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"Vindis Motor Group have been working with Fire Safety Services for over 10 years. They provide all our fire safety requirements across our network of 18 sites Bentley, Audi, Volkswagen and Skoda, spanning five counties.
Fire Safety Services are reliable, professional and they have strong work ethics. We have built up a trustworthy relationship with them and we are reassured by their fire safety knowledge. They offer an Account Managed service supported by qualified and personable Technicians who are responsive to our needs.
They are a pleasure to work with and we would recommend their services to other businesses."
Chairman – Vindis Motor Group
"Belron UK Ltd t/a Autoglass® & Laddaw® employed Fire Safety Services 6 years ago to provide National Fire Protection Services at over 100 sites across the UK.
They provide first class customer service and their expert advice makes them leaders in their field. This is backed up by their third party accreditation in all aspects of fire safety, which is vital reassurance for our company.
They are a quality driven and professional company with an ethical approach ensuring our compliance needs are identified and justified at all times.
With Fire Safety Services you can always trust you are in safe hands. We would have no hesitation in recommending their services."
National Property Manager – Belron UK Ltd
"Bedfordia initially employed Fire Safety Services for services required at our head office.
By working closely together we have now amalgamated all areas of our businesses and use FSS across the Group. Including; Elms BMW & MINI, Bedfordia Farms & Biogen (UK) Ltd.
We have built up a great working partnership. FSS show a real interest in our business and understand our requirements and often propose solutions before we recognise an issue.
The engineers are polite & professional and always consistent. Therefore each site is known and managed without any issue.
I have a single point of contact in the office which ensures all work is booked in centrally, any issues are resolved quickly and payment processing is simple.
Not only do FSS provide a great service, the way we work together is effortless, which in itself is worth every penny."
Property & Facilities Coordinator – Bedfordia Group
"Coventry Cathedral employed Fire Safety Services in 2013 for services across our campus of religious, commercial and residential buildings.
We have built up a very good working relationship. FSS show a real interest in our activities and understand the particular sensitivities of working within religious buildings which are open to the public are also Grade 1 listed.
The engineers are polite & professional and always helpful. I have a single point of contact in the office which ensures all work is booked in centrally, any issues are resolved quickly and payment processing is simple.
FSS provide a very good service and I would not hesitate to recommend them."
Director of Property – Coventry Cathedral
"Fire Safety Services offer professional, effective customer service, their communication regarding site visits is timely, the engineers are committed to giving first class customer service along with additional advice to help the client budget for future years. We have worked with Fire Safety Services for a number of years now and consider them to be amongst the leaders in their field of expertise."
Health & Safety – Basepoint Centres Limited
"Fire Safety Services have worked in partnership with us (Building Management Technology) for around 8 years. They have supplied and commissioned conventional fire alarm systems for our clients including 140 new stores for a multi-national retailer. Fire Safety Services are one of the most professional companies we have worked with. They provide an outstanding service at great value for money. Their quality of work and response is always of a high standard and we can always trust that our clients are kept legally compliant".
Director – Building Management Technology
"I highly recommend Fire Safety Services who have been maintaining our fire alarm system for several years. The contractors who come to our hospice are always very pleasant and courteous, and are always sensitive to our environment, which is extremely important.
They respond very quickly to our needs, whether it's in relation to a reported fault or to carry out additional works. They also offer excellent advice so that we can feel confident that our building is adequately protected, thus supporting our commitment to the safety of our patients, visitors and staff."
Hospice Trust Manager – John Eastwood Hospice
"Simply Solutions (Europe) is a boutique, outsourcing specialist, responsible for managing several large portfolios across the retail, leisure, commercial and care sectors.
Fire Safety Services was appointed in 2013 to manage our fire requirements across several portfolios. Their attention to detail, knowledge of statutory requirements and extremely fast reaction time to emergency call outs means that we can safely say we have never used a more reliable and professional fire safety company.
From their engineers to the managers to their Directors, we are proud to have developed a long term, strategic alliance which will guarantee the safety of our customers and their individual locations across the UK, Ireland and into Europe.
We have no hesitation in recommending their services to anyone looking for excellence in fire safety management."
Chief Executive Officer – Simply Solutions (Europe)
Regional Coverage
Need further information or would like to speak to one of our sales department?
Call our head office on: 08000 234114 or email at
East Anglia
Covering: East Anglia & South East
East Midlands
Covering: East Midlands, North East & Scotland
West Midlands
Covering: West Midlands, South West, North West & Scotland
Covering: South & London


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Not On The High Street is a UK based website that puts a really cool twist on shopping for unique products and gifts. You will find products from over 3,000 creative small businesses all in one spot. How cool is that?
I was given the opportunity to review an item from Not On The High Street, and I chose the Tuscany Kaflan in turquoise.
The item arrived sooner than I expected, considering that it was being shipped from overseas. The product was wrapped beautifully in tissue paper with a cute bow. It was like receiving a gift in the mail! I was totally impressed. When I opened the wrapping, I was even more excited. The Tuscany Kaflan was absolutely gorgeous!
Here is a little about the Tuscany Kaflan (from their website):
Made By: StarBlu Luxury Resortwear
100% elegant cream cotton cover-up with beautiful embossed dot print and crochet detail at end of ties. Mid thigh length with side split and long sleeved for added protection against the sun. Perfect for putting over a swimsuit at the beach or pool!
I got the chance to wear this beautiful cover-up recently while vacationing at the beach. It fit perfectly and it is obvious that it is well made. The material is very pretty and soft. I loved wearing it while I sat by the pool, on the boat, and while walking on the beach. I received tons of compliments while I was wearing it!
Overall, I am extremely pleased with the Tuscany Kaflan that I received. I love the look and feel of this cover-up, and I would highly recommend this to any female who is looking for that perfect swim suit cover up. I know that I will get a lot of use out of this product, and I can't wait until the next time I head to the pool or beach so that I can wear it again!
Not On The High Street has literally thousands of unique products to choose from! From jewelry, to decor to bedding, you can find it all! I have found quite a few items that I am dying to own, and I haven't even made it through half of the products that they have available. I would highly recommend that anyone and everyone visit Not On The High Street and take a look around. I would be quite surprised if anyone could not find at least one item that they love!
I did not receive compensation for this post. I did receive product(s) mentioned above to facilitate the review. All opinions are 100% mine.

subset: commoncrawl


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Do you want to be part of a team that is making a global
impact for the Kingdom? We are looking for individuals who want to make a
difference and know that they are called to be part of a company that
is passionate about changing people's lives.
Communications and PR Specialist
CRG is a dynamic and growing international firm. This person is responsible for the successful implementation of CRG's communication's (both online and offline), PR strategy and sales of the services of CRG executives. This position is multidimensional. The work includes copywriting, editing, proof reading, updating, creating and implementing communication and PR campaigns; developing, implementing and managing successful social media campaigns and processes while maintaining a high level of customer service and sales achievement of company services.
Overall Roles, Responsibilities,
and Qualities
Provide expert level copywriting in both print and online environments.
Provide expert level abilities in implementing an overall communication & PR strategy in all mediums (print, online, radio & TV) which supports the company's overall business and marketing plans.
You are responsible and accountable for the condition and to update, revise, correct, improve our online website(s) content (words) including deploying our Ezines.
Working with the team you will implement, manage and maintain all online marketing and communication processes including but not limited to Blogs, Podcasts, Webcasts, You Tube, & other video, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google & Twitter.
Provide customer support to CRG clients and prospects, many who are HR professionals with advanced degrees.
Manage all logistics for both online and print-based marketing campaigns.
Submit press releases and conference speaking proposals.
Forward and follow-up with communications to media outlets.
Get corporate articles placed in global media and submit articles to various websites.
Be successful in getting the media to feature CRG nationally and internationally.
Get company executives booked on radio and TV shows.
Required Computer & Program Skills
Typing speed: 40 to 60 wpm
Proficient in email, Word, Internet Browsers, Excel, Power Point, You Tube, Linked In, Twitter, Facebook, IContact, Word Press, etc. Learning the use of our CRM Goldmine
YOU MUST HAVE Excellent English skills in both written and verbal formats.
Provide a high level telephone, written and in-person communication skills.
Minimum of undergraduate degree or recognized technical diploma in communications, public relations, marketing, or business-related experience
Proven track record with measurable results
3-5 years demonstrable experience at the intermediate level or above
Expert level of knowledge and experience in creating and implementing communications, social media and PR strategies.
Strong sales and customer service skills.
High degree of personal integrity and interpersonal skills
You must be a self-starter and able to work independently with little supervision
Excellence in organizing and managing details while getting results
Natural problem-solver and decision-maker
Team player who listens well, works well under pressure, and consistently meets deadlines
Proven ability to adapt to emerging technology and learning new communication technologies
You have a strategic understanding how communications serves the business' and clients' objectives.
Your attitude is "no matter what" you ALWAYS get the job done. You don't accept excuses nor do you make any for yourself.
You are passionate about life and the ability to serve. Not only can you attend to the details you see the big picture and unlimited possibilities presented before you.
You welcome and embrace change and are cool, calm and mature under pressure from deadlines and high quality expectations.
Part time; 2-3 days per week, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Potentially working into a full-time position
Employment contract: Hourly paid twice per month
Position available immediately for the right candidate
All work conducted at CRG's Head Office in Abbotsford, BC.
Website Programmer and Multi-Media Technician
Overall Roles, Responsibilities, and Qualities
Continuously improve main website look, flow and client usability which requires knowledge of HTML and CSS in our Joomla CMS.
Working with the marketing team you will implement, manage and proactively maintain all online marketing and communication processes including but not limited to Blogs, Podcasts, Webcasts, You Tube & other video, Facebook & Twitter.
Implement, deploy, and continuously learn about online marketing including the latest SEO and SMO strategies including Google Analytics
Create, design and update new Word Press sites
Provide customer support for our online systems to CRG clients and prospects, many who are HR professionals with advanced degrees.
You will deploy corporate communications, including e-newsletters, email and marketing campaigns including our weekly ezines using HTML and iContact interface.
Edit and post video to streaming and DVD formats
Record, edit and post audio into streaming and CD formats
Set-up and operate sound and video equipment during live training events, including basic lighting and setup elements.
Understand pod and video casting processes
Able to create online learning demo's using capture software like Camtasia
Able to create online impact (promotional and informational) movies using various methodologies like power point to flash, slideshare, etc.
Must be familiar with user-interface and information architecture principles and how to design websites with database driven content.
Work in a team environment to build mockups and prototypes, establish and create style guidelines and style guide documents as project deliverables.
Must be able to integrate personalized designs with ASPX language.
Create and implement innovative designs and graphics using HTML and CSS.
Manage and maintain library of templates and image archives.
Produce a consistent visual image across multiple websites.
Must be able to work well with others, and thrive within a group dynamic setting
Positive contributor to team environments.
3+ year's demonstrable experience in online web development and content management.
Proven results in online web marketing, design and support
A graphic's background would be beneficial but not mandatory
General Qualities:
This position is multi-dimensional and you will be required to be hands-on in dealing with both people and tasks.
You are
Very organized and able to meet deadlines easily even under stressful conditions. Speed, Quality and Results are benchmarks for someone in this position
A master at getting tasks done with a natural ability and commitment to quality and details.
You are known as a quick-learner and your friends and colleagues call you a very sharp individual especially as it pertains to the latest technology and programming.
You have
Excellent English language skills including written and oral.
Great interpersonal skills and also the ability to work independently and function in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. You do not require babysitting.
Excellent problem solving and computer skills.
Enthusiastic, energetic and positive attitude
You must be a self-starter and able to work independently with little supervision
A proven capacity for high volumes of multi-tasking work.
Required Skills:
Typing speed of 40-50+ wpm. You are very familiar and comfortable with most technology.
Understand how to use Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, You Tube and other social media interfaces
Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, Internet, Email.
Medium PHP, Java Script, Strong skills in Word Press, HTML, CSS, Flash (LAMP), Audio uploads, Video uploads and basic editing in Adobe Premier
Medium to high level knowledge in HTML.
Familiar with or used web content management systems.
Ability to quickly learn new software.
Work Schedule:
Part-time contract or salary 8:30 am to 5:00 pm 2-3 days per week.
Salary commensurate upon experience, background and skills.
All work conducted at CRG Head Office in Abbotsford BC.
We thank all those interested for their time and care in submitting applications but regret that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted by CRG.
Quality, motivated candidates of all backgrounds are invited to submit resumes in Word or PDF formats to
Attention: Eleanor
© Copyright 2020, CRG Consulting Resource Group International, Inc. Phone:604-852-0566 Fax: 604-850-3003 All rights reserved.


