The age old debate (well recent)… between VoIP phones and traditional land phones is often driven by cost. But instead of price what if you looked at value?

I think the value in VoIP is relative only to a business’s needs. VoIP is a great value for scenarios that involve multiple sites, employees working from home and a traveling workforce. Typically the small to medium business with one location and none of the above set of circumstances is still better served by TDM due to it’s stability, clarity and reliability.

The original question is actually a loaded one (on purpose to “test” your awareness).

The fact is that VoIP comes in many flavors and in many types of architectures. I would advise that when you say “VoIP service” you need to be specific. First off I agree that whenever a customer can utilize VoIP service to better consolidate their network and reduce total telecom spending…. it is a good idea. I also agree that the term VoIP is becoming very standardized and is not a bleeding edge concept anymore.

However lets talk about why people still use TDM (POTS – Plain Old telephone System, or “landlines”). First off, you need to understand the limitations of most VoIP offerings. If you handle VoIP through any old IP gateway then there is no QOS (Quality of Service) for the IP call. This is what many hosted PBX providers give their customers and quite frankly the quality is crappy. Sure it works sometimes but not all the time.

Also access becomes a big issue. A small company might not be able to justify the cost of a full T1 for access (which is dedicated)… and might opt for a cable modem, DSL, or other shared Internet service. Although VoIP can work in these situations… again there is no QOS and you run the risk of the problems you might encounter with shared services.

SO for these customers TDM services still make lots of sense (i.e. pots lines, maybe PRIs for call centers that do not have as much need for data).

There ya go… a little more information to help make an educated decision. If you’d like help to do a cost analysis…. comparing providers available in your specific area…. use the “Best Rate Calculator” tools here: Compare Phone Costs

This works for both residential and business applications…. and there’s a tool for both VoIP and for land lines (POTS).

Attention all tennis players.

If you are a competitive tennis player, make sure that you take down some notes from this article.

Because in it.

I am going to share with you 3 things that you need to focus on before, during and after your tennis matches.

So, let’s get right into it.

1) Pre-Competition.

This is where you get in your training.

Both on the court and off it.

As a matter a fact.

“If you have been competing in matches for a while, you need to focus more of your time on mental training before your matches”.

The reason?

Because you need to be able to handle the pressure that competition brings to the table.

Many junior players have talent and all the strokes in the world.

But, they can’t execute those strokes when they are facing pressure in competition.

Can you relate to that?

I thought so!

2) During Competition.

Learn how to execute your strategies and tactics during play.

It’s all about finding out how to win and execute your strategies in your matches.

Which takes a lot of times and mental effort.

Always see yourself winning in your mind before every match!

Then.

Train yourself to adjust your tactics when you need to and flow with whatever happens in your matches.

And you must trust in your pre-training.

If you are getting the results that you want, the problem is with your planning and pre-match training.

3) Post- Competition.

Okay, win or lose.

Get by yourself after the match and write down what happened in your tennis journal.

Just get it all down on paper.

Be honest with yourself too.

Your journal is for your eyes only, so keep it real and make a note of what you need to work on in your next practice.

Then make sure that you get the work in.

In summary.

The 3 keys to getting better results in matches are…

Pre-match planning and training.

Then you need to focus on execution during your matches.

The last tip is the post-match review.

Try to combine all 3 of these together and focus on mastering each one of them as fast as you can.

Concentrate on each one as best you can and you will some get better at doing it.

By the way.

There are no shortcuts to this process.

You need to have all 3 of them working together as a team and you being the leader of that team.

One more thing.

You should never look at any phase of this process as a failure.

It’s only feedback, so make the needed adjustments and keep improving on your effort.

Okay, now.

It’s time to get to work my friend!

