The Win Report

While at a party I found myself next to an intriguing bowl of delicious mixed nuts - cashews, walnuts, peanuts, and pistachios. As long as I can remember, I have been addicted to those tasty morsels yet they conflict with my dietary goal, so I grabbed a handful and moved away quickly while congratulating myself on my discipline. My favorites are the cashews and pistachios. The next time I looked at that bowl I estimated that about 40% of the nuts were cashews and 5% pistachios so, in the interest of scientific inquiry, I grabbed another handful and moved away quickly. Instead of ingesting the whole handful at once, this time I opened my hand, counted and found my estimate was correct and then ate them all (after all I had touched them).

Since business issues are always on my mind I started thinking about the concept of “product mix” and wondered how the nut company developed their formula for putting the most attractive mixture together to entice prospects yet balancing the cost of the various varieties to create a profitable product. This, of course, led me to think about the product mix in a business.

Every business has some products (or product categories) that return higher profit, greater sales volume, greater sales per sq. ft., or sales per hour. Others do far less for the bottom line. Some may be complete losers, costing the business because of low sales, high support expense, or the need for extra effort in sales or production. They should be removed from the product mix unless there is a compelling reason to retain them.

Unless the product mix is analyzed frequently a business will often keep the losing products or product categories and profitability is lost. The solution is to develop a method of analyzing sales and profits against costs and effort and then remove or minimize the investment in those that do not perform to a minimum standard. That way you have more cashews and pistachios (more profitable products) in the product mix and a more addictive, tastier snack (profitable business).

Larry Galler coaches and consults with high-performance executives, professionals, and small businesses since 1993. He is the writer of the long-running (every Sunday since November 2001) business column, “Front Lines with Larry Galler” Sign up for his free newsletter at http://www.larrygaller.com Questions??? Send an email to larry@larrygaller.com

Preparation:

I usually try to purchase a pork shoulder that weighs about 8 pounds. I have found
that larger shoulders are a little bit harder to smoke because the outer meat will dry
out before the inner meat is done if a good mop is not used to keep the shoulder
moist.

The night before you are going to smoke the shoulder, apply a thin layer of mustard
to the pork shoulder. This will create a paste that the rub will stick to. The next step
is to apply a rub. There are many great rub recipes out there, and you can find a
few at my website. Below is a rub recipe I use quite often.

Ingredients:

3-Tbsp Tony’s or comparable cajun seasoning

4-Tbsp Turbinado brown sugar (this type of sugar will burn at a higher temperature
than regular brown sugar)

1/2-Tsp Paprika

1/4-Tsp Cumin

1/4 Tsp Garlic Powder

1/4 Tsp Onion Powder

1/4 Tsp Salt

Instructions:

I usually mix and store all ingredients in an empty seasoning container.

Tips: If you need more, just double the recipe

After you rub the shoulder down with mustard, completely coat the shoulder with
the rub. I have found that it helps to pat the rub into the shoulder to make it stick
better.

Wrap the shoulder in plastic wrap, and refrigerate over night.

Take the shoulder out of the fridge about 1 hour before you are going to put it on
the smoker. This will bring the pork shoulder’s temperature down to room
temperature.

Cooking:

When the pit reaches operating temp, I smoke at 225 F, place the shoulder on the
pit and let it smoke for about one hour, fat side up.

Next, apply a good mop to the shoulder. Keep the outside of the shoulder moist
while smoking by applying the mop about every 45 minutes or so, but be careful
not to open the pit too much because the temperature will drop and you will have to
cook longer.

Here is a mop recipe:

Ingredients:

1 Cup beef broth

1 1/3 cups water

3/4 cup Worchestershire sauce

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/3 cup canola oil or vegetable oil

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon red pepper

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a pot, and heat over med/low for 20 minutes.

2. Smoke the shoulder for about 1.5 hours per pound, or until the internal
temperature of the thickest portion of the shoulder is between 170-180 F.

I have smoked pork shoulders directly on the pit with no foil for the duration of the
smoking time, and I have wrapped them in foil after they have smoked for 6-7
hours. The wrapping method works well because you can control the moisture level
of the shoulder if the shoulder is sealed in foil. The mop, and the juices create a
very humid environment inside the foil wrapped shoulder, and I think that smoking
a shoulder this way produces excellent results.

