Author : Susan Harrow
1. Speak in soundbites to everyone.Getting key phrases for concepts and ideas across clearly is central to all communication. As a fun practice try to shave off any extraneous details during conversation in your everyday life. In Errol Morris' film *Fog of War* former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara said, *Never answer the question that is asked. Answer the question you wish were asked.* Begin to train yourself to speak only what you want others to hear. In this way you'll be shaping other's perception of you-which is the essence of good media.2. Answer the first interview question with your sermonette.In a 1989 interview on the NPR show Fresh Air veteran TV journalist David Brinkley said, *Everyone of them [his guests] will arrive in the studio with some little sermonette in mind, and determined to deliver it. So one thing I do is first ask them a dull, boring question like, what do you think about this. And let them deliver their little sermonette. And then we get to the hard core of what we're there to talk about.* Your first and last points have the most impact so plan and deliver your sermonettes no matter what you're asked.3. Frame your ideas for your audience.Jennifer O'Neil, a film producer and director, explained that when shooting background footage (b-roll) she uses a technique called *grounding.* To *ground* the camera must end definitively on an object or scene that signals the viewer that that segment is over. I suggested to her that she probably also used the opening footage to *ground* or shape the beginning of how she wanted a viewer to perceive the scene. In this way you orient your audience to the scene or the material you want them to focus on.You can apply the same concept to soundbites. Your opening words set the stage for what you want to convey, your final words signify the close, how you want your audience to remember what you've told them. Use your opening and closing statements to anchor your audience to the information you want them to grasp. That way you shape the way they think about your product, service or cause.4. Tell people what to do.I love mystery, but this isn't the place for it. Don't leave your audience guessing. Be forthright about the action you want them to take by letting them know why your product or service is necessary for them to have a complete and happy life now. What gap does what you have to offer fill? Be direct in pointing this out so there is no doubt.5. Live your words.Get to the point with clarity and insight. The Latvian violinist Gidon Kremer said of composer Astor Piazzolla's music, *I don't think it's [the music] always about embellishment. I don't think it all can be expressed rightly just gliding on the surface of convenient rhythms. This music can't be in fact performed, it has to be lived. And I always can distinguish if someone is flirting with Piazzolla as a convenient item of our commercial industry or if someone really lives the life or the heartbeat of the music of this great composer.*It's the same with you and your soundbites. Are you living the heartbeat of what you're saying, what you're representing? If not, we hear your false notes, your commercial intent. If so, we know in an instant when your music is true.Learn how to use any interview, any time, on any topic, to get your business, book, product or cause the publicity-and fame you long for in this soundbite teleclass. http://www.prsecrets.com/Copyright(c) 2004 Susan Harrow. All rights reserved.You have permission to publish this article in its entirety electronically, in print, in your ebook, or on your web site, free of charge as long as no changes to the content are made and you include my byline, copyright, and resource box. Please notify me of publication by sending an email with a copy of your publication to: mailto:newslettereditor@prsecrets.com. Thanks!About The AuthorCopyright(c) 2004 Susan Harrow. All rights reserved.Susan Harrow is a top media coach, marketing strategist and author of *Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul* (HarperCollins), *The Ultimate Guide to Getting Booked on Oprah*, and *How You Can Get a 6-Figure Book Advance.* Her clients include Fortune 500 CEOs, millionaires, best-selling authors and successful entrepreneurs who have appeared on Oprah,60 Minutes,NPR, and in TIME,USA Today,Parade, People,O,NY Times,Wall Street Journal,Inc.prsecrets@publicist.com
Category : Business:Audio-Streaming
วันเสาร์ที่ 26 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2551
Good News?
Author : Al Thomas
As the man said, "I've got some good news and I've got some bad news. What do you want to hear first?" It was replied, "Tell me the good news first". The good news is that they are going to make some changes in the mutual fund industry reporting to help the investor and the bad news is it isn't going to make any difference in your bottom line.It seems that us small investors are getting the usual window dressing to make it seem that we are getting a good deal, but when you go in the store to try on the merchandise it still doesn't fit any better.Here is what the Securities and Exchange Commission passed as a new regulation for registered mutual funds. Instead of 50% of the Board of Directors being from outside the company they now must select 75% from outside the company. Can anyone tell me what difference that is going to make? The guys who own the fund will pick people who are friendly to their goals. Will they care any more for the investors than they do now? Window dressing.One new regulation I do agree should help a little (but very little) is the requirement to provide more information to shareholders about their contracts with investment advisors and how they are approved. Big deal. The mutual fund industry said this will raise their costs. How? They have the information. All they have to do is add it to their prospectus. Also remember that the prospectus was written for the Dilbert lawyers at the SEC to meet the regulations and not to give you understandable information.Do you remember what happened to your funds from 2000 to 2003? Most investors lost from 40% to 60% of their money. Let's hope they don't hire back those same analysts again, but they probably will. Just their contracts will be different. It is doubtful their results will change.Furthermore these new fantastic, wonderful rules (sic) will not go into effect for 18 months. I guess as one of the 95 million mutual fund owners I will have to wait, but I'm not going to hold my breath.What I did not hear from the SEC was that mutual fund managers should be paid on performance of how well they do with your money. Now they get paid by how much money they have or can get and keep in the fund. Sounds backwards to me. See if you can get your broker to refund all commissions if your fund does not make money. Don't hold your breath on this one either.Eighteen months from now investors are going to feel a lot better when all that good news goes into effect. Yeah.Al Thomas' book, "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy
It!" has helped thousands of people make money
and keep their profits with his simple 2-step
method. Read the first chapter at
http://www.mutualfundmagic.com
As the man said, "I've got some good news and I've got some bad news. What do you want to hear first?" It was replied, "Tell me the good news first". The good news is that they are going to make some changes in the mutual fund industry reporting to help the investor and the bad news is it isn't going to make any difference in your bottom line.It seems that us small investors are getting the usual window dressing to make it seem that we are getting a good deal, but when you go in the store to try on the merchandise it still doesn't fit any better.Here is what the Securities and Exchange Commission passed as a new regulation for registered mutual funds. Instead of 50% of the Board of Directors being from outside the company they now must select 75% from outside the company. Can anyone tell me what difference that is going to make? The guys who own the fund will pick people who are friendly to their goals. Will they care any more for the investors than they do now? Window dressing.One new regulation I do agree should help a little (but very little) is the requirement to provide more information to shareholders about their contracts with investment advisors and how they are approved. Big deal. The mutual fund industry said this will raise their costs. How? They have the information. All they have to do is add it to their prospectus. Also remember that the prospectus was written for the Dilbert lawyers at the SEC to meet the regulations and not to give you understandable information.Do you remember what happened to your funds from 2000 to 2003? Most investors lost from 40% to 60% of their money. Let's hope they don't hire back those same analysts again, but they probably will. Just their contracts will be different. It is doubtful their results will change.Furthermore these new fantastic, wonderful rules (sic) will not go into effect for 18 months. I guess as one of the 95 million mutual fund owners I will have to wait, but I'm not going to hold my breath.What I did not hear from the SEC was that mutual fund managers should be paid on performance of how well they do with your money. Now they get paid by how much money they have or can get and keep in the fund. Sounds backwards to me. See if you can get your broker to refund all commissions if your fund does not make money. Don't hold your breath on this one either.Eighteen months from now investors are going to feel a lot better when all that good news goes into effect. Yeah.Al Thomas' book, "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy
It!" has helped thousands of people make money
and keep their profits with his simple 2-step
method. Read the first chapter at
http://www.mutualfundmagic.com
and discover why he's the man that Wall Street
does not want you to know.Copyright 2005
Category : Leukemia
วันศุกร์ที่ 25 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2551
Teachable Moments: A Brief History of Patronage and the Spoils System
Author : Rob Privitere-Coats
