Misrelate

Because a person’s name is the single context of human memory most apt to be forgotten; because self-disclosure is the single most effective way to build rapport and connect with people you just met; and because initiating the conversation is half the battle - your nametag is your best friend.

However, improper creation and wearing of nametags can work against you (and your business) if you’re not careful.

Scott Ginsberg has been internationally recognized by CNN, CBS, The Associated Press, The Washington Post and Paul Harvey as “the world’s foremost field expert on nametags.” Below are Scott’s responses to several nametag related inquiries.

1) What are some tips for wearing nametags at trade shows?

Before you even pack your show, make sure your employees, salespeople and booth representatives each have THEIR OWN pre-made company nametags. You can get these done at any local engraving store for less than $7 a piece, probably cheaper en masse. The reason to do this is because a) trade show nametags don’t always maximize your “nametag real estate,” and b) trade show nametags rarely include your logo - which helps for brand recognition.

Now, perhaps it seems redundant to wear two nametags, right? Well, think about the Superbowl: How many commercials does Budweiser run each year? Exactly. Always more than one. So even with nametags, it’s all about the Three R’s of Networking: Repetition, Repetition, Repetition!

Next, when you get to the show, wear your own custom nametag in a visible location so that everyone who walks in and out of your booth sees is. Potential buyers need to make the instant connection between YOU and the BOOTH. Also, when you get busy, it can get hard for prospects to locate the right person. The last thing you want is uncertainty about who the actual booth employee is! So use your nametag to identify and differentiate yourself among the masses.

2) How do you handle poorly designed nametags that are already provided for you at events?

Tough issue. About 80% of the nametags I’ve ever seen at events are designed without consideration of font size, color, etc. I always suggest that people create and bring THEIR OWN custom made nametag to all events in the situation that the given nametag is ineffective. You can wear both if security and identification is an issue. But most chairs or hosts of meetings won’t be offended, as long as you initially take the nametag given to you as an extension of courtesy - even if you don’t wear it.

Of course, none of this would be a problem if the meeting planners would just make them right the first time!

3) On which side of your chest should you wear a nametag?

There isn’t a single book on networking, meeting planning or interpersonal communication that doesn’t say nametags should go on the right. “They” say you should wear your nametag on the right hand side so it is visible in the direct line with your handshake. For the most part, I agree. And so do most people. This is one of the few nametag protocols most people are familiar with.

On the other hand, the horizontal placement of your nametag should be dependent on the capacity in which you are wearing it. For example, if you work in a hotel, in retail, at a trade show or any other mobile environment where there are aisles, rows and hallways, consider the possibility of wearing your nametag on the left side of your chest so it is most visible to oncoming traffic. (If you live in a country where you walk on the right side of the path.)

Now, this is a debatable issue. But the bottom line about horizontal placement is this: it doesn’t matter which side of your chest the nametag lays, as long as it’s above your breastbone and readable from 10 feel away.

Is it redundant to have your first name twice on your nametag?

Yes and no. “Doubling” the first name is very common for conventions, meetings or large groups. Usually, the first name is reprinted above the entire name in a larger font - possibly all caps - to be more visible. (In fact, most computer programs have this as a default setting on their templates.) Doubling is helpful for people who go by abbreviated, middle or different names. After all, all you really need to get their attention is their first name! On the other hand, if your name is Don, and people call you Don, it would be an ineffective use of your nametag space to write it twice. So, just write Don…but make it bigger. As big as you can!

5) Are some nametags better quality than others?

Absolutely. Especially when it comes casual settings and parties, handwrite nametags are usually an inelastic, last minute purchase. Most people just buy the first box they see at their local supply store. But I must warn you that there are plenty of nametags out there that are HORRIBLE. Some have faded colors, while others have paper quality consistent with that of tissue.

In fact, many companies advertise “weak adhesive to prevent clothing damage” on their packaging to protect your fabulous wardrobe. But keep in mind, this second-rate adhesive will wear off in minutes and cause your nametag to “curl” and become unreadable. So decide what’s more important: sticky stuff on your clothes or being unapproachable.

