Is Pursuing a Career in Patent Law the Right Move for You? Copyright � 2005 Lisa Parmley Intellectual Properties Enterprises, Inc http://www.PatentBarStudy.com
Did you know that you might be eligible to gain entry into
the field of patent law even without a law degree? The basic
requirements are a degree in a technology-related field and the
will to pass the Patent Bar Exam.
The field of patent law is wide open to Biologists, Chemists,
Engineers, Computer Scientists, and many other science and
technology professionals. And it's true; individuals with the
proper science or engineering degree need only pass the Patent
Bar to become registered Patent Agents.
Upon becoming a Patent Agent, you may gain employment writing and
prosecuting patent applications at law firms, technology transfer
offices, biotech or engineering corporations, and government
institutes.
>From there, you may decide whether or not to go on to law school
and become a Patent Attorney. In addition to writing and
prosecuting patents, a Patent Attorney can also litigate in
patent infringement cases.
The Perfect Skill Set
Patent law is the perfect field for many creative and talented
individuals since it requires so many qualities to be successful.
There is definitely a people-oriented side to a career in patent
law. This is especially true when you consider the "isolated lab
environment" most scientists and engineers are used to. Contrast
this with the fact that an inventor's hopes and dreams will be
riding on the invention and you will be there every step of the
way to help them achieve their goals. Obviously, a great deal of
interviewing and excellent communication is required in order to
adequately learn what was invented and write a patent
application.
Which brings us to the next point, patent practitioners must
also have excellent writing skills. Drafting a quality patent
application is tedious work that requires the absolute best in
written communication.
In addition, a strong background in either science or technology
is a must. You will have to understand exactly what has been
invented in order to write a quality patent application.
Lastly, as a Patent Practitioner, you should possess a thirst for
never-ending knowledge. You will be right on the cutting edge of
research and development and will always be exposed to new and
exciting discoveries virtually before anyone else!
The Dollars and Cents
It's the million dollar question. What might you expect to
make as a professional in the field of patent law? Well,
the pay scale varies from $45,000 up to $250,000+ for Patent
Practitioners and is determined by many factors (yes I realize
that's quite a span).
First, as we've already eluded, if you are a scientist or
engineer without a law degree you will be classified as a Patent
Agent after you pass the Patent Bar Exam. If you have a law
degree and are already considered an attorney, you will be
classified as a Patent Attorney upon passing the exam. As a
Patent Attorney with the same level of experience as a Patent
Agent, you will typically earn the higher income because in
addition to writing and prosecuting patents, you may also help
protect patents in a court of law.
Second, your degree level will help determine your pay. If you
have a Bachelor's degree in your particular area of expertise,
you will typically make less than someone with a Master's or a
PhD.
Third, your experience level will make a difference. Your
previous positions will count when factoring your salary. The
number of years you have worked as an engineer or scientist
will make a difference. The more experience you have, the more
valuable you will be perceived by the company. The longer you
have worked in the field of patent law, the higher your pay will
be as well.
Lastly, where you seek employment makes a difference in your pay.
Law firms typically pay the most, whereas a Technology Transfer
department at a University will usually pay the least.
Furthermore, the state and city you apply for work in will
also play a factor.
Hot Commodity
Businesses in the science and technology sectors regard patents
as their lifeline. Therefore, gaining status as a registered
Patent Practitioner can open many career doors for you.
Since the fields of research and intellectual property are so
intertwined, imagine the new career opportunities you would be
presented with if you were trained in both areas. Furthermore, as
a scientist or engineer, most of the qualifications necessary to
achieve registration as a Patent Practitioner have usually
already been met. It is likely that your only requirement may be
to pass the Patent Bar Exam. It is a difficult hurdle, but in
comparison to the time and money you already spent to become a
scientist or an engineer, the time and money necessary to pass
the Patent Bar Exam is reasonable.
In today's unpredictable job market, expanding your skills makes
sense, especially when this can be accomplished for a relatively
low expense and little time. Compared to getting a degree,
setting aside even a full year (although it can be completed in
much less time) to learn about the patent prosecution process and
take the Patent Bar Exam is very reasonable. Especially when you
further consider the fact that it will open an entirely new
career door for you. Whether you wish for a complete job change
or the desire to become more marketable for technology based
companies, gaining skills is always a smart move to make.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Lisa Parmley of Intellectual Properties Enterprises, Inc. Check-out http://www.PatentBarStudy.com to learn more about
the Patent Bar Exam and how you can start your career as a
Patent Practitioner.
For more information click here
Sunday 9 October 2011
Obama's "Moms Return to school" Federal Grant - Making Dreams Come to Reality
The "Moms return to school" federal grant is one of the best bills that have been introduced by president Obama. Teen moms and single mothers, who didn't complete their education, are at the heart of America's new president. The new legislation offers mothers the chance to return to school or even go to college with the aid of appropriate federal financial support.
The economic recession has touched almost every American, especially middle classed citizens. Accordingly, more young aged moms are quitting school to comply with obligations of motherhood. However, college degrees can surely reward those mothers with better paying jobs and can positively influence their beloved ones. The new federal grant can fund scholarships for both on campus and learn-from-home education programs; hence, opening horizons for all mothers even those who are short on time. Moreover, the new bill has further lowered the cost of learning by exempting those mothers from some education tax rates.
If you are a young mother you can now qualify to receive more than 5000 bucks of fund aid to help you return to school and complete your degree. The money can be spent on school fees, books or even internet bills if you choose to adopt an online degree program. Almost any young mother who hasn't completed her studies is eligible.
The new bill secures funds for online learning programs; thus, encouraging hesitant mothers to learn while in their pajamas. So, if you can learn at home without having to leave your kids, why wouldn't you earn a college degree?
Filling a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) is the most important step for qualifying for the newly increased education grant. You can fill the form online after determining your dependency status. No specific confidential data is required but only information is needed to determine if a mother is a candidate or not for receiving the new education grant. How easy is that! However, take care the internet is full of scams. Sites may ask for payment for a service that is freely provided by the federal government. On the other end, some true online programs can offer you up to 10000 dollars worth scholarships.
The new "Mother return to school" education grant is expected to allow more than two hundred thousand mothers to complete their studies. The bill is a social achievement that surely will have a positive influence on the life of every young American mother.
Did you know you can get a $10,000 nursing scholarship for moms just for registering? Apply right now for free: http://scholarshipformoms.info.
For more information click here
The economic recession has touched almost every American, especially middle classed citizens. Accordingly, more young aged moms are quitting school to comply with obligations of motherhood. However, college degrees can surely reward those mothers with better paying jobs and can positively influence their beloved ones. The new federal grant can fund scholarships for both on campus and learn-from-home education programs; hence, opening horizons for all mothers even those who are short on time. Moreover, the new bill has further lowered the cost of learning by exempting those mothers from some education tax rates.
If you are a young mother you can now qualify to receive more than 5000 bucks of fund aid to help you return to school and complete your degree. The money can be spent on school fees, books or even internet bills if you choose to adopt an online degree program. Almost any young mother who hasn't completed her studies is eligible.
The new bill secures funds for online learning programs; thus, encouraging hesitant mothers to learn while in their pajamas. So, if you can learn at home without having to leave your kids, why wouldn't you earn a college degree?
