Business/Careers Articles

1. Employees Are an Untapped Source of Competitive Advantage

Employees are the most important part of any successful business, but in many organizations they are underutilized. Seventy-five percent of American employees have indicated they are not working at their full potential according to a Harris survey. "Although there are a multitude of reasons for this situation, there are three major contributing factors that employers should be aware of,"<... read more

2. Exercise is Vital for Seniors, Too

In a nation obsessed with youth, fitness is equated with taut skin and a toned, well-muscled physique. Yet even the oldest and frailest adults, such as elderly residents of nursing homes, can gain significant health benefits -physically and mentally - from exercise. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), a part of the National Institutes of Health, recent studies involving sedentary... read more

3. Experience the "˜Magic of Christmas' Without the Headaches

There are many things that can spark the Christmas Spirit inside of us -the arrival of cold weather, the smell of cookies baking in the oven, the presence of family are all examples. But nothing seems to trigger the magical feelings of the holiday season quite like holiday decorations. Wreaths, trees, Christmas lights and bows - their unveiling marks a home or business owner's unofficial, ... read more

4. Extend the Outdoor Entertaining Season with Lighting Landscape Lighting Expert Offers Advice for "Lighting Up" the Night

The days are getting shorter and the evenings longer, but there's still plenty of opportunity to entertain outdoors. In fact, proper landscape lighting can create a bold and elegant environment that will keep you and your guests relishing evenings under the autumn skies. "Architectural lighting bathes your property in a warm glow that enhances your home's charm and highlights the most be... read more

5. Fall into a Great Routine for Car Maintenance

Fall is already here and in a short time, winter will be upon us. As you gear up for the colder temperatures, now is a good time to take preventive measures to care for your vehicle. Maintain Your Car's Value and Appearance According to the International Car Wash Association (ICA), regular professional washing and waxing will help maintain your car's appearance as well as its value... read more

6. Filling the Need Gap: Last-Minute College Financing Options Are Still Available

inute College Financing Options Are Still Available (ARA) - After the initial euphoria of college acceptance passes, reality sets in: someone has to pay for it. When financial aid is not enough to cover the cost of college and the start date of school is nearing, more families are turning to alternative financing options. Families should first consider funding options that do not nee... read more

7. Financial Fitness is Just as Important as Physical Fitness Avoid Unpleasant Surprises with a Financial Checkup

It seems like every time you turn around, you're bombarded with information on staying healthy: what to eat, how much to exercise, what vitamins to take, and how much water to drink. Most people try their best to incorporate at least some of this advice into their daily routine because they know that taking preventive measures now means less chance of serious health problems down the road. The ... read more

8. Discovering the Joy of Trees

Trees come in all shapes and sizes-so many that it can be almost impossible to tell them apart. How do you know if you're admiring a red maple or an amur maple, a Colorado blue or an Engelmann spruce? "Helping people enjoy and appreciate trees is very important," says The National Arbor Day Foundation President John Rosenow. "Being able to identify trees is important to knowing how to care for ... read more

9. A New Model for Meeting the Needs of the Rural Elderly A community retirement cooperative seeks to discover community assets

Meeting the needs of the elderly and disabled has reached crisis levels in rural America. As young people leave in larger numbers, rural counties are left with an elderly population, and a shrinking tax base. The elderly and disabled that remain in these communities are facing increasing difficulty finding the care and support they need. A generation ago 70 was considered old, but now the... read more

10. New Law Forces Parents to Rethink Head Lice Treatment Options Parents in California will now have to search for an alternative in battling head lice.

A California law that recently took effect has banned lindane, the commonly prescribed pesticide, because of its link to environmental pollution and concerns about its toxicity. Lindane is prescribed to more than 2 million patients annually for the treatment of head lice and scabies. According to the California State Health Department, lindane has contaminated California sewers and water suppli... read more

11. Get with the Program for Summer Utility Savings

Staying cool this summer doesn't have to mean paying outrageous cooling costs. Fortunately, there are ways to beat the heat and save on your cooling bills. "One of the simplest ways to save energy and cut your cooling bill is to install a programmable thermostat to automatically change your home's temperature based on your schedule and lifestyle. Studies show a programmable thermostat can save... read more

12. Grandparents Hold Key to Keeping Teens Drug-Free

ree (ARA) - Today's grandparents do much more than bake cookies. Forty-four percent of grandparents see a grandchild every week and 45 percent of grandparents talk weekly or more with their grandchildren. According to a national survey conducted in conjunction with the 2000 Census, there are 2 million grandparent-headed homes with children under 18 and another 3.2 million grandparents liv... read more

