Stripper shoes are best

Comelec spokesperson can't voteTinig Ng Botante - 8 hours agoAPECO answers critics anewTinig Ng Botante - 15 hours agoPeaceful polls in Maguindanao possible-PoliceTinig Ng Botante - Tue, Apr 23, 2013 The 25-year-old star says although the majority of her shoes are custom made to suit her taste, she often shops in stripper stores to purchase their infamous towering heels. "Most of my shoes are custom made, but these are just from a stripper store," she laughed. "I have a stack of them. I love being tall, because I'm really short" Gaga, who has previously admitted she changes outfits for every interview, says that it's a team effort when it comes to her styling routine. The songstress always likes to maintain input into her wardrobe choices. "It's a little bit of both," she told the Kyle and Jackie O radio show, when asked if she or a style team decide on her attire. "The House of Gaga travel with me wherever I go and they help me to pull clothing and go vintage shopping and things, but then in the morning we all wake up, and I have coffee, and everyone is smoking, apart from me, and then everyone starts going through the clothes." © Cover Media Odd Stories Liverpool's Suarez gets 10-game ban for bitingReuters - 2 hours 7 minutes ago By Martyn Herman LONDON (Reuters) - Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was handed a 10-match suspension by the Football Association (FA) on Wednesday following his bite on Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic at the weekend. Suarez accepted a charge of violent conduct after the incident in the 2-2 Premier League draw at Anfield on Sunday but disputed the FA view that it merited more than a three-game ban. An Independent Regulatory Commission met in London on Wednesday to decide the Uruguayan New Jersey parents demand girls' right to bare arm - in strapless dressesReuters - 14 hours ago By Victoria Cavaliere (Reuters) - A New Jersey principal's ban on strapless dresses at a junior high school dance because they would be "distracting" to boys has enraged parents, who called on Tuesday for its reversal on the grounds it violates their daughters' constitutional rights. A regulatory filing on behalf of the county dated April 16 shows it accidentally missed an interest payment on some of its debt, including $76.1 million of public improvement bonds, putting the county technically in default. Oops. . Liverpool fine Suarez for bite but won't sack himReuters - Mon, Apr 22, 2013 (Reuters) - Liverpool have fined Uruguay striker Luis Suarez an undisclosed amount for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic at the weekend but will not sack him, the Premier League club said on Monday. Suarez, the league's top scorer with 23 goals, has been widely condemned for his behavior in Sunday's 2-2 draw and is expected to get a lengthy ban from the Football Association but Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre said the club would stand by him. "I think the most important thing is Spas for pigs, dogs with psychics: meet the "Spoiled Rotten Pets"Reuters - Fri, Apr 19, 2013 By Eric Kelsey LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Every dog has its day, and for Afghan pooch Aiden, today is for dancing lessons while cats Lucky and Missy are legally guaranteed their nightly shrimp dinners according to their owner's last testament. These are just a few of the "Spoiled Rotten Pets," a new television series that dives into the world of fawning pet owners who outfit rats in formal wear and pamper Burmese pythons like princes. .

Manolo Blahnik resolved

She wants the shoes like those in the picture. I think she would be fine with the one you showed me. She does want them to be blue so she can use them as her something blue. She got the brooches off ebay. posted by stuffedcrust at 10:58 AM on July 1, 2009 These are very similar to what you're looking for, though they are white satin. They are also posted by brina at 11:52 AM on July 1, 2009 Here are some turquoise leather Manolos minus the jewelry. Not nearly as nice as the suede ones, either. posted by brina at 12:03 PM on July 1, 2009 Dyeable shoes are made of different fabric than regular fabric shoes. Satin shoes aren't likely to dye well or evenly unless they're made of dyeable satin--white satin shoes are generally made of stain-resistant fabric, for obvious reasons, and that fabric resists dye as well as dirt. I think that if you try to dye white satin Blahniks all you'll end up with are crappy-looking, unevenly-dyed shoes that cost you hundreds of dollars. posted by Sidhedevil at 12:26 PM on July 1, 2009 As far as searching for the original shoes goes, the style name for the Blahniks you're looking at is Sedaraby (there have been/are many variations of this style). I googled a bit and I think that the bride may have added the brooch herself as I'm able to find where people have posted about the very difficult to find a pair. The is cute if you don't mind the SATC reference. Otherwise, I think the posters above may have the right idea regarding finding something similar (seems to be a pretty popular style in general) and DIYing it a little.

Kim Kardashian Sells Wardrobe on eBay

HTC One Video. In The News doing back to school shopping. You can too if you're fan of kim kardashian. You can own a slice of her style. The reality star selling the CONTENTS OF HER CLOSET ON eBAY. There are a lot of kardashian kollection by sears. And major designers. Sizes range from 4 to 6 and designer shoes range -- 4 to 6? Depending on maker. On shoe, ranging from 6 to 6 1/2. This comes after, I don't know if you watched the program, kanye, her boyfriend, kanye west, criticized her closet on a recent episode of "keeping up with the kardashians." Kim is donating a percentage of the profits to charity. She's selling the clothing under the name of kim the princess. I have a challenge for her. Give it all to charity. just saying. And we move on. All right. Superswimmer ryan lochte is not satisfied with the medals from summ. He wantso conquer the fashion world and hollywood. He is, yes, starting his own fashion line. Please, tell me this doesn't mean we have to see him in shirts. Ryan, don't go changing, honey. Or maybe it's a line of speedo-style bathing suits. I offered you up as a model for upcoming fashion shows. Yeah, yeah. Right. Thank you, dude, appreciate that. Lochte is talking about getting into the biz, so to speak. He's telling this interviewer that his own reality show on e ! Is in the works. He's working on "dancing with the stars" or "the bachelor." You don't do both. You dance or live happily ever after. Cat owners and lovers on online videos of cats rejoice. There's now a film festival. Videos like kittens riding vacuums. Patty-cake cats. That is adorable. Patty-cake cats. And 77 other videos have been invited into the first ever viral cat video film festival hosted by the walker arts center in minneapolis. The list of 77 cut down from thousands of videos submitted. We have our own nominee. Ourroducers in the back found one. This was just put on. This is called I can haz cheese burger. The cat fighting the dog for the cheese burger. That is already trending with 50,000 views on youtube. Cat of lovers rejoice. The worldwide web is fabulous. Coming up, I don't know if you have heard. She brakes for many things.

Jews choose different shoes

That last part may not be the best known aspect of Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, which begins at sunset on Friday and ends at nightfall on Saturday. In some synagogues, it can be a delicate debate: to wear or not to wear leather when the Talmud - the ancient commentary on Jewish law - expressly forbids wearing leather on the most sacred day of the Jewish year. For some, the teaching is irrelevant in modern times. For others, wearing leather is an unthinkable violation. But for a middle group, there's ambivalence - and furtive glances to the floor to check out who's wearing what. "Some of my heels have been synthetic," said Rabbi Brigitte Rosenberg of the United Hebrew Congregation in suburban St. Louis. "I've been thinking - if I have enough time - of going out and buying some off-white, grosgrain ribbon shoes." If Rosenberg doesn't make it to the shoe store before Yom Kippur, it won't raise eyebrows at her congregation. As in most other Reform synagogues, which accept a more symbolic than literal interpretation of many Jewish laws and traditions, forgoing leather shoes is optional. Still, Rosenberg said the prohibition on leather is "definitely something I would like to teach about" so that congregants - many of whom may be unaware of the tradition - can at least understand it and decide whether or not to follow it themselves. The Talmud specifies five prohibitions on Yom Kippur, in addition to those associated with the Sabbath, when observant Jews do not work, drive or write, among other activities. On Yom Kippur there is also no eating and drinking, washing, sex or perfuming oneself. The idea is to humble oneself before God, to eschew luxuries. Howard Sklamberg grew up wearing sneakers on Yom Kippur. But the Washington attorney dropped the practice when he saw someone at his synagogue get out of a car - a clear no-no for the observant - wearing sneakers. Forgoing leather "seems an odd thing to single out if you're not going to go fulfill the full monty," said Sklamberg, who said a change in shoes has not affected his Yom Kippur experience. "My atonement is complete," he said, "in leather, or without leather." There are other contradictions with the no-leather rule, leather wearers point out. If the idea in the Talmud is to avoid luxury and comfort, what about wearing sneakers - a popular Yom Kippur leather shoe substitute - which are undeniably comfortable? True, sneakers can be comfortable, said Rabbi Jacob Traub, chairman of the Orthodox Rabbinical Council of San Francisco. But when the Talmud was written thousands of years ago, sneakers were not an option, he pointed out. "You don't wear shoes because leather shoes are comfortable as opposed to going barefoot, which was pretty much the only other alternative, unless you live in Holland," said Traub. But Traub - who wears canvas shoes with rubber soles on Yom Kippur - wouldn't advise anyone to choose an uncomfortable shoe for the Day of Atonement - or to go barefoot. "I would say once you've complied with the law, you've complied with the law," he said. "I'm not one of those rabbis who is looking for extra, to go above the law." At the synagogue where he is now rabbi emeritus, and where he would sometimes issue pre-Yom Kippur reminders of the prohibition, he said compliance is "pretty good." Miriam Friedman, the wife of one of the rabbis at the very traditional Chabad synagogue in Birmingham, Ala., will be wearing "these cute little black Mary Jane Crocs" on Yom Kippur, and she knows everyone praying around her will also be shunning leather. But that's about as much thought as she's going to give to her footwear, said Friedman, who runs a preschool. "On Yom Kippur, we come to stand before God as a humble servant." She said the ban on leather is less about giving up comfort than eschewing what was once a sign of prestige. It's also meaningful to her to make an obvious separation between Yom Kippur and the rest of the year - when wearing leather is fine.

