Gurada

Walk into most martial arts schools and you’ll be likely to see classes full of kids. You might even see classes mixed with kids and adults. Sights like these turn many adults away from the possibility of actually training themselves and even reinforce common misconceptions about martial arts. There are so many great reasons that disprove these misconceptions, and you owe it to yourself and your body to read this article and to open your mind to at least the possibility of training martial arts.

1. You may think you’re too old to start.

You’re never too old to start training martial arts – whether your 18 or 78, your body will thank you for it! There are so many physical benefits to training martial arts; it’s difficult to know where to begin. First of all, training martial arts increases flexibility. Increased flexibility will give you better posture, more ability to relax your muscles and lower occurrences of injuries. Even if you’re currently physically active, martial arts will bring your physical conditioning to a new level. You’ll be working your entire body and reaching a variety of muscle groups with each workout. When training martial arts, there isn’t a need to “alternate” muscle groups because the workout is always changing. Finally, training martial arts is a great way to burn those extra calories and to lose weight.

2. You suspect that you’re not in the physical condition necessary to do such an activity.

If you find the right school and the right instructor, your training will move at a pace that’s compatible with your abilities and conditioning. This will allow you to move as fast or as slow as you need to remain comfortable in your training. Training martial arts with the right instructor will also lessen your chances of suffering an injury. Your instructor will be there to monitor your moves to make sure you’re not making a mistake that could potentially be injurious.

3. You think it will be easier to just join a gym and lift weights.

You could get many of the same benefits of training martial arts by joining a gym, but there are some benefits of martial arts that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Martial arts give you a full body workout – both cardio and conditioning – at every session. At a gym, you have to plan ahead to make sure you’re reaching every muscle group during conditioning and still have time to do a cardio workout as well. In addition to that, training martial arts with an instructor is like having a personal trainer with you at all of your workouts.

Training martial arts also gives you a mental workout like nothing else. While most people say that any physical activity can reduce stress, martial arts goes one step further. The inner balance needed to participate in these activities puts you in tune with your body, better than any other physical activity. You cannot do martial arts while reading a magazine or day dreaming about your upcoming vacation. You will be focusing on the here and now and that will help you clear you mind and better be able to deal with the daily stresses of life after your workout.

4. You don’t want to have a class with a bunch of kids.

If you cannot find a school that can give individual instruction, you can look for classes that are strictly for adults. Classes like this often become people’s highlight of the week. You’ll soon find yourself looking forward to the fun and excitement of getting together with your “group”.

5. You don’t think you have the time to spend on a new activity.

The focus and concentration you develop while training martial arts will carry over into all parts of your life. You may not realize it now, but the hours during the week that you spend training in your martial art will actually help you make better use of your time outside of your training. You’ll be able to focus on your job, home and family. You’ll be able to concentrate and get your tasks done more efficiently. Training martial arts is also a spiritual experience that can help you have inner peace – yet another quality to help you get through your busy schedule more easily.

Still not completely convinced that adults can successfully start martial arts training? Do some research and find a great school in your area to give it a try. I’ll even make it easier for you. Just contact me and I’ll send you my free guide on how to choose a martial arts school.

Sincerely,

Mr. Robert Jones
Master Instructor

The Academy of Kempo Martial Arts

Robert Jones runs three successful martial arts schools located in Bellevue, Lynnwood, and Kent, Washington. He has been helping families make positive changes in their lives through martial arts for over 20 years. He has also written two guides on how to pick a martial arts school. One for adults and one to help parents pick the right school for their children. He can be reached at http://www.kungfutemple.com info@kungfutemple.com or at The Academy of Kempo Martial Arts 800-508-6141.

Overview:

There are no effortless or painless ways of losing substantial amounts of weight. All the current slimming pills, devices and surgical procedures for weight loss are of limited effectiveness. Many of these so-called best weight loss programs carry significant risks and should only be contemplated in extreme cases. Many weight loss products and devices are frankly fraudulent. Substantial weight loss requires the body to be in prolonged energy deficit but we have evolved a very efficient body mechanism that drives us to eat enough food to prevent energy deficit. Our control mechanism may permit, or even encourage, overeating but nature makes energy deficit very uncomfortable. Medically, it is referred to as “Hynoscript.” Every person has an inborn weight control mechanism, a set point that attempts to maintain a particular amount of fat on the body.

When we diet we are trying to resist these powerful, natural urges that normally prevent energy deficit. Appetite suppressant drugs may reduce these drives, weight loss hypnosis may help us to resist them and dietary manipulations may maximize the satiating power of each food calorie. Ultimately, however, the dieter is still going to have to endure considerable discomfort and exercise considerable willpower to lose a lot of weight. Despite this pessimistic conclusion and despite all the hurdles, anyone who does achieve prolonged energy deficit will lose weight. Weight loss is not impossible for anyone if they are determined enough, persistent enough and if they have a sound weight loss program.

Most weight gain problems are the direct result of our own habits. We eat too much and exercise too little. This fact has advanced the healthcare and weight-loss industries as the largest in our society today. Many people each year disappointed with the orthodox forms of treatments seek out various methods to help them lose unwanted pounds, such as acupressure, magnet therapy, and weight loss hypnosis. There is still no concrete evidence to validate these therapies. However, if you want to try weight loss hypnosis, try to have an open mind but do not count on it working. The treatment of obesity through hypnosis or hypnotism can be helpful for people who are not able to resist the temptation to eat more food, in spite of being aware that obesity is a hazardous syndrome.

