Most of the people who play golf are business executives. That is why it is important that promotional golf items have a sophisticated and elegant look. One of the major concerns in making a promotional item is the item itself. You have to define the purpose of the gift you are giving. Is it going to be for decoration? Are you giving away something that the golfer will use whilst playing? Or is it going to be something that you want him to use either at home or in the office?

If you have defined the purpose that the gift will serve, it will be easier to pick a design. For decorative promotional products, you can choose something that is easy to display. Not too small to be overlooked but not too big either to be overpowering. Pick a design that is simple yet eye-catching. You can probably use a golf ball as an inspiration. You can create a bigger size golf ball with your logo on it and use a golf club designed stand. It will definitely remind your client of golf and since you have your logo on it, he will remember you as well.

If the item that you intend to give is something that the golfer will use while he is playing, then you can pick something visible. You can either use hats, sun visors and even golf towels. You are not only giving away an item this way but you are also advertising your name that is why it is important that you use high quality materials. Pick designs that are simple and elegant. Keep in mind that most of your recipients hold senior positions and they can gauge sophistication by the item’s design. So if you don’t want your items to go to waste, keep quality and design in mind.

If it is something that you want the golfer to use in the office or at home, then you can give away simple yet very useful products. For office purposes, you can give away a golf ball designed paper weight. You can also give away planners with your logo, elegant pens with your name printed on it or briefcases with your name embossed on one of its corners. If it is something that you want for home use, you can use give-away coffee mugs, wall clocks, umbrellas or other items that might be useful. Just remember to keep your designs elegant.

Lottie
http://www.articlesbase.com/marketing-articles/promotional-gifts-golf-products-to-keep-you-on-course-733981.html

Duration : 0:2:5

Technorati Tags: antique, art, CHIME, chiming, Clock, DECO, germany, hac, Junghans, trinity, wall, WESTMINSTER

Finally, after six years of price hikes, fuel prices have begun to drop. But the average household still spends a huge amount on essential electricity, gas and water, so if you want to push your bills even lower and help the environment by cutting down your carbon emissions, then read on for few energy efficiency tips.

Have a shower

Swapping long soaks in the tub for quick refreshing showers uses 40 per cent less water, so if you have a water meter this will make a significant difference to your bills and help you to do your bit for water conservation, especially in the dry summer months.

If you don’t already have a water meter fitted at your home, get one installed so that you only pay for the water that you actually use. This will encourage you to keep an eye on the amount that you waste too.

Choose the right bulbs

The Government wants to start phasing out traditional light bulbs because of the amount of energy they waste. Using energy efficient ones not only saves on your electricity bill, they also last much longer so you won’t have to replace them as often.

Don’t just standby

Leaving appliances on standby rather than turning them off at the wall wastes so much electricity. Appliances can continue to use up to 70 per cent of their active energy while on standby, so think of the difference that you could make by just turning them off properly.

Leaving chargers on but unused is also a huge waste. You could be paying £10 a year for each charger you leave in, and when you add up your laptop, mobile phone, iPod and handheld home phone chargers, it really begins to add up.

Blow out the pilot

If you have an electric shower and cooker at home, you could turn off your gas pilot light once the weather is warm enough. Because while the pilot light is burning, your gas supply is constantly leaking away, even when your heating is off.

Cool it

Turning down you thermostat by just one degree centigrade can reduce your annual energy bill by 10 per cent. This is a difference that you’ll barely notice – until your bill comes in up to £49 a year cheaper.

Bleed your radiators

Trapped air inside your radiators makes them less efficient but bleeding them (releasing the air) is easy and makes them perform much better.

Wrap up warm

Insulating your home will save you loads on heating bills and will be an investment that will continue to save you money year after year. You can insulate your wall cavities, roof and windows and lag your boiler. All this can be a bit pricy but even simple things like hanging thick curtains and laying draft excluders at doors will make a difference.

Go A-grade

Whenever you need to buy a new fridge, freezer or boiler, always opt for an “A” rated one. These will save you money on you electricity bills as they’re cheaper to run and are also so much better for the environment.

Get technical

There are now a whole host of gadgets available to save the planet and your pocket at the same time. These range from washing powder replacements to gadgets that stop your fridge from over-working and wasting electricity. You can even get wind-up radios, water powered clocks and solar powered lights.

Switch your supplier

By moving to a new supplier you can save money on your bills by taking advantage of new-customer-only deals and sign up to a “green tariff” at the same time. Almost all providers now offer environmentally friendly deals so you could end up cutting your bills and investing in renewable energy sources at the same time.

