One HUGE Secret To Customer Satisfaction: Unplug the Phone Answering System

By Mark Merenda Don't get me wrong. Im not a Luddite. I love technology. If it werent for technology, Id be the owner of a small marketing firm in southwest Florida serving local clients and hoping not to go out of business every summer when the tourists leave. Instead I have a national firm with clients all over the country. That said, I urge my clients not to use technology to the detriment of human contact and customer service. The telephone is one key area where I believe this is taking place. The automatic telephone answering system is an abomination that should be outlawed tomorrow. I have occasion to place phone calls to attorneys' offices around 25 times a week. Here are circumstances I run into regularly (and lest you think Im exaggerating, let me tell you that these are much more the rule than the exception). Lets assume I am a prospective client. An automated voice answers and tells me that this is the Smith Law Firm, and if I know my partys extension, I should enter it now. If I dont know it, I should consult the directory. I push the number for the directory and am urged to enter the first three letters of the person's name. First or last name? What if I dont know who I want? I am informed by the disembodied voice that I can hold the line (or press zero), and someone will help me. So I hold the line, and the next thing I hear is You have reached Amy, the receptionist. Im away from desk right now so please leave a message. Gee, I dont want to leave a message for Amy, so I hang up and call back. This time I consult the directory and punch the number for the attorney. He or she never answers. I leave a voice mail. Im exhausted and frustrated and Ive made two long distance telephone calls. (By the way, what is the number one complaint against attorneys nationwide? Not returning phone calls.) You are in the relationship business. It is not possible to have a relationship with a disembodied voice in an automated system. Your clients hate it. Your prospective clients hate it. Everyone hates it. If you set out to deliberately annoy and offend everyone who contacts your office, you could not do a better job! Did you know that research shows that what happens in the first 30 seconds influences client satisfaction more than every minute of customer service that follows? Hire yourself a receptionist who loves people and has a warm and friendly phone personality. Call her (or him) the Director of First Impressions. I promise you will make more in additional fees and new clients than the cost of his or her annual salary. And remember, this all comes down from the top. If you give everyone in your office the impression that the clients are a pain in the butt, and that your main goal in life is not to be bothered, I can guarantee you that every member of your staff will reflect this attitude. They will try to please you. Youre the one who gives them their paychecks. Next time, try this: Hand them their pay envelope and tell them, This is client money. Author Mark Merenda founded Smart Marketing in 1994. Since that time he has built it into one of the country's premier marketing firms for financial professionals. Mr. Merenda can be contacted by telephone at (239) 403-7755. The company's Web site is http://www.smartmarketingnow.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Merenda http://EzineArticles.com/?One-HUGE-Secret-To-Customer-Satisfaction:-Unplug-the-Phone-Answering-System&id=384247 auto bad car credit loan used
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Weight Loss - Lose Weight Even When Traveling or on Vacation With Our Five Weight Loss Tips

By Charles Lewis Weight loss is hard. It's not easy to lose weight, even when you are at home and can cook for yourself. You want to keep track of your calories, which is made simpler when you prepare the food. If you prepare it, you know what's in the food, and so you can keep track of calories. But what do you do when you are traveling or on vacation? Does your weight loss program stop as soon as you leave the house? There is no doubt that it is more challenging to lose weight when you are eating out. You have no way of determining exact portion sizes, and you don't know for sure how much extra sugar has been added to sauces and everything else you eat. However, you can still lose weight while you are on vacation, if you follow these simple tips: 1. Exercise. Even if you are traveling, you can still exercise, and we know that exercise is one of the keys to weight loss. Bring your exercise clothes and work out in the fitness area at the hotel. Go for a swim instead of sitting in your hotel room watching television. Even better, walk. If you set aside half an hour per day to go for a walk, you will feel refreshed, explore your new city, and burn some calories. 