Tuesday 26 February 2013

Creator PR provides you a great social media presence all around


Are you still confused about whether social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are of use to you, here is the importance of social media marketing in business explained.

Large audience
Facebook currently has more than 800 million active users; twitter too has a sizeable audience which is growing slowly but steadily; and then there is the niche platform of Linkedin which has most of the professionals actively building a network out there. Even the latest phenomenon, Pinterest, is growing rapidly. In short, with social media marketing, you get direct access to such a large audience online. In other words, social media platforms are a ready marketing database for you to exploit.

You get to engage your potential customers
Most of us don’t find it too pleasing to be hard sold too. When was the last time when you greeted a salesman at your doorstep politely? In fact, it has been proven by marketers time and again that customers are more likely to buy your products if they trust you. With social media marketing, you can build that trust. You can engage your audience in a productive dialogue which improves your conversion rate; and that’s what the bottom line is about, right?

Social media is a fantastic word of mouth platform
Pick up any runaway hit in the past- be it movies, songs, consumer durables or something else- you will find one thing common in all of them; all the runaway hits become popular through word of mouth. In the information age of today, the word of mouth has moved online. With social media marketing, you can make your products go viral, resulting in instant success. It has been proven by studies that people are more likely to buy something that’s recommended by their friends and relatives. With almost everybody these days on social media platforms, it is brilliant opportunity to sell to entire families and generations at once.

It is cost effective and easily measurable
Compared to other marketing techniques online such as advertising, social media marketing is cost effective, and in most cases, cheaper too. You don’t necessarily need to advertise on social media channels; all you need is an innovative strategy which needn’t cost a lot. Social media marketing is also quantifiable since Facebook now gives you insights on the engagement users have with your brand online.
With so much on offer, the importance of social media marketing for business definitely cannot be ignored if you are serious about being successful online.

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Monday 25 February 2013

How to Have a Good Day ?


Have you been a regular victim of horrible days that involve stepping on gum, birds pooping on you, and cars splashing mud all over your wardrobe? Well, with this article, you can have an excellent day with minimal effort.  Smile and be kind, By doing this you will radiate a positive wave and attract people. Help others in need, maybe donate some money to charity, do community service like help at homeless shelters, or just be a shoulder to cry on. The people around you will feed on your energy, and will carry it. So if you display a sunny disposition, the people around you will feel good too.

·         Exercise. Yoga is a good form of relaxation, meditation and exercise. It's best to take professional lessons as it will keep you motivated. This will probably be most enjoyable in the morning or at the end of the day. Also consider taking pilates which also relaxes your body in a calming, healthy way.

·         Have a good night's sleep. That way you wake up feeling fresh and energized. Sleep at least 8 hours a day. Did you know scientists have proved that losing just 20 minutes of sleep can bring down an A+ student to a C? That means less concentration, less energy, and that groggy feeling. That's how much sleep is important to the human body. It's easier to go to sleep early than wake up early, so why not give it a try?

·         Begin the day with a glass of water. Being hydrated can make you feel a lot better and it's a great way to start the day. Plus drinking plenty of water is great for your skin.

·         Begin your day with a nice shower. Use your favorite soap and get really clean. Make sure that you have a towel ready for when you get out of the shower. Put the clothes that you're going to wear in the dryer for about 3 minutes so that they're warm when you put them on. Get ready for your day.

·         Eat breakfast. Go on Google and find some recipes. There are loads of quick and easy, but oh-so-tasty and healthy recipes available! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day- having a great breakfast means loads of energy and your brain will function better. Remember to keep it in moderation and give yourself time so you won't be late. And try to have variety, the same cold cereal each day can become monotonous and can add gloom to your day.

·         Invite friends over, talk, and relax. Do something that you like to do and have a good time.

·         Be spontaneous. Sometimes doing something new or straying out of your routine could make your day much more exciting. Today doesn't have to be just another day, so let yourself enjoy it and make it as unique as possible. This includes following your whims. Doing the unexpected can help spice up your day and add some interest.

