The Fascinating History of Telecommunications

By Rubel Zaman

Since the human voice is limited by distance, telecommunications has always intrigued us. How to get the message across, beyond the conversational level? Shouting across a echo canyon works only so well, but the process must be repeated time and time again, to the shouter's hoarseness and physical exhaustion. Native tribes began using lights, smoke and other ways of imparting information to people miles or kilometers away from camp.
The word telecommunications means communication from afar. Today's telecommunications industry is among the most essential in the business world. Consumers the world over keep in touch with their supervisors, suppliers and customers through telecommunications offered through the satellite system, bouncing rays from sender to receiver. The ray reaches the satellite and bounces back. But how did it get to the level of sophistication in our telecommunications that we enjoy today?
It is said that the most primitive level of communication comes through the ear, which represents the embryo in shape. It is also the first sense organ to be fully functioning in the womb. Haven't you heard the expression, children are to be seen, and not heard? Before widespread literacy, the church and the state dictated to people what they were supposed to do, and not do, all by word of mouth - directly received by the ear.
After the masses began to become educated, scholars and others who were in a position to do so began researching matters on their own no longer relying on a wise or authoritarian person to tell them how they must live their lives. Knowledge is power, and the scales were beginning to tip in favor of the common man, at least for a time. With the invention of the printing press, printed material became available and what was previously accepted as God's Truth was now questioned.
With the invention of the telephone in the 19th century, telecommunication was now available in both the spoken and written form, at short and - long distances! Although the telephone was an accident, it has revolutionized communication forever. There were dial phones, somewhat cumbersome, where the middle man was a switchboard operator. Then phones became more sophisticated, with fiber optics, wireless and satellite aided communication.
With the introduction of the fax machine, the written word could be forwarded on to a distant receiver. The ancient fax machine made photographic images which were often poor quality and required special paper in rolls. Nowadays, laser printing enables color reproductions, scanned documents and faxes that some viewers may not be completely certain which one is the original and which one is the copy.

The same is true of mobile communications. A portable car phone was available for technicians out on the field, heavy and clumsy. The car phone later used electricity from the car battery, recommended for women in case of mechanical failure. Then the cellular phone made its debut. The battery size got smaller and smaller with time, and the price dropped as the technology increased. Today's smart phones have internet access for checking email, applications for scanning bar codes and making price comparisons, and as always, for communicating with the ones you love.

Roaming Expert can provide advice on reducing your data roaming costs as a business - find out more about the best roaming deals for your company today.

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

Can I Work For A Small Business?

By Pam Newman Morin

Working for a small business is very different than working for a large corporate entity. I have worked for both and they both have advantages and disadvantages and what you see as each of these, is really a personal aspect. What I like about an environment, you may dislike and vice versa. That is okay, that is what makes the world such a great place. It would be boring if we all liked the same things. Here are some things to consider if you have a big company background and are now looking to work for a small entrepreneur. It won't be the same, and as an entrepreneur, we want you to understand ahead of time what our work environment is like to ensure that you are aware of the environment you will be entering. True, not every small business operates in the same way, but there are some similarities that demand recognition for those wanting to leave the "corporate environment" for a small entrepreneurial one.
Multiple Hats. You will not wear just one hat. Small businesses normally do not have the luxury to have each person assigned to just one position. We multitask and we cover a variety of positions as there is usually not a full time demand for certain positions until your company has reached the level of expansion that demands it. These positions normally include Accounting, Human Resources, and IT.
Flexibility is key. If you are the type of personality that needs to have a very set schedule with very specific job activities, it will be unlikely you will flourish in an entrepreneurial environment. That is one of the key discussions I am with potential employees and continue to have through their employment. We are all part of the team and therefore we need to have flexibility to change focus with little notice. We don't have hundreds of people to draw from when someone is out sick or when a client has an emergency, we are limited in resources and therefore need to all ebb and flow with the constantly changing environment.
Open minded. You must have the ability to be open minded. Small businesses do things differently. We blaze our own trails and just because other's haven't done it this way, doesn't mean we won't. That is what create ingenuity in our world. We try and keep trying until we find the path that works for us. Watch out though…what we do today doesn't mean it will be what we do next week. We are constantly evolving and adapting to the ever changing environment that we exist in. It is okay for people to have different views and to express those views, but you also need to ensure there is a way to appreciate that other people see things differently. To graciously say, I appreciate your view and why you think that way, but
Change is inevitable. Things will change. We have the luxury and the need to change with our environment, our vision and our client's needs. So view change as an opportunity, not as a hindrance or a negative aspect. We want to be unique. We want to be memorable and that can only happen by fulfilling the passion of true entrepreneurial spirit.
Communication is critical. In today's business environment, we are operating in a virtual environment. Therefore, communication is more critical than ever. I won't see you every day, so for me to know how things are going with your clientele, your world, can only happen in you regularly communicate with me. Does that mean I need to be copied on every email? Absolutely not. Just ensure I know enough to have a pulse on what is happening - we are still a team and we have to work harder to ensure that communication doesn't wain.