Seven years ago the word “pit bike” didn’t mean what it means today. Back then there was no such thing as the pit bike industry. The pit bike industry seems to have started just because a bunch of guys started to race around their kids Honda 50 motorcycles. Because these bikes were not built to handle the stress of a bigger guy, people started to upgrade suspension and frames on these Honda bikes. With the new frames and suspension these bikes could take a lot more pressure, so naturally why would they not put a bigger motor as well? That’s how the pit bike industry was created, “supply and demand”. However, it started to get expensive to build a pit bike. The Honda models would cost around $10,000.00. This was just to expensive for most riders, so the pit bike industry needed a cheaper solution to the pit bike demand. there were many people that answered, including GPX, Pitster Pro, Thumpstar, and many others, but what makes Pitster Pro that much better than any other pit bike?

I have ridden many of the different pit bikes. Some of the larger companies are the same that I mentioned above. Thump Star is one of the biggest competitors for Pitster Pro with the huge marketing campaigns and cheap bikes. Honda is also one of the largest competitions for Pitster Pro, Well maybe not Honda directly, but all the companies that build the upgrades for the Honda 50 pit bikes. They would claim that no Chinese bike can compare to the Honda quality, is that true? Isn’t Honda Chinese bike as well? Isn’t Pitster Pro compete and even beating the Honda Pit Bikes at the race track?

Pitster Pro is so much better than any of the other “Chinese” pit bike companies that their real competition is not even in the same league. Honda has years of proof that they are a reliable bike and Pitster pro is just coming up in the world. However, no other pit bike company has gone out of their way to create a better bike year after year.

Pitster Pro has taken the time to fix any problems in their products as the years have gone by. Every year the Pitster Pro pit bike is changed and upgraded in order to provide a better product. Now the only pit bike companies that can even compete are the ones that copy the Pitster pro design and steel their style.

In my experience Pitster Pro is the best bike on the market because of a combination of the affordability, reliability, and strength of the bike.

Buying a car is a major purchase and can be a daunting task, but to convert that daunting task to an easy task you should learn some essential car buying tips. Deciding on what you exactly want and what you are willing to pay ahead of time will save you more money and make you avoid a lot of hassle and common pitfalls. Follow the 10 step strategy to get a better car deal with the most appropriate price:

1. Check your budget: Setting a budget is the first crucial step. A budget will let you choose only the cars that you can afford, so stick to your budget and choose only the cars that you can afford.
2. Choose the right time: At certain times of the year there will be a huge car inventory at car dealerships. At those times you can find competitive prices, more incentives and better deals. Best time could be the beginning of the year and from July to October. So it is much better to look for the most appropriate time when you buy a car.
3. Research the prices: If you want to save as much money as you can when buying a car, research car prices. By now, you are limited to the cars that fall into your budget scale, try to research the prices of those cars by visiting online websites such as Edmunds.com, Kelly Blue Book and NADA to research the prices of those cars. The most important thing is collecting as many price quotes as you can so you can extract an average price for each car you are interested in. Bear in mind that cars have many different price, but the invoice price is the most important thing to know when starting the process of negotiation.
4. Make two lists: New and used cars have advantages and disadvantages. For example, new cars are stocked with new features, but as soon as you buy it, there will be a depreciation in price as much as 11% to 15%. On the other hand, used cars are considered a field for best deals with good prices, according to their conditions, but they may cost you more if you finance them and may cost you much more for the maintenance. So consider making two lists each one contains the collection of cars you are interested in buying along with their respective average prices.
5. Choose car requirements and model: Now that you have two lists and a collection of cars, try to organize each list in terms of requirements and model. For example, which aspects you need the most: Do you need a towing package with the car? Do you need a big car for your family? Do you want a fuel-efficient car?
6. Consider payment options: Obviously there are two ways of paying, either you pay in cash or you finance the car. If you finance the car, you will pay a down payment, then you pay a monthly payment until you finish the total price of the car. If you afford to pay in cash that is great, but many people choose the financing option. If you are going to finance, try to make the down payment as high as you can. Some people choose a financial plan at dealerships, but it is not recommended because you can find better finance options with a good interest rate at banks, Credit Unions or online by visiting websites such as E-loan and Lending Tree.
7. Consider insurance premiums and warranty: Insurance is a major factor in the overall price of the car. Bear in mind that if you buy a sport car or popular car, the insurance premiums will be higher than the conventional cars. Warranty is something that will guarantee maintenance for your car if something wrong was ever happened. Whether you buy new or used car, make sure that it has the manufacturer warranty, so you do not have to pay extra money for the extended warranty.
8. Inspect and test drive the car: You must inspect and test drive the car before you buy it. If you are buying a used car, inspect the car by a trusted mechanic to disclose any potential problems the car may have. Furthermore, have a vehicle history report to detect any major problems the car may have to check whether it has salvaged, stolen or has been involved in an accident. When you test drive the car, take enough time on it and focus on the driving experience and whether it will suit you in the future or not. If you do not feel good, leave it and try another car. Do not be impulsive instead, be calm and focused and do not let the dealer or the salesperson sway you to another choice. You did your homework, and you must stick to it to get the best deal.
9. Negotiate the price: Depending on your research and the two lists you have in hand, you can negotiate with confidence. Now you have price quotes and loan rates to help you with negotiation. If the car you are going to buy is new, make sure that you know the “invoice price” so you will be in a better position when you negotiate. On the other hand, if the car is used, make sure that you know the recent resale price for that car.
10. Rethink before you sign: Finally, if you have made up your mind and picked a car to buy, rethink before you sign. Make sure you do not sign “as is” statement until you have thoroughly inspected the car and checked its performance and comfort level. Read the fine print carefully and do not sign until you know all the details in the contract. Do not let the dealer or the person who sells you any car make you sign quickly instead, take your time to read each clause in the contract better yet, take an attorney with you to finalize the paperwork for you.

