Kindness

Life is kind of like a party. You invite a lot of people, some leave early, some stay all night, some laugh with you, some laugh at you, and some show up late. But in the end, after the fun, there are a few who stay to help you clean up the mess. And most of the time they aren’t even the ones who made the mess. These people are your real friends. They are the ones who matter most.

And trust me, Kindness is the only investment that never fails. And wherever there is a human being, there’s an opportunity for kindness. Learn to give, even if it’s just a smile, not because you have too much, but because you understand there are so many others who feel like they have nothing at all.

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Companions for life : Marriage Bond

God created gaps between fingers so that life partner comes and fills that gap by holding your hand forever. One should complement the other and Each partner must take the responsibility for building the relationship. Understanding plays the vital role in improving compatability. Also, It must be remembered, however, that there can be no authentic or enduring love without constant effort and readiness for sacrifice by both partners. The love, care and support makes it easy to adjust in. And when the marriage is successful and couple are happy together then they can bring the surprising rewards of staying together.

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Is business card still beneficial for marketing

In an increasingly digital world, many wonder what the future of the business card is. Let me be the first to tell you that, love them or hate them, business cards are here to stay. In fact, you could argue that business cards have never been more relevant than they are right now. As businesses move to the digital arena, business cards may give you a unique advantage from a marketing standpoint. While everyone else is shouting from the rooftops about PPC, email, SEO and social media and drowning each other out, you can stand apart from the rest with a professional business card.

A nice-looking business card not only shows professionalism but can also build your level of legitimacy and credibility. Small and micro businesses rely on referrals more than any other business demographic, and business cards are an effective, inexpensive and long lasting channel for referrals and networking. As it has for many other products, the Internet has made business cards more accessible and less expensive than they were 10 years ago. They’re easier to design, purchase and hand out than ever.

Business card help form a customer’s first impression of you. Using business cards gives an image of professionalism and shows that you take pride in your work, both of which are vital qualities for the customers of many small businesses. And if you include your business card with every product that you sell or to invoice that you send out to customers in Canada or Toronto, you have an extremely powerful and long-lasting marketing and networking tool. Why? I can tell you in one word: longevity. Brochures and direct mail likely end up in the trash within a couple of weeks. (Even so, both methods still have a longer life than an email campaign whose average longevity is about a week before it’s deleted.) Promotional products can make a wonderful impression, but most of them will probably end up as a toy for someone’s kid. But the business card I give you today may stay with you for 10 years, and you will be reminded of that first impression every time you flip by it in your business card portfolio.

Business cards are also about image. I know many small ecommerce merchants who run their business out of their basements, yet they do phenomenal business due to the professionalism of the business cards that they distribute. A professional image builds credibility in the minds of the customer and can make all the difference in generating a sale or not.

Business people who carry and distribute a stack of cheap, do-it-yourself, print-at-home, business cards templates wherever they go are doing themselves and their business a great disservice. Those cards are not likely to ignite or even support a great first impression in any way. And because of the longevity of a business card, the evidence of that failed opportunity may stick in your prospect’s files for years to come. Don’t think it doesn’t matter or that people don’t notice. People judge you on appearances, and your marketing materials play as much a role as your attire and demeanor. There are many top-notch printing companies out there that can give you a completely customizable business card design. I recommend you do it right and let the professionals do it for you.

Also remember that no matter how much you spend on your business cards size and dimensions, they will probably still be the cheapest and most effective piece of marketing collateral that you will ever buy.

Business card marketing ideas can be an effective and long-living form of marketing that improves the legitimacy of your company and keeps it in the mind of the customer longer, especially if the card stands out. The design of the card quickly communicates what your company is about, and piques the interest of people who see it. Not only will they keep the card, which increases the likelihood of a future purchase and improves branding, but they are also likely to share it with others, which greatly extends your reach. Many businesses include two business cards in every package they send out strictly for this purpose. The customer gets to keep one and can distribute the other if necessary.

Contrary to popular belief, business cards are neither dead nor they are waste of money. Business cards have two very valuable uses which are:

1.    Old fashioned paper business cards are excellent for meetings of professional associations, fund raising roadshows and as a reminder of your 30 second commercial when you meet people face to face.

2.    Software programs such as Outlook allow users to create a contact card. This is the electronic version of a business card. Your contact information can then be included with every email.

All business cards (paper or electronic) should include your website, mobile number, email id, landline telephone number  and logo that potential customers can associate with your product or services.

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Advantages of internet marketing over traditional media advertising

Internet Marketing is Obsoleting Traditional Media Advertisers. Advertising via print and radio has been in steady decline for the past few years and very soon we will see internet marketing surpass television as well, possibly in the next year or two.

The main job of advertising companies that make commercials for radio and TV is to find creative ways to market their client’s products so that people who happen to be tuned in will choose that product over similar items.

