Small Business Strategies: Year of the Dragon offers lessons
Who wouldnt want all that? Well, if Chinese astrology is right, theyre coming your way as we enter the lunar — or Chinese — New Year. Its the Year of the Dragon, considered the luckiest year in the Chinese zodiac, and it should be a great year for entrepreneurs and small business owners, according to whats predicted to affect you and your small business in the coming year. The Chinese New Year began Jan. 23 and festivities continue for two weeks. So Gung hay fat choy! (Loosely translated, thats happy new year.) Now, Im not a believer in astrology, but why not have some fun with this tradition that more than a billion people around the globe share? We have an annual Chinese New Year lunch in my company. Moreover, its an opportunity to reflect on how you can choose to embody some of the traits associated with the coming year as you plan to grow your business in 2012. Chinese astrology is based on a 12-year cycle, each year named for one of the animals that supposedly responded when the Buddha called. Each animal is associated with certain traits, generally ones you can figure out: the ox for hard work, the tiger for aggressiveness. In a large part of the world, personal and business decisions are influenced by which year it is in the Chinese zodiac. The Year of the Dragon is an incredibly auspicious year, the most fortunate of all, according to tradition. Dragon years are associated with good luck, money, accomplishment, celebrations, longevity, success. If thats what this year brings, it should be a terrific time for business owners or to start a new business. People born in the year of the dragon are likely to be leaders, who are active and powerful, take initiative and are creative — good traits for entrepreneurs. The dragon is considered the most powerful symbol. Its the only symbol that is not a real animal and has mystical qualities. In China, many people want children who embody Dragon traits, and births in China rise by about 5% in Dragon years. Likewise, it is a good year to give birth to a new business. According to the Economist magazine, the stock market likes Dragon years, too. From 1900 to 2011, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has increased an average of 7.7% in Dragon years, the second best record of any animal of the Chinese zodiac. So what is the astrological forecast for this year, and what does that mean for you and your business? oWealth. It should be a good year for making money, and with luck this means an increasingly strong overall economy. So dont be afraid to aggressively pursue financial goals this year. Youre more likely to succeed. But as the cash rolls in, be sure to put some aside for a rainy day. oAmbition. Have you been afraid to live your dreams, follow your passion? Nows the time to go for it. oInnovation. A good year for trying new approaches, introducing new products or services, and reinvigorating your company with creative ideas. oVirtue. As you grow your business this year, remember your social responsibility to others: your employees, society, environment. oHarmony. Find ways to communicate better with your employees and customers and create an amiable workplace. oBig changes. Dragon years can be tumultuous, so be prepared for the unexpected. But this year can be a time to shake yourself up, too, so it can be a terrific year to try new things, take big chances, make significant change. As you grow your company this year, remember to harness the strength and power of a dragon and try to attract the good luck dragons bring. Dragon years are associated with people who take initiatives, so dont wait for good fortune to come to you. Go out and make your own fortune. Be bold, be brave. Make your mark. After all, a fire-breathing, tail-wagging dragon would likely carve quite a path wherever it goes.
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Huddle Up! Podcast: Brandon Weeden boosts his draft stock; Kellen Moore doesn’t
Its the bye week before Super Bowl XLVI, but before you dive into all things Giants and Patriots in advance of their NFL title tilt next Sunday in Indianapolis, Sporting News Vinnie Iyer and Bill Bender give you the early breakdown of the big game in this weeks Huddle Up! podcast:
Also this week, Vinnie and Bill talk draft, first a super-early fantasy mock for 2012 with SN Fantasy Source expert George Winkler.
Fears for sporting mecca Rio as 3 die in buildings collapse
Rescuers last night recovered three bodies from the rubble of three buildings that collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, highlighting the creaky infrastructure of the Brazilian city that will play host to the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.
The buildings, one 20 storeys high, collapsed on Wednesday night in a cloud of dust and smoke, just a block away from the historic Municipal Theatre.
Rescue teams pulled six people alive from the rubble, but at least 16 people were still missing, the authorities said.
One of those pulled out alive was Marcelo Moreira, a janitor in an eight-storey building that fell. “He stayed behind to finish a bit of work,” said Rosalvo Alves, the doorman, who spent the night in hospital with his friend. “We shut down at eight. I left, and he was supposed to come too. Now this. He’s hurt, our jobs are gone, everything is gone.”
Mr Alves said he had worked in the building for 38 years and never noticed any problems.
The buildings that fell had been mostly used for office space and therefore were almost empty at the time of the disaster.
