Most people who are killed in structure fires die from the smoke not the flames or fire. Generally they are overcome by the smoke and lack of oxygen as the fire takes all the oxygen and replaces the airspace with smoke. There needs to be a way to get these people out of the fire situation and structure immediately to prevent loss of life, however without good visibility one cannot see to get to a fire escape, stairway or exit.

I propose a drop system similar to the one’s used on aircraft when there is a breach in the system and the pressurization is lost. In the event of a fire inexpensive goggles with infrared lenses would drop from the ceiling near the fire hoses and alarms. The goggles would have lenses, which would be small pieces of film similar to the paper sunglasses, which are given out at the 3D movies. The goggles would keep the smoke from the person’s eyes and allow them to see thru the smoke to escape.

Additionally on the bottom of the goggles would be a small breathing apparatus with five minutes of air supply similar to the devices used in the James Bond movie for underwater breathing. We now have these devices available to Navy Seal Teams. We must find a way to make them cheaply and in mass to make this project viable, but I believe this is possible thru entrepreneurial spirit.

This project should be funded thru US Naval Research because it can be used on ships and submarines to save lives of seamen. The technology should be inexpensive and cost effective to build these units for a couple dollars each and then the technology transferred into the private sector. Think on this.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

If you are thinking of setting up a small business yet you are still unsure of what you exactly want to do or are scared to death of not being able to generate good business, then you must try looking into these franchise opportunities and choose the right one that will suit your taste and budget. An important factor to take in consideration is your ability to actually run your chosen franchise opportunity efficiently and successfully.

One of the most popular franchise opportunity nowadays is the “EmbroidMe” franchise opportunity wherein you can create custom-made apparel as well as merchandise which has embroidery on it. EmbroidMe actually has the tagline, “Casually Dressing the World” in its retail showrooms wherein it aims to make their company known through all forms of medium, in corporate marketing programs as well as over the internet. EmbroidMe is outfitting their customers with creatively customized apparel not just for work but for play as well. They also offer all sorts of promotional merchandise as well as advertising specialty items.

The catch point(s) of the EmbroidMe franchise opportunity are its sudden commercial boom. It’s a highly new and fresh revolutionary industry concept. This franchise opportunity’s great and organized system and the wonderful opportunity of being your own boss. You do not have to answer to anyone but yourself! According to Ray Titus, the president of the EmbroidMe company. They are looking for willing entrepreneurs who are dreaming of running and managing their own business but in spite of just having a small business, they are well provided with many benefits that a stable global company can offer them not to mention, mass purchasing power as well as great advertising apart from the other possible additional help that your EmbroidMe franchise opportunity might be needing in the future.

EmbroidMe offers full service embroidery as well as screen printing and other promotional products to its customers. The EmbroidMe “empire” actually now has over 250 stores all over the world and has been rates as #1 in the industry for four consecutive years as well as being one of the 50 fastest growing franchise opportunities according to Entrepreneur Magazine.

When it comes to the EmbroidMe staff’s training and support, a turnkey franchise the EmbroidMe company will actually assist in the demographic studies of the area that you want to put up your EmbroidMe franchise. A study on your site selection as well assistance on lease negotiations would be conducted. The EmbroidMe company will also coordinate with you for renovations that will be done on your store. This franchise opportunity will also provide an excellent 4-week training program for you and your staff. Not only that, this franchise opportunity will also assist you in conducting interviews, hiring and training prospective EmbroidMe employees since this is a service oriented franchise opportunity it is highly important that every employee must be able to comply and adhere to EmbroidMe’s strict rules and regulations.

The special features of this franchise opportunity are the following: turn key, absolutely no experience is needed, it is not a seasonal type of franchise opportunity, it is a business to business franchise opportunity, it needs only two employees and is a part of a $20 billion plus industry.

