Gallery Wraps – Art With No Boundaries

Art has always been subjective, so too is how art should be viewed. We have always relied on the expertise of Custom Picture Framers to suggest the perfect frame, or to select the best color combination of mat-board to enhance the art rather than to detract from it.Selecting the right glass, or glazing, is even more challenging than you might think; non-glare, U.V. protective and clear glass are only a few choices. It may be common knowledge that exposing art to direct light will eventually cause fading, but perhaps a little less know fact is that in-direct light will also degrade artwork.Recently, over the course of a few years, the concept of stretching printed art on canvas emerged. Printed art on canvas is referred to as a “giclee” print, which loosely translates to tiny droplets of ink. Almost immediately someone, origin unknown, created the concept of wrapping the printed image around a wooden frame while stretching it. This process is referred to as “gallery wrapping” and it is quickly changing the way we view art.The artwork is stretched on a wooden frame and it is hung on a wall without the traditional wood or metal molding around it. Choosing the correct glass, decorative molding or coordinating the color of matting is a thing of the past. Custom Frame Shops are now faced with the decision failing miserably and have had to resort to other streams of revenue; “Gallery Wraps” have changed all of that.The process starts with reproducing the artwork; this in itself has allowed artists the chance to re-create their original art at will. The original art is scanned with a high-resolution scanner, color-corrected and digitally “stitched” to allow for enlarging at a later date. The image is then archived and can be printed to almost any size when the artist wants.The artwork would typically be signed, numbered and limited to a specific run. The original art, in most cases, would not be sold and the artist would issue a number of “artist’s proofs” which tend to have slightly more value than the other prints. The artwork is printed on archival canvas that resists fading caused by U.V light, it also has low acid content.These archival inks actually allow the reproduction to outlast the original. The image is printed so that the image either wraps around the stretcher bar, or it is “mirrored” along the edge of the image. The mirrored edge is slightly more popular, but it can be a little more challenging to align the artwork during the stretching process.After the image is wrapped around the stretcher bar, the canvas is held in-place with staples. The staples are not visible from the front or side, in this manner the artwork can be viewed as it should be, with no detractions. With no costly wooden frame, no glazing and no mat board, the artwork is but a fraction of the cost of the traditional frame and glass.The concept of printing art on canvas and stretching it over a wooden frame is relatively new, but the concept of “wrapping” the image around the frame is very new and very popular. Clearly, this is the way artwork should be viewed and it is changing the industry.

Posted in Digital Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Benefits of Legal Transcription Services

The process of law is complex and in court, accurate transcription is very important. Unlike court reporters who transcribe into text the dialog as it is spoken, legal transcriptionists work from an audio recording. The transcribed documents may be used for court hearings, depositions, and interviews.The Legal CommunityLegal transcription services are used by all the divisions of the law, including law enforcement, legal service companies, government agencies, and law firms. Legal transcription documentation facilitates the decision making process with quickly available text records and data. Legal transcription services keep legal advisors and attorneys informed of changes in policies regarding tax rates, insurance claims, domestic and International trade and commerce. In some cases, a legal transcription company will require both a translator and an English language editor.The Internet has created another distinct legal entity; the virtual law firm that has no concrete base, but offers its services to an International clientele. This minimizes the costs of maintaining physical premises and allows contingency advice to their clients instead of the necessity of a retainer for billable hours. As confidential information is generally streamed through text files, legal transcription companies are contracted to convert audio into text documents.Qualifications for a Legal Transcription ServicesUnlike a medical transcriptionist, who must have formal knowledge of medical terminology, there is no certification required for legal transcription. However, a legal transcriptionist must have some education and experience within the legal field and knowledge of correct formatting for documentation of court records. In addition, legal transcriptionists must have excellent typing and editing skills as well as a legal vocabulary.Legal documents can contain sensitive data and require information security. Legal transcriptionists are trained to maintain confidentiality within the boundaries of law, government agencies, and the courts. Legal transcription personnel may be required to sign non-disclosure agreements and an oath as to the accuracy and confidential nature of their agreement.The demand for legal transcriptionists is so great, many agencies that already have private transcriptionists in their employ, will hire the services of a transcription company to relieve the work overload. Some agencies have found it cheaper to employ the services of a company than hire a private transcriptionist. As Internet transcription companies allow their transcriptionists to work from the home, this affords an advantage to child-rearing couples, disabled workers and retirees. Legal services cannot risk using a second-rate transcriptionist when so much is on the line. Accuracy counts and that’s why most firms are using these tying services.