10 Stylish Shoes For Any Occasion

Kenneth Cole Reaction Stripe Search Whether or not you live in a wintry climate, a man can always use a pair of rugged black leather boots. These versatile leather boots have the traction that's most appreciated by guys who don't drive to the office. And don't be turned off by the lack of laces -- with stretch features on the sides and a back pull-tab, putting them on and taking them off is a breeze. How about some thongs in the Bahamas? Okay, it's not what you think -- but Tommy Bahama offers up some thong sandals (shoes in which a thin strap forms a "V" shape, and fits right between the big toe and second toe) that are as hot as the earlier image I provided. While the cross-band leather strap and padded footbed offer you the support you need, their color and style give them a rugged look -- the perfect alternative to the feminine sandals you've seen other guys sporting. Step out in your Born Rumrunners next time you have a date lined up, either by the beach or a booming nightclub.

Q Paul Boisvert

It important that we gather feedback from our merchant customers in an ongoing manner so that we know what we doing well and what we can do to better serve their needs. Additionally, it helps us understand current attitudes and concerns that may help us better anticipate upcoming needs. What conclusions can small businesses and customers draw from the results of this survey? PB: Our small business merchants appear to be cautiously optimistic about this year holiday shopping season, and the preliminary data seems to support their positive attitudes: we saw a 6 percent increase in revenue year-over-year for Cyber Monday. Merchants have been seeing some positive trends, such as a shift in the overall percentage of holiday shopping being conducted online. They believe they can capture their share of this shift. I think the results of this survey support what we already know: shopping online can be more convenient and cost-effective than shopping in-person. There no waiting in lines, fighting the crowds, or being limited to store hours. And product and pricing comparisons are easier online. Furthermore, consumers aren limited to gifts they can find at the mall; online they can find truly unique gifts to delight their family and friends. What were some examples of the survey results that you found most intriguing? PB: I was intrigued by the industries most optimistic about this upcoming holiday season: beauty and fragrances; clothing, accessories shoes; and food. In all of those cases, more than 40 percent of our merchants surveyed expect this year to be stronger than most years. I thought it was interesting that merchants from the industries like books and magazines, electronics, and music expect sales this season to be back to normal, after being depressed last year. In most cases (with the exception of electronics), these are industries with lower average ticket prices. Merchants in some of the industries with higher average product prices, such as computers hardware, were a bit more pessimistic (only 5 percent of merchants in this category expect thus year to be stronger than most years, and 64 percent expect sales to be weaker than most years). Perhaps the feeling is that while the economy is starting to recover, the gifts purchased may be a bit more modest in size than they were during stronger economic periods. If so, the preliminary data shows there may not be cause for concern, as it appears that an increase in average order sizes actually drove much of the increase in revenue this Cyber Monday. Why do you think the majority of Yahoo! merchants surveyed expect sales to be the same as most years or even stronger, especially when considering that the recession is showing no definitive signs of ending anytime soon? PB: Small business owners tend to be optimists in nature. By definition, they entrepreneurs who believe they can turn their ideas, skills, and passions into viable businesses, often personally footing the start-up costs and overcoming many challenging obstacles. This is a tough economic climate, but successful entrepreneurs have faced and overcome daunting challenges before. They may have to be increasingly creative in what they do to survive and thrive, but we believe our small business merchants are up to this challenge and whatever other challenges come their way. What kinds of services does Yahoo Small Business offer to help optimize sales for e-commerce stores? PB: We offer a robust, scalable platform with more than 99 percent uptime and the ability to scale with order volume. Our easy-to-use tools are appropriate for merchants just starting out, yet our systems offer the flexibility and integration options that allow some of the largest merchants on the web to thrive on our platform. Unlike most ecommerce offerings out there, we offer an enterprise-class analytics package providing merchants with in-depth information about sales, merchandising, and visitor behavior that they can use to optimize their product offerings and marketing initiatives in real-time. We also have some useful tools to make merchandising recommendations to increase average order volumes, such as our proprietary automated cross-sell recommendation engine which automatically cross-sells product combinations that have been purchased in the past. Our merchants can also take advantage of over 30 approved Yahoo! Merchant Solutions development partners to truly customize their sites or integrate back-office systems to meet the unique challenges ecommerce retailers of any size may have. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, and hosting more Internet Retailer top 500 merchants than any other hosted ecommerce solution, Yahoo! can offer merchants the security, reliability, and features to make their online business a success.

the Mediterranean Diet

Here's a quick wrap-up of the latest fitness and diet buzz: Stat Junkies, Unite! Wired's latest issue includes an article about how Nike has gotten a lot of people hooked on data through its Nike+ sensor system. The 1.2 million info-junkie runners who've used the shoe- and-iPod system woman calls herself a "stat whore" get immediate feedback on time, distance, and speed. Whether you enjoy it hinges on your personality. If you like to run for the sake of running, more to escape than to pursue a goal, you're probably not going to enjoy the data dump. But if you're a Type A a lot of runners, including this one, are can help you set goals and stay motivated. One tidbit: the most popular song used to get people motivated is the Black Eyed Peas' "Pump It." Here are other ways that technology can get you moving. And see how music can put a spring in your exercise routine. Picking the Right Shoes Nikes, however, may not be the best shoe for everyone. Bill Rodgers, marathon champion extraordinaire, discusses how to find the perfect pair of running kicks in a Q on the New York Times' Well blog. One of his tips is to ask yourself, "Do you feel biomechanically like you're moving barefoot? That's what you want. There is a trend now for simpler shoes. For 30 years I've thought they've had too many gimmicks on the running shoes. Various companies copying each other and trying to outdo each other and adding roll bars and computers on the shoes. It was unnecessary and made things more complicated than it should be." There's indeed a growing awareness that some of our running aches and pains may be the result of moving our bodies unnaturally. At the extreme end of things, some folks are shucking their shoes entirely and running barefoot, or close to it. Pumping Iron (Without the Iron) If you want to strength-train but are on the road and or simply don't have access to weights, you're in luck. Trainer Alwyn Cosgrove has created two full-body training plans for Women's Health, and the only piece of equipment you'll need is some kind of bench. Cosgrove spoke with me last year and gave me 8 great strength-training tips for women. He's also a big fan of interval training. See whether you can really get a great workout in 3 minutes. The Mediterranean Diet, Deconstructed It's no secret that the Mediterranean diet has been associated with better health and a longer life. And while the diet works best when followed comprehensively, researchers recently said they've pinpointed which elements may be most helpful: moderate amounts of alcohol, reduced meat consumption, use of olive oil, lots of vegetables, and fruits and nuts. By contrast, researchers said, eating cereal products, eating fish, and consuming few dairy products contributed much less to longevity. But don't expect to see a Mediterranean diet supplement any time soon; the synergistic effects, many of them unknown, of various foods probably contribute to the eating pattern's apparent effects. Read about the Mediterranean diet and other diets that promote health, and always have.

The Prettiest Shoes Ever

I discovered this website while blogging and I must admit, I was stunned. Thousands of pairs of the prettiest shoes - most for under fifty dollars - and free shipping. I called Betsy to share the news and she, too, shrieked with excitement. The only problem is that there is so much merchandise and so many unique brands, it hard to make a decision. While you try to navigate though the many pages, the shoes you have to have pale beside the something you have just seen. We choose flats for our first pair - because who can use another pair of low heeled shoes and these are decorated with different colored sequin - can you just picture them with a pair of ankle jeans and a brightly colored sweater - (These are called Wanted Flats because, I am assuming, everyone want them.) We proud to add the innovative Franklin and Marshall Unusual Passenger to our offerings representing our clientele. Man F Outerwear --2011 NEXT POST All That Glitters "We need to outshine our enemies." Evita Sometimes you just want to walk into a room and own it, all eyes on you. Or maybe you want to wear that one accessory that will dazzle the crowd. Any of the items below are stunning and lavishly studded. Tie this ribbon on to a black or gray dress and up the glamor a hundred percent! Crystal and Satin Necklace Love these purse charms - put a picture of your loved one in the small heart shaped frame and dangle from a handbag or a cell phone and watch people notice -. PREVIOUS POST Pretty and Pink "True genius lies in the capacity for evaluation of uncertain, hazardous and conflicting information." Winston Churchill October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month - and many retailers are giving a portion of their profits to the prevention and the cure of this disease. I love pink and these accessories would be stunning - even if their sale wasn't going to a good cause. This is the perfect time to show your support and look stylish at the same time - Twenty percent of this printed cuff goes towards breast cancer research - Flowered Bangle One hundred percent of the profits.

Walking a mile in their shoes

Damion Maynard says he feels it's his duty as an American to pay tribute to the servicemen and women who have been killed. He's walking a mile for each troop who has been killed in Iraq, meaning his journey will take him more than 3,000 miles. The five-foot flag he's carrying makes him hard to miss. Damion says a lot of people have stopped to thank him - and many have told him he's crazy. But he says more people should want to do something like this. He's got plenty of time to think, he says. He watches the clouds, thinks about his family and ponders what it must be like in Iraq and Afghanistan. Damion relies on the generosity of strangers to make his tribute to fallen soldiers a reality. He doesn't carry any cash, just a few supplies - like beef jerky, dried fruit and sunflower seeds. He also has a snake bite kit " just in case. But he says the most precious thing in his backpack is his log book " which has the signatures of new friends he's made along the way. Damion says he's met members of the military, retired military members and "just lots of really nice people." All of them support his efforts to bring comfort to families of fallen troops, who he says he hopes get some sense of peace, knowing someone would walk a mile for each of their loved ones.