You may find more information at http://rppc.net/

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

Tips of Writing a Good Business Plan

By Debajyoti Basu

Whenever you plan of starting a new business, you need a good business plan. A business plan is written to structure your business concepts and ideas into paper so that it becomes easy for investors or banks to understand and finance your needs. A business plan is the utmost requirement for securing your financial needs. There is a pattern for writing a good business plan which one should follow to get success. The major components of a business plan are as follows:
1) Executive summary- The executive summary is the backbone of the business plan and it should include a brief background of the business concept, company's objective's or your plan, ownership structure, management team, service offering, target market(s), competitive advantages, marketing strategy and high-level financial details like expected profit, required funding etc. It helps the bank or finance executives to get an idea of your business.
2) A brief account of how the company began- You should mention in your business plan the history behind the formation of you company and the background of the founders and directors.
3) Business Overview- This section will cover the objectives, mission and vision of the business. The goals of the business should be properly outlined in this section.
4) Products and services-You should list down all your products or service offerings and highlight how it is different from your competitors, its basic features and advantages and in what way it will benefit your customers.
5) Industry overview-This section will include description about which industry you are targeting, its growth and size, competitive analysis, business strategy and key players.
6) Marketing strategy- The right direction to achieve the goals of the business is to adopt the right marketing strategy. You have to define your target market segments properly and highlight the unique selling proposition of your services or products and how you are different from your customers with regards to your services or products. You have to talk about the pricing or promotional strategies which you will adopt such as tradeshows, press-magnet events, social media marketing (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, etc.), networking, and print, media or online advertising. You need to specify in the business plan which selling strategy you will adopt, online, wholesalers, storefront and also describe the target markets buying cycle.
7) The market potential for your service or product-You need to convince your customers and employees for your products and services you are offering and hence you have to find out the market which needs that product or service.
8) Operations plan- This section will include details of execution of the day to day operations of your business, location of your business and how it will benefit your business, HR policies of the company and the production plan if you are offering products.
9) Financial Plan- This is the most important part of the business plan where you need to show the three year projection of the projected financial statements, including income statements, pro-forma balance sheets, and monthly cash flow and annual cash flow statements which will help in forecasting your revenues and expenses.
10) An exit strategy- A business plan becomes perfect only when you write a good exit strategy for the investor. It is important to note that investors generally have a 3 year horizon within which they want to exit.

The author is the partner at IntelligentQ. IntelligentQ specializes in Integrated Marketing Communications: Business Content, Sports Content, Business Plans, Blogs, Digital Marketing, Corporate Presentations, Newsletters, RFP and RFI creation( http://intelligentq.co.in/ )

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

How Will the Brain Mapping Project Affect Your Business?

