UND-Pilsa Blog

Setting Up for live wedding music is just one of about a hundredjobs facing brides and grooms and wedding planners. Between flowers, photographers, venues, gowns, showers, rings, video, and more, even a modest and subdued wedding needs a great amount of designing. It can be a trying time because if even one of these areas falls through the cracks, your big day can end up being a big disappointment.

Here are five secrets to employing live wedding instrumentalists for your ceremony and reception:

1. Make a point to you hire a musician with a tested track record of professionalism. Does the handler return your phone calls promptly? Does the band have a internet site? Business cards? Other promotional materials? Or do you get the sense you’re speaking to a guy rehearsing in his garage with his pals? The way the band represents itself as you begin talking with them is a honest indicator of how they’ll show up (or not!) on your wedding day.

2. Punctuality is important. When you set an appointment to meet in person or on the phone, it’s like a mini-contract. If the band handler is late to meet with you, it’s a discouraging sign that they don’t take their agreements seriously. If they can’t come through on time in the planning phase, what other arrangements will they fail with you on your wedding day? This extends on to you, likewise - being timely is just one way you can live a life that displays that you honor your commitments.

3. Make certain the band is easy-going rather than being a bunch of divas. By now you’ve likely heard a million Bridezilla jokes, even if you’re not exacting or extreme. Imagine employing the equal in flakiness for your wedding band. The last thing you need on your wedding day is to have to wait on your musicians hand and foot, bringing them food and drink, having the thermostat set for them, or catering to other demanding wants. The greatest band for you is one that can take care of itself, one that’s easy to get along with, and one that does all it can to make sure your day is effortless and fun for you.

4. Book a wedding band that’s fun. Getting hitched is one of the deepest choices you’ll ever make. It’s serious business. The music on your wedding day should be beautiful and fun. You don’t want to see your guests oblivious, groggy, and wishing the event was over. You want them up, dancing, singing, and smiling. If you select a live wedding music band well, your choice will do lots to make your wedding day unforgettable in a great way. This is the big day you’ve been looking for, and music is such a important part of it. Be sure you book a band that makes the day idyllic - gratifying for you and your guests.

George Pollis is the handler and a musician with Reel Ting Steel Drum Band. For a professional, timely, easy-going, talented, and fun live wedding music band, check into Reel Ting at http://www.reelting.com.

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Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was founded in the mid seventies and to begin with the firm’s focus was in leveraged buyouts. Pushing beyond, in an exceptional attempt to make the companies in their portfolio more ecologically friendly, they have rolled out a remarkable green proposal which has transformed the way business concerns and environmental activists function.

When Henry Kravis from KKR and the non-profit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) got together only a year ago green matters suddenly turned into a mainstream concern. They was forged to oppose many important issues damaging the ecology of the earth, such as resource depletion, air pollution, irresponsible consumption of water resources, and hazardous emissions. Eco-efficiency (a phrase originally promoted by the WBCSD) is the routine used to achieve these goals, by using techniques such as increasing the durability of products, fuel economy and reducing the waste of resources. Efficient though it was the KKR and EDF did not grasp the totality of the program’s benefits until Ken Mehlman, the head of the program and global public affairs, evaluated the program when it had been in operation for a year. Much to everyone’s surprise, Ken saw that using eco-efficiency not only assisted in proctecting the local environment, but also increased the the net profit from each and every business as well. At the time of writing, KKR and Ken Mehlman have virtually all of their companies engaged in eco-efficiency. Considering that this group of business concerns has a value of virtually $100 billion dollars, you can see what an achievement this actually is. The Green Portfolio project has developed beyond its initial remit and nowadays includes new ventures. The Climate Corps Program set up by the Environmental Defense Fund is a good illustration of this, it raises awareness of cost-effective, earth friendly procedures to MBA interns. KKR and Ken Mehlman have been formulating a variety of metrics and other relevant products that have the ability to oversee various resources. Products like these permit management to assess their progress and identify any underlying issues.

Henry Kravis, the KKR, and the Environmental Defense Fund are innovators in the business world. These innovations have simplified the process for businesses in any industry and established that making profits need not entail the hefty price of damaging the environment.

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One of the largest of the North American independent service providers managing club initiatives is a business by the name of Trilegiant. Through these schemes, guided by Nathaniel Lipman, its President/CEO, the firm employs its power and experience to team up with a range of brands, dental, retail, entertainment, health, and customer protection services — in order to ensure you feel secure in your purchase. This business isn’t unknown by any means. First opening over three decades ago, Trilegiant hails from Norwalk, Connecticut and can now boast eight locations spread across six states supporting a 3000 strong workforce on hand to help any client. At the time of writing, they provide services to upwards of twenty five million clients spread across America.

The reputation of Lipman’s company stems from risk free innovations, enabling clients to make savings and buy high quality services. To give one example, the Buyers Advantage initiative gives members access to cheaper insurance on extended warranties, return guarantees, and the cost of repairs, thus ensuring their assurance as regards their acquisition. Trilegiant also, of course, offer other programs including HealthSaver — which offers affordable healthcare with no drop in quality — just to take one example.

You might find that it’s those times when it turns its attention to the community that Trilegiant really impresses. Individual events coming from inside the firm by even small-scale collections of staffers often generate charitable donations of tens of thousands of dollars in only five days — the result of a devotion not to be sniffed at. Another way they try to be of service is through research analysis. As you’re aware, year to year privately owned companies and the government of the United States of America put together a notable amount of hard data. Trilegiant combs this data with diligence to pick out major problems and then considers how to change them for the better. For example, the total number of traffic collisions in America in a given year is several million strong. Nobody intends for their own motorbike to play a part in these statistics, especially on the more serious side, and since 2007 Autovantage car club members have received copies of the business’s annual road rage data. To enhance your safety, the collated information and useful tips these factsheets contain are intended to ensure you’re aware of danger signs ahead of time.

Taking care of your subscribers and the community you’re part of is wise, even if most businesses don’t accept it; Trilegiant is proud to count itself as one of the companies in the know. Providing programs innovated to enhance members’ purchasing experiences and genuine dedication to charitable goals they demonstrate heart is in the right place. They’re exactly what you’d dream of from a community based company.

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Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was set up by Henry Kravis and his business partner George Roberts in the mid 70’s with the support of the First Chicago Corporation. However, hoping to make the companies in their portfolio greener and more profitable in the same stride, they have rolled out a unique proposal that has completely transformed the way business concerns and environmental agencies carry on their day-to-day business.

When Henry Kravis from KKR and the non-profit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) merged a year ago environmental matters in the business community became major discussion topic. Their company mission is to encourage their affiliated firms to oppose operations which may threaten the environment e.g. toxic chemical use and any flagrant consumption of water resources. To implement these goals, they employ eco-efficiency; this makes use of concepts like maximum use of renewable resources, reducing the waste of resources, and using clean energy. Effective though it was the management did not realize the full program’s advantages until the executive responsible for the Green Portfolio Project, Ken Mehlman, evaluated the numbers from the project when it had been up and running for its first full year. Ken found that the program wasn’t merely helping to conserve the local environment, but additionally it was saving firms a great deal of money, and consequently the project turned into almost an instant success. Nearly all of the business organizations owned by Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co and Ken Mehlman at present actively take part in the Green Portfolio Project. However, when you consider that the group has a current business portfolio with an estimated value of 86,000,000,000 dollars, you may be certain that this wasn’t an easy feat.

The original program has now broadened to include new opportunities. For instance, Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co got together with the EDF’s Climate Corps Program that teaches MBA students how to formulate and introduce cost-efficient, earth friendly techniques. In recent months, Ken Mehlman has been collaborating closely with KKR to create a package of products that business concerns can utilize to quantify assorted resources. This type of information is significant as businesses may without much effort assess their everyday processes and identify precisely how any problems may be solved while at the same time permitting them to determine their impact on the planet.

The business community has been entirely revolutionized by the work of Henry Kravis, the KKC, and the Environmental Defense Fund. Their developments have simplified the process for organizations in every sector and proved that running a profitable business need not entail the hefty price of negatively impacting our planet.

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Most outstanding entrepreneurs make a point of being good members of their respective communities and Naveen Jain is no exception, on the contrary. You will likely have encountered Mr. Naveen Jain the CEO as well as co-founder of Intelius, Inc. the market leader in background checks, identity theft protection and public records services. On top of achieving to his place on the Forbes list “400 Richest in America” in 2000, this maverick entrepreneur has been honored with a number of coveted awards, notably the WSA Industry Achievement Award, the Albert Einstein Technology Medal, and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, to list but only three. Nonetheless things absolutely develop further from there. Because Naveen Jain and his relations are every bit as ardent about their charity works and will attempt to aid people in need when they can.

Today’s kids indisputably are mankind’s most priceless resource. They are moreover a main motivation for this entrepreneur and he tries to make the best of each and every chance he gets to aid them. This, too, is the primary reason why he is persistently exploiting every chance available to lend a helping hand if it is viable. Consequently, Naveen Jain, his family and the staff at Intelius, Inc. dedicate their time to a number of charities such as Hopelink, the Indian American Education Foundation, and the Overlake Service League. As one would expect, they will provide significant pecuniary aid, but most importantly they commit their time and effort to the most needy and susceptible children. Naveen Jain also donates to the Children’s Hospital, being intent on elevating children’s health, too.

With Jain being a graduate of XLRI Jamshedpur and the Indian Institute of Technology, it is not at all astounding that education is a vital focus in his philanthropic works. This incorporates campaigns and charities local, state, and nationwide. Therefore Intelius and its CEO are funding deserving movements and charities like the University of Washington, the Rotary Club and the Children’s Hospital. Getting food over to the starving of the world is another great objective to Jain and those around him and to him, it makes not a jot of difference. Although Naveen is aware that the enterprise of locating food for all the planet’s hungry is a titanic one, he is also aware that the unattainable can actually be quite realistic provided everyone labors towards a unified end. If this business leader obtains his objectives, there will be a decisive conclusion to destitution and hunger everywhere at some point. You would suppose that as the man in control of a successful market leading enterprise plus being a devoted family man would leave him no spare time for philanthropic acts. However, he sees to it that all of his humanitarian projects is given as much assistance as he can feasibly ramp up. This doggedly energetic entrepreneur is undoubtedly way more than merely some ordinary business maverick. He is an outstanding citizen and a true community champion.

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Today unbureaucratic philanthopy is probably even more in demand than ever before in world history. Like many other people, you will have encountered Mr. Naveen Jain the CEO & co-founder of Intelius, Inc. the leading information commerce market leader. Well beyond making the Forbes 400 Richest in America list in 2000, this enterprising business leader has gained several prestigious awards including the WSA Industry Achievement Award, the Albert Einstein Technology Medal, and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. But that is positively not where it ends. Because Mr. Jain and his relations are equally as fervent about philanthropy and will attempt to assist whenever possible. Children are truly this world’s most priceless resource. They are moreover a central focus of attention for this enterprising man, and he makes the best of each and every opportunity available to aid them. This is the chief reason why he is always intensely using every possibility he can to aid them whenever at all possible. Consequently, Naveen Jain, his family and the staff at Intelius, Inc. apply their time to a range of charitable agencies such as the University Preparatory Academy, Hopelink, and TreeHouse. Obviously, they give plenty of material aid but most importantly, they dedicate their time and attention to the children who require it the most. Naveen Jain also donates to the Children’s Hospital in an effort to restore children’s health, as well.

With Naveen Jain being a former student of the Indian Institute of Technology and XLRI Jamshedpur, it comes as no surprise that formal education is an extremely important rank in his benevolent works. This also encompasses campaigns and good causes that run the gamut from the regional to the international. Hence Intelius and its co-founder are actively involved in supporting voluntary entities and foundations such as the Children’s Hospital, the Overlake Service League and Child Rights and You (CRY).

Getting sustenance to the malnourished of the planet is another crucial aim to Jain and those around him and to him, it makes not a iota of difference. While he is highly conscious that the ambition to feed every destitute person in the world can appear to be an overwhelming task, he is also cognizant that the impossible can really be made possible if only everyone labors towards a unified end. If this business leader achieves his goals, there will be a definite end to destitution and hunger all over the world some day.

Many people might believe that functioning as the boss of a flourishing market leading enterprise and a devoted husband and family man would leave him with little spare time for charitable projects. But in spite of all this Naveen Jain ensures that all of his benevolent enterprises will enjoy as much aid as he can conceivably ramp up. To wrap it up, this enterprising man is definitely way more than a simple pioneer of industry. He is, even more importantly, an intensely humanitarian minded person and a veritable pillar of his community.

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How can you make your networking experience a valuable one? What is the single, most important action you can take at a networking meeting?

It is simply to show up and be present.

This may sound like no big deal to you, but the fact is that there are plenty of people who show up at networking meetings and they go home or back to work with nothing to show for it. They might say it was a waste of time, they didn’t meet anyone to do business with and they didn’t learn anything at all. This is not anyone’s fault but their own. What this means is that they weren’t fully present.

A networking meeting is fertile ground for anyone who cares to show up and be truly present. It is the path to the kingdom, the road to riches and the little thing that make the big difference. Networking is the key to business success, and it all starts with showing up and being present.

Being fully present is definitely an action. It is not just about being in the room, in your body, sitting in the chair, breathing the air, eating the food and taking up space. Being present is an action. Being present is much more involved than it sounds. Being present takes energy. Being present takes brain waves. Being present is most definitely an action.

There are five steps to being fully present.

First, being present means being aware. When you walk in to the room, take a few seconds to look around the room. Take it all in. See who’s in attendance. Ask yourself… Who’s here that I know I would like to connect with today? Who’s here that I don’t know and I would like to meet? What can I learn from these people today? How can I serve this group today? Be aware of the energy, the people, and the space. Be aware of the time, the sounds and the silence. Be aware of your impact on those you connect with. Being fully present is being aware.

Second, being present is listening. It isn’t always important to talk. In fact, some of the best conversations you will ever have with anyone are the ones where you do most of the listening. The conversations, where you simply interject a comment or a nod of your head here and there, can be the most insightful. The ones where you ask the questions and you receive the answers with enthusiasm and undivided attention are the ones where you have the opportunity to create a deep bond. Listening is an art. Being present is about listening.

Third, being present is about being genuinely interested in what is going on around you. Being genuinely interested often requires you to ask questions. Showing a genuine interest in someone or something often leads to new knowledge for you. Being genuinely interested often leads to a new relationship. Sometimes, being interested for a short time will let you know where not to spend your time in the future. Being genuinely interested leads to valuable information, and the more information you have, the more valuable you are!

Fourth, being present is about engaging your mind before you take action or speak. It is about thinking three or four responses ahead. It is about not asking the questions you don’t want the answers to. It is about making sure you are being true to yourself and moving away when the conversations around you do not serve or the energy is draining you. Being present is about engaging your mind.

Finally, being present is about giving and receiving. It is about giving your energy to the group, to the speaker to the facilitator. It is about giving your full attention to the immediate conversation in which you are involved. It is about giving your time, your specialized knowledge and your thoughts to whoever is in need of them. Giving is fully 50% of the Universal Law of Giving and Receiving.

The other 50% is in the Receiving. It is about receiving the compliments, advice and know-how from others. It is about sharing in the laughter, the smiles and the concerns. It is about a give and take relationship, kind of like breathing in and breathing out. Being present is always a two-way street.