Another hot franchise opportunity is the “SIGN*A*RAMA” franchise opportunity which is considered as the largest full service sign franchise in the whole world and has over 700 “SIGN*A*RAMA” stores in 30 countries while being rated as the #1 in the industry for 6 years running by Entrepreneur Magazine. Also headed by EmbroidMe’s president Ray Titus, “SIGN*A*RAMA*” is just like EmbroidMe. “SIGN*A*RAMA*” is also looking for willing and able entrepreneurs who wants to have their taste of being their own boss while having the incredible opportunity of being part of a well-known company.

When you sign up for this franchise opportunity expect to receive the following premium features: when it comes to equipment, they have the full service sign centers wherein they make the most of computerized sign making technologies. The “SIGN*A*RAMA” Sign Center actually allows the customer to have a look at the draft of the sign that they wish to be made before it gets the “go-signal” for it be printed. This franchise opportunity will also assist franchisees in picking out your desired franchise location, your lease as well as in the marketing aspect of your business.

For more great franchise info and advice check out: http://www.great-franchises.com

The need for laptops is sky high at present. So high demand but little supply according to what manufacturers are expecting. Its actually suprising that financial troubles and all haven’t hindered this demand for laptop computers either. Also with notebook computers now it looks like every few months or so the technology is already replaced with something new.

Notebooks are becoming more suitable for gaming due to continuing speed increases. With prices dropping and new technology being released rather rapidly it means that buyers are getting higher roi. For those who require portability, the power laptops offer in terms of playing games shouldn’t be frowned upon much longer as performance is better. What stuck me the most is how slim and attractive some gaming laptops are becoming in comparison to earlier years. Speed of computers should infinitely be a mile ahead of laptops but its still encouraging to see. The metamorphosis of gaming laptops indicates that they will get thinner and weightless in the the coming years.

Custom laptops will always be here because the mass configurations do not offer the spec the particular niche consumers require. The major advantages here are the fact that you can commonly get advanced aftermarket components in custom laptops. By being able to decide precisely what you require you can even keep on to some cash in some cases. Premade laptops are aimed for average tasks and not upto doing more specific activies. Custom laptops provide a fix to this. There’s plenty of system builders providing custom laptops, with amazing customer care. Yet again an additional point to custom laptops.

Tons of exciting laptops are being launched in the coming months. Tiny internet laptops are the latest development to get mass market popularity. The Asus Eee just built a new sub sector. I personally think that we’re bound to see ultra light 15 inch laptops soon as well. Manufacturers must be engaged on a solution to this by now. The way the market is headed I know gaming laptops will become portable. I honestly don’t know what to expect apart from those produtcs mentioned. Someone is developing a product to be unique in a saturated market.

I really like the gaming laptops at http://www.rizeon.com/gaming_laptops/page.php

One of the biggest needs in ANY home business is prospects. Without having prospects to talk to, you really don’t have a business. Here are a few tips on getting more prospects for your home business and turning them into new business partners.

1. Always SMILE whenever you are talking on the phone.

This usually sounds pretty silly to a lot of people, but if you could hear the difference in your voice when you smile and don’t smile, you’d be stunned. People who are on the phone with you can always tell if you are smiling or not. If you have a problem with remembering to smile, tape a note to your phone telling you to smile. This tip alone can make a big difference in the success of your home business.

2. Whenever you talk to a new prospect for the first time, ask yourself if this is someone you would really want to be spending your time with?

Remember, this is YOUR home business, you can work with anyone you want. On the flip side, you can also choose NOT to work with anyone you want. Don’t feel tied down to everyone you talk to. When you’re talking with a prospect and you don’t feel they fit your home business, then politely stop the call and move on to someone new.

3. Always be enthusiastic!

When you’re enthusiastic it becomes highly contagious. Be sure your prospect hears and feels your enthusiasm over the phone. Enthusiasm is really a magnet. People are naturally attracted to others who are excited. Everyone wants to be a part of something that is fun and someone who is having fun. They will want to be a part of your home business.

4. Quit chasing after prospects who are not interested or keep missing appointments.

Wasting your time chasing after prospects who constantly miss follow up appointments is useless to your home business. You can be understanding of a prospect who misses the first appointment, but after that, you should just move on. Face it, they are not really interested in you or your business and your time is better spent than chasing after them. Instead, use that time to find people who really are looking for what you have.