What you are trying to achieve by using weight loss hypnosis is a change in your eating habits or your set point that will keep you healthy and allow you to eat enough to reach and maintain your ideal weight. If using weight loss hypnosis you can keep your weight down for three years you will have established a new set point and it will be easy to maintain your lower weight. Think of your weight loss hypnosis as a thermostat that regulates your weight. It is nonetheless advisable to follow a low-calorie whole foods diet, along with your weight loss hypnosis. And as with any professional service, validate the hypnotist’s credentials and check references.

Summary:

The responsibility for the success or failure of any weight loss hypnosis ultimately lies with the dieter rather than the hypnotist or therapist. The professional can only empower and encourage the dieter. This is a difficult concept for many dieters and professionals to accept. Normally, when we consult a doctor about an injury or illness, our role as “patients” is seen as a largely passive one – we are required merely to take the prescribed drugs. The professional’s skill in selecting and carrying out the correct treatment is seen as the crucial factor for successful recovery. Weight loss hypnosis is at the opposite end of this spectrum of control. In weight loss hypnosis, the expert can usually do no more than provide information, advice and encouragement. The success of failure of the treatment depends largely upon the patient’s ability to understand, interpret and successfully implement the treatment plan.

Wray Burns is author & owner of www.weight-loss-that-works.com a website aimed at providing help & information for people looking to lose weight and improve their fitness.

Eating in the car has become almost a necessity for our fast-paced modern lifestyle. It’s not surprising that food manufacturers have picked up on this fact. Now, if you don’t have time to stop for a French Vanilla Latte, just take along a can that heats itself.

Wolfgang Puck, the celebrity chef, has introduced a new line of lattes with a twist. Push a plastic button on the bottom of the can and the coffee warms up to a tasty 145 degrees.

OnTech, the California company that manufactures the cans, calls it “Packaging of the Future.” OnTech is the first company in North America to manufacture the self-heating cans. The Wolfgang Puck line of lattes is the earliest product to hit the market in these innovative containers.

As the trend towards convenience and portability in food products increases, industry experts predict the appearance of more foods in self-heating cans. Expect to see coffee, tea, soups, cocoa, baby formula and even alcoholic beverages.

The technology, while seemingly simple, actually took OnTech seven years and $24 million to develop. After activating a button, water is released into the can’s inner cone, which contains the mineral calcium oxide or ‘quicklime.’ The resulting chemical reaction heats the coffee, or other liquid, in about 6 to 8 minutes.

According to Jonathan Weisz, OnTech chief executive, “There is no preparation, mixing or clean up. Consumers merely press a button, wait a few minutes for the product to heat, open the container and enjoy.”

Consumers will undoubtedly warm to the idea. If you’re running late for work, just heat your oatmeal and coffee in the car. Weisz predicts, “This is going to be a huge, huge part of society in the United States. In two years everyone will be drinking from self-heating containers.”

OnTech plans to market its own brand, Hillside Coffee, later this year on QVC. The introduction of hot chocolate will follow shortly after.

Similar products in other countries have met with limited success. A few years ago Nestlé launched a self-heating canned coffee in Europe. The can suffered problems heating and sales were less than impressive. The product was subsequently discontinued. Self-heating bowls of ramen noodles are currently available in Japan.

The potential market for similar items in this country is apparent from the success of convenience products like Campbell’s Soup at Hand, which requires heating in a microwave. Now imagine the same soup heating itself, no microwave needed.

Just how much extra consumers are willing to pay for the new packaging remains to be seen. But there’s always a market for convenience, even at a premium. The other hurdle will be educating the public on how to use the new-fangled cans.

According to demographics expects, the time Americans spend in their cars is at an all time high. Food manufacturers already tailor on-the-go snacks and breakfast cereals to fit into car cup holders. Hot soups and oatmeal can’t be far behind.

I have a hunch we’ll wonder how we ever lived without self-heating cans. Like pop-tops, tea bags and instant coffee.

Blair Dalton is a former technical writer turned freelancer. Her work has appeared in national magazines, and she writes a column on technology for a newspaper in St. Louis, MO. Ms. Dalton also edits Home Improvement Niche, a website on home improvement advice and news, at http://www.homeimprovementniche.com

The use of Echinacea on wounds, infections, snake bites, insect bites and stings is beyond the miracles of modern medicine ever. It boosts the immune system about 30% to help the body’s own T-cells fight infection and rid itself of poisons. It contains a natural antibiotic which is comparable to penicillin.

Used as a mouthwash will get rid of canker sores, painful teeth and swollen gums. I have advised many of my subjects to use a combination of Echinacea and Golden Seal as a cure for strep throat. The results have had immediate effect and the streptococcus was gone within a few days.

Combine in equal parts. Put about a tablespoon of the powder in a muslin cloth tea bag and steep in boiling hot water for 10 minutes. Using it as hot as you can stand but not too hot to scold the tonsils, gargle for about 5 minutes at least 6 times a day of not more. This will treat the strep and soothe the throat but most important of all it will eventually release the pus sacs, in tact, at the back of the throat. When you spit out the liquid after gargling you will spit out the pus sacs as well. You may do well to put 1 or 2 drops of the liquid in each ear. This will help the itching go away. Continue use for about 10 days.

Echinacea tea can be used for colds, smallpox, measles, mumps and arthritis.

Put about a tablespoon of the powder in a muslin cloth tea bag and steep in boiling hot water for 20 minutes. Remove tea bag and drink very warm, about 6 cups a day throughout the day. You will notice that urination is more frequent and may be a darker color than usual. This is normal don’t worry, its cleansing the system. You may also notice that if a slight fever is present, that it will be lessened if not gone.

If fever or symptoms persist with anything for more than three days, it would be wise to consult a physician, as other problems may be present.

