3Dec
The Wildcat Wildcat

The Bobcat is an extraordinary feline. A highly adaptable North American bobcat, the Bobcat has managed to survive in healthy numbers in a variety of habitats, consuming a diverse spectrum of prey, in both wild and inhabited regions. Classified in the genus Lynx, the bobcat (Lynx Rufus) is generally considered a more successful hunter than the Canada lynx, and is perhaps the best medium-sized predator on the continent.

Twice the size of a domestic cat, the bobcat weighs between fifteen and thirty pounds and is typically three to four feet long. Males are generally larger. Size among subspecies is generally subject to terrain, with bobcats in open northern regions being larger than their southern counterparts. The coat is usually tan in color with a series of dark stripes that help the cat to camouflage itself. The characteristic feature is its small tail (up to half a foot long) which gives it the ‘bobbed’ appearance, responsible for the species name. Unlike other lynx cats, the Bobcat’s tail has a white underside with a stubby black tip, which distinguishes the cat. Despite being a small cat, the Bobcat is quite muscular and its strong, proportionately long hind legs allow it to generate tremendous speed limits, reaching up to 30mph!

With their keen senses, extreme agility, and amazing strength, bobcats are great hunters, capable of bringing down animals three times their size. Prey animals for this cunning opportunistic hunter include insects, rodents, birds, fish, squirrels, rabbits, and even deer. Sometimes it can hunt even foxes, small dogs and domestic cats. The usual hunting technique is to stalk the animal and allow it to come within twenty to ten meters while the cat is crouching in wait. The chase then ensues and the prey is brought down with its sharp retractable claws. The cat then bites into the animal’s neck, skull, or chest to kill it. In the case of a large prey animal, Bobcat covers it with leaves or debris to return to it over the next few days to feed. Hunting time is usually dusk and dawn, with the cat roaming freely for several miles in its range at night. Despite its cute appearance, the bobcat is a very ferocious animal and is capable of terrifying snarls and snarls, fooling many into believing its sounds are those of a mountain lion.

Solitary like most cats, Bobcats come together during mating. The female is the sole mother and produces three to four kittens after a gestation period of almost two months, although not all kittens reach adulthood in the wild. Life expectancy is almost twelve years in the wild and more than twenty years in captivity. The main threats include parasites, human hunters, and automobiles.

Despite voracious hunting by humans over the past few decades, the great adaptability of bobcats has allowed them to survive in the wild. In fact, its success as a species can be measured by the fact that, despite the great value placed on its fur in history, it is still not considered vulnerable as a species by international wildlife bodies. Its unique survival instincts have even allowed it to carve out a niche for itself even in urban areas, becoming a constant threat, due to its great stealth and climbing abilities, to farms and pets. The best idea would be to stay indoors to avoid the wildcats. Other alternatives include keeping a dog locally (bobcats have been known to be hunted and chased through trees by dogs) and notifying local wildlife officials. Remember it’s not an interspecies conflict like it is with big cats, when bobcats prey on domestic cats, it’s just that domestic cats are on the menu for these crafty predators in urban settings!
3Dec
Why a beachfront home for sale is a good investment

Beachfront property is immune to most market trends, and for good reason. Lavish summers can be spent on a lake or river, promising family bonding time and reduced stress. The houses and cabins for the whole year are more and more frequent. They can also be converted into permanent residences that promote privacy and communion with nature. An oceanfront home for sale is rarely on the market for very long and interested buyers should take advantage of it.

Privacy

Privacy is an increasingly valuable commodity. With lakefront property, you can get real privacy. The distance between the houses and the dense foliage muffles the sound, allowing the owner to appreciate his thoughts and conversations with friends and family. With limited space for development, no houses will arise between the property and the water’s edge, resulting in a clear view of the water. A waterfront home for sale is also likely to have a private dock, or at least intimate walking access to the shoreline.

fun water activities

Water activities are a great way to bond with family and friends. The water presents a wide range of options for fun, such as fishing, skiing, swimming and boating, among others. Many of these activities cannot be replicated on land and give the emotion of being unique. Even simple activities, like reading a favorite book while sipping a cup of coffee, suddenly become mystical when combined with a sunset over a lake.

