Slurred Speech

With 2006 nearly upon us, many people use this time to look optimistically towards the year ahead by setting financial goals and planning for the future. How often however, do we find ourselves looking back at the winter months and feeling truly satisfied that we accomplished the goals we set for ourselves? For many of us, achieving our goals is more of a lofty dream than a reality; but it is never too late to change that trend.

No matter how overwhelmed you may feel, your financial goals can be achieved; and by following three simple steps you might even find yourself with a few extra bucks in your pocket.

Step 1: Build a Household Budget

Before you establish a general goal for your family’s finances, set up a budget to document exactly how much you can afford to spend on each household need.

Step 2: Examine Your Expenses

Once your budget is built it can tell you just how much or how little income is left over after all your costs are accounted for. Pay close attention to each household need or category, and decide with your family whether or not budget cuts can be made. For instance, if you notice that your heating bill has risen this winter because of the increase in the price of oil, try and find a spot that is less necessary, perhaps in clothing expenses or cable television.

Step 3: Use a Spending Plan

Now that you’ve documented your required expenses, it is time to adhere to your budget. By implementing a weekly or monthly spending plan you can be sure to stay on top of your budget by allotting your family specific amounts of money that can be spent.

For more information regarding budgeting and savings plans, log on to www.consumercredit.com.

Tom Palange

Education Programs Specialist

American Consumer Credit Counseling

http://www.consumercredit.com

Home sellers have been contacting me about selling their homes with the question: “Should I discount my home to sell it before the market goes down or wait until I fix it up first?”

If you’re selling your home or investment property, you should consider a few facts.

First, the real estate market may not go down in value. Some cities have decreased in value while other areas keep appreciating. Study your local employment trends and keep abreast of the job market. Are people moving in for employment opportunities or moving out for jobs?

Also, study your local housing market. People always need housing. Are there many vacancies and a huge supply of listed homes in your area?

Should you put your home on the market right now, or should you wait?

There are indications that it may be worthwhile for you to put your home on the market now. The first indicator is increasing interest rates. Interest rates have been rising steadily for several months, and it appears that they are going to continue to rise.

Higher interest rates carry with them several consequences. Fewer buyers will be able to qualify for homes as interest rates increase, which in turn increase payments. All real estate markets are somewhat different, of course, but with higher interest costs, there is often a dip in real estate values to compensate, which means that you might get a lower price for your house as 2006 wears on than you would if you put it on the market right away.

With adjustable mortgages becoming more and more standard, homeowners will find their payments rising, as well. That means more people will find themselves in a financial bind, prompting them to sell their homes. As with all supply and demand situations, a glut of house on the market will mean more competition, and lower prices. Check with your loan officer and find out if there is a significant increase in mortgage defaults in you local area.

If you happen to be one of those financially-strapped sellers, you may find yourself in an increasingly difficult situation because of the combination of fewer buyers and more available houses on the market. That could translate to a longer time on the market and/or a lower sales price for your home in order to sell it quickly.

Another consideration, in areas with traditional schools, buyers like to move before school starts in September. So, you may want to put your home on the market right away.

Finally, if your home is not in prime condition, your prospective buyer will be either an investor who will only pay a discounted price or a home buyer who needs a bargain with seller concessions, like help with closing costs. If you can’t fix your home up, don’t over price it because it will just sit on the market and won’t attract showings or buyers.

The best way to sell your home is to make needed repairs, deep clean every inch, get rid of clutter, pack up your personal effects, and touch up paint. To sell for top dollar in a buyers’ market, you need to use home staging strategies.

Before you list your home, take a look at other homes in your area for sale. Get a real feel for your market. After looking at your competition, you will know what you have to do to sell your home–fast–for top dollar.

Copyright © Jeanette J. Fisher

Jeanette Fisher, America’s “Dream Home” Maker, teaches home sellers five steps to make more money selling their home. Free home selling information at http://sellfast.info Find out how to profile your buyer and use interior design secrets beyond the usual home staging methods: Home Staging Information

A 1031 exchange refers to Section 1.1031 of the Internal Revenue Code which was passed in 1990. Normally, when you sell all real and personal property, the tax code requires the payment of the Capital Gains Tax. That is to say, when you sell your office for $100,000 more than you bought it for, you must pay the gains upon those earnings. However, after the passing of a 1031 Exchange that is no longer necessarily the case.

