With soaring gas prices, it’s no wonder that many American workers are dreaming about eliminating their commute and working from home. Recently, many companies have begun to allow their staff members to work from home for economic reasons.With recent advances in technology, the web, email, internet, modems, cheaper fax machines and voice mail, some people rarely go into the main office anymore. Working out of your home can be a mixed blessing though.There are certain benefits that any worker would love. If you are facing such a decision, take a look at a few pros and cons of working from your home. There is clearly a lot to consider before making this transition.Ask yourself these questions: Am I a workaholic and if so, would working at home worsen that problem? Would I feel isolated if I’m at home more than usual? Could I separate my business from my personal life if both were under the same roof?Be honest about your personality and think carefully about your work-life balance before you decide. Be realistic about potential feelings of isolation and true reasons for wanting to work from home. Make sure you are making this decision on a personal happy basis.Do you enjoy being your own boss? Do you work well without requiring constant feedback and direction? You also must be willing to stop work and not be chained to your desk 24/7 which would negatively impact your family life.Do you have good self-control and are goal-oriented? These two disciplines alone can help you make money as you desire with the Internet. And by working at home you have the freedom to fly with your own creatively.There’s extensive research that supports increased productivity among home-based employees. Also, that they are more dedicated, effective and positive towards their chosen employment.Working from home may be your idea of bliss, but those affected by your decision may not see it the same way. Be sure you have worked it out with your partner and/or your family, and that they are happy with your decision also.Your spending more time at home will affect their lives too. In most cases the effect will be positive, but you still may have family commitments and make sure that your plans do not conflict with other family members.More and more innovative companies have work-from-programs. All 1,100 of JetBlue’s reservations agents work from their homes and if that is your desire it certainly can be done.
Basics On Branding In Business
Small and big businesses alike should be aware that developing a brand name is an important element in the formula for success, but what is branding in business?
Branding is a system utilized by advertisers to acquaint a product with customers through associating it with a brand name. Various advertising methods are used to introduce the brand name to consumers, and following this is additional advertising to continue and expand brand recognition. Studies show that branding has a beneficial impact on the success a company experiences.
A report from the Branding Forward Project shows that over 50% of marketing specialists felt that branding was somewhat less important today in light of the prevalence of social media coupled with a heightened sense that advertisers should be more accountable for their claims. All the same, these new factors do not change the fact that companies need to have unique brand names that the consumer can identify with their products and services.
Developing a brand
Branding includes selecting a brand name, creating an advertising plan, then executing that plan. A name that can be recollected simply is the best fit. Brief and sharp names work best. Interestingly, non-English names can generate the strongest brand association and connection to consumers. For instance, consider brand names Google, Expedia, and Flickr.
Your logo should be created by a graphic designer to ensure that it contains elements of good design while conveying an association to your product or service. Your marketing plans must be based around publicizing this brand name. One strategy is to draft a famous figure to represent your brand. This celebrity representative technique has worked well for many companies including significant corporations such as Reebok and Nike.
Of course not everyone has their budgets so if your company is smaller, note that you can still utilize this strategy by finding a lesser celebrity to endorse your company or product. Contact public relations firms in your area to see who they might have available and for how much.
Establishment of trust
Establishing the trust in your brand by your consumer is an important goal of branding campaigns. By launching the Macintosh line, Apple developed a reputation for quality and innovation. They followed this up over the years with the launch of the iPod, iPhone, iPad and their other electronics. By continually releasing quality products with branding strategy that reminded consumers of their innovative approach and inventiveness, Apple developed strong, emotionally connected customers. In fact, you could say that their company engenders more brand loyalty than any other computer brand.
Uniqueness factor
Another reason why developing a brand name is so important is the uniqueness factor. In a marketplace packed with so much competition, a company must find a way to make their products stand out. Beyond developing products that are durable and of superior quality, a business benefits from having a catchy slogan, design, or logo that consumers associate with a high degree of satisfaction.
The signature swoosh on Nike athletic shoes identifies it to its customers as a forward-looking, advanced brand. “Just do it” is the perfect call to action phrase, reinforcing the company’s brand and exhorting customers to make the purchase, then play their sport.
Strategy critical to your marketing plan
In the end, it is clear that branding is a basic component of a sound marketing plan. Developing a marketing plan without taking care of this critical strategy first is a huge mistake. Part of your earliest thinking about your product or service should be to develop a brand name.
Get the branding right, and you will enjoy a powerful ascent in your product or service’s market. Get it wrong and you simply will not stand out from the crowd. Generating that magnetic, sticky appeal with your customer is your goal and you may have to perform some research to determine if your planned campaign achieves that.
5 Personal Fitness Tips to Follow After Delivery
Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding take a drastic toll on your body. After childbirth, a woman’s routine becomes much hectic because of the newborn baby! A mother may at times, feel blessed to have even a few hours of uninterrupted sleep.
Nevertheless, personal training experts say that a proper fitness program and nutritious diet can help you get in shape quickly.
Be cautioned though. A mother of two and a personal training expert says that transformation does not happen overnight. However, with regular exercises she eventually had a body, which was better than she ever could have at her age! So, if you are planning to undertake some post-pregnancy exercises, now is the chance to get a body that maybe you dreamed of having, all those years!
1. Develop realistic goals
We know the first few months after having a baby are very special. Your baby is dependent on you for everything and you can’t leave their side for long too! However, you have to take out time for yourself. Do not exercise to fatigue. Take it slow but do not ditch exercises completely. Exercise when your baby is asleep and go for walks with your baby.
2. Exercises to do
Start practicing Kegel Exercises whenever you have spare time at hand. Take a deep breath and while exhaling, imagine your vaginal opening getting pulled up toward the inside of your belly button. Relax when inhaling. Repeat this procedure 20 times.
Another exercise to do is Tommy Toner. Inhale while expanding your belly. Pull your belly button toward your spine as you exhale. Again, repeat this 20 times.
3. Use dumbbells
Weight training is one of the most effective ways to have a better-shaped body. Even 2 or 3 sessions in a week, each of 20-30 minutes can bring some noticeable difference.
With weight training, you will have more lean muscles and less of body fats so not only do you lose weight but you also become stronger.
4. Don’t eat snacks or fast foods
With less time at hand and more tasks to do, some women may grab processed snacks and fast food without thinking about the damage they are doing to their fitness program!
If you are busy, have shakes instead. Eat healthy and more natural snacks such as nuts, fruits or a cup of low-fat yogurt. You could go to a nutritionist for some great snack ideas.
5. Hydrate yourself
Drink plenty of water, before, during and after your fitness training exercise. Lactating mother should have at least 8 ounces of water before and after their exercises. If your urine is clear or pale yellow in color, it means you are drinking enough water.