Garret

In recent years gift baskets have become extremely popular, with an increasing number of options available, plus a number of speciality baskets, such as golf enthusiasts, new baby and gourmet baskets. Another type of basket in great demand is the corporate gift basket.

In choosing corporate gifts, a company has to decide what it is trying to achieve in giving the gift at all. Like any marketing decision (and let's be honest, this is marketing), the choice needs to take into account costs, purpose and likely benefits, as well as any possible adverse reaction if a bad choice is made. So, your corporate gift basket, if that is the general choice you make, should be appropriate not just to the recipient but the level and importance of the business relationship you have with them.

I am stating the obvious in saying that the corporate gift basket you send needs to both please the recipient, and further your business relationship with them. But it should also be kept in economic proportions. If you are sending to a customer who spends $50m a year with you, and you send them an obviously cheap $15 gift basket, the gift is likely to do your business relationship more harm than good. Send a luxury gift basket worth $990 to a customer who spends $100 a year with you, is not a sensible decision, unless they happen to be a great friend of yours; in which case, it is not really a corporate gift anyway.

When making your choice of gift basket, and what to include in it, then do think very carefully. The best marketing, the best customer relationships, are built on an individual basis. Ask yourself: do I not prefer to be treated as an individual, and receive gifts that are personalized? Of course you do; it shows the giver has thought about you and taken you into account as a person. Treat the corporate gift process like a mass mailing addressed "Dear Sir or Madam", and you will damage your customer relationships.

It follows, then, that your choice of corporate gift baskets should be well tailored for the recipients. An element of personalisation is very important, especially for large (spending) customers and their company executives. Just having something engraved can bring a touch of personalisation, even if all customers have exactly the same contents in their gift basket.

What To Put In A Corporate Gift Basket?

Deciding what to put in corporate gift baskets requires a bit of thought, which benefits from the "know your customer" rule. Once you have decided on the budget for each basket, and the type of gift that would be appropriate, it is then a matter of being selective within those criteria. For Christmas gift baskets, some advance planning is definitely needed so you can source the best value and quality of products.

You can find suppliers of corporate gift baskets online who appreciate the need for personalisation and will offer a range of options for you. So, if you choose appropriate quality products to fill the basket, and they are suitable for your gift "target", you can then have one or more items personalised.

Should you decide to have a basket with just one item personalised, then ensure that is placed strategically at the top of the basket, so the recipient sees quickly that you have thought about them as a person. The more individual touches you are able to add to the contents of the basket, the better for your customer relationships. But always remember, your choices must be appropriate.

The types of gifts you can put in the basket are really only limited by imagination. Engravable items can include wine boxes, golf flasks, cufflinks, business card cases. Really, just about anything you can engrave. If you have a gift in mind you cannot engrave, then a metal plaque added could be engraved, such as with a wooden pen box or executive filing case. The more you use your imagination, the more individual your corporate gift basket will be.

This corporate gift article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner/author of the Gifts For Xmas website, and the Xmas Ornament website.

One affordable way to add extra flair to any kitchen remodeling project is with new vinyl flooring, either as part of a larger renovation plan, or a stand alone DIY project.

Modern vinyl sheet goods are available in countless styles and colors; some which replicate other types of flooring. Such as ceramic or stone tile, or even hardwood. With state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques that make it difficult to discern from the real thing at first glance.

To begin a do it your self flooring project, careful measurements must be taken. This will insure an adequate amount of vinyl flooring is purchased in the style and color of choice.

Step 1 Begin by Removing Old Flooring

Remove moldings and baseboards from around the perimeter of the room. Remove old flooring to prepare the surface:

Vinyl

Cut old vinyl flooring into 12-inch wide strips using a utility knife. Grab hold of an edge and pull up the strips by hand. Gripping as close to the floor as possible will help avoid tearing.

Stubborn pieces should be cut into narrower strips; 5-inches or so. Apply a mixture of water and detergent under the top layer to separate the backing.

For particularly tough pieces, scrape with a floor scraper or a wallboard knife. Sweep debris with a broom; use a shop vac for small debris and dust.

