Thursday, April 19, 2012

Madonna: I Need to Be a "Tougher" Mom to Lourdes

Madonna might be one the most successful female performers on the planet -- but she still struggles when it comes to being a single mother of four.

january jones ncaa final game miranda lambert reba mcentire acm awards luke bryan april fools

Video: Trump on Taxes

Donald Trump, Trump Organization chairman & president, discusses "Tax Day" for America, Mitt Romney's tax plan, tax loopholes and tax deductions.

Related Links:

Business & financial news headlines from msnbc.com

Top of page

jack del rio fired made in america made in america icam patrice o neal. osteopathy osteopathy

Wiipop incorporates Kinect camera and several Wiimotes into a veritable electric boogaloo

Image

Sure, we've seen plenty of dancing games harness the Wii and Kinect's unique motion capture systems, but the Wiipop prototype takes things to another level, combining the technology of both with some pro-level dance moves. The game utilizes the Kinect's 3D camera and up to eight body-mounted Wiimotes, letting players improvise freestyle dance moves in a SingStar-like game, matching body pops to beats in a song. The game's not quite ready for primetime, but when it is, Christian "Mio" Loclair sees its potential beyond simple gameplay. The title could, perhaps, be used to help design choreographed productions or to generate and trigger visual effects for live performance. In the meantime, pop and lock into the video after the break.

Continue reading Wiipop incorporates Kinect camera and several Wiimotes into a veritable electric boogaloo

Wiipop incorporates Kinect camera and several Wiimotes into a veritable electric boogaloo originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourcePrinc Mio  | Email this | Comments

breitbart dead db cooper natalee holloway fafsa branson missouri davy jones dead monkees

Retired Boeing 737 repurposed as garage-kept flight simulator (video)

Image

A fresh concept it's not, but a fresh look? Yeah, we'll take that. California resident, air traffic controller, pilot and all-around gentleman James Price has converted the actual nose of a 1969 Boeing 737 into his own personal flight simulator. According to the man himself, he "gutted" the bird, installed "all new" parts, slid it into his garage and... well, took a few minutes to show it to the world. While pretty much any flight sim owner would claim that his or hers was "just like the real thing," it's hard to deny that fact with this one. We're told that it took some three years to complete, and the end result leaves no doubt of James' toiling. Head on past the break for the vid.

Continue reading Retired Boeing 737 repurposed as garage-kept flight simulator (video)

Retired Boeing 737 repurposed as garage-kept flight simulator (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Huffington Post  |  sourceSan Jose Mercury News  | Email this | Comments

les paul fred thompson fred thompson red hook romney tax return the tree of life movie academy award nominees 2012

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

NJ Mitsubishi Specials Lease and Financing Deals

Now is the time to look for the Mitsubishi of your dreams. NJ Mitsubishi dealers are having specials and events that you won't want to miss. There are numerous Mitsubishis to choose from; whether you are looking to buy a pre-owned vehicle, a new 2012 Mitsubishi or even if you are looking to lease a new car with or without the option to purchase.

Mitsubishi Dealers in NJ are ready and waiting to help you get into the car of your dreams. With their special Sign and Drive Lease Options, you are sure to get into a vehicle quickly and easily with the least amount of hassle as possible. If you are not interested in leasing and would just rather buy a new or used vehicle, the dealers in NJ Mitsubishi are there to assist you with whatever you need.

Financing is not a problem at NJ Mitsubishi dealerships.

You can either visit the website to get an estimate or price quote from the comfort from your own home or go into a local Mitsubishi 2012 dealership to speak to a specialist; or both. They offer different types of financing ensuring you the best possible deals they can provide for you.

NJ Mitsubishi specials are everywhere. You can get new vehicle specials, specials on pre-owned vehicles, dealership specials (even on 2012 Mitsubishis) and service specials to name a few. Visit NJ Mitsubishi dealerships to find out what specials may interest you the most.

Do you have an older car that you would like to trade in for a newer model or a newer car? Mitsubishi NJ dealers will take trade ins and work with you to find the perfect new or pre-owned vehicle for you.

You can also visit the website to 'find a car' that you are specifically looking for to cut down on time spent roaming the internet and other dealerships.

NJ Mitsubishi dealerships also offer excellence service for their service department, making sure that all of your service needs are met with experience, quality and guarantees. The Mitsubishi NJ dealership service department has convenient hours and a highly trained quality staff to ensure your vehicles safety and performance.

