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While there are no shortage of articles out there offering tips for dealing with slow paying customers, most of these tips (such as shortening the billing cycle and stepping up collections efforts) will not help the small and mid-sized suppliers and vendors that work with big corporate clients. Let's get real here for a moment… If your small company just landed a contract with a big corporation like Coca Cola or Tyson Foods, both you and your client know just who is holding the cards in this arrangement. After all, if you don't want to agree to their terms and conditions, there are plenty of other companies out there ready and willing to take your place.
A few months ago, the White House even proposed a solution to this dilemma. The initiative, dubbed "SupplierPay," is an attempt to ease the cash flow issues faced by many small and medium-sized businesses by encouraging large corporations to shorten the payment schedules to their small suppliers. So far, 26 well-known corporations have signed on including: Apple, IBM, Coca-Cola, FedEx, Honda, CVS and Walgreens.
But, at the risk of sounding a bit cynical, the million dollar question is: what's in it for them? After all, these corporations are in effect enjoying a free short-term loan from their small suppliers and contractors. Why would they even want to change that?
The best answer is that the corporations that will actually carry through with the plan are probably using a system like Taulia, a company that provides Web-based invoicing as a service to large corporate customers. These corporations then leverage their position and convince their smaller suppliers to also use Taulia. When these small companies do so, they can then take advantage of an early-pay option that cuts the normal 60 to 90 day pay cycle down to just a day or two.
The catch? Taulia charges suppliers a hefty 10% annualized fee for this early pay service and splits that revenue with their corporate customers. In effect, these corporations are now enjoying a nice "early pay discount."
Now, don't get me wrong. I have nothing against Taulia. This company is offering a great service and there is a both big need and demand for it. Plus, a 10% fee is reasonable. But at the same time, smaller suppliers should know that they do have a cheaper alternative.
That alternative is invoice factoring (also known as accounts receivables or AR factoring). This form of non bank funding allows you to finance the slow-paying invoices from your creditworthy commercial customers. Your business would receive 70-90% of the total value of the outstanding invoice up front (The exact rate is generally dependent on the age of the account.) The factor company would then assume responsibility for collecting the outstanding invoice. Upon full receipt of the payment from your corporate customer, the factor company will return the remaining balance, minus a small processing fee that usually hovers around 2% to 3%.
So, instead of waiting 30, 60, or 90 days to get paid, you get immediate funds from the factoring company and thus preserve your cash flow. You can use these funds to pay expenses while your customers continue to pay on their usual schedule.
When it comes to working with corporate clients, the payments game is very much rigged in their favor, and your cash flow can suffer significantly because of it. Invoice factoring helps to change the rules in a way that gives more financial control to those who need it the most.]]>
In the end, many small businesses will actually opt for a fluid blend of both equity and debt financing to meet their needs. If approached in the right way, the two forms of financing can work very well together. But, finding the right ratio will vary according to a variety of factors including: the age and industry of your business, your long-term goals, the personality and business experience of the owners, the growth potential, and the amount of financing needed.
So how do you make the right decision for your business- both now and in the future? Below I will go through the two main sources of financing as well as which business situations they tend to appeal to and offer some tips to help you maximize the funding experience.
What is Equity Financing?
With equity financing shareholders jointly own the business and share in its profits. A business may sell shares to experienced venture capitalists (whether individuals or institutions), public entities such as pension funds, and even non-professional investors such as friends, relatives, employees, or colleagues. The amount of funding raised will depend on the price per share and the number of shares sold. Most small or growth-stage businesses will use some form of limited equity financing along the way.
Why is it so appealing?
With equity financing, there are usually no repayment obligations and no interest payments due to equity investors. Business owners will also have some say in negotiating the price of their stock, any dividend payments, and the amount of control or authority the investor will have in the company. Even more appealing, if the business fails, the investors will bear the loss.
Many entrepreneurs and new small business owners try to avoid taking on debt at the beginning because they are skeptical about their ability to repay their loans on time. Not to mention, these days getting a business loan is extremely difficult and would require things like stellar credit, proven revenues, and often valuable personal or business assets.
Though equity financing may actually require returns that could be more than the rate you would pay for via debt financing, equity investors can offer additional value. They bring with them their business experience and insight, and often become trusted advisers, mentors, or board members. Moreover, you may be able to tap into the investor's network, which may add more credibility to your business.
How do you maximize this form of financing?
Before you go looking for an investor, you should think carefully about what you are selling and what having equity investors really means for you and your business. There is a well known comparison made between choosing an equity investor and getting married. You are going to be making yourself accountable to this person or institution through all the ups and downs that predictably go with running a business. Therefore, you will want to find an investor who not only understands the industry, but is a good match in terms of personality, experience, and connections, and will consider the long-term potential of the company if need be.
Which businesses will benefit the most from equity financing?
In order to attract quality investors, your business will need to offer them an attractive potential return on investment whether via future profits, a future public offering, or a future acquisition by another company. The truth is, however, that very few businesses will ever be able to deliver such an ROI. The companies with the best chances at a successful equity financing arrangement are either those start-ups with a high growth potential or even better three-to-five-year old companies with the potential to become major regional or national operations, and the ability to return higher-than-average profits to their shareholders. These companies typically cannot afford the debt needed to expand to such size and scope, and they are usually the ones that most need investor expertise, experience, and involvement.
What is debt financing?
With debt financing, the business typically borrows money from a financial institution such as a bank or a commercial lender. In addition, federal, state, and local governments have developed many programs over the years to financially assist small businesses through various stages of growth, development, and operation. The business' only obligation is to pay the agreed upon rate of interest and principal according to an established payment schedule. Aside from these traditional sources of debt financing, there is also a growing crop of alternative or non bank sources of financing that include: factoring, merchant cash advances, short-term micro loans, and peer-to-peer lending. These forms of financing tend to cater to smaller or newer companies with less than stellar credit. In this case, the financing tends to be more expensive, comes in smaller amounts, and has shorter repayment cycles.
Why is debt financing so appealing?
The best part about debt financing is that you do not give up any ownership or control of your business, and all existing owners retain their rights to future earnings and growth. Your only obligation to your lender is to make the required payments on time as stated in the terms and conditions of your loan or cash advance. Interest payments on a business loan are typically a tax deductible business expense as well. Plus, a successfully paid off loan will help you to build your credit profile, thus making your business more attractive to future lenders and investors. Finally, if you are dealing with a fixed rate loan, it will be easier to create a budget around your monthly or daily payments.
How do you maximize this form of financing?
While debt financing has its benefits, one of the biggest downsides is that you have to pay off the obligation regardless of how your business performs. While established businesses with proven revenues and decent credit can generally get better terms on their financing and are in a better position to pay off the debt, if your business is relatively new, there are a few things you can do to help ease the financial burden. For example, if you are starting up a new business, you can try to defer the start date of repayment by taking out a loan with an initial grace period of 6 to 12 months. You could also look for a loan that has graduated payments, or low payments at the start of the loan and higher payments towards the end when your business picks up. Another option would be to offer collateral on the loan, such as a lien on your car or home equity. Finally, you could try to take out smaller funding amounts via a micro loan or look into asset-based financing arrangements, such as accounts receivables financing.
Which businesses will benefit the most from debt financing?
The biggest question to ask with debt financing is if you and your company can afford to take on the debt as well as the risk associated with it. In the case of many start-ups, with less certain futures, debt financing may not be the best way to go, unless the amount needed to get the business operating is relatively small. Debt financing can put the business in a vulnerable position should sales slow down. The monthly or daily repayments can significantly cut into profits, and lenders may be able to claim either business or personal assets if you end up defaulting on the loan. If you carry too much debt you will also be considered a "high risk" investment by potential investors and this will limit your ability to raise capital in the future. On the flip side, if you are not interested in giving up ownership of your business, and you have the revenue and/or the collateral to support the loan, then debt financing could be a more cost-effective option.
In short, both debt and equity financing are viable business funding options, but under very different circumstances. The goal is to get very clear about your needs and your available resources so that you can make informed and profitable decisions.
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But, what is in store for the alternative lending industry in the new year?
All indication is that 2015 will be a banner year for alternative lending- but only because we will likely witness some important first steps in the direction of the industry's maturity and main stream appeal. Beyond this, don't expect to see any major shifts.
I know that there has been a lot of discussion surrounding the IPOs of the peer-to-peer lending platform LendingClub and that of business lender OnDeck Capital. But, in the big picture of the alternative lending industry, they are baby steps- albeit important ones. The IPOs are important because these two companies are the currently the biggest players in consumer and business alternative lending respectively, and they represent a select pool of companies that actually have a chance of withstanding the pressure and scrutiny of Wall Street. The fact that these two lenders are even holding at the point of considering an IPO is a major accomplishment. They are paving the way, creating a more compelling case for legitimacy in the finance sector while simultaneously extending their brand awareness.
