Ifyman's self-help tips

It is good to be back

2011-03-11T03:09:00.000-08:00

It is good to be back

hi

2009-12-01T05:54:00.000-08:00

hi

2009-10-23T02:58:00.001-07:00

are u there?

सो what

2009-10-23T02:53:00.000-07:00

see u in lag

kiki

2009-10-23T02:43:00.000-07:00

hello my family

back

2009-10-23T02:40:00.000-07:00

taking time here

hi

2009-09-12T05:34:00.000-07:00

hello

मोविंग ahead

2009-09-11T09:07:00.000-07:00

Rework all these

hi

2009-09-11T08:59:00.000-07:00

fillin things. will be back soon

working

2009-09-07T10:55:00.000-07:00

hello

he

2009-07-27T14:03:00.000-07:00

Tips for achieving job satisfaction

2009-06-09T07:12:00.000-07:00

· Become more self aware. Learn about your abilities, preferences and interests and be prepared to articulate where you can best contribute.
· Make a list of what is contributing to your satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Take the time to get at the root of what isn’t working.
· Learn how to talk with your manager about what types of projects you enjoy.
· Also, share your thoughts about what you don’t enjoy and why.
· By understanding what you want, and taking the opportunity to influence your manager, you are more likely to gain access to projects that are attractive to you.
· Find a mentor in the organization to help you find opportunities to contribute that closely fit your work profile.

Security tips

2009-06-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

· Do not encourage your security guard or domestic servants to harbour strangers. They could be thieves studying your premises.
· If you are driving and suddenly discover that a particular vehicle is tracking you, drive straight to the nearest police station rather than driving to your home.
· Avoid offers of drinks, fruits and food from strangers. You can easily be drugged from it.
· Avoid spending nights with free women.
· If you have air conditioners installed, make sure they cannot be removed from outside, thus creating entry space for thieves.
· Remove any object which can assist criminals enter your house, such as ladder.
· Beware of young men well dressed in suit with brief cases. They could be armed robbers hiding their weapons in their brief cases.
· Never board a taxi filled with young men. They could be robbers.
· Save police hotlines on your phone. Call such hotlines when you are in distress.

Start-up tips for an online business

2009-05-11T11:50:00.000-07:00

· Leverage on technology as much as you can.
· Let your business be truly online. You have to register a domain name (www.GoDaddy.com), have a web hosting account (www.hostgator.com), and an autoresponder (www.aweber.com).
· Build a community around your business by creating a forum or blog.
· Don’t wait till you have a perfect system before you start as you may never start. Don’t worry; just be ready to learn fast.
· Answer all emails quickly and resolve all complaints.
· Don’t try to compete with established business using lower prices. You will force yourself out of business.
· No advantage is permanent, always look for new advantages, else competitors will run you out of business.
· Specialize; you don’t have to be the all-in-all of your online business. You can’t be blogging, writing articles and promoting at the same time
· You will have very few customers. Be a lot more efficient than bigger competitors who have to deal with a lot more customers. Use this advantage well and it won’t be long before you will lure your competitors’ customers.
· Be ready to grow slowly.

Tips for planting your money tree

2009-05-07T04:30:00.001-07:00

· Save at least 10 percent of all that you earn.
· Start your business with the little money you already have.
· Spend less money than you make.
· Put the difference to work making more money.
· Protect your asses and your money making abilities.
· There is nothing like an ideal time. The best time to start is now!

Tips for surviving an economic crisis

2009-02-13T01:36:00.000-08:00

· Be creative in terms of generating extra income. In addition to your regular job, be prepared to take extra jobs.
· Cut down on cost. This creates room for greater savings, which help cushion, the effects of the tough economic times.
· Note that every economic crisis makes new millionaires of those with good plans and right vision.
· Avoid lavishing money on things that are not important.
· Remain hopeful while preparing for the worst.

Tips for a perfect shave

2009-02-13T01:26:00.000-08:00

· It is better to shave after your morning bath because your beard is already soft and ready for cutting.
· Shave in the direction of your beard growth. This reduces chances of getting irritation and razor bumps.
· First, shave easy-to-reach parts of your face, cheeks and neck.
· The stubble on your chin and lips is much harder. Shave these parts last.
· Rinse your razor often while shaving to prevent the blades from clogging.
· After shaving, rinse your face and neck with cold water to close the pores.
· Use a good aftershave rather than spirit because it restores the moisture lost from your skin during shaving.

Tips for driving efficiently

2009-02-12T06:54:00.001-08:00

· Keep your car well serviced and checked. Correctly maintained cars operate more efficiently.
· Check your tyre pressure every month. Under-inflated tyres can increase fuel consumption by up to 4%
· Remove unnecessary weight from your boot or back seat. The heavier the car. The harder the engine has to work.
· Close your windows at higher speeds. This reduces wind resistance and can lower your fuel consumption.
· Use air-conditioning only when necessary. Unnecessary use increases fuel consumption.
· Start driving soon after starting the engine and turn off the engine when stationary for more than one minute.
· Drive smoothly. Every time you accelerate or brake suddenly, your engine uses more fuel.
· When accelerating change your gear as early as possible. Higher gears are more economical in terms of fuel consumption.
· Look at the traffic as far ahead as possible in order to avoid unnecessary stopping and starting within the flow of traffic.
· Consider car sharing. It helps to reduce fuel consumption.