6) Are gold nametags a no-no?

Gold nametags are few and far between because a) it’s very difficult to read ANY text printed on them, b) they’re usually too expensive to purchase en masse, and c) street thugs might hold you up at gunpoint and rob you. People in education - mainly collegiate - wear gold nametags because it’s been their tradition for a long time. And it certainly looks very elegant. But other than that, gold is not a recommended color.

7) Are first and last names necessary for employee nametags?

Anonymity and personal safety are two issues that must be taken into account when issuing nametags to employees. Most handbooks or employee manuals briefly mention their nametag policies, however many organizations fail to address this issue. Some people may not feel comfortable wearing both their first and last names on the job. I’ve heard accounts of nosey customers who tried to contact, even stalk, employees outside of work because they could obtain their personal information.

One solution to this problem is to print first name only nametags. This protects the anonymity of the employee, maximizes the space and looks friendly. (Besides…the knowledge of your Radio Shack salesman’s last name is not crucial to the service process!) Should a situation arise where a person’s safety may be in jeopardy, it might a good idea to have an extra nametag with alternate spelling, or even a different name.

How can I avoid nametag-related clothing damage?

Holes, wrinkles, adhesive stains - these things will happen to you. I suggest that when nametags are provided, always read the back of the nametag before applying it. Most badge manufacturers - at least, the good ones - will tell you which types of materials are susceptible to damage. Now, this doesn’t give you the right not to wear your nametag, but it may help you decide how to wear it.

In the past 10 years most nametags have shifted to fastener types like clips, lanyards, magnets, etc. These are excellent solutions, although I’d watch out for those magnetic fasteners: they will destroy silk.

9) How can you modify nametags to accommodate your clothes?

Whether it’s adhesive damage, fashion trouble or lack of a good location, some people refuse to wear adhesive nametags solely because of their clothes. But with a little improvisation you can still maintain your approachability.

I was giving a speech last week when a lady at my table thought of an ingenious nametag modification technique. Because the straps on her dress limited the surface area on which she could stick her nametag - and because she didn’t want to stick the adhesive on her collar bone - she tore the nametag in half. It fit perfectly on her strap without damaging the clothes or her skin!

10) How do organizations approach nametags?

Some organizations have employees, members, guests and other people coming in and out all the time. In order to avoid alienating some of those people, the organization must first make a decision: either EVERYBODY wears nametags, or NOBODY wears nametags.

Unfortunately, there will always be people who refuse to wear nametags. The only solution is (if you decide to implement nametags for everybody) is to make it expressly written externally (signage) or internally (handbook) so people will adhere to the rule. Nobody should be “too cool” to wear a nametag.

Another concern is the nametag text’s potential to segregate members based on position. I think it can go both ways. For example, I am a member of the National Speakers Association. We recently had our National Convention during which each member was assigned a custom nametag based on years of experience, membership, if a guest, etc. To my surprise, people were actual! ly MORE willing to encourage team building because of these designations. I couldn’t count how many of the veteran speakers who have been in the business longer than I have been alive came up to me and said, “So Scott, this is your first convention, huh? How do you like it so far?”

On the other hand, if “isolation by way of nametagging” is a possible threat, I would suggest having the exact same type of nametag worn by all people, regardless of volunteer/member/paid employee status.

11) Should you KISS your nametag?

Yes.

Not literally, of course. By KISS I mean “Keep It Simple Stupid.” Recently an audience member asked me, “Why don’t put your last name, company, position, etc. on your nametag? Don’t you want people to know that information?”

Well, yes and no.

We all want people to know who we are, what we do and how we can help them. But it’s more effective if you tell them as a response to an open ended question such as, “Tell me about the work you do.”

So when you use your nametag as a conversation starter (if you have the chance to create it yourself), design it in a simple way that sets you up with an opportunity to share the value you give.

12) Is there really a condition called Nametag Deficiency Syndrome?

You better believe it. Over a half of a million people suffer every year from Emblema Nomenpenia, more commonly known as Nametag Deficiency Syndrome (NDS). This debilitating condition has run rampant through the American business community for many decades - experts say - although only recently has it been classified.

