The Power of Personal PR

Ten seconds is all it takes to make a first impression whether it's your personal presentation or the first contact a potential client or customer has with your business through the telephone, website or other communication collateral.

When they walk through their door or you walk through theirs your image is imprinted in the first moment.

Research has proven that 67% of first impressions are accurate. Your personal image tells the world who you are and where you are going. Your business image says the same. Every email, voicemail, and phone call you make creates first impressions that build your brand.

But it's not just your logo or your business stationery that needs to look good. How you present yourself in person also says a lot about your brand. For many small business people or business entrepreneurs, you are your business and how your project yourself is vitally important to the success of your business.

How you shake hands, make eye contact, conduct yourself in social situations and the clothes you choose to wear contribute to your personal brand. Your image is like the weather. People notice when it's extremely good or extremely bad. People shouldn't judge us by our outward appearances but of course you know they will. First impressions can indicate to a potential client, your sense of style, ambition and self-confidence level.

Another measure of your success in dealing with people is due to personality.

Your voice, way of talking, body language and the way you develop relationships with your clients all count towards giving you a manner'. Your personal manner speaks loudly to other people. You may need to do some self-analysis on your plus and minus personality traits before establishing a self-satisfying public image.

Sometimes things like aggravating speech habits, lack of good manners, sloppy dress or grooming can be your worst enemies.

Punctuality, your tone of voice, these are the things about you that speak loud and clear to others. Make sure that they're working for you.

I'm sure you've seen many examples of people who have had too much to drink at the office party and regretted things done or said. Perhaps not such good personal PR for career progression.

Maybe that date who sounded so promising on the telephone really let you down when you met and saw how badly dressed and untidy they were.

I'm not suggesting you need to have a complete makeover and invest a fortune in new clothes but it is those little things that people notice.

You've no doubt invested a lot of time, effort and money into setting up your own business and learning many new skills why not invest some time and effort into yourself you're worth it!

* Business image brand all letterhead, newsletters, email messages for a professional

* Personal image establish a strong visual image develop your own style and personal brand. Be aware of grooming and professional dress sense.

* Self image get rid of bad habits, develop self-confidence and charm, walk tall and smile!

Sue Currie, the director of Shine Communications Consultancy and author of Apprentice to Business Ace your inside-out guide to personal branding, is a business educator and speaker on personal branding through image and media. Sign up for free monthly tips on personal and professional PR at http://www.shinecomms.com.au/contactmanager/default.cfm and learn more about how you can achieve recognition, enhance your image and shine.

Of Pictures Positions Yoga

Home Automation Can Enhance Your Lifestyle

If you were a small child growing up in the 70s I am sure you remember watching the Jetsons on TV and thinking how cool it was to see Judy Jetson talk to her husband, George on a TV monitor while both of them were in different rooms of their space-aged home. Well hang on to your seat because the Jetsons way of life is no longer just a figment of someones creative imagination. That once spaced-aged technology is here and is quickly gaining popularity all over the world.

Let's face it, most of us live a fast-paced, hectic lifestyle where time is a precious commodity and anything that can save us time we welcome with open arms. Home Automation is designed to do exactly that. It gives you the ability to integrate and activate household electronic components such as interior and exterior lighting, a security system, whole house audio and video, irrigation systems, thermostats, appliances, and CCTV (just to name a few) all from a touch of a button.

Imagine waking up in the morning and from the moment your alarm goes off, lights automatically come on, the shades automatically adjust to the position of the sun outside, the coffeepot begins brewing downstairs, and your favorite jazz CD starts to play softly in your bathroom. All of this before your feet even touch the floor.

now you are ready to leave for work, you simply push a button that has been pre-programmed as "away" and your security system arms itself, the lights and audio system turn off, the thermostat adjusts to energy-saving mode and your irrigation system is set to water the lawn at 4pm.

Welcome to the world of home automation.

