Midle of The sky

Convert All Common Video & Audio Formats

noreply@blogger.com (bedazaman) — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:35:00 +0000

Tanbee Video Converter for Mac is an excellent Mac video converter software which can convert video formats from one to another with perfect output quality and high conversion speed for Mac OS X users. It supports all popular video formats including FLV, MKV, MOD, WMV, ASF, MPEG1, MPEG2, MP4, 3GP, 3G2, MOV, AVI, TOD, TS/TP (for HD Video), MP3, AMR and AC3.

The output videos and audios can be put on PSP, iPod, iPhone, Apple TV, Blackberry, Zune, Creative Zen, iRiver, mobile phone or other popular digital devices for your enjoyment. Furthermore, you can merge/clip/split/crop videos, apply artistic effect, etc. to perfect output files. Just get video converted in your way with Tanbee Video Converter for Mac.

This Mac video converter software lets you set video brightness, contrast, saturation, crop video, trim video/audio and even merge multiple files into one file. Batch conversion is also supported by this powerful Mac video converter. Convert videos on Mac OS X with Tanbee Video Converter for Mac and enjoy your colorful digital life!

Key Features

* Support all common video&audio formats
* Support Batch Conversion
Convert multiple video files at one time, making your conversion much easier.
* Powerful Video editing function
This Video Converter has powerful video editing function, supporting movie trimming, cropping and effect adjustment. You can set brightness, contrast, saturation and choose the suitable resolution for your players.
* Customize video converting
Various video and audio settings for you tweak together.
* Support various video aspect ratios such as 16:9, 4:3 and full screen.
* Support video capture and save your favorite movie pictures on your computer as jpeg, png or bmp files.
* Intuitive guide user-interface.
* Fast conversion process with no loss quality.
* Free e-mail technical support, provide the best service for you.

by: Tan Bee

When Computers Crash a Good Data Recovery Service is Often the Only Option

noreply@blogger.com (bedazaman) — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:34:00 +0000

It happens to the best of us; from time to time we lose data when a computer crashes or freezes, a hard drive becomes lost or corrupted, or a server goes down.

There can be many reasons for this – a power failure or bugs in the software; even criminal activity such as hacking or the propagation of viruses and other malware. Human error, such as accidental deletion of data can also wreak havoc. Studies have shown that around three quarters of all incidences of data loss are due to either human error or hardware failure.

Whatever the reason, when this happens, it is important to try and mount a data recovery operation. Data recovery is a process by which information is salvaged from secondary storage media that cannot be accessed by normal means.

Most forms of data recovery are based on a failure of the computer’s operating system and the solution is relatively simple – gain access to the system and copy the data that is required to another disk. Dealing with a failure of the hard disk itself is more complex and an attempt to recover the data may involve repairing the file system, or using techniques ranging from software-based recovery of corrupted data to replacing a damaged disk.

Most people lack the detailed technical knowledge that is required to perform all but the most basic data recovery, and rely on professional services offered by a number of companies. When doing so they want to know, above all, that those services will be reliable.

A good data recovery company will be well established with a list of testimonials from satisfied clients (particularly well known companies, academic experts and public bodies) and have a solid track record, although one should be wary of any that offer a 100 per cent success rate – no reputable professional can guarantee to recover all data every single time.

They will also offer a variety of services at different costs, again, depending on the form of the data loss. Some losses can be dealt with by the user, with a little advice, and the best companies provide this advice free of charge.

Furthermore, a good company will always be striving to improve its data recovery rates. The best now run research and development programmes, in conjunction with universities and IT companies, to increase their knowledge of how computer hardware and software can go wrong, and to minimise the chances of data loss occurring in the future.

by: Olivia A Wilson

Fourteen Ways to Succeed through Networking

noreply@blogger.com (bedazaman) — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:32:00 +0000

Feel like you need more contacts to expand or start your business and don't know how to make those important connections? There's an easy answer to your dilemma - drink coffee!!! No, not in your kitchen; but at the myriad networking opportunities for women in business as well as those wanting to start a business. Men: this is for you too.