The disaster that ensued in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the President's most recent nomination to the Supreme Court have brought a number of great teachable moments in my history class. In order to assess the danger of political cronyism, we need to take a look at the history of political patronage and its many downfalls.Many believe that the "spoils system" (to the victor belongs the spoils) began under the administration of Andrew Jackson. Not so. The system of political patronage goes back to our first administration. George Washington didn't like political parties, in fact he warned against them in his farewell address. Nonetheless, Washington found it useful to be surrounded by like-minded individuals when performing the business of government.His successor, John Adams, pulled one of the smoothest lame duck moves ever attempted. On his LAST day in office, John Adams appointed dozens of loyal supporters to federal judgeships created by the Judiciary Act of 1801. By doing so, Adams hoped to win Federalist influence in the court for years to come.Thomas Jefferson hoped to pull the plug on this maneuver, and ordered his Secretary of State, James Madison NOT to deliver the commissions to the "midnight judges." At Adams' urging, one of the judges, Stephen Marbury sued the Secretary of State for his commission. Marburg ended up losing his commission and the case but Adams succeeded in leaving a strong cadre of Federalists on the Supreme Court, including the incorrigible John Marshall, who shaped the court for years to come.When Jefferson took over as president, many thought he would sweep the federalists from all important offices. Jefferson could have invoked the spoils system far more than he did, and he surprised many in Washington by retaining federalists in many important government positions, simply because they were good at their jobs.In the 1820's, the spoils system took on tremendous momentum. While all the previous American presidents had dabbled in cronyism, Andrew Jackson brought it completely out in the open, and took it to greater extremes than any of the previous presidents combined.Jackson believed strongly that the spoils system was vital to democracy. Jackson believed that most Americans were worthy of holding political office, but that no one should remain in that office for very long, lest the person become corrupt and complacent. Imagine, a government employee becoming corrupt and complacent!Jackson brought his supporters in by the throngs. Washington society was mortified. Jackson's inaugural ball was referred to as a "drunken brawl." Jackson invited supporters from all walks of life to the gala. The entrenched Washington establishment watched in horror as Jackson put people representing a much wider social spectrum in important government positions, including his "kitchen cabinet," a group of advisors from different sectors in American society who, although not powerful politically, had a great deal of influence on the President's decisions.For all his grandiose talk and intentions, Jackson didn't completely uproot the Washington establishment, but he definitely put it on its toes. Many of the people he put into office were incompetent and corrupt, and milked their offices for all the material reward they could get. Unfortunately, this was the rule rather than the exception.Once established, the spoils system was difficult to slow down. Many politicians groomed the spoils system into well running, but often horribly corrupt political machines. These "machines" like New York's Tammany Hall, dominated the governments of larger cities and even spread their influence into state and national politics. Whereas the pre-Jacksonian Age was call the "Era of Good Feelings," the post civil war age was known as the "Era of Good Stealings."As urban blight and poverty brought havoc and chaos to the nation's cities, progressive reformers began a crusade to reform the spoils system. Muckrakers exposed the corruption of Tammany Hall, and progressive politicians, including President Grover Cleveland, began to support what became known as the Civil Service movement, culminating with the Pendleton Civil Service Act, which required people holding many government jobs to pass a test showing their qualifications. Ironically, President James Garfield, a strong advocate for civil service reform, was assassinated by a spurned office seeker.Patronage didn't disappear completely after that. It never completely disappears in any political system, but the dangers of patronage and spoils have become acutely apparent in light of recent events.President Bush's appointment of Michael Brown to be chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency ultimately became one of the costliest patronage deals in our nation's history. Brown no experience in emergency management; he was an influential lobbyist lawyer and a stalwart Bush supporter, and so he became the top man at FEMA. His mistakes and incompetence have been well documented in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.The President apparently didn't learn even the most recent lesson about patronage and spoils. His nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court is painful evidence.
Miers has never been a judge. Although John Roberts infuriated many Senators with his lame, vague testimony, he pacified his opponents with his tremendous legal skill and acumen with regards to the constitution. Ideologies aside, Roberts is well qualified for the position of the most important judge in the nation.Miers may bring to the judiciary what Andrew Jackson hoped his appointees would bring to Washington, a new perspective from someone outside the traditional loop of the Supreme Court. It only takes a brief look at Miers' resume however, to draw the conclusion that this patronage appointment, like Brown's, spells potential disaster for the nation.About the AuthorRob Privitere-Coats is a history teacher of 15 years and owner of teachthemasses.com. Visit the site for history teacher resources and experienced teaching strategies.
Category : Entrepreneurs
The disaster that ensued in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the President's most recent nomination to the Supreme Court have brought a number of great teachable moments in my history class. In order to assess the danger of political cronyism, we need to take a look at the history of political patronage and its many downfalls.Many believe that the "spoils system" (to the victor belongs the spoils) began under the administration of Andrew Jackson. Not so. The system of political patronage goes back to our first administration. George Washington didn't like political parties, in fact he warned against them in his farewell address. Nonetheless, Washington found it useful to be surrounded by like-minded individuals when performing the business of government.His successor, John Adams, pulled one of the smoothest lame duck moves ever attempted. On his LAST day in office, John Adams appointed dozens of loyal supporters to federal judgeships created by the Judiciary Act of 1801. By doing so, Adams hoped to win Federalist influence in the court for years to come.Thomas Jefferson hoped to pull the plug on this maneuver, and ordered his Secretary of State, James Madison NOT to deliver the commissions to the "midnight judges." At Adams' urging, one of the judges, Stephen Marbury sued the Secretary of State for his commission. Marburg ended up losing his commission and the case but Adams succeeded in leaving a strong cadre of Federalists on the Supreme Court, including the incorrigible John Marshall, who shaped the court for years to come.When Jefferson took over as president, many thought he would sweep the federalists from all important offices. Jefferson could have invoked the spoils system far more than he did, and he surprised many in Washington by retaining federalists in many important government positions, simply because they were good at their jobs.In the 1820's, the spoils system took on tremendous momentum. While all the previous American presidents had dabbled in cronyism, Andrew Jackson brought it completely out in the open, and took it to greater extremes than any of the previous presidents combined.Jackson believed strongly that the spoils system was vital to democracy. Jackson believed that most Americans were worthy of holding political office, but that no one should remain in that office for very long, lest the person become corrupt and complacent. Imagine, a government employee becoming corrupt and complacent!Jackson brought his supporters in by the throngs. Washington society was mortified. Jackson's inaugural ball was referred to as a "drunken brawl." Jackson invited supporters from all walks of life to the gala. The entrenched Washington establishment watched in horror as Jackson put people representing a much wider social spectrum in important government positions, including his "kitchen cabinet," a group of advisors from different sectors in American society who, although not powerful politically, had a great deal of influence on the President's decisions.For all his grandiose talk and intentions, Jackson didn't completely uproot the Washington establishment, but he definitely put it on its toes. Many of the people he put into office were incompetent and corrupt, and milked their offices for all the material reward they could get. Unfortunately, this was the rule rather than the exception.Once established, the spoils system was difficult to slow down. Many politicians groomed the spoils system into well running, but often horribly corrupt political machines. These "machines" like New York's Tammany Hall, dominated the governments of larger cities and even spread their influence into state and national politics. Whereas the pre-Jacksonian Age was call the "Era of Good Feelings," the post civil war age was known as the "Era of Good Stealings."As urban blight and poverty brought havoc and chaos to the nation's cities, progressive reformers began a crusade to reform the spoils system. Muckrakers exposed the corruption of Tammany Hall, and progressive politicians, including President Grover Cleveland, began to support what became known as the Civil Service movement, culminating with the Pendleton Civil Service Act, which required people holding many government jobs to pass a test showing their qualifications. Ironically, President James Garfield, a strong advocate for civil service reform, was assassinated by a spurned office seeker.Patronage didn't disappear completely after that. It never completely disappears in any political system, but the dangers of patronage and spoils have become acutely apparent in light of recent events.President Bush's appointment of Michael Brown to be chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency ultimately became one of the costliest patronage deals in our nation's history. Brown no experience in emergency management; he was an influential lobbyist lawyer and a stalwart Bush supporter, and so he became the top man at FEMA. His mistakes and incompetence have been well documented in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.The President apparently didn't learn even the most recent lesson about patronage and spoils. His nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court is painful evidence.
