http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/business/the-crazies-on-answering-systems.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/the-crazies-on-answering-systems.html Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Believe it or not – it’s now a fact – up to 70% of the time the person you’re calling won’t be there – and if they are they don’t pick up. Who is interested or has the time to listen to instructions on what button to push to get to Mr. Jones and then listen to his message as well. All you want to do is get someone live to speak to – right - and you’ll do anything (like me) – you’ll keep pressing “0” until you’re blue in the face. Whether we like it or not, the old answering machine has been replaced by automated voice mail systems and in many cases the receptionist has too - and the receptionist may not have been that great either – but that’s for another article.

Due to automated answering systems companies are not only putting callers off but also losing business as well. Do they save money? I doubt it. It’s rude and unprofessional for a company to have a system that requires that you and I waste time listening to their message and making us push button after button before we even get to the person we’re calling. Technology has put a new face on a company’s professional presence. I don’t think it’s a pretty one either. Companies beware – if at all possible - ensure that a “live” person answers your company phone politely and professionally.

HOW ABOUT THOSE LONG, BORING MESSAGES!

Are you as tired as I am, listening to messages that have rock music in the background so loud that you can’t hear yourself think never mind the message? How about long winded, cutesy messages or one that has a whiny nasal sound to it…. better yet…how about the one where the mail box is always full or leave the message I’ll get back to you – but they never do, AND these are the same people that say they are professional and don’t need help! HA!

If you have a home office or your own message system at your company, here are tips on how to ensure your message remains business like:

Record the message in a professional manner – (no cutesy stuff or industry jargon.)

Keep it short and to the point. Don’t be long-winded – just the facts ma’am, just the facts.

It’s not necessary (anymore) to say leave time, date and purpose when recording. We all get it.

Eliminate background noise and do not have music accompanying your message.

Speak slowly and clearly in a pleasant tone of voice.

Keep it up to date – if you are out of town say so – for how long, when you’ll be available, or who else will be taking your calls in your absence.

Make sure you delete messages and your voice mailbox isn’t full.

Check your voice mail at least twice a day.

Your message is a reflection and extension of your image and the brand of your business. Have the message professionally recorded if necessary. If nothing else, return messages within 24 hours if you can or at least have the courtesy to let others know that you are unavailable and you will call them again.

It’s absolutely rude and unforgivably bad form not to return calls – and yet it happens all the time – and we’ve all been guilty of it too. Just recently, it took 6 calls over a period of 4 weeks for me to finally reach an individual just to hear “I’ve been so busy – sorry I couldn’t call you back.” After 4 weeks – really! When will people get it – not returning calls shows a complete lack of respect for other’s time and is totally unprofessional. If you have someone who’s not returning your calls, send this article off to them, and then consider taking your business elsewhere.

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A great way to educate your staff about the do's and don’ts of the business scene is to send them to a business etiquette seminar.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/food/safe-handling-tips-for-pei-shellfish.html http://www.articletrader.com/food/safe-handling-tips-for-pei-shellfish.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
While the abundance of shellfish is a seafood lover’s dream, it is important to note that this food source can be one of the most susceptible to bacteria, which cause food borne illnesses. The soft bodies of shellfish, which are of course the parts that humans and other animals love to eat, are easily penetrated by these bacteria, which also breed at a rapid rate. The only way to avoid getting sick is to ensure that you handle Prince Edward Island shellfish correctly; here are a few tips.