Who knew that being present could be so involved? Who knew it could be so complicated? And who knew that being fully present is synonymous with networking? If you already know this, kudos to you! If you’re just learning now, that’s great!

If you still don’t think Networking is about being fully present, try not being “present” at a meeting and notice how you feel. Chances are, you will find it a waste of time. And I don’t know about you, but I know I have no time to waste.

Time is precious and Networking takes time. So, go ahead and follow these steps. Make your time networking work for you!

Sue Urda is the Co-Founder of Powerful You! Women’s Network and a two-time Inc. 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies honoree. Her vision is to contribute to a global consciousness of women helping women succeed in business and in life and to expand Powerful You! by creating chapters and Tele-Networkstm around the US and beyond. Sue’s mission is to create venues for women to grow their businesses, nurture relationships and to foster empowerment, gratitude and self-development. http://www.powerfulyou.com

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As crime globalizes, so does crime fighting. Mobsters, serial killers, and terrorists cross state lines and borders effortlessly, making use of the latest advances in mass media, public transportation, telecommunications, and computer networks. The police - there are 16,000 law enforcement agencies in the Unites States alone - is never very far behind.

Quotes from the official Web pages of some of these databases:

National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC)

Its mission is to combine investigative and operational support functions, research, and training in order to provide assistance, without charge, to federal, state, local, and foreign law enforcement agencies investigating unusual or repetitive violent crimes. The NCAVC also provides support through expertise and consultation in non-violent matters such as national security, corruption, and white-collar crime investigations.

It comprises the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), Child Abduction and Serial Murder Investigative Resources Center (CASMIRC), and Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (VICAP).

VICAP is a nationwide data information center designed to collect, collate, and analyze crimes of violence - specifically murder. It collates and analyzes the significant characteristics of all murders, and other violent offenses.

Homicide Investigation Tracking System (HITS)

A program within the Washington state’s Attorney General’s Office that tracks and investigates homicides and rapes.

Violent Crime Linkage System (ViCLAS)

Canada-wide computer system that assists specially trained investigators to identify serial crimes and criminals by focusing on the linkages that exist among crimes by the same offender. This system was developed by the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) in the early 1990s.

UTAP, stands for The Utah Criminal Tracking and Analysis Project

Gathers experts from forensic science, crime scene analysis, psychiatry and other fields to screen unsolved cases for local law enforcement agencies.

International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO) - Interpol’s DNA Gateway

Provides for the transfer of profile data between two or more countries and for the comparison of profiles that conform to Interpol standards in a centralized database. Investigators can access the database via their Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) using Interpol’s secure global police communications system, I-24/7.

Interpol’s I-24/7

Global communication system to connect its member countries and provide them with user-friendly access to police information. Using this system, Interpol National Central Bureaus (NCBs) can search and cross-check data in a matter of seconds, with direct and immediate access to databases containing critical information (ASF Nominal database of international criminals, electronic notices, stolen motor vehicles, stolen/lost/counterfeit travel and ID documents, stolen works of art, payment cards, fingerprints and photographs, a terrorism watch list, a DNA database, disaster victim identification, international weapons tracking and trafficking in human beings-related information, etc).

Interpol Fingerprints

Provides information on the development and implementation of fingerprinting systems for the general public and international law enforcement entities.

Europol (European Union’s criminal intelligence agency) Computer System (TECS)

Member States can directly input data into the information system in compliance with their national procedures, and Europol can directly input data supplied by non EU Member States and third bodies. Also provides analyses and indexing services.

Sam Vaknin ( samvak.tripod.com ) is the author of Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited and After the Rain - How the West Lost the East. He served as a columnist for Global Politician, Central Europe Review, PopMatters, Bellaonline, and eBookWeb, a United Press International (UPI) Senior Business Correspondent, and the editor of mental health and Central East Europe categories in The Open Directory and Suite101.

Until recently, he served as the Economic Advisor to the Government of Macedonia.

Visit Sam’s Web site at samvak.tripod.com

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