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»	Maslow's Hierarchy of needs & Social Media [Mike Morrison]
	Maslow's hierarchyy of needs & Social Media Mike Morrison RapidBI.com Blog:
»	Is there a radio specialist here? [Thomas Power]
	Friends of mine in the US wish to run 24/7 business radio station. Please email thomas.power@ecademy.com
»	Should you join Twoo and have romance? [Lawrence Perry]
	Social networks are all the rage, but should you join a new one? In my inbox is an invitation from a guy called Wini in New York to join Twoo and meet new people in Greater London, the page has a nice looking lady on it, some 20s to 30s who looks positively charming, with sunglasses, blonde and a nice blue cap - 'I wonder what this is all about, don't you? Twoo boasts of fun, chat with new people it's up to you! Now it's a nice brand name, and quite flattering, but do you instantly join? These days with anything new, I so some background research on Google, and come up with the picture above - Tweet Information on romance scams and scammers. ... VERY PROLIFIC twoo.com scammer creates 4 or 5 fake profiles each day. Image ...
»	Hi ho, Hi ho, off to the Sistine Chapel we go [Sunil Bali]
	Adventures in Awesome Living by Sunil Bali, 05-02-12 Have you ever wondered why so many rich people, don't retire? Billionaires such as Steven Spielberg, George Soros and Ralph Lauren could easily pack in the day job, but choose not to. It's because they're having too much fun to stop. When questioned why he doesn't call it a day, Warren Buffet replied, "When I go to my office every morning, I feel like I'm going to the Sistine Chapel to paint." These billionaires have to put up with crap just like anyone else. The trick is to get the Pareto scales weighing heavily in your favour and make sure that you're having fun at least 80% of the time and doing stuff that's not fun less than 20% of the time. If it's the other way around you're in the wrong job and probably getting a lot of stress. The evidence is unequivocal: Stress isn't working 12 hours a day doing a job you love. Stress is working 8 hours a day doing a job you hate.
»	Weather is not climate [Derek Sorensen]
	No doubt some people skeptical of Man-made Global Warming will seize on the opportunity to point out that we have a bit of snow today. "I'm just tired of shovelling all this global warming off my path, ha, ha." they'll say. Or "If the world is warming, how come it's so blimming cold!"
»	Weekend reflections on snow, energy, family and capitalism. [Steve Podmore]
	Day 26 of 30 It is day 26 and I am in the North with my mother who was 73 yesterday. Snow has been falling almost constantly since mid afternoon. It's been cold, and I am amazed about how much white stuff has fallen in a short time. Perhaps it's living proof of mans effect on the planet. Or just weird weather.
»	What's more important : your ranking ...or just loving people ? [Freddy "Love and Gratitude" Daems]
	Hello Fellow Ecademists We are living in a rapidly changing and challeging world. The following topic just arised to my mind : What's more important ... your ranking ... or just loving and helping people in any way you can ? As this world is changing quickly and becoming morre selfish , maybe it's high time to create a bond and make sure you and your friends reach your goals supporting each other . Well ,.. just think about it ... AND come back to me ... Warm regards and have all a great night.
»	Why AdSense is going to be less effective [Jai Venka]
	There are still plenty of places where you can buy training courses, videos and e-books that claim that they can teach you how to make up to $50,000 a month from AdSense. While there are a few people generating these levels of AdSense payouts, the number of people in this group is small and probably getting smaller by the day. Generating a healthy monthly income from AdSense is very difficult, and it is only going to get tougher in the coming months. Online advertisers are no more immune to the worst effects of a global recession than anyone else, and advertising budgets have been slashed and will continue to be decimated further. What this means for you is that there are going to be fewer companies paying for advertising with Google, and each of the companies that stay with them is probably going to be handing over less advertising cash. Less money in the Google pocket means that you will get paid less for
»	Boost in Birmingham's housing Market due to high speed link on the horizon.... [Lara Ryan]
	A brand new high speed railway between Birmingham and London, which is scheduled to have completed it's first phase in 2026, is looking like VERY good news for home owners in Birmingham. According to Savills, by cutting only one minute off a commuter train journey from Birmingham to London, £1,300 is added to the price of the average terrace home, while increasing the price of a detached property by £2,250 for every minute saved.
»	Snow stopped play [Annabel Kaye]
	Every time it snows it seems our country comes to a halt. Many individuals struggle bravely in to work when it snows, while others stay at home. Some people will stay home tomorrow because its too dangerous to travel, while colleagues walk past their house on the way to work. Some work from home, whilst others have no option but to take care of their children as schools close. Some workplaces close due to bad weather, and others remain open. A lot of bosses pay people who come into the work the same as those who do not - but this can cause resentment from those who struggled in. What's your approach? What do you think is fair? Whatever you feel is fair, you need to be aware of what the legal defaults are. Who is entitled to be paid and for what?
»	One's "real" mission in life; a tale of two Arthurs [RealSteveHolmes Eight yrs on Ecademy]
	Down here in balmy, sunny Cornwall Cora and I have had a busy few weeks with medical interventions, visitors, stuff that distracts from one's apparent tasks in hand. We've been developing exercise programs, for example, to take responsibility for my health off the doctors and their tablets. I've taken delivery of a machine that supports my breathing at night: it is life-transforming but it takes a few weeks to accommodate in comfort and start getting the benefits. All these things take time and persistence and today when we were taking stock Cora asked me: how did I feel about my "real" work, my latest fiction writing project, which has reached about 25% of its major construction phase but been rested for the last three weeks.
»	Lord Gold: What if the Arab Spring wasn't palatable? [Jeff Mowatt]
	Just watching the Privacy and Injunctions hearing on BBC Parliament in which representatives of Google. Facebook and Twitter all participated The question of China and censorship arose, with Lord Gold asking Google whether they might be in the position of suppressing content elsewhere where it might not align with the interests of their organisation. Having a different view of the Arab Spring was offered as an example. An interesting question I thought, drawing attention to the selective application of ethics. As many of you know, I've questioned Google on the ethics of some of their hosted content which had a role in suppressing reports on a human rights issue involving neglect and abuse of children in which organised crime profits.
»	Driving in the Snow [Lawrence Perry]
	How to avoid a bad accident in the snow I remember in November 2010 driving from Milton Keynes to London on the M40, and how I almost lost my life as I drove past the M25. I like to drive fast and that was my downfall, as I hit ice in the fast lane, often referred in the UK as the 'suicide lane'. I was driving an automatic.
»	A life well lived [James Coakes]
	I've just read an obituary in the local paper of a lady who died at 87. She ran a bed and breakfast and was known for her hospitality. Her husband, who ran a local business, died about 25 years ago. That must have seemed a long time. She wasn't a 'key person of influence' and didn't have either a Twitter or Klout. I'm assuming that but I don't think I need to check it out. She didn't win Celebrity Big Brother. The quarter page in the paper did say that she was much loved by her five grandchildren.