Limited resources

Substantial property directly on a body of water is rare and priced accordingly. They hold their value, especially when compared to housing fluctuations in the city, and can be sold at almost any time if necessary. When not in use, renting out cabins can bring you big profits. Owning a beachfront property requires a certain amount of upkeep. However, a home for sale in a desirable area can be a great family experience, as well as a smart investment.

closeness to nature

While this depends on the area, lakes and rivers are a natural habitat for a large number of wildlife. You can bird watch from the dock, fish for sport or food, catch the occasional appearance of deer or owl, and experience an intimate moment with nature that a city can’t duplicate. Of course, having a fully functioning home means you can enjoy nature on your individual terms, which is especially important in humid weather and at night.

health benefits

Many studies have shown that spending time near water has immediate health benefits. For those who have spent time around or in the water, this should come as no surprise. Spending time at the lake creates a serene atmosphere that reduces stress. For those used to living in a city, clean air and reduced noise and light pollution will be a welcome change.
3Dec
How To Make A Killing In The Expert Industry

The term “industry experts” was coined by Brendon Burchard in his book The Millionaire Messenger. Brendon is one of the leading figures in the expert industry. His Millionaire Messenger was #1 on Amazon’s bestseller list for 40 weeks and catapulted the author to the top of the industry.

Brendon then launched the now defunct Expert Industry Association and the hugely successful “The Expert Academy” and “High Performance Academy”, becoming an instant sensation. Oprah describes him as “One of the most successful online coaches ever.”

But how did the self-help industry get started? The terms expert industry, self-help, self-help, personal development, self-improvement, personal growth, self-improvement, and information marketing are used interchangeably today.

The industry has become more and more known as the expert industry of late because, according to Brendon Burchard, “it’s where the experts operate.”

The term self-help (also used without a hyphen) was the term first used to describe the industry and was coined by Samuel Smiles, a Scottish physician, in 1859. However, the term (self-help) is now considered derogatory due to the variety of snake oil salesmen or charlatans who prowl, online and offline, looking for someone to unleash their bogus products and cures on.

Sacramentochiropractic.com, points out that the origins of self-help go back to the book “The Constitution of Man,” written by a Victorian phrenologist, George Combe, in 1828. It was followed, according to them, by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Compensation of Man.” ” in 1841.

Citing market research.com, Iulia-Cristina Uta shared the information that “the self-improvement market was worth $9.9 billion in 2016 and is estimated to grow to $13.2 billion by 2022, with average annual earnings of 5.6%. “. That’s a total growth rate of 33.33%, which means there’s room for any determined soul to jump.

In her article on brandminds.ro and quoting Niels Eek, a psychologist, Iulia-Cristina Uta shed a clear light on what the industry is all about. She stated: “Self-improvement is about consciously identifying and developing one or more facets of your life. From an entrepreneur’s perspective, self-improvement often involves some form of mental training, but it can mean anything from practicing the stress management to a worthwhile goal. Professionals are often interested in learning things like time management techniques (to better prioritize tasks) and increasing productivity without compromising mental well-being.”

The self-improvement market is vast and covers a wide variety of products and services, ranging from books, e-books, online courses, training programs, webinars, “academies”, “universities”, “masterminds”, classes keynotes, conferences and mobile applications according to brandminds.ro.

Taking the digital angle, Hazel Davi, guest blogger at virgin.com, cited several sources and research findings pointing to the fact that millennials are the most motivated to engage in personal development compared to other age groups.

Writing under the headline “What does self-improvement look like in the digital age?” he stated: “Millennials love self-improvement, whether it’s learning to be an inspirational leader or change maker, programming for beginners, or leaning on – Apparently they can’t get enough.”

Since its inception in 1859, the industry has become unstoppable with thousands of “gurus” selling their wares to anyone who wants to read, listen, watch, try, and buy. When asked if he was a “guru”, Peter Drucker said: “The term charlatan was too hard to pronounce, so someone invented the word guru.”

In that sense, marketresearch.com has this to say: “Consumers are realizing that there are many so-called ‘experts’ now selling a variety of ‘masterminds’, ‘academies’, ‘universities’ and research services.” online training. Too many, in fact. As a result, gurus are trying to figure out how to cut through the clutter while consumers are trying to identify legitimate, competent experts.”

The United States is unique in that it is the only country in the world that I know of where an entire month is set aside for self-help. According to sacramentochiropractic.com, September is National Self-Improvement Month in the United States. According to the blog, “It’s a time to reflect on your life, set new goals, and take steps to make personal changes to achieve the life you really want.” Is it any wonder that the United States is the world’s center of gravity for self-help?