2. Eat in for breakfast. Most hotels have a kitchenette or in room mini-bar refrigerator. Buy some milk and cereal and a plastic bowl and spoon, and have cereal for breakfast while you are traveling. It's quick, inexpensive, and a lot fewer calories than a hotel breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausages and hash browns. 3. Pack a lunch. If you can, pack a lunch. By bringing your own lunch, you have control over what you are eating. If you can't pack a lunch: 4. Find a deli for lunch. A sandwich or other healthy meal is better than fast food for lunch. 5. Use the internet to plan your meals. Many restaurants post their menus, with nutritional information, on the internet. Find out what restaurants are in the city you will be visiting, and check out their menus in advance. If you know what healthy food is on the menu, you can decide in advance what to order. A trip or vacation does not mean you suspend your weight loss program. With some advance planning you can lose weight, even while traveling. As a weight loss success story, Charles Lewis writes about how to lose weight permanently without fads or gimmicks. Visit http://www.weight-loss-lose-weight.com for information about exercise and weight loss Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Lewis http://EzineArticles.com/?Weight-Loss---Lose-Weight-Even-When-Traveling-or-on-Vacation-With-Our-Five-Weight-Loss-Tips&id=285669 credit repair letter
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Child Care - Summer Care

By Michael Russell In this article we're going to discuss child care and some tips on what to do when the summer comes and you need to get away from it all for a while. Let's be honest, no matter how devoted you are as a parent and no matter how much you love you kid, eventually you reach a point, especially if you're a full time stay at home parent, where you need to get away for a while. And usually the best time to do this is in the summer when both parents might be off work. This is actually quite common in families where one or both parents are school teachers and get the summers off. No sooner June 21 hits and they're off to somewhere. But what do you do when you want to get away and have a small child, or even not so small child, that needs to be taken care of? Well, option number one is you take the kid with you. But that kind of defeats the purpose of going on your much needed vacation. That more or less leaves you with option number two. Leave the child with someone. The $64,000 question is, who? Well, you have a number of choices here. The best one is probably to leave the child with a family member, like your parents for one. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to awkward situations. Maybe your parents really weren't planning on taking care of your little brat for 2 months. Or maybe they had plans to go away themselves. Most likely brothers and sisters or distant relatives will politely tell you that they can't do it. Your best bet is to simply go to a professional. If your child is old enough then you'll probably want to send the kid off to summer camp. This is always a favorite with parents. The problem is, you want to make sure this camp is going to be one you don't regret sending your kid too. After all, this is still your child. So these are the things you should look out for before sending your kid off to whatever summer camp you choose. 1. Find out what the camp has to offer and if it is accredited. You don't want to send your kid somewhere where he'll be sitting around twiddling his thumbs all day in a place that has absolutely no accreditation. This will most likely turn out to be a disaster. Camps that have specific programs that will keep your child busy all day are your best bet. 2. Make sure though that there is a balance between active and quiet times in the schedule. If your kid is going non stop all day long by the time he gets home he is going to be bouncing off the walls and you'll never get him down. 3. Make sure you keep in constant contact with the camp and your child. This doesn't mean you have to call 3 times a day everyday but you should at least keep in touch to find out what's going on a couple of times a week. By following these simple tips and having a little faith, you and your child can both have a very enjoyable summer.
