Dare The Impossible!

7 Ways LinkedIn Can Drive More Traffic to Your Website

2012-09-19T16:59:00.000-07:00

BY LEWIS HOWES

For online marketers, success usually boils down to two simple things: traffic and conversions. But how does someone cut through all of the noise online to capture the prized attention and fans?

One of the best, and often overlooked traffic sources online is LinkedIn. Yes, LinkedIn. The site is chock full of business decision makers and potential clients. The trick is getting them to your site.

Here are seven ways to drive more traffic to your site using LinkedIn:

1. Create a killer profile. It doesn't take a lot of research to realize that the human eye is drawn to attractive things. So the better looking your LinkedIn profile is -- meaning professional and complete -- the more qualified you'll appear to your audience and the more interested people will be to check out your site.

2. Increase your connections. A good LinkedIn profile has a lot of "1st degree" connections -- the people you accept as a friend or connection. More 1st degree connections equal more clicks and traffic to your site simply because the more people you have looking at your site and your updates, the more views you'll receive. Your goal should be to have at least 500 1st degree connections and continue growing from there.

Related: 5 Underutilized LinkedIn Marketing Tools

3. Update your status often. I see a direct connection between my LinkedIn activity and traffic to my site. Even more so, I often see more traction from my posts on LinkedIn than on Twitter and Facebook. The more content you share, the more opportunity people have to see it and engage with it. Aim to update your status once or twice a day, or more if it makes sense for your brand.

4. Join targeted groups. One of the best places to share articles or links is within groups. Look for groups that are related to your brand or business. Some groups on LinkedIn have more than 500,000 members. That's a large audience you can be engaging with and direct back to your site.

5. Create your own group. Creating a group should be a top priority for business owners. It allows you to build an audience inside of LinkedIn and send a message to that targeted audience each week. Send messages to helpful resources and articles on your site. This way you not only become the go-to resource to these group members, you also drive traffic as well.

6. Customize your profile links. Instead of having the generic links such as "my website" or "my blog" that LinkedIn provides, create a unique "call to action" where you directly tell visitors to click on the links you've placed, such as "Increase Your SEO" or "First Time Home Buyer -- Click Here".

7. Use the blog app. Add the blog app to your profile. This displays the most recent articles from your blog directly on your LinkedIn profile. This not only makes your profile look more advanced, it gives viewers a reason to go back to your articles on your site.

Richard Branson's Tips for Growing Your Small Business

2012-09-19T16:54:00.000-07:00

BY RICHARD BRANSON

Over the years we’ve started many Virgin businesses out of frustration at the way things were done in established sectors. Whether it was airlines, mobile telephones or financial services, we’ve stood out by focusing on ways to improve people’s lives through better service, innovation and value.

Sometimes a small detail, such as more transparentpricing or a friendlier staff, gave us our edge. Our humor and tone also helped attract and keep customers. I try to keep bureaucracy to a minimum and remind my teams that business, as well as life, should be fun.

When you’re starting out with a small business and an enthusiastic team, it’s relatively easy to keep the focus on details and high-quality service, with a light touch. But how can you retain the passion and attention to detail after your business becomes established, successful and larger?
In past columns, I’ve mentioned how we grew our music businesses by splitting them, creating smaller units so we could maintain that vibe and hunger. By the time we sold to EMI, Virgin Records was made up of several small independent labels, which fostered healthy competition among them for new bands.

Related: Richard Branson on the Secret to Exceeding Customer Expectations

This approach wouldn’t work with some of our other companies that require scale and size to compete against much larger rivals. So we’ve had to adapt our businesses to maintain Virgin’s innovative spirit, especially when we have grown through acquisition or international expansion.

Virgin America is a good case. This upstart airline in the U.S. is renowned for its high-tech planes, quirky marketing and fabulous crew. This summer it will celebrate its fifth birthday. We have more than 2,500 staff members already, and there are no signs of growth slowing. We must work hard to keep the enthusiasm that marked our early development. To do it, David Cush, the CEO, embarks on an annual training program known as “Refresh.” The point is to keep our teams up to date and connected, which prevents them from becoming complacent or settling for the status quo.

Related: Richard Branson on How to Avoid Common Startup Mistakes

Recently I hosted a conference with a number of fast-growing U.K. companies. One of the speakers was Richard Reed, a founder of Innocent, the British maker of smoothies and soft drinks. Richard founded the business with two friends, Adam Balon and Jon Wright, in 1998. Since then the business has grown to 200 million pounds (about $315 million) in annual sales, and Coca-Cola has come in as a majority shareholder. Still, the founders have managed to retain that spirit of innovation and fun that marked their beginning.

It’s fascinating how they managed to keep their magic formula after the big investment. I’ll try to summarize what they did because I believe there are many lessons in their experience for entrepreneurs around the world.

Related: Richard Branson's 5 Rules for Good Business

First, know your mission. At Virgin this was often about shaking up the established markets and providing something of great value and service. In Innocent’s case it was about creating great juices to help people lead healthier lives – and doing this in a fun way.

Second, make sure you get the basic structure right. Know what you are going to do. Many times partners can provide the back office, the infrastructure or the raw materials. By building strong relationships with such suppliers, you are free to scale the operations without heavy calls on your capital.

Third, get the right team at the top. It’s hard to get this right first time. Many small businesses fail to grow because they don’t identify team members who can no longer keep up. It’s sometimes necessary to part company with senior managers who cannot develop the businesses, painful as that may be.

Fourth, a strong purpose and a sense of ethics give the company a solid foundation. In Innocent’s case the focus was on leaving the planet a little better than they found it. This simple but effective message resonates with both staff and customers, whether they number 10 or 500 people.

Fifth, no matter how big you are, details count. Just as I remain obsessive about traveling on our planes and visiting our businesses with my notebooks to chat with staff and check the little touches that make our experience unique, Richard Reed and his partners do the same. They regularly check everything from the lids on their bottles – which ask customers to “enjoy by” and not “use by” a certain date – to the carpets in their offices, which are a distinctive Astroturf.

Finally, listen to your customers and act on what you hear. I’ve always asked our staff for their views and now I track our social media channels to see how our business and brand are doing. Innocent makes a virtue of asking their customers for their views. They use the feedback to inform growth and keep them connected.

Not one of these steps is hard to do on its own. The key to transitioning smoothly from a small business to a big one is stringing all six steps together to make it happen.

Richard Branson's 5 Rules for Good Business

2012-09-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

BY RICHARD BRANSON

During a recent radio interview on the BBC, the host asked me what advice I would give to young people who want to start their own businesses. In the 46 years since I launched Student magazine, the world has certainly changed. The uncertain economic outlook and the relentless pace of technological advances make replicating Virgin’s success much more challenging for today’s young entrepreneur.

At Student magazine, we expressed our opposition to the Vietnam War and the Cold War; these days, governments now face the more nebulous threat of terrorism and instability in the Middle East and Africa. Back then, American and European markets were generally stable; today, the economic power of Western nations is being challenged by the fast-growing economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China, and growth opportunities and new markets can be found around the world.

There is also marketers’ new ability to bypass traditional channels -- TV, radio and newspapers -- and build a strong following online for their companies via Twitter, Google+, Facebook and new applications such as Path and Klout. This means that most startups are able to launch with smaller marketing budgets, and that entrepreneurs can break into new markets fast. It also means that successful companies must defend their positions, because their products can go out of fashion just as quickly as they caught on.

But during the radio interview I found myself arguing that while the world may be changing quickly, the steps to building a good business have not. The five simple guidelines we followed when we started the magazine and then Virgin Music remain as valid and useful as they were in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

1. If you don’t enjoy it, don’t do it. You must love what you do.
2. Be innovative: Create something different that will stand out.
3. Your employees are your best asset. Happy employees make for happy customers.
4. Lead by listening: Get feedback from your staff and customers on a regular basis.
5. Be visible: Market the company and its offers by putting yourself or a senior person in front of the cameras.

Virgin Media founded its Pioneers program to promote aspiring business people and help them to network. One of our best known pioneers is Jamal Edwards, the founder of SB.TV, an online music and lifestyle channel, whose company and business model remind me of Virgin’s in our early days.

When Edwards started out, his company was just himself and his camera; he started posting videos of rap performances for his online followers. He was doing what he loved, and soon he developed a cult following for his passionate, innovative and authentic early videos of musical events.

Once he had established a brand and a following, Edwards and his team extended SB.TV’s reach into more areas, including music and lifestyle, merchandise, clothing and even a record label. Traditional brands like Puma and Nando’s (the fast-food chain) started calling, wanting to discuss deals and endorsements.

Edwards has also made his own luck by spotting talent. In 2010 a struggling singer-songwriter sent a video to SB.TV that was accepted and placed on the company’s YouTube channel. The views kept racking up, and eventually the rapper Example offered the unsigned young singer a chance to tour with him. This was none other than Ed Sheeran, whose career was effectively launched by SB.TV.

