Swiroset.com

Powering future

Month: March 2023

20 Must-Have Push Notification Best Practices for Ecommerce Merchants

Mobile marketing is the recent buzzword and push notification is definitely an indispensable part of this promotional journey. Reaching out to users outside of app usage was not an easy task, but push notifications have made it possible. You have the power to stay out of the way without getting lost in the colossal multitude of unread messages. Although push notifications are the ideal way to grab user attention, they can be easily manipulated if, in the wrong hands, doing the wrong thing is more influential than the right thing.

Issues

According to a report published a year ago, people find push notifications really annoying. The fact is that push messages are nothing more than attention seekers. They like to capture user feedback by being a direct line of communication between the client and the application. It is important that only relevant messages reach the app user without angering them. The problems that usually arise in the case of automatic notifications are:

When the user consents to push notifications, marketers need to ensure that only relevant updates reach the customer by learning their set of preferences.

You should realize early on that push notification is a privileged tool that should not be used to spam users with frequent messages throughout the day.

The wrong timing can annoy a user and cause them to instinctively delete the app. To avoid such a thing, set the timer for the relevant alerts.

· Before sending any push message, certain criteria like age, time, basically all user information is mandatory because otherwise you are bound to send wrong messages to wrong people.

Push ads via notifications are a complete no for any user who wants to stay with you and like your app.

· Late messages can annoy people to the core.

· Marketers should ensure that opting out of push messages is as easy as opting out of notifications. Easy setup can prevent customers from removing the app entirely.

Industry overview

The year 2015 was considered to be the game changer for the push notification industry. From general push messages, the focus shifted to targeted notifications to target users based on their preferences. The shift from non-spam push messages to planned tactical messages significantly improved engagement, retention, and the consumer experience. Every industry must be flexible enough to stay ahead of changing streams of customer needs. Fashionistas and creators struggle to imagine the next popular trend, while medical scholars try to answer nature’s toughest questions. Becoming a leader in a particular industry, setting trends is more important than just blindly following them.

Push notifications are the cheapest and best way to boost app retention and engage your customers. But often it is applied thoughtlessly, insensitively, and honestly unseemly. A new report from Accenage based on more than 38 billion push messages suggests that if push notifications are properly applied and used, push messages can have a major influence on Android (until the release of Android M OS), with 100% subscription. omitted.

20 interesting solutions

Push notifications are just as important as the user experience (UX) of your app because researchers believe that more than 71% of app uninstalls are typically triggered by push messages. The bottom line is that bad push practices can be harmful, as push notifications directly affect users and not devices. So let’s take a look at some of the best practices for pushing to hit the mark.

1. Respect for the specific local time zone

It’s quite easy to think and act according to your own time zone like “it’s 8pm in India, so let’s start circulating the push messages”. Push notification doesn’t work that way. When your customers are engaged, it becomes vital that your messages reach the user at the right time when they are ready to receive them according to their time zone. A decent push service will definitely reduce server load and stagger messages in a window if necessary.

2. Internally prioritize a message

What is prioritizing a message? Marketers often think, the more the merrier. Good? It is not the same in all cases. Many times, more can reduce your income, your users, usage, comments and everything. Sending 23 to 50 notifications a day to customers can not only irritate them but also cause them to uninstall an app. Therefore internally prioritizing a message to a maximum of 5-10 per day can help and accommodate most applications.

3. Avoid generic impulses

Considering a hard limit for multiple inserts per day can be an effective practice. You may be thinking of shipping various services that can help your application interact with the user, inform the user, and gain insight into the user’s preferences. But, generic impulses can be called bad practices. Giving preference to transactional messages can capture more user attention.

4. Value your user’s dream

When it comes to the night, people usually want to sleep well to start a new day. Cell phones often go silent or do not disturb while people sleep. Considering this, do you really think that people actually have time to check all the push messages that arrive overnight or early in the morning? Therefore, marketers should also value user sleep and limit notifications to the day. Perhaps a summary push notification in the morning can be more effective than 10 strange messages at night.

5. Personalize content for users

Push messages can be personalized and sent to users to make them more valuable. Except for junk and irrelevant messages, news alerts, offers, and chats based on user preferences can make a positive impact. Numerous marketing automations are possible with some very basic data input. Like how long the app was installed on your device, what level of gaming you currently have, its last usage, and many little things can help personalize push messages for users.

6. Favor transactional impulses

1:1 push messages that are typically targeted at a single user and are typically not unique to the audience split are called transactional pushes. For example, your package is being sent or there is a new like, and more. Such notifications fit perfectly as per the definition. However, punctuality is one of the best practices that one should adhere to.