Posted in Domestic Services | Tagged | Comments Off

Use Pest Control Services If You Want To Get Rid Of Domestic Pests

Common domestic pests, such as flies, roaches, and bed bugs can give you a lot of problems. Their presence in your house causes much discomfort. Most of insects tend to multiply at a fast rate. They can search out food in your house no matter where you keep it. As a result, they contaminate the food, leading to a number of infections and diseases to you and your kids.People, for the most part, call pest control companies in order to get rid of domestic pests. Another option is to deal with the problems using DIY techniques. This option is not easy, though, as you still need to buy anti-pest products. Following a DIY technique is recommended only if you know the ABC of pest extermination. Pest extermination can be done in a number of ways, and pest control companies know almost each and every method. Based on the level of infestation, they can perform the best treatment for the complete eradication of pests.If you are thinking about hiring the services of a reputable and experienced pest eliminator, then you should do some thinking and research in the first place. Pest eliminators get training in order to master the techniques of pest controlling. In order to confirm that the provider you are going to hire is trained and well-experienced, you can visit their web sites. It is even better if the provider is registered with a professional body like a pest control association.Before you allow the pest controller to start applying the anti-pest techniques, you may want to ask them if they are using the latest anti-pest products and techniques. For the most part, these companies make use of a host of advanced fumigation practices and sprayers. This is done to ensure the total extermination of pests. Typical homeowners do not have access to pest killer products and techniques, but professionals do know how to use them in the safest and most appropriate way.When it comes to safety, you should keep a couple of points in mind. If the company is going to use traps and sprays, make sure they are completely safe for your kids. Qualified pest infestation controllers always keep the health of the family members in mind while choosing to apply a certain methods and techniques. You should never take risks as it can put you and your family’s health at risk. After all, you cannot afford to put your life in danger.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments Off

Health Care Jobs Offer Job Stability

Would you like a stable job with reasonable benefits and possibly a pension? Choose a career in the health care industry. Demand for jobs is in response to an increase in the elderly population, which incur a majority of the nation’s expenses.The increase in the elderly is partly in response to the aging baby boomer generation will reach retirement age over the next decade. Baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1964, so the oldest of them celebrate their 65th birthdays in 2011. By 2030, 26 percent of the U.S. population will be aged 65 or older, compared with 17 percent today, according to the U.S. Census.In addition, we are starting to live longer as a result of medical advances and increased knowledge about how we can preserve our health. In addition to general health care jobs such as doctors, nurses, radiology technicians, medical assistants, and pharmacist jobs, there is a demand for physical therapists, cardiology technicians and geriatric specialists who work with senior health.Be aware that despite a need for health care specialists, not all medical facilities are hiring during the recession. In fact, many nurses and medical assistants must work extra hard as they fulfill the gap that a smaller staff presents. The jobs are filled in almost every community throughout the country, but the best jobs are rewarded to individuals with two to three years of experience. Be prepared to begin your career in a less glamorous setting. Volunteer for extra assignments, be willing to work overtime even without compensation, and do what you can to show your enthusiasm and commitment to your work. A few good work references are like gold in this industry and will help you get a more advanced health care job.Despite the recession, the present health care workforce is getting more elderly and nearing retirement. The average age of registered nurses is 47 and a majority of the senior management of hospitals is baby boomer age, according to Leaders in Healthcare. As employees retire, the jobs are opening up, particularly in managerial positions.In order to meet staffing demands and to increase health care jobs, hospitals and other medical facilities will be pursuing a number of measures, according to Leaders in Healthcare. Some of the measures include:
* Providing more part-time positions for medical professionals who have retired but would still like to work.
* Helping existing staff qualify for advancements by providing career growth opportunities.
* Developing advanced IT capabilities and by establishing protocols, enabling less experienced staff to operate more advanced machinery.Health care jobs are available at this time, and the industry is a good field to pursue. Be willing to build up your resume by working in a less glamorous setting for the first few years of your career. But whatever field within the industry you pursue, make sure to take a class or pursue an additional certification in geriatric medicine. Doing so will increase your qualifications, which can be the advantage you need among the other candidates to land the health care job you desire.

