Friday, March 28, 2008

Plastic Surgery: Questions You Should Ask Before Going Under The Knife

Plastic surgery today has undergone a wide acceptance by society. Its popularity is most likely due to popular television shows and celebrity surgeries having removed the stigma to the point where it is considered an attainable and reasonable means of improving the appearance for almost anyone.

Additionally, the advancement of plastic technology means that many procedures are now quite common and offer very little risk. There are now limitless possibilities with plastic surgery, whether it is in the face, body or limbs. If your body bags, wrinkles, sags or pouches or if you feel something is too large, too small or even the wrong shape, cosmetic surgery can probably fix it. However it is important to keep in mind that no surgery is risk free and any person seriously contemplating plastic surgery should take the time to ask important questions as a part of their pre-surgery research.

One of the most important questions to ask, is "what are the risks?" And since all surgery carries some inherent risks, this is an aspect of cosmetic surgery that should be considered carefully before making a final decision. Even if your doctor is experienced and the risks are minimal you may still develop complications either during or after your surgery. You should therefore be sure to thoroughly review your health history with your doctor before commencing with any plastic surgery.

A good cosmetic surgeon will take your reasons for surgery into consideration and will be honest about the risks. Are you sure the risks outweigh the potential benefits? What, if any, follow up will be done by the surgeon? Will the doctor make adjustments if needed? How will complications be handled? How much time will you need to recover and what are the expected side effects of surgery?

Another important consideration you should carefully examine is your reason for plastic surgery.

Although the makeovers on television may give the impression that cosmetic surgery can improve the quality of your life it is vitally important that you have a realistic outlook on the impact of surgery.

When discussing cosmetic surgery with a doctor, they should also tell you the options that are available and any alternatives to surgery. You shouldn't be pressured into unnecessary surgery. An informed consent document should be signed prior to surgery.

Fourthly, since not all surgical procedures need to be preformed in a hospital, another critical part of your research should be to thoroughly investigate the accreditation of your surgeon. You should check to make sure that your plastic surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS) or a similar a organization in your country.

Ask the surgeon if they have hospital privileges. Having hospital privileges means that a hospital committee has approved the doctor's training and competency to meet their criteria for performing a similar operation in their facilities. Also, even if your surgery is performed in an office, verify that there will be appropriate medical personnel on hand and that the facilities are clean and medical waste is properly disposed of.

You should ask your personal physician for referrals as well. It is important that you find a surgeon that you feel comfortable with. You want to feel free to ask questions and to make certain they understand what you are hoping to achieve - after all, this isn't a hair cut - you want it to be right the first time.

Last, but not least, cost is an important consideration when thinking about plastic surgery. And while this may be the first questions that comes to some people's minds, in reality you should only consider this after determining whether you really need surgery. Costs vary widely and should not be the basis for your decision. The qualifications of the doctor and your comfort with him or her are of far greater significance than the cost since you will undoubtedly pay more if you encounter complications or are unhappy with the results.

Furthermore, depending on the reason for the surgery you may have some of the costs covered by insurance or state run medical programs. However, if cosmetic surgery (also called 'elective') is not seen as a medical and necessity it will not likely be covered by insurance.

In conclusion, if you are considering plastic surgery, be sure to take your time to do proper research before making your final decision. Be sure to make the price of the surgery itself only one of the determining factors and not the only one. After all, there are other things that are more important than money.

Sandra Clair writes for Lasik Eye Surgery Information which provides information on Lasik eye surgery, including LASIK Cost, LASIK Eye Surgery, LASIK Eye Surgery Canada, LASIK Eye surgery Price, LASIK Eye Surgery Risks, LASIK MD, LASIK Plus, LASIK Surgery and LASIK Vision Institute

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Thursday, March 20, 2008

Sell Your Home At Top Dollar With An Inexpensive Face Lift

Have you ever why some homes sell faster than others? It could be the very same model in the same neighborhood, and one home moves quickly whereas some just remain on the market with disinterested buyers. Here are some tips to stage your home to not only sell it, but to get top dollar.