Edwards remains very busy and very visible, promoting SB.TV and himself wherever he can -- on his website, in partnership with Google Chrome and in the media, he tells the story of his company and their dreams and successes, getting the message out. And he knows that good business depends on backing your people and being a good listener. Despite his early successes, he remains down to earth, always willing to listen and constantly trying new ventures.

If you have the right idea and execute properly, your startup’s launch date does not matter. While the business environment has changed, the basic rules remain the same. Rather than getting nostalgic about how things used to be, embrace the new opportunities and challenges available to you now.

5 Important Roles for An Entrepreneur

2012-09-19T16:37:00.001-07:00

By Jennifer Warawa

So you’ve started your own business with visions of doing what you love all day, every day. You may have already figured out it’s not shaping up exactly like that. Now that you’re an entrepreneur, the game has changed - and it’s not just your career path that is changing, it needs to be you too! As you’re getting ramped up for success, here are five key roles every business owner needs to play…

1. Chief Customer Officer. Let’s face it – if you don’t have customers, you don’t have much of a business. Here’s the challenge many business owners face: they confuse great customer experience with great customer service. For example, they think smiling, saying thank you and being nice will get them where they need to go which is no longer the case. The customer experience involves every touch point a customer has with your business and isn’t about tactics, it’s about creating a true customer experience strategy and then executing on it. Bain & Company says 80% of companies believe they deliver a superior customer experience, but only 8% of their customers agree. There are hundreds (thousands, even) of great books, articles and blogs you can read on creating your customer experience strategy, but the bottom line is you need to have one.

2. Chief Financial Officer. Ah, the part of running a business almost everyone would like to get rid of – bookkeeping, accounting and tax. The reality is these are some of the most important functions in your business and your numbers actually tell a story – a story of where you’ve been, how healthy your business is and what you should change to be successful in the long term. If numbers aren’t your thing, find someone who loves them (like an accountant or bookkeeper) and make sure you have regular, proactive, ongoing communication with them. If you leave a meeting with your accountant feeling confused, wondering what they just said, you simply have the wrong accountant and it’s time to find a new one.

3. Chief People Officer. You may not have employees yet but nonetheless, you’re now in a leadership role. The most important person you need to look after? You! It’s easy as an entrepreneur to get caught up in everything that needs to get done and find yourself working all hours of the day and night. Doing something you love and are passionate about makes time fly by. However, while you’re caught up in the adrenaline rush called “entrepreneurship” you can get burned out, so make sure you take time to look after you and exercise, eat properly and get some rest and down time. You’ll need it to keep fueling the passion!

4. Chief Executive Officer. The CEO of any company spends a great deal of time looking at the big picture, planning for the future and creating a vision. At the same time, when you’re running the show, it’s easy to get bogged down in the details. Make sure you are spending a significant amount of your time on the strategy – it’s what will lay the foundation for your future success.

5. Chief Innovation Officer. So this may not be the most common title but it’s critical to your long term success and sustainability. In order to stay relevant, competitive and on the top of your game, you need to reinvent yourself – challenging the status quo, innovating and looking for new offerings that keep your customers coming back. Time spent innovating truly is an investment so don’t overlook how important this role is.

You likely started your business because you had an idea you were fired up, excited and passionate about – spending time in these five areas will help you stay that way.

INVENTIVE THINKING

2012-09-19T02:04:00.000-07:00

John Maxwell

By John Maxwell
Disheartened after another day of failing to connect with his students, the young teacher trudged upstairs to his office and slumped down at his desk chair in defeat. He was angry, and he had every right to be mad. After all, his boss at the YMCA had assigned him a seemingly impossible task. He had been handed a classroom full of misbehaving mischief-makers whom he somehow was expected to make enthusiastic about physical fitness—within two weeks. His three predecessors each had been dismissed after unsuccessful attempts to interest the unruly young men in exercise. Unless something changed, it looked like he would be following their footsteps out the door.
As for activities, his options were limited. Winter weather had forced the physical education class indoors to the gymnasium, and his students showed absolutely no attraction to the usual calisthenics: push-ups, sit-ups, and the like. Also, since many of the students were notorious troublemakers, any sport lending itself to rough play was off limits. He had found that out the hard way after an aborted attempt to introduce lacrosse had ended in a slew of injuries. He had tried derivations of indoor soccer too, but the students had been completely unreceptive to them.

Mulling over the predicament, the young gym instructor concluded that nothing of the usual variety would hold the attention of his students. He needed to come up with a new game. He then began to think abstractly about the team sports he knew, recognizing that, at root, each involved a ball and a goal. He decided a larger, softer ball would be most appropriate for an indoor game. To eliminate violence, he wanted to move away from a type of goal which encouraged forceful or fast-moving shots as in hockey or soccer. Consequently, he hit upon the idea of a goal with an opening at the top rather than on the side to require an arcing or looping trajectory for shots. Since defenders could easily surround and guard such a box-goal, he chose to mount it above their heads. Finally, to prevent the rough collisions of tackling, he stipulated that the person with the ball could not advance it on foot but only by passing.

After several hours spent pondering how the game would be played, the young teacher drew up a list of thirteen rules and had them typed out. He then asked the gymnasium’s facility manger for two wooden boxes so that he could construct the goals. The building superintendent did not have any boxes but provided two peach baskets instead. The next day the young instructor nailed the baskets about 10-feet above the floor of the gym and put the rules of his newly created sport on display. Not only did the game appeal to his students, within a matter of months basket-ball had caught on at YMCAs around the country. The once-discouraged gym teacher, James Naismith, had invented a sport which would go on to become one of the most popular in the world. In 2010 its original rules, which Naismith had scrawled on two pieces of paper, sold for $4.3 million!

Application
James Naismith faced a crisis; his job depended on exciting a group of cynical, asocial youth about exercise. At this juncture, he could have complained about the unfairness of his assignment or griped about the behavioral problems of his students. However, rather than being consumed by the difficulties in front of him, Naismith stayed focused on finding a way to connect with his students. What sticky situation are you presently facing at work? How can you encourage your team to stay focused on searching for a solution rather than worrying about the size of the problem?

James Naismith’s first few attempts to engage his students failed miserably, yet he kept moving forward. How have you moved on from failures in your life, and what lessons have you learned from those failures? Based on your experience, how might you influence your teammates to respond to failure?

You Can Achieve Anything You desire

2012-09-19T01:51:00.001-07:00

Tinie Tempah

Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu (born 7 November 1988), better known by his stage name Tinie Tempah, is an English rapper. He released his first mixtape in 2007; his first album, Disc-Overy, debuted at number one in the UK in October 2010 and was preceded by two British number-one singles. In February 2011, he won a Brit Award for Best British Breakthrough Act.

Early life

Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu was born in London, England on 7 November 1988, and has origins in Ibusa, Delta State, Nigeria. He lived on the Aylesbury Estate in South East London until he was 12 with his parents and three younger siblings Kelly, Kelvin and Marian. He attended St. Paul's Catholic School in Abbey Wood, London SE2, (now known as St. Paul's Academy). He went on to study A Levels at St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College, SW12. Of his London upbringing, Tempah states: “London is one of the only places in the world where you can live in a council block and see a beautiful semi-detached house across the street. Growing up around that was inspirational, it kept me motivated".

Early career

Tinie Tempah started out in 2004 when he joined the Aftershock Hooligans (Aftershock records) and recorded hundreds of songs with the fellow Hooligans. He stayed on the label until 2007. When asked why he left, he stated that he felt Aftershock didn't respect him as an artist and that it was time to move on. His first mixtape, "Chapter 1: Verse 22," was released via Aftershock Records in 2005. It is unknown if it was released as a free mixtape or not.

In 2006, Tempah gained a great deal of airplay on British music TV channel, Channel AKA, for his song "Tears" and later on gained more recognition for "Wifey." Later in the year, he collaborated on a track ("Perfect GCD Hood Economics Room 147") with grime artist Ultra and producers/songwritersAgent X.

Tempah toured with Chipmunk in February 2010. His first break as a musician came when Sony launched its PlayStation Portable (PSP) and used a track entitled "Listen To The Vibe" featuring Yasmin and DJ Ironik, and "Atlantic/Warner" for the futuristic racing game, Wipeout Pure. This resulted in a promotional European tour alongside the likes of Sway and Dizzee Rascal.

Tempah, his manager and cousin Dumi Oburota founded the independent label Disturbing London primarily as an official outlet for Tempah's music, but with the idea of also signing other young artists. According to Dumi: "We wanted to have a platform to put out our music and there wasn't any Def Jam or Roc-A-Fella label equivalent in England. [Also] I wanted to create a major independent label with quality artists. I felt like the major labels had lost the passion for music." The activities of the label were initially largely funded by student loans and the proceeds from buying and selling cars.

