The Worlds Greatest Dad
October 30, 2006
You are in the final round of your favorite game show. The category is "Fatherhood". All that stands between you and the grand prize is the answer to this question: "Describe the World’s Greatest Dad. He would ?"
Each spring, I play this game with the students in my class as we brainstorm ideas for poems, cards and gifts for Father’s Day. Regardless of the age of my students, out of the hundreds of answers I have amassed, they all remain quite similar. What do they say? What would your kids say? What is that special ingredient that turns a father into a special Dad? The results might surprise you ?
Healthy ?
The World’s Greatest Dad in most cases is tall and strong, but more importantly, very healthy:
? He would not smoke.
? He would be active and always have lots of energy.
? He would take us for hikes, walks, bike rides, and play sports with me.
? He would eat supper faster so he could come outside and play.
Wealthy? ?
While variations on, "He would be rich and buy me things," inevitably make the list each year, it is one of the least popular responses. The top answer does involve spending, but it is time rather than money. Here are some popular responses about spending more quality time with Dad:
? He would take me fishing, hunting, to sporting events, or to the park.
? He would help with my homework.
? He would read with me and tuck me into bed at night.
? He would want to spend time with me."
? and Wise
Lawn Care Business Contracts- Get Professional.
October 30, 2006
Lawn Care Business Contracts- Get Professional.
by: Kevin Whiteside
Customers are important and you want to make sure you keep them. Finding new ones can be costly and time consuming.
For a professional approach and to increase your chances of keeping them, put your services in a contract. Yes, a written agreement. Many companies, you probably wouldn’t expect, use contracts. So get on the bandwagon.
You may be unable to do this with some customers, but many will be open to it. It show’s professionalism. A contract doesn’t have to be looked upon negatively. It can actually comfort a customer. It shows them you are serious about the business and you will do what you say you will.
Some key points to include in a contract are
* Services
* Address(es)
* Payment Terms
* Termination
* Renewal
* Hold Harmless
Services
Make sure to list what will be provided. Be extremely specific. For example, when cutting a lawn list whether it will be bagged. For leaf removal, tell how many times a year it will be done. Don’t just put leaf removal. The customer may think it is 1 time a month during the season.
If doing a lawn spray service, list how many times, when, and what applications will consist of.
Always include how many times and when with a clause in the contract to compensate for weather conditions. Make it easy to understand.
Address(es)
Some business may have multiple locations and branches such as convenient stores and gas stations. Make sure you list the address and name of each business you are servicing. Different locations for the same company may have different services.
For example, some gas stations may require more mulching or leaf removal than the others. Make sure you are specific in what you will do for each of the locations. Try not generalize. It could burn you majorly.
Payment Terms
List how and when you expect to be paid. Most payments are expected upon invoice, but some big companies expect to pay 30 days after receiving the invoice.
If you want immediate payment for certain jobs stated in the contract include it. Give them an incentive and offer a discount for paying within 7 days of the invoice and penalize them when they do not pay within a certain time. Consult a lawyer and find a percentage that is fair.
Some contracts consist of one easy payment once a month. They add all the services’ payments over the course of 1 year and divide by 12. For example, if all the income for 1 client totals 50,000 for a year, divide 50,000 by 12 months = $4,166 per month.
Termination
Have a clause in the contract so you or the customer can terminate the contract. You never know what will arise. You could become ill or unable to continue. A 30 day written notice from either party is fair. Don’t burn your bridges and be professional.
Renewal
If you and the customer are pleased, having an easy way to continue service after the contract is up is a MUST. This avoids having to write a new one. That’s why a clause should be included.
You can say the contract automatically renews or that the customer should notify you 30 days prior to the end of the contract to discontinue service. There are many other ways to accomplish to do this. This is just one.
Hold Harmless
An agreement that states your company agrees not to hold the customer liable if you or one of your employees gets hurt while on their property. Liability and workers compensation insurance is important for this type of agreement. Some customers may require this, but most bigger businesses require that all service professionals show proof of this business insurance even if it is not required by law.
