Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Rebranding: 4 Ways to Redefine Your Business

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Corp Environmental Risk www.GMIRatings.com Leading resource for Environmental Social and Corp Governance risk
Brand Thinking www.dmabranding.com New branding techniques for you - DY Works, award winning branding
Optimal management plans www.iptim.com Integrated planning for timberland management
Expert Author Kym Gordon Moore
Does your business or organization feel like it is at an impasse? Are you doing the same old things using the same old marketing tools that you always used and find that they are not as effective as they once were? Do you need a facelift or overhaul to leverage your business and create an appealing image to make your business relevant and robust again?
Sometimes organizations wonder what happened to the influx of lucrative business traffic that they once received. Evaluating and analyzing what you did in the past, what you are doing now and what your upcoming game plan will be in order to help jumpstart the engine of your business, are vital pieces to rebranding your organization.
1. Repurposing: This term is basically used when referring to the process of recycling. Instead of throwing an item away, a new use is found for it. If an organization uses certain strategies or products that seem like it is time to discard them, revamping them to use in a strategic way for a new purpose could elevate your brand identity and cut down on operating costs.
2. Rediscovering: Sometimes ideas or certain systems that are aged or have been shelved could make you look at it in a new and innovative way. There are inventive ways to make old methods look new again by creating infrastructures that are smarter and more profitable.
3. Reinvesting: Use profits to put back into updating your look and message, while investing into any learning tools that will help to catapult your company or organization to the next level. Sometimes, investing in new partnerships will give you that edge you need for revitalizing your brand.
4. Revolutionizing: Often, rebranding requires you to revolutionize your thinking. To differentiate and grow your business could require some radical changes through extreme creativity. Subversive tactics will be needed to get rid of the barriers that inhibit your systematic approach to marketing and your organizational identification.
Marketing and Promotions are very different from the way it was fifteen or thirty years ago. You must dedicate time for building a loyal following, even if your followers are different now than they were. Reinforce your brand by building relationships through social media, articles, blogs and other opportunities to gain exposure. You can certainly reap the rewards by taking the time to generate publicity for your business, organization and yourself through repurposing, rediscovering, reinvesting and revolutionizing..
Kym Gordon Moore was selected as one of the 2012 U.S. World Book Night Volunteer Book Givers. http://www.kymgmoore.com She is the author of "Diversities of Gifts: Same Spirit," contributing author to "Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Mom" and Co-Founder of Favorite Things for a CAUSE where you can download a FREE eBooklet, "Clean Up Your ACT!"

Anyone Can Be an Entrepreneur

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Study at Raffles Auckland www.raffles.ac.nz Make Your Mark in Business! Business Diploma L6 & 7 Starts July
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God and business www.LifesGreatestQuestion.com Hear from a successful businessman How God can change your life
Expert Author Bruce Hoag
There seems to be a lot of people who you like to become entrepreneurs, but are worried that they lack what it takes to do so. Indeed, the web is filled with articles by self-appointed, so-called experts, who would have you believe that you must have certain inborn characteristics, the absence of which guarantees that you'll be shackled to an employer for the rest of your life. Nothing could be further from the truth.
There three myths to this folklore.
1. Your background is irrelevant
Tony Robbins is fond of reminding us that the past does not equal the present. That's another way of saying that our background has no bearing on what we do in the future. Bill Liao has said that the past, is past. Wise words.
It's true that some people who grow up in entrepreneurial families go on to greater business success. Just as there are acting or musical families, there are also those who are almost groomed for business. But, these are just the ones you hear about. There are many more who don't follow in their fathers' footsteps. And just because neither of your parents were in business is no reason for you not to be.
2. Your interests do not determine your business.
There's no doubt that turning your interests into a business is preferable to starting a business in an area about which you are rather indifferent, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. And if truth be told, learning about a new topic of itself, can generate the interest you need to keep going.
To look at this another way, it's a bit of a chicken-and-egg issue. Do we have eggs because we have chickens, or do we have chickens because we have eggs. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if you have a business because you're interested in that market or if you're only interested in the business and need to find a market for it.
3. It doesn't matter why.
Why is probably the most effective question you can ask, and yet the majority of people who are really good at asking it are children. That's because they have reached the age of discovery. Adults have a tendency to abandon exploration in favor of adaptation and coping, and all three have their place. But, in business, you must learn to question everything you do or are thinking about doing. And that means that you exercise caution when making assumptions.
By the way, if you'd like more information, then you might like to get my free eBook on How to BE an Entrepreneur.
Or, if you want some help in finding your niche, then you might be interested in http://www.terrydeaninterview.com.

