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Survival of the Savvy: High-Integrity Political Tactics for Career and Company Success

Authors: Rick Brandon Ph.D. and Marty Seldman Ph.D.

Survival of the Savvy was on my bookshelf about a month before I had the privilege of meeting the author, Rick Brandon, at a leadership conference in San Francisco where we both were speaking. Our talks were at different times so I was able to attend Rick's presentation.

That was when I realized how important this book could be to all the women I work with who are sometimes underestimated, overlooked, and denied proper recognition for their accomplishments because they abhor and avoid anything associated with the word politics. If this sounds like you, you are not alone.

Survival of the fittest! That is what it feels like in the work world sometimes. I know how tough it can be. I have worked in business since the mid 1980's where I have witnessed political games of all sorts - power struggles, back biting, turf wars, and blind ambition.

Reading the book you will learn that the stereotypical image of the term 'political', that usually is thought of as overly political and at time unethical behaviors are definitely not what the authors are recommending.

Survival of the Savvy describes the political style continuum that ranges from the less political type who believe hard work, facts, and good ideas are enough to the overly political individuals driven by self-interest.

Brandon and Seldman suggest a high integrity middle ground (aka ethical and more palatable,) approach to politics that even the most politically averse can employ. They call it the green light/safe travel zone. This vital balance is neither too political nor politically naive.

Power and politics are not dirty words. You can promote yourself with integrity. These are important messages in the book for all women in business and especially for those in the traditionally less political career tracks who want to advance to leadership positions - women in science, R&D, Information Technology, engineering, and other technical fields.

The authors successfully help readers, who hate the thought of workplace politics, reframe how they think about power and politics. They offer useful and practical advice even for the political novice.

The further you advance, the more vulnerable you are if you remain politically naive. The authors claim in their experience ethical political skills are a leadership competency.

If you want to get ahead, but are so opposed to the concept of politics and to any of the ideas in the book the day will come when your subject matter and expert technical status are no longer good enough for you to advance. Your career will plateau. Shunning even high integrity, ethical politics can mean you are destined to succeed only in a job in the ranks below management and leadership. If you do progress into management you are at risk to derail in all but the most non-political cultures.

Reading and applying the information in the book is not easy but worthwhile for all who want to land the top jobs and earn the income they deserve. If you feel frustrated or have plateaued in your career advancement, it may be a political blind spot and reading this book can help.

Although not a book written specifically for women, the authors offer 'political' success strategies especially relevant for women.

Jean Caton is a Career, Business, and Life Coach, Speaker, and Virtual Educator. She has over 20 years of business experience working in four Fortune 500 companies. Now, as an entrepreneur, Jean combines her practical experience in business, with her education and training, to coach, teach, inspire, and empower others. She invites you to visit her website to learn more. http://www.JeanCaton.net

Jean helps women move to the top in their careers or small business. Her clients strengthen their business savvy and expertise and develop the self-confidence required to advance to increasingly higher levels in their organization or business. Take a taste of what Jean can offer you by requesting a complimentary telephone coaching conversation. http://www.JeanCaton.net You may also get a sample of Jean's expertise by joining one of her complimentary preview teleclasses.

Jean specializes in entrepreneurial women and those working in the health, science, pharma and engineering fields.

Jean has an MBA from Boston University and is a graduate of the Advanced Coach Training Program of Coach U.

Hiking can be a satisfying way to improve your health with exercise either alone or with friends and family, while enjoying beautiful scenery. Aside from purchasing the best hiking shoes for your trek, hiking does not have to require any other special equipment making it a very inexpensive exercise option. The right footwear will help you derive the most benefits from your activity while maintaining your safety and reducing muscle soreness and fatigue. Everyday shoes are not suitable for hiking, many special features of hiking shoes, also known as cross training shoes, provide extra comfort and protection for use on outdoor trails.

Most importantly when hiking, moisture should be kept away from your feet at all times. Hiking shoes are designed to keep outside water out, minimize sweating, and move moisture away from your feet at all times, preventing blisters and keeping your feet more comfortable. Whether you are hiking on a paved trail or a well worn path in the woods, hiking shoes will provide superior traction so you are less likely to slip during your outing.

Finding the best hiking shoes will greatly benefit even the novice looking to spend some time at any of the many local hiking trails throughout the country. Local trails are often concrete paved or well-worn clear paths and provide several different trails to provide challenge to the hiker who becomes accustomed to the easiest trails. The comfort and foot and leg support supplied by hiking shoes is important for anyone hiking for up to 5 or 6 hours on a variety of surfaces.

Hiking boots are also available, providing many similar features as hiking shoes plus features that make them suitable for use on more dangerous hikes. Waterproof design and some breath-ability are still important, as is the use of fabrics that will move moisture away from the skin. There are various levels of traction available, some suited to hikes in specific kinds of areas. Hiking boots can require more of an adjustment period than hiking shoes; they are heavier cover the ankles for better support, which also results in less freedom of movement. For hiking through wooded and mountainous areas consider a pair of hiking boots with built-in heel and toe guards for extra protection.

The extra support offered by hiking boots is imperative for anyone attending a hiking trip where they will be hiking for several days at a time. Areas covered in snow and ice can be especially dangerous without the superior traction of hiking boots and crampons.

Hiking with a heavy pack requires better ankle protection than afforded by hiking shoes, even on paths that seem safe and level. Hiking boots are available with different traction levels, so that you may need more than one pair if you plan on taking hikes in a variety of climates and terrains.

If you are a frequent visitor to my site, you have probably learnt that I was a two-time captain of the Debate Club in my university while I was undertaking my undergraduate study. Plus, I was also a Toastmasters Club member for around 3 years.

Personally, I don't consider myself an expert in the field of public speaking even though I have attended many local and international public speaking competitions and experienced public speaking to over 1,000 people in an event. Instead, I would like to call myself an experienced person in the world of presentation, public speaking and communication.

