Look at the kind of marketing you’ve been doing. Is it effective, or are there areas that are just a waste of time and money? Times have changed, and with the invention of new technologies there are now new ways of marketing with websites, blogs, social media, and tweets. Are you still using 20-year-old methods? For instance, newspaper advertising is an expensive way to market your company, and it isn’t always the most effective choice.

Look at other areas to see ways you can save money and cut down on expenses. You may have tried some of the new advertising methods and found them not working for you. Now would be a good time to cut them; you cannot afford to pay for campaigns that don’t increase sales.

Don’t Try to Do It All Yourself

Most business managers are not born marketers. By trying to handle the advertising yourself, you end up making more mistakes and wasting money. If you don’t have a thorough understanding of marketing strategies, hire someone who does. It can be a department within the company, or an outside marketing company. They will know the best way to increase sales and you won’t have to experiment to find something that works.

Basketball fans from everywhere look forward to the Slam Dunk contest during the NBA All-Star Saturday Night. It can be exciting to watch players compete for the title. Here is a list of some of the best slam dunks in the history of the competition.

Gerald Green

Back in 2007, Green put on a Boston Brown jersey and landed a slam dunk over the head of Nate Robinson. Green was also a runner up in the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk contest. He won McDonald’s All-American Slam Dunk Contest in 2005. He plays for the Los Angeles D-Fenders in the NBA Development League.

Dwight Howard

Ousting Green for the 2008 title was the center for Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard. He has been a six-time All-Star and has helped his team win three division titles and a conference title. He has been named the Defensive Player of the Year three times.

Have you ever watched a science fiction movie, observed something really cool, and said, “I wish that were real”? You’d be surprised to know how many things that were made up on television have become realities. Here are some useful and some useless but cool ones.

Hydrogel Lenses

These contact lenses are not just cool because they change color, but for the reason why they do so. They contain tiny nanoparticles that react with human tears and change color based on a person’s glucose levels. This can alert diabetics to their blood sugar levels without drawing blood.

The Sleep Box

The sleep box is exactly what the name implies - a box for sleeping. It can be used at airports or other places where you may be stuck spending some time. It is large enough to hold a bed and an LCD television, and also provides luggage space. It has wireless access in case you want to work in private.

The kitchen is usually the busiest room in the house. Every morning kids wolf down bowls of cereal and parents bustle through for coffee. After school or work, everyone congregates in the kitchen for snacks, or to help prepare dinner. As a hub of everyday activity, it’s important to keep the kitchen lively and fresh. The following are easy ways you can keep your kitchen from becoming out-dated and boring.

Add table lamps – Table lamps provide soft lighting, inviting a warm atmosphere. Pick up some table lamps to put on a counter or a shelf to gently bathe the room in warm light, rather than have bright overhead lights on all the time.

New gadgets and inventions – People are rather genius when it comes to inventing the next must-have kitchen gadget. From coffee mugs with smart lids to juicers, new gadgets can add an extra level of comfort and convenience to your overall kitchen experience. 

Painting cabinetry – A simple fresh coat of paint can totally reinvent a kitchen. Painting the insides of the cabinet with a contrasting color can be a striking way to refresh your kitchen. Painting cabinets can be tricky because they have many awkward corners and edges. By planning ahead and following these tips, you can be sure to have an easy experience refreshing your cabinets. 

If you have decided to start your own business, one of the most exciting parts is to choose a name for your company.  You may spend quite a bit of time selecting just the right name and enlist the help of friends.  You may already know just what name you want to use.  However, once you choose a business name, there are several things you must do to be able to use it.

1.  Find Out if You Can Use It.

You must check to make sure the name you have chosen is not already legally protected.  If you choose a name that is already protected by a trademark, you will be required to change it and can end up with a lawsuit.

Check with the state where you will be conducting business to make sure the name is free.  You can do this on the state’s website and look at their database of company names.  You should also visit the US Patent and Trademark Office website for their free search tool.  You can check to see if your business name is listed.

President Obama announced last week that he was asking the Justice Department to create a task force to investigate lenders who gave loans to new homeowners prior to the debt crisis. The task force is supposed to find out if there were abusive or illegal lending practices. Those found guilty would be required to compensate the victims by contributing to the housing relief program.

Those Who Agree

There are many who are in support of this task force. Predatory lending practices provided loans to people who could not afford them, and are seen as the primary cause for the housing crisis. The term “predatory lending” refers to the unscrupulous and illegal practices used by many lenders while creating a loan.  