Carpet

Cut carpet loose from metal edging strips using a utility knife. Cut remaining carpet into strips narrow enough to handle easily, and then roll carpet strips up and remove.

Carpet pad will either be stapled or glued. Simply pull up stapled pad and remove; pull staples out of the floor and sweep the area. If the pad is glued, pull it up. Stubborn pads must be scraped with a floor scraper. Remove metal edging using a pry bar. Once the floor is scraped smooth, sweep up the debris.

Vinyl Tiles

Simply scrape off vinyl tiles using a floor scraper. Stubborn tiles can be softened with a heat gun, and pried off with a wallboard knife. Be sure and scrape off any remaining adhesive. Wet stubborn adhesive with a water and detergent mixture, and then scrape with a floor scraper.

Ceramic Tile

Knock ceramic tile loose with a hand maul and masonry chisel. Try to start in a grout line where grout is already cracked or loosened. Be especially careful when working around fixtures or drain flanges. Scrape any remaining adhesive with a floor scraper. Stubborn adhesive may need to be removed with a belt sander using a coarse grit.

Step 2 Preparing the Surface

If you plan to reuse the old sub-floor surface, it must be very smooth, level, and free from any debris. When it comes to installing vinyl sheet flooring, even the slightest imperfection will show through.

If floor needs slight leveling, apply leveling compound using a smooth trowel. Be careful not to leave ridges; they need to be sanded smooth.

Moderately to heavily uneven and rough sub flooring should be covered with -inch plywood underlayment, available in 4X4-foot panels. Start the first run along a wall across the room.

Stagger subsequent runs so that seams are at least 18-inches from the other, from one run to the next. Staple or screw the underlayment to the sub floor using fasteners. Space the fasteners about 6-inches around the perimeter of the underlayment, and about 8-inches apart elsewhere.

Door jambs may need adjustment so that underlayment and vinyl will tuck under them; close, but not tight. Accomplish this by undercutting using an undercut saw.

Step 3 Make a Pattern

Using 15-pound asphalt felt paper, make a pattern of the floor by placing pieces of the felt around the room. Carefully trim edges to match the contour of the room; tape pieces together with duct tape.

Carefully roll or fold the pattern and remove from the room. In another room or in an area large enough roll out the sheet flooring with vinyl face up. Place the pattern on top and trace; cut the vinyl to fit the pattern. If in doubt, leave a small margin on the vinyl, which can be custom trimmed later.

Step 4 Install the Sheet Vinyl

Lay the vinyl in place, and do any necessary final trimming. Once vinyl is trimmed for a good fit, carefully fold the vinyl back over on its self so that of the room sub floor is exposed.

Apply a layer of floor adhesive to the sub floor or underlayment using a -inch notched trowel. Carefully fold the vinyl over on to the glued side of the room, and roll with a heavy floor roller; available at most rental stores. Using a floor roller will help to work out air bubbles and create a smoother, firmer bond to the sub floor. Repeat procedure for the other side of the room.

Once vinyl is glued, replace baseboards and moldings. Install new metal edge trim where vinyl meets carpet or other flooring.

If this new sheet vinyl kitchen remodeling process sounds like more than you would like to tackle as a DIY project, you might consider hiring a professional flooring contractor to help with all or just part of the project.

If, instead of sheet vinyl you are considering having hardwood flooring installed in your kitchen, refer to this helpful article: Exotic Hardwood Flooring; Worth the Extra Cost or Not? Note links at the bottom of the page for other articles relevant to kitchen remodeling and new flooring.

For more articles on kitchen remodeling, kitchen cabinets and many others, visit HandyAmerican.com. Your one stop online resource for home renovation and landscaping articles. And a great asset for finding just the right service provider to help with all your remodeling needs. With free project posting services for homeowners requiring the services of a reliable contractor in their locality.

You should be able to find several indispensable facts about Bass Fishing Boats in the following paragraphs. If theres at least one fact you didnt know before, imagine the difference it might make.

Knowledge can give you a real advantage. To make sure youre fully informed about Bass Fishing Boats, keep reading.

