What Does F.O.B. Mean

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People ask me the meaning of the term F.O.B. more so than any other freight verbiage. Many people do not even know what it stands for. In fact, recently I was at a prominent shipper in the Northeast and a high-level purchasing person actually called it fob (rhyming with "bob"). At that moment, I knew I needed to draw up an article to further explain how this often-misused term actually is defined.

For starters, F.O.B. stands for Free On Board and indicates the price for goods including delivery at the seller's expense to a specified point. In the purchasing world, F.O.B. is also used with an identified physical location to determine a) the responsibility for the payment of the freight charges and b) the point at which title for the shipment passes from the seller to the buyer.

In other words, F.O.B. is a purchasing term that is used between suppliers and customers. Every vendor and customer should have the F.O.B. requirements specified.

F.O.B. terms identify: 1) who's paying for the freight and 2) who owns it at which point.

Below are four different ways in which F.O.B. terms are used in a purchasing agreement:

1) F.O.B. Origin, Freight Collect 2) F.O.B. Origin, Freight Prepaid 3) F.O.B. Destination, Freight Collect 4) F.O.B. Destination, Freight Prepaid

Explanation Of Each F.O.B. Term

F.O.B. Origin, Freight Collect: The "origin" part means that the buyer assumes title of the goods the moment the freight carrier picks up and signs the bill of lading at the origin pick-up location. The buyer also assumes risk of transportation, and therefore is responsible for filing claims in the case of loss or damage. The "freight collect" part means the buyer is responsible for the freight charges.

F.O.B. Origin, Freight Prepaid: The "origin" part means the same as above, but the "freight prepaid" part means the seller is responsible for the freight charges.

F.O.B. Destination, Freight Collect: The "destination" part means the seller retains title and control of the goods until they are delivered. The seller selects the carrier and is responsible for the risk of transportation and filing claims in case of loss or damage. The "freight collect" part means the buyer is responsible for the freight charges.

F.O.B. Destination, Freight Prepaid: The "destination" part means the same as above and the "freight prepaid" part means the seller is responsible for the freight charges.

How This Affects Your Company

This can affect you in some serious ways if you are not careful. I was recently at a distributor who receives a lot of freight from various vendors. He has a policy on his dock that his receiving guys should refuse an order if it has the slightest sign of damage. He does not want to file a claim or deal with the process of ordering replacement parts for potential damages. So, he just tells his dock people to refuse the shipment at the receiving dock.

Concerned about what this distributor was liable for, the first thing I wanted to find out was what the F.O.B. terms are with his vendors. The vendor who he refused the most shipments from had the terms "F.O.B. Origin, Freight Prepaid." This meant that although his vendor was paying the freight, the distributor owned the freight, and the responsibility of loss or damage, as soon as the carrier picked it up. So, by refusing the freight, he was returning something that he actually owned at this point.

There are a few reasons why it is not smart to refuse a shipment when it is F.O.B. origin. First of all, in this case his vendor has no reason (besides being a nice guy) to accept those goods back. The distributor owned them as soon as the trucking company picked them up. So by returning a shipment, this distributor was just raising the risk for more possible damages by going back through the carrier system to the vendor. Technically, when an order gets delivered back to the vendor, they could refuse it because they no longer own it at that point.

Luckily for this distributor, his vendor is very nice. The vendor accepts the returned items, files the claims on behalf of the distributor and is quick to replace orders. This distributor could get shafted at some point if the vendor decides not to be nice.

How To Handle F.O.B. Issues

In this case, the distributor should be accepting these partially damaged shipments (since he technically owns them) and have an inspector come in to check them out. If replacement is possible, the distributor should order the parts and have them replaced. All this should be covered by the carrier via a claim settlement.

The other option in this case is to change the terms to "F.O.B. Destination, Freight Prepaid." If it is "F.O.B. Destination," then the distributor could refuse the shipment because they do not own it until it is delivered properly.

The bottom line is that it is important to pay attention to these F.O.B. terms. There are a lot of suppliers and vendors that try to do the right thing by their customer, regardless of what the F.O.B. terms are. But that doesn't mean you should ignore what your F.O.B. terms are with your vendors and customers.

If you are a shipper, make sure the F.O.B. terms are what you want them to be. You may want them to be "F.O.B. Origin" so your customers own the goods when they leave your door. Or you may want to own them until they are delivered intact. In fact, that is a good selling point to your customers if that is the way you want to do it.

The same is true with companies that receive a lot of goods. Make sure the F.O.B. terms suit your needs.

What Are The Possibilities For Postal Products And Labelling From Us

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Far from just the supplier of polythene bags, bubble wrap, furniture protectors and Padlocks that you may know us as, here at Simpson Packaging, we are also committed to stocking all of the postal products and labelling that individuals and organisations alike could conceivably need. Its easy to underestimate just how wide-ranging postal products and labelling can be in 2017. You may turn to Simpson Packaging in need of one of the more obvious products in this category, such as the Featherpost bubble lined mailers that we offer in white, gold and heavy duty oyster material, complete with a self adhesive strip for fast and secure sealing.
Alternatively, it may be something a little more obscure or specialised that you require, with our plain or printed document enclosed wallets, for example, being just the thing for those that wish to ensure the quick, easy and safe delivery of documentation. Further boosting their suitability to the most specific applications is the fact that these wallets can be custom printed with up to three colours, subject to a minimum order quantity of 10,000.

What about our labelling and tagging? This is an element of our product range that you may not have been aware of, but which we think is deserving of attention from an even wider range of businesses than the many that routinely approach us. Our moving and storage labels, for instance, help to ease and speed up the packing process, given their usefulness in clearly marking which packed items are from which room.

Our computer labels and printer ribbons are also attracting ever-greater attention, not least because they can be specified as rolls, A4 sheets or sprocket fed printer sheets in all manner of sizes. They are white self-adhesive computer labels that also consistently ensure the sharpest and most accurate print results, although you may also have them in any of an assortment of other colours if you so wish.

From garment tagging and manila paper tags that are perfect for the identification of products, right through to CD/DVD postal packs and postal tubes that represent a great choice for the packaging and transportation of steel bars and tripods, Simpson Packaging has something for everyone when it comes to postal packaging and labelling.

With our company having also been active since the late 1980s, theres really no reason for you not to trust Simpson Packaging when you need the ultimate in Packaging Suppliers and protective materials of an extremely wide range of types.

What are the Benefits of Using Polycom Phones

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Todays business landscape demands nothing but the best in communication.

The 9-to-5 grind is essentially dead, since business is conducted 24/7 in todays internet and social media centric society. To improve your business communication, invest in a set of polycom phones.

This type of phone uses Voice over IP (VoIP) internet communication, rather than traditional landlines. Additionally, it features video chat, SMS, e-mail and other features.

Read on to learn why you need polycom phones in your office.

What are the Advantages of Polycom Phones?

Lets take a clear look at why going polycom has plenty of advantages.

1. The Calls are Crystal Clear

When switching to polycom phones, users will notice incredible call quality. Thanks to high-speed Internet, voice quality is high definition.

Not only is audio quality superb, video calls stream with HD video and seamless flow. Since so much data is transferred, users can jump on conference calls with many different parties without missing a beat.

Businesses increase their sales conversions when calls are reliable and secure.

A quality phone platform doubles down on sales and marketing efforts, particularly with a hub that is this powerful.

2. The Phone System Provides Everything All in One Box

Businesses thrive using these phone systems because they have everything needed on one platform.

Not only do these phones take voice calls, businesses can seamlessly transition between video chat, mobile device synchronization, access to digital apps and so much more. By not having to switch devices, users can increase their workflow and maximize communication.

These phones make meetings a breeze and will save money in the process. Each system is equipped with LCD touchscreen technology, making it easier than ever to switch between functions and calls.

When in the market for a polycom phone system, going with VoiceOnyx is an excellent bet. Not only does this company have top quality phone systems, they place priority on security so that data and information are not compromised.

3. The Phones Are Easily Expandable

Since these phone systems do not rely on landline technology, the opportunity to expand is endless. Adding a phone line is every bit as simple as creating an email address.

Polycom phones feature plenty of hardware upgrades, allowing users to plug in various microphones to improve upon call quality. For instance, a business professional hosting a webinar might use an external mic, so that they can talk clearly from greater distances.

These phones continuously have software and firmware upgrades to improve performance as well. Upgrading firmware over the air gets rid of bugs and ensures that all platforms are operating at their best.

The Takeaway

The ability to hold seamless conference calls helps the entire company set goals and remain on the same page with all daily objectives.

Switching to this sort of phone system is a no-brainer for any business looking to reach the next level.

Touch base with a company that can help you to further improve your business marketing communication efforts. Their copywriting, marketing and sales generation services provide an excellent complement to a new phone system.