Symptoms: You may experience localized font shrinkage, inflammation of the company logo, noticeable eye irritation due to cluttered texts, absence of upper-chest nametag placement and mild conversational uncertainty and frustration.

Possible Side Effects: Beware of sudden, sever attacks of name-forgetting, possible networking anxiety, unapproachable behavior, missed opportunities to make new friends or business contacts, feelings of annoyance due to the inability to say hello to a new member or employee whose name you can’t read because their nametag is turned backwards.

13) Who makes the best casual, handwrite nametags?

After four years of wearing a nametag all day, every day - through the rain, hail, sleet and snow - there is absolutely nobody better than Maco (of Wilson Jones). They have the highest paper quality, most vivid color and strongest adhesive power, and only cost about $3.39 per 100.

© 2005 All Rights Reserved.

Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, “The World’s Foremost Expert on Nametags” and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.

Comments Off

One of the hardest questions presented to those who believe time travel is possible is; Where is Everybody? Indeed this makes for a pretty hard argument to overcome doesn’t it? Recently in an online think tank a fellow thinker named Marv re-introduced the question to the group as he stated regarding his very astute comment of asking for proof;

“If it ever became possible, it would have already happened!”

And thus where is everybody? Again this is a pretty tough problem to over come, yet there are theories that for time travel one could not go back in time before the device of time travel was created, which is an interesting take and theory on the subject. Of course then there are anomalies such as the John Titer story and such. Quite a few of them, where people say they are from the future. Although many are chocked off to publicity stunts. And the conspiracy theories, which go along with that which say that when a time traveler arrives they are wisked away to a secret government installation and of course this sure makes for a lot of book deals and late night radio talk shows doesn’t it?

Perhaps people traveling thru time is a difficult maneuver; however thought thru time and now quantum computing is indeed showing some interesting possibility with entangled pairs or shared events thru time. So, perhaps time travel is possible and is constantly going on with or without our knowledge due to our perspective of the present and time. Perhaps time does not exist at all and all time is one, but our minds do not register it as such?

But Marv presses on with his fellow thinkers and this next statement he makes is interesting indeed:

“But we dream, don’t we.”

As who is to say that we are not dreaming thru time and our minds when dreaming are not bound in the way they are in the waking hours when bombarded and one with all the other vibrational energy emitted from our realm. Although science is sure to figure that out, if indeed they have not already. Well, got to go; all out of time. But do consider this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Comments Off

If you are looking for a home based business opportunity that does not require you to pay someone directly, then you have probably seen only a few, if any. Wealth creation on line is a free home based business opportunity that you can find out more about by visiting the web site. On the web site you will learn how this home based business system works and what you can expect. You will also find out if you are the type of person who would be able to succeed at a business venture such as this. It does require some effort and motivation on your part, but the potential rewards are unbelievable.

I am looking for something, and I need some help in finding it. I am looking for a free home based business opportunity that has the potential to be a lucrative source of income for me and my family. However, instead of searching the internet for hours on end, I would like someone to point me in the right direction. Word of mouth referrals are extremely powerful in the business world, and that is what I am looking for. If anyone reading this can give me a referral regarding a free home based business that I can get started on immediately, I would like to hear from you.

Comments Off

So I’m talking business models and you have a one person web site or a part time business. So how does this affect you?

It does affect you - because the internet is a very large and very unforgiving business environment. Regardless of how many people tell you how you can make thousands every month, for every eBay there are millions of sites just taking a few $’s a month.

So where does Dolly Parton come into it, I hear you say? Well I also went to the Dolly Parton Dinner Show just before Christmas, which I highly recommended. Having just finished writing for my latest information product - the Entrepreneur Power Pack, I had my business head still functioning. I realized that there are 3 major women within the USA - Oprah, Martha and Dolly - and they all have started and run massive businesses that center on their particular skills.

When setting up your new business, the first question you should ask yourself is “what do you want to do?” I know that this sounds a really silly question - but looking at our three famous ladies again:

• Oprah is known mainly as a talk show host but she started on the radio.