When scout and music consultant Jade Richardson saw Tempah performing at the 2009 Wireless Festival she called Parlophone Records president Miles Leonard saying: “You’ve got to check out this guy Tinie Tempah. He came on at lunchtime and there’s about 1,000 kids screaming for him. He’s only put out one independent release and he’s got this huge audience.” Leonard and A&R Nathan Thompson visited Tempah and his manager Dumi at their studio a few weeks later and were hugely impressed to hear about the work they had already done in developing Tempah's career and by the ambitious plans they had for his future. Leonard told HitQuarters: "I thought it was incredible that an artist and manager were doing so much so soon with so little ... That impressed as much as the music."

Tempah announced his signing to Parlophone in October 2009 by running a competition on his blog, with the winner invited to High Tea at Claridges to celebrate the deal.

How To Filter Your Methane Gas From Carbon dioxide and Hydrogen sulfide

2012-01-31T15:29:00.000-08:00

Dear friends,

How are you today? In today's training we will be treating an important topic about methane gas purification. In recent times, we have discovered that methane gas gathered or produced from waste materials in our kitchen or farm yard animal contain some impurities that do not enhance the useage of the methane gas.

Some of this impurities include carbon dioxide - this is responsible for the orange flame when we use the gas for cooking; and this isn't good. When this happens, you find out that your pot ends up with a black pigment. We can take care of this little challenge ....

Secondly, we have the rotten egg smell or hydrogen sulfide impurity in a raw methane gas produced in this form. This is the annoying part of methane gas, because this impurity is irritant when it comes up. Apart from the irritant smell, of hydrogen sulfide; it also rust your appliances - yea, when we do not purify this from the methan gas we produce; the appliances will start rusting in its internal parts.

So watch this video and drop your ideas ==>>

Be Inspired | As We Come To The End of 2011; Don't Give-up!

2011-12-20T13:43:00.000-08:00

Hello friend;

Have you had it tough and rough this year? Beloved don't give up! The best is yet to come.
Certainly, the coming year is loaded with better opportunities to help you achieve your dreams and more. Yeah; if only we can behold the great opportunities 2012 will bring to us, I bet you won't help but position yourself for this great opportunity.

I have never being this expectant at the end of each year for the past years of my life; I have just discover great things I will share with you shortly ....
In the coming year my beloved readers, please stay positive in every circumstances you find yourself or things you do. We are not only blessed as a result of our hard-work but more importantly as a result of what predominantly reign in our mind. Although we should channel our efforts to build a successful life; be it revealed to you this day that 80% of your success is not centered on hard-work.

It will takes a sound mind and a good brain to reach your goals next year. In 2011, we've experienced the highest number of young billionaires and millionaires not because these individuals were gifted in hard-work; rather they know how to achieve their financial goals and freedom with the power of a sound positive mind.
In 2012, this spree of an excellent mind power will continue but in a new dimension - I'm revealing this to you so that you can position yourself for this event.

In 2012, we will experience great opportunity to make our lives better individually at different capacity; the number of billionaires and millionaires will be on the increase. Those who believe in the optimistic view about the world and their lives ultimately will be at their peak performance during this event.
Although there are bound to be some negations in 2012 within some of the countries and continents; all these mishaps put together cannot stop us to experience a new wave of wealth increase like never before. Like I said, those who stay attuned to the nature positively will always be the first to benefit from the great blessings and opportunities that will befall this earth.

The most important thing that matters is how you position yourself to be a major player in these up coming events for 2012:

Firstly, be grateful where you are. Gratitude has a unique and unexplained way of healing our past and present. Despite the level where you are now, just be grateful for being alive .... Learn how to say thank you to your loving maker for keeping you alive.
The most important of your actions - believe in GOD and you will prosper .... believe in His messengers and you will be established. Be informed that it really pays for you to be spiritually inclined; for 90% of man's existence is spiritual. Even if you term this as a religion, you stand a lot of chance to gain more from it. The positive force of nature is always in agreement with those who are spiritually conscious of their environment - because nature in its manner of existence is 100% spiritual. It takes people who have an enlightened with spiritual understanding to comprehend ways of building cultures that are nature oriented and friendly.
Learn to use your mind at the sub-conscious level to solve all your challenges - it is not how hard you a going through in life that matters, but how you are able to get up and continue to move forward in life that matters. A lot of people had been in a worst situation than you are right now, but never gave up on the same life you are complaining to have treated you badly. Learn to use your subconscious to succeed in life - How do you achieve this; living your life based on what you think are obvious will never get you to peak performance. Yeah, you heard me right! A great mentor once told me; " I'm not here to tell you how hard you will be beaten in life, I may not know what to tell you or how to say it. If you want anything in life, go for it despite the obvious facts".
Do not live your live only by your five senses - studying is part of your conscious mind or your five senses; however, cob what goes into your subconscious through your five senses. Your conscious mind or five senses could be a great positive tool to improve your live. Be an expert in using the various faculties of your mind.
Be a good planner. Before you take any action, you first of all imagine what you intend doing - get a clear picture of your next achievement; then sit down to plan the cost and how long it will take you to achieve this. More importantly, consider the type of people you will need to work with you and how to pay them for their services. Plan your way through.

Finally friends; it takes good head to get to the top and always a good mind to remain there.

Expect more from this blog.

The Fear Of God And Your Business Pt.2

2011-12-17T05:06:00.000-08:00

Hello friends:

Welcome once again to another fresh-diew of the season.
Today we will treat about the place of the Holy Spirit in your business. In most cases, people do believe that the Men of God or Pastors are the ones that need the Holy Spirit more to wrought miracles and help the church members solve their daily besetting challenges. People also believe that when you talk about the need for Holy Spirit in their business, you are going too far or sound too spiritual, eventually not been relevant to need of the hour.

However I come with a different view in front you this moment - you and I essentially need the Holy Spirit if we desire to advance in our various or individual businesses. The Holy Spirit is not what we want at choice/will; the Holy Spirit forms the essential part of our business irrespective of our expertise or the level of our knowledge in that business.

For great ideas or innovations to be introduce in our business; it is the sole responsibility of the Holy Spirit to crop this in our business. We get inspiration to move our business the next level of its life - but before you can move your business to the next level, you must know and see clearly where you are heading to. Your business cannot move on its own; it is you and the people behind your business that will move your business to its next level.

For you to achieve this, you need daily inspiration that will precipitate good ideas for you. There is one remarkable thing that is already going on in our world today - Holy Spirit is a respecter of God's law for certain achievement in man's life. Let me show you how:
The most important aspect of our body is the mind; the easiest way we can stay attuned to the cosmic bodies is through what I call "infinite intelligence". This is the mind of our spirit man - most of us do not know the existence of this great weapon of creation or miraculous wonders in man. Let me start by saying that MAN as a spirit being, has also in his spirit its own mind. We have in MAN the conscious, sub-conscious, and the mind of our spirit; that is our infinite intelligence. Some people call this feature in man "the sixth sense"

The sub-conscious receive inspiration or instructions to shape event in a man's life either from the conscious or from the infinite intelligence in man. The conscious mind is attached to the happening of this world, therefore suggest instructions to you from what you feel, smell, touch, taste, hear or see. The conscious mind is finite because it surround its intelligence with the current happening of this world. Technically speaking, the experts believe inspiration at this level of intelligence is not suitable for innovative event in man's life - the finite intelligence is corrupt: it's not original and cannot see the future.

On the other hand; infinite intelligence is constructive and inspirational. It does not have any of the five senses just like the finite or conscious mind. Infinite intelligence is the seed of God in man, it is the very nature of GOD planted in man to know the mind of God and be like God. The infinite intelligence is the very image of God planted in man. Through our infinite intelligence, GOD can easily relate with man or have fellowship with man. We unconsciously tap into this level of intelligence when we resort our sub-conscious for constructive ideas - inspirations. Infinite intelligence is the highest seat of intelligence in man.

Through our infinite intelligence; God via His Holy Spirit proceeds into our spirit man to reveal to us hidden mysteries in form of ideas and inspirations to help us gravitate our business to higher and innovative place of performance. Like I said earlier, the Holy Spirit is a respecter of God's principles in the life of a man, no matter his creed or religion.

It's therefore of a great essence I admonish you dear readers; to give yourself to the understanding of mysteries surrounding the operation of your intelligence and it levels. This will seriously help you in your business. For you to control serious and great success in wealth generation; you need serious powers. Power is the only force that command a lot of money and wealth - and you can amass great powers if you can understand the different seat of intelligence in you.

This is where GOD is great!
See you soon!!.

Love, Like and Friendship - It's role towards getting married.

2011-12-16T16:52:00.000-08:00

One good thing I love Nigerians in particular is our great respect and adherent to the great heritage called marriage. It is a great thing also to discover that our lovely society - Nigeria, despite the degrading culture and believe around the world about marriage had evolved to a greater and humane culture through the believe and great respect for this golden heritage.

