According to Dale Yoder, incentive wages relate earnings to productivity and may use premiums, bonuses or a variety of rates to reward for superior performance. The incentive programs involve an attraction of extra payment for efficiency. An efficient program must provide for minimum guaranteed wage based on hourly rate and extra remuneration for increased output. In other words, an incentive program contains the characteristics of time based and output based systems of wage payment.

Sound incentive program must be easily understood. It should be acceptable to the employees. It must benefit employees as well as employer. It should not be costly to operate. It should stimulate the interest among the workers. It should assist in supervision.

There are two types of incentive programs: Halsey premium bonus plan and Bedeaux point premium plan. In Halsey premium bonus plan, a minimum time wage is guaranteed. The time allowed for completing the job is set from the records of previous performance rather than by time and motion studies. The amount of time saved multiplied by the hourly rate forms the sum that is shared between the worker and the owners according to the ratio agreed upon equally. Because of this fixed proportion of sharing bonus, Hasley’s plan can be called a constant bonus-sharing plan. The standard length of time for doing a job, not being derived through the use of time and motion study is usually greater than would be the case under more scientifically measured procedure.

Under Bedeaux’s point premium plan, the standard time for each job is fixed after undertaking time and motion study. The workers who are not able to or just able to complete the program within standard time are paid at the normal time rate. Those who are able to complete their work earlier are paid bonus equal to the wages for time saved. Generally, the bonus paid to the worker is 75 per cent of the wages for time saved. The remaining 25 per cent goes to the foreman.

Incentive Programs provides detailed information on Incentive Programs, Employee Incentive Programs, Corporate Incentive Programs, Safety Incentive Programs and more. Incentive Programs is affiliated with Pay Per Click Affiliate Programs.

[tags]Incentive Programs, Employee Incentive Programs, Corporate Incentive Programs, Safety Incentive Prog[/tags]

Apparently some International Terrorists have targeted our oil refining assets in the United States as potential targets. Perhaps is because they do not understand our great nation for what it is. Instead they see oil and wealth. This miss conception of what America is really about; Freedom and Liberty, has been perpetuated by radical Islamic power grabbing manipulators to incite terrorism. Unfortunately some sub-humans with extremely low I.Q.s have taken the bait.

I therefore propose that we assist these misguided individuals in their mission to meet their maker. They wish to die in a battle for Allah, so let us light up the Oil Refineries to more easily detect the intruders and then kill them dead. And let’s light up the Huge Refineries using alternative energy, just to prove we can, using the vibrational energy of the machinery and refinery itself. How so you ask?

By placing large 4′ X 8′ sandwich sheets with a taunt film on the vibrational side and small copper lined tubes; hundreds of these tubes running perpendicular to the sheets, with magnets inside bouncing back and forth. These magnets will charge a capacitor and be hooked up to an LED lighting system using fiber optics or reflectors, each one hooked up to a .2 to .5 watt light. With hundreds of thousands of lights hooked up in a composite format it will light up the refinery without the light pollution associated with streetlights, stadium lights or in large cities.

Currently this technology is being used in those little flashlights you see advertised on television that you shake and they light, but you never need batteries. This idea of lighting up the refineries and oil assets is using that technology on a larger scale with miniaturized parts making up the guts between the sandwich sheets. Let there be light, thru vibrational energy and there was. Think on it.

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

[tags]security perimeter, oil refineries, oil assets, vibrational energy, lights[/tags]

Surfing Safely in Starbucks…

A few months ago I met with a group of Internet professionals, all of us sporting laptops with wireless connections to the hotel’s access point. On the second day of the conference, one of the attendees put up a slide on the overhead showing logins and passwords from a dozen of the attendees. Needless to say, many jaws dropped open.

He was running a “sniffer” program that anyone can download to spy on the internet traffic floating around in the air. Fortunately, he was a trusted colleague, and was nice enough to tell us that we were caught with our virtual pants down.