Leaving the shoulder on the pit for the duration of the smoking time tends to
produce a firmer, drier crust on the shoulder, but the internal meat is very good.
You will just have to experiment both ways to find out which way you like the most.

Serving:

My favorite way to eat the shoulder is to make pulled pork sandwiches. Smoked
pork shoulders will literally fall apart, and making a pulled pork sandwich is fairly
simple. Shred the smoked pork shoulder with a couple of forks to prepare the meat
for the sandwich. The sandwich basically consists of two hamburger buns, some
good barbeque sauce, the pulled pork, a few onion and pickle slices, and whatever
else you think will taste good.

Pulled pork tacos are also very delicious. First, I heat up a couple flour tortillas.
Next, I sautee onions and bell peppers, and then I put the pork in the tortilla, along
with barbeque sauce and the vegetables.

Enjoy!

Aaron Ralston, also known as The Smoker King, is owner of Outdoor Cooking:
Barbeque, Sauces, Mops, Rubs at http://www.thesmokerking.com. You
can find more
barbeque information and great recipes here.

Business software generally means software programs that can be used by business and companies to carry out business activities, or to increase or measure their business productivity. Business software solution is tailor made software for specific business purposes such as railway and airline ticketing system, billing and inventory control system for department stores etc. Business software can do away with any type of business activity such as cash transactions, receipts, issues, returns, rejections, interests, and depreciation, which entail final accounts, profit and loss accounts, balance-sheet etc.

A computer machine and business software are interdependent, with computer technology becoming more advanced with each new software addition. Nowadays even a tiny business entity tends to use small business software for its easy to handle and ready to use features. Many of the business software are plug and play type for which no special computer knowledge is essential. However, for complex calculations, tedious programming and special technical training, business software with learning tools is exceptionally helpful. IT companies on the other hand sometimes use business software for training purposes, enabling modern technologies like medical transcription.

The business software market is a billion dollar industry today and any one with a sound knowledge of the system can make his or her own earnings very easily. Business software has acquired an important position in the economy of developed and developing countries. Software developing countries like India are doing good business by exporting business software to developed countries. The sprawling BPO sector is providing business software solution to many MNCs and domestic companies.

Small business software markets throughout the globe and has captured a substantial part of the software market in recent times. Small business software may include toy and game software, audio-visual software, accounting software etc. Electronic spreadsheet software, a business software solution, has engaged itself successfully in the vast use of microcomputers.

There are standard softwares available for business such as Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, and Outlook etc., which cater to the everyday needs of most businesses. However custom business softwares have many advantages over standard business software. The custom business software can customize the functions and features in a manner required by the customer, be they automatic generation of letters, automatic sending of emails, deadline reminders, printing of receipts and bills, tracking of customers and orders. Many business softwares use operational research methods and algorithms for optimum utilization of resources, maximizing profits and minimizing costs. Business software has the potential to maximize the efficiency of businesses, systematize the way business is done and keep the business under control.

For more on Business Software visit elite-business-software.info. Susan also enjoys writing at business-and-finance-hub.info

1956. The Suez Crisis plunges Europe into a fuel crisis, petrol is rashioned and sales of new cars plummet.

Germany responds by creating the Gogomobile and three wheeled cars. President of the British Motor Corporation, Sir Leonard Lord is unimpressed and asks his chief designer, Alec Issigonis to create a “proper miniture car”.

To make it more challenging he also sets him strict design restrictions. It has to measure four feet across, four feet high and 10 feet long, provide for four passengers and their luggage and use only existing parts.

Issigonis and his team of eight engineers set to work and four months later Lord gives the go ahead for this new small econonic British car and the Morris Mini Minor is born.

The car used a conventional four-cylinder water-cooled engine but it was mounted transversely and drove the front wheels. This innovation allowed much increased passenger space in a small body. The result was nimble, economical and inexpensive. Almost all small cars built since the 1970s have followed this mechanical layout.

In 1959 the first model rolled off the assembly line for a mere 496 pounds ($1,200).

By 1964 sales were approaching 500,000 and the open top Mini-Moke was released to poor sales apart from the military and Australians who’s beach culture perfectly suited the open top style.

In 1969, The Italian Job, starring Michael Caine, turned the Mini into a star when 3 Mini Coopers were utilised as the perfect getaway cars.

Sales were helped along the likes of the Beatles and Peter Sellers publicly acknowledging their love of them but slowly fell off in the 70’s and 80’s until it seemed the little British Icon was headed for the scap heap.

Rover’s takeover in 1990 lead to a relaunch on the Mini Cooper and in 1999 it was voted the European car of the century by a panel of international journalist.

But the real second coming of the Mini and the Mini Cooper in particular came in 2001 when BMW took over ownership and created the Mini Cooper the world has fallen in love with again today.

The 2003 remake of The Italian Job, this time starring (Marky) Mark Wahlberg, became a massive advert for the new ultra hip Cooper and sales soared again.

Even Madonna featured it in the lyrics to the title song from her 2003 album American Life.

The Mini Cabrio launched in Australia in January 2005, and unlike the Mini Moke of the 60’s, is now primed as a much more luxurious and hip car.

And with an Italian Job 2 (well, 3 for the purists) in the works and sales continuing to soar, it seem the Mini still has a lot of mileage left in it yet.

Peter Shuttlewood is the author of webzine freshread which contains articles on Popular Culture with an Australian slant. freshread - the everyday in a fresh way.

You have planned your business to use systems to ensure quality as well as control costs and increase profits. One of the systems is an innovation program that is used daily. To make your innovation program effective you will need to quantify your results to ensure your innovations actually help the business. To quantify your results means to produce numbers that can be measured. You want to count everything in your business. From the number of customers you have daily you can break down more numbers. The number of customers in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening,
on a rainy day, a sunny day, a cloudy day, week days, week ends and so on.

Now you implement your innovation, maybe if you’re a salesman you wear only blue suits and red ties for six weeks. You have continued to quantify your customers and compare the numbers from before you started your innovation to the end of the six weeks. Now you try a brown suit for six weeks. You check the results again and determine that you sell more products wearing a blue suit and a red tie. You will not be wearing brown suits to work anymore. This is innovation, quantification and implementation of the innovation.

The possibilities are endless. This process will help you develop the best systems for your business. By having systems in your business you will eliminate choice and discretion. This will be a repeatable process that will give you results that you can implement as your business grows. This gives you a unique way of doing business that is proprietary property. Simply by innovating simple things such as this you are creating value in your business. In essence, you are creating wealth.

With three startup businesses before he was 21 years old, Matt Fox has the experience to help you create your own businesses for your financial future. See his blog at http://www.bizmaker.blogspot.com.

If you are new to online sports wagering or looking for a reliable online sportsbook you have come to the right place. Online sports wagering and casino gambling have increased at an exponential rate since the birth of the internet. Unfortunately there are a large number of unscrupulous online sportsbook sites and virtual gambling operators whose only business is swindling money from the recreational sports bettor. Thankfully there are plenty of legitimate online sportsbook wagering sites from which to choose.

In order to pick an online sportsbook that will fit you best you need to evaluate your betting history to determine what sports or bet types you wager on the most. If you have not bet on sports before you will most likely wager on sports you enjoy watching.

The most important question to ask before deciding to deposit money at an online sportsbook is do they pay. You can start your research by visiting the many sports betting forums that have appeared with the advent of internet sports betting. Do not make the mistake in thinking that every sportsbook who advertises at an online sports gambling discussion group or sportsbook forum is legitimate. Many so called watchdog websites are nothing more than internet portals whose owners have not opened an account, placed a wager and successfully completed a withdrawal from the advertisers on their sites. You are better off seeking the opinions of the forum posters by either posting questions or using the forums search feature to investigate sportsbooks that interest you.

At this point you should make a list of online sportsbooks that focus on sports you like to bet or are compatible with your wagering style based on what you have learned from forum posters.

The next step is to start eliminating online sportsbooks under consideration that do not offer either reduced juice, opinionated lines or substantial sign up and reload bonuses. Beware of any online sportsbook that offers all three incentives they may be scams and most likely will not be in business for long.