Tips for avoiding slips in the bathroom

2009-02-12T06:54:00.000-08:00

· Clean up water and other liquids immediately. Don’t wax your bathroom floor.
· Marbles are not good for your bathroom. Instead, use non-slip treads to give a non-slip texture on the floor of your bathroom.
· Install grab bars by toilets and in shower/bathtub.
· Incline your bathroom floor towards a central drain point, as such; it becomes difficult for water to pool.
· Ensure there are no “lips” or differences in level between tiles on the floor, which can increase the risk of tripping.
· Make sure your bathroom is well lit. It is easy to trip and fall in poorly lit areas.
. All phone calls can wait till you are done bathing.

In search of my destiny

2009-02-06T05:56:00.000-08:00

I have traversed the length and breadth of nature’s world.
Been to the mountain top;
And the depths of valleys.
Have robbed shoulders with kings;
And laid with earth’s most wretched.
All in search of my destiny.

Have you seen the blueprint of my life?
Have toiled in search for it.
Here is my palm;
On it are prints, unique.
Just like my destiny.
One mystery, one destination.

Am off again;
On another torturous journey,
In search of my destiny.
When my finger prints touches it;
Unto greatness would I be ushered into.

Tips for bullet-proofing your job

2009-02-04T02:18:00.000-08:00

• Get along with your boss. It is easier to fire an employee who the boss does not like.
• Dress upward, look good and smart in your clothes.
• Create an impression that you are always there and ready to work.
• Find mentors within your organization and develop productive relationship with them.
• Cultivate a positive attitude to your work. Work more than you are paid for.

Tips for avoiding kitchen hazards

2009-02-02T08:41:00.000-08:00

• Never leave your stove burners on under empty pots or pans.
• Verify that your stove eyes are turned off after cooking.
• Always turn handles of pots and pans so that they are facing away from the front of the stove.
• Keep small appliances and their power cords away from the sink or other water sources while in use.
• Most people store their cleaning supplies and insecticides underneath the sink. This places the products within easy reach of children, so it is better to store them in another place which is higher and separate.

Tips for getting a job

2009-01-30T09:11:00.000-08:00

• Research different jobs by reading as much as you can in newspapers, magazines, trade publications and online.
• Do not be static with your resume; make it more targeted to each opportunity.
• Expand your list of professional contacts by taking part in industry events, alumni activities and volunteering with local non-profit organizations.
• Majority of available jobs are never advertised.
• Keeping in touch with people you met at school is an effective way of getting job leads and referrals.
• A couple of weeks after submitting your application materials get in touch with the hiring manager.
• If there is a temporary job around, grab it.

Tips for cleaning your car battery

2009-01-28T08:39:00.000-08:00

I had an hour talk with an auto technician in my neighborhood. He shared these tips with us.
• Never drive with a corroded battery posts. It is a sure way to bring your day to a grinding halt.
• The first step towards a clean battery is the removal of your battery terminals.
• You should always remove the negative cable first.
• With your battery terminals off squirt your corrosion removal fluid on the battery posts and terminals.
• It will start to foam. Let it do this for a few minutes, then rinse off with a little water. Brush away stubborn build-up with your brush.
• If you are using anti-corrosion disc, install the red disc on the positive post and the green on the negative. Re-install your battery terminals, positive first.
• Corrosion eating fluids are nothing but baking soda and water so feel free to make your own.

Ricardo Kaka: A tribute to loyalty

2009-01-27T08:49:00.001-08:00

A world record transfer fee plus a world record weekly wages, even angels would be tempted. Why did Kaka decide to stay put at the San Siro. Has he not won every laurel winnable with the Rossoneri?

May be he forgot that there is no pension scheme in football. Make all the bucks while your legs are “valuable” or rot in penury after retirement. In a profession that has a 15 year-span, you would be a fool to be an exception to the aforementioned rule.

As I watched the drama unfold, I reflected on Nicolas Anelka. How fulfilled is Anelka? Yes he has raked in the millions. From Paris to North London, from Madrid to Istanbul, from Merseyside to Eastland to Bolton, and now to West London, Anelka symbolizes the art and science of mercenarism in football.

I have always subscribed to the view that like Anelka, most followers are mercenaries. Today, they are kissing the emblem of the Eskimos; tomorrow they are in love with the logo of the mafias. Don’t get me wrong; I did not say “prostitutes”. So, where in hell did Ricardo Kaka pick up that long forgotten virtue called loyalty?

I saw his game against Fiorentina on January 17. I saw him put his hand to his heart as he was being substituted. I saw him wave emotionally and applaud the San Siro mob.

With his family and the Milan hierarchy favorably disposed to the move, I took his gestures for a good-bye. Unlike their Fiorentina friends, who held night vigils in their failed attempt to persuade Gabriel Batistuta to ignore Roma’s offer, Milan’s faithfuls had accepted the inevitable exit.