About 1-1/2 X 2 inches in size and made of muslin with a cotton string. One tea bag can be used at least three times. So, after each use put it in a sealed plastic bag in the fridge. Discard product but do not discard the tea bag, wash it and reuse it.

My neighbor has a black lab named Abby. She is the sweetest old gal at the age of 14. The other day she got into a tiff with the other neighbor’s dog and acquired a gaping hole in her leg. My neighbor didn’t realize she was wounded until the fur on Abby’s leg started coming off in clumps. All he had on hand at the time was a bottle of capsulated Echinacea pills to treat the wound until he could take Abby to the Vet.

I told him to clean the wound with peroxide saturated cotton, let dry and empty 1/2 of the powdered Echinacea pill inside the wound, spray it gently with water to moisten, wrap and leave on until the morning. The next day when he removed the wrap, pus came out in a stream and you could see the swelling in the leg go down. He drained the wound for about 10 minutes then repeated my instructions. As the wound was too deep, Abby was unable to get stitches, so the wound was left to treat. He repeated my instructions reapplying fresh Echinacea twice a day. By the third day the wound was practically closed with the scab forming and the infection was gone. He was truly amazed at the Healing Power of Echinacea and quite frankly, so was I.

Notebook computer shipments are approximately estimated to be approaching 130million units this year, which is colossal! Manufacturers are aiming to keep up with this but have issued warning that supplies could be small. Laptops have been a developing market year on year for a number of years now and it looks set to continue. The technology is progressing in all directions at once too.

Laptops are becoming more acceptable for gaming due to continuing performance increases. Because of the increasing production and rapid changes it means important components are lower in price than then once were. I feel notebooks are a adequate choice for playing games. Maybe not exactly for the extreme but they’re great for the large number of us. I also feel that a couple gaming notebooks look really funky, with some slick, powerful features. Hardcore gaming enthusiasts will always choose their desktop gaming rigs for performance and rightly so but it’s the versatility notebooks give that makes people compromise on frame rates. It will be exciting to see what gaming notebooks come out in the future and how compact they can manufacture them.

There are always going to be a few consumers that want a laptop custom built because they want to use it for specialised work. With major companies you usually don’t have a clue what they put into the laptop computer. By being able to choose precisely what you require you can even save cash in a few deals. Laptops sold in stores are traditionally designed for the mass market and perhaps this isn’t you. Custom made notebooks are here for this reason. They fulfil needs that others can’t. You can a lot of companies who sell straight to the buyer so there are a lot of alternatives too. To a few purchasers this is very significant.

Amazing is a thought that comes to mind when thinking of the upcoming rang of portable computers. So far it looks like inexpensive portables are the current buzz. This niche is already receiving tons of competition and is getting overcrowded. Buyers desire notebooks that are light but additionally large enough to be functional and easy to use. I’m certain a couple of companies are already engaged on such plans. Guessing from whats happening it looks like we’ll start seeing ultra mobile gaming models. New notebooks are typically kept secret before their introduction so theres no knowing what new products we’ll encounter.

I’d recommend these if you are in search of the best gaming laptops.

In addition, bulky information such as IP addresses and browser preferences for a website can be stored in a cookie, saving time when loading a website you often visit. Generally, cookies are used as a shortcut to load information that you have already provided to a website, presenting no security risk on well known, established websites. There are online predators that try to gather information about children in various chat rooms to take hostile actions against them in the real life.

There are numerous free programs that can be downloaded. Generally speaking, most anti-spyware works like that. It scans the operating system in search for suspicious bits of code. An unexpected attack, over which you have no control, is a good reason why you should have anti-virus and anti-spyware protection. Data loggers, key loggers are just a few programs which harvest info from your computer. Winclear is the only program created specially to auto remove such spywares. If your account was compromised while AccSent was enabled there is a high probability that you either have a security hole in your computer which allowed hackers to take control of your computer or you have a Trojan virus spyware or keylogger software installed on your computer because someone not only had access to your e-gold passphrase they also had access to your email address password. That is why every computer owner needs winclear.

Protect With Winclear :Children’S Online Privacy Protection Act Problem
Antispyware does even greater job by identifying a whole lot of potential threats and cleaning the infections. Whenever you’re online, antispyware is on alert, ready to fight the spying tools. Spyware, unlike virus, acts behind the scene, often without causing any suspicion on part of a PC user. This kind of malware usually collects private data, reports it to home server, and creates the profile of your browsing activities. If you ever see unexpected pop-ups on desktop (when no browser is launched) or suspicious Windows messages, rest assured your PC is heavily infected by spyware. Most probably right now, when you’re reading this, there’s some nasty file inside your Windows system doing its job. Winclear is the only software which is capable of removing keylogger programs. There are a lot of theft online ready to rob you and destroy you. Winclear has been the industry leader in fighting keyloggers for the last 8 years.

Winclear:
The software doesn’t just here to erase evidence but also it helps me restore the performance of my PC. That is the reason why you need Winclear installed onto your computer. Some forms of spyware immobilize antivirus and firewall software thereby reducing the user’s security setting leading to further infections by several viruses. Protect your computer security by using Winclear! More about Winclear here: Winclear.

On a startling Court TV program, Al Roker investigated the horrors of ‘hazing’ reportedly not only in College sororities and fraternities, but even in high schools across the country. The program was extremely revealing and shocking as it provided a weatlh of information regarding so-called Greek ‘hazing’ rituals carried out across this Nation. Unfortunately, hazing is a predominant force among colleges, schools, military and even church groups, that it is blatantly out of control. Often, supposed ‘leaders’ or participants of hazing are sadly protected by ‘frat brothers & sisters,’ school coaches, and are rarely prosecuted for hazing incidents – even those involving death. The horrors of hazing are so unbelievable that most parents would shiver to think that their child could ultimately be faced with such vile cruelty.

