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What to Ask Before Agreeing to Attend a Meeting by Steve Kaye

Managers spend much of their time in meetings. But some junior staff use meetings to showcase themselves. Or they invite their boss to help with work that they should be doing. In either case, such meetings waste your time.

Here are five questions that you (or your assistant) must ask before agreeing to attend a meeting.

1) Where is the agenda? A meeting without an agenda is like a journey without a map; it will always waste your time. Once you have the agenda, make sure that it consists of more than a list of words because this is almost useless. The agenda for an effective meeting provides a complete description of how the meeting will proceed.

2) What is the goal? Is the chair seeking an agreement, a solution, or a plan? Knowing the goal gives you head start on participating effectively. Be cautious of meetings that are held just 'to talk about something,' because this type of meeting seldom accomplishes anything.

3) What is my role? Make sure that your participation adds value to the meeting. Avoid meetings where you have a superficial role, such as to find out what’s happening. In that case, ask for the minutes. If you’re needed to work on only part of the agenda, ask if you can attend only that part of the meeting.

4) How should I prepare? Make sure that you know about any research, readings, or surveys required to participate. Ask about the expectations for the other participants because this could influence your preparation. Attend only if you can prepare adequately or suggest another time for the meeting.

5) What should I bring? Should you bring a laptop? Will you be asked to give a presentation? Should you bring reports, data, or other information? Make sure that you have enough time to obtain the tools and materials needed for effective participation.

These questions will help you look like a success when you attend meetings.

- - - Steve Kaye helps leaders hold effective meetings. He is an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator, author, and speaker. His meeting facilitation and leadership workshops create success for everyone. Call 714-528-1300 for details. Visit http://www.stevekaye.com for a free report.

Article Source: What to Ask Before Agreeing to Attend a Meeting

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Use A Golf Training Club To Quickly Improve Golf Swing Speed by Mike Pedersen

Using a golf training club is one of the most effective ways to increase golf swing speed and power. You can’t get anymore golf –specific than using a golf training club.

There are many golf training clubs on the market and new ones coming out every year; but the one I’m talking about is a weighted golf training club. When you can literally mimic your athletic movement with resistance, you stand the make the biggest improvement…and quickly.

The goal of most strength coaches and trainers is to come up with exercises that closely resemble that particular athletic movement, but with some for of resistance. It could be handweights (dumbbells), medicine balls, tubing, or even a stability ball.

The direct impact on a golfers swing using a golf training club is an almost immediate increase in driving distance. This is because you are training your golf muscles during the movement, through the same (or even bigger) range of motion, with many repetitions.

A secondary benefit of using a golf training club that’s weighted is promoting an increase in backswing and follow through range of motion. This equates in more power at impact. Golfers are always trying to find ways to improve golf flexibility and power; and this is one way to do it.

Using a golf training club won’t be the cure to all your physical ailments and limitations, but will give you a head start on swinging with higher clubhead speed.

Just think about it! Swinging a golf training club won’t improve hamstring flexibility, nor will it strengthen your lower back. There are many specific areas of the body that don’t get worked when swinging a golf training club.

This is where you would do specific golf exercises, stretches and drills to isolate those weak areas to greatly improve your overall golf performance and prevent future injuries.

Another benefit of a golf training club that’s weighted is a quick warm up before you hit balls at the range or even play. Swinging it 20-30 times will quickly get your golf muscles prepared to hit balls more effectively.

Just beware! When you swing it before practicing or playing, you’ve got to swing your regular clubs, and hit balls with them, to make sure your sequence of motion is correct, before you hit the course.

As you can see, there are many benefits of using a golf training club; so go out and get one. They are a great training aid as part of your ‘off-season’ training program.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is the featured expert for Golf Magazine's GolfOnline.com site, one of the top golf performance experts in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance sites. Take a look at his just released golf performance dvds and manual at his golf swing tips site - Perform Better Golf.

Article Source: Use A Golf Training Club To Quickly Improve Golf Swing Speed

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Children’s Vitamins by Raquel Hunter

Many parents are concerned that their children do not consume the proper foods they need to stay strong and healthy. The truth is children can be picky eaters. Some children will go through stages where they will refuse to eat anything other than a favorite food, while other children will try new foods, but do not take to them.

Children’s vitamins are available to parents who want to ensure their children are receiving the necessary nutrients he or she needs to grow strong and healthy. Even parents who have children who eat well are supplementing their children’s diet with vitamins. The fact is the earth’s soil is rapidly being depleted of nutrients, and the rigors of food processing also leaves many foods deficient in vitamins and minerals.

Children’s vitamins are packaged in such a way that they are attractive to children. Most children’s vitamins come in colorful and fun shapes. Many manufacturers of children’s vitamins are packaging their vitamins in lollipop, gum ball and gummy bear varieties. Because these vitamins resemble candy, it is important that you keep them away from a child’s reach and that you monitor their intake. If you find your child has taken extra vitamins, you should consult their pediatrician or your local poison control center.

There are instances when a pediatrician will prescribe vitamins for a child. If a child has a vitamin deficiency, does not have access to fluoridated water, or has anemia or other illness or disease, vitamin supplements may be prescribed for a child. However, in general, many pediatricians believe that children do not need vitamin supplements if they are being fed properly. They feel that children can receive all the vitamins and minerals they need if they eat according to the Food Pyramid. Consult with your child’s pediatrician before starting them on a vitamin.

Vitamins are supplements and not replacements. Children’s vitamin supplements should never be looked upon as a replacement for healthy eating. Encourage your child to eat the foods they need, and do things to make nutrition fun and flavorful for them. For instance, letting children add grated cheese to their vegetables will make some children more interested in eating them. Allowing a child to drink calcium fortified orange juice over milk works well for a child who does not like milk. Let your child participate in making a vegetable pizza, or let them pick out fruit at a market and place it in their own special area at home. All of these tips can go a long way in helping a picky eaters overcome their fears so they consume the vitamins they need.

Raquel is a writer for MamasHealth.com. http://www.MamasHealth.com is a website aimed at providing clear, simple, easy to understand information about health.

Article Source: Children’s Vitamins

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Home Business Scams - Tips On Avoiding Them by Kevin Erickson

Maybe the reason you're interested in setting up a home business is because you've seen an ad that perked your interest or you were approached by a friend or colleague about a great home business money-making opportunity and those entrepreneurial juices started to flow. Your imagination starts to flow and dreams of quitting your job fill your every thought.

Hello, hey, ok... time to stop dreaming. I hate to burst your bubble or stop your fantasy ride but before you give your boss a piece of your mind there's a few things you need to consider.

First, you need to realize that probably 99% of all home business / work from home offers out there are flat out scams. After all, if it was that easy to pay a few dollars and make thousands, wouldn't everyone be doing it by now and why tell you about it?

Below I've listed and briefly discussed how to recognize and avoid a few of the biggest scams out there.

Location… Location… Location
Check out every offer and assume it's a scam until you have iron-clad proof that it's not. A few things to consider are: Where did you see that work from home offer? If you got it by traditional mail or by email or saw it on a poster taped around a telephone pole, then I can guarantee you right now that it's not a legitimate offer. On the other hand, if you saw the ad in a newspaper, in a jobs magazine or on a jobs website, then it's a little more likely to be legit - but not necessarily.

Envelope Stuffing
Will this scam ever end? Well, not until people stop falling for it. This is the most established work-from-home scam of all time and it's been going on for what seems like forever now. How it works is that once you pay your money and sign up to work from home, you are sent a set of envelopes and ads just like the one you responded to. The whole idea is to simply get names of people who are interested in home business ops and get a quick buck. You could make a little money if you mail to the right mailing list but don't count it. Work from home offers like this are simply illegal pyramid schemes. You will not make money putting letters into envelopes - so get over it and move on!

Shoddy Supplies
The practice of charging for supplies is hard to pin down to any one scam - it's a common most work-at-home scams work (including the envelope stuffing scam mentioned above). You'll be asked to make a minimal 'investment' for whatever materials will be needed to do the work and then you'll receive a collection of very shoddy materials that are worth a fraction of what you paid for them and last but not least you'll soon realize that there was never a market for work anyway.

Don't walk - run… if anyone asks for money upfront. Any company worth it's salt would be willing to deduct any 'fees' from your first paycheck. Any company not willing to do that, is in all likely-hood simply out to scam you into giving them some upfront money and then as the saying goes… 'leaving dodge' as quickly as possible.

Working for Free
This variation on the scam is common with crafts. You might be asked to work from home making clothes, ornaments or toys. Everything appears to be legitimate - you received materials without paying any money and you're doing the work. Unfortunately for you, when you send the work back, the company will tell you that it didn't meet their 'quality standards' and will refuse to pay you. They will then sell what you've provided and move on to the next sucker.

Never do craft type work from home unless you're selling the items yourself. Remember, you don't need to restrict your sales to consumers only… you could also be selling to wholesalers. The bottom line is this, you need to be the one deciding what you make and then collect the money yourself.

Medical Billing, Typing From Home and More
Many work-from-home scams involve persuading you that some industry has more work to do than it can handle and so it has to outsource to people like you, working from home. For example, you might be told that you'll be typing legal documents or entering medical bills into an electronic database. These scams have one thing in common - they all say that all you need is a computer and they go on to explain that all you need to do to make big bucks is to buy some 'special software'.

The software is package so it appears to be from a completely unrelated company, but don't be fooled - the whole purpose behind this so-called opportunity is to simply sell you the over-priced and worthless software. And of course, once you open and load the software on your computer you will never get your money back because that's how all software guarantees work. Once you break the seal you own it.

Starting your own home based business is a dream that millions of people have and it's a legitimate and worthy endeavor. Unfortunately, the crooks out there know this and they play on these desires and so you need to be very cautious. And remember, starting a home business that involves 'working' for another company isn't the best idea even if they offer a completely legitimate opportunity. The reason is because even if they do pay you for your work, you still won't earn anywhere near the income could if you were to start a home-based business where you created your own product or service. So why even bother with these outside companies at all?

Kevin Erickson is a contributing writer for: http://www.work-at-homedepot.com and http://www.eyeonsubprime.com and http://www.total-forex.com. This article may be reproduced only in its entirety.

Article Source: Home Business Scams - Tips On Avoiding Them

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FOREX Trading-Not Just for the Big Boys by Karen Kelley

It seems that almost everyone is familiar with the stock market and many employees are actually invested in it because of their company’s 401k. Everyday as part of the news report, we are always given the latest report on the Dow Jones or New York Stock Exchange. Yes, it has its ups and downs and we all know someone who has made large profits as well as devastating losses. The stock market can be very volatile. If there was a market you could trade in without as much of this volatility, had easy access and low cost, what would it be? FOREX.

FOREX (Foreign Exchange market) is the largest financial market in the world with almost $1.5 trillion traded daily. Compare that to $200 billion in the equity market. Basically, FOREX is the exchange where you can sell one country’s currency for another. Let’s say that you purchase British pounds and then after the pounds/dollar ratio goes up, you sell the pounds and buy more dollars. Until recently this market was only accessible by the major banks, large corporations and those with very large investments. Due to federal regulations, the Foreign Exchange market is no longer a monopoly which means you and I can also profit in this huge market.

Let’s look at some of the benefits of FOREX trading.

Accessibility. 24 hours a day, 5.5 days a week. The currency exchange market is an over the counter market which means that there is not one specific location where buyers and sellers meet to exchange currencies. Transactions can be easily handled through websites designed for this purpose.

No exchange or commission fees. Unlike other markets where brokerage fees are incurred, the FOREX market is a worldwide inter-bank market. Trades can be made between the buyer and seller in an instant.

Low minimum Investment. For an initial investment of $300, you can start your FOREX account. This market requires less money to begin trading than any other market. This keeps your risk low.

These are just a few of the many advantages of the FOREX trading. Are you ready to jump into an exciting new adventure that can be very profitable? Can you imagine getting into this market and having someone train you for free? There is a free course currently being offered that will teach both beginners and experienced currency traders how to profit in this market. “FOREX Freedom” is the course you should check out if any of this sounds like the opportunity that you have been waiting for. It will guide you every step of the way.

Good luck with your currency trading,

Karen Kelley

For more information and your free downloadable copy of “FOREX Freedom”, please visit our web site.
http://www.fxtradingtoday.com

www.fxtradingtoday.com

Article Source: FOREX Trading-Not Just for the Big Boys

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