Month: March 2019

Pr Professionals Today Need Business Management Know-how

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Research is the single most important component to a successful PR campaign. Without the proper information how can a PR professional possibly know what is going to bring you the most profitable images and the most bang for your buck? They don”t.

A knowledgeable PR professional will see it as part of their job and responsibility to conduct thorough research for your company, first and foremost, to ensure you get the most out of your PR campaign. Hence the reason a high percentage of people feel they never get the results they expect from PR because not all PR people see research as part of their responsibilities.

So if the PR person you have been using has not asked a lot of questions about your company this is a sure sign they do not realize that the research is their duty. Most PR campaigns are not effective because either the company does not have the time to gather the data that is necessary or the PR person does not see it as part of their job to collect information before they design a public relations strategy.

PRs Must Understand Business Management

The job of a company CEO and other executives is not to filter through all of the data that is out there to come up with a strategy that will guarantee PR success. Instead their job is to concentrate on the other aspects of the company which include taking the business to the next level and overseeing the day-to-day operations. If you have the employees sift through the information, they may not be able to determine what the right thing to do for the company is in terms of return on investment since that is not their area of expertise either. Therefore a PR professional with business-management know-how and a proven track record can be a valuable asset to a PR campaign. Why?

An intelligent PR professional who understands how corporations work and how entrepreneurs think will also be able to identify with pressures and decisions that managers face on a regular basis. The PR professional is not looking to create glamour or fame that delivers no real improvement to the bottom line. Instead, a distinguished PR professional seeks satisfaction in terms of more production, more profits, more business, and so on, and actually should have business management expertise to accomplish these goals. If a PR professional does not understand this going in, then you are just going to get a lot of noise, and little effectiveness, from your PR campaign.

More Reasons Why Business Management Skills Are Important

To provide you with an example, I once had a close friend that was going on and on about having a great PR on board who was scheduling him to participate in multiple various events and six different speaking engagements, etc., etc. He had a lot of activity and he thought he was making an impression on me with everything his company was doing. But in the very same conversation he was asking me for help – nothing was “working” and he did not know why.

What he did not realize was that there was one piece missing in the puzzle. When I asked him how all of these efforts related to one another and how they contributed to the bottom line, he didn”t have the faintest idea and the PR team had no idea either. They simply replied that we are doing this “because.” None of it had any rhyme or reason. There was no return on investment nor any real profitable images for him nor the company; meanwhile the statistics on the company were in rapid decline. It certainly was no coincidence.

It turns out that the PR person this client had on board had no business management skills and knew absolutely nothing about running a business. Although she was “PR trained,” she could not determine how to take the company from point A to point B and build a future that aligned with their purpose and their mission statement. So the PR campaign never aligned.

This scenario is not unusual. Unfortunately many PR people are not trained in business management, which usually means they are not trained in marketing. You cannot have a public relations campaign without knowing anything about marketing; and marketing is also less effective without PR. The two methodologies complement one another, but they are not the same. You use PR to boost your marketing campaign and marketing to fuel your sales.

This is why you should use a PR professional with training in business management. I have been around a lot of PRs in my career, and all the top PR professionals that I know, have these skills. If you don”t have a PR that is savvy in business or marketing, you are going to be missing an entire tier of expertise that you need as a core foundation to your PR campaign.

About Diane D. Stein:
President, JoTo Extreme PRTM

As an Online PR and Marketing Specialist, Diane D. Stein, has been in the field of Public Relations for the past 20 years. At University of Georgia Diane learned what creates true camaraderie that fuels powerful campaigns. Ever since she has made it her mission to seek out the newest and fastest lines of communication to targeted groups of individuals, allowing her to create tight-knit societies that are the driving force behind big movements.