What exactly is ‘hazing?’ According to the NFHS’ Interscholastic Athletic Administration magazine, ‘Hazing is defined as: any act or ceremony which creates the risk of harm to the student or to any other party and that is committed as a form of initiation into a particular club or activity. Hazing includes, but is not limited to, activities that involve the risk of physical harm, whipping, branding, ingesting vile substances, sleep deprivation, over-exposure to heat or cold, restraint, nudity, or kidnapping. Hazing could also include include actions or simulations of a sexual nature, activities that create a hostile, abusive, or intimidating environment for the student.’

As a random example, the state of South Carolina lists the S.C. Code of Laws for hazing as:

ARTICLE 6.

HAZING SECTION 16-3-510

Hazing unlawful; definitions.

It is unlawful for a person to intentionally or recklessly engage in acts which have a foreseeable potential for causing physical harm to a person for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with a chartered or nonchartered student, fraternal, or sororal organization. Fraternity, sorority, or other organization for purposes of this section means those chartered and nonchartered fraternities, sororities, or other organizations operating in connection with a school, college, or university. This section does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions, or military training whether state, federal, or educational.

SECTION 16-3-520.

Unlawful to assist in or fail to report hazing.

It is unlawful for any person to knowingly permit or assist any person in committing acts made unlawful by Section 16-3-510 or to fail to report promptly any information within his knowledge of acts made unlawful by Section 16-3-510 to the chief executive officer of the appropriate school, college, or university.

SECTION 16-3-530.

Penalties.

Any person who violates the provisions of Sections 16-3-510 or 16-3-520 is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed twelve months, or both.

SECTION 16-3-540.

Consent not a defense.

The implied or express consent of a person to acts which violate Section 16-3-510 does not constitute a defense to violations of Sections 16-3-510 or 16-3-520.”

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If we look at this law, we can clearly see how vaguely defined the hazing law is. In fact, the penalties are a gross insult to student or other individual victims of ‘hazing incidents.’ In one breath, it states that ‘…it is unlawful for a person to intentionally or recklessly engage in acts which have a forseeable potential for causing physical harm to a person…’ Then if we scroll down on the same code of laws’ page, we find the following set of similar laws, exluding hazing by definition:

——————————————————————————–

Article 7

SECTION 16-3-620.

Assault and battery with intent to kill.

The crime of assault and battery with intent to kill shall be a felony in this State and any person convicted of such crime shall be punished by imprisonment not to exceed twenty years.

SECTION 16-3-654.

Criminal sexual conduct in the third degree.

(1) A person is guilty of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree if the actor engages in sexual battery with the victim and if any one or more of the following circumstances are proven:

(a) The actor uses force or coercion to accomplish the sexual battery in the absence of aggravating circumstances.

(b) The actor knows or has reason to know that the victim is mentally defective, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless and aggravated force or aggravated coercion was not used to accomplish sexual battery.

(2) Criminal sexual conduct in the third degree is a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than ten years, according to the discretion of the court.

ARTICLE 9.

SECTION 16-3-910.

Kidnapping.

Whoever shall unlawfully seize, confine, inveigle, decoy, kidnap, abduct or carry away any other person by any means whatsoever without authority of law, except when a minor is seized or taken by his parent, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for a period not to exceed thirty years unless sentenced for murder as provided in Section 16-3-20.

SECTION 16-3-920.

Conspiracy to kidnap.

If two or more persons enter into an agreement, confederation, or conspiracy to violate the provisions of Section 16-3-910 and any of such persons do any overt act towards carrying out such unlawful agreement, confederation, or conspiracy, each such person shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished in like manner as provided for the violation of Section 16-3-910.

ARTICLE 17.

SECTION 16-3-1700.

Definitions.

As used in this article:

(A) “Harassment” means a pattern of intentional, substantial, and unreasonable intrusion into the private life of a targeted person that causes the person and would cause a reasonable person in his position to suffer mental distress. Harassment may include, but is not limited to:

(1) following the targeted person as he moves from location to location;

(2) visual, physical, verbal, written, or electronic contact that is initiated, maintained, or repeated after a person has been provided notice that the contact is unwanted;

(3) surveillance of or the maintenance of a presence near the targeted person’s:

(a) residence;

(b) place of work;

(c) school; or

(d) another place regularly occupied by the targeted person; and

(4) vandalism and property damage.

SECTION 16-3-1710.

Penalties upon conviction for harassment.

(A) A person who engages in harassment is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars, imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(B) A person convicted of harassment against a person within seven years of a prior conviction of harassment against or stalking of that person, or when an injunction or restraining order is in effect prohibiting this conduct, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars, imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

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Clearly, we can see that all of the above laws directly coincide with incidents of ‘hazing.’ Deplorably, these laws reflect similar views across the Nation and are in incredible need of revisioning. In addition to this, Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota and Wyoming have absolutely no anti-hazing laws. To find out how your individual state laws are written, you can review them by going to StopHazing.org for a complete list of states.

In a report written by Greg Toppo of USA Today in 2004, there were 48 school-related violent deaths from August through June alone. In his article, he writes, ‘President Bush’s 2005 budget proposes a 40% drop in spending for juvenile crime prevention, following a 44% cut…’ For more literature on hazing, read ‘Too Cruel for School,’ by People Magazine (compliments of HazingLaw.com), ‘511 Dangerous Traditions: Hazing Rituals on Campus and University Liability,’ (Journal of College and University Law) or ‘Brutal Rituals – Dangerous Rites’ (the American School Board Journal).