But, the truth is even though alternative lending has been around for several years, we are still in the industry's early stages. It's a time when many new entrants to the alternative lending scene are still trying to figure out how to profitably extend non bank financing to borrowers. The fact is the vast majority of alternative lenders are not profitable. Even as their sales volume continues to rise, both LendingClub and OnDeck are still struggling.
I know that some experts in alternative financing are concerned that these two IPOs may cause other alternative lenders to jump in feet first, attract big investments, and try to grow too quickly- kind of like a dotcom bubble for alternative lending. But, I don't see it. Most of these companies will quickly burn out well before they even attract the attention of serious investors. If anything, the scrutiny of being a publicly traded company will expose the fact that succeeding at this kind of business is hard, and only those companies with sustainable business models and solid experience combined with cutting edge technology will survive.
There has also been talk that these two high profile IPOs will eventually decrease the cost of alternative lending to borrowers. While this argument may seem plausible, here too, I don't see any major changes on the horizon.
Aside from those few companies that are obviously trying to take advantage of unsuspecting borrowers, the higher costs of alternative finance will continue to be the norm. What many may not understand is that alternative lending primarily costs more because there are more risks associated with financing the kinds of borrowers that the banks won't touch. Keeping the default rate at a manageable level is big challenge.
You also have to factor in the high cost of origination which can reach up to 8% of the value of the loan or cash advance. Given that alternative lending hasn't yet reached a mainstream appeal, many alternative lenders rely heavily on third parties to connect them with borrowers. These third parties tend to be people who have direct relationships with small businesses and can assist them in finding capital.
Though at some point it may become cheaper for established alternative lenders to borrow or raise the money they need in order to extend financing, that too is still a long way off. So, the only real, sustainable way for costs to come down is by improving the technology used to underwrite and process the loans and in general increasing efficiency. This will happen, but not in the next few years.
The last major point that both industry experts and lenders alike keep bringing up is the threat of government scrutiny and regulation. While the threat is certainly real, I don't think that there will be any major changes in the near future. Alternative lenders are fulfilling a need for both businesses and consumers that no one else is filling, and at present the industry still too small to draw the kind of attention that would ultimately cause Washington to budge. As the number and reach of established alternative lenders grow, that will change. But, we are not there yet.
So, we can look at the upcoming year as a sort of bridge for alternative lending. Over the next few months, we will likely witness the first real, tentative steps of an industry that will eventually take off and fly.
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Around this time of the year, the Internet is flooded with articles that tell us what we should be thankful for as small business owners. The problem with these lists is that many of the things that are included, such as having a flexible schedule, a better work-life balance, or being able to work from anywhere, doesn't always apply to small business owners. In fact, those who own their own business are notorious for working long hours especially at the beginning, and many also lament the fact that being able to work from home means they don't get out enough. For those who own a brick and mortar location, the statement doesn't apply at all.
So, what are the common aspects of running a small business that most of us can relate to and be truly thankful for? Consider the following 7 points:
1. Turn your passion into prosperity. You get the opportunity to do what you love or are passionate about and turn it into a source of income. You alone have the opportunity to create value- products and services that solve real problems for your customers. You can make a difference and change lives for the better. All of this is a very powerful thing, and it leads to greater feelings of accomplishment and a sense of ownership over your work.
2. You get to call the shots. You can design your business around your personality, your experience, your skills, and your available resources, such as time and equipment. You also get to decide how to approach current and potential customers. You can nimbly change your focus and make important decisions without having to wade through a ton of corporate red tape.
3. You get to decide who you will work for or cater to and how much to charge. I know that it is easy for small businesses in particular to get stuck in the "bad business is better than no business" mentality. But, it really doesn't have to be that way. Having a clear picture of who your ideal customer is and how best to reach this person (or business) as well as what your value proposition is will help you to focus your message and your marketing efforts, so that you primarily attract the right customers for your business. You will also know how much you can charge given the value that you are providing.
4. You can decide when to take a break. That's why vacations and time off are so instrumental in making us more balanced and happier entrepreneurs. And it's wonderful not having to worry about whether we've accrued enough time off. I make a point of traveling with my family several times a year, and I know that my business will survive without me for a few days.
5. Technology expands our potential. We can reach more people instantly, better manage our resources and analyze our performance. We can access forms of financing or get expert advice from professionals that would simply be unreachable without the technology that supports it.
6. You get to decide who you will work with. Though hiring employees or even freelance contractors may involve an investment of time and money, the bottom line is that you get to decide who you will work with based on your personal preferences for experience, skill, personality, and values.
7. Your small business success is in your hands. Unlike working for someone else, your financial and operational success are typically only limited by your own imagination and desire. Once you have an operational business that is generating revenue, you have the potential to make more of an impact than you ever would have been able to as some else's employee. This includes being able to provide income to those you hire and making a meaningful impact in your community (whether online or off.)
In short, running and owning your own small business may take a lot of extra work and persistence, but the benefits that come with it often outweigh all the personal investments… or, at least they should. Even if your list differs from the points above, at the end of the day, being able to successfully run a business that you yourself started and built up should be something that you (and your customers) are truly thankful for]]>
I have more to say on this below, but the article itself got me thinking. Many small business owners almost instinctively turn to their personal assets when they are in need of financing for their business. In fact, according to a recent survey by Sageworks, 59% of respondents said they used personal savings to start their business. When asked why they didn't apply for outside financing, 62% of respondents said it was because they did not want to take on debt, and 24% said they did not believe they would be approved for a loan.
Fair enough. The problem with this, however, is that once small business owners have tapped into their personal assets, they are more likely to return to them when their business is in need of financing later on, and they are not just using their savings, either. Many are also tapping in retirement accounts and home equity, and more recently, turning to personal asset loans.
There are a couple of obvious problems with this arrangement:
For those who take the plunge into personal asset loans, there is an added cost. Not only do these products come with very high interest rates, but the typical value of these loans lies between 50% to 80% of the appraised resale value of the asset. Business owners can end up losing their business, losing their valuable asset, and also losing the potential 50% to 20% that they would have earned had they actually sold the asset in the first place instead of pawning it. And, this doesn't even include the high interest they laid out on any successful payments made before defaulting on the loan.
While it can make sense to tap into personal assets to start up a business- especially if those assets are something that the business owner can truly afford to lose- there comes a point when personal assets should no longer be the go-to source of business financing. Once the business is operational, is generating revenue, and has been running for at least one full year, then the business owner should switch over to business-based assets for financing. These products include, revenue-based micro loans, merchant cash advances, purchase order financing, and equipment leasing.
As long as business owners learn to distinguish the sheep from the wolves and make the effort to weed out the irreputable lenders, then the biggest financial risk that they should face is the loss of their business assets. That's how it should be.
So, don't fall into the trap of constantly relying on personal assets to fund your business. It's a dangerous, costly cycle that can end up eating away your confidence, your financial stability, and your ability to make sound business decisions- both now and in the future.]]>
1. Look to the past for patterns. If your business has been around for more than a year, then your first step is to think about what happened over the last holiday season(s). What worked? What didn't? Where there issues or trends that exist this year that didn't apply in the previous years? You should also consider what's worked for your business throughout the year in general. Did certain products or services perform better than others? What about your advertising campaigns?
By taking a few moments to analyze past performance it will help you to gauge which products or services to highlight, how much extra help you may need to hire, and how to best promote your business to your holiday customers.
2. Decide which promotions to run. In the previous step you had to figure out what products or services you want to highlight (while potentially putting some less profitable products or services on the back burner). Now, you have to decide the best way to package these products and services to your customers this holiday season. (In the following step you'll determine the best way to physically put those promotions in front on your customers.) The key here is to make decisions based on what you already know about your primary customers. Then, be creative!
Aside from coupons, free gifts, gift certificates, and price discounts, you may want to consider creating a gift basket filled with products (or even a virtual gift basket full of services) that have been bundled together. If you run a retail business, there may be some obvious seasonal items to promote. But, if you run a service business, you may have to think a bit harder about how you can fit your business into your customers' holiday routine. Some examples:
Along with these promotions, you may want to sweeten the deal with a few incentives, such as free shipping, buy one get one free, and small discounts. Another final point to consider are your price points. If you offer higher end products and services, then you may want to consider providing a smaller, or paired down gift option.