7. Customize with username

When a message is intended exclusively for one user and is indicated by the user’s name in push messages, such as Ronit, it is time for your doctor’s visit in another 4 hours; people take it more seriously and really like those notifications.

8. Keep it simple and short in 10 words

To create impact in the mind of the users, 10 words are more than enough to convey the right message that you want your user to know.

9. Correct Implementation of Technology

To keep the 71% stats shown above at bay, it’s very important to implement notifications correctly. It’s not just about certificates and provisioning.

10 Seeking permission is indeed vital

The pop-up alert that appears at the beginning of the installation of an app asking for permission is ideally the most important checkpoint. Without the user’s permission, notifications cannot be sent.

eleven look for a 3rd party service

Setting up push notifications is not an easy task to do on your own. Seeking the help of the third party service is the best option in terms of coverage, consistency and good features.

12 Opt for content preload

If you’re directed to some content in your app via a push message, you’re most likely preloading it with the available API. This may delay pushing by a few seconds, but you get the UI out of the box, without waiting for the irritating loading screen.

13 Easy availability of notification settings

Difficulty locating notification settings can be annoying for customers. The easy availability of the setting to turn notification off or on is vital.

14 Customize message based on location

Location-based appropriate meaningful messaging will build engagement with customers. Personalizing messages based on the user’s location can be a great practice.

fifteen. Thinking outside the box

It’s important that you deliver targeted value and unique content to end users while incorporating push notifications into your planning strategies. This requires innovative thinking. Push ads are not just one part of your communication approach; it’s one part of mobile customer engagement with your brand.

sixteen. smart segmentation

CRM software or in-app behavior should be the smart factors for smart segmentations. Both user behavior and user profiles are necessary for sound division planning.

17 KPI definition

The mobile key performance indicator can help you understand actual interactions, long-term retention/conversion, and revenue/lifetime value of the product, while click-through and conversion rates only help you understand the preliminary achievement of a Campaign.

18 Content plays an important role

The content of your message has a strong impact on the success of push notifications. Such as, “off”, “discounts”, “promo code”, etc. They have strong consumer interest.

19 rich pokes

In addition to text content, Android forever lol and iOS 10 feature major advancements. Now your automatic previews can include images and GIF videos. For arbitrary views from your iOS 10, you can study in detail.

twenty Delete expired messages

Once the message loses its relevance, it should be automatically deleted. For example, the 50% discount on shoes was a valid offer a week ago but is currently not valid for the user, so it should be automatically removed.

Why Betaout is all-in-one eCommerce Marketing Automation?

Betaout enables e-commerce businesses to increase conversions and identify with the user engagement process using real-time user persona and compromised data. It offers a custom set of tools that eCommerce business marketers can use to set themselves apart and thus address the precise needs of customers. The free Betaout tool is an easy-to-use marketing solution that enables eCommerce businesses to bring their marketing efforts to a strict line, giving them that much-needed edge over the competition.

How to lose water weight in one day?

Losing more than 4 pounds in a month is not a safe option. But when you start your weight loss journey; it seems that he is losing more than 10 pounds in a month.

Why did this happened?

It is easier to lose the first 5 pounds compared to the last 5 pounds. Because the first 5 pounds are mostly water weight and the last 5 pounds are mostly muscle mass.

What is it?

When you are fasting or not drinking enough water, your body goes into dehydration mode. In this mode, the body tries to store water; what is the reason for the increase in water weight.

You can easily lose 3-5 pounds of water weight in a day. As?

Here are some tips to help you.

Drinking water

In this age of information technology, you don’t need information. You need motivation. You need inspiration. We all know that drinking pure water is a healthy habit, but most of us don’t mind drinking water.

Here are some simple tips for drinking water:

  • Buy a colored plastic bottle that can hold 1.5 liters of water.
  • Put this bottle in your office bag. It will help you avoid cold drinks and you will not stay thirsty.
  • Drink a glass of water before eating your food. It will save you from eating extra calories and has good effects on your digestive system.

Cardiovascular exercise

45 minutes of cardio is enough to lose 1.5 pounds of water weight. Cardiovascular exercises affect your metabolism rate. Therefore, I recommend that you take a relaxed sleep after exercise.

In this way, you will enjoy the benefits of exercise; as you sleep.

Steam room

The steam room is a good option if you want to lose 2 pounds in half an hour. The steam room can cost you between 25 and 50 dollars. But if you want to spend some money, go take a steam bath.

The tips mentioned above help you sweat more profusely; which is the key to losing water weight. Losing water weight is a temporary effect, but it can be made permanent by following these tips:

  1. Eat colorful fruits that have water and vitamins. Include them in your daily diet plan.
  2. Be sure to lower your salt intake. Salt crystals are naturally attracted to water molecules. Therefore, try to avoid salt.
  3. Try to avoid sugar.
  4. Salty snacks and sauces also contribute to weight gain. Avoid them.