Miers has never been a judge. Although John Roberts infuriated many Senators with his lame, vague testimony, he pacified his opponents with his tremendous legal skill and acumen with regards to the constitution. Ideologies aside, Roberts is well qualified for the position of the most important judge in the nation.Miers may bring to the judiciary what Andrew Jackson hoped his appointees would bring to Washington, a new perspective from someone outside the traditional loop of the Supreme Court. It only takes a brief look at Miers' resume however, to draw the conclusion that this patronage appointment, like Brown's, spells potential disaster for the nation.About the AuthorRob Privitere-Coats is a history teacher of 15 years and owner of teachthemasses.com. Visit the site for history teacher resources and experienced teaching strategies.
Category : Entrepreneurs
Food Photography Tips for Newbies
Author : hazel
With a focal length of between 60 mm and 300 mm, this is also a perfect lens for the sport enthusiast. The telephoto lens allows you to capture the far away object and can also be used for landscape imagesThe photograph business is one of the most interesting of all businesses, and one of the businesses that has undergone one of the most enormous changes in recent years.And that same sunset behind the mountain that youve seen everyday since you were a kid may look pretty amazing to someone who has never been to the mountains.Most importantly, get as involved with what you love as possible. Learn as much as you can about photography and what makes good photography. Subscribe to magazines, read books, look at winners of photography contests.There are different ways of finding photography jobs, depending on the type of job you are looking for and your experience. You can begin by creating a resume and portfolio of your work.Food Photography Tips for NewbiesTaking great pictures of different food dishes isn't as easy as it appears to be in cook books and food advertisements. Great care should be exercised when taking these shots. Things that need to be considered include the dish's angle, composition, lighting, as well as problems that may arise. Here are some guides to help you improve the quality of your pictures. LightingConsider the lighting in the kitchen or venue where you will shooting the dishes. It is a good idea to know this in advance so that you no longer have to make adjustments right there in the venue. Dark venues may be corrected by using a row of flourescent lighting which possesses diffusers. The drawback of this method is that the image will have a subdued shade of green. Depending on the camera that you have, it may have a setting that neutralizes the effects of flourescent lighting or a magenta filter may be used to compensate. Stability of tripodsSince you are taking pictures of food, every shot is done at close range. Unlike shots taken at a distance, shots done in close up are sensitive to movement. Any sudden moves and the picture will be ruined. Focusing on the subject also becomes easier when using a tripod or even just a stack of magazines. Photojournalism takes pictures of events to support the news story and to create awareness among the people.Do you like to take photos? Are you always standing by with your camera waiting for that moment that is meant to be captured on camera? You may even be taking photography classes or maybe you have already completed a photography course and you want to share your photos with others.In reality, you do not need a studio or the equipment and technical resources to take an outstanding portrait photograph.Aside from the prizes, winning a contest may be your opportunity to showcase your photography skills in a national magazine. Its easy to see why someone would want to enter a contest.Obviously, there is professional photography but even in that choice there are many other smaller options that you have as well.Food presentationTo get that professional look, cut the dish in geometric shapes. Proper arrangement of the food is also important so that you will be able to showcase the dish's ingredients as well as its strengths. Garnishing the food that you will shoot will enhance its natural colors, making it more appealing to the eyes. Focusing on the subjectA rather dull photo will become vibrant and dynamic if care is taken when focusing and adjusting the field depth of the camera. If your camera doesn't have manual focus, depressing the camera's shutter button halfway to lock the focus at that specific depth. Recomposing the focus can be done by changing the position of the camera while the shutter button is still depressed halfway. Automatic cameras usually lack aperture or depth of field. Some purposely adjust the aperture such that the background becomes a blur to heighten the subject's features while others prefer that a wider depth of field is used to capture the whole scene. These are some of the things that you should know regarding food photography. Constant practice will help you produce better shots. Follow your instincts. Sometimes this allows you to take better shots. If you love taking pictures and the idea of a career in photography sounds good to you, just how do you begin finding photography jobs?It is no surprise that underwater photography is a favorite pastime for scuba divers. The idea could have come from those few people that were able to experience the joys and beauty of underwater life and a desire to share that beauty with others.Next to consider, are your technical aspects of your photograph. You are going to want to have excellent composition, lighting, focus, contrast, exposure, perspective and more.Another digital photography beauty is the ability to shoot your people or events and view them ON THE SPOT! This can be done either through your digital cameras viewfinder or by loading onto your computer. When you are shooting special events in your life this is a real plus.More on Malaysia Photographer.When selecting a professional to handle your wedding photography, price will be a factor in your decision. While you get what you pay for, there is no reason to pay more than you have to.More on Wedding Photography Malaysia. More on Malaysia Photographer.
Category : General Hobbies
How To Build A Business Ethics Program
Author : Chris Anderson
Recent corporate financial scandals have highlighted the importance of business ethics and legal compliance. Yet a recent National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) survey of 280 corporate CEOs and directors found that "only one of three directors felt that they were highly effective in ensuring legal compliance".Ethics in BusinessMost companies realize that they need to develop and implement a business ethics and compliance program.An effective program can:• Establish a code of conduct that reduces risk of criminal behavior• Detect wrongdoing, foster quick investigations, minimize consequences• Demonstrate company’s ethical/legal philosophy during an investigation• Reduce fines if company is found guilty of wrongdoing• Enhance company reputation and statureLooking at the OptionsBut how do you build an effective program? Companies find themselves with three options to build the program:• Develop in-house from scratch• Hire an external consultant• Use a pre-written manualAnd most of these companies learn a few lessons - sometimes the hard way.Making a Strong Company PolicyDeveloping a program from scratch can be very time consuming and costly. Also, the company might not have the knowledge or understanding of the complexity involved. But hiring an external consultant is not always a cost effective option either. So what’s left?Developing Your Business Ethics ProgramBy using a pre-written template or manual, many companies have found it easier to develop their business ethics program. And to do this, they look for what a strong program needs.A highly effective tool for creating, organizing and implementing a sound business ethics and compliance program should provide:• Sample policies and procedures• Step-by-step instructions for the development of a program• A business ethics training program outline with classroom materials and a detailed session leader’s guide• Business ethics and compliance officer position description• Templates for employee involvement• Sample code of conductImplementing Your Business Ethics ProgramIf the company board has committed to a strong business ethics and compliance program, the next step is to put the manual in the hands of corporate executives responsible for implementation. Used properly under advice of legal counsel, this efficient tool will yield a solid program that the board can understand, endorse, and monitor for effectiveness.With step-by-step guidelines and accompanying examples of policies, procedures, training program, and employee survey, an effective tool provides an excellent road map for implementing an ethics and compliance initiative.Maintaining a Culture of EthicsCompanies should make certain that their ethics compliance manual provides fully editable MS Word files with sample policies, surveys, forms and training session outlines. Also, businesses should ensure their ethics compliance system manual is fully endorsed by The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) as a tool to maintain a culture of integrity.Chris Anderson is currently the managing director of Bizmanualz, Inc. and co-author of policies and procedures manuals, producing the layout, process design and implementation to increase performance.