This process is simplified by search engine marketing manager doing correct implementation of search engine marketing definition using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tactics to make your website more accessible to people searching for the product you are selling. Some of the many advantages that online marketing offers over traditional media outlets: 

ü  Reduced Cost - The starting cost of online marketing is only a fraction of the thousands of dollars that Yellow Pages, television and radio ads cost. In addition, while traditional ads may only run for a short time, a search engine marketing techniques can deliver long-term results. You can also save money with online Pay-Per-Click advertising where it is easy to experiment with small ad volumes until you perfect your strategy and then expand your marketing budget when you are assured of a positive sales return. 

ü  Everything Is Measurable - When you place an ad in the newspaper or a magazine, it can be difficult to assess the direct sales impact for your business. With online marketing, everything can be tracked and illustrated in detailed graphs that illustrate traffic growth, leads and sales conversions from your specific search engine marketing campaigns. Using a free traffic analysis tool like Google Analytics, it is easy to calculate your return on investment (ROI) so you can appreciate the excellent value generated from your online marketing budget. 

ü  Brand Engagement - In the crowded market, you need to establish and maintain positive brand awareness and client loyalty. Apart from word-of-mouth and leveraging your personal relationships with your established clients, a website is the most important marketing tool a business can have. A regularly updated website with well-written content that maintains people’s interest is essential to showing people exactly how your business is distinctive - and how you offer the best value to your clients. 

ü  Demographic Targeting - The degree to which an internet marketing campaign can target and measure the response from specific demographics and regions such as Toronto is often astonishing to business owners who normally use traditional media. New demographic prediction and online advertising platforms allow you to specifically target the specific consumer demographics most likely to buy your products. In particular, if you want to target young people between the ages of 16-30, you'll need an online marketing strategy to reach them where they spend the bulk of their time: On the Internet and on social media sites. 

ü  Real-Time Results - With internet marketing you don’t have to wait weeks to see a significant boost in your business. With a paid search engine marketing campaign you can experience real-time results that enable you to fine-tune your marketing message to achieve your desired effect. If your marketing strategy isn't working effectively, real-time monitoring tools allow you to easily pin-point exactly where you are going wrong. 

ü  Easily Refine Your Strategy - Using online marketing analytics and tracking tools you can test conversion rates at a fraction of the cost of a traditional media campaign. Online marketing levels the playing field and allows savvy small businesses to compete in competitive niches that previously would only be open to large corporations and their massive marketing budgets. If your marketing strategy is not bringing in the return on investment (ROI) that you desire, you can work to perfect it without having to launch an expensive new campaign as would be required with most traditional media outlets. 

ü  Long-Term Exposure - The benefit of an organic search engine marketing campaign that optimizes a website for specific keywords is that you will achieve a long-term return on your investment. Once your website’s visibility is well-established with search engines, it is easy to do regular low-cost maintenance of your strategy. The early adopters of new online marketing platforms like social media marketing will have a significant head start over their competition. 

ü  Product Information - Today’s savvy consumers want to compare reviews and opinions of friends, trusted bloggers and industry experts before they make a decision. If you can provide quality, linkable information that is what people are looking for, then the next step of converting users into paying clients can be very easy. With social media networks like Facebook and Twitter re-enforcing the value of positive word-of-mouth exposure, trust is more important than ever in the marketing field. 

ü  Less Intrusive - Most savvy consumers dislike intrusive traditional marketing methods like direct mailing, print ads and television advertisements. When someone buys a newspaper or magazine, they want to read interesting articles not be bombarded with irrelevant ads. While mediums like television can still be useful for maintaining awareness of large corporate brands, it is not an effective medium for most small and medium-size businesses. With online marketing, you can target consumers precisely when they are searching for products and services that your business can provide.

ü  Holds Their Attention - When people read the newspaper or a magazine they may scan over the advertisements beside the article but there is no way to engage their attention. With internet marketing you can encourage them to take action, visit your website and read about your products and services which results in vastly increased “stickiness” of your marketing message.

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Men should do for Women

I feel Men need to respect the likes and dislikes of Women. Men should realize and truly believe women are as talented, capable as men, and sometimes even more. Men should not discriminate in the work place or at home. Men have to respect boundaries and make sure their words not make women feel uncomfortable. Men have to respect women's choices - in what they wear, what they eat, what and with whom they talk, where they want to go and at what time n all. Men should never use force or intimidation towards women for anything. Women are not just to assist others in living their lives. They have their own life, dreams and ambitions. Women should not sacrifice and compromise just to keep their men happy. When we are asking for equality then we shouldn`t fake ourselves and tell what bothers us. It will only help for better understanding of each other`s differences. Right?

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Women`s Day

There are many women in my life whom I admire for all that they stand for: their passion, perseverance or simply their presence. 

Many Words, One sentiment - "Appreciation"
Expressing has never been easier. 

Happy Women`s Day to all.