·         Don't concentrate on the negative. There will always be something that you can find that will bother/annoy you. You just have to ignore those things or accept that they exist and that's just the way it is. Concentrate on the good things that are happening and don't let yourself get hurt by something someone said or did. Try not to compare yourself to others, as this will only lead to disappointment and the feeling of never being satisfied with your good self.

·         Do something you're scared of. Whether it's bungee jumping or just calling a new friend, let yourself do something you fear doing. You'll feel proud of yourself later for accomplishing it and be more confident in your doings. Remember, anything's possible as long as you believe.

·         Even if you don't feel like it, try to be nice to everyone. That gives out the "I'm a person you want to know!" signal.

·         Smile. You want your happiness to radiate and influence others.

With thanks to: wikihow.com
Creator Public Relations  


Monday 18 February 2013

How to be happier



In 2011, the Office for National Statistics started to measure how happy we are. This follows Prime Minister David Cameron's decision to assess the 'general wellbeing (GWB)' of Britons.
Is this all airy-fairy stuff or could it be important?
Back in 2000, NetDoctor ran a happiness survey. Happiness was not such a 'hot topic' then. But even so, the survey attracted huge amounts of publicity. And I'm convinced that the reason for this was because everyone wants to be happy.
Eleven years later, various scientific studies have emerged to tell us that happy people live longer, are less prone to heart disease, are less stressed and are more likely to form satisfying relationships.
A 2008 study by Harvard University even concluded that if you have a friend living less than a mile away from you who becomes happy, your own levels of happiness will rise by 25 per cent!
Politicians have clearly been influenced by science and have come to believe that a happy nation is easier to manage, is healthier, is less trouble and costs less to maintain compared to a miserable population.
Whether or not they're right, there's no doubt that happy people find life easier and also make it that way for those around them.
So, can we learn to be happier?
Many experts believe that we can learn to be happier.
However, we don't all appear to start with the same advantages because some individuals seem to be born happier than others.
Back in the sixties, psychologist Martin Seligman was working on the concept of 'learned helplessness' by experimenting with animals and humans.
He expected to find that we all become passive, sad and helpless if enough bad things happen to us. But to his amazement, he found that simply wasn't true.
Writing about that time in his book Authentic Happiness, he said: 'Not all of the rats and dogs become helpless after inescapable shock, nor do all the people after being presented with insolvable problems or inescapable noise. One out of three never gives up no matter what we do. Moreover, one out of eight is helpless to begin with…'
This discovery led to him to work on a different concept, 'learned optimism' and from this a whole new health movement, called positive psychology, evolved.
Prior to that time, mental health treatment focused entirely on reacting to a patient's misery, depression or anxiety – and trying to treat it.
Positive psychology looked at mental health in a more proactive way. It encouraged people to develop ways of experiencing more joy and happiness – and in that way to become more mentally, and physically healthy.
World Happiness Forum
Several decades on, the pursuit of happiness has been taken up by huge numbers of scientists, philosophers, doctors, educationalists, psychotherapists, psychologists and religious leaders. And many of them regularly come together at conferences run by an organisation called the World Happiness Forum.
Recently, I went to one of these conferences in London and listened to a wide range of speakers from diverse backgrounds.
What struck me was just how much common ground there was between them – despite their different specialties. And I realised that they were virtually all in agreement on the same ingredients for happiness, which I'm now going to outline.
Factors that increase our happiness
One of the main happiness factors is 'altruism', which is defined in the dictionary as 'regard for others.'
But, why should altruism make us happy?
Think for a moment about people you know who are mean-minded and whose mantra is 'look after number one'.
Are they optimistic, contented and cheerful? Usually not.
Many experts have researched the link between happiness and altruism, including Professor Felicia Huppert of Cambridge University.
She investigated the happiness of various populations in Europe and also looked at whether or not there was a tradition of altruism – in the shape of volunteering – in those countries.
What she found was that people who live in Scandinavian countries have the greatest sense of happiness and wellbeing of all Europeans, and inhabitants of countries from the former Soviet block have the least. The rest of us are somewhere inbetween.
She has also discovered that in Scandinavia, large percentages of the population – 70 per cent in Norway – were involved in volunteer projects of various kinds. But in the less happy countries, volunteering was almost unknown. For example only 7 per cent of Bulgarians were volunteers.
