The Truth Bar

We have once again reached the wonderful magical time of midsummer,
when the garden is aglow with sensational blooms and a fantastic
array of colors. Many of these wonderful blooms fill the air with
their tantalising perfume.

I often pause for a while especially at twilight when the scent
from the blooms are at their stongest, and feel extremely proud
of the effort that I have put into my garden.

This is when I really appreciate how worthwhile it has all been.

No doubt your garden is looking really special as well, but if by
any chance you feel there are any gaps, or plants that you think
could be doing better, might I suggest that you take some
inspiration from some of these wonderful blooms which I find
truly magnificent.

In my opinion these are some of the blooms that will enhance any
garden and delight the senses with their combined scents.

Rose eglanteria - This sweet briar rose is valued for the strong
apple aroma which comes from the leaves, but there is also much
more than a pink flower in summer, it is followed by a deep red
in the autumn.
I think that it is an extremely handsome bush, and it also makes
an impenetrable hedge.

Agastache faoeniculum (anise hyssop) - This is a stately herbaceous
perennial, whose silver green leaves release a liquorice aniseed
fragrance. The rich violet blue color flowers are particularly loved
by bees, butterflies and goldfinches among others.
I find the rich beautiful color delightful when it bursts
into my garden in the late summer, and lasts right through to autumn.
Cytisus battandeiri (Moroccan Broom) - When planted around the walls
of the house or around the patio, the crushed pineapple aroma which
comes from the cones of the yellow blossom will pervade the air.
It truly excites the senses on the warm still days of June and July,
with its wonderful aroma wafting into the house or patio area.
It should be encouraged to flower freely so that you get the most
from this absolutely wonderful flower.

Magnolia grandiflora - The large chalices are a joy in late summer with
a wonderful lemon zest aroma. It should be helped to bloom when young
by espalier-training the shoots against a warm sunny wall.
Train them horizontally, and shorten new shoots to five leaves in August.

Dianthus (Brymton Red) - These lovely old fashioned dianthus have a
lingering clove fragrance and the “Brymton red” is a true peacock among
them. They yield a brilliant display of single deep red flowers laced
with darker markings, and are just scintilating in June. Be sure to
deadhead flowers weekly to channel your plants energy into producing
more shoots and blooms.

Eucryphia nymansay - This elegant evergreen is famous for its summer
and autumn display of large honey scented white flowers. The flower is
coveted by nectar seeking bees. It needs a warm and sunny location.
I absolutely adore these.

Ferdinand Pitchard - This is an old fashioned rose with the beckoning smell
of fresh picked raspberries. The globular pink blooms striped with crimson
and purple will be your reward for planting this fatastic rose.
It thrives on humis rich soil in full sunlight, and it will bring color to
the summer season most beautifully.

Other Flowers To Bring A Fesival Of Color And Delight.

Gladiolus communis - Until recently people looked down their noses at
gladiolus but they do make really good border flowers. They are excellent
at cramming the other colors, and they barely take any space at ground level.

Scabiosa “Ace of Spades” - This is one for the chocoholics, “Ace of
Spades” is a mass of velvet and maroon with little white pins that have
a pincushion effect. What a beautiful flower this is, nestle them among
the green foliage of alchemilla for comptempory color scheming. Allow the
last flowers to self-sow.

Delphinium Belladonna Group - If you are looking for grace and charm then
Belladonna hybrids are for you. They are ideal for summoning a romantic
effect, look wonderful around cottages, and bring an English type
of charm to your garden.
For a full season of color grow with peonies, poppies and dahlias.
Cut down the first spikes once they have flowered for a second flush of
blooms.

Papaver ” Lady Frederick Moore” - A charming peach poppy is much softer on
the eye than the traditional pillar box red oriental, and is easier to blend
with the pastels of early summer. Grow in the sun and hope for gentle
weather to prolong this tissue paper like flower.

Monarda “Capricorn” - Think magenta, think hardy geranium? Why not try an
unusual monarda instead with its beautiful aromatic foliage and spidery
petals totally adored by bees. The stunning color and shapes make it a
good contender with spikes of lythrum and veronica, best planted in the sun
where the soil does not get too dry nor the space too crowded.