So, what is all the hullabaloo about Networking? The most important thing you should know about the concept is. It works! All those business cards floating around can sometimes find their way to a person/business that needs you! Some examples from my limited sphere: 1- I networked with a person who sells insurance; after talking with her, I decided to ask her to give me quotes on my homeowners and auto insurance. She saved me $500.00 per year! And she got a new client.

That's the great thing about networking. There's a give and take, a Yin and Yang. You get a new client; and sometimes, you become a new client. Another person I networked with had products I was interested in buying and I had advertising opportunities she needed. Voila. A perfect match! And on and on.

Morals of the story:

1. Always have plenty of business cards with you.

2. Make sure your biz cards reflect who you are and what you can offer others; if not, make up new ones!

3. Make sure the cards are up to date and have your current email address, web site and phone #.

4. If you can afford it, there are many inexpensive promotional items you can have imprinted to give out at these events. (Such as: magnets, pens, pencils, key chains etc.

5. Attend as many networking events as you can; many are free or low cost and take place either during the day or in the evening.

6. Try to utilize the services / products of those representatives you have met; remember, they might do the same for you.

7. Write notes on the back of the cards you receive so that you can remember who the person is and what he/she does etc.

8. At most networking events, attendees are permitted to bring flyers, pamphlets and free samples. Make sure you ask first!

9. Some events allow people to donate a door prize; consider that as another means of "spreading the word".

10. An essential element of networking is to follow up a day or two after the event; call, send an email or write a letter to everyone you spoke with and remind them who you are and what you can offer them.

11. Don't be intimidated by speaking to strangers; everyone is there for the same thing.to find clients as well as finding services/products that they can utilize.

12. Part of networking is to join as many organizations and groups as possible; some of these will allow you to come to networking events for free at least at first.

13. Network by placing your card in any "fish bowl" that allows it.

14. Last, but not least, keep drinking that coffee! Remember, you don't schmooze, ya lose!!

"Network continually -- 85 percent of all jobs are filled through contacts and personal references." -- Brian Tracy

"It's not who you know. It's how well you maintain your Rolodex(R)." -- Patricia Fripp

"Make a list of 200 prestigious, influential, and powerful people with whom
you want to work, play, grow and do business." -- Mark Victor Hansen

"Networking is simply the cultivating of mutually beneficial, give and take, win-win relationships. It works best, however, when emphasizing the 'give' part." -- Bob Burg

By Francine York

Building Customer Loyalty through Brand Equity

noreply@blogger.com (bedazaman) — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:28:00 +0000

What emotion do your customers experience when they interact with your company? What impression do you or your employees, internal systems and products make on your customers and business partners? What is the essence of your company that will stand the test of time?

In my BLASTTM Marketing System, I spend a lot of time teaching entrepreneurs the importance of creating both a business and a personal brand to support their business. A brand is created using a variety of different marketing messages, images and touch points and goes far beyond your logo, websites and brochures. It is about emotion and thought. When customers hear your business name what comes to mind? What is the lasting impression? For example, when you think of FedEx, what comes to mind? How about "When you absolutely have to get it there overnight" and did the big plane they use on their commercials pop in your head? Or when you are talking with a client and you need to overnight something do you find yourself just automatically saying, "I'll FedEx that to you" as though FedEx is a verb?

How about Walt Disney? What comes to mind? What is the lasting impression? How about "Happiest place on earth" or the word Magic? Disney went out of his way to leave a lasting impression and to create a world of fantasy, happiness and imagination and everything about Disney, supported that impression. If I start singing "I am stuck on Band Aid Brand because……. Can you finish the phrase? Are you singing "Because Band Aid's stuck on me" Chances are you even are remembering a story perhaps in your childhood when you used Band Aid' product.