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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Child Care
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How To Get Girls

By Grant BBrown You have recently spotted someone and really want to take her on a date! But alas, you were never great at it and still cant figure out how to get a girl or a date. You are unsure and not so confident. You are nervous and dont know what will happen if she reacts very strongly to your offer. It is natural to be a little apprehensive on how to get a girl whom you have taken a liking for. A little guidance on how to get a girl will help you in overcoming your inhibitions and make you surer of yourself. To begin with, if you have started liking a girl, just show your interest in her. If you are one of those shy sort of dont worry; you dont really have to declare at this stage that you have taken a liking for her, but you could start by paying attention to her. However do make sure that she knows that you are paying her extra attention. You could look for excuses of being with her, of talking to her, or just hanging around her. Even the most shy ones who keep awake at nights wondering how to get a girl can do this much. Once you notice that you have hovered around enough, the next step in your strategy on how to get a girl would be to test the waters. You could ask a colleague to find out if she has developed any interest in you. Even if the response is negative, dont give up hope yet. You just keep being nice and gentlemanly to her. Good gentlemanly behaviour is always appreciated and soon she will start appreciating your chivalry. Gradually she will start liking you more and more and soon she will ask you for a cup of coffee. Next tip on how to get a girl is that when you go out with her, you should be the perfect gentleman. You should pay for the food, for the tickets and any other bills that may crop up. It shows you in good esteem and the girl feels important. These tips are highly effective you use them in a subtle way. She should know that you are interested in her and at the same time your behaviour should not be forceful. It puts her off. Thus tread carefully, be yourself and soon you will be the one who will be giving tips to your friends on how to get a girl! http://www.howtogetgirls.org Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Grant_BBrown http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Get-Girls&id=519874 little pharmacy phentermine
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New York State-Themed Gift Basket Ideas

By Wendy Wood There is probably nothing the state of New York and the popular tourist attraction of New York City has not seen. In the United States, New York is the third most populous state. Situated in the Mid-Atlantic part of the nation, the state offers access to the likes of Vermont, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania across its borders, as well as shares an international boundary with Canada. Plenty of locations about the state offer a wide-range of attractions and activities to explore, including visits to the five largest cities: New York City, Buffalo, Yonkers, Rochester, and Syracuse. New York has long served as a symbol for peace and equality through its history of immigration and acceptance of an infinite range of cultures and ethnicities. When thinking of themes that will connect a state-specific gift basket to New York, an assortment of subjects may arise. For starters, the state features a significant amount of natural wonder with their state parks and two major forest preserves, such as the Adirondack State Park (which is actually the size of Vermont). This particular feat makes the Adirondacks the largest of its kind in the U.S. A host of products bear the Adirondack name, which could enter a gift basket, including bottled water, jewelry, snacks, cheese, honey, maple syrup, fruit spreads, cookies, books, and toys. A wealth of camping trips has taken place at the Catskill State Park over the years, which is home to about 400 black bears in the region. Those looking for a nice place to stretch their legs and picnic also use the trails in the park. Why not supply a gift basket picnic spread that takes the hustle and bustle out of trying to gather up a decent meal-on-the-go at the last minute? This may especially benefit tourists who are unfamiliar with the best locations about town to collect provisions. The economy of New York provides many gift basket themes to draw from. Apples, cherries, pears, peaches, and maple syrup are some of the major agricultural products the state is known for. This gives way to many different fruit-related gift baskets your business may create with bright, bold color schemes. Last but not least, New York City is an explosion of sight and sound that awakens your senses even before you step foot in the area. With some of the most visited tourist sites in the world, the Big Apple certainly provides plenty of potential gift basket arrangement themes to explore. Notable destinations include Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, Broadway, Times Square, and the Statue of Liberty. A gift basket highlighting New York Yankee- or New York Mets memorabilia is also a great idea to offer die-hard fans. Wendy Wood is the owner of Seek Gift Baskets, an online gift basket directory.