To learn how to increase your business performance, visit: Bizmanualz, Inc.
Category : Satellite TV
Recent corporate financial scandals have highlighted the importance of business ethics and legal compliance. Yet a recent National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) survey of 280 corporate CEOs and directors found that "only one of three directors felt that they were highly effective in ensuring legal compliance".Ethics in BusinessMost companies realize that they need to develop and implement a business ethics and compliance program.An effective program can:• Establish a code of conduct that reduces risk of criminal behavior• Detect wrongdoing, foster quick investigations, minimize consequences• Demonstrate company’s ethical/legal philosophy during an investigation• Reduce fines if company is found guilty of wrongdoing• Enhance company reputation and statureLooking at the OptionsBut how do you build an effective program? Companies find themselves with three options to build the program:• Develop in-house from scratch• Hire an external consultant• Use a pre-written manualAnd most of these companies learn a few lessons - sometimes the hard way.Making a Strong Company PolicyDeveloping a program from scratch can be very time consuming and costly. Also, the company might not have the knowledge or understanding of the complexity involved. But hiring an external consultant is not always a cost effective option either. So what’s left?Developing Your Business Ethics ProgramBy using a pre-written template or manual, many companies have found it easier to develop their business ethics program. And to do this, they look for what a strong program needs.A highly effective tool for creating, organizing and implementing a sound business ethics and compliance program should provide:• Sample policies and procedures• Step-by-step instructions for the development of a program• A business ethics training program outline with classroom materials and a detailed session leader’s guide• Business ethics and compliance officer position description• Templates for employee involvement• Sample code of conductImplementing Your Business Ethics ProgramIf the company board has committed to a strong business ethics and compliance program, the next step is to put the manual in the hands of corporate executives responsible for implementation. Used properly under advice of legal counsel, this efficient tool will yield a solid program that the board can understand, endorse, and monitor for effectiveness.With step-by-step guidelines and accompanying examples of policies, procedures, training program, and employee survey, an effective tool provides an excellent road map for implementing an ethics and compliance initiative.Maintaining a Culture of EthicsCompanies should make certain that their ethics compliance manual provides fully editable MS Word files with sample policies, surveys, forms and training session outlines. Also, businesses should ensure their ethics compliance system manual is fully endorsed by The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) as a tool to maintain a culture of integrity.Chris Anderson is currently the managing director of Bizmanualz, Inc. and co-author of policies and procedures manuals, producing the layout, process design and implementation to increase performance.
To learn how to increase your business performance, visit: Bizmanualz, Inc.
Category : Satellite TV
วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 24 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2551
How-To Profit From 2 Tier Affiliate Programs And Build A Sub-Affiliate Army In The Next 24 Hours Without Spending A Penny On Adv
Author : Cory Threlfall
Before I get into depth with this article I first want you to have a good understanding of what a '2 Tier' affiliate program is and there advantages. Then from there I'll go on to explain how you can start recruiting Sub-Affiliate's by simply locating the Super-Affiliate's within your Niche market.First... lets define what a '2 Tier' affiliate program is.A '2 Tier' affiliate program is simply a program that is designed to work on a 2 tier payment structure. And what I mean by that is that you'll get paid on both the 1st tier(you) and 2nd tier(your sub-affiliates) of the program you choose to promote.Now, with that said, let's go a little deeper into what the advantages of a '2 Tier' affiliate program are so that you'll be able to visualize in your head why these programs are being considered the most Powerful programs on the Net and more importantly... how they can put Profits in your hand, on Auto-Pilot, 24/7/365 with little effort on your part.Lets first talk about the advantages and for the purpose of this article I'm going to give you three of the main ones:1) - you get paid 'Higher' commissions on your 1st tier (usually between 25% - 65% depending on the vendor)2) - you have the ability to 'Recruit' sub-affiliates(your 2nd tier) to promote the program for you3) - and you can form 'Joint Ventures' with other website and/or list owners within your specified Niche marketIs the 'Light-Bulb' starting to flicker inside your head?Are you starting to see WHY these programs are so Powerful and Versatile?I certainly hope so.Now that you see the main advantages to these programs your probably asking yourself... "well, where can I find a complete listing of these programs so I don't have to spend alot of time looking for them on the web?"Well... it just so happens that I know of a few Top affiliate directories that have a complete searchable database full of '2 Tier' affiliate programs in whatever category you are looking for.I will list two of the of Top affiliate directories for the purposes of this article that I use to locate these programs: - 2 Tier Affiliate Directory
http://www.2-tier.com - Associate Affiliate Directory
http://www.associateprograms.comI think these two directories alone will keep you busy.There are many affiliate directories out there on the WWW, but these two I find are the most popular and have the best selection.Now that you have an idea of what '2 Tier' affiliate programs are, there advantages and where to locate these programs on the web lets talk about 'How' you can start recruiting some Sub-Affiliate's within the next 24 hours by simply locating the Super-Affiliate's within your Niche market via the search engines.In order to do this exercise properly you're going to need two Very important webmaster tools. These tools are Free so you don't have to worry about paying anything up front or any monthly subscription fee's for there use.The 1st tool you need to get is the 'Google Toolbar'. This toolbar is used to gauge a websites PR(Link Popularity) within the search engines. Generally, a website with a PR of 5 or higher are the types of websites you want to find and are where the Super-Affiliate's usually reside.Click the link I've provided below and install the toolbar. - http://toolbar.google.com/And the 2nd tool you need to get is the 'Alexa Toolbar'. This toolbar is used to gauge a websites overall Traffic Ranking. You'll want to find websites with a traffic ranking of 50,000 or lower. This is where you'll find the Super-Affiliate's.Click the link I've provided below and install the toolbar. - http://download.alexa.com/Now that you have those two tools installed on your computer you Now have the ability to find Super-Affiliate's through gauging their websites overall 'Traffic Ranking' and 'Link Popularity' which brings use to the next step... "Locating the Super-Affiliates".A 'Super-Affiliate', just so you know, is simply a webmaster who has a high traffic website and/or a large targeted mailing list and has the ability to sell more in a day then you could in a month.Generally, and this is just a guideline I use when contacting these webmasters, I look for websites with at least a PR of 5 and a Traffic Ranking of 50,000 or less. This way, if they don't have a large mailing list they at least have a high traffic website or Visa-Versa.This next step is where the fun begins because we'll be using search engines to locate the Super-Affiliate's and for this exercise lets go to the all famous 'Google' search engine at -- http://www.google.comNow... once the page loads simply type in the Keyword or Keywords or Keyword Phrase that targets your particular Niche market you are targeting within the search form Google provides.For the purpose of this exercise lets use the keywords 'internet marketing'.By now you should be looking at a page full of listings under the Keywords or Keyword Phrase you targeted, which in this case was 'internet marketing'.Now, simply start clicking on the links that you think might make a good 'Sub-Affiliate' to the program you are recruiting for.By using the two toolbars you installed earlier you'll now be able to identify if this website is a Super-Affiliate by the websites overall 'Link Popularity' and 'Traffic Ranking' by using the guidelines I stated earlier.If you like the web stats you see and you think they would make a suitable sub-affiliate to your program all you have to do from this point is look for the webmasters contact details listed on their website and send them a proposition to join your program.If you can't find there contact details on there website you can usually find them by using the 'Alexa' toolbar. Just click on the 'Alexa' button in the upper left corner of your browser. This will bring you to there main page. You'll usually find there contact details listed mid-way down.And if you're worried about being accused of 'Spamming', well... you don't have too simply because your not sending them an Unsolicited Advertisement, your sending them a Business Proposition.There's a BIG difference.Now, with that said, lets move on to the Final segment of this article... 