Saturday, January 24, 2009

Workplace Efficiencies

By Mali74

In most companies there are inefficiencies that cost companies a lot of money. These inefficiencies can hide in paper flow, job descriptions, management oversight of employees, recruiting processes, training, and just about every other nook and cranny of the business. The larger the company becomes the more these inefficiencies cause lost revenue and waste. Therefore, fixing inefficiencies is important in maintaining a lean machine.

Inefficiencies are not always easy to uncover because few actually take a look at the processes and procedures the company is using. This is due to the inability of executives to concentrate on something besides product quotas and profits. However, failure to look for inefficiencies slowly erodes profits like a slow growing disease. The organizations moves slower and uses too energy to produce the product.

In many cases paper flows to the wrong places or has too many stops along the way to be effective. When this happens processes take too long and require too many people to complete. If a company were to cut down on waste they would be able to realize higher profits and reduce overhead. The support function should be a contributing factor to production not a detractor.

Sometimes the organization is not using human labor to its most efficient end. Some departments may have overcapacity while other departments may not have enough. At times the goals and objectives of the organization do not have the right employee mix to accomplish them. Thus it would be necessary to adjust the labor allocations to places that best fulfill corporate objectives.

There are times when your strongest employees are not in the places that help them utilize their skills to their fullest extent. Other times it is possible that the wrong employees are being used in places where it is critical to have the right employees. Sometimes increasing the compensation of certain management positions could result in the attracting of more skillful management that can save a department hundreds of thousands of dollars in operational efficiencies.

Efficiencies can come from just about any corner of the business. Defining your product, determining your objectives and adjusting everything within the organization to meet the objectives and increase the value of the product is hugely important. However, most organizations never come around to increasing efficiencies so they continue to lose money year after year without so much as a blink of an eye.

Some places to look for inefficiencies are as follows:

Paper flow Labor allocation Operations Skill level Supplies Management

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Buying a Home in a Small Community

By John Kron

Have you ever considered moving away from the big city and enjoying life in a small town? Smaller communities can have a lot going for them. Owning property in a small town can have a lot of benefits for you and your family.

One big benefit can be the savings on the price of the home. In some cases, the asking price of a house in a smaller town will be quite a bit lower than in the big city. While this is not always true, it is worth looking at the market value of comparable homes in different communities.

Safety is usually a big concern to parents, and small communities can give you a feeling of more security. Not only are there smaller schools and shorter distances for the children to walk, but the people next door are willing to keep an eye out for you. With less traffic and fewer people, small towns can be ideal for your family.

Buying property in a small community that is steadily growing might mean that your home's equity will grow too. An up and coming town will always help the value of a house. See if you can tell whether a specific community seems to be in decline or on the rise. This might take a little investigation!

So, you have decided a small town might be right for you. what's next? You could drive through some communities and have a look around and get a sense of what you do or don't like about them. There are a lot of different things you can look at, but here are just a few ideas.

For instance, make sure to check distances to and from major highways and city centers. What sort of houses are available in general? Are the town and yards tidy and well kept? How about school locations, fire department, ambulance or hospital, library and recreation centers? Is there a local police station?

If you are thinking that you might want to look for a home in a smaller community, the next step will be finding a real estate agent to help you. You might decide that the correct decision for your lifestyle is to live in a large metropolitan area. But if you do choose to move out into a less populated center, I hope you find it as peaceful and safe as I do.

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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Quality pepper spray and history of it

By reklicom

In 1973, OC pepper spray was developed as an aerosol spray and used by FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) for incapacitating animals as well as humans for temporary duration. Since then the US department of Justice has been successfully using pepper sprays.

New York: Civilians in New York can purchase defense sprays other than pepper sprays only from a licensed Firearms Dealers or any other licensed Pharmacist within the state.

Massachusetts: In Massachusetts, civilians can only purchase certain types of defense sprays from a licensed Firearms Dealer within the state.

