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If you are new to the hobby and haven't acquired a train set, consider putting your own together. Starting in HO or N scale lets you take advantage of the wide range of products available. Start with a locomotive from Athearn, Atlas, Bachmann Spectrum, Kato, Life-Like Proto series, or Stewart. Add fo...

The cybersecurity landscape presents a broad range of potential threats that individuals and organizations alike must navigate. The question of what to be most concerned about in this realm is pertinent. When considering the threat landscape, individuals may find themselves asking the follow...

Even small tasks benefit from efficient planning. Today, we bring you our set of productivity tips. Use these tips to be more productive in your day-to-day life. Stand Up Keep meetings short and on topic by conducting 10- to 15-minute “stand-ups.” Not only do studies find that these sorts of meetin...

Rarely, if ever, do people I meet have the luxury of working at a leisurely pace. There are always countless deadlines and shifting priorities, which all add up to mounting pressure. The issue is not how much you have to do, but how much you have to do that is critical. How do you sort the important from th...

There are times when you will find yourself in competition with questionable businesses. Do not resort to denigrating or smearing them. Instead, try these effective marketing tactics: You can offer a free report detailing things to look for when hiring a ____. In it, describe the unethical fact...

Bonuses should always somehow be related to the main product. Many times you will see people throw on bonuses that are nice, but they don’t focus on the same concept of the main product. It should be something that compliments in some way.

Many people think about starting a small business, often with great ideas. Few people actually go out and do it. It takes a special type of person to be an entrepreneur. It takes a strong desire to succeed. As you build your business, you will need courage, perseverance and a great deal of will power. Yo...

While the topic of door hardware and security isn’t the most glamorous, it is our goal to get it promoted to the “Useful and Necessary” category. Certainly, as a homeowner or business person, the proper selection and maintenance of your doors and locks should be of concern. Rekeying If you move into a...

Even though we seem to be inundated with digital reminders and electronic planners, the traditional calendar still holds a special place in our homes and hearts. It's more than just a way to track dates; it's a canvas for creativity, a collection of memories, and a personal touch in an increasingly i...

When moving into a new home or business location, one might not immediately think about the security risks associated with the existing locks. However, failing to rekey the locks could potentially leave the property vulnerable to unauthorized access. The reason for this lies in the possibility t...

David Sax wrote “The Revenge of Analog” describing some interesting aspects of marketing. He states that customers often discover novel advantages for products. These may seem silly, and definitely were not in the minds of the creators of the products. These unexpected benefits frequently acco...

A new study from real estate website Apartment List found the number super commuters – workers who travel more than 90 minutes to get to work – is growing. How much time do you feel is reasonable for your daily commute? Would you prefer to be able to walk to work? Or do you think a work from home option is bes...

There are some differences in merchandising theory between the neighbourhood grocery store and the sporting goods store down the street. The fact remains that both are merchandised in the same way. Both use an organized and attractive layout to maximize each item's sales potential. These mercha...

Could existing startups and incubators be more aggressive in courting venture capital firms? Should the region form an entity to advocate collectively for startups here? Do you feel the region may have to wait for more startups to locate here, or even wait for local college graduates to create thei...

For any small business, it is important to determine precisely who you will be marketing your services or products to. An efficient business should not waste time or money trying to market to everyone. You must choose a target market that is potentially the best prospect for your business. There are...

The life safety code covers a wide range of situations. Many of them are straightforward and in some cases common sense. But there are some issues you probably wouldn’t consider as code infractions. You need to remember that if there is an exit sign above the door, it MUST be operational and code compl...

The goal of community policing is to build trust and long-term relationships in the community, so crime can be reduced. Instead of a punitive approach, it focuses on preventing problems through mutual respect. Community policing fosters a sense of safety for residents, but it also supports polic...

In discussions with industry leaders like Seth Godin and Clay Hebert (among many others), it has become clear that we are in a Connection Economy. The connection economy rewards value created by building relationships and creating connections, rather than building assets by industrialism. Thi...

Here are three ways to strengthen your business. You can push out the competition by adding new layers to your existing business. 1. Start a cross-promotion with another business You should already be familiar with your market. Itemize the main characteristics of your target audience. Then conta...

Is it finding the money to get started? How important is coming up with a solid business idea and doing a business plan? How hard is it to get all the necessary registrations and licensing done? How do you go about finding and/or hiring staff? What about the problems of physically starting the business...