13. Grocery Store China Still Popular

Family heirlooms come in many guises. For some, it is their Grandmother's cookie jar, for others a treasured piece of furniture, and for many others, the family china holds a place in their hearts. "I love my china," says Susan Durrell. "It is very special to me." She fondly describes the pattern as white with green flowers and yellow flower baskets. "It's really pretty," she a... read more

14. Hard Economic Times, Expensive Gas & Oil Prices

No Problem "¦ Scooters Offer A New Inexpensive, Ecologically Friendly Way to Travel (ARA) - People of all ages are zipping around towns and cities on scooters these days. Back in the early 1960's, scooters were considered merely a toy for boys to get around their immediate neighborhoods before they had a license. Yet today, scooters have transcended the sexual divide and are now being u... read more

15. Helping Kids Beat the Back-to-School Blues Boys and Girls Clubs of America Provides Tips Every Parent Can Use

o-School Blues Boys and Girls Clubs of America Provides Tips Every Parent Can Use (ARA) - It seems just like yesterday that the school bell rang and classes were dismissed for the summer. But already, parents everywhere are beginning to panic because of the annual battles they will face trying to get their kids excited about the school year. This may be a parent's worst nightmare, bu... read more

16. Take Control of Diabetes by Avoiding these 5 Common Mistakes

If you are one of the 17 million people in the United States who has diabetes, you know that careful monitoring of your blood sugar and ongoing treatment are critical to your health. By keeping your blood sugar as close to normal as possible, you can lower the risk of the long-term problems that can occur in patients with diabetes. Here are some common mistakes to avoid as you strive for c... read more

17. Take Control of PMS

Results from a new national survey conducted by iVillage and the National Association for Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) show that symptoms associated with a woman's menstrual cycle such as irritability, moodiness and anxiousness can have an alarmingly negative impact on her relationships with the people she cares about most - her partner, family members and friends. In fact, 68 pe... read more

18. Take the Guesswork Out of Choosing Home Medical Equipment Tips from an Occupational Therapist Aid in Remaining Independent in Your Own Home

The task of remaining independent despite injury, illness or even aging is something seniors are faced with on a daily basis. Whether in-home medical supplies are needed permanently - or just temporarily - accepting and addressing certain physical limitations can be frightening and confusing. Additionally, the anxiety of choosing and purchasing in-home medical equipment can often add to a senior’... read more

19. Tennis Tips from Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick can blaze a serve at over 150 MPH, but his true success is rooted in the fundamentals of the game. Whether you're a beginner just taking up the sport, or an occasional player looking to improve, here are a few winning tips from the tennis champion for new and returning players of all ages and abilities. Equipment - What's great about tennis is that all you need is a tennis ra... read more

20. The Economics of School Supplies Parents Can Use School Shopping to Teach Budgeting Skills

From paper and pens to notebooks and backpacks, there's no shortage of items for parents to spend money on. This annual rite of fall is the perfect opportunity for parents to teach their kids about the fundamentals of budgeting. "With teens making budgeting and purchasing decisions alongside their parents, the act of school shopping helps build openness with money issues," says Diana Don, Direct... read more

21. The Next Best Thing to a Holiday Elf

Americans are messier during the holidays. According to a national survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation nearly half of Americans (42 percent) claim the number of spills in their homes increase during the holidays. In fact, more than one third of us (39 percent) will lose an entire serving from our holiday dinner, and that is before it ever makes it to the table! Between spilled food,... read more

22. The Sudden Surge for Clean Drinking Water

The issue of water quality and healthy drinking water has become increasingly important in the United States. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are growing numbers of activities that can contaminate drinking water such as improperly disposed of chemicals, wastes injected underground and naturally occurring substances. The EPA has established standards for more than... read more

23. Tips for Attracting More Birds to Your Feeder

Ever wonder why some backyards seem to naturally attract more colorful birds to the feeder? Chances are that it didn't just happen. The homeowner probably followed a few basic steps to make sure the birds weren't attracted to the feeder just once, but again and again. Selecting the right food * Be sure to read package labels carefully to determine the exact ingredients of the bird food you p... read more

24. Tips for a Successful Garden

With spring fast approaching, it's time to decide what you would like to do with your garden. Seed catalogs conjure visions of beautiful bouquets around your home, their sweet fragrances permeating every room. Your appetite is whetted for meals prepared with homegrown vegetables. But how can you best prepare that plot of soil behind your house to help make your garden grow? Remove Debrisread more