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Why Beautiful Women Do Not Want To Date You

By Teddy Shabba There is a very good reason why beautiful women will not go out with you. Beautiful women will not go out with you because at the current time where you are at mentally right now would cause you to simply be happy going out with her. Which for you would be a great thing, but for her not so much, in fact most of the time not at all. Hopefully you are asking yourself how she would know this if the two of you only met a few minutes before you made your move. Because when you approached her you had already made the decision on how you felt about her, otherwise you would have noticed her general lack of interest in the entire conversation. Of course, this is assuming that you approached her in a timely manner and actually said something to her sober. So what can you do in order to improve your behavior for the better? Begin by approaching more women and start to look for something to like about them and making a real connection. What you will begin to notice is how with some women, you click with right away, others you click with somewhere along the way, and some you don't click with at all. You will also find yourself not being as concerned with and overly excited with a woman's look the more you approach them. It is important that you know you still will find some women more attractive than others it will just be for a whole variety of reasons instead of just looks. Then again, you can simply become really rich and get women who are just as shallow as you. Teddy Shabba is a Dating Coach for Men who has a daily newsletter that provides you with a wealth of information on how to be more successful with women. You can sign up for the Teddy Shabba Dating Advice Newsletter for Men now. Also with over 500 articles from a variety of dating experts just for men our Dating Advice and Seduction Article Database is the perfect place for any man. To learn more about How To Attract Women visit our article section Attract Women Today Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Teddy_Shabba http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Beautiful-Women-Do-Not-Want-To-Date-You&id=555948 buy phentermine cash on delivery
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Depression Glass Companies

By Murray Hughes Just before the advent of the Great Depression, more than a
hundred companies manufactured glassware in the United
States. At the end of the Depression, fewer than fifty
percent of these companies remained in business. Of these
companies, seven became major players in the production of
Depression glass, and these seven companies utilized a
little more than 90 patterns to decorate their wares.
Indiana Glass, Hocking, Federal, U.S. Glass, Jeanette
Glass, MacBeth-Evans, and Hazel-Atlas manufactured hundreds
of thousands of pieces of this popular and inexpensive
glass, creating a bright spot in the lives of everyday,
working-class people during a grim epoch of American
history. Before Depression glass came along, colored and patterned
glass existed, but only for the wealthy. Because the
beautifully hued and intricately designed glassware of the
times was hand-blown, and the cost of manufacturing such
pieces proved prohibitive for most people, this type of
glass was simply out of reach for many households. However,
with the invention of mass-produced, machine-pressed
glassware that produced colors and patterns albeit ridden
with flaws such as air bubbles and mold marks a new
versatility in glassware could be made available to
households all over America. Because of this, even the
poorest families could now have cheerful pieces from which
to serve their meals, hold sugar, salt, pepper, and other
condiments, contain candy, and more even to shake their
martinis, if they could scrape up the money for the
bathtub-made gin! Adam, Cherry Blossom, Iris and Herringbone, Sierra
(Pinwheel), and Windsor make up some of the most popular
and now-sought-after patterns produced by the Jeanette
Glass Company from 1928 through the 1970s. From 1932 to
1942, Federal created such designs as the Sharon (Cabbage
Rose), Rosemary (Dutch Rose), Madrid, and Columbia that
fetch top-market prices today. Anchor Hocking came into being when Anchor Cap and Closure
merged with Hocking Glass in 1937, so when you see
Hocking and Anchor Hocking you know you are looking at
pre- and post-1937 pieces, respectively. Some of the
patterns considered highly collectible today from Hocking
include Coronation (banded rib), Fortune, Old Caf,
Princess, and Waterford. Anchor Hocking created such
well-loved designs as the Manhattan (horizontal ribbed)
design along with the Oyster and Pearl pattern. Hazel-Atlas Glass Company introduced Florentine #2 (Poppy),
Hairpin (Newport) and Moderntone, while MacBeth Evans
brought American Sweetheart and Petalware onto the market. These patterns touch on only a few of the most popular and
sought after patterns that todays collectors seek many
more exist from these and other glass manufacturers to
entice and fascinate avid Depression glass aficionados the
world over. Many of the glass companies at least those that survived
the Great Depression maintain museums in which interested
parties can learn much more about Depression glass and the
businesses that supplied it. Credit must be given to these
glass manufacturers for providing something simple and