During Stein”s tested her findings of creating communities, which naturally migrated into Online PR, Search Engine Marketing and Social Media Branding. Diane understands that social media is about creating a sense of place in a virtual and otherwise cold world, using only the most reliable tools to create Online PR campaigns that can increase page rankings, web traffic and make you and your business well known. Visit her at www.jotopr.com

Effective Business Management Through Erp Software Systems

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When it comes to doing business today, it is the rare business that can operate without the use of computers software to organize and analyze the data necessary to conduct the business in any kind of efficient manner. When large businesses utilize several different sources of of materials as well as outside agents that provide services such as accounting, quality control or other key services it is necessary to use software known as an erp system. Arizona and other southwestern states have been able to take advantage of the organization and real time analytics of such software to streamline their business operations across all platforms lowering the cost of being in business.

When there are multiple departments involved in manufacturing and selling products in a company, it is to the best advantage of the company to find a good supplier of software dedicated to an erp system, Arizona, New Mexico and California are just some of the western states taking advantage of this kind of system. Enterprise resource platform software provides not only communication between departments and outside sources but allows cross functionality to streamline order fulfillment processes and inventory control. It is through this kind of inter-connectivity that business managers can realize their best practices for running a successful business and keeping the cost of doing business under control.

When looking for operations that are supported by an erp system, Arizona has many resources to choose from for software development to suit their specific needs of doing business in the desert southwest. A consultation company can provide the business with software developers that are experts in the field and best understand the regional challenges and advantages of doing business in a particular area. These points can be taken into consideration when having customized erp software designed for your particular business to maximize assets and minimize liabilities.

Being that this kind of software centralizes information to a singular database accessible to all operating departments through an erp system, Arizona can develop more efficient business models for growing business opportunities throughout the southwestern area. Erp software eliminates the need for redundant data entry for inventory control and order processing making supply companies more efficient and much more competitive in a global business world. Arizona, being landlocked and remote in a business sense can develop businesses that have a more competitive edge, giving them a greater chance of success in uncertain financial times.

Pond Fountains in Lafayette, Louisiana

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Living Water Aeration | Pond Fountains in Lafayette, Louisiana

Living Water Aeration
3714 Hwy 343
Maurice, LA 70555
1-888-775-2402 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting1-888-775-2402end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting1-888-775-2402end_of_the_skype_highlighting
http://www.livingwateraeration.com/

To avoid most maintenance problems with ponds and fountains, you need to do it right the first time. That means you’ll need to do your homework about the environment in which you’ll build your pond and install your pond fountain. “Think of a pond as a big aquarium,” says Steve Springer, president of the Waterscapes division of OASE in Camarillo, California. “The major and critical aspect of creating and maintaining a pond is protecting the biological balance of everything in it.” You will be creating an ecosystem, and everything that goes into it must maintain that environment.

“The key to maintaining your pond is the water factor. Installing and maintaining pond aeration and water cleaning equipment, and adding the appropriate bacteria will keep the pond environment stable and healthy for the plants and fish you want to put there. It takes time to get the proper water balance, usually about 6-8 weeks for a brand new pond,” says Springer.

Maintenance calls for commercial ponds vary, depending on where you’re located. According to Dirk Rohloff, owner and president of Pacific Water Art, in Mountain View, California, it depends on climate, environment, landscape plants around the pond, and the grading and drainage patterns which affect runoff into the pond. “Each pond or water feature has its own personality; subsequently, some require twice weekly maintenance, others require only once a month,” Rohloff says. Often with large ponds, the water quality can even change from week to week, due to the amount of nutrients in runoff and debris in the water. Some contractors, like Mike Graham, vice president of operations for Landscape Concepts Management in Grayslake, Illinois, offer a weekly contract through the growing season. This allows the contractor to keep an eye on changing conditions.

Before & After

Residential pond maintenance differs from commercial maintenance. According to Michael O’Keefe of Aquatic Landscapes in Dallas, Texas, “The residential pond doesn’t have the same runoff problems as the commercial pond; it doesn’t collect fertilizer and street oils. So a maintenance program is not as intense.”

Nearly all contractors teach residential clients to maintain their own water features, usually by their request. O’Keefe explains that the homeowner enjoys working with his pond almost too much, to the point that sometimes he has to tell him to leave it alone because it’s too clean. Therefore, the majority of maintenance contracts for pond maintenance are for commercial ponds, and it’s a lucrative business.

