Establishing Your Business Network

The business network is one of the most valuable tools that any business can possess. While having a great business idea and or product can get you rolling, the connections you make with the business world are what keep you going. Business networks do not just fall in your lap, either. They are something every business owner needs to work on developing and refining.

Build your network

The initial creation of your business and its products and services can lead us to focus on developing these aspects, while neglecting the development of growth. Business networks allow us to reach out to others and help our business grow- and the effect is mutual. This two-way street is important to keep in mind. While it may seem that someone is valuable to you, they will need to see you as a beneficial network to them as well. So keep in mind that you have to bring value to the table, too.

Interact with established business networks

One of the best places to start your own networking is with those that are already searching for their own business networks. Whether it's online or local, there are groups which primary purpose is to network. These meetings can be regular or casual, but it is imperative that if you join. You must create an image that others want to work with (be courteous to others).

Online, you can use your own media sources, such as your web page, social media accounts, and business forums to interact with others. While networking with other business is important, there are often individuals, some you man know and others you may meet, out there that can help you in your business venture. Always keep an eye out for future network opportunities, where they may exist.

Network with the right people

When you network for your business, it's all about meeting people. But, it is important to remember that not everyone is going to be able to offer your business a valuable asset (advice, connections, benefits), so you need to spend your time wisely. Stick with connecting to those that are going to provide a value to your business and avoid spending precious time with those who will not benefit you (or even hold you back). This keeps your network flowing smoothly, preventing any cholesterol from clogging up the arteries of your business.

Making the connection

Handing out a business card or your e-mail address is not the only step to networking. In business, relationships are developed with an investment of time, just like a friendship. You can not hand out your name and expect folks to immediately bond with you- so you talk to them. You work at building a relationship of trust by continuing interacting with them. Social media is an awesome business device, so take advantage of it. If you have profiles on Facebook and Twitter, make sure you keep up with them and interact with your fellow networkers as well. Discussion and advice are usually common on forums, so make sure you get in there and get involved with your networks.

Building your business involves more than just the business itself, it's also about those around you. What can they do for you, and what can you do for them- develops a relationship. These business networks are precious to a growing business, allowing new doors to open in every direction, and then helping us grow towards success.

Top 10 Things to Look For in a Guitar Teacher

Figuring out what to look for in a guitar teacher can be a daunting task. There is always the uncertainty and doubt of whether or not you will have good chemistry with your teacher. After all: you will be putting yourself in a vulnerable position, making mistakes and doing things you can not do well - all in the presence of a stranger. The following list of the top 10 things to look for in a guitar teacher will help you in your search for a teacher and guide you in your choice of who to study guitar with.

1. Preparedness

Knowing that your guitar teacher has a teaching plan and is actively taking notes while you're playing is a good indicator that he is not simply trying to take your money. Some guitar teachers charge a lot, but offer little to no feedback on your performances during lessons. When a teacher is prepared, you will get more bang for your buck. "Preparedness" more specifically means that the guitar instructor has:

a) A significant database of audio files of songs to teach. A database of about 40,000 songs is a big plus

b) A music library in his teaching studio that covers theory, chords, techniques, exercises, literature and more about the instrument he lectures

c) An extensive library of chord charts and sheet music so he does not use up valuable lesson time having to write down lesson materials while you are waiting to be taught.

2. Friendly, Supportive and Firm

A friendly, supportive and firm guitar teacher will make a big difference in your musical growth. For example, if you are not practicing as much as you should in the week following a lesson, a good teacher will hold you accountable for that. It may not be "enjoyable" to hear his criticism, but his candidness and upfront honesty will certainly earn your respect and trust. On the same note, a good guitar coach also needs to possess the right amount of friendship and warmth of personality and diplomacy to convey his criticism without making you feel bad or without offending you.

After all: an instructor who is only being firm without being supportive will not motivate or inspire you to start practicing more diligently. An experienced guitar teacher knows how to strike a fair balance between being firm and supportive.

3. Patient and Understanding

A patient and understanding teacher can do wonders for your musical progress and growth. An important key ingredient is that you feel comfortable in his presence and vibes. Great teachers are firm and on the ball, but also very supportive and patient when you are struggling with newly covered information. It is critical that at any given time it is okay for you to make mistakes - that is what you are there for. "Making mistakes" is not only part of your growth and learning process, it is a necessity. You will never play your best during a lesson and your teacher knows that. If a teacher shows any sign of impatience when you are struggling, look for another teacher immediately. You deserve better.