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What Are Collision Services How Do They Work

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Ever since mankind realized they could harness the power of horses and use this as a means of transportation there have been accidents.  Today we associate horsepower with motor engines and where once we had just a single, pair or team of horses providing the energy to move the vehicle, we now have the power of many hundreds of horses under the bonnet of the modern motor vehicle.  With this increase in power comes an inevitable increase in accidents and accidents invariably include dents.

One of the biggest issues facing someone who has been in a motor vehicle accident is the question of where and how to get their vehicle repaired.

Collision services are a collective body of services that assist motor vehicle owners in getting their vehicles back on the road after a collision.  It includes the after crash repairs offered by auto repair services such as repairs to the body of the vehicle ie dent and frame repairs and paint work.  Some auto repair shops work directly with insurance companies thereby reducing the need for the car owner to have to make too many decisions during what is often a very stressful time.

As with all these types of services, finding a quality, reputable company with qualified and experienced technicians to do the work is of paramount importance.  Dodgy work done by dodgy repair shops will not only end up costing you far more down the track when you inevitably have to get their repair work repaired, it may also be potentially dangerous.

Top Tips For Finding A Good Collision Service

Right at the top of the list is ask a friend.  Word of mouth and personal referrals have long been acknowledged as one of the most valuable, if not THE most valuable, forms of marketing in existence and theres good reason for that.  Its the one more people trust more than any other form of marketing.  So if you know someone who has been involved in a car accident and is happy with the repairs that were done on their vehicle and the customer service they received, ask them where they had the work done.  You can also ask local businesses in the auto trade if they have any particular recommendations or know of any reasons why you should maybe avoid certain repair shops.

Tip number 2 is to take matters into your own hands and conduct some one on one research.  Approach your local auto repairers and talk to them about the service they can offer and the guarantees they provide on their work.  Ask if they have photos of some of the work theyve done that is similar to what you require and, most importantly, whether they have unsolicited customer feedback you can view.

And tip number 3 is that Google is often your best friend when it comes to research like this.  Look up local repair shops online, check their websites for photos and videos of their work and their customer feedback.  See if they have customer reviews on some of the big review sites like Yelp or, if they have social media pages ie Facebook, Google + etc, whether customers have left feedback there.

What You Need To Consider When Searching For An Auto Repairer

Not all makes of vehicles are created equal and not all auto repair shops can repair all makes of vehicles.  Therefore ruling out any who dont deal with your make will narrow your search.

Which ones provide a warranty on their work, and how long is the warranty.  A warranty not only provides you with peace of mind, its also a good way of telling whether or not a repair shop has faith in their workmanship.  As a general rule, the longer the warranty period the more faith the repairer likely has in their work.  If you can find one that offers a lifetime warranty so much the better.

How are you going to get your vehicle to the repair shop if its too badly damaged to get there under its own steam?  If this is the case, you may want to find one that either has a towing service or can arrange for a towing service to get the vehicle to them.  Unless you have motor insurance or a motor club membership that includes towing.

How long can you function without a vehicle?  If you dont have alternative transport and you rely heavily on your vehicle then youll need to find out how long each repairer estimates it will take them to fix it.  However, dont sacrifice quality of workmanship for speed because chances are youll end up spending more time without a vehicle down the track when you have to take it back to have those hastily done repairs repaired.

And last but not least, getting back to word of mouth and doing business by personal recommendation.  Make a point of checking feedback provided by previous customers.

Welcoming The Bride In Dc With A Dc Limo

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While brides get ready for their weddings, they might appreciate a single source for transportation to the occasions related to the big day. In DC limo will be surprisingly appropriate for many events from the engagement party, bachelorette celebration, or even planning. Well make sure that transportation is appropriate for all potential preferences and versatile enough to incorporate suitable modifications.

Anxiety-Free Plans

If you reserve a Washington DC limo, youll have the ride covered even as you test out various wedding service providers, taking stress out of the experience. Moreover, the ride will provide the opportunity to evaluate travel companies while taking care of issues. Our company provides this chance and hopes that you choose us for all wedding-adjacent travel instances. Our machines paired with chauffeured service are remarkable and personalized, so youll be able to customize it to your individual plans.

No Worry Security

As you make plans for an engagement, bachelor, or bachelorette celebration, you need the ride to be even safer. With our business, provided transport lets you enjoy professional transport that you can rely on in a vehicle that is equally reliable. Our company vets chauffeurs to ensure that they have familiarity with the streets and routes in the space, finish mandated teaching and evaluation, and endure background and drug monitoring. Your aims will be facilitated safely no matter how the party progresses when it does so with limousine service DC.

The quality of care provided to the fleet of machines is another indication of the companys value. A lackadaisical view toward taking care of the rides shows a failure to care about the customer experience. Alternatively, a company like ours, which works diligently to maintain vehicles, cares a great deal. We only offer service in newer vehicles, keep comprehensive insurance on all rides, and clean to an immaculate degree. In addition, we offer a diverse range of styles and sizes, so all potential wedding activities will be appropriately facilitated whether you require a hummer limo DC. Reserve the needed wedding travel arrangements through our company, and the necessary ride will be completely fitting to your wedding plans.

Impressively Glamorous

Booking professional transportation for all instances of wedding travel will improve the occasion by making it more convenient and assured. The stress and frustration of the time will include stress, so letting limo service VA handle the frustration is a good idea. Our vehicle collection is inherently glamorous no matter the vehicle chosen. Our vehicles vary from small to large, offering answers to all potential travel requirements. We use only newer models, fully insure them all, and keep each one in flawless condition.

As you plan for your wedding in Virginia airport limo and other options for travel will be appropriate. From errands to formal events, having a ride will improve the experience. By booking these early times with us, youll have a chance to preview our service, and we believe that once you do, a booking will soon follow. Fortunately, prices are low, bookings are easy, and stress will be negligible. We have the expertise to make sure that wedding connected stress is never due to the struggle of arriving.

Weddings Cyprus Made Easy

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A wedding is usually thought of as one of the happiest moments of your life, but it is not always so. The moment you will share with your partner when you join your destinies is usually amazing, but the rest of the day is surrounded by a lot of stress and hard work. You have to be armed with patience as well as a clear mind so you can get through it.

If you will take on the challenge on your own, you will have too many things to deal with and it will be very easy to overlook some important aspects. There have been times when weddings Cyprus did not go as planned just because the groom forgot a simple task and you should try to find a solution so that does not happen to you during this day.

It may seem like an easy task, but it is a lot more complicated than it looks like. You will need a venue, a caterer, a solution for entertainment, wedding cars and a wide range of other things. You have to find a source for each of these things and you must be sure you will get the best value for your money as well. How long will that take?

Scouring the market for a source you can rely on for something as simple as wedding cars is not easy. You will find quite a few and you have to compare the cars you can solicit and the prices you have to pay. You must be sure they can cover the transportation of the happy couple, but you must not overlook the guests that will attend the event.

But how will you be able to get these things off your shoulders? How will you be able to focus on having fun and enjoying the event that is planned for you and forget about the venue, the caterer as well as the wedding cars? There is only one solution you can turn to for this and that is to solicit the services of a company that will plan it for you.

There are some people that have handled wedding Cyprus for a very long time now and they are going to take care of your event from start to finish. You will be consulted on a few important things such as the menu, the flowers, the way your guests will be seated and so on. They will take care of the details and you will only get the bill at the end.

Even if you will pay a little bit more than if you would take care of things on your own, it will be a huge relief and you will be able to enjoy the event properly. If you are looking for the team that can take care of weddings Cyprus a lot better than you ever could., you should visit the site of partycity.com.cy to find out what they can do for you.

Wedding Transport Mistakes Are you committing any of those

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Are you about to access limousine hire in Sydney for your wedding? Find out the common mistakes committed by people while accessing wedding transport.

It's not that difficult to jot down a few wedding car hire mistakes in a jiffy. Right from not taking the role of transport seriously to getting in touch with the wrong professionals, there is no shortage of gaffes committed repeatedly.

While you plan everything so meticulously right from the flower to the food to the dressthe wedding car often emerges as an area of neglect. Do read on to find out what the most common wedding transportation mistakes are and make sure that you're steering clear from them at every cost.

You are not choosing the right car

The universal inclination is to settle for the most cost-effective option available. The car is just there to carry the bride to the church and then carry the couple to the reception hall What most of us do not realise is that there is a lot more thought that needs to be invested when it comes to hiring wedding transportation.

The brand of the car thus hired should reflect the personal tastes of both the bride and the groom instead of their efforts to spend as less as they could on the car. It's not only about the bride and the groom just somehow fitting into the car, but it's about their utmost comfort. It's about the bride slipping in comfortably with her dress intact. It is about the vehicle befitting the grandeur of the occasion as well.