Most online sportbooks regularly offer a cash bonus in order to attract new business. The online sportbooks that offer larger then normal sign up and reload bonuses are targeting recreational bettors and they typically are not interested in acquiring professional gamblers as customers. Nearly every online sportbook offers a standard bonus equal to 10% of your initial deposit but there are a number of quality online sportbooks who have sign up and reload bonuses of 20% or more.

Some sportsbooks provide gamblers with the option of wagering at reduced juice versus receiving sign up and reload bonuses. In my opinion every sports bettor needs at least one reduced juice sportsbook in their arsenal. Traditionally sportsbooks require sports bettors to wager at -110 where you risk $1.10 to win $1.00. Reduced juice sportsbooks allow you to wager at less than -110 usually -107 to -105 or risk $1.05 to win a $1.00. It might not seem like much of a discount but it definitely adds up over time.

It is highly recommended that you have at least three fully funded online sportsbook accounts even if you only wager on one or two sports. It is very difficult to be a profitable sports bettor without the ability to shop for the best line.

With a little forethought and research you can ensure your funds are safe, benefit from promotional bonuses and win more on every wager by utilizing reduced juice sportsbooks.

Nathan Santora is the developer of The Online Sportsbook Directory promoting responsible sports betting as legitimate form of investing and recreation.
View their website at: www.sportsbookfreepicks.net

Music, they say, soothes the savage beast and this is so true when we consider how music in its magical way works on our body rhythms bring harmony, literally, back into the body.

A story is told in the Bible of a King named Saul, who had an evil spirit that would torment him and make him feel terrible. It was suggested that they find someone who could play he harp and then the evil spirit would leave and King Saul would feel better. So they searched and found a young shepherd boy named David and he was commissioned to play for Saul whenever the evil spirit came upon him.

Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. 1 Samuel 16:23(KJV)

Researchers have found that certain types of music are more uplifting to the soul than others. Although you may think that a way to relax would be to listen to your favorite rock band, you are sadly mistaken. This will only rev up your engines and make you more stressed than when you started out. No, the way to personal harmony must come from a very specific kind of music. Not all music relaxes, you must personally feel more relaxed, your breathing must become slower and deeper for music to have a relaxing effect on you.

According to composer and music researcher Stephen Halpern Ph.D., “Music is not all that meets the ear. If you were to have earplugs in your ears, you cold still ‘feel the music’” he explains. “That’s because music is vibrations. And these vibrations affect your heartbeat, blood flow, brain waves - your entire body chemistry.

So it is by our body responses that we can tell if music is truly relaxing us or not.

In order to truly enjoy the music it is best if you can get yourself focused on it by either sitting still or lying down and really soak it in.

I realize that there are times when you just can’t do this and just listening while going about your work is better than nothing, but it will not have the same effect as actually absorbing yourself in it.

I personally love to just run a hot bath with my favorite aroma, lavender. Then I light candles around the bathroom and turn off all of the lights. This is my special time when I can relax and toss away the cares of the day. In the living room, right next to the bathroom, I have beautiful classical or new age music playing softly. As it permeates the room, mixed with the scent of my bath and candles, I am in another world, totally relaxed without a care in the world.

Music, in my view, is the most influential and powerful therapy that you can provide yourself. It not only affects your soul, but your body and spirit as well.

This article is bought to you by Sharron Myers

Sharron Myers has been a teacher of Spiritual Truth for over 30 years. She also is a Certified Aromatherapist and Personal Development Consultant. Be sure to check out her site: www.sharron-myers.com

To Live the Life You Want, Learn the Skills You Need
www.sharron-myers.com

Here is my personal list of things to do at your networking group:

(1) Bring your business cards. Sound simple? Well, I regularly meet people at networking groups who have forgotten their cards or their cards are at the printers. Keep an ample supply in your car, briefcase, and pockets; you never know when you’re going to meet someone important to your business.

(2) Wear a nametag. While attending a networking meeting, it is not realistic to expect to remember each person’s name and the business they represent. If your nametag says what you do, it makes meeting you, and remembering you later, a lot easier. A nametag can also stimulate conversation about your business.

(3) Door Prizes. At many networking groups, there is an opportunity to give away a door prize. This type of promotion is two-fold. First; your product or service will get mentioned in a special way with lots of attentive people listening. Second; the winner will have an experience of your product or service and may tell others within the networking group. Note-the door prize does not have to be expensive. Regardless of the price, your business will still be acknowledged-thus, getting more exposure.