low-priced yet delightfully appealing to a grateful public
at a time when such items were few and far between. So when you admire a piece of Depression glass, theres a
good chance that very same piece may have uplifted a family
in what was an otherwise bleak time. And now youll know
when you see this prettily colored or clear and patterned
glass, that its much more than just another pretty face! Until next time, Murray Hughes
http://www.DepressionGlassSecrets.com http://www.depressionglasssecrets.com/DPweb-articles/depression-glass-companies.html If you enjoyed this article by Murray Hughes, then visit
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Bodily Injury Settlement

By Peter Emerson Back injuries seem to become more common nowadays. However, not all doctors agree on the primary causes of back injuries, as many factors can contribute to it. While heredity is a possible source of some back injuries, external sources play the major role. Back injuries are muscular in nature and are different from spinal cord injury which involves the back bones. Pulls, strains, and chronically aggravated back muscles are some of the causes of back injury. They cause the individual to depend on ointments, heating pads, over-the-counter drugs, and professional medical help. The people in some industries and fields are more exposed to back injuries than others because of the nature of their activities. These include sports and other athletic events, construction jobs, factory work, nursing, and other professions where you have to sit, stand, or bend your body for a long period time. Weightlifting, general fitness, and flexibility also contribute to someone being prone to injury. Force, repetitive body movements, posture, and stress are the most common causes of back injuries. Force involves any kind of heavy lifting, whether as demands of the job or a part of one's lifestyle. Repetition or repetitive body movements can aggravate injuries and may lead to repetitive stress syndrome. Posture, on another hand, becomes a source of injury for those with office jobs that require them to just slump at their desks and sit in positions that are harmful to their back. Finally, psychological and emotional stress are also considered factors of causing back injury because they add to body tension and tighten up muscles. Aside from personal causes, back and body injury may also be due to outside factors like sports, work-related injuries, automobile accidents, and the like. But, no matter what causes you any bodily injury, particularly if the injury is to your back, do not take it for granted. Seek medical help right away. And if you feel that other people, your work, or the team you are playing for is the one responsible for your injury, seek the help of legal counsel. Personal Injury Settlements provides detailed information on Auto Accident Personal Injury Settlements, Average Personal Injury Settlements, Personal Injury Insurance Settlements, Personal Injury Settlement Amounts and more. Personal Injury Settlements is affiliated with Personal Injury Settlements. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Emerson http://EzineArticles.com/?Bodily-Injury-Settlement&id=410242 cheap phentermine online prescription
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The Children Use Technology Increasingly Young

By Abu Murad The average age to which the children initiate themselves with the technological products is gone down to 6,7 years in 2007, claims the study the children and the tendencies in technological consumption III of firm NPD. In 2005, the average age was rather at 8,1 years according to a previous study of this firm of analysis. If television and the computers are the first gadgets which the young people use (towards 4 or 5 years), the last are the satellite radios and the portable readers of numerical music, around 9 years. The devices mentioned most as being bought during the past year are cell phones, digital cameras and PDMPs. Some newer technologies such as TV-to-computer video devices and satellite radios, and some older devices such as film cameras and karaoke systems, record low levels of household purchasing The children are attracted by the most recent gadgets and most powerful, like are their parents, estimates Anita Frazier, analyst at NPD. They are not afraid of technology, and adopt it easily, without brass band. The children prefer however the gadgets which are intended to them, like the numerical cameras for children. They use these younger products and more frequently, according to the study of NPD, carried out on line with parents of old children from 4 to 14 years. To provide to take part in this study,As observed in the prior 2005 and 2006 studies, kids versions of all electronic products show strong performance vis--vis their adult counterparts. According to the report, children are using kids versions at a younger age and more frequently. However, with the exception of video games, the adult versions of electronics show higher penetration than do the childrens version of the same product. Though a majority of parents indicate they would be interested in a branded kids version of an electronic device, the level of interest has declinedfrom 83 percent in 2006 to 74 percent in 2007. the children were to use at least a technological gadget, which should cause to underestimate the average age to which the children use technology, since all those which do not use any are not entered. The tendency downwards, observed by NPD during three last years, should not however not be affected by this doubtful methodology. Source- The NPD Group, Inc. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abu_Murad http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Children-Use-Technology-Increasingly-Young&id=595896 phentermine union pharmacy