A contract is a good thing. It helps in business planning. How many employees will be needed at certain times of year, how much inventory needed, types of fertilizers and chemicals and what quantity. Also, will let you know if you are able to afford new equipment or vehicles. Plus, it shows professionalism.
I spoke about the words contract and signature(sign), but please use these instead when dealing with customers- Agreement and OK.
I need you to sign right here OR
I need your OK right here.
We have a yearly contract OR We have a yearly agreement
Be sure to seek legal advice. Different laws pertain to different states, so the money you spend with one will be worth it. It could cost you thousands if you draft a wrong contract. I am not a lawyer who cuts grass on the side- you probably already guessed that- so I can't answer any legal questions. All information in this article is not meant to provide legaladvice. PLease consult an attorney. Best of Luck! LawnForum@aweber.com He is also the author of “Turn High Grass Into Cold Cash- How to Start the Ultimate Lawn Business” www.GrassToCash.com You can use this article as long as the bylines are included. October 30, 2006 Long debates on advantages and disadvantages of tanning beds and sunbathing are a good reason for many people to view a tan with suspicion. This has led companies to undertake extensive research to reduce the harmful effects of Ultraviolet rays associated with tanning bed and sunbathing. This resulted in a few lotions. These come in two categories: Tanning bed & Sunbath lotions and Sunless tanning lotions. Tanning Bed and Sunbath lotions Tanning Bed Lotions - People use these lotions before or after taking tanning bed treatments. Tanning bed lotions protect the skin from excess ultraviolet light and accelerate indoor tanning. Tan accelerators are another group of products used for tanning. These lotions are used while sunbathing. They contain a natural enzyme that stimulates the production of melanin (the body’s natural tan creating enzyme) with exposure to sunlight, as a result they are much more effective. This group of lotions accelerates tanning and reduces the harmful effects of sunlight. Sunless Tanning: A Good Alternate to Ultra Violet Light Tanning Self-tanning lotions will help you avoid the sun and decrease the risk of ultraviolet exposure related problems, yet will make you look good. The following are common types of generic sunless tanning lotions. Self-tanning lotions - Research has proved them safe and effective. The Food and Drug Administration has also tested them safe. The active ingredient in these products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA gives color to the skin through a “browning reaction” when it combines with amino acids in the skin to form a chemical compound known as Melaninoid. Melaninoids are brown in color and this gives a long lasting tan to skin. Tanning sprays are temporary but a harmless means for tanning. They save you from harmful UV rays and you do not need to make inconvenient trips to tanning saloons. Aerosol tanning sprays can leave you with a perfect looking, even tan with no hassles. All you need is to spray them on your exposed body parts. Within minutes, you will have a tan skin that you can show off anywhere. Bronzers are yet another tanning product. They come in the form of lotions and gels. Bronzers produce a darker color on the skin by using water-soluble dyes. Bronzers color the skin almost immediately and it dries very quickly. However, it is temporary and starts fading after the first wash. If you like healthy looking tanned skin, you never had it so good. With the products available in the market, you can become a bronze god in no time! Find out all you need to know about tanning beds. Are they safe? Do they work? Why should you use tanning beds instead of normal sunshine? Click http://www.tanning-beds-101.com/tanning-bed-lotions.html