Ask around, and you will come to know about people avoiding %0A" rel="nofollow">stretch limousine hire in Sydney merely because they think these cars are uber expensive. That, of course, is a fallacy. Just because purchasing limousine cars is a costly proposition, hiring one is not so. Please let us tell you that you can find affordable options with in-depth research and enjoy the benefits that come with this esteemed brand.

You are not thinking about the guests at all

Are you thoughtful enough to keep your guests in view while you are actually in the process of zeroing in on the wedding transport? Now we are not asking you to provide a shuttle for every attendee but do consider, special arrangements for:

Those living out of town
Those who might have problems with directions like old people who dont have younger guests accompanying them
The ones who are not living out of town but have come from afar
Tipsy guests

If your budget allows you should make arrangements for a separate car then make sure that you are considering the same instead of going unnecessarily thrifty. It should be remembered that by spending a few more dollars you are doing away with hassles associated with taking calls to give directions to guests, late- arrivals disrupting the ceremony and of course tipsy guests creating a ruckus.

You are not ready to hire professionals.

The points above might already have given you an idea how significant a role the wedding car ends up playing. When you are choosing not to hire professionals for the job, you are not only missing out on the opportunity to access the most celebrated brands of cars within affordable price brackets.

Instead, you are also overlooking also the level of efficiency that the chauffeurs bring to the tableright from escorting the couple and the guests safely to avoiding the diciest of routes regarding traffic the well-trained chauffeurs are nothing but crisis managers of sorts.

To make the most of the benefits offered by reliable yet affordable wedding car hire in Sydney to make sure youre not selecting names arbitrarily. Choose the one backed by due reputation without fail.

Wedding Flower Ideas Make Your Own Bridal Bouquet

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In the current economic climate everyone is looking for some way to save money in any possible area. And if you are getting married you know by now how many expenses are involved in planning a wedding. You are probably looking for wedding flower ideas and in particular for ways to save on your flowers. One way to do this is to make your own bridal bouquet.

Now you are thinking: this woman must be crazy but I assure you I am perfectly sane and it is very do-able. Your next response will probably be: Why would I want to do that? Let me try and make up your mind for you:

1. You can save quite a substantial amount of money on your flowers

2. You can have exactly the colors you prefer (and your flower color may even determine the color of the wedding!)

3. You can have a truly unique design that is not a copy of someone else's

4. Once you have learned how to do this and to make other arrangements, you can design for other people to make extra money.

If I have your attention now, I would like to assure you that there is quite a lot of help available online in many different forms and you should study as many of them as possible. This is what you will need to look for:

A) Find the specific type of flower you would like and if you are not familiar with flowers, make a point of learning names

B) Another point is to determine when the flowers of you choice are available in abundance since this can have a huge impact on the expenses

C) Do you know a local store that you prefer for flowers or maybe even a grower in your area? This again can save you a considerable amount of money since there will be no transportation costs involved

D) Next you will want to know how to treat different flowers. And yes some needs more attention than others to keep them fresh longer

E) Find out about the tools you may need to make your bouquet Find instructions (preferably with pictures or a video) illustrating how to tape and wire flowers

F) Practice how to assemble the bouquet in different shapes until you find one you are happy with

G) Shop for the perfect ribbon or cord to complete your bouquet

Are you ready to get started? Go for it girl. Go assemble lots of information and wedding flower ideas which will enable you to make your own bridal bouquet. Remember power is knowledge and if I can give you a word of advice: Practice to make your bouquet several times before the wedding until you are satisfied with your level of success.

Ways to Get a Good Quality Plastic Bottle

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Manifold stores today bring in the beautiful plastic bottles with nice flower printed designs. You can buy the stuff online that would help you to save your time and effort. In 1875, plastic bottles were first invented. Till the early 1960s, it was very much expensive but later after the invention of high-density polyethylene, it came out as the most used stuff. Today it carries much less transportation cost that the glass bottles due to which these bottles attain enormous popularity.

The plastic bottles are even resistant to breakage and thus these are much safe as compared to the glass bottles. One can use it without worries knowing it wont get damaged easily. The transparent plastic containers are in great demand since it gets a nice look. You can even get these bottles for your kids who can carry the bottle to school ensuring that its completely safe.

Tips to Follow

While purchasing plastic bottles you need to consider certain features such as:

Durability of the plastic
The bottle should be made of virgin material
Go through the parameters
It should be a leak proof one
Make sure its lightweight and is easy to carry
Know the packing methods and the hygiene

Once, you get confirmed with all the features you can make a safe purchase knowing you are getting the authenticated one according to your needs. Dont forget to go through the product description knowing the detailed specifications of the product. A transparent plastic PET bottle is the most widely used stuff and you can easily get it from any retail store offline. And always compare the prices before buying that would help you to make a right choice within an affordable budget.

Other Features

If you are buying the squeezing bottles, ensure that you get an easy squeezability that helps incomplete evacuation of the bottle. The plastic J tubes are also the good options nowadays and you can find a suitable one that fits your requirements. You can get a finicky and sturdy design that would give you the confidence to buy the bottles made of good quality plastic. Either you them for industrial use or for personal use you can easily opt for the good ones knowing its safe to use. In this way, you can get rid of all the worries since you can get the high-quality plastic bottles at an affordable price.

Managing the Commercial Requirements

Here are mentioned the features required for commercial production:

Packaging and shipping instructions
Delivery clauses, which may include penalties or insurance
Delivery time as agreed
Storage needs for the packed stuff
Pricing as discussed

Now, the technical specifications include:

The dimensions and weight
Designation of the pack
Grade and quality of the materials used
Graphic design, printing and labeling the bottles
Standardization and testing methods

All these things help in a better production of the plastic bottles that would help you to manage your commercial requirements. Automated filling today comes out as the suitable way to pack the bottles and then it comes in the market after sealed. Also, its important to adjust the filling temperature according to the specifications ensuring that the process is carried out successfully. Take care of the pressure and ambient conditions depending on which the quality would come out as a great one.

Understanding the Barrier Properties

Next, also you need to comprehend the barrier properties, which include the oils and hydrocarbons. Make sure the bottles are protected from UV radiation and extreme light thats not good for health. Alongside, you may face air and gas barrier and take good care of all these things you can produce the exclusive bottles made of high-grade plastic.

And the bottles containing edible oils or acidic products come out with different resistance requirements. So, you should be well aware of these features that would aid you to turn out with the perfect plastic bottles meeting the companys specifications.

Wal-Mart is a Supply Chain Driven Company Obsessed with Lowering Costs

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By Michael Bergdahl, International Speaker, Author & Wal-Mart Competition Authority
I spoke at a business conference in Panama City, Panama about the Best Practices of the Worlds Largest Company . . .Wal-Mart. While I was there, I decided to visit the Panama Canal. It was just a short drive from the Hotel El Panama to the Miraflores Locks where I had lunch at the caf, overlooking the canal. The view was both spectacular, and surreal, as I watched the heavily laden container ships slowly moving from the Pacific Ocean towards the Atlantic. I learned that by 2015 Panama plans to widen the canal allowing the passage of even larger container ships. Currently the biggest ships that can navigate the canal and locks carry up to 4,000 containers. After the widening is complete, ships carrying more than 11,000 containers will be able to make the trip.

For some reason, as I watched the container ships passing through the Panama Canal, I thought about the impact that widening the canal would have on the way Wal-Mart (and its competitors) ships freight into the United States, and for that matter, around the world. At the present time, most of its containers filled with products bound for American consumers enter the USA through the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach. With its history of labor problems and strikes, its hard to believe the Long Beach, California port still maintains a monopoly on container shipments entering into the United States. It is estimated that 2/3 of the container shipments entering the USA from China and Asia pass through the Long Beach Terminal. In the past, dock worker strikes at Long Beach have crippled manufacturers and retailers around the world. During the last strike, container ships were lined up across the Pacific Ocean, all the way up the Yangtze River into China, parked and waiting for the strike to end.

Thats all about to change. As a result of widening the Panama Canal those bigger container ships will now be able to bypass west coast ports like Seattle, Portland, and Los Angeles in favor of more business friendly ports, in right to work states like: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Overnight, Houston, Texas will become the New Long Beach! If you think about it from a rail and trucking standpoint, Houstons center of the country location will significantly reduce the amount of diesel fuel consumption, while simultaneously reducing the time required for delivery of containers to customers. Shipments into a business friendly state like Texas will also insure the product pipeline is always open and flowing. Its a big win for manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and consumers alike as productivity will go up and costs will come down for moving containers from ship, to rail, to road through Gulf Coast Ports! You can bet the big international shippers from the USA, and around the world, are already gearing up to take advantage of that southern supply chain hospitality!