Looking for a particular part for your Mitsubishi? NJ Mitsubishi has an excellent parts service that can help you get the correct parts you need. Don't forget to look for great NJ Mitsubishi sales and specials for parts both online and at a NJ Mitsubishi location. Parts can be expensive, so it's a comfort to know that Mitsubishi dealerships in NJ are there to assist you as well as offering you discounts and deals to help you save time and money while also providing quality service with guaranteed results.

Look for more information on NJ Mitsubishi specials, dealers and more on the website; read their blog and use their payment calculator so that you will know just how much you would pay for a certain vehicle that you have chosen. With all of these benefits online for NJ Mitsubishi dealerships, you can get an idea of what you want and how much you can expect your payments to be before even going in to test drive a NJ Mitsubishi car.

thursday night football johnny jolly johnny jolly demi moore and ashton kutcher demi moore and ashton kutcher jerry sandusky interview white house shooting

Friday, April 13, 2012

Michelle Obama comes to Ann Romney's defense (Washington Bureau)

Share With Friends: Share on FacebookTweet ThisPost to Google-BuzzSend on GmailPost to Linked-InSubscribe to This Feed | Rss To Twitter | Politics - Top Stories Stories, News Feeds and News via Feedzilla.

advanced search alexander the great personhood amendment haynesworth haynesworth ohio issue 2 ohio issue 2

Bits of the Future: First Universal Quantum Network Prototype Links 2 Separate Labs

News | More Science

Physicists demonstrate a scalable quantum network that ought to be adaptable for all manner of long-distance quantum communication


Quantum network cartoonQUANTUM NETWORK: Networks based on single atoms, linked by the exchange of single photons, could form the basis of versatile quantum networks. Image: Andreas Neuzner/M.P.Q.

Quantum technologies are the way of the future, but will that future ever arrive?

Maybe so. Physicists have cleared a bit more of the path to a plausible quantum future by constructing an elementary network for exchanging and storing quantum information. The network features two all-purpose nodes that can send, receive and store quantum information, linked by a fiber-optic cable that carries it from one node to another on a single photon.

The network is only a prototype, but if it can be refined and scaled up, it could form the basis of communication channels for relaying quantum information. A group from the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (M.P.Q.) in Garching, Germany, described the advance in the April 12 issue of Nature. (Scientific American is part of Nature Publishing Group.)

Quantum bits, or qubits, are at the heart of quantum information technologies. An ordinary, classical bit in everyday electronics can store one of two values: a 0 or a 1. But thanks to the indeterminacy inherent to quantum mechanics, a qubit can be in a so-called superposition, hovering undecided between 0 and 1, which adds a layer of complexity to the information it carries. Quantum computers would boast capabilities beyond the reach of even the most powerful classical supercomputers, and cryptography protocols based on the exchange of qubits would be more secure than traditional encryption methods.

Physicists have used all manner of quantum objects to store qubits?electrons, atomic nuclei, photons and so on. In the new demonstration, the qubit at each node of the network is stored in the internal quantum state of a single rubidium atom trapped in a reflective optical cavity. The atom can then transmit its stored information via an optical fiber by emitting a single photon, whose polarization state carries the mark of its parent atom's quantum state; conversely, the atom can absorb a photon from the fiber and take on the quantum state imprinted on that photon's polarization.

Because each node can perform a variety of functions?sending, receiving or storing quantum information?a network based on atoms in optical cavities could be scaled up simply by connecting more all-purpose nodes. "We try to build a system where the network node is universal," says M.P.Q. physicist Stephan Ritter, one of the study's authors. "It's not only capable of sending or receiving?ideally, it would do all of the things you could imagine." The individual pieces of such a system had been demonstrated?atoms sending quantum information on single emitted photons, say?but now the technologies are sufficiently advanced that they can work as an ensemble. "This has now all come together and enabled us to realize this elementary version of a quantum network," Ritter says.

Physicists proposed using optical cavities for quantum networks 15 years ago, because they marry the best features of atomic qubits and photonic qubits?namely that atoms stay put, making them an ideal storage medium, whereas photons are speedy, making them an ideal message carrier between stationary nodes. But getting the photons and atoms to communicate with one another has been a challenge. "If you want to use single atoms and single photons, as we do, they hardly interact," Ritter adds.