When companies have successfully connected with their customers and live and breathe every moment in support of that connection, is when they create a brand - an emotional element connected to your company, its people, its process and all of its points in between that support that emotional connection. So what are the points in between? Simply, anyway your company touches a client or potential client. It could be your people and their behaviors, your internal systems - technology, invoices, phone, website, etc. and your external systems - your product, how the product is delivered, your marketing and your customer service. When this connection happens, your customers become loyal to your brand.

To build equity in customer relationships develop a concrete brand strategy using one word - three simple letters: BID- Brand Promise, Identity and Deliver your Promise.

B - Brand Promise

Your brand promise should be compelling and unique. It must make a public statement that your product will perform the way the customer expects each and every time. It becomes reliable and creates and resonates emotionally with your target audience. It should be short and truly represent why you are different - "when it absolutely has to get there overnight"

I - Identity

Your identity defines who you are and more importantly why you are in business. You should focus defining yourself strategically rather than the functions you perform. Focus on your core values, core differentiators and the markets you serve. Know who you are with confidence and conviction and your customers will come to rely on that identity.

D - Deliver Your Promise

Your promise delivery will make or break your brand. As the old saying goes "practice what you preach". You promise should permeate your entire culture and everything that touches the client should support your brand promise and reinforce your brand identity. There are never any exceptions and the minute you make one, the minute you lose credibility and trust with your customer.

To build brand equity and customer loyalty, you must have a strong company identity that people can relate to and a public commitment or guarantee, that people can expect each and every time they engage your organization including your employees, internal and external systems and actual product or service delivery. By mastering BID, you will create a loyal relationship with your customers, similar to the Blindly Proud Grandparents from my last article "Master Strategy: Know Your Customer"

by: Kellie D'Andrea
©Kellie D'Andrea & Associates

Customer Service Means Action

noreply@blogger.com (bedazaman) — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:27:00 +0000

Every single contact your organization has with its customers either cultivates or corrodes your relationship. That includes every letter you send, every ad you run, and every phone call you make. This includes every employee contact, from the CEO to technicians, sales force, support staff, and maintenance crews.

In other words, your business is only as good as your worst employee! It's a sobering thought, isn't it? How well are you training your employees to cultivate your customers? Is anyone too high or too low to count?

Make heroes of your employees.

At a meeting for the Gap stores, Ed Stair, Senior VP of Gap Outlets, wanted to make everyone think of ways to serve customers and at the same time wasted resources that could be directed to customer benefits. He started his talk by saying, "We are here to talk about HEROES. They may be sitting in front of you, or behind you, or they may be you. In the trenches, Gap Heroes!"

He went on to describe how one Gap Hero in the mailroom noticed 7 FedEx packets going to the same Gap location, on the same day, with the same material inside the company newsletter. He repackaged them into one, with directions to distribute at the final location. Making the same observations everyday saved the Gap $200,000 in one year. This saving could be directed into another jeans size not created, 18 miles of shelves to make it easier for us to find what we need, a month more to watch the fun Gap Swings, Gap Jives, Gap Rocks commercials!

See yourself through your customers' eyes.

On a visit to New York, my brother and I decided on a whim to see a movie. It was the last show of the evening, and, though we were ten minutes late, we didn't feel missing a few scenes would matter. (It was a Jean-Claude Van Damme film, not the deepest plotline!) The cashier refused to sell us tickets because she had closed the cash drawer for the night. We asked her if it were possible to enter the money in the next day's records. She said no. After speaking to two more employees including the manager, we left without seeing the film. They couldn't take our money because the drawer was closed.

Had the theater's employees been trained to see situations through the eyes of the customers, we would not have encountered three uncooperative and uncaring individuals. Taking money after the drawer is closed is undoubtedly a nuisance, but it is revenue after all. Obliging customers brings repeat business, and repeat business is what we all strive for.

See your company through the boss's eyes.