A lot of the western world have gathered dehumanizing belief system towards marriage; some are not prepared for this esoteric act but rush into it with crude knowledge that end them in a fatal emotional destruction as a result of break-up.

Consequently, a lot of inhumane practiced follow. Going into marriage is more than literal meaning we attach to love - Love in his entirety is not attached or confined to the human culture or definition we give to it. Loving is more than the human culture we see around us everyday. Love is God and it has a lot of wisdom which is not found in this world. What we humans call wisdom when we are "in love" is not wisdom in the site of God, rather this is mere exhibition of how and greatly foolish we are in our folly.
Love is the absolute nature of GOD, secondly; Love is an everyday experience. With Love we are able to shape a better society that is fit for God and man. Suffice me to buttress at this point that Love is not something you graduate from the day you find your missen rib or so called "Mr Right".

Love in its nature is not looking for the perfect match but makes the imperfect match perfect; Love is a leap of faith in the true wisdom of God - True Love knows the mind of God and listen to His words. You cannot say you love but do not know or understand the mind of God in certain issues about your life. For you to really love, you must be close to God to hear Him loud and clear, you must understand the mind and will of God for you to move forward in life.
It is time for us to separate love from the useless urge we have whenever we see a partner we like. It is time to separate love from like - knowing that true relationship that will last is built out of friends who like themselves. Relationship is never the time to introduce love - yeah you heard me right! If I cannot like my partner I can't love her; is as simple as that!!

True love is built out of good friends that like themselves very well - Friendship is the greatest bond. As friends I can easily forgive my partner when she go wrong, being friend with my partner will also grant me the opportunity to play with my partner and make our relationship very lively.
One thing about friendship is that it kills the uptight behavior in every individual; it destroys any form of formalities and makes everybody see each other as a child - this is beauty of friendship. We forgive so easily when we are friends than when "WE ARE IN LOVE".

Another advantage is the fact that as friends you can't lie to each other. Everything is seen as it is - friendship create an environment of freedom that is void of any attachment. If you are my friend, I find it very easy to confide my challenges to you than when we are so called "lovers" in the eyes of the world.
Every lasting relationship that is geared towards marriage or not starts from being great friends. Mind you not every friendship ends up in marriage; what matter is the purpose of that friendship.

In other wards what I'm suggesting to us is that we can start a successful marriage through great friendship. You must first of all, like the person and this should not be subject to what the person has or not - you cannot build a great friendship when you subject it to material achievement - even in our churches today, they have celebrated this misconception.
Build great friendship - like what you are seeing and then grow your friendship.

See you in Pt.2

P. S. S. Your comments are welcome to help this community - you are welcome once again!

The Fear Of God And Your Business Pt.1

2011-12-11T10:28:00.000-08:00

Hello Dear Readers;

Business is sweet when you introduce the fear of God and respect for humanity.
In our present time, many business owners relegate the place of God at the tail end of their business plan; that is if they remember to do so! They forget to embrace the fact that God is the author of any business success and should be the foundation and a major fiber of any business that ever existed.

Business is great and lovely; more poised to earn better income when it is formed on a solid background - that background is GOD. Do not relegate God at the tail end of your business if you intend to succeed in your business. He is the life of your business and the source of business inspiration to your prospective business.

Your business need wisdom and inspiration to move forward and this is not far fetched from GOD - for in-debt counsel and advise for for your business is fully traceable in GOD. I advise you at this juncture to get closer to GOD for clearer inspiration and counsel to move your business to a peak performance.

This is God's word for you:
New International Version (©1984)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6

You must learn to trust God in everything you do; your business inclusive!

The fear of God is not just the beginning of wisdom but the essentials of great ideas to take your business higher to a greater performance - whether you like it or not; even those who do not believe in God; in 80% proportion of their deeds inclines to God for their actions.

Be close to God and learn how to trust in God for business guidance and idea.

See you at the top!

Exclusive | China to create $300 billion FX investment vehicle

2011-12-09T08:53:00.000-08:00

(Reuters) - China's central bank plans to create a new vehicle to manage investment funds worth a total of $300 billion to improve returns on the world's largest stockpile of foreign exchange reserves, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The vehicle, which was planned well before the start of Europe's debt crisis and is aimed at improving returns on China's foreign exchange reserves, would operate two funds, one targeting investments in the United States and the other focused on Europe, said the source, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The vehicle's goal is to make more aggressive overseas investments for higher returns, said the source along with a second, independent source, who also declined to be named.

Details of the venture are still under discussion, but key personnel for managing the venture have been agreed upon, the sources said.

The investment vehicle would be affiliated with China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), the part of the central bank in charge of the daily management of China's $3.2 trillion in foreign exchange reserves.

One of the funds would be named Hua Mei, or China-US, for investments in the United States, and the other is named Hua Ou, or China-Europe, for investments in European markets.

The style of the funds will be similar to the low-key Hong Kong-based Hua An, also known in English as SAFE Investment Company Ltd, said the source, through which SAFE has purchased stocks in dozens of overseas listed companies.

The People's Bank of China, the central bank, was not immediately available for comment.

China's leaders have said recently that they will seek investments in the real economies of the United States and Europe, apart from their routine investments in government debt.

The second source said the new venture would likely be based in Shanghai and may also sell yuan bonds in the domestic market.

"The company will issue yuan bonds," the source said. "Then it can use the yuan to buy foreign currency from the central bank or even commercial banks for overseas investment."

When China created the China Investment Corp (CIC), the country's sovereign wealth fund, in 2007, China's Ministry of Finance issued 1.55 trillion yuan special yuan bonds to swap yuan for $200 billion worth of foreign currency from SAFE as the initial batch of funds for CIC to manage.

A similar arrangement is expected for the new vehicle.

CIC, which operates independently of the central bank, recorded a 11.7 percent investment return in 2010. It has been applying for new funds from SAFE as it has developed its portfolio.

In a public speech in April 2011, Chinese central bank governor Zhou Xiaochuan said that China may set up new ventures to manage its foreign exchange reserves.

"Don't put all your eggs in one basket," Zhou said. "One option is to create some new ventures to try new investment styles and fields."

Richard Branson on Thinking Big

2011-12-08T15:06:00.000-08:00

Richard Branson

Q: How can a small-business owner go about laying the foundation for a corporate culture like Virgin's?

A: Whether you're launching a new business or preparing to expand your existing one, laying a solid foundation for the future is critically important – bringing in investors, getting your contracts right, hiring your core team members, choosing the right suppliers.

When my friends and I started the first Virgin business 40 years ago, we had no master plan – especially not one for a group of companies that by 2011 would number more than 400 businesses around the world and employ 50,000 people. Had we tried to plan for such a future, we would certainly have messed it up.

If there is a "right" way to develop your company's culture, our experience shows that it should evolve organically. In 1970, my friends and I weren't planning to do anything other than make some money and have a good time while doing something we loved. We loved listening to music, so we tried to sell records to other kids who wanted a fun place to hang out while deciding which ones to buy. We had no marketing plan or budget – our goals were simply to make enough money to pay the rent and our suppliers, and to have some cash left over at the end of the month. Our launch was really no different from that of most small companies, since few entrepreneurs start thinking about their business's culture until it is already well established.

If I think back to what we did right, it was in our planning process, when we made sure we were having fun working together and that everyone who had a good idea was included in our decision-making process.

We had accidentally stumbled on the core elements of a culture dedicated to delivering great customer service! It turned out that people who work in a friendly environment that is tolerant of mistakes, and who are empowered to make decisions about how they do their jobs, arrive at the best possible solutions for serving customers.

Remember that how you treat the customer will form the basis of your corporate culture. Put your staff first, listen to them, and follow up on their ideas and suggestions.

Small-business owners often find it tough to learn how to handle success. When a business does well, many chief executives start to focus solely on increasing profits, no matter what the cost – leaving behind everything that originally made the business special. The founder usually moves to a big corner office on the top floor and never again sets foot in the factory. Employees who were integral to the company's early success suddenly find they are the last to know what is happening, and their views are no longer valued or sought.

So try to ensure your company grows at a comfortable pace and, whenever possible, involve your employees in the company's evolution. If you are a small-business owner mulling over an expansion, tell all your employees about your plan – include everyone from the truck driver to your senior team – and ask for their input. If you can, it would be best to work out the details of the expansion plan together, taking into account the challenges faced by your employees, and incorporating improvements they would like to make. The ultimate winners will be your customers and the bottom line.

At Virgin, we have never had to struggle with the typical problems of big corporations, probably because we never really got big – we just diversified. Our growth was once described as "vertical disintegration" because our new businesses frequently appear to be tangential or even completely unrelated to our core mission. When Virgin was known for producing and selling records, for instance, we started up an airline.