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Nursing Degree Applications Up, But Demand Still Exceeds Supply

By Neal Brown For the fifth year in a row, applications have increased for schools offering a nursing degree according to American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Unfortunately this continuing increase still cant keep up with the demand as over 32,000 students were turned away. Last year, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Registered Nursing as the top occupation in terms of job growth through the year 2012. According to the latest projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2012. Students are either looking for other careers or looking for other schools. One resource that many students are finding helpful is the website www.best-nursing-degree.info . In many cases students are finding out about nursing programs within their area, but offered by schools other than their closest public university. One option that is growing in popularity is the accelerated bachelor nursing degree. This program allows students with a bachelors degree in a different field to obtain a BSN in 12 to 18 months. This program has grown from 31 schools in 1990 to 168 today. The program is intense with 40 hours of class and lab time per week plus study time. There are usually no breaks between terms either. The cost is steep as well--$30,000 but many students are able to qualify for grants and loans. At the other end of the spectrum are part-time students that are looking to change careers or need to work full-time. These students take one or two classes per semester and will take several years beyond the standard 4 to complete their degree. The payoff? Starting salaries from $45,000 and up. There is of course more advancement to the levels of nurse practitioners and graduate degrees. With demand continuing to outpace supply, all types of students that are interested in the field are encouraged to begin pursuing a nursing degree by viewing the resources at www.best-nursing-degree.info About The Author
Neal Brown is a College instructor with an MBA in Financial Management. More information is available at Nursing Degree http://www.best-nursing-degree.info. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Neal_Brown http://EzineArticles.com/?Nursing-Degree-Applications-Up,-But-Demand-Still-Exceeds-Supply&id=230819 buy cheap phentermine 37.5
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Romancing The Friends

By Toni Coleman You have been dating for a couple of months and believe he may be the one. Both of you have hinted at getting together with friends, and now she is asking you to come to a party this Saturday where many of her close pals will be. You are concerned about making a good (great) impression on these friends who mean so much to your significant other AND who could greatly influence where (if) your relationship goes. After all, they are a large and very tight knit group and your new love has related several horror stories about other first meetings that have occurred with this clan. The main question you are probably asking yourself is, How can I put my best foot forward and help them get to know the real me? The answer is simpler than you may think and will require you to shift the focus away from YOU and onto your girlfriend/boyfriend and the relationship the two of you have. You are not in this alone. You have met this right person who means a lot to you and the two of you are going into this as a team. Therefore, working together to prepare for this meeting, presenting a loving and united front to the friends, and demonstrating an openness and interest in his/her life and friends will be all you will need to have a successful beginning. The following tips will put you on the right path to winning acceptance and (perhaps) the beginning of many new friendships. Dont try too hard. If you become focused on getting them to like you, you will probably come across as insecure, overbearing, too opinionated or just plain narcissistic. Relax and follow their lead as you let them decide what they want to hear/know. Show an interest in them. This works especially well when you are a little anxious. Ask them questions about their career, interests and where they are from. Encourage them to tell stories about their group and some of the experiences they have shared together. You get to sit back and laugh and enjoy listening to them instead of feeling like you are on an interview. Go with the flow. This is not the time to counter someones opinion or to have a lively debate about politics, religion, etc. The last thing you need is to come across as confrontational or controlling, etc. Dont get defensive. You will be a little sensitive to their words, expressions, etc. and need to be careful to remain neutral and not to take yourself too seriously. If someone says something that hits you wrong or is just downright argumentative, let it go. The others will see you as a good sport who handled that well. Dont monopolize the conversation. In a