»	Affiliate Terms Explained - CJ.com Affiliate terms and Data [Jai Venka]
	If you use CJ or any similar sites, this explanation would be helpful. Whenever you select a merchant for promotion the following data would be helpful. EPC - Earning Per Click (for 100 clicks not 1 click) EPC 3 months - Earning per 100 clicks on an average of 3 months (the more the better and it shows how steady the advertiser is) EPC 7 days - Earning per 100 clicks on an average of 7 days (this fluctuates and its better to check out 3 month EPC)
»	Why is male cosmetic surgery on the rise? [Dr Ravi Jain]
	There's been a lot in the press this last week about Manboob surgery and the rise in male cosmetic surgery. The Sun, Lorraine, Sky News and many other media outlets have all covered this ever increasing trend in cosmetic surgery.
»	Should FootBall Players be paid more than Top Bankers ??? [Milton Rodrigues]
	Not sure exactly how much ... Carlos Tevez, Adebayor, Roo- Ney, Lamps are paid ... ( Torres who has forgotten where Goal is ) but it's definitely MORE ... than, Hester & the other BANKERS , even our PM Cameron ( relatively Poor at £142,500 only ). What do you think pls ?
»	Open Random & Supportive [Chris Farrance]
	I'm sat sitting waiting for the new dawn of English Rugby. What would be the the Open Random and Supportive frame of mind for some one who is 80% Closed 80% Controlling and roll over and tickle my tummy Supportive I wonder? Chris Farrance Business Capability Coach m: 0770465560 e: chrisfarrance@btclick.com
»	Putting It Out There - Nothing Held Back [Doreen Agostino]
	Self educate for peace of mind. This tract of humanity is to engineer a different outcome from former world age shifts. With new emergent change processes http://tobtr.com/s/2750219 and sophisticated technologies, this lifetime WE CAN BE VICTORIOUS! Escalating upheaval worldwide is a signal for people to 'connect' with like minded people, speak up for what matters most to you, and peacefully contribute to a world of greater possibilities for us and our home planet. Links to a Croatia interview with British Author and researcher David Icke. Speaking in English David puts it all out there, nothing held back. This is not conspiracy theory. Whole truth is being unveiled to energetically clear negativity that cannot enter a new reality. Videos 2, 3, and 4 are found at video 1 link. http://youtu.be/HvlVU8ey-Oc
»	Facebook Jail ... and I'm not impressed! [Georgina Lester]
	I believe in having an open door policy welcoming ALL who wish to connect me on whichever platform suits them. Valuable conversations introduces me to incredible people and I love it. That leads to LOTS of connections. However, I do worry about the way that some platforms view the way we connect with people who matter. I believe that as humans we are already connected and the digital handshake is merely an acknowledgement of our place in the world and our connectedness. This is a Universal truth. A right for all humans that should not be under the jurisdiction of one controlling force. Especially not one that looks like Facebook. Several people over the last couple of weeks have been bemoaning the fact that they have been put into Facebook jail. I did wonder whether they were in some kind of obsessive-repetitive-frenzy of hitting that 'Add Friend' button to get blocked so easily? It seems not!
»	Chuka Ammuna agrees with us on Local Banking [Fiona Brownsell]
	Click Here The question is will they back their demand with investment to build the banking infrastructure that is needed? Fiona Brownsell Making Banks Happen
»	Right Mr. Say Keep a Mick Change Of Habit Diary [Carolyn Williams]
	I decided to dedicate this blog to you Mick Say. Georgina wrote @Other things to consider ..... massage, giving hugs, sex (a great stress buster), and not necessarily in that order and one leading to the other!! Spot On Georgina. The song 'Can't get enough of YOU' springs to mind here. Listening to Barry White's voice would render me starry eyed Making time to feel jiggy is essential, it's timing that's important (make time) so that the other person is relaxed enough too!
»	ThinkPad - tablet or laptop? [Mike Morrison]
	ThinkPad - tablet or laptop? Youtube Watch the screen check just after 6:20 Interesting point about Bluetooth keyboards & data security - something many of us forget. Is this the future of laptops? with this and the Asus Transformer it seems that trends are starting Mike Morrison RapidBI.com Blog:
»	Daily Insights [Edel O'Mahony]
	Fear is the conditioned response... Which keeps you In subservience In living other's Life experiences In control Fear will only attracted Experiences to you That keep you Fearful And away from Abundance You move away From fear When you move Your focus From living in reaction To focus on Your desires and vision To believing in And living by Your values In knowing you Are worthy To be, do or have Everything you choose To create Belief in and love for YOU Breaks the chains of fear. Edel Live with passion and purpose The Association of Professional Coaches,Trainers and Consultants - Life Coach of the Year Path of the Peaceful Warrior Edel O'Mahony UK's Leading Expert in Energetic Communications
»	Challenging TImes and Guardian Angels [Emily McMorran]
	Have you ever had a near death experience? For my part, I've had several! All on the Road! The last one was on Sunday evening - hadn't had any for a while (thank goodness) and the last major one was in 1995 on the M20, when I aqua-planed on some slick on the motorway in fine rain weather. I had been travelling along at 50 miles an hour in the outside lane to avoid everyone else and keep out of the way; it was early on a Saturday morning and I was travelling up from Charing in Kent, having seen some friends. I was, ironically considering what happened next, travelling up to Sevenoaks to see my then Physiotherapist.
»	HR people and small business [Mike Morrison]
	HR people and small business This graphic I discovered has some interesting points - but I am not convinces about the must have 1:50 ratio. This will all depend on the nature of your business, what your staff turnover is like, and most importantly what you want/ need the HR people to do that managers cannot do as part of their day-to-day work Certainly at 50 employees it is starting to make sense to have a dedicated resource, but 2 people for 100... I am not convinced. A useful "rule of thumb" - yes - a "rule"....NO! Mike Morrison RapidBI.com Blog:
»	Cold record broken.. What temperature was it where you live? [Cornelis de Maijer]
	Good morning! As winter is really holding a firm grip, I am wondering, what temperature was it? Coldest part of Netherlands: 7 AM - Marknesse -22.8 Cel. Amersfoort: 7 AM -18 Cel. Cornelis de Maijer
»	The architecture and incentive of our financial system - part 6 - good and bad business. [Steve Podmore]
	Day 25 of 30 After a couple of days of important diversion and context, it is time to get back to dissecting how this big old messy system of ours works, or doesn't. We have looked at stakeholders 1-4, and markets and their effects detailed in 9-11. Today we are going to cover groups 12 and 13 detailing good and bad organisations who exist at the upper end of our economic food chain. 12 Companies With Positive Externalities.
»	Your divorce is impacting your child's exam results, so take action today [Adele Theron]
	Several studies have been done in the past 10 years on the impact of divorce on children, specifically with regard to their academic performance and exam results. The studies all suggest that although the psychological damage from divorce fades for children within a few years, their academic performance continues to decline. Yongmin Sun, co-author of one of the studies and assistant professor of sociology at Ohio State University said that "The effects of divorce take two time paths," Sun said. "The damage in children's psychological well-being is already observable three years prior to divorce, but gets worse as the divorce approaches. Yet, as the event of divorce recedes, the detrimental effect becomes smaller, indicating a recovery in children's psychological well-being after the divorce. Test scores, however, continue to decline." Why does this happen?*
»	Streamlining technology [Julia McDaid]
	I have been contemplating getting a dual SIM phone for a while. One less item for the handbag! Whilst none of the networks recommend them, they are readily available to buy. Some are even from known big names..... Does anyone have any experience of using one, or any recommendations as this is something that I want to implement within the next couple of months. I'm sure I can easily cover the cost by recycling the phones it will replace.