In this article, I would like to share with you guys what I think are the 5 most important Public Speaking Tips. You can take these tips to improve your Public Speaking ability. Trust me when I tell you that Public Speaking skills is crucially important and can actually lead you to the peak of your life especially if your goal is to become a leader in any of your life pursuit.

1. Positive Mental Attitude

Personally, I've never heard or seen anyone die of public speaking. So, there is nothing to be afraid of public speaking. It's easier said than done, right? It truly is, yet such fear can really be overcome.

Many people are afraid of public speaking because they don't like the feeling of nervousness when they have to stand on the stage and face with many eyes locked on them. In other words, nervousness keeps them stay away from speaking in public.

Personally, I have also undergone the feeling of nervousness in my pursuit of excellence in public speaking. Even though I have a number of experiences giving speech to a group of people, I still feel nervous whenever I am on the stage. I just know how to manage my nervousness well.

How to manage nervousness

If you have some time, please read this detailed article: How to kill your nervousness in public speaking.

But, if you don't, you should do as the follows:

a. Mentally remind yourself that public speaking can't kill you.

b. Learn to get accustomed in looking to people's eyes.

c. Start talking to people while standing whether in formal or informal settings.

2. Voice projection

Personally, I strongly believe that voice is the most important feature in public speaking. A speaker's ability to properly project their voice well is crucially important in speech delivery.

Great public speakers, in my experience, are people who speak loudly and clearly enough that can be distinctly heard by people listening to them. The voice should not be too loud as it annoys the audience and too low as it makes the audience sleep.

When it comes to voice projection, there are many things to consider such as the using of tone and etc. Usually, a speaker is recommended not to use one tone for the whole speech because it simply makes the speech boring and less emotional. If possible, the speaker should use different tones for different plots. If the plot is about something sad, the tone must be in accordance to the story; it'd better be soft and slow.

How to project voice properly

You can try the following tips:

a. Practice talking to people standing or sitting 2-5 meters away from you. Try to get them understand everything you say. This helps you to talk better with a big group of people.

b. Practice talking to people standing or sitting 0.5-1 meter away from you. Try to get them understand everything you say. This helps you to talk better with a small group of people.

c. Listen to expert story tellers and learn how they use their tone in different parts of the story. Practice narrating story using different tones.

3. Eye contact

Eye contact is usually used by professional public speakers to attract the audience attention. In general, an audience participant focuses on listening to the speaker only when they realize that the speaker speaks to them or that the speaker pays attention to them. How does the participant know that? My experience has taught me that eye contact is the means of such knowledge.

Maintaining a natural and good eye contact with audience is crucially important because it somehow determines the degree of attention the audience members give to us the speakers. Personally, I almost always maintain a close eye contact with the people who listen to me and those who seem not to be focusing on my speech. I don't have to say their name or point to them to listen to me because my eye contact says it all. Isn't that cool?

Initially, I was so scared at looking into people's eyes. I remember I took my glasses off during a classroom presentation because I was not able to undergo the overwhelming pressure of the 20-plus pairs of eyes looking at me. However, thanks to the countless speech delivery practices that I have done for years, I today don't feel the pressure anymore every time I am on the stage. I just feel at ease.

How to develop powerful eye contact

You can try the following tips:

a. Practice looking into your eyes in the mirror and maintaining the contact for some time (two or three minutes) every day.

b. Practice looking into people's eyes when you are in conversation in them. I know it's difficult especially if you come from any country like Cambodia whose societal culture doesn't promote people looking straight into other people's eyes. You can start with people that you know well before strangers.

4. Body language

Body language is also one of the most essential elements in speech delivery. Effective use of body language makes the speech lively and active while ineffective use of body language could pose great threat or embarrassment to the audience members. For example, the use of middle finger in North America is offensive. The showing of folding fist could mean either anger or power.

Body language is a bit complicated if one wants to be perfect in it. Yet, it's worthwhile to learn to use it effectively or perfectly if possible because it's generally believed that body language conveys much more message than words and tones in any communication scenario. For example, yawning means being sleepy or feeling bored even though the person who yawns tries to say that he is not sleepy or bored.

The use of body language could include such as winking the eyes, using facial expressions, using of hands or legs, posing or standing, and etc. Basically, any movement of the body can be considered as body language.

How to develop powerful body language

You can try the following tips:

a. Strongly believe that use of body language in speech delivery is not crazy or silly. It's what you are supposed to do and do well if possible.

b. Study the culture in which you are about to deliver your speech. There must be some gestures or body signs considered appropriate or inappropriate. Study them well so as not to offend your audience.

c. Practice using wide and clear body language. Use your hands widely. When you are on the stage, you shouldn't fold your hands together. Instead use them widely so that your audience can see what you are trying to convey to them.

5. Practice

"Best practices give best results," said Mr. Somboon Mongkol Sambath, one of the most experienced Toastmasters members with whom I associated during my time in Toastmasters Club. I heard the saying quite early in my pursuit of excellence in public speaking skills, and it has always become my only philosophy in speech delivery and public speaking.

There might be born great public speakers, but the number of these people is so few. Yet, there are so many great trained public speakers. The late Steve Jobs could be one of the examples. Before he passed away, he was considered one of the world's most powerful public speakers even though he was not born to be a public speaker. During his initial show-ups on the stage or via media, he was quoted as nervous and shaky delivering his speeches.

Like Steve Jobs, I am not a gifted or born public speaker. I spent around 6 years to get trainings on how to effectively deliver speeches. I joined IFL Debate Club and Toastmasters Club. Plus, I have rarely if not never rejected the opportunities to improve my public speaking ability. I even volunteer for the chance to talk in front of people on any topic.

So, if you want to become a powerful and successful public speaker too, you should have this practice mindset. Sharpen your public speaking skills with practices, as many as possible.