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Black and White PDF | Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones Paper Dolls
Thoughts on Today's Paper Doll
I usually describe these dresses as cocktail dresses, but I don't think many people do cocktails anymore? I don't, but then I don't really drink. So, I'm not 100% sure that description still makes sense to anyone but me. As a result, I decided to just go with the description "party dress" and figured that would work for now. It's not really a formal gown, but it's fun and maybe a date-night option? For people with more formal lives than mine, I suppose.
My paper dolls all live much fancier lives than I do.
Inspiration for Today's Paper Doll
I wanted to do a series of paper dolls with party dresses for the blog. I also realized it had been a long time since Sapphire got any love, so it was easy to combine the two instincts to this paper doll set of Sapphire and her cocktail dress.
Specific Source Images: My Inspiration Dress from Pinterest
Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls
Around the Internet: My formal gowns and cocktail dresses Pinterest Board
Last Thoughts
A big thank you to my Patreon supporters who are amazing and awesome.
Also, cocktail dresses. Is that a term anyone uses anymore? Am I just insanely old fashioned? I can live with it if the answer is, Yes, but I am curious.


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Casa Turire
About the Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel
- Hotel near two volcanoes with horseback riding tours
- Complimentary daily breakfast
- Property has an outdoor pool, Jacuzzi and restaurant serving local cuisine
- Intimate property has only 16 rooms and suites
- Free Wi-Fi and balconies in each room
Two hours east of San Jose, Costa Rica, the Hotel Casa Turire is modeled after an old hacienda and circled by palm trees, with two volcanoes looming just beyond the property's grounds. The lush green lands of Costa Rica's Turrialba region surrounding the resort offer outdoor adventures for every travel style. Visitors can bird-watch; take horseback or horse-drawn carriage rides; borrow mountain bikes to explore the scenery; join a river rafting expedition; or canoe and kayak on Angostura Lagoon.
The intimate property has only 12 Standard Rooms, three Suites and one Master Suite. All accommodations have free Wi-Fi, private balconies and one king bed or two queens. Suites feature sofa beds in the seating areas, minibars, Jacuzzis and views of the Turrialba Volcano and Angostura Lake. Upgrading to the Master Suite gives guests two stories of private space, including a living room with sofa bed, two balconies with panoramic views, a king bed, Jacuzzi tub and minibar.
The restaurant serves Costa Rican cuisine for three meals a day, and the property also features an English-style bar. After a day of excursions off property, guests can unwind at the outdoor lagoon pool with Jacuzzi surrounded by tropical gardens.


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This is a report preliminary to the completion of the minutes of the 13 January 2015 stated meeting of the Presbytery of New Brunswick.
1. The presbytery celebrated the Lord's Supper with worship, and elected and installed David Hallgren as Moderator of the presbytery.
2. Approved an administrative commission to install Linda Owens as the Associate Pastor of Bound Brook Presbyterian Church.
3. Enrolled the ruling elder members of the Administrative Commission and the Transition Task Force as members of Presbytery for the duration of their service.
4. Elected the members of the Administrative Commission to serve as the Trustees of the Presbytery.
5. Approved the call of the Princeton Korean Presbyterian Church to the reverend Steven Kim to serve the congregation in the capacity of a minister of another denomination serving one of our congregations in a temporary capacity. Reverend Kim will be enrolled in the presbytery for the term of his service. Reverend Kim will also be preparing to be received as a minister member of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Committee on ministry will oversee his completion of the necessary requirements.
6. Learned that the Leadership Transition Team has completed appointing a Transition Task Force and produced a job description for an executive director.
7. Adopted a budget for the Presbytery for 2015, based upon a per capita of $30.00 with an expected deficit of approximately $40,000. The deficit could show a wide swing depending upon what we choose to do about an executive director.
8. Examined inquirer Caroline Newman of Pennington Presbyterian Church and enrolled her as a candidate for ordination as a teaching elder to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament.
8. The presbytery adjourned.


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Rent a Bentley in Pisa
Pisa and the Leaning Tower are probably what come to mind when you think of this region of Tuscany. Rather than miss all Pisa has to offer, consider that it is home to over 50 architectural and cultural sites. Furthermore, it is a place for an important June festival called the Luminara.
The Luminara remembers the patron saint San Ranieri. As soon as the sun sets lights along the River Arno are dimmed and 10,000 candles come to life. This adds to the attraction of Ponte di Mezzo at night.
Now that you know what amazements Pisa has to offer, how are you going to enjoy them in style? The right luxury car rental is the best way to explore such a wonderful city with cultural events like the Luminara. The Bentley is perhaps one of the greatest choices since you can relax with a chauffeur driving you.
It is also an exceptional automobile to drive. Its agility and responsiveness to the drive ensures an amazing experience much like those offered in Pisa.
Following here all our Bentley available to rent in Pisa:
Bentley GTC rent, Bentley GT rent. If your favourite Bentley model is not in the list ask for a quote anyway and we will do our best to get that for you!


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Although Steps to Christ is one of Ellen White's well-known books among Adventists around the world, it is a still a new book to some Adventists in the Middle East and North Africa Union (MENA) territory.
"Many of our members have never read this classic before," said Michael Eckert, coordinator for MENA literature ministries. "We want our members to read this book and experience its power."
Rick McEdward, president of the church's regional headquarters in the Middle East and North Africa, is one of many people who have been inspired by Steps to Christ.
"I first read Steps to Christ when I was 17 years old," said McEdward. "Each page held a new insight for deepening my walk with Jesus."
McEdward's personal experience convinced him about the church's translation and distribution project for Steps to Christ in the region. He believes if every member in MENA reads the book and follows its principles, it will help each person to have a deeper connection with God.
MENA executive committee members and staff celebrated the presentation of Steps to Christ on November 20 as the special book for the 2018 spiritual revival initiative in the Middle East and North Africa territory.
During the event, a special prayer of dedication was given by G.T. Ng, executive secretary of the Seventh-day Adventist world church, for the blessing of the book and the members.
In six different languages, including Arabic, Farsi, Turkish, Kurdish, English and French, Adventist members across the union will connect over the same book, beginning on January 8, 2018. Nearly all church members in MENA will be able to read Steps to Christ in their mother tongue.
The plan is that church members read a chapter a day and share the book with others. Each member will receive a special study guide to accompany their reading plan.
Billy Biaggi, world church vice president, affirms the plan compellingly. "Who is the person we love and we want to see in Heaven?" said Biaggi. "Let's approach them with a meaningful book that will help to change lives!"