»	Cartoons of Her Majesty at the Cartoon Museum with Media Coach [Simon cartoonoEllinas]
	ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT, Alan "Media Coach" Stevens and I had the great pleasure of going to a private viewing at the Cartoon Museum in London. Entitled 'Her Maj' it was an exhibition of all sorts of cartoons about the Queen throughout her reign. Organised by Cartoon Museum stalwarts Anita O'Brien and Oliver Preston the exhibition included some stunning Ralph Steadman, Trogg and Charles Griffin originals.
»	The last hippie [Ulla Sarja]
	In the 60's Greg H was a young man. 1967, The Summer of Love, he started using drugs, dropped out of school and joined the East Village drug culture. Later he stopped using drugs and became a member of the Hare Christna, the Cristhna Consciousness, like so many others during that time. 1971 he was sent from Brooklyn to the temple in New Orleans, he was "the Holy One." His parents had met him once in a while but not regularly. At this time, his vision get worse but it was explained in a spiritual way, and he often sat silently, as if he was in a trance, with strange facial expressions, smiling. His parents became worried and wanted to see their son and when they finally met him they were shocked. He just repeated "idiotic phrases" and had a stupid smile on your face (his father told it), singing small songs. He had grown fat and he was totally blind.
»	Video post, CiscoBIG awards, Innovation and preview of todays TCM post [Steve Podmore]
	If you just want to get to the bit about todays post, watch from 6.35. First bit showcases some interesting innovation.
»	Wright's RANT for February [Albert Wright]
	Albert Wright Business Sales and Profit Improver, Contrarian Consultant, Business Questioner. Wright's Rant for February - Big Problems - Dramatic Solutions Restructure of the Public Sector - Big Problem The Welfare State has become too big and is now counterproductive. That, which was created to help, now exhibits the law of Paradox - it now hinders. What do I mean? Public sector final salary pension schemes from age 50 (see police pensions) after 30 years of work and contributions at 6.5% of salary, will not fund 40 years of retirement at 50% of final salary. The maths don't work now, have not worked for at least the last 10 years and will not work in the UK for the next 50 years. Public Health and Education Services, free at the point of use, also exhibit the Paradox that as more money is spent less is achieved because services are free.
»	No risk? Welcome to the real world! [David Crozier]
	Apparently the latest research by the FSA shows that majority of people (61%) are unwilling to take risk with their investments. Welcome to Realville: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A RISK-FREE INVESTMENT! Investors have to make a choice; even doing nothing is tantamount to making a choice. If they choose to "invest" in cash so as not to risk loss of capital, they will then be taking other risks; inflation, or currency, to name two. The same research found that around 20% of people sought some form of financial advice. There may be some correlation here, because one of a financial planner's jobs is to educate their clients about money. But I have a question: what is the regulator doing to educate people? Not very much, I would submit, if this is the outcome they get.
»	Predictable & safe? [Mike Morrison]
	Mike Morrison RapidBI.com Blog:
»	La belle indifference [Ulla Sarja]
	"A 60-year-old preacher suddenly disappeared from his home and was not found until two months later in another city. The man was living a completely different life, running a small business and he was considered by his surroundings as completely normal. One morning when he woke up the fugue-state was broken. He saw that he was lying in a totally strange bed, and when he looked out the window he was horrified because he had no idea where he was. A neighbor came in and talked to the man using an unknown name, giving him the opportunity to ask where he was. Finally he managed to persuade a psychiatrist to contact his nephew, who immediately confirmed his original identity. The man had no memories of what had happened during those two months, but, however, he could recall the events during hypnosis. " (Christianson, S, P: Traumatic memories)
»	Will you be able to manage financially if you have very long periods off work due to illness? [Marcin Zientek]
	Will you be able to manage financially if you have very long periods off work due to illness? Rising levels of obesity coupled with high cancer rates mean many people are being diagnosed with life threatening illnesses and this is becoming the reality for Britons. Latest figures from Cancer Research are alarming. Around 298,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed every year in the UK with more than one third of people developing some form of cancer during their lifetimes. Many people equate disease with death but, more often than not, serious illnesses result in long periods of incapacity, with medical costs rising and time off work placing a pressure on household finances and jeopardising mortgage repayments. Financial planners are warning that it is essential for individuals to consider how to protect themselves.
»	Apple reaps 75% of entire mobile handset industry profit, with only 8.7% market share.... [Ty "Mac-Head" Tyson]
	Source: Asymco.com ...and people write serious articles about Android being some kind of "threat" to Apple or "dominating" just because of higher unit sales? Most peculiar.
»	Buying Books [Alan Dansey]
	Two years ago the only Book Shop in Biggleswade closed down. Last November we were delighted to learn that it was reopening under new owners. It lasted 3 months and is now closing again! The owners have decided that it is just not going to work. They blame competition from the likes of Amazon. So my question is are books outdated? Do we still want them or not? If we do are we happy to order them online rather than browse? My business is helping people to use the Internet and includes building and running online shops. However I believe that these should be in addition to shops and showrooms. Best Regards, WebMan Alan
»	Music recommendation: the new Leonard Cohen [RealSteveHolmes Eight yrs on Ecademy]
	If you want to hear maturity wrapped up in simple poetry and served with honesty, try this. Nice tunes too. His best for yarrons. READ MORE AT TAKE HEART
»	Calling all Ecademy Members! [Tony Waithe]
	Calling all Ecademy Members! photo taken by Thomas Power at Adam st. Yesterday on Feb 2nd 2012, I met with my Great Friend & Mentor, Hair Industry Guru, Alan Austin Smith, Former head of Business at L'Oreal, Best selling Author of "The Fantastic Hairdresser" books, Founder of The Fantastic Hairdressers Salon Business Academy (The first ever Business Academy for Hair salon owners & Hairdressers in Europe). We met with Thomas Power, Chairman of Ecademy, to discuss plans to develop & launch the worlds best energy saving, Eco smart, ergonomically designed Hair Blow Dryer.
»	Hacked Websites Happen To Small Businesses [Lawrence Perry]
	Forbidden 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an Error Document to handle the request - You don't have permission to access /media/ on this server. Upon review our security discovered that your website was compromised on or before Jan 28th via unknown means. The index scripts that were mentioned as being defaced were due to another malicious script being used by an attacker in the webdev/affiliate/admin/dump/ directory. However, that script no longer exists, nor was it backed up in our nightly backups. Therefore it is not possible to grab a time stamp on that file to determine its time of origin. I recommend that you modify all passwords on the hosting account, web application, database etc and then update all web applications to the latest vendor supplied versions as well as any plugins they may be using.