5. Keep rehearsing your script until it becomes second nature.

Practice your phone techniques until they become second nature and it sounds like a normal phone conversation. Practice with a friend and have fun with it. Before long it will become second nature to you and your home business will begin to thrive.

6. Phone 10 more leads than you did the day before.

Challenge yourself by making 10 more calls today than you did yesterday. Do this and you will be amazed at how your business will suddenly begin taking off.

7. Always do 3-way calls with someone in your upline support team.

Be sure you take advantage of 3-way calls. A prospect that hears from someone else they don’t know, adds even more credibility to your home business.

8. Do something in your home business every day.

Keep active in your home business every day. Write down your prospecting thoughts and plans. Write out the times you’ll make calls, give out business cards, etc. Plan out your work then work out your plan.

9. Always do twice as much listening as you do talking.

I can’t stress this point enough. I’m sure you’ve heard it said , God gave us two ears and one mouth for a good reason. There is a great deal of wisdom in that old saying.

Make sure you take the time to really listen to what your prospect is saying. Never be so intent on telling your prospect your story that you lose track of what your prospect is trying to tell you. Take the time to listen what they want and then see if what your home business offers is a match for what they are looking for.

10. Do not quit!

Rejection is going to happen in your home business. There are going to be folks who do not want what you have. Don’t take it too personally. For example:

When you are eating in a diner and your waitress asks if you want more tea, there are times when you do and times when you don’t. The waitress isn’t concerned if you say no thanks. She won’t run off crying throwing a fit because you didn’t want more coffee. She certainly isn’t going to quit because of it.

Never let the problems or rejections that come up in your home business make you quit. Focus on your plans and dreams for your future. Don’t stop.

By applying these tips in your day-to-day prospecting activities, you’ll begin to experience more success in your home business. Above all else, have fun with it!

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Home Business

Property Index sell a range of villas and apartments, take a look at their site if you are looking for overseas property investment, click here to view the properties.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Property Index service must be rated a new kid on the block concern, they were incorporated in March 2007, they have established expert status very quickly. They’re a unbelievably artless concern dedicated to offering experienced guidance to every customer looking to sell, buy, rent or let real estate assets no matter where. They guarantee lend you a hand to discover precisely what’s called for very quickly as well as, of course, unproblematically. Real estate is up for grabs everwhere at present, possibly the most fashionable area being properties you can purchase in Spain. It’s easy as one-two-three to catalogue the superb properties available in Spain, one reason for selecting property here being the houses and apartments available for sale and the fabulous option of spending your life surrounded by this high-spirited, animated and energetic population.

It’s one of the truly well-liked areas at present, and with the beauty and wonderful sunshine that surrounds you all day long, how could you be wrong? Real estate in Spain is steeped in history, this part of the world has a long tradition as a home to lots of cultures. Some twenty years ago you would find just a trickle of British people who are looking for properties in Spain. Just ask about anyone who has chosen to move to Spain and they’ll be sure to corroborate this. There’s many people who would will see it as a fairly insignificant craze and others will see it as a approximating to a fetish. People intent on migrating to this region range from young urban couples in search of a perspective to older people who intend to enjoy themselves and take it easy.

There might well be hindrances when trying to purchase properties overseas — there are, of course, 100s of disparate steps whether plotting, popping in or actually purchasing. If you only miss but a single procedure it is certain to bring about great hindrances not to forget, preeminently, monetary loss. As can be assumed with this popular location, properties could well be dear in this place and this, of course, is basically because of the steep demand. Regardless of this the patron is doubtlessly spoilt in terms of choice in such a part of the world so rich in shining countryside. It’s really got the whole shebang a patron could hanker after, and then some.

You can actually never predict what will happen to you and to your car each time you drive around the vehicle. Sometimes, despite regular maintenance and repair of your Jaguar, there still are times when problems decide to act up just as when you are in the middle of the highway or in the middle of a deserted road. However, keeping your calm and keeping yourself cool would give you the chance to be in control of the situation.