Staying safe this festive season

"For children in particular, there is temptation all around in the form of brightly coloured decorations, presents, bright berries and, of course, the Christmas tree," they advise. "The abundance of party drinks around the home also increases the risk of alcohol poisoning in young children and we recommend that all children showing signs of alcohol intoxication should be assessed in a hospital emergency department." Trees are a source of fascination for young children and while they are not considered harmful, the pine-needles can cause choking. In addition, there may be tummy upset if the needles are ingested. They are irritating to skin, and handling the branches can cause dermatitis. Christmas decorations are non-toxic but plastic decorations may cause bowel or airway obstruction if consumed. If children appear to be having trouble breathing after eating or playing with decorations, they should be medically assessed as soon as possible. Expanded polystyrene is a packaging material for gifts. It is non-toxic when eaten but could cause obstruction if taken by a small child. Again, the advice is to seek medical attention if the child appears to be in any distress. Desiccant sachets are often found in new shoes, handbags, and leather goods. These sachets usually contain silica gel. The sachets are often labelled 'Do not eat' but silica gel is non-toxic and symptoms are not expected. Artificial Christmas snow often contains a chemical called methylene chloride. If eaten, this can cause burning and blistering of the lips, mouth and skin. There may also be vomiting, dizziness, confusion and more severe symptoms. As with all corrosive products, do not induce vomiting. If the person is well and is not complaining of any pain in the chest or abdomen, you can give them a small glass of water to sip. Do not give large amounts of fluids to drink. If they are vomiting or if they appear to be unwell, do not give any drinks and bring them to hospital immediately. Wash the skin around the mouth with plenty of soap and water. The ingestion of 'button' batteries is a potential problem all year round but particularly so at this time of year when new presents are being investigated. Symptoms can develop from obstruction or from batteries that leak after they are swallowed. For many people, the battery will enter the stomach and be passed without difficulty within two to seven days. In some cases, however, the battery may become trapped somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. It can then cause local damage. Essential oils are often used to add a festive fragrance to the house at this time of year but they can be highly toxic if they are swallowed. Even small amounts of a concentrated essential oil can cause serious symptoms in small children so caution is urged when using and storing them. Skin contact can cause irritation and a burning sensation, so the area should be washed with water as soon as possible. Seek medical advice if any essential oils or pot-pourri oils are swallowed.

Michael Kors comes to Danbury

According to a spokesperson at Michael Kors in Manhattan, the Danbury store will be a lifestyle store that offers a full range of accessories for women from all of the Michael Kors collections, including a selection of ready-to-wear pieces from the company's "Michael" line. Fragrance, eyewear and watches also will be featured. According to Eigen, the 2,100-square-foot store will be the second location for Michael Kors in the state. Flagship boutiques are located throughout the United States in New York, California, Florida, and Illinois, and abroad in Italy and England. Complements to the Michael Kors store at Danbury Fair mall include J. Crew, , Coach, Metropark, and Williams-Sonoma, Eigen said. The and Macy's stores at Danbury Fair mall also carry Michael Kors products including shoes, handbags and women's apparel. "Customers who enjoy shopping luxury fashion brands will be able to shop in multiple stores when they come to the Danbury Fair Mall," Eigan said. "We like to continually provide the best shopping experience for our market." "We are very pleased to find a major retailer like Michael Kors coming to the mall, especially in light of the ongoing economic downturn that's facing our nation. It bolsters the way we are viewed by major retailers as a destination," said , president and chief executive officer of the .

How To Cure Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is an irritating condition that can strike with little warning. If you find your feet burning and itching on a regular basis, this fungus might be the culprit. Follow these guidelines to cure your athlete's foot. If you've tried the sprays and creams, and nothing seems to work, check out this 7 day all-natural cure for athlete's foot. Protect your feet in public showers. If you shower at the gym or public beach, don't expose your bare skin to the bacteria, dirt and fungi that may be growing in the shower stall. You have no way of knowing who showered before you or when the shower was last cleaned. Wear flip flops or shower shoes whenever you use a public shower. Keep your feet dry. The fungus that causes athlete's foot grows best in warm, moist areas. If you wear shoes and socks all day, your feet will sweat and become the type of place fungi love. After workouts and showers, dry your feet thoroughly before putting socks and shoes back on. Change socks often. Your feet sweat. The more they sweat, the more likely you are to get athlete's foot. After a workout, change your socks. Air out your shoes after workouts. Don't just toss your shoes in your gym bag, locker or the back seat of your car. They are wet after a workout and need to dry before you put your feet back in them. Drive with the window open. If you can, sit your sneakers out in the sun to air dry. This keeps down the odor as well. Spray the inside with an antifungal spray at least once a week. Soak your feet. At the first sign of itchy athlete's foot, you should soak your feet. Try a combination of alcohol and hot water or a strong anti-bacterial soap. Scrub your feet once the itching has lessened. Be sure to dry your feet completely when done. Apply cream. There are two types of cream you can use for athlete's foot. Hydrocortisone cream works well to calm the itching and burning. Apply it to any area of the foot that itches or is red. Make sure to apply regularly between your toes. For most cases, using an antifungal cream will also help rid your feet of the fungus. Several varieties are available over the counter. They may have different strengths, so follow the package directions for use. Go barefoot. Some people wear socks and shoes all day long. If you are the type of person who covers their feet everywhere but the shower and bed, you might be causing problems for your feet. Socks trap humidity and don't allow your skin to dry. Try to remove your shoes and socks as soon as you get home. Going barefoot more will keep your feet dry. The fungus that causes athlete's foot is persistent. It thrives in warm, moist environments. As long as you follow these steps, and keep your feet dry, you should be able to cure athlete's foot.

Shoes and sheets get wired

Woven-in sensors could record athletes' heart rate, hydration and blood sugar levels.© GettyImages Fabrics woven with wires and electronic devices are being fashioned into speedometer shoes, chameleon curtains and singing shirts. 'Electrotextiles', researchers heard this week at the meeting of the Materials Research Society in Boston, are also being rolled out to measure footfalls, detect explosions and spot smuggling. Plenty of challenges remain, such as ensuring that the circuits can survive broken threads and a spin in the washing machine. But scientists already have lots of ideas up their sleeves. Off the cuff Pressing the letters and symbols embroidered on the cool-looking denim jacket manufactured by International Fashion Machines (IFM) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for example, triggers a blast of notes and percussion. Similar soft keypads decorate the cuff of a space suit being developed by ILC Dover Inc. of Frederica, Delaware, in collaboration with NASA and UK-based company SOFTswitch. An astronaut can use the cuff to control a robotic rover vehicle on a planetary surface. The same idea could soon feature in diving suits or protective clothing for hazardous environments, says ILC's David Cadogan. Telecommunications antennae can be threaded into a jacket, eliminating protruding aerials that can become snagged when the operator, perhaps a soldier or construction worker, is moving around. Fibres that warm electrically could be used to create thermal garments. Or they could form chameleon clothes, for the military, say. IFM's Maggie Orth showed the meeting a wrap striped with thermochromic inks that change colour when warmed slightly, saying: "I made this one in my garage using my grandmother's sewing machine." IFM is in talks with Nike about developing training shoes with textile panels that change colour according to how fast you're running. Woven-in sensors could also record heart rate, hydration and blood sugar levels. Sheet sense Electrotextiles have the potential to do much more than send and receive electrical signals, says Elana Ethridge of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The agency is working on a sheet studded with acoustic sensors that can be unrolled like a tarpaulin to produce a large-area sound detector for sensing nearby explosions or detonations. DARPA is also developing parafoil textiles that can change shape or texture to alter the way in which air flows over their surface, for steering. At present, this kind of control relies on winches in the payload, which tug on the strings; these add considerably to the payload's weight. Placed just below a road or pavement surface, textiles also win out over plastic for monitoring pedestrian or traffic flow, because they can be woven into continuous sheets that are as long as necessary, says John Muth of North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Sensor carpets might even detect fires, spills, or metal objects carried by passengers at airports.

Claudia Ciuti Shoes

Claudia Ciuti shoes is a brand known for its elegance, quality and beauty. The three things women want always in their shoes. There is also that little something that makes them different, makes them stand out but still part of an outfit. These are shoes for a woman who knows her own style and is proud to show it. They have the beauty and quality that is expected of shoes made in Italy. There are shoes for a night out dancing and some for the boardroom. The collection has boots, flats and pumps. Each one has a shape or detail that makes it a little more than ordinary. The flat loafers are made in suede and leather. They may have a short heel or be ballet flats. One shoe called the Isotta is available with two different details. They are both black suede but one version has a rosette. A silver capped toe detail is also available. The Gabrielle shoe comes in black and red patent leather. The red makes for a great statement with a monochrome outfit. It has a silver buckle for detail and the toes are rounded. Suede is another option in brown, taupe or grey. In pumps this color is seen again in a platform heel. This one is called the Jacqueline and it is open toed with crisscross detail in the same red leather. They are just the right blend of sexy and elegant. These are also available in black suede with silver leather crisscross detail. Claudia Ciuti shoes are for the modern woman who demands quality and sophistication in her choices. These shoes are simply beautiful. The line also has boots ready for the fall. Made of leather or suede these stylish boots and booties have bow, ties and zipper details. They range from ankle boots to knee boots, something for every appetite.