That is where the optical cavity comes in. The mirrors of the cavity reflect a photon past the rubidium atom tens of thousands of times, boosting the chances of an interaction. "During this time, there's enough time to really do this information exchange in a reliable way," Ritter says. "The cavity enhances the coupling between the light field and the atom."

fidel castro rick santorum dodgers derrick rose ozzie guillen castro comments bonnie raitt phish

Google+ gets a major update, simpler UI and heavier focus on Hangouts (video)

Google+ gets a major update, simpler UI and heavier focus on Hangouts
Google isn't quite calling it version 2.0, but today's update to its flagship social product is just that. As with most Mountain View projects, the new Google+ will rollout gradually, but as it does it may just lure back some of those who jumped ship early on. The UI has been greatly streamlined with a customizable ribbon of shortcuts on the left and your buddy list moved to the right. The main interface has been tidied up quite a bit and a new focus has been placed on one of the universally beloved features of the beleaguered social network -- Hangouts. The video chat party lines will be getting their own dedicated home page too, allowing you to quickly peruse any Hangouts that are available to you. Even profiles are getting a dramatic facelift with larger photos and Sparks have officially been retired in favor of an Explore tab. Perhaps most welcome though is the enhanced multimedia sharing. To see all the fancy new features in action check out the videos after the break.

Continue reading Google+ gets a major update, simpler UI and heavier focus on Hangouts (video)

Google+ gets a major update, simpler UI and heavier focus on Hangouts (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceGoogle  | Email this | Comments

eastman kodak eastman kodak richard cordray shannon de lima joe torre west virginia university michele bachmann

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

10 Reasons Why My Internet Business Failed Is Revealed - PDF

10 Reasons Why My Internet Business Failed Is Revealed

You hear it all the time, "Why did my internet business fail?" The reality is that running an internet
business is just as tough as running a traditional brick and mortar. By no means is it easy to be
successful at either. Driving traffic, generating leads, challenging competition, and marketing strategy
are just as prevalent online as it is offline. Based on a recent study, we know that over 80% of the
population by the year 2010 will be running a for-profit business online or have some kind of internet
presence [Resource: Oneupweb Research]. It's clear that as internet marketers, we have to challenge
ourselves to find the reasons why businesses fail in order to succeed.
Finding a systematic approach for an online business is key to your success. Trisha Ahlman, CEO of
Augment Marketing Group recently released a poll of nearly 35 unsuccessful internet businesses and
why they failed. Research indicated that most internet businesses failed due to 10 very important and
common reasons. When marketing an internet business, marketers have to clearly devise a plan of
action and take these reasons serious if wanting to succeed with an online business model.
"The 10 Reasons My Internet Business Failed is Revealed" [print it out and study]:
1)Commitment - Some people are starters but never really finish anything. They are people who
want to succeed but never really quite get there. It boils down to commitment. When running a home-
based or internet business, you have to be committed and disciplined. According to one success
story, "I learned when marketing my internet business that commitment is a real key component.
Having action plans, calendar of events, step-by-step instruction, and check lists have really helped
with marketing my internet business successfully".
2)Budget - Internet business that failed did so because they lacked budget. The rule of thumb is 10%
to 20% of sales, in most cases, depending on how aggressive you intend to be with marketing your
internet business. The question consultants face, "How do I develop a budget from sales when I first
start?" The answer is that you have to have the mindset that you will spend a specific amount each
month in marketing. Sure, there are grassroots internet marketing techniques just like there are
offline, but you still need a budget in mind to get started. The research indicated that most who failed
had little if any budget.
3)Resources - Lack of resources was a clear reason for failure based on the poll; including time,
money, hardware, software, and manpower to name a few. An important point to remember when
marketing an internet business is that you should treat it just like any other business. If you lack
resources in one area, you have to make up for it in another area. If you lack money, for instance, put
more time into marketing the internet business. There are tons of free trials, low monthly
subscriptions, and/or automated marketing software that can help multiply your marketing efforts.
4)Support - Lack of support from family members, team members or customer support depending on
your business played a huge role in failure based on statistics. Running a business offline or online is
really no different. As an entrepreneur you are working long hours, you are committed and you are
determined to succeed, then when you need to rely on a source for support, perhaps it's not there.
Forget selling to consumers, your first sales job is to your inner circle of support. Make sure you have