How to develop powerful practices

You can try the following tips:

a. Prepare what you are going to talk. Put it in writing in brainstorming or complete form.

b. Rehearse your speech as many as possible before you get on the stage. You can do it in front of pretending audience if you can find. This helps build up your confidence.

c. Practice with a partner that has similar mindset to you.

d. Get constructive feedback from people who listen to your speech after each of your practices.

e. Video-tape your speech. Believe me when I say that you will learn more if you witness your own strengths and/or weaknesses.

In a view of a sports car buyer, speed and looks are the most important aspects. However, both of these aspects need protection against the risk of damage and loss. The speed, at which a sports car is driven, increases the chances of an accident. A sports car has a stylish look and is embedded with expensive accessories that tempt thieves. Since qualified servicing and repairs facilities for cars are few and spare parts are difficult to source, maintaining such car can cost a fortune.

Car insurance saves money for sports car owners

1. A large portion of these ownership costs of a sports car can be eliminated by auto insurance. It may seem to be an additional cost but auto insurance is actually a timely investment for your car.

2. Car insurance shoulders the cost of repairs and loss that your sports can incur despite your best intentions while driving and your care for it. It covers the cost of repairs to the other car that has been damaged in an accident your sports car is involved in.

3. Medical costs of treating injuries in accident are also within the scope of the sports car insurance.

Car insurance premiums for sports cars

1. Be careful while choosing car insurance for your car as auto insurance policies differ for different vehicles. Since sports cars symbolize luxury and thrill, they are likely to be driven fast and thus, increasing the chances of an accident.

2. As discussed earlier, they are costlier to repair. Also, being an expensive vehicle, there are chances of its parts or the car itself being stolen. As the chances of an accident and the cost of loss or repairing damage are higher, higher insurance premiums are charged to offer coverage for cars.

3. Also, the difference between third party coverage and comprehensive coverage may be more as compared to other types of cars due to the inherent risk of damaging a sports car or losing it to theft.

But you can locate the best deal by looking up your options online or speaking with agents. It will help to bring up a clean driving record during such a conversation to strengthen the case for a favorable pricing of the car insurance premium. Also, the older you are, the easier it is to get a better deal on sports car insurance as you are perceived to be a safer driver. Some cars also have an owners club whose members have special privileges and discounts for auto insurance. Consider becoming a member of such a group. At the same time, make every effort on your part to ensure safety of your vehicle. This can be done by parking it in locked premises and fitting special gadgets that offer resistance to theft.

Whatever the premium is, car insurance is invaluable for a sports car. Remember, it will calm your mind whenever you see the speedometer rising!

Midlife career change, find career change success in 7 simple steps.

A mid-life career change can be a challenging project. Think about the possible results after you make the career change. The rewards should bring you new job satisfaction and fulfill a range of personal and financial needs.

Midlife career changes occur for a variety of reasons. One reason not to stay in your current career is that you've achieved some success and you then rationalize staying in a job as you are becoming more and more disillusioned and miserable. Another thing you might hear is that you shouldn't be changing careers because at your age it either can't be done and you should be satisfied "you do have a job don't you."

Leaving one career for another for the wrong reasons will not fix the problems; it will just transport them to a new location.

As you develop your midlife career change plan here are 7 steps to consider:

1. Where are you now? Carefully consider you current career. Is there anything you can do to make the situation better? Can you transfer to another career with the same employer? Is it the employer or the career that's the problem? If it's your current employer that's the problem, should you consider staying in the current career with another employer?

2. Self-Assessment and Research: Review your skills and knowledge. What do you enjoy doing? What do you not want to do? Why? Do you have any interests that translate into a new career? Are there parts of your current career you really enjoy? Do not enjoy? What skills and knowledge are required in prospective careers? What possible gaps do you have to fill to qualify for the new career?

Gather information about prospective careers by talking to those currently working in the field, reading job descriptions and other internet resources. After you've analyzed your situation, looked carefully at your likes and dislikes and sketch out a possible direction building a new career plan. As you research possible new careers you should write out new career goals. Stay flexible and be willing to move in another direction if you reach a dead end.

3. What are the skills you bring to your new career? Your new proposed career may require different or additional skills and knowledge. However, with your previous experience you will find a whole family of transferable skills to your new career.

Skills and accomplishments in leadership, project management, problem solving, communications and others will cross over into the new career. How you list achievements in these skills on your resume and cover letter will help get you noticed and scheduled for the job interview.

4. Adding Qualifications and Education: Once you've identified a possible career look carefully at the normal qualifications and skill sets required. Do you have a possible gap in any area?

If the career requires specific training or education can you cover it with self-study, internet learning, or seminars and workshops? Perhaps a night course in a local junior college would be sufficient. Or a mentor could put you on a path toward completing the required qualification.

Sometimes the requirement is career related experience. This can be solved by doing work for a non-profit, or helping on a committee in a career related association, or part-time, temp or working as a contractor.

5. Networking your way to Success: Find others working in your planned career. You can locate them through friends, relatives, co-workers, or area or national career related associations, or Linkedin and other social networking sites.

You can learn a great deal about your proposed career by speaking to those currently working in the career. There are many good articles about making maximum use of this resource. Study the information available to turn networking into a valuable source of career information.

6. Financial Planning is a Must: You must integrate financial planning into your midlife career change plan. Your prospective new career may not pay you what you earned in your old career. How you cover the shortfall is important. It can be a combination of savings or reduction in expenses.

Be realistic in you planning on promotions and pay increases in your new career. With proper financial planning you can reduce your money concerns in the job change. In your career planning you may find you need to make several jobs change to qualify for your proposed career. This also must be factored into your career and financial planning.

7. Plan for Success in your New Career: You've now gotten a job on the first rung of your new career ladder. It is absolutely not the time to coast or put you career plan in the closet.

Continue your course of study and reading in the new career field and business and leadership in general. If your new employer offers help in added education take advantage of his offer.

