Students Of Success

When do you need to replace your lubricating oil? If you have
a large quantity of lubricating oil to change, it is going to
burn a hole in your pocket. So most plant operators try to
preserve the properties of the lubricating oil for as long as
possible.

One of the most important functions of lubricating oil is to
reduce the friction between the moving parts of machinery. But
there are other features to look at.

When do you know that the oil needs to be changed? Below is a
rough guide:

1. Viscosity has changed by 10%
2. Flash Point has dropped to 150 degree Celsius
3. Water Content has reached 2%
4. TBN, or Total Base Number has reduced by 20%

5. Insoluble Content has increased to 5% of the oil

Due to the oxidation of the oil when exposed to heat and oxygen,
the viscosity of the oil tend to reduce. With the reduction of
viscosity, the film of oil between rubbing metal surfaces
becomes more difficult to maintain. This results in metal to
metal contact, micro seizures that leads to scuffing, abrasion
and other damages.

In large diesel engines, fuel oil from dripping injectors or
fuel pumps sometimes finds their way into the lubrication oil
sump. This has the tendency to reduce the flash point of the
lubricating oil. In addition to reducing the viscosity that is
detrimental to lubrication, this contamination with fuel oil can
be quite dangerous. If there is a hotspot in any of the rubbing
parts, this can lead to a crankcase explosion.

Water can also find its way into the lubricating oil from leaks
in the cooling water system o-rings or gaskets. In addition to
reducing the lubricating properties of the oil, the presence of
water in the oil can give rise to bacteria or fungal growth,
which will quickly damage the oil properties as well as
contributing to acid corrosion and oxidation of the oil, changing
the chemical composition of the oil itself. However, if the water
content is below 0.5%, it can still be removed by centrifugal
purifiers.

The total base number is especially needed for the cylinder liner
lubrication of engines that run on poor quality fuel with high
sulphur content. The base additive is used to reduce the
corrosive effects of the sulphuric acid fumes on the cylinder.

With large diesel engine installations, the lubricating oils are
continuously filtered and purified to reduce the insoluble
particles in the oil. Special strainers containing magnets are
used to trap particles of carbon or iron particles. In large
diesel engines, the carbon particles are byproducts of combustion
while the iron particles comes from rubbing of gears, cams or
other parts where wear down still occur.

The presence of these particles interferes with the lubrication of
bearings, most of which contain soft white-metal coating. The
particles can become embedded into the soft metal and cause
abrasion of the metal parts.

The contents of this page are part of a page from my e-book
“General Engineering Knowledge Notes” that will help candidates
prepare for the Marine Certificate of Competency Examinations.
This e-book is available for FREE downloading at
http://www.free-marine.com/ebook.htm

Until next time…

Make “hard-to-find” Tools “easy-to-find”. You can only Produce
YOUR BEST with THE BEST!” Earn praises for a job well done,
only with the PROPER TOOLS! Locate Hard-to-Find Tools for your
garage and workshop. Good for Cars, Trucks, Cycles, Boats, and
Planes.
http://www.free-marine.com/linkeastwood.htm

Many years of working experience in Marine, Facilities,
Construction has given the author material for writing e-books
and articles related to engineering, and management. Subscribe
to facworld ezine at mailto:facworld-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
More information at http://www.free-marine.com and
http://www.free-engineering.com

Close your eyes. Imagine that everything you desire is just a wish away. All you have to do is close your eyes, focus your thoughts and ask your genie to make your wishes, dreams, or goals come true. Wouldn’t that be cool? What if you didn’t have to rely on anyone else but yourself? Not even your own personal genie. Wouldn’t that be even better?

Think back to some of the goals that you have had in your life thus far. How many of them did you really wanted to achieve, but for one reason or another, they never materialized? How different would your life have been if you had succeeded with the majority of them up thus far? As adults we’ve learned that it takes time to achieve the things we want in life. But what if as children we learned how to increase the chance of goals being attained and the speed in which it happens. Wouldn’t that be a worthwhile piece of education? The following is a tool that the majority of adults have not heard of, practiced, or mastered.