By Mark R Stephens

Neuroscience is certainly making some waves out there. You may have heard about the $100 million brain mapping project announced by President Obama in April this year.
Its official name is Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies or, rather appropriately, BRAIN for short.
What exactly is it and what will be the implications for neuroscience and the global business community?
What is the BRAIN Project?
The BRAIN project will map the brain in a similar way that the "Human Genome Project" mapped all human DNA.
It is being funded by the President's 2014 budget and launched with aid of the National Institutes of Health, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the National Science Foundation.
Private partners in the project include the Allen Institute for Brain Science, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Kavli Foundation and Salk Institute for Biological Studies.
Similar projects are happening elsewhere around the world. With the one-billion euro The Human Brain Project already underway in Europe and the Brainnetome initiative in China, it seems like all the superpowers are getting interested in the brain!
Main Purposes of BRAIN
The project aims to better understand thinking, learning and memory processes by accelerating the development of technologies that can detail the brain at a microscopic level and help explain how the complex neural circuits interact; how we process, use, store and retrieve information, and the connections between the brain and behaviour, lie at the centre of the project.
Obama pointed to the fact that "Every dollar we invested to map the human genome returned $140 to our economy" and there's no disguising the economic element to the BRAIN project. One of its key purposes is to create jobs and to boost the economy.
It is also being touted as a vehicle to provide potential breakthroughs for medical science, with disorders like PTSD and diseases like Alzheimer's and autism high on the radar of public concern.
The Effects on Neuroscience
The field of neuroscience has made great strides in recent years and is learning more about brain function and its connections to human behaviour with every passing week. High-res imaging technologies are allowing us to learn how the brain is structurally and functionally connected.
However, the human brain remains largely a mystery and there is so little known with certainty.
This project will undoubtedly shine a big light on the field and uncover new and better ways to research the brain and interpret the data.
Technologies such as new optical methods for imaging activity deep within the brain and which provide better ways to assess biological measures beyond electrical activity, are already being looked at. This should allow us to more completely measure brain activity.
Also, with most testing in neuroscience currently done on animals, there will be research into non-invasive methods for use on human subjects.
All of this, together with more computing power to interpret the new data, should open the door for important new discoveries.
... And Your Business?
Increasingly the findings of neuroscience are being applied to the business arena. The simple fact is that the more we learn about human behaviour the better we can lead organizations.
The global business community, therefore, should expect to see new approaches and initiatives springing up as a result of the global attention on the human brain and the boost it gives to the field of neuroscience.
The areas of accelerated leadership and teaming, organizational performance, change management and marketing especially, will likely see big changes in coming years.

The team at NeuroPower is at the forefront of introducing new approaches to organisational development through the findings of neuroscience. We apply them to all types of businesses, developing high performing teams and enhancing leadership. Find out more at our website: http://www.neuropower.com.au.

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Questions to Ask While Undertaking Logistics Recruitment

By Terrence Lewis

There are various reasons that one might be in the requirement for a logistics company. First of all, it might be required for the purpose of improving a supply line. Although this is one of the commonest reasons for third party logistics recruitment, there can be various other reasons as well. For example, the recruitment might be completely for a short span of time, like the occasion of a major event. In such a situation, the company is likely to choose a company providing third party logistics services only for the duration of the event. However, it ought to be kept in mind that there are a lot of companies that offer such services, and it might get difficult for any firm to make sure that they have chosen the right company for themselves.
There are a few questions that any firm needs to ask themselves while looking for a logistics company.
How long have they been working?
First of all, it is necessary to ask how long the storage company has been in business. The importance of this aspect cannot be emphasised upon enough. The longer the agency has been in business, the more experienced they will be, and the better and more effectively will they be able to handle your requirements.
What is their reputation?
Secondly, make sure that the company you are dealing with has a good reputation in the market. There is no dearth of companies that provide logistics services, and not all of them are reliable enough. As such, it is of the utmost importance to make sure that the company that you are going to choose has a good reputation in the market. Ask around the internet forums a bit; they are pretty good platforms when it comes to discussing the expertise and efficiency of these businesses.
Are they flexible in their services?
You should be clear to yourself about the kind of services you are looking for while undertaking logistics recruitment. Make sure that the company you are dealing with is flexible enough in their services. Most of the logistics companies are pretty much flexible in their services, but you should still ask them whether they will be able to provide you with exactly the kind of services that you are looking for.
Where are they situated?
The location of the logistics company that you are dealing with is of the utmost importance. Make sure that the company is located in an area that is most convenient to you. This is especially necessary of you are dealing with a storage company; it cannot be denied that the nearer the location of the storage site is, the more convenient the transaction is.

If you are looking for a logistics company, it is of the utmost importance that the logistics recruitment is done prudently. You need to choose your storage company prudently from among the wide variety available in the market. Log on to thepolarisgroup.co.uk for more information.

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

How Lead Generation Marketing Help Companies Close A Sales With Ease

By Phillip Mckenzie

In the olden days, when businesses want to sell their products and/or services, they don't have to do a lot of things in order to successfully sell a product. They just need to know more about their products, believe in them and, then, get out on the road and start selling it to everybody they meet. Today, there are still a lot of businesses that do that. But, the fact of the matter is, this kind of "sales strategy" may not be one-hundred percent effective anymore. In war, if one side wants to defeat their enemies, they must try to know first all about the enemy, look for some weak points and strike them when they are weak and fragile and losing. It's also the same in business. A company that wants to gain huge revenues should first try to know more about its potential clients. By doing so, he can get to know more about that client's contact information, how it runs its operations and, most of all, they can be able to identify the needs of that customer. This is what they call as lead generation marketing.
One can just imagine the frustration of a door-to-door salesman who went from one house to another and hope that somebody will buy his products only to find out that after an hour or so, he only closed a sale twice. Why, what happened? It's because that person has been talking to the wrong types of people at the right time. Before anyone can sell anything, he must first know more about his customer and find out what the needs are. Through lead generation marketing endeavors, he can get to know more about his customer, set up an appointment so that they can meet each other face to face and come up with a solution for a problem that some companies are worried about. They also have to face the fact that there are some customers who don't want to let some companies know more about them or what they need for the reason that there are a few that doesn't want to entertain unsolicited phone calls and such.
This is very frustrating for companies that want to offer and introduce their products and/or services to potential clients. So, the best way to let these customers know more about them and what they are offering is to go first for lead generation marketing so that they can find, gather and qualify warm marketing leads and sales leads. Once this is done, they can set up face-to-face appointments so that representatives of both parties, the sales people of the selling company and the decision maker of the client, can meet and finally come up with a solution to the concern of the latter.
But, not all companies have the skills and the facilities for generating qualified leads. That is the reason why some of them would decide to outsource professional appointment setters from b2b lead generation companies and let these telemarketing services agents do the lead generation campaign on their behalf. With the help of a b2b lead generation company, it can help any company in any industry close a sale with ease.

Phillip Mckenzie is a successful lead generation and appointment setting consultant specializing in IT Telemarketing. To know more about IT Telemarketing, Phillip recommends you to visit http://www.it-sales-leads.com.

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Executive Presence

By Tori Sutton

Education, hard work and success may not be enough to get you to the top.
But if you've got executive presence - the wow factor that identifies you as leadership material the minute you walk into a room - there's a good chance you'll reach your goal of making it to the C-suite.
A recent study released by the Center for Talent Innovation found that how other people perceive your skills is just as important as the reality.
In fact, senior executives surveyed for the report indicated executive presence accounts for 26 per cent of what it takes to climb the corporate ladder.
So what is executive presence and how do we know if we've got it? That is a question many professionals grapple with thanks to hopelessly contradictory information on the powerful trait.
In an attempt to close that gap, the New York think tank identifies three main areas in its report that it believes contributes to the EP package:
• Gravitas, one of the Roman virtues and the core characteristic of executive presence. Those with gravitas are decisive, calm under pressure and exude confidence.
• Communication. The ability to speak publicly with assertiveness, and to read an audience or situation are considered superior traits.
• Appearance. Looks do matter, and those with executive presence appear polished and well put together.
Where do the CEOs stand? A whopping 67 per cent of the 268 executives surveyed identified gravitas as the most important aspect of executive presence. Twenty-eight per cent said exceptional communication skills are what define leadership material.
Though only five per cent considered appearance to be a key factor in EP, all the senior execs agreed it has the potential to curtail talented trailblazers. The biggest blunders are unkempt attire and provocative clothing.
Coming across as uneducated is also a big no-no.
The study consulted with 4,000 college-educated professionals and 18 focus groups, along with sitting down for over 50 one-on-one interviews with high-level executives.
Women and multicultural professionals surveyed felt they received conflicting information on expectations in the workplace, and were held to higher standards of executive presence. Many felt at odds between their own identity and the need to conform to corporate culture.
Global Leadership Council founder Josh Ehrlich has identified six principles to improve executive presence, which he shared with the Harvard Business Review.
1. Focus: Channeling your attention can ease nervousness and help you relax.
2. Use Body Language: Pay attention to your posture and the messages your body sends.
3. Reflect On Your Habits: What are your mannerisms? Take some time to reflect on your identity and face your fears.
4. Practice With Support: Let those around you know you are working to improve your presence, which can help boost skills and confidence.
5. Connect, Don't Transact: If you are a nervous public speaker, videotape yourself to identify ways you can improve. Learn to tell engaging and captivating stories instead of delivering dry, scripted addresses.
6. Be Still: Ditch your impulsivity and learn to stay cool and calm under pressure.
Make a plan and put it into practice to help improve your executive presence and the next promotion may be yours.

