Welcome Christmas! Heel and toe, come and fill us ere you go! ~ Mary Mapes Dodge

“The final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” ~ Ann Frank

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

“Watch out for emergencies. They are your big chance!” ~ Fritz Reiner

“One of the functions of intelligence is to take account of the dangers that come from trusting solely to the intelligence.” ~ Lewis Mumford

“A man is always known by the company his mind keeps.” ~ Thomas Bailey Aldrich

“The degree to which I can create relationships which facilitate the growth of others as separate persons is a measure of the growth I have achieved in myself.” ~ Carl Rogers

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up” ~ Thomas Alva Edison

“If you’re scared, just holler and you’ll find it ain’t so lonesome out there.” ~ Joe Sugden

“Pain nourishes courage. You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.” ~ Mary Tyler Moore

“Self is the only prison that can ever bind the soul.” ~ Henry Van Dyke

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?  It came without ribbons.  It came without tags.  It came without packages, boxes or bags.  And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.  ~ Dr. Seuss

Last night, I had a meeting with Organizing for America and helped with the phone bank, calling people across the nation about the importance of passing the healthcare reform bill in the senate. It was a fulfilling experience, a humble endeavor to make a difference. A few days ago, a U.S. senator noted that blending multiple healthcare reform amendments is not as easy as making a milk shake. In this light and while some of the elected leaders continue the hesitation to blend the healthcare reform amendments into one strong effective policy -CDC has developed and integrated the principles of program evaluation framework to achieve measurable health outcomes. The combined influence of CDC’s programs through collaboration will stimulate innovations toward collective improvement of community health, eventually improving the health index of the population, and through prevention-a healthy world as a whole. The ever complex process of passing a single U.S. healthcare policy that works, at least government organization like CDC has established a framework that make the complex transition in public health more efficient. The task of evaluating the effects of public health actions became more complex since the targets of public health actions have expanded beyond infectious diseases. It expanded to include chronic diseases, violence, emerging pathogens, threats of bioterrorism, and the social contexts that influence health disparities. Timely detection of the effects of public health actions is very important in order to enhance CDC’s ability to translate findings into practice. Clearer and more logical steps and standards will lead to the evolution of new and innovative program planning. Integrated information systems will amplify efficiency and success, supporting more systematic measurement. Information collected from evaluations will then be used more effectively to guide changes in public health strategies.

Uly Labilles
Follow me on Twitter @InnoMD

Is it hard to obtain grants? Now that free government grants have been publicized, more of the argument is about whether or not government grants are easy to acquire. The truth of the matter is that there is a process for application and a commitment level involved in getting approval for any government funding. It is up to the person to fill out and submit an application and agree to what is described in each grant program. But, of course, the process is certainly worth it when you consider the fact that the money won't have to be repaid.

First time government grants buyers do not only get their application granted but they can save thousands of dollars on other fees and closing costs. When it comes to college education grants, it becomes a hot issue. The reason why the government is not fully accepting educational plans is that the cost of education has been rising faster.

Most people work for a living. They work because that is the backbone of what we each represent as people and to our self worth. Having a job or working for yourself says a lot about yourself. But sometimes economics throws us a curve ball in life and at times we need extra money that we just don't have. That's when the government can intervene and help us in a number of ways. The government has all kinds of projects and plans that they offer the general public. These projects can be in the form of grants.

Apply For a Government Grant

Para inscribirse y más información, entrar aquí.

Con el objetivo de potenciar las habilidades de los emprendedores del estado de Yucatán, el gobierno de la entidad firmó un convenio con la organización pro-emprendimiento Endeavor.

Mexico tiene a ENDEAVOR click en la imagen....

Gracias a este acuerdo, los empresarios locales podrán recibir la guía de experimentados mentores, a través de un Consejo de Administración integrado por Emilio Azcárraga Jean, Carlos Fernández, Alberto Torrado y Miguel Alemán.

También se dispondrá de la Oficina Regional de Endeavor Mérida (OREM), la primera en la región sureste del país, gracias a la cual el programa busca llegar a los jóvenes empresarios de la entidad.

Sobre la nueva oficina en Yucatán, el director general de Endeavor, Fernando Fabre, explicó que la organización entregará asesoría estratégica comercial, comercial, financiera y de capital humano a quienes incursionan en el medio de los negocios.

Endeavor buscará seleccionar entre cuatro y ocho emprendedores locales al año para impulsar su crecimiento y reportar a la SEFOE los indicadores de desempeño, tanto en facturación y personal ocupado, como en número de empresarios incorporados al programa.