Is it any wonder that the biggest names in the industry in the English-speaking world are all American? The following 20 living and dying legends come easily to mind, in no particular order: Napoleon Hill, Jay Abraham, W. Clement Stone, Jack Canfield,

Dale Carnegie, Mark Victor Hanson, Jim Rohn, Tony Robbins, Charlie “Tremendous” Jones, Marcia Weider, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, Joe Polish, Deepak Chopra, Gary Vaynerchuk, Zig Ziglar, Tim Ferriss, Les Brown, Peter Diamandis, Brian Tracy, Brendon Burchard.

In the English-speaking world, no two people have made a bigger impact on the self-improvement industry than Sir Richard Branson and Oprah Winfrey. But they belong to a special class of their own, the billionaire class.

Branson’s business empire spans the globe and he always finds time to motivate the next generation. His book, How I Lost My Virginity, is a perennial classic on motivation.

Oprah is not far behind. Her de ella OWN de ella (Oprah Winfrey Network) and The Oprah Winfrey Show attract millions worldwide. Get her book from Oprah’s Book Club and you’ll be set for a lifetime. Such is the brand mogul Oprah.

According to webwire.com, the self-help industry was worth $11 billion in the US in 2019. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry is growing even more in 2020 as the explosive growth of the services of online webinar companies like ZOOM, Webinar Jam, and Microsoft Teams illustrate. The future of the industry has never been brighter.

The dollar value of the various segments of the self-help industry in 2019, according to marketresearch.com, quoted in brandminds.ro, was as follows:

• Self-help audiobooks: $769 million

• Self-improvement books – $800 million

• Self-improvement applications: $27 million

• Personal coaching services: $1 billion in the US.

• Motivational Speakers: $1 billion per year combined

To make a killing in the self-help industry and join the long list of millionaires, you must choose a niche and set up shop. If you know your onions and choose the right strategies, you can make a killing within a year or two.

The Internet has made self-help available to anyone with something of value to overcome. In fact, with a laptop, an Internet connection, and a message or product the market is hungry for, you can create an impact at breakneck speed and dance all the way to the bank.

The key to success is to identify a lucrative niche that matches your expertise. Here are the top nine niches according to marketresearch.com:

1. Infomercials

2. Audiobooks

3. Self-improvement books

4. Self-improvement applications

5.Personal training

6. Motivational Speakers

7. Weight loss programs

8. Public Seminars

9. Holistic institutes and training companies

I first came across the self-help industry about 30 years ago. Brian Tracy’s motivational tape whetted my appetite. Around the same time, I came across Jay Abraham’s “12 Pillars of Business Success.” That led me to “Success Magazine”, and later to “Excellence Magazine”. It wasn’t long before I stumbled across Tony Robbins’ best-selling books “Unlimited Power” and “Awaken The Giant Within.” I’ve never looked back.

While the industry as we know it today “officially” took off in 1859 with the publication of Samuel Smiles’ book, Self-Help, which sold 250,000 copies, motivating people with public speaking dates back to ancient times.

As Adlai Stevenson once alluded: “When Cicero addressed the crowds in ancient Rome, the people said: ‘great speech.’ When Demosthenes spoke to the crowds in ancient Greece and the people looked at each other, they said: ‘ We’re going to march.'”

So self-help goes back at least 2,400 years. However, it really took off with a bang with the advent of newspapers, radio, television, and now the Internet. There is no better time than now to jump into the expert industry and make a fortune. With a free 90-minute webinar, you could win $10,000 before the webinar ends. Isn’t it worth a try?
3Dec
When Hawks Could Fly: The Harley-Davidson Tri-Hawk

Yes, the legendary maker of the classic Harley-Davidson motorcycle, long past its 100th anniversary, has sold a car…well, sort of.

For many years, in addition to their lighter Big Twin cruisers and Sportsters. Harley-Davidson made three-wheelers in the form of utility and police “trikes,” but they were Barney Rubble lumps compared to the lean Mirage Fighter look of the short-lived but fast-paced Tri-Hawk circa 1984. Chances are you didn’t ogle one in the showroom of your local Harley dealer because they appeared only briefly, being blamed on a marketing miscalculation and quickly deselected from the Milwaukee lineup.

The two-passenger Tri-Hawk had already been in limited production before Motor Factory decided to take it on ostensibly to fill an exotic niche that had no name. The previous year, HD had struck a deal with Austrian company Rotax for racing engine and gearbox units intended for 500cc short-track racing, so perhaps it was in this euphoria of internationalism that Milwaukee opted for a three-wheeled machine powered by a French-made four-cylinder Citroën. And yes, “Citroen” seems to loosely translate to “lemon.” But this lightweight, knife-edged bird of prey wasn’t a bit of sour citrus.