LLathyrus latifolius - A delightful sweet pea that is everlasting but
without the sweet scent,so you can never quite have it all.
However, with the strong aromas from the flowers above this pretty flower,
I think that it is worth having in your garden.
The flowers are much bigger than the annual L.odoratus,with iridescent
shells for petals and twining tendrils that obliginly twirlup small trees
or wires on sunny fences. Give them the occasional folier feed and cut down
last years foliage in winter.

Acunthus mallis - Most perennials have unremarkable leaves, but not this
stunning bear’s breeches. Acunthus makes a versatile backdrop for classic
herbaceous borders or jungle style foliage. The dark glossy leaves and
spikes of dusky hooded flowers will make a show all summer long.
Water well in dry summers.

Achillea “Walther Funcke” - If pastels are not your bag, spice things up
instead with paprika shades of “Walter Funcke”! Add a scattering of yellow
day lilies and mix in the wispy blonde leaves of ponytail grass, (Stipa
tenuissima), for good measure. It makes a compact drought tolerant mix for a
sunny border where space is tight.

Thalictrum delavayi - Verbena bonariensis is not the only see-through plant.
The tall meadow rue is wonderful airy for the front of a border, with perenial
ferny foliage and clouds of tiny, fluffy flowers on skinny purple stems.
Grow on the cool side of the garden where the soil does not get too dry in
summer.

These are just a few of my favorite wonderfully scented flowers and plants that
I think will add a soft to dramatic color to your garden.

So why not let your imagination and flair for color work magic on your garden.
I can tell you that I feel like a true artist when my garden is in full bloom.

About the Author

Marie K Fisher is an avid gardening enthusiast with a passion for exotic flowers
and wondeful colors. She is a regular contributor to Garden Center Showplace a leading online Garden Center.
For more details of the superb range of products offered, and also more Featured
Articles And Tips on Gardening visit
http://www.gardencentershowplace.com

Everyone wants to fly to Florida when the weather gets cold where they live, so people are always wondering how to get cheap airfare to Miami. The good news is this is usually quite easy just going through normal channels. If you are flying from the Northeast then there will be hourly flights all winter from several different airlines, and as a result seats on these planes can often be much cheaper than people expect.

One fascinating thing about this situation is that since so many people go to Miami for extended stays in the winter all the airlines have to compete for one-way fares as well. If you want to fly to, say, Mexico City one way, then the cost is usually even more than the lowest supersaver fare buying a round trip ticket. But for Miami the price is often exactly half of what the roundtrip price is. You can chalk this phenomenon up to the competition among all the airlines.

If you are finding fares to Miami to be a bit more expensive than you are expecting then you should also check flights into Fort Lauderdale. The airports are only about 30 miles apart, so if you are renting a car anyway then the difference is almost meaningless.

Hair loss treatments are usually divided into two groups: natural hair loss treatments and all the other hair loss remedies. Unfortunately, many people that experience hair loss are not aware of the natural hair loss remedies. They usually get frustrated after having side effects of the hair loss remedies or spend too much money on ineffective hair loss remedies.

Herbal hair loss treatments have been proven effective for decades and in some cases even centuries. They cause no side effects, cost less than any other hair loss treatment and bring good results in preventing hair loss, stopping hair loss and regrowing hair.

Here are some of the most common herbs for hair loss:

1. Rosmary (Rosmarinus in Latin) - known for stimulating hair growth and for enhancing dark hair.

2. Dong Quai - A Traditional Chinese herb that contains phytoestrogens that reduces the formation of DHT. Hence, Dong Quai is beleieved to stop hair loss and even regrow hair.

3. Saw Palmetto - A small creeping palm - Also known as Serenoa repens. It contains free fatty acids and phytosterols, which block the formation of DHT and by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase that contributes to androgenetic alopecia. and has shown to be more effective than Finasteride in some cases.

4. Aloe Vera - Taken from the inner leaves of plants, it is a substance in a gel formation that is known for its ability to calm irritated skin. It protects the scalp and hair and also known as a good remedy against Alopecia.

5. Capsicum - A type of hot peppers which stimulates hair growth by at least half and increases blood flow to the scalp. This herb is good for regrowing hair.

6. Lemongrass - A pale green stalk about 18 inches long. This herb stables oil product in the scalp. It also increases fullness and body to the hair.

If you suffer from hair loss or thinning hair or just want to keep your hair healthy and strong, it is recommended to use herbal hair loss treatments.

911 Corp. has made a research to find the best natural hair loss treatments. Find out the results only on Natural hair loss treatment source .