ultimate buy-in from family, friends, and key support players.
5)Systems in Place - A systematic approach to marketing an online business includes developing an
organizational chart, setting time lines when to launch products, services and PR campaigns.
Developing an online business model, setting up a merchant account, marketing plan, and all other
systems that should be considered to run a successful online business is still necessary. Those
businesses that started marketing an internet business without systems in place or, at the very least,
set it up on the front-end of their business --simply failed.
6)Planning - Writing down goals for sales, budgets, projections, campaign tracking strategies, as well
as target audience, keywords, etc... Were a huge role in failure across the board. When asked,
businesses polled did not understand the power of goal setting and planning. Most didn't even have
plans for (3) three months out much less 12 months or (3) three years out. While the internet changes
quickly, planning is still important to success when marketing your internet business.
7)Strategy - "What do you mean long-term strategy? This is a home-based or internet business. Why
would I need to think of strategy? ", commented one business. Long-term vision is important to every
business. Companies that failed did not take strategy into consideration when developing concepts
for their brand. There's a simple solution for online marketers. If you are marketing your internet
business with success in mind, write down your vision, mission, and at least three to five core values.
Begin creating a strong foundation for what you provide consumers even when marketing an internet
business.
8)Motivation - Attitude is everything and internet marketers were consistently discouraged easily for
those internet businesses that failed. Implementing core beliefs when starting an internet business is
just as critical for online marketing. It's highly recommended to get a dose of motivational inspiration
on a daily basis or at least every other day when starting an internet business. Getting easily
discouraged is not an option.
9)Mentorship - The number #1 reason that internet businesses failed was due to lack of mentorship.
Most off line franchises are successful because they are team-centric and offer a ton of support,
mentorship, and coaching. In order to sell more franchises, success is critical; therefore, it's in their
best interest to offer help. If you have an internet business that does not have some sort of
mentorship program, team support, or coaching plan, you either need to begin developing your own
or research services that have mentorship programs.
10)Training - The number #2 reason that marketing an internet business failed was due to lack of
training through either mentors or through the chosen internet business franchise. Staying abreast
marketing trends and techniques can only be achieved through training and instruction. Those who
failed simply did not understand all the facets of marketing online. If the internet marketer is
committed to marketing their internet business then they will seek training resources to support their
success. If not, like the 35 polled internet businesses, they will fail.
In educating internet marketers how to develop strong brands on the internet, those who sought
professional training, advice, and mentorship were the first to see success online. Many consultants
today are taking a proactive, educational approach in working with beginners. "Marketing your

internet business doesn't have to be hard if each of these 10 key concepts are thought out
thoroughly", according to expert Trisha Ahlman.

Online Marketing For Small Businesses


pau gasol marlins park marbury v. madison 2013 lincoln mkz burger king mary j blige google project glass google goggles

500px Debuts ?Plus? Paid Membership Plan To Go Head-To-Head Against Flickr

500px500px, the photo sharing website that has become the new darling of the photo buff set, today rolled out a new $19.95/year 'Plus' membership plan, putting it more squarely in competition with Flickr. Up until now, 500px's premium offering has catered mostly to the "power user" and professional photographer set, with a $49.95/year "Awesome" plan offering unlimited uploads along with a personalized online portfolio. The new "Plus" offering is meant to address more middle market users -- it offers the same unlimited uploads and detailed user analytics provided by the "Awesome" plan, but without the personal portfolio feature. The site also has a free membership that allows for 10 photo uploads per week.

rick santorum daughter gainesville 2012 royal rumble the grey machine gun kelly saul alinsky annapolis

(04/08) Craig Anderson, Chadd Konig and friends explore Lakshadweep Islands, India

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

livan hernandez soledad o brien mega ball lottery winner powerball lottery numbers mega millions lottery

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Wildfires threaten homes and insurance

RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) - New Mexico's fire season is fast approaching and it's expected to be a bad one.

While fire officials are trying to figure out how to best protect people and property, some insurance companies say they might drop coverage for people who chose to live in those high-risk areas.

Local, state, and federal officials partnered up in Ruidoso Wednesday to discuss plans for this year's fire season.

Last year much of the state was ravaged by fires. This year, the risk is high with severe drought conditions and little moisture.

It's a risk that's also affecting insurance.

"As we see this increasing wildfire threat move into a dangerous active season, insurance companies really do expect homeowners that live in these higher-risk areas to share that risk," explained Carole Walker, Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association .

By sharing the risk, homeowners are urged to learn what their insurance companies require to stay affordable and insured.