A secret martial art society of people in ancient Japan called the Ninjas has been using grounded pepper for disabling their opponents for a long time. Historical evidence reveals that in the Tukagawa Empire era in Japan, the police used a weapon called the "metsubishi." Metsubishi was, basically, a box consisting of chili pepper and the police used to use this box for blowing hot pepper into the eyes of people who were found guilty of some crime.

There is even historical evidence of the use of chilies in Mexico that dates back to 7000 BC. According to the evidence collected, Mexican Indians were cultivating peppers in 5500 BC. Some of the types of pepper grown during that time include chiltecpin, jalapeno, ancho, paprika, serrano, cayenne pepper, as well as bell pepper in different colors. The fact about whether they used these different peppers for self-defense or as weapons of defense during those times is unknown.

California: In California, civilians need to ensure that pepper spray canisters are less than 2.5 ounces.

Washington D.C.: Civilians in this state have to first register possession of pepper spray with their local law enforcement agencies before they can use them.

In the US, there are two types of pepper sprays that can be used by civilians and they are CS (orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile) and CN (chloroacetophenone). There is a third type called the CR but it has not yet been recommended for civilian use. The fourth option is the standard pepper spray that has been made from an extract of chili peppers used for making oleoresin capsicum. The process basically ensures that the main ingredients, which cause irritation in the eyes is gained from the chili. OC or oleoresin capsicum is insoluble in water and is normally dispersed using aerosol cans.

The pepper spray was actually imported from Canada to the US where it was being used by civilians as a bear repellent spray and not against human intruders. The modern day civilian pepper sprays are safe as well as legal weapons for self-defense.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Read How TV Brackets Can Change Your Viewing Comfort

By Peter Thomas

Is your flat screen TV sitting on or in a cabinet? By choosing TV brackets you open up better options for TV viewing. You might ask how this is and we will cover that in this article.

Firstly, it is important to remember that you are dealing with a valuable piece of equipment with your flat screen TV. Because of this you need to be looking at very good solid TV brackets that are going to support your TV. Generally speaking flat screen TVs are light by comparison to older TVs, but it is all relative. The larger screens still have some weight in them to be supported on the wall.

Do you know the advantages of choosing a TV bracket for your TV? Have you seen what a tilt/swivel bracket can do? With this type of bracket you are given many options for your TV viewing. You can have it flat against the wall or pull it out and turn it to face any direction that you would need. This is particularly suitable for larger rooms where someone might be reading or working in one corner of the room and someone else is over the other side. Then again it would suit the open plan house.

If you have tilting brackets those littlies wont be straining their necks. When children watch TV they often want to sprawl out on the floor.

The brackets themselves can be quite a simple arrangement and the extra viewing advantages make them worthwile. The range is wide and it allows you to find something that would suit every room in the house and every size TV that you would be likely to buy and put on a bracket.

Care needs to be taken to ensure that you purchase the correct bracket for your particular TV, but beyond that it is not too difficult. If you use a website to find a suitable bracket, you will find that you can gather the information with the minimum of fuss.

Certain brackets are also designed for future TV screens because they have multiple screw placements. This may be a concern to you and it may not. It is not like the holes that you put in the wall are extra large, they are not, so it would be easy to disguise them again at a later stage.

Research the options with your TV brackets and see that you are getting the exact right ones to do the best job for you and your family.

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Sunday, January 18, 2009

Caring for His Country

By David

Not every hero flies through the air in a special suit. Some wear a uniform. As I was doing research the other day, I came across the story of just such a hero--one General Maxwell W. Steel, Jr. Retired since 1975, General Steel left behind a legacy, a lifetime of both civilian and military service. His story says it all.

General Steel had earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in January of 1944. While learning to be a doctor, General Steel joined the Medical Officer Training Corps. Upon completion of his degree, he received his Reserve Commission as First Lieutenant. He then completed his internship at Germantown Hospital in September of 1944. Then, in November 1944, General Steel entered full-time military service and was assigned to the Orthopedic Service at the Oliver General Hospital, Augusta, Georgia. He was then re-assigned to the Neurosurgical Service at the McCaw General Hospital in Walla Walla, Washington only a few months later, in February of 1945.