Witnesses said they heard the structures cracking and saw plaster falling before they collapsed, causing panic in the streets and covering parked cars with dust and debris. “It was like an earthquake. First some pieces of the buildings started to fall down. People started to run. And then it all fell down at once,” a witness said.
One man said he had been on the tenth floor and ran down the stairs just in time to escape.
“My wife was inside. I spoke with her just before the collapse,” another man in tears said.
Rio mayor Eduardo Paes said the cause of the collapse could have been a structural failure caused by work being done on one of the buildings.
He stressed there had been no gas leak that could have led to an explosion. “The work on one of the buildings could have been the cause. They could have bungled it. That’s one hypothesis, but it is speculation,” he said. “We will investigate this fully, because it is not normal for a building to collapse.”
Rio is struggling to address concerns about its decrepit infrastructure, unreliable power supplies and deficient public transport as it prepares to host the two global sporting events.
Construction and renovation of 12 stadiums for football’s 2014 World Cup are behind schedule and there is concern that Brazil’s overcrowded and inefficient airports will be not able to handle masses of sports fans expected.
The building collapses come months after an explosion, apparently caused by a gas leak, ripped through a restaurant in Rio, killing three people and heightening concern about the state of the city’s infrastructure.
In recent months, Rio’s inhabitants have had to deal with exploding sewer pipes and landslides in the city’s slums caused by heavy rain and deforestation.
The collapsed buildings had a bakery and a bank branch on the ground floor and were near the headquarters of state-run firms such as oil giant Petrobras.
Sporting News lists 8 standouts that could help Browns
Jan. 27, 2012 1:00 pm – by Marty Gitlin – Sporting News lists 8 standouts that could help Browns
The Sporting News has touted eight standoutsin Senior Bowl workouts. All play positions of needand could be available when the Browns pick 22nd and 37th. They are Ohio State OT Mike Adams , Georgia CB Brandon Boykin, North Carolina DE Quinton Coples, Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins, Arizona WR Juron Criner, South Carolina OLB/DE Melvin Ingram, North Alabama CB Janoris Jenkins and Oklahoma State QB Brandon Weeden.
Homeowners Turn To Renovation To Boost Value And Home Enjoyment In Uncertain …
The uncertain real estate market has caused homeowners across the country to carefully weigh the pros and cons of home renovation vs. new-builds. When it comes to remodeling, experts at Sears Home Services rank bathroom upgrades high on the list of ways to boost home value and increase personal enjoyment of the space. Upgrading your bathroom can seem intimidating at first, said Ginger Jackson, Marketing Manager for Sears Home Services. Whether youre looking for full service bathroom remodeling services or just need a few bathroom update ideas, Sears has you covered. But, knowing where to begin is the key. Jackson outlines the following points for those considering bathroom remodeling services: 1.Determine a Budget Bathroom remodeling costs can be as little or as much as you wish to spend. Its always a good idea to establish a budget up front and stick to it. Educate yourself about what it will take to bring your bath up to par with competitively priced homes in your area. For example, if the majority of homes on your block all have granite countertops or luxury tubs, consider starting there. If your budget is smaller, a can of paint or a bathroom faucet replacement might do the trick. 2.Outline Your Priorities With your budget in mind, decide what type of bathroom renovation will best fit your needs and lifestyle. It could be as simple as a bathroom (medicine) cabinet replacement, bathtub refinishing service, bathroom shower replacement, sink replacement or toilet replacement. Or, it could be extensive as a full bathroom renovation. 3.Shop Around Its important to explore your options and consider a vendor that caters to do it yourself customers in need of bathroom improvement ideas, as well as those wishing to hire turn-key bathroom renovation services. Also consider whether the company carries a variety of name brands that meet your aesthetic and quality standards. 4.Select a Company Selecting a qualified bathroom remodeling service is more complicated than knowing they stock your favorite color of tile. For the safety of your family and home, its critical the contractor provide the following: At Sears Home Services, we not only carry top name brands like Kohler(R), Sterling Vikrell(R), Accord(R) and Sensa(R), but we also back all of our work with a written satisfaction guarantee. Regardless of whether you opt for a bathroom shower replacement or take advantage of our full bathroom remodeling services, youre backed by one of the best warranties in the business said Jackson. About Sears Home Services Sears Home Services is a division of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ:SHLD), the nations fourth largest broadline retailer with more than 4,000 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. As the nations largest provider of homes services, Sears Home Services provides more than 11 million service calls annually. For more information, visit the website at http:// http://www.searshomeservices.com.