Officials say preparing property will help it withstand a wildfire with minimal intervention. It'll also help save the homeowners money.

"It's that pocket-book incentive of getting and keeping affordable insurance that's really going to get people oftentimes to do the right thing and protect their property," Walker said.

While fire officials are preparing themselves for another dry season, Ruidoso Fire Chief Harlan Vincent said he wants the community to be prepared as well. He said there's a new tool to keep everyone on the same page.

This year's new emergency notification system is called Call Me Ruidoso , and it's a system designed to be the lifeline for evacuation alerts.

"If there's a fire in the area, and we make sure that our community knows if there's smoke anywhere in the area, they are for sure going to know about it," Vincent said. He wants everyone in Ruidoso to sign up for it.

The message fire officials and insurance agencies are sending is for people not just to be aware of risks but also to take action.

"If you're unwilling to make a defensible space, you're living in a high-risk area, you're too high of a risk for us to insure," said Walker.

Walker explained that with more insurance companies taking this perspective.

"It's not going to be a matter of paying higher rates because of no mitigation steps," she said.? "It will affect your ability to get and keep insurance."

Some things homeowners can do to keep their area safe is making sure they thin trees and vegetation on their properties. Another is having clear access for emergency crews.

Keith Worley, advisor for the federal Firewise Communities Program , said their mantra is to keep landscape lean, clean and green. He also said homeowners should keep a Class A roof and a high level of maintenance including cleaning gutters and decks and around foundation.

The U.S. Forest Service Sacramento Ranger District also has scheduled a lecture on April 12 in Cloudcroft to discuss the effect of drought and insect infestations on the forest and fire hazard particularly in the area around High Rolls.

The RMIIA also offers materials that can be downloaded from its website: ?

Online from KRQE News 13: Fire coverage, official updates and preparedness resources in the KRQE.com Wildfires section .

rich forever mixtape blow i am legend the unit bob weston david wilson bill obrien

Strong U.S. job growth expected for March

[ [ [['beyond the incredible personal tragedy', 3]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/stand-ground-laws-not-just-gop-policy-records-053103956.html', '[Related: \?Stand your ground\? laws not just GOP policy\, records show]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Afghan security forces and police killed three', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/H9BcJE', '[Related: Bales\' wife on his alleged shooting: \'He would not do that\']', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['looking for fireworks between the opposing camps', 16]], 'http://yhoo.it/GSvEsj', '[RELATED:\?It?s going to be a circus\?: Activists begin protests outside Supreme Court]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 8]], 'http://yhoo.it/GE6jSh', '[RELATED: Obama\?s health care law passed 2 years ago, but where are we now\?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Witnesses said the gunman pulled up on a black scooter', 7]], 'http://yhoo.it/GzwOIW', '[Related: New York police tighten security at Jewish sites]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['test Zimmerman for alcohol or drugs', 11]], 'http://yhoo.it/Gzn6VF', '[Related: White House says Trayvon Martin is local issue]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['This is as serious of a tornado', 7]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/tornadoes-touch-down-in-texas-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120403/trucksdallas.jpg', '630', ' ', 'Reuters', ], [ [['Oikos University', 8]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/deadly-oakland-university-shooting-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120402/shooting.jpg', '450', ' ', 'REUTERS/Reuters TV/KNTV/Handout', ], [ [['Trayvon Martin decked the Neighborhood', 7]], 'http://yhoo.it/GUovUP', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/2/61/261d2c36bccf0971c2734a4d4398aa5a.jpeg', '512', ' ', 'AP/David Goldman', ], [ [['Can you create commerce in order to regulate it', 9]], 'http://yhoo.it/GSgtu8', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/7/78/778e2416573870cd705774e92403447d.jpeg', '630', ' ', 'AP/Charles Dharapak', ], [ [['associated with such a small earthquake', 4]], 'http://yhoo.it/GTco9z', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/0/b4/0b493c1a47b6e3f97f8f48a2b251d7d4.jpeg', '630', ' ', 'AP Photo/Carrie Antlfinger', ], [ [['Fox News host Geraldo Rivera sparked outrage', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GKMVTk', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/2/7c/27c7367bc512d233ae1790b320a5e92c.jpeg', '630', ' ', 'AP Photo/John Minchillo', ], [ [['The charges signed against Bales include', 1]], 'http://yhoo.it/wZT5zV', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/7/a0/7a07c51b2aa0f39b1a23355046d13870.jpeg', '512', ' ', 'AP Photo/DVIDS\, Spc\. Ryan Hallock\, File', ], [ [['George Zimmerman, if I had a son', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/thousands-protest-fla-teen-death-1332387124-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/os/152/2012/03/22/d761a49f3fcc99080a0f6a70670053cd-jpg_150905.jpg', '500', ' ', 'AP Photo/John Minchillo', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]

[ [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]

honor killings mary tyler moore x games pro bowl pro bowl 2012 rick santorum daughter gainesville

Enhancing Communications with CAS Members | The Casualty ...