What types of Property Qualify?

A 1031 Exchange allows sellers of some real and personal property the opportunity to avoid paying capital gains taxes (which are 15% plus state taxes) by “exchanging” their sold property for newly purchased property. However, certain restrictions apply. The most important restriction is that only business property and investment property applies. So, an exchange under a purely residential home does not qualify, whereas exchanging a property that your business has used for its office, or even one used simply for investment diversification does.

But simply selling your office isn’t enough to qualify you for a 1031 exchange. Rather, the code also requires that that you simultaneously buy a property of “like-kind.” This does not mean that if you are selling a 2000 sq. ft. office you must buy a 2000 sq. ft office. Rather, the term is interpreted very loosely to mean virtually any real estate held for productive use in a business or for investment, whether improved or unimproved can be exchanged for any other property to be used for productive business or investment purposes. So, if you sell and unimproved lot of land and purchase an improved one or visa versa, this still qualifies, just as selling industrial property and buying rental resort property does. The point here is that while “like-kind” is an important restriction, it has been interpreted so broadly as to give individuals a lot of free reign.

The Exchange

When most owners envision a 1031 exchange they envision a provision whereby they must buy and sell the two properties on the same week or even the same day. But that is not the case. A tax-deferred 1031 exchange allows up to 180 calendar days between the sale of the first property and the purchase of the second. But no matter the time between sale and purchase, a 1031 exchange is required by the Internal Revenue code to have a “qualified intermediary” to manage the exchange.

A Qualified Intermediary

The requirement of a qualified intermediary is intended primarily to prevent individuals engaged in the exchange from using the time in between the sale and purchase of property to their financial gain. Although the seller has up to 45 days to set up the intermediary, the exchange is designed so that the seller should not profit from the use of the money before the purchase of the new property is made. An intermediary serves the judicial purpose of ensuring this. But it is important to remember that the qualified intermediary charges fee for this. While these services can vary in cost depending on the additional advisory services provided by the Intermediary, individuals interested in a 1031 exchange should expect to pay somewhere in the vicinity of $500 to $700 for the first exchange and $200 to $400 for each additional property.

Dan Johnson enjoys writing about 1031 exchange. Visit www.1031exchangelowdown.com/ to learn more.

Having a love-hate relationship with your TV? Tell me about it. Can’t live with it–can’t live without it, right? When my son was about age nine, he shared an experience he had while reading. He told me about reading something and, “… it was almost like being there”. He’s since become an avid reader which has helped him in all areas of study. A real parent’s dream.

So what does this have to do with TV? I know, I know, this topic has been beaten to death; we watch too much television, it rules our lives and it’s overloaded with sex, violence and materialism. Everyone’s heard this all before; how the television replaced the family hearth, etc., etc.

But my son’s reading experience continues to stick with me and make me look at what has happened to my own imagination… and why. You know, words like imagination and imagery come from the basic word “image”. I know that’s obvious, but I haven’t always perceived those words as being related.

Ever wonder about what life was like before TV? Do you think that people were bored out of their skulls, sitting in their living rooms staring at the wall waiting for a solution to be invented? It couldn’t have been like that… people whittled and played checkers a lot, right? And since they didn’t have microwave ovens yet either, they spent lots of time cooking, right?

It’s also a common cliché that people never like the movie as much as they liked the book they happened to read first. Why is that? And how can children spend hours playing “pretend”?

The point I’m getting at here, is that our power of imagination is an enormous under-tapped potential. And to the degree that we don’t use it, we lose it. The difference between zoning out in front of the TV and reading, is that when reading, the mind is actively engaged in a game of interpreting the author, by generating its own imagery. So it could actually be said, that reading is the ultimate video game. Betcha never heard that before! On the other hand the television does the work for you, and if you settle for “whatever is on”, you also settle for second hand imagery. What you see is what you get.

