For those people that have never before experienced a wildlife safari in Africa will probably find it difficult to imagine the mind-blowing wildlife you might see. The people who come to a safari are regular holiday makers like you and me, some are into taking photos, some tourists are into animals but all of them are interested in a new incredible experience.

The eye-opening thing about a walking safari is the fact it is so different from the usual holiday to Germany, there are very little families. Each firm will supply an English speaking tourist guide to take you through the spectacular areas of Southern Africa. The most popular wildlife you will often see are eagles. All the above terrific animals are not tame and of course don?t feed them. If you are interested in taking photographs of the cheetahs you should make sure you turn off the flash as you do not want to scare the animals. The fantastic animals in Africa may put a grin on your face.

If you would love to find out more about sensational safari holidays in Southern Africa you will probably use the search engine like Google to get a company that offers safari holidays from the UK, the costs can range from five hundred pounds to 800 pounds. Safari Holiday in Africa will leave you excited and with alot of photos.

Every business needs reliable communications to function properly and I’m not even talking about anything hi-tech here. If two cans on a string work for you, then congratulations, you’ve found exactly what you need. At least it’ll be easy for you, should you decide to upgrade your system in the future. Just finish off another can of corn and hook it up.

However, (refer to my other article: “What You Should Know Before You Purchase a Two Way Radio” for more information concerning my dreaded “howevers”)…now, where was I? Oh yes, HOWEVER…for most businesses, a can on a string will not do. The good news for you is that there are so many options out there; it would be very hard not to be able to find a system that’s perfect for you.

Your two main options are, or at least the options that will be discussed here are: Two-Way Radios and Cell Phones. They both have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on the type of business you’re in. You probably already knew that; but you’re reading this article to find out exactly what those advantages and disadvantages are. You’re in luck, because I’m going to share some of them with you. In the interest of brevity, this article won’t include all I’d like to say. If you’d like more information, stay tuned until the end for contact information.

Cell Phones:

To begin, we will look at cell phones. Today, some cell phones even have a walkie-talkie feature. This has bridged the gap between cell phones and two way radios, but there is still a lot of space in between. Currently, cell phones are the closest thing to the ‘ole can on a string analogy mention above.

If you only have a few people working for you and they are sometimes on the go, cell phones are great. Usually, they’re pretty cheap to buy and maintain. If you get the phones for free, the only thing you’ll really have to worry about cost-wise is the monthly fee, say $40-$50 per month per phone roughly. For reliable communications, this is a small price to pay.

If you have 5 or more people working for you, I would begin to look for other solutions aside from cell phones. The reason for this is not because I have something personal against cell phones. Rather, it is because cell phones have something personal against us and it’s already been mentioned: monthly fees.

Not to name names here, but one provider of walkie-talkie cell phones charges roughly $50 per month for the first phone and around $30 a month for every additional phone on your plan. If you have 10 people working for you, you may have gotten your cell phones free from the provider, but over time they will certainly make up the difference. You’re paying around $800 per month, a whopping $9600 per year and that’s assuming you never once went over on minutes. Ouch, talk about a waste.

Monthly-fee issues aside, there are a few other things to consider concerning cell phones. The first one is a minor issue that can easily turn into a major issue. Cell phones, unlike two way radios, can be abused. Users can call whoever they want, racking up minutes that could end up costing you. There’s also a productivity issue with this as well. As workers are racking up minutes calling mom to make sure everything’s okay, what are they not doing? They’re not working, and even if they are working, they aren’t paying much attention until after that call is done.

In addition to productivity issues, there are control issues. A lot of business owners like to have control. I mean, it’s probably one of the reasons they’ve started a business in the first place. One thing cell phones don’t give you a lot of is control. You have no control over what kind of customer service you get, and from what I’ve heard it’s sometimes very poor. You also have no control over your system if it were to die on you and you have no control over when the phone company will be able to get it up and running again. (Are you sick of reading the word “control” yet?)

Summary:

So, where do I stand with cell phones? The truth is I don’t stand anywhere with them. Don’t get me wrong here, either. I deal with two way radios but I do admit to more than a few occasions where it makes more sense to use a cell phone. For personal use, they are the best. For business use, they can work very well, depending on the type of business. Smaller businesses will find them more practical and possibly more cost effective than alternatives but larger businesses will no doubt require more from their communications.

Two-Way Radios:

After looking at what cell phones can do for you, it’s now time to look at one of the alternatives, two way radios. Just like cell phones, sometimes it makes sense to use them, sometimes it doesn’t. As per my mention earlier, if it’s just you and Frank the assistant manager needing to communicate, use a cell phone. I’ve said this before and you may be asking yourself why. Are small businesses not worthy of two-way radios? Of course they are, but here’s why I say what I do.

If your company wants to use a two-way radio, you must first purchase a license from the FCC if you do not already have one. The licenses are typically a little under $500 depending on your situation and are good for 10 years. For two people, this may not be worth it. However, for medium to large companies, this is worth every penny and can actually end up saving you hundreds if not thousands of dollars per year.

Let’s continue to use the example I gave you above in the cell phones section. Say you have 10 workers needing to communicate. Your cell phone system will be costing at least $9,600 per year and let’s say you need this for about 4 years, which is very typical, especially since cell phones require contracts. Over 4 years, your communications system has cost you $38,400.

Now, let’s say these 10 people are to be given the 4 channel Motorola CP200 UHF model. The average price out there is around $400, you can contact me for a more exact price if you like. 10 people get 10 radios at $4,000 plus we’ll say $450 for an FCC license, which over 10 years is only $45 per year! So, not only will you save about $34,000 over 4 years, but think of everything else you’ll be getting as well.

For starters, you get your control back Mr. Business Owner. You have purchased the radios and the license; therefore you control your airways. The only way the system will crash is if your radios crash and Motorola radios typically last at least 7-10 years. Heck, there are radios still in use older than me and I’m in my mid-twenties.

You also don’t have to worry about poor customer service because you’ve probably purchased your radio from an authorized dealer. Unlike phone companies, most dealers have actual live human beings answering their phones. Plus, you’re connected to a consultant whose job is to work with you every step of the way to ensure your satisfaction…someone like me.

Summary:

There are features that many two way radios have that cell phones do not. These features can be pretty important for most business owners and dispatchers, such as priority scan and stun, but we won’t go into deal about that here. Contact me if you would like more information about any of these features. Also, just as cell phones have added a walkie talkie feature to catch up with radios, radios have now begun to go digital. Digital means it has the ability to send more information, such as text messages; once again bridging the gap.

If you’re still undecided on which way to go, do a simple ROI calculation. Calculate how much it would cost to have cell phones over a 2-4 year period and how much it would cost to have two way radios over the same period. In most instances, it’s more cost effective to buy radios. However, as I’ve said before, cell phones have their place. You’re best bet would be to contact an authorized two way radio dealer and explain your situation. Then, after you’re armed with knowledge and you do your ROI, you can make a smart choice. Thanks for reading!

Eric O’Connor is a communications consultant for Delmarva Communications. If you like to contact him, his e-mail is: e.oconnor@delmarvacom.com. Or, visit Delmarva Communications on the web at:
http://www.delmarvacom.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

The worst part of a receding hair line for guys is that there is no sure fire cure. Baldness has been a massive issue for guys around the UK but there are phenomenal treatments that might often minimise further hair loss.

There is a topical treatment for baldness called Minoxidil that will be taken in tablet or topical lotion form and might help lads regrow their hair and reduce further hair loss. The baldness lotion comes in a variety of strengths with five percent being the most popular. The baldness treatment is used under the guidance of a trained professional and should be made aware that it is not a stunning miracle cure. However, the great success of this treatment is around fifty percent. The hair loss treatment course is a minimum of three months before great results might show and all blokes are recommended to stay on the hair loss treatment for at least nine months.

For women that don?t note any regrowth with the hair loss treatment they may try hair plugs. This is a permanent solution and involves transplanting the hair follicles on the head to stop bald areas. Hair transplants can be pricey and involves a surgical procedure so may not be for every woman. Get expert assistance in Hair Loss now.

Calling cards can be an excellent way to save money, both at home and abroad. Calling cards can offer you the lowest prices in domestic and international long distance service, no matter where you call from.

This means that the next time you’re traveling, you won’t have to pay the hotel their ridiculous long distance charges. Some hotels charge as much as $8 per minute! With a calling card, you can get rates for less than a penny a minute - now that’s dome savings!

But if you want to save as much money as possible, you need to know several things about choosing the correct calling card for your uses. The cheapest is not always the best. Here are several factors to consider:

1 - is there a connection fee?
Some calling cards charge you a fee for each call you make, usually in exchange for lower rates. If you make short calls, this setup could be expensive for you.

2 - is there an expiration date?
Some calling cards have an expiration date - if you don’t use the minutes on the card within a certain number of days or weeks, they become invalid. Of course, this would not matter to you if you make lots of calls on a regular basis, and would use up the card before it expired.

3 - how do the international rates work?
If you will be calling to more than one country, look carefully at how the international rates work. Some cards may give you very low rates to one country, but high rates to other countries. Some domestic calling cards do not allow international calling at all, or charge very high rates. Every card is different - just check before you buy.

All in all, if you get the right calling card for your uses, you can save a great deal of money over time. Just use these tips to ensure that you get the right calling card for you.

Visit www.startdialing.com for great deals on international calling cards.

Why should I improve my listening skills?

It’s a great question. For the simple reason that a person’s listening skills are a central component to most of the activities people care about. Your ability to understand what others are trying to tell you, to grasp details about projects, to learn information about a customer’s needs, or to understand what is going on in your family’s life all depend on your ability to effectively listen.

While most people possess the ability to hear, many have never taken the time to consciously develop the ability to listen. Here are four golden nuggets to help you improve your listening skills:

Slow down and relax. The fact that your mind can think at least 7 times faster than people can talk identifies much of the problem right from the start. To maximize the amount of information you are receiving from a conversation, you must minimize the number of thoughts that are racing through your mind. To help you slow down and relax, you might try taking slow deep breaths or sitting down. Both can often help slow your pace if you are feeling rushed.

Focus on what is being said. That means no multi-tasking! Splitting your attention between something other than waht’s being said, whether that is reading, typing in your computer, or even taking notes, are all significant distractions to you ability to listen. It is also frequently annoying or even disrespectful to the person who is speaking.

Ask clarifying questions. Many times what we think we heard and what the speaker intended to communicate are two different things. By jumping to conclusions or making assumptions, we frequently guess wrong. Often times people find that while they are thinking about the meaning of past comments they are missing what the person is currently saying. If you are not sure you understand what the person said, make sure to ask a question or two that will clarify their comment. This should be welcomed by whoever is speaking, as it shows you are both listening AND interested in truly understanding what they are saying.

Realize that much of communication is non-verbal. It is equally important to listen with your eyes as it is with your ears. By making good eye contact with the speaker you will pick up much more of the meaning behind what is being said. Facial expressions, hand gestures, and body language all play a vital role in understanding the full message. By actively watching the person speaking, you will also show your engagement and give them more confidence and energy in what they are saying.
Mastering the art of listening certainly doesn’t happen overnight, so be patient with yourself while you are putting your new skills to the test, enjoy the process, and as always….

Be FREE!

Eric Plantenberg, President of Freedom Speakers and Trainers, currently trains professionals across the country in memory, goal setting, attitude, time management, and effective communications. His newest program, P.A.C.T., is an intensive one-on-one twelve week personal coaching program designed for those who are serious about their success. Please click here for more information on Eric http://www.deliverfreedom.com/speakers_eric.html or Freedom Speakers and Trainers http://www.deliverfreedom.com Call 888-233-0407 x112 email eric@deliverfreedom.com

VoIP makes a great option for business because you can save
money. Many providers offer special packages strictly for
business use. Different products are available such as fax lines
and call forwarding.

When shopping for a service, you will need to take a few factors
into account. This includes whether or not you want your
provider to also service your internet connection, or if your
computers will be on a network. Here is a compiled list of
potential service providers to help you find the best package to
suit your business needs.

Vonage offers two packages for their small business
customers. The Small Business Basic plan is $39.99 and allows
for 1500 minutes of calling anywhere in the U.S., Canada, and
Puerto Rico. The Small Business Unlimited package is $49.99 and
includes unlimited calling to those places. Check out their
website (www.vonage.com) for
information on their additional features and international
calling rates.

Verizon has a lot of options for business. They can
accommodate small, medium, and large businesses. Their rates
vary based on situation and location, so it is best to visit
their site (www.verizon.com) to find the
options that are right for you. You can also specify packages
that include Verizon DSL and VoIP.

Lingo’s business packages start at $49.95 a month for
unlimited calling to the US, Canada, Western Europe, and any
phones within the Lingo system. Service also includes a free fax
line and other features such as three-way calling. They offer
your first month free as a trial. Simply cancel if you are
unhappy with their service. For more information browse their
site at www.lingo.com.

Sprint also offers VoIP options for business. They offer
options for businesses including home offices, small business,
medium businesses, and full scale enterprises. Check out their
options and packages at www.sprint.com/business
.

That’s what she would say. As I remember it from my years as a really short person, after you had cranked the handle and lifted up the receiver, you’d hear this female voice down at the telephone office say “Operatooor. Number pleeyazz.” (I think that’s how they were taught to say it.) Then you’d give her the number you wanted to call - usually something complicated like “Hi Shirley - 671, please” (or even “Doc Wykoff’s office, please”…) - and she’d move a plug to the right hole on the switchboard and do whatever she had to do to make Doc’s telephone ring. That is unless she knew that Doc had gone out to the Strauss’s for a house call, then she’d let you know that she could connect you there or that if you wanted, you could just wait about a half an hour until he got back to the office and try again then. Talk about personalized service…

Those were the days of the party line. You’d have several - maybe even up to twenty or so - families sharing a single phone line. You’d know when you got a call by the number and length of rings you heard coming from the telephone. Ours was two short rings if I remember correctly. You’d always know who was getting a call on your party line by the number of rings. And of course, if you wanted to be just a little snoopy, you could quietly pick up the receiver on your phone and “rubber”. Yep, that’s what they called eavesdropping back then. Sort of tacky but actually a lot of folks did it and nobody seemed to care all that much. Except for old Mrs. Snyder, that is. She could get downright snotty about it at times.

Gosh, we’ve come a long way, haven’t we? Now we can call just about anybody we want anytime we want from anywhere we want. Have an urge to talk with your neighbor’s second cousin Doris who is vacationing on Isolation Beach, Florida while you’re zipping down the freeway at a breakneck 7 mph? Just do it. Want to check the current status of your investment in Ear Hair Removal Cream stock while you’re canoeing leisurely down the North Fork River? Just do it. Want to… well, you get the idea.

Yep, life is good. We’re on top of everything. We’re in constant touch with the rest of mankind 24/7. There’s nothing we don’t know or can’t find out. Anyone can reach us at anytime - anywhere. We’re always available to answer questions, pass on helpful information, make appointments, change schedules, rearrange priorities, relay juicy gossip, report problems, broadcast dissatisfaction, and assimilate an encyclopedia’s worth of pseudo-critical input with the push of a button or two. Twenty-four hours a day. Seven days a week. Fifty-two weeks…

… yeah… we’ve sure come a loooong way, haven’t we? No, really. This IS better, right? I mean, if we weren’t able to have this immediate contact with the rest of the world, everything would crumble, right? Our lives would disintegrate. Our family relationships would be shattered. Our friendships would vanish. Our businesses would vaporize. We would self-destruct. Right?

Seriously, now. Can you even imagine what it would be like to have to step back into the dark ages of communication? Those unnerving times - when you could just think or do what you needed to do without constant interruption? When you could cruise down the highway without the nagging thought that just talking on the cell phone substantially increases your chances of being in an accident? When you could call a business (during normal working hours of course) and immediately talk to a real person? When you actually looked forward to getting a call because you knew for certain that it would be someone who you wanted to talk with? When you could go for hours and hours out of contact with anyone other than the people who were the foundation of your life? Your family and friends? When life was quieter, more relaxed and more satisfying?

Now really, I know that there can be a bunch of advantages to our modern communications systems but sometimes I think that perhaps “progress” may not necessarily be as wonderful as we tend to believe it is.

Number pleeyazz…

Gene Simmons, through NuPathz.com, provides an easy reading self-help blog, articles, quotations, thoughts and links along with affordable self-help and self improvement books & materials - all designed to help folks find the road to a more enjoyable lifestyle, to pass on some of life’s “secrets for survival” in a chaotic world & offer a few smiles along the way. It’s a down-to-earth, simple approach to discovering a better life. You can visit Gene at http://www.nupathz.com/

The thought of a walking safari will often probably stir up the visualisations of excitement and the location of stunning Africa. Safaris have been well accepted in Africa for years and have become popular with the British holiday tourists because of the incredible weather and the tremendous wildlife that will often be explored. Learn about safari holidays and explore the wildlife of africa.

The very best time to scout out Africa for a marvellous walking safari is around November as the weather is marvellous. The number of Welsh tourists who travel over to Zambia for a walking safari has significantly risen in the last 6 years due to the strong pound and also due to the increased attention of Africa.

The wildlife that you might well observe is massive, you may see tigers and elephants all up close. Africa is ideal for people who wish to come and investigate the wildlife and also wish for a romantic vacation. The African safaris are not too strenuous that you can’t possibly go back to your beautiful hotel in the evening for a romantic evening. That is why walking safaris in Africa may be perfect for a honeymoon. Africa has some of the greatest privately owned hotels and walking safaris in the country and should be experienced by all at least once.

Sweepstakes are generally easier and quicker to enter than contests. Fantastic surfboards to win at dutch online sweepstakes. 10 hours ago a Dutch company has started with a contest websites. Many more sweepers are choosing to enter online sweepstakes. 2 months ago a European online company took of a online sweepstakes. That should be really great or absolutely fantastic to win 5732 euro. The reason why contests are treated differently is that the winners are not chosen by chance but by an element of skill. 11 days ago a Europe based dutch online company begun with a dutch online contests. Before home computers were popular a common method of entry was a mailed one. That will be realy terrific or great to win 8312 euros. Everybody can win marvelous plasmas every 14 weeks. In an effort to increase consumer demand for scratch cards and to help control the litter small problems associated with the disposal of non-winning lottery tickets. Its super or great to win 4494 dollars. Sweepstakes are frequently used by fast-food restaurants to boost business. Sweepstakes promotions are prohibited from requiring a purchase to enter. There are also other online services, which automatically enter members into sweepstakes. Really everybody can win absolutely fantastic BMWs every 12 months. 6 hours ago a Belgium dutch company started a sweepstakes websites. Consumer promotions advertised as contests, however, can require an entry fee or proof of purchase.

Translated it means: Woon je in Millingen aan de Rijn of Heeze-Leende en wilt u iets winnen’ Winnen met Windeprijsvraag is nog nooit zo gemakkelijk geweest. Fijne prijzen winnen met abonnementen van windeprijsvraag‘ Op zijn minst 175 prijzen per dag. Van Ten Boer tot Rijnwoude, met Windeprijsvraag winnen kan hier altijd. Een mevrouw van 25 heeft deze maand nog een vakantie gewonnen.

Although some sweepstakes ask for a proof of purchase or UPC code, the sponsors must provide an alternate method of entry if they do so. Really anyone can win really great cash prizes every 19 days. Many state lotteries also run a second chance sweepstakes in conjunction with the retail sale of state lottery scratch cards. 9 weeks ago a Belgium webcompany begun with a online sweepstakes. Sweepstakes are also legally different from contests in the United States. Members sign up once and are entered to various sweepstakes each month. Entering sweepstakes by mail is declining in popularity. Realy terrific electrical tools to be won at dutch online contests. Terrific SUVs to win at contest websites.

The self proclaimed Prince of poker, Scotty Nguyen, was crowned winner of the 2008 WSOP $50,000 HORSE event, but his behavior might compel both peers and fans to present him with a crown of thorns.

After perhaps one too many Michelobs, Nguyen’s jest turned sour as profanities and negativity spewed from his lips. While he is known for his table-talk, his final table performance relied on bold faced lies to sucker unwitting opponents into calling or even raising his bets. He even went as far as to show the audience his cards during the hands he was playing.

Erik Lindgren, who at first chuckled along with Nguyen admitted that he was not on Team Scotty, and that “some nights you can’t beat a drunk.”

Even the 23-year old Michael DeMichele said, “I thought you were an ambassador of poker, I’m disappointed in you Scotty.”

Last year Umberto Brenes made a fool of himself with his LED shark card-protector tomfoolery. From time to time, the spotlight of poker celebrity pauses on a few degenerates from the past.

As a poker player, your conduct and ethics are paramount to your play. If you go around insulting everyone at your home game, you’ll soon realize that no one will want to play with you.