Contract signed, sealed and delivered we all thought. But a red-and-black strip shirt jogging from a window in Milan’s neighborhood changed the equation. Yep, Ricardo decided to follow his heart. Sure, he has pledged by his action to grow old with the Rossoneri.

Definitely, he will lead the Milan rebirth after ageless Maldini gives way. By his action, he has redefined the essence of love and loyalty. I thought money ruled the world. Thanks to the Brazilian Kaka, I know otherwise.

Tooth care tips for toddlers

2009-01-27T08:49:00.000-08:00

• Let your child watch you brush your teeth while he is doing same. Then "check" each other's teeth to see if they are clean, after which you should collect his brush and finish the job for him.
• If your child complains when it's time to brush, you could buy him/her a tooth brush with her/his favorite cartoon character on it.
• To bring excitement into his/her brushing experience, let your child have several brushes in different colors so that she/he can choose the one he/she wants to use.
• Experts advise that your child use a soft-bristled tooth brush and non-fluoridated tooth-paste until she/he is at least three years old.

Tips to become a better parent

2009-01-26T03:33:00.000-08:00

• Create a loving home. When given an adequate diet of love, children experience internal joy and happiness. Tell your kids that you love them.
• Exercise your authority over your kids. Support your children but maintain firm limits. Don't be too lenient or excessively harsh.
• Make a written list of household rules; you feel your children must obey. Next to the rules, write down the consequences for breaking them. Enforce the punishment calmly, quickly and consistently.
• Establish and maintain routines. By this, you teach your kids to structure their time and to stick to schedules.
• Acknowledge your child's feelings. Your child wants and needs you to know how she/he feels.
• Teach by example. Strive to be good example. Don't try to be a perfect person. Admit your mistakes and apologize. When you apologize, your child also learns to do so.

Question of the week

2009-01-26T03:09:00.001-08:00

Moses was in a loving relationship with Mary before he went to the UK in 2000. As a matter of fact, he was Mary's first flame. After some months, he stopped communicating with Mary. Mary waited for weeks, months and years. She resigned herself to the obvious; Moses has dumped her. With a broken heart, she carried on with her life. In March 2008, she found love in Abraham. They have scheduled their marriage for February, 2007. Two months before Mary's wedding date, Moses appears from the blues. He wants his Mary back. "But why did you lose contact with me?" Mary asked. Moses explained that he was released from prison recently. Mary is confused. She is torn between lost-love Moses and Abraham. What should she do?

Tips for writing a business plan

2009-01-26T03:09:00.000-08:00

• Before writing your business plan, carry out research into the feasibility (workability) of your new business.
• Look for business plan examples from sources such as business planning guides, books and the internet.
• Find a business plan sample that best meets your needs. This makes writing your business plan easier.
• Elements of a business plan include:
 Introduction: explains the purpose and objectives of your going into business.
 Marketing analysis: looks at the industry you are entering and how you fit in.
 Marketing plan: highlights your marketing strategy.
 Operations plan: explains the structure, location and regulations of your business.
 Financial plan: highlights costing and financial projections.
 Executive summary: a one-page overview written after you have finalized your business plan.
• Business planning is an ongoing business activity. You should regularly review and revise your business plan.

Ode to my neighbor

2009-01-23T10:37:00.000-08:00

Woe to you forgetful man;
Woe to your offspring.
Pursuer of the fleeing world;
Where are your bounties?
Ever took a walk to the cemetery?

Just returned; went to bury my neighbor.
He requested for my sandals.
Made him a promise;
‘I will give it to you soon.’
Selfishly, I held on to it.
Now, he is gone.
Gone for eternity.

We went with his worldly possessions.
In his shallow grave, we flung him;
Six-foot grave, my foot.
Even his old caftan was not spared.
Everything, we brought back to inherit.

Definitely, his final drive is to his Lord.
Him and his deeds alone.
With tears in our eyes, we fled him.
Crocodile tears, crocodile love.

Tips from a taxi driver

2009-01-23T09:23:00.000-08:00

• Be on the look out for potential customers.
• It is the manner you handle your passengers that differentiates you from your competitors.
• Be polite to your passengers (customers).
• Keep your fare (price of your goods and services) reasonable.
• When you treat your passengers right, they refer you to others.
• If you can solve a basic human need creatively (movement of passengers), you will be in business forever.

Tips for safeguarding your financial information

2009-01-23T06:46:00.000-08:00

• Choose a password that is not easy to guess. Don't use your first or last name as part of your password.
• Always log out of your bank account once you have finished working on it or when you will not be using it for a couple of minutes.
• Never write your password in places that are accessible to others.
• Log-in to your bank account periodically and look for strange transactions.
• Never click links on e-mails to access your bank account. Always use your web browser and type in the complete name of your bank's website to log-in.
• You can never be too careful with your financial information.

