 |
|
|
|
Online Sales Growing |
|
|
Posted by: SusanLynn on Dec 09, 2003 - 04:06 AM |
|
|
 SusanLynn writes "More consumers are doing their shopping from the comfort of their homes these days, according to a USAA Magazine Oct. '03 article. According to a study conducted by Shop.org and Forrester Research, online sales are on track to reach $96 billion in 2003. This is a 48 percent increase over 2001.
The study shows that online sales will represent 4.5 percent of total retail sales in the U.S. compared to 3.6 percent last year. Economists are watching this number to determine the point at which online purchases hit critical mass and take off in the mainstream. So far, computer hardware and software, event tickets and book sales have seen the most significant growth.
"
|
|
|
Read more... (977 bytes more) 48 Comments   |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stress-Free Holiday Gifts For Home And Office |
|
|
Posted by: SusanLynn on Nov 29, 2003 - 10:30 AM |
|
|
SusanLynn writes "As previously indicated in my Media article, I am very much in favor of enjoying the holidays with as much peace and contentment as possible. But since this time of year tends to be hectic, I will share o­ne of my secrets for helping with the gift-giving tradition - at home AND in the workplace.
It is easy to overlook the stress an employer has trying to show his/her appreciation for employees, valued clients or referring professionals. Imagine trying to overcome employee complaints about your idea of what is supposed motivate them. Often wondering if your Christmas bottle of wine will offend non-drinkers, the ham you gave will offend your Jewish clients, or the basket of candy will cause a dieter to give up in despair.
And then there is the family member who returns every gift, already has two of everything you could think of, or simply makes it impossible to guess what they may like. The gift certificate may seem the answer--but where is the best place to get it from, how much should it be for to make sure you don't look cheap, and will the person be willing or able to put in the extra money that is inevitably needed to leave with the desired item?"
|
|
|
Read more... (1051 bytes more) 40 Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Media: Enemy of Peace |
|
|
Posted by: SusanLynn on Nov 29, 2003 - 12:51 AM |
|
|
 SusanLynn writes "I admit, I've been pretty much out of the loop for awhile now. I spend most of my time o­n the computer, listening to pre-recorded CDs, and watch DVDs occasionally to relax. The cable to my TV is unplugged, I rarely turn o­n the radio, and I don't read the newspaper. Not for any strange, puritannical reason - it just hasn't been a priority. Now most people would call me weird or out of touch, but I've recently discovered a more accurate descriptor--content.
In the last few days, I've been exposed to more media than usual and I've noticed some very disturbing affects. It started while sitting in a waiting room when I absently picked up a Shape magazine (among the more obvious Cosmopolitan, Style and Allure varieties) and started flipping through it. Although not as blantant as the others, I noticed that I all of sudden starting feeling like I should be skinnier, more buff, more fashionable and much prettier than I am. I felt tense like I should be doing more and guilty that I am not there already. Later that day, I flipped o­n the radio for something different to listen to (80's weekend - score!), and I starting listening to all the activities around town that the radio station was sponsoring and I again felt tense like I should be doing more and feeling guilty for not being more involved. Then, the advertisements for the upcoming official kick-off to the holiday shopping season started in. Having already decided to keep things simple this holiday, I still felt myself getting anxious about Christmas and shopping for loved o­nes and why I haven't figured it all out yet and am I ready for the holidays and prepared to hit the stores the day after Thanksgiving, etc, etc. O­nce again, an overwhelming feeling of tension that I should be doing something NOW and feeling guilty that I haven't done it already permeated my senses. That's when I realized how incredibly peaceful and content my life was WITHOUT the media telling me what I should be doing, buying, trying to look like and making me feel guilty that I haven't done it already!"
|
|
|
Read more... (1667 bytes more) 51 Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Motivation |
|
|
Posted by: SusanLynn on Aug 26, 2003 - 06:26 PM |
|
|
SusanLynn writes "In today’s market, more people are looking to start their own business than ever before. There is a new understanding of job IN-security and even if one is lucky enough to have a job, most people have no faith that it would even last five years. We are coming to realize more than ever that our success, or even survival, is completely up to us. That, along with the trend back towards the cottage industry and away from big corporations, has caused more startups being formed than ever before.
There are many books and resources on how to start and run a successful business, but this is not one of them. This is a discussion on motivation. What motivates us to start a business? Well, generally it is a good idea, put together with our strengths and abilities, and a determination that we have something special to offer others. But mostly, it is the dream of a better life. A life where we are the ones in control, calling the shots and with the ability to live the way we have always wanted. But is that enough? In a word, YES!"
|
|
|
Read more... (1855 bytes more) 45 Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
What Is A CMS? |
|
|
Posted by: SusanLynn on Jul 09, 2003 - 06:10 PM |
|
|
SusanLynn writes " A CMS, or Content Management System is, of course, a system that manages content on your website. But more than that, it is the invisible backbone that gives you the ability to add/delete/change content and structure on your website without knowing any code; it allows others to ask questions, give their opinions, suggest links and submit articles for approval to populate your website; it is the dynamic flow that exists between author and visitor that makes it a living, breathing organism; it is what allows others to get to know who you are and what you are about; it enables individuals to buy into your vision and help expand it into something greater long before they decide to do business with you; it is the high-touch engine of your high-tech website.
As you can tell, I lean more heavily toward the high-touch side. If you are looking for a more technical definition, there are excellent resources that explain the makeup of content management. As a businessperson, however, I understand that people drive the market, not technology. Technology is merely a tool to reach the most powerful demographic in the world, consumers. In this article, I will help you explore whether or not a CMS is right for you and your business, how to shop for the one that will best fit your needs, and what to do next. "
|
|
|
Read more... (8628 bytes more) 111 Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Water? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Water |
|
|
Posted by: SusanLynn on Jun 05, 2003 - 12:16 AM |
|
|
SusanLynn writes "Have you noticed that everything that is good for you eventually turns out to be bad for you and vice versa? Well, I never saw it coming when it came to water. I mean, how basic can you get? It's true, according to the article in the Colorado Springs Gazette newspaper on Monday, June 2nd, 2003, "Quench or Drench", they found that drinking too much water is as unhealthy as dehydration. And, get this, that caffeine isn't that bad after all, either.
"
|
|
|
Read more... (2534 bytes more) 75 Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Courage is the not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We have 2 guests and 0 members online
Welcome Guest, become a member today.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