Since the cost of container shipping is about to come down once again, you can bet that suppliers and manufacturers for companies like Wal-Mart are already planning for the future. There is little doubt that the widening of the Panama Canal will change the supply chain strategies of retailers and manufacturers around the world. Wal-Mart has already booked passage for its product containers on the worlds largest container vessel the Emma Maersk, capable of ferrying 11,000 containers. The Port of Houston, in turn, is already preparing for a windfall of new business by preparing its docks and dredging its harbor to handle the parade of mega ships. The Emma Maersk is the first of a fleet of super container ships which will be up and running by the time Panama opens their widened canal. The business potential is so lucrative that there is even talk that Mexico, Nicaragua and Colombia are all considering digging their own canals so they too can tap into the mega ship bonanza about to unfold. The financial opportunities are huge and the risks are relatively low for Panama, because there are more than five million containers in transit across the globe at any given time, and each year that number is growing.

The fact that Panama is a logistics driven country is about to change the way Wal-Mart, a supply chain driven company, ships containers across the world and transports freight throughout North and South America! The widening of the Panama Canal fits right into Wal-Marts logistics strategy, which is all about finding ways to reduce and eliminate costs. Low transportation costs allow it to sell its products at the lowest possible prices, which in turn makes retail competition with them a real nightmare. Wal-Marts low price strategy is no dream come true for many of its large and small suppliers either as many of them either break even or trade dollars supplying Wal-Marts stores. The big winners in the race to sell at rock bottom prices are consumers. It is estimated that families of four, that buy groceries at Wal-Mart, save an estimated USD$2500 per year. Those low prices are the reason 200 million customers flock to Wal-Marts Stores every week of the year! Theyre also the reason 31 regional grocery competitors have gone out of business since Wal-Mart entered the grocery business!

So why is Wal-Mart so driven to reduce its costs? One answer is because of Wal-Marts commitment to offering low prices to its customers. Another answer is that it has no other choice! You see its sales last year were more then US$400 billion, placing the company atop the Fortune 500 list, but amazingly, the company only ekes out a 3.2% profit! Theres no need for you to feel sorry for Wal-Marts meager profits however, because in real dollars, 3.2% is close to US$13.billion in profits!

When you understand the Wal-Mart profitability model it helps you understand why Wal-Marts leaders are downright fanatical about driving costs out of the supply chain. To them the widening of the Panama Canal is just another opportunity to lower costs to protect their razor thin profit margins! With 8500 stores, 120 massive distribution centers and operations expanding in 15 countries, Wal-Marts leaders must focus on continuously improving operations, lowering costs and improving customer service in order to maintain a profitable bottom-line.. The ability to manage its supply chain efficiently always has been paramount to the success of its Everyday Low Price (EDLP) Strategy, and to achieving success of its low profitability business model. It is for this reason that many consider Wal-Mart, a supply chain driven company that also has retail stores. Its no secret that the Wal-Mart business model would come crashing down immediately without its renowned technology and supply chain. The Wal-Mart Way demands that the company stays on the leading edge of logistics, distribution, transportation, and technology and it must then capitalize upon every opportunity to improve efficiencies and lower costs. It isnt a choice for Wal-Marts leaders to continuously improve their supply chain as much as it is a requirement for Wal-Mart to remain competitive and profitable! In other words, the massive companys future survival will be predicated on its ability to control its own expenses!

So how do Wal-Marts leaders rally more than 2 million employees to focus on cost, customers and continuous improvement? Interestingly, they do it by thinking small! While other companies think big, start small, and scale up, Wal-Mart teaches its team to thing small, start small, and then scale up. They call it crawl, walk, run! Its hard to believe the store managers, at Wal-Mart, manage their individual stores as if they were a single store retailer but it is true. They teach their managers to operate as if they were running a small company! Managers are taught to worry about one store at a time, one department at a time, and one customer at a time. The companys executives push decision making downward and empower store employee teams to make decisions. Employees are encouraged to think like entrepreneurs by focusing on simplification, superior execution, and legendary service.

Through vendor partnerships Wal-Mart constantly works with world class manufacturers to implement leading edge (and bleeding edge) logistics strategies, like RFID, which are designed to lower costs, reduce out-of-stocks and increase sales. Wal-Mart isnt afraid to invest money in expensive and controversial supply chain strategies like RFID, if their proforma financial analysis predicts future cost savings.

At Wal-Mart being in-stock is the goal of all of its logistical efforts because being out-of-stock is tantamount to being out of business. The key to being in-stock for Wal-Mart is superior technology, a masterful supply chain, vendor communication, and in-store execution. Discount retailing demands low prices, and discounting only works with extremely high sales volume. Inventory turn at high velocity backed by automated replenishment insures Wal-Mart sells 100% of its inventory between 72 hours and 60 days upon taking possession of it from its suppliers. Said another way, Wal-Marts goal is to turn 100% of its inventory, at a minimum, every 60 days, which insures inventory is sold to consumers before Wal-Mart has even paid their suppliers for it! Like a bank, Wal-Mart makes money, on money!

The bottom line is that Wal-Marts low price strategy is made possible because of offshore private label manufacturing, containerization, and modern intermodal logistics. It is estimated that the cost for shipping products by retailers today has been reduced from around a 15% of retail sales, for shipping products in the pre-containerization world, compared to around 1% of retail sales, for products shipped in containers today. In addition, damage and theft have been dramatically reduced. By flowing goods into stores, via automated replenishment, and using cross docking to achieve just in time distribution, Wal-Mart virtually eliminates warehousing of products, further reducing costs for its big box stores. In reality, these stores are massive retail warehouse showrooms!

As I finished my lunch at the Panama Canal that day I came to the realization that the supply chain paradigm is about to shift once again! The good news is, at least this time, supply chain experts have time to prepare for the monumental sea changes about to unfold. The bad news, for Wal-Marts competitors, is that shipping costs for the Worlds Largest Company will once again come down putting even more pressure on competitive prices! For decades, Wal-Marts focus on technology, logistics, distribution and transportation have been its single most important sustainable competitive advantage. Unfortunately for Wal-Mart, large retailers and manufacturers around the world will continue to copy Wal-Marts supply chain innovations and best practices in an effort to re-level the competitive playing field. Again, dont feel sorry for Wal-Mart because even as its competitors copy its strategies and tactics, Wal-Mart will continue to use its ultimate weapon, to distance itself from its competitors, by growing bigger and faster around the world, by not only leveraging its incredible supply chain, but by leveraging its unmatched economies of scale.

Vietnam Transportation Tips using Car Rental and Vietnam Transfer Services

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When you are visiting Vietnam and other key destinations in Indochina, you need to know several transportation tips that can help you get around the city at a minimal cost. Airport Vietnam Transfer Service and airport meet and greet is among your most efficient option for Vietnam Transportation. Vietnam transfer service is fast becoming the choice of transportation for travelers because this guarantees that when their plane lands, there will be a chauffeured car waiting for them outside. Business travelers in particular are among the number one clients for this type of transportation service because aside from convenience, this can provide the utmost comfort and luxury which as an essential factor especially when meeting with important clients. Majority of executive car service companies offer excellent airport meet and greet deals and depending on your preferences and personal requirements, you can even upgrade to executive transfer vehicle if you really want to impress your clients.

When visiting Vietnam, you need to have a wide range of vehicle and transportation option. If you haven't booked a rental car prior to your flight, consider using Vietnam transfer service from the airport to your destination in and out of the city. When it comes to airport transfer services, there are companies that offer excellent service that will allow clients to have the convenience of travelling. And while it will naturally cost a lot more to have a chauffeur to provide the airport meet and greet service, it can be more practical in terms of total convenience and security. Booking the service from known company that offer airport transfer service ensures you are in safe hands. There is also available VIP service option for those looking forward for a professional meet and greet service. This option is often picked by VIP travelers although this is also available for those who are willing to pay the extra charge.

Choosing for a company that has the best airport transfer service can be daunting for some but as long as you have prioritized your requirements and personal preferences, choosing a company will be a lot easier since you will only need to determine whether or not they can carry out the service you require from them. But in general, airport transfer service is one of the best and most practical traveling options especially if you will not be bringing your own car and you want to have a ready transportation once your plane landed.

In Vietnam, you will need a good driver to navigate the busy streets of the city. If this is your first time to visit, it is not recommended to rent your own car. You can always use a Vietnam transfer service that can meet you at the airport and bring you to wherever you want to go either in a hotel within the city or a rental cottage off town. This is also an excellent way to save money off your transportation expenses because it is much cheaper to use an airport transfer service than to rent a car or hire a cab.

Vending machine value determined by much more than cost

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The valuation of vending machine equipment is based on several factors:

1. Storage value
2. Collector's value
3. Scrap value
4. Parts value
5. Operational value
6. Market value

In trying to value machines, each of these valuations is significant.