Many great engineers, scientists and inventors were inspired by science fiction authors. That meeting of the minds created imagery, resulting in further problem solving which resulted in innovations and progress. Again, what you see is what you get. But, seeing what’s possible is different than seeing “whatever’s on”, wouldn’t you say?

The self-help and new age fields today talk a lot about creative visualization, positive affirmation, mind-set, manifesting, goal setting, quantum physics, meditation, etc. Some of these subjects and terms seem strange and weird to many people. Like a lot of mumbo-jumbo. Religion and faith also enters into the mix–and people have so many religion-related issues, that it’s difficult to approach spirituality without stirring those things up. This applies of course to both the religious and non-religious. People have moved away from religion, largely because of the control it attempted to place upon them. Consider however that if you have issues about being controlled, how easy is it to ignore that box in the living room?

See, I just wanted to discuss ways to recover our power of imagination and creativity–and look where it leads. So listen, without getting into all that STUFF, why not try a little experiment. Start reading and getting outdoors a bit more. Instead of turning on the television, turn on some music instead. The cable and satellite TV providers are also including some great music channel packages these days. I realized that when the music is on, I can do other things and still enjoy the music, whereas, with TV, I have to watch it and therefore cannot engage in alternative activity as easily. Think about it.

The thing that finally pushed me beyond, was watching people on HGTV and DIY creating and upgrading the quality of their lives. My wife and I were watching these programs, vicariously experiencing the activities we ourselves should be involved in. That’s when I decided to take CONTROL, instead of the REMOTE CONTROL of my life. But it really began from my child’s realization about reading.

My personal opinion is that we’d have far less depression and anxiety if we returned to our own imagination and depended less upon the imagery of the news media and social drama on the screen. Perhaps with a stronger more facile imagination, one can more likely reach goals, realize dreams and snatch back time for their own creative endeavors. Even if your goal & dream is to own the biggest flat screen in your neighborhood, you must create the wherewithal to obtain it. Start somewhere and imagine it being done, then do it.

“Has anyone seen the remote?”

J.P. Holesworth resides in the Pacific Northwest where even though it’s beautiful, we have to make our own sunshine much of the time.

Visit http://www.manifestprofits.com and order your FREE copy of The Manifesting Mindset.

Hampton Court Palace is positioned to the south west of London City, on the banks of the River Thames, bounded by wooded areas & wonderful private grounds. Hampton Court Palace, King Henry 8s superb water shore accommodation is situated in well over 400 acres of wooded areas & grounds.

Inciting the feeling of over four hundred & fifty years of folklore, uniformed artists can be spotted throughout Henry 8ths and King William 3’s spectacular State palaces. The scenes, sounds & odours of the elegant Tudor kitchens where royal occasions were made for Henry?s courtyard of over nine hundred people can also be viewed. Information about Hampton Court London can be found at the official site for tourism in England.

Hampton Court Palace has been split into 6 separate routes or outings. The Maze at Hampton Court Palace which is located on the Thames to the west of the Capital is probably the most famous hedge maze on this planet.

Hampton Court palace has an awful tradition and is said to be controlled by some ghouls, including 2 of Henry 8s departed wives & a nursemaid to his kids. Hampton Court Palace keepers and staff will be at the ready to show people to their selected state quarter for a wine & canap?s reception. Costumed callers will declare dinner & guests will be requested to take their reserved seats for a superb two course meal with top-quality fine champagne.

Hampton Court Palace has over 60 acres of state private gardens on-top-of the six-hundred acres of royal woods. The palace gardens go back to the 16th Century, when the 1st Privy Garden was put down between fifteen-thirty and fifteen-thirty eight for King Henry the eighth.

Rawhide lamp shades can be ruined in transportation and shipping or they can arrive in perfect condition, with the right handling techniques. Weather you use these tips for personal use or if you are one of our dealers on the road to trade shows or other stores, the valuable techniques we have pioneered come from personal experience in the school of hard knocks, a class we don’t want you to have to attend.

Each month, Mission Del Rey transports hundreds of rawhide lamp shades to our shipping center in El Paso, TX for shipping to destinations around the world. The 450 mile trip through the southwest desert has been our proving ground.