Work carefully with you new boss on what is expected in the job; under promise and over deliver. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to excel. Build up your network of like-minded individuals. Help others find their dream careers, you'll feel great and be building a productive network

Keep working and building your career plan. If you do your midlife career change will be nothing but successful.

About this Author

For more information about career planning and career development go to http://careersafter50.com. You'll also find ideas about changing careers and the stories of individuals just like you who successfully made midlife career changes.

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Groth

Having an attention-grabbing resume is one of the most important parts of the job search. Your resume and cover letter are your introduction to a potential employer; and without a strong introduction, you may never get another chance to make a good impression. As a result, the success of your job hunt can hang on how well your resume is written.

Maybe you are entering the work force after graduating from college. Or maybe you just need to find a new job. Regardless of why you are looking for work, a skilled resume writer has the power to help you get your foot in the door.

Why Should I Use a Resume Writer?

Resume writing services are more than just a word processing or proofreading service. A resume writer takes your work experience, education, your strengths and weakness, and ties it all up into one little package. Although people usually think of their resume as a simplistic listing of their education and experience, it is actually more like a sales document. In order for your resume to effectively sell you, it not only has to be well written and visually appealing, but also has to present the goods - you - in the best possible light.

Sound easy? Of course not. Why is it, then, that so many people attempt to write their resumes on their own? You wouldn't try to write a legal contract when the outcome could impact the rest of your life - you would hire a lawyer. By the same token, you should entrust your resume to a professional resume writer.

What Does a Resume Writer Do?

A resume writer's goal is to convince potential employers that you are perfect for the job. In order to sell your strengths, a resume writer will:

• Discuss your career focus and gear your resume to your unique goals
• Choose the best format to highlight your strengths
• Write an attention-getting summary or list of objectives
• Use convincing language to maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses
• Personalize your resume in a way that shows you off to your best advantage
• Make your resume available in different file formats if needed
• Make changes as necessary

Of course, a resume doesn't really stand by itself. Your career decisions, where and how you search for jobs, and the quality of your cover letter all impact how your resume is received. In other words, if you are looking for work in the wrong places, or don't introduce your resume properly in the cover letter, it won't matter how dazzling your resume is.

Resume writing services often offer a whole package approach to resume writing. To ensure that you land your dream job, your resume writer may offer additional services, such as:

• Career consultation
• Job search consultation
• Cover letter writing
• Resume distribution
• Interview preparation

What Should I Look for in a Resume Writing Service?

A good resume writing service is one that offers you everything necessary to get the attention of potential employers. When shopping for a resume writer, you should look for:

• Convincing literature on their services - Whether you are browsing a website or looking at an informational pamphlet, pay close attention to how convincing the literature is. If they can't sell themselves, they likely won't be able to do a good job of selling you.
• A good reputation - Don't forget to Google! If a resume writing service is worth its salt, you should be able to find good reports from happy customers. Even more importantly, if they aren't any good you are almost certain to find complaints.
• Experience - Your career is in your resume writer's hands, so make sure you choose someone with experience. If your career is in a specialized field, you might even want to look for a resume writer who specializes in the field - a writing service that knows the industry will also know what its employers look for in a resume.
• Education - Submitting a resume with errors is embarrassing enough, but when you've paid to have it done right it's downright tragic. Make sure your resume writer is educated and/or certified, so that you can be sure you're getting your money's worth.
• Personal attention - You don't want someone who is going to simply plug your information into a resume writing program - you could do that yourself. In order for your resume to stand out, it needs a unique touch that can only be achieved if your resume writer has taken the time to discuss it with you.

Of course, when you are shopping for a resume writing service, don't forget to listen to your gut. You will have to work closely with the writer during the creation of your resume, so it is important to feel comfortable with him or her.

Putting Your Career First

Hiring a resume writer ensures that your resume looks professional and gets attention. Although the expense may seem unnecessary, consider that you have already invested thousands of dollars into your education so that you could simply get to this point. When your entire career is at stake, don't throw it away over a typo or a passive verb! A resume writing service can help you make your dream job a reality.

Jason Kay is a professional resume writer who contributes to websites such as JobGoRound, which provides career information and advice. Learn the best resume writing tips, cover letter tips, and interviewing tips. Also read resume service reviews and submit your resume for a free resume analysis

As a psychologist and career counselor, I have worked with thousands of people over the years who are choosing or changing careers, and who are wondering whether they would really like to be in a particular career. Based on this experience, I believe that most people who want to go into a career they think they'd like do not really explore the questions they need to in order to be sure that it's the right career for them.

Here is a list of 20 questions to find answers to before concluding that a career you think you'd like is really right for you, followed by 9 sources of information for answering these questions:

Questions:

1. In general, why do you think you'd "like" this career?

2. Why is going into this career important to you? What values, needs, and goals does it satisfy?

3. What do you actually know about this career?

4. Do you have any direct experience in this career? Have you had any jobs or volunteer experiences?

5. Have you talked to people who are in this career?

6. Have you done any reading on the career?

7. What are the opportunities? What kinds of money can you make in this field, and where are the openings?

8. What would your typical day be like in this career?

9. What are the drawbacks, disadvantages, and roadblocks of this career?

10. Do your interests match the interests of others in this career?

11. Do you have the aptitudes, skills, and abilities to be successful in this career?

12. Do you have the education or training to get into this career?

13. Do you have the personality characteristics that will make you successful in the new career?

14. Do you have the motivation and energy to follow through and do what you would need to do to get into the new career?

15. What are your "transferable" skills? That is, what skills or knowledge do you now have that you can use in the new career?

16. What skills or knowledge do you have that would not only be transferable, but that would also be a unique advantage in the new career?

17. What will it take to get into the new career? What kind of additional training, education, or experience would you need?