In The One Minute Millionaire Robert Allen and Mark Victor Hansen discuss a technique that they learned from Brian Tracy for achieving goals. Brian Tracy writes his goals down every single day, not just one or two, but his six top goals.

How did he arrive at the number six? They represent the six major areas or resources of your life: body, brain, being, time, people, and money. But he goes further than just listing the goals on a 3 x 5 card. Brian Tracy affirms them as well. He writes supporting the goal, as if he already has achieved it, just like visualizing and speaking from the goal itself. Allen and Hansen suggest that you not only affirm your goal, but that you begin it by stating that you are ‘happy’.

Because adding the word happy helps one acknowledge that they are in the current state of being. It is like a light bulb going on that helps you recognize the state of joy, and concentrating on the feeling will help you magnetize more if it. Couldn’t everyone use a little more happiness and good things in life? The last step is to ‘write down what service, product, or information you plan to render and in what quantity and quality: I am providing excellent value by selling x number of products to x number of satisfied customers each day.’

Why is this technique so successful? Because the 3 x 5 card is kept with you all day long, and read aloud a minimum of four times, at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and just before bedtime. The goals should be changed and upgraded regularly, but no less than monthly. This technique keeps your goals in the forefront of your mind, so that you begin to not just want them, but to actually live them. The trick is to always think positively. Always think of the thing you want to achieve and not what you want to change or the fear that you may have associated with the goal-like failure.

Are you excited? Isn’t this technique inspiring? If you are a parent, why not get into the habit of doing this yourself and introduce it to your children as early as possible. Imagine how much they can accomplish in life by using these wonderful tools, and the confidence that will result.
Self esteem comes from achievement.

Mastering the art of goal-getting is just another step in climbing that mountain to success - why not start them out young.

Eva Gregory, master coach, speaker and author of The Feel Good Guide To Prosperity, http://www.feelgoodguide.com, has instructed thousands on the Laws of Attraction in person, on the radio and in dozens of teleconference training seminars and programs. She is the author of several books and e-books and has co-developed several telephone-based and internet-based training courses on the Laws of Attraction. Her most popular program to date is her Leading Edge Living One Year Success Program. (http://www.leadingedgecoaching.com/Living/index.shtml) Eva is regularly featured on radio and in the media and is a recognized authority on the Laws of Attraction. To learn more about her products and services, visit Leading Edge Coaching, http://www.leadingedgecoching.com NOTE: You’re welcome to “reprint” this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the “about the author” info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to eva@coacheva.com

I met my friend when we were in graduate school, and we enjoyed hanging out together outside of classes. After receiving our degrees, we both left school to live in different states. That was 10 years ago.

We’ve kept in touch, but our phone conversations and twice-a-year visits became opportunities for my friend to talk endlessly about her problems. When I tried to fill her in on my own life, she obviously tuned out.

In the past few years I’ve not visited her at all and dread her occasional phone calls and visits to my house. She invites herself now because I no longer invite her. When she’s at my home, she literally follows me from room to room, talking nonstop, until I make an excuse to get away from her. I tell her I need to take a nap, but I don’t sleep. I sit in my room and read or enjoy the quiet.

Here’s the worst part. She and her family, including two young children, are moving to our city. Her family has a small income, and they are buying a house in a grand neighborhood they can’t afford. She asked if she and her husband and her children can stay at my home on their trips to our town to deal with house matters.

My husband and I have no children. Even though our home is tiny and perfectly sized for us, I let them stay. She told me her husband would start his new job before they finished purchasing this house. I felt obligated to offer him our guest room. If I hadn’t offered, she would have asked anyway.

Now he’s here, and it turns out he’ll be staying on through the weekends. I am seething.

I would never, ever, under any circumstances impose on a friendship this way. I feel used, resentful, and don’t care if I ever see her again. Should I end this friendship? I’m getting absolutely nothing from it but a knot in my stomach.