Pittsburgh Pirates Shoes

Air Force FalconsAlabama Crimson TideAppalachian State MountaineersArizona State Sun DevilsArizona WildcatsArkansas RazorbacksArmy Black KnightsAuburn TigersBaylor BearsBCS National ChampionshipBoise State BroncosBoston College EaglesBYU CougarsCal BearsCincinnati BearcatsClemson TigersColorado BuffaloesColorado State RamsDuke Blue DevilsEast Carolina PiratesFlorida GatorsFlorida State SeminolesFresno State BulldogsGA Tech Yellow JacketsGeorgetown HoyasGeorgia BulldogsGonzaga BulldogsHarvard CrimsonHawaii WarriorsIdaho VandalsIllinois Fighting IlliniIndiana HoosiersIowa HawkeyesIowa State CyclonesKansas JayhawksKansas State WildcatsKentucky WildcatsLouisville CardinalsLSU TigersMarquette Golden EaglesMarshall Thundering HerdMaryland TerrapinsMemphis TigersMiami HurricanesMichigan State SpartansMichigan WolverinesMinnesota Golden GophersMississippi State BulldogsMissouri TigersMontana GrizzliesMontana State BobcatsNavy MidshipmenNC State WolfpackNebraska CornhuskersNorth Carolina Tar HeelsNorth DakotaNorthwestern WildcatsNotre Dame Fighting IrishOhio BobcatsOhio State BuckeyesOklahoma SoonersOklahoma State CowboysOle Miss RebelsOregon DucksOregon State BeaversPenn State Nittany LionsPitt PanthersPurdue BoilermakersRutgers Scarlet KnightsSMU MustangsSouth Carolina GamecocksSouth Florida BullsSouthern Miss Golden EaglesStanford CardinalStephen F Austin LumberjacksSyracuse OrangeTCU Horned FrogsTemple OwlsTennessee VolunteersTexas A AggiesTexas LonghornsTexas Tech Red RaidersTulsa Golden HurricaneUCF KnightsUCLA BruinsUConn HuskiesUNLV RebelsUSC TrojansUtah UtesUTEP MinersVanderbilt CommodoresVillanova WildcatsVirginia CavaliersVirginia Tech HokiesWake Forest Demon DeaconsWashington HuskiesWashington State CougarsWest Virginia MountaineersWisconsin BadgersWyoming Cowboys>">Don't see your team? View all 500+ NCAA teams >> Arizona CardinalsAtlanta FalconsBaltimore RavensBuffalo BillsCarolina PanthersChicago BearsCincinnati BengalsCleveland BrownsDallas CowboysDenver BroncosDetroit LionsGreen Bay PackersHouston TexansIndianapolis ColtsJacksonville JaguarsKansas City ChiefsMiami DolphinsMinnesota VikingsNew England PatriotsNew Orleans SaintsNew York GiantsNew York JetsOakland RaidersPhiladelphia EaglesPittsburgh SteelersSan Diego ChargersSan Francisco 49ersSeattle SeahawksSt. DodgersLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimMiami MarlinsMilwaukee BrewersMinnesota TwinsNew York MetsNew York YankeesOakland AthleticsPhiladelphia PhilliesPittsburgh PiratesSan Diego PadresSan Francisco GiantsSeattle MarinersSt. Louis CardinalsTampa Bay RaysTexas RangersToronto Blue JaysWashington NationalsWorld Baseball Classic NBA Shop Atlanta HawksBoston CelticsBrooklyn NetsCharlotte BobcatsChicago BullsCleveland CavaliersDallas MavericksDenver NuggetsDetroit PistonsGolden State WarriorsHouston RocketsIndiana PacersLos Angeles ClippersLos Angeles LakersMemphis GrizzliesMiami HeatMilwaukee BucksMinnesota TimberwolvesNBA MerchandiseNew Orleans HornetsNew Orleans PelicansNew York KnicksOklahoma City ThunderOrlando MagicPhiladelphia 76ersPhoenix SunsPortland Trail BlazersSacramento KingsSan Antonio SpursSeattle SuperSonicsToronto RaptorsUtah JazzWashington Wizards NHL Shop Anaheim DucksBoston BruinsBuffalo SabresCalgary FlamesCarolina HurricanesChicago BlackhawksColorado AvalancheColumbus Blue JacketsDallas StarsDetroit Red WingsEdmonton OilersFlorida PanthersLos Angeles KingsMinnesota WildMontreal CanadiensNashville PredatorsNew Jersey DevilsNew York IslandersNew York RangersOttawa SenatorsPhiladelphia FlyersPhoenix CoyotesPittsburgh PenguinsSan Jose SharksSt. Brag on your Pittsburgh Pirates with officially licensed Pirates Socks and Tennis Shoes including Pirates Slippers and comfy socks! Shop the FOX Sports Store and buy your Pirates Shoes from one of the most comprehensive collections of Pittsburgh Pirate items online! 2013 Fanatics Retail Group, All Rights Reserved. From American pro classics like MLB baseball, NBA, NFL and NHL gear to Arena Football, Soccer and Olympics, we leave no sector of fandom untouched.

Discount Louis Vuitton Handbags for The Real You

If you're like most women, you love the feel and look of pure designer handbags. An accessory as a Louis Vuitton is a wonderful addition to a woman wardrobe. It is an unmistakable sign of sophistication, recognition and social status. After all, Louis Vuitton is the king of the marks in the fashion industry.So what does a Louis Vuitton is it The manufacturer promised in the quality of the replica states that their product is made of first quality real leather Monogram canvas and rusty fit exactly like the originals, and handles. All replicas are vigilant sewing, cutting, with all appropriate seals. Most replicas do YYZ closures, set of keys and locks of brass. Some even contain all the original model number and serial number. The discount Louis Vuitton handbags are actually designed so that they are as close as possible to the original. The design is very similar, making it the grandeur and elegance associated with the original. In fact, it is very difficult to identify one as a replica, even if watched closely. To top the look of accessibility is also taken care of everything around producing a wonderfully powerful blend of style and cost-effectiveness. A handbag for a modern woman is the ultimate symbol of fashion consciousness and status and, therefore, the bags have gained enormous popularity as. Are really what a woman can order and have given a new dimension to the concept of affordable fashion.The replicas in the world of fashion has dethroned and reduced to the original. Whether it's clothing, accessories, shoes, replicas are ruling everywhere. And why not do it The quality, if not a hundred percent of the original rule still maintains a good level of quality. For example, Louis Vuitton replica handbags are borrowing the exact style of the original Louis Vuitton, while maintaining product quality at a normal level and how low and affordable price. This is how the mirror replicas of seven stars stays in the market year after year, with a certain dignity and popularity. Louis Vuitton replica handbags are the rage among women, for several reasons. The cost factor obviously comes first. Genuine Louis Vuitton cost anywhere between several hundred and a whopping $ 1,000 or more. Really a bit much for a handbag, is not it On the other hand, high-quality Louis Vuitton replica handbags cost only a fraction of that - about $ 100 - $ 200. So by buying a replica, you can easily purchase several handbags for the cost of a single copy.If you've always wanted to own a discount Louis Vuitton handbags, but the large amount of money it costs has always been his problem, he has fallen in the right place. We offer you a product that is an exact copy of your favorite bag, but never still different in terms of cost. How about a reply What if we guarantee that you can not differentiate between it and its original counterpart What if we assure the quality and authenticity standards, as well It would not be able to fend for sure! Some websites offer wonderful quality replicas, so much so that people will be surprised to see the photo gallery of these sites advertise a Louis Vuitton-No one can tell the difference from the originals. These Web-based businesses to vote in the duplicate products, advertising the fact that these are not the originals, but on par with the quality and do not burn a hole in the pocket of the customer. In reality, as well as the replica looks and feels just as great as they look at your pictures on the web.Dressing well is often a matter of accessories too. To look good, you need to change accessories to suit the cut, style, color and appearance of their equipment. Often, they must also change the style according to the occasion, classy and elegant bags for formal occasions, handbags jazz fun outings and so on. The only way that any woman of means media can afford to do this with designer handbags LV is the use of A Louis Vuitton replica handbags.

Update What Works and What Doesn't



Here's a report that might help you out. This is
the latest update on what works and what doesn't
in online marketing (Dec. 2000).

I will take you through what doesn't work, first.

1. Blasting your ad to FFAs
Avoid these with extreme prejudice. Nobody ever
visits these anymore. Plus your ad is listed for
only minutes.

2. Classified ads boards.
These don't work either. At least not for Biz Opps
Even in Yahoo! They don't work at all. Waste of
time.

3. Blasting your ad to free opt in lists.
Don't work. You'll get 2 to 3 responses. this wont
guarantee sales. Free opt-in list work only if you
use a particular method described below:
verdeneon/$3_gets_$10/

4. Blasting your ad to paid opt in lists.
Don't work. In order for them to work you must
chose new lists, no older than a month and with
under 500 subscribers. And even then you only
get under 10 responses.

If you're thinking about these "1,000,000 subscriber"
companies, think twice a about paying your $39.95 to
these companies. These are just a bunch of useless
free opt-in lists that everyone else is blasting to and
not really paying to much attention to. Again you only
get10-20 people per blast. It really isn't all they make
it to be. It's all hype and emotional style propaganda.

5. Ezine advertising.
Doesn't work. If you're submitting your classified
ad to ezines, you're a complete fool. You need a top
sponsor ad and you need ezines that have a large loyal
following and increases in subscribers at least 100
per week. If this isn't happening, then you've wasted
your time and money.

You must take in consideration that an ezine is viewed
completely the first few issues, then the subscriber
just scans the issue for any relevant topics, disregarding
the ads completely.

Plus you need your top sponsor ad in several ezines
just to break even. This can be very expensive and there
are no guarantees on the success of your ad campaign
even on large subscriber ezines.

6. Ezine Solo ads.
Don't work. Again, same as above. Veteran subscribers
do not read solo ads. In fact, they are annoyed by them.
Only new subscribers read solo ads, so the ezine must
be increasing in subscribers every week.

7. Banner exchanges.
These don't work. Unless you already have lots of hits
to your site. If you have 1:1 exchange and you have 200
hits a day to your site, then that's just 200 impressions
you get on other sites, but it's not guaranteed hits to
your site. So just forget that idea.

8. Banner Ad campaigns.
Don't work. Some people say they do some say they don't.
I'll tell you that you need a lot of impressions to make
a "good impression" We're talking about 5 million to start
with. This is really expensive. At a $1 CMP (cost per thousand)
that's $5,000. This will guarantee aprox. 20,000 hits
It's pretty good if you have $5000 hanging around.

9. Search Engines and Directories
Don't work. They might have worked 6 months ago or earlier.
I'll tell you why they don't work. URL submission to search
engines is like throwing a basketball from one side of
the court to the other and trying to make it in while there
are a thousand other people trying to make it in as well in
the same basket at the same time. It's ludicrous and useless.