Is ‘hazing’ child’s play or violent crime? I’d like to refer back to the list of laws above for that answer. It is plain to see that hazing groups are liken to that of sociological destructive cult groups. A shared trait of both sociological cults and hazing members, are that they both isolate their victims or ‘pledges’ from friends and relatives to gain private access, and better control over them. Additionally, they both tend to brainwash members or prospective members into believing their ideals and practices. A good checklist to review on cult-like behavior can be found on a Cult Checklist. (Checklist can be found at http://en.wikipedia/wiki/Cult_checklist)

As a social issue, hazing is a volatile crime that should not only be prosecuted to the fullest extent of assault, battery, rape and other criminal laws; but also, any community leaders such as coaches, teachers, etc. should be held accountable for inaction to prevent hazing incidents when they are aware or condone such events. Today, hazing is still considered ‘child’s play’ by many communities that yield a blind eye to hazing rituals. In most cases, victims are humiliated, physically tortured, mentally abused, molested, raped, and live with emotional and physical scars that may last a lifetime. Hazing victims are usually forced to leave schools, institutions and other organizations in fear of their lives.

Hazing is NOT child’s play. It is a violent act or acts that sometimes leads to a senseless, fatal crime. As a parent, it appauls me that a Nationwide law has not been legislated to prevent or legitimately prosecute hazing organizations. A formidable form of ‘child’s play,’ hazing is considered light-hearted and a simple ‘initiation process’ until it happens to your child, your niece or nephew, or your sibling.

There are several organizations, like StopHazing.org that advocates total elimination of Hazing and offers in-depth resources, support and a free sign-up form (See site) for individuals interested in supporting their efforts.

Hank Nuwer, a leading researcher in citing hazing incidents and deaths, has written several informative books on hazing. Per his website, (hazing.hanknuwer.com), Mr. Nuwer provides beneficial resources to individuals about hazing incidents, external links, laws, and much more.

In a ‘moral’ and civilized society, hazing should never be tolerated. You can make a world of difference…stay informed, get involved, be aware and stop hazing in its tracks before it touches you personally.

©2005 – Hazing: Child’s Play or Violent Crime?
by C. Bailey-Lloyd

References:

Court TV – http://courttv.com/choices/calendar.html
South Carolina Code of Laws – www.scstatehouse.net/code/t16c003.htm
StopHazing.org – www.stophazing.org/laws.html
USA Today Report – HazingLaw.com – www.hazinglaw.com/schooldeaths.htm
‘Too Cruel for School’ – People Magazine – HazingLaw.com – www.hazinglaw.com/cruelforschool.htm
‘511 Dangerous Traditions: Hazing Rituals on Campus and University Liability’ – Journal of College and University Law
‘Brutal Rituals – Dangerous Rites’ – the American School Board Journal
CultFaq.org
Wikipedia.org
Hank Nuwer – http://hazing.hanknuwer.com

C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot is the Public Relations’ Director for Holistic Junction — Your source of information for Emotional Healing Resources; Stress Management; Alternative Health Care; Insightful Literature and so much more!

Now that you have invested your time, energy and money in buying a franchise, how do you work within the system? How do you take advantage of all your franchisor has to offer? How do you deal with your counterparts, other franchisees?

In this chapter, I will give you tips that will help you thrive and prosper in your new business.

Communication

In any franchise organization, it’s important to maintain open communications lines. A franchise is like a marriage. You are now married to your franchisor and communication is the key.

Communication in a franchise relationship occurs in numerous ways. You should remember to keep communication friendly, helpful, upbeat and honest. Too many times a franchisor/franchisee relationship will become adversarial, hostile and aggressive. If this happens, communications lines tend to go down and everyone suffers. You as the franchisee have the power to keep communications on a positive note. There are many things that can be done to help your franchisor communicate with you.

Try not to be a chronic complainer. If you have a legitimate complaint, perhaps you could offer some praise first. Something that is being done right and how happy your are. Then mention the little something that’s caused a stress for you at your business. If you think you might have a solution – offer it or offer to sit down and brainstorm a little with a regional director or company representative. Offer to meet them at your store, your point of power so you can negotiate from a stronger position. Be friendly. Try to meet when you’re having peak hours. Show the franchisor or their representative how efficient you are, how clean your place is and how you are following standards to a tee. Treat it like a military inspection. Then explain the problem. Tell them your suggestions and ask what should you do? Remember:

The art of diplomacy is letting someone else get your way.

Regional Directors

Chances are your regional director has encountered your same problem in one of the other franchised outlets or perhaps many other outlets. Your regional director can tell you what other franchisees did to improve that problem and which solutions worked best and which ones didn’t work at all. Also, which solutions were approved by the company and which ones were not and why. Any solutions you might have could be of great interest to your regional director because even if your solution may not work at this time, it may be a missing puzzle piece to a long-term solution which will work system wide. Staying on good terms with your regional director can be very valuable.

Let’s say your franchisor want s to test a new product in a certain region and they ask the regional director in that region which outlet would be the easiest to use for the test market. If you are on good terms with corporate office staff and your local regional director, then you might be picked. Franchisors take test markets of new products very seriously. They usually:

Spend lots of money in local marketing

Set up well designed store signage

Re-do menus, brochures etc.

This will help you attract new business to your store and pay for new signage. Even if the test market fails and the new product or service is never implemented system wide, you still win because you now have a larger customer base and more local awareness of your business. By the way, over 50% of new products fail and it’s certainly nice to have someone else pay for it. It might put a small non-franchised company out of business if they had a new product failure.