»	I spit on stress - but remain under it's influence. [Mick Say]
	Hi all I have never had a conversation about stress before but recently have been working with someone who does suffer from stress which manifest in mood swings, deflation, and feeling the weight of responsibility. It dawned on me that I have the same symptoms and feel the same pressures but I keep them all to myself and have never discussed them openly. Do you suffer from stress ? and if so how do you cope or manage it ? Thanks - Mick
»	Help needed with a FB question [Cornelis de Maijer]
	Hi Ecademists, Just uploaded a video to one of my FB pages - upload went well (according to the FB screen) its showing up in the timeline however not on the video page itself. With uploading pictures it all goes well, the show up in timeline and on the pics page. Do you know what the problem is and have a possible solution? Thank you in advance! Cornelis de Maijer
»	An insight into how Thomas Power uses social media [Bob Barker]
	I was privileged to interview Thomas for my video blog which focuses on how individuals use social media themselves on a practical day to day level. This video covers how Thomas uses social media, manages his email, organizes his day, uses social platforms, his blogging strategy, even his tips for someone just getting started. Its in 2 parts as Youtube didn't like the length of this HD footage, part 2 can be found on my blog at www.bobbarkersblog.com. There is something in it for everyone and it's a fascinating look into one of the Worlds most adept users online and on social media. Thank you Thomas, you are an inspiration to us all. Bob Barker
»	Addingham Rocks [Emma James]
	At the end of January, I took a trip up North for various reasons which were emotionally rather challenging but the Northern tour was beautifully juxtaposed with a short stay at my Brother James's in Addingham, along with his wife and two adorable children. There was quite a lot of driving because my route took me from Little Chalfont to Bury, from Bury to Stockton Heath, from Stockton Heath to Ellesmere Port, from Ellesmere Port to Northwich, from Northwich to Addingham, from Addingham to Congelton and then from Congelton home to Little Chalfont. It was cold last weekend but not as cold as it is currently, with Winter having finally arrived. Begone swiftly please. As a Naturist, I prefer the warmer weather for obvious reasons!
»	Chris Huhne charged - but do we really care? [Robert Turner]
	Just seen the news of this ongoing saga in relation to the Chris Huhn (and his ex wife) traffic violation drama: "Chris Huhne, the Energy Secretary, has been charged with perverting the course of justice and now faces a criminal trial and the loss of his Cabinet position." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9058488/Chris-Huhne-and-ex-wife-Vicky-Pryce-charged-with-perverting-course-of-justice.html After an 8 month investigation (Gods only knows how much spent on this by the way), a huge amount of press coverage and a nation apparently in uproar... This chap has been charged with "Perverting the course of justice" for... Trying to get a way with a speeding violation...?
»	Daily Insights [Edel O'Mahony]
	All that is important... Is your vision Of the life You love to live Your belief All your desires Are fulfilled Through knowing You are creating Your abundance With unique experiences That you alone Create the conditions Of your life And can change them At any time By changing your beliefs It is all about Living your passion Your values Your vision You are a powerful Energy being Not here to supplicate Here to create You take ownership Of your power When you take Ownership of Your worth When you truly Love the magnificent Being you are! Edel Live with passion and purpose The Association of Professional Coaches,Trainers and Consultants - Life Coach of the Year Path of the Peaceful Warrior Edel O'Mahony UK's Leading Expert in Energetic Communications
»	Brand Advocates [Leanne Dal Santo]
	Social media (and how to use it to connect with each other and our customers) is of increasing importance to our marketing strategies. Whilst social media is important for reaching customers, I will be making the case for the need to still have a physical representation of your brand. A tangible representation of your brand complements the digital and is an effective way of driving traffic to your website - it can even cost as little as a single click in an ad word campaign. It also can give your brand a real world presence, which is particularly important for predominantly online businesses. Recently Mike Morrison posted a blog on The Most Powerful Colours on the Web and it led to a website that I have grown to love. I found this infographic that I would like to share about brand advocates. It made me think these are the people you want to connect with both on and offline.
»	Capitalism: See how The Walton's ended up [Jeff Mowatt]
	Scrooge of the year award for 2011. A far cry from those dungaree days
»	Is a footrest at your desk beneficial? [Richard Coombs]
	Not many people tend to use a footrest as they don't really see any benefit in them, a few points below to ponder.... The majority of users for these tend to be shorter people as they are often recommended for people whose feet don't reach the floor when they are sitting at the correct height for the work surface, however they can be of benefit to people to taller people as well. Footrests get your feet moving for health and comfort and offer relief from prolonged, inactive sitting by encouraging gentle rocking of the feet. This gentle rocking motion keeps the legs and feet moving, improving circulation and preventing swelling. Most of the lower leg muscles are used and this promotes healthy circulation and also elevates the feet to relieve pressure on the lower back. Have you ever noticed that your feet swell up on a long haul flight? This is not due to the high altitude but rather due to "Inactive Sitting".
»	Is this just high falutin' and over ambitious or what? [Phil Shepherd]
	Is this just a very grand, high falutin' and over-ambitious aspiration do you think? A friend has started an initiative which I think could have far reaching positive effects on people and the planet across a very wide area of human endeavour. The idea is the creation of a global community of University Alumni and Students which will have them become effective changemakers by providing a platform that will enable them to work together. "Helping students and university alumni to make a greater contribution to their communities is an admirable cause. Mardi has taken an important initiative which I hope will promote a greater commitment to putting back into society some of the benefits that the well-educated receive." The Rt Hon Lord Patten of Barnes, CH Chancellor, University of Oxford
»	Business CoPilot Newsletter [Rob Hook]
	Just issued our latest newsletter Click here to have a read Rob Hook The Business Co-Pilot The Business CoPilot - Working with ambitious leaders looking to accelerate business growth.
»	It's all about managing expectations [David Ottenstein]
	EAV:d018c12ba80794f3 I had a meeting with a client yesterday. It was an "end of project" wrap-up. They're pretty standard; we go over the key measurements and any nagging concerns the client might have, and decide how to resolve them. This time, I was totally stumped. He says to me, "Kid," he calls me kid even though I'm 41 years old, "I think you really screwed up on this one." I run through the numbers - Backorders down 67% - check PPM down from 247 to 43 - check Payables, Average days paid down from 187 to 71 - check Cash Flow, positive for the first quarter in 7 fiscal quarters - check I look at the Plant Manager and the Accounting Manager. They both have puzzled expressions on their faces and shrug their shoulders at me. They've been happy for the first time in well over a year. You get the idea. So I ask him, "What's the problem?"
»	Why Projects (or assignments) Fail - #BHAGs [Mike Morrison]
	Big Hairy Projects - #BHAGs Do you get involved in Big Hairy Audacious Goals? Then check out some of these success factors...