'Joint Ventures'.'Joint Ventures' are simply an collaboration or partnership undertaken by two or more entities(webmasters) for a mutual gain, usually profit sharing.Who make the best JV partners and Why?Ezine/Newsletter owners make the best JV partners simply because they have already done all the work and have built highly targeted mailing lists. Some have Large lists and some have Small lists. Point being... they're highly targeted to whatever Niche market you're targeting.How do '2 Tier' affiliate programs work in this kind of arrangement?They work just the same as recruiting website owners, but instead you're strictly contacting list owners with highly targeted lists and propositioning them to join your program for a share of the profits.Where can you find these Ezine/Newsletter owners?You can find thousands of them on the WWW through Ezine/Newsletter directories, but I'll only list just a few Top resources to save you the hassle. - Ezine Universe
http://www.ezine-universe.com - Ezine Hub
http://www.ezinehub.com - Go-Ezines
http://www.go-ezines.com - Netter Web
http://www.netterweb.com - Ezine Search
http://www.ezinesearch.comThese directories have large searchable databases full of thousands of Ezine/Newsletters that target any category you are looking for to promote your program(s). And these are only a few of whats available to you on the Net.Well... there you have it in a nut shell.I just revealed to you some of the most Powerful marketing technique's being used online today by many of the Top internet marketers and how they are able to build there Sub-Affiliate army's and generate loads of Free targeted traffic to there websites without spending a penny on advertising.And... the best part about this is... you can start doing the same within the Next 24 hours. Looking for MORE Information or Webmaster Resources on Affiliate Marketing? Look NO Further! Go shop Cory Threlfall's TOP Rated CBmall that carries over 10,000 of the Internets BEST 'Information Products' available Online. webmaster resource site
Category : Affiliate Marketing
How to Close the Best Deal in Spokane Washinton
Author : Groshan Fabiola
Spokane Washinton is a very good place for real estate investment! This region is the administrative center of the county with the same name and in recent years it has developed into a prosperous, lucrative region. Spokane is the commercial center of Washington and can offer many benefits to investors. This territory is rich in natural resources and it is considered to be the perfect place to start a business from scratch. Judging by the fact that branches like the mining industry, agriculture, horticulture have developed considerably lately, investors have a multitude of options in choosing a new direction for their business. Furthermore, Spokane Washinton is a very good place for real estate investment, as the region is under continuous expansion and development. Despite the fact that in the past investors used to ignore this region, unaware of its true potential, today real estate investors are constantly battling for closing the best deal in Spokane. Whether you own a house or real estate in Spokane and you wish to sell it, or you want to expand your business in this area and therefore you are interested in buying, it is very important to be properly informed!If you are the owner of a real estate in Spokane, why would you rush to accept the first offer you get? You should take your time and make a careful examination of the real estate market before closing the deal. On the other hand, if you are an investor in real estates and you are interesting in buying a house or a real estate in Spokane, how can you get the best out of your deal? Only solid investment strategies, latest information, good negotiation skills and perfect timing can place you one step ahead of competition in closing the best real estate deal. The trick in real estate investment is to come up with the best offer at the right time!Lets say that you want to expand your business and you are interested in buying a real estate in Spokane Washinton. What would you do? Closing the best deal is time consuming and it is very difficult to know exactly where, when and how much to invest! Is it? Not if you turn to the Internet for help. There are thousands of real estate investment web sites that offer business owners the opportunity to get the most out of their transactions. Good, reliable real estate web sites are powered by business professionals that offer subscribers tips, strategies, latest information, and prompt feedback. These web sites can save you a lot of time, money and effort by frequently providing with you a solid evaluation of the real estate market!If you are a real estate investor and you are interested in closing the best deal in Spokane Washinton, but simply dont have the time to perform an evaluation of the local real estate market, find a professional web site that can take care of business for you! Choose the real estate investment web site that suits you best and you wont be disappointed!So, if you want to find out more about spokane washington real estate, or if you need some giudance making a real estate investment we are recommanding these links So, if you want to find out more about spokane washington real estate, or if you need some giudance making a real estate investment we are recommanding these links
Category : General Business: Real Estate
วันพุธที่ 23 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2551
Numbers Continue To Grow For Toyota
Author : Jenny McLane
What is one of the largest car manufacturers in the automotive world? If you guessed the Ford Motor Company, then you are most certainly wrong. After all, we all do know that Ford is currently struggling to keep the company afloat in the automotive waters. But sure, this vehicle manufacturer can be still considered as one of the largest and one of the most influential. But in terms of the current trend and market share, the Toyota Motor Corporation has now moved from one of the unknown brands up to becoming the second largest manufacturer of cars and vehicles in the whole world. Experts in the field are currently predicting that it would only take a short span of time for this manufacturer to actually overtake the current holder of the top spot General Motors. Despite such a huge amount of success for Toyota, it seems like the company is still not contented with being second. And according to sources, the head honchos of the company are currently doing and creating plans of further expanding their line and of further bringing in more vehicles to the industry. Sources further inform that Toyota is looking at new plants that would manufacture, produce, and assemble vehicles, Toyota auto parts, accessories, and other Toyota products that would be sent to the United States market. As per the companys end, they have currently claimed that they are expecting to sell out over eight million units of their vehicles all around the globe. This number is not a prediction for 2007 but a prediction for this year. And if you do the Math, eight million Toyota vehicle units is nine per cent greater to the sales that the company reaped in last year. As per 2008, Toyota further states that they are targeting to sell around ten million units of their vehicles and cars. It seems like the huge amount of income and sales that the company is experiencing and enjoying can be mainly attributed to their huge impact in the United States auto market. And with their high sales in other markets, especially in their native country Japan, it would not be certainly surprising if the numbers continue to grow. Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.