Filling a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) is the most important step for qualifying for the newly increased education grant. You can fill the form online after determining your dependency status. No specific confidential data is required but only information is needed to determine if a mother is a candidate or not for receiving the new education grant. How easy is that! However, take care the internet is full of scams. Sites may ask for payment for a service that is freely provided by the federal government. On the other end, some true online programs can offer you up to 10000 dollars worth scholarships.
The new "Mother return to school" education grant is expected to allow more than two hundred thousand mothers to complete their studies. The bill is a social achievement that surely will have a positive influence on the life of every young American mother.
Did you know you can get a $10,000 nursing scholarship for moms just for registering? Apply right now for free: http://scholarshipformoms.info.
For more information click here
Lance Wallach
IRS Audits 419, 412i, Captive Insurance Plans With Life Insurance, and Section 79 Scams
June 2011
By Lance Wallach
The IRS started auditing 419 plans in the �90s, and then continued going after 412i and other plans that they considered abusive, listed, or reportable transactions, or substantially similar to such transactions.
In a... Read >
How to Get Fined $100,000 by the IRS and Lose Your License - Accountants, Insurance Agents
By Lance Wallach, CLU, ChFC and Ira Kaplan, Esq., CPA, MBA
Over the past decade, business owners have been overwhelmed by a plethora of arrangements designed to reduce the cost of providing employee benefits and taxes, while simultaneously increasin... Read >
How to Avoid the 6707A Abusive Tax Shelter Penalty
You were in a 412i retirement plan or 419 welfare benefit plan and either did not file, filed improperly, or did not file with your state. Accountants or other advisors will probably be fined as material advisors. This means that you are subject to a la... Read >
Guaranteed Ways to Get New Clients and Become Very Successful
The new way to get more business is through psychology. I work in the insurance industry and one thing that I have noticed is that many insurance relevant messages never get heard. They�re the wrong messages sent to the wrong target markets.
Ask your... Read >
Participate in a 419 or 412i Plan or Other Abusive Tax Shelter? You Could be Fined $200,000 Per Year
Can you or your business afford to pay the IRS $200,000 a year?
Did you get a letter from the IRS threatening to impose this fine? If you haven't already, you still may. Consider yourself lucky if you have not because this means that you have more tim... Read >
Being Audited by the IRS?
Abusive Insurance, Welfare Benefit, and Retirement Plans
By Lance Wallach
The IRS has various task forces auditing all section 419, section 412(i), and other plans that tend to be abusive. These plans are sold by most insurance agents. The IRS is lo... Read >
Why You Should Not Own Mutual Funds
Why You Should Not Own Mutual Funds
By Lance Wallach
Taxes take a large bite out of taxable mutual funds. Recent tax-break laws will end in 2010 and it would be smart for mutual fund investors to keep an eye on one of the main drags on pe... Read >
IRS DEADLINE OF OCTOBER 15 TO DECLARE FOREIGN SWISS ACCOUNTS
By: Lance Wallach
The Internal Revenue Service will extend until October 15th its limited amnesty program for U.S. taxpayers with undeclared income on foreign accounts, according to government officials.
The special voluntary disclosure program wa... Read >
Abusive Insurance, Welfare Benefit, and Retirement Plans
Abusive Insurance, Welfare
Benefit, and Retirement Plans
By Lance Wallach
The IRS has various task forces auditing all section
419, section 412(i), and other plans that tend to be
abusive. These plans are sold by most insurance agents.
The IRS is lo... Read >
Avoiding Circular 230 Malpractice Traps and Common Abusive Small Business Hot Spots, by Sid Kess
New and Bestselling
AICPA CPE Self-Study Courses
Best Sellers - March 2008
Avoiding Circular 230 Malpractice Traps and Common Abusive Small Business Hot Spots, by Sid Kess
Author/Moderator: Lance Wallach, CLU, CHFC,
Publisher: AICPA
Excerpts hav... Read >
Selling life insurance policies for profit
AccountingToday January 8-28 2007
THE BUSINESS NEWSPAPER FOR THE TAX & ACCOUNTING COMMUNITY
Selling life insurance policies for profit
By Lance Wallach
Insurance policies with rising or re-appearing premiums can often cause th... Read >
Retirement plans come under new IRS scrutiny
Long Island Business News, June 15, 2007
Retirement plans come under new IRS scrutiny
Lance Wallach
Businesses should be aware that the Internal Revenue Service is increasing its examinations of companies' retirement plans,... Read >
NATP members propose new tax law changes
TaxPro Journal
Fall 2008
If I Were President…
NATP members propose new tax law changes
Change. Americans have heard a lot of rhetoric over the past few months from politicians who are no longer satisfied with the status quo. Though you'd b... Read >
National Society of Accountants Speaker of the Year!
LANCE WALLACH, CLU, CHFC_________________
68 Keswick Lane
Plainview, New York 11803
Phone: (516) 938-5007 / 935-7346
Fax: (516)938-6330
Email: lawallach@aol.com
www.vebaplan.com
National Society of Accoun... Read >
Journal of Accountancy
Journal of Accountancy
September 2008
Abusive Insurance and Retirement Plans
Single-employer section 419 welfare benefit plans are the latest incarnation in insurance deductions the IRS deems abusive.
By Lance Wallach
Parts of this article are f... Read >
Remove conditions on residence � Form I-751
If you received a Green Card through marriage and came to the United States on a K1 visa, you would have received a Conditional Permanent Resident card that is valid for two years. When this two-year conditional period ends, the permanent residence status will expire and you may be deported or removed. To avoid such things, 90 days or less before the conditional residence expires, you should file Form I-751, Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence. On approval, the conditional status will be removed and you will receive your new Permanent Resident card that will be valid for the next ten years.
When to file Form I-751
You should file Form I-751 within 90 days before your conditional green card expires. And when you submit your petition to remove your conditional status, it is advisable to file it at the early end of the 90-day period. Also note not to file Form I-751 before the 90-day period because if you file too early, the USCIS will return your I-751 application.
Who May File Form I-751
If you are still married, file Form I-751 jointly with your U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse through whom you got the conditional permanent status. If you have dependent children (on a K-2 visa) who got their conditional permanent status when you got and they entered the U.S. within 90-days of your arrival, you can include their names in your petition form. If your children got their conditional status 90 days after you obtained or adjusted your status OR if the conditional permanent parent dies, they have to file Form I-751 separately to remove their conditional status.
In case you do not file jointly, you may apply for a waiver if you can prove that you entered the marriage with honesty and good intentions, but your spouse subsequently died and you can show that you entered the marriage in good faith, but the marriage ended because of divorce or annulment. You can also get a waiver if you can show that you entered the marriage in good faith and have remained married, but have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by your U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or the termination of your status would result in extreme hardship.
In cases when you are asking for a waiver you should submit adequate proof to support your request.. For example, copy of you divorce decree or police, court or medical proof that you were abused or a death certificate showing that you spouse died.
Your package should include a completed and signed Form I-751 and a copy of your Conditional Green Card. And also two passport-style photographs for you and children applying with you. Additionally two completed fingerprint cards (Form FD-258) for you and any children applying with you and evidence showing that the marriage is a bonafide one and that it was entered in honesty and in good faith. Do not forget to send the filing fee.