3. Create a marketing plan. After you've done this, you now need to figure out the best way to put your promotional message in front of your customers. This will obviously depend on the nature of your business and your customer base. If you have an email list, social media following, or a popular website, you could put your promotions there. If you do business online then you should also be thinking about how consumers' search terms may change over the holiday season and adjust your efforts accordingly for higher conversions. If your time is short and your niche is not too competitive, then you may want to consider paid search listings. In terms of off-line marketing, you could have fliers, banners, and coupons, within the business itself. You could conduct direct mailings to a select group of current or potential customers, or create a ad for the local circular.
4. Have a pre-holiday meeting with staff. You want to make sure that you have all hands on board heading into the holiday season. This means updating your employees about the promotions you're planning on offering as well as any other changes that may occur over these few weeks, like changes to the hours of operation, employee shift times, and whether additional workers will be brought in. This is also a good time to ask your employees for their feedback and suggestions. Another thing to consider especially if your business is very busy and you are not planning a holiday party, is to have some kind of small, fun get-together after the holidays have passed. It's a time to recuperate a little from all the rush, to show your appreciation to your employees for all their hard work, and to further get a little feedback about their holiday work experiences.
5. Prepare your business for increase in sales. Once you are clear about what you are going to focus on, you now need to make sure you have enough supplies and inventory on hand to cover the increase in sales. Think about what you needed in the previous year, and add 10 percent to it. The other thing to consider is hiring extra help. You want to make sure you have enough staff on hand to handle customer service, sales, and order fulfillment. If you are short on time and you don't have regular seasonal staff to rely on, then ask your current workers if they can refer people and put a sign up in your business. If you make sales via a website, then you should also be doing a site audit to see if it can handle extra traffic and transactions.
6. Consider the financial side. If you need to buy extra inventory, supplies, and hire seasonal help, then you need to consider how that will affect your cash flow before the holiday revenues start coming in. Moreover, do you plan to throw a holiday party for your employees? Are you going to give out gifts or bonuses? Make sure you have adequately budgeted for all the extra holiday spending. If you will need additional financing to get these preparations in place, now would be the time to consider taking out a short-term micro loan. The beauty behind a short-term micro loan is that your application can be processed and funded within a matter of days and the funding requirements are generally pretty easy as well.
7. Get your business into the holiday spirit. The last step in preparing your small business for the holiday season is to dress it up. You can apply a seasonal theme to your website or logo or put up decorations in your store. Why not give away free holiday-themed treats or surprises with every purchase or have your staff wear festive accessories? Creating a holiday spirit will help to put your customers in a good mood and gently nudge them into further purchases.
So, what are you waiting for? Get going and make the most of this holiday season for your customers and your bottom line.]]>
While most people would agree that outright deception and fraud are inexcusable, in this unregulated industry there are many shades of gray, and it's precisely those shades of gray that are raising some eyebrows among industry watchdogs, governmental legislators, and the alternative lenders who have made it their mission to operate an ethical, customer-centric business.
The following are four of the most common unethical practices that have become the bread and butter of some alternative lenders:
1. Obscuring costs. Many business owners who turn to alternative lenders are unaware of the full cost of their short-term financing even after they've borrowed and successfully paid off the debt. It is pretty common for business borrowers to be charged an annual percentage rate (APR) of up to 200%. But, many business owners don't make the effort to investigate the true cost of the money they've received, and some of them don't fully realize that alternative financing works differently to a traditional bank loan. Not only is the approval process different, but so are the terminology and collection practices. Many alternative lenders thrive on this confusion, hitting business owners with hidden real interest rates and fees.
I've seen time and time again business owners who continue to apply for these short-term financing products with the justification that it is cheaper than charging their credit card. But the reality is often quite the opposite.
Some alternative lenders actively hide the cost of funding by completely avoiding the use of APR. Instead, they deal with "factors." For example, a business owner may receive an offer for "1.24 for 6 months." This means the payback is 1.24 x the amount of the loan or cash advance which will be paid back with a daily payment of x amount over the period of six months. In this case 1.24 is the "factor," but that doesn't mean the real interest rate in 24% since the payback is shorter then a year, this doesn't include fees, and payments are made on a daily basis. After taking these variables into consideration, the real APR would be closer to 50%
2. Aggressive collection. While no one would argue about the need for non bank business lenders, the reality is that this line of business assumes a great deal of risk. In order to minimize the financial risk that a funded business will default on its advance, some companies have resorted to draconian collection practices. Consider the popular online lender Kabbage. This company has worked hard to take the pain and complexity out of accessing a short-term line of business credit. But, for all of their happy borrowers, there are countless horror stories of aggressive account sweeps and an unresponsive customer service department. As one business borrower exclaimed, "there's nothing you can do through the bank or Paypal to stop them or even block a single charge."
3. Double dipping. Once business owners have paid off over half of the amount they owe, some alternative lenders will automatically start sending out a series of compelling communications informing these customers that they now qualify for a larger amount of financing at lower rates. To sweeten the deal, the process of unlocking this additional financing is typically made extremely quick and easy (just press a few buttons, confirm your transaction, and bam, it's yours!). While many small business borrowers may initially be thrilled by the additional funding, that joy can quickly wear off the next day when a payment is due. These lenders will often be ambiguous about how the extra funding will effect the business owner's current daily payment load.
4. Stacking. Stacking is the practice of offering business owners additional short-term financing after they have already received (but have not yet fully paid back) financing from a different lender. This is a pretty prevalent practice among the merchant cash advance industry. Some even go so far as to target businesses that already have two or more outstanding balances with two or more different lenders. It's not so hard to see how this practice can quickly get out of hand and lead a business (and its owners) to irreversible financial ruin.
Inherent in all of the practices mentioned above is that the alternative lenders behind them are focused on their own bottom line; they're much less concerned about their business borrowers' best interests. But more than that, these practices give the erroneous impression that expensive short-term financing can be a long-term solution. Alternative lending is short-term and more expensive for a reason. It is supposed to be a temporary solution to a temporary need, and all the ethical alternative lenders out there need to make sure that their business borrowers fully understand this.]]>
Below are several red flags associated with a business' bank account that will prevent many lenders from approving your funding request.
1. There is no separate business bank account. With the rise of online businesses and the ease with which merchants can now attach sophisticated payment processing to non-business accounts, there has been an increase in the number of small business owners who conduct business transactions via their personal bank accounts. This is a problem for a couple of reasons:
2. The account is too new. Generally, lenders will need to see at least three months of business bank account activity before approving a funding request. If your business is new or you just switched from a personal account to a separate business account, then you should wait until you've posted three full months of business transactions in that account before applying for financing.
3. Deposits are insignificant and/or inconsistent. Another sign of business health is your sales volume. Most alternative lenders will need to see a consistent and significant flow of money going into the account, so make sure that your revenues are deposited into your business bank account before you withdraw any money for business expenses and personal income. This is especially true if you have a lot of cash paying customers.
4. There are insufficient funds to cover expenses. This is a very big pitfall that trips up many small business owners. I've said this before, and I'll say it again: don't wait until your your business bank account is in the red before applying for financing. Once you start incurring bounced checks and over draft fees your chances of getting approved anywhere legitimate, are very slim. That said, the minute you sense a future cash shortfall, you should already be seeking outside sources of financing, it also goes without saying that you should have a plan in place to cover any unexpected financial emergencies.
The bottom line is that although non-bank lenders will fund a broader range of small businesses than the banks will, they are nevertheless still looking to minimize their funding risks. They've got sophisticated algorithms based on hard data that tell them which businesses are likely to pay back their financing on time and which ones are susceptible to default. A lot of this will depend on the information that they can glean from the business bank account. The more you recognize this fact and prepare your business with this in mind, the greater will be your chances of receiving the financing that your business needs in an affordable, sustainable way.
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That said, there are three main areas to consider in your financial emergency planning: developing a disaster plan, taking out a business insurance policy, and building an emergency fund. I'll go through each one of these strategies below.
Developing a Disaster Plan. When the unexpected strikes, you want to have a system already in place that details the steps you and your employees need to take as well as the resources you have at your disposal to smooth out the difficulties along the way. Your disaster plan should include a clear breakdown of the things that need to be taken care of as well as who will do them. There should also be a system for protecting and mobilizing assets. Some steps to include are:
If your business was hurt by a natural disaster then you should familiarize yourself with any federal or state financing that may be available to you. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), provides various kinds of financial assistance to individuals and businesses effected by a natural disaster, and the SBA also offers a series of disaster loans.