Then once you're in, you have to be sure your listing is in the
top 3 or you lose. It's that simple. So if there is a
submission company that can guarantee top 3 for a popular
keyword or keywords in the 5 major search engines and
directories, then you have a chance to get some extra hits
a day.

Note: All these variable must be there or you lose:
Top 3; the right keywords; 5 major search engines.
Again, taking all the variables plus what I mentioned before,
it's riduculous to even try. Another thing is that it usually
takes week even months to get listed. Forget about it!

10. Ad swaps.
Don't work. Unless you swap strategically and even then
you need to swap with many other websites to get a decent
number of hits. And since you need to put the other site's
ad on your site/ezine, your biz will look like a classified
ad section of the newspaper and no one will want to visit
your site again.

Ok, what works' There's only one thing you need:

100% GUARANTEED TARGETED VISITORS.

Any company that can guarantee a specific number of hits
in a particular time frame is a "winner" in my eyes. This
is crucial for any online business. You have to get results.
You need guaranteed traffic. Once you have that traffic
it's up to you to get the visitors in a confident buying mood.

But I will say from experience that traffic is the key.
The biz with the most targeted visitors wins. That simple.

You can control everything that happens on your site,
from ad copy to delivery. So that is your job; to get
everything on your site working smoothly. You must
now get control of your traffic.

That's the only way to succeed online:

100% GUARANTEED TARGETED VISITORS.

Article Tags: Don't Work

Online Communities - A marketers wildest dream and worse nightmare!



The nightmare for marketers in online communities are the flamers. Flamers are the people who regularly post complaints, and start arguments in the community. Some of them are simply marketers with ads in the electronic signatures on their messages who go around flaming every commercial message. These people do it to get more attention for themselves and their business. Most online communities seem to condone this flaming, and go as far as banning anyone who posts an article which gets significant flaming. Flamers often become top posters in communities and are given "authoritative privileges" to change messages, and sometimes even ban "offenders" from the community. What makes the situation worse for marketers is most of these events are made public. Many moderators brag of their actions as the last post in a thread of messages and lock the topic so no one else can post to it. These message threads can remain online for years and leave permanent damage. Some of these threads show up on search engines for obscure search terms which don't get much attention, but enough to cause alarm. Few marketers would want to see an article they posted get flamed and the entire conversation in top listings on search engines. This is a marketing nightmare!

There is a fine line between "Advertising" and "Corporate news". This line is so small that any marketer in a forum is constantly on the edge of a public relations nightmare. The danger is that these discussions don't go away quickly. They are often archived, staying on the net for years and getting thousands of visitors. This permanent scar can seriously limit a marketers ability to spread important information with others in various industries. eSpirit Communications deals with this problem by providing a classifieds section of the community for pure advertisements. At eSpiritCommunications.Com it is up to the marketer to decide if the information they're posting is an advertisement or news.

A marketers "Dream" is to reach their target audience. Forums have been attracting visitors for years, but these new communities offer a little bit more. They tend to be part of a larger service, have a more general "theme", and more features. eSpirit Communications is a communications and web development company which implemented an online community for businesses, advertisers, and the average consumer. The community has a wide range of topics covering many industries and a fast growing member base. Unlike search engine ranking which can take months to produce web site traffic, these quality posts generate traffic within hours and in some cases, seconds. This is the "Marketers dream", an instant targeted audience for their marketing messages. This makes online communities an important marketing and information resource.

eSpirit Communications is revolutionizing online communities. As more people use their online community the amount of quality information is increasing. The consistent growth in the number of members in the community shows that information and advertisements can stand side-by-side without driving away visitors. As more online communities revise their terms of service to allow advertisements these communities should become much more valuable resources to both businesses and consumers.

Three Ways Flat Rate Conferencing Can Help Grow Your Business



There is no question that teleconferencing is revolutionizing the way that people do business, both on the Internet and offline.

Internet marketers, coaches, consultants, counsellors, major corporations, even Sunday School teachers are using teleconferencing to stay in contact with their staff, clients, potential customers, and classes without having to set up a meeting place.

Teleconferencing has also added a new dimension to the way people can teach and deliver information over the Internet. Seminars and classes can now be held for hundreds of people at the same time without having to leave their homes. With a preset date and time, people can call a number and either learn more information about a topic or participate in a forum of discussion.

Charges for admission to these types of calls can be anywhere from $20 to $30 up to $100's of dollars for typically one hour.

Three Ways To Boost Your Income And Grow Your Business

Teleconferences can lead to an amazing growth in your income, and credibility as an expert on a given situation. You can also ADD more to your conferencing by utilizing flat rate conferencing.

Flat rate teleconferencing is simply setting up an account for unlimited monthly conference calls for a set rate. By doing so, marketers are seeing exponential growth in both their reach of new customers and as a byproduct, their income.

In watching this use of flat rate telenconferencing among individual marketers, corporate executives, coaches, and consultants I have singled out three ways that flat rate conferencing can lead to added growth and income.

1. Talk As Much As You Want.

Typically the average conference call would last for one hour. But, there are times when the conversation, and/or, meeting would take on a whole new life and 60 minutes just isn't enough time. But, either the call is cut off or the host has to pay extra charges.

With flat rate conferencing you can host your call for as long as you want with no worries of extra charges or disonnections. People are more at ease and can have added time to grasp what is being taught or talked about.

2. No reservations needed.

With regular conference calls you need to reserve your bridge in advance. With flat rate calling, there is no need. You can set up calls wihthin a minutes notice if need be.

This works well with telecommuters and for staff meetings.

3. You can set a conferencing budget.

If you can budget something every month you can use it to grow your income. With flat rate teleconferencing you are able to know every month how much you'll be spending on it and know how much you'll be earning with it.

If you're using teleconferencing to hold paid seminars or courses you can hold as many as you want each month for the same price.

People Are Learning More And Enjoying It

Teleconferencing has not only changed the way that people do business online, and added a new income avenue, but it has also helped alot of people get started with their own business, changed the way they learn, has helped coaches and counselors give more attention to their clients, and Sunday School teachers lead a lesson to shut ins and people who were on vacation.

And people are enjoying the new option of attending a seminar or class without leaving thier home.

Flat rate conferencing is going to add a new way for people to experience this more often and give businesses, and teachers, a new tool to reach more people.

Does your Internet Marketing Pull



"Pull Marketing" has always been, and will continue to be the
most effective internet marketing strategy at your disposal.

Allow me to explain. Most marketing efforts can be placed into
one of three categories:

1. "Push Marketing" or advertising basically screams at the

viewer. "Hey Look at ME, Buy My Stuff NOW!" Because we are
exposed to this type of marketing thousands of times a day, we've
learned to tune it out, hate it and even protest against it. Look
at SPAM for instance. People even get arrested for using email
to "Push" their offers in front of us!

With Push Marketing we have no choice in the matter. We get a
sales pitch whether we want it or not. And who doesn't want a
choice in what they see, read or hear'

2. "Permission Marketing" on the other hand aims to seduce us
into allowing others to advertise to us. They offer up promises
of great useful content, special offers and discounts if we sign
up, opt-in or subscribe. It's effective but loosing ground day
by day as we see the content more and more diluted by the ads.

Basically, they ask us if they can advertise to us and we have a
choice whether the content they're offering is valuable enough
to us to put up with the ads.

3. "Pull Marketing" is when people come to you, with a purpose.

If I'm seeking the services of a programmer to develop a script
for a web site I'm working on, the first place I begin my search
is either a search engine or a site where I know programmers can
be found like Elance. I actually visit these sites with a
purpose and seek out the best person for the job.

Maybe I read an article or web based tutorial on designing
scripts for my purpose. Maybe I searched through HotScripts
and couldn't find what I was looking for.

The Point is, I went looking for them. I took the time and energy
to find them and I'm ready to buy now. I'm the most targeted
prospect the programmer could ever hope for.

Now, the key to effective Pull Marketing on the internet is
visibility. If that programmer was not visible when I went
searching he would have lost the sale. He used Pull Marketing to
his advantage and it was to my advantage as well because I
needed his services at the time.

Here are 7 ways to implement "Pull Marketing" into your internet
marketing strategy:

1. Make sure your web site is listed in the major search engines.
Your site needs to be optimized so that it is listed under the
appropriate keywords and phrases, making it visible when your
potential customers and clients are ready to buy.

2. Make your expertise memorable by writing informative articles
relevant to your industry or niche. Make those articles visible
by submitting and syndicating them to sites and ezines for
future publication.

3. Contribute meaningfully to online forums where your potential
customers gather to exchange their views, opinions and talk about
their problems. Leave a subtle keyworded link in each of your
postings. Now that other forum visitors know who you are and what
you know, they'll be more inclined to check out your link.

4. Brand your email with a signature. Every email you send out
should have a short blurb at the end along with your URL. Make
sure the main benefit of your business is stressed and make it
compelling and irresistable. Make it memorable.

5. Provide a content rich web site that pulls visitors into
interacting in some way. They have to come back for the newest
articles, they have to come back to see the results of a poll or
quiz they took part in. Constantly give your web site visitors
a reason to return.

6. Leave your URL and signature on any other related sites that
allow link submissions or link exchanges. Sign guestbooks, send
webmasters testimonials touting what a great source of info their
site has been to you. They may publish it, and your URL right on
their main page.

7. List your site in the appropriate category of every online
directory you can find. Drill down through the categories as if
you were a prospective customer looking for the services you
offer and submit your liating there. Targeted visibility
will do wonders for your marketing pull.

The bottom line is: Visibility is the key to effective "Pull
Marketing". You need to be there when your customers come
looking.