Lorraine

Lorraine, life hands us lessons all the time. When we don’t learn the lesson, life gets more and more difficult until we do.

You were making and accepting calls from a woman you didn’t even want to talk to. Now her husband is living in your house. Furthermore, she plans on moving in with her two small children. Where does this lead? Count on being a free, drop-in babysitter. Count on her asking you to pick up her kids after school. Count on imposition after imposition until you finally learn to say no.

Tamara often uses the example of oatmeal cookies. If you don’t like oatmeal cookies, don’t be “polite” and say you do. Otherwise you will always be offered oatmeal cookies, and friends will make you gifts of oatmeal cookies. That is why you cannot fake emotions out of a false sense of politeness.

Everything is being done to the advantage of your “friend.” Nothing is to your advantage. This arrangement isn’t working, and her husband needs to stay elsewhere. It is too much of an imposition. Call her tonight and tell her. Pick a day soon, like Friday, and tell her that will be his moving day. Let her know she and her family must make other arrangements when they move, whether their house is ready or not.

Don’t waste time on long explanations or sugarcoat it. Make the call short and factual.

Wayne

Lorraine Triumphant!

You are so absolutely positively right. I am instant messaging my husband right now to discuss our visitor’s last day. I think what I found most helpful is your pointing out that I’m accepting calls and visits from someone I don’t want to talk to. It’s so crystal clear. Thanks for giving me the kick in the butt that I need.

Lorraine

Lorraine, tonight we will lift our glasses and toast your victory.

Wayne & Tamara

Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 18, 2004

About The Author

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

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

Summer has come and so have the swimming pool trips. Put on your
bathing suits.

Swimming pools in summer feel like a heaven. Cannot imagine a
summer without swimming pools. Getting in the pool is not only a
great feel but a swimming pool is also a treat for your eyes {I
mean the cool water}.

In tropical and warm areas of the world there are wonderful
beaches and they offer a great place to swim. But not all parts
of the world have this great blessing and swimming pools makes
these deficiencies vanish to some extent. Although given a
choice I will be off to the beach. Afternoons and late
afternoons and also early evenings are the best times to jump
into a swimming pool.

If you are interested in starting your own pool for the season
then it’s a great way to go. First drain all the water in the
swimming pool. Use cleaning agents to clean the water clean.
Throughout the swimming season you should be brushing the sides
of your pool to loosen debris that collects there, you should be
reversing your pumping system to help clean out any build up,
and you should be vacuuming the water and skimming the surface.
This will keep your pool in tip top shape through out the season
and it will make your pool an enjoyable place to be near.
Although working on the pool may seem a lot of work its not.
Also you can hire swimming experts to do the job for you but its
not recommended unless you are rich and no time on these
activities.

Swimming is very dangerous for children. Never leave your
children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. You must
put up a fence to separate your house from the pool.

Power safety cover that meets the standards of the American
Society for Testing and Materials should be installed. Always
rescue equipments and telephone by the pool in case of an
emergency.

When trying to teach children how to swim be with them all the
time and do not permit to go alone even with a tube. Children
have to be carefully monitored during their stay at the swimming
pool.

Swimming pools come with the gift of convenience. Also beware
of the swimming pool leaks. Presence of algae indicates a pool
leak. When in doubt call a leak detection company to further
assist you in determining if you pool has a leak.

If everything is fine then enjoy the swimming in your favorite
swimsuits.

Visit www.bathingsuitsonline.com www.swimsuitscorner.com
www.weddingdresses101.com

A Barrel of Fun – Book Review
By Lisa M. Hendey

Rarely do you crack the spine of a book put out by a religious publisher and find yourself giggling out loud, but this was my recent experience while enjoying A BARREL OF FUN (Kregel, April 2004, paperback, 224 pages), the latest from British co-authors J. John and Mark Stibbe.

Written in an A to Z format, the collection features humorous vignettes, definitions, quotes & quips, and even a few great cartoon drawings. Far from just a joke book, however, the book also includes numerous, thought provoking stories, prayers and letters.