Assist Your Franchisor

Due to the expansion rates of franchisors, sometimes they will have to call on franchisee for help. To move fast in the market place you need a strong team. Franchisors know this and no one is more dedicated than individual small business owners. That’s exactly what franchisees are. Sometimes there is not enough time to gear up to meet the demand of a growing system. Franchisors must call on franchisees to help in:

Training
Product Development
Sales of New Units
Streamlining Systems
Marketing of Services
Etc.

Usually the franchisors are willing to pay for this help. If the franchisor out sources some of it’s services to franchisees, it’s really outsourcing in house. There are many reasons behind this strategy:

It costs less than if the franchisor does it

It improves franchisees profit since the franchisees are paid for their help

Secrets are not lost to industry wide consultants

You as a franchisee have a vested interest to make sure the system succeeds, therefore you will do a better job

It builds a “teamwork” atmosphere in the system

Of course, if you are a chronic complainer and a problem franchisee, none of these extra perks of belonging to a system will be available to you.

So how do you maintain a positive relationship with your franchisor and promote a win/win situation? The answer is very simple. Almost too simple to write in a book, yet it is so important and few franchisees do it.

Be Nice To Office Staff, Vendors And Consultants

We have talked about regional directors who are the personal arm of the franchisor. The one on one human side. This is not the only contact you will have with your franchisor. Your franchisor will have office staff, vendors and consultants, all of which are there to assist you in your business. Each of these groups should be treated differently, but all should be treated with respect. Treat them like you want your customers to treat you, because essentially you are their customers and they work for you. If you have ever gone out of your way to help a good customer, then you have an idea of why you should try to be on good terms with your franchisor’s office staff, vendors and consultants.

Office staff at franchisor headquarters are usually very efficient and very sharp individuals. They have to be to keep up with the busy schedules and fast moving pace of a franchisor. As a matter of fact, a lazy or inefficient employee would never survive in the hectic day to day operations of a franchisor. Every one is calling, e-mailing, faxing, in a hurry to get things done. They realize that you are equally busy in your outlet and don’t have time to be left on hold. You need to run your business. However, don’t take your frustrations out on office staff. They are as busy as you. Think about it this way: fifteen other people just like you who are very stressed and very short while on the phone. If you are very sincere, polite, upbeat and thankful when you call, you quite possibly could be the only person who was nice all day. They will remember that. If you are abrupt, rude, arrogant, etc. your request may be placed at the bottom of the pile, which at a franchisor’s headquarters may be a long way down.

What if you need a new piece of equipment for your store and all you need from headquarters is something faxed to your bank from the franchisor’s office staff. If you’re nice, the staff person may simply walk down the hall and pull out your file and fax it right then. If you’re rude, they might put your request in a basket of things to do and wait for required signatures which might take a week. Either way is most likely within accordance of the Franchise Agreement. It’s really up to you. I suggest you make things easy on yourself. Try to get on the unspoken, unwritten “good franchisees” list.

Vendor’s of the franchisor can make a lot of money by working with franchisors. It’s like having a captured market with guaranteed volumes and sales. Unfortunately, sometimes vendors bid so low to get the account and the opportunity to have that captured market that they make very little on each individual franchisee. You should realize that their money is in the volume. If they help you with too much personal service, then they will lose money on you and the best to hope for is that they’ll make it up with orders from other franchisees.

Now this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t demand to get what you pay for. It means to demand in a nice way. Explain your situation in detail. Invite them to your store. Show them the problem. This may be the insight they’ve needed not only to serve you better but also your entire system. They may even think of ways to build their units more efficiently, more practical and less costly. Vendors of franchisors, once they’ve landed the big account, want to keep it. After all they’ve probably:

Re-Tooled
Hired More Staff
Borrowed Money
Restructured Their Operations

In order to take on the franchisor’s business. You shouldn’t use this knowledge to threaten to go to your franchisor if the vendor doesn’t give you what you want. That is counter productive. You should understand the vendor’s situation as they try to help you and your system.

Consultants of the franchisor usually work on billable hours. You should help them with their search for knowledge. Remember, whatever they recommend to the franchisor might be implemented. So if you deny them reasonable access to your business or purposely hide things from them, you run up consulting costs and any recommendations may be worthless. Worse yet, whatever is implemented by the franchisor from the consultant’s recommendations will effect your outlet.

Let’s say your franchisor has hired a computer consultant to look over the computer system and how the franchisees are using it. Chances are your franchisor hired a great computer consultant who bills at a rate of $200 per hour. If he/she comes to your store for a scheduled appointment, you should have your computer turned on and booted up and offer them a cup of coffee when they walk in. You should allow yourself free time to talk with the consultant without being interrupted. You should tell them what you like and dislike about the current system and what should be improved. By doing this, you’ll make it easy to give input and make a big difference in the computer consultant’s recommendations and save money. Not only is this the ethical thing to do, but it’s also the attitude you need to survive and prosper within a franchise system.

All franchisors are not the same. Some have a very corporate attitude and some are very down to earth and almost folksy. No matter what type you belong to, communication is still the key. With a small franchisor, you may be able to call the president or founder directly. A franchisor with fewer than thirty units needs your input at the top level. He or she will still be working out administrative and organizational bugs in the system. Your success is a very serious issue with them. They can’t afford very many franchisee failures this early in the game. Your problems and suggestions take precedence over all other aspects of their business. If you fail, it will effect future sales. It is important for the Founder to know how the franchised model performs in different locations, demographics and local economic environments. If they can solve these problems at a unit level now, it will insure the success of the future units one hundred fold.

In medium sized franchises, you may not have the opportunity to be on a first name basis with the Founder or President. However, you will certainly get the chance to meet them. You most likely will be dealing with a master franchise and a regional director who will most likely mirror the attitude of the Founder or President. You should get to know your master franchise operator and regional director on a first name basis. They will be concerned about your outlet because a regional director may receive incentives for your performance and a master franchise actually receives part of your royalty payments. Therefore, the more money you generate, the more money they make.