4. Working From A Professional Studio

A teaching studio tells a lot about the guitar teacher who owns it. The environment you learn in needs to be conducive to learning. If a studio is organized and professional, you will be more apt to learn information easier because you will be focused. Having a well-organized studio and being more focused is beneficial because you will get things done quicker. When a guitar instructor is fumbling through stacks of papers looking for the resources he needs, you will become distracted and learn slower.

5. Versatile

Versatility is an important asset to look for in a guitar teacher. Every student will not want to learn the same songs in the same style, nor will every student be on the same level as others. A guitar teacher should always be on his toes and know how to help anyone at any level of playing to improve. Being able to help a guitarist regardless of his current style or mastery is an important factor in being a great guitar coach.

6. Has an On-Hand Database

A teacher who has an adequate database of learning materials such as chord and tablature charts will make a big difference in improving your guitar skill. A guitar teacher's database should consist of at least 30 thousand different songs and he should be able to pull something up in rough a minute. You will get more out of each lesson with your guitar instructor if he has a well established on-hands database because less lesson time will be sent looking for certain music and more time will be sent playing and receiving direction.

7. Driven

Being a driven musician often translates into being a motivated teacher. Fantastic music teachers are focused and constantly helping you improve in any way possible. A good guitar teacher will constantly correct and push a student in a support way. When you are constantly guided, corrected, challenged and motivated to push the boundaries, you will gain more in 1 lesson than you would in 5 weeks of self-study. An imperative trait of a top music coach is that he has a strong drive to help you succeed in your goals. Your progress is his focus.

8. Pushes You Out of Your Comfort Zone

When you do not feel a little bit uncomfortable, your teacher is spending your time, talent and money. It is when you are out of your comfort zone, that you really learn. Think about it: if you are feeling very comfortable, you are basically doing things you can already do. "Learning" is the result of doing things you can not do yet. A top guitar coach will have you spend 90% (or more) of the lesson time on things you struggle with and only 10% (or less) time on things that come easy to you. The instructor's job is to then spend that 90% of the time guiding you in being able to overcome the fights so you can move to the next levels in your playing.

9. Focused More on Teaching Than Being a Musician

A fantastic guitar teacher is not just someone who knows how to play guitar and shows you what to do. Teaching guitar requires a completely different skill set than playing. A necessary trait for an effective guitar teacher is that he enjoys teaching just as much as playing guitar and is passionate about it. A great guitar instructor is excited about showing you how incredibly magical music is and has your best interest at heart. If you can hear a drive in your guitar teacher and knows it has passion for music, you will probably have a wonderful guitar coach.

10. Inspiring and Creative

When a guitar teacher is able to relate music to life experiences, he is able to reach a student musically as well. Being able to see a connection between music and life is a very significant factor in learning how to improve your ability. Music is not simply about playing notes on a piece of paper, it's about the emotions and creativity that go behind the notes on the paper. Having a teacher who knows this and explains it often can make learning guitar an incredible, unforgivable experience.

Does Circumcision Decrease the Fertility of Sperm in the Male?

Is it possible that circumcision (removal of the foreskin) can cause a decrease in a man's fertility over a man who has never been circumcised, all other factors being the same? Especially when one's sperm comes from the testicles and not the penis. Is some degree of infertility connected to circummision?

The research on circumcision on sperm quality and quantity has been under debt for some time. It appears that the medical community that profits from circumcision feels it will not affect male fertility. Some in the medical community, researchers, and everyday people believe that it does. It appears that the sentence is split.

However, birth rates are much higher in countries where the men are predominately uncircumcised. How is it possible that circumcision could affect fertility in the male?

The testicles hang outside of the body because sperm are very temperature sensitive. They have to be cooler than normal body temperature to survive. It is known that men have a higher quantity and quality of sperm in the colder months than in the warmer months. So men are most potent in the colder months. It is believed that in the hotter months, the sperm are damaged due to hot temperatures building up in a man's underwear and, basically, cooking some of the sperm. This is why boxers are preferred over conventional underwear for sperm health. With tight underwear, the testicles are forced closer to the body. This damages the sperm from the elevated temperature of being up against the body.