1. Storage value: Machines in storage are generally considered liabilities, and they cost you money each month. Even if you store the machines in your garage, they're taking space that could be used for something else (like your car), which leaves them a liability.

2. Collector's value: If you have an extremely old vending machine, you might have a piece of equipment that is collectable. The most notable examples are rounded top soda machines. These machines were made in the 1950s, and are examples of the initial entry into the cold drink vending era. They were usually purchased by bottling companies and painted with a brand of soda (Coke, Pepsi, Crush, etc.). They were usually single-selection (one flavor) and operated with primitive coin acceptance. Snack machines are much the same; they were usually a mechanical vend process with primitive coin acceptance. To be valuable, they need to be working and in pristine condition. Few of these machines still exist; just because a machine is old does not mean it is valuable.

3. Scrap value: All old vending equipment has a scrap value, if nothing else. Scrap is the lowest value available and is calculated by weight. Because vending machines are generally made of steel, they're heavy. The scrap value of steel fluctuates frequently, based on world demand. Scrap value is best figured by calling a local shredding facility that deals in scrap metal. Make sure to figure in the cost of transportation, as this figure can make it unprofitable to scrap machines. I personally use a local man who takes a truck and trailer load (pickup with a flatbed trailer) to the scrap yard; for his efforts, he keeps the revenue. Unless the value of steel is extremely high, we do not generate revenue from this process, but at no cost, we remove junk from our facility. We do not "junk" a machine until we have used all the available parts.

4. Parts value: Old vending equipment also has salvage value in the form of parts. The cost of replacing individual parts from vending machines can often be recouped by scrapping parts from other machines. Replacement parts can be costly and requires time to obtain. If you have a compromised machine, the parts value can far exceed the machine value. Vend motors, compressors, switches, computer boards, changers, validators, spirals, coin chutes, glass, etc., are all available if you salvage the machine. Our company has purchased machines (usually one that's been vandalized) intending to use it strictly for parts. Repair parts are immediately available at a reduced cost. For example, snack machines have 30 to 40 selections, which means 30 to 40 vend motors and spirals. New vend motors start at $10, spirals at $5 - so one machine yields $600 worth of motors and spirals. The glass is worth $50; trays are worth $15. Nuts, bolts, specialty parts have some value. Changers and validators are worth $50 each. If you have the need, the parts value can add up quickly.

5. Operational value: Vending machines on location develop cash flow; they produce cash for your operation. The amount of cash generated depends upon the location, but if placed properly, one can expect positive cash flow from vending machines. The operational value is the amount of single net cash flow that can be generated by the vending machine in 9 months. Single net cash flow is the total revenue minus the cost of goods sold. Let's do the math: Account A: $400 per month gross sales
$50 Cost of goods sold (100% margin)
Single net cash flow
9 Months
Equipment Value

$400 - $200 = $200 x 9 months = $1800 equipment value

This formula is a quick guide to equipment placement. If you can accurately forecast your sales, you can determine how much to spend on equipment. Your goal should be to violate this formula by spending less on your equipment. This will make your accounts more profitable.

6. Market value: Market value is the amount of money you will pay for a machine in the open market. Market value falls into two categories: new and used. New values for vending machines are determined by the manufacturer and sales organization. Like all value, the value of new vending machines depends on options, name brand, warranty, reliability, standardization, versatility, and so forth. Not all vending machines are created equal; some brands have features that are superior to others, and it is critical that the dealer stands behind that equipment and honors his warranties. Used equipment can be purchased several ways - through want ads, vending companies going out of business or updating equipment, and from dealers. Used values are determined by many of the same factors, but also include the seller's motivation to move the equipment.

When choosing a vending machine dealer, remember that your dealer will become your unofficial partner in the vending machine business. A good dealer will have a solid business record (dealers that have run vending machine companies are preferred), should be honest, and have a list of satisfied (and dissatisfied) customers you can call. A quality dealer will carry several lines of new equipment and have a service and refurbishment department for used equipment. Most quality dealers offer several levels of refurbished used equipment to help you best meet your needs. They usually have some type of financing available, as well. Shop your rates and terms, because vending equipment is very difficult to finance; ask your accountant for your best finance solution. The dealer's service staff should be available by telephone for quick suggestions on repair. They should have delivery services. Generally, a quality dealer has the ability to help you with all facets of your business and should be able to guide your decisions in an unbiased way. Of course this all comes with a cost: most quality dealers will be slightly more expensive than their competitors.

Keep in mind, though, that you don't want to be "penny wise and pound foolish," as the old saying goes. The added initial cost of your equipment will be overcome by the added service you will receive, and avoiding one simple mistake can generate thousands of dollars in added income. Use your dealer as a source of information and capitalize on that information.

Vehicle Donations - Donate a Wheelchair Van or Other Vehicle for a Tax Deduction

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The Special Kids Fund is one of many non-profit organizations who dedicate their time and efforts to the welfare of kids with disabilities, special needs, and at-risk youth. Donations, particularly vehicle and wheelchair van donations, are just one of the many methods SKF uses to help support families, schools, hospitals, and programs for kids with special needs. The very dedicated people who are associated with The Special Kids Fund do their best to find ways to raise money, gather volunteers, and assist these programs in any way they can. However, their efforts alone often arent enough to maintain the expenses that are required to support the schools, hospitals, camps, programs, treatments, and individual care these children need. As a result, charity and donations are asked of the rest of the community to assist them in making their goals of helping disabled children, their families, and communities, possible.

There are approximately 4 million children under the age of 18 in the United States who have some type of disability. Some of these disabilities leave children unable to walk without some support, like a walker or crutches, and others who rely on the use of a wheelchair because they cannot walk at all. Wheelchairs obviously have certain requirements that people who can walk tend to overlook. Wheelchair vans, are a significant help when it comes to transporting a person in a wheelchair. Accommodating a wheelchair in a typical vehicle isnt easy, and the use of a wheelchair accessible vans allow these kids to be mobile, get to doctors appointments, and most importantly, to participate in other activities that their family and friends attend. There are some fortunate situations where an insurance company will cover at least a portion of the cost of a wheelchair accessible van, or the conversion of a van, enabling it to accommodate a wheelchair and lift. But most situations leave the cost of the van or conversion on the shoulders of the family alone. That is why vehicle donations and van donations are at the top of the most wanted list of SKF charitable contributions.

Many people have a van, SUV or RV that has been modified to be wheelchair accessible in order to accommodate their handicapped ore elderly family member and make transportation to the doctor, school, activities, and family trips easier on everyone. In the unfortunate event that your family experiences the loss of the family member who needed the wheelchair accessible van, or if circumstances simply change and you no longer need the van because youre getting a new one, making a vehicle donation can be beneficial to both you and the recipient. You can use the donation as a way to commemorate the passing of your loved one, and give another family the opportunity to make their life a little less difficult by giving them the gift of transportation. Another way you can benefit from a vehicle donation is the year end tax deduction. Vehicles that are already adapted and are accepted into SKFs vehicle donation program make the donor eligible for a full fair market value tax deduction.

In 2005, IRS Vehicle Donation Laws changed to only allow up to a $500 deduction based on the fair market value and requires that the owner determine its value based on its actual condition. Vehicle Donation Programs like SKFS allow you to get the best IRS deduction since the donated wheelchair van is a gift to a needy family rather than sold or auctioned. If the vehicle appraises over $5000, the IRS requires a certified appraisal, but this does allow you to get the highest deduction, even under the new IRS rules.

SKF and other non-profit organizations like them, whose mission and dedication to giving a better life to kids with special needs and their families is so important to our communities and their children who may be considerable restricted otherwise. By vehicle donations you become a part of their quest to improve the lives of those with special needs and the people responsible for caring for them. By making a vehicle donation, you become a part of the combined efforts that are already in place striving to help out one person or family at a time. Wheelchair vans allow families to spend time together as a family, to go out to dinner, family outings, on vacations, and even the simple everyday trips. Remember that your donations and charity not only benefit those on the receiving end, but you too, both in the form of tax deductions as well as a greater feeling of self-worth, knowing that you have made a dramatic difference in the lives of others.

Vancouver Lofts and Condos - Buying Guide

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Condominiums are the most sought after properties in downtown areas of any city. Vancouver is no exception - the region is enclosed by water, mountains and it is close to the United States border. These factors have driven the land prices high enough to put the ownership of other types of living properties out of question for most people. Moreover, living downtown is very attractive due to easy transportation, the atmosphere of this city and the proximity of all the amenities.

Living in a condominium is good for those who want to focus on other things and don't want to worry about exterior repairs. It can also offer other significant advantages such as a fitness center, swimming pools and stores located inside the same building. On the other hand, you will be giving off some privacy as you only own the property inside and you will need to share the common areas, along with the respective maintenance fees.

There are two main types of condominiums in Vancouver: lofts and apartments.