A large franchisor will have layers of corporate management and possibly a combination of master franchises, international franchises and lots of regional directors assigned to different areas or run out of regional master franchise areas. Some large franchisors may not have a Founder any more. The original Founder may have sold most of their stake in the company and no longer oversees any part of the actual franchisor’s operation. Many large franchisors may be publicly traded companies that may also own other franchise systems and may during your franchise term either buy more franchisors out or sell their interests to another franchisor. Since this may happen at any time, it’s even more important to know your master franchise operator or regional director and be on good terms with them. They will still be there tomorrow no matter who buys, sells or trades stock ownership or rights at corporate headquarters.

Franchisee Initiative

Now that you’ve learned how to get along within the system, you are probably wondering ‘What else can I do with all this knowledge?’ The following are some examples of things you can do:

Help With Public Relations

Let’s say you sponsor a little league team that wins the county championship or you sponsor a contestant in a city wide beauty contest who becomes Miss Any Town. Tell your franchisor. They’ll want to put it in their newsletter and send it to all the other franchisees. They will show it as an example of good local public relations.

Improve Efficiency

In your day to day operations you may design a form on your computer to help you increase efficiency at your store. Fax it to the Vice President of Operations with a note:

Bob – This form helps us run more efficiently. Perhaps other franchisees might like it. Do you want me to mail you a disk with the file on it? I used Microsoft Excel 7.0

Help With Your Expansion

If you want to expand your area and add another store, do some preliminary demographic work and a financing study. Ask your franchisor to review it and call you to talk. You’ll definitely improve your chances of being approved. Also include a schedule of estimated increased income from royalties and purchases in your package to the franchisor. Show them how you can help them.

Volunteer To Help With Teamwork

If your franchisor has a franchisee advisory board, offer to join and help franchisor/franchisee relations.

If you are in default of your Franchise Agreement, talk with your franchisor. Develop a time line that you can live with to come back into compliance. Franchisors don’t want to terminate good franchisees.

Franchisee Relations

Now that you’ve learned about franchisor relations, let’s discuss the rest of the team. Think of the franchisor as your coach and the other franchisees as your team mates.

Remember: TEAM is an acronym.

T E A M = Together Everyone Accomplishes More

How can you boost your relationship with other franchisees? This is relatively easy and here are a few ideas that can help you.

Talk Highly Of Other Franchisees

Whenever you hear anything said about a fellow franchisee, say positive things such as:

Bob is one of the top producers in the company

Betty runs a tight ship

Everyone loves Bill, he’s such a great guy

Linda’s store is so well kept up that you can tell she is on top of things

As a matter of fact, no matter which franchisee is mentioned, say something positive. On rare occasions you may hear something negative. Be sure to down play anything you hear that is negative about a fellow franchisee. If it happens a lot, call the franchisee and say “You know Bob, I thought I’d call you directly. I’m sure it’s nothing, but Mrs. Smith, one of your customers said….” If it’s still a problem, you may want to call your regional director or mention it next time he/she comes to visit.

Clubs And Organizations

It is important for you to join at least one service club. It helps your business become part of the town. If your neighboring franchisees belong to certain groups, you should belong to a group which they do not. For instance, if one belongs to the Rotary, another to Kiwanis and a third to the Optimist Club, you should join the Elks, Lions or be on the board of directors for the hospice, YMCA, Boy Scouts or city run committees. Most service clubs work on big projects with their local affiliates committees and if you and your neighboring franchisee are in the same club, you’ll be duplicating services. After all, if a fellow franchisee needs help with a service project, they will call you anyway. You don’t need to spend time in meetings when you can be out and about meeting new people, making friends and establishing new business contacts. If you meet someone from another area, you’ll be happy to take that information to your neighboring franchisee. They will do the same for you and this is what brings your referral network with fellow franchisees full circle.

Chamber Of Commerce Meetings

It is important to attend Chamber of Commerce meetings. Since most of the people at these meetings will already know you as a local business person, they will typically engage you in conversation and this will prevent you from meeting new people. It really helps to have more than one franchisee of a system at a Chamber of Commerce meeting or mixer. With two franchisees that can answer virtually any question under the sun, you’ll knock ‘em dead.

Co-Op Marketing

If you have a countywide newspaper and want to place an advertisement, find out if you have other franchisees in the area that may be intrested. You can put each phone number and location at the bottom of the ad and divide the costs. If you’ve been on good terms with your vendors, they may share in the costs and if you’ve been on the ‘good list’ with your franchisor, your advertising request will surely be approved. It’s all about communication, team work and attitude.

Call And Say Hi

It is important to call up and just say hi to your fellow franchisees. It will remind them that you are always near by. You will get something positive out of the phone call such as:

A good lead
A streamlining technique
A way to handle a new employee
Someone who will listen
A time efficient way to attract new customers
A mistake which was made

You can also talk about the worst customer of the week or the most ridiculous complaint of the year. You can tell them a story about ‘the customer from hell’ and they will surely have a story to match. You can both laugh and be thankful you own your own business and that wasn’t a boss giving you a hard time.

Monthly Meetings

Round up the nearest four to five franchisees and have a monthly meeting. Invite your regional director to join you and take notes. Invite a company representative from the franchisor. The higher up the better. Make the meeting low key, a brainstorming session perhaps. Talk shop. The company representative will take your concerns to the top. Make it a happy atmosphere over a meal. Perhaps pizza. Keep it light, with few complaints and lots of solutions (ideas).