You will come across differing types of lodging which this city comprises of. Certain are of a similar quality to each other, even so, they might have contrasting amenities on offer, hence you might well have to be clear as to what it is you’re specifically after. Do you crave to be indulged, go for high tea in a place that’s extraordinary or possibly revel in a handful of infrequent days off and laze around in comfort? Read critics reviews on hotel reviews with Time Out.

Younger generations currently are after stylish spots that are rather innovative and different from your customary accommodation. Such hotels are often recognised as boutique hotels and there are quite a few up and coming hotels that have been reviewed as some of the top hotels to stay in in the city.

The Pavilion is an amazing thirty bed-room establishment that you will find in central London built for a discerning, erudite resident. Their bedrooms present an offbeat & plushy image. One hotel is a salutation to the 70s. Casablanca Nights hotel is based near Oxford Str., so, if you find yourself searching for straightforward walks to the capital’s centre then this hotel is simply an outstanding place. The spot is merely a couple of mins. walk from Paddington Station, it’s additionally accessible straight forward from the airport making use of the new quick railway line and furthermore from Waterloo Station. The hotel’s rooms are all filled with unorthodox peculiarities & all benefit from providing the necessities of modern day life, including en suite features, direct dial telephones and also satellite tv. The Pavilion’s renowned amongst the fashion, the music & the media people. A contrasting selection of comedians, pop acts & artists have been seen at this hotel.

An additional leading spot now is called The Beaufort. This can be located in the heart of the famous area of Knightsbridge - a cure for the haste of this sensational city. Upon coming into the building, one will be surrounded by easy, calm colors - you will see beautiful maple items and furthermore a general décor designed for cosiness and lavishness. If you’re thinking of popping over to London, & your specifically hunting for a boutique accomodation which offers lavishness, and also a prime location and exquisite decor then this place is definitely your match made in heaven.

One’s immediate notion is simply that of pure glee as the essence of gorgeous flower arrangements permeate the lobby. Original watercolor paintings hang on their walls & the stylishly designed drawing room has both relaxation and peace. In the hotel’s rooms one will find rich floors, the bathrooms laid in Italian marble, and additionally all expected services. If one would require a quiet venue for things such as private talks, the boarding is able to provide a company lounge which is perfectly suited for smaller congregations perhaps of approximately 8 heads.

This polish easter recipe is sure to please.

1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup warm water
1 (1/4 ounce active dry yeast)
2 eggs beaten
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 cup confectioners sugar
Whole candied cherries for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease a 1 1/2 quart mold pan or a deep cake pan then dust with flour
Scald 1/2 cup milk in a saucepan, stir in sugar, salt and butter until sugar is dissolved and butter is melted them cool to lukewarm.
pour warm water into a large bowl sprinkle yeast into warm water, stir until yeast is dissolved.

Add lukewarm milk mixture eggs and flour, beat vigerousely for 5 minutes, cover and let rise in a warm place free from draft for 1 1/2 hours or until double in bulk
Beat in almonds, raisins, and lemon rind.

Pour batter into prepared pan, bake for 50 minutes.Cool in pan on wire rack for 20 minutes then remove from pan and finish cooling.
Beat confectioners sugar and 1 tablespoon milk in a small bowl to form a glaze. Place cake on a serving platter and drizzle glaze on top and decorate with cherries.

About The Author

Andrew Krause is a Chef and Pastry Chef for over 30 years, at persent I own a Gourmet Bakery called The Cheese Confectioner.
You can visit my site at http://www.andies.cashhosters2.com

NOTE: You are welcome to reprint this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the about the author info at the end), Please send a copy of your reprint to pastrie@verizon.net

No matter what type of paper you’re writing, be it a literature review, research report, summary, or analysis, rest assured that you’ll be required to name your sources. There are several different types of resource lists, not to mention a number of different styles for writing entries.

A reference list, also called a list of works cited, is a catalog of all the sources you cited or otherwise referred to in your paper. A citation involves giving another author credit for a quote, idea, finding, or phrase that you use in your paper. You should cite all direct quotes, as well as instances of paraphrasing; original or novel ideas, perspectives, and facts; and research findings. This is necessary so that authors receive due credit for their work. It’s also an academic obligation: it provides your readers the opportunity to locate the sources you used, read and interpret the evidence themselves, and perhaps even challenge your conclusions.