Loft style apartments in Vancouver are not amongst the easiest to find. With the exception of Gastown and Yaletown there are not many warehouses and historical buildings that could be turned to lofts, although there is an emerging trend of new buildings being developed that feature high ceilings and floor plans that resemble these.

As far as apartments go, concrete condos are amongst the most popular ones in Vancouver. If we could generalise, highrise condominiums are built from this material in the downtown area. Frame construction is common in the residential areas where you can find a mix between traditional condos and single family housing. In most cases, there is a plenty of parking space underground as well.

It's very common that there's a monthly maintenance fee to cover the costs of keeping the common areas clean. The good news is that due to little snow or salt damage these charges are significantly lower than they would be in Toronto for the same type of accomodation, in comparison.

There is a specific law which applies for condominiums in British Columbia. The Strata Property Act came in effect more than 7 years ago and specifies the responsibilities of developers, unit owners, elected property managers or a management company.

The Strata Property Act addresses issues that developed from building inappropriately for the wet West Coast Marine climate in the last decade of the past century. The government offered financial programs for rehabilitation and almost every building in Vancouver and Richmond has benefited from it, making everything even better than new!

Values in Recovery - Part 1

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Understanding the Role of Values

Values are intended to help you lay a solid foundation for permanent change. This three part series is focused on the single most important aspect of your recovery: your values. Specifically, your ability to recognize, develop and use your values in practical ways.

Values: What Are They?

Your values are those principles in your life that you use to derive meaning and fulfillment. They form the foundation of your identity. If those values are consistent, your identity will reflect consistency. If those values are in conflict with one another, your identity will reflect conflict. For many, values are conceived as idealistic concepts without any real practical value in helping them to manage their day-to-day life. This needs to change. You need to construct a foundation of practical values from which you will manage the most important aspects of your life. Without this foundation in place, more complex life skills such as prioritization, decision-making, urge control, goal management, emotional management and others simply cannot be mastered. And addiction cannot be overcome.

The Role of Values

What an engine is to your car, values are to your life. Can a person still drive a car without an engine? Yes, but not efficiently. The engine performs a particular role for that car (to generate energy), and unless that role is fulfilled by some other means, the car will not run. What other options are available to generate this motion? The use of a tow truck, or the assurance that all of the trips made in that car will be downhill. Yes, that is sarcasm. But nonetheless, the car can still function as a mode of transportation--albeit in a much less efficient manner. Can a person live without values? Yes, but not efficiently. Values perform a particular role in life (to generate energy), and unless that role is fulfilled by some other means, that life will not run. What options are available in a life not stimulated by one's values? Well, addiction for one.

In a healthy person, values provide the motivation that drives their behavior. They are the impetus for decision-making and the foundation for feelings and emotions. Without a foundation of values, our lives would lack even the most basic sense of significance or meaning. We would be reduced to nothing more than animals guided by whatever made them feel good at the moment, no matter what the consequences. Which is why, as the progressive nature of addiction begins to take root, one's values diminish. And as that behavior continues to progress, the connection with their values can be lost altogether. Is it any wonder then that people who have struggled with addictions over long periods end up living a life that produces little, if any meaning?

The values that drive our behavior can be divided into two groups: practical values and universal values. Practical values include those which can be measured through daily interaction with other people, places and/or events. Values such as being a good father, a faithful wife, being healthy enough to complete a marathon, or persistent enough to write a book, financially responsible enough to buy a home...these are practical values that involve the inclusion of other things to determine their success or failure. Intimately intertwined with practical values are the more universal values that serve to produce the foundation of a person's identity.

The following Universal values are by no means comprehensive; rather, they are a list of some of the more common values that people derive genuine fulfillment and emotional comfort from. It is not necessary that you develop each and every one...though historically you will find your life to be stable and fulfilling when your foundation is based on anywhere between 5-8 active values (practical and/or universal). Any less than five and you will find your foundation vulnerable to collapse. Any more than eight and you will likely struggle to achieve the depth required from any single value.

Universal Values
Self-respect: Taking pride in who you are, the decisions that you make and the life that you are living
Safety/Survival: Maintaining patterns that promote life and avoid death/debilitation
Social Acceptance: Having the ability to initiate/maintain healthy relationships with others
Meaning: Pursuing a reason for your existence--spirituality, progeny, self-awareness, etc.
Security: Securing the resources (e.g. food, shelter, transportation) needed to maintain specific values (e.g. good role model, peer acceptance, travel)
Intimacy: Sharing a special trust and vulnerability with another human being
Health: Maintaining optimum physical and mental health
Love: Experiencing the three types of critical love: self-love, parental love and social love
Identity: Feeling that you are a unique, special and valuable person in the world
Integrity: Being proud of who you are in the eyes of others
Autonomy: Being in control over the direction of your life
Order: Having an organized plan for your life, even if that plan includes spontaneity

Practical Values
Whereas universal values anchor the stability of your identity, practical values make up the movement. Practical values are what you use on a day-to-day basis to affect change in your life, to derive ongoing fulfillment. All universal values have the potential to be practical values--if you develop them as such. For instance, valuing self-respect as a concept is a universal value; actually using that concept to assist you in decision-making makes it practical. Practical values are what promote change; practical values are what you need to be most actively developing in recovery.

Take a look at the following and see if you can identify the differences between the practical values and the universal:
I believe in God (U)
I pray to God each day for strength (P)
Family is important to me (U)
I am improving the way that I communicate with my wife (P)
I want to be a role model for my kids (U)
I want to role model patience, compassion and forgiveness to my kids (P)
Family is important to me (U)
I want to strengthen the role that I play in my brother's life (P)
I value freedom (U)
I take three hours each week to enjoy my freedom (P)
I want to reach my potential. (U)
I will spend no more than sixty minutes a day in front of the TV and/or computer--unless it is directly related to my pursuing my personal goals. (P)

Note that practical values are more specific than universal. That many practical values may fall under a single universal value. Note also that practical values can often be measured and/or assessed in quantifiable terms. This is not always the case, sometimes that assessment can only take place subjectively, but there must be some way of determining whether or not progress and/or regression are taking place.

For recovery to take place, to make the transition to health, you will have to evolve your practical values. The success of this development will be predicated on your ability to identify an initial set of values that is CONGRUENT with the life that you want to live. These, as opposed to developing a set of ideal values that define a life that you want other people to think you are living. There is no more room for appearances. If you are to end your addiction, the changes that you are making now must be real...and they must be sincere.

The following are common values that people might use to rebuild their life. Your goal is not to embrace these values because they sound good, but to really look at who you are and adopt those that you want to become a part of you.

Examples of Commonly Pursued Values
Living with integrity
Living with compassion
Sharing my true self with the world around me
Strengthening my role as a partner to (add partners name here)
Strengthening my role as a son/daughter
Strengthening my role as a brother to (add your siblings name here)
Strengthening my role as a (add relationship here) to (add person/group here)
Strengthening my role as a close friend to (add friends name here)
Strengthening my role as a coworker
Being an inspiration to others
Being dedicated
Showing appreciation towards other
Being tenacious in my pursuit of (add pursuit)
Being charitable, giving
Developing intellectual depth
Expressing spirituality in my day-to-day life
Enhancing my spiritual awareness
Integrating religion into my day-to-day life
Bringing joy to others
Providing quality in my work
Establishing competence in my field
Being respected as a professional by others
Being playful
Staying active
Being dependable
Being reliable
Working as part of a team
Honesty
Humbleness
Sense of humor
Sense of responsibility
Being considerate of others
Being considerate of myself
Putting others needs before my own
Taking care of myself
Being a role model for my family
Being a role model for others
Living an exciting life
Living an adventurous life
Loving others
Being loved by others
Being challenged; overcoming challenges
Competition
Developing emotional maturity
Risk-taking (danger)
Pursuing a career change
Creativity
Striving for excellence
Establishing financial freedom
Experiencing fatherhood
Adopting a child
Establishing a partnership w/someone
Overcoming/surviving personal struggles
Physical health
Physical beauty
Being a teacher/mentor
Physical pleasure
Sexual intimacy
Sexual contact
Experiencing euphoria
Feeling sexually desired
Feeling appreciated
Feeling masculine
Feeling feminine
Feeling empowered
Passionate about life
Being recognized as an expert in my field
World-wide recognition
Developing sustained friendships
Encouraging my wife's independence
Being validated by others
Being respected
Being judged trustworthy
Feeling unconditional love
Indulging in creative inspiration, development
Developing patience
Living a humble life
Sharing my true self with the world around me
Nurturing childrens creativity/maturation
Developing superficial friendships
Being known as reliable
Wisdom
Connected to my own feelings
Being identified by others as charming and warm
Being a survivor
Companionship
Resourcefulness
Appreciating natural beauty/nature
Integrity
Connecting to purpose, meaning of life
Establishing my legacy
Organization
Instilling healthy values in my kids
Teaching appreciation for music, art, film
Adaptability
Financial stability
Personal independence
Feeling needed, desired, loved by others
Power
Control
Experiencing uniqueness
Curiosity
Experiencing the forbidden
Avoiding conflict
Improving my social interactions
Being a leader
Vulnerability
Sacrificing for others
Fidelity
Walking the same path as equals
Sexual intimacy
Physical attraction/Beauty
Masculinity
Building things
Intellectual growth, debate, communication
Communicating feelings
Experienced in conflict resolution
Taking care of others in need
Feeling happy and content
Pressure to accomplish
Accepting responsibility for living my life
Be known as truthful and honest
Sense of accomplishment
Feeling challenged
Friendship
Forgiveness
Realistic
Personal growth, development
Selflessness/Altruism
Respecting Mother Earth
Open-minded to the beliefs and values of others, tolerance
Self-discipline
Raising a healthy child
Guiding, teaching, role modeling for my children

Another wonderful resource for exploring your values is a website called Humanity Quest. You can search there for additional examples and for assistance with value development.