One of the goals of customer service training is to instill in all your employees the sense that it is their business, too. Build this sense of ownership by encouraging employees to see situations from the owner's point of view. If the theater employees had had any sense of ownership, they never would have turned down money. Which day the ticket sale is rung up is irrelevant. Taking in money is what keeps the doors open and what the business is all about.

Take the case of a manager for American Express in Phoenix, Arizona. He visited a local mall to buy ten boxes of chocolates for his employees as thank you gifts. There were two candy stores across from each other. He entered the first store and asked if they accepted American Express credit cards. Assured that they did, he selected candy totaling $150. Then he noticed the store had only posted Visa and MasterCard signs. Through the window, he saw that the candy store across the way had the American Express logo clearly visible on its door.

The manager explained to the salesperson that, as an American Express employee, he couldn't in good conscious give his business to a store that did not advertise the card. "I hope you'll understand that I'll have to take my business to a store that does," he said.

Just then, a sixteen-year-old stock boy asked him to wait a moment. The young man ran to the other candy store, picked up an American Express application, ran back, cut out the American Express logo, and taped it to the register. "Is that good enough, sir?" he said. Needless to say, he made the sale.

Now that employee had no long-term career strategy with the candy store, yet he instinctively knew to take the initiative, creatively removing the problem, saving the customer. He also knew that if he didn't act as if his name were on the door... it never would be. The best strategies are usually the simplest aren't they?

Everyone makes a difference. As noted broadcaster Paul Harvey says, "For a company's advertising strategy to work, it has to be handled not only corporately but also individually." No one is too important or unimportant to leave out of your positive PR loop. Seeing your business like a customer and a boss is a winning combination and a good place to start.

by Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE

Time and Attendance Systems – Helping Organizations to Increase Efficiency

noreply@blogger.com (bedazaman) — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:21:00 +0000

It the highly competitive market, it is very important for business organizations to make optimum use of the available resources and increase the productivity. The time and attendance software is an essential workforce management tool which helps an organization to make optimum use of the most important resources of an organization, i.e, human resources.

Keeping a track of the time and attendance of employees is not a new practice for organizations. Earlier manual methods were used to keep a track on the performance and attendance of employees. Maintaining records manually was not only a time consuming and tiring job, but the records also had a number of errors. Above all it led to wastage of labor.

Since the manually maintained records were not accurate, workforce planning could not be done efficiently by the organizations. Lack of accurate records also made it difficult for managements to determine the overtime worked by employees, their productivity and their performance. This not only made businesses undergo loses, but also led to employee dissatisfaction, which further hampered the productivity.

The need and demand for efficient workforce planning and management tools, led to the development of several solutions such as time-attendance software, rostering and scheduling, payroll software etc. Among all these, the time and attendance and absence tracking software are most widely used by organizations of different sizes and from numerous sectors.

The absence management and time and attendance solutions are more than simple programs which help organizations to maintain regular and flawless records of time spent in work by an employee. With these solutions, organizations can keep a track on the performance of employees and calculate the actual extra hours worked by them and their efficiency. Therefore, managements no more have to deal with over- or under-payments problems. The possibility of presence of human errors and miscalculations of payroll are also eliminated.

The latest workforce management solutions available in the market are the tracking systems which run on biometrics. These are expensive and high end solutions. These solutions work on personal identification systems such as iris recognition, finger recognition etc. Theses solutions specially eliminate the possibility of dishonesty and inaccuracy in the employee time and attendance records.

The different workforce management systems are crucial and essential tools for ensuring the smooth functioning of a business. For the small and medium sized organizations, there are several time and attendance tracking solutions available in surprisingly affordable prices and are functional as well. Therefore, now there are workforce management solutions available for one and all.

by Pooja Ray.

Time Management Tips for Work

noreply@blogger.com (bedazaman) — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:16:00 +0000

(ARA) - Flying by the seat of your pants is rarely successful in helping you achieve your career goals. But careful planning and effective time management can help you meet, and even exceed, your career expectations.