Some hobbies more than money pit
Story last updated at
3:52 PM on
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Some hobbies more than money pit
While standing in line for my morning coffee a few months ago, I overheard a conversation between two women. The portion Im about to share obviously stayed with me longer than the coffee. Apparently the two friends hadnt seen each other for some time. The brief delay in their day offered an opportunity to catch up. There was talk of busy schedules, kids, the weather and, finally, spouses. Woman No. 1: So, whats your husband up to? Woman No. 2: Hes working on the boat. Long pause. Woman No. 2: Why is it Im feeling guilty about the cost of my favorite coffee when every time he works on the boat it costs thousands of dollars? Both women and every other woman within earshot including myself laughed. A knowing, inside-joke kind of laugh. I recalled that exchange recently after renewing a childhood interest in knitting and falling completely in love with the crafts many aspects. The patterns. The textures. The sound of needles clicking together. The rhythm. The colors and smells of different types of yarn. The company of other knitters. The thrill of creating something. The joy of making items for family and friends. As a result, in the last two months I have accumulated a small, but growing collection of yarn, needles and patterns. Ive bookmarked websites where I can find free patterns. Ive made notes of what I made and for whom so I dont repeat myself. Ive put post-it notes in books, marking designs Im eager to try. Just before Christmas, when scarves, hats, headbands and washcloths Id made for gifts were stacking up and more ideas were popping into my head and I found it difficult to sleep for the excitement of getting everything done, but still needing a skein of yarn for this and a different sized pair of needles for that, it hit me: guilt. Sure, I was making things for others. Yes, I was eliminating a lot of shopping. And everything I made that had to be mailed was light so it would require less postage. But and heres the big but I was having way too much fun. Did that mean I was being selfish? Had knitting become more than a hobby? Did it border on an obsession? Was I on the brink of trading the family fortune for a treasure trove of needles and patterns, only to find we were no longer able to pay for electricity or heating oil? Would I begin letting dirty dishes stack up in the sink? Laundry remain unfolded? The cats litter box in desperate need of cleaning? It was at that point the conversation between the two women came back to me and a mental image flashed through my mind of my husbands beautiful 41-foot sailboat that has carried him on many an adventure. The same boat that sat on land for nearly a year while it was having its electrical system redone, its water tank replaced, its fuel tank fixed, its lines restrung. The boat that except for those months onshore occupies a rented slip in the harbor, ready in case we want to go sailing, which we did all of twice last summer. The boat that must be winterized, kept warm and snow-free. To my husbands credit he has never complained while stepping over balls of yarn to get from one room to another or having to be careful where he sits so as to avoid the pointed ends of needles. Wondrously and without any prompts from me, he has actually noticed new patterns Ive tried and complimented me on items Ive made. He even bless his heart wears the hat I made for him. He knows because Ive pointed it out at the price per skein of yarn, Id have to do a whole lot of knitting to ever match the constantly increasing price tag hanging on the boat. On the other hand, I recognize you cant sail a skein of yarn on Kachemak Bay, much less across the Pacific Ocean. Then again, it might actually be possible. With very small needles and just the right kind of yarn, a leak-proof result might be achievable. With my husbands boat as a model and the yarn requirements of my last six-foot-by-six-inch scarf as a go-by, I should be able to mathematically determine how many skeins it would take to create a 41-foot hull with a 13-foot beam. The sails are simple triangles. Masts and keel might be a bit tricky, but not unsolvable. Oh, yes, this just might work. If not, the attempt will make a good story. Some might even call it a yarn. McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben. jackinsky@homernews.com.
Dick’s Sporting Goods: Depressed Vol Into Earnings
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Even in winter, whites bring a taste of summer
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Police chief wants restoration of mayor’s escorts
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
NEGROS Occidental Provincial Police Director Allan Guisihan said Monday he is working for the restoration of the three police personnel detailed as security escorts to Escalante City Mayor Melecio Yap.
This development indicates the improved working relationships between the local police and Escalante officials after the rift, which occurred between the two parties last year.
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It can be recalled that after the National Police Commission (Napolcom) stripped Yap of his authority over the local police, the City Government withdrew its support to the local police and threatened to take back the City Government-owned building that is used by the local police as their station.
Guisihan said after their meeting with Governor Alfredo Marañon, Yap has not returned the computers, patrol car and other equipment which were earlier taken back by the city officials from the local police. The pullout from the police station building has not also pushed through.
The City Government of Escalante also continued its support for the local police, Guisihan said.
He said he already instructed the chief of police of Escalante City to bring to the regional director of the Philippine National Police the three police personnel who were detailed as personal guards to Yap.
The three were declared absent without leave or Awol after they failed to report to the Police Regional Office-Western Visayas in Iloilo City.
Six of the 13 members of the Escalante police who were also previously suspended have already returned to the police station, he added.