In contrast to reference lists, you list all the sources you read in a bibliography. Even if you do not cite the source, it must receive a mention in the bibliography if you used it in any way throughout the research and writing processes. Thus, books and articles you consulted for reference early on must be included in your bibliography, receiving the same attention as those sources you cited extensively.

In addition to various types of resource lists, there are also different styles in which you can compile them. Your professor will tell you whether she wants you to use a reference list or bibliography, along with what style your list should be presented in. This information will most likely be in the assignment itself, so read through your handouts carefully. When in doubt, it’s better to ask the professor than guess!

One of the most popular styles is Modern Language Association (MLA) style. Founded in 1883, the MLA is a professional association that promotes the study and teaching of - you guessed it - language and literature. MLA Style is the format recommended for bibliographies by the Association. Along with the styles developed by the University of Chicago Press and the APA, it’s one of the “big three” styles. The MLA guidelines are used by more than 125 scholarly journals, newsletters, and magazines, and are quite common in high schools and colleges. You are likely to encounter them at some point in your academic career.

The University of Chicago Press also publishes a style guide, called The Chicago Manual of Style. Now in its 15th edition, the manual explains not only how to document your resources, but also how to deal with copyright issues, design and produce a book, and everything in between. The manual has humble origins, starting out as a sheet of typographical basics in the 1890s, morphing into a short pamphlet first published in 1906, and now weighing in at a hefty 986 pages. Aimed at publishers, editors, and writers, you might have to learn this style if you are majoring communications or related fields.

Also mentioned earlier were the guidelines developed by the American Psychological Association (APA). If you’re taking a psychology or other social science course, odds are that you’ll be using this style for your reference list. The APA is the largest association of psychologists, with over 150,000 members and 53 divisions. The APA’s Publication Manual is a comprehensive resource for both students and professionals who wish to publish their research. Along with guidelines for writing a reference list, the Publication Manual also includes information on how to organize your paper’s content; how to express your ideas coherently; ethical standards for reporting research findings; and how to develop and submit a manuscript for publication. If you ever plan on publishing work in psychology, sociology, social work, criminology, nursing, business or economics, you will need to know APA style forwards and backwards!

There are a number of other style guides available; each field prefers a specific style, and many have developed their own guidelines. Thus, you should always double check with your professor to see what style she wants you to use.

Even though the reference list falls at the end of your paper, make no mistake - it’s extremely important! Any errors you make could inadvertently deny an author credit for her work. Incorrect citations might make it difficult or impossible for your peers to do their own research on the topic. Failure to properly credit your sources could get you in big trouble, whether it’s an intentional omission or not. Compiling the list in the incorrect format, while not as serious as excluding it altogether, may still annoy your professor.

The reference list is more than an afterthought. Afford it as much attention as you do the rest of your paper, and be well on your way to a stellar research report!

Copyright Kelly Garbato, 2005

Kelly Garbato is an author, ePublisher, and small business owner. She recently self-published her first book, “13 Lucky Steps to Writing a Research Paper,” now available at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com) or through Peedee Publishing (http://www.peedeepublishing.com).

To learn more about the author, visit her web site at http://www.kellygarbato.com.

You have just walked out of the office of a potential new major
customer that you have anxiously been waiting to meet with for
weeks and again, you realize you have no idea what is going to
happen next as a result of your meeting. Worse yet, you again
“spilled all your beans” by telling the potential client how
they should solve their problems, hoping that they will LET YOU
help them by throwing some business your way. You tell
yourself, “I think I’ll get some business here because I know
they liked me!” Sound familiar?

Selling is Truly a DIS-qualification Process!

Most seasoned sales professionals will tell you that effective
selling is essentially a customer DISqualification process. You
systematically define whether any given targeted customer
justifies the time and cost of further pursuit. You must
clearly define if your potential customer clearly understands
and sincerely appreciates the value of your product or service
offerings to a level of justification that they can, and will,
make a reasonable purchase commitment to you. If they cannot or
will not, they do not qualify! Don’t waste your time, move on!

This potential customer disqualification process is best
implemented via a straightforward, “2 and Sales Call Selling
Process”:

The “2 and Sales Call Selling Process”

It starts with setting up an appointment to meet face-to-face
with a potential customer, (the “half” call). The next step in
the process, (the first call) or visit, is best described as a
“fact-finding session”. The final step in the selling process
concludes with a second face-to-face session, called the
“Presentation Call”, (the second call), where you present
solutions to the problems surfaced in the fact-finding session.
Warning: Mixing these two calls or sessions together or
attempting to consolidate both visits into one session can
dramatically reduce your probability of selling success!

