Category: Business

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Promotional Products

One aspect I really love about my job is that I attend trade shows and other tabling opportunities where I can advertise what I sell. I get to order promotional products to give away with our company name and logo on them. It’s easy now that you can go online and place an order and much quicker than it used to be to receive the items. One item I have found that I really like are key tags with logo. There are also promotional bags and luggage tags and sunglasses. I have found that people just love picking up a small give away when they visit your table and they take something home with your company name on it!

I enjoy meeting and talking with people at these trade shows and events. I hope that when they look at the gift they’ve received when they get back to work or home they will remember me and what I told them about my company and what I sell. Hopefully, I’ll make some friends and customers at these events.

It can often be long hours and much standing at these trade shows. It is best to have someone with you so that you do not leave your booth unattended for breaks. It is best to stand outside your table area so you are in front to speak with people. It’s necessary to wear comfortable shoes. You can sometimes tire of giving your short elevator speech but after awhile it will be easier for you to deliver. All in all, trade shows can be fun and are a great way to get your company name and product out there.

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Black Friday Drama

This year I was glad to see that some people became vocal about their objections to employers requiring them to work odd hours because of Black Friday. If you have ever worked retail, you know that most stores open earlier on the day after Thanksgiving, hoping to make extra money on the first day of serious Christmas shopping.

The problem with them being open on the extra hours is that the employees have to sacrifice sleep and their home life to come into work at insane hours. Can you imagine being a single mom who just knocked herself out cleaning house and cooking all day on Thanksgiving, then having to get up at midnight to go into work early? How does that woman even find daycare at that time of night?

Some employees went to the press this year and protested that having to report to work at midnight was a hardship on them. I feel badly for the people who were scheduled to work the opening shift at any store on Black Friday.

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Free eCards

A friend of mine in San Francisco is involved with this green company. Her name is Camilla Eriksson. She is a talented illustrator and graphic designer.

When you send the eCards for special occasions like birthdays, sponsors make donations to different nonprofit organizations. Its worth checking out and helping people if you like what you see.

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New Summer Salad

Last night I made this new pasta salad recipe I found.  I was hesitant at first but one the dressing was added to the pasta and veggies it was in one word, amazing.  The dressing was considerably involved with a ton of ingredients but once they were all blended it made for a creamy, yet zesty dressing.  Again, it was amazing.

The name of the salad was actually what intrigued me because it was based off of a salad served at one of my favorite restaurants. The pasta salad is called “Hooter’s Pasta Salad.”  For a chain restaurant I did not expect to have the salad be so elaborate in seasoning. The pasta used was also what made it special.  The tri-colored vegetable pasta is what is called for.  This kind of pasta absorbs the dressing well.  I highly recommend this salad at the next family or friends BBQ. It is sure to be a huge hit!

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Pool Time

Summertime is quickly approaching and I have been dreaming about investing in a pool.  Water is very therapeutic and the thought of owning my own is becoming increasingly more difficult from year to year.  All of the catalogs advertise pools and pool supplies.  They make the pools look very appetizing.  The price on pools over the last few years has come down quite a bit.  I particularly have noticed the price on above ground pools has been reduced.

If I have to invest in a pool this year I do believe I will invest in an above ground pool.  They can be just as relaxing and enjoyable for all who come over to my place to BBQ. Many of my friends have above ground pools.  I can especially make the pool more appealing by landscaping the surrounding pool with flowers and a patio set.  I am very excited over the possibility that I might be floating in a nice turquoise blue pool with a cool drink in my hand and the sun providing me with an excellent tan.

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Ice Sculptors

Recently, while flipping through the TV channels I found this really cool new show.  It is called Chainsaw Ice Sculptors.  They are some really talented people.  This has to be one of the more dangerous hobbies to have.

The artists on this show are very detailed oriented and create some really elaborate sculptures.  The sculpture they were
creating on this episode involved creating a horse and carriage with flowers frozen inside it.  These artists do multiple weddings and functions.  I imagine the price for these creations is scaled fairly high.  The labor and skill involved is quite great and they earn every penny! I think it would be pretty neat to have one of these sculptures at one of my BBQs.  I will have to see if there is a local artist who does this kind of work.  The biggest worry will be the warm weather and the risk of having it melt too soon.  Either way it would be the hit of the party for a while.

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Extra Coverage

Lately, I have been considering extended coverage on my vehicles.  Most are not brand new so their original extended warranty has run out.

Automobiles cost a great deal of money to repair nowadays.  Sometimes it is not a bad idea to protect yourself and your vehicle by keeping track of your auto warranty.  Often times I have seen the cost of a car repair be far more expensive then the cost of the warranty.  Therefore, purchasing the warranty was wroth it in the end even though it is usually a large sum up front.

Tomorrow I believe I will research a car warranty for at least one of my vehicles and then see if they can get me a deal on the rest of my vehicles.  If I buy in bulk maybe I can really save some money in the long run.  Vehicles are not build like they used to be and so the only way to ensure that your ride is going to cruise along for a while longer is to put some money up front on warranties.

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Goldylocks

Gold has been around for thousands of years.  Just recently, I heard on the news that the demand for gold is increasing.  I especially saw this happening in the state of California.  The price of gold is on the rise.

The anchor on the evening news suggested that people start buying and stocking up on gold over cash.  According to the anchor the gold price is going to be worth ten times more than the monetary value of currency.  I am very surprised over this but I guess things change.

After hearing this news I think I will plan a trip to California and join the gold rush.  Perhaps I will strike some excellent gold prices and than be able to put it away for the future.   I have bever been to California so this will be a much needed vacation.  Let lady luck be with me or it is going to be a very sad trip home!

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Nostalgic Favorite

The Kodak Company has been around for many many years.  Their products have proven to be very good quality and reliable.  I have purchased a few Kodak products in my day.  They have never steered me wrong.

This is one reason when I was in the market to purchase my Mother a new printer I decided I was going to purchase a Kodak printer.  I went onto the Internet and searched for Kodak printers.  Naturally I found the Kodak website.  I was very impressed and saw the large variety of  Kodak ink.  The prices were also quite reasonable for the Kodak printer ink.  Surprisingly, their prices were less then what I have seen in the department stores.

Usually I have a difficult time with picking out ink cartridges but not this time.  The Kodak website proved to have just what I needed for Kodak ink cartridges.  I was relieved since I would hate to give someone, especially my mother a new printer without any ink!  She is just going to love this printer!

 

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Early Weather Noise

While I was catching up on paying some bill today I heard the strangest noise.  It sounded just like a loud truck had backed up to my house and was left idling.  I stopped what I was doing and listened.  It was so weird because nothing was outside of my house.  I went to the window to check and nothing was there.

I proceeded with the check I was writing when I heard it again.  Now I had just about had enough because it had happened more than once.  So I decided to open the window this time in the office and listen.  I finally remembered the weatherman this morning mentioning the possibility of a thunder storm.  I was so surprised!  It was only the month of April and there is still snow on the ground!  The conditions were just right for some continuous claps of thunder.  It was daytime so I was not able to see any lightning and that was what through me for a loop.  I guess this means summer is sure to follow in a few months!