andre @
smartbizconnection.com subject: Comment/Suggestions

To submit an article send email at: andre @
smartbizconnection.com subject: Submit Article

This Newsletter was submitted By Andre Plessis — Marketing
Expert. Get your monthly dose of Email newsletter, marketing
tips, promotion, by joining our free Newsletter “The Smartest
Way To Grow Your Business”: visit http://smartbizconnection.com.
Andre Plessis Author & Marketing Expert SmartBizConnection If
you think this article is valuable, please pass it on to your
friends and colleagues. If you have any question regarding this
article please feel free to email me at: andre @
smartbizconnection.com subject: advertise To advertise with us
visit: http://smartbizconnection.com/advertise.htm To submit an
article send email at: andre @ smartbizconnection.com subject:
submit article Copyright 2003 - 2004© SmartBizConnection. All
rights reserved. Phone: (888) 872- 2285 / Direct: (818) 341-
2972