Decades earlier, the fuel-saving, though quirky, German Messerschmidt “car” is a recycled part of a Luftwaffe fighter plane, had carried two passengers across post-World War II Germany. Since then, all sorts of other motorcycle-powered three-wheeled car/bicycle hybrids have been born in Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory, but none have caught on. In the early ’80s, the Tri-Hawk appeared at a time when experimenters were again looking for alternative designs and better weight-to-weight ratio options. The Tri-Hawk was a product of this enthusiasm, the design conjured up by race car engineer Robert McKee while sportsman millionaire Lou Richards was financing the project heavily. The finished product was assembled in a small plant located in a beach town called Dana Point that basks in the Southern California sunshine between Los Angeles and San Diego. The 1,299 cubic-inch air-cooled flat-four rode in the front while the frame and suspension echoed McKee’s race car expertise. Again borrowing from French technology, the builders incorporated a hydraulic braking system made by Renault.

Weighing in at 1,300 lbs. and producing 80 horsepower through a 5-speed transaxle transmission, the Tri-Hawk has what might be called “exciting performance characteristics.” It wasn’t shy in the exhaust note department either, a growling Formula One ecstasy coming out of the pipes.

If you wanted to buy a Tri-Hawk in the fall of 1984 at the time of Harley-Davidson’s takeover of the company, you had to shell out $12,000 that would only buy about two-thirds of a Big Twin today. Back then, 12K seemed like a lot for a vehicle with no roof and just three wheels. However, it had appeal and substance, both in performance and in the looks department. Could, should have… but Factory’s game plan was lacking in the area of ​​infrastructure to support sales. Milwaukee decided not to sell them through its dealers, leaving only the factory in Dana Point and three other franchises to sell the Tri-Hawk…not exactly universal availability and no Super Bowl ads in the way of promotion. Even then, only about eleven Tri-Hawks were leaving the factory nest on a monthly basis, again not exactly flying out of the assembly gate into the waiting arms of the motoring public. So, like many endangered species, the Tri-Hawk died not of intrinsic design flaws, but of neglect.

Simply put, the Tri-Hawk is a smartly designed and earnestly built sport machine that shares much of the adrenaline-producing qualities of the Cobra’s eyeball-sucking performance and agile handling of the Lotus car, but with licenses from motorcycling and insurance benefits, plus a bit of jet hunting. pulled in. It could carry two in relative comfort and safety thanks to the integral roll bar and seat belts. And you didn’t need to know French to drive one. They weren’t finicky or temperamental, they gave good gas mileage, and they were easy to park. And in the curves, big Beemers and Benzes had breakfast. Today, $12,000 seems like a bargain, except the last Tri-Hawk this author knows of sold for $25,000. You could catch it near Los Angeles flying around the Malibu canyons piloted by a guy with a big smile.
3Dec
How to make your car masculine

If your car looks a bit feminine, there are many modifications you can do to give it a more masculine touch. Making your car more masculine will give you confidence when you pick up your date and make you enjoy it much more when you’re riding alone. Below are some ideas on how to make your car macho.

  • Change the tires: Adding custom rims to your wheels will definitely give your car a manly personality. Not only do they make your car look really cool, but they also help your car’s traction and steering. Take a car with custom wheels for a ride and you will definitely feel the difference. Most wheels come in the standard colors of silver, gray, chrome, or black. But you can also get custom colors like white, gold or blue. If you really want to turn heads, get caster wheels that spin even after the car has stopped moving.

  • Get custom car seat covers: This is another great way to add the masculine personality you’re looking for to your car. You can get solid colors like black, brown, or tan in fabric, or you can get cute leather covers if you can splurge a little more. You can also personalize your car seat covers by adding your initials or an embroidered design somewhere on the side of the cover. They also come in two colors such as tan and black or red and black. An added benefit of having car seat covers is that they protect your seats from dirt and other debris, making it easier to clean your car. Since they prevent food and drinks from getting trapped inside the seat cushions, seat covers keep your car smelling fresh for longer. They also make an excellent gift for any man in your family or office.