If you do encounter car trouble or an accident, try to pull over. Stay on the side of the road. Make sure that you are out of traffic’s way. However, also make sure that you are easily seen by other motorists once you have brought your vehicle to safety. As much as possible, do it quickly. Dallying could just make traffic situations worse especially if you are trying to move over the side of the road very slowly.

Automobile experts and traffic authorities suggest that you should avoid stopping on the left should if that is very much possible. That is plainly because you surely would not want to run across traffic if you need to go somewhere else - like to look for gas or a payphone. And once you stop on the side of the road, try not to get out. Remember that it is safer for you to stay inside rather than stand outside with the cars rushing by you.

If your car acts up during a night drive, try to stop underneath a street lamp. That way, you are very much visible to all who passes by. That would give you more safety and security and the chances of people seeing you stranded could also increase your chances of getting help.

And in any time that this happens to you, do not forget to turn on your car’s hazard lights.

Meanwhile, for any Jaguar parts needs, you can simply access Jaguar Parts and Jaguar Auto Parts. It has in its stock a wide range of specially crafted Jaguar parts for Jaguar vehicles like Jaguar 340 parts among others

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Michelle Crimson holds a degree in business administration. She is currently working as an editor in New Orleans, Louisiana. This 32 year old mother of two is also a car racing fanatic.

Emile Coué, the French psychotherapist once said: “When the
imagination and will power are in conflict, are antagonistic, it
is always the imagination which wins, without any exception.”
Then you can program yourself for success by understanding the
power of imagination.

Imagination builds cities. Imagination makes dreams come true.
Imagination will drive a lot of people to success, and you are a
part of it.

We know that imagination and rationalization don’t go each other
so well.

When you dream, the right hemisphere of the brain and your
subconscious mind are working and usually, you feel peace, you
see compelling pictures and you hear beautiful sounds. Success is
within your reach. But the problem is that the left hemisphere of
the brain is also working and usually tells you “you can’t do
that” or “it’s not for you” “You don’t deserve it” “what if I
tell my friends and family?” “You are crazy”.

The truth is that you are unique and your contribution is
important. You can make a difference and have success. High
achievers are only what you will become in a few years, aren’t
they?

There are some “tricks” I would say or some proven methods and
techniques to program yourself for success. The only and
necessary step to do that is to bypass your conscious mind. When
done, your subconscious mind takes it over. You can freely dream,
visualize yourself win the game of life. You turbo charge your
mind and you program yourself for success. This is how successful
people do and that’s what you will do from now!

The three components of the programming of your mind are
relaxation, visualization and affirmation.

1. Relaxation: the first key to mental programming for success.
As we start to relax our brain wave cycles start to slow down and
our brain would enter what is called the Alpha State in which the
conscious mind has effectively fallen asleep, and our
subconscious mind remains in control of our Autonomic Nervous
System. During relaxation, the mind relaxes, the body unwinds. It
is here where our thoughts slow down until they become so light
they begin to float. It is here that we are able to restore, re-
energize and empower ourselves and harness the power of the
subconscious mind to help create long-lasting change. Alpha state
is the gateway, the entry point that leads into the subconscious

2. Visualization: the second key to mental programming for
success.

Through relaxation you enter a state of creativity, essential for
your success. You can induce new thoughts and new beliefs to your
subconscious. And now you hold the image of what you really want
and act as if you already possess it. Remember, imagination rules
your lives, frightens you, excites you or undermines you.
Pictures make you worry or happy. Clear pictures, and rich
details, of what you really want is one of the critical factors
for your success.

3. Affirmations: the third key to mental programming for success.
You can induce new thoughts and new beliefs to your subconscious
by affirmations or suggestions. One of the power principles of
the subconscious mind is the compliance principle meaning that
part of the mind complies to where you direct him to go. In the
book, the one minute millionaire” from Robert Allen and Mark
Victor Hanson, one of the affirmations they encourage us to say
is “I walk like a millionaire, I act like a millionaire, I’m a
millionaire”. When you add feelings, it doubles or even triple
the result. Really believe what you’re inducing.