»	How Much Time Do Your People Waste? [Mike Morrison]
	How Much Time Do Your People Waste? Mike Morrison RapidBI.com Blog:
»	Developing capability [ed percival]
	DEVELOP CAPABILITY Growing Talent seems to show up as an important leadership behaviour. The practice has the effect of increasing the equity value of the people in your business. Analysts looking at valuation of your business can add as much as a 20% premium on the benchmark multiplier for your industry sector if it seems from outside that you have premium talent. So it matters a lot. That is how HR professionals get a voice on the board, in case you wondered. Let me show you what we built with The Chemistry Group using an adaptation of a Shirlaws framework. They have used it in a number of their large clients to develop growing Talent behaviour quickly using their unique approach of Pod Coaching. Here goes. First identify the ten key skills that a particular role needs to be successful. Make it 5 if the job is simple. 10 makes the maths easier. Let's say for example, you believe that "accessing key clients" is a key skill.
»	Local Business Guide to Daily Deals [Mike Morrison]
	Local Business Guide to Daily Deals Mike Morrison RapidBI.com Blog:
»	Top 10 Games For the iPhone 2011 [Richard Burnett]
	This article lists the top 10 hot games in the (US) App Store from 2011 for the iPhone. You might enjoy trying some of them if you haven't played them already. 1. Sonic & Sega All-stars Racing: Sonic & Sega All-stars Racing is a game with the presence of Sonic and his friends and even the stars of other games released by Sega such as House of the Dead and Crazy Taxi. In this 'kart' racing game, you will be able to choose the cars with funny characters, specific skills and small tricks to try and win the race. 2. DrawRace 2: You don't have to strain your eyes in every classic racing game; DrawRace 2 requires a different skill to most racing games. By manually arranging the tyre burning drift on the roads with your finger on the screen, DrawRace 2 is a miniature racetrack but it is not less exciting with competition and varying situations on each level. 3. Jetpack Joyride:
»	Lembit Opik on Chattoon! [Simon cartoonoEllinas]
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»	Property firm in Belfast goes into administration with £50million debts [Lara Ryan]
	After Belfast property firm, Herd Estates, entered administration in December, the administrators have taken control of a 500 acre estate in Scotland as well as a collection of antique paintings in an attempt to make up a proportion of the £50million owed. The company primarily owned a large number of high street shop units in towns across the UK. It came under pressure as a result of the property crash and after the firm could not find a buyer for its core assets the administrator was appointed.
»	Publicity Seeker - Prem Sikka - IR35 Bull? [John L. Evans]
	Did you hear what some might describe as a travesty of misinformation broadcast on the BBC Radio 4 tonight - it might easily have appeared as if Prem Sikka claimed the arrangement for employing an Interim (Lester SLC case) was made illegal under IR35 10 years ago. Furthermore, some people might think that he went on to string out a long line of misinformation basically suggesting employing anyone through a Service Company was an illegal tax evasion / avoidance scam - in this case he cited the executive recruitment company [AGENT] as the service company. What about the fact that to fulfil its commitment to put in place accounting measures to record tax at source, the SLC will probably have to employ Lester and pay him a full package including benefits and pension / employment rights, pay the employers' NI, etc. and it may even have to pay his tax so that he NETS!! £180k / annum after tax.
»	What's your view on "tax avoidance"? [Alan Rae - Business R&D]
	I generally tend towards the left wing side of debates but the current witchhunt over someone opting to carry out a post as a subcontractor instead of an employee is just ridiculous and illustrates the business illiteracy of our political and media classes. If a fee is paid to a company, the individual is responsible for the tax and NI of himself as an employee. It's not tax avoidance as the rich carry it out. In fact if I do some temporary lecturing at a University, they insist that I invoice them from a company because they aren't geared up to pay me as a temporary employee. So what is the difference? It's not as if the individual was rewarded as a banker. Alan Copyright Alan Rae - 2012 Business Research and Development // Social Media for Real Businesses
»	The Song of Thomas Power [Derek Sorensen]
	The Song of Thomas Power With apologies to Tennyson In a Pizza Hut In Farnham, In a Pizza Hut at Lunchtime, Sat the mighty Thomas Power, Eating Pizza with his Lady, Lady Penny, fair of feature, And their children, Ross and Hannah, Not forgetting little TJ. "We could start a revolution," Penny said, with much excitement, "I'm not sure" said Thomas Power, "Revolutions don't come cheap." "We could build a super website," Penny couldn't be put off, "With your network, Thomas Power, If you build it, They Will Come." So they built it, Thomas Power, And his lady, lovely Penny, Built the website, based on Drupal, With the help of Julian Bond. Shaped and fashioned it with headlines, From the Info Super-highway, Brought together many people, Making friends in every city, Business people, near and far. Soon the network started growing, And some members chafed together, Till with flames they cried and shouted, And then someone said "you ****!"
»	Changing the world - who's getting up to dance?? [Steve Podmore]
	Day 24 of 30 Today's blog is written on a train and in coffee shops between meetings. I did prepare a video in part about the BIG awards last night but my days are so busy that I unfortunately didn't have time to post before I left the office. So I will post that in the morning but today is snatched thoughts throughout the day.
»	How Can I Build An Outstanding Networking Business? [Colin Emerson]
	Post 5 of the "Networking TODAY! on Fridays" series: How Will You Make Your Network Business A Success This Year? As a leader in your business - you must be if you are reading this - you will understand that while this business concept called network marketing is simple, it's not necessarily easy. It's not easy because people don't conform. Let's face it, if every one of your downline did what they had to do, if they all just sponsored 1 person a month even, and if they all just purchased at least the minimum qualification amount of product each month, if they attended all the functions and did everything they needed to do to build their business - oh, wouldn't your life be so beautiful? They don't! Here is the truth. You will be frustrated, disappointed, let down and, just when you think it is all going well and for no known reason at all, your best business builder quits. So?
»	HMRC Makes Religious Allowance [Amanda Vlahakis]
	HMRC have announced that from April this year VAT registered businesses MUST fill in their returns online. The only exemptions will be the following; 1. You're subject to an insolvency procedure - but if you're subject to an approved Voluntary Arrangement, administration or trust deed you may submit online if you want to. 2. HMRC is satisfied that your business is run by practising members of a religious society, whose beliefs prevent them from using computers. Plymouth Brethren? Amanda
»	What are you tuned into? [Gavin Preston]
	The media are feeding us a diet of a doom and gloom about the state of the UK economy, the Eurozone crisis, high street casualties and the list goes on. Whether we are actively watching the news or have the radio on in the background, as business owners the messages we consume has an effect on our state of mind, our confidence and ultimately upon our investment decisions. My research has shown that business owners are increasingly 'sitting on the fence' regarding investment decisions, they are skeptical of the promises of potential new suppliers and they are holding back from implementing growth strategies that have now lost some of their shine.