Wifi Safety Tips

First, be aware that (almost) ANYTHING that you type or any info that appears on your screen while you’re using a wireless connection can be seen by others nearby. If you are accessing a page that requires a login and password, or if you are entering ANY personal data (credit card, SSN, etc) make sure that you are on a secure site. That’s easy enough — just check that the web address begins with https instead of the usual http — and your information will be safely encrypted before transmission. As long as you’re on a page with an address that begins with https, the data you send and receive is protected from sniffers and snoopers.

But be on your guard, some web-based email providers have a secure login page, but after you’re logged in the access reverts to normal non-encrypted mode. So any email you send or receive while on a wireless connection is out in the clear. Google’s GMail and Yahoo Mail are examples of webmail services that work this way. Until recently Hotmail didn’t even offer a secure login option. So look for the link or checkbox for the secure login when accessing your web-based email. If your service doesn’t offer one, consider switching or decide to live with the security exposure.

Oh, and there are the “shoulder surfers” to watch out for. Just like when you’re entering your PIN code at an ATM, you need to keep an eye open for anyone who might be glancing over your shoulder while you hunt and peck in the airport or coffeeshop. I always use two fingers when entering my pin or password… one presses the correct key and other is a decoy. So even if someone was watching from across the street with binoculars, it’s almost impossible to steal a password.

And beware of the Evil Twins! The Internet Patrol warns of a scam where a hacker may put up a bogus copy of the wi-fi hotspot’s login page. Learn how to stay safe from this attack by reading this helpful article: http://www.aunty-spam.com/wifi-hotspot-evil-twins-mimic-wi-fi-hotspots-and-steal-your-data

Securing Your Wireless HOME Network

Do you have a wireless laptop and router at home? You may be providing free internet access to your neighbors, or opening your system to drive-by hackers. Don’t miss my article on securing your wireless home network, here: http://www.askbobrankin.com/wireless_security.html

BOB RANKIN… is a tech writer and computer programmer who enjoys exploring the Internet and sharing the fruit of his experience with others. His work has appeared in ComputerWorld, NetGuide, and NY Newsday. Bob is publisher of the Internet TOURBUS newsletter, author of several computer books, and creator of the http://LowfatLinux.com website. Visit Bob Rankin’s website for more helpful articles and free tech support.

[tags]wi-fi, wifi, wireless, hotspot, security, privacy, hacker[/tags]

As more and more markets became buyer markets and the entrepreneurial problem became one of solving the shortage of customers rather than that of goods, the sales concept became the dominant idea guiding marketing. The sales concept maintains that a company cannot expect its products to get picked up automatically by customers. That’s where the role of sales incentive programs comes in. The company has to consciously push its products. Aggressive advertising, high-power personal selling, large scale sales promotion, heavy price discounts and strong publicity and public relations are the normal tools used by organizations that rely on this concept. In actual practice, these organizations do not enjoy the best customer patronage.

For sales incentive programs to be effective, it is very important to design sales territories. A sales territory is a geographical grouping of customers and prospects. Accordingly, designing sales territories in effect means the division of the total marketing area into a number of territories with the objective of servicing the territory effectively, economically and profitably. Two methods are commonly employed in designing sales territories: the equal workload method and the equal potential method.

Equal workload method aims at equalizing the workload of all salesmen. The territories are formulated so that they are equal in workload rather than in potential. The workload is considered in terms of the time required for the salesman to service all the accounts in his territory. On the other hand, equal potential method starts on the basis that the productivity of a salesman varies depending on the potential of the territory.

Proper designing of sales territories brings several benefits to the firm. It facilitates effective planning, as well as control of marketing operations since a properly designed sales territory is a more homogeneous area. Market data is more meaningful when collected and applied at the territory level. Moreover, when the total area is broken up into a number of well-designed territories, control of the marketing effort and evaluation of performance become easier.

Incentive Programs provides detailed information on Incentive Programs, Employee Incentive Programs, Corporate Incentive Programs, Safety Incentive Programs and more. Incentive Programs is affiliated with Pay Per Click Affiliate Programs.