There are many behaviors that are categorized as predatory, and resulting in borrowers signing a loan they cannot afford. Some of these include:

-Failing to tell the borrower that the price of the home is negotiable

-Failing to clearly disclose the terms of the loan

Some people make New Year’s resolutions to get rid of them, while others make a fresh start on their birthday - whatever time of year you choose to make a change, everyone wants to break a bad habit. The trouble is that people often fail to permanently get rid of the annoying bad habit. Here are some tips to improve your chances of being successful.

1.  Analyze Your Bad Habit.

Before you can get rid of a bad habit, you have to know why you do it in the first place. For instance, if you want to quit watching too much television, you have to know why you do it. Are you bored in the evenings? Do you automatically turn it on when you walk in the door? By understanding why you do certain things, you can figure out how to break the habit.

2.  Decide on a Replacement.

It is much easier to break a bad habit if you replace it with a good one. Using the example mentioned above, instead of watching television you could read a book or pick up a hobby. A bad habit can leave a void in your life. Filling this void with a new habit will make it much easier to give up an older one.

The internet is a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners. There is plenty of information on accounting, marketing, business strategy, and any other topic you may need to know about. However, most business owners don’t have the time to browse the web to find these resources. Here is a list of 10 websites that will be beneficial to almost every new entrepreneur and small business owner.

Business Owner’s Tool Kit

From cost-cutting tips and checklists to case studies and startup advice, this site is loaded with information. The best part is that it is free, which means you don’t have to add another cost to your already strapped budget.

Startup Nation

This website has useful information for anyone who is just starting their business. There are forums where you can learn from others with similar goals. You will find articles filled with information that pertains to you, as well as advice from experts and those “who have been there.”

Feng Shui is an old Chinese system designed to improve one’s life by arranging things according to the laws of nature.  Many people use this idea to design their homes.  If you are interested in creating an oasis in your home using Feng Shui, here are some tips to help you.

1.  Get Rid of Clutter.

One of the most important things you can do to establish a sense of peace inside your home is to get rid of excess items that you don’t use or love.  This is not just a principle of Feng Shui; it pertains to any type of design you use.  However, it will help to create more energy in your home, which is the basis of Feng Shui.  You will be able to find things you need easier and won’t be dragged down by mounds of stuff.

2.  Create Quality Light.

Light improves energy whether it is artificial or natural.  Make sure you have access to good lighting in the rooms of your home.  If you have several windows, use light curtains that can be opened to allow natural light into the room.  If you have a room that does not have much natural lighting, buy lamps and bright lighting.  

There are differing opinions on whether the traditional business card is obsolete in today’s digital society.  With social networks and online profiles, does anyone even need a business card anymore?  While not everyone would agree, many people think it does still have a place.  The key is to update your business card and know how to use it along with digital media.

1.  Introduce Yourself

The business card has traditionally been used to introduce you to prospective clients or other business associates you may later do business with.  That is still a valid use for today’s business card.  However, to make it effective, it needs to contain your email address, website, and any other digital information you may have.  

Most people will use it to add your email address to their list of contacts on their email account.  They may also bookmark your website before they set the card aside.  It is still a handy way to get your information out in a quick, quiet way.  It will only be useful if it contains your electronic information since that is how more people are communicating today.

A beautiful lawn is the envy of many homeowners who think it is impossible to have one of their own. It is not as difficult as one would expect if they follow these five simple rules.

1.  Know Your Lawn.

Know what kind of grass you have before you attempt to treat it. If you have bare spots and you are trying to grow new grass, find out what is already in the surrounding area, or what will grow well in your type of climate. You can always talk to your local agricultural extension office to find the best grass for your area.

2.  Learn How to Mow.

Set your mower to a higher setting. Yes, this will mean you have to mow more often, but it will make your grass healthier, especially during dry times. It also allows the roots to penetrate deeper so they can withstand droughts. Moisture is also held better in taller grass; the grass will retain the water longer when you irrigate your lawn.

Everyone gets in a bad mood every now and then. It can be something that happened at work or at home, or, it was just the way they woke up. It could be from lack of sleep or stress. Whatever the cause, it is unpleasant for the person as well as for those around them. There are things you can do to improve your mood.

Figure Out the Cause

Take a break and figure out the reason for your bad mood. You may not be able to fix the problem, but it can help you deal with it. If someone at work upset you and you realize it, you are less likely to vent it out on your family at home.  

If there is something you can do to fix the problem, go ahead with it. You can talk to the co-worker who hurt your feelings and let them know what they did. Just taking action may put you in a better mood. If you can’t take care of the problem, it can be helpful to find someone to confide in.