• Martha is known for her TV show but she started catering for weddings.

• Dolly has always been a singer - but she now has her dinner shows and Dollywood theme park and has also been in a few movies.

The lesson here is to decide to do something within an area where you can logically expand upon your skills without losing your market and your past and current customers. People go to the Dolly Dinner Shows - because they are fond of Dolly and want she stands for. Oprah only has to recommend a book on her TV show and it becomes a best seller because her opinion is trusted by millions. Martha has whole streams of income - TV, products, magazines, books etc - all with her name on them and her customers move logically from one to the other, buying as they go.

What is clear is that all of them have very strong brand images - but they also have numerous complimentary streams of income. Martha in particular is a genius at using each of her product streams to feed off of each other - moving her customer base from one item to the next with little effort.

I thought that there were a lot of lessons to learn from Dolly and how she runs her business so well, whilst still being so nice about it! I think we can learn a whole lot from her!

So how does this affect a small one or two person business - click or brick? Planning is such an important part of starting a serious business. You must plan your business taking into account the following:

• You need a strong string of recognizable products or services that are instantly recognizable as belonging to your company. For example we have a string of products, which we constantly add to, called the PowerPack - its concept is that we sell all you need to set up a particular business in one product. Our most popular is the AdSense PowerPack.

• Ensure that you leave room to add extra products or services that are not too removed from your current product stream. For example if you offer lawn services - it’s not too far away to also offer porch cleaning as well. If you provide golfing services - then also sell golf balls, golf gloves etc. Follow the Martha route on that one.

• Decide how you want to present yourself - consider colors, fonts, sizing, quality etc.

• Work out which market you are seeking - find a niche if you can, and build your product range around this.

At the start of this year I sat down with a large mug of tea (I’m a Brit ok - I may live mostly in the USA - but my suitcase is always full of PG Tips), a pad and a pen.

I looked at where I thought that my customer base would be this year and what kind of things they would be looking for.

I then decided what product streams and services I would offer in 2006 and then defined at least 4 products in each stream.

Common wisdom is to look at price ranges of: up to $9.97, $19.97, $47, $97 and $147 when looking at IT and digital based items. On top of that goes consultancy, training and individual coaching. So I tried to decide on my item in each of these price slots as well as a group of free giveaways for viral marketing purpose. Now I am a prolific writer so most of these were going to be of my own design. Don’t worry if you don’t have the time or inclination to do this - look out for existing resell items that you can bundle together to make up the products.

If you have a product or service based company that is not digitally based then you should investigate your own price points. Doesn’t do any harm to have your own ebooks to give away or sell as well though! You might even try short video training courses on how to make the best use of your products or services - be creative.

If you only have or only want a small company then concentrate on no more than 3 product ranges. This gives you about 12-15 products to design plus some giveaways.

So set up your New Year Resolutions for your own company and try this activity.

—————————————————————–

© Copyright 2006 Biz Guru LLC
Lee Lister, writes as The Biz Guru, for a number of web sites including her own sites http://www.BizGuru.us With over 20 year’s management and business consultancy experience with businesses large and small as well as being a serial entrepreneur, she now helps others set up, develop and market their businesses. Why not visit http://www.clikks.com for all our informational products.

You might like to join our Clikks Ezine: - aimed at the small businesses - click or brick with a web site presence. We provide business strategy and marketing assistance and products. clikks_ezine@aweber.com
This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

—————————————————————–

Comments Off

Teeth play a major role in your looks as everyone wants to wear and see a beautiful smile. Overlapped teeth or gaps in teeth can look unattractive and also blemish your overall appearance. To correct these problems, earlier there was only one solution - Braces. Braces work by putting force against the teeth, moving them slowly over time. The braces are made of metal, plastic or ceramic.

Although braces give a remarkable result in straightening teeth, they carry with them a stigma of looking ugly while treatment is undertaken, due to their visibility. A permanent mouth irritation is also a factor. There is another orthodontist course of treatment for straitening teeth without metal braces called Invisalign.