The perfect resource for anyone who finds himself speaking before a group or writing about matters religious, A BARREL OF FUN includes a note to church magazine editors from the authors granting conditional reprinting privileges. Readers are encouraged to enjoy and share the material included in the book. Much good and many smiles will doubtless be produced by those who read and share the pearls of wit and wisdom found in A BARREL OF FUN.

For more information or to order A BARREL OF FUN visit http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0825462207/digitalcropper-20

Lisa M. Hendey is webmaster of numerous family oriented web sites, including http://www.CatholicMom.com, http://www.ChristianColoring.com and http://www.digitalcropper.com. A wife and mother of two sons, she is an avid reader.

About the Author

Lisa M. Hendey is webmaster of numerous family oriented web sites, including http://www.CatholicMom.com, http://www.ChristianColoring.com and http://www.digitalcropper.com. A wife and mother of two sons, she is an avid reader.

Seppuku (Sape-puu-kuu), the Japanese formal language term for ritual suicide (Hara-kiri (Har-rah-kee-ree) is the common language term), was an intregal aspect of feudal Japan (1192-1868). It developed as an intregal part of the code of bushido and the discipline of the samurai warrior class.

Hara-kiri, which literally means “stomach cutting” is a particularly painful method of self-destruction, and prior to the emergence of the samurai as a professional warrior class, was totally foreign to the Japanese.

The early history of Japan reveals quite clearly that the Japanese were far more interested in living the good life than in dying a painful death. It was not until well after the introduction of Buddhism, with its theme of the transitory nature of life and the glory of death, that such a development became possible.

To the samurai, seppuku–whether ordered as punishment or chosen in preference to a dishonorable death at the hands of an enemy–was unquestionable demonstration of their honor, courage, loyalty, and moral character.

When samurai were on the battlefield, they often carried out acts of hara-kiri rapidly and with very little formal preparation. But on the other occasions, particularly when it was ordered by a feudal lord, or the shogun (as was directed of Lord Asano in the Tale of the 47 Ronin), seppuku or hara-kiri was a very formal ceremony, requiring certain etiquette, witnesses and considerable preparation.

Not all Japanese samurai or lords believed in, even though many of them followed the custom. The great Ieyasu Tokugawa, who founded Japan’s last great Shogunate dynasty in 1603, eventually issued an edict forbidding hara-kiri to both secondary and primary retainers.

The custom was so deeply entrenched, however, that it continued, and in 1663, at the urging of Lord Nobutsuna Matsudaira of Izu, the shogunate government issued another, stronger edict, prohibiting ritual suicide. This was followed up by very stern punishment for any lord who allowed any of his followers to commit harakiri or seppuku. Still the practice continued throughout the long Tokugawa reign, but it declined considerably as time went by.

Honor for the samurai was dearer than life and in many cases, self destruction was regarded not simply as right, but as the only right course. Disgrace and defeat were atoned by committing hara-kiri or seppuku. Upon the death of a daimyo loyal followers might show their grief and affection for their master by it. Other reasons a samurai committed seppuku were: to show contempt for an enemy; to protest against injustice, as a means to get their lord to reconsider an unwise or unworthy action and as a means to save others.

The ritual for disenbowlment was to be performed calmly and without flinching. If condemned to death, it was held to be a privilege to execute the sentence on one’s own body rather than to be a disgrace and die at the hands of the public headsman.

The location of an officially ordered seppuku ceremony was very important. Often the ritual was performed at temple
(but not Shinto shrines), in the garden or villas, and inside homes. The size of the area available was also important, as it was prescribed precisely for samurai of high rank.

All the matters relating to the act was carefully prescribed and carried out in the most meticulous manner. The most conspicuous participant, other than the victim, was the kaishaku (kie-shah-kuu), or assistant, who was responsible for cutting off the victim’s head after he had sliced his abdomen open. The was generally a close friend or associate of the condemned.

Although suicide is deplored in Japan today, it does not have the sinful overtones that are common in the west. People still kill themselves for failed businesses, involvement in love triangles, or even failing school examinations, death is still consider by many as better than dishonor.