Taking Out a Business Insurance Policy. In order to save money, many small business owners avoid taking out even the most standard insurance policies. While it's true that you'll save money on monthly premiums, it may cost you big time if you end up needing coverage later on. For small businesses, there are basically five kinds of business insurance to consider:
Setting Up an Emergency Fund or Financing. In order to make it through a financial emergency, one of the most basic elements to have in place is a quick and accessible source of financing, and the truth is that there may be many options at your disposal. Here is a brief rundown of three popular options:
No matter how great or uneventful things may seem now, life can throw you an unexpected curve ball, sending your business into a sudden financial emergency. The more prepared you are, the better your chances of successfully riding out the storm.]]>
Since bigger banks continue to turn away from Main Street business lending, the majority of small business owners are struggling more than ever to acquire the capital they need to operate and grow. This raises the question: how can community banks successfully and profitably adapt to the new realities of banking and small business lending in particular and once again regain their foothold in the communities that they serve?
The current state of small business lending and the challenges it presents to community banks is the result of several major converging trends. The first is the increasing inequality between big and small businesses in their ability to secure credit and financing. Even as their big and mid-sized corporate competitors get the royal treatment when it comes to securing capital, many small locally owned businesses are struggling to secure the financing they need for operations and growth. This struggle has been even greater for businesses that are new, have fewer than 20 employees, operate in a high risk industry such as food services or retail, are owned by minorities or women, or simply require only a small amount of money. In other words, we are talking about the majority of small, independently owned businesses, the driving force behind our economy. While this inequality has always existed to some extent, it has been exacerbated in recent years due to tighter credit standards and a greater aversion to risk among banks both big and small.
This is in conjunction with the fact that even the SBA has dramatically reduced its support for smaller businesses and shifted more of its Federal loan guarantees to larger businesses. For the past seven years, the number of business loans under $150,000 guaranteed by the SBA each year has fallen from about 80,000 to 24,000. Meanwhile, the SBA's average loan size has more than doubled to $362,000. This is a big deal given that the SBA has traditionally has made financing more accessible to the smallest businesses that fall just below bank loan requirements.
The fall out of the credit shortage has been that many small businesses either do not receive adequate funding or the owners have been forced to rely on costly alternatives, such as credit cards and business cash advances. This can put an obvious strain on the small business' financials and increase the risk of failure.
The other side to this story is that local community banks are facing increasing competition from big banks for the most profitable small and mid-sized business customers, and as local banks lose ground to big banks, there are fewer financial institutions focusing on small business lending. Currently, the top four U.S banks control 43% of all banking assets, but only extend about 16% of small business loans. Yet, these same small banks lack the resources and know how needed to profit on the more risky business loans and financing products- the ones that alternative non bank lenders have been thriving on.
But, that's not all. A number of regulatory burdens are hampering productivity, making small business lending of any sort inherently more costly and risky. For smaller banking institutions already weakened by their past pursuit of unprofitable banking products and investments, it has made small business financing even less palatable.
As all of the above has been playing out, the banking industry itself has been going through a virtual revolution. This is a revolution that is being driven primarily by tech- savvy non bank institutions and a customer base that increasingly values speed, convenience, and the marriage of technology and banking.
What many local bank managers and directors may not realize is that as a smaller institution, community banks have the ability to adapt much quicker to these changes than a bigger bank hampered by outdated policies, procedures, and bureaucracy. To survive, small banks must re-examine their strategies and business models and experiment, improvise and adapt to exploit new market opportunities. While this transformation may not be easy, it is one that can, and likely will, happen, and the smaller banks are in the best position to do it. There are several areas in particular where community banks can start focusing in order to remain relevant and profitable to their local business customers:
Small banks should seek ways to trim the fat. The smorgasbord approach to banking (ie supporting a large variety of banking products in the hopes that they'll be able to upsell to current customers) is not the way to go for the majority of community banks since not all products will provide equal value and return. Small banks need to take a good, hard look at the services that they provide and determine which ones offer the most value to their targeted customers as well as which ones they have the resources to support properly and profitably.
Bring technology and data into the picture. Online banking, mobile payments, and more recently, virtual currencies, are totally changing the way banking transactions are being conducted. Business customers today are placing a lot of value on services such as mobile banking, remote deposit capture and online bill pay. Moreover, the most successful financial institutions, particularly non bank business lenders, are using their ability to collect, analyze, and act on relevant market data as a real competitive advantage. All indications suggest that big data will increasingly determine success in this space and eventually become the modus operandi of business banking. These are trends that community banks simply can't afford to ignore.
Form strategic alliances. Above all, small banks will benefit significantly by joining forces with other financial institutions and companies that can better provide the services that these banks can't. For example, community banks can beef up their technology offerings by working with outside companies, such as payment processors. Many vendors actually offer technology to smaller banks that is similar to the products used by their bigger banking customers. Small banks could also team up with suitable nonbank business lenders to better provide their business customers with a broader range of products and options without having to rely on their own resources, skill, and know how
In short, community banks have the ability to reclaim their position as the small business lending source of choice, and they can do it profitably. But to be successful, it will require a major shift in the way they do business. Those institutions that understand this and work to incorporate the current trends in business banking, are the ones that will not only survive, but come out on top.]]>


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Animal Print Silicone Slap Bracelets
Animal Print Silicone Slap Bracelets
Show off your animal spirit with these Animal Print Silicone Slap Bracelets!
Our Animal Print Silicone Slap Bracelets features designs of black and white zebra and black and orange tiger print. Each animal print bracelet is 1 1/4 inch wide x 9 1/4 inches long. The Animal Print Silicone Slap Bracelets are perfect party favors for any Safari, Jungle, Zoo or Wild animal event. Sold in packages of 12.
Please allow ample time for delivery. Our ship date for this product is noted in your shopping cart. Many items are shipped separately, so please allow extra time for these items to arrive. Shipping charges are based on the value of the merchandise and not the number of shipments. For additional shipping information, please contact our Customer Service Department at (firstname.lastname@example.com or 1-800-314-8794).
Reviewed by 1 customer
- Attractive Design
- Fun
- Good Value
Best Uses
- Teens
- Young Children
Love these. Used them for prizes at our church's Fall Festival. The boys and girls enjoyed them.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Do you have questions about this product?
Get answers from real customers and in-house experts with AnswerBox.
Q:Do these come flat or rolled up?Asked on 5/5/2014 by Pink from Houston, tx
1 answer
A:These will come flatAnswered on 5/5/2014 by csr

subset: commoncrawl


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Overture chords by Patrick Wolf, added: November 20th, 2012
Profile History
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play along with this wonderful song by the man with the biggest ears i've seen!
it is pretty simple - 4 chords the whole song!
Dm - F - C - G
Dm F
It's wonderful what a smile can hide
If the teeth shine right and it's nice and wide
Dm F
It's so magical what you can keep inside
C G Dm F
And if you bury it deep no one can find a thing, no.
C G Dm F
So come on now, open wide, open up now.
Don't you think it's time
Dm F
To look back at that boy on his way to school
Such a heavy heart, such a heavy jewel
Dm F
hiding something that one day he'll sell
C G Dm F
But now if no one shows, no one tells a thing, no.
C G Dm F
So come on love, open wide, open up now
Don't you think it's time
Dm F C G
Now after all these years you are at last opening
was it worth all that war just to win
So caught up in the speed of the days in your sin
Don't forget how the story begins no
Don't forget now.
Now I'm seeing all your lovers and enemies
They've been turining their keys so full of need
All trying to see that sure you keep
What makes it shine, what makes it mine
But I don't care.
Just come on now, open wide.
Open up now.
There's so much love for what you'll find.
But what will you find!
Now after all these years you are at last opening
Was it worth all that war just to win.
If it was can you take me back to where it begins
Come and take me back to where it begins
Come and take me back to where it begins
Come on, open wide and let some light in.
Let us in.
Let us in.


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Hi Folks,
I'm Jason from the Microsoft Big Data Support team. Thanks for reading our blog, and for trying out HDInsight in your own business.
I want to share some new articles Microsoft just published that will be helpful for getting started with HDInsight in your business. To help folks who are not so familiar with the Apache projects, I'll quickly compare to an existing Microsoft SQL Server feature you might have heard of before to help ease the transition.
For even more articles, check out the main HDInsight documentation front page at http://www.windowsazure.com/en-us/documentation/services/hdinsight/
Happy Hadooping! Jason Howell
See our blog posts on Sqoop as well
By the way, shameless plug! Follow us on twitter as @MSBigDataSupp


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Where Do You Stand? Friends of Different Ages
Throughout college and even after, my friends were all in the same age range, but over time I've found that the ages of my friends drastically vary. I've grown closer to the younger siblings of my friends, but also befriended women who are closer to my mom's age than my own. And frankly, I appreciate the variation.