Bass fishing nowadays uses equipments influenced by the advanced technology invented by man. Once, the first sport fishers used wood fishing rods and live worms during the first bass fishing games. Now, bass fishing is becoming easier as the modern anglers use newly revolutionized aluminium fishing rods and plastic-made soft worm replicas.

Most of the important innovation that technical people made is the electronic and motor-driven type of bass fishing boats that are well suited for particular conditions. Moreover, these boats are now available in the market and online shops for you to choose the best equipment necessary to aid you in catching more fish and win the competition.

First thing to consider is the type of boat to use. Boat manufacturers designed the body specifications of their products based on the body of water where they will be utilized, the water level, and the water current. There are boats that have hulls designed in a V-shaped manner in combination shaped with wide beam and strong yet lightweight materials for a smoother and drier cruise of your boat in extremely shallow waters.

They also incorporate the angle of water to roll of the hull, thus reducing the hull noise made by splashing water that alerts fish. Modifications in the water line of the boat also reduce the possibility of spraying water from the sea or river to the floor of your boat, preventing it from possible sinking.

Next thing to consider is the driving power of the motor. There are new designs of specialized bass fishing boats available to help you pursue bass fishes that swim fast in moving water, like the lighter peacock fishes. These boats are equipped with an average of 15 to 25 horsepower motor.

Diesel-driven motors are also an advantage since it costs cheap and can load up to 30 litres of diesel. Also, propellers must be running with the water current, not against it so that the fuel will not be used entirely on pumping up the motor to its rated capacity.

Some sports fisher wants a fully furnished boat deck where they can occupy and direct the boat to its destination. They prefer having in-cockpit bench with cushion that can be folded down which provides them safety and at the same time greater convenience. In the cockpit itself, they prefer fewer controls for easy reference of the functions, like steering wheels, nautical mile meter and other controls that are used in night fishing activities.

The development of the sonar or the sound navigation and ranging and its integration in the bass fishing boat is one of the most applauded innovations. Sonar is a technique that usually uses sound propagation to navigate and detect other water vessels and other forms of life beneath the water.

It is very helpful on the part of the fisherman because most of the bass fishes are traced through this instrument. There is also sonar that is capable of detecting fish even at night time. When they already detected their prey, they start launching their baits in order to catch them.

As time pass by, expect more innovations and developments in the bass fishing boats. All of these are for one purposeto help the anglers catch their prey in an easier and convenient way.

Puneet Singhal is a seasoned bass fisherman who is always on the lookout for the new tricks and techniques to catch more fishes each time he go for fishing.

For more information, related articles on bass fishing please visit http://www.bassfishing-center.com.

Find Colonic Hydrotherapy Schools in the United States and Canada. If youre seeking a unique and alternative health education, one of several colonic hydrotherapy schools may be ideal for you. Typically, colonic hydrotherapy schools offer basic and advanced courses in the cleansing and detoxifying of the colon. In addition to classroom studies, students enrolled in colonic hydrotherapy schools will gain practical training in colon hydrotherapy by I-ACT certified instructors.

Students enrolled in colonic hydrotherapy schools will learn that colonic hydrotherapy is a method of cleansing and detoxifying the colon through gentle infusions of purified water, which allows the entire colon tract to be cleansed, eliminating toxic buildup, wastes and bacteria.

Training at colonic hydrotherapy schools consists of lessons in digestive system review, colon hydrotherapy procedures, health and hygiene, maintenance and sanitation of equipment, client communications and general business practices. Because it does not integrate chemicals or drugs, colonic hydrotherapy is becoming a preferred method to naturally detoxify the colon; which improves overall digestive processes.

Furthermore, students in colonic hydrotherapy schools will gain a comprehensive overview and understanding of the FDA Registered medical device, called LIBBE (Lower Intestine Bottom Bowel Evacuation System). This medical equipment is especially designed to be used as an evacuation system, and is used for the administration of colonic irrigation.

In general, students who have completed training through one of several colonic hydrotherapy schools can become eligible for I-ACT Testing for Levels I, II and III certifications. Bear in mind, however, that I-ACT Level III is primarily reserved for students who are pursuing advanced instruction and Instructor certification.