For added peace of mind, most home automation systems will allow you to access, change, and monitor your system from your telephone and the Web. Through special programming, you can elect to receive alerts from your telephone or through email informing you if the alarm has gone off, or the irrigation system failed to turn on, or when your children have arrived home from school. So if you have never considered home automation options for your home before, maybe now is the time.

From a security stand point and in a world where crime, burglary, and home invasions exists and will continue to exist, to have a home look lived in even when you are not at home, is priceless to say the least if it means protecting your number one asset your home and your family from such acts of violence.

With gas prices at an all time high with little to no relief in sight, more and more homeowners are looking for ways to save money on their bills to compensate for the pain they feel at the pump. Home automation systems with motorized shading solutions that adjust automatically based upon the position of the sun outside can help to conserve energy and as a result, helps reduce the amount of time your air conditioner turns on and stays on. This feature alone can translate into significant savings on your utility bills.

As our insatiable appetite for the latest, sleekest, and greatest technologies continues to grow, so too does the demand for people who install and maintain them. With so many system and/or product options to consider when selecting a home automation system, a certified electronic systems contractor (ESC) or more commonly, an electronic systems integrator, can make the time-consuming process of product selection and system evaluation a whole lot easier for you.

So where exactly do you find an ESC in your area? The best place to start would be to consult CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & installation Association). Founded in 1989, this international trade association is made up of more than 3,500 members worldwide that specialize in the design and installation of integrated electronic systems for the home. CEDIA members are established businesses, possess credible qualifications, proven experience, and are insured.

Aside from the countless conveniences and time-saving benefits that come from a professionally installed home automation system, it's also an investment in your home and can substantially increase the value of your home as a result.

Curt Rothenberg is Founder of Accent Electronic Systems Integrators, a low voltage electronic systems contractor located in southwest florida that offers home automation systems, custom theatres, audio, video, security, CCTV, wireless networks and lighting control solutions for both residential and commercial applications. For more information on Home Automation solutions please visit http://www.accentesi.com

This article may be copied or reprinted provided no changes are made to it's content and the complete author box is included.

Blue Collar Yoga Music

Can You Take Antidepressant Drugs for Weight Loss?

Whether you can take antidepressant drugs for weight loss is still debatable, but some studies certainly suggest that you could. Here are some facts about antidepressant drugs, how they could possibly help you lose weight, and what to look out for.

All about Wellbutrin

In 2001, a study by the Duke University found that Wellbutrin a drug already approved for depression treatment seems to be effective in helping obese women attain continuing weight loss. Also known as bupropion, the antidepressant drug for weight loss Wellbutrin was proven to have helped women shed unwanted pounds. The drug was not alone, however it was combined with a 1,600 calorie diet.

How does it work?

The Wellbutrin antidepressant drug for weight loss is combined with a low-calorie diet to be effective. The said diet is great for short-term weight loss, but it fails in the long run because it only reduces lean muscle tissues. Combined with the Wellbutrin antidepressant drug for weight loss, though, the diet reduces fat mass, not muscle mass. This is key to long-term weight loss.

The Wellbutrin antidepressant drug for weight loss also seems to prevent the decline in bone mineral density a consequence of low calorie diets. According to the study, the bone mineral density of obese women who took Wellbutrin along with the diet did not change after 6 months. In effect, this drug seems to reduce risk of osteoporosis.

Should I try it?

Not without your doctors consent, no. the studies are certainly optimistic about this antidepressant drug for weight loss, but in no way does it push for its use. Scientists are continually finding ways to help some 97 million Americans who are said to be overweight (or worse, obese). There may very well be other safer alternatives to sustainable weight loss ask your doctor about them.

Phillip England is a weight loss expert and Author of the popular report "The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret". To receive your free information on the secret that doctors, and health companies either don't know, or don't want you to know, please see http://www.theultimateweightlosssecret.com/secret

Topdog Yoga Props