Así también, guiará a la empresa en la obtención de fondos federales y estatales para respaldar a los emprendedores seleccionados y otorgará recursos estatales por $200,000 para apoyar su operación.

www.SoyEntrepreneur.com

With an increasing number of holiday festivities being held in the home this year, we’re all looking for creative and cost effective ways to spruce up our table settings and create a look that will impress our guests. When it comes to setting your Thanksgiving table, options for the adventurous host are limitless. What are the hottest trends for you to bring to your table this year? Here are a few ideas that will take your Thanksgiving table from ordinary to extraordinary:

Color, Texture and Mix – Match:

In table linens and accessories, this year we are seeing rich, saturated colours. We are also seeing a lot of texture and the mixing and matching of patterns with solids. There are a lot of options out there to do something warm and inviting.

Color Trends

Warm tones have always been popular for Fall and that continues with some of the biggest trends in colour combinations this year. Some of those include:
- Deep Spice and Aubergine with muted Gold accents – Dark Chocolate with Blues and Gray accents – Olive Green, Aubergine and softer greens as accents – Dark Chocolate, Taupe and Natural

Tabletop Decor

- Use things that you already have in your home – pull out your 3 or 4 of your favourite vases of different heights. Use complementary colors of fresh flowers for a simple and stunning arrangement. Fill three or four vases and/or glass bowls with different colors and sizes of ornaments, fruits, leaves – anything with color and texture that will create visual excitement.

- Your guests are all unique – why not celebrate their individuality? Use different patterns and/or colors of napkin rings that match their unique personalities. Are they simple or sophisticated? Fun or formal? Unpredictable or conservative? Show them you care with a little customization to complement your table linens.

- Candles are always a dramatic and cost effective way to make a statement – use votives at each place setting with a name card and emphasize beautiful table linens for a classy and simple look. Or go more dramatic and cluster your favourite candle sticks of varying heights and looks as a centerpiece. Use colors that complement or match your dishes, glasses and table linens.

- Nothing brings subtle sophistication to your table like a well-selected runner. Use one the length of the table plus 12 inches to hang over the edge (usually a 90″ or longer) as the perfect centerpiece. If you are using a solid tablecloth or placemats, make sure to jazz it up with a festive pattern. If you have a patterned look already, use a vibrant solid runner that picks up on one of the colors in your runner.

- Use 2 napkins instead of one with a napkin ring. With a solid napkin inside, and a more decorative napkin on the outside.

When setting your table, just remember: do what feels right for the mood. A casual gathering calls for a relaxed setting. A formal meal should feel that way at the table. Either way, it doesn’t take much to elevate your in-home dining experience. Replacing an old tablecloth with something fresh an exciting, and adding a few simple table accessories can go a long way to impressing your guests. It’s that time of year when family gatherings abound and everyone spends countless hours congregating around the dinner table. With the hours spent preparing the perfect meal, make sure you don’t forget to finish it off with the perfect setting.

De acordo com o Sebrae-SP (Serviço Brasileiro de Apoio às Micro e Pequenas Empresas), empreendedorismo é o “ato de criar e gerenciar um negócio, assumindo riscos em busca de lucro”. A definição, claro, pode ir muito além. Um empreendedor é capaz de inovar e transformar uma grande ideia em um negócio sustentável, dar oportunidade de trabalho a outras pessoas, contribuir para o desenvolvimento da economia e estimular a criação de novos negócios.

Para quem quiser conhecer alguns cases a respeito, uma dica é acessar o site do Instituto Empreender Endeavor Brasil. Na seção “Conteúdo”, há ainda um acervo de vídeos, com palestras e apresentações de eventos organizados pela instituição a respeito de estratégias, marketing e vendas, entre outros temas. Entre os palestrantes que compartilham seus conhecimentos, há comunicadores e profissionais de marketing. Vale a pena conferir.

Sumate y Liberá tu espíritu emprendedor

Como desarrollar un programa de Marketing y lograr resultados sorprendentes

Marcelo Rabinovich | director de Praxis Consulting te cuenta cómo potenciar tus recursos para lograr resultados de alto impacto en mercados competitivos

“El Partenón Emprendedor” es una nueva herramienta de Marketing no Convencional desarrollada por Sprintmarket (USA) y Praxis Consulting (Argentina) para emprendedores que deben operar en mercados competitivos y necesiten resultados rápidos.Este Modelo es altamente efectivo porque se basa en la creatividad, la psicología del consumidor y el  Marketing Viral.