A Brief Introduction to the Operations of a LCD Video Wall

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Join The Leaders - Cisco. www.ciscoborderlessnetwork.com Protect Your Business IT Investment With The Right Network Partner.
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Ceramic Fiber Insulating Board VitCas.com UK Manufacturer of Ceramic Fibre Adhesive, High Quality Refractories
Expert Author Jerry Herrington
A LCD video wall comprises several rows and columns of displays that are tiled together to form a single pallet. Some of the more commonly used display technologies are LCD panels and DLP projection cubes. The key differentiators are physical shape and size. The projection cubes are deeper and have lamps that have to be replaced periodically. The latest LCD panels are not only a few inches deep, but they have ultra thin bezels, unlike typical television screens. A LCD video wall is often used in control and monitoring rooms.
Most people might associate LCD video walls with scenes from films depicting space mission control rooms. However, a LCD video wall can be seen in other places such as control rooms, studios, transportation centers, defense establishments, stadiums and large public sites. Such walls are used for displaying graphics, simulations, live footage, or recorded footage. Multiple feeds can be relayed to the entire wall and sized and placed anywhere on the wall. Layouts can be established and assigned a hot key so that the operator can bring up specific layouts simply by pushing a single key.
With rapid advancement in this technology, there are a number of cutting-edge features that are available in a modern LCD video wall. Here's what you can expect from a leading solution provider:
  • The LCD panels that are used in video walls feature high definition signal processing that provides unparalleled viewing clarity. This makes for a very powerful monitoring tool that with ease of operation.

  • There are certain applications that require an audio system with the video. A sound system can be easily integrated into the entire system as an optional feature.

  • To offer enhanced ease of operation, Windows software, coupled with wireless keyboard and mouse control is commonly provided in such panels to control the screen matrix. For highly advanced operations, touch panels are also integrated.

  • Since the internet is such a critical source for information, internet and network applications can be displayed on the screens at the same time. It is common to see video walls that display feed from CCTV cameras and other TV sources.

  • Since most operations tend to expand as requirements change, LCD walls can be expanded to cover an even larger area in the future.

  • In certain places, where the walls of buildings might not be constructed to carry the weight of a large LCD video wall, a LCD cabinet proves to be a smart alternative. Though this cabinetry is attached to the wall, the weight actually rests on the floor. This system is not only expandable, but is also modular and easy to relocate.

  • A provider will provide design and consultation to match requirements to the appropriate LCD video wall solution.

  • The provider will also acquire integrate, assemble and test the electronics prior to shipment. Upon arrival the provider will install, test and train operators on site.
I have over 20 years experience helping people design and outfit their control rooms. In today's market LCD video wall is most commonly used in control rooms and command centers for controlling and managing information. Check out online for right dispatch furniture or console and free needs analysis, space planning and cost estimate.