Posted in health care | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Secrets to Tax Free Money From Your Commercial Property Portfolio

How do you pull totally tax free money out of your commercial properties, without worrying about the refinance penalties associated with your existing loan?What is simple with single family Real Estate Investing is much more complicated in Commercial Property for one simple reason . . .In Commercial Property, the Pre-Payment Penalties are much larger and darn near impossible to bypass when you want to refinance.Whether your prepayment penalty on your Commercial Loan is via Defeasance, Yield Maintenance, or the standard 5-4-3-2-1 stepdown method . . . the dollar amount of the penalty can easily run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars should you try to refinance before the end of the loan term.But what if you are in this situation . . .- You have a distressed property you have worked hard to turn around.- It is now cash flowing quite nicely and you would love to tap into your equity for your next investment.Is your forced appreciation stuck in this property until your loan is mature?Not hardly . . .It just takes a little creativity to pull your money out.And Remember . . . Any money you do pull out is a totally tax free advance you can use for your next Commercial Property purchase.Here’s how you “liberate” your equity. . .The secret is to have great documentation, strong cash flow, and use a Mezzanine loan to pull your money out.A Mezzanine Loan is an additional loan that sits on top of your primary mortgage. In residential real estate it is commonly know as a Second Mortgage.You must have strong financials’ in order to convince the Mezzanine lender to give you this extra money because this new loan will be in second position behind your existing mortgage.The Mezzanine Loan is what is known as a “soft second”. The Mezzanine Lender cannot guarantee the loan by taking the property as collateral because the lender holding the first mortgage will not allow it.Documentation is one keyYou will need excellent quality records going back at least six months that document the propertys’ superior performance. 12 months of documentation is even better.Adequate Cash Flow is the other . . .Your Debt Coverage Ratio must also support the additional loan payments.When you put together the proforma for the Mezzanine Lender, just add in the new loan payments and show them your propertys’ cash flow can adequately cover them.Don’t forget . . .Your tenants are the ones actually providing the cash flow for you to pull the money out.If your numbers support the new debt, you can pull the new loan out now and drop the cash into another cash flowing property.And you do not pay any taxes when your Mezzanine Lender cuts you the check. It is totally tax free money based on the hard work you did to turn the property around.This flavor of “refinancing” allows you to pull your money out in year 2 or 3 rather than waiting for 5 years when your loan term is done or until the actual sale of your property.So, if you have a property that has been under your control for several years and you have made major improvements in the cash flow, check your debt coverage ratio now.You may be able to move tax free money out by originating a Mezzanine Loan and put even more cash flowing property into your portfolio in this Buyers’ Market.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Internet Marketing for Small Business – The Vital Truth