[tags]Incentive Programs, Employee Incentive Programs, Corporate Incentive Programs, Safety Incentive Prog[/tags]

While companies constitute the bulk of people who use the services of background checking specialists, others include:

* folks considering business dealings with another company or individual

* landlords screening tenants

* parents screening daycare providers and babysitters

* homeowners hiring landscapers/cleaning personnel/contractors (anyone with access to their homes)

* parents who want to check out Delaney’s mom & dad before Friday’s slumber party

* singles who want to make sure their partner is who he/she says they are

Just as there are those who think that these screenings aren’t necessary, there are just as many who wish they had questioned the background of someone in their life. Criminals are good at lying and deceiving and the average Joe cannot even conceive what’s in that criminal’s mind. It only takes the restaurant valet a few minutes to make copies of your keys and the address on your vehicle’s registration. The teenager who sits on Saturday night may have been convicted for a sexual crime but because he/she is a minor, the case was sealed. What’s worse is there may not have been a conviction because of a plea agreement. A parent needs to know either way.

We tend to only consider our safety when crime happens to someone close to us. No one is suggesting paranoia because the likelihood of something bad happening is slim, yet everyone can agree that we need to be more aware and take nothing for granted. You’re not being “nosy” or over-stepping your bounds. Protecting yourself and the ones you love is your right and your duty.

Cynthia M. Barnes is principal of Barnes Information Services, LLC, a Metro Detroit-based Business Research and Consultancy firm. She has over 15 years of experience in conducting Internet and online database research, including a specialization in public records retrieval.

[tags]background screening,investigate,criminal,child abuse,security,background check,pedophile[/tags]

We think we are safe. We never think anything will happen to
us at a trade show. Fortunately it seldom does, but when it
does it can be distareous.

WHAT TO DO?
Accidents happen quickly. You cannot plan but you can be
prepared. Here are 7 TIPS to consider when attending any
event in a large venue -

BE AWARE OF WEATHER PATTERNS -
Tornadoes are rare in Utah, but it happened. Who expected
the levees to break in New Orleans? Heat waves, droughts,
hurricanes, wildfires and floods are more prevalent this year
in the US. Weird weather can happen anywhere in the world.

KNOW WHERE THE EXITS ARE -
You check them on the plane and the hotel. But when was
the last time you seriously looked for the exits at the trade
show facility. Close your eyes - do you have a mental map
of how to get from your space to at least two exits. Why two
exits? One may be blocked.

KNOW ENERGENCY INFORMATION -
No sense in calling 911 if you don’t know exactly where you
are. Make sure everyone on your staff has correct
information about your location - hall, space number for the
trade show. Name and address of off-site venues -
restaurants, etc.

KNOW CPR and AED -
As medical devices become easier for the general
population to use, it helps to know CPR - Cardio Pulmonary
Resuscitation -
http://depts.washington.edu/learncpr/quickcpr.html
Also have a general understanding of AED - Automated
External Defibrillators. Increasingly you will see AEDs in
airports and public venues. Your Red Cross chapter
teaches both.

CHECK FOR EMERGENCY INFO -
It’s boring but read the emergency info in the hotel. Check
the Exhibitor’s Manual for details, venue floor plan and who
to call.

GET A MAP -
When you are off the floor, it helps to have a map so you
know where you are in relation to major intersections, your
hotel, the venue, restaurants. You don’t want the taxi that
takes you on a road trip through the city for the restaurant
five blocks away. Read the map before you go and keep it in
your pocket.

TRUST YOUR GUT -
When in doubt, get out. You have intuition for a reason - trust
your gut feeling. It is always right whether dealing with
people or situation.

Julia O’Connor - Speaker, Author, Consultant - writes
about practical aspects of trade shows. As president of
Trade Show Training, inc,, now celebrating its 11th
year, she works with companies in a variety of
industries to improve their bottom line and marketing
opportunities at trade shows.

Julia is an expert in the psychology of the trade show
environment and uses this expertise in sales training
and management seminars. Contact her at
804-355-7800 or check the site
http://www.TradeShowTraining.com

[tags]safety, trade shows, danger, planning, exits, intuition[/tags]

I’ve been in the supply/retail industry for some 15 years now, however until recently had never heard the term Lanyard. During the process of setting up my company, and still occasionally today when discussing my company’s business activities, I’m still asked “what’s a lanyard?”