I hope this helps. Thank you!

Kitchen remodeling: cost reduction

One way to cut costs on kitchen remodeling is to make a budget and stick to it, but that’s not always easy. You may have budgeted too low on some things or you may have seen something you like better for your kitchen but it was over your budget. Budgeting and planning are the two logical ways to reduce the cost of your kitchen remodel. If you’re hiring a home remodeling contractor, get at least two or three estimates and ask them to give you a breakdown of the costs so they can see how your money will be spent. Some of the items that can add to the cost of the project are countertops, flooring, and cabinets. If you’re shopping for these items instead of the contractor, shop around for the best deals, which means you may have to go to multiple home improvement stores. You can also substitute lower-priced items to help lower your costs, but don’t settle for something you don’t like or wouldn’t look good in your newly remodeled kitchen just to save money.

determine budget

Sit down, calculate all your monthly expenses and see how much money you have left. Estimate a portion for your kitchen remodeling project. You can save this amount of money each month for several months until you have the amount you want to spend on your project. Once the amount is established, stick with it. Sketch how you want your kitchen to look after the remodel and take notes on what kinds of products you’ll need. If you want expensive stainless steel appliances, you may need to spend less on flooring, countertops, and cabinets.

If you don’t want to have a fixed budget, making it difficult to add if you don’t have additional funds to add to the budget. Instead, you should determine a budget range, which is many times more appropriate for a kitchen remodel. The reason this works best is that most projects are based on estimates and actual costs may vary.

most expensive items

The next step after calculating the budget is to determine what type of products you want to have in your finished kitchen remodeling project. The majority of remodeling costs are typically taken up by countertops, cabinets, and flooring. Look for lower cost options that won’t compromise the desired look of the kitchen. If you are using a home remodeling contractor, be sure to ask how much they charge to install these products.

Remember, come up with a plan of what you want your dream kitchen remodel to look like and budget around it.

Outsourcing transcription to foreign providers: key to reducing healthcare costs?

Outsourcing medical transcription work to foreign service providers has proven extremely effective in reducing the overall transcription costs of individual doctors, clinics, and hospitals. Organizations that outsource their work to overseas transcription providers save 40 to 70 percent in cost compared to doing the transcription in-house or using US-based medical transcriptionists.

The other important advantage is that, in addition to cost savings, there is the important aspect of a significant increase in the quality of the transcribed work due to the multiple editing and quality control steps built into the processes of overseas transcription providers. , as opposed to US-based individual transcriptionists who are primarily one-person operations. With outsourced transcription, you have a complete transcription organization serving your needs: transcribers, editors, quality assurance specialists, efficient organizational processes.

Cost savings are possible due to the availability of low-cost, highly-skilled medical graduates in prominent outsourcing destinations such as India and the Philippines. According to a salary survey report for medical transcriptionists conducted by Payscale, the median salary for medical transcriptionists in hospitals is around $31,287 per year, or approximately $2,600 per month. By contrast, the average salary for a medical transcriptionist in the Philippines, based on an online salary survey conducted by Jobstreet, the Philippines’ leading online job portal, is a maximum of $280 per month! This is 89 percent cheaper compared to the salaries of their American counterparts. Even if you factor in supporting QA staff, Philippine-based service providers still offer significant savings compared to US-based transcriptionists. To illustrate:

  • A Philippine-based transcriptionist earns $280 per month
  • Support costs (editor salaries, QA specialists, administration, office costs, utilities) are roughly equivalent to $300 per transcriptionist.
  • Assume that the medical transcription service organization increases by about 30%, so you add another $174 per transcriptionist per month representing the service organization’s profit.
  • Combine all three and you get a figure of $754 per transcriptionist per month cost, significantly lower than costs in the US.
  • Compare this cost of $754 per transcriptionist per month for outsourced transcription to the $2,600 per month salary for US-based medical transcriptionists, and you’ll see savings of $1,846 per transcriptionist per month, or a 71%! percent in potential savings!

Projected spending on US medical transcriptions in 2010 is about $16.8 billion. Currently, only 40 percent of US transcription work is outsourced to foreign providers. Outsourcing the remaining 60 percent of transcription work to foreign providers represents a significant cost-saving opportunity. Thus, outsourcing this remaining 60% of work to overseas providers represents potential savings of $6.2 billion per year ($16.8 billion x balance 60% outsourced x 60% cost savings). Outsourcing transcription work, therefore, is a significant opportunity to reduce healthcare costs in the US.