We see a uniting factor in our dedication to customer service. Instead of becoming a huge, bloated entity locked into a single sector, these tangential forays have kept our company fresh and different – we are always learning new businesses and recruiting smart new people. Each Virgin company is run by its own largely autonomous management team that relies on the same small business principles we've employed since the very beginning.

Whatever route you decide to take as you expand your business, make sure that it builds on your company's past successes, and that it fits with the corporate culture and the vision for the future that you and your team have created. If someone says, "That's not the way a big company would do it," take it as a compliment!

Steve Jobs and the Seven Rules of Success

2011-12-08T14:56:00.000-08:00

By Carmine Gallo

Steve Jobs' impact on your life cannot be overestimated. His innovations have likely touched nearly every aspect -- computers, movies, music and mobile. As a communications coach, I learned from Jobs that a presentation can, indeed, inspire. For entrepreneurs, Jobs' greatest legacy is the set of principles that drove his success. Over the years, I've become a student of sorts of Jobs' career and life. Here's my take on the rules and values underpinning his success. Any of us can adopt them to unleash our "inner Steve Jobs."

1. Do what you love. Jobs once said, "People with passion can change the world for the better." Asked about the advice he would offer would-be entrepreneurs, he said, "I'd get a job as a busboy or something until I figured out what I was really passionate about." That's how much it meant to him. Passion is everything.

2. Put a dent in the universe. Jobs believed in the power of vision. He once asked then-Pepsi President, John Sculley, "Do you want to spend your life selling sugar water or do you want to change the world?" Don't lose sight of the big vision.

3. Make connections. Jobs once said creativity is connecting things. He meant that people with a broad set of life experiences can often see things that others miss. He took calligraphy classes that didn't have any practical use in his life -- until he built the Macintosh. Jobs traveled to India and Asia. He studied design and hospitality. Don't live in a bubble. Connect ideas from different fields.

4. Say no to 1,000 things. Jobs was as proud of what Apple chose not to do as he was of what Apple did. When he returned in Apple in 1997, he took a company with 350 products and reduced them to 10 products in a two-year period. Why? So he could put the "A-Team" on each product. What are you saying "no" to?

5. Create insanely different experiences. Jobs also sought innovation in the customer-service experience. When he first came up with the concept for the Apple Stores, he said they would be different because instead of just moving boxes, the stores would enrich lives. Everything about the experience you have when you walk into an Apple store is intended to enrich your life and to create an emotional connection between you and the Apple brand. What are you doing to enrich the lives of your customers?

6. Master the message. You can have the greatest idea in the world, but if you can't communicate your ideas, it doesn't matter. Jobs was the world's greatest corporate storyteller. Instead of simply delivering a presentation like most people do, he informed, he educated, he inspired and he entertained, all in one presentation.

7. Sell dreams, not products. Jobs captured our imagination because he really understood his customer. He knew that tablets would not capture our imaginations if they were too complicated. The result? One button on the front of an iPad. It's so simple, a 2-year-old can use it. Your customers don't care about your product. They care about themselves, their hopes, their ambitions. Jobs taught us that if you help your customers reach their dreams, you'll win them over.

There's one story that I think sums up Jobs' career at Apple. An executive who had the job of reinventing the Disney Store once called up Jobs and asked for advice. His counsel? Dream bigger. I think that's the best advice he could leave us with. See genius in your craziness, believe in yourself, believe in your vision, and be constantly prepared to defend those ideas.

How To Achieve The Miracle You Want In Your Business Pt.1

2011-12-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

In our today's world, people perceive miracle to be something beyond natural event or the ordinary; however, it's more than that. The believe that miracle is beyond natural has made it impossible for man to achieve certain positive goals or purpose that will change the life of an individual for better.

We can achieve any miracle we want; reach any goal we desire, no matter how big they are. Goals are attainable irrespective of how big or ambiguous one would comprehend it to be. Let me start by saying that your goal is not subject to your purse or the amount of money you have in your account.

Obviously, when an individual perceive of any dream or goal to achieve; our minds tends to the resources we have and in particular; money! Money can answer all thing but can't buy you everything - yes, money cannot buy everything.

You may have a product or idea that can change your generation, you shouldn't allow money to stop you from achieving this goal. You may have in you a product that can change the life of a million people and you believe that without you can't achieve this? Nope! That is wrong.

Let me outline certain steps that will help you achieve your dream miracles:

Firstly, sit down and make it clear the type of business miracle you want: possibly I will advice you to sit down and outline what you want. Make a lot of researches on that particular thing you want; and from your findings assemble you desire. Added to this is making questioners to ask people's ideas or views about your subject >>>> This is the fastest way to get clear picture of your desire.
Outline your obstacles: I believe sincerity will help you a lot here. It's just you and nothing more. Please be sincere to yourself.
Now that you have outlined your obstacle, design a plan that will help you to overcome these obstacles. This would entail going online to make researches on you subject - decide whether you will partner with an individual(s) that will make up for your lapses or involve an investor(s)/ Angel investors.
Next is to determine whether you have what it takes to attract investors in your business.

The Ingenious Business Model Behind Coursekit, A Tumblr For Higher Education

2011-12-06T04:56:00.000-08:00

At universities, educational software largely means enterprise-scale, expensive, feature-stuffed "learning management systems." Blackboard has the majority of the market, but professors and students are about as enthusiastic about its various updates, crashes, and bugs as people are with the latest version of Windows (Blackboard scores a whopping 93% "hated" rating on website Amplicate).

Last week, a new alternative was launched--built by students--that looks and works a lot more like the social platforms people actually choose to use in their spare time. The core of the site is a constantly updated social Stream where instructors and students can conduct discussions or easily post rich media. Picture a cleaner-looking Facebook news feed, centered on a single academic theme, or a group Tumblr blog where each picture, question, or video can accumulate its own discussion in the attached comment thread.

"We wanted to create a simple, elegant LMS that covers 95% of instructors' needs, like grading, file management, calendaring, submitting assignments, and emailing with the class," says Joseph Cohen, 20, who left Wharton after his sophomore year when he scored $1 million in seed funding this past June to start Coursekit. "Blackboard covers 100%-- that’s why it’s such a cluttered platform."

Since its launch this fall, Coursekit has drawn an unusual amount of buzz in edtech circles not only for the sleekness of its design but the ingenuity of its business model. Blackboard, and other LMS, are like the BlackBerry--they rely on wholesale adoption by large organizations, much as the PDA was once approved by corporations and issued en masse to their employees for free or at a discount. Coursekit is more like the iPhone: designed to appeal directly to the end consumer. In this case, Coursekit is betting that individual professors will find it more streamlined and easier to use than the reviled Blackboard. They piloted with profs at 30 campuses this fall, including Stanford, and currently have students serving as evangelists at 82 campuses.

The second ingenious part of their pitch may also turn out to be a pitfall. "We want to build this social network that spans multiple academic communities," says Cohen. "We want academic publishers to distribute through Coursekit, and software developers to use our API." The vision here is one that many in the edtech world have raised: a platform that can stay constant for students throughout their academic life, from grade school to grad school and beyond. Keep up with former classmates and professors and showcase the development of your learning on an accumulated profile of your participation in various courses that goes far beyond the flatness of a transcript.

When you look at Coursekit as a potential Facebook or LinkedIn for education, it's not just a piece of the $500 million LMS market they're gunning for; it's a chunk of the $500 billion higher education market. Online institutions could operate entirely through the site; brick and mortars could use it to enhance recruitment, retention, and student services.

That said, social networks must also monetize their users, usually through advertising. Educators will be especially sensitive to the commercialization and privacy concerns that come with that. Right now the platform is free for professors to adopt, and it will remain ad-free for at least a year, but after that anything could be fair game.

Adapted from www.fastcompany.com

StumbleUpon's Mobile Growth Rockets 800%; Company Unveils Major Redesign With 250 Brand Partners

2011-12-06T04:52:00.000-08:00

StumbleUpon, the discovery engine that enables its users to "Stumble" onto personalized web content, unveiled a major redesign Monday, introducing a slew of upgrades that include a streamlined interface, recommendation improvements, and the addition of brand channels.

But what's really driving the overhaul isn't some product-cycle deadline--it's StumbleUpon's mobile growth, which has rocketed 800% in the last year, becoming core to the company and its future business potential.

"We're doing a complete relaunch of the site, and a lot of it is inspired by our mobile experience," says CEO Garrett Camp. "It's basically because of our mobile traction. That streamlined experience, which is simpler and without complexity, has really resonated with users. We wanted to take what we learned from mobile and bring that to the web."

Like Reddit and Digg, StumbleUpon helps users discover new content, but with a slight twist: a "Stumble" button adds a bit of random serendipity into the equation, allowing users to leap to unknown content with one click. Roughly 20 million users press that Stumble button more than a billion times a month. Now, mobile is fast catching up: In November, StumbleUpon reached about 200 million Stumbles on Apple and Android smartphones and tablets.