As a small business owner it’s our natural tendency to approach everything with a hint of skepticism. There are so many ‘next big things’ that it’s oftentimes difficult to distinguish between a passing trend and a legitimate evergreen marketing strategy for a small business.Skepticism or no, I’m willing to bet that by now you’ve started seriously eyeing Internet marketing for small business as a viable addition to your advertising repertoire; you’re starting to realize that this is something worth jumping on.Let’s face it – Your competitors are doing it, so you should do it too lest you unknowingly give up a foothold in your niche.Wait Just a Minute – What is Internet Marketing, Exactly?Before we go any further I think it’s worth taking some time to clarify exactly what we’re referring to when we say ‘Internet Marketing’. If you’ve done any research at all on the topic of small business online marketing, you’ve probably seen a wide array of terms thrown about. It can be very confusing to learn anything at all about Internet marketing with a seemingly endless amount of ideas out there… How are you supposed to know what’s what? Well, below I’d like to briefly go over a few of the most common terms and methods that you should concern yourself with:#1. Small Business Search Engine Optimization (SEO)Small business search engine optimization refers to getting your business’ virtual property listed on the first page of search engine results (most commonly in Google) for a select group of keyword phrases. Whether it’s a Google Places page, a YouTube video, a Facebook page or even your own website, the goal is to position yourself so that local searchers see YOU before your competition.It sounds complicated, but that’s why we’re here. The results of a successful SEO campaign can be enormous.#2. Small Business Email Marketing / List BuildingSmall business email marketing is without a doubt one of the most powerful forms of lead generation out there. Imagine having the power to reach your loyal customers any time day or night with your newest and greatest promotions? Imagine being able to send your customers coupons, newsletters and other interesting content so that you’re constantly in contact with them, remotely building your brand in their mind’s eye? I’m sure with a little imagination you can start to see the possibilities… Email marketing is one of the most viable long-term marketing strategies for small business owners to consider. Your customers aren’t going to stop using email anytime soon, and the ability to stay in frequent contact with a customer even if they’re not visiting your actual place of business is too good to pass up. If you take nothing else away from this article, at least learn more about small business email marketing.#3. Social Media Marketing for Local BusinessesThis is the newest and greatest trend in the world of Internet Marketing for small businesses. Facebook alone has over 800 Million users worldwide, and most users spend a minimum of 6 hours per month on this website. As Facebook grows it’s an increasing amount of time YOU could be using to further your business. Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites are going to be some of the greatest marketing mediums of 2012 because they give you the ability to keep up with interested customers on a daily basis through websites that they’re spending lots of time on anyways. Why not take advantage of this opportunity?#4. Pay-Per-Click Advertising for Direct MarketingThe next time you’re searching for something in Google I want you to pay attention to the right side of the screen. You should notice a few small ads that are separate from the search results. These are actually paid advertisements from Google’s AdWords program, and they’re a crucial aspect of small business online marketing.The pay per click advertising (PPC) works is a simple 3 step process:
• Write a small ad for your business
• Pick keywords or locales to target
• Pay per click for traffic directly to your business’ websitePretty easy, right?This is a great way to start off your Internet marketing campaign because with Pay Per Click you get exactly the results you pay for. Want to give 100 new customers the chance to fall in love with your business? Pay for 100 clicks to your website… Done. I’m sure you can see the value in this kind of cost-per-lead advertising. Through proper lead generation and analytics you can have yourself quite a profitable campaign that runs virtually on autopilot.And hey, want to really explode your customer base? Why not use PPC advertising to drive targeted traffic to your email newsletter so you can stay in contact with your new potential customers?Why Internet Marketing for Small Businesses is a Good InvestmentWhat holds back most small business online marketing campaigns that the business owners fail at marketing automation.We’ve all learned this lesson: When you try to do everything yourself you inevitably fall behind in the areas you’re best at, and don’t get far enough in the areas you’re good at. The result is that your business slows down, and you don’t see as much revenue as you should / could. If time is money, then you can’t afford to spend an increasing amount of time on something that someone else could be doing faster.That’s why when approaching Internet marketing for small business I recommend enlisting the assistance of a trained professional.Time and time again we’ve seen a much greater ROI when the business owner focuses on running an outstanding business, while the Internet marketers do what they do best – Capture the interest of potential customers. Whether you decide to pursue small business search engine optimization to bolster the rankings of your website or social media marketing to get the word out through Facebook / Twitter, you can rest assured that you’ll see better results from someone who’s done it before.Internet marketing for small business doesn’t have to be time consuming, and it’s certainly doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, an Internet Marketing campaign can be relatively cheap when compared with other marketing strategies for small businesses! As a small business owner you’d be giving up a lot if you limited yourself to offline marketing only, so I urge you to consider the techniques and methods outlined in this article. I’m sure you can find an Internet Marketing company or service provider who would be more than willing to help you with these internet marketing services so you can start finding new potential customers on autopilot. What are you waiting for?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Open Source Software Versus Proprietary Software – An Insight