Vacation Management

When a fellow franchisee goes on vacation, they may or may not have a manager that is capable of handling every aspect of their business. As you know it isn’t easy. You must be on time, keep up quality, keep the store neat, answer phone calls, greet new customers, manage employees, etc. You might set up an arrangement with neighboring franchisees to help keep an eye on things while they are away. If you work out a trade, they can help you when you will be away. Also alert your regional director. That way, between your manager, regional director and the arrangement with your neighboring franchisee, your business will be safe while you’re on vacation.

Joint Accounts

There may be times when you are overloaded with business. An order you can’t fill, merchandise you don’t have, a contact or account that is too large for you at this time. Rather than losing customers, call a neighboring franchisee and spread the wealth. Your fellow franchisee will be thankful for the extra business and you will have satisfied customers.

Referrals

If a customer wants service outside your exclusive territory or is too far away to shop in your store, try to refer them to another franchisee in your system. This will strengthen your company’s good will and name recognition. It will also make someone just like you very happy. I’m sure you’ll get referral customers in exchange.

Remember: When owning a franchise, you are in business for yourself, but not by yourself. Use this fact to your advantage. Use the resources of your franchisor, your vendors, your fellow franchisees. Make your business great. Enjoy your American Dream. And no matter what you do don’t ever give up. Communication is the first step. You’re gonna do fine.

“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Great 21st birthday unique gift ideas are a symbol of recognition of an achieved goal in life. Not only cultural but societal as well. 21st birthday is a milestone birthday celebrated extensively in the New Millennium, and is measured to be one of the most important celebrations in a person’s life. Eighteen is legal by law but Twenty-one is considered a legal adult. Searching for 21st Birthday Presents is easy when you know where to look.

The gift presented on this day is a symbol of love, and conveys your good wishes and blessings for a bright future of the 21 year old. Gifts should be in accordance with the desires and temperament of the birthday girl or boy. Next are some gift ideas for the 21st birthday:

Gold Watch

If your budget OK’s, you can gift the birthday chico or chica a gold watch with his or her name and birthdate engraved on it.

Silver Jewelry

You can get him or her tickets to their first silver jewelry magic concert. It is a great gift idea, natural and more available than anything its equal.

Throw a Sports Present Carnival

21st birthday calls for gala and nothing can be more exciting than a sport presents birthday party. Most households are several opportunities for sports gift happiness.

Video Collections and Gaming Accessories

The 21st birthday commemorate the establishment of youth and a stage of great life duties. Therefore, the present to be had on this day should be out of the ordinary. You can use your creativity to give tailored or encouraging presents as well.

Salute of life is great to celebrated and wise to do so. Life is to be loved and gained. It is and will always be a time of musing of what was and a perception into what will be. The receiving loved one will think lovingly on the one that gives such 21st birthday presents. Discover 21st birthday presents today.

The following article covers a topic – herbal remedies for stress and anxiety- that has recently moved to center stage–at least it seems that way. If you’ve been thinking you need to know more about it, here’s your opportunity.

Rhodiola Rosea is the latest natural remedy to join the arsenal of natural anxiety and stress reducers.

Rhodiola Rosea, also known as Golden Root, is a native plant of arctic Siberia. For centuries it has been used by eastern European and Asian cultures for physical endurance, work productivity, longevity, resistance to high altitude sickness, and to treat fatigue, depression, anemia, impotence, gastrointestinal ailments, infections, and nervous system disorders.

The first recorded medicinal applications of rodia riza (renamed Rhodiola Rosea) was made by the Greek physician, Dioscorides, in 77 C.E. in ‘De Materia Medica’. Rhodiola Rosea has been included in official Russian medicine since 1969.

Despite its long history, the Western world has only recently become aware of the health benefits of Rhodiola Rosea. It has come to the attention of many natural health practitioners because of studies which tested its affects on combating anxiety and stress.

Rhodiola Rosea is considered an adaptogen. This means it has an overall stabilizing effect on the body without disrupting other functions. Its ability to normalize hormones may be effective for treating depression and anxiety.

Studies of Rhodiola Rosea show that it stimulates neurotransmitters and enhances their effects on the brain. This includes the ability for the brain to process serotonin which helps the body to adapt to stress.

How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one little bit of wisdom that changes everything.

Since adaptogens improve the body’s overall ability to handle stress, it has been studied to identify it’s effects on biological, chemical and physical stress.

A study was performed to test the effects of Rhodiola Rosea when stress is caused by intense mental work (such as final exams). Such tests concluded that using Rhodiola Rosea improved the amount and quality of work, increasing mental clarity and reducing the effects of fatigue.

The effects of Rhodiola Rosea have also been tested on stress and anxiety from both physical and emotional sources. A report by the American Botanical Council states that “Most users find that it improves their mood, energy level, and mental clarity.” They also report on a study that indicated Rhodiola Rosea could increase stress tolerance while at the same time protecting the brain and heart from the physical affects of stress.

This report included details of studies which highlight the overall health benefits of Rhodiola Rosea.

The generally recommended dose is 200-600mg/day. The active properties should be a minimum 0.8 percent salidroside and 3 percent rosavin.

It is important for consumers to know that Rhodiola may be sold using other species that do not share the properties of Rhodiola Rosea, or at ineffective strengths for treatment. Anyone with depression or anxiety should also check with a health professional when treating these symptoms.

The day will come when you can use something you read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then you’ll be glad you took the time to learn more about Rhodiola.

Rhodiola is available online from http://www.rhodiola.co.uk

Keith Woolley is the Technical Director of Boots Herbal Stores Ltd.

Boots Herbal Stores distribute Rhodiola online from www.rhodiola.co.uk