Of course, these findings don't prove beyond doubt that altruism makes you happy. But they are certainly worth thinking about.
Here are some of the other components of happiness which experts agree upon.
Having an enquiring mind
Research shows that individuals who are keen to exercise their brains by learning a foreign language or getting to grips with new technology – stay younger in spirit and are much more positive and cheery than people who don't.
Physical exercise
Getting active is crucial if you want to feel well and happy and keep your mind sharp.
Exercise gets oxygen pumping round our bodies and brains – making us feel alert and lively – and prompts the release of 'happy chemicals', called endorphins, into our bloodstream.
Resilience
This is a great commodity to have. Basically, it helps to prevent us feeling hopeless and miserable when life throws tough problems at us.
We can all become more resilient by identifying the strengths we've developed through the years and then working out how we can harness them to assist us in solving current or future problems.
Looking back into the past, we can all remember difficult times that we survived. So when we feel overwhelmed by one of life's challenges, it can help if we remind ourselves that we've already got experience in dealing with problems and remember what the skills were that we used before.
When we do that, we feel more confident about the present problem. And when we're confident, we feel happier.
Having a strong social network
Many research projects have shown that we're happier people when we have regular contact with friends.
Ideally, to get full benefit we should meet up with them face-to-face, but even emailing and phoning a mate can lift our spirits.
Furthermore, friendships appear to have various beneficial health effects.
A long-term Scandinavian study found that people with a strong social network were less likely to get dementia.
And in 2009, researchers reporting at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference stated that loneliness was as bad as being a smoker.
So, there's no doubt that friends are good for us – and personally this makes me very happy!
Transcendence
This rather unfamiliar term means 'an exalted state'.
In other words, it's a feeling that transports us away from the humdrum and gives us greater perspective. You might get this from organised religion.
But more and more of us are finding it in other ways – including meditation, walking by the sea, meandering round historic buildings, listening to music, wandering in the countryside or looking at great paintings.
It doesn't matter what you choose – so long as you ensure that there's something in your life that 'feeds your soul'.
When you have that, you're likely to feel more balanced and happy.
Building a happiness habit
So, what emerged from the World Happiness Forum was that your happiness can grow if you focus on physical and mental good health. This includes activities and thoughts that challenge you and which also give you balance and perspective.
I would like to add a simple strategy to that list. It's something I've used with my own psychotherapy clients for years – which is to notice when you're happy.
It's common for people who fall on hard times, or become ill, or lose a partner to say, 'If only I'd appreciated my life when it was going well' or, 'I was happy then, I just didn't realise it until tragedy struck'.
I always find this sad. And I'm convinced we can all maximise our happiness levels by being more aware of those moments that make us laugh or which bring us joy.
So, what I do with my own patients is to ask them to notice five happy things per day. This isn't a big task. But it can have a large impact in that it encourages people to focus on the happy bits and gives less attention to the various things that go wrong in any one day.
I know this works – because I have increased my own happiness levels that way and helped others to do the same. But my own private theory has received a scientific boost by developments in neuroscience.
Neuroscience and scanning
In the past 10 years or so, there have been advances in what we know about the brain and how it works. And many of those advances have happened because of the development in scanning techniques.
When scanning someone's brain, it's now possible to ask that person to think of something really wonderful and see what happens.
The result is that there's a sudden burst of activity in the front left side of the brain. And this is the part of the brain that registers happiness, wellbeing and contentment.
Physicist and philosopher Stefan Klein highlights that – because of modern technology – it's now possible to demonstrate that the more a person focuses on positive things, the more he or she will generate activity in the 'happy' area of the brain.
Finding that there's brain activity for emotion, and that individuals can boost this activity for themselves, has encouraged scientists to believe that we can become happier by regularly 'exercising' this part of the brain.
Thinking happy thoughts can become a habit. It doesn't cost anything and it's not time consuming.
There's a strong possibility that if we focus on thinking positively, we will elevate our mood and become more optimistic and contented individuals.