Now, everyone knows what a lanyard is, they just don’t know it by name. Described as a neck strap, security strap, ID strap, ID cord etc everyone has seen then, a large portion of us have worn them, and most of us have, in some way been advertised to, by them.

Described in my copy of the Oxford dictionary as a ‘cord worn round the neck or the shoulder, to which a knife etc. may be attached’. The uses for lanyards has gone well beyond that singular description, and although there are still a variety of end uses, in commercial terms the two primary reasons are for identification or promotion.

Used by conferences, trade shows, event staff, or staff of medium to large companies, lanyards are used to attach a myriad of styles of credentials holders. For promotional campaigns the lanyard can be fitted with many differing attachments and accessories including key rings, crocodile clips, snap hooks, Dog clips, carabineers, mobile phone holders, bottle holders, bottle openers etc.

The reason for supplying a lanyard, (as a give a way or for means of security), together with the functional aspect of the attachments, makes them a commonly wanted, required and used item.

In addition to this however, customizing a lanyard with your organizations unique message and/or logo, together with your own design specifications and color scheme, will provide additional advertising that will be seen repeatedly by both the wearer and those in their company, due to the practical nature and therefore constant usage of the lanyard.

Lanyards are manufactured from many different materials, and depending on the level of detail required, the intended market and the expected usage, it is crucial to choose the correct product for your design. Materials range from the less costly imprinted polyester, the harder wearing silk woven style or the very specialized heat transfer option. Each option should be discussed in detail with your supplier to ensure that your specific needs are met.

This article was written by Scott Fleming, Sales Director of Lanyards Plus, based in Vancouver, Canada.
For more information and visual images relating to the content of this article please navigate to the following web site: http://lanyards-plus.ca

[tags]Lanyards,Neck Straps,Customized,Promotional,Security,[/tags]

Do you remember that day? Perhaps it was your first job interview. Perhaps you were speaking to a group for the first time. Maybe you were starting a challenging new career or meeting a special person for the first time. Your throat became dry and your knees wanted to shake.

You were about to leave a place of mental and emotional safety. You were putting your skills on the line and taking a risk. If you were successful, there could be great reward. However, self-doubt was trying to discourage you.

Confidence is essential in our lives; without it, we will not make the first attempt to do what we really want. Confidence allows us to move forward despite temporary discouragement. So where does confidence come from, and how can we become and remain confident? Here are seven actions that will help to develop unshakable confidence.

1. Expand Your Knowledge

Gaining new skills for any endeavor - personal or career - is the first step toward confidence. Identify key areas where you need more confidence to be successful. Then expand your knowledge by taking courses, reading books, and attending learning events. Tele-classes are enjoyable and convenient for learning and discussing ideas with a peer group. Continuous learning is essential for maintaining a high level of confidence.

2. Experience Small Successes

Confidence also comes from experiencing small daily successes. They are like rewards for putting knowledge into action. They may not be the final goal. Yet they are important. Even a pat on the back from a colleague or a compliment for a job well done will boost a person’s level of confidence. Keep track of each small success you experience. You will begin to feel your confidence grow day by day.

3. Exercise Passionate Faith

Confident people have faith that the Creator has a special plan for their lives. They appear to know inherently that when they follow this plan, they will be successful. If you want to achieve something, you absolutely must believe that it is possible for you. You must believe firmly in your potential. A passionate faith will lead you to find and follow that purpose.

4. Enable Firm Resolve

There will be disappointments and set backs. It is natural to become discouraged at times. However, disappointments are not the end of the road if we view them as learning tools.

Faith in your abilities will lead you past discouragement into a firm resolve. Resolve overcomes obstacles because it displays patience. Instead of giving up, you will meet challenges by continuing through difficult times. Keep your mind on your intended outcome, not on the obstacles. Think of reasons why you can, not reasons why you cannot.