Musical jewelry includes Franklin and also Marshall T-shirts many people applied after they are generally with cycle. The particular Franklin and also Marshall T-shirts many people employ refer to these people, It might present you with the particular blueprint in their identify the saying and in many cases the way skilled these are. A lot of the Guitarist don't employ Musical Franklin and also Marshall T-shirts after they are generally for the cycle. This can certainly not identify an entertainer from your open. MusicCounter CultureCountry MusicCureFunk Music Funny Get MusicHoroscope AstrologyJump ToMegadethMetal TshirtsMusic ClothingNew Rock MusicNovelty & and much more..... A lot of the Franklin and also Marshall T-shirts look all of us associated with our premises don't meet the particular would like of the individuals. converse whom you are, picking Franklin and also Marshall T-shirts is often a dilemma amount individuals. An individual that is definitely taller could simply pick out a new that is definitely smaller. People that is definitely not only a demon would likely pick out a new containing demon moved with this. THINGS KNOW ABOUT APPEAR WHEN PICKING. Dimensions of the T-shirts. Art for the . Level of the particular (for people that are fitted with low budget for f&m T-shirts). At some point you was was distressed due to the can be applied. Individuals starting up labelling him DEMON. For the he applied DEMON can be composed with this hence individuals starting up labelling him demon. He in that case move house and also switch the particular for you to different person. For the various other he applied for a second time CARE-FREE can be composed with this. Hence, individuals going labelling him a new CARE-FREE male. The particular male was very irritated when he over heard individuals labelling him a new CARE-FREE male. He in that case move house for a second time for you to switch the , with the way going house he saw the companion Bob whom was simply caused by looking difficult, he request him this what on earth is composed for the Franklin and Marshall T-shirts this he has simply acquired. Bob make sure he understands this HUGE SELECTION can be composed and in many cases MONEY can be moved for the tshirt. The particular male today gather one of many Franklin and also Marshall T-shirts and also he ware these people. HENCE individuals starting up labelling him a new loaded male in that case he was very joyful. This particular is just about the crucial regarding picking that make sure you have been. HOW TO PICK OUT THE MOST EFFECTIVE Franklin Marshall T-shirt. Examine the particular identify composed with it. Examine the particular photograph with it3. Examine the quality. Examine extent for you to bid with this Looking at the particular identify composed is important if you can not would like individuals for being labelling people what exactly that you do not want to be. There may be a single typical declare this talk. The quality of Tshirt refer to the way rich you are. it is great of choice excellent quality to ensure that your other half would likely think you are Charge Gate partner. You realize the particular secret regarding female can be money when you have money including Charge Gate every single female on this planet can be looking so that you can marry people. Dont forget picking can be first thing ahead of obtaining these people for your application. Gives thanks for examining my own document.

louis vuittonlouis vuitton outlet_2_3

Just after this lady has minimize any sweater, outfit or perhaps robelike dashiki on the clothing, your woman spins the actual leftovers straight into to select from, clutches along with dolls' clothes, or perhaps utilizes these phones handle seat car seats, photo supports in addition to napkin wedding rings."I call waste 'treasures.Wi Each one can easily gain me A couple extra money,Inches reported Benton, Thirty eight, whom manages a one-woman company called Orlando's Greatest Designs outside of a compact house-turned-shop just simply western regarding in town.A petite girl using a big giggle plus tresses styled in to a samsung i8520 halo of fine braids, the girl with the owner, artist in addition to manufacturer with Evelyn's Designs, your distinct females plus men's ethnocentric styles. The woman just aid comes from a Valencia College intern and a few senior-citizen volunteers, who seem to ease billing in addition to delivery.As prior to now, her styles were a huge sketch during Eatonville's annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival. Company and this is fairly fast throughout the remainder of The month of february, when the lady periods several design indicates during regional Dark colored Record Thirty days gatherings.But she's most frantic by March so that you can Aug, and that is whenever professors coming from round the place store their business meetings with cities for example Philly, Sin city in addition to S . fransisco."By much many our clients are lecturers, especially those whom center on multicultural plus multiplicity difficulties," she explained. "I visit their particular exhibitions and hang up way up your booth. They will price range all climates and seasons to buy the styles. That they wear them in order to category."Not incredibly, several of these instructors tend to be dark, attracted through the Camera beginning of your mud-cloth patterns. "But they're also white wines, Japanese, Mexican — all types," the girl said.Many white colored company is worried that greens might object to these donning the actual Africa pad. "The initially query many people check with is actually, 'Can most people put on the following Don't you brainA They would like to know by pointing out material, this styles. They can be incredibly thankful for what they are wearing."In Orlando, florida, many buyers pick out her boldly designed efforts with regard to special events such as marriage ceremony and sophistication family reunions. Other folks combine the particular easy-fitting outfits to their everyday wardrobes."They're as opposed to costumes," mentioned Renita Water wells, Fladskrrrm, a police officer while using the Orlando Cops Team, online resources of a few more Evelyn's Projects, which includes overalls clipped by using dirt towel. "They mix with standard ways. When i put them on often — to be able to chapel, picnics, performs."They help you feel just like a king. They will pass on feelings of pride, involving identity."It begun that has a single little bit of will get cloth pretty much 18 years in the past. "I chop down motivated by them,In . recollects Benton. "It was just 36-by-24 in ., but it charge $45. I had to spend 3 weeks just to save in place for this."Like many will get fabric, it absolutely was created from various 6-inch-wide tape of cloth, just about every laboriously hand-decorated with plant chemical dyes, then sewed in concert.During the next several months, the woman purchased supplemental bits which made these directly into attire to sell in a flea sell for some extra dollars.At time, the girl was in a money department on Walt Disney Community — a job which provided outstanding working out for a potential fashion designer.By 1990, she had been wanting to side branch out on her own. At the beginning, she entertained one particular tiny home in the offer making. My wife considering that tripled the woman demonstrate room, in addition to turned a small backside home to a facilities where by — flanked by mounting bolts with textile stacked bottom to help ceiling — your woman slices plus sews the woman types.She is really a self-taught seamstress."I commenced making dolls' outfits," the girl reported. "I don't use shapes. I analyze the cloth — your designs, the particular adorn. I buy an understanding for any fabric, understanding that creates your cut."Her girls styles appear in not one but two sizing's, common and also in addition, and the majority of is usually padded in excess of turtlenecks and also T-shirts. The girl furthermore really does the brand of easy-fitting job apparel within a two-tone knit clothing.



When the great Carthaginian general Hannibal was just a boy, his father forced him to declare his undying hatred for Rome. After his father’s death, Hannibal used that rage to propel him in a lifelong battle with the emerging Roman Empire.

Hannibal crossed the Alps with his army and its elephants. He defeated the Romans in battle after battle. Unfortunately for Carthage, Hannibal was wonderful at winning battles, but incompetent at winning wars.

After Hannibal’s death, Rome took its wrath upon Carthage. The Romans destroyed the city, sold the inhabitants into slavery and sowed the land with salt so that no city could ever rise on that spot again.

The story of Hannibal points out two truths about developing a singular identity.
First, it helps to choose a well-known enemy. Two thousand years after his death, Hannibal still ranks with Alexander, Caesar and Napoleon as one of the most famous generals of all time. (Just as Hannibal had Rome as his enemy, Alexander had Persia, Caesar had Pompey and Napoleon had Wellington.)

Second, it is important to choose the right enemy. By choosing Rome, Hannibal selected an enemy he could not defeat, an enemy he was force to fight on its home turf, and an enemy that was so ruthless that it wiped Carthage from the earth.

So what is the right enemy'

To begin, it’s important to realize there are two kinds of useful enemies.

The first is competition.

If you are anything less that the No.1 brand in your category, then your competitive enemy is whoever is on top. For Pepsi, the enemy is Coke. For Oracle, the enemy is Microsoft. For Reebok, the enemy is Nike.

If you are clearly the No. 1 brand, then your enemy is the No. 2 brand. You can’t declare war on everyone. You must define your enemy to get any use out of your enemy.
Always try to define the battle as No. 1 versus No. 2., and forget everyone else.
The second kind of useful enemy is a public problem. This type of enemy gives you the opportunity to define your identity by seizing an issue.

Declare war on illiteracy, or on disease, or on famine. Take on any significant public problem that appeals to you.

But make sure of three things:

1. Your company has a logical, apparent connection to the cause. Exxon Mobil is contributing funds to help save endangered tigers. This is logical, given the long history of Exxon’s mascot, the Exxon tiger. Yes, it’s tenous. But it’s logical, and that’s what counts.

2. Your company has the resources to make a significant impact on the problem. Don’t take on hunger in Africa if you lack the time, money and resources to actually help alleviate hunger in Africa. You want a cause that is large enough to register with the public, but one that isn’t so large that it straps your company or makes it look foolish.

3. Your company can remained committed to the cause for the long haul. How long' For all practical purposes, forever. The last thing you want is to become known as the company that used to do that very important thing that really helped the community, but quit.

Now you may ask why it’s so important to have an enemy. Because we are defined by our rivals.

In the world of boxing, Joe Frazier was defined by his rivalry with Muhammad Ali. Among airlines, Pan Am was defined by its battle with TWA. Among department stores, Macy’s was defined by its war with Gimbel’s.

David was defined by Goliath.

Churchill was defined by Hitler.

The Hatfields were defined by the McCoys.

If you want to create a singular identity, you must contrast your position with a rival. You need an enemy.

Don’t wait for an enemy to appear through happenstance. Find the right enemy and declare war now.

Copyright 2003 by W.O. Cawley Jr.

Credibility. It's not what you think.



Look up 'Credible' in Websters Dictionary and you'll find: "Capable of being credited or believed; worthy of belief; entitled to confidence; trustworthy."

OK, so no surprise there.

Credibility gives you permission to speak, and gives the person you're speaking to permission to listen.

Regardless of whether you are in the service business or you sell a hard product, everyone needs to establish their credibility, especially with prospective clients. But if you're a consultant, advisor, or coach, then it's harder for your clients to evaluate the value of your advice and recommendations.