It's reassuring to have a woman in my life who's already been through it all tell me I'm going to be OK, and likewise, my younger friends remind me that being idealistic is a good thing! So where do you stand when it comes to having friends who are much older or younger than you? Are you for it? Or do you find it strange?
POPSUGAR, the #1 independent media and technology company for women. Where more than 75 million women go for original, inspirational content that feeds their passions and interests.


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The Greene TurtleOctober 28, 2014Sports Bar • Ocean City, United States
wings are good
Pro-wilderness, Rewilding, lover of the sea
Great fresh, locally sourced cuisine. One of the few options in OC to really "go green". I'm not usually a fan of serving shark due to their global decline, but they do it with great respect & concern
Best chocolate in Maryland!
Best fries in the world!
Grab a beer on free pizza night - great deal!
Crazy lunch is an amazing deal.
The four course for 2 option is a good deal
Best hotel in Virginia Beach!
Terrible service. Dirty and cluttered. Go to Double T Diner down the street.
Check out the new @mdcoastalbays office location here on Foursquare #CoastalBays
Save your cup & bring it back next time for great prices!
Feliz 5 de Mayo! #nyc #travel #ttot #Manhattan #Chelsea #Mexico
Happy #EarthDay #CoastalBays!
This place is terrible. Service is deplorable and the food is mediocre at best. Horrible experience.
Try the oysters - they are fresh and delicious!
This is possibly Maryland's most scenic bridge


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Cow stops traffic on Highway 41 in Fond du Lac
A cow that stopped traffic on Highway 41 southbound south of Johnson Street this morning has been loaded into a truck and taken away.It isn't clear if the cow somehow wandered onto the busy highway
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Get the latest issue
It's Good Housekeeping's 17th anniversary, and mommies, it's your month, too! Enjoy meaty reads on everything relevant to you—from deliciously simple cake recipes to stories of compassion during Pope Francis's visit.
Starting a new job in a new industry is never easy—whether you're an experienced worker or a fresh graduate, there's bound to be a learning curve you will need to overcome. But it doesn't have be too steep if you know how to approach your new job the correct way. Check out the tips in the gallery below.
For more work-related tips, check these out on FN:
(First published as "Learn to Do a New Job on Your Feet" on Female Network.)


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General Info
California Man
In a committed relationship 21+ years.
Turn Ons
husky to chubby bearish guys, but hairy or smooth is ok, like younger than me, but that covers most, lol
Turn Offs
not into arrogance, and not attracted to twinks or overdone muscle guys
About myself
Marital Status
Yes, and they live away from home
Time spent online?
An hour or so a day
Social Orientation
Very Liberal
Tobacco Consumption
I'm a non-smoker
Alcohol Consumption
I'm a light social drinker
About my Partner
Ideal partner
I have my ideal partner
Looking for
Male, Gay-Couple, Group
For Activities
1-on-1 sex, Group sex(3 or more), Exhibitionism & Voyeurism
Whole package matters more
Partners genitals should be
Hairy, Average
Does size matter?
Average is all I need!
Tobacco Preference
I dont want my partner to smoke
Alcohol Preference
I dont mind if my partner drinks lightly
Physical Profile
Body Type
Few extra pounds
6 ft 0 in
Facial Hair
Body Hair
Pubic Hair
Unshaved; Normal
Glasses or Contacts
Sexual Diseases
Free from sexually transmitted diseases and tested regularly
Work & Living Environment
Full Time
Living Arrangement
Live with spouse
Sexual Interests
Sexual Orientation
Top Comments
All Comments
you are so handsome... big kiss in your heart
Thank you my hot friend;-X
thnx for add daddy
Thank you for adding me.
You're lovely!
Thanks for the Friendship... Daddy! ;-)
you are very very hot,i love your wite beard ,can i contact you on skype
please reply
Thanks for the request and the fav handsome!
Thanks! I'm working on taking more now actually.
Thanks for the add.....
Thanks for fav ! hope you liked, cya
Thanks for the comment. You are one very very hot daddy
Great pics you have there
Thanks for the friend request and the favorites ^^
..thank you**
...and thanks for the add, handsome!
Hey cutie! Love your smiling face! Greetings from Greece
Sexy super great smile(^-^)/
thx, boyatthart
You some hot man!
You're welcome dude!!
Hey dude, thanks for the friend request!! Glad you like the vid!!
Thanks for the friend request, stud! hugs
Thanks a lot for added me, handsome daddy!!!. Hugs
Thank you, I'm glad you liked them ^_^
Thx nemski. I enjoyed browsing your profile, too.
Sexy guy with great taste in men!
thanks for the comment and request
you re gorgeous Bud..like your body, ass, and dick..wanna suck and fuck you for hours
GRRR! Thanks for the add stud
thanks beautifull big daddy
|rontxnca Added a video to favorite
7 years ago


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Taylor Hall RSS
The Morning Skate, May 20: Headed-in hockey goals, Whitecaps chase glory, Canucks youngsters, Oilers coaches and more
News flash: Sports is fun. Disallowing a goal because it was headed in? That's the opposite. In a league where the policy has so often in recent years seemed to be 'count goals however possible' – I was a bit … Continue reading
The Morning Skate, Oct. 13: Happy Thanksgiving! But don't get off the couch…yet
Gobble, gobble! Did you have turkey last night? Or are you having it tonight? Or are you like me and you had it last night *and* on Saturday night. Yes, I'm stuffed, to coin a phrase. It's a quiet start … Continue reading
Canucks Hat Trick: No Torts so promote Kassian, Babs will tab Luongo, bitter Bieksa better
Three points to ponder after the Canucks claimed a 2-1 victory in Edmonton on Tuesday without their injured captain, without their suspended coach and without any power-play production: 1. NO TORTS, SO PROMOTE KASSIAN John Tortorella grew tired of the … Continue reading
Hat Trick: Tortorella lays down law early with Booth, another D called up and Higgins sees spike in ice time
Steve Ewen serves up a Hat Trick – three things he's thinking about the Vancouver Canucks heading into their visit to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. 1. How angry is John Tortorella at David Booth? The Healthy Scratch Card … Continue reading
Canucks Hat Trick: Dreadful Kesler, Higgins and Booth the chief culprits in bottom-feeding power play
It's another game day, and we old-timers can't help but think of the days when Canucks teams used to quake at the thought of a game in Philadelphia. The team may still be quaking, but it has nothing to do … Continue reading
Dale Weise says "I'll guess we will see what happens," in first meeting with Oilers since Hall hit
Dale Weise said after the morning skate that he wasn't sure whether he'd get extra attention from the Edmonton Oilers in the Vancouver Canucks' home opener Saturday. Weise was suspended for the final three preseason games for his hit … Continue reading
Will Canucks winger Dale Weise be a centrepiece of Edmonton's visit Saturday for his hit on Hall?
One of the storylines sure to crop up Saturday when the Edmonton Oilers visit the Vancouver Canucks is whether there's any sort of carryover regarding Canuck winger Dale Weise. Weise, the Canucks winger, was suspended three preseason games for his … Continue reading
Suspensions: 'Reckless' stick swing costs Kassian, 'point of contact' head shot sits Weise
Zack Kassian could only laugh at how the smouldering embers of a more heated rivalry with the Edmonton Oilers ignited into a flame Monday morning. Move over Battle of Alberta, you have company. However, it wasn't so funny when NHL … Continue reading
TSN reporting that Zack Kassian's meeting with league in person, rather than on phone
TSN is reporting that Zack Kassian's hearing with the NHL brass over the slash that broke Sam Gagner's jaw will be in person and not over the phone. Fellow Vancouver Canuck forward Dale Weise will still have his meeting with … Continue reading
Canucks wingers Kassian, Weise have hearings with NHL over incidents in Oiler game
Vancouver Canuck wingers Dale Weise and Zack Kassian have disciplinary hearings with the NHL head office over the phone Monday morning for events that occurred in Saturday's game against the Edmonton Oilers. The Canucks host the Phoenix Coyotes on Monday.… Continue reading


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Dermatological Conditions
This page is dedicated to educational materials on various skin conditions. There will be many more pictures and videos that will be uploaded on this page as time goes on.
In a homeopath's view, if a disease manifests itself on the skin, it actually indicates that the body is externalizing symptoms, which in a way is better than having internal symptoms that would suggest far more serious issues. Yet, skin conditions often affect individuals profoundly, leading to low self-esteem and deeper emotional issues. It is a sad fact that, by the time clients with skin problems visit a homeopath, they would have already been subjected to a variety of oral, topical and even injectable suppressive medications.