Costs of tuition at colonic hydrotherapy schools are relatively low, and courses are not nearly as long as traditional schools. This is significant; as some massage therapists and other natural healthcare practitioners may find that additional colon hydrotherapy training is an added incentive for clients and patients.

In addition to standard and advance training modules, a number of colonic hydrotherapy schools may also provide continuing education courses for practicing therapists and other health professionals.

If you would like to learn more about colonic hydrotherapy or are interested in enrolling in one of several colonic hydrotherapy schools, feel free to peruse Holistic Junction's business directory for colonic hydrotherapy schools near you today!

Find your dream job! Let education within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, holistic medicine, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.

Colonic Hydrotherapy Schools
Copyright 2007
The CollegeBound Network
All Rights Reserved

NOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.

Resource Box: CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd - Freelance Writer and Web Consultant for HolisticJunction.com, in association with CollegeSurfing.com - Educational Resources for Healing Arts Schools, Colonic Hydrotherapy Schools, and other Alternative Medicine Schools.

Every year, you have to file tax returns and every year there are changes to the tax code. Here are some key changes for 2005 to keep in mind when you prepare returns.

Tax Changes You Should Know for 2005 Returns

2005 was a fairly quite year when it came to changes to the tax code. Most changes were in the form of tweaks, instead of major overhauls. This break seems to have given the IRS a change to clean up some of its procedures as it has started simplifying forms. Nonetheless, here are changes to keep in mind when preparing your tax returns.

1. Donations of automobiles to charities are being treated differently from 2005 forward. If you donated a car to charity in 2005, you may be in for a minor shock. Instead of claiming fair market value, the deduction for the donation is now limited to the actual gross payment received by the charity when auctioning off the automobile. The charity you donated to should have sent you correspondence indicating the amount in question. If they did not, contact them to get one so you know what you can deduct.

2. The business mileage allowance is a two-tier system for the 2005 tax year. For business miles incurred during the first eight months of the year, the deduction is 40.5 cents a mile. For the last four months of 2005, the deduction is a whopping 48.5 cents a mile. This odd use of two calculations is due to the explosion in gass prices in 2005.

3. In a positive development, the exemption amount on your tax returns has gone up. For each exemption, you can now deduct a hefty $3,200 per exemption. Keep in mind, however, that exemptions are graduated per your adjusted gross earnings. The more you make, the less of an exemption you can claim. The specific graduated percentages depend on your filing status, so youll have to take a look at the tax tables to ascertain the impact on your tax filings.

4. The standard deduction that can be claimed by those who do not itemize has gone up. Again, it depends on your filing status, so make sure you take a close look at the numbers on whatever version of form 1040 you are using this year.

5. The earned income tax credit assists low income taxpayers by cutting the amount of taxes that have to be paid. To claim the tax credit, you have to be earning under a certain amount. This amount has increased for the 2005 tax year. Youll have to look at your tax form to get the specific amount as it varies pursuant to your filing status and the number of children you are claiming.

6. If you lived in any area devastated by Hurricane Katrina, the IRS is giving out major concessions to help alleviate any tax problems. Go to the IRS web site to learn more.

As you can see, the tax changes for 2005 arent particularly significant. Still, you need to know them when you file.

Richard A. Chapo is with http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com - recovery of business taxes through tax help and tax relief. Visit http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com/articles to read more business tax articles.

Being part of the Sandwich Generation can be challenging. Many of us find ourselves sandwiched between children and grandchildren who need our attention and aging parents who also need care and attention. And many of the people who are sandwiched between the needs of the generations of our families also have a career. I just cant tell you how many people have said, Help! I cant work and be at home!

Many people 50 and over are struggling with the need to earn a living and be at home to care for a parent, a child, or a grandchild. There are hundreds of thousands of people 50+ who are raising their grandchildren. There are hundreds of thousands of people 50+ who are caring for an aging parent. And there are many thousands of people 50+ who are helping or caring for children with special needs.

