What Difference Can a Colour Make?

Have you ever walked down a street and turned the corner - and there in front of you is the most hideous coloured car you have ever seen in your life? A hideous purple, or gaudy green? The car itself may be quite fabulous (in the dark) but the owner has seen fit to cover it in the most awful paint imaginable. Sure, there are boring colours that seem to dominate particular years of car design - Audi metallic sand was the colour of choice for many years. Ford even saw fit to allow buyers to adorn their Mondeos in a hideous semi fluorescent yellow. Maybe its all a ploy to distract buyers from how bad a particular model is. As if in some way if they can distract the general public with the colour they can draw their eye away from the terrible safety, poor quality and general nastiness of their offering?

Looking around the office furniture market, one could easily be lead into thinking the same could apply. At launches of new products we often see wacky colour schemes which are clearly meant to make us remember them. Or conversely everything is so bland and all white that we are supposed to think of them as cool - as if an association with iPods would make the chair in question cooler. Okay - well maybe that does work.

A popular brief received by office furniture dealers all over the country is fresh and contemporary so then we try hard to find the best catalogue photography to show a customer the look that can be achieved.
Most designers and furniture suppliers have virtually begged a client at some point to pick a different colour. Knowing that to choose that particular colour would make an office look boring, or staid - or possibly dated and faddish.

Whilst office furniture suppliers have seen some great colour schemes in place - whether through a customer with a good eye for detail, or as a result of a good interior designer - we have also seen some hideous ideas see the light of day too. I had a client about 8 years ago who set his heart on installing different pastel colours (about 8 different shades in all) blinds to each window in the office. He then colour matched the various pillars in the office to match a window blind. A nice idea in theory perhaps, but it looked awful. Embarrassingly so. It was so bad that visitors would come into the office and audibly draw breath at the choice. He was the boss though and he liked them, so it stayed. That is until some months later when the staff finally broke and demanded that new blinds were installed and paint applied put in to stop them walking.

The problem is that some sales people worry that they will lose an order if they start getting too involved with something that is such a personal choice anyway. They lose sight of the fact that perhaps the customer would like some help - rather than a Yes man just agreeing Oh yes sir that would look fabulous!. This is an element of service that a good supplier can easily overlook in the quest for a quick sale. One must consider that if a customer suddenly realises in a years time that it really does look awful - theyll be looking to blame someone for such a poor choice and the salesman looks like a likely scapegoat. The end result of this is that they may never return with repeat business in case you let them choose something else hideous.

Colour choice needs to be a considered affair. Often the colours chosen are governed by the need for a corporate logo colour, or a carpet colour to be matched. If these arent relevant then you can really have some fun. But remember that colours have their own psychological symbolism . Black can mean style, power, mystery, solemnity. White can mean purity, sterility, and cleanliness. Red says sex, speed, arrogance, strength, bravery and more. Blue symbolises calm, productive, confidence, conservatism, and seriousness. Unusual colours like orange mean enthusiasm, flamboyance, creativity, and playfulness. Choosing pink can have mixed messages too including appreciation, admiration, sympathy, femininity, health, love, or homosexuality.

The message is clear therefore. When choosing a colour - take a moment to consider. What is the colour saying about your company to everyone that visits?

Now would you like that office chair in red, black or blue......?


About the Author

For further information regarding our range of reception furniture please visit our website at http://www.evolutionfurniture.co.uk/

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Be Selective in Choosing a Translation Company

Before choosing a professional translation company, please read the following article, so that you may be well informed.

Tips on Hiring a Translator

When it comes to selecting a translator, we often ask ourselves, what are the criteria to follow to find the right professional? This article sets guidelines aimed to help you find the service provider that will satisfy your needs for translation services. The article discusses basic selection criteria.

When cultural accuracy is a concern, it is crucial to ensure that translator is native to the language the document should be translated to. A native speaker has usually not only the knowledge of the proper grammar but also knows cultural nuances of the language. A translator must take into account these nuances to ensure documents are translated accurately.

Another important criteria is how well the translator knows the source language of the document. Even if the translator knows the target language very well, without the in-depth knowledge of the source language of the document, he may not be able to capture the correct context and may translate the document incorrectly to the target language.

If you are familiar with either source or target language of the requested translation, you may want to ask the translator to send you some sample work to determine if the translator meets source and target languages criteria.

Many of the translators do not obtain any formal education. In your selection you may want to give priority to translators, who have completed some type of linguistic school. This type of background comes often useful when translating text with a complex terminology. If the text for translation is related to a unique field, ensure that the translator has some experience working with this field. Very often field specific documents require knowledge of the advanced vocabulary of which only a specialized translator may be aware of.

When working with a translator, communication is one of the key elements of completing your project successfully. If the potential translator works full time, you have better chances for communicating with him more effectively. Part time translators may not be as responsive as full time translators.

How to reduce translation costs?