Fahmi Samir is a student in japan and taking mechanical engineering. To know more about japan or japan language, visit his website http://koiyee.blogspot.com

“The… patient should be made to understand that he or she must take charge of his own life. Don’t take your body to the doctor as if he were a repair shop.” — Quentin Regestein

Highly favored as a cooking oil, or for use in a variety of classic dressings, olive oil is being touted in some quarters as a delicious companion to good health. Research on the health benefits of olive oil is impressive, so is the affects of the Mediterranean diet.

Recent Findings

Olive Oil as a Cholesterol Reducer

Compared to American cuisine, especially the snack and fast foods prevalent in the US, the Mediterranean Diet has intrigued the medical world. The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition has published findings that indicate the introduction of olive oil into our regular diet has demonstrated a reduction in LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). This is significant because once LDL cholesterol has oxidized it often results in artery rigidity and accompanying heart disease.

Olive Oil in Cancer Prevention

In a comparison study at the University Hospital Germans Trias Pujol in Barcelona there seems to be an indication that the health benefits of olive oil may also be useful in the prevention or slowing of cancer cells. In the study, lab rats were introduced to a carcinogen that resulted in cancerous tumors. The study provides evidence that a diet similar to the Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil prevents colonic carcinogenesis reducing precancerous tissue which resulted in fewer tumors when compared to a controlled sample of rats ingesting foods containing other types of cooking oils.

Researchers at Oxford University in England have seen indications that olive oil may actually be as good for our digestive system as fresh fruit and vegetables in preventing or reducing the incidence of colon cancer. While red meat seems to be linked to the development of colon cancer, fish and olive oil seemed to reduce the incidence of colon cancer. The reasons behind this phenomena are still being considered, but it is believed that the olive oil may help regulate the bile acid in the stomach while increasing useful enzymes within the stomach that contribute to optimal colon health.

Olive Oil and Heart Health

The American Heart Association has also noted that consumption of olive oil has “clear health benefits”.

Olive Oil and Lower Blood Pressure

By substituting virgin olive oil for other fats within your diet, the Archives of Internal Medicine indicates a substantial reduction in drug dosage requirements for the management of high blood pressure. Initial findings indicate dosage reductions could be as high as 50%.

Additional Findings

By lowering the level of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) there is an increase of the HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). The antioxidant effects of olive oil have also been widely reported and are effective in reducing free radicals within the body that may prove to be a causal agent in pre cancerous and cancerous growth.

Additional health benefits of olive oil may be found in a Mediterranean diet which explores the varied uses of olive oil in both food preparation as well as additional balanced meal choices. Combined, olive oil and appropriate food choice seem to enhance the overall health of those subscribing to the Mediterranean diet.

Final Word

While studies remain ongoing, it is encouraging to note that something that has long been noted for good taste may also be a link to positive health benefits and longevity of life. An adaptation of the Mediterranean diet may be a healthy, yet palatable change well worth considering.

James Zeller writes for gourmet gift related websites and blogs. Here is a selection of oil and vinegar gifts that he found, and a creative collection of culinary gourmet gifts.

There is a little greasy spoon in my neighborhood that always has a line out the door on weekends. The fried eggs are so greasy they could stop your heart, there isn’t a single homemade pastry or muffin in the joint, and the 99-cent cup of coffee tastes like coffee tasted before the American cuppa joe morphed into a gourmet addiction for the masses. The flowers are fake, the tablecloths are plastic, the cheese is of the fluorescent variety, and the silverware has spots. Yet there’s always a line.

People love the restaurant because they know what to expect, get what they expect, and the service is consistently friendly and efficient. Customers do not expect homemade bread served with homemade butter and fresh-from-the-grove OJ. They don’t come for lunch expecting panini with goat cheese and oven-roasted anything. They don’t come expecting to be served a seven-course meal. They come with a friend expecting to leave full and happy for less than twenty bucks including tip. The bottom line is this: if you want a couple of fried eggs and toast, don’t go to the Ritz for Sunday brunch. You’ll have to pay for the extra food, live music, puffy chairs, perpetual water refills, refined wait staff and crisp linens. On the other hand, don’t go to a diner if you want it all.

