Can a SEO Company Help You?

When it comes to having a successful online business, internet marketing is a must. You could have the best website in the world for your company, but no one will be able to find it if you do not find a way to get it in front of internet users. With hundreds of thousands of different websites in existence, website owners need to consider having an online internet marketing campaign. This should help potential customers find the services and products you have to offer.

While it is possible for inexperienced people to run an internet marketing campaign, successful marketers have a deep knowledge base and a knack for small details. SEO and other internet marketing methods require a good chunk of time because data should be updated weekly or monthly depending on your needs. Because of the time investment required, you may want to consider hiring a reliable and experienced internet marketing/SEO firm.

First off, you need to make sure that your needs justify hiring a SEO company. If the increased traffic could greatly increase your sales and profits, you may want to see what a professional can do for you. It is important to realize that this type of service is a long term service with marketing campaigns normally lasting a few weeks to a few months. You should take the cost of the internet marketers and calculate it in with your available advertising budget.

Like anything taking place on the internet, SEO results are not guaranteed. The goal of this type of marketing is to get your website high on search engine results which put everyone at the mercy of the search engines themselves. Avoid any internet marketing company that promises and guarantees you results that simply cannot be fulfilled. Good marketers will do their research regarding your keywords and your competition in order to decide whether or not another route should be taken. Campaigns should be updated on a regular basis with the use of traffic analysis. This will allow you and your marketer to see the weak and strong points of your marketing campaign.

In summary, your internet marketing professional will make sure that your website is properly designed for SEO and visitor navigation. They will also work on cost effectively promoting your website so that you get the maximum benefit from your advertising budget. Search engine optimization will increase the chances of customers finding your site through the different major search engines. The entire process of optimizing a website can take hundreds of manpower hours. The cost of these professionals is based on the fact that they must spend a lot of time researching, applying, and changing SEO/internet marketing techniques in order to generate traffic to your website.

When choosing a company to work with you, do your research and ask some questions to make sure that they are legitimate. They should be able to tell you exactly what they plan on doing and be willing to show you a regular analysis. Internet marketers should have an idea of what is going on in the marketing world so that they do not fall behind on current SEO/marketing techniques. There are many companies looking to scam your money with a little time, you should be able to find a marketing company.

Turning to Spotted Frog Design can benefit your business in a variety of ways. This type of SEO Company in Philly has outstanding services that make it possible to increase the productivity of your company.

Meetings That Work: A Guide to Conducting Successful Meetings

Business meetings can take up so much time and produce so little return on investment that it is mo small wonder that the majority of us dread them, even hate them with a vengeance! To give you an example of meeting madness, I have been to a pre-meeting meeting to discuss the meeting that we then attended. This was followed by a post-meeting debrief meeting to talk about how the meeting went and then later we had a strategy meeting to discuss how we would approach the next meeting! And if that wasn't enough, further meetings were spawned to discuss the tasks required to action some of the outcomes from the original meeting. All in all, I spent about 7 hours in meetings for the sake of one 2 hour meeting.

The really sad part about this is that it wasn't an isolated incident, nor was it peculiar to my employer. I have seen similar patterns before and since, where managers and staff are relentlessly drawn into meeting after meeting, seemingly without end. This never ending cycle of meetings has several pitfalls, not the least of which is the frustration caused and the lack of real work being done. That's not to say that meetings aren't necessary, they are, but many organisations overdo them to such a degree that staff can spend over 50% of their time stuck in meetings. Now, assuming that they were employed to produce a good 35 hours of meaningful work each week, is it any surprise that either things don't get done or there is a staggering amount of overtime.

Here are some ideas to cut meetings down to acceptable levels and get some work done;

Ask yourself this question before you schedule your next meeting; Is it necessary? Often, the subject of a meeting can be discussed more effectively via email or a few well-placed phone calls. This is especially true when the invitees are geographically dispersed.

Give attendees plenty of notice and be clear about the intended outcome. Too many times I have left a meeting wondering what it was about, never mind knowing what was achieved. These meetings become an unstructured talk-fest where no one really knows what they are trying to achieve (and that sometimes includes the convenor). While agendas don't suit everyone, it is polite to inform people why they are needed.

Start and finish on time. Everyone appreciates meetings starting on time, especially when you have a busy schedule. Likewise, meetings that conclude at the specified hour allow for better planning and time management. Once you establish a reputation for good time keeping, attendees are more likely to be punctual (or even turn up). If there are some people who are consistently late without good cause, you could introduce an honesty-box fine system (say $5.00 to charity for every 5 minutes you are late).

Consider using video conferencing to keep travel times down. Yes, attendees might be tempted to wander off to do something else, but there are systems which will let the convenor know when people are not paying attention. Also, if someone is not needed for the entire meeting, why not let them do some other work while keeping part of their attention on proceedings?

Keep your meetings down to 45-60 minutes. We have a limited attention span and long meetings cause people to lose interest and drift off, resulting in lost productivity. I sub-contracted to a very large Australian mining company a few years ago, where meetings were strictly limited to 15 minutes. This worked extremely well and we only had 2-3 of these a week. Everyone had learned to use their own internal networks to bounce ideas around and look for solutions to problems - we only had meetings when they were absolutely necessary.

Keep the topics to a minimum. That big Australian company I mentioned - our meetings usually had 1 or two items for discussion. That meant there was no need for an agenda, everyone who attended was 100% focussed and everyone contributed.

Have a clear set of rules about how the meeting will be conducted and the behaviour that is expected within the room.

Some meetings require minutes to be published and it is very frustrating if these only come out the day of the next meeting! If you do need to produce minutes, make a commitment to have them distributed within two business days, and certainly a week before the next scheduled meeting.

Finally, another useful tactic to employ in the battle against endless meetings is to set a quota on the number of hours everyone spends in meetings. You could, for example, set a quota of 3.5 hours per week; this means that time becomes a commodity which must be carefully spent in order to get the maximum result.

These are only a few tips to help you avoid meeting overwhelm and get on with business. By applying these simple principles alone, your meetings will become more efficient and productive.

Paul Bryce is a highly regarded leadership consultant specialising in management and executive coaching at Cobalt ( http://www.cobaltpd.com.au ). Paul can also be heard on a variety of podcasts speaking about leadership and management issues as well as having a number of published articles available.

The Benefits of Getting Window Replacements

Aside from having a great new look for your house, window replacements increase functionality and energy efficiency. A lot of homeowners who have old and lousy windows will definitely need to replace these with new ones if they also want to maintain or increase the value of their property. Investing in window replacements will provide great benefits in the long run.