His medical career did not end after the war. Rather, it continued in civilian life in Philadelphia. A year after World War II he was appointed chief hospital resident at Memorial Hospital. Then, in 1947, he received a regular commission in the Army (after first finishing his post-graduate training in internal medicine). He was assigned as a resident of internal medicine at Walter Reed in July of 1948. In July of 1949 he was transferred to serve in the Air Force, be fore he completed his residency at Walter Reed.

His career would just continue on in the Air Force from there. In late 1950 he was assigned to Chanute Air Force Base where he served as Chief Medical Officer. Shortly thereafter, from 1951 to 1953 he would serve as a consultant in internal medicine to the Far East Air Force's Surgeon. In 1954, he would be transferred to California where he served as Chief of medical services and professional services at March Air Force Base.

In August of 1958, after serving as chief of medical services, and director of professional services, USAF Hospital, Bolling Air Force Base, he was re-assigned to Malcolm Grow Hospital at Andrews. There he served until August 1969 at which point he was promoted as commander of the Malcolm Grow USAF Medical Center and Surgeon of Headquarters Command, U.S. Air Force. Then, in 1970, he became command surgeon, Military Airlift Command. And, in September of 1972 , General Steel became deputy surgeon general of the U.S. Air Force. He would soon retire in September of 1975. He is a remarkable man, a paragon soldier who chose to use his career as a physician to serve his country. While his name may never come up in any school grade history classes, his contribution to the Army and the Force will never be forgotten.

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Max Workouts Review " Fitness Program Discovered

By Kelly Becker

Max Workouts Review Feeling hopeless as with your current workout program you are actually not achieving the leaner body you've been wanting for so long? Then most probably, Max Workouts program is for you.

Max Workouts is very distinct. It is a revolutionary fitness program with high-intensity interval training, circuit training, & strength training at hand which can all help in making your body lean or even leaner. Its high intensity interval workouts and circuits are proven to be effective to burn fat and eventually build muscle in the shortest time possible. It is with full body exercises with weights for maximizing your metabolism, fat burning, as well as lean muscle building.

Most likely, with Max Workouts, you will get a different workout experience and finally be free from the tiring lifting of weights, hitting the treadmill, busting your butt at the latest fitness classes, or even cranking it out at your spinning classes. Max Workouts will make your venture to better body simpler.

Effectiveness

Max Workouts is already proven to be really effective. Based from the testimonies of men and women who have tried it, certainly it is really effective.

Mainly, Max Workouts is effective because it has the secrets of the plateau-busting workout program that is scientifically proven to crank up your metabolism and melt away all your unwanted, stubborn fat. It also has the workouts that could help you in maintaining lean muscle, thus allowing you to still burn calories even after all the workouts are done.

Efficiency

No doubt, with Max Workouts you will surely get the body you desire with less sweat. The workouts with Max Workouts are shorter but are really effective. And so with these type of workouts, you'll save yourself some sweat and time and you won't tire yourself that much at the same time.

Comprehensiveness

The main edge of Max Workouts is its being comprehensive. It has the goal, the tips, the workouts and the like. It also has the key to success considering it tackles importance of increase metabolism to losing weight which is often overlooked. Not to mention that it also has the myths that could be sabotaging your workout efforts. These are common mistakes that can be avoided actually but were not usually tackled in most fitness/fat loss programs. In Max Workouts, these are very well discussed and explained. Thus, ensuring you that you will never go wrong with Max Workouts.

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Small Group Ministry for High School Guys

By Tim Shoemaker

When I read a label that says "One size fits all" I tend to get a little skeptical. What it usually means is that it doesn't fit anybody exactly right. And even if it did, where did they get the idea that everybody would want to wear the exact same style? We understand that when it comes to clothes, but somewhere along the line we got messed up when it comes to small groups for students.