As you can see, if you want to get a better deal when buying new or used car, there are a lot of things that are taken into consideration. It is always best when you know what you want and what you are deciding to pay before you buy. So do your homework ahead of time to enjoy your favorite car.

Sunlight is a free resource and is one which could be utilized more in our homes and offices. By making use of this free light, we can cut our electricity costs and reduce carbon production. In this modern age of electrical consumption, anything we can do to reduce this is worth while. Having lots of strategically placed electric lights might be aesthetically pleasing, but it will make a big difference to your electricity bill. Also, electric lighting isn’t nearly as pleasing or as pretty as sunlight.

There are so many benefits of natural light, it has been proven to reduce the occurrence of seasonal affective disorder or SAD, which can be a real problem for sufferers during winter months in Northern climes. Of course you can buy special daylight light bulbs which can relieve the problem, but it would be better to make use of natures gifts. Natural light also enhances mood, which in turn makes people happy and happy people make for a productive workforce and a healthier population. There are several documented health problems with artificial light, some of which include headaches, tired eyes and depression.

Natural light enhances your home as it makes the rooms look bigger, brighter and more airy. You can improve the flow of natural lighting into your home by use of skylights. Skylights can be fitted relatively easily and you will be able to regulate the amount of light received by using blinds, shades or curtains. The angle and size of the skylights dictate how much light you will receive. Thought must go into which rooms would benefit the most and obviously you would not want your east facing bedroom to have huge skylights as this will wake you up very early during the summer months.

However, careful placement and use of skylights that open for extra ventilation can make a bedroom feel really light and fresh. Your kitchen and bathroom can be transformed by using skylights. These rooms can become can become rejuvenated and in fact your bathroom can have an ambiance similar to that of an expensive spa by careful placement and use of skylights. Entrance halls can be made to look more welcoming and sitting rooms can look bright and elegant. Virtually every room in your home can be improved by making use of sunlight.

There are many different types of skylight and you must discuss with your contractor what would suit your needs best and what is actually possible to do. Think about what you want to achieve from your skylights and as well as enhancing the rooms which are used the most, try to lighten the darkest rooms first. Do take care when putting skylights into bedrooms, after all nobody really wants to be woken up at first light during the summer months, as this can be around 4am in the UK. By making the most of daily sunlight, your home can be transformed by careful use of skylights. Not only will you and your family benefit but your houseplants will thrive too.