Monday, May 28, 2012

The Most Common Question a Graphic Designer Gets Asked at a Party

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Next Day Flyers NextDayFlyers.com Print Marketing in 24 hours. In Today, Out Tomorrow! Order now.
Library RFID Systems www.fetechgroup.com.au Self Serve Check Out - Self Returns Book Sorters, Stock Take, Payments
Great Storyboard Artists www.a3studios.com Professional storyboards & concepts Huge variety of styles. Take a look
Expert Author Laurie P. McDonald
Everyone knows the old story about doctors always getting asked to diagnose aches and pains when they're at parties. Well, we graphic designers have something in common with the Dr. Welby's out there. We have a regularly received question of our own - "What's the best program to use to do our own design work in the office?"
Part of the digital revolution was the advent of easy access to graphic design programs. My husband saw it in the 1990s on a different front as a video producer when Avid digital editing systems started creeping into offices and taking video editing work out of the many edit suites across America. The "DIY" production world started with a bang back then, and it has been raging on ever since.
That's fine. In the end, talent always trumps tools, so as a freelance artist I was never too intimidated by the fact that everyone had access to graphic design programs. I don't blame anyone for trying to get the job done on their own, especially when it's something that really should be doable in the office or home.
It's just that I thought it was always a shame that people were spending so many hundreds of dollars on programs like Adobe Photoshop only to make a picture brighter or crop it when some great alternatives are out there for free....yes FREE!
Here's a tip on a program that has more than sufficient power to get the day-to-day graphic design needs done for the office without the intricacies (and expense) of some of the more high-powered programs on the market today. It's called PAINT.net.
According to Wikipedia:
Paint.NET originated as a computer science senior design project during spring 2004 at Washington State University. Version 1.0 consisted of 36,000 lines of code and was written in fifteen weeks. In contrast, version 3.35 has approximately 162,000 lines of code. The Paint.NET project continued over the summer and into the fall 2004 semester for both the version 1.1 and 2.0 releases.
Some of the more reliable reviews include lifehacker.com:
Paint.NET: When you need to crop, cut, or otherwise edit an image, Windows' built-in Paint isn't quite enough, while a full-fledged Photoshop or GIMP installation is probably too much. Paint.NET is just about perfect for the graphic design needs of a non-graphic-designer. This is an impressive tool for PC users that allows you to build and edit an image in layers with plenty of choices for creating and adjusting colors. And, did I mention that it's free?
Now, if you're not quite sure where to begin with this great program, Google the phrase -how do I use the paint.net program - and you get some pretty helpful tips, including some on YouTube.
If you're still not getting the results you need, you can always contact us at Laurie McDonald Design and we can talk about your project needs. Have fun!
Laurie McDonald Design provides expert graphic design for brochures, advertisements, corporate logos, publications, invitations and more. Have a design challenge? Bring it on! Based in Annapolis, Maryland, Laurie McDonald, freelance artist and designer, has clients throughout the United States.

Interior Design Tips for a Retail Business

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Library RFID Systems www.fetechgroup.com.au Self Serve Check Out - Self Returns Book Sorters, Stock Take, Payments
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Expert Author Jack Haymaker
Designing an attractive store is crucial for retail businesses. There are hundreds of expensive business consultants who solely focus on improving design inside retail stores, and CEOs have been chosen solely because of their ability to make retail stores more profitable. Thankfully, businesses do not need to pay a consultant or find a new leader to improve the retail experience. Here are some tips on interior design for retail businesses.
Clear Layout Improves Flow and Profitability
Ron Johnson made his name at Apple, where he created the concept for the Apple Store. At a time when electronics retailers were going for bigger stores with more departments and retail items, Johnson took the opposite approach: offer fewer products but make them high-value and have the entire store's layout be visible from the moment a customer enters the store. In an age of internet commerce, where customers seek variety and value online, retail stores cannot compete with online vendors on selection or price. Successful retail stores offer a compelling, convenient experience to customers and that experience begins with a clear layout.
Johnson has brought this lesson to JCPenney, where he currently serves as CEO. Their stores suffered for years with a cluttered layout due to excessive product lines on the store floor. Johnson cut clutter by reducing inventory and only retaining the highest value product lines, as well as creating a "town center" in the middle of the store with spokes that lead to each department, giving the store an elegant and accessible layout. Small business owners can create the same effect by de-cluttering their stores and reducing inventory in low-value product lines.
Colors Matter
Successful retail stores get their customers to spend time in their stores. Customers with longer visit times are more likely to purchase items, especially impulse purchases. Some retail businesses make the mistake of painting their store with interesting or fun colors because they think it will draw attention to their store. They are right -- it draws negative attention from customers. A store with bold colors will make customers want to spend less time there, as bright colors hurt the eyes and overstimulate customers' senses, distracting them from products on the shelves and drawing their eyes toward the walls. Instead, choose cool colors in a pastel shade. Customers will be most relaxed and focused in a room with seafoam green walls; this color has been used in public schools and hospitals for years because of its soothing properties.
Light Their Way
Customers love well-lit stores, but stores that are too bright will be distracting and disorienting. To find the right balance, try to incorporate natural light as much as possible. Customers will already be acclimated to the outside light upon entering the store, which results in less squinting upon entering. Natural light also gives stores an authentic feel; retail stores competing against "big box" stores should utilize natural light to differentiate their shopping experience from competitors. It also helps that natural light reduces electricity bills, which helps boost the store's bottom line.
Cameron Chisholm Nicol offer retail architectural design, aiming to give customers an entertaining, comfortable and convenient shopping experience.