This analogy works well for design services. On one end is a freelance designer; at the other end is a large multinational design firm. Somewhere in the middle is probably a service provider to suit your needs.

I have developed a handy reference chart illustrating a range of service providers, what they do, and what they charge for a logo project and a brochure project. When you are looking for design help, if you need a simple brochure, avoid a large design firm; you’ll end up paying for a copywriter, account manager, administrative task master and one or two executive salaries that will not benefit you. On the other hand, if you need diligent project managing, extensive strategy development, copy, and cross-media implementation of a new brand, a freelancer will not give you the services you need. Bottom line: know if you need your eggs fried or coddled.

View the handy reference chart here (PDF file).

Audrey Nezer is an award-winning graphic designer in Seattle, Washington. Her company, Artifex Design, creates playful, edgy and effective marketing and communication materials for companies and organizations throughout the United States. Visit http://www.artifex.net to learn more (and win a prize!)

So you want to join in on the blogging phenomenon? Before you
get started, there are a few things you should know about
blogging. Blogging is a lot like an online journal. There are
thousands of bloggers online posting each day. It is a trend
that started in 1997 and has continued to grow steadily. If you
are interesting in blogging, but have not yet began, read over
these five things you should know before you begin.

You Can Be Personal

Many times new bloggers are really not sure what to post. They
know that their blog is a personal space, but they are afraid to
make their posts personal in any way. The best bloggers do put
themselves out there via their posts. They will post what’s on
their mind and their views or opinions on pressing issues. They
may do so in a humorous manner or be quite serious. Sometimes
new bloggers are afraid to post their true thoughts because
their blog can be commented upon. The fact is however that not
everyone will agree with your thoughts and posts, but you should
not let that hold you back. These are people who don’t
personally know you, so their comments really don’t matter much
anyway. Don’t be afraid to let your true feelings show on your
blog, after all, that it what an online journal is all about.

Don’t Be Too Personal

Although it is fine to be personal in your posts, you might not
want to be too personal in how much you disclose about yourself.
For example, including your phone number or address in a post or
on your profile is probably not a good idea. You should think
smart and only allow people to know things that you want them to
know. For your own safety, you might not want to post your last
name either. When someone has a lot of information about you, it
is easier for them to victimize you through identity theft,
harassment, or other crimes. So, stay safe and never post really
private information.

Never Use Real Names

When you are posting, and keeping it personal and real, there
can be times in which other people in your life come up in
topic. Be very careful including other people in your posts.
First, never use their real names. This is a huge mistake.
Unless the person gives you permission to write about them, you
should never do so. It will only lead to trouble. If the person
you mention reads your blog, they could get offended that you
are writing about them. Even if the post is positive, it can be
seen much like talking behind their back. Try to keep the posts
about you or celebrities or other public figures. Let everyone
else’s business remain their own.

Keep It Fresh

One of the best things you can do as a blogger is to keep your
blog fresh. This means that you should be posting often and
changing things around when doing so. Post on different topics
so your audience can stay interested. Also, post at least twice
a week. People who will become fans of your site will want to
read as much as possible on your blog. Updating your blog
regularly will allow them to be entertained. If you only post
once a month, chances are no one will remember to keep checking
your blog and your traffic will not be impressive.

You Can Blog For Free

Before you pay an arm and a leg for a blogging space, you should
know that there are sites where you can blog for free. Yes, for
no charge at all you can set up your own blog. These sites are
great for the new blogger. If you want something a little more
sophisticated, you might have to pay for it. The free sites are
very well maintained however. They are easy to use and offer
several different templates for you to use when designing your
blog. They automatically update your posts for you, which make
them a breeze! Remember, you should not pay a large fee for your
blog, especially if you are new to blogging. Do your research
and find the free sites!