So we understand that sperm are very temperature sensitive.

Now here's where it gets interesting:

Circumcised men have a significantly higher resting temperature than their penises then men who are uncircumcised. Men who are uncircumcised have cooler trousers than men who are circumcised. When either group becomes aroused, their penis temperatures rise to the same temperature.

There is no question that an uncircumcised man has a cooler penis than a circumcised man in the flaccid state. For some reason, removal of the foreskin is the reason for this. There seems to be some sort of temperature sensor in the foreskin that may control penile temperature. Removing the foreskin gets rid of this sensor.

It only takes a few temperature degrees of difference to damage sperm. As the penis is in close proximity to the testicles, it's quite likely that a cooler penis would help keep the testicles cooler (Remember that men are more potent in the colder months of the year). Under these condition, if the testicles got too cold, they can always be retracted closer to the body.

But if the circumcised man has such a (relative) hot penis, what happens when this hot penis is bunched up in your underwear against your testicles? That's correct ... It will make the testicles hotter. So when the cremasteric muscles relax to allow the testicles to drop down as far as possible to get away from this heat ... What happens? It does not make any difference, as they are resting next to this "hot" penis.

Remember, it only takes a few degrees in temperature change to damage sperm.

The foreskin has many functions and this is one of them. Mother Nature gifted man with a foreskin for numerous reasons. One of those reasons keeps the penis cooler, there is no denying that. Could foreskin removal affect a man's fertility? It certain seems feasible.

Now consider this: Circumcised and uncircumcised men have the same penis temperature on fullection, as we stated earlier in this article. So, clearly, there is a specific reason why a natural-uncircumcised penis remains at a cooler temperature during the flaccid state. When the penis is erect it is no longer in close proximity with the testicles, so penile temperature should not affect the testicular temperature at this phase (be the penal circumcised or uncircumcised).

Upon orgasm, the penis tends to retract more into the pelvis (at least with my experience). Due to the friction and increased blood flow that occurred during the sexual act, it makes sense that the penal will have an increase in temperature in a flaccid state post-sex than in a flaccid state previous to the sexual act. Could this retraction be another mechanism for the "heated" penis to steer clear of the testicles?

Perhaps one day we will have the knowledge to know how the foreskin is related to penile temperature.

How To Create An Invoice That Reflects Your Professionalism?

Every business, whether small or big needs a customized invoice that reflects their status and professionalism. An invoice is a proof that can benefit the seller and buyer at all times. An invoice in reality is a proof that is made for the transactions between the seller and the buyer for the products sold or the services rendered. Therefore, it is an inevitable part of any business. There are many ways to create a good invoice as it can be created both manually and by downloading invoice templates from the different websites and software programs.

The irony of invoices is that though they serve the same purpose, each of them differs according to the business transactions and the nature of the dealings. There are different types and forms, therefore the business men should first decide on what form they need their invoice and customize it accordingly.

There are some essential details that have to be included in every form of invoice. Some of them are the name and address of the business concern or the manufacturers, the date that the invoice has been created, the official phone number used for the business and of course the name of the person dealing the business. The other important details that should be incorporated are the exact description about the services rendered or about the goods sold.

The credit memo and the debt memo especially deal with issues related with the refund matters. The credit memo is issued when the buyer returns the goods that he has bought and gets the repayment for it. In the same manner, when a company is not able to keep up its promise on the delivery time or has related issues, the debt memo is issued as a proof for the amount to be paid along with the penalty.

The importance of a good invoice in all business transactions and transactions is an undisputable fact. It is a solid proof which is upheld in any court in case the project or the sale is contested. Therefore, care should be taken to incorporate all the necessary details that can help a buyer as well as the seller in case of any untoward incidents or disputes.

Difference Between For Profit and Non Profit

Whether you are thinking of starting a new non-profit or have been invited to sit on the Board of an existing charity, it's important to know the key differences between for and non-profit businesses - and it's not as simple as you might think !