Thanks to:
Christine Webber, psychotherapist, author and broadcaster
NetDoctor.co.uk

Monday 11 February 2013

First aid – what everybody should know


  • This advice is a general guideline for use in an emergency.
  • It's not intended to replace professional classes in first aid and resuscitation.

Why learn first aid?

First aid is an important skill.
By performing simple procedures and following certain guidelines, it may be possible to save lives by giving basic treatment until professional medical help arrives.
Remember, too, that practice makes perfect.
In an emergency there's no time to read instructions. If you've memorised some of the basic procedures, it will help you react quickly and efficiently.


Breathing difficulties

If someone stops breathing, see if the person replies if talked to or touched on the shoulder.
If not, call for help – and immediately begin first aid. Send bystanders for help.
But if you're alone, perform basic life support for one minute before going for help.
1.     Place the person on his or her back on the floor.
2.     Tilt the head, so that the chin is pointing upwards. Do this by placing the fingertips under the jawbone, then lift gently while pressing down softly on the person's forehead. This is done to make sure the tongue is not blocking the throat.
3.     Keep holding the head in this way while checking for breathing. Look if the chest is rising and falling, or place your ear next to their mouth to listen for breathing and feel breath on your cheek. Only check for 10 seconds.
4.     If there's normal breathing, hold the head as described above until help arrives. If there's no breathing or gasping breaths, start basic life support.

How to give basic life support

In adults, the problem is usually the heart rather than the lungs – so cardiac compressions come first and rescue breaths second.
Do not waste time checking for a pulse, if the patient is not responding.
1.     Place the heel of your hand in the middle of the chest above the breasts. The heel of your hand should now be positioned on the middle of the lower half of the breastbone (not over the ribs or stomach).
2.     Now place the heel of your other hand on top of the first. Keep your fingers off the chest, by locking them together. Your pressure should be applied through the heels of the hands only.
3.     Keep your elbows straight, and bring your body weight over your hands to make it easier to press down.
4.     Press down firmly and quickly to achieve a downwards movement of 4 to 5cm, then relax and repeat the compression.
5.     Do this at a rate of about 100 times a minute (which is fast and hard work – you can help your timing and counting by saying out loud 'one and two and three and four ...' etc)
6.     Do this 30 times.
7.     Now open the airway by positioning the head with the chin pointing upward.
8.     Pinch the nostrils shut with two fingers to prevent leakage of air.
9.     Take a normal breath, and seal your own mouth over the person's mouth, making sure there's a good seal.
10.   Breathe slowly into the person's mouth – it should take about two seconds to adequately inflate the chest.
11.   Do this twice.
12.   Check to see if the chest rises as you breathe into the patient's mouth.
13.   If it does, enough air is being blown in.
14.   If there's resistance, try to hold the head back further and lift the chin again.
15.   Continue with 30 chest compression, then two rescue breaths – and only stop if the victim starts to breath.
Do not stop for any other reason, until someone else can take over form you.
This should happen every couple of minutes, without any interruption to compressions.
If there are two rescuers: one can do breaths and the other compressions.

Bleeding

With all types of bleeding, it's important to stop the flow of blood as quickly as possible.

 

Small cuts

Small cuts in the veins stop bleeding and clot within a few minutes. The area should then be washed, and a plaster placed gently on top.