If you are a conditional permanent resident and your card is lost, stolen or mutilated, you can get it replaced by filing Form I-90.
You should file Form I-751 within 90 days before your conditional green card expires. If you are a conditional permanent resident and your card is lost, stolen or mutilated, you can get it replaced by filing Form I-90
For more information click here
When to file Form I-751
You should file Form I-751 within 90 days before your conditional green card expires. And when you submit your petition to remove your conditional status, it is advisable to file it at the early end of the 90-day period. Also note not to file Form I-751 before the 90-day period because if you file too early, the USCIS will return your I-751 application.
Who May File Form I-751
If you are still married, file Form I-751 jointly with your U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse through whom you got the conditional permanent status. If you have dependent children (on a K-2 visa) who got their conditional permanent status when you got and they entered the U.S. within 90-days of your arrival, you can include their names in your petition form. If your children got their conditional status 90 days after you obtained or adjusted your status OR if the conditional permanent parent dies, they have to file Form I-751 separately to remove their conditional status.
In case you do not file jointly, you may apply for a waiver if you can prove that you entered the marriage with honesty and good intentions, but your spouse subsequently died and you can show that you entered the marriage in good faith, but the marriage ended because of divorce or annulment. You can also get a waiver if you can show that you entered the marriage in good faith and have remained married, but have been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty by your U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or the termination of your status would result in extreme hardship.
In cases when you are asking for a waiver you should submit adequate proof to support your request.. For example, copy of you divorce decree or police, court or medical proof that you were abused or a death certificate showing that you spouse died.
Your package should include a completed and signed Form I-751 and a copy of your Conditional Green Card. And also two passport-style photographs for you and children applying with you. Additionally two completed fingerprint cards (Form FD-258) for you and any children applying with you and evidence showing that the marriage is a bonafide one and that it was entered in honesty and in good faith. Do not forget to send the filing fee.
If you are a conditional permanent resident and your card is lost, stolen or mutilated, you can get it replaced by filing Form I-90.
You should file Form I-751 within 90 days before your conditional green card expires. If you are a conditional permanent resident and your card is lost, stolen or mutilated, you can get it replaced by filing Form I-90
For more information click here
Hays Law Center
Hays Law Centers| Essential Tips and Tricks When Applying For Loan Modification
Each and every American dreams of owning a house, many will do anything just to purse this very concrete dream of all time. You may pass on a that very scrumptious car offer but when it comes to house offers, the lower and wonderful it is, the more likely... Read >
Hays Law Centers| Shares With Us Important Tips and Tricks On How To Avoid Home Foreclosure
They say that you can always let your car be taken by the bank but not your home. Due to the very tough financial crisis that most of us experiences right now, more and more houses are getting foreclosed by the bank. See that there hundreds and thousands ... Read >
Hays Law Centers: Loan Modification Can Save Your Home!
Not every one of us can actually own a home, depending on your current financial status and credit history; you may or may not be able to finance a home. For the rich and famous, this dream may come as easy and counting one two and three but for us who do... Read >
Hays Law Centers: How To Get Your Loan Modification Approved
We cannot deny the fact that maintaining a house is a true financial crisis. Of course it is truly exciting and very much electrifying at first especially that you will shop your own furniture, design your own room, personally pick the new theme of your h... Read >
Hays Law Centers: Explains To Us Loan Modification In A Very Simple Language
Worrying about high mortgage rates? Do you have a bad credit background? Are you a delinquent homeowner who is at risk for foreclosure? What about rejects and disapproval from other loan programs? These things are sure to be stress seekers on each and eve... Read >
The How and Why of Participative Leadership
As a business owner, one of your biggest challenges is to lead your team well. Should you focus on employee participation at the cost of business goals? Or do you "show them how it's done" and expect the team to follow your lead? Is there a different approach for every situation?
In this piece, we'll take a look at a particular leadership style - "participative leadership" and its benefits.
Leadership means different things to different people. However, a generally accepted definition is that it "is a process that takes place in groups in which one member influences and controls the behavior of the other members toward a common goal."
While every leader creates his or her mantra of leadership, most leadership practices fall into one of these categories. Try and figure out your style!
Directive Leadership: You have the first and last word, and the group merely follows instructions. Do we sense a secret longing to be in the army!
Supportive Leadership: You create warm, personal relationships with your team members in order to coax their best efforts.
Participative Leadership: Group members are involved in the decision making process right from the start, by contributing their ideas and suggestions. You're a strong believer in team work.
Achievement Oriented Leadership: You give your team a goal and they work independently towards achieving it. Either you're plain lazy, or more likely, have a high degree of confidence in your team's ability.
For now, let us take a closer look at Participative Leadership
A person who follows the participative leadership style will get a buy-in from group members on most changes and important decisions, before implementing them. However, the leader is still the final decision making authority. Remember, participative leadership is not about reaching consensus - if you keep looking for universal approval, you'll never get anything done.
Some people feel that participative leadership is a "female thing" and makes you look soft. Let's set the record straight - using this style is not a sign of weakness, in fact, it's a strength that your team will respect you for.
When does participative leadership work?
While it's not practical to change your approach with every situation, you might like to try participative leadership under specific conditions. Say you're working on an assignment where you have limited expertise but your employees collectively have a lot of knowledge and experience. Using participative leadership is likely to create a win-win for both - they will feel included and you'll make better informed decisions. And if you're the owner of a start-up firm, getting buy-in on key issues from your core team members could prove invaluable.
Can I learn to be a participative leader?
Sure! Leaders are made, not born. Here are some of the important tips offered by experts:
Encourage group values: Allow the group to establish values and thereby take ownership. Of course, these will have to support the firm's objectives.
Share vision: Participative leadership is all about sharing, starting with your dreams for the firm. Let your employees know where they're headed.
Create a healthy environment: It is your responsibility to create an environment based on trust and mutual respect. Give your employees their space. No growth is possible without it.
Equip the team: No point taking their inputs, if they don't have the necessary skills for the job! Ensure they have the tools and the training.
Organize and energize: Not every speech needs to be "rah rah", but it's important that you nurture and motivate your employees. Get those juices to flow!
Take and give feedback: Two-way communication is the cornerstone of participative leadership. Be generous with praise and objective with criticism. Talk, but also listen.
Expect accountability: Since your employees are given more responsibility, they must be accountable for their actions. At the same time, don't turn into a control freak!
If you are interested in knowing more, take a look at which features a wide selection of books on leadership.
What's in it for me?
Participative leadership is not all about feeling good about yourself. It can take you through many challenging business situations.
Implementing change: Regular involvement of the team prior to introducing the change will ensure that they're already prepared for the transition. This works better than a separate "buy-in meeting" that other types of leaders might resort to.
Encouraging risk taking: A senior manager from a global telecom company relates how he used participative leadership to encourage employees to think out of the box, while charting their company's growth plan.
Solving technical problems: If you need to get a group of gruff, technically qualified people to solve a complex problem, a participative leadership style will help draw out their combined expertise.
So, is participative leadership the best?