IntroductionNot long back, Microsoft ruled the roost in software industry. It is ironical that the software giant is now stretching itself to the limits to overcome the crisis it is facing largely from the open source software market. The software prices have plummeted due the leveling factor the proprietary software faces now in the form of free and open source software. It is good to see programmers and software professionals, world over uniting to share their know-how to produce good quality software. During the 1980′s pc’s were introduced which paved way for large scale computerization in all walks of life. There was a time when software prices were astronomical and Microsoft dictated terms. Now with the advent of internet and web based applications, FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) is available for download and customizing from individuals as well as organizations.Before we examine the nuances of FOSS, it would be appropriate to discuss the various barriers that exist in Proprietary or Closed Source model. Under Closed Source model the source code is not revealed to the public. Examples of this kind of software include the popular Microsoft Office suite which is the most widely used office automation package world over. Microsoft is the chief proponent of this category of software right from the advent of Pc’s. Compared to this, FOSS model allows the user to download the software free of cost and also make modifications to the source code. This has resulted in large scale development of free and open source software and a number of Indians have joined this bandwagon. The advantages cited by proponents for having such a structure are mutual benefits such as sharing of knowledge, superior products and acceptability and not to say the cost savings.Free software means the user has the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it means that the program’s users have the four essential freedoms:
The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).
The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make it do what you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).
The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements (and modified versions in general) to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
(references: www.gnu.org )From the above mentioned four freedoms given to the user regarding the use of free software, it is apparent that the user has a free hand in even deciding the using the software and customizing it. This is in stark contrast to the rules regarding proprietary software. The sense of service and trust is essential for FOSS to survive. Internet has opened doors for this acceptance by masses. With increased download speeds and reduction in usage costs, downloading a software is no longer a daunting task.Proprietary softwareIt is evident that for the primary business model for closed source software, the manufacturer imposes certain constraints and restrictions about accessing the source code and also on what can be done with the software. It may be noted that it is very easy to copy and redistribute software. FOSS suppliers do this as part of their policy. Taking this as a threat to their profit making motive, proprietary software firms sometimes create an illusion of artificial scarcity of the product. This is like black marketers who create artificial scarcity of food products during a crisis. In this case of proprietary software the end-user is not actually purchasing the software, but is only granted the right to use the software. Hence it can be clearly evidenced that the source code of closed source software is considered a trade secret by the proprietor.FOSS (Free and Open Source Software)FOSS does not limit the use of software as done by closed source software. The suppliers of FOSS generate revenue through support services. An example for such a company is Canonical Ltd, which gives its software free of cost but charges for support services. The source code is given along with the pre-compiled binary software for convenience of the user. As a result, the source code can be freely modified. However, there can be some license-based restrictions on re-distributing the software. Generally, software can be modified and re-distributed for free, as long as credit is given to the original manufacturer of the software. FOSS may also be funded through donations. Linux community has effectively harnessed this model to provide a number of successful and popular packages. Software like OpenOffice and MySQL has been immensely in the open market and has forced Microsoft to reduce its prices and provide error-free operating systems and solutions.Windows 7 was released in India at a lower price keeping in mind the competition from FOSS. Windows Vista was not a success, largely due to the fact that its memory hungry interfaces and applications were not popular among the users. To tide over the criticism faced by Windows Vista, Windows 7 was released at a lower price and with better features. The credit for this change can be attributed to the overwhelming popularity of FOSS.On the whole it can be said that the in the coming years, FOSS will play a major role in shaping the software industry and by giving the user the final say. The positive side of this competition is that Proprietary software will improve in quality and will be forced to clamp restrictions on pricing. This is a positive signal for the software sector globally.

Posted in Software | Tagged | Comments Off

How To Choose The Best Medical Assisting Online School To Attend

A lot of people are eager to go to medical schools and be one of the medical practitioners however they cannot afford it. For the year 2010 to 2011 annual tuition in a public medical institution is about $20,000 to $30,000. In a private institution, tuition is much more expensive ranging $40,000 to $5,000. Bear in mind that, these figures do not include books, school supplies needed, laboratory fees and materials, etc.Attending medical school is very expensive indeed and only a handful of people can afford to enroll. With that said, many are opting for a more convenient career in the medical industry and that is medical assisting.Enrolling in a medical assisting school is now made easy. There are schools online that are offering courses and classes for medical assisting. Unlike the traditional schools, students can choose the times favorable to their schedules and other engagements. Furthermore, it will only take six months to one year to finish the training course. On the other hand, it is basic to know that attending medical school for training is not forced and the minimum requirement for a person to practice this career is a high school certificate or a GED equivalent.There are various online medical assisting schools available in the internet today and choosing the best online school can be very overwhelming. To help students in this daunting task, here are some of the ways to help you decide which of online schools are offering proper training and grounding.1. Find Accredited Medical Assisting Online School
Since a lot of online schools are available in the internet, be sure to enroll in online school that is accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or CAAHEP and or the Accredited Bureau of Health Education Schools or ABHES.Online schools that are accredited by these following accreditation bodies, follow a strict and high quality standard of education. Moreover, most of the accredited online schools belong to the top ranking schools and they do have a good reputation in producing good graduates. Also, students who graduated from these accredited schools have a high employment rate.2. Trainings and Program Courses
Medical assisting online schools have different training and program courses. Students must choose the one that will fit to their individual goals whether they will specialize in administrative area or clinical area.Online schools also differ in their program lengths. It is recommended that students must choose which ones will fit perfectly to their schedules.It is advisable to choose an online school that offers internship program because this will enable the students to experience working with the medical practitioners in an actual medical setting. Remember, medical assisting is not just learning the theories but also more on hands-on training and practical learning.3. Tuition and other fees
Choose an online medical assisting school that will fit one’s budget. Students must know the best deals and be wise in choosing the one that is not too expensive and yet provide quality education.Indeed medical schools are very expensive. Not all people who want to pursue the medical career can afford to finance this kind of education. Choosing to enroll in a medical assisting course is a more clever way to land a good job in the medical industry. Follow the tips above if you are looking for the best online medical assisting school. Take note that not all schools online are legitimate and there are those that are only after your enrollment fees. Good luck in your school hunting.

Posted in Education | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

10 Tips for Booking Entertainment for a Corporate Event

Finding entertainment for a corporate convention, holiday party or conference can seem like a overwhelming task. There are literally thousands of excellent, good, and down right horrible corporate entertainers available. This list will give you some advice on how to narrow down your search and find entertainment that will help make your event a success!#10 – PLAN EARLY. The most popular corporate entertainers book up very quickly for popular dates. During the corporate holiday party season (Nov-Jan), entertainers can begin to book up over a year in advance. Avoid disappointment and start looking for entertainment as soon as you know the date of your corporate event.#9 – KNOW WHAT YOU WANT (AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHAT YOUR AUDIENCE WANTS). You can make your search for an entertainer easier if you have an idea of the type of entertainment that would work well for your group. Popular corporate entertainment includes:COMEDY – Comedy acts can be a great way to get your group laughing together. Comedy acts don’t have to be just stand-up comedians. Many corporate comedy acts blend magic, juggling, or other variety performances into their comedy show. This variety helps insure that there is something for everyone in the performance.No matter what type of comedy act your choose, be sure that the comedy is going to be appropriate for your group. Many comedians have different ideas on what “clean comedy” is, so be sure to ask for a demo video to preview the show (see #1 below!)MUSIC – Many headline singers and bands are available for corporate events.MAGIC – There are many different styles of corporate magicians and corporate magic shows. Some magicians offer strolling magic (going table to table at your event), some perform large illusion show with special effects and a cast of dancers, others specialize in comedy magic that gets your audience laughing in involved. Whatever styles of corporate entertainment you are looking for, be sure to find a magician who specializes in only that style. There are magicians you will tell you that they do everything – illusions, comedy, strolling, but that is because they are not proficient at any specific style, so all their shows are usually only mediocre. For the best possible show, hire a professional corporate magician who specializes in one style of magic. These performers will be the best in their field in illusion, comedy, or sleight-of-hand because that is all they do.HYPNOSIS – Hypnotists can be great for the right group. Hypnotist shows are very interactive and require a very outgoing and uninhibited group to really be successful.#8 – BOOK DIRECTLY WITH THE ENTERTAINER TO SAVE MONEY AND HEADACHES. If you book your corporate entertainment directly through the entertainer, you will save money on entertainment. Most corporate entertainment agencies add an additional 15-35% to an entertainer’s fee. By booking a corporate entertainer direct, you also have the convenience of being able to talk with the entertainer (or their office staff) about any questions or concerns. Most corporate entertainment agencies will not let you talk with the entertainer until the day of the show. By booking direct, you can be guaranteed that there are no miscommunications about the performance. You can find direct contact information for entertainers by doing an internet search for “corporate entertainers”, “california comedian”, etc.#7 – PLAN A REALISTIC BUDGET. The old adage, “you get what you pay for”, applies to entertainment as well. The entertainment is not a place to save a few dollars. You would never cut corners on the food you would feed your guests, and should never cut corners on the entertainment. Bad entertainment can ruin an event just as quickly as bad food. You are not going to be able to get a GOOD quality corporate entertainer to do a show for $400. Fees for a TOP QUALITY, professional corporate entertainer will range from $1500 – $100,000 + depending on the size of the show and the performer’s experience and reputation.#6 – KNOW THE PERFORMER’S EXPERIENCE. You want a corporate entertainer who primarily entertainers for corporate audiences. Don’t be afraid to ask questions… Is the performer a full-time entertainer? Have they performed at events like yours in the past? Do they have letters of recommendation and reviews from past clients for you to read?#5 – IF YOU HAVE A SPECIAL REQUEST….ASK! Many entertainers are happy to customize part of their performance for your event. If you have a special request in mind, be sure to discuss this with the performer at the time of booking.#4 – DISCUSS SET-UP REQUIREMENTS BEFORE BOOKING. Set-up need for entertainers vary greatly. Some can perform in the corner of a room with just a microphone, some need a minimum stage area and special sound and lighting equipment. Be sure that your venue will be able to meet your entertainer’s set-up needs prior to booking.#3 – LEAVE YOUR GUESTS WANTING MORE. 90 minutes of entertainment may sound like a great idea when you are planning your corporate event, but most audiences do not want to sit through a 90 minute show. A longer show does NOT equal better show. Even the TOP comedians and entertainers in the WORLD (Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, etc) only perform 60-75 minute shows. Professional entertainers and corporate event planners agree that a good length for most corporate live entertainment is 35-50 minutes. It is always better to leave your audience excited and wanting more…rather than having them get tired and start looking at the watch.#2- KNOW WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE FEE. There are travel expenses associated with hiring national entertainers for your corporate party. Many entertainers include the travel expenses into their performance fee and for some travel will be an additional expense. Be sure to know what is included in the fee you are quoted to avoid any unexpected (and potentially expensive!) surprises.#1 – MOST IMPORTANTLY – ALWAYS ASK TO SEE A DEMO VIDEO. A demo video is the only way you can truly judge whether a corporate entertainer will be right for your company party. The demo video should be short highlights of the segments of an entertainer’s show. The video should be filmed in front of a live audience so you can see how a real audience reacts to the show. If an entertainer’s video is nothing but split-second clips and flashy graphics set to music, then they are probably trying to cover for an inadequate performance – or worse, it could mean that they have NEVER even performed in front of a real audience.