Pond Problems

Bill Wingo, aquatic biologist and owner of Lone Star Fountains and Magnolia Fisheries in Flower Mound, Texas, says that submersed aquatic weeds and algae present a constant challenge. “The degree of aquatic vegetation growth is a function of water depth, water clarity, weather patterns, and nutrient loading. In addition to being an eyesore, algae clog filters, pump inlets, and other equipment. Silting is accelerated, oxygen levels reduced, and bad odors result,” he says.

The pond’s use and state regulations influence the treatments selected. “Ideally,” Wingo adds, “aquatic plant management should be a combination of methods that work harmoniously with the environment.” There are a number of techniques that help maintain the pond environment. These include pond aeration, filters, controlling runoff, biological methods, and the use of aquatic herbicides.

Pond Aeration

Pond Aeration is a common and effective way to maintain good water quality and kill or prevent the growth of algae. Aerators promote a healthy fish habitat, reduce nutrient problems due to lack of oxygen, reduce odor, and increase decomposition of organic matter.

Two types of aeration are generally used: floating fountains, also called surface aerators, and bottom-diffused aerators. Fountains come in a variety of sizes and spray patterns. Some are even designed to alternate between patterns. While very functional, fountains and aerators also add drama to a landscape, especially when lit at night.

Rodney Bulava, manager of the water feature department for Landscape Concepts Management, says his company uses a variety of aerators. He suggests being cautious with floating fountains alone for putting oxygen back into the water, because he has found they don’t grab the deep water. To counter this, Wingo says, “Fountains can be equipped with suction tube extensions to pull water from greater depths. This enhances mixing and oxygenation of the pond.”

Bottom-diffused aeration systems are the most efficient for providing oxygen flow within a pond, according to Wingo. In very deep ponds, these are not visible as they do their work. They can also be combined with a pond fountain, for aesthetics.

Maintaining Aerators and Fountains

Many maintenance calls for aerators and fountains occur in the aftermath of thunderstorms and after power interruptions, which stop the work of the water-cleaning equipment, says Wingo. Storms blow debris into ponds, which can overtax a filtration system. Plastic bags present special problems, because they tend to clog up the suction screen and restrict water flow to the fountains. Having the proper skimmer, a device that strains the large debris, in place in front of the pump and filter will prevent most clog problems, says Springer. If the debris makes its way into the propeller shaft and locks up the fountain, then the pump may need to be removed and cleaned or repaired. It’s a good idea to schedule a maintenance check after a major storm.

“The quality of the pond denotes whether removal of the fountains and aerators are necessary during our routine maintenance calls,” says Bulava. “We do a minimum of two mid-season calls, and have found that plastic bags are the biggest culprit.” He uses dual intakes to avoid totally plugging up the system.

There are numerous brands of fountains and aerators available, and most offer one to three year warranties. Some manufacturers recommend yearly removal and servicing of the fountain or aerator motor. Others are water-cooled and lubricated, and require no routine service to remain within warranty. Nearly all contractors remove and clean them at least once a year.

Enhancing Water Quality

Providing enough oxygen for the pond environment is one step toward creating the aquarium environment desired. Standard water-quality tests are a good tool to determine the general condition of the pond, Wingo says. These tests look at pond temperatures, pH, alkalinity, hardness, nitrite, and phosphorus in the water. If fish will be added to the pool or pond, these tests will guide you in adjusting the water to sustain fish. These tests are also helpful in gauging the extent of the effects of runoff.

“Filtration systems also help keep the water clean; however, make sure you use ones that are suited to the size pond,” says Springer. Spa filters should never be used for a pond because they are designed to be used with water that does not have very many dissolved particles in it, and is treated with chlorine or bromide. These filters have paper or fiber cartridges that have to be replaced frequently.