There's probably no answer to that one. Each style works better in a specific situation and vice versa. Participative leadership is no different - while we've talked about the benefits, it's equally important to recognize those instances where it won't work. A situation that requires firm control and immediate action - like say, a disaster site, certainly cannot afford a consultative approach. To be an effective participative leader, you must also develop an astute judgment for when not to use it!
Hi, I'm Akhil Shahani, a serial entrepreneur who wants to help you succeed. If you like to work smart, check out http://www.SmartEntrepreneur.net . It's full of articles and resources to help you start and grow your business successfully. Please visit us & download our special "Freebie of The Month" at
http://www.smartentrepreneur.net/freebie-of-the-month.html
For more information click here
In this piece, we'll take a look at a particular leadership style - "participative leadership" and its benefits.
Leadership means different things to different people. However, a generally accepted definition is that it "is a process that takes place in groups in which one member influences and controls the behavior of the other members toward a common goal."
While every leader creates his or her mantra of leadership, most leadership practices fall into one of these categories. Try and figure out your style!
Directive Leadership: You have the first and last word, and the group merely follows instructions. Do we sense a secret longing to be in the army!
Supportive Leadership: You create warm, personal relationships with your team members in order to coax their best efforts.
Participative Leadership: Group members are involved in the decision making process right from the start, by contributing their ideas and suggestions. You're a strong believer in team work.
Achievement Oriented Leadership: You give your team a goal and they work independently towards achieving it. Either you're plain lazy, or more likely, have a high degree of confidence in your team's ability.
For now, let us take a closer look at Participative Leadership
A person who follows the participative leadership style will get a buy-in from group members on most changes and important decisions, before implementing them. However, the leader is still the final decision making authority. Remember, participative leadership is not about reaching consensus - if you keep looking for universal approval, you'll never get anything done.
Some people feel that participative leadership is a "female thing" and makes you look soft. Let's set the record straight - using this style is not a sign of weakness, in fact, it's a strength that your team will respect you for.
When does participative leadership work?
While it's not practical to change your approach with every situation, you might like to try participative leadership under specific conditions. Say you're working on an assignment where you have limited expertise but your employees collectively have a lot of knowledge and experience. Using participative leadership is likely to create a win-win for both - they will feel included and you'll make better informed decisions. And if you're the owner of a start-up firm, getting buy-in on key issues from your core team members could prove invaluable.
Can I learn to be a participative leader?
Sure! Leaders are made, not born. Here are some of the important tips offered by experts:
Encourage group values: Allow the group to establish values and thereby take ownership. Of course, these will have to support the firm's objectives.
Share vision: Participative leadership is all about sharing, starting with your dreams for the firm. Let your employees know where they're headed.
Create a healthy environment: It is your responsibility to create an environment based on trust and mutual respect. Give your employees their space. No growth is possible without it.
Equip the team: No point taking their inputs, if they don't have the necessary skills for the job! Ensure they have the tools and the training.
Organize and energize: Not every speech needs to be "rah rah", but it's important that you nurture and motivate your employees. Get those juices to flow!
Take and give feedback: Two-way communication is the cornerstone of participative leadership. Be generous with praise and objective with criticism. Talk, but also listen.
Expect accountability: Since your employees are given more responsibility, they must be accountable for their actions. At the same time, don't turn into a control freak!
If you are interested in knowing more, take a look at which features a wide selection of books on leadership.
What's in it for me?
Participative leadership is not all about feeling good about yourself. It can take you through many challenging business situations.
Implementing change: Regular involvement of the team prior to introducing the change will ensure that they're already prepared for the transition. This works better than a separate "buy-in meeting" that other types of leaders might resort to.
Encouraging risk taking: A senior manager from a global telecom company relates how he used participative leadership to encourage employees to think out of the box, while charting their company's growth plan.
Solving technical problems: If you need to get a group of gruff, technically qualified people to solve a complex problem, a participative leadership style will help draw out their combined expertise.
So, is participative leadership the best?
There's probably no answer to that one. Each style works better in a specific situation and vice versa. Participative leadership is no different - while we've talked about the benefits, it's equally important to recognize those instances where it won't work. A situation that requires firm control and immediate action - like say, a disaster site, certainly cannot afford a consultative approach. To be an effective participative leader, you must also develop an astute judgment for when not to use it!
Hi, I'm Akhil Shahani, a serial entrepreneur who wants to help you succeed. If you like to work smart, check out http://www.SmartEntrepreneur.net . It's full of articles and resources to help you start and grow your business successfully. Please visit us & download our special "Freebie of The Month" at
http://www.smartentrepreneur.net/freebie-of-the-month.html
For more information click here
Convention Focused on Repossession Properties Prevention
Several industry experts and top government officials discussed the repossession properties crisis at the 2009 Rainbow PUSH convention which was held in Chicago, Illinois.The conference, with the theme "A more perfect union-targeted stimulus: The key to reconstruction," is aimed at initiating the reconstruction process of the country during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.Experts who attended the 38th annual convention agreed that there were some positive developments in the current housing market. But the overall outlook is still not encouraging. They believed that more trouble is looming unless some changes could be made to protect homeowners from the repossession properties crisis.At the conference, U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan said that working in partnership would greatly help in keeping the American dream alive.He added that the federal government has so far offered a quarter million loan modifications under its Making Home Affordable program. However, he said that more servicers across the country are still needed to boost the government's foreclosure prevention efforts.Meanwhile, Rainbow PUSH Coalition president and founder Reverend Jesse Jackson expressed his concern about the lack of modification that may help troubled borrowers from avoiding repossession properties. He said that many homeowners may be able to pay for their properties if lower rates are available for longer loan terms.Participants at the conference said that a second wave of repossessions is imminent, and this time the crisis will be driven by massive job loss. According to Jackson, an estimated 600,000 jobs are lost every month, adding that it is wrong to force automobile companies into bankruptcy.He said that the effects of 20 million repossession houses and increasing student loan crisis are outpacing whatever progress the Obama Administration's economic stimulus program has so far made.Nakitra Bailey of the Center for Responsible Lending said that job losses are expected to spread across communities where residents thought they are safe from foreclosures.Reverend Otis Moss Jr. of the Olivet Baptist Church pointed out the need for intervention from lending institutions and the Congress.On the other hand, Attorney General Lisa Madigan of Illinois said that her repossession properties prevention hotline has received about 14,000 calls this year. She said that her office hired HUD-approved housing counselors and they do actual loan modification work. Her office also refers troubled borrowers to other housing counselors certified by HUD. Joseph Smith has been educating buyers on the finer points of Repossession Properties Prevention at ForeclosedPropertiesData.com for over five years.
For more information click here
For more information click here
Process of Freedom to Operate Search.
Freedom to operate (FTO) search is also known as ‘Freedom to practice' (FTP) or ‘Product clearance' search.
As the name suggests, it is understood that a freedom to operate is the option or the right that makes you free from all legal obstacles to commercialize your product or process it in a particular country or geographical region.
Legal obstacles for your product or process could primarily be valid patents, designs and (or) trademark rights. However, any other IP rights based on a particular jurisdiction (country or region) should NOT be overlooked. For example many countries in the world are NOT a member of The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) yet.
Intellectual property rights are limited to particular jurisdictions (countries or regions). No such system exists that can have a single IP protection for one invention throughout the world with a single legal action. Certainly, we know that national laws differ in different jurisdictions.