Update Your Home's Design

Although some houses still look great with Victorian or traditional architecture and design, not all have an updated look. Apparently, traditional designs can still be achieved with modern furnishings and materials. If you are worried that new window replacements can't complement your classic look, then there are always a thousand options to choose from. With many local suppliers and online stores, you will surely find a design that fits right to your requirements.

Maximize Space

Bulky windows are a thing of the past. Many are opting for simpler designs and improved functionality in window replacements. With more windows and natural lighting, you can create an idea of more space, especially in confined, small rooms. You can even extend windows outward or further up against the wall to create a full-length window wall for a greater sense of space.

Energy Efficiency

One of the main reasons why people resort to window replacements is because of energy efficiency. Cool or hot air must be contained in the room during certain seasons. This will prevent the increase in

energy consumption of air-conditioning units and heating systems. Modern window replacements can prevent leaks and achieve a well-ventilated room with less use of energy. On the other hand, energy efficiency can also be achieved without air-conditioning or heating systems. Windows can provide natural ventilation without the need to power up these electric appliances.

Tax Credits

Tax credits or government incentives can be awarded to homeowners who have energy-efficient homes. If you want to be eligible for these incentives, window replacements are the best way to go. That is why many are keen on redecorating and replacing old appliances with new ones that have high Energy Star ratings. Not only homeowners can benefit but the whole community and the natural environment as well. This is one way of helping Mother Earth heal itself from man's destructive practices.

Higher Value at Resale

Maintenance is the key to a valuable property. Homes must be well-kept, maintained, and regularly updated to overcome eventual wear and tear. What used to be a stylish interior design may now be an outdated look. That is why many homeowners redecorate their homes once in a while to keep up with the times. This is one way of making sure that the property is increasing and not depreciating in value every year. Window replacements are part of the whole redecorating aspect, especially now that energy efficiency and functionality have become important considerations, which potential buyers are looking for.

From window replacement alone, you can significantly improve the value of your home. With good investment, you will reap great benefits.

Andre B. Reynolds is a leisure writer who enjoys sharing information about replacement windows Moraga and Milgard window replacements in San Francisco as well as other interesting topics.

Choose the Best of the Best

Why settle for the rest when you can get the best. This is the motto of the youth today which is surrounded by so many options and variety. In a world full of cut throat competition, it's the survival of the fittest. Only when you give your consumers the best services and incentives, they will come back to you, otherwise you have lost in this rat race to be the best. The online world is the latest trend for people who want to keep their social life constantly updated and be in touch with their friends and relatives. Should it be yahoo messenger or MSN messenger, what do you choose? Which one do you go for an ultimate online experience? To find out, continue reading.

What they have to offer?

MSN Messenger

MSN messenger took the online instant messaging world by storm. It is a very simple and easy way to connect to your friends, keep them updated, share pictures, music, videos and also audio chat and video chat beating the typical instant messaging ways. It is loved by millions of people around the world and is one of the most hassle free ways of keeping your contact with your closed ones intact.

Yahoo messenger

Yahoo messenger, is one of the oldest and convenient methods to connect to people anywhere in the world. It is a complete package, packed with interesting smileys, audible and Emoticons to spice up your chat and give you an amazing online experience. Just like MSN messenger, you can you can share unlimited pictures, videos, music and keep yourself updated about the stocks, weather, what is happening around the world and share your calendar.

Their salient features

MSN Messenger

Using MSN messenger is a cakewalk with chat sessions so lively and vivid that you would not want to stop. Owing to its simplicity and easy, it has fans all around the world. Moreover MSN messenger lets you play online games, listen to radio and provides a mind-boggling range of apps absolutely free unlike other instant messaging sites. It is cool and provides you with hosts of games and also radio channels that too free!

Yahoo messenger

Yahoo messenger not only enables you to instant message but also combines it with video chat and webcam videos so that you can have the most real and interesting conversation with your friends. It is very convenient to use with very quick access to its various features. It is best known for its very high quality video conferencing experience which attracts people and keeps them hooked to yahoo messenger.

Limitations

MSN Messenger

It's low speed has kept a lot of people from using it. Moreover it does not give proprietary protocol which is another limitation to the list.

Yahoo Messenger

Its inability to let you access your voice message history and also because of lack of protection and filters is a disadvantage to it.

So weigh the pros and con and get ready to choose your favourite messenger!

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Which German Company Is King of Household - Moulinex or Braun?

German based company Braun

A German based company Braun is today a leading producer of household goods and products. Though it was wholly owned until 2005 today it has been taken over by the company Procter and Gamble. It has made its mark in a large number of industries such as grooming and shaving, dental and oral health, general health and even the beverage and food industry. It however started out in a completely different direction. Max Braun, the person after which this company was named had started out in life as a mechanical engineer. However he soon left the realm of engineering to pursue his interest in making radios and led this company to become the world leader in manufacturing radio parts and radios as a whole. However when the company fell during the Second World War Max started his industry again and broadened his products to include record players. It was then an uphill journey for Braun after that and he moved on to manufacturing slide projectors and electric shavers. It later came to be known for its shavers and toothbrushes.

However in 82 it was integrated by the Gillette group of companies which caused the company to shut down the production of the cigarette lighters. After suffering losses in the nineties the company decided to shut down its low income factions and then simply focused on the business of toothbrushes and shavers. Today also the toothbrushes have a large following in the world and are sold under the name or Oral-B. Among the more popular products are the hair products, coffee grinders, toasters, blenders etc.

Moulinex Came Into Limelight

Another major company in the household appliance business is Moulinex. However this company has seen major ups and downs in the past few years and has been barely able to keep its head up over the last decades. Having been in trouble from 1970s it has just recently managed to find its footing in the industry again. It has now focused on three major lines of products: Cooking, Breakfast and food preparation. It has also modified its production scale in terms of the floor care department. This was the brain child of Jean Mantelet and was started in 1922. When it first set foot in the industry it had started off with insecticide sprays but soon Mantelet found that he had a greater interest in the supply of food appliances. Inspired by the difficulties faced by his wife while cooking the food he invented a mechanized peeler. This was what he first introduced in the Legumex peeler which soon took the market by storm. Though heartened by the success of his invention he soon steered the company in the direction of the electrical appliances. After that there was no going back with the company taking the market by storm and soon emerged to be a well respected name in majority of the households and soon diversified into hair dryers and coffee mills. While the success was sweet the company soon came upon a problem that it was unable to solve which involved the fact that there was no more market where they could sell their products making the way forward obscure. While Mantelet did come up with some brilliant ideas like the microwave there was also the problem of many failed products which slowly ate away at its former glory. Mantelet's stubbornness at incorporating new technology such as automation of his factories was a major reason for the downfall of the company. Once Mantlet expired in 1991 there was still a crisis which abated only when Pierre Blayau took over the reins of the company in the form of its CEO. After that slowly but surely the company was able to regain its footing in the industry.