(4) Set a goal. After the guest speaker, there is time to network with others. You may want to make it a goal to network with a specific number of people at each meeting. While each person is introducing himself or herself, take note of who you want to talk to, so you can tell them about your business and ask about theirs. Remember, make it a two-way conversation.

(5) Respect others. If there is someone you want to talk to and they are engaged in a conversation, respect their time with the other person, and do not interrupt them. Stand off to the side where they can see you. Interrupting them may break rapport between you and them, and between them and the person to whom they are speaking.

(6) Have fun and be enthusiastic about your business.

Michael Losier, a Law of Attraction Trainer and author, supports people in understanding and practicing the Art of Deliberate Attraction, so they can have more of what they want and less of what they don’t. Michael has been applying the principles of Law of Attraction for many years and enjoys a wonderful and rewarding life in the city of Victoria, BC, Canada. He facilitates a number of in-person Law of Attraction seminars as well as Teleseminars to a worldwide audience.

For more articles by Michael Losier, Teleclass information or to purchase the book, Law of Attraction, The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don’t, visit http://www.LawOfAttractionBook.com.

We live in a crazy world. Someone ought to sell tickets. It seems that people, especially those in the US, are always clamoring for products and services that they don’t need and ignoring those that they do. Financial Management is a prime example. Companies that provide financial management services are often inundated with requests from potential clients that really can’t benefit from their services while many people that should be using a financial manager of some kind are literally flying by the seat of their monetary pants without anyone to navigate for them.

So, how do you know when you need an accountant or financial manager of some kind working for you? Just ask yourself these questions:

• How many bank accounts do you have and what are the balances in each?

• How many investments do you have and what are their values?

If you couldn’t answer these questions without getting out files and statements to look up the answers, you may need to higher a company or individual to meet your financial management needs. If your bank accounts include a checking, savings, and maybe a CD or IRA account and you own ten shares of stock in some XYZ company, you probably don’t need a financial manager at this time.

Most reputable financial management companies will let you know up front whether you can benefit from their services. A few, however, will take on as many clients as they can, regardless of whether that client really needs a financial management team working for her.

Financial management companies can do a wonderful job of helping you turn your money into more of your money. Everyone would like to see a thousand of their favorite dollars become ten or twenty thousand of their favorite dollars. If, however, a thousand of your favorite dollars represents all of your dollars, you don’t need to worry about a financial manager at this time.

Investment Tips by Mika Hamilton - Read more free investment tips, tutorials & reviews at http://www.Global-Investment-Institute.com

South Africa offers tourists coming to our country a huge choice of holiday destinations. But its the Drakensberg Mountains that are still kept as an secret place thats seems a bit off the normal beaten track and while some folks do make it to the Drakensberg most dont.

The best place to start your journey would be to download the free Drakensberg Tourist Map which will give you a great idea of where everything is. This is the only to scale tourist map thats available for the region. It shows all the back roads, indicates which are recommended and which are not and indicates how far things are. But what I like about the map is that its freely distributed, includes all the activities that the region offers and a great selection of the best accommodation that the Drakensberg has to offer.

The Drakensberg starts in the North with Clarens and the Golden Gate National Park and ends in the South at Bushmans Nek. Inbetween you will find the Royal Natal National Park with its Amphitheatre, Mweni the wildest part of the mountains, Cathedral Peak, Monks Cowl, Injasuti, Giants Castle National Park, Kamberg with the best bushman rock art site in the whole Drakensberg Mountains, Loteni, Sani Pass, Cobham, and Garden Castle.

There is lots to do in the region but the main reason you come to the Drakensberg is because of the mountains. While every part of the Drakensberg is special and has its own uniqueness there are a few spots you dont want to miss. The best place to get to the top of the escarpment is at Sentinel peak. The return hike is 5 hours and takes you the top of the Tugela Falls which falls some 948 meters into the Royal Natal National Park below. The view from on top of the Amphitheatre is proberbly one of the most spectacular views in the world. Most tourists tend to walk at the bottom and while its worth the visit ist just not the same as the top.