Tips for keeping your kitchen clean

2009-01-23T06:45:00.000-08:00

• After breakfast, remove coffee filters and empty the coffee pot to avoid stains and coffee odors.
• Place a batch of garbage bags at the bottom of the trash can. Take out the trash, once it is full.
• Cooking utensils should be hanged close to you so that they are visible and easily put away.
• Spray non-food contact surface with kitchen cleaner to kill household bacteria in your kitchen.
• Search your refrigerator for any expired items and get rid of them.
• Cleaning as you cook is a lot easier to scrubbing after you are done with fixing the meal.
• Sanitize your sponges to reduce the bacteria levels. Wash your dish towels once a week with bleach.

Tips for choosing your child’s footwear

2009-01-22T05:18:00.000-08:00

• Before you pay, tell your child to walk around in both shoes - wearing normal socks.
• Feel inside the footwear for rough spots, glue, staples or anything that can cause irritation.
• Avoid high heels as it does not allow for free movement and can cause your child to fall down.
• Choose footwear that would give stability and protection to your child’s feet. An ideal shoe should be soft and flexible.
• Don’t allow your child sacrifice comfort for fashion by buying tight footwear. Signs of too-tight shoes include redness of feet and blisters.
• Don’t choose a larger shoe over one which is fitted. Fitted shoes have growing room to ensure good fit throughout the life of the shoe.
• Have our child’s feet measured periodically (while standing) at the shoe store to determine whether his feet have grown enough to warrant a larger pair of shoes.

Tips for buying a home

2009-01-22T05:10:00.000-08:00

• Don’t be in a hurry to pay.
• Invite a pair of fresh unbiased eyes to evaluate the property alongside you. This third party could be your wife or a family member you trust to tell the truth.
• To get value for money, engage the services of a house inspector. He will see things you won’t see when you go look up a property. Ensure the property is not on government land. Otherwise, you won’t be compensated if a need arises for the property to be pulled down.
• Confirm the identity of the property owner. Also be sure, the seller is the owner of the property before you pay.
• Collect the original copies of the documents not duplicates.
• Get a qualified and trustworthy lawyer to prepare carefully-worded legal documents, covering the transaction and ensure all parties to the transaction sign the appropriate sections.

Tips for achieving peace in the Middle East

2009-01-20T04:54:00.000-08:00

• The Arabs must realize that Israel has the right to exist as a nation.
• The Arab states must work towards full recognition of the Israeli state.
• Israel must hand over all occupied territories.
• Iran acquiring nuclear capabilities would serve as a counter balance to the ruthless Israeli Defense Forces.
• While guaranteeing Israel’s external integrity (security), the United States must be seen to be a fair mediator.

Tips for choosing a mentor

2009-01-20T04:50:00.000-08:00

Perhaps you don't have a dictionary around, a mentor is somebody usually older and more experienced, who advices and support a younger, less experienced person. Now, the tips:
• Have a mentor for every aspect of your life.
• Your mentor should be successful in the area you want to go into.
• Your mentor should be accessible. Have a mentor you can see, observe and ask questions.
• Your mentor should have integrity. That is, he/she must be honest in his/her dealings.
• Your mentor should be willing to expose him or herself to you.
• Don't be in a hurry about choosing a mentor because you could make a wrong choice.

Tips for identifying a true friend

2009-01-17T02:28:00.000-08:00

• A true friend will support you even if it hurts his/her own interest.
• A true friend will come out to assist without any request and without expecting anything in return.
• A true friend will support you even if the whole world is against you.
• In times of sorrow and joy, a true friend will always be by your side.
• The only way to have a true friend is to be one yourself.

Tips for helping your child succeed in school

2009-01-16T02:16:00.000-08:00

• Help your child establish an after-school routine that he or she can stick to.
• Practice reading skills with your child. Read, and then listen to your child read. Discuss what is being read.
• Talk to your child each day about homework assignment; go through work; see if it is complete; ask questions about it. But don't do your child's homework for him/her.
• Set academic goals that are appropriate for your child's age and maturity.
• Inform your friends and family about your child's academic success. This boosts his/her self image and motivates him/her to work harder.
• Discuss the value of a good education with your child. Ask about her/his possible career options.
• Set limits on TV watching and be firm about bed-time.

Tips for arranging your home

2009-01-16T02:01:00.000-08:00

• Before you shop for furniture, measure the size of your room. Then go and buy set of furniture that will fit your room properly.
• Plan your colour scheme. Select a main pattern and then find coordinating small prints that enhance your choice.
• Place a rug in the middle of the room. The rug should be tucked under the front legs of chairs, sofas, and tables.
• Don't push all the furniture up against the wall. Rather move the furniture into groupings in the centre of your room.
• Don't put out all your collectibles at once. Select only attractive pieces and place them at strategic places. Keep rotating the pieces to give them a fresh look.

Tips for your air travel

2009-01-15T05:12:00.000-08:00

• Get a good night sleep before you board a plane.
• Eat a light, well balanced meal before you travel.
• Create enough time to accommodate unforeseen delay on your way to the airport.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes, which can easily be slipped on or off during flight.
• If you are prone to motion sickness, focus on one fixed object during take-off or landing.
• To avoid dryness in your throat and nose while on board, keep away from caffeine, alcohol and nicotine.
• Keep your blood circulation going, by standing up and walking on the aisle.
• When you have a problem on-board, take a deep breathe in, stay calm and accept that there are things in life you can not change.