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

Tips For Finding and Hiring a Good Moving Company

By Alex Fir

As you are planing your relocation, no decision is more important than choosing a good moving company. To choose one, you should talk to at least three moving companies for quotes and you should have them come into your home to give you moving estimates, so they can see exactly what you need moved.
Once you have them in your home, you should ask them some tough questions about your move. The first one is how long they have been giving moving estimates. Experience counts for a lot. Ask the salesperson about their background. Were they a driver or did they work in other aspects of the moving process before being an estimator. The more experience they have, the more comfortable you should be that you are getting a good estimate.
Ask them how long their company has been around. Many of those lousy moving companies are pretty young and they do not last long. If the company you are talking to has been in business for 10 years or more, it is a good sign they are good company that provides good service.
Next, ask them what type of estimates they offer. You can learn a lot about a moving company from how knowledgeable a sales rep seems. If they are not willing to take the time to explain your options, use another moving company.
Ask about your delivery schedule. Moving companies have to take into account many factors when deciding your delivery day. Be aware of any delivery day that sounds to good to be true.
Another good question is to ask sales person about any repeat work they do for businesses in the area. People often ask for references. Repeat work from area businesses is a solid endorsement for a moving company.
The final question is for you. How comfortable you are with the estimator. Did they give you straightforward, knowledgeable answers? Or did they just seem to be telling you what you want to hear? You want good advice even if it's counter to your thinking.
After you meet all applicants, compare notes and do not let the price be your only guide. In fact, if someone has a much lower price, maybe they missed something in the assessment or maybe you will face additional charges later.
If you ask these questions and do some additional research on your moving company, rest assured that you will find a good mover and that you will have a stress-free moving day.

FindMoversCompanies.com has already found good movers that can give you the right answers to these questions. It has never been so easy to find movers that do the job well.

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

Can Your Trade Show Exhibits Hold Their Own In Today's Digital Commerce?