For you, credibility is everything. And if you have it, you can move quicker into a more productive discussion about issues and solutions without having to justify everything you say. You can be more relaxed. You can let your guard down a little.

With your credibility clearly established, you can be more confident to ask for the business.

So far, I'm not telling you anything you didn't already know. What you might not know is what credibility really is in a business context beyond the dictionary definition – how people perceive credibility and how you can establish credibility more quickly and easily.

Ask a traditional marketer what's the best way to establish your credibility and he or she will tell you to list your biggest clients or describe one of your most impressive case studies. If you listen to yourself as you speak to new clients, you might hear yourself talking about your credentials as way to establish how smart you are.

It's true that your client list, successes and testimonials all play a role in credibility, but they miss the mark if you hang your hat on them. Here's why. What is probably going on in the head of the person you're talking to is this: "Wow, that sounds great and I have no doubt that you did an excellent job for them, but my situation is different…"

Cost of Entry

Guess what' Excellent credentials, a strong client list, impressive successes with other clients – they're the cost of entry simply to be considered as a possible supplier or partner. They're expected. It would be more surprising to people if you don't have them rather than the fact that you do.

It doesn't even do much to differentiate you from your competition. After all, your competitors are also talking about their excellent credentials, strong client list, impressive successes. And the more talk about the same things, the more you leave your new prospective client with a big 'so what''

Besides, your prospect may have gotten your name from an existing client or they picked up some of your printed literature or went through your website. As a result, they've probably already checked your credentials and might even know some of your clients.

So what should you talk about to establish your credibility'

Nothing. Don't 'talk' about anything.

The absolute best thing you can do when you meet a new prospective client is to ask questions and then listen.

Remember, the only thing that counts in your prospect's mind is how well you understand his or her situation. And the only way you can demonstrate that is by asking questions – a lot of questions. Simple questions, pointed question, questions that rephrase what the person has just told you, questions that allow you to test your hypotheses about challenges and obstacles the person might be facing, leading questions, questions that hint at what you probably already know you'd recommend if your prospect were already a client.

The only thing that counts in your prospect's mind is how well you understand his or her situation.

In fact, the mere act of asking questions forces your prospect along a line of reasoning that demonstrates you really do know what you're talking about. And when you follow up with suggestions and recommendations, you have all the credibility you need. Why' Because you asked all the right questions!

Like A Surgeon

If you're not ready to accept this approach, imagine that you're sitting in a doctor's office because you have a sore back. Would you be impressed if, five minutes into the consultation, he or she recommended back surgery'

Probably not -- so why should your clients and prospects be 'sold' on your solutions before they are totally convinced that you understand the problem'

A good doctor will ask questions to reveal other symptoms. "Does the pain radiate downward'" "Is it accompanied by abdominal pain'" "Oh, and are you also experiencing excessive urination, especially at night'"

If the answer is 'no', then the doctor simply moves on to another line of questioning. If the answer is 'yes', the doctor explains how all these symptoms indicate that nothing's wrong with your back. Instead, you have kidney stones!

Not in a million years would you have linked these different symptoms together. Most importantly, it's his or her ability to paint a complete picture of what was going on that really impresses you.

That's credibility.

And it's more than simply focusing on your client's pain – as you might have heard from other so-called sales experts.

Using the Essential Message approach, the pain is just one of several symptoms. By uncovering other symptoms, and by showing how they all link to the real problem, you are establishing enormous credibility before jumping in with your recommendation.

A Real-Life Example

A very senior, seasoned and successful accountant was sitting in the workshop. His arms were folded across his chest, and his face practically had 'prove it' written across his forehead.

You know the type.

Soon after my introduction, he raised his hand and proceeded to tell me and the other people in the workshop why accountants could not do marketing like other companies. I let him speak. He then explained that he had learned a long time ago that if he wanted people at social functions to talk to him, the last thing he should say was that he was an accountant. He'd tell people he was a movie producer or had some other glamorous career. When he was done, all I asked him was to keep an open mind.

About a half hour later, I was talking about how credibility was rooted in our ability to understand the other person's situation. To prove my point, I picked up an accounting publication that had published one of my articles:

"Do people get all excited when you start talking about your business or about accounting in general' Once people at a party find how that you’re an accountant, does the news travel around the room with lightening speed until suddenly, you find yourself mobbed with pretty young men and women who all want your autograph, or at least display a sincere interest in your career and hang onto your every word'

I didn’t think so."

I stopped reading and put the article down. That was it. He laughed, unfolded his arms, and gave himself permission to listen to what I had to say. To quote Webster's, in that moment he deemed me ' worthy of belief'.

And by the end of that day, he pulled me aside and said, 'I'm going to have to figure out how to get my partner into this workshop.'

So next time you're standing in front of a prospective new client, or sitting across from someone at a boardroom table, resist the urge to prove how smart you are. Hold back and just listen. Then ask a few questions. Then listen. Then ask a few more questions. Then offer a tidbit of a recommendation. Then listen. Then ask a few more questions. Then listen.

Then ask for the business.

Article Tags: Talking About, Client List,, Listen Then, Questions Then

Revitalize Your Business To Increase Your Sales



REVITALIZE YOUR BUSINESS TO INCREASE YOUR SALES
Copyright 2002 Bob Leduc

Is your business going through a period of slow or no
growth' Here are 4 low-cost ways you can revitalize your
business - and increase your sales.

1. PROMOTE A NEW USE FOR YOUR PRODUCT OR SERVICE

Find and promote a new way customers can benefit by using
your product or service. You will immediately attract a new
group of potential customers. You will also capture
customers from your competitors who cannot provide or do
not promote this new benefit.

For example, I recently saw a promotion for a well-known
marketing course normally sold to individuals. The
promotion targeted sales organizations and offered a
special group purchase plan. It stressed how the course
would increase the sales organization's productivity and
income.

2. USE A NEW METHOD OF ADVERTISING

Test some new methods of advertising to attract a fresh
group of prospective customers.

For example, print your best small ad on 4 by 6 inch
postcards and mail them to a list of prospects in your
targeted market. Postcards cost very little to prepare and
send. And your promotions will not be seen by competitors
who see (and copy) them in most other media.

TIP: Continually test new marketing methods - and old ones
you never tried. You can reach more prospects and generate
more sales with a variety of marketing methods than with
just one or two.

3. GENERATE SOME FREE PUBLICITY

Publicity is what you get when someone else promotes (or
you get them to promote) your business. It establishes more
credibility with prospective customers than advertising and
generates sales at a much lower cost.

Look for ways you can generate some free publicity for your
business. For example, contact non-competing businesses
serving customers in your market. Offer to publicize their
products or services to your customers in exchange for
their publicizing your services to their customers.

CAUTION: Do not expect free publicity to replace the
results you get with advertising. Use it to supplement your
advertising. You control where and when your advertising
appears. You cannot control where or when you get publicity
...or whether you get any at all.

4. CONVERT YOUR CUSTOMERS INTO PUBLICITY AGENTS

Satisfied customers can be your most effective publicity
agents. Give them an incentive to tell their associates and
friends about the value of your products or services. An
endorsement from them is much more effective than
advertising - and it is much cheaper.

For example, ask your customers for referrals. Offer to
reward them each time one of their referrals becomes a
customer. Your reward can be as simple as a special
discount on their next order or a special bonus item.

Every business goes through periods of slow or no growth.
When it happens to you, use these 4 low-cost marketing
tactics to revitalize your business - and increase your
sales.

Bob Leduc spent 20 years helping businesses just like yours
find new customers and increase sales. He just released a
New Edition of his manual, How To Build Your Small Business
Fast With Simple Postcards and several other publications to
help small businesses grow and prosper. For more information:
Email: BobLeduc@aol Subject: "Postcards"
Phone: 702-658-1707 After 10 AM Pacific Time/Las Vegas, NV

Warm Up Winter Sales with Promotional Items



The beginning of the year is a great time to woo new business and romance existing customers with special offers and gifts to remind them that you really do love them. If you’re looking for ideas for promotional items and campaigns to keep your business perking away after the holiday, here are some tips that can help you plan.

Start your planning early.

The sooner you start your planning, the more firmly you can make your plans. Though you might want to take advantage of the post-holiday sales to actually place your orders for promotional items, getting them planned out ahead of schedule will help you focus on your market and your immediate goals.

Choose a theme for your promotion and fit promotional items to that theme.

While winter promotional items are still appropriate, you’ll make a big hit with your customers if you take this time to remind them that winter doesn’t last forever. A summer in January theme could be just the thing to perk up your customers and bring them in to enjoy a beach party sale.

Appeal to good intentions.

Seriously. Everyone makes new years resolutions with the best of intentions, but they’re often forgotten by mid-January. Hold a “Good Intentions” promotion that plays off the most commonly sworn resolutions. It’s an especially good time for public service campaigns that emphasize fitness, health and savings, with promotional items that fit any of those goals. You might choose to use pedometers, money boxes for saving or personal planners to help your customers get organized.

Order early, but ask about post holiday discounts.

Many suppliers of promotional items hold post-holiday promotions themselves. If you’re planning a sales or promotional event after the holidays, take a few moments to discuss upcoming promotions with a sales representative for your promotional products company.

Offer your customers a vacation from winter with luxury loyalty gifts.

If you’re sick of winter already, you can bet that your customers are feeling the same way. Gear your winter promotional items to the little luxuries that make winter living bearable. Luxury items like incense and candle sets, vintage wines with bespoke labels, bath soaps and spa sets make great promotional items for loyalty programmes and gifts for your best customers.

Of course, there are all the usual winter promotional items as well. Fleece jackets and wool hats are always well-received. Your customers will always appreciate ice scrapers and snow brushes to help them deal with the foul weather. A sturdy umbrella is more appreciated in the winter time than at nearly any other time of year. Promotional mugs, pens and notebooks always have their place, and if you choose to go with tradition, no one will fault you. If, on the other hand, you want your customers to sit up and take notice, try promotional items that help warm up their chilly hearts this winter.  