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I have, at times, been less than complimentary about certain types of forum users. I know I'm not alone in this as there are various index, category, definition and analysis pieces to be found online which look in detail at the psychology of the WUMs and trolls – and if I didn't point you at the excellent Flame Warriors site right now, it would be a grievous omission.
However, sometimes those who live in the spaces between the 0s and 1s add a little sunshine to my day. This was one of those days…
Thank you, Ruggerpoet andAnonymous:
Image via Wikipedia


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2019 up to now | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012
Mailing List - Entries of 2012
Subscribe Mailing list
Hello QF-Test team!
I have two clients started. Once from one I fetch some information and fill up HashMap in groovy. To be able to use it in future I use this solution in the very beginning:
public class
Globals {
static myMap = [:]
It is possible to use and update this map in other scripts but only within the same client.
Now I need to share this object with scripts of other client. It's said that QFT is not powerful enough to move Java objects using
rc.toServer() and rc.fromServer().
Is it possible to do that?
Or maybe is there any other solution to share complex type of data between clients somehow?
Is there any kind of common namespace or whatever that is reachable from everywhere?
BR, Konstantin Gordeev
Get started
© 2020 QFS GmbH


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This is, of course, extremely disappointing to residents who have fought so hard against the project.
I am committed to ensuring that, once construction does begin, the very highest standards of construction practice are adhered to and that disruption is – as far as possible – kept to a minimum.
I have today received correspondence from the Secretary of State for Transport setting out details for the Homeowner Payment Scheme which might be of interest to some constituents. If I can assist any constituents with their claims, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Geographically, Buckingham is a rather large constituency but in spite of its rurality, and the great distances which sometimes separate one settlement from its nearest neighbour, I am repeatedly struck by the strong sense of community I observe when I visit local towns and villages.


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Using OLE DB Connections from Script Tasks
I write scripts on a pretty regular basic, and often need to access database connections from them. It's pretty easy to do this if you are using an ADO.NET connection. However, if you are using OLE DB, you have to go through a couple of additional steps to convert the connection to an ADO.NET version. Matt Masson posted a great code sample for doing this conversion.
I use a slightly altered version of this code pretty regularly. It's been modified to support both OLE DB and ADO.NET connections, so that I can switch connections without having to change the script code.
To use it, you need to add a reference in your script project to Microsoft.SqlServer.DTSRuntimeWrap. Then, add the following to the usings section at the top of the script:
using System.Data.Common; using Wrap = Microsoft.SqlServer.Dts.Runtime.Wrapper;
For the code to get the connection, use the following:
ConnectionManager cm = Dts.Connections["MyConnection"]; DbConnection conn = null; if (cm.CreationName == "OLEDB") { Wrap.IDTSConnectionManagerDatabaseParameters100 cmParams = cm.InnerObject as Wrap.IDTSConnectionManagerDatabaseParameters100; conn = cmParams.GetConnectionForSchema() as DbConnection; } else { conn = cm.AcquireConnection(null) as DbConnection; } if (conn.State == ConnectionState.Closed) { conn.Open(); } // TODO: Add your code here conn.Close(); Dts.TaskResult = (int)ScriptResults.Success;
You can use the "conn" object to perform actions against the connection. Since it's using the common DBConnection interface, you can use it against any database connection that you have an ADO.NET provider for (which includes OLE DB providers).


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Morning Open Studio Series: Art Classes for Adults
February [email protected]:30 am - 12:30 pm EST
One event on February 27, 2020 at 9:30 am
One event on April 9, 2020 at 9:30 am
One event on May 14, 2020 at 9:30 am
This class has been temporarily suspended. Please subscribe to our newsletter and visit our COVID-19 response page for regular updates.
May 14 – June 11
$150 member | $170 non-member
Basic supplies are provided; students may want to bring additional materials to enhance their art experience. Museum admission is included in the price of the class.
Instructor: Jody Holbert
This three-hour class, now being offered in the morning, provides the perfect opportunity for adult artists with a basic understanding of drawing and color mixing to work in a supportive and creative atmosphere on works of their choosing. Individualized, informative instruction will help students develop new skills, gain insights into their creative accomplishments, receive meaningful guidance and feedback, become comfortable with the creative process, and grow at every level. Students also work closely alongside fellow artists to further their inspiration and excitement about the creative process. Students may work in watercolor, oil and chalk pastel, pencil, ink, charcoal, and acrylics; due to inadequate ventilation, we cannot invite students who work in oil. Students in this class will have access to all Museum exhibitions to glean inspiration and further their understanding of various arts forms and processes.
Faculty member Jody Holbert received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Art Education from Penn State University and has extensive graduate level experience at the University of the Arts, Kutztown University, St. Joseph's University, and Gratz College. She has taught Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Computer Arts, Textile Design, Ceramics, and Glass in the Methacton School District, in the Central Bucks School District, and at the Mud Shack in North Wales. She has been a lead Drawing and Painting instructor at the New Hope/Solebury and Central Bucks Community Schools. Jody has given private lessons to adult students for several years as well. Jody also has experience with mural painting, and set and costume design in her work with the school districts and a variety of local theater organizations. Jody brings her expertise, passion and vision to the Michener Art Museum's adult art classes.


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Grind by Sybil Bartel
(Thrust, #3)
Publication date: June 27th 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
I'm silent. I'm trained. I'm lethal.
My hand skimming down your thigh, my gaze a weapon—I know more ways to kill you than please you.
But you're not paying for my aim. You're paying for my control. Bringing you a breath away from ecstasy, watching you beg as I hold back your release, I'll show you exactly what you've been missing. Your hunger is my currency and five thousand is my price. I only have one rule—no repeats, because I'm not for keeps. I'm for sale.
One slow grind and I'll give you exactly what you paid for.
Amazon (universal link) | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
Purchase book 2:
Amazon (universal link) | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
Purchase book 1:
Amazon (universal link) | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
Sybil Bartel grew up in Northern California with her head in a book and her feet in the sand. She dreamt of becoming a painter but the heady scent of libraries with their shelves full of books drew her into the world of storytelling. She loves the New Adult genre, but any story about a love so desperately wrong and impossibly beautiful makes her swoon.
Sybil now resides in Southern Florida and while she doesn't get to read as much as she likes, she still buries her toes in the sand. If she isn't writing or fighting to contain the banana plantation in her backyard, you can find her spending time with her handsomely tattooed husband, her brilliantly practical son and a mischievous miniature boxer…
But Seriously?
Here are ten things you probably really want to know about Sybil.
She grew up a faculty brat. She can swear like a sailor. She loves men in uniform. She hates being told what to do. She can do your taxes (but don't ask). The Bird Market in Hong Kong freaks her out. Her favorite word is desperate…or dirty, or both—she can't decide. She has a thing for muscle cars. But never reply on her for driving directions, ever. And she has a new book boyfriend every week—don't tell her husband.
To find out more about Sybil Bartel, be sure to follow her on Twitter (she loves to hear about your favorite book boyfriend!), visit her website, like her on Facebook or join her Facebook group Book Boyfriend Heroes for exclusive excerpts and giveaways.
Twitter | Website | Facebook | Goodreads
Enter the giveaway HERE


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Top Santa Rosa Cosmetic Dentist
Cosmetic Dentistry Rohnert Park, Windsor CA
Using advanced cosmetic dental treatments and materials, your Santa Rosa, CA prosthodontist, Dr. Jordan, can make a real difference. The skill, experience, and commitment of our practice — using a unique combination of science and artistry — can literally redesign your smile.
Even a subtle change in your smile helps you to project an image of self-confidence and high personal esteem. When you feel good about yourself, it shows in your appearance.
For more information about Cosmetic Treatments or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jordan:
- Call us at Santa Rosa Office Phone Number 707-544-2811.
- Fill out our Appointment Form.


text: Just a couple of average Canadians. Love the outdoors, love beer, love each other. Oh yeah, and we're both vets…or used to be. Exploring the boundaries that have defined us while we embrace change, swallow our fear and find out what life can look like if we are willing to take a chance.


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LPI Team
Brief Summaries of the Key Members of Our Organization
President & Owner
Dave Almendinger has been in the construction industry since 1970. His successful construction management experience qualifies him as an expert in the structural steel and pre-engineered building business. Dave started Landmark Pacific Inc. in 1988.
Project Manager/Estimator
Wally has extensive construction management experience, beginning his career in 1976. He has been responsible for estimating and managing all phases of construction, including marketing, design/build coordinating, and negotiating projects. He is valued for his excellent communication, management, and tight-scheduling skills. Such skills enable him to be a pro-active problem solver, ensuring high-quality construction and owner satisfaction.
Linda Almendinger
Linda teamed up with Dave in the start-up of Landmark Pacific and together they have developed their business into a full-service construction company. Linda manages Landmark Pacific's Construction Partner software to carefully track all project expenses
The Landmark Pacific Team
Landmark Pacific provides the necessary construction management system to complete a project on time and within the budget. As a member of the construction team, Landmark Pacific works with architects, engineers, and owners to develop the most cost-efficient solution for a project.
Whether the solution is suggesting an alternative or defining budgets and schedules, LPI assists in creating an extraordinary project for the owner. We support a staff of qualified employees, cross-trained in the disciplines of the pre-engineered and structural steel construction industry. We empower our site managers with decision making authority to optimize their experience.
The superintendents and on-site foremen all have extensive expertise and know the most efficient strategies for getting your building project done right and on time. Landmark Pacific emphasizes on quality and will not take any short cuts.
Contact Info
7585 3rd St SE
Turner, OR 97392
Phone: 503-743-3256
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Oregon Construction Contractors Board
# 65107
Washington Contractor