Hence before thinking of commercializing a product or a process in a particular jurisdiction, it is vital to verify the patent rights which cover the technological aspects of the product or process as well as the designs and trademarks associated.
Claims are the portion of the patent that defines the scope of the invention or protection. Often the patent claims are understood by considering the specifications including the drawings. Hence needless to say, interpretation of patent claims requires considerable skills and experience.
When a patent is issued in a country or region that claims the elements of your product or process and you wish to commercialize your product in that country or region, you have many options to verify and adopt.
Term of issued patent: An issued utility patent remains active for 20 years from the date of filing (consider the patent term adjustments made that increases the patent life beyond 20 years period). Claims in an expired patent are in the public domain and your product is free to operate based on those features. Design patents stay live for 14 years from date of issue.
Maintenance of issued patent: An issued utility patent may get expired before the 20 years period unless the maintenance fees are paid in time. In USPTO it is 3.5years, 7.5 years and 11.5 years from the date of the original patent grant. No maintenance fee is required for design patents.
Pending Applications: A pending application could be an obstacle as it has a chance to be converted into a patent. However, a close look at the prosecution of the application is required as the claims of an application may get changed to a great extent when it is issued compared to the published claims. Also there are chances that the application may get rejected by the patent office or abandoned or withdrawn by the applicant.
Multiple patents. Your product or process could be infringing multiple patents. Even some features of your product or process do not infringe any valid patent claims, other features could be infringing. So it is necessary to check all the steps in your process or the components in your product to make sure they are free to be used.
Get the patent license i.e. purchase the patent. Make an agreement with the patent owner to use the patented technology or protected invention for the specific claim elements, in specific markets and for a specific period of time. Based on the potential of the patent and the type of agreement made, the patent owner may deal for a one-time settlement or for a periodic royalty payment or both.
Cross-licensing. If you have a patent that partly covers your product or process features, but some other features are covered by another's patent, make an agreement with the other patent owner to grant a license to each other where both the parties can make use of the claimed components of one another.
Patent pools. This is an agreement among patent owners to cross-license a set of their patents to one another or to third parties, by which two or more entities working on interrelated technical domains can establish a pool of patent rights that any of them can use.
Design around. You may design around the patents that create obstacles. This could be possible by advancing your research or amending the product or process features to evade infringing others patents.
Our solid experience in freedom to operate and infringement search and analysis with the world leading databases and tools provide us an advantage to prepare a well informative report that gives a clear idea of whether your product or process is likely to infringe any active patents and (or) trademarks. We provide the status of the patents that helps you calculate the potential of the threats and the opportunities.
ABOUT LEGAL ADVANTAGE: Legal Advantage's mission is "To help Inventors the World Over Protect Their Ideas and Realize Their Dreams." For nine years Legal Advantage has assisted intellectual property attorneys, patent agents, and individual inventors in fulfilling this mission. Legal Advantage is a leader in Prior Art Searches (patentability, freedom to operate (FTO), clearance, validity, invalidity, infringement and landscape analysis), Patent Illustration (Patent Drawing) and Design Services, technical translations (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish and over 20 other languages), patent trial graphics, and research. The real benefits derived from these services include reduced costs, faster project completion, and a higher quality end-product deliverable.
Founded by seasoned intellectual property attorneys and litigators, Legal Advantage combines unparalleled dependability, accuracy, and client service - resulting in a stellar client retention rate that is among the highest in the industry.
Legal Advantage is headquartered in the Washington DC suburb of Bethesda, MD and has offices in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Hyderabad, Ottawa, and Toronto.
For more information please visit us on the web at http://legaladvantage.net
For more information click here
As the name suggests, it is understood that a freedom to operate is the option or the right that makes you free from all legal obstacles to commercialize your product or process it in a particular country or geographical region.
Legal obstacles for your product or process could primarily be valid patents, designs and (or) trademark rights. However, any other IP rights based on a particular jurisdiction (country or region) should NOT be overlooked. For example many countries in the world are NOT a member of The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) yet.
Intellectual property rights are limited to particular jurisdictions (countries or regions). No such system exists that can have a single IP protection for one invention throughout the world with a single legal action. Certainly, we know that national laws differ in different jurisdictions.
Hence before thinking of commercializing a product or a process in a particular jurisdiction, it is vital to verify the patent rights which cover the technological aspects of the product or process as well as the designs and trademarks associated.
Claims are the portion of the patent that defines the scope of the invention or protection. Often the patent claims are understood by considering the specifications including the drawings. Hence needless to say, interpretation of patent claims requires considerable skills and experience.
When a patent is issued in a country or region that claims the elements of your product or process and you wish to commercialize your product in that country or region, you have many options to verify and adopt.
Term of issued patent: An issued utility patent remains active for 20 years from the date of filing (consider the patent term adjustments made that increases the patent life beyond 20 years period). Claims in an expired patent are in the public domain and your product is free to operate based on those features. Design patents stay live for 14 years from date of issue.
Maintenance of issued patent: An issued utility patent may get expired before the 20 years period unless the maintenance fees are paid in time. In USPTO it is 3.5years, 7.5 years and 11.5 years from the date of the original patent grant. No maintenance fee is required for design patents.
Pending Applications: A pending application could be an obstacle as it has a chance to be converted into a patent. However, a close look at the prosecution of the application is required as the claims of an application may get changed to a great extent when it is issued compared to the published claims. Also there are chances that the application may get rejected by the patent office or abandoned or withdrawn by the applicant.
Multiple patents. Your product or process could be infringing multiple patents. Even some features of your product or process do not infringe any valid patent claims, other features could be infringing. So it is necessary to check all the steps in your process or the components in your product to make sure they are free to be used.
Get the patent license i.e. purchase the patent. Make an agreement with the patent owner to use the patented technology or protected invention for the specific claim elements, in specific markets and for a specific period of time. Based on the potential of the patent and the type of agreement made, the patent owner may deal for a one-time settlement or for a periodic royalty payment or both.
Cross-licensing. If you have a patent that partly covers your product or process features, but some other features are covered by another's patent, make an agreement with the other patent owner to grant a license to each other where both the parties can make use of the claimed components of one another.
Patent pools. This is an agreement among patent owners to cross-license a set of their patents to one another or to third parties, by which two or more entities working on interrelated technical domains can establish a pool of patent rights that any of them can use.
Design around. You may design around the patents that create obstacles. This could be possible by advancing your research or amending the product or process features to evade infringing others patents.
Our solid experience in freedom to operate and infringement search and analysis with the world leading databases and tools provide us an advantage to prepare a well informative report that gives a clear idea of whether your product or process is likely to infringe any active patents and (or) trademarks. We provide the status of the patents that helps you calculate the potential of the threats and the opportunities.
ABOUT LEGAL ADVANTAGE: Legal Advantage's mission is "To help Inventors the World Over Protect Their Ideas and Realize Their Dreams." For nine years Legal Advantage has assisted intellectual property attorneys, patent agents, and individual inventors in fulfilling this mission. Legal Advantage is a leader in Prior Art Searches (patentability, freedom to operate (FTO), clearance, validity, invalidity, infringement and landscape analysis), Patent Illustration (Patent Drawing) and Design Services, technical translations (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish and over 20 other languages), patent trial graphics, and research. The real benefits derived from these services include reduced costs, faster project completion, and a higher quality end-product deliverable.