For further reference visit http://tmbattle.com/

Why Adapting to Change Is the Best Skill Your Company Can Acquire to Win Online

Is a large part of your marketing efforts focused on B2B online marketing? In small and large B2B companies, that seems to be the new dominating scenario. No matter who your target demographic is or how traditional you consider your audience to be, it is more or less a given in these times that we are all doing a significant share of our marketing - in the online, mobile and digital world.

Don't feel rejected if you find yourself struggling to understand the latest lingo, or confused as to what exactly you can do to make it all work. With new digital trends and concepts emerging almost daily, its hard for even the best most experienced marketers, to keep up to speed with the latest in online marketing.

Even if it oftentimes seems like competitors know exactly what they are doing, online - don't be fooled. More often than not, they are just hiring the latest hyped agencies to help create and execute online campaigns for them.

In traditional industries, those that don't naturally fit into they hyped online trends, B2B marketing departments still have a lot to learn on how to truly engage and attract their target audience online.

The best way for companies to start moving up the learning curve? experiment! try a mix of advertising, blogging or content marketing. Always keep the more general objective in mind - online campaigns are not only there to reach a small gain, or a specific strategy. They are a great opportunity to encourage an environment for learning. Learning about your customers, about their interest and about how they react to your products and offerings.

The digital, online and mobile environment is constantly evolving. The internet has been part of our life for less than a few decades and what a leap technology has made.

New technologies are emerging by the day, and it becomes very hard to keep up with the newest and latest disruptive inventions. Adapting to change becomes a skill any organization who wants to succeed in the online world needs to master.

Who can predict what is coming ahead? New disruptive technologies are sure to emerge in the near and far future. Stability is not something any marketer can rely on. What does a marketer to do?

To begin, consider this tip: shift your focus from the results of individual campaigns to the more organisation wide culture of learning and improving. Focus on the building knowledge and a skills-set, instead of gaining quick wins. Execution of the odd Facebook campaign or one or two social networks advertising efforts is not going to give you an edge in your industry. There might be good short term results, but your company forever will be chasing the latest and greatest ideas and trends, trying to copy them without a real strategy to follow.

To truly create a lasting competitive edge, and become a leader instead of a follower, invest in organisational learning. The results will follow.

For strategies, ideas and learning content on mastering online marketing for b2b companies check out: B2B online marketing ideas on marketing portals.com

Welcome to the We Economy: 3 Positive Business Conversations to Have Today

To succeed in today's economic environment, check your ego at the door and embrace a new way of doing business that is about more than what you can control and manipulate. That's your ego talking.

The Ego Economy is dead.

Welcome to the We Economy.

This rising tide of the We Economy can lift all of our companies on thrilling waves of positive profits or capsize and drown us in red ink. We choose.

How do you navigate the change and positively succeed at work?

Here are three positive business conversation transformations to have today that say "good bye" to the Ego Economy and "hello" to the We Economy so you will positively profit.

"I did it" becomes "We did it."

In the Ego Economy, you could afford to get by on what you alone could do. The We Economy requires the creation of partner relationships with your employees, customers/clients, vendors/suppliers and more to generate a profit built on what "We" can do.

How?

Ask your employees, "How would you build a better business?" They are on the front-line of interaction daily. Listen deeply and tap their wisdom. Act to implement.

Ask your customers/clients, "What can we do better?" They bring you their hard-earned money in exchange for your services and products. Listen deeply for themes and respond immediately.

Ask your vendors/suppliers, "What are some best practices you see out there?" Take notes about the one that makes sense for your business and ask your employees what they think and how they would implement it.

In the We Economy, we succeed as we create partner relationships with everyone who touches the business. We do it, not I.

"I already know that" becomes "Please show me how."

In the Ego Economy, you stayed on top of the change-of-information trickle with little effort. "I already know that" was a reflection of the predictable growth of knowledge.

In today's We Economy, the info flow is more like a fire hose than a trickle. You as a business owner or leader simply can't drink from it alone. "Please show me how" replaces "I already know that" to generate more profits. Be teachable.

Your business is your tuition ticket to matriculate in Biz U. You hire people smarter than you in certain areas and learn from them. You cultivate an "always on the learn" environment in which results are shared, graded, and evaluated for next time and do-over's.

Keep saying, "Please show me how" until it rolls with delight because you're about to learn something that makes your company more profitable.

"I pulled myself up by my own bootstraps" becomes "We wear loafers."

In the Ego Economy, we all wore boots and bragged about pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps. As self-made men and women, we created it all.

In the We Economy, we wear loafers. In a boot-wearing market, loafers are innovative-more comfortable, easier to pull on and off, with no socks. In the We Economy, you're comfortable in responding to the changing demands of your partners and learning as you go. You're pulled onto and off of teams according to project needs, not siloed departments. And who needs socks?

Relating with all who interact with your business and creating new learning generates creative innovation which takes your company to greater profits and higher margins. In an economy of boot-wearing, ego-driven, know-it-all's, innovators who are loafer-sporting, team-focused, and learning-as-you-do-it have more to say about success than anyone.

Avoid talking about "I" because the Ego Economy is dead.

Instead, start a positive work conversation about "us."

Welcome to the "We" Economy.

(Wear your loafers.)

What to Look for in a Shipping Company

Hiring a shipping company to handle your large or fragile shipment is no easy feat. This investment means a great deal to you and, as a result, you want to ensure that those you put trust into in moving that item will be the best ones for the job. The goal is simple. You need to move something from one place to the next. You do not want that item damaged in any way. You need it to happen fast and with an affordable price. The right business for this job can ensure that your needs are met.

Key Signs You Are with a Good Company

How can you be sure that the shipping company you are using is worth your time and investment? Before you make a decision otherwise, find out what these providers can offer to you and what limitations they may have. There are a few important questions you should ask them to determine if this business is the best provider for your needs. Do not assume that all companies are the same. Many will not be able to get your item where it needs to go safely even though they tell you they can.

• Ensure the business has the means of picking up and delivering your items. This means that the business has the appropriate tools, trucks and shipment methods available to them to handle the process.

• Determine how long the business has been in business. You will want to choose a shipper that has a long history of providing high quality service to those who need it. You do not want someone that is unproven.

• You will want to ensure they can guarantee the type of package you have. For example, you may have something that is very fragile. It may be an awkward shape. Your item may be very large and heavy. In other cases, it is just very valuable.