Be aware of conditions before you go out gathering. One common illness among seafood lovers who gather their own shellfish is caused by the oceanic phenomenon known as red tide. Red tide is caused by algae, which start to rapidly breed in a certain water zone. This algae produces natural toxins, which although not harmful to the shellfish, can make humans very ill. The only way to avoid red tide poisoning is to make sure that you are aware of any occurrences along Prince Edward Island beaches. It is a localized event so you can move to another part of the province for gathering if you wish; you should also note that red tide affects some shellfish species and not others.
Proper storage. The key to storing any shellfish before you consume it is in the storage. Every seafood lover agrees that the best way to eat shellfish is as fresh as possible; keep your critters alive by storing them in cool salt water until you are ready to cook them. If that is not possible, you must ensure that your shellfish are kept refrigerated in the period between purchase and consumption; temperatures above 40 degrees F (4.4 degrees Celsius) will lead to ideal bacteria breeding grounds!
Time. Even with proper storage, bacteria will eventually begin to breed on your shellfish. It’s important to eat mussels, oysters, and other creatures with two days of purchase. If you are unable, you can freeze them, but they will definitely lose some of their flavour!

Prince Edward Island is a seafood lover’s dream. There are multitudes of shellfish to be consumed, but in order for it to be of the best quality it is important to follow the handling tips we listed above.

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The charm of historical Victorian buildings, as well as the efforts to maintain and preserve them, make the Charlottetown real estate market a very attractive one.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-security/malaysian-rubber-wood-and-why-is-it-a-good-choice-for-bathrooms.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-security/malaysian-rubber-wood-and-why-is-it-a-good-choice-for-bathrooms.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The bathrooms in your house are in use every single day.
Your bathrooms are one of the only rooms that are guaranteed to see a lot of use not only by you and your family, but by any visitors you have as well.
Bathrooms are one of the main selling points of any home.
The furniture in bathrooms is subjected not only to a lot of wear and tear in terms of use, but also due to environmental conditions. The bathroom is the most humid room in any house, therefore any piece of furniture or fixtures in it are subject to extremely wearing conditions.

From that list, we can make two conclusions. The first is that many eyes will look at the furniture in your bathroom. The second is that if this furniture is not manufactured from the most durable materials possible, your bathroom will not leave a favourable impression on those who use it. Even worse, you will have to replace it often as it becomes worn out from continual use and humid conditions.

The answer: hardy materials

In order to keep your bathroom in mint condition and to save yourself some money in the long run, then, it is important to obtain furniture and fixtures that are made from material that is not only beautiful, but also durable. One of the best materials for bathroom furniture, which meets both of these standards, is Malaysian rubber wood.

The properties of rubber wood

Rubber wood trees are most famous for their sap, which of course can be turned into that ultimate of useful products, rubber. However, rubber wood trees have qualities within the wood itself, which make them ideal for manufacturing furniture, particularly furniture that is placed in such wearing conditions such as those found in the bathroom.

The tropical origin of rubber wood trees means that they are naturally less wearable under moist conditions. They have evolved in wet climates, and that means they are resistant to the ravages that excessive water can bring to other tree species and their wood products.

Malaysian rubber wood

As we noted above, there are many tropical countries that grow rubber wood trees and harvest the wood as well, so why choose Malaysian rubber wood? The answer lies within the human, rather than the natural, harvesting of this resource. The Malaysian government has strict logging and harvesting policies, which ensure that the wood from their trees is treated for everything from mould to insects, and that means the best possible materials for use in your furniture.

When it comes to durability and quality, then, there are few raw materials more suited to the manufacture of bathroom furniture than Malaysian rubber wood. Use of products manufactured from this source will mean a bathroom that you can be proud of, and that will stand the test of time.

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Bathroom vanities are no longer
boring, choose from a wide assortment of glass and stone basins, chrome
or nickel faucets that will accentuate any decor.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/food/michelin-star-rating-what-is-it.html http://www.articletrader.com/food/michelin-star-rating-what-is-it.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500
What a lot of people probably do not know is that Michelin has divisions dedicated to other business enterprises. This is not unusual for a large company, but what set Michelin apart is how very different their other divisions are from the tire production.

So what are the areas in which Michelin has diversified? Well, in a word, Michelin has a long history in the tourism industry. On reflection, this makes sense, as hitting the road is really what tires and tourism are both about.