18. Have you developed a specific plan, including timetables and specific goals to be accomplished?

19. Do you have a network of support from family, friends, co-workers, or significant others?

20. Having answered all of the above questions, do you still "like" the career and think it's a good idea to get into it, and why?

I think you'll find that there are many resources you can use to help you answer the above questions. Among them:

1. Reading. This would include not only the hundreds of books and pamphlets on careers and career choice, but also publications describing careers (such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the U.S. Department of Labor and available on the Internet).

2. Practical experience. Not only is it possible to get a full-time or part-time job, but one can also volunteer at an organization or a company a couple of hours a week, just to get exposure to the area. Usually, any organization is glad to have this kind of help (unless they think you're an investigative reporter from some newspaper or TV program).

3. Job search counseling. Anyone changing career directions needs a highly competitive job search strategy. This should include resume, cover letter, and job interviewing strategies that are specific to your situation. This may also include advice on researching the job market.

4. A thorough self-assessment. This is not an assessment BY yourself, but an assessment OF yourself. A good career counselor can provide this kind of assessment, which would include counseling and testing.

5. Career tests. In general, tests divide into three categories: 1) aptitude, ability, and skills tests, 2) career interest tests, and 3) personality and motivational tests that focus on characteristics related to the career world.

6. Career coaching. Guided discussions with an expert can help you to clarify your goals, strategies, and commitment.

7. Education and training. Before you launch full-time into a degree program, it is possible to take one course, or a seminar, or a workshop, or a brief certificate program in the new career.

8. Networking. There are many job clubs and career resource centers available to explore new careers. Schools, career counselors, and other professionals can usually give you information on these resources.

9. Informational interviewing. It's usually not a good idea to go into a career if you haven't talked to at least a few people who are already in it and can give you the lowdown. You can also talk to people in academic and training programs.

Armed with all of this information and all of these insights, you should now be in a better position to judge whether taking the next step in this new career area makes sense for you.

Sander Marcus, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified Professional Resume Writer in Chicago. He has over 3 decades of experience in providing career counseling, aptitude testing, job search coaching, and resume writing to tens of thousands of individuals. He is the co-author of 2 books on academic underachievement, various tests, and numerous articles. He can be contacted at marcus@iit.edu, 312-567-3358.www.center.iit.edu

Many people start to look into why their lawnmower, snow blower, or chainsaw doesn't start or run properly only to fail and curse in frustration. There is a reason for this that anyone can overcome just by avoiding these 5 common errors.

1. They have no plan of attack. If you were to decide to put a garden in your backyard or to build a garage to work out of you wouldn't just start cutting wood and nailing it together. You would in fact purchase a design or create one yourself. If you are going to resolve the issues with your small engine equipment, you must have a plan of attack to avoid repetition and to ensure you cover all the bases.

2. They never check the basics. There are a few simple things that every internal combustion engine must have to operate properly whether it's on your boat, car, lawnmower, or trimmer. These are: Compression, Spark, and a Proper Fuel/Air Mixture. You cannot attempt to resolve your small engine problems without knowing if these things exist at acceptable levels in your unit.

3. They don't check things properly. The biggest thing I see on the internet in forums and blogs about small engines is that they claim to have spark coming to their sparkplug but the engine won't fire and fuel pours out the exhaust or the plug is wet. Spark performs differently under compression then it does without it. You cannot accurately test for spark by resting your sparkplug against the engine and cranking it over. If your ignition module or sparkplug are weak and not providing sufficient output (about 12KV or more) you may in fact see spark when tested without compression but as soon as you try to run the unit the spark disappears.

4. They never move ahead to the next possible issue. Someone once told me that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. If you have no spark, for example, cleaning your sparkplug and retesting and retesting isn't going to get you spark. You need to know how the ignition system on your engine works and properly fault find the issue at hand moving ahead and systematically removing what could be causing the issue.

5. They don't seek professional assistance. Sometimes a problem is bigger than you can handle, or maybe you need to learn some things to resolve a specific small engine problem. Going to your neighbour who tuned up his lawnmower at the start of the year, or your local automotive repairman won't get you what you need. Automotive isn't what it used to be and unless your mechanic was wrenching in the 1970s then he probably doesn't really understand your small engine. This is because they are designed and operate differently. Cars and trucks have computers and modules that are tested using a code reader whereas your snow blower does not. If you don't know how a small engine operates exactly, then you probably will never solve your problem. I don't ask my dentist why my back hurts and I doubt you do either.

So if you're trying to resolve an issue with your lawnmower, snow blower, or riding mower, remember these simple mistakes and avoid them. Seek out a reliably trained and experienced Small Engine Technician and ask his advice. Learn to do simple trouble shooting and fault finding techniques that are proven and work every time because they follow the basic principle of how small engines work.

Best regards,

Al

P.S. You can download a free checklist that will work with any small engine running problem here.

Al Smith

[http://www.theglobalsmallenginecommunity.com/]

Stihl Master Service Technician, Husqvarna University qualified, Kohler & Briggs certifed, Toro, Lawnboy, MTD and many other qualifications and experience.

I used to be the service manager for a large local small engine shop and now am exploring online options for business as well as servicing select customers equipment to maintain and repair them. They include all kinds of small engine powered units from trimmers and chainsaws to riding mowers and zero-turn units. I have been a mechanic both as a hobbyist and as a professional since 1987, served 20 years in the Canadian Air force, and have rebuilt Motorcycles, Trucks, Snowmobiles, and anything else I could get my hands on.

I am highly respected in my local community and believe that anyone can do anything provided they have the desire to learn and the resources available to them. My online goal is to provide quality information at reasonable costs (free if possible) on small engine maintenance and repair to assist the person with the desire.

You can see me on different posts as TheAlSmith and providing answers as an expert at AnswerGem in their small engine forum.