Los emprendedores generalmente cuentan con recursos escasos para poder promocionar su idea o negocio. Aprendé las herramientas fundamentales para convertir tu producto en una propuesta de alto valor para el mercado. Te contaremos las claves fundamentales para usar las herramientas de internet en forma efectiva, capturar clientes y aumentar los ingresos de tu emprendimiento.

Además Miguel Angel Lagrutta Fundador de Ultracongelados nos cuenta su experiencia emprendedora y comparte sus estrategias exitosas con nosotros.

Más de 70 países, miles de organizaciones y millones de personas ya son parte de este movimiento. Inspirate, capacitate,  informate y conectate.

Del 16 al 22 de Noviembre estudiantes, profesores, empresarios, líderes de negocios, líderes sociales, miembros del gobierno y muchos otros, participarán en diferentes actividades para explotar la energía de las redes sociales, para conectar personas que actúan en  sus comunidades locales y para promover y celebrar el espíritu emprendedor alrededor del mundo.

Para más información acerca de la semana, debés ingresar a:
www.unleashingideas.org/country/AR

Fuente: Eventionz

Fui um dos palestrantes no Endeavor Entrepreneurs Summit, que aconteceu em Miami, no início de maio. Chris Hughes, um dos criadores do Facebook e o principal responsável pela estratégia da vitoriosa campanha de Obama na Internet, também palestrou no mesmo evento.

No fundo, é o mesmo que um dia disse Gilberto Gil: “O povo sabe o que quer. Mas também quer o que não sabe”. É isso aí.
Marcelo Cherto

I was living in San Francisco when I had this experience that changed me forever.  I was very driven and was beginning to have success at my endeavors, but there was this persistent feeling of missing the purpose for my trying.  I had always felt that I was somehow displaced or different, and although I had for years studied and participated in numerous “personal growth” programs, this nagging continued. Although I considered myself a “well adjusted human” I was feeling that I was somehow failing myself.  I found Myself heartbroken, depressed, and sick and tired of the solutions that I had previously employed, and in the same moment that my career and life were taking off I found myself in the bathtub devastated, and asking anything that was out there for help.

Change

When I woke up the next morning I was laying in bed and as incredible as it seems, the sun stopped shining. I found this startling, especially since no one else seemed to notice.  I had no idea what to think and probably would have passed it off as random phenomenon except that other things began to happen, too. I suddenly had this feeling that I had no future. It’s like all the plans and events that I imagined myself doing were nowhere to be found in my mind.  Other things too….like I would see people turn to dust in front of my eyes and then reappear. I also couldn’t find a reasonable purpose for anything in my life or in the world.

In a week from the time I found myself in the tub I got a phone call from a friend of mine who began reading a Course in Miracles and invited me to check it out. I began to have experiences almost immediately, but nothing could prepare me for my first experience of meeting a Teacher of God. The greeting I received was like being bathed in electric honey-light.  Waves of forgiveness washed over me and I felt like my heart encompassed everything. There was nothing to say or do.  It felt like all has been completed forever. My whole life changed in that single instant.  This direct and personal experience of all-encompassing love was all the purpose and meaning that I was looking for my whole life. In that instant I received an insertion of Light that has transformed, comforted, and healed me in countless situations. Besides the complete relief of maintaining meaningless goals and conflicting endeavors, I immediately was freed from alcoholism, depression and worry.  I am forever grateful for all the gifts I have received, and I thank God all day long for His Love and Light that I share with Him.
J.C. – United States

The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.

- Elbert Hubbard, 1856-1915

I often find that the cause of most call reluctance is fear.  People don’t like to be told no most of the time, and they certainly want to have success in front of their peers (and in most cases, sales teams are grouped together).

Training, proper supervision and on going coaching from the manager or director are key to making sure that each sales rep is hitting their goals.  It takes time for a new sales rep to gain the confidence that they need to be successful.  For some, it takes a little more time – for others it just comes naturally.

It is important that the manager knows and understands what makes each person tick as an individual.

I had a manager once that looked at everyone (except his favorite person) as a number – a disposable employee if you will.  If it wasn’t working out, we would find someone who can do it.  No training, no getting to know that they have a family, no understanding what motivates them.

Ultimately ownership will figure out that the employees are a product of their environment, and his smoke and mirrors will break.  Until then, there are countless people who have been impacted by his lack of understanding of who they are and his total lack of respect for them.

I have always felt it was important to get to know each employee that you manage as a person – get to understand what motivates them (it’s not always money you know).  Good managers not only understand it – they thrive on it.  They get more out of their people because they earn the respect of their team, their employees feel loyal to them, and would walk through a wall for their manager.