Founded by seasoned intellectual property attorneys and litigators, Legal Advantage combines unparalleled dependability, accuracy, and client service - resulting in a stellar client retention rate that is among the highest in the industry.
Legal Advantage is headquartered in the Washington DC suburb of Bethesda, MD and has offices in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Hyderabad, Ottawa, and Toronto.
For more information please visit us on the web at http://legaladvantage.net
For more information click here
Hays Law Center
Hays Law Centers| Essential Tips and Tricks When Applying For Loan Modification
Each and every American dreams of owning a house, many will do anything just to purse this very concrete dream of all time. You may pass on a that very scrumptious car offer but when it comes to house offers, the lower and wonderful it is, the more likely... Read >
Hays Law Centers| Shares With Us Important Tips and Tricks On How To Avoid Home Foreclosure
They say that you can always let your car be taken by the bank but not your home. Due to the very tough financial crisis that most of us experiences right now, more and more houses are getting foreclosed by the bank. See that there hundreds and thousands ... Read >
Hays Law Centers: Loan Modification Can Save Your Home!
Not every one of us can actually own a home, depending on your current financial status and credit history; you may or may not be able to finance a home. For the rich and famous, this dream may come as easy and counting one two and three but for us who do... Read >
Hays Law Centers: How To Get Your Loan Modification Approved
We cannot deny the fact that maintaining a house is a true financial crisis. Of course it is truly exciting and very much electrifying at first especially that you will shop your own furniture, design your own room, personally pick the new theme of your h... Read >
Hays Law Centers: Explains To Us Loan Modification In A Very Simple Language
Worrying about high mortgage rates? Do you have a bad credit background? Are you a delinquent homeowner who is at risk for foreclosure? What about rejects and disapproval from other loan programs? These things are sure to be stress seekers on each and eve... Read >
Convention Focused on Repossession Properties Prevention
Several industry experts and top government officials discussed the repossession properties crisis at the 2009 Rainbow PUSH convention which was held in Chicago, Illinois.The conference, with the theme "A more perfect union-targeted stimulus: The key to reconstruction," is aimed at initiating the reconstruction process of the country during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.Experts who attended the 38th annual convention agreed that there were some positive developments in the current housing market. But the overall outlook is still not encouraging. They believed that more trouble is looming unless some changes could be made to protect homeowners from the repossession properties crisis.At the conference, U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan said that working in partnership would greatly help in keeping the American dream alive.He added that the federal government has so far offered a quarter million loan modifications under its Making Home Affordable program. However, he said that more servicers across the country are still needed to boost the government's foreclosure prevention efforts.Meanwhile, Rainbow PUSH Coalition president and founder Reverend Jesse Jackson expressed his concern about the lack of modification that may help troubled borrowers from avoiding repossession properties. He said that many homeowners may be able to pay for their properties if lower rates are available for longer loan terms.Participants at the conference said that a second wave of repossessions is imminent, and this time the crisis will be driven by massive job loss. According to Jackson, an estimated 600,000 jobs are lost every month, adding that it is wrong to force automobile companies into bankruptcy.He said that the effects of 20 million repossession houses and increasing student loan crisis are outpacing whatever progress the Obama Administration's economic stimulus program has so far made.Nakitra Bailey of the Center for Responsible Lending said that job losses are expected to spread across communities where residents thought they are safe from foreclosures.Reverend Otis Moss Jr. of the Olivet Baptist Church pointed out the need for intervention from lending institutions and the Congress.On the other hand, Attorney General Lisa Madigan of Illinois said that her repossession properties prevention hotline has received about 14,000 calls this year. She said that her office hired HUD-approved housing counselors and they do actual loan modification work. Her office also refers troubled borrowers to other housing counselors certified by HUD. Joseph Smith has been educating buyers on the finer points of Repossession Properties Prevention at ForeclosedPropertiesData.com for over five years.
For more information click here
For more information click here
The Top 10 Ways To Improve Psychic Abilities
Psychic mediums all start off like everyone else because we all have dormant psychic abilities waiting to be unleashed. The key to developing psychic abilities is through training and development of our psychic powers. This can be accomplished in numerous ways.
This is contingent upon acquiring an ability to remain in a comfortable, and most importantly, relaxed state of mind and body that facilitates concentration on the subject or question at hand. Psychic abilities are no less a skill to be honed than any other skill or talent that we have to train for.
Therefore in the following paragraphs you will find 10 Ways To Improve Your Psychic Abilities:
1. Meditation -- As mentioned earlier, a relaxed state of mind and body is required. The first way to improve your psychic ability is to implement the regular practice of meditation. Psychic ability, at it's core, is attuning to the spirit. It is important here to train yourself to reach your center without much effort. This will increase your psychic contact with the universe.
2. Take Psychic Classes -- Psychic abilities are not just for the gifted ones. Psychic classes developed by Certified Professional Psychics offer classes where you can train at home at your own pace. There are a lot of psychic classes that are offered on-line. They cover a myriad of subjects and with a little research you will be able to find one that suits you.
3. Take Care Of Your Body -- Your diet, exercise, and overall physical condition affect your psychic ability. Keeping in a good state of health will help to improve your psychic ability. That includes no smoking and no consumption of alcohol. Implementing some type of exercise program would go a long way in helping to improve your psychic ability.
4. Hypnosis -- Psychic ability is enhanced while in a hypnotic state. Hypnosis is a powerful tool that can be used to release ones full potential. It is a modified condition of consciousness whereby the brainÂ's activities are lowered. Hypnosis itself is a very powerful technique and is extremely effective because it doesn't rely on 'willpower'. It is a process of speaking to the subconscious mind rather than the conscious mind, in order to achieve a goal or change views on an idea.
5. Belief -- Psychic ability increases when you take chances with your perceptions. Believing in them such that you boldly state them. You can do this by using affirmations on a daily basis until you feel that you have accepted the fact subconsciously that you indeed have psychic abilities and are capable of implementing them successfully.
6. Opening Your 7 Ckakra Centers -- You can create a better future for yourself by developing a spiritual understanding which gets you close to your divine attributes. A part of developing psychic ability is opening up your chakra's. Opening up your third eye is very beneficial and can be accomplished with some practice on opening up your chakra centers. If you encounter problems opening up the fifth chakra it could indicate that you may have problems with the thyroid gland, ears (hearing included), sinuses, throat and teeth.
7. Train Yourself To See Auras -- Another beneficial extra would be to train yourself to see auras. Especially if you are in the healing profession of if you happen to work in the area of sales and marketing and/or promotion. You don't have to be born with the talent to see auras as with any other psychic phenomenon, but this is another talent that can be developed with time and patience. Some people after practicing a few days, may see auras and colors right away and others may take months to see them. Others may take years to see them or may not ever see them at all. The most important particular to seeing aura's is keeping your chakras clean.
8. Using Psychometry -- Implement the practice of psychometry which is the practice of reading a persons energy by touching a personal possession. Touch objects that belong to someone that you know and try to see if you sense any impressions of that person. This type of interaction will go a long way to help increase or improve your psychic abilities. This is a practice that can be implemented immediately and you may be surprised at how fast you begin to receive impressions.