Each of the 2 and 1/2 sales call selling sessions is based on a
logical and linear information exchange process between you and
the potential customer. Within each call or session you should
try to get answers to the following fundamental questions:

The “Half” Call” – Setting Up the Appointment:

Who within the targeted organization would benefit most from
your product or service offering? (Varies by company type and
size) Does this person have the purchase authority to make a
valid purchase commitment?(If no, call a management level
“above” this position and get referred “down”) If you must get
referred to the person who has this purchase authority, can
you use the referring person’s name to get to the true
decision maker?

Do you have a clear understanding of exactly what you are going
to say when you make your appointment request? (Try using a
call script to keep you on track)

Do you have the ability to sound confident on the telephone? (If
not, why not?)

Do you clearly understand that your sole objective on this
call is to secure an appointment, with the person(s) who best
benefit from your product or service AND can make the purchase
commitment … NOT to make a sale?

The “First Call” – The “Fact-Finding Session:

Preparation is critical to achieving sales success. Do you know
anything about this company and it’s industry? Obtaining basic
information here will go a long way for you to establish
initial rapport and credibility with this potential customer
(If not, do some research prior to the visit)

Can you anticipate some likely problems a potential client of
this type and size will communicate to you?

When the potential customer communicates to you their business
problem(s) can you get more information from them about the
problem(s), such as:

* Do they know exactly what the problems is?
* How long has the problem existed?
* What will happen if the problem continues?
* What have they done to date to address the problem?
* What were the results of those efforts?
* What is the $ cost of this problem?
* Are there budgeted funds available to “fix” the problem(s)?
* Can and will they commit budgeted funds to fix the problem?

Once you secured accurate answers to these eight questions, FOR
EACH problem you uncover in this fact-finding session, then,
and only then, can YOU truly determine whether this potential
customer qualifies for the next step in your 2 and Sales
Call Selling Process, the “Presentation Call”.

The “Second Call” – The “Presentation Call”:
Start this meeting with a brief review of your findings from
your first fact finding session. Immediately establish that
the purpose of this meeting is to come to a decisive next step
to address the problems at hand, not to conclude with a, “We’d
like to think it over” meeting conclusion. Communication of
your presentation call conclusion expectations to the
potential customer at the beginning of the meeting is critical
to maximizing the probability of achieving your desired meeting
objective – to get a commitment!

Are you prepared to only focus on and “present to” the business
problems defined during your fist visit in line with their
communicated importance?

Are you savvy enough to ask for a reschedule of this meeting if
once you get there all or any of the purchase decision makers
do not show up?

Can you ask for a purchase commitment? (If one cannot be given,
can you ask why?)

Do you clearly understand what you achieved and what you didn’t
in this presentation call? What lessons did you learn that you
can leverage in your next sales opportunity?

Having a structured method to qualify, or should we say,
disqualify potential new customers not only improves your
probability of selling success, but significantly enhances your
self confidence during the process.

Selling your products or services does not have to be
psychological warfare between you and your potential customer.
Much of the success of selling is in your preparation of each
of the 2 and Sales Call Selling process steps and your
continuous audit of selling process improvements, defining what
specific selling tactics work best for you in any given selling
situation.

About the Author:

Mark Smock is President of http://www.business-buyer-directory.com, the
FIRST international business buyer directory of its kind.
Business Buyer Directory provides a non-traditional means for
proactive business buyers to locate businesses for sale
worldwide that meet their exact registered purchase criteria.