"Mobile is going to be big [for us]," Camp says. "Looking at our current growth rate, I wouldn't be surprised if a year from now, 40% to 50% of our usage is on mobile."

Such rapid growth led to the site's revamp--it also gives some insight into the advertising potential for StumbleUpon. Part of the site upgrades include the addition of brand channels, designed to gives users more control over the content in their StumbleUpon stream. Before, users could specify a general topic to Stumble--celebrities, technology, fitness, parenting, and so on--but couldn't take a deeper dive. Now users can customize their experience based on specific brands. "You can follow The History Channel instead of just history, or Funny or Die instead of just humor," Camp says.

More than 250 brand partners from Audi to ESPN signed on for the launch, and the company has hundreds more partnerships in the works. StumbleUpon does not charge for the privilege of having a channel--the company hopes it will drive more user engagement and attract more advertising partners.

"I think this will spread awareness," Camp says. "A lot of people know about StumbleUpon, but not a lot of people know that we have a really interesting ad platform. We think by working with a lot larger number of brands and websites, that it will eventually lead to more ad clients."

With exponential mobile growth and users that spend an average of seven hours a month surfing the site, it's a surprise Camp and company would even find that necessary.

Adapted from http://www.fastcompany.com

Biography Jesus Christ

2011-12-06T04:28:00.000-08:00

Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity and undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in the development of western society.Due to lack of accurate historical records, there is some dispute over the exact details of his life, and teachings. The most widely used sources are the 4 canonical gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It is estimated that these were written over 70-200 years after the death of Christ. There are also many other non-canonical gospels such as Thomas, Peter and Mary. Of particular importance was the discovery of the dead sea scrolls, which uncovered texts previously lost.

Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph of Nazareth. According to the gospel of Matthew and Luke, Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem. They also suggest Mary was a virgin and the birth was a miracle of the 'Holy Spirit'

According to the Gospels, the birth of Jesus was proclaimed to shepherds in nearby fields. Later on Jesus was visited by 3 wise men from the east offering gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

Not much is known about Jesus' early life, the Gospels concentrate on the last couple of years when he was active in his ministry. However, Jesus is believed to have followed in his father's footsteps and trained to be a carpenter. Some have also suggested during this period Jesus travelled to India and Persia where he learned something of India's spiritual tradition before returning to Nazareth to begin his ministry.

All three synoptic gospels say Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist, at the River Jordan. This symbolic baptism was the beginning of Jesus' ministry.

Following his baptism, Jesus spent 40 days in the desert where he was tempted by the Devil. However, he passed the test and refused any temptations of wealth or worldly gain.

Jesus's teachings were characterised by short pithy statements that used striking imagery to capture the imagination of listeners. His most famous teachings are the sermon on the mount.

Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

-----

A key characteristic of Jesus's teachings are an emphasis on forgiveness and unconditional love. These represented a departure from the old scriptures which emphasised an eye for an eye. Jesus taught his followers to 'love their enemy' and 'turn the other cheek'

"But I tell you not to resist an evildoer. On the contrary, whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well." - Matthew 5:39

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you". (Matthew 5:38-44)

Jesus Christ also taught that the Kingdom of heaven was within. To attain this state he taught it was important to be willing to give up attachment to the world and maintain humility and simplicity - to be like a child.

"The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, `Lo, here it is!' or `There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you (or "within you") Luke 17:20

It was the radical nature of his teachings and a growing following which aroused the suspicions of the authorities. Jesus was also known as a healer. The gospels recount many miracles where Jesus was able to heal the sick and even resurrect the dead (Lazarus)

In the last months of his life, Jesus entered into Jerusalem and was greeted enthusiastically by crowds who shouted 'hosanna'. Jesus then entered the main temple and created controversy by overturning the tables of the money lenders; criticising them for conducting business in a sacred temple - claiming they had turned the temple into a 'den of robbers'

Later that week he celebrated the passover meal with his 13 disciples. He foretold he would be betrayed by one of his own disciples and turned over to the authorities.

This later occurred. Judas betrayed Jesus to the temple authorities by kissing Jesus. Judas was paid 30 silver coins for his betrayal. But, he later repented of his action and hung himself from a tree.

The Jewish elders asked him if he was the Son of God. Jesus replied 'It is as you say.' The Jewish authorities passed him to the Roman authorities with the recommendation he be charged him with blasphemy. It is said Pontius Pilate was reluctant to have him executed as he didn't see the crime against the Romans. His wife had a dream in which she felt him innocent and his wife tried to persuade Pilate to release Jesus.

Pilate ordered Jesus to be flogged in the hope this would appease the Jewish authorities. However, they still wanted to see Jesus executed. On the feast of passover, it was traditional for the Roman authorities to release one prisoner. However, the crowd chose not Jesus but Barabbas - a convicted criminal. Pilate washed his hands saying it was not his crime.

Jesus was then led up to the calvary to be crucified. He had to carry a cross and at one stage fainted - and was helped by Simon of Cyrene. The infallible Word of GOD confirms the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, with a Roman soldier puncturing his side with a spear to prove that he was dead. Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior resurrected after three days - this is salvation itself!

Nature of Jesus Christ
In the history of early Christianity there was much debate about the nature of Jesus Christ. Some felt Jesus was a direct incarnation of God, others felt he was both divine and human. There were different branches of Christianity emphasising different aspects. For example, the gnostics emphasised the immanence of God, and the ability for followers to have a direct relationship with God.

In 325 AD, the Nicene Creed formalised the Christian church teachings about Jesus. They accepted 4 gospels as canonical and rejected many other gospels. The Nicene creed also gave great emphasis to the writings and letters of St Paul. St Paul emphasised the divine nature of Jesus Christ and the importance of the crucifixion and resurrection.
Different Views of Jesus Christ

Enlightenment views
Many key figures in the enlightenment / renaissance felt Jesus to be a supreme teacher of moral and religious ideals, but rejected claims to divinity and miracles such as the virgin birth. For example, Thomas Jefferson wrote the 'Life and Morals of Jesus Christ' (known as the Jefferson bible. Benjamin Franklin also looked to Jesus Christ as a great moral teacher, but, didn't accept all the teachings of the Christian church.

In the Hindu / Indian tradition Jesus Christ is seen as a realised Spiritual Master. A person who has achieved self-realisation or God-realisation. Jesus Christ is also looked upon as an Avatar - a realised soul with a special mission to uplift a wide number of souls. Many Indian spiritual Master see Jesus Christ as divine an 'incarnation of God' But, do not accept that Jesus Christ was alone in achieving this spiritual realisation.

In Islamic tradition, Jesus Christ is seen as an important prophet of God.

Henry Ford Biography

2011-12-06T04:03:00.000-08:00

Henry Ford was an Industrialist who changed the face of automobile manufacture in America, becoming the epitome of American Capitalism. He lent his name to 'Fordism' - efficient mass production.

Henry Ford Early Life

Henry Ford was born in 1863 on a farm in rural Michigan - near Detroit. From an early age he expressed an interest in mechanical devices. He was given a pocket watch at the age of 15 and he developed a reputation for being an experienced watchmaker.

Shortly after his mother passed away, Henry left the family farm to gain employment in Detroit. He worked his way up to becoming an engineer at the Edison Illuminating Company. By 1893 he had become chief engineer and gained the recognition and encouragement of Thomas Edison. Henry Ford retained a deep affection for Thomas Edison throughout his life.

It was working as chief engineer at Edison's that he was able to work on a petrol drive quadricycle. His testing was successful and this enabled him to develop this into a small car. This proved the basis for the famous Model T motor car introduced in 1908. The Ford motor company was formed in 1903 with backing of $28,000 from various investors.

Working Practices of Henry Ford

Henry Ford astonished the industrial world by offering a daily wage of $5 a day. Even by today's prices that is a very good salary. This wage was far above what anywhere else offered. At a stroke it solved the problem of labour turnover and encouraged the best workers to come to Ford. Through paying high wages, Ford was able to encourage the highest level of labour productivity. Although many criticised his seemingly over generous pay, he also pointed out, that the high wage helped the workers to be able to afford the cars they were making.

However, Henry Ford was hostile to the role of trades unions. For a long time he battled against the trades unions refusing to have anything to do them. However, by 1941, with the workers on strike, his wife encouraged him to finally capitulate to the United Auto Workers UAW.

It was Henry Ford who also revolutionised the production line processes. He helped to develop the assembly line method of production and was always seeking to cut costs. Although he did not 'invent' the assembly line he did make one of the most successful commercial applications of its potential. This led to his famous decision to give customers any colour they choose so long as it was black. This was because black was the quickest colour to dry and therefore the cheapest.

The impact of the assembly line was to help reduce the cost of the Model T Motor car. It helped Ford become the dominant motor car. In 1932, it was estimated Ford were producing 33% of the world's automobile production.