By far the majority of skin conditions are caused by either poor diet and/or poor internal organ health. The main exceptions are skin conditions that are caused by direct contact to irritating substances (such as poison ivy), hazardous substances (such as various industrial chemicals), infectious agents (such as fungi), too much heat (causing skin burns), or even too much sunlight.
The effect of diet on skin health is of paramount importance. Not drinking sufficient amounts of water on a daily basis, eating foods that negatively impact our health (i.e. allergenic foods, processed or junk foods, and genetically modified foods), overeating, not eating sufficient amounts of healthy foods (including vegetables and fruits), eating hastily, drinking too much liquid with meals (which can disturb digestion by diluting the digestive juices in our stomach), consuming excessive amounts of unhealthy drinks such as alcohol, soda pop, or coffee can all be detrimental to our skin health. Put differently, we don't develop a skin rash due to cortisone cream deficiency! However, we might develop a rash due to deficiency of a nutrient(s) which could have been brought on by either a poor diet and/or poor digestion.
Even though there are pharmaceutical creams and drugs that can alleviate various skin conditions, such unnatural therapies are hardly ever curative in nature. In other words, you often become dependent on the use of such therapies indefinitely, and the rash returns soon after you stop using them.
To truly cure a skin condition, patients often need to make some dietary changes (for example eliminating one or a few food allergens or drinking more water) and/or take up a naturopathic detoxification/cleansing program to optimize the function of the main internal organs, namely, liver, intestines, and kidneys.
It's noteworthy that some patients are told that their rash (namely acne) is caused by hormonal imbalance, and are put on birth control pills. Even if that may be true, the real cause of hormonal imbalances can still be found in the person's poor diet and/or poor internal organ health, most specifically their liver.
There is yet one more aspect to healing skin conditions. There are often times when the patient's deep and inherent "tendency to develop skin problems" needs to be directly addressed using homeopathic remedies. We all have a different make up which in homeopathy is called "constitution". Some constitutions are more prone to various skin conditions. For example, the Nat mur (Natrum muriaticum) constitution is more prone to dry skin conditions such as eczema. Or, the Thuja constitution is more prone to warts. Yet, individuals with the homeopathic Pulsatilla constitution often tend to suffer from a dry mouth. To address these deep tendencies, patients will need to take their "constitutional" homeopathic remedy which can be identified by a skilled homeopath. In many cases, I find that homeopathy is the single most effective therapy in treating skin conditions. In other words, even if patients make the required dietary changes and go through a comprehensive detoxification program, they might still suffer from skin conditions UNLESS they use homeopathic remedies.
At Whole Health Clinic, we specialize in homeopathy, naturopathic detoxification (i.e. organ health optimization) as well as food allergy testing and nutritional counseling. Using the above therapies/approaches, satisfactory results can be achieved in treating nearly all skin conditions including acne, eczema, psoriasis, warts, and various other rashes that are not diagnosable by dermatologists. It's noteworthy that rashes that are often difficult to diagnose and/or treat by conventional pharmaceutical treatments are often the easiest to treat by natural therapies.
Psoriatic arthritis improves with natural medicine.
Severe eczema alleviated in a few days...
Melanoma - a deadly skin condition that can affect the internal organs as well
Unfortunately, I only saw this patient once. Therefore, I do not have any follow up pictures.
Numerous warts alleviated with homeopathy within nearly 2 months
The numerous warts on this boy's trunk were completely alleviated within 2 months by the administration of two consecutive doses of his "constitutional" homeopathic remedy, "Pulsatilla". There was only one wart left uncured by the remedy. There are no viable conventional therapies for warts other than burning them off! Burning warts is not a cure as they often return. This boy's warts have never returned within the last several years that I have known him. His hives were the result of his liver not being able to process the fish oil supplement he was consuming. Support to his liver function was ultimately what cured the hives.
Child Wart Problem solved.
Homeopathic treatment completely alleviates warts in a few months in a man who had warts on his hands for decades
Chronic and painfully dry skin successfully treated within two weeks
Biotherapeutic drainage/detoxification helps clear sarcoidosis skin rash.
Carolyn has advanced sarcoidosis, a very serious autoimmune condition that can negatively impact the health of many of the internal organs/tissues, including heart, lungs, eyes, and skin. Prior to seeing me, Carolyn had tried numerous other therapies, including pharmaceutical medications and even natural supplements. However, she continued to feel very ill overall. At her first visit, I offered her 3 main therapies: First, application of castor oil on her entire abdomen, covering the liver area. Second, an UNDA number to help with liver function (i.e. to "drain" or detoxify the liver). Third, an UNDA number to help with kidney function (i.e. to "drain" or detoxify the kidneys.) As you can see here, in a matter of weeks, she has had numerous improvements in just about every part of her body (including her skin) by getting these toxins out of her primary organs of elimination, intestines, liver and kidneys. I see dramatic improvements in most of my patients by simply starting this basic protocol.
(Note: The choice and the dosing of the therapies is very critical. I would advise against starting these therapies on your own without the supervision of a naturopathic doctor who is versed in Biotherapeutic Drainage (i.e. UNDA numbers, Gemmotherapies and Gammadyns/Oligotherapies ) and detoxification. Unfortunately, Biotherapeutic Drainage has not yet worked its way well into the field of naturopathic medicine in North America, and continues to be on the fringes of naturopathy, let alone conventional medicine. In contrast, these therapies are utilized by many medical doctors in Europe.)
Homeopathy helps when all else fails...
This young lady had a very disfiguring rash all over her face, neck and upper chest. She had sought various therapies, including naturopathic treatments as well as acupuncture, with no avail. One dose of the homeopathic remedy Psorinum completely alleviated her skin condition within a few weeks after years of suffering. She needed to have a second dose within a couple of months. After two years, she is still stable, and needs to redose her remedy once every few months.
Isaac's Skin Condition treated effectively using homeopathy when conventional dermatology was not able to help
Isaac's feet, before :
Isaac's hands, before:
Undiagnosable skin rash can be treated effectively with natural therapies.
The following images are of a patient's leg with an undiagnosable skin rash. She has seen 4 dermatologists over a period of 12 years, and not responded to any pharmaceutical medications. These are the BEFORE pictures, and the AFTER pictures will be uploaded in the future. I have assured the patient that if she follows the naturopathic route, her skin condition will be completely resolved in a few months.


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Daniel Lee | January 7, 2012 | Comments |
We're going to see an explosion of QR codes in print and ambient media as an obligatory inclusion. Here's why.
Kids are a great barometer of marketing effectiveness. Whether you're advertising toys or toothbrushes, if kids find it engaging then it will probably work on your target market.
For about three months last year, my two kids aged eight and six would excitedly spot QR (quick response) codes in magazines and in the mall, and ask me to scan it, as if it would lead to some hidden interactive treasure. But more often than not, the digital experience turned out to be highly disappointing; sometimes the code didn't work, but mostly the experience was just boring and a struggle to view on my phone.
So they stopped asking. There was no payoff.
(If you've never scanned a QR code before, you owe it to yourself to try it. If you have an iPhone, try this free app called "Scan" and get scanning!)
While recent studies suggest that only 6 percent of mobile users have ever scanned a QR code, in 2012 we're going to see an explosion of them in print and ambient media as an obligatory inclusion.
There are three significant shifts that are driving QR code usage:
1. Smartphone penetration is on the rise. With more than 50 percent of new phones being sold in Asia being smartphones, the capability to scan QR codes will be in consumers' hands.
2. Advances in optical recognition make it easier. Instead of starting a special app and framing the code in the viewfinder, phones with Windows Phone 7.5 automatically recognize QR codes in the viewer when using Bing Visual search and open the link.
3. Self-fulfilling prophecy. More visibility means more awareness, and more marketers including QR codes. Over time, consumers will learn that the black square patterns are actually useful.
So What's the Big Deal?
QR codes can provide a simple "bridge" between the analogue world and the digital world, pulling the consumer deeper into your content on their mobile device.
It's a direct response mechanism, which adds value to your print and ambient media spend. A highly motivated consumer sees a print ad in a magazine, and to get more information, a coupon, or see a demo, they can scan the QR code right there and then. The opportunity arises to capture additional details such as email or becoming a fan so that dialogue can begin.
QR Codes Are Great for Complex URLS
Nowadays, a URL such as coke.com is much faster to type in using an onscreen keyboard than activating a scanning app, framing the code and waiting for the recognition and link.
