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As a coach that specializes in marriage, couples and family coaching, it is critical to develop strong and clear keys for communication. How many times have you been faced with a difficult feeling or occurrence that you are reluctant to discuss with your partner? You probably thought, “If I just don’t say anything, I can get past it”?

The problem is most of us can’t get past it. It simmers and swells until we near our boiling point. Finally, we explode. The problem has magnified itself beyond rational conversation. From this miscommunication comes a personal, relational and emotional mess.

I have developed, tested and proven 5 very critical keys to effective and powerful communication. First, you and your partner must give each other permission to discuss your feelings and issues that arise between yourselves. This is very difficult for most people. Why? It requires respect for yourself and your partner. You must have a non-defensive and non-judgmental environment, free from hidden agendas and defenses. Forming this connection will help you to see the others perspective and create a constructive environment.

After we have created this new and trusting environment, the next four keys will challenge and guide you to process information using a new method of constructive communication. Create a new standard and process for yourself (LTRR). What is LTRR?

LTRR, the code to creating and shifting perspective:

Listen- We hear but we are not listening. When we disagree with someone or something, we tend to begin to formulate our reactive response long before the speaking has ended. Take time to listen to all of the information or view.

Think- Process the information you received; all of it. Try to appreciate their perspective. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this perspective? Is it morally acceptable to me? How does this fit or clash with my perspective.

Reframe- Ask yourself questions to help you get clear on a new or different perspective. A question such as; what is your perspective on this that is giving you trouble? What perspective could I take from this that would lead to a more empowered position?

Respond- Finally it’s time to respond. Notice that it doesn’t say react. Respond implies thought and reasoning. Organize your thoughts and your perspective. Share it with others.

Try it. It will be difficult at first and you’ll be dying to react, but don’t. Personally, I utilize a 7 second rule. I don’t respond to new ideas and perspectives until 7 seconds after the person has finished speaking. At first, I had to consciously remind myself; listen, think, reframe, and respond. Now, it just happens. It will just happen for you too.

Communication is a learned skill that requires continuous development and practice. The more we apply these tools, the better we become at utilizing these skills. Just simply giving each other permission to have hurt feelings, ask for specific outcomes and communicate our needs can produce amazing results.

About The Author

Anthony Mullins is the President and Life Coach for The Elite Coaching Alliance. He specializes in leadership, marriage, relationship and family,christian based coaching. He is the author of the upcoming e-book “Finding Fulfillment in and Unfulfilling World”. He can be reached by e-mail: anthony@elitecoachingalliance.com or by phone at 770.587.3545. Visit our new website http://www.elitecoachingalliance.com

John Steinbeck’s The Pearl, starts off by introducing a simple family living by the sea. Kino, a diver whose skills have been pasted down from generation to generation, his young wife Juana, and his son Coyotito who gets bitten by a scorpion and falls deathly ill. At this point in the story the dilemma truly unfolds. Kino goes out the next day to do some diving, ironically he finds a pearl that seems to be very large and will bring him great wealth, at least that’s what he thinks. This part of the story is where things get a little twisted. That morning the doctor was supposed to come over and take a look at Coyotito, instead he did not come. Then when Kino finds the pearl the doctor is at his aid very quickly and administers a potion to Coyotito that is supposed to help him with his spasms. Moreover, I feel this is the very first conflict in the story and the first sign of greed that came with the pearl. Why is it that the doctor did not come that morning? Secondly, why is it that as soon Kino finds the pearl, the doctor is there in a couple of minutes with a cure, and then non-chalantally asks about payment.

Another event that happened to Kino was that one night he decided to bury the pearl underneath the fire hole in the house, and surprisingly an intruder comes in and there is a fight leading to Kino chasing him away. At this point Juana feels that the pearl is evil and they should get rid of it.

The following morning another complication occurs. Kino and Juana decide to take the pearl into town to sell it to get rid of the bad luck that has come with it. All of the dealers knew that Kino was coming and all bid low on the pearl. Kino then decides to take that pearl home and then return the next day to sell it at the capital. The next hardship that the pearl brought them was when Kino is attack by vandals. The turnout leaves Kino killing a man over the pearl and having to hide out at his brother Juan Thomas’s house because he was afraid of being labeled a murderer. Furthermore, Kino, Juana, and Coyotito all set off on a trail. Kino then notices that he is being traced, so at night Kino decides to attack one of the men, which wakes up another one that has a gun and he fires and kills Kino’s son, Coyotito.

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Most people don’t believe that I have made money off the Internet for the past 4 years without spending a dime on advertising.

But it’s true.

I’ve been online for longer, but for at least the past 4 years, I have not spent anything on promoting my business…

ZERO, zip, zilch. Not one red cent.