Category : General Automotive
วันอังคารที่ 22 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2551
My 2006 New Year's Resolution
Author : Scott Raven
It's that time of year again. Everyone has had their New Year's parties, watched the ball drop (or whatever your tradition in your country or area), counted down "10, 9, 8…2, 1, Happy New Year," kissed their significant other, and ushered in another year with as much gusto as before. It is now 2006!It's also time for making those things that we all make this time of year. Yes, I am talking about New Year's Resolutions. I have made mine and it is a little different this year. I say "it" because I only made one this time. What is it? Well, I have decided…"My 2006 New Year's Resolution is to Fail Miserably!"What? Did I say Fail? Why? Surely, I don't want to fail miserably in 2006…I know, I know; it doesn't make any sense to decide to fail this year. And you are right; I really don't want to or plan to fail in 2006, that's why I made it my New Year's resolution. Are you with me now?You don't need statistics or a history lesson to know that most people (and if they are really honest, all people) do not keep the greatest part of the resolutions made at the beginning of the year. Heck, some people are lucky to keep any of them. How many times have you heard, "I plan to lose weight this year," only to find them (or you, if that was your resolution) weighing the same or more in December, than they did in January?This is my reasoning for choosing such an odd resolution for this New Year. I have no intention of keeping it. I am never able to keep my resolutions either. As a matter of fact, my year is starting off in exactly the opposite direction of my resolution and I hope to keep that trend up throughout the year. Yes, I am already breaking my 2006 resolution, on January 2. Now that's record time.If you are in the process of making your resolutions for this year, I would seriously urge you to consider my thoughts for mine and build yours accordingly. This will allow you to start off on the right foot instead of having great intentions that get tripped up by great intentions…make sense? I am putting failure as my resolution and therefore only have "upward" to go from there.Now, please don't confuse resolutions with proper planning. My plan for the year allows no room for failure. My goals encompass success and profitability, among other things. These are things that I have control over and that I can choose to make happen. It is the resolution part that seems to be the most uncontrollable force of any New Year and it is the resolution that I have chosen to "trick" into becoming controllable for me in 2006.Here's to a happy and prosperous 2006 to you and yours! Happy New Year!About The AuthorScott Raven is an Internet Marketer. He makes his home in Arkansas, with his Wife and 2 Daughters. Visit Scott's website at http://www.TheRavenProject.comThis article may be reprinted provided No Portion is changed and all Web Links remain Active. Copyright © 2006 TheRavenProject. All Rights Reserved.
Category : Self-Improvement:Goal-Setting
It's that time of year again. Everyone has had their New Year's parties, watched the ball drop (or whatever your tradition in your country or area), counted down "10, 9, 8…2, 1, Happy New Year," kissed their significant other, and ushered in another year with as much gusto as before. It is now 2006!It's also time for making those things that we all make this time of year. Yes, I am talking about New Year's Resolutions. I have made mine and it is a little different this year. I say "it" because I only made one this time. What is it? Well, I have decided…"My 2006 New Year's Resolution is to Fail Miserably!"What? Did I say Fail? Why? Surely, I don't want to fail miserably in 2006…I know, I know; it doesn't make any sense to decide to fail this year. And you are right; I really don't want to or plan to fail in 2006, that's why I made it my New Year's resolution. Are you with me now?You don't need statistics or a history lesson to know that most people (and if they are really honest, all people) do not keep the greatest part of the resolutions made at the beginning of the year. Heck, some people are lucky to keep any of them. How many times have you heard, "I plan to lose weight this year," only to find them (or you, if that was your resolution) weighing the same or more in December, than they did in January?This is my reasoning for choosing such an odd resolution for this New Year. I have no intention of keeping it. I am never able to keep my resolutions either. As a matter of fact, my year is starting off in exactly the opposite direction of my resolution and I hope to keep that trend up throughout the year. Yes, I am already breaking my 2006 resolution, on January 2. Now that's record time.If you are in the process of making your resolutions for this year, I would seriously urge you to consider my thoughts for mine and build yours accordingly. This will allow you to start off on the right foot instead of having great intentions that get tripped up by great intentions…make sense? I am putting failure as my resolution and therefore only have "upward" to go from there.Now, please don't confuse resolutions with proper planning. My plan for the year allows no room for failure. My goals encompass success and profitability, among other things. These are things that I have control over and that I can choose to make happen. It is the resolution part that seems to be the most uncontrollable force of any New Year and it is the resolution that I have chosen to "trick" into becoming controllable for me in 2006.Here's to a happy and prosperous 2006 to you and yours! Happy New Year!About The AuthorScott Raven is an Internet Marketer. He makes his home in Arkansas, with his Wife and 2 Daughters. Visit Scott's website at http://www.TheRavenProject.comThis article may be reprinted provided No Portion is changed and all Web Links remain Active. Copyright © 2006 TheRavenProject. All Rights Reserved.
Category : Self-Improvement:Goal-Setting
วันจันทร์ที่ 21 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2551
Photography A - Z the Easy Way: G - Glare
Author : Eric Hartwell
Unwanted glare can ruin a good image. It can happen when excesses of light enter the camera lens and impinges on the camera's sensor. The resulting image has areas of burnt out highlights, hazy rendition and unsightly artefacts.In most cases, glare is unwanted and unpredictable. With a digital camera you can see the results of glare immediately by reviewing your images and then make adjustments accordingly.Shooting towards or into the sun or other light source is a prime reason for glare. The easy answer is to move your shooting position so that the sun, or other light source, is to one side or even behind you. It really is that easy.The other cause of glare is from reflections – from shiny surfaces such as metal and glass or from water. In this case you could either change your shooting position or use a polarising filter.Don't worry about how a polarising filter works, just remember that it is great for reducing reflected light so that your image captures the underlying subject without being affected by stray light.The beauty with a polarising filter is that it can be adjusted or moved and you can see the resulting glare increase or decrease as you do it. In this way you can select the position that you feel gives the best effect (glare isn't always bad).Glare can also be used creatively. Experiment to find out what you feel works best.Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com.
Category : Arts-and-Entertainment:Photography
Unwanted glare can ruin a good image. It can happen when excesses of light enter the camera lens and impinges on the camera's sensor. The resulting image has areas of burnt out highlights, hazy rendition and unsightly artefacts.In most cases, glare is unwanted and unpredictable. With a digital camera you can see the results of glare immediately by reviewing your images and then make adjustments accordingly.Shooting towards or into the sun or other light source is a prime reason for glare. The easy answer is to move your shooting position so that the sun, or other light source, is to one side or even behind you. It really is that easy.The other cause of glare is from reflections – from shiny surfaces such as metal and glass or from water. In this case you could either change your shooting position or use a polarising filter.Don't worry about how a polarising filter works, just remember that it is great for reducing reflected light so that your image captures the underlying subject without being affected by stray light.The beauty with a polarising filter is that it can be adjusted or moved and you can see the resulting glare increase or decrease as you do it. In this way you can select the position that you feel gives the best effect (glare isn't always bad).Glare can also be used creatively. Experiment to find out what you feel works best.Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com.