But not every link is short and easy to type in. For example, what if the destination page is several subfolders deep? E.g., mycampaign.com/eng/marketing/promo/ or the link is a YouTube video like this compared to scanning the following code (it's the trailer for the "Avengers" movie launching in 2012):
In the case of Tesco Korea, QR codes on posters were used in the subway to allow waiting commuters to quickly add items to their online carts, where the URL would be otherwise arduous to type in.
In these cases with a complex URL, a QR code is ideal.
QR Code Pre-Flight Checklist
If you're planning to start using QR codes, you need to make sure you've checked off the following five elements:
1. Test the code: Sounds obvious, but make sure the code works across various devices and scanning apps.
2. Mobile-optimized experience: The QR code is most likely to be scanned on a phone, so the landing experience needs to be tailored for the small screen size factor. Dropping a consumer onto a Flash-heavy corporate home page designed for a desktop is a complete waste.
3. The payoff: "Coupons" and "more information" were the top categories according to a report from E-marketer. The payoff needs to be either valuable or engaging, or you're setting the consumer up for disappointment.
4. Is there a signal? If you're going to use QR codes, ensure they are placed where there is a mobile Internet signal, whether 3G/4G or Wi-Fi. For example, many subways or event locations have limited Internet access.
5. Tracking: QR codes are a direct response mechanism, so you need to be tracking to the point of identifying which ad, location, or offer generated the best response. It's digital marketing 101, but you'd be surprised how common many campaigns just dump the user on a home page without any campaign identifier.
Do these five things well, and you'll be in the top 2 percent of QR code campaigns!
What About NFC?
NFC (near field communications) is a complementary technology that makes your phone a virtual passport and wallet. However, it needs to be used with a NFC reader on location, which you're not going to find in any print media, the natural territory for QR codes. While there is a lot of marketing buzz around NFC, we won't expect to see mainstream traction for 24 months. QR codes are for today.
The End of the Beginning
The use of QR codes has been well overrated till now, but the shift from niche to mainstream adoption is clearly in 2012. If you want to see measurable responses from your print campaigns, you can start using QR codes today and drive them to engaging branded mobile experiences so that your consumers - and my kids - have something worth spending time with!
Daniel Lee is one of the few digital professionals whose experience spans over 12 years in the digital industry in both the agency side and client side with Telstra Corporation. He recently joined Euro RSCG Singapore after management and digital strategy roles with Ogilvy, JWT, Walkers Advertising, and pure play digital agency Terabyte. He has worked across multiple industries with international clients such as American Express, Nestlé, Purina, BP, and Ford and regional Australasian clients such as AMP Financial Services, Sanitarium, and Macquarie Bank. Before social media was "the in thing" he had launched Australasia's largest new mothers portal for SCA Hygiene, and worked on Diet Coke's first content driven fan platform in 2003. He is also is an active online reviewer and serves as a moderator on a community forum. In his spare time, he enjoys martial arts, derivatives trading, and spending time with his young family.
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Another visit to the bird hide and another bird. A friend called this a Reed Warbler, but it does not look like the bird in the RSPB web site. Anyone able to help?
|Canon EOS 300D
|55 to 200mm Sigma
|Recording media:
|Digital ISO 400
|5 Mar 2004 - 8:17 PM
|Wildlife / nature
|VS Mode Rating
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|IanA · Terry L · billma · gibbsy · geegee · dcdigital · brian1208 · Mavis · cameraman · ericfaragh · highlander · Greyheron · villanbob · naturenut ·
|Unique Views:
I think you will find this is a Dunnock.....& a very fine image too if I may say so.
Nominating Constructive Critique
Could be a hedge sparrow!
Nominating Constructive Critique
I thought Margaret would know . I thought it was a Dunnock or some people call it a Hedge Sparrow but no relation at all . It does warble so perhaps that is why some-one was a bit confused . Now I look at other comments including Margarets and they agree . Lovely sharp shot . Sitting very proudly and well presented .
Nominating Constructive Critique
Beautiful detailed shot, well captured.
Nominating Constructive Critique
Good shot, perky little bird well posed. (I did wonder about doing the "I Dunnock know what this bird is") but thought better of it - LOL
Nominating Constructive Critique
Thanks for your comments.
I had to wait for about half an hour for this bird to come close enough to get a clear shot. It would jump into view and then shoot back into the bushes. This is it just before it flew away again, and for once it paused to look around. Once again I cropped for this shot, but not as severely as the previous photo's.
Davidb I am using minimum aperture (f5.6) in this photo to try and get as fast a shutter speed as possible (1/400) at ISO400 and picking only the center focal point which is aimed at the bird. The rest is down to the camera/lens. Standard settings etc.
I have another post for tomorrow of yet another bird that I will try and find on the RSPB site.
The variety of birds at this location is amazing. There were some Crested Greebs, but they were staying too far away on the water. Something for another day.
Nominating Constructive Critique
Nominating Constructive Critique
Nominating Constructive Critique
Good shot, lots of detail. Well done.
Nominating Constructive Critique
Nominating Constructive Critique
My goodness your bird shots are good...this could adorn the front cover in any book on ornithology...sharp and realistically colourful. I am impressed.
Nominating Constructive Critique
Nominating Constructive Critique
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Moderators: Tealer, Indaswamp, Dep6, La. Hunter, steve-o, Preacher1011, lostpup
possumfoot wrote:i cant remember who said it, but they said it best.. to a grown man, watching child birth is like a 9yo watching disney land burn to the ground..
Locked&Loaded wrote:Indaswamp wrote:...metrosexual....
I am!
DrakeRoth22 wrote:So just go with the sbell and shoot 2.75 for early teal and dove and shoot 3 in 2 for ducks and geese and 3.5 for goose hunts?
Botiz630 wrote:How much does an apostrophe cost down south? Must be quite a bit, based on how sparingly you use them.
jaysweet3 wrote:An oldtimer at my club asked me why I shoot 3 1/2" shells? I said cause they don't make 4". You're talking about fine guns, that will suit all your needs.
dakotashooter2 wrote:jaysweet3 wrote:An oldtimer at my club asked me why I shoot 3 1/2" shells? I said cause they don't make 4". You're talking about fine guns, that will suit all your needs.
Hmmmm........................ I had a young guy ask me why I don't shoot a 3 1/2" 12 ga instead of a 20 ga. I said "because I don't NEED a 12 ga 3 1/2" to kill birds....................
Normally I use my 20 ga O/U for everything but I have a bout 2 cases of assorted steel shot for my 12 that I want to get rid of so that is what I have been using this year. But I still get as many birds with the 20...maybe even more..
WoodyWhiffingMG wrote:A real Mr. Green Jeans?
TheConservationOfficer wrote:Dream job.
Me and Black Betty wrote:Either one of them could fart on my dinner tonight.
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books & magazines
Rare Superman comic found behind wall by David Gonzales in Minnesota
- From: AP
- May 25, 2013
A MAN has found the Holy Grail of comic books - Action Comics No. 1 from 1938 featuring Superman - used as insulation behind a wall.
David Gonzales stumbled upon the rare find while renovating a house in a small town in Minnesota.
Mr Gonzalez did some research that confirmed the comic was valuable, though not as much as it could have been.
He got into a heated discussion with a relative about its value, and the back cover got ripped.
Because of the damage, New York-based online auctioneer ComicConnect.com graded the book a 1.5 on a 10-point scale.
By comparison, an Action Comics No. 1 that was graded a 9 recently fetched $US2.16 million ($2.22 million).
Bidding on Mr Gonzales' find was up to $US127,000 as of Friday. Bidding closes June 11.
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turbocharged 263hp 2.3L I4 6-speed manual FWD
|23000 mi
|Transmission slipping. Repaired/ paid in full by original factory warranty.
156-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD
|32000 mi
|Grease leaking from front left outer cv joint.
|125000 mi
|Replace leaking right side cv joint
148-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
|11160 mi
|Wheel Lug Nuts were damaged at delivery of car so I had dealership replace them free of charge
160-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD
|33480 mi
|Transmission was "clipping" when shifting into third gear. Audible clunking noise outside car and rough feeling going into gear. Transmission removed and torn down - replaced 3rd gear and synchro ring. Abnormal wear - manufacturing defect. Replaced under
|130820 mi
|Bearing issue, opted not to replace.