The Central Drakensberg and Northern Drakensberg form one region and by far the best example of this section of the Drakensberg Mountains is Giants Castle National Park. Essentially the experience in any part of this region is the same where you have the oppertunity to hike the lower reaches of the Drakensberg Mountains or otherwise stay low in one of the valleys. What makes Giants Castle more interesting is the large choice of trails and the lack of other people. I suppe it wont stay that way forever but the experice of walking in the montains and not seeing another sole can still be found here. From Giants Castle looking south the mountains become softer , less dramatic but make no mistake hiking trails in thes gentler landscape is just as good and should be included in your trip. Kamberg is a really good spot where the added attraction of the best site of bushman rock art is available.

Bushman Rock Art is most definatly a reason to visit the Drakernsberg Mountains The excellent video presentation before the 3 hour guided tour at Kamberg gives a great explaination of the history of the people as well as the rock art at game pass shelter. The rock art at Giants Castle at the main caves is also good and is a very easy walk. The Didima Rock Art Centre at Cathedral Peak offers a great presentation although the paintings are reproductions. All rock art must be viewed with a guide.
Horse riding through the foothills of the Drakensberg is an experience not to be missed. Sengani horse trails offers safe trails for beginners and experienced alike. Spionkop game reserve even offers game viewing on horse back.

Steeped in history, the Battlefields Region offers enthralling tales of British, Boer, Zulu and Voortrekker history. The Anglo Boer War reached as far south as Mooi River and the many sites are best visited with a specialist guide

The region offers a fun and fascinating collection of art galleries, craft shops, cheese tastings, leather work, antiques, clothing, gifts and pottery. All the activities represent a unique collection of South African creativity. Take a slow journey to view outstanding galleries such as Millgate, Indigo Fields Gallery, and Zombeza. Community development projects like Eyethu Ceramics and Thandanani Craft uplift local communities allowing tourism a wider benefit.

A trip up Sani Pass into Lesotho and a visit to the highest pub in Africa is a must. It’s a dramatic 4×4 trail climbing 1330m in 6,5km’s Passports required.

Game viewing is available at Weenen, Spionkop, Umgeni Valley and Golden Gate. For Birders the Lammergeyer hide at Giants Castle the Crane Foundation at Kamberg and the bird of prey display at Falcon Ridge are highlights. Fort Durnford in Estcourt offers one of the most complete bird egg collections in South Africa.
For adventure seekers the region offers white water rafting and quad bikes , the longest cable slide in South Africa, a gorge swing and a flying trapeze, bicycle tours and even hot air ballooning

The Drakensberg Boys Choir is a world renowned choir which performs most Wednesdays at 3:30 pm. Bookings 036 / 468 1017. Don’t miss this enriching cultural experience. Another enriching culteral experience is Mpopomeni Zulu tourism experience where tourists have the oppertunity to meet local people, hear a bit of the history of the settlement and taste some of the traditional food. Whats great is that the experience is about real people and does not feel touristy at all.

Or just pamper yourself at one of the region’s many health spas. For a difference Indigo Fields offers a real Africa day spa experience

Drakensberg resourses
———————
www.drakensberg-tourism.com - Hiking trails and accommodation in the Drakensberg. The best tourism promotion website for the Drakensberg and Natal midlands available on the net.

www.drakensberg-tourist-map.com - downloadable map for the Drakensberg and Natal Midlands Regions. The most essential tool for torists visiting this region

www.drakensberg-accommodation.com - A huge list of links to accommodation in the Drakensberg Mountains

www.drakensberg.net - pictoral guide to the Drakensberg

www.antbear.com - Antbear Guest House near Giants Castle in the Central Drakensberg

www.vergzient.co.za - Vergezient Mountain retreat in the Northern Drakensberg

www.palmswift.com - Palmswift B&B accommodation in Winterton

www.sycamore-ave.com - Treehouse accommodation in the Natal Midlands

www.sengani-horse-trails.com - Horse trails in the Drakensberg Foothills

www.dbchoir.info - Drakensberg boys Choir

www.bergfree.co.za - Mountain guide for the Drakensberg region

www.midlandsreservations.co.za - Drakensberg central reservations office

Andrew grew up in the Drakensberg region and runs a little bed and breakfast near Giants Castle in the Central Drakensberg. see this B&B accommodation drakensberg.