Rawhide lamp shades have three enemies in transportation, heat, light, & air. Shades may be stacked together to save space but must be sealed to protect them from wind and sunlight and must be humidified to avoid being heated to the point of splitting. In our cargo trailer temperatures can soar to 150 degrees. In the early days, we lost dozens of rawhide shades. Now, we don’t lose any.

Packing for transportion. First, the rawhide lampshades are separated by size into stacks that are manageable. Second, the stack is placed inside a large plastic bag and then the laced edges sprayed with water using a spray bottle, then the bag is sealed with packaging tape. Third, the humidified and sealed packages are padded from each other and covered with furniture blankets which act as insulation from sun, wind and heat.

Finally, immediately upon arrival, the packages are unsealed and the rawhide lamp shades emerge intact. Note, it is very important not to leave the rawhide shades in the sealed packages as the moisture will ultimately rust the metal frames.

Packing for UPS/Fed Ex shipping. If you have ever witnessed the handling procedure at one of the distribution centers you might say it is amazing. If one of the packages being handled is your rawhide lamp shade, the word scary might come to mind. Mountains of packages are thrown and climbed on in handling and sit every which way but up.

Rawhide lamp shades have sturdy welded steel frames. The laced edges are the part of the shade most susceptible to damage. Wrap the shade loosely in paper or plastic. Place a ring of bubble wrap or foam around the lower rim to protect both the side and bottom of the shade. Tape it in place. Cover the top of the shade with the same material. Select a box the size of the bottom diameter of your lamp shade. (ie. a 20″ dia. Shade in a 20″x20″ box) Seat the padded lampshade firmly into the base of the box and trim the box height so that it closes flush with the top of the shade. Use plenty of tape in different directions to seal the package and short of the delivery truck running over it, you should have good results and a perfect shade.

About the author:

Craig Chambers, is the President of Mission Del Rey, an Arizona non profit organization preserving and advancing the culture of the Tarahumara Indians through traditional skills. Rawhide lamp shades and other hand crafts are available through the mission store at http://store.missiondelrey.com or on ebay at http://stores.ebay.com/Mission-Del-Rey For further information or questions you may write to sales@missiondelrey.com

The bookies will anticipate a deluge of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal trebles as all three play arguably “easy” matches although there is better value to be found at Craven Cottage and Upton Park. There could also be more Midlands derby misery in store for Aston Villa on Sunday at tempting odds.

Friday 14 April

Manchester United vs Sunderland
United’s rousing 2-0 victory over Arsenal on Sunday was their ninth in a row and they could not have better opponents to make it a perfect 10. Sunderland are out of their depth at this level and will be relegated on Saturday if they lose. Kevin Ball’s side took just nine minutes to concede against a Fulham side without an away win all season last weekend and are in danger of being on the receiving end of a thrashing. United’s recent league record against the Black Cats at Old Trafford reads 2-1, 4-1, 3-0, 4-0 and 5-0. Bar the close encounter in 2002/03 season, United could well hit the three goals necessary to cover a two goal handicap but at odds-on it’s no value is backing them outright at 1/10 (Bet365). If you want a run for your money, Wayne Rooney, who was magnificent against the Gunners, could be a good bet to score the first goal.
Walker’s Word: Wayne Rooney to score the first goal @ 3/1.

Saturday 15 April

Bolton Wanderers vs Chelsea
Chelsea showed great commitment to come back from both a goal and player down to crush West Ham at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and know they can’t suffer any slip ups with Manchester United hot on their heels. Bolton have lost their last four Premiership matches in a row, although three of them were away with the home reverse coming against a resurgent United they have their work cut out to stop the rot against Jose Mourinho’s side. Chelsea have won their last two visits to the Reebok Stadium 2-0 and a similar result is expected this weekend.
Walker’s Word: Five defeats in a row - back Chelsea @ 8/13.