Tips for removing stains on your clothes

2009-01-14T00:43:00.000-08:00

• For blood stains, pour hydrogen peroxide on the blood and rinse with cold water. Repeat till stain removes.
• Use petroleum jelly for removing lipstick stains.
• For gasoline stains, use baby oil.
• For grease stains, sprinkle baby powder over the stain. Allow it to sit for a few minutes and then brush the powder off.
• If you have a soiled shirt collar, apply hair shampoo onto the collar before washing.
• Where you mistakenly sit on chewing gum, apply egg white onto the gum with a brush. Wait for 15 minutes. Then, wash normally.
• To prevent deodorant stains, let your deodorant dry before dressing.
• For perspiration stains, soak the stained shirt in equal parts ammonia and water. Then, add a few tablespoons of liquid soap overnight. Wash the shirt as usual.

Tips for cleaning your bathtub

2009-01-14T00:27:00.000-08:00

• To ease movement around your bathtub, remove all bath accessories like shampoo, sponge, soap, etc.
• Stray hairs when accumulated block the water drain. Remove them before cleaning your bathtub.
• Wet your bathtub with detergent and allow to soak for sometime.
• Spray stained areas with bleach. After 20 minutes, scrub with brush.
• Most cleansers (detergents, bleaches, etc.) are toxic. To minimize their effects, open your bathroom window for fresh air to come in.
• To keep your bathtub fresh in-between cleaning, use a towel for wiping after each bath.

Tips for cutting expenses at home

2009-01-10T06:08:00.000-08:00

• Seek the co-operation of every member of your household. You must educate them that money comes as a result of hard work.
• You must draw your monthly and weekly budget. More importantly, stick to it.
• Never go shopping without a list.
• Don't ever buy on credit. If you can't afford it now, don't get it.
• Cut down on your phone calls. Instead use more of text messages.
• Do things yourself instead of paying for it. Start jogging instead of paying the fitness center. Wash your clothes instead of using the laundry services.
• No amount is too small to save.

Tips for starting your own business

2009-01-10T05:59:00.000-08:00

• Attach yourself to someone who is already established in your preferred line of business so as to learn the secret of the business.
• Never start a business you are not familiar with.
• Carry out a thorough market research to know the acceptability and profitability of your business.
• You must build your knowledge on various areas of your business so to give your business a chance of success.
• You must believe in yourself and your business.

How to prepare for retirement

2009-01-09T04:23:00.000-08:00

• Save at least 10 percent of your monthly income for the future.
• Make weekly, monthly and yearly budgets. Make sure you keep to your budgets.
• Avoid unnecessary purchases on credit. If you ignore this tip, you may end up using all your income to settle debts.
• Pay all your bills at the right time, so that they don't accumulate and become a burden.
• Use your income to take care of your family, parents, and self.
• Plan having your own house before retirement. Living the whole of your life in a rented house is not wise.
• Apart from your regular job, establish a personal business in accordance with your passion. You can expand it after retirement.
• Lastly, be content with your position in life.

Tips for a good night sleep

2009-01-09T04:15:00.000-08:00

• Make your sleeping place comfortable. Make sure it is dark, quite and that the temperature is agreeable.
• Avoid taking caffeine, nicotine and alcohol late in the day.
• If you have so much on your mind, make a "to-do list" before you go to bed. This helps you not to focus on those worries overnight.
• Try not to take naps during the day because naps may make you sleepless at night.
• Don't use your bed for anything other than sleep or sex.
• Go to bed at the same each night and get up at the same time each morning.
• If you can't fall asleep; read a book, browse the net, take a bath, or watch TV.

How to achieve success by Mr. Ant

2009-01-07T01:47:00.000-08:00

• No matter the obstacle in its way, an ant will overcome it. To achieve success, you must never ever give up.
• Ants are always around each other assisting one another. In life, to attain success, you need people around you who will believe in you and your work.
• Ants are tireless workers. All day long, they work gathering food. In life, only hard work guarantees success.
• Ants are always preparing and thinking of tomorrow. To attain success in life, you must plan for your future.
• Ants never leave today's work till tomorrow. To achieve success, whatever you need to do, do it now!
• Ants' warriors (soldier ants) are rarely seen. To achieve success in life, don't reveal your secrets.

How to maintain your rug

2009-01-07T01:39:00.000-08:00

• Avoid burns from cigarette, candle or fire-place.
• Any hole or torn edge must be repaired as soon as possible to prevent it from getting larger.
• To guard against tiny moths that eat rug, crush moth balls and place underneath your rug.
• If you store rugs folded, use moth balls and check the rugs every month or two.
• As routine maintenance, wash your rug every three years. This not only cleans your rug but re-moisturizes its wool.
• Stains from spills (tea, coffee, etc.) require immediate attention. Don't use any stain removers as they may damage your rug. Blot up with mild soap and then flush with water using a towel to mop up the water immediately.
• Major washing is best left to professionals.