In the past, your options were limited. Your choices were to leave work and stay at home or to find care for your family member and continue to work. No matter what your decision, it was hard to live with. Either you felt guilty for not caring for your family member directly and personally, or you gave up a career and the independence, and perhaps income, it provided.

The good news is that there are other options today. In this electronic age it is possible to be at home and keep your job -- it is possible through the magic of telecommuting. More and more businesses are accepting telecommuting as an option for employees to eliminate long commutes or to accommodate family needs. You will need to have a very honest conversation with your employer about an option that can work for you and for your employer. If your employer refuses to consider the option, you might need to try another company.

Another option that is increasingly popular with the 50+ population is to take early retirement and start a home-based business. Some people turn hobbies into businesses. Other people start service businesses. Still others sign up with work-from-home agencies. Just look at your skills and see if this is an option for you. When you are your own boss, or working at something that permits flexible scheduling of work hours, you can build your schedule around the needs of your family.

If you are a member of the sandwich generation, dont despair. There are many viable alternatives available to you. Just think creatively, be honest with yourself and others, and you will find a work situation that meets your needs.

Dr. Cynthia Barnett is a refired educator who had reinvented her life moving from the school house to an entrepreneurial venue.. She is the author of Stop Singing the Blues: 10 Powerful Strategies for Hitting the high Notes in Your Life, and RE-FIRE, Dont Retire: 7 Secrets of Highly Successful Retirees She was featured by Time magazine for their article on women in mid-life who have reinvented themselves.

If you are ready to RE-FIRE your life sign up for my free 7 day audio mini course on the 7 biggest mistakes retires make and how to avoid them for an extraordinary life at http://www.refiredontretire.com

Perfect Light Stretch It
People only see what they are prepared to see.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson-

Nature and outdoor photographers the world over have long recognized and worked hard to take advantage of the soft, seemingly magical light of early morning, regardless of their location or assignment. Natural light definitely is different in the first hour or two after daybreak. Although many wild creatures tend to be more active during the first and last hours of a day this is only a happy coincidences for photographers. Just as often, other birds and mammals will be up and moving all hours of the day, despite what the light may look like for photographer. The solution is learning to stretch perfect light so you can still come away with usable and often truly outstanding images throughout the whole day. Youre not changing the suns brightness, rather only using it differently, and the techniques are not hard to learn. Sport and new photographers have to utilize these methods every day, and they are easily applied to outdoors and nature shooting. Here are five techniques you can begin using the next time your out in the field; you may have been practicing one or more of them already, and the longer you continue as a nature photographer, the more tricks youll use. These five are closely related, so you can combine them as you photograph.

1.Concentrate on color-Although bright light under a clear sky does seem to wash out colors; you can work around this by composing using contrasting colors. For example, place a bright red or yellow against a lighter brown or green. The key is having a brightly colored subject with a lighter background, rather than vice versa. Black or dark brown backgrounds can work, but if your brighter subject is small, a dark background may simply overpower it. At times, polarizing filters can help you, be careful and learn to use them correctly. Their primary function is to reduce glare, which frequently does result in richer color saturation. Some of todays professional film does not always yield pleasing polarized results because their emulsions already offer excellent color saturation.

2.Shoot tight- This is one of the most critical techniques in making successful midday photos. Using a telephoto lenses isolate your subject so you can eliminate backgrounds brightness or contrast. Dont Hesitate to choose a telephoto even when youre already close to your subject; used in this manner, the result is almost three dimensional when you have strong side lighting and you use a large aperture to further reduce depth of field. This is when the zoom lenses in your bag really earn their keep because you can vary your composition without changing your physical position, plus fixed focal length telephoto also work well.

3.Change directions- Quite often, angled light or back-lit scenes are far more dramatic than those with front lighting. In fact, even experienced photographers usually express surprise at how much a photograph can be changed simply by repositioning you a few feet one way or the other.