There are three specific areas of the tourism industry for which Michelin is known. They publish road maps, run an online mapping service know as ViaMichelin, and each year produce two guidebook series known as The Red Guide and the Green Guide. We are going to talk about the Red Guide in the remainder of this article.

What is the Red Guide?

Michelin’s Red Guide is a book series dealing with hotels and restaurants. As you might expect, Michelin includes maps in their Guides for the locations that they discuss. But what good is just a map if you don’t have any idea what to expect?

That is why Michelin has come up with their own rating system to indicate the quality of the hotels and restaurants they include in the Red Guide. Michelin actually has one of the oldest rating systems in the tourist industry, having developed their three star systems back in 1900. In fact, this system is the most recognized and influential rating systems in Western Europe!

Part of what sets the Michelin rating system apart is that it is very exclusive. Not all restaurants receive a star; this does not necessarily indicate that the hotel or restaurant is poor, but rather that it is not what Michelin judges to be superior quality. Here is what the start system means:

1 Star: Very good restaurant in its category
2 Stars: Excellent cooking, worth a detour
3 Stars: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special trip

Restaurants that do not receive a coveted and exclusive star are still rated, but using a forks and knives system. So if you do happen to know of a restaurant that has received any number of Michelin stars, you can be sure of its excellent quality.

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When your event includes a meal, and your guest list is too large for you to cook alone, a Toronto caterer will be happy to cook a delicious meal for you.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/why-danforth-village-makes-an-excellent-community-for-first-time-home-buyers.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/why-danforth-village-makes-an-excellent-community-for-first-time-home-buyers.html Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Danforth Village is known as one of the best places in Toronto for first time homebuyers to get a foot in the door when it comes to the real estate market. In this article we will take a look at some of the reasons why.

The houses are affordable! If you are a first time homebuyer who has been looking around the Toronto area for some time, you understand how very frustrating the process can be. It is pretty likely that you have been approved for a mortgage amount that just will not cover the payments you need to make each month on houses in many Toronto districts. Danforth Village is one of the exceptions to the generally expensive rule of Toronto real estate. The housing in this area remains within the price range of the average first time buyer, and as with other real estate, rising prices will allow owners to upgrade over time.
Public transportation. Because of the high price of homes, many first time home buyers will opt to cut costs elsewhere, most notably in transportation. Home owners who have chosen to forego cars still have enough options in Danforth Village to guarantee quick commutes anywhere they want to go; there are subway stations and GO stations in close proximity to most residences in the area.
The neighbourhood is becoming increasing popular. As word of the good prices and reliable transportation gets out, Danforth Village is becoming more and more appealing to buyers. This means that a house purchased now will be worth more in the future, possibly a lot more, and that is what real estate investing is all about. In addition, the Business Improvement area will guarantee more job opportunities and businesses within the area, leading further to increased value.

It can be very difficult being a first time homebuyer in Toronto, but there are areas where you can make a sound and affordable purchase without a lot of risk. Danforth Village is one of them.

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Whether you're looking at Cabbagetown, The Annex, Danforth Village, Lawrence Park or Rosedale Toronto real estate, contact a company that employs some of the top agents in the Toronto Real Estate Board.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-security/why-it-is-important-to-check-if-a-contractor-has-liability-insurance.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-security/why-it-is-important-to-check-if-a-contractor-has-liability-insurance.html Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
One thing that many home owners forget to check when it comes to hiring a contractor for their work is whether or not the individual carries liability insurance. This can be a big mistake on the part of the homeowner, because failure to carry liability insurance on the part of the contractor can mean that the person who hired her or him is responsible for any financial court costs if injuries occur as a result of work on your property.

You might think that injuries are unlikely, but you just never know what might happen on a job site. Even something as harmless as weed eating can result in an eye injury to a passer by if the contractor is not careful, and without liability insurance carried by the contractor the home owner will be the one bearing any medical costs or court settlements. In fact, any injury that happens to someone on your property or in your home as a result of work being done will be considered your fault in the event of a court case, unless the contractor carries his or her own insurance.