With time, talents develop and abilities grow. Then you will get a taste of what is possible — a measure of success that leads you forward with enthusiasm. Enthusiasm keeps you fired up to achieve more of those small daily successes.

5. Enlist Expert Help

Enlist the help of experts in areas where you need more confidence. Experts can be found though books, articles, videos, seminars, or via a phone call. A professional coach will help you stay focused on your objectives and hold you accountable for taking the necessary actions to complete your plans.

Confidence also attracts more confidence. Experts will support your plans and offer to help you in tremendous ways if you are enthusiastic and believe in your goals. Moreover, when you show confidence in others, they will show confidence in you.

6. Envision Confidence

Envisioning confidence begins to make confidence real in your experience. Imagine how you will feel and act if you already had the confidence you need for a specific situation. See yourself in your mind’s eye, acting with courage and conviction. Hold that picture in your mind, and your vision will start to become real.

7. Expect to be Confident

Expectation is faith in action. Now that you have imagined how confidence will feel, act as if you were already confident. Move assuredly and energetically as you go for your goals. You are now seeing, feeling, and acting in a confident manner. You will achieve what you expect. Expect to be confident, and you will become confident.

Give yourself time to increase your confidence by using these actions during the next several months. Get a sheet of paper now and write down how you will apply each of these actions. They can make a tremendous difference by allowing you to move more quickly and assuredly toward your objectives. Today, you can begin developing an unshakable confidence that will bring you joy and success in every area of your life.

© Copyright 2005 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional success coach who assists individuals to achieve their objectives and lead joyous confident lives. Get Steve’s popular ezine, Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, bringing inspirational and motivational nuggets to help you achieve more in your career and personal life. Visit http://www.AchieveEzine.com

[tags]confidence,emotional safety,knowledge,success,faith,resolve,expert help[/tags]

July 29, 2006

Almost two months ago, when European Union Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana presented an incentives package to Iran to encourage the Islamic Republic to curb its nuclear activities, I wrote a column questioning what, if anything, the world community would do in the event that Iran rejected the proposal. In that column, I argued that Iran, in responding that the package of incentives required further study, was probably stalling for time while it continued its program without international oversight.

Responding to the August 22nd date put forth by the Iranian government for a formal reply to the package, many countries, including the United States and Great Britain, declared the date unacceptable, citing a maximum period of weeks, rather than months, for Iran to agree to suspend the enrichment of uranium and join in multilateral talks about its nuclear future.

However, the international community, in the form of the United Nations, has been unable to reach an agreement on the course of action to be pursued in order to press Iran on its nuclear ambitions. We are now at the end of July and the only thing that has been accomplished to date is a draft resolution requiring Iran to suspend uranium enrichment activities by the end of August or face possible sanctions. Iranian state radio is already reporting that such a resolution will be rejected and Iran will not be subject to international demands.

In setting a deadline, the members of the Security Council are seeking to send the message that they are united and they are serious. But as history has repeatedly shown us, rarely are the five permanent members of the Council anything close to resembling united, or serious.

Time and again, the United States, Great Britain, China, France and Russia find themselves at odds over competing economic and security interests. Just the threat of a veto can stall action and prevent a matter from ever coming to a vote before the Council. Consensus on serious matters is seldom achieved, and I expect more of the same with regard to the Iranian nuclear program.

There is little reason to expect the Iranian regime to accept the proposal to stop their nuclear agenda. The leadership in Tehran knows what everyone else knows, that there is little likelihood of any meaningful sanctions coming out of the Security Council, and there is absolutely no possibility of a resolution authorizing military action against Iranian nuclear facilities.

Which brings us back to the original question. What if Iran rejects the package of incentives and continues its uranium enrichment program, effectively telling the rest of the world to mind its own business and stop infringing on Iran’s national rights?

The United Nations will inevitably bog down in its own incompetence and no significant agreement among the permanent members will be reached. A nuclear-armed Iranian regime is a threat to the entire region, a threat that Israel cannot ignore. Will Prime Minister Olmert authorize a strike similar to the Israeli attack on Iraqi nuclear facilities at Osirak in 1981? Even if he wanted to, he would probably be restrained by the United States government in the interest of preventing further destabilization in the area.