How have I managed to pull this off? Two words… Joint Ventures!

Now… before you cringe at hearing those two words, let me just warn you that what I’m about to reveal below is serious, serious stuff. And it can be very profitable for you if you use it the way I describe it below.

I can understand if you’re tired of hearing about joint ventures. I don’t blame you. Because, for the past several months, everyone and their neighbors’ pets have been talking about it.

Joint ventures this, joint ventures that… joint venture software, joint venture web sites, it’s crazy. It’s as if they have just now found out about the explosive cash-producing power of finding marketing partners.

But I must warn you…

As much as some of us may dislike hearing about joint ventures, the bottom line is that they work! Boy, do they work! Remember, I have not spent a dime on marketing my business for the past 4 years! That’s how well joint ventures work.

It’s one of the fastest ways to build your customer base, and your business - by finding other business owners who have large customer bases and working with them to promote your product! But here’s the big problem…

Many people have tried using this strategy and have failed miserably. I’ll explain why so many fail, and I’ll also share a simple, but powerful strategy that can help you succeed where most have failed.

The most powerful secret to successful joint ventures is to realize that asking for a joint venture is very similar to “making an offer to a prospect.” Asking for a joint venture is no different than trying to sell to a prospect.

If you can understand this one simple concept, you will have great success with joint ventures.

Let’s disect this further…

If you were to sell to a prospect, what would you do to make your offer more effective?

Here are a few techniques you could use:

First and foremost, get the prospect’s attention!

Clearly outline all the powerful benefits of the product/service and OFFER, and answer the “WIIFM” question (What’s In It For Me) for the prospect.

Establish the “uniqueness” of your offer so that you stand out amongst other offers.

Make the prospect feel unique and special

If you use just the above few techniques, your offer would be much more effective than most other competing offers, wouldn’t you agree?

Well, guess what…you can use these same techniques to make your joint venture proposals effective!

When you’re working on forming joint ventures, see the other business owners as “prospects.” You need to get their attention, outline the benefits, make them feel special !

Sure, you can just offer the other person a cut of the profits if they agree to endorse your product to their list. But everybody else is already doing that! And these days, that’s not enticing enough.

You see, when most people approach other businesses for joint ventures, they are only focused on what they can get out of the deal — which is getting the other person to endorse a product/service for them.

And that’s why so many people fail at this.

Here’s a much better way of doing it…

First, grab their attention! Think of all the common ways people approach others for joint ventures. Then, make your offer different! If everybody else is sending their offers via email, send yours via regular mail. If regular mail is very commonly used, use FedEx. If FedEx becomes common, pick up the phone and present your offer on the phone.

Use a subject line that will get their attention. Make an offer that will get their attention! Remember, if your offer doesn’t get read, the deal with never happen.

If everyone is offering up to 50% of the profits to their JV partners, be unique and offer more!

Add special bonuses or other unadvertised perks that no one else will get except your JV partner’s customers. Treat them extra special, because they are!

You are not making a one-time deal with these JV partners. You are working on building an ongoing and solid relationship with them.

Also, do a little research and get to know the person you’re about to make a deal with. Make the person feel special. If there is something you admire or respect about them, let them know! If you are a customer of theirs and have found their product/service to be valuable, mention it to them. Everybody loves flattery.

Do whatever it is you can to make your JV offer stand out! Make them an offer they would be crazy to pass up!

And do not use a form letter or one of those generic software-generated notes. Any seasoned marketer will smell that stuff a mile away. Instead, put your heart into it. Make it unique. Use existing forms and email samples only as a guide.

Here’s another tip that’s extremely powerful…

Shift your focus to the other party and ask yourself “What do they need? What can I offer them that would be of value to them?”

Marketing consultant and author Robert Allen said something very interesting when he was promoting his most recent book. He wanted to get invited into the Oprah Winfrey show. But instead of asking himself “How can I get on Oprah’s show?” he asked a better, more useful question… “What does Oprah want on her show?”

Do you see how that little shift of focus can create a world of difference on the results you’d get?

Here’s something else you can do that’s also very powerful and effective…

Offer to help the other person with something first. Anything. Without bringing up your joint venture offer. Then, when you’ve created some value for them, you can ask them to help you out with something. (Say a joint venture, perhaps?)

Do you see how this strategy differs from what most people try to do out there?

Heck, I’ve even seen people requesting joint ventures by just sending a one-line email note to the other person which reads, “Want to promote my product? Here’s my link…” Do they really expect me (or anyone for that matter) to even respond to that note? It just doesn’t work!

Be unique! Create value for them first! Make it worth their while. Make them an offer they can’t refuse!