Have you heard of the waterless cooking method? It is a relatively new method of cooking that has many advantages. In the past, a lot of household cooking has involved cooking food with water. When cooked in water, however, a lot of the food's nutritional value, not to mention the flavor, is taken away. Waterless cooking allows you to cook food in it own juices, retaining all the vitamins and minerals as well as most of the original flavor. There is no need to add water to foods (especially vegetables) because the natural moisture in the food is released and the steam created helps the cooking process. The steam is circulated throughout the pot and falls back into the food allowing it to stay moist and juicy.

So what are the advantages to waterless cooking? First of all, it is an easy way to cook. Many times you can use a one-pan cooking method so that all the food (meat, veggies and potatoes) is cooked together. This also allows for easier clean up with only one pan to wash up. And the new waterless cookware, with its superior heat distribution, tends to have less chance of food burning or sticking.

Waterless cooking also tends to cook food a lot faster. With the new waterless cookware available now the heat is evenly distributed along the bottom of the pot or pan. Because of this, there are no 'hot-spots' that may tend to burn your food. The lid of the pot forms a seal, which locks in the heat (as well as the moisture) so the cooking time is decreased.

As mentioned, waterless cooking is a healthy way to cook. None of the nutrients are lost during cooking, and you don't need to add oil to stop the food from sticking to the pan, which also makes it healthier. The natural color and texture of the food is also retained which makes the food more appealing. Foods that are supposed to be crisp tend to keep their crunchy texture as well.

The features of waterless cookware that allow this cooking method to work include a flat bottom on the pots and pans which allow the most efficient means of heat transfer. The flat bottom connects with your stove element better, whether it be the coils of an electric stove or a gas unit, so that the heat transfer is more efficient. The cookware also has an iron core and an aluminum or copper base plate built into it that helps to retain a continuous, constant cooking temperature even after the heating element has been turned off.

Waterless cookware is typically made of high-grade stainless steel, which is better than other traditional pans in a couple of different ways. The stainless steel does not allow the taste of the metal to transfer to your food, as may be the case with aluminum or Teflon-coated cookware. Some companies use surgical stainless steel, which is the highest grade you can get for a real quality product. The stainless steel is easy to clean, durable (enabling it to last an extremely long time) and it allows you to keep your cookware sterilized.

One of the main features of waterless cookware is the special lid that keeps the natural moisture in the food from escaping. The lid forms a seal with the pot and lets the natural juices form into steam so the food cooks in its own natural juices, retaining all the nutrients and original flavors. There is a steam valve that whistles and tells you when you should turn off the heat (once the juices have created sufficient steam). In this way you save energy when cooking and the food is always cooked at a constant temperature.

Although it is referred to as waterless cooking, one thing you should do before cooking with this method is to rinse your food in water and then drain it before cooking. This ensures there will be enough water clinging to the food to create enough steam, mixed with foods natural juices, to cook it properly.

Cooking times with the waterless cooking method is generally a little less than traditional cooking times, depending on personal tastes for doneness. You should always cook your food at medium to low temperatures because the special waterless cookware construction allows the unit to conduct heat in the most efficient manner. You must also resist the urge to lift the lid during the cooking process as this will lengthen the cooking time and may even allow the food to dry out when the steam escapes.

The steam valve will tell you when you should turn off your stove element-when the correct temperature has been reached to allow the food to cook itself. When the steam valve whistles, turn off your stove, but do not lift the lid until the specified cooking time has elapsed-then you can open the lid and serve out your hot food. As a tip, put warm water into the unit after the food has been removed and let it sit while you eat so clean-up will be a snap afterwards.

Most recipes can be adapted (with a few alterations) to using the waterless cooking method as well. You will discover that old favorites will taste better and new recipes will be simple to master. The waterless cooking method is a new and healthier way to cook. It is more energy efficient, allows the food to retain its own juices, texture and color, and is an easy way to cook.

For more cooking articles, recipes, and cookware guides please visit my website at http://www.potsandpanscity.com/blog

Cat toilet training in easy steps:

Toilet training your cat is an easier task than you might think. Several techniques can be used for training your cat to use the toilet, and you can even buy products that will assist you in toilet training a cat.

The advantages of cat toilet training:

Teaching your cat to use the toilet can hold several advantages for any cat owner. The biggest advantage of having your cat use a toilet is that eliminates most of the disadvantages that using cat litter holds. Cat litter is expensive. After toilet training your cat, you won't ever need to buy cat litter again. Cat litter boxes needs to be cleaned regularly or they will become smelly. With cat toilet training, the water in the toilet masks most of the offending smell and all you need to do is flush regularly - much simpler and easier than cleaning a litter box. Going away for weekends or holidays also becomes easier for your neighbor - instead of asking someone to clean out the litter box, all they need to do is flush your toilet once in a while (when they come around to water your plants and feed your cat).

How to toilet train a cat (do it yourself):

Toilet training your cat depends entirely on the cat's personality. Toilet training sociable cats that love being praised make the training task much easier. You might want to adapt the toilet training technique described below to fit your cat's personality. Training your cat to use the toilet can take anything between 2 weeks up to 3 months, depending on the individual cat's personality.

Cat toilet training basically consists of a simple procedure: gradually moving your cat's litter box closer and closer to the toilet, finally placing a bowl with cat litter inside the toilet, and removing it altogether when your cat is comfortable and used to it. Toilet training a cat is a gradual, step-by-step process, consisting of making small changes to the location of the litter box and only continuing to the next step when your cat is entirely comfortable with its current situation. You might have to wait anything between 2 days or 3 weeks before moving on a next step in cat toilet training. You might even have to go back a step once or twice when it turns out that your cat wasn't ready to move on to the next toilet training step. Beware - cat toilet training takes a lot of patience!

Cat toilet training steps:

1. Start gradually moving your cat's litter box nearer to the toilet until finally it should be next to the toilet. Ensure that your cat is always comfortable and sure of its litter box's location.