October 30, 2006 While most fathers aspire to become the best Dads they can, all too often life just seems to get in the way. Missed soccer games and bedtime stories, always "In a minute" or "Later" when asked to play. The years pass, and many are left to wonder why their kids don’t seem to make time for THEM any more. As fathers, if we are to succeed in creating strong meaningful lasting bonds with our children, we need to find balance in our lives, and to ensure we make time for our family-letting them get to know the real us. No time? Don’t worry! It’s easier than you think. Here are seven easy ways to add quality time to your week: I will cut back on the amount of work I bring home. This will give you more time to spend with your kids at night and on the weekends. While you might not be able to accomplish quite as much work, you will still be able to maintain a good reputation with customers and peers. Still have some work you need to finish at home? Try to wait until the kids are asleep before starting it. If this is not possible, explain to them that you have to work for a set amount of time (say an hour), but then you will be theirs. I will give them my undivided attention. Whether it is exploring a frog pond, making pizza, or reading stories together before bed, your kids should know you are theirs and theirs alone. By being "present in the moment" during play or discussions, you show them how important they are to you. Avoid being an "unconscious parent"-doing one thing but thinking of another. Be there in body as well as in mind and spirit. Together we will create family rituals. Family movie/games night? Weekend or holiday traditions? Consider starting a family scrapbook and/or photo album. Together you can decide which items (photos, souvenirs, etc.) should go in it, and the captions or comments to be written. Not only does this create a family keepsake, recording a portion of your family life and history, but it allows you to recall moments in your lives ? laughing, joking and reliving the good times all over again ? together. After all, the best souvenirs are the memories that we make. I will keep distance from separating us. Need to spend time away from home? Read and record a favourite storybook for your kids to listen to while you are gone. Take photos or artwork with you on the road or to the office. Set regular call or email times. Explain how you will "beam your love off the moon" to them. If they miss you at night, they merely have to look at the moon and know you are sending them love. I will work to make ordinary things fun. Who says washing dishes, cleaning up, or walking to the store for milk has to be boring. By turning things into games, or using your imagination, the unexciting everyday jobs that make up a large part of our lives can be made interesting, or at least more bearable. Life is what we make of it-and much of that is dependent on the attitude from which we approach it. I will let my kids get to know me. Sure, they know "Dad", but what about the other parts of your personality? As is appropriate for their ages, begin sharing your thoughts and dreams with them. Let them know that you too get scared sometimes, or wonder what the future will hold. Tell them about when you were a boy, and some of the good and not-so-good times and experience you had growing up. Do they know your passions? If, for instance, you love the outdoors and art, then share these by going on hikes, canoeing, and exploring art galleries with your kids. Add new dimensions to familiar activities as you re-experience them through your children’s eyes. I will work to keep involved in my teen’s life. Find common interests with your teen, or show an interest in the things that are important to them. Attend their sporting events or games. Help them with their job searches. Show your support by driving them to interviews, or helping to fill out applications or write resumes. Offer to go shopping, or drive them to the mall. Let them teach you the latest video game or poker variation. Show a positive interest in the person they are dating. This one can be particularly difficult, especially when you meet the boy your daughter is currently dating! Both success and failure are largely the result of habits. Motivational speaker Jim Rohn has observed the formula for failure is nothing more than, "A few errors in judgment repeated every day." The key is to replace the bad habits or routines with winning strategies, transforming it into a formula for success, "A few simple disciplines practiced every day." Spending quality time with your kids is easy ? and important. Just remember, it’s not so much about what you do, but that you do it. So take a break from your busy schedule, have some fun with your kids ? and begin making memories that will last a lifetime. Award-winning educator, author & parent coach, Rob Stringer is currently working on his first book, Parenting with Intention, and has launched a free monthly newsletter by the same name. Visit http://www.ParentingWithIntention.ca to subscribe, access resources, or learn more about PWI’s parent coaching services.