And finally, keep in mind that no matter how great your offer is, not everyone will say “yes” to it. If you don’t hear back from the person, wait a week and follow up with them. If still nothing, move on to the next one.

I’ve approached some people who just had too much on their plate already and just weren’t able to work with me. Or maybe they just didn’t like my product or didn’t feel that it would fit in with what they were doing.

It happens. Don’t take it personally.

The trick is to not quit after the first “no.” Forming powerful, mutually-beneficial alliances with successful businesses is the best strategy available to us. And it is well worth your time to continue pursuing joint ventures.

Just one well-structured, well launched joint venture can bring in an avalanche of profits for you, not to mention all the new customers you can add to your list. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

Don’t be afraid to ask for a joint venture. If you don’t ask, you are guaranteed to not get it.

By following just the handful of tips provided in this article, you will greatly increase your chances of striking powerful joint venture deals.

Although, if you would really like to get all the powerful joint venture secrets, to really master this highly profitable technique right now, as well as other powerful marketing strategies of the top minds, just get the fr.ee report mentioned below…

To your success!

Copyright © 2002-2005 BryanKumar.com. All Rights Reserved.

Bryan Kumar has been teaching others how to profit from the Internet quickly and easily, using informational products, since 1996. His ebooks and reports have received rave reviews from some of the best marketing minds online.

Bryan is best known for taking the most powerful marketing strategies and concepts, and simplifying them so it’s quick and easy to implement. You can learn more about him at:
http://www.BryanKumar.com

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Debt counsellors

Debt management companies can offer an excellent service for large amounts of out of control debt. If you are having difficulties keeping up with any repayments, then do seek advice from a debt counsellor. They are professionals and know how the creditors work.

If you have your debt management plan accepted, a singular monthly payment is made to the debt management company, who in turn pay your respective creditors with monthly payments.

The monthly payments that the debt management company pays to the creditors, is negotiated on your behalf by the debt management counsellor. Negotiations are all to do with the amount of debt you are in, amounts you can afford and the term you have left. Most creditors have different policies for handling situations like this. Depending on the creditors terms and conditions and the counsellors negotiation skills, some credit agencies reduce and even freeze interest rates for the term of your loan, some companies extend the term interest free with a lower monthly payment. It really does depend on the creditors and there policies as to what deal you will receive.

A debt management programme can take a long time to clear any outstanding debt. However programs like this are often an excellent solution. Your debt is handled by professionals, this relives the stress of debt and gives you piece of mind knowing you have a professional taking care over your debt.

There are a couple of things you need to be wary of. Some debt management companies require a monthly fee which can be quite costly. Others require a one off start up fee. It is best to look into debt management company’s policies before committing to a debt management plan. Charity based companies are usually the best http://www.cccs.co.uk offer a service for free. CCCS only use the interest from your monthly payment to your creditors as payment.

Bankruptcy

When an individual is deemed bankrupt, it means the individual has become insolvent. Personal insolvencies in England and Wales are dealt with usually under the Insolvency Act 1986. When the court is satisfied that there is absolutely no hope of the debt being paid, a bankruptcy order is issued on the petition of the debtor (which is you) or one or more of your creditors who are owed £750 or more.

The official receiver investigates the financial affairs of the debtor for the period before bankruptcy and is appointed to act as trustee from the date of the bankruptcy order until a trustee takes control.

Bankruptcy is by no means the best way of dealing with your debts. When an individual becomes bankrupt there are severe restrictions placed against a bankrupt person, for instance:

• Acting as a director of a company, starting, managing or promoting a company without the consent of the court’s

• Continuing to run a business in a different name from that for which the bankruptcy was made without informing all associates doing business with you
• Obtaining credit of £250 or more without disclosing to the creditor, your bankruptcy

Upon bankruptcy all banks will be informed of your insolvency, bank accounts will be closed, all future assets lost, and all hire purchase items will be returned. In effect you will be left with nothing but the home you live in. However you will be debt free. Only as a last resort should you opt for bankruptcy. The ability to obtain a new bank account or any future credit will be considerably harder to achieve for a term of around 7 years.

Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVA)

An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is a legal process for UK residents with major debt problems. An IVA can be arranged with the help of professional insolvency practitioners.

An IVA can be effective at curing debt problems without many of the negative aspects that can be produced by bankruptcy. An IVA is an especially viable solution for those with equity to protect.

Depending on your circumstances, IVA’s can write off a high percentage of your debt. If you keep up the arranged monthly payments, you can be debt free in as little as five years.

You the client agree to the details of an IVA with your creditors at a creditors’ meeting. A 75% majority vote, in favour of an IVA is needed for an agreement.