Keira Parker
http://www.articlesbase.com/nature-articles/energy-efficiency-in-the-home-129761.html

Duration : 0:6:27

Technorati Tags: arts, build, Clock, clockwork, creative, design, how, make, Project, to, visual, wall, work

By William Patalon III And Mike Caggeso Money Morning Editors

The U.S. “Big Three” of General Motors Corp. (GM), Ford Motor Co. (F), and Chrysler Corp. submitted their turnaround plans to Congress yesterday (Tuesday), hoping for approval of a massive loan package they say is central to their survival.

And while the plans include such politically palatable moves as salary cuts for top-tier executives, the sale of cushy corporate jets and the elimination of moribund brands, the three embattled U.S. automakers are also now seeking government aid of as much as $34 billion – which is as much as $9 billion more than the $25 billion figure that’s been on the table from the very beginning of the industry’s bid for bailout money.

Here’s the breakdown:

• General Motors, the largest domestic automaker, said late yesterday that it is seeking as much as $18 billion to survive into 2010 – and that it needs $4 billion of that cash just this month in order to dodge a bankruptcy filing. GM is seeking a loan of $12 billion. It’s also requesting an additional $6 billion line of credit to provide more cushion, should the severe current market downturn persist.
• Ford is asking for $9 billion. The Dearborn, Mich.-based carmaker hopes it won’t need to utilize the federal loans, and that it just wants to have access to the capital as a backstop. Ford is aiming to return to profitability by 2011.
• Chrysler confirmed its previous request for a $7 billion loan that its executives detailed during Congressional hearings two weeks ago. But it now says that it needs the loans by the end of the year if it’s to survive, because its projected year-end cash reserves of $2.5 billion won’t come close to covering its projected major first-quarter expenses of $11.6 billion, Dow Jones Newswires reported. The loans – coupled with Chrysler’s ongoing restructuring efforts – would keep that carmaker operating through the end of March. But it will need to access the capital before the end of this year.

The plans were submitted on the same day that the auto industry reported the worst U.S. sales in 25 years. Both U.S. and top overseas automakers all reported sales declines of more than 30% from year-ago sales, increasing the level of urgency for the embattled Big Three, CNNMoney.com reported yesterday.

“This is part of an urgent request for federal funding to create ‘a new GM’ – a lean and fully competitive company,” GM Chief Executive Officer Richard Wagoner said during a conference call with journalists. “Taking these tough actions will help us weather the current economic stresses, and will position the new GM to be profitable.”

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., a strong advocate of the bailout, said he is confident Congress will return next week to approve a loan package. He said he’s not concerned about the higher price tag being requested, stating that lawmakers wanted an honest accounting of how much might be needed in a worst-case scenario.

Speaking at a press conference late yesterday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told listeners that it was imperative that the Big Three get the federal rescue money immediately.

“Bankruptcy is not an option,” Pelosi said. “Everyone is disadvantaged by bankruptcy. It takes too long. What takes a year we can do in a few weeks … I don’t think anyone wants to see bankruptcy.”

Despite those concerns, Pelosi would not commit to having Congress pass a Big Three bailout when it returns next week. But if Congress doesn’t return, Pelosi urged the U.S. Treasury Department to use money available under the previous $700 billion Wall Street bailout to tide the automakers over until early next year.

It’s not clear if the Treasury Department would agree to this, since the Bush Administration does support the concept of aid for the U.S. auto sector, but opposes using the $700 billion Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) to money to help them.

To help persuade lawmakers to approve the bailout money, the carmakers proposed a wide range of changes. Among the highlights:

• Executive salary cuts: Ford announced that the salary of Ford CEO Alan Mulally would be cut to $1 a year if the firm actually borrowed money from the government. General Motors said that Wagoner, the CEO, also will accept a $1 salary. Chrysler’s Robert “Bob” Nardelli is already being paid only $1 a year, according to the Chrysler plan. Mulally had a base salary of $2 million and total compensation of $21.7 million last year, according to the company’s filings. Wagoner received base pay of $1.6 million and total compensation of $14.4 million. Closely held Chrysler does not disclose executive pay.
• Financial restructuring: GM intends to renegotiate its outstanding debt with lenders and bondholders. As of the third-quarter’s close, the firm had more than $30 billion in unsecured debt. GM said it anticipates making all of the roughly $28 billion in payments it owes its suppliers.
• Product streamlining: As part of its cost-cutting efforts, GM suggested that two of its brands – Pontiac and Saturn – could be dropped from its product mix. Pontiac – known in the past for such cars as the Firebird, Trans-Am and GTO – could become a niche brand sold by other dealerships. GM would look for alternatives for dealers of the Saturn, which revolutionized the industry with its no-haggle pricing policies. The company has already said it was considering the sale of its Hummer vehicle line.
• Union concessions: GM intends to seek additional changes in the labor contract it has with the United Auto Workers union – enabling it to modify retiree health care plans and job guarantees the company says it can no longer afford. Money Morning previously reported that national union leaders with all three of the U.S. automakers are planning to hold an emergency meeting in Detroit today (Wednesday).
• New alliances: Chrysler, which a year ago was sold by German automaker Daimler AG (DAI) to the U.S. private equity group Cerberus Capital Management LP, said it remains focused on “developing partnerships, strategic alliances or consolidations” as part of its long-term plans. Chrysler leaders say the firm could save between $3.5 billion and $9 billion a year if it merged with another automaker. GM last month said that it had halted discussions about a possible combination with Chrysler to focus on its own turnaround efforts.
• More hybrids, no corporate jets: Each of the Big Three pledged an accelerated introduction of hybrid vehicles. Ford yesterday promised to put “a family of hybrids, plug-in electric vehicles, and battery-electric vehicles” on sale by 2012, BusinessWeek.com reported. The specific plan calls for a battery-powered electric commercial van in 2010 and a battery-powered retail sedan in 2011. The company is also believed to be developing plug-in versions of its Focus and Fusion cars by 2012-2013. By 2010, Ford said 80% of its investments will be in cars and so-called “crossover” vehicles—as opposed to trucks and SUVs. That’s up from 60% in 2007. Ford and GM also announced plans to get rid of corporate jets. Mulally, Wagoner and Nardelli were all criticized at a House hearing last month – and ridiculed in the media afterwards – when they admitted they had each flown their corporate jets to Washington to ask for rescue money. According to CNNMoney, Ford promised to sell its five corporate jets, while GM vowed to sell four of its seven – and to transfer the leases on the remaining three to another operator. Chrysler spokesman Ed Garsten says Chrysler does not own any private aircraft but instead leases them on an “as-needed” basis. The CEOs apparently learned their lessons well, albeit a bit late: When they return to Washington to beg for the loan money later this week, Mulally and Wagoner will be wheeling hybrid vehicles made by their companies; Nardelli will also drive a hybrid in his return to Capitol Hill, published reports state.

Planning to Stand Tall

The bailout loans aren’t the ultimate answer for the auto companies, however. Indeed, the cash is intended to tide the firms over and buy time for their restructuring plans to take hold and yield results.

With the turnaround plan its leaders have crafted, Ford believes its North American auto operations will be breakeven – or possibly profitable – by 2011, on a pre-tax basis. Ford had previously announced a goal of returning those operations to profitability in the New Year, but dropped that target in May, without providing a new objective.

Ford also said it expects industrywide sales of 12.5 million vehicles in 2009, 14.5 million vehicles in 2010 and 15.5 million vehicles in 2011. That’s well below the industry average of roughly 17 million a year – which was the standard every year from 1998 through the end of 2006. GM and Chrysler submitted plans with far more conservative sales forecasts.

GM said once its restructuring plans are complete, it thinks it can be profitable even if annual vehicle sales only range between 12.5 and 13 million. GM President Frederick A. “Fritz” Henderson said the company’s restructuring plan will make it fully competitive with Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp. (ADR: TM) by 2012.

Chrysler is forecasting a return to profitability with industrywide sales of 13.7 million vehicles in 2011 and 2012.

Those less-aggressive forecasts might be the ones the Big Three wants to concentrate on, for current sales figures have been horrid.

GM said yesterday that light vehicle sales plunged 41% in November, dropping to 153,404 vehicles last month from 261,273 during the same month a year ago. Ford didn’t fare much better, with U.S. sales in November falling 31%. Every line of Ford vehicle posted falling sales, and the company responded by slashing first-quarter North American output by 38% to 430,000 vehicles, Bloomberg reported.

Wagoner has been fuzzy on the company’s goal to cut at least $15 billion in costs, but few options have been ruled out.

GM could further reduce its North American work force. It could eliminate and/or sell one or more of its brands. The primary name on the table is Sweden-based Saab, and the interested buyer is the Swedish government.

Some of its directors say filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection is also an option, though it’s one option that Wagoner has repeatedly said is not on the table, TheStreet.com reported.

So far, GM has asked to delay a $7 billion payment to a union retiree health fund. It returned two of its leased private jets. It stopped running its escalator at 7 p.m. at its headquarters. It stopped buying batteries for hanging wall clocks, eliminated voicemail in plants and consolidated printers and copies. It’s also buying cheaper toilet paper and pencils.

Meanwhile, Ford has pulled back the curtain on nearly all of its plans to hopefully break even by 2011.