The Internet technology has a great impact on many industries and translation service market is not an exception. The times when clients reached to their local translation service providers belong to the past.

Clients order translation services online as they realize it is cheaper, faster and more convenient. It's due to new techniques and tools which bring advantages to clients as well as service providers.

You may ask how it is possible that ordering translation services online can make such a huge difference in price, delivery time and convenience.

First of all, translation service providers equipped with online translation portal and automated translation management system are able to cut their service costs because majority of tasks and involved agents are eliminated. Translation providers are able to concentrate their efforts on providing high quality translation service instead of tasks related to file exchange, resource management or accounting. This reduction on costs allows service providers to offer much lower rates to their clients.

Secondly, online translation service allows clients to obtain an instant quote and delivery time for document translation services. Clients are able to upload their documents using an online portal and place the order in real time. Translation providers are notified immediately about the order and are able to start working on it. Depending on the number of languages and number of documents required for translation, translation service providers can handle orders on their own or outsource translation services to translators who are part of their teams. Translation management system streamlines file exchange, improves communication between clients, project managers and translators, and overall allows for faster completion of the project and delivery of translated documents.

Finally, online translation portals allow clients to obtain quotes and submit orders anytime. The progress of orders can be tracked online from a web interface. Online translation portals provide tools that simplify communication between clients, translators and translation providers. Client is able to retrieve invoice for all orders directly from their online accounts. These are among few features that make online ordering more convenient.


About the Author

Javier Pena- Owner/President. Please visit us at: http://www.globalonetranslations for more exciting information about our #1 company. You may also call us at our toll-free # at: 1-800-727-9861 or e-mail us at: quotes@globalonetranslations.com

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How to Successfully Pitch a Reporter to Get Interviewed and Obtain Media Coverage

When I was up against a book deadline and needed a couple of people to interview who had achieved business results from podcasting, I put out a call through a service called Help a Reporter Out (www.helpareporter.com). This free service functions very much like paid reporter lead services such as Profnet or Travel Publicity Leads. Generally media people put out such calls either when they need interview leads extremely soon (like a deadline in two days) or when they have rather unusual interview needs that cant be satisfied through the usual channels (such as looking for someone who has diabetes, owns pets and is gay or lesbian).

Someday you may be in a position to pitch a reporter, so Id like to help you understand what to do and what not to do in this situation, and why, so you can seize the opportunity to meet the reporter's needs and receive valuable media coverage. Here is the meat of the request I made:

"Need phone interviews by end of the week with 3 podcasters who can cite specific, tangible business results achieved through podcasting. Tell me briefly the topic of your podcast, your URL, your results and your phone number. Thanks."

I received 30 replies. Of these, five stood out as excitingly fulfilling my criteria. At least half of the rest put themselves completely out of the running by ignoring my stated requirements, while several others were wasting their time and mine in their reply for other reasons.

Im not sure how I could have been more clear and explicit about what information I wanted from respondents in order to screen them. I said I wanted potential interviewees to tell me the "specific, tangible business results achieved through podcasting." Anyone who did not say exactly how theyd gotten new opportunities or earned money from their podcast got eliminated. Perhaps they had a great story to tell, but they hadnt pre-qualified themselves with me to tell it. Instead they said, in effect, "Im the one you want. Call me." One wrote, "We are number 1 in the world, business results are amazing. I am so busy I would rather speak on the phone." As far as Im concerned, thats hot air and does not show willingness to help me with my story.

This may sound "Mickey Mouse," but whatever details are in the reporters request are there for a reason, and it doesnt work to ignore them. I saw much the same thing happen when I judged a couple of business contests. The application form asked several questions that numerous otherwise appealing candidates left blank. These people were disqualified. The time and in some cases money theyd spent entering the contest was for naught.

Besides those who neglected to specify their podcasting results, a few people wasted their time by sending me contact information for someone who they said met my criteria, such as their boss, their client or someone they knew of from afar. For someone on a tight deadline who receives sufficient responses directly from interviewees, this doesnt work, either. From the underling or PR representatives suggestion, I have no way of knowing whether or not their referral is actually available to talk during my time frame. If you know of someone who fits a reporters request, always forward it to that person and urge them to respond right away instead of replying on their behalf.

Another bunch of people wasted their time writing to me because they did not have a podcast of their own but rather provided podcasting services for a fee. Id said, "Tell me briefly the topic of your podcast," and theyd violated that portion of my request.

One of the top five respondents whom I emailed back right away to set up a time to talk by phone took more than 24 hours to reply. "Sorry, your email landed in my spam folder," he said. "Heres when Im available today." Unfortunately, by then Id already completed the interviews I needed. Unfortunately too for another respondent who met all of my criteria: He initiated contact after Id finished all the interviews.

My advice on getting publicity by replying to reporters requests boils down to this: Reply promptly. Explicitly address the stated criteria in your reply. Volunteer only yourself. Check for the reporters email or phone call so you can follow through on having caught his or her interest.