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Frequently Asked Questions
The best way to order is to measure your aisle and take a look at all the options on the website, make your decisions about colors and length you need, placement of where you would like the design painted, (entrance, center of aisle, or altar area), and then call me at (773) 841-8755. We can discuss any questions you might have at that time. After an invoice is sent to you, and a deposit is received, I create your design for you and email a proof for your acceptance. Upon completion, a picture of your completed runner is emailed to you.
I email you an invoice via Paypal, which allows you to enter your credit information securely through that site after we have discussed your order over the phone. I require a retainer of half the total cost of the runner at the time the order is placed. After your order is completed, and a photo is sent to you of your completed runner, I email another invoice thru Paypal for the balance due, and then ship your runner to you. IF YOU DECIDE TO USE THE BILL ME LATER OPTION THRU PAYPAL If you have already applied for Bill Me Later, you will see that option when you go to checkout. Log into your PayPal account Click "Products and Services" near the top of the page. Select "Bill Me Later" under View All PayPal Products. Click Apply Now and follow the prompted instructions. The application will be processed and you will receive notification of approval or decline immediately. If you're approved, your Bill Me Later® account will open and is automatically linked to your PayPal account. Bill Me Later® is subject to credit approval as determined by the lender, Community Capital Bank, and is available for US residents who are of legal age in their state of residence. Note: When you are going through checkout ensure you choose to pay by "PayPal" and then choose "Bill Me Later" as a method of payment through PayPal. This will link your PayPal and Bill Me Later accounts automatically. If your application is approved your Bill Me Later account will be subject to a credit limit. For more information on this please go to www.billmelater.com and click on "FAQS" near the top of the page.
Our runner colors are white. A matching satin pull is attached to the runner for rolling down the aisle.
No, only with personalization.
Absolutely! In order to guarantee a better match, it is best to send a sample fabric swatch or other type of color sample to me so that I can select your paint colors to match your colors as closely as possible.
The charge for shipping is $35.00 with insurance for runners up to 75 feet included in that price. We ship via and FED EX.
I ask for 12 weeks. I work very hard to get all the runners done ASAP in the order that I receive them. Your runner might be completed before the 12 week period, but I like to have enough time as not to stress either myself or my brides.
Absolutely, why buy more runner than you need? I will make the length to whatever you need.
No. We ship just within the United States.


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It happens all the time: Water from the sink, tub or toilet overflows or splashes onto the floor. If the water is excessive or isn't wiped up promptly, it seeps through seams on the floor covering, penetrates down through the particleboard overlay, and soaks the plywood subfloor. The swollen plywood lifts the overlay and flooring into a bump, bulge or worse. If the damage is not too bad, you can sand it flat again. If it's excessive, replace the subfloor where it's damaged.
Insert the tip of a putty knife between the baseboard and the wall. Pry out gently and insert a screwdriver behind it. Use the screwdriver to pry off the baseboard. If the baseboard is wooden, remove the nails using diagonal pliers. If it's vinyl, set it aside.
Insert the putty knife under the floor covering and pry it up. When you have enough to grasp, pull the floor covering back to expose the damaged area.
Use a tri-square to draw a rectangular box around the damaged area. Set the guard on the blade of a circular saw to cut 1 1/2 inches deep. Use the circular saw to cut the rectangular box drawing out. Pull the particleboard overlay and the plywood subfloor out of the hole.
Measure the cutout hole and cut new pieces of particleboard overlay and plywood sublfoor to fit using a table saw.
Insert the new plywood subfloor piece into the hole. If there are no floor joists, or floor joists on one side only, measure and cut two-by-four studs, using a miter saw, to fit inside the hole where needed to brace the new pieces of subfloor. Screw the pieces directly to the sides of the existing floor joists to create a shelf, or lip, to attach the new piece of subfloor. Use a drill/driver and 3-inch screws.
Place the new piece of plywood subfloor into the hole. Screw it to the two-by-four braces around the perimeter using a drill/driver and 2-inch screws.
Place the new piece of particleboard overlay on top of the sublfoor. Screw it down around the perimeter using the drill/driver and 2-inch screws.
Sand the fixed area smooth with an orbital sander using 100-grit sandpaper. Clean thoroughly with a brush to remove dust and debris. Add vinyl floor adhesive and press the floor covering back in place. Nail the baseboard back on using a hammer and 1 1/4-inch finish nails for wood, or glue the baseboard back on with vinyl floor adhesive.


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New moon hair at dark style fair, this is one of the two new amazing hair releases there and I am loving the streak options on the new huds from moon! Make sure to get there and grab this up!
Lovely disarray is back and has come out with some bad ass makeup/eyebrows for you! I will have a closer picture coming soon, but I love it and I think you will as well! You can find this awesome-ness at dark style fair as well!
Hair- Moon. Hair // – – Creep @ The Dark Style Fair
Makeup- Lovely Disarray – Hozuki : Complete @ The Dark Style Fair
Top- TC – Round collar Sweater(BlackBone) @ CREATORS COLLECTION BOX
Jeans- Foxes – Skinny Jeans – Smoke
Shoes- .HW. Kurb Stompers // Sae Black
Skin- [the Skinnery] Hilde – Bare face (champagne)


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Our commitment to providing quality results for the care and safety of our patients is our number one priority. Our full-service laboratory, accredited by the College of American Pathologists, performs tests that include Microbiology, Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology, Blood Bank, Urinalysis, and Anatomical Pathology. The Lawrence General Laboratory provides round-the-clock coverage 365 days/year. To provide constant care, a Pathologist is on call 24 hours/day and is supported by Technical Specialists in each of the diagnostic departments. For a list of our outpatient service hours and locations, click here.
Our Laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic instrumentation and is staffed by certified professionals committed to quality diagnostic testing. Our testing menu is comprised of 4,500 tests and produces nearly 2 million results per year.
The Laboratory has 100 full-time and part-time employees, including a Medical Director, Administrative Director, Technical Specialists, Medical Technologists, Medical Technicians, Phlebotomists, and support staff.Outpatient Service Hours
Lawrence General offers laboratory services at 9 separate sites to ensure the most convenient testing options for patients.
Andover Medical Center 323 Lowell Street (West Entrance), Andover, MA 01810P: (978) 946-8366F: (978) 946-8368*Please call for hours
Methuen Family Health CenterGreater Lawrence Family Health Center147 Pelham Street, Methuen, MA 01844P: (978) 946-8423F: (978) 946-8424*Please call for hours
Andover/North Andover YMCACommunity Medical Associates165 Haverhill Street(978) 946-8386Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Holidays, please call for availability.Lawrence General Hospital Laboratory1 General Street, Lawrence MA(978) 683-4000, Ext. 8105Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.Saturday, 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.Sunday, closed. Holidays, please call for availability.Marston Medical Building25 Marston Street Suite 305, Lawrence MA(978) 946-8380Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 pmLawrence General Hospital Lab Specimen Collection Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, first floor34 Haverhill Street, Lawrence, MA 01841(978) 689-6592Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.Saturday/Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Lawrence General Hospital Lab Specimen CollectionGreater Lawrence Family Health Center 150 Park Street Lawrence, MA 01841(978) 689-6808Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8:00 a.m. -5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, 8:00 a.m -9:00 p.m.Lawrence General Hospital Lab Specimen CollectionGreater Lawrence Family Health Center 700 Essex Street Lawrence, MA 01841(978) 691-6253Monday, 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.Tuesday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Lawrence General Hospital Lab Specimen CollectionGreater Lawrence Family Health Center73D Winthrop Avenue, Lawrence, MA 01843(978) 689-6718Monday & Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.Tuesday & Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
For more information, call the Department of Laboratory Medicine at 978-946-8105.


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My interview about CHRIS & NANCY yesterday with Dan Kennedy of WOC-AM 1420 in Davenport, Iowa, is now up at the radio station's podcast page. Go to http://www.woc1420.com/cc-common/podcast.html.
Irv Muchnick
My interview about CHRIS & NANCY yesterday with Dan Kennedy of WOC-AM 1420 in Davenport, Iowa, is now up at the radio station's podcast page. Go to http://www.woc1420.com/cc-common/podcast.html.
Irv Muchnick
My new piece for Beyond Chron, "Sex, Lies, and 'Moneyball,'" discusses the upcoming Steven Soderbergh movie, starring Brad Pitt as Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane.
Link: http://www.beyondchron.org/articles/Sex_Lies_and_Moneyball__6966.html
After some hiccups, the Wrestling Babylon blog is back up and running on a new server. We even have the history of posts archived, albeit clunkily.
For now Wrestling Babylon is a no-frills site, but it will be adding some features. You can get here by either https://wrestlingbabylon.wordpress.com or http://muchnick.net/babylon.
Also, our "mirror" blog, Chris & Nancy, http://benoitbook.blogspot.com, will mostly have the same posts as this one moving forward.
CHRIS & NANCY has an
October 2009
publication date. Pre-order
your copy now at Amazon.
Or reserve your
autographed copy direct
from the author by sending
a $10 US deposit, via
PayPal, to
The http://benoitbook.com site, the home page of CHRIS & NANCY, is in the middle of being redesigned with new features.
You are also invited to visit:
* CHRIS & NANCY blog
* Irvin Muchnick's Twitter feed
* Irvin Muchnick's YouTube channel
See the new CHRIS & NANCY home
including pre-order information:
ECW Press releases cover image of Irvin Muchnick's new book "Chris & Nancy: The True Story of the Benoit Murder-Suicide and Pro-Wrestling's Cocktail of Death"
MAY 15, 2009. Toronto. ECW Press has released the cover image of its Fall 2009 book Chris & Nancy: The True Story of the Benoit Murder-Suicide and Pro Wrestling's Cocktail of Death by Irvin Muchnick.
"Chris & Nancy" is expected to be in stores around September 15th, 2009. An image of the front cover, along with the text of the back-cover blurb copy, can be viewed at http://muchnick.net/benoitcover.pdf
Exploring the steroid-fueled world of professional wrestling, this riveting chronicle uses public records, interviews, and investigative analysis to produce the authoritative account of how Chris Benoit killed his wife Nancy, their 7-year-old son Daniel, and himself. Equally revealing was the prelude – an industry lifestyle responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Benoit's fellow performers, including his best friend, Eddie Guerrero. Eager for its profitable shows to continue without interruption, and desperate to head off calls for regulation, Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment, a billion-dollar multinational corporation, published contradictory and misleading timelines of what it knew and when it knew it.
New York Post reporter Phil Muschnick writes in the book's foreword, "The Benoit murder-suicide was one of the most sensational crime stories of 2007, and it cried out for the scrutiny of someone with a longer attention span and more intellectual integrity than the local authorities, the media, and Congress brought to bear on it. If you can read what Irv has dug up and continue to turn your head, then your powers of denial exceed mine."
Irvin Muchnick (www.muchnick.net) is author of Wrestling Babylon: Piledriving Tales of Drugs, Sex, Death, and Scandal, and co-author of Benoit: Wrestling with the Horror That Destroyed a Family and Crippled a Sport (both ECW Press, 2007).
Media contact:
Simon Ware,
Publicity Director
ECW Press
In the current Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer covers on the ten-year federal prison sentence of Dr. Phil Astin, Chris Benoit's personal physician, for overprescribing medications. I earlier noted that the harsh sentence was driven in part by information from the prosecutors that two Astin patients other than Chris and Nancy Benoit had died as a result of the doctor's practices, and that one of them was Mike Dunham ("Johnny Grunge"). Meltzer reports that the description of the other dead patient suggests that she was Sherri Martel, another former wrestling personality.
Meltzer also has this:
"Chris Benoit's father spoke after the sentencing, saying he was hopeful that all of Chris' medical records would be made available to him, which the government wouldn't allow with the Astin case still pending. Michael Benoit has been convinced that Chris' actions were entirely due to brain damage from repeated concussions. The Toffoloni side of the family has privately believed that it was more of a drug cocktail, the combination of steroids and other prescription drugs, perhaps with concussions playing a part, that led to the what happened."
Irv Muchnick