The winter is approaching and that means less time on the golf course and range. It might even mean no golf at all in your part of the world. That means a long layoff without even touching a club until warm weather returns. As a result our golf game becomes rusty or worse. We have to spend a lot of time and effort knocking that rust off and honing our game to up to our expectations.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could actually take advantage of the off season to improve our golf game? How much better could you become if your skills improved during the winter instead of eroding? This is the second in a series of articles on off season practice tips. Here is a wintertime mental tip that will help you maintain or improve your golf game.

The Mental Game

Don’t ignore the mental game. It is more important to our success on the course than most of us realize. The mental game is one of the most if not the single most challenging aspect of the game of golf for most of us. Too often we get in own way. We over think, under think and forget to think. We remember what we shouldn’t and forget what we should. We make the game harder than it needs to be.

Use the winter to learn and practice mental techniques and exercises designed to improve your mental performance on the golf course. We can get mentally off track after a poor swing; a fellow player can get in our heads or even when we’re playing better than usual. Pressure to perform well, fear of failure and fear of success all cause mental mistakes that show up in every aspect of the game. Your full swing, short game and putting will all suffer if you can’t handle the pressure to perform.

Books, videos and audio products are available from various mental game coaches to provide you with what you need to be a better, more effective player. Search for recommendations and reviews to help you in the decision making process. But do take action and find the right mental training techniques this off season to help you overcome the effects of pressure.

One method I use to work on my course management skills during the winter is a video game. I play Tiger Woods Golf on my Wii system. The video game forces me to plan my way around the course, pick out target landing areas, study the greens prior to the approach shot and of course for putting as well. All of that strategic planning translates to improved course management in the real world for me. Probably would for you too.

Once you return to competitive golf next spring you’ll have the mental game to reach that next level. The winter and its long layoff can cause all kinds of trouble for our golf game when spring arrives. Use this tip to keep your mental gamed honed to razor blade sharpness through the winter. You love what it does for your game come spring.

It’s all about dominating the game and being the best. It doesn’t make sense to accept your current skillset unless you have the ability to dominate the game of basketball at will. Nobody wants to lose and nobody wants to be second best, so let me show you how to become a better basketball player.

Fundamentals

Improving your game is actually very simple. What you want to do is practice the fundamentals of basketball daily. Michael Jordan was able to great things on the basketball court because he mastered the fundamentals of basketball.

Doing simple ball handling, shooting, and defensive drills make a big difference when done on a consistent basis.

When you master the fundamentals, your understanding of the game of basketball increases dramatically.

For example, think about when you first learned how to walk. At first, you had to crawl, then you started walking, then you could jog, and then you could run. Eventually you started dancing and now you can play the game of basketball.

The reason you were able to accomplish all those feats is because you mastered the fundamental of walking. You mastered it because you practiced every day without fail. What if you decided to practice the fundamentals of basketball every day without fail?

Target And Eliminate Weakness

Be honest with yourself.

What are your weaknesses?

Identify those weaknesses and attack them daily.

Can you handle the basketball with both hands?

Can you finish at the rim with both hands?

Can you hit the wide open three?

Get rid of your weaknesses and your performance on the basketball court will be noticeably better.

Mental Toughness

One of the fastest ways to improve your game is to change or improve your mentality. Believe that you’re unstoppable on the basketball court, and act as if you’re unstoppable.

In order to increase your self-belief, you have to act as if you really are the best. Take control of the things you can control. Out-hustle, out-think, and out-perform your opponent(s) in every situation possible.

Don’t just attempt to do your best, instead aim to go above and beyond what you thought you were capable of. Most basketball players are contempt with doing the best they can, but what you want to do is set yourself apart from the rest.