With an IVA you can avoid any legal actions, freeze all interest charges, remove CCJ’s and design a programme of manageable monthly payments based around what you can afford.

You also avoid the penalties associated with bankruptcy as mention earlier:

• Acting as a director of a company, starting, managing or promoting a company without the consent of the court’s
• Continuing to run a business in a different name from that for which the bankruptcy was made without informing all associates doing business with you
• Obtaining credit of £250 or more without disclosing to the creditor, your bankruptcy

However, IVAs are usually only suitable for those with unsecured debts of at least £20,000.

Although an IVA protects you from the stigma of bankruptcy, where all details are advertised publicly. If your application for IVA fails, you could still be made bankrupt. You will also be charged for the cost of the IVA; however this would be added to the debts.

Article supplied by Michael Aldridge.
For a complete and extensive guide to debt consolidation, please visit our web site at http://www.debtconsolidation.informatee.com.

Just like any business, your identity is very important. On the World Wide Web, your domain name is your identity. Of course, you can opt for a subdomain name that comes with many free web hosting like http://yourdomain.netfirms.com. But if you are serious about being successful on the Internet, you have to get your own domain name, like http://www.yourdomain.com.

Top 10 reasons to have your own domain name
Please note that all domain names listed in italic are ficticious:

1. It is cheap and easy to get your own domain name (less than $15/year in most cases)
2. You own the name (as long as you pay the annual fee)
3. You are not dependent on one web hosting company to let you use a subdomain, or worse, a subdirectory
4. Your web site promotion effort does not go to waste if you change your web hosting company (because the domain name remains the same regardless of what host you use)
5. The domain name can be optimized to your business, like www.best-used-cars.com
6. Your web site is more professional
7. The domain name is easier to remember. For instance, www.best-used-cars.com rather than www.geocities.com/web/public/business/auto/best-used-cars/
8. It is much easier to sell a web site with its own domain name
9. A good domain name can be an asset
10. It is cheap and easy to get your own domain name (this one is worth repeating)

How to register for a domain name
Please note that all domain names listed in italic are ficticious:

1. Think of appropriate name for that suit the theme of your web site. For instance, an online dating service may find domain name like www.loveconnection.com, more desirable than say www.best-used-cars.com
2. Search for domain name availability. Every domain name registrar will provide you with a search tool; although some search tools are better than other. You will have to do a lot of searches because a lot of domain name that you wish to have is probably already owned by someone else (very common).
3. As you come across available domain names that you like, jot them down. Keep searching until you have about 3-5 different domain names to choose from.
4. Choose a domain name and register it at a domain name ICANN Accredited registrar.

Other factors to consider

• Initially, you will want the .com version of your domain name. If your internet business takes off, you may want to consider registering other first-level domains (i.e., .net) of your domain name and perhaps even similar domain names to prevent mistaken identity
• Use domain name registrar that will register the domain under your name under all contacts information (perhaps with the exception of technical contact). It should be clear that you own the domain name.
• Use domain name registrar that provide good online account support.
• Use automatic domain name renewal if you are planning to own the domain name long-term

About the Author

Pinyo Bhulipongsanon is the owner of GreatNexus Webmaster Resources offering visitors with features such as webmaster forums, webmaster directory, webmaster dictionary, programming scripts, and webmaster articles. Please visit GWR for more webmaster and SEO articles.

Free credit score check is one of the best ideas to improve or increase your credit score. There can be many errors in your credit report that can obstruct your financial flexibility. Some people have the opinion that checking score can reduce their credit score rating but it is not so. Checking does not harm your credit score. In fact credit score check improves the credit score rating of an individual.

Why Check Credit Score?
Many lenders and retailers who extend credit facilities use credit score. The main purpose is to eliminate bad debts or any such poor line that may involve in the transaction. If you have bad credit score the lender may refrain from extending credit facilities but person with good credit score does not face any financial shortage. If you desire to have good credit score or want to increase credit score scale then you must check your credit score periodically. It is always advisable to check your credit score once in six months. Remember a minor error in your credit score can cause major destruction in your credit score rating.

Credit Scoring: Advantage
Your credit score reflects your past payment and debts history. Because of this credit score and reports many financial institutions are able to lend “instant credit” to the borrowers. Now days if you intend to purchase a car or house on credit the prospective seller ask for your credit score. That indicates that your credit extension is totally based on your credit score scale.

Your credit score consists of 5 components, which are payment history (35%), types of credit used (10%), Credit Inquiries (10%), total amount owed (30%) and length of past credit History (15%). It also reflects your bankruptcy, divorces, judgement, lien as well as all the negative and positive remarks. In order to avoid such things you must make your payment on time or before the due date.

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