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Find out more about Makansutra's Steamed Pomfret Fish.
1) Clean and wash the fish. Score fish on both sides from head to tail as if to fillet and de-bone it but do not cut through. Set aside for steaming.
2) Place the fish on a steaming plate. Stick porcelain soup spoon on the lower part of the fish to expose fish and lift it a bit so as to allow for even steaming.
3) Arrange tomato slices, pickled plums, mushrooms and pork fat slices over the fish. Pour a teaspoon of pickled plum vinegar over the fish.
4) Steam fish for 7 minutes (440g fish) or 5 minutes (250g fish).
Garnish fish with red chilli, spring onions and coriander and serve.
6. Serve with steamed rice.


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Scientists used a powerful acoustic field to...
Scientists used a powerful acoustic field to float a liquid droplet in the air, and by changing the frequency they were able to make it star-shaped.
Science is amazing!
loupe hand glass light microscope metal silver equipment microscope technology tool object button sign symbol icon design push hole 3d circle hook mechanical device mechanism device steel safety pin corkscrew whistle art signaling device acoustic device color golden business gold badger musteline mammal mammal money animal paper graphic penguin


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Guest post from MadKudu.
Overview: what is the most effective way to increase SaaS MRR?
Regular readers of SaaScribe know increasing monthly recurring revenue (MRR) is the #1 challenge faced by SaaS founders. But what is the fastest way? Get more leads? Close bigger deals? Convert more trial users? Close deals faster?
That's the question we tried to answer in this study. We analyzed the sales velocity of 45,000 qualified leads for 9 representative SaaS companies. Based on these results, the most immediate way for SaaS companies to increase MRR is by closing mid-market deals (deers) faster. We finish with some advice for creating a high-velocity sales closing workflow that targets mid-market leads.
Rabbits, deers, and elephants – oh my!
A few weeks ago we were chatting in MadKudu HQ about the sales practices at a few of our SaaS customers – how they identified the best leads, when they contacted them, etc.
We noticed that most sales reps focus almost exclusively on closing "elephants" (largest deals) and invest little time in "deers" (medium-sized deals). Traditionally this is how software sales has worked: since a rep can only manage a finite number of leads most sales teams will focus the largest deals.
But there are 2 drawbacks to closing elephants.
- They take longer to close.
- There are fewer of them.
Our hypothesis was that closing mid-market (deers) deals faster was the most actionable way to accelerate SaaS sales.
Sales velocity is our reference
We needed a way to make an apples-to-apples comparison between deers and elephants based on deal size, deal volume, and time to close. We decided to use Sales velocity since the equation considers all 3 variables.
Sales velocity measures how fast your team is making money. If normal velocity is "miles per hour" you can think of sales velocity as "money per month". Thomasz Tunguz provides a detailed explanation of sales velocity in this post, but here are the basics.
The sales velocity variables
# The number of leads a sales team can work over a period of time. Deers have a higher inventory of available leads than elephants.
$ The average deal size. We expect elephants deals to be bigger than deer deals.
% Conversion rate, the percentage of leads that convert to paying customers. The rate of conversion for elephants could be bigger or smaller than deers depending on the amount of qualification.
T The average time for conversion, usually measured in days. We expect elephants to convert slower than deers since larger deals require more negotiation and touch points.
Thus the larger $ for elephants comes at a cost of larger T, smaller # and possibly smaller %.
Methodology: how we calculated sales velocity for deers and elephants
We started by picking a representative sample of 9 SaaS companies. We then needed to categorize them into cohorts based on deal size.
Using number of employees as a proxy for deal size
Unfortunately we don't often have the data we need to test our hypotheses. In this study we had no way of categorizing a lead based on deal size, so we used Clearbit to give us a best estimate.
We starting by identifying each company's "good" leads based on domain, presence in Clearbit's database, and behavior.
We broke each company's good leads into 10 cohorts based on Clearbit's employee_count data – this served as a basis for identifying elephants and deers. We ignored small deals – rabbits.
For each cohort we calculated the average time to convert, number of leads and conversions.
Example data for 1 company
Results: what we learned from 45,000 qualified SaaS leads
Here are the results for the 9 companies we studied.
Result 1: Deers are only closing 10% faster than elephants
We divided deer T by elephant T to see which is faster.
Surprisingly, deers are only closing 10% faster than elephants.
Result 2: The conversion rate of deers is 3x more than elephants
It isn't obvious why deer % should be so much higher than elephant %. Since sales teams invest more time selecting and engaging elephants you could argue that elephant conversions should be higher.
But deers convert at a much higher rate on average. There is also a large variance among these 9 sample companies.
Deer conversion rates are also high on an absolute basis. 7 out of 9 we studied are converting > 8% of their deers. (if this seems like b.s. remember we filtered these for "good" leads based on their presence in Clearbit's database).
Result 4: Deer deals can be 10x smaller and achieve the same Sales Velocity
Given these results for #, %, and T we can calculate the deer deal sizes needed to hit the same sales velocity. If you assume an equal SV for deers and elephants you can solve for relative $.
I'll spare you the algebra – results are below.
Thus on average elephant deal sizes need to be 10x bigger than deer deal sizes to achieve the same sales velocity.
Of course I'm assuming all deer leads are # – even given our filtering assumptions this is a stretch since reps can only work so many leads.
Analysis: your practical options for quickly increasing sales velocity
So how can you increase sales velocity? Conventional wisdom says "it depends" because these variables are codependent.
In the long run this is certainly true – you can adjust pricing or increase qualified leads. But you have fewer options in the short run because your team is already optimizing most of these variables.
You're reading this because you're not looking for a long-term theoretical plan – you're looking for fast actionable, wins. Let's consider your options in the context of this data.
Increase $? Not easily.
Most SaaS companies have already tested pricing and are reasonably close to optimizing conversions and pricing. Unless your product is new there are probably no quick wins from price increases.
Increase elephant %? No way.
Your sales team is already calling every elephant – again … and again … and again. If there was an easy way to close more deals they would be doing it.
Increase deer %? Unlikely.
Based on this data the deers already have a high conversion rate. Increasing it dramatically is probably unrealistic.
Marketing automation and product are already doing a pretty good job at getting deers converted. The qualified deers who don't convert are already pursued by sales after the trial ends.
Increase #? Yeah…right.
How about increasing your qualified leads? Maybe waive a magic wand so more wonderful customers suddenly show up?
Every SaaS company we know is already working hard to prospect for more leads. Any increases won't come easily (or cheaply).
Decrease elephant T? Nope.
Elephants take multiple touch points to activate. They have customized workflows and often require purchase orders. Your sales team is already trying to close them yesterday.
Decrease deer T? Yes!!
The only remaining option is to close deers faster.
The 9 companies we studied have roughly the same average time to close for deers and elephants. The only logical conclusion is that these companies are not trying to close deers faster.
This is the key insight from this data.
Insight: The fastest way to increase your SaaS revenue is to close deers faster
Deers should close faster than elephants. Fewer people in the decision loop. Fewer meetings. Less negotiation. Deers also pay with credit cards – not purchase orders.
But according to this analysis deers are closing about as fast as elephants – too slow.
Why? Because SaaS companies are relying on the free trial conversion to close deers
These results are consistent with results from our previous study because most SaaS companies rely on trial expiration as the primary buying incentive.
From this previous study you can see how most SaaS trial conversions occur around the end of the trial period – 30 days in the graph below:
IOW, deers sign up for your product, self-serve and you don't try to get them to pay until the trial is about to expire.
Action: how you can close deers faster and accelerate sales velocity
You may be tempted to use marketing automation or product workflow to close deers faster – in our experience your inside sales team will be much more effective.
Here are few tips based on what we have implemented with our customers.
Don't chase the whole herd – qualify your deers
Flooding your sales reps with a pile of mid-market leads won't work – you'll probably decrease your sales velocity. If your sales reps start converting less than 15% of their leads they will become frustrated and less effective.
You need to identify the most qualified deers, engage them the moment they are ready to buy and developer a higher-velocity closing process.
Some tips for qualifying leads:
- Leads that are in Clearbit's database are a good initial filter. You can also disqualify any free email accounts (gmail, hotmail, qq, etc.).
- Segment deers and elephants with simple rules – for instance, start with employee_count or plan.
Start with 1 dedicated "Deer Hunter" sales rep
We suggest starting with 1 dedicated sales rep to close deers. Let's call her the "Deer Hunter".
Start small and begin tracking the sales velocity of the Deer Hunter.
Build a higher-velocity engagement workflow
The Deer Hunter can't simply manage list of deer leads and systematically work through them – this takes too much time. Instead, work with marketing to develop a sales automation workflow that gets a deer to take the first engagement step.
For example, an email campaign that asks a deer to reply to a question or schedule a call based on qualifying demographics or behavior.
Create a 1-touch deer closing script
The Deer Hunter needs a script that gets a deer to convert on a single call. The script should include any conversion incentives (i.e. discount, free feature) and minimize product education. Sales should be credit card only.
Target deers who are ready to buy now
Your customers can take specific steps that indicate a high likelihood of buying – invite a friend, add 5 projects, etc.
We call these "Acceleration" or "Delight" events and showed you how to find them in our series on Behavior-based Conversions.
These events are highly correlated with conversions and indicate a customer who is ready to buy now.
In this example hired_accountant is Acceleration event:
Notify the Deer Hunter when a deer is ready to buy
Deers who complete Acceleration events are ready to buy now – these are the ones you want your Deer Hunter to target.
Send your sales teams notifications through Slack, email, or Salesforce when deers complete Acceleration events.
Include information about the customer, actions completed, and anything else the sale rep needs for the deal-closing script. Here is an example of what we send to our customers:
About MadKudu
MadKudu helps B2B SaaS apps accelerate revenue by qualifying leads based on demographics and in-app behavior.
Sign up for a free trial of MadKudu now .
Photo credits: the_boglin