Article Tags: Winter Promotional Items, Promotional Items, Winter Promotional

To what extent the smartbox concept might hit the bull's eye in Tourism Marketing

 

1. Tourism Marketing

1.1. Definition and characteristics

Services marketing have four key characteristics:

Intangibility
A service cannot be seen, touched, held or put on a shelf. Difficulty of ownership

Simultaneity

(Inseparability of production + consumption) Mostly, the production and consumption of the service performance occur simultaneously

Heterogeneity

(Variability)It is hard for a service organization to standardize the quality of its service performance

Perishability
Most services cannot be produced or stored before consumption, they exist only at the time of their production

1.2. Stakes and limits

“7P’s of Services Marketing”

- Product- Services : There are offered by companies and retailers so the realisation is not sure and not under the smart box company power.

- Price : find a good price and compromise with the retailers in order to offer a good relation between the good, quality and the price

- Place: There is different possibilities for SME, join a network of similar companies (such as Logis de France or Best Western) or stay independent but the necessity to work with a distributor is more and more present.

- Promotion : “Techniques used to stimulate the short term demand, improving the rhythm or the purchase level of a product or a service by customers or intermediaries”, (Wendy Spinks, University of the sunshine coast, Australia).

The competition is more and more important so the companies need to differentiate themselves. Due to the crisis, the customer is more and more exigent.

Two different ways can be used:

- Psychological: motivate the client by the promise of specific advantages

- Tangibles/ Materials: give information to the clients thanks to visual and physical supports (flyers, brochures, stickers…)

- People: Employees here are from every distribution channel, retailer and the Smartbox company, that is why it is really hard to be sure about their performance.

- Process :

- Physical Evidence : boxes are giving tangibility and evidence to the goods and services proposed, for that the fact that these boxes are available in the different channel is a good point.

1.3. Evolution and development

According to Philippe Callot, in Tourism there is a continual improvement of what is done and offered. It is important to innovate and bring out new applications to make the most of it and be successful. (“Tourisme et PME” p23, Philippe Callot. Edition Lavoisier, 2006. ESCEM)

Tourism is a sector really important in our society and always moving, however because of the crisis and the fear of people, new tools, goods or services must be developed and bring out in order to push on this market. For instance, the development of the smart box concept is innovative and trying to touch a new market. Moreover, one of the key factor of the success in this market is the loyalty of the customer.

2. Smartbox Concept

2.1. Definition and characteristics

Content

Book or/and DVD

Price

Common price for one box in a given thematic

Themes

Vast: Adventures, gastronomy, discovery, entertainment and well-being

Advantages

Security,
Choice but not too vast, delimited
Do not have to look for information, already given

Strategy

BtoC and BtoB

Short stay, Time of an experience

Stakes

Quality
Availability
Distribution

Market

Numerous competitors
Smartbox against Wonderbox
Coffret Liberty, Happy Box, Weekend Tour, Rêves à la Carte, Smartweekend, Weekendbreak, Coffret infini…

Smartbox is the leader on the « gift box » market in France. The concept is to create thematic boxes offering different performances. Presented as a box which contains a book or DVD, it offers multiple choices concerning a chosen category of services for one common price. This is a revolution concerning the existents gift-token (cannibalisation') The beneficiary can choose the destination, the products, the level of services or the activities within a certain number of available propositions. The offer is larger and larger; adventures, gastronomy, discovery, entertainment and well-being (later on, the emphasize will be on this last point).

They offer services and not anymore only products, on the gift market.

People have more and more free time, they are more and more exigent; they want to have the choice but at the same time they don’t want to have to look for information; they want security, the security to know where they are going (they are leaving only for few days, to relax or have a new experience).

Is it really the perfect gift'

- BtoC versus BtoB

At the beginning, the strategy of gift-box was B to C.

However, more and more companies are buying these boxes for their employees or customers. For example, L’Oréal, Peugeot and Danone are buying them to reward their employees; La Société Générale offers boxes to its customers in exchange of points earned during one year.

- Short stay and Experience

Most of these boxes are offering performances for short periods (new trend because of the actual context). For instance, the stays in hotels are only for one or two nights. These boxes are called “Weekend” and there is no possibilities for longer stays, unless you buy additional nights without the intermediary of a box.

2.2. Stakes and limits

- 3 Stakes : quality, availability & distribution

Quality:

Smartbox has to make an important and relevant selection with their partners and their performances. People who are buying the boxes do not really know the market and want to have the choice of their destination and performances but with the help of “someone”. Thanks to the concept “Smartbox”, they have the choice within a certain number of possibilities already selected by professionals. Moreover, this quality is really important for the word-of-mouth, because unsatisfied customers do not hesitate to express their dissatisfaction to friends but also in Internet.

Those companies use professionals who are working on the field to select their partners, grade their quality and offers. Moreover, in order to know the level of satisfaction of their clients (buyers and users) and improve it, they organise satisfaction survey (the level of clients satisfaction for the users of Wonderbox is 94% and 98% for the buyers; the satisfaction is around 95% for Smartbox.).

Availability:

According to the customers, most of the time, the discontentment is due to the lack of availability. When they want to book for their hotel or service, they do not find any availability. For instance, most of the time the service providers do not accept the owners of these boxes during weekends because they know they do not need these customers, their hotel or restaurant will be full without them.

In order to prevent this problem, companies such as Weekendesk or Wonderbox try to have and keep a very large number of partners and offers. Moreover, every year they provide and find new partners to develop their offer and follow customers’ needs and wishes.

However, 10 to 15% of clients are not satisfied with the availability of Smartboxes and as we can see in forum or websites, customers do not hesitate to show their discontentment.

Distribution:

Most of the distribution of this product is done through internet. For example, Weekendesk has a website dedicated for the Smartboxes, Wonderbox also, etc… Moreover, big supermarkets such as Carrefour, Auchan or Fnac sell boxes; even travel agencies or specialized shops for Weekendesk in Paris. And now, there are also present in BtoB distribution.

- Market, Competitors

The biggest actors in the market of “gift-box” are Weekendesk (with Smartbox) and Wonderbox. Since 2006, new competitors took place in the French market, such as Coffret Liberty, Happy Box, Weekend Tour, Rêves à la Carte, Smartweekend and Weekendbreak.

Smartbox is leader on the European market with a turnover of 242 millions of euros in 2008. But all these companies are trying to differentiate themselves in choosing different targets or original segments. For instance, some companies propose boxes for companies, others offer weekend only in France or specific regions, some are specialized in entertainment offers or wellbeing boxes, etc…

2.3. Evolution and development

Evolution and development

How

Purpose

#Permanent innovation

Propose new boxes with new themes
and new partners (hotels, restaurants, spas…)

Keep being innovating to attract new customers and develop loyalty

Distribution channel in expansion, growing

Be present in every distribution channel: supermarket, travel agencies,
own shops and of course internet

Easy to find, to buy and offer

International development

Develop their product worldwide

They develop their partners and can offer packages abroad for French customers

- Permanent innovation

In order to stay on the leaders, to attract new customers and develop loyalty, companies have to keep being innovating, proposing new boxes with new themes and new partners (hotels, restaurants, spas…) and find a way to differentiate themselves.

- Distribution channel in expansion, growing

A “gift-box” company has to be present in every distribution channel: supermarket, travel agencies, own shops and of course internet (because the purpose of these boxes is to be easy to buy and offer, without spending too much time to choose and let the choice to the person who will receive it; and through internet the box can be directly send to the beneficiary).

- International development

The most important companies on the French market are developing their product worldwide. For example, Smartbox recently opened offices in Canada, USA and already have some in Europe (Spain, Germany, Belgium…). By developing their product internationally, they develop their partners and can offer packages abroad for French customers.

Conclusion

Key characteristics

Smartbox concept

Intangibility

This concept is a way to be more tangible than a service and a gift token. There is a book

Simultaneity

First the client has the good, then he uses the service, the consumption is in two times: consumption of the box and the dvd or book, then the services chosen.

Heterogeneity

When finding new service providers, the company such as Smartbox are trying to standardise them and to assure a certain quality for all of there providers.

Perishability

This is a way to keep the service within a certain amount of time, the beneficiary can use it when he wants. It is a way to « store » them before to use them.

Recommendations

As seen previously, companies producing boxes like the Smartbox concept have strengths and weaknesses. These is a sum up of advices and ideas in order to improve there sales and part of the market.

The most important idea is the loyalty of the customers but also of the services providers. The services providers do not really like these agreements,because of the commissions often high, however these companies are making them big advertisements. This is why they should use this opportunity. Smartbox companies should be really clear among them about the concept, the commissions and their advantages too. Retailers should catch the opportunity to have more and new customers. Smartbox are an other channel to sell their services or goods, they have a new advertisement everywhere in France and in different channels.

Then, if the customers are satisfied there is an « effet boule de neige » because when one person receive a smart box as a gift, if they like it they might buy one for a present to someone else, thinking it was a good idea and experience. And if the first buyer knows that the consumer likes it and was satisfied with it, they will continue to buy this kind of present for other friends. Moreover, because of the variety and the quality of the services available, Smartbox companies have to use this strength to have the opportunity to make loyal their customers. For that, they have to focalise on the evolutions and developments cited before: more precisely on their permanent innovation and their distribution channels.

The smartbox concept well realised is a win-win situation for the 3 parts:

- Good advertisement for the services providers

- Security for the customers

- Good sales for the company

Finally, the Smartbox concept could hit a success even bigger than it already did. The important thing is to develop the points mentioned before and thanks to their experience and long time relation with the retailers and customers. They have to innovate and they will be able to hit the bull’s eye.

Article Tags: Smartbox Concept, Every Distribution, These Boxes