Scandinavian Christmas Delicacy – Dried Cod Lutefisk

Tell most people you’re looking forward to a lutefisk Christmas dinner, you’ll usually get a disgusted look. But pity. Or “what is lutefisk?” First of all let me say that I am not on the pro-lutefisk bandwagon. I have been subject to the foul stench every Christmas I can remember.

Our Scandinavian heritage dictates that we serve this delicacy (I use this term only in honor of my dearest mother). I’m not caught up in the fervent pursuit of this revered tradition, but somehow it wouldn’t be Christmas without it.

For those in uniform, lutefisk is dried cod that is soaked in lye (yes, the caustic POISON), then soaked again in water to remove said caustic POISON. I won’t bore you with a lutefisk history lesson, but that’s the Reader’s Digest description. Being from Minnesota, it’s certainly a familiar spot at grocery stores and meat markets at Christmas, although it seems to me that it has become less advertised and showcased than it had been when I was younger.

Perhaps this is just another case of how one’s memories and perceptions become distorted as we age. But not. I would not be at all surprised if the per capita consumption of lutefisk is rapidly declining as the geriatric market is drying up as our loved ones pass away. This isn’t meant to be harsh, but let’s face it: lutefisk is not at the forefront of the culinary arts. At least I haven’t seen it as the secret ingredient of the Iron Chef.

So the big day came: Christmas. We celebrate the birth of our Savior and the expansion of our waistbands. Mom has been cooking and baking for weeks. She has Swedish meatballs, potatoes, gravy, lefse, herring, cookies, coffee bread, and all the other Nordic Christmas staples. And then there’s the lutefisk. How do you cook and eat lutefisk?

Well, we’ve tried a few methods, none of which are successful (if by successful you mean an edible product). It is traditionally boiled, but you have to be careful because it tends to crumble into a liquefied mass of goo. . Therefore, you wrap it in gauze. You now have an intact liquified mass of slime. We have baked it. Goo. I heated it up in the microwave. Goo. I think the preferred method of late has been the microwave. I’m not sure, I try to avoid this step.

They say if you cook it right, you don’t get the gelatinous consistency we know and don’t love. I guess I’ve never seen it well cooked. Some people put a white cream sauce on top. We don’t, as it masks the slimy quality of the natural product.

There is a process that my brother has perfected. You have some lutefisk on your plate. Mash some boiled potatoes right next to it. Soak the entire mess in melted butter. It must be REAL BUTTER. Nothing fake to mask the residual bleach taste. Next, salt and pepper. Then you take some potato on your fork, then some fish. They say if you put melted butter on anything it will taste good, but I personally have not found this to be true.

When mom brings out the first plate of lutefisk, you can almost hear the ooo and aah around the table. The dish passes QUICKLY by those of us non-believers, patiently waiting for the Swedish meatballs. As it passes from person to person, the ever-present stench (I mean smell) wafts under our noses like a freight train.

Someone inevitably makes a comment about how well this year is moving. Of course, someone also yells “Where are the straws?” It’s okay, I’m guilty. That’s usually me. The list of jokes and comments goes on, until dinner is over and we’re safe for another year.

Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits – A Natural Fat Burner!

Find out the amazing weight loss benefits of apple cider vinegar, how to best prepare it, and how much you should use to get the most benefit from apple cider vinegar, one of the amazing natural fat burning foods.

Apple cider is made from apple juice, also called cider. The unfiltered type can be purchased. It has a deep brown/yellow color.

Here’s the process: Apple juice is fermented into apple cider that contains alcohol. After that, oxygen is allowed to interact with the cider. This converts the alcohol to acetic acid. You will find this ingredient in the finished product.

Aiding this process is a spider web-like scum of bacteria that is the result of the fermentation process. This is known as the “mother”.

You can buy commercially prepared apple cider vinegar any time of the year at specialty stores, health food stores, grocery stores, and grocery stores.

The Grease-Fighting Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

You can’t beat this as a weapon in your battle against fat. There is no argument here. Actually, scientists have discovered that it contains ninety different substances. Included are: 8 ethyl acetates, 18 types of alcohol, 20 types of ketones, 4 aldehydes, 13 types of carbolic acid and more.

Here are some of the other great things you’ll find in it: fiber in the form of potash and apple pectin, enzymes, amino, lactic, propionic, and acetic acids, trace elements, minerals, and vitamins.

When we talk about fat-fighting and health benefits, how does this information fit together? The following are the main benefits:

Metabolism speeds up when apple cider vinegar is introduced. When you consume it before meals, this is even more true.

Helps process proteins and fats.

It also helps increase metabolism and supports good digestive processes.

It is low in fat, sugar and salt.