You can program yourself for success. It is all about using the
same tools and techniques that high achievers used. Relax,
visualize and affirm what you really want out of life. You can
win and you deserve to win. It is reserved only for those who
really want to go for it. Are you ready to take your personal and
professional life to a whole new level?

A new level of peace and congruency! This is what “Moving From
Vision To Action” is going to give you. Learn in this unique
ebook the ultimate secret to turn all your dreams into reality.
Because wholeness prepares you for true success, imagine a time
when you were calm, confident and prepare yourself to achieve all
the success you want. NOW! http://www.vision-to-action.com

Starting your own business is a great undertaking but running the day-to-day aspects of your business is the true challenge you will face as an entrepreneur. Do you find that the business you started to suit your lifestyle somehow taken over your life and home? If this sounds familiar, then your business is running you. Learn how to run your business again with these top five warning signs and helpful tips.

Stop Complaining And Take Control.
A common lament of the entrepreneur or SOHO business owner is if they knew then what they know now, they’d never have started their own business. The truth is that if they thought then about what they’re buried in now, the story may have been quite different. It’s never too late to take control. Here are five signals that your business is running you - with a quick tip to combat each.

1) You Find Yourself Ignoring Your Inner Voice.
You know, the one that keeps saying, “I’m too busy” or “I’m swamped”. Listen to your inner voice. It’s usually got a clearer handle on things. When you make a plan to change things you’ll feel more in charge. Clients entrust you with their business daily. Learn to respect yourself and your clients by delivering on your promises.

2) Your “Creative Space” Has Become Your Procrastination Pit.

Creative space is a great thing. It’s the zone where you develop and brainstorm new ideas. Next time you’re procrastinating, do something useful. Go for a walk. Make a call. Play with your children. Don’t acknowledge procrastination and it will cease to exist.

3) Hearing Your Cell Phone Ring Is Annoying.
The same goes for the other bells and beeps in your busy life like email or call waiting. These technologies are all very well, but you need to establish boundaries. Set-up reasonable times for your own life and stick to your decisions. Boundaries are only respected when people know they exist. Raise your boundaries and you’ll raise your standards.

4) You See Clients As Alien Invaders.
If you’re not relating well with clients, you’re probably not working with the right people. Getting clear on your ideal client is pivotal to creating a business you can love. Go through old records and note the characteristics and attributes of the people you enjoyed working with. How can you attract these types to your business? What do you need to change?

5)You’re Reading The Want Ads.
Let’s face it, not everyone can run their own business, but since you’ve read this far let’s assume you want to stick with it. First you need to acknowledge two simple facts: You’re only one person and you can’t do it all. Accepting this simple fact can be the key to formulating a new and productive business pattern.

Outsourcing As A Solution.
Sometimes the best solution is the obvious solution: hire more help. However as a small business owner, this may not be the best answer financially. Hiring an employee requires overhead. The solution is to hire an assistant but not an employee; hire a Virtual Assistant. By outsourcing, you can control costs and pay per task basis. Some of the things that can outsource include appointment setting, marketing, writing, web design, customer service and research.

Take Heed And Good Speed To You
So now that you know the warning signs, take note and heed them. By using our quick tips and in combination with outsourcing, you can gain control of your business, become more productive and be happier while running your business.

© Yvonne Thompson, Assistance For You All rights reserved. Permission is granted to use this article, as long as the entire article is posted and the “About the Author” section and all links remain intact.

About The Author
Yvonne Thompson owns and operates Assistance For You, a Virtual Assistant Support Service where our motto is: Run Your Business, Don’t Let It Run You! For more information visit http://Assistance-For-You.com

Google Inc. has launched a new software package that allows you to see satellite images on your desktop.

Google Earth lets you search for locations anywhere on earth and display 3D aerial images of major cities and tourist attractions. Google Earth is in development, but a free beta version is available for home users. Locations can be searched by address, intersections, cities, zip codes or countries and the images can be zoomed in close enough to see streets and buildings.