Decide that you will go above and beyond. When you mind is telling you that you’re tired and lazy, it’s just a test. You’re not actually tired or lazy, unless you decide to be. Everything in life is a choice. There is always a way to get what you want. And if there is no way to get what you want, it’s up to you to find a way to get what you want.

Don’t be a victim of your circumstances. Strive to be the best and then go beyond that. Even if you come up short, you will be happy with the results.

Some negotiators believe, there’s no such thing as a bad question. They believe all questions solicit additional information – information that you wouldn’t receive if the question went unasked. I don’t think that’s true!

Some questions weaken your negotiation position. They project a lack of perceived foresight. And they can allow openings for the other negotiator to take control. But you can turn some weak questions into better ones that benefit your negotiation position.

If you’re somewhat confused right now, how do you feel about your confusion? Do you possess a desire to discover more on this topic? Do you have some other need? That’s the power of questions. They can control the thoughts of the other negotiator and put you in a power position. Questions can also lead to the other negotiator pulling away from you. Thus, you must know how and when to use them.

This article delivers insights about when and how to ask better questions to improve your negotiation position.

Bad/Good Questions:

A bad question is made worse by its timing. That can decrease the perception of your persona and make you appear weak. But what might appear to be a bad question posed with proper timing can gain a wealth of information. That would turn it into a good question.

When asking questions such as, how can I help you? Or, what can I do to assist – you display a lack of knowledge about the needs of the person you’re soliciting?

Nevertheless, there is a place for questions that may appear to be weak or lack specificity. You’d use them when they enhance the planned persona you wish to project. In such times, you’d use the mentioned questions as tools of positioning. Questions such as, how can I help you will cast a broader net. It will gain a deeper insight into the information you’re seeking.

Better Questions:

Better questions solicit better information. And they heightened your sense of control as a negotiator. Such questions…

• use what-if scenarios. What-if scenarios explore the realm of possibility. They don’t commit you to action unless the scenario is agreed on by all parties. Example – what if we lowered your cost and shipped the items early, could we close the deal today? If the other negotiator was in agreement, you’d have a deal. If she wasn’t, you will have gained insight into her negotiation position. Either way, you’ve gained valuable information.

• challenge existing norms. When challenging popular beliefs, you’ll attract attention. Depending on how your questions are received you’ll become more influential. You might be placed in a position of having to defend your position, too. So, consider the types of questions you’ll use to challenge popular norms and how they’ll position you in the negotiation.

• can’t be answered quickly. When asking questions that someone can’t readily answer, they go into thought mode. Depending on the environment, you can throw them a lifeline by answering the question yourself. Or, you can let them flounder. By allowing them to flounder, you allow others to view their lack of knowledge. That will decrease their perceived expertise. By saving them, they’re spared from floundering. That will ingratiate them to you.

Assumptive Questions:

Assumptive questions allow you to be perceived as possibly knowing more than you do. You can use them to test the other negotiator’s position or offer. To do so, make a statement that infers you have secret information. You can also make the statement sound like a question. Example – “You’ve given larger discounts in the past, correct?” After that, be very attuned to the response per the inflection in the voice and mannerisms displayed. Look for signs of agreement, lies, or doubt. If you sense either, probe deeper.

The questions asked determines the information that’s received. And the timing of those questions detracts from or enhances that information. To increase your ability to gather quality information in your negotiations, ask good timely questions that lead to better answers… and everything will be right with the world.

Remember, you’re always negotiating!

Listen to Greg’s podcast at https://anchor.fm/themasternegotiator

After reading this article, what are you thinking? I’d really like to know. Reach me at Greg@TheMasterNegotiator.com

Og Mandino is a best-selling author. His most popular book is the book, “The Greatest Salesman in the World”. He has sold millions of books that has been translated to many languages.

As appealing his books are to people, his personal background and life is fascinating. In many of his books, Og Mandino gives a hint about his life and struggles. In this book, “A Better Way to Live”, he openly talks about his struggles and how he overcame them. As usual, he also incorporates the concepts of lessons and scrolls as learning points in the book. This is why his books are beneficial to the readers.