  • Get a steering wheel cover: A thick black or brown leather steering wheel cover will definitely add a bit of masculinity to your car. There are many options when it comes to steering wheel covers. You can get them in leather, suede, polyester, or a soft fabric like shearling. The most popular colors among men are black and brown, but they also make custom steering wheel covers with different logos. You can get a cover with the logo of your favorite sports team. And you don’t have to stop there. You can also get matching mats. There’s no way your car could be considered girly with all these accessories.
3Dec
What makes a good instant messaging app like Whatsapp and Messenger?

Chat businesses are moving towards a more stable and focused form of messaging platform. Racing to make the platform effective, satisfying, and virtuous, VCs are looking for a chat software package that makes connections more convenient, timely, and timely. Today’s popular chat apps like Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, Viber, Google Hangouts and others are gaining ground in an impressive way and promise to offer real competition in the future.

After this series of correlated chat app releases, today’s businesses are looking forward to launching their own native chat platform and are looking for an evolution in timing of this new incarnation. To keep businesses from faltering, here we have compiled a list of the most important features and functionalities that make for an ideal social messaging app like Whatsapp, Facebook, Messenger, and others.

The list of must-have features of a Messenger app:

1. User registration

Add a layer of security so that any user can access the application’s features. Verification can be in the form of email id or mobile phone number.

2. Profile update

A feature that allows users to add a profile picture, status, email id, etc.

3. Chatbots

Chatbots, the conversational AI humans, are designed to work on chat platforms and give human-like responses.

4. End-to-end encryption

Protect your chats with end-to-end encryption, which means no third party can read or listen to them. Only the sender and recipient involved in the conversation can understand them.

5. Cloud sync

Offer your users to backup their images, documents, audio and video to Google Drive.

6. Push notifications

Inform your users about the messages or photos they receive via push notifications without even opening the chat.

7. Instant messaging

The main backbone of the app is instant messaging that allows people to send messages in real time.

8. Group talks

This feature allows its users to chat with groups of friends, family, and colleagues all in one place.

9. Transmission of messages

Message broadcasting allows users to send a message to several of their saved contacts at once.

10. Voice recording

Voice Recorder allows its user to record their voice using a microphone directly in the personal chat of the application.

11. Read receipts

A delivery signal confirms delivery of the message to the recipient’s application and confirms that the recipient received and read it.

12. Message forwarding

This feature allows the user to forward the message to their selected contacts.

13.Share button

The Share button allows the user to share the message on the same or different application platforms.

14. Online/Offline Status

Online/offline event detection, allows user connections to know if the user is online or offline.

15. History records

The history log contains information about previous chats and the status of the system.

16. Audio call and video call

Give your users a free easy to use video calling/voice calling app.

17. Videoconference

A video conference is a live visual connection between two or more people residing in separate locations.

18.Send Attachments

Through this, your users can share attachments like gallery images, contacts, audio, camera, documents, location, etc.

19. Emoticons and smileys

An emoticon is a typographic display of a facial representation, used to convey emotion in a text-only medium. Supporting your app with emoticons can help recipients easily understand the expression or mood.

20. Geographic location

Allow your users to share their live location in real time with friends in your contact list.

WhatsApp and Snapchat were the first companies to emerge in this sector and offer great communication services to their customers. The new generation of cat apps created by big companies can stand on your shoulders as you take your app to the next level. Typically, the best instant messaging app development companies have expert designers and mobile app developers that offer an experience as close to real-life, in-person communications as possible.
3Dec
What appliances can be vented through a chimney liner?

Any appliances you have that burn fuel should be vented to the outside of your home. This can be done through a chimney liner, which is the material on the inside of your chimney flue that holds the products of combustion from your appliance until they are vented out the top of the chimney. Fuel burning appliances that must be vented include wood stoves, wood fireplace inserts, fireplaces, gas furnaces and furnaces, and gas water heaters. If you use gas in your kitchen for cooking, you should also have a fan-driven vent to collect cooking fumes and products of combustion from your stove burners for exhaust outside your home.

It is common for gas-powered appliances to be vented directly through a metal tube leading to a roof vent, but they can also be vented by piping the exhaust gases into a duct up the chimney. Exhaust gases from fuel burning appliances are corrosive due to the presence of water and carbon dioxide, along with other impurities, in the products of combustion, so it is essential that your chimney or vent pipe is made of a material that can withstand this acid environment. Older homes with brick or masonry chimneys often do not have linings inside the flues, but rely on the integrity of the bricks and lining (mortar) to prevent noxious gases and corrosive liquids from penetrating the walls. from the chimney and seep into the attached structure. Such chimneys should be inspected periodically. If damage is found due to corrosive gases, water, structural sedimentation, chimney fires, or other causes, you should repair your chimney and line the flues with a waterproof material to prevent further damage.