Arsenal vs West Bromwich Albion
After losing to Manchester United on Sunday, Arsenal cannot afford to lose any more ground on fourth placed Tottenham Hotspur and maximum points are required against the relegation-threatened Baggies. There is no value in an Arsenal win at 2/9 especially since Brian Robson’s side earned a 1-1 draw at Highbury last season while Thierry Henry may be rested with the Champions League semi-final against Villarreal the following week in mind. Another goal scorer bet could be best investment here and prior to Sunday’s defeat, Emmanuel Adebayor has scored twice in his last two matches against Charlton and Aston Villa and is value at odds-against to score at any time during the match.
Walker’s Word: Emmanuel Adebayor to score at any time @ 5/4.

Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur
Everton are undefeated at Goodison Park this year and are on course for a top 10 finish while Tottenham have won just once in their last six away matches as they strive to claim fourth spot and a potentially lucrative Champions League place. Four of the last six meetings between have pair have been draws, although Spurs won last season 1-0 while season before Everton hammered them 3-1.
Walker’s Word: Another stalemate looks the likely result here @ 9/4.

Fulham vs Charlton Athletic
Fulham may be cannon fodder on their travels but at Craven Cottage they are a force to be reckoned with, winning 10 out of 16 matches on home soil and accumulating 32 of the 36 points gained this season in front of their own fans. Charlton have not won at Fulham since 1983 and have not won away in the Premiership since beating Portsmouth at Fratton Park 2-1 in October.
Walker’s Word: Another home win for Fulham @ 6/5.

Newcastle United vs Wigan Athletic
This is the first time the pair have met in the league at St James Park but Wigan have beaten the Magpies 1-0 on two separate occasions this season in both the Premiership and Carling Cup. While Newcastle look to have turned around a sticky patch with two successive victories, including the derby win at Middlesbrough on Sunday, Wigan look like a side running out of steam. They have won just twice in their last 10 games, although both were away from home at Manchester City and Sunderland, two sides arguably on a downtrend.
Walker’s Word: Newcastle to make it three wins in succession @ 5/6.

Portsmouth vs Middlesbrough
If Portsmouth are to avoid relegation then they need to make their home matches count. Pompey have won the last two fixtures between the pair at Fratton Park, including a 5-1 drubbing two seasons ago which saw now-Boro striker Yakubu score four times. Middlesbrough have also played through a congested fixture list recently which has seen long runs in both the FA and UEFA Cup and may be susceptible to defeat a long way from home.
Walker’s Word: Not attractive at odds-on, but Portsmouth @ 5/6.

West Ham United vs Manchester City
After a stunning collapse against 10-man Chelsea on Sunday, West Ham should be backed to return to winning ways against flagging Manchester City. Stuart Pearce’s side has lost five matches home and away in succession and have not won at Upton Park since 1991/92 in the old Division One. The Hammers are without a win in three Premiership matches at Upton Park to give them an added incentive.
Walker’s Word: Stuart Pearce to go psycho - West Ham @ Evens.

Sunday 16 April

Aston Villa vs Birmingham City
Villa host their second Midlands derby in a week and again may not give their supporters much to cheer about. An improving Birmingham side have enjoyed the better of the results in recent derbies, winning twice and drawing once at Villa Park in the last three seasons. Villa have kept three successive clean sheets on home soil, including two goalless draws, so another low scoring encounter is anticipated. Birmingham are unbeaten in their last three but have not won away since their 1-0 victory at Sunderland in November. The Villains are without a home win since crushing Everton 4-0 on Boxing Day and the odds on Steve Bruce’s side inflicting even more misery are too tempting to be ignored.
Walker’s Word: Birmingham’s run to continue @ 9/4.

Blackburn Rovers vs Liverpool
With Liverpool comfortably in third place, the onus will be on Blackburn Rovers to try and win to keep up the pressure on fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. It will be a tall order as the Reds have won their last five in succession and are unbeaten at Ewood Park in the last six meetings between the pair. Four matches have ended all square with Liverpool winning 3-1 in both the 2003/04 and 1998/99 seasons. However, Rovers are unbeaten in their last five league matches and Craig Bellamy is the Premiership’s form player with six goals in as many games.
Walker’s Word: A fifth draw in seven meetings @ 9/4.

David Walker is the resident tipster at a popular free bets website. Feature Walker’s Word on your own website, blog or forum for free each week.

