Maybe you should worry about your pr

Especially if your public relations budget is all about tactics like brochures, special events, talking to reporters and press releases. Please don’t get me wrongmunications tactics are valuable devices which we call upon from time-to-time to move a message from here to there. But, as a business, non-profit or association manager, you can omit the best public relations has to offer, the crиme de la crиme of PR! Try this on for size. The core public relations mission pulls together the resources and action planning needed to alter individual perception leading to changed behaviors among a business, non-profit, or association’s most important outside audiences. Then it goes on to help a manager persuade those key folks to his or her way of thinking, and then, moves them to take actions that allow their department, group, division or subsidiary to succeed. Now, there’s a real theory behind that mission, and it’s the underlying premise of public relations: People act on their own perception of the facts before them, which leads to predictable behaviors about which something can be done. When we create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-desired-action the very people whose behaviors affect the organization the most, the public relations mission is usually accomplished. It’s comforting to note that the right public relations planning really CAN alter individual perception and lead to changed behaviors among key outside audiences. AND equally encouraging when you remember that your PR effort must demand more than special events, news releases and talk show tactics if you are to receive the quality public relations results you believe you deserve. And those results won’t be long in coming, especially when capital givers or specifying sources begin to look your way; customers begin to make repeat purchases; membership applications start to rise; new proposals for strategic alliances and joint ventures start showing up; politicians and legislators begin looking at you as a key member of the business, non-profit or association communities; welcome bounces in show room visits occur; community leaders begin to seek you out; and prospects actually start to do business with you. Help is at hand because the public relations people assigned to you can be of real use for your new opinion monitoring project because they are already in the perception and behavior business. But be certain that the PR folks really accept why it’s SO important to know how your most important outside audiences perceive your operations, products or services. Above all, be sure they believe that perceptions almost always result in behaviors that can help or hurt your operation. Layout the plans for your PR staff re: monitoring and gathering perceptions by questioning members of your most important outside audiences. Ask questions like these: how much do you know about our organization? Have you had prior contact with us and were you pleased with the interchange? Are you familiar with our services or products and employees? Have you experienced problems with our people or procedures? Bringing in survey firms to do the opinion gathering work can cost a lot more than using those PR folks of yours in that monitoring capacity. But whether it’s your people or a survey firm asking the questions, the objective remains the same: identify untruths, false assumptions, unfounded rumors, inaccuracies, misconceptions and any other negative perception that might translate into hurtful behaviors. Here, you have to set a goal aiming for action on the most serious problem areas you uncovered during your key audience perception monitoring. Will it be to straighten out that dangerous misconception? Correct that gross inaccuracy? Or, stop that potentially painful rumor dead? Naturally a goal requires a strategy to show you how to reach it. Just three strategic options are available to you when it comes to solving perception and opinion problems. Change existing perception, create perception where there may be none, or reinforce it. The wrong strategy pick will taste like spare ribs with lemon sauce. So be certain your new strategy fits well with your new public relations goal. You certainly don’t want to select “change” when the facts dictate a strategy of reinforcement. Now your people must do some good writing. You must prepare a persuasive message that will help move your key audience to your way of thinking. It must be a carefully-written message aimed directly at your key external audience. Select your very best writer because s/he must come up with language that is not merely compelling, persuasive and believable, but clear and factual if they are to shift perception/opinion towards your point of view and lead to the behaviors you have in mind. It’s time to pick out the communications tactics most likely to carry your message to the attention of your target audience. There are many waiting for you. From speeches, facility tours, emails and brochures to consumer briefings, media interviews, newsletters, personal meetings and many others. But be certain that the tactics you pick are known to reach folks just like your audience members. How you communicate your message is a concern because the credibility of any message is always fragile. Which is why you may wish to unveil your corrective message before smaller meetings and presentations rather than using higher-profile news releases. If the thought of a progress report appeals to you, you must begin a second perception monitoring session among members of your external audience in order to measure headway. You can use many of the same questions used in your benchmark session. But this time, you will be on guard for signs that the bad news perception is being altered in your direction. In the event the program slows down, you can always speed things up by adding more communications tactics as well as increasing their frequencies. Worry can be healthy, too. Especially when it moves you away from a major emphasis on communications tactics and on to a plan for doing something positive about the behaviors of those important external audiences of yours that most affect your operation. And particularly so when you persuade those key outside folks to your way of thinking by helping to move them to take actions that allow your department, division or subsidiary to succeed.