It is not just guests or people passing by your home that you have to be concerned with, either. The contractor’s own employees can hold you accountable for injuries they sustain while working on your property, and unless the contractor has liability insurance you will have to pay the costs. If the contractor does carry liability insurance, then the policy will pay for injuries to employees.

The one exception to the employee rule is if the contractor herself is injured on the job. In that case, the homeowner is not held responsible.

In every other case, though, it is important that you make sure that your contractor carries liability insurance. Failure to make sure they do could end up costing you a lot of money!

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Are you looking for a general contractor in the area that does basement finishing Brampton homeowners put their trust in a company whose president has over 30 years experience in the business.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/computers/benefits-of-leather-versus-cloth-laptop-cases.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/benefits-of-leather-versus-cloth-laptop-cases.html Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Protection. First and foremost, you want to make sure that your laptop is well protected. This means that when it comes to a carrying case, you have to think about incidental contact, perhaps dropping, and exposure to the elements, including water, sun, and heat. For all of these protective concerns, it is a leather carrying case that will provide the most security for your expensive laptop computer. Considering the properties of leather, it has any type of cloth beaten by a country mile. Tough, resistant to soaking, and durable, leather provides the ideal barrier between your computer and any potentially damaging agents.

Durability. As we mentioned above, leather is one of the most durable materials around. It is guaranteed to outlast cloth over any period of time. What this means is that you can count on your leather case to last for as long as you need it for carrying your laptop, no matter how many times you use it. The same is not true for cloth, which will inevitably wear out within a year. Over the long run, then, the purchase of a leather case will save you money as you will likely only need to purchase one. In fact, a leather case may even outlast your laptop!

Fashion. You might not like to admit it, but there is a certain perception that goes along with having anything made of real leather, and a laptop carrying case is no exception. Leather is almost universally regarded as high fashion, with its pleasing aesthetic qualities and professional appearance. Moreover, it is the perfect complement to any type of clothing choice. You certainly would not be able to say the same thing for cloth.

When considering the ideal carrying case for your laptop, make sure that you keep the material the case is made from at the forefront of your mind. When it comes to most of the important factors, leather will beat cloth every time.

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When it comes to carrying your laptop, a quality laptop backpack bag will protect your laptop, while giving you the benefits of a quality leather bag

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/old-cars-insurance-and-you.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/old-cars-insurance-and-you.html Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
When you are purchasing a brand new car, or renewing the coverage on a car you've only had for a year or so, your coverage choices are made for you, for the most part, because your finance company will require total protection. When you have an older car, however, there's a temptation to reduce your coverage. After all, you don't comprehensive coverage on a car that costs less to replace than you pay in premiums…do you? Still, there are a few things you should consider before stripping your insurance policy down to the legally-required minimums.

Protection for You and Your Passengers

Whether your car is old or new, cheap or extravagantly expensive, you need to be able to protect anyone who may be hurt in an accident. Health insurance may help, but auto insurance will protect you, your family, and any other passengers in your car.
Specifically, you need:

Personal Injury Protection, which is required in some states, but not available in others

Medical Payments Coverage, which will pay for medical care for you and your passengers

Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Coverage, which will save your financial life if you're hit by someone without insurance.

Protection for Your Finances

In addition to coverage that will pay your medical expenses, you should have liability coverage in place, no matter how old your car is. This is the type of insurance that most states require, and it not only covers court costs, but also pays for damage to property or injury to people if you are at fault in an accident.

Liability insurance is especially important if you own your home, because a house is seen as an asset up for grabs should your accident spawn a lawsuit.

If you have only one kind of insurance coverage, this is the one to get.

What You Don't Need

While comprehensive and collision coverage are powerful when it comes to being protected from damage to your vehicle, if you drive a car that is older, or not of high value, you may want to drop this coverage and instead add options to give you benefits you might actually use. Some examples are:

Coverage for towing costs, should you be stranded.

Coverage for labor costs, should your car require repair.

An older car is an inherently beautiful vehicle simply because it is paid for, but keeping the right amount of insurance coverage, as well as the right kind, will make your family car far more financially efficient.

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New and used cars come in many shapes and sizes, just like clothing. By shopping online, you compare and contrast many different models, and only test-drive the ones you love

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/cars/hang-up-and-drive.html http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/cars/hang-up-and-drive.html Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Cell phone usage isn't the only distraction in our lives as motorists, of course. Other distractions include eating behind the wheel, putting on make-up, or dealing with small children. In fact a recent report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that about 80% of actual crashes and 65% of near-crashes were caused by some kind of inattention from the driver during the three seconds immediately preceding the event, and another survey, this time provided by Nationwide Insurance, found that 98% of American drivers claim to be safe, while also admitting to often driving while distracted.

The number one cause of that distraction? You guessed it: the cell phone. 81% of the drivers in the Nationwide survey confessed to making calls while also handling the wheel, and other studies have found that whether the phone is hand-held or hands-free has little effect on the attention of the driver. Either way, the effect is eerily similar to the level of distraction you'd find in an adult who was driving with a blood alcohol content of .08%, or legally drunk – and with teen drivers, the likelihood of a phone-related accident is significantly greater than with adults.

Here is more specific information:

There is no significant difference between talking, listening and dialing a cell phone while driving. Both handheld and hands-free conversations are equally distracting.

Roughly 10% of all drivers on the road during daylight house are actively using some kind of cell phone system.

Text-messaging, GPS systems, and in-dash computer systems are also culprits when it comes to driver distraction.

The decrease in response time is comparable to that of a person who is driving while intoxicated.

No other factor is a more significant cause of driver distraction than cell phone usage.

With all that information available to you, think carefully the next time you have the urge to make a call at a red light, or answer one while you're on the road. Is anything really so important that it's worth risking your life, and that of the other drivers with you on the road?

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Find ways to save on gas and improve your mileage with Hypermiling techniques.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/cars/ford-leading-the-way-in-the-automotive-materials-of-tomorrow.html http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/cars/ford-leading-the-way-in-the-automotive-materials-of-tomorrow.html Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500
As quoted by Auto News, Deborah Mielewski said, "It's the big project. Before I retire, I want to reach the point where we stop making automotive plastics that are thrown into the landfill and last forever." Last year Ford began to implement a urethane foam blend based on soybeans first used in the Mustang and now present in half a dozen other models. While much of the media emphasis is on lower emissions and greater fuel efficiency, vehicles can continue to pollute the environment for decades as they slowly decay in junkyards and garbage dumps all over the world.

Mielewski's team is currently looking at a range of futuristic materials with unique applications. For instance, one project explores uses for polymers with shape memory that have the ability to reform to a preset configuration at certain temperature points. Other research looks at the potential for the replacement of glass with natural structural materials including kenaf, hemp, or jute. A major goal is the development of the flexible resin PLA, or corn-based polyactic acid, to be used in the replacement of conventional plastics. By combining the PLA with natural fibers, the resulting product can be totally composted. PLA is a highly versatile compound that can be produced as sheets or molded by either injection or blowing. Currently it's used to produce biodegradable coffee cups.

The work underway at Ford is not, however, without its hurdles. At its current level of evolution PLA breaks down in 120 days making it unfit for automotive applications. Additionally, molding the material is not cost efficient in terms of time. Minutes rather than seconds are required. In addition to engineering better PLA, another potential answer to these conundrums lies in the increased use of Mucell technology that reduces how much resin is actually needed in each part. The method uses air bubbles on the microscopic level to boost plastic's structural performance. In addition to this work, Ford is also conducting experiments with natural fibers like coconut coir and rice hulls. "It's not that it can't be done," said Mielewski, "it's just that it's not easy." This is not, however, deterring Ford from taking a leading role in fabricating the automotive materials of the future.

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Learn all you ever wanted to know about every car in your price range, from a BMW to a Hyundai.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>