The content of this article is taken from the Recovery Workshop on www.recoverynation.com written by the late Jon Marsh, founder and author of Recovery Nation.com. Content revised for this format October 20, 2010.

Coach Cheryl Thacker
Director
Recovery Nation Inc.
www.recoverynation.com
CoachCheryl@recoverynation.com

Value Added Tax When Buying Property in Cyprus

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When Cyprus took on the Euro in January, 2008 many people believed that all property purchases would have Value Added Tax (VAT) added to it, which is not the case. Any purchase of property that received its' planning permit prior to May 1, 2004 will not have VAT apply and every property that has applied for building permit after May 1, 2004 will have VAT added regardless of when the agreement is signed between developer and buyer. VAT currently does not apply to the purchase of vacant land but as of January 6, 2008 all purchases had V.A.T. added.
In regard to V.A.T. rates on other goods and services the standard 15% is charged on almost all goods and services. There are some exceptions and for these exceptions there are four VAT rates depending on the good or service: 15%, 8%, 5% and 0%. Restaurants, except for alcoholic beverages, hotel accommodation, as well as transport of passengers by taxi and buses are taxable at the rate at 8%.

The 5% rate applies on services to writers, artist, undertakers, farm products (fertilizers, live animals, food for the animals, seeds.) non bottled water, books, newspapers, transportation, coffins, newspapers, books, periodicals, certain products for persons with special need, ice cream and the letting of camping sites and caravan parks.

Medicines and airfares, bank services, medical and dental services are taxable at the zero rate or exempted from any VAT charge. Also leasing or letting of immovable property, the supply of immovable property with the exception of buildings or parts of buildings and the land on which they stand if the application for a building permit was submitted after the 1st May, 2004, financial services, lotteries, social welfare, education, sports, cultural services, insurance transactions area all at the zero rate.

There is also a special exemption for foreigners visiting Cyprus so that they can get tax free shopping. According to the V.A.T. legislation, visitors to Cyprus from countries outside the EU can -claim back the V.A.T. on goods exported to a country other than in the EU in their hand luggage.

Temporary visitors do not have to pay any duties and VAT on arrival in Cyprus for the goods they bring with them for personal use.

Cleo is the owner of Cyprus marketing solutions Ltd. a Paphos based company providing proven internet marketing solutions specializing in properties for sale in Cyprus to families relocating and buying property in Paphos district and surrounding area.

Use of Mobile Apps and its Benefits in the Transportation and Logistics Industry

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With the development of smart phones and various technologies integrated with them, owners of transportation and logistics companies are also focusing and taking advantage of mobile applications. With over millions of transportation companies dispersed all over the world, it is important that they remain connected to offer a better service to their clients. The market pressure has an increased demand for timely delivery, accurate status, shorter cycle time, lower costs, frequent deliveries and zero tolerance for mistakes. In order to meet all such critical requirements, the companies are turning more to technology solutions.

Most of the mobile application development enables the users to access train, bus and flight schedules from internet accessible phones and these applications are easily available on iPhones and other wireless devices that can give real time updates and help you with the bookings of tickets also. The motive behind implementing the latest mobile app development is to automate the entire process of transportation while following a similar trend of the corporate world.

Delivering the products at the right time and to the right destination requires meticulous monitoring. The tracking of cartons, pallets that are constantly loaded in and out of trains, trucks and even airplanes has to be maintained thoroughly. It is here that mobile applications enable remote access to logistics database that can simplify the task and ensure timely delivery of the products. For drivers, the GSM or the GPRS technology gives them remote access to the database while on road and they can easily find the particular goods in their trucks and update the delivery status. This enables the managers to remain well informed and provide accurate delivery status to the customers.

Paper works always slow down the process and the integration of mobile application development enables the transportation company to eliminate paperwork and maintain accurate data that is the key factor to success. Gone are the days when drivers used to use paper maps to locate a destination. With the latest development in technology and a smart phone in hand, drivers can easily locate the destination and make deliveries more efficiently. Rapid access to detailed information, updated status of delivery information creates more efficient operations and improved clients services. Successful real time sales benefits from having complete knowledge of your inventory helps you to take decisions on what might be alluring to the customers based on selling trends.

Mobile application development enables people to remain connected and also helps the business to significantly reduce their operating costs. In essence, mobile applications do provide the opportunity to streamline the approach and attain operational efficiency in the transportation industry. Considering technology as means of communication between the customers help in booking loads or tickets, where both agents and the carriers can find easy means to remain connected and updated about the latest schedules and delivery status.

Unique Carriers Inc. Expands their Network of Private Shipping Agents

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Unique Carriers Inc., is pleased to announce that they are expanding their network of private shipping agents. This means a widened geographical footprint as well as faster and better delivery of goods, products and cargo. The advantages of collaborating with Unique Carriers are many. Here are a few to mention:
Compatibility The Cloud Software used here is highly compatible and it will have no issues working with the current order support systems. The software can handle automation of order placing, real time shipping tariffs and inventory status. Unique Carriers gets along with major online retail stores and market places.

Faster Transportation Increased network of shipping agents means faster transportation. The agents process the orders the same day and make arrangements for delivery of goods. Every shipping agent is strategically located so that they can reach both national and international customers within a few days. The network of shipping agents provides good amount of savings in transportation for the seller as well as the buyers.

Automation and Optimization For effective and fast delivery of goods, the software automatically decides the best transportation strategy including packaging and maintenance. This also includes routing the delivery, managing any order backlogs, choosing the right transportation system, cost effective package solutions, etc.

Detailed Reports and Analysis Shipment tracking is one of the major components in any logistics and transportation process. The expert analyst team tracks the order, inventory and supply chain; and the information panel will provide detailed reports so as to estimate the needs of warehousing and storage if any.

Opening Avenues Sellers or online retailers or internet marketplaces can expand their horizon by collaborating with other retailers thereby letting them sell the products to a wider customer base. Strategic packaging and delivery solutions are provided by Unique Carriers so that the sellers can maintain communication with each and every retailer they partner with. The other interesting advantage is that the company also allows split of wholesale consignments for cost effectiveness as well as improved sales.

Exploring New Sales Channels Those projects which are under crowdfunding can also get their products delivered through their co-financing platforms. They can kick start their delivery process by simply choosing Unique Carriers and deliver their products to customers worldwide. Sellers can also place their products on major platforms such as eBay, Amazon, etc. and have the goods delivered via Unique Carriers.

Ultimate Consumer Experience It is indeed a satisfying moment when customers see that their orders were delivered in time or much before the expected date of delivery. There are a lot of other factors that contribute to the experience such as return of damaged goods, shipment warranty, cancellation or modification of orders, shipment confirmation, etc.

To know more about the services offered by Unique Carriers Inc. visit http://www.unique-carriers.com/

About Unique Carriers:

Unique Carriers, http://www.unique-carriers.com/ based at Tampa, Florida is a cloud logistics and a mail management company that has been in the logistics business for over a decade now.