In the cost-cutting arena, the company is canceling 2009 bonuses for its managers around the world, as well as for all U.S. employees. Mulally would work for $1 a year if Ford receives a bailout. Ford will continue reducing its dealer and supplier base, estimating it will have 3,790 dealers by end of 2008, Reuters reported.

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Money Morning
http://www.articlesbase.com/investing-articles/that-25-billion-in-loans-americas-big-three-automakers-had-sought-its-now-34-billion-672124.html

Duration : 0:0:30

Technorati Tags: BADISCHE, CHIME, Clock, TANG, TING, wall

You can start as soon as you know just how many family and friends will be guests in your home. You can find all the linen you need, decorate the rooms, and even plan the meals.

In regards to preparing the meals, you may need a few more cooking essentials. Make sure you have items such as cookware, knife sets, dinnerware, flatware, and even various decorations to enhance the beauty of your kitchen. You may wish to purchase specific holiday decorations as well which will ensure that everyone will be a festive mood.

Next, you will need to be sure that you have all the linens you will need for extra family members such as extra blankets, sheets and towel sets. Not only will you need a few extra blankets but you will also want to purchase extra bath items such as soaps, bath sets, tissue holder and more.

Not only will you find everything you need to make your family feel at home, but you can add a few holiday decorating items such as clocks, Christmas lights, or wall plagues to add to the ambience. No matter what you need to decorate your home for holidays, you will be able to find it all on the internet. You can purchase special Christmas items such as snowbuddies, lighting, ornaments, stockings, candles, candleholders, Christmas dinnerware, decorations, along with items for Hanukkah. No matter what you wish to add around your home for this holiday, you are sure to have a great reception with your choice of snowmen, Santa, angels, and more.

The best thing is you can even do your entire gift shopping online. Whether you are shopping for your husband or wife, family or friends, you can find nearly every gift idea imaginable on the internet.

Keep the stress out of your holiday plans by planning early, shopping online and taking time out of your day to rest and relax. All that will be left is the cooking.

Ron Jan Stager
http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/eliminate-stress-during-the-holidays-697326.html

Handing retiring employees a stack of retirement plaques, shaking their hand and waving them out the door is so last century. Today, long-serving employees want retirement gifts that can be used, enjoyed and truly express an employer’s appreciation for their years of service.

So, get out of the rut of handing out boring, old retirement plaques and serving trays. Instead, choose gifts that will not only be memorable, but also used for years to come. For some great retirement gift ideas, keep reading.

The Classic Watch

While a watch isn’t the most original idea for a retirement gift, it’s one that will be appreciated and used for years. A high-quality watch tells an employee that you truly appreciate all their years of service and dedication. It’s also a practical gift.

Remember, when giving a watch as a retirement gift, it’s critical that you don’t choose something too inexpensive. Nothing communicates lack of gratitude like a watch that stops ticking after a few weeks.

The “Experience” Gift

Instead of loading up potentially mobile retirees with gifts and presents that will only clutter their lives, more and more employers are opting for the “experience gift.”

A trip to Europe, a cruise down the Amazon, a weekend spent learning how to skydive, a white water rafting adventure, an incredible night at a beautiful restaurant, an unforgettable spa retreat – these are all great retirement gifts. They also minimize the waste caused by producing, wrapping and shipping hundreds of thousands of plaques that will inevitably wind up in a landfill.

Golf or Country Club Membership

A one-year membership at a local golf club can be a great gift for the retiree who loves to golf – it gives them a place to play that first year away from work and shows you care about the person’s personal interests outside of work.

the Gifts You Should Avoid

As you search for a retirement present, remember that there are a few gifts that should be avoided at all costs. These include anything and everything that is branded with the company logo. They may love working for you, but staring at a wall clock emblazoned with their former work logo isn’t everyone’s idea of an ideal retirement present.

Next, you should avoid giving any gift that’s tied to the work environment. That means desk clocks are out, fancy pens are out, pocket protectors are out and really anything related to work at all should be rejected as an idea. You’re celebrating this person’s next chapter in life, not chaining their memories to their current one.

Last but not least, avoid high cost gifts or discuss them with the employee beforehand. The IRS has restrictions in place that will actually tax certain presents above a certain monetary value, counting them as “bonuses” rather than gifts. And though retirement plaques may be awful, at least they’ll never be taxed.

Having said that, though, don’t do either. Skip the plaques and present a reasonably-priced gift that speaks respectfully of the role this individual has played for years, if not decades.

Trevor Price
http://www.articlesbase.com/management-articles/toss-out-the-plaques-original-retirement-rewards-are-in-style-714588.html