There are several materials that are commonly used to build fireplace surrounds. These include special mortar mixes, clay tiles, and metals, including stainless steel and aluminum. The type of chimney liner you should install depends on the type of appliance that will be venting into the flue. Clay tile liners or poured mortar liners are suitable for most fireplace applications. For appliances that run on natural gas or oil, a metal liner is best. Flexible aluminum liners are inexpensive, but should only be used with low-efficiency gas appliances. The exhaust gases from these appliances are hot enough to keep the evaporated combustion products out of the home, so their corrosive properties do not quickly damage aluminum siding. However, for a high-efficiency gas-fired furnace or other appliance, the chimney lining or vent pipe must be constructed of a special stainless steel alloy that is highly resistant to corrosion. The high efficiency of these appliances means that most of the heat generated by them is delivered to the house, rather than going up the chimney, so the flue gases are much cooler going up the ventilation system and, therefore, they are likely to condense on the siding surfaces. before they run out abroad. This constant corrosive exposure will wear away aluminum or masonry siding and greatly shorten its useful life. Many wood stoves and wood burning fireplaces are designed for use with stainless steel liners of the diameter specified by the manufacturer.
3Dec
Does Webflow Expert Have a Future?

Webflow Expert Have a Future

Developing a website with Webflow is a great way to create an attractive, scalable website for your business. The platform is professional, easy to use, and offers lots of customization opportunities. It also comes with a Content Management System that makes it easy for you to edit your content and customize the look of your website. However, you need to know the right steps to create a website on Webflow.

A good webflow expert designer will help you manifest your brand identity into your website design. They will help you choose a theme that works well for your business, and they will help you create an effective layout. They will also help you monitor your site’s performance and update it regularly to ensure you are getting the most out of your site.

Webflow offers free priority support to help you resolve any problems with your website. If you have a website that isn’t performing as well as you want it to, you can use the platform’s free 301 redirects to redirect your old pages to search engine-friendly pages. This also helps keep you from receiving 404 error pages. Webflow’s sitemaps can be integrated with many analytics software’s, and are a great way to track your site’s performance. They can also be used for SEO purposes.

Does Webflow Expert Have a Future?

Webflow has launched a new directory of Experts. The Experts can be searched based on a number of criteria. The platform will match the Experts with prospective clients based on their needs. It will also allow the prospective client to submit preferences and filter Experts by their desired criteria. You can also contact Experts through the directory.

Experts are also able to tell you when they are available and can update their availability at any time. If you’re a prospective client, you can view their profile and contact them directly. It is important to ensure the information on your Experts’ profile is up to date. It can also be helpful to get a quote before you hire an Expert.

Experienced Webflow designers will know how to make your website unique and will also be able to keep it updated. You can also save yourself time and money by hiring a professional to make your website. They will be able to complete your project much more quickly and effectively.

Webflow Experts can help you make the most of your website, and will help you increase your client base. Whether you are building a small or large-scale website, an Expert can help you create the website you’ve always dreamed of. A great design can help you drive more revenue and increase your click-through-rate. An experienced designer will help you stay on top of your competition, and will use metrics to make sure your site stays in the right lane.

Webflow has made it easy to create a website, but you need to know the right steps to make it look great and perform well. It is also a good idea to find an Expert who knows how to use all of the features of Webflow.
2Dec
Ten obstacles to effective internal consulting

10 obstacles to success

How to avoid the pitfalls that can arise when transforming your internal services function into a consulting organization.

In our experience working with our clients, we have found that dealing with the following ten hurdles was critical to successfully transitioning from an in-house service provider to an in-house consulting practice. This is true whether it is a function in Human Resources, IT, Project Management, Finance or Corporate Groups.

Introduction

Imagine human resource professionals within an organization serving as master marketers, able to sell their ideas, plans, and programs to leaders who support them. They see themselves as internal consultants and their bosses as clients, both aligned on common goals. They deftly understand the needs of their leaders and can translate all of their proposed initiatives into business value.

It sounds too good to be true? Well, all it takes is a new model: shift your internal service professionals into an internal consulting role. As a team, internal consultants are already familiar with the company’s strategy, processes, internal operations, and needs. Whether in human resources, information technology or finance, they add value to the business by continually adapting their products and services. Meanwhile, the intellectual capital of each project stays within the company.

Avoid obstacles on the way to success

When working with professionals who want to become internal consultants, I hear two main concerns:

a) How do you work differently with clients?