Helps with the metabolism of minerals and fats. It aids in the digestion of oily and fatty foods. Supports the liver in detoxifying the body. The body will burn calories better with the introduction of this vinegar. These are very beneficial for burning fat.

As a purifying and detoxifying agent, this particular vinegar is quite powerful. Helps break down phlegm, mucus and fat deposits throughout the body.

Both your general health and the functioning of your liver, bladder, kidneys, and other areas of your body are assisted by this purification and detoxification process. The reason for this is that it dilutes and oxidizes the blood and prevents excess alkalinity in the urine. Helps prevent high blood pressure by thinning the blood.

This detoxification and purification can help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. It is also useful to prevent inflammation and infections. Reducing a runny nose and relieving a sore throat can be achieved with apple cider vinegar. Detoxifies and purifies due to the potassium it contains. Poor health and the accumulation of toxic substances can be the result of a lack of some salts and minerals. When this buildup occurs, the result can be boils, acne, blisters, and a variety of other symptoms.

It also helps to clear these buildups from the body. It also oxidizes the blood and supports healthy blood clotting.

The heart benefits from the addition of potassium, which works to lower cholesterol and regulate blood pressure. Also, this is necessary to help the body replace worn-out tissues. Just as calcium helps repair bones, this ingredient helps repair soft tissue. Hair loss can be prevented by adding potassium to the diet.

You will feel more energetic and vital when taking this vinegar, thanks to the potassium and enzymes it contains. Food is broken down efficiently and digestion is assisted thanks to hydrochloric acid and pepsin. This is an enzyme that is working within an acidic environment. Helps prevent indigestion.

Here are the benefits you will get from the tartaric and malic acids found in this vinegar:
1. Balanced acid levels.
2. Eradication of negative bacteria found in the digestive tract.

This particular vinegar protects the immune system with its antifungal and antibacterial properties. Helps the blood have a balanced alkalinity. This is because its high potassium electrolyte content helps to remineralize the body.

Doctors and scientists believe that it can help with the symptoms of osteoporosis and arthritis. The reason for this is that it dissolves calcium deposits around the joints and helps strengthen bones. The reason for this is the calcium, silicon, manganese and magnesium content of the vinegar.

It has amino acids that work as antibiotics and antiseptics.

The toxicity in the body is reduced by the acetic acid found in this vinegar. It forms acetate compounds that help in this process.

It helps fight free radicals in the body because it is a powerful antioxidant. Free radicals are the precursors of diseases such as heart disease and some forms of cancer. It has antioxidant properties that help it neutralize the free radicals that oxidation forms within our bodies.

It contains a water soluble fiber called pectin. It helps to absorb cholesterol and fat in the body and carry them away. Cholesterol is lowered by using this particular vinegar. The fiber content protects against diarrhea and constipation. Diabetics can benefit from its use because its dietary fiber is helpful in controlling blood glucose levels.

Macular degeneration, cataracts, and other eye diseases respond well to the addition of antioxidants and beta-carotene to the diet. Vinegar is rich in these.

Prepare Apple Cider Vinegar

It is most often used when preparing salad dressings, pickles, and vegetable dishes. You will also find it in ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard. You can use it as a seasoning on vegetarian chips.

Hot sauces and marinades benefit from the addition of a little.

Also, you’ll notice that you can substitute apple cider vinegar for lemon juice in a number of recipes. This is especially so in some pan spells than others. You may be worried that it will taste bitter, but it doesn’t. Surprisingly, due to the apple content, it helps make the dish very tasty. It’s fairly common knowledge that applesauce is a good substitute for oil or shortening when baking. Follow this principle and substitute lemon juice whenever it makes sense to do so. This gives you yet another alternative, happily, it’s healthy.

Get started with this amazing vinegar with a few of these ideas: When you start actively looking for recipes, you’ll discover quite a few.

Here are some of the dishes that benefit from the addition of apple cider vinegar: baked goods, soups and stews, tandoori chicken, pickled items, salad dressings, marinades and chutneys, sweet and sour chicken, caramelized onions, coleslaw , braised red cabbage, and grilled or baked tropical spare ribs. When baking, you won’t be adding apple cider vinegar to delicate baked goods. However, bread is quite suitable for adding it.

How Much Apple Cider Vinegar Should I Use?

Generally speaking, one tablespoon is the right amount. This is the general amount for most recipes; however, be sure to read your prescription carefully. As long as you add it to a drink, a full tablespoon is a good amount.

Book Publishers – How is the digital age affecting business?

Book publishing has been a successful industry for many years. It only seemed to continually grow with different developments such as paperbacks, libraries, and book clubs. However, in recent years this industry has been experiencing a decline.