2. Now start elevating the cat's litter box. Put something non-slippery like newspapers or cardboard underneath the litter box. A normal rate to increase the height of the litter box would be about 5cm a day, but be very attentive to signs that your cat is not comfortable with the current height, and adjust the pace of raising the litter box accordingly. The cat litter box should be raised until it is at a level height with the toilet bowl. Throughout this process it is very important to keep the toilet lid open and the seat down, because your cat will get used to it and might even start climbing on the toilet seat in order to reach its litter box.

3. Move the litter box to rest on the open toilet seat. Keep it there until your cat seems comfortable with this arrangement.

4. Buy a metal bowl or tray that will fit snugly inside the toilet bowl. It would be advisable for the metal bowl to have small draining holes. Fill the bowl with cat litter (preferably the flushable type). Now remove your cat's litter box entirely. If you have reached this step successfully you are very close to having a toilet trained cat!

5. While your cat is using the metal bowl inside the toilet, be attentive to where its paws are. The goal is teaching him to squat with all four paws on the toilet seat rim. You can move the cat while it is using the toilet and praise it (or reward it) when it is sitting in the correct position. Normally the cat will first sit entirely inside the metal bowl, then with front paws on the toilet seat, and finally it should sit with all four paws on the toilet.

6. Start using less and less cat litter. This can get smelly, so be sure to clean the bowl after every time your cat uses it. Cats scratch in sand or cat litter to cover up the smell (this is out of instinct), so if the bowl becomes too smelly your cat won't be comfortable using it (and you probably wouldn't be comfortable with using your toilet either). Using flushable cat litter makes cleaning the bowl very easy - just throw out the contents in the toilet and flush down, rinse out the bowl, refill with correct amount of cat litter and replace. A handy tip is to place newspaper on the floor around the toilet to help keep the room clean should your cat scratch in the cat litter. Decrease the amount of cat litter in a pace that your cat feels comfortable with.

7. When you basically don't use any cat litter inside the bowl anymore, start gradually filling the bowl with water. The water will also help mask the smell so your cat will be more comfortable using the toilet. Be attentive to your cat's behavior through this whole process - if your cat stops using the bowl inside the toilet, you may be moving on too fast and might need to go back a couple of steps.

8. When the water level in the bowl has reached about 4cm and your cat has no problem using it, it is time to remove the bowl entirely. Your cat should now be toilet trained. Remember to always leave the toilet seat up and flush regularly!

Products to assist you in toilet training your cat:

There are several cat toilet training kits available on the market. They basically consist of a tray that fits inside the toilet, and with a hole in the middle that you can gradually make bigger. When choosing a cat toilet training kit, ensure that you buy quality. The cat training kit should not be flimsy and should be able to support your cat's weight even when the hole becomes large. Be aware of cheap, flimsy products you buy at toy stores or pet stores, because if your cat falls in, it might loose interest in toilet training completely.

The disadvantages in toilet training your cat:

Not everyone agrees that cat toilet training is such a great idea. They argue that it is unnatural for a cat to use a toilet, as it goes against their natural instincts to cover up their smell. Toilet seats can also be slippery and there might be the risk of your cat injuring itself. Even if your cat doesn't fall in at all, he may become anxious whenever he uses the toilet and going to the toilet can become an unpleasant task.

A litter box also has the health benefit in that you can easier monitor your cat's urine for signs of infections or sickness.

Moving locations will also be harder for the cat, because a litter box can be moved easily but the cat will first need to get used to using the new toilet. With some cats this is no problem and they can become comfortable with the new toilet very fast, while other cats might be less adaptable.

Things to remember when toilet training a cat:

The most important thing to remember is that the toilet training should be done gradually. Be very patient and never rush to the next step until you are sure that you cat is completely comfortable with the current setup.

Make using the toilet as easy as you can for the cat. Always remember to keep the toilet seat up and the bathroom door open. When you have guests, ensure that they also know about considering your cat. Flush the toilet regularly as cats do not like using smelly toilets.

Claudine du Plessis is a cat-lover and webmaster of http://www.cat-urine.net

The diesel engine has been around for a long time, now. Diesel engines can be found in everything from snowmobiles to the largest tractors on the road. The needed help to keep these diesel engines running in top performing condition is few and far between. If reading this article, you have no doubt, come to that same conclusion. The shape that our economy is in, this type of diesel engine help is a closely guarded secret. Still, the need is there for the knowledge to help diagnose and repair these strong, but delicate, diesel engines. Unless one has been trained at the factories in this field, a big bore engine can be as intimidating as the space shuttle.

Where then, does one go to find solid, reliable help with their engine problems? One place is the local Class 8 dealership. The bulk of large engine work is done at these multi-million dollar facilities. The technicians employed at this type of repair station are extremely knowledgeable in their field. All of the latest diagnostic equipment is located here, as well. But, the down side to this, is that all of this knowledge and time comes at a price. Another factor to consider is the wait time to get a truck inside of the shop to begin the diagnosis process. Time equals money, and when a truck sits idle, the loss of revenue quickly adds up.

There are other people knowledgeable in the field of diesel engine repair help, but are not employed by a big truck dealership. In the old days, these folks were referred to as shade tree mechanics. Although very good at what they do, the lack of proper diagnostic equipment limits them as to how far they can go with modern diesel engines. The way that the world turns now a days, means also, that this person has this business on the side of an already existing 40 hour per week job. The time needed to be paid attention for your truck, is limited at best. Although usually cheaper than a dealer, the time factor weighs in heavily. No time on the road moving freight is lost income for the driver or owner of that truck.

The question of the day is, where can I find precise big truck engine help that will not cost too much, and will help get my piece of equipment back on the road more quickly? With the advent of the internet, that question and more will be answered. Time is money, as they say, and a quick diesel engine help diagnostic question is just a few key strokes away. The world is ever changing and evolving, and a few forward thinkers are changing with it. Slowly, but surely, this type of diesel engine help will catch on, and the industry will be the better for it.