Now – there is a line between being their manager and being their friend.  Never cross that line.  Employees need to understand who is in charge, and buy into the vision of the manager and the company. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a nice beverage or lunch with them – it just means if you need to cut bait, you can do it without feeling bad.

Take the time to get to know your employees and what makes them tick.  If you do this, you will be a better coach, a better manager in the company and you will earn their trust – and trust is important because in some cases you are asking them to do something they have never done before and puts them out of their comfort zone.

Eliminate the fear.

Go Sell Something.

A Confederação Nacional da Indústria (CNI) realiza nesta quinta-feira (19/11), em seu escritório em São Paulo, o Workshop Desafios para quem gera empregos. A agenda reunirá líderes empresariais, representantes do governo e especialistas em temas como: sistema tributário, código de direitos do contribuinte e legislação trabalhista. Em debate, quatro projetos que integram a pauta mínima da CNI, que reúne 13 itens voltados para o desenvolvimento sócio-econômico do país. As agendas passam pela criação de regras mais estáveis, que estimulem a realização de negócios. O evento em São Paulo integra a Semana Global de Empreendedorismo, ação para estimular este potencial no país. Pelo menos 90 países reforçam a mobilização mundial. A 1ª edição, em 2008, envolveu mais de 3 milhões de pessoas em 78 países. O Brasil deu contribuição efetiva com a participação de 1,4 milhão de pessoas, 1.735 parceiros e 1.781 atividades. O painel da manhã, sobre desafios na área tributária, abordará temas como a estrutura atual das relações entre contribuinte e governo e benefícios de um código dos direitos dos contribuintes. “O Brasil tem mais de 50 tributos. Esta carga, quase que exclusiva do Brasil, não contribui para a fiscalização. Se o Brasil optasse pela racionalização haveria melhor eficácia e melhor ambiente aos negócios”, defende Vladson Bahia Menezes, gerente-executivo de Assuntos Legislativos da CNI. Á tarde, os debates se concentram nos desafios à área trabalhista, com abordagens sobre redução da jornada de trabalho, demissão imotivada e terceirização. A CNI defende maior segurança jurídica para este modelo, com responsabilidade subsidiária para o contratante. “É urgente a criação de uma lei que crie um aparato para facilitar este recurso, hoje uma tendência mundial. A livre demissão também é uma regra de mercado que não pode ser engessada”, explica o gerente-executivo de Relações do Trabalho da CNI, Émerson Casali, que irá mediar o painel.

SERVIÇO

O quê: Workshop Desafios para quem gera emprego

Data: 19 de novembro de 2009, no escritório da CNI em São Paulo.

Horário: Das 10h às 17h Local: Rua Olimpíadas, 242 – 10º andar – Vila Olímpia – São Paulo – SP

Mais informações acesse; http://www.agenciacni.org.br/portal/main.jsp

“Man’s yesterday may never be like his marrow; Nought may endure but Mutability.” ~ Percy Bysshe Shelley

“It may not be your fault for being down, but it’s got to be your fault for not getting up.” ~ Steve Davis

“Love doesn’t just sit there like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; re-made all the time, made new.” ~ Ursula K. LeGuin

“Some people wait so long for their ship to come in, their pier collapses.” ~ John Goddard

“I have been very happy with my homes, but homes really are no more than the people who live in them.” ~ Nancy Regan

“It’s the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

“The greatest enemy of your creative powers is smug complacency – being satisfied with less than what you are capable of doing.” ~ Nido Qubein

“Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside them was superior to circumstances.” ~ Bruce Barton

“Go as far as you can see and when you get there, you will always be able to see farther. ~ Zig Ziglar

Again combining and mixing some of the stuff I picked up lately.

Skin: (IMAGEN) Skin Fair 2009 – Dollarbie for Men – (IS) Ander – Oeste (1 of 4 different tans)

Left

Jacket: MHOH2 # 155 Style Extrem

Pants: #138 FLH -Prim & Pixel Paradise

Belt: [ENDEAVOR] paper bag R

Right

Necklace: PRIMALOT – Lucky Chair ‘Araneus’ spidernecklace (Jeal.Jasper) (1 of 3 colours to be won)

Tattoo: MHOH2 # 65 .::NOSOTR@S::. designs

Skin: (IMAGEN) Skin Fair 2009 – Dollarbie for Men – (IS) Ander – Este (1 of 4 different tans)

Left

Outfit: -Myself- Male Prize 02

Belt: Tigerclaw - Leather belt VER 2.0 SOJU (Check the boxes at the far end of the container for loads of freebies. Start with the top row on the right wall!)