One may think that something like this is not uncommon, since many industries have been affected by the economic crisis. However, this is not the only fact that is affecting the book industry today. Digitally published books are becoming more common, so traditionally published books are slowly being forgotten.

Nowadays, whenever you need a book for your literature class, just download it. Few people still buy conventional books, and they do so simply because they like having a library at home. However, these are not the majority; Why would anyone pay for a book, when you can download it for free? It is cheaper and faster.

The phenomenon is similar to what is happening with the music industry today. The only difference is that book authors can’t handle touring; They rely solely on their book sales. This new kind of reading is not only affecting book writers, it is also affecting an entire industry, leaving thousands of people unemployed.

The digital age is not only affecting books; today we can see that there is considerable growth in electronic journals. But what exactly does this mean? Is the book (and the diary) as we know it experiencing a slow death? Will authors continue to write now that their income is obviously affected by the Internet?

It is a very difficult question to answer; however, the very idea of ​​a world deprived of literature and books in general is a bit scary. Most people obviously think that there is nothing they can do about it because after all they say; “I’m just a man.”

However, that is not entirely true. There is a lot we can do about it. Just by choosing not to download a book and buying it, you are making a world of difference. It is up to us to preserve a fine art like literature and a very important industry for all societies; the book industry.

Also, there should be some kind of regulation on downloading books. One shouldn’t be able to do it, at least not for free. Obviously, this is not an easy task, since every time a new technology appears; a new way of deciphering it is born. However, this does not mean that we should give up so easily.

Let’s protect the authors of books; We owe it to them. After all, they have given us hours of enjoyment and knowledge, which are priceless. Let’s do our bit to preserve them in business, not only for ourselves, but also for future generations who deserve to experience the pleasure of reading a book.

elusive beauty

It’s what every woman wants, at least on some level: beauty. Unfortunately, beauty itself is elusive, subjective, and what’s more, sometimes harmful. What do I mean? Let’s start with elusive. The very definition of the word elusive is, well, elusive. Dictionary.com defines the word elusive as follows:

e lu sive /ɪˈlu sɪv/ Pronunciation Key adjective 1. eluding clear perception or full mental comprehension; Difficult to express or define: an elusive concept. 2. cunningly or cleverly evasive: a fish too elusive to catch.

I particularly like the second part of the definition that the example uses: a fish too slippery to catch. That, after all, is a lot like beauty. Just when you think you’re one step away from being beautiful, you find another area of ​​yourself that needs “beautifying.” The classic example, of course, is the woman who becomes addicted to plastic surgery: first it’s her eye that needs to be fixed, but once that’s done, she finds another part of her that needs to be “fixed.” Perhaps her lips now seem too thin, her chin is drooping, or there are those breasts that are doing the same thing.

While I have no problem with cosmetic surgery itself, I do believe that one should go through a mental evaluation of oneself to determine whether or not this particular procedure will have the desired effect, both mentally and physically. The bottom line is that some women feel better about themselves after a cosmetic procedure, while others are part of the “never satisfied” group, a group that certainly has issues beyond cosmetics.

Now, let’s go to “subjective”. What is the old adage? One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, or in our case, “the woman.” In other words, the idea that each woman has of what is beautiful, or of how she can look better, is something highly subjective and personal. After all, we’ve all seen a person who completely defies our definition of beauty and, well, good taste, right? I mean, the TLC show “What Not to Wear” is a perfect example. Every woman on the show has been voted on by “friends” who simply believe she doesn’t conform to societal standards of what’s okay and what’s not. And I have to say, there are some women who appear on the show who, despite all my own subjectivities, I can’t believe fit ANYONE’s idea of ​​taste. However, reminding me of another adage “beauty is in the eyes…” I am humbled by the awareness of my own highly subjective perspectives on beauty.

So what’s left? Oh, that’s right – “unhealthy.” Again, I’ll quote a definition to help clarify from Dictionary.com, as the Oxford English Dictionary is not available online:

unhealthy [uhn-hel-thee] adjective

1. not in a state of good or normal health; in a sickly, weak or morbid condition. 2. not conducive to good health; unhealthy: The night air was previously considered unhealthy. 3. dangerous; risky.

Many aspects of the concept of beauty are, according to the previous definitions, unhealthy. Few would argue that cosmetic surgeries can be risky, that many cosmetics on the market are “not conducive to good health,” and that many of the worst offenders, weight-loss products, are “dangerous.” Furthermore, Americans’ fascination with thinness, and sometimes critically, often leads to anorexia and bulimia, which is certainly not a condition that many would consider “good or normal health.”