Henry Ford had a strong dislike of war. He helped to fund a peace ship to Europe in 1915. He spoke out against the 'vague' financiers who encourage war'. He never really got involved in the Second world war effort, though he allowed other officials in the Ford company to transform Ford into one of the biggest military plane builders in the war.

Henry Ford also subscribed to various anti semitic pamphlets. Although he later apologised for some of his anti semitic views, he was deeply admired by Hitler. Ford is the only foreigner mentioned in Mein Kampf and it is said, Hitler had a photograph of Henry Ford. Hitler wanted Volkswagen to mirror the production techniques and philosophy of Ford motor company.

"Raising Smart Rich Kids- 4 More Vital Steps to Prepare Your Child For Success & Happiness."(Part 2)

2011-12-05T10:01:00.000-08:00

By Terry Mazzer

To raise a smart rich kid, you absolutely have to watch what you DO with money, what you SAY about money and from the EXPERIENCES you're providing your children with regard to money. Oh yes, in Part 1, I shared 3 other essential steps. Have you put them into action? They are useful, aren't they?

Let's take a closer look at these '4 Steps' and what you can do.

Step 1. If You Play Financial Intelligence Board Games, Then You'll Teach Your Kids Valuable Skills While They're Having Fun!

Did you play board games when you were a child? Games are fun; they teach vital human interaction skills; you get powerful feedback and this leads to self discovery; they encourage risk taking and we learn valuable financial skills.

Here's what I invite you to do:
Start playing financial board games - play them often....and you can, can't you?

Step 2. If You Find Mentors For Your Children, You'll Lessen Their Daily Challenges and Frustrations!

For me, mentors have been truly helpful in taking me from where I am to where I want to go....in such a short period of time...and...whenever I want to achieve something in business or in my personal life...whatever....one of the first things I do is seek out a mentor who has already achieved it ....and...someone who knows how to help others to achieve that as well.

Here's what I invite you to do:

Read books about people
Listen to audio program
Watch DVDs and relevant TV programs - biographical ones

Step 3. If You Give Your Children an Allowance, Then They'll Become Self-reliant and Responsible ...and Develop Some Simple, Powerful Money Habits.

Allowances can either a good thing or a bad thing....it all depends on how you, the parent, use it...what experiences your child has.

Here's what I invite you to do:

Give your kids an allowance where they are learning to save, invest, donate and spend wisely the amount they have been given.
Let them make mistakes with a small amount...far better than making a huge mistake later in life that has serious consequences.

Step 4. If You Reveal To Your Child The Missing Intelligence NOT Taught At School - Financial Intelligence...Then They Won't Struggle Through Life!

Did you study a subject at school called "Wealth 101"? I certainly didn't. In many of our schools today, such an important life skill is still not available to our kids. It is up to us as parents to show them how.

Here's what I invite you to do:

Involve your children in how to save, to pay themselves first, to invest (short and long term; introduce them to the magic of compounding), to donate and to spend wisely.

Here's What I Want You To Do Now- Claim your instant FREE access to a MP3 recording of one of my teleseminars by going to http://www.SecretsToRaisingSmartRichKids.com. - you'll get practical tips and valuable information about this critical topic and you can ask me your most burning question about 'Raising a Smart Rich Kid'.

P.S. By the way, do you know someone else who would benefit from this article? Please send them the link to it......and you can, can you not?

From Terry Mazzer - The Raising Smart Rich Kids' Mentor

Raising Smart Rich Kids - Top 5 Reasons to Play Financial Board Games With Your Kids

2011-12-05T09:55:00.000-08:00

By Terry Mazzer

"Tell me and I will forget ... Show me and I may remember, INVOLVE me and I will learn and understand =>>> Let's look at why the playing of financial board games can make a huge impact on your child's future.

1) Games reveal a lot about a person's behaviour.

As you watch and listen to your kids, others playing the game and yourself as well, do they/you...

Take losing well or are they a sore loser?
Boast about winning?
Cheat to win or to gain an advantage?
Bend the rules?
Argue over small details?
Have a game plan or just react to situations?
Have to have it all NOW and can't delay their gratification?

Plato said, "You can learn more about a person in an hour of play than a year of conversation."

2) Financial Games create a safe environment...risk taking is encouraged.

Some kids know that it is better when you don't 'have a go' because they could set themselves up for failure. When they play financial board games, they are able to take risks and not be penalised too much.

3) Financial Games give you feedback about how you are playing.

You and I know that, when we make a mistake in a game, we quickly try to correct it. I remember my brothers and parents letting me know and they would suggest what to do. Does that sound familiar to you?

Parents, these games also give you the chance to comment on your kids' behaviours.

4) Financial games increase the learning process of your children.

When our kids are playing these games, they are using many different learning processes...talking, listening, watching, reading, critical thinking and moving. They are also learning to work smarter, not harder.

Isn't that what we want to do with our money? Have it work SMARTER, not harder?

Losing and making money are a critical part of the real world. By being involved, our kids' learning is accelerated and stimulated.

5) Financial games teach our kids valuable financial skills while they are having fun.

When our kids get money, they get control over their financial future. Financial games teach our kids about the importance of paying themselves first. They learn the importance of buying assets and keeping their expenses low.

This will increase their passive income and so they eventually become financially free.

Here's what I invite you to do now:

Turn off the TV, the computer, the Xbox and start playing financial games. Your family will have valuable interaction time together.
Buy some financial intelligence board games, such as Monopoly, Cashflow for Kids or Cashflow 101.Have some fun!
Play the games as often as possible. Repetition reinforces the concepts presented. The sooner you start, the easier it will be for your kids.Let's make it a habit.

Can you see that this means your children are intently watching and learning, consciously and subconsciously, from what you DO with money, what you SAY about money and from the EXPERIENCES you're providing them with regard to money? Give them the opportunity to live an abundant, successful and happy life.

Here's What I Want You To Do Now - Claim your instant FREE access to a MP3 recording of one of my teleseminars by going to http://www.SecretsToRaisingSmartRichKids.com - you'll get practical tips and valuable information about this critical topic and you can ask me your most burning question about 'Raising a Smart Rich Kid'.

P.S. By the way, do you know someone else who would benefit from this article? Please send them the link to it......and you can, can you not?

From Terry Mazzer - The Raising Smart Rich Kids' Mentor - "Work SMARTER, not harder"

Financial Education For Kids

2011-12-05T09:46:00.000-08:00

By Elie Cole

One of the differences between rich families and poor families is that rich families teach their children about how to be rich. However, there are ways to teach any child how to be better with a checkbook.

There are, of course, books and sites to help your child create a business and succeed at it. One that comes to mind is "Rich Kid Smart Kid", by Robert Kiyosaki. Also the famous cashflow 101 for kids board game by the same author is definitely a great start.

Peak the kid interest in making money

Kids can generate their own cash flow. It's just a matter of teaching them the basics, and then encouraging them to try things. Before you let them loose, remember to show them a few things. The most obvious thing to show them is the advantages of having their own income. For example, they can buy their own clothes and toys, as well as food. Once they realize that they can pay for things themselves, their interest in making money will be peaked.

Show them where your money goes. Specifically, show them bills, and what each bill buys the household. Also, go over the food bill, and show how much food the family eats on a monthly basis. Although there will be some dispute whether some items (such as Brussels sprouts) should be on the list, and questions as to why others (such as pizza) aren't on the menu more often, you can show them why pizza and other fast food items aren't bought as often because of their cost compared to normal food.

Let them experiment business

Once you've shown them what money can buy them, and where money goes, give them a chance to experiment. There are several ways you can do this, depending on how old the children are and what you have available. There are a lot of options to lemonade and lawn-mowing, even though they aren't that bad to start with. They'll probably be more able to do service-oriented businesses, especially those that don't require a lot of skill, such as carrying small loads, baby-sitting, running errands, weeding, some farm chores, and, yes, lawn-mowing. Some kids even do well with a rent-a-kid service, where older adults just want someone to listen to them, or help them with basic chores.

Once they get their business off the floor, you can introduce the concept of advertising to them, to help expand their business, getting them new customers, to whatever limit you think they can handle. Also, don't be afraid about calling their customers to se how they are doing, just don't get obsessive about it or you may cost the kid customers. The input helps, especially if they have a product that they are selling.

And don't forget to set up a banking account specifically for the child's business. This allows you to show him how banking works, and gets him used to how a balance sheet works; both of these are obviously useful skills later on. The account will also teach the child about interest, and possibly fees, which can be frustrating, especially if the account is usually below the minimum balance. Also, when the business is shelved, the account can continue, allowing it to garner interest; enough interest and the account can help towards college.

Play with them with "Cashflow for kids"

By creating a business, even if it doesn't last long, the child develops a certain Financial IQ; he knows where money goes and comes from, how to create it, and has a glimpse into how the world of finance. This insight will be invaluable later on, especially if the child decides to try his hand at business later on. Even if it is just a game, "cashflow for kids" board game is specially designed to teach kids about being smart with money.