Category : Arts-and-Entertainment:Photography
Chevy Equinox and Land Rover Freelander
Author : Matthew Keegan
The sport utility market continues to expand despite higher than normal gas prices. The reason? Because, these do-almost-everything-vehicles provide just what consumers want. Sure, sales are down right now, but they will recover as more economical vehicles enter the mix. SUVs carry people, haul stuff, pull stuff, can go off-roading [okay, maybe not the Equinox], provide superior handling than many cars, etc. Fortunately, not all are gas guzzlers either. Chevrolet’s Equinox and the Land Rover Freelander are two that come to mind. Let’s take a look at these two compact SUVs.Chevrolet Equinox â€" I like the looks of the Equinox, Chevy’s car-based SUV that is only slightly smaller than the mid-size TrailBlazer. By car-based I mean a vehicle that handles and drives more like a car and is actually built on a car platform [like the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4, for example]. This means that the Equinox is built chiefly for the road, so if you want an off road experience you would need to opt for the TrailBlazer or get the Freelander. Okay, I digress.The Equinox is available as either a front wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicle. Seating five passengers, the Equinox comes equipped with a 3.4L V6 that produces 185hp. The engine is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission; no manual transmission is available. A traction control system is standard with the front wheel drive Equinox while all models come equipped with ABS and electric steering. Standard equipment for the Equinox includes power windows, power mirrors, and power locks with Remote Keyless Entry; AM/FM stereo and CD player with six speakers; and air conditioning. The Equinox has received a 5 star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for frontal crash and side-impact crash tests. Starting prices for the Equinox are very competitive with comparable models in its class. Base MSRP for the FWD is just over 22K; 24K for the AWD.Land Rover Freelander â€" The smallest of all Land Rovers is the Freelander, a compact full time all wheel drive vehicle available as either a 3 or 5 door SUV. Unlike the Equinox, the Freelander has full off road capabilities as do every Land Rover model. The Freelander comes equipped with a Four-wheel Electronic Traction Control system; ABS; a 2.5L Quad Cam V6 engine paired with a 5 speed automatic transmission; an AM/FM stereo/CD system with RDS radio; air conditioning; fog lamps; a perimeter security system; and much more. The Freelander, a five passenger vehicle, sells for a price starting at just over 27K.The Freelander is produced in England while the Equinox is built in Canada, In all, both the Equinox and Freelander represent well built compact SUVs with two different purposes: the Equinox is built primarily for the highway and around town and has the stronger engine, while the Freelander is built for both highway and trail.Matt Keegan writes for The Parts Bin, a retailer of high quality
Land Rover Parts,
and
Chevy Auto Parts
available to you at deeply discounted prices.
Category : Communications
The sport utility market continues to expand despite higher than normal gas prices. The reason? Because, these do-almost-everything-vehicles provide just what consumers want. Sure, sales are down right now, but they will recover as more economical vehicles enter the mix. SUVs carry people, haul stuff, pull stuff, can go off-roading [okay, maybe not the Equinox], provide superior handling than many cars, etc. Fortunately, not all are gas guzzlers either. Chevrolet’s Equinox and the Land Rover Freelander are two that come to mind. Let’s take a look at these two compact SUVs.Chevrolet Equinox â€" I like the looks of the Equinox, Chevy’s car-based SUV that is only slightly smaller than the mid-size TrailBlazer. By car-based I mean a vehicle that handles and drives more like a car and is actually built on a car platform [like the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4, for example]. This means that the Equinox is built chiefly for the road, so if you want an off road experience you would need to opt for the TrailBlazer or get the Freelander. Okay, I digress.The Equinox is available as either a front wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicle. Seating five passengers, the Equinox comes equipped with a 3.4L V6 that produces 185hp. The engine is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission; no manual transmission is available. A traction control system is standard with the front wheel drive Equinox while all models come equipped with ABS and electric steering. Standard equipment for the Equinox includes power windows, power mirrors, and power locks with Remote Keyless Entry; AM/FM stereo and CD player with six speakers; and air conditioning. The Equinox has received a 5 star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for frontal crash and side-impact crash tests. Starting prices for the Equinox are very competitive with comparable models in its class. Base MSRP for the FWD is just over 22K; 24K for the AWD.Land Rover Freelander â€" The smallest of all Land Rovers is the Freelander, a compact full time all wheel drive vehicle available as either a 3 or 5 door SUV. Unlike the Equinox, the Freelander has full off road capabilities as do every Land Rover model. The Freelander comes equipped with a Four-wheel Electronic Traction Control system; ABS; a 2.5L Quad Cam V6 engine paired with a 5 speed automatic transmission; an AM/FM stereo/CD system with RDS radio; air conditioning; fog lamps; a perimeter security system; and much more. The Freelander, a five passenger vehicle, sells for a price starting at just over 27K.The Freelander is produced in England while the Equinox is built in Canada, In all, both the Equinox and Freelander represent well built compact SUVs with two different purposes: the Equinox is built primarily for the highway and around town and has the stronger engine, while the Freelander is built for both highway and trail.Matt Keegan writes for The Parts Bin, a retailer of high quality
Land Rover Parts,
and
Chevy Auto Parts
available to you at deeply discounted prices.
Category : Communications
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 20 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2551
African Masks
Author : Ian Bracegirdle
The following is a general over view of African Masks.There are still places in Africa where genuine old masks can be bought, generally through dealers. Also watch out for fakes as they do abound. Remember buy things you like as investment can go up as well as down. If you like that carving or mask then the value is not as important.The African masks of this area are well documented by Ladislas Segy in Masks of Black Africa. Much of the following section on African Masks is influenced by his work.The African masking traditions of this part of the World are extremely fertile and varied. The traditions supporting the masks are generally associated with the spirits of ancestors, rites of passage, fertility and initiation ceremonies. Dance is generally involved in the use of the masks. Segy lists the following types of ritual:-Rituals of cosmology, myth and mythological heroes or animalsFertility ritesRituals for increaseAgricultural festivalsRituals for rites of passageAncestor cultsInitiations including secret societiesRelated CeremoniesMasks can be used for different ceremonies often having multiple purposes. The size and style of masks are diverse, depicting animals, human faces and more abstract styles in sizes from a
few centimetres to 4.5 metres in the case of the Dogon Iminana ( mother mask ). With only a few exceptions the masks are all part of a full costume and not just an isolated piece of decoration..Segy notes:-Face coveringsHelmet masksHeaddresses Masks with prominent breastsAmuletsInsignia of gradeCrowns of bead workMaterialsWood The major material was wood due to the large forest and range of species available. The choosing of a tree from which to make a mask was not as we might do today, find one and chop it
down. Rather the carver would seek the help of a diviner and undergo a purification ceremony and when the first blow was struck he would drink some of the sap in order to form a
brotherhood with the tree?s spirit. Mask would be carved from one piece of wood with nothing jointed, with some of the masks this created severe technical difficulties when the early
carvers only had simple tools.Usually green timber was used as this was easier to cut. Certain vvarieties would be used for some special masks, but in general the softer woods were usedIvory was used by the Warega and Benin. The ivory was the property of the Benin kings (Oba) and they were the only ones to wear ivory as a mark of office. The carving of the Warega was not as refined but has a strong impact.Brass was used by the Benin, Senufo and Ashanti.Other Materials
Knitted materials were used as were beadwork, basketry and fabrics.Additional materials included :- shells, beads, twigs, bark, teeth, hair, beaten or repousse metal, vegetable fibres and skin, to mention a few.West AfricaThe masks of this area are well documented by Ladislas Segy in Masks of Black Africa. His book lists the following areas:-Guinea-BissauRepublic of GuineaSierra LeoneMaliLiberiaIvory Coast UpperVoltaGhanaNigeria CameroonWithin each of these countries can be found ancient traditions associated with individual tribes displaying common links. The areas associated with some groups cross boundaries. The
names of the different tribes is too extensive to list at the moment.Equatorial AfricaCongo Zaire ZambiaSimilar themes and traditions are found with the masks from this area when compared with those of the Western countries. In the early Fifteenth Century the well established Kongo people had
close contact with the Portuguese and later some converted to Christianity. This has had some influence on the type of festivities and masks. The Kongo dominated various tribes in the area of these the Woyo and Yombe produced notable mask The Ndunga masks of the Woyo were larger than life size and had projecting foreheads large cheeks with small eyes, the surface of these faces was painted with white or brightly coloured asymmetrical designs.The Western Pende on the Kwilu River in Zaire have two major types of mask. The Minhajl, which represent the ancestors and the Mbuya which represent various village characters such as the
fool, the prostitute, the chief etc. These masks are used in the reinforcement of socialcontrol. The amusing performances are brightened by the triangular faces of the masks with bulging eyes, open mouths containing carved teeth painted in a variety of colours. The more powerful Minganji masks are simpler circular forms made from raffia with tubular eyes and no
other features. All the masks are constructed in secret away from the village.In the Makenda circumcision ceremony the Mbuya appear from out of the bush and dance in the village square until dusk. As the sky darkens, Minganji, masked dancers, materialise and move
around the village at a distance, helping to develop the sense of awe and unease. In the secret circumcision camp the initiated youths are allowed to handle the mask as they are now fully fledged members of the society.Many other styles are found in these areas.East AfricaTanzania and Mozambique are both home to the Mekonde one of the best know tribe of mask makers in East Africa. The Mekonde masks come in various styles, the southern groups using the helmet
type. The features of these masks are often realistic and are worn with a cloth covering the head of the dancer. Scarification is used. The characters represented are familiar to the local
people:- the old man, the doctor, the young woman and the Arab, some animal masks are found.Over viewIt must be noted that the masks of Africa represent a wealth of forms and designs which have been well collected and catalogued. The total range is by no means represented here. The common connections between the masks and the different groups are obviously strong.Would you like regular updates on the Masking World?© Ian Bracegirdle 2004 1 Elderberry Close East Morton BD20 5WA UK 01535 692207http://mask-and-more-masks.com You may use this article freely on condition that you include this copyright line and URL and that people who subsequently use this article follow the same
conditions. Thank you for accepting these conditions.Ian Bracegirdle 2004 1 Elderberry Close East Morton BD20 5WA UK 01535 692207 http://mask-and-more-masks.comTeacher, Course Leader, Mask maker. Ian has studied and taught masks making and information for several years. He sees masks as a link back to our cultural origins.