In conclusion, while beauty is, as I believe I have noted above, elusive, subjective, and sometimes unhealthy, people around the world are taking steps to make positive changes that affect conceptions, health, and self-care. of the world for beauty. Some examples include Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty, companies that make dolls with normal features (and measurements), and those that offer more natural and healthy ways to enhance one’s idea of ​​beauty. Natural beauty options, in fact, have gained tremendous popularity in recent years. For example, Burt’s Bees has, for some time now, been offering all-natural cosmetics and personal care options, now even organic clothing is sold in retail stores in abundance, and cosmetics companies like Erth Minerals have begun making mineral makeup made from minerals and, therefore, without chemicals harmful to health or preservatives. In short, the future of healthier beauty and more options to satisfy our eternal, elusive and subjective quest for beauty will continue to grow for years to come.

The story behind Cat Stevens "Father and son"

There is no doubt among her many fans that Cat Stevens’ “Father and Son” is one of her most beloved songs. It tells the timeless story of a father who does not understand his son’s desire to find his own path in life and the son’s inability to explain to his father why it must be so. Stevens sang both parts, singing the melody line in lower notes when he was assuming the role of the father and an octave higher when he was singing the role of the son. At the end he sings both parts simultaneously, first with the father in the foreground and the son in the background followed by a reversal of roles. But what inspired Stevens (now known as Yusuf Isalm, after his Muslim conversion) to write the song? Was it based on his relationship with his own father, someone else, and his father, or was it a complete fiction?

It certainly wasn’t about Stevens and his own father. Shortly after the song was released, he told an interviewer, “I never really understood my father, but he always let me do what I wanted, he let me go. ‘Father And Son’ is for those people who can’t break up.” . lose.” And in an interview in the The Chris Isaac HourIn 2009, Stevens recounted of their relationship: “He was running a restaurant and I was a pop star, so I wasn’t following the path that he laid out. But we certainly didn’t have any antagonism between us. I loved him.” and he loved me.”

Actually, the song started as a fiction. Written during his early success in England before becoming well known in the United States, Stevens originally composed “Father and Son” for a musical project with actor Nigel Hawthorne called revolution. It was supposed to be about a boy who wanted to join the Russian revolution against his father’s wish. However, the project fell by the wayside due to Steven’s health. He was forced to recuperate for over a year after contracting tuberculosis and suffering a collapsed lung. However, the song remained in Steven’s repertoire, ending up on his famous 1970 release “Tea for the Tillerman”.

So how did Stevens view the song after he released it? In his own words, “Some people think he was taking the son’s side. But how could he have sung the father’s side if he couldn’t have understood it too? I was listening to that song recently and I heard a line and that was the father.” of the father of the father of the father of the father of the father of the father of the father of the father of the father of my father speaking”.

How to be a successful member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC): How to be a professional member

The NYSC scheme is a pathway for corps members to gain useful skills, knowledge and abilities. These skills are acquired through seminars, trainings, workshops, symposiums, colloquiums, etc. organized by the NYSC in conjunction with other organizations. These life-changing activities are one of the most profitable aspects of the NYSC scheme.

From the orientation field, each body will have opportunities to acquire skills and information that will be very useful in life. Speakers, professionals and practitioners from various fields will be invited to educate corps members on how to maximize their year of service. Life after the year of service will also be discussed. Some community development service groups such as: Nigerian Road Safety, National Drug Control Agency, Millennium Development Goal, Humanitarian/Welfare Group, Independent Commission on Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes. Commission for Economic and Financial Crimes, Red Cross. Etc, they will also be invited to give specialized conferences. Its operations, goals and objectives will be disclosed. Corpers will be persuaded to join any of the CDS groups. It is mandatory to be a member of at least one CDS group. At the end of the service year, you will be given membership certificates, which are very useful after service.

In addition to the benefits above, there is another quiet but celebrated privilege of the NYSC scheme that will make you independent, self-employed or get a job before the end or after your year of service. NYSC always partners with various professional bodies in pursuit of making youth corps members self-sufficient. These professional bodies train and equip corps with the skills necessary for them to be successful. Through the process of lectures, seminars, and examinations, corps members are fully empowered. These prestigious organizations are recognized nationally and internationally. The importance of these professional trainings and certificates is innumerable.

Although these professional bodies offer world class services, their rates are very affordable. You may not believe the cost of acquiring this training and certificates. The reason for the reduced fees is that these professional bodies are aware of corps allocation and know the importance of corps members for national development. A typical example is the Strategic Management Institute of Nigeria. This Institute is one of the brains behind my successful writing and speaking career. His courses on entrepreneurship opened my eyes to profitable business opportunities in the Nigerian environment. They offer comprehensive services and I can testify that their lectures and reading materials are of good quality. The rate was very affordable. No NYSC member pays a very high fee to acquire this professional certificate.