»	New Years Dissolutions [Matthew Barnett]
	OK.... so lets be having the truth. We are 2 days into February and how many of you have started doing the things that you had been putting off until January 1st to start? How many people have started as they had planned and have now given up maintaining what they started and have decided to put off what they had been putting off to to start again in 2013. How about those who have not yet started to give up the thing they had been putting off starting to give up until the start of the New Year and what about those who have given up on giving up the thing that they had been putting off starting for so long.? How many times have you said 'This will be my year!?' 'This will be the one that changes everything!' and how many reasons have you found in December to justify why it wasnt? 'Well its understandable really isnt it?, if 'that' hadnt happened I would have been a millionairre buy now.....next year........etc etc '
»	NEW YEAR NEW JOB - Contract work in London [Keith Boatman]
	New Year, New IT Contract Job New Year, New Job •Do you find yourself looking at your manager and thinking you could do better? •Does the thought of spending the rest of your working life at the beck and call of others make you sigh? Then moving towards a career in IT Contract work could be just what the Doctor ordered. It may sound a little scary at first, leaving the security of a fully paid job, but let's be honest in times of economic strife is any job really secure? Perhaps now is the time to make that break away from the routine of corporate work and into the world of Contracting. What are the advantages? Remuneration: It is a fact that IT Contractors can make significantly more money doing the same work if they are contracted rather than employed. 30% higher rates than the equivalent permanent positions (Note - If you work full-time for one employer, then the IR35 tax regulations may in the UK.)
»	Morning after pills prevent unwanted pregnancies. [Sean Cummings]
	Research into use of contraception by women by the leading sexual and reproductive health charity Marie Stopes International has shown many women simply are unaware of the contraceptive options available to them. The UK has very high rates of unintended pregnancy with over 200,000 women seeking terminations or abortions every year. Very many more women use a hormonal method of emergency contraception or the "morning after pill". The emergency morning after pill provides a safe, effective method of preventing an undesired pregnancy after an episode of unprotected sexual intercourse - either through design or accident.
»	Can Facebook Replace Traditional Business Websites? [Lucas Wyrsch]
	Can Facebook Replace Traditional Business Websites? Dear Ecademists, Vangie Beal from CIO Magazine asks a really interesting quesion: "Can Facebook Replace Traditional Business Websites?": Integrating your website with social media sites is typically the best approach to online marketing and ecommerce, but are there times when it makes sense to use Facebook instead of a traditional business website? I like this approach because it's easy for companies to get liked on Facebook, to generate a huge number of fans and it would be far more difficult for companies that are not well branded yet to drive an equivalent traffic to their own websites, I think! Why?
»	Who saw the huge Sony's megaloss coming? [Clive Eplett]
	Sony have just posted a $2.1billion loss for the final (usually strong) quarter of 2011, making $2.9b for the year. Did anyone see that coming - OK Ty, except you obviously We've been debating the future for Microsoft (still making big bucks) but it seems to be the home of the Walkman and Playstation that is suffering. Heaven help them when Apple start making games consoles and TVs, having destroyed the Walkman with the iPod. And behold, the chat is that Apple are indeed going to release a TV soon. Can this long respected giant ever recover its cache? Clive Eplett FCA Objective, insightful support to business owners Manage your goals
»	Be Extreme! [Rod Sloane]
	Don't expect to get what you want in life or in business by being reasonable. After all nobody respects a wimp, remember "Faint heart never won fair lady!" Stand Up and Stand Out. Say what you mean Don't worry what others think about you, they're probably jealous losers. Know what you want and go for it. Ask for it. Expect it Demand It. Be more Bob Crow and less Ed Milliband! More Lennon, less McCartney More Lenin, less Trotsky Stop being reasonable
»	What is the one thing that you would want to preserve unchanged... [William Buist]
	and why? (this is the converse of what I asked in this blog >) William Buist Follow me >
»	BBC News: Student Loans boss 'to pay tax @ source' http://bbc.in/wPzrsY so HMG will pay employer's NI, pension & benefits; say £ [John L. Evans]
	BBC News: Student Loans boss 'to pay tax @ source' http://bbc.in/wPzrsY so HMG will pay employer's NI, pension & benefits; say £65k extra? Interim Director agrees to be taxed - and who wouldn't when your effective salary will increase by at least a third and you get employment protection rights!! Cheers John "Intelligence is like four-wheel drive - it just gets you stuck in more remote places." - Garrison Keillor john.evans@locris.com ------o0o------ John L. Evans 9, High Street, Barford, Warwick. CV35 8BU Mobile: 07957 190186 Home: 01926 624832
»	Tips for mobile facebook [Alan Stevens]
	Where do you check Facebook? If you have it on your smartphone, the answer is probably "just about anywhere I have a few seconds to spare". That could be waiting for a train, while grabbing a sandwich, at the gym, in a bar waiting for friends, or even (well, maybe this is not you) in the toilet cubicle. OK, even if you don't check Facebook on the go, a lot of people (or potential customers as we sometimes call them) do. That means you have to take peoples' habits into account when you design your Facebook pages. Here are some tips for your Facebook content that fits both the small screen and the short attention time: Get to the point quickly Stick to one simple message If there's a call to action, keep it high on the page Keep any graphics small Avoid animations - stick to text and icons Encourage likes Make it easy to share Make it fun Don't make people go through several screens Thank people for clicking/liking
»	A geek who is baffled with technology?! Never! [Ruth Cheesley - Joomla Specialist]
	It's not often that I am baffled and clueless about web technologies, but I am totally lost with Empire Avenue! I thought I'd take a look as I saw several people talking about it in forums and blogs, and I am totally out of my depth! Does anybody have a useful 'noobie' tutorial anywhere, or can hand-hold me about what it is, what I need to do, and how it works? Feeling rather outside my geekery comfort zone and I'm sure there will be somebody who can help me in Ecademy! Ruth Ruth Cheesley Virya Technologies Ltd.
»	Over 40 and putting on weight? [Michael Airey]
	Interesting article in the Daily Mail on Monday. Lucy Cavendish explains that in her 40s it took a huge effort to lose weight. Medical expertise backs this up. Dr Pamela Peeke, author of Fight Fat Over 40, explains: "This is because once we turn 40, our metabolic rate in other words our ability to burn calories drops. We lose muscle tone. We get stressed and eat more calories than we need, when what we should be doing is exercising more and controlling portion sizes". Exercise and dieting are not the help that they were when people were in their 20s. Portion size is critical, which is where the Hypno-band really helps.
»	Bamboo mobile phone [Richard Derwent Cooke]
	Kieron Scott-Woodhouse, from Shepherds Bush in London, a 23 year old student, has designed a new Android phone clad in bamboo, destined initially for the growing Chinese market (Click the picture to see their website.) You have to admit that is fresh thinking, instead of oil-based plastics, they use totally renewable resources which are strong, light and very stylish. Read the Rest of the BLOG HERE
»	Government IT is Changing: The Hope for 2012. [Mark Anfilogoff]
	As I wrote here, 2011 saw a radical shift in thinking and direction around Government IT. The hope for 2012 is that the momentum will be maintained but in order for that to happen I believe three key things are needed: 1. Continuity of Leadership and Message. The announcement in January of the appointment of Andy Nelson as Government CIO to replace Joe Harley when he retires in March is a good start and demonstrates intention. Andy is clearly a person who 'get's it' in terms of the new direction and ICT strategy as he has been involved in its development, however, he will be combining the role with his duties as CIO at the Ministry of Justice.