Og Mandino almost committed suicide in his younger years. He was down and depressed. Fortunately for him (and for us), he took a different route and decided to better his life. He found a better way to live. It would not seem after his many publishing successes that he experienced great tribulations in his life. Yet, he did lost his family and was on the brink of suicide. Through his experience, he is able to relate to his readers.

His rules in this book are rules for a better way to live. They include:

1) Count your blessings.
2) Deliver more than what you are getting paid to do.
3) Do not dwell on your past mistakes.
4) Surround yourself with your family especially if you spend long hours away from them.
5) Build this day on a foundation of pleasant thoughts.
6) Let your action speak louder than your words. But be careful of conceit and pride.
7) Look at each day as a gift from God.
8) Do not spend your days on unnecessary clutter but on productive tasks.
9) Live each day as though it was your last.
10) Treat everyone you know or meet as though you will be dead by midnight.
11) Laugh at yourself and at life.
12) Never neglect the little things.
13) Welcome every morning with a smile.
14) Set your goals on a daily basis.
15) Never allow anyone or anything to rain on your parade.
16) Search for the seed of good in every adversity.
17) Realize that true happiness lies within you.

He expands on each of his rules. Og Mandino portrays that the time we have on earth is limited. We should make the most of each and every minute in order to live a better way of live.

Jobs for convicted felons aren’t easy to find, especially during these tough economic times. Even people who are highly qualified and have an excellent work history are unemployed right now. Nonetheless, there are still many excellent jobs for convicted felons available. You just have to be able to compete with others who also want those jobs for convicted felons.

Jobs for Felons: How to Get Ready for Your Job Search

Background checks – prior to searching for jobs for convicted felons, take some time to consult your lawyer to see if you can get your record expunged. If not, you should find out exactly what information will turn up when a potential employer does a background check. That information is what you will need to explain to the job interviewer when you look for jobs for felons.

Resume – when preparing your resume, highlight your skills and strengths. You don’t need to mention your felony in your resume. If you are asked specifically regarding your record, we strongly encourage to you answer truthfully but make sure you convey that you are rehabilitated and moving on to the next part of your life.

Dress the part – when you go for an interview, felony jobs are quite competitive so you should dress to impress. Any corporate felony friendly jobs or high-level, managerial jobs will require a good suit. Most other jobs will probably call for business casual clothes. This refers to a collared shirt and slacks or khakis for men and for women, a blouse or sweater with a skirt may be appropriate.

Jobs for felons interview preparation – before you go to a job interview, prepare your answers to tough questions first. Felony friendly jobs are hard to get because ex-felons have to compete with a lot of people who probably have clean records.

So what should you say about your record? Explain what happened calmly and briefly. Do not go into a lot of detail. Instead, explain that what happened was a mistake. Highlight your strengths. You won’t get hired if you can’t explain why you should be given a second chance and how you can be an asset to the company that hires you.

Tip and Advice for Finding Felony Jobs

Non-profit organizations – there may be some organizations that help ex-felons. Try asking your parole officer or call the state employment office for information about what programs or organizations might be able to help you find jobs for convicted felons.

Networking – friends, family and former co-workers can help you in your search for jobs for convicted felons. Make a list of people whom you think may be of help. Call them up, inform them that you are currently looking for a job and that you would be grateful for their assistance, advice, referrals or recommendations. Send them your resume along with a cover letter thanking them for their efforts through fax or email if they agree to help.

Most people will probably not be able to give any real assistance in your search for jobs for felons but don’t give up because all you hard work calling everyone up will not be wasted if you can get even just a few good job recommendations.

In the end, don’t be too picky when you apply to jobs for convicted felons. What matters is that you get a job during these tough times. When you have built up a good, solid work history then you will find it easier to get the top jobs for convicted felons. Do your best to stay positive. Think of what you would enjoy doing and we hope these tips will help you find the best jobs for convicted felons that fit you.