• Does the business also handle the packing of the item? Since this will play a very important role in the success of any move, they should provide all of the materials and expertise for packing the item for safety.

• What options does the business give you for moving your item? You may need a specific method of shipment or you may have specific goals. Ask for those and the right business will offer them.

As you consider all of the options available to you in these companies, realize the best ones will ensure your package gets there just as you need it to. A shipping company can handle the large and heavy items you have with all of the control you need them to have.

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Keys to a Successful Business

Running a successful business is no easy task. There are many things that a business owner can do in order to make, and keep, their business successful. On the other hand, there are exponentially more things that a business owner can do wrong which can hurt their chances at becoming a powerful and profitable force. If you are interested in some ways to make your new or growing business a success, here are some things to consider.

First and foremost, you must have a vision. Get a clear idea of what you want your business to be like. What products and services do you want to offer? What type of customers are your trying to gain? How do you want to be known in the industry? Once you answer questions like this you can gain insight into what direction you should take your business. Laying out a path before you start your journey is imperative to being successful. This includes writing out a business plan and noting your goals and desires.

Next, you must know your market. It is a wrong assumption to think that anyone and everyone is in your market. As an old saying goes "if everyone is in your market, no one is in your market". Unfortunately, your business cannot be everything to everybody. Focus on a group, type, or specific niche that you'd like your business to benefit. The best way to do this is with market research. Doing qualitative and quantitative market research will do worlds of wonder when it comes to finding and understanding your market. Whether you just starting your business or you are wondering if it's time to release, or retire, a product, market research will help steer you in the right direction to help ensure success.

Once you find out who your market is, it's time to take a very focused marketing approach. Research the best ways to market to the people you'd like to reach and begin your marketing campaign. Some methods will work better than others, and some may not product instant results but will instead gain confidence and build reputation with potential clients. Don't expect to do someone once than give up if it doesn't produce immediate spectacular results.

Finally, you must be consistent. This is your business and you must be in it for the long haul. Don't give up on working hard once you see a bit of success. Building and maintaining a profitable business requires constant attention and work. You will be required to keep up with changing times and adapt to new economic situations, etc. If you are able to follow the right path and keep going even when times get tough, you will be a happy and successful business owner.

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Eight Ways Firms Can Stay Creative In Lead Generation

In business these days, creativity is the juice that keeps companies going. Given the way globalization has taken over, with more challenges facing entrepreneurs than ever, you will need a way to meet these problems head-on, which leads us straight to creativity. How can we stay creative in business? For those of us involved in lead generation, this is a challenge that needs to be dealt with - fast. It is a fact that for us entrepreneurs in the business of information technology, we need business data. That comes in the form of IT sales leads. Remember that B2B leads play a key role in helping us stay profitable, providing us with the necessary business prospects as well as the data on how to best approach them. How will we be able to get the business information that we will need?

There are several ways to do it:

1. Look for people to work with you that you and your team will be comfortable with. Yes, getting someone with the degree and the experience sounds nice, but if you often butt heads in the end, it is not worth it.

2. Get your people to keep on improving themselves, and then take note of them. In terms of generating B2B leads, you will want to recognize those who are able to up the game and bring more benefits to your company.

3. If you have a vision, do not keep it to yourself. Share that with your employees. Let them realize that what they are doing, no matter how stressful or mundane it may seem, can actually be reached if they work hard enough.

4. Think of a Russian nesting doll (where the outer doll is bigger than the inner doll), and you will realize that making your company big requires you to hire people who can make it big. If you only hire people who are inferior to you, then you are heading straight to creative stagnancy.

5. Make a trial run with a new hire. She may have an MBA in marketing or engineering, but if she acts like a prima donna or a newbie on the team, then she will have to leave. Let them work as contractors first. If they really fit in, then that is the time to make the formal offer.

6. Show trust in your team. If you can show your team that you trust them and that you believe that they can do it, more likely than not, they will push themselves to succeed. If you want your business to grow and get that lucrative business deal, then you should cut them some slack.

7. Identify your weak areas in the business. This way, you will be able to address them fully. Hire an expert who can really turn things around and make changes happen. And if she is really that good, then try getting her to work you as a full-time employee.

8. Create the balance between the creative and the executive. You will need creative employees who can come up with exciting ideas to make your lead generation campaign a success, but do not forget the people who can actually make those ideas happen.

Simply put, these are good points to consider in your business.

Phillip Mckenzie is a successful lead generation and appointment setting consultant specializing in IT Telemarketing. To know more about IT Telemarketing, Phillip recommends you to visit http://www.it-sales-leads.com

How to Make a Great First Impression of Your Medical Practice

Your reception is a face to your business. It is as important as your face is in making a great first impression. A book is often judged by its cover. There is no substitute for a pleasant smile.

You can make your reception work better for you in many ways. It welcomes your patients, puts them at ease, and provides you with double benefits. It represents a safe place and also gives you opportunities to market other services.

The reception is a place where your patients should not mind waiting. Never call it a waiting room. Call it a reception. Always look at it from a patient's perspective. If you were walking into this place, putting your life into this person's hands, what are you looking for? To confirm to yourself that you are in safe hands?

Allay fears

Patients always look for a sign or confirmation that they are in safe hands. They want to see cleanliness, good hygiene, and a place that is well-maintained. Use a pleasant room freshener, and keep your reception sparkling clean.

Display your mission statement in a prominent area. It heightens your credibility when people see that you are aiming for "excellence in providing medical services."

Another great idea is to have a bulletin board showing employees of the month. It shows that your employees are working hard and being rewarded and recognized for what they do. This is another credibility booster, which goes a long way in conveying that "you mean business." You care about their needs, and your employees are well paid, happy, and ready to serve them.

The bulletin board is also a great place to display fan mail and testimonials from other patients. Nothing can beat a good customer testimonial. Patients are looking for such things, which are signs that confirm they are in good hands and allay their fears.

Color therapy

Revamp your reception to show character and reflect personality. You want to present a feeling of comfort, warmth, tenderness, compassion, and understanding. Paint your walls in colors that reflect these feelings.

Provide patients with a feeling of compassion. The tones of your wall color should not be "hospital gray." At the same time, don't go overboard. You cannot choose bright orange. This is not a playschool. Put some thought into your color choice. These are places where hiring a professional, who has handled this kind of job before, can put you at ease.

There's a reason why medical staff uniforms are specific colors.

White (good for uniforms, bad for walls) represents cleanliness. The warm green of attendees subconsciously conveys authority. The soft pink of scrub nurses is a sign of life. These are minute things that go a long way.

If your employees are well dressed and polite, you will win yourself more customers. People will CHOOSE to be treated at YOUR facility.