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Budget Highlights - 2013-2014

ü  Iodised salt, match-boxes, soya products to become cheaper

ü  Increase customs duty on imported cars to 75%

ü  Raises custom duty on import on large SUVS

ü  Increase excise duty on some Cigarettes

ü  Customs duty on gold bar coins raised to 4%

ü  Customs duty on platinum raised

ü  Customs duty on gold raised

ü  Some infra services exempted from service tax

ü  Tax exemption of up to Rs 5,000 for health insurance towards annual preventive check up

ü  Basic customs duty on bicycles raised to 30%

ü  Exempts LCD LED panels from customs duty

ü  Iron ore machinery part duty cut to 2.5%

ü  Airline parts exempted from basic custom duty

ü  Rs 15,890 crore for recapitalisation of PSU banks

ü  Coal LNG exempt from customs duty

ü  Exemption of customs duty of 5% on equipment for fertilizer plants

ü  To keep peak custom rate unchanged

ü  To raise duty on large cars 27 pc duty

ü  Excise duty hiked to 12 pc from 10 pc

ü  Service tax raised to 12 pc from 10 pc

ü  FY13 market borrowing at Rs 4.79 lakh cr.

ü  Introduction of compulsory reporting requirement of assets held abroad

ü  To exempt some movie services from service tax

ü  Govt services, education, entertainment, public transport exempted from service tax

ü  School education exempted from service tax

ü  FM says information on black money stashed abroad has started flowing in and prosecution to be executed in some cases

ü  Removes restriction on venture capital investment

ü  No change in corporate tax

ü  Income above 10 lakh will have 30% income tax

ü  Income from 5 to 10 lakh will have 20% income tax

ü  Income Tax at 10 percent for Rs 2-5 lakh

ü  Tax exemption limit up to 2 lakh

ü  Introduce new law for micro finance institutions

ü  FY12 fiscal deficit at 5.9% and FY13 fiscal deficit at 5.1%

ü  7 medical colleges to be upgraded to All India Institutes

ü  FY13 non plan expenditure at 9.7 lakh crores

ü  Non-tax revenue receipts estimated at Rs 1.64 lakh crores

ü  Additional 3 per cent interest subvention to farmers for promptly repaying their due

ü  Rs 25,555 cr for Right to Education in FY13

ü  Rs 193107cr in FY13 for defense

ü  Rs 1000 crores for National Skill Development Fund in FY13

ü  Rs 15,850 crore to be allocated to Integrated Child Development Scheme in 2012-13

ü  Pranab says the Nandan Nilekani panel recommendation on direct transfer of subsidy accepted

ü  NRHM allocation increased to Rs 20,820 cr.

ü  FM announces new equity savings scheme

ü  Rs 14000 crore for rural drinking and sanitation in FY 13

ü  Rs 242 crore project with World Bank assistance to improve dairy production.

ü  Credit guarantee fund for education loans

ü  National mission for food processing

ü  6,000 schools proposed to be set up in 12th year plan

ü  1 percent loan subsidy on home loans up to Rs 15 lakh

ü  New PDS for food security

ü  Allocate Rs 14232 cr to UID project

ü  Set up state-run irrigation facility

ü  Remove infrastructure bottleneck: FM

ü  Budget commits to multi-brand FDI

ü  Tax free-infra bond for Rs 60,000

ü  Allow ECB funding to finance working capital needs of airlines for 1 year

ü  Rs 30,000 crore to be raised through disinvestment

ü  To make 8,800 km of highways in FY13; outlay raised

ü  Irrigation, dams eligible for a special fund

ü  Tax exemption on individual share investment below Rs 10 lakhs

ü  Become self sufficient in urea production in next 5 years

ü  Some subsidies inevitable, says Pranab

ü  FM promises tax incentive for new investors

ü  Considering FDI in airlines

ü  Infrastructure debt fund launched

ü  Sensex trading 180 points higher

ü  Food subsidy will be fully provided for in the Budget

ü  Consortium for direct lending approved

ü  Implement direct tax code the earliest

ü  Focus on removing infrastructure bottlenecks

ü  Direct cash subsity to LPG, Kerosene

ü  Signs of turnaround in economy in March

ü  Address malnutrition decisively

ü  Bring down subsidy to 1.7 percent of GDP in the next 3 years

ü  Economy to grow at 7.6 percent in 2012/13

ü  Direct subsidy to retailers, farmers

ü  Address the problem of black money; FM expects inflation will come down; Have to accelerate pace of reforms

ü  Need to improve supply side in economy says FM

ü  Performance this year was disappointing but as compared to peers India was better says FM

ü  Weak industrial growth has held us back says Pranab

ü  Pranab Starts the budget presentation. He syas for Indian economy it has been a year of recovery interrupted.

ü  DMK MPs not attending Parliament for the Budget

ü  Can Pranab Mukherjee take the initiative to halt the deteriorating economic growth? Can he make this a significant budget?

ü  Rupee strengthens before budget

ü  Oil & Gas: expect status quo to be maintained on customs and excise duties in the oil & gas sector in the light of the sustained high losses on sales of subsidized petroleum products at current retail selling price.

ü  Nominal GDP growth of 14 to 14.5 percent is likely to be used for the budget arithmetic

ü  In the fertilizer and chemical sector, there is an expectation that the customs duty on various inputs like LNG, Naphtha, Alcohol, Propylene etc will be removed from current rate of 5 percent.

ü  In the automobile sector, the expectation is that there will be an increase in excise duty across segments and also there is possibility of additional tax on diesel vehicles.

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