160-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD
|56000 mi
|Whining noise noticeable when slowing to a stop, noise stopped when clutch was disengaged, local mechanic informed that the manual transmission has a faulty bearing or similar problem- likely related to engine failure/replacement three months prior.
|74000 mi
|Started popping out of 3rd gear intermittently (manual transmission). Diagnosed as worn synchro on 3rd gear, living with the problem until it gets bad enough to spend the $$$ to repair!
|77500 mi
|Transmission replaced with a used one from a salvage vehicle. Less expensive than attempting to repair/rebuilt existing manual transmission.
|29140 mi
|Clutch release bearing was making noise. Clutch pedal assembly was initially suspected but it was the bearing. Clutch itself was also replaced for whatever reason.
Engine not specified
|65000 mi
|Stated transmission was leaking fluid and it would cost $230 to fix ontop of $300 60K maintenance. When I got the bill, it just stated that they sprayed a foam insulator around transmision case.
160-horsepower 2.3L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
|24800 mi
|Hard early morning shifting and vibration when down shifting from 4th to 3rd in manual mode. Still hard shift when engine cold, down shifting was corrected no vibration.
148-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD
|79000 mi
|Transmission fluid leak. Leaking from the transmission fluid pan gasket. After that repair immediately noticed it is leaking from a higer spot on the transmission.
|80000 mi
|The transmission fluid inlet from the radiator had coroded and a rust hole formed.
160-horsepower 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD
|39000 mi
|Manual transmission is very hard to shift when cold. Told it was normal due to heavy weight oil in transmission.


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Ergocraft ECO2.5 Ergonomic Drafting StoolItem # HN-ERG141
- Mesh-back stool with fabric-covered seat
- Height adjustable arms
- Pneumatic seat height adjustment
- Flex back for customized comfort
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Studio Designs Mode Chair - Black
Recommended Accessories
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®by PowerReviews
- Attractive (3)
- Comfortable (3)
- Durable (3)
- Ergonomic (3)
- Good lumbar support (3)
Best Uses
Reviewed by 3 customers
Sort by
- Attractive Design
- Comfortable
- Ergonomic
- Good Lumbar Support
- Rolls Smoothly
- Sturdy
Best Uses
- Computer Chair
- For Stand-up Desk
- Home Office
- Primary Work Chair
Comments about Ergocraft ECO2.5 Ergonomic Drafting Stool:
I've been looking for a good, affordable drafting stool for years. Then I tried this one at a customer's office, and I knew it was what I was looking for. It adjusts from a height suitable for a standard 30-inch desk, all the way up to the height of a stand-up desk. The arm rests are adjustable (and also removable if you prefer). The back is very comfortable, similar in appearance and feel to the famous Herman Miller Aeron chair. The only problem was that it came without assembly instructions. I called HayNeedle to email me some new ones. The instructions they sent did not show how to assemble several of the parts that came in the carton. It appears the extra parts, which were designed to make the arm rests even more adjustable, are not necessary for basic use of the chair unless you have a really big bum.
- Primary use:
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- Good Lumbar Support
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Best Uses
- Art chair
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Comments about Ergocraft ECO2.5 Ergonomic Drafting Stool:
I picked up one of these for my wife several months ago for her craft room (where she can spend several hours).
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- Primary use:
- Personal
- Attractive Design
- Comfortable
- Easy To Assemble
- Ergonomic
- Good Lumbar Support
- Rolls Smoothly
- Sturdy
Best Uses
- Drafting
- Painting
- Primary Work Chair
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There's plenty of plump cushion on the seat, which makes extended sessions at the art table much more comfortable. The mesh backrest gives just enough to mold to my back while still providing firm back support -
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- Primary use:
- Personal
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Product Information
Product Information
Delices De Cartier Gift Set by Cartier Gift Set for Women Includes 1.6 oz Eau DeToilette Spray + 3.3 oz Shower Gel
Delices De Cartier by Cartier for Women, Gift Set (1.6 oz Eau DeToilette Spray + 3.3 oz Shower Gel)A Fragrance In Which Frosted Cherry Reveals A Hint Of �forbidden Fruit�. In The Heart, A Floral Wave Of Jasmine, Freesia And Violet. Finally, Woods And Amber Bring The Fragrance A Touch Of Sophistication.
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Shelby Township
Sponsored By
Authorities: Shelby Township Man Stabbed Himself, Said His Wife Did ItA Macomb County man is behind bars after allegedly lying about a stabbing incident in Rochester Hills.
Shelby Twp. Mom Sentenced To Probation 2 Years After Toddler Dies In Hot MinivanThe judge dismissed a second-degree murder charge earlier this year.
Teen Found Dead In Ditch Near Transmission TowerPolice in Macomb County are investigating after an 18-year-old boy was found dead in a ditch underneath a transmission tower.
Report: Rochester Hills Has Lowest Crime Rate, Safest Urban Area In MichiganAccording to a recent report, Rochester Hills is the safest urbanized area in the entire state of Michigan.
Shelby Township Man Charged With Embezzling Over 20K From Youth Baseball Team's FundsA Shelby Township man is accused of embezzling more than $20,000 from a youth baseball team's funds raised from charity fundraisers.
No Murder Charge Against Mom In Boy's Death In Hot Van, Court RulesThe state appeals court won't upset a decision that dismissed a second-degree murder charge against Audrionna Rhoades of Shelby Township.
Police Bust Shelby Township Shop Acting As '7-Eleven Or Starbucks For Marijuana'The alleged illegal operation was run out of the unimposing Advance Medical Supply outlet on Van Dyke, north of 23 Mile.
Shelby Township Police Seek Tips In Theft Of $28,000 Pounds Of Nuts; Post Squirrel MugshotThe department on Tuesday issued an appeal for information on its Facebook page.
Found: Missing Man Drove From Home In Shelby Township Early Sunday MorningHe drove from his home in a 1998 green four-door Chevrolet Lumina, with Michigan license plate BHV 0158.
Divers Recover Body Of Man At Baypoint Beach In Stony Creek MetroparkOne man has drowned at Baypoint Beach at Stony Creek Metropark in Macomb County.
Car Drives Into Shelby Township Home, Causes Gas LeakDue to the natural gas leak, surrounding homes have been evacuated and the roadways at 23 Mile and Ryan have been closed until further notice.
Police Corral Stray Pig In Shelby Township; Porky Perp Leaves Patrol Car A Mess [PHOTO]Police in Shelby Township have had all kinds of suspects in their patrol cars -- but this is a first: A pig.


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|Effect of lactic and citric acid on the stability of B-aflatoxins in extrusion-cooked sorghum.
MedLine Citation:
|PMID: 18498319 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE
|AIMS: To evaluate the effect of the extrusion-cooking process with the addition of different acids concentration on the stability of B-aflatoxins in sorghum. METHODS AND RESULTS: Experimental units (EU) of sorghum flour contaminated with B-aflatoxins (140 ppb) were extrusion cooked with aqueous lactic or citric acid at six different concentrations. The effects of the two extrusion variables (moisture content and acid concentration) were analysed as a completely randomized factorial 3 x 6 design. Under some conditions, the aflatoxin reduction is more effective when using aqueous citric acid (up to 92%), than when using aqueous lactic acid (up to 67%). CONCLUSIONS: With citric acid, some extrusion treatments produced higher aflatoxin degradation rates, than those produced with lactic acid. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Aflatoxin contamination is a great risk both for human as well as for animal health in underdeveloped countries; consequently, practical and economical detoxification procedures are needed that eliminate or at least minimize the aflatoxin risk, through lowering aflatoxin concentrations in grains. Under these considerations, extrusion process can be used for reduction in the aflatoxin content in contaminated grains.
|A Méndez-Albores; F Martínez-Bustos; M Gaytán-Martínez; E Moreno-Martínez
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Publication Detail:
|Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2008-05-21
Journal Detail:
|Title: Letters in applied microbiology Volume: 47 ISSN: 1472-765X ISO Abbreviation: Lett. Appl. Microbiol. Publication Date: 2008 Jul
Date Detail:
|Created Date: 2008-06-18 Completed Date: 2008-08-11 Revised Date: -
Medline Journal Info:
|Nlm Unique ID: 8510094 Medline TA: Lett Appl Microbiol Country: England
Other Details:
|Languages: eng Pagination: 1-7 Citation Subset: IM
|Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México - FESC, Cuautitlán Izcalli, Estado de México, México. firstname.lastname@example.com
Export Citation:
|APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex
|MeSH Terms
Aflatoxin B1
Citric Acid / pharmacology*
Decontamination / methods
Drug Stability
Food Contamination / analysis
Food Handling
Food Technology / methods
Lactic Acid / pharmacology*
Sorghum / chemistry*, microbiology*
Reg. No./Substance:
|1162-65-8/Aflatoxin B1; 50-21-5/Lactic Acid; 77-92-9/Citric Acid
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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