In 1997 Align Technology Company receive FDA clearance to market Invisalign as an orthodontist device. Invisalign is proposed to do the same job as braces in terms of regular tooth movement.

Invisalign braces move teeth through the proper placement of controlled force on the teeth. It not only controls the force that is applied on teeth but also controls timing of the force. At each step only specific teeth are allowed to move.

Invisalign is an invisible method of straightening teeth. Instead of wires and brackets, Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners. These aligners apply a controlled pressure on your teeth. To design these aligners latest 3D technology is used that simulates the stages the teeth will go through. And this technology also allows you to view your own virtual treatment model when you start, so that you can see how your straight teeth will appear when your treatment is complete. Your orthodontist will review these 3D models and will approve the treatment plan.

A strong medical graded plastic is used to manufacture Invisalign aligners. Most of the time, these aligners are worn for about 2 weeks and after 2 weeks the old set of aligners is changed with a new one. But there is no tightening or adjustment. Your teeth move through a step-by-step incremental procedure until they attain a desired or specific position.

Invisalign gives you maximum comfort and ease. And eating, brushing and flossing are no more a problem as aligners are removable. You can relish your favorite food.

Time taken by Invisalign is just half of the time of traditional braces. Total treatment time is between 9-15 months and the approximate number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but from case to case the time and aligners may vary.

Invisalign has also some limitations. Firstly it is a cost effective treatment, yet is more than traditional braces. Treatment cost may very according to the complexity of the case. Also, there are some cases such as over crowding, oven bites and under bites that Invisalign does not treat. Patients may feel discomfort for a few days with each new aligner. Also, Invisalign may temporarily affect the speech of some people.

Invisalign may have some limitations but it not only provides you a beautiful smile but also gives comfort during the entire process.

Comments Off

I was reading an article today and my light bulb finally went on - Blam! I really got how cool the Apple and Intel deal is…

I spend a fair amount of my time working with startups and I am convinced that 95% of innovation occurs in small companies. Only a small percentage of these fledgling companies beat the odds and makes their “cool” idea into a reality. They used to go public but now they mostly get snapped up by bigger companies that are higher up the food chain.

Large companies spend a lot less on research than they did in years past. What little they do invest, they spend on making incremental improvements to existing products. They spend very little on research that is capable of producing major breakthrough results.

I almost forgot that big companies can still put together smart deals that can rock our world. I think that Apple and Intel did just that two years ago.

The breakthrough is not the recently released Mac that now has “Intel inside”, it is the next generation iPod.

The devices that are going to rock your world are the “Mobile Me” devices from Apple. “Mobile Me” is a new trademark that I think, Apple will use to describe new handheld devices that give you almost everything you want, all the time, wherever you want it.

I know what you want is a lot! And Apple is going to give it to you. When they do, I think you will reward Apple with even bigger buckets of your dollars. Why not? If they deliver you a phone + music + email + video + browsing + fast broadband that is easy to use and easy to update; and all for under $500.

Lets look at what Apple and Intel have accomplished:
Music Player: very well done.
Video Player: good start, needs more pixels
Player Content: iTunes is well done, just needs a subscription plan
Cell Phone: weak start, Apple not committed yet, but Intel has can change that
Browsing/Email: not yet an iPod feature, but consider the Intel influence.
Mobile Broadband: Intel is betting the ranch on Wi-Fi and WiMAX

Intel is clearly betting it’s future growth on wireless networking. It blew billions on phone chips with little to show for it, then turned to wireless networking with a passion. A few months ago Intel launched a it’s Digital Communities Initiative, to help cities across the globe build their own wireless broadband networks. Intel is investing money and energy to encourage the spread of Wi-Fi and WiMAX.

While city-wide hotspots are a nice idea for laptop users, their real appeal is to users of a new generation of wireless device users. But wireless networking is based on open standard that is a direct competitor to proprietary cell phone networks. Who is going to build the cool new devices that need the wireless network? Why Apple, of course.

The chip maker can forget about Motorola, Samsung, Erickson, and Nokia competing with their own cell phones. That made Apple look awful good; a perfect choice for building device that really takes advantage of the new WiMAX features.