Most companies that have websites have access to traffic
statistics, usually provided by their web host. Those that don’t
look at these files (or use a bargain basement web hosting
company that doesn’t provide them) don’t know what they are
missing- there is a wealth of information to be found, and
reacting to this information can have a positive impact on a
company’s bottom line. What follows are some of the most basic
stats that are typically available, followed by brief
suggestions on how to use the information.

The Myth of “Hits” Most web surfers have come across sites that
boast about “20,000 hits per day” or something similar. But what
does this mean? To an internet marketer, unfortunately, not
much. “Hits” actually refers to the number of requests for
information the web server receives. To use an oversimplified
example, if your company homepage has 20 separate graphics on
it, each visitor to that page will account for 20 hits. If you
were boasting of 20,000 hits per day, you would really only be
talking about 1000 visitors. Obviously, this statistic is not a
fair indication of actual site visitors, and shouldn’t be
figured into your traffic analysis.

Average Visitors (Daily, Weekly, Monthly) This is the true
measure of website activity. Of course, more traffic is
desirable in most circumstances (provided it is at least
somewhat targeted). Without access to this data and the ability
to look at visitor history, it is impossible to tell if your
traffic building initiatives, whether online or offline, are
working. It should be noted that the more your traffic
increases, the more accurate the rest of your data becomes. This
is simply because trends in a larger sample are more telling
than trends in a smaller sample where a small number of atypical
users can skew the results.

Average Time Spent On Site and Average Page Views Per Visitor
This data can be very useful in determining how your site is
connecting with visitors. If the average time that people spend
on the site is small (for example less than a minute), or the
average visitor only visits one or two pages, it may indicate
some sort of problem. Perhaps your site is attracting the wrong
traffic, with visitors abandoning the site quickly when they
realize it isn’t what they were seeking. Perhaps visitors are
confused by the navigation and decide to look elsewhere. Maybe
your site, even though you love it, gives off an inexplicable
bad vibe. Whatever the case, an awareness of the time people
spend on your site and the number of pages they view can bring a
potential problem to your attention, and help you gauge how
effective your solution is.

Most/Least Requested Pages This information is helpful in
determining the “hot” and “cold” areas of your website. If you
notice that a page that you think is important is not getting
any attention, perhaps the link to this page should be made more
prominent or enticing. On the other hand, if there are areas of
the site that you deem less important that are attracting a
great deal of your traffic, you can shift some of your
sales/marketing focus to those pages. Whatever you find in these
stats, you can bet that it will give you valuable insight into
the interests and motivations of your visitors.

Top Exit Pages There are probably certain pages of your site
where you don’t mind visitors leaving (after all, they can’t
stay forever). A confirmation page after they fill out a request
for more information might be one example of a reasonable exit
point. A contact page that tells visitors how to get in touch
with your company might also be acceptable. Unfortunately, it is
unrealistic to assume that each of your visitors is going to
find exactly what they are looking for on your company site, so
it is normal to see a wide range of exit pages. However, if a
high percentage of visitors are leaving on any particular page,
it bears some close scrutiny. Sometimes minor modifications in
content can have a positive impact on visitor retention.

Top Search Phrases This data can be very useful in understanding
what type of traffic is coming to your site. If you see relevant
phrases that bring you consistent traffic, you can assume that
you are getting some targeted traffic. On the other hand, if
there are predominant phrases people are using to find your site
that are unrelated to your business, you know that at least some
of your traffic is of a lesser quality. In addition, if you
notice that people find your site by typing in the name of your
company, you should be pleased to know that you have achieved
some level of brand awareness. By examining the search phrases
that your visitors are using, you gain a better understanding of
your visitor.

Conclusion Some people are intimidated by these reports (mostly
because of the sheer volume of data available), but they
shouldn’t be. While there are many highly specialized statistics
that can be used for more in-depth analysis of site traffic, the
above areas alone can provide invaluable information on site
visitors and website performance. Remember- this data is
available for a reason. It’s up to your company to use it!