Three of the popular types of pond filters are: gravity, pressure, and bio. Gravity filters should be installed where the outlet is higher than the water level. Pressure filters can be buried or camouflaged in a vault. Bio filters are suitable for all pond types, whether there are plants and fish or not. They require little maintenance, because the filter medium is cleaned and reused.

Runoff for large ponds is a problem that not only contributes to an unhealthy pond but can also impact the environment. It can be minimized by some general landscape maintenance techniques. Graham encourages homeowner associations to leave a four to five-foot buffer along the mowing edge. “This reduces erosion and discourages Canadian geese,” he says. Waterfowl can add extra nutrients to the water environment. Graham adds, “We use erosion fabric and plugs of native plants along the shoreline, offering a natural look while growing a natural filter for runoff.”

Tom Fochtman, owner of CoCal Landscape in Denver, Colorado, has his crews clean the primary drain inlets and trickle channels from streets and gutters to restrict oil and grease pollution from streets. They also clean out silt build-up in ditches using manpower or backhoes. And they have reshaped the banks of drain ditches to eliminate trickle channels into their ponds.

To decrease nutrient overload and algae bloom from inorganic fertilizer runoff, Graham uses water-soluble dye to prevent sunlight from penetrating the water. This discourages plant and algae growth. Wingo suggests switching to organic fertilizers for the surrounding lawns. These aren’t so quickly released into the water system after a rain.

Biological Control

The introduction of organically-occurring bacteria, or microbes, to restrict algae growth is a natural way of treating algae. Microbes work by consuming the excess nutrients that algae need to grow. But patience is necessary. This can be difficult for the client who wants instant gratification.

“Since chemicals work right away, the expectations are that microbes work just as quickly,” Wingo says. “Bacteria work slowly, naturally, so we explain to our clients not to expect visible changes in the water for three to four weeks. While chemicals address the symptoms of the problem, microbes address the cause of the problem.”

Aquatic Herbicide Control

If you choose chemical herbicides, there are two different kinds: contact and systemic.

Contact herbicides achieve fast results, but may require multiple treatments during algae bloom season. Additionally, exposure of every part of the target plant is necessary. Systemic herbicides are slower to kill, however they provide seasonal control, and there is no oxygen depletion due to rapid decomposition of vegetation.

Many pond management companies, like Fochtman’s, use a combination of aquatic chemicals, bacteria, and aerator systems to combat algae in the ponds his company maintains. Bill Henkelman, vice president for The Brickman Group, Glendale Heights, Illinois, says his company uses aquatic herbicides or bacterial treatments in combination with aeration techniques.

“California is much tougher than other states on the use of chemicals,” states Rohloff, “You have to report what, where, and how much you’ve added. While aquatic herbicides may be safer than they used to be, we don’t use them unless it’s the last option. We use the addition of bacteria and mechanical filtration systems with commercial-grade sand filters that remove solid products from the water.”

Every state requires, at minimum, a pesticide applicator’s license to apply aquatic chemicals. “Contact your state’s Extension Service and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, who regulate chemical usage in wetlands,” adds Wingo. “Both of these departments maintain lists of allowable chemicals.”

Pond maintenance can save you headaches, and will also help preserve the aesthetics of the pond or pool you installed, keeping the environment healthy. According to Rohloff, commercial pond maintenance contracts aren’t difficult to sell. “Pond maintenance is profitable,” he says. “You’re not going to get rich, but it’s steady work.”

Living Water Aeration is located in the Lafayette, LA. area. We also offer installation, sales and service to the following towns and areas: Abbeville, Breaux Bridge,Crowley, Eunice, Jeanerette, Jennings, Kaplan, Morgan City, New Iberia, Opelousas, Rayne, St. Martinville, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

http://www.livingwateraeration.com/

Call us today for all of your pond needs! 1-888-775-2402

Improve Efficiency Of Your Operations With The Latest Business Management Solutions

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In a perpetually changing business environment, companies operating in different industries require scalable solutions that can contribute in increasing the productivity and eliminating any kind of inefficiencies to increase their profitability. Whether you are in the retail industry, hotel industry or restaurant business or any other corporate field, you need solutions that maximize productivity, reduce operational costs and generate quick results. The latest business management solutions can go a long way in ensuring that you achieve all this within your budget. From accounting to sales and property management, everything can be carried out using the right combination of hardware and software systems.