How to Create Business Momentum

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God and business www.LifesGreatestQuestion.com Hear from a successful businessman How God can change your life
Expert Author Bruce Hoag
Imagine a steam locomotive waiting at the station. It's ready to leave. The engineer opens up the throttle. What happens? At first the wheels just spin. The train doesn't move one inch. Then, all of a sudden, the wheels stop and begin to grip the rails. Then, slowly at first, the engine begins to move. If you started running to catch it then, you'd probably miss it. That's because by then it would have developed momentum.
Momentum is something that's moving, and once it begins to move, it won't stop until something else stops it.
What do you need to create business momentum? There are three ingredients.
1. The big push - This was illustrated at the beginning of the article; but just in case you found it difficult to relate to it, here are a couple of other examples. This time you're watching the space shuttle take off. At the end of the countdown, there's the main engine start and, for a moment when all the flames are shooting out of it, nothing happens. Just for a second, the spacecraft appears to be suspended just a few feet off of the ground.
I can just about remember seeing on the news some of the failed attempts at launching a rocket that NASA experienced. Despite the flames shooting out of them, these rockets couldn't get off of the launchpad. They'd hover for a second or two, and then fall on the ground. That's because they lacked the big push.
When you first start your business, you have to give it the biggest push that you can muster. Remember, that you are trying to move something that is starting from a standstill. Think about the effort you witness when you watch sprinters run the 100m dash. It's only in the last few hundredths of a second that they seem to get up to cruising speed.
2. Fuel - In a vacuum, there's nothing to stop something once it's in motion because there's no resistance. In other words, there's nothing there to prevent it from going on forever. In business, however, there are an untold number of people and circumstances that seem determined to thwart everything you do. And so after you give your business a big push, you have to keep feeding it so that it keeps on going. This is one reason why companies market themselves, or create new products and services.
3. Course corrections - The best corrections are minor. Think about driving a car. Most of the time you're not even aware that you are moving the steering wheel just a little to the left or the right. You're making gentle adjustments to the direction that the car is going in so that it will go more or less in a straight line. Occasionally, you'll need to turn sharply to avoid an obstacle, but you tried to avoid doing so. Why? Because it interrupts the flow, and it also makes the return to the smaller corrections a little bit more difficult in the short term.
By the way, if you'd like more information, then you might like to get my free eBook on How to BE an Entrepreneur.
Or, if you want some help in finding your niche, then you might be interested in http://www.terrydeaninterview.com.

Is Your Company Name Mythology-Inspired?

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Expert Author Bonnie Dell C Doguiles
Some of the most efficacious, recognized establishments inculcate mythological allegory and symbolism in their name branding, giving awareness to the consumers making the products more recognizable to them.
Patrons of these companies which bear mythological names in their company names have shown inclination and appreciation for the recognizable names they've fashioned for their companies. Mythology, be it Roman or Greek has influenced the lives of many people until the present day; this is perhaps the reason they are drawn to mythology-inspired company names.
Nike famed haste with a name derived from the Greek goddess of victory. Amazon fashioned a powerful brand name with its female warrior namesake; Olympus entitled their own brands of cameras after the place where the god and goddesses met.
Starbucks had one of the most recognizable logos in the market today, an image of a mermaid, borrowed the representation of a siren to mimic the influential, inexorable attraction of their products.In an effort to re-brand their armor image into a more cutting-edge, global-warming subtle logo, the oil company BP selected the Greek, white, green and yellow colored Helios emblem, which signified the power of sunlight.
The wide-reaching auto business is one of the major fabricators of mythology-inspired product names, with new models released every year that arouse symbols of influence and power. A mythical bird of fire and rebirth of Pontiac's Phoenix is one of the famous examples; Honda's Odyssey was named after the epic war; and Ford's Mercury and Orion was named after the god of communication and streets, and the slayer of beasts. Volkswagen, Buick and Toyota also used mythology-inspired names for some of their products, Eos, Electra and Echo. And a brand name for the entire company, Saturn, was coined after Zeus' father.
Mythology most definitely would not let the food industry escape its influence. Food industries based many of its symbols on mythological characters. Who doesn't give in to the temptation of the candy company's Mars chocolate? It was named after the Roman's god of war. While the international corporation, Poseidon Seafood makes use of the god of the sea as its symbol for their fish products. Trident gum coined its name after Zeus' weapon, the trident (thunderbolt); and Ambrosia Natural Foods went as far as the food of the gods in naming their corporation.
Mythology is everywhere! You come across words, names, companies, signage, and literary works almost daily. Whether you realize it or not, you kind of live in the past mythology at present.
Bonnie Dell Doguiles is a registered nurse with a Masters Degree. She has practiced her profession as a college professor in one of the well-known universities in the Philippines. She writes various informative articles on different niches like health and wellness and web development. For more of her work, check out http://blog.frozenlemons.com/

The Man Who Dreamt America's Most Beloved Brand

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Migrate System 36 www.infinitecorporation.com run RPG or COBOL on Windows Linux or UNIX
Win Supplier Negotiation purchasing-procurement-center.com Who Wins Supplier Negotiations? Video Shows Who Really Wins & Why?
Brand Thinking www.dmabranding.com New branding techniques for you - DY Works, award winning branding
Expert Author Debbie Marsh
Back in 1953, while beholding acres of flat land, one of America's greatest visionaries and a man driven by invincible passion and creativity visualized the most excellent work of art that every American's love to associate with today. It was Walter Elias Disney or more popularly Walt Disney's sheer imagination and never-ending chase of his dreams that culminate with the evolution of the world's largest entertainment conglomerate. His signature Theme Parks DisneyLand and Walt Disney World Resort speak volumes about him and his incredible achievements and dreams today. And every year for the millions of Disney fans, visiting the Parks is a dream comes true.
Walt Disney was a man of great conviction, committed to follow his clean and organized dreams until he founded the world's first and finest multimedia empire. He was a passionate dreamer and creator, who not only give shapes to his famous creations, but also instill his soul in them. Had the famous Mickey Mouse not being one of his creations, it would have lost amidst the myriads of fictional characters the world has produced. Disney knows how to keep his characters alive and happening in the minds and hearts of the unlimited fans. He knows how to handle the beauty of human emotions, and his characters are true embodiment of the feelings and attributes that we love to share in our daily life. Walt Disney once said that people laugh at Mickey because he was so human-like. And he rightly said so as the likes of Mickey and Donald duck are not just characters. They relate to our own hidden emotions and feelings brought to life by the most passionate creator himself.
Dreaming dreams is one thing, and chasing it is sheer courage and commitment. But to chase and go- passed beyond the dreams is incredible, and Walt Disney had proved it with his hall-mark achievements. It can be well said that - "In the crucible of his imaginations, discordant materials get fused and turn into a thing of art". His passion for art is such that he can visualize the most excellent art-work even in a blank canvas. Inspired by the nostalgic past and creative potentials, he converted a barren landmass into an eco-system only possible in our dreams.
Without the magic, the whims and the passions of Walt Disney the world of entertainment would have not been what it is today. Disney has introduced a new dimension to the animation and entertainment industry. With his inspiring creativities he bridges the past with the unknown future. He had given us a reason to celebrate and experience the best of fun and fantasies real-time.
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