1. Attract prospects with your headline
Use your headline as a flag to attract readers who are interested in your product. If you are selling a solution to premature hair loss, put PREMATURE HAIR LOSS in your headline. Your headline will catch the eye of everyone who suffers from this predicament. If you want teenagers to read your ad, put TEENAGERS in your ad. Be careful that you do not put anything in your ad that excludes prospects. For example, if you are selling a cellular phone that can be used by men and women alike, do not slant your headline toward men alone. That will only cause women to think that your ad does not apply to them.

2. Appeal to your reader’s self-interest with your headline
Make every headline you write appeal to the interests of your prospect and not those of the company that is selling the product. Instead of saying SPIRITOL WILL CURE YOUR HEADACHE, say GOT A HEADACHE? CURE IT WITH SPIRITOL. Begin your headlines with YOU rather than WE.

3. Sell your product in your headline
David Ogilvy, an advertising pioneer of the 1960s and 1970s says that, on average, five times as many people read your headline as read your copy. So it follows that unless your headline sells your product, you have wasted 90% of your money. So your headline should do some selling whenever possible.

4. Include your selling promise in your headline
The best headlines promise readers a benefit, such as fewer cavities, cheaper gas, whiter clothes. Your selling promise is simply the greatest benefit that you are advertising about your product, so include it in your headline. This often makes for headlines of at least 12 words. People read long headlines as long as they (1) promise a benefit, (2) complement an intriguing visual, and (3) are part of an attractive ad design. Don’t shy away from long headlines. A headline is too long only when it uses one word more than is needed to sell its message.

5. Name what you are advertising in your headline
If the headline is all that your prospects read, then at least tell them the name of what you are selling. If the name sticks, your ad will have at least made your readers familiar with your product. And that is a vital role in advertising keeping your product’s name at the top of the consumer’s mind.

6. Avoid award-winning cleverness in your headlines
Puns and literary allusions may be clever (to you) but they don’t necessarily sell your product. In the average newspaper, your headline competes with 350 others for your reader’s attention. Readers skim fast through these headlines. And readers do not stop long to decipher obscure headlines. Clever headlines, while they may win awards at advertising galas, often serve to draw attention to themselves and away from the product. Don’t write clever headlines just for the sake of it.

7. Say things in the positive in headlines
Avoid negatives in your headlines for two reasons. First of all, negative statements leave a negative impression, while positive statements leave a positive impression. SPRINTAB CURES YOUR HEADACHE is a positive way of saying SPRINTAB WILL NOT LET YOUR HEADACHE STAY FOR LONG. Stick with the positive.

Secondly, statements phrased in a negative way often mislead readers. They think your negative way of phrasing a positive thing says the opposite of what it actually says. Thus, some readers will see the headline OUR BEEF CONTAINS NO ADDITIVES, but will mistake it to have said OUR BEEF CONTAINS ADDITIVES. This headline is better re-written as OUR BEEF IS 100% PURE.

8. Avoid “IF” headlines
Be declarative in your headlines. Avoid conditional phrases, such as IF YOU BUY THIS LAMP, YOU’LL SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL, and IF YOU NEED A PLUMBER, CALL JOE’S PLUMBING. Conditional phrases drain the power from your headlines.

You are better off: (1) putting the prospect right into your headlines, (2) assuming that your prospect has the need that you are addressing and (3) speaking as though the prospect is already satisfied with your product. For example: WATCH YOUR ELECTRIC BILL SHRINK WITH THIS ELECTRIC LAMP, or “JOE’S PLUMBING SAVED MY HOUSE FROM FLOODING.”

9. Say things in the present tense in your headlines
Put vigour and drama into your headlines by saying things in the present tense instead of in the past or future tense. The present tense is stronger and more immediate than the past tense: “I SAVED $1,000 WITH MY MIDLAND BANK MORTGAGE” is weaker than “I AM SAVING $1,000 WITH MY MIDLAND BANK MORTGAGE.”