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The digital transformation has a massive impact on the whole finance industry. Thus ACOLIN devotes enormous resources to be a modern technology driven service provider. Last year ACOLIN merged its technological activities in the new subsidiary ACOLIN InfoTech AG.
In order to manage the increasing internal and extern requirements, ACOLIN InfoTech lately founded a fully owned daughter company in Belgrade, ACOLIN InfoTech d.o.o.. The new company is managed by Borko Jovanovic, a highly experienced IT specialist and entrepreneur. The company aims to support ACOLIN InfoTech in data and document management but also application development.
The step taken by ACOLIN's management is grounded in the conviction that it is crucial to establish an inhouse IT support & development team to keep up with the enormous speed of change and to fulfil company-specific requirements with both high quality and fast time to market.


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As you may realize, Ad Age acquires much of its content from industry professionals who want to share their expertise and be credited for their contributions/achievements. Sometimes this results in some pretty thin pieces, other times it works out perfectly, as is the case with this new article about Facebook marketing from Michael Scissons, president-CEO of Syncapse.
Scissons piece is loaded with suggestions for marketers in the social space:
- Local Facebook pages perform 36% better than global ones, so build a structure for scaling social marketing across your enterprise
- Talk to your fans six to seven times a week at relevant times
- Run your brand's community management in-house and hire someone to do it right
- Task your agency to develop original creative content
- Know and understand your data
That's sound advice. Especially the part about publishing original creative content. Scissons warns against "dissing audiences with bad content, coupons, polls, contests, and boring filler."
Here's a bit more from Scissions and his company, Syncapse, a leader in social media management for the enterprise:
In his article, he mentions some companies that are doing it right on Facebook, but I'm more interested in hearing who you believe is doing it right.


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Our Traditional Service includes, but is not limited to: our staff responding to the initial request for services including the care of the deceased; arrangement conference with the family or responsible party; preparation and filing of necessary certificates and permits; placement of obituaries in newspapers and social media; planning of the funeral arrangements; and coordination of services with the cemetery, crematory, vault companies and others as required.
While there is an increased interest in personalized funerals and cremations, a Traditional Service follows a traditional pattern so families know what to expect. A traditional funeral makes many of your choices easier because there is an established etiquette for the different stages of the ceremony.
The national median cost of a funeral for calendar year 2014 was $7,181. If a vault is included, something that is typically required by a cemetery, the median cost is $8,508. The cost does not take into account cemetery, monument or marker costs, crematory fees (if cremation is selected instead of burial), or miscellaneous cash-advance items, such as flowers and obituaries.
Many factors contribute to how an individual funeral home prices its good and services, including the firm's business philosophy and the market in which it operates.
Selected Independent Funeral Homes
Why Choose a Selected Funeral Home?
The independent funeral homes that are members of this trade association are here to help you before, during and after your time of need.
- They are Invited Into membership only after meeting rigorous selection criteria.
- They are carefully screened for their commitment to quality, range of consumer choices, affordability and high standards.
- They are privately owned, meaning that your needs come first.
- They view their reputation as their most valuable asset.
- They must demonstrate ongoing high standards based on feedback from the families and individuals they serve.
As funeral directors, our calling imposes upon us special responsibilities to those we serve and to the public at large. An important obligation is to provide information so that everyone can make knowledgeable decisions about funeral and cremation services.
We pledge to conduct ourselves at all times in a manner deserving of the public trust, and to provide a copy of this Code of Good Practice to the families we serve.


text: Thank you for being interested in this site. I have been on snowboarding since I learned it and still doing it for some years. I had my own Hayes Brothers snowboard that I am very proud of. They are still producing now so you can also have yours. If you wish to send me a message, please use the form below. Thank you.


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Mumbai. After reports of it exiting from the non-vegetarian restaurant business Chicken Came First (CCF) and other non-veg business, Reliance is mulling over launching few innovative offerings to appease religious investors as their last ditch attempt to save this line of business.
These offerings are being considered to win over the huge number of vegetarian Jain and Gujarati investors of Reliance who have serious reservations about chicken business and have disliked the idea on religious and ethical grounds.
As a part of their first offering, Reliance has decided to launch vrat wala chicken. They are confident this product would gel well with the sentiments of their investors and will also create a storm in the Indian market due to its unique feature of solving the long standing dilemma (of a person fasting) between mind and stomach during fasts.
Explaining what led to Reliance's taking this decision a source from company said, "Fasting is a common practice among Hindus in India. And these dishes would cater to this segment. Further it is in line with the already available dishes like Vrat wali Aloo Tikki, Navratri Papdi Chaat, Aloo Masala Chaat etc in the market by leading players like Haldiram. We are only extending it to the non-veg segment."
As per the R&D team of CCF at Reliance, the vrat wala chicken would be cooked without garlic and onion and in sendha namak making it comparatively less spicy but an ideal mouth watering non-veg food for fasting. This would be their flagship product and would be sold under the brand name of Murg Satvik.
Another dish that Reliance is contemplating to introduce is Veg Chicken which would exclusively cater to the vegetarian population. This dish made would be made by cooking a vegetarian chicken ie: a chicken who was on a vegetarian diet and would thus be called Murg Shakhahari.


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Almost two weeks ago we've asked our neighbor to make us new doors. It was a kinda test to see how he did. Stéphane is nice and smart, speaks English but can he make a door? The answer is obviously YES he can.
The old doors were completely rotten and turned to the right. When we first took a look it looked quite simple but apparently the sandstone doorposts had handled more than one door in the past and were full of iron pins, not able to have any extra or they would break. We needed to change the situation.
We now think this part of the barn was used as a black smith for fixing horseshoes. There used to be a fire place and the floor looks like a cattle barn. We also found one horse shoe. Maybe we should ask the old Monsieur Le Noble next time.
Anyway the new doors swing to the left and are waiting for their final color. Every area has its own 'official' colors to use for shutters and doors. The mayor knows.
What do you think would look nice on these doors? 😉


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Columnist spends time in wine bar of huge cruise ship
My first column of the year is usually an overview of what I will be writing about during the ensuing year. As my wife and I went on a cruise two weeks ago (which had been in the works for about six months) it seems appropriate to start there.
I have not taken many cruises in my life. This is my second, and the third for my wife. Virtually, all of my travel has been by air mostly thru the United States, Europe, Asia and South America. Almost all of these trips were for business purposes.
We sailed on a round trip aboard Royal Carribbean out of Fort Lauderdale to Belize and Cozumel. At eleven hundred feet long, the ship is huge, sufficient to accommodate 3,500 guests and 1,800 crew.
To give you an idea of the size, the Mayflower, which sailed in 1492, was just over a hundred feet long, and carried about 92 passengers. What an incredible difference!
It is your own fault if you cannot find something to do on board. There is an ice skating rink, a flow rider to surf and boogie board, miniature golf, basketball, shuffle board, game room, workout center, shows, movies, casino with contests and an art gallery.
A four-page paper is placed in your room each day outlining the activities. Interestingly enough, it is called CRUISE COMPASS. Please check out the publication, below.
The ship boasts 11 bars of various types, ranging from poolside to a British Pub, and to our favorite, Vintages — a small wine bar located amidships, which makes it easy to find. Staffed by three very wine knowledgeable barmen, it was our favorite place to hangout play Cribbage and drink wine.
We tried 20 new wines over the course of five days and went to a Super -Tuscan wine tasting.
With regard to dining, we opted for the late (8:30 p.m.) seating and we had a table for six, just inside the entrance to the dining area (Michaelangelo). Consequently, in jest, many of our fellow passengers asked if we were the gatekeepers or if there was an admission charge.
There were many options to choose from each night and the grandchildren being conservative opted for Caesar salad and some kind of chicken most nights. However, I did get the grandson to change from well done to medium rare steak.
During the course of the cruise some of the entree options were: Steak every night if you wished; Osso Buco on a bed of Polenta with Asparagus; Rack of Lamb with rosemary potatoes; Prime Rib and Lobster.
There was always a vegetarian offering and appetizers and dessert courses. The food was uniformly good and our servers were friendly and efficient. I didn't know that these people work seven days a week when they are on board and they sign up for several months at a time.
If you have questions about the cruise, please send me an e-mail (see below).
Those of you who have been following my articles know that I have been writing about Italian wines for the last year or so and that I have covered all of the major wine producing regions of Italy.
Jeff, the editor of The County Compass, and I are going to try and put together a large map of Italy highlighting the various wine regions and my best picks as to the quality and value in each region. The archive will have a list of foods to pair with these wines.
For the remainder of this year, I intend to revisit North Carolina wines as it has been about three years, and the state's wine scene is constantly evolving. In addition, I will write about wine in Virginia, which has a wine history about as long as ours.
After Virginia, I thought it would be fun to examine the wines from Down Under (Australia and New Zealand). They have been producing good wine and plonk for a few hundred years. The good ones are great, and the plonk is drinkable but not memorable.
In addition, I will be visiting the individually owned wine stores to ascertain what is being sold and what is available in the various counties where this newspaper is distributed. Speaking with knowledgeable sellers is one of the best ways to explore new wines, as one person cannot cover all the wine being created these days.
I would appreciate your comments, suggestions, and thoughts regarding the content of future articles.I can be reached via e-mail at the following address firstname.lastname@example.com