The S80 offers luxury, interior comfort and a stylish body. The
suspension is highly sophisticated. It offers a smooth ride and
feels extremely stable on the highway. Moreover, Volvo’s safety
engineering leads the auto industry. The S80 contains standard
amenities such as a rear DVD entertainment system, heated front
seats, an interior air quality system, available metallic
exterior paint, infrared reflective windshield, and rain-sensing
wipers. Exclusively available on the T6 Premier is the optional
integrated rear refrigerator, which includes a shelf compartment
and four glasses. Standard features available are fog lights,
Four-C Chassis, and bi-Xenon headlights. A new Sport Package is
available for the 2.5T and 2.5T AWD, which includes sport seats,
a five-speed automatic transmission, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Safety is what Volvo is known for, and the S80 reaches new
levels. With side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags,
anti-whiplash seats, as well as a sophisticated steel structure
that’s computer designed around crash-resistance, the S80
achieves the coveted 5-star crash-test rating in front and side
collisions, as well as a 5-star rollover-resistance rating.
Contemporary Volvos are sleek, and the S80 led that Swedish
revolution applied to the rest of the Volvo line, even to the
best-selling XC90 sport-utility vehicle. The S80 has soft lines
with a gently sloping hood, steeply raked windscreen, slightly
bowed roofline and coupe-like rear window.

Flared wheel wells gently wrap the striking alloy wheels. Its
2.5-liter five-cylinder engine is a good workhorse and it is
very quick. Fitted with an intercooled turbocharger, the 2.5T
makes 208 horsepower but feels like more, with 236 pound-feet of
torque available at a low 1500 rpm. The speed-sensitive
rack-and-pinion steering gives the S80 a light touch and a
steadiness in the curves. In addition to all-wheel drive, the
2.5T AWD comes with Volvo’s Dynamic Stability and Traction
Control, one of the most sophisticated electronic stability
control systems around.

The front-wheel-drive T6 comes with Volvo’s new Four-C system
(Continuous Controlled Chassis Concept), which monitors speed,
acceleration and other dynamic forces and then adjusts the
electronically damped hydraulic shock absorbers to provide
either optimal comfort or sport control, depending on the
position the driver selects on a switch mounted on the center
console. The system can adjust the shocks up to 50 times in a
single second. With the S80 Radiator, Volvo made sure it is
environment friendly with a special coating that converts up to
75 percent of the ozone it encounters into oxygen. Partstrain
renews its commitment in delivering superbly crafted Volvo auto
parts with its impressive array of stocks at
http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/VOLVO Suspension,
spoilers, front and rear fenders, tailgate, hoods, hubcaps,
electrical parts, engine parts and many others are the best in
the industry. High maintenance cost can be avoided by buying top
of the line body parts from auto parts source like Partstrain
that has been in the industry for years. Its proven client
patronage is clearly stronger than ever. Their friendly sales
staffs are on hand to give valuable assistance to customers
anytime.

Acronym: A form of abbreviation where the letters of the abbreviation form a new word as in HUD for The Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Ad-lib: Unplanned words or phrases spoken during a presentation.

Alliteration: The repetition of the same first sound or the same first letter in a group of words or line of poetry as in from stem to stern.

Anachronism: A person, place, or event that is placed in a time period in which it does not belong such as George Washington sitting in front of a computer.

Analogy: A comparison of two things that are alike in some ways and different in others. An example is your brain is similar to a computer.

Anecdote: A short interesting or amusing incident.

Aside: In the theater, something said to the audience that is not to be heard by the other actors. In television, the actor would look right at the camera and talk to the viewers. In a presentation, the speaker would make a temporary departure from the main theme or topic.

Attribution: Crediting the source of material used in a presentation.

Audience gag: A joke pulled on the audience, sometimes with some of the audience members used as shills.

Audience participation: The audience doing something other than listeningduring a public speaking engagement. Some of them could be on-stage with you, carrying on group discussions, playing games, singing, etc.

A/V: Abbreviation for audiovisual equipment, such as overhead projectors, tape recorders, slide projectors, microphones, etc.

Bits: A short section of material so related that it is easy to memorize. Also called Chunks, Series.

Black Humor: According to Webster’s Dictionary, “Humor that ignores human suffering and looks for the absurdity in any experience, even the most tragic.” Used as a stress reliever in many high pressure occupations (medicine, law enforcement, military, etc.). Also Sick humor, Gallows humor. (Note: Please don’t use in a professional presentation)

Blocking: Positioning of you and your equipment on the stage. Also your intended movement on the stage.

Blooper: A clumsy mistake, especially one made in public; a faux pas.

Blue Humor: Risqué or dirty humor The kind of humor everyone likes, but won’t admit it. (OK, I’m kidding or am I?) Also called Off-color humor.

Bomb: In the USA a GIANT failure. In Great Britain a smashing success.

Bombproofing: Term coined by your lovable author to signify the steps you take as a presenter to be sure you don’t bomb.