»	Government IT is Changing: The Shift in 2011. [Mark Anfilogoff]
	For too long government IT has had something of a bad reputation, an expectation that everything will take too long, cost too much and then not work properly. While the last part is not completely fair - after all, there are millions of tax, benefit, vehicle and other transactions every day - there is little argument about costs and time scales. Of course there are success stories, but these are overshadowed by major failures such as the NHS National Programme for IT (NPfIT). Nevertheless, there are now signs of change and 2011 saw a radical shift in government thinking and direction. For those who weren't keeping track the time line was something like this:
»	Facebook IPO [Duncan Gledhill]
	It looks like Facebook spotted Google+ coming over the mountain a while ago, sent out their trailfinders to see how the market would react to a float and are now making for the valley for the shootout at noon. Who will win? First lets look at who is fighting, is it Google+ and Facebook or is it Google and Facebook? Lets face it, if it is Google+ that looses its grip then Google will probably follow so - Google has money (so now does facebook) - Google has lots of users (so does facebook) - Google is loved by people (so is facebook, if not more than google) - People trust google (people trust Facebook more) oh dear, this is not going so well is it
»	Psst, wanting to find link partners & generate backlinks to your site? [Fraser J. Hay]
	Google and other search engines like to see good relevant backlinks to your site. One strategy you could try to find ideal link partners is to type your targetted keyword such as industry for example with one of the phrases below - into google. e.g. "keyword(s)" "add new url" The more targetted you can make your keywords, the more relevant results you'll get. You are then free to select which sites from the resuls that google throws up that you wish to target as a potential link partner. links add link add new link add new page add new site add new url add new website add page add site add url add website suggest your page suggest your site suggest your url . . . suggest your website Another tactic I'm led to believe that's effective for some people, is to find relevant wordpress blogs that permit leaving comments and trackbacks using "Powered by wordpress" in your search criteria. Similar principle to the above - applies.
»	Does gud Inglish matter? [Steve Waters]
	We are all writing more than ever. Texting, Facebook updates and comments, Tweets, blogs, websites, emails, white papers, e-books, leaflets, personal and formal letters, CVs, job applications - the list is endless. One view is that, with the shorthand used in texting and Twitter, written English has become more inaccurate. Is this true? If it is, does it matter? Are there some contexts in which it does matter and some situations in which it doesn't? Are older people likely to write more accurately than younger writers? Let me know what you think.
»	Dreamer. Hustler. Builder. Emperor. Which one are you? [David McQueen]
	One of the joys of my job is coaching startups to take their business from concept to cash. Whilst I do that I also am mindful of making sure that I live what it is that I teach about. Based on this coaching I have come up with a four stage archetype for entrepreneurs, something I am rolling out later this year in seminars. So firstly I think many people get hung up on this word entrepreneur. Go on any social network, blog or personal page and every one is an entrepreneur, serial entrepreneur, mumpreneur, dadpreneur, second-cousin-twice-removedpreneur!! To be honest many people who I see with this title are just self employed hustlers!! (Yeah I said it) That said, here is my breakdown (non scientific but I like it) I share about what I see as the four stages of being an entrepreneur. 1. DREAMER. Big ideas of business. Goes to lots of conferences. Talks a big game. Takes lots of pics with celebs. Social media junkie. No business model.
»	National History Museum, Tring [Emma James]
	I ventured out yesterday with one of my girlfriends to the National History Museum in Tring. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/tring/index.html "Discover the fascinating range of animals collected by Lionel Walter Rothschild in our beautiful Victorian Museum. It is home to the world-class research and collections of the Natural History Museum's Bird Group." It's many years since I've been to the Museum. The last time I went with my children, Alice and Arthur in tow and they were probably about 10 and 8. Given that they're 21 and 19 now, that's some gap!
»	Daily Insights [Edel O'Mahony]
	The ego... Is not about Being big headed The ego Is the conditioning That keeps you Small and feeling Unworthy. All while you Let this take over You cause Your own resistance To abundance flowing When you let Your energy Take the lead Ego looses It's power Your energy is where True unconditional Love resides When you love Who you are Believe and honour Your worth You begin to resonate The frequency Of abundance You build confidence In the powerful Creator you are You release The chains of ego. Edel Live with passion and purpose The Association of Professional Coaches,Trainers and Consultants - Life Coach of the Year Path of the Peaceful Warrior Edel O'Mahony UK's Leading Expert in Energetic Communications
»	Choices, what do have you a choice about? [Jo Berry]
	My life changed when I realised I had choice in how I respond and since then I have been getting a little bit happier every day. Today I am reminding myself of this as I face a new challenge and feel myself slipping back to old patterns. When I know I have choice I am empowered and energised, when I feel I am a victim to circumstances I feel despair and apathetic. Today: I know I have choice I choose to feel my pain and not blame another for it, I choose to take responsibility for my emotions, my thoughts and my life. I choose to use my life to support and empower others. I choose to accept my own violence and thus minimise the harm I cause. I choose to take whatever life throws at me and transform it.
»	What Will He Do This Time? [Nic Oliver]
	In the 2008 election: Did you know, in the 2008 presidential election: On Facebook Obama had 380% more supporters than McCain? The Same on Myspace (What's that!?) On Youtube he had 403% more subscribers and 905% more viewers. And on Twitter he had 240 times more followers (Not Percent, multiples!) I wonder what will happen in the 2012 election... any predictions? Warm regards Nic Connect - Engage - Share
»	You Get What You Pitch For. [Daniel Priestley]
	A pitch is a powerful set of words that you send out to the world again and again. Eventually, if you stick at it and really get the pitch perfect, you will get what you pitch for. In business, if you get it right you can raise money, attract a team, engage partners and inspire clients to take you on. If you are a change maker, you will eventually attract a following, upset the status quo and see a shift in your cause. If you construct a sentence like "I'm the UK's top body transformation coach, I work with men who are brilliant in a boardroom but ordinary in a bedroom and make them lean, fit and toned in 12 weeks" (like Lazo Freeman did) you will earn 200% more than the average personal trainer. You will attract A clients and you will become known for a result.
»	Perform better with music - Mozart Effect or metal effect? [Ulla Sarja]
	Music can enhance your performance. Research has shown that you can increase your productivity by listening to classical music in the background when working. The University of Washington conducted a study in which 90 people were listening to music while editing a text. The result showed that the group who listened to light classical music increased its accuracy by 21.3% against only 2.4% in the group who were listening to popular music. The group listening no music at all but working in silence had impaired their performanceby 8.3% compared with how they worked with general office noise. By using a method that a Bulgarian psychologist Georgi Lozanov has developed, you can improve your learning. It is mostly about listening to baroque music while reading short paragraphs and at the same time learning how to become a calm of of listening the music and being able to find it easier to learn. By using his method, you can concentrate longer.
»	How do you convince yourself? [David Klaasen]
	We all have to make hundreds of decisions every day but how do you go about convincing yourself of something? Why do some people 'know right away' and others seem to need more. Understanding your own 'convincer mode' can make a significant difference in the way you gather information and the results you get. Giving the benefit of the doubt A couple of years ago a good friend of mine was complaining that she was having no joy in finding a lasting personal relationship (let's call her Paula). I was curious about the way she was speaking about it; so I interviewed her using the Language and Behavioural Profile (LAB Profile).