There are so many professional colleges, take advantage of the reduced prices and gain professional skills and certificates. You may never get the chance again.

Most uninformed service members perceive these professional trainings and certificates as a waste of time and resources. They think it’s irrelevant. A sage said that “no knowledge is wasted.” As an engineer you need managerial and administrative skills, even a doctor needs them, in fact, everyone who dreams of being self-employed must acquire these skills. A social scientist or management graduate needs technical knowledge because diversification is necessary in the business or job market. Let’s briefly discuss some of the benefits of becoming a professional corp.

self-employment

One of the cardinal goals of these professional bodies is to train professionals who take the world economy to the next phase by establishing profitable small and medium-sized businesses. His business and management conferences equip corporations to face the challenges of small and medium-sized businesses and emerge with success. You will learn how to identify business opportunities and how to seize and execute them economically. The various means of generating capital and the practical steps to access these funds is one of the lectures I will never forget. These professional bodies offer vibrant and engaging conferences that will take a young entrepreneur to the top.

Statistics have shown that only 50% of small businesses are still in business after the first three years from initial setup. Most failures are attributed to a lack of administrative, marketing, and management skills. These skills can be acquired at low cost through vocational training. I sold close to seven hundred copies of my books in one month through personal sales. It was possible because I gained profitable management skills from various professional bodies. They offer practical courses that you will never be able to acquire from any higher institution.

Most organizations, both national and international, make membership of professional bodies a criterion for employment when recruiting. On most hiring forms, there are always provisions to fill out the professional bodies to which you belong. In some cases, vacancies are limited only to applicants holding a certain professional certificate.

Don’t miss out on a lucrative job opportunity just because you don’t take advantage of the opportunity to gain professional training. Nigeria has millions of unemployed graduates, with only a few jobs available. Only niche graduates can take advantage of these limited employment opportunities. ‘Go the extra mile’, empower yourself and employers will beg for your service. Your resume will even speak for you when you have acquired various trainings and certificates, they will send it immediately if you have the skill they want. Vocational training gives you an advantage over other applicants.

I got my first job straight out of the service without going through any formal interview or aptitude test. The owner of the firm was a member of a professional body with which I am an associate. When I found out about that, I told his assistant that I wanted to see his boss. When I introduced myself, the only question he asked was; Can you do the job? And I said yes, that was it. I was given the job while other applicants continued with the paperwork-only hiring process.

Knowledge
The trainings, conferences, seminars, and reading materials offered by these professional institutions are unusual sources of knowledge. As an entrepreneur, you need knowledge to outshine your competitors, and a worker must possess special knowledge to attract promotion and increase profits.

Furthermore, the knowledge gained can lead to the establishment of a profitable business venture. You can become a consultant with your professional skills and certificate. Immediately, you are inducted and certified, you are allowed to start practicing. You can set up a professional firm where businesses will come for professional advice, and you can make a lot of money consulting.

Currently, I am a management consultant, entrepreneurship expert and professional debt collector. I am qualified to carry out these specialized tasks because I am a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Nigerian Institute of Strategic Management and the Nigerian Institute of Debt Recovery Professionals.

Information
Information is the only tool for development. Anyone who does not value information will become obsolete. The world moves and things change every day. Your professional skills and knowledge must be constantly updated to enable you to compete favorably in the business environment and business circle. Membership in a professional body is a sure way to modernize your skills and knowledge.

Professional bodies are always involved in various investigations. This leads to groundbreaking discoveries and mind-blowing inventions. Members also participate in brainstorming sections that are always producing solutions to challenges facing their profession. The only way to access this information is to become a member. They also organize seminars, workshops, exhibitions, meetings, etc., to familiarize members with the current trend of the profession. You can never go out of date as an active member of a professional body. They also provide professional advice to members so that they can overcome business or corporate challenges.

Association
All you need to be successful in life is to meet the right people at the right time. Your professional body can link you with people who can help you advance business and other endeavors. During professional body meetings, you’ll meet successful business executives and professionals. Most of them are very influential in society; They can connect you with a job, a contract, business opportunities, and even a political appointment. No one is an island, so you have to interact with the right minds to succeed.

It is very important to state that the more you associate with successful people, the better your chances of being successful. You can stand on the shoulder of some senior colleague and take giant steps. All it might take to be successful could be a phone call or a letter of recommendation from a prominent citizen.

It is possible to enroll and earn up to three professional certificates within a one-year term of service. Just choose any professional body of your choice, regardless of your course of study, because no knowledge is wasted.

Take advantage of this opportunity now, so that it is not difficult and expensive to acquire such certificates at the expiration of your year of service.