October 30, 2006 Lawn Care Business Customers- Not All In One Basket Please. Are You Lawn Account Diversified? Diversification of your customer base can avoid the hard times from other accounts. Many businesses are made up of a certain type of customers. These can include homeowners, apartments, office complexes, or government accounts. Diversity of your market segment can protect your business from the ups and downs of different market segments. For example, I have 2 friends who are brothers that work for their dad. He owns a printing company. They supply one local bank with all their printing needs. This makes up about 60% of their work. If this bank merges with another, as many do, they may lose this account. That could put the printing company out of business. To this day they are not aggressively going after more accounts. I have never understood this. Market mix should be made up of multiple market segments. I recommend business owners maintain at least 30-40 residential accounts as a good base. This keeps the income flowing weekly as most commercial accounts pay 30-60 days after invoice. After you have these 30-40 accounts established, try to tackle a few commercial accounts. For those that only have 10-15 lawns, market for new business around your already established lawns you feel are the most profitable. It is better to acquire business close to existing accounts as the drive time will be significantly reduced. Some ask me “How do I gain commercial accounts if I have no commercial references?” My answer is this… 1 Submit good references from existing customers 2 Make sure your price is competitive 3 Sell yourself Many people buy from someone they like, not necessarily from the company. Be likeable!! Remember these things when going after different types of accounts. 1 Is there enough potential there 2 Does the customer seem to look for the lowest bids (government accounts) 3 Does it seem possible to maintain long-term business relationships 4 Can you meet the customers expectations Never put all your eggs in one basket, diversification is important to keep a business thriving. Best of Luck! LawnForum@aweber.com He is also the author of “Turn High Grass Into Cold Cash- How to Start the Ultimate Lawn Business” www.GrassToCash.com You can use this article as long as the bylines are included. October 30, 2006 Throughout the year we have many gift-giving opportunities to show love to those around us. From Christmas to Birthdays, Valentines Day and more, our thoughts turn to finding the perfect gift. Before you shop and wrap remember that our loved ones need more of our presence than our presents! This type of gift giving uses more creativity, less of our money and more of our heart. Need some ideas on how you can give of your presence and not just store bought presents? DINNER FOR 2 Instead of purchasing restaurant gift certificates for someone, invite them to dinner with you! Make sure they understand that you are picking up the tab as your gift to them, but the real gift will be the time you get to spend together. SHOPPING SPREE GIFTS My mother simply hates shopping for me. She also hates shopping with me. Ok, she hates shopping period. But she knows how much I love it! That’s why it is such a wonderful gift to me when she takes me on a shopping spree for my birthday every year. If you had planned to buy a loved one something at the store, you can still give of your presence too. Invite your special someone to come pick it out with you. I still remember when I was younger, and a boyfriend took me shopping. He had me model the knit sweater for him before he bought it for me. The sweater is long gone and moth eaten but the memory is still knit tightly in my mind. COUPONS Clipping coupons is an excellent way to save money when shopping but they are also a great way to save money when gift giving. The home computer has made coupon books easy and professional looking. Trying to think creatively about what your loved one needs is the hardest part of making meaningful coupons. Would your husband love his own indoor tailgate party with a coupon for a night of uninterrupted football coverage complete with his favorite snacks and drinks? Or maybe your young teenage daughter needs a coupon book offering taxi rides anywhere her and her friends want to be chauffeured for the night? You get the idea. Be creative. INCENTIVES & BRIBES Whatever politically correct word you use, incentives for children to get good grades or allowance given to complete weekly chores or reach behavioral goals are generally money or present oriented. I would like to suggest that you substitute presence for presents in this situation too once in a while. My parents used to take me to a good movie when I got good grades at the end of each quarter, even if I would have preferred the cash like my friends got, it strengthened our relationship more than the money ever would have. When I was potty training my oldest daughter, instead of giving her candy to reinforce her efforts, I would let her draw an activity from a jar. She knew that I would drop everything and give her my undivided attention and presence to read her a story, color with her, eat a Popsicle with her, etc. Now that this same daughter is 8 and she would much rather have me cater and entertain at her sleep over party, than to be given an allowance as appreciation for doing her chores! If you truly believe that Time = Money, than give a gift worth it’s wealth in gold. About The Author Author Rachel Webb has been married 9 years and enjoys 4 children. She designs 100% Magnetic Fridge Calendars in order to Schedule Family First. 5 affordable designs made entirely out of heavy duty magnet http://www.Note-Ables.com or Rachel@Note-Ables.com and mention this publication for a $2 off Coupon!
Are Tanning Lotions What You Need To Make Tanning Beds safe?
From Good to GREAT: Secrets On Becoming A Better Dad
Lawn Care Business Customers- Not All In One Basket Please.
by: Kevin WhitesideGive Presence Not Presents