first meeting, it is best to present yourself as a good listener who cares about what others have to say. Join in and offer to provide assistance with preparing, serving or cleaning up a meal or with any tasks that need to be done. Nothing makes you feel more like family then rolling up your sleeves and working side by side with the others. Watch your alcohol intake. It can be tempting to have a few drinks to try and relax; but remember that this can backfire if you have one too many and become sloppy or exhibit poor judgment or bad behavior. Remember that you and the friends want the same thing- his/her happiness. You have at least one important thing in common- and may find you have many others as well. As you prepare for this first encounter, make sure you discuss the different people and personalities beforehand with your partner. If there is something they or you should know about beforehand, discuss it so there will be no surprises or ambushes. Then make a plan that covers the where, what and how questions and one that you are both comfortable with. Most importantly, go and have a good time. Toni Coleman, MSW is a psychotherapist, dating coach and founder of http://www.consum-mate.com. As a recognized expert, Toni has been quoted in many local and national publications including; The Chicago Tribune, The Orlando Sentinel, New York Daily News and Newsweek newspapers and Family Circle, Cosmo Style, Tango, Men's Health, Star (regularly quoted body language expert), and People magazines. She has been featured on abcnews.com, discovery.health.com, aolnews.com, MSN.com and Match.com. Toni is also the featured relationship coach in The Business And Practice Of Coaching, (Norton, September 2005); and is the author of the forward for, Winning Points With The Woman In Your Life, One Touchdown At A Time (Simon and Schuster, November 2005). From March 2005 until December 2005, Toni was a weekly contributing commentator (love and dating coach) on the KTRS Radio Morning Show, St. Louis, MO). Toni offers dating and relationship help and advice through her syndicated column, "Dear Dating Coach," and her popular monthly newsletter, "The Art of Intimacy." Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Toni_Coleman http://EzineArticles.com/?Romancing-The-Friends&id=168300 ambien drug
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Natural Algae Fighters That Work

By Mark Washburn When the warm weather of summer finally arrives most pond owners are faced with a very common problem called pond algae. Pond algae can strike any size pond at any time, but usually a few very specific things have to be present for it to spread rapidly. Knowing what allows algae to prosper is the first step to treating it naturally. First though, let's make one thing clear. Algae, or it's presence in a pond is not always bad. A little bit of it here or there is actually a positive sign that the pond is healthy and balanced. When algae takes over the pond entirely however, things are not very balanced at all. Algae is very dependent on excessive nutrients in the water to grow. Therefore this should be your first priority...to reduce or eliminate excess nutrients in the pond. These can come from decomposing organic matter like leaves or grass clippings. Nutrients can also come for fish waste or decomposing fish food. With these things in mind, it's best to remove any organic matter from the pond before it starts to decay at the bottom. Skimmers can help with this in smaller ponds. Also, if you have fish, be sure to not overstock them in a smaller pond. Generally 1 inch of fish needs about 10 gallons of water to stay balanced. If your ratio is over this, you may be overstocked. Be sure to not overfeed your fish as well. Provide them enough food to consume in about five minutes time. Pond algae also needs adequate sunlight to grow aggressively so if you can minimize exposure to the sun, this can often help. In some cases, you can't always keep sunlight from entering the pond or keep all the debris from settling in it. Then it's often best to turn to other treatments or options. In smaller ponds adding plants is a very beneficial thing to do. Surface plants like water lilies help absorb excess nutrients and also help shade the pond. Water grasses are great at helping clear a pond as well. Since it can take up to 60% coverage of a pond's surface to keep algae at bay, some people like to also use a natural beneficial bacteria product to help consume some of the excess nutrients and assist in the breakdown of organic matter in the pond. Bacteria and enzyme products have been proven to be one of the safest and most effective ways to keep a pond clean. There are many varieties available on the market today. All of the methods outlined above are highly preferred over using chemicals in a pond or water garden. Chemicals come with inherent risks and also don't help much in cleaning a pond in a natural fashion. Over the long term they can cause many more problems than then solve. Mark Washburn is an experience pond treatment specialist that uses natural solutions to keep ponds and watergardens clean and algae free. Learn how to keep your pond clean naturally by visiting http://www.algae-solution.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Washburn http://EzineArticles.com/?Natural-Algae-Fighters-That-Work&id=106285 brain injury ambien memphis
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