Legal Entity - A for profit business can take many forms - sole proprietorship is most common but you can also choose partnership, corporation or the hybrid legal form, the limited liability company / partnership. A non-profit will always be a corporation. Paperwork is filed not only with the state, but with the IRS which determines whether the corporation meets one of the many sections of the 501 (c) code which governs non profits. Most charities you're familiar with - American Red Cross, Cancer Society, Catholic Charities - fall under 501 (c) 3.

Ownership - The reason a non-profit is always a corporation is because no single person owns a non-profit. A for profit corporation is owned by shareholders but a non-profit is "owned" by the community it serves. The Board of Directors for a non-profit serve as volunteers and ensure that the entity remains true to it's charitable mission. The Board of Directors in a for corporation corporations of major stockholders and those elected by stockholders. They serve as compensated representatives of the stockholders who ensure the entity produces a reasonable return on investment.

Purpose - A non-profit serves a public good and is driven by the mission. For example, a suicide prevention non-profit might have as a mission, "to help prevent suicide and offer support to those who have lost someone to suicide." Revenue is generated to support services which are designed to accomplish the mission. A for profit business serves a private good and exists to return a profit on the investment of the owner (s). For profit businesses often generate public benefit as well but that is not the motivating factor for owning or investing in a for profit business.

Revenue - A non-profit may generate revenue by delivering good or more often services but the revenue generated is subsidized by contributions, grants or government contracts. Many nonprofits deliver a service for which there is a great public benefit but no profitable market either because the people they serve lack the financial means to pay what the services cost or because the benefit is diffused among society as a whole (environmental or civil rights for example). A for profit business charges a fee for the goods or services that fully covers costs plus a reasonable profit.

Costs - A for profit business will incur all of the normal costs associated with doing business in the industry it serves. A non-profit is exempt from many costs as a public investment in achieving its charitable purpose. Non profits are exempt from some Federal taxes and most state taxes. Contributions to charitable non profits are tax-deductible and people who support the mission are not only allowed but encouraged to work as volunteers - something the Labor Department would otherwise not allow.

Profit - Any money left to a business after paying all expenses is left to the discretion of the owners in a for profit business. Earnings may be paid out or retained against anticipated future expenses. In a non-profit, revenue in excess of expense may be retained if such "carry over" is not prohibited by the source of the funds. Restricted funds may only be used as the donor directives, where unrestricted funds may be used at the discretion of the Board as long as the use further the mission.

Top 3D Modeling Services

In this day and age, 3D modeling is a very common tool people are using when creating their works of art. If you are interested in having a 3D model for your project but do not know how to do it yourself there are plenty of 3D modeling services that can get the job done for you. Many services offer pre-made models that you can purchase or they can custom make one to your liking. Regardlessless are the top 3D modeling services. Let's take a look at the ones that were named best of the year.

TurboSquid
This is one of the nation's best 3D modeling services. They are a very professional company and work on top-notch projects. However, because this company is so promising they do charge more for their services. They have worked with Pixar, Raytheon, CBS, and Boeing, just to name a few.

Falling Pixel
This company is close second behind TurboSquid but still a very well known 3D service company. They are very professional and accommodating to their clients. They will pull from their pool of artists to make sure your needs are filled to the fullest. If you are a 3D artist looking to sell your work, Falling Pixel has one of the best artist commission rates in the industry with the artist receiving fifty-eight percent of the models sale price.

3d02
This is another great 3D modeling service. Their sight allows you to browse through models by category and formats making it very easy to see which models are a good fit for your work. Here you can buy models individually, collectively, or also have your own model created. 3d02 is also best known for their reasonable prices.

The 3D Studio
This service has thousands of models and textures that work with 3ds max, Cinema 4D, Lightwave, and Maya. The thing to note about The 3D Studio is that their models are far more simple then other 3D modeling services but that may very well suit what you need. It just depends on what you are looking for. They do have a variety of categories to choose from including characters, vehicles, plants, space, sports, industrial, anatomy, architecture and more.

DAZ
DAZ is another highly popular 3D modeling service. The only downfall is they are only compatible with DAZ software. However, they are known to be extremely affordable. Their work produces high quality 3D models. People who are interested in human and non-human figures will find comfort and satisfaction with this company. They are very good with mythical creatures. Their models are very life like. If you are looking for human or mythical characteristics then DAZ is probably the best choice for you.