Tips for achieving success

2008-12-30T09:31:00.000-08:00

• Become an expert in your field.
• Don’t complain about the work it takes to achieve your dreams.
• Find out what you love and create a business around it.
• You must be willing to pay the price of success to enjoy the prize of success.
• The quickest way to become successful is to find out what the best are doing, and then do what they do.

Power shift

2008-12-25T00:17:00.000-08:00

The Chinese are being driven by a history of imprisonment by communism. For the Indians, it is a history of the caste system. Having experienced hardship over time, these nations are desperate to demonstrate their capabilities to the world. Every year, China turns out more graduates than the population of most European countries. As the world leadership shifts to the East, I fear for the tension we may have to contend with as these emerging dinosaurs flex muscles as they attempt to corner resources to enable them meet the basic necessities of their citizen.

Tips to survive an economic crisis

2008-12-25T00:15:00.001-08:00

• Don’t lose hope; don’t lose faith. Think positive thoughts.
• Having a narrow niche is risky during an economic crisis, so diversify your source of income.
• If you are a business owner, keep prices low and keep sales high.
• Don’t out-do yourself in trying to keep up with your previous life-style.
• You don’t want to add health problems to your financial problems. So keep healthy habits and do things that are stress-free.
• Send time with your family. They are your treasure. Even if you don’t have money to spend on them, no problem. The best gift is the one from the heart. It is the gift money can’t buy.

Tips for conversation

2008-12-25T00:13:00.000-08:00

• Try to establish common grounds, find things you may share in common.
• Focus on the speaker. Maintain eye contact.
• Try to lean towards the speaker to demonstrate your interest.
• Don’t fold your arms or lean back.
• Give compliments where and when you see fit and appropriate.
• Keep an open mind. Don’t challenge until you have heard it all.

10 Tips for smooth pass through airport security

2008-12-25T00:11:00.000-08:00

• Avoid unnecessary stress by arriving an hour or more before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight.
• If you can, travel light. This facilitates your movement from one point to another.
• Never leave your bags unattended. And if you must, lock them.
• Don’t accept anything from strangers.
• Don’t wrap your gifts.
• Be prepared to take off your shoes, belt, heavy jewelry and jacket. If you are wearing baggy clothes, you might be singled out for further screening.
• Empty your pockets of change, mobile phones, keys, and palmtops.
• Keep boarding pass and ID out until you pass airport security. Also keep baggage claim tickets in case your destination airport has tight security on the way out.
• If you have to undergo extra airport security screening, calm down. Getting upset won’t make the process go away faster.
• Exercise patience.

Tips I learnt from a thief

2008-12-25T00:09:00.000-08:00

• A thief strikes with lightening boldness. He does not brag about his time of execution. He plans his moves and surprises you with its outcome.
• A thief is not careless or casual. He cannot afford to. He is careful, thorough and goal-getting. He does everything not only to get the object of his desire, but he does even more not to leave a trace that would lead to his being found out.
• A thief is an employer of appropriate and quality labour. He has an instinct for good hands. He is a great talent spotter.
• A thief is a good networker. He knows that he cannot achieve anything significant alone. As a stranger, give him few hours in the town square and he will be able to recruit a good thieving team.

It sounds strange, but his tips contain lessons for us in our business and private lives.

Life’s tips from soccer

2008-12-24T23:58:00.000-08:00

• Every soccer player benefits from the expertise and experience of his coach. Likewise as a player in life’s game, you need a coach.
• To keep in top shape, soccer players emphasize training routine. As a player in life’s game you must continuously work on your skills.
• Just as injuries are inevitable in the game of soccer, so also are adversities in the game of life. However how you respond to tough times, defines your destiny.
• In soccer games, “half time” is the period players rest and evaluate their performance. Also in the rat race of life, take time to relax and evaluate your performance. What have you done so far?
• In the game of soccer, it is goals that count. Same way in life. What really counts is being able to take bold steps towards bringing your vision and dreams to fruition.
• Just as soccer players stick to the rules of the referee, you must play the game of life in accordance with the rules of its referee – God. He who sticks with God never fail.

How Nigerian scammers operate

2008-12-20T03:55:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the world of online scam in Nigeria. It is a world of deceit and fraud where scam artists, by enticing unsuspecting victims with quick wealth, or even offering love via the internet, dispose them of their wealth. This article analyzes the methodologies of these scammers.

One of such antics could be e-mails purportedly sent by a person or persons claiming to be relatives of an influential person. They claim that the influential person had corruptly enriched himself. The law having caught up with him, he went on exile to escape conviction.

However, he buried a fortune in a secret location. The scammers would demand for the recipient’s assistance to facilitate the transfer of the fortune using the recipient’s bank account as a conduit.

For his efforts, the recipient is promised a fixed percentage of the fortune. Subsequently, they demand for the recipient’s bank details, which, if obliged, would give them access to the funds of the victim.

Another trick entails the sender of the e-mail claiming to be an accountant in a bank either in Nigeria or overseas.

He will offer to send money from the bank accounts of deceased customers of his employers, who have neither dependants nor next of kin. Thus, have no one to claim their wealth. They would demand for bank details or credit card details in order to complete the transaction.