Category : Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities
The following is a general over view of African Masks.There are still places in Africa where genuine old masks can be bought, generally through dealers. Also watch out for fakes as they do abound. Remember buy things you like as investment can go up as well as down. If you like that carving or mask then the value is not as important.The African masks of this area are well documented by Ladislas Segy in Masks of Black Africa. Much of the following section on African Masks is influenced by his work.The African masking traditions of this part of the World are extremely fertile and varied. The traditions supporting the masks are generally associated with the spirits of ancestors, rites of passage, fertility and initiation ceremonies. Dance is generally involved in the use of the masks. Segy lists the following types of ritual:-Rituals of cosmology, myth and mythological heroes or animalsFertility ritesRituals for increaseAgricultural festivalsRituals for rites of passageAncestor cultsInitiations including secret societiesRelated CeremoniesMasks can be used for different ceremonies often having multiple purposes. The size and style of masks are diverse, depicting animals, human faces and more abstract styles in sizes from a
few centimetres to 4.5 metres in the case of the Dogon Iminana ( mother mask ). With only a few exceptions the masks are all part of a full costume and not just an isolated piece of decoration..Segy notes:-Face coveringsHelmet masksHeaddresses Masks with prominent breastsAmuletsInsignia of gradeCrowns of bead workMaterialsWood The major material was wood due to the large forest and range of species available. The choosing of a tree from which to make a mask was not as we might do today, find one and chop it
down. Rather the carver would seek the help of a diviner and undergo a purification ceremony and when the first blow was struck he would drink some of the sap in order to form a
brotherhood with the tree?s spirit. Mask would be carved from one piece of wood with nothing jointed, with some of the masks this created severe technical difficulties when the early
carvers only had simple tools.Usually green timber was used as this was easier to cut. Certain vvarieties would be used for some special masks, but in general the softer woods were usedIvory was used by the Warega and Benin. The ivory was the property of the Benin kings (Oba) and they were the only ones to wear ivory as a mark of office. The carving of the Warega was not as refined but has a strong impact.Brass was used by the Benin, Senufo and Ashanti.Other Materials
Knitted materials were used as were beadwork, basketry and fabrics.Additional materials included :- shells, beads, twigs, bark, teeth, hair, beaten or repousse metal, vegetable fibres and skin, to mention a few.West AfricaThe masks of this area are well documented by Ladislas Segy in Masks of Black Africa. His book lists the following areas:-Guinea-BissauRepublic of GuineaSierra LeoneMaliLiberiaIvory Coast UpperVoltaGhanaNigeria CameroonWithin each of these countries can be found ancient traditions associated with individual tribes displaying common links. The areas associated with some groups cross boundaries. The
names of the different tribes is too extensive to list at the moment.Equatorial AfricaCongo Zaire ZambiaSimilar themes and traditions are found with the masks from this area when compared with those of the Western countries. In the early Fifteenth Century the well established Kongo people had
close contact with the Portuguese and later some converted to Christianity. This has had some influence on the type of festivities and masks. The Kongo dominated various tribes in the area of these the Woyo and Yombe produced notable mask The Ndunga masks of the Woyo were larger than life size and had projecting foreheads large cheeks with small eyes, the surface of these faces was painted with white or brightly coloured asymmetrical designs.The Western Pende on the Kwilu River in Zaire have two major types of mask. The Minhajl, which represent the ancestors and the Mbuya which represent various village characters such as the
fool, the prostitute, the chief etc. These masks are used in the reinforcement of socialcontrol. The amusing performances are brightened by the triangular faces of the masks with bulging eyes, open mouths containing carved teeth painted in a variety of colours. The more powerful Minganji masks are simpler circular forms made from raffia with tubular eyes and no
other features. All the masks are constructed in secret away from the village.In the Makenda circumcision ceremony the Mbuya appear from out of the bush and dance in the village square until dusk. As the sky darkens, Minganji, masked dancers, materialise and move
around the village at a distance, helping to develop the sense of awe and unease. In the secret circumcision camp the initiated youths are allowed to handle the mask as they are now fully fledged members of the society.Many other styles are found in these areas.East AfricaTanzania and Mozambique are both home to the Mekonde one of the best know tribe of mask makers in East Africa. The Mekonde masks come in various styles, the southern groups using the helmet
type. The features of these masks are often realistic and are worn with a cloth covering the head of the dancer. Scarification is used. The characters represented are familiar to the local
people:- the old man, the doctor, the young woman and the Arab, some animal masks are found.Over viewIt must be noted that the masks of Africa represent a wealth of forms and designs which have been well collected and catalogued. The total range is by no means represented here. The common connections between the masks and the different groups are obviously strong.Would you like regular updates on the Masking World?© Ian Bracegirdle 2004 1 Elderberry Close East Morton BD20 5WA UK 01535 692207http://mask-and-more-masks.com You may use this article freely on condition that you include this copyright line and URL and that people who subsequently use this article follow the same
conditions. Thank you for accepting these conditions.Ian Bracegirdle 2004 1 Elderberry Close East Morton BD20 5WA UK 01535 692207 http://mask-and-more-masks.comTeacher, Course Leader, Mask maker. Ian has studied and taught masks making and information for several years. He sees masks as a link back to our cultural origins.
Category : Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities
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