By Chris A. Harmen

If you're a business owner, chances are, you've heard the news: It's a digital world that we're living in. Everywhere you look, entrepreneurs in every industry are using the Internet and other technological advances in abundance to help propel their business brand to the forefront of the global economy. From virtual meetings to webinars and a wide range of innovations in between, it seems that face-to-face client/vendor interaction is dwindling at an alarming pace.
Trade Show Exhibits Deliver Unparalleled Benefits For Businesses In Every Niche
While many traditional marketing techniques are beginning to feel the pinch when trying to keep up with the more modern mediums that cater to our digital commercial realm, one promotional resource is still proving itself to be an advertising force to reckon with: trade show exhibits. Regardless of how technologically-centric any given marketplace or niche becomes, today's modern trade show exhibits still deliver a wide range of unparalleled features and benefits that cutting-edge entrepreneurs simple can't ignore, thus solidifying their place in any marketing mix.
At any given event, a business' trade show exhibits can offer invaluable perks that include:
• Face-to-face connection
• Live product demonstrations
• Opportunity to outshine the competition (in both real time and real life)
• Chance to educate your business' consumer base through live seminars and workshops
Recognizing The Importance Of Keeping Your Trade Show Exhibits Cutting Edge
Despite the unwavering relevance of these promotional booths and stands, it's important for business owners to remember that, in order to effectively optimize function ROI, they must continuously raise the bar on what their booths and stands deliver to attendees. Relying on antiquated and obsolete (read, "lackluster") and technologically uninventive booths and stands is a surefire way to quickly disillusion today's savvy consumer. Rather, strategically-minded entrepreneurs consistently find relevant ways to breathe new life into this more traditionally-minded medium to ensure that their booths make a big impact that resonates with the wandering clientele and effectively stands out from the competition. When designing your final trade show exhibits, consider including innovations such as:
Moving parts: Don't let the "stand" in trade show stand fool you - today's booths can include a wide range of moving pieces and parts to effectively grab the wandering eye of the crowd.
Flat screens: Paper presentations are officially passé - incorporate flat screens throughout the stand to loop videos and marketing presentations that will make a meaningful impression on your guests.
Tablets: Who says that digital doesn't have its place in today's business booths and stands? Having electronic tablets ready to connect with the web can deliver a wide range of customer benefits. From instantly grabbing online information to answer questions, to helping visitors link up to your online social media pages, successfully incorporating electronic tablets can help ensure that your business looks cutting-edge and innovative. Leverage the benefits that come with the digital age and you'll stand head and shoulders above the competition.

Skyline New York is the leading provider of innovative trade show exhibits in New York and throughout the region. Don't settle for ordinary at your next convention, contact Skyline New York today and begin designing a booth to help boost your brand and company image.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_A._Harmen

A Summary of Printing Businesses

By Jonathan C Eastman

A good promotional project could very well help your business to stick out from your competitors, and a first-rate printing supplier could be your number one ally when it comes to successful marketing. Printing providers supply much more than just text on paper, and outstanding personalized work may well result in welcome financial benefits. While contrasting printing merchants may require some careful consideration, choosing the best one could be the optimal means to deliver leads and present your company exactly the outcome you desire.
It will certainly help you to examine them a little more quickly if you see printing providers as potential partners for evolving your company. Whether you're interested in posters, flyers, or business cards, buying your printed products should be practical and budget friendly. Choosing a printing agency which offers excellent client service and a good turn-around time will be useful to your business marketing as well.
An online service may be optimal for your printing needs, particularly if the business you choose has an extensive website and a good collection of products and services. It might conserve your time and dollars if your online service enables you to design and review your printing tasks. A friendly, well-informed, and available support personnel should be part of any on-line company that you employ.
While price might be a huge factor, there are several other items to consider when you want to find a good printing business. Quality printing businesses offer their consumers options when it comes to issues such as quantities, sizes, paper stock, and ink. These things are essential whether you're trying to buy a huge quantity of basic business cards, a small supply of letterheads, or a strong banner for a yard sign.
Top notch printing services typically offer a great deal of choices, but yet there may be occasions when you really need to have a specially designed item. You may have a unique idea on targeting a client, and being in a position to develop something distinctive could be quick and simple if you work with a printing company that can handle this kind of request. A really unique flyer, bookmark, or event ticket could have people discussing your business and spreading the word regarding your services or products.
You should make a few cost comparisons before you sign on with a printing vendor, and it's possible to obtain online prices promptly. Your price quotes ought to at the same time encompass any relevant transportation fees, as this might have a sizable effect on your business costs and profits. Your printing company must have a comprehensive site that lets you enter your information and receive a quote as quickly as possible.
Apart from selling a large selection of print media, a printing business ought to have precise rules pertaining to proofing and using templates. The printing business terms and procedures should be understandable, and appropriate payment methods should be clearly specified as well. Choosing a printing vendor that has a support staff devoted to dealing with issues as thoroughly and as swiftly as feasible may help assure that your printed supplies wholly support your company success.

Jonathan Eastman is a avid writer on a wide variety of topics. If you want the cheapest printing service without sacrificing quality, be sure to check out http://www.cincinnatiprintingpro.com

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