In countries like Australia, it has become very common to see major players of the hospitality industry making use of the latest accounting systems and point of sale solutions to better coordinate their operations. Restaurants, cafes and bars etc. make use of restaurant POS systems as these considerably reduce the man-hours and help in serving fast & accurate orders to customers. Moreover, there are several innovation based companies in Australia that manufacture accounting systems for hotel Point of Sale and motel of sale so that the cash inflows and outflows can be handled with the highest level of accuracy. Not only can the accounting systems Hotel Point Of Sale help in reducing data entry errors but also save considerable amount of time and money.

Today, hotels, resorts & restaurants have the option of getting customized Point of Sale solutions designed for meeting the specific requirements of their businesses. The business solution providers first assess the needs of the hotel or motel in question and then suggest a combination of hardware or software that can best fulfill their requirements depending on the scale of their operations. Apart from the accounting systems and motel point of sale solutions impeccable property management software can prove to be ideal for managing reservations, group bookings and even multiple tariffs. Since the entire process is automated there is no scope of manual errors, missed reservations, double bookings or guest charges.

Even the costs incurred by an in-house guest on accommodation, telephone, at bar or restaurant, and room service can be seamlessly tracked and processed using an accounting system Point of Sale. Using the latest software restaurants or bars in a hotel can instantly transfer the in-house guests costs to their room accounts. Property management software can help in managing Transaction Packages, Multiple rooms per booking, corporate activity tracking, floor plan display, maintenance tracking and even mailing list management. Therefore, if you are an aspiring player of the hospitality industry in Australia, bring the desired amount of efficiency in your operations using the latest business management solutions.

Skills Required in Business Management

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There are around thousands of business born, still if we see then we will find out that most of the business go under few short years. The business field gets more and more competitive and business manager or owner has to be very skillful to keep the business process and their enterprise afloat. For getting the success in Business there are many such cardinal areas that as a manager, one should overlook. There are many such skills that are required in the company has of surviving and progressing. These skills form the core of what business managers should know. To utilize these key management skills will go a long way to determine the successful career in business. The Management of Cash Flow: There is the great percentage of business that has failed as they do not generate cash or they do not manage their funds wisely. It is the easy way to see cash as an integral part of business especially for starters. To discuss on cash flow, firstly, we should know what exactly cash flow is. In layman language, cash flow is the movement, availability or otherwise of physical currency in out or within the company or business enterprise for various business purpose. The importance of cash flow can be illustrated with the example of small firm that forms reasonable revenue. After the salary payments and expenses of company owners decide to invest the greater part of the cash in the company profits in purchasing any equipments or anything that is relevant to the infrastructure of the company. Management of Personnel: Getting the workforce to perform the maximum is the most daunting task. As the manager comes to discover how varied and irregular the work of is our workers are. The work will be determine the personalities of people and will work closely with all the available emotional buttons on them. Emotions can also affect the people that include fear, geed, love, sex and anger. There are the things that are required to trigger your people the most and also to act accordingly. Managing persons means to take a lifelong commitment and to study personalities and thus gently prodding people in their strong areas. Management of Time: There are so many things that are written and have been said on this issue. In our modern sophisticated world, technology and fast living it becomes more difficult to manage our time effectively. There are many experts who bid to showcase their superior knowledge to proceed and elaborate and are also having complicated solutions on time management problems. Implementing on time management advice there leads one deeper into time management difficulties. For an entrepreneur, business manager is the best approach of business management. Effective time management can only be done with the matter of common sense. Common Sense and time management just needs the following practical suggestion. Daily Planning: One of the basic lesson that we have to learn is the setting of young, professionals and inexperienced entrepreneurs is to plan each day and night before early hours of that particular day. Day planning should be done with the daily planner and also by drawing a line down the middle.