Will the United States and Great Britain take matters into their own hands, either through sanctions or military action? Independently enforced sanctions are probably a safe bet, but direct military action is not likely. The Anglo-American alliance is working diligently with the Iranians in an attempt to quell the violence in Iraq by putting pressure on the Shiite militias that are engaging in the recent surge in sectarian fighting.

While the United States and England are certainly capable of executing a military strike against Iranian targets, despite concerns about their commitments in Afghanistan and Iraq, such a use of force would do more to increase tensions in the Middle East than it would to alleviate those tensions. A military strike would only add to the anti-American and anti-British sentiment in a region already torn apart by hatred and violence.

The end result is likely to be some form of accommodation on the nuclear program, with a promise of additional influence on Iraqi Shiites from the Iranian regime, along with some form of international monitoring of Iranian nuclear progress. In exchange, western nations will fulfill their pledges in the incentives package, including easing current sanctions, assisting with WTO membership, and upgrading the Iranian air fleet.

That will set the stage for more negotiations and more concessions from both sides. But in the end, I fear that we will see a radical regime dedicated to the destruction of Israel and a sworn enemy of the United States in possession of nuclear weapons. As long as the international community lacks the will to come together in the face of real threats, we should all be concerned about what happens if Iran says no.

[tags]Iran, Security Council, United Nations[/tags]

Welding is much more than taking two joints and soldering them together. It’s a precise trade that requires proper training and education to perform safely and accurately. There’s nothing “simple” about welding and, in fact, it can be quite a dangerous undertaking. Considering this, welding safety, including proper gear such as welding helmets, is vital for getting the job done right.

The process of welding is especially dangerous for the eyes. This is so for several reasons, including the brightness of the arc, the ultraviolet and infrared rays it emits and the fact debris can sometimes fly loose. Inasmuch, no smart welder gets started without a good helmet.

Knowing you need a welding helmet and choosing one that’s appropriate for you can be two different things. The sophistication of the helmet needed will, of course, depend on the type of welding being done and how often you need it. If you just need to do a solder once in a while, a basic helmet will do. A pro, however, will likely want a more sophisticated piece of protection.

Here are some features to look for in a helmet:

* Comfort. A welding helmet should be comfortable to wear and lightweight. If it’s not comfortable, or reasonably so, it can get in the way of the job, which can lead to accidents.

* It should be easy to use. A helmet should not be so difficult to use that welders try to avoid them or go without them when making a solder.

* Visibility. Being able to see what you’re doing while working a weld is vitally important. The helmet should not block all fields of vision.

* Degree of protection. Welding shields must block ultraviolet rays to be considered effective. These are not sunglasses and the arc you’re dealing with won’t even begin to compare to a 100-watt light bulb! They should also block infrared wavelengths.

The type of helmet necessary will depend on the job being done and the kind of weld being made. Depending on the materials, lung protection might also be needed as some fumes created during the welding process are toxic. There are some other features welders can look for in a helmet to help them with more advanced jobs. They include:

* Auto-darkening helmets. These are great for shop situations where being able to see more clearly when the arc hasn’t been struck is important, but taking a helmet on and off isn’t always practical.

* Solar and battery powered helmets. These help control the auto darkening features on some helmets and some other processes as well. Either is suitable, as long as a solid helmet is chosen.

* Fixed and variable shades. The fixed offers a single darkness factor on the shade, the variable allows different settings to be chosen.

* Other features in helmets can include: adjustability to make it easier for a person who wears glasses to find a comfortable fit, sensor bars to assist in determining when a helmet’s features should be automatically turned on, curved shields and so on.

The key to welding and doing it safely is to not only understanding the process and the equipment, but to also have a good helmet. The helmet is vital for protecting the eyes and the face from harmful light rays, burning and flying debris.

http://www.weldinghelmetsite.com

[tags]welding, welding helmet, welding safety[/tags]