The images generated are 3D - you can rotate the view to see different sides of an object. You can navigate using a mouse or the keyboard, and view selectable layers to display information about local features such as roads, terrain, schools or golf courses.

Images of 38 US cities can be viewed from “the ground up” allowing you to see 3D representations of buildings and terrain. Measurement functions include distances between two locations, perimeters, radius and area.

Search results can be saved, printed and emailed. Driving directions can be automatically generated and you can trace the route using the “Play” button located underneath the directions tab.

Google Earth is based on technology from Keyhole Corp., a digital mapping company acquired by Google in 2004. The database that drives Google Earth is based on images from satellite and airplane photographs. The database is said to be “multi-terabytes” in size.

Google Earth is available in several versions. The free version is for personal use. Google Earth Plus costs $20 and integrates data from your GPS device. Google Earth Pro costs $400 and is designed for businesses who need a research and collaboration tool. Finally, there is Google Earth Enterprise Solutions for on-site deployment of Google Earth.

The technology behind Google Earth is not new, and smaller companies such as GlobeXplorer LLC have been offering 3D aerial views for several years. Google has the marketing clout, however, to bring the technology to the consumer level and integrate it into its advertising programs.

Users can search for local businesses and receive a viewpoint of 10 search results within a specified area. Clicking on a business listing brings up its address, phone number and driving directions.

Copyright 2005 by Ross MacIver

This article may be redistributed freely on the Internet or in ezines as long as the resource box and hyperlinks remain intact.

Ross MacIver is the director of Best Online Content. We provide quality content for your web site and offer a full range of design and SEO services.

There are many important steps to consider when developing a business plan for your company, but the first step is to fully understand the main uses of a business-plan. The four main uses of a business-plan are as follows:

• A Business Plan is a written document that you can use in your search for external financing.
• A Business Plan is a tactical planning and management tool for your business.
• A Business Plan is a document showing the capacity of your team to control and manage all the aspects of the company.
• A Business Plan brings you new ideas to refine your project by checking and estimating the induced hypothesis.

The necessity of Business Plans

The drafting or update of your business-plan is essential to the good management of your company. It can be used when searching for a business partner, for obtaining external financing, and for defining some stages of the development of your company, such as:

• The creation of your company.
• The launching of a new product.
• The establishment in a new market.
• The transfer, buy-out, or the structural development of your company.

Should you call in a consultant or write the Business Plan by yourself?

You should be the main (if not single) author of your business-plan, because the Business Plan is, so to speak, your own “baby”, it is a reflection of your personality; it is by this means that your investors will discover the person with whom they collaborate.

But your project may be too important and you may want to call in a consultant for help and consultation. Even so, you should stay in control of its development!

Tips for developing a quality business-plan.

1. To be credible, a business-plan must be coherent and each parameter in the Business Plan must be based on facts.

2. There are many methods to build Business Plans, but very few can help you correctly carry out reliable financial projections based on a preliminary commercial engineering and market study.

Indeed, one frequent mistake when building Business Plan’s is to first define the target in terms of market share, and then try to “find” the number of customers necessary to fill these objectives! This process should be reversed.

3. In addition, one essential point in a Business Plan is to define concrete policies and measures. This definition aims to gain a reasonable number of customers, based on a sufficient knowledge of the market. The quantitative estimate of this gain must be calculated on realistic monthly and annual increase rates. A well-founded pricing policy then makes it possible to estimate the sales turnover in the years ahead.

The calculation of the costs of the planned actions in your Business Plan are essential and make overall financial projections possible. In short, financial forecasts - including those related to the financing of the project - must be elaborated from the basic elements of the project. They should be proceeded by a commercial engineering study which projects a realistic estimate of sales.

4. In a Business Plan, the marketing plans as well as the financial forecasts require a basic understanding of how these important elements are calculated. You can use good software - some of which is free - to faciliate the development of your Business Plan.

5. The last point and certainly not the least significant: A Business Plan is never ended “once and for all”. A regular follow-up and comparison between the theoretical Business Plan and the reality of its execution are essential. You can then modify your Business Plan and adapt it to improve performance and achieve your goals.

About the Author:
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