Y

b) Our organization may not be ready.

It is true that if the organization does not understand the new role of the consultant and its benefits, or if those at the top do not support the new role, it is almost impossible to move forward. To help ensure your company is well positioned for a shift to internal consulting, I’ve identified the top ten obstacles to becoming an internal consultant.

Pitfall #1: Confused Purpose and Strategy

The worst that can happen is that the team doesn’t have a clear direction for the change and doesn’t understand how it connects to business goals. Learn why you’re moving to an internal consulting model, the resulting benefits to the team and organization, and the plan for how you’ll get there. In short, build the case for action.

Questions to ask

How clear are you about why you are moving to a consulting model? Are you and your team able to articulate the change and how does it align with the business strategy? Can you describe the rationale and benefits to your customers?

Obstacle number 2: Senior management is not engaged or visible

As with any change effort, if top management is not committed, willing and able to visibly support the change, it is doomed to fail. Make sure senior management is on board and supports you. Work with senior leaders to help them understand the benefits of the change to the organization and its goals, and describe their role in supporting the change in terms of behavior. Think about what they need to say, do and acknowledge to support the change.

Questions to ask

How visible is senior management support for becoming a consulting organization? Are they able to describe the benefits of the change for the entire organization? Do they know their role and what are the key messages for change? Do they know what to say, do and reinforce (acknowledge) to support the change?

Obstacle number 3: neglecting the team

Internal consultants build credibility by their ability to consistently deliver. Know the skill and experience level of the team and provide development where needed. Make sure the team has the ability and willingness to function as internal consultants.

Questions to ask

Do all team members have a development plan? Are team members clear about their roles? How will the team be organized? By portfolio, skill, client?

Obstacle number 4: absence of a marketing plan

Without a marketing plan, it’s hard to know how your customers define success and which products and services add the most value. A marketing plan helps you define your value proposition and develop measures for success. Write a marketing plan that clarifies what your customers want and how they define value. Make sure you have defined your value proposition and the ultimate benefits of your products and services in terms of the customer.

Questions to ask

What are your key products and services and how do they add value for your customers? What is your core value proposition? Can you link this to your clients’ business? Have you identified key performance metrics? How will you measure performance?

Obstacle number 5: Lack of early success

Developing a consulting practice can be daunting. Early in the process, identify wins by identifying successful behaviors and outcomes for the team and organization. Look to the leaders in the organization who support you and with whom you can work. Work with those leaders who understand what you are trying to do and support you. Build trust and show the organization the benefits of the consulting role by working with these managers. Communicate these victories.

Questions to ask

Have you identified quick wins? Do you know where the support for your project is in the organization and which managers support you? Have you worked with your team to develop quick wins that can be communicated and used to build momentum?

Obstacle number 6: the organization is not ready

You have given yourself the luxury of reading, studying, thinking and planning. To you, the benefits and purpose of building an in-house consulting organization are pretty clear. But remember, the organization hasn’t had the same preparation and may not see the benefits as clearly as you do. Note that the organization will not immediately accept the new HR role. It will take time and success. To get started, take quick profits to prove the value of your strategy. Build credibility. You don’t have to turn the tables on the naysayers; consulting success with support managers will create a positive effect and help move the organization forward.

Questions to ask

Have you developed a change plan for the project? Does the plan include a sponsorship plan? Do you know who in the organization supports your project and who does not? Do you have risk strategies?

Obstacle number 7: Lack of a disciplined process

Without a consistent approach, it’s hard for your team and your clients to build positive working relationships. A consulting approach allows both the consultant and the client to see how they will work together and come to an agreement on the process and the results. Use a disciplined and planned consulting approach to working with your clients. Be sure to identify clear results and deliverables.

Questions to ask

Has your team developed/identified a consulting process or approach? Is this approach consistently used to deliver services? Are your customers clear about the process?

Obstacle number 8: lack of accountability

As a service provider in the organization, you appear on the cost side of the general ledger. Be sure to develop metrics that are meaningful to your role, your team, and the goals of the organization. Develop a scorecard for the consulting organization so you can see areas for improvement and communicate value effectively with the business.

Questions to ask

Have you developed an internal consulting skills scorecard? Do you know your critical measures and have you set meaningful goals?