The present tense is stronger than the future tense: T.E.S.T. COMPUTERS WILL MAKE YOU MORE PRODUCTIVE is weaker than T.E.S.T. COMPUTERS MAKE YOU MORE PRODUCTIVE.

10. Make headlines work with the visual, not the body copy
Make your headline tell one part of the story and have your visual tell the other part. Don’t use a headline to repeat what the visual is saying. And don’t simply illustrate the headline. Let the headline and the visual work together. Avoid blind headlines that make no sense unless the reader reads the body copy underneath them. The majority of readers only read headlines, so you must write headlines that are complete in themselves.

Alan is a business-to-business direct mail copywriter and lead generation consultant. As President of Sharpe Copy Inc. (http://www.sharpecopy.com), Alan specializes in helping businesses generate leads, close sales and retain customers, using cost-effective, compelling direct mail and email marketing. Alan also uses his direct mail advertising services to help charities raise funds and raise awareness of their causes, using fundraising letters.

Dildos will often be difficult to introduce into a partnership Some people can often notice the introduction of sex aids into a marriage scary & it might often bring up questions such as “does he fancy me anymore”? Though vibrators can often be a fantastic & satisfying affair and dildos also help to build confidence between you & your lover. If you like dildos you should try it with your favourite Anal Toys.

Figuring out which sexual aid to choose can be an adventure. A time where you and your mistress can sit down and talk about what you together want out of the experience and choose a dong together that meets both of your desires. Please don’t go straight in for the main gigantic marital aids, just start off slowly.

Once both of you have chosen a sexy toy & have had the joy of turning on your new marital aid you and your partner need to get into the sexy mood. Dimmed light and soft music are the perfect platform to just start off any sexual experience. Make the time romantic, unplug the phone, turn off the DVD player and concentrate fully on your boyfriend. Elongated sensual stimulation before bringing out the sexual toy is an awesome idea. Soft and loving touch heightens the sexual sensations & helps towards a very relaxing & satisfying sex session.

And please do not forget to get into the zone, have fun & enjoy it.

How many times has this happened: The promising new employee
makes a good first impression, is enthusiastic but just doesn’t
get the job done?

To maximise our chances of getting this right we need to rely on
some basic research which tells us that most people will
continue to repeat past behaviours. Some say as much as 88% of
the time. If this is the case then we need to define what we
want them to do and find out if they have done it before - in a
consistent way.

While this seems very logical it is often quite surprising how
many people rely on what a candidate says they will do, or could
do in certain circumstances. “I am well organised and can bring
a project in on budget and on time.” Easy to say, but have they
ever done it?

Starting with the job description is a good first step - what
are the key results this job has to deliver? Reviewing past
successful job holders will also help - what did they do that
made them successful?

Listing the key issues the new employee would have to deliver
for you to think the appointment is successful is a good test.
Listing all these specific results required up front and then
stating the behaviours they must have to achieve them is the
next step. Make them “must haves”. This will make it much easier
when it comes to screening applicants and making the final
selection. It even helps with the advertisement.

Let’s look at a simple example of how this works. We want
someone who can develop new business and sell your product into
new market segments. Based on the key results areas of the job
description and what we require from the new person in, say, the
first three months, we might define success as identifying a new
market segment and selling product to at least three new
customers within it.

To increase our chances of success we want someone who has done
this before so we define this as: must have carried out analysis
of sales data to identify new markets and successfully developed
new customers.

We can put this in an advertisement or brief a consultant with
it. When we are reading résumés we can see if they had the
opportunity to do it.

When it comes to interviewing we don’t ask if they can do it, we
do ask, “tell me how you last went about analysing sales data to
identify new market segments”. If we get satisfactory examples
of this we can then ask “tell me how you closed a deal on your
last new customer”.

By getting enough examples in this way to satisfy yourself they
have already done what you want them to do, you have increased
your chances of a successful recruitment exercise. Of course you
must cover this ground again when reference checking, using the
examples given to check their veracity: “Tell me, how did John
go about identifying new market segments?”

Building this technique into your recruitment process along with
recruiting for the desired core competencies outlined in a
previous article, will make a difference - and it can amount to
hundreds of thousands of dollars if that difference is between
the right person and the wrong person.