Contact
Eric Slowak, Marketing Director
Company: Unique Carriers Inc.
Address: 1717 E Busch Blvd Ste 305, Tampa, Florida 33612
Phone: +1(813)972-7673
Email: Contact@unique-carriers.com
Website: http://www.unique-carriers.com/

Understanding Python Basics

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you get a chance to learn some Python basics, such as using the print function to display output. You will read about using variables and how to assign values to variables, and you will gain an understanding of their data types. By the end of the hour, you will know how to get data into a script by using the input function and write your first Python script!
Producing Python Script Output
Understanding how to produce output from a Python script is a good starting point for those who are new to the Python programming language. You get instant feedback on your Python statements from the Python interactive interpreter and can experiment with proper syntax. The print function, which you met in Hour 3, Setting Up a Programming Environment, is a good place to focus your attention at Infocampus
Exploring the print Function
A function is a group of Python statements that are put together as a unit to perform a specific task.
The print functions task is to output items. The items to output are correctly called an argument.
The argument portion of the print function can be characters, such as ABC or 123. It also can be values stored in variables.
Using Characters as print Function Arguments
To display characters (also called string literals) using the print function, you need to enclose the characters in either a set of single quotes or double quotes. Listing 4.1 shows using a pair of single quotes to enclose characters (a sentence) so it can be used as a print function argument.
Try It Yourself: Create Output with the print Function
This hour you have been reading about creating and formatting output by using the print function. Now it is your turn to try this versatile Python tool. Follow these steps:
1.If you have not already done so, power up your Raspberry Pi and log in to the system.
2.If you do not have the GUI started automatically at boot, start it now by typing startx and pressing Enter.
3.Open a terminal by double-clicking the Terminal icon.
4.At the command-line prompt, type python3 and press Enter. You are taken to the Python interactive shell, where you can type Python statements and see immediate results.
5.At the Python interactive shell prompt (>>>), type print('I learned about the print function.') and press Enter.
6.At the prompt, type print('I learned about single quotes.') and press Enter.
7.At the prompt, type print("Double quotes can also be used.") and press Enter.
By the Way: Multiple Lines with Triple Double Quotes
In steps 810, you will not be completing the print function on one line. Instead, you will be using triple double quotes to enable multiple lines to be entered and displayed.
8.At the prompt, type print("""I learned about things like... and press Enter.
9.Type triple quotes, and press Enter.
10.Type and displaying text on multiple lines.""") and press Enter. Notice that the Python interactive shell did not output the Python print statements argument until you had fully completed it with the closing parenthesis.
11.At the prompt, type print('Single quotes protect "double quotes" in output.') and press Enter.
12.At the prompt, type print("Double quotes protect 'single quotes' in output.") and press Enter.
13.At the prompt, type print("A backslash protects \"double quotes\" in output.") and press Enter.
14.At the prompt, type print('A backslash protects \'single quotes\' in output.') and press Enter. Using the backslash to protect either single or double quotes enables you to maintain your chosen method of consistently using single (or double) quotes around your print function argument.
15.At the prompt, type print("The backslash character \\ is an escape character.") and press Enter.
16.At the prompt, type print("Use escape sequences to \n insert a linefeed.") and press Enter. In the output, notice how part of the sentence, Use escape sequences to, is on one line and the end of the sentence, insert a linefeed., is on another line. This is due to your insertion of the escape sequence \n in the middle of the sentence.
17.At the prompt, type print("Use escape sequences to \t\t insert two tabs or" and press Enter.
18.At the . . . prompt, type "insert a check mark: \u2714") and press Enter.
You can do a lot with the print function to display and format output! In fact, you could spend this entire hour just playing with output formatting. However, there are additional important Python basics you need to learn, such as formatting scripts for readability.

Understanding Mesothelioma Stages Diagnosis and Treatment

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Understanding Mesothelioma Stages: Diagnosis and Treatment

Are you at risk for Mesothelioma? Understanding this terrible type of cancer is essential when trying to treat or prevent it.

Mesothelioma is cancer that affects the lungs, heart, and abdomen which forms in the membranes. Causes of this cancer include inhaling or ingesting microscopic asbestos fibers.

If you have Mesothelioma or are at-risk of developing it, read on for more information about diagnosis, mesothelioma stages, symptoms, and treatment.

About Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma received its name because its the cancer of the mesothelium. Your mesothelium is a protective tissue. The mesothelium lines the pleura (Lorax and lungs), the peritoneum (abdomen) and pericardium (heart).

You can develop Mesothelioma if youre regularly inhaling or swallowing carcinogens at your job. You can also develop Mesothelioma if youre exposured to carcinogens in your home.

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer; only 3,000 cases exist every year. Mesothelioma doesnt come to the surface until years later.

While Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer, its a deadly one, especially if you have advanced Mesothelioma stages.

Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma forms in one central area, and all Mesothelioma stages affect the infected area. Here are the core types:

Pleural Mesothelioma

When you inhale asbestos in significant amounts, it usually affects your pleura. Pleural Mesothelioma is the type of Mesothelioma that affects your lungs.

When you have Pleural Mesothelioma, the lining of your lungs becomes infected, which makes it unable to protect and lubricate your lungs.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma

This type of Mesothelioma affects the lining of your stomach and abdomen. The peritoneum is a similar tissue to the mesothelium, so this type of Mesothelioma is very common.

When you swallow asbestos fibers, your stomach and the digestive system becomes infected by cancer.

Pericardial Mesothelioma

This is Mesothelioma of the heart. The prognosis is poor because this type of Mesothelioma is very rare. However, your symptoms will be very severe; treatment includes alleviating symptoms, surgery, and chemotherapy.

Testicular Mesothelioma

This type of Mesothelioma is so rare, documentation is only limited to 100 cases. This type of Mesothelioma affects the testicles.

Mesothelioma Stages

Regardless of the type of Mesothelioma, each type has a stage. The stages are:

Stage 1

No spreading has occurred to the lymph nodes. There are several treatment options available.

Stage 2

Little spreading has occurred to the lymph nodes and the Mesothelioma exists in one part of the body. There are several treatment options including more aggressive options.

Stage 3

Metastasis is occurring. The lymph nodes and surrounding organs are becoming infected. Limited surgical options are available.

Stage 4

Mesothelioma exists throughout the body. The cancer is difficult to treat except for the symptoms.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma develops by inhaling or ingesting carcinogens. Because of this, youll develop severe symptoms, but you may not notice them right away.

Early Stage Symptoms

Shortness of breath
Pain/press in the chest and abdomen
Dry cough
Wheezing
Difficulty breathing
Fever
Fatigue
Pleural Effusions
Anemia
Slow immune response

Advanced Stage Symptoms

Severe chest and stomach pain
Weight loss
Hacking cough
Persistent respiratory problems

Pleural Mesothelioma Symptoms

Dry coughing and wheezing
Chest pain
Pleural effusions
Reduced chest expansion
Shortness of breath
Coughing up blood
Blood clots
Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms
Abdominal swelling
Constipation and digestive issues
Diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain
Fatigue
Weight loss

Pericardial Mesothelioma Symptoms

Difficulty breathing
Chest pains
Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Its difficult to identify Mesothelioma in its early stages, so most dont become diagnosed until it has spread or became severe. It takes between 10 to 40 years for Mesothelioma to become noticed.

Diagnosing errors are also common because cancer and symptoms mimic other diseases; for example, Pleural Mesothelioma mimics lung cancer.

If you work at a job or live in an environment with high asbestos exposure, be sure to inform your physician and receive annual check-ups.

Here are some common methods of Mesothelioma diagnosis

Imaging Scans

Your doctor will order imaging scans when you experience abnormalities in the stomach or lungs. X-rays are great tools for doctors to see any issues in these areas.

If your doctor cant find any issues in the X-rays but symptoms persist, this could mean the cancer is deep in the tissues.

Other imaging scans include:

Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

Blood Test and Biomarkers

A blood or biomarker test is usually done with the SOMAmer panel.

When your doctor checks with Mesothelioma, your doctor will measure your levels of mesothelin. Higher mesothelin levels indicate Mesothelioma.

Pathology and Histopathology

If imaging tests and biomarkers cant identify Mesothelioma, the next step is either a pathology or histopathology.

To be positive of diagnosis, tissue samples are observed for cancer growth.

All three of these methods certify diagnosis. If youre unsure of where to receive a diagnosis, resources such as MesotheliomaHelp.org are available.

Mesothelioma Treatment

When someone has Mesothelioma, they can face invasive treatment procedures and even shorter life expectancy. However, several treatment options are available to ease Mesothelioma symptoms and even cure cancer.

Treatment depends on how far cancer spread and where the cancer is centrally located.

Here are the most common types of Mesothelioma treatment:

Basic Treatment

If the cancer is caught early or hasnt advanced, a basic multimodal treatment will be administered. This treatment attempts to target cancer from all angles.

This includes chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. This helps alleviate symptoms and shrink the tumor.

Aggressive Treatment

Aggressive stages of Mesothelioma requires more invasive treatments. However, these treatments have improved chances of remission.

Examples include surgery that removes the tumor and surrounding cancerous tissue. Radiation that targets the tumor may also be used.

Know the Mesothelioma Stages

Anyone can be affected by Mesothelioma. Asbestos can be ingested or inhaled by anyone, and carcinogens always have a negative effect on our bodies.

Its important to understand the facts and symptoms of Mesothelioma. If you are diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you can start treatment and be on the road to recovery.

Visit our resources for more information regarding your health.

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