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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today lashed out at the UPA government for permitting field trials on GM crops, saying such a decision was taken even when a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture had opposed such trials.
"The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) condemns the action of (Enviornment Minister) Veerappa Moily to approve these field trials and make this country a laboratory for risky GM crops and demand that all field trials be stopped and initiate an enquiry on the undue hurry of the minister's action," a statement released by the party today said.
"It is unacceptable that Mr Moily went ahead to give permissions for these field trials even when a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture comprising of MPs from various political parties including Congress party and other UPA allies had recommended against such field trials," it said. The party also questioned the haste shown by the government in this matter.
"The Supreme Court appointed Technical Expert Committee (TEC) comprising of eminent scientists also had highlighted the scientific evidence on adverse impacts of GM crops and the failure of the existing regulatory system in their final report submitted to the court in July last year and strongly reccomended against any open releases including for experimental trials.
"The haste with which Moily is trying to approve field trials of risky untested GM crops before the court is going to hold a hearing on the final TEC report in April 2014, just a month away shows the undue interest the minister has on getting these GM crops out in to fields," the statement said.
The statement stated that the government's decision will only benefit the multi-national seed corporations.
"On the one hand, scientific evidence and scientists voices on the adverse impacts of GM crops to human health and environment are increasing.
"On the other experiences with BT cotton also show that the only entity that is benefiting from the introduction of GM crops are the big seed corporations which get monopolistic control over our seed sector," the statement said.


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Crystal Woods is a loving community for those dealing with memory loss. Our staff is committed to meeting the physical, social and emotional needs of each resident while supporting their families during this difficult time.
A comfortable open area is an important highlight of our building that is secured both inside and out to protect our residents. Spacious rooms feature large bay windows and closets, heated floors and private bathrooms which add to the comfort of our residents. Services and features available include:
The commitment at Crystal Woods is to care for the needs of every resident recognizing that each has a unique life history, talents, abilities and habits.
Living with Alzheimer's disease or the symptoms of dementia is a struggle for those afflicted. Families are also greatly affected by this challenge. Our staff at Crystal Woods walks with and supports both resident and family in this journey.
Crystal Woods admission requirements:
For further information, please call (269)-372-1928.


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Watching Movies
Starting in 2018, I've made an effort to watch more movies.
Starting in 2018, I've made an effort to watch more movies.
The Transit app's GO feature is a "game" where you help with their real-time data.
Life in my tiny apartment has been good.
The King St. Transit Pilot marks one year in existence, and I think it was a success at the outset.
Some reflections on the time spent alone in Canada's biggest and therefore best city.
Toronto held a synthesizer expo in August of this year, and it coincided with a pager duty shift. That meant I was able to visit, but I couldn't hang around it long. The purpose of my attendance was to gather information, and to see if Teenage Engineering would have a booth. They did not. I talked to the Roland folks, and mentioned that I was new to synths, and told them I was looking at the Pocket Operator series.
Spadina-Fort York is a federal riding, a provincial riding, and a Toronto ward, and the boundaries are identical. Being from British Columbia, and having spent most of my adulthood in Vancouver (which does not have a ward system), the riding boundaries do not match at all. The recent changes to the wards in Toronto (from 44 to a proposed 47 to an eventual 25) set the wards to match the provincial (and therefore federal) ridings.
Today marks my third anniversary of working at Acquia. This job has been more stressful than I imagined it but also with more laughs, learning and love than I imagined. Today was a good example, where an issue affected multiple customers and I ended up being the communications lead for the problem, but through teamwork and empathy we each played our part and kept things as light as possible while we figured out what was wrong.


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The Merits Of Handling A Small Business.
A small business is a company that is opened by individuals. It could be a partnership or an individual who decides to open a job so that he or she can rule it. A small business does not need a lot of money for it to begin and therefore its activities are not costly. One of the features of a small business is that they are flexible. The business owners can make a decision to modify the contents of the business any time that they want to. The owners also find it very easy to tackle the risks that may come when the business owner is operating the business. The owners should not allow any challenge to affect their business.
Another characteristic of a mini-business is that they have to be cooperative. With building networks with like-minded business merchants they stand to be helped with ideas on what they require. More so, it is also necessary to be in good working terms with fellow workmates and other personnel who they are working with. This brings motivation to the individuals working through the effectiveness of the working operations. It is highly necessary to the owners of this business to cultivate a conducive environment with those people around you. These could range from agents from the governing council or even the clients who come for services in your place. A good understanding with your clients pulls a lot of other customers to your business which increases your income. Payment of taxes and abiding by the set laws, rules and regulations of the municipal is paramount in cultivating a perfect relationship with the government.
There are several benefits that you can draw when you open a small business. The major benefit is that one can able to handle the shortcomings that may arise from the business. This is because the type of risks that you are exposed to when you are dealing with a small business are minimal compared when dealing with a large business.
A small business helps a person to be able to operate it with all the discretion and easiness. The cash that is required in a small business is less compared to a large business that needs a lot of money to run the operations that are present. A small business can easily get loans from banks and lending institutions with small interests.
Small businesses are very convenient that other businesses. You can be able to operate the business from the location that you are in. This has been enabled by the use of internet marketing where customers can view and purchase. This can make your work easier since you can put orders on the web and the customers will request for commodities over the internet. There are options for purchase by a client ranging from purchase from the store of the owner sending a person to deliver.


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Journey from Brisbane to Cairns Australia by hire campervan and take in the very best of Queensland's many attractions and scenic beauty. Rental campervans in Australia are easy on the budget while you like sparkling white sand beaches, crystal clear blue waters along the coast of the Great Barrier Reef, picturesque islands, and a large number of nationwide parks camping along the way.
The Pacific Coast Trip is best explored with the freedom you can gain by renting or campervan hire in Brisbane or Cairns. Exploring by campervan is fun and when you tire after a day of driving just stop at a campsite for the night.
See World Heritage-listed sights, the world's biggest sand dune island Fraser Island and much more. Mon Repos, next to Bundaberg, offers a glance at weird wildlife or head over to Great Keppel Island or the Capricorn Caves for some wonderful sights! Rockhampton will sooth the soul and Mackay provides snorkelling or diving the reef with beautiful corals, exotic fishes, and splendid underwater sights. Try sailing about the Whitsunday Islands to see fantastic beauty and Magnetic Island, near Townsville awards white sands to frolic on and crystal blue waters. Hinchinbrook Nationwide Park, to the north, features a glance at Australia's largest island park.
This trip is perfect for camping along the way, just hire campervan in Cairns or Brisbane to start your journey, simple to reverse this trip. The coastline will not ever stop extraordinary you with the sounds, colours, and sights it has in store. Stop in at Noosa to shop the boutique shops, break in a bistro and gaze enviously at the beachside residences. Noosa Nationwide Park offers bush land, and the beaches are some fantastic lookouts to fill any want. Head to Gympie to dig for gold and check out Maryborough for a provincial encounter.
Hervey Bay hosts whale watching then arrive at Fraser Island, on a boat, for a truly sandy experience. This World Heritage wonder is one off being the planet's largest sand island. Participate in a tour or four-wheel drive the day away! Central Station hosts lush rainforest and the Cathedral Cliffs will capture your inventiveness with its range of colors.
Lake McKenzie is picture perfect and a great backdrop for a picnic lunch. Overnight in a beachside tent, cabin, or resort or find a caravan park for your rental campervan. Ensure you spend time in Elliot Heads. Fish, swim, or jet-ski all day for some wonderful fun on the water. Dive in at Innes Park or watch the kangaroos play at Woodgate Beach.
Watch sea turtles nesting in their environment and look for hatchlings at Mon Repos, close by Bundaberg. Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave Islands, on the Great Barrier Reef's south side, is home to manta rays and coral reefs for your diving or snorkelling pleasure.
Bundaberg's downtown has history on show with its old-style architecture and head to the Burnett River for a lazy river cruise. Rest for the night at a campsite with your campervan rental or select a cosy hotel or hotel.
Peter Dazzer's works are published around the world. Read more: click here or campervan hire australia


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Phone Number:
Alternate Phone Number:
Fax Number:
Physical Address
Unit B6, 11 Celie Road
Retreat Industria, Retreat
Cape Town
South Africa
Postal Address
PO Box 31586
Cape Town
South Africa
-34.075037 (Decimal)
18.460574 (Decimal)
Coastal Hire Constantiaberg situated in the industrial area of Retreat Cape Town was established in 2007 and is owned and managed by Wayne Bosman and Letitia Murphy.We pride ourselves in offering a service of hiring and selling tools and equipment to a wide spectrum of building and construction contractors as well as DIY enthusiasts. We have more than twenty-five years experience in the building industry. Through this we have gained first-hand knowledge of the mechanisms of all our equipment which we have passed on through regular training session to our staff thereby ensuring that they will offer the best possible service to all our customers.As a result our customers are confident in the knowledge that the tools and/or equipment supplied will meet their exact requirements. Ample off-road parking is available in front of our premises as well a complement of staff ready to assist with on and off-loading of customers vehicles.We look forward to sharing our outstanding service with you in the near future.