About The Author:

Elie Cole invites you to find Cashflow 101 players (adults, kids) and clubs near you on the website Cashflow 101 Players and Clubs database.

Ways For Kids To Earn Money

2011-12-05T09:41:00.000-08:00

By Jenny Ford

Thinking of ways for kids to earn money before they are old enough to have a regular job can seem like a challenge.

Years ago, before child labor laws, it was so normal for kids to be working alongside adults that the very thought of looking for ways for kids to make money would have been ridiculous! Sometimes, the money earned by kids kept a family from starvation.

We live in better times now. There is usually plenty to eat, and we expect our kids to focus on their education, not support the family.

However, the school system in the Western world is highly geared to producing good employees. There are real risks if you leave your child's financial education to the so-called "education experts". Remember that the teachers, the inspectors, the administrators, the people who write the curriculum guidelines, and the politicians who make the laws about education are all, themselves, employees. Many of them have never been anything else.

It's up to parents to instill that good old-fashioned value of self-reliance, and encourage kids to get out and make money for themselves.

Kids can do all sorts of things to earn money. The only limit is your imagination.

Babysitting

Baking for busy working mothers

Collecting aluminium cans

Cleaning swimming pools

Gardening

Letter-box leaflet drops

Running errands

Dog washing

Selling things on eBay

Making jewellery

Making My Space backgrounds

Busking

Collecting for charity on commission

Buying bulk candy and selling individual pieces

Entertainers at kids' parties

Exercising horses

Breeding rats (or other pets)

Comic book rental library

Toy rental library

Collecting lost golf balls

Washing cars

... and hundreds more!

Not so long ago, kids didn't need to look for ways to earn money, because 95% or more of the population were self-employed. People worked on their own farms, in retail, or in cottage industries. Kids grew up surrounded by commerce, watching the exchange of valuable services for money, and inhaling the principles of adding value and making a profit with their every breath.

These days, the majority of people depend on someone else's entrepreneurial spirit to generate revenue and pay them a wage directly, or they are indirectly relying on those same business owners because they work for a government funded by taxing the private sector and its employees.

With this shift from enterprise to job-seeking has come a corresponding shift from self-reliance to dependence. We have almost lost the ability to take care of ourselves financially.

Most people are expecting an employer or the government to take care of them when they can no longer work. Or, worse, they aren't even thinking about how they might survive financially beyond this year, this month, or even this week.

Basic entrepreneurship should be part of every child's education. But we can't expect the employees who teach in schools to pass on skills they don't have. As with the other crucial life skills like dental hygiene, eating right, and avoiding poisons, teaching the skills of money and business is very much the parent's responsibility. Help your kids to find ways to earn money, and build their skills for life.

Free book to download - Finding The Right Niche For Your Cash-Smart Kid Free email course - Get Started! How To Start A Money-Making Web Site For Your Child

Jenny Ford is an expert in educating children about business and wealth creation. She is one of the founders of Cash-Smart Kids.
She holds an Honours degree in Psychology, a Diploma in Training and Assessment Systems, and an Advanced Diploma in Business Management. She is the mother of three young entrepreneurs, all of whom started successful businesses when they were nine to twelve years old.
Kids Money Articles Review by Jenny Ford

How Kids Can Make Money - Start-Up Businesses For Kids

2011-12-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

By Melissa Rose

I must have been about 7 years old when my sister and I dragged our neighborhood friend out to the curb alongside our house to set up a makeshift lemonade stand on a sunny, Saturday afternoon. Visions of cars lining up to buy our homemade juice danced in my head as I tried to conceive what I would spend my share of the money on. To me, and like thousands of other kids, this was serious business.

To most parents, the lemonade stand is more of a way to get the kids out the door and occupied for a few hours. It's cute to see these little entrepreneurs mimicking business owners as they set up their products and position their cash register, cups and signage. Deep down, each parent is more concerned with who is going to clean up the mess once business hours are over.

In reality, that lemonade stand is more than a weekend project. It's the first stepping stone to gaining important life skills.

There's almost a 100 percent guarantee that every one of us, at some point in time, will need to know how a business functions, whether we become employers or employees later on in life. And yet, learning how to earn a living, independently or dependently, is largely ignored in our school system. If we know that our kids need these vital skill sets in order to survive financially as adults, how come we aren't preparing them before they leave the nest?

The common myth that many parents have is that to foster entrepreneurship, their child has to exhibit an entrepreneurial spirit. It's akin to excluding a child from taking math classes if they don't like math, or not encouraging a child to read if they don't like to read. While some kids show early signs of business acumen when they are young, others may not express an interest until they are older. If your child doesn't walk around with a briefcase, request business cards from Santa at Christmas, or dream of dollar signs while asleep, does it mean they don't have an entrepreneurial spirit? Does it mean they do not need to learn how to make a living?

If you had asked my parents whether my sister and I had an entrepreneurial spirit when we were young, they would have likely said "no". Neither one of us spent our youth plotting out financial opportunities. I started my first real business at the tender age of 20 while in college and spent the next 18 out of 20 years self-employed. My sister writes children's books. What transpired are two entrepreneurs whose parents never noticed an entrepreneurial spirit in them as kids.

Why is youth entrepreneurship so important? As Baby Boomers retire, Gen Xers and Gen Yers take over. The US economy not only thrives on small businesses for economic growth and employment, it survives because of them. As a community, we are great at product development, but because we largely ignore teaching entrepreneurship at the elementary and high school levels, many are left without the skill sets to know how to take their innovations to the marketplace. As we move towards a global economy, how do we compete effectively? Think about the long-term ramifications it could have on our economy.

Our youth have amazing ideas and their sense of risk is different from their adult counterparts. It's not that our youth can think outside of the box any better than adults. They don't even know a box exists. They don't have a family to support, a mortgage payment to make, or a utility bill that's come due. Their business allows them to take full ownership over something they've created, allowing that ownership to transfer over to responsibility and accountability.

When we teach youth entrepreneurship, we not only show them that their future can be different, but we provide them with skill sets that make them able to compete in a competitive economic environment. And when we teach our youth how to run a business the right way with the right tools, we set them up to succeed, not fail. All kids deserve the opportunity.

A kids business is more important than just making money. Click on that link (A kids business) and get a Free Report about Taking Your Child from Average to Outstanding." This report will show you how to Give Your Child an Advantage. Your child will learn life skills that will stay with them the rest of their life. If you think your child could start their own business, this is the report for you. If you think your child could not start a business, this report will show you that they can: http://www.bizinaboxx.com

Life Coaching - 7 Tips on How to Choose Your Coach

2011-12-05T09:29:00.000-08:00

By Anna Aparicio

More and more people are hiring a Life Coach, like me, to help them improve different aspects of their lives. Whether you want a more successful career, better relationships, a fitter body... finding the right mentor can help you get what you want and even exceed your expectations.

After years of experience and many success stories, here is what I, personally, recommend you look for in your coach so you can get the most out of the experience:

1- Look for a certified and accredited coach.

However, it is important you note that a certificate does not automatically make someone a good coach.

2 - Experience counts, and results count more.

Look for real testimonials and success stories.

3 - Talk to your potential coach before you make an appointment.

Before you make an appointment, you should speak to your coach on the phone. Find out if you are right for them, and also if they are right for you. If you don't connect over the phone, or you are not sure about them, keep asking questions until your mind is put at rest.

Any questions you may have should be answered before you decide to book your coaching programme.

4 - Although life coaching can help you in a variety of areas in your life, most coaches have a specialty.

Time management, confidence, motivation, business goals, smoking cessation, fear and phobias, stress management... find a coach that specialises in the area you want to improve.

5 - Your coach should walk the talk.

Your coach shouldn't only be super passionate about helping you, but also walk the talk!

Would you hire a personal trainer who looked less than amazing? I know I wouldn't... So, whatever you coach's specialty is, look for evidence.

6 - Find out what your coaching programme involves before you make your decision.

Cheaper does not equal better, and vice versa. However, make sure you find out what you are going to get for your money before you commit. What does your coaching program involve exactly? Private consultations, email/ phone support...

What is getting what you want worth to you?

7 - Nice does not necessarily equal good.

Even though your coach should be a nice person, their main objective should be to help you get what you want, at all costs.

This means that you may be challenged and may have to get out of your comfort zone. Sometimes it means tears, sometimes it means laughter... ultimately, it means you get what you want.

Anna Aparicio is a IINLP Accredited Life & Succes Coach and IINLP Licensed Master Practitioner based in Dublin, Ireland.

Whether you want be confident at presentations, get more done with your time, motivate your sales staff to get some serious results... she uses the most up to date Neuro Linguistic Programming, psychology and coaching tools to create massive changes, fast.

Now you can also get her new report "Why you'll never get what you want unless you do this" at http://www.delite.ie.