Distract your patients

Patients waiting to see a doctor are in a very delicate state of mind. They are either in pain, are frustrated, or angry-not necessarily because of the waiting-but waiting is one of the LAST things they want to do. It would be prudent and sensible to distract your patient from worries, fear, or simply plain boredom. Don't forget to have daily newspapers and some common weekly magazines available. It adds a touch of familiarity and makes them feel at home.

It's a great idea to have many joke books in the reception. Other good ideas are magazines about fashion or fitness and anything else that subtly depicts a good, healthy lifestyle. You might not want to choose medical publications, unless you are sure they are good ones. The idea is to distract the patient from reading anything related to their own bodies. A person with a fracture would not be particularly interested in knowing about "10 heart problems he might suffer from before the age of 40."

Have some wall hangings but not something BLARING or conveying too much fun. You want to subtly distract your patients while they are waiting in your reception. Give them something to stare at, without making them look weird.

Play some soothing music. Instrumentals are a great idea. Radio is a very bad idea. No one wants to hear more bad news or rock music while waiting in the doctor's office.

Assign a specific person for your reception

Train your staff to smile and welcome patients. Be nice to them in general. This is marketing advice for ANY business. Nothing beats a warm, welcoming smile. That's what computers and machines CANNOT replace. It gives that human connection.

Designate a particular staff member to take care of patient needs in the reception. In most hospitals and clinics, the receptionist has to take care of the telephone calls, scheduling the doctor's activity, filling out forms, and meeting incoming patients.

Your patients are your bread and butter. If you don't take care of them, someone else will. In most medical situations, patients are having doubts, are fearful, or want something. Fulfilling these tiny requests and answering some (possibly silly) questions go a LONG way in giving good customer service. And it will cost you next to nothing. Just some clear thinking and you are ready for some WINNING customer service.

If your reception is manned by one person who is responsible for all the above-mentioned activities, that person is usually clueless when a patient walks in and asks a favor.

"Can I make a personal call?"

"Could you turn down the AC?"

"Where is the restroom?"

Do they oblige or carry on with being an efficient worker for you? Overworked receptionists are likely to show their frustration on your patients. Most of them are already distressed to some extent.

If you have one specific person helping out your patients, politely answering their queries, informing them in advance if it is going to take a little longer for them to see the doctor, basically, you have a personal relationship person whose only task is to put the patients at ease. Try this out and you will see a measurable difference in your business. Such personal service sets you apart from your competition.

Key points to remember

Look at it from the patient's perspective

Take feedback and act on it

Make sure every aspect of your reception puts the patients at ease

Provide familiar distractions-TV, paintings, newspapers, magazines

Subtly market other services through your reception area

Make it a place where they will not mind waiting

Hire a person to specifically address patients in your reception

Train your staff to be warm, friendly, and polite

Ali Asadii, MBA, MA(IT) is a talented author and experienced business consultant. As owner of Asadi Business Consulting, he enjoys becoming directly involved in helping businesses become more effective in today's challenging business climate. For more information contact Ali at info@aprofitmaker.com or via the web at http://www.aprofitmaker.com

Uniform History

Uniforms are worn by professionals in many fields. They are recognized as a symbol of belonging to a particular organization, company, or team. Over the years uniforms have evolved from clothing worn by the military to a standard clothing expectation in modern society. Uniforms are expected dress in industries including hospitality, postal service, retail, health care, airline, public transit, security, construction, and many more. The uniforms are meant to establish a basic code of conduct and team mentality among the workers.

Military uniforms are perhaps the most recognizable around the world. Different branches have their own colors and styles, with servicemen wearing unique uniforms for specific occasions. The use of formal military uniforms can be traced to 40 AD. The Roman Army dressed its soldiers in matching styles, which appeared unified and intimidating to challengers. This trend continued to present day, with alterations made to suit battle styles and specific needs. Beginning in the mid 17th century the French introduced the concept of regimental dress. This style included colors that indicated the specific units of the wearers. Beginning in the 20th century armies increasingly edged away from wearing bright colors in the field. This was replaced by more camouflaged colors including dark green, beige, and the camouflage pattern itself. This allowed armies to hide more effectively. Presently militaries maintain a variety of uniforms for active duty and off duty activities.

Similar to the evolution of the military uniform, security clothing has progressed through the years. The types of uniforms used for security vary by need. Some companies utilize full dress that mimics the uniforms of police officers. Others prefer lower key suits. While some companies opt for plain-clothes officers these are not technically uniforms.

Health care workers wear uniforms different from other industries. This freedom has progressed from strict styles prior to World War II, to the individual scrubs of today. During WWI and WWII nurses wore full, matching uniforms consisting of skirts, aprons, and hair coverings. The uniforms were required in order to work in the hospitals and participate in medical training. Following the wars the standards of dress relaxed. Scrubs became the standard and nurses were required to purchased their own outfits, rather than having them provided. This allowed freedom of choice to be incorporated into pattern selection. The uniforms consist of standard pieces that may be individually styled.

Another industry that has increasingly required uniforms is the hospitality industry. This includes a variety of service positions including food, domestic workers, and various service positions. The use of uniforms in the hospitality industry evolved from the requirement of domestic workers to dress in matching styles per their employer's demands. Butlers, housemaids, and other servants were dressed in styles that often exceeded the dress of those they served. As modern industry developed domestic positions have been replaced by the service and hospitality industry. Uniforms are often used in these businesses to maintain a sense of unity and teamwork. Casual uniforms are most common, and many companies provide a simple shirt and pants outfit for employees.

Uniforms have remained a source of formality in businesses. While the push for individualization has largely been oppressed, it has seeped into the health care uniforms and is beginning to breach the hospitality industry as well. Primarily it appears that uniforms are a standard that has survived centuries and will continue to do so in the future.

How to Manage and Stay in the Business

What makes business stay in business? Efficiency and effectiveness? Leadership style? All these and more are sure to bring success to a business in general. A person who manage a business would entail a lot more than just knowing the different leadership styles or different management theories.

The rule of good managers are very fond of what we call the "personal touch". Their personalities demand for loyalty, commitment and camaraderie rather than no-personal traits. Many managers and subordinates understand the feelings, sympathies, expressions of support and to some extent flatteries. Attributes such as objectivity, aloofness, professionalism and the like, even if these are the right tools to use some occasions, the managers, will still receive the criticism he/she may not deserve. We need to coat out impersonal goals of efficiency and effectiveness with camaraderie, cooperation or loyalty. This may not mean 100% efficiency but it is one indirect way of communicating to a subordinate confidence and belief of the managers or boss on his/her capabilities.

Many consultants and practitioners suggest various tools and techniques to cope with such problems. Some tactics may be employed with a word of caution-the things enumerated here may not be true for all cases and occasions. This could be used only if the need arises and after a thorough analysis of the circumstance besetting the business.

1. Never say "Never"

Leave the door open for reconciliation, for change, for improvements for making amendments.Fortune changes. People change their situation; today, you have problems with them, tomorrow, you may need them. If you leave the door open, or say "It depends" or "Let's see", then you leave the options or alternatives for tomorrow. You can never tell what will happen tomorrow. Be firm, true; but be flexible.

2. Choose your ground

Do not fight in a hostile environment where you do not have support or resources. Choose your battle ground. Don't team up with unfriendly cliques groups. Stay away from unfamiliar and unfriendly territory.

3. No hassle rule

Good managers try so simplify always. Then seek the most direct shorter route to the solution to the problem. Sometimes, they are not concerned with the proceeds, the method, or the route. They want to know the reason and why. They want to know the end results. They do not want unnecessary hassles.They avoid trouble if possible.

4. It is difficult to have an absentee owner

It is like a gasoline station or the small restaurant business.The owner has to be around all the time, or else, the employees will go off and costumers will run circles around the staff. Do not be an absentee landlord if you want to go into business.

5. Enter while it is hot!

Be alert to hot products, to new fads and consumer interests, to the happy moods of the managers. At lose moments, seize the opportunity and ride with the trends Strike while the iron is hot!

6. Do not do everything alone

Trust subordinates. This means you must pinpoint the task or job. Spell out the results you want Select the person. Tel what they expected and give an authority to a person whom you may trust, support and give an advice. Good managers are good teachers.

7. Deadline conscious

Many managers work hard. But some work for the sheer joy of it. Others do not know anything better. Yet, the important thing is to be aware of deadlines. Learn how to set deadlines. It is very difficult in the beginning until it becomes a habit.

8. Mean it when you say "No"

This is the weakness of many managers. They find it difficult to say no. Even when you said "No", they backtrack when they are approached by a crying lady or a repentant employee. But management is also saying "No", "Halt", Enough". More often than not, saying "No" brings good results.

9. Look smart and be smart

You have to have an area of expertise, a specialization, something that is entirely yours and gained through experience, exposure, academic training, travels, associations or family tradition. Study, travel, read and get experience.

You may not be that successful businessman now. But You have the potentials to be one. Develop this potential into something big. Before you know it, you are ready earning the first million you were just dreaming not so long time ago.

Hi, I'm Edna Cadavona, a loving mother and wife and engaged in an online business opportunities at home. As an Entrepreneur, I would like to help common people who are looking for a part time home based business or full time stream business opportunity.

Sweepstakes List - Increase Your Business With Targeted Offers

Are all your direct mailing efforts hampered by the lack of a good mailing list? If you are trying to promote magazine subscriptions, gambling or gaming offers or even impulse merchandise sales then you will need to send your offer to people who are predisposed to accepting online offers. The simplest thing to do is buy a sweepstakes list and send your special promotional offer to the people on the list.

The advantage of using a sweepstakes list is that the people in it are known to be impulsive buyers. These are people who have entered their names to win a variety of products and who are also willing to buy things in order to be eligible for promotional offers. If you mail your offer to them then there is a very great chance that they will respond favourably to it. As a matter of fact, you will be wasting your time if you do not send your offers to people who have a history of responding to them.

It is surprisingly easy to get hold of a sweepstakes list but you have to ensure that you buy it from a reliable company. Make sure that you only deal with a company that updates its lists often and removes names and addresses that no longer exist. If you know that the list is updated often then you will be able to send your special offers to ever increasing numbers of people who have a high likelihood of being interested in what you have to offer.

If you buy your database from a very experienced company then the entire process of purchasing it will be a simple one. Once you pay the company for the list you will be able to download it without any further delay and start using it immediately. As long as you keep your dealings to reliable companies you won't have to worry that the list you download contains wrong information.

Do make sure that you locate an inexpensive supplier of high quality sweepstakes lists. You do need to keep your expenses within control in order to increase your overall profitability. However, it is a big mistake to buy a database purely on the basis of cost since many of the entries might turn out to be defunct. You can be sure that your business will go far ahead of the competition with the help of the highly receptive database that you send your offers to.

A sweepstakes list is a very useful tool to have if you have to mail offers to prospective customers. Send your special offers to people with a predisposition for impulse purchasing in order to move far ahead of the competition.

Like Fine Diamonds? Watches? 3 Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Your Perfect Time Piece

Nothing shows high-end tastes and a desire for the finer things than wearing fine diamonds, watches, or other quality jewelry. But who likes to go into one of those pushy jewelry shops where the salesperson is simply out to make a commission? They will tell you whatever you want to hear in order to get you to buy an expensive piece of jewelry.

To skip this awkward experience, go online to a reputable jeweler to find the timepiece you're looking for at a price you're willing to pay. Here are three things to keep in mind when you're shopping.

What is Your Price Point?

It is so easy to get carried away by fine diamonds, watches, and sparkly trinkets when you're shopping for jewelry. The key here is to make sure you know what your budget is prior to logging onto your computer. Have a number in mind and visit several sites to see if your budget is lining up with the quality of watch you want. Remember - diamonds and gold can be cheap or expensive depending on their quality. Also, you will be paying for a name just as much as the materials used to construct the watch so a lesser-known brand may yield an ideal watch if your budget is modest.

What is the Style You're Going For?

Do you want a watch that can be seen from outer space because it's so sparkly? Or, maybe something more demure is what you had in mind? The style you choose can dictate what you'll pay. So, say a watch that has the highest quality diamonds and gold really catches your eye. You can expect to pay more for this piece than one that has diamonds of lesser quality, clarity, cut, and carats.

However, a watch with just one or two diamonds and made from 24k gold can be just as eye-catching and still cost a pretty penny. Remember, it all comes down to the grade of diamond and gold or silver used to make the piece. Keep in mind that fewer carats and a lower grade of metal (gold or silver) can reduce the cost of a watch, but still keep it high quality.

What is the Quality of the Piece?

Fine diamonds, watches, and rings don't come cheap - unless they are made with cheap materials. Whatever online jeweler you decide to shop with, make sure that you read all of the information provided so you know what you're paying for. Also, read customer reviews to see what others have bought and thought of the jeweler.

Make sure the diamonds are certified and that the gold is pure and you will have a time piece that will be the envy of all your friends.

Fine diamonds, watches, and other jewelry are waiting for you online. Go to http://MyReviewsNow.Net to read reviews, find reputable jewelers, and pick out the piece of your dreams. Now's the time to get the watch of your dreams!

Summer's Coming: What Are You Going To Do With Your Kids?

The weather is warming up quickly. Summer camp registration is well underway. Before you know it, the pool will be open and it will be time for the beach, picnics and barbeques. It won't be long before your kids come home from school shouting, "School's out for summer!!"

Do those words bring you a feeling of excitement and happy anticipation as thoughts of summer stretch out before you? Or do they bring you a feeling of dread?

For many of us, knowing that we'll have to help our young children and teens occupy the long days of summer can be daunting. It can be a source of worry, stress and tension. For the next two months, you will be expected to play the role of events coordinator to your children - who seem to feel entitled to fabulous vacations, extravagant daytrips, specialty camps, and movies - all arranged for and paid for by you! Maybe you have a teen who needs to get a summer job and is dragging his/her feet. Perhaps you dread the expected and all-too-common refrains of, "I'm bored. There's nothing to do. I don't want to go outside." Then again, maybe it's the inevitable bickering between siblings who are together all day that makes you cringe.

In addition to these unpleasant prospects, you'd like it if your children's brains didn't turn to mush over the 10 weeks of summer vacation. How do you get them to read or practice some type of academics? On top of that, you still have your own responsibilities. How are you going to get your own work done?! Is it possible for you to enjoy the summer with the kids home from school?

You CAN enjoy the summer with your kids. It does take a healthy dose of planning and patience. Try some of these ideas:

Invite your kids to try a hobby or sport that you enjoy, like golf or cycling. Pick something that you can do together. That way you'll be having fun alongside your kids.

Make time for yourself to get things done AND to relax and recharge. Schedule dinner or drinks with friends, or perhaps a weekend away, to ensure you have time for both work and play.

Structure your days at home with the kids. Set a routine so that you spend mornings reading together on the couch, make time to go to the pool after lunch every day, or take a regular evening walk after dinner. The school year/day is highly structured and that works well for kids. Make sure you implement some structure into your summer too. hat way the kids will know what to expect and will relax into the routine.

Hire help. Take advantage of neighborhood teens who are looking for extra income and have more time over the summer. You can hire them at a moderate cost to provide temporary or long term childcare or household help.

Involve your kids in planning larger trips. Research vacations, day trips or activities that are within your budget and then have each child choose one or more of their favorites and put it on the calendar. Knowing that some bigger fun is planned can help kids get through the days at home.

Check community resources. Many communities provide fun options that can be entertaining and economical when money is a concern. Do you have a town pool? Does the recreation department offer summer camp? Perhaps your library has free programs for children. How about the local churches? You can enrich your child's religious education by enrolling them in one or more vacation bible schools.

Swap with other parents. Set up a regular schedule or agreement where each parent takes a turn watching all the kids so the other parent(s) can have time to themselves.Your kids will have built-in social time with playmates and you'll have time to focus on your own tasks - or just relax!

Meredith M. Keller, LPC has helped many couples to strengthen their relationships and improve their lives. Meredith is the owner of Couples Therapy Center of NJ, and holds her master's degree in Counseling, is a Nationally Certified Counselor, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of New Jersey. She has completed advanced training in couples counseling and is a Certified Imago Therapist with Imago Relationships International.

Seat Belts on School Buses: Pros and Cons

Over the past few months, the sudden spate of school bus accidents across America has given rise to a new debate with regard to the use of seat belts on school buses - "Should wearing seat-belts be made mandatory and will they help in bringing down the number of school bus related accidents?" Surprising as it may sound, there are two opposing sides to this topic. While many assert that the use of seat belts should be made compulsory for children irrespective of whether they are travelling by car or in a school bus, opponents of this view insist that proper compartment seats, metal seat frames and padded crash barriers help protect children while removing the need for seat belts.

Although most accidents and injuries occur inside the school bus itself, children who are strapped in their seats are more likely to remain safe in case there is a collision or an accident. On the other hand, what happens if half the children on the bus are wearing their seat belts and the other half are not? In case of a collision, the children who are not strapped in end up being slammed into the children who are properly seated. While the children who are seated have to absorb their own body weight, they also end up absorbing the weight of the other kids increasing their chances of sustaining body injuries. Concern has also been raised in a possible scenario where a bus is about to explode after an accident and extra time is required to help children who are securely strapped in their seats to escape safely. Here, a safety mechanism that is meant to save a life may in far-fetched circumstances be the reason for a life lost.

Finding an appropriate answer to the debated question may seem simple, but there are quite a few pros and cons to this topic.

Pros:

Saves lives in high speed crashes

Prevents children from being jostled around

Reduces death, accident impact and body injuries

Helps improve behavior on the bus

Children need to be educated about the importance of wearing seat belts

Cons:

Incorrect use leads to seat belt related injuries

Low effectiveness for near side impact collisions

High installation cost involved

May make exiting in case of emergencies difficult

Seat belts may be used as weapons by kids

Although it may be argued that they aren't really necessary in a school bus, making three-point shoulder seat belts mandatory could work wonders in bringing down school bus accidents.

S. George writes to help people find out more about school buses and bus details. She does work for different companies including a company that helps people looking for a school bus for sale as well as those looking for used school buses around the nation.

The Hidden Monster

Teenagers are reputable for being moody and melodramatic. Many shows have been based and have capitalized on this particular fact. It is true, teenagers often have mood swings and take emotions to the extremes. Bouts of sadness or difficulty are often confused with being depressed. Vice versa is also true. Those truly suffering from depression believe its just a bout and they just need to get over it. They suffer in silence, not getting the treatment they deserve. Teenage depression is very real and needs to be taken seriously.

The World Health Organization defines depression as: "a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration." Depression affects roughly 121 million people worldwide. It is one of the most common mental illnesses in the world. The majority of people who suffer from it never seek treatment.

The signs of depression found in an adult are very similar to that of regular teenage behaviour which makes distinguishing depressed teenage behaviour from that of regular behaviour difficult. Depression can cause teens to turn to drugs as a way to try and fix themselves. They constantly feel like they are in a pit of pain. They have heard from peers that drugs numb you. This idea of numbness can become very appealing. Suddenly drugs are a hope, an escape from the pain they are constantly in. In the worst cases, they move from soft drugs onto the hard ones. Once again in a search to numb the pain as the soft ones just won't cut it. Years later they end up addicted to these hard drugs and still depressed much worse off and less likely to go get treatment.

Another thing that depressed teens sometimes turn to is self harm. Self harm is a very misunderstood issue. Many people believe its only done by those "emo" weirdos. But it is believed that over ten percent of the teenage population participates in a form of self injury. Self injury varies from can be burning, cutting, pulling out hair or various other physical injuries. We know that when we get cut, endorphins are released as painkillers. Researchers believe that self-harm may be related to this release of endorphins. They feel the high of endorphins and it releases them from the pain, like a drug. Many teens claim that it works and helps them feel a lot better.

Do you know someone that you think might be suffering from depression or self harm? Talk to them. Think you don't know what to say? Just simply ask them what going on. Even more simply just care, be there to listen. They may not be willing to talk at first but just being there for them will do more than you believe. If they don't seem to be getting better, point them in the direction of treatment. Do something. You could save a life.

Assessments Can Help!

What makes you unique - what's your "brand"? What are your interests, passions and motivated skills, goals and objectives, personality type and non-negotiable needs? All of these are components in exploring what YOU are about and how that can "sync up" with some pretty exciting career choices.It is very commonly seen that one of the major issue students encounter once they pass their exams is the confusion in selecting their further studies. They become overwhelmed and somewhat lost in finding the right match.

Most don't even know what the areas of their interests are. Due to lack of counseling, they put little effort into their overall interests and did not receive enough marks because at the time, they had not yet identified their area of interest. Therefore they cannot obtain admission into their desired colleges. At this time they are very upset and uncertain about what career to pursue. Career confusion and indecision, often resulting in career apathy, seem to be common for many people. Yet finding a career direction or focus is remarkably simple...it's really all about YOU..

Students should attain basic knowledge about a profession before deciding to take it as their future career. Hence proper Career Guidance or Career Mapping can help students/individuals to build confidence and can give awareness of new career possibilities learning and work opportunities including civic, leisure, and promoting the balance of life and work. Educational, vocational, and school counselors provide individuals and groups with career, personnel, social and educational counseling. The purpose of the school counselors is to assist students of all levels, from elementary school to postsecondary education. Students and those who are about to undergo the challenges of getting jobs and experiencing a new life after formal education, would benefit greatly from career assessment.

As trends are constantly changing, anyone can easily go online on their own time to take a variety of tests to determine their career competencies rather than making an appointment with their respective school's career services or guidance counselor. These online career assessment tools are beneficial to discover and introduce new careers to those who wish to build their career. Through career assessment and mapping, those who are new to the working life will find a clearer path for starting their new work life.

There is much consensus that high quality counseling throughout life is a key component of education, training and employability strategies. This is why Europe is known for becoming the world's most dynamic knowledge based society since the Lisbon Council (2000) {http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisbon_Strategy} and Commission's Memorandum on Long Life Learning (LLL) by 2010. Services which refer to assisting individuals include "Career Guidance, Career Assessment, and counselling services" of any age and at any point throughout their lives, to make educational, training and occupational choices and to manage their careers

Some of the major including activities are:

- To assist students activities within schools to clarify career goals and understand the world of work

- Personal or group-based sustenance with decisions about initial courses of study, further education, courses of vocational training and initial job choice, job change, or work force re-entry

- Computer-based or on-line services to provide information about jobs and careers or to help individuals make career choices; and services to produce and disseminate information about jobs, courses of study and vocational training.

Basic purpose of any career assessment tool for career guidance and counselling in the context of LLL can be summarized as follows:

Guidance helps to build confidence and to empower individuals as well as making people aware of new career possibilities, including civic, leisure, learning and work opportunities and promotes the balance of life and work

Achieves a better match between skills, interests and qualifications on the one hand and available job opportunities on the other

Helps to improve the allocation of labor across regions, industries and occupations in the face of labor supply and demand fluctuations resulting from technological and structural change

Makes a key difference between the successful and unsuccessful implementation of active labor market programmes

It promotes employability and adaptability by assisting people to make career decisions both on entering the labor market and on moving within it.

Career assessments are a hot-hot topic for job search and career development. Counselors communicate with students individually, in small groups, or as an entire class. Career assessments are one tool to assist in uncovering these clues about ourselves. For the success of students they consult and interact with parents, teachers and schools administrators to develop and implements strategies to help students succeed. A career assessment is a standout tool that can help identify possible avenues on a career path for a student/employee. This enables a person to make better career decisions, market themselves to their best advantage, save their precious time and avoid spending money on the wrong education or future.

Music Can Improve Kid's Brain Development

Music Lessons for Brain Development in Young Children

Music is loved by people from all cultures and young children naturally love music. When my son was 14 months old he used to hum to the beat of the songs I played on my laptop. I'm not saying that all children who love music will grow up to be prodigies but as parents there is a lot we can do to stimulate different areas of the child's brain through music.

Research says

There is evidence that a child can respond to sound and music inside a mother's womb. Trillions of nerve cells are sprouting every day in an unborn child's brain. After birth, the child's brain is still not completely developed. The early years in a child's life are a period of incredible development.

It has been discovered that music training can significantly improve brain development in young children. Several studies and research have also established the fact that music lessons can also help young children improve memory.

Researchers have used brain-scanning technology and found that young children who took music training over a period of one year have shown different brain development as compared to children who did not get any music training. After a year children with music training performed better in memory tests that is correlated with maths, intelligence and literacy.

These changes were observed in musically trained children in the age group of four to six years.

Memory, Intelligence and Music:

Music enhances two specific types of reasoning skills in young children.

Language Analytical Reasoning - It is required while solving equations, and seeking quantitative results.

Spatial Temporal Reasoning - It is used specifically in activities like playing chess. This type of reasoning is used while visualizing and transforming objects in time and space. Required while solving calculus and algebra.

Music for children with developmental issues

Researchers have also found that music can be used as an effective strategy in children with developmental issues like dyslexia and autism. There is enough evidence that children with autism can benefit immensely by musical therapy. Music can help these children cope better in stress, better self-regulation and also improved improve communication and interpersonal skills.

Parents Role

From birth to age six is a period of rapid development in children and music for them is a way of knowing. . Introduce your child to the magical world of music through songs, rhymes and hand clapping activities.

Parents must provide a rich learning environment for children to nurture their musical abilities. If your child is not ready for music lessons you can still sing different songs and rhymes with him and dance. Put on some good music with energetic beats and dance with him and ask him to imitate your movements.

Casually introduce your child to musical instruments. Help him make his own musical instrument. Use rice, beans, rubber bands and old shoe boxes to make a guitar or drum.

Sing a song with your child when your stuck in a traffic jam or simply play songs while you are in the car.

Some Interesting Facts

- Musically trained children score higher in SATs.

- Piano lessons in preschoolers helped them score 34% higher in Spatial Temporal testing.

- Children who learn by rhythms are usually good at learning fractions.

- Students who are band members are good at maths and language.

Sunita P

http://www.mamasview.blogspot.com