Back to Basics: How to Simplify Your To-Do List and Make It Useful Again

The to-do list is the crux of your daily productivity, but between all the task management apps out there, different productivity methods, and other miscellaneous life hacks, your to-do list has probably gotten cluttered and complicated. Here's how to take it back to basics and craft a to-do list that actually helps you get things done.

We share endless amounts of different tips, tricks, and "life hacks" for increasing your productivity, but at a certain point, it becomes too much and you spend more time hacking your to-do list than you actually spend doing stuff. If that sounds like you, then it's time to revisit how you manage your to-do list.

Some people think to-do lists are a waste of time, that they become guilt-inducing drugs that hinder you from actually being productive. Some say you should be able to remember everything you have to do. We tend to disagree: if you have the right attitude, a to-do list can be a great "backup" for the tasks in your brain. I find that if I write my tasks down, I'm far less stressed because I know I won't forget anything, and when I'm done with one task, I can move right onto the next without reorganizing the list in my brain. Plus, they're perfect for those little tasks that easily fall by the wayside because no one wants to do them: paying bills, calling customer service, and so on.

It may seem ironic that you're reading this article and going through the process when that's the very problem that got you into this mess, but if done right, you should be able to save yourself a lot of trouble in the future. Here's what you need to do.

Pick the Right Medium

How many to-do apps have you tried in the past year? If your answer is more than three, it's too many. Pick one and stick with it. It shouldn't be too hard to pick one based on the devices you use and what you're willing to pay. Check out our Hive Five on the subject to see the minor differences between each, and pick one. We're going to use Wunderlist in the screenshots of this post, since it's our favorite, but the strategies we use should work in nearly any to-do app. If you find an app is too much trouble, pen and paper or a plain text file is a great alternative.

Whatever you end up with, make sure it's easy to use. The quicker you can add and remove tasks, the more time you'll actually spend doing them. You should never spend more than a few seconds in a to-do app at any given time. If you are, you're falling back into that pit of over-organizing.

Add and Organize Your Tasks

Now that you've got somewhere to write your tasks down, it's time to make sure you're using it in a way that makes your to-do list useful (and not just another list hanging over your head). We've covered a lot of this in our guide to making your to-do list doable, and with good reason?those rules are pretty timeless. But we've simplified things a bit so you can slowly ease yourself into your own productivity method. Right now, we want to only think about the most important things that make a to-do list useful. Here are the things you'll want to keep in mind.

Break Big Projects Down Into Actionable Tasks: You've heard this before, but it's one of the most important things you can do. If you need to find a new apartment, then adding "Find an Apartment" to your task list isn't going to help. Instead, add the first step of that project. Maybe that's "Research LA Crime Rates" so you can narrow down a neighborhood. Whatever it is, make sure it's something actionable that you can do in just a few minutes. When you finish that, you can move on to the next task in a project.

Add Any Info You Need to Get the Task Done: Include phone numbers, links, and other info you'll need to start getting the task done. For example, if one of your tasks is calling Comcast Customer Service, your task would say "Call Comcast, 1-800-934-6489." That way, if you're sitting around with a few minutes to kill, you can jump on that task without having to open your browser and find the number.

Separate Work, Personal, and Other Tasks Into Categories: One of my biggest to-do list problems is mixing personal tasks, work tasks, and chores all on the same list. Most to-do apps have a way to separate these. Some apps call it a "context" tag, others have separate "lists" with tabs so you can switch between each. That way, you can view just your work to-dos from 9-5, and your personal to-dos when Saturday comes along and you have some free time to kill. (If you're using the pen-and-paper method, you can just create each list on a separate piece of paper.)

Some also recommend adding a "project" tag to your task list, so you know where it fits in the larger scheme of things. I don't do this, as I find this crosses in the line into "too complicated," but if you find that this tag makes things easier, go ahead and add that too.

Give Each Task a Priority: It may seem silly to assign arbitrary numbers or letters to your tasks, and you shouldn't think of these as mega important, but giving each task a simple 1-4 when you create it makes your to-do list organize itself. That way, when you get to work and look at your to-do list, you don't need to think about what to do first?you just start at the top of the list and start working your way down. Remember to factor both urgency and importance into the priority. Again, don't overthink this?you're just giving your to-do list the ability to organize itself, to a certain extent.

Keep the List Short: If you have too many tasks on your list, the whole thing will start to feel overwhelming and you'll run into that guilt-inducing drug problem again. The shorter you keep your to-do list, the more focused you can be on the present. Some say keep it under 20 items, while others say keep it down to 3. Don't think about it too hard?you'll know if it's too big or not when certain things don't get done or when you feel like the list is hanging over your head.

Focus On the Present: One of the best ways to keep your to-do list short and doable is to avoid far-off future tasks. If you don't need to think about it for a few weeks, put it on a separate list (or better yet, your calendar) and worry about it when it requires your attention.

Make Sure Tasks Get Done Every Day

So now you've got your initial task list down, it's time to actually get to work. You shouldn't have to mess with your to-do list too much from now on, as long as you commit to the simple principles outlined above. Check things off as you finish them, add new tasks as they pop up, and don't spend too much time pruning?all its going to do is distract you from your actual work. If you find you need to constantly go in and prune, you need to figure out what it is about your system that's inefficient and get rid of it. If you aren't sure what to do, err on the side of simpler methods.

Each day you should be checking off a number of items. If you aren't, there's something wrong with your to-do list (or you aren't getting anything done). If you need to, set aside a bit of time at the end of the day to quickly evaluate what you want to accomplish tomorrow, make sure those items are at the top of your to-do list, and make sure they get checked off the next day. Don't overburden yourself (after all, new tasks will always crop up during the day), but just make sure your list is getting used and that tasks aren't sitting there for too long. If you have to, purge it at the end of the week and start over to make sure it never stops being useful.

Other "Life Hacks" You Can Add Later

None of this is to say that the "life hacks" we share every day are useless. It's just that sometimes, we go a little overboard and make things too complicated for ourselves. Everyone works differently, though, and some of those little tips?when used sparingly?can make your tasks a lot easier to accomplish (though they're far from mandatory). Once you've got the hang of your to-do list and using it feels like second nature, here are a few things you might start experimenting with one at a time to make things more efficient.

Again, you don't need to incorporate all of these. Once you get used to having a to-do list that actually works, you may find one or two areas that need improvement, and that's where the above hacks can come in handy. Pick one or two that fit into your workflow, if necessary, and keep moving. Again, the more time you spend experimenting and pruning, the less time you spend actually getting things done. Photo by David Chico Pham.

Title image by Tina Mailhot-Roberge.

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/MnNXRVhPEvs/back-to-basics-how-to-simplify-your-to+do-list-and-make-it-useful-again

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Green buildings on the rise in Persian Gulf states

DOHA, Qatar (AP) ? With massive steel Sidra trees sprouting from the base of the building and a 9-meter (yard) high sculpture of a spider in the lobby protecting a sack of grey and white eggs, Qatar National Convention Center is hard to ignore.

But it's what most visitors don't see that may become the building's lasting legacy in a region far better known for over-the-top excesses than conservation.

From the sustainably logged wood used in its construction to the 3,500-square-meters of solar panels on the roof, the building designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki is considered one of the most environmentally sound convention centers in the world.

"We want to change people's mindsets," said Ali al-Khalifa, as he led a visitor through an exhibition hall where dozens of ceiling windows helped cut down on electricity. It will take center stage in November when it hosts the U.N. Climate Change Conference, the first to be held by a top oil producer.

"We have to make something stay friendly to the environment. We are part of this earth," said al-Khalifa, the chief executive officer of Astad Project Management which oversaw the construction. "All the oil and gas countries are moving to a green concept to insure the new generation understands they have to preserve this energy and have something efficient."

Green buildings would seem an oddity in this tiny Gulf nation which has plenty of oil and gas and, according to the International Energy Agency, the highest per capita emissions in the world, closely followed by Gulf neighbors Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

But attitudes about energy use are changing across the Gulf. There is a growing recognition that the once seemingly limitless fossil fuels will someday run out and that these countries need to chart a more sustainable path.

Buildings are a logical place to start. They consume up to 70 percent of energy in parts of the Gulf ? compared to 40 percent worldwide ? due to the preponderance of glass skyscrapers and brutally hot conditions from Dubai to the Saudi city of Jeddah, according to Thom Bohlen, chief technical officer for the Middle East Centre for Sustainable Development.

The Middle East has come late to the green building movement, lagging far behind the United States, Europe and Asia in building structures that emit fewer emissions and consume less water, according to the United States Green Building Council. The USGBC's voluntary program, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, is used internationally to certify green buildings.

But when it comes to buildings in the works that are trying to earn LEED status, the Middle East is among the leaders. It has 1,348 LEED-registered buildings which surpasses all but Asia and the United States.

"Over the past couple of years, there has been a focus on trying to drive sustainable construction practices," said Peter Templeton, senior vice president of global market development for the USGBC. "It is mostly focused on new construction rather than retrofits of existing building."

Dubai in the UAE is home to one of the region's first green shopping malls and is building an eco-friendly mosque in 2013. On the outskirts of the country's capital, Abu Dhabi, the government-run Masdar Institute has built the first phase of a pre-planned city that aims to be powered by renewable sources including solar.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia, though, appear to have even bigger ambitions.

In Doha, work started in 2010 on Msheireb Downtown Doha, which promises to be the world's largest sustainable community with 100 buildings using an average of a third less energy.

Lusail City, a planned development for nearly 200,000 people on the edge of Doha, has promised to adhere to the country's voluntary green building guidelines ? similar to those in the UAE and other Gulf countries ? which set standards for everything from water consumption to traffic congestion.

In Saudi Arabia, authorities have applied for LEED certification for the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, which will be home to the country's stock exchange. The nation's first LEED-certified project, the 26-building campus of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, opened in 2009 and recycles all its wastewater, uses 27 percent less energy than a typical campus and was built with 20 percent recycled content.

Most of these green buildings rely on 21st century solutions to reduce their footprint ? high tech operating systems that ration electricity and power, additional insulation and thicker glass to reduce heat coming into the building and designs that orient the structure to limit the sun exposure.

But as the university campus shows, the region is also tapping technologies that are centuries old to solve its energy problems.

Along with its water savings and solar power, the project features wind towers, lattice-like shading on windows known as mashrabiya and a tent-inspired roof system that blocks the sun and extends throughout the campus.

"When we start a project, we will do some research on what people built in this location before they had electricity. How did they keep buildings warm or cool?" said Bill Odell, a senior vice president for HOK Architects who designed the KAUST campus. "We did that on this project and there were serious techniques that clearly worked. ... All these ideas we took out of traditional Islamic architecture."

The challenge now, experts say, is going beyond a handful of high profile projects and applying green building practices to the bulk of Gulf construction ? such as low-rise office towers or residential housing projects.

To do that, governments in the region will have to make green building codes compulsory ? most are now voluntary ? and provide greater incentives for developers to build or retrofit more sustainably.

The other hurdle is sourcing building materials locally, which would cut down on emissions from transporting such things as steel, cement and wood to the region. Due to the lack of resources in the Gulf, most everything is imported and companies producing things like recycled steel are still too few to meet demand.

"If you want to build a green building, you need environmentally-sourced concrete, glass, aluminum," said Steven Platt, a UAE-based expert on LEED. "Although there are local suppliers, they aren't the greenest materials available."

Those were among the challenges Qatar faced when it set out to design an exposition center that met LEED's Gold certification. With few green construction materials at home, it went as far as Belgium and South Korea to get the environmentally-certified wood, steel and glass. It increased the initial cost ? and contributed additional carbon emissions from shipping ? but in the end helped ensure the building produces 32 percent less energy than a comparable convention center.

"There are limitations for how much you can do," al-Khalifa said.

"We don't want to fool ourselves. We were trying to be part of the system," he said. "We went to the greenest whenever we could find it. When we selected manufacturers, we didn't go for a cheaper supplier who didn't use recycled materials."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/green-buildings-rise-persian-gulf-states-065242703.html

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Cuba and its Kabuki dance relationship with Miami : BoomerCaf? ...

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If you want to find a baby boomer who lives an active lifestyle, look no farther than Ed Rabel, who worked for many years as a correspondent, along with BoomerCaf? publisher and co-founder David Henderson, as a correspondent for CBS News. Ed continues to travel the world, and write about it, and gave us this excerpt from his book Ed Rabel Reports: Lies, Wars and Other Misadventures.

Ed Rabel in Havana beside a statue of writer Ernest Hemingway at?Cojimar, Cuba.?Cojimar is the tiny fishing village wherein Hemingway got his idea to write, ?The Old Man and The Sea.?

The truth is Cubans on both sides of the Straits of Florida are engaged in a Kabuki dance. Cuban exiles in Florida and Cuban Communists in Havana have beenlocked in a symbiotic relationship for a very long time. Entire livelihoods based on Fidel-bashing thrive in Miami, where virulent anti-Castro radio transmissions bore totears anybody who is not among the rabidly faithful. If one does not agree with the exile party line, he is liable to be bashed himself.

In Havana, the party could not be happier. As long as the Marxist despots have a reason to verbally attack the U.S., they will fare well. The party instills fear in the populace by warning that the Cuban-Americans want to return and take their homes and their dignity away from them. The exiles and Washington are the bogeyman, always ready to pounce. Washington could put an end to the foolishness in a nano-second by simply restoring normal relations with Havana. After all, we have normal diplomatic and trade relations with Communist China. We have normal diplomatic and trade relations with Communist Vietnam, where 55 thousand Americans died in the Vietnam War.

A treasured possession in Havana ? a 1950s era Chevrolet. Many American products have been embargoed by the U.S. for a half a century.

As much sense as it makes to normalize, Washington is not about to do it. Any administration, Democrat or Republican, that tried would be instantly branded as ?unfriendly? by South Florida?s huge exile community, one million strong. ?So what?? you ask. Well the ?so what? is contained in their ability to deny to either party the U.S. Presidency. Florida has 27 electoral votes. Without those votes, presidential aspirants can kiss their aspirations goodbye. Cuban-Americans take pride in beingable to
manipulate the vote for president any way they want to. Just ask Al Gore. So what if the rest of us are held hostage by their petulance?

It is high time for the Cuban-Americans to get over it. The way to get back to Cuba is to make nice. That?ll be the day.

Florida is just 90 miles to the north of Cuba.

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Tags: Featured

Category: Baby Boomers, Ed Rabel

Source: http://www.boomercafe.com/2012/10/23/even-in-retirement-baby-boomer-tv-newsman-is-eyewitness-to-the-world/

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The problem with presidential debates ? CNN Radio News - CNN ...

By Lisa Desjardins, CNN

(CNN) ? For 25 years, a private non-profit group of roughly a dozen people, operating without oversight, has been running America's presidential and vice-presidential debates.

To some, the Commission on Presidential Debates is a political hero, providing thoughtful stability and ensuring that U.S. presidential candidates do in fact debate each other. Multiple times. In a dignified setting.

But to its critics, the Commission is a small, secretive and closed-minded organization that colludes with the political parties, is out-of-touch with modern voters, and prevents third-party candidates from getting on the debate stage.

Among those critics is George Farah, founder and executive director of Open Debates:

[0:41] "In 1996 Ross Perot was running for president. Three-quarters of the American people wanted to see him and I thought it would be fascinating to see him debating again. And when he was shut out, I was astonished and I thought, who is doing this? What entity is making this happen?"?

Since that 1996 disappointment, Farah has become a lightening rod in the presidential debate world.

His organization, Open Debates, relentlessly pushes for changes, like adding more debates, reducing involvement from political parties, a lower bar for candidates to get into the debates, and a broader variety of formats including more candidate interaction and panels of experts asking questions.

This year, his criticism has been particularly sharp on a subject in the headlines, something called the "Memo of Understanding", a secret document negotiated by the political campaigns that lays out debate parameters.

This year's 21-page Memo of Understanding caused a 24-hour firestorm when it was leaked to Time's Mark Halperin prior to last week's town hall debate. It indicated the debate moderator would not be allowed to ask follow-up questions.

But the Commission on Presidential Debates insists that it's not a party to that document and while candidates may agree between themselves to certain rules, like not asking each other questions, the Commission is not governed by that deal.

A source close to planning for the debate last week confirmed to CNN that moderator Candy Crowley never saw the campaigns' Memo of Understanding and that the Commission never asked her to hold back on follow-up questions.

Commission leaders insist they have not signed off on any such memo between the candidates since at least 2000.

That year, the two campaigns involved presented a hefty, 56-page list of demands. Frank Fahrenkopf is co-chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates:

[3:25] "The [Bush and Gore campaigns] said if you don?t sign this and you don?t get the moderators to sign this, we?ll go elsewhere. And we said, fine, go elsewhere. We?re not signing it."

Editor's Note: Criticisms of the Commission do not end there. Listen to the complete story above?for a look at other issues in the presidential debate system and how the Commission on Presidential Debates responds, and then join the conversation below.

Source: http://cnnradio.cnn.com/2012/10/22/the-problem-with-presidential-debates/

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Iran denies report of plans for talks with U.S.

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Obama, Romney allies square off on foreign policy

WASHINGTON (AP) ? On the eve of their final presidential debate, Mitt Romney and Barack Obama ? through their allies ? squared off Sunday over which candidate would best protect the nation's interests and security abroad with just two weeks left in a race that polls show is increasingly tight.

Both candidates stayed largely out of view, preparing vigorously for their Monday face-off focused on foreign policy.

Republicans accused Obama of leaking word of possible negotiations with Iran in pursuit of political gain. Democrats shot back, arguing that Romney and his party are the ones playing politics with national security.

The haggling played out on Sunday news shows at a critical time for Romney and Obama, whose marathon race has become exceedingly close as it lurches toward its November conclusion. Early and absentee voting are already under way in many of the most competitive states, upping the pressure on both candidates to lock in supporters.

Two weeks out, the race appears to be tied, with both candidates taking 47 percent among likely voters in a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released Sunday that reflected a boost of support for Romney following his lauded performance in the first debate in early October.

Romney's top supporters launched sweeping condemnations of Obama's handling of foreign policy, assailing him over a deadly attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, and arguing that under the president's negligent watch, Iran has crept closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, who played Obama in Romney's debate preparations, said a new report claiming the U.S. and Iran had agreed to direct negotiations seemed like "another example of a national security leak from the White House."

"They've done a lot of that," Portman said, alluding to accusations over the summer that Obama's administration was leaking information to bolster his political prospects ahead of the election. He was echoed by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who called the timing of the report "pretty obvious."

The White House said Saturday that while it is prepared for direct talks with Iran, there's no current agreement to meet. On Sunday, Obama's backers credited him for isolating Iran within the global community and adopting effective sanctions that have crippled the Persian Gulf nation.

"For two years, the president traveled the world putting together a withering international coalition. And now the sanctions that they agreed on are bringing the Iranian economy to its knees," said David Axelrod, a senior Obama adviser. "They're feeling the heat. And that's what the sanctions were meant to do."

Romney, taking a break from debate prep Sunday in Delray Beach, Fla., declined to answer a reporter's question about whether he would be open to one-on-one talks with Iran.

Still, Obama's allies were wedged into a defensive posture as Republicans undertook an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach to deflating Obama's foreign policy record. Graham said the Libya attack reflected "one of the most major breakdowns of national security in a very long time." Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in a clear nod to Cuban-American voters in his battleground state, even suggested Obama's loosening of travel restrictions to Cuba had provided a source of cash for the Castro regime and undermined political freedoms.

Democrats were ready with indictments of their own. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the House GOP's release Friday of 166 pages of Libya-related documents had put lives in danger.

"People around the world will now know that you're at risk if you cooperate with the United States," said Emanuel, Obama's former chief of staff.

Romney's supporters waxed optimistic that the race is trending in the Republican's direction, even in crucial states like Ohio that Obama won four years ago and where unemployment is on the decline. Portman said he's traversed his home state over the past two weeks on behalf of Romney and likes what he's seeing on the ground.

"The enthusiasm energy is on our side this year. I mean, it's not like 2008 at all," he said.

Both candidates dedicated their weekend to intensive study for the debate; Obama huddled with advisers in Maryland and Romney with his team in Florida.

On the agenda were Iran-Israel tensions, China, terrorism and the war in Afghanistan ? all subjects expected to come up Monday in the 90-minute encounter moderated by CBS News' Bob Schieffer. Although polls show the economy is of top concern to most voters, global affairs have cropped up as a key issue in the final weeks due to unrest in Libya, Syria and elsewhere.

Romney paused his preparations to attend church with his wife Sunday morning and to watch his traveling press corps play touch football against his senior staff. The former Massachusetts governor presided over a coin toss on the beach, then gathered his aides to cheer them on.

"That's right, don't worry about injuries guys, this counts. Win," he joked.

Romney didn't talk politics, refusing to answer a question about whether, if elected, he would be open to direct talks with Iran. Questions from reporters about the new poll and Monday's debate likewise went unanswered.

Obama arrived Friday at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains, where he's been holding 12-hour practice sessions, starting with policy discussions at 10 a.m. Obama and his team hold mock debates in the evening in a set designed to look like the one in Boca Raton, Fla., where the two White House hopefuls will square off for the last time. Ron Klain, a former White House aide brought back for debate prep, is playing the role of Schieffer.

Axelrod and Portman spoke on NBC's "Meet the Press," while Emanuel appeared on ABC's "This Week." Graham spoke on "Fox News Sunday" and Rubio on CBS' "Face the Nation."

___

Hunt reported from Delray Beach, Fla. Associated Press writer Julie Pace in Washington contributed to this report.

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Follow Josh Lederman on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/joshledermanAP

Follow Kasie Hunt at http://www.twitter.com/kasie

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-romney-allies-square-off-foreign-policy-193835368--election.html

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Legal Racial Profiling.

In this video, President Obama points out Governor Romney?s support of an Arizona law that encourages racial profiling in order to find illegal immigrants and keep them out of the country and out of the workforce. ?This idea, although it sounds like it will help lessen the number of illegals in the country, can have a huge negative impact especially on Hispanic US Citizens in Arizona. These US Citizens could be asked to prove legal residence and be required to carry an ID at all times. Law officers under this law would also be allowed to question any person who ?appeared? to be illegal (targeting the hispanic community). I feel that racial profiling is not a way to deal with illegal immigrants in the country. It not only discriminates against hispanic citizens, but also does not give illegals, who have lived here most of their lives, a chance to pursue the citizenship or freedoms they came to the US looking for.

Immigration is a big concern for ?our country. The way at which it is addressed, however, should not make Racial Discrimination Legal. Without the competition with illegals for jobs, the country unemployment rate would be much less. The way that the US choses to address this issue needs to enforce the law in a way that will effectively eliminate the drugs and unfair loss of jobs, in order to protect the country. In my opinion, if illegal immigrants are just taken out of the workforce very quickly with no chance of becoming citizens, they could resort to illegal methods of making money(drugs). Considering this all, more efforts need to go out for ethical laws against illegal immigration.

Source: http://farmerfsem.umwblogs.org/2012/10/21/2782/

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8 WAYS TO INSURE NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH SUCCESS, 10 ...

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If you?ve considered launching a new innovation to grow your top line, you?re not alone. ?

According to?Forbes, 250,000 new products were introduced to the world in 2010 alone. We?re overwhelmed by so many new product entries, which range from sophisticated new technologies like?the Nest thermostat?and infomercial sensations like Pajama Jeans. To complicate things, brands are introducing new line extensions like Kraft Sizzling Salads, Disney Appmates, and a wealth of "new and improved" products from venerable brands like Gillette and Kleenex.

But the fact remains that the success rates of new product introductions and innovations have improved little over the last 20 years. Booz & Company reports 66% of new products fail within two years, and Doblin Group says a startling 96% of all innovations fail to return their cost of capital. This is due to a number of factors, including economic conditions, an explosion of consumer touchpoints, shifts in decision-making behavior, and the deluge of information marketers have to sift through to ensure they are up to speed with the latest trends.

Here are 8 steps any company can follow to increase their odds of growth and transformation through a new product launch:

1. Address head-on the number one reason for failure.?You can?t fake it if an innovation has no clear or compelling relevance to people?s lives. Companies often refuse to acknowledge a new product or service idea serves no strongly identified customer need, and they try to retrofit their marketing to compensate. Start by identifying a relevant, resonant role you could play in people?s lives. Then develop offerings and experiences that deliver it in a peremptory way.
2. Focus on the most critical rule of thumb for growth today--customer acquisition.?Get as many quality customers--even light, occasional users--as quickly as possible. More customers mean more sales, share, and with that, conversion to loyal, heavy users. In addition, new customers have a key attribute that every marketer should leverage--word of mouth. Forrester Research concludes the most valuable customer today is the one that may buy little but whose blog postings, online product reviews, and favorable word of mouth gets 10, 50 or 1,000 others to buy. The longer people are with a brand, the less they talk about it, but new customers are more likely to recommend a brand to their family and friends.
3. Face what you must really accomplish through Facebook.?Nielsen reveals that the number one reason a Facebook user ?likes? a brand is to receive a discount or special offer. Their research also shows 84% of users who ?like? a brand on Facebook never return to a brand?s page after exercising the incentive that got them there. This means the typical marketer?s Facebook strategy is doing little to grow their customer base, and worse, it could be inadvertently and dramatically hurting their margins. Marketers must ask themselves: What--beyond a discount--will both incent new customers to like my brand and habituate their interaction with it?
4. Think faster.?With the impatience of bosses and investors today, you can?t just obsess about how to quickly add quality customers. You also have to obsess about how to add them faster than anyone else in your category. Growing a customer base quickly is unlikely to come from building an e-commerce site and expecting people to find it only through search and blogs and Facebook. Getting lots of new customers quickly requires some sort of mass reach. From the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) to the World Advertising Research Center (WARC), the findings are quite consistent: Mass reach from traditional media is--at least for now-- still the most effective way to grow a customer base. It?s also the quickest way to jump-start search, online relationships, and e-commerce. Even the ?most viewed? YouTube videos get their biggest jolt with a mention in mass media. The very thing that can?t be done in social media is what traditional media does best: jump-start conversations. Social media then fuels these conversations.
5. Don?t be fooled by the hype.?Contrary to the buzz about the power of social media and apps, adding TV to the media mix still proves to be the most effective way to jump-start growth. One particularly interesting case is that of KAYAK.com, which launched only online and grew steadily over two years without mass advertising. Since adding TV to its marketing mix last year, sales experienced a dramatic lift. TV exposure can--even weeks later--drive a potential new customer to search for you.?
6. For maximum ROI, perfect your mix.?It?s a waste of time to debate whether TV or Facebook delivers it best. It?s more important to identify the ROI of the media mix that advances people through the purchase funnel--what medium best engages to drive a consumer to deeper engagement in another medium, and then habituates engagement or converts the interaction to a sale. Identify the mix that leads to the best conversion rate and then work continuously to improve it.?
7. Map your measurement.?Many marketers say they know the media or touchpoint path their consumer takes on their way to purchase--until asked to map it visually. Plotting the path takes a chart with a horizontal axis of touchpoints, and a vertical axis with the steps and stages of the buying process. Identifying the elements of each axis and then tracking the order and incidence of each forces marketers to confront what they know and don?t know, like: What is the entry point into people?s lives for a new category or product? Where and when can one maximize reach? Where are people falling off the path to purchase? What message is best at each touchpoint to move a person to the next stage of their decision-making? The ultimate benefit of mapping is identifying the mix of touchpoints and messages that drive the best conversion rate. It?s almost never one medium or message but a mix that, with the right analytics, can always be improved and optimized.?
8. Prepare yourself: Your launch never ends.?Marketers must face that their launch will be forever in beta, a state of continuous improvement that prevents the brand from losing momentum, or worse, stalling out. Studies confirm that marketers who assume their launch is over, who pull back, who stop innovating, or who let share of voice fall below their market share, do not fare well.?

While embracing any one of these ideas can make a difference in the launch of a new initiative, really increasing one?s odds of success will come from bringing them together in a comprehensive strategic marketing plan. As so many successful company leaders have confessed: The best way to predict the future is to create it for yourself.?

COMMENTARY: ??

10 Common Product Launch Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Every year there are thousands of new products that hit the market. The vast majority of them are failures. Making even one mistake can ruin your product launch. With so many intangibles in the process, it makes sense why there are so many things that can go wrong. Let?s look at some of them.

1. Assuming There?s A Need?For Your Product -?Just because you think that your product will be a success doesn?t mean that anyone else will. Poor research in the product development phase can lead to this problem. Will people choose your product over the competition? What makes your product different from the competition? These are questions with answers that should be determined long before a product can be brought to market.
2. Being Too Much Like the Competition -?This is the single most repeated mistake that businesses make. There are always going to be some similarities between products, like Pepsi and Coke or Chevy and Ford. You still want to carve out as much of an identity as possible. If you are aware of the position that your product occupies in the market place, you should be able to avoid this.
3. The Product Doesn?t Live Up To Expectations -?History is littered with products that were pushed into the market before they were ready. Companies think that they can overlook quality issues and just get it out there. Cell phone manufacturers are notorious for this. The thinking is that any software glitches can be ironed out after the product is in the hands of the consumer. All it does is cause ill will on the part of your customers.
4. Not Being Fast Enough -?You must meet your product deadline. If you?ve done your job right, customers will be heavily anticipating your launch. If you don?t come through on your promise, people will doubt that you can come through on anything else. ?It?s better to work as hard as you can and finish before that date, than miss it. Follow these points to avoid wasting your time:
   1. Give your team a goal that is sooner than the one that you?re giving to the public. This helps to keep everybody motivated.
   2. Constantly re-evaluate those goals. Since your internal goal will be sooner than your external one, you should have plenty of time to make it. If you?re always on top of your timeline, you won?t be caught off guard if there are delays.
   3. Establish touch points. As you work toward your product goals, divide them into 5 or 6 smaller achievements so that you can keep an eye on your progress. For example: 20 days before launch, your plans for your launch event will be complete; 30 days before launch, your marketing materials will be complete, etc.
5. Poorly Defined Problem -?Another avenue that can derail your launch is if your team is unsure about what problem your new product is supposed to address in the first place. If you and your team understand the problems of your customers differently, it may be difficult to get everyone together to solve that problem. If your team is confused about the purpose of the product, it will be impossible to solve the issue. This can also lead to conflict between members of your team. ?Either way, communication is the key to success. If you don?t think everyone is on the same page, ask them how they see the product solving the problem. Asking questions is a fundamental way to solve problems.
6. Ignoring The User -?If you?re launching a new product, it only makes sense that you?d want to test the public for feedback. But this isn?t always the case. A lot of times, people who develop products don?t really care about engaging with customers. If you aren?t comfortable with the idea of doing prototype testing of your products with people who have never seen it before, then you need to have someone else do it. Ignoring users gives you a product that no one wants.
7. They?re Afraid To Fail -?People will delay product launches over and over again out of fear. They think their item or service won?t be as good as what they competition is offering. They think that people will look down on them, and this makes them hold back. ?There is nothing more difficult than launching a product that is intended to surpass a favorite of customers. But really, what?s the worst that can happen? Yes, you can fail, yes, it might be expensive, but thousands of successful people have failed before you. You miss 100% of the shots that you don?t take. Failure can be a great teacher. Steve Jobs was fired from Apple, the company he started, only to come back and be much more successful than before. That failure was arguably the best thing that ever happened to him.
8. Too Many Distractions -?One of the keys to a successful product launch is focusing on the task at hand. The time frame around the development and launch of your new product should be about nothing else but preparing for that launch. Eliminate as many distractions as possible; it?s key that you keep them to a minimum. Remind your team that the launch needs to be their focus as well. Put reminders of the product launch date everywhere so that no one forgets.
9. Developing a Product For Technology Most People Don?t Have -?Sometimes a company will attempt to capitalize on the newest-cutting edge technology. There?s nothing wrong with that in theory, but if a platform is too advanced or too expensive, much of the general public won?t use it. Software designed for an operating system that only genius super-hackers use won?t get very much exposure. ??Conversely, don?t base your product on outdated, obsolete technology. Designing Commodore 64 game today probably wouldn?t be very lucrative.
10. Spending Too Much On The Launch Itself -?The launch is the kickoff for your new product; don?t blow your whole budget on it. Your new product needs ongoing support to ensure that it is a success. You?ll want to continue to build on its awareness with a combination of advertising, social media, public relations, and other marketing techniques to help it succeed.

Conclusion

It is extremely difficult to launch a new product successfully. Some estimates put the failure rate of new products as high as 95%. With hard work and attention to these 10 areas, hopefully you can avoid the mistakes that others have faced

The Three New Product Launch Phases

• Phase 1?-?Pre-Launch?phase is where you build a list of prospective buyers in your target market. In this phase you create and tweak your sales process until it is very solid and you create a buzz around the product which will promote awareness.
• Phase 2????Launch Day?, is the day that all your affiliates and JV partners will help to promote your product. To help increase sales, you put some kind of scarcity or deadline on your offer ? so that you can get as many sales as possible.
• Phase 3???Post-Launch?phase usually has two parts to it, first part is where you create an additional bonus or bonuses to prevent buyers? remorse and reduce refunds. The second part is to figure out how you will continue making more sales so that your site will not just have the launch spike and then fade into the deep blue sea.

These 3 phases of product launches may seem simple, but the truth is only a few marketers are able to pull them off leaving those that have not followed this new product launch checklist well and truly down on sales and profits.

By following these 3 phases successful product launches should become the norm and not leave you scratching your head and wondering what else you need to do to increase sales.

Alpha and Beta Testing or Readiness Validation?

Always thoroughly test your new product in order to discover any design, mechanical or electronic design flaws, errors or omissions. ? Failure to test your new product or service can lead to embarassement, ?a costly product recall, refunding customers or lawsuits due to dangerous products. New product testing should include both an Alpha Test and a Beta Test. ?This is commonly referred to as A/B Testing. ? If you are a software developer, below are the important steps in an A/B Testing.

• Alpha Testing?- The first testing should occur in-house with different operating systems and different hardware configurations. An alpha version may not yet contain all of the planned features, and may lack documentation. Use virtual systems or test drives to fully test software with various operating systems and patches. ?Thorough alpha testing will make beta testing run smoother.
  • Use people within your organization that are unfamiliar with your software. If you don't have anyone available in your organization consider asking family and friends.
  • Before moving an alpha product, to a beta product consider having an "ignorant" user do a complete install. Silently watching the tester, will give you a birdseye view into user habits and potential problems during the install process.
• Beta Testing?- Beta testing is considered the second phase of software testing. Beta tests are typically external tests to identify any performances issues or bugs prior to an official release. Beta tests can be open or closed. A closed beta test is used to control the number of users participating. An open test is open to anyone who has an interest in beta testing.

Why Beta Testers are Important

Beta testers are important because it is almost impossible for developers to test their software in all of the various conditions that might occur. Software should never be released without thorough beta testing. It is impossible to predict or test software on all kinds of hardware with other applications.

Some developers segment the closed beta into different release stages so they can maximize feedback. Historically the majority of feedback is received from beta testers within the first week of the beta release. ?It is highly recommended that you use a minimum of 100 beta testers for your new product. ?This will allow you to?

100 Beta Testers

• Week 1 - Alert 1st Group of Testers (34 testers) of beta availability. Bugs found and fixed.
• Week 3 - Alert 1 & 2nd Group of Testers (33 testers) of beta Bugs found and fixed?
• Week 5 - Alert 1, 2 & 3 Group of Testers (33 testers)

Solicit Testers?

Use all communication channels to solicit testers. Existing users are the best testers because they are familiar with software and use specific software features.

1. Offer Incentives?- Lets face it its not easy to convince users to try buggy software
   1. free registered version for feedback?
   2. discount on registered version for registered beta testers
   3. payment for finding bugs
   4. make beta testing a benefit
2. Layout Beta Test Expectations?- Beta testers should have a good understanding of their role as a beta tester. Educating beta testers will go a long way to improving the quality of feedback that you receive. Provide details on the information they should provide any bug reports.
3. Know What to Ask?- If a user reports a problem, ask the right questions, so that you can attempt to reproduce the problem.
4. Dialogue is Important?- You should be sure that you have an open channel of communication with beta testers. Respond to their queries in a timely fashion (24 hours) and always thank them!
5. Forum?- Create a forum for beta testers to post questions and concerns. Post file updates to the beta forum. Create a specific section of the website that contains beta information.
6. Use Exit Surveys in Beta?- Use exit surveys in the beta version. This will not only give you statistical information about uninstalls, but will also provide details about why users uninstalled.
7. Weak Documentation?- Be sure to mention any holes in the documentation, and where the testers can get any additional information that they might require.
8. Provide Upgrade Details?- Be sure to provide details for users that are using an existing version of the software and looking to test the beta version. Double check prior to releasing the beta version that the user's data will remain intact through the upgrade. Also, check to make sure they have an adequate key or code for the beta version so that it does not expire.
9. Make Beta Versions Backwards Compatible?- Can users go back to their old version if they do not like the new version? In other words will their registration key work in both the new and old version? Is there a drop dead date, which will prevent testers from using the software for an extended period? Be upfront about these issues so beta testers know what they are getting into.
10. Don't Rush It?- It takes time to conduct a thorough beta test, don't rush it.

Many entrepreneurs fall into the trap that their first new product prototype will meet or exceed all expectations coming out of the gate. ?Taking a product from raw concept stage to finished and fully-functional prototype may not always end well for numerous reasons. ?I have known of numerous cases where the finished prototype failed to work or look like the original concept drawings. ?It was either poorly designed to begin with, it was too big or too small, failed to work properly and there wa no "Aha" moment when you first saw it. ?

You cannot compete effectively in a market by producing new products with just incremental changes. Your new product must leap the competition with new technology innovations that do not currently exist. ?It must be able to solve problems or fill needs that are not presently met by alternative products. ?Steve Jobs said it quite appropriately when he said that Apple makes products that "people lust for" and you must be prepared to "put a dent in the universe." ??

Finally, if you have created a truly unique and leading edge new product that is worth protecting, try to obtain trademarks and patent protection if possible. ?Investors will look at you and your new product more positively if you can show that you have filed the necessary paperwork to protect their investment. ?

Courtesy of an article dated April 4, 2012 appearing in Fast Company and an article appearing in Effective Software Beta Testing

Source: http://tommytoy.typepad.com/tommy-toy-pbt-consultin/2012/10/8-ways-to-ensure-your-new-product-launch-succeeds.html

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4 Silly Sketching Exercises to Spark Your Creativity | World of ...

Creativity makes problem-solving and accomplishing projects that much easier. (Plus, it?s just really fun!)

Carla Sonheim, an illustrator, workshop instructor and author of the new book The Art of Silliness, compared neglecting your creativity to driving with a flat tire. ?You might get where you?re going, but ? oh! ? how much smoother, faster, and painless it would be with all four tires inflated.?

We also seem to operate more smoothly when we use both our serious (i.e., logical) and creative sides, she said. Many of Sonheim?s students who are more ?analytically inclined? have told her connecting to their creativity has made them feel ?whole.?

Part of being creative is being open. That?s because, according to Sonheim, ?you need to be able to consider seriously any number of options or solutions, and also be able to accept the ? fairly high ? risk of a disastrous outcome.?

Sonheim finds that she?s most creative when she lets down her guard and relinquishes some control. And it?s in this space that silliness comes into play.

Take the example of a game of charades. ?I stand in front of a group of people, waving my arms around, exaggerating my expressions, and looking slightly ridiculous. And yet in that awkwardness ? that place where I kind of ?give up,? laugh at myself, and just go with the silliness ? I?m more likely to be open to creative ways of communicating the word or phrase,? Sonheim said.

She added: ?when we allow ourselves to look silly and play, we can?t help but live in the present moment ? a nice state to be in when cultivating the openness needed for creative solutions.?

Below, Sonheim suggested four silly exercises that help you sketch your way to creativity. Remember that it doesn?t matter whether you can draw or not. The key is to open your mind, play and have fun.

1. Hunt for blobs.

Sonheim has used this exercise for several years to create scores of playful imaginary creatures. (The above illustration is just one example). ?I?m very aware that I look silly staring at my feet in the middle of downtown Seattle drawing a sidewalk crack, but I?m willing to suffer the odd looks: Blob hunting is fun!?

• Grab a pen and paper, and go outside.
• Look down at the ground. You might see everything from dried leaves to cracks in the sidewalk to oil stains, she said.
• Pick a shape ? a.k.a a blob ? that you?d like to draw. And sketch it.
• Go back inside and turn the paper in all different directions. Then wherever you like on your blob, add eyes, fur and a tail.

2.? Draw objects with your index finger.

Pick any object, whether it?s a tree, car, lamp or couch, Sonheim said. Then close one eye. Use your index finger to ?draw? along the edges of the object. And repeat.

3. Close your eyes while creating.

Grab a pen and piece of paper. Close your eyes, and draw an elephant. ?Think trunk, ears, tail, etc.,? she said. Next, still keeping your eyes closed, draw a bird on the elephant?s trunk. Finally, draw a circus stand ? and then open your eyes.

4. Build a bicycle.

Again, grab a pen and piece of paper. Start drawing a bicycle ? but use only one line. Don?t lift your pen until you?ve sketched the entire bike. ?Think loops; it should LOOK like it was done with one curvy line,? Sonheim said. As you sketch swiftly, let your subconscious steer you, she said. Then when you?re done with your first drawing, do it three more times.

What are your favorite silly ways to spark your creativity?

?

Illustration by Carla Sonheim.

Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S. is an Associate Editor at Psych Central and blogs regularly about eating and self-image issues on her own blog, Weightless.

Like this author?
Catch up on other posts by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S. (or subscribe to their feed).

????Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 20 Oct 2012
????Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.

APA Reference
Tartakovsky, M. (2012). 4 Silly Sketching Exercises to Spark Your Creativity. Psych Central. Retrieved on October 21, 2012, from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/10/20/4-silly-sketching-exercises-to-spark-your-creativity/

?

Source: http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/10/20/4-silly-sketching-exercises-to-spark-your-creativity/

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Syria: Explosion hits Damascus, at least 10 killed

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) ? An explosion hit the Old City of Damascus on Sunday, killing at least 10 people and wounding dozens of other civilians, Syrian activists said. It came as President Bashar Assad discussed the civil war in his country with visiting U.N. peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi.

The blast targeted a police station in the Bab Touma neighborhood, a Syrian official said, insisting on anonymity because he is not allowed to make press statements.

Bab Touma, a popular attraction for shoppers, is inhabited mostly by members of Syria's Christian minority.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the death toll. It said it was not immediately clear if the victims were civilians or policemen. But it described the blast as "strong" and said ambulances and police cars were rushing to the area.

No other details were immediately available.

Brahimi, who represents the U.N. and the Arab League, met with Assad in another part of the capital. Brahimi has appealed for a truce between Assad's forces and rebels for the four-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which begins Oct. 26.

Brahimi arrived in Damascus Friday after a tour of Middle East capitals to drum up support for the cease-fire, which he hopes will pave the way for a longer-term truce.

A range of countries including Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Germany have thrown their support behind the idea, but neither the Syrian government nor the rebels have signed on.

Brahimi met Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem on Saturday. A Foreign Ministry statement released after the meeting did not mention the proposed truce, but said the two men discussed "objective and rational circumstances to stop the violence from any side in order to prepare for a comprehensive dialogue among the Syrians."

Syrian government forces and rebels have both agreed to and then promptly violated internationally brokered cease-fires in the past, and there is little indication that either is willing to stop fighting now.

___

Associated Press writer Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria, contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/syria-explosion-hits-damascus-least-10-killed-092736340.html

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Video: High schooler beats NFL field goal record

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/49475028/

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AVG Internet Security 2013 -- a new way of being secure ...

guys,

Just wanted to share with you guys that AVG has updated its antivirus software on the desktop and it's up for grabs as a free download and also paid software. If you plan on downloading it for free, you have to get a product key that will unlock the other options that are on the antivirus.

I have recently downloaded it and can tell you it's a huge upgrade from the 2012 version. A new UI is in place and resembles the Windows 8 look and it runs 10x faster than last years.

All the features are pretty much the same, although the "Scan Now" and "Update" buttons are located underneath the other options for quick access.

Get your download at www.avg.com today and try it out for a great protection.

P.S - I do have some product keys if you want, so pm me for more info.

Source: http://www.trinifans.com/avg-internet-security-2013-new-way-being-secure-t3160.html

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Why You Need To Retire With A Good Credit Score | The Better ...

The following post represents the guest author?s opinion, not Jemstep?s.

As young adults get their financial footing, many learn the hard way about the importance of good credit. As we settle down, purchase homes, and pay off our debts, it is tempting to assume that our hard earned credit scores are not as important now as they once were. Some may even conclude that their good credit was only valuable when they were looking to buy a house or finance new cars. In the absence of those needs, some feel that their credit scores are irrelevant to their future needs as they anticipate retirement. But in fact, maintaining a high credit score continues to be a wise practice, even when you aren?t planning to borrow money.

Credit scores are used for more than just credit

Appropriately enough, credit reports were once used just to determine one?s qualifications for being extended a new line of credit. But today, other companies have taken to using, or misusing your credit history too for many other purposes. Automobile insurance companies have begun to set rates, in part, based on driver?s credit scores. Their reasoning is that those who have excellent credit tend to make fewer claims. And while many argue that illness or job loss in one?s family can have an effect on your credit without affecting driving habits, the fact remains that insurance companies can and will adjust premiums based on your credit score. In addition, home owner?s insurance companies have started using credit scores to set rates as well. Finally, there are many companies that now require applicants to pass pre-employment background checks before making a job offer. Inevitably, these checks include running the applicant?s credit history. And while some sort of security check may seem appropriate for jobs in banking or government, the fact is that these types of checks are becoming common in nearly every industry.

Life happens

But what if you are not seeking a new loan, a new job, or you don?t even drive. Is it then possible to just disregard your credit score? Possibly, but I wouldn?t advise it. As too many people have learned, you just never know when you will be looking for a new job. Or more optimistically, perhaps an irresistible opportunity will present itself. Others might look to apply for a new credit card, if only to take advantage of ever increasing credit card bonus offers. In anyevent, maintaining good credit will be necessary to receive the best rates on home owner?s or even renter?s insurance. And finally, with credit scores being used for so many different reasons already, it is hard to say how your credit will affect you in the future. If current trends continue, there is no doubt that your credit will be more important in the future, rather than less.

By building and maintaining good credit before, during, and after retirement, you can be prepared for whatever life decides to throw at you.

Jason Steele is a freelance personal finance writer who specializes in travel and credit cards. He writes for CreditCardForum and several other top personal finance sites.

Source: http://www.jemstep.com/blog/2012/10/why-you-need-to-retire-with-a-good-credit-score/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-you-need-to-retire-with-a-good-credit-score

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Wounded Soldier Finishes Long Trek Home

Angel MedFlight Medically Transports Injured Soldier Suffering Traumatic Brain Injury

JONES CREEK, TX (PRWEB) October 19, 2012

After spending the last five years in specialized treatment and rehabilitation facilities for a traumatic brain injury suffered during Operation Iraqi Freedom; on September 27, 2012, Sgt. Bradley Thomas returned home to a town that never left his side.

?It was one of the most rewarding flights I have ever been a part of,? Julie Longmire, RN, BSN, Angel MedFlight flight coordinator said. ?I am so thankful to have been a part of the effort to bring this young man home. The way this community has honored its hero should set an example for the country.?

Sgt. Thomas? convoy was attacked with an improvised explosive device (IED) while traveling through Iraq. The device was buried beneath the road and completely undetectable by the United States soldiers. When the IED detonated, multiple soldiers, including Sgt. Thomas, were injured. Sgt. Thomas was later listed as one of the most severe traumatic brain injuries of 2008.

Over the last five years, Sgt. Thomas has been in and out of multiple hospitals in New Jersey and Florida that are dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation of wounded soldiers. During his time in critical care, he was transported by medical flights three times, thanks to Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulances.

The Angel MedFlight air ambulance flight from Florida to Texas lasted only two hours but when Sgt. Thomas arrived he was greeted by a carefully orchestrated parade fit for a hero. Police, firefighters, hundreds of members of the Brazoria County Cavalry and community members escorted Sgt. Thomas the 20 mile journey from the airport to his home. American flags waved, people cheered and sirens roared for the United States soldier who was finally home.

About Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance:

Angel MedFlight coordinates domestic and international air medical transportation services, commercial medical escorts, ground ambulance services and provides discretionary insurance benefit assistance. Angel MedFlight?s One Touch Promise? assures every detail is handled and all resources are committed to guide the process from start to finish with a compassionate team of experts in the fields of medicine, aviation, insurance law and case management. http://www.angelmedflight.com

###

Media Inquiries:

Jenna Murray

(480) 559-6841

JMurray (at) angelmedflight (dot) com

Jenna Murray
Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance Services
(877) 264-3570
Email Information

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/wounded-soldier-finishes-long-trek-home-000218093.html

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Obama: Well-rested after 1st debate (CNN)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/256801678?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Satcon Technology files for bankruptcy

(Reuters) - Money-losing solar inverter maker Satcon Technology Corp filed for bankruptcy protection on Wednesday, squeezed by falling demand after top consumer Europe lowered subsidies for renewable energy.

Shares of the company, which had a market value of $6.32 million as of Tuesday close, fell 77 percent to 7.3 cents in morning trade on the Nasdaq. The company has lost 93 percent of its market value since the beginning of the year to Tuesday.

Germany's SMA Solar, the world's No. 1 maker of solar inverters, said last month that demand for its inverters was weak in the third quarter following the subsidy cuts.

Average selling prices for inverters have fallen by about a fifth this year.

Satcon, which makes inverters that help feed solar-generated power into the grid, said in January that it would cut about 35 percent of its workforce and close its Canadian plant.

The Boston, Massachusetts-based company has reported a loss for 22 consecutive quarters.

"The underlying problem for Satcon was that even during boom times in the solar industry, the company was never able to sustain profitability," said Raymond James analyst Pavel Molchanov.

Pavel said things are nowhere near as bad for inverter companies as they are for solar module makers.

"For one, competition from China is negligible. There is also less overcapacity, and margins tend to be higher," he said.

Satcon, which primarily caters to the large-scale commercial and utility-scale solar photovoltaic markets, said in its Chapter 11 filing that it had assets of $92.3 million and liabilities of $121.9 million as of June 30.

The company had $2.99 million in cash and equivalents and debt of $29.84 million as of June 30.

MORE EXITS?

Satcon joins a clutch of U.S. solar companies that have filed for bankruptcy. Solyndra LLC and Evergreen Solar Inc have sought bankruptcy protection, while Abound Solar filed for Chapter 7 liquidation in July.

"There will be more players exiting this space, whether you are talking about panel manufacturers, resellers or distributors," said Capstone Investments analyst Carter Driscoll.

"You are going to see consolidation on all levels of the solar supply chain."

A research report released on Tuesday said 60 percent of existing solar suppliers are expected to get edged out between 2012 and 2014.

The case is In re: Satcon Technology Corp, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware, No: 12-12869. (Reporting by Swetha Gopinath in Bangalore; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/satcon-technology-files-bankruptcy-160011528--finance.html

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How 'Exam Schools' Fared in the Best High Schools Rankings

In the new book, Exam Schools: Inside America's Most Selective Public High Schools, the authors examine institutions with selective admissions processes. Many of these public schools did very well in the 2012 U.S. News Best High Schools rankings, accounting for 7 of the top 10 schools in the national rankings; 11 of the top 25; and 24 of the top 50.

In an article entitled "Exam Schools from the Inside" in Education Next, authors Chester E. Finn, Jr. and Jessica A. Hockett discussed how exam schools have evolved in the United States:

[T]hese academically selective institutions have long been a part of the American secondary-education landscape. The schools are diverse in origin and purpose ... Some arose from a desire (among parents, superintendents, school boards, governors, legislators) to provide a self-contained, high-powered college-prep education for able youngsters in a community, region, or state. Others started through philanthropic ventures or as university initiatives. A number of them were products of the country's efforts to desegregate--and integrate--its public-education system, prompted by court orders, civil rights enforcers and activists, or federal 'magnet school' dollars."

Admissions standards for these public schools have led to disagreements in some communities. In theEducation Next article, Finn and Hockett write that "exam schools are sometimes controversial because 'selectivity' is hard to reconcile with the mission of 'public' education. Even school choice advocates typically assert that, while families should be free to choose their children's schools, schools have no business selecting their pupils. Other people are troubled by reports of insufficient 'diversity' among the youngsters admitted to such schools."

Their book asserts that there are only 165 exam schools nationwide in 30 states and the District of Columbia, or just .007 percent of the nation's 22,568 public high schools. The schools enrolled 135,000 students in the 2009-2010 school year out of the 14.6 million enrolled in all public schools. The states with the most exam schools were New York(24), New Jersey (16), Pennsylvania (14), Illinois (12), California (9), Texas (9), and Louisiana (9).

In terms of the U.S. News Best High Schools rankings, 112 of the exam schools identified in the book, or 68 percent, scored high enough to be nationally ranked: 67 were gold medal winners, 28 were awarded silver, and 17 were awarded bronze. The rest were either unranked or weren't in the universe of schools considered for the rankings.

In addition, 67 of the exam schools were among the Best STEM Schools, 5 were ranked as Best Magnet Schools, and 2 were ranked as Best Charter Schools.

These are the exam schools that made the top 50 national rankings in the latest U.S. News Best High Schools rankings:

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/exam-schools-fared-best-high-schools-rankings-143612586.html

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