Breakout session: Splitting the entire group into smaller groups to hear special interest public speaking topics.

Callback: Referring to a word or phrase you mentioned earlier in your presentation.

Canned act: The use of standard material regardless of the makeup of the audience (not customized). Also Planned Spontaneity.

Canned ad-lib: Pre-planned response to a presentation problem or audience member comment.

Caricature: A picture in which the subject’s distinctive features are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or grotesque effect.

Cartoon: An illustrated joke. Also Comic Strip.

Cheap laugh: Simple, sometimes tasteless, laughs that anyone, regardless of skill level, could elicit from the audience during a public speaking engagement (this is my specialty Ha-ha).

Chunks: See Bits.

Classroom seating: Seating style where chairs are placed behind tables.

Cliché: A worn-out saying such as “It’s better to be safe than sorry” (that’s a sorry cliché).

Comeback: A humorous or clever retort to an audience comment. Also Repartee or Riposte.

Comedian: An amusing person whose primary purpose is to entertain. Also Comic.

Comedienne: Older, less politically correct, term for a female comedian.

Comic: See Comedian.

Comic relief: An amusing element introduced into a serious speech or play to temporarily relieve tension.

Comic strip: Cartoon progressing over a series of scenes.

Concurrent session: A session occurring at the same time as another (breakout) session.

Content: The usable information in a presentation.

Convulsive laughter: Violent laughter that causes a person to lunge forward, backward or both.

Cordless microphone: A microphone which works by transmitting radio signals to a receiver which is connected to the public address (PA) system. Also Wireless Microphone.

Custom humor: Humorous comments, skits, role playing, gags, or costuming devised specifically for a particular audience.

Dais: A raised platform in the front of the room where the speaker stands. Also Podium, Riser, Stage or Platform.

Deadpan expression: A serious expression contrasted with funny lines.

Demo tape: An audio or video tape used to promote speakers, bands, magicians, etc.

Downstage: The area of the stage closest to the audience.

Dynamic range: Gradation of intensity available for use by a presenter from demure whisper to boisterous screams.

Easel: A tripod or frame used to support flipchart pads or other visuals.

Emcee: Abbrev. MC, An informal term for Master of Ceremonies. Also Toastmaster, Roastmaster.

Exaggeration humor: Expanding or diminishing features or information to outrageous proportions for comic effect.

Extemporaneous: An impromptu or spontaneous presentation.

Extender line: Line added to the end of a humorous comment that evokes additional laughter.

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Know Your product before You Sell It

Product knowledge is by far the most important key ingredient to
posses when it comes to selling your product.

Before you sell your product, make sure you know it inside and
out, you wouldn’t want to be caught without an answer if your
prospect had a specific question.

Think about it, if you were interested in buying a product from
someone and they couldn’t answer your simplest of questions
about the product, how much faith would you have in it? Probably
none.

Here are a few tips on how to get to know your product better:

1. Brochures and Literature

Obtain as much written information as you possibly can on your
product. Read up on the features and benefits your product
offers until you know them by heart. Keep reading until you can
roll every detail off the tip of your tongue including any fee’s
associated with the product.

Also, keep your brochures handy, open them up in front of your
customer and go over the details of your product step by step.
Customers love visuals.

2. Roll Play

Role playing is a fun way to get to know your products. You will
need two of your associates to help you out with this.

You play the salesman, have one of your co-workers play the
customer, and have one of your co-worker’s critiquing you.

Have your co-worker playing the customer ask as many questions
about the product as he can possibly think of. When you are
finished, go over the sales session with the person that
critiqued you.

Also, take turns playing each character, playing the customer
can give you a great perspective on their point of view. Think
about it, how often are you the customer when it comes to buying
your companies products? Never.

3. Use the Product

This is perhaps the best way to get to know a product. To
actually own, have, and use the product, not only gives you the
ability to know it inside and out, you will also be able to tell
your customer that you have and use the product, and how
wonderful you think it is. This will tell the customer how much
you believe in the product and that you have confidence in it.

One of the worst mistakes a sales person can possibly make is to
be unprepared.

Take a few minutes out of every day to get to know your products
better. Make learning about them fun with the role playing, and
concentrate most on the products you know least about.

Remember, the more you know about your product, the easier it
will be to sell. Good luck.

This article may be reproduced by anyone at any time, as long as
the authors name and reference links are kept in tact and
active.