9. Dowsing -- Dowsing rods and pendulums are easy to learn and help improve psychic abilities. Learn about the tools you'll use: angle and divining rods, pendulums, wands - even your own hands and body can be used as dowsing tools. When you dowse you are involved in a dialog between your higher self and spirit guides who are helping you get the information to a question that you have asked.
10. Keep A Dream Journal -- Become aware of your dreams. Your dreams are a doorway to the subconscious and you can keep a dream book diary/journal that will lead you to answers that could unlock the mysteries of your daily life or even future events. Make sure that you pay attention to your dreams to see whether or not your dreams come true.
Psychic abilities are one of the greatest gifts of nature. They enable us to sense something beyond the realm of our existence. They are abilities that everyone happens to possess to some extent, although, most of us go through life not realizing the vast potential that lies with us.
These abilities are more normal than the traditional modes of communication that we attribute to the spirit and which are limited through the five senses of the body. All of the methods listed above, like any talent or skill, requires that you work on them in the same vain that you would work to develop any other talent or skill.
Sharyce Arciaga from The Spiritual Arc is the Author of this Article. This is a discussion site for spiritual awareness and transformation. Because each person's journey through spirituality may take them on various paths we offer many varying resources. Stop by and leave your free listing on our Business Directory now.
For more information click here
This is contingent upon acquiring an ability to remain in a comfortable, and most importantly, relaxed state of mind and body that facilitates concentration on the subject or question at hand. Psychic abilities are no less a skill to be honed than any other skill or talent that we have to train for.
Therefore in the following paragraphs you will find 10 Ways To Improve Your Psychic Abilities:
1. Meditation -- As mentioned earlier, a relaxed state of mind and body is required. The first way to improve your psychic ability is to implement the regular practice of meditation. Psychic ability, at it's core, is attuning to the spirit. It is important here to train yourself to reach your center without much effort. This will increase your psychic contact with the universe.
2. Take Psychic Classes -- Psychic abilities are not just for the gifted ones. Psychic classes developed by Certified Professional Psychics offer classes where you can train at home at your own pace. There are a lot of psychic classes that are offered on-line. They cover a myriad of subjects and with a little research you will be able to find one that suits you.
3. Take Care Of Your Body -- Your diet, exercise, and overall physical condition affect your psychic ability. Keeping in a good state of health will help to improve your psychic ability. That includes no smoking and no consumption of alcohol. Implementing some type of exercise program would go a long way in helping to improve your psychic ability.
4. Hypnosis -- Psychic ability is enhanced while in a hypnotic state. Hypnosis is a powerful tool that can be used to release ones full potential. It is a modified condition of consciousness whereby the brainÂ's activities are lowered. Hypnosis itself is a very powerful technique and is extremely effective because it doesn't rely on 'willpower'. It is a process of speaking to the subconscious mind rather than the conscious mind, in order to achieve a goal or change views on an idea.
5. Belief -- Psychic ability increases when you take chances with your perceptions. Believing in them such that you boldly state them. You can do this by using affirmations on a daily basis until you feel that you have accepted the fact subconsciously that you indeed have psychic abilities and are capable of implementing them successfully.
6. Opening Your 7 Ckakra Centers -- You can create a better future for yourself by developing a spiritual understanding which gets you close to your divine attributes. A part of developing psychic ability is opening up your chakra's. Opening up your third eye is very beneficial and can be accomplished with some practice on opening up your chakra centers. If you encounter problems opening up the fifth chakra it could indicate that you may have problems with the thyroid gland, ears (hearing included), sinuses, throat and teeth.
7. Train Yourself To See Auras -- Another beneficial extra would be to train yourself to see auras. Especially if you are in the healing profession of if you happen to work in the area of sales and marketing and/or promotion. You don't have to be born with the talent to see auras as with any other psychic phenomenon, but this is another talent that can be developed with time and patience. Some people after practicing a few days, may see auras and colors right away and others may take months to see them. Others may take years to see them or may not ever see them at all. The most important particular to seeing aura's is keeping your chakras clean.
8. Using Psychometry -- Implement the practice of psychometry which is the practice of reading a persons energy by touching a personal possession. Touch objects that belong to someone that you know and try to see if you sense any impressions of that person. This type of interaction will go a long way to help increase or improve your psychic abilities. This is a practice that can be implemented immediately and you may be surprised at how fast you begin to receive impressions.
9. Dowsing -- Dowsing rods and pendulums are easy to learn and help improve psychic abilities. Learn about the tools you'll use: angle and divining rods, pendulums, wands - even your own hands and body can be used as dowsing tools. When you dowse you are involved in a dialog between your higher self and spirit guides who are helping you get the information to a question that you have asked.
10. Keep A Dream Journal -- Become aware of your dreams. Your dreams are a doorway to the subconscious and you can keep a dream book diary/journal that will lead you to answers that could unlock the mysteries of your daily life or even future events. Make sure that you pay attention to your dreams to see whether or not your dreams come true.
Psychic abilities are one of the greatest gifts of nature. They enable us to sense something beyond the realm of our existence. They are abilities that everyone happens to possess to some extent, although, most of us go through life not realizing the vast potential that lies with us.
These abilities are more normal than the traditional modes of communication that we attribute to the spirit and which are limited through the five senses of the body. All of the methods listed above, like any talent or skill, requires that you work on them in the same vain that you would work to develop any other talent or skill.
Sharyce Arciaga from The Spiritual Arc is the Author of this Article. This is a discussion site for spiritual awareness and transformation. Because each person's journey through spirituality may take them on various paths we offer many varying resources. Stop by and leave your free listing on our Business Directory now.
For more information click here
Andy Asbury
Changes to the Good Faith Estimate Help Home Buyers Anticipate Closing Costs
When home buyers are looking to buy that perfect home that they've chosen for their family, they usually need to speak to a lender about arranging for a mortgage. As of January 1st of this year, however, the government has changed the rules on what kin... Read >
Eight Reasons to Sell Your Home During the Holidays
Every time the holidays roll around, the age-old question arises in the minds of people considering putting their home on the market. Should I sell now or wait until after all the rush is over? Selling your home during the holidays can be a good time for ... Read >
Saving Money for Your First Home
For many people, buying their first home is only a dream. They simply can't come up with the money for a down payment. But if they really looked at how they spend their discretionary income, there may be several areas where they could adjust or cut back a... Read >
Livin' and Lovin' Loft Lifestyle
Does the thought of buying a one- or two-bedroom apartment with plain, egg shell-white walls and L-shape layout bore you to tears? Does your lifestyle include plenty of action, or at least living in the near vicinity of the action? Then a loft may be jus... Read >
Never Say Die: The Eccentric Architecture of Arakawa + Gins
Architecture has, and continues to be, constructed with the goal of marrying form and function in a purposeful and aesthetic way. Perhaps it's time for loftier goals.
Arakawa and Gins are two artists and architects that have worked together for over 45... Read >
Will Senate Spit or Swallow the Cramdown Bill?