To keep up with this cutting edge technology, and speak with the best of the best for diesel engine help, please follow this link: [http://www.diesel-docs.com/]

Glenn is a go to work Dad doing his part for economic recovery for the nation.

Everyone is always afraid of messing up another players cards. People look around like a lost child at the fair wondering if they hit will the rest of players at the casino blackjack table get angry. They wonder if I stay will the casino blackjack dealer get 21?

Here are 5 quick facts you have to know about casino blackjack.

Fact #1 They casino games are designed to beat you! Blackjack is no exception, the casino will win your money if you stay too long or if you are uneducated about the game of blackjack. So it does not matter if you hit or stand if you play blackjack too long you will lose!

Fact #2 In order to give yourself a fighting chance of winning at blackjack, you have to know Basic Strategy. This is what is on all the little cards you always see people sneaking a peek at when they are at the blackjack table. Memorize the basic strategy and if you are caught like a deer in headlights when you are at the blackjack table ask the dealer what you should do, not another player.

Fact #3 If you are not sure how to effectively play your blackjack cards, you should definitely play at one of the lower limit casino blackjack tables. Players there are generally on the same playing level as you would be on and it will be more about the fun than winning a million dollars at blackjack.

Fact #4 If you insist you know what you are doing and decide to play blackjack at a real casino table, and you do realize you need a little guidance so you swallow your pride and ask the casino blackjack dealer what you should do, listen to his/her advice. Do not by any means deviate from the blackjack dealers instructions. They deal hundreds of thousands of hands yearly, they know what they are doing. Regardless of the outcome of your blackjack hand please do not forget to tip your blackjack dealer for the advice. The blackjack dealer does not have to help you win but if you show your gratitude by throwing the blackjack dealer some tips or tokes as they are called (short for token of appreciation) you might just find that the blackjack dealer will help you more often. Besides it is just good karma! * Some casinos frown upon asking the blackjack dealer how to play your hand so make sure you are not breaking any rules.

Fact #5 This is a big stress reliever, it will leave you in a state of mind that will allow you to have fun and make money. The other players will not give you your money back if you do miss play your hand in hopes that the rest of the people at the blackjack table will win. So do not ask them if they want you to hit or stand. It is your money play it they way you want to. Observe a reasonable etiquette but at the end of the night if you are broke do you think they are going to buy you dinner because you held your 16?

So remember blackjack is not a team sport! It is a casino game that will beat you every chance it gets. Arm yourself with knowledge and learn how to bet to maximize your chances of walking away with your money.

Bryan Fulton comes from a family full of casino industry professionals, from casino managers, and dealers to special event planners, and slot host organizers. He has worked at many different styles of casinos from the old world era riverboats of South Carolina to the luxurious mega resorts of fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada! Bryan has years of experience in all the casino table games, he has dealt over a million hands (and counting) of blackjack, roulette, craps and the carnival games. His skills have landed him highly paid jobs in some of the busiest casinos around. Bryan Fulton has been featured on the Travel Channel's Vegas Dealers II in which he is seen demonstrating various dealing techniques. He has been called upon to train many of the new hires that casinos bring up through the ranks internally. Bryan Fulton has personally coached thousands of customers on effective playing strategies as well as his secret winning strategies.

Visit: http://www.roulette.bryanfulton.com for more strategies and tips.

Whether we like it or not, the truth is that the lives of celebrities are scrutinized with magnifying glass-curiosity by the paparazzi, the media and fans alike. In fact, celebrities rule the airwaves and gossip columns today. Every little detail of a celebrity's life is usually big news among the public at large, and one such aspect is the celebrity wedding rings flashed by our favorite star couples. Among the ardent fans of celebrities, are couples who would love nothing more than to own and wear celebrity weddings bands, as similar as possible to the ones worn by their celebrity heroes.

The fact remains that today many couples wish to be different in terms of their wedding styles, themes and even their wedding rings. It is specifically such couples who are also choosing celebrity wedding rings. If you and your partner wish to own and wear celebrity wedding bands as close as possible to those worn by your favorite celebrity couples, there are some simple ways to do this. For a start, you may color-copy, or scan the designs of the celebrity wedding rings worn by the particular celebrity couple from a close-up of the same, published in any glossy, celebrity magazine. If you succeed in getting a reasonably, legible scanned picture or laser color-copy, you can get an experienced designer of celebrity wedding bands to come up with a more detailed, illustration.

There are several jewelers who can come up with prototypes of the final designs you present to them. Such jewelers can then easily make your celebrity wedding bands at a cost far cheaper than the originals of your favorite star couple. On the other hand, there are also several certified, jewelers who have a range of celebrity wedding rings that are identical to the ones worn by top celebrities, although not necessarily of the same precious metal or gemstone authenticity. The advantage here is, that you will not only have celebrity wedding bands that are virtually identical copies to their celebrity-worn originals, but at a price far less than their originals.

Perhaps, why many young couples are desirous of having look-alike, celebrity wedding rings, is that it gives them a sense of confidence, style, sophistication, and, above all, the satisfaction of being different. Thankfully, with the widespread interest among people in the lives of celebrities, coupled with the power of the media, the opportunities to find actual photographs of the celebrity wedding rings and reproduce them have become extremely easy. While it's true that original, celebrity wedding rings or celebrity wedding bands, cost enormous sums of money, inexpensive, copies of such wedding rings can be made by any experienced and professional jeweler, using cheaper grades of metal and gemstones.

In the final analysis however, celebrity wedding rings will certainly reflect your sense of style, personality and taste and that of your partner's, as well as give the overall atmosphere of the wedding you've planned, a degree of sophistication. However, what matters most is, the love that you and your partner share. After all, the real celebrities ... are you.

Wedding Rings
Celebrity Wedding Rings To Die For!