Obstacle number 9: disconnected from the business

The barrier for many internal service providers is that they are not the core business of the organization and cannot communicate the benefit of their business role as applied to the organization’s goals. Therefore, unless RR. HR, IT, and finance may be the organization’s core business, it must help the company understand how becoming a consulting organization will serve the company’s goals and purposes. As business partners, internal consultants draw on their expertise to meet the needs of the organization.

To be seen as supporting overall business objectives, they must have knowledge and understanding of the business. Identify your value proposition.

Questions to ask

Can you communicate the value of a consulting model in terms of business interests? Are you able to articulate your value proposition in terms of benefits for your customers? Can your customers articulate your value? What metrics are used to measure its value? What is your performance plan?

Obstacle number 10: lack of communication

Organizations are complex entities. Communication is not only difficult, it is essential to the success of any business. Don’t assume managers know what you and your team are doing. The best managers I’ve ever worked with were excellent communicators, keeping their bosses and clients informed about what they were doing, and constantly telling the story of how their team added value to the business. Communication is not about information. It is a behavior change. Provide success stories to senior leaders sponsoring the internal consulting project. Let them know that their support is working and that you appreciate their efforts.

Questions to ask

Does your change plan have a communication strategy and plan? How do you communicate the success of the project to the organization? How do you involve key stakeholders in the communication plan? What behaviors does the communication plan support? Remove?

Summary

By avoiding these top 10 pitfalls, internal consultants can lay the foundation for a successful value-based consulting relationship aligned with their “customers.” We hope these 10 Roadblocks to Success in Running an Internal Consulting Organization have helped you think through the factors that need to be considered and planned for in this venture.
2Dec
Yoga for the little ones: babies and parents reap the benefits of yoga

I was recently talking to a mom-to-be about yoga for kids. She mentioned that she would be interested in learning more in a couple of years once her oldest daughter is in preschool. I asked him, “Why wait? Even babies can do yoga.” She was completely amazed. I told her that she had done yoga with my children and that I recommend it to all new parents.

Baby yoga includes numerous benefits. Yoga:

Improves digestion-A baby’s digestive tract is underdeveloped and sensitive. Yoga helps strengthen and massage the intestines, increasing baby’s comfort and stimulating absorption and elimination, making baby happier and parents’ lives easier.

Provides relief from colic.-Colic is frustrating for both the child and the parents. Numerous baby yoga poses can help calm parents and babies. Baby squats are extremely effective for this. Hold baby in front of you, standing with feet a little more than hip-width apart. On an exhale, quickly squat while holding the baby securely. Return to the starting position as you inhale. Repeat until baby calms down.

Encourage bonding-Yoga encourages spending time together. Touching, holding, committing to a purpose firmly establishes an emotional foundation for parent-child relationships. Other family members and caregivers can also participate in infant yoga and thus contribute to the emotional well-being of the baby.

Stimulates neuromuscular development-Repetitive movement and touch are the cornerstones for the development of neuromuscular pathways. Since the brain develops faster during the first year of life than during any other period, frequent and repetitive stimulation of the neuromuscular system is vital to lay the foundation for future learning and growth. Yoga helps with this goal.

Increases body awareness.Babies learn through physical interaction with their world. During the first year they go from newborn to walking. Yoga helps babies learn where their body parts are and how to move them to improve coordination, build strength, and instill a positive body image.

Reduce stressBabies’ lives are stressful. Everything is new, they can’t tell others what’s wrong, and they struggle to understand and control their bodies. New parents also have a high level of stress compounded by insomnia. Yoga can help both babies and parents grow and learn together, trusting their intuition and learning to relax.

Promotes a deeper and longer sleep.Babies need stimulation to grow. They also need sleep. Children’s yoga helps the baby to exercise the body and inspire the mind. Then baby is ready to relax and drift off to sleep for a nice long nap. Yoga also helps calm babies who have woken up during the night to go back to sleep. New parents will rejoice when their little one sleeps longer and deeper than ever before.

The joy of baby yoga is that it can be practiced anywhere, anytime your child needs personal attention. Ideally, a period of 5 to 20 minutes of yoga is scheduled into the day at a regular time. For example, if the baby is more interactive in the morning, do playful and stimulating poses. Alternatively, if the baby is often restless at night, she incorporates calming yoga into the bedtime routine. Bath time is often the perfect time to include some yoga poses, as baby is alert and has mom or dad’s undivided attention.

Above all else, infant yoga is about being present with your baby. Parent-child interactions come from a foundation of love and gentleness. The mutual experience unites families and helps the development of the baby, the parents to facilitate growth and everyone to recognize life as a wonderful gift to share.