4.Try fill lighting- Using a fill flash, even in midday, can and will add surprising result when shoot a subject within 10 feet. Flash photography has never been easier than rule governing their use has not changed: a fill flash is used to complement natural light outdoors, not to override it. In other words, dont shoot into the sun in the belief the plash will eliminate a shadow-covered subject, because it wont. Instead, use the flash to reduce contrast between bright areas and shadows and create more even overall light. Think small, too, as in subjects like birds or squirrels; a single hotshoe-mounted flash is not going to help much if youre trying to light up a bison at noon in Yellowstones Lamar valley, but conversely, it can certainly help add detail if youre photographing a small animal. At close distances, regular fill plash can be used successfully with telephoto lenses, too without having to resort to special accessories.

5.Avoid harsh light contrasts- Dont confuse contrasting light with contrasting colors, because even the best films made, can not handle the F-stop difference between bright light and dark shadow. With professional color transparency film, the exposure latitude you have even on uniformly lit subject is only about one-half stop and practically never more than one full stop. Thus, film doesnt always capture color the way you see it, especially in high contrast conditions. In many instances, its easy to avoid harsh contrasts. Scenes that include land and sky, for example, often present this problem, but it might be solved if your composition includes a long, brushy tree limb as a framing device to eliminate much of the sky. Maybe the sky or the ground isnt needed at all; reposition your horizon line or change your camera angle to emphasize another aspect of the scene. As you can see, all five techniques are closely related, and with experience youll be shooting more and well, so stretch the perfect and shoot all day long. See ya in the field.

Asbestos has many appealing qualities for builders. It is strong, flexible and corrosion resistant. It is also burn resistant and a good insulator. There are not many substances with these qualities and may explain why it was so widely used. It becomes hazardous when asbestos containing materials are disturbed or damaged. Asbestos is made up of microscopic bundles of fibers. When the materials become disturbed or damaged, these fibers separate and may become airborne. These fibers may get into the lungs and that may lead to serious and even fatal diseases. Some of these diseases include:

Asbestosis is a non-cancerous lung disease. Inhaling asbestos fibers for an extended period of time causes it. This disease takes twenty five to forty years to develop. As asbestos fibers become trapped in your lungs, the body will produce an acid to try to eliminate these fibers. The continued production of the acid can eventually scar the tissues in your lungs. An excessive amount of scarring may cause the lungs to function improperly. This can lead to serious breathing difficulties. If asbestosis is left untreated, it may cause cardiac failure. At this time, there is no effective treatment for this disease. People who renovate or demolish buildings that contain asbestos have the greatest risk of getting asbestosis. The chances of getting this disease through physical contact with a person who works with asbestos are minimal. People who worked in naval shipyards were the first ones diagnosed with asbestosis.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the pleura (the outer membrane that encloses the lung and chest cavity) and/ or the peritoneum (the membrane lining the walls of the abdominal cavity). In the United States, there are only about 3000 new cases of this disease annually. Exposure to asbestos has been the cause in all of the cases. The exposure in these cases lasted anywhere from fifteen to thirty years. Unlike other forms of cancer, there is only one known cause of mesothelioma. Studies indicate that people who work in areas that contain asbestos, such as mines, mills, factories, or shipyards, or who manufacture and install asbestos installation are at the greatest risk of getting mesothelioma. You are also at risk if you live with a worker exposed to asbestos or near any area containing asbestos. Studies also indicate that younger people are more likely to contract mesothelioma when they inhale asbestos. This is the reason why people are going to great lengths to protect school children from asbestos exposure.

Many cases of lung cancer can also be attributed to asbestos exposure. Lung cancer is actually the leading cause of death among all of the illnesses caused by asbestos exposure. You can aggravate the effects of lung cancer by about fifty percent if you start smoking. People who work in occupations where they are directly involved in the handling of asbestos are at a greater risk of getting lung cancer. Exposure to both asbestos and another carcinogen, such as cigarette smoke, puts you at greater risk of contracting lung cancer than exposure to asbestos alone. There was a study that indicated that exposure to asbestos and smoke makes you ninety times more likely to contract lung cancer than a person who is not exposed to either. Some of the symptoms of lung cancer include coughing, breathing irregularities, chest pains and anemia. It usually takes fifteen to thirty years of exposure to asbestos to contract lung cancer.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Asbestos