With the next-gen iPod, you will be able to move away from the download model and subscribe to real time media and entertainment. Forget satellite radio, take your iPod to the park and watch a movie, or listen to music feeds.

Since you are plugged into the net, place all the calls that you like call - after all it’s free. It’s all part of the basic service. If you feel creative, use the integrated camera to video conference with a friend or capture some scenes while you are on vacation to share with your family back home. “Hey honey, look where I did today…. nah, I’m alright, really”.

If you think text blogs are cool, you will love the new generation of real time video iPod blogs. When news breaks you’ll have lots of on scene video blog to choose from to track the breaking news.

Apple + Intel may be big but “Mobile Me” will be truly cool and very disruptive. I know they can make the technology work, lets see if they start spending to defeat the cell phone lobby and get politicians to back municipal WiMAX networks.

John Thomas is an author and business consultant who works with entrepreneurs and business owners. He takes time to pursue his passion for iPods at iPod-Tips.com.

Comments Off

Of course quarterbacks and running backs get all the attention. They score touchdowns, they sell Chunky Soup, and they get to bang the homecoming queen. They’re the ones with the big contracts and the guys who can be rewarded with either too much blame or too much credit.

Then there are the dozens of free agents that meander into your team’s locker room each year. One team’s trash is another team’s treasure kind of deal. These hired guns are generally heralded as the Missing Link, and you know you’re guilty of over-hyping some journeyman nickel back or offensive tackle to your wife or co-workers.

Then there are the rookies. The quick fix. The hotshots. They are the future and the present. Every team is hoping that they scored not only that first-round blue chipper, but that late-round gem that can turn a team from wannabe to world champs quicker than you can say “signing bonus”.

This season in the NFL there are a slew of guys whose performances will have a direct connection to their team’s win-loss records. It will be very interesting to see how guys like Kurt Warner (Arizona), J.P. Losman (Buffalo), Deshaun Foster (Carolina), Randy Moss (Oakland) and Mike Williams (Detroit) will perform. Very interesting indeed.

That being said, right now I have no interest in any of those subcategories of players. I’ll leave the big-name free agents, cocky rookies and pretty-boy quarterbacks to be talked about by the gossip mongers and bobble heads.

Instead, I’ve compiled a list of players who might make for exciting talk at the water cooler but will play a crucial role in determining the course of their team’s franchise in 2005. Some are names you know, some are names you may have heard in passing. In my estimation these guys represent the types of storylines - veterans holding on to that last chance, disappointing draft picks seeking salvation, unheralded role players trying to break into the big time - that make the NFL worth watching.

Ryan Sims, DT, Kansas City
Remember back in 2002 when the debate between which North Carolina defender - Sims or Julius Peppers - should be taken first nearly reached Manning-Leaf proportions? Well, their NFL careers have almost been as lopsided. Sims is in his contract year, and is the most naturally gifted player on a defensive line that has been a sieve for the last four seasons. The Chiefs will feature as many as five new starters on defense, including two new linebackers and two new bodies in the secondary. But if Sims can’t hold down the point of attack (only 30 tackles and two sacks in 2004) those guys will be getting a lot of work.

Darrell Jackson, WR, Seattle
Dropped passes grounded the Seahawks last season, and Jackson was as guilty as anyone. Koren Robinson is in rehab and no longer with the team, leaving Jackson as the true No. 1 guy in the Seattle passing game. Jackson had 87 catches for 1,199 and seven touchdowns last season. That’s not enough. Jackson will need to not only achieve those numbers again, but set an example by holding onto just about anything he gets his hands on and making clutch catches that keep the sticks moving.

Nate Kaeding, K, San Diego
Kaeding, the cherub-faced kicker for the Chargers, was a revelation as a rookie in 2004. Kaeding was 54 of 55 making extra points, and 20-for-25 with field goals. However, he was also responsible for missing the kick that more or less ended his team’s season. He shanked a 40-yarder in overtime in a first-round playoff loss at home to the Jets. That’s forgivable, but Kaeding missed his first three kicks off the preseason. Those three kicks were between 40-46 yards and in a steady rain, but if there’s one thing a kicker can’t have, it’s wavering confidence.