First, examine your home from the curbside as though you had never seen it before. It may be difficult to really put on your objective glasses, but if you can, you will be surprised of how accustomed we become to that broken gate, the damaged garage door, or the garden hose that isn?t rolled up. These may sound like minor issues, but to the home buyer, they?re touring your home with a magnifying glass and a white glove. Begin your evaluation by writing down everything you notice that could improve your property in the slightest way. Here are some inexpensive, easy tips to enhance your home and get top dollar!

Be sure to replace or trim trees and plants and try livening up your garden with some colorful, fragrant flowers near the entrance. In some cases, you can even use beautiful silk floral pieces in large pots as long as they look real!

Varnish or paint the entrance door with subtle colors such as black, burnt brown, gray, forest green, or white. If you?re home is older, replace the old door with a glass entrance door. If you have a screen door, consider purchasing one of the newer models and make sure the latch works for easy entry. First impressions and anticipation of walking into your ?dream house? begins here.

The first thing people notice is if the home is bright and cheery. The last thing homebuyers want to do is walk into a dark hole and depend on a realtor to turn on (and off) the lights and open (and close) all the blinds or shades. The cheery greeting your home gives to people will give them an immediate impression as to how they FEEL about your home. If you have pets, be sure to pack away all their toys and dog foot or kitty litters. Keep your home smelling fresh and clean that doesn't repel the prospective homebuyer.

Flooring is one of the most important features homebuyers will judge. Clean the carpet and don?t request that buyers take off their shoes. Do everything in your power to welcome visitors and keep them there. Any excuse you give them NOT to view your home will lower your numbers. Remember the more people who view your home, the better chance you have in selling it.

Replace bathroom fixtures with the newer ones ?Hollywood lights are out. Make sure the bathtub is scrubbed clean as well as shower stalls. Buy a new shower curtain, if necessary and caulk around tiles in the shower and tub. Be aware that bright colors or children's colors may be a turn-off to new buyers. Paint your walls with neutral colors such as beige or off white.

Take out the clutter, garbage, stinky shoes, and put your dirty clothes in the hamper. It's very important to have those beds fixed in the morning too! Clean the sliding glass door to the patio as well as the patio furniture. Cut and trim the grass often for a fresh, clean smell.

People want to imagine their families living in their future home and you have the ability to set the stage. The home should be complete with bar stools at the breakfast nook, soft lighting, and nice furniture. Remember, the backyard has become an extension of the home. Show off your BBQ, patio furniture or children's play area in a way that they feel their own family would enjoy.

If you have a pool, have the pool guy come over so your pool is sparkling clean. Buy some Tahiti candle torches for a tropical look. If you have a bar, place plastic glasses and trays as though you were ready to have a party. If you don?t have a covered patio, you may want to make a small investment by buying a canvas cabana that warms the heart and sets a romantic mood. Put some candles on your patio table and accentuate with lots of plants surrounding the patio.

Blinds, plantation shutters, and Roman shades are in. The least expensive, but most popular choice, is to replace your verticals or outdated mini-blinds with wooden blinds. They?re easy to install yourself and will make a big difference in the overall look of the home. You may find some very nice Roman shades that are reasonable and can be used in lieu of curtains as a trim. Curtain panels from the high ceilings will serve as a window treatment and add elegance or magnitude to your room also.

Make sure your kitchen and bathrooms are always clean and remember that homebuyers will look in your pantry and closets. You can always fake it by cleaning the sinks every morning before leaving for work and wiping down the mirrors if there are any noticeable spots. Never leave dirty dishes or pots and pans in the sink. Just hide them in the dishwasher.

Dare to be open enough to get opinions from your friends, neighbors, and realtor. Ask if they have any suggestions as to how to arrange your furniture and be willing to give it a try to see how it looks. Their perspective may make a big difference in your entire floor plan. People are looking for space so you want to do whatever it takes to make your home look open and spacious.