Posted in Entertainment | Tagged | Comments Off

Top Reasons Why Athletes Should See a Sports Medicine Doctor

The life of professional athletes isn’t easy. They have to participate in intensive exercises and training activities constantly to deliver maximum performance in front of an audience.While these activities are crucial for athletes to stay in shape, they can also damage their body.Sports medicine is a growing healthcare field dedicated for treatment of injuries related to sports and exercise like fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains, tendonitis, overtraining syndrome and degenerative diseases.Besides injury treatment, it also focuses on helping the athletes improve their performance prevent future injuries.Despite being a relatively new medical specialty, it has become essential for athletes thanks to its ability to address their specific needs and concerns.Who is a Sports Medicine Doctor?A sports medicine doctor is a licensed and trained individual who focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of injuries related to athletic activities.These specialists treat their patients using physical therapy, orthopedic surgery, massage therapy, exercises, and other techniques so that they can return to their desired activity level quickly, safely and successfully.They also teach the athletes on nutrition to help them maintain an optimal level of health and fitness and achieve their sports performance goals.The sports medicine team includes sports physiotherapists, sports massage therapists, sports orthopaedic surgeons, sports podiatrists, athletic trainers, sports dieticians, exercise physiologists and sports biomechanists.Common Sports Injuries:Some common sports injuries athletes suffer on the filed include ankle sprain, groin pull, hamstring strain, knee injury, tennis elbow, Achilles tendinitis, concussion, shoulder injury, hip bursitis, quadriceps strain and shin splints.They can also experience the exacerbation of pre-existing health problems like diabetes, asthma, allergies and arthritis.Reasons to Visit a Sports Medicine Doctor:There are many reasons for an athlete to see a sports physician.Let’s take a look at some of them.(1) Customized Care:Sports medicine doctors are specially trained healthcare professionals who have an in-depth understanding of what could be the impacts of an exercise on their patient’s body. They collaborate with physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons to develop a customized treatment for their patient.(2) Injury Prevention:Sports physicians can provide the athletes with expert advice on the how to prevent injuries during the practice or play and how to reduce the likelihood of resurfacing a previous injury. They also conduct pre-participation physical exams of their patients to determine whether they are fit enough to resume sports activities.(3) Pain Management: Sports injuries may lead to several orthopedic issues that often cause chronic pain, making it difficult for the athletes to return to the game and carry out their activities.While the primary aim of sports physicians is always to diagnose, treat and resolve the injury, they also use pain management therapies like electrical stimulation, spinal decompression, prescription medications and injected medications, to help their patients prevent or defer the need for surgery and continue their daily activities without any hindrance.(4) Rehabilitation:For an athlete, a return from an injury can be a complicated and lengthy process. If you find yourself sidelined by an injury, a sports physician can help you restore your movement and function and return to same or higher level of fitness quickly.(5) Improving Athletic Performance:Sports physicians diagnose and treat uncomfortable conditions to help you deliver your maximum performance, both on and off the field.They also suggest you exercises and techniques to improve your strength and balance that contribute to your success as an athlete.(6) Improving overall Fitness:Sports physicians help athletes prevent muscle sprains, strains and tears to keep their bodies in shape.They also conduct full body and musculoskeletal examinations to help them maintain their overall fitness.(7) Non-Surgical Treatment:Sports physicians try to avoid surgery in less severe cases and instead focus on treating injuries with non-surgical methods like physical therapy and acupuncture.These treatments are often non-invasive and require shorter recovery time.(8) State-of-the-Art Surgical Treatment: In the cases where surgery is indispensable, sports physicians use advanced surgical procedures, like arthroscopic ACL repair, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, hip arthroscopy, stem cell therapy and rotator cuff repair to restore the function of injured areas.(9) Education & Nutrition:Sports medicine doctors teach you how to fuel your body properly to deliver greater performance consistency.They also focus on each athlete’s dietary needs depending on his/her general health and athletic goals.(10) Rehabilitated Mobility:Sports injuries can impair your mobility and flexibility, thus preventing you from conducting your athletic activities. Sports physicians help you restore function, increase strength and flexibility, improve range of motion, and prevent injuries from occurring.(11) Improving Confidence:An athlete fights with different type of injuries on the field that could make him/her self-conscious. Sports physicians address their specific needs, thus helping them regain their confidence and enjoy their game.

Posted in Sports | Tagged | Comments Off