The numerous dating sites on the internet are platforms for these scammers. Here the scammers chat up vulnerable people who are seeking partners. They apply the law of connection.

Scammers know you can’t move a person to action unless you first move him/her with emotion. They touch the heart of their chat-partners before asking for a hand. They pose to be willing lovers and pretend to be in need of financial help.

In the dating method, they download strangers’ pictures and pretend with the stolen identities. If you are male seeking female on the net, beware! These smart dudes also use female pictures and go to “work” with it. As a matter of fact, the latter scenario is preferred by them.

Another method is known as “phishing.” It entails sending unsolicited e-mails from a website which falsely claims to be an online presence of a legitimate business entity. The scammers appreciate that perception is reality. The layouts of these websites are comparable to the best on the net.

They claim to offer consultancy services in various facets of business; real estate, stock market, etc. This method strives because the internet is a virtual market place. The moment, these scammers land a “big fish,” they disappear into thin air.

Have you ever received unsolicited invitations to seminars or conferences in a foreign country? Be on the watch-out. After getting you on board the bogus conference, the scammers make demands for hotel reservations, conference fees and many more.

Other methods include Moneygram interceptions, Western Union hijacking and check laundering. As a safeguard, never reveal clues to your funds transfers. These scammers are dangerous and they operate at a speed faster than light!

Are you puzzled how they get your e-mail address? The scammers use special software called e-mail extractor to get your address from the net. After extracting your e-mail address, they proceed to send unsolicited messages to you.

Antidote
If you ever fell into the scammers’ trap, you were greedy, period! You were easily deceived by the prospect of making easy money. You fell for a get-rich-quick gimmick.

The next time you read a “too good to be true e-mail,” simply delete it. As you read this article, the scammers are busy thinking up new ways of carrying out their activities. They are acquiring the latest software with which they can be able to gain access to your confidential information.

On a final note, be cautious when dealing with strangers on the net. A word is enough for the wise.

Reflections on internet marketing

2008-12-20T02:56:00.000-08:00

Reflecting back on my earlier days as an internet marketer, it is surprising why I did not call it quit. I wrote over 10 articles and over a period of two months made $0.24 from it. The impression I had coming in, was the money was there online for the taking. From experience, never believe anybody that says you will make head-turning returns will little efforts online. Like every start up, you need perseverance and a large dose of self-belief. Put in the hard work. I have and still spend sleepless nights investing in my internet business. The dividend is beginning to pay off. You know what? That has further made me to further commit myself. Are you ready to pay the price of success to enjoy the prize of success? Remember, there are no shortcuts to anyplace worth going.

Probable outcome of the current global crisis

2008-12-19T07:51:00.000-08:00

A thousand Barack Obama can’t save the downward trend. At best he can only delay it. A more likely outcome of the current global crisis over the coming years is that first, the era of U.S. as the world’s only super power may have ended and we are likely to have a complete realignment of forces, which may put Communist Capitalism (China and Russia) on one side and then Democratic Socialism (U.S., Europe, Japan, Australia and Canada) on the other, while as usual India, Africa and South America will remain in the middle to be wooed and fought for.

How to motivate yourself to greatness

2008-12-19T07:36:00.001-08:00

There is a drop of greatness in every man. How true? When you think of greatness, what comes to your mind? We all have the capacity to be great. But it is not everyone that will be great, because it is only a minority that put into action the habits and the lifestyle of the truly great. So, how do you motivate yourself to greatness?

G -Give up your obsession
Achieving greatness comes with a down payment. You can’t get something for nothing. Greatness is built on the virtue of sacrifice.

You have to be willing to pay the price of greatness in order to enjoy the prize of greatness. What are you willing to forfeit so as to savor the sweetness of greatness?

Remember, there are no shortcuts to anyplace worth going. Greatness is a function of sacrifice.

Keep it in mind that it is absolutely impossible to rise to the top in any sphere of life without sweating it out. Greatness comes with a price tag attached. Are you willing to pay?

R –Relationship
To achieve greatness, you have to be a people’s person. Truth is that you will be welcome to the highest realm of greatness in life based on the invitation of another. You cannot make yourself great.

You can become so good at what you do, yet to be great you need someone or a group of people. You must leverage on quality relationships. If you must achieve greatness, you must use the strength and influence of others.

Good relationships are more than just the icing on the cake; in fact they are the cake - the very substance you need, to shoot yourself to the height of greatness.

Every successful sales man knows selling is 15 percent product knowledge and 85 percent people knowledge. So be a people’s person!

E –Excellence
Ever wondered why Microsoft’s computational software is termed “Excel?” The word “Excel” is derived from excellence. At the time it was introduced into the market, it was better than any other computational software.

Excellence connotes the quality of making something extremely good. To be great, endorse your work with excellence and be willing to give your best. Constantly, be better than the best. Great people refrain from mediocrity and embrace excellence.

A –Add value
Michael Faraday, Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Michael Jackson, Williams Shakespeare. Their value-adding mentality stands them out.

Adding value is about making something better than you met it. Bill Gates dreamt of a computer on every desk, run by his Microsoft operating system. The ease with which we get our documents prepared, the speed at which graphics are displayed, can be attributed to the value-adding mentality of Bill Gates.