Seth Payne, NT, Houston
People are expecting big things out of the Texans this season. If that’s going to happen, the defense needs to perform better than its 23rd overall ranking in 2004. Payne will be a huge part of that. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound nose tackle is the fulcrum in the Texans 3-4 system. With young linebackers behind him, Payne needs to cause some havoc up front to take some pressure off guys like Jason Babin. Payne has had injury problems in the past, but the ninth-year man out of Cornell impressed Houston brass enough to warrant them resigning him in the offseason.

John Tait, LT, Chicago
Tait was the Bears prized free agent signing in 2003, inking a $33.65 million deal. Tait, who was part of those dominating Kansas City lines a few years ago, was solid at right tackle for Chicago last season. However, the Bears yielded a league-high 66 sacks which prompted Tait to approach coach Lovie Smith and offer to switch to the critical left tackle position. Well, with Rex Grossman out for the year Tait’s importance becomes even greater. If the Bears are going to win with Chad Hutchinson he’s going to need plenty of time to survey the field.

DeAngelo Hall, CB, Atlanta
The electrifying Hall suffered a hard-luck hip injury last year that caused him to miss six games. He came back for the end of the season and the playoffs and performed admirably, intercepting two passes and scoring one touchdown. Atlanta had the 23rd-ranked pass defense in the league last season, and didn’t make any noticeable upgrades. In a division with Joe Horn, Steve Smith and up-and-coming Mark Clayton, the Falcons are hoping that Hall can be the shutdown corner that their defense has been missing.

Chad Brown/Monty Beisel, LB, New England
Its got to be pretty tough to come in as a low-key free agent and find yourself filling in for the heart-and-soul of the two-time defending Super Bowl Champions. Well, with Tedy Bruschi sidelined as a result of his offseason stroke and tough-as-nails Ted Johnson retired, that’s precisely where Brown and Beisel find themselves. To make matters worse, Mike Vrabel suffered a lower leg injury and has been sidelined for the Pats. Beisel came over from Kansas City and their pathetic defense, and Chad Brown is hoping to recapture a bit of the nastiness that he exuded throughout the mid-90’s. However, they’re replacing two New England legends and better come out of the corner swinging.

Jimmy Smith, WR, Jacksonville
The 36-year-old Smith is hoping that he can keep the magic going for one more season. Smith showed no signs of slowing in 2004, finishing with 74 catches for 1,172 yards and six touchdowns. He is the only proven wide receiver that the Jaguars have and one of the few guys that quarterback Byron Leftwich trusts in the clutch. The Jaguars defense is going to be one of the best in the AFC this season. But the question mark is whether or not this team can put up enough points to earn a playoff berth. The only way that happens is if Smith stays healthy and tutors some of the Jags young receivers.

Jonathan Ogden, LT, Baltimore
The guy is an eight-time Pro Bowler and potentially a Hall of Famer. However, he looked as if injuries and age may have robbed him of a step last season. The Ravens restocked their offense at the skill positions this offseason, and Todd Heap, Jamal Lewis, Derrick Mason and rookie Mark Clayton are ready to put up some points. However, center Casey Rabach and left guard Bennie Anderson both split this summer, and temperamental Orlando Brown declined sharply in 2004. If the Ravens are going to make another push for the AFC crown, they’re going to need Ogden to anchor that offensive line.

Roy Williams, SS, Dallas
Last season the Cowboys yielded 31 passing touchdowns, fourth-worst in the league. They addressed that problem by signing Anthony Henry from Cleveland this offseason. With Henry and Terrance Newman holding down the outside, Williams should be free to roam the line of scrimmage and wreak havoc in the way that he did in 2003. Williams is at his best when he’s delivering vicious hits on running backs and receivers coming across the middle, or flying through the line on a safety blitz. With Dallas switching to the 3-4, and time running out on the Tuna, Williams need a big year.