Paradoxically, by treating the media person as a prince or princess, you position yourself to become a star.


About the Author

Marcia Yudkin is the author of 11 books, including 6 Steps to Free Publicity and Persuading on Paper. For more information on getting a profitable round of visibility for ideas, tips, products, services, events, expertise or controversial views, visit http://www.pressreleasehelp.com

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Dental Practice Consultant - 3 Steps You Must Take to Protect Your Practices No.1 Asset

As a service oriented business, you have one main asset your practice that you could not survive without... your patients.

But so many dental practices we see are more worried about where the next mouth will come from; when the next dollar is going to come through the door. All the while, ignoring the dollars and future dollars that have already walked in and out of their door several times.

As your practice grows, patients are not listed on a balance sheet, or a profit and loss statement, but they are the most valuable pieces to any practice. Every other piece of equipment in your office can be replaced, but if you lose the patients, none of it really matters.

This is what we call patient equity. The amount of investment of time and quality work you put into that patient is considered an investment in your patient equity. Like a house, having more equity in your patient base leads to a happier practice owner. Then, also like a house, your patient base can truly be considered an asset. As an asset your patient list is something you need to protect in more than one way.

Here are the 3 steps you must take to protect your practices 1 asset:

1. You MUST create a scheduled backup system. A copy of your patient list that is stored somewhere other than within your practice. Put it on CD every month or so, and put it in a safe deposit box.

If your practice heaven forbid burns to the ground, or someone breaks in and steals all your computer hardware, this backup will serve as a good starting point to get back up and running. The chairs and computers are replaceable, but the patients names and addresses are invaluable, and you cannot risk them.

2. Your patients security must be guarded. Secure the data on your computer server.

Chances are you have patient names, addresses, and even credit card numbers. This information needs to be password protected, as well as encrypted securely even in your practice software system. Ask your manufacturer how they protect your patients information, should the computer be stolen or your internet security compromised.

Should a compromise of information happen, it could mean disaster for your trustworthiness with your current patients, and your relationship with current and future patients may never recover.

3. You must take steps to maintain the patient/practitioner relationship and improve your patient equity. Protect yourself from losing your patients to other dentists. There are many facets to this, and they include everything from surveys to customer service.

Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks Owner and internet billionaire, once said about his basketball franchise, "Everyone has thousands of entertainment choices and we dont want to create any excuses for them to go and spend their money somewhere else." This is truly the way you must think in a 21st century service oriented business.

There are more places for a consumer to spend their money today, than there ever has been in the past. These opportunities range everywhere from flat screen televisions, to new cars, to full mouth "extreme makeover" restorations. You need to have the best customer service, the best staff, and do the best work to make sure there is no excuse for your patient to leave.

Sure, the attrition of some patients due to death or relocation has been accepted, but no controllable excuse should be tolerated. These people have money they are willing to spend with you, and you dont want to give them an easy reason to go away. You cannot neglect your future receivables. A future receivable is the money your patient has in their mind that they are willing to spend with you, even though they have not signed an agreement for treatment.

As an example, at my next dental appointment, I am going to spend 200 for an exam and cleaning. That is the dentists money to lose. If the office does something to lose me as a patient, or doesnt do enough to keep me from going somewhere else, the practice will lose my 200.

Future receivables, like patients, are not tracked on any balance sheet, and are hard to track at all, but be assured, every patient counts as a future receivable for your practice. Whether it is 200 or 2000, your patients do have an amount in mind that they are going to spend with you in the future.

The future receivables all figure into your patient equity. Take a good look at your schedule book for the next six months and you can get a good idea of what your revenues will look like. Thats your patient equity in action.

There are many steps you can and should be taking to protect this patient equity.

Before you go any further, each of your patients needs to have a solid foundation to build a relationship on. This means customer service, both on the phone and in person, needs to be near flawless. If you have a problem with an established patient, it may be forgivable, but with a new patient, it may lead to a rocky future, or no future at all.

The way to truly set your practice and business apart and lock in patient loyalty is through non-essentials. Providing current patient specials, referral contests, and patient-only events are all considered non-essentials. Utilize different methods to keep your current patients involved when they arent physically in the practice.

Other non-essentials include knowing details about your patients such as their occupation, their family, or their hobbies. The more you can entwine your practice in their life, the harder it will be for them to go anywhere else.

Of all of the steps to take, and possibly one of the simplest to provide is a simple newsletter. The patient newsletter can provide a bridge between hygiene recall appointments, and can serve as a line of communication, both outgoing and incoming. It also provides you with a great media to communicate with your patients about the other services and non-essentials you provide. This is the best way to retain and secure a patient in your practice.

In conclusion, make sure to protect your patient base. It is the most important asset you have in your practice. Create systems and provide training to build solid foundations on which to establish a patient relationship, and create an ongoing maintenance plan to continue investment in your patient equity.


About the Author

James Erickson is the President of

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