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Don't write the config file when --skip-config flag is given to the installer.
- scripts/installer_cli.php: Read the arguments list before checking if the config file is writeable.
Hello, I'm trying to package gnu social as a Service for GNU GuixSD: https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/guix-devel/2017-09/msg00328.html
Here is a patch to make the cli installer not write a config file or anything else when --skip-config is given.
In GuixSD I plan to install gnu-social as a read-only package and read a config generated by Guix from /etc/. I might send some more patches in the future as there needs to be a setting to hide the Admin panel when the configuration is done via Guix, and one of the plugins (I forgot the name I think it was something with Html Sanitize) tries to create a cache directory in the INSTALLPATH.


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Dispute suspends Monroe promotional deal
MONROE -- In the eyes of town officials, it's a way to market Monroe at no cost to taxpayers.
But in the view of Republican members of the Town Council, it's a power grab.
Because of the dispute, a town deal with a company to make short videos promoting local features like parks and schools and linking them to Monroe's official Web site is on hold even though it wouldn't cost the town a cent.
Amid pressure from the Republican-led council, Democratic First Selectman Thomas Buzi has suspended the plan that he said was designed to polish the town's image for prospective residents, businesses and visitors.
But Republicans said Buzi never should have never allowed town Economic Development Director Vincent Mangiacopra to sign the agreement.
"There is only one person who can sign contracts and that's Thomas Buzi, period," maintained Town Council Chairman Enid Lipeles. And that, she added, can only happen after her panel approves a contract. "We have to approve the contract and we knew nothing about it," she said.
At issue is a proposed arrangement with CGI Communications of Rochester, N.Y., which works out similar promotional arrangements with communities across the nation. Under the pact, CGI would make a series of one-minute videos that could be accessed from Monroe's Web site. The company, in turn, would make its money by soliciting sponsorships from area businesses.
Lipeles said council members learned about the promotional plan only when a business owner, infuriated at annual sponsorship packages that would cost as much as $6,495, e-mailed council members to complain.
While the town charter gives authority over contracts to the council, Buzi and Town Attorney Fred Martin said the council Republicans are taking it to an extreme. "It has value to the town, but adds no expense to the town," Martin said of the deal. In fact, he said, Mangiacopra "had a directive from the Economic Development Commission to do just this sort of thing," he said.
Buzi said he signs agreements based on 1995 guidelines established during the tenure of Republican First Selectman Kenneth Heitzke. "We don't bring them toilet paper contracts," he said of the council.
"I think 95 percent of this is politics," he added. "I think 5 percent is an issue of what should come before the Town Council."
"Tom is a businessman and he's used to doing something like a business. This is government," Lipeles retorted. In the end, the furor may not affect much. "We may very well say it's a great idea," Lipeles added.


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Helping consumers make the best purchase decision.
- Location
- Enfield, United Kingdom
Categories: SaaS/PaaS Digital B2B
- Social Media
- Website
- -
- Company number
- Swogo
- Incorporation date
- 30 Jul 2012
- Investment sought:
- £17,500
- Equity offered:
- 5.00%
- £17,500
- £332,500
Swogo aims to empower consumers to make purchase decisions like experts.
Everyday consumers are faced with complex decisions about products and services, be it shopping for consumer electronics, buying a new car or even booking a holiday. We believe that making the best purchase decision requires expert knowledge and a considerable amount of time.
Our free service would ask consumers a series of simple questions about their desired product or service, which would allow our proprietary algorithm to determine their individual requirements. Based on this information, our service would recommend them the ideal product or service for their needs at the best price. The goal is to make it as easy as talking to an expert in store. What calculators do for maths, Swogo wants to do for purchases.
We plan to begin with consumer electronics, starting with recommending laptops. We then plan to branch out into other types of consumer electronics, followed by different product markets.
Intended impact
We believe that Swogo will revolutionise the way consumers buy products and services. We want to let consumers make expert decisions easily, save money, and overall be happier with their purchases.
Substantial accomplishments to date
We have conducted in-depth qualitative and quantitative primary market research, speaking to potential customers, both online and offline. As a result, this provided us with substantial insights into the behaviour of consumers in the consumer electronics market, such as: their individual requirements when purchasing laptops, their reasons for shopping online and offline, the process they undertake prior to buying, how long this process takes, and the average price they are willing to pay for a laptop.
Moreover, we have created and defined our marketing strategy. In order to test part of our marketing strategy, we ran a blog named 'Swogo on Tech' from December 2011 to February 2012. During this time we managed to be approved for Google News, which helped increase our audience. This also led us to build relationships with consumer electronics' manufacturers who sent us products to review. In order to produce content we recruited a small team of writers.
Monetisation strategy
Primarily, Swogo intends to make money through affiliate schemes and sponsorships. We plan to charge a commission on each item sold through us. To put this into perspective, Amazon provide a 5% commission on the product price (minus delivery expenses, no sales and value added tax) which increases up to 9.5% as sales volumes increase.
In the future, we may also include other revenue streams, such as a PPC business model and subscription business model.
We plan to implement the PPC business model once we have achieved brand awareness. Upon making a recommendation of a product or service to a potential customer, the merchant would be charged per click for the lead. As it would take place after making a recommendation, it would be considerably more targeted than PPC advertisements on Google and other search engines, which could potentially result in a higher conversion rate of purchases.
The subscription business model would be a B2B offering. Swogo expects to build vast amounts of high-quality consistent data, both of technical specifications and consumer behaviour and trends, and we believe we will be able to sell this information to both retailers and manufacturers.
Use of proceeds
We will use the proceeds to develop our service into a marketable product after which we plan to raise another round of investment.
In order to achieve this we plan to expand our team, hiring one lead
developer, one junior developer, and one user experience designer.
Additionally, we plan to outsource our work on developing a database
of technical specifications to a small team in a low-cost country.
Target market
Our target market is the general public based in urban locations. More specifically, our focus will be on younger consumers, aged 35 or less, who are highly active consumers, early adopters, possess high amounts of disposable income and own more devices when compared to those aged 35-55+. However, older consumers would not be disregarded, as many of them tend to engage actively with more traditional technologies, such as personal computers, laptops and mobile phones. Our target market tends to spend a fair amount of time online, whether this is for work, play or for social purposes.
Another major focus of our marketing initiatives will also be on non-tech-savvy consumers who know little about technological products and may lack the time to conduct research on the subject. According to our primary market research, 77% of people asked found technical specifications of laptops and computers overwhelming, with 66% finding it tedious to research online.
A large section of our target market is family-oriented, meaning that they may be looking to use the service to find and purchase electronic products for other family members. This would especially include the parents of undergraduate University students. Students who move out of their family homes to study often need new consumer electronic products, such as laptops, which are often purchased by their parents.
Characteristics of target market
We plan to launch in the US and UK markets, based in the consumer electronics industry, before branching out into other markets. The consumer electronics industry is a fast-paced industry, with a new laptop being released every 4 hours, a new TV every 15 hours, and a new camera every 45 hours.
Global revenue for the consumer electronics market is forecasted to increase from $355 Billion to $385 Billion in the next two years. According to the CEA, the average American household spent $1,380 in 2011 on consumer electronics, resulting in a $165 Billion per year industry despite a recession. By 2014, the UK consumer electronics market value is forecasted to be valued at $10.37 Billion. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office found that the UK has the largest market in Europe for consumer electronics, with 22% market share.
Marketing strategy
Anthony and Ivor plan to leverage their online marketing expertise--both have held previous marketing positions and founded the digital marketing agency, createAI. All of our marketing efforts aim to revolve around our three core brand values: evoking messages of trust, being helpful to our users, and being recognised as experts in our field.
Online Video
Video could humanise a brand, and increase loyalty. As well as creating online video reviews of consumer electronic products, we plan to launch Swogo TV, a short fortnightly Internet TV show, with three segments - tech news, product group test and a presenter challenge. Swogo TV is meant to be a 'Top Gear for Tech' aimed towards our target market - early adopters and consumers under 35 years old.
PPC and SEO
We aim to focus on pay-per-click advertisements across major search engines to acquire users. This would be tracked, analysed and refined on a daily basis. However, for some keywords it would be more appropriate to work on search engine optimisation in order to reduce costs.
Social Media
In order to build an initial following we will aim to seed our Facebook and Twitter accounts with fans and followers. We also aim to run a number of competitions to increase our brand's exposure, offering products provided by manufacturers. After this we plan to use social media to humanise our brand, evoke messages of trust, and interact with our consumers in a helpful way showcasing our knowledge as experts in our field.
Content Marketing
We plan to re-launch our tech news website, which has already been accepted onto Google News. This should help us reach and attract early adopters.
Offline Marketing
We plan to run display advertisements, using a marketing display fund. The marketing display fund is an advertisement that would be funded collectively by Swogo and other companies in the industry to give collective exposure and co-branding. It could be featured in major newspapers, magazines, and billboards.
Competition strategy
We are aware of two main competitors, FindTheBest and Sortable. Both services allow the user to apply filters on technical specifications, reducing the number of results, and allowing the consumer to make a choice. At Swogo, we believe we are creating a more user-friendly approach, asking our users simple questions with multiple choice answers, such as 'which of the following do you plan to use the laptop for?' Unseen to our user, our system would interpret their answers as technical specifications and features. We believe this will be a much more appealing proposition for consumers and give us a strong advantage against the competition.
Related to this, we believe we can humanise our brand, creating a personal connection with our customer base, enhancing the customer's experience with Swogo and increasing brand loyalty. We plan to achieve this via our Internet TV show, Swogo TV and our tech news blog, Swogo on Tech. In each of these, we plan to use members of our team to feature in the videos and adopt their own writing styles, so our customer base can warm to their individual personalities. We want our users to believe that we're not just a company, but real people.