Deeper cuts

Deeper cuts in the veins produce dark blood that seeps out slowly and steadily. It can be stopped by gentle pressure on the wound with a sterile or clean cloth, followed by the application of a clean or sterile bandage.
Often, these wounds need sewing or glueing, and therefore medical treatment will be necessary after first aid.


Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds occur when one of the small blood vessels in the mucous membranes of the nose bursts.
Do not bend the head backwards or lie down, because this increases blood pressure in the head and so increases the bleeding.
Blood may also run into the stomach.

To limit the bleeding:
  • pinch the nostrils shut with the index and middle finger for 10 minutes. This way, the vein is pressed together, which is often enough to stem the flow
  •  while the nostrils are shut, the person must breathe through their mouth
  •  if the bleeding continues, it's important to contact a doctor.
  • If the person frequently suffers sudden, intense nosebleeds – they should also consult a doctor. 

Choking

Choking happens when the passage through the windpipe is blocked. This usually occurs when food that hasn't been thoroughly chewed gets stuck.
If someone looks like they're choking, ask them if they're able to talk.
A person who is genuinely choking can usually only communicate with hand movements, and may place their hand against their throat. In such a case they will definitely need help, so summon assistance for them.
Provided the person is conscious and breathing, you should not interfere. However, be prepared to do so, if the obstruction appears to become complete or markedly worse.
The best way to relieve choking is by using the Heimlich manoeuvre.

 

The Heimlich manoeuvre

1.     Stand behind the person, who is choking.
2.     Place your arms around their waist, and bend them well forward.
3.     Clench your fist, and place it right above the person's navel (belly button).
4.     Place your other hand on top, then thrust both hands backwards into the stomach with a hard, upward movement.
5.     Repeat this until the object stuck in the throat is expelled through their mouth.
If you need to carry out this manoeuvre on yourself, place a clenched hand above your navel (belly button) and your other hand on top. Then thrust your fist hard into your stomach.
Repeat this until the object stuck in the throat is expelled through the mouth.

 

 

Shock

Shock occurs when too little blood circulates to the brain.
This means that the brain is not receiving enough oxygen, which leads to a feeling of faintness, disorientation and dizziness.
Shock may occur:
             
·         after a serious infection, with loss of fluids
·         after a serious burn
·         after other accidents that cause loss of fluids or blood
·         as part of an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
When the flow of blood in the body is too slow, the blood pressure drops and too little oxygen is circulated through the body.
When this occurs a person may:
·         go pale
·         turn sweaty, clammy and cold
·         become dizzy
·         become anxious or restless
·         have a weak, fast pulse
·         have low blood pressure
·         have slow, weak breathing
·         lose consciousness
·         become anxious or restless.

 

What to do if someone is in shock?

1.     The person must lie on their back – preferably with their feet raised – to ensure enough blood gets to the brain.
2.     Make sure the person is warm, comfortable and covered by a blanket if possible.
3.     Do not give them anything to drink because they could run a risk of choking.
4.     If the person vomits or bleeds from the mouth, he or she must be placed on their side to prevent choking.
5.     Call for an ambulance. A person in shock must always be treated by a doctor.

With thanks: 
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/firstaid.htm

Thursday 7 February 2013

Cheap cosmetics may cost more

Deccan Herald 


From simple items like kajal and lip gloss which generally find place in every woman’s purse, to coloured cosmetics like nail paint, lip colours, blush-ons, mascaras, cleansers, toners, concealers and foundations, it seems there is no end to cosmetic range in the market today. 

The imported personal care industry is one of the fastest growing as more and more foreign brands enter the domestic market. 

However, as the multi-crore market is gradually expanding, unsafe cosmetics are also entering the supply chain. Therefore, trying to keep masses at bay from the harmful effects of some products, the Health Ministry has decided to bring imported personal care product industry under the legal purview. 