“Effective time management is an art form; it’s something we all do with varying degrees of success,” says Dana Warren, senior vice president of staffing provider Kelly Services. “With a little planning, even the most disorganized person can be more productive.”

Developing techniques to help you manage your time effectively will reduce the pressures on you, and in turn, give you more time to yourself, Warren says. She shares these tips for keeping your days on track:

* Take inventory

Everyone has the same amount of time each day to use or lose. The clock continues to tick regardless of whether we spend our time wisely or waste it on unimportant activities.

One of the most useful exercises to improve your time management is to evaluate how you are currently spending your time. Try tracking what you do in 30-minute increments for one week. You may be surprised how much time you waste watching TV or on other things that do not contribute to your goals.

* Identify efficiencies

Organize your day so that similar activities can be done at the same time. For example, you might cluster all the activities you perform with the same person so you can get more done in your time together.

“By listing your daily activities and grouping them by category, you’ll see opportunities to save time and work more efficiently,” Warren says.

* Pretend you’re going on vacation

Have you ever noticed how much more productive you are on the days just prior to going on vacation? You’re busy tying up loose ends and making last minute preparations. “To make the most of each day,” Warren says, “I pretend I’m about to leave on a vacation. This forces me to limit time wasters and get more crossed off my ‘to do’ list.”

* Use organizing aids

Using tools like a simple “to do” list or a personal digital assistant (PDA) can be very useful for tracking your current tasks and ensuring you meet your daily goals. “After creating my daily ‘to do’ list,” Warren adds, “I highlight the ‘must do’ items for the day. I don’t want to waste time on non-urgent items or fail to meet an important deadline.”

* Prepare for the unexpected

About those interruptions, changes and occasional chaos: If you’re mentally prepared for these situations, you’re more likely to keep your cool, and their impact on your schedule and stress level can be reduced.

“The most effective employees we recruit at Kelly are those who can remain composed in hectic, pressure situations,” says Warren. “They project a feeling of confidence and comfort that things are under control.”

* Schedule leisure time

Finally, taking time for non-work activities can improve your productivity on the job. Commit time on your calendar to be with family and friends or to relax with a good book or magazine. A balanced life is a healthy life.

The Kelly Career Network matches candidates with open jobs. Visit www.kellyservices.com/kcn

Courtesy of ARA Content

Good Customer Service Is More Than Good PR

noreply@blogger.com (bedazaman) — Sun, 03 May 2009 18:43:00 +0000

In the throes and stresses of our workday lives, we sometimes forget how our customers see us. One single negative contact can ruin your reputation in the eyes of not only that one customer -- but everyone he or she knows as well. After all, word of mouth works both for or against you.

You need to make sure everybody in your organization knows he or she is an important part of it. Each department depends and dovetails into the other to produce quality in service or product. Everyone makes a difference: the sales force, the service technicians, the clerical staff, the PR department all work together toward the same goal -- keeping the customers satisfied.

A perfect example of how everyone makes a difference is when I was in a Nashville hotel attending a board of directors meeting for the National Speakers Association. After the meeting, several of us went to the coffee shop to continue our deliberations. Each of us asked for exceptions or additions to the menu items; we wanted separate checks; and to make things even more confusing, being speakers, we talked to each other the whole time the waitress patiently took our orders.

"My dear, all this confusion is going to be worthwhile -- these guys are big tippers," I said.

She said, "I'm not being nice for a tip. It doesn't even matter if I get a tip or not. If we give you good service, your group will bring back its business here and not to the competition."

Isn't that a marvelous attitude from someone on the front lines? I was so impressed, I wrote a letter to the hotel manager congratulating him on his staff and especially the waitress at the coffee shop.

I never received a reply. That waitress "wowed" me with her service and her attitude; but the manager's lack of response almost nullified her customer service savvy. Everyone makes a difference. I think the manager and the waitress should change places for a couple of weeks, she knows more about good PR than he does.

As Paul Harvey says, "Advertising strategies work if everyone knows about them, from the highest corporate executive to the entry level worker."

by Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE