Wednesday, November 30, 2011

National Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month

The internet opens up global business opportunities for the entrepreneur. Faster internet speeds save time and thus increase overall productivity.

High speed broadband internet can better facilitate virtual classrooms and interactive learning. The National Broadband Network will bring world class healthcare services into Australian homes. The use of internet technology in delivering health services is not new - broadband internet will only make tele-psychiatry, tele-radiology, patient monitoring and electronic, secure transmission of patient data.

Australia's National Broadband Network (The NBN) - What's It All About?


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;"NATIONAL RETURN SHOPPING CARTS TO THE;SUPERMARKET MONTH"

; February is recognized by Chases Calendar of Events 2011 as National Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month. The grocery store owner's shopping carts got stolen constantly (carts were priced between $75.00-$100.00 then).

; Nearly 2 million shopping carts are taken each year, with grocery store managers losing $8,000-$10,000 annually because of missing or stolen ones.

; In February of 1993, the California Shopping Cart Retrieval Corporation (CSCRC) was formed to offer a cost saving solution to cart retrieval, service, and maintenance problems. The Cart Anti-Theft Protection System (CAPS) developed by Cattronics in San Diego has electronic shopping cart wheels, a digital receiver, and a . Yes, having those milk crates is illegal.;

; Lost or stolen milk crates cost dairies thousands per week nationwide.

; Shopping cart and milk crate theft can end up causing increased food prices for us all. So in honor of National Return Your Shopping Cart to the Supermarket Month, even if it is a lengthy walk back to the carts, return yours, in February or any other month for that matter.

-Interview, Rufino Pineda, manager at the California Shopping Cart Retrieval Corporation.

-Interview, Tom Rogers, Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store Owner, Myrtle Beach, SC.

-Article, "Clean Up During Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month" at /P>

-Article, "February is National Return Shopping Carts Month" by Lori Piper on /P>

- Article "How to Observe National Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month" on

-Article, "Retailers using RFID and CAPS Technology to prevent Shopping Cart Theft" by Stephanie Overby on /P>

-Article, "Mystery Surrounds Stolen Milk Crates" by Beth Hillyer on /P>

-Article, "Stolen Milk Crates Feed Black Market" by Raquel Maria Dillion at /P>

-Article, "Return Milk Crates, Industry Says" by Jay Romano at /P>

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The History Behind Grandparents' Day

The History Behind Grandparents' Day

The initially Sunday just after Labor Day employed to be just an typical, ordinary day. Thanks to Marian McQuade of West Virginia, all that changed in 1978 when the initial national Grandparents' Day was celebrated. This one day a year has been set aside in America, and now Canada, to celebrate the important and lasting contributions senior citizens have on younger generations.

Although Grandparents' Day has been on the calendar for quite some time, its original tale dates back even further. The story of Grandparents' Day, in truth, began long just before the first national observance was held. McQuade, a coal miner's wife, began her quest to acquire national recognition for the contributions of senior citizens in 1970. She began her mission by gaining attention for the notion through church, civic and small business groups. Before too lengthy, she garnered the attention of Senator Jennings Randolph. By 1973, she had captured the imagination of West Virginia Governor Arch Moore, who declared a Grandparents' Day in his state.

Though acquiring state-level recognition only took 3 years, McQuade would face a larger challenge on the national level. Despite Randolph's help, a resolution to make the day of recognition did not make it out of committee in the United States Senate in 1973. While this may have shaken the resolve of an individual else, this was not the case with McQuade, a mother of 15 and grandmother of 40. She was undaunted.

To make confident the day came about, McQuade and her supporters began a national campaign. With aid from the media, men and women across the country began contacting politicians in each state. Letters went out to governors, congressmen, churches, firms and other organizations. By 1978, McQuade's efforts paid off and the initial Sunday right after Labor Day was declared a national holiday via a proclamation that was signed by President Jimmy Carter.

McQuade's vision was for Grandparents' Day to serve a number of important purposes. She wanted the holiday to, first and foremost, honor grandparents. She also envisioned this as a particular day for grandparents to devote time showing their adore for their grandchildren. The notion was to have an observance that would aid make certain children knew just how much older persons have to present them in regard to information, support, guidance and love.

Even though it was McQuade's quest to create a family members day with grandparents at the center of attention, she did not overlook other senior citizens in her plan. The day has a special focus on shut-ins and homebound elderly, as well. On Grandparents' Day, it is suggested that people go above and beyond to involve elders without having families in their own celebrations. McQuade suggested that people today with out their own grandparents "adopt" one to produce a lasting tie with. Foster Grandparent programs have given that sprung up to match seniors with youth for such purposes.

Grandparents' Day owes its existence to the perseverance and determination of a coal miner's wife from West Virginia. At this time, this national holiday has grown in recognition and continues to bring attention to the many contributions senior citizens have produced and continue to make.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Franchise - To Buy Or Not to Buy

Franchise - To Buy Or Not to Buy

Is a Franchise Suitable For You?

I have knowledge in a number of kinds of corporations including a couple of national franchises. Franchising is 1 that I suggest - in some circumstances. It's true that franchising increases your probabilities of success but - is it ideal for you? There has to be a beneficial fit for you and the franchiser simply because it will be a relationship. The door swings both approaches.

What Is a Franchise?

A franchise is a form of license a franchisee is given to allow them to have access to specific proprietary understanding, company procedures, processes and trademarks in order to allow the franchisee to sell a item or offer a service under the trade name. Usually in exchange for obtaining this privilege, you will be required to pay a franchise fee. There may possibly also be ongoing royalty fees and annual licensing fees.

Positive aspects to Acquiring a Franchise

Some of the way more obvious positive aspects to getting a franchise is initially of all you have access to an established brand name and so you have a jump at making oneself recognized. Also the danger of failure is much less given that other franchisees are working the method and surviving perhaps even thriving in the organization. The franchiser is required to disclose economic info on the parent corporation. By law you really should obtain a franchise offering circular that discloses info like legal problems, past and present, the agreement, and a list of existing owners (who you can call). One more certainly wonderful factor is the franchiser is relying on you to succeed and for a lot of reasons. Your good results is the franchiser's good results. Since when a franchiser has a history of success they'll be able to sell extra franchises and the franchise will enhance in value. Not only that but as is the case in a number of franchises the franchisers make cash on item sales to the franchisee. So you are not going into company alone, you are participating in a win - win scenario in a lot of situations.

1 indicator for me as to a franchise's strength is when there are many franchisees who own a lot more than one franchise. That shows that the guys that are in the business like the organization.

Also, a franchiser will frequently offer you coaching at their corporate workplace and/or yet another facility or maybe at a shop in operation exactly where you can get some on the job training.

There are other positive aspects too. Look a little closer and you'll see some key points that will support you succeed.

Some of the not so apparent advantages incorporate, (A) you have access to other franchisees that you can confer with when problems or concerns arise. You should certainly even check to see if there is a dealer association that assists with franchisee/franchiser relations and business enterprise choices that have an effect on the franchisees, (B) training entails teaching strategies that are confirmed to function, and (C) there are typically advertising cooperatives.

Disadvantages

As with something else in life there are drawbacks too.

Some disadvantages include franchise fees - a range that I have noticed can be from many thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands. Correct the fee covers the brand awareness advertising and marketing and business systems that have been attempted and confirmed to function and it at times covers the coaching that is done but it will not cover the expenses of obtaining to the corporate offices for coaching, hotels, meals, it will not cover the creating lease, remodeling, furniture & fixtures, computers and inventory, or employee hiring and coaching. And then of course you are unemployed when all this is going on - living expenses have to be figured in. It is all the extra costs that have to be paid for ahead of you get the initial paying customer. Also, there are generally ongoing franchise fees in the form of royalties on monthly gross sales - something around 5% to 15% in some circumstances. Take that ideal off the leading of the cash flow projection when you sit down to figure that out. If you have to acquire product it is typically a requirement of the franchise agreement that you obtain your item by means of the parent organization, you have no say over who you will acquire from in a lot of cases (unless there is a dealer association).

With any home business there will be the learning curve, factor it in and do as much as you can to 'foresee' scenarios in your industry. Just check out the organization, the history, the time in business enterprise and do your own projections based on your new information.

Final Analysis: Do not be sold, be certain.