Hopefully your journey to finding or developing the perfect 3D model is a lot easier and helpful knowing you have these amazing professional companies to work with. Your project is guaranteed to be nothing short of everything you have visualized it to be.

Tips For Taking Tasteful And Creative Boudoir Photography

There is a surprising trend happening in the world of photography that involves women taking sexy portraits. These two do not go together at all with traditional wedding photography or family photography. So, what could possibly allow a woman to express her self confidence and share intimate and personal photos with their special someone. This would have to be boudoir photography for sure. These are not the old fashion studio photos where you got the impression that you were looking at pictures taken in a hotel that rents by the hour. Boudoir photography is very tasteful with a hint of sensual and sexiness. Today's boudoir sessions are more about fashion and flair. Boudoir photography is about woman in lingerie and provocative poses.

Women are more comfortable with sexuality than ever before. It was only a matter of time before they demanded a change in how they were perceived in boudoir photos of old. The old dreary color faded photos of the past were no longer going to be acceptable. This is not about creating a porn video either. It's an art form and it's not about taking your clothes all the way off. It's about creating a look that shows how amazing a woman's body really is. Photos they can share with their loved one that just say wow how amazing is my body and I'm proud of it. There are a few steps to keep in mind when creating and properly executing a boudoir photo shoot.

The best way to make your client feel comfortable during the shoot is working on your posing. Boudoir photography is no different than other forms of photography when it comes to creating comfortable and manageable poses. If your clients are uncomfortable then it will most likely show up in the shots you take. You need to bring out the best parts of each individual client's best features when shooting boudoir photography. Every woman is different as far as their sizes and shapes. So, you have to be able to figure out what parts of the body you want to feature. If your client has very large hips and she's extremely conscious of them. You want to take shots from the side and from above instead of head on in front of you. It's best to try and establish a rapport with the client to help them feel at ease. Do not just bring them in and start shooting.

You could go out and hire a bunch of professional to help build your portfolio and practice your skills. I feel it's better to work with regular everyday clients to work on improving your skills. With professional models it can be hard to determine which feature is their best. It can also hard to find out what is their worst. There is one plus to working with even amateur models and that is they are good at finding sensual poses that you can work with. It may take your clients awhile to get comfortable and they may not know how to position themselves in a sensual manner. This is the one area you may benefit from having amateur models to provide you with examples to use on our clients. Your job is to highlight the parts that your client feels are her best physical qualities and hide those that she does not feel comfortable about.

Lighting is very important in boudoir photography as it is with most photography in general. Flash photography can be very unflattering to natural skin. So, you want to use as much natural light as you possibly can. Avoid at all cost direct flash and use as little off camera lighting as you can get away with. Use soft lighting during your shoot which will allow for softer skin tones. Split lighting is a technique that I like to use in my sessions. I've tried this with natural lighting, but this does not work as well as use one main source of lighting. You place your light source at a 90 degree angle and prefer use off camera lighting that simulates natural light. This allows me to create a dramatic and a definite mood in my shots.

Picking the proper lens will also help you get the wanted shot you are looking for. A zoom lens and the right camera angle is really all that's needed to get the perfect shot. You do not need multiple lens changes or camera changes during your shoot. You want to shoot level with the client and not from above. This will help make sure the proportions are correct and not unflattering.

Picking out the right outfit is another issue that you want to work with your client on. You do not want to pick out your clients outfit. You want them to feel comfortable in whatever they decide to wear. The item could have a special meaning or it could just be an item of clothing that they share during special intimate moments. You want your client to at least bring two or three different items for you to work with. You want to bring items that are a combination that allow you to undress and reveal another more provocative outfit underneath. This also allows the client to become a little more comfortable about taking their clothes off while a camera watches their every move.

You want them to stay with neutral colors like black, beige, and red. These work best with most skin tones. You also want the items they are wearing to fit. You do not want an outfit that is too tight on their skin. You also do not want one that lose fitting and falls off during the shoot. Remember you are not shooting porn. You are creating tasteful art that is not showing full nudity. Picking a favorite team jersey or a work shirt is always recommended as one of the outfits you'll want to use.

The biggest hurdle your going to face while shooting boudoir photos is getting your client to relax. If you are able to get past the nervous issues that arise. You should be able to create sexy and provocative photos for your clients to share with the loved one.