As the CAS Vice President-Marketing and Communications, my duties include evaluating the effectiveness of CAS communications with members and improving our efforts to communicate where necessary. Last year, the CAS Executive Council identified several areas of potential improvement as we considered input on how well we are communicating from the Task Force on Improving Communications within the CAS, the CAS Board of Directors, and other areas of the CAS.

One of our tenets in reviewing our communications is that communications is not a one-way process. Just as we need to build our ability to share information with members, we need to make channels available that allow members to communicate with each other and CAS leadership.

My goal with this blog post is to provide an update on recent efforts to enhance communications with CAS members, ask for feedback on our current initiatives, and invite additional suggestions for areas for improvement.

Recent initiatives include:

  • The CAS Roundtable. This blog is an example of a new communication vehicle that we introduced to improve communications with members. Here, we can provide short, informal updates on current topics important to members while at the same time inviting feedback. That?s the inspiration for the name of the blog ? the CAS Roundtable is intended to serve as an interactive forum for the discussion and exchange of views on important issues within the CAS and casualty actuarial profession.
  • Social Media. The CAS has made a conscious effort to build its presence on the social networks, and the number of CAS followers on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn continues to grow. We have over 1,000 fans/followers on both Facebook and Twitter, and over 2,000 individuals in our LinkedIn group. While the social networks provide an additional channel for executing our communication plans, they also allow the CAS to share member and industry news, which is the essence of social networking. CAS staff members subscribe to Google Alerts that inform them when Casualty Actuarial Society appears in an online article or blog. These articles are redistributed to CAS followers. We are seeing a growing number of people responding to what we share and sharing items of interest themselves.
  • Regional Affiliate Presentations. For many years, CAS leadership has accepted invitations to give presentations on current CAS issues that have been extended by our Regional Affiliates. We have found the Regional Affiliate meetings to be one of the best ways for leadership to interact with members ? not only do the formal presentations provide an opportunity for questions and answers, but networking breaks allow for informal interaction that allow leaders to get feedback and input from members. The Board recently agreed to formalize its outreach to Regional Affiliates to include at least annual contact with each affiliate and a report back to the Board after a CAS leadership presentation on CAS issues.
  • Town Hall Meetings and Webinars. During the 2011 Annual Meeting, the Board held an open Town Hall Meeting to share news on actions taken at the Board meeting held two days prior, and to invite comments from members. Another Town Hall will be held at the 2012 Spring Meeting in Phoenix. The recent complimentary webinar titled ?A Conversation with CAS Leaders? similarly provided a forum for the CAS President and President-Elect to interact with CAS members, and additional webinars are being planned.

In addition to these initiatives already underway, other projects are in the planning stages such as:

  • Increasing the publication frequency of The Actuarial Review. Because The Actuarial Review is the most widely-read CAS publication and one of the best vehicles for communicating to members, the Board agreed to increase the publication frequency from quarterly to six issues per year, beginning in FY 2013. Along with the increase in frequency, it is envisioned that the newsletter will transition to color and a magazine-like format.
  • Incorporating Video in our Communication Plans. Did you know that YouTube is the second most popular online search engine, behind only Google? The CAS currently makes limited use of video as a communication vehicle, but we are excited about the opportunity to utilize video and believe it will be an effective medium for certain communication initiatives.

Organizational communications should not be monologues, that is, a one-way exchange. Between the CAS and its members, there should be a two-way flow of information, and we encourage members to engage in this exchange. I think that we?ve made a lot of progress in our efforts to communicate with members, and to invite members to participate in a dialogue with CAS leadership. But what do you think? Please leave a reply below!

ben gibbard nfl playoff schedule tim howard scores nick cannon kidney failure consumer financial protection bureau casey anthony video recess appointment