Doc’s Sports Recent Items Of Interest:
NFL season predictions
2005 NFL preview
football picks

Doc’s Sports Handicapping Service
1-866-238-6696

Since 1971 Doc’s Sports has been recognized as one of the leaders and most trusted names in sports handicapping information. Visit Doc’s website for free college and NFL picks and predictions as well as updated articles and free game matchup reports.

Comments Off

This dildo is supplied in a good selection of widths, lengths and colors. The Junior Double Dong benefits from an add on vibrator package, making this a sex aid of the highest quality. The Junior Double Dong is made with rinse able glass, to be certain it is very safe to handle. The pliable material of the Junior Double Dong allows for penetration at angles that are rarely achieved during normal sexual intercourse, allowing the user explore fresh found sensations and previously un found erogenous parts of your body. The Junior Double Dong has specially sculpted ticklers at the base, that will take your evening fun to new heights.

The manufacturer of the Junior Double Dong, Spartan are the best recognised and liked companies involved in the production and distribution of sex toys. They are distributors for a large selection of other top quality sex aids such as the Blush 7 Inch as well as the 8 Inch Flexi Dong. Spartan are known for being very price competitive, so you can be sure you wont subsequently see a cheaper deal by another company.

The Junior Double Dong has remained a really good seller for Spartan for the past five years. It’s popularity is based on the products mind blowing performance. This dildo would also be a fantastic first sex toy for anyone who does not yet possess a dildo. This little beauty would make the ideal compliment to any connoisseurs collection. The Junior Double Dong is the ideal product for stimulating any female erogenous zones. The perfect vibrating dildo for those lonely nights home alone. It is also a particular favorite with guys of both orientations.

Comments Off

To tell you the truth (and about 53% of this article is true), I don’t know where I heard this story about Mark Twain. But I’ve heard it enough times to verify that it’s either (a) at least half true, or (b) a credible lie.

Anyway, it’s seems that in the early 1850’s Twain - then known as Samuel Clemens - found himself in San Francisco without a job. The reason he was there, I believe, had something to do with the Gold Rush.

Twain loved the town, and wanted to stay. But to do so he had to find a job. Since he’d worked on a newspaper before, he applied at a big publication there.

No thanks, the editor said. We don’t need any writers right now. And even if we did, we don’t have money in the budget to pay them.

Twain countered with an amazing offer. What if he agreed to work for free? I’ll write for you, Twain said. You publish my work, and if people like what I write, maybe you’ll hire me.

You can guess the rest of this report. The editor loved Twain’s work, hired him, and Twain’s career continued to build. But what if he’d simply walked out the door that day?

The moral of this story: Free is pretty hard to refuse. Next time you have trouble winning a client, how about offering to do a project for free, just to show what you can do?

Rix Quinn’s new book “Words That Stick” is inexpensive, and offers lots of writing ideas. You can get it from you local bookstore, or http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580085768/qid/

For details on Quinn’s workshops and consulting services, e-mail him at mailto:rixquinn@charter.net

Comments Off

Like many things in life, there are misconceptions and myths that people love to circulate. It is no different for poker. The important skill is to be able to distinguish between fact and fiction so that you do not fall into the trap of believing in common poker myths. Below are some of the most common myths that are nothing more but commonly believed misconceptions in the poker community.

Many poker players are under the impression that they can not win unless they are playing against more experienced, skillful players. Those who believe in this myth usually do not win much themselves so they tend to blame other poker players for their misfortunes. This myth is similar to the idea of how a group is only as strong as the weakest link. However, this is far from the truth. Contrary to this myth, it is actually a whole lot easier to win when your poker opponents are inexperienced or lack sufficient experience to play a strategic game of poker. Disciplined, smart poker players are able to adapt to different scenarios playing against poker players of varying skills and experiences.

Another common myth is that every poker player will eventually lose all their money in their bankroll at some point. Although this is not entirely false, it takes self-discipline to stop playing once you have hit a stretch of losses. Hence, tight bankroll management is key to maintaining a steady cash flow from poker and avoiding unrecoverable losses that will surely put you in heavy financial trouble.

Comments Off