Cultivate and apply this principle, and you are on your march to greatness.

T –Tenacity
Never let go of your object of pursuits. To achieve greatness you must have a burning desire and a firm resolution to hang in there come what may.

As a young man, Louis Armstrong applied to a music school. At his audition, he performed poorly and was told he does not have what it takes to be a musician. Feeling rejected, he cried all day. But he resolved to his friends: “I know there is music in me and they cannot keep it out.” Louis Armstrong went on to become a jazz legend.

What made the difference? Yes, his tenacity. It is summed up as follows: Never ever give up! Greatness is achieving the unachievable. See you at the top!

Trust : A pillar of leadership

2008-12-19T07:34:00.000-08:00

Trust is a very important factor for all relationships. When trust is broken, it marks the demise of the relationship. Lack of trust leads to suspicion, suspicion generates anger, anger causes enmity and enmity may result in separation...

Leadership is a relationship built and nurtured on trust. In leadership, trust is a two way street. The people being led must be able to trust that their leader is “able to deliver” and the leader must also be able to trust the people, that they will follow him.

Trust is built and developed over time. There are many dimensions to what determines whether people will trust a leader or not. A leader must have in the eyes of the people, the necessary credentials to lead them.

The people’s trust in their leader can be grounded in their evaluation of his/her ability, integrity and benevolence. That is, the more they observe these characteristics in their leader; their level of trust in him/her is likely to grow.

Ability refers to the assessment of the leader’s knowledge, skill or competence .This dimension recognizes that trust requires that the leader is able to perform in a manner that meets his people’s expectations.

Integrity is the degree to which the leader adheres to principles that are acceptable to his people. This dimension leads to trust based on consistency of past actions, credibility of communication and commitment to standards of fairness.

Benevolence is the people’s assessment that their leader is concerned enough about their welfare. Whether he is interested to either advance their interests or at least not impede them.

Honest and open communication, delegating decisions and sharing control are evidences of the leader’s benevolence.

Ability and integrity are likely to be the most influential early in the relationship between the leader and his people, as information on the leader’s benevolence needs more time to emerge.

Evidently, people prefer leaders who are not only competent but who are also of impeccable character. The leader’s character must be solid for him to be trusted. He must be seen as a man of integrity.

A man of integrity is truthful, reliable and never plays to the gallery. He does not just make promises. He says what he means and he means what he says.

Nobody wants to trust a leader who has no backbone. People will trust a leader, who in the face of insurmountable crisis will inspire and motivate. They will trust a leader, who can endure hard times. They will trust a leader, who will not buckle under the weight of adversity.

The manner a leader handles crisis will determine whether the trust the followers have in him will diminish or be enhanced. A leader who crumbles and falls in crisis with his followers will not only lose face but have his “trust bank” seriously depleted.

A leader who falls flat on his face in crisis shows the stuff he is made of. After all, if you fall to pieces in crisis, there was not much to you in the first place. Character makes trust possible and trust makes leadership possible.

How to be a marketing guru for beginners

2008-12-19T07:31:00.000-08:00

Lessons For Marketing Newbies

Respect : A fundamental ingredient for effective leadership

2008-12-19T07:27:00.000-08:00

RESPECT: A Fundamental Ingredient for Effective Leadership

How to create multiple sources of income

2008-12-19T07:26:00.000-08:00

How to Create Multiple Sources of Income

How to care for your clothes

2008-12-19T07:24:00.000-08:00

How to Care for Your Clothes

How to create wealth with integrity

2008-12-19T07:22:00.000-08:00

How to Create Wealth with Integrity

How to be an entrepreneur

2008-12-19T07:14:00.001-08:00

Tips for Young Entrepreneurs

How to manage your wealth before retirement

2008-12-19T07:06:00.000-08:00

How to Manage Your Wealth Before Retirement

How to find and turn your entrepreneurial vision into reality

2008-12-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

How to Find and Turn Your Entrepreneurial Vision into Reality

How to Cut Unnecessary Expenses at Home

2008-12-18T01:34:00.000-08:00

How to Cut Unnecessary Expenses at Home

Journalist in Jail?

2008-12-17T03:51:00.000-08:00

For the journalist spending time in jail, I think it is public opinion versus the law. Legal issues ought not to be based on public opinion but rather on the evidences brought before the court. The protests we saw on TV suggest that, left to the Iraqi people, the journalist would have spent the night in his wife’s care.

Bin Laden reactions

2008-12-17T03:46:00.000-08:00

Am sure Osama bin Laden must have had a good laugh. I watched the shoes-hurling video on slow motion. Give it to W. Bush – he is mentally alert. For every ten persons out there, the journalist’s shoes would have hit target on eight occasions.

What became of his authority

2008-12-17T02:28:00.000-08:00

Imagine shoes being hurled at Bill Clinton or Ronald Reagan. The office of the American President is the most powerful in the world. So what became of the authority? W. Bush has poked his nose in every other affair out there and ended up rubbishing the mystic of his office. Whether he deserves it is another issue.