Shoes: MHOH2 # 151 7071 – Men’s Clothes, Shoes and Accessories

Right

Hoodie: =Zenith= Sweater (Group Gift)

Consumer Reports has just released results from its annual reliability survey and the findings are clear:

Mitsubishi has made major gains and ranks ahead of Nissan, Mazda, Kia, Suzuki, Subaru and Hyundai, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Lexus, and Porsche

Please share this great news with everyone

Also don’t forget:

Mitsubishi is offering special rates to Sam’s Club members.  0.0% APR for 60 months on 2009 Eclipse, 2009 Spyder, 2010 Endeavor and 2010 Galant with approved credit.

Since I started getting into hobby games in earnest 2.5 years ago, I’ve picked up 28 new games. Of these, I’ve only purchased five. Sara and I try to limit ourselves to a pretty small “entertainment” budget, which means that the lion’s share of my games show up in neatly wrapped boxes on my birthday or under the Christmas tree. My family usually asks for some sort of holiday wishlist around this time of year, and I thought that posting it here would allow for some feedback and perhaps others posting their own wishlists. So, in no particular order…

Conquest of Paradise: Despite some slight negative feeling towards this game, it really intrigues me. I learned how to play this from the designer at the 2009 World Boardgaming Championships (WBC), and there’s a lot of neat mechanics at work like “blind” exploration, hidden fleet movement, etc. It seems to suffer a bit from too little playtesting, but I think with a few house-rules, it could really be excellent. Plus, GMT is selling it quite cheaply!

Endeavor: This Euro-ish game of exploration, colonization, and conquest has been getting a lot of good press recently. Players compete to grab resources in the New World, and use them to grow in power back in Europe. I read a review in which the author described it as “the post gateway game,” which is sort of a weak point in my game collection right now.

Pacific Typhoon: A  card game about the Pacific theater in World War II. This is GMT’s sequel to Atlantic Storm by Avalon Hill. I had never really heard of this game until I noticed the number of people playing it in random corners around the WBC. This looks like a good cross-over war game.

Small World Expansions: At $10 apiece, Grand Dames and Cursed! look like cheap ways to spice up the base game for those of us who have been playing like fiends since it came out.

War of the Ring: Although I am a huge Lord of the Rings nut, I’ve never sat down to play this game. I know it won’t get to the table much due to its playtime, but I can’t pass up the chance to marshal the forces of good against evil, or vice versa.

Wits & Wagers Expansion: From what I saw at the 2009 WBC Wits & Wagers game show, these questions are most obscure than ever–perfect!

That Mystery Game I don’t know the name to yet: I’m putting a call out for suggestions. My brother is getting married soon, which means when we meet over at Mom and Dad’s house for Sunday dinner, there will be six of us (Mom, Dad, brother, his wife, Sara, and me). I’m looking for a light game that can be played in 60-90 minutes for a group of six people that like to play Ticket to Ride and Settlers of Catan. Any titles come to mind?

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts about my wishlist or have you share your own.

Did you forget about the Endeavor? Don’t feel bad, most people have. In fact, Mitsubishi even forgot to offer a 2009 model. But that doesn’t mean you should forget to look at the Endeavor if you are in the market for a mid-sized CUV.

Back in 2003, the then new Endeavor beat out heavy hitters like the Nissan Murano, Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot in an Edmunds comparison test. It won that comparison test not by outright dominating, but by being consistently competent.

Though little changed since then, the core features that helped take the top slot in that comparison test are still present today. Edmunds editors noted the Endeavor’s well-balanced ride and handling dynamics, a gutsy V6, a roomy, comfortable cabin and solid build quality.

But time waits for no CUV, and the losers in that comparison have all been redesigned since then, while the Endeavor has soldiered on without an update and with few changes. So in the absence of a redesign, Mitsubishi is endeavoring to sell more of their mid-sized CUV by offering up some attractive incentives. Read about them after the jump.

Now through the end of September, customers can choose between $3500 cash back or 0% financing for up to 48 months and 1.9% financing for up to 60 months. If you can still find a 2008 model on dealer lots, there is $4000 dealer cash available, but no special finance rates.

While the Endeavor doesn’t offer some of the latest wiz-bang features, it does offer a package that is safe, roomy and comfortable. With these latest incentives, it is also more affordable. For many, that is all they ask for in their vehicle.

http://blogs.edmunds.com/strategies/2009/09/deal-of-the-week-mitsubishi-endeavor.html

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