If you feel that your bottom line can handle more expensive upgrades to compete against other newer homes, you may want to replace old carpeting with 18" tile and new carpeting in the bedrooms with a thick pad. I wouldn?t suggest changing your countertops to granite or changing the kitchen cabinets as that would be very expensive and may not be compensated unless you are doing a total renovation.

Make sure your realtor is marketing your home with brochures, advertising, open houses, and flattering PHOTOS on the MLS. This is a big, emotional purchase for the homebuyers so make your home stand out and shout ? WELCOME HOME!

Doris Pi?a is a successful licensed realtor in Las Vegas, Nevada and offers buyer-seller resources at http://www.LasVegasHomeSellingTeam.com. She also is the publisher and webmaster at http://www.dorisjeanpina.com providing information and sources to develop entrepreneurial skills in a successful and productive way. She promotes building innovative online businesses with visual instructional resources and topics of http://www.dorisjeanpina.com/thesecret

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Thursday, December 6, 2007

A Corporate Facelift With Sound Bytes

 A Corporate Facelift With Sound Bytes

 by: R.J. Paradee

If Baby Boomers can get botox and tummy tucks, then why dont companies receive facelifts to improve their image as well? The telephone is the lifeblood of any business. Use it respectfully. Dont leave your clients on-hold to listen to radio static or elevator music. With digital recording and delivery of sound files, professional production of on-hold advertising is both economical and necessary for a positive image. Thats right its imperative that the first impression a client receives of your business (even though they may never visit) is how theyre treated on the telephone. How many times have you called a business to hear Thank you for calling ABC Dental Office please hold before you can get a word in edge-wise. In many cases , what they have on-hold is your first impression of that company.

Music Selection Should be Appealing

At the very least, make certain on-hold music is a decent selection, and that you have permission to broadcast the music to on-hold callers. After all the music chosen is a direct reflection of your business. If you dont get your licensed music from an On-Hold Message provider, you may obtain permission to play certain music on-hold from ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC, the three large performing rights organizations.

Develop Content That Sells Products and Services

Customers who are on-hold are essentially a captive audience. If you want on-hold time to turn into sales, consider hiring a professional producer to mix radio style commercials with licensed music. The copy should be specifically written to cross-sell your products and services. AT&T studies show that people will stay on-hold longer if they hear messages about your company during the waiting period. Do not rely on the please hold for personal assistance to your call, or thank you for your patience while on hold type of messages. I believe these type of messages hurt you more than help you.

Answer Repetitive Questions On-Hold

As youre on-hold spots are developed, remember this marketing strategy is a customer service tool as well as an advertising tool. Take the heat from your receptionist during busy call periods and answer those repetitive questions in on-hold spots.

On-Hold Advertising is Economical

Advertising sales are based on the number of impressions. If a business had one call placed on hold every ten minutes during an eight hour day 5 days per week, there would be 11,000 opportunities each year to market their business and services.

How to Evaluate an On- Hold Company

Make certain you get both male and female voice talent, and that the professional voice is pleasing. The studio you use should employ scriptwriters and offer a selection of licensed music to choose from. You choose the music from their library, not the on-hold company. You dont want the same stale music everyone else uses. In most cases all that is needed is an inexpensive off-the-shelf CD player.

Facts About On-Hold Advertising

Eighty percent of businesses have nothing on-hold, so businesses that do set up programs are on the cutting edge. Twelve percent of businesses do have a radio or CD tuned in while their customers are on-hold. Only 8% of businesses have on-hold programs.

The number of companies who use on-hold as a time to advertise are growing. Thats because business owners are realizing theres no better way to impress a client who has never been to your office than a well designed, informative on-hold program. Remember in todays competitive market, image is everything. On-Hold advertising is one of the best facelifts a company could have.

By R.J. Paradee, President First Impression Inc. and MediaRight Studios

R.J. Paradee is a host of the coast in his Virginia Beach, Virginia studio. He produces professional quality digital sound at his company Firt Impression and digital video through Media Rights Studios. rj@hearditonhold.comn

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