Struggling homeowners who've been considering filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy may soon receive good news. A new piece of legislation referred to formally as the "Helping Families Save Their Home Act," or more commonly as the "cram down bill," is on its way t... Read >
Needing Some House Therapy? Call in a Remodeling Coach
If you're thinking about doing some renovations or redecorating in your home, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of having to decide which changes to make, and then find a reputable contractor to do the work. Have no fear, as there is a new br... Read >
The Nitty Gritty of Starting a Compost
Composting has been around for many years as an easy way to add nutrients to a garden, but the activity is also a great way to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in our landfills. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that as much as 24% o... Read >
House or Condo? Deciding what to invest in.
Making your first home purchase is a serious business. It is probably the most expensive thing you will ever own and even if a mortgage is a common thing nowadays, it still doesn't hide the fact that you will likely owe a lot of money to the lender. ... Read >
Charitable Realtors: Ideas to Improve Karma and Help Those in Need
For many of us in the real estate industry, this past year has been a difficult one, with stagnating housing markets and economic ups and downs. You've likely had to overcome many challenges this year, and are feeling grateful for having either survived o... Read >
Attention Realtors: Time to Spice up Your Open Houses!
Every weekend, buyers head to a slew of open houses, but rarely do they ever make an offer on the properties they see at these events. To enhance the success of the open houses you host, you need to make your properties more memorable in the minds of visi... Read >
Extraordinary Gifts for the New Homeowner
If you've already read part one of this article, "Unique Gift Ideas for the New Homeowner - The Sensible Sort," you'll have seen some very out of the ordinary gift ideas. All are perfectly practical, yet different enough to elicit a happy and surprised re... Read >
Unique Gift Ideas for the New Homeowner - The Sensible Sort
If someone on your Christmas list has just purchased a new home and you're trying to come up with gift ideas that will provoke a 'wow' response, this article will hopefully give you a few suggestions to pique your interest. These items are unusual, practi... Read >
Tips for Decorating your New Loft
Lofts were once an inexpensive housing alternative for artists who couldn't afford to have both a work studio and a separate living space. As a popular residence for artists, these converted warehouses gained a reputation for being stylish and hip�"a ca... Read >
The 'Walk Away' Phenomenon
As troubles in the housing market continue, homeowners owe much more on their mortgages than their houses are worth. Being upside down means that homeowners have stopped accruing any equity and that they're essentially sinking their funds into a mo... Read >
Ron Mead, The Probate Guy
How To Get Started in Probate Real Estate
I'm sure the thought has crossed your mind as to how the current economic conditions are affecting the Probate Real Estate market. More specifically, does the glut of foreclosures mean good Probate deals have gone away?
My answer is ... absolutely no... Read >
Take Charge of Your Credit
If you are planning on asking for a loan in the future ... if you want to get help from the bank to buy your dream home, dream car, start your business or more ... but feel like your bad credit rating is holding you back ... fret no more! Draw up a battl... Read >
Probate Real Estate: The Jewels and the Junk
Your typical Probate real estate transaction generally involves the purchase of only the real property portion of the estate. However, quite often the heirs will leave a portion ... or sometimes all ... of the personal property in the house also. Jewels... Read >
Probate Real Estate: Is a Legal Background Necessary?
"I don't have a law degree, can I still purchase real estate out of Probate?" "When I contact a Personal Representative regarding Probate Real Estate, are they going to want to know my legal background?" Are these concerns that are keeping you from gett... Read >
Today's Volatile Real Estate Market
Many of you have been wondering if now is a good time to begin venturing into Probate Real Estate investing.
From the tone of your messages, I think what many of you are feeling is total uncertainty about jumping into the real estate investing field ri... Read >
Buy Homes At Less Than Market Value
Last week I received an e-mail from Sherri in Whiteville, NC. She told me she was very surprised at the results she had gotten using my system to purchase homes out of probate. "I mailed out 12 letters and got two phone calls and one appointment to view... Read >
Alternate Financing for Probate Real Estate
Financing real estate purchases is a big concern for many just entering the real estate investing field. In my first book about investing in Probate Real Estate I showed you how to buy property at discounted prices. As a result many of you wanted to kno... Read >
Probate Real Estate - The Untapped Market
One afternoon about three months ago, my phone rang and the guy on the other end said, "Are you Ron Mead?" "I am," I replied. "OK, then tell me ... what the heck is Probate Real Estate?"
Since I have received this question in some form or fashion abo... Read >
Thursday 14 April 2011
Howard Stern Grills David Arquette On Life After Courteney Cox
INF Photo
Who needs a therapist when you've got Howard Stern's ear?
Just a night after he attended the Scream 4 premiere in Hollywood, a straight-off-the-Red-Eye David Arquette appeared in Stern's New York City studios Tuesday, where he told the radio icon about his recent interactions with his estranged wife Courteney Cox, who he separated with last fall.
Stern immediately went for the jugular, asking the quirky actor about recent pictures of Cox on vacation in St. Barth’s with their daughter Coco and her Cougar Town co-star Josh Hopkins.
"You swear she's not f**king these guys?" Stern asked Arquette, who answered, "I swear, she's not!"
"Then why is she on vacation with her and your daughter and all that stuff?" Stern countered.
"We're married, but we’re not together, so she can do whatever she wants," Arquette answered, adding he was "a little upset" he didn't go to St. Barth's.
Stern continued prodding Arquette about Cox's post-separation love life, spurring Arquette to tell him, "She hasn't f**ked anyone!"
"You believe that? I think she was telling you that to keep you from falling off the wagon!" Stern told Arquette, who entered into a rehab facility January 2 and recently celebrated 100 days of sobriety.
Hear the audio here (Caution: audio contains profanity)
Stern also prodded Arquette about his recent trip to Disney World with Cox their daughter, Coco.
"How far did you get with her? A kiss?" Stern asked.
"A little bit," Arquette conceded, though he later admitted that while he’s got a wonderful, honest friendship with Cox, they’re incompatible.
The racy interview was far from the first time Stern got Arquette talking in-depth about the split: Last fall, right after their separation was publicly announced, Arquette told the King of All Media that Cox had grown tired of his sometimes-childish ways.
"After our 11th anniversary she gave me a motorcycle and said, 'I don't wanna be your mother anymore,'” Arquette said in the October appearance. “I was like, 'Alright, I get it.'"
Wednesday 13 April 2011
slumdog millionaire
I will make it no secret that I am a huge fan of the work of director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later and Sunshine), however, even I was wary of the plot of his latest movie Slumdog Millionaire. The film is about an illiterate slum kid from Mumbai, who goes on the local TV version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and comes up trumps.
On first impressions, I have to admit that the plot smacks of what could be perceived as a cheesy feel good movie, however, the initial brutal scenes make sure that you realise that this aint’ no fairytale. Slumdog Millionaire is in fact a brilliant film of shocking brutality, a romance with the backdrop of sexual abuse and a dream of wealth powered by crushing poverty.
I would not be surprised if an Oscar may be on the cards. Go see it
On first impressions, I have to admit that the plot smacks of what could be perceived as a cheesy feel good movie, however, the initial brutal scenes make sure that you realise that this aint’ no fairytale. Slumdog Millionaire is in fact a brilliant film of shocking brutality, a romance with the backdrop of sexual abuse and a dream of wealth powered by crushing poverty.
I would not be surprised if an Oscar may be on the cards. Go see it
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)