A surprising variety of custom containers

: Custom containers include not only containers of non-standard dimensions but also containers rebuilt into houses, shops, garbage bins, and so on. By containers, we mean those large 20'x8'x8' and larger boxes used to transport everything from heavy machinery to thousands cartons of trinkets (in each box). These containers are used extensively in international trade as they can be packed and custom sealed at the factory and then transported by truck, railcar and ship (or aircraft) to distant locations without being opened till they reach their destinations. The standardized dimensions and specialized handling equipment make it easy to transfer the containers from trucks to railcars to ships and in the reverse direction. With containers, the efficiency of transport logistics improves dramatically. While transporting containers filled with merchandise is an economic proposition, transporting empty containers is not. Containers that come in are re-used to ship merchandise out from their original destinations. Where this is not possible because of unbalanced trade, empty containers tend to accumulate at high import destinations. These empty containers cause problems, and hence the urgency to convert them into other uses. Let us look at some of these rebuilt custom containers. Container Houses A 20 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8 feet high container can accommodate a 9'x6' living room, an adequate bed that folds into the wall when not needed, several chairs that also can be folded into the wall, a counter, small kitchen unit and toilet. It would be cramped of course, but can provide living quarters at worksites. A 45'x8'x9.5' container is another standard size. It can accommodate more spacious rooms and facilities. The containers can be fitted up inside to protect from outside heat and create pleasing interiors, and doors and windows can be cut to suit the overall design. With solar power, it can even move around with continuous power supply. Instead of living quarters, the design can be adapted for creating mobile shops, eating-places, or other kinds of accommodation. More than one level can be built by stacking containers over one another, or by going for smaller levels. Flat Racks The container walls and roof can be stripped out (and recycled) leaving the four corner reinforcements intact on the floor plate. With a little modification, these can then be converted into flat racks suitable for different uses. For example, fit them with wheels and they can be moved along tracks. Cargo can be fitted inside easily, and lifting and loading are also made easier. Several numbers of these racks can be stacked while transporting empty, saving space and cost. Garbage Containers Another custom container is the garbage container. The empty containers lying around wasting space can be converted into excellent garbage containers that can be transported in container trucks, and handled with standard container handling equipment. Garbage can be packed tightly inside, and removed by opening one end that constitutes the door. Open Top Containers Loading certain kinds of cargo, such as heavy machinery, is easier into open top containers. With the top open, such items can be lifted by crane and placed into the container. This is much easier than trying to load them the conventional way. Custom Containers The above examples will give an idea of the versatile applications possible with standard containers. Then there are tank containers for liquid cargo, refrigerated containers, ventilated containers for organic produce, smaller containers for air cargo and so on to fit numerous custom container requirements.

Online faxing a dream come true

Advances in technology have increased our work and business-related capabilities. The everyday tools of the modern business owner were unheard of twenty years ago. Remember seeing your first fax machine? You just knew you had to have one. Although it would and did bring your business operations into the new age of highly resourceful technology, it also presented a new set of challenges. But then came e-mail, the answer to instant communication making the fax seem obsolete ... until the discovery that e-mail isn't exactly perfect for forwarding certain documents such as maps, off-line magazine articles, documents with editing marks, photos, etc. What about a solution that features the best of both worlds ... the capacity of faxing, minus the headaches, with the simplicity of e-mail, and without the troubles of sending attachments? Thank goodness technology is constantly evolving and at last online faxing has arrived! Say it ain't so! Yes, online faxing is now a reality and is the perfect solution for sending documents of all kinds. Consider the advantages of online faxing compared to traditional faxing. Disadvantages of traditional faxing: * Equipment requirements - fax machines cost money and have to be maintained ... not to mention the monthly expense of a designated phone line and more extra wires running through your office. And heaven forbid if the cables come unplugged or get tangled. No power or phone connection means no faxing. More than one professional has been spotted down on all fours tracing wires and cables ... not a very flattering sight for clients and customers. * Cost of incidentals - incidentals aren't actually incidentals but definite requirements to fax. You have to have toner, which can cost almost as much as the fax machine and has to be replaced frequently. Toner never runs out unless you're faxing. It always runs out in the middle of receiving an important document, just after your local officer supply store sells the last one in stock that fits your fax. Then add the cost of paper, wasted by junk faxes. Advantages of online faxing: * Minimal start-up cost - you can set up an online fax account for as little as $0 to $15, depending upon the service package you select. * No Monthly Fee - One online faxing service, FaxItNice even has a "No Monthly Fee" option that totally dispenses with the monthly fee allowing you to pay as you go. * Supply costs - on average, about .09 cents per page for ink and paper to print a hardcopy of faxes. * Mobility/Portability - send a fax from any computer in the world with online faxing without being chained to a fax machine. * Free storage - online faxing archives your faxes for viewing later as often as you need. * Automatic file conversion - send files of multiple formats with online faxing ... advanced technology converts your files for you. * Direct to your inbox - online faxes are sent directly to your e-mail address, so you can see it as soon as it arrives. * Online support - get help from a pro, usually for free with online faxing. Let's see, minimal start-up cost, low monthly fees, an average of less than .10 cents per fax for supplies, mobility, free storage, automatic file conversion, faxes direct to your e-mail and online support. What's not to love? To make the switch to online faxing even easier take advantage of a special offer from a leader in the online fax world, FaxItNice. Recognizing that consumers are its true source of success they created FaxItForFree to immediately give credit where credit is due by offering a free fax with no strings attached. FaxItNice is a pioneer in practical and affordable business solutions and they offer a variety of online faxing packages to help you take your business to the next level. (c) 2006, Angelina Jordan. Reprint rights granted so long as article and by-line are printed intact and all links made live.