Small groups are a great idea, but not a new one. I think Jesus' group of disciples may have been the original model. Small groups today typically follow a very different pattern than what Jesus did. Now each member of the group gets a book. The idea is for each person to read the designated chapter on their own then come back the next week to discuss it. Whether the small group is intended for senior citizens or seniors in high school, the same model is used. The "one size fits all" approach comes into play.

But that doesn't generally work for high school guys. They may read the book for two or three weeks, but that's about it. After that, the small group leader spends the first part of the small group time reviewing what each of them should have read, then tries to getting a meaningful discussion going. Right. The model is broke. And why should we be surprised? What other area of our youth ministry is patterned off a method used for adult and senior ministries? We wouldn't consider it with our music or activities, but somehow we got duped into thinking it will work for small group studies.

Take a fresh look at how Jesus did small groups for guys. I've never read where he handed each of the disciples a scroll, assigned them a chapter to read, and asked them to come back a week later so they could discuss it. Instead, he took them on little outings and demonstrated object lessons for them. Think about it. The storm at sea, walking on water, the fig tree, and every time he healed someone or cast out a demon. These were all activities and object lessons Jesus used to teach his small group. The disciples never knew what was coming next.

My wife and I have been applying this principle to our high school small group. We don't hand any of them a book. Instead we give them a little teaser of what we'll be doing and encourage them to come out. Then we go on an outing or do an object lesson that leads right into a spiritual truth and discussion.

Blowing up eggs in a microwave, navigating mine fields with rat traps, prompting pumpkins to puke, and all sorts of other object lessons become tools that keep the guys guessing and coming back for more.

I've put 24 of our favorites in a book. Dangerous Devotions for Guys is designed just for the small group leader. It takes you through everything you need to make small groups exciting and life-changing. This is a way to get through to your students, to connect with them in an effective small group hour.

One size doesn't fit all when it comes to small groups. Let's change the model when it comes to high school guys. It's time to give your youth group something tailor made for them. That's what Jesus did, and his small group changed the world.

About the Author: Tim Shoemaker is the author of seven books and speaks around the country to men's and parents groups about living the Christian life in a way that impacts the next generation. He leads workshops teaching parents how to lead effective family devotions, especially when the kids get older. He also teaches children's ministry and youth workers how to hold kids attention during devotionals. His workshops are "how-to", "hands-on", and powerfully equip and encourage. Happily married for over 28 years, Tim has three grown sons and is active in church leadership.

Why Is Keeping Track Of Your Heart Rate So Important?

By Colon Bolden

I personally can't understand why people dont keep track of their own heart rate. Do they know its very important and so I had to find out why not? I did a short survey for myself and walked up and ask 10 people off the street do they keep track of their heart rate? Atleast 8 out of 10 people responded with the answer no. I also asked them why not and some responses were "I really don't know"; "Just dont think about it"; "I do when I have a doctor's appointment". One guy told me, "I didn't know I had one", but he was joking and I told him, "I already know the answer to that question". The true fact is people just don't worry about their heart rate.

By you reading this article today now ask yourself, "Do I keep track of my heart rate"? If not you can start today. Get yourself a monitor or you can do it yourself. Much has been made of reaching a particular heart rate especially during execise, a rate that avoids too much stress on the heart and yet provides the desired effort. Even doctors dont play around when you visit their office. The first thing they do is check your heart rate before they see you.

Cardiologists which is known as Heart Specialists often suggest that a desirable exercise heart rate is 220 minus your age times 75%. It can definately be difficult to count your pulse but you can check it by counting the pulse in your wrist for 15 seconds and then multiplying by 4.

You may wish to count your resting pulse, perhaps in bed in the morning before you get up. By checking this pulse and that's if you don't have a heart problem and aren't taking a medication is a resting heart rate of about 60 beats per minute. An individual who isn't fit will typically have a resting heart rate of 75 or so.

There are no good medical fact to justify particular target heart rates. You may wish to check your pulse rate a few times just to get a feel for what is happening. You should really check your heart rate more offen just to make sure your numbers are basically close to being the same.

In conclusion, if you're exercising and hopefully it's not all out because if you can't talk to a companion while you're exercising, you're working your heart rate too hard.

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