The ministry has approved draft guidelines which bar sales of imported cosmetics in India unless their manufacturers get the products registered with the apex drug regulator Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO).

“It is a right move taken by the government to keep a check on the cheap international products that are imported from neighbouring countries,” says Dr Surendra Chawla, Cosmetic Surgeon, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute.

“Today, the market is flooded with all kinds of imported products. The Chinese cosmetic range is present everywhere. Some might be good but many are not suitable for the Indian skin. They are also make the skin allergic because they have high concentration of certain chemicals which the skin should be least exposed to,” says Dr Surendra.

“The registration and declaration of the chemical composition of raw materials used and finished products will create fear among manufacturers who put lives of their consumers at risk just to generate more revenue,” he says. 

Interestingly, the size of the Indian cosmetic industry is estimated to be Rs 230 billion, of which Rs 3000 crore is contributed by imported products. 

Dr Anil Malik, a cosmetologist, who works in a private dermatology clinic, presents a broader view behind the regulation. “This move will help keep an eye on cosmeceuticals, which refers to the combination of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Many times the cosmeceutical manufacturers from different countries try to sell their products in India through dermatologists. Therefore, in order to safeguard the interest of the consumers, the regulations are a must.”

Referring to the odd cases that he come across almost every day while attending to his patients, the cosmetologist says, “It cannot be denied that unscrupulous people diluting the quality of cosmetics are selling their products easily. Many consumers focus on the cost instead of quality and go for the cheap products. They believe they are best because they are from another country. Secondly, they have no clue in what quantities it should be used. This leads to skin problems.” 

Even a World Health Organisation (WHO) report warns against the use of skin lightening soaps, creams and cosmetics like eye make-up, cleansing products and mascaras saying these could contain mercury. So, the next time you head for that cosmetic counter, resist the temptation of buying a cheap product, lest it cost you more in the long run!


With thanks to:
Archana Mishra, Feb 7, 2013, DHNS:
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/310342/cheap-cosmetics-may-cost-more.html

Monday 4 February 2013

Stay Calm During your board exams


  • Make sure you're really prepared. Sometimes you'll feel ready for a test but realize, too late, that you're not as prepared as you thought. If this happens frequently, you may not be studying correctly or studying enough. Revise thoroughly, but make sure you do other things too. If you revise for too long you will become unfocused, so make sure you take regular breaks! Check out the related wikiHows for help.
  • Get a good night's sleep the night before the test, and breakfast when you get up. Avoid cramming the night of the exam; if you're too tired come test time you won't remember what you "learned" the night before.
  • Remember all your equipment such as an extra pencil, ruler, calculator, etc. unless they are provided.
  • A little brisk exercise will help you remain calm during any stressful situation. If your teacher will allow you to leave the room during the test, run up and down the hall or do some jumping jacks if you start feeling overwhelmed.
  • Get to class a little early. If you get there early, you'll make sure to get your favorite seat. You'll also feel more relaxed if you don't get there just in time or, worse yet, late.
  • Breathe. Before the test, inhale through your nose deeply and slowly. Then, hold the breath for 3-4 seconds and exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this several times. If you experience a sudden panic during the test, perform this exercise again.
  • Tell yourself it's just a test. Really, it is. No matter what happens, everything will be OK.
  • Handle your nerves. Make sure you are not too nervous during your exams - you might forget what you have revised and just panic. You have to stay positive. If you are thinking.."Oh, I am never going to succeed in my exams," you never will! However, if you believe that you can do it, you will find you can!
  • Skip questions if necessary. Don't spend too much time on any one question. If you get stuck, skip the question and move on. You can come back to it at the end of the test if you have time, and later questions may help you recall the answer to the one(s) you skipped.
  • Act like you're the only person in the room. Don't panic if you notice other students writing very quickly or handing in their tests early. Mind the time, and try to work at a steady rate, but otherwise don't worry about speed. It is not a race.
With thanks to : wikihow.com
Creator Public Relations