Sweepstakes you really can be a winner

Anybody can win a sweepstakes. No special skills are required. Unlike a contest, you don't have to have a way with words, a knack for cooking, or any particular ability. In this article I'll show you how easy it is to get started with sweepstakes. Make no mistake about it, sweepstakes are games of luck. But you'd be amazed by how much you can improve your chances of winning them. Anybody can win a sweepstakes. No special skills are required. Unlike a contest, you don't have to have a way with words, a knack for cooking, or any particular ability. I believe that entering sweepstakes and contests has been widely overlooked as a means of unwinding from the stresses and strains of everyday life. I find that sitting down in front of the television after a long day at the office, and taking a little time to fill our entry forms can be quite therapeutic. You should enjoy the process of entering sweepstakes and contests and not just its rewards. If you can do that, then you'll never be a loser. Your life will be enriched by spending your free time doing something you find truly entertaining. Tips to help you win more. Enter The Small Ones. Its natural to skip over the events with smaller prizes and go for the big ones. However, since they get fewer entries, the odds of winning the events with small prizes are better. A smaller prize might not be as appealing, but you’ll probably have a better chance of winning it. Enter The Hard Ones. Some events require you to “jump through hoops” to enter. You may have to complete a survey, answer questions, or perform some other activity. Once again, fewer people will enter these types of events giving you much better odds. A few of the “hard ones” will also allow you to mail in your entries without performing any of their online tasks How to get started. First you need to find the sweepstakes and for that you can use one of the free sweepstakes directories like sweepswire or prizetune here you'll find new fresh sweepstakes everyday grouped in categories and entry type. Daily Sweepstakes, weekly sweepstakes, monthly sweepstakes and new sweepstakes. Automated entry services, speed up winning. If you would like to speed up your number of entries you can use a service like fastsweeper. Here you can enter hundreds of sweepstakes everyday with a single click. I have tested fastsweeper and it returned 4 wins in three months; $500 cash, Ipod, 3days/2nights vacation to Florida and a new laptop computer. At this point, it's all up to you. The work isn't hard, and if you find it as relaxing and therapeutic as I do, then you can't go wrong. You're one step closer to winning already.

How to accept credit cards at your business

Those who are still learning the ropes of running a small or home-based business may be unsure about how to accept credit cards for their goods and services. Perhaps you have sold handmade items by mail order up to this point, receiving a check in the mail as payment. Or you might run a small shop where customers come in to shop and pay by check or cash. If you are wondering how to accept credit cards, here are a few basic guidelines. 1. Apply for a merchant account to find out how to accept credit cards at your business. You can get one through many banks and other financial institutions in your area. Visit websites such of as many credit card merchants as possible. Also visit websites of several banks to see if they offer merchant accounts. Click on the link to find out what the requirements are and whether you are eligible. If you don’t see specific information for this type of account, email the contact person and ask for information about how to obtain a merchant account so you may start accepting credit card payments. 2. Demonstrate your fiscal responsibility. Submit copies of documents that prove you are a good credit risk and ready to manage the next step of upgrading your business by learning how to accept credit cards. You may want to get a copy of your company’s credit history, the last three or four company bank statements, and the usual business documents that show your company to be in good standing. Keep in mind that many underwriters do not want to work with companies that are involved with pornography, drug sales, spam, or other types of questionable enterprises. 3panies involved with charge backs may experience a fee adjustment. Give some thought to the types of expenses you will incur when you learn how to accept credit cards. For example, there may be set-up fees, monthly statement fees, gateway fees, and others. You also may want to ask about wireless credit card processing if you have employees that work at various destinations or whose jobs are somewhat mobile as they collect payments. 4. In learning how to accept credit cards, realize that you may be bombarded with offers from companies who want your business. They may offer terrific-sounding deals that will collapse when it comes time to sign the contract. Or you may agree on terms and then realize that the terms later change to your disadvantage. Make sure you understand the contract’s fine print before signing. Avoid purchasing unnecessary features that will add to your cost but not necessarily to your profit. 5. When you learn how to accept credit cards, you will want to be sure that your company’s Website stays up to date and remains functional so that customers can use it at any time. You may have to hire a service technician to oversee Website content and to address any glitches from the company side or the client’s side when problems are reported. Moving your business into the e-commerce era is challenging and exciting. Take time to become familiar with the various ways in which customers can make electronic payments so that both you and they can avoid errors and experience the convenience of learning how to accept credit cards.