»	TICN - Changing the world one country at a time [Owen O'Malley]
	After some great success stories within the UK and Ireland I was introduced to a fantastic man called Tunji Awonusi. I had already wanted to expand the investment clubs into Africa to help add value with education in the stock market - instead of giving them fish, why not teach them to fish? This is where Tunji came in. I was called by a friend, Andrew Smith, who was a member of an Investment Club in Longford who mentioned that he had got to know Tunji who he believed was a very genuine man who had a burning desire to help his fellow Africans to prosper in the future and had come to Ireland to learn how to invest from the Celtic Tiger! I instantly agreed to giving Tunji a free seminar, from this unconditional gift of a free 2 day seminar ticket, he has helped us to expand into Africa and help thousands of African people to help themselves.
»	Banking bonuses - the red herring [Vicki (The Property Mermaid) Wusche]
	Apart from the fact that Stephen Hester of RBS turned down his bonus a week too late to actually make a positive statement about banking - we are all focused on the wrong thing as usual. The real story is that changes are happening in our banking sector, jobs are being lost, however that is not necessarily a bad thing if it means that practises are changing. Conversations about how to get out of this financial mess are happening in Europe - maybe a solution will be found. Meanwhile people are opening their first pay slips since before Christmas and calculating how they can afford to pay for the luxury items they really did not need this Christmas - like the Ipad and Xbox for the children and other gadgets to "make life so much better".
»	Employee Rewards That Are Almost Zero Cost [Leslie Allan]
	Money is tight in today's economy, but you shouldn't be draining the bank account to get peak performance even when it's plentiful. As I've written recently, pay-for-performance schemes can be demoralizing and demotivating and are likely to have unexpected consequences. Still, employees are not machines. They're human beings and need to be motivated. However, some non-financial rewards can end up costing money. I've been asked about ways to motivate staff and reward top performers without busting the budget. Here are a few tried-and-true ideas that you might have overlooked: • Advancement Opportunities
»	ADD - the sluggish brain [Ulla Sarja]
	ADD brain works differently than a brain of someone who hasn´t ADD/ADHD. The biology is different and if you think about the different drugs speeding up a "normal brain" ADD/ADHD brain is affected differently by these funds: they have a calming effect. Alan J Zametkin , at the National Institute of Mental Health found out that the metabolism of the brain that gives rise to attention difficulties. In the frontal lobes of a hyperactive individual, the metabolism goes slower and not faster, than normal. The frontal lobes of an individual with ADD are acting sluggishly. This also applies to ADHD considering motoric hyperactivity. ADD individuals are usually supposed to be the "silent version" of people who have attention deficit disorder.
»	Badoo is a Private Club [Amanda Vlahakis]
	"Badoo is a private club of 136,745,701 active members." I must join this exclusive club asap! :D Private, what a silly play on words to feebly attempt to make it seem exclusive ... LOL. I'm trying not to join because I'm sick of all the networks I get pressurised to join but never actual use. This morning they have sent me an email saying "Joy has sent you a message". Which I find I can only read by giving them some details (ie registering). Don't you just know that the second I register to eagerily collect my message, I will find that 'Joy' is an administrator. Apparently Thomas Power and others are also 'patiently waiting' for me. I bet I'll crack and join one day. Sigh Amanda We are offering FREE business card design. Allowing you to trial our services for free with no obligation to purchase. Get in touch!
»	Facebook IPO Summary [Thomas Power]
	http://www.policymic.com/articles/3816/facebook-ipo-summary-of-s-1/latest_articles Facebook will trade using the ticker "FB" 2011 revenue was $3.7 billion (88% growth from 2010). 2011 net income was $1.0 billion Currently, Facebook has 845 million monthly active users with 48% logging-in daily. Mark Zuckerberg owns 28% of Facebook. Here are some extra details (updated regularly): Advertising accounts for 85% of 2011 revenue Facebook has 425 monthly active users on mobile James Breyer, the president of Accel Partners, owns 11% of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg controls the majority of the board, making Facebook a "controlled company" Facebook lists its top three competitors as Google, Microsoft, and Twitter In 2012, Zynga represented 12% of Facebook revenues Mark Zuckerberg outlines his philosophy at the end of the S-1:
»	Hands up, who's human? #ORS [Beth Burgess]
	I haven't posted a 'Beth-style' blog in a little while because I have been a bit distracted of late by all the bickering seemingly going on around Ecademy. Not that anyone has had issues with me directly, but around the beginning of January in particular there seemed to be quite a negative feeling about 'pink and fluffiness' as some of you termed it. And then over the course of the month, there seemed to be squabbling about a variety of issues, such as the scoring system, the blogging system, the marketplace, whether certain Blackstars were being supportive enough, responsibility for arranging events and even criticism of Ecademy and its management as a whole. Even before this in December there were a lot of pleas for people to stop attacking the opinions of others or taking things too personally.
»	✪ THE VIRTUAL JUNKIE ✪ [Emmanuel KUEHN ✪]
	Viewpoint by Emmanuel Kuehn, Founder of Wisepoint, WCW Columnist Now, don't get the wrong idea. I am not a Luddite nor do I advocate going back to a time before Edison or living with candlelight. What I do suggest is that we wake up and take stock of where we are going. I have entitled this article - Virtual Junkie - for a reason. You see, in the "old" days junkies were real. They lived their experiences in real time with real consequences. If you took the wrong drugs, you paid the piper. Just ask Thomas de Quincy. Junkies were traditionally looked down upon by society as a whole. They were seen as escapists looking for a type of utopia stimulated by various plants or chemical agents.
»	#clive the soupstirrer #a-recipe-4YOU,flower cauliflowersoup [jet rotmans]
	dear all we wish you a nice thursday we almost have used all greens so that is why we use today flowers cauliflower funny don't you think you name it we name it flower cabbage just translated bloem kool the ingredients are one table spoon butter one onion finely chopped a pound of cauliflower in little roses bouillon or chicken broth teaspoon truffle oil or olive oil the old one
»	Is the accreditation industry ready for the rise and challenge of e-learning providers? [Diane Shawe M.Ed IEBE]
	Individual online learning courses and even entire online degree programs are increasingly a part of the mainstream in higher education. Article by Diane Shawe M.Ed. IEBE Steadily-improving online delivery systems and an emphasis on globalisation have encouraged more and more higher education institutions to try to reach diverse learners around the world. In light of the growing population of learners from various cultural backgrounds engaged in online education, there is an urgent need to understand how accreditation of an online e-learning provider can reach across all cultural dimensions.

Maslow's hierarchyy of needs & Social Media

ThinkPad - tablet or laptop?

HR people and small business

Big Hairy Projects - #BHAGs

How